Category: SIPOA

Voting Now Open on SI Dog Park Survey

SIPOA’s dog park survey has been released.

SIPOA has promulgated an online survey seeking the input of all property owners to determine the level of interest among Seabrookers in the creation of a dog park on Seabrook Island. The brief survey will remain open until the end of November and voting results will be announced in a future SIPOA e-blast. According to SIPOA, the existing dog park “proposal assumes that the rules regarding dogs on the beach will continue in place as they are currently promulgated, that SIPOA is responsible for the costs and operation of the dog park and that a user fee will be assessed to those property owners using the park.”

As SIPOA’s e-blast stated, “[f]or many years, the most requested additional amenity on Seabrook has been a dog park.” Please take a few minutes to make yourself heard by voting in the easy-to-use dog park survey online.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sidogpark

Submitted by Deborah Robinson

SIPOA Planning Committee November meeting

The Planning Committee (PC) of the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA) met on November 10 at the Lake House.
A new Bike Path proposal that involves crossing a portion of a golf course has been submitted to the SIC for consideration. Continue reading “SIPOA Planning Committee November meeting”

SIPOA Safety and Security Minutes – November Meeting

The November Safety & Security Committee meeting was held on November 4 at the SIPOA office on Landfall Way. The discussion topics and Chairman’s remarks included the following:

Chairman’s remarks and discussion:
• Motorcycles: The annual SIPOA questionnaire will request property owner opinion on whether residents who own motorcycles should be allowed to drive them on the island to/from residences. We will consider property owner feedback before considering approval.
• The committee reviewed, refined and approved Safety/Security questions which will be included in the annual survey.
• Property Owner pin numbers:
– The committee discussed the fact that property owner pin numbers are confidential and cannot be given to others.
– SIPOA Rules & Regulations state that “devices/passes may not be transferred for any reason. To do so could lead to loss of access privileges. Unauthorized access to the SID is a violation. Persons entering the SID with an unauthorized Entry Authentication Device/Pass may be detained and charged with trespassing.”
– A Tidelines article will address this rule: “Do not give your pin number to others. Your pin number is for property owner use only”.
– The SIPOA Rules & Regulations state that “The Board has the power to impose sanctions, including monetary sanctions, for violations of the Protective Covenants or the Rules and Regulations”.
• DUI accident: While on routine patrol, an overturned automobile was discovered by SI security at the intersection of SI Road and Clear Marsh late Friday evening, 10-30-15. EMS, SJFD and CCSO were called. The vehicle had struck a tree resulting in injuries to both the passenger and driver. The driver was charged with DUI. The passenger died at the hospital.

• October Citations: There were 33 citations issued in October, which included the following:
– 22 speeding violations
– 4 no license/registration
– 1 parking violation
– 2 trailer violations
– 4 commercial access violations
The committee reviewed all citation appeals and made decisions based on the facts and merits of each case.

The full Committee meeting minutes are available for review in the archives section of the SIPOA website http://www.associationvoice.com/ResourceCenter/15432/Library.  Please note that you must sign into the SIPOA website prior to accessing these minutes.

Submitted by Bill Bryant, S&S Committee Secretary
Dennis Nagy, Chair

See the attached for the full minutes…

Continue reading “SIPOA Safety and Security Minutes – November Meeting”

SIPOA Environmental Committee Minutes – November Meeting

This is an abridged version of the Environmental Committee minutes of the recent November 4, 2015 meeting. Complete minutes can be found on the SIPOA website in the property owners’ section.

The Greenery

The barren area to the right of the Pelicans Nest when facing the ocean at Seabrook Island Road will be sodded to control continuing erosion of the bank.

Wildlife Mapping

There were 12 sightings reported in October which included the first red fox seen for several years near Summerwinds Cottages.

Birding Group

Sixty people have indicated interest. The first meeting was held November 3. Preliminary suggestions are to meet quarterly to educate, plan outings and communicate information to residents.

Seabrook Island has received a Stage One of four of the Audubon International Sustainable Communities Program.

Lakes Management

Owners are responsible for maintaining trees and shrubs around lake banks on their property or that encroach into water adjacent to their property in accordance with the rules and regulations of the ARC. It is not a SIPOA responsibility to remove fallen trees.

Submitted by Jane Marvin

Reminder: Big Meetings on Tap for Monday, November 16

Two important meetings are on tap for this evening; Monday, November 16:

  1. Get the Scoop meeting with the SIPOA Board from 5:00 – 6:30 pm; Live Oak Hall at the Lake House.
  2. Community meeting on Johns Island Road Projects, sponsored by the Johns Island Council and Concerned Citizens of the Sea Islands; 6:30 pm; St. John’s High School, 1518 Main Road, Johns Island.

—Submitted by Tidelines Editor

Seabrook Island Beach Rule Changes for Dogs

In addition to Daylight Saving Time ending, the beach rules change for dogs.
As of Nov 1st, dogs are allowed off leash anywhere on the beach before 10:00am and after 5:00pm.
Dogs are allowed off leash at any time in the Designated Area of North Beach.
Dogs off leash must be under voice control of the person handling the dog.
You must pick up after your dog.

The original “dog ordinance” was adopted on May 23, 2006: over 9 years ago!! On January 24, 2012, the following sentence was added to the ordinance: No dog shall be allowed beyond the Designated Area on the Cap’n Sams Inlet side. Without this amendment, the US Fish & Wildlife Service would not sign off on the Cap’n Sams recut.

Thank you for your cooperation!!

