By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – The Board of Commissioners Thursday, June 9 added a second parcel to an auction scheduled for June 28 and introduced several ordinances governing liquor consumption, pool installations, restrictions on overnight parking and fees charged for emergency services.
The board set the date for a live auction of a city-owned parcel at 4803 Ventnor Ave. to be held 10 a.m. Thursday, June 28. During the auction, the city will accept bids for a second parcel of land no longer needed for municipal purposes.
The board previously approved the sale of 6512 Ventnor Ave., which it acquired following a fire that destroyed the mixed use building located in the Central Business District. The minimum bid for the lot is $270,000. The city complied with state requirements to advertise the sale twice before setting the auction date.
On Thursday, the board agreed to add a second parcel at 4803 Ventnor Ave. to the auction block. The city tried to sell the 35.9- by 95-foot lot near Jackson Avenue during two previous sales scheduled late last year. The minimum bid for 4803 Ventnor Ave. is $218,000.
The board introduced a new ordinance amending and supplementing Chapter 47 Water and Sewer Utility that governs the installation of swimming pools that require a groundwater “dewatering” process, which causes problems with drainage and attracts birds and mosquitos.
According to Commissioner Lance Landgraf, instead of draining water through filtration “bladders” in the street gutters that lead to storm drains, property owners will be required to apply for a permit costing $100 to discharge the groundwater into the sanitary sewer system at the nearest manhole. The property owner will be required to pay a discharge fee to treat the water at a rate of $4.70 per 1,000 gallons of water. Permits will be good for six months. Violating the ordinance carries a fine not to exceed $2,000.
A second ordinance sets limitations on where adults can enjoy an open container of alcohol. Alcohol consumption is already prohibited on sidewalks, streets and the boardwalk, and at ball fields, playgrounds and municipal buildings. The ordinance limits drinking open containers of alcohol to city-approved outdoor dining areas only from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
A third ordinance adjusts the fees charged for emergency medical services provided by the Ventnor City Fire Department. According to city officials, the current fee schedule is lower than what other municipalities charge for ambulance services.
New fees are $775 for basic life support, $17 per mile traveled, $50 for a disposable collar, $65 for oxygen, $95 for Narcan, $150 for epi-pen, $150 for automatic external defibrillator, $200 for refusing medical assistance following a request for service, and $500 for pronouncement of death.
Fire Chief Michael Cahill said the fee increases will help the department recoup from insurance companies some of the costs incurred during rescues.
“We are still charging less than other municipalities, but we are at least recouping the total cost of our outlay,” he said.
The most controversial ordinance is one that regulates overnight parking for commercial or large vehicles. The ordinance prohibits parking on city streets campers, tractors, boats, jitneys, buses and commercial trucks over a half-ton between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
“Several businesses have maybe eight vehicles parked on the street all night long,” Mayor Beth Holtzman said. “If they are parking in areas were there are businesses and restaurants, it becomes an issue, and we know parking is an issue, period.”
After several residents who own commercial vehicles spoke during the meeting, the commissioners instructed Police Chief Joe Fussner to refrain from issuing parking tickets until after a public hearing and vote to approve the ordinance is held.
Public hearings on the ordinances will be held 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23 at Ventnor City Hall, 6201 Atlantic Ave.
In other business, the board agreed to the sale of $11,500,000 in general obligation bonds for public works and utility projects completed from 2015 to 2020. The online bond sale is scheduled for 11 a.m. June 30.
The board also hired Ursula Vasquez as a civil engineer trainee to assist Public Works Supervisor and City Engineer Ed Stinson at a salary of $62,000.
It also rejected all bids received to install a new restroom at Firehouse No. 1 because they were higher than expected. Seven bids were received, ranging from a low of $264,514 to a high of $365,000. The project will be rebid.
Copyright Mediawize, LLC 2021
