Budget Woes and Birding Follies: Folly Beach City Council Meeting June 14,2011
By Jacob Flannick
Work Session, 5 p.m.
The city’s proposed 2011-2012 fiscal year budget, awaiting first reading approval, currently shows total revenue and expenditures equaling roughly $5 million. Despite the narrow margin of incoming and outgoing funds, the budget does not reflect a tax increase, according to City Administrator Toni Connor-Rooks.
In an effort to boost revenue, council members proposed increasing rates in certain areas, including parking fees. Council member Pennell Clamp said he’d like to raise fixed parking rates.
Council debated running ads on public access TV, including during breaks in council meetings. “How I see it, is that we’re out a thousand dollars,” said council member D.J. Rich, referring to the city’s missed opportunities in gaining advertising funds. Connor-Rooks said she foresees re-airing council meetings on radio channel 1610 for people without access to the public TV station.
Council member Pennell Clamp expressed concern for the budget’s equal revenue and expenditure figures, and said he feels the budget’s projected revenue is over-estimated. “You see my concern — I don’t want to budget for $5 million and end up with $4.5 million,” said Clamp. “The money’s got to come from somewhere. I don’t think we’ll be doing the people of Folly Beach a service if we have $5 million coming in and we spend $5 million.”
Countering Clamp’s scrutiny, council member Charlie McCarty expects incoming fees to boost revenue. “I think it’s conservative,” said McCarty, regarding the budget’s projections.
McCarty envisions incoming revenue from franchise fees, parking program fees, and parking violations to increase incoming funds. Specifically, McCarty pointed out the $49,000 in hospitality fees currently exceeding last year’s fees of $45,000. “I feel more confident we’ll reach our numbers this year,” said McCarty.
Promising revenue projections did not sway council members’ concerns for various expenditures, however. “Personally, I don’t think we’re ready to vote on the budget tonight,” said Clamp.
Mayor Tim Goodwin proposed removing the budget from the ensuing council meeting’s agenda Tuesday night to allow ample time for revisions before approving a first reading. The reworked budget will await approval from city department heads until further consideration, according to Mayor Goodwin.
Council member Paul Hume suggested council members immediately propose cuts to expenditures in order to reach a consensus.
Funds were trimmed in public safety services, such as police and fire departments. Cuts to community projects were also proposed.
Amidst reducing expenditures, council members agreed to allocate funds from proposed cuts towards parks and recreation for refinishing the tennis and basketball courts, as well as sand and fence repair services. A transfer of $20,000 from reserve funds to the Community Center for replacing the pond and other deteriorated parts of the garden was also proposed.
After carefully revising the budget, council members conceded and agreed to postpone the budget’s first reading until June 28. Another budget work session is anticipated for the following week.
Work session briefly let out at 6:44 p.m.
Council Meeting, 7 p.m.
Folly Beach Director of Public Safety, Chief Dennis Brown, commenced the meeting by introducing three new public safety officers of the city’s Police department. “I believe we have some of the best of the best candidates we could select,” said Chief Brown. “We’re very fortunate to have them and I’m truly grateful they’ve decided to join our team.” Chief Brown said the trainees must endure four more weeks of training until they‘re “cut loose.”
Council approved the consent agenda, including expenditures of $1,500 toward Turtle Protection Volunteers from council discretionary fund, as well as a request to surplus various public safety vehicles no longer used by the city.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES
Tom O’Rourke of Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC), requested to commence plans of creating a parking area at 2nd block east between E. Ashley and E. Arctic Avenues. The plan includes a single entryway off E. Ashley and an exit on E. Arctic, creating 26 parking spaces.
“Right now, there are parking issues on this island,” said O’Rourke. “We get calls everyday about what we’re going to do and we have to give the speech about beach re-nourishment. “We’ve lost over 200 spaces down the street and, even though it’s only 26 spaces, it will help a little.”
Initial parking spaces on CCPRC property have been reduced from 440 to 180, according to O’Rourke.
“This is step one — it’s going to be gravel, an entrance gate, vinyl fence and signage to create separation,” said O’Rourke.
Hume said he’s caught wind of traffic problems on E. Ashley, creating hazards for crossing pedestrians. “If you put another 26 spaces there, getting over to Bert’s Supermarket is going to be a problem,” said Hume. Hume suggested placing precautions alongside the avenue, such as a crosswalk and flashing lights.
Council member Laura Beck also proposed a future sidewalk to ensure pedestrian safety. O’Rourke responded: “I think we’re open to anything if it’ll help, especially if it deals with safety.” “We’re willing to be apart of whatever plan that’s bigger than us,” said O’Rourke, regarding members’ precautionary measures. “We’re one little piece of something much bigger.”
