Legislative eNews
Government Affairs Update from the Hilton Head Island-
Bluffton Chamber of Commerce -- Aug. 1-5, 2005
Your Chamber of Commerce is the business community's source of information during hurricane operations: www.hiltonheadisland.org
Hurricane preparation tip: Know what your insurance does not cover. Most general casualty policies do not cover flood damage. Many require additional riders for windstorm, sewer backup, or earth movement.
Add coverage for likely perils, especially flood insurance.
Topic #1 -- SCDOT nears completion of drainage installation across U.S. 278 -- South Carolina Department of Transportation officials reported today they will install two final sets of drainage pipes across westbound U.S. 278 on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday near the Hilton Garden Inn just east of the Moss Creek intersection. Following this, parallel drainage work will begin along U.S. 278 near the Moss Creek intersection. This will include curb and gutter work on both sides of the roadway and in the median.
Topic #2 -- Filing period begins Aug. 15 for town elections -- Citizens wishing to file for candidacy in the Town of Hilton Head Island's November Town Council and mayoral elections can do so from Aug. 15 to Sept. 1. For more information, phone 341-4600.
Topic #3 -- Proposal would speed business recovery following a hurricane -- Hilton Head Island town planners presented a proposal to the town Planning Commission on Aug. 3 that would enable business owners to rebuild quicker and avoid major paperwork. In its present form, the proposal would allow business owners in the first six months following a hurricane to receive town approval to build back what they had pre-hurricane, provided they come back to the town with documentation of what their facility was like. The required documents would include a survey, elevation drawings or color photographs, color information about facades, trim, roofing and other elements, plus sign approvals and a document that indicates square footage. Eliminated by this proposal is two and a half pages of documentation required by the town's Land Management Ordinance. A key element in this proposal is that business owners would need to collect these documents prior to a hurricane strike (not after) and take these documents with them when they evacuate. Town planners hope to send the proposal to Town Council for first reading in early September.
Topic #4 -- Town signs on to county's revised stormwater fee structure -- Town Council on Aug. 2 authorized Mayor Tom Peeples to sign a letter endorsing Beaufort County's revised stormwater residential fee structure that will soon go into effect following anticipated approval by all municipalities and a final vote by County Council. County stormwater officials say the new fee structure will more equitable.
Topic #5 -- Town implements automated ticketing project -- In a joint technology initiative between the Town of Hilton Head Island's municipal court and facilities management division, an automated ticketing project was implemented the first week of July. Facilities management staff members are using IPaqs and small mobile printers for the issuance of parking tickets. The IPaqs are synchronized at the end of the day, uploading the ticket information directly into the municipal court's database for processing. This automated process has eliminated the need for manual input by either division and will save both divisions valuable time issuing and processing tickets, as well as significantly reduce the opportunity for errors. This automated project is similar to the one the town hopes to gain approval to implement as a pilot project with the county sheriff's office traffic team.
Topic #6 -- State chamber schedules legislative grassroots meeting here Sept. 28 -- The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce will hold a legislative grassroots meeting here Sept. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the meeting is for the state chamber to identify local needs and possible solutions to issues concerning business and industry. This is one of nine meetings statewide, and the state chamber will use the feedback to set its legislative agenda for 2006. To register, phone Tim Bennett at 341-8370. Cost is $10 at the door to cover cost of the box lunch.
