TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Monday, July 6, Municipal Complex, Building A, Public Meeting Room 1.

Transcription

1 TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Monday, July 6, 2015 Municipal Complex, Building A, Public Meeting Room 1 Minutes Members Present: Staff Present: Mayor Page, Chair; Chris O Neal, Paul Gawrych Eric DeMoura, Town Administrator; Brad Morrison, Transportation Director; Paul Lykins, Transportation Project Engineer Mayor Page called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. 1. Approval of Minutes from the May 4, 2015 meeting Mr. O Neal so moved; motion seconded by Mr. Gawrych. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Illumination of Arthur Ravenel Bridge Please see attached file for presentation. Mr. Morrison introduced Mr. Joseph Kelly. Mr. Kelly introduced himself as an Irish and English literature teacher at the College of Charleston. Mr. Kelly explained that he was a member of a local group of educators, business people, and retirees from the Mount Pleasant and Charleston metro area known as the Go Green March 17 Committee. Mr. Kelly introduced other group members, Mr. Paul Flaherty and Mr. Jimmy Finnegan. Mr. Kelly explained that they were requesting to illuminate in green the Cooper River Bridge (the Ravenel Bridge) around the week of St. Patrick s Day (March 17) Mr. Kelly explained that they were a local group, but part of an international movement including the Sydney Opera House, the Monaco palace, the Coliseum in Rome, an Irish community in Dubai that succeeded in getting a

2 Transportation Committee Meeting July 6, 2015 Page 2 of 7 hotel illuminated in green, and the Chicago River being dyed green every year. Mr. Kelly continued that the primary effort was to promote Irish tourism around the world, but that his group s intent was different and more local. The point in lighting the bridge would be to express pride in Irish heritage, strengthen ties with Ireland, join in a celebration of good will, and also strengthen community business connections since there are several Irish companies in Charleston such as Ryan Air. There are other sites around the community that they also hope to illuminate such as the Aquarium. Additionally, the research and marketing firm that did the research for our cruise ships is from Ireland. Michael Bennett brings in many Irish interns to Charleston to learn hospitality and tourism management. There is also an Irish engineering firm in Greenville. As far as what would be gained for Charleston, Mr. Kelly explained that Charleston would get a large amount of publicity such as the New York Times, the Montreal Times, the BBC, Irish Times, and the London Mirror. There would be news stories on the event from across the entire world. Mr. Kelly explained that they are in the first phase of the project, which was getting permission to illuminate the bridge. They already have permission from the City of Charleston and the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Assuming the Transportation Committee approved, sent it to Council, and Council approved, they would then move to the funding stage, and would need to secure funding by mid- Fall. Tourism Ireland would pay for professional photography and promote images internationally. The group will seek private corporate donations and any in-kind public donations they can raise. To execute the illumination, they would use the Department of Transportation s contractor, who has done similar work. Mayor Page thanked Mr. Kelly and noted that this actually was not the first time she had been asked for permission to illuminate the bridge, with the first being Bras Across the River by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She noted SCDOT did not want anything attached to the bridge and what Mr. Kelly s group was asking for was essentially lens caps for the existing lights. The only concern is the color green, in that the Irish would go first and perhaps other organizations would want to do something similar. Mayor

3 Transportation Committee Meeting July 6, 2015 Page 3 of 7 Page mentioned that this same issue was brought up during the discussion of Bras Across The River. Mayor Page then turned it over to the committee for questions. Councilman O Neal commented that the Town would be happy to have them do it. Mayor Page opened the discussion up for questions from the public. Paul Flaherty, 2208 Atlantic Ave., Sullivan s Island, noted that the SCDOT had been asked to do a lot of different things on the bridge. The highway commissioner for the area had previously taken the question regarding attaching things to the bridge to the SCDOT Commission, but the SCDOT had never been approached to only illuminate the bridge. He indicated the commissioner had no objection if the organization would do the funding, but he was very much opposed to anything being attached to the bridge. The concept has also been discussed that if the German groups wanted to illuminate the bridge in red and black, their organization may be willing to intermediate for them because they had already established credibility by doing so, but that has not yet been decided. He also noted that the bridges in Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts have been illuminated and they could look to those cities to decide how to do it, but that expenses would be the deciding factor. Mr. Flaherty relayed that the commissioner agreed that everyone will want to do something similar, and he would be willing to support it, but that he would not do anything without the permission of the two municipal partners. Councilman Gawrych moved to approve the group s request. Councilman O Neal seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Gawrych stated that he was happy for them to move on in their process, but that they still need SCDOT s permission.

4 Transportation Committee Meeting July 6, 2015 Page 4 of 7 Mayor Page noted that SCDOT had approved it, which was a significant accomplishment for the group. 3. Update ongoing projects Mr. Lykins stated that he had several project updates for the Committee. The bids for the Park West roundabout would be opened on July 28 th and it was anticipated that the notice to proceed would be by September 1. For Coleman Boulevard, work was being done to finish right-of-way acquisitions so that bids could be advertised in the next 45 to 60 days. Mayor Page asked for clarification regarding where the acquisition process was. Mr. Lykins responded they are working to get the right-of-way certified in order to advertise. In regards to Billy Swails Boulevard, Phase 4A, the Town was pushing to have it open by the time school starts. For the Long Point/I- 526 ramp extension, the Town is still working with the SCDOT to receive an encroachment permit, which Mr. Lykins anticipated they would have soon. Mayor Page requested an update on The Groves and Cooper Estates community meetings. Mr. Morrison responded that community meetings will be held the last Monday and Tuesday of this month (July), and that the questionnaire was currently being formatted. Mr. Morrison noted that each group would have its own individual evening and that there would be some sort of voting process finalized this week. As far as advertising, there would be signage throughout the neighborhoods, newspaper advertisements, website notices and s would also go out to the neighborhoods. Mayor Page asked how notifications were being done. Mr. Morrison responded that the bulk of the advertising would be signing and print advertisements, but that word of mouth and s were also expected to get the word out.

5 Transportation Committee Meeting July 6, 2015 Page 5 of 7 Mayor Page asked Mr. Keagy (980 Lansing Drive) if the Town could count on the neighborhood getting the word out as well. Mr. Keagy responded in the affirmative. He stated he would prefer a more democratic process, as they have already canvassed the neighborhood before and have hard numbers which they believe in. Mayor Page responded that his concerns could be discussed at the community meeting. Mr. Keagy indicated he had gotten an this morning saying that you had to be there in person to vote. He had concerns about people not being able to make the meeting, or elderly residents who could not leave their homes. Mr. Morrison said that was a discussion point staff was currently having and they have not excluded the ability to get a comment sheet and turn it in after the meeting. Mayor Page asked when the results could be reported. Mr. Morrison responded that it depends on the kind of input they get and how much work they had to do with it. Mr. Morrison expected to be able to report results by the September committee meeting. Mayor Page reiterated that she wasn t rushing and just wanted to get it right. Mayor Page continued that she did have some residents from Rosemead contact her concerning the guardrail across from the new Dicks Sporting Goods, which SCDOT was saying the Town is responsible for. It does not go down and straight and due to a line of sight issue, could possibly cause accidents.

6 Transportation Committee Meeting July 6, 2015 Page 6 of 7 Mr. Lykins responded that they have had several questions about that, and Charleston County and SCDOT adjusted the rail as much as they can. Mayor Page also noted there was a weed issue in the same area causing a line of sight issue. Councilman O Neal asked about the status of the roundabout on Coleman Boulevard. Mr. Lykins responded that in 45 to 60 days the Town would put the project out for bids. Mayor Page asked if anyone else has any questions. Mr. Keagy questioned an sent that morning which indicated that people from outside the neighborhood are allowed to attend the meeting. Mr. Keagy wanted to know how the Town would know who was from outside the neighborhood and who was from the Groves. Mayor Page explained that she had not yet seen the due to being in committee meetings all morning. Mr. Morrison explained that they would be collecting the address of attendees. Mayor Page concurred and explained that everyone in attendance would have an address attached to them. Mr. Morrison explained that it had to be a public meeting and that results would be tabulated based on who lives in the neighborhood and who does not. Mr. Keagy questioned how the Groves residents would be able to be weighted higher.

7 Mr. Morrison responded that had not been decided yet. Transportation Committee Meeting July 6, 2015 Page 7 of 7 Mayor Page stated that while the Committee always appreciated citizen input, the meeting had to wrap up due to another committee meeting needing to start. Adjourn Mayor Page adjourned the meeting at 12:21 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Regan Fantry Office Manager, Transportation Department

8 Go Green March 17 A NON-PARTISAN, PRO-IRISH LOCAL INITIATIVE

9 Greening the World Sydney Opera House

10 Greening the World Sydney Opera House Prince s Palace, Monaco

11 Greening the World Sydney Opera House Prince s Palace, Monaco Chicago River

12 Greening the World Sydney Opera House Prince s Palace, Monaco Chicago River Rome s Colosseum

13 Greening the World Sydney Opera House Prince s Palace, Monaco Chicago River Rome s Colosseum Burj al Arab, Dubai

14 Greening the World Sydney Opera House Prince s Palace, Monaco Chicago River Rome s Colosseum Burj al Arab, Dubai Eiffel Tower

15 Greening the World Sydney Opera House Prince s Palace, Monaco Chicago River Rome s Colosseum Burj al Arab, Dubai Eiffel Tower Pyramid & Sphinx

16 Tourism Ireland s Global Greening Their Purpose 160 International sites Promote Ireland and its recovery to international businesses Promote Ireland as a destination for tourists

17 Don t we belong in this company?

18 Don t we belong in this company? Imagine... Photo credit: Streano/Havens

19 Don t we belong in this company? Our Purpose Imagine... To express our pride in Irish heritage Photo credit: Streano/Havens

20 Don t we belong in this company? Our Purpose Imagine... To express our pride in Irish heritage To promote South Carolina s national and international profiles Photo credit: Streano/Havens

21 Don t we belong in this company? Our Purpose Imagine... To express our pride in Irish heritage To promote South Carolina s national and international profiles To join the world in a family-friendly celebration of good will and the spirit of St. Patrick Photo credit: Streano/Havens

22 Ireland/South Carolina business Ryan Air/Boeing

23 Ireland/South Carolina business Ryan Air/Boeing RESEARCH AND MARKETS

24 Ireland/South Carolina business Ryan Air/Boeing RESEARCH AND MARKETS, Dublin Bennett Hospitality/ Dublin City Univ.

25 Ireland/South Carolina business Ryan Air/Boeing RESEARCH AND MARKETS, Dublin Bennett Hospitality/ Dublin City Univ. E&I (Donegal)/Anderson County, SC

26 Ireland/South Carolina business Ryan Air/Boeing RESEARCH AND MARKETS, Dublin Bennett Hospitality/ Dublin City Univ. E&I (Donegal)/Anderson County, SC Council of American States in Europe

27 Ireland/South Carolina business Ryan Air/Boeing RESEARCH AND MARKETS, Dublin Bennett Hospitality/ Dublin City Univ. E&I (Donegal)/Anderson County, SC Council of American States in Europe

28 International Exposure Press notices The New York Times

29 International Exposure Press notices The New York Times Montreal Times 946,000 Canadians visit SC each year

30 International Exposure Press notices The New York Times Montreal Times BBC 14,000 British visit SC as primary destination

31 International Exposure Press notices The New York Times Montreal Times BBC Irish Times (of course)

32 International Exposure Press notices The New York Times Montreal Times BBC Irish Times (of course) London Mirror

33 International Exposure Press notices The New York Times Montreal Times BBC Irish Times (of course) London Mirror Rio Times

34 International Exposure Press notices The New York Times Montreal Times BBC Irish Times (of course) London Mirror Die Welt, Germany 15,000 Germans visit SC annually

35 Timeline 1. Stages Permissions Permissions May/July Funding July - September Execution October - March

36 Timeline 1. Stages Permissions Permissions May/July Funding July - September Execution October - March SCDOT:

37 Timeline 1. Stages Permissions Permissions May/July Funding July - September Execution October - March SCDOT: City of Charleston:

38 Timeline 1. Stages Permissions Permissions May/July Funding July - September Execution October - March SCDOT: City of Charleston: Town of Mt. Pleasant:?

39 Timeline 1. Stages Funding Permissions May/June Funding July - September Execution October - March Tourism Ireland Professional local photographers & videographers Private/Corporate donations Public in-kind contributions

40 Timeline 1. Stages Permissions May/June Funding July - September Execution October - March SCDOT s recommended contractor

41 34 A fully-green bridge

42 Na Fidléiri 35 PROVIDED THE BACKGROUND MUSIC

43 Go Green March 17 Committee Paul Flaherty James Finnegan St. Patrick s Day Parade Committee Chair Niall Cahill College of Charleston Joseph Kelly Irish & Irish American Studies, College of Charleston Stephen White Charleston Historical Society James Nettles President, SC Ancient Order of Hibernians