Town Administrator's E-Brief

 

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

April 2017
Dear Mount Pleasant residents and business owners,

Spring is an incredible time to spend outdoors in Mount Pleasant. Stop by our weekly Farmers Market on Coleman Boulevard to pick up some fresh and local treats, or spend time at one of our many parks. Throughout the season you can also enjoy a variety of special events ranging from our Annual Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival, to Shaggin' on the Pier, to fishing tournaments. Whatever you chose to do, I hope you have a wonderful time!
 
In addition to our outdoor activities, there are several other upcoming meetings and events scheduled for the next month, so I invite you to sign up to our Notify Me module and stay updated on the latest Town news, projects, and events. 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
 
April 30: Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival
May 1: Committees of Council meetings
May 2: Famers Market
May 8: OVHD Commission meeting
May 9: Town Council meeting
May 9: Farmers Market
May 10: Culture, Arts & Pride Commission meeting
May 11: Historical Commission meeting
May 12:
Friday Night Boogie
May 13: Shaggin' on the Cooper
May 16: Famers Market
May 17: Special Needs Dance Party
May 20: Cast Off Monthly Fishing Tournament
May 20: MPPD Reading Patrol
May 22: BOZA meeting
May 23: Farmers Market
May 24: Planning Commission meeting
May 30: Farmers Market
May 31: Design Review Board meeting
 

Memorial Waterfront Park Playground
A ribbon cutting for the new toddler playground at Memorial Waterfront Park will take place at the 30th Annual Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival on April 30. The new facility will complement the existing playground at the park. Designed to resemble the deck of the U.S.S. Yorktown.
Join Our Team- We're Hiring!
Apply today to join our team and help build the best community in the country. EOE
Volunteer Boards & Commissions Seat Vacancies
Be more involved in your local government! Apply today for a seat on one of our volunteer boards and commissions. Applications are accepted throughout the year, but we are currently advertising for the following open seats:

 

1. Commercial Design Review Board- 2 vacancies

 

Learn more & apply today HERE!
Street Sign Replacement Program
To meet Federal Highway Administration requirements, the Mount Pleasant Transportation and Public Services departments have partnered in a joint street sign replacement program slated to begin in April. The capital improvement project will replace about 7,500 signs over the next five years, or roughly 1,500 signs per year. The Street Sign Replacement Program will include all street signs within the Town, with the exclusion of private roads and sideways. Existing signs will be removed if they are considered redundant or do not meet standards. Additional signs may be added where deemed applicable.
 Click HERE to learn more.
Visit the Riverwatch Café & Fishing Pier at Memorial Waterfront Park!
Part of the Memorial Waterfront Park complex, the 1250-foot long Mount Pleasant Pier stretches out into Charleston Harbor under the foot of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge. The pier's foundation was created from pared-down pilings from the old Silas N. Pearman Bridge.
 Visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the bridge and harbor from the pier's bench swings and shade structures. The River Watch Café & Gift Shop is your one-stop-shop for fishing tackle, rod rentals, gifts and souvenirs; made-to-order sandwiches, ice cream, fruit smoothies, and more. Check it out today!
More Info
SC Hwy 41 Widening
Widening SC Highway 41 was included as a project to be constructed through November's successful sales tax referendum. SC-41 is a State-owned two-lane, undivided arterial route and designated hurricane evacuation route.
For more information about the Hwy 41 Widening Project, please view the latest Project Fact Sheet or visit our CIP webpage.

Construction of additional laneage at the intersection of Highway 41 and Joe Rouse Rd. to add capacity and decrease delays for all approaches is included in the Town's CIP. Visit the CIP webpage for more information.
Our Mission Statement
 
Logo 2011
"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."
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.
30th Annual Blessing of the Fleet
This weekend is the 30th Annual Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival presented by  East Cooper Medical Center and  Harris Teeter! This event is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. The festival pays tribute to Mount Pleasant's local shrimping and fishing industry, offering a boat parade, live music, craft show and lots of free activities with the picturesque Ravenel Bridge and Charleston Harbor for a backdrop! And don't forget to check out the newly renovated playground at Memorial Waterfront Park after you enjoy the Blessing of the Fleet!

#JustAsk where your seafood came from before you buy! Support local and wild caught to support your fishermen!
 
