City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

In January, the first half of the 2023 – 2024 session of the General Assembly begins. Scott Slatton, director of advocacy and communications; along with Casey Fields, manager for municipal advocacy; explain changes coming to the State House with an unusually large incoming freshman class of legislators, as well as what is happening with prefiled bills and committee assignments.

The City of Laurens won the 2022 Excellence on Main Street Award for the Laurens Lights Up the Night festival, an Independence Day event with music, fireworks and for the first time a light-mapping video display customized for projection onto the façade of Laurens’ historic courthouse. Laurens Mayor Nathan Senn and Main Street Laurens Executive Director Jonathan Irick discuss the event as well as upcoming projects in downtown Laurens, including a restoration of the courthouse. See the video at vimeo.com/731394098.

The Town of Bluffton won a 2022 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its multifaceted program promoting officer wellness and normalizing mental health assistance. Mayor Lisa Sulka and Councilmember Bridgette Frazier discuss everything from the community-focused parts, including the creation of a mental health advocacy position, to the promotion of good mental health among officers, including a sabbatical benefit. See the award video at vimeo.com/732155399.

City and town residents need to be able to contact their mayor and councilmembers to raise issues of concern, but exactly how much elected official accessibility should exist is a frequent question. Municipal Association of SC Field Services Managers Ashley Kellahan and Charlie Barrineau discuss.

The City of Florence won a 2022 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its work to spur new development in a corridor running alongside its downtown, reducing the area’s food insecurity and finding new uses for historic warehouses. Florence City Manager Randy Osterman and Assistant City Manager Clint Moore explain projects in the district, including the establishment of a grocery store and the City Center Market, a venue for a farmers market and startup food businesses. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/732157829.

The City of Rock Hill won a 2022 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its rapid deployment of a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination clinic in early 2021. Rock Hill Communications and Marketing Manager Katie Quinn explains how the city helped with logistics, volunteers, transportation and communication, and the lessons learned for ongoing city initiatives. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/732160538.

The Municipal Association invited the South Carolina Policy Council to join its podcast after the SCPC published a report on short-term rental regulations. Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss how cities and towns are handling regulatory decisions on short-term rentals with SCPC Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse and SCPC Senior Policy Analyst Bryce Fielder.

When city councils and other public bodies choose to have public comment periods, they should take care to set rules and expectations, handle speakers consistently and make sure they keep the meeting effectively and efficiently. The Municipal Association’s field services managers, Ashley Kellahan, Charlie Barrineau and Jeff Shacker, discuss issues and approaches to consider when managing public input.

Beaufort won a 2022 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its project creating upgraded new drainage infrastructure for an area beset by heavy rains, king tides and storm surges. Director of Special Projects Neal Pugliese talks about how the effort brought together numerous entities into a multijurisdictional task force, since the water itself is heedless of what jurisdiction it’s in. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/732149816

Aiken won a 2022 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its effort to create a large-scale drainage solution with an adaptive control system in Hitchcock Woods. City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh explains how the project was developed and funded, and how it benefited from the city’s partnership with the Hitchcock Woods Foundation. See the award video at www.vimeo.com/732137656.

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration recently joined Main Street South Carolina’s training session in Laurens to talk about what the SBA programs and resources can offer to South Carolina’s local businesses. Jenny Boulware talks with Jennifer Kim, associate administrator for the Office of Field Operations; Gregg White, district director for South Carolina; Allen Thomas, Region IV administrator; and Mike Corp, deputy district director for South Carolina. More information: www.sba.gov

The 2022 Regional Advocacy Meetings are happening through October, giving municipal officials a time to share their thoughts on legislation and other ways the Municipal Association can serve cities and towns. Scott Slatton and Casey Fields recap the meetings that have happened so far including issues discussed, like short-term rentals, enclave annexation, economic development incentives and attainable housing. More information: https://www.masc.sc/Pages/legislative/Regional-Advocacy-Meetings0323-8041.aspx

Edisto Beach won a 2022 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its comprehensive Master Park and Recreation Plan. Assistant Town Administrator Mark Aakhus discusses how the town sought grant funding for the effort, how it brought together wide-ranging public input for the plan and what plan recommendations it has turned into new projects. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/732164282.

Hardeeville won a 2022 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for the development of the 38,000-square-foot Hardeeville Recreation Center. City Manager Michael Czymbor and Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Jennifer Combs talk about how the project grew out of a long-running dream, and what it has meant for Hardeeville and its larger region. See the award video at https://vimeo.com/732153018.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the Regional Advocacy Meetings happening in person for the first time since 2019 this fall, where municipal officials can participate in the crafting of future Municipal Association Advocacy Initiatives. The meetings will cover the Association’s civility in government efforts, the impacts of the 2022 elections and the broader political climate, and action items that cities and towns need to tackle even before the session begins. More information: https://www.masc.sc/Pages/legislative/Regional-Advocacy-Meetings0323-8041.aspx

Development impact fees, which recover the financial impact of new development for a local government, are regulated in South Carolina by the Development Impact Fee Act. Municipal Association General Counsel Eric Shytle explains how the law works and what municipalities should consider when they are seeking to impose this fee. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/Pages/newsroom/uptown/July%202022/Development-Impact-Fees-Require-Justification.aspx

Fall is a busy time for the Municipal Association’s numerous affiliate associations, with many meetings and conferences providing opportunities for a wide variety of municipal officials to learn, collaborate and network. Two members of the Association’s Education and Training staff, Elizabeth Copeland and Sara Whitaker, take a look at many of the meetings on the schedule. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/education-events/association-training-calendar/by-date

Jackie Swindler, director of the SC Criminal Justice Academy, reviews the state of SCCJA’s training efforts for police officers, as well as the recently passed Act 218, or H3050, with Casey Fields and Scott Slatton. Swindler discusses the background of how the law developed and its impact on officer training, procedures, failure to intervene, minimum standards for local agencies and compliance.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton podcast from the lobby of the Municipal Association’s Annual Meeting in Charleston during its second day to speak with several guests. The incoming Association president, Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon, talks about the diversity, equity and inclusion session; Hanahan Mayor Christie Rainwater shares advice for new mayors attending conferences; Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities General Manager Warren Harley talks about how civility impacts his department’s work; and the Association’s incoming first vice president, Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy, talks about the value of professional development for elected officials. Listen to Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/user-597239619/annual-meeting-july-14-s4-ep29

The Municipal Association’s advocacy team reviews action from the General Assembly’s 2022 legislative session. Panelists are Director of Advocacy and Communications Scott Slatton, Manager for Municipal Advocacy Casey Fields, and the two legislative and public policy advocates, Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright.