PRESENT: Mayor Council: Riley Bradham, Judy Suggs, David Dunn, Frank Thornhill, Henry Holst and Town Clerk Colleen Key
ABSENT:
Meeting called to order at 7:00
Others Present: None
No changes to agenda. No time requested.
Mayor motions to approve prior Meeting Minutes. Seconded by David Dunn. Unanimously approved.
TREASURERS REPORT:
FINANCIAL REPORT as of 12/31/2022
PREVIOUS Ending $ CURRENT Ending $
Wells Fargo Checking $81,119.55 $78,937.36
S.C. Local Government Investment Pool $291,811.43 $292,881.94
Road Repairs YTD – $0
NOTE: A virtual $10,000 is held aside for disaster clean up
Clerk to send 1099’s to herself and CDH Tree Service
MAYOR / COUNCIL REPORTS:
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- Planning: No one reporting.
- BZA: No one reporting.
- Code Enforcement: No one reporting
- DRB: No one reporting
- WILPC: Henry Holst – Chili Cook off is January 28th 12-4 at the Community Center. All proceeds go toward the Community Center repairs. Louis Hay has contacted DOT about tree trimming on Maybank Highway for road clearance. The person contacted indicated that most of the budget was spent in McClellanville. Mayor suggested reaching out to the Governor’s office and speaking to DOT liaison. Henry Holst has contacted the DOT liaison and has reviewed a list of work orders.
Old Business:
County should be close to choosing a contractor for Rockland road repairs.
Town Ordinances are now on website.
STR Policy is still under construction. Mayor has had several inquiries recently, which solidifies the need to move forward. Policy should include the following:
A. Purpose and applicability.
B. Limited rental for entire Town – all zoning districts.
C. All STR must register in writing with the Town. Permitting would be the issue here. The Town would
have someone inspect and approve to see if the property conforms to mandated rules. Must be habitable structures.
1. Charleston County would handle permitting
2. Registration could be a note from the Town to verify compliance.
3. Enforcement and violations. Permit gets revoked for a TBD time/ Unable to register for
determined time frame. Appeals process.
D. Define STR – For example, 29 days or less with the option to rent out 75 nights. Homeowners can
still rent their home for 30 days consecutively and not be considered STR. Distinguish from Bed and Breakfast.
E. Amortization of Non-conforming Uses: Grandfathering in property owners who currently short term
rent their homes. The concept indicates that if a dwelling was previously legally used as STR prior to
adoption of new STR Ordinance, that dwelling may continue be used as such for a specified amount
of time, for example 3 or 5 years, at which point they would register with the Town or renew by
presenting to BZA. One would have had to be registered with the County in this instance.
Henry Holst comments – What happens once a homeowner has rented the 75 nights? Mayor responds that a property owner could rent long term.
Council may have to have special meeting. Mayor motions to approve the having the Town fund the Town Attorney to draft the new STR Ordinance. Henry Holst seconded
Two homeowners currently rent short term in Rockville publicly. Frank Thornhill comments that if anyone is doing so under the radar, they would have to be able to provide proof to be eligible for amortization.
New Business:
State Ethics Entity List requires Council members to sign. It verifies who is on Council and who should be receiving correspondence.
Bittingham Group has completed the audit. $1700 is due for services rendered.
Frank Thornhill comments that Statement of Economic Interest is due in March.
Payment due for Oliva Condon – DRB clerk.
Election coming up in November, 2 new council members will be needed. A full council is necessary for the town to maintain sovereignty.
Mayor motioned to adjourn at 7:36. Seconded by Judy Suggs.