North Myrtle Beach Receives $1.2 Million FEMA Safer Grant

The City of North Myrtle Beach applied for, was awarded and has accepted a $1,258,096.20 Department of Homeland Security FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant.

The purpose of the SAFER Grant Program is to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards, attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards, and to fulfill traditional missions of fire departments.

Under the SAFER Grant program, the City will hire 12 firefighters.

The City will receive its SAFER Grant funds over three years in these amounts:

1.    $510,039

2.    $510,039

3.    $238,018.20

In keeping with Safer Grant requirements, the City will contribute these amounts over three years:

1.    $170,013

2.    $170,013

3.    $442,033.80

“The SAFER Grant will be very helpful in continuing to advance fire operations in our popular and growing community,” said Fire Chief Garry Spain. 

October 20-26 is "Advocates for Children Week" in North Myrtle Beach

During the October 7 Council meeting, Mayor Marilyn Hatley presented a Proclamation in support of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Advocates for Children Week on October 20-26. The North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club is a GFWC affiliate.

Since the early 1900s, GFWC members have played an intricate role in advocating for the health and well-being of children with prominent club women such as Jane Addams and Julia Lathrop paving the way for the implementation of improved child labor and juvenile court laws.

GFWC members also educate, advocate and engage in projects concerning the well-being of children via health, social and safety programs by working to ensure protection from harmful situations and by encouraging healthy physical and emotional lifestyles.

The North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club advocates for children by supporting Tools for Schools, the Children’s Recovery Center, the Autism Foundation, the USO United through Reading Program, and more.

Each year the GFWC and its affiliated local clubs in Horry County stand with parents, grandparents, educators, community leaders, and others in emphasizing the important role that children play in our lives by raising awareness about issues directly impacting children. 

Horry County Service Day - Community Clean up

Volunteers needed for land and mater cleanups across Horry County.

Horry County Service Day will focus on clearing drainage ditch, culverts, channels,streams and waterways.

The work includes clearing trees, limbs trash and debris and removing accumulated sediment.
Some worksites include watercraft cleanup in the Waccamaw river and adjacent waterways where debris is hindering the free flow of water. Volunteers with boats/watercraft are encouraged to attend and bring their boats.

Date: November  8, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Registration begins at 8:30 am.)
Learn more and register at www.horrycounty.org/serviceday

Grand Strand Officials Travel to Washington to Discuss Future of Grand Strand's Federal Beach Renourishment Program

North Myrtle Beach, Horry County and Myrtle Beach Officials Travel to Washington to Discuss Future of Grand Strand's Federal Beach Renourishment Program

Left to Right: Steve Gosnell, Marilyn Hatley,
Johnny Gardner, Jackie Hatley and Mike Mahaney.

On October 3 in Washington, North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley, Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner, Myrtle Beach Councilwoman Jackie Hatley, Horry County Administrator Steve Gosnell and North Myrtle Beach City Manager Mike Mahaney met with officials at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Tim Scott and Congressman Tom Rice. The officials requested a reevaluation of the Myrtle Beach Shore Protection Project, the formal name for the Grand Strand’s continuing federal beach renourishment project.

The Myrtle Beach Shore Protection Project was authorized for construction by Section 101 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1990, with federal participation in periodic beach nourishment authorized until 2046. The project covers three reaches: Reach 1 (North Myrtle Beach), Reach 2 (Myrtle Beach), and Reach 3 (Surfside Beach/Garden City). This project provides for periodic beach renourishment to provide shore protection to the Grand Strand, one of the nation’s most popular tourist destinations (17.9 million visitors annually).

Storm Damages: The Myrtle Beach Shore Protection Project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was damaged repeatedly through erosion and rainfall in recent years by Hurricanes Joaquin (2015), Matthew (2016), Irma (2017), Florence and Michael (2018), and Hurricane Dorian (2019). Joaquin’s damage to the sand that provides protection to people, buildings and public infrastructure was severe. Within a year, Matthew’s damage exacerbated Joaquin’s damage. As repairs from Joaquin and Matthew were underway, Irma caused the loss of 1.4 million cubic yards of sand. The Corps returned post-storm to bring the beaches back to their design template. Hurricanes Florence and Michael caused severe erosion, replaced in 2019 by Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies funds appropriated in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019. Only a few months after repair, Hurricane Dorian damaged the beaches.

Request for Federal Assistance: The original project specifications may no longer provide an adequate level of protection for the Grand Strand’s beaches. Horry County and the Cities that make up the Grand Strand Coastal Alliance submitted letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting an increase of the Corps General Investigations account to provide enough funding to conduct a General Revaluation Report (GRR) for the project. If the request is granted, the process would involve:

1. Conducting an evaluation of the existing design of the project, including its dunes and berm, to determine if any components of the project's design need to be modified to better provide resilience to the impact of waves on structures, infrastructure and life and safety. We asked that the evaluation be as broad as possible and that it include all potential measures from hard structures, beach nourishment and environmental restoration that are allowed under law and can be justified under Corps policies.

