[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:15] All right, good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to this work session of the Mayor and City Council today's Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, and we are running a full hour behind schedule today. So I'd like to apologize for that.
[0:28] First on the agenda, I have our notice and report on our closed session. Prior to the Mayor and City Council's open session being held at 1 p.m. which is now 2 p.m. on September 1st, 2026.
[0:38] A close session was held today, beginning at 11.30 a.m. here at City Hall.
[0:43] Topics of the Scottish and World Legal Real Estate personnel and public security matters.
[0:48] Persons present were Mayor Rick Meann.
[0:50] City Manager Terry McGeean, Deputy City Manager Jerry Harman, Council President Matt James, Council Secretary
[0:55] Will Savage, Council Member John Garrick, Jake McCresrick, Carol Proctor, Peter Bruce, and Jeff Heiser.
[1:02] City Clerk, Diana Chavez, City Solicitor, Heather Stansbury,
[1:06] Police Chief Ray Austin, Police Captain, Dennis Eade,
[1:09] and a board of elections candidate Bobby De Costa.
[1:13] The Mayor and Council consulted with Council to,
[1:16] I'm sorry, on pending and potential litigation,
[1:18] discuss the acquisition of real property,
[1:21] interviewed a board candidate and discussed police deployment strategies.
[1:25] At a motion from Secretary Savage,
[1:26] checking by Council Member Proctor to close the close session
[1:29] that passed with seven in favor at 156 p.m.
[1:34] Next, I'm going to add to our
[1:37] acknowledgements and recognitions. Turn over to Mr. Mayor. We have a board of
[1:40] elections candidate. Bobby DeCosta.
[1:47] Bobby, if you'd like to come up with a
[1:51] public, we do have an opening on the Board of Elections and come on up, Bobby.
[1:56] And that's due to the retirement resignation of Marriott Alibratford, who has been
[2:02] on the Board of Elections, I believe for about 40 years, and served as the chairman for the
[2:08] last 20 plus years.
[2:10] And Mary Island did a terrific job.
[2:13] She was a very valuable member of the Board of Elections, and the Board has gone through
[2:18] a lot of changes and a lot of updates over the years.
[2:21] She's been there to kind of guide everybody through that.
[2:25] And she's been the person there that was accountable at all of the elections and the town
[2:31] and really took that job very seriously.
[2:34] You've seen her many times when she's come
[2:35] before the council to deliver the results of the election.
[2:40] So I want to thank Mary Island for her years of service
[2:43] that had done a motion city, invaluable service,
[2:46] and wish her all the best.
[2:48] But that created a position and an opening on board.
[2:52] And as you know, we're going to have an election
[2:53] in just a couple of months.
[2:55] And we like to have a full board.
[2:58] So Bobby La Costa had put in her name to be there,
[3:00] and a contact that us about serving on the board.
[3:04] I had the opportunity to meet with Bobby and Amy Rothabill,
[3:08] who really now is co-chairing me the board with Paul Gager.
[3:12] And Amy was there to really give Bobby all the insights I think
[3:15] about the board and what transpired and what takes place.
[3:19] But it's a very, very important committee
[3:22] and board in the town of Ocean City monitoring our elections
[3:26] and providing those elections results
[3:28] be near to carry out the elections and to work with the public.
[3:32] So Bobby, I want to thank you for stepping up and for volunteering.
[3:36] And if I could have that, I'm going to go ahead and I'm going to ask you
[3:40] swear, heard it.
[3:41] But first, I'm going to ask the Council President to offer a vote.
[3:46] Secretary Savage.
[3:46] Yeah, make a motion.
[3:47] We appoint Bobby Ducas to the Board of Elections.
[3:52] The motion from Secretary Savage.
[3:54] Second, buddy.
[3:54] Councilmember Metresick to confirm the appointment of Bobby DeCost at the Board of Elections.
[4:00] Any discussion?
[4:01] All those in favor?
[4:02] Motion carries on.
[4:03] Thank you all very much.
[4:05] Bobby, if you would raise your right hand and repeat after me.
[4:09] Aye.
[4:09] Bobby, Linda Costa.
[4:10] I'm Bobby, Linda Costa.
[4:12] I'm a news mayor.
[4:12] I will be faithful.
[4:15] I will be faithful to the allegiance.
[4:18] And their true allegiance.
[4:20] State of Maryland.
[4:20] Board the Constitution and laws thereof that I will, that's the my skill and judgment,
[4:33] diligently and faithfully without partiality or prejudice,
[4:42] execute the office,
[4:47] The Constitution and Laws of the State.
[4:58] Thank you very very much.
[5:01] Okay. Good to go ahead. I might have you signed on the dotted line.
[5:27] Thank you very much. I know that you've already been in touch with you and given you information. Thank you, Mr. President.
