VENTNOR – In a compromise over the amount of fees charged for beach vending licenses, the city will consider raising the fee for veterans to sell ice cream on the beach.
Commissioner Tim Kriebel Thursday, Nov. 29 suggested the fee be raised to $500 from the $55 currently charged for veterans to sell ice cream on the beach from May to September.
He said no other changes would be recommended at this time, but the increase would bring the fee into “the dollars of today.”
The ad hoc Citizens Advisory Committee created earlier this year to advise the Board of Commissioners about issues affecting homeowners recommended the fee increase.
“The ad hoc committee brought it up again and suggested charging $5,000. I think that’s turning the dial a little too fast but based on other communities and the ways to find new income, I feel $500 is a fair small incremental step,” Kriebel said.
Resident Peter Kleiner, a member of the ad hoc committee, said the 15 appointed members unanimously agreed to ask the commissioners to consider raising the fee, which he called a “gift” given to four local veterans and 11 others who do not live in the city or pay property taxes. Ventnor’s total beach vending revenue for 2018 was $850.
“Why are we subsidizing four Ventnor residents at the expense of all the other residents when most other cities enjoy significant revenue?” he said at a previous meeting. “The city should put it out to bid, and/or raise the fee to $5,000 for the privilege, yes privilege, of having an exclusive rights of ice cream sales in our community.”
Last summer, Margate received $54,000 from ice cream vendor Paul Van DeRijn of Jack and Jill Ice Cream of Egg Harbor Township. VanDeRijn also gave Longport $30,000 for the right to sell ice cream on Longport’s beach. Margate will accept bids for 2019 at a date yet to be determined, with the minimum bid amount of $50,000.
Kriebel said the commission would draft an ordinance for introduction at a future meeting.
In other business, the board appointed William Tate to the Board of Education to fill the unexpired term of Fred Nahas, and requested proposals for several professional positions, including the engineering pool, risk management and public defender.
It also authorized the city’s purchasing agent to go out to bid to replace Firehouse No. 2 on Wellington and Little Rock avenues. Bids include demolition of the existing building and construction of a new firehouse.
It also authorized a $14,000 contract for Polistina Associates of Egg Harbor Township to provide design and construction management for handicapped accessible ramps in the Heights section of the city.
In a financing issue, the board approved the cancellation of funds remaining in two prior bond authorizations. The chief financial officer was authorized to cancel $100,000 remaining in a $600,000 emergency appropriation to fund the recent revaluation of the city. CFO Toro Aboderin will also cancel a $30,000 balance remaining in a $150,000 emergency appropriation to fund an update of the city’s tax maps.
