Thomas Real Estate, Inc. Sponsors Blood Drive February 22, 2019

Did you know that 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives?

Please join Thomas Real Estate, Inc. on Friday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at a community Blood Drive.

The event will be held at Thomas Real Estate, Inc., 625 Sea Mountain Highway in the Cherry Grove section of North Myrtle Beach.
Please schedule your appointment in advance by going to www.redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: CENTURY21).
Let’s continue to build North Myrtle Beach and save lives as we support the American Red Cross!

City of North Myrtle Beach FY 2018 Annual Report

The City has published its FY 2018 Annual Report. It is a summary of City projects and accomplishments as they occurred during FY 2018.

You can access the Report online and read it in magazine format by following this link: FY 2018 Annual Report - City of North Myrtle Beach

If the previous link does not work for you, access the Report via this link:http://online.pubhtml5.com/ahig/hjiz/#p=1 

The format works best on a computer or tablet screen.

The City's Finance Department offers a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report(CAFR). All CAFRs from 2007 through 2018 can be accessed via this link:http://www.nmb.us/Page.aspx?id=24.

City Budgets from 2008 through 2019 can also be accessed through the same Finance Department link.

Enjoy Sports And Helping People? Volunteer for the North Myrtle Beach Sports Tourism Ambassador Program!

If you enjoy sports and helping people, you may enjoy being a volunteer North Myrtle Beach Sports Tourism Ambassador.

In partnership with the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department created the North Myrtle Beach Sports Tourism Ambassador program. Our Sports Tourism Ambassadors, dressed in blue polo shirts, are easily accessible and always eager to answer questions and interact with spectators at North Myrtle Beach sports events. They also provide support for sports tournament directors and at community events.

Many of the families who accompany sports tournament participants to our city stay two or more days in the community and are always looking for things to see and do between games. Sports Tourism Ambassadors help ensure these visitors experience the full range of North Myrtle Beach hospitality.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer Sports Tourism Ambassador, please contact Athletic & Sports Tourism Director Amanda Player Wofford at agplayer@nmb.us or call 843-281-3802.

2019 Sports Tourism Off to a Great Start in North Myrtle Beach

Sports tourism is off to a great start in North Myrtle Beach as the City hosts the February 9-10 Premier Girls Fastpitch qualifier tournament at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. The tournament winner plays in a summer national championship in California. 32 teams are participating in the tournament: South Carolina-1, North Carolina-6, Georgia-6, Illinois-2, Colorado-4, Delaware-1, New Jersey-1, Indiana-1, Ohio-2, Minnesota-1, Pennsylvania-3, West Virginia-2, Oklahoma-1 and Virginia-1.

For the fifth consecutive year, the City will host theEastern Qualifier Ultimate Frisbee Tournament at the Park & Sports Complex. Starting February 16, 19 college teams will compete in the tournament: Elon, Georgia Southern, James Madison, Georgia Tech, University of Virginia, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Johns Hopkins, George Mason, Purdue, University of Pennsylvania, Case Western Reserve, Indiana, Ohio, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Clemson, University of Connecticut, Georgetown, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Results - February 4 North Myrtle Beach City Council Meeting

Mayor Pro Tempore Terry White presided over the meeting while Mayor Marilyn Hatley was on City business in Columbia, SC.

During the meeting, Council approved a special event permit for the March 16 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Main Street.

Council approved a special event permit for the March 16 St. Patrick’s Day Festival, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Main Street. The festival includes about 150 vendors, 3 stages offering live music, and a children’s area offering rides and amusements. 

Council passed second (final) reading of an ordinance amending the Town Centre area in the Barefoot Resort Planned Development District. The amendment revised the portion of the Town Centre area of the Barefoot Resort Planned Development District on vacant land alongside the Intracoastal Waterway and marina. Barefoot Cottage Village is destined for the site. It is a residential neighborhood described by its developers as “reminiscent of the simple life of small town America” and offers 274 in-common cottage units ranging in size from 510 square feet to 1,292 square feet.

Changes required by City Council prior to passage of second reading included the developer’s agreement that no rentals of units within the project may be for a term less than 30 days, and the developer will pay a $1,100 per unit beach parking fee at the time of building permit application. The per-unit parking fee goes into a fund to support improved and new public parking opportunities.

