MAYOR'S MESSAGE:
As the summer of 2011 unfolds, Sea Isle's residents and visitors are continuing to enjoying themselves all over our island, which is no surprise considering the wide variety of wonderful family events taking place here this year. Each day brings more reminders of just why people make Sea Isle City their vacation destination of choice - and their home - and the best part is that there is still plenty of fun to be had before Labor Day!
As you no doubt have heard or seen for yourself, our new Entertainment Complex at JFK and the Beach is a huge success, and six nights a week families are enjoying the free events that take place at Excursion Park's beautiful new Band Shell. Each Monday and Saturday evening, a different band performs - and we still have some big headliners coming to town this summer, including The Duprees on July 16, a Neil Diamond tribute on July 30, Beatlemania Again on August 6 and Don't Call Me Francis on August 20. Also, Sea Isle City hosts free Movies Under the Stars each Tuesday and Thursday night at the Band Shell, on Wednesday nights there's a fantastic Family Dance Party, and, of course, every Friday night is our Sea Isle City's Got Talent contest.
In addition to the many enjoyable events taking place at the Entertainment Complex, there are also many other summer activities happening all over Sea Isle City. For example, the Environmental Commission's Beachcomber Guided Tours take place twice each week, the Sea Isle Chamber of Commerce & Revitalization's Farmers Markets comes to town every Tuesday morning, Sea Isle's Annual Baby Parade is July 20 and our National Night Out celebration is August 2. These are just a few of the many attractions on our calendar of events that will help your family make the most of every moment this summer.
When you and your children want to spin on a merry-go-round or enjoy numerous other modern rides, stop by Sea Isle's Gillian's Funland Amusement Park, where the Gillian family has added new rides this year. Each week, the City of Sea Isle City sponsors Family Fun Nights at Gillian's from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., when free strolling entertainers delight people of all ages - so be sure to bring the entire family to Gillian's again and again.
Even though Sea Isle City is looking better than ever, we have additional improvements planned that will make our resort even better still! In addition to scheduled road work and other infrastructure improvements, plans are currently being made to start the next phase of our "Beach to Bay" project in the fall, which will include beautifying JFK Boulevard and the addition of a new Sea Isle City Welcome Center. So, if you like what you have seen this year, just wait until the summer of 2012!
Smile...You're in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
CITY COUNCIL MESSAGE:
In an effort to keep everyone aware of the critical steps involved in passing an ordinance in Sea Isle City, City Council wants everyone to know that the need for a new ordinance is determined by the administration and council members based on public input, changes in state laws and other factors. The first step is for council to introduce an ordinance during a council meeting. Ordinance introduction is also advertised with the local media as per state law, and at that time a date and time for a public hearing is scheduled. Council is always eager to hear public opinion prior to and during public hearings. The next step for a new ordinance is the public hearing, at which time after hearing public input council will adopt, vote down or amend the proposed ordinance. If adopted, the ordinance will be published, and if anyone is opposed to the ordinance, they can file a petition based on state guidelines to prevent it from being implemented.
The next City Council meeting will take place on July 19, 10:00 a.m., in council chambers. This will be a very busy meeting, due to the introduction of the several ordinances. We will have three bonding ordinances that will authorize monies for Beach Replenishment, Utility Work that will allow us to complete street paving projects, and for the General Fund with major items being phase two of Excursion Park and the addition of a Welcome Center, and Lagoon Dredging. The remaining ordinances will authorize us to distribute free Beach Tags to all active duty military personnel and their dependents. The remaining ordinance will allow the distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages at Excursion Park for limited, specific special events only. This ordinance will also include a provision that will require review after twelve months.
On July 19 at 2:00 p.m., council will hold a workshop to review issues raised at our April workshop as it relates to our commercial zoning ordinances, namely design standards, design guidelines to be utilized by planning and zoning boards, landscaping, decorating guidelines for vacant properties, and handicapped parking as it relates to mixed use.
Free Veterans Beach Tags still available and now can be obtained at Sea Isle's Beach Tag Office during their normal hours. Proper identification (i.e. DD-214) is required.
Best Regards from the Members of City Council
PROJECT UPDATES:
Public Library @ 48th and Central - The new Cape May County Public Library is fast approaching completion. The contractor's efforts are now focused on completion of the interior of the facility, with an anticipated September opening of the Library. In addition to the County Library, the City's Historic Museum will be housed within the facility. Stay tuned for notices on the grand opening of the Library.
Marina Building - The exterior roof and wall panel construction is in progress, with completion of the building now scheduled for August. Upon completion, the building will provide for much needed facilities for marina maintenance and operations, along with storage; and will also include greatly improved public restroom facilities. (See Marina Building photo below)
As reported in the last E-Newsletter, on July 19 the City Council will be presented with several funding ordinances for introduction in order to advance several projects that are part of the city's capital plan. Following introduction of these ordinances, there will be a second reading and public hearing on the ordinances at the August 9 council meeting.
