Atlantic Beach council approves Bike Fest ordinance, reaffirms interim manager contract

ATLANTIC BEACH, S.C. — The Town of Atlantic Beach Town Council on Nov. 8 approved the second reading of Ordinance 8-2024 to continue operational procedures for the 2025 Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival and took a series of personnel and administrative actions, including reaffirming Linda Cheatham as interim town manager and authorizing her to secure legal counsel for the town.

Ms. Cheatham, the town’s interim manager, presented the bike-fest ordinance to council and said, “this is the Bike Fest ordinance. There is no change from the ordinance from 2023. I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have.” Council moved to approve the ordinance’s second reading and, on a roll-call vote, Councilman Edward Lamar Campbell, Councilwoman Carla Taylor and Councilman John David all voted in favor.

The council also unanimously approved a motion from Councilwoman Carla Taylor to reaffirm hiring Linda Cheatham as interim town manager and to give her authority “to revise the current bank signature by adding or removing signatures as needed.” Taylor moved the measure and Councilman John David seconded; the motion passed on roll call.

Council approved a separate motion authorizing Interim Town Manager Cheatham to obtain a contract for town legal counsel. The council took several personnel and appointments actions: Councilman Edward Lamar Campbell nominated John David to serve as Mayor Pro Tem (approved by roll call); the council voted to remove and appoint members to the Municipal Planning Commission (motion recorded by Campbell, seconded and approved); and the council voted to remove Derek Stephens from the Municipal Election Commission and add Joe Montgomery.

Cheatham announced a new hire for the town: "Mr. William Booker has agreed to join the staff of the Town of Atlantic Beach," she said, and encouraged residents to bring issues to town hall. Officer Castillo of the police department outlined a Police Department children’s Christmas party scheduled for Dec. 20 at the community center and asked for donations to support children in need; he described a registration form with a $50-per-child maximum for gifts and said bilingual registration forms will be available.

Councilman John David provided an update on election matters, saying Judge Seals issued an order on Oct. 30 seating Carla Taylor and that a separate submitted order concerning the mayoral race is awaiting Judge Seals’ signature; once signed the town will work with the Election Commission to set a new mayoral election date.

Public comment focused on a tribute to longtime resident Diane Teal Hill. Multiple speakers offered condolences and memories; Councilwoman Carla Taylor called Hill “one of the mothers of the town” and recalled reading discussions she had with Hill.

The meeting concluded after the council approved a proposed meeting schedule for 2025 and adjourned following unanimous roll-call votes.