Council passed second reading of an ordinance to amend the Beach Cove Ocean Resort Planned Development District (PDD) changing the monument sign located on South Ocean Boulevard at 48th Avenue South. The changes include adding an LED display screen to the sign. The screen will display information about resort events, amber alerts, and local weather. Screen brightness will vary to meet day and night viewing requirements.

Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance to rezone one lot of about 1.96 acres located off Commons Boulevard behind California Dreaming from HC (Highway Commercial) to R-2A (Midrise Multifamily Residential).

Access to Commons Boulevard would be further scrutinized at the subdivision or site plan level of City review.

Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance to amend several sections within Chapter 3 of the City’s Code of Ordinances entitled, “Alcoholic Beverages”, to allow for the establishment of a festival zone, which would allow beer and wine to be consumed in approved areas of shopping and/or entertainment destinations of 10 or more acres.

If the proposed amendment passes final reading before City Council, a property owner could apply to the City for a permit to have a festival zone within their location.

The application process would require the property owner to submit a map depicting the exact boundaries of the desired festival zone, a detailed narrative of how the property owner would manage the possession and consumption of beer and wine within the festival zone, and other facts.

The property owner would submit the permit application to the City Manager and Director of Public Safety for review and comment and a recommendation to City Council at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which City Council would consider the permit request.

If Council approves a permit request for a festival zone, the City Manager would monitor compliance of the approved plan. If the City Manager determines that a permit holder has violated the terms or parameters of an approved festival zone, the City Manager at his sole discretion would have the authority to suspend or revoke a festival zone permit.

Council tabled until its March 4 meeting a proposed ordinance to amend the Prince Planned Development District to allow for a Hampton Inn & Suites hotel and parking garage.

Placing overhead utilities underground is a requirement of all planned development districts. City staff has recommended that the developer pay a fee in lieu of completing the utilities work in order to align the work with SCDOT’s schedule for placing overhead utilities underground along Ocean Boulevard. Negotiations regarding the fee are underway.

Six North Myrtle Beach City Employees Receive Awards

During the February 4 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, six City employees were presented with Employee Longevity Awards. The awards are given in five-year increments to employees who provide excellent customer service.

Receiving awards were Captain of Professional Standards Michael Baldasarre (25 years of service), Community Services Sergeant Michael Bienkoski (25), Aquatic Supervisor Judy Childers(5), Crew Leader I Chad Lewis (5), Crew Leader IIBernie Lowe, and Facility Maintenance TechnicianKurt Ribelin (5)

           

PHOTO: Left to Right:  Kurt Ribelin, Bernie Lowe, Chad Lewis, Judy Childers, Mike Baldasarre, Mike Bienkoski

North Myrtle Beach City Council Adopts Resolution Regarding Single Use Non-Biodegradable Plastics

During their February 4 meeting, the members of the North Myrtle Beach City Council adopted a Resolution in support of implementing a long-term strategy to reduce the presence of single-use non-biodegradable plastics in the North Myrtle Beach environment.

In its Resolution, Council states that it is committed to “supporting the continuous improvement of health, environmental stewardship and overall quality of life in our community.”

Council notes that the community is heavily dependent on tourism and to sustain that activity, it is necessary to provide visitors with a high quality, clean, safe, environmentally responsible experience.

Single-use non-biodegradable plastics are increasingly coming into focus as a threat to land and sea, and an important source of environmental and habitat damage, in addition to being an eyesore when disposed of improperly.

City Council supports a multi-pronged approach to the problem of reducing single-use non-biodegradable plastics that includes:

·     Providing more focused efforts on litter control and cleanup, and proper disposal of the plastics through a campaign of education and community cleanup drives

·     Aggressive lobbying for local control of this and similar issues, and aggressive opposition of any State legislative initiatives that would hinder local control

·     Expanding community education initiatives highlighting the threat to our environment posed by the plastics, and providing resources to citizens to help them find alternative products

·     Working with the local business community to help businesses phase out use of the plastics in their packaging and processing activities in a manner that is cost-effective

·     Gradually phasing in targeted local legislation dealing with certain sub-types of the plastics (Example: single-use plastic grocery bags) as alternatives become cost effective and readily available

The City is also working on a proposed ordinance pertaining to this issue, scheduled for first reading at the March 4 City Council meeting.

