Beach Safety Advisory Committee

AGENDA CITY OF CAPE MAY CAPE MAY BEACH SAFETY COMMITTEE COMMITTEE MEETING: OCTOBER 25th @ 4:30pm LOCATION: COUNCIL CHAMBERS Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Roll Call In attendance 1. Harry Back-Citizen, Supervisor of Beaches 2. Christine N. DiDonato-Citizen/Secretary 3. Lorraine Baldwin, Council Liaison 4. Joseph Piccard-Director, Public Works 5. Sara Werner-CMBP Beach Patrol, Lieutenant 6. Chad DeSatnick-Citizen 7. Alex Coulter-Fire Chief 8. Steven J. Steger, Jr-Citizen, Chairman Absent 9. Dr. McCoy 10. Louis Belasco, Deputy City Manager /Tax Assessor 11. Joseph Piccard-Director, Public Works Minutes for September 27th meeting were entered into record and approved. • Harry Back-Made motion to approve. • Chad DeSatnick-2nd • September meeting minutes approved. CMBSC Calendar and Attendance • CMBSC Meetings will take place on the 4th Monday of the month from 4:30pm-6pm. • If there are 5 Monday’s in a month the committee decided on the most convenient date for the group. • If you are out of town during a CMBSC meeting we strongly encourage that you dial in to the Secretary’s phone or another member’s phone to participate in the meetings. • If you are unable to attend please email or text Christine DiDonato(917)5720-7220 to alert her that you are unable to be in attendance. Revisiting CMBSC Chair • Harry Back was gracious to Chair as we convened for the 1st meeting but was diligent in that a city employee should not be chair.  • Motion made for Steven Steger to be nominated for Chair and unanimously agreed upon. • Alex Coulter made motion. • 2nd the motion: Sara Werner • Thank you, Harry and Congratulations, Steve! Participation on CMBSC • Chad DeSatnick opined that the City advisory committees were set up to give CM citizens an opportunity to serve their community and asked “Is there a conflict of interest where the Mayor asked direct city employees to be appointed to committees?” • Lorraine Baldwin clarified “all particpants volunteered” and that there are seats on the committee and at the moment we have 2 openings given the recent resgnations. • Chad introduced the present, Tom Medvecy, Cape May Lifeguard, and teacher as a possibility to join the council. • Sara Werner vouched for Tom as an excellent candidate for the council given his beach patrol background, his experience as an educator and his love of community. • Steven Steger, newly appointed Chairmen, stated he had “no conflict of interest that he is aware and that beach safety is a concern for all”. Educating the Public re: Beach Slope Re-visited education in schools in CM but also the surrounding areas. Ie)NYC, Philly • Request for those involved previously in beach safety education to meet with us to get insight and make a plan. Ie) Ralph Atwell, • Request made to review previously published brochures so we can update. • Education materials need to be in “kid” terms so everyone can understand. • Work with the Jr. Guards to get out the message. • Use social media network: facebook, tictok, etc to get out the message. • Next steps: 1. Step 1: Contact local school admin to get permission. Working through Tom Medvecky as local educator. 2. Meet w/ previous guards/educators to give an overview of previously accomplished work so we can make a plan. Citizen Comment: Denny deSatnick: loves the idea of implementing a curriculum for the local kids and tourists. The USLA has materials that committee we might access for distribution. Beach Slope • Steven Steger requested education/presentation as we all get on board • Lorraine has an email into Jeff Van Drew re: solutions; Because the fed gov’t is responsible for beach replenishment until 2040 we would like them to work on a demonstration. • Lorraine is waiting to hear from Chris Gilin-Schwartz about federal gov’t responsibility for beach replenishment for the city. • “Cape May leads with injuries. Not every injury goes to Cape May Regional but also Shore Memorial, Cooper, Atlanticare”. We are hoping to see the numbers when Dr. McCoy is able to join us. PA System Update • Per Lorraine: Kasey Rattigan, Director of Convention Hall and Recreation Activities, will give PA system report at next meeting. Public Portion Denny deSatnick: The previous CMBSC met with the Army Corp of Engineers and Van Drew. In order to proceed the Mayor and City Council need to reach out to ACE to progress and we need a Coastal Engineer.” Adjournment