Atlantic Club to be reopened…

The property’s beach zone will be permitted to host restaurants or cafes, as well as recreation activities, including zip lines, volleyball courts and cabanas.

A Pennsylvania development firm, Endeavor Property Group, is currently negotiating the purchase of the closed casino. Jason Sieminski, an attorney for the company, has said Endeavor wants to turn it into an entertainment complex that could also be home to condominium units.

“This is something that could change the tide,” said Council President Frank M. Gilliam. “But could you please hurry?”

“We welcome you with open arms,” said Councilman Aaron Randolph.

“Plenty of times before, we’ve had people with plans and ideas come in,” said Councilman Moisse Delgado, who also expressed support for the project. “I want to make sure everything comes through and our children and our residents can benefit.”

“We’re sprinting,” Sieminski said. “There are many exciting things happening in, and planned for, Atlantic City, and Endeavor Property is excited to contribute.”

In other business, Council approved its ninth temporary budget of the year.

The bill originally called for a $16.3 million expenditure that would have brought total 2015 budgetary appropriations thus far to $154.6 million.

But Councilman Timothy Mancuso questioned $5 million in the measure for city employees’ healthcare expenses. The city has already deferred those payments, so the expense was dropped, bringing the measure to about $11 million.

Citing equity and fairness, Councilman Marty Small then motioned to set the salaries of three department heads – Licensing and Inspection Director Dale Finch, Public Works Director Paul Jerkins, and Health and Human Services Director Doreen Tucker – on par with all other department heads. Those increases, passed Wednesday by council, must be approved by state monitor Ed Sasdelli before they go into effect.

The spending resolution produced a prolonged discussion of budgetary procedure and priorities, with council members calling on the administration to be more transparent with its expenditures and questioning a variety of line items.

Several objected to news, reported by The Press on Wednesday, that the city would pay $17,500 through the end of July for media relations services for Emergency Manager Kevin Lavin.

Business Administrator Arch Liston said Lavin requested the hire, adding that it was approved by the state.

“When you’re making the money the emergency manager is making, you ought to be able to speak for yourself,” said Small.

“I think it’s absolutely absurd and ludicrous that we should paying,” said Moore, while Gilliam said the state routinely expects the city to find money for its priorities while offering relatively limited aid in return.

Council also introduced an ordinance Wednesday authorizing 60 class II police officers to work on the Atlantic City Police Department, of which no more than 20 percent can be retired ACPD members.

The class II officers will be paid $10 per hour while in training, $15 per hour in their first year, $18 per hour in their second year, and $21 per hour in their third year. Class II officers that were formerly retired ACPD members must work 40 hours per week to qualify for the $21 per hour rate.

Chief Henry White said class II officers working 40 hours per week will only do so for six months per year, meaning they’ll still be classified as part-time employees and won’t receive benefits.

Mancuso and Moore expressed opposition to retired officers being hired as class II ACPD members.

“There’s so many kids out there looking for work,” Mancuso said. “It bothers me to have a retired guy collecting retirement (benefits getting the job).”

Council again adjourned new regulations for Boardwalk rolling chairs and trams, legislation that has been awaiting final passage for about two months. The city is also considering a new regulations for taxis, jitneys, and limousines.

Council also permitted The Atlantic City Ballet to store costumes, sets, and other property in available office space at Sandcastle Stadium for the next year. The Ballet will pay $300 for the arrangement.