[5:35] Next, we have a retirement recognition of our Convention Center Director Larry Naklino. Mr. Naklino, would you mind coming up, please?
[5:42] Hold on real quick. We've got a we have to move one thing in front of this we have a issue that's time sensitive Mr.
[5:48] Actons if you could come up
[6:11] It'll be quick.
[6:15] When you get to the recreation park committee minutes you'll see something in references based on park
[6:21] We have a concrete failure issue that I need to address certain areas if you want to zoom in for that's up to you
[6:26] It's certain areas that I've highlighted on there.
[6:29] The majority of it is along the actual bulkhead shown in a blue outline.
[6:35] Your charter slash code does not allow Jenny and I and Terry to move money amongst the
[6:39] different capital projects without your awareness.
[6:42] We are not needing any additional appropriation.
[6:44] The money is already there.
[6:46] I have a number of projects that I completed that came in under budget and I need to transfer
[6:51] funds from those capital projects into the base side part.
[6:54] to the tune of about $123,000 so that I can renovate and remove all the concrete that is currently failing.
[7:02] It is delaminating, it's cracked, it's heaved, and it's a technicality, and that I can't move the money without your permission.
[7:10] So that's what I needed to resolve.
[7:12] They're washed out from the bulkhead.
[7:13] There's not washed out from the bulkhead.
[7:15] Without getting too far into technical terms, if you all know what a rice crispy treat is,
[7:21] you know the texture of a rice crispy treat.
[7:23] compare that to porous concrete and what's happening is it's starting to
[7:28] delaminate on the surface and then if you were to go visit the site you'll see
[7:33] we intentionally raise the site and massive amount of fill to elevate because of
[7:36] the flooding around the area you've got a high groundwater table and then
[7:39] addition to that all the rainwater then circulates in and it's put this way
[7:44] it's blasting part of it, heaving part of it, popping part of it so I have a
[7:51] that we need to correct before we get into another summer season.
[7:56] We're going to put a different product.
[7:59] Any questions for how?
[8:03] Thank you very much.
[8:04] Thank you.
[8:05] Yeah, congratulations.
[8:07] We'll vote on this down here.
[8:08] How does one of those presentations?
[8:12] Sorry about that, Larry.
[8:13] Moving on.
[8:14] We have retirement recognition of our Convention Center,
[8:15] Director Larry Naklina.
[8:17] Try again, Larry.
[8:18] Come on up.
[8:28] Well, I'll talk to believe it was 14 years ago that I was in a position in a position
[8:33] of acting city manager as well as being mayor and made a recommendation to hire Mr.
[8:39] Nakalino as Director of the Convention Center.
[8:43] And we interviewed a number of people, Larry stood out in his interviews.
[8:47] He brought his jersey way to Ocean City.
[8:51] And we found that he had been familiar with many of the clients that were already in the building
[8:55] from this time working in New Jersey, which was really an asset to us.
[8:59] We were also in a process of expansion, up at Convention Center, so there were a lot of moving parts up there.
[9:06] But there is successfully stepped into that position.
[9:10] We had some controversy with some of our clients, he was able to really, I think, address that
[9:15] and bring them back into the fold and have them continuing to come here at Ocean City.
[9:20] I think that's his strength is working with people and working with our clients and making sure
[9:27] that while they're there and not building, they're getting what they need and they're satisfied
[9:31] with the service and they return to the agency and Larry has done a terrific job with that.
[9:37] As we move forward, Tom took over as director of whatever his title is, economic development and that's true.
[9:45] They work together and when you look at what we've done up there with adding all the shows,
[9:49] all the different things, all the new people that have come here.
[9:53] I want to thank Larry for his commitment and his commitment to the town of Ocean City.
[9:57] He's also become vested in our community.
[10:00] Part of our community and you see Larry out and about and he's well recognized and Larry, I want to thank you
[10:05] and know you have the respect of the community of the mayor and council and I want to thank you for everything that you've done.
[10:11] Why are we just proclamation top? Would you like to vote for a second?
[10:21] I know we're all the skeletons are now to season. So I've had the opportunity to work with Larry for the past five years and I can tell you, Larry has exhibited heart and passion.
[10:34] for Ocean City, as well as its employment and of which, you know, we can be certainly proud
[10:41] of during his tenure as the mayor had mentioned, there's lots of improvements, the expansion.
[10:47] There's just way too many to list if you've been here, you know, many years ago and go up there now you'll see.
[10:54] But above all, I will say Larry's a genuine human being and we'll be missed and from our team and staff,
[11:00] We just wanted to make sure we thank you for everything that you did.
[11:09] And I do have a proclamation, which I'm going to read Delarry, the present Delarry.
[11:15] This is a proclamation, an appreciation of Larry Nakalino, 14 years of service to the town of Ocean City.
