Horry County Infrastructure & Regulation Committee Meeting - November 6, 2024

The Infrastructure & Regulation Committee met on November 6, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Conference Room. Chairman Al Allen presided. The meeting included approval of minutes, introduction of a new deputy director, discussion of roads to be removed from the maintenance system, acceptance of new subdivision roads into the county system, allocation of community benefit funds, and first readings of two ordinances. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to enter executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved unanimously on a motion by Councilman Tom Anderson.
• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the October 8, 2024, meeting were approved unanimously on a motion by Councilman Bill Howard.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public input was received.

Discussion Items

• Roads Identified for Removal from Maintenance System (Randy Plummer): Staff presented a list of roads proposed for removal from the county road maintenance system. No questions or objections were raised by committee members. The item was acknowledged and approved.

Resolutions

• Acceptance of Roads into County Maintenance System (David Gilreath): The committee approved the acceptance of roads and drainage from the following subdivisions into the Horry County Maintenance System: Belle Mer South Phase 2 (Selma Loop, Hickman Street, Jenkins Court; 0.84 miles), Heather Glen Phase 8B (Rutherford Court; 0.21 miles), Heather Glen Phase 14 (Longside Court; 0.26 miles), Heather Glen Phase 19 (Kings Acre Court, Nelson Road, Hollandbush Drive, New Galloway Drive; 0.61 miles), and Heather Glen Phase 21 (Brooks Drive, Elder Court, Player Court; 0.32 miles). The motion was made by Councilman Tom Anderson, seconded by Bill Howard, and passed unanimously. Councilman Johnny Gardner noted the need for long-term planning for road maintenance given the increasing number of accepted roads.
• Allocation of Council Community Benefit Funds (Ashley Carroll): Four allocations were approved unanimously:
  • Horry County Police Department: $10,000 from council districts 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11 to support the annual Shop with a Cop program for disadvantaged youth.
  • Smore Academy: $650 from District 3 to purchase food for Thanksgiving dinners for families in need.
  • Grand Strand Humane Society: $600 from District 8 for medicine and supplies.
  • SOS Health Care: $750 from District 7 to purchase Project Lifesaver bracelets for individuals with disabilities.

Ordinances (First Reading)

• Conveyance of Former Luck Avenue Fire Station to Little River Chamber of Commerce (Randy Haldi): An ordinance authorizing the County Administrator to execute a deed conveying the surplus fire station property (approximately 0.34 acres on Luck Avenue in Little River) to the Little River Chamber of Commerce. The deed includes a reverter clause allowing the county to reclaim the property if it ceases to be used for public benefit, and restricts transfer to other governmental entities. The motion to approve was made by Councilman Tom Anderson, seconded by Mark Causey, and passed unanimously.
• Lease Renewal with FAA for Grand Strand Airport (Ryan Betcher): An ordinance authorizing a 20-year lease renewal (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2043) with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration for approximately 0.7 acres at Grand Strand Airport, including the air traffic control tower site and support facilities. The lease has no annual rental payment due to the beneficial service provided; the FAA will cover all operation and maintenance costs. The motion to approve was made by Bill Howard, seconded by Tom Anderson, and passed unanimously.

Executive Session

• A motion to enter executive session was made and seconded, and passed unanimously. The session was held for discussion of negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements, proposed sale or purchase of property, and receipt of legal advice covered by attorney-client privilege.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved unanimously.
• The committee accepted five new subdivision road systems into the county maintenance system, totaling approximately 2.24 miles.
• Four community benefit fund allocations were approved, totaling $12,000.
• First readings were given to ordinances conveying the former Luck Avenue fire station to the Little River Chamber of Commerce and renewing the FAA lease at Grand Strand Airport.
• The committee entered executive session; no further actions were reported prior to adjournment.