[00:00:01]
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY BEAVER COUNTY.
[I. Call to Order]
GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.WE ARE AT THE JUNE EIGHT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.
THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US VIA INTERNET.
UM, WE ARE SLOWLY GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AND I JUST APPRECIATE EVERYONE BEING HERE TONIGHT.
WE WILL START BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE FOLLOWED BY THE INVOCATION.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.
FOR ALL FOR MAYOR TIM 75, WE'VE COME NOW THANKING YOU.
I'M THANKING YOU FOR YOUR GRACE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR MERCY FATHER.
WE THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US THIS FAR THROUGH THIS COVID SEASON.
I'D LIKE TO ALSO THAT YOU GIVE US WISDOM, GIVE US BETTER OUR COMMUNITY.
GIVE US THE WILL TO DO THINGS THAT WOULD BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT.
THESE IN ALL OTHER BLESSINGS ACTS IN YOUR NAME.
THANK YOU, MR. HAMILTON, MOVING ON TO THE
[IV. Adoption of the Agenda]
AGENDA, CHRIS, ARE THERE ANY CHANGES ON THE AGENDA? OKAY.IF THERE'S A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA, YOUR SECOND DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR, STATE BY SAYING AYE.
[V. Adoption of the Minutes]
MEETINGS.WE HAD THIS PAST 30 DAYS VERSUS A SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 26.
OR IF THEY'RE NOT ANY CHANGES, IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT OR SECOND BUCKET? ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR STATE BY SAYING AYE.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS FOLLOWED BY NUMBER TWO, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MAY, 1120 21.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT SECOND? OKAY.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR STATE BY SAYING AYE.
OPPOSED FOLLOWED BY BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 18TH, 2021 THERE.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR STATE BY SAYING AYE.
AND FINALLY THE BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 25TH, 2021.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THEIR SECOND, SECOND? ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR BY SAYING AYE.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS PRESENTATION, CELEBRATIONS
[VI. Presentations, Celebrations and Recognitions]
AND RECOGNITIONS.IT'S NICE TO START SEEING PEOPLE BACK IN HERE FOR THIS.
WE'RE MOVING ON TO NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES, CHIEF PRICE.
WE WILL BE ENTERING, UM, A NEW PRE POST COVID ERA.
I WOULD, IT IS MY GREAT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES.
THEY'LL BE COMING UP ONE AT A TIME AND I'LL BE TELLING YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEM AS THEY COME UP.
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THOUGH? PLEASE JUST LET ME KNOW.
FIRST UP IS MR. THOMAS LANG, YOU FELT LIKE YOU'RE IN A BEAUTY PAGEANT.
HE CURRENTLY REPORTS TO CRAIG KARRATHA.
HE HAS ATTENDED COLLEGE AT BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE PODIUM AND GOODBYE.
UM, PREVIOUSLY HE WAS A FITNESS TRAINER AND A FORMER GYM MANAGER FOR NINE YEARS.
AND YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW IT, BUT HE IS PARTICULARLY INSTRUMENTAL IN PUTTING OUR GYM AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TOGETHER VERY MUCH.
SO WE REALLY DO OWE HIM A GREAT DEBT OF GRATITUDE AS ALL OF OUR OFFICERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT, JIM.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, TOMMY CAN THE PUBLIC STAND WITH THESE FACING THIS WAY.
YOU CAN COME UP RIGHT TO THE MIDDLE HERE.
HE REPORTS TO SERGEANT KARRATHA.
ALSO HE HAD FROM THE AMERICAN MILITARY UNIVERSITY HAS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN HOMELAND SECURITY.
BEFORE THIS, HE SPENT 16 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES.
NAVY SILLIMAN WAS ALSO VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING OUR GYM PUT TOGETHER FOR ALL OF OUR OFFICERS DURING COVID TIME.
SO A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO HIM AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR SERVING AS PETER AND Y'ALL PROBABLY CAN GO OUT AS THEY'RE COMING IN.
I THINK LINDSEY'S GETTING YOUR PICK.
SURE DOES JONATHAN SARONE HE'S A POLICE OFFICER ONE.
HE REPORTS TO START AT CRAWFORD.
[00:05:01]
COLLEGE AT LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND LORRAINE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE POLICE ACADEMY.BOTH PRIOR TO THIS, HE WAS IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY, MILITARY POLICE.
WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM FOR YOUR SERVICE.
MONTEIRO THE POLICE OFFICER ONE.
SHE'S CURRENTLY AWAITING TO GO TO THE ACADEMY AS WELL AS J IS AS WELL.
SHE HAS AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN COMMERCIAL GRAPHICS FROM TRIDENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
BEFORE THIS, SHE WAS IN COURT OPERATIONS TECHNICIAN AT THE TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA.
NEXT IS CHRISTIAN MOORE POLICE OFFICER ONE.
HE'S ALSO AWAITING TO GO TO THE ACADEMY, TAKING HIS PRE-COURSES.
UM, PRIOR TO JOINING OUR POLICE FORCE, HE WAS A SUPERVISORY SPECIALIST AT THE MARINE CORPS, LIKE A MARINE.
THERE'S A MATTHEW EISENMENGER.
HE, BEFORE JOINING BLUFFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND BY THE WAY, HE REPORTS TO BUILD FOR RALLY.
BUT BEFORE JOINING BLUFFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, HE WAS PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS CAREER COLLEGE.
HE WORKED THERE FOR FIVE YEARS IN BLUFFTON.
UM, HE HAS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM PENN STATE UNIVERSITY.
THIS GENTLEMAN IS THE FUTURE OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HE IS VERY, HE HAS HIGH INTEGRITY AND HE'S A VERY PROFESSIONAL AND WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE, OH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, VERY MUCH.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR SWORN FOLKS, BUT WE'VE ALSO HIRED ONE NON-SWORN PERSON.
MS. HICKS, WE OWN TO COME ON DOWN.
IT'S HICKS IS OUR NEW RECORDS.
AND FOR YA ADMINISTRATOR FOR POLICE, SHE WORKS OUT FRONT THERE.
SHE REPORTS TO LIEUTENANT GONZALEZ.
SHE HAS A MASTER'S DEGREE IN MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FROM WEBSTER UNIVERSITY.
PRIOR TO THIS, SHE WAS A SENIOR ACCOUNTANT AT THE CITY OF SAVANNAH POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AND YOU TRUST US, YOU LEFT YOUR POCKETBOOK OUT THERE WITHOUT ANY, I MEAN, IT'S ABOUT THE SAFEST ROOM.
THERE IS THAT CONCLUDES OUR NEW EMPLOYEES THAT ARE PRESENT THIS EVENING.
UM, AS IT GOES, YOU'LL BE MEETING MORE OF THEM TOO.
SO WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE NEW HIRES THAT WE'D LIKE YOU TO MEET.
MARIN COUNCIL, UM, BUFORD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHARACTER STUDENT OF THE MONTH, WHO DO WE HAVE?
THEY ALL ARE CAMILLA GARCIA IS FROM RED, CEDAR, ELLA MINNERY AND HER, UH, CHARACTER TRAIT FOR APRIL WAS FAR GIVENNESS.
UM, SO I WANT TO TALK AND SOON, HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE THEM HERE AS THEY COME BACK AND CAMILLA, IF YOU'RE WATCHING, WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU GET A CERTIFICATE AND A SPECIAL COIN FROM THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON.
SHE'S BEEN A VIRTUAL STUDENT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND SHE STARTED OFF A FAIRY SHOP, BUT IT'S BLOSSOMED INTO A CONFIDENT, ENGAGED LEARNER.
SHE IS AN ALL AROUND OUTSTANDING STUDENT WHO EXHIBITS EXHIBITS A POSITIVE OUTLOOK AND ATTITUDE IN THE CLASSROOM.
SHE SHOWS RESPECT FOR HER TEACHERS AND PEERS BY FOLLOWING VIRTUAL CLASSROOM RULES.
UH, EVERY DAY CAMILLA IS IN SCHOOL.
SHE'S COMMITTED TO DOING HER BEST AND CONSISTENTLY PUTS A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT INTO HER LEARNING.
KAMILA IS WHAT GRADE DID JAY SAY SHE WAS IN ALL.
THEY COULD SEE IT, BUT, UM, THIS IS A STUDENT OUT OF OUR WHOLE ENTIRE CLUSTER.
THAT WAS THE APRIL STUDENT A MONTH.
AND WE HAVE ABOUT HALF OF THE STUDENT BODY IN BEAVER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS FROM THE BLUFFTON CLUSTER.
SO THIS IS ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL THAT THIS YOUNG LADY WAS CHOSEN.
SO SHE'S GOT HER LITTLE FOX SPIRE AND THE PRINCIPAL, AND WE ALL WISH HER WELL.
UH, NEXT IS JUNETEENTH PROCLAMATION.
THIS WILL TAKE PLACE JUNE 10TH, WHICH IS JUNE 19TH.
UM, DO YOU WANT TO PULL IT UP KIM? AND I'LL QUICK PLATE.
UM, WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR AND LAST YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE THIS A HOLIDAY FOR OUR TOWN.
AND SO OUR STAFF HAS A HOLIDAY.
IT'LL BE FRIDAY OR MONDAY IT'LL CAUSE FRIDAY THEY'LL HAVE, UM, A DAY OFF.
AND SINCE IT IS A HOLIDAY, MR. FORSTER AGREED TO HAVE BANNERS MADE SINCE IT IS A TOWN HALL ALL DAY.
[00:10:01]
ON BANNERS IN THE USE OF BANNERS IN OUR TOWN.UM, BUT HE FELT IT VERY IMPORTANT SINCE WE HAD NOTED THIS AS A HOLIDAY.
SO YOU'LL SEE THOSE POP UP FOR THAT WEEK ON, UM, UH, RE BRIEFLY JANUARY 1ST, 1863, PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SIGNED THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, WHICH DECLARED THE ENSLAVED PEOPLES IN HIS STATE OR DESIGNATED PART OF A STATE TO BE THE SPORT FOREVER FREE.
THIS PROCLAMATION PAID THE WAY FOR THE PASSING OF THE 13TH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION, WHICH FORMALLY ABOLISHED SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON JUNE 19TH, 1865, FEDERAL ORDERS FOR RED IN GALVESTON, TEXAS REACHING THE AUTHORITIES AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES WHO HAD NOT YET RECEIVED WORD OF THE SIGNING OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS JUNE 19TH HAS SINCE BECOME KNOWN AS FREEDOM DAY AND AS THE OFFICIAL DAY OF RECOGNITION FOR THE JUNE TEAM, WHEREAS THE BLUFFTON JUNETEENTH I'M FOLLOWING IT, LIBERATION IS SPONSORED AND HOSTED ANNUALLY BY THE BLUFFTON MLK OBSERVANCE COMMITTEE WITH THE SEVENTH CELEBRATION THEME, BUILDING EQUITY COMMUNITY'S PROMISE.
WHEREAS THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON RECOGNIZES JUNETEENTH IS INVOLVED IS AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE MADE AND CONTINUE TO MAKE IN BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA AND ACROSS OUR NATION.
WHEREAS THE ELECTED LEADERS AT THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON AND TOWN STAFF ARE COMMITTED, COMMITTED TO PURSUING THE IDEALS OF JUSTICE, EQUITY, PEACE AMONG ALL OUR RESIDENTS.
THEREFORE, ALLIE SOCA, ALONG WITH TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON DO HEREBY DECLARE JUNE, 1920 21 IS JUNE 10TH DATE AND THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON.
AND ALSO REMINDING THAT WE DESIGNATED IT AS A TOWN OF BLUFFTON HOLIDAY.
WE ALSO ENCOURAGE ALL LAWMAKERS AT FEDERAL STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO DO THE SAME.
UM, ALL THE INFO ON THAT IS ON THE MARTIN LUTHER KING FACEBOOK PAGE.
UH, I WANT TO OUR COUNCIL WOMAN FRAZIER IS THE CHAIR OF THE MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMITTEE.
SO DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT OR WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION? ABSOLUTELY.
UM, I SAY THAT IF THEY WERE TO GO TO THE, UM, OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND IT IS LISTED THERE UNDER THE BLUFFTON MLK OBSERVANCE COMMITTEE, UM, INFORMATION WILL ALSO BE POSTED ON THE TOWN'S SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES.
UM, AND YOU CAN FIND IT ALSO AT OUR COLLABORATORS, UM, UH, WEBSITE AT BURN CHURCH BACILLARY BACKWARD SLASH JUNETEENTH THAT'S SO, AND A LOT OF IT WILL BE AT THE DISTILLERY.
UM, NEXT IS THE PRESENTATION OF THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND, BLUFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 22 DMO MARKETING PLAN.
ARIANA IS, UM, TONIGHT, AM I RIGHT? OKAY, GOOD DEAL.
OH, THERE'S ARIANA, ARIANA AND RAY Y'ALLS ARE MUTED AND Y'ALL ARE UP.
AND I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO DO THIS VIRTUALLY FOR YOU TONIGHT.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT AND FOR BEING ALLOWED TO DO IT VIRTUALLY.
WE DO APPRECIATE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
UM, I'M HERE ALONG WITH RAY DEALER CONTROLLER, UM, TO PROVIDE TWO UPDATES.
ONE IS OUR Q3 FISCAL YEAR Q3 UPDATE AND ALSO OUR FISCAL YEAR 22 PRESENTATION ON THE GMO MARKETING PLAN.
SO IF YOU WILL, I'D LOVE TO SHARE MY SCREEN AND IT PRESENTS THOSE DETAILS AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS BETWEEN MYSELF AND RAY, EVERYBODY SEE MY SCREEN.
SO AGAIN, TO START WITH OUR Q3 UPDATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 21, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH SOME METRICS, UM, OVER THE COURSE OF THIS PAST.
UM, I GUESS I SHOULD SAY THE FISCAL YEAR, WHICH WAS, UM, HALF OF 2020 AND CONTINUES INTO 21.
WE HAVE SEEN THE EBBS AND FLOWS OF, UM, OUR HOTEL OCCUPANCY, ADR AND REV PAR.
BUT AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, WE HAVE A GREAT UPSWING.
AND WHAT IS, AGAIN, IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT FROM A THREE MONTHS, SNAPSHOT, MARCH DOES PRESENT THAT UP 56.1% OF THE YEAR PRIOR THE SAME TIMEFRAME.
AND THEN YOU'LL SEE GREEN ARROWS ACROSS THE BOARD FOR AVERAGE DAILY RATE, AS WELL AS REV PAR REVENUE PER AVAILABLE ROOM.
THERE'S A VERY HEALTHY STORY HAPPENING IN THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON RIGHT NOW REGARDING HOTELS AND THEIR OCCUPANCY, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT THE MOMENTUM IS CONTINUING INTO WHAT IS Q4 THAT WE'LL REPORT ON.
AND JUST SOME TIME THAT THESE ARE GOOD, GOOD METRICS TO SEE, UM, AND THAT HAVE HELPED US, UM, INTO THE Q4 TIMEFRAME, RIGHT
[00:15:03]
ASIDE FOR JANUARY THROUGH MARCH OF 21.UM, AGAIN, THAT Q3 TIMEFRAME THAT WE'RE TALKING TO, WE SAW, UM, NEARLY 28,500 WEBSITE VISITS, AND THEN THE REFERRALS MADE OUT TO BUSINESSES THAT, THAT WE FIND THAT THE, THE MOST IMPORTANT METRIC IS THE HANDSHAKES OUT TO THE BUSINESS.
AND WHEN A VISITOR COMES TO THE VISIT BLUFFTON.ORG SITE, UM, ARE THEY LOOKING AROUND, WHAT ARE THEY DOING? AND ULTIMATELY, ARE THEY SHAKING THE HAND OF THE BUSINESS TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ULTIMATELY, UM, DOING THAT TRADE OFF TO THEM? UM, AGAIN, ANOTHER BIG INITIATIVE FOR, UM, THE DMO WITH, UM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TOWN HAS BEEN THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. WE HAVE HAD A TWO YEAR AND A HALF YEAR RUN ON REALLY BUILDING THAT MOMENTUM.
