James Island council approves county hydro-excavation for Dill Avenue drainage, staff outlines wider repairs

The Town of James Island council voted unanimously to approve a Charleston County hydro-excavation contract for a persistent drainage problem at the end of Dill Avenue, funding the work from the town's stormwater bank fund.

The work approved covers specialized hydro-excavation to clear a large collection box and the constrained area between homes where equipment access is difficult. The council approved the county’s lower-cost estimate — $16,420.25 — instead of a private contractor quote because the county can use its own equipment and staff, town planning, zoning and public works specialist Melissa Flick told the council.

“My recommendation would be Charleston County because of the area that we’re having to get into amongst, you know, between the residential homes,” Melissa Flick said during the discussion.

The funding will be deducted from the town’s existing stormwater bank fund with Charleston County, the mayor said during the roll call. The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the Dill Avenue area has experienced repeated flooding, including reports from residents of water reaching waist depth in the low section near Camp Road. Clearing the constrained box and the short reach of pipe between homes is intended to improve local drainage flow while the town pursues permits for longer-term outfall work.

Council members and staff also discussed related stormwater work and permitting concerns. Flick reported the Woodhaven Drainage Project is at its final stage pending a final stormwater inspection and that the Ocean View drainage project needs stabilization of a maintenance road before the county will issue final clearance. Two pipe repairs requiring slip-lining — on Chicory and near Ptarmigan/Peregrine — are planned for roughly mid-June, Flick said. Door hanger notifications have been distributed in roughly nine to 10 locations to alert residents of upcoming maintenance.

Staff described additional issues elsewhere on the island: root-clogging at the Fort Johnson/Folly intersection (SEDOT is ordering a root cutter attachment for a vac truck), persistent “elephant ear” vegetation across from Stiles Pointe Elementary that contributes to local clogs, and an outfall at South Anderson that will require an OCRM permit to perform more extensive marsh work. Flick said obtaining that OCRM permit typically takes about a year, and clearing the constrained portions now should make future maintenance easier once heavy equipment access is established.

The council asked staff to add the cleared area to its maintenance schedule and to record the OCRM permitting timeline as the town pursues longer-term outfall improvements. The motion approving the county contract and funding was carried by roll call with unanimous support from council members present.

Background and next steps: the county's work will include traffic control coordination on Camp Road as needed; the outfall permitting and any work that would disturb marsh grass would follow the OCRM permitting process. Staff will return to the council with follow-up scheduling and any OCRM application steps required.