Folly Beach City Council – Tuesday, March 8, 2011
By Blake Bunch
Work Session
Mayor Goodwin spoke in regards to the verbiage in their recent ordinance concerning surf lessons/camps in Section 1 and Section 2 of the beach.
Council member Eddie Ellis stated that, in previous years, people who wanted to run lessons or camps had to come before council. Mayor Goodwin elaborated on the fact that weddings are allowed in Sections 1 and 2, but receptions are not. However, this is not directly specified in the ordinance. Council briefly discussed the issue of allowing party permits to be sold for certain areas, and what rules/regulations the permitted parties should abide by, such as number of people, location and a sliding scale cost for large parties versus small gatherings.
Council then moved to the issue of modifications of the Folly River Park, and Mayor Goodwin stated that the park is in need of some exterior paint work. Following a walkthrough of the park with Eric Lutz, the mayor stated that their main focus should be on the painting and structural upkeep of the gazebo. Administrator Connor-Rooks reminded Council that when work needs to be done, they must get an estimate first, in order to avoid over/under budgeting.
Lastly, council member Paul Hume asked if Folly was going to have a beach patrol this summer and council member DJ Rich stated that he felt patrol should begin as soon as April 1, and pointed out that the Council had budgeted for the program to start April 1, though it hadn’t been discussed to much extent during recent council meetings.
Council member Eddie Ellis noted that the program definitely proved itself last year.
Council decided to meet the following Monday at 10:00 a.m. to further discuss these issues.
Regular Meeting
Following a brief executive session, the council returned and Mayor Goodwin informed those present that no votes were taken, and no decisions were made.
Personal Appearances
Ken Merkel, representing Folly Beach Restaurant Association, asked that the city consider curtailing the open container restriction from noon – 5:30 p.m. on March 12 for the St. Patty’s celebrations in the area from Huron St. down to Tides Hotel.
Mayor Goodwin asked whether or not they could follow suit with other cities, not allowing alcohol on the street, but allowing people to walk from one establishment to the next.
Merkel stated that there were some major problems two years ago with streets not being blocked off and complaints that the idea of a pub crawl is that you could take your drink from one place to the next. He then thanked Council for the opportunity to host these events in a safe way, and remarked that the recent Folly Gras went very well.
Council then passed a motion to wave open containers within the area unanimously.
Next, Ben Bounds of Follywood Productions stated that he wanted to clear up some issues with the Sea and Sand Festival, one of which was the issue of moving the band playing behind the Tides from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon. Bounds said that they are projecting from 250 to 300 people arriving to see the band and sand castle contest. It would cost $300 to have three officers there from 4 to 7 p.m.
Brian Eichelman of McKevlin’s Surf Shop came back before council to request an event permit for a movie premiere on Cooper and Center St. by the Surf Bar and Town Hall. Eichelman recently met with Chief Brad Wade, and together they estimate that about 300 people within the nearly 10,000 square foot space should work smoothly.
Eichelman also stated that only plastic cups would be used, trash cans and portalettes will be provided, as well as wristbands, and they will clean up the streets afterwards. Tickets to the event are free and will be available at McKevlin’s.
DJ Rich said that they had discussed how beneficial this event would be at the last meeting, and that what they are focusing on now are situations surrounding the event.
Council then approved Eichelman’s event request unanimously.
Lastly, Nancy Hussey of E. Ashley Avenue stated that that they had unfortunately scheduled a surf contest for the same day as the Sea and Sand festival, asking if they could possibly move the contest down to the pier. By doing this, spectators will be able to see the surf contest, and the water will still be too cold for swimmers to be around. Surfers would arrive by 7:00 a.m. and will pay to park or find a parking space outside of Tides.
Council also approved Mrs. Hussey’s request unanimously.
Citizen’s Comments
Susan Breslin of E. Arctic came before Council to speak about a program called Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT. In 2009-10, PILOT funds were $180,000. A while back, Council decided that they would charge the maximum, even though it wasn’t required, and Breslin noted that the PILOT funds paid for City Hall. “Everybody up here, with one exception, has part of their salary paid for by PILOT funds. Does it make sense to have a slush fund that the city can dip in?” Breslin felt that PILOT percentage should be decreased, resulting in the same amount of money with lower interest.
Mayor Goodwin said that the water is at $120,000, and that sewer is at $60,000.
Breslin noted that she felt that this is a system that leads to misuse.
Lastly, Mike Kirages of Snapper Jack’s thanked Council for allowing them to have events, which has allowed them to pay their bills in the slow months. He stated that he went to the Zoning Commission board meeting to discuss Center Street signage for off-Center Street businesses. Kirages said that he has placed a sign at the corner of the county park, which was taken after one day. He then went back and placed it the next day, and it stood for three days. Kirages felt that there was some loose interpretation of signage codes, and asked Council if they could postpone these zoning regulations, or anything to aide in this matter.
Unfinished Business
Ordinance No. 15-09:
An Ordinance adding the prohibition of Styrofoam containers on the beach to the already prohibited glass containers was defeated by council.
Ordinance No. 07-11:
Second reading of an ordinance creating a new section on public beach vending franchise agreements carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 08-11:
An Ordinance defining specific standards for development permits regarding flood damage prevention passed second reading unanimously.
Ordinance No. 11-11:
An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 10-10, and Ordinance No. 25-10, the first supplement, Ordinance 27-10, the second supplement and enacting Ordinance 11-11, the third supplement to the FY10-11 adopted budget for General Government passed second reading 5-2, with Council members Clamp and Ellis dissenting.
Council member Charles McCarty brought up the fact that the weather has been very nice recently, and that he has not seen many workers renovating the Fire Department.
New Business
Resolution No. R15-11:
A resolution by the Folly Beach City Council approving Public Safety’s request to use surplus for a portable structure to house fire trucks during construction of the public safety facility carried unanimously.
Administrator’s Report
In response to Breslin’s earlier statements, City Administrator Toni Connor- Rooks said that the money from PILOT was dedicated to City Hall, as well as maintenance. The $50,000 is dedicated to the Folly River Park, and none of the money goes to pay any salaries.
