The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, set July 2nd, 3rd and 4th, from Noon until 11-p.m. each day, as the dates and times for fireworks celebrations in advance of and on, Independence Day. They also approved certain street closings for special events, to include:

• 6th Street, from Chestnut to Poplar, every Thursday evening from 3-until 6:45-p.m., from June 6th through Sept. 30th, for Produce in the Park.
• 4th Street, from Chestnut to Walnut Street, on July 17th, from 7-a.m. until Midnight, for SHIFT ATL’s Farm-to-Table Fundraiser.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council approved the sale of City-owned real estate at 211 W. 6th Street, to Jeff Pross, in the amount of One-dollar, with the promise that he will build a home valued at $100,000 or more on the lot. Pross said the stick-built home will have wood siding. Earlier, it appeared he had chosen to use steel siding, but after some on the Council objected, the decision was made to use a more traditional appearance in a residential area.

The Council however voted 5-to-2 against accepting a bid from Chuck Templeman, for the purchase of lots at 204 W. 3rd, 202 W. 3rd, and 211 Locust Street, over a desire to see the lots used for a bigger project, such as a possible downtown retirement community, despite the zone apparently being in a flood zone. Templeman was willing to pay $4,810 for the properties, so he can build a garage for his nearby rental properties. Councilmen Dick Casady and Pat McCurdy voted in favor of selling the properties. After considerable discussion and a vote, Templeman withdrew his bid, saying that he thought he was doing the City a favor by purchasing the lots. Casady said “We’re losing tax money.” McCurdy said “We’re passing up a wonderful opportunity.” Mayor Jones said the future of the properties would be sent to a committee for further study and recommendation. And, a recommendation for a bid of $650 for City owned property at 611 Linn Street, from James Hemphill, died for lack of a motion.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council set May 19th as the date for a Public Hearing on an amended FY 2021 Budget. They passed the third and final readings of Ordinance pertaining to the timeframe for removal of snow from sidewalks and vehicles City streets. Both passed by votes of 5-to 2, with Councilmen McCurdy and Behrens opposed. McCurdy reiterated his contention reducing the time from 72-hours to 24-hours following the conclusion of a snow event, was not enough time for his tenants and other citizens. He would have approved 48-hours as an alternative.

And final, Mayor Dave Jones read a Proclamation that says May 2nd through the 9th is Professional Municipal Clerks Week, in Atlantic, as a means of honoring their “Precise organization, record and book-keeping skills,” which without, “The City as a business organization could not function.”