Somers Point council approves RFP for summer beach concerts over committee objections

The Somers Point City Council on a roll-call vote approved a resolution to advertise a request for proposals (RFP) for the 2025 Summer Beach Concert Series, setting in motion a bidding process that several residents and volunteers said could upend a 32-year volunteer-run program.

The vote to authorize Resolution 39 of 2025 came after more than 20 minutes of discussion from council members and public comments warning that putting the concerts "out to bid" could jeopardize sponsorships, local relationships and the series' history. Councilmember Johnston cast the lone recorded no vote; Council members Owen, Dill, Garrity, McGuigan and Council President Haberkorn voted yes.

The RFP resolution directs city staff to advertise and solicit proposals for firms or organizations to produce the Summer Beach Concert Series. City solicitor Smith and administrator Frost described the RFP as a way to establish contractual parameters and allow the city to select the most qualified provider; they said the RFP does not itself award a contract.

Members of the Beach Concert Committee and local business owners urged the council to negotiate a contract with the committee's preferred nonprofit instead of launching an open bidding process. John LaRoe, who identified himself as a member of the Beach Concert Committee and volunteer photographer, said the committee had already begun grant work and sponsorship outreach and was "very surprised" to learn the council might require bids for the series after three decades of volunteer stewardship. "Please don't put this legacy, the support of our wonderful musical artists, and the promotion of Somers Point's fabulous reputation as a great community for the performing arts in jeopardy," LaRoe said.

Kathleen Lloyd, entertainment director at Josie Kelly's and a rain-venue partner for the series, said the Murata family and long-time volunteers have executed the concerts "flawlessly" for many years and warned that new bidders might not be able to replicate the sponsors, logistics and artist relations the committee has built. "A contract to protect the city is important, but to go away from the Murata family and to hire someone that we don't know what they're capable of could possibly jeopardize all the sponsorship money that goes along with these concerts," Lloyd said.

Several council members said the city previously formed a Beach Concert Committee to review finances and options after a shortfall in 2024. One council member described a recommendation that the city contract directly with the committee's nonprofit so the nonprofit would handle fundraising and payments while the city provided public works and police support; that proposal was said to have been discussed in prior committee meetings but not finalized.

Council discussion focused on timing and process. Multiple members urged that, if the council proceeds with an RFP, the advertisement and subsequent evaluation be expedited because the season and grant cycles are approaching. City staff said the RFP will set parameters the city can include in any future contract and that responses would inform whether the city awards a contract to the most qualified proposer rather than strictly the lowest bid.

The resolution passed on a roll call: Owen (yes), Dill (yes), Garrity (yes), McGuigan (yes), Johnston (no), Haberkorn (yes). Council members and residents asked the administration to fast-track the RFP schedule so bidders and the existing committee can respond quickly.

Votes at a glance

The council also introduced two ordinances on first reading and approved a slate of routine resolutions during the meeting. Highlights include:

- Ordinance 1 of 2025: Amending rates and charges for the Somers Point Sewer Utility — introduced on first reading (no public comment at first reading).

- Ordinance 2 of 2025: Repealing Article 2 of Chapter 34 of the Somers Point Municipal Code — introduced on first reading.

- Resolution 38 of 2025: Supporting the FY2025 Local Recreation application to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs — approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 39 of 2025: Authorizing advertisement for an RFP for the 2025 Summer Beach Concert Series — approved (roll-call vote recorded above).

- Resolution 40 of 2025 and Resolution 53 of 2025: Authorizing executive-session discussions on pending litigation (GMH Restaurant Holdings LLC v. City of Somers Point, docket ATLD-CD-66-24; Garden State Outdoor LLC v. City of Somers Point zoning board, docket ATLD-LD-143-23) — both approved; council scheduled executive session at the end of the meeting.

- Resolution 41 of 2025: Appointment of James E. Franklin II as backup conflict municipal solicitor — approved.

- Resolution 42 of 2025: Authorizing city assessor and tax counsel to prosecute matters at the tax court and tax board — approved.

- Resolution 43 of 2025: Authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Joseph McCary as negotiated by the business administrator — approved; council discussed payment timing and conditions.

- Resolution 44 of 2025: Authorizing community service contributions to Shore Medical Center — approved.

- Resolutions 45 and 46 of 2025: Confirming hires of provisional police officers Anthony Capasso V and Michael DeRozier Jr., authorizing enrollment in Atlantic County Police Academy effective 01/17/2025 — both approved; the council scheduled a swearing-in on Jan. 16.

- Resolution 47 of 2025: Reappointing Shana Kestrel, CMFO, as chief financial officer — approved and Kestrel was sworn in during the meeting.

- Resolution 48 of 2025: Appointment of Donald J. Dunleavy as part-time code enforcement officer — approved.

- Resolution 49 of 2025: Authorizing contracts with approved state contract vendors pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-12 — approved.

- Resolutions 50–52 of 2025: Employee advancements for Ashley Mathers, Tiffany Hounds and Rosemary Howell — approved.

What happens next

City staff will proceed to advertise the beach concert RFP and accept proposals; the council directed that the process be expedited to accommodate sponsors and the concert committee's timeline. The existing Beach Concert Committee has said it will continue its work on grants and sponsorships while the city solicits proposals.