(Atlantic) The Atlantic City Council tackled numerous agenda items at Wednesday’s meeting, including an appointment to the AMU Board of Trustees, an Atlantic Police Department firearm purchase program, and adjusted Sunnyside Pool fees and rates, to name a few.
*The City Council kicked off the agenda items approving the appointment of Stacey Pellett to the Utility Board of Trustees following the resignation of longtime member Jody Lawrence. Atlantic City Councilperson Elaine Otte commended Jody for her years of service.
The Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU) Board oversees the City’s water and electric utilities. It consists of five members appointed by the Mayor, approved by the Council, serving staggered six-year terms. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at the AMU meeting room.
*The Atlantic City Council then approved the inclusion of rifles and the firearm purchase program.
The Atlantic Police Department is planning to upgrade its firearms, as current handguns (last updated in 2013) and rifles (2014) have reached the department’s 10-year replacement cycle, according to City Administrator John Lune. He says the department has limited rifle availability—currently one per patrol vehicle and one reassigned to the School Resource Officer—which has created training and operational challenges, including restricted range access and generic equipment setups.
To address this, the department proposes an individual rifle purchase program similar to its long-standing handgun program. Officers can select approved rifles and accessories, with the City covering upfront costs and officers repaying through payroll deductions over up to 36 months. Ownership will transfer to officers after full payment through a licensed FFL. If an officer leaves early, any remaining balance must be paid, or the equipment may remain City property.
Lund says the program aims to improve officer performance and safety through personalized equipment while allowing the City to recover costs. Existing rifles will be retained for reserve and new officers, and participation will likely be limited to those who have completed probation. The City Administrator recommends approval.
*The City Council also passed a resolution updating the Sunnyside Municipal Pool fees, rates, and applicability provision for the City of Atlantic.
City Administrator John Lund says Aquatics Coordinator Chelsea Rush stepped forward with a request to simplify and clarify the pool’s fee structure for young children. The proposed update focuses only on age-based admission, replacing older, less precise language with clear, consistent guidelines.
Under the previous policy, children aged two and under were admitted free, while those roughly ages two through four or five were charged a reduced $3.00 daily rate, with some flexibility left to staff judgment.
The new structure removes that ambiguity. Children under age two will continue to be admitted free of charge. Children ages two through five will pay a flat reduced rate of $3.00. All guests age six and older will be charged the standard daily admission fee of $7.00.
The change aims to make pricing straightforward for both staff and families, ensuring consistency at the point of sale.
The City Council also set a date for a public hearing on April 15 to adopt the FY2027 budget and the proposed 2026 ten-year capital improvement plan. In a separate story, the City Council set a compensation package for the wastewater Superintendent for FY 2026.
