Council adopts affirmative marketing plan, updated spending plan and temporary capital budget items; carries several affordable-housing agreements for further a

The Brielle Mayor & Council took several actions on March 9 related to affordable housing administration and capital budgeting. The council adopted an Affirmative Marketing Plan prepared by the borough’s appointed Administrative Agent and adopted an updated Spending Plan for affordable-housing trust fund expenditures. The council also adopted a 2026 Temporary Capital Budget item needed to allow consideration of a separate bond ordinance.

Resolution 26-62-A adopted the Affirmative Marketing Plan prepared by the Administrative Agent (listed in the resolution as Peter Van Den Kooy) and authorized the administrator, municipal housing liaison and administrative agent to implement the plan to ensure outreach to low- and moderate-income households and compliance with state rules and the borough’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. The minutes note the plan includes targeted outreach for protected classes and procedures to vet applicants for affordable units.

The council adopted an Updated Spending Plan (Resolution 26-62-D) and noted the plan aligns the borough’s spending strategy with December 2025 Department of Community Affairs regulations. Administrator Nolan said the borough estimates approximately $1,452,000.00 over ten years from development fees to be used for affordable-housing purposes; he clarified funds can be used for eligible expenses including application review costs in certain overlay zones and other qualifying activities.

Several items were carried for additional review: one consent resolution (item C) was carried to March 23 at the applicant’s request; items F and G (agreements related to 100% affordable units, including a draft agreement with Habitat for Humanity) were carried to a joint meeting with the Planning Board on March 11 so affordable-housing counsel could finalize draft agreements. Council approved the consent agenda and financial procedural items with unanimous votes.

Why it matters: Adopting an affirmative marketing plan and a spending plan are administrative prerequisites for implementing the borough’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan and for complying with state affordable-housing regulations. Carrying draft agreements to a joint meeting reflected the need for counsel to finalize terms for 100% affordable unit providers before approvals.

Next steps: The Planning Board joint meeting on March 11 is expected to review the draft affordable-housing agreements (including Habitat for Humanity drafts). The clerk and administrator were directed to implement and file required documents as part of program administration.