City Council - Regular Meeting

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Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Heat. Heat. Help me dance with me.

Good morning all. Welcome to the April 14th city council meeting. We start with a workshop here at the beginning. And to start things off today, we have a public hearing at 9:00 a.m. on the population element of the comprehensive plan. Is someone coming up to present that Cameron?

Good morning. There's been no change to the document since last time that uh we were standing here before you all. We noticed this for public hearing and we've received no calls or emails on that um up to this point. Can you run through the document real quick?

So, as part of our ongoing series of elemental updates to the comprehensive plan, we looked at the population element. Uh we are seeing approximately 3% growth year featuring a 17% population increase since 2020. Our density is 1,800 per square mile. We are 51% female in the city of Myrtle Beach. Median age is 47 years old. Approximately 40% of our residents, a little bit more than 40%, hold a college degree. And we are higher than the state average on our three-part SAT score. Uh 7.3% of the city of Myrtle Beach residents have served in the armed services which is higher than the national average. This gets into the pillars and policies of our document with our new goal being accommodating sustainable and intentional population growth by focusing on an attainable future that attracts emerging professionals and families to our safe, inclusive, and thriving community. We selected four different pillars to focus on as part of our our population element being plan alignment, current growth, future growth and community networks. Uh these are the four policies that we talked about under plan alignment. Four policies under current growth, future growth can in our community network. Can we go back and look at those

a little bit of detail if you don't mind and we don't need to read them all but I would like to see a little bit of the detail please. Uh so for plan alignment uh most uh pivotal one for us was policy number one which was perform ongoing collection analysis and integration of up-to-date data um into all elements within the comprehensive plan. We recognize that the population element influences so many other elements that we need to do this on a more continual basis. Skip to number five, please. Number five, or I'm sorry, CG1. Uh, support social events and initiatives that actively engage newcomers with the local community by creating connections and cultivating a sense of belonging.

Promote accessible. Uh for this one, we liked policy number two, which was uh prioritize infill development to meet growth objectives and goals with uh well limiting urban sprawl. We recognize that uh the city has grown tremendously and our redevelopment opportunities are primarily through infill development. And then under community networks, we like policy number three, establish and maintain partnerships with local community or county and state organizations to develop a database of social services available to our community. Um recognizing that a lot of this information is quite disperate and hard for people to find. So the planning staff's going to work to help bring all those resources together under a single banner essentially to help our community find those resources. And finally getting into our public engagement. Uh this was our highest level of public engagement ever achieved through a comprehensive plan element update. We had 1,283 responses. Uh just looking at the population elements, we're really excited about that. We held seven in-person sessions that were uh roundly attended as well. most attended one was the Veterans Day parade at Balor and just some selected sample pieces from what we learned through our survey and happy to answer any questions. Mayor, is is there any splinter in the plan, and I may have missed it, that focuses uh not solely, but particularly on the retirement community, uh the amalgamation of services that they need and uh in a in an organized way perhaps with the county. Um I'm not familiar with senior services but have heard on occasion where they don't appear to be as coordinated as they could be between the different agencies within the different jurisdictions.

Sure. Uh when we were working with our our working group from planning commission the focus was really on attracting families and young professionals to fill those service needs. our our stated goal in this was to help find those areas that would assist our senior citizen our senior citizen population through committed services like healthcare and what we need to do to bring younger folks in who will fill those job roles. Um it's some certainly something that we can look at moving forward as part of that initiative to kind of pull all of the resources into one place to take a deep dive into senior senior citizen services. That would be great. The provision of services and how to access thereof. Yes, sir. Thank you,

council. For the public's benefit, who's responsible for implementing the comprehensive plan? Uh, the city of Myrtle Beach. So, that's city council, staff, council, staff, planning commission, commissions, and committees that serve the city. Yes, sir. How many elements are there in the comprehensive plan? 10. How many elements have we recently updated? Uh, this is the second one. We're currently working on two more as we speak. Okay. Thank you. This is a public hearing. Are there any comments from the public regarding this population element of the comprehensive plan hearing? None. We'll close the public hearing.

All right. Thank you all. Thanks, Cameron.

All right. During the workshop, we have Cliff Jones, our new school superintendent, who is here today to to greet us. Welcome. Good morning. Good morning, Mayor Kuit. Morning,

council members, uh, members of the public. On behalf of the 6,600 employees of Ory County Schools and the more than 47,000 students of Ory County Schools, thank you for allowing me to address you this morning. Um, as I start off today, I would like to highlight a couple of things. And that is that Ory County Schools, we're open for business. We're open for partnership. We're open to vision. We're open to dream. Uh, and I look forward to continuing our long-standing partnerships. Uh, and moving forward, I also would be remiss, I just saw a smiling face. Uh, Miss Debbie Connor uh also invited me here today. We we served on a panel at Coastal Carolina and we talked to some just brilliant kids. So, thank you for this invitation.

Partnership matters. Work with kids is hard work. Correct? You've had some, you've known some. You can't do it alone. We can't do it in Ory County Schools alone. Uh we need your help. It matters to our principles and staff and important to our families as well that they see this partnership and for you all and our public. Our community sees our partnership every day in Myrtle Beach when they enter one of our schools with our school resource officers. And I just want to say thank you for that commitment. Our kids and our families and our teachers can't do their jobs if they don't feel safe. It's partnerships like that that are foundational to getting to reading, writing, and arithmetic uh throughout the day. So, thank you for your commitment. When I think about Myrtle Beach, I think about a place of choice. It's a place where families choose to do business. They choose to live. They choose to vacation. And increasingly, they choose their education here. And that's really why I'm here. I want to tell you and the and the the community members who are here that we are doubling down on the foundations of education in Ory County Schools. Relationships are the secret sauce to education, but focus is where we get the results. And we're going to focus on reading. I'll get back to that in a second. Rise with reading. We're going to focus on writing. That's right. In the time of AI and all those other things, the noise that's going on out there, our kids are going to be writing, writing in cursive, mind you, as well.

Our kids are going to be reading books, not just sections of books, not just journal articles, but whole novels. They're going to be experiencing that and and doing projects with that. And we're going to be logging pages. And I'm going to ask you to celebrate those students when they come to you and they've read over a thousand pages a quarter, which is called the Superintendent Reading Challenge. When because families feel confident about these options that we're that we're building here, not just in Myrtle Beach, but throughout Ory County, you're going to see an increased voice, not just from the families, but from the students themselves. And we're going to ask them to participate with their voice in Ory County Schools and ask them be part of the decision- making. What's it look like to have a student on a strategic plan council? What's it look like to have them sitting at the decision table? Maybe not for a vote, but to hear from their perspective. It's their world that we are preparing them for. Shouldn't we hear from them now? We have the highest graduation rate in Ory County School's history at 89.6%. Our college and career ready rate is 82%. So what does that mean for you all? Our diploma is matching our guarantee or promise to those students. Here's an important one. But if you hear nothing else today, and I understand you know the Ory County superintendent's here and you might not have such a great relationship with education your past, but hear this and be prideful about this. Our students are outperforming the state and every tested subject. Every tested subject and at the secondary level, we're seeing some of the strongest overall performances under this current accountability model that we've ever seen. What I tell my staff is never

compare down. We don't compare to the state because we're beating the state in everything. Matter of fact, uh, one of your people just stood up and said we're beating them in SAT. Amen. Whatever whatever metric you put up there, we're beating the state. We compare up. We compare against our region and other states moving forward. Those outcomes are real and those outcomes matter for our kids and they reflect what's happening right here in Myrtle Beach. I'm going to brag on a couple of things that I've seen since I've been here in month 14. One example I want to highlight that I'm super proud of is our JOTC Navy uh program at Myrtle Beach High School. Let me just tell you something I learned about those cadetses. They show up at Myrtle Beach High School at 6:30 a.m. to drill. 6:30 a.m. And they're working hard. And these cadetses are not just participating, they're excelling because they understand what it takes to be successful. And what stands out to me is that commitment. I'm not sure how many times you hear enough about our kids being commit committed, our kids showing diligence and grit and getting after it. But here's the result of those 6:30 a.m. mornings. The Seahawks, the JOTC drill team, qualified for the 2026 Navy Nationals in Pensacola, Florida. They're just one of 24 teams in the country. But they didn't just qualify. That's not good enough for a group of cadets who show up at 6:30 a.m.

Here's what they did when they got there. They're the fourth in the nation an armed exhibition. Fourth in the nation. Just right down the street. That's excellence. And that's something that shows who our kids are and what they're made of. That's not just a school accomplishment. That's an accomplishment of the community because those students represent Myrtle Beach. They reflect what's possible when expectations are held high. And I guarantee you, our students rise to meet them. So, one of my challenges for you all today is raise your expectations of me. If you raise your expectations of me as your superintendent, trust me, it will go down the line and we'll raise the expectation for all kids and our kids can meet those expectations. This past year, our students have read tens of millions. You can fact check me. It's okay. Tens of millions of pages. And they're doing this because they're part of reading. And I know some of you all are on your socials because I follow some of you as a resident of Myrtle Beach, but just type in hashtag risewith reading and follow our journey and it's one that's going to show you that's the foundation of what education is and that's literacy is at the heart of Ory County Schools. There's something else that expands well beyond the classroom and that's this idea of partnership. And that's why I'm so excited to be here today because I have felt and seen not only you all with your your feet and presence, but also you all through your partnerships as a city. And I've felt and seen those through the YMCA, Freedom Readers, Boys and Girls Clubs. And the difference we're making in our community together through third parties is is truly outstanding. And that's powerful because we want to build a culture not just

between 8 o'clock and three o'clock, right? We want to build a culture that's everlasting and one that we all have a hand in. And I think there's an opportunity for us, that's right, between the city of Myrtle Beach and Ory County Schools to work more closely together. It's it's not something that's complicated or a heavy lift. I don't even think it's going to cost us anything. But if we model literacy and we model the importance of reading together, it's something that our children and our families and our community will notice. It's it's something that will move the needle for kids. Students in Myrtle Beach are earning all kinds of different accolades and achievements. They're also earning dual enrollment credits. They're also earning skilled trades endorsements and certifications so that they're not only work ready, but they're life ready. So students are graduating with a diploma, but also with a head start on their life. And that's powerful. That's what's going on in Myrtle Beach because it builds a workforce that's local, that's prepared and ready to contribute whether it's enlistment, employment, or enrollment. So, there's so many things, great things happening. Um, I want to brag on Myrtle Beach High School. I have to while I'm here. Uh, first off, I got to mention their art theater production called The Ninth Train. Uh, it competed in the Nationals and one of your very own students, JJ Brown, is currently ranked the number one in the nation in high jump. I didn't know if you all knew that. Did

