Kiawah Island council approves traffic-monitoring devices after procurement debate

The Kiawah Island Town Council voted Jan. 7 to approve purchase of traffic-monitoring equipment — three speed-display signs, a portable message-board trailer and three covert traffic-data 'stealth' boxes — after members debated procurement rules and how the devices would be used.

Town staff described the package as three speed-projection signs like those "behind the gate" and on other island roads and a trailer for community messaging. "...3 of the speed projection signs again that they'll they'll flash once you've reached a certain threshold of speed, to make you aware that you are going over the speed limit," said the presenter, Brian (town staff). He said the devices would be solar powered and placed at three locations on the island identified as high-risk.

Council members raised practical and legal concerns. One council member cited the town's procurement rules: "Ordinance 4 dash 4 0 4 requires all ... All contracts or purchases above $20,000 to have competitive bidding," and noted section 4-412 requires posting intent to award without competition. That member said the package appears to be a single purchase exceeding thresholds and flagged a "sole source" reference in the materials for one vendor.

Mayor Bell and others said some of the cost has already been approved through other funds and that the town can rely on cooperative purchasing when an agency such as the Charleston County Sheriff's Office has conducted a competitive process. "We actually had CCSO put up the... trailer device" and the sheriff's recordings showed drivers "routinely 10 to 20 miles an hour over the speed limit," the mayor said, arguing the data support action.

To address procurement concerns, council approved the purchase following an amendment requiring the town attorney to advise whether the cooperative-purchasing exception applies and directing that any required public notice be posted on the town website for five business days. The council recorded the motion, which was moved from the floor and seconded, and then voted in favor of the amended motion. The town was asked to supply $12,000 from its budget; staff said the total of the three vendor quotes in the packet summed to about $37,000 and that $25,000 of ATAX/SATAX funds had already been allocated toward the purchase.

The council noted enforcement is outside town authority and encouraged coordination with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office for speed enforcement near the identified curves and intersections. The procurement and cooperative-purchasing documentation will be posted and reviewed with town counsel as required.