FROM THE CITY OF SEA ISLE CITY
E-NEWSLETTER
MAYOR'S MESSAGE:
What a great summer we have planned here in Sea Isle City! As I mentioned earlier, the excitement is heating up at our new Entertainment Complex, and so far we have received nothing but positive feedback about the many events that have already taken place at Excursion Park's Band Shell. More than 2500 spectators were thoroughly entertained during the opening night of Sea Isle City's Got Talent on June 24, plus our weekly concerts and numerous other events have pleased thousands others so far this year as well - and it is only June 30! There are many more events still to come in the weeks ahead, so if you haven't yet had the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful new entertainment venue, check out Sea Isle's calendar of events and plan on stopping-by the Band Shell soon!
As a community, our actions are centered on respect, integrity, tolerance and a commitment to excellence. However, those values would mean nothing without a transparent government. That's why we have the most open government you'll find anywhere - and we plan to keep it that way! Through our E-Newsletters, E-Blasts, open-forum meetings, Reverse 911 calls and the many other ways we communicate information, we will continue to keep you informed of everything that's going on in our government and in our town - that's my personal promise to you!
Tomorrow, July 1, marks the start of the second full term of Sea Isle's Mayor-Council form of government (thanks to The Faulkner Act, which provides municipality's in the Garden State with governing options such as ours). At 12 noon at the Band Shell, City Council will hold their annual re-organizational meeting, at which time your recently re-elected City officials (namely Councilman Bill Kehner, Councilman Frank Edwardi and myself) will be sworn into office. All are invited to attend this event - and I hope to see you there!
Since local voters decided to change to a Mayor-Council form of government in 2007, Sea Isle City has experienced a renaissance-of-sorts, which has beautified our town, modernized our infrastructure and resulted in more events taking place here than ever before - and it is all thanks to a solid working relationship between Sea Isle's Administration, City Council, municipal employees and the many volunteers from the general public who work hard to move us ahead in one direction for the betterment of our town. As always, nothing can be accomplished without input from our residents and visitors, so I encourage everyone to take an active role in helping make Sea Isle City all it can be and more.
Sea Isle City's success story is still being written - so let's continue to make every chapter memorable and worthwhile!
Smile...You're in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
CITY COUNCIL MESSAGE:
Tomorrow, July 1, City Council will hold our Annual Re-Organizational Meeting, 12 noon at the new Band Shell. At that time, Sea Isle's recently re-elected officials, Mayor Desiderio and Councilmen Edwardi and Kehner, will take their oaths of office. Following the swearing-in ceremony, a regular business meeting will be conducted. All are invited to attend the inauguration and council meeting.
During the July 19 council meeting, the Administration will be bringing forward a bond ordinance totaling $8.5 Million, which will include money for Sea Isle's new welcome center, lagoon dredging, bulkhead replacements, various road reconstruction projects, the demolition of the old Library/Beach Tag Office and the construction of a parking lot on that site. More details about this bond ordinance will be provided in future communications.
As previously mentioned, City Council will hold a workshop on July 19 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss design standards and various zoning issues in our commercial districts. All are invited to attend this public meeting.
This summer, we have been blessed with beautiful weather - Mother Nature has definitely been very good to us this year. We look forward to more good weather and additional family events that will keep the summer of 2011 going strong at South Jersey's "premier destination."
Best Regards from the Members of City Council
PROJECT UPDATES:
These E-Newsletters over the past several months have chronicled the progress of many of the City's capital improvements. Now that summer is here, we try to limit the amount of construction taking place on public property, in order to minimize the disruption to our residents and visitors because we realize that this time of the year is precious.
We currently are in the process of preparing and putting into place the necessary funding for the next round of capital improvements throughout the City. As part of this process, on July 19, the City council will be asked to introduce funding ordinances for the following projects:
Beach Nourishment - Currently, the City is eligible for 75% reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to restore beaches at the north end and the center of town to the design profile established in 2009. This work will be done in partnership with the community of Upper Township and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and is anticipated to start later in the fall. There will be NO beach replenishment work this summer.
JFK Boulevard Streetscape Improvements, from Landis to the Promenade - This is part of the City's Beach to Bay Corridor project, which includes widened sidewalks, landscaping, lighting and decorative pavers. This project has been discussed over the past two years in various public meetings, and the current plans for this project will be presented at the July 19 council meeting, in order to provide for additional public comment prior to moving forward with completion of the construction documents.
Welcome Center- Addition to Community Lodge - This project was recently discussed at the June 14 City Council meeting, at which time there was agreement by the council to move forward with architectural and engineering work. The updated plans will be presented at the July 19 council meeting.
Old Library Conversion to Parking Lot - Following completion of the new Library at 48th and Central, the library facilities will be relocated from the existing facility located on the north side of JFK Boulevard (across the boulevard from the basketball courts). The existing facility is slated for demolition and conversion to a parking lot. Plans will be developed to provide for appropriate landscaping, and it is anticipated that an additional 40 parking spaces will be able to be placed on the site.
Improvements to Townsends Inlet Park - The City was awarded grant funding from the federal government for improvements to the park to provide for proper handicapped accessibility. As part of this project, the City will rehabilitate the entrance ramps to the pavilion and renovate the existing deck and surrounding facility. Plans will be developed this summer in order for the project to be constructed this coming fall and winter prior to the summer 2012 season.
