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

City Council approved a revised "base flood elevation" ordinance during its public meeting on Thursday at the Ocean City Free Public Library. But here are five other things from the council meeting that might be of interest:

• Mayor Jay Gillian responded to reports that the MS: City to Shore bike tour (a late-September two-day 150-mile charity ride from Philadelphia to Ocean City and back) may be considering moving away from Ocean City after city officials suggested considering alternative staging areas for the end of the ride in Ocean City (riders end their journey to Ocean City at the Fifth Street municipal parking lot near the Civic Center). Gillian said the tour will remain in Ocean City and that the groups will meet Friday to hammer out details of the route and safety concerns. Several members of the public spoke in favor of doing whatever it takes to keep the more than 10,000 participants of the ride coming to Ocean City.
• City Council honored the members of Boy Scouts Troop 32 who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2012: Keith Kemenosh, Evan Sheridan and Joseph Tordella. (See attached PDF for a copy of the resolution recognizing their achievement and see attached photo.)
• City Council voted to table the second reading of an ordinance intended to expand permitted uses in the Drive-In Business (DB) Zone centered on West Avenue on either side of Ninth Street — because the ordinance had changed since passage on first reading. The measure keeps all existing businesses as conforming uses (see attached PDF for supporting documentation and complete text of ordinance). The revisions include the addition of some lots between Pleasure and Palen avenues on Ninth Street to the DB Zone. A second reading is now scheduled for Feb. 14.
• City Council voted to award a $306,000 contract to Luzon, Inc., of Sewell, N.J., to clean contaminated soil from underground storage tanks at various locations, including the vehicle maintenance facility at 11th Street and Haven Avenue. The tanks have long been unused.
• City Council voted to appoint Chuck Bangle and Frank Shoemaker to the Ocean City Tourist Development Commission. Bangle is a co-owner of Manco & Manco Pizza, and Shoemaker works with Berger Realty.