Margate introduces 2 new bond ordinances; approves 3 reconstruction contracts

MARGATE – The Board of Commissioners Thursday, Sept. 5 introduced two new bond ordinances appropriating $2,850,000 for capital improvement projects. The first reading of the bond ordinances follow the Aug. 1 adoption of a $3 million bond ordinance to purchase and build a parking lot at the old Liberty gas station on Ventnor Avenue.

Years ago, the city set a $3.5 million self-imposed spending limit for general capital expenses and $1.5 million for utility projects. Keeping within spending limits would ensure stabilization of the tax rate, officials said.

Bond Ordinance 18-2024 appropriates $1.9 million for various general capital improvements as follows:

• $213,400 for vehicles such as a farm tractor, surf rake, backhoe/loader, and rotary cutter for the Public Works Department.
• $237,500 for soft costs associated with Phase 2 improvements to the Municipal Complex on Union Avenue
• $1,449,100 for the 2024 road program, which includes the unit-block of S. Granville Avenue, 200-block of Wilson Avenue, drainage improvements on Belmont Avenue near Firehouse No. 2, reconstruction of Winchester Avenue, and curb and gutter improvements. It will also cover the cost of designing the 2025 road program, which will include the 200-blocks of Belmont and Brunswick drives, 100-block of Decatur Avenue, and storm sewer repairs on Seaside and Bayside courts.

Ordinance 19-2024 appropriates $950,000 for water and sewer improvements related to the 2024 and 2025 road programs.

Public hearings on the ordinances will be held 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 at Historic City Hall, 1 S. Washington Ave.

The board also awarded three contracts totaling $585,219 following the acceptance of multiple bids for capital improvement projects. 

• Arthur R. Henry, Inc. of Egg Harbor Township was awarded a contract for $294,777 for submitting the lowest of five bids received to reconfigure the water main at Benson and Winchester avenues. 
• A.C. Schultes, Inc. of Woodbury Heights was awarded a $130,400 contract for submitting the lowest of two bids received for redevelopment of Well No. 9.
• Think Pavers Hardscaping, LLC of Mt. Royal, was awarded a $160,042 contract for submitting the lowest of five bids received to rebuild the basketball court at the Sigmund Rimm Recreational Complex on Jerome Avenue.

In other business, the board approved three handicapped parking spaces on the 200-block of N. Union Avenue, unit-block of N. Exeter Avenue and the 9300-block of Winchester Avenue.

The board also scheduled the sale of no longer needed vehicles and equipment through the GovDeals.com website.

Board members and department heads expressed gratitude for the work of former IT Director Fred Verna who has retired after 25 years in Margate. Officials said Verna did more than keep computers and internet working, but was the “go to guy” for other needed actions. The board extended until Dec. 31 a contract for Michael Morris to act as information technology assistant at a rate of $75 per hour, not to exceed 40 hours per month.

The board also extended for three years its ongoing contract with the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund, which provides claims administration, review, processing, and actuarial and legal services.

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