[11:21] And it states, whereas Larry Nakalino has dedicated 14 years of distinguished service to the town of Ocean City,
[11:29] serving as Director of the Rowling E. Power Convention Center,
[11:33] whereas prior to joining town of Ocean City in 2012,
[11:37] Larry established an extensive career in a hospitality convention
[11:41] and club management industries bringing
[11:44] a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Ocean City Convention Center.
[11:48] Whereas Larry's tenure with the town coincided
[11:51] with the transformational period growth and expansion
[11:55] of the Convention Center, including the addition
[11:57] of the Bay Park front brawl room and the Docside exhibit hall, the Ocean City Performing Arts Center,
[12:04] approximately 30,000 square feet of additional exhibit space, and the 15,000 square foot Bay front gallery.
[12:11] Whereas throughout his tenure, Larry worked closely with numerous organizations, including the Maryland Municipal League,
[12:18] the Maryland State Firemen's Association, the Association of Maryland Counties, Maryland State Education Association,
[12:24] and countless other groups and events that have called Ocean City Convention Center Home.
[12:30] Whereas upon his retirement, the town of Ocean City wishes to express its
[12:34] sincere gratitude for there is many years of exemplary service and to
[12:39] extend best wishes for a well-earned retirement filled with help, happiness,
[12:44] and continued success. Now therefore I rick me in the mayor of the town of Ocean City
[12:49] along with the Ocean City Council.
[12:51] do hereby recognizing for graduate, Larry upon his retirement at San Darsonsir gratitude for his 14 years of dedicated service.
[13:00] Larry, thank you.
[13:01] Thank you.
[13:16] And so you'll never forget us even when maybe you want to.
[13:20] That I have a key to the city for you that I want to present.
[13:23] And I always say when I present this, it's coming from the mayor council.
[13:27] All those that have worked with you over the years and the citizens of Ocean City.
[13:31] And it's a key to the city for Larry Nakalino.
[13:34] Thank you for 14 years of service at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.
[13:38] Data today's date. Larry.
[13:40] Congratulations.
[13:41] Thank you, very much.
[13:43] Maybe we'll get a picture of you up here.
[13:45] We're definitely going to have a few comments.
[13:47] We'd like to thank you.
[13:48] Okay.
[13:49] Don't try to beat Martin Patrick's record.
[13:51] No, I'm definitely not going to do that, sir.
[13:54] Just a few things.
[13:55] I like to open by thanking the mayor at the time for putting me through a very rigorous hiring.
[14:00] hiring, but thankfully, it ended in a very good way within recommending me to the, to the
[14:07] then city council, who included Mary Knight, Margaret Pell, and Lloyd Martin just to name
[14:14] a few.
[14:15] I'd also like to thank my wonderful staff who made me feel at home from the very first
[14:19] day.
[14:20] I will never forget you and your hard work and dedication to the Rolling Palace Convention Center.
[14:25] Please remember our philosophy, our God, our family and the Rolling Palace Convention
[14:29] Center in that order.
[14:31] To the various town departments, including the U.S. and city police department, fire
[14:36] and EMS, the U.S. public works, beach patrol without them, our initiatives could never have
[14:42] been possible.
[14:43] And Tom Proloser, for having to visit the vision and for getting us to funding to make several
[14:49] things happen.
[14:51] I'd also like to thank Dr. Lenny Berger, got to rest his soul, bedside dull can cock an hour
[14:56] our God and support throughout my career.
[14:58] I thank you.
[15:00] To the Maryland City Authority, our partners, and to my recollection, I can't remember one time where we didn't go to them for their approval, for whatever, and not get approved.
[15:14] Thanks to Terry McGeean. We're working me through all three phases of renovations without Terry's guidance. I couldn't have done it.
[15:23] And finally, certainly not least, my God and my family, without both, my times, with rolling
[15:29] up our convention center, and the valley forage, convention plaza, spanning 40 plus
[15:33] years, wouldn't have been possible.
[15:36] I thank everyone.
[15:37] Thank you all.
[16:07] Thank
[16:12] you.
[16:12] Thank you, Larry.
[16:13] Thank you, Larry.
[16:14] Thank you.
[16:15] Thank you,
[16:18] Larry.
[16:18] Thank you, Larry.
[16:25] Go get him.
[16:32] Thanks.
[16:32] Next we have comments from the public and the person who may wish to speak on
[16:36] for discussion on the work session agenda.
[16:38] Maybe you heard during comments from the public
[16:39] for a period of three minutes,
[16:41] such times may be deemed appropriate
[16:42] by the council president.
[16:44] Anyone who should be heard,
[16:45] she'll state their name,
[16:46] they're addressed,
[16:47] and the agenda item on which he or she wishes to speak.
[16:50] What anyone like to speak today?
