OC Council to vote on smoking ban
People found in violation of the ordinance could face a maximum fine of $500
OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Town Council will vote tonight on a bill that would prohibit smoking at several town parks and playgrounds.
If it passes, people found smoking at the listed locations could face a maximum fine of $500 and ejection from the park, according to the ordinance.
"It is the intent of the mayor and the City Council of Ocean City to protect the public and its employees from involuntary exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in certain areas open to the public," states the ordinance.
The new rule would be the first town-mandated restriction on outdoor smoking in the resort.
If passed, smoking would be prohibited at Ocean Bowl Skate Park and Ocean City Tennis Center, as well as playgrounds at Bayside, Robin, Little Salisbury, Northside, Gorman and North Surf parks.
During the meeting, the council will also engage in a follow-up discussion with Kay Moran of Bolton Partners on establishing a new post-employment health care option for new hires -- a high-deductible insurance plan with health savings accounts.
If approved as an ordinance, the change would give new employees the option to spend money stashed in a health savings account on medical care upon retirement instead of having continued health benefits. The funds in the account would grow yearly from the town's contributions during the employee's working years.
New hires would have the option of choosing the resort's pre-existing insurance plan, but they would lose those benefits when they retire.
If approved, savings from the change would not be realized until after an employee retires, when contributions to the savings account cease, according to Moran.
If it passes, people found smoking at the listed locations could face a maximum fine of $500 and ejection from the park, according to the ordinance.
"It is the intent of the mayor and the City Council of Ocean City to protect the public and its employees from involuntary exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in certain areas open to the public," states the ordinance.
The new rule would be the first town-mandated restriction on outdoor smoking in the resort.
If passed, smoking would be prohibited at Ocean Bowl Skate Park and Ocean City Tennis Center, as well as playgrounds at Bayside, Robin, Little Salisbury, Northside, Gorman and North Surf parks.
During the meeting, the council will also engage in a follow-up discussion with Kay Moran of Bolton Partners on establishing a new post-employment health care option for new hires -- a high-deductible insurance plan with health savings accounts.
If approved as an ordinance, the change would give new employees the option to spend money stashed in a health savings account on medical care upon retirement instead of having continued health benefits. The funds in the account would grow yearly from the town's contributions during the employee's working years.
New hires would have the option of choosing the resort's pre-existing insurance plan, but they would lose those benefits when they retire.
If approved, savings from the change would not be realized until after an employee retires, when contributions to the savings account cease, according to Moran.
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