Town Notes ot es 2020 Quarter 3
4475 Betsy Kerrison Drive Kiawah Island, SC 29455 • 843-768-9166 • www.kiawahisland.org
Upcoming Elections Upcoming Election Dates Presidential Election – November 3 Last day to register to vote October 3 Kiawah Island Municipal Election – December 1 Last day to register to vote October 31
Voting Information When do I vote? On election day or prior to election day via absentee voting. Where do I vote? Sandcastle Community Center, 1 Shipwatch Road. Information pertaining to COVID-19 protocols for in-person voting will be inlcuded in the Town's biweekly email notifications when it is available. How can I vote? Residents can vote in person at the poll or absentee. To vote absentee, you must be a registered voter and meet the criteria. Absentee voting begins 30 days prior to the election. Register to vote Are you a new resident? Register to vote at www.scvotes.gov/south-carolina-voter-registration-information Absentee Voting Criteria To vote absentee, individuals must be registered voters and meet the criteria set forth by the Voter Registration Office. Common criteria include: • persons sixty-five years of age or older • persons who plan to be on vacation • persons who are physically disabled • persons attending to sick or physically disabled persons Additional criteria information is available at www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/bevr/absentee-voting.php Obtain an Absentee Ballot Voters that meet the absentee criteria can visit www.scvotes.org and fill out an absentee application online or can request a ballot
from the Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration office by calling (843)744-8683 or via email to absentee@ charlestoncounty.org or via live chat with a Board of Elections representative at www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/bevr/ absentee-voting.php In-person Absentee Voting Vote in-person at the Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration office located at 4367 Headquarters Road, North Charleston, SC 29405. Voting hours are from 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Photo ID is required. In person absentee voting generally opens approximately 30 days prior to an election and closes at 5 pm on the Monday prior to an election.
Kiawah Island Municipal Election 2020 The Kiawah Island Municipal Election will take place Tuesday, December 1, 2020. This election marks the seventeenth administration of the Town of Kiawah Island, incorporated on September 13, 1988. The terms of this administration will expire in December 2022. To become familiar with what it might be like to serve the community by being on Town Council, read this quarter's TOKI spotlight on page 10. Candidate filing begins at noon on September 1 and runs through noon on October 2. Candidates must file at the Municipal Center and pay their filing fee to the Town Clerk. The filing fee for Mayor is $50, and Councilmember is $25. Once the filing has closed, the Town will publish the candidate roster and biographies for the community to review. The Kiawah Island Community Association will host a Meet the Candidate’s event. Due to COVID-19, the event format is still under consideration but will likely be a virtual event that will be live-streamed for the community, but not open for public attendance. More information will be released in future communications.
Town Notes | Q3 Town Office Closures Monday, September 7, 2020 – Labor Day
Solid Waste Notices August
No change in service
September
Labor Day Service Change - Monday’s trash collection will be collected on Tuesday, September 8. All other collections move forward one day. No yard debris collection. Twice per week trash collection ends September 12. Brown Trash & Hazardous Waste Collection: Friday, September 4. See adjacent article.
Brown Trash & Hazardous Waste Collection - Friday, September 4 All brown trash must be placed on the curb by 7:00 a.m. to ensure collection. Hazardous waste cannot be placed at the curb and must be brought to the Municipal Center (4475 Betsy Kerrison Pkwy.) for disposal between 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. For larger items such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc., please call Carolina Waste at 843-576-1100 to schedule a pickup at an additional cost. What classifies as Brown Trash? Lawn chairs, grills, folding or beach chairs, mattresses & box springs (single or twin only), bicycles, strollers and small appliances (vacuums, toaster ovens, toasters, microwaves). What classifies as Hazardous Waste? Computers, monitors, televisions, printers, household & garden chemical, used motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, paint and paint remover, varnish, pesticides, batteries, and CFL/fluorescent/incandescent bulbs.
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We're Social
Mayor’s Corner COVID-19 has caused havoc to our national economy and introduced a great deal of uncertainty into the budgets of state and local governments. The Town is no exception because Kiawah’s local economic activity generates most of our revenue. The budget just passed by the Town Council anticipates a $2.6 million reduction in revenue for the upcoming 202021 fiscal year. This is on top of a $1.0 million shortfall experienced for the fiscal year that just ended.
law was created by the State, benefits the entities just described, but provides no benefit or additional funds to the Town.
