Letter From Mayor: Updates on Public Safety and Marina Property

Mayor Jay Gillian posted his weekly update Friday on the City of Ocean City website. The April 12 letter addresses a review of police and fire department operations and plans for the former Dan's Dock property at 10th Street and the bay.

Dear Friends, 

As Mayor there’s nothing I take more seriously than public safety.  Keeping people safe is the primary function of government. 

I’ve said repeatedly that I’ll consider any method of operating more efficiently, as long as public safety is not compromised. 

For a number of reasons, this is an opportune time to again review how we deliver our public safety services.  

I have advised the staff that I want a comprehensive review of our public safety services. I want to look at everything: staffing levels; minimum staffing; overtime; revenue; response times; response protocols; communications; the use of part-time team members; more civilian EMTs; shared services; facilities. 

Members of City Council have offered a number of suggestions we should consider.  I plan to involve City Council, and we will work toward a public workshop meeting on public safety. 

My objectives for this review are pretty simple. I want all of us to have a better understanding of how we provide public safety services, and I want to reach consensus on any changes that can allow us to operate more efficiently, without jeopardizing safety. 

On another note, I would like to provide an update on where the city is with the dock and marina at 10^th street and the bay, formerly known as Dan’s Dock.  Although the City is involved in an ongoing process with property owners and potential investors, I felt it necessary to clarify the project’s status since some inaccurate information has surfaced.   

As many of you know, the property had fallen into a state of disrepair.  The city and neighbors have identified several potential issues including environmental hazards, a problematic bulkhead and many property maintenance concerns.  These issues are public safety and public health issues.   

The City Council and the Planning Board have agreed that this property as an area in need of rehabilitation. That determination is a starting point for an involved process that could result in private investors becoming involved in the property, addressing the problems and developing the site in a manner that is consistent with our Marine Village Harbor zone.

It is no secret that the Gills, a local family with decades of experience in the marina business, are interesting in pursuing this project.  I’m looking forward to reviewing the development proposal that they may bring forward. 

There are many, many public actions that are required before a project such as this can come to fruition. I believe we all can agree that the property needs improvement, and the community can benefit from a privately managed marina with fuel operations. It is the intent of my administration to gather the facts and make an educated recommendation to the City Council. 

Warm regards, 

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor