Town Council Meeting Review

Town Council met on February 19th.

Council received an update on the plans for a new James Island Library.   The location is still up in the air.   On the property of Fort Johnson Middle School is a possibility.    Charleston County Schools plans to build a new middle school on the property--James Island Middle and Fort Johnson Middle will be merged.   This new school will be on the back of the property, behind the existing school.   The new library might be put near the front.   James Baxter Elementary, on South Grimball Drive, which has long been closed, is another possible location.

The public hearing on the zoning amendment regarding a cell tower on the youth soccer club's field on Fort Johnson Rd. was postponed   However, many residents from Lighthouse Point came out to speak against the proposed cell tower.

Council approved funding a conceptual plan by STANTEC for a sidewalk on Camp Road from Mellichamp Road to Riverland Drive and on to James Island County Park.  Councilman Milliken questioned providing STANTEC with additional monies when they had already received $15,000 and we had seen no work product. 

STANTEC has already developed a conceptual plan for Camp Road from Fort Johnson to Mellichamp Road.   Here is a link to that plan.   The Town proposed a TST grant with a small Town match to fund construction of Phase I along Camp from Fort Johnson to Dills Bluff.   Charleston County is currently completing construction drawings and will be constructing that section of sidewalk and  continuing on down Dills Bluff from Camp to Fort Johnson.    I pointed out that the Town asked STANTEC to do construction drawings for Phase II on Camp Road from where the sidewalk ends across from Town Hall to Secessionville Road.   Here are the preliminary plans.    The Town has requested a TST match to $80,000 of Town funds for Phase II construction of this segment of the sidewalk.    The new task for STANTEC involves sidewalks west of Folly Road beyond Mellichamp.

Council recognized Deputy Shelton as Island Sheriff Patrol Officer of the year.

James Island Pride gave out the Community Hero award.   The winner was J. Eric Stewart.

Council took up the resolution regarding representation on the CARTA board that had been postponed at the last meeting.   Council voted unanimously to substitute a slightly different resolution, but postponed consideration until March.  Councilman Stokes reported that he was meeting with some CARTA Board members to discuss the matter soon.

Council approved a County-Municipal Agreement for the Jerdone-Stiles sidewalk project.   Construction should start in the Spring.   The Fort Johnson sidewalk project from Harborview Road to Jerdone has been completed.    The sidewalk is currently being constructed from Lighthouse Boulevard to Mikell Drive.

Council approved the formation of a Historical Committee of Council and a James Island Historical Commission.   The membership of the Historical Committee of Council is the Mayor and Council.   I hope we can choose a chair at the March meeting.   This Historical Commission will be made up of  citizens with special interest in James Island history.    Hopefully, Council can begin making appointments to the Historical Commission at the March meeting.

Council approved a resolution making the last Saturday in February "James Island Arts Day."  

Council approved the second and final reading of an amendment to the Zoning and Land Development Ordinance changing the uses allowed in Office Residential to make them more consistent with residential.

Council approved on first reading an ordinance amending the Town's purchasing policy to cover purchases during a declaration of emergency.   Councilman Milliken questioned why Council was considering this ordinance when the Town is currently working on an emergency plan and Council has yet to see it.   I explained that this revision was recommended by Scott Cave, the consultant the Town hired to help us review and revise our emergency plan. The proposed emergency purchasing policy is similar to that of the Town of Kiawah Island.    Mr. Cave worked with the Town of Kiawah Island on their emergency plan and suggested we amend our policy as they had amended their policy.

Council approved on first reading an ordinance defining the powers of the Mayor during a declared emergency.  The ordinance also describes the procedure for determining succession to the Mayor during an emergency.   Again, this is being done as part of the Town's review of our emergency plan.   The Town's ordinance closely follows that of the Town of Kiawah Island, but is very similar to that of other municipalities in South Carolina.