see that. Um, also we have 14 students who are competing in nationals and DECA. DECA is a skill-based uh student uh association and they're competing in nationals. Um, also I want to make sure that you understand that we're increasing our academic programming for the community of Myrtle Beach. This year we rolled out uh international balorate at the middle school. We're looking to include that at the high school. International Balora is recognized worldwide as the best degree one can get high school credential. So our role in the school system is is to make sure not only our students are ready but they reflect the values of the community not just as graduates but as people and uh the way we're going to do that in Ory County Schools is by reading is by writing and through arithmetic. The foundation is what sometimes we've been focused on and we've missed the mark. We are now going to hit the mark. And here's the here's the big goal we have. By 2030, all Ory County Schools, 95% of our students will be reading at or above grade level. 95%. We've put it out there just like you all did with your strategic plan discussion today. Um I'm trying to keep it simple. If we can get to that, if we can get to 95% of all kids reading at or above grade level, the rest will take care of itself, guaranteed. So, with that, uh, I look forward to continuing our discussions. I truly appreciate the opportunity just to share so that you all understand how open we are in Ory County Schools to to partnering with you and to also challenge you. I look forward to you posting what you're reading and modeling that behavior because people are paying attention to you as servant leaders and

that will really tr truly rise this community with literacy. So at this point um I'd like to take any questions you might have. Everything's on the table. So please Dr. Jones of um we fully embrace what our librarian at Myrtle Beach High School said in 1972 which is you can't learn without reading

and you can't read without learning but to the point of of proper staffing for our schools and in 1933 my mother began teaching making $39 a month and glad to get it as she would say. I saw last year, the year before, where the legislature did appropriate maybe $200 million to get the base pay up to 48,000 $49,000. But my question is, what happens or why does the seven five to sevenyear burnout occur with so many young teachers?

Uh I hear that time and time again, not in just this county, but in Greenville's Charleston. Um I don't know if it's paperwork. I don't know what the de I don't know if it's parents, but um if you could impart that yeah that that tidbit.

Sure. Councilman Render, thank you for that question and thank you for advocating for our teachers uh and their work work environment. First off, um right now beginning salary for an Ory County teacher just with a bachelors is 52,000 and change. It's top 10 in the state. Um we're not done. Budget time is here. Right. in terms of workforce turnover. I'm going to give you the life of a teacher and this is lifting up those individuals. I'm going to tell you, you can't use the restroom for 3 to four hours because the kids are in front of you. You're going to get 28 minutes for lunch. You need to plan. You need to answer all the emails within 24 hours because that's our service level agreement. uh we're going to make sure that the kids with the runny noses are to the nurse and the kids with um attitude problems are handled as well. Now, I'm going to say you're 22 years old and where you can go and create your own schedule, work from home in your pajamas, uh and uh create a life that is far less confined. Um, I will tell you it takes a special person, but also it takes a special community to put our arms around these individuals and truly know and understand what they're doing is more than we could ever ask. Right? You've had that teacher that had that relationship with you that got you to where you are, right? And usually had some semblance of tough love. They believed in you when you didn't believe in yourself. Now, we're asking young people to do that in a time and time and place where oftentimes that's harder than the jobs that are available to them. So, I just encourage you to keep asking that questions. One of the questions I ask in every school I go in, council, is this. What can we stop doing? What can we stop doing? Right? And being able to have the courage to stop so that we can focus on what's important. That's the basis of Rise with

Reading. So, thank you. Well, I would just say advice to young people, if you do want to change the world, don't be a politician, be a teacher. Be a teacher. Wow. I'm going to steal that. I'm going to steal that. Thank you, council. Anybody else? I would. Go ahead. No,

don't mind. Thank you, Dr. Jones, for being here. Um, I have the unique opportunity currently of supervising three student interns, um, doing their last semester student teaching in the high schools. And so I'm out multiple times, um, sometimes a week, definitely each month, um, seeing those students. And so I get to observe your teachers. Um and I just want to commend the um level of attention that I have seen from your teachers um supporting students learning to become teachers because I think that's where kind of that connection first starts that um Dr. Render's talking about so important of students understanding what they're in for and how this is very very different. Um, but I've seen each of those students, especially this semester, um, really growing into the profession and that's because of the mentorship that your teachers provide. So, I just want to commend that and I hope that um, more and more of your great teachers are going to continue to mentor our student teachers. And I also want to thank you for when you talk about partnership and being open for business. I I have to um applaud that because I have seen a transition. I know for our um research students um that I also supervised doing research within Ory County Schools, which five years ago wouldn't happen. And so I appreciate the um openness to learning um and allowing um research to take place in the schools. And I'll just add and and something to hold me

accountable to uh is that we're trying to get to yes. That's that's our motto. Try to get to yes, right? When somebody asks that they want to give of their service, their talents, or their gifts, just try to try to help them get there. It's it's a it's an easy stance to have. It's a hard stance sometimes to deliver, but it's an easy stance to have. So, I'm glad that you're seeing that. I' I've seen firsthand the Navy Junior ROC from Myrtle Beach High School for the last I think 11 years. Maybe this will be the 11th or 12th year we've done the Ory County Junior ROC drill meet. Typically the first weekend in May, but I think it's been moved into the last weekend of April this year. But the Myrtle Beach team presents itself extremely well. All of the young men and women do. But it's it's exciting. If you've never seen that event, it's at in the Pelican Stadium parking lot with um anywhere from five to six or seven schools from Ory County and occasionally Georgetown County participating. That's a great event. And then I had a chance to judge recently at the tech fair, which was I think the 17th That's right.

tech fair at the convention center. I had judged at the first one way back when and had not done it since then. and my partner and I judged second and third grade projects. Um, and those second and third graders, all of them were colle individually and collectively much much brighter and smarter than I will ever be at at that age and were much better public speakers than I will ever be at at their age at at second and third grade level. That was quite an impressive event. Certainly 150 folks came in and judged um and the convention center was full of young people showing off their projects at the tech fair. And thank you for your commitment to doing that. When we think about 800 plus projects being uh scored by 150 judges with over 1400 students, you could feel the energy, but more importantly, you could feel the commitment of this community uh to to excellence. So, thank you.

Thank you, Cliff. Anybody else?

Yeah, I want to thank you for being here. Uh, and one thing I'm excited about uh in terms of of where you're driving things because you literally are the bus driver. You're taking us there is that there has been uh from outside business communities uh a misunderstanding uh when you talk to some businesses, you know, why wouldn't you locate here? Well, the Ory County school system has such a bad reputation and you're undoing that for us and that's a great thing. Uh because that's just going to uh change the whole paradigm for new businesses coming here. Uh the same way with uh keeping our young doctors and nurses who, you know, they they train here. We have a a Grand Strand right now is a training hospital. Uh and then you you you talk to those young doctors and nurses. Uh they get married, they're ready to have kids, and you know, like all parents, where am I going to raise them and what's the school system like? So, uh this is from my viewpoint is just really very exciting and I appreciate what you're doing. Councilman Clar, thank you for that affirmation. And I will tell you that I support parent choice 100%. And from a school system standpoint, it should never be a choice away from. It should never be a choice because my local school doesn't perform. It should be a choice because my child needs. Right? And we all understand. I've had two ch children myself. One was able to be in public school and one had to go to private school because of her needs. Right? But that wasn't a choice away. Uh and that was that was empowering. So that's where we want to be.

Thank you. Thank you, Cliff, for being here today. We appreciate this greatly and look forward to continuing the relationship between the city of Myrtle Beach and the Ory County Schools. Thank you for the opportunity. Thanks,

Council. This is a workshop. We've got one executive session item that we're going to try to squeeze in before 10 o'clock. Are there any items to discuss in the workshop portion of this meeting before we move on? No. Yes. Do the jury. We have the jury. Yes. That that's not on the agenda, but let's do that. Yes. Well, the items are on the agenda. It's not the meeting and and understanding I think we've got some time constraints on the executive session item. So I don't know if it's the what's the time sensitivity for jury.

Okay, then we can go ahead and do that. Okay. Um yeah, so we are hearing the items on the 26th Avenue PUD, 27th Avenue PUD here in just a minute. Um Chef will come up and make an introduction uh that is pertinent to that.

Thank you, Mayor and Council. I think the um superintendent was right. This is all about relationships. And one of the reasons I'm excited about this project is rarely do we get to host a hotel in Myrtle Beach where the founders names on the sign and those family members are still involved in what's going on. So I think it's important we can talk about the nuts and bolts in in the regular meeting, but I wanted you to hear from Charlie Drury, who's a Drury family member, about why they want to be here, who they are, and what they do. Great. Thank you.

Thank you. Good morning, mayor. Ladies and gentlemen, uh, as Chef said, my name is Charlie Drury. I'm a director of development with Drury Development. We're the development and real estate arm of Drury Hotels. At Drury Hotels, we are family-owned and operated for over 53 years. Uh we're from a small town of about 400 in southeast Missouri and we kind of got into the hotel business halfway by accident when the bank took the family farm away. Uh from there our founders got into construction and then eventually hotels. Today we have about 150 locations and soon to be 27 states. There's about 6,500 employees companywide and we're about as vertically integrated as you might see. So, we do our own real estate development. We do our own engineering architecture inhouse. We will work with great local groups as we come into new communities and we do our own operations. We own and operate every hotel we do. We don't franchise. Uh we do our own own decor. And actually, my 90-year-old grandmother still runs our decor department. Uh we call her Mimi. Uh but um she still comes to work several days a week. Uh we supply all our own hotels monthly out of southeast Missouri. And we even make most of our own furniture that goes in the hotel rooms here in the United States in southeast Missouri. So, we have recent projects like in downtown Nashville or inside Walt Disney World. We also just opened up in North Charleston nearby.

Uh, and we have u very low turnover as a company. We pride ourselves in taking care of our team members and if you take care of your team, they take care of the guests the right way each and every day, each and every interaction. The operating team is award-winning. They've won 19 JD Powers for highest guest satisfaction. something that hasn't been replicated by the bigger brands that are out there. So, we build two brands today, the Drury Inn and Suites and the Drury Plaza Hotel. Our Plaza Hotel is more upscale, upper upscale, and should we have the opportunity to build here, that's what we intend to do. So, uh we are very we perform very well with families and leisure travelers. We also do well with business travelers. Yours is a community that we've had circled for a long time. We're looking for the right opportunity to get in. Uh, and we hope that we have that here today. Uh, one thing about us, we only build out of concrete and steel. We have a long-term outlook. We don't use wood structurally. So, when we come into a community, we hope to be here for a lifetime, and we hope to be part of this community for years and many to come. So, thank you for the opportunity to be in front of you today.

Thank you, Mr. Jury. And I believe Miss Hatley has familiarity with the company.

I do. I do. Um when um Charlie came to us the first time and we had we had it listed, we um you know, our family hotel, we were there 54 years and so we had a lot of people that had a lot of interest to come in and um some of them just wanted to slap lipstick on it and keep on going and we're like, you know, we're just not finding the right buyer here. Well, we prayed about it a lot and Charlie and his family stepped in, gave us a, you know, um, great offer for our property. And Charlie actually sat down with my mom a couple times and spent two hours just talking about living on a farm, how you grew up, family stuff. And um, that meant the most to her. and us and our family. So, we could not have picked a better buyer. And I'm so proud that they're they're here in our community and they're kind of extending a legacy that we we had, but they're they're providing their own legacy, but it's just an extension of our family. and we're so proud that you that you came in and uh purchased the property and and we're going to be proud of it. I know.

Well, we hope to make your mother proud and your family proud and community proud. Uh we hope to be a part of it soon. Thank you. And I apologize for getting so emotional, but it's she's for the record, she's spoken very highly of of the of the company on several occasions previously. She genuinely believes that y'all are the right fit for Myrtle Beach and we're we're happy to have you on the agenda today. Thank you, sir. Thank you all. Thank you.

Anything else? All right. We have one executive session item that we're going to try to do before the 10:00 meeting due to some time constraints. So motion to go into executive session to discuss proposed contractual arrangements for the development of property between 14th and 15th avenues north. We would invite Fox Simons, Will Brian, Brian Tucker, Josh Buger, Michelle Shumpert, Mara Bell, Meredith Dener, Amy New Schaffefer, um, city council, of course, Case Britain, and do you have a couple of folks to invite as well? case. I'm sorry, my ears aren't good.

And we'll add Brian MCO and David Cope from the M group, please. Is there a second? Motion to go into session. Second. I made the motion. That was the second. Okay. All those in favor of going into executive session, please say I. I. I. Thank you. Any opposed? And we'll step away. just because it's easier for us to move than it is for you all to move. Thank you. We'll be right back.

Hey hey. Spanish.

Good morning. City Council met in executive session to receive information about a proto can't talk proposed contractual arrangements for the development of property between 14th and 15th avenues north. We took no action. Is there a motion to come out of executive session? So move I think Mike and Mike. All those in favor of come exiting executive session please say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you

again. Welcome to our April 14th city council meeting. I see we have a former council woman in the audience. Miss Mary Jeff Code is here. We have a Korean War veteran here as well today. Jim Yoast is here. Thank you, Jim. He's looking behind him. Hi, Jim. Nice to see you. Thank you all for being here today. We have a lot on the agenda, but I think it'll move reasonably quickly. Let us begin with our invitation and our pledge of allegiance. Please, if you'll rise. Please join me for a moment of solemn invocation. Almighty God, creator and sustainer of all that is or will be, accept our profound gratitude for this day and all of its blessings of life and freedom. We remember those who make our freedom possible and recognize it is because of their sacrifice that our community can practice our shared and enduring values of varied expressions of faith, civic duty, and respect for all. We gather today to render our public service in a proper manner and perform our civic duties in good order. Therefore, we solemnly invoke divine wisdom and guidance into this today's meeting. Amen. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Yeah, you did. We have a big crowd here today. Lots of proclamations to recognize both staff and citizens in the community. Let's start with the approval of the agenda. Council, you've looked at the agenda. Are there any amendments or changes? Motion to approve. Second. Motion and second. All those in favor of the agenda as presented, please say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you. the approval of the minutes from the March 24th meeting. So moved. Bill and Debbie. Um all those in favor of the minutes as presented, please say I.

I. Any opposed? Thank you. Public requests, presentations, awards, and memorials. Recognition of class 10 of the My Beach 101 graduates. And I suspect that's why a fair number of folks are here in the audience today. If you're with My Beach 101 and our neighborhood services department, please come forward.

Very big class. It's good. I don't think it should be a requirement. Well, this was a big class and this may be the biggest come to city council meeting attendance we've ever had. So, that's great. Did we offer free donuts or something? What was the Maybe we've been all up here. And they look Yeah, they'll they'll take care of it.

Great. Hey, Miss Cookie Goings, our neighborhood services director. Good morning, mayor, council, um, management, and to all those who serve this city that we love, the city of Myrtle Beach. But we have a ritual first that we have to take care of. Hey y'all. Hey y'all.

That that's my educator's thing, that calling response. But I do wish to um thank you for um allowing us to be here this morning and thank you for your continued support in um supporting um the budget and making provisions for um this wonderful opportunity for our residents to to happen and to take place. And you're right, great observation in that this is probably the largest um not class in itself, but those who have um come to be honored um during city council. And I asked them, excuse me, if they thought um we would be serving breakfast this morning cuz they they're they're used to eating and eating well. But nonetheless, nonetheless, they they showed up. I always find the the demographics or the makeup of the class to be quite interesting. This year um class number 10 there were three couples. Um what I did find most interesting I think is that many um of these here today are very involved um in community when it comes to nonprofit organizations um community service um even the political um realm the greatest joy of an educator and you guys know that that's my thing I am an educator I will forever be an educator But one of the greatest joys of an educator is to see and know that their students and I still call them my babies. The oldest group is now 56 years old. But the greatest joy is to see that they are doing well. I am happy to share and announce that within this group there were three of my former students Seahawks of Myrtle Beach High School.

And yes, I did take on the role as Ms. Goings, the English teacher, the counselor, and director of guidance. And they did everything I told them to do. Okay. So, um this morning we have uh a few uh a couple of people who are going to share um what they have um learned um in the class. And before um they come, I do want to thank my colleagues, every department um lead person and every staff member who was there to represent on behalf of the city of Myrtle Beach. But for Matt, April, and myself, we are um very grateful and indebted um to you for continuing to support this effort. So um they will come forth, introduce themselves, and they know they're on a a time limit. Anybody? Somebody.

Lord, she got a book.

Good morning. Good morning. Um, first I just want to say thank you to everyone who made this Myrtle Beach 101 class possible. Um, this experience has been more than just informative. It has been eyeopening in ways I didn't expect. My name is Isa Bellamy and I've called Myrtle Beach my home since 1993. I'm a proud graduate of Myrtle Beach High School and for the past 11 years, I've worked as a server for Mr. Michael Chestnut right here in our local community. Um, through my work, I've had the chance to meet people from all walks of life. But this class has given me something different. It has given me perspective. Um, I've learned how our city operates behind the scenes, the people who keep it running, and the opportunities that exist for everyday residents like me to get involved. Um, it made me realize that being part of a community isn't just about living in it, it's about contributing to it.

For a long time, I've been observing Myrtle Beach, and now I'm ready to participate in it. This class feels like a starting point for me, a doorway I'm walking through with intention. This class has made me want to be more engaged, more informed, and more present in helping our city grow in a way that benefits everyone. To my fellow classmates, it's been a pleasure getting to know you all and it's been an honor learning alongside you. And to the leaders and organizers, thank you for investing in us, believing that we can also make a difference. This may be the end of this class, but for me it is just the beginning. Thank you guys. Thank you.

Hello and good morning to everybody. Uh my name is Bruno Simone. I uh I live in Delell Webb at Grand Dunes. Um I heard about this program through a neighborhood watch meeting that I attended and uh I'm very glad that I participated. Um, I'd like to thank the mayor, um, the city, uh, city council, and the city manager, uh, for supporting my my beach 101. Um, after attending this program, I believe this offers tremendous value, uh, to its residents, and I hope that others choose to participate. Uh, I would ask that the city council continue to support uh, this valuable program. I chose to attend uh, this program because I wanted to better understand the city and its departments. uh and it does give you an awful lot of information and eye opening to everybody that attended. Uh what stood out most to me uh was the people that work for the city. Uh meeting various city employees and civil servants across the city uh was eye opening. Uh their professionalism, their pride, commitment to serving the public is what truly keeps Myrtle Beach running strong and makes it a special place to live in. Uh I was pleasantly surprised with the high standard of all of the employees that we met uh during this this class. Uh my time invested was nothing compared to the benefit of being in the program and supporting programs like this. Uh this is why it is important to me to personally thank uh Miss Cookie Cany Goings and her entire team for a job well done. Um without a doubt Cookie, thank you for everything and your team. really appreciate it. The the Myrtle Beach 101 program is a wonderful way to meet the caring people that help us run the city uh and its departments, which really makes it a special place for all of us. Uh truly anybody that's moved down here. Um I'm

grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Myrtle Beach 101 program and I appreciate your leadership and support and thank you all for your commitment to the city. Hello, my name is Elaine Hoffman. Um, some of you already know me. Um, I'm ditto on everything that's already said. I can't elaborate much more on that other than I truly found this class to be a rewarding and exciting experience. Very informative. I was encouraged to attend by my friend Mary who said, "We got to go to this class." Um, and Miss Cookie, who I've known for several years with the onset of the Crime Watch meetings. I drove every week for nine weeks from Colombia, South Carolina. I'd leave work, I'd drive to Colombia, attend the class, and then I'd go home. That's how important and critical I found the information I got in this meeting to be. I see many smiling faces. Two ladies back there. I learned so much from attending these classes. our police officers, the detective in the back that was there who came with his children to the meeting to talk about what he does because of his commitment to the city and he wants to show the citizens how important we are to them and how important their jobs are. There is no job in Myrtle Beach that is so small. I want to thank the mayor. He's been true to his word. I sent an email. He responded immediately and we're still having ongoing conversations. The two Chris's at building code dead on. We sent an email, they were very responsive. They they came to our assistance. Mike Loward, he's always been there for us. So, it's just a continuation of excellent employees, a commitment to the community, and I think

that anybody moving to Myrtle Beach should take Beach 101, especially before they sit down to a keyboard and become a keyboard warrior and they start act 4. I am a graduate of Sakusty High School 19 back in the day. Come on. It was still the old school. Um and we had to move away because um there was no my husband and I we met in high school. We had to move to Columbia because there were no job opportunities here. One thing I did learn in this class is the focus that the city has on bringing new industry and retaining younger youthful people into our community doctors. We got to keep they come but if we don't have things here for them and their children to do even recreation there they won't stay. They'll move on to other opportunities. So again that opened my eye to that all the talk about art district and we're wasting our money. No, we're not. From what I learned, you have to look forward. We can't go back to 1980, 1990. We have to look forward 2026 and beyond. And I think that's what this city government is actually doing and trying to engage the right people to do the job properly. I want to thank everybody and my new friends that I met in this class. Thank you so much. And thank you, city of Myrtle Beach, for everything you do. We appreciate you. And on behalf of neighborhood services, Matthysse, April, myself, and the 2026 10th session of my beach 101, thank you. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for making provision.

