DLC Meeting – September 19, 2024 – Minutes
DEAL LAKE COMMISSION
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
The Regular Meeting of the Deal Lake Commission was held In-Peron and via teleconference using the Zoom Meeting Platform. The Commission Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. After the Salute to the Flag, the Commission Clerk announced that the notice requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act C.231, P.L. 1975, were met by transmitting the notice to the Commission’s official newspaper on February 1, 2024, posting where required and filing a copy of the notice with the Commission Clerk. The Deal Lake Commission meeting will be audio and video taped and will be shown on APTV, Optimum 77 and throughout Monmouth County on FIOS 28.
Prior to the Roll Call being taken Don Brockel, Commission Chairman, welcomed the new Commissioner from the Borough of Deal – Barbara Coffey.
ROLL CALL
| PRESENT | ABSENT | |
| Allenhurst (B. Fromer) | x | |
| Asbury Park (J. Toher) | x | |
| Deal (B. Coffey) | x | |
| Interlaken (C. Roarty) | x | |
| Loch Arbour (M. Fernicola) | x | |
| Neptune | x | |
| Ocean (D. Brockel) | x |
OTHERS PRESENT:
Hunt Parry, Esq., Commission Attorney
Peter R. Avakian, Commission Engineer
Dr. Stephen Souza, Environmental Consultant
Jessie M. Joseph, Commission Clerk
Resolution #24-046 – Resolution to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting,
August 15, 2024
UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Loch Arbour, carried that the following Resolution be and the same is hereby adopted:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Deal Lake Commission held on August 15, 2024 be and the same are hereby approved (Deal and Neptune do not vote).
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Abstain: Deal
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
Absent: Neptune
Resolution #24-047 – Resolution to Approve Treasurer’s Report and Pay Bills of the Deal
Lake Commission – September 19, 2024
UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Asbury Park, carried that the following Treasurer’s Report for September 19, 2024 be approved and the bills listed authorized for payment:
BALANCE ON HAND – PREVIOUS MONTH
Manasquan Bank $ 87,145.04
NJ Cash Management Fund 15,818.67
TOTAL ON DEPOSIT $102,963.71
RECEIPTS:
2024 Assessment – City of Asbury Park $ 11,000.00
Interest – Manasquan Bank – August 2024 355.77
Interest – NJ Cash Management Fund – August 2024 70.92
TOTAL RECEIPTS $ 11,426.69
TOTAL AVAILABLE $113,390.40
DISBURSEMENTS:
2024 Appropriations:
Don Brockel – Storage Unit Rental, September 2024 $ 152.81
JCP&L (7/25/24-8/22/24) 38.58
Verizon (7/24/24-8/23/24) 40.03
The New Coaster, LLC – Legal Advertising Inv.#8976) 22.44
Clean Waters Consulting, LLC (8/1/24-8/31/24) 175.00
Richard Gartz – CFO Services (September 2024) 650.00
Jessie M. Joseph – Clerk Services (September 2024) 675.00
USDA – APHIS (Animal & Plant Health Insp. Service) 4,379.98
Josh Starner (Trash Grabber for Flume) 159.37
Hunt A. Parry, Esq. (July-Sept. 2024 Meetings) 750.00
Sub-Total 7,043.21
319H WM18-016:
Precise Construction Inc. – Wesley Lake Rain Gardens
(CO #1, 2 – FINAL $ 10,000.00
Sub-Toal Grants $ 10,000.00
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS 09/19/2024 $ 17,043.21
TOTAL BALANCES $ 97,347.19
DETAIL OF BALANCES:
Manasquan Bank $ 81,457.60
NJ Cash Management Fund 15,889.59
TOTAL ON DEPOSIT $ 97,347.19
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Neptune
OLD BUSINESS
- DEP Stormwater Management Grant for Seaview Mall – Peter Avakian, Commission Engineer, gave a brief explanation of the new requirements for insurance coverage prior to going out to bid for the project. The only viable option was to go through a Joint Municipal Insurance Fund by one of our municipalities. The Borough of Interlaken adopted a Resolution endorsing the DLC’s participation for membership in the Monmouth County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. It has been sent to the MCMJIF for their approval/denial.
