$2.7 Million for Clearing Dredge Spoils for Ocean City Dredging Project up for Discussion Thursday Night

A total of $2,632,500 needed to move spoils from Site 83 to Wildwood is part of an ordinance to be introduced during Thursday night’s Ocean City Council meeting at City Hall, 7 p.m.

The ordinance calls for the overall appropriation of $2,693,000 and the borrowing of $2,558,350 for various projects. Of the nearly $2.7 million reserved for dredging, $1,350,000 is to be appropriated, and the City will borrow $1,282,500 for the rest of that portion, which includes a beachfront renourishment project to be conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State.

The ordinance also proposes setting money aside for the construction and reconstruction of various streets, alleys and drainage systems, as well as the acquisition of communications and technology equipment including public safety radio replacements and system upgrades.

Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian announced the $2.7 million would be necessary during a town hall meeting last month. Gillian said it was ridiculous and a waste of taxpayer’s money, but that he had no choice.

On Feb. 12, council voted to set aside $5 million and borrow $4,750,000 for the dredging project that would put the dredge spoils at Site 83, located near 34th Street.

First, the City must empty that site, which is filled with 50,000 yards of cubic spoils it permitted the state to put there toward the end of the last decade.

However, environmental testing of the spoils to be moved delayed the project for a few weeks. That testing is now complete.

Ocean City will also hold public hearings and final readings on a pair of ordinances concerning salaries.

The first ordinance deals with salary increases for the directors of financial management, police services and fire and rescue services. It includes a 1.5 percent increase to the base salary pay effective Jan. 1, 2015, and a 1.25 percent increase each of the next three years.

The second ordinance proposes a 1.5 percent increase for the City Clerk as of Jan. 1, 2015; and a 1.25 percent increase each of the next three years.

The ordinances were introduced during Ocean City Council’s Reorganization Meeting on July 1.

City Council will also recognize the City’s Emergency Response Team and provide a recap on the Historic District following last week’s workshop.

There are also 10 items on the Consent Agenda.

To view the full agenda, click here.

To view the agenda packet, click here.