Know before you go: City Council meets 7 p.m. Aug. 23

Last Updated on Thursday, August 23, 2012 03:03 pm Written by Claire Lowe Thursday, August 23, 2012 03:50 pm

(UPDATE 3 p.m.) Removed from agenda, a resolution authorizing execution of a collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (IAFT), Local R3/347

OCEAN CITY — City Council will be asked to approve two union contracts, a $650,000 bond ordinance for beach replenishment, and will hear an update on the city’s status under FEMA’s Community Flood Rating System when it meets 7 p.m. Aug. 23 in City Hall.

When council convenes Thursday, members will hear a report on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program, which includes a Community Rating System, helping policy owners receive a discount on their flood insurance.

“It’s related to our flood mitigation plan and the discounts that policy holders in Ocean City get on their flood insurance get as a result of that plan. We’re a Class 7 community at the moment, which provides for a 15 percent discount,” city business administrator Mike Dattilo said.

He said that additional measures will be brought forward Thursday evening “that we’re hopeful will qualify us as a Class 6.” Dattilo said the discount for a Class 6 policy holder is 20 percent, which he said was a significant savings for homeowners.

The measures may include changes to city code, he said.

“It’s possible we’ll be dealing with one ordinance change related to first floor elevation,” he said. “We’re still considering that at this point.”

Thursday evening will also be the public hearing and final vote on a $650,000 bond ordinance to pay for the city’s share of a beach replenishment project. Council approved the introduction of the bond ordinance at its Aug. 9 meeting.

Updating council, Dattilo explained that the project, done in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers, is for the “federal area” of the beach, from the north end to 36th street, but will likely extend to somewhere in the 14th to 17th street areas only.

The project, which is funded by the federal, state and local governments, is estimated to cost $12.5 million, with the city’s share at 8.75 percent or about $1.1 million.

The Army Corps, which oversees the project, advertised the project on July 31 and will open bids on Aug. 30, with a contract expected to be awarded Sept. 4. Dattilo said that the work will be done in conjunction with other work in Brigantine and will likely occur in late winter or early spring.

While federal funding has been allocated, the state aid agreement was not in place as of the Aug. 9 meeting. However, a resolution up for approval on the consent agenda Aug. 23 authorizes the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and the state for beach replenishment. The agreement states that the city will be responsible for $1.265 million, and the state will pay the remaining $3.797 million, which includes costs for reconstruction of seven outfall pipes not covered by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Council will be asked to approve a resolution authorizing the award of a $13,530 city contract to Junetta N. Dix Consulting of Linwood for investigation of contained disposal sites for future dredging projects. The city’s only approved dredge spoils site, Site 83 near 34th Street, is currently being used in the lagoon dredging project now in progress. In order to dredge other areas of the lagoon, a new dredge spoils site will have to be located.

Two city contracts will also be up for approval by council: Communications Workers of America AFL-CIO Local 1078 and International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local R3/347.

The CWA and IAFT contracts are both three-year agreements retroactive to Jan. 1, 2012. The details of those agreements are not yet available.

For a complete agenda, click here.