Ocean City Mayor and City Council Regular Meeting – June 1, 2026

The Ocean City Mayor and City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM. All six present members (Councilmember Proctor absent) unanimously approved consent agenda items, several special event requests, and three second-reading ordinances. Public comment covered enforcement consistency, surf access, bicycle tickets, and zoning issues.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the May 26, 2026 Work Session.
• Acknowledgement of Standing Committee draft agendas for Police Commission (June 8), Tourism Commission (July 13), Transportation Committee (June 9), Recreation and Parks Committee (August 20), Green Team (July 8), and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (June 17).
• Acknowledgement of Standing Committee report from Tourism Commission (May 18).
• Private event approval for OC Surf Fest 2026 (June 20, 2026).
• Private event approval for Surfers Healing Ocean City (August 12, 2026). All items passed 6–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Frankie Boyer of Berlin spoke about his six years in the area, noting he had never seen someone get alcohol/drug papers signed at AA meetings. He expressed concerns about kids being “scary” and urged the council to “make a difference in the community.”
• Sean Atkins of Ocean City praised the new parking lot arrangement (supervisor vehicles moved) as making it easier to attend meetings. He also pointed out an unmarked police vehicle with tail-lights on each side of the tag that was hard to see at night, and recommended purchasing smaller electric vehicles for the city fleet to save on maintenance and fuel.
• Roger Bonavino and another speaker (representing the surf community) reported that 30–40 surfers were asked out of the water on the morning of May 31 despite good waves. They requested a work session between the surf community, the council, and Beach Patrol to discuss possibly extending surf hours, noting that many surfers are CPR-certified and could assist with safety. They stressed that swimmers remain the top priority.
• Karen Nelson of Ocean City expressed appreciation for the council’s handling of the “sensitive” zoning issue concerning the church on Third Street, calling it fair and professional. Speaking as a resident and condo association president (not representing the association), she encouraged the council to continue addressing zoning and social issues with a balanced approach.
• Scott Chismar of Ocean City emphasized consistency in enforcement. He discussed the H2O takeover issue (past success) and praised Rehoboth Beach’s recent response, but warned that selective enforcement can lead to legal challenges. He reported seeing four dogs on the boardwalk with police officers nearby who did not enforce the dog ban, urging the council either to enforce the rule or change it. He also called for continued strict enforcement of rules against drinking, smoking, and dogs on the beach/boardwalk.
• George Stoll of Ocean City said he provides bicycles and lights to J1 students and tries to educate them on bike rules. He reported that a young woman was issued a $90 ticket for riding the wrong way and through a red light. He noted jaywalking fines are $50 and argued the $90 ticket is excessive, especially since it cannot be paid online without a driver’s license. He warned that negative word-of-mouth could reduce the already 20% decline in J1 student numbers. He requested clearer, consistent bicycle rules.

Discussion Items

• Standing Committee Report: The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee report from May 20 was acknowledged but not discussed in detail (the mayor briefly addressed it).
• Angels in Oilskins Festival (August 4, 2026): Christine (representing the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum) presented a free family-friendly living history festival with 14 participants, including live animal encounters (miniature cows, horses, pygmy goats) and rescue dogs from Colonial Newfoundland Rescue, to celebrate the U.S. 250th anniversary and Coast Guard 236th anniversary. Councilmember Savage moved to approve the event as presented, and added that undomesticated animals be allowed subject to city solicitor sign-off. The motion passed 6–0.
• Juneteenth on the Shore 5K (June 19, 2027): Zan O’Eli of the nonprofit How We Build described a community-centered 5K on the boardwalk and beach at Caroline Street, with wellness activations and a local restaurant provider. The event commemorates Juneteenth and aims to build community through movement. Council approved the event 6–0.
• Second Reading – Ordinance 2026-17: Amends Chapter 14 (Businesses, Article II, Licensed Occupations) to clean up code language and update processes. Approved 6–0.
• Second Reading – Ordinance 2026-18: Amends Chapter 10 (Building Regulations) to allow two additional occupants per dwelling unit, as reviewed at the May 12 Work Session. The summary also addresses furniture issues. Approved 6–0. Councilmember Garrick asked whether the code prohibits advertising more bedrooms than allowed; the city solicitor will check and report back.
• Resolution 2026-16: Authorizes disposition of surplus personal property. Approved 6–0.
• City Manager’s Report: The Tuesday, June 9 Work Session agenda includes a closed session (legal/personnel), downtown parking update, report on beach regulation citations, first quarter 2026 internal audit report, and discussion of elected official residency charter changes.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (A–E) approved 6–0.
• Private events for Angels in Oilskins Festival and Juneteenth on the Shore 5K approved 6–0, with the festival motion including approval of undomesticated animals pending city solicitor sign-off.
• Ordinance 2026-17 (business license cleanup), Ordinance 2026-18 (occupancy standards), and Resolution 2026-16 (surplus property) all adopted 6–0.
• The council acknowledged a request from the surf community for a future work session to discuss surf hours; no formal action taken.
• Councilmember Garrick’s question on advertising occupancy will be addressed by the city solicitor.
• Mayor responded to George Stoll’s complaint about the $90 bicycle ticket, explaining it resulted from multiple violations (wrong way, running a red light) and that enforcement aims to prevent injuries. Council agreed to provide landlords with informational flyers on bike rules and penalties.
• The meeting adjourned at 6:43 PM.