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Part of the controversy that led to a break in the relationship between the city and boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette is expected to be discussed during the Dec. 3 executive session meeting of the Asbury Park City Council, according to James G. Aaron, special waterfront redevelopment litigation counsel for the City of Asbury Park.

At that time, members of city council will discuss a proposal Madison Marquette has made in order to fulfill the requirements of a state-mandated installation of sprinkler systems throughout the whole of Convention Hall, including the Paramount Theatre and Grand Arcade, Aaron said. Madison Marquette owns and operates the structure along with several other boardwalk properties.

State fire codes changed in 2006, mandating public facilities like Convention Hall have sprinkler systems installed if they are to remain open. The city and Madison Marquette entered into a consent order last year that outlined a timeline for the sprinklers to be installed by 2015, with certain benchmarks being met along with way, Fire Chief Kevin Keddy previously told the Sun.

“Terms of the consent order and the implementation of the consent order are what is going to be discussed, and we would hope to have further information available to the public as of that time,” Aaron said. “Proposals have been made by Madison Marquette and both parties are still operating under the consent order.”

“We are working closely with the city on these issues,” Carrie Turner, director of retail for boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette, said in an email to the Sun.

Following Hurricane Sandy, Madison Marquette was granted two extensions that delayed the start of the sprinkler installation through a clause in the consent order that accounts for natural disasters, according to Garret Giberson, a spokesperson for the Asbury Park Fire Department. Giberson confirmed both the city and Madison Marquette are operating under the consent order both parties agreed to.

For the time being, fire department personnel have been assigned to Convention Hall or the Paramount Theatre so that the venues can remain in operation for special events, he said.

Aaron hopes to have a definitive schedule for the sprinkler installation produced during the Dec. 3 meeting, he said.

“We hope to be able to get there, but it takes two parties to get there,” said Aaron.

The consent order also includes a clause that allows Madison Marquette to close the structure if the cost of the sprinkler system outweighs the investment the redeveloper gains from operating the structure. Original installation costs were estimated at over $1,000,000, but were significantly reduced since the initial estimate.

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