Thursday, May 19, 2011

Sea Isle City e-Newsletter for May 19th

E-NEWSLETTER

From The City of Sea Isle City


May 19, 2010


MAYOR’S MESSAGE:


With each passing day, the approaching summer is getting closer and closer, and here in Sea Isle City we have many exciting events planned that will make the pending season unique and memorable. In addition to a wide-range of family activities, including free outdoor movies, dance parties and musical concerts at Sea Isle’s beautiful new band shell, there will also be pet shows, environmental tours, parades, beauty pageants, festivals and many athletic events.

The first athletic competition taking place this summer is the 4th Annual Tri-For-Our-Veterans Triathlon on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 28. Like many of Sea Isle’s yearly races, the triathlon is a fund raiser that supports very worthy causes, namely the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund and Sea Isle City’s VFW Post 1963. Another athletic event taking place is the Gerard A. Desiderio 5K Heart Run and Walk on Saturday, June 4, which is named in honor of my younger brother, who passed away in 2003. The Heart Run and Walk is co-sponsored by AARP Chapter 710 and the City of Sea Isle City, and it raises money for the American Heart Association. And, I could not mention local races without spotlighting Peyton’s Promise 5K Run and 2K Walk on Saturday, June 11. This event is named in honor of one of Sea Isle’s youngest residents, Peyton Laricks, who was born in 2008 with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a serious birth defect that prevents the diaphragm from fully developing, allows internal organs to migrate out of position and stunts proper lung growth. Fortunately, little Peyton survived a gamut of surgeries and treatments after she was born, and today she is a happy and healthy toddler – but not all CDH babies are as fortunate. That’s why Peyton’s parents, Dusty and Debbie Laricks, host this event each year to raise money for CDH research. I encourage the entire community to support Peyton’s Promise and as many other fund raisers as possible – because together we can accomplish anything! Registration forms for Peyton’s Promise and many other community events can be accessed through our City website, www.seaislecitynj.us , under the “What’s Happening” link.

This year, there will also be many other opportunities for people to display their athletic abilities, including additional 5K’s, surfing competitions, hockey tournaments, rugby matches, a children’s homerun derby (sponsored by the Philadelphia Phillies) and a hockey clinic for kids (sponsored by the Philadelphia Flyers). Also, don’t forget the grand-daddy of all local athletic events, the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol’s Annual Captain Bill Gallagher 10-Mile Island Run on August 6, a huge race that attracts thousands of competitors and countless spectators each year. So, put on your running shoes and get in shape, because the summer will soon be here!

See you in Sea Isle!

Mayor Leonard Desiderio



CITY COUNCIL MESSAGE:

During our City Council meeting on May 17, the Administration was happy to report that this year’s pre-season beach tag sales are $30,000 ahead of last year’s figures. 2011 Seasonal Beach Tags can be purchased for $20 each at City Hall and the Beach Tag Office. For information, visit www.seaislecitynj.us or phone 263-1771. Also reported by the Business Administrator George Savastano were the City’s new parking kiosks and the cost associated with them, which was in response to a question posed during an earlier Council meeting. The City is in the process of converting our traditional meters, of which there are hundreds throughout the City. The new kiosks are currently located on the south-side of the JFK Boulevard Corridor and in the Marina District. The benefits of parking kiosks were identified during the Beach-to-Bay Corridor Planning Review and in conjunction with Cape May County during planning for the upcoming reconstruction of JFK Boulevard. Kiosks were deemed desirable from both an aesthetic and an ongoing maintenance perspective. In addition, kiosks provide a more convenient manner of payment for motorists because they accept credit cards and coins. From an operational cost standpoint, the servicing and maintenance of 22 kiosks as opposed to 314 meters will result in reduced costs on an ongoing basis.

At the May 17 meeting, City Council President Mary Tighe announced the names of several winners of the 2011 Jersey Shore Hot List Contest, in which Sea Isle City took First Place in the “Best Beach” category and Second Place in the “Best Town” category. Other first place winners include Groovy Girlz (Best Accessories), KIX-McNutley’s (Best Dance Club), Bubba Dogs (Best Hot Dogs) and Surfside Fitness (Best Gym). Local runners-up included Toni Nicole’s Boutique, Method Skate Shop, Giovanni’s Deli, O’Donnell’s Pour House, Sands Department Store, The Springfield Inn, Kathy’s Hair Port, Elements Spa and Salon, The Ocean Drive, Secret Service Band of Sea Isle City, Steak Out Restaurant, Mike’s Seafood, Shoobies Restaurant, Rig-A-Toni’s Sandwiches and More, Basilico’s Restaurant, Welshie’s For Shore and Heritage Surf and Sport. 1,497 businesses competed for the titles of “Jersey Shore’s Best” and 16, 600 votes were tallied. Congratulations to all of our local winners and runners-up. You have proven that Sea Isle is THE premier destination at the Jersey Shore!

