[00:00:01]
ALL RIGHT, GOOD AFTERNOON.FOR THOSE OF Y'ALL THAT WERE NOT HERE EARLIER, WELCOME BACK AND WELCOME HERE.
I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS, UH, TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 7TH, 2025 TO ORDER.
IF YOU'LL PLEASE JOIN AND SAY THE, UH, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ALL FLAG, UNITED STATES TO AMERICA, TO THE REPUBLIC, WHICH STANDS, ONE NATION, ONE OF GOD, INDIVISIBLE, LIBERTY, JUSTICE PAUL, WE HAVE PASTOR MICHAEL CARR FROM CENTRAL CHURCH.
JOIN US IN INVOCATION RIGHT UP HERE.
I, IN PROCESSING ALL THIS, I, I REALIZE THAT THIS ROOM IS, IS A HISTORICAL PLACE IN A SENSE THAT THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE RIGHT HERE, DELIBERATIONS, DISCUSSIONS, CONFLICT, STRUGGLE, MOSTLY DEFINE THE JUST AND THE RIGHT THING TO HAPPEN.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL GIVE YOU MORE WISDOM THAN YOU'VE EVER HAD IN YOUR LIFE.
NOT KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT WISDOM IS LIKE HAVING FLOWERS WITHOUT A VASE.
TO PUT IT IN WISDOM IS SOMETHING THAT WE MUST EMPLOY IN ORDER TO BE THE PEOPLE THAT GOD WANTS US TO BE.
FATHER, WE STOP NOW AND WE PAUSE, AND WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF EVERY GOOD, IMPERFECT GIFT.
AND THAT YOU SAID, IF ANY OF YOU LACKS WISDOM, LET A MASK OF GOD AND HE GIVES TO ALL LIBERALLY WITHOUT REPROACH AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO HIM.
I PRAY FOR A CONTINUED BLESSING UPON OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY, AND I PRAY GOD, THAT YOU BLESS LORD, THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS TOWN, GOD, BECAUSE EVERYTHING RISES AND FALLS ON LEADERSHIP.
I ASK GOD THAT YOUR HAND BE UPON ME, BLESS OUR FAMILIES, THOSE WHO ARE HERE, WHO HAVE NEEDS AND DESIRES AND WISHES THAT EVERYTHING GOD WILL BE DONE IN THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION.
WE ASK ALL THESE THINGS IN CHRIST'S NAME.
[4. Adoption of the Agenda]
WE HAVE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA TODAY? NO, SIR.IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS IS? NO.
SECOND THAT A FIRST AND SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGN BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.
NEXT WE HAVE THE REGULAR MEETING
[5. Approval of the Minutes]
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2025.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE A MOVED SECOND? THERE A SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY OF RAISING YOUR HAND.
[6. Presentations and Recognitions]
AND RECOGNITIONS.SO FIRST WE'LL DO FIRE, UH, PREVENTION WEEK PROCLAMATION.
TOWN OF HILTON HU ISLAND PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS THE TOWN OF HILTON, HU ISLAND IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF ALL THOSE LIVING IN THE HILTON HU ISLAND AND VISITING.
AND WHEREAS FIRE REMAINS A SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY, AND MOST OF THE ELECTRONIC USE IN HOMES DAILY, INCLUDING SMARTPHONES, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, POWER TOOLS, E-BIKES, EESS, SCOOTERS, AND TOYS, ALL POWERED BY LITHIUM ION BATTERIES, WHICH IF MISUSED DAMAGE OR IMPROPERLY CHARGED, CAN OVERHEAT START A FIRE OR EXPLODE.
AND WHEREAS THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION AGENCY NEPA REPORTS AN INCREASE IN BATTERY RELATED FIRES, UNDERSCORING THE NEED FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ON THE SAFETY USE OF LITHIUM ION BATTERIES.
AND WHEREAS RESIDENTS SHOULD FOLLOW THREE KEY CALLS TO ACTION, BUY ONLY LISTED PRODUCTS, CHARGE BATTERIES SAFELY AND RECYCLE THEM RESPONSIBLY TO PREVENT BATTERY RELATED FIRES.
