Current Minutes Minutes Archive

July 20, 2007: Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:

1. Chew, Dagmer - P 2. Conant, Audrey - P 3. Crowley, Dennis – P 4. Iurato, Peter – P 5. Murray, Bill - P 6. Rauch, Jules – P

7. Steenrod, Bob – P 8. Todd, Steve – P 9. Wichterman, Jack – P 10. Williams, Tony – P 11. Wyatt, Kate – P

President's Remarks:

Welcome to TPA Meeting

Special Guest –Topic: Public/Private Partnership for Replacing Convention Hall

Mayor Jerome Inderwies:

Sees no reason for redevelopment zone for replacing Convention Hall

July 18th Revitalization Committee meeting Convention Hall representative presented design for 2 floors, same footprint, hall same as current approximately 8000 sq.ft. retail space - cost estimated to be $10.2 million.

Five different scenarios presented

Try to get private money to lessen taxpayer burden

Replacing building with some income from city.

$4.2 million bare bones

Jack Wichterman:

Keep public informed and involved!!! Refute allegations printed in paper. Someone from Council should respond.

Dennis Crowley:

Impressive Revitalization Committee meetings last 2 months, $2 - $10 million, do not have to go to CAFRA for 50 more feet. Figures will be presented at August 1st meeting. Tear down date and how long replacement will take is unknown at this time.

City Manager – Absent

Public Session

Jim Wyatt - encouraged people to come to Revitalization Committee meeting August 1st 9:00 AM

Dennis Crowley - history of Revitalization Committee- great since failure of mall plan – should open to public to speak.

Christine Miller - update of $3.5 million mall plan – unknown questions about plans – is city going to be used.

Jean Powick - Are we going to have other architects doing drawings?

Other citizen - What would cost be for commercial businesses? Also project is being framed too quickly.

Minutes May 2007 – K. Wyatt

Approved

Minutes June 2007 – K. Wyatt

Approved

Treasurer’s Report – P. Iurato

Approved

Committee Reports

1. Education Committee

• Dennis Crowley reported Assemblyman Lo Biondo will be at the August meeting and he will ask him for suggestions on help for impact aid.
   
• Pete Iurato – as of July 17th School Board meeting, total enrollment for 2007-2008 is 144, number of students enrolled at $2500 is zero. Pete suggested a maximum class size is 18, minimum of 12 – no set policy. Have to mainstream any students not enrolled in any special classes out of district. Cost per student is $16900 – impact aid is $5090 - $11810 per student falls on taxpayers.

2. Revitalization Committee

• Convention Hall Subcommittee - Jules Rauch – Committee should tell us Survey is going out.
   
• Andy O’Sullivan – presented drawings – everything should be ordered before construction starts.
   
• Jack Wichterman – Meeting is Monday, August 20th. Issues are debt service, retail dollars, rents, assessments, design issues, and design structure - ready by August 15th survey. Must have shovel in the ground by November 2008 or we are in jeopardy.
   
• Dennis Crowley – Need a “Clerk of the Works “ or someone that all can go to- someone to head up project or projects.
   
• Parking and Traffic Subcommittee – Bill Murray - Tourism Commission reports free shuttle usage has been great.
   
• Finance Subcommittee – Bill Murray and David Craig recommend raising parking fee, etc. – targeting revenue. Develop SID for mall.

3. Council of Affordable Housing (COAH)

• Bob Steenrod – More research needed with respect to a revised number of houses, etc.

4. Technology/Web Site Committee

• K. Wyatt - On Community Calendar- Concerned Taxpayers Committee starting “blog”.

Old Business

1. WIFI – Surveys are coming back already.
    
2. Avalon – FEMA Certification – Bill Murray has speaker for Annual Meeting.
    
3. Jack Wichterman commented that copies of the agenda be available at all meetings.

New Business

1. Pete Iurato reported that a hundred pieces of mail were returned due to in correct addresses. Summer newsletter will be sent to all taxpayers.
    
2. Bob Steenrod will look into mailing lists.
    
3. Reorganization Meeting workshop for 2007 on August 24th at Sturdy Bank at 1:00 PM.
    
4. Dennis Crowley stated there has been an increase in taxes, which should be brought to attention of the public. TPA questions taxes for 2007. Suggests all taxpayers study their tax bill very carefully. Publishing chart on taxes in fall newsletter and putting it on website.
    
5. Christine Miller asked in reference to the mall what is the job they are going to do and how much would each item cost?

Adjourned to Executive Session at 3:25 PM

1. Pete Iurato renewed CD at PNC at 4.74%. Sturdy offered 4%. Will discuss getting a higher rate for our CD’s with Sturdy.
    
2. Citizen of the Year – Steve Todd reported all systems are go for the presentation to Edward Mahaney at Annual Meeting. Kate Wyatt will present plaque.

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM