Mayor and City Council Regular Meeting – October 5, 2026

The Ocean City Mayor and City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting began with a prayer and pledge, followed by the unanimous approval of the consent agenda, confirmation of municipal election candidates, first readings of four ordinances, adoption of a surplus property resolution, and public comments. The meeting adjourned at 6:23 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Request to Approve Minutes of the September 29, 2026, work session.
• Acknowledgement of Standing Committee Draft Agendas for the Police Commission (Oct. 14), Tourism Commission (Dec. 7), Transportation Committee (Oct. 13), Recreation and Parks Committee (Nov. 12), Green Team (Nov. 11), and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Nov. 18).
• Acknowledgement of Standing Committee Report from the Motor Event Task Force (Sept. 28).
• Private Event Approvals for: the 22nd Ronald Bounds AMSA Memorial Surf Fishing Tournament (Oct. 17–18), Bronco Beach Bash (Oct. 30–Nov. 1), Ocean City Jeep Club Toys for Tots Beach Run (Nov. 21), and Penguin Swim (Jan. 1, 2027).
• Request to Proceed with Beach Equipment Franchise Auction of mid-beach parcels.

All consent items (A–H) were approved by a vote of 7–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Martin Brannigan (119 Old Landing Road) thanked local agencies (police, fire, public works) for their work during recent events and storm response. He urged the council to consider providing free bus passes for Ocean City citizens, noting that many residents rely on the bus daily for work and medical appointments, while tourists benefit from free parking. He stated, “I’d like this council to seriously, seriously consider throwing this favor towards our citizenry.”
• George Stone (500 South Philadelphia Avenue) raised concerns about the inconsistent timing of road closures on Philadelphia Avenue during high water events. He described an incident where a car drove at high speed through standing water, endangering his wife. He requested a stable, predetermined trigger for closing the road to protect pedestrians. The City Manager later confirmed that lessons learned from the recent storm included addressing the closure timing for Philadelphia Avenue.

Discussion Items

Candidate Eligibility for 2026 Municipal General Election

• City Clerk presented the request to confirm candidates for the November 3, 2026, election (Mayor and three Council seats). Filing deadline was October 2. Candidates for Mayor: Incumbent Mayor Rick Meehan and Council President Matt James. Candidates for Council: Billy Apostolo, Wayne Johnson, Larry Nacalino, and incumbent Councilmember Carol Proctor. All candidates submitted required documentation and paid the $25 fee; no rental license issues were found.
• Council voted individually to confirm each candidate, all by 7–0 votes. Absentee/mail-in ballot applications were announced as available online.

First Readings of Ordinances (Presented by City Solicitor)

• Ordinance 2026-21 – Amends Chapter 34 (Fire Prevention and Protection) to alter the composition of the Fire Prevention Commission. Approved 7–0 on first reading.
• Ordinance 2026-22 – Amends Chapter 110 (Zoning) to regulate signs projecting into public rights-of-way in the Downtown and Upper Downtown Design Overlay Districts. Approved 7–0 on first reading.
• Ordinance 2026-23 – Amends Chapter 66 (Signs) for further regulations of signs, awnings, and banners over public ways or boardwalks. Approved 7–0 on first reading.
• Ordinance 2026-24 – Amends Chapter 14 (Businesses) to allow the City Manager to suspend a business license for failure to comply with insurance provisions in Chapter 66. Approved 7–0 on first reading.
• Resolution 2026-23 – Authorizes the disposition of surplus personal property. Approved 7–0.

Comments from the City Manager

• Announced the upcoming work session (Oct. 13) including a closed session for legal matters, bid openings (airport terminal siding, North Side Park Living Shoreline), a bid award recommendation for the Racket Center Renovation Project, and a benefits renewal presentation.
• Addressed the two public comments: thanked Mr. Brannigan and confirmed that the storm response lessons learned list includes timing for closing/reopening Philadelphia Avenue, which will be discussed with emergency response officials.

Comments from the Mayor and City Council

• Councilmember Garrick thanked Mr. Brannigan and the entire city team for storm recovery, allowing the successful Country Calling concert. He noted that the bus pass issue has been discussed before and can be revisited with the new council. He also condemned hate on social media during election season, urging unity and respectful disagreement.
• Mayor Meehan thanked the City Manager for rapid storm response, coordinating with state partners (DNR, Senator Elsa Brooks’ office) to quickly reopen beach access.
• The City Manager noted that a residential bus pass program was previously estimated to cost around $300,000 (a figure from the Transportation Committee), and cautioned that grant funding restrictions from MTA and FTA may affect feasibility.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (A–H) approved unanimously (7–0).
• All six municipal election candidates confirmed as eligible: Billy Apostolo, Matt James, Rick Meehan, Wayne Johnson, Larry Nacalino, and Carol Proctor (each by 7–0 vote).
• Ordinances 2026-21, 2026-22, 2026-23, and 2026-24 each passed first reading (7–0).
• Resolution 2026-23 adopted (7–0).
• Next meeting: Work session on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
• Action item: City Manager to provide follow‑up on Philadelphia Avenue closure timing and to bring back transportation committee data on a potential residential bus pass program.