Board meeting briefs

(Nov. 24, 2021) The Ocean Pines Board discussed the following items during a regular meeting on Nov. 20:
 
 
 
FlightTurf grounded
 
Director Amy Peck said a proposal to install FlightTurf, a grass developed for airfields to deter local wildlife, was not suitable for use in Ocean Pines.
 
The Environment and Natural Assets [ENA] Committee had proposed a test run of FlightTurf near the North Gate Pond. Peck, the committee liaison to the Board, said the cost to do so was estimated at $120,000.
 
"I'm very proud of the committee and the work that they did and the research that they did," she said. "Once we got more information from [General Manager] John Viola and [Golf Superintendent] Justin [Hartshorne] and [Public Works Director] Eddie Wells, it became apparent that this was a very cost prohibitive approach."
 
Peck said the committee would next explore other alternatives.
 
According to Peck's entry in the Board meeting packet, "The ENA Committee will re-examine past options including getting more information on a vegetation buffer around the ponds which produces a less attractive atmosphere for the migratory Canada geese thus discouraging their becoming permanent residents.”
 
 
 

Short-term rental update
 
Director Frank Daly said a prior Board vote to change the Declaration of Restrictions regarding short-term rentals in the community had targeted a public referendum in the fourth quarter of 2021. 
 
"Now we're in the fourth quarter, and I think we need a discussion on how to do that and how to move that process forward," Daly said. 
 
"The Board passed a resolution that requires a vote in each section that would give Ocean Pines the ability to regulate short term rentals and fine owners not in compliance with the proposed regulations. The purpose of this discussion is to see what the plan is to begin the voting process,” he added. 
 
Based on discussions with Ocean Pines attorneys, Daly said his understanding was the Board would work with the Elections Committee on an initial mailing. 
 
"And then, the way this process works, is there can be subsequent mailings until we achieve the 50% plus-one that's required in the bylaws to change the Declarations of Restrictions," he said. "It seems to me that we could have an initial mailing, still in the fourth quarter."
 
Daly said additional voting materials could be included in the assessment mailings, next spring, as well as a "bounce-back card" in the Ocean Pines Report quarterly newsletter.
 
He said the committee could also consider print ads and emails to homeowners. 
 
"All of that has a tendency to suppress the cost that we have ... to get the votes in each section," Daly said.
 
Association Vice President Colette Horn said a recent community survey gathered more than 1,800 responses and wondered if electronic voting may be useful for the short-term rental proposal. 
 
"I think the concern is that this is not a survey, this is an actual vote," Association President Larry Perrone said. 
 
"From a communications standpoint, I think we have two issues here: the communication to the community to let them know what this is all about and to explain it, but then I think the Elections Committee has to be involved in the actual vote," he continued. "I'm not sure if we have the capability at this point to vote electronically."
 
Perrone went on to say, "this is not a small project." He appointed a Board workgroup of himself, Daly, and Association Secretary Josette Wheatley to look into the matter further.
 
 
 

Second readings
 
Board members approved one and rejected two proposed changes to the Association’s Book of Resolutions. 
 
Changes to Resolution C-03, on the Budget and Finance Advisory Committee, were approved unanimously, 7-0.
 
Changes to resolutions F-02 (Annual Budget Development) and F-03 (Financial Reserve Accounts) were each rejected by a 4-3 vote. In both cases, Board members had issues with changing some of the language from "shall" to "should." 
 
 
 

North Gate entryway
 
While Daly said Viola and his team have had "an absolutely unprecedented, outstanding year and years together" in terms of strong financial results, he added the community as a whole has struggled during the pandemic.
 
"Last year, when we were sitting here at this team, we were in masks. We were unvaccinated ... we couldn't meet with our families. If we went out to someplace it looked like a group of hostages meeting together. Everybody was wearing masks and sitting far apart. It was just a lousy year for people," he said.
 
With the recent emergence from COVID restrictions, Daly said it was now time to make the North Gate entryway more welcoming. He said the bridge is structurally sound and is not scheduled for replacement until 2034, but instead suggested cosmetic changes.
 
"Given the lousy year that most of the people in this community have had, I would be in favor of shutting down the North Gate entrance for several days, power washing it, staining it, making sure the light stanchions are perpendicular to the horizontal deck, making sure that the lights all match, put up some Christmas decorations ... and make it welcoming.
 
"Make it a little fun and joyful this year, coming out of what I would say is probably the worst year that Ocean Pines has had from impact on individual people ever. We're emerging from a pandemic. Let's lighten the place up," he added. 
 
Viola said regular maintenance was already scheduled, and that he's open to further cosmetic upgrades.
 
"Obviously, I'll march to whatever the Board says," he said. "I think I've proven before that, if you give me the budget and the time ... and you give me an escalator, I'll take care of it."