Town
of James Island
Regular
Council Meeting
March
2, 2004
The
regular meeting of the Town Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Town
Hall, 1246 Camp Road by Mayor Mary Clark. Those
present included Councilmen Joe Qualey, Bill Wilder, Parris Williams and Bill
Woolsey. Also present were
Secretary Frances Simmons and Attorney Mike Socha.
Mayor Clark advised that members of the press and the public were duly
notified of the meeting in accordance with State law and the Freedom of
Information Act and that the meeting would be conducted according to Robert’s
Rules of Order.
Councilman
Williams opened the meeting with the invocation and led everyone in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
Mayor
Clark introduced City Councilman Henry Fishburne, District 1. Councilman
Fishburne announced that he is a candidate for State Senate, District 43; this
includes a good portion of James Island. He is looking forward to walking
through the neighborhoods and meeting the people. He also complimented the Town
on its efforts with the lawsuit and wished it success before the Supreme Court.
Approval
of Minutes – Rezoning Public Hearing - February 17, 2004:
A motion to accept the minutes with no corrections, additions or changes
was made by Councilman Qualey, seconded by Councilman Wilder and unanimously
approved.
Approval
of Minutes – Regular Meeting - February 17, 2004: Councilman
Qualey made a correction to the minutes under Citizen’s Comments made by Van
Fleming. Mr. Fleming’s comment
was that he asked Council to consider the application for the building of houses
on Cummings Point. His Civic
Committee had met and had sent in enough letters to require a public hearing on
the matter. He asked that the Town
write a letter of protest to the construction or development of any kind on
Morris Island. He stated that it
was not a proper place to put housing; their proposal is for a single septic
tank to accommodate 15-20 houses, pumping sewage from the houses to one tank.
He thanked the Town for its fight in keeping the development on Fort
Lamar Road from happening; although it was approved by the judge he hopes the
Town will appeal it. He commented
that the $65,000 salary proposed for a mayor of James Island is ludicrous; it is
not proper, the people do not want it and he hopes it will not pass. A motion to
approve the minutes with the correction was made by Councilman Qualey, seconded
by Councilman Williams and was unanimously approved.
Mayor
Clark announced that Frances Simmons was attending the meeting for
Clerk-Treasurer Marie Copeland who is out on medical leave.
She will return to work on March 8th on a limited basis.
Mayor’s
Comments:
Mayor
Clark reported that everyone had a great ride to Columbia today to hear the Oral
Arguments before the State Supreme Court. She wishes that the next time a bus is
taken for a Town event that more people are able to participate.
She
commented on salaries for mayor and council as an aside by stating that 25 years
ago she had swept the halls at the Palms Apartments earning $10,000 a year;
about fifteen years ago, she worked for 10 years cooking for Colonel Wideman on
Johns Island earning a grand salary of $55.00 a day which amounted to $15,000 a
year; she is a better cook and hall sweeper than a mayor. The salary issue has
been beaten to death and she is glad it has been resolved; she did not believe
that anyone ran for office for the money since no one has gotten any money to
date. Personally if she held an office for the money, she would go back to
sweeping halls and cooking.
Citizen’s
Comments:
Gary
Keull, James
Island Citizens Council – Mr. Kuell explained that the James Island Citizens
Council is a group of neighborhood representatives from all parts of James
Island which includes the City, Town and the County. He commented that the group
came together in an effort to discuss issues of common concerns to all residents
of the island and to present a unified voice to local government on issues that
concern everyone. Candidates
seeking elective office in the Town will be invited to present their ideas and
opinions at a Forum to be held on Monday, April 19th at Fort Johnson
Middle School. The Forum will be
co-sponsored by the James Island Citizens Council and the League of Women
Voters. A Planning Committee will
determine the format, using input from the candidates; the forum will be
moderated and timed in an effort to give all candidates equal time to respond.
The candidates will have the opportunity to make opening and closing statements
and respond to questions on a broad range of issues that are common to all James
Island residents. The questions can
come from the audience, be prepared questions from the Planning Committee, or a
combination of both. After the
filing deadline, a letter will be sent to all candidates inviting them to
participate.
Sandy
Just, was not
able to attend the meeting regarding the Ellis Oaks trees in the City; she
thanked the following individuals: Shirley
Hudel,
a
Landscape Architect from Summerville; Carol Jacobsen, Margaret Fabri, Frank and
Rita Lepera and anyone who attended the meeting to support the saving of the
trees at Ellis Oaks. Ms. Just noted that she understood that there were
passionate and wonderful arguments in favor of saving the trees. Thank you to
everyone for doing their part.