AND WHEREAS LITHIUM ION BATTERIES STORE A LARGE AMOUNT OF ENERGY IN A SMALL SPACE IN A PROPER USE, SUCH AS OVERCHARGING, USING OFF-BRAND CHARGERS WITHOUT SAFETY CERTIFICATION OR EXPOSING BATTERIES TO DAMAGE CAN RESULT IN FIRE OR EXPLOSION.
AND WHEREAS THE PROPER DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING OF LITHIUM ION BATTERIES HELP PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND REDUCE FIRE RISKS IN THE HOME AND COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS HILTON HEAD ISLAND FIRE RESCUE RESPONDERS ARE DEDICATED TO REDUCING THE OCCURRENCE OF FIRE TO PREVENTION, SAFETY, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
AND WHEREAS THE 2025 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK THEME CHARGE INTO FIRE SAFETY, LITHIUM ION BATTERIES IN YOUR HOME SERVE TO REMIND US OF THE IMPORTANCE OF USING CHARGING AND RECYCLING LITHIUM ION BATTERIES SAFELY TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRES IN HOMES AND COMMUNITIES.
NOW, THEREFORE, I ALLEN PERRY, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA DUE, HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 5TH TO 11TH 2025 IS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK THROUGHOUT THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND.
[00:05:09]
OH, SLIDE DOWN.THANKS FOR ALL Y'ALL DO, MELINDA, LISA.
NEXT WE HAVE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND LISA'S OFFER WILL ACCEPT, BUT I'VE ASKED MS. HUNTER TO COME DOWN AND SAY A QUICK FEW WORDS TO BEGIN WITH.
YES, IT'S MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS, UH, MONTH.
I AM A 15 YEAR SURVIVOR OF STAGE TWO BREAST CANCER.
AND SO, UH, IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE THAT AWARENESS AND I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROCLAMATION.
SO THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IS A WORLDWIDE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER INVOLVING THOUSANDS OF ORGANIZATIONS TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH.
AND WHEREAS ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR DISEASE AND PREVENTION, CDC, BREAST CANCER IS THE SECOND MOST COMMON CANCER AMONG WOMEN.
AND WHEREAS INCREASING THE PUBLIC NOT PUBLIC'S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT CAN SAVE LIVES.
AND WHEREAS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNITE ALL CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO PREVENT BREAST CANCER DEATHS THROUGH INCREASED EDUCATION AND REGULAR SCREENING.
AND WHEREAS THIS OCTOBER AS WE DISPLAY PINK RIBBONS OR WEAR PINK CLOTHING TO RAISE AWARENESS, WE RECOGNIZE BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS.
YES, WE
NOW, THEREFORE, I ALLEN R PERRY, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THIS MONTH OF OCTOBER AS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
[7. Reports from Members of Town Council]
MOVE ON TO, UH, GENERAL REPORTS OF TOWN COUNCIL.DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY GENERAL REPORTS AT THIS TIME? MS. BRYSON? UM, ON LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, UH, SEPTEMBER 26TH, I ATTENDED THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HEALTH AND HEAD CHORAL SOCIETY.
UH, THEIR CELEBR, THEIR EVENT WAS CALLED CELEBRATE UNITY.
THEY HAD A COMMISSION PIECE CALLED, UH, COURAGE SINGS, UM, AND THEY HAVE UPCOMING CONCERTS, UH, CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER FIVE, UH, CELEBRATE RENEWAL ON FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH, 2026, CELEBRATE AMERICA SUNDAY, MAY 24TH, 2026.
SO, UM, WONDERFUL VOICES FROM THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, UH, AS WELL AS AN ORCHESTRA.
GREAT MUSIC, UH, GREAT ATTENDANCE, AND I URGE YOUR ATTENDANCE THERE.
UH, WE ALSO HAVE THE HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS AT LOW COUNTRY CELEBRATION PARK COMING UP OCTOBER 17.
THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER THEATER EVENTS.
I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THE TIME TO LIST THE MAYOR, BUT I URGE FOLKS TO GO TO THE WEBSITE OF THE OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS FOR THE TOWN OF HILTON ET ISLAND, UH, TO TO SEE AND GO AND, UM, EXPERIENCE ALL THESE CULTURAL EVENTS THAT ARE GOING ON IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.
