Page 38 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch January 3, 2014 walk has been completed. The project was completed in April 2013 ahead of schedule and $1 million under budget. Airport improvements have been completed. The Caroline Street Comfort Station is in progress and is expected to be completed as soon as possible. The project was significantly behind schedule due to weather delays and contractor performance. Relocation and expansion of a public boat ramp is in progress. The city is actively seeking permits. Construction is anticipated to begin in fiscal year 2015. The reconstruction of Fire Station 4 is in progress. The old fire station has been demolished and the new one is currently under construction. The project is anticipated to be complete in May 2014. The renovation of fire headquarters on 15th Street is in progress. A second draft of conceptual design is under review and anticipated to be brought before the Mayor and City Council in the third quarter if FY14. Scheduled St. Louis Avenue improvements for this past year have been completed. The following management items have been completed: Capital Improvements Budget, impact of Healthcare Reform, police and dire labor contracts, a budget that meets constant yield, a compensation decision for general employees, a new police chief selection, a solid waste amendment on the town’s role of recycling, document imaging, an interim operation plan for Fire Station 4, and a Sustainable Communities Plan. The following management items are in progress or ongoing: webbased building permits and business licenses, institutionalization of strategic planning, GIS development proposal, and downtown land acquisition by the town. “When you look in total of where we are, what we said we wanted to do and how we were going to do it, I think it is a fairly good report card. I also think it is time for us to be thinking about next year’s work program, and next year’s priorities,” Recor said. Mayor Rick Meehan recognized one of the terms Recor was hired upon a couple years ago was to develop a strategic plan for the town. “What you did is follow through. It went exactly as you laid out to us. It got everybody engaged, and all of us around the same table talking about the same issues, and that is important. From a managerial standpoint that is the right thing to do and you were able to accomplish that,” the mayor said. “When you look at this, we have been successful in most of the items that were there and what hasn’t been completed it is moving forward, so I look forward to working on this again after the first of the year so we can continue in this positive direction.” Council President Lloyd Martin felt the goals the city laid out in the strategic plan are on point. “The goals we set we are going to be there in 2018. A financially sound town government, we’re there. A first-class resort and tourist destination, we’re there. Quality neighborhoods for residents, we’re there. We are moving forward …,” Martin said. . . City Manager Presents Strategic Planning Recap FROM PAGE 4 lowed by a council workshop for direction and a plan for preparation. The following items were listed as high priority under the management agenda. Route 90 Bridge A report for preparation has been completed. Staff attended an SHA meeting with Worcester County where priority of projects was determined. The council decided to have the mayor prepare a letter to SHA requesting the status of the priority of the dualization of the Route 90 Bridge. During a meeting with SHA a few weeks ago, it was determined Worcester County had not prioritized the project. Police Organization Study The organization and structure of the police department has been critically reviewed by Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro and senior staff. As a result, changes have been made to several operational components. The chief has also submitted a proposal regarding restructuring/hiring of civilian personnel to replace and transition sworn members from administrative to operational duties to the city manager. and reporting system is under development using Human Resources and IT resources. The tracking system is complete and information is being populated. Department head performance appraisal process recommendation has been developed and presented to the city manager. The plan is to engage department heads and evaluate results on progress. The anticipated completion date is the fourth quarter of FY14. Personnel Regulations A report of rules and regulations is in progress. Human Resources has identified needed update and policy clarification to reflect current practices. Internal Policy Committee members have been identified and a consulting resource is to be identified. Comprehensive Plan Update An update is in progress. Public input has been scheduled for the second quarter of FY14, followed by a draft to be presented in the third quarter and the council to adopt the plan near the end of FY14. Beach Patrol Headquarters All milestones have been completed. Becker Morgan was chosen as the project architect and a design kick-off meeting was held on Oct. 22 to review space requirements. The location of the corner of Talbot Street and Philadelphia Avenue was chosen for a location and a draft Memorandum of Understanding with the Ocean City Development Corporation facilitating a land swap is currently under review by staff. The Mayor and City Council approved funding for the project from bond proceeds with OCDC financial support on Aug. 27. Design tweaks are continuing. Employee Reward System A report with recommendations to be linked with completion of Compensation and Benefits Study is in progress. Council’s decision in direction is to be completed. The following major projects were placed as priority. The Performing Arts Center at Roland E. Powell Convention Center is in progress. Construction commenced on Oct. 20 with an anticipated completion date of November 2014. The reconstruction of the Board- Election System Update Research and evaluation of options has been completed. A letter has been prepared by the mayor to Sen. Jim Mathias requesting a merger of the Municipal Election with the State Election. A response from the Office of Attorney General was received acknowledging receipt of the request but no definitive timeline was given. The funding to combine the election is to be determined. Succession Planning Performance evaluation tracking ✾✎❏❏✖¤✾✛❍❜✎✖v¤✽✗✛✚¤✌✛w✗¤✽✗✑s❜v ✸✔¤❆❋✑¤✻v❏✎✔✏❋ J. STEVEN GREEN Publisher/Editor News Editor SHAWN J. SOPER JOANNE SHRINER Staff Writer TRAVIS BROWN Staff Writer PAMELA GREEN Bookkeeper/Classifieds TERRI FRENCH Account Sales JEANETTE DESKIEWICZ Account Sales MANETTE CRAMER Account Sales CINDY WARD Art Director JENNIFER T. O’BRIEN Graphic Artist COLE GIBSON Graphic Artist A Holiday Message From The Dispatch To Our Readers And Business Partners The holiday season provides us with the unique opportunity to express our gratitude and best wishes to those who make this community newspaper relevant – our faithful readers and dedicated clients. You are the pillars of our success and we thank you for helping make the last year a memorable one. No matter what holiday you are celebrating over the next couple weeks, our sincere wish is for everyone to take a few moments from the inevitable hectic pace that comes with these occasions to enjoy some quality time with those close to your heart. These are special times to share with your loved ones. At least for a day or two, remember to put aside all the worries of life and make some fresh memories. Rather than obsess on the uncontrollable, we owe it to ourselves to live in the moment, and there's no better time than the holidays to kick back and reflect on all that’s good in our lives. There’s plenty for all of us to be thankful for, and it’s incumbent upon us to recognize what’s cherished in our lives, particularly during this blessed time of year. “What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” NOTED WRITER AGNES M. PHARO.