Greg
Kent, a member of
the Roads and Drainage Committee, stated that
six
applications for traffic calming had been turned in; a few are ready to be
processed. One member of the committee has resigned, but the Committee is at a
point where it should be presenting its recommendations to Council. Mr. Kent asked that Council review the applications that have
been complete and have the County provide a study on where the speed humps
should be placed on the streets along with the cost for installing them.
He said this has been a long process and there are a few streets that
have met the deadlines. Mr. Kent represents Burnett Drive for traffic calming;
the residents have been fighting for this to be done.
There are no sidewalks on this street which was designed as a cut thru.
The problem is that it is 928 feet long and the average speed on the
street is in excess of 35mph when it is posted at 25mph. Mr. Kent urged Council
to begin this process; there a number of streets that have been waiting a long
time. He also urged interested persons to join the Roads and Traffic Committee.
Robert
Kline
commented on the proposed candidate forum and hopes the public will have the
opportunity to ask questions. He was extremely chagrined at the City of
Charleston’s Mayoral Forum because the public was not allowed to ask
questions. Mr. Kline concurred that today was what he hopes and believes, a good
day for the Town of James Island in Columbia.
It was good to have Mayor Clark and all members of the Council at the
hearing as well as everyone who went on the trip; he believes the Town will
succeed. Mr. Kline also reviewed his request to hire someone to assist
the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. He provided
information from the State of South Carolina and referred to page 4 where it
outlines what Council is able to do. Job responsibilities and duties for the
aide were also provided as information.
Mr. Kline said that a person cannot receive remuneration for personal
gain or profit; if the person proposed for the position is a member of the
Commission, that it is not construed as personal gain or profit; the person will
be working hard for whatever remuneration they receive.
He urged the Mayor and Council to take action on this matter as his next
step is to take this issue to the court of public opinion as an editorial or a
live letter.
Eugene
Platt commented
that he was honored to be with the Town’s people today for the trip to
Columbia. As a fringe benefit, he was able to lobby the request that Council
consider a moratorium on subdivision developments on the island until January of
2005 or until a new Council is elected. Mr. Platt referred to an article in the
Journal where several of our “natural citizens” are sitting on a sign post
in the James Island creek; the caption reads: All eyes on the island. He said
the caption is apt because throughout the State, all eyes are on the new Town of
James Island. Mr. Platt gave a hypothetical situation that in twenty to thirty
years from now, the population of the Town of James Island is 350,000 and it
takes an hour to get from Town Hall to Folly Road without the
rush hour traffic; your children or grandchildren will ask why didn’t
the Town Council pass a moratorium on development when they had the chance or at
least, why didn’t they talk about it. Mr.
Platt made a plea that Council talk about this situation, formally establish a
committee, or place it on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting.
Committee
Reports:
Planning
Commission:
None
Planning
& Zoning Committee:
Councilman
Qualey reported that he and Councilman Williams will be reviewing the traffic
calming applications and will contact the County to determine the placement of
the traffic calming devices.
Ways
and Means:
Mr.
Socha reported that the minutes of the February 17, 2004 meeting were approved
and a suggestion was entertained by Councilman Wilder that the speakers and
microphone system be upgraded.
Old
Business:
New
Business:
Councilman
Woolsey requested and was granted permission to amend the agenda for the
discussion of traffic calming. Councilman Woolsey requested that the Chairman of
the Road and Traffic Committee approve the two traffic calming applications and
that the Clerk-Treasurer or Mayor contacts the County to determine where the
speed humps should be placed on those roads. Councilman Williams stated that
there were more than two applications that needed to be considered; all of the
traffic calming applications needs to be reviewed. Councilman Qualey stated that
he will meet with Councilman Williams and Greg Kent to review and process the
applications.
Councilman
Qualey requested and was granted permission to amend the agenda for the
discussion of a potential new position of administrative assistant for the
Planning Commission. Councilman
Qualey stated that this issue has been discussed for some time; it is agreed
that it is appropriate that someone be hired to fill this position and the
likely person is Leonard Blank. Mr. Socha had been requested to determine any
ethical issues or conflicts of Mr. Blank being hired and paid for these duties.
Councilman Qualey referred to information presented by Mr. Kline which indicates
that members of the Planning Commission are able to be paid. He said if Mr.
Blank is able to do this without it being a conflict that it should be done, or
someone needs to be hired. He then outlined some duties the position would be
responsible for including interpretation of codes, interfacing with the public,
answering calls and a number of other issues.
This person would be similar to an ombudsman or a liaison for the Town.
Councilman Qualey reiterated the importance of filling this position quickly.
Mr. Socha stated that under State Law, Planning Commission members can be
compensated; in article 12 of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, it states that
Planning Commission members serve without compensation. He said it would take a
month to change the Ordinance because a public hearing needs to be held.
