Public Meetings - Ocean City, Maryland

The Mayor and City Council of Ocean City held a regular meeting on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included the ratification of a collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police, approval of several consent agenda items, adoption of sign-on bonuses for out-of-state lateral police officers, changes to boardwalk bicycle hours, a public hearing on a charter amendment regarding candidate qualifications, and votes on multiple ordinances and resolutions. The meeting also featured extensive public comments on the charter amendment and a special election scheduled for July 22, 2025. Items Presented by the Mayor and City Council - Resolution 2025-17: Ratifying a collective bargaining agreement with Ocean City Lodge No. 10 Fraternal Order of Police, Inc. The agreement includes take-home vehicles for sworn members, pay adjustments (starting salary increases, cost-of-living adjustments, step increases), and additional adjustments to canine pay, clothing allowances, and specialty pay. The resolution was adopted unanimously (7-0). Council President James, Mayor Meehan, Councilman Savage, Captain Colbert, Katie Callan, and Ms. Stansbury signed the agreement. Council members and the FOP representative thanked the bargaining team for a professional and collaborative process. Consent Calendar - Item A: Acknowledgement of the Transportation Committee report from July 15. The report noted a lack of quorum and was designated as informational only. Approved unanimously (7-0). - Item B: Private event approval for Surfers Healing Ocean City MD on August 13, 2025. - Item C: Private event approval for Sunfest Kite Festival, September 18–21, 2025. - Item D: Private event approval for Praying 4 the Nations & Veterans Day Equestrian Beach Ride on November 8, 2025. - All consent items approved unanimously (7-0) with the addition that the Transportation Committee report be noted as informational only. Standing Committee Reports with Recommendations - Police Commission (July 14): Approved a $5,000 sign-on bonus for out-of-state lateral police officers. Motion passed unanimously (7-0). (In-state lateral transfers already receive a $15,000 bonus.) - Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (July 16): 1. Boardwalk bicycle hours changed from 2:00 AM to12:00 PM to midnight to noon. The committee cited improved visibility and alignment with J-1 worker schedules. The police department had no objection. Motion passed7-0 (Mayor Meehan spoke against the change but ultimately voted in favor). 2. Amended committee bylaws to set membership at 11 (currently inconsistent between 10 and11). Approved by the mayor. 3. Created an honorary membership position (non-voting, non-speaking? Actually it was clarified that honorary members may speak but cannot vote). Approved by the mayor. Miscellaneous Reports and Presentations - Private Event Approval Request for ESA Surf Series Addendum: Requested a half-block footprint extension north and south (currently17th-18th streets) for a contestant warm-up area. Motion approved unanimously (7-0) for the space between 16.5th and18.5th streets (17th-18th block). Discussion included a previous move from 37th Street due to complaints. Public Hearings - Charter Amendment Resolution C-401: Proposed changes to qualifications for election as Mayor or City Council member. Key provisions: - Extend residency requirement from 4 months to 2 years preceding election. - Prohibit a candidate from holding a rental license at their domicile for 2 years prior, unless the property is a multi-family dwelling with other units licensed. - Require elected officials to maintain residency and abstain from obtaining a rental license for their domiciliary residence during their term. Public Testimony: - Terry Miller (116 Bering Road): Opposed the amendment, stating the current rules worked well, the rental license restriction is overly restrictive and unnecessary, the process appears aimed at eliminating specific people, and the council should not decide who can run against them. Suggested the matter should go to voters. - John Franklin Atkins (8802 Caribbean Drive): Supported the amendment, recounting a past campaign experience and arguing that people who live in Ocean City should have the right to run, not those who rent homes and leave for the summer. - Leslie Smith (107 Convention Center Drive 154D): Opposed, stating the amendment directly targets her candidacy and is unprecedented. Noted that no other jurisdiction has such a restriction. Argued it would disqualify her even if she let her license expire. Called for an impartial body to determine candidate eligibility and said charter changes should be made by the people, not the council. - Scott Chismar (2 Ton Worcester Street): Opposed, stating the amendment discourages democracy and is disappointing. Suggested Ocean City should be encouraging civic participation. The public hearing was opened and closed. Items from the City Solicitor - Second Reading - Ordinance 2025-18: Amends the Public Safety Employees' Pension Plan and 401(a) Money Purchase Plan to allow command staff not covered by a collective bargaining agreement to make a one-time irrevocable election upon hire not to participate in the pension plan and instead enroll in the 401(a) plan. Adopted unanimously (7-0). - First Reading - Ordinance 2025-19: Amends Chapter 34 (Fire Prevention and Protection) for code cleanup, revising outdated fire marshal salary language. Adopted on first reading unanimously (7-0). - Charter Amendment Resolution 2025-01: Same as the public hearing item. Adopted unanimously (7-0). Councilmember De Luca noted the struggle defining “domicile” and that the new rules provide clarity. Comments from the Public - John Atkins: Questioned the $5,000 out-of-state signing bonus, suggesting it be increased to attract more officers, given high housing costs in Ocean City. The City Manager clarified that in-state laterals already receive $15,000; out-of-state laterals require additional Maryland law training. - Martin Branaghan (119 Old Landing Road): Praised law enforcement’s performance over the weekend and encouraged voters to support the short-term rental referendum. - Terry Miller (116 Bering Road): Encouraged voters to vote against the short-term rental ordinance, arguing it penalizes property owners with no complaints and undermines property rights and tourism. - Bridget Garchak (401 42nd): Opposed the short-term rental referendum, stating it is about property rights. Argued the root cause is bad renters, not property owners, and that existing laws can address bad actors. Urged citizens to vote no. - Scott Chismar: Praised the collective bargaining process, thanked Police Chief for community engagement, raised concerns about the tram operation (suggesting exploring a private operator like Transdev), and noted the tram generated about $500,000 net on $1.5 million gross. Comments from the City Manager - Announced a special election on July 22, 2025 (polls open 7 AM to 8 PM at the Convention Center). - Provided the draft agenda for the July 29 work session, which includes a closed session, election results presentation, retirement recognition for Deputy Fire Chief Chris Schaefer, and various committee reports. - Reminded that the next regular meeting is August 18, 2025 (no meeting during White Marlin Open). Comments from the Mayor and Council - Mayor Meehan: Thanked the FOP and bargaining team for building positive relationships through collective bargaining. Acknowledged the Police Chief’s outreach to the public. Clarified that the tram’s net income was approximately $500,000 (not $1.5 million gross) and expressed openness to exploring other options. Discussed the short-term rental ordinance, quoting the comprehensive plan regarding protection of single-family neighborhoods and property rights on both sides. Encouraged everyone to vote. - Councilmember De Luca: Moved to adjourn. Key Outcomes - Resolution 2025-17 (FOP collective bargaining agreement) adopted unanimously. - Consent agenda approved unanimously. - Police Commission recommendation for $5,000 out-of-state lateral sign-on bonus approved unanimously. - Boardwalk bicycle hours changed to midnight to noon (unanimous). - Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee bylaws amended (membership to 11) and honorary membership created (mayor’s approval). - ESA Surf Series addendum approved for half-block extension (unanimous). - Ordinance 2025-18 (pension plan amendment) adopted unanimously. - Ordinance 2025-19 (fire code cleanup) adopted on first reading unanimously. - Charter Amendment Resolution 2025-01 adopted unanimously, extending residency and rental restrictions for candidates and elected officials. - Meeting adjourned at 7:02 PM.