Page 4 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch January 3, 2014 Ocean City Reviews Strategic Planning Initiatives By JOANNE SHRINER STAFF WRITER OCEAN CITY – At the Mayor and Council’s last meeting of the year, City Manager David Recor presented the first annual update of action items within the Town of Ocean City’s Strategic Plan, reflecting the town moving in a progressive direction. “I present to you an update on the town wide strategic plan we worked on last year. As part of that, we established a vision for the Town of Ocean City as well as a mission statement and established five-year goals. To implement those five-year goals the Mayor and City Council adopted both a prioritized policy agenda as well as a management agenda,” Recor said. “That plan in brief was effectively the overall working plan for 2013 into 2014.” Under the Mayor and City Council Strategic Planning Action Agenda, the following items were placed as a top priority under the policy agenda. Pedestrian Safety The 2013 project is ongoing as the pedestrian safety campaign with the State Highway Administration (SHA), “Walk Smart,” has been successful. Pedestrian incidents have been reduced by more than 40 percent, and staff continues to work with SHA on other design initiatives for future years. Long-term pedestrian safety traffic studies and conceptual designs are ongoing. SHA conducted its fall meetings with the Mayor and City Council on Nov. 12 discussing ongoing initiatives. The development of a measurement system has been completed and presented to the Tourism Commission and the Mayor and City Council. The monthly report presents a dashboard of statistics including hotel occupancy, room and food tax, visitor guide requests, weather, website visits and more. The report has been well received Parking Needs Study by the business community and is Staff completed an internal eval- updated monthly in season on the uation of public parking lots, street ococean.com website in the media ends and specific commercial section. A Market/Demographic/Town Imareas, and a report with recpact Analysis is in progress. ommendations has been It was discussed by the completed as options and Tourism Commission and alternatives were presented Mayor and City Council. A to the Mayor and City Coununanimous vote was taken cil during fiscal year 2014 on Oct. 21 to prepare an RFP Budget Workshop. for consulting services. The A trial program for addiRFP was presented and aptional paid parking was implemented during the sum- DAVID RECOR proved by the council earlier in the meeting that day. mer but due to public outcry it was rescinded. No further action is The following items were placed as currently planned by staff and the high priority under the policy agenda. Mayor and City Council regarding paid parking. Retirement/Pension 2013. Additional research on transfer, recordation taxes and county grants compared to assessments was compiled in October 2013. However, a preparation for joint meeting and a meeting with County Commission is on indefinite hold, as a council decision is in progress while the Mayor and City Council, city solicitor, city manager and staff are evaluating options, alternatives and legal/negotiating strategies. Tourism Evaluation, Market Analysis The draft guidelines will then be presented to Recreation and Parks Commission before being presented to the Mayor and City Council. A policy framework and recommendations of a new fee schedule is in progress to be presented to the Mayor and City Council followed by a decision on policy. Bike Share Program A report with recommendation is in progress. Due to competing priorities, this item has been postponed to the third quarter of FY14. Dedicated Bus Lane A report on design and options has been completed and included in the approved Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for design in 2016. Council decision on direction and a meeting with the State Highway Administration (SHA) is to be completed. Five-Year Projects A comprehensive plan of projects and costs has been completed. The Capial Improvement Plan was presented to the Mayor and City Council and approved on Aug. 27. EMS/Ambulance Services An evaluation of cost imbalances related to Town of Ocean City has been completed. EMS services in West Ocean City have been monitored over the last four years, including response times, staffing and call volume. A report with recommendations is in progress. A council workshop to discuss direction will be scheduled in the third quarter of fiscal year 2014 when staff members will present a detailed analysis. The report will include comparisons of the service levels provided by the town in relation to industry standards. The workshop will be followed by a council decision on policy. Alternative Revenue Sources A new revenue report review has been completed, and the Finance Department updated “Revenue Sources” in 2012. To be completed is a comprehensive report of new and alternative sources, followed by a council workshop to discuss direction and a council decision on policy. An actuarial report with options and alternatives was completed during FY14 during collective bargaining negotiations and eventually approved. The FY14 budget process resulted in limited funding for this item. However, a Market Analysis/Study is in progress as a project scope/outline has been developed by Human Resources and submitted to city manager for discussion and approval. A report with recommendation is to be completed followed by council’s decision on policy. Road Re-Surfacing Plan An evaluation of road conditions was completed by Public Works and the council decided to fund $2 million in road resurfacing that was approved in the FY14 budget. The following items were placed as top priority under the management agenda. Beach Replenishment A project to repair damages caused by Hurricane Sandy was completed. A full replenishment project, including Sandy storm damage repair and a full four-year advance nourishment, will begin in January 2014. The project is being funded 100 percent by the Army Corps of Engineers through Sandy Storm Repair Funds authorized by Congress. Private Events Inventory A standardized Memorandum of Understanding has been developed and implemented for all events. Special Events Superintendent Frank Miller has prepared a draft proposal on “Guidelines for TownOwned Equipment & Labor Usage by Outside Entities” for review by the Internal Tourism Coordination Group. These guidelines are proposed to create an established system of tracking and approval process, costs, data, sharing, etc. Canal Dredging Permits have been acquired, and a decision on funding has been completed. The Mayor and City Council approved $500,000 in “PayGo” funding to dredge three canals using FY13 Fund Balance. A bid opening is tentative for January 2014 with construction anticipated for February-May 2014. Five-Year Financial Plan An underlying assumption is in progress. Draft assumptions are prepared by staff and will be presented to the Mayor and City Council for review and discussion folSEE PAGE 38 Tax Differential A report on tax differential has been completed. An updated study was completed by Municipal & Financial Service Group in February Local Lobster Night $12.99 1 1/4-Lb. 60th Street In The Bay 410-524-5500 www.fagers.com Every Thursday 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Call To Reserve Your LOBSTER