Public comments took center stage as residents voiced their grievances about ongoing issues. John D. Tono, a resident of Amherst Avenue, initiated the discussion by highlighting concerns over the water pump station’s location and design. His detailed inquiries about the station’s size and visibility underscored the community’s interest in planned infrastructure and its impact on the neighborhood.

Joan Gerada, a resident of Morgate Mariner, described her frustrations with parking and noise from nearby clubs. She recounted instances of public urination and vomit in her parking space and demanded a stronger police presence on Madison and Jefferson avenues. Gerada emphasized the inappropriateness of the clubs’ operating hours, stating, “We’re not Vegas,” and advocated for more regulations to curb late-night disturbances.

Sergio Poov echoed these sentiments, detailing the disruptions caused by Uber drivers blocking street parking and playing loud music. He pointed out the lack of streetlights on Amherst Avenue, which exacerbated safety concerns. Poov questioned the legality of open containers leaving clubs and expressed frustration over the persistent noise and disturbances, highlighting the need for decisive action to protect the community’s quality of life.

John D. Tono returned to suggest practical measures such as “no stopping or standing” signs to deter Uber drivers from creating noise and traffic issues. He acknowledged the realities of living near nightlife hotspots but insisted on the necessity of increased police visibility, particularly at strategic points like Jefferson and Madison, to manage disruptive behavior effectively.

Dennis Corosi brought attention to the effectiveness of the new paid parking spots near CVS. He expressed skepticism about the parking app’s functionality and questioned the total revenue generated. Corosi requested a detailed revenue breakdown by lot and urged the council to review long-term lease agreements.

The meeting also included a discussion about the city’s long-term lease of parking spots. Participants questioned the necessity of maintaining an outdated lease, especially as businesses in the area had changed. It was revealed that the city currently receives approximately $22,000 from leased properties, but there was criticism about the decision to not charge for parking in certain spots for many years. This had allowed vehicles to occupy spaces for weekends without regulation. The introduction of a $1-per-hour charge was a recent effort to improve turnover in these spots, although the app managing parking faced complications, leading to user frustrations and improper enforcement.

Concerns were raised about the enforcement mechanisms for parking regulations, particularly following changes in the New Jersey Supreme Court’s parking enforcement guidelines. A participant highlighted the challenges faced by enforcement officers in monitoring parking time limits effectively and suggested that reliance on mobile applications might not be sufficient.

The dialogue shifted to the effectiveness of parking regulations during peak visitor seasons. It was suggested that the current strategy might penalize residents while accommodating visitors, as enforcement and charges predominantly applied from Memorial Day to Labor Day, which might not address residents’ parking needs outside of that period.

In other business, the council discussed several ongoing projects and initiatives. Plans and specifications for office improvements in phase two at the municipal building were reviewed, with survey work expected to resume in the fall. Progress was reported in identifying lead service lines for replacement, and a progress meeting for the new Public Works building was scheduled for August 28.

A significant agenda item involved an ordinance regarding the sale of a small beachfront parcel at Osborne Avenue. The sale, projected to yield over $200,000, included the reconstruction of the bulkhead and installation of handicapped access and a stairway. This ordinance was described as a continuation of prior sales of similar non-buildable oceanfront parcels.

The Public Works department reported on recent activities, noting minor water leaks and sewer collapses but overall satisfactory operations. Additionally, the introduction of Ordinance Number S-1972 aimed to maintain a Class 4 rating for the Community Rating System (CRS) program, potentially lowering flood insurance premiums.

Police Chief Anenson reported on the successful “L Day” event, with an estimated attendance of 10,000 people, and highlighted the department’s increased call volume over the summer.

In Parks and Recreation, ten benches at the Washington Avenue Pier were replaced, and lamp posts were painted. The council decided to allow until October 1 for previous purchasers of memorial benches to express interest in repurchasing before opening the opportunity to the public.