August 2, 2007 meeting Minutes in Brief - Part 1

[OPRA Reporter]

August 2, 2007 Commission meeting -- excerpts relevant to pier

2ND READING (PUBLIC HEARING, ORDINANCE 2007-09 (VENTNOR FISHING PIER)
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.

The City Clerk read the Public Notice on Ordinance 2007-09 after which Mayor Kreischer came off the podium to address the overflow crowd. He reminded the audience that this was the last municipal fishing pier on NJ’s eastern seaboard and speaking to “rumors and misconceptions with facts”, the Mayor presented posters of funding sources w/anticipated monthly costs to owners of $200,000-$500,00 assessments. He spoke of dangers in creating public accessibility and the liabilities if the pier is closed entirely. Looking to private funding sources, he said letters were sent to banks, casinos, etc seeking sponsorships & contributions and he contacted CRDA but held little hope for grant monies – a low interest loan at best. DEP, Dpty CMR WATSON who oversees this program is hopeful we are going to get additional money with Green Acres. The Mayor invited the public to attend a fund raising committee meeting in the Mayor’s office next Tuesday @6PM to offer other funding ideas. Concluding, he restated the two choices. To fix the pier or tear it down. CMR VESPERTINO interjected that it will cost over $1M just to tear the pier down.

Reiterating the need for decorum and adherence to common rules of respect, MAYOR KREISCHER formally announced the Public Hearing was open and anyone could be heard speaking for or against the Ordinance.

DAN BRYZ-GORNIA,107 S Suffolk, life long native. Pier should remain.

LOU PALUDI, former resident/Beach Patrol Chief asked that we keep the pier. It’s a local icon.

ELLEN LERMAN,107 N Martindale. First fix streets that are falling apart. Take Pier monies from other area. Stop pulling from taxpayers. Find private source.

PAUL MACCAGNANO, 605 Somerset, [former Commissioner, former salaried ice rink director, current salaried Public Relations Director for Ventnor] 47 yr resident offered the history of storm damages/subsequent reconstruction of the pier. Keep for future generations.

BOB STERLING,421 Dorset, a Ventnor native and musician with memories of playing guitar and surfing by the pier said that if it costs $1M cost to tear it down we should keep. He suggested moving the gate out further for better taxpayer access.

ARLENE MAZIN,105 S Sacramento. Paid for the pier her entire life. Gate kept her from showing grandchildren the view. Make accessible & get other funding.

PHIL TIERSTEIN,7 N Newark [salaried Pier Master] defended present pier operation/access – reciting tournaments & prizes that benefit the children, handicapped, Vets, etc.

NORMAN KLINGER, 1 S Oxford, speaking for himself and a few other property owners, questioned and compared the fees collected and monies spent on attorneys, engineers, interest, bonds, etc. to support the fishing pier’s deficit operation for 170 citizens - to the cost of maintaining Ventnor’s beaches and Boardwalk which thousands use for their enjoyment. All Ventnor taxpayers are asked to pay $24,000 for each fisherman - just to keep a “nostalgia” icon. Speaking to the high taxes, he said as costs escalate, choices must be made and things must go. Other cities allow surf fishing, some get @$10 per day, others have privatized. He suggested

A)Offer the pier for sale or lease and if there are no takers, it means it’s not a good deal. As to teardown costs? The pier today is a declared hazard - apply (DEP/ACE) to fund the removal. Don’t wait until its an emergency – find out.

B) Investigate all funding first. Get it in writing. Then you will know the actual costs, etc.

C) Put question on the ballot. Up or down, you will live with it.

ROBERT BROOKS, 410 N Nassau (of Margate) Pier is heritage, quality of life on a barrier island. Suggested Commission contact Federal to make VC pier a weather center. Get fishing gear/tackle companies as advertising patrons. CMR. VESPERTINO said Patronage letters were sent today w/John Santoro’s help.

JOHN SANTORO, 118 N Dorset [Planning Board member] local native & owner of a bait/tackle shop offered $50 as the first donation towards sponsorship & keeping pier($50 returned)

NANCY MAZIN, 1 S Dudley questioned cost of rebuilding pier per assessment- hers is 5 times the $500,000 [maximum assessment] listed [on the Commissioners’ chart showing “$50 per year of extra taxes”].

KEN ROSS, 123 N Swarthmore asked if we all want a pier, why not a referendum? The MAYOR said he believed you elect leaders to make decisions & gave his opinion as to when referendum should be held. ROSS spoke of existing piers with the MAYOR countering they were private. ROSS said the Boardwalk, south of Lafayette should be fixed first before the pier. VESPERTINO said it will be done but contract money ran out. ROSS asked that they look for other pier funding sources first - before proceeding.

DAN CAHILL, 210 N Cambridge said don’t make it free. Make it a concession.

MICHAEL CONTE, 12 S Nashville said that referendum was the only way to go. Spoke of voter approval on dunes vs. redevelopment (not balloted) evolved by lack of code enforcement.

GEORGEANNE ROSS, 123 N Swarthmore asked who are we are doing the pier for? Of 384 members, 170 are Ventnorites -- so we are apparently not doing it for us.

JOHN HASLETT, 5603 Ventnor saw the pier as keeping bathers safe from boats.

MIKE TKACZ, 7 S Harvard gave history of his life before choosing Ventnor.

BARBARA ALTMAN, 309 N Fredericksburg spoke of growing up at 6410 Monmouth, fishing off Longport, fishing at Advena’s dock… favored keeping pier but felt that Norman Klinger had made some good suggestions. Asked that this Bond Ord. not be approved until it is resolved and suggested tabling Ordinance 2007-09.

ALBIE BATTAGLIA, 207 N Wissahickon gave his background growing up in Ventnor. He commended the Commission for forming a committee to explore other funding.

BEA METZMAN, 109 S Harvard said we are paying so much money with nothing happening. We need a pier but not one paid for through taxation.

STEVE GAYNES, 20 N Martindale felt people should move if they didn’t want to pay for the cost of the pier.

WAYNE COLEMAN, 604 N Somerset had old and recent memories such as daughter’s wedding on the pier. But felt $11,000 revenue was not acceptable. Must make money or pier will not be here the next 100 years.

RICHARD GOBER, 26 N Hillside would like to keep pier but not for $4 Million. More homework should be done on ACE/DEP monies. Having a 6.9% tax increase, the residents can’t afford any more. Look for other sources first. Don’t make decisions tonight. Put it to referendum or find other funding.

JOHN TSAPIS, 9 N Wissahickon listed all the Atlantic City piers that went down. Keep the Ventnor pier

TONY MORGANO, 107 N Derby only 2 places left to fish. The pier & Ski Beach.

LEE SIROTA, 14 N Wyoming said the money is the problem. Get out the facts before we decide. Needs the vote of the people. Put it to referendum.

MARJORIE CONTI, 5000 Boardwalk against a referendum. She can’t vote.

TOM HEWITT, 119 N Suffolk spoke of great Ventnor memories - things now gone ice rink (hockey) – Ventnor Heights tennis courts and now possibly the pier.

JOHN FETTER, 716 N Burghley Considering the $4 Million, requested they not on vote on this tonight. No reason pier should run at a loss. Find other ways.

MICHAEL NELSON, 201 N Derby wants the pier to stay.

DENNIS KELLY, 106 S Cambridge cautioned funding restrictions with Green Acres. Suggested raising membership $365 (Ventnor) $500 (non-Ventnor)