SO I COMMEND ALL OF THEM TO YOU, UM, AND TO YOUR, UM, EXPERIENCE.
ANY OTHER GENERAL MS. BRYSON? I MEAN, MS. TANNER
ON SEPTEMBER 30, THERE WAS A MEETING OF THE, UH, SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, CSA SEA PINES REPRESENTATIVES, WHICH INCLUDED SEAN COLEN, UH, FORMERLY WITH THE TOWN AS WELL AS TOWN REPRESENTATIVES.
UM, WE WERE WORKING ON TRYING TO ESTABLISH OBJECTIVES FOR WHERE WE GO NEXT.
UH, THAT INCLUDES TRYING TO, UH, WE MAKE GREENWOOD DRIVE PART OF THE OVERALL PROJECT ALONG WITH A CIRCLE.
UM, THE FIRST THING THE TOWN WOULD LIKE AND WE ALL WOULD LIKE AT THIS POINT, IS TO GENERATE COST ESTIMATES OF WHAT THE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD LIKELY RUN.
SO WE HAVE SOME IDEA OF HOW MUCH MONEY WE NEED TO, TO RAISE.
[00:10:01]
IN TURN WOULD REQUIRE SOME PRELIMINARY DESIGNS.UH, MANY OF US HAD HOPED THE STATE WOULD STEP UP AND SAY, OKAY, WE'LL DO SOME DESIGNS, BUT THE STATE SAID CSA AND THE TOWN, WOULD YOU PLEASE DO THE DESIGNS? UH, WE'VE ALREADY GOT A FAIR AMOUNT OF WORK DONE IN THAT REGARD.
UH, THE STATE LIKES SMALL CIRCLES.
WE'RE GONNA SEE IF WE CAN COME UP WITH SOME TYPE OF A COMPROMISE IN THAT REGARD.
AND THEN, UM, GO AFTER FUNDING SOURCES, WHICH, WHICH IS A CHALLENGE, UH, FOR SOME OF THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING WORK.
FUNDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN BUDGETED IN THE CURRENT, UH, TOWN BUDGET.
MS. TYLER, I WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE TOWN MANAGER AND HIS STAFF FOR THE COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION OF FISH HALL BEACH PARK.
UH, THE RENOURISHMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED THERE.
IT HAS ADDED SO MUCH USABLE BEACH.
IT LOOKS AMAZING, AND THE FEEDBACK THAT I'VE RECEIVED FROM THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN SO POSITIVE.
SO THANK YOU, UH, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
SEEING NONE, WE HAVE A CONSENT
[8. Consent Agenda]
AGENDA ITEMS EIGHT A AND EIGHT B.ITEM EIGHT EIGHT A WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY AT FIRST READING ON AUGUST 19TH, 2025, WHERE TOWN COUNCIL APPROVED FIRST READING WITH AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 16 DASH TWO DASH 1 0 3 J FOUR B AND DIRECTED THE TOWN MANAGER TO BEGIN ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE UNDER THE PENDING ORDINANCE DOCTRINE.
ON SEPTEMBER 17TH, THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 16 DASH TWO DASH 1 0 3 J FOUR B TO TOWN COUNCIL, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES.
ITEM EIGHT B WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY AT FIRST READING ON SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2025, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AS PRESENTED? MOVED? YEAH, THE FIRST AND A SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION? KIM? HAS ANYBODY SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? UM, JETT WILLIAMS. I'LL PASS.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.
THAT WAS MOTION BY MS. BRYSON AND SECONDED BY MR. ALFRED NEW
[9. New Business ]
BUSINESS.WE'LL MOVE ON TO, UH, WE HAVE CONSIDERATION OF 2026 MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TOWN COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS, AND SUBCOMMITTEES OF COUNCIL MR. LAER, WE'LL BE MAKING THE PRESENTATION FOR US.
UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR PERRY, MEMBERS OF TOWN COUNCIL.
SEAN LEININGER, DEPUTY TOWN MANAGER.
