City of Cape May

Convention Hall

The City has just received a structural analysis of Convention Hall. Due to the importance of this project, the City selected the firm Pennoni Associates Inc. out of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a well-known and respected engineering company, to perform this analysis. They are a multi-disciplined, consulting engineering firm employing approximately 850 professional, technical, and administrative personnel in 20 offices throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New England, Maryland, and New York. They were recently ranked #4 of the 25 best engineering firms by the "Philadelphia Business Journal".

Quoting from their report:

"Serious structural deficiencies were observed in all six bays, not just the bays closest to the ocean. We find that compared to the observations noted in the last RVWE inspection in March 2007, due to the unabated and continued deterioration, the structural condition has worsened in the past year."

"The present condition of the Convention Hall is structurally unsound. Due to the amount of deterioration observed, the structural integrity of the floor framing is severely compromised. It is our professional opinion that this building be closed to public use until repairs can be performed in accordance with the recommendations outlined in the RVWE reports."

Upon receiving this recommendation, an inquiry was made as to weather the building could remain open while remediation measures were taken. We were informed that it must be closed immediately.

After reviewing this assessment, and considering the recommendations of our professionals, the City, in the interest of public safety, will no longer make the building available to the general public, effective immediately. Were the City to allow the operation of the building to continue, in light of the information provided to us, it would be a significant liability and we will not jeopardize public safety.

We are currently investigating what additional options may be available to address the structural issues to make the building safe in order to allow future scheduled events to continue through the end of the summer. We are also consulting with those groups who will be affected in the short term by this closure and are helping to find alternate locations to allow their functions to occur.

We are also reviewing a number of potential short-term fixes. It is our intention to determine if an economically feasible solution to the problem exists, as soon as possible, so as to be able to advise all scheduled users of the building as to the viability of having it available for their planned use.

As additional information becomes available, it will be released to both the public and the press.

City Manager Reappointment 

Today the Committee to Evaluate the City Manager’s Position presented its findings to the Cape May City Council.  Because this matter involves a personnel issue, the presentation took place in a closed session meeting as required under the Open Public Meetings Act.  Also in attendance were City Manager Luciano V. Corea, Jr. and City Solicitor Anthony P. Monzo. 

The Committee consisted of two Council members, Linda Steenrod and David Kurkowski, as well as three members of the community, resident-Suzanne Smigo, former Mayor-Thomas Phelan, and former Police Chief-Robert Boyd.  

The Committee had met five times during the months of October and November, with each meeting lasting approximately two hours.  In between these formal meetings, the committee members interviewed over 100 people involved in the life of Cape May.  Interviewees included full-time and seasonal residents, business owners, and city employees. In addition, the Committee interviewed the three Council members who were not on the committee or who did not serve on the Committee (Mayor Jerome Inderwies, Deputy Mayor Niels Favre, and Councilman David Craig), as well as the City Manager.  The Council members on the Committee did not participate in the interviews involving the other Council members. 

At today’s meeting, the Committee summarized all aspects of Mr. Corea’s performance.  The Committee made several recommendations for improving communication between the City Manager and the City Council, as well as to improve the performance of the City Council.  These recommendations include: 

In addition, there were comments and recommendations made with respect to the City Manager’s job performance which, as a personnel matter, are not subject to disclosure.  The Committee did not make a recommendation to Council as to the retention of Mr. Corea as the City Manager or as to an extension of his contract, which decisions the Committee believes should be made by the City Council without the recommendation of the Committee. 

During the meeting, the City Council also had the opportunity to add additional detailed comments and to discuss its short and long-term plans with respect to the City Manager. 

Following the closed session discussion, City Council has decided to retain Mr. Corea as the City Manager.  Over the next three months, City Council will negotate a new contract with Mr. Corea, the terms of which will be made public once finalized.  Until then, he will continue to work under the terms and conditions of his present Contract. It was also decided by City Council to proceed with changes to the City’s Administrative Code to require, among other things, semi-annual evaluations of the City Manager, attendance by one Council member at each Department Head meeting, requiring the attendance by at least one Department Head at the City Council work sessions on a quarterly basis.  