11:00 am- 5:00 pm
Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront
99 Harry M. Hallman Jr Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

Click HERE for more event details. 
REMINDER: R.L. Jones Center Pool & Gym To Close For Upgrades
The Town of Mount Pleasant kicked off another capital improvement project on April 24, 2017 with renovations of the R. L. Jones' heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit. Installation of the new HVAC unit will require the pool to be closed. Additionally, due to removal and installation, the R.L. Jones Center's hours have been temporarily adjusted. Please see the new schedule below.
    • Monday - Thursday    8:00am to 7:00pm
    • Friday                          8:00am to 6:30pm
    • Saturday                      9:00am to 1:00pm
Construction is expected to last five weeks. For more information on pool/gym schedules and closures, visit us online or click HERE.

Counting Down to the New Town Hall

We are counting down the days until we move into the new Town Hall! Join us on our social media pages as we give you a behind-the-scenes look of our progress. #tminustownhall

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 Executive Programs Office at (843) 884 - 8517. We look forward to meeting with you!
 
Coffee with the Mayor

The next Coffee with the Mayor will be held on  May 8, 2017  from 7:30 - 8:30 AM at  Saveurs Du Monde Café at Belle Point Station (536 Belle Station Blvd.) in Mount Pleasant. The event is free and open to all! Please contact the Executive Programs Office at (843) 884 - 8517 for more information.

Town Administrator's Mobile Office Hours
 

The next monthly  Mobile Office Hours event will take place on  May 16, 2017 from  10 - 11AM at  Fire Station #3 (355 7th Avenue). Each month, the Town Administrator holds open office hours at various locations 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.
Business Development Updates
Town Proud The Town Proud program helps to identify Mount Pleasant's local businesses for our residents, visitors and business owners. The program currently has over 66 certified local businesses ranging from retail and restaurants to professional services, with new members joining each month. Follow our Experience Mount Pleasant Facebook page where we will feature one certified local business each week for #TownProudThursday

When shopping, dining, or in need of services, be sure to check our online business directory, select "Certified Local Business," and explore the many options Mount Pleasant has to offer. Click HERE to view the business directory and select "certified local."

East Cooper Hospitality Alliance Meeting

Are you a part of our hospitality industry - a hotel, restaurant or tourist attraction? Each quarter, we provide an opportunity for members of this industry to engage with one another through a networking social and to also address industry concerns at a meeting of the East Cooper Hospitality Alliance (ECHA).  There is no cost to join ECHA. Please email tourism@tompsc.com to get more information about our upcoming social on May 24th at the Rusty Rudder.

 

Upcoming ECHA Social

May 24, 2017

5 - 7 PM

Rusty Rudder Restaurant

 

Mount Pleasant Wins Prestigious Hermes Awards
The Town of Mount Pleasant was awarded one Platinum and two Gold Hermes Creative Awards Monday in an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials and programs, and emerging technologies.

The Town of Mount Pleasant received the following distinctions:
  • Platinum Winner: 2016 Town of Mount Pleasant Annual Report (Annual Report)
  • Gold Winner: INK Newsletter - Employees in the Know (E-Newsletter)
  • Gold Winner: On The Move: Anti-Texting and Driving Commercial (Public Relations)
  • Gold Winner: 2016 Mount Pleasant Planning Annual Report (Annual Report)
  • Honorable Mention: WELLMP: Engage your health! (Marketing Materials)
  • Honorable Mention: When to Call 9-1-1 (Government)
  • Honorable Mention: "The Journey" - Mount Pleasant Fire Department Recruitment (Educational)
  • Honorable Mention: 2016 State of the Town Address (Government)

READ MORE

Annual Rain Barrel Sale
You can help protect our natural resources by reducing or reusing your property's run-off with rain barrels, cisterns, and rain gardens.  Starting this April, the Town's water quality education provider - Carolina Clear and the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium kick of the annual Rain Barrel Sale
 
Rain water that is collected and reused or allowed to soak into the ground helps reduce the amount of Stormwater run-off.  This reduces the amount of our personal pollution that flows to the storm drains and into our waterways.  Water that is created by our roof tops can be collected in rain barrels and reused in our gardens.  Rain barrels can be purchased now online and will be available for pick-up at two drop-off locations in June. Order your barrel now by clicking HERE.
Produced by the Town of Mount Pleasant Executive Programs Office
Town of Mount Pleasant | 843-884-8517 | http://www.tompsc.com
100 Ann Edwards Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464