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

City Council approved a $71 million municipal budget at its public meeting on Thursday (May 16), but here are five other things that might be of interest:

• New Director of Community Operations: City Council voted to approve Roger D. McLarnon as director of the new Community Operations Department. McLarnon is an Ocean City High School graduate with more than 25 years of experience in engineering, zoning, planning and capital projects management. He worked with Walker, Previti, Holmes and Associates of Marmora. In separate votes, Council set his 2013 salary at $110,000 and his 2014 salary at $112,200 and approved a reorganization that merged the Public Works and Community Services departments into the single Department of Community Operations.
• U.S. Life Saving Station 30: City Council awarded a $613,000 contract to Aliano Brothers General Contractors of Vineland for exterior restoration of the historic Life Saving Station at Fourth Street and Atlantic Avenue. Council had earlier approved the funding to restore the historic station.
• Boardwalk Musicians: City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting Boardwalk musicians from soliciting payment without a permit. The measure passed, 5-1, with Councilman Pete Guinosso dissenting. A second reading is scheduled for May 30. City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson said the city prosecutor had requested the ordinance. The ordinance does not prohibit playing music — just soliciting payment for it. It also doesn't specify a permit fee, if any. In discussion of the measure, Council seemed amenable to considering ways to find a way for musicians to perform without disrupting Boardwalk traffic.
• West Avenue Zoning: City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance changing the zoning of 2700 block of West Avenue (ocean side) from R-2-40 to R-2-30. The second reading is scheduled for June 27. The new zoning allows smaller frontages and makes a number of existing homes conforming uses. The property owners there would have trouble obtaining financing for renovations or selling their homes.
• Snug Harbor Dredging: City Council voted to authorize the obtaining of easements to allow the dredging of Snug Harbor (between Eighth and Ninth streets on the bay). The work will be added to an existing contract for dredging of lagoons between 15th and 34th streets. A small spoils site near the Route 52 causeway will be used. Nearby Glen Cove (between 10th and 11th streets) had been funded but will not be part of the project this year — based on the limited capacity of the spoils site (and the need for prerequisite bulkhead repairs). But Second Ward Councilman Antwan McClellan vowed to continue working to make Glen Cove dredging happen. The Route 52 site could potentially be cleared for future projects by trucking material away.

Look for more City Council coverage posted later on Friday.