Five Things to Know From Thursday's Council Meeting

At a public meeting Thursday (Nov. 21) at the Ocean City Free Public Library, City Council gave final approval to a redevelopment plan for a marina and restaurant on the bay and to a zoning ordinance regulating retaining walls. But here are five other things from the meeting that might be of interest.

• CITY TO-DO LIST UPDATE: Business Administrator updated City Council on the progress of capital improvements in the works: City Hall: First-floor storm repairs are on schedule, and city employees should be able to move back in by March 1. Boardwalk replacement: Work on completely replacing the 500 block of the Ocean City Boardwalk is on schedule and should be complete by April. South-End Beach Replenishment: Final plans are being reviewed and project is on schedule to start in March 2014. Seventh and Eighth Streets: Already overdue, drainage and paving work is continuing. Merion Park: A plan for major drainage and street improvements is 90 percent complete, and a meeting with neighborhood representatives will be scheduled for the first week of December. Holiday decorations: Work should be complete on Friday, Nov. 22, in time for the Earlier Than the Bird celebration downtown.
• X ZONES: City Council gave final approval to an ordinance that would apply the highest base flood elevation from any neighboring zone to the areas of Ocean City designated as X Zone on FEMA flood maps. Existing homes in the Historic District (where height doesn't change) will be excepted from the elevation requirement under the ordinance. 
• FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE: City Council gave final approval to a flood damage prevention ordinance that lets the city use the less restrictive FEMA flood maps released on Aug. 27 or the "best available flood hazard data" (as newer versions of the flood maps are approved). The maps determine required elevations for new or substantially reconstructed homes in Ocean City. 
• HOSPITALITY ZONE: City Council gave final approval to an ordinance creating a new "Hospitality Zone" to replace three existing zones in the downtown area of the Ocean City Boardwalk. The new zone encourages development but also permits residential uses that were nonconforming.
• OCBP CONTRACT: City Council approved a one-year contract with Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguards and administrators that calls for 1.75 percent wage increases in 2014. The short contract will put the beach patrol on the same three-year schedule for collective bargaining agreements with other city employee unions. The beach patrol's most recent contract for 2011 to 2013 called for increases of 0 percent, 1.5 percent and 2 percent to match the agreements with other city employees.