2026-10-13 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes and the posted agenda. No video is posted, so there is no transcript or timing.

Workshop called to order at 9:00 AM; Mayor Kruea presiding. Councilwoman Hatley arrived at 9:16 AM; all seven members were present for the meeting.
Workshop: election method (districts or wards), the Ocean Forest Hotel memorial, and a Grande Dune PUD update.
Every vote was 7-0: agenda, the September 22 minutes, the consent agenda and all five regular items.
Consent agenda: DC Blox second reading and a temporary closure of Hurl Rocks Park, a $5,000 donation, and a $300,000 Justice Department drone grant.
First readings of two Santee Cooper easements; Park Place roadway dedication; information sessions on council elections; derelict vehicle declaration.
Executive session (contract talks with the Chamber of Commerce on the Tourism Development Fee), 11:02 AM to 12:47 PM; adjourned 12:47 PM.

Council Election Representation

Workshop: Municipal Association representative Mr. Barrineau reviewed the steps to move from at-large to district elections, and the alternatives.
Resolution R2026-21 to hold community informational sessions on the method of electing council passed 7-0 (moved by Councilman McClure, seconded by Councilman Chestnut). State law allows five methods; under all five the mayor is elected at-large.

Ocean Forest Hotel Memorial

Workshop: Mr. Hyman reviewed his memorial vision. Council asked him to return when there is a more definite cost request.

Consent agenda: second reading of Ordinance 2026-59, a first amendment to DC Blox's consent agreement for telecommunication facilities in public rights-of-way, for a second subsea cable landing at city-owned Hurl Rocks Park (easement granted in 2024).
Resolution R2026-19 allows a temporary obstruction of a 28,000 square foot portion of city property next to the park for construction staging, November 2, 2026 to February 28, 2027; encroachment fee $114,346.
The consent agenda passed 7-0 (moved by Councilwoman Hatley, seconded by Councilman Lowder).

Drone as First Responder Grant

Consent agenda: Motion M2026-96 accepts a $300,000 U.S. Department of Justice COPS Technology and Equipment award for a Drone as First Responder program; no match. It is an invite-only program and funds the first two years (aircraft, docking station, software, evidence storage, training). Passed 7-0 with the consent agenda.

Santee Cooper Easements Near 23rd Avenue North

First reading of Ordinance 2026-60 (parcel to be a public plaza or parking) passed 7-0 (moved by Mayor Pro Tem Conner, seconded by Councilman Chestnut).
First reading of Ordinance 2026-61 (parcel to be a public park or beach access) passed 7-0 (moved by Conner, seconded by Councilman Lowder).
Santee Cooper requires the easements to install and maintain electric utilities for the new Ocean 23 resort.

Tourism Development Fee Chamber Agreement

Council entered executive session to discuss proposed contract negotiations with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce on the Tourism Development Fee and revisions to the A-Tax Agreement (moved by Conner, seconded by Lowder, 7-0). No action was taken on return.

Other business

Workshop: Grande Dune PUD update (presentation available on the city website).
Resolution R2026-20 accepting dedication of Yorkshire Parkway and five other roads in the Park Place development passed 7-0.
Motion M2026-97 declaring certain vehicles abandoned or derelict passed 7-0.
Motion M2026-95 accepting a $5,000 donation from the Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative for parks, recreation and sports tourism promotional items (consent).
Recognitions: September First in Service recipients, a proclamation thanking the retiring art museum executive director, and a proclamation for the Fire Department's 90th birthday.
Public comment: Mr. Fogel asked for more maintenance of landscaping beautification; Tracey Rae Palmer of Sun City Cafe said much more downtown parking is needed.

Agenda

MASC presentation on election representation (districts/wards), Ocean Forest Hotel update, Grande Dune PUD update; proclamations; ordinances/resolutions on DC Blox amendments, Santee Cooper easements, road dedication.