Joyce E. Tinnes

The Caucus Meeting agenda included an Executive (Closed) Session to discuss personnel matters (noting nothing pending) and contracts, specifically the lease of property, as well as ongoing/anticipated litigation concerning SSH Blvd LLC. The Public (Open) Session was set to discuss the agenda items, receive an update on Electric Utility Generators from the Borough Planner, discuss Seaside Heights Business Improvement District parking passes, and address any Borough Council discussion items. The Regular Meeting included a presentation by the Superintendent of Schools regarding the Hugh J. Boyd, Jr. School referendum question. The Regular Meeting's consent agenda encompassed resolutions for bill payment, appointment of a Supervising Parking Enforcement Officer, a Federal Aid Agreement for Central Avenue Safety Improvements, appointments to the 2026 Business Improvement District Board of Directors, authorization for seasonal/temporary employees, an agreement with Tri-Boro First Aid Squad for emergency medical services, a 2025 budget appropriations transfer, and two bond ordinances for Sanitary Sewer and Water Main System Improvements. Separate motions considered ordinances related to establishing the Emergency Medical Services Division, adopting Civil Service titles for that division, and amending the Boardwalk and Beaches chapter concerning fee usage. Approvals were also sought for several special events. A Public Hearing was scheduled concerning the Reflection Park Green Acres Program Park Development Grant and the NJDCA Local Recreation Improvement Grant, detailing plans for new ADA-compliant walking trails, gardens, and seating areas on Hancock Avenue.

A Caucus meeting was held to discuss professional service appointments and review the meeting agenda prior to the regular session. An executive session was authorized and subsequently adjourned. Following this, a regular meeting convened where Councilman Robert Triano was appointed as President of Council. Several resolutions were approved by consent agenda, including establishing the 2026 Council meeting dates, designating committee appointments for 2026, approving the 2026 temporary operating budget, and appointing various legal counsel, engineers, planners, and other specialized advisors for the Borough for 2026. Additionally, resolutions were passed concerning municipal contracts, tax matters, employee matters such as a leave of absence and salary setting, and authorizing a beach promotion program. Two ordinances were introduced and read for the first time concerning the establishment of the Emergency Medical Services Division and amending the Boardwalk and Beaches code regarding use fees. Various community events scheduled for the first half of the year were also approved.

The document outlines the agenda for both a Caucus Meeting and a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council. The Executive Session of the Caucus Meeting included discussions regarding the Borough Clerk's Office transition and the appointment of the Borough Auditor, with no ongoing litigation reported. The Public Session of the Caucus Meeting involved discussing agenda items, an update on Hiering Ave/Bayside Terrace, and a presentation about the "Seaside Heights Music Fest." The Regular Meeting agenda covered resolutions for the payment of bills, adjustment of water/sewer accounts, authorizing an interconnection agreement with Seaside Park for water service, approving shared services agreements with Ocean County regarding the Narcotics Strike Force and the Prosecutors office's Fatal Accident Support Team (FAST), approving change orders for the Water Treatment Plant Electrical Resiliency Project and the Sunset Beach Inclusive Playground, authorizing the refund of escrow monies, rescinding a liquor license transfer resolution, appointing the Borough Auditor and Emergency Management Coordinator, cancelling a grant balance for Body Worn Cameras, rejecting IT Consulting bids and authorizing a new RFQ/RFP process, and approving several special events including Runapalooza, Habitat for Humanity Walk to Build 2026, and the "Seaside Heights Music Fest."

The document details the proceedings of both a Caucus Meeting and a Reorganization Meeting. The Executive Session involved discussions regarding professional services appointments and anticipated litigation. The Reorganization Meeting included the administration of the Oath of Office for two council members and the nomination and appointment of the Borough Council President. A significant portion of the meeting involved acting upon a Consent Agenda that covered establishing 2026 meeting dates, designating official newspapers, setting committee assignments, approving the 2026 Temporary Operating Budget, and appointing numerous officials and consultants, including the Borough Attorney, Engineer, and various Special Counsels. Separate actions were taken to appoint the Municipal Court Prosecutor, Public Defender, and Special Counsel for mercantile license matters. Additionally, three Ordinances were introduced and acted upon: establishing the Emergency Medical Services Division, adopting Civil Service titles for EMS, and amending the Boardwalk and Beaches chapter regarding fee usage.

The meeting included discussions on agenda items, deposition dates related to Seaside Heights vs. Graziano, the 2025 Municipal best practices inventory, an electric power auction held on 10/28/2025, the land use element and community facilities and recreation plan element, and correspondence from Cornerstone at Seaside Heights. Resolutions were approved for payment of bills, transfer of funds, refund of a designated electric utility account, renewal of membership in the Ocean County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund, and execution of change orders to contracts with Gaven General Contracting, Inc. and Coppola Services, Inc. The Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan Amendment to the Master Plan was endorsed, and authorization was given to receive proposals for computer and information technology consulting services. An ordinance appropriating funds for general capital improvements and another amending Capital Ordinance Number 2025-10 were also approved.