The Town’s budget is based on a very conservative view for the year, greatly influenced by the uncertainty from COVID-19. If the recent resurgence of tourism continues throughout the year, we may see better revenues than anticipated.
Having experience with local government would help a new mayor get off to a faster start, but it isn’t the most important requirement. A strong interest and commitment to the community is. The Town has a very capable staff led by an excellent town administrator. If a majority of current Council members continue for another term, our new Mayor will have good support and time to transition into the job.
Property owners often have misperceptions about where their taxes go and where the Town’s revenues originate. The majority of the Town’s operating revenue stems from two sources. Business license fees levied on businesses doing business on the island, and fees for major construction activities that require a building permit. These latter revenues were reduced in 2018 when the Town eliminated many of its building permit requirements. The other significant revenue source for the Town is its share of accommodation taxes levied by the State, County, and Town on overnight lodging stays and restaurant and beverage sales. By law, these revenues may only be used to fund programs that promote or support tourism and cannot be used to fund the Town’s day-to-day operations. A portion of these monies are disbursed back to the Resort, Freshfields, and Charleston Visitors Bureau, and the remainder supports the Town’s tourism-related costs, such as beach patrol and law enforcement. The Town’s remaining income flows from several smaller sources, including franchise fees and solid waste fees for back door trash pickup and rentals. Missing from the Town’s revenue sources are property taxes. The Town does not impose or collect a property tax. The tax property owners pay each year is assessed by Charleston County and funds the County, school district, fire district, county parks, and Trident College. As I am often reminded, non-resident property owners pay a higher property tax. That provision of our tax
On a different subject, the remainder of this “Mayor’s Corner” is a recruiting message. Our Town election is Tuesday, December 2. That’s a long way off, but candidates for this office and Town Council must file for the office by October 2, only a few months away. Having spent the past six years on the Town Council, four of those as Mayor, I will not be a candidate this fall. Kiawah Island will need one or more candidates for Mayor on the ballot.
What exactly is the job? Kiawah operates under the “strong mayor” form of government. As Mayor, you lead the Town Council, set the Town’s agenda, and have the responsibility, with the Town Administrator and staff, for the Town’s operations and services. The Mayor also represents the Town publicly and on external boards and organizations. The Town Council as a whole (Mayor and four council members) has the responsibility to enact the Town’s policies and laws and pass the Town’s budget. In corporate-speak, you are the Town’s CEO. I am certain we have many in the community who could serve well in this role, particularly residents currently or formerly serving on Town Council, Town committees, and other community organizations. I would be happy to discuss the role further with anyone interested in it and can be reached by email at cweaver@kiawahisland.org. Lastly, as I write this COVID-19 remains a serious concern throughout the State and Charleston area. Please continue to social distance, use a face-covering whenever required and wherever social distancing is difficult, and, most importantly, be courteous and conscious of your responsibility to your own safety and those around you.
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Bobcats and Deer in A Changing Ecosystem
By: Jim Jordan, Wildlife Biologist
Kiawah Island is an extraordinary place, boasting world-class amenities, a pristine beach, and a vibrant natural ecosystem. For many years, the island’s ecosystem has functioned just like Mother Nature intended. Sea turtles nested on our beaches, ospreys caught fish in our creeks, and bobcats controlled the island’s deer population by preying on fawns each spring. While the Kiawah ecosystem is still healthy in many regards, Town Biologists have seen some disturbing trends in our bobcat and deer populations over the last few years. In this article, we will discuss these trends, how residents can help, and why the Town has decided to move forward with a deer harvest program this fall (outlined on pg.7)
Population Kiawah is world-renowned for its bobcat population. Filmmakers from all over the world have visited the island to showcase our bobcats. Town Biologists have gathered incredible amounts of data on bobcat behavior and movements through the Town’s Bobcat GPS Research project. Unfortunately, over the last three years, Biologists have noticed a decline in bobcat numbers. This decline is likely due to two main factors, habitat loss and rodenticide poisoning.