There are three separate ordinances, as follows:
1. Providing for the north end and downtown beach replenishment program, in the amount of $5,000,000. The beach replenishment program involves the placement of sand between the north end and downtown, specifically between 1st to 15th Street, and 30th to 52nd Street. The total estimated quantity of sand to be placed is 430,000 cubic yards. The project is being done in partnership with the State Department of Environmental Protection and the community of Upper Township.
2. Providing for various general improvements throughout the City, in the amount of $3,600,000. The improvements include the following:
Phase 2 of Excursion Park, Beach to Bay Corridor, which involves streetscape improvements to the public corridor along JFK Boulevard from the Promenade to Landis Avenue, and widening of the sidewalks along each side of this corridor by 3 feet.
Demolition of existing library/beach tag facility and conversion to parking lot.
Construction of Welcome Center Addition to the Community Lodge and renovations of the existing Lodge facility and site. (See rendering of new Welcome Center below)
Improvements to TI Park - The TI Park is in need of rehabilitation of the existing ramps and decks, specifically in order to make access to the pavilion compliant with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Lagoon Dredging - Authorization of this ordinance will provide the necessary funds in order to go out to bid for the project and accomplish dredging in the late fall of 2011. The lagoons to be dredged are as follows:
Rio Grande (south side of 47th Place)
Rio Delle Stelle (between 46th and 47th Place)
Rio Delle Luna (between 45th and 46th Place)
Rio Del Amore (between 44th Street and 45th Place)
Rio Delle Isole (along Venicean Road)
Rio Del Barche (between 43rd Place and 44th Street)
Rio Del Affare (between 42nd and 43rd Place)
Rio Delle Ponte (along Park Road on either side of 43rd Place)
Bulkheads - The City engineer has performed an overall assessment of bay-front and lagoon bulkheads, and 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 in the most need of replacement.
3. Providing for improvements to the water/sewer utility, in the amount of $2,000,000. The improvements include utility replacements (water and sewer) on 48th, 50th, and 51st Streets, all from Landis to the Promenade, and 60th Street, from Landis to Central Avenue. Also included is 42nd Street, from Landis to Pleasure. In addition, utility replacement work is needed to be performed in advance of the County project to resurface Landis Avenue from 54th to 69th Street.
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to recent developments in Trenton, the mailing of Sea Isle City's tax bills (along with those of other communities across the Garden State) will be delayed. The usual grace period for third quarter tax payments will be extended accordingly. Additional information about the mailing of this year's annual tax bills will be relayed to local property owners as soon as it is available - we'll keep you posted!
DID YOU KNOW:
The July 8 edition of Sea Isle City's Got Talent was cancelled due to foul weather. The contestants who were scheduled to appear on July 8 will be filtered into future performances this summer, which will make Friday nights ever better at the Band Shell!
Broken Glass and other dangerous items in plastic trash bags are a serious hazard for trash collectors as they gather your trash and recycling each week. Each year, injuries occur when jagged glass and other sharp items tear through plastic trash liners. Please place all broken glass and other hazardous items in an appropriate card board box or other rigid container before placing them in you curb-side trash receptacles -- the Sea Isle City Public Works Department thanks you! For additional information about Sea Isle's trash and recycling regulations, visit www.seaislecitynj.us or phone 263-6000.
Free Family Night Dance Parties with D.J. Jeff take place every Wednesday night at the Band Shell, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, July 19, 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers.
Upcoming Free "Movies Under the Stars" include Goonies on July 14, Elf on July 19, How To Train Your Dragon on July 21, and You Again on July 26.
A Free Concert featuring The Duprees will be held at the Band Shell on Saturday, July 16, 8;00 p.m. (263-TOUR). Then, on Monday, July 18, Juicy will rock the Band Shell at 7:30 p.m. (263-TOUR).
A Public Bicycle Auction will take place on Tuesday, July 19, at the Sea Isle City Public Safety Building, 233 JFK Boulevard, featuring 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.
Santa Claus will make a special summer visit to Sea Isle City on Tuesday, July 19, when he stops by Excursion Park, JFK and Pleasure Avenue, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. (263-9090).
The 2011 Sea Isle City Baby Parade is Wednesday, July 20, 6:30 p.m. (rain date: July 21) on the Promenade, 34th to 44th Street. Children up to age 10 can register to participate by July 19 (263-TOUR).
The CMC Bar Foundation 13th Annual Race Judicata 5K Run & 1M Walk is Friday, July 22 (rain date: August 5), 6:30 p.m., JFK & the Beach (463-0313).
The Annual King Neptune Festival Indoor Sidewalk Sale is Saturday, July 23, 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon, Townsends Inlet Civic Center (263-3002).
The SICBP Junior Lifeguard Program begins July 26, for ages 14-17 (263-3655, www.sicbp.com).
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 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).