AND IF YOU LOOK ACROSS THE CHANNELS HERE, NOT ONLY IS OUR, UM, OUR AUDIENCE GROWING AND IT CONTINUES TO GROW, BUT IT'S REALLY ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT, RIGHT? ARE WE, ARE WE MAKING CONNECTIONS WITH THE FOLLOWERS THAT CHOOSE TO, YOU KNOW, LIKE US OR, OR FOLLOW US AND WE ARE, AND WE CONTINUE TO ENGAGE AND CONNECT, AND THAT MOMENTUM IS THERE TO SUPPORT ALL THE INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING TO A LITTLE BIT LATER, WHICH ARE THE, UM, THE WEBSITES, UM, AND OTHER EFFORTS THAT WE HAVE COMING UP OVER THE COURSE OF Q3, WE HELD 18 EVENTS AND SAW NEARLY 3000 IN PARTICIPATION REGARDING ALL OF OUR CHAMBER EVENTS.
BUT HERE, YOU'LL SEE A COUPLE HIGHLIGHTED WITH THE T AS THAT IN BLUFFTON AND THEN ALSO BURKE CHURCH DISTILLERY.
THOSE WERE EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES.
AND I'M EXCITED THAT YOU'RE A PART OF THAT FROM PUBLIC'S RELATION STANDPOINT.
AGAIN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALL ENCOMPASSING OF THE LOW COUNTRY.
THE STORIES AND MENTIONED FOR Q3 WERE OVER A THOUSAND.
UM, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THAT EQUATES TO IN TERMS OF IMPRESSIONS AND ADD VALUE AGAIN, IF YOU WERE TO GO OUT AND TRY TO SECURE THESE, UM, YOURSELF IN TERMS OF PURCHASING ON OUR OWN AND, AND WHAT HAVE YOU, THAT'S THE VALUE OF THAT INVESTMENT.
BUT AGAIN, THESE ARE ORGANIC AND WORKED THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS AND THAT OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED, UM, THAT VALUE THAT YOU SEE THERE AGAIN, UM, OVER A THOUSAND STORIES AND MENTIONS, UM, OVER THAT Q3 TIMEFRAME.
SO A LOT OF HARD WORK ON THAT PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFORTS, AGAIN, FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS AND TALKING ABOUT THE TOWN OF BLUFF THIS, UM, AGAIN, THE NEW INITIATIVES, UM, WE'RE VERY, VERY EXCITED, UM, HAVE A SMALLER SCREEN HERE, BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE ALL HAD, UM, RECEIVED, UM, AND THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED OUT THE OFFICIAL 20, 21 OFFICIAL BLUFFTON VACATION PLANNER.
UM, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND YOUR GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.
UM, WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE THIS IN MARKET.
NOT ONLY IS THERE A PRINTED VERSION, THERE IS ALSO A DIGITAL LINK THAT WE HAVE, AND IT IS, UM, LISTED ON THAT WEBSITE THERE'S CAMPAIGN BEHIND IT.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PRINT COPIES ARE AT THE SAVANNAH HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THEY ARE AT A MONTAGE, PALMETTO BLUFF.
THEY ARE AT THE OLD TOWN BLUFFTON IN THE HAYWARD HOUSE, ALSO THE TOWN OFFICES AND OUR OFFICE.
UM, THEY'RE IN THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON AS WELL.
UM, SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BRING THAT FORWARD, UM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TOWN AND THE COMMUNITY.
UM, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO, UM, STARTING BACK UP AGAIN FOR THE 22 VERSION AND THAT CYCLE AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE IN MARKET, UM, JANUARY ONE AND RUN THE FULL CALENDAR HERE, BUT THIS IS THE PIECE FOR 21, AND WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.
SO WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY THAT.
AND I'VE HAD THE TIME TO GO THROUGH THAT, THE VISIT BLUFFTON.ORG WEBSITE.
THIS IS AN EXCITING, ADDITIONAL PIECE THAT WE ARE, UM, YOU KNOW, SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOPS AND GOES BACK TO SUPPORT THAT CONVERSATION.
WE HAD JUST A FEW MOMENTS AGO REGARDING THE SOCIAL MEDIA.
SO SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE HELD HANDS AND REALLY COMMITTING TO, UM, A SOCIAL CENTRIC PUSH FOR ALL THINGS, TOWN OF BLUFFTON IN TERMS OF TOURISM, THAT MOMENTUM AND THAT ENERGY AND THOSE NUMBERS THAT YOU SAW GO DIRECTLY OUT TO SUPPORT, UM, THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND UP THE VISIT BLOSSOM.ORG WEBSITE, UM, AS AN INDEPENDENT SITE.
AND, UM, WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THAT HAS BEEN LIVE FOR A FEW WEEKS.
NOW, WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH IT, UM, AS WELL AS, AS THE, AS AT THE TOWN, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, WE HAVE ALL OF OUR T'S CROSSED AND OUR I'S DOTTED, BUT, UM, AGAIN, THIS IS A LIVING BREATHING PIECE AND, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO GROW AND EXPAND THAT, UM, THIS PLATFORM AS WE CONTINUE TO CURATE ADDITIONAL CONTENT AND STORYTELL AND IMAGERY, UM, ARE, YOU KNOW, AT THE FOREFRONT.
AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S THERE.
SO AGAIN, SOCIAL MEDIA, THE PRINTED PIECE AND THE VACATION PLANNER, WHICH ALSO HAS A DIGITAL VERSION OF THE WEBSITE, UM, DIGITAL ADS, REALLY, AGAIN, WORKING ALL HOLISTICALLY TOGETHER TO TELL THAT, UM, TOWN OF BLUFFTON STORY THAT WE KNOW SO, SO MANY LOVE AND SO MANY I'VE YET
[00:20:01]
TO, UM, REALLY EXPLORE.AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO BRING THAT TO THEM.
SO AGAIN, ALL THESE TOUCH POINTS ARE GOING TO ENSURE, UM, TOURISM TODAY, BUT ALSO TOURISM FOR THE FUTURE.
SO THAT CONCLUDES MY QC Q3, UM, SUMMARY OF EFFORTS.
AND NOW WE'LL GO INTO OUR FISCAL YEAR 22 TOWN OF BLUFFTON MARKETING PLAN.
I ALWAYS LIKE TO START OFF WITH JUST, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, REITERATING OUR VISION AND MISSION.
UM, EVERY SINGLE DAY WE ARE WELCOMING WORLD-CLASS COMMUNITY, EMBRACING NATURE, CULTURE, AND ECONOMIC VIBRANCY FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.
OUR MISSION IS TO STIMULATE THE REGIONAL ECONOMY WHILE ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL THE ROLE OF A DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION, UM, IS REALLY TO, OOPS, EXCUSE ME.
I WENT OFF ON HER A LITTLE TOO FAR, UM, IS, UM, WE'RE CHARGES ARE PRESENTING DESTINATION, UM, SUCH AS THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON AND HELPING THE LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY SORT OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM STRATEGY AND OUR GOVERNANCE IN TERMS OF, UM, A DMO.
AND WE HAVE OUR DMO CONTRACT WITH THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON.
WE HAVE AN ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT.
OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE THE GOVERNANCE AT THE STATE LEVEL WITH STP, OUR T STATE TOURISM, THE TURK, UM, COMMITTEE, AS WELL AS TOWN COUNCIL AND THE ATEC COMMITTEE.
AND THEN OBVIOUSLY OUR ACCREDITATION WITH DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL AND THEN OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND, BLUFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
WE'D BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT, UM, THIS PAST YEAR IN TERMS OF COVID-19 AND GLOBAL PANDEMIC, I'LL TAKE JUST A FEW MOMENTS TO SPEAK TO THE INITIATIVES THERE THAT LED US INTO OUR EFFORTS THAT, UM, WILL LEAD US INTO FISCAL YEAR 22.
SO AGAIN, AS A REGIONAL COMMUNITY, WE CAME TOGETHER TO FORGE FOR WORD READINESS PLAN.
UM, MANY OF YOU ON THIS CALL, UM, WERE, WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN ENSURING THAT, AND THROUGHOUT OUR ENSURING OUR WORKFORCE, OUR COMMUNITY, UM, AS A WHOLE WE'RE SAFE AND READY TO WELCOME, UM, VISITORS WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.
SO THAT EFFORT HAS LED TO, UM, WHAT WAS SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMMITTEES THAT TOUCHED UPON ALL OF THAT.
UM, NOT ONLY WORK WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO TOUCH OUR TOURISM SECTOR, UM, TO ENSURE THOSE SAFETY PROTOCOLS WERE IN PLACE.
THE VISUAL OF THAT WAS THERE WAS THE PLEDGE THAT PEOPLE TOOK, UM, AS A BUSINESS OWNER, UM, OR AS INDIVIDUALS.
AND THEY HAD THOSE SAFETY SEALS FRONT AND CENTER.
WE HAD THE RESOURCES ACROSS ALL OF OUR PLATFORMS, UM, THAT WERE ACCESSIBLE FOR NOT ONLY OUR COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO OUR VISITORS.
UM, AND SO WHEN WE LOOK THROUGH WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH AS A COMMUNITY TOGETHER, WHAT DID THAT LOOK LIKE IN TERMS OF NUMBERS? WE WERE STILL BEING RECOGNIZED ACROSS MAJORITY OF OUR TRAVEL AND TOURISM CHANNELS HERE.
YOU SEE JUST A SNAPSHOT OF THOSE THAT WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT, THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON AND THE WHOLE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE, WHEN IT CAME TO TRAVEL AND TOURISM, IF PEOPLE WERE UNABLE TO TRAVEL, THEY WERE STILL DREAMING ABOUT TRAVEL.
AND WE WERE TOP OF MIND AS THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON.
AND THAT'S A GREAT THING TO BE ABLE TO OUR WEBSITE VISITS OUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND OUR HOTEL I'LL SHOW NUMBERS OF POSITIVE IN TERMS OF WHEN, UM, COMPARISON TO THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORS, UM, TO OUR LEFT AND TO OUR RIGHT, UM, PEOPLE WE'RE STILL EXPLORING VISIT BLUFFTON.ORG.
THEY WERE ENGAGING WITH US WITH SOCIAL MEDIA AND THEY WERE STILL WHEN POSSIBLE, UM, MAKING THOSE TRIPS AND LAYING AHEAD IN A BED, UM, IN TERMS OF TRAVEL.
AND SO WHEN WE LOOK FORWARD, WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT KIND OF THE SENTIMENT THAT'S OUT THERE IN TERMS OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM, WHICH IS, UM, CHANGING QUICKLY AS MANY HAVE, UM, BEEN, UM, HAVE RECEIVED THE VACCINATION AND TOURISM TRENDS.
UM, THERE, THERE IS A PENT UP DEMAND AND PEOPLE FIND THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON, THE LOW COUNTRY, UM, A GREAT PLACE TO TAKE THAT FIRST STEP BACK INTO THE TRAVEL SPACE.
UM, AND SO TAKING THAT, THE RESEARCH THAT WE HAVE IN OUR HANDS FROM NOT ONLY OUR WEBSITE, BUT ALSO TRAVEL AND RE TRAVEL RESEARCH FROM ACROSS THE BOARD, UM, WE ARE LOOKING TO FORGE FORWARD WITH THE FISCAL YEAR 22 MARKETING PLAN, UM, WHERE WE WILL FOCUS ON, UM, OUR SIX AGREED UPON AREAS OF FOCUS, WHICH ARE THE AREA DISTRICT DOESN'T NATIONS, INCLUDING HISTORY, CULTURE, AND ARTS.
THE NATURAL HAS NATIONAL HISTORIC REGISTRY, REGISTERED DESIGNATIONS, EXCUSE ME, INCLUDING THE CHURCH OF THE CROSS AND CAMPBELL CHAPEL AME, RIGHT FAMILY PARK, MARTIN, FAMILY PARK, GARVIN GARVEY HOUSE, AND THE BOSTON OYSTER COMPANY, GULLAH GEECHEE, CULTURAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR, PALMETTO, BLA MONTAGE, NATURAL GREEDY, AND THE MAY RIVER.
[00:25:01]
WE'RE GOING AFTER AND HER IN TERMS OF A TRAVELER, UM, SHE DOES SKEW A BIT MORE FEMALE THAN MALE IN TERMS OF DECISION MAKING IN THE HOUSEHOLD.THEY ARE MARRIED WITH KIDS 18 OR OLDER.
THEY ARE AFFLUENT 150,000 COMBINED HOUSEHOLD INCOME.
AND THEY HAVE, UH, THERE'S BEEN STUDY FOR, UM, AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE OR HIGHER IN TERMS OF EDUCATION.
AND THEY LOVE TO TRAVEL TWO TO FOUR TRIPS PER YEAR, AND THEY ARE STAYING A LITTLE BIT LONGER IN TERMS OF OVERALL TRAVEL, UM, WHERE WE FOCUS THAT WHEN WE, AFTER WE'VE REALLY, UM, DUG DOWN TO FIND OUT WHO THIS TRAVELER IS, WE ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THAT ONE STEP FURTHER AND FOCUS ON THE AREAS THAT MIGHT BE MORE, UM, POSITIONED FOR THEM.
SO WE BROKE IT INTO ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES.
SO WE WILL GO AFTER A FAMILY SEGMENT, THOSE THAT ENJOY ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION, THOSE THAT ENJOY ARTS CULTURE AND HISTORY, A SEGMENT FOR CULINARY, THE WEEKENDER, AND ALSO THE SNOW AS THE GML, WE START BROAD, WE REACH, UM, TAKING THOSE CATEGORIES THAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT GOING AFTER THAT DESIRE TRAVELER AND THAT TRAVELER GROUP, WE GO AFTER KIND OF THAT BROAD, WE, WE CAST A WIDE NET TO THAT QUALIFIED AUDIENCE, AND WE START TO FILL THAT FUNNEL FROM THE TOP.
WE WANT TO CREATE THROUGH THAT BROAD REACH DIDN'T, UM, GENERATE A DEMAND GENERATION AND WE WANT TO BRING THEM DOWN THE FUNNEL.
SO HERE AGAIN, AS A GREAT VISUAL OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO EVERY SINGLE DAY WITH THOSE TOUCH POINTS THAT WE TALKED THROUGH, WHICH ARE THE WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, DIGITAL EMAILS WITH THE BOOK, BOTH PRINTED AND DIGITAL, WE WANT TO INCREASE THEIR AWARENESS, INCREASE THEIR IN BRINGING THEM THROUGH THAT FUNNEL OF WHERE THEY'RE EVENTUALLY SHAKING THAT HAND OF OUR, UM, BUSINESS.
AND WITHIN THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON, WE'VE SPOKEN TO, AGAIN, HOW THOSE TOOLS ARE NOT NECESSARILY FINE FIRING INDEPENDENTLY, BUT FIRING ALL, UM, YOU KNOW, TOGETHER.
SO WE CAN HAVE A CONSISTENT MESSAGE.
AS WE KNOW, CONSUMERS ARE DIGESTING MEDIA THROUGH SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLATFORMS AND GENERALLY AT MULTIPLE MULTIPLE PLATFORMS AT ONE TIME.
SO WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN THOSE RIGHT HOMES IN THOSE RIGHT DEVICES AT THE RIGHT TIME.
AND THAT TAKES KIND OF THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH.
WE USE THE GEAR SLIDE HERE TO KIND OF WALK US THROUGH WHAT AT ANY GIVEN POINT ARE, THINGS THAT ARE ON IT, TURNING ON AND PLAYING IT UP A LITTLE BIT MORE HERE AND DIALING THIS ONE UP HERE.
UM, AND THAT REALLY TAKES THAT COHERENT COHESIVE APPROACH TO DESTINATION MARKETING THAT YOU SEE HERE, THE STRATEGIES, IF WE BREAK THOSE DOWN, WE'VE IDENTIFIED THOSE TO BE SEVEN THAT WE CAN TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO.
UH, BUT HERE WE WANTED TO OUTLINE THOSE FOR YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAD THEM IN FRONT OF YOU.
SO AGAIN, WE'RE USING THAT GEAR SIDE THAT WE JUST SAW PRIOR WHERE EVERYTHING IS FIRING, UM, AND REALLY WORKING HARD TOGETHER.
AND THEN WE'RE TAKING THAT AND PLACING THEM INTO THESE, THIS METHODOLOGY HERE OF HOW WE'RE OUTREACHING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING INTO THOSE, UM, THOSE PLACES THAT WE NEED TO BE.
AND THEN QUICKLY WE HAVE, UM, THE BUDGET, WHICH I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN PRIOR.
AND WE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU HAD THAT VISUAL RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOU BEFORE.
UM, WE CLOSED THIS EVENING WITH OUR PRESENTATION.
