Town Council adopts strategic priorities for 2019-20

The Mayor and Council of the Town of Seabrook Island recognize the value of prioritizing its strategic goals and objectives in order to articulate a shared vision for future actions to be taken by Council and to ensure the most efficient and effective use of limited public resources.

On March 12, 2019, the Mayor and Council participated in a strategic planning workshop facilitated by a representative of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. The purpose of this workshop was to identify and rank the town’s strategic priorities for 2019-20

On March 26, 2019, Seabrook Island Town Council adopted Resolution 2019-12, entitled "A resolution to adopt the Town of Seabrook Island's Strategic Priorities for 2019-20." 

Below is a summary of the town's strategic priorities for 2019-20:

Must Do Items

• Complete and adopt the Seabrook Island Road Master Plan; adopt ordinance(s) to implement the recommendations of the Seabrook Island Road Master Plan; complete a legal review of existing utility agreements for properties located outside the town limits.

• Complete and adopt required updates to the town’s Comprehensive Plan (10-year update) and Beach Management Plan (5-year update).

• Initiate and complete a comprehensive update to the town’s Development Standards Ordinance (DSO).

Should Do Items

• Complete design, permitting and construction of drainage and other related improvements at Town Hall and within the Seabrook Island Road right-of-way. 

• Develop and adopt a fund balance policy.

• Consider adoption of an ordinance to transition Town Council from two-year terms to four-year staggered terms. 

• Further define the roles and responsibilities of the town’s committee structure; consider adding citizens (subject area experts) to town committees; develop strategies to promote advocacy on behalf of the town’s interests and continuity of town leadership. 

Could Do Items

• Complete a comprehensive review and update of the town’s Business License Ordinance; consider adopting the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC) Model Business License Ordinance; modify licensing policies and procedures to streamline the license renewal process.

• Develop and implement an orientation program for new Town Council members.

• Develop and implement an ordinance to ban single-use plastic bags.

Other Items

Administration & Finance 

• Issue requests for proposals (RFP) and enter into new contracts for a landscape services provider and financial auditor.
• Identify opportunities for local, state and federal grant funding and develop capacity for pursing grant opportunities.
• Create a database of existing town contracts (vendors, terms, renewal dates, etc.)
• Evaluate available revenue sources to address town priorities (property tax millage?); complete a comprehensive review of the town’s fee schedule to ensure that fees are competitive with neighboring jurisdictions and adequately cover the cost of providing services to the public. 
• Implement a point-of-sale system to allow for the acceptance of credit and debit cards at Town Hall. 

Beach Management

• Design and install new signage on the beach
• Evaluate whether the town, rather than SIPOA, should take the lead on beach renourishment projects. 

Capital Projects

• Complete design of a new garage and storage structure at Town Hall and submit to neighboring property owner for review and approval (as required by deed restriction).
• Develop and adopt a Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) to plan for the periodic purchase, maintenance and replacement of town facilities and equipment. 
• Evaluate the feasibility of a shared Town Hall-SIPOA office facility (cost sharing, space needs, etc.)  

Planning, Zoning & Code Enforcement

• Pursue annexation of the Bradham Property adjacent to Bohicket Marina; identify threats and opportunities associated with other properties adjacent to the town limits. 
• Continue the town’s engagement on regional transportation and land use issues affecting Johns Island and surrounding areas.
• Document and address zoning and land use issues at Bohicket Marina (grandfathered uses, etc.) 
• Review current short-term rental regulations and work with SIPOA to define who is responsible for administering and enforcing certain regulations (ie. town ordinance vs. private restrictions). 
• Evaluate the relationship of the town’s zoning ordinance to existing PUD’s and determine whether it would be in the best interest of the town and its residents to replace PUD’s with standard zoning districts.

Public Engagement

• Research and implement tools to improve access to public meetings using technology, to include a publicly accessible archive of audio and/or video files.
• Research strategies to encourage more individuals to run for Town Council.
• Seek ways to identify and tap into subject area expertise of town residents.
• Provide public information regarding adoption of the new FEMA flood maps.

Public Safety

• Develop and adopt a Sea Level Rise Master Plan and identify funding sources for implementation of the plan’s recommendations. 
• Research FEMA’s guidance for private property debris removal (PPDR) to determine public assistance (PA) reimbursement eligibility when debris on private property is so widespread that it threatens public health and safety or economic recovery of a community; determine the role of the town and SIPOA in such situations.
• Review town policies and ordinances to ensure that the public safety is adequately protected following adoption of the new FEMA flood maps; address any unintended consequences that may result from the implementation of the new base flood elevations (eg. building heights, etc.)

Utilities

• Research and better understand the structure of the Seabrook Island Utility Commission, including its operations, service commitments and relationship to the town.

​View Resolution 2019-12