January 27, 2011
MAYOR'S MESSAGE:
One of the benefits of being mayor is the constant interaction I have with our residents and visitors. People from our community phone my office, write me letters and e-mails and stop me on the street, either to voice their opinions, mention a concern or tell me that our town looks better than ever.
Recently, I received an email from Army Major Tim Ramsey, who is currently serving in Afghanistan. In his message, Major Ramsey mentioned that he has been reading about Sea Isle City online from the Middle East, and he wanted to congratulate us on our 2011 budget and our city in general. He also had a thoughtful suggestion concerning our beaches. After reading his kind words, I was humbled and filled with a sense of pride - all because a soldier who is stationed thousands of miles away took the time to send a friendly email to the mayor of a small South Jersey resort town.
I also recently received a letter from Governor Chris Christie, who wrote to thank me for delivering our 2011 budget under his 2% cap and without a tax increase. In his note the governor said, "I thank you for your tenacious pursuit of responsible budgetary and tax policies and for demonstrating that more efficient and effective government is possible." This too filled me with pride - as it should for everyone who calls Sea Isle City home. Unlike other municipalities and cities across the nation, Sea Isle City is operating with a strong financial base and an eye on the future. However, our work is far from over.
In February, we are expecting a visit from New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, who is personally visiting many towns throughout the state to discuss the concerns of community leaders, identify problems and discuss possible solutions. I will be certain to listen attentively as Lt. Governor Guadagno shares her thoughts and opinions with us, and I will speak freely with her about ways to make our state even better. Look for an update about her visit in a future communication. Until then, please don't hesitate to stop me on the street, phone my office and send me emails with your thoughts and concerns.
CITY COUNCIL MESSAGE:
As you may know, Mayor Desiderio presented Sea Isle's 2011 Budget to City Council on January 11. On January 13, council held a public budget workshop to discuss revenues and expenditures for each City department. We were very pleased that the Administration was able to present a ZERO TAX RATE increase for 2011. Your council members, mayor, business administrator and department heads have been working diligently during the last three years to achieve this goal.
Below are some of the major initiatives that have allowed us to manage the budget while maintaining services and improving our economic well-being as a city:
o Sea Isle City has maintained a hiring freeze (except for public safety and statutorily required positions).
o The City opened all contracts and eliminated a very costly health benefit package by changing to the state benefit plan for employees and retirees.
o A 5-year capital planning process has been established.
o Departments have been restructured for efficiency.
o Expenses have been controlled in each department.
According to a 2010 survey by SICTA, Sea Isle Revitalization and the SIC Chamber of Commerce, "taxpayers are much more satisfied about receiving a great deal for their tax dollars." City Council feels that the initiatives mentioned above are just a few ways that we have achieved this type of taxpayer satisfaction.
City Council is dedicated to supporting fiscal prudence while investing in our infrastructure and increasing our surplus funds. All of this allows us to maintain a well-managed and attractive town.
UPDATES ON CITY PROJECTS:
Excursion Park - Construction on this project is ongoing, with completion of the bandshell, new beach pavilion and promenade seating area all scheduled for completion prior to Memorial Day.
Reconstruction of Basketball Courts & Playground on JFK Boulevard - The project is scheduled to go out to bid in early February, with award of a construction contract scheduled for early March and project completion prior to Memorial Day.
Replacement of the Marina Boat Ramp - The City received the necessary waiver of environmental restrictions regarding the placement of a coffer dam between January 1 and May 31, which will allow the project to be awarded at the February 22nd council meeting and be completed by the end of April.
Inflow and Infiltration Remediation - This project is the culmination of over two years of planning, investigation, assessment and engineering related to the City's sanitary sewer system. The goal is to correct problems associated with the infiltration of groundwater into underground pipe systems and the inflow of flood waters into the system. The City maintains an extensive 40+ mile long sewer main system, and this multi-phase project will start with the areas most in need of correction. The first phase, to correct sewer lines from 22nd to 41st Street, will be completed prior to the summer season.
North-End Landfill Remediation With Use of Dredged Materials/Passive Park Development - Environmental investigation and engineering continues on this project, which is funded in part through an agreement with the NJ Department of Transportation. The City's consultants are working to obtain a landfill disruption permit to enable our environmental scientists and engineers to perform subsurface investigations. The objective at this point is to obtain the required permits this year to perform work on the landfill necessary to develop a Passive Park for recreation, as well as perform necessary containment of eroding landfill areas.
55th Street Water Treatment Facility - Since construction was completed in 2008 on the City's well and water treatment facility, the Water and Sewer Division of Public Works has continued to perform routine and specialized maintenance projects to keep the facility in excellent condition. Shown below are photos of the facility, which is responsible for delivering water at 700 gallons per minute to the residents of Sea Isle City. This is one of four sites throughout Sea Isle that provide for the annual delivery of hundreds of millions of gallons of water to City residents and visitors.
DID YOU KNOW...
o Our next regular City Council meeting is Tuesday, February 8, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
o Free 'Tween Craft Club sessions for kids, age 9-14, will take place at the SIC Library, 125 JFK Boulevard, on Mondays, February 14 & 28, March 14 & 28, April 11 & 25, May 9 & 23, 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Info: (609) 463-6354 (609) 463-6354 .
o The SIC Department of Recreation hosts weekly fitness classes, basketball and volleyball pick-up games, yoga sessions and after-school activities for kids. For info, phone 263-0050.
o 2011 Polar Bear Plunge Weekend is February 18-20. Activities include Prince & Princess and King & Queen contests, a costume contest, a 5K Run/1M Walk for Autism, vendors and an icy dip in the Atlantic Ocean. For additional information visit www.seaislecitynj.us or phone 263-3756.
o City Hall is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 p.m.
o Sea Isle City's Town Watch/Town Pride is a volunteer organization that works with the SICPD to promote and ensure public safety. For information about TW/TP, phone Carl Lingesso, 263-6982.
o City Councilman Bill Kehner was recently installed as President of the Cape May County League of Municipalities. The league consists of local elected officials who meet each month to discuss recent developments, share ideas and plan for the future.
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? --If you have questions or concerns, there is no need to wait for an upcoming City Council meeting to express your thoughts. You can contact the head of any City Department today to obtain the answers you need. Visit our website, www.seaislecitynj.us and click on the Government/City Directory tabs for a complete list of contact information - or phone City Hall, 263-4461.
