CAPE MAY — City Manager Paul Dietrich said the city is ending the year with parking revenue totaling $2,427,111 as of the end of November, an increase of almost $200,000.
Dietrich updated City Council on parking revenue during the meeting Dec. 16.
“We’re actually up $183,682 from last year,” Dietrich said.
Beach tags have been on sale for the past two weeks, and the city has sold 2,427 tags, up 200 from this time last year. Dietrich added that there have been 700 tag sales online, up 500 from this time last year.
The 2026 pre-season sale pricing for beach tags is $30, from Dec. 1 to April 30. Tags can be purchased at City Hall or on the city website.
“We are already showing strong sales for beach tags,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of happy people in Cape May getting beach tag stocking stuffers.”
There have been 20 sales of the 2026 commemorative beach tags. The special tags note Cape May is celebrating 50 years as a historic landmark and 175 years as a city. The first 500 pre-sale tags will cost $50 each. Once the season starts, the commemorative tags will increase in price to $75.
The higher price point of the tags is intended to help fund several celebrations the city is planning for next year, Dietrich said Dec. 2. The festivities include the 250th anniversary of the United States, an additional Fourth of July celebration, National Night Out and several others, including commemorative events.
E-bikes ordinance
City Council unanimously passed its amended ordinance regulating the operation of E-bikes and scooters. The ordinance is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 13, 2026.
The rules require riders to follow all traffic laws. West Cape May and Lower Township have also passed ordinances on E-bikes, prohibiting the use on sidewalks and requiring riders to comply with traffic control signals and signs.
Cape May resident and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BAPAC) member Jim Moffatt said he was looking forward to seeing the ordinance approved.
“I see this as an initial first step addressing this very timely issue of E-bikes that weren’t even around 10 years ago,” Moffatt said. “They are up there as a number one priority the past few months for BAPAC.”
Moffatt added that the issue is one that the committee will be looking at closely next year and continuing to work in concert with City Council and management.
“We know there is a lot of information out there, both at the national, state and county level,” he said. “I think with more learning on our part, you can be subject masters to what’s going on, but also what’s appropriate for Cape May.”
Additionally, Moffatt said it was important to consider the differences between Cape May and Lower Township, since the ordinance was based on Lower Township’s.
Councilman Steve Bodnar, who is the council liaison to BAPAC, said he looked forward to working with Moffatt in 2026.
“I appreciate that you and the others recognize the legal landscape that the city solicitor needed to deal with in the drafting of this ordinance,” Bodnar said. “As you said, it’s a first step and there’s other aspects we’re limited [in] as far as how much the city can regulate in that regard.”
Bodnar added that there would likely be further discussions with the BAPAC regarding E-bikes, and he welcomed Moffatt’s return before the City Council to address any issues.
Solicitor Chris-Gillin-Schwartz said there is activity in the state Legislature regarding registration and insurance for E-bikes.
“It doesn’t necessarily delve into conduct, which really is the heart of this ordinance,” Gillin-Schwartz said. “I wanted to point out to council and to the public that the ordinance that we have on the table really contemplates, hopes and anticipates that the Legislature will take action and regulate these in some way.”
Gillin-Schwartz added that municipalities are advocating for the Legislature to make changes, but the ordinance is intended to fill a gap. With Lower Township and West Cape May adopting E-bike ordinances, he thought it would result in a Cape Island united front on safety issues.
“To Mr. Moffatt’s point, I know he’s been advocating on these issues for many years, and that’s a valuable public service,” Gillin-Schwartz said. “In reviewing Lower’s ordinance, we see good ideas out there; if it works for the city, we’ll find a way to incorporate it.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
