Folly Beach City Council – May 10, 2011
By Blake Bunch
New Dog Possibilities – A Pet Owner’s Club?
Council began their 6 p.m. Work Session dealing with the amended Dog Ordinance for the City of Folly Beach.
Council member Paul Hume proposed that a community dog club, FIDO (Folly Island Dog Owners), be held responsible for the registration of dogs/members. Their responsibilities would entail the regulation of members, creating accountability. The amended ordinance would allow dogs on the beach without leashes from the hours of 7 to 10 a.m., from October 1 to May 1. FIDO would be sanctioned to regulate its members.
Council member DJ Rich said that a bunch of groups on Folly tend to be “cliquish,” and that some members may be excluded from the club for personal reasons. Hume stated that the more stuff that they put on this club, the more Council will have to be involved in the issue. He felt that they should let it play out, to see what happens.
Council member Rich then inquired if they should place a time frame on this issue, to which Council member Hume replied that Council does not want to “own” this issue. He feels that if the club would be allowed to manage its members, then they should do so. Rich stated that he felt membership may be predominantly based on the health of the pet in question.
Mayor Goodwin stated that at the Coast Guard base, dogs are not allowed near the high tide line because migratory birds are feeding there. He further added that, through this amended ordinance, that the City is basically sanctioning a dog club.
Council member Charlie McCarty elaborated that Council needs to have regulations in place for this club, and that they really need to be reviewed through the City’s Attorney. He further added that when people sue, “they look into deeper pockets. In any case, the City would be responsible.”
Hume stated that they will be following the ordinances of Folly Beach. He further said that he has a friend who brings his dog out to the beach who is not a resident. Hume then inquired if his friend would be allowed to register his dog, although he is not a resident. Folly Beach City Council members felt that the club would not exclude members based on residency.
Rich continued that Council needs to know that FIDO is being responsible before they vote on this issue. He believes that this is a great idea, and that everything seems plausible, but that he needs to know more in regards to this club. Council member Hume then asked Rich to vote on this issue tonight, and that Council will look into the issue further. McCarty further stated collegial legal work between the City’s Attorney and attorneys representing FIDO would be deemed necessary in the future.
Council then moved to break before the regular meeting at 7 pm. At 7 pm, Council began their regular meeting. Council members Beck and Ellis were not present.
Staying Safe This Summer – National Safe Boating Week
Mayor Goodwin stated that Ellis and Beck were absent due to illness, and wanted to note that Dr. Philip Cool was present, who is a Coast Guard voting instructor, pastor, and nautical pilot. He further thanked him for being present, and asked him to meet him at the podium. The resolution passed by City Council proclaimed May 21 – May 27 as National Safe Boating Week. This is in conjunction with the year-round boating safety effort.
Dr. Cool said that the US Coast Guard loves working with areas like Folly Beach. He further emphasized the promotion of wearing lifejackets. There were 27 drownings in South Carolina last year. He further listed the importance of vessel safety checks, float plans, and boater safety courses.
Personal Appearances
“Wolffie’s on the Beach” was present before Council in regards to a sign request. Carl Wolff requested permission to display a plywood double-sided A-frame which would stand 48″ x 24″, and include some of his concessions menu. The area proposed would be where one enters the parking lot, because there is no parking between the entrance and the corner of East Arctic and East Ashley Avenues. He stated that they have a temporary stand that they will be running. Council member DJ Rich then motioned to approve their request. Council approved the motion.
Mr. Wayne Turner of Camp Good Times and Man in the Sand Half Rubber Tournament spoke before Council in regards to an event request from June 11 to 12 on the beach near the condos by the Tides. Meghan Casey, the Vice Chairman of the camp, also spoke in regards to what their camp does- working with autistic children, pointing out that their camp is one of few in the State of South Carolina with this purpose. The event would occur from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Council approved Mr. Rich’s motion.
Mr. Jody Hawkins, Owner of “The Grille on the Edge”, spoke before Council in regards to a small outside event in his own parking lot, which would include music, on Sunday, May 15, from 2 to 6 p.m. Mayor Goodwin stated that Council does not have to give a permit for an event held on private property. He further asked Mr. Hawkins to keep the Catholic Church in mind near the end of this event.
