Asbury Park council approves Langford Street bond, authorizes contracts, public art and renewals

The Asbury Park City Council voted to adopt a bond ordinance for roadway improvements and approved a series of routine resolutions at the meeting.

The council adopted Bond Ordinance 2026-69, providing for roadway improvements to Langford Street and appropriating $1,500,000 to the project; the ordinance authorizes the issuance of approximately $1,010,474 in bonds and notes to finance a portion of the work. No public commenters addressed the ordinance during the public hearing, and members voted to adopt it.

On individual resolutions the council approved payment of bills; accepted a donation of 12 beach chairs from Ostrich Chairs for use by beach attendants; authorized an agreement with Kyle McManus Associates for professional consulting planner services and a separate agreement for affordable-housing planner services for 2026 (council roll calls show Mayor Moore recorded a 'No' on at least the consulting-service votes); awarded a contract to Garden State Fireworks Inc. for the 2026 Independence Day exhibition; approved a resolution amending the 2026 calendar-year budget (added to the agenda); authorized a temporary public art installation (a 7-foot soccer ball sculpture by Arts14C, June 1–Sept. 6, 2026); renewed the ShotSpotter subscription through 06/29/2029; and authorized submission of a planning and design grant application for PFAS pilot testing and feasibility at the Asbury Park Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Votes at a glance:
- Bond Ordinance 2026-69 (Langford Street improvements): Adopted (motion, public hearing opened and closed with no speakers).
- Resolution authorizing payment of bills (2026-192/…): Approved.
- Donation: Accept 12 beach chairs from Ostrich Chairs: Approved.
- Kyle McManus Associates (consulting planner services): Approved (record shows Mayor Moore voted No).
- Affordable-housing planner services with Kyle McManus Associates: Approved (record shows Mayor Moore voted No).
- Garden State Fireworks contract for 2026 Independence exhibition: Approved.
- Resolution to amend 2026 calendar-year budget: Approved.
- Arts14C public-art installation (FIFA sculpture): Approved.
- ShotSpotter subscription renewal (through 06/29/2029): Approved.
- Submission of PFAS pilot testing planning grant at wastewater plant: Approved.

What it means: The Langford Street appropriation sets money aside for local roadway improvements. Renewals and contracts (ShotSpotter, planning services, public art, fireworks) represent near-term operating commitments; the PFAS grant application is a planning step toward water-quality testing, not an awarded grant. Mayor Moore’s recorded ‘No’ votes on planner-service items were noted during roll call but did not change the overall outcomes.

Next steps: The city clerk said the state requested amendments to the municipal budget and the formal budget hearing and adoption were postponed until the following council meeting; the full budget will be posted on the city website. The council instructed staff to proceed with contract execution and grant submissions as authorized.