RESULTS: February 15 City Council Meeting

During the February 15 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, four City employees were provided with Longevity Awards for their length of service to North Myrtle Beach residents, businesses and visitors. The awards are provided in five year increments to City employees who consistently provide excellent customer service. Receiving awards were Electrician Milton Willoughby (30 years of service), Planner Dawn Snider (15), Motor Equipment Operator Eddie Stevenson (15), and Motor Equipment Operator Arron Vereen (15).

Tom Walker, chairman of the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board, provided Council with a report on the board’s activities and accomplishments for 2015. The board has completed proposed updates to the Public Tree Ordinance for the City, which passed first reading at the Council meeting. The board also held three well-received public education sessions on trees and tree care at the North Myrtle Beach Library.

A newsletter was created to provide North Myrtle Beach residents with more information on the Tree Board’s activities and goals for the year. The newsletter was mailed out with the City’s January 2016 water bills.

During the past year, the Tree City Board provided 12 Tree of the Month awards, which highlighted the features of unique trees within the city. By highlighting the trees and those who care for them, the board hopes to continue to encourage tree preservation and informed tree maintenance throughout the city.

Thanks to the efforts of the board, and City Council’s continued support of board initiatives, North Myrtle Beach again earned the Tree City USA award. The City has earned this award for 10 consecutive years due to its tree preservation, maintenance and planting initiatives.

On December 4, 2015, an Arbor Day celebration was sponsored by the Tree City Board. It included the planting of multiple Willow Oaks at City Hall.

City Council passed second (final) reading of an ordinance to rescind the City's current code sections regarding the type of information pawnbrokers located within the city must maintain and electronically transfer to the Public Safety Department. A primary change is that pawnbrokers must now photograph not only an item being pawned but also the person who is pawning the item, and then transmit the same electronically to the Public Safety Department.

City Council tabled until its first meeting in March second reading of an ordinance to annex and zone one lot located adjacent to the Parkway Group PDD (PDD), which is located west of the Intracoastal Waterway. Council wants to wait until an associated Development Agreement has been completed before giving second reading to the proposed annexation and zoning.

Baird Stewart, authorized agent for LStar Communities and NGD Property I/II, LLC, has petitioned the City for annexation of about 60.69 acres of property adjacent to the Waterway Hills section of the PDD. The parcel is currently within unincorporated Horry County. The petition also reflects the requested City zoning district of Planned Development District (PDD) by joining with the existing Parkway Group PDD.

The property is contiguous to the corporate boundary of the City and is zoned Commercial Forest Agriculture under Horry County’s jurisdiction. The property is vacant and unimproved. Surrounding land uses are vacant and a former golf course.

City Council tabled until its first meeting in March second reading of an ordinance for a major amendment to the Parkway Group Planned Development District (PDD) to allow changes to the previously approved phase known as the Waterway Hills Tract and to add a newly annexed area known as the Wilson Chestnut Tract. The area is referred to as “Grande Dunes North” in the PDD, which is located west of the Intracoastal Waterway. Council wants to wait until an associated Development Agreement has been completed before giving second reading to the proposed ordinance.

The proposed amendment reduces the previously approved density for the property from a maximum of 2,500 residential dwelling units to 858 units over a total combined area of 241.46 acres, a 65 percent reduction in housing density.

Grande Dunes North would be a private, gated neighborhood with private roadways using a guard at the entrance gate. The development would be constructed in six phases. Phase I would be the Entrance Parkway and Grande Dunes Connection, Community Amenity, and 119 residential units. Phase II would be north of Phase I along the Intracoastal Waterway. Phase III and Phase V would be north of the Entrance Parkway and Phases IV and VI would be located south of the Entrance Parkway.

City Council tabled until its first meeting in March second reading of an ordinance to amend the Parkway Group Planned Development District (PDD) to allow changes to the previously approved residential tracts known as Seashore Farms and L.L. Chestnut, referred to as “Waterside” in the PDD. Council wants to wait until an associated Development Agreement has been completed before giving second reading of the proposed ordinance.

The Waterside development would be constructed in 10 phases. Phase I is the most complete and plans have been provided to the City for review. Phases II through X will require further review and amendments prior to construction.

Phase I of Waterside includes three proposed neighborhoods— Pinnacle Ridge, Copper Creek and Copper Meadow. When completed, Pinnacle Ridge and Copper Creek will offer a variety of housing options, such as detached single-family homes, neighborhood commercial areas, and attached single-family and multifamily homes. These neighborhoods would be connected by roadways and multi-purpose paths.

City Council passed a motion to appoint Bubba Collins to the North Myrtle Beach Planning Commission.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to amend the Public Trees Ordinance text, Section 19-56 thru 64, to address recommended revisions proposed by the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board. The Tree City Board is tasked with a review and/or revision of the public tree ordinance every two years in order to maintain Tree City USA status.

