By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Nov. 2, 2017) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors discussed the following items during a regular meeting in the Assateague Room of the community center last Friday:

Two absent, sort of

Directors Pat Supik and Ted Moroney were both physically absent, although both participated by phone.

Treasurer’s report

Supik said the association, as of Sept. 30, posted a negative $752,000 variance from what was budgeted for the fiscal year. By comparison, Ocean Pines posted a negative $52,000 variance at the same point, last year.

According to the treasurer’s report, payroll costs were at 51 percent at the yacht club and 46 percent at the beach club, against budgeted numbers of 35 percent.

Current reserves are $8.2 million.

GM report

General Manager John Bailey said work on the fiscal-year 2018 budget has begun and a first draft would be finished soon. He and the directors recently met with the budget and finance committee to discuss budget guidance.

Bailey said the county required some curb and gutter improvements to the parking lot at the Manklin Meadows Racquet Sports Complex before new platform tennis courts could be built. He said that was being done and work on the courts would start next week.

On information technology, Bailey said new management software and point-of-sales systems were being researched.

Bailey said an offer was made and accepted by a new finance director, but his name could not be released because “he needs to let his employer know.” He said 53 applications were received and three candidates were interviewed before the selection was made.

Appointments

The directors unanimously approved three committee appointments. John Viola, the former finance director, was reappointed to serve on the budget and finance committee, and Ken Korokway and Thomas Piatti were granted second terms on the search committee.

Comprehensive plan update

The board appeared to endorse a new charter for the comprehensive planning committee, directing the general manager’s office to take over a communitywide survey and draft a new comprehensive plan. The committee would then work as a research group for the plan and the general manager, according to Chairman Frank Daly.

Board President Doug Parks asked Daly to resubmit copies of a survey created by the committee and submitted last February. Both Bailey and Director Dr. Colette Horn had not seen that document.

Parks said the board and Bailey could reconvene later to determine whether the survey is fit to release.

Food and beverage

Director Slobodan Trendic proposed a motion directing Bailey to assess Ocean Pines food and beverage operations “and develop a specific recommendation for improvements that are based on consultation with professional food and beverage companies and individuals.”

Trendic asked for a presentation by the end of the year to include “specific solutions, including outsourcing/leasing options that will successfully eliminate future food and beverage operating losses.”

The motion passed unanimously.

You say you want a resolution

The directors unanimously endorsed a second reading to change the primary function of the environment and natural assets advisory committee.

Under the change to Resolution C-10, the “principal ongoing focus [of the committee] is on the health of the water that surrounds [Ocean Pines], primarily, the St. Martin’s River.”

“The committee is responsible as well for keeping the Board informed on environmental issues impacting Ocean Pines,” according to an amended statement.