TEXT from July 19th Minutes in Brief - Part 1

[OPRA Reporter]

July 19, 2007 Commission meeting – excerpts relevant to pier

REPORT OF BID OPENING - 2007 REHABILITATION OF FISHING PIER
The Deputy City Clerk reported that she was in receipt of the following report of bid opening:
Date of Bid Opening: July 10, 2007 @ 10:00 AM
Bid Opened By: Sandra M. Biagi, RMC/CMC, City Clerk

1. R.A. Walters & Son, Inc. $3,227,100.00
Cape May Court House, NJ
10% Bid Bond Attached

2. Walters Marine Construction, Inc. $3,396,702.10
Ocean View, NJ
10% Bid Bond Attached

3. Agate Construction Co., Inc. $3,512,580.00
Ocean View, NJ
10% Bid Bond Attached

Report Submitted By: Sandra M. Biagi, RMC/CMC, City Clerk
Cmr Vespertino moved, seconded by Cmr Schafer the report be received and filed.
Roll Call Vote:
Yeas: Commissioners Schafer, Vespertino and Mayor Kreischer


INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 2007-09

BOND ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $450,000, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $427,500, BONDS OR NOTES OF THE CITY FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES AUTHORIZED TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CITY OF VENTNOR CITY, IN THE COUNTY OF ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY.
Cmr Vespertino moved, seconded by Cmr Schafer that Ordinance 2007-09 be introduced.
Roll Call Vote:
Yeas: Commissioners Schafer, Vespertino and Mayor Kreischer

JOHN SANTORO, 118 N DORSET addressed the Commission on the topic of the fishing pier, indicating that he hoped to see the pier stay but wished to see it more open and accessible to the public. He suggested shortening the area used for fishing, fence it off and allow more space for the public who wish to be spectators only. If taxpayers’ money is to be spent fixing the pier, the public should be able to enjoy it.

PHIL TIERSTEIN, PIER MASTER blamed himself for not publicizing the pier better, offering that as the reason for the small number of memberships. “If people knew how reasonable yearly memberships were, more people would use the pier and enjoy its beauty”. He told of a wedding party that recently came out on the pier and found it to be a beautiful spot for picture taking. He agreed that more access to the public should be allowed for a modest fee.

LEE SIROTA, 14 N WYOMING agreed that the pier is beautiful with a gorgeous view but wondered about its affordability. She offered the example that she would love to live on the beach block but cannot afford to so she lives on the first block north. She questioned the cost to fix the pier. She referred to the 6-24-03 maintenance report that stated “timber piles inspected were in fair to poor state... others piling not inspected should also be considered...repairs should be made to insure safety of pier and public and retard further deterioration ...perform structural analysis and replace all pilings found to be in poor condition...reinspect pier on a 2 year cycle or immediately after bad weather conditions”. MS SIROTA asked if 2 year cycle inspections have been done and if not, how do we know what conditions the pier is in now. ADM MCCROSSON responded that inspections have not been done by outside firms only by our in-house engineer. MS SIROTA continued by asking if the public is being jeopardized by not having inspections done and will we be spending in excess of $3M if greater damages is found. MAYOR KREISCHER assured MS SIROTA that it has been discussed whether to replace some of the pilings or half the pilings and let others worry about it in the future. The Commission felt it was “most prudent” to fix all pilings now. It has been 4 years since analysis was done with the biggest cost of repair being the mobilization of equipment and getting started. If we don’t replace all pilings now and a contractor has to come back in 4-5 years, not only would the cost be more but the mobilization costs would still be there. It is best to keep the fishing pier, maintaining a safe environment while preserving an amenity that so many have enjoyed. It has been repaired or rebuilt 4 times since 1919. People that came before us made the investment in the pier so future generations could enjoy it. We feel doing the whole project now makes financial sense and because there is money available ($400,000+ grant from NJ, $650,000 2% loan from Green Acre loan program). The Mayor continued noting phone conversations, as recently as Friday with NJDEP and Green Acres when he told them we do not know if we can afford this project. The pier is the only public access, municipally owned fishing pier on the Atlantic seaboard of NJ, if not the entire east coast. It would be a “disgrace” for NJ to lose the only public access fishing pier on the east coast. We are in an exceptional position - fishing piers are a top priority with DEP because of the limited numbers. We must take advantage of it and get the money now, possibly even additional funds to further reduce the $2M we are spending now. MS SIROTA continued by asking if all the pilings or just those the report declared in poor condition will be replaced and were bids based on replacing just those pilings deemed poor or all.

MAYOR KREISCHER answered "all" to both questions. Referring to a picture in today’s Press showing 2 people walking on the pier and 1 person fishing, MS SIROTA asked for the number of pier member: 284 (114 non residents & 170 residents) adding “if you divide 284 into $3,227,000 that comes to $11,300 per fisherman and that’s a lot of money - you can buy a lot of fish - you don’t need a fishing pier for that amount of people”. The Mayor responded he knows of no fisherman on the pier “who are fishing for their food - they fish for recreation, relaxation, satisfaction and that you can’t go buy”. MS SIROTA continued by asking if the pier condition was known back in 2003 and if there was such a safety factor on pier why wasn’t it repaired then instead of spending over $7M to reconstruct the library. MAYOR KREISCHER responded that they had been working with the DEP - would have been done sooner if the first contractor had not walked away from the contract - it has been in the works for some time -- meeting with fishing pier members and the people who use the pier -- to see what their needs were to make sure “we got it right”. Also if we had done it earlier we would not have gotten as much funding from DEP. The pier is constantly being checked and monitored by Richard Carter (Engineer) and Bill Melfi (Emergency Management Director) and is closed when there are high waves or winds. The Fishing Club does a great job running fishing tournaments which had to be cancelled this year because of unsafe conditions. In closing MS SIROTA suggested that since the fishing pier members were asked what they wanted, the taxpayers of Ventnor, who outnumber fishing pier members, should be asked what they want. When asked what she would do, MS SIROTA responded “Let the fishing pier go - there comes a time in life when you have to stop living on a credit card mentality. Take it down or sell it”. MAYOR KREISCHER’s answer: “It is not prudent to spend $1.1M not to have a fishing pier”.

BENJAMIN FLAMM, 21 S FREDERICKSBURG, paying $12,000 - $13,000 per year in real estate taxes understood this expenditure will raise taxes $1,100 more per year and at 69 years old he has to work to pay taxes. Since he does not fish and does not know any of his neighbors who use the pier there must be better solution (such as privatization/partnership or creating some income flow) and would rather give that $ increase to the Red Cross. CMR VESPERTINO spoke of the sense of tradition with the pier and the identity it brings to Ventnor and how if things that are our identity are eliminated “you will end up with just another town”. He “can not see Ventnor without a fishing pier - would be like losing the boardwalk - some things you can’t put a price tag on”. When asked by the Mayor how much he would be willing to spend to maintain the pier, MR FLAMM responded “about $200/yr” to which the Mayor explained that the project will cost $50/yr more in taxes on a house assessed at $500,000.