MARGATE The new year brings reorganizations of local municipal government. Although there were no changes in the governing body, the Board of Commissioner Jan. 2 approved a temporary budget and made professional appointments for various positions that support the city.
The board renewed a contract with Jersey Professional Management for the administrative and management consulting services of Richard Deaney. Deaney will work 1,200 hours during the year at a cost not to exceed $159,000, $14,400 of which will be on payroll, with the remaining $145,100 as a professional fee.
The board appointed Joseph Sayegh of Goldenberg, Mackler Sayegh & Mintz of Atlantic City to serve a one-year term as municipal prosecutor, not to exceed $31,519, and Carl Tripician of Longport as alternate to handle cases that pose conflicts for Sayegh in an amount not to exceed $2,000.
James Swift of Swift Law Firm of Northfield will continue as public defender not to exceed $3,600. Jerry H. Steiner of Steiner Law Office, PC of Pleasantville will be alternate/conflict public defender, not to exceed $1,000.
Hank Rovillard, Esq., LLC of Atlantic City will represent the city as special tax counsel at a billing rate of $135 per hour, not to exceed $25,000.
Joann Cioeta Consulting, LLC will provide human resources services 14 hours a week for up to 48 weeks at a rate of $65 per hour, not to exceed $43,680.
Barker, Gelfand, James and Sarvas, PC of Linwood was named labor attorney at rates of $165 per hour for attorneys and $85 per hour for paralegals, at a cost not to exceed $19,800.
Ford-Scott & Associates, LLC of Ocean City was awarded two contracts in 2020. The firm will provide expertise in formulating the 2020 municipal budget and reviewing 2019 debt statements a cost not to exceed $9,500, and provide auditing services at a cost not to exceed $25,900.
And Phoenix Advisors, LLC will provide financial advisory services for future capital ordinances for a total of $21,000.
James M. Rutala Associates, LLC of Linwood will continue providing professional planning services at a cost not to exceed $10,000, and grant consulting services at a cost not to exceed $30,000.
The board will employ the bonding counsel services of Fleishmen-Daniels Law Offices, LLC at a cost not to exceed $30,000. Deaney, who has been asking various department about their capital needs for 2020, suggested the board consider approving two capital bonds in 2020 like it did in 2019. The board anticipates approving a bond ordinance in January or February, he said.
Deaney said the administration would hold a meeting to finalize the city's 2020 capital improvement plan, which will include replacing the roof at Historic City Hall, modernization of living quarters at Firehouse No. 2, well rehabilitation, playground upgrades, various road reconstruction projects and completion of a promenade along the new bulkhead being installed on Amherst Avenue.