Cookie Cookie in class, thank you to y'all for caring enough to spend several weeks learning about the city of Myrtle Beach. We appreciate that. I was fortunate to give you a welcome and talk at that first class which I've done for I think most of the 10 years. Um, did you have a favorite department? What? Fire. Okay. Police and fire. Police and fire. What kind? Culinary is not an option that they would choose that but culinary is not

library they say. Okay. Thank you very much library. Congratulations.

Thank you. It's good to see you. Thank you. Did you enjoy it? Did you behave yourself? Oh, good. Steal your hand. No. Did you get that? Good to see you. No, I've had this. First game's tonight. Has it moment? Hello. Nice to see you. Good to see you. Thank you. There you are. Are you good? Did you enjoy the class? It's about as good as I get. Bye. You know what? Will I will

Hey, how are you? No, thank you. Appreciate it for coming out today. Hey, how are you, Bill? I'm doing good. Good to see you. Thank you. Good to see you. Thank you for my good. Thank you for coming. Oh yes, yes. Thanks for coming this morning. Appreciate it. Thank you for being here. Mr. Mayor, how are you? I'm well, thank you. Thank you for coming out this morning. This is a big speech. Great speech. You're welcome. Thank you for coming by. Mr. Dell Webb, good to see you. Thanks for coming.

We got more to do, especially for the Del Web community. How are you doing? Thanks for being here. David's going to be turned over soon. I'll be there. I'm going to call a meeting down here. I'm sorry.

Hey, how are you? Hello. What are you doing here? Hello. Thank you for coming. I think it's your name again is being here. Thanks for being here. This appreciate you, April. It's all right. Thank you. Thank you class. Good to see you, brother. Thanks. I can't. It's okay.

In case we didn't explain what My Beach 101 is, it's sort of a a general government introductory class. They do it annually, usually in the winter. Thank you.

And you learn about the various departments within the city. Somebody comes in and talks about all the functions from finance to fire and recreation to parks. So, it it's a great chance to learn about your city, which provides the the most services. In in school, you usually take a trip to the state capital. You learn about the three branches of federal government, but you don't learn a great deal about the city or the town that you live in, which provides the most services that you experience as a resident or a citizen. So, I think that was all but two members of that class who turned out today. That was great. So, thank you very much. Great.

Up next, a proclamation recognizing April as autism acceptance month. Meredith Good morning, city council. We have a lot of proclamations today. Four, I believe. We're going to start off with one that we do every year. Very happy that we do this every year. I have Monnique Clement here with SOS Care, Chris Far with the Myrtle Beach Fire Department, and also Zach Ree with the Myrtle Beach Police Department who all work um with individuals with autism and also with Project Lifesaver. All right. Autism Acceptance Month, April 2026. Whereas autism is a developmental condition that affects how people communicate, interact, and experience the world. And people with autism are valuable members of our community who contribute their unique talents, perspectives, and strengths. And whereas according to Autism Speaks, one in 31 children are diagnosed with autism, highlighting the importance of awareness, understanding, and support. And whereas the city of Myrtle Beach is proud to be designated autism friendly city, committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. And whereas the Myrtle Beach Fire Department supports autism initiatives through autism awareness t-shirt sales benefiting Project Lifesaver in partnership with SOS Care and is incorporating Carter kits into response tool bags to help first responders better communicate with individuals with autism during emergencies. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the Myrtle Beach City Council hereby declares April 2026 as Autism Acceptance Month and encourages all to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals on the autism spectrum. Signed and sealed this 14th day of April, 2026.

Great. Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, city council. Um, again, my name is Mon'nique. with SOS Care. Uh we serve a lot of individuals on the autism spectrum from young to adults. We're actually building a facility in Conway called Oak Tree Farm. Uh you're all invited to the ribbon cutting on the 21st of next week. However, the mail, you might have not got received that yet. The mail's a little slow these days. Um I just want to thank everybody that we partner with. We cannot do these programs such as Project Lifesaver alone. It's the partnership between the police and fire that makes it work. Um, this year the police department stepped up and every officer that comes before they get assignment on in the community as they're hired, they are trained as a project life researcher. That is a huge um setting the bar high for other agencies to follow. Uh, the Myrtle Beach um foundation also does autism patches, awareness patches that they donated us to sell. We hope that no one ever has to pay for the safety of a loved one. If you don't know what Project Lifesaver is, it's a radio frequency transmitting bracelet that people with autism, Alzheimer's, dementia wear um 247. Um it's for the caregiver, God forbid, they were ever to get out um these wonderful officers and firefighters who are trained to search will come and find them. So, it's a wonderful program. I'd like to give it off to um Travis Glacky to talk about the Carter kits that just come on board.

Thank you. Well, thank you. Good morning, council. Good morning.

So, in honor of autism uh acceptance month, I wanted to tell you about Myrtle Beach Fire Department's new initiative. We're taking a step an important step forward toward enhancing accessibility and support for all members of the community with the introduction of the new Carter kits. Um, there's an excellent video that our communications department did last night on social media, so I won't pull out all the equipment, but uh, I encourage you to take a look at it. These Carter kits are designed to assist both autistic and non-verbal children during emergencies. These specialized kits provide first responders with tools to better communicate and comfort individuals who may struggle to express themselves in high stress situations. Whether during routine medical calls, large-scale special events, or disaster responses that require the opening of an emergency shelter. We believe that this initiative reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that every member of our community feels seen, understood, and safe when it matters most, reinforcing Myrtle Beach's role as a leader in compassionate and forwardinking emergency services. Thank you.

Thanks, Travis. Thank you. All right. And thank you for explaining Project Lifesaver as well. That's a great resource for the community. Thank you. Doing good. How are you? Good to see you.

How are you doing? I think it's great that we have public safety teams that continue to find ways to be more inclusive with our community, especially for those with autism. All right, next we have Child Abuse Prevention Month. And while you were pulling into the law enforcement center, you may have seen the pin wheels that are in one of the flower beds in the front. Um, which is in honor of this month. I believe they'll be out the entire month to continue to raise awareness um for child abuse in our community.

And I believe there are pin wheels at city hall, too.

Yes. Yes. All right. Child abuse prevention month, April 2026. Whereas South Carolina is blessed with more than 1.1 million children who deserve safe, stable, and nurturing homes that foster healthy growth and development for our youngsters. And whereas Ory County and Myrtle Beach are not immune to childhood trauma, including abuse and neglect, all of which require prompt action by health and welfare professionals for the child's protection and safety. And whereas during fiscal year 2025, there were 7,024 child protective services investigations with 12,371 children in South Carolina with 487 investigations with 766 children in Ory County. And whereas effective child abuse prevention services succeed because of partnerships created among child welfare professionals and local education, health, law enforcement, nonprofit and faith-based organizations with support and involvement from families and caregivers. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the city of Myrtle Beach hereby designates April 2026 as child abuse prevention month for the welfare, safety, and protection of all children and urges citizens to speak up and act to end child abuse. signed and sealed this 14th day of April, 2026. And I have Michelle with C Haven for Youth.

There you go.

Thank you to the mayor and city council members for your support and the platform to raise awareness for child abuse prevention. I'm joined today by Mr. Dean Deatio who is the president of our board of directors along with bunch my colleagues um who are on the front lines. Se Haven for Youth has been providing youth crisis services for more than 40 years and we serve over 800 youth and young adults annually. We're proud to join Children's Trust of South Carolina in raising awareness and taking action to ensure all children grow up safe, supported, and able to reach their full potential. Throughout the month of April, Se Haven will lead community activities focused on prevention, family strengthening, and public awareness, including the planting of pinwheel gardens. um around the county. The pin wheel, a state symbol and national symbol of child abuse prevention, represents a happy, healthy childhood in South Carolina. It also serves as a reminder that prevention is built through strong communities, effective programs, sound policies, and everyday acts of care that surround a child and support families. While April is child abuse prevention month, Se Haven works all year to provide resources to our families in Myrtle Beach and throughout Ory County, including the strengthening families program and parenting with love and logic, as well as operating the county's only 24-hour crisis shelter for youth ages 12 to 17, providing family counseling and wraparound services to youth who are facing homelessness, extreme conflict in their home, or are under the care of DSS or DJJ. Child abuse and neglect are preventable. Research consistently shows that families are more likely to thrive when they have access to parenting and community support, resources, and strong social networks. Sea Haven and other community- based organizations play a crucial role in delivering these

protective factors where our families live, work, and raise their children. We're deeply grateful for the city of Myrtle Beach's commitment to the continued care and support of our greatest resource, our children. Thank you. Thank you, Michelle. Thank you.

Real quick, it's uh Michelle sort of covered all of what we do. Uh I want to thank the Myrtle Beach Council and their support uh to continue to help these kids that are out there by themselves. They're down there in the woods. They come out, we give them a place to stay. We get them a job. We get them productive and we appreciate what you guys do and you acknowledge what we do. Been doing for 40 years and we'll continue to do as long as we get to support like you guys. We appreciate it very much guys. Thank you sir.

Thank you for all that you do as part of C Haven. And Clip Jones and I enjoyed our walk around Broadway at the Beach with your event the other morning. So that was very nice. Come come forward please. It's wonderful.

When I get on it, I don't know where it is. Happy to do it. You need a pelican. Good to see you, bro. Yeah, I'm still alive. Good. Good. Thank you for coming. Thanks for being here this morning. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, man. Thanks for being here. Thank you, sir. Appreciate all. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Thanks for being here this morning. I'll take it.

