Surfside Beach council approves fee changes, pier agreement amendment, crosswalk pilot and committee appointments

Surfside Beach council took several business actions March 10, approving a set of ordinances, contracts and pilot programs in a single meeting.

Fees and ordinance reading

Council approved the second reading of the comprehensive fee schedule (identified in the packet as Ordinance number 260 998). Staff summarized two rate changes: Morton Field resident rates of $15 per hour with a two-hour minimum and nonresident rates of $30 per hour with a two-hour minimum; fishing fees were listed as daily standard $14 and king $16, seven-day passes $55, and annual passes $200 (standard) and $300 (key). Council asked staff to clarify that a $2 charge affecting children under 12 is an administrative wristband fee, not a charge to fish; members said clearer published language would reduce social-media confusion.

Pier passes and vendor agreement

Council reviewed a proposed administration agreement with Perry's Bait & Tackle for wristbands and passes sold at the pier. The agreement originally contained a clause allowing required taxes or fees not paid by purchasers to be deducted from the town’s net proceeds; after discussion a council amendment removed that bullet, and the amended agreement was approved unanimously. Town staff reported the clause had not been invoked during two years of operation but agreed to remove it at council direction.

Crosswalk pilot (Resolution 26-208)

Council authorized a 90-day demonstration and testing agreement with a vendor that supplies mobile rapid-flashing rectangular beacon crosswalk units. Chief Mickel said the vendor would deliver and deploy equipment for testing, provide insurance and name the town as an additional insured during the trial period, and then transfer ownership to the town at no cost if the program proceeds. Staff suggested using the mobile units during high-foot-traffic events and on crosswalks that lack permanent beacons; the town’s existing radar trailers could be used to collect before-and-after speed and yield metrics. Council approved the agreement unanimously.

Appointments

Council approved a slate of committee and board appointments, filling vacancies on boards including the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Construction Board of Appeals. Staff confirmed the senior committee’s appointee mix complies with the ordinance’s resident/nonresident requirements.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance number 260 998 (comprehensive fee schedule), second reading: approved unanimously. - Perry's bait & tackle agreement (amended, removal of tax/fee deduction bullet): approved unanimously. - Resolution 26-208 (mobile crosswalk demonstration/testing agreement): approved unanimously. - Committee and board appointments (slate): approved unanimously.

The council ended the meeting with member reports, a reminder of community events and then adjourned.