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

At its public meeting on Thursday at , City Council heard a on the city's financial practices, but here are five other things that might be of interest:

• The city heard a report from the Planning Board on the re-examination of the Master Plan, an extensive document that covers all areas of zoning and land use in Ocean City. The Planning Board is in the final stages of updating the Master Plan and is seeking public input. See attached PDF for a copy of the most recent proposed changes to the plan, which affects all aspects of life and business in Ocean City. Council members offered feedback and new suggestions on several areas of the plan. More information on the Master Plan and how the public can offer feedback is available on this page on the city's website.
• City Council voted to spend $129,000 in grant money to decorate the downtown, the Ninth Street gateway, the new Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway and the Ocean City Music Pier for the holidays. Much of the expense will be one-time for decorations that will have a useful life of 10 to 12 years. They will include wreaths and lights, swags of garland and bows to cross Asbury Avenue. The successful bidder, Downtown Decorations Inc., will be responsible for installing, removing and storing the decorations. Continuing costs in subsequent years for redecorating will be about $19,000, according to Business Administrator Mike Dattilo. The administration said it would seek estimates and plans on what it would take to add 34th Street and Bay Avenue to the plans.
• City Council heard an update on the Bellevue Hotel, from Business Administrator Mike Dattilo. Demolition is expected to be complete within 30 days. An exterminator has gone through the building in advance of demolition. .
• Ocean City resident Bill Walsh, a representative of the local American Legion post, reminded council members and the public of POW/MIA Recognition Day, which will be observed in Ocean City on the morning of Friday, Sept. 21.
• Councilman Scott Ping cast the lone dissenting vote on a routine resolution to authorize bidders who may want to do work on the historic Life Saving Station at Fourth Street and Atlantic Avenue. Ping has been consistent in his opposition to spending taxpayer dollars on the restoration effort.