Peter Cole, President, called the meeting to order at 5pm.  Also in attendance were Directors Dennis Crowley, Bob Elwell, Jules Rauch, and Bill Seeger.  Guests attending were Martin Van Walsum and Kevin Stepanuk.
 
The minutes of the June 18, 2026 meeting were read and approved with the following changes, 1) the date is corrected to 2026; and 2) There were no prior meeting minutes to be read; the May 20, 2026 meeting was informal as no quorum existed.   The President asked Mr. Stepanuk to take minutes.
 
Mr. Cole, Crowley and Rauch met with Mr. Dietrich, Cape May City Manager, to follow-up on the water rate discussion held at the June meeting.  In general, they report the Manager was not as vigorous about rate increase/change as he was in June.  Mr. Crowley stated that usage at one point this summer was about 2.9 million gallons which is approaching the 3.3 million gallons currently allowed by the State.  The team recommended that the Superintendent for City Water/Sewer be invited to the next meeting and that the Board continue to investigate water usage/cost issues.   Mr. Rauch recommended that the City  install timers on the public showers located along the beach.   
 
Mr. Van Walsum reported that he resigned from the City’s Municipal Taxation and Revenue  Advisory Committee (MTRAC) and is no longer the Association’s representative on MTRAC.  He thanked the Board for its support.  He stated that he disagreed with a directive that eliminates MTRAC’s ability to pursue matters it chooses and in the future only pursue matters raised by the City.  Mr. Crowley stated that he believed MTRAC should have the ability to pursue both types of initiatives.  Mr. Van Walsum referenced a City Resolution (29-01-20____) which he states essentially gives the City Council Liaison on any City Committee the power to overrule any Committee member. 
 
Detailed conversation followed on concerns with an Annex planned for the East Lynne Theatre.  The main concern is lack of public information or opportunity to input regarding this substantial ($ 2 million plus) private investment on public land.  The members agree to pursue more information from the City to identify any taxpayer obligations that may arise from the project.   The existing theatre is approximately 2600 square feet; the proposed Annex will be approximately 4,000 square feet.   The matter is scheduled to be discussed at City Council’s August 18th meeting.  Mr. Rauch questioned the purpose of a Resolution previously passed by Council that would allow the City to borrow funds in support of a registered Historic property.   Mr. Rauch also moved that the Association formally request the City to hold an open public meeting on the East Lynn project.  The motion was duly seconded and approved by the Board.
 
Mr. Seeger questioned the Board’s preparation for the Association’s Annual Meeting to be held at City Hall on August 20th.   Discussion followed on various guests/topics that could be highlighted at the meeting in addition to the required administrative business.  Mr. Cole said that despite advertising and promotion, only three members attended the meeting last year.  He will call a meeting of the Board to further plan the Annual meeting.
 
There being no other business, upon motion duly seconded, the meeting adjourned at 6:15pm.