Ocean City · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ocean City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Rental inspection program efficiency
The town has inspected over 1,000 rentals since August with a 90% pass rate. The council clarified that minor fixes like a smoke-detector battery shouldn't count toward the three-strike license revocation process — only citations or police calls do.
Philadelphia Avenue Flooding Closure Policy
A South Philadelphia Avenue resident said the road isn't closed consistently when storm surge floods it, leaving pedestrians and drivers at risk. The city manager said closure timing is already on his storm lessons-learned list and will be addressed with emergency responders.
2026 Municipal Election Field Confirmed
All six candidates are officially on the November 3 ballot: Meehan and James for mayor, plus four candidates for three council seats. Voting by mail is available via applications online.
Nor'easter Storm Response Recognition
Council and staff praised Public Works, police, fire and DNR partners for rapid beach cleanup before the Country Calling festival.
Fire Prevention Commission Restructuring
The body that appoints the fire marshal, hears fire code appeals and writes the fire code currently consists only of the four volunteer fire chiefs. The restructuring adds the career fire chief as chair, a volunteer deputy chief, and at-large citizen members to make appeals look and feel more neutral.
Board of Supervisors of Elections vacancy filled
With an election a couple months away, the council appointed Bobbie Lynne DaCosta to replace longtime board chair Mary Adeline Bradford, who retired after about 40 years.
Fire department GPS tracking for missing dementia patients
Retiree Andrew Sanderson asked the council to move about $25,000 from the discretionary fund to equip the fire department with GPS tracking devices for at-risk wanderers; the city manager will take the request to the fire department.
Homelessness in Sunset Park and the Boardwalk
Resident Scott Chismar said conditions in Sunset and Inlet parks are deteriorating daily and current approaches aren't working; the city manager denied any police stand-down order and pledged increased patrols.
Sign obstruction at 26th Street and Bayshore Drive
A neighbor warned the board that a large sign at the thrift store property blocks sight lines for drivers exiting the Bayshore neighborhood, calling it a public safety hazard. The board noted the sign predates the current owner and is outside the scope of this case.
$90 bicycle ticket for J-1 student
A landlord who provides bikes to J-1 students said a student got a $90 ticket — triple the town's usual $50 maximum — for riding the wrong way and running a light. Mayor Meehan defended the enforcement as a life-safety message; staff will explore flyers for landlords with rules and penalties.
National Safe Boating Week
The mayor proclaimed May 16-22 as Safe Boating Week, honoring the Ocean City Power Squadron's 40+ years of boating safety education and free vessel checks.
State short-term rental fire safety law
A new Maryland law requires evacuation maps, fire extinguishers, interconnected smoke/CO alarms in short-term rentals starting October 2026, and county-level annual inspections by 2028. Ocean City's 9,000 rentals make annual inspection impractical, and the mayor plans to seek an amendment.
Fire Station #4 apron project
Bids for the fire station apron came in far under the $210,000 budget, with the low bid at $58,919.
Fire-safety staircase variance at 202 8th Street
The owner of a 1950s rental building needs a second means of egress ordered by the fire marshal, requiring a 1.9-foot setback variance. Board debate over whether a legally nonconforming building counts as 'uniqueness' stalled the vote — a motion to deny failed for lack of a second and no action was taken.
USPS mail delays in Ocean City
A resident told the council that letters mailed in Ocean City sit overnight — going out once daily at 5 a.m. through Easton and Baltimore — and called it unacceptable for what will soon be Maryland's second-largest city.
65th Street Service Center Renovations
The city's maintenance hub is getting renovated under a contract awarded to the lowest of six bidders. Work is funded within the original budget allocation with contingency for unknowns.
Real-time crime center and Axon technology expansion
The police department is investing heavily in AI-powered policing — the Axon contract jumps $454,613 and four new City Watch camera operators will staff it 24/7, with a real-time crime center envisioned over three to five years. It could eventually include private Ring doorbell cameras with residents footing the cost.
Battalion chief pay and shift alignment
The fire department fixed a quirk where battalion chiefs earned comp time on 40-hour pay while working 24-hour shifts, forcing expensive backfilling. They'll now be paid for 45 hours, matching the contract structure.
Redundant 911 microwave link
After Ocean City lost 911 service on both ends of the system last year, the town is funding half the cost of a redundant microwave link to the county. It's part of a $210,488 electronics budget increase that also funds an apprentice technician.