2019 City of North Myrtle Beach Citizens Academy Applications Now Available

 The City of North Myrtle Beach is now accepting applications for its 2019 Citizens Academy from North Myrtle Beach residents who wish to participate. Participation in the academy is free.
The first meeting of Citizens Academy participants will be Thursday, January 10 at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall.
The deadline for submitting applications is January 4 at 5:00 p.m.
The 2019 North Myrtle Beach Citizens Academy will expose participants to all facets of North Myrtle Beach government, and will include tours of key City facilities.
The schedule for North Myrtle Beach Citizens Academy meetings is as follows:
  • January 10, 2:00p.m.-4:00 p.m. – Focus on City Manager, overview of major projects, current issues facing the City. Tour of the City’s public safety facility.
  • January 17, 2:00p.m.-4:00 p.m. – Focus on Public Works Department – water, wastewater, streets, storm water, and sanitation. Tour of pump station and water tank facilities at Little River Neck Road and tour of water tank facility at Main Street.
  • January 24, 2:00p.m.-4:00 p.m. – Continued focus on Public Works Department – water, wastewater, streets, storm water, and sanitation, support services. Tour of the solid waste transfer station and wastewater treatment plant.
  • January 31, 2:00p.m.-4:00 p.m. – Focus on Parks & Recreation Department – athletics, sports tourism, grounds maintenance, programs, events, Aquatics & Fitness Center, Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful, beach services. Tour of the Aquatic & Fitness Center.
  • February 7, 2:00p.m.-4:00 p.m. – Continued focus on Parks & Recreation – athletics, sports tourism, grounds maintenance, programs, events, Aquatics & Fitness Center, Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful, beach services. Tour of NMB Park & Sports Complex.
  • February 14, 2:00p.m.-4:00 p.m. – Focus on Planning & Zoning, Human Resources, Finance, and Information Technology Departments.
  • A Graduation Ceremony will occur at a City Council Meeting.

For more information: City Clerk Merideth Smith at (843) 280-5604 or mjsmith@nmb.us. To access the application online, go to www.nmb.us and, under "Press Releases" on the homepage, download or print the Citizens Academy news release.

December 17 North Myrtle Beach City Council Executive Session and Meeting Agenda

The North Myrtle Beach City Council will hold a December 17, 6:45 p.m. Executive Session and a 7:00 p.m.Meeting at City Hall, 1018 Second Avenue North.

To access the agenda, please follow this link:https://tinyurl.com/yaf8z5fkor visit www.nmb.us and look under "Agendas" or "Press Releases" on the home page.

PLEASE NOTE: Anyone requiring an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or participation should contact 843-280-5555 as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours before the meeting.

State Champion North Myrtle Beach Volleyball Team Recognized at December 3 City Council Meeting

uring their December 3 meeting, the members of the North Myrtle Beach City Council congratulated the North Myrtle Beach High School Girls Varsity Volleyball Team for having won the Class 4A State High School Volleyball Championship.


 PHOTO: L-R: City Manager Mike Mahaney, Mayor Marilyn Hatley, State Volleyball Champs, Coach Alex Sing.

Coached by Alex Sing, the Lady Chiefs completed a perfect season. What makes their winning the State Championship even more impressive is that the team lost almost four weeks of practice and competition due to Hurricane Florence, while other teams did not.

More than three-quarters of the 2018 team will be returning to play next year. We all look forward to the Lady Chiefs being very competitive in 2019!

Sandhills Bank Donates to Shop With a Cop Program

During the December 3 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, Sandhills Bank representatives Frankie Jones and Susan Ford presented the City with a check in the amount of $1,451 for the North Myrtle Beach Shop with a Cop program. The funds were collected during the annual Mayfest on Main® Festival.


PHOTO: L-R: Frankie Jones (Sandhills Bank), Public Safety Director Jay Fernandez, Susan Ford (Sandhills Bank), Mayor Marilyn Hatley

Managed by the City’s Public Safety Department, Shop with a Cop provides children in need with a $150 Walmart gift card with which to purchase presents and necessary items, such as winter coats. The children also are treated to a holiday lunch.


Beach Renourishment Project May Begin during the Week of December 3 in North Myrtle Beach

Weather and other factors permitting, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers beach renourishment project begins in North Myrtle Beach the week of December 3.


The project replaces 200,000 cubic yards of sand lost to Hurricane Irma. Based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers beach profile measurements, sand is to be placed from about 17th Avenue South to 7th Avenue North, and should take several weeks to accomplish.
Great Lakes Dock & Dredge has begun stockpiling pipe at the 7th Avenue South street end and has established its first onshore pipeline at 15th Avenue South. The entire beach renourishment project is entitled, Myrtle Beach Shore Protection Project and includes portions of beaches in Garden City/Surfside Beach, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. The North Myrtle Beach phase was to begin in September, but Hurricane Florence delayed it. Great Lakes Dock & Dredge is winding up the Myrtle Beach portion of the project. To follow the location and progress of the renourishment project, please visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site at https://www.sac.usace.army.mil. On the home page under the heading of Routinely Requested, click on GIS Portal, then Web Mapper, then Myrtle Beach Web Mapper.

