February 7, 2013 Minutes

Members attending: Sam Brownlee, Henry Chavis, Rich Jenkins, John Kozma, Mike Leatherwood, Thomas Legare, James Owens, Catherine Poag, Rich Thomas, and Jean Townsend. Vice Chairman, Rich Jenkins, presiding. There were between 15 and 20 guests attending the meeting.

Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance

Minutes January 3, 2013 - Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes were approved.

Guest Presentation - Johns Island Conservancy - regarding Kiawah River Plantation TIF Request (Is It Legal?)
Two members of the Johns Island Conservancy, Colin Cuskley, Executive Director, and Mr. Guy Leonard were in attendance. Mr. Cuskley addressed the Council. He stated the Johns Island Conservancy had recently completed a study on the Kiawah River Plantation TIF. He went on in detail about the requirements/qualifications for a TIF and reported their study concluded there is a legal question regarding Kiawah River Plantation’s qualifying. Council members were provided handouts and a question and answer session was held. County Council will be meeting on this matter in the next couple of weeks. It was the consensus of Johns Island Council members that letters and e-mails be sent to County Council in opposition to the proposed TIF.

Vice Chairman Jenkins thanked Mr. Cuskley for his presentation.

Treasurer’s Report - Sam Brownlee - There were no expenses in the month of January and the
balance remains $461.31.

Transportation - Rich Thomas/Catherine Poag - Rich reported the Council of Governments issued a RFP for innovative financing for a highway across Johns Island. There have been two new proposals for road improvements: (1) Main at 17; (2) doing something at the Maybank Highway and River Road intersection with regard to traffic light.

Catherine reported on the status of replacing a bridge on Bohicket at Plow Ground Road. At a public hearing last fall the SC DOT had two options - (1) close Bohicket Road entirely during the bridge replacement; (2) place a temporary to keep Bohicket Road open. Charleston County wanted DOT to look at the matter again. However DOT still prefers the first option - to build on the marsh side.

New Business - Thomas Legare reminded everyone that the “Concerned Citizens of the Sea Islands” next meeting will be held on February 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wesley Methodist Church located on River Road across from the airport. He urged members of the Johns Island Council and the public to attend to become educated on “who’s who, and what’s what.”

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Townsend, Secretary

(Note: The Johns Island Council voted unanimously at its July 5, 2012, regular meeting to oppose Charleston County Council establishing a Tax Increment Financing District for Kiawah River Plantation. Charleston County Council was notified by e-mail on July 6, 2012).