The council’s decision to adopt Ordinance 0-10-25, which allocates $1,870,000 for various capital improvements, was a major highlight of the meeting. This ordinance includes a $750,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, earmarked for developments such as the Oakwood Avenue and C View Avenue projects. The council clarified that the Oakwood Avenue project would be funded equally by Long Branch and West Long Branch, while C View Avenue would undergo specific repairs rather than a full repaving. One resident, Vincent Leapor, raised several questions during the public hearing, inquiring about project timelines, development moratoriums, and financial allocations within the ordinance. The council addressed these queries, confirming that discussions on a five-year development moratorium had not yet occurred. Following the hearing, the ordinance was passed with unanimous approval.

In tandem with infrastructure discussions, the council also passed Ordinance 0-11-25, which authorizes the sale of surplus city property on Jolene Avenue, involved in a New Jersey Department of Transportation project for the Route 36 bridge. Despite the opportunity for public comment, no residents spoke on this ordinance, leading to its swift and unanimous adoption.

Public participation took a heated turn as residents voiced concerns over recent tax increases. Leapor returned to the podium, attributing the financial burden on residents to municipal policies, including tax abatements for developers. He criticized a correspondence from city officials that he felt shifted blame onto the Board of Education and county government for the tax hikes. Leapor argued the municipal government’s policies negatively impacted the educational budget and resulted in a $1.3 million annual loss for the Board of Education. He suggested that the retention of a budget surplus without tax relief for residents amounted to a hidden tax increase. He compared the situation to the Titanic, highlighting a disparity where developers benefitted while residents struggled.

An unidentified speaker countered Leapor’s claims, clarifying that tax abatements did not impact the Board of Education’s budget, which is set independently. They explained that the city acts as a tax collector for the county and school board, emphasizing that increases in school and county budgets, not tax abatements, were responsible for rising taxes. This speaker elaborated on the workings of the city’s budget, noting that property values and assessments fluctuate independently of the municipal budget, which remains flat.

The council heard further from residents like Gregory Uberto, who expressed appreciation for banners honoring servicemen but also raised concerns about juvenile safety. He urged the council to regulate motorbike and scooter use among children, recounting personal experiences of near accidents. Tim Kazakowski, a paramedic, echoed these safety concerns, emphasizing the importance of helmet use among young riders and the lack of enforcement of existing regulations. He called for proactive measures, citing successful enforcement initiatives from neighboring municipalities.

Another speaker highlighted the significant public safety risk posed by children not wearing helmets when riding bicycles. They stressed the importance of police intervention, particularly in high-traffic areas like Pier Village, and criticized officers’ apparent indifference to enforcing safety regulations. City officials acknowledged these concerns.

Council members addressed the public’s concerns, with one member expressing gratitude for the public’s engagement and another suggesting the display of flags throughout the city to honor first responders. The meeting concluded with announcements of upcoming community events, including a September 11 memorial service and a Springsteen exhibit at the Arts and Cultural Center.