Ocean City’s Early Pier Deal Talks Violated Open Meetings Act

OCEAN CITY – The Town of Ocean City was taken to task for violating Open Meetings Act requirements after two separate complaints were filed questioning the negotiation process behind the new franchise agreement for the historic pier.

Late last year, Ocean City officials announced the town had reached an agreement with franchise holder Charles “Buddy” Jenkins and his Synepuxent Pier and Improvement Company to extend the franchise agreement for the iconic pier that juts eastward from the Boardwalk at Wicomico Street. In 2018, Jenkins approached the city about renewing the pier franchise agreement reached in 1978.

The accord was set to expire in 2029 and the franchisee sought to extend it an additional 25 years beyond the remaining term, essentially extending it for another 35 years. The full Mayor and Council appointed a three-member work group consisting of Council Secretary Mary Knight and Councilmen Dennis Dare and John Gehrig to negotiate with the franchisee and work through the details of the agreement extension.

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