UM, AGAIN, WE WENT THROUGH THAT PROCESS, UM, A FEW MEETINGS AGO THAT, UM, ADOPTED, UH, THE FISCAL YEAR 21 BUDGET THAT, UM, WAS AMENDED.
AND THEN THIS WOULD BE A NEW BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 22, STARTING ON JULY ONE.
AND THAT'S OUR PRESENTATION AND RAY AND I ARE HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE REGARDING THE PRESENTATION.
ANY QUESTIONS OF ARIANA ON THE PRESENTATION, MS. FRAZIER, BEAUTIFUL JOB.
UM, ARIANA WITH THE BOOK HERE.
UM, MY QUESTION WAS IN THE, UM, IN THE BACK OF THE VACATION PLANNER, HOW IS A BUSINESS ADDED TO THE DIRECTOR? SO, SORRY, COUNCILMAN FRINGE, I'M HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF A HARD TIME HEARING YOU, SO YOU'RE, YOU'RE QUESTIONING THEM, UM, DIRECTORY IN THE BACK OF THE BOOK.
SO I WAS ASKING HOW IT WAS A BUSINESS ADDED TO THE DIRECTORY, THESE, UM, ALL MEMBER BUSINESSES.
AND THEN IN ADDITION, ALL ACCOMMODATIONS, REGARDLESS OF MEMBERSHIP ARE ADDED BASED ON, UM, THE COLLECTION OF ATEX IN HERE.
SO THE AISLE ALL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE LISTED WITHIN, UM, AND THEN ANY MEMBER BUSINESS AS WELL OUTSIDE OF ACCOMMODATIONS.
I THINK IN FUTURE PUBLICATIONS, JUST MAYBE MAKE
[00:30:01]
A NOTE TO DISCLOSE THAT BECAUSE IT'S NICE TO BE A MEMBER TO GET IN THIS PLANNER AND WE'VE NEVER HAD A PLANNER BEFORE, BUT MAYBE YOU'RE OUR MARKETING TEAM AND Y'ALL CAN DISCUSS MAYBE THERE, THERE COULD BE AN INSERT OF OUR, OF OUR BUSINESSES, YOU KNOW, IN OUR TOWN BECAUSE, UM, AND IT'S HEAVY.IT SEEMS TO BE VERY HEAVY HILTON HEAD.
SO MAYBE WE CAN SPEND A LITTLE MORE AND HAVE AN INSERT OF BLUFFTON IN HERE.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT BEFORE YOU, BEFORE Y'ALL REPRINT THESE.
WE'RE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE APPROACH TO THE DIRECTORY AND THE DECISIONS MADE THERE.
SO ABSOLUTELY MAYOR AND COUNCIL, WOMAN FRAZIER.
WE'LL, WE'LL MAKE THAT A POINT FOR IT BEFORE THE NEXT PRINT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF ARIANA? HELLO, MR. FINGER.
HE MADE IT DURING THE PRAYER, SO HE MADE IT, I DIDN'T KNOW YOU'RE EVER THERE.
UM, JUST AS A REMINDER, THAT THERE IS A POINT IN OUR CONTRACT WITH THEM THAT YOU CAN GO IN WITH CHRIS, OUR, OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR, UM, AND OUR TOWN MANAGER TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS OF THE AUDIT OF THEIR FINANCIALS.
SO, DO KNOW COUNCIL HAS THAT ABILITY TO DO THAT, JUST TO GET WITH OUR TOWN MANAGER AND MR. FORSTER, UM, IF Y'ALL WANT TO DO THAT.
AND I THINK THERE'S A TIMEFRAME AND A SET UP FOR Y'ALL.
UM, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, ARIANA.
UM, I GUESS MY ONE QUESTION ON THE DIGITAL COPY, IS THERE A WAY THAT WE CAN LINK IT WITHOUT THE 25 WORD, UH, LINK THAT WHEN YOU CLICK CLICK HERE TO GET THE DIGITAL COPY ON THE EMAIL YOU SENT US, I WANTED TO FORWARD IT ON, BUT ONCE I TOOK COPIED IT, IT WAS LONG.
SO IS THERE A WAY TO CONDENSE THAT INTO A SHORTER SHORTCUT OF SOME SORT THAT WE CAN HAVE? YES.
MA'AM, WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THAT IN YOUR INBOX SHORTLY.
UM, AND HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL IN PERSON NEXT TIME.
UM, NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT IS STILL A VIRTUAL.
UH, WE ARE GOING TO GET BACK TO NORMAL SLOWLY, BUT RIGHT NOW, IF YOU
[VII. Public Comment (Part 1 of 2)]
WANT TO SPEAK AT PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU NEED TO SIGN UP, UM, WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME TOO, UM, ON OUR, ON OUR WEBSITE AND THEN KIM CHAPMAN WILL ARRANGE IT FOR YOU TO DO A VIDEO PUBLIC COMMENT.UH, THE RULES ARE STILL THE SAME.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS BEFORE YOU START.
KIM HAS THE THREE MINUTE, UM, CLOCK UP AND AT THE END, WE'RE GOING TO THANK YOU.
PLEASE KEEP THIS TO THE FUNCTIONS OF THIS COUNCIL.
NO DISRESPECT IS SHOWN, OR WE WILL STOP YOU IMMEDIATELY.
UM, AND WE HAVE SEVERAL TONIGHT, SO PLEASE WATCH THE THREE, THE THREE MINUTES, CAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE VERY STRICT ON IT.
UM, WHO'S FIRST KIM, UM, BRIAN QUINN, BRIAN QUINN.
WE'RE ADMITTING YOU INTO THE ROOM AND DO YOU HEAR US? WE SEE YOU DO BRIAN REMEMBERED NAME AND ADDRESS, AND THEN YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING TODAY? GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR SILICA AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU AGAIN TODAY.
MY NAME IS BRIAN QUINN AND I AM THE 2021 PRESIDENT OF THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION.
AND YOUR ADDRESS AND YOUR ADDRESS, 11 ROWBOAT ROAD HILTON HEAD.
UM, I'D LIKE TO READ REAL QUICK OR AN EXCERPT FROM THE BLUFFTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PAGE.
THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON HAS ESTABLISHED THE WORKFORCE HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE THE CONSTRUCTION OF OWNER OCCUPIED WORKFORCE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SOME OF THE GOALS OF THIS PROGRAM ARE TO EXPAND ACCESSIBILITY, TO QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR INFILL DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE HOME OWNERSHIP, OPPORTUNITIES TO LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING WITHIN TOWN OF BLUFFTON.
AS YOU'VE ALL SEEN THROUGH THE REPORT BY THE MARYLAND BASED COMPANY, TISCHLER BYS, THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY WANT THE IMPACT FEE TO APPLY TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AS WELL AS ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION.
THIS FEE WILL PUT ANOTHER HUGE HURDLE IN THE WAY OF BUILDING UP WORKFORCE HOUSING IN OUR AREA.
THE IMPACT FEE AND DISCUSSION WILL ADD $9,535 TO EACH NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME.
THESE COSTS ARE NOT PAID BY THE BUILDER THEY'RE PASSED ONTO THE HOMEOWNER.
THE OWNER THEN OFTEN ADDS IT INTO THEIR MORTGAGE OVER A 30 YEAR MORTGAGE WITH ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAXES AND INSURANCE IMPLICATIONS THAT $9,500 EQUATES
[00:35:01]
TO $27,300 THAT THE HOUSEHOLD WILL BE PAYING FOR THIS IMPACT FEE.OVER THE COURSE OF THE LOAN, THE COUNCIL HAS A MAJOR DECISIONS ON THEIR HANDS WITH THE FUTURE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRUE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVE WITH THIS IMPACT FEE, THE STRATEGIC PLAN OF 2007 CALLS FOR INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING, NOT PLACING AN EXTRA $27,000 HURDLE IN THE WAY OF NEW OWNERS WANTING TO COME TO OUR AREA.
WE AS AN ASSOCIATION HAVE SET UP PRIOR A HOME IS WHERE A HOME IS, WHERE A JOB GOES TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.
IF THAT HOME IS UNAFFORDABLE, THEN WE LOSE JOBS.
THE OUTRAGEOUS CURRENT COST OF MATERIALS AND THE 15.3% REGULATORY EXPENSES THAT EACH OWNER PAYS IN FEES AND TAXES HAS ALREADY SHOWN THAT WE ARE IN A DECLINE ON NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS BECAUSE OF LACK OF AFFORDABILITY.
WE CAN NOT CONTINUE TO BURDEN OUR FUTURE RESIDENTS WITH MORE COSTS OR ELSE.
THEY WILL HAVE NO CHOICE, BUT TO TAKE THEIR HOMES AND JOBS TO OTHER AREAS.
ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, MY COMPANY, THEN NEARLY 480 BUSINESSES IN THE LOCAL HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION.
WE ASK THAT YOU OPEN UP THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM UP FOR DISCUSSION TO HELP ASSURE ALL OF US THAT YOU WILL REMAIN TRUE TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN OF THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON BY NOT PROCEEDING WITH AN IGA WITH BUFORD COUNTY TO ADOPT A SCHOOL IMPACT FEE AND KEEP HOUSING AFFORDABLE.
PERFECT, TOM, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WHO'S UP NEXT ON KIM COMING IN THE ROOM, JEAN.
HELLO, JANE ON MUTE JANE YOU'RE ARE YOU, DO YOU HEAR US? LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE.
JOE, CAN YOU HEAR US? DOESN'T THAT MEAN? THEIR PHONE TOMMY.
JOE, ARE YOU ON THE PHONE OR ON A VIDEO? HEY, TURN YOUR VIDEO ON, ON YOUR END.
CAUSE WE ONLY SEE YOUR NAME, UM, WHICH IS FINE EITHER WAY.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF YOU THINK YOU'RE ON VIDEO, YOU'RE NOT RIGHT NOW.
UM, PLEASE SAY YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
MY ADDRESS IS 8409TH AT BLUFFTON.
UM, HONESTLY I PREFER TO SPEECH, UM, FOR THE ICE RAY ROLL ALL BASED ON FACT, IT TAKES NINE MINUTES.
I'M NOT GOING TO WASTE YOUR TIME.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO DO THIS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I WILL DO MY BEST TO STAY SHORT AND CONCISE ON WHAT I'M ABOUT TO DISCUSS IS FULL OF COMPLEXITIES, DATES, RULINGS, AND LAWS.
IT WAS A LOT TO PROCESS IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
THIS IS ABSOLUTE LAST THING I WANT TO DO.
HOWEVER, I'VE BEEN IN A POSITION OF LEADERSHIP.
MY ENTIRE LIFE I'VE COME TO LEARN.
YOU'RE EXPECTED TO SPEAK UP HOWEVER, UNPOPULAR IT MAY BE.
I HOPE TO BE JUST AS MUCH EDUCATIONAL AS INFORMATIVE WHILE PROVIDING CONTEXT AND INSIGHT ON THE CALLOUS ICE-FREE LAW.
THAT'S FOUND IN THE TONE OF ORDINANCES, BOSTON ORDINANCES, BUT I'LL GET GOING.
I'M NOT GOING TO READ YOU THE LAWS.
I CAN PROVIDE YOU A FULL, THE FULL LAWS IN THIS DOCUMENT.
I'LL SEND OVER THE DOCUMENT WHEN WE'RE DONE AND SUMMARIZE SOME OF THE LAWS.
WHAT'S AN ORDINANCES, A FIXED FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT IS A NON-MOBILE STATUS ESTABLISHMENT THAT PREPARES AND SERVES FROZEN DESSERTS.
THE TERM RESTAURANTS, COFFEE SHOPS, AND SODA PHONES, WHICH IS AN OLD TERM.
DESCRIBE AN ICE CREAM SHOP ARE INCLUDED IN ITS DEFINITION BASED RESTAURANT PROPERTY.
MOST HAVE FRONTED ON SOUTH CAROLINA, HIGHWAY 46 BRUIN ROAD, A BIRD CHURCH ROAD WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, GENERAL HD DISTRICT AND CALHOUN STREET.
UH, SOUTH CAROLINA, QUARTER REGULATIONS, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL STATES, RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT MEANS AN OPERATION THAT THE PAIRS PROCESSES PACKAGES SERVES OR OTHERWISE PROVIDES FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
REGARDLESS OF THERE IS A CHARGE FOR FOOD RESTAURANT, SNACK BAR ICE CREAM PARLOR AND SHARED USE OPERATION ARE INCLUDED IN THIS DEFINITION.
SO TOM BLUFFTON CREATE AN ICE RELOOK, AN ICE SERIE LAW IN 2017.
AND THAT READS SAYS, SUMMARIZE AGAIN.
YOU CAN ALL FIND FULL DEFINITIONS.
GOD IS PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN THE SALE OF NON FOOD OR BEVERAGE RELATED GOES AND MERCHANDISE, BUT THAT SELLS COFFEE, TEA AND ICE CREAM.
SO I SUPPORT AND I ORDER AN ICE CREAM SHOP WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON.
I WAS LABELED AS A RESTAURANT.
[00:40:01]
I'M FULLY LEGAL AS A RESTAURANT.UM, THERE'S THIS IS ALL PUBLIC.
I MEAN, I DO MOST OF IT TO BE FACTUAL.
THIS CAME FROM THERE'S VARIANCES.
WELL, THE MAYOR STONED ME A LOT AND UH, NOVEMBER 11, 2016 FOR AN ICE CREAM SHOP MARCH 20TH, MY PLAN WAS RECEIVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION AS AN ICE CREAM SHOP, CLASSIFIED AS A RESTAURANT.
I'M GONNA GO BACK TO, I'M JUST GOING TO SUMMARIZE IT QUICK SINCE I'M ON THE CLOCK.
UH, MY, I PAID LAND USE TAXES OF $9 AND 31 SQUARE FOOT.
WHEN, UH, SHOPPING GENERAL RETAIL PAYS $6 AND 30 S AND IMPACT YEAH.
SHOW YOUR THREE MINUTES IS OVER JOE.
YOUR THREE MINUTES HAS BEEN, UM, IS COMPLETE.
I WOULD ASK IF YOU'D REACH OUT TO HEATHER COLLIN OR INTERIM TOWN MANAGER, MAYBE TO GO INTO FURTHER DETAIL ON YOUR ISSUE.
NEXT RICHARD SWARTZ, RICHARD SCHWARTZ.
YOU WERE COMING INTO THE ROOM.
HEY RICHARD, CAN YOU HEAR US? WE SEE YOU.
I CAN, CAN YOU HEAR ME? WE DO YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, PLEASE START WITH YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS AND START THE CLOCK.
RICHARD TORRES 32 ROSE HILLS DRIVE.
I AM THE PRESIDENT OF VILLAGE PARK HOME DIVISION, PRESIDENT I A GOOD EVENING.
I COME BEFORE YOU TO ASK YOU TO CONSIDER NOT TO DO AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT, UH, APPROVING THE SCHOOL IMPACT FEES THAT ARE BEING REQUESTED BY BUFORD COUNTY VILLAGE PARK HOMES HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE MORE AFFORDABLE, UM, BUILDERS IN THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON, AS WELL AS OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.
WE HAVE ALSO TRIED TO WORK WITH THE JENNA BLUFFTON ON, UH, AFFORDABLE SOLUTIONS, UH, AS WELL AS WE'VE ACHIEVED AFFORDABLE SOLUTIONS THROUGH MARKET RATES SITUATIONS THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A VERY CHALLENGING YEAR.
WE HAVE ADDED ABOUT 30% TO OUR COSTS, WHICH IN TURN HAS ADDED AN AVERAGE OF $40,000 TO THE HOME PRICES TO OUR CONSUMERS IN BLUFFTON AND SEEING WHAT'S HAPPENED TO US WITH COVID AND COMING OUT WITH THE DEMAND, WE'RE HAVING TROUBLE FULFILLING OUR COMMITMENTS TO THE HOME BUYERS THAT WANT TO SHARE OUR WAY OF LIFE.
WE BELIEVE ADDING THE $9,500 KEY WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE AFFORDABILITY AND MODERATE HOME PRICING PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IN BLUFFTON IN 2018, A DIFFERENT COUNTY COMMISSION, THE BOEING NATIONAL RESEARCH STUDY, WHICH I THINK YOU'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH.
AND IN THIS STUDY, IT CITES SEVERAL NEEDS FOR THE SUB MARKETS OF THE COUNTY.
AND THE SUBMARKET OF BLUFFTON MAIN NEED WAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MODERATE HOUSING BESIDES SENIOR HOUSING.
