Maria Mento
VENTNOR The Board of Commissioners June 17 passed two resolutions that extend contracts with Jersey Professional Management and Maria Mento to continue providing administrative guidance for the city.
JPM has provided the city with management consulting services for the last three years, with Mento performing day-to-day administration of city services.
JPM received a one-year professional services contract without competitive bidding to provide the commission with consulting services on an as needed basis. It will receive $12,150 to be on call to assist the board with consulting services and nonpartisan administrative support.
Mento, who has served as acting administrator and deputy clerk during the same time period, also received a one-year contract extension under the same terms and conditions and will earn $10 an hour through the payroll account and $110 an hour on the voucher system, not to exceed $137,500.
JPM recruits experience municipal professionals who provide administrative support to municipalities on a part- or full-time temporary basis. According to its website, JPM's services cover a full range of municipal activity and responsibilities, including efficiency studies, department reviews, salary surveys, and more.
Mento, a Ventnor resident, works three days a week but is on call 24-7. Mento was first hired in August 2016 after the current commissioners took office.
She is retired from the Atlantic County Utilities Authority where she worked for 25 years, starting as a budget analyst and eventually serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Before that, she worked in Atlantic County government for 10 years.
Mento currently chairs the Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees.
In other business, the board introduced an ordinance that would implement the public's use of the Park Smarter app, which will allow users to remotely feed parking meters while they are enjoying beach time or otherwise occupied.
The Park Smarter app allows motorists to pay for parking with a credit card and smart phone. Users will be charged a 35-cents fee for each time they extend time on the parking meter. The fee will be split between the city and the app creator. The use of the app will go into effect after the ordinance is approved, probably later this month, Mento said.
For a demonstration, visit http://www.ipsgroupinc.com/park-smarter-video/
