The most notable event was the adoption of Ordinance 2024-22, which imposes controls on dust and plastic contaminants at construction sites. This ordinance reflects a growing environmental concern over harmful plastics and aims to mitigate their impact. During the public comments, Bill Stum, co-chair of the South Jersey chapter of the Surf Rider Foundation, lauded the council for this initiative. He emphasized ongoing efforts with local organizations to promote recycling and underscored the importance of recognizing the dangers posed by plastics. Stum also mentioned a map that would encourage other towns to adopt similar ordinances, highlighting Ventnor’s potential influence on neighboring municipalities.

Further support for the ordinance came from Sher Willan Feld of the Margate sustainability team. Feld reiterated her appreciation and offered assistance with enforcement. She discussed productive conversations with contractors about adhering to the new regulations and suggested that compliance could save both time and money. Feld stressed the importance of changing the narrative, proposing that contractors could position themselves as environmentally friendly, which would resonate well with the community.

An environmental commissioner from Margate, affiliated with the Beyond Plastics National Advisory Board, also praised the council. The commissioner noted that the ordinance could be the third of its kind in the nation and emphasized the health risks associated with plastic accumulation in the human body. The commissioner expressed gratitude, stating, “what you’re doing tonight will inspire people everywhere.”

The council acknowledged the positive feedback and the need for continued communication with contractors and residents regarding the implementation of the new regulations. Ordinance 2024-22 was adopted following a motion and a second, with unanimous support from the council members present.

In addition to the environmental ordinance, the council also approved Ordinance 2024-25, which amends Chapter 214 of the Ventnor City Code regarding vehicles and traffic. This ordinance institutes a no-parking rule on the east side of North Derby Avenue from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. The rationale behind this amendment is to facilitate trash and recycling pickups, addressing concerns about the narrow street, which is also curved and features curb cuts and driveways. This change responds to requests from residents and aims to improve the efficiency of city services.

The council also addressed several resolutions by consent. These included the reappointment of Sumar Renzi as the community rating system coordinator, a role crucial for managing insurance purposes. Another resolution related to a $775,000 grant from the 2024 American Rescue Plan designated for firefighters, specifically allocating $75,000 for personal equipment. The council also voted to permanently appoint Larry Hoff as an equipment operator and water repair person in the public works department, effective from September 17, 2024.

During the meeting, a commissioner reported an increase in property assessments within the city, noting, “I think we broke a record here with 37.7 million so far and added assessments in the city of Ventnor.” This statistic reflects ongoing construction activity in the area.

Additionally, the commissioner mentioned an upcoming community event hosted by a local restaurant, which had sold out and was experiencing high demand, evidenced by a waiting list. The council discussed the event’s logistics, including potential rain dates and the nature of the event.

Insights from a report presented by the beach patrol regarding summer season activities were also shared. The report highlighted the volume of incidents handled by lifeguards over the summer season, specifying that August was the busiest month. The commissioner underscored the importance of the lifeguard role, noting specific beaches were particularly active in rescues. The report also provided statistical trends, showing that weekends typically saw higher incident rates, and outlined that missing children cases tended to occur at specific locations. This serves as a valuable tool for future planning and training for the beach patrol.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for additional public comments, although no comments were made from attendees in person or on the Zoom platform during this portion. The council confirmed there would be no executive session that evening, leading to a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.