PIXABAY/Front yard fences will soon be permitted in Margate.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE The Board of Commissioners Thursday, June 16 introduced four ordinances which will be up for public hearings on July 7.
The first, Ordinance 10-2022 is the city's annual salary adjustment ordinance setting salary ranges for city employees. The ordinance is periodically introduced to adjust salary ranges agreed to in collective bargaining agreements and administrator contracts.
Ordinance 11-2022 requires that Planning Board applications and all supporting documentation be submitted electronically on a thumb drive in Adobe PDF format so they can be posted on the city's website in advance of public hearings as a courtesy to our neighbors and friends, Planning and Zoning Officer Roger McLarnon said.
Ordinance 12-2022 amends developmental design standards governing swimming pool fences, which can be up to 6 feet tall, and allowing front yard fences at a maximum of 3 feet in height. The front yard fences must be on private property and not in the city's right-of-way. The fence must be at least 50% open, such as pickets or slats, may not enclose a driveway, and may not be located within 2 feet of the driveway.
Front yard retaining walls will now be permitted for flood damage prevention but may not be greater than 18 inches in height. The grading plan must be submitted by a licensed engineer.
The ordinance will also permit third floor decks with certain restrictions. The deck must be no greater than 50% of the area of the decks below and must comply with all other design elements for single and multi-family units.
A fourth ordinance, Ordinance 13-2022 revises the definition of a deck.
McLarnon said the ordinance revisions would reduce the number of variance requests that must be heard and decided by the Planning Board. The board already has six cases on its July 8 meeting schedule, he said.
Public hearings on the ordinances will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, July 7 at Historic City Hall, 1 S. Washington Ave.
In other business, the board agreed to provide additional relief to help restore revenue lost at area businesses during the pandemic. The board agreed to allow music to be performed at allowable outdoor dining areas until 9 p.m. and food and drink service until 10 p.m.
It also approved a one-year professional services contract for Solicitor John Scott Abbott through June 20, 2023. Abbott will earn $88,200 on retainer, with additional legal services not to exceed an additional $75,000. Legal services fees are set at $165 per hour.
It also reappointed City Clerk Johanna Casey for the next 2.5 years until Dec. 31, 2024. Casey, who has been city clerk since Nov. 19, 2015, has worked for Margate for 23 years. She will have health insurance, 22 vacation days, and 15 sick days annually. Vacation days can be carried over to the next year, but if not used by April 1, will be forfeited. She may accumulate up to 100 unused sick days, which she can claim at the time of retirement. She will earn a base pay of $115,000 for a 37.5 hour workweek in the first year and $125,000 in the final year of her contract. Longevity pay is capped at $15,000 annually.
Also at the meeting, Police Chief Matthew Hankinson said the Police Department has received reaccreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. The three-year accreditation was awarded following Hankinson's appearance at a public hearing in Trenton. It is the third time the department has been credited with adhering to the highest best practice standards in policing, policies and procedures, management, operations and community support. The designation results in greater accountability, reduced liability exposure, and instills confidence in police operations in the community.
Hankinson acknowledged police officers and supervisors for doing a phenomenal job on behalf of the residents of Margate.
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