Public Safety Building in Jeopardy

CAPE MAY – “I will not be the fourth vote for a bond issue for a combined public safety building.” Those words by Cape May City Council member Stacey Sheehan highlighted the issue that haunts a proposed public safety building on Franklin Street.
A dispute over the building has been ongoing, with both Sheehan and Council member Zack Mullock taking the position that the advisory committee has worked hard and to much good purpose, but that the process has been flawed – yielding estimates that far outstrip the city’s ability to pay.
Sheehan and Mullock also assert that council, as the elected body, should be more involved in directing the planning process. Sheehan argued that the complex does not belong in the center of the historic district.
Deputy Mayor Patricia Hendricks and Council member Shaine Meier have consistently praised the work of the council-appointed advisory committee that has spearheaded planning for the complex. They argued that the existing facilities are in such dire shape that the issue of replacing them can’t be postponed for further study. They also defended the synergies to be gained by a single building housing critical public safety departments.
Mayor Clarence Lear has said less than other council members on the subject, but his vote on this matter – as on many others – has been with Hendricks and Meier.
The recent estimates for the existing conceptual design came in at $19-$23 million, with several specific cost items not yet included. Meier objected that the estimates “leaked” to the public, verbally sparring with resident Jules Rauch, who called it appropriate public information.
Meier said the committee and the city manager would rein in the “obscene cost” in the estimates. Both Mullock and Sheehan believe the process the city is using to plan the building is the reason for the high-cost estimates.
A public meeting on the complex scheduled for Aug. 13 was canceled, which provoked challenge by Mullock, who felt the meeting should have gone ahead.
While there seems to be consensus that the fire and police departments are in subpar and unsustainable facilities, opinions vary on whether the departments should be combined into one building, whether the building should be on the site selected, how much the city should invest, and how the investment relates to other capital projects being discussed.
As Mullock expressed concerns about the direction of the project, Meier interrupted to assert the position of moving ahead on the current course.
One member of the public warned that the “wrong way to justify a position is to say we have been talking about it for four years.” He urged the council to thank the committee for its work and “take charge of the process yourselves.” As he returned to his seat, Meier challenged his comments.
With three supporters, and two challengers, the initiative is effectively stalled. While three votes can win on resolutions and ordinances, four votes are required for bond issues.  Sheehan’s stated opposition is potentially monumental. 
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.