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Loris shortens park event hours, gives administrator authority to shut down events; fire department wins grant
Summary
City attorney described administrative changes to the Watson Park rental agreement that shorten permitted event hours and add the city administrator authority to shut down rule-breaking events; the council was also told the fire department received a Volunteer Fire Assistance grant of roughly $9,000 requiring a 50/50 match.
Attorney John C. Zilinsky told the council that two administrative changes were made to the Watson Park Meeting Room Rental Agreement: the allowable event hours were changed from 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., and the City Administrator was added as an official authorized to shut down an event if rules or regulations are not adhered to. Mr. Zilinsky characterized the amendments as administrative and said they did not require a council vote.
Mayor Michael E. Suggs also reported that the city's fire department had been awarded a South Carolina Forestry Commission / U.S. Forestry Service Volunteer Fire Assistance grant of approximately $9,000. The grant requires a 50/50 local match; the mayor said the city's share will be a little less than $4,500. The funding is intended to help purchase personal protective gear and other items for firefighters.
Interim Administrator Angel R. Neighbours reported separately that the sewer line manhole replacement project is in Phase 3 and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2026, and that the city will submit a $12,968.00 payment to FEMA to close out one of the final Hurricane Florence projects due to a funding/receipt discrepancy.
The rental-agreement amendments are administrative (no vote recorded). The grant award was announced to council; no appropriation or matching-authorization vote was recorded in the meeting minutes. Council members were not recorded as asking for immediate follow-up votes on either item at this session.
Next steps: City staff will handle implementation of the rental-agreement changes and follow procurement and matching requirements for the grant; specifics about purchasing schedules or appropriation ordinances were not provided in the minutes.
