Ocean City Mayor and City Council Work Session - July 29, 2025
Ocean City Mayor and City Council Work Session - July 29, 2025
The Mayor and City Council of Ocean City held a work session on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 1:00 PM following a closed session from 12:00-1:00 PM to discuss legal, real estate, and personnel matters. The open session included recognition of retiring Deputy Fire Chief Chris Shaffer, certification of the 2025 municipal special election results, public comments, approval of a fire code update, and funding allocations for infrastructure projects. All votes were unanimous with seven council members in favor; Councilmember Metressic was initially absent for the closed session vote but present for all subsequent votes.
Acknowledgements and Recognitions
- Retirement of Deputy Fire Chief Chris Shaffer: Shaffer was honored for 38 years of service (since 1987) with the Ocean City Fire Department, culminating as deputy chief. He received a proclamation and was presented with a key to the city. He will become Director of Emergency Services for Worcester County.
- 2025 Municipal Special Election Results: Board of Supervisors of Elections Chairperson Mary Adeline Bradford reported that the July 22, 2025 special election on Ordinance 2025-04 (short-term rental length-of-stay regulations in R1 and MH districts) resulted in 800 votes in favor, 834 against, and 1 ballot with no vote, out of 1,635 total qualified voters. The ordinance therefore fails by referendum. The council unanimously accepted the results.
- Appointment to Board of Zoning Appeals: Sean Buckley was confirmed to the Board of Zoning Appeals by a unanimous vote and was sworn in.
- Oath of Office for Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal: The council accepted the Fire Commission's recommendation to appoint Joseph Sexauer as Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal (replacing Josh Bunting). Sexauer was sworn in after a unanimous vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Terry Miller (116 Bering Road) thanked the council for upholding the democratic process and urged moving past the divisive issue to focus on enhancing quality of life for all residents. He emphasized that length of stay does not guarantee good neighbors, and that problems exist throughout the town, not just in R1 and MH districts. He offered to help solve problems with short-term rentals and protect property rights.
- Tammy Johnson (101 Seabreeze Drive, Montego Bay) echoed support for the election outcome and called for unified, peaceful solutions. She noted that only 1% of crime and 2% of noise ordinance violations occur in R1 and MH districts, and urged the council to focus on other areas where the majority of violations happen. She expressed willingness to work collaboratively with the council.
Discussion Items
- Proposed Ordinance to Amend Chapter 34 (Fire Prevention and Protection): Deputy Chief Joe Sexauer presented amendments to align the local fire code with the 2024 Maryland State Fire Code. Key changes for new construction include low-frequency sounders on smoke alarms in hotels/condos, signage for non-sprinklered high-rise buildings (Diaz Act), lithium-ion battery charging restrictions, and a new inspection program for existing buildings. For existing buildings, fire alarm systems are now required in special amusement buildings (e.g., haunted houses, mirror mazes) with a two-year compliance window. The amendments also include numerous code cleanups to clarify intent. Council approved moving the ordinance to first reading on August 18, 2025.
- Fund Balance Allocation for Old Landing Road Bulkhead Replacement: Public Works Director requested $100,000 for replacing the failing north-side bulkhead on Old Landing Road (north of the S-bend). The amount was reduced to $72,000 after applying $28,000 in leftover funds from the completed Montego Bay Pump Station Improvement project. The allocation will support bidding on three bulkheads (including 17th Street and Winter Harbor) for fall construction. Council approved the $72,000 allocation.
- On-Call Architectural Services for Service Center Reskinning and Overhead Door Replacement: The council approved $34,250 for Becker Morgan to design and prepare bid packages for replacing the roof, walls, overhead doors, electrical components, and interior upgrades at the service center (garage) built in 1982. The project was identified in the FY26 CIP. Council approved the funding to commence design and bidding, with a future resolution for bond proceeds reimbursement.
Key Outcomes
- The special election results were certified: Ordinance 2025-04 fails by referendum (834 against, 800 for, 1 no vote).
- Joseph Sexauer was sworn in as Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal effective immediately.
- The fire code amendment ordinance will be introduced for first reading at the August 18, 2025 council meeting.
- $72,000 was allocated from the wastewater fund balance for the Old Landing Road bulkhead replacement.
- $34,250 was allocated to Becker Morgan for architectural services for the service center reskinning project.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good morning. Welcome to the work session scheduled for Tuesday, June 29th. We're just uh about a minute early here. But uh first on the agenda we have a closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline to motion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction, or any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals. Next, we will be discuss uh also to I'm sorry, also to consider the acquisition of real property for the public purpose and matters directly related there too, and finally to consult with council to obtain legal advice. Secretary DeLuca motion to go to closed. Thank you, Councilmember Yates. Thank you. Got a motion from Secretary De Luca, seconded by Councilmember Yates to go to closed session. All those in favor? Aye. Uh motion carries six in favor. Councilmember Metressic is absent at the time of the vote. We'll be back around one. All right, good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to this work session. Today is Tuesday, July 29th, 2025, and it's just after 1 p.m. First on the agenda. I have a notice and report on our closed session. Prior to the open session of the mayor and city council being held Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 at 1 p.m. Closed session was held today, beginning at noon here at City Hall. Topics of discussion were legal, real estate, and personnel matters. Persons present were Mayor Rick Meehan, City Manager Terry McGean, Deputy City Manager J.R. Harmon, Council President Matt James, Council Secretary Tony DeLuca, Council Members Will Savage, Larry Yates, John Gehrig, Jake Metressic, and Carol Proctor, City Solicitor Heather Stansbury, City Clerk Diana Chavis, and a Board of Zoning Appeals candidate Sean Buckley. I had a motion from Secretary DeLuca, seconded by Councilmember Yates to close the closed session. That passed with seven in favor at 101 p.m. Uh next we have acknowledgments and recognitions, but first I'm going to turn it over to the mayor for a board appointment. And that's not on this agenda. I apologize. Thank you, Mr. President. Um as President James noted, we do have an uh board appointment to make today. And I'd like to ask Sean Buckley to please come up here. Uh we did interview Sean for this position, both the Deputy City Man City Manager and myself. Um feel that Sean will be a big asset to the town to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Uh Sean grew up in Ocean City, he's lived here all of his life. He's a permanent resident, uh year-round resident, of course, of Ocean City, and works in the Ocean City area. And I think that uh he he's gonna be doing a great job with the Board of Zoning Appeals. So Mr. President, I'd like to ask the uh mayor and council, the council to please confirm the appointment. Secretary DeLuca. Motion to approve Sean Buckley to the uh Board of Uh Zoning Appeals. You, Councilmember Proctor. Second. All right. I've got a motion from Secretary DeLuca, second by Councilmember Proctor to confirm uh Sean Buckley to the Board of Zoning Appeals board. All those in favor? Aye. Motion carries with seven in favor. Thank you.
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