UH, THE REQUEST BEFORE YOU THIS AFTERNOON IS CONSIDERATION OF YOUR MEETING DATES FOR THE TOWN COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETINGS, TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOPS, AS WELL AS THE TWO COMMITTEES, FINANCE, ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE.
UM, THESE MEETING DATES HAVE BEEN LAID OUT TO, TO, TO IDENTIFY, UH, ANY CONFLICTS WHERE THERE'S ONLY ONE CONFLICT THAT WE ARE AWARE OF.
UH, IT'S FOR, SO LOCO, UH, THAT'S THE JANUARY 27TH, UH, TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP.
UH, OTHERWISE, UH, WE BELIEVE THAT THESE DATES, UH, ARE ALIGNED AND, AND ARE READY FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION HERE THIS AFTERNOON.
DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? WE'VE GOT SOME PUBLIC COMMENT.
YEAH, BUT I GOTTA HAVE THE MOTION FIRST AND I'LL GO TO PUBLIC.
[10. Public Comment - Non Agenda Items ]
COMMENT.YOU HAVE ANYBODY SIGNED UP? CHAT WILLIAMS? YES.
GIVEN ALL THE, UH, CRITICAL ISSUES FACING THE TOWN, THIS IS GONNA SOUND QUITE TRIVIAL, UH, BUT IN MY OPINION, IT'S NOT TRIVIAL.
I WAS QUITE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL PLANS TO HOLD ONE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PER MONTH AS WELL AS ONE WORKSHOP PER MONTH IN 26.
AND SOME WOULD ARGUE THIS IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE THE HARM DONE TO THE RESIDENTS BY THE TOWN COUNCIL WILL BE ONLY HALF AS MUCH.
IT REMINDS ME OF A MARK TWAIN QUOTE WHEN HE SAID, WHEN CONGRESS IS IN SESSION, NO AMERICAN IS SAFE.
JUST THINK RESIDENTS MIGHT BE THINKING WHEN THE TOWN COUNCIL IS IN SESSION, NO ISLANDER IS SAFE.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOPS.
WE ALL LEARNED RECENTLY WITH THE MORATORIUM CONTROVERSY THAT, AND I QUOTE NOW FROM A TOWN PRESS RELEASE DIRECTIVES OR GUIDANCE TO TOWN STAFF FROM TOWN COUNCIL ABOUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD FOLLOWING A WORKSHOP DISCUSSION OR A NORMAL PART OF THE PROCESS.
THIS DIRECTION DOES NOT REQUIRE A FORMAL VOTE AS INTENDED
[00:15:01]
TO HELP THE TOWN STAFF PROCEED WITH A CLEAR PATH FORWARD.MR. ORLANDO AND MYSELF DISAGREE ON THIS, BUT TO ME WHAT IT MEANS IS THIS.
THE TOWN COUNCIL CAN AVOID TAKING A VOTE ON A PARTICULAR I ISSUE AND WITH A WINK AND A NOD.
DIRECT THE TOWN MANAGER TO TAKE A PARTICULAR ACTION.
THAT'S NOT HOW DEMOCRACY IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE A POSITION, EXPLAIN YOUR POSITION, AND VOTE, NOT A WINK AND A NOD.
AND FINALLY, THE 3:00 PM COUNCIL MEETING TIME IS ABSURD.
I'VE SAID, AS YOU KNOW, SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE, BUT IT'S WORTH REPEATING.
ALL OF THE ISLAND RESIDENTS WHO WORK FULL-TIME ARE DISENFRANCHISED WITH A 3:00 PM MEETING.
SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE TOLD ME ONE-ON-ONE, THEY HAVE NO OBJECTION TO ALTERNATING MEETING TIMES BETWEEN 3:00 PM AND 6:00 PM REMEMBER WHEN STEVE ALFRED, I THINK, SAID HE WAS FINE WITH THE LATER START DATE IS, AS LONG AS IT DIDN'T INTERFERE WITH HIM GETTING TO BED ON TIME.
BUT THE MAYOR REFUSES TO EVEN ALLOW DISCUSSION ON THIS ISSUE AS IF HE COULDN'T CARE LESS.
