Somers Point council authorizes mayor to negotiate expanded beach concert series after amendment, public comment

The Somers Point City Council voted to authorize the mayor to negotiate contracts for an expanded beach concert series, approving Resolution 63 as amended after public comment and a late amendment to remove a June 13 date.

Council members and the solicitor said the resolution gives the mayor authority to enter into contracts with groups selected through the city's request for proposals process. City Solicitor Smith summarized the measure as “Resolution number 63 of 2025, authorizing the mayor of the city of Somers Point to execute contracts for a beach concert series.”

The council said four responses were received to the city's RFP; one applicant withdrew and another opted not to proceed, leaving two potential contractors. Council member Garrity read the remaining schedule as proposed in the resolution: Fridays beginning June 20, 2025, through Sept. 5, 2025, and an additional group would run two Fridays in June plus two in September and some Sunday nights in July and August. Contracts will be negotiated by the mayor, Administrator Frost and the solicitor and must conform to the RFP.

Public speakers urged preserving the concert series’ history and raised questions about conflicts and transparency. Resident Morado praised longtime volunteer Nancy Murata, saying, “Nancy Murata has given this community thousands of hours of volunteer service,” and urged the council to honor that history. Resident Charles Wollenstein asked for recusals, saying, “I respectfully request that the two members of council recluse themselves from the vote,” citing possible family ties between council members and police officers connected to one applicant.

A representative who identified himself as the vice president of the Somers Point Police Athletic League (PAL) told the council that PAL’s mission is “to foster relations between police officers and the children of this community” and that, after reviewing the resolution as written, PAL likely could not accept the reduced scope now offered in the resolution.

Council members discussed scheduling conflicts and reserved the right to negotiate dates with applicants. Council member Gerty moved an amendment to remove the June 13 date and to add a “dates and times to be determined” clause in section 2 for the PAL proposal; the council approved the amendment. After the amendment the council proceeded to vote on the resolution and approved Resolution 63 as amended.

Council member McGuigan stated he would recuse himself from the vote to avoid the appearance of a conflict. The motion to authorize the mayor to execute contracts passed after the amendment; no opposing votes were recorded during the roll call.

Next steps: the mayor, administrator and solicitor will meet with representatives of both groups to negotiate contract terms. Either side may decline to proceed during that negotiation, and the city said no binding contract will be formed until negotiations are complete.