The City Council and City Manager are all pleased with the process and outcome.  The Committee was able to assemble valuable and objective information to assist the City Council in its decision making and to improve the manner in which the City operates under its present form of government. 

State Law Enforcement Accreditation

Police Chief Diane M. Sorantino has announced that, on Thursday, December 14, 2006, the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, by unanimous vote, granted State Law Enforcement Accreditation to the City of Cape May Police Department.

Accreditation is the ongoing process whereby agencies evaluate policy and procedure against established criteria that comply with those criteria as verified by an independent and authoritative body. The criteria, or standards, are policy development guidelines that represent a level of quality service delivery. The true indicator of compliance, however, lies with an evaluation of trained, independent professional peers.

Over the past two years, as this program evolved, the positive changes both within the department, and improved service to the public, is evident. The Accreditation program offers numerous benefits not only to the City’s law enforcement agency, but also to the City as a whole.

Chief Sorantino said, "As Chief of Police, the development of department policy is the one of the most significant functions of my position. I consider the elevation of the Cape May Police Department, by meeting the criteria of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, an accomplishment that will continue to benefit the officers and citizens’ throughout out this great community, for years to come."

NJDOT Municipal Aid Program Grant

City Manager Luciano V. Corea, Jr. announced today that the City of Cape May has received a NJDOT Municipal Aid Program grant, for the fiscal year 2007, in the amount of one hundred forty-three thousand dollars ($143,000). This grant will be for the reconstruction of First Avenue from Beach Avenue to Mt. Vernon Avenue. This will include the repaving of First Avenue, including curbing, pavement, new gutters, enhanced storm drainage, and handicapped ramps.

This program has become more and more competitive each year, with seven hundred eighty-one (781) applications being received, which totaled more than two-hundred twenty million dollars ($220,000,000). Of that, funds were available to provide approximately thirty-six percent (36%) of the requested aid from the Transportation Trust Fund.

The City would like to express its gratitude to the Department of Transportation for continuing this important program, which helps offset the local tax burden while at the same time providing much needed infrastructure improvements.

Work is expected to begin on this project in the fall of 2007.

Cape May, N.J. - Cape May City Environmental Commission was awarded, in June 2006, a Smart Growth Planning grant by the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions [“ANJEC”], a private, non-profit educational organization dedicated to natural resource protection. This grant is being used to update the Environmental Resource Inventory for Cape May City, which will serve as an ancillary resource for the City’s Master Plan. 

The Environmental Resource Inventory will consist of several sections, including maps of natural and man-made resources, such as water resources, soil types and topography. Lists generated will also include “open space” inventory; threatened or endangered wildlife and plants; storm water regulations; weather and annual rainfall; and initiatives for solar power. 

At the Environmental Commission meeting of March 21, 2007, discussion was held regarding compilation of a narrative section of the Environmental Resource Inventory, to condense past reviews of such topics as Open Space, Water Resources and air pollution. Additional discussion was devoted to measures that our citizenry can make to help reduce harmful air pollution from privately-owned vehicles, such as consolidation of errands, carpooling, walking or bicycling, and using public transportation. A brochure with a cycling and walking map titled “Natural Areas of the Southern Cape” is available at City Hall, and shows interesting destinations to visit. 

Residents of Cape May City are welcome to attend monthly meetings of the Environmental Commission, to provide comments and suggestions; formal public input will be held before project completion, at a date to be announced. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. at Cape May City Hall. Progress reports will be updated, monthly, until the project is completed.

Contact:
Dr. Gerald Friedman, 609-884-5008
Email: Geraldfried@pol.net

Certified Local Government Grant Award

City Manager, Luciano V. Corea, Jr., announced today that the City of Cape May has been awarded a Certified Local Government Grant Award in the amount of sixty-four thousand dollars ($64,000).