ALLOW SOME DISCUSSION, MR. MAYOR, TAKE A REAL VOTE, NOT JUST A WINK AND A NOD.
AND, AND MR. DE SIMONE TOLD ME A WHILE BACK THAT THERE WAS A, A MEETING SCHEDULED FOR FIVE O'CLOCK AND YOU HAD A VERY SMALL TURNOUT.
AND HE REMARKED TO ME THAT, SEE, YOU KNOW, THE FULL-TIME RESIDENTS AREN'T COMING.
WELL, THAT'S ONE MEETING AND PLUS IT WAS FIVE O'CLOCK.
MOST PEOPLE WORK UNTIL FIVE, BUT GIVE THE FULL-TIME RESIDENTS ON THIS ISLAND AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS.
I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY, BUT THERE ARE UNTOLD THOUSANDS WHO WORK FULL-TIME.
THEY CAN'T COME TO A NINE O'CLOCK MEETING OR A THREE O'CLOCK MEETING.
GIVE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT.
THAT'S ALL WE HAVE ON THAT ITEM.
OKAY? UM, WE'VE GOT A MOTION BY MS. BECKER, SECOND BY MS. BRYSON.
ANY DISCUSSION FROM COUNCIL? HANG NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.
HAVE A COMMENT THAT I SIGNED UP AND I GOT HIM EMAIL THAT YES MA'AM, THAT'S IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT ITEMS. THIS IS NON-AG AGENDA ITEMS IS WHAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR.
WE HAVEN'T CALLED FOR THAT YET.
NOW WE MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON AGENDA ITEMS. UH, MOVING ON TO THE NON-AG AGENDA ITEMS, SELECT SECTION OF THE COM PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION TWO DASH FIVE DASH 70 OF THE TOWN CODE LIMITS EACH PERSON TO ONE THREE MINUTE COMMENT.
WHEN ADDRESSING COUNSEL, AT THE END OF YOUR THREE MINUTES, YOU'RE ASKED TO CONCLUDE YOUR COMMENTS.
PLEASE MAINTAIN A DECORUM SUITABLE FOR THE MEETING AND REFRAIN FROM USING ANY PROFANE, ABUSIVE, OR OBSCENE LANGUAGE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY, ANY MATERIALS YOU'D LIKE TO GIVE TO TOWN COUNCIL, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO THE TOWN CLERK AFTER YOU ARE FINISHED SPEAKING.
KIM, DO WE HAVE ANYBODY SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? YES, WE DO.
WELL, I, I FEEL LIKE I'M BECOMING A REGULAR AFTER THIS MORNING.
UM, MY NAME IS SUSAN WHEATLEY.
I'M A HILTON HEAD ISLAND RESIDENT, A REALTOR, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY ON BEHALF OF RESIDENTS, LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS AND PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
TODAY I ACTUALLY WITNESSED A RECOMMENDATION BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE THAT HAS ME MORE THAN CONCERNED.
THE AMENDMENT TO THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE WITH A HUGE BLANKET OF REGULATIONS IS WITHOUT DATA, IS DUMBFOUNDING TO ME.
ADDITIONALLY, IN MY PREVIOUS CAREER, I HAVE SEEN MANY POLICIES COME OUT THAT ARE FOR EVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST.
BUT GUYS, THERE ARE SO MANY DETAILS TO SUPPORT THESE POLICIES.
I WAS GRATEFUL TO HEAR THE TOWN MANAGER SAY, HEY, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO COME TO YOU AND TELL YOU WHAT STAFFING WE MAY NEED TO IMPLEMENT THESE.
IF WE RUSH TO IMPLEMENTATION AND DO NOT HAVE THE FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT IT, WE ARE GOING TO BE IN A BIGGER PROBLEMATIC SITUATION THAN WE ALREADY ARE FACING ACCORDING TO WHATEVER, YOU KNOW, YOUR OPINION IS OF THIS ISSUE.
I JUST REALLY BEG OF YOU TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND LET'S DO IT RIGHT.
WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE AT THE HEART OF HILTON HEAD IS A SHARED TRUTH.
