Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Long Branch council adopts bond ordinance to fund Health and Technology Center and park improvements
Summary
The Long Branch City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 02-25, authorizing borrowing to fund a Health and Technology Center, park improvements at City Center Park, and acquisition of two properties. During public comment, residents questioned useful-life estimates and whether federal grants had been received.
The Long Branch City Council on Feb. 12 adopted Ordinance 02-25, a bond ordinance authorizing borrowing to fund multiple 2025 capital projects including renovation and construction at 228 Morris Avenue, a new Health and Technology Center at City Center Park, and acquisition of property at 209 Westwood Avenue.
The ordinance, introduced Jan. 22, was described at the meeting as appropriating $11,421,608 and authorizing bond issuance for a portion of the cost. During the public hearing Vincent Lepore questioned the schedule of useful lives used in the ordinance and whether the grants listed as funding for the projects had been received.
The ordinance provides for several components: (1) renovation and construction for a Health and Technology Center; (2) improvements and equipment for City Center Park, including landscaping, walkways, playground equipment and benches; and (3) the acquisition of two parcels of real property. City staff said different useful lives in the ordinance reflect categories under state bond law (buildings, improvements, vacant land) and required disclosure schedules.
During public comment Lepore asked, “why was 28.7 years established as the useful life for the renovation and construction of the health and technology center?” City staff member Mr. Martin replied, “That's established by the bond council. It's, for buildings. That's how they use—great buildings for renovations and things.” Lepore also asked about an $850,000 grant shown for City Center Park and whether the city had received that funding; Mr. Martin said the city had not received that cash yet and that some federal/state grants listed for the Health and Technology Center had not been fully received or spent. When Lepore pressed whether the $4,000,000 in state and federal grants had been received and spent, Mr. Martin said, “Not all of it.”
Council members then moved to adopt the ordinance on second and final reading. A roll-call vote recorded all five council members present voting yes: Councilmember Dangler (yes); Councilmember Rassus (yes); Councilwoman Withers (yes); Dr. Vogt (yes); and Council President Viera (yes). The mayor announced the motion passed.
The ordinance text lists multiple appropriation line items and indicates some project costs will be offset by federal and state grants; meeting discussion noted some grant funds were not yet in the city's bank account and therefore remain subject to the timing and conditions of those grant programs.
The council closed the public hearing and adopted Ordinance 02-25 as read; staff indicated separate ordinances or prior appropriations cover some previously-awarded grant amounts for the technology center. No amendments were made on final passage.
The council did not provide a comprehensive total project budget at the hearing; staff gave an approximate combined figure for the Health and Technology Center and related appropriations during questioning of “about $15 million.” The city will publish the adopted ordinance and related financing schedule per state law.
