OC Council Takes First Step To Repeal $9 Million Bond Ordinance

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City Council took the first step to repeal the funding for the city’s proposed $9 million purchase of the car dealership parking lot located near the Community Center at its meeting last week. City Council unanimously approved the proposed ordinance on introduction, 7-0.

“My position on this issue has been the same from the beginning: I don’t want to see the property developed with more housing,” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said in his weekly update on Friday, Nov. 9. “I believe I’m representing the vast majority of citizens in this belief.”

The city has maintained it needs to purchase the property to prevent the further over-development of housing in Ocean City, while some residents have voiced their opposition based on the $9 million price tag. Real Estate Appraiser Lee Ann Kampf supported Gillian’s statement that he represents the vast majority of citizens, calling those who are opposed to the purchase price “misguided.”

“I’ve talked to my neighbors, family and friends, and we’re all in favor of the city getting this land for this price,” Kampf said in her public comments during Thursday night’s meeting. “ … I think if you hold a referendum on this, you will find the majority of people are for it.”

A referendum is what a petition launched by the advocacy group Fairness in Taxes was calling for. The group’s petition called on the city to delay any action until after Ocean City residents had their chance to voice their opinions through a special vote, which would likely have taken place in the spring.

The city initially said that petition lacked the necessary signatures. Gillian later said the petition would have to be heard in public, and that wouldn’t be possible until after the deal between the city and the land's owners was set to take effect, on Oct. 31.

As a result, Gillian asked Ocean City Council to do away with the bond ordinance. The first step was the introduction at the Nov. 9 meeting, with the public hearing and final vote set for the Nov. 29 meeting.

“I will ask representatives of the city to resume talks with all stakeholders,” Gillian said in his weekly address. “I want to make sure the city makes every effort to preserve the property before it’s too late.”

See related:
Ocean City Moves Toward $9 Million Purchase Of Car Dealership Lot
Council Approves Property Purchase As Petition Debate Continues

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