Don Brockel, Commission Chairman, said an e-mail was received today from MCMJIF rejecting the DLC becoming a member.
The bottom line is, this is holding up the State of New Jersey signing off on the grant that the DLC received for almost $900,000.00 for stormwater management on the access road at Seaview Square Mall into Terrace Pond. There was more discussion about the new insurance requirements.
- Shoreline Protection/Education – Mr. Brockel did not have an update. The Commission Clerk said she had a request from the Township of Ocean’s tree expert for a copy of the letter that Jeannie Toher, Commissioner from the City of Asbury Park, sent to new lake residents.
Ms. Toher said the letter has not gone out yet. She will be meeting with the Alternate Commissioner from Asbury Park next week to finalize the mailing. She will forward a copy of the letter and the list of homeowners that the letter will be sent to.
There was a brief discussion on the pamphlet.
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
- Goose/Carp Remediation – Mr. Brockel spoke to Nicole from the USDA and we should have the report for our next meeting. Once the report is received, the Commission Clerk will send out a copy of the report along with the bills for reimbursement to each municipality.
Ms. Toher said after two unsuccessful attempts in calling Mr. Clark, she will be sending him an e-mail.
- 2025 Weed Management Program – Mr. Brockel asked Dr. Stephen Souza, Environmental Consultant for the DLC, to prepare a two-year RFP for next year’s Weed Treatment Program.
- Reestablishment of a Joint Meeting known as the Deal Lake Commission – Mr. Brockel reported that he had a meeting on September 5th with the Mayor of Asbury Park to address some of his concerns. One of the Mayor’s concerns was some of the wording in the Agreement which gave the CFO and Clerk the ability to vote. The voting rights of the municipalities are covered in another section.
Resolution #24-049 – Authorizing the Amendment to the Agreement for the Establishment
of a Joint Meeting known as the Deal Lake Commission
UPON MOTION of Allenhurst, seconded by Asbury Park, carried that the following Resolution, be and the same is hereby adopted:
WHEREAS, in 1974 all municipalities bordering on Deal Lake entered into an Agreement, renewed from time to time, to create the joint meeting known as the Deal Lake Commission in recognition of the fact that one cooperative body with a continuous existence to the welfare of the lake is beneficial to all municipalities bordering on the lake; and
WHEREAS, the current Agreement expires on December 31, 2024; and
WHERES, there is a need to amend the Section of the Agreement entitled: ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, striking (3); and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Deal Lake Commissioners of the Deal Lake Commission that the Agreement for the Establishment of a Joint Meeting Known as the Deal Lake Commission be revised to amend the Section of the Agreement entitled ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, striking (3); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an amendment to said agreement striking (3) be prepared the Attorney for the Commission; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of said Amendment shall be forwarded to each member municipality for formal adoption and execution.
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Neptune
- November 9th – Deal Lake Fall Clean-Up. We will be lowering the lake beginning November 3rd.
Ms. Toher will ask Asbury Park to clean out the MTD’s.
- 2024 Assessment – The City of Asbury Park has paid their 2024 Assessment. All participating DLC municipalities have paid their Assessments for 2024.
NEW BUSINESS
- Resolution #24-048 – Authorizing a Tentative 2025 Meeting Schedule
UPON MOTION of Asbury Park, seconded by Interlaken, carried that the following Resolution, be and the same, is hereby adopted:
WHEREAS, the 2025 Deal Lake Commission Meetings will be held on the third Thursday of every month, with the exception of November and December; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Deal Lake Commission that the following is the Tentative 2025 Deal Lake Commission Meeting Schedule:
Reorganization Meeting for 2025 – January 26, 2025
February 20 July 17
March 20 August 21
April 17 September 18
May 15 October 16
June 19 December 4
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 2025 Deal Lake Commission Meeting Schedule will become final after the 2025 Reorganization Meeting of the Deal Lake Commission.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Neptune
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
- New contact method for DLC website – Mr. Brockel said there is a new way of contacting the DLC on our website and it seems to be working well.
Ms. Toher gave a brief demonstration of the new contact page on the DLC website.
- Clean Ocean Action – Mr. Brockel said we are still going to try and do some dry testing but we will have to wait until next summer for the wet testing, when the numbers increase.