Ms. Lucy Swaffield spoke before Council in regards to holding a 5K Run on the beach for the Special Olympics on July 9. Everything in terms of tables in tents would be at the parking lot of the Folly Beach County Park. The race would begin at 8 a.m., and the course would be set with orange cones from 2nd Block to 12th Block. The group would need permission to place the cones on the beach, as well as two water and aide stations.
Bender stated that, in the past, the event had not taken more than two hours. There would also be a “sweeper” following runners near the end of the line. This would ensure that the event would not be excessively long.
Council member DJ Rich inquired as to why they would like to hold the race during the hottest month of the year. Bender stated that they had spoken with a local running organization, who had informed them that no one was holding an event during that month. Also, in regards to athletes who are training, this is a key time for them to participate.
Several Council members expressed concern over aspects of the event including the date, which is the end of a holiday vacation week, and the fact that the event would need to be off the beach before beach-goers arrived. They would also need the approval of CCPRC to use the parking lot at the pier.
Mayor Goodwin further informed them that they would need to come back to the Special Events Committee with information and more detailed timing.
Citizen’s Comments
Tom Irizzo of Summerville and Marsh Winds came before Council to request a change in regard to beach parking passes. He said the City’s current policy regarding beach parking passes is discriminatory against the property owners who do not live on Folly Beach full-time. He stated that when he asked about this, he was told that people were abusing the passes. He felt that this is hard to believe because it is not easily removed, and the license plate number is synched with the pass. Furthermore, he feels that it is unfair that he pays taxes but feels like a second-class citizen.
Anita Pruder of 1670 E. Ashley Avenue stated that she has walked her dogs on a leash by the Coast Guard base since 2002. The issue for her is enforcement of the ordinance, and she feels that people who let their canines “run wild” are the cause of this. She asked that ‘law abiding citizens’ of Folly Beach not be restricted to the animal leash laws at the old Coast Guard base.
Bob Hatcher of 801 E. Arctic spoke to the encroachment on Arctic Avenue. He asked that an inventory be done “to find out the existing encroachment and perhaps give owners 10 years to remove the encroachments they have on their property that they have on that right of way, and either at the end of the 10 years have the City clean it off and charge the owners, or if the property is sold between now and 10 years, to have it done at the time of sale.”
Lynn Mathis of Marsh Winds came before Council, saying that she comes to Folly from October to March. She reiterated Irizzo’s comments about second-class citizenry in regard to parking passes. Also, she added that Council should look into re-stating this issue.
Commission, Board, and Committee Reports
Council then discussed the issue of a memo from the Zoning Administrator, Mr. Aaron Pope, regarding “Off Center Street Business Identification.” Council member Pennell Camp motioned that this go before the Design and Review Board.
New Business
Resolution No. R23-11: A Resolution by the Folly Beach City Council proclaiming the week of May 21 through May 27, 2011, as National Safe Boating Week. The resolution carried unanimously.
Resolution No. R24-11: A Resolution by the Folly Beach City Council approving a request to surplus various items which are no longer used by Folly Beach. After discussion and uncertainty about which vehicles were being replaced, Mayor Goodwin suggested postponing a vote on the resolution until Council members could speak with department heads.
Resolution No. R25-11: A Resolution by the Folly Beach City Council authorizing staff to enter into an agreement for the Phase I Environmental Study of 512 East Eerie Avenue as required for the application for Greenbelt funding.
From the City’s Minutes: Council Member McCarty made a motion to approve and Council Member Rich seconded the motion. Council Member Clamp asked how many phases are involved in this project. Mayor Goodwin responded, explaining that the environmental study should be followed by the appraisal and then closing. Council Member Clamp expressed concern about paying for a study where the outcome is unsure. Mayor Goodwin pointed out that the study had to be done in order to apply for the Greenbelt funding. Council Member McCarty said that even if the study does not lead to purchasing the property with Greenbelt funds, the information gleaned from the study will help the City understand what could be done with the property. A vote was taken with all in favor.
