Ocean City City Council Regular Meeting - May 18, 2026

The Ocean City Mayor and City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, beginning shortly after 6:00 PM. Council President presided. Councilmember Savage was absent. The meeting included a proclamation, consent agenda, multiple ordinance readings, public comments, and council discussions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from Regular Session #8 (May 4, 2026).
• Acknowledged Pension Committee draft agenda (May 20).
• Acknowledged Transportation Committee (May 12) and Green Team (May 13) reports.
• Approved private event request for the 4th Annual Beach Tennis Maryland Open (July 31 – August 8, 2026).
• Approved transfer of Taxi Medallion #172.
• Motion carried 6-0 (Councilmember Savage absent).

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Mayor read a proclamation recognizing National Safe Boating Week (May 16–22, 2026). Representatives from the Ocean City Power Squadron accepted and shared 2025 Maryland waterways statistics: 103 accidents, 7 fatalities, 33 injuries. They emphasized life jacket use, engine cutoff switches, boater education, and vessel safety checks.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vince Gizrael (1408 Sailing Red, Ocean City) discussed the FY2027 operating budget. He argued the town should lower the property tax rate further than the one-cent reduction, citing a multi-year pattern where revenues were underestimated and expenditures overestimated (average $6.3M per year over 11 years). He criticized the growing advertising budget and questioned funding for a sports complex, noting feasibility studies are outdated (last with financial data from January 2020). He requested removing $1M earmarked for the sports complex to fund tax relief.
• Robert Canara (13201 Petrie Road) expressed strong support for Ordinance 2026-18 (increasing occupancy limits) but urged the council to relax enforcement on beds in dens, stating that as long as occupancy limits are not exceeded, furniture type should not matter. He shared personal experience of purchasing a home believing it had five bedrooms when it was actually zoned for three, and asked for empathy toward homeowners caught in ambiguous rules.
• Terry Miller (116 Bering Road) supported the occupancy expansion (plus-two) and called for a more welcoming approach to new homeowners (e.g., a welcome package). She noted that some reservations were canceled and real estate deals fell through due to recent enforcement actions. She also praised the city's plant grant program.
• Dale Cagle (Laguna Fist resident) requested allowing dogs on the Boardwalk between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM during the summer, noting that many businesses welcome dogs but early-morning boardwalk use is currently prohibited.

Discussion Items

• Second Reading – Ordinance 2026-15 (FY2027 Operating Budget): City Solicitor advised Councilmembers Buis and Heiser (newly elected, absent at first reading) to abstain. After public comment and council discussion, the ordinance passed 4-0 with Buis and Heiser abstaining.
• Second Reading – Ordinance 2026-16 (Boardwalk Pedicab Franchise): Passed 4-0 with Buis and Heiser abstaining.
• First Reading – Ordinance 2026-18 (Occupancy Standards – +2 per dwelling unit): The ordinance allows up to two additional occupants per unit, as reviewed at the May 12 work session. Extensive council debate focused on whether to enforce furniture restrictions in dens (e.g., prohibiting beds). Some members argued that if occupancy is not increased, the city should not police furniture. Others raised fairness concerns for owners who paid for three-bedroom units versus those with two-bedroom-plus-den. The council ultimately passed first reading 6-0 and directed staff to draft a written policy allowing beds in dens provided a minimum 120 sq ft living area exists (to be brought back for second reading).
• First Reading – Ordinance 2026-17 (Chapter 14, Business Licensing Cleanup): Passed 6-0.
• Resolution 2026-15 (Surplus Property Disposition ): Passed6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved : Consent agenda,FY2027 budget(4-0),pedicab franchise(4-0),occupancy standard first reading(6-0),business licensing cleanup(6-0),surplus property resolution(6-0)
• Directive to staff: Develop a written policy for second reading on allowing beds in dens when occupancy is not increased, except that a minimum120 sq ft living area must be maintained .
• Dog on boardwalk request : Councilmember Garrick acknowledged but noted enforcement concerns; no action taken.
• Memorial Day ceremony : Mayor announced ceremony onSunday May24 at1 PM at NorthDivision Street and Boardwalk.

Council & Manager Comments

• Councilmember Garrick thanked the Ocean City Recreation Boosters for funding pickleball nets.
• Councilmember Garrick defended the growing advertising budget (funded by room tax,not property tax) and reaffirmed commitment to a sports complex , citing strong demand and state support.
• City manager previewed the May26 work session agenda ,including closed session ,minutes approval ,Fifth Street Post Office demolition ,downtown parking update ,accessory housing legislation ,and council residency charter changes.