AND WE BELIEVE THE IMPACT OF THE $9,500 WILL FURTHER THAT, THAT PROBLEM, IT WILL NOT HELP THE PROBLEM.
WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON IS A MATURE MARKET AND IT'S COMING TO THE FINALITY OF DEVELOPABLE PARCELS THAT ARE THERE.
THERE'S NO REASON TAKING ENGAGE IN THIS DIFFERENT COUNTY IMPACT SCHOOL IMPACT FEE THAT BENEFITS THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON FOR SOMETHING ONLY SOUTH OF THE BROAD.
UH, W DO WE HAVE MORE THAN JANE? YOU TRY JANE AGAIN, OR DO YOU HAVE SOMEONE ELSE HAD ONE THAT WITHDREW, UM, DARRYL OWENS WITHDREW, AND THEN WE SHOULD HAVE, IS RYAN STILL HANGING OUT FROM LET'S TRY GENE AGAIN, HAVE HIS NAME ON IT ON THE ONLINE AND SAID, DOES IT HAVE WHAT IT'S ABOUT JANE? ARE YOU ON JANE? SORRY.
[00:45:01]
GIVE HIM ANOTHER 30 SECONDS OR SO? OKAY.JEAN, ARE YOU ONLINE? WE SEE YOUR VIDEO IS OFF JANE.
UM, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO FROM YOUR SIDE TO BRING HIM IN? NO, YOU WOULDN'T INVITED THEM IN WELL, JANE, IF YOU CAN HEAR US, YOU NEED TO BE PRESENT IN THIS VIRTUAL WAY TO READ YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF YOU WOULD TRY AGAIN FOR NEXT MONTH, UM, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO TRY TO GET YOU ON.
WE DIDN'T HAVE TROUBLE WITH ANYONE ELSE.
SO I DON'T THINK IT'S ON OUR END WITH GETTING YOU ON.
UM, KIM EMAILED HIM, I WAS GOING TO SAY, COULD YOU EMAIL HIM AND TELL HIM WE JUST WEREN'T SUCCESSFUL WITH HIM, BUT ALL THE REST OF THEM.
AND HE CAN TRY AGAIN NEXT MONTH.
UM, ANY MORE PUBLIC COMMENT, KIM? WE HAD ONE MORE, BUT HE'S NOT IN, HE'S NOT THERE.
PUBLIC COMMENT IS OVER COMMUNICATIONS
[VIII. Communications from Mayor and Council]
FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL, ANYTHING TO THE LEFT, ANYTHING TO THE RIGHT OF ME.I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE, THE HUNDREDS, AND PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT PRAYED AND ACKNOWLEDGED, UM, MY LITTLE GRANDDAUGHTER LAST WEEK, IT WAS QUITE A ROLLER COASTER RIDE FOR ALL OF US.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY SHE IS DOING FINE NOW.
UM, ACTING ALMOST PERFECTLY NORMAL, WHATEVER THAT IS, BUT, UM, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK THE TIME AND SAID A PRAYER OR WHATEVER YOU MAY HAVE DONE FOR OUR FAMILY.
AND THANKS AGAIN, TELL EVERYONE SHE WAS FINE.
I SAW A PICTURE SHOOT, LITTLE SELF IN HER HIGH CHAIR.
SO, UM, THIS TOWN IS STILL SMALL.
I HAD, I GOT AN ON A TEXT FROM SOMEBODY AND LARRY YOU'RE THE ONLY LARRY.
SO THEY, THEY TALKED ABOUT LARRY.
I CALLED LARRY SO ON AND I KNOW WE ALL KEPT HER IN OUR PRAYERS.
UM, ANYTHING ELSE FROM COUNCIL? UM, THIS FRIDAY IS THE, OUR NEIGHBORING TOWN IS HOSTING THE CONGRUENCY PALMETTO CHALLENGE AND THEIR MISSION IS SO AMAZING, UM, FOR THAT COUNTY, WITH THE OWNERSHIP OF THAT CLUB.
SO ALL FUNDS IS GOING TO, TO OPEN UP THE SERGEANT JASPER COURSE, WHICH IS GOING TO OPEN IT UP TO FREE PLAY FOR ALL THE STUDENTS IN THAT COUNTY.
AND I THINK THAT'S AMAZING, UM, MISSION, IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE CONGRESS, UH, VISION AND MISSION, I WOULD URGE YOU ALL TO PULL IT UP AND SEE THE GOLF CHANNEL'S VIDEO ON IT.
IT'S PRETTY AMAZING WHAT, UH, TWO MEMBERS ARE DOING FOR THAT WHOLE ENTIRE AREA, WHICH WILL AFFECT OUR REGION.
UM, IF NOTHING ELSE, WE'LL MOVE ON
[IX.1. Discussion Relating to the Adaptive Reuse of Reclaimed Palmetto Trees Removed from Calhoun Street - Bryan McIlwee, Director of Engineering]
TO WORKSHOP ITEMS. UM, BRIAN, AS HE'S COMING FORWARD, I'LL SET THIS UP.WE, I THINK ALL OF US WERE ON CALVIN STREET AT ONE TIME DURING THAT TWO WEEK HORRIBLE SITUATION OF PALM TREES COMING DOWN.
AND WE GOT A LOT OF COMMENTS, UM, POINTING FINGERS AND BLAMING AND ARGUING, AND THEY'RE UPSET AND THEY'RE MAD AND EMOTIONS WERE OUT THE ROOF.
I THINK ALL OF US, OUR EMOTIONS WERE TOO.
AND I NEED TO GIVE SOME KUDOS TO ONE GENTLEMAN WHO RUNS THE FACEBOOK PAGE.
YOU ARE FROM, DO YOU, YOU ARE FROM BLUFFTON.
IF I THINK IT'S THE NAME OF IT.
MIKE REYNOLDS ACTUALLY CALLED ME, UH, TRIED TO TEMPER SOME OF THIS HEATED DISCUSSION AND SUGGESTED BRIAN IS, YOU CAN, YOU CAN MEET HIM AND YOU CAN THANK HIM TOO.
UM, YEAH, TO SOMEHOW SAVE SOME PALM TREE LOGS AND Y'ALL JUMPED RIGHT ON IT.
AND SO BRIAN, SINCE HE'S SO CREATIVE IS GONNA HAVE A BRILLIANT IDEA TONIGHT OF HOW TO AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE WORLD WAR ONE VETERANS FROM OUR TOWN, WHICH IS WHY THE TREES WERE PLANTED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
AND I WOULD SAY 80% OF OUR VISITORS, MAYBE A HUNDRED DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY'RE THERE FOR A REASON.
SO MAYBE WE CAN BRING THAT STORY TO LIFE.
AND BRIAN MAKES CITED TO SEE WHAT YOU CAME UP WITH.
WELL, WHEN YOU START WITH NO PRESSURE, YEAH.
THIS IS GOING TO BE MORE OF A DISCUSSION, I GUESS, RELATING TO THE REUSE OF THESE PALM TREES.
AND I'LL START OFF WITH, UH, JUST A LITTLE BACKGROUND AGAIN, YOU MENTIONED, UH, DOMINION ENERGY STARTED A FIVE-YEAR VEGETATION, UH, MAINTENANCE PROGRAM IN MARCH OF 2021.
UH, THIS IS TO HELP, UH, THE SAFETY OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THEN PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND THEN TO KEEP THE, UM, THE CONTINUITY OF POWER GOING IN CASE OF, UM, THE TREES GROWING UP INTO THE LINES.
UM, AND APRIL, THEY REMOVED 29 PALMETTO TREES FROM CALHOUN STREET.
UH, THESE TREES WERE ALL TOUCHING THE ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT ARE OVERHEAD ON THE STREET AND, UM, PER DOMINION, THEY POSE A THREAT TO SAFETY AND THE INTERRUPTED POWER YOU'D MENTIONED, UM, THAT THE TREES WERE POSSIBLY PLANTED AS A MEMORIAL TO WORLD WAR ONE SERVICEMAN.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY, UH, WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION
[00:50:01]
OF THAT.IT'S ALL BASED ON ORAL HISTORY.
UM, EITHER PARENTS THAT WERE BORN BACK THEN OR ACTUALLY WORKED ON THE PROJECT AS PART OF THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION, UM, UNDER PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.
SO WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING DEFINITIVE THAT SHOWS THAT OR WHY IT WAS PLANTED OR WHAT THEY IN MEMORY OF.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S, IT'S JUST ORAL HISTORY.
SO AFTER THE TREES WERE CUT DOWN, UH, WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE 24 SECTIONS OF THE, OF THE PALMETTO TREE TRUNKS.
THERE ARE ABOUT SIX TO EIGHT FEET IN LENGTH AND AROUND 24 OR 12 INCHES IN DIAMETER.
AND WE HAVE THEM AT OUR, UM, STORAGE SITE ON ONE 15 BLUFFTON ROAD.
AND I'LL SHOW YOU SOME PICTURES.
THESE ARE WHAT THE LOGS LOOK LIKE RIGHT NOW.
UM, YOU CAN SEE THEY'RE PRETTY ROUGH CUT IN THE EDGES ARE PRETTY ROUGH.
UM, THAT'S WHAT THE INSIDE, IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN A PIECE OF POETRY, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE I CAN PASS THIS AROUND.
IT IS VERY FIBROUS IT'S, UM, NOT REALLY CONDUCIVE TO BEING CUT IT SPLINTERS IT'S UM, IT'S INTERESTING ITCHY.
IT'S LIKE ALMOST LIKE THE OUTSIDE OF A COCONUT, IF YOU WILL.
SO, UM, YOU HAD TASKED US TO KIND OF THINK OF SOME IDEAS.
UM, YOU'RE, YOU'VE SEEN THIS KIND OF NAUTICAL THEME IN THE PAST.
WE HAVE THIS UP AT THE OYSTER FACTORY SIGN WHERE THEY'RE KIND OF TIED TOGETHER BY SOME NAUTICAL ROPE.
UM, WE WERE THINKING THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY DO THAT ALONG THE EDGES OF RIGHT FAMILY PARK HERE.
THIS IS AT THE BARONY I BELIEVE ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND.
THEY KIND OF USE IT AS A WALL TO, TO DIVIDE THEIR POOL AREA FROM A WALKWAY OR TO PROVIDE SOME SCREENING ON GOOGLE.
UM, THEY'VE USED PALMETTO TREES AS YOU CAN HOLLOW IT OUT AND USE IT AS A PLANNER LITTLE PICTURE.
I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY COOL, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DO IT WITH THE PALMETTO TREE, BUT THEY TOOK A LOG AND KIND OF RECESSED THE LIGHT INTO IT.
WE COULD DO THAT ALONG THE PATHWAYS PERHAPS, BUT YOU SEE THAT'S A SMALLER, UH, LOG AND THEN THE ONE ON THE RIGHT, THEY, AGAIN, THEY PUT, THEY KIND OF HOLLOWED OUT A SPOT FOR A LIGHT TO, TO SIT IN A, THIS IS AGAIN, JUST A GOOGLE IMAGE.
AND WHEN YOU GOOGLE PALM TREE WHERE YOU USE AGAIN, IT'S KIND OF LIKE A BARRIER ALONG THE EDGE OF A ROAD.
SO TONIGHT IT'S MORE OF US COMING TO YOU ALL AND ASKING, WHAT'S YOUR GUIDANCE? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE US TO RESEARCH THIS MORE AND BE ABLE TO REUSE THESE LOGS? AND THAT'S, I CAN GO BACK TO SOME OF THOSE IMAGES, BUT THAT'S KIND OF IT FOR ME TO OPEN UP THE DIALOGUE FOR YOU, ALL THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS.
DO YOU LIKE WHAT HE SUGGESTED? UM, I WOULD THINK THAT WE NEED SOME MORE INPUT.
I WOULD SUGGEST GETTING THEIR OPINIONS AND GOT THEM.
THEY'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE NOW.
SO I LIKED THE IDEA OF THE, UM, THE SIMILAR CONCEPT THAT'S CURRENTLY AT THE PORSCHE FACTORY PARK.
AND I THINK IN KEEPING THEM WITH CONTINUITY FOR ANOTHER COASTAL PARK THAT WE HAVE WITH THE RIGHT FAMILY PARK, IT'D BE NICE TO REPLICATE, YOU KNOW, THAT SIMILAR FEEL OR, OR LOOK DOWN THERE.
I THOUGHT THE HOLIDAY THREE SNAP, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL, IT WAS A NOVEL IDEA.
BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, LARRY HAS A GOOD IDEAS WHERE YOU CAN TAKE YOUR PRESENTATION WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND PUT THEM OUT ON THE WEBSITE AND GIVE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY OR FACEBOOK, WHATEVER.
WE GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.
SOMEBODY MAY SEND US MORE INFORMATION, BUT, UH, I DID LIKE SOME OF THE, UH, THE PHOTOS THAT YOU PRESENTED GOOGLING.
I KNOW YOU'RE TORN WITH THIS, AND THIS IS LIKE A THROW A PROJECT AT YOU.
AND WE PROMISE WE WOULDN'T, BUT WOULD YOU BE OPEN IF WE CAME UP WITH A COUPLE OF NAMES AND MAYBE SHARED WITH THEM? I THINK WE CAN GET THE STORY.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A STORY BOARD OF SOME SORT LIKE RIGHT FAMILY AND MARTIN FAMILY HAVE TO REALLY LET PEOPLE KNOW WHY WE'RE DOING THIS.
UM, I'M FINE TO GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF NAMES.
I THINK MIKE REYNOLDS THOUGHT FATHER WAS CECIL RENTALS WHO ACTUALLY HAS A MEMORY OF THIS.
UM, GEORGE HASLAM HAD PEOPLE THAT HAD MEMORIES.
I THINK JUDGE MARTIN KNEW JAKE MARTIN HAD HAD SOME MEMORIES OF THIS TO DO YOU NOT TO GET A GROUP IN A COMMITTEE TOGETHER, BUT DO Y'ALL WANT TO COME UP WITH A NAME OR SO, AND LET'S PUT THEM ON.
AND I WANT TO SHARE NOW THAT WE KNOW OR ASSUME FOR MANY THAT THESE WERE FOR A WHILE, TWO BETTERMENTS, MAYBE WE CAN A BETTERMAN POT.
[00:55:01]
I MEAN, THE PARK'S KIND OF FINISHED.UM, THE REASON MY FAULT ON CALHOUN STREET IS THAT THEY WERE PLANTED ON CALHOUN STREET AND THERE'S A WALL AT THE RIGHT FAMILY PART.
THAT'S GOT A LOT OF NO TRESPASSING SIGNS ON IT.
AND I THOUGHT A GOOD WAY TO BLOCK NO TRESPASSING SIGN WITH ART, BUT, UM, THAT A STRONG DESIRE.
NO, NO, NO, BUT YOU COULD DISAGREE THE IDEA THERE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF THEM TO DO BOTH.
AS LONG AS THEY'RE DRY, I'M TOLD THEY DON'T HAVE TO STAY DRY THAT YOU COULD ACTUALLY RESIN THEM.
WE'D HAVE TO PRESERVE THEM BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY'RE, I MEAN, I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT THEY'RE PROBABLY ROTTING THAT A LITTLE BIT RIGHT NOW.
THE ONE I SAW THE BARK WAS ACTUALLY PULLING AWAY FROM THE CORE OF THE TREE.
SO WHATEVER WE DO, WE PROBABLY GOTTA GET MOVING QUICKLY.
IF WE COULD GET SOME HISTORY WHO WAS FROM BLUFFTON, THAT WAS IN THE WAR THAT DIED.
LIKE YOU SAID, WHETHER IT BE IN A TIME CONSTRAINT.
AND IF YOU'RE TRYING TO GATHER PEOPLE TOGETHER, MEETING CONFLICTS MIGHT BE AN ISSUE AND YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO GET SOME TYPE OF SOLUTION BEFORE KID DO ANYTHING OR SALVAGE THEM AT ALL.
WHY DON'T Y'ALL PASS A NAME OF SOMEBODY THAT WE THINK MIGHT HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE WE CAN DO IT ON AN EMAIL.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO MEET JUST MAYBE A QUICK EMAIL.
AND, UM, ADY PETERSON IN OUR GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT HAD REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL FOLKS AND WE HAVE SOME BACKGROUND ON IT.
AGAIN, NOTHING DEFINITIVE THAT PROVES.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M SCARED ABOUT.
I GUESS, OF PUTTING A STORYBOARD THAT MIGHT NOT BE ACCURATE AND GO BACK AND FIND THAT DOCUMENT THAT PROVES THAT FOR A FACT.
BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS JUST MAKE IT AS A NEW, THIS WAS TOLD TO BE.
WE CAN DO A LOT OF, WELL, LET'S ALL CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO TALK TO PEOPLE THAT MAYBE WE KNOW THAT MIGHT HAVE A HISTORY.
I THINK ABOUT ANIL, OUR HAREL, THAT'D BE GOOD CEO, JACK MORRIS BY NAMES, THAT'D BE GREAT.
OR EVEN ARTISTS OR SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT WE COULD DO WITH IT.
OTHER THAN GOOGLE DO I AGREE WITH DAN AND BRIDGETTE? I LIKE, I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE HOLLOWED OUT.
IF ARE THE WHOLE, WITH THE LIGHT SOMETHING I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO USE 24 OF THEM USE LIKE THE BEST SIX OR EIGHT, WHATEVER YOU FEEL IS, UH, MAKES A STATEMENT.
CAUSE I KNOW IT WAS THROWN AT YOU, BUT I THINK IT MADE A LOT OF, IT GAVE SOME COMFORT TO PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE BEING HEARD.
AND UM, NOW WE'LL PUT THEM TO TASK TO HELP US WITH WHO HAS THE HISTORY.
AND I THINK THE FIVE OF US CAN FIGURE THAT OUT AND WE'LL SEND IT TO YOU.
WE'LL BE DONE BEFORE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
IS THIS ALL WE'RE GOING TO SEE IF YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT, WE'RE GOING TO SEE YOU WAY DOWN ON NUMBER FOUR.
PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL READING OF AN, UH, WE HAD, UH, WE HAD A PUBLIC COMMENT OR THAT WAS NOT ADMITTED.
WHO IS IT? JAMES OR JAMES? MAYBE HE WAS JANE.
HEY, KIM MARTIN NIX WAS ON THE CALL OR IN THE WAITING ROOM.
YOU SAID AS TO WHY HE WASN'T A BAD COMMENT.
YOU WANT TO WORK ON THAT AND WE CAN MOVE ON AND TRY TO GET HIM BACK IN OR, I MEAN, HE CAN CALL US AND WE CAN.
[01:00:06]
OKAY.WELL I JUST EMAILED HER BACK AND SAID TO HAVE HER CALL MY NUMBER AND WE'LL JUST PUT HIM ON THE PHONE.
[X.1. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving the Town of Bluffton Fiscal Year 2022 Proposed Consolidated Budget – Public Hearing and Final Reading - Chris Forster, Interim Town Manager]
AGENDA ITEM, A DISCUSSION RELATING TO FOOD.AND FINAL READING CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON FISCAL 2022 PROPOSED CONSOLIDATED BUDGET, PUBLIC HEARING, AND FINAL READING.
UM, LET'S DO THE PUBLIC HEARING FIRST, CHRIS.
UM, FIRST READING, IS THERE, IS THERE ANY COMMENT, PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING? I'LL GO THROUGH IT.
FIRST CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING OF OUR ORDINANCE, APPROVING THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROPOSED BUDGET.
SECOND CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING OF OUR TOWN OF BLUFFTON IN FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROPOSED CONSOLIDATED BUDGET, THIRD AND FINAL CALL FOR OUR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PUBLIC HEARING OF THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROPOSED CONSOLIDATED BUDGET.
CHRIS, UH, LET'S FINISH BERARDI IN THIS WE'LL WE'LL FINISH IT, CHRIS.
UM, YOU HAD GONE OVER ALL OF THIS LAST MONTH AND WE HAD ANY CHANGES.
DO YOU WANT TO HOLD ON ONE MINUTE? HOLD ON ONE MINUTE.
WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF ANOTHER ITEM.
LET'S GO THROUGH IT THEN I'LL PUT YOU ON SPEAKER.
I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU ON THE PHONE.
SO AGAIN, THE TOTAL BUDGET OF $40.1 MILLION, UH, NO MILLAGE CHANGE REMAINS AT 38.5, UH, REMINDER THAT THIS THE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS AMENDMENTS TO THE FUND BALANCE POLICY.
WE DISCUSSED THESE IN LENGTH IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS.
UM, ALSO INHERIT IS ALSO THE FEES FOR WRIGHT FAMILY PARK.
AND WE AGREED TO INCLUDE THOSE WITH A REVIEW OF THESE SIX MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD GENERAL FUND BUDGET OF $22.4 MILLION.
AND SOME CHANGES SINCE FIRST READING.
UH, WE WENT FROM A PART-TIME SOCIAL WORKER, A FULL-TIME COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVOCATE, UM, AND WE REDUCED SOME ITEMS IN OTHER AREAS.
UH, THERE WAS SOME SAVINGS IN THE GENERAL ELECTION BECAUSE OF THE SHERIFF COSTS, REDUCE MISS CONSULTING FEES AND USE OF SOME GENERAL CONTINGENCY TO COVER THE ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR THE FULL-TIME COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVOCATE.
AND HERE'S A RECAP OF THE POSITION.
SO THERE'S EIGHT NEW FULL-TIME POSITIONS.
UM, AND THEN THERE'S A NET ZERO CHANGE TO PART-TIME POSITIONS.
SO I'M ON A FUND OF $2.2 MILLION.
AND OUR DESK SERVICE BUDGET OF $3.8 MILLION.
OTHER THAN THE ONES THAT I MENTIONED, I ASKED FOR YOUR FINAL APPROVAL OF THE FY 22.
ANY QUESTIONS OF CHRIS? CHRIS IS SO HAPPY NOW, CAN YOU GO BACK TO INTERIM UNTIL THE 14TH? ANY QUESTIONS FOR CHRIS, CHRIS? I KNOW THEY'VE ALL SAID IT, BUT I WOULD JUST THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LISTENING TONIGHT, THAT WAS A WELL-DONE BUDGET BOOK.
AND I KNOW YOUR WHOLE DEPARTMENT, YOU GIVE THEM ALL CREDIT.
IT WAS SO EASY TO UNDERSTAND ON A THANK YOU.
AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING A DUAL ROLE IN A VERY TOUGH TIME OF YEAR FOR YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT.
SO ODDEST SARAH MOTION TO APPROVE THE FR 2022 PROPOSED CONSOLIDATED BUDGET.
ON SECOND, SECOND AND FINAL READING.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR STATE BY SAYING AYE.
[VII. Public Comment (Part 2 of 2)]
HERE? AND THIS IS MARK MIX WITH THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, SOUTH CAROLINA.SO MARK, IF YOU WOULD STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AND I'M GOING TO LET YOU SPEAK IN MY MICROPHONE SO WE CAN RECORD IT.
IT'S MORE MIXED ON THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
MY ADDRESS IS THREE 12 WINDING WAY, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TWO NINE TWO ONE, SUSAN, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
LET ME, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING IN BLUFFTON FOR DOING A GOOD JOB PROMOTING GROWTH IN YOUR COUNTY AND YOUR CITY, ESPECIALLY BOSTON HAS DONE A GOOD JOB WITHOUT BRINGING THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND AN INCREASE IN THE QUALITY OF WIFE TO YOUR AREA, WHICH HAS BEEN A BIG BOON FOR HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES ALIKE.
UM, ONE OF THE THINGS I TRY TO DO, AS I SAY, AS I REPRESENT THE WHOLE STATE, I LOOK AT OTHERS CITIES AND COUNTIES AND STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE REALLY DONE A GOOD JOB IN HANDLING GROWTH, COURAGE TO SHARE SOME OF THAT.
[01:05:01]
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME ACROSS WAS LOOKING AT DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA AND THEIR MAYOR JUST RECENTLY WAS QUOTED, WAS TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE BEEN ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES ACTUALLY IN THE COUNTRY FOR MANY YEARS AND ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WHAT HE BROUGHT OUT OF THIS AND SAID, HIS THING IS FOLLOW THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.AND ALSO HE, HE WAS MARRIED TO THE IDEA OF SHARED ECONOMIC PROSPERITY ACROSS THE PAYER, WHICH MEANS THAT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY PROSPERS, NO MATTER WHAT THEY'RE DOING GOING FORWARD.
SO IF THEY'RE PAYING FOR SCHOOLS, THEY'RE ALL BENEFITING FROM THE SCHOOLS AND SO FORTH.
AND THE REASON I BRING THAT UP IS PART OF WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT SOME OF THE IMPACT FEES, ESPECIALLY THE $9,000 PLUS IMPACTS THAT YOU'RE COVERING.
BUT IT'D BE FOR YOU IS KIND OF COUNTER TO WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT IT AS WHAT THEY CONSIDER SHARED ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.
I MEAN, JUST GIVING AN EXAMPLE BECAUSE WE'RE BRINGING ALL THE JOBS THAT YOU'RE ALREADY SEEING.
IT, WE'RE NOT ONLY SAYING IN BLUFFTON, BUT ACROSS THE STATE, A LACK OF SUPPLY OF HOUSING COMING FORWARD IN IT.
AND YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS FOR ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU JUST LOOK AT HOUSING THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IN YOUR AREA.
WE'VE LOOKED LIKE LAST YEAR, $250,000 HOUSE.
IT MAY SURPRISE YOU TO FIND OUT THAT MORE THAN $38,000 WAS SPENT ON THE HOUSE OR JUST FEES AND TAXES THAT WENT BACK TO THE GOAT GOVERNMENT.
NOW, IF WE ADD THAT'S ACTUALLY 15, A LITTLE MORE THAN 15% OF THE PRICE OF THE HOUSE THAT WE HAD, THE 9,000 AND THIS IS EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY TAX.
AND THE OTHER IMPACT STAGE WE'RE LOOKING AT, WE HAD ANOTHER 9,000.
YOU'RE ACTUALLY GOING UP ALMOST 19% OF THE PRICE OF THE HOUSE.
AND HOUSING IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN COMMERCIALS IN THE ESG, BUT ALL MANY OF YOU THAT HAVE BOUGHT HOUSES UNDERSTAND YOU PUT YOUR DOWN PAYMENT IN THE HOUSE, COST MORE.
YOU'RE THE ONE THAT COMES FORWARD WITH IT AND COMMERCIALS JUST MORE OF A COST OF DOING BUSINESS, BUT RESIDENTIAL YOU'RE PRICING PEOPLE OUT.
AND FOR EVERY THOUSAND DOLLARS ADDED TO THE PRICE OF THE HOUSE IN BUFORD COUNTY, RIGHT NOW YOU'RE PRICING OUT 90 FAMILIES THAT COULD HAVE AFFORDED THE HUMP BEFORE.
THEN WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THE IMPACTS THAT YOU, AND IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE POINTS OF SEND, IT SAID BY EMAIL TO YOU, THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES I HAD WITH THE TISCHLER BY STUDY AND SOME ISSUES THEY BROUGHT UP, THEY WANTED DOUBLE WHAT THEIR CONSIDERATION FOR THE STUDENT GROWTH POPULATION IS RIGHT NOW, AS YOU'RE LOOKING OVER THE LAST YEAR, WHAT MORE LOVE AND A HUNDRED STUDENTS LESS THAN THE PREVIOUS YEARS.
AND EVEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LAST YEAR BEFORE COVID, CAN YOU FINISH UP? CAUSE YOUR THREE MINUTES IS ENDED.
I WANT TO FINISH UP SAYING, I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I HAD SENT OVER SOME TALKING POINTS ON THE ISSUE, BUT I'LL BREAK IT.
EVERYTHING TO BOSTON HAS DONE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND I HOPE THEY'LL LOOK FAVORABLY.
AND LOOK, AS IN SAYING, THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT IDEA FOR ME.
AND I'M SORRY, WE DIDN'T PUT YOUR NAME WITH THE NAME ON OUR, ON OUR WAITING ROOM.
SO PUBLIC COMMENT IS OFFICIALLY OVER NEXT.
WE HAVE FORMAL ITEMS, NUMBER 11,
[XI.1. Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee Funding Recommendations for Quarter Ending March 31, 2021 – Natalie Majorkiewicz, Treasury Manager]
THIS IS ACCOMMODATIONS TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MARCH 31ST, 2021 QUARTER, NATALIE, HOW ARE YOU? I'M DOING WELL.HOW ARE YOU? NICE TO SEE EVERYBODY GOOD EVENING PAD.
UM, I'M PLEASED TO PRESENT PR EXCUSE ME.
I'M PLEASED TO PRESENT THE, UM, ACCOMMODATIONS TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31ST, 2021.
THERE ARE FOUR ORGANIZATIONS FOR THIS QUARTER, INCLUDING THE RESOLUTION, UM, FOR APPROVAL OF DMO FUNDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022.
CURRENTLY THERE ARE OVER $1.4 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION, WHICH IS SPLIT BETWEEN BOTH IN STATE AND LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FUNDS.
UM, TO BEGIN IS THE DMO FUNDING, UM, RESOLUTION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020 TO IT, AS IT PERTAINS TO THE CURRENT 2019 DASH 33 CONTRACT WITH THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND, BLUFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO MANAGE AND DIRECT THE EXPENDITURES OF THE 30% OF THE BALANCE OF STATE ACCOMMODATIONS TAXES AND THE UP TO 8% OF THE BALANCE OF LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS TAXES, THE SUBMITTED BUDGET OF THE PLANT EXPENDITURES AS REQUIRED BY LAW BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF FISCAL YEAR BEFORE THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR IS $230,000.
UM, SECOND IS THE NEWLY FORMED NON-PROFIT BLUFFTON MLK OBSERVANCE COMMITTEE FOR SUPPORT WITH THE UPCOMING BLUFFTON JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION, WHICH IS TAKING PLACE ON JUNE 19TH AND 20TH.
THE COMMITTEE IS REQUESTING $27,500 FOR ADVERTISING FACILITIES, EXPENSES, TRASH SECURITY ASSISTANCE, AND TOURIST TRANSPORTATION, TOURIST TRANSPORTATION.
[01:10:03]
NEXT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CURRENT 2017 DASH 69 MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL REQUEST FROM THE HISTORIC BLUFFTON FOUNDATION TO CONTINUE AT TWO, TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON OFFICIAL WELCOME CENTER.UM, AND IT ADHERES TO THE TERMS OF THE MOA AND THEIR REQUEST IS $169,000.
AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT THERE IS A, A MINOR TYPO, UM, ON THE SECOND TO LAST COLUMN, IT SHOULD BE $10,000 AND NOT $13,000.
AND THEN THAT'LL GET TO GET YOU TO THE $169,000, UM, AWARD OR REQUEST.
AND FINALLY, AS A REQUEST FROM THE SOCIETY OF BLUFFTON ARTISTS, UM, WE COMMONLY REFER TO THEM AS SOBA FOR SUPPORT AND ADVERTISING FOR PROMOTING THE ARTS OF THE LOW COUNTRY AND BEYOND THE ORIGINAL REQUEST WAS $20,000.
UM, BUT A REVISED BUDGET WAS SUBMITTED AND HAS REDUCED THE REQUEST TO $18,200 FOR ADVERTISING.
THE COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED TO FULLY FUND ALL THE ELIGIBLE, UH, REQUESTED AMOUNTS.
UM, AND WE DO HAVE SOME OF THE MEMBERS FROM THE APPLICANTS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND SAN FRAN IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS WELL.
THANK YOU SAM, FOR BEING HERE AND YOU HAVE SAMHSA CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.
UM, GO, WE'LL DO ONE ONE BY ONE AND THEN ASK FOR QUESTIONS.
FIRST IS THE REQUIRED, UH, AMOUNT FOR HILTON HEAD ISLAND, BLUFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DMO.
ANY QUESTIONS THAT, THAT WE HAD THE PRESENTATION EARLIER, IS THERE A MOTION TO, UH, REC DO THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF $230,000 TO THE HILTON HEAD-ON BLUFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DMO SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR STATE BY SAYING AYE.
NEXT IS BLUFFTON MLK OBSERVANCE COMMITTEE.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF SAM OR NATALIE ON THAT? NO AMERA BELIEVE I HAVE TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM THIS.
SO WHEN YOU GET COUNSELING, FRAZIER'S RECUSING HERSELF.
ANY QUESTIONS OF SAM ON THAT REQUEST THEIR EMOTION ODD TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF $27,500, THE BLUFFTON MLK OBSERVANCE COMMITTEE, THEIR SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR STATE BY SAYING, AYE, AYE.
UM, I WILL BE RECUSING MYSELF ON THE FOUNDATION, MY HUSBAND'S ON THAT BOARD VOTING.