- Storage Rental Unit Fees – Mr. Brockel said his name has been on the bill list for a long time for the payment of the storage unit rental. He would like to have the DLC pre-pay for the rest of 2024 and next year have the DLC pay for the whole year.
Resolution #24-050 – Authorizing the Payment of Storage Rental Fees to Extra Space
Storage at a cost not to exceed $458.43
UPON MOTION of Interlaken, seconded by Asbury Park, carried that the following Resolution, be and the same is hereby adopted:
WHEREAS, over the years the Deal Lake Commission has accumulated a large quantity of rakes, shovels, trimmers, and supplies which are used during lake clean-ups and at other times during the year; and
WHEREAS, the Deal Lake Commission authorized the Commission Chairman to rent a storage unit for the year 2024 by way of Resolution #24-017 dated January 18, 2024 at a cost not to exceed $1,850.00 to store all of the Deal Lake Commissions equipment and supplies; and
WHEREAS, the Commission Chairman would like to have the Deal Lake Commission pay for rental of the storage unit for the remaining three months of 2024 at a cost not to exceed $458.43.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Deal Lake Commission that it hereby authorizes the payment to Extra Space Storage for the rental of a storage unit for the remaining three months of 2024 at a cost not to exceed $458.43.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Neptune
- Sheriff’s Department – Mr. Brockel asked if anyone had seen Officer’s from the Sheriff’s Department on jet skis on the lake. They were supposed to be there these past couple of weekends.
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
PUBLIC HEARING
UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Interlaken, moved that the meeting be opened to the public.
Brian Mullins, Township of Ocean resident, said about 20 years ago the State dug out a little retention area west of Route 35 where Hollow Brook comes out behind the bowling alley by the bridge in Neptune and over the years it has filled in. Asked if the DLC could request the State to come in and do it again and make it bigger.
Mr. Brockel asked him to draft a letter and he will sign it and send it to DOT and DEP.
Dr. Stephen Souza, Commission Environmental Consultant, suggested doing it under Mosquito Control or stream de-snagging for flood control.
Ms. Toher reminded them that the Monmouth County DPW went back there and did some removal of silt and other things. They have not repaired the bridge so that we have storm drains there and they left the holes wide open and put in new drains but left the old ones there. It turns out that is not the location Mr. Mullins is referring to.
Janna Manning, Asbury Park, gave a brief explanation of how she got Senator Gopal and Declan O’Scanlon to assist her in getting the DOT to change the Asbury Park circle into a pollinator habitat. To date they have planted over 100 native trees and shrubs there that are specifically focused on supporting pollinators and providing host plants for caterpillars. The DOT is looking at it as a pilot project. She is with the Green Team from Asbury Park.
There being no comments and UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Interlaken, carried that the public hearing be closed.
COMMISSIONER’S LAST WORD
Jeannie Toher, City of Asbury Park Commissioner, is happy that there is a new way people can communicate with the DLC that is more consistent.
Carolyn Roarty, Borough of Interlaken Commissioner, is going to continue to pursue what the metal stakes are that she found around the lake. A house on Edgemont has an extension cord running from the house across the street on to a boat on the lake. Also, the clean-up from the Sea, Hear, Now Festival was amazing.
Bruce Fromer, Borough of Allenhurst Commissioner, reported that Allenhurst recently passed a tree removal ordinance.
Margot Fernicola, Village of Loch Arbour, there is still a lot of garbage on the street. There is a group of good samaritans getting together and getting it cleaned up. Prior to the clean-up and the lake being lowered in November, the groundskeeper from Deal Golf & Country Club would like to speak to us and plan for the college students prior to the clean-up.
Don Brockel, Chairman of the Commission and the Township of Ocean Commissioner, said these past few months have been very stressful due to the insurance issues brought on by the State. He would like to ask Bruce Fromer, Borough of Allenhurst Commissioner, to head a team to find out who owns the flume.
There was more discussion on the pros and cons of ownership of the flume.
There being no further business and UPON MOTION Ocean, seconded by Deal, carried that the meeting be finally adjourned at 8:06 PM.
_____________________________
Jessie M. Joseph, RMC/CMC
Commission Clerk