Habitat Loss
While Kiawah still has plenty of excellent bobcat habitat, it has less than it did ten years ago. This means that bobcats have to travel further and expand their home range size to meet their needs. Because bobcats are territorial, larger home range sizes mean few-
er bobcats on the island. Also, increased travel by bobcats makes them more susceptible to vehicle collisions and other mortality events. Residents and island businesses can help by adding native plants to their landscaping that provide dense cover that support bobcats’ habitats like Saw Palmettos, Yaupon Holly, Black Needlerush, Wax Myrtle, Saltmeadow Cordgrass, Little Bluestem, and Broomsedge. Also let buffer areas grow back naturally. More information is available on the Town’s Grow Native initiative website: www.grownativekiawah.com
Rodenticide Poisoning Secondary poisoning from second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGAs) is a significant problem worldwide. SGAs are many times more toxic than alternative rodenticides, and because SGAs don’t kill immediately, the rodent continues to consume the bait, accumulating super-lethal concentrations of the poison. Once a bobcat, hawk, owl, or other predator eats these poisoned rodents,
Rat Poison & Wildlife
Town of
Local residents may inadvertently be poisoning our wildlife by using anticoagulant rodenticides (rat poison).
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Rodents Ingest
Rats and other rodents who eat the poison do not die immediately, but become lethargic and are easy prey for larger predators.
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Top Predator
Bobcats are the top of the food chain on Kiawah. They feed on rodents and smaller predators that are infected with rat poison. This can result in their death.
2 4 CHECK THE LABEL!
Smaller Predators like hawks, foxes, and raccoons consume rodents infected with rat poison. This can result in their death.
SGAs begin to build up in their body. Since SGAs can persist for up to a year inside the body, predators can quickly accumulate a lethal dose if they continue to feed on poisoned rodents. Since August 2019, seven bobcat carcasses (including a female and her 4 kittens) have been sent for necropsy to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) at the University of Georgia. In each instance, the cause of death was rodenticide poisoning from SGAs. The Town cannot regulate or prohibit the use of SGAs. In April, Town Council was prepared to pass an ordinance that would have done this. That action was challenged and legal opinions since have confirmed that South Carolina law broadly prohibits municipalities from enacting local regulations to control pesticide use. The Town and the Kiawah Conservancy have requested a temporary, one-year prohibition on SGA use on Kiawah Island to the SC Department of Pesticide Regulation. This request is currently being evaluated and, if granted, would immediately remove these products from our ecosystem and mitigate any further damage to our bobcat population as well as other wildlife while our community works on a permanent solution to this issue. In late July, the Town held a virtual meeting with interested pest control companies holding a current Town business license to educate these companies on this issue and seek their input and future cooperation to eliminate the use of SGAs on Kiawah.
How to Help Rethink Your Strategy Use Integrated Pest Management to address rodent problems: • Identify specific rodent problems and locations by doing a thorough survey of the property. Only take action if a problem exists. Seeing a rodent in your yard is not a rodent problem. • Use non-chemical methods of rodent control (eliminate food/ water sources, exclude rodents from structures by sealing exterior holes and cracks, use traps). • Pesticides should only be used as a last resort for large infestations inside structures. The pesticide should only be applied for a short time (typically 10 days) and then stopped once the problem is resolved.
Become A Bobcat Guardian The Town has received an inspiring amount of support for bobcat preservation efforts and is introducing a new initiative to mobilize that passion. The Bobcat Guardian pledge is a voluntary commitment from residents, businesses, and pest management providers to eliminate SGA rodenticides on Kiawah. The Town is inviting residents to pledge never to use SGAs on their property, either by informing their pest control provider to cease use or by not applying SGAs themselves. In doing so, we can eliminate the toxic foursome including Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difenacoum, and Difethialone and give our bobcat population a chance to recover. Pledge participants will be listed on www.savekiawahbobcats.com alongside business partners and pest management providers who have committed to eliminating the use of SGAs on Kiawah. We are going to need community-wide participation to mitigate the issue and save our bobcat population. Take the pledge today and help us spread the word. Bobcat Guardian Providers & Business Partners The Town would like to thank the pest management providers and business partners who quickly answered this call to action. A list of those who have pledged is available at www.savekiawahbobcats. com. We welcome additional providers and business partners and applications are available on the website.
