New Surfside Beach Mayor looks to improve meetings by reversing controversial ordinance
Parts of a controversial ordinance that altered the meeting structure in Surfside Beach could be reversed if officials believe it’s in the town’s best interest.
The proposed ordinance, which Surfside Beach Town Council will discuss Tuesday night, intends to make transparency and input a priority by extending public comment periods for both residents and officials from three to five minutes. The proposal also looks to revert meetings back to twice a month and push the start time to 6:30 p.m.
“The plan is to get the residents involved and make it a better process,” said Mayor Bob Hellyer, who was recently elected in November to succeed former mayor Bob Childs, who didn’t seek re-election. “It’s all a matter of perception and giving residents the ability to have their voices heard.”
Last April, officials narrowly approved an ordinance that restructured town meetings, including placing restraints on what residents can and cannot say during the public comment period. It also reduced the amount of time residents could speak during any public comment period from five to three minutes.
Town officials also are limited to three minutes to speak per agenda item during a discussion period.
The law also prevents individuals speaking from commenting on personnel matters, addressing an individual member of council or calling them by name, using profanity, reading letters on behalf of another person, and making any personal attacks against the council and staff.
Additionally, the town opted to restrict immediate family members of town council, boards, commissions and committees from serving simultaneously to avoid conflicts or the appearance of impropriety. Other changes included officials meeting monthly at 6 p.m., a shift from their regularly scheduled meetings twice a month at 6:30 p.m.
Despite the ordinance receiving push back from residents and certain council members, including Councilman David Pellegrino, the change appeared to be ineffective in its goal with growing tension and discouragement from residents who attend meetings religiously.
The process also slowed down town business significantly causing more special meetings to be called and officials conducting lengthy executive sessions at the start of each meeting.
“It’s always been two meetings a month,” Hellyer said. “What we found when they went from two meetings to one was that there were more special meetings.”
In an attempt to mitigate complaints, Pellegrino in October proposed moving executive sessions to the end of the meeting to avoid further delaying town business. On Tuesday, officials will retreat into executive session at the end of the meeting following their final discussion period.
During the election season, Hellyer, along with newly-elected council members Paul Hoder, Michael Drake and Cindy Keating, ran under the guise of restoring transparency and peace within meetings. Hellyer said he placed the item on Tuesday’s agenda as the first step in discussing desired changes that need to be made within the town.
“My goal is to come in and take a look at all the town’s processes and the way we do things,” Hellyer said. “If they’re working and adequate, I’m going to leave them alone, but if they’re not working, we’re going to get together and find ways to improve it.”
Officials will meet on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Surfside Town Hall located 115 U.S. 17 North.
This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 2:16 PM.
