Atlantic Beach completes grant-funded pole, camera and Wi‑Fi work; retainage and additional bills remain under review

Town staff told the council on May 4 that the Martha Grant project is substantially complete: cameras, collars and the Wi‑Fi system are installed and operational, training and operation manuals have been delivered, and staff have access to pole software for ongoing monitoring.

Interim Town Manager Titus Leaks said the town must budget for ongoing maintenance: the poles require semiannual inspections and battery tests to keep warranties valid, and Bay Electric is preparing a maintenance quote. "The poles must be inspected twice a year, which will be ongoing expense for the town," Leaks said.

Leaked retainage and reimbursements remain. Leaks said most grant reimbursements have been received but the town still has a retainage of roughly $18,000 with Horry County; once final documentation was submitted staff could pursue that reimbursement. Additionally, staff discovered an $8,500 bill from Crawford tied to a separate $25,000 EV charging grant; Leaks said the town must research whether that cost is eligible under grant terms or will fall to the town.

Councilwoman Jacqueline Gore asked whether ongoing maintenance costs should fall to taxpayers given the project footprint: "That is gonna be paid by who? The taxpayers," she said, and urged the administration to consider equitable funding. Mayor Pro Tem John David noted the Wi‑Fi platform could be monetized to help offset costs, and staff said they would coordinate with the platform provider and obtain quotes for council review.

Council invited Bell Electric, Crawford and the Horry County representative involved with the grant to appear at the June meeting to walk the council through project completion and outstanding invoices.