www.savekiawahbobcats.com
Know Pesticides - It's All About Ingredients If pesticides are necessary, first-generation anticoagulants (warfarin, chlorophacinone, and diphacinone) are better than second-generation anticoagulants but still have secondary effects on wildlife and should not be used. The best option would be a product that uses bromethalin or cholecalciferol. While these products have significantly lower secondary effects on bobcats and other predators, they are still potentially toxic if consumed directly by pets and can only be used inside of a tamper-resistant bait station. Brand names of products containing these rodenticides are: Cholecalciferol (Terad3 Blox, d-Con Pro Bait Station Block), Bromethalin (Tomcat Bait Station Blocks, Victor Fast Kill Refillable Rat Bait Station.) Federal law requires that all rodenticide packaging clearly display the active ingredient and instructions for use. Always check the label before using.
Rivers Rudloff Photography
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Quarter In Review In April, Town Council
• Discussed the Town’s deer and rodent management
• Discussed a potential regulation of the use of secondgeneration anticoagulant rodenticides • Approved the first reading of Ordinance 2020-04 to amend the Municipal Code, Article 15 - General Offenses, Chapter 3 Offenses Against Public Safety, Sec. 15-306. - Prohibited Noise • Considered amending Emergency Ordinance 2020-02, Section 6 related to penalties for violation of the Emergency Ordinance • Discussed Emergency Ordinance 2020-02 regarding shortterm rentals and social distancing • Reviewed the FY 2020-2021 draft budget (expenses only) • Approved the amendment of Ordinance 2020-02 regarding short-term rentals, donations of the net amount of fines collected by the Town related to rentals, temporarily suspending the franchise agreement with Island Beach Services, penalties for violation of the emergency ordinance, and take additional measures to protect the public
In May, Town Council
• Tabled the second reading of Ordinance 2020-04 to amend
the Municipal Code, Article 15 - General Offenses, Chapter 3 Offenses Against Public Safety, Sec. 15-306. - Prohibited Noise • Approved the 2020 Kiawah Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Permanent Deputy contract • Approved the amendment to CCSO Off-Duty Deputy contract • Discussed the Kiawah Parkway Landscaping Project cost • Approved the 2020 Charitable Grant funding amounts • Considered amending Emergency Ordinance 2020-02 regarding the short-term rental moratorium • Approved Resolution 2020-02 that defined guidelines for the reopening and operation of short-term rentals and provided guidance from the Medical University of South Carolina regarding turnover time periods and cleaning procedures
In June, Town Council
• Adopted the Charleston County State of Emergency
Declaration • Approved the second reading of Ordinance 2020-04 to amend the Municipal Code, Article 15 - General Offenses, Chapter 3 Offenses Against Public Safety, Sec. 15-306. - Prohibited Noise • Approved the first and second (final) reading of Ordinance 2020-05 adopting the FY 2020-2021 budget for the Town • Approved the contract renewal with All South Consulting Engineers for emergency debris monitoring. • Approved FY 2020-2021 State accommodations tax funding • Approved the Kiawah Island Parkway Landscape Project and approved the awarded bidder Artigues for installation in an amount not to exceed $500K • Approved Emergency Ordinance 2020-03 regarding restrictions on essential businesses
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In July, Town Council
• Viewed a presentation on the Groundwater Table and Marsh Vulnerability Studies by Lee Bundrick, Kiawah Conservancy • Received an update from Jim Jordan, Town Biologist on OCRM 2016-2018 lines and the bobcat and rodenticide issue • Discussed the Sea Level Rise Resiliency/Adaptive Management Plan • Approved the janitorial services contract with Jan-Pro Cleaning Services • Approved proposed changes to the Finance Department revisions to accounting policies and procedures regarding the Emergency Fund, Capital Improvement Fund, and State Accommodation Tax Fund allocation and disbursement • Approved Proposed Changes to the Short-Term Rental Ordinance Expanded information on the items above are available at www.kiawahisland.org/meetings-minutes/town-council
Emergency Ordinances in Effect Emergency Ordinance 2020-03 Emergency Ordinance 2020-06
Face Coverings Mandate Emergency Ordinance The Town is operating under Emergency Ordinance 2020-06, which requires face coverings to be worn in certain public areas and by employees that interact with the public within the Town of Kiawah Island. Face coverings are required to be worn by the public while: • • • •
Waiting to enter or entering a restaurant at all times except when seated for dining or beverage service Waiting outside or inside to pick up a carry-out order at a restaurant Entering or waiting to enter any business, club, or association facility Entering the Municipal Center (masks will be provided for persons who do not bring a personal mask)
