Madison Marquette Discussion Again Dominates

The Asbury Park City Council held its first meeting of March on March 11th, at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building Council Chambers. In attendance were Mayor John Moor, Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, Council members Angela Ahbez-Anderson, Eileen Chapman, and Yvonne Clayton, along with other city officials.

During comments from elected officials, John Moor announced that the Asbury Park Fishing Club had donated to several local charitable organizations following its’ successful Fishing Show on March 1st. Among other organizations, Asbury Park Little League, Boys and Girls Club, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey were recognized and received checks. Big Brothers Big Sisters spoke of their “Paint the Town Green” campaign coming to Asbury Park during April to honor their 50th anniversary. This initiative aims to collaborate with local businesses and organizations to raise awareness of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Also announced during elected official comments was the return of line dancing classes starting Monday, March 23rd at 6pm. Classes are held indoors at the Senior Center located at 1201 Springwood Avenue.

Public comments once again focused on Madison Marquette and the waterfront. The sudden appearance of a construction sticker on the casino raised questions. Mayor Moor expressed his own surprise at this development and pressed the City Manager and Attorney to promote transparency at what he acknowledged is “a red hot issue.” There is little information at this time as to the details or the timeline for the work, which will focus on stabilization. Mayor Moor promised to share that information with the public as he learns about it. In other Madison Marquette news, redevelopment attorney Joseph Maraziti, Jr. shared that while he is optimistic a resolution is near, there is still not a final contract regarding the redevelopment of the Paramount Theatre.

The City Engineer also shared an update on the 1st Avenue road construction project in response to a public comment. He shared that this work was on hold for the winter, but is expected to resume Monday. A few weeks are needed to address the sidewalks and curbs, but after that point, the roadway itself will be addressed.

The Council authorized payment of $58,465 to South River based contractor S Brothers, Inc for snow removal following the first snowstorm of 2026. Contracting with outside entities to aid with snow removal after large snowstorms is not uncommon. The snow removal took place between February 3rd and February 11th.

The Council further authorized the spending of an amount not to exceed $2,307,900 of capital funds for Phase I Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements. Edison-based engineering and construction firm CDM Smith was awarded a bid to lead this project. The project aims to address code deficiencies and upgrades that will improve performance and efficiency.

Additionally, Asbury Park reached a contract with the law firm of Archer & Greiner, P.C. as an independent/special counsel that will help to interpret redevelopment agreements between the city and Madison Marquette. Specifically, The Hon. Lee Solomon, recently retired New Jersey Supreme Court Associate Justice, will review the redevelopment documents as well as the assertion by Neptune Attorney Thomas De Seno, Esq. that the 2002 redevelopment agreement still controls the Casino. The governing body and its’ redevelopment counsel do not agree, so they retained this neutral third party to evaluate both viewpoints.

Next, the Council passed a resolution awarding a bid to Vulcan Construction Group of Cookstown, NJ in the amount of $300,000 for the Asbury Park Beach Shower Stations Project. They came in at over $100,000 lower than the other two unsuccessful bids. The project will include fourteen beach shower towers with three shower heads and a foot wash.

Finally, the City Council passed a first reading of a CAP rate ordinance for the CY 2026 budget. This allows the city to exceed the 2% cap on annual appropriations increases set into law in 1977. In accordance with the law, a municipality may go to a 3.5% increase, should the governing body pass a CAP ordinance. A second reading of this ordinance and public hearing will take place at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

The next Asbury Park City Council meeting is currently scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th, at 6 p.m. at Asbury Park City Hall.