Town Administrator's E-Brief

 

From Town Administrator, Eric DeMoura           Town of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

December 2015
Dear Mount Pleasant residents and business owners,

 
On behalf of all of us at the Town of Mount Pleasant, I would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
 
Another successful year is coming to a close in the Town of Mount Pleasant. Over the past twelve months Town Council and Town staff have been working hard to address critical infrastructure projects, encourage more public participation, and protect the high quality of life we enjoy in Mount Pleasant. We believe that we have been successful, but there is always more that we can do. In January, Mayor Page and Town Council will hold their annual working retreat to discuss community priorities, approve the Capital Improvement Project Budget, and outline their work plan for the new year.
 
This month's E-brief highlights some of our recent accomplishments. We are proud to announce our receipt of the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, as well as an Unmodified Opinion on our annual financial audit. The Town's financial situation is stronger than ever before and this allows us to fund more critical projects for our citizens. Our Capital Improvement Program continues to be successful in guiding our efforts towards completing needed improvements throughout the Town. We have also continued our work towards strengthening community relationships through our many outreach programs including the Coffee with the Mayor Program, Mobile Office Hours Program, and Business Outreach activities. We look forward to continuing these great programs next year.
 
As we reflect on all that has happened this past year, we celebrate our many achievements, improve on our shortcomings, and we also take time to remember the significant moments that changed our lives. One such moment is the loss of a beloved community leader, educator, and friend- Lucy Beckham. The news of her passing is still difficult to accept, but we will keep Lucy's spirit alive by continuing her tradition of service and dedication to both our students and our schools. To the Beckham Family and all those mourning the loss of our dear friend, we offer our deepest condolences

For more information about all that is happening in the Town of Mount Pleasant, please visit us online, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Best Regards,
 

In This Issue
Upcoming Events

 

Dec 24: Christmas Eve- Town administrative offices closed

Dec 25: Christmas holiday- Town administrative offices closed

Dec 30: DRB meeting

Jan 4: Committees of Council meetings

Jan 11: OVHD Commission meeting

Jan 12: Town Council meeting

Jan 16: MPPD Reading Patrol

 

 

Town Office Closings
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As a reminder, all Town administrative offices will be closed Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th in observance of the Christmas holiday. All offices will resume normal operations on Monday, December 28, 2015.
Firework Safety Tips
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The Mount Pleasant Fire Department is urging residents and visitors to stay safe during the winter holidays with fireworks safety tips.

"Parades, cookouts and fireworks are hallmarks of the holiday season," said Fire Chief Herb Williams. "But improper use of fireworks can turn a joyful celebration into a tragic one. Fireworks account for a large number of preventable fires and injuries and should be used with extreme caution. Older children should be closely supervised, and younger children should not be allowed to play with fireworks."

 

Click here to read safety tips issued by the U.S. Fire Administration.
SC Highway 41 Bridge Replacement
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and the PCL Civil Constructors/ICA Engineering (PCL/ICA) Design Build Team are not only replacing the SC 41 swing span bridge over the Wando River, the project also includes roadway improvements for a new "T" intersection at SC-41 and Clements Ferry Road.
Towne Centre Wins Civic Pride Award
Congratulations to the Mount Pleasant Towne Centre for receiving the 2015 Civic Pride Award!
New Online Sign-Up To Speak at Town Council Meetings
As part of the Town's ongoing efforts to increase public participation, a new online sign-up is available for those wishing to speak at the upcoming Town Council meeting. Citizens may also sign up to speak in person immediately before the Council meeting begins. For more information, please contact the Communications Office.
Live Streaming & Podcasts of Town Meetings Now Available
Did you know that the Town of Mount Pleasant now offers live streaming of the Town Council meetings and podcasts of both their Town Council and Committees of Council meetings? Catch up on our latest meetings by visiting our YouTube channel or our PodCast, which is available in the iTunes Store and online.

Be Informed!

Stay Engaged!