There are exceptions for young children and persons with specific health issues that prevent wearing a face covering, and persons in private offices. On July 28, this Ordinance automatically extended for one successive thirty (30) day period until August 27, 2020, unless acted on by Town Council. The entire Ordinance and initial announcement is available at www.kiawahisland.org/town-council-passes-emergencyordinance-2020-06/
Real Estate Market Study By Chris Widuch, Mayor Pro Tem
In February, Town Council approved a study to be conducted by the real estate and economic development firm HR&A Advisors aimed at helping the Town, other Kiawah entities, and propertyowners better understand the current and future dynamics impacting the island’s property values. Among its objectives, the study will provide additional data-driven clarity about the community’s property value trends, identify factors influencing property values, and evaluate opportunities to best ensure the long-term health of the residential property market. The results will provide property owners and the Town’s various entities such as the Town and community association with direction for supporting and driving positive change in values. The study has been conducted by HR&A over an approximately six-month period and is expected to incorporate input from an array of community stakeholders, including property owners, the Community Association, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, and Kiawah Partners, and local real estate firms. The firm’s final report, including findings and recommendations, will be publicly available. Mayor Weaver stated, “Kiawah’s unique brand and its reputation as a premier community, combined with the efforts of our developer and real-estate firms, have historically driven strong property values and demand. We need to ensure that we remain a leading community, understand the evolving expectations of buyers and investors, and are making the policy and investment actions necessary to retain our strong market position.” HR&A Advisors is an industry-leading real estate, economic development, and public policy advisory firm. They have been in business for over 40 years, worked with clients in the public, private, and non-profit sectors to provide solutions for complex real estate and economic development challenges.
Noise Ordinance Changes In May, Town Council passed changes to the Town’s noise ordinance. A summary of the changes is provided below. A detailed copy of the Ordinance is available at www.kiawahisland.org/proposed-changes-to-noise-ordinance Daily between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., any noise or sound that registers more than 60 decibels at the nearest complainant’s property line is prohibited and will be a violation of the Town’s noise ordinance and considered disturbing the peace. Loud or unnecessary noises include loudspeakers, amplifiers, paging systems, domestic animals, yelling, shouting, feuding, whistling, or singing on the streets or recreational areas. Decibels are measured on a network scale using a sound level meter of standard design and having characteristics established by the American National Standards Institute.
White-Tailed Deer Population & Harvest Program
By: Jim Jordan, Wildlife Biologist
White-tailed deer are very adaptable creatures and a common sight in suburban communities all over the country. Deer are a prey species, which means their survival strategy is to continually produce offspring since predators will eat many of them. Deer and other prey species cannot regulate their numbers. Because of the lack of natural predators in most suburban communities, deer populations can proliferate and become overabundant. Kiawah has been the exception to this rule for many years as our deer population has been naturally controlled and maintained by bobcats. Kiawah’s declining bobcat numbers have allowed the island’s deer population to rise quickly. Town Biologists monitor Kiawah’s deer population by conducting biannual spotlight surveys. These surveys have shown an increase in fawn survival and an overall increase in the island’s deer population by 58% in the last two years. This increasing trend in deer numbers will likely continue unless a deer management program is initiated. For this reason, Town Council discussed and approved the development and implementation of a deer harvest program at the April 7 Town Council meeting. The program will be conducted by Town Biologists and is scheduled to begin this fall/winter. Deer will be harvested throughout the island, with a focus on areas with the highest deer concentrations and the highest incidence of deer-vehicle collisions. Work will be conducted under a State permit during nighttime hours using suppressed weapons. All harvested deer will be processed, and the meat will be donated to local food banks or shelters. The goal of the program is to reduce the deer population to a density below 80 deer per square mile (2019 density is 111). To maintain reduced deer numbers, it will likely be necessary to conduct a deer harvest annually for the next few years. Biologists are hopeful that bobcat numbers will rebound quickly and will once again be able to keep the island’s deer herd stable, eliminating the need for an annual deer harvest.