This grant will be utilized to conduct an intensive level Historic Property Survey in the City of Cape May. This survey will consist of the entire designated historic district. It will result in the analysis and preparation of individual property forms containing the historic element attachments and the assessment and identification of key, contributing, and non-contributing status for properties surveyed.

Additionally, digital photographs of all relevant structures will be taken and GIS coordinates will be established in order to further identify the type and location of the historic structures.

Contingent on the availability of funding, a public pamphlet will also be prepared, which will detail the results of the survey. It will contain a brief summary, including the history of Cape May, the methodology used and the results of the information compiled.

The City is appreciative to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Natural and Historic Resources Division for the approval of this grant. It will allow the City to perform a much needed analysis of its historic resources, which when used in conjunction with its award winning historic design guidelines, will provide a sound basis for both the City and property owners to understand the significance of their buildings, how they fit within the City’s historic designation, and provide a direction as to potential restoration or renovation.

An RFP defining the requirements of this project has been submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office for review and approval, with the hope that a contract can be awarded before the end of the year.

CAPE MAY PUBLIC REALM VISION PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP - July 18, 2006

The City of Cape May recently retained the consultant team of Rhodeside & Harwell, Incorporated, located in Alexandria, Virginia, to work with residents and staff on the development of a long-range plan to improve the City’s public realm. The plan will address the City’s public lands and spaces, including its streets, trails and open spaces, and will propose strategies for enhancing and protecting Cape May’s wonderful historic resources, both man-made and natural.

In order for the plan to succeed, it is important that the citizens of Cape May be actively involved in its development. Therefore, as a first step, there will be a public workshop held on Wednesday, July 19^th, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM, to introduce the planning team, review current issues and concerns, and begin the development of an overall public realm vision for Cape May. The meeting will be held in the Ballroom, at Congress Hall.

The public is encouraged to attend and participate in this exciting opportunity to begin the process of improving the way Cape May presents its public "face" to its residents, visitors, and the world.

Capital Ordinance Referendum - May 30, 2006

At this point, there appears to be a significant amount of misinformation being disseminated concerning the impact of a signature in support of a referendum for the City’s 2006 Current Fund and Water and Sewer Capital ordinances.

It should be understood that this referendum which requests the repeal of these ordinances, if approved, would prohibit the expenditure of any capital funds by the City of Cape May for items identified under this ordinance for 2006. Not only would it delay the construction of much needed improvements on the Mall, but it would also prohibit acquisition of items that are related to safety within the City. This includes the purchase of a rescue vehicle and protective equipment for the Fire Department, and it would delay or eliminate all road construction and acquisition of replacement vehicles for our road department. It would also eliminate security cameras necessary to protect taxpayer investments within the City, and delay required ADA improvements to our access ramps. Additionally, the ordinance concerning the water and sewer utility, if overturned, would eliminate all water and sewer infrastructure improvements planned for 2006 and delay the implementation of our remote water meter reading installation which would require additional manpower to physically read meters.

It is of the utmost importance that the Cape May voter being approached to sign this referendum petition understands that, if this referendum gains sufficient signatures to move forward, not only does it potentially jeopardize the safety and aesthetic improvements on the Washington Street Mall, but it could also significantly impact the normal operation of the City through its 2006 Capital funding.

While the decision as to whether or not to sign the referendum petition ultimately is each registered voter’s decision, it is imperative that the individual is aware of exactly what he or she is requesting to be placed on the referendum. This is not a matter of simply considering improvements to be made on the Mall, but rather an ordinance that encompasses all of the City’s 2006 Capital expenditures.

October 19, 2004

The Cape May City Council is pleased to announce that Luciano V. Corea, Jr. has been appointed as the Cape May City Manager for a term, which expires on January 31, 2007. Mr. Corea has served as the City Administrator since January 2000, and his exceptional performance in that capacity made him the logical choice for City Manager under the new Council-Manager form of government, which took effect on July 1 of this year.