Public participation is at the heart of good government, but who has time to seek out information? Let us do this for you. Visit us online at www.tompsc.com and subscribe to our calendars, notifications, meetings, job openings, and more!
Contact Mayor Page and Town Council

Want to know more about Mayor Page and Town Council? Click on the links below to find out more information about job responsibilities, bios, and contact information. Mayor Page
E-brief Archives

Did you miss last month's Administrator's E-brief? You can find it here.
Some Town Offices Have Moved!  
Please note that the Fire Administration staff and Fire Marshal's Office have moved to their new modular units beside Fire Station 2 on Egypt Road. T he Public Services Department, Building License Division and the Planning Department have moved to Six Mile Fleet Maintenance Facility on Sweetgrass Parkway, Pinckney Place. For more information about Town office and staff relocation visit the Relocation Webpage.
Our Mission Statement
 
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"To deliver superior performance in a manner that is distinctive and impactful to each person served and that establishes a standard for quality that endures for generations."
Download the Experience Mount Pleasant Mobile App
Experience Mount Pleasant using our latest mobile app launched by the Cultural Affairs and Tourism Office. The new app is free to download and it offers residents and visitors with quick, easy access to hospitality, accommodation, and local event info.

Developed by Wholly App, Experience Mount Pleasant provides detailed information such as directions and telephone numbers for every hotel, eatery and attraction in the town. Special events are also spotlighted in the consistently updated calendar located within the app.

Other features of the app include weather updates, contact information for inquiring visitors and direct access to the town's social media sites.

For more information, visit us online or click here.
Mount Pleasant Town Council's Holiday Greeting
Mount Pleasant Mayor Linda Page and Mount Pleasant Town Council wish you a happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous New Year! Click here to view their holiday greeting.
Remembering Lucy Beckham
This month our community lost one of its most admired leaders, Lucy Beckham. A champion for our students, schools, and community at-large, Lucy was truly special and her presence will be deeply missed. We will honor her memory by continuing the tradition of excellence in our schools and by supporting our students so that they can achieve far more than they ever imagined. Our hearts our heavy as we join the Beckham family and the countless individuals grieving the loss of a beloved mentor, educator and friend in celebrating the life of Lucy Beckham.

 

Click here to read the Mayor's statement on remembering Lucy Beckham.


 

Town Recognized For Budget and Financial Practices
The Town of Mount Pleasant was recently honored with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This is the fourth consecutive year that the Town has been awarded this prestigious designation. Click here to read more about this notable designation.

Additionally, the independent accounting firm Greene, Finney & Horton, LLP recently issued the Town of Mount Pleasant its best opinion for its financial audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015. "After consideration of the Town's financial statements, we have issued the Town of Mount Pleasant an Unmodified Opinion - this is the best opinion a municipality can receive," said David G. Phillips, partner with Greene, Finney & Horton, LLP. Click here to read more about the Town's financial position.
Government Outreach Activities
Community Roundtable Meetings
 
Town officials and staff are continuing to host informal roundtable meetings with community organizations, civic groups, and neighborhood associations. This small group format allows for more in-depth discussion in an informal setting. It also provides citizens with another opportunity to give their input and receive a response beyond public hearings and Town Council meetings. 

We want to meet with you! To schedule a community roundtable meeting with your organization or group, please contact the Government Outreach Office at (843) 884 - 8517. We look forward to meeting with you!
 
Coffee with the Mayor
Last month's Coffee with the Mayor took place at Saveur Du Monde Cafe where Mayor Linda Page met with residents to exchange information and discover ways to work together to improve Mount Pleasant.

The next Coffee with the Mayor will be held in January 2016. Event location information will be forthcoming.The event is free and open to all! Please contact the Government Outreach Office at (843) 884 - 8517 for more information.

Town Administrator's Mobile Office Hours
 

The next monthly  Mobile Office Hours event will take place in January 2016. Specific event details with be forthcoming. Each month, the Town Administrator holds open office hours at various public facilities around the community. All citizens are invited to stop by and discuss items of interest to them.  No appointment necessary. For more information about this program, visit the Mobile Office Hours webpage or call (843) 884 - 8517.
Critical Stormwater Projects Update
          

