Announcement

GM report: Budget updates, reserve study, beautification efforts, and more

Friday, January 26, 2024

(Jan. 26, 2024) General Manager John Viola’s monthly report to the Board on Jan. 20 included updates on the new budget, reserve study, beautification efforts, and an updated reserve study.

Budget updates

The Ocean Pines Board held a public review of the proposed fiscal 2024-2025 budget on Jan. 11, and Viola said he and staff have received and reviewed Board input based on that meeting.

He said Finance Director Steve Phillips is working on implementing those changes.

A town hall on the new budget is set for Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. in the Clubhouse Meeting Room.

"We'll be there, [and] we'll go through the whole budget and answer questions," Viola said.

He said the recommended assessment is still $850, which represents a $36 decrease over the prior year.

"To put it all into perspective, it's a lower assessment, the budget has increased spending, we're increasing our reserves ... and the balance sheet is stronger," he said.

To view the adjusted proposed budget, visit https://oceanpines.globalnorthstar.net/documents/20124/91011/20240125145609859.pdf/9c9b6c65-542f-11b6-f483-8e5a75493ee1?t=1706809458239.

For the current fiscal year, Viola said December financials were $121,000 favorable to budget. Year-to-date favorability is roughly $833,000.



Reserve study update

Viola said the Association will start work with DMA Reserves on a new reserve study at the end of this year. OPA has worked with DMA since 2018, and an update of the study was last done in 2021.

"We're going to have them come in at the end of November," Viola said. "We will go through this over the next several months, looking at everything and updating it, to make sure what we give [DMA] is all up to date. So, it's a big process ... [but] I'm confident that we are positioned well, going into this," Viola said.

Ocean Pines will also be part of a beta program to help cut down costs for the study.

Viola said the previously approved reserve range was 24-28% of replacement costs for Ocean Pines' fixed Assets.

"We are there," Viola said, adding he would like to be near 30% heading into the reserve study review.

Viola later added the Association would host an interactive town hall with DMA officials, once the new reserve study is ready to be shared.

South Gate Pond rehab

Among the newer initiatives, Viola said Association staff is working on a soft shoreline project at the South Gate Pond.

OPA will receive $150,000 in federal funding for the project thanks to assistance from the Maryland Coastal Bays Program.

Viola said the Association will continue to work with Coastal Bays, and initial funding will go toward development of a site plan for the entire pond area, plus plantings to help stabilize the shore and protect from erosion.

"The main thing on this is to stop erosion and filter the water," he said. "This looks promising. I'm excited."

Viola said the idea originally came from one of the advisory committees.

"I'm on it and we're on it," he said, also adding that fishing areas around the pond would be preserved, and indigenous turtles would be protected.



Yacht Club updates

Viola said the Yacht Club entranceway was further enhanced when Public Works installed a new "Yacht Club" sign. The sign is nearly identical to the original that dates to the opening of the Yacht Club nearly 50 years ago.

Ocean Pines Public Works and an independent contractor recently worked to refurbish the iconic sail at the entranceway, and Viola said this is the last piece of that puzzle.

He added that beautification efforts often focus on "recapturing some of the old history here."

"[Public Works] did a great job," Viola said. "[The sign] will be placed ... basically where it was 40 or 50 years ago. I think that's going to be neat!"

Additionally, he said the Yacht Club tiki bar expansion is well underway. Plans from Vista Design will go to Worcester County this week for review, and the goal is to finish the project before Memorial Day.

"Hopefully, we get approval soon," he said. "I'm already talking to the contractor. So far, so good."

Seasonal banners

Viola said the Association received a lot of positive feedback on “Season's Greetings” banners hung at the North Gate over the holidays.

Because of that, he asked the Public Relations Department to create a year-round plan for additional banners to be hung at the North and South gates. Marketing Coordinator Nancy MacCubbin led that effort and designed new banners to highlight OPA’s amenities.

According to the plan, OPA will promote the Golf amenity in spring; summer amenities including the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Marina, and Aquatics from Memorial Day to Labor Day; and Golf and Racquet Sports during the fall. Other banners will showcase Ocean Pines as one of the safest communities in the U.S.

"I'm excited about this," Viola said. "You'll see different banners at different times of the year. They have it all mapped out."

The total cost is estimated at roughly $5,000.

Racquet Sports updates

Viola said there was water damage to the Racquet Center pro shop after one of the recent storms. He and Public Works inspected the area, and a temporary fix was applied to divert water away from the building.

Viola said renovation plans for the pro shop would include measures to prevent future flooding damage. He expects the renovation to be finished before Memorial Day.

Dog Park updates

Senior Executive Office Manager Linda Martin said Public Works recently ordered and installed two pieces of agility equipment for the Ocean Pines Dog Park.

"Thanks to George Alston and Jack Levering ... for their input in regards to the equipment and the placement in the dog park," she said.

Maintenance updates

Martin said Public Works, as part of ongoing maintenance efforts, recently did repairs at the Beach Club and Yacht Club.

That included sanding down and re-staining damaged counters at the Beach Club, and floor and drywall repairs at the Yacht Club.

Viola said some of that work is related to checklists from Matt Ortt.

"Everything's being checked off, so he'll be ready when he reopens," he said.

New signage

Martin said the Recreation and Parks Committee recommended several new signs for Ocean Pines' parks. Those include directional signs, walking trail signs, adopt-a-park signs, posted playground rules, and “curb your dog” signs.

Martin said that work is well underway, with Josh Vickers from the CPI office designing and installing all the signs.

"The majority has been done or should be done by the end of next week," she said.

New trash contract

Martin said the Board recently approved a three-year contract with Republic Services for trash collection in the community. New trash containers should arrive within the next few months and will replace the current trash cans.

Martin added special leaf collections would be scheduled on Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Nov. 23, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. Those dates are in addition to the normal trash collection schedule that includes bagged leaf pickup.

Martin said leaves must be in paper bags to be picked up, but there is no limit on the number of bags. She said bags can be bought from Ocean Pines Public Works, or from retailers such as Home Depot.

Viola praised Martin for her work on the new Republic Services contract.

"Linda did a great job on this," he said.

CPI and customer service updates

Martin said the Compliance, Permit and Inspections (CPI) Department issued 61 new violations in December, including 25 for leaves. During the month, 55 violations were brought into compliance and 144 remain open.

Martin said CPI has a small staff, but they're doing their best to address any issues. She asked homeowners to report potential violations through [email protected].

"We'll be more than happy to address them," she said.

Martin said the customer service team fielded 61 emails in December, including 30 general questions, 13 for Public Works, 10 for CPI, seven about amenity concerns, and one on drainage.

For general questions, contact [email protected] or call 410-641-7717.

Announcement

GM report: Budget updates, reserve study, beautification efforts, and more

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