Submitted by

Jerry Cummin

October Safety & Security Committee Report

The October Safety & Security Committee meeting was held on October 7 at the SIPOA office on Landfall Way. The discussion topics and Chairman’s remarks included the following:

Storm Aftermath:  The Committee discussed safety & security issues from the 1,000 year storm event which occurred in Early October.  In summary:
o       There were no medical emergencies on Seabrook Island arising from the storm.
o       The dike at the Cap’n Sams cut was not breached, is intact and there was no significant erosion.  Additional inspection will be done to verify the dike’s integrity.
o       Tidelines bulletins were issued frequently to keep property owners updated on road conditions and other storm related issues.
o       Some roads throughout the island had high water and were not passable.  The Safety & Security staff marked hazardous areas with traffic cones to alert motorists.  In spite of the warnings, problems encountered included:
       *  Several motorists moved barricades out of the way so they could drive through the water.
       *  There were a few incidents of motorist driving into property owners’ yards to get around flooded streets.
        *  Even though motorists were asked to stay off of the streets, a few vehicles continued to come through the gate.
       *  In the future the SIPOA will try to include more specific road locations in Tidelines communications.
o       Overall, the island drainage system worked effectively and SI Road was cleaned up quickly.
o       The SIPOA has received positive feedback from property owners.
o       The Committee recognized the SI Security staff for their excellent work.
o       While there was only minimal property damage reported by individuals, property owners can file claims with FEMA for any uninsured losses.

Safety & Security staff additions: The SIPOA approved the addition of two additional officers in the 2016 budget.

Seabrook Island Security report for September, 2015:  There were 10 citations issued in September, which included the following:
o     5 speeding violations
o     1 no license/registration
o     3 parking violations
o     1 trailer violation
The committee reviewed all citation appeals and made decisions based on the facts and merits of each case.

The full Committee meeting minutes are available for review in the archives section of the SIPOA website http://www.associationvoice.com/ResourceCenter/15432/Library

Submitted by Bill Bryant, S&S Committee Secretary

SIPOA General Operations and Maintenance Committee (GOMC) Highlights

The GOMC met on October 12th to review the performance of our structures and systems during the storm of October 2nd‐5th. We came through the storm in great shape, thanks to the work that’s been going on behind the scenes for the past years to keep our systems in top condition! The main points discussed were:

The new berm at Cap’n Sams Creek has been inspected by CS & E; no damage was seen.

The roof leaked at the Oystercatcher Community Center; we will evaluate whether to replace or repair. No other SIPOA buildings were affected.

No undercutting of any bridges has been observed; they will be fully inspected next year. One small section of asphalt on Coon Hollow was damaged and will be patched.

All storm drains and pump stations performed as designed; standing water was off the streets within 48 hours. One stormwater pipe required repair on Crooked Oaks 17. Debris and sand washed into storm drains will be flushed out on schedule, along with the leaf fall, next month.

King tides eroded dirt behind the Crab Dock bulkhead; this will be repaired and riprap added. The Marsh Gate bulkhead appears unaffected; it’s due for repair anyway later this year.

SIPOA needs more flood barriers and will budget for them in 2016.

-Submitted by Guy Gimson, Chair

SIPOA Communications Committee Posts Results

The SIPOA Communications Committee held its meeting at the SIPOA Administration Building Conference Room on October 16, 2015, from 10:30 AM-Noon.

The first item of business pertained to a discussion of communications during the October 2-6 weather emergency, with a focus on (a) lessons-learned re: distribution, accessibility, and timeliness of emergency information (e.g., road closures, ponding, weather) to property owners; (b) importance of updating software to be able to access timely emergency information; and (c) critical mobile traffic and weather apps to download.

The Town of Seabrook receives information from Charleston County, which is then forwarded to SIPOA for distribution to property owners via E-blasts.  Given the severity of the weather emergency, SIPOA issued during the emergency three E-blasts daily.  In addition, Tidelines was identified as a most useful source of real-time information, particularly as related to road conditions, as conditions changed rapidly and on-the-scene property owners often had more current information than was distributed by either the Charleston Sheriff’s office or County.

 

 

In addition, mobile apps were identified as particularly useful during the emergency:  WAZE (traffic conditions); NOAA Radar (weather conditions down to street level); and Live5News (traffic and weather conditions).  It is critical going forward that operational software—particularly on standalone desktops and laptops—be kept up-to-date in order to receive useful information, especially in an emergency, in a timely fashion.  If software is out-of-date, HTML communications may be unreadable.

 

The Committee will take to the Board at its November 16 meeting for Board approval a short communications survey for property owners on lessons learned during the weather emergency.  A standalone Tech Forum will be scheduled that will focus exclusively on emergency communications, and the SIPOA Communications Committee will do a brief Tech Forum teaser at the November 16 “Get the Scoop” meeting.  The Tech Forum will focus on Tips and Tricks—the variety of tools that need to be monitored during an emergency ((e.g., NOAA, Live5News, WAZE, SIPOA E-Blasts, Town Website, Tidelines, and Club Communications)—and what to do to access information when electricity or Internet is down.

Continue reading “SIPOA Communications Committee Posts Results”

Environmental Committee Minutes

The Environmental Committee of the POA met on October 7, 2015.  Below is an outline of the minutes.

The Greenery
Leaf collection will begin soon and continue for four weeks. An e-blast will ask residents not to blow leaves into the street.

Wildlife Mapping
River otters have been seen near The Haulover and Wood Duck Rd. It was misreported that one of