Wildwood’s Beach Parking Plan Moves GWTIDA to File Complaint

WILDWOOD ─  “This is not adversarial,” Executive Director/CFO John Siciliano of Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) told the Herald Sept. 18, outlining the reason for the authority filing a complaint against the City of Wildwood. 
According to Siciliano, GWTIDA is seeking a “declaratory judgment” from the court “once and for all” regarding Wildwood’s plan to create parking on the beach.
Submitted to the court and filed Sept. 5, GWTIDA’s complaint is a civil action.
Wildwood City Commission received notice Sept. 13 and discussed the matter during an executive session; City Solicitor Mary D’Arcy Bittner received formal documentation Sept. 14.
The Herald reached out to GWTIDA for an explanation and Siciliano gave an assessment of the situation. Since its creation, GWTIDA pays Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest “beach operation offset payments” approximating $250,000 per municipality annually. Those payments help ensure the Wildwoods’ beaches remain free to the public.
As stated in the complaint, “No beach operation offset payment may be made to a municipality in any year in which that municipality imposes beach fees, beach taxes or similar user fees or ‘beach tag’ type fees for access to, or the use of the beach within the boundaries of that municipality.”
Simply, GWTIDA and its attorneys believe Wildwood’s beach parking plan violates that preexisting condition.
Wildwood received a Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA) permit for parking fees in the “designated area” between Baker and Roberts avenues. Approval for the parking lot was given in 2012.
A daily fee of $10 and $20 for special events will be imposed.
According to Siciliano, Wildwood “disagrees” with GWTIDA’s interpretation.
Siciliano said the beach parking “jeopardizes” GWTIDA’s offset payment to Wildwood.
North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest are also included in the complaint: “GWITDA has learned that one or more of its creating municipalities may impose fees or sell permits for the purpose of fishing on the beach, driving a vehicle on the beach and similar activities.”
Siciliano clarified that GWTIDA’s attorneys urged it to submit to the Superior Court for a declaratory judgment, thus settling the matter. Either a judge will rule in favor of GWTIDA’s opinion of violation or find no violation.
The Herald reached out to Mayor Ernie Troiano for comment, but none was given.
Mayor Patrick Rosenello of North Wildwood told the Herald the city would comply with the court’s decision.
Mayor Carl Groon of Wildwood Crest had no comment “at this time.”
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.