Phase 1 of several important stormwater capital projects are nearing completion, with phase 2 starting in January 2016. The Town's Capital Improvement Plan is a guide for the maintenance and acquisition of capital assets. It is an important management tool because it helps evaluate the effects of large capital costs on the Town's operating budget and financial standing in terms of debt burden and capacity. The CIP includes a wide array of projects. Some are more visible than others, but all are important - particularly stormwater improvements.
Stormwater improvement projects currently in motion include Baytree, Whipple Road, Wakendaw and Hickory Shadows. "We will soon have lined 10,000 feet of pipe, which is about 2 miles. We have inspected and cleaned over 21,000 feet of pipe, which is over four miles of our 150-mile stormwater pipe network," said Emily Raby, Mount Pleasant Public Services Department Staff Engineer.
"For these first capital improvement stormwater projects, we targeted areas where pipes were expected to near the end of their useful life. Overall, to rehabilitate four miles is pretty amazing in one year," added Raby.
"The investment the taxpayers have made by funding stormwater infrastructure greatly paid off during the recent historic flood," said Mount Pleasant Mayor Linda Page.  "However, we must remain vigilant and maintain the integrity of our stormwater system with proper planning and engineering efforts, robust inspections of old and new infrastructure, daily maintenance of the stormwater system and infrastructure improvement projects."
"The importance of regular cleaning of drains and pipes reduces property damage and allows the system to flow at full capacity," said Mount Pleasant Public Services Director Jody Peele. "Stormwater is a cyclical activity. After cleaning 25 miles of ditches, the process begins all over again. It is an investment over time, not something you can start right before a storm and expect it to work."
Current Capital Improvement Projects
* Alhambra Hall Renovations
* Shem Creek Park Phase 2
* Coleman Boulevard Revitalization
* Carolina Park Recreation Complex
* Rifle Range Recreation Complex Master Plan
* Farmers Market Pavilion Bathroom
* New Town Hall and Double Gym
* Utility Undergrounding on Mathis Ferry Road
* Bike & Pedestrian Facility Improvements
* City Works - Asset Management and Work Order Database
* City Works - Planning and Licensing
* Master Plan Memorial Waterfront Park, Phase II
* Stormwater Projects (NPDES Water Quality Testing, Canal Engineering, Baytree Project, Whipple Road, Wakendaw, and Hickory Shadows, Pitt Street)
* Long Point Road /I-526 Westbound On-ramp
* Pavement Preservation Projects
* Billy Swails Boulevard (Final Phase)
* Transportation Program Development
* Park West and Bessemer Round About
Mathis Ferry Power Line Undergrounding Project

The Town of Mount Pleasant and the South Carolina Electric & Gas Company will partner in the second phase of the Mathis Road power line undergrounding - a Town capital improvement plan project.

"Placing power lines underground is important because it allows for greater protection of the historic trees and natural buffers along this scenic highway," said Mount Pleasant Planning Director Christiane Farrell. "The underground placement of lines also allows for greater protection of the power lines during storm events, ensuring better service during and after such events."

The electric conversion project will impact the area adjacent to Mathis Ferry Road, between Olde Central Way and Bowman Road. For more information, please contact SCE&G at 1-800-751-7234.

 

Click here to read more.
Business Development Updates

East Cooper Hospitality Alliance Upcoming Meeting
On December 10, The Americano graciously hosted ECHA's End of the Year Social. Various leaders of the hospitality and tourism industry met to discuss their 2016 goals for their businesses as well as the Alliance. As new industry professionals networked with tenured Mount Pleasant hospitality leaders, the night brought successful networking and optimism for the new year. If you work within Mount Pleasant's hospitality and tourism industry, be sure to join us at our next East Cooper Hospitality Alliance meeting in 2016. Additional details about the next meeting will be forthcoming. 

For more information about joining ECHA, please contact the Cultural Affairs and Tourism Office at (843) 884-8517.

 

Pop-Up Coworking Event Recap
Coworking Day Mount Pleasant, held on December 9th at Alhambra Hall, was a true celebration of entrepreneurship. Over 200 entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts shared in the festivities while contributing more than 500 pounds of food for the Lowcountry Food Bank. 
 
This first-of-its-kind event was comprised of VAGASPACE coworking and a DIG Mashup. Highlights included a lunchtime fireside chat with Bryan Ransom of Moondog Animation Studios and evening "hot seat" interview with Harris Naussbam of Qonceptual - both Mount Pleasant-based entrepreneurs. Together with partners VAGA.co, DIG South, Bluetowne, and Qonceptual, the Town of Mount Pleasant reaffirmed its positon at the forefront of innovative, public-private collaboration designed to enhance quality of life through economic opportunity.
Produced by the Town of Mount Pleasant Government Outreach Office
Town of Mount Pleasant | 843-884-8517 | http://www.tompsc.com
100 Ann Edwards Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464