(Sept. 15, 2016) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors discussed the following items during a special meeting in the administration building on Friday, Sept. 9.
Nonstory storm
Interim General Manager Brett Hill said tropical storm Hermine had been a “nonstory” in Ocean Pines, but that it provided a good exercise for the staff and the board to run through its emergency preparedness procedures.
He said he and Board President Tom Herrick went on a “rollercoaster” over the weekend, as forecasts swung sharply from a “minimal” storm to one that could require the evacuation of the community.
In the end, however, the storm did not have a major impact on the Pines.
“It kind of gave us a nice little fire drill there on being prepared for when an actual event does come,” he said.
Yacht club odor
Hill said a mysterious odor emanating from the OPA yacht club for several months had likely been identified and eliminated. Apparently, a contractor had accidentally drilled a half-inch hole through the vent stack in the ladies’ bathroom, causing sewer gas to leak into the building.
Initial smoke tests did not reveal the hole.
Hill said about two feet of pipe was replaced in the vent stack, and issue seems to be resolved.
In other yacht club news, Hill said Labor Day Friday was about a 20-percent improvement over the previous year, although Saturday sales dropped off because of the storm.
He said the band was moved inside to the upstairs banquet room on Saturday and drew about 400 people.
The club will continue to book bands indoors during the fall, Hill said, and a new restaurant menu is due soon.
Golf updates
Hill said public works performed emergency repairs at the course during the recent tropical storm, and that the association was close to identifying an ongoing “water problems” there.
He said an engineering study of the country club was imminent.
Capital projects
The directors voted 7-0 to continue work on new bathrooms at White Horse Park. The board earmarked $130,961, plus a 10-percent contingency. The previous board budgeted $145,000 for the project.
A previous motion to spend about $150,000 on improvements at the Manklin Meadows Racquet Sports Complex was rescinded by a 6-0 vote. One director, Cheryl Jacobs, abstained.
Director Dave Stevens introduced a new motion, asking the general manager to seek estimates and provide a recommendation to the board before continuing playground improvements at the complex. That motion passed 7-0.
Previously, Ocean Pines public works had been given that job, which Hill said could have tied up several employees for months.
Stevens also moved to spend $26,120, plus a 10-percent contingency to convert several tennis courts at Manklin for use as pickleball courts. That motion also passed unanimously.
In another 7-0 vote, the board agreed to spend $29,300, plus a 10-percent contingency, to convert the existing softball field at Huntington Park into a “multipurpose” field for soccer and lacrosse.
The board also unanimously voted to request bids to relocate and install a new playground at that park.
Swim and racquet update
Interim General Manager Brett Hill said he looked into complaints of construction materials left behind the swim and racquet club, which is being used as a staging ground for bulkhead repairs.
Fisher Marine had just completed its annual dredging, he said, adding that the project would be “100 complete” by this week and that all equipment there would be removed.
Nonstory storm
Interim General Manager Brett Hill said tropical storm Hermine had been a “nonstory” in Ocean Pines, but that it provided a good exercise for the staff and the board to run through its emergency preparedness procedures.
He said he and Board President Tom Herrick went on a “rollercoaster” over the weekend, as forecasts swung sharply from a “minimal” storm to one that could require the evacuation of the community.
In the end, however, the storm did not have a major impact on the Pines.
“It kind of gave us a nice little fire drill there on being prepared for when an actual event does come,” he said.
Yacht club odor
Hill said a mysterious odor emanating from the OPA yacht club for several months had likely been identified and eliminated. Apparently, a contractor had accidentally drilled a half-inch hole through the vent stack in the ladies’ bathroom, causing sewer gas to leak into the building.
Initial smoke tests did not reveal the hole.
Hill said about two feet of pipe was replaced in the vent stack, and issue seems to be resolved.
In other yacht club news, Hill said Labor Day Friday was about a 20-percent improvement over the previous year, although Saturday sales dropped off because of the storm.
He said the band was moved inside to the upstairs banquet room on Saturday and drew about 400 people.
The club will continue to book bands indoors during the fall, Hill said, and a new restaurant menu is due soon.
Golf updates
Hill said public works performed emergency repairs at the course during the recent tropical storm, and that the association was close to identifying an ongoing “water problems” there.
He said an engineering study of the country club was imminent.
Capital projects
The directors voted 7-0 to continue work on new bathrooms at White Horse Park. The board earmarked $130,961, plus a 10-percent contingency. The previous board budgeted $145,000 for the project.
A previous motion to spend about $150,000 on improvements at the Manklin Meadows Racquet Sports Complex was rescinded by a 6-0 vote. One director, Cheryl Jacobs, abstained.
Director Dave Stevens introduced a new motion, asking the general manager to seek estimates and provide a recommendation to the board before continuing playground improvements at the complex. That motion passed 7-0.
Previously, Ocean Pines public works had been given that job, which Hill said could have tied up several employees for months.
Stevens also moved to spend $26,120, plus a 10-percent contingency to convert several tennis courts at Manklin for use as pickleball courts. That motion also passed unanimously.
In another 7-0 vote, the board agreed to spend $29,300, plus a 10-percent contingency, to convert the existing softball field at Huntington Park into a “multipurpose” field for soccer and lacrosse.
The board also unanimously voted to request bids to relocate and install a new playground at that park.
Swim and racquet update
Interim General Manager Brett Hill said he looked into complaints of construction materials left behind the swim and racquet club, which is being used as a staging ground for bulkhead repairs.
Fisher Marine had just completed its annual dredging, he said, adding that the project would be “100 complete” by this week and that all equipment there would be removed.