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Ventnor City unanimously adopts bond ordinances and several local rules; authorizes boardwalk bidding
Summary
Ventnor City Commissioners voted unanimously July 10 to adopt a $1.85 million general capital bond ordinance and a $400,000 utility capital ordinance, approved code changes on pile-driving hours and boardwalk bicycle hours, and authorized bidding for a major boardwalk reconstruction project.
Ventnor City commissioners unanimously adopted a package of capital and local ordinances on July 10, approving a general capital bond authorization of about $1.85 million and a separate $400,000 utility capital authorization, votes that clear the way to finance listed public-works and utility projects.
The meeting record shows each ordinance passed on roll call with Commissioner Langra, Commissioner Mento and Mayor Creable voting “yes.” The general bond ordinance (2025-014) authorizes borrowing to fund a list of department-level capital needs — from sewer and building improvements to replacement vehicles and beach infrastructure — while ordinance 2025-015 covers utility capital items including hydrant work and sewer projects.
The commission also adopted an amendment to local code (2025-016) to permit midweek pile driving during summer months for bulkhead projects while continuing to prohibit work on Mondays, Fridays, weekends and holidays. The change was described during the meeting as intended to reduce project duration and improve contractor flexibility for time-sensitive bulkhead repairs; staff emphasized the amendment changes allowable days, not the penalties for improper work.
Separately, the commission formalized evening bicycle, roller-skate and skateboard hours on the boardwalk (2025-017), updating weekend hours to 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and made permanent the temporary outdoor-dining and premises-expansion rules (2025-018) that had been adopted during state emergency orders and later codified by the legislature.
The meeting also approved a package of consent resolutions (2025-220 through 2025-237) covering routine items including special-event parking and open-container suspensions for an upcoming Funky Pickle Vent Classic, surplus-property disposal, bid authorization for custodial and sanitation services, grant recognitions, contract extensions and seasonal hires.
Mayor Creable framed the bond ordinances as authorizations to borrow as-needed rather than immediate spending: “These ordinances authorize us to borrow funds to do these projects,” the mayor said during the workshop presentation, clarifying the city had not yet issued bonds. Commissioners stressed that the items listed in the ordinances are tied to the city’s capital planning and budget line items.
What happens next: adopting the ordinances authorizes the city to pursue short-term financing (bond anticipation notes) or permanent bond sales to fund the listed projects. Several consent resolutions were routine and approved by unanimous consent; the full package of votes will permit staff to proceed with procurement steps noted during the meeting.
Votes at a glance: ordinance 2025-014 (general capital) — adopted (3–0); ordinance 2025-015 (utility capital) — adopted (3–0); ordinance 2025-016 (pile driving hours) — adopted (3–0); ordinance 2025-017 (boardwalk bicycle hours) — adopted (3–0); ordinance 2025-018 (outdoor dining/premises expansion) — adopted (3–0); resolutions 2025-220 through 2025-237 — adopted by consent (3–0).
The commission moved into an executive session later in the meeting to discuss attorney–client privileged matters and potential litigation; no binding action was taken in closed session.
