The most pressing topic of the meeting revolved around the safety of playground surfaces at the Brigantine Community School. A concerned resident brought to light the use of ground-up tires as flooring in the playgrounds, which has been in place since 2004. The resident emphasized the deteriorating condition of the tire mulch, noting that it has degraded over time and poses potential health hazards. Lab tests reportedly revealed the presence of harmful substances, including lead, in the mulch. Highlighting the urgency, the resident presented a petition signed by approximately one hundred parents, urging the school board to replace the tire mulch with wood mulch, which is used in other local playgrounds.

In their plea, the resident questioned the motivations behind the school board’s reluctance to replace the mulch, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Specifically, they pointed out the school board president’s professional ties to the flooring industry. The resident stated, “How can the president of our school board… be making decisions about removing rubber flooring from our school playground?” This concern was compounded by reports of children coming home covered in tire debris, further alarming parents about the potential dangers of the aged tire mulch.

The council members acknowledged the gravity of the issue and expressed a shared commitment to ensuring a safe environment for the community’s children. One council member agreed with the resident, stating, “I agree with Michelle that we have to do the best for our children.” While the council does not have the authority to mandate actions for the school board, they emphasized the importance of collaboration and ongoing dialogue to address the concerns raised by the parents.

Another discussion centered around the management of short-term rentals and the associated community concerns. A resident, Andrea Sullivan, voiced worries on behalf of another resident, Rosemary Ricardo, particularly about parking issues at a short-term rental over Labor Day weekend. The statement suggested that tighter regulations, such as a minimum rental period of seven days for single families, would improve the quality of life in the community. The resident’s input underscored ongoing concerns about the impact of short-term rentals, with mentions of absentee landlords creating an environment of intimidation for long-term residents.

In response, a council member highlighted that the new law enacted should help mitigate such problems, stating, “since we put the new law in place you’ve seen an improvement.” However, there was an acknowledgment that the behavior of properties, rather than the length of stay, was a factor in addressing the issues. The council expressed a commitment to utilizing the necessary tools to manage these concerns effectively.

The meeting also included the adoption of several ordinances and resolutions. Ordinance Number 13 of 2024, aimed at supplementing existing chapters of the city code related to head permit fees and the waiver of fees in emergency situations, was adopted unanimously without public comments. Similarly, Ordinance Number 14 of 2024, concerning licensing agreements, and Ordinance Number 15 of 2024, which amended a chapter regarding the Brigantine Garden Club Advisory Board, were both adopted unanimously.

A resolution authorizing the award of a contract for design and construction management services for water system improvements was introduced and passed. The contract was awarded to DeBlasio and Associates for $46,600. Another resolution involved a mailing postage machine, approved for $555 a month, including maintenance and supplies.

During the council manager committee discussions, members praised the Brigantine baseball association for their successful summer season and highlighted the Farmers Market Committee’s achievements. There was also a brief mention of ongoing water line replacements, with inquiries about certification for those who had completed replacements.

Public comments also addressed concerns regarding a new construction property on 20th Street, perceived to have inadequate parking provisions. The resident suggested a one-way traffic petition for the 300 block, citing safety concerns due to increased traffic from new driveways.

In addition, technical difficulties experienced during the meeting, particularly with audio and video quality, were noted. The council agreed to investigate further to prevent future occurrences, emphasizing the importance of proper microphone usage.