However, the City Council had an obligation to the citizens of Cape May, who voted for the new form of government, to take all steps necessary to ensure that it selected the best person. To that end, the City Council advertised for the position and received inquiries from numerous qualified candidates from throughout the United States. After a lengthy and tedious process, which included a careful screening of all applicants and several interviews, including one with Mr. Corea, the City Council concluded that he was the clear choice. His experience and knowledge of the City and its unique characteristics played a major role in the selection.

Although the position of City Administrator is significantly different from that of City Manager, Mr. Corea has demonstrated during his tenure as the City Administrator, as well as the Acting City Manager since July 1, that he has the qualifications and ability to be the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Cape May. "Mr. Corea has shown to all of us that he has the skills necessary to keep the City moving in a positive direction, communicate and work well with all members of City Council, and address the concerns of our residents, guests, business owners and employees," stated the City Council in a collective statement.

Following the Council’s decision, Mr. Corea stated, "I am pleased to have been selected for this important position, and look forward to the challenge of serving as the City’s first Manager under this form of government, and working with the Council to address the needs of a changing Cape May". He also said that with the selection process behind him, he can now move forward with several important activities such as the beginning of contract negations with several of the City’s unions, the preparation of the 2005 Municipal budget, and the preliminary work associated with the development of a plan for a new Convention Hall for the City of Cape May.

Tuesday, May 14, 2002

The City of Cape May is pleased to announce that the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court has granted its request to continue the stay of Judge Batten’s order in the "beach tag case". The stay shall remain in effect until the appeal is decided by the Court.

As a result of this favorable decision, the City of Cape May can continue to enforce those sections of its present beach tag ordinance that the Judge ruled were invalid. This means that Cape May can continue to prohibit the transfer of seasonal tags by businesses for commercial purposes and can continue to limit the number of seasonal tags purchased to five per person. The price of the seasonal tag will continue at $17.00.

Mayor Inderwies announced that he is pleased by the decision to stay the order, and is now optimistic that the City will realize its budgeted revenue for this year's beach tag program.

January 26, 2002

No Municipal Tax Increase for 2002

There will be no increase in the local purpose tax rate for 2002, in the City of Cape May, if the Municipal budget is adopted as proposed, it was announced Friday by Mayor Jerome E. Inderwies. 

As a result of the last two budget meetings, and the concerns raised regarding a potential tax increase, the Administration has done a second line item by line item review of his recommended budget. The review has identified some line items which were slightly modified in order to reduce expenses to allow for the introduction, on February 5, 2002, and adoption on March 19, 2002, a budget reflecting a tax rate which is slightly less than the budget adopted in 2001. The 2001 adopted rate was 0.5358; the new proposed 2002 rate will be 0.5356. 

The Mayor stated  that "The City is financially sound. Our bond rating is the best it's been in years. Our collection of property tax is better than 98%. We continue paying down the debt service. The surplus has been increased and is the highest in many years. The concerns that Council had during the two very long budget work sessions shows that the entire Council works together with the Mayor and Administrator, to keep your taxes down. It is very important that you pick up your tax bill and examine it. The only part of the tax bill that the City controls is the local purpose tax. The County, the  school board, and the regional school system, control the rest. The local purpose tax is what the City uses to manage the day to day operations of the City."

November 20, 2001

Interlocal Police Agreement

An Interlocal Services agreement enabling the City of Cape May to provide police services is scheduled to be signed at 10 AM, Wednesday November 21, 2001, at Cape May City Hall, by the Mayors of the three municipalities involved. Mayor Fraser from Cape May Point, Mayor Inderwies from Cape May City and Mayor Jackson from West Cape May will participate in the signing. The agreement, under which the City of Cape May will begin to provide police services to Cape May Point and West Cape May, is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the State.