WE ALL LOVE THIS, THIS ISLAND.
WHETHER WE AGREE OR DISAGREE ON POLICY, THAT COMMON GROUND MUST UNITE US.
TRUE LEADERSHIP MEANS LISTENING MORE THAN SPEAKING, BUILDING BRIDGES INSTEAD OF WALLS.
WHEN RESIDENTS AND OFFICIALS DISAGREE, THAT DOESN'T MAKE US ENEMIES.
IT MAKES US NEIGHBORS WHO CARE.
LET'S RETURN TO COLLABORATION.
INSTEAD OF CONFRONTATION AND THROWING BLANKET REGULATIONS TO SMOTHER THOSE THAT CANNOT
[00:20:01]
KEEP UP THE PACE, INCLUDING OUR OWN TOWN, THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, PUBLIC HEARINGS AND EVEN ONLINE SPACES SHOULD BE FORMS OF RESPECT, NOT BATTLEGROUNDS FOR PERSONAL AGENDAS.I AM FRANKLY SO DISAPPOINTED IN THAT IF WE MODEL UNITY HERE, WE CAN INSPIRE IT EVERYWHERE.
LET'S SET THE STANDARD FOR WHAT CIVIL DISCOURSE AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP LOOK LIKE.
HILLHEAD STORIES SHOULD BE ONE OF NEIGHBORS WORKING SIDE BY SIDE, NOT PERSONAL AGENDAS BEING PUSHED TO, TO MOVE UP IN A POLITICAL SITUATION.
UM, WE NEED TO PUSH THOSE ASIDE.
ALSO, LMO, LET'S MAKE SURE THE LMO AND THESE ORDINANCES WORK TOGETHER.
IF WE PUSH THIS SHORT TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE THROUGH BEFORE THE LMO GETS EVEN STARTED, AT THE NEXT STAGE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE CLASHING NOT UNITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR, FOR YOUR LISTENING.
BEFORE I BEGIN, MAY I HAND THESE OUT TO COUNSEL? TO THE CLERK OF COURT? OKAY.
THE LAST TIME I BROUGHT HANDOUTS, YOU KNOW, I'LL NEVER GOT THEM.
SO I HAD TO RESEND THEM TO YOU BY EMAIL.
DO THEY GO TO THE CLERK AFTER YOU'RE DONE SPEAKING? AFTER I'M DONE SPEAKING, YES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH COUNSEL FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE, UM, APPLICATION BY THE HILTON HEAD CHAMBER FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS RECREATION AND TOURISM DESTINATION SPECIFIC TOURISM MARKETING GRANTS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ALL THE D OS AROUND THE STATE APPLY FOR EVERY YEAR.
I HAVE THE 2025 SOME HANDOUTS FROM THE 2025 APPLICATION HERE.
SO WHAT THE PROGRAM IS, IS THAT FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT THESE DMO GET FROM THE STATE, THEY HAVE TO COME UP WITH $2 IN MATCHING WHAT THEY CALL PRIVATE BUSINESS INVESTMENT.
OKAY? SO, UH, THE FIRST INTERESTING THING ABOUT THESE GRANTS IS THAT ALL OF THESE DMO THAT APPLY FOR THEM HAVE TO AGREE TO BE SUBJECT TO FOIA.
NOW, AS YOU KNOW, THE HILTON HEAD CHAMBER HAS MAINTAINED, THEY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO FOIA, BUT IT'S INTERESTING WHEN THERE'S, IN THIS CASE, THE REOCCURRING MATCH FOR 2025 WAS $4,450,000.
APPARENTLY DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM, UH, AGREEING TO BE SUBJECT TO FOIA.
THE SECOND, UH, INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS IS THAT WHEN THEY INCLUDE THEIR LIST, WHICH IS CALLED SOURCE OF MATCHING FUNDS, AND THERE'S FIVE OR SIX PAGES OF THE MATCHING FUNDS, THEIR LISTING, UM, LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FROM THE HOTEL COMPANIES AND OTHER RENTAL COMPANIES AROUND THE ISLAND.