The resolution carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 16-11: This ordinance would allow the FIDO club discussed in the work session to facilitate an off-leash dog area and time in the mornings. Council member Rich said that legal counsel would review the ordinance before the next reading. The first reading carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 17-11: (First Reading introduced by Mayor Goodwin). An Ordinance establishing the Sewer Utility Budgets and appropriating the necessary funds for the operation of the Folly Beach Sewer Utility of Folly Beach for FY09-10, beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011.
Council member McCarty recalled that, before passage of the budget, they had elected on June 22 to approve the budget, but did not approve it for sewer and water. Administrator Connor-Rooks stated that Mr. McCarty’s observation was correct. McCarty further elaborated that there has been some concern with negotiations with their suppliers. They don’t have a reservoir, or treat wastewater, so they must utilize James Island and Charleston County facilities. They are waiting for a negotiation strategy to be discussed with James Island. Right now, all they are looking at is why they need to take action on what is a continuing resolution that they approved last June.
Connor-Rooks said that they have spent money for the past ten months, and that the resolution is now out of date. This has nothing to do with the rate study; the City simply has two months left in the budget up for approval. Frankly, they would be doing the City a disservice not to pass this, she said.
Council member Clamp stated that everyone should see more transparency in the water and the sewer budget for next year. “If you’re going to run it like a business, run the damn thing like a business,” he asserted.
McCarty stated that, in their April meeting, they had a resolution to amend their “stealth advisory board on utilities.” He feels that, hopefully by their next meeting, they will have an amendment ratifying their budget accountabilities on expenditures.
Mayor Goodwin believes that they have been working on transparency for one year.
Council member Camp stated that he is concerned about P and L – price and losses. He would like a quarterly statement proving so.
Clamp said that he is not in favor of using a rate study to set a budget. Mayor Goodwin stated that the rate study acts as an estimate as to what it will cost.
The first reading carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 18-11: An Ordinance establishing the Sewer Utility Budgets and appropriating the necessary funds for the operation of the Folly Beach Water Utility of Folly Beach for FY10-11, beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011. (First Reading Introduced by Mayor Goodwin). The first reading carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 19-11: This bill would adopt design standards for construction projects.
Council member Hume stated that he was on the Planning Commission, and they did a re-write. The DRB refused to put forth a concept of anything that would be considered standard. This means that anyone could pass the design with no conditions whatsoever on the main corridor (Center Street). The DRB was very much an instigator of the design you see on Treasure Island, said Hume. “These are the kinds of buildings we have, and this is a more subjective way to say we want something that fits in,” stated Hume. The first reading carried unanimously.
Council then motioned to adjourn.
Design and Review Board – May 16, 2011
The meeting began with a discussion involving ongoing work at Loggerheads, which involved the extension of the second story porch.
A representative for the construction company then spoke before the board, apologizing for their lapse in communication. He further stated that they had some early issues with the existing deck, in that it was two feet over the property line. When the original bar structure went up, one of the columns was near the end of the handicap ramp, so they worked on getting that re-drawn and re-engineered.
The last time he came before the board, he stated that the board members had some concerns in regards to the wall between restrooms. They addressed this issue, making some small positive changes.
Administrator Connor-Rooks said that she has seen the new angling of the porch, and that it looks beautiful. DRB then motioned to approve the proposed changes for Loggerhead’s.
The board unanimously approved these changes.
As the meeting progressed, the DRB moved towards the issue of exterior duct work at 23 Center Street. The project would involve extending an air conditioning duct within the vicinity of the building’s neighbors. He continued that the old duct work cannot be replaced, and runs in a small area beside the wall at the new City Hall and 23 Center Street. The old duct work was squashed by the new building, so they will have to complete the project on the opposite side.
Some board members had concerns over the structure, mainly because of its location in respect to the building, as well as the color scheme. They felt as though blue would make a better color for some exterior piping.
The discussion then moved towards an application by Turres-River, who is repainting a building for the City. All of the doors will be red, and the exterior of the house will be a tan color.
The Design and Review Board will be further involved in designing street poles for off-Center Street businesses, so they will be able to have some advertising on Center Street.
The Design and Review Board then motioned to adjourn.
Tweet