Horry County Veterans Affairs Office Moving to 1949 Industrial Park Road - Opens Monday, November 5



Conway, SC (October 29, 2018)—The Horry County Veterans Affairs Office is moving to a new location at 1949 Industrial Park Road. The new office is located in the same office park as the Horry County offices for DHEC, Clemson Extension, and the Army Corps of Engineers.

On Monday, November 5, the old Horry County Veterans Affairs Office will close for good and on that same date the new Office will open for business.

“These new facilities are more conveniently located and offer better accessibility for our veterans,” said Director of Veterans Affairs Ronnie Elvis. “We look forward to continuing to serve our veterans in Horry County at our new location.”

The Horry County Veterans Affairs Office will host a ribbon cutting and open house ceremony at its new location on Friday, November 9 at 10:00 AM. The event is free and open to the public.

Enjoy These North Myrtle Beach Holiday Events!

We invite everyone to enjoy these North Myrtle Beach holiday events:

DASHING THROUGH THE GLOW 5K & ONE MILE RUN/WALK
November 16, 2018
7:00 p.m.
North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, 150 Citizens Circle, Little River, SC

Be among the first to enjoy the 2018 Great Christmas Light Show as the run/walk course winds through the more than 2 million festive lights.

Open to all ages. Wear your best holiday-themed outfit. Prizes given for best-dressed individual and best-dressed family.

Access online registration and other event information here:http://parks.nmb.us/festivalsevents/special-events/dashing-through-the-glow-5k-1-mile



THE GREAT CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW
Thursday, Nov. 23, 2018 - Dec. 30, 2018
Drive-Through Light Show open 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
NMB Park & Sport Complex, 150 Citizens Circle, Little River, SC

ADMISSION:
1-15 Guests - $15 per vehicle
16-30 guests - $30 per vehicle
31-plus guests - $60 per vehicle (to schedule buses call 843-280-5570)

Enjoy this park-wide lighted celebration that captures the spirit of the season! The 1.5-mile drive-through light show features over 2 million festively displayed lights. Over 500 magical light displays, some up to 55 feet tall, are custom made for the Great Christmas Light Show, at least 22 of them animated.

Enjoy Santa’s Village (open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only November 23-December 9. Open nightly December 14-30 but closed Christmas Day), Santa’s Village Treats, visits/photos with Santa, ice skating, Santa Express Train Ride, tubing down Santa’s inflatable slide, a petting zoo, Santa’s treats, and more. Some additional attractions require a ticket purchase.

For more information visitwww.greatchristmaslightshow.com or call 843-281-3803.

INTRACOASTAL CHRISTMAS REGATTA
Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. -- Launches from Little River Inlet at 5:00 p.m. and ends at Dock Holiday’s Marina at 7:00 p.m.
Intracoastal Waterway
Admission: Free to spectators but please consider bringing a new toy and dropping it off at a collection point at any marina in Little River or North Myrtle Beach. Help provide Horry County kids with a great Christmas!

Gather your family and watch the many boats decorated in holiday themes parade past various viewing areas along the Intracoastal Waterway from Little River to Dock Holidays Marina.

If you want to enter your boat in the parade this year, fill out a boat parade application online atwww.ChristmasRegatta.com or call Susie Watson for entry information 249-8888.

PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Sunday, November 25 and Saturday, December 8, 2018
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Dirty Dawg Large Park at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, 150 Citizens Circle, Little River, SC
Admission: Free

Furry friends love Santa, too! Bring your family pets to meet Santa Claus at the Dirty Dawg Large Park at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. Bring your camera and capture the perfect Christmas card photo! All well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.

For more information, contact the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department at (843) 280-5570.

WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
1:00pm – 4:00 p.m.
J. Bryan Floyd Community Center; 1030 Possum Trot Road
Admission: Free

Learn the tricks to making your own Christmas wreath. They supply the greenery and instructions; participants should bring a wreath form, preferably straw.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH CHRISTMAS PARADE
Saturday, December 1, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Main Street

It would not be Christmas without the annual North Myrtle Beach Christmas ParadeJoin your friends and neighbors to enjoy the lighted floats and units representing groups from across the area. The parade travels down Main Street to Ocean Boulevard and disperses on 2nd Avenue North. Any location along Main Street provides a great view of the parade.

For more information, or to enter a group in the parade contact the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce at for details call Charlene Lynam at (843) 361-3045 or charlene@northmyrtlebeachchamber.com

CHRISTMAS CANTATA
Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 at 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church; 410 6th Ave South
Admission: Free, but advance tickets are required. Free tickets are available from the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce (843) 281-2662.

