The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM on Monday, March 16, 2026, and adjourned at 7:35 PM. The agenda included a proclamation, consent calendar items, the Ocean City Police Department annual report, several ordinance readings, and public comment. Key votes and discussion items are summarized below.
All right, good evening, everyone. Welcome to this mayor and city council meeting scheduled for Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 6 p.m. First, I'll ask Councilmember Garrick to lead us in the prayer and pledge. Father God, we're grateful to have another chance to live and work and serve in Ocean City, Maryland. Grateful for the gathering again this evening. We asked for your presence here tonight, guide our thoughts and words and actions. Help us to be a blessing to you. And across the world, we ask that you bless our troops and protect all who are innocent. And as we go our separate ways, help us to have a mind to help and serve others who are struggling and sick and be a blessing to you and always live in Jesus' name. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Liberty and justice for all the questions we have items presented by the Mayor and City Council. Mr. Mayor, we have a proclamation recognizing Greek Independence Day on March 25th, 2026. I do, thank you, Mr. President. Father, would you like to uh join me up here? And whoever you'd like to bring up from your congregation if you'd like them to join us. We're all here. Good evening. Good evening, everybody. Good evening. Good evening. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. Thank you. Welcome. That's really good. So, Father, if you would like to come over here. And uh this is a great opportunity for us, and we're very proud of all of our churches in Ocean City and all those congregations that serve our community, our residents, our visitors, and certainly help all those that are in need in Ocean City. And uh, we're very fortunate to have a terrific community of churches here in Ocean City. And to hear tonight, we're here to recognize Greek Independence Day. And I have members of uh the Greek church here with me this evening, and I'm gonna let Father speak after I read this proclamation. And it's a proclamation and it states, whereas March twenty-fifth, in March 25th, 1821, the people of Greece began their historic historic struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire, launching a revolution that ultimately led to the establishment of a free and sovereign Greek nation. Whereas Greek Independence Day commemorates the courage, determination, and sacrifices of the Greece Greek people who fought for liberty, self-determination, and democratic ideals. Whereas the town of Ocean City proudly recognizes the influence of the Greek heritage within our own community, where Greek families and entrepreneurs have played an important role in shaping the local hospitality industry, supporting small businesses, and celebrating to welcome to the welcoming spirit that defines Ocean City. Whereas Ocean City joins communities throughout the nation in celebrating Greek heritage and recognize the enduring legacy of Greek independence and its importance to the global history of democracy. Now therefore, I Rick Meehan, the mayor of the town of Ocean City, along with our city council and our citizens of this community to hereby proclaim March 25th as Greek Independence Day in Ocean City, Maryland, and encourage all residents and visitors to recognize and celebrate the rich heritage, culture, and contributions of the Greek people. Like the let's get them around. Okay. The mic is yours. Mr. Mayor, Council President, City Council, and to uh the fellow citizens of Ocean City. We're grateful for this acknowledgement, Mr. May. We thank you.