He also said the position is what Mr. Blank is already doing. It was
debated that a month is too long before having someone in place. Mr. Socha
offered a reminder that all positions for hire must be advertised which could
take a month. Councilman Qualey asked Mr. Socha to research the changing of
Zoning Ordinance to include salary/compensation. Councilman Woolsey suggested
that the Ordinance, when it is changed, not state that the Chairman is paid, but
rather that, according to State Law, compensation is determined by Town Council.
Councilman Woolsey made a motion that the Planning Commission makes a
recommendation to change the Zoning Ordinance allowing Town Council to determine
salaries for Planning Commission members; the motion was seconded by Councilman
Wilder and unanimously approved. Councilman
Wilder made a motion for Planning Commissioners and BZA members to be paid
mileage expenses, seconded by Councilman Williams. Councilman Woolsey offered
that a policy needs to be established regarding this matter, it needs to be
considered that everyone who attend a meeting on behalf of the Town be
reimbursed for mileage and or expenses. The motion made by Councilman Wilder and
seconded by Councilman Williams was withdrawn.
Councilman
Williams made a motion that someone is hired to work with the Roads and Drainage
Committee or enter into a contract with Charleston County Public Works.
Councilman Williams stated that there is too much work for one person to
handle; Mrs. Milliken has resigned from the Committee and the meetings are
poorly attended. He complimented the community for their participation and for
working with him; none-the-less, there is much work to be done by this
committee. Councilman Wilder
seconded the motion for the purpose of discussion.
Councilman Wilder offered that a study be done before making a decision
to hire someone. Mayor Clark stated
that we are in the middle of a ruling and the election process.
She asked if this could be studied and postponed until after some of the
other issues are resolved. Councilman
Qualey offered that he does not want to return anything back to the County; we
should be taking projects away from them. He agreed that more manpower is needed
and is willing to offer assistance to the Roads and Drainage Committee. Mayor
Clark stated that we will need an entire Roads and Drainage study because the
County has returned 10 roads back to the Town. Discussion ensued about the
status of these roads. Mr. Socha
was given direction to clarify
the status of the meeting with the County and to find out why the 10 roads were
released back to the Town. Councilman
Woolsey felt that this was not the time to hire a staff person; he believes the
Town could continue to contract with the County. Councilman Williams said he
receives a number of phone calls and has to handle these issues by himself; he
said the Town needs professional help. After discussion, the motion made by
Councilman Williams and seconded by Councilman Wilder was withdrawn.
Councilman Williams asked Mr. Socha to research the technical aspects of
hiring someone to work with the Roads and Drainage Committee.
Citizen’s
Comments
Barbara
Gray commented
that the residents of Nabors Drive, Regatta Road and Grand Concourse wish to
keep their speed hump application active until a plan is approved to take its
place.
Robert
Kline thanked
Council for addressing the issue of compensating volunteers.
It is high time that consideration is given to those who volunteer on
committees and commissions; these people give a lot of their time and are
getting burned out. He urged Council to give serious thought about compensating
all members of commissions and committees for their attendance at meetings.
Please review all the options.
Carol
Jacobsen reported
that the Corridor Design Review Board meeting was truly interesting.
Everyone on the Board wanted the residents of James Island to speak
because they, too, do not want the removal of the trees. This shows that
cooperation can be done; we should consider having a cooperation committee with
the City of Charleston for issues, such as Grand Concourse,
because they have a stake in this too; we should try to get along with
them as much as we can.
Councilman
Williams announced
that Susan Milliken has resigned from the Roads, Drainage and Traffic Committee. He thanked Susan for the hard work, dedication and the
support she has given to this committee. We
have good people on James Island; however, we must remember that this isn’t
instant coffee or mashed potatoes, the issues we face will take time to resolve.
Thank you to Barbara Gray for the work she has done to resolve traffic
issues on Grand Concourse, Regatta and Nabors; this too will take time; it
cannot be done hurriedly. He urged
and encouraged everyone to continue to work with all of the Town’s
committees… this is your Town.
Mayor
Clark recognized Alfred Moore, who
lives in the City portion of James Island. Mr. Moore stated that the residents
of his neighborhood had no information about the closing of Grand Concourse or
about traffic calming until it was seen in the newspaper. He said no one asked
for their input; there is cut through traffic on Lawton Harbor subdivision with
people going to Harbor View. There is standing water in his lot from Nabors
Drive when it rains, if Grand Concourse is closed and traffic reverted, it will
be disastrous.
Mayor
Clark stated that
all agree that we must have cooperation with the City of Charleston.
She is hopeful that when the ruling is rendered that this will happen.
The people are already together and know what the problems are; because of
different jurisdictions, it is difficult to address these issues. We will need a
cooperative effort for the sake of the people on James Island.
With no
further business to come before the Council, a motion to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.
was made by Councilman Williams, seconded by Councilman Wilder and was
unanimously approved.