Nope. Thanks for coming. And I believe we have Jen Nasser and some of the library advisory board members who are here today from Chapen Memorial Library. Meredith. Yep. Come on down. Got quite a few.

Mary and John and

a really great group. I don't know that we've done this one for a while. All right. We are celebrating National Library Week in Myrtle Beach, April 19th through 25th, 2026. Whereas libraries inspire lifelong learning, creativity, and connection by providing free access to books, technology, and resources for all. And whereas libraries serve as community hubs that support education, childhood development, workforce development, and cultural enrichment. And whereas Chapen Memorial Library is named for Simeon B. Chapen, an early Myrtle Beach developer and philanthropist, first opening in 1939 with 501 books and relocating during World War II to better serve soldiers. And whereas with support from the Chapen Foundation, the current library opened on June 1st, 1949 and has since expanded four times to serve our growing community. And whereas dedicated library staff continue to create welcoming spaces that promote discovery, learning, and opportunity. Now therefore be it proclaimed that the Myrtle Beach City Council hereby declares April 19th through 25th, 2026 as National Library Week and encourages all residents to visit Chapen Memorial Library and celebrate the many ways it enriches our community. Signed and sealed this 14th day of April, 2026.

Excellent. Thank you. You've got library board members and staff here as well.

Yes, I have a nice group with us today. Um we have library advisory board members. We have Mary Jeffcoat, John Hobson, Sam Bookhart, former um advisory board member Sue Hudgens. We have Roger Dixs, Sandy Huddleston Edwards, Rick Patalunis. Did I get all my advisory? I also have our friends of the library board members with us. So, we have Lim and Karina Hutcherson. John and Sam are both on the friends board as well. We also have do I have any friends boards? Nope. Okay. And then the rest are um some of our staff members who have joined us. So we have Gail Chestnut who has been with us for a very long time. I'm getting ready to retire next year.

35 plus years. How many years? 38 years. 38 years Gail has been with the city of Myrtle Beach.

Um I also have Carolyn Savage, our adult services librarian. I have um Stacy Lacassard, children's services librarian, Katherine Porter, youth services, Wanda Forte, customer service, Ashley Mccants, customer service, and Miss Martina Corley, who is our friends of Cha Memorial Library, president. Did I get everybody? Okay, because you're all very important people and I appreciate you being here today. Mayor, city council, and city staff. Um, we have these wonderful people and on behalf of them and the staff and volunteers and patrons of Chapen Memorial Library that are not with us today, I extend our sincere appreciation for the council's official recognition recognition of National Library Week. Your proclamation is a meaningful affirmation of the vital role that the library plays in our community. We are a hub. The library serves as a center of learning, civic engagement, neighborly connection, cultural recreation, just to scratch the surface of what we do. And we aim to bring joy to all those who visit. And with this wonderful staff and these board members, I think we achieve that. Your recognition also elevates public awareness of these essential services and strengthens our ability to advocate for the resources needed to sustain and expand them for our growing community. So, we're honored by your support. I'd also like you to please mark your calendars for this summer. Um, our summer reading and learning program will kick off May 25th. We will offer learning opportunities for all ages and also have some wonderful prizes donated by local establishments. So, we hope to see you at the library. But before we step aside, I would like to give the floor to a couple of my board members to share their thoughts to Mary Jeff.

Good morning, Mayor and Council. Good morning.

And city staff. I first want to thank all of you for the absolute privilege and honor of serving on your Chapen Memorial Library Board. I get um a little emotional about that because I love the library so much. Jen asked us to talk about what has the library meant to us personally and I'm really glad to do that. First of all, the library for us, my husband and my daughters and I have been a place to meet new people and to to connect with friends. And let me tell you how we do that. The through the lens of time series, many of you have been, is just fabulous. It's a way to learn and meet and connect. The friends of the library is a fabulous group. I'm I'm looking forward to working with them. I've joined a book club at the library. It meets like the fourth, third, or fourth Thursday every month and I'm reading books that I would normally not do because that they tell you what to do. My husband is one of the chief nerds in uh the city of Myrtle Beach and he loves the genealogy club that's about to outgrow the space they meet in. And I'm so glad he has somebody to talk to that about because he's not going to talk to me about genealogy. And finally, um the the library offers chair yoga, which for me, now that I'm getting a little bit older, I can't do the regular yoga. I'm looking forward to that. Of course, books. I was so glad to hear Dr. Jones talk about their emphasis on reading. You have ebooks, you can have videos, you can have whatever you want to have, but books are so important. They've been important to me, particularly as I'm getting older. I love the large print collection that we have because it makes it so much easier for um me to read. And I was interested to see with Jim Jen's statistics that well over half of our things that happen in the library, things that are rented, things more than half of them are

printed material, printed books. The last thing I want to talk to you about with the library has meant to me is it brings me back such wonderful memories. My two daughters are just avid readers and they learn that at Chapen Memorial Library. We go to the library, we get the books and then we go play at Chapen Park. And so I love seeing the young mothers now coming in and taking bags and bags of books out. And it reminds me that, excuse me, when I was a young mother, I couldn't afford to buy all those books that my daughters wanted to read. And finally, I will say we all know the importance of a real book to developing children's brains as opposed to ebooks. So, it's just so important to us that we have this fabulous library. And I want to thank you, former city council members, city staff, and Mr. Chapen, God rest his soul, for giving us the gift of Chapen Memorial Library. Thank you.

Thank you. Morning. My name is John Hubson. I've been on the library advisory board for 10 years. During those 10 years, the number of people who use the library has grown by at least 25%. Last year, there were just over 90,000 people use entrances to the library. 90,000. And if we add the people who are using the mobile library which started up about a year ago, we come very close to a 100,000. There are not many places in the city where we get 100,000 entrances a year. Um most of the growth we talk about library and books and that's where some of the growth has come but most of the growth has come from things which are not usually associated with the library. If you want to learn to line dance you can come to the library. Uh if you want to grieve we have a grief group. uh lawyers come in and give advice to people about the legal aspects of getting married. And if it doesn't work out, they'll tell you how to get divorced, how to write a will, how to write a do not resuscitate craft groups come to the library. And of course, the most popular event is the jazz event where local local musicians play. I think we have eight of those events this year. Uh there's an event where people come and talk with South Carolina writers of books who are

publishing. There's a very wide range of events. Um the library during these 10 years the library has in effect redesigned the inside to take up all this growth. 25% increase is a lot of growth. But I'm asking council every year for the last 10 years you've pushed back giving us a bigger library. I ask you don't keep pushing it back. It'll be very much appreciated by the local residents if we have more library space. Thank you.

Thank you, John. Well, thank you all for being here. Thank you, Martina and Jen and Sue and Mary and Lee and John and everybody who's here and the staff. So, thank you very much for being here today. Um, I think of the the library as kind of our fifth recreation center, if you will, and the through the lens of time history series. If you're a Myrtle Beach local, you'll learn things you didn't know. So, if you're not a Myrtle Beach local, everything you hear will be something you did not know about the city that you've adopted as your home. So, thank you, Jen, and everybody for making all of that possible. Thank you very much.

Mayor, if I if I can too, let me I want to special recognition to Ashley um who's the granddaughter of Councilman Crane Woods and Judy Woods who was my librarian when I was in elementary school. So, thank you. That means special. We finally remember Crane and Julia Woods very much. Yes. Jen, would would you speak to the fact I don't believe we charge uh a library fee for for county residents? And and aren't we a member of consortium that makes book exchanges and checkout privileges easier?

That is correct. Um quite a few years, it's been a few years now. uh council made that decision to open it up to not only city residents. So, free cards are available to all Ory County residents. We're still educating people on that because it it was entrenched in their minds that they had to pay. But, um that population is definitely growing and utilizing our resources. And then we're also open to the Palmetto Library Consortium, which includes six surrounding counties, Darlington, Dylan, Marboro, Sumpter. Um, I know I'm gonna miss some, but they they contribute to the Libby Overdrive Consortium and then they also are able to get access Georgetown. Miss Georgetown. Excellent.

So, April 12th through 18th, National Oops, wrong turn of the page. April 19th through 25th is National Library Week. Stop in and say hi. Come see us. Thank you. Thank you. So much time invested. Either way is fine. John Hobson, we heard you.

Rest of it, I think. Kind of cool. Yeah. Happy to see you. Thank you so much. We heard you. I remember Crane and Julia very fondly. Good to see you. Always. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Hello, stranger. Yeah, we this is a new a new we are going to support you. Hey, Mary coming this morning. How are you? Sir, how are you? Thanks for being here. Good to see you. Hello. How are you doing this morning? Thanks for coming this morning. Yes. Tell Barry I need a grass. Hello. Good morning. How are you?

Good to see you. Around I haven't done that. Have a good day. Thanks for coming this morning. Oh yeah. Hey, how are you doing? Tell your mom I said hi. Good to see you. Good. Hey. Hello. All right. Thank you for all you do. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. How are you doing? Everything all right?

Enjoy seeing you every week. Thank you very cousin at I'm still working on it. You'll keep me out of trouble. Thank you. Thanks for coming this morning. See you again. Appreciate it. Thank you for coming. Thank you for coming this morning. Hey Jen, thanks for coming. Thanks for being here. She did. Yeah. Talking so fast.

All right, we have one more proclamation. Meredith.

