Mayor Labriola Announces Town Council Retreat
As a part of the Mayor's report at the December Town Council meeting, Mayor Labriola announced the dates for the upcoming January retreat and Town Council's intent to review the zoning and annexation process, which was distributed to the community earlier this week provided here.

The annual retreat will be held in three workshops listed below:
  1. Tuesday, January 11, 2022 - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Zoning and Annexation)
  2. Thursday, January 13, 2022 - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  3. Friday, January 14, 2022 - 9 a.m. to noon

This retreat is for Town Council and senior staff to evaluate plans from the prior year, review current projects, develop objectives for 2022, and discuss long-term strategic planning to support the mission and goals of the Town. More information will be provided to the community when the agendas have been finalized. The retreat will be open to the public and live-streamed.
Updates from December Town Council
The following is a summary of announcements from the December 7, 2021, Town Council meeting. Meeting materials are available here. Watch the meeting here. 

Presentations
Town Council viewed a presentation from Kiawah Island Utility on an overview of their rate increase filing.

Ordinances
Town Council approved the 2nd and final reading of the following Ordinances:

  • Ordinance 2021-14 to amend Article 4 regarding Municipal Business Licenses to implement the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act passed by the General Assembly, which creates the same business license process for taxing jurisdictions across the state. Changes include standardized classes, codes, and license periods.

  • Ordinance 2021-15 to amend Article 9 regarding Building Permits/Licenses, removing language regarding professional designers and contractors under investigation.

  • Ordinance 2021-16 to amend Article 14 regarding Short-Term Rental Business Licenses, which changes the rental business license period from a calendar year to May 1 - April 30. 

Ordinance Amendment
Town Council discussed and approved the first reading of an amendment to the Noise Ordinance Section 15-306, which could change the hours of the current noise ordinance prohibiting amplified sound from 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Town Council will review an amended version of this ordinance, which will include exceptions for special events and commercial yard maintenance service at their January meeting prior to the second reading. If you have questions regarding this change, contact Stephanie Tillerson at stillerson@kiawahisland.org. Persons interested in submitting public comments should email their comments to Petra Reynolds, Town Clerk, at preynolds@kiawahisland.org.

Proposals and Contracts 
Town Council discussed and approved the following proposals:

  • A bid proposal from Truluck construction for the first phase of the Beachwalker Drive Pedestrian and Traffic Improvement Project for $299,868. Earlier this year, the Town contracted planning and design consultants Kimley-Horn to develop a safety action plan addressing bicycle and pedestrian interaction along Beachwalker Drive. The purpose of the plan is to analyze continuous bicycle paths, options for raised pedestrian crossings, and safety options for the cohesion between bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles, and geometric improvements to the Beachwalker Drive at Kiawah Island Parkway

  • A bid proposal from Duke Construction LLC for the Municipal Center Garage Improvement Project for $173,507.25. The project improvements will include constructing two conditioned office spaces within the garage, a new car wash area, a secured outdoor storage area, and improving the existing bathroom. Funds for this expenditure will be taken from the general fund.

  • A proposal with Populace to develop the Android version of the existing iOS Town of Kiawah Island app for $13,500. Funds for this expenditure will be taken from the Local Accommodation Tax.

  • Approved contract services agreement with Joseph Wilson as the Municipal Town Attorney.

  • Approved contract services agreement with Adam Young of Young & Young, Attorneys at Law, to serve as the prosecuting Town Attorney for Municipal Court.

  • Approved an amendment of the STR Code Enforcement Contract with Island Beach Services.

  • Approval of the supplemental deputy coverage contract with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. In addition to the standard jurisdictional coverage for Charleston County, the Town contracts with CCSO to provide supplemental police protection, traffic control, emergency response, 24-hour coverage, seven days per week, year-round for the island, and additional deputies in the high tourist season before Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

Other Items 
Lauren Rust, Executive Director of the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, spoke to Town Council regarding her efforts to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to make Captain Sam’s Inlet a no-wake zone to protect strand feeding dolphins. The Town Council voted to support her efforts to the Department of Natural Resources by sending a letter of support. 
Kiawah Island Marathon Notice
The 43rd annual Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021. This year's race includes a new course and venue at the West Beach Conference Center. Residents should prepare in advance for the following road closures and delays on race day. 

Road Closures on Dec. 11
  • Ship Watch Road | 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
  • Kiawah Beach Drive | 7:45 – 8:45 a.m. 
  • Greenward Drive | 8 – 9 a.m.
  • Kiawah Island Parkway | 7:50 – 9:15 a.m.
  • Governors Dr. (Vanderhorst Gate to 1st Flyway Dr.) | 8:15 – 9:30 a.m.
  • Governors Dr. (1st Flyway to Ocean Course Dr.) | 8:30 – 9:45 a.m.

If you have race day traffic questions, email  Kiawah_Marathon@KiawahResort.com.
Charitable Grant Applications
Given available resources, each year the Town supports a variety of charitable and educational organizations cultural and philanthropic organizations providing services to the residents of Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island communities. Charitable grant applications are now available on the Towns website here. The application deadline is Tuesday, January 14, 2022, at 3 pm.

Applications will receive a preliminary review at the March 28, 2022 Ways and Means Committee meeting. Final approval will take place at the April 5, 2022, Town Council Meeting.
Office Closures
Friday, December 24 - Christmas

Solid Waste Notices
Christmas Week - No change in service.
All events have reduced capacity and limited tickets. Visit www.kiawahisland.org/events to access the calendar/ticket portal.
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Turtle Point Clubhouse | 5 p.m.
Tickets are available now via baxtermusic.com or at 843-766-8814.
Cost: $30 or $75 for the three-part series.
Limited capacity.
Friday, January 14, 2022
West Beach Conf. Center | 7:30 p.m.
Ticket Release: Kiawah 12/28 Public 12/31
Cost: $10
Previously Mentioned
Committee Meetings
Ways and Means – December 20 | 2 p.m.
Board of Zoning Appeals – December 20 | 3 p.m.

Procedures

  • Town Council meetings are always live-streamed on the Town's YouTube channel. Other committees that conduct their meetings in person where the public can attend are not live-streamed.

  • Agendas are available here and will reference the meeting's location. Dates, times, and locations sometimes change. Before planning to attend a meeting, check our website.
(843) 768-9166
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