The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, took action on some matters before them and failed to approve other measures. The Council first-off denied a Tree Trimmer permit for Cook Hauling and Tree Service. City Clerk Barb Barrick said Cook has insurance, but has not provided insurance for his independent contractors. If he provides proof of the required insurance, the Council can reconsider the permit request at a future meeting. Tree Trimmer permits were approved for two other businesses: Steve’s Tree Service, and Hotze Tree Service.

The Council rejected a second reading of Ordinance #998, which would amend the City’s Code of Ordinances with regard to “Sanitary Sewer System” hook-up requirements. City Administrator John Lund said the Personnel and Finance Committee objected to wording in the amendment that was not agreed to by a consensus of the committee, yet still made it into the Ordinance. More specifically: a property with a septic system that is sold, must be hooked-up to the sewer. With no action taken on the Amended Ordinance, it officially died and will have to be re-written entirely before it can be presented before the Council again.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council approved by a vote of six-to-one (with Gerald Brink opposed), a request from the Fireside Lounge, to close the alley behind the business on Sept. 26th, from 11-a.m. until midnight. The owner wishes to use the space for additional motorcycle parking, during a fundraiser for Ryan Ward. Around 100 motorcycles are expected to be arriving for the event. The Mayor noted this was the third alley closure the Fireside owner has requested in the past couple of months. The Council approved requests for separate events during their meetings in July and August.

Mayor Jones said “I think we’re going to ask for a Community Protection meeting next Tuesday night, if we need to address this and maybe put some limits on….basically what happens, if you’ve got a business, we shouldn’t be closing the streets down in front of your business.” Councilman Dick Casady wondered who would monitor six-feet social distancing during the event. Councilman Pat McCurdy assumed the owner would, but Barb Barrick said she presumed it would be the Police Department.

Mayor Jones said the Committee should establish parameters for street/alley closures, and the number of times that is allowed per year. In other news, Councilman Jim Behrends said he spoke with Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel, who informed him the Annual Fireman’s Breakfast on Oct. 4th, has been cancelled. Earlier this month, it was announced the Atlantic Fireman’s Parade had also been cancelled.