AND SO WHAT WE HAVE FOUND IS THAT THE SOURCE OF THESE MATCHING FUNDS ARE FROM, THERE ARE PARTNER HOTELS AND AGAIN, OTHER LODGING FACILITIES THAT SIMPLY ADD A DAILY SURCHARGE TO THE HOTEL'S GUEST BILL, WHICH IS KIND OF LIKE AN ACCOMMODATIONS TAX.
IT'S ACTUALLY AN OPTIONAL CHARGE, WHICH THEY'RE NOT TOLD.
AND THE SURCHARGE THAT THESE, UM, HOTELIERS COLLECT FLOWS TO THE BANK ACCOUNTS OF THESE DMS, UM, WHERE THEY'RE USED AS THE MATCHING FUND.
SO IT'S NOT A PRIVATE INVESTMENT, IT'S COMING DIRECTLY FROM THE CONSUMERS, INCLUDING MANY SOUTH CAROLINIANS.
SO THE $1 IN TAX GRANT TO THE CBBS OR THE DMO OR THE CHAMBERS BECOME A $2 HIT TO THE CONSUMERS.
I ALSO NOTICED ON THE LIST THAT THE TOWN OF HILTON HAD IS LISTED AS A DONOR.
THERE'S A DONOR AMOUNT ON, UM, THIS 25 APPLICATION AS THERE ARE THE OTHER APPLICATIONS.
I WASN'T AWARE THAT THE FUNDS FOR THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ARE, ARE PRIVATE INVESTMENT FUNDS AND I DON'T THINK YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT EITHER.
BUT THE POINT IS, IS THAT, UH, APPLYING FOR THESE MATCHING FUNDS AND CLAIMING THEY'RE FROM PRIVATE INDUSTRY WHEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY BEING SHOULDERED IN LARGE PART BY REGULAR CITIZENS WHO ARE GETTING DUPED BY THESE FEES.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING THAT ANY LOCAL GOVERNMENT WANTS TO SEE HAPPEN TO REGULAR CITIZENS.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING USING THEM AGAIN THIS YEAR, BUT I SUGGEST YOU TAKE THE DMO FUNCTION IN-HOUSE.
[00:25:01]
YOU.UM, I SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AGAIN FOR GENERAL CONCERNS OVER WASTED TIME, STAFF RESOURCES AND TAX DOLLARS DISTRACTING FROM BEST PRACTICES AND BUSINESSES AT HAND, NAMELY FINISHING THE LMO.
UM, WITH THAT AND, AND SOME OF THIS MAY BE SLIGHTLY OUT OF ORDER.
I NEVER GOT IT STRAIGHT, BUT THERE'S A LOT.
I'VE ALWAYS HEARD THAT EVERYONE TOLD CHARLES FRAZIER THAT HE HAD TO PICK A LANE DEVELOPMENT OR PRESERVATION DEVELOPMENT OR PRESERVATION.
HE PICKED BOTH AND THE WORLD AS A BETTER PLACE FOR IT.
SO THERE'S MUCH TO COMMEND YOU FOR IN PRESERVING THE TRADITIONS AND THE OUTSTANDING PLACE THAT WE GET TO LIVE.
UM, I WANT THAT TO BE ALWAYS UNDERGIRDING EVERYTHING.
AND I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR EACH OF YOU.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD COMMUNITY ON THIS AMAZING ISLAND AND YOU'VE BEEN TASKED WITH A GREAT JOB OF LEADERSHIP.
EACH OF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC GIFTS AND I GET TO GET GLIMPSES OF EACH OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THOSE FOR YOU, OF EACH OF YOU.
I WI WHEN I SEE THE VOTE AMOUNT MENTALITY OF THAT WAS SPOKEN TODAY OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA BECAUSE WE GET TO LIVE ON THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND TOGETHER.
AND IT'S A JOY TO BE HERE WITH EACH OF YOU, EVEN IF WE HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON DIFFERENT ITEMS. I THINK THAT'S PART OF WHAT MAKES US RICHER.
CAN WE BRING THAT IDEA BACK? I WOULD BE REMISS, HOWEVER, IF NOT USING ALL THE RESOURCES I HAVE WHEN I BELIEVE GRAVE MISTAKES ARE BEING MADE.
