Ocean City Council Meets For Final Time In 2016 On Thursday

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City Council will hold its final meeting of the year Thursday afternoon, Dec. 29, 1 p.m. at City Hall.

There are two proposed ordinances up for public hearing and final votes, but the administration will ask council to table proposed legislation setting guidelines for entertainers on the boardwalk.

The proposal calls for a $25 application fee and a $50 annual license fee.

Entertainers would be permitted to perform on the ocean side of the boardwalk, within four feet of the railing opposite the street ends on 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th and 14th streets. They would also be allowed to perform at the oceanfront beach pavilions on the boardwalk between 5th and 14th streets, and on the ocean side of the boardwalk within four feet of the railing between 5th and 6th streets.

Boardwalk performances would be limited to between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m., and no entertainer may stay in the same spot for more than eight hours in a 24-hour period.

All entertainers would have to be 18 years old unless accompanied by an adult, and they will be issued badges to display their licenses that must be worn while they are playing.

It is the second proposal to be introduced this year. Each time, two teenagers voiced their objections to council.

Community Services Director Michael Allegretto has been meeting with entertainers and will continue to work with them up until the ordinance is introduced, Business Administrator Jim Mallon said during the Dec. 20 meeting at City Hall.

Assuming council agrees to table the proposal on Thursday, the targeted date to reintroduce legislation would be the Jan. 12 meeting.

Council will consider a proposed ordinance on second reading to make changes to the city’s fee ordinance.

For a full list of changes, check the agenda packet on the city’s website.

There are also 11 items on the consent agenda.

To view the full agenda, visit ocnj.us.