Beach Safety Advisory Committee

Beach Safety Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes- September 27, 2021 @4:30 Location: Council Chambers Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Roll Call Committee Members: See attached for contact information 1. Harry Back-Citizen/Chairman(Temporary Until Appointment is made), Superintendent of Beaches 2. Christine N. DiDonato-Citizen/Secretary 3. Lorraine Baldwin, Council Liaison 4. Denny deSatnick-Citizen 5. Joseph Piccard-Director, Public Works 6. Sara Werner-CMBP Beach Patrol, Lieutenant 7. Chad DeSatnick-Citizen 8. Michael Eck-Deputy Fire Chief 9. Todd DeSatnick-Citizen 10. Steven J. Steger, Jr-Citizen 11. Louis Belasco, Deputy City Manager /Tax Assessor In absentia: Dr. McCoy Discussion/Action Items Reorganization and appointment: • Chairperson-Harry Back • Secretary-Christine N. DiDonato Reaffirm the mission of the Committee-Harry to Review in Discussion 1. Educating the Public Previous Practice: -Targeted elementary schools to educate on beach safety. -Safety videos shown during movies on the beach and at events @ Convention Hall -Safety Brochure provided by Beach Taggers to Public Proposed Future Education Implementation: Getting the message out -Provide brochures to Realtors, Beach Services, local businesses -Target Instagram, Facebook (Cool Cape May), etc -Brief verbal “Commercial” by Beach Patrol, Beach Taggers/Ambassadors alerting people to hazard potentials on beach; PA System should be employed similarly. -Education should be on-line, in person, brochures, social media, PA System: Public should be inundated to assure communication that the city is pro-prevention and pro-safety. -Suggested: create shorter videos to keep public’s attention. -E-blast to phones and email.  -QR are currently on signs. 2. Beach Slope -Review by Lou Belasco re: Area 1 and Area 2 and slope gradation by Poverty Beach and Coast Guard -Beach replenishment will begin by 11/11/2021 -Discussion ensued about existing reports *City met previously with Army Core of Engineers (ACE) and Jeff Van Drew and the city will revisit discussion. 3. Injury Report -Documented 96 Surf Injuries -Formal data will be pulled and presented. 4. Water Quality • Discussion ensued re: Beach Safety Committee scope re: slope, injury/safety and H20 Quality. Ie) sickness and ear infections -Chad DeSatnick questions: 1. Are outfall pipes open during the day and how they are triggered? 2. Is there a certain height as to when they are triggered? 3. Can they be set to occur at night and during outgoing tide? -Joe Picard informed: 1. Height and timing are set for each pipe 2. they kick on depending on amount of rain 3. typically happens later in the afternoon. Some are controlled by city and some by county. • Future consideration by Council 1. Can the city take a stance on the use of “Round Up” and “Fertilizers” that will runoff and contaminate the water be limited by the city? 2. Can the public and businesses be educated and given guidelines about using contaminates and chemical alternatives to protect our ocean and our city’s viability? 5. Beach Accessibility • Discussion about beach accessibility for emergency vehicles and discussion in re: to cleaning and wheelchair accessibility education, and extension of ramps. • Mike Eck complimented the Beach Patrol on their assistance of getting the mobile challenged onto the beach and community is appreciative of the work the city has done to support citizens with these challenges. • Public Works Director Picard commented that if the accessibility mats were a trip hazard, public works will do their best to remedy or fix immediately. Acceptance of Minutes 2/24/20 Discussion / Action Items 1. Surf Injury Report- Alex Coulter 2. Stockton University-Dr. Farrell needs to be contacted to come in for consultation 3. Demonstration Project-to be further reviewed by committee 4. PA system funding update: Action needs to be taken on funding to progress. Funding is on hand and implemented by previous council.  ▪ Phase 1 was $262k, Phase 2 is $150k and Phase 3 is $174k. ▪ Particularly need East of Convention Hall to facilitate communication to ensure safety of Beach Patrol, Citizen’s and visitors Committee Member Comments • The committee has worked hard in the past to benefit the city and ensure safety. New city leadership (Mayor and Council Members) has been established. The onus is on the new administration to take the reins on the groundwork already established. • Grants are available by the state for beach safety and research. The city has a Grant writer whom the committee can employ once specific grants are identified. • Lorraine Baldwin re-iterated beach safety will encompass slope, Water Quality and Beach Access and the new resolution will address them in unison. • Dennis DeSatnick: Expressed that the committee has worked hard in the past to make positive movement, but the Committee is only an advisory board. Any action or inaction is up to the Mayor and the Council. • Lorraine Baldwin responded: Beach safety may encompass slope and injury, Water Quality and Beach Accessibility. This is reflected in the new resolution. • Chad DeSatnick gave statement as a recovering patient of a 20 year’s past spinal injury and would like the following addressed with acceptable timelines: 1. How will the city be informed of the next steps? 2. Who will the city hire to address? 3. How can Beach Utility fund be best properly utilized? • Todd DeSatnick: “No family wants to go through what our family has and we can work to prevent.” • Chad DeSatnick recognized Lorraine is appreciated for her enthusiasm and for her work as the Council Liaison on the Beach Safety Commission. He looks forward to action items for next steps. Public Comment • Kim McCoy-CMBP since 1990. Has been concerned about injuries and has offered her support to of the committee to improve the beaches for the public. Thank you, Kim! Adjournment