UM, BUT THAT IS THE NEXT ITEM UP ON MOUNT RECOMMENDED, UH, HISTORIC BLUFFTON FOUNDATION.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS OF KELLY'S HERE AND SAM, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY.
IF THE AMOUNT REQUESTED WAS ONE 69, THE AMOUNT RECOMMENDED WAS ONE 69.
UM, IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THAT RECOMMENDATION FOR HISTORIC BLUFFTON FOUNDATION, THEIR SECOND SESSION? YES, SIR.
UM, I WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT THEY LOWERED THE BUDGET AGAIN.
UM, I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF AND KELLY OVER THE WEEKEND AND, UH, YOU KNOW, AND I'VE SAID IT BEFORE KELLY HAS TAKEN, UH, HE'S DONE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS OVER THERE.
UH, MADE A LOT OF GOOD IMPROVEMENTS AND, UM, BUT I'M SEE THAT YOU'RE BEING A LITTLE TIGHTER WITH THE BELT.
UH, THEY ALSO CONSIDERED THE PPP MONEY THEY GOT FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND IN FACT IT, ALL OF THAT INTO IT.
AND, UH, SO ANYWAY, GLAD THAT YOU'RE DOING THAT AND IN A BETTER JOB AND A GOOD JOB.
AND THANK YOU ALL IN FAVOR STATE BY SAYING AYE, AYE OPPOSED AND NOT RECUSED MYSELF COUNT.
UM, FINALLY THE SOCIETY OF BLUFFTON ARTISTS OR SOBA, UM, THEY REQUESTED 18,200 RECOMMENDED 18,200.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS OF SAM ON THAT APPLICATION? ALL CARE TO GET EXERCISE, BUT WE WOULD HAVE HAD QUESTIONS IF YOU WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN HERE.
SO, UM, IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF 18,200 PER SOCIETY OF BLUFFTON ARTIST, THEIR SECOND BECCA, ANY DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR, STEP OF SAYING AYE.
NICE TO SEE OTHER OTHER NON-PROFITS COME FORWARD.
IS THERE A WAY TO DO A WORKSHOP OF NONPROFITS TO GET MORE APPLICATIONS IN? YOU ACTUALLY HAVE, UM, A DATE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR WORKSHOP TO HOPEFULLY GET SOME MORE APPLICANTS IN, UM, WE'RE LOOKING AT JULY 22ND.
WE'LL DO WE'LL SPREAD IT OUT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA.
UM, KELLY, AND WE'RE GOING TO, YOU GOT TO GO TO
[01:15:02]
THANK YOU FOR SITTING IN HERE.[XI.2. Consideration of a Resolution Memorializing the Watershed Management Building located at 1261 May River Road in Honor of the Legacy of Community Contributions and Public Service Rendered by Jennie Kitty -Lisa Cunningham, Interim Assistant Town Manager]
IS CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING, THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT BUILDING LOCATED AT 1261 MAY RIVER ROAD AND HONOR THE LEGACY OF COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS AND PUBLIC SERVICE RENDERED BY JENNY KITTY, LISA.SO HOW ARE YOU TONIGHT? YOU AS WELL.
I AM BEFORE YOU TONIGHT TO REQUEST TOWN COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING, THE WATERSHED, SORRY, BUILDING LOCATED AT 1261 MAY RIVER ROAD.
THIS WOULD BE AN HONOR OF THE LEGACY OF COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS AND PUBLIC SERVICE RENDERED BY MISS JENNY KITTY, HER MOTTO.
IF I CAN HELP SOMEBODY AS I TRAVEL ALONG THE WAY, THEN MY LIVING SHALL NOT BE IN VAIN.
SHE WAS A MOTHER OF NINE LOVING MOTHER DEVOTE CHRISTIAN, MS. KATIE LEFT A LONG LASTING LEGACY.
SHE WAS A NATIVE OF THE LOW COUNTRY, A GRADUATE OF PENN SCHOOL ON ST.
THE VERY FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN LICENSED NURSE PRACTITIONER IN OUR BLUFFED AND COMMUNITY.
SHE ACTED AS A MIDWIFE FOR 39 CHILDREN.
FOR THOSE WHO COULD NOT READILY TRAVEL TO A HOSPITAL FACING ACTIVE RESISTANCE FROM FORCES THROUGHOUT THE AREA AND STATEWIDE MS. KITTY, ALONGSIDE OF DR.
GOETZ WORK DILIGENTLY TO FIND THE CURE FOR INTESTINAL PARASITES KNOWN AS STOMACH WORMS. THAT WAS EFFECT IN MANY INDIVIDUALS IN BLUFFTON AND BEYOND.
IN ADDITION TO HER WORK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, MS. KITTY SAW A NEED FOR CHILDCARE FOR WORKING MOTHERS.
SO SHE PETITIONED PRESIDENT LYNDON B JOHNSON FOR FUNDING TO ESTABLISH WHAT WE NOW KNOW AS THE BLUFFTON COMMUNITY CENTER, A NONPROFIT THAT HAS SERVED BOTH YOUNG AND OLD FOR OVER SIX DECADES PENDING COUNCIL'S APPROVAL TONIGHT, STAFF WILL WORK WITH FAMILY ON A DATE AND TIME FOR THE DEDICATION HONORING THE LATE MS. JENNY KITTY.
IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, I HAVE THE MOTION READY.
ANY QUESTIONS OF LISA ON THIS? NO QUESTIONS, BUT I WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE TO MAKE A, UM, A COMMENT ON IT.
I THINK, UM, IT'S A GREAT, YOU PUT TOGETHER LISA, VERY, UM, FITTING FOR MS. KITTY.
UM, I WAS ONE OF THE ONES WHO'S STILL, UH, PROBABLY YOUNG ENOUGH, PROBABLY THE YOUNGEST OF MY, UM, OUR OLDEST OF MY GENERATION STILL REMEMBERS GOING TO THAT CLINIC WHEN IT WAS THERE.
AND, UM, SHE SERVED AND HELPED A LOT OF PEOPLE AND MADE HOUSE CALLS FOR THOSE, UM, LIKE MY FAMILY AT THE TIME FINANCIALLY DIDN'T HAVE THE MEANS TO GET TO, UM, HOSPITALS OR MEDICAL FACILITIES.
SO TO BE ABLE TO, UM, HONOR HER IN THIS MANNER, I THINK SPEAKS VOLUMES OF THE TYPE OF TOWN THAT WE HAVE HERE.
AND, UM, THE WAY THAT WE VALUE PEOPLE WHO SELFLESSLY GIVE THEMSELVES, I WENT THERE TO GET ALL MY SHOTS AND WORM MEDICINE, WHATEVER IT WAS, THEY MADE US DRINK AND YOU CAN GET STUCK BACK IN THE DAY.
SO I LIKE TO MAKE THEM, YOU'RE GOING TO SAY SOMETHING, FRANK, GO AHEAD.
TELL HIM HE GOT SHOTS HERE TOO AGAIN.
REALLY DID, YOU KNOW, I ALSO GOT MY SHOTS THERE AND I GOT MY SHOTS AT HER HOUSE.
SHE ALWAYS WORE THE PINK DRESS.
SO SHE, WHEN SHE CAME WITH HER SHOTS, THEY ALWAYS KNEW HER WITH THE LADY IN THE PINK DRESS, UM, CONTINUOUSLY, EVEN AFTER BUILDING, UH, WAS NOT SERVICEABLE.
SHE'S STILL RENDER HER SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND MANY OF THEM LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I FOUND THE ARTICLE, FASCINATING, A GREAT READ THE DOCTOR THAT SHE WAS A PARTNER WITH, UH, QUITE A TRENDSETTER, UH, YOU KNOW, REALLY AHEAD OF HIS TIME.
AND, UH, I WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN THIS IF IT HAD NOT ENDED UP IN THIS PACKET, BUT I WAS THINKING, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW PRACTICAL IT IS, BUT, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, KELLY, UH, THEY DID A VIDEO OF PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK EMMA AND OTHERS, UH, THAT WERE INCORPORATED INTO THAT VIDEO A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO TO, TO KIND OF PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS FROM BLUFFTON AND WHILE SHE'S NOT HERE.
UM, I THINK IF THERE WAS A WAY FOR US TO COME BACK AND FIND PEOPLE LIKE HER TO INCLUDE INTO THAT PROCESS, INTO THE FUTURE FOR PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORY HERE, UH, IT WOULD BE AMAZING.
SO I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD, UH, YOU MAY BE REACH OUT TO KELLY, SEE IF THERE'S SOME WAY THROUGH THE TOWN THAT WE CAN START DOCUMENTING THIS, EVEN WITH A VIDEO AND PICTURES INTO THE FUTURE.
HI, I'M ACTUALLY DAN, WHEN THE CHAMBER DID THAT, I BELIEVE, UM, WITH, WITH KELLY AND I HAD TOLD LINDSAY, I WANTED TO SET UP A TIME FOR MS. JENNY.
[01:20:01]
I HAVE FIVE MESSAGES FROM HER, MY PHONE, SHE WAS ONE, SHE WAS SHARP UNTIL THE DAY SHE LEFT AND I SAID, SHE'S THE PERSON YOU NEED TO TAKE TO THE HOSPITAL.AND THEN, THEN COVID, AND THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY COMING AROUND HER, BUT, UM, SHE'S A REAL THING AND SUCH AN INSPIRATION FOR WOMEN.
I THINK OF ALL OF US AND FOR OUR WHOLE TOWN TO SEE WHAT A STRONG, I MEAN, THAT, THAT TIME WAS TOUGH FOR ANYBODY TO EXCEL ANY FEMALE, BUT FOR A BLACK FEMALE TO DO THAT.
UM, AND SHE PROBABLY HAD THEIR SHOTS IN HER CAR.
SHE WOULD PROBABLY GIVE ME A SHOT ABOUT IT, ASKED HER, BUT, UM, I LOVE IT.
THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE THAT SURROUNDED HER WITH LOVE.
AND I KNOW THERE WERE OTHER NAMES MENTIONED, UM, THAT REALLY HELPED HER, BUT I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE NAMED FOR HER.
AND THEN THE STORY OF HER FELLOW NURSES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE STORY.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING, THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT BUILDING LOCATED AT 1261 MAY RIVER ROAD AND HONOR THE LEGACY OF COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS IN PUBLIC SERVICE RENDERED BY JENNY KITTY AS PRESENTED SECOND SESSION LEE.
GREAT JOB, LISA, ON THE LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY YOU PUT HERE, UM, AND WE'LL, YOU'LL REACH OUT TO KELLY AND CHAMBER AND OTHERS MAY BE BETWEEN YOU AND CHRIS.
SOME LET'S START TO GET THESE STORIES.
ALL IN FAVOR STATE SAYING AYE.
[XI.3. Consideration of a Resolution Affirming the Use of Revenues Generated when the Local Option Sales Tax Approved by Voters of Beaufort County - Chris Forster, Interim Town Manager]
OF A REV RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE USE OF REVENUES GENERATED WHEN THE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX APPROVED BY VOTERS OF BUFORD COUNTY.UH, SO JUST, UH, UH, REFRESHER, THIS IS, UH, UH, VERY ACTUALLY THINKS, I BELIEVE IT'S THE SAME AS RESOLUTION THAT WAS BROUGHT FORTH THE LAST TIME THIS WAS CONSIDERED.
UM, SO, YOU KNOW, THE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX IS, UH, HAS BEEN PASSED THROUGH THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND IS, UH, BEEN APPROVED TO BE PUT ON THE BALLOT FOR NOVEMBER, UH, REFERENDUM.
AND IT IS A 1% SALES TAX, 71% OF WHICH, UH, WOULD BE GO TOWARDS A PROPERTY TAX CREDIT.
UM, AND THEN THE REMAINING 29%, UM, COULD GO TO THE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL REVENUE FUND, WHICH CAN BE USED, UH, UH, BY A BUDGET APPROVAL.
SO THIS IS THE RESOLUTION BY BLUFFTON TOWN COUNCIL, THE TOWN OF LOTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA THAT WHEN THE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX IS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS OF BUFORD COUNTY IN THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON IN THE NOVEMBER, 2021 REFERENDUM ON THIS QUESTION, REVENUES GENERATED TO THE TOWN OR UNDER THE PROPERTY TAX CREDIT FUND UP TO 71% OF LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROCEEDS WILL BE USED TO REPLACE AND REDUCE THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUES BY APPLICATION OF PROPERTY TAX CREDIT AGAINST TOWN, PROPERTY TAXES, SO THAT THEY ARE REDUCED BY THE GREATEST AMOUNT POSSIBLE.
IN ADDITION, REVENUES GENERATED BY THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON OWNER, THE COUNTY MUNICIPAL REVENUE FUND UP TO 29% OF THE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROCEEDS WILL BE USED TO IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, SECTION FOUR, 10 50, AS DETERMINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL THROUGH ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS.
ANY QUESTIONS I SHOULDN'T? SO CHRIS, UM, I'LL, I'LL MAKE ONE STATEMENT.
UM, STEVEN, OUR NEW TOWN MANAGER ADOPTED THIS AND EASILY, AND I ASKED HIS THOUGHTS ON IT.
AND HE SAID THAT IT SEEMS KIND OF UNSURE THE VOTERS LIKE WHY, YOU KNOW, GOVERNMENT NEVER DOES ANYTHING TO HELP US, BUT WHEN THEY PASS THAT THEY HAVE SUCH A LOW TAX RATE.
NOW WHEN THEIR TAX BILL RESIDENTS ARE THRILLED AND THEY'RE ALWAYS REMINDED OF IT, THEY TALK ABOUT IT EVERY YEAR.
WHAT ARE THE PROJECTS? UM, AND HE SAID, HIS RESIDENTS ARE, ARE OVER THE MOON ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT GIVES BUSINESSES 6% CREDIT.
SO THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE CAN ADVOCATE RESOLUTION AFTER THIS.
WE ONLY EDUCATE BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT.
UM, SO THAT JUST WANT TO DRAW THE NOTE, BUT HE HAD SAID HIS OTHER QUESTIONS, NOT TO ERA A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE USE OF REVENUES GENERATED WHEN LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX IS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS OF BUFORD COUNTY.
SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR STATE BY SAYING AYE, AYE.
[XI.4. Consideration of Proposed Contractual Agreement Related to the Construction of Buck Island/Simmonsville Phase 6A Sidewalks - Bryan McIlwee, Director of Engineering]
RUSHED BACK UP CONSIDERATION OF OUR PROPOSED CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUCK.ALAN SIMMONS FELL PHASE SIX, SAY SIDEWALKS, MR. MCELWEE, HOW ARE YOU? I'M GOOD.
UM, SO THIS IS A REQUEST FOR COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE TOWN MANAGER, UM, OR AUTHORIZED THE TOWN MANAGER TO APPROVE A CONTRACT FOR THE BUCK ISLAND SIMMONS
[01:25:01]
MILL PHASE SIX, A PROJECT.THIS IS A PROJECT THAT CONSISTS OF ABOUT 2000 LINEAR FEET OF SIDEWALK, UM, ON SOME ADVIL ROAD FROM GRAY CODE NORTH TO SUGARY DRIVE.
UH, THE RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THIS PROJECT WAS AOS SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS OUT OF LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND, UH, IT'S FOR $270,150 AND 35 CENTS.
AND WE ARE ALSO REQUESTING THE 10% CONTINGENCY TO COVER ANY UNFORESEEN CHANGES THAT MIGHT ARISE DURING CONSTRUCTION.
UM, I'M HAPPY TO SHOW YOU A MAP OF THE PROJECT OR ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OTHERWISE I CAN SKIP TO THE, ANY QUESTIONS OF BRIAN.
THIS WAS TYPICALLY A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM, BUT I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO PULL OFF NUMBER ONE, NOT TO HAVE SUCH A LENGTHY LIST, BUT TO, TO LET PEOPLE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T READ THAT CONSENT AGENDA.
IT WAS ALL THE HARD WORK YOU'VE DONE ON IT.
AND, UH, ALMOST A FULFILLMENT OF OUR COMMITMENT.
ONE REMAINING PHASE LEFT SIX B AND UNDER DESIGN RIGHT NOW.
AND WE'LL BE DONE WITH THE JOB TO SEE THE MAP.
I NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH IS 2000 IN YOUR FEEDING MOUSE, UH, MILES, 5,280 FEET.
