Michael Witmer

This multijurisdictional all-hazards mitigation plan serves as a framework to identify proactive efforts and specific actions to reduce hazard risk and vulnerabilities across Horry County and its participating jurisdictions. It addresses a multitude of natural hazards, including hurricanes, flooding, storm surge, wildfires, and extreme weather, as well as man-made threats such as hazardous materials incidents, terrorism, and cyber attacks. The plan aims to lessen the impacts of these hazards, reduce long-term vulnerability, and enhance overall community resilience.

The council discussed federal advocacy efforts, emphasizing the benefits of contracting with a dedicated federal advocate to assist with grant opportunities, road funding, and beach renourishment, as well as influencing policies for local businesses and residents. Additionally, the general manager of the convention center hotel provided a financial and operational update, detailing revenue growth over the past three years, current mix of business segments, guest satisfaction metrics, and ongoing capital improvement projects including restaurant, lounge, and fitness center renovations.

The committee reviewed a comprehensive list of upcoming special events, ongoing temporary use permits, and facility use requests. Discussion items included the review of parade permits, film and photo requests, fireworks permit applications, and sports tourism events, including specific coordination for the NTBA Pre-Nationals and various community festivals. The committee also addressed specific discussion items such as the Walk with a Doc program.

The meeting agenda includes a review of monthly hotel financial reports for April, an update regarding hotel sales and marketing activities, and a progress report on the Convention Center. Additional business items will be discussed, followed by a potential executive session to address personnel matters, contractual negotiations, or investigations.

The council meeting addressed various legislative and administrative matters, including the review of programs for the local senior population, updates on the Ocean Forest Hotel redevelopment, and recognition of several community programs and anniversaries. The council approved a franchise agreement for a rental conveyance business, adopted a floodplain management and hazard mitigation plan, and authorized a grant application for road resurfacing projects. Legislative actions included the annexation and rezoning of several parcels, amendments to zoning ordinances regarding storage tanks, and updates to wrecker service and nonconsensual towing regulations. Additionally, the council discussed ordinances related to pedal-powered passenger vehicles, established an overlay zone for certain nightlife establishments, and renewed the contracts for the City Attorney and City Manager. Several items regarding the abandonment of alleys and the sale of city-owned property for future development were also addressed.