Ocean City Mayor and City Council Regular Meeting – August 17, 2026

The Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, Maryland, held a regular meeting on Monday, August 17, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a closed session from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM to discuss personnel and real estate matters, followed by an open session. Key actions included approval of a beach replenishment supplemental appropriation, several first-reading ordinances, and a special event permit for a flying car demonstration. A major discussion centered on the proposed sports complex property purchase (Ordinance 2026-21), which ultimately stalled due to lack of a second on the motion. Public comment was extensive, with many residents opposing the chosen location for the sports complex.

Consent Calendar

• Acknowledgment of Standing Committee Reports: Police Commission (August 10) and Transportation Committee (August 11, canceled).
• Private Event Approvals: Bay to the Beach Drive (September 19, 2026), Endless Summer Cruisin’ (October 8-11, 2026), and bid awards for water tank repairs (1st and 100th Streets) and Airport Taxiway A relocation/Hold Pad.
• All consent items approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sports Complex (Ordinance 2026-21): Over 20 residents provided public comment. Most speakers, including property owners, farmers, and neighbors from the St. Martins area and Berlin, opposed the proposed location (Parcels 34 and 60, Ocean Gateway, Berlin). Key concerns included traffic, noise, loss of farmland, interference with a nearby aerial spraying operation (dropping banners and crop dusting), lack of community buy-in, and the $8.7 million purchase price (appraised at under $3 million). Several speakers supported the concept of a sports complex but not at this location. A few speakers (e.g., a soccer coach, a task force member) urged approval, citing economic benefits and the need to act boldly.
• Homelessness and Public Space Conditions: Scott Chismar of Worcester Street described worsening conditions at Sunset Park and the Inlet, including people sleeping on benches, smoking, drinking, and verbal harassment. He requested enforcement of existing ordinances (e.g., midnight-to-5 curfew, no sleeping in public) and asked the council to form a task force.
• Request for Fire Department Technology: Andrew Sanderson requested $25,000 from discretionary funds to equip the fire department with GPS tracking devices (e.g., Apple AirTags) for locating dementia/Alzheimer’s patients who wander.
• Kyma Hotel Sidewalk Closure: George Stoll voiced concerns about the indefinite sidewalk and parking closure on South Philadelphia Avenue, questioning the developer’s pace and urging a time limit.

Discussion Items

• Update on Sidewalk and Traffic Management at Kyma Hotel Property: Public Works Director Hal Adkins reported that the State Highway Administration (SHA) had denied requests for an interim crosswalk, evening sidewalk opening, or alternative detour routes. The sidewalk will remain closed 24/7, parking on the west side of Philadelphia Avenue will be removed, and a detour will route pedestrians to Baltimore Avenue via marked crosswalks. SHA cited liability concerns. Council members noted the city’s limited jurisdiction over state roads.
• Beach Replenishment Supplemental Funding: City Manager McGean presented a request for a one-time $1.25 million transfer from fund balance to the beach maintenance fund due to cost increases. The project’s last cost (2021) was $16 million; current bids total $28 million for similar sand volume. The local cost share (47% split among city, county, state) exceeded the fund balance. The state has appropriated an additional $2.5 million, and the county will match the city’s $1.25 million. Starting FY28, annual contributions will double (city: $500,000 to $1 million). The project has prevented an estimated $1 billion in storm damage. Approved 7-0.
• First Reading Ordinances and Resolutions:
  • Ordinance 2026-19 (FY26 Budget Amendment #2): Adopted 7-0.
  • Ordinance 2026-20 (Bond authorization up to $18 million): Adopted 7-0.
  • Ordinance 2026-21 (Property purchase for sports complex, $8.7 million): Councilmember Gehrig made a motion; Councilmember Metresic initially seconded but later rescinded, citing need to avoid “poisoning the well” for future locations. The motion died for lack of a second. The mayor remarked that the process had failed to allow adequate community input before the agenda was set.
  • Resolution 2026-19 (Pedicab operations at special events): Approved 6-0 (Garrick absent).
  • Resolution 2026-20 (Reimburse expenditures for convention center food and beverage improvements, up to $1.45 million): Approved 6-0 (Garrick absent).
  • Resolution 2026-21 (Disposition of surplus personal property): Approved 6-0 (Garrick absent).
• Flying Car Demonstration (Evolution Expo): Brad Hoffman requested approval for a flying car takeoff from behind the Convention Center on Sunday, September 18, 2026, as a special event subpart of the Evolution Expo. Pilot Heather Trettel described a vertical takeoff over the water, then flight to Ocean City Airport. The police department and FAA approved the plan. Approved 6-0 (Councilmember Bois recused).

Key Outcomes

• Beach Replenishment: Approved appropriation of $1.25 million from fund balance.
• Sports Complex Property Purchase: Motion on first reading failed due to no second; the city will not proceed with Parcels 34 and 60.
• Flying Car Demonstration: Approved for September 18, 2026.
• Sidewalk Closure at Kyma Hotel: Council acknowledged SHA’s final decision; no further city action possible.
• Next Meeting: The next regular work session is September 1, 2026; no meeting on August 24.
• City Manager’s Response: Will refer the fire department GPS request to the fire chief; will ask Public Works to discuss time limits for the Kyma closure with SHA; confirmed no directive to police to “stand down” on enforcing laws at parks; will reiterate increased patrols at Sunset Park and enforce existing ordinances on sleeping in public.
• Council Comments: Council members thanked the public for participation and agreed on the need to improve public engagement processes for future large projects.