Ocean City Council Puts Funding in Place for Widespread Improvements

Ocean City, NJ -- On the same night Ocean City Chief Financial Officer Frank Donato presented a breakdown of the administration’s $74.2 million draft budget, City Council gave final approval to a bond ordinance that proposes setting aside $17,504,500 and borrowing $16,629,275 for various improvements throughout the city.

City Council unanimously approved the bond ordinance during its Feb. 25 meeting at City Hall.

The breakdown of the ordinance is as follows:

• Construction and reconstruction of streets, alleys and drainage systems: $800,000 authorization; $760,000 in bonds and notes. This is for engineering and design work, Ocean City Chief Financial Officer Frank Donato said.
• Dredging: $10 million authorization; $9,500,000 in bonds and notes. Part of the dredging plan calls for the clearing of Site 83, which is costly. Not all the money will be used to clear the site, but Mayor Jay Gillian said the administration will inform council before it uses any money for additional portions of the project. Donato reminded council the goal of the ordinance was to put funding in place, not to begin work on the project.
• Construction and reconstruction on the Boardwalk, including decking, foundation, ramp, stairs, railing replacement and pavilions: $2,370,000 authorization; $2,251,500 in bonds and notes. Work should be done on the portion of the Boardwalk between 5th and 12th streets soon, Gillian said. Work will include two new pavilions this year, and one that was left over from last year’s work. The goal is to do two a year.
• Construction, rehabilitation and repair of public buildings, including comfort stations, 46th Street Facility roof and site work, the Music Pier Boilers, various general HVAC, window, and lighting repairs to public buildings: $1,020,000 authorization; $969,000 in bonds and notes. Public safety buildings are not included in this portion of the ordinance.
• Community Center pool painting, bleachers and playground equipment, sod replacement on various fields and general improvements to various playground areas and other recreational facilities: $635,000 authorization; $603,250 in bonds and notes. The Civic Center is under evaluation to determine where current leaks are coming from.
• Various vehicle acquisitions: $1,392,000 authorization; $1,322,400 in bonds and notes;
• Compactor upgrades, security cameras, music pier equipment, engineering plotter, printer, various safety equipment for fire, police and beach patrol, lights on the 5th and 6th street softball fields, and other departmental equipment: $605,500 authorization; $575,225 in bonds and notes;
• Various communications upgrades: $210,000 authorization; $199,500 in bonds and notes; and
• Construction, rehabilitation and repair of intermodal, transportation, and parking, including traffic lights, 59th Street Parking Area, citywide signs, parking meter and parking lot improvements: $472,000 authorization; $448,400 in bonds and notes.