Due to the recently defeated school budget ballot question during the April 27 School Board Elections, Council placed a resolution on May 17’s Council Agenda (per State requirements) to discuss the 2011-12 fiscal school budget. To ensure a quality education and sufficient services are provided to our students, City Council unanimously voted to adopt the School Board’s budget for the next school year.

As was previously disclosed, Council held a second reading and public hearing on ordinance 1498, which added 43rd Place to Sea Isle’s “noise free zones.” This ordinance was passed unanimously and was unopposed by the members of the audience.

Also during the May 17 Council meeting, under new business, Councilman Frank Edwardi made a recommendation that West Jersey Avenue (which is parallel to the JFK Boulevard playground) be re-named Laricks Lane in honor of the Laricks Family, who has run a realty company on that block for 75 years. A resolution will be placed on the next Council meeting agenda for public discussion.

A Public Zoning Workshop was held on May 17 at 2:00 p.m. inside the Public Safety Building, which included the presidents of the zoning and planning boards, the City Solicitor, the City Engineer, the City Business Administrator, the Construction and Zoning Official, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Sea Isle Revitalization, all five members of City Council and a small contingency of local property owners. The meeting featured a good public discussion concerning commercial landscaping, design standards and handicap parking. The City Engineer and Solicitor will next draft a zoning ordinance blending all of the ideas discussed regarding those issues. A future meeting will be held to review the draft with the public, and we will specifically invite local developers to attend that meeting.

PLEASE NOTE: The May 31 Council meeting has been changed to June 1, at 10:00 am in Council Chambers.

Best Regards from Your City Council Members




PROJECT UPDATES:


JFK BOULEVARD BASKETBALL COURTS & PLAYGROUND: Work is continuing on replacement of the basketball courts, provision of new lighting, fencing and sidewalks, and the resurfacing of the entire playground area adjacent to the basketball courts with a cushioned safety material similar to that at the Dealy Field complex. The base paving for the basketball courts has been installed along with the new light poles. The perimeter sidewalks have been installed, and the majority of the new playground has been placed, with the next step being installation of the cushioned safety surface. The contractor is on schedule to meet the contract completion deadline of June 15.


EXCURSION PARK ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX: The project is on schedule for completion prior to Memorial Day weekend, with bench seating, railing, electrical work, audio/visual system and sod placement all scheduled to be completed over the next week. At this point, the entertainment complex will be ready for its first event, the Tri for Our Veterans Triathlon, to be held on Saturday, May 28.


85TH STREET LIFEGUARD STATION/PUBLIC RESTROOMS: The installation of roofing, siding, and decking has been completed, and installation of interior plumbing is underway. The project will provide for handicapped accessible restrooms, additional restroom facilities and improved storage capacity for lifeguard operations. Work is being performed by City Public Works forces. The restrooms will be opened to the public for the Memorial Day weekend.


MARINA BUILDING: The steel superstructure of the building has been erected and the installation of roof decking has commenced. Unfortunately, due to a contract dispute between the City’s contractor, NFF, and their sub-contractor, delivery of the siding and finished roof panels has been delayed, and the project completion has been pushed back to August 1. To accommodate the inconvenience, NFF has provided temporary restroom facilities until the new restrooms which are part of the Marina Building project will be available. In addition, the City will assess damages against NFF for the City’s costs associated with the extended need for temporary facilities for Marina operations.


47th PLACE BULKHEAD: The bulkhead portion of the project has been completed, with surface restoration remaining to be performed. The contractor overcame some unforeseen problems with deterioration of the adjacent private bulkheads in order to complete the bulkhead prior to the Memorial Day weekend, and ensure the safe condition of this infrastructure.


SEWER AND ROAD RECONSTRUCTION ON CENTRAL AVENUE (49th to 69th STREET) – The City has received preliminary indication from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that our application for grant funding will be approved for 20% of the cost of the project. At an estimated total project cost of 3.2 million dollars, this will provide the City with grant funding of over $600,000. The additional cost of the project will be funded by USDA through low interest loans. The plan is to start construction in the fall of this year, with the project scheduled to be performed in two phases – the first being from 49th to 61st St.; and the second phase from 61st to 69th St. The project will rehabilitate or replace the deteriorated underground sewer system, as well as provide for reconstruction of the entire one mile stretch of roadway.