The proposed revisions would bring the public tree ordinance up to date by removing obsolete terms and definitions, updating the process by which a public tree may be removed, allowing for the pruning of private trees encroaching into the public right of way, updating the annual work plan, and identifying the Department of Public Safety as the enforcement mechanism for the ordinance.

City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to approve the "Master Trust Indenture" for the Cherry Grove Municipal Improvement District (Dredging Project), which is a step forward in obtaining financing for the project.

The proposed ordinance approves a Master Trust Indenture ("MTI") for the Cherry Grove Municipal Improvement District ("District") financing, and authorizes the Mayor and City Manager to execute and deliver the MTI upon the issuance of the first series of bonds for the District this year.

The proposed ordinance sets up the mechanics for issuing and paying the bonds, and will be presented to financial institutions, which may have an interest in providing the financing.

Once a lender has been chosen, the final details of the Bonds will be set forth in a "supplemental Resolution", also approved by Council. After that, the financing can proceed to closing. No public hearing is required prior to the enactment of the ordinance.

Second Annual “Meet the Masters” FUNtastic ART Reception and Exhibit Opens February 24 at J. Bryan Floyd Community Center

On Wednesday, February 24, at 6:00 p.m., students of FUNtastic ART will present their personal renditions or interpretations inspired by art masterpieces from the Metropolitan and The MOMA art museums in New York City at The Possum Trot Art Gallery in the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center, 1030 Possum Trot Road in North Myrtle Beach. The art students will also be dressed like famous artists or artworks. FUNtastic ART students range in age from five to 17 years old.

The event is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be served. Members of the public are also encouraged to dress up as their favorite art piece or artist, however, there is no requirement to do so.

Shown at left is a photo of 16 year old FUNtastic Art student Rachel Simmons’ painting, The False Mirror of Magritte, which will be on display at the event.

According to FUNtastic Art Instructor Nina Ortiz, “This is a family-friendly, fun event so don’t worry if you don’t ‘know art.’”

Following the event, the artwork will continue to be on display at The Possum Trot Art Gallery. Several new pieces will also be on display.

In FUNtastic ART children get to explore basic hands-on art instruction and creation! In their weekly classes they learn how to use art tools and supplies wisely and creatively with a wide variety of mediums, including water colors, pencils, acrylic paints, and recycled materials. The program helps develop creativity that exists in everyone in a fun and friendly environment.

For more information, call or email Nina Ortiz at 843-997-472 or FUNtasticArt@yahoo.com or call the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department at (843) 280 – 5584 or visit http://parks.nmb.us

North Myrtle Beach Sports Tourism Season Kicks Off with a Series of Sanctioned Ultimate Frisbee Events

A series of sanctioned Ultimate Frisbee Events will kick off the sports tourism season at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. The public is invited to come out to watch the events.  All games will be played at the Wild Wing Café Soccer/Lacrosse Complex at the sports Complex.

Two of the events are sanctioned by USA Ultimate, the United States governing body for the sport of Ultimate Frisbee. All three Ultimate Frisbee events are run by Wilmington Ultimate, a nonprofit Ultimate Frisbee organization. 

The Easterns Qualifier will be held February 20-21 at the sports complex. This event serves as a preseason tournament for teams, with the winner receiving a free bid to the sanctioned Easterns Tournament March 18-20 at the sports complex. 25 colleges will compete in the Eastern Qualifier event, including the Universities of Michigan, Rutgers, Alabama, Georgetown, Penn, James Madison, Lehigh, Emory, Washington (St. Louis), Delaware, Tufts, NC State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Case Western Reserve, Ohio State, Tennessee, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Brown, Indiana, and Virginia and Kansas. Teams from Dartmouth College and the College of William & Mary will also compete.

The Easterns, March 18-20 at the sports complex, is one of the premier events of the college Ultimate Frisbee season. The event moved from other locations to North Myrtle Beach in 2014. The Easterns will feature 16 of the nation’s top men’s and 16 of the nation’s top women’s Ultimate Frisbee teams. A list of participating teams and game times will be released in coming weeks.

The DIII (Division III) Easterns will be held at the sports complex April 1-3. DIII Easterns is quickly becoming a premier event for the Division III Ultimate season.  North Myrtle Beach will welcome up to 20 Division III Open teams and up to 12 Division III Women’s teams. 

These three Ultimate Frisbee events are run by Wilmington Ultimate, a nonprofit Ultimate Frisbee organization.  For more information, visit their website at www.easterns.org

For more information on North Myrtle Beach Sports Tourism, visit www.nmbpark.com

Sidewalk Work to Result in Intermittent Closures of Southbound Curb Lane on Highway 17 Between Barefoot Landing and Commons Boulevard

On February 11, Benton Concrete will begin installing a 5 foot wide concrete sidewalk along the west side of Highway 17 between Barefoot Landing and Commons Boulevard. A majority of the work will be performed behind the curb.  Intermittent closures of the southbound curb lane will be required in order to allow trucks to pour concrete from within Highway 17. Each closure will last about 40 minutes. The sidewalk project is projected to be completed in two to three weeks, depending on weather conditions.

