Standing Committee
Regular MeetingSummerville, SC · September 9, 2019
Minutes
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T O W N O F S UM M ER VIL LE P AR KS & R E C RE ATI O N D E PA RT ME N T
“Creating Sense of Place Through Parks & Play”
TO: Beth Messervy, Town Clerk
CC: Colin Martin, Town Administrator
Russ Cornette, Public Works Director
FROM: Doyle Best, Parks & Recreation Manager
DATE: September 11, 2019
RE: Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes
The Parks & Recreation Committee met on Monday, September 9, 2019 in the Council
Chambers of the Town Hall Annex. All committee members were present. Members of the
press were duly notified and present. Chairman Bob Jackson called the meeting to order at
5:30PM.
1) Discussion of Possible Soccer Program – Mr. Brown asked the committee to consider
offering Wassamassaw Park to Joe Amon as a location for a soccer program for
youth in the community. Following some discussion, Mr. Jackson suggested having
Mr. Amon meet with staff and/or the committee to see how to move forward.
With no other business to discuss, Ms. Garten-Schmidt made a motion (seconded by Mr.
Brown) to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM.
Sincerely,
Doyle Best
Manager, Parks & Recreation
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
REPORT for
September 9, 2019
5:30 PM
TOWN HALL – Council Chambers
200 S. Main Street, Summerville, SC
The Planning and Development Committee of Town Council met on September 9, 2019 at 5:30 PM. The meeting was held in the
Council Chambers of Town Hall, 200 S. Main Street, Summerville, SC. Committee members present included Bill McIntosh,
Chairman, Council District 4, Bob Jackson, Council District 6, and Christine Czarnik, Council District 2. Staff members present
included Jessi Shuler, AICP, Director of Planning and other Town staff.
The meeting was called to order immediately following the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting at 5:35 PM by Mr.
McIntosh.
Historic Guidelines resolution:
Ms. Shuler explained that the grant for the Historic District Design Guidelines required that they be finalized and approved by
the end of September. She reminded the Committee that no ordinance is required for approval as these are supplemental
guidelines referenced by the ordinance. The BAR held their final public meeting and training on use of the guidelines at the end
of August. Unfortunately, Ms. Shuler did not have a copy of the final document, as the BAR meeting last week was cancelled
due to Hurricane Dorian, so she was just able to get final edits to the consultant today. She stated that the consultant would
have the final document back to her this week, but she emailed Council the final draft prior to the last BAR public meeting.
Ms. Shuler noted that since this was a supplemental document, and not an ordinance, changes or edits could be made without
having to go through two readings of Council. Following the discussion, Mr. Jackson made a motion to recommend
preliminary approval to Council, and Ms. Czarnik made the second. Mr. Jackson asked Ms. Shuler to email the final draft and
the final changes requested by BAR prior to Thursday’s Council meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Update on moratorium and traffic impact analysis:
Ms. Shuler informed the Committee that the Planning Commission unanimously voted not to recommend approval of the
moratorium at their meeting on August 20. Mr. McIntosh asked for clarification on the Planning Commission’s vote.
She explained that the motion was actually to recommend approval, and the motion failed with all six members in attendance
voting in opposition. Ms. Shuler noted that the Planning Commission was not comfortable with the moratorium only covering
one zoning district for legal reasons, and they felt that a moratorium on all residential districts would have a negative effect on
the economic development of the Town. Mr. McIntosh asked for clarification on the ordinance that the Planning Commission
considered, and Ms. Shuler confirmed that it was the amended ordinance that received first reading by Council at their meeting
in July. At the request of Mr. McIntosh, Ms. Shuler read the ordinance in its entirety. Ms. Czarnik asked Town Attorney, G.W.
Parker, to provide his legal opinion on the ordinance as currently written focusing on R-2 zoning only. Mr. Parker expressed
his belief that applying the moratorium to one zoning district could be legally questionable. Following the discussion, Mr.
Jackson made a motion to send the moratorium back to full Council with a recommendation to deny, and Mr. McIntosh made
the second. Mr. Jackson stressed that he did not feel that a moratorium was the right way to go, and the UDO will cover
Council’s concerns. Ms. Czarnik noted that the moratorium will go to full Council for second reading no matter what
recommendation the Committee makes. Mr. McIntosh stated that he would rather it move forward with no recommendation.
Mr. Jackson amended his motion to move the moratorium to full Council without a recommendation, and Mr. McIntosh
seconded the amendment. The amendment passed unanimously, and then the amended motion also passed unanimously.
