MINUTES OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
March 12, 2008

The Work Session of the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of West Cape May was called to order by Mayor Kaithern at 7:00 PM.  The Open Public Meetings Statement was read by Mayor Kaithern who then led those present in the flag salute.  Mayor Pamela Kaithern, Commissioner Dick Rigby, and Commissioner Peter Burke answered roll call.  Also in attendance:  Borough Clerk Elaine Wallace, Borough Solicitor Frank Corrado, and Borough Engineer Arthur Chew.

WORK SESSION
ENGINEER’S REPORT: None

OLD BUSINESS
Liquor Licenses:  Nothing new at this time.

Court Consolidation:  Nothing new at this time.

Alternative Energy:  The Borough is waiting for Energy Enterprises to sign and return the contract.

Cape Island Creek: The Borough is still waiting to hear from the Trust as to whether there is a buildable lot in the parcel.  If not, the Frank Stewart Trust will not follow through with the purchase if the difference in appraisal vs. price is probably too great.

Eagle Scout Project:  Nothing new at this time.

Volunteer Fire Company Ordinance and Agreement:  Solicitor Corrado asked the Commissioners to review the draft ordinance and memorandum of understanding to discuss at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS
Rain Date for VFW Event in Wilbraham Park:  The Commissioners agreed to pass a resolution during the Regular Meeting to approve a raindate on a Friday for the VFW. 

Personnel Manual:  Mayor Kaithern advised the Commissioners that she will be distributing a revised Personnel Policy Manual for their review.  The JIF wants the Borough to update the existing plan.  There were not a lot of changes, and some of the changes that the JIF made were things that the Borough had already done.

REVIEW OF REGULAR MEETING:  Mayor Kaithern reviewed the Consent Agenda and Non-Consent agenda items.  Resolution 56-08 was added to the Consent Agenda to amend the Wilbraham Park schedule for the VFW raindate.  Resolution was amended by Frank Corrado to tighten up the language.  Resolution 50-08 was removed from the Consent Agenda and acted upon at this time.

Resolution 50-08  Providing for a Closed Session Not Open to the Public in Accordance with the Provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act – NJSA 10:4-12

On motion of Commissioner Burke, seconded by Commissioner Rigby, the resolution was passed unanimously on roll call vote.  The regular session was recessed into closed session at 7:29 PM.

On motion of Commissioner Rigby, seconded by Commissioner Burke, the regular meeting was reconvened at 8:58 PM.

As a result of closed session discussion, Solicitor Corrado asked for a motion to authorize the resumption of negotiations to settle the 6th Street Partners litigation on terms that were discussed in closed session.  Commissioner Rigby made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Burke and carried unanimously on roll call vote, to authorize resumption of negotiations with 6th Street Partners.

CONSENT AGENDA:  On motion of Commissioner Burke, seconded by Commissioner Rigby, the following Consent Agenda was unanimously approved on roll call vote.

Minutes: February 27, 2008 Work Session and Regular Meeting and February 27, 2008 Closed Session

Ordinances for Introduction and Publication: None

Resolutions:

1. Accepting and Adopting the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund  - Loss Control Program
2. Refund of Unexpended Escrow Fees – Block 53, Lots 1.2 & 2
3. Opposing the Failure of the Governor’s Proposed State Budget for the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year to Treat Property Tax Relief as Our Priority
4. Resolution Supporting Application for Funding of a Green Campus Study AS AMENDED

55-08     Bill Payment
56-08     Authorizing Amendment to Wilbraham Park Schedule for VFW to Change Rain Date

NON-CONSENT AGENDA:
ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING:  None

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS:
Commissioner Rigby reported on three meetings he attended in Trenton the week before.  The first meeting was with the Office of Smart Growth which will give strong support to the Borough’s plan endorsement.  The second meeting was also with Smart Growth to find sources for funding for the Rhodeside and Harwell plan.  The last meeting was with New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which is a quasi-state organization that is willing to loan the Borough $50,000 to perform a feasibility study and market analysis on the Rhodeside and Harwell plan. If the feasibility study comes back positive, the loan would have to be paid back and the NJEDA would consider loaning more money to follow through on the plan.  If the feasibility study comes back negative, the loan would be forgiven.  Later in the week, he met with someone from the Municipal Land Use Center at the College of New Jersey.  He is pursuing a grant from them to perform a study to make the municipal campus more sustainable.

Commissioner Burke announced that the Borough will be hosting its 2nd 2008 blood drive on April 3rd from 1 PM to 7 PM at Borough Hall.  Anyone interested in giving blood can call the Clerk’s Office.  He also announced that the County Department of Health is hosting a Community Health day on Saturday, April 12th at the Wildwood Convention Center.

Mayor Kaithern’s reports were thoroughly covered during the work session.

PUBLIC PORTION:

Mike Bean, 400 Fow Avenue, asked if he could sit in on the negotiations with the 6th Street Partners.  Solicitor Corrado explained that neither the judge nor the court master would permit it.

When no one else wished to speak the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM on motion of Commissioner Rigby, seconded by Commissioner Burke.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine L. Wallace, RMC
Borough Clerk