Last Call - 8th North Myrtle Beach Annual Shop With a Cop Golf Tournament

LAST CALL -- 8th ANNUAL SHOP WITH A COP GOLF TOURNAMENT JANUARY 25 ON THE DYE COURSE AT BAREFOOT RESORT & GOLF

The 8th Annual North Myrtle Beach Shop with a Cop Charity Golf Tournament isFriday, January 25 with an 11:00 a.m. start on the Dye Course at Barefoot Resort & Golf.

For registration information, please contact the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department at 843-280-5584 or download information and a registration form athttp://parks.nmb.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Shop-with-a-Cop-2018-Registration-Form.pdf

Proceeds from the charity golf tournament go to the Shop with a Cop program, managed by the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department.Shop with a Cop is a Christmas program for children in need at the Ocean Drive Elementary School. Guidance Counselors at the school identify children in need who receive the benefits of the program. The children enjoy lunch and receive a $150 Walmart gift card with which to buy presents and essentials, such as winter coats.

North Myrtle Beach police officers and volunteers help guide the children as they make their purchases. The goal of the charity golf tournament is to raise enough money to provide an unforgettable Christmas for children in need in the community.

This is a four-person, captain’s choice golf tournament with an 11:00 a.m. start. Tournament fees are $65 per person or $260 per team. Players may register individually or as a team. Please make checks payable to “City of North Myrtle Beach” and return registration forms to the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center, 1030 Possum Trot Road, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.

The tournament fee includes green fees, cart, range balls, non-alcoholic beverages, continental breakfast, lunch, a $10,000 hole-on-one contest, three additional hole-in-one contests valued at $500 each, and more.

City of North Myrtle Beach Work Schedule for January 21 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The City of North Myrtle Beach will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 21.

• City Hall and the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center closed.
• No City Council Meeting
• Sanitation services follow regular schedule.
• The Aquatic & Fitness Center follows regular schedule.
• Police & Fire/Rescue services follow regular schedule.

About Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the American Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. For more than a decade, he was the recognized leader of the civil rights movement.

King was the driving force behind watershed events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington, which helped bring about landmark legislation including the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. At the time, he was the youngest person to receive the award. He also received the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian awards in the United States.

The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983. By 2000, all states formally observed the holiday.

(Photo: Getty Images: Martin Luther King Jr. at the 1963 March on Washington where, before about 250,000 people, he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.)

Plan to Attend and Support our Local Heroes

Grand Strand Freedom Week & 13th Annual MLK Celebration

Week Schedule

January 16 North Myrtle Beach City Council Workshop Focuses on Short-Term rental Houses

The North Myrtle Beach City Council meets in a workshop session on Wednesday, January 16, at 1:30 p.m.

The workshop convenes at City Hall and then City Council will board a bus to take a tour of some North Myrtle Beach rental houses to get a firsthand feel for numbers of bedrooms and on-site parking opportunities available at different types of rental houses. This will have value to Council members as they continue their discussion of how to manage the impact of different kinds of short-term rental houses on areas in which they are located.

Council’s tour of rental houses will occur in this order:

-- 204 54th Avenue North

-- 4902 North Ocean Boulevard

-- 602 North Ocean Boulevard

-- 807 Hillside Drive

January 8 Planning Commission Workshop & Meeting Agenda

The North Myrtle Beach Planning Commission will hold a 9:15 a.m. workshop and 5:00 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, January 8 at City Hall.

Access the agenda via https://tinyurl.com/yahjkbh3 or 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.

January 7 North Myrtle Beach City Council Executive Session and Meeting

The North Myrtle Beach City Council will hold a Monday, January 7, 6:30 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/ybqwuwvvor 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.

City of North Myrtle Beach Schedules February 8 Public Parking Workshop

As promised, the City of North Myrtle Beach has hired a consulting firm,Kimley-Horn, to help assess existing public parking opportunities and to help develop short-term and long-term public parking solutions.