Ms. Shuler informed the Committee that the Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of the
amendments to the Traffic Impact Analysis at their meeting on August 20. Mr. Jackson made a motion to send the ordinance
back to full Council with a recommendation for approval, and Ms. Czarnik made the second. The motion passed unanimously.
Following no additional business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 5:54 PM on a motion by Ms. Czarnik, and a
second by Mr. Jackson.
Respectfully submitted,
Jessi Shuler, AICP September 10, 2019
Director of Planning
TOWN OF SUMMERVILLE
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
September 9, 2019
The Finance Committee met on Monday, August 9, 2019 in Council Chambers on the third floor
of the Annex building at 200 South Main Street. Present were Mayor Johnson and
Councilmembers Aaron Brown, Walter Bailey, Bob Jackson, Kima Garten-Schmidt, Christine
Czarnik and Bill McIntosh. Also present were Town Administrator Colin Martin, Town Clerk Beth
Messervy and Town Attorney G.W. Parker. Other staff members, members of the press and
members of the public were duly notified and also present.
Welcome Mayor Johnson welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order
at 6:22pm.
Public Comment Mayor Johnson called for comments from the public.
There being none, Mayor Johnson closed this part of the meeting.
Presentation of Andrew Shelton presented the August 2019 financial report. The
Financial Report report was accepted as information.
MASC Hometown
Economic Michael Lisle, Economic Development Coordinator, presented the
Development Grant Town’s submission for the Municipal Association of South
Carolina’s Hometown Economic Grant – bike sharing system. He
stated that the maximum amount awarded is $25,000, and the Town
would need to provide a 15% match. He explained the details of the
$35,000 project and answered questions from Council. The official
resolution to apply for the grant will be on the agenda at the Council
meeting on Thursday, September 12, 2019.
ALS of North Andrew Shelton, Finance Director, explained that the amount that
Carolina mast arms Council approved to be paid on the change orders to ALS of North
change order Carolina had already been paid. Town Attorney GW Parker and
Town Engineer Russ Cornette are still trying to schedule a meeting
with ALS of North Carolina to review the remaining change orders
that are due to be paid.
Holiday Decorations Madelyn Robinson, Assistant Town Administrator, reported that the
Updates holiday banners in the Town will be up by November 15, 2019 and
taken down at the end of January. Some discussion followed
regarding honoring all of the federal holidays with decorations. Ms.
Robinson reported that Council had approved having patriotic
banners up from May – September, beginning in 2020.
Discussion of Mr. Bailey made a motion to table the annexation of 973 acres
Proposed/Upcoming applied for by Hoyer Investments on the Council meeting agenda for
Council Agenda Thursday, September 12, 2019. Mayor Johnson did not accept the
Items motion. Some discussion followed regarding if the Finance
Committee could table an item on a Council agenda. Mr. Bailey
withdrew his motion, and Mayor Johnson stated that the motion was
illegal. Mayor Johnson added the second reading of the annexation
to the agenda for the Special Called Council Meeting (UDO
Workshop) on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
Finance Committee Report
September 9, 2019
Page 2
Adjourn Mr. McIntosh made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bailey, to adjourn.
The motion carried 6-1, with Mayor Johnson voting in opposition.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Messervy
___________________
Beth Messervy
Town Clerk
Agenda
Amended 9/8/19 - 11:07am
TOWN OF SUMMERVILLE
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS
Training Room: Parks & Recreation, Planning & Development, Public Safety and Public Works
Council Chambers: Finance Committee
Monday, September 9, 2019 - 5:30 p.m.
AGENDAS
1. Parks and Recreation Committee:
a. Discussion on potential soccer program
2. Planning and Development Committee
a. Discussion of Historic Guidelines resolution
b. Update on moratorium and traffic impact analysis
i. Planning Commission voted to move the moratorium ordinance back to full
Council for second reading with no recommendation for approval.
ii. Planning Commission voted to move the Traffic Impact Analysis back to full
Council for second reading with recommendation for approval.
