OCEAN CITY – During Tuesday afternoon’s work session, a few items were brought before the Mayor and City Council, including the creation of a skate park task force and the next phase in the Boardwalk security initiative.
Following the acceptation of bids to construct a shade structure at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, Councilman Joe Mitrecic asked when a Skate Park Subcommittee would be convened to address the hours and operation at the Ocean Bowl during the off-season.
The Skatepark Subcommittee was suggested following budgetary discussions last April when the council deliberated cutting hours at the skate park during the off-season to save costs. The council never voted to cut hours as a result of an outburst from the skate community, but agreed to study the hours and operations of the facility through a subcommittee, which was also done with the Surf Beach Subcommittee when surfing beach regulations were reviewed.
Mayor Rick Meehan responded he has been working with Ocean Bowl Manager Dave Messick in putting together a list of those to serve on the task force, which should come forward next week.
Boardwalk Camera
Network Moves Ahead
City Engineer Terry McGean requested bids are being solicited for the second phase of the Boardwalk Network Camera project, which includes new fiber optic cable from the Worcester sub-station to the tram station and new surveillance cameras at locations along the Boardwalk identified by the Ocean City Police Department. McGean reported the bids will be opened at the Dec. 10 work session.
McGean explained the Mayor and City Council had previously discussed what to do with some surplus funds found in both the general fund and the cost savings from bond funded projects.
One of the projects decided on was to appropriate an additional $150,000 from savings from the reconstruction of the Boardwalk project to go toward additional cameras and an additional fiber run on the Boardwalk to enhance security.
The City Council voted 6-0 to approve the bid process with Council President Lloyd Martin absent.
Employee Retires
Meehan presented a proclamation recognizing James R. Purnell’s retirement as well as key to the city.
“We are always happy to see an employee retire after so many years of service to the Town of Ocean City,” Mayor Rick Meehan said. “But at the same we certainly hate to see them leave the Ocean City family. We have so many great employees working for our Town of Ocean City in so many years of service, and they help make the town what it is today, and Mr. Purnell is an example of that.
Purnell has contributed 33 years of service to the Town of Ocean City. He has played an integral role in the Wastewater Division of the Public Works Department where Purnell’s skill and experience have been instrumental in the overall success of the department, according to the proclamation.
Rating Increases
Finance Director Martha Bennett announced she had just received word Tuesday morning that Standard and Poor’s Rating Service has raised the rating for Ocean City’s General Obligation Debt up one notch to AA from AA- as the town prepare to sell bonds on Dec. 5. The firm also gave the town an outlook of “stable.”
The upgrade of the rating was based on the town’s strong wealth and income indicators, strong budgetary flexibility, strong budgetary performance with a diverse revenue stream, strong equity, providing strong cash to cover debt and expenditures, strong management conditions with strong policies and practice, strong debt and contingent liability to provide low carrying charges, low net debt and rapid ammonization.
Ocean City also received an affirmed rating from Moody’s that has assigned the Town AA2, which is the same rating as before, as did Fitch Rating with AA-.
“It is very good and I am very pleased that S&P has raised the rating on the town’s bonds and all our debt,” Bennett said.
Medevac Zone OK’d
Ocean City Deputy Fire Chief Chuck Barton requested the use of the West Ocean City Park and Ride as a Medevac Helicopter Landing Zone during the off-season, mid-October through the end of April.
Barton submitted, the Fire Department EMS uses Medevac helicopters approximately 40-50 times each year to transport critical patients to specialty medical facilities throughout Maryland. The large parking lot in the rear of the West Ocean City Park and Ride, when unoccupied, is an ideal location for a Medevac helicopter zone. Also, Maryland State Police (MSP) Aviation has inquired about using the site as a Medevac helicopter zone.
Barton has consulted with Public Works Director Hal Adkins and the Transportation Department staff over the matter. According to Barton, Adkins is supportive and does not believe the use of the facility as a landing zone violated any agreements in place relative to the use of the site.
Further, Barton communicated with Delmarva Trailer Park Association President Harry Gladwin, who is also supportive of the intended use of the facility. Barton estimates potential use of the facility at about five to 10 times a year.
The council approved the request.