Here are 5 things you need to know about Myrtle Beach City Council’s plans

In its first session of the year, Myrtle Beach City Council kicked off with a wave of new legislative initiatives, personnel changes and planning discussions. Here are five key takeaways that impact Myrtle Beach.

The city has a new mayor

After two terms totaling eight years, Brenda Bethune’s tenure as mayor of Myrtle Beach has ended. On Tuesday, former city spokesperson Mark Kruea was sworn in as the new mayor.

Kruea told The Sun News he plans to focus on public safety, city budgeting, amending the Tourism Development Fee and strengthening government relationships with residents and businesses in his first six months in office.

“We’ll be receptive and seeking input more than previous councils have,” Kruea said. “Hold us accountable. If we get off track, speak up. This is a collaborative effort, this isn’t all Council driven. It’s the whole community working together.”

The Myrtle Beach logo is dead

After much controversy and pushback, Myrtle Beach City Council dropped plans for a “rebranding initiative,” including development of a city logo.

“In the beginning, the idea behind rebranding, we had some negative press that had happened, and we were looking for, ‘Let’s find a way to counter it,’” said councilman Bill McClure, who coined the term “logo gate” in reference to public criticism. “My viewpoint is that we have a great brand.”

For the now-abandoned rebrand, the City paid the Florida-based Zimmerman Agency more than $78,000. The initiative’s budget totaled around $105,000.

A new motion targets Market Common speeding

A new motion, which garnered unanimous Council support, aims to develop a plan for traffic calming measures on Farrow Parkway. Measures could include things like installing larger speed limit signs, and some councilmembers voiced support for an increase in speed ticketing.

“The idea here is the residents, more than a year ago, about a year ago, asked for the speed limit to be lowered in the downtown area of the Market Common on Farrow Parkway. The city dropped the speed limit to 30, and yet speeding still continues,” said new Mayor Mark Kruea.

City staff will have motion recommendations for the February workshop. After a two-month evaluation and feedback period, City Council could consider a motion to lower the speed limit.

Traffic flushing could be gone for good

Council also introduced a motion to end Myrtle Beach’s Summer Emergency Vehicle Access Plan, often called flushing.

Local businesses reported a 40% drop in revenue from flushing, which closes northbound traffic on part of Ocean Boulevard on Friday and Saturday nights in the summer.

However, even if Myrtle Beach ends scheduled flushing, the city could still implement traffic control measures as needed.

A consultant is currently finalizing an assessment of the plan, and a report draft will be ready for staff review next month.

Council scrutinizes lobbying and consultants

Among the motions introduced Tuesday, three were dedicated to lobbyists and consultants.

“This is a part of the overall discussion to have City Council more involved in the budget process, where the money goes,” Kruea said of a motion directing the city manager to provide a list of consultants employed by the city last year, as well as amounts paid.

Council unanimously supported the motion, and Kruea said staff was already working on the list.

Two other motions addressed lobbying firms representing the city, which Kruea said would “make sure City Council is in the loop.”

One would give the Columbia lobbying firm a 60-day notice of cancellation to the current Columbia lobbying firm and look into new advocacy firms, while the other has City Council choose the firm or firms representing the city. Both received unanimous council support.