3. Public Safety: No meeting for September
4. Public Works Committee:
a. Public Works Project Updates
i. Road Resurfacing
ii. Bear Island Road
iii. Maple Street
iv. Arbor Oaks Drainage
v. Shepard Park Drainage
vi. Parkwood Drive Sidewalk
vii. King Charles Circle Sidewalk
viii. Central Avenue Sidewalk Project
b. Extension of North Gum Street – Discussion
c. Proposed Public Safety Training Site - Introduction and Discussion
d. Five Points roundabout project update
Standing Committees of Council Agenda –September 9, 2019
5. Finance Committee:
a. Public Comment (Pertaining to Finance Committee agenda items only)
b. Presentation of August 2019 Financial Report - Andrew Shelton
c. Consideration of MASC Hometown Economic Development Grant
d. Discussion of change order payment to ALS of North Carolina for mast arms
e. Holiday decoration update
6. Discussion of Proposed/Upcoming Council Agenda Items
7. Miscellaneous
a. Mayor’s Comments
8. Executive Session: legal matter
a. Legal matter concerning mediation agreement between D. Sarroco and Town of
Summerville
9. Other Business
a. Action to be Taken by Council Related to Executive Session
10. Adjourn
2
MASC Hometown Economic Development Grant Overview
Project title:
Summerville Bike Share: Putting the ECO in Economic Development
Project description:
The Summerville Bike Share project will support economic development in the downtown commercial
district of Summerville by focusing on improvements to the bicycle and pedestrian experience. These
improvements will allow residents and visitors to better experience the beautiful natural environment of
Summerville as well, supporting the area’s growing eco-tourism industry by better connecting the
downtown commercial district with the Oakbrook commercial node. The Oakbrook area is home to
Summerville’s connection to the Ashley River, a popular and highly utilized blackwater river that is well-
suited for canoeing, kayaking, and other outdoor recreation pursuits.
Specifically, the project will:
• Create a 20-unit bike share system with bikes to be distributed across three downtown stations
to facilitate resident and visitor access.
• Add wayfinding signage between the downtown district and the end of the Sawmill Branch Trail
on East Richardson Avenue. The Sawmill Branch Trail is the quickest bicycle and pedestrian
route to the Oakbrook area and the outdoor recreation activities attached to the Ashley River.
• Install tactical urbanism-style improvements to the bike and pedestrian path on East Richardson
Avenue between Main Street and the Sawmill Branch Trail. These improvements, created in the
lighter/faster/cheaper mode, will enhance the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians along the
street. Improvements may include the installation of planters and other physical barriers
between the street and the path, the use of bright paint and/or colorful designs to designate the
path, and the use of signs and banners to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians and
cyclists.
• Clean up and beautify the Berlin G. Myers Parkway underpass on East Richardson Avenue to
serve as a gateway into the downtown district. Projects may include round and rectangular
planter boxes with seasonal flowers, fresh paint to refresh the appearance of the underpass,
and rotating public art projects. We will work with the volunteer-driven Summerville
Beautification Committee and other interested parties to implement this project element.
In addition, we will work with our Main Street organization, Summerville DREAM, to explore
opportunities for retail businesses and restaurants located within the downtown district to offer
discounts on goods and food/beverage items to bike share users, with a particular emphasis on
businesses located in Summerville’s Historic District.
Expected return on investment and how it will be measured:
Return on investment will be measured against anticipated additional revenues, based on research-
supported estimates. With 20 bikes in the system, and an estimate of 1.4 rides per bike per day, our
annual system usage is projected at 10,220 rides. While a broad base of research supports bike share
systems as economic development tools—see particularly a 2012 study by the League of American
Bicyclists, as well as a 2017 report from Sustainable Cities and Societies—a study conducted by
Virginia Tech University provides specific figures on rider spending patterns. This research suggests
that 86% of bike share users spend money in association with their ride, meaning that we could
anticipate 8,789 rides with expenditures. Of these, approximately 1/3 are expected to spend $50 or
more, while 63% will likely spend $10-49.99, and the remainder will spend less than $10. Calculating
these numbers provides an estimate of annual economic impact of $257,500, offering a quantifiable
metric against which to measure return. Based on a total project cost of $35,000, this project estimates
to provide a return rate of better than 7:1.
Effect on quality of life for Summerville residents:
The Summerville Bike Share project will contribute to the quality of life in Summerville in many ways.
The project will promote greater physical activity in a community with an adult obesity rate of 33.4%.
This physical activity will not only support reduction in the obesity rate, it is expected to positively
impact other health issues such as hypertension.
From an economic standpoint, the project will provide positive economic returns (as noted previously)
to our downtown business community, allowing retail shops and restaurants to increase their customer
bases and introducing both residents and guests to new shopping and dining experiences. Additionally,
the project will support Summerville’s burgeoning eco-tourism industry by better connecting system
users with outdoor recreation opportunities found outside of the downtown commercial district.
