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Votes at a glance: Somers Point council adopts bond ordinances, equipment purchases and personnel hires
Summary
The council approved bond ordinances for capital and sewer projects, adopted ordinances on boat ramps and trailer parking, approved several resolutions including hiring and procurement, and authorized an executive-session item. Several agenda items were pulled for later consideration.
The Somers Point City Council on voice votes approved multiple ordinances and resolutions during a meeting that included public remarks on boat-ramp and trailer rules.
Key outcomes at a glance
- Ordinance No. 7 of 2025 (bond ordinance authorizing $3,479,455, of which $3,305,455 will be financed by bonds or notes for various capital improvements) — adopted on second reading by voice vote. A member of the public asked for a breakdown of the spending: "We're spending almost 3 and a half million dollars. Can someone go through what you're spending it on, please?" (Bill Collins, 814 Bay Avenue).
- Ordinance No. 8 of 2025 (bond ordinance appropriating $1,605,600 for sewer utility capital improvements) — adopted on second reading by voice vote.
- Ordinance No. 9 of 2025 (amending chapter 199 to add the Route 52 ramp and change watercraft-launching fees to an annual permit system) — adopted on second reading by voice vote (see separate coverage for public comment and details).
- Ordinance No. 10 of 2025 (amending chapter 250 §250-43.1 to expand parking restrictions to trailers of any type and require permit stickers on specified streets) — adopted on second reading by voice vote (see separate coverage for public comment and details).
- Resolution No. 104 of 2025 (authorizing purchase on state contract of law-enforcement firearms equipment and supplies) — approved by voice vote.
- Resolution No. 105 of 2025 (authorizing executive session under attorney-client privilege regarding potential development negotiations for property at 939 Bay Avenue) — approved; council entered executive session and indicated no action was anticipated on return to open session.
- Resolution No. 106 of 2025 (setting 2025 fees for Somers Point boat ramps: residents/veterans $75; nonresidents $150; commercial entities $500 for up to four annual permits) — approved by voice vote.
- Resolution No. 107 of 2025 (hiring Kate McKenzie as part-time recreation board secretary) — approved by voice vote.
- Resolution No. 109 of 2025 (recognizing April as National Autism Acceptance Month) — approved by voice vote after a presentation from Shore Medical Center about sensory rooms and services.
Pulled items
- Ordinance No. 11 and Resolutions No. 108 and 110 were pulled from the agenda for further work and will return to a future meeting. Staff said the items were pulled because supporting materials were incomplete.
Voting notes
Most roll-call references and final votes were recorded as voice votes with "Aye" and no recorded opposed votes in the meeting record. The council also recorded recusal(s) by at least one member on matters tied to ramp/permit business during the discussion; the meeting record shows recusal statements made before votes were taken.
Process notes
The clerk read ordinance and resolution texts aloud at second reading and before votes. Where members of the public asked for plain-English explanations, city solicitor Tom Smith and staff responded in the meeting. Council members and staff indicated administrative flexibility to amend the resolution or to change how fees are administered in the future.
