Council met at 4:00PM on January 26, 2022. The highlights from the meeting are as follows:
1. Council President Juvaitis opened the meeting by reminding those in attendance and listening by livestreaming of the protocols for addressing Council via phone. They are essentially the same procedures that have been in place for those present at Council Meetings — state your full name and address, limit comments to five minutes.
2. The Mayor administered the Oath of Office to Police Officer Quar'tus Byrd as a full time officer of the Avalon Police Department.
3. Donna Rothman of the Avalon Environmental Commission presented the 2021 Annual Summary and 2022 Work Plan.
4. There was a discussion led by Tom Thornton of Mott MacDonald about the need to replace the water main on 21st Street in the vicinity of 5th Avenue. The current main is inadequate and issues of water pressure and water quality need to be resolved.
5. Mr. Thornton also presented a preliminary plan for a spring back-passing operation to improve the North end beaches. It is anticipated that this will be needed by spring given normal weather expectations for the upcoming months. The primary work will be in the vicinity of 13th Street and sand will be harvested from south of the Fishing Pier.
It was also noted that a federally funded hydraulic beach fill is anticipated after the summer 2022 season. Both Senator Booker and Congressman Van Drew are supportive of this effort..
6. Public Comments were heard from Martha Wright with complaints about enforcement of construction codes. Specifically noted was the failure to adequately cover a dumpster at a construction site on her street. Ms. Wright was not criticizing the Borough but she sees a gap in enforcement that needs to be addressed.
7. Two other property owners addressed Council in person and one phoned in with comment for council's consideration.
