Folly Beach City Council – March 22, 2011
By Stratton Lawrence
“The traffic and beachgoers are here,” said Mayor Goodwin at the start of the meeting. “We found them last Saturday. We need to adjust our schedules accordingly, like we do every year.”
The work session was cancelled after presenter Bill Taylor of the Municipal Association of South Carolina called in sick, and Council, with all members presented, hustled through a relatively quick meeting at 7 p.m.
Two items pertaining to land transfers to the SC Department of Transportation were postponed since “DOT can’t seem to get the wording right,” explained Goodwin.
Citizens Comments and Personal Appearances
Andy Pracht, owner of Sun and Ski Beach Services at The Tides, asked for a renewed variance allowing him to operate his jet ski rental operation within 300 feet of the pier. Councilmember Paul Hume questioned him about a boy who appeared as young as 12 driving an ATV through a crowded beach last summer. Pracht acknowledged that it was a friend’s son, aged 15, who has proved to be a good employee. Mayor Goodwin asked if Pracht’s insurance covered the boy, who was underage to drive last summer. “I should look into that,” said Pracht. His request was then unanimously approved.
Jamie Wilson of 714 East Erie requested a temporary sign variance for her “kid’s activity booth” next to the Black Magic Coffee Shop on West Erie. Her sign will read “Fun Stuff for Kids,” offering crafts and other activities. “I’m glad to see that we’ve got more things for kids,” said councilmember Hume. Her request was unanimously approved.
Marcus Rankin of Charleston announced that he would be removing his experimental wind turbine from the beach due to rapid erosion in his test area. He explained that he’d learned a lot in the few weeks he’d had it on the beach, and that he’s excited about the blade technology he’s developing that allows the windmill to turn more powerfully and faster in low winds. He thanked the mayor, council, and parks for allowing him to keep his equipment on the beach on a trailer during his experiment.
Susan Breslin asked council to look closely at the PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) surcharge that collects an additional 15 percent on water and sewer fees, asserting that some of this money was going toward employee salaries. With water and sewer fees likely to soon increase, Breslin pointed out that the surcharge would increase, as well. She suggested that cutting the rate would mitigate some of the pain of the coming water and sewer increases, urging council to look into it and accept responsibility for it.
Nancy Smith of Tabby Drive thanked council for reinstating the Beach Management Patrol, emphasizing its value to Folly Beach.
Elton Culpepper of East Arctic spoke about the traffic problems the previous weekend, when temperatures in the 80s prompted the first major beach weekend of the year. He asked about manipulation of the stoplight, a tactic that has helped in the past. Mayor Goodwin said that had been done, but a three-car pileup on Saturday morning entering the island resulted in congestion all day long. Culpepper asked that the new police chief continue the policy of removing small accidents from the right of way as quickly as possible. “All that advertising we did in January and February worked, because they were all here,” said Culpepper.
New and Old Business
Jane Word was approved for a seat on the Design and Review Board.
Council discussed Ordinance 06-11 at length, governing the permit process for homeowners seeking repairs to their homes. To comply with the state law, Folly requested and received a variance allowing specific repairs like painting, caulking, and cleaning to be exempt from permit requirements when conducted by the homeowners themselves.
Councilman Pennell Clamp expressed concern about over regulation. “If I want to replace the boards on my deck, and I get a retired carpenter to come there with a load of boards from Lowes, and he sets up his saw to replace those boards, then I have to first go to City Hall and get a permit?” asked Clamp. Goodwin explained that yes, he did, but if it was a buddy helping him “for a few beers” it wouldn’t cost anything for the permit. “I have a problem with that,” said Clamp.
Goodwin cited an example of a neighbor who built a staircase without a permit, and then had to go back and fix them because the spacing didn’t meet code and was a potential danger to children.
Clamp asked if he’d need a permit to change out an A/C unit that was broken. Goodwin said yes. “What we are talking about is a bunch of government intervention,” said Clamp.
“We’re talking about trying to keep the beach up to code,” said Goodwin.
“There is a point where you get to over regulating a thing,” said Clamp.
Councilmember Laura Beck asked about replacing a rotten board. Building official Eric Lutz said that would be a case by case determination, explaining that he had leeway about what requires a permit. Beck asked about writing the ‘leeway’ into the variance. Goodwin advised against changing it since the law comes from the state and Folly had been granted wiggle room and it might cause problems to go back asking for an allowance for ‘discretion’ to be written into a law.
Clamp and Eddie Ellis voted against the ordinance, which passed 5-2.
Among a series of bills approved together, council gave $1,000 to the Charleston Waterkeeper non-profit.
Council went into executive session to discuss employee and permit issues.
City administrator Toni Connor-Rooks announced that a grant had been received, and would be matched by Folly, to resurface the basketball and tennis courts.
Councilmember DJ Rich said he’d been in a great mood all day doing spring cleaning and writing summer drink menus, happy to have survived another winter. Clamp said he had no comment and everything was fine. Ellis said he had no comment but he did not think everything was fine.
Hume encouraged everyone to remember the positive changes made the previous summer, “making sure that the day trippers treated our beach like they would their grandmother’s back yard. It was because we were all nice and kind and polite and carried extra garbage bags.” Charlie McCarty said it was 8:15 and getting late.
Finally, Mayor Goodwin acknowledged that when blue recycling bins are left out over the weekend, they would be picked up by the trash. Surfrider volunteers sort the garbage, but it’s important to watch what is put in the recycling.
“Hopefully people put in the right stuff instead of dirty baby diapers and chicken boxes,” said Goodwin. He then urged people to stay tuned about a new policy after the county stops accepting yard waste in plastic bags on July 1.
April 12 City Council Preview (April Fools):
- At its next meeting, council will consider ordinances concerning the following:
- Sale of advertising rights on the water tower to Red Bull for one million dollars annually.
- The proposed ban on bicycles between 3rd block east and 2nd block west.
- County Park’s budget cutting measures concerning the possible closing of the boat landing.
- The state’s recent letter regarding the potential condemnation of the Folly Pier.
- A possible restriction on bare feet and sandals on the beach due to a recent rises in E. coli levels in the water.
- The suggested leash law for children under the age of 10 on the beach.
- Approval of the new Pluff Mud Day Spa facility construction over the marsh.
