City Council Meeting Highlights - July 26, 2022

July 27, 2022

The Isle of Palms City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Council Chambers in City Hall. Listed below are the highlights from the meeting:

  • City Council decided to host several public listening sessions in September to receive input from residents regarding the regulations for short term rentals proposed by the Planning Commission. Once the dates are confirmed, the listening sessions will be advertised via the City's website and social media accounts. 
  • City Council voted to disclose the list of the due diligence items requested of the potential new marina operator. These include: 
  • Organizational chart showing direct and indirect beneficial ownership and managerial control of Morgan Creek Marina, LLC.
  • Copies of the articles of organization, operating agreement and other organizational documents of Morgan Creek Marina, LLC, Coastal Marina Holdings, LLC, and all constituent entities owning a direct or indirect controlling interest and/or holding a direct or indirect managerial control over Morgan Creek Marina, LLC.
  • Written resolutions authorizing the assumption of the Marina Joint Ventures lease and the Marina Outpost lease.
  • Consolidated financial statements Coastal Marina Holdings, LLC and other reasonable evidence of the net worth for any and all entities, individuals and/or beneficial owners and guarantors of the proposed Assignee of the MJV and Marina Outpost Leases.
  • Audited financial statement of Coastal Marina Holdings, LLC prepared by an independent certified public accountant, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
  • Reasonable evidence of net worth of Coastal Marina Holdings, LLC and all other proposed guarantors of the Marina Joint Ventures lease or the Marina Outpost lease.
  • Draft of proposed instruments of assignment/assumption of the Marina Joint Ventures lease and the Marina Outpost lease. 
  • Proof of adequate business experience and reputation in the ownership and operation of marinas and related-businesses. 
  • Business plan for Morgan Creek Marina's proposed use of the leased premises, including, without limitation, food/alcohol sales and service and boat club operations. 
  • City Council unanimously approved changes to the annual accrual policy and added the day after Christmas as an observed holiday. This initiative is part of a comprehensive compensation philosophy  to establish a highly competitive compensation system to enhance strong recruitment and employee retention.
  • City Council approved the commissioning of a mural for the Public Works Workshop. 
  • City Council took no action on the two ordinances related to the assignment and amendments to the marina store and marina operations leases. Council will have a special meeting on Tuesday, August 2 at 5:00 p.m. to consider and take action on these matters. 
  • City Council approved the proposed FY23 budget from the Charleston Visitor’s Bureau for the expenditure of the City’s 30% of state accommodations revenue to be used for tourism promotion and advertisement. Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston, attended the meeting and reemphasized her commitment to the City and at improving the CVB’s relationship with the City with greater collaboration, accountability and transparency. 

Ordinances  

REFERENDUM TO REDUCE SIZE OF COUNCIL

City Council approved Second Reading and ratified  Ordinance 2022-06 to present a referendum question to the citizens of the Isle of Palms at the next general election on the question of whether the electors approve reducing the size of City Council from a Mayor and 8 Council Members to a Mayor and 6 Council Members. If the referendum is approved, one Council Member seat would be eliminated at the expiration of the 2020-2024 term and a second Council Member seat would be eliminated at the expiration of the 2022-2026 term.