Here we go. Another one that we do honor annually. I'm very happy to have the team of our Myrtle Beach Police Department dispatchers behind us. We are honoring public safety telecom telecommunicators week this week, April 12th through 18th, 2026. Whereas emergencies can occur at any time requiring police, fire, or EMS service. And the prompt response of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property. And whereas each day the Myrtle Beach Police Department's communications center receives more than 500 calls for service. And our telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact citizens have when seeking help. And whereas the welfare of the public depends upon these patient heroes and the quality and accuracy of information they obtain from citizens and visitors who call for assistance. And whereas telecommunicators also are the vital link for Myrtle Beach police officers and firefighters, monitoring activities by radio, providing timely updates, and ensuring their safety. And whereas our public safety telecommunicators are unseen first responders who contribute substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires, and treatment of patients, all while exhibiting compassion, understanding, and professionalism during stressful situations. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the Myrtle Beach City Council hereby declares April 12th through 18th, 2026 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in honor and appreciation of the men and women whose calm and professional response keeps our residents, visitors, and staff members safe every day. Signed and sealed this 14th day of April, 2026. Um, good morning. Um, I want to thank you guys for taking the time to recognize um, this team behind me, which is just a

fraction of what we have, but they are the true first responders. When that phone rings, they don't hesitate to pick up. They don't know what's on the other side, but they meet it. They exceed the expectations. Um the the word I think about when I think about dispatch is they're the lifeline. They're the lifeline for the caller. They get the information that's needed by the officers or firefighters for them to respond, but they're the off they're also the lifeline for the officers and firefighters when they're in need as well. Um this is a highly highly um multitasking job. I know people say that it's not possible, but if you ever want to see that, I invite you into our center at any time. So, you can see what they do. They are the greatest multitaskers. Um, they have a compassion for what they do. They have a compassion to serve the city. They're very dedicated. They're here 247 365. U, but again, thank you for recognizing them. Um, anybody else want to say anything? All right. Thank you for recognizing them. And again, we invite you over and um again, first first responders.

Excellent. Thank you very much, K. Do it. Let's go. Good morning, how are you? Good to see you. I've seen what you guys do. It's amazing. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Good. Thank you. How are you? Appcate. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Appcate. Thank you. Yep.

Appreciate you, Kathy. Thank you, Captain RHS.

Thank you all for your service. I I know that you are the the backbone, the lifeline of the Myrtle Beach Police and Fire Department. So, we greatly appreciate what you do. As the proclamation said, you're one of the un unsung first responders for the city of Myrtle Beach. We have one more, the communications and creative services update. Hey, city council. Chassity Pendergrass here with your communications update. Thousands came out for the Myrtle Beach Food Truck and Music Festival over the weekend for good food, good music, and great times.

We celebrated the ribbon cutting of the renovated Myrtle Beach Pelicans Ballpark yesterday. Highlights include more comfortable seats, a massive new video board, expanded clubhouse, and upgraded press box. The Pelicans have their home opener tonight at 7:05 against the Canopoulos Cannon Ballers. The 130 military banners that were ordered earlier this year should arrive any day. Once here, they will go up along Robert Gristle Parkway and Harelson Boulevard. The city's new beach signs are also in production. They are expected to ship in about two weeks. The One Flight Myrtle Beach Classic returns to Grand Dunes May 8th. Organizers are looking for volunteers. If you're interested, you can find the link on our Facebook page. Nice. Buy your t-shirt to help raise money for the statues going into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In partnership with Native Sons, the city of Myrtle Beach will receive $10 for the purchase of every $25 shirt sold. You can choose between these two designs honoring Vietnam War veterans or celebrating the city's America 250 red, white, and remember parade coming up Saturday, May 23rd. Speaking of the parade, don't forget to sign up before it's too late. Applications are available on our website by clicking here. The grand opening of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th. See you there.

Congratulations to the fire department's recruit class 39. Recruits are on schedule to graduate this week after 26 weeks in school. Coming up, Art in the Park returns to the Market Common this weekend. Spring Taste of the Market Common is this Saturday, April 18th. Also, public input sessions for the city's next police chief begin next week. A ton has changed, especially in places like right here in Nance Plaza on 9th Avenue North and along Broadway Street. And be sure to check out the city's downtown information series. Six stories air live on the city's Facebook page each morning this week, explaining what's going on downtown, why it's important, and what you have to look forward to. That's it for now. I hope you have a great rest of your week.

All right, great. Thank you. We are 53 minutes into the meeting. Let's take a five minute break. How's that? So, we'll be right back. came out of left field. What a tidbit at the end. Which one? Get some snacks.

Thank you again for your patience. I believe we're back together here. We'll continue with the consent agenda. Mr. Manager, non-aggenda items. Oh, not I I skipped an item. Here we go. Non-aggenda items from the public. Do we have anybody signed in? Yes, sir. Rick Rener. Morning, Mr. Mayor and City Council. Good morning. How are you?

Appreciate being here. Take a little time. Uh, some of you may know me, some don't. My name is Rick Rener. Um, I'm representing here Quality Towing and Service Center in Myrtle Beach. Uh, I'm also the state representative for the SCD, which is South Carolina Towing Recovery Association. I also sit on the board for the TRA, which is our federal association in Washington DC. Uh, proudly, we have proudly served the city of Myrtle Beach for almost 40 years. In addition to our towing operation, we also own and maintain two storage facilities within the city limits. We're deeply invested in this community, not just as a business, but as a long-term partner in keeping our roadways safe and our city running smoothly. I want to take this moment to address something that is long overdue. Adjusting the current towing city rates. Uh the rates we are operating under today have changed have not changed since 2012. That's over a decade without adjustments. While the cost of doing business has steadily and significantly increased. Since that time, the price of tow trucks have risen dramatically. Equipment that once was affordable now requires major capital investment just to stay in service. Insurance costs in our industry continue to climb year after year. Driven by liability and risk exposure. And just as important, employee wages have increased as they should. We are committed to hiring and retaining professional quality drivers. But to do that, we must offer comprehensive pay in today's market. At this time, we look around us. We see that rates have already been adjusted elsewhere to reflect these realities. As of 2026,

Ory County, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and the Ory County Sheriff's Department offices towing rates are set at 272. This is a clear benchmark that reflects the current costs providing towing services in our area. Meanwhile, the city of Myrtle Beach is still operating under rates established back in 2012. That gap is not just uh noticeable. It is unsustainable. We are not asking for anything unreasonable. We are asking for a fair adjustment to reflects today's economy. In reality, the current pricing structure no longer supports actual costs of providing safe, reliable, and professional towing service. Without an update to these rates, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the level of service the city expects and deserves. It impacts our ability to invest in equipment, maintain proper insurance coverage, and retain skilled employees. Ultimately that affects the quality and reliability of service provider to the residents, visitors and property owners in the city. We've been here for four decades. We've grown with the city. We've invested in this city and support the city. We want to continue doing that. But we need price structure that allows us to operate sustainable and responsible. I respect to ask the city to review and update the towing rates to reflect today's costs and ensure that business like ours can continue serving Myrtle Beach at the level it it deserves. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you, Rick. We did talk about this at the workshop, I think last last week. So, it is coming to council with an update in the rates um and some improved signage for the public's benefit as well. So, this is on our radar and should have addressed it sooner than Yes. 2012. I'm the first generation. Um, so I'm starting to turning over to the second generation. So, uh, they look forward to continuing serving city, but this may be on the next agenda. Fox soon. I don't know about the next agenda, but it'll be it'll be what's what's the 14th to 15th? Next two agendas. So, yeah, it is coming back. We're we're aware of the need to do this. So, thank you.

I'll keep you updated on it. Okay. Thank you. Thanks so much, Rick. Let me let me ask you one question. Yes. Uh in your mind, what would be a reasonable increase?

Well, the South Carolina Highway Patrol has done um a lot of research and with our organization in South Carolina Association, uh we've been along and filed with them and been at several meetings of how they come to that conclusion. Um, so they've done and pulled figures from around the state and they go on an average and and what they've been doing is giving us a 3% raise every year um to sustain the uh the rising cost of uh trucks and insurance and things of that sort. We just made a big investment last year. I know you all did with your $2 million fire trucks. We also invested $900,000 in a heavy record. So the heavy record, two Toto, $2 million. We we we hold $4 million insurance to cover what what cost.

Thank you. Just out of Thanks, Rick. Thank you, Mike. Would it be possible? I know we had some rates when we talked about it during the workshop for Ory County, Conway, North Beach, the highway patrol. I'd be curious to see if what other cities across South Carolina are charging if we can get a kind of a snapshot of where we are. I do have a copy. I can give you all of the rates around here. Um, so if you want to make copies of them and pass it to the council. I I think we got those from last week, but yes, we'll we'll get an update, but it is coming back to council sooner rather than later. Yes. Great. We'd love to have the input and be a seat on a table to talk about it. Super. Thank you very much, Rick. Thank you, guys. All right.

Have a good day. Go ahead. I would say based on gas prices currently it needs to be sooner. I would agree with you on that. Jennifer, that's it. That's it. All right. Excellent. Now we'll go to the consent agenda, Mr. Manager.

Good morning. It's still morning. Um we have six items for your considerations on uh this morning's consent agenda. Consent agenda. The first item is motion 202649 authorizing the city to accept a grant in the amount of $45,000 from South Carolina law enforcement division 2026 state homeland security grant program to support the PD regional incident management team Myrtle Beach Fire Department for incident management response. No local matches required. Next is motion 202650 authorizing the city to accept a grant in the amount of $40,000 from South Carolina law enforcement division 2026 state homeland security grant program to support the PD regional collapse search and rescue team myrtle beach fire department for collapse search and rescue response. No match for that one either. Next is motion 202651 authorizing the city to accept a grant in the amount of $65,000 from the South Carolina law enforcement division 2026 state home security grant program to support the PD regional weapons of mass destruction hazmat team beach fire department for hazardous materials response. No match for that grant. Next is motion 202652 authorizing the city to accept a grant in the amount of $15,000 from the PD healthcare coalition for the purpose of purchasing eight combustible gas leak detection monitors to record the appropriation of such grants and the amount approved no match for that grant. Motion 202653 authorizing the city to accept a grant award of $30,000 for the PD healthcare coalition for the purpose of purchasing an inflatable first responder medical rehab shelter system. no match for that grant. And then finally is motion 202654 authorizing the city to apply and accept if awarded a grant in the amount of $300,000 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. I believe that should be FY26. It says FY25. Um local law enforcement crime gun intelligence center integration initiative for the purpose of purchasing a brass tracks machine and accessory equipment. No match for that either.

Super. Thank you. My my math is $195,000 worth of grants awarded and $300,000 applied for at the end of the day. So approved. Second. Motion and a second. All those any public comment on the consent agenda items? Any comment? Council. All those in favor of the consent agenda as presented, please say I. I. Any opposed? And the consent agenda is approved. Moving on to the regular agenda. Madame Clerk, second reading of 26-22. Second reading of ordinance 2026-22 to enact the city of Myrtle Beach Comprehensive Plan 2026.

