Ocean City Council Makes Decision On Private Dredging Proposal

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Members of Ocean City Council approved a proposal that allows Ocean City residents to take advantage of the citywide dredging project to conduct private dredging at a cheaper rate during Thursday night’s meeting at city hall.

Council approved a proposed ordinance on second reading to create a contractor’s application for municipal permit to dredge privately owned areas under the authority of Ocean City’s individual permit.

There is a $200 permit fee, with a $3 per cubic square foot inspection escrow. Residents can currently dredge their own slips, but can’t dispose of dredged material in a city-operated disposal facility, leaving them to find their own means of disposal.

The ordinance allows private residents to use the citywide contract for private dredging. The city must still monitor the work, which is the reason for the permit, City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson previously said.

Residents would be able to take advantage of this program once the contractor completes the citywide work, time permitting. The ordinance doesn’t require private residents to dredge their own slips, though. Material from undredged slips may move, but aren’t likely to impact the city’s channel, McCrosson said.

If it works initially, residents would be able to take advantage of the program periodically, whenever there is a municipal dredging project taking place. Mayor Jay Gillian envisions a tip-to-tip dredging project for Ocean City, similar to the beach replenishment projects.

The vote was 5-0, with Council Members Keith Hartzell, Karen Bergman, Antwan McClellan, Bob Barr and Michael DeVlieger voting in favor of the proposal. Council President Pete Madden was absent and Council Vice President Tony Wilson were absent, while DeVlieger participated via phone conference.

Patch file photo