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State Charitable Contributions Accommodation Tax Awarded State Accommodation Tax is a 2% tax on gross proceeds derived from the rental or charges for accommodations furnished to transients. From this tax, the state then distributes roughly 85% of the amount it collects to municipalities to drive back into the community. Revenues from this tax must be spent on advertising and promotion of tourism-related activities and expenditures. The Town selects members from the hospitality and lodging industries, as well as from the community at large to serve on the Kiawah Island State Accommodation Tax Committee. Each year, the committee reviews the applications and makes recommendations to the Ways and Means Committee on how the Town’s tourism-related funding should be allocated during the following budget year. Ways and Means recommendations then go before Town Council for approval. In May, Town Council approved the following State Accommodation Tax Committee funding recommendations for FY 2020/2021: Applicant/Project
Funded
Freshfields Village Events Promotion
$11,357
2%
Freshfields Village Marketing & Advertising
$32,071
4%
Kiawah Island Golf Resort Public Access Events
$332,143
45%
$120,000
16%
$48,429
7%
Town of Kiawah Island Charleston County Sheriff Deputies (portion of total CCSO Town budget)
$186,000
25%
Total Funding
$730,000
Professional Golfers Association of America 2021 PGA Championship Town of Kiawah Island Beach Patrol
% of Budget
Budget At A Glance Have you ever wondered how the Town's budget is managed, where the money comes from or where it is spent? The Town provides its financial information at www.kiawahisland.org/transparency. The Town also publishes an annual budget at a glance report that summarizes the next year's budget outlook and spending. Look for the updated 2020-2021 budget at a glance report coming in August in the Town’s biweekly e-blast.
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Given the available resources, each year the Town of Kiawah supports a variety of charitable and educational organizations through its Charitable Contribution Fund. The Town allocates up to 30% from the change in the fund balance of the general fund each year, not to exceed $150,000. This year, the Town received 30 applications totaling $318,611.00 Priority is given to applicants whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being. Priority is also given to organizations who operate with a large volunteer base, collaborate with other organizations, leverage funding sources and whose maximum impact is on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands On May 5, Town Council approved the 2020 Charitable Contribution recommendations made by the Ways and Means Committee. Below is the list of organizations that received funding: AMOR Healing Kitchen $2,000.00 Arts, etc. $4,000.00 Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island $2,000.00 Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic $20,000.00 Barrier Islands Little League $1,300.00 Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding $7,084.00 Kiawah Women’s Foundation $7,000.00 Lowcountry Food Bank $10,000.00 New St. James Bethel AME Church $1,116.00 Operation Home $6,500.00 Operation Sight $4,000.00 Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach $20,000.00 Reading Partners $5,000.00 Respite Care Charleston $5,500.00 Sea Islands Blessing Basket $4,500.00 Sea Island Habitat for Humanity $10,000.00 Sea Islands Water Wellness Mission $25,000.00 Sweetgrass Garden Co-op $4,500.00 Teachers Supply Closet $6,500.00 The Paraclete Foundation Holy Spirit Church $4,000.00 Total Budgeted Funds Awarded $ 150,000.00
Don't Forget Beginning October 1, 2020, your South Carolina driver's license or identification card must have a gold star to show it's a REAL ID in order to board a domestic, commercial flight, enter a secure federal building, or visit a military installation. If you have a valid US Passport, military ID, or another federal identification that is accepted by airport security, you may use that instead of changing your SC license or ID to a REAL ID. You can obtain your REAL ID in person at the DMV or you may be eligible to apply for a REAL ID online. To see if you are eligible, visit www.scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/Drivers-License/REAL-ID
New Tide Station Provides Real-Time Water Levels
Resiliency
The Town’s new water level monitoring station, located at the Kiawah River Bridge, provides real-time water level information that is now available to residents and the general public at: https://public.eagle.io/public/dash/hqunq45zw5jobf8 In addition to the water level data, the webpage also provides real-time weather information from a weather station recently installed by the Town on the roof of The Timbers oceanfront residences. The water level monitoring station is solar-powered and collects water level data every 15 minutes with an accuracy of 2 mm or less. Data is transmitted in real-time via the cellular network, and the station will also transmit data via satellite if the cellular network goes down during a storm event. Historically, tidal data predictions for the Kiawah River Bridge were extrapolated from nearby stations in the Charleston area. This new station will collect current and historical water level data specific to Kiawah and allow for monitoring the long-term effects of sea-level rise. The weather station is also solar-powered and collects and transmits weather data every minute. It will provide critical data during storm events, and in conjunction with water level data, will assist in the emergency management decision-making process. Understanding the Public Webpage The current water level can be seen at the top of the page. The chart underneath provides current and historical data for the previous seven days. The blue line represents the current output from the Town station, and the black line represents the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) tide prediction for the same time period as well as the following three days. Below the chart are two additional tables that provide historical data from the station as well as a listing of King Tide events by date. If you have questions, email Jim Jordan at jjordan@kiawahisland.org.
