A significant portion of the meeting focused on Ordinance 21-24, which pertained to an amendment to a deed of easement on a property located on Ocean Avenue. This easement, part of a settlement to an ongoing lawsuit, was intended for constructing and maintaining jetty works. Vinc Leapor, a local resident, voiced strong objections during the public hearing, citing a history of restricted access to the beach due to a locked gate installed by the current property owner. Leapor claimed that this gate violated the public trust doctrine, which ensures public access to certain natural resources, and criticized the city for not adequately addressing complaints about this restriction.

Leapor urged the council to conduct a comprehensive title search dating back 160 years to fully understand the historical rights associated with the property. He expressed skepticism about the city’s capability to manage the responsibilities tied to the proposed easement amendment. In response, a council member clarified that the ordinance was a resolution to a lawsuit and emphasized that the easement specifically pertained to jetty construction, a need not addressed since its acquisition in 1939. The council member also mentioned that the city would receive $10,000 to improve beach access as part of the settlement, but clarified that historical use of the property did not equate to ownership rights.

The ordinance was adopted after a roll call vote, though not all council members participated in the vote. The council also introduced Ordinance 22-24, designating a handicap parking space on Vanel, which was set for a public hearing later in the month.

The meeting also addressed the appointment of Glenn Rasis to fill a council vacancy. However, the appointment process drew criticism from another resident, Vincent Laort, who accused the council of lacking transparency. Laort questioned the number of applicants considered for the vacancy and criticized the council for not disclosing details until the meeting, which he believed deprived residents of adequate comment opportunities.

Laort also made allegations against the council’s conduct, particularly concerning Sykes’ past absences. His accusations were met with silence from the council president, further fueling his claims of a lack of accountability and credibility within the council.