Mayor Gives State of City in Sea Isle

SEA ISLE NEWS RELEASE:
 
MAYOR’S MESSAGE
At the January 12, 2010 City Council meeting, Mayor Leonard Desiderio delivered the annual Budget Message and State of the City Address. The Mayor provided details on both the City operations’ budget and the water and sewer utility budget; and highlighted several initiatives and projects for 2010.
The Mayor presented a City budget that, if adopted by City Council, will increase local taxes by 2.7 cents on the current rate. The Mayor also announced that water and sewer rates are recommended to remain unchanged for 2010. Both the local tax and water and sewer budgets must be decided upon by City Council before becoming law. With the election of Governor Christie, and the change in leadership in Trenton, it is likely that City Council will not be able to adopt a budget until April at the earliest.
Mayor Desiderio encourages all taxpayers and citizens to follow the budget discussions, and if there are any questions to contact the City administrator. There will be much information disseminated in the coming months from various sources, and it is important that all of us deal with the facts. The better understanding everyone has of the complete information, the more it will help all of us as we move forward. The City administrator can be reached by e-mail at gsavastano@seaislecitynj.us, or by phone at (609) 263-4461 x223.
A major personnel announcement was made by the Mayor in his January 12 address, telling the City that our longtime chief financial officer, Jim Terruso, would be retiring as CFO and the Department Head of Finance at the end of June. Terruso is one of Sea Isle’s most respected leaders, both in town and statewide among his peers. Fortunately, Terruso has agreed to come back with the City on a part-time basis, continuing to play a role in the organization. Terruso will be succeeded by our tax collector Paula Doll, who will continue to perform those duties, as well as those of CFO. Doll is both a certified municipal finance officer and a CPA. She is the best choice to follow Terruso as the person entrusted with stewardship of our City’s finances.
Initiatives presented by the Mayor include the following:
Water conservation initiative, in conjunction with the City’s Environmental Commission. The City’s water and sewer costs are greatly affected by summer usage, a time when it is most difficult to get all consumers to reduce their use. This is an issue that must be addressed. The Mayor has challenged the Commission to develop an educational campaign to encourage all users to conserve.
Flood management and insurance- The City will host a public forum on Saturday, March 27, to help ensure our citizens are best prepared for flooding situations. Details will follow in the coming weeks.
Replenishment of the City’s beaches at the South end of the island.
Completion of the 44th Street Lifeguard Headquarters and Public Restroom Facility.
Completion of the Veterans Memorial Project on JFK and Landis Avenue.
Expansion of the Children’s Amusement Park at the Marina.
Youth Forum- The City will host a public forum in conjunction with the Recreation Commission to hear from parents and children. The date is set for Tuesday, February 16, at 6:00 p.m. in the Public Safety Building.
To read the entire 2010 Budget Message and State of the City Address, visit the City’s website at www.seaislecitynj.us. Go to the Mayor’s section under the Government tab.
CITY PROJECT NEWS
The South End Beach Fill Project, a joint effort with Avalon, is expected to begin in April and be completed in June. The same company that performed last year’s replenishment downtown and at the north end, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, was low bidder at $10.4 million. Sea Isle will receive about 700,000 cubic yards of sand from 73rd to 94th Street, and our cost is expected to be $5.9 million. The City is financing the project with local funds and will be requesting a 75% reimbursement from the State from their fiscal 2011 shore protection budget.
The Resurfacing of Landis Avenue and Utility Work, from JFK to 54th Street, is in progress and will be completed before the summer season. This is a joint effort with the County and is part of the City’s overall efforts to address infrastructure and street paving needs throughout Sea Isle.
Resurfacing of the North End of The Promenade, from 29th to 40th Street, will take place before the summer season. This follows last year’s resurfacing of the south end of The Promenade.
The City will take bids for the Marina site improvements, including landscaping, additional parking, and lighting, on Friday, February 5. This project will help to beautify the area and complement the expansion of the amusement park.
The City has recently completed Bulkhead Replacements at 43rd Street, including drainage and flood control improvements, as part of its citywide capital infrastructure improvement plan.
NOTEWORTHY
The City’s Website is being updated to become more aesthetically pleasing and user friendly. The site is expected to be launched in February.