Uh happy to answer any questions. If you want me to run through it again, I absolutely will. Council, is there a motion to approve? So move. Second. Motion. Mike. Um, again, council discussion. Good job, camera. Thank you. Any discussion from the public? All those in favor of the population element is presented to the city of Myrtle Beach, please say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you,

Jennifer. Second reading of 26-24. Second reading of ordinance 2026-24 to annex 8.7 acres off of 48th Avenue North the park and to reszone from Ory County GR General Residential to Myrtle Beach R5 single family detached residential district.

Maybe not. Uh yeah, so this the no changes have been made to this request outside of the amendment. Uh we offered uh the last meeting to change that zoning classification from R5 to R seven just so that way it would limit the the ability of manufactured homes to go into that community. It's an annexation of 30 residential properties and four POA properties um into the city of Myrtle Beach. Planning commission voted to recommend approval 61 on 33. Okay. Thank you. Motion to approve. Second. Bill second. Um, any discussion from city council, Jackie? Any discussion from the public? Do we have residents of the neighborhood here in the audience today? Yay. Oh, great.

Thank you. We'll we'll send you a tax bill and your voter registration very shortly. So, all those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? Welcome to the city of Myrtle Beach. Thank you. How soon will solid waste collection begin for them? Just out of curiosity. Uh I was just having a conversation with Janet. Uh my plan is to have a full breakdown of all those assumption of services to those residents within the next week. Super. Thank you very much.

Jennifer, first reading of 26-25. First reading of ordinance 2026-25 to amend chapter 15 planning and development article 3 alley relocation and consolidation policy section 15-41 to update general considerations influencing alley abandonment and relocation.

This is something we've talked about over a couple of meetings now. The alleyway relocation policy is pushing four decades old at this stage. We've moved a bunch of alleyways on the oceanfront and have largely run out of alleyways to move. As I mentioned at the last discussion, we consolidated five to create Plyer Park at the end of Mr. Joe White Avenue at one point. We've received opportunities to consolidate other lands in favor of the city's ultimate use and the resident's ultimate benefit. This policy change updates the alleyway removal and move. I'm not sure is a word. Re relocation policy so that it reflects current conditions. Mr. City attorney, you want to talk about this?

Sure. Um, you're right. I think the original ordinance was enacted in 1994.

Since then, there is uh far less oceanfront property for developers to acquire to then use to offer to the city as replacement property. it uh in light of uh the the increasing scarcity of oceanfront property and the increasing difficulty that developers will have acquiring that property to offer to the city as replacement property. We've prepared an amendment to section 15-41 um that allows city council to trade a city-owned alley for property anywhere in the city. um provided the city receives in exchange replacement land and other consideration having a total value equal at least equal to the value of the abandoned alley. Um there is still a preference in the ordin ordinance as amended still a preference for replacing an oceanfront alley with oceanfront land. However, the amendment um uh allows that if city council determines that no similar oceanfront land is reasonably available, city council then can accept

not reasonably available.

Not re Yeah. If it's not no longer or not reasonably available, city council can accept uh other property and other consideration. Um, if the value of the replacement land is less than the value of the city's alley, the the person seeking abandonment must provide other consideration to make up the difference. That other consideration perhaps could be additional property or it could be a cash component to that to make up the difference. Um there's a similar change in section in subsection D allowing council to abandon a second row or a third row alley um and to accept replacement land anywhere in the city again if council determines that there's no similar land available reasonably available on the second or third row. Um the only other change is in in section subsection E in addition to providing replacement land, the person seeking alley abandonment must also provide to the city a there's a a cash component to this and they either provide 1% of the construction cost or since 1994 it was $40,000 whichever is greater. Um, and the current ordinance has increased that $40,000 figure to $60,000. There you have it.

Thank you. We don't talk much about why this was necessary in the first place. And let's just do that briefly here. When the city of Myrtle Beach was laid out in the early 1900s, it was laid out for beach homes, for single family homes for the most part, or smaller properties. So the lots were in many cases 60 feet wide separated by 20 foot alleyways and it's tough to build much more than a single family home on a 60 foot wide lot. So back in 1994 our predecessors recognized the fact that Myrtle Beach has developed and continues to develop and if you're going to put a hotel of almost any size, you're going to need something bigger than 60 feet on which to do it. So, this allowed for alleyways to be shifted up or down the beach in order to create a larger developable lot, but also to maintain the public's access to the beach and sight lines to the beach as well. As we discussed earlier, we've moved almost all of the alleys that exist or are available. This allows the city to continue the original intent of the policy, but also to take into account that there may be land elsewhere in the city which meets the city's needs, which serves the residents and businesses of the city better if it could be swapped for a one of the remaining alleyways. That make sense?

All right. Thank you. Any discussion from council? Do we need to make a motion? Oh, motion to approve. Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion from council? So, I notice still on the um markup copy that we have amended copy in our folders. It's still in section E says 460. It's the four is stricken through. So, it's actually 60. It used to say 40, I guess. And it's been updated 60, but the strike through it's hard to see. I'm looking at it as well. Okay. I can't see the strike through.

Will in section F, is the sidewalk easement uh public access right away? Is that self-explanatory? There two or more lots than public access is mandated. Section F. New section F. Okay. Yeah, I'm sorry. New section. Okay. And what spurs the question is access to the natural resource. Hang one second.

And your question, Dr. Render, does does this speak cleanly clearly to access for the public? I I think that it does when two or more lights are combined, the developer of that project, I think the way I read this, must provide an alley for public access. And that's what the way I read it. I just want to make sure the public has access to Eastman, our most precious natural resource. And you can think on that and there's a question next time, we can go there. If not, I'm good. Okay.

Any comments from the public? No comments from the public. All those in favor of this amendment to the alleyway swap ordinance, please say I. Opposed. Thank you.

Um, Jennifer, ordinance 26-26. First reading of ordinance 2026-26 to amend the 26th Avenue North PUD by removing a total of nine parcels pin number 4241103 0228 29 30 and 4 42411 03 0547 48 49 4241 1 014 Let me start over 4241 1 0 1 0 0045 and 4241 1 0400 01 in order to create the new 27th Avenue North Hotel PUD.

Morning. Um I know Charlie Drew will be a hard one to follow on this one, but I'll do my best here. So the the first uh these two next items are inextricably linked together. The first is to remove nine pieces of property from the previous 26th Avenue North PUD to facilitate the development of the 27th. That is the entire bounder parcel of the 26th Avenue North PUD. The red section there will become the 27th Avenue North PUD. Under doing our due diligence here, we notice that it would strand the five most north parcels of the 26th Avenue North PUD. Uh PUD properties must be contiguous. So underdoing that work, we realized those would have to be removed from the 26th Avenue North PUB as well. Those will revert to underlying MUH zoning. Um that would go to yellow just like the the parcels next to it. Uh that's the finding a fact from planning commission. The important note here is that the properties listed to go back to MU were linked to any development with the CIP property previously. So removing those five properties won't injure the remaining 26th Avenue North Put in anyway. This those can be removed without causing harm. So I'm happy to answer any questions.

Dr. Render. Well, just for the lay public, can you explain the PUD process very briefly? Why why folks employ a PUD? What advantages does it give? What what does it surrender? Sure. So the putt process is essentially an area or piece of property that's writing its own in zoning code. Uh generally due to the underlying zoning code that exists not meeting the needs of the development of that property in exchange for getting a PUD. The city receives substantial public improvements or public benefits given to the city in exchange for allowing that piece of property to undergo its own zoning code. And that's the key. There's give and take in this. Correct. Uh I can still recall the Pine Lakes Bud where there's a playground now that was part of that donation.

Correct. Thank you. Is there a motion or you've got a comment? Go ahead. Probably going to get a motion in a second. Then I'll Some moved. Motion for approval. Second is, as I've asked about PUSD that's been created over the last longest. Now, is there a sunset clause on this putt? Yes, there is. And that sunset cloth date is I believe it's 10 or 15 years. I don't remember off the top of my head. Uh 15 year development timeline. How much? 15 years. 15. Okay.

Um and if I may, what's very exciting for us with the 27th specifically, um we've seen over the years puds come in, there multiple owners breaking out into it and it kind of creates a mess. This is a single shot pud with one development owner. That will make this much cleaner over the duration of that time. Thank you. And in the way of mechanics, do we do that now on every uh Duke PUD considered with regard to sunset clause? Yes, thanks to Mr. louder couple years ago. Thank you. Cam, what why was the uh why 15 years versus 12 or what? Why did we decide at 15 for the sunset on this particular project?

That was a request by the applicant. I would turn the Y over to them to answer that question. Okay. You want to hear from the applicant at this point?

Yes, sir. Councilman Mccclure. Part of that was Drury has a set number of projects that go in slots for development all over the country. As we talked about this morning, unlike your typical developer where they're coming in here under a franchise and this is the only project they have to do, they were hoping that the timing of this would work out so they could slide that into next year's slot, which is still the goal. If that happens, then that will dramatically increase that timeline as opposed to the 15 years. But if for some reason it were delayed, it would have pushed it back. So that's why we plugged that number in. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Any other comments from council? Any comments from the public? We have a motion for first reading of 26-26 to amend the 26th Avenue PUD and to create the new 27th Avenue PUD. All those in favor, please say I. I.

Any opposed? And that's approved. The next item is connected to this Jennifer 26-27. First reading of ordinance 2026-27 to create a plan unit development between 26th Avenue North and 27th Avenue North pin number 4241 1 03 0229 0230 4241 1 0547 424113 01 and 424 41 1 04 0 03 known as 27th Avenue North Hotel PUD.

Motion to approve. Second. Motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. Second. I notice in the text that accompanies the agenda item that it says a 10ear development window. Uh that number did change during the process here. So let me look at the actual language. PUB uh it is a 10 year. So the front page of my staff report is incorrect. It is a 10-year window as opposed to the 15 that we just talked about. Okay. So it is a 10ear window. 10 year. Okay. Um do you want to talk about this? I'd absolutely be willing to or answer any questions that y'all may have on this.

Just for our benefit, can you show us the the the PUD map again so that we know where we're talking about? Okay. So that would be the boundaries of the new 27th Avenue North PUD. Comprises nine different pieces of property. During this process, a few of them are or a few of those are alleyways. Be 2.31 uh total acres with a minimum lot size requirement of 2,000 square ft with a 20 foot width. It would uh cap a max building height at 175 ft with 90% max building coverage. The pud would allow for a total of 400 units. That's a that is a open space green space. It would feature a second row uh pedestrian walkway to connect folks from the hotel complex on the first row back to the parking deck on the third row. As part of public improvements, they've slated 30-foot alleyway improvements to the south, 20 foot alleyway improvements to the north, 10- foot sidewalks and 4 foot landscaping verging on Ocean Boulevard, maintaining of the 20ft drive aisle and pedestrian improvement installations among other things that are listed in the actual text of the PUD, including some considerations for property and financial contributions. And just a general circulation map and then just a site rendering for the property. The text again that accompanies the agenda items list the some of the property exchanges as fat compon plea. I'm not sure that they are at this point. We just updated the alleyway swap ordinance. Where will the property transfers come back to city council at some point or are we approving those as part of this agreement?

