City Council has a full agenda for its public meeting 7 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 28) in Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall, but here are some items that might be of special interest:
- Bamboo Ban: City Council will consider the first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit the planting of the invasive species in Ocean City and that would require owners of existing bamboo to contain it and to remove it from neighboring properties (or face fines up to $100 a day). Read more
- Central Business Zone: City Council will consider the first readings of two ordinances that reshape and redefine the CB and CB-1 Zones on Asbury Avenue in downtown Ocean City. See the agenda packet below for the full text and documentation on the proposed changes.
- Beach Project Easements: City Council will vote on the first reading of an ordinance granting the Army Corps of Engineers easements at city street ends. The action will allow the south-end beach replenishment project schedule for November to proceed.
- Sun Canopies and Pergolas on the Bayside: City Council will consider the first reading of an ordinance that would allow and regulate sun canopies and pergolas (open-framed archways or canopies) in the back yards of homes on the bay and lagoons.
- Palermo’s Zoning: City Council will vote on the second and potentially final reading of an ordinance that would rezone a block currently occupied (in part) by an abandoned supermarket to allow the construction of duplexes. Read more
- Schilling Estate: City Council will vote on the second reading of an ordinance that authorizes the borrowing of $1.7 million to pay to preserve vacant beachfront lots near 19th Street. The city has plans to recover all but $200,000 of the cost. Read more
- Rolling Chair Ban: City Council will consider the second reading of an ordinance that would prohibit the use of Atlantic City-style rolling chairs on the Ocean City Boardwalk and streets. The first reading passed unanimously. Police Chief Chad Callahan had recommended that the busy boardwalk doesn’t need another type of vehicle.
- Community Services Department: City Council will vote on the second reading of an ordinance to re-establish the Community Services Department, which was merged into a new Community Operations Department a year ago. “Construction activity has exceeded what was we expected,” Business Administrator Mike Dattilo said before the first reading passed two weeks ago. Community Operations would continue to deal with building, zoning, public works and engineering operations. Community Services would handle recreation and public relations services, among others.
- Library Roof: City Council will vote to award a $425,315 contract to D.A. Nolt Inc. of Berlin to fix the roof of the Ocean City Free Public Library.
- Transportation Center Restoration: City Council will vote to award a $522,820 contract to TNT Construction of West Deptford to restore the historic Ocean City Transportation Center, which was damaged in Superstorm Sandy.
- Tourism Commission Appointments: City Council will vote to appoint Bill McGinnity and Carol Frank as non-voting members of the Ocean City Tourism Development Commission.
