RESULTS: December 7 City Council Meeting

During the December 7 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, Mayor Marilyn Hatley accepted a Carolina Beach Music Award in the Concert Series of the Year category for the free Music on Main concert series held at the Horseshoe from mid-May through the first week in October.

City Council accepted a check in the amount of $1,334 from Susan Ford, assistant vice president and branch operations manager for the North Myrtle Beach branch of Sandhills Bank. The check represents donations collected during this year’s Mayfest on Main Festival. The money will be used to help fund the Shop with a Cop program managed by the City’s public safety department.

Shop with a Cop is a Christmas program for children in need at North Myrtle Beach area primary, elementary, and intermediate schools. Guidance counselors at participating schools choose children to receive the benefits of this program. The children are treated to lunch and given a $100 Wal-Mart gift card. North Myrtle Beach police officers and volunteers help guide the children on purchasing presents and necessity items, such as winter coats. The goal for 2015 is to raise enough money to provide an unforgettable Christmas for 100 children in our community.

Employee Longevity Awards were presented to Accounting Payroll Clerk Connie Cox (35 years of service), Engineering Technician Homer Thompson (10), Bridge Operator Kevin Ladson (10), Administrative Assistant II Tammy Miller (5), Heavy Equipment Operator Kevin Anderson (5).

Council passed second (final) reading of an ordinance to lease space to Cellco Partnership/Verizon Wireless on buildings, facilities and real property owned by the City for the placement of small cell communications equipment.

Council approved the 20l6 City Council Meeting Schedule. 2016 City Council meetings will be held the first and third Monday of each month, with the exception of January 18, July 4 and September 5. Also, the March 7 Council meeting will be held March 7-8 at the City’s annual budget retreat location, which in the past has been at Santee Cooper’s Wampee Conference Center in Pinopolis, SC. 

Council approved a motion to appoint Caroline Driggers to the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board.

Council approved first reading of a proposed staff initiated amendment to the Land Development Regulations Text to allow shared driveways for residential uses. The current regulation states that a driveway may not provide access to more than one lot. Staff is asking that access from one driveway be allowed to extend beyond one lot for residential uses only, and only when the state will not allow access from two driveways.

Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance to amend an ordinance authorizing the establishment of the "Cherry Grove Improvement District.” The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to adjust those assessments in the cases where Council finds it appropriate, confirm all other assessments, and amend the district boundaries as Council finds appropriate. The proposed ordinance also orders the recording of the assessment roll as amended in Horry County offices and the sending of a letter to each person who filed a written objection with the North Myrtle Beach city manager as outlined in their Notice of Assessment.

Second reading of the proposed ordinance is currently scheduled for a December 14, 7:00 p.m. North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting at City Hall. If the proposed ordinance passes second reading, those property owners who filed written objections to their assessments will receive a letter informing them of their status within the assessment district.