Ocean View to hold special workshops

The Ocean View Town Council held its monthly workshop on Tuesday, July 27, at which they discussed a proposed revision of existing town code.

“This was undertaken because the code, as it exists today, is – I don’t want to say ‘archaic’ – but somewhat behind the times. We are attempting to move forward and bring the code into the 2010 era,” said Administrative Official Charles McMullen. “There were quite a few conflicts in the old code. We’ve tried to take into account not only the town’s use of the code but developers’ and citizens’ use of the code.”

McMullen stated that the effort is an attempt to “iron out” a few differences and to make the town’s Land Use and Development Code more user-friendly.

The Ocean View Planning and Zoning Commission has already voted 4-1 to recommend council approve the ordinance, but council members have been struggling to make sure they understand all the impacts of the proposed changes.

Councilman Bob Lawless said that, although it would not directly affect him, the ordinance will affect others, and he would like to hear from residents.

“There are people whose real life is affected by these changes. I want to hear from people who are going to be affected. These changes – if someone has a property that exists – they will be permitted as they are. We cannot require them to go in and change things immediately.”

Town Solicitor Dennis Schrader said he agreed with the “underlying philosophy” of the changes but he noted instances in the code that he said could create conflicts.

“There are things in here that require analysis on where you want to go with your zoning ordinance or your land-use development code. The height limitation in R-1, R-2, goes from 2.5 to three stories. Well, what is a ‘story’? Is it something you tell Mom when you want to get out of trouble, or is it 10 feet? There is no defined height limitation that goes with that. I would not go with stories. I would go with footage, rather, as a limitation.”

Lawless again emphasized that he would like to hear from residents, to get as much public opinion as possible.

“I would just like us to get as much input as we possibly can on this,” Lawless said. “Charlie and the town staff have done an extraordinary job of putting together a document that is defensible, logical and reasonable.

“I confess I don’t have a solid grasp of the intricacies,” he added. “Again, I ask our town, for those who are affected by this: wake up, get the documents – they are available at town hall – and pick up the telephone. Our phone numbers are available on the town Web site – and let us know what you are thinking.”

McMullen thanked the council for their comments and said he would be more than willing to answer any and all questions the council had.

Councilman Perry Mitchell then moved to table the discussion of the issue, he said, to save McMullen the time, because he “would like an explanation on all of these.”

Mitchell also requested an annotated copy of the changes that were recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Councilman Geoff Christ said he would prefer to speak with the commission about their reasoning for the recommended changes.

“I can find what changes they want. I don’t see the reason we need an annotated code.”

Mayor Gordon Wood called for “due diligence from both council and the Planning and Zoning Commission on this issue.”

“I would like us, in the August meeting,” Wood said, “to know exactly what we’re doing.”

McMullen requested council members compile their questions and send them to him so he will be able to review and best answer them.

The council will hold a special single-issue workshop on Aug. 31, at 5 p.m., to discuss the proposed ordinance and have McMullen answer their questions.

Also on July 27, Mitchell requested council members consider hiring an independent consultant to advise Ocean View regarding the possible hiring of the Ocean View Police Department to police the town of Millville.

“I would feel more confident in my vote as to what we’re going to do regarding Millville,” he said of the idea.

Christ called Mitchell’s request “totally premature,” noting that the town has yet to even agree to decide to provide police services to Millville.

“At the very least, Millville should be involved,” said Christ. “I don’t even think we’re at the point in negotiations where we’ve broken down to the point where need to have someone else come in.”

He went on to ask Lawless – who is one of Ocean View’s liaisons to the Millville Town Council on the potential agreement – if he felt an independent consultant was necessary.

“Do you think at this point in your task, that hiring a consultant for X number of thousands of dollars is worthwhile?” Christ inquired.

“To accomplish what we need to accomplish, I don’t believe so,” said Lawless. “I would be delighted to have a representative from an internationally recognized agency shepherd us through the process. However, we are at the very earliest stages of our interactions with the Town of Millville.”

Mitchell said he felt bringing in a consultant would legitimize the “tremendously controversial issue” and make him, personally, more comfortable.

“I don’t think I’d vote for this without it being approved by independent counsel,” Mitchell noted.

Wood said he agreed with Lawless that the hiring of a consultant would be unnecessary for what the town hopes to achieve with Millville: simply selling police hours.

“Selling hours. That’s it. That’s all we’re working on right now,” Wood emphasized. “If we want to do something more together with it later on, that’s fine. We’re not talking about consolidation. We don’t need a consultant to come in.”

Lawless added that the council wants the citizens of Ocean View to know they are working with Millville in good faith and that they hope the possible venture will be mutually beneficial.

“We hope to demonstrate to our constituents in Ocean View, and to the people in Millville, that, in honesty and good faith, two communities can get together and agree that we can sell some services for a reasonable rate,” said Lawless. “Our charter may expand going forward, but that will be the fruit of two groups of people honestly endeavoring to work together as adults to deal with problems as they emerge.”

The other big topic on the July 27 workshop agenda was the possible hiring an additional police officer in the 2011 fiscal year.

Wood emphasized that “time is of the essence,” in regards to sending an applicant to the police academy.

Police Chief Ken McLaughlin noted that the next police academy training session begins Sept. 7, and he voiced his concerns as to whether the council could hold off any longer on making a decision.

“If we’re going to do something, I don’t know if we can wait until the next council meeting. That would give me 13 working days. I would never be able to have the required testing done. I’ve got a medical exam, hearing exam, eye exam and a psychological exam that would have to be completed within 13 days.”

McLaughlin also noted that the academy requests the applicant’s packet of information a week before the training start date, so they may review the information.

“They have to accept the applicant and make sure they match their criteria, their standards to go to their academy,” he said.

The town currently has a part-time officer who is scheduled to remain on the force until Oct. 16.

Mitchell questioned whether or not there is money in the budget to support the hiring of a new officer.

“One rookie cop for five years, with all the medical, starting out at $37,000 a year, base pay, assuming they’re married – I went to the max there for conservatism, worker’s comp – costs $370,000. That’s how it works through the model,” explained the town’s financial director, Lee Brubaker. “That doesn’t include training, all the accoutrements, doesn’t include his shoes, his uniform, his weapons. It’s just a rough estimate.”

The town is hoping to receive funding from a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant that it has applied for, to help pay for the officer.

“We are aware that it’s going to cost dollars. There are a lot of factors that have to be included. This is extremely good and important information to have,” said Lawless.

The council agreed to hold a second special single-topic meeting, on Aug. 4 at 6 p.m., to discuss and possibly vote on the hiring of a new police officer.

Mitchell will not be in town for the meeting but said he had no objection to holding the Aug. 4 meeting without his being present.