The sidewalk project is the first phase in achieving connectivity of the sidewalk system on the west side of Highway 17 between 46th Avenue South and Commons Boulevard. Proposed intersection improvements on Highway 17 between 48th Avenue south and Barefoot Resort Bridge Road will complete sidewalk connectivity.

SANTEE COOPER ARBORIST JEFF LANE IS FEATURED IN FREE FEBRUARY 11 SEMINAR AT NORTH MYRTLE BEACH LIBRARY

On February 11, Jeff Lane, certified arborist and supervisor of right-of-way management for Santee Cooper, will offer a seminar  on trees and tree maintenance in public rights of way and utility easements. The seminar will be held 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the North Myrtle Beach Library, 910  1st Avenue South. The seminar is free and open to the public.

With over 30 years of experience as an urban and utility forester, Jeff Lane is extremely well-versed in his field. He has served on and has been the chairman of the North Carolina (1994-1997) and South Carolina (1999-2004) Urban & Community Forestry Councils.

The seminar is part of the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board’s ongoing effort to educate the general public about the value and purpose of trees and their care.

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board advises the City in all tree related matters; serves as a source of information about proper tree maintenance techniques and community tree management policies; make recommendations for public tree establishment, maintenance, protection and removal; provides input to the public grounds superintendent for the development of an annual work plan and long-range planning; reviews the City’s tree ordinance, tree planting master plan, and recommends changes to the same at least every two years; promotes and supports the Tree City USA program; and undertakes other responsibilities as City Council may direct.

North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department Collects 60 Coasts for Homeless Youths, and Continues its Focus on “Sock It To Winter” Campaign

North Myrtle Beach Public Safety employees donated over 60 coats in two weeks for distribution to homeless youth in the North Myrtle Beach area.

The NMB Public Safety Department, in conjunction with Sea Haven, Inc., also continues its “Sock It To Winter” campaign, encouraging area residents and visitors to donate new socks for homeless youths and adults. P

Participants can drop off new socks at the North Myrtle Beach Fire Station closest to them. Any style or color of sock will be accepted, sizes youth to adult. New socks only, please.

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

Cherry Grove Canals Dredging Project Update

On December 14, 2015 the North Myrtle Beach City Council approved the final assessment roll for the Cherry Grove Canals Dredging Project. On December 17, 2015, the City filed that final assessment roll with the Horry County Register of Deeds and the Horry County Clerk of Court. When property owners included in the assessment district receive their annual property tax bill from Horry County in October of 2016, their first annual assessment for the dredging project will be included as part of that bill.

During their regularly scheduled February 15, 2016 meeting, the North Myrtle Beach City Council will consider first reading of a bond ordinance to finance the initial dredge of the Cherry Grove canals.

The current schedule has dredging occurring from November 2016 through April 2017.

It appears that a small number of canal property owners are inclined to file lawsuits against the City because they disagree with City Council’s decision to move forward with the dredging project as designed.  While it is the right of any property owner to file a lawsuit, the City wants all concerned to be aware of the practical impact this will have on the project.

The City cannot enter into dredging and financing contracts with litigation pending. Lawsuits are expensive for both sides and they can take years to conclude.

The City’s current dredging permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will allow the City to accomplish the two planned dredges, but only if the initial dredge is not delayed by litigation. A delay may well require the City to expend additional resources to extend the existing permit or to obtain a new permit. This diversion of resources might well leave a second dredge unfeasible within the City’s current cost predictions. 

The City did not propose to property owners that the canals be dredged. Property owners have for over a decade asked the City to head up an effort to dredge the canals. The City has done that, spending close to $3 million in court to determine who actually owns the canals—the State, and committing to invest more than $2 million in actual project costs. Add to those costs an abundance of City staff time and resources.

The City has pursued and continues to pursue all avenues for funding assistance for this project. These include federal and state agencies, potential public and private grants, and more.

An untrue rumor continues to persist among some property owners that the nearby Town of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, used Town funds to have similar canals in its jurisdiction dredged for the homeowners who live along them.

North Myrtle Beach City Council and staff visited Ocean Isle Beach, toured the canals located there, and talked directly with the town’s Mayor about how the canals are dredged. Ocean Isle Beach has never spent Town funds to dredge the canals located there. All dredging costs have been paid for by those who own property along the canals that are dredged because they are the primary beneficiaries of the dredging. Those same property owners continue to pay into a canal maintenance fund. Following their initial dredge, maintenance dredges have become less expensive.

In summary, it would be illogical for any property owner to expect a better answer as to how to fund this project. All funding avenues have been explored and, thus far, exhausted. The only possible result of lawsuits regarding this project would be for the City to have to abandon this project, which, again, it was requested to accomplish by canal property owners. Left unattended, the channels will eventually fill in to the point where they are no longer navigable even at high tide. The City hopes that this does not occur.