Ocean City Council Approves Capital Plan; Introduces Bond Ordinance

Ocean City Council passed an ordinance on first reading that sets aside $8,293,300 and authorizes the issuance of $7,878,635 in bonds for various improvements throughout the City during Thursday night’s meeting.

The ordinance helps with funding for certain aspects of the $80 million five-year capital plan, which was unanimously approved Thursday night.

The breakdown of the ordinance is as follows:

• Improvements to Ocean City beachfront: $185,000 improvement authorization, $175,750 in estimated bonds: This covers dune repairs and ADA access improvements, and all related work and items. It doesn’t cover lagoon dredging or beach fill on the north end, which are being covered under separate ordinances. It also doesn’t cover paving and drainage, as funds are still available from last year.
• Various Boardwalk improvements: $3,985,000 improvement authorization, $3,785,750 in estimated bonds: This includes decking, foundation, ramp, stair, railing replacement, and pavilions, including associated professional services, related work and incidental items. It doesn’t include the Ocean City Music Pier, which is planned for next year.
• Improvements to various buildings: $1,910,000 improvement authorization, $1,814,500 in estimated bonds: This includes the 4th Street Lifesaving Station, the Community Center, 46th Street and West Avenue, the Route 52 Welcome Center, the Humane Society, the Airport, the Vehicle Maintenance Garage and various HVAC, window, door and lighting repairs and improvements to public buildings. It doesn’t include the public safety building, which is the subject of an ongoing study.
• Various improvements to public facilities: $962,000 improvement authorization, $913,900 in estimated bonds: This includes the 5th and 18th Street Tennis Courts, the 6th Street Basketball Courts, the 5th and Bay Avenue Baseball Field, sod replacement on various fields and general improvements to various playgrounds and recreation facilities. Tennis court work involves the possibility of replacing the current turf with a hardcourt for the purposes of playing pickleball, but this decision has not yet been finalized. It doesn’t include sidewalks and related items in the downtown.
• Acquisition by public purchase of various equipment: $271,000 improvement authorization, $257,450 in estimated bonds: This includes a beach rake, 4x4 pickup trucks, 4x4 stake body truck, a utility vehicle with a plow, a police SUV and a passenger vehicle.
• Acquisition of various equipment: $750,300 improvement authorization, $712,785 in estimated bonds: This includes security cameras, a grounds mower, equipment for the music pier, various safety equipment for police, fire and beach patrol, equipment for the Aquatic and Fitness Center and various other departmental equipment.
• Acquisition of communications equipment: $230,000 improvement authorization, $218,500 in estimated bonds: This includes beach patrol equipment and departmental software upgrades, but not radio upgrades.

The public hearing and final reading of the ordinance is scheduled for March 26.