Council unanimously approved O’Rourke’s request
Hillcrest Baptist Church parishioner Sheila Ray, 4177 Mill Creek Drive, North Charleston, requested permission for parish members to hand out free water July 28 on the beach.
Ray said a lack of parish funds has prevented a planned mission trip, and feels the parish’s generous endeavor will benefit the community. “We’ve done this in Jekyll Island and it went real well,” said Ray, referring to the parish’s previous initiatives in offering free water.
Beck suggested parishioners pick up trash during the event to prevent litter from compiling.
Council member Eddie Ellis commended Hillcrest Baptist Church’s decision to remain in the area. “The message can be spread right here just as easy as it can be spread in other countries,” said Ellis.
Council unanimously approved Ray’s request
Tim and Valda Jones of Johnson City, Tennessee, requested permission to hold an open house party on their 309 E. Arctic avenue property from 4 to 8 p.m. on July 30. Jones was aware the city requires parties of 25 or more to seek approval from city council.
Jones said he and his wife fell in love with Folly Beach while staying with a friend years ago. “I’d like to share Folly with our friends — mostly from Tennessee and some from South Carolina,” said Jones, who mentioned attendance will not exceed 100. “We like to think we have a few friends that would be willing to make the trip.”
Council member D.J. Rich pointed out potential parking issues from visitors. “Parking’s a problem, I agree,” responded Jones, who mentioned that he may utilize his neighbor’s empty lot across the street for visitor parking. Jones said he’s also cooperating with the Tides hotel to provide parking space, and is awaiting council approval before solidifying plans with the hotel.
Council unanimously approved the Jones’ request
Jim Setford of 1215 Tabby Drive, sought permission to maintain a berm and placement of barrels on his property to protect premises from rising tides, as well as prevent roadway erosion from weekend parking.
Setford said his property sits lower than 13th Street, enabling advancing tides to cover property. “First seven-plus tide covered my property with salt water,” said Setford, who rebuilt the property’s berm and fence after Hurricane Hugo destroyed his property.
“All was well until the city decided they could make a million dollars by making people pay to park,” said Setford lightheartedly. Setford said parked cars from people frequenting the washout, as well as numerous day-trippers, are constantly bogging down the marsh and causing significant erosion.
“There is a bright side, though — the spot has become a gold mine for writing tickets for having one tire on the pavement,” said Setford. “The city’s making pretty good money on 13th Street.”
Setford has placed three barrels in front of his property to divert visitor parking away from his berm. “It works,” said Setford. “It protects my property from tides and parking.”
Setford said DOT has been contacted to prevent future flooding, and feels construction plans should mimic the arrangement on the 9th and 10th block of East Cooper street to blockade advancing tides.
“If DOT can fix the flooding problem, I won’t need to maintain the berm, and there will be no need for barrels,” said Setford. “If it’s not fixed, it’s going to be a real big problem for everyone on Tabby Drive.”
Setford said he is seeking a variance until DOT responds to his requests.
Council unanimously approved Setford’s request
Jan Brewington of Oceana, an environmental group with initiatives in ocean protection and preservation, sought permission to hold Hands Across the Sand — an event sponsored by the South Carolina Conservation League and Surf Rider’s Folly Beach chapter — to spark ocean conservancy awareness.
“Hands Across the Sand brings together people from all walks of life and different political affiliations to work towards clean energy and reducing fossil fuels,” explained Brewington.
Brewington said roughly 75 people will gather to simply hold hands for 15 minutes. “We want to involve beach-goers as much as possible,” said Brewington.”
The event is set to take place at 11 a.m. on June 25 at the 3rd Street east beach access.
Council unanimously approved Brewington’s request
CITIZEN’S COMMENTS
Jim Setford re-appeared at the stand, seeking assistance to temporarily build up the beach area at E. 13th Street. Setford suggested pushing-up and/or dumping sand to build up area.
Mayor Goodwin said the city’s “stuck,” however, until the planned 2013 beach re-nourishment.
On behalf of a group of interested east end dog proponents, Anita Praytor of 1670 East Ashley Avenue requested to delay discussions of Ordinance 20-11 until Folly Beach citizens are given proper notice of issues.
“We want to thank the council for your consideration in 20-11 to restore our access and enjoyment of active public beach by the Coast Guard Station down to the points outlined in 20-11. We’re hoping for a passed ordinance tonight, so we can resume our lives with the freedoms a bit closer to what we had before 2009.”