DID YOU KNOW:

•Parking meters fees went into effect on May 15 in Sea Isle City. In addition to our traditional meters, look for new parking kiosk payment stations along JFK Boulevard and the Marina District.
•Sea Isle’s 2nd Annual Community Day is Saturday, May 21, at the Community Lodge, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All are invited to attend this enjoyable and informative event, which will feature children’s activities, displays from civic organizations and municipal departments, emergency response vehicles and a BBQ fund raiser for the Sea Isle Ambulance Corps. Also, Gillian’s Funland Amusement Park will open for the 2011 season on May 21 and they will be offering $10 wrist bands for a day of fun in the park.

•The SIC Environmental Commission’s Annual Turtle Party is Sunday, May 22, at the Lobster Loft Restaurant. For details, phone 263-9643.

•Volunteers are needed for the Tri-For-Our-Veterans Triathlon on May 28 to ensure pedestrian safety, hand out water and help with traffic control. Anyone interested in volunteering can email patriciaannlynn@gmail.com or visit the triathlon’s website, www.piranha-sports.com/race144.aspx. The event’s website is also where athletes can pre-register online.

•There will be some parking restrictions during the Tri-For-Our-Veterans Triathlon on May 28 along Pleasure and Landis Avenues. Please make yourself aware of all parking signs prior to and during this event!

•The South End Neighborhood Association’s Annual Memorial Day Indoor Sidewalk Sale is Saturday, May 28. For details, phone 263-3002.

•The May 31 City Council meeting has been changed to Wednesday, June 1, at 10:00 a.m., Council Chambers, 233 JFK Boulevard, 2nd floor.

•As of June 1, late fees will be added to all Property Rental Permits not yet purchased for the 2011 summer season. The permit fee will be $175 starting June 1.

•Sea Isle City’s 2011 Visitor’s Guide is now available. You can pick up a copy at City Hall and other municipal offices – or you can view an online version at www.seaislecitynj.us

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mayoral and Council Election Tomorrow!! Don't forget to vote!

Just a reminder! Sea Isle City's election for Mayor and 2 council seats is tomorrow!!!
Don't forget to vote! Don't know who to vote for yet? Check out our interviews with all of the candidates:

itunes link

Friday, May 6, 2011

We are now at 69 homes that have gone under contract or sold in Sea Isle City since January 1st. Believe it or not, is the same amount as 2010 for the same time period!
The homes that have closed since the last post are:
138 50th St., asking price $535,900, sold price $485,000

324 43rd Pl, asking price $600,000, sold price $475,000

3315 Central Ave., asking price $499,000, sold price $450,000

3700 Boardwalk, asking price $440,000, sold price $426,850

4009 Landis Ave, Unit 6-asking price $429,000, sold price $405,000, Unit 1-asking $519,999, sold price $492,000

4100 Boardwalk, asking price $379,000, sold price $360,000

4114 Central Ave., asking price $294,999, sold price $265,000

121 39th Street, asking price $283,000, sold price $265,000

5214 Landis Ave., asking price $269,000, sold price $252,500

10 50th Street, asking price $2,599,000, sold price $2,100,000

21 46th St., asking price $1,650,000, sold price $1,500,000

19 52nd St., asking $1,299,000, sold price $1,200,000

37 81st St., asking price $947,900, sold price $900,000

4010 Pleasure, asking price $849,000, sold price $843,000


341 47th Pl, asking price $749,000, sold price $759,000

14 76th St., asking price $749,000, sold price $700,000

112 52nd St, asking price $715,000, sold price $680,000

15 73rd St., asking price $625,000, sold $603,000

110 74th St., asking price $599,000, sold price $595,000

113 36th St., asking price $599,000, sold price $590,000

5412 Central, asking price $630,000, sold price $590,000

7701 Landis, asking price $599,000 sold price $568.000

347 40th St, asking price $589,000, sold price $555,000

Sea Isle City's E-Newsletter May 5th

May 5, 2011


MAYOR'S MESSAGE:

Even though we recently completed the resurfacing of many roads here in Sea Isle City, we still have more road work in our future - and we are doing all we can to receive outside funding for such projects. Last week, we received a phone call from Governor Christie's office regarding additional grant opportunities for road paving, which we will pursue immediately. And, we will continue to monitor our grant application with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the reconstruction of the sewer system along Central Avenue (49th to 69th Street) and the resurfacing of that stretch of road. Now that the federal budget has been resolved, we have been informed that we should receive notification about the Central Avenue project within the next 30 days.

