Compass rose in Ventnor City Hall.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – Among the reports provided by department heads at the Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday, July 14 was a request to increase the length of stay for short-term rentals.
The board heard from four of its department heads, who reported on the status of their departments, including Police, Fire, Code Enforcement/Building and Finance.
Zoning Officer Jimmy Agnesino suggested increasing the number of nights required for short-term rental agreements. Currently there are no requirements on the length of stay and many rentals are only for one night, he said.
Agnesino suggested the board revise its city ordinance to require weekend or weeklong stays to increase benefits for the city’s business community.
Agnesino said that in addition to home construction contractors not having on-site supervisors to ensure job sites are kept clean and work is done within the hours set for construction, the short-term rental phenomenon has created “a whole new job for us.”
“When we inspect (short-term rental) units we measure for occupancy load, so it’s a little more involved and takes a longer time so we know how many people can be in there,” he said.
The Building Department conducted certificate of occupancy inspections for 551 units sold, 550 rentals, and 235 registered short-term rentals, although there may be “close to 300,” he said. The department is working to get the remainder of unlicensed short-term rental properties registered.
He said the city should consider a minimum of 2-3 night stays and revise the ordinance by the end of the year.
Margate requires a minimum stay of one week.
“That might be the way to go. If it’s just a couple of days, are they really spending the time here or are they spending time in Atlantic City or Margate or whatever? If they are just here to sleep and raise a little Cain coming home at 4 in the morning and not using our services or commercial areas, is it worth having the commotion?” he said.
He said the department would realize less revenue from inspection fees than in prior years because instead of renovating homes, people are tearing them down and building new at higher elevations. In 2021, the city recorded $34 million in stated construction costs, which could be 30% higher.
Agnesino said the department would benefit with a new part-time clerical position or intern to record information about complaints into the city’s computer system before notices are sent to homeowners.
Fire Chief Michael Cahill reported that the department is fully staffed “in good shape, well equipped and well prepared” to handle emergencies.
Two retiring firefighters have been replaced, except for the department’s training officer. Cahill said the department now has a streamlined cloud-based record keeping system using tablets in vehicles, and that revenue from billable emergency medical services is up 50% over what was budgeted this year, which will amount to $120,000 in unanticipated revenue.
Cahill said the department is in the process of replacing a 1997 fire engine that was sold to Atlantic City for $20,000, and an incremental plan to finance the new vehicle saved the city $16,000.
He reported the department purchased trauma bags; is in the process of testing, maintaining and painting all fire hydrants, some of which have been replaced; and defibrillators in all city facilities are being inspected and tested on a monthly basis.
Two 5-ton military trucks that were on loan have been replaced with Humvees, which will more easily maneuver narrow city streets. One will be used as a beach rescue vehicle, the other will be modified for another purpose during storm rescues.
The firefighters also received active shooter training, he said.
Police Chief Joseph Fussner said the department currently has 34 full-time officers, one is on extended leave, one recently resigned, and one officer will retire next year.
“We are trying to replace the positions to get where we need to be, but we have been having difficulty finding qualified applicants. The applicant pool is very thin. It’s not just specific to Ventnor, it’s a problem countywide,” he said.
Administrative workload for the department has increased due to the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing concealed carry of firearms, and issuing gun permits has become more time consuming, he said.
He said the city hired six Class 1 officers this summer to patrol the beach and boardwalk, which has decreased complaints about dogs on the beach and boardwalk, and bicycle violations.
“They supplement our patrol units well,” he said and can eventually move up to become full-time officers. The department is also creating an internship program for criminal justice students at Stockton and Rowan universities.
Financing is in place for the department to obtain several license plate readers.
However, the department has noted an increase in the number of shoplifting arrests, he said.
Fussner reported that the department has a 47% clearance rate for cases, which is a much higher rate than other communities have, he said.
“The state and national averages are around 25%,” he said.
He noted several special event that will happen this year, including National Night Out, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Newport Avenue, followed by a concert; a new Halloween Fest 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 22 with a baby and pet parade scheduled for noon; and the annual Twilight Holiday Parade 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3. He said 2023 concerts are already booked.
Chief Financial Officer Al Stanley stated the Finance Office will continue to provide support for all departments so their goals can be met in the most cost-effective way. The Finance Office has streamlined its purchase order and bill pay system to include emails to vendors and department heads.
“It saves a bunch of time and postage,” he said.
All employees are now receiving direct deposit paychecks and all personnel forms are available electronically through the Edmunds Gov-Tech cloud-based system, which is tied into the city’s payroll system, he said.
He reported that consolidating temporary bonds and notes into a $20 million bond sale generated 10 bidders resulting in an interest rate of 3%.
“That’s pretty good considering the way the rates are going,” he said.
Once the city’s audit is complete, he will start working with department heads on next year’s budget.
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