Ocean City Mayor and Council Regular Meeting - October 6, 2025

The Mayor and City Council held their regular meeting on Monday, October 6, 2025, at City Hall. The open session began at 6:22 p.m. after a closed session on real estate matters and adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m. The council approved a new volunteer fire company MOU, a boardwalk canopy request, the $52 million bond ordinance, a surplus property resolution, and the consent agenda.

Closed Session Notice and Report

• The council met in closed session from 5:30 to 6:18 p.m. to discuss the acquisition of real property for public purpose. The motion to close passed with seven in favor.

Consent Calendar

• Approved, 7-0, consent agenda items A through E:
  • Minutes of the September 30, 2025 work session.
  • Standing committee draft agendas, including Police Commission on October 15, Transportation Committee on October 14, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee on October 15; other committees not meeting in October.
  • Private event approval for Run the Boards Like Rob 5K on October 19, 2025.
  • Authorization to proceed with the 2025 Beach Equipment Franchise Auction.
  • Bid award recommendation for Convention Center Landscaping Installation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vince Gisrael, 1408 Sailing Road, addressed the bond ordinance and asked the council to postpone second reading for two weeks. He cited a rate study showing combined water and wastewater debt service of approximately $24.5 million over FY25-FY29, or about $4.9 million per year, and a discrepancy with the stated $3.068 million sewer debt service. He also cited projected rate increases of about 18.2% for wastewater, 25% for water, and 21.6% for the combined bill over the five-year period, plus plans for more than $52.6 million in wastewater capital projects. He raised questions about a $6 million administration building item, plant capacity of 16.67 million gallons per day, and asked for more transparency and detail before the expected December 4 bond market entry.
• Frankie Boyer spoke about installing water stations for dogs, renting bicycles for exercise, and his personal recovery; he asked the city to consider these ideas.
• John Biggs, 12301 Jamaica Avenue, an Uber driver, said unauthorized and rogue drivers were soliciting rides during festival weekends, driving in bus lanes, and operating with expired tags and without proper vetting. He asked for more active enforcement by police or the town.
• Jacqueline Crook, 12301 Jamaica Avenue, an Uber driver, echoed concerns as a mother and grandmother, reporting young women being harassed by solicitors at bus stops. She asked for a deterrent or presence to prevent predatory behavior while praising Ocean City's overall safety and festival management.
• Scott Chismar, of Worcester Street, praised festival logistics, safety, paramedic response, and visitor feedback. He suggested considering the under-pier lighting used for the festival and promoted the Beach Heroes Tuesday morning cleanups, noting heavy cigarette butt litter despite smoking rates below 15%.

Discussion Items

• MOU with Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company: The council considered a new MOU and an amendment to the 2019 operating MOU. The new MOU transfers ownership of all capital apparatus, including fire engines and towers but not smaller utility vehicles, to the town, establishes minimum funding for apparatus replacement, and creates a separation process requiring mediation if the fire company initiates and an ordinance subject to petition if the city initiates. It also commits the city to a property tax credit for active volunteers residing in Ocean City. The amendment clarifies city employees reporting to the volunteer fire company and members' operational status. The motion by Secretary DeLuca, seconded by Councilmember Metresick, carried 6-0 with Councilmember Savage abstaining. During discussion, Councilmember Garrick asked how active member is defined; a former fire company leader explained the point system, which requires 60 points in at least three categories compared with the state minimum of 50 points in two categories, and said it represents many hundreds of hours per year. Mayor Meehan thanked the volunteer fire company for 120 years of service.
• Boardwalk canopy for Dumsers Dairyland: The council approved, 7-0, a fixed build-over canopy extending 3 feet 6 inches over the boardwalk at Caroline Street. The Planning and Community Development Director noted the original 1989 approval prohibited signs, but signs had since been approved on other boardwalk canopies. The motion, as amended by the applicant request, allowed signage as presented. Council discussion clarified the second floor is only a facade, the project has OCDC support, and the council may consider codifying such fixed canopies in a future work session on boardwalk outdoor displays.
• Bond ordinance 2025-25: On second reading, the council adopted Ordinance 2025-25, 7-0, authorizing issuance and sale of general obligation municipal purpose bonds not exceeding $52 million for projects reviewed at the September 9 work session. After the vote, Mayor Meehan directed that staff provide answers to questions raised in public comment and clarified that West Ocean City pays its share based on metered flow including debt service.
• Resolution 2025-25: The council adopted, 7-0, the resolution authorizing disposition of surplus personal property.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda 7-0.
• Approved the new MOU and amendment with Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company 6-0; Councilmember Savage abstained.
• Approved the fixed canopy with signage for Dumsers Dairyland 7-0.
• Adopted Ordinance 2025-25, authorizing up to $52 million in general obligation bonds, 7-0.
• Adopted Resolution 2025-25 on surplus personal property, 7-0.
• Referred unauthorized ride-solicitation concerns and hotel beach shuttles to the Police Commission; directed staff to provide bond and rate study answers; planned work session discussion on boardwalk outdoor display rules.
• The City Manager reviewed the October 14 work session agenda, including 2026 benefits renewal, fire hydrant assessment funding, a property tax rebate ordinance for active volunteer firefighters and city employees, business license code amendments, and a short-term rental license moratorium.