MINUTES – OCTOBER 16, 2014

DEAL LAKE COMMISSION
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING October 16, 2014

The Regular Meeting of the Deal Lake Commission was held in the Borough of Interlaken Municipal Building, 100 Grassmere Avenue, and called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Don Brockel. After the Salute to the Flag, the Commission Clerk announced that the notice requirements of C.231, P.L.1975, were met by transmitting the notice to the Commission’s official newspapers on February 13, 2014, posting where required and filing a copy of the notice with the Commission Clerk.
The Clerk introduced Jessie Joseph, who has agreed to serve as the Commission Clerk beginning in January 2015, to those present.

ROLL CALL:

Resolution #1 – Resolution to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, September 18, 2014 (Deal and Neptune do not vote).
UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Asbury Park, 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 September 18, 2014 be and the same are hereby approved.

RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst, Deal, Neptune
The order of the Agenda changed at this time.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Charter Renewal – The Clerk advised that the master document was distributed to Allenhurst and Interlaken for signature; after further discussion Ms. Joseph will contact the Allenhurst Clerk to verify that the Mayor and Clerk have executed the document and will coordinate obtaining the signatures of the Asbury Park Mayor and Clerk next. Deal, Loch Arbour and Neptune will follow.
2.  Grant Writer Update – There is a NOAA grant for marine debris removal that appears suitable for the Commission to apply for; application is due by November 17 and Ms. Mertz will need a month to prepare the required documents. Cost of application preparation: $3,500 to maximum $5,000. Dr. Souza explained he had discussed this with Ms. Mertz, and believes that this grant would be an excellent tie-in with the NRCS dredging project that should be starting soon. He noted that there are two potential problems: there is a great deal of competition for the funds, and the one-to-one match requirement, although this can be met by in-kind services. After further discussion, the Commissioners agreed to authorize Ms. Mertz to submit an application on behalf of the Commission, with the assistance of Dr. Souza and Mr. Avakian as necessary. The Interlaken representative noted that our consultants should be compensated for their time in assisting with the grant application preparation and by consensus, the other Commissioners agreed.Resolution #2: Authorize preparation of NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service FY2015 Community-based Marine Debris Removal grant application by Tawna Mertz of TKM Consulting, Inc.
   UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Loch Arbour, carried, that the following Resolution be and the same is hereby adopted:
   WHEREAS, the Deal Lake Commission has previously contracted with Tawna Mertz of TKM Marketing, Inc. to identify suitable grant opportunities for the Commission; and,
   WHEREAS, Ms. Mertz has identified several grant programs suitable for the Commission’s purposes, including a NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service FY2015 Community-based Marine Debris Removal opportunity that could be utilized in conjunction with the already-awarded NRCS/DEP dredging project for Deal Lake.
   NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Deal Lake Commission hereby authorizes the preparation of by Tawna Mertz of TKM Consulting at the cost ranging from $3,500 to $5,000 with a $2,000 retainer required.
   RECORDED VOTE:
   Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
   Nays: None
   Absent: Allenhurst, Deal, Neptune
3. NRCS/DEP – Mr. Avakian reported that his recent conversations with DEP officials have been very positive in tone, with the DEP agreeing to perform the required sediment testing not only in the east end of the Lake, but also mid-lake near the NJ Transit line, the Asbury Park section west of the Sunset Avenue Bridge and behind Interlaken. He also noted that a permit will be required, and there will be further contact with the DEP representative to clarify the full scope of the project.
4. Beach Replenishment – Mr. Avakian advised that he and a member of his staff have recently met with ACoE representatives and they have agreed to modify the design profile of the project in the Loch Arbour area so as to address issues that have arisen in other municipalities after replenishment with sand blocking outfalls. The Corps now intends to extend every existing outfall pipe that is 30” or more in diameter during the time the project, and have also agreed to include the electrification of the Flume gates in the project. They Corps still intends to notch three of the Deal jetties but have modified the plans for this as well. The Ocean representative noted that there will be another on-site meeting on October 29 to further discuss the plans for the project.
5.  Colonial Terrace Golf Club – Dr. Souza noted that he recently inspected the project site and is very pleased with the results. He noted that there is a small amount of invasive weed growth that is to be pulled, and the deer fencing will be repaired and reinstalled. The new Superintendent of the Club has noted that he will be researching additional grant opportunities that may be available through the Golf Club Superintendents’ Association for similar projects.
6. Asbury Park Boat Ramp – Dr. Souza also reported on conditions at the Asbury Park Boat Ramp area and noted that the knotweed problem is greatly diminished, and he is pleased with conditions in the area.
7. Dr. Souza also advised that he working on a study to evaluate the effects of opening Wreck Pond to the ocean for the DEP, and is using Deal Lake to create a baseline for the evaluation. This will provide additional empirical data for the Commission to utilize in the future.