2. Reviewing erosive hot spots that occurred post construction at one or more points of the 26 miles of the project's shoreline to determine if the project design should be modified in any way.

3. Evaluating the eligibility of the Arcadian Shores section of the project for inclusion of the authorized project either as a separate reach or attached to one or more of the existing reaches of the project due to the developments that have occurred in recent years.

4. Reevaluating the appropriate berm height for the project given the concerns of sea level rise and intensifying storms. Originally, the Corps recommended a 9 foot height but Horry County asked that the berms be constructed to a lower height in Reach 3 of the project. Given the increase in property at risk, the Alliance has asked that the reevaluation occur as part of the requested project reformulation or, if possible, in a more expeditious manner.

5. Determining whether the remaining portion of the developed shoreline in Georgetown County up to Murrells Inlet can be included in the authorized project.

Jeanette Lyon Appointed to North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board

Jeanette Lyon (fourth from left in accompanying photo) was appointed by City Council to serve a four-year term on the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board. We thank her for her service!

The Tree City Board meets quarterly, although special meetings may also be held.

The 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.

Property owners and developers who are interested in finding out more about how they can preserve trees on their property are invited to contact the Tree City Board at nmbtreeboard@nmb.us.

The Tree City Board developed and manages the Tree of the Month program, which began in 2010 as a way to recognize trees within the city that have been preserved over the years. The Tree of the Month program also provides a platform to remind people of the benefits and importance that trees offer in our everyday lives.

If you think you have the biggest, best-looking, or most unusual tree in North Myrtle Beach, or your tree has a unique story attached to it, the Tree City Board encourages you to contact Parks & Grounds Superintendent Jim Grainger at (843) 280-5571 or via email at nmbtreeboard@nmb.us.

LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE ACCOMPANYING PHOTO: Tree City Board members Caroline Driggers, John Sloop, Dee Myers, Jeanette Lyon, and Chairman Tom Walker.

Enjoy NTranze in a Free September 26 Concert at the Horseshoe on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach

Enjoy NTranze in a free concert on Thursday, September 26, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Horseshoe on Main Street.

Concert goers can expect a great show filled with variety and dance hits.

Bring a beach chair.

This free concert is sponsored by Coastal Carolina National Bank (CCNB) and is part of the City's Music on Main summer concert series.

NOTES:

FREE CONCERT SERIES EXPANDS INTO OCTOBER

The City's Music on Main concert series now extends into October. The added concerts are Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot on October 3, and Chairman of the Board on October 10, both 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Horseshoe on Main Street.

For day of event weather information call the “Rec Check” hotline at (843) 280-5594 ext. 3,

www.Facebook.com/NMBParksandRec, or visit their website parks.nmb.us.

Irish Italian International Festival is September 28 in North Myrtle Beach

The 16th Annual Irish Italian International Festival is Saturday, September 28, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. Admission is free.

The one-day rain or shine event attracts about 15,000 people.

“We like to celebrate all cultures that day, so it’s not just about being Irish or Italian,” said North Myrtle Beach Special Events Director Tina McCrackin. “It’s a great way to kick off the fall season.”

Over 100 vendors offer food, arts and crafts, gifts, and more. Vendors will compete for Best Entrée, Best Decorated, and Best Dessert.

Festival-goers can participate in a friendly Spaghetti Eating Contest without using their hands.

A children’s area offers a variety of entertainment including rides, inflatables and more. A nominal fee is charged.

The festival includes street performers and two stages of entertainment.

The Irish Stage features Irish pop star Brendan O’Connor, Coastal Carolina Shields Pipes & Drums, acoustic trio Mark McKinney & Co., and the energetic Irish duo, House of Hamill.

The Italian Stage offers Rat Pack-style singer Dave Mosher, and Larry Tanelli and Friends.

Rounding out the musical entertainment is the American beach music band, The Catalinas.

Irish Stage

10:00 AM -- Brendan O’Connor

10:30 AM -- Opening Ceremonies

10:45 AM -- Brendan O’Connor

11:30 AM -- Coastal Carolina Shields Pipes & Drums

11:45 AM -- Mark McKinney Band

1:30 PM – 4:00 PM -- House of Hamill

Italian / International Stage

10:00 AM -- Dale Mosher

10:30 AM -- Opening Ceremonies

10:45 AM -- Dale Mosher

11:30 AM -- Larry Tanelli & Friends

1:00 PM -- The Catalina’s

2:16 PM -- Spaghetti Eating Contest

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM -- The Catalina’s

Festival sponsors include the City of North Myrtle Beach, Easy 105.9, Flynn’s Irish Tavern, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and WFXB Fox TV.

For more information on this festival and other events happening in North Myrtle Beach visit parks.nmb.us.