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Record of Proceedings

Ocean City Mayor and Council Work Session - March 10, 2026

Mayor and City Council & Boards — Tuesday, March 10, 2026
BodyOcean City, Maryland
SessionMayor and City Council & Boards
DateTuesday, March 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 55:53

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:05

Thanks, Mr.

0:06

President.

0:07

I bring before you Palmer Gillis, which would be a reappointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

0:13

We also interviewed Palmer before this meeting.

0:16

Palmer served on the board for a number of years.

0:20

I don't recall the exact number.

0:23

But this would be a reappointment.

0:25

Palmer, would you like to come up?

0:27

I'd ask that the mayor and council please uh vote to approve the appointment of Palmer Gillis for a reappointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

0:41

Second by Councilmember Yates to reappoint Palmer Gillis.

0:45

Any discussion?

0:46

All those in favor?

0:47

Aye.

0:50

Thank you very much.

0:51

Palmer, you ready to be sworn in?

0:53

Sure.

0:53

You know the drill?

0:54

How many years have you been there?

0:56

11 years.

0:56

Okay.

0:57

I Palmer Gillis.

0:59

Do swear that I will be faithful.

1:02

That I will be faithful.

1:03

Bear true allegiance.

1:04

And their true allegiance to the state of Maryland.

1:06

To the state of Maryland.

1:07

Support the Constitution.

1:08

And support the Constitution.

1:09

Laws thereof.

1:10

And laws thereof.

1:11

And that I will.

1:12

To the best of my skill and judger.

1:14

To the best of my skill and judgment.

1:16

Diligently and faithfully.

1:17

Diligently and faithfully.

1:18

Without partiality or prejudice.

1:20

Without partiality or prejudice.

1:22

Execute the Office of Planning and Zoning Commission.

1:24

Execute the Office of Planning and Zoning Commission.

1:27

For the town of Ocean City Maryland.

1:28

According to the Constitution and Laws of this state.

1:31

According to the Constitution and laws of the state, congratulations.

1:34

Give Palmer a round of applause.

1:43

Thank you for uh re-appointing me to the board.

1:46

Uh it's a pleasure serving on the board.

1:48

You have a great panel.

1:49

Uh all the commission members are very lively and have good comments, ideas, and we look forward to presenting ideas to the town and uh making our community a better place.

2:01

Thanks, Palmer.

2:03

There you go.

2:04

Thank you again.

2:05

Thanks, Palmer.

2:06

That's all.

2:06

Thank you, Mr.

2:07

President.

2:08

Mr.

2:08

Mayor.

2:09

Next on the agenda, we have the retirement recognition of heavy equipment operator Clifton Henry Sr.

2:14

after 50 years of service.

2:16

Clifton up, Clifton.

2:27

Hal, are you gonna join me?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters██████████████████████████████████████38%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Parks and Recreation████████████12%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Procedural█████████9%
Capital Improvement Projects█████████9%
Emergency Management█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Ocean City Mayor and Council Work Session - March 10, 2026

The Ocean City Mayor and Council held a work session on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM. The meeting included a closed session report, recognitions, and new business items. No public comments were made.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The council unanimously approved the minutes from the Work Session dated February 24, 2026, and Regular Meeting #4 dated March 2, 2026. Motion carried with six in favor.

Acknowledgements & Recognitions

  • Oath of Office – Palmer Gillis: Palmer Gillis was reappointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission (11 years of service). The council voted unanimously to approve the appointment, and Gillis was sworn in.
  • Retirement Recognition – Clifton Henry Sr.: Clifton Henry Sr. was recognized for 50 years of service with the Public Works Department. Mayor Rick Meehan presented a proclamation and a key to the town. Public Works Director Hal Adkins delivered a detailed tribute, noting that Henry is one of only three employees in the town's 150-year history to surpass 50 years of service. Adkins shared personal stories of Henry’s mentorship and dedication during major storm events.

New Business

  • Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum Boardwalk Expansion Concept: Public Works Director Hal Adkins and Museum Curator Christine Okerblom presented a concept to repurpose a $600,000 Maryland Department of General Services grant (originally for an elevator) into a boardwalk expansion at the south end of the boardwalk. The project includes a wraparound boardwalk, ADA-compliant ramp, archway entry, cupola, interpretive signage, and landscaping. Phase 1 would construct the boardwalk; Phase 2 adds the archway and cupola. The council expressed strong support and gave a "green light" to proceed with design and bidding, targeting completion by spring 2027.
  • House Bill 1101 and Senate Bill 846 – Alcoholic Beverages To-Go Permits: City Solicitor Heather Stansbury explained that the bills were intended to benefit the towns of Berlin, Pokomoke, and Snow Hill but inadvertently included Ocean City. The council voted unanimously (6-0) to request that Ocean City be carved out, either by amending the bill to list only the intended municipalities or by excluding Ocean City explicitly.
  • Appointment to BPAC: Councilmember Garrig motioned to appoint Council Secretary Savage as the council representative to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (6-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes approved (6-0).
  • Palmer Gillis reappointed to Planning and Zoning Commission (unanimous).
  • Clifton Henry Sr. honored for 50 years of service.
  • Museum boardwalk expansion concept approved to proceed; staff instructed to refine design and budget.
  • Council directed city solicitor to work with state legislators to have Ocean City removed from HB 1101/SB 846 (unanimous).
  • Secretary Savage appointed to BPAC (unanimous).

Meeting Transcript

Thanks, Mr. President. I bring before you Palmer Gillis, which would be a reappointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission. We also interviewed Palmer before this meeting. Palmer served on the board for a number of years. I don't recall the exact number. But this would be a reappointment. Palmer, would you like to come up? I'd ask that the mayor and council please uh vote to approve the appointment of Palmer Gillis for a reappointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Second by Councilmember Yates to reappoint Palmer Gillis. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Thank you very much. Palmer, you ready to be sworn in? Sure. You know the drill? How many years have you been there? 11 years. Okay. I Palmer Gillis. Do swear that I will be faithful. That I will be faithful. Bear true allegiance. And their true allegiance to the state of Maryland. To the state of Maryland. Support the Constitution. And support the Constitution. Laws thereof. And laws thereof. And that I will. To the best of my skill and judger. To the best of my skill and judgment. Diligently and faithfully. Diligently and faithfully. Without partiality or prejudice. Without partiality or prejudice. Execute the Office of Planning and Zoning Commission. Execute the Office of Planning and Zoning Commission. For the town of Ocean City Maryland. According to the Constitution and Laws of this state. According to the Constitution and laws of the state, congratulations. Give Palmer a round of applause. Thank you for uh re-appointing me to the board. Uh it's a pleasure serving on the board. You have a great panel. Uh all the commission members are very lively and have good comments, ideas, and we look forward to presenting ideas to the town and uh making our community a better place. Thanks, Palmer. There you go. Thank you again.

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