News
Ben Sawyer Bridge Reopened for Traffic at 1:50AM on Friday, February 19
After being closed for more than a week, the new Ben Sawyer bridge has reopened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this project.
Dog License Update: City Council Approves New Policy - $5 for Residents
At its February 23 meeting, City Council approved a new dog license policy. Beginning March 1, 2010, Isle of Palms residents will be required to show proof of rabies vaccination and pay $5 for a City dog license. Dog licenses can be purchased at the Public Safety Building at 30 J.C. Long Boulevard (phone: 843-886-6522). No special collar will be required. Rabies vaccinations and City dog licenses will also be available at a special event, Doggie Day at the Rec, from 9-11AM on Saturday, February 27. The Public Safety Committee was asked to consider a new recommendation regarding dogs of visitors at their next meeting scheduled for 5:30PM on Wednesday, March 10th at the Public Safety Building. Citizens who would like to provide input regarding a potential policy for dogs of visitors are encouraged to attend the Public Safety Committee meeting.
Parking Rates at Front Beach set at $1.00 per Hour in the 2010 Season
At its January 26, 2010 meeting, City Council approved the parking rate for the meters at Front Beach as $1.00 per hour beginning at the 2010 beach season.
City Council Approves Ordinance to Extend Off-Leash Dog Hours on Beach
At its November 17, 2009 meeting, City Council unanimously passed second reading and ratification of Ordinance 2009-16, which extends the hours dogs are allowed to be off-leash on the Isle of Palms Beach. The new hours are from 4:00PM to 10:00AM from September 15th through March 31st and from 5:00AM to 8:00AM from April 1st to September 14th. At all times, owners or custodians must be in close proximity to the dog, have a leash in hand, and have the dog under control. Owners are required by law to clean up after their pets.
Recreation Department Wins "Agency of the Year"
The South Carolina Recreation & Parks Association has presented the City of Isle of Palms Recreation Department with the "Agency of the Year" award for municipalities with a population under 10,000. Congratulations! Click here to view photos.
Mayor Cronin Signs Pandemic Mutual Aid Resolution with Mount Pleasant and Sullivan's Island
On Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at Mount Pleasant Town Hall, Isle of Palms Mayor Dick Cronin, Mount Pleasant Mayor Kruger Smith and Sullivan's Island Mayor Carl Smith, signed a mutual resolution among the communities committing each to help the others should a pandemic affect staffing ability and the provision of services. The signing of this document will enable any one of the three communities to provide cross-over personnel to the other in the event that H1N1, or a similar pandemic event, creates a detrimental impact to the availability of sufficient personnel to provide services within the community. Click here to view a photo gallery of the press conference.
Isle of Palms Water and Sewer Commission Capital Improvement Project on Waterway Bouevard
The Isle of Palms Water and Sewer Commission (IOPWSC) will be replacing its water main along the south side of Waterway Boulevard between 30th Avenue and 41st Avenue. The work is expected to commence in early October 2009 and be completed in March 2010.
Unfortunately, all landscaping and irrigation systems encroaching into the South Carolina Department of Transpartation (SCDOT) Right-of-Way in front of and along the entire water main route will be removed with the support of SCDOT. The Right-of-Way property line ranges from 22 feet to 26 feet from the edge of the road toward the property. IOPWSC will locate and stake the property corners where possible. The new water main will be installed alongside IOPWSC's existing water main that is located inside the Right-of-Way. SCDOT is requiring removalof all landscaping located in the Right-of-Way at IOPWSC's expense, with restoration in disturbed areas consisting of grass matching existing conditions. SCDOT has also stated that if any homeowner wished to restore any landscaping in the Right-of-Way, the homeowner must submit for approval an SCDOT Encroachment Permit application along with plans.
New service lines will be installed between the main and the meter settings. A courtesy shut-off valve will be installed along with a residential backflow preventer at each meter. The shut-off is being installed for the customers' convenience, thus affording a shut-off between the meter and the residence outside of the meter box in case of emergencies.
If homeowners wish to save any plants prior to IOPWSC work beginning, please do so before October 15, 2009. Contact Bill Jenkins at the IOPWSC at 843-886-6148 for questions.
Update on All-Way Stop at Intersection of 41st Avenue and Palm Boulevard
In September of 2008, the City worked with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to establish a temporary demonstration project creating an all-way stop at the intersection of 41st Avenue and Palm Boulevard and to close the intersection of 41st Avenue and Cameron Boulevard. The project was intended to alleviate concerns regarding traffic congestion. After the demonstration project’s implementation, the Public Safety Committee and City Council reviewed the project’s effectiveness at monthly meetings and received comments from citizens and Public Safety staff. At the July 28, 2009 meeting, City Council voted to request that the South Carolina Department of Transportation make the 41st Avenue and Palm Boulevard Intersection demonstration project permanent and to eliminate the intersection of 41st Avenue and Cameron Boulevard. An SCDOT representative attended the September 9, 2009 meeting of the Public Safety Committee, and, subsequently, the City issued a request for bids and awarded the contract to Thomas & Hutton Engineering for engineering design. The City has also taken appropriate legal steps related to the closure in accordance with state law. Once all appropriate permits have been secured, the City is hopeful that construction will be complete before the visitor season starts. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this project.
Fire Department Offers Community CPR Classes
The Isle of Palms Fire Department will teach Community CPR classes from 9:00AM to 5:00PM on the first Saturday of each month beginning Saturday, October 3. Course enrollment is limited to ten (10), and the cost of twenty dollars ($20) includes the course book and certification card. The curriculum is based on the American Heart Association's Heartsaver curriculum. Call 843-475-3040 or 843-886-4410 to enroll.
City Wins Achievement Award
The Municipal Association of South Carolina has awarded the City of Isle of Palms an Achievement Award in communications for the City's e-newsletter. Click here to read a summary and view a video (3:52 minutes) about the achievement award, which "recognizes and encourages innovations and excellence in local government."
Swine Flu Preparation and Upates
The City of Isle of Palms is in communication with local, state and federal agencies regarding the Swine Influenza. Citizens should be aware of Swine Flu information from the Centers for Disease Control.