Five Things to Know From Last Week's Ocean City Council Meeting

At Thursday night’s meeting, Ocean City Council considered an ordinance on introduction that amends city legislation on parking, including the addition of 51 spots in the area near the proposed skatepark, and gave final approval to an ordinance that eliminates the Department of Community Operations and reestablishes the Department of Public Works.

What else happened Thursday night? Here are five things you need to know from last week’s Ocean City Council Meeting:

1. City Council passed an ordinance on first reading that amends the zoning and land development ordinance so that yoga studios are now permitted in the Neighborhood Business Zone. This was done in an effort to diversify the zone and help it survive. There are no other alterations currently under consideration, but the city is open suggestions, City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson said.
2. City Council also gave final approval to an ordinance that calls for an easement in, on, over and across 719 Tenth Street for New Jersey American Water. This is so the water company can replace an old water main that runs underneath the Boardwalk in the Tenth Street area, and services private businesses on the Boardwalk.
3. City Council approved a $937,900 contract to Wickberg Marine Contracting out of Belford to begin back bay dredging in Snug Harbor, which may begin as soon as Sept. 9.
4. City Council approved a $14,269.25 change order to the contract for All Surface Asphalt Paving for the installation of the track surface at Carey Field. It is the third change order, none of which have anything to do with the track. This brings the total amount in change orders on the project to $100,927.45, and the total contract to $678,277.45. However, the City Administration expects that by the time work begins, the total cost of the contract will be lower because it has had problems getting All Surface Asphalt to perform the work, leaving the track and cross country teams without home meets for two seasons.
5. City Council approved a resolution to enter into a contract with McManimon, Scotland and Baumann out of Roseland, NJ, for bond counsel services, effective Sept. 1, 2015-Aug. 30, 2016. The specifics of the contract can be found in the agenda packet.