Ventnor City Commission News in Brief – Week of Sept. 23, 2009

Sep, 23-2009 3:17 pm

The Ventnor Board of Commissioners met Thursday, Sept. 17 and took the following action:



Majority approval needed for expenditures more than $3,000

Ordinance 19 passed by a vote of 2-1, with Commissioner of Public Works and Recreation Stephen Weintrob the dissenting vote, to require all expenditures in excess of $3,000 to be approved by a majority of the commission. Weintrob previously stated he felt the ordinance would put unnecessary controls over the daily operations of his department.



Professional contracts to be approved by resolution

The Commission unanimously approved Ordinance 20, requiring all professional service contracts to be approved by resolution prior to engaging service.



Bids received, and rejected

The commissioners unanimously approved bids for of a number of capital expenditures. The city awarded a $134,893 contract for a new ambulance with Ambulance Bay Head Investments and T/A VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists, and $415,883 for a new fire pumper to KME Fire Apparatus.

The Commission rejected other bids for vehicles, including three Ford F-550 dump trucks, two Ford Ranger 4x4 pickup trucks, one Ford F-350 4x4 utility body vehicle, two Ford F-350 4x4s with lift gates and one Ford Explorer.

Mayor Theresa Kelly said it was because the city had used last year’s bid specifications. But in light of the rejection of the bids, the city may try to purchase some vehicles through state contract.  



No parking/street sweeping hour to change

Commissioners unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance 21 to change the hours parking is prohibited on both sides of Atlantic Avenue between Jackson and Somerset avenues and between Portland and Fredericksburg avenues for street sweeping. No parking will be permitted 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Thursday on both sides of Atlantic Avenue from Jackson to Cambridge and from Sacramento to Fredericksburg avenues. Public hearing and final adoption is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 in Commission Chambers on the second floors of City Hall.



$2.8 million bond approved for school improvements

The Commission unanimously approved Ordinance 22 to authorize the issuance of $2.82 million in school bonds for the upgrading or replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and various windows and a portion of the roof. According to Commissioner of Finance John Piatt, the school has incurred $12 million in debt service.



Stephen Rice appointed to Zoning Board

The Commission unanimously approved Stephen Rice to a two-year term as the second alternate on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, effective immediately.



The next Commission workshop is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 and the next Commission meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. All meetings take place in commission chambers on the second floor of City Hall.

-- Shaun Smith

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