Ocean City Council Tackles Lingering Issues

OCEAN CITY – This resort’s City Council met March 9 with two long-standing matters on the agenda. 
One was a bond ordinance introduced that would earmark funds to buy a gas station that has been closed for years. The station is on land that city administration and council hope to create an environmentally-friendly park as part of the Ninth Street Gateway to the island.
The ordinance provides for the issuance of $617,500 in bonds and notes and an additional $32,500 down payment to potentially buy the former Getty gas station property.
The city would appropriate $650,000 in total to buy the property if it can close a sale with Trinetra Realty Holdings LLC.
“We have not yet closed this sale, but we hope to do so in time to get the property ready with landscaping, decorative flowers, and benches by Memorial Day,” said Ocean City financial management director, Frank Donato.
Upon first reading approval by council, the ordinance will be considered for second reading and public hearing March 23.
Another important issue that council and city administration have grappled with since 2013 is an ordinance to regulate performers on the Boardwalk.
As promised at a previous council meeting when he tabled a prior version of a similar ordinance, Mayor Jay Gillian said the city had been meeting with boardwalk performers and merchants to fine tune several earlier attempts at a related draft regulation.
“I think we now have a proposal that works for everyone,” Gillian stated. His optimism was echoed during the public comment portion when a couple of teenage performers said they were happy to be considered in the process to revise earlier drafts. 
Early in the process of considering how to regulate Boardwalk performers, Ocean City proposed language based on “busker” laws in Atlantic City which many deemed inappropriate for this resort with its different character and nature of visitors.
The city’s offering this time has reduced fees for a $50 license to perform, as well as eliminated requirements for fingerprinting and criminal background checks for those seeking to perform on the boardwalk. The permits will only be required from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
“Minors will now be able to obtain a license as long as they are accompanied by an adult during performances, another change from earlier proposals, but adults who stay with the entertainers under 18 during performances need to be listed with the city as a responsible adult for that child,” explained Peter Allegretto, director of community services.
“Musicians will be able to use amplifiers on the boardwalk, which were not allowed under the city’s proposal in December; but they need to make sure the noise doesn’t travel beyond 30 feet, about half the width of the boardwalk.
“Boardwalk locations as to where performers can set up are the same as the December ordinance, but we’ve condensed the time they can play or perform from 6 to 10 p.m.,” he added.
Performers can sign up to play on any given night ahead of time at City Hall. They will be assigned a location, or if spots are still available for the evening, a licensed performer can check in with staff at the Music Pier that same day and request a vacant spot. Second reading and final public comment opportunity will be at the March 23 council meeting.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.