Bulkhead Replacements - As part of the City's overall assessment of bay-front and lagoon bulkheads, the bulkheads on the south side of 46th Place (about 100 ft. west of Park Road); and on the north side of 43rd Place (also about 100 ft. west of Park Road) are slated for replacement.
Lagoon Dredging - The City is continuing with the required environmental and engineering work to obtain permits to perform needed dredging in several of our City lagoons. Funding will be needed to proceed with bidding for the project and performance of the actual dredging, currently anticipated to take place in the fall of 2011.
Various Road and Utility Reconstruction Projects - The project includes 48th, 50th, and 51st Streets, all from Landis to the Promenade, and 60th Street, from Landis to Central Avenue. Also, utility work will be performed in advance of the County project to resurface Landis Avenue from 54th to 69th Street.
DID YOU KNOW:
· Most of the American Flags that adorn Landis Avenue were donated by Sea Isle's VFW Post 1963. More flags will be added in the coming year, which will serve as a continued reminder of the patriotism found in our community.
· Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Captain Renny Steele was recently honored with a Special Safety Recognition Award from the Municipal Joint Insurance Fund.
· The next City Council meeting is a Reorganization Meeting on Friday, July 1, 12 noon at the Band Shell. At that time, Mayor Desiderio and Councilmen Edwardi and Kehner will take their oaths office. In the event of rain, the meeting and swearing-in will take place inside Council Chambers.
· Sea Isle's Free Outdoor "Movies Under the Stars" will begin with a showing of "Megamind" on Thursday, June 30, Dusk, Excursion Park. Don't forget your beach chairs and blankets! (263-TOUR)
· Upcoming Free Movies: Nanny McPhee Returns on July 5; The Secret of Moonacre on July 7; Furry Vengeance on July 12; and The Goonies on July 14. All movies start at Dusk (263-TOUR).
· July 4th Weekend Activities Include: Family Fun Night at Gillian's Amusement Park (263-TOUR) and Sea Isle City's Got Talent (263-9090) on Friday evening; a VFW Flea Market on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (301 JFK Boulevard, 263-8361); a Free Concert by Hollywood Nights (Bob Seger tribute band) on Saturday at 8;00 p.m.; another Family Fun Night at Gillian's on Sunday evening; Junior Olympics at Dealy Field at 9:30 a.m. and Fireworks at 9:00 p.m. on Independence Day (263-0050).
· July 4th Fireworks Rain & Wind Date is July 5 at 9:00 p.m. Please note: If the July 4th Fireworks are postponed until July 5, the regularly scheduled movie on July 5 will begin at 9:45 p.m. instead of at Dusk.
· A Fashion Show hosted by the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization will take place on Tuesday, July 5, Excursion Park Band Shell, 7:00 p.m. (374-2721 or 335-0062).
· The 2011 SICBP Thomas McCann Mascot School and Races will take place on July 6-7 (school) and July 9 (races) for children, ages 4-8. (263-3655, www.sicbp.com).
· The 2011 Blackthorn "Ruggerfest" Rugby Competition will take place at Dealy Field on Saturday, July 9 (215-675-5790).
· The Townsend Inlet Book Club's Annual Cinderella Show and Costume Contest is Saturday, July 9, 7:00 p.m., 138 85th Street (263-3002).
· A Free Concert featuring Seven Bridges (an Eagles tribute band) will be held at the Band Shell on July Saturday, July 9, 8:00 p.m. (263-TOUR).
· A Philies Home Run Derby will take place on Sunday, July 10 at Dealy Field for boys and girls, ages7-12. Rain Date: July 17 (263-0050).
· A Free Concert featuring Just In Tyme (oldies) will be held will be held at the Band Shell on July Monday, July 11, 7:30 p.m. (263-TOUR).
· A Sea Isle City Bicycle Auction will take place on Tuesday, July 19, at the Public Safety Building, 233 JFK Boulevard, which will feature approximately 60 bikes that have been abandoned or unclaimed. All buyers must register to purchase bikes between 9:00 -10:30 a.m. The Auction will take place at 10:30. Photo I.D. is required. Local checks or cash will be accepted (263-4461, ext. 230 or 219). ALSO: Starting July 1, Sea Isle City will have other items for sale at www.govdeals.com for two weeks.
· Interested in Quality of Life? At 9:00 a.m., prior to the July 19 and August 9 City Council Meetings, the Sea Isle City Police Department will present "Quality of Life" updates to Council and the public.
· Sea Isle City's Got Talent Contest takes place each Friday, 8:00 p.m. at the new Band Shell and will continue each Friday until the Grand Finale on August 12. (263-9090, www.seaislecitysgottalent.com).
· Family Fun Nights will take place each Friday and Sunday evening at Gillian's Funland Amusement Park, 7:00 - 9;00 p.m. This event, which features free strolling entertainment, is hosted by the City of Sea Isle City (263-TOUR).
· The 2011 Little Miss & Jr. Miss Sea Isle City Pageant is Wednesday, July 13, 7:00 p.m., Saint Joseph Church Auditorium, 44th and Central Avenue (263-TOUR).
· The T.I. Garden Club's Summer Card Party and Luncheon is Wednesday, July 13, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 138 85th Street (263-3002).
· A Philadelphia Flyers Hooked on Hockey Clinic for Children, ages 6-12, will take place on Thursday, July 14, 5:00 p.m., $5 (Pre-register by June 11, 263-0050)