THAT'S THE LINE IN BLUE, OUT OF SOMERVILLE ROAD FROM BRATTON TO THERE YESTERDAY OR THIS MORNING OR SOMETHING.
AND I WAS THINKING DEFINITELY A NEEDED AREA, YOU KNOW, FOR ALL WE'VE DONE DID HAVE A QUESTION, BRIAN, WHAT THE UPCOMING PROJECT WILL, THE COMPLETION OF THIS, UM, IMPEDE THE UPCOMING PROJECT OF THE DRAINAGE.
UM, EVERY PROJECT WITH THIS AREA.
IN FACT, THIS PROJECT WILL HAVE SOME DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT TO IT, PIPE, SOME OF THE DITCHES BY THE ROAD AND THE CIP PROJECT IS ACTUALLY ON BUCK ISLAND ON THE CURVE, ON THE DOWNWARD CURVE.
OTHER QUESTIONS, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON THERE.
UM, IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION TO COMPLETE THE BUCK? ALLINSON THIS WILL NEIGHBORHOOD SIDEWALKS HAVE SIX, EIGHT WITH AOS SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS.
THE CONTRACT AMOUNT INCLUDES THE BASE BID OF TWO 71 50 35 AND A CONTINGENCY OF 10% OF THE CONTRACT AMOUNT TO ADDRESS UNFORESEEN CHANGES THAT MAY ARISE DURING CONSTRUCTION PER SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION? UM, ONCE WE AUTHORIZE THE, OR GET THE CONTRACT SIGNED, USUALLY THERE'S A NOTICE TO PROCEED.
UM, PROBABLY WITHIN 30 DAYS THEY HAVE A TIMEFRAME.
THEY NEED TO FINISH IT BY, I MEAN, ARE THEY READY TO GO? I CAN PULL IT UP IF YOU WANT ONE THERE'S PR THERE'S A TERM TIER IS PROBABLY ABOUT 120 DAYS, 150 DAYS.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, STEP OF SAYING AYE.
[XII. Consent Agenda Items]
WITH SEVERAL ITEMS ON IT AND I'LL ALWAYS ASK COUNSEL IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ON, UM, OR THAT WE WANT TO VOTE ON SEPARATELY, UH, TO DO SO.SO ARE THERE ANY ITEMS ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO DISCUSS IN MORE DETAILED? YES.
ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, MS. FRAZIER, YES.
ITEM NUMBER ONE, ITEM NUMBER ONE.
UM, UNDER WHAT DO YOU WANT? UM, I WANT TO REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT.
SO CHIEF, IF YOU CAN PULL YOURS UP AND THEN ITEM NUMBER SEVEN.
UM, OTHER THAN THAT, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA THERE? SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? UM, THIS IS REALLY INTERESTING AND VERY INFORMATIVE INFORMATION, PROBABLY MORE SO THAN THE REST OF HER PACKET SOMETIMES.
SO PLEASE READ OUR REPORTS FROM OUR DEPARTMENTS.
THEY'RE BUSY, THEY HAVEN'T SLOWED DOWN EVEN DURING COVID AND I JUST THINK IT'S SO A BIG THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR ALL THEY DO.
AND I READ EVERY, EVERY WORD OF IT.
SO HEATHER, YOU CAN COME ON IN IF YOU'D LIKE TO, UM, LET'S JUST DO IT IN ORDER.
[XII.1. Monthly Department Reports: Police, Finance and Administration, Municipal Court, Engineering, Don Ryan Center for Innovation, and Growth Management]
AND YOU'LL SEE CHIEF SAY, AND YOU CAN STAY THERE OR COME TO THE POST AS LONG AS CAN CHEAP THE PICKED UP CAN.YES, SHE'S GOT A MIC AND SAID, CAN PEOPLE HEAR SEE HER? OKAY, GREAT.
SO THE, UM, QUESTION OR THE REPORT THAT I WANTED TO SEE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'D HAVE IT AVAILABLE TONIGHT IS, UM, I WANT IT TO
[01:30:01]
HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF THE, UM, DEMOGRAPHICS OF OUR CURRENT OFFICERS, UM, EMPLOYED ON THE BLUFFTON PD, UM, IN A DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN OF THE RECRUITS FROM THE LAST JOB HERE THAT WE HAD.I DO NOT HAVE THAT WITH ME, BUT I'LL GET IT TO YOU IN SHORT ORDER.
SO DEMOGRAPHICS CURRENTLY AND THEN DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE LAST JOB FAIR WE HAD.
AND IF THAT IS SOMETHING, UM, SHE CAN SEND, BUT MAYBE WE CAN JUST NEXT MEETING, WE'LL PULL IT AGAIN.
AND SO PUBLIC, THE PUBLIC CAN ABSOLUTELY BE NOTIFIED, BUT IF YOU WANT TO GET THAT TO, UM, CHRIS AND THAT WAS IT, BUT I GOT IT.
SHE SHOULD BE SHARED WITH ALL OF US LOOKING, CAN WE WAIT UNTIL NEXT? I CAN DO TWO THINGS.
I CAN GET IT TO YOU AND YOU CAN AFFORD IT TO COUNSEL IF YOU'D LIKE, SIR, AND THEN I CAN START INCLUDING THAT.
SO YOU CAN SEE THE CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS, NOT CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS, BUT THAT'D BE LIKE THAT INCLUDED IN A REGULAR PART OF YOUR REPORT.
BE A NICE, A NICE, UM, ADD ON IN THAT.
AND THEN NEXT MONTH YOU'LL HAVE IT.
SO IF YOU'D LIKE TO PRESENT THAT WITH PEOPLE WATCHING AND LISTENING, IT'D BE GOOD TO HAVE TOO, IF YOU WANT TO PULL IT OFF OF THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MONTH.
CHRIS CAN FORWARD IT TO ALL OF US.
IF THE SECTION THAT WAS, YOU HAD A PROBLEM WITH IS THAT MEN RESOLVED, THERE WAS SOME NUMBERS, THERE WAS AN AREA IN THERE THAT DIDN'T SHOW SOME INFORMATION.
I AM PART ONE AND PART TWO OFFENSES, PART ONE AND PART TWO OFFENSES.
THERE WAS SOME, UH, REPORTING.
WELL, THERE WAS SOME, I DIDN'T SEE THE BAR GRAPHS TYPICALLY THAT WE SEE, UM, I SAW THE SMALL ONES, BUT, UH, ANYWAY, IF YOU NEED CLARITY ON THAT FROM ME, I'LL BE GLAD TO PROVIDE IT LATER.
THE DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN AND THEN, UM, PAGE OF PART ONE AND PART TWO OFFENSES, UM, AVAILABLE AT TIME DUE TO TECHNICAL ISSUES.
IF YOU COULD GET ANYTHING ELSE OF CHASE PRICE OKEY-DOKE, THEN WE'RE MOVING TO NUMBER SEVEN,
[XII.7. Reconsideration of an Intergovernmental Agreement between Beaufort County and the Townof Bluffton for the Purpose of Imposition and Collection, at the Time of Issuance of a BuildingPermit, of School Development Impact Fees on all New Residential Development within TheTown - Heather Colin, Director of Growth Management]
HEATHER, THIS IS THE CONSIDERATION OR RECONSIDERATION OF AN IGA BETWEEN BUFORD COUNTY AND THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPOSITION AND COLLECTION AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT OF SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT, IMPACT FEES ON ALL NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE TOWN AS HEATHER'S UP THERE, TERRY THAT'S ALL YOU'LL KNOW, BUT STAFF WILL KNOW THERE IS AN INSERT IN OUR PACKET, WHICH IS ALSO ONLINE OF THE CHANGES THAT TERRY MADE WHILE MEETING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.SO WE'LL LEAVE IT TO YOU AND TERRY TO DISCUSS THIS, OR DO Y'ALL WANT TO ASK HER QUESTIONS OR HOW DO YOU WANT TO PROCEED FOR THOSE CHANGES TO BE HIGHLIGHTED IN YOUR REPORT, PULL THIS UP, BUT IT'S THREE IT'S, UM, I THINK 530, IF YOU GO DOWN IT'S PAGE 530, IF YOU SEE, WELL, NO, I DON'T, IT'S PAGE 530 ONLINE BEAR WITH ME, BUT THERE IS, IT'S AN ATTACHMENT TO, IF YOU'RE FOLLOWING ALONG IN YOUR OWN POCKETS, RED LINE, MR. HAMILTON IS LEAVING FOR AN EMERGENCY PHONE CALL, BUT I KNOW HIS QUESTION, SO I WILL WORK.
AND YOU'LL SEE IN THE RED LINE VERSION, THERE ARE SOME, JUST SOME EDITS AND SOME CLERICAL THINGS THAT WE WERE, UM, EXCUSE ME.
UH, TERRY FINGER WAS WORKING TO RESOLVE THAT.
YOU'LL SEE HERE, BUT AS I SCROLL RIGHT HERE, NUMBER THREE IS THE ADDITION, UM, THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THIS AGREEMENT IN THE PROPOSED DRAFT AGREEMENT CONCERNING, UM, AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.
SO, UM, THAT'S ON THE SCREEN BEFORE YOU, I'M HAPPY TO HELP ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR IF, UM, TERRY FINGER, IF YOU'D LIKE TO, TO EXPAND ON WHAT THOSE CHANGES ARE.
MY THOUGHT WAS THAT I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE COUNCIL WANTED TO GO.
I KNOW THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING WAS CRITICAL, UM, CONCERN, UH, HAVING THESE FEES LEVIED ON TOP OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IN SOME OF OUR, UM, ATTEMPTS WOULD BE, UM, WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE NUMBERS WORK AND MAKE THEM MOVE FORWARD.
SO I ESSENTIALLY SAID THAT ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE DEVELOPED BY THE TOWN
[01:35:01]
OR ON TOWN PROPERTY VIA A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT VENTURE, THERE WOULD BE NO IMPACT FEES JUST SAID, NO, WE'LL JUST WHEN IT'S OUR PROJECT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO PAY FEES ON OUR PROJECT.UM, AND THEN SECONDLY, THE, UM, THE PROPOSAL FROM THE COUNTY DID NOT HAVE, UM, UH, DISCOUNTS FOR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PERCENTAGE AMI.
SO I TRIED TO, UM, UTILIZE WHERE THEY STARTED FROM AND TRIED TO BLEND IT IN.
SO WE WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO ALL THE WAY UP TO, UM, YOU KNOW, A HUNDRED PERCENT.
UM, SO THAT'S WHAT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO DO THERE.
THAT IS PROBABLY THE MOST, UH, PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN, IN THE DRAFT.
AND I TRIED TO TAKE WHAT COUNCIL HAD BEEN, UM, LETTING US, UM, HERE AND TRIED TO MAKE IT, UM, THERE, WE DO NOT HAVE, AT THIS POINT IN TIME COUNTY APPROVAL FOR THIS, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL TAKE SOME FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS AND OF COURSE Y'ALL HAVE NOT APPROVED IT YET EITHER.
SO, UM, UH, YES, QUESTION, UM, TWO THINGS.
I DID WATCH THE COUNTY MEETING, THEY WENT AHEAD AND PASSED IT ON AND I THINK COUNCILMAN RODMAN HAD ASKED BATTLE STATE LAW.
DOES KENNA COUNTY PASS THIS WITHOUT HEARING BACK FROM THE MUNICIPALITIES AND THEY PROCEEDED FORWARD.
SO, UM, THEY HAVE IN THE PAST, THE BAYER'S MY QUESTION ON YOUR SCRATCH THROUGHS WAS IF I COULD, UM, IF THAT'S OKAY.
I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTOOD, WHAT I HAVE UNDERSTOOD AND HAVE CONTACT WITH THE COUNTIES, THEY'VE APPROVED IT ON SECOND READING.
THEY STILL HAVE ONE MORE READING BEFORE IT'S.
TO START ANY DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT, BUT NO, I APPRECIATE IT.
YOU DID SOME SCRATCHERS WHERE IT SAYS, WHERE IS THE TOWN OF, AND THE CITY OF HARTSVILLE.
DID WE SCRATCH THROUGH ALL OF THAT? BECAUSE WE, THE COUNTY PUT THAT IN THERE.
THEY WERE, THEY, THEY HAD BILLS, UM, WAS IN THIS DRAFT.
UM, AND I DIDN'T THINK I HAD ANY ABILITY TO TALK FOR HARDY BELL.
I APPRECIATE THE LOOKING, UM, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF COUNCIL ON THIS? JUST FOR TERRY, THE READING SECTION EIGHT, THERE ARE NO FEES WILL BE LEVIED ON ANY AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS DEVELOPED BY THE TOWN OR ON TOWN, PROFIT, AVF, PUBLIC, PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT, RIGHT? IS IF, IF SOMEONE ELSE WANTED TO SOMEONE ELSE HAVE THE PROPERTY AND WE WERE PARTNERING WITH THEM ON THEIR PROPERTY TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THIS WOULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.
IF IT WAS A PROJECT OF TOWNS, IT WOULD BE BROAD ENOUGH.
THAT'S WHERE I TRIED TO, UM, I WAS JUST QUESTIONING THE CLEARNESS OF THAT.
HOUSING UNITS DEVELOPED BY THE TOWN.
I TRIED TO, I TRIED TO MAKE IT BROAD ENOUGH THAT I WANT TO DO THAT.
I WANTED TO SAY ANYWAY, WHAT DID YOU HEAR, TERRY? SO DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE COVERED LARRY'S CONCERN? I THINK SO.
UM, THE OTHER THING I HAD THAT SINCE WE'RE CHANGING THIS AND TERRY, THANK YOU.
I THINK WE JUST NEED TO BE CLEAR THAT 60 AND BELOW THE FEES ARE ALREADY WAIVED.
AND I THOUGHT I HAD READ THAT IN SOME OF THE COUNTY DOCUMENTS WHERE THEY SAID UP TO 60.
AND SO I QUESTIONED CHRIS AND I WERE PROBABLY ON THE SAME PAGE, UP TO 60 MEANS 59% AND BELOW.
AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO CAUSE IT SPLITTING HAIRS.
SO IF Y'ALL ARE OKAY TO ADD IN 60 AND BELOW I'LL TUNE, I'LL TUNE THAT UP.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS? I WOULD, I WOULDN'T MIND.
UM, JUST EXPRESSING MY FEELINGS ON THIS WHOLE THING.
I THINK IT'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY, A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INCREASE.
LIKE EVERYONE WHO'S CHIMED IN TODAY.
I'VE BEEN TAKING MY GRANDKIDS TO SCHOOL A LOT HERE LATELY.
AND I'M TELLING YOU, IT'S THE SCHOOL FOLDERS.
WE NEED MORE, I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GET IT FROM.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THEY DO NOT PAY SCHOOL TAXES FOR THE HOME THAT THEY LIVE IN.
YOUR PRIMARY RESIDENCE DOES NOT SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL TAX, OUR SCHOOLS, ANY SECONDARY PROPERTY, ANY COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, ANY MOTORCYCLE, CAR, BOAT, BOAT,
[01:40:01]
MOTOR, OR ANY OF THAT.EVERYBODY PAYS HER A PORTION OF SCHOOL TAX TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
THIS WON'T AFFECT ANYONE WHO LIVES HERE TODAY.
IT WILL AFFECT THE ONES THAT MOVE HERE, YOU KNOW, FOR THE HOMES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PERMITTED UP TO THIS DATE.
SO I DON'T LIKE GOING UP ON IT LIKE THIS.
I DON'T TOTALLY AGREE WITH IT, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT WE NEED TO GENERATE SOME FUNDS TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS SOMEHOW.
SO I GUESS IT'S GOING TO BE THE NEW PEOPLE THAT COME, THAT PAY $10,000 OF IT.
ANYWAY, THAT'S ALL THAT'S FROM COUNCIL.
I WANTED TO MAKE SOME OBSERVATIONS.
I, UM, I LISTENED TO THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT FEES LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE HAS.
I, IT, I AGONIZE OVER IT JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ON THIS COUNCIL DOES.
AND, UH, IT'S, IT'S A BIG THING TO GO $9,500 OR $4,500 A MULTIFAMILY, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
AND IT'S A LOT OF MONEY AND WE DON'T TAKE IT LIGHTLY.
BUT, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO SAY, I THINK THIS ALL GOES BACK TO ACT THREE 88, WHICH WE CAN UNDO.
UM, THIS IS WHERE IT ALL THE PROBLEMS BEGAN.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE NEXT, THE NATURAL, UH, LAW OF TAXES WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF ALL THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT WE CERTAINLY WOULDN'T BE IN THE ENVIRONMENT WE'RE IN HAVING TO MAKE THESE TYPES OF DECISIONS.