IT DOES NOT MEAN I THINK LESS OF ANY OF YOU.
THE ABILITY TO CONVERSE AND PRESENT CONFLICTING VIEWS IS OFTEN THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT.
I HOPE EVERY ONE OF MY WORDS REFLECT THAT AND ASK YOUR FORGIVENESS FOR ANY THAT DO NOT.
THERE IS A VIDEO THAT I SHOWED EVERY SINGLE SCIENCE CLASS I EVER TAUGHT, MAYBE MULTIPLE TIMES.
IT'S THIS DON PARTO VOICE AND HE SAYS, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA WITH THE BEST OF INTENTIONS, WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG? AND HE LISTS THREE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT GO ON IN JUST DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE.
ONE OF 'EM WAS INSURANCE AND ONE OF 'EM WAS THE OCEANS AND DIFFERENT THINGS.
BUT THAT IDEA OF THERE SOMETIMES A GREAT IDEA WITH A BEST OF INTENTIONS CAN HAVE HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE RIPPLES THAT TURN INTO TSUNAMIS.
MY FEAR IS THAT YOU MAY GO THROUGH ALL THE MOTIONS WITH THE S STR SPECIFICALLY, BUT SOME OTHER THINGS THAT COULD BE SIMPLIFIED POTENTIALLY.
WE WASTE A LOT OF TIME, STAFF TIME, STAFF TIME STAFF ENERGY TAKING AWAY FROM THE LMO REWRITE.
ALL THAT HAPPENS AND NOTHING REALLY CHANGES.
THE OFFENDERS STILL OFFEND THE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THEIR LIVES AND ARE TRYING TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN.
YOU BURDEN THE CITIZENS WITH INCREASING REVENUES AND LIABILITY LAWSUITS WITH ONGOING OVER COMPLICATION OF BASIC ISSUES.
OPENING TO LAWSUITS MEANS LESS MONEY TO BUY DOWN DENSITY AND PROCURE OTHER LAND.
AND I DO THINK WE'RE IN, YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BE HIGHLY COMMITTED FOR IN TERMS OF YOU HAVE, UM, I THOUGHT THAT WAS UP THERE AT THE TOP.
YOU HAVE PRESERVED THE TOWN OF HILTON HAS A WHOLE, HAS PRESERVED ALMOST 9% OF THIS ISLAND AGAINST ANY DEVELOPMENT.
THAT'S SOMETHING'S NOT BEEN DONE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD THAT I CAN FIGURE OUT.
UM, WE LIVE IN A TIME WHERE COMMUNITIES, OUR STATE AND OUR COUNTRY ARE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST OVERREGULATION.
THAT STIFLES WE COULD BE A LEADER IN TRADITIONING IN THE CONTINUING TRADITIONS OF POSITIVE CULTURE BUILDING.
HILTON HEAD WAS BUILT WITH NEW AND CREATIVE IDEAS.
DO THE PROCEDURES SERVE THE PEOPLE OR DO THE PEOPLE SERVE THE PROCEDURES? THANK YOU.
I BELIEVE THESE ARE SOME THAT INTENDED TO SPEAK EARLIER.
WHY DON'T WE DO THIS? WHY DON'T WE ASK IF THERE'S ANYBODY THAT'S SIGNED UP TO
[11. Executive Session ]
WE'LL MOVE IN.UH, MR. ORLANDO, DO WE HAVE A NEED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION? YES, SIR.
AS SHOWN ON THE AGENDA ITEMS 11, A, B, C, AND D.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WE RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.
WE'RE OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[12. Action from Executive Session ]
DO WE HAVE ANY ACTION COMING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION? YES, MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT, UH, WE APPROVE A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF COUNCIL, OF THE TOWN OF HILTON, HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE A PROPOSED CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES LOCATED ON OR NEAR US, HIGHWAY 2 78 IN THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA.DO WE HAVE ANY, UH, ANYBODY SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS? ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS? SEEING NONE.
ANY CONVERSATION FROM COUNSEL? SEEING NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.
MR. BROWN, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE COMING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION? NO SIR.
THANK YOU ALL FOR A GREAT DAY.