City Council approves special event permits

Prior to the August 19 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, Council members met in executive session to discuss possible appointments to the Construction Board of Appeals. Council took no action.

 During the Council meeting, Mayor Marilyn Hatley presented a Proclamation declaring September 17-23 to be Constitution Week in North Myrtle Beach. Together with the Theodosia Burr Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Mayor Hatley encouraged all residents to appreciate the importance of the U.S. Constitution to our way of life, freedom, and the rights and duties each of us has as a citizen of South Carolina and the United States of America.

American Red Cross Executive Director Amy Brauner appeared before City Council to thank North Myrtle Beach for its contributions to the Red Cross. She gave as an example of four recent blood drives resulting in 83 units of blood with a positive impact on 250 lives. She said that the Red Cross requires 200 units of blood daily just to meet demand in the county.

Brauner said the Red Cross is very active in providing assistance during major emergencies, such as hurricanes, and throughout the year to those displaced by residential fires and other emergencies. The Red Cross has also provided free smoke alarms and encourages people to develop evacuation plans and kits in the event of pending natural or other disasters.

The Employee of the Month Award went to Data Base Administrator Matt Cayuela for creating a parking revenue data dashboard that provides quick visual analysis of revenue generated in each paid public parking lot and per space in a given location. A data dashboard is an information management tool that visually tracks, analyzes and displays key performance indicators, metrics and key data points to monitor the health of a department or specific process.

Four city employees received Longevity Awards. The award winners are Detective William Lynch (25 years of service), Communications Technician/Jailer June Shirley (20), Communications Technician/Lead Jailer Ardrelle Vereen (10) and Detective Christopher Bellamy (10). Longevity Awards go in five-year increments to employees who consistently provide excellent customer service.

City Council approved a special event permit for the September 8, 7:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m., Trifecta Triathlon, a multi-sport competitive event for athletes. For more information visit https://www.trisignup.com/Race/SC/NorthMyrtleBeach/TrifectaSprintTriathlon.

 City Council approved a special event permit for the September 11, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., 9-11 Candlelight Memorial Vigil on Main Street. The North Myrtle Beach Lions Club and the city co-sponsor this event. It is open to the public.

 City Council approved a special event permit for the September 15, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., SOS Fun Sunday event on 1st Avenue South between Hillside Drive and Ocean Boulevard. The Society of Stranders sponsors the event. For more information visit www.shagdance.com.

 City Council approved a special event permit for the September 16, 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., SOS Fun Monday on Main Street between Hillside Drive and Ocean Boulevard. The Society of Stranders sponsors the event. For more information visit www.shagdance.com.

City Council approved a special event permit for the October 5, 7:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. BFF Pink Ribbon Run, featuring 10K, 5K runs and a 1 Mile Walk/Run. The event helps raise breast cancer awareness and funds. For more information visit www.bffpinkribbonrun.com.

City Council approved a special event permit for the November 2, 8:00 a.m-3:00 p.m. Fun in the Sun Classic Car Cruise. The collector-car cruise event occurs on Main Street from Hillside Drive to Ocean Boulevard.

City Council passed second (final) reading of an ordinance rezoning 145 acres of land located off Champions Boulevard/Long Bay Road from General Commercial (GC), Business Commercial (BC) and Highway Commercial (HC) to Mid-Rise Multifamily Residential (R-2A).

City Council approved second reading of an ordinance amending the Master Development Agreement between the City and SLF IV/SBI Sandridge, LLC, Et Al. The amendment is associated with the city’s decision to acquire about 96 acres from the Sandridge Group for expansion of the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex and facilitates resolution of a lawsuit between the City and Sandridge regarding the extension of Champions Boulevard.

City Council passed second reading of an ordinance adjusting the FY 2020 Budget (July 1-June 30) to include the purchase of 96 acres from the Sandridge Group at a price of $4,250,000 for expansion of the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. The city’s property tax rate remains the same. The city will take out a short-term loan to purchase the land  and will discuss construction of the expanded playing fields and other facilities as part of FY 2021 Budget discussions.

 City Council passed second reading of an ordinance updating Chapter 20, Storm Water Management and Erosion Control, of the City Code to conform to recent updates to state and federal storm water permits.

City Council passed second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 20, Land Development Regulations of the City Code. The amended ordinance creates special provisions regarding fire safety for development within the city, including mandating Storz connectors for fire hydrants; specifying that the maximum spacing between hydrants, measured along the roadway, is 600 feet in residential development and 500 feet in nonresidential development; and specifying turnaround standards for dead-ends greater than 150 feet in length.

City Council passed second reading of an ordinance amending the Avista Resort Planned Development District (PDD) by removing a proposed retail building and plaza from the PDD and replacing them with expanded Avista Resort employee parking.

 City Council passed second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 4, Animals and Fowl, of the City Code. The amended ordinance prohibits leaving an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under circumstances that could cause suffering, disability or death to an animal. It also places parameters on the manner, conditions and type of tether used to restrict the motion of a dog. The ordinance prohibits the sale of dogs and cats at a pet shop but allows a pet shop to make space available to an animal shelter or animal rescue organization to offer to the public dogs and cats for adoption.