This local favorite is an annual tradition and, for many, the highlight of the holiday season. Church choirs from the North Myrtle Beach area create a musical program you will not soon forget.

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Friday, Dec. 4, 2018
6:00 p.m.
McLean Park, 93 Oak Drive
Admission: Free

Join Santa and his friends at McLean Park for the lighting of the City Christmas Tree. Activities, entertainment and refreshments are available for children of all ages. A great start to your holiday season!

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH COMMUNITY BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sunday, December 9, 2018
3:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
J. Bryan Floyd Community Center, 1030 Possum Trot Road

The North Myrtle Beach Community Band will delight the audience with holiday favorites and classical works.

SHOP WITH A COP CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Friday, December 14, 2018 
11:00 a.m.
Dye Course
Barefoot Resort & Golf, 4980 Barefoot Bridge Road

The City of North Myrtle Beach and Barefoot Resort & Golf annually collaborate on a wonderful golf tournament that benefits children in need in our community. All proceeds from the event go towards the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department’s Shop with a Cop program, which makes sure that children in need have a special Christmas that includes lunch, presents and important items such as winter coats.

Contact the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department for more information at (843) 280-5570.

THE GRINCH’S CANDY CANE HUNT
December 13, 2018
Hunt Hours (drop-in): 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Movie starts at 7:00 p.m.
North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, 150 Citizens Circle, Little River, SC
Admission:
1-15 Guests - $15 per vehicle
16-30 guests - $30 per vehicle
31-plus guests - $60 per vehicle (to schedule buses call 843-280-5570)

Help! The Grinch has come to North Myrtle Beach and is threatening to turn all of our Candy Canes GREEN! Please join us at The North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex Wyndham Baseball Complex and help us gather them before it is too late. After all of the Candy Canes are safe, we will cozy up with hot cocoa and watch the How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)at the Sandhills Bank Amphitheatre. Bring a beach chair, blankets and scarves.

Enjoy the Embers Featuring Craig Woolard in a FREE October 18 Concert at the HorseShoe on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach

ENJOY THE EMBERS FEATURING CRAIG WOOLARD IN A FREE OCTOBER 18 CONCERT AT THE HORSESHOE ON MAIN STREET


Enjoy The Embers featuring Craig Woolard in a FREE October 18, 7-9 p.m. concert at the Horseshoe on Main Street.

Expect an incredible show featuring beach music hits.

Bring a beach chair.

This free concert is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department’s Music on Main summer concert series sponsored by Coastal Carolina National Bank (CCNB).

For day of event weather information call the “Rec Check” hotline at (843) 280-5594 ext. 3,www.Facebook.com/NMBParksandRec, or visit their websitehttp://parks.nmb.us

Results - October 15 North Myrtle Beach City Council Meeting

North Myrtle Beach, SC – October 15, 2018 – During the October 15 meeting of the North Myrtle Beach City Council, four employees received Longevity Awards. Receiving the awards were Public Safety Training Officer Justin Baker (5 years of service), Public Safety Officer Gordon Best (5 years) Public Safety Officer Scott St. Clair (5 years), and Public Safety Officer Stephen Murphy (5 years).

Longevity Awards are given in five-year increments to those employees who demonstrate continued customer service excellence.

L-R  Stephen Murphy - Gordon Best - Justin Baker - City Manager Mike Mahaney

City Council approved a special event permit for the Little River Inlet Saltwater Fishing Club’s October 19-21 Rumble in the Jungle king mackerel fishing tournament. For registration, rules and other information about the tournament, please visit http://www.rumblekmt.com.

City Council passed second (final) reading of an ordinance reallocating $264,000 in accommodations tax (A-Tax) funds to the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. After 30 percent of A-Tax funding is set aside for use in out-of-area tourism marketing, remaining A-Tax funds are available for the City to use to address a wide variety of local tourism-related needs. In the past, the City has provided significant funding for various tourism-related activities, such as the Chamber’s Visitor Center. Council did not select an amount for use by the Chamber during its FY 2019 budget retreat held in February. An ordinance amending the FY 2019 budget was necessary in order to provide the Chamber with accommodations tax funding within the current fiscal year. 

City Council passed second reading of an ordinance amending the Zoning Code and adding definitions for “short-term rentals” and “sleeping area.”

During a July 24 Council workshop, staff presented information on short-term rentals, followed by a discussion of proposed strategies to manage them. Council asked staff to prepare definitions of "short term rental" and "sleeping area” in order to insert them into the Zoning Ordinance as placeholders for the more detailed management proposal that will follow.