Speaking of our roads, if you have recently driven through the north end of our town, you may have noticed that city workers have completely cleared and swept both sides of Landis Avenue to provide safer parking and easier travel for bicyclists and pedestrians. We will continue to monitor this area throughout the summer, as we understand that more clearing and sweeping might be needed along Landis Avenue's north end in the coming months.

You also may have noticed that work has begun on the landscaping project near the base of the Sea Isle Bridge at JFK Boulevard. This work is being done by our public works crews as well, and the end result will beautify the main entrance to our city.

With spring here, we are in full swing making sure that the City is in tip top shape for the summer, and getting ready for all of the activities and events lined up for the season. Every summer, we witness a ten to twenty fold increase in our population, and to prepare for this influx of people and increase in activity involves tremendous planning, analyzing, refining, and execution of a multitude of operations and projects. To support a summer population that approaches 50,000 people requires a coordinated effort between all of our departments, and we've worked hard to develop a strong organization to accomplish our mission. To view the City's organization chart, just go to our website at www.seaislecitynj.us, go to the Government tab, scroll down to Administration, and click on Organization Chart - it gives a good snapshot of the operations we oversee on a daily basis in Sea Isle City.

As our newsletter evolves, we will continue to provide you with timely and accurate information. We have received many favorable comments since we initiated the newsletter last year, and we have found this feedback invaluable in assisting us in the development of our public information communications. Please continue to let us know your topics of interest relative to City government, and we'll do our best to continue to keep you informed.



CITY COUNCIL MESSAGE:

During our last City Council meeting on April 26, we introduced an ordinance that would make 43rd Place (Park Road to the Bay) one of Sea Isle's noise-free zones. This came about after a request was made at a previous council meeting to address the noise issues on 43rd Place. After a review conducted by a committee of city officials was completed, it was determined that over the last few years the noise complaints have been escalating on 43rd Place, which warrants making that area a noise-free zone. That same committee will be reviewing Sea Isle's existing noise-free zones to determine if changes are needed in those areas due to the success of our anti-noise policies. The committee will also determine if any other new noise-free zones should be added in other neighborhoods.

Following the May 17 Council Meeting, there will be a Public Workshop at 2:00 p.m. inside council chambers to discuss possible zoning changes and design standards, such as window sizes in commercial districts and landscaping. If you are unable to attend that meeting, please feel free to contact any council member with suggestions (our contact info is listed on the city website: www.seaislecitynj.us ).

As was previously stated in the April 21 E-Newsletter, SICPD Chief Thomas D'Intino demonstrated the use of Sea Isle's new parking kiosks during the April 26 council meeting. The kiosks, which will replace traditional parking meters in several areas of town, are easy to use, and, as an audience member said after the demonstration, "If you can use an ATM you can use these kiosks." Chief D'Intino announced that there will be more kiosk demonstrations during Community Day on May 21. Also, there will be class-2 police officers available at the beginning of the summer to assist motorists in the use of the new kiosks.

When you drive through town, you will notice the new "Veterans Boulevard" signs at the intersection of Landis Avenue and JFK Boulevard. Due to these new signs and the collaboration between the city and VFW Post 1963 regarding veterans beach tags and the remodeling of Veterans Park, the members of Post 1963 recently honored Mayor Leonard Desiderio by presenting him with an appreciation award. Council would like to congratulate the mayor for this honor and thank Sea Isle's many veterans for all they do for our community.

As many of you know, the Sea Isle City Historical Museum is moving into the new library at 48th Street, which will open later this year. The museum's former location at 4208 Landis Avenue is temporarily being used by Sea Isle's Save Our Strays (S.O.S.), who has recently opened a thrift shop in that space called "The Crooked Tail." Also, as of May 7, S.O.S. will be classified as a 501(c) 3 tax deductible charity. During the past few years, S.O.S. has successfully reduced Sea Isle's stray cat population and found new homes for many felines. The city would like to congratulate them on all of their efforts and thank the S.O.S. volunteers for their good work.




PROJECT UPDATES:

JFK BOULEVARD BASKETBALL COURTS & PLAYGROUND: Work is continuing on replacement of the basketball courts, provision of new lighting, fencing and sidewalks, and resurfacing of the entire playground area adjacent to the basketball courts with a cushioned safety material similar to that at the Dealy Field complex. The playground equipment will be completely new (purchased under separate contract), with state-of-the-art, handicapped accessible equipment for children of all ages. The project remains on track for completion prior to the summer season.


EXCURSION PARK ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX: Work at the band shell continues with roofing and siding of the bandshell now substantially complete. The focus will now be on installation of the electrical and audio/visual systems to provide for the City's full entertainment lineup for the coming season. The landscape walls have been completed, along with the decorative "compass" paver area; and the beach pavilion is framed and sheathed to receive the decorative roofing within the next two weeks. The contractor remains on track to complete this project prior to Memorial Day Weekend and in time for the City's Tri for Our Veterans Triathlon.


