By Greg Ellison

Viola says admin. pursuing reimbursement from SBA on virus-related expenses

(Oct. 1, 2020) OPA General Manager John Viola this week provided updates on a  number of projects and processes that are underway.

Viola said Accounting Manager Julia Johnson is documenting expenses related to coronavirus that would be reimbursed through the Small Business Administration.

“Anything specific to covid would go against this grant up to $171,000,” he said. “We’re not going to get anywhere near there.”

Covered expenses would include items such as hand-sanitizing stations, fees to contract covid-related cleaning companies and related costs for amenities.

Viola said the grant funds are separate from Paycheck Protection Program the OPA was previously awarded.

“The type of expenses covered are any administration expenses, testing and contract tracing or economic support with anything pertaining to cost incurred to manage covid,” he said.

Viola said roughly $40,000 in expenses is documented to this point.

“We’re working to qualify the expenses we’ve incurred so far, as well as any additional expenses,” he said. “We think we’re going to be able to substantiate $60,000-$70,000.”

Other items qualifying for reimbursement are Plexiglas partitions, facemasks and other personal protection equipment.

“That is in addition to the PPP, which we fully utilized,” he said.

Viola said Public Works and CPI Director Eddie Wells is overseeing the removal of the former craft building in White Horse Park.

“We are going to be taking down the old craft building,” he said. “Eddie and his team at public works have been prepping that building and getting ready for the demolition.”

Viola said the demolition work should be completed by mid-October contingent on permit approval from Worcester County.

“Eddie has been working with the county as far as the paving and we’ll get extra parking spots,” he said.

Public works is also preparing to launch autumn leaf removal work beginning next month through years end.

“They’ll be starting to pickup bags of loose leaves on the 23 of November,” he said. “We’ll be opening our yard at that time for leaves and yard debris.”

Viola said pickup of bagged leaves should be completed by Dec. 18

“The pickup of loose leaves with the vacuum truck will continue until we have been through twice,” he said. “We’re working on an agreement for the truck with Ocean City.”

Viola also noted the succession planning process for the general manager and direct report positions are underway after an initial application date of Sept. 18.

“That wasn’t a deadline [but] more of the initial date,” he said.

Viola said the OPA Board of Directors is on the verge of vetting feedback on succession planning paperwork from Sibson Consulting, which is a subsidiary of the Segal Group,

“Right now they’re in draft form and we have asked for the consulting firm to give them guidance,” he said. “The board just needs to act on that now and will probably review this week.”

Viola said to this point one internal candidate has applied with two others expressing interest.

“Anybody that wants to from our team can apply,” he said. “I definitely have had one person put in, but it’s not closed out, if anything it’s just starting.”