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TOKI Spotlight - Town Council
The Town's Municipal Election is on the horizon. Mayor Craig Weaver, Mayor Pro Tempore Christopher Widuch, Council Members F. Daniel Prickett, Maryanne Connelly, and Klaus Said comprise the Town's sixteenth administration, and their terms will expire at midnight on December 1, 2020. As we prepare for a new chapter to come, we reflect on each administration's responsibility in leading this community and the rewarding work it takes to fulfill that charge. The Mayor and four Council Members are elected every two years by a nonpartisan, at-large election. On paper, their unpaid position appears relatively straightforward: set overall policy in matters concerning the operation of the Town's affairs. In practice, it's a mix of working hand-in-hand with staff and resident volunteers, listening to neighbor concerns, and expert recommendations. Town Council has to view issues from all sides with one foot in the present and one in the future to serve the ultimate goal of enhancing and preserving the distinctive character of Kiawah Island. The Mayor is further tasked with the executive functions of Town management, such as coordinating and carrying out the policies established by Council and working with the Town Administrator to ensure that the duties of Town employees are performed efficiently and effectively. Whether making the tough call about a looming storm or finding the perfect individual to make a Town Committee succeed, the Mayor's role is fluid, exciting, challenging, but never isolating thanks to the backing of a strong, enthusiastic team.
Want to see them in Action? Visit the Town's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/TownofKiawahIsland to watch one of their meetings in session.
Upcoming Municipal Election | December 1 , 2020 The Kiawah Island Municipal Election will take place on December 1, 2020. If you are interested in learning more about filing for the Town Council or Mayor, email Town Clerk Petra Reynolds at preynolds@kiawahisland.org. Candidate filing begins at noon on September 1 and runs through noon on October 2. Candidates must file at the Municipal Center and pay their filing fee to the Town Clerk. The filing fee for Mayor is $50, and Councilmember is $25.
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Charitable Contribution Spotlight Bridges for End-of-Life marches headfirst into territory many of us fiercely avoid - how to care for ourselves and our loved ones before, during, and after a death. Through advocacy, education and grief support Bridges for End-of-Life provides comprehensive guidance for those experiencing a death or planning for their own. The organization is a 2019 Charitable Grant recipient with a long history in end-of-life care. In 1980, they began as Hospice of Charleston, South Carolina’s 2nd home hospice provider and
spent 28 years providing hospice care in the Tri-County area before transitioning from direct patient care to advocacy. In 2013, the Bridges for End-of-Life brand was established and now seven years later they give intense support to 350+ individuals, and education to hundreds more. Their yearly calendar includes the What Matters Most Festival, an intergenerational event to reflect, share and plan for life’s final chapter, the Care for Caregivers Retreat, and Stepping Stones, an eight-month grief support intervention program for children and youth. The organization targets Title 1 schools for grief support programs to ensure underserved young people receive the care they need. Bridges for End-of-Life also conducts workshops and lunchn-learns on a variety of topics like supporting family caregivers and advance care planning.
