I am happy to report that last week I toured Sea Isle City’s future Fishing Pier and Kayak Launch at Dealy Field, and it is wonderful! Standing on the pier and overlooking our beautiful bay and wetlands, I could only imagine how many people will enjoy this newest recreation facility for many years to come. I envisioned countless happy memories being made as families gather there to reel-in dinner, as couples enjoy a romantic moment together at sunset, and as kayakers finally have a place that will give them convenient access to the bay. Once it is completed later this spring, the pier will complement our existing inventory of public spaces in many ways – and it will no doubt get a lot of use!
Another project that is in-the-making is the construction of new pickleball courts at our Municipal Marina along 42nd Place. After receiving many requests for additional court space from our local pickleball community, I asked our City Engineer to create a plan for seven new pickleball courts, which we hope will be completed before the summer of 2021. In the meantime, I want to thank all of the folks who reached-out to us to say how popular pickleball has grown in recent years – and I look forward to seeing them enjoy their favorite sport at the Municipal Marina as I drive over the Sea Isle Bridge.
Each autumn, a number of our local businesses traditionally close their doors and don’t reopen until the following spring. This year, however, I have noticed several of Sea Isle’s businesses that usually close during the winter have decided to stay open – and I think that’s great! As I have said many times during the past year, we all can recognize the negative impact this pandemic has had on small businesses across our country and here in Sea Isle City. Therefore, I ask everyone to please patronize our local business community and show them that we understand the importance of shopping small and eating locally.
Saturday, January 9, was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, so I would like to officially thank all of the members of our municipal, county and state police agencies who help keep our communities safe. Just as we honor our veterans every day of the year here in Sea Isle City – not just on Veterans Day – I hope too that we will all show our law enforcement officers the gratitude they deserve throughout the coming year. Thank you Men and Women in Blue!
As you have no doubt seen on the news, health officials across the nation have begun distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. Obviously, this is a huge undertaking, so we all must be patient as the distribution process is fine-tuned and expanded. Keep in mind that distributing a vaccine on such a large scale is a new procedure for each community – and not one that federal, state or county officials have had to contend with prior to this pandemic. That being said, you can find details about the distribution of the vaccine on the State of New Jersey’s website (https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine) and on Cape May County’s website (https://capemaycountynj.gov/1388/COVID-19-Updates). In the interim, I ask everyone to continue to wear face masks and practice social distancing at all times, and to always remember that we are one Sea Isle City – and above all, we are one America – and together we will be stronger than ever!
I wish everyone a Happy Martin Luther King Holiday! Here are a few words from Dr. King to consider during these difficult times…
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Smile...You're in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
City Council's Message
January 14, 2021
Due to COVID-19, the January 12 City Council meeting was held remotely; however, members of the public were able to participate in the meeting telephonically.
At the start of the January 12 meeting Mayor Desiderio reported that COVID-19 vaccinations are proceeding in Cape May County, and here in Sea Isle City our first responders have received their first dose of the vaccine. The Mayor also commented on the recent unrest in our nation and stated “It’s all about sticking together. It doesn’t mean we can’t disagree...but it does mean we stay true to our core values of respect, integrity, and tolerance.”
Following the Mayor’s comments, Ordinance 1659 was introduced with first reading. At that time, City Solicitor Paul Baldini explained that Ordinance 1659 was written to address technical requirements in Sea Isle City’s Watershed Master Plan and will help our community achieve recertification with FEMA – and, in turn, will help us maintain our good standing in FEMA’s CRS Program. Ordinance 1659 will be sent to the City’s Planning Board for consistency review before being added to City Council’s February 9 Meeting Agenda for second reading and possible adoption.
Each of the Resolutions on the January 12 Consent Agenda was approved, including:
•Resolution 001, which authorized the adoption of the City’s 2021 Temporary Budget, thus allowing City Departments to operate until the 2021 Municipal Budget is approved later this year.
•Resolution 003, which designated the Newspapers that will be used for City Publications (The Ocean City Sentinel, The Press of Atlantic City and the Gazette Leader).
•Resolution 008, which authorized a Shared Services Agreement between Sea Isle City and the Borough of Woodbine for Tax Assessor Services.
•Resolution 009, which authorized Mayor Desiderio to execute a contract between the City and Tax Assessor Joseph (Art) Berrodin.
•Resolution 011, which authorized the Sea Isle City Police Department to participate in a program that will allow them to acquire excess Department of Defense equipment (Please Note: Resolution 011 adds more definitive language to a similar Resolution that was approved in 2020).
•Resolution 013, which authorized a contract for EMS Billing with Cape Medical Billing, a third-party billing service.
•Resolution 014, which authorized the advertisement of bids for Project SIC 210 (Utility Reconstruction on Sounds Avenue).
The next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 26, at 10:00 a.m. Due to the pandemic, the January 26 meeting will be held remotely; however members of the public will be able to participate in the meeting via telephone – and the public can also email questions and comments to the City Clerk’s Office prior to the meeting (sromano@seaislecitynj.us). More information about the January 26 meeting will be forthcoming.
City Council reminds everyone to please stay safe and sign-up for your COVID-19 vaccinations! Here is a link to New Jersey State website with information about the vaccine: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine.
Best Regards from the Members of City Council,
Council President William Kehner
Frank Edwardi
J.B. Feeley
Jack Gibson
Mary Tighe