[16:51] I don't think we had anybody at the meeting today
[16:53] that wasn't an employee of the town of Washington City.
[16:56] All right.
[16:58] Bobby was the only one.
[17:00] All right.
[17:00] Well, that's all right.
[17:01] Bobby was here.
[17:01] Moving on.
[17:03] We have new business requested for the minutes.
[17:04] We have a work session dated August 6th, 2026,
[17:10] work session dated August 11th, 2026,
[17:13] and a regular session number 12 dated August 17th, 2026.
[17:19] That's my own boost.
[17:22] Thank you.
[17:23] A second.
[17:24] Motion from Council Member Buess,
[17:26] second by Council Member Heiser,
[17:28] to approve the minutes from all three meetings as presented.
[17:32] Any discussion?
[17:33] I'll be with you.
[17:34] Bye.
[17:35] A few areas with seven in favor.
[17:37] Next, we have standing committee reports with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee,
[17:42] August 19th.
[17:43] We have a pension committee meeting from August 19th with a recommendation and
[17:55] I'll get
[17:55] to it.
[18:05] We had a motion by Mayor Meehann, second by Jeff Thaler, to approve the recommendation
[18:08] to replace JPMorgan mid-value with Columbia Select, mid-cap value, this vote passed unanimously.
[18:20] There was also a motion by the Mayor, second by Karen Scott, to approve Jenny Naps, request
[18:24] to fund the unbudgeted portion of the total actuarial determined contribution for the FY27 using
[18:31] approximately $250,000 in a signed fund balance, set aside for pension contributions.
[18:37] This vote also passed unanimously.
[18:42] President Dina Votinika from the Recommendations.
[18:44] Thank you.
[18:44] Thank you very much.
[18:45] The motion from Council Member and Lewis.
[18:48] Second, by Council Member Betristic to approve the recommendations from the pension committee
[18:54] as presented.
[18:55] Any other discussion?
[18:56] I was in favor.
[18:58] All right.
[18:59] Motion carries with seven in favor.
[19:02] Next, we have the Recreation and Parks Committee from August 20th with a report.
[19:07] And that was presentation.
[19:10] We just received from Mr. Adkins.
[19:12] If there's any questions about that and or approval to make the move as presented.
[19:19] I'll move to confirm the recommendation that's presented.
[19:23] I have a motion from Councilmember Buis, second by Councilmember Matressik to approve the move as presented.
[19:33] Well, is it in favor?
[19:34] Aye.
[19:36] I'm curious if Carol, you're in favor?
[19:37] Yes, I think.
[19:38] Motion carries a seven in favor.
[19:42] Next we have the Standing Committee draft agenda.
[19:44] We're meeting today.
[19:44] All right, I'm sorry.
[19:45] The fire prevention commission is meeting today's September 1st.
[19:49] Questions on that?
[19:51] All right.
[19:51] Final item on today's agenda is beach code enforcement report presented by emergency services director Joe Theoble.
[19:58] So you cleared the room.
[20:00] I do my best. Mr. Mayor, council president, members of council. This is from August 3rd until August 23rd. One message is consistency, program continues to be successful if you look at it.
[20:16] They've been able to get back to about 70% of the people that they tag previously that's in violation of code.
[20:24] And I've got nothing more to really say, unless you have any questions.
[20:29] Questions?
[20:30] Mr. Mayor?
[20:31] Are they still out on the beach?
[20:32] They are still out on the beach.
[20:34] How long will they be out there?
[20:36] Officially they end on Labor Day.
[20:39] But I will tell you that as of today, we're down to 16 stands because of Labor Day being late.
[20:45] And everybody returning to school, I'm going to consider keeping them out there until the 27th because they have AEDs
[20:51] and at least assist if we have a problem.
[20:54] Very good.
[20:54] Thank you.
[20:56] And I'll see you on the 15th.
[20:59] Thank you.
[21:00] Thank you.
[21:00] Thank you.
[21:03] I have one more thing to report that I forgot to include in our closed session.
[21:09] Notice in the report earlier in the meeting.
[21:12] On August 6th and August 17th, the Mayor and Council conducted interviews with members of four firms for government relation services.
[21:18] The Mayor and Council have contracted, with a lobbying firm,
[21:22] Manus Canyon Associates for Professional Services,
[21:25] to assist the town on budget legislative policy and regulatory matters,
[21:30] proposed at both the state and the federal level.
[21:36] Motion to adjourn.
[21:37] Motion from Secretary Savage.
[21:39] I get a second vote.
[21:40] Council member Boos.
[21:41] All those in the favor.
[21:43] All right.
[21:44] Meeting adjourn.
[21:45] 7 in favor.
[21:46] Thanks.
[21:47] 223.
[21:49] Thank you, Mr. President.
[21:50] All right.