Beach Safety Advisory Committee

CITY OF CAPE MAY CAPE MAY BEACH SAFETY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes COMMITTEE MEETING: Monday, July 25th at 4:30pm LOCATION: Auditorium Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Roll Call In attendance: 1. Steven J. Steger, Jr-Citizen, Chairman 2. Christine N. DiDonato-Citizen/Secretary 3. Lorraine Baldwin, Council Liaison 4. Katherine Rafter-Citizen 5. Lieutenant Ed Zubrowski-Cape May Fire Department (for Alex Coulter) 6. William Kurtz Marc DeBlasio-Consultant-in attendance via conference call In abstention: 7. Harry Back-Citizen, Supervisor of Beaches 8. Sara Werner-CMBP Beach Patrol, Lieutenant 9. Tom Medvecky-CMBP/Educator 10. Roy Sundstrom-Citizen 11. Eric Prusinski-DPW Representative Minutes for April meeting entered into record for approval: • Changes or Concerns? No • Motion to approve: Steve Steger • 2nd: Lorraine Baldwin • June minutes approved; will be submitted for posting • Next meeting: Monday, August 22nd @4:30pm William Kurtz (aka Mr. Kurtz, Sir or Yogi) is the newest member of the CMBSC. Mr. Kurtz and his family are longtime Cape May residents who have owned and operated businesses over the years in Cape May including the Peter Shields Inn. Mr. Kurtz is a realtor in Cape May and has served as a director of the Cape May Board of Realtors. Welcome! Sub-Committees: Progress Overview 1. CMBP Open House was held on Sunday, June 26th from 8:30am until 10am at the Beach Patrol a. Congratulations on a successful 1st Inaugural Cape May Beach Patrol Open House and Community Gathering where the Cape May community came out to Beach Patrol Head  Quarters to meet and support the 2022 Cape May Beach Patrol. Thank you to Chief Back and his team for opening Head Quarters to the community. Educational materials ie) coloring books, stickers and wrist bands were provided to younger attendees and coffee and refreshments were provided to our wonderful guards and visitors alike. We appreciate the CMBP for a fun and exciting rescue demonstration, your hospitality to the community and as always, we are profoundly grateful to you all for keeping our family, friends and visitors safe every summer season! 2. PA System Sub Committee Sub-Committee: Lorraine, Harry, Alex/Mike, Steve, Eric Coordinator: Harry Back Updates and Next Steps: • Goal: An extended speaker system that can be used by Beach Patrol Headquarters and Convention Hall for public safety announcements • RFPs need to be finalized. Research finished and Specs complete • Vince Orlando, City Municipal Engineer sent letter 2+ months ago • Awaiting DEP response-can be up to 6 months. • Project out to bid shortly once approved by council. Pole and speaker inspection should be included in bid. Community Members supporting: Joe McLaughlin-consultant Projected Completion Date: 2023 3. Beach Replenishment Sub Committee: Harry Back, Lorraine, Christine, Steve, Roy, William Hurtz Coordinator: Lorraine Baldwin Updates and Next Steps: • DEP and Stu Farrell: both sets of surveys completed • Awaiting to schedule meeting with coastal engineer to start developing 3-D computer generated models Demonstration Project Identify qualified Coastal Engineers to support modeling of changes. Document the outcomes after improvements Need goals and objectives: Determine RFQ Document with needs and expectations if necessary • Have conditions where we have latitude to move our own sand Community Members involved: Marc DeBlasio Support needed: Support from City Manager and Mayor Projected Completion Date: 2024/2-year estimate. 4. Beach and Surf Zone Safety: Educating the Public Sub-Committee: Tom, Steve, Harry, Christine Coordinator: Tom Medvecky  Updates and Next Steps: • Education in Schools: Curriculum planned and executed a pilot Beach Safety program helmed by Tom Medvechy local schools in Cape May. The program was presented by current and veteran Cape May lifeguards. We have gotten early positive reviews and will request feedback from the schools. If successful, the pilot program will be offered on a broader scale • A suggestion was made that Beach Safety Education go on the tourism outlet/site • The Cape May Beach Safety Committee, along with the Cape May Beach Patrol, will host an open house at Beach Patrol Headquarters on Sunday, June 26th at 8:30am. Headquarters is located at 238 Beach Avenue, Cape May. Come out and meet your lifeguards and committee members and learn more about the beach safety initiatives. • TBD: budget allocution for outreach, website and educational and visual materials Community Members involved: TBD Support needed: Projected Completion Date: will begin rollout in 2022. 2023 completion. 5. Marketing Sub-Committee: Tom, Steve, Sara, Eric Coordinator: Steve Steger Updates and Next Steps: • Website- Thank you to Robert Sullivan for his work on the CMPB website. Mr. Sullivan will be recognized by Cape May Council and Mayor Mullock for donating his time and skill to create a website that helps to keep our residents and visitors safe and informed. • Additionally, Mr. Sullivan trained Chief Back and the beach patrol to add, change and refine website as needed. CMBP updated their website to include a QR code that links directly to beach safety information. • CapeMayCityBP.com. All beach safety info is digitally accessible to the public on this site. It is powered by Square Space and mobile phone friendly. • Sara working on picture/content- Sara Werner to update on safety videos 6. Beach Access Update • Each entrance point has a ramp that further extends towards the ocean for easier wheelchair and stroller access. For those who may need assistance, there are beach-friendly wheelchairs available. Ask beach tagger for more information. • Have gotten positive feedback overall. Public Portion: Thank you to Jerry Inderweis and the accompanying nurse who provided immediate and lifesaving aid to a Cape May visitor in the midst of a medical episode on the Promenade in July. We appreciate your service! Adjournment • Motion to adjourn: Steve Steger • 2nd: William Hurtz