PRESENT: Mayor Council: Riley Bradham, Frank Thornhill, Henry Holst, David Dunn, Judy Suggs, and Town Clerk Colleen Key
ABSENT: none
Meeting called to order at 7:00
Others Present: Linda Folk and Chip Linton
No changes to the agenda. No time requested.
Mayor motions to approve prior Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Henry Holst. Unanimously approved.
TREASURERS REPORT:
FINANCIAL REPORT as of 9/30/2023
PREVIOUS Ending $ CURRENT Ending $
Wells Fargo Checking $112,509.42 $113,476.13
S.C. Local Government Investment Pool $303,009.76 $304,405.78
NOTE: A virtual $10,000 is held aside for disaster clean up
Roads YTD- $6000
MAYOR / COUNCIL REPORTS: None
Reading of Ordinances:
- Budget 2022 -2023
Income – $71,746.23
Expenses – $34,728.50
Net Income – $37,049.96
- Short Term Rental Ordinance- This ordinance, sets up a short-term rental plan for the town mimicking the short-term rental rules that are used by the County which allows for 75 nights a year with a clause that would ensure to not create a taking effect for property owners who have been engaged in the practice of short-term renting of their homes prior to the passing of this ordinance. These properties can be grandfathered in for a period of 5 years, however only as long as it is the same owner. The following recommendations from Planning were also included: any accessory unit must fall under the same guidelines. All structures must have the same cap on the number of days rented. The total may not be tallied per unit on a property. There are no limits the amount of people allowed per rental. Ordinance to be added to the UDO.
- Ordinance Authorizing and Directing the Town of Rockville to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement relating to South Carolina Revenue Services; To Participate in one or more local revenue service programs (allowing the continuation of the Town receiving of various revenues from the State)
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- Planning: No one reporting.
- BZA: No one reporting.
- Code Enforcement: No one reporting
- DRB: Lind Folk – Question – has the Town paid for the use of the Church for past DRB meetings? Mayor comments NO, but find out what is owed, and the Town will write a check.
- WILPC: Henry Holst – New principal, Teresa Smalls, from Edith Frierson is seeking donations. Funds are needed for a projector, screen and for fieldtrips and they would like to have volunteers come in and spend some time with the kids and assist the teachers. The Community Center purchased the house next door and is looking for bids to renovate the building. Point Farm project is held up in Federal Court. Sand pit is still on hold. Charleston Green representative John Smoak attended the meeting and indicated that he has dirt for sale from a pond that they are digging. Yellow House Road has experienced an abundance of trash and lighting disturbances, so the WILPC is writing a letter requesting DNR patrol the area more often. A couple also attended inquiring about potentially opening a Bed and Breakfast in Longcreek.
New Business:
Hazard Mitigation Resolution: A resolution for the adoption of the amended 2023 2024 Charleston regional hazard mitigation and program for public information plan by town of Rockville town council. Whereas the Town and the Charleston Regional Hazard Mitigation and Public Information Planning Committee has prepared this document whereas Charleston Regional Hazard Mitigation has circulated the document for review by residents, whereas the Town originally adopted the first one in 99, 2004, 2008, 2013, 2020. It includes A new requirement to discuss climate change and projected impacts. In accordance with FEMA a summary of jurisdictions and associated programs, policy staff and sources of funding. Number of buildings in the SFHA public survey, survey narrative survey graphics, all committee tables, social vulnerability analysis, hazard frequencies, probability of future occurrence to consider climate change, current rate of sea level rise, hazard assessment, summary, flood losses, development and population trends, et cetera. Mayor notes that basically the federal funds for climate change have been dispersed and for the Town to receive funds, this Resolution must be adopted. Motion is made to resolve to adopt the hazard mitigation changes proposed by Charleston County. Unanimously approved.
DRB Clerk check for $750 Check 1344. Council ratifies.
Clerk and Mayor to work on the 2023 audit as requested by the Brittingham Group.
New Ordinance for Business License Class Codes Update to be advertised in paper to read at upcoming meeting. This is an ordinance amending the business license ordinance of the town of Rockville to update the class schedule as required by act 176 of 2020. The town of Rockville is authorized by South Carolina code section to impose a business license tax on gross income. And the standardization Act requires that by December 31 of every odd year, each municipality levying a business license tax must adopt by ordinance the latest standardized business license class schedule as recommended by MASC.
Old Business:
Henry Holst asks when Charleston Green will work on road aprons. Mayor comments within the next 30 days. CDH will be back to maintain/add dirt to SIYC Road.
Linda Folk asks if it is possible to ask homeowner’s landscape contractors to not blow the dirt out of the road? Happens weekly. Mayor comments that code enforcement may need to get involved. Also, the property owners should be contacted.
Vessel in disrepair is still lingering. Now in the marsh in front of the Robinsons. It is still taking on water. Documentation of vessel is still pending. The Town’s jurisdiction is very small so potential Folly Beach effort made by a local attorney who drafted a law prohibiting moorage of dead ship vessels might not be helpful. Possible to get Seabrook to join in to expand jurisdiction. There is still a group standing by to have the boat towed when stop order is removed.
Public Comment:
Chip Linton inquired about construction compliance issues with the property at 2456 Sea Island Yacht Club Road. The raised generator platform conflicts with DRB standards. The structure did not require a permit from the County therefor was not referred to DRB before it was built. The question remains what is the best way to define and determine aesthetics? Mayor comments that DRB is not just limited to things that require a permit, however the UDO does not give enough standing to tell someone no without ending up in an appellate scenario. UDO language needs to be updated with historical protections with specific criteria. Chip Linton asked is there a way to make DRB aware of this sort of thing prior to construction? Linda Folk asks why this particular structure was not considered a permanent structure that would need to be permitted? Additionally, the height of the structure in question is an issue.
In general, Mayor mentions that an Historical Ordinance is needed to preserve aesthetics. Review City and County Ordinances. Linda Folk comments that DRB members are currently reviewing. A draft would need to be approved by Town Council. Town attorney and Joel Evans from the County could also review. Moving froward DRB should review current codes, and work to develop more specific criteria. Frank Thornhill notes that general/simple guidelines are essential, but make sure the rules do have some teeth to them.
For this situation, potential to draft a civil letter to encourage property owner to be a good neighbor.
Linda Folk mentions that there are multiple piles of stored materials under tarps. Mayor notes that unless there is a nuisance that the Town can’t do much.
Mayor motioned to adjourn at 8:03. Seconded by Frank Thornhill.
.