January 13, 2022

Updates from January Town Council Meeting

The following is a summary of announcements from January 11, 2022, Town Council meeting. Meeting materials are available here. Watch the meeting here

Mayor’s Update

Mayor Labriola announced:

• The Town has filed as an intervenor in Kiawah Island Utility’s proposed rate increase. This action follows the December Town Council meeting where KIU presented information on their rate increase filing to Council. The Town will update the community through our email distribution list throughout the process.

• The Town received a petition from Kiawah residents proposing changes to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, Annexation, and Planned Development. Council began that process at the Planning Retreat, and two additional workshops were scheduled for February 8 and February 22.

• The February 8 workshop will be a continuation of the retreat discussion. Afterward the Town Administrator and Attorney to review and develop any documentation and language for Council review.

• The February 22 workshop will be in a Town Hall format to provide community members an opportunity to share their thoughts and perspectives on the discussions and direction Council/Staff are moving towards. Residents are encouraged to listen and share their observations with the Town Administrator, Stephanie Tillerson, so that they can be responded to as part of the public input process. More information will be released on the workshops.

Acknowledgment

Dr. Patrick J. Cawley, CEO, MUSC Health & V.P. for Health Affairs, University, thanked Town Council on behalf of the MUSC Foundation for the $1M donation supporting the Sea Island Medical Pavillion.

Kiawah Partners Development Agreement Amendment

Mark Permar, a consultant for the Kiawah Partners introduced to the Town Council as information only an overview of their proposed amendments to 2013 Amended and Restated Development Agreements. No action was taken.

Noise Ordinance | Creation of Adhoc Working Group

Mayor Labriola tabled the second reading and approval of Ordinance 2021-10 – Section 15-306 regarding the Noise Ordinance. Mayor Labriola created an ad hoc working group led by Councilmember John Moffitt to review and recommend, where necessary, suggested changes to the Town’s Noise Ordinance. Community members interested in being considered to serve on the working group should email Town Administrator, Stephanie Tillerson, at stillerson@kiawahisland.org by Wednesday, January 19.

Resolution

Town Council approved Resolution 2022-01, which will provide an additional benefit option to retirement coverage to contribute to the Police Officers Retirement System.

State Accommodation Tax Funding

Town Council approved the remaining SATAX funding amounts recommended by the State Accommodation Tax Committee.

Committee Charter Changes and Appointments

Town Council approved dissolving the existing Public Works Committee Charter and establishing working groups for projects as necessary.

Town Council approved the amendment to the existing Public Safety Committee Charter to provide oversight responsibility for public safety and serving Committee Chairman to the Town’s New Public Safety Director Craig Harris. A Town Council member will be a liaison. The Town will release more information on the New Director soon.

Town Council made the 2022 Committee Appointments for the Board of Zoning Appeals, Environmental Committee, Planning Commission, and Public Safety Committee.