85TH STREET LIFEGUARD STATION/PUBLIC RESTROOMS: Roofing, siding, and decking has been completed, and work continues on interior renovations to provide for handicapped accessible restrooms, additional restroom facilities and improved storage capacity for lifeguard operations. The project is being performed by City Public Works forces, providing for overall cost savings, as any contracted work for a project of this size would require the payment of New Jersey prevailing wage rates, which exceed the rates being paid to the City's employees. The building will be completed prior to the Memorial Day weekend.


59TH STREET FISHING PIER: Necessary structural repairs and re-decking of the fishing pier has also been completed by City Public Works forces, and the pier has been opened for use by the public.

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 City maintains a 40+ mile long sewer main system, and this multi-phase project involves the rehabilitation of selected sewer systems in order to minimize infiltration and inflow of ground water and flood waters into the sewer system. The first phase involves correction of those sewer systems allowing the most infiltration. The citywide analysis identified specific areas most in need of correction within three separate geographic areas: One - from 22nd to 41st Street; Two - from 60th to 69th Street; and Three - from 69th to 85th Street. The City administration has detailed reports which present the results of the past two years of investigative work, and over the coming months we will provide updates on the specific project work to be undertaken to systematically perform the corrective sewer work. Ultimately, this work will reduce the flow of water through our sewer system, with a resulting cost reduction in the sewer charges assessed by the county utility authority.

SOUTH END DUNE FENCE AND GRASS PLANTING: This project has been completed, and involved the placement of dune fencing and dune grass from 73rd to 94th Street. This project was part of the City's overall beach management program, which involves beach replenishment, dune construction/maintenance and overall monitoring of the City's beaches in conjunction with the State DEP and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As a result of the City's beaches being recognized by the Army Corps and FEMA as meeting the criteria of "engineered beaches," the City will be able to be reimbursed for up to 75% of the cost of this $87,000 project.


DID YOU KNOW:

•Between May 1 and September 30, dogs are not permitted on Sea Isle City's beaches, beach approaches or promenade.

•A City-Wide Yard Sale will take place on Saturday, May 7, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., hosted by the SIC Chamber of Commerce and Sea Isle Revitalization. A list of participating homes will be available on the morning of May 7 in front of RE/MAX Realty, 4200 Landis Avenue. Homes not included on that list will also be welcome to participate. For more info, phone 263-9090.

•Sea Isle City's Mother's Day Weekend Shopping Event is May 7-8. To learn about the many bargains that will be available at local shops and restaurants, visit www.seaislechamber.com and www.seaislerevitalization.com or phone 263-9090.

•On Monday, May 9, enrollment begins for the Sea Isle City Recreation Department's many summer programs. Registration applications will be available online at www.seaislecitynj.us . For more info phone 263-0050.

•Sea Isle City's 2011 Municipal Elections will take place on Tuesday, May 10, during which voters will choose a mayor and two city council members. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

•May 15 is the last day to purchase 2011 Seasonal Beach Tags at the pre-season price of $15 each. After May 15, seasonal tags will cost $20 each. Beach Tags are available at City Hall (45th and Landis Avenue, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 263-4461) and the Beach Tag Office (125 JFK Boulevard, 263-1771).

•Parking meters fees go into effect on May 15 in Sea Isle City. In addition to our traditional meters, look for new parking kiosk payment stations along JFK Boulevard and the Marina District.

•The SIC Garden Club's 2011 Flower Sale will take place on Saturday, May 14, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the playground of the SIC Public School, 46th and Park Road. For more info, phone 263-1157 or 263-0622.

•The next City Council meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, inside Council Chambers, 233 JFK Boulevard, 2nd floor.

•A Council Workshop to discuss zoning and planning issues will be held on Tuesday, May 17, at 2:00 p.m. inside Council Chambers, 233 JFK Boulevard, 2nd floor.

•Sea Isle City's 2011 Visitor's Guide is now available. You can pick up a copy at City Hall and other municipal offices - or you can view an online version at www.seaislecitynj.us.


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.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Busy Weekend in Sea Isle City! City-Wide Yard Yale and Mother's Day Shopping Event

Sea Isle City -city-wide yard sale on Saturday 7am-1pm. Want a list of homes that are having yard sales? Let us know and we will email you a list!


Sea Isle Revitalization, Mother’s Day Shopping EventSaturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-3pm --Lots of great specials going on in the salons, restaurants and shops! Want to know what the specials are? Let us know and we can email you a list!