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Record of Proceedings

Ocean City Mayor and City Council Work Session - August 12, 2025

Mayor and City Council & Boards — Tuesday, August 12, 2025

BodyOcean City, Maryland

SessionMayor and City Council & Boards

DateTuesday, August 12, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 38:13

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:07

Ready.

0:09

All right, good afternoon, everyone.

0:10

Welcome to sports session.

0:12

Today is Tuesday, August 12th, 2025.

0:15

And it's about 10 after 1.

0:18

First on the agenda, I have our notice and report under closed session.

0:22

Prior to the open session of the mayor and city council being held Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 at 1 p.m.

0:27

There was a closed session today here at City Hall beginning at 1125 a.m.

0:33

Topics of discussion were legal and personnel matters.

0:43

Council President Matt James, Council Secretary Attorney De Luca, Councilmembers Will Savage, Larry Yates, John Gearrig, Jake Montresick, and Carol Croctor, City Clerk, Diana Chavis, City Solicitor Heather Stanzbury, Legal Council Brady, and our risk manager, Kathy Keys.

0:59

We're also joined by a planning and zoning commission candidate.

1:03

There was a motion by Secretary DeLuca, sended by Councilmember Crocker to close and closed session.

1:08

That pass with seven in favor at 103 p.m.

1:12

Next, I'll turn the meeting over to the mayor for a board appointment.

1:15

Mr.

1:16

Mayor.

1:24

Thank you, Mr.

1:25

President.

1:26

Um we just had the opportunity to uh interview Gordon Kressler for a position on the planning and zoning commission.

1:36

Uh we just had an opportunity to meet with him in closed session, and I'd ask for the council president to uh call for a vote to approve his appointment to the planning and zoning commission.

1:46

Thank you, Secretary DeLuca.

1:48

Motion to appoint Gordon Kratzer to uh planning and zoning commission.

1:55

Council member uh yeats got a motion from Secretary DeLuca, seconded by Councilmember Yates.

2:02

Any discussion?

2:04

All those in favor?

2:06

Motion carries with seven in favor.

2:08

Well, thank you very much.

2:09

And it just so happens that Gordon is here with us.

2:12

So if we could go ahead and allow me to swear it in, they can put in the work right away.

2:16

I know George is ready to put he's already shaking his head.

2:18

George is already a bit more board.

2:20

So would that be all right?

2:21

Absolutely.

2:22

Okay, Gordon, would you like to come up?

2:26

So I'm gonna do swear you in.

2:28

It's pretty painless.

2:29

If you just look at me, raise your right hand, and repeat after me.

2:33

I Gordon Cressler.

2:34

Hi, Gordon Kretzer.

2:35

Do swear, do you swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States?

2:39

We'll support the Constitution of the United States that I will be faithful.

2:42

Now we'll be faithful.

2:43

And for our true allegiance.

2:45

And bringing to allegiance, excuse me.

2:47

I must have bear true allegiance.

2:48

And bear true allegiance to the state of Maryland, to the state of Maryland.

2:51

And support the Constitution and laws thereof.

2:53

And support the Constitution and laws thereof.

2:55

But I will, and I will, to the best of my skill and judgment.

2:58

To my best skill and judgment.

3:00

Diligently and faithfully, diligent and faithfully.

3:02

Without partiality or prejudice.

3:04

Without partiality or prejudice.

3:06

Execute the office.

3:07

Execute the office.

3:08

Planning and zoning commission.

3:09

A planning and zoning commission.

3:11

Of the town of Ocean City.

3:12

Of the town of Ocean City.

3:13

According to the Constitution and Laws of this state.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Budget Equity Analysis██████████████████████████████████34%

Tourism Development██████████████████████22%

Procedural███████████11%

Public Safety█████████9%

Water And Wastewater Management████████8%

Capital Improvement Projects██████6%

Personnel Matters█████5%

Public Engagement█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Ocean City Mayor and City Council Work Session - August 12, 2025

The Ocean City Mayor and City Council held a work session on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM. The meeting began with a report on a closed session held earlier that day from 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM to discuss legal and personnel matters. Key actions included the appointment of a new planning and zoning commission member, approval of minutes, discussion and approval of a beach photographers franchise agreement, and introduction of the FY25 Budget Amendment #2. The meeting concluded with a tribute to former Fire Chief Chris Larimore.