UM, BLUFFTON SCHOOLS ARE PREDICTED TO BE FULL CAPACITY BY 2022 NEW SCHOOLS, ACCORDING TO SOME REPORTS NEED TO BE BUILT EVERY TWO TO THREE YEARS, UH, MOBILE CLASSROOMS ABOUT 150, THOSE WERE NEEDED ARE GONNA BE NEEDED.
UM, THE NEWLY BUILT SCHOOLS HERE IN BLUFFTON, SOME OF THEM HAVE ALREADY BEEN ENLARGED ADDED TO, UM, AND FOR THE RECORD, FROM EVERYTHING THAT I COULD READ IN FACT, PEAS ARE USED AS A TOOL BECAUSE PROPERTY TAX REVENUES FELL TO COVER THE FULL COST OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SERVE NEW OR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
AND IN REALITY, INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, ROADS, SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, PARTS, FIRE, ET CETERA, IMPROVED PREDICTABILITY TO ACTUALLY FUND GROWTH, WHICH MEANS YOU'RE NOT COMING INTO AN AREA TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, DO I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED TO HAVE A LIBRARY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? UM, TECHNICALLY IMPACT FEES DO NOT SLOW GROWTH IF SOMEBODY SEES THAT I'M WRONG ON THAT, SEND IT TO ME.
UM, GREATEST CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACT.
THE FIRST TIME HOMEOWNERS LARRY TOUCHED ON THAT.
I THINK WE'RE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
UM, THE IMPACT FEE WAIVERS HAVE BEEN, UH, DISCUSSED A LITTLE BIT AGO.
I THINK TERRY'S DONE A GREAT JOB ON THAT.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE INDIVIDUALS THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO HAVE OFFERED NO SOLUTIONS.
UM, SO THIS IS THE ONLY SOLUTION THAT'S BEEN OFFERED TO US THROUGH TWO YEARS OF THE PROCESS.
SO ANYWAY, I, I I'VE SAID ALL I WANT TO SAY, I I'M LIKE LARRY, IT'S TOUGH, BUT I, I SEE THE NEED AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO ABOUT IT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS? UM, IS EVERYONE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE MODIFICATION OF THE 60 AND UNDER BEING WEIGHED THAT I HAD SUGGESTED, AND TERRY WAS GOING TO DOCUMENT, UM, THE YEARS GO EIGHT, FIVE, SIX, 2005 OR SIX.
THIS WAS BROUGHT UP TO US AND IT WAS AN IMPACT FEE.
AND THIS COUNCIL AGREED TO IT, SAME KIND OF CONCERNS.
AND THE RECESSION HIT, AND I'LL NEVER FORGET.
HE WAS CHAIRMAN AT THE TIME SOMERVILLE CAME AND SAID, WE DON'T NEED TO CHARGE THIS ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THE RECESSION.
AND WE, IF WE COULD ONLY SEEN OUR, WHERE WE WERE GOING IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, NO BETTER DO BETTER.
BUT, UM, IT WAS A TOUGH DECISION.
THEN IT IS A TOUGH DECISION AND I DO THINK GROSS NEEDS TO PAY FOR GROWTH.
I THINK WE'RE COVERED IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THERE'S NO SPLITTING OF HAIRS ON WHAT WE INTEND WITH THAT.
AND, UM, HOPEFULLY BUILDING COSTS WILL SETTLE AND CREATIVE WAY TO CONTINUE TO HELP.
IN OTHER WAYS, I HOPE THEY ALL COME TO THE TABLE AND LET'S DISCUSS IT.
BUT, UM, I DID HEAR THE ONE GENTLEMAN AT THE BEGINNING TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND I THINK THAT'S WHY, UM, MERE PRO TIM PULLED THIS MAINLY WAS TO LET YOU KNOW, WE DID READ THAT TOO.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT THE PUBLIC WAS ABLE TO SEE WHERE WE WERE REALLY FOCUSED ON.
SO WE NEED TO HAVE THAT PUSH TO COUNTY TO AGREE TO THAT FOR OUR BUILDING PERMITS IN OUR TOWN, INSIDE THE TOWN LIMITS.
SO NO, I WAS JUST GOING TO I'M NO, MAN THAT I'M, I'M IN AGREEANCE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID, YOU KNOW, ON THIS ISSUE.
[01:45:01]
UM, GOING BACK TO COUNCILMAN, UM, UH, WOULD, YOU KNOW, ACT 38 IS DEFINITELY BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR US.AND, UM, I CAN UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATIONS OF THOSE AND LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, THE HIKE AND THE IMPACT FEES.
UM, AND MY HOPE, YOU KNOW, WITH THIS AS WE'RE COLLECTING THE BILL SCHOOLS, IS THAT IT'S DONE NOT JUST AS A TEMPORARY THING, BECAUSE WE LOOKED AT, UH, RIVER RIDGE AND EVEN, UM, MAY RIVER HIGH AND THEY WERE BUILT AT CAPACITY, YOU KNOW, SO IT'S LIKE, UM, IF WE'RE GOING DOWN THIS, THIS PATH, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT SOLUTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO GIVE US LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY WITH OUR SCHOOLS TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING OVERCROWDED.
YOU KNOW, THE MOMENT THAT WE OPENED THE DOORS IS ALREADY TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PULLING IN MOBILE UNITS.
UM, CAUSE IT SEEMS THAT THAT'S NOT REALLY ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE NEED TO, UM, THE DISTRICT, YOU KNOW, NEEDS TO BE LOOKING AT, UH, NEW WAYS IN WHICH THEY'RE DESIGNING AND BUILDING THESE SCHOOLS TO MITIGATE THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THIS AREA IS BOOMING, IT'S GROWING AND IT NEEDS TO, UM, THE CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS NEED TO MATCH THE TYPE OF GROWTH THAT WE'RE SEEING, YOU KNOW, IN THESE AREAS.
WELL, AT THE END, I THINK TOO, TOO, I AGREE WITH THAT RIGID IT'S INFRASTRUCTURE.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? FORGET THE MONEY UP FRONT.
YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE, IF YOU, IF SOMEBODY PAYS SOME MONEY, THE HOME'S GOING TO BE THERE.
THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE HERE AT THE SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED.
SO IT'S IT'S LITTLE HELP TO PUT INFRASTRUCTURE AHEAD OF DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, THE ONLY WAY THAT IT CAN WORK AND WE'RE ALREADY SO FAR BEHIND.
SO THIS IS JUST, YES, SIR, CROSSING SOME BOUNDARIES BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR DISCUSSING IS BUSINESS SCHOOL.
COUNTY'S DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW THEY FUND THE SCHOOL BUDGET, BUT CAN'T TAX PEOPLE OUT OF A COMMUNITY.
THAT'S GOING TO BE MOST OF MOST OF YOUR STUDENTS.
UM, THIS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF NEEDS A PLACE TO LIVE.
WE CAN'T, YOU KNOW, THIS KNIFE CUTS ON BOTH SIDES, SO WE'VE GOTTA BE, THEY GOTTA BE OTHER WAYS THAT WE TRY TO GENERATE REVENUE OTHER THAN ACCESS.
THINK THEY CAN'T BUY OURSELVES OUT OF THIS ONE OCEAN.
UM, AND THANK YOU FOR STAYING HEATHER TO GO OVER THIS.
THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BUFORD COUNTY AND THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPOSITION AND COLLECTION AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT, SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT, IMPACT THESE ON ALL NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE TOWN AS MARKED UP BY OUR TOWN ATTORNEY TO INCLUDE 60%, RIGHT, UH, UH, FEES FOR A SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR STATE BY SAYING, AYE, AYE.
UM, I'LL REPORT BACK AT NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, UH, HOW OUR GRAFT IS RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY.
THE QUESTION ON THAT IF IT'S NOT RECEIVED, IF THE COUNTY MAY START OVER AND DECIDE IF WE'RE DOING IT AT ALL, THAT'S CORRECT.
YOU WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT THE SITUATION IF THEY DID NOT, UM, ACCEPT OUR, OUR CONTRACT OR OUR AGREEMENT WAS OUT THERE.
CHRIS, DOES HE NEED TO STAY FOR ANYMORE OR WAS HE JUST AS HE NEEDED TO? OKAY.
[XIII. Executive Session]
UM, IS THERE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR PERSONNEL MATTERS REGARDING TOWN OF COUNCIL, APPOINTMENT OF BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS THAT ACT BEFORE YET 34, 78, ONE AND CONTRACTUAL MATTERS RELATED TO FINANCIAL AUDIT SERVICES AND THAT'S FOUR YEARS 34, 78 TO THEIR SECOND.ANY DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR SET OF SAYING, AYE, AYE.
IT'S HOME TO AN INCREDIBLE DIVERSITY OF MARINE, INVERTEBRATES FISH, AND EVEN REPTILE SPECIES LIKE THIS DIAMOND.
[01:50:01]
MANY OF THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE HERE, GROW UP IN THE SPAR TYNA NURSERY BEFORE THEY MOVE INTO THE RIVERS SOUNDS AND OPEN OCEAN.JOIN US FOR COASTAL KINGDOM, A FIELD TRIP TO THE LOW COUNTRY AND A CHANCE TO MEET SOME OF THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE HERE.
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AND NO VOTES WERE CAST OR YOUR FRIENDS.
[XIV. Action from Executive Session]
OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AT EASTER.
IS THERE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT OR APPOINT THE FOLLOWING NAMES FOR THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES? REAPPOINTMENT FOR EIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX ADVISORY, SAM BRITT, JOSEPH CROPPY, NIKKI AFFORDABLE HOUSING REAPPOINT, FRED HAMILTON, DAN WOOD, GWEN CHAMBERS, AND APPOINT GRACE STAPLES, BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE REAPPOINT.
HE WILLIAMSON AND APPOINT JOHN BOWEN AND DOT YEAGER BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, REAPPOINT DANIEL GROVE CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS REAPPOINT RYAN JACO, TOM BULLARD, ADAM LOVE BILL HUGHES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION REAPPOINT, ELAINE ADAMS AND CARRIE SMELTER LAW ENFORCEMENT CITIZENS COMMITTEE REAPPOINT, JENNIFER MORROW AND WILLIAM O'TOOLE MAY RIVER WATERSHED ACTION PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINT CARMEN MANNING, JESSE WHITE PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINT RICH DEL COR AND JASON STEWART WALL OF HONOR COMMITTEE REAPPOINT, JACOB MARTIN AND CORINNE READS THE MOTION HERE.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR STATE BY SAYING AYE.
I HAVE LOST MY AGENDA, BUT THE SECOND ITEM WAS TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT AN AUDITOR, WHICH HAS MOLDED IN JENKINS.
IS THERE A SECOND? ANY DISCUSSION? OH WOMEN, IS THERE A SECOND? ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
BEFORE WE ADJOURNED, THIS IS CHRIS'S LAST MEETING AS INTERIM.
AM I RIGHT? YOU HAVE DONE SUCH AN AMAZING JOB.
AND IF THIS IS THE WAY WE COULD INTERVIEW TO SEE ON THE JOB TRAINING, YOU HAVE REALLY UNITED ALL OF US AND YOU DIDN'T JUST TAKE IT ENTITLED.
YOU HAVE WORKED SO HARD AS IF YOU WERE THE TOWN MANAGER AND I CAN'T.
I'M MORE THAN PLEASED WITH EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS.
IN YOUR SHOP DRESS AND A GREAT HAIRCUT.
ALL OF US TO A PERSON SERIOUSLY.
AND HE HAS A FUTURE IN PRESERVATION, HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
AND YOUNG LADY, YOUNG LADY, AND I KNOW WE WANT TO GO WAS GIVEN A HOME IN BLUFFTON AND KIKI, CLEVELAND, BRIDGET ASKED ME TO CALL HER AND WE TALKED AND I HAD KNOWN HER GROWING UP.
CHRIS HAS JUST TAKEN HER UNDER HIS WING AND HE'S GOT SO MANY OTHER THINGS TO DO.
AND TO TAKE THAT TIME FOR A YOUNG LADY WHO WANTS TO MOVE BACK HERE AND LET'S THINK OUT OF THE BOX, HOW WE CAN DO THINGS TO HELP HER AND THE THINGS YOU'VE NOTED THAT WE NEED TO CHANGE.
IT'S JUST SPEAKS TO THE KIND OF PERSON YOU ARE.
PROMOTION TO ADJOURN THAT MOTION AS WELL.
THE COUNTY CHANNEL IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON VIDEO, ON DEMAND, GO TO BUFORD COUNTY, SC.GOV, SCROLL DOWN TO
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PUBLIC MEETINGS, CLICK WATCH NOW, AND THEN CLICK THE VIDEO ON DEMAND BUTTON AND SELECT YOUR PROGRAM FROM BLISS CALL TO ORDER IF YOU'D LIKE A DVD OF THIS PROGRAM, CLICK ON THE LINK ON THE RIGHT AND FILL OUT THE ORDER FORM.AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THE COUNTY CHANNEL.
THIS IS LARRY ROLAND, AND THIS IS THE BUFORD COUNTY MOMENT.
ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING ARTIFACTS IN BUFORD COUNTY TO TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS ALIKE ARE THE RUINS OF OLD SHELDON CHURCH.
THE PROPER NAME IS THE PARISH CHURCH OF PRINCE WILLIAM PARISH.
SOUTH CAROLINA PRINCE WILLIAM PARISH WAS FOUNDED IN 1745 IN RESPONSE.
IT WAS THE SECOND ANGLICAN PARISH IN THE BUFORD DISTRICT.
HELENA PARISH FOUNDED IN 1712, THE ORIGINAL PARENT PRINCE WILLIAM PARISH IN 1745 WAS IN THE MIDST OF AN ECONOMIC BOOM BECAUSE RICE PLANTATION SURROUNDED THE SITE ON HOSPITAL NECK, WHERE THE CHURCH EVENTUALLY WAS BUILT.
AND THOSE RICE PLANTERS WERE VERY WEALTHY IN 1745.
THE COMMONS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ESTABLISHED PRINCE WILLIAM PARISH.
AND IN 1751, THEY LAID THE CORNERSTONE FOR PRINCE WILLIAM PARISH CHURCH.
THE CHURCH WAS FINISHED BY 1755 AND WELL APPOINTED.
IT HAS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE FIRST OR OLDEST TEMPLE FORM, GREEK REVIVAL BUILDING IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
SHELDON, WHICH FASCINATES PEOPLE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD FASCINATE PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS THE FIRST EXAMPLE OF A TYPE OF ARCHITECTURE THAT BECAME ASSOCIATED WITH AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AND AMERICAN PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PRINCE WILLIAM PARISH CHURCH, OR THE OLD SHELDON RUINS WAS BURNED BY BRITISH TORIES DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IN 1779.
IT LAY IN RUINS UNTIL 1826, CHARLES FRAZIER, THE FAMOUS LOW COUNTRY ARTISTS PAINTED A PICTURE OF IT IN 1819 AFTER IT WAS RESTORED TO USE AND SERVICES IN 1826, HE CAME AND LOOKED AT IT AND HE SAID, MY GOD, THEY'VE TAKEN A BEAUTIFUL RUIN AND TURNED IT INTO AN UGLY CHURCH.
SO THE UNION ARMY AND THE EVENTS OF THE CIVIL WAR RESTORED IT TO A BEAUTIFUL RUIN.
WE THOUGHT FOR MANY YEARS, THAT PRINCE WILLIAM PARISH CHURCH HAD BEEN BURNED BY SHERMAN'S FORCES AS THEY MARCH THROUGH THIS DISTRICT.
THAT TURNS OUT NOT TO BE TRUE.
THE CHURCH WAS INTACT AFTER THE CIVIL WAR AND WAS DISMANTLED BY LOCAL FOLKS WHO USE THE PARTS OF THE CHURCH TO BUILD THEIR HOMES AND BARNS.
AND SO THE WOOD BASICALLY WAS TAKEN OUT.
THE ROOF, FELL IN THE CHURCH, BECAME A RUIN AND WAS IN DISUSE UNTIL MODERN TIMES.
IT IS REMAINED AS CHARLES FRASER SET A BEAUTIFUL AND ENTICING RUIN.
THIS HAS BEEN A BUFORD COUNTY MOMENT TO SEE MORE BUFORD COUNTY MOMENTS GO TO THE BUFORD COUNTY LIBRARY HOMEPAGE AND CLICK ON THE LOCAL HISTORY TAB.