Jamie McDonald, 219 East Ashley Avenue requested consideration to place safety precautions along E. Ashley Avenue, particularly near Bert’s Supermarket. McDonald said he’s witnessed numerous pedestrians nearly struck by vehicles. “It’s an issue that’s becoming an absolute hazard,” said McDonald, who proposed creating numerous beach access crosswalks on the heavily traveled avenue.
“The spot at Bert’s Supermarket has become a dire situation for more visibility,” said McDonald, who claimed the particular crosswalk is poorly marked. “With the increase of traffic we’ve had here on Folly Beach, I think we need to do a little more.”
McDonald requested council urge DOT to place flashing lights and an accented crosswalk sign, at least 100 feet on both sides of Bert’s Market, as well as change the stretch near Bert’s into a no-passing zone.
“Nothing’s scarier than seeing a car full of kids hit the gas after someone’s stopped for crosswalk pedestrians, passing them going down in front of Bert’s in wrong lane,” said McDonald. “If you go down there on weekends, I promise you’ll see a lot of this yourself. I know we’ve got a lot of signs on Folly, but a few more to save lives wouldn’t hurt.”
Bird watcher Andy Harrison, James Island, requested to restrict off-leash dog use on the island’s west end to protect shorebirds. Harrison said various west end area’s are critical for shorebird use and should be closed to off-leash dogs.
Reinforcing his request, Harrison presented data displaying increased shorebird use on the west end in April, particularly by endangered migrating shorebirds. “The Beach habitat is very important to shore birds throughout year,” said Harrison.
Nancy Smith of 1207 Tabby Drive briefly commented on Mr. Ellis’ statement made during last month’s council meeting, expressing his anxiety towards citizen uproar against Ordinance 20-11.
Smith comforted Ellis in saying she views the ordinance as a win-win situation. “It’s as close to a perfect compromise as I think we’re going to get,” said Smith about the ordinance’s attempt to please various parties. “I think you’ve done a good job of protecting those interests.”
ORDINANCES (Require three readings for approval)
Third Readings:
No. 17-11 (Final approval of 2010-2011 sewer utility budget set to end June 30)
The ordinance calls for appropriation of necessary funds for operation of Folly Beach sewer utility.
Adamantly opposing the ordinance, Ellis said he doesn’t agree with the use of PILOT money. “I don’t agree with the way we’re charging people,” said Ellis. “I voted no last year, and I‘m going to vote no this year.”
Council passes vote, 6 to 1, and adopts 2010-2011 sewer utility budget. Ellis opposed.
No. 18-11 (Final approval of 2010-2011 water utility budget ending June 30)
The ordinance calls for appropriation of necessary funds for operation of Folly Beach water utility
Council passes vote, 6 to 1, and adopts 2010-2011 water utility budget. Eddie Ellis opposed.
Second Readings:
No. 20-11 (Amending effort to preserve habitat of birds on Folly Beach by placing limitations on off-leash dog locations, as well as banning on-leash areas towards island’s west end)
Rich said he agrees with off-leash dog restrictions; however, he doesn’t believe leashed dogs pose a threat to west end bird nests.
“My dog who is on a 6 or 7-foot leash doesn’t pose more of a threat than a little child running around,” said Rich, who requested an amendment to allow on-leash dogs on the west end.
Andy Harrison appealed Rich’s proposed amendment, saying dogs are indeed a threat to shorebirds, whether on or off-leash.
Ellis reinforced Harrison’s appeal, saying, “I want to protect the environment and do what I think is right.” “Ya’ll can do whatever you want to, I don’t even care,” added Ellis.
Council approved Rich’s amendment allowing leashed animals beyond the western end of the county park property line.
Council passes vote, 6 to 1. Eddie Ellis opposed.
First Readings:
No. 23-11 (Amending Folly Beach’s possession and consumption laws, including elimination of glass containers)
Mayor Tim Goodwin presented a request from the Public Safety department to restrict beer keg use at Folly River Park’s beach area, unless approved before-hand by city council.
Beck said this ordinance reinforces the importance of restricting brandished beer cans on the beach. “You take the beer out of the cooler, pour it in the cup, and put it back in the cooler — that’s it,” said Beck.
Beck said she had to recently explain to her five-year old what a beer funnel was due to nearby college kids’ relentless beer chugging festivities on the beach. “That is not a family atmosphere and that is not what Folly locals want on this beach.”
The request is set to take effect immediately.
Council unanimously passed vote.
Ordinance no. 22-11 (First Reading of 2011-2012 budget) and Ordinance no. 21-11 (Terminating City’s consolidation of Dispatch Communication) were removed from Tuesday’s agenda and await further discussion until a later date.
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