A notable highlight of the Ventnor City Council meeting was the recognition of the eighth-grade Green Team from the Ventnor Educational Community Center. The students were honored for their successful environmental initiative, which involved the removal of 843 pounds of waste from an area behind a local plaza. Their efforts, supported by teacher Michael and plaza owner Mr. Greco, who treated the students to pizza, were celebrated with proclamations from the council. The mayor and council members praised the students for their dedication to improving the community’s environment and underscored the broader lesson of community engagement and environmental stewardship.

The meeting also focused on affordable housing, as the council announced plans to prepare ordinances for creating new affordable housing units over the next decade. The city had not required affordable housing for the past ten years, but recent assessments of population and housing stock prompted a shift in strategy. A planning consultant was recommended to assist in these efforts. This initiative will address immediate needs through the rehabilitation of existing housing stock for low and moderate-income individuals and plan for new construction. Funding mechanisms for these projects include developer contributions and development fees from building permits, with assurances that no tax dollars will be utilized.

Traffic management during events was a recurring theme in the public comments. Residents expressed concerns about traffic congestion, particularly during events like the farm market and National Night Out. Suggestions were made for additional traffic control measures, especially at intersections like Atlantic Avenue, where pedestrian and vehicle interactions pose safety risks. Residents emphasized the need for a master calendar to coordinate and manage events effectively, reducing conflicts and ensuring smooth traffic flow.

Another topic was the city’s application for a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency for a boardwalk restoration project. The grant seeks up to $3 million to supplement state funds, with the goal of boosting economic development and attracting visitors to benefit local businesses.

The council also discussed the restoration of a historic fountain located at the Public Works building. Barbara Hughes Sullivan, representing a nonprofit organization dedicated to the fountain’s preservation, highlighted the need for engineering documents to proceed with the project.

In other business, the meeting included resolutions for a shared service grant with Atlantic County to purchase digital message boards for highways, aimed at improving communication about road conditions and events. Agreements for tax abatements and a historic preservation grant application for City Hall were also on the agenda, with the latter focusing on addressing water intrusion issues.

Public comments further addressed concerns about the impact of a concert series on Newport Avenue, with a resident describing it as a nuisance affecting property rights. The logistics of food truck operations and traffic management were also discussed, with adjustments made to improve resident access and minimize traffic disruptions.

The meeting concluded with a brief report from a council member on ongoing weather-related issues affecting city infrastructure, such as heating problems in public buildings and minor waterline breaks. The council also approved a settlement agreement with Com Tech Cloud Services following mediation efforts.