One of the most topics was the parking ordinance on 18th Avenue. Currently, parking is prohibited on the south side of 18th Avenue from 6:00 PM on Friday to 6:00 PM on Sunday during the summer season, specifically from May 15th to September 15th. Some residents recommended that this prohibition be extended year-round, a proposal that had previously been considered too extreme. The mayor mentioned that given the ongoing traffic concerns, it was a point worth reconsidering.

During the discussion, a council member questioned the potential impact of extending the parking ban on the community. It was noted that the total number of affected parking spots was not extensive compared to the opposite side of the street. A suggestion was made to conduct a trial period for the proposed changes to gather resident input before making a final decision. Robert, a resident from 514 18th Avenue, highlighted issues caused by parked cars on the south side of the street during peak times. He advocated for a trial run of stricter parking measures to alleviate congestion, pointing out that existing ordinances were often not enforced, leading to chaos.

The meeting also addressed concerns on Newman Street. The existing ordinance designates Newman Street as a one-way street from 16th Avenue to 18th Avenue. A proposed change discussed was to make Newman Street between 16th and 17th Avenues two-way while removing parking on the east side of that street. The council noted that this area had minimal housing. However, the section between 17th and 18th Avenues, home to several small houses without driveways, would suffer if parking were removed. Council members and residents debated the reasoning behind maintaining a one-way designation on this specific section while allowing two-way traffic on adjacent sections.

The conversation included concerns from residents about difficulties accessing Main Street during busy beach days, with traffic often backing up significantly. A council member noted that residents felt trapped due to the one-way configuration and related traffic patterns. Allowing Newman Street as a two-way option could ease some congestion, providing more efficient navigation to other parts of town.

The meeting also touched on the Bradley and Greenwood section. Residents expressed a desire for more one-way streets rather than removing parking. This section had not been included in the previous traffic study, prompting calls for further analysis. The council acknowledged that while the one-way designation had somewhat alleviated traffic issues, it did not fully resolve the problems. Concerns about head-to-head traffic and altercations resulting from congestion were raised. Some council members opined that while a one-way system might be preferable, there was a split opinion among residents regarding its implementation.

In terms of community engagement, the Lake Como Tourism Commission announced a grant received from the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners. This grant, part of the American Rescue Plan, enabled the commission to produce complimentary print materials aimed at promoting local tourism and revitalizing the economy. The announcement emphasized the postcards as a means for residents and visitors to share their experiences in Lake Como.

The council also discussed the upcoming Lake Como Day and a fishing tournament organized in conjunction with the event. A flyer was in development, and the tournament would take place from noon to 2 PM, with registration starting at 11 AM. The tournament is open to participants under the age of 15. The positive reception from the community regarding this tournament was acknowledged.

Additionally, the council introduced Ordinance 2024-8, an amendment to Chapter 9 of the building and housing code, establishing a lead paint inspection program for rental properties. The necessity for this ordinance was underscored by new state requirements mandating inspections of rental homes for lead paint hazards. The council moved to adopt the ordinance through a motion that resulted in unanimous approval.

Multiple resolutions were introduced during the meeting, including Resolution 2024-115, which addresses the cessation of interest on delinquent payments until August 27. Another resolution, 2024-116, authorized payments from various accounts totaling $235,800. Both resolutions received unanimous support. Resolution 2024-117, authorizing a payment to New Jersey Natural Gas, also passed with unanimous approval.

Lastly, as the Alcohol Beverage Control Board, the council reviewed a social affairs permit application for a beer garden during Lake Como Day. The discussion included the extent of the area to be licensed, with considerations for fencing to ensure alcohol consumption was contained within designated areas. A motion was made to approve the permit with adjustments to the licensed area, which passed unanimously.