Atlantic Beach council authorizes $83,000 in ARPA funds for EV charger and community center roof

Atlantic Beach’s town council voted unanimously Friday to allow the interim town manager to obligate roughly $83,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds by Dec. 31 to install an EV charger on South Ocean Boulevard and repair the Community Center roof.

Linda Cheatham, the interim town manager, told council members that federal rules require the ARPA funds be obligated by Dec. 31 and proposed contracting with a vendor identified as Mr. Electric to place a level‑3 charger (estimated at about $49,500) and using the remaining ARPA balance toward a roof repair estimated at roughly $68,000 from Monarch Roof Company. Cheatham said the town has already installed one level‑2 charger at the community center and that Santee Cooper has offered a grant of up to $25,000 for two chargers.

"We have $83,000.00 to spend. We’d like to use $49,500.00 for the EV charger," Cheatham said, adding that the balance would be applied to the roof repair. She told council she could not at the meeting give a precise revenue estimate for the charger and that she had left detailed papers at home.

Mayor Pro Tem John David moved to authorize Cheatham "to obligate the American Rescue Act money" before the Dec. 31 deadline; Councilwoman Carla Taylor seconded. Town Clerk Cheryl Pereira called the roll; Councilman Edward Campbell, Councilwoman Taylor and Mayor Pro Tem David all voted in favor. The motion passed.

Council members and staff discussed several budget and reimbursement details after the motion. Cheatham and David said the town expects $25,000 from Santee Cooper and additional reimbursement from Horry County, which they said would together offset much of the upfront cost. During the discussion Cheatham referenced figures including $49,695 and $61,831 in vendor estimates and a $12,236 balance related to a level‑2 charger; she described those numbers as working figures while she completed paperwork.

David asked Cheatham to circulate the roofing estimate and to ensure the final contract requires Monarch to repair damaged fascia and replace any compromised sections so that the town receives a full ten‑year warranty for the completed roof. "I want to make sure that they repair, replace, and make sure we fix with our ten year warranty," he said. Cheatham agreed to provide the estimate to council members.

Council members also raised practical questions about the charger’s siting and durability. Councilman Edward Campbell asked whether salt exposure from Ocean Boulevard would damage the equipment; Cheatham said siting had been coordinated with grant conditions and county funding requirements and that the town would follow contractor guidance. David and Cheatham discussed monetizing charger use via a third‑party vendor so the town would recover electricity costs and possibly receive revenue.

Cheatham said she would immediately send the drafted email to Mr. Electric and call the roofing company to arrange a Jan. 2 (or earlier) meeting to finalize contract details. Councilwoman Taylor moved to adjourn; Campbell seconded, and the meeting ended at 10:19 a.m.

The council’s action authorizes staff to commit ARPA funds and proceed with contracting; council members said formal contract terms and written estimates will be circulated and reviewed before final signing.