Absecon Council introduces four ordinances, schedules May 7 public hearings; approves consent agenda and $3.02M bill list

The Absecon City Council on Tuesday introduced four ordinances and set a public hearing and final reading for May 7, 2026.

Council members introduced Ordinance 06, described as an ordinance "of the city of Absecon to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cash bank," and moved to lay it over to the scheduled public hearing. The motion carried on a roll-call vote and the chair said the ordinance will be posted and published according to law.

Council member (S2) described Ordinance 07 as an amendment to the vehicles and traffic code to regulate parking of roll‑off containers along roadways. "This is to kind of deter folks from putting roll‑up dumpsters in the streets," the council member said, explaining the ordinance would cap the number of days a dumpster may remain on a street and allow temporary street placement only after verification by a construction officer in cases where placement on private property is not feasible. The council voted to lay Ordinance 07 over for public hearing on May 7.

Administrator Jessica (S6) explained Ordinance 08, an update to chapter 160 (uniform construction code fees), saying the change aligns subcode services after a shared‑services change: "We are having Trinity who currently does all our other subcodes continue," she said, adding the amendment brings electrical subcode handling in line with other subcodes. The council laid the ordinance over to the May 7 hearing.

Council members also introduced Ordinance 09 to amend the rental housing code, noting the change follows state guidance and adds insurance requirements for rental properties. Council member (S2) said the ordinance reflects state guidance and insurance provisions; the item was laid over for public hearing on May 7.

During the same meeting the council moved the consent agenda, which included administrative routine items: acceptance and release of certain street‑opening permit security deposits; permission for a parent‑teacher organization citywide yard sale; appointment of Robert Grams as a public works labor operator; authorizing fees for solid‑waste container purchases; authorizing a donation to the Underwater Forensics and Education Foundation to assist with a past creek vehicle recovery; and the introduction of the 2026 municipal budget. After opening the meeting for public comment on consent items and hearing none, the council approved the consent agenda by roll call.

The council also approved the bill list in the amount of $3,023,305.98 and accepted minutes for the March 5, 2026 meeting.

Why it matters: The ordinances set for May 7 could change how the city manages budget flexibility, construction permitting fees, rental‑housing standards, and the street placement of construction dumpsters. The consent agenda and the bill list reflect routine fiscal and administrative actions that affect municipal operations in the near term.

What’s next: Each ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing, second reading and final vote on May 7, 2026. The council’s introduction of the 2026 municipal budget begins the formal adoption process for next year’s spending plan.