Council member outlines midseason pool fee and new flexibility for beach opening days

At a workshop meeting of the Long Branch City Council, a council member said the council will consider two beach- and pool-related items: a midseason fee for community pools and an amendment to the annual beach-opening resolution to give administrators more flexibility.

The change to the beach-opening resolution would add language allowing administrators to open the beach on days not on the published schedule and, if open, to charge admission. The council member framed the change as providing operational flexibility "because there are occasions when it really could [be] warm days, and and we wanna do that." The same member also flagged limited handicap parking near beach facilities as a concern.

On pools, the council member described a proposal to create a midseason fee intended to let certain users qualify for the family rate; the transcript language about eligibility was unclear and the member’s explanation was partially quoted verbatim in the meeting. The member also said there have been enforcement or capacity issues after recent unsanctioned gatherings, noting that "we had a, you know, another pop up party a couple weeks ago, and the beach was free that day."

The items were presented as part of routine agenda business; the transcript shows discussion but does not record a formal council vote on the beach-resolution language or the pool-fee proposal during the public portion. The council later moved to executive session; the transcript does not include any final public action on these beach or pool items.