Council discussed the following issues during the work session and their regular public meeting:
Mr. Kennedy, the owner of 24th Street LLC, gave a detailed presentation to Council with specifics of his proposed restaurant at the Caldwell Bankers Real Estate site at 2688 Dune Drive. Indoor facilities will be restricted to storage, food preparation, rest rooms, and a service bar (with outside window). Outside seating is proposed for about 188 diners. Lunch and dinner will be served, with dinner hours and last call at 9:30 PM for closing at 10:00 PM. No variances are required for the proposal.
There will be extensive landscaping, with an activities area providing games such as Jenga and corn hole. The goal is to family oriented.
Some property owners raised concerns about parking and last summer's experience with congregating youngsters once the beaches were closed at 11:00 PM. There was support for the proposal voiced from the public, with traffic and noise being the primary negative concerns.
Council discussed a variety of special conditions to be added to any proposal, and will probably vote on the final proposal at the next Council meeting on May 25th.
The Beach Back Passing operation began several days ago, but initial efforts were obliterated by the Mother's Day storm which continued through the date of the meeting. The operation will be extended beyond Memorial Day, but there will be no operation from Friday through Monday of Memorial Day Weekend.
Council approved a resolution to accept the proposal of the Taylor Design Group for the Bay Park Marina reconstruction. The Borough continues to work on funding the total project with request for grants and funding to various sources.
Council approved an ordinance amending Chapter 27 of the Borough Code to require portable fire extinguishers in all multiple dwelling units.
Effective May 1st, trash cans are being returned to curbside only, no longer being returned to the side of the house. The Borough is going out on a public bid requesting itemized costs of trash and recycling cans for all properties, and side of the house return of the new containers. This will allow the Borough to determine the exact cost of side of the house return, hoping to return to this service in the next contract. Bids for trash collection must have a 60-day time frame for response, so it will be some time before this situation might be acted on.
Two members of the public, Kevin Dogherty and John Quarterrman , who are involved in Charter Fishing, questioned the assigning of boat slips at the Fishing Center.
Video of all Council Meetings are archived on the Borough website for interested members.
