The marine advisory committee was tasked by the Ocean Pines Board of Directors last week with evaluating whether passes or placards should be used at the White Horse Park Boat Ramp.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(May 3, 2018) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors on Saturday discussed the following items during a public meeting in the community center:

Agenda changes

Several first readings for resolution amendments were removed from the agenda because the bylaws and resolutions committee reportedly had issues with some of the wording.

Additionally, Director Colette Horn, instead of Director Ted Moroney, who was absent, submitted a motion on country club renovations, and Director Pat Supik asked to postpone reappointment of John Viola to the budget and finance committee.

Two other motions, one to engage Union Bank and the other to amend previously adopted beach club parking annual fees for nonmembers, were corrected from earlier versions.

New document policy

Association President Doug Parks announced a change in how association documents would be distributed.

He said all documents would now by delivered electronically by email. The previous practice of asking members to pick up printed copies from the administration building was considered too cumbersome.

AGH presentation

Atlantic General Hospital President Michael Franklin provided an annual update on hospital activities.

Franklin said statistics show that Worcester County is the healthiest county on the Eastern Shore and is ranked 10th in the state. But a rapidly aging population would create challenges in the future. By 2030, about a third of the population would be over 65, Franklin said.

Franklin also said there is a shortage of behavioral health providers in Worcester County.

Treasurer’s report

Director Pat Supik, also the association treasurer, said the projected loss for fiscal 2018 is still $1.6 million. She said the fiscal 2019 budget sought to recover about $600,000 of those loses.

Capital purchases

The directors approved the purchase of a John Deere sand rake for $16,000, a Ventrac trim mower for $35,000, five golf utility carts for $50,000, and new fuel systems for use by golf maintenance at $20,000.

Also approved were two Ventrac mowers for $70,000, and two Toro Z-Master mowers for $24,800 for public works.

One capital purchase request, $35,000 for a Tri-Plex mower for golf maintenance, was postponed because the directors asked for more information.

First reading

A first reading of changes to Resolution M-09, which governs the search committee, occurred without action and because none was required. The changes were reportedly vetted by the bylaws and resolutions committee and, according to the meeting packet, “serve to clean up some language and provide a more specific definition of several terms referenced in the document.”

Parks said a second reading has been scheduled for the next regular board meeting.

A redlined version of the changes is available at www.oceanpines.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4-28-18-Board-Packet-reduced.pdf.

New bank account

The directors voted 6-0 to establish an operating account with Union Bank.

Supik said the association currently only had an account with the Bank of Ocean City, but historically had engaged a second bank as well. She said the budget and finance committee suggested the secondary account and vetted Union Bank.

Beach parking rate change

The board voted unanimously to set the annual beach club parking rate for nonmembers at $510.

A month ago, the directors established the rate at $2,800, but, according to Trendic, two lawyers from association firm Lerch, Early & Brewer had a “spirited discussion” on the matter. He said one argued the significant difference in rates for members and nonmembers essentially made the pass unavailable to the public.

As a precaution, the rate was lowered to more closely resemble the annual fee for members, $150.

Boat ramp

Directors, uncertain whether loose rules at the White Horse Park boat ramp were inconveniencing association members, directed the marine advisory committee to research the situation.

Horn said there have been times when she attempted to use the ramp and either parking was unavailable or commercial crabbers had taken up the space.

According to Trendic, the association was not in compliance with its own resolutions because the ramp was not used as a fee-based amenity. Several directors suggested placards or stickers for members and fees for nonmembers.

Annual meeting agenda

Because of the 50th anniversary of the association this year, Trendic suggested starting early to solicit agenda topics for the August annual meeting. He said a time capsule opening has been scheduled.

Additionally, Trendic said a homeowner last year tried to submit a motion during the meeting, but was wrongfully denied.

He asked Bailey and Public Relations Director Denise Sawyer to put out an e-blast on the subject.

Parks suggested also including members of the communications advisory committee.