CANCELED - Beach Safety Advisory Committee

CITY OF CAPE MAY CAPE MAY BEACH SAFETY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes COMMITTEE MEETING: Monday, June 13th @ 4:30pm (postponed from 5/23) 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. Harry Back-Citizen, Supervisor of Beaches 5. Sara Werner-CMBP Beach Patrol, Lieutenant 6. Tom Medvecky-CMBP/Educator 7. Roy Sundstrom-Citizen 8. Katherine Rafter-Citizen In abstention: 9. Sara Werner-CMBP Beach Patrol, Lieutenant 10. Eric Prusinski-DPW Representative 11. Alex Coulter-Fire Chief 1 CMBSC Positions open to the public and posted: • All are welcome to apply Minutes for April meeting entered into record for approval: • Changes or Concerns? No • Motion to approve: Steve Steger • 2nd: Harry Back • April minutes approved and submitted for posting • Next meeting: Monday, June 27th @4:30pm Welcome to Katie Rafter who has joined the CMBSC! Sub-Committees: Progress Overview *As referenced the below is the initial outline and time frames are early projections Sub-committees Progress 1. CMBP Open House-Sunday, June 26th from 8:30am until 10am at the Beach Patrol a. Chief Back will give a small “Welcome!” re: the purpose of the get together”  b. Announce in the days before on the PA System about the Open House c. All members to attend and all to bring baked goods or the like. d. Having the Beach Patrol or Junior Guards could do a demonstration of sorts. 2. PA System Sub Committee Sub-Committee: Lorraine, Harry, Alex/Mike, Steve, Eric Coordinator: Harry Back Updates and Next Steps: • 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 ideally by fall if approved. Pole and speaker inspection should be included in bid • Submit appropriate permits in a timely manner • Goal: An extended speaker system that can be used by Beach Patrol Headquarters and Convention Hall for public safety announcements Community Members supporting: Joe McLaughlin-consultant Projected Completion Date: 2023 3. Beach Replenishment Sub Committee: Harry Back, Lorraine, Christine, Steve, Roy Coordinator: Lorraine Baldwin Updates and Next Steps: Demonstration Project Identify qualified Coastal Engineers to support modeling of changes. Document the outcomes after improvements Need goals and objectives: Create RFQ Document with needs and expectations • Qualifications to run modeling reflecting determined changes computer modeling • Who would oversee modeling? • Have conditions where we have latitude to move our own sand Particulars 1. Initiative to Hire will come through the city. 2. Submit to Army Corp to request funding 3. CAFRA permit will take 6-8 months 4. Permit good for 5 years. 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: • Website to go live; Date TBD. CMBP updated their website to include a QR code that links directly to beach safety information. In conjunction with the Cape May Police Department, the Beach Patrol will be utilizing signage throughout the city, including at beach entrances, to allow easy access to online and in-person services. Beach Patrol’s website currently houses beach safety information including daily surf and weather reports. The public can also stay informed by using the Nixle message delivery service. Safety alerts can be received via text message, email, or website at no cost. More information on Nixle can be found on the City’s website at www.capemaycity.com. • 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 • Sara Werner and co are working on the safety videos and are making headway • 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: • CMBP website technically went live: CapeMayCityBP.com. We still need ownership but nearing completion. All beach safety info will be digitally accessible to the public on this site. It is powered by Square Space and mobile phone friendly. • Sara working on picture/content • Next meeting of sub-committee planned. • Content creation on-going. Proposal made: Present student who created and supported website with a citation or a community award at a council meeting.  Community Members involved: Support needed: Projected Completion Date: • Discussion on how Marketing and Beach education work together 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: Mr. Denny DeSatnick addressed the BSC: • Thanked the committee for their “excellent work” and offered constructive criticism. • Recognized that the PA System is an instrument for communication and queried whether it should or could be wireless. • Recognized the hiring of Stu Farrell in taking steps to address beach replenishment and re-iterated the importance of hiring a Coastal Engineer to address surf zone safety. • Mr. DeSatnick referenced the 1992 Recommendation and that the ACE admitted mistakes from 1911 in building out of jetties and asked if there has been a meeting between Jeff Van Drew, DEP, ACE and the city. • Mr. DeSatnick stressed that the onus is on the City to reach out to Jeff Van Drew’s office and that the Mayor and Council Members must take the initiative. Lorraine Baldwin and Marc DeBlasio addressed the next steps in surf zone safety in conjunction with beach replenishment. After much research and discussion, the BSC with guidance from Marc DeBlasio and approval from Neil Young will create an RFQ to be put out for contract bids. A qualified, expert Coastal Engineer will be chosen to execute a demonstration project to assist in determining most effective courses of action. A meeting will then be scheduled with Jeff Van Drew, ACE and DEP to present and discuss feasible steps to fund and execute the plan to stabilize and maintain the beaches with optimum safety for Cape May residents and visitors. The CMBSC, thanks Mr. DeSatnick for sharing his time and commitment to make the beaches as safe as possible. Mr. DeSatnick and his family have shown continued dedication and passion for the safety of Cape May patrons through their good works on the BSC and with their non-profit, “Life Rolls On”. Adjournment • Motion to adjourn: Steve Steger • 2nd: Tom Medvechy