Ocean City Mayor and City Council Work Session - June 9, 2026

The Ocean City Mayor and City Council held a work session on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 1:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting lasted until 2:52 PM. Key agenda items included a report from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), a downtown parking update, discussion of charter amendments, a beach regulation enforcement update, and the internal audit report. All votes were unanimous (7 in favor) unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The council unanimously approved the regular session minutes from June 1, 2026 (Motion by Councilmember Gehrig, second by Secretary Savage).
• Noise Board Appointments: Confirmed nominations of Deborah Walker and Jason Hickman to the Noise Board. Both were sworn in after unanimous votes (Motion by Councilmember Bruce, second by Councilmember Tresick for Walker; Motion by Councilmember Heiser, second by Secretary Savage for Hickman).

Discussion Items

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Report: BPAC President Nathan Kutz, Vice President Mary Weedworfer, and MDOT PSAP Coordinator Dan Wilson presented recommendations for the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) along MD 528 (Philadelphia Avenue/Coastal Highway) from 15th to 67th Street. Recommendations included:

  1. Extending median fencing from Convention Center Drive south to 15th Street.
  2. Addressing aggressive right-turn movements at the Route 90 southbound intersection and monitoring the northbound off-ramp.
  3. Investigating countermeasures where the bike lane ends at 60th–63rd Street northbound.
  4. Improving signage at 17th Street where the bike lane diverts to St. Louis Avenue.
  5. Maintaining a 35 mph speed limit from 62nd to 67th Street (currently 40 mph) to improve safety near the Route 90 intersection.
  6. Adding restrictions at 23rd Street southbound to prevent illegal U-turns from a parking lot exit. Council members expressed concerns about the speed limit change appearing arbitrary and about potential conflicts with the fire department if median fencing extended. The council voted to approve the recommendations to MDOT and also approved the BPAC logo (Motion by Councilmember Garrick, second by Councilmember Heiser for the recommendations; Motion by Councilmember Garrick, second by Councilmember Metresick for the logo).

• Downtown Public Parking Update: Public Works Director Hal Adkins reported that the new municipal parking lot (former post office site) will open for business by Thursday morning, June 11, ahead of the air show. He provided a historical overview of parking infrastructure, noting that a 2006 study identified a deficiency of 489 spaces. Since then, additions (53 spaces at Whiteside property, 33 at Worcester Street, 54 at 4th Street, 56 at post office site) and losses (31 at Somerset Street, 43 at 1st and St. Louis, plus the closure of other lots) leave a current deficiency of approximately 299 spaces. He emphasized Ocean City's unique seasonal population swing from 6,844 year-round to 250,000–300,000 summer visitors—40 times the permanent population, far exceeding other resort destinations. Adkins discussed a stalled effort to acquire four parcels (205–211 Philadelphia Avenue) for an additional 76 parking spaces. The council previously authorized an offer, the owner countered, the council matched it, but the owner's attorney has not responded since April 28. City Solicitor Heather Stansbury explained the eminent domain process if needed. Council members expressed strong support for the project, citing parking difficulties at events like the Ocean Bowl 50th anniversary. The council directed the city manager, council president, and mayor to draft a letter to the property owner with a deadline for response by the Wednesday prior to the next work session (late June). Options for next steps will be discussed at that session if no reply.

• Charter Amendments – Candidate Eligibility: City Solicitor Heather Stansbury presented a revised legislative intent statement for the charter, incorporating council feedback from the May 26 session, including Councilmember Bouis's suggestion to consider the "totality of the circumstances." The council discussed whether to also change the filing deadline (currently two years prior to election, as per a 2025 resolution). Councilmembers Carol and John argued that the existing trigger (the two-year deadline) is adequate and that changing the deadline could create unintended consequences. The council voted unanimously to add the intent statement to the charter (in two places) and to make no change to the filing deadline (Motion by Councilmember Gehrig). Stansbury will return with a resolution; if it cannot be applied to the upcoming election, the council still supports it for future challenges.

• Beach Regulation Citations Report: Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald reported that six code enforcement officers were hired, equipped, and on the beach by Memorial Day weekend. In the first 16 days (through June 7), they handled approximately 500 ordinance violations—primarily canopy size, alcohol, and holes—but did not issue a single citation, focusing on compliance. The program has been well received by visitors and residents. Weather limited beach attendance, so full testing will come with the air show. Staffing allows four officers per day, covering two-and-a-half-mile zones each. Theobald will provide bi-weekly statistics to Councilmember Garrick. The council commended the swift implementation and compliance-first approach.

• Internal Audit Q1 2026 Report and FY 2027 Plan: Internal Auditor Karin Scott presented audits completed for January–March 2026: procurement waiver of competition (added information to forms, formal monitoring policy), accounts payable vendor master list (limited access, annual review), and convention center box office (written procedures for cash receipts and receivables). Take-home and on-call vehicle usage was consistent with prior years; police assignment of 15 additional vehicles in May brought total to 56. Payroll overtime in Q1 2026 totaled 23,603 hours (up 2,559 from 21,043 in Q1 2025). Contributors included the blizzard (1,026 hours), warrant apprehension grant (225 hours), Route 50 bridge closure (630 hours), increased fire training (400 hours), and spring cleaning (110 hours). Councilmember John questioned training and paperwork being done on overtime, especially during winter. Staff explained minimum staffing constraints for fire department and late-shift arrests for police. Police overtime is down substantially from 2020. FY 2027 audit plan includes reviews of vendor accounts (Amazon, Wayfair, etc.), travel and training, rental licenses, police contracts, legal fees, AI usage, grants, payroll deductions, museum operations, and continued monitoring of daily cash, procurement cards, and seasonal employee housing. A town AI policy requiring disclaimers is forthcoming.

Key Outcomes

• BPAC Recommendations: Approved unanimously and will be forwarded to MDOT. BPAC logo approved.
• Downtown Parking Stalled Acquisition: Council will send a letter to the property owner of 205–211 Philadelphia Avenue with a response deadline, and will revisit options at the late June work session.
• Charter Amendment: Intent statement added; no change to candidate filing deadline. Resolution to be drafted.
• Beach Code Enforcement: Bi-weekly reporting to council established.
• Internal Audit: FY 2027 plan accepted; ongoing audits of convention center daily operations and IT user access continue.
• All votes during the session passed 7–0.