Sparring over “Big Brothers” cameras, cannonballs, and new board appointments
By Lorne Chambers | Editor
WORK SESSION
Prior to the regular City Council meeting, councilmembers and Mayor Tim Goodwin met to discuss the 2016-2017 budget.
The meeting started with a little bickering when councilmember DJ Rich immediately voiced his opposition to public safety’s push to add license plate recognition cameras coming on and off the island that can be monitored by public safety.
“The camera’s got to go,” said Rich, who was immediately rebutted by Mayor Goodwin. “I don’t think so,” said Goodwin. “You’re not going to get a consensus.”
Rich and Goodwin went back and forth for a few minutes before some other councilmembers chimed in. Councilmember Dale Stuckey supported the mayor and the need for the tag recognition cameras. But councilmember Pennell Clamp also had some concerns about the cameras, saying he wouldn’t fight it but that he didn’t like big government looking over everything. “That’s 1984,” he said referencing George Orwell’s futuristic Big Brother montitoring system.
The mayor instantly pointed over to City Attorney Joe Wilson referencing a time several years ago when Wilson’s son was struck by a hit-and-run driver. “The first thing we did was throw up cameras on the bridge, to try and catch people for that sort of stuff,” said Goodwin. “Back then we didn’t have license plate recognition cameras and it did us no good. So now you have the technology and a chance to put them up there. I say we put them up there and let us see if it helps us out.”
The rest of the session was relatively civil as council members discussed what should stay in and what should come out of the budget, which would be voted on for first reading at a special meeting on Tuesday, May 24
REGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of Council was called to order promptly at 7 p.m. The mayor and all councilmembers except for councilmember Rich were present. City Administrator Spencer Wetmore and City Attorney Joe Wilson were also in attendance.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
To get things started, Mayor Goodwin introduced Dale Hawkins, who presented council with a Civil War-era cannonball she discover at the west end of Folly. The cannonball is now encased in a glass display case and located on the second floor of City Hall.
STAFF REPORTS:
Eric Lutz, Director of Building/Facilities/Public Works for the City of Folly, spoke about the FEMA High Water Mark Initiative, which he wants the City of Folly Beach to be a part of. Lutz said the idea is that there would be signs around the island for public awareness to help people remember how high the water can get. He also said the real reason he is supporting it is it helps with the Community Rating System (CRS), which helps keep our flood insurance down.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES
Chris Carnevale, the Coastal Climate and Energy Coordinator for Southern Alliance for Clean Energy spoke about the seventh annual Hands Across the Sands Event which was held on Saturday, May 21. “The purpose is to make a visual statement that citizens can participate in to say that we want to protect the beach from the impacts of offshore drilling (and seismic testing),” said Carnevale.
Mayor Goodwin gave a warning of just how detrimental an oil spill can be to a coastal community, citing the Exxon Valdez spill. “So it’s important that we keep an eye on these offshore events … as a community, as a society we need to keep our eye on it.”
After all members of council and the Mayor voted to support the Hands Across the Sand event, Carnevale thanked them, not only for their support of this event, but for for passing the resolution against offshore drilling and other actions dealing with this issue.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Ordinance 07-16 — An Ordinance amending Chapter 166, Development Standards, of the Folly Beach Code of Ordinances Section 166.06, Off Street Parking and Loading, by amending the requirements for off-street parking in the downtown district passed its second reading unanimously and without further discussion.
Ordinance 09-16 — An ordinance amending Chapter 33 of the Folly Beach Code of Ordinances (Boards, Commissions, and Departments) Section 33,046 (Composition) by aligning the terms of Planning Commissioners appointed by council and the mayor with the terms of the council and the mayor passed second reading unanimously and without further discussion.
Ordinance 10-16 — An Ordinance amending Chapter 31 of the Folly Beach Code of Ordinances (City Government) Section 31.03 (Oath of Office) by amending the period in which a newly elected official may be sworn in after certification of election results passed second reading with all but Councilmember Stuckey being the lone vote against, stating that she felt it should be done before council.
Ordinance 11-16 — An prdinance amending Chapter 33 of the Folly Beach Code of Ordinances (Boards, Commissions, and Departments) Section 33,065 (Establishment) by clarifying that no member of the BZA Shall hold public office in the City or County passed second reading unanimously and without further discussion.
NEW BUSINESS:
Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
Council appointed Anton Dumars, Nina Coggin, and Randy Carter to the Planning Commission. Kenny Hanson was appointed to the Community Promotions Foundation. Pat Poole was appointed to the Election Commission. Michael Ezelle, Sam Fink, Katherine Houghton, and Kelly Travers were appointed to the Parks and Recreation Board.
Resolution 24-16 — A resolution passed unanimously authorizing staff to spend $5,824 from the Public Works Capital Outlay Account to install low voltage lighting at the Folly River Park.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
The mayor closed the meeting by talking about a new printed handout the city has created highlighting all the accomplishments it’s made in the last year. It’s also available online at www.cityoffollybeach.com/accomplishments-2015-2016.
Councilmember Stuckey congratulated all the new appointments to City Boards and then she said good-bye to former City Attorney Ben Peebles who attended his last council meeting before he heads out on a motorcycle trip from Charleston to Anchorage, Alaska. Councilmember Clamp added “Come back and see us.”
Councilmember Marshall spoke directly to new Parks and Rec appointees Ezelle, Fink, Houghton, and Travers, telling them that the department is a true passion of hers and that she would still be around to help. “It’s an exciting time for Parks and Recreation, especially with all the history that’s coming out and going on with Folly.”
