Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian
Dear Friends,
City Council voted to introduce our proposed municipal budget last night and is working toward a public hearing and potential vote on adoption on May 8. Anybody interested in following this important process, can see a copy of the introduced budget here and watch a presentation on details of anticipated revenues and expenses here.
Council also approved an updated fee ordinance for services and programs throughout the city.
I had received a lot of feedback about increased pickleball fees. I met yesterday with a group of local pickleball players, including John and Donna Kasper, Linda Lehn, Jim Weaver, Karl Benzio and Don King.
After hearing their concerns, I recommended amended fees as follows: $100 for unlimited annual outdoor/indoor play, $90 for outdoor only, and $25 for indoor only.
I understand how much people love pickleball, and I want everyone to know that we are fully committed to making Ocean City pickleball the best it can be. Council has already approved a capital plan that includes $1 million for 12 new courts at 18th Street, and we hope to secure county open space funding that will help add five new courts at 34th Street.
Once the expansion is completed, we would have 33 courts in town. We also open indoor courts at the Civic Center for play in the off-season.
Our American Legion post presented a $20,000 check to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at their meeting on Wednesday.
Tunnel to Towers started as a tribute to a New York firefighter who died on 9/11. The organization supports families of fallen first responders, veterans, and injured service members.
I’d like to take this time to once again thank American Legion Commander Bob Marzulli and VFW Commander Mike Morrissey and all of our veterans for their fundraising and their continuing commitment to helping other veterans and our community.
I also want to let you know about a new pilot program to keep our beaches clean.
Starting on Saturday, people will be able to pick up special bags from boxes placed near the beach entrances at Surf Road, 29th Street and 59th Street. The bags can be used to pick up trash or plastics while people enjoy their time at the beach.
The idea for the program came from a group of Ocean City residents concerned with plastic pollution and other litter. I want to thank Val Oliva, Sandy Aromando and Ed Amber for their vision and work.
I want to invite you all to a community beach cleanup starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 12, at Surf Road Beach. This event will launch the new program. This will be held in conjunction with the semi-annual Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps on Saturday morning.
We opened bids this week for improvements at the new open space off 16th Street. At the next meeting, we expect to ask City Council to award a contract for sidewalks, sodding, and some additional parking. This work will let the public use this area for the summer. Then we’ll work on a long-term plan using ideas submitted by the public.
We expect to see final paving of West Avenue from 10th Street to 14th Street during the week of April 21. Paving to 18th Street will be completed in May.
The new turf at the 5th Street tennis courts was installed this week. The hard courts are also complete, but we have to wait for warmer weather to paint the lines.
The new outfall pipe at 5th street is installed. The final connection at the street end will be made before the end of April.
Paving for a major project from 18th Street to 33rd Street is done. Striping will start next week.
The final two pumping stations in the Merion Park flood mitigation project were activated today.
I hope you’ll join Michele and me in extending deepest condolence to Nick Marotta and the family and many friends of his wife, Franni Marotta, who passed away this week. The Marottas are an important part of our community, and Franni will be greatly missed.
I also just learned of the passing of Bernie Morris. He opened Bernie’s Barber Shop on Asbury Avenue in 1965, and for more than 60 years he was a fixture of the downtown and friend to generations of customers who were regulars at his shop.
It’s sad to lose these icons of our history, and I hope you’ll join me in paying tribute to this true gentleman and offering condolences to his family and all the people he knew.
The annual Doo Dah Parade will go off rain or shine at noon tomorrow (Saturday, April 12) with former Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene as our grand marshal. He’ll be available for photos and autographs at the Music Pier for an hour after the parade.
The Great Egg Hunt will be postponed until Sunday, April 13, due to the potential for rain, wind and chilly weather. More than 50 participating merchants will invite children up to age 7 to visit stores with their families to collect eggs filled with toys, treats and prizes. A second Great Egg Hunt is scheduled for April 19.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
