What You Need to Know From Ocean City's Council Meeting

On Thursday night, Ocean City Council passed a ban on drones that expires on Sept. 8, 2016.

What else did council approved during Thursday night’s meeting at city hall? There were three ordinances up for first reading and two for second reading, including the drone ordinance.

Council gave final approval to an ordinance that changes township code to measure building heights for non-residential and mixed-use buildings from base flood elevation plus one throughout the city.

The first ordinance introduced on Thursday night proposes cut the density requirement for buildings in R-2 residential zones to encourage more single family homes in duplex districts. It was approved on introduction, 7-0, with a second reading and public hearing set for Dec. 17.

The second deals with the appearance of an ordinance on sheds appearing twice in city ordinance. The ordinance proposes striking one of those pieces of legislation, and reserving all governance over sheds for the other section. It was approved, 7-0, with a second reading and public hearing scheduled for Dec. 3.

The final ordinance comes as the result of a recent court ruling that says municipalities can’t mandate the licensure of rental units that have been leased for 175 days or more. Currently, Ocean City imposes a fee on all rented dwelling units.

Under the proposal, any single or duplex unit rented for less than 175 days when not occupied by the owner or an immediate family member will be $30. For a structure containing 3-5 units, the fee will be $125, and $10 for each additional unit. Additional assessment imposed for one unit will be $145 and for 3-5 units will be $300.

It also approved the following 12 consent agenda items:

1. A Resolution to Authorize the Advertisement of Specifications for City Contract #15-42, Dredge Material Disposal

2. A Resolution Authorizing the Award of a Contract between Cape Materials, Inc. & the City of Ocean City for Disposal of Dredge Materials from Route 52 CDF

3. A Resolution Authorizing Change Order #1, Final Acceptance and Final Payment of City Contract #14-37, 2014 Road Improvement Program - Phase II

4. A Resolution Authorizing the Award of City Contract #15-37, 2015 Bulkhead & Road Improvements at Various Locations

5. A Resolution Authorizing the City’s Participation in State Contract #T-2776, Police Vehicles: Sport Utility Vehicles, ½ Ton, 4WD for the Purchase of One (1) 2016 or Newer Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD Special Service Vehicle

6. A Resolution Authorizing the Release of a Performance and Maintenance Guarantee for a Construction Project at 34 Corinthian Avenue, Block 6; Lot 28.02, Project #13-031PMSP

7. A Resolution Amending the 2015 Budget of the City of Ocean City to include Additional Revenue from the County of Cape May for Year 2014 Emergency Management Assistance Grant

8. A Resolution Amending the 2015 Budget of the City of Ocean City to include Additional Revenue from the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Coastal and Land Use Planning, Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities 2016

9. A Resolution Amending the 2015 Budget of the City of Ocean City to include Additional Revenue from the State of New Jersey, Division of Criminal Justice, 2015 Body Amor

10. A Resolution Authorizing the Payment of Claims

11. A Resolution Approving Tax Overpayment Refund 2015-16 to 18

12. A Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the International Association of EMT’s and Paramedics (IAET)