The system will provide significant benefit for annual events such as the Flowertown Festival by
providing alternative transportation options for visitors, who will benefit from the opportunity to explore
Summerville at a slower pace. Because of its location on the calendar at the first weekend in April, the
Flowertown Festival will likely serve as our primary kickoff for the system.
The project will also serve as a means to introduce long-time residents, as well as tourists, to cultural
and community resources. Bike sharing will allow users to discover historic homes and gardens, public
sculpture, parks, trails, and other community spaces that stimulate a greater appreciation for both the
town’s history and its future.
Need for financial assistance:
The Town of Summerville is located 20 miles northwest of Charleston, SC, and includes portions of
three coastal counties: Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester. The US Census Bureau published the
2017 Population Estimates that indicated the Town of Summerville’s population has increased to over
51,000 residents. The new population estimates show an eighty-six percent (86%) increase since 2000
and a nineteen percent (19%) increase since 2010. Our tax base is primarily residential, which means
that value-added programs that support and improve quality of life for residents and tourist experience
for visitors, such as a bike share system, are out of reach in our existing budget.
The requested grant amount of $25,000 will help Summerville establish a bike share program, and our
thoughtfully developed fee structure will allow us to maintain and expand the bike fleet over time.
How is this project innovative?
For a municipality the size of Summerville (~50,000 residents), a bike sharing program is exceptionally
innovative. Such programs are typically found in larger cities. However, with the advent of the
experience economy that is emerging in Summerville and other medium-sized municipalities, such a
program is likely to thrive.
In South Carolina, other cities with bike sharing programs are either larger than Summerville
(Charleston, Columbia, Greenville) or have one or more postsecondary education institutions that offer
a larger than usual audience of potential users (Spartanburg). In Charleston, the demand for bike
sharing has been so great that there are now two providers: Affordabike and Holy Spokes.
The program will address issues of ongoing downtown revitalization, economic development, and the
need to develop community attributes that support our evolving experience economy. It is particularly
innovative in that it requires no electricity or space-consuming kiosks. The entire system operates via a
smartphone app, which will unlock a bike at the user’s direction and track time of use for billing
purposes. Billing is connected to the app, so collection of membership and use fees is automated.
How will the project be sustained over time?
The Summerville Bike Share will be launched as a fee-based program. Annual, weekly, and daily
memberships, along with incremental half-hour fees, will support both the ongoing maintenance needs
of the bicycle fleet and the capital needs for eventual system expansion to reach all commercial nodes
of town. Because the bikes are made of an alloy material, they will provide many years of service as
long as they are properly maintained. As with other bike share systems, users will be responsible for
any damage caused to the bikes, including the potential for replacement if a bike is damaged beyond
repair.
How could the project be duplicated?
The program can be duplicated with an initial investment to secure the appropriate number of bikes and
racks and the development of a business plan. Such an investment can come through grant funding,
corporate sponsorship, or municipal budgets.
Project budget
The Summerville Bike Share program implementation budget consists of the following items:
Line Item Budget Amount
Bike Share System—includes 20 bikes, 30 bike docking racks, $32,350
administrative software, a custom branding package, a safety light kit,
and an integrated U-lock for docking away from the system rack
Wayfinding and station signage—includes directional signage for 1,250
accessing the Sawmill Branch Trail from downtown, accessing the
downtown area from the end of the Sawmill Branch Trail, and
suggested routes to other points of interest
Improvements to the bike/pedestrian path on East Richardson 900
Avenue—includes paint, planters, plants, and other potential tactical
urbanism items used to delineate the path and provide appropriate
separation from the street
Cleanup and beautification supplies—includes paint, flowers, and 500
decorative items to spruce up the Berlin G. Myers underpass and
highlight it as a gateway into downtown Summerville
Total Budget $35,000
How were figures developed?
The figure for the bike share system was established using a quote from a system provider and
represents the worst-case scenario for system cost. The figures for signage, bike and pedestrian path
improvements, and cleanup/beautification supplies were developed using known costs for anticipated
needs.
How will the required match be provided?
The Town of Summerville will provide the required cash match of $3,750.
What is the Town’s experience managing grants?
The Town of Summerville has a notable history of managing various federal and state government grants,
as well as local private foundation grants ranging from relatively small amounts of $1,000 to larger
projects of $25,000 and up to $500,000. The Town is considered an Entitlement Community that receives
the Community Development Block Grant funding through the Department of Housing and Urban
Development. This funding typically range from $200,000 to $260,000 annually. The funding is used for
a variety of projects that promote community revitalization. This revitalization is achieved through access
to counseling and education on affordable housing and public amenities, and improves overall quality of
life through activities that primarily seek to serve low-and-moderate-income residents. The Town also
manages grants for its Police, Fire and Rescue, Parks and Recreation, and Planning and Economic
Development Departments. In order to manage its various grant programs each year, The Town employs
a full-time Grants Writer whose primary responsibilities includes funding research, grant proposal creation
and submission, and post-award grant administration.