NEW BUSINESS

Fall Clean-Up – The Ocean representative noted that there will be another clean-up, this time in cooperation with Monmouth University, that will take place on October 25, 2014; volunteers should meet at the Asbury Park Boat Ramp and wear sunscreen, hats and hard-soled shoes and bring gloves. The Ocean representative requested that the Commission authorize an ad, similar to the 2013 ad to be placed in The Coaster on October 23 to remind area residents of both the clean-up and to refrain from blowing their leaves into the Lake during leaf season. Resolution #3: UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Interlaken, carried, that the Commission Clerk be and she is hereby authorized to place a ½ page ad in the October 23, 2014 issue of The Coaster to include the information noted above regarding the October 25 clean-up and to stop blowing leaves into the Lake.
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst, Deal, Neptune

Resolution #4: Appoint Commission Clerk, Jessie Joseph
UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Interlaken, carried, that Jessie Joseph be and she is hereby appointed as Commission Clerk for a three-year term commencing January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017, inclusive.
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst, Deal, Neptune
Resolution #4: Accept resignation of Commission Clerk
The Commissioners’ thanked Ms. Carafa for her efforts on behalf of the Commission during her years of service.
UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Interlaken, carried, that the resignation of Lorraine Carafa as the Commission Clerk be accepted with regret, effective December 31, 2014

RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst, Deal, Neptune
Resolution #5 – Approve Treasurer’s Report and Authorize Payment of Bills
UPON MOTION of Interlaken, seconded by Asbury Park, carried, that the following Treasurer’s Report be accepted and the disbursements listed hereon be and the same are hereby approved:

RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst, Deal, Neptune
Other – Dr. Souza noted that he will be teaching the two-day Lake Maintenance course again this year through the Rutgers Continuing Education Department. The course dates are November 6 and 7. He also noted that Fish America has a program to fund the development of boat launch areas and there was the brief discussion of possibly applying for a 319h Grant in April 2015 to install MTD’s at the east end of Loch Arbour so post-dredging, the sand blowing from the two beaches does not impact the Lake.

PUBLIC HEARING
UPON MOTION of Interlaken, seconded by Ocean, carried, that the meeting be opened to the public for comments.
The Interlaken representative noted that for the last several years, area residents have supported the various clean-up efforts that the Commission has organized and suggested that a positive event be planned for the spring in recognition of the greater use of the Lake by various recreational groups. By consensus, the Commissioners agreed with the concept and will further discuss the logistics at an upcoming meeting.
Paul McEvily, Interlaken, stated that he has rowed the Lake frequently over the last many years and he recently had a collision with another rower who did not appear to understand the “rules of the road” (keeping the closest bank over the right shoulder) and noted that there is the tremendous potential for more serious accidents unless people using the Lake are educated as to the proper protocols. After discussion, Mr. McEvily agreed to submit basic information for the Commission’s review and further suggested that once the rules are promulgated, they be posted at the boat ramp for the public to review.

There being no further comments, and UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Interlaken, carried, that the public hearing be closed. There being no further business, and UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Interlaken, carried, that the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 PM.

_________________________________________________
LORRAINE CARAFA, RMC
Commission Clerk