Effective January 1, 2002, the City of Cape May will provide all police services to the three towns. This includes, patrol, motor vehicle accident investigations and reporting, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation and crime scene processing, DARE, and all other police safety related services. As part of the agreement, the City will use a portion of the West Cape May municipal building as a police sub-station. This will provide for a continual presence in the area and may ultimately allow for a centralized response for patrol officers. The contract is for a period of seven years, and provides for a fixed cost per year, for each municipality, for budget purposes. Significant savings will be realized by both West Cape May and Cape May Point and the agreement will not have any adverse impact on the taxpayers of Cape May.

Discussions on the agreement began in April of this year, and were finalized when all parties recently unanimously passed resolutions authorizing the execution of the agreement. The driving force in making this decision was economics. West Cape May, which is currently providing police services to Cape May Point was advised that the Point would not be renewing its agreement with them which expires December 31, 2001. With this source of revenue gone, West Cape May could no longer justify the financial costs of maintaining its own police department. As a result of this significant financial hardship and their new police service agreement, West Cape May's Commissioners have voted to eliminate their department effective at midnight on December 31, 2001. In an effort to help reduce the impact on the effected police personnel, Cape May has agreed to consider hiring West Cape May officers who meet their qualifications for employment.

It is the consensus of all those involved, that the agreement is a "Win - Win - Win", with the direct cost savings exceeding two million dollars. All three municipalities will also benefit from the State sponsored REAP program which will provide direct tax relief to their taxpayers, as a result of their agreeing to share services. This will amount to over four hundred thousand dollars over the next seven years.

July 6, 2001

There have been questions raised in the news media, as to the response of police and emergency medical personnel, to the unfortunate stabbing of a local youth on Monday, July 2, 2001.

In order to clarify the sequence of events with respect to this incident, the following are the actual recorded times, of these units, to the scene:

11:12:11 PM - several calls were received concerning a disturbance on Howard Street

11:12:41 PM - police dispatched and in route, two cars responding

11:14:07 PM - ambulance in route to scene

11:14:27 PM officers on scene requesting Medic 9 unit and Medivac helicopter

11:16 PM - dispatch advised that EMT's have arrived and CPR in progress

11:26 PM - ambulance transporting victim arrived at mile marker 0 on Parkway to meet Medic 9 unit

11:30 PM - dispatch advised that victim had expired

As this time line clearly shows, emergency personnel were on scene and treating the victim within a matter of minutes of being advised of the incident. While they were unable to save the individual, due to the severity of the wounds sustained, emergency response time was in no way a contributing factor.

The City of Cape May is pleased to report that it has been selected for a fiscal year 2001 Certified Local Government Program grant totaling thirty-one thousand, one hundred dollars ($31,100) for an Intensive Level Survey of Historic Resources in Cape May City. Grant funds were available through the United States Department of the Interior’s, National Park Service, and Historic Preservation Fund.

We received the grant through the direct efforts of Councilwoman Calnan and HPC member Philippa Campbell who pursued this through the State Historic Preservation Office, along with the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service. These funds will be very useful in helping to preserve our historic properties and resources here in Cape May City.

This grant, initiated by the City Administrator, Luciano V. Corea, Jr., will be used to improve pedestrian access between the City’s Transportation Center, currently being expanded, and the Mall on Washington Street. Part of the project will consist of installing a new decorative concrete paver sidewalk. In addition, the existing sidewalk on the west side of Ocean Street will be widened from three to six feet to allow for easier access to pedestrians walking on this side of the street. Additional flower planters, benches shade trees, and antique gas lights will also be installed, along with more informative pedestrian signage.

The Mayor stated that "This is another example of the City successfully pursuing grant moneys to improve the ability of our residents and visitors to have walking access to a large area of the City from our mass transit facility. It also shows the advantages of the City of Cape May pursuing and obtaining a Centers of Place designation. We will continue to seek grant money to improve our vehicular and pedestrian infrastructure while not placing an undue burden on our taxpayers."