State of the City address a list of city’s assets and services; ‘future is bright’
OCEAN CITY — Mayor Jay Gillian’s State of the City address March 13 included a long list of what makes Ocean City a dream place to live and how the administration and City Council make tax dollars “go a long way.”
Gillian said it was an honor that he was making his 15th annual address as mayor, pointing out that the city has its challenges, but compared to other places “our problems are small and our future is bright.”
All of his comments about the assets and services in the resort came down to the fact they all cost money, which led to a brief intro about the proposed budget for the new fiscal year that would raise the tax rate 3.76 cents, costing the average homeowner another $242 a year — or 66 cents a day.
Before he got to that, he went through those assets and services.
Gillian talked about all the grants the city has received for the Howard Stainton Senior Center, which the city took over last year and vastly expanded its offerings, making it seven days and week and to include holidays to ensure seniors had a place to go.
He said the city has first-class facilities for the community’s youths, including year-round recreation, seven playgrounds, six basketball courts and a skate park.
Gillian wants Ocean City to be the home of Special Olympics and he singled out city employee Jackie Adams for recognition for the efforts she puts into the program.
The Ocean City Community Center has so many things under one roof — the Free Public Library, Historical Museum, Arts Center, Aquatic and Fitness Center and the Senior Center.
He said the city “finally figured out” how to open the trash drop-off on Tennessee Avenue from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays to accommodate residents and visitors who aren’t in town during regular trash pick-up.
“It has been an amazing success,” he said.
Gillian noted Ocean City is one of the “last ones left” of communities that have a city-sponsored orchestra, the Ocean City Pops. He also revealed that Wayne Newton is set to be the star attraction this summer.
“I can’t believe he’s still alive,” he quipped to laughter from the audience in council chambers.
He said orchestra director Vince Lee “is top notch,” and thanked the Friends of the Ocean City Pops for its support and of mayoral aide Michael Allegretto’s work with the Pops.
He pointed out the Summer Concert Series, run by Bob Rose, that is a highlight for residents and visitors and has brought stars including the Beach Boys and George Thorogood to the Music Pier.
He acknowledged all the work with flood mitigation projects across the city that have improved the quality of life for the citizens. He said the latest phase of the Merion Park project is nearly complete and the city would be starting one in the OC Homes neighborhood next.
He “couldn’t say enough” about the city’s veterans and “how we have to respect them,” noting this year’s beach tags will honor Gold Star mothers — those who lost a son or daughter in service to their country.
The mayor cited the EV charging stations and the jitney service, how the boardwalk from surface to substructure has been redone from Fifth to 12th streets and that bay dredging has made all of the lagoons usable.
City officials will head to Washington, D.C., to get a Project of the Year award from the Shore Preservation Association, recognizing the city for its efforts.
He talked about the downtown, with redone crosswalks and plans to put in new lights and a sound system, and how the city maintains the holiday decorations. On that point, he said the Miracle on Asbury Avenue, when the community gathers in front of City Hall for a holiday celebration, “you can’t help but love Ocean City.”
Just as he did a few weeks ago during a Town Hall at the Ocean City Tabernacle, he noted how so much work done over the years is nearly wrapping up.
“When we complete the Public Safety Building, we will have finished everything we set out to do,” he said.
The century-old police station and municipal court is being renovated and expanded on Central Avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets and a police substation is being built at Eighth Street and Boardwalk. The Civic Center has been renovated, there has been work done — and more to do — on the fire stations.
During his tenure as mayor, more than 70 percent of streets and alleys have been repaved, the city is enhancing its open space at the former Chevrolet dealership site adjacent to the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave. to make it look good for neighbors in the short term before delving into the suggestions for the long-term use of the site.
Gillian thanked benefactor Leon Grisbaum, who has donated $3 million for a new airport building that will include a restaurant. The city is matching the donation with $3 million of its own.
“That will be an important place,” the mayor said, acknowledging many seniors live in the surrounding area and it will provide a place for them to enjoy.
“Everything we do enhances the investment” people make in their homes, he said.
And everything, he added, from maintaining the infrastructure to having full-time paid police and fire departments to Community Services programs comes with a cost, part of the point of his recitation of services the city offers its residents and visitors.
He said the city has received more than $56 million in grants since he has been in office, not counting the $100 million in federal and state support for beach replenishment projects.
Gillian said Chief Financial Officer Frank Donato would be making a budget presentation at the next City Council meeting March 27 that will show the tax rate increasing 3.76 cents, raising the average tax bill $242 or 66 cents a day. (See related story on the proposed budget in this issue.) The same tax rate increase was included in the current budget.
Council is expected to introduce the budget April 10 with a final vote planned for May 8.
“I ask council to join me in looking for new revenue,” he said.
Gillian also thanked council because as a team, although they might not always agree, “we do what’s right by Ocean City taxpayers.”
– STORY and PHOTO by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
