The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, is expected to set July 21st as the date for a Public Hearing with regard to the sale of City-owned property at 101 Cedar Street. The City’s Personnel and Finance Committee has agreed to sell the parcel to Cook Sanitation, in exchange for the refuse company paying $2,000. The agreement says the property will be sold as-is, dilapidated house included. Cook Sanitation is required to have the home demolished by no later than Dec. 31, 2021, and have an industrial building on the site within five-years (Aug. 2026).

In other business, the Council will act on an Order to limit street parking to the east side of Palm Street, on July 31st, for the Cass County Fair Association. The Council will hold the second reading of an Ordinance (#1099), changing the method of elections to Runoff, instead of “Plurality takes all,” which requires a person to get the most votes on a ballot to win (50.01%). Under the current system, if for instance there were five candidates for Mayor, the person with 25% of the vote would be the winner. The alternative, or Primary System, calls for a True Majority (50.01%) of votes to win, with a run-off election if the vote is too close to call. The City’s Personnel and Finance Committee recommends the election system be changed to a majority, runoff-system.

On a related note, the Council will hold the second reading of an Ordinance changing the term of Park Board members from six-years to four, as they have requested. They will also act on an Order to “Authorize [the] initiation of Abandoned property action,” with regard to demolishing Atlantic’s blighted properties. In this case, the site identified is 411 Birch Street. And, the Council will act on a Order to appoint Councilperson Kathy Somers, Alexsis Fleener and City Administrator John Lund, to the Housing Committee – which is the predecessor to the Atlantic Housing Taskforce chaired by Bob Camblin, and which is exploring adding persons directly involved in residential home construction, property development and banking, for later appointment. Somers has agreed to assume the position of Committee Chair.

Fleener and Lund were always intended to act as advisors and be involved in the Committee, but it was determined that formal membership should occur. In their report to the Council, Atlantic Airport Managers Lori and Barry Reid are expected to mention the “5th Annual Heads-up Drag Race” will be held Sunday, Sept. 19th, from 10-a.m. until 5-p.m. The event has grown each year, with a variety of vehicles and their drivers who travel near and far to participate, according to the Reids.