Consent Calendar

Approved the closed session notice and report from the session held from 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM on August 12, 2025, with a motion by Secretary DeLuca, seconded by Councilmember Crocker, passing 7-0 at 1:03 PM.
Approved the minutes of Regular Meeting #13 (July 21, 2025) and the Work Session (July 29, 2025) with a motion by Secretary DeLuca, seconded by Councilmember Savage, passing unanimously.
Acknowledged the Recreation and Parks Committee draft agenda scheduled for August 21, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

Discussion Items

Appointment to Planning and Zoning Commission: Mayor requested a vote to appoint Gordon Cressler (also referred to as Gordon Kretzer) to the Planning and Zoning Commission after an interview in closed session. Motion by Secretary DeLuca, seconded by Councilmember Yates. Passed 7-0. Cressler was sworn in immediately.
Bid Opening for Wastewater Treatment Plant Influent Headworks Improvements: Two bids were received: Johnston Construction Company and Michael F. Bronca and Sons Inc. Staff recommended acknowledging the bids and remanding them to the engineering firm (Whitman Requardt) for review and vetting, with a separate meeting for financing. Motion by Councilmember Tresick, seconded by Councilmember Yates. Passed 7-0.
Continued Discussion of Beach Photographers Franchise: Franchisee Jonathan Cameron and City Manager presented a revised proposal. Staff recommended reducing the annual franchise fee to $114,475 (half the original bid amount), granting a three-year extension through November 2030, and requiring branding of all photo products (including telescopes, keychains, and ornaments) with the city logo and web address. Cameron requested a payment schedule of one-third due on July 1st, August 1st, and September 1st annually. Multiple council members expressed strong support, noting the tradition of beach photos. Motion to direct the city attorney to draft ordinance amendments and a new franchise agreement incorporating these terms, including the payment schedule, was made by Secretary DeLuca and seconded by Councilmember Savage. Passed 7-0.
Introduction of FY25 Budget Amendment #2: Budget and Management Director Jennie Knapp presented the amendment. Key highlights: overall general fund increase of $1.5 million; reduction in anticipated use of fund balance from $6.7 million to $3.3 million; room tax increased 0.95% over FY24, with $280,000 added to the tourism advertising budget; and various adjustments across internal service, enterprise, and general funds to reflect actual revenues and expenses. Motion to move the ordinance to first reading on August 18, 2025, was made by Secretary DeLuca. Passed 7-0.
Tribute to Former Fire Chief Chris Larimore: Mayor delivered a tribute honoring former Fire Chief Chris Larimore, who had recently passed away. The mayor highlighted Larimore's leadership in combining the volunteer, paid, and fire marshal divisions into the Ocean City Fire Company in 2008. Council expressed condolences to his family.

Key Outcomes

Appointed Gordon Cressler to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Approved the beach photographers franchise fee reduction, contract extension, branding requirements, and new payment schedule. City attorney directed to draft ordinance and agreement.
Introduced FY25 Budget Amendment #2; ordinance to be read on August 18, 2025.
Acknowledged bids for wastewater treatment plant improvements; remanded for staff review.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 2:30 PM (assumed based on transcript length).

Meeting Transcript

Ready. All right, good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to sports session. Today is Tuesday, August 12th, 2025. And it's about 10 after 1. First on the agenda, I have our notice and report under closed session. Prior to the open session of the mayor and city council being held Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 at 1 p.m. There was a closed session today here at City Hall beginning at 1125 a.m. Topics of discussion were legal and personnel matters. Council President Matt James, Council Secretary Attorney De Luca, Councilmembers Will Savage, Larry Yates, John Gearrig, Jake Montresick, and Carol Croctor, City Clerk, Diana Chavis, City Solicitor Heather Stanzbury, Legal Council Brady, and our risk manager, Kathy Keys. We're also joined by a planning and zoning commission candidate. There was a motion by Secretary DeLuca, sended by Councilmember Crocker to close and closed session. That pass with seven in favor at 103 p.m. Next, I'll turn the meeting over to the mayor for a board appointment. Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. President. Um we just had the opportunity to uh interview Gordon Kressler for a position on the planning and zoning commission. Uh we just had an opportunity to meet with him in closed session, and I'd ask for the council president to uh call for a vote to approve his appointment to the planning and zoning commission. Thank you, Secretary DeLuca. Motion to appoint Gordon Kratzer to uh planning and zoning commission. Council member uh yeats got a motion from Secretary DeLuca, seconded by Councilmember Yates. Any discussion? All those in favor? Motion carries with seven in favor. Well, thank you very much. And it just so happens that Gordon is here with us. So if we could go ahead and allow me to swear it in, they can put in the work right away. I know George is ready to put he's already shaking his head. George is already a bit more board. So would that be all right? Absolutely. Okay, Gordon, would you like to come up? So I'm gonna do swear you in. It's pretty painless. If you just look at me, raise your right hand, and repeat after me. I Gordon Cressler. Hi, Gordon Kretzer. Do swear, do you swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States? We'll support the Constitution of the United States that I will be faithful. Now we'll be faithful. And for our true allegiance. And bringing to allegiance, excuse me. I must have bear true allegiance. And bear true allegiance to the state of Maryland, to the state of Maryland. And support the Constitution and laws thereof. And support the Constitution and laws thereof. But I will, and I will, to the best of my skill and judgment. To my best skill and judgment.

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