They they will come back to you. Um there's a number of mechanical steps that have to happen as a part of the old alleyway swap and the new alleyway swap. Um the the most time consuming of which would be actual appraisals on all of the parcels involved in the transaction. We received the last appraisal for the last parcel on Friday. Uh I've shared those with the applicant. We've agreed on the valuation. So we will update the purchase agreements and all the other documents associated. And um my plan would be to bring those back to you before second reading of this. So hopefully within two weeks that will also be on the agenda. So council will have a chance to see and approve the land transfers that will accomplish both the alleyway swap ordinance and the creation of this particular pod.

Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. And Brian, as a matter of routine, do we employ multiple appraisal firms? In past deals, we've used two or three. We we we use multiple appraisal appraisers. Um we use the same appraiser on all of these just so that we get similar valuations and similar philosophies and valuation. Well there pluses and minuses of that just that's a personal you know.

Any other comments from council? I think I asked about the public. Any comments from the public in case I didn't? All those in favor of first reading of 26-27 to create the 27th Avenue North Hotel PUD, please say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you very much. Thank you'all. Thank you. Um Jennifer, motion 26-46, please. Motion 2026-46 to appoint one member to the Myrtle Beach Air Base Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to appoint or nominate Ed Kerry for this unexpired term of Mr. Williams. Got

a first and a second. Mike Chestnut. Um, any discussion from council? Any discussion from the public?

All those in favor of Ed Kerry as the next member of the Middle Beach Air Force Space Air Base Redevelopment Authority, please say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you. Congratulations, Ed. Um, Jennifer, motion 26-55 to motion 2026-55 to appoint one member to the convention center board of directors. There's a a vacancy to fill an unexpired term. We've got a recommendation for David Victoria, who's a non-resident. The term expires later this year when Mr. Victoria would be eligible for reappoint. So, this is basically a two and a half month appointment, a three-month appointment.

Is there a motion for either Mr. Victoria or somebody else? Make a motion to point David Victoria. I'll second that. Okay. Well, either of us is fine. Any discussion from council? Any discussion from the public? All those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? Thanks. Um motion 26-56, Jennifer. Motion 2026-56 to appoint reappoint four members to the senior advisory board.

So the terms of Phil Hayes, Keith Compton, Lauren Keith, and Patty SLE have expired. Lauren Keith and Patty Sim do wish to be reappointed. Phil Hayes and Keith Compton are happy to to return to retirement. Apparently, on file for the remaining two seats are the resumes of Anita Brooks and Karen Jensen. Do we know offh hand if Anita and Karen are city residents or not? Um, under the city code, a majority of the board members must be city residents. They did not have their information for city residents. So, I'm just going to say no for now. Um, they do have a majority resident already. Okay, that's why it's irrelevant at the end of the day. So,

um, is is there a motion? Mayor, I make a motion that we appoint and reappoint, um, Lauren Keith, Patty Sling, Anita Brooks, and Karen Jensen to the senior advisory board. Is there a second? Second. Mike Chestnut. Any discussion from council? Any discussion from the public? All those in favor of the appointments or reappointment of Lauren Keith, Patty SL, Anita Brooks, and Karen Jensen to the senior advisory board, please say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you. Jennifer 26-57.

Motion 2026-57 to appoint reappoint three members to the standard code board of adjustments and appeals. So, the terms of Richard Barry, Neil McCoy, and Jeff Hunter expire later this month. They all wish for reappointment, and all three of those seats are the one-year alternates, and certain professions are required to fill those seats. Their new expiration date will be April 26, 27. So, this is a again a one-year appointment of those three folks. Do we have a motion? Motion to approve. Was that a first and a second or a second and

either way? Either way. Bill was the first. Mike is the second. How's that? Um, any discussion from council? Any discussion from the public on the appointment or reappointment of three members to the standard code board of adjustments and appeals? All those in favor, please say I. I. I. I. Any opposed? Thank you. Um, Madame Clerk, motion 26-58. Motion 2026-58 to appoint reappoint three members to the planning commission.

The terms of Joyce Citus, Austin Gayton, and Zeb Thomas expired yesterday. Mr. Gton and Mr. Thomas both wish to be reappointed. On file are the resumes of Lawrence Langdale Jr., Jamine Stump, Kenya Estate and Hennean, Thomas Mueller, William Owens, Megan Mc Miy McKelry,

McKelry, Dr. Vincent Contraus, and Camille Swick. All our city residents as they must be for the planning commission, which is a state required board. The expiration for all three seats will be April 13, 2029. Do we have a motion for any of these folks? I'd like to make a motion to reappoint um Austin Gayton and Zeb Thomas and to appoint Lawrence Langdale. Second. So, we've got a motion and a second here.

Jackie and Mike Louder. Mike, thank you. Any discussion from city council? So, we have a motion. Any discussion from the public? We have a motion to reappoint Austin Gen and Zeb Thomas and to appoint Lawrence Langdale Jr. to the planning commission. All those in favor, please say I. I.

Any opposed? That carried. We have vehicles which have been declared abandoned or derelictked or we're about to declare them abandoned or derelictked. Jennifer, uh motion 2026-59 to declare certain vehicles abandoned or derelictked pursuant to the authority of article 41 of title 56 South County Code of Laws 2001.

These are vehicles that are on private property that we've tagged. They've um received a a period of time by which the the property owner can um satisfy the requirements of city and state law. And at this point they have not done that. Um are there any owners of these vehicles in the audience today? Motion to declare. Second. Second. Motion in a second. Any discussion from councel? Any discussion from the public? All those in favor of declaring these vehicles abandoned or derelic, please say I. I I Any opposed?

And that passes. U non-aggenda items from the public. Has anybody decided they need to speak to us today? Um, communications from city boards, commission members, communications from city council and the city manager, council. Mayor, I think about a month ago, um, when Jimmy Gray was here, not the last meeting, but several back, um, they specifically made us gave us an opportunity to partner with them on federal lobbyist. And so, I don't know that we've done anything with that. We've had a lot of conversations regarding um federal grants and the need to have someone in Washington to um pave a way for grant opportunities for us. And so I'd like to see if we can get our um city administration to city manager to move on that and perhaps have that representation come and speak to us before we would make a decision

and a cost estimate of whatever our share of that yeah relationship would be. and you're talking about a partnership or hiring the same lobbyist. Any other council communications? I just want to um give a kudos to the police department and our first responders this past weekend or the past two weekends. Y'all have done a phenomenal job. Thank you very much. Um, I saw the stats that come out and the activity that was on both weekends and I'm like, "Wow, how' they how'd they do it?" So, kudos. Thumbs up. Appreciate it.

And I would I would like to add to that. Um, you see the social media stuff being posted. Let me say this here. If you if you get an opportunity to see the full video, you'll see a totally different story as to what took place. And I will tell you, I watched that video several times and all the officers involved, they were professional. They did their job. They did the job they needed to do to provide safety for our community and provide safety for their self. And I commend all of the officers involved and a great job that was done. Thank you,

council. And then the coast RTA appointment. Um, someone suggested, it may have been Debbie, that I contact the

bike and pedestrian and traffic advisory committee, which I have done, and they've got a meeting tomorrow and may have a recommendation for us in the near future for a Coast RTA appointment. Mayor, in your conversations with the chairman, the county chairman, um is again, is there any way that we can get a blueprint as to what services are available for our senior community that don't duplicate one another or how they're better coordinated? You know, the the 11 or 12 centers we have, anything from hours to activities uh to the needs and wants of that community.

Sure. I I feel like so many of those folks are here by themselves now and we just need to make sure that their avenues to which they can avail themselves for any services that are in place. We can do that. I believe county tax residents pay a a small percentage of a millage to fund the senior ccenters that operate in Oregon County. And I'm unfamiliar. That's what I'd like to know about if we can find some information there. All right. Um, motion to I got one thing if you got one. You got one. You want to go for what? I got one thing. If go.

Oh. Um, as Meredith put in the thing, we have our in our um the beginning of the meeting the the video. Our police chief's process is starting next week. Um, so as she put in there on next Monday the 20th um at 11 am they'll have a business meeting at the chamber scheduled 6 pm at Mary Canty for the community. Next Tuesday the 21st there'll be 6 p.m. at the YMCA chair chapen. Next Wednesday 6 p.m. at General Robert Reid for community input meetings. Everybody's invited to those. You can come to one or all three. Um and there will be a communitywide survey that will be released tonight at 5:00. that will be out for about a month. So, those will be coming out and we'll be pushing those out um starting this evening.

I think we're all aware that the city of Myrtle Beach is in the the market for a new police chief. Chief Park retired after nearly 30 years of service to the city coming up through the ranks. We've hired an outside professional firm who deals with the hiring of top law enforcement agencies to help coordinate this. What sort of timeline are we on? I don't think we've actually advertised the position yet because we're still the firm is still gathering information. They're going to take the survey and the meetings and um assimilate that brochure that will then go out. I don't know. It's going to take them a couple weeks once they get the they got to wait for the survey to come through before they can finish. I would imagine end of May, beginning of June, but that that brochure will be pushed out

and then an application 30 days after that maybe. So it's maybe mid late July August before we have a new police probably something like that and then working out notices if that's the case. So it's going to be a little bit. Thank you. We have one request for an executive session motion to go into executive session to receive legal advice regarding Freedom of Information Act compliance and that would be city council and we would invite Will Ryan and Amy New Schaefer. Is there a motion? We're we're thrilled to to go hear from the city attorneys. No. Second motion.

I'll make I'll make the motion. You'll second it. How's that? Here we go. All those in favor of this executive session to receive legal advice regarding FOIA compliance, please say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you. Thank you for being here today. We'll go into executive session. Can we do it here or do you want to go in the back room? We'll go in the back room. How's that? We'll do it in We'll do it in the jury room. Thank you so much.