People interested in public parking in North Myrtle Beach are encouraged to participate in a Friday, February 8, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. workshop at City Hall, during which they can share with Kimley-Horn representatives their thoughts and suggestions on public parking opportunities and issues in North Myrtle Beach.

The workshop offers a “drop-in” format, which means people can arrive and leave at any time between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

This opportunity will be interactive and informative, providing participants with opportunities to help refine the vision and goals for public parking in North Myrtle Beach, view and discuss various alternative public parking solutions, and provide input on the best solutions for the community.

Registration Open for January 24-March 14 North Myrtle Beach Ocean Rescue Junior Lifeguard Program

Registration is open for the City's January 24-March 14 Ocean Rescue Junior Lifeguard program. All classes are at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center.

The program focuses on people ages 10-15 who enjoy the beach and ocean, and who would like to learn water safety and lifesaving skills, including CPR, while also participating in fun games and activities. For successful participants, the program can also offer a path to eventual seasonal employment as one of the city's Ocean Lifeguards (age 16-plus).

The North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department sponsors the program and Beach Patrol Officers teach the classes. Several trained and experienced Ocean Lifeguards also assist in teaching the program.

Participants engage in fun, physical exercises that encourage them to work in teams, build confidence, and learn lifesaving skills.

All classes are at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center (AFC) from 6:45pm to 8:15pm.

PRETEST REQUIREMENT: Saturday, January 19, 3:00pm at the AFC. All participants who have not previously completed the course and are not on a swim team must perform a 50-yard (two laps of the pool) swim test to demonstrate swimming ability. Participants do not have to be fast swimmers, but must be comfortable enough in the water in order to ensure a safe and fun learning environment.

Lesson 1 (January 24) – All Lessons are 6:45pm-8:15pm

Welcome and Orientation, Recognizing Emergencies, Victim Recognition, Lifeguard Equipment, Reaching Assists

Lesson 2 (January 29)

Knowing your Environment, RID Factor, Surveillance and Scanning, Throwing Assists

Lesson 3 (January 31)

General Procedures, Entering the Water, Entries and Approaches

Lesson 4 (February 5)

Procedures for an Emergency, Primary Assessment

Lesson 5 (February 7)

Emergency Action Plan, Rescues at or Near the Surface

Lesson 6 (February 12)

Educating Others, Conflict Resolution, FIND Model, Injury Prevention, Submerged Victim Shallow Water

Lesson 7 (February 14)

Walking Assist, Two Person Removal from Water, Escapes

Lesson 8 (February 19)

Conscious Choking, Ventilations, Unconscious Choking

Lesson 9 (February 21)

The Cardiac Chain, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Using an Automated External Defibrillator

Lesson 10 (February 26)

Facility Safety Check, Preparation for Shadowing, Currents

Lesson 11 (February 28)

Handling Difficult Situations, Aquatic Hazards,

Lesson 12 (March 5)

First Aid, Secondary Assessment

Lesson 13 (March 7)

Head, Neck and Back Injuries

Lesson 14 (March 12)

Survival Floating, Preparation for Shadowing, Skills Review

Lesson 15 (March 14)

Course Review, Written Assessment, Final Skills

The cost for the program is $25, which includes a backpack, rash-guard swim shirt, and a Junior Lifeguard manual.

To learn more about the program, please call the City’s Beach Patrol at 843-281-3819.

Register for the Junior Lifeguard Program at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center, 1100 2nd Avenue South.

North Myrtle Beach Fire Department is Collecting Items for the Sea Haven Youth Homeless Shelter

Throughout January, the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department is collecting coats, hats and gloves for the Sea Haven Youth Homeless Shelter

Throughout January, the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department is collecting coats, hats, gloves and socks for the Sea Haven Youth Homeless Shelter. The items can be new or in good used condition.

Please bring your items to any North Myrtle Beach fire station.

North Myrtle Beach Fire Station Locations

-- Station 1 - 1015 2nd Avenue South

-- Station 2 - 307 Sea Mountain Highway

-- Station 3 - 803 33rd Avenue South

-- Station 4 - 5345 Little River Neck Road

-- Station 5 - 4740 Barefoot Resort Bridge Road.

For more information, please contact Firefighter/EMT Aaron Asbury at 843-280-5511.

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.