Five Things to Know From City Council's Meeting on Thursday

City Council heard a presentation Thursday on , but here are five other things from the meeting that might be of interest.

1. Council rejected an ordinance that would have removed Ninth Street businesses from the Special Improvement District. Council President Michael Allegretto had proposed the ordinance in response to complaints that it wasn't fair that only the "gateway" portion of Ninth Street (between the bridge and the alley before Asbury Avenue) had to pay assessments to enjoy the benefits of the district's marketing efforts, while the other half of Ninth Street indirectly benefitted without having to pay. In public comment, Main Street Director Marcia Shallcross outlined an extensive list of marketing efforts directly related to all member businesses. The final vote as 3-2 to defeat the ordinance. Councilman Scott Ping was absent. Councilman Tony Wilson recused himself for a potential conflict of interest. Councilman John Kemenosh argued in favor of the ordinance, but perhaps confused by the wording of it, he voted against it.

2. Council renewed a contract with the law office of Douglas K. Walker to serve as public defender for municipal court. Walker's contract was the subject of debate when it was discovered that the city had paid twice for legal services when a substitute firm was used to fill in for Walker — once to Walker (who was to transfer the payment to the substitute) and once to the substitute firm (which inadvertently billed the city directly). City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson said the mistake was the city's, and that the city was reimbursed when the mistakes were discovered. But mentioning other billing problems in the past, Councilman Keith Hartzell wanted some assurance that if it happened again, some action would be taken. Business Administrator Mike Dattilo agreed to make that happen. Ed Price, a member of the public who has served as a watchdog on the billing issues, asked, "How many benefits of the doubt are we going to give somebody who has taken money from the city?" "It is an embarrassment," he said.

3. Council passed the first reading of a "housekeeping" measure that revises the traffic ordinance. The ordinance puts on the books three new traffic lights at intersections on Central and West Avenues and new parking meters on the 800 block of Central Avenue across from the Ocean City Police Department. Mayor Jay Gillian said the parking meters were added to give downtown shoppers more parking spaces and that they replace spots formerly marked as "city vehicles only" and used by the Police Department. Gillian said Police Chief Chad Callahan assured him that only personal vehicles of police personnel will be displaced. They, like other city employees, will have to park at the Transportation Center and walk two blocks to work, Gillian said. Acknowledging some public opposition, Gillian said, "It's disappointing. It has nothing to do with safety."

4. Council approved an ordinance that adds parking meters (25 cents for 15 minutes) in effect 5 p.m. to midnight near the U.S. Post Office on Ocean Avenue. The measure requires a second vote, and the administration said before then they will show plans for signage that will let people know they won't have to feed the meters when the post office is open during the day.

5. Council went into two executive sessions closed to the public. Before the public meeting, Council interviewed candidates for vacant seats on the Ethics Board, Shade Tree Committee and Utility Advisory Board. They also discussed a potential labor contract with the firefighters' union. They returned to executive session to continue part of their discussions after the public meeting ended.