Folly City Council – Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Mayor Goodwin reported that he attended the National Hurricane Conference and learned a lot of information he hopes we’ll never use. The City staff recently held their first planning session regarding hurricane preparedness. “It’s better to be ready and not use it,” said Goodwin, encouraging everyone to be prepared, have a plan, and check their insurance coverage.
Trash your Dress on Horseback
Council member Paul Hume requested an activity permit for the Charleston Ski Club for their hamburger roast on the beach. The event is planned for Saturday, June 11, 12 – 5:30 p.m. at the 3rd street West walkover. Approved, all in favor.
Crisp McDonald of Charleston proposed a ‘Splash and Dash’ on Saturday, July 16, at the Folly Beach pier, which would involve a 750-meter current-assisted swim, followed by a 5-km run. The event benefits the S.C. Aquarium, registration is $35, and at least seven lifeguards will be hired. The event is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. The event is at 8 a.m. and the beach will be clean by 10:30 a.m. D.J. Rich and Paul Hume expressed concern about saddling The Tides hotel with so many people, and Goodwin and Eddie Ellis pointed out that The Tides doesn’t own the beach and Charleston County Parks has approved usage of the pier in case The Tides doesn’t allow the event to use their patio. Approved, all in favor.
Emily Miller spoke for wedding planner Mike Winship, requesting permission for a wedding on the beach on April 30 in front of 1420 East Ashley Avenue, from 5 – 5:30 p.m. Approved, all in favor.
Wedding photographer Ben Eckles requested to have the world’s largest “Trash the Dress” event on Folly Beach (brides ‘trashing’ their wedding dresses on the beach for a photo shoot), approved by the Guinness Book of World Records, on Sunday, September 25, from 2 – 6 p.m. Eckles expects 200-250 brides and will need to access the pier to get a shot of the crowd. He requested permission for two tents and a live acoustic band, and is hoping for television coverage. Council members raised concerns about the tide (high at 7 p.m. that day) and the number of people that might accompany the brides. Eckles was referred to the special events committee to work out details and answer questions, and asked to return to council at a later date.
Tim Peterson spoke about his idea for the Heavenly Dunes Equestrian Ranch. He called municipal clerk Mary Cunningham “my buddy,” then asked which home address he should provide. “You want the one in London, New York? They’re all official.” He said he was opening Happy Hardware where Roses Hardware used to be. “I grew up in the A&E business in S.C., and until our firm got busted for illegal Watergate contributions, I declined my acceptance to the medical university there because the head of the company promised me a position with their firm.” He then began to propose his idea for an equestrian center at the north end of Folly Beach, citing similar projects he’s built in N.C. He suggested that tourists would come to take their pictures in front of a horse corral that he would build in front of the Morris Island lighthouse. “When my mother got ovarian cancer I started a cancer research foundation, and I’m single with no kids and I’ve already given away two million dollars, and I just made $14 million, so I’m going to do it on my own dime.”
Peterson offered that 10 percent of the revenues would go to churches on the island, and that there wouldn’t be a speck of litter on the 42 acres he’s asking to develop. He also suggested a Civil War monument. Peterson said he’s asking council to consider approving the project, which he said he was approved to pursue in 2004. “I think it’s one of the coolest things that could happen on the coast of South Carolina, riding a horse out there, not running amuck.” No motion was made to approve Peterson’s request for approval to pursue the project.
Peterson then spoke about his desire to build a parking garage on Folly Beach. He suggested building it next to McKevlin’s or across the street from Bert’s. “If y’all let me build it big enough, I can put every citizen of Folly Beach in that sucker when a named storm or hurricane comes.” Goodwin referred Peterson to planning commission and DRB.
D.J. Rich presented the city with a check for $3,000 from the Folly Beach Restaurant Owner’s Association to support the Beach Management Patrol, raised at the Taste of Folly event. Goodwin then announced that four people had been hired for the patrol, working under public safety, beginning the weekend of April 30.
D.J. Rich then asked for approval for a benefit on Wednesday, May 11, from 5 to 10 p.m., for an employee hurt in an accident. He asked for street closure on East Erie from Center Street to the fire lane, and an allowance for open containers. There would be acoustic music outside, and the Shakin’ Martinis on the street. He addressed concerns about neighbors’ complaints regarding live outdoor music. “They’re actually quite enjoyable on the street, listening to them through the window.” Approved, all in favor, with Rich recusing himself from voting.
CITIZEN’S COMMENTS
Susan Breslin of 1115 East Arctic acknowledged that council was tired of hearing about water and sewer concerns, then spoke about a friend who pays bills on both James Island and Folly Beach. The friend said his bills were higher on Folly Beach, and considered Folly as using water and sewer bills as a “profit center.” Breslin specifically addressed the PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) program. “We are making a profit center at the expense of taxpayers out of water and sewer,” said Breslin.
Mike Kirages, a Center Street restaurant owner and James Island resident, asked for clarification about his water bill. He then requested that the process for the proposed new business signage on street signs be sped up. Third, Kirages brought up an email he sent during the week about a cigarette-butt trash can in front of his front door at Snapper Jack’s that’s been left dirty. Goodwin gave him permission to dispose of the can if it was broken. Rich suggested that they all be removed from around Center Street because they are consistently broken and stolen. Finally, Kirages asked for assurance that someone would clean the streets after Sea and Sand Festival.
ORDINANCES
Council approved a second reading of Ordinance 15-11, requiring three readings for ordinances rather than two.
Athanasios Tsivelekidis protested the approval of Resolution 20-11, awarding rights to sell concessions in exchange for maintaining public restrooms. He accused the council of favoritism in their April 12 decision to amend the award from Tsivelekidis to Folly resident, Karl Wolf. “My bid was good, otherwise it wouldn’t have been accepted. The second bid included information that was exaggerated, and based on that, you made the decision to give him the bid,” said Tsivelekidis, who argued that Wolf’s estimation of paper dispenser costs for the bathrooms was inflated.
Ellis said that he didn’t see anything referencing bathroom servicing in Tsivelekidis’ bid, and explained that their decision was not based on last minute comments, but on the bids themselves.
Tsivelekidis said that his bid included everything required to meet the terms and conditions, and said he operates a restaurant with clean restrooms.
City Administrator Toni Connor-Rooks read the City’s rules for awarding contracts to bidders.
Pennell Clamp motioned to uphold the previous decision, and Ellis seconded. Beck explained that she considered both bids, and approved Wolf because of his reputation and prior work on Folly Beach.
Council voted on the motion to uphold the original decision. Approved, all in favor.
OTHER NOTES
Connor-Rooks indicated she is working on the budget and plans to have it to Mayor Goodwin by May 1.
On May 2, Planning Commission was cancelled and postponed until 5:30 p.m. on May 16.
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