Joint Information Plan May Help Get Better Flood Insurance Rating

CAPE MAY – Cape May City Council held a special meeting May 5 to deal with its agenda that could not be done two days prior due to the lack of a quorum.
One of the resolutions allows the city to participate in a Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public Information (PPI). The goal of the program is better information and education for residents concerning actions they may take to protect themselves from flooding or dealing with a flooding incident.
The PPI is another of those steps the municipality can take to credit within the Community Rating System. Ranking in that system impacts the discount level available to municipal residents who purchase flood insurance.
Currently, Cape May has a rank of six which translates to a 20 percent discount. Mayor Edward Mahaney said that the city is within a few points of improving to a five rating, but he added: “Our goal is to move from a six to a four.” If the city were to achieve that goal the discount would move from 20 percent to 30 percent.
The concept of a multi-jurisdictional PPI is to gain the benefits of having such a program while sharing staff and financial resources with neighboring municipalities.
The resolution supports the city’s participation in such a program but it did not contain details of the jurisdictions that may eventually be involved.
Lifeguard Pensions
The council passed a resolution of support for Senate Bill S-2085 which is pending in Trenton. The bill would create flexibility for cities required by an old law to provide pensions for lifeguards. Motivations for the bill stem from the financial difficulties in Atlantic City where, Mahaney said, over $1 million a year is paid in such pensions.
“The bill was written to help Atlantic City but all of the other eight cities in South Jersey impacted by the law would benefit,” he said.
Currently, the pension system required for lifeguards is the only pension system paid and administered at the municipal level.
City Solicitor Anthony Monzo said, “The city is not equipped to manage a pension system for a very small group.”
The bill, if enacted as written, would allow the city to end the lifeguard pension system. Such a move would require that the city develops a plan for doing so that meets federal and state requirements. That plan would detail what would happen with those already receiving a pension and what is done with the funds related to those currently participating in the plan at various stages.
Mahaney indicated that about six individuals are currently receiving a pension from the city.
How the city would alter or exit the pension plan was unclear. Mahaney cautioned that the bill not only has to pass but “We have to see in what form it passes.”
Other Business
Council approved a professional services agreement with its engineering firm, Hatch Mott MacDonald, for sanitary sewer improvements along Lafayette Street.
Mahaney noted that the work would not begin until January.
“We estimate that the work will take 10 weeks and we did not want to impact our extended fall season with work on Lafayette,” he said.
Water and sewer work being done on Hughes Street and Stockton Place will be completed by Memorial Day said Mahaney in response to a question from Patricia Hendricks.
The area is popular with tourists who visit the city for its historic architecture.
Council also approved the bi-annual Sidewalk Sale participated in by many city businesses. The event will be May 19 through 22 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.