The amended Zoning Ordinance includes these definitions for short-term rental and sleeping area:

  • Short-Term Rental: Any residential unit offered for lease for a period of 90 days or less.
  • Sleeping Area: a sleeping area is any room (including bedrooms) that is not a kitchen, a hallway not exceeding seven feet in width, a mechanical room designed primarily for containing HVAC equipment or hot water heaters or electrical panels or similar, a bathroom, a closet not exceeding 70 square feet in size, or an elevator or stairwell.

City Council tabled second reading of an ordinance to amend the Town Centre area in the Barefoot Resort Planned Development District. As explained when Council passed first reading of the proposed amendment at its October 1 meeting, a workshop will be scheduled before second reading. The workshop will occur in November but a specific date has not yet been set.

The applicant and authorized agent for Barefoot Village Investments, Inc., Sands Winchester and Joe Morrison, have submitted a proposal to revise the portion of the Town Centre area of the Barefoot Resort Planned Development District on vacant land alongside the Intracoastal Waterway and marina. Known as Barefoot Cottage Village, this area is identified as Future Residential Development on the approved master site plan.

According to the information submitted, Barefoot Cottage Village is a residential neighborhood reminiscent of the simple life of small town America. The project includes 5.9 acres of wetlands and buffer, 19 designated common open green spaces covering 1.5 acres, a 2.5-acre pond, and 4,500 square feet of neighborhood amenity center and administrative office space.

274 in-common cottage units are proposed. All lots are commonly owned with no fee simple lot ownership. Cottages would range in size from 510 square feet to 1,292 square feet. Proposed minimum building separations would be 10 feet from wall to wall, with eaves protruding no further than 12 inches. These separations are less than the 15 feet currently required, but more than the 8 feet allowed for single-family elsewhere in Barefoot Resort.

The master site plan illustrates residents having at least two parking spaces per unit, with 377 surface and on-street parking spaces and 174 parking spaces available below the raised cottages.

According to the developer, the intention is to create housing that is affordable to "essential workers" in a community, i.e. police officers, firemen and women, teachers, nurses, medical personnel, and others, as well as those seeking smaller homes for year-round or second home use.

City Council passed second reading of an ordinance annexing and zoning two lots on Riverside Drive. The property owner petitioned the City to annex 1.92 acres of property located on Riverside Drive identified by TMS Numbers 131-11-01-006 and 131-17-01-012 and PIN 311-16-04-0009 and 311-16-04-0010. The lots are zoned R-1 (Single-Family Residential Low-Density).

City Council passed second reading of an ordinance amending Section 9-2 of the Code of Ordinances entitled, Day of General Election. The Horry County Election Commission asked the City to amend its ordinance regarding election day, so that the City's election day coincides with other County-wide municipal elections as follows: "The time for general elections shall be the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd number years. All newly elected City Council members or newly elected Mayor shall be inducted into office at the next regular City Council meeting following their election."

Let's Stop the Violence - Participate in the October 20 Family Event & Rally in North Myrtle Beach

When: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, October 20
Where: J. Bryan Floyd Community Center, 1030 Possum Trot Road, North Myrtle Beach
New statistics show that South Carolina is the sixth worst state in the nation for domestic violence cases.



That’s just one reason the upcoming the Let’s Stop the Violence! Family Event and Rally in North Myrtle Beach on October 20 is so important.

The event includes a Walk a Mile in their Shoes component in which men are asked to don women’s shoes (no spike heels) and join women in a walk to raise money to establish a shelter for women and children in Horry County. Walkers (women and men who supply their own women’s shoes) pay $25 to participate. Men in need of women’s shoes pay $40. Anyone who cannot pay is still welcome to walk.

Live performers include dancers from the Carolina Forest Performing Arts Center and Save the Music, Save Me

North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley will open the rally, and U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, R-SC, will deliver the keynote address.

Food will be available.

Donations will help the Family Justice Center’s efforts in Horry County, which currently has no shelter for victims of domestic violence. The Family Justice Center began serving clients in Horry County two years ago and the agency’s caseload is now almost twice the caseload of victims in Georgetown County.

Studies show that bullying builds future abusers. After male bullies leave school, they are more likely to bully girlfriends and spouses, according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

So, join the Family Justice Center of Georgetown and Horry Counties to help raise awareness and break the cycle of violence of both life-threatening issues-- Domestic Violence and Bullying.

"Domestic violence is a tragic and lethal problem in South Carolina and breeds many other problems for the children in these homes, who struggle with the pain and shame it creates,” said Vicki Bourus, executive director of the Family Justice Center. “When we act to prevent and effectively address domestic violence, we are improving quality of life, not only for these children, but for the entire community -- certainly a worthy goal."

The local October 20 event is being held to correspond with National Domestic Violence Prevention Month and National Anti-Bullying Month, event organizer Fred Nesta explained.

"If we can save one child, if we can save one woman, if we can impact one person's life in a positive way, that's the goal," Nesta said.