The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved the sale of City-owned real estate at 101 Cedar Street, to Cook Sanitation. The property is being sold for $2,000, with the stipulations that a dilapidated house on the lot be demolished and an industrial building is built on the site within five-years. The Council also passed, by a vote of 5-1 with Councilman James Behrens absent, the third and final reading of an Amended Ordinance changing the method of elections. Councilperson Grace Garrett was the lone nay vote.

The ordinance states the winner of elections will be determined by a True Majority, with a run-off 30 days later, if none of the candidates have a clear, 50 plus 1 percent of the vote. For the past two Mayoral and Parks Board elections, the winner was determined by a “Plurality-takes-all” method, whereby a candidate only had to get the most votes on the first and only ballot, in order to win. For example, if there were five candidates for Mayor, the person with the greatest percentage of votes would be declared the winner, regardless of how close the race was.

Garrett voted against the change because people she’s spoken with in her Ward still aren’t clear why the method of election is being changed after all these years, and because she’s learned since the last meeting, that a run-off election, if needed, would cost more than $4,000, instead of the $3,000 that was previously announced. While discussing the matter, Garrett and Councilperson Kathy Somers said each intends to file papers by August 23rd, seeking the seat of Mayor in Atlantic. Mayor Dave Jones announced earlier this year he will not run for re-election. Councilman Pat McCurdy officially threw his hat into the ring in May. At least two other individuals have expressed an interest in running, but have not officially announced their intentions.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved without any further discussion, the third and final reading of an Ordinance amending the method by which Parks and Rec Board members are elected, from every six-years, to every-four. They also acted to re-appoint Jack Jensen and Ruth Glines to the Community Promotion Commission, and appointed Mackenzie Bandow along with Anne Quist, to the City’s Housing Committee.

In other business, the Council approved an Order to close 8th Street between Chestnut and Poplar, on Sunday, August 22nd, from Noon until 5-p.m., for the First United Methodist Church’s “Back to School Block Party.” Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson reported to the Council, a “Puppy Yoga” fundraiser event will take place this Saturday, July 24th, at the Shelter (309 Sunnyside Lane). The cost is $10 per person. All proceeds go to the shelter, for animals. All ages are welcome to attend.