Project timeline:
It is anticipated that installation of the bike share system can be completed in approximately six (6)
months from the awarding of the grant. The project timeline is as follows:
November 2019—Solicit bids for the bike share system components
December 2019—Review bids and award the project
December 2019-January 2020—Develop a wayfinding signage design and order signs
January 2020—Engage the Summerville Beautification Committee and other volunteers to develop a
revitalization plan for the Berlin G. Myers Parkway underpass
February 2020—Begin installation of bike racks and wayfinding signage
March 2020—Complete revitalization of Berlin G. Myers Parkway underpass and install tactical
urbanism elements along the bike/pedestrian path on East Richardson Avenue
April 2020—Formally launch the bike share system at the annual Flowertown Festival
Town of Summerville Council Meeting
Thursday, September 12, 2019 - 6:00 p.m.
Summerville Municipal Complex – 200 South Main Street
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings
a. Town Council Meeting, August 8, 2019
b. Special Called Council Meeting, August 23, 2019
c. Special Called Council Meeting, August 30, 2019
4. Approval of Council Committee Reports
a. Parks and Recreation Committee – Monday, September 9, 2019
b. Planning and Development Committee – Monday, September 9, 2019
c. Public Works Committee – Monday, September 9, 2019
d. Finance Committee – Monday, September 9, 2019
5. Public Comment – For items on the September 12, 2019 Town Council meeting agenda only
6. Petitions: N/A
7. Pending Bills and Resolutions
a. Second and final reading of an ordinance to annex Dorchester County TMS# 136-00-00-140
(approximately 3.82 acres), Lots 1 and 2, located at 111 W. Butternut Rd., currently zoned R-
4 Multi-Family Residential in Dorchester County and will be zoned R-3 Single-Family
Residential Attached Buildings (Lot 2) and B-2 Neighborhood Business Center (Lot 1) upon
annexation into the Town of Summerville’s municipal limits. (Council District 1)
b. Second and final reading of a Unified Development Ordinance proposed to repeal and replace
in its entirety Town Code, Chapter 32, Zoning; Chapter 22, Stormwater Management; Chapter
20, Article II, Planning Commission; and Article III, Development Standards, Section 20-71,
Roads; and Chapter 6, Article III, Flood Damage Prevention.
c. Second and final reading of an ordinance to annex Berkeley County TMS# 208-00-02-013
(approximately 973 acres) located off of the Nexton Parkway Interchange and Linda Way,
Town Council Agenda – September 12, 2019
Page 3
currently zoned HI, Heavy Industrial, and Flex1, Agricultural, in Berkeley County and will be
zoned PUD, Planned Development District, upon annexation into the Town of Summerville’s
municipal limits. (Council District 2)
d. Second and final reading of an ordinance to grant a quit claim deed to Hoover Summerville,
LLC for an unopened portion Gum St. Extension, preserving unto the Town a perpetual
easement for drainage and public utilities.
e. Second and final reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 2, Article V (Finance), Division 2
(Purchasing), Sec. 2-322 by adding subparagraph (6).
f. Second and final reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 20 – Planning and Development;
Article V – Traffic Impact Analysis; Section 20-152 – Traffic Impact Analysis Required,
Subsection (a) – Applicability.
g. Second and final reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 32 – Zoning, Article III – Zoning
District Regulations, Sections 32-122, 32-123, 32-124, 32-125, 32-126, 32-127, and 32-128
by adding a new section to provide for a moratorium on the subdivision of a tract of land into
five or more parcels.
8. Introduction of Bills and Resolutions:
9. Miscellaneous
a. Discussion of Five Points roundabout proposal
b. Consideration of Historic Guidelines resolution
c. Consideration of MASC Hometown Economic Development Grant
d. Mayor’s Remarks
10. Public Comment (open)
11. Executive Session: Legal matters
a. Legal matter related to condemnation of tracts in the North Maple Street project.
b. Legal matter related to all lawsuits against the Town of Summerville
c. Legal advice regarding pending litigation on E911 case
12. Other Business
a. Action to be Taken by Council Related to Executive Session
13. Adjourn
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