thrive after the death of a loved. It begins with Shannon’s Hope Camp, where professionals and trained volunteers lead campers ages six to 16 in engaging activities that allow them to express and explore their unique grief journey. The healing continues after camp with the Sand Dollar Club. For 12-weeks, students meet in small groups during school with a Bridges facilitator to discuss grief and their emotions surrounding the loss of a loved one, develop coping skills, foster peer support, and build self-esteem and resilience. The Community Candlelight Memorial Ceremony each November gives the participating children and their families the opportunity to publicly acknowledge and mourn alongside others experiencing loss. Finally, the program participants gather with their families at Family Day Camp to share a meal, celebrate progress, connect with peer families and have fun. Mayor Weaver visited the spring Shannon’s Hope Camp at Seabrook Island’s Camp St. Christopher on Saturday, March 7 during the opening ceremony. Children and their adult buddies gathered in a circle, introduced themselves and started bonding through exercises and games. The facility’s natural setting and waterfront views provide the perfect atmosphere for campers to begin a new chapter. To learn more about Bridges for End-of-Life visit www.bridgessc.org.
The Town of Kiawah’s $2,150 contribution funded participation in Stepping Stones for 15 grieving children from Wadmalaw and Johns Island. Stepping Stones takes a fourpart approach to empowering children, youth and their families to heal, grow, and
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2020 Hurricane Season Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 with the greatest frequency of storms occurring from August 15 to October 15, with September being the most likely time for an occurrence. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season outlook is forecasting a 60 % chance that the the Atlantic hurricane season will be above-normal. NOAA's forecasters predict a likelihood of 13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which six to ten could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher).
Be Prepared
Due to COVID-19, the Town was unable to host our annual Disaster Awareness Day this year. All property owners should review the State, county, and local emergency guides to prepare for hurricane season and other possible emergencies. Available guides include 2020 hurricane guides, earthquake guides, flood maps, and more. Preparedness guides are available at the Municipal Center or online at www.kiawahisland.org/disaster-preparedness In emergency operations, the Town disseminates important detailed notices to the community. Sign up to receive our notifications at www.kiawahisland.org/disaster-preparedness
Sign up for CodeRED CodeRED is used to communicate in emergency situations or critical community alerts such as evacuation notices, boil water notices, tornado warnings, and flash flood notices. Notifications are sent via voice, text and email based on your preferences. You must be registered to receive. Register at www.kiawahisland.org/disaster-preparedness
Evacuations Happen When a hurricane threatens South Carolina’s coast, you may plan to leave voluntarily or you may be ordered to evacuate. The Governor is the only one who issues an evacuation. However based on reports from the National Weather Service and Charleston County EMD, the Mayor may issue a recommendation to evacuate the island. By evacuating early, you will be able to pick your own evacuation route. If you wait for an evacuation order, you may be required to take a designated route based on your evacuation zone and may not be permitted to deviate from this preplanned route. You are strongly encouraged to leave early before an evacuation order is is-
Remember
Keep In Mind Mobile networks can become overwhelmed during emergencies, making it hard to make and receive phone calls. Text messages require less bandwidth and can be transmitted more reliably during situations when many people are trying to use their mobile phones at the same time. Also, make sure you have an emergency charging option for your phone and other mobile devices.
2020 Storms
Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle
www.kiawahisland.org/disaster-preparedness
Laura Marco Nana Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred
After an evacuation order is issued and completed, Kiawah Island Utility and Berkeley Electric may power down their services to protect their equipment. If you chose to remain on-island, you might not have power or water until a post-disaster damage assessment has been performed. There could be no medical, fire, rescue, or police assistance available on the island. Even after the event, depending on the damage to the island, you may not get assistance for several days.
Evacuation Route > Road S-20 (Bohicket/Main Rd.) to US 17. > US 17 south to SC 64, where you will go to Walterboro, then to North Augusta.
Re-entry Procedure Re-entry procedures will vary depending on the severity of the natural disaster but will generally be performed in stages. Do not attempt to return to the island before the ALL CLEAR has been given by Town officials. Re-entry information will be disseminated via CodeRED, email notification, the Town website and social media.