The council spent considerable time discussing the introduction of Ordinance 542, which seeks to establish metered parking days at the Cape May City Hall parking lot. According to the proposal, metered parking will be operational from Friday at 5 PM until Sunday at 10 PM, allowing city employees to park during the week while increasing public parking availability over the weekend. Council members debated the operational hours and the necessity for improved signage to clearly communicate the new rules. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Further discussions highlighted plans for adding additional parking spaces near the library and firehouse to alleviate frustrations expressed by library patrons. The design includes a designated drop-off zone. The council emphasized their commitment to balancing the needs of community members and visitors while ensuring efficient use of parking resources.

A significant portion of the meeting also focused on the introduction and adoption of several other ordinances. Ordinance 540 and Ordinance 541 were both opened for public comment, though no members of the public chose to speak. Ordinance 541, which mandates food service businesses to maintain trash cans for off-premises consumption, was adopted unanimously.

Public comments during the meeting were particularly notable. A resident named Stacy Shan raised questions about a $2.1 million contract for a fire truck, inquiring whether multiple bids had been obtained. The council confirmed adherence to the National Cooperative bidding process. Shan also sought clarification on the city manager’s contract, questioning if there was an increase in pay. The council explained that the resolution clarified the city manager’s compensation structure as a salary rather than a stipend, without reflecting a salary increase.

Concerns were also raised about the Lafayette Street sewer main project. The original bid was just under $2 million, but costs had escalated to approximately $2.8 million due to a series of change orders. Council members explained that the project was classified as an emergency appropriation, necessitating adjustments as unforeseen issues were discovered. There was a consensus that better planning could have mitigated some of the unexpected costs, and future projects would benefit from more thorough initial assessments.

Infrastructure projects were a recurring theme throughout the meeting. The city manager announced upcoming capital projects, including the reconstruction of Beach Avenue, a street skate project, and improvements to the city hall parking lot to address drainage issues. These projects are set to begin construction in the fall, underscoring ongoing efforts to enhance the city’s infrastructure.

Safety and quality of life were also topics. A representative mentioned plans for a smaller sidewalk project to assess pricing for upgrades, incorporating aspects of existing 50-50 projects. The initiative aims to address necessary upgrades for street corridors, with a focus on departments addressing specific community concerns. The council expressed support, recognizing the project’s importance to residents, particularly in the Village Green area.

The meeting also included discussions about beach vendor contracts and parking solutions. A public member, Dennis Crowley, recommended reassessing the five-year term beach vendor contracts ending in 2025. He suggested that revenues from licensing fees should be directed back to the beach utility for maintenance. Crowley also emphasized the need for user fees for parking, urging the council to revisit recommendations on parking management, including the potential for a parking garage or shuttle service.

A broader discussion emerged about the Cape May master plan. Crowley expressed concern that the existing plan does not reflect the town’s evolving commercial landscape. He called for a town hall meeting to engage the community in discussing the future of Cape May.

Public comments also touched on sidewalk dining regulations, with residents presenting concerns about insufficient pedestrian space due to the placement of tables and chairs. There were calls for better enforcement of existing regulations to ensure pedestrian safety. The council acknowledged these concerns and committed to addressing them.

In closing, the council discussed the effectiveness of signage and enforcement in public areas, particularly concerning restroom use and changing policies. While additional signs were considered, the need for enforcement was emphasized. The possibility of having bathroom attendants was suggested but deemed challenging due to staffing shortages.