City Council on Thursday awarded a $2.7 million contract that could help restart bayside dredging projects in Ocean City. But here are some other items from the public meeting that might be of interest:
- Street Flooding Committee: Bill Hartranft, an Ocean City resident and member of the Fairness in Taxes street flooding subcommittee, told City Council that he had reviewed the city’s road improvement and drainage reports. “It’s detailed. But it’s just there — kinda like a plane with nowhere to go,” he said. “I’m a really positive guy. I’m just perplexed with the lack of plans.” His group is advocating for the city to more quickly and effectively address street flooding and drainage issues in Ocean City — or for the city to explain in more detail what its plans are. Former Ocean City Business Administrator Mike Dattilo (sitting in for Jim Mallon) acknowledged the concerns of Hartranft and said the city in the past has created color-coded maps for road projects. “We can do a similar thing with drainage and add some clarity to our plans,” Dattilo said. At the next meeting on March 12, City Council will consider a $79 million five-year capital plan that includes $28 million for road and drainage improvements.
- Changes to Hospitality Zone: City Council approved the second reading of an amended ordinance that makes minor changes to the sections related to one-family and two-family residences in Ocean City’s Hospitality Zone near the downtown blocks of the boardwalk. The changes make the language of the ordinance “a little less unwieldy,” according to City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson. The vote was 6-1 with Councilman Pete Guinosso dissenting. (See agenda packet below for full text and documentation.)
- Housekeeping Ordinances: City Council unanimously approved the second readings of two ordinances: one that changes an outdated law making it possible for the mayor and City Council to appoint a replacement for a retiring tax collector, the other more clearly delineating the line of authority to help with an Ocean City Police Department re-accreditation application.
- Flood Damage Prevention Appeals Board: Council approved first reading of an ordinance designating the Ocean City Planning Board as the body that will hear variance appeals related to flood damage prevention measures. The vote was 5-2 with Councilman Pete Guinosso and Councilman Mike DeVlieger dissenting. Guinosso suggested the Zoning Board would be more appropriate to hear the appeals.
- Boardwalk Engineering: City Council awarded a professional services contract to Czar Engineering of Egg Harbor Township to study the design of the boardwalk between Eighth Street and the Ocean City Music Pier. That section will be reconstructed as part of a multiyear project between Fifth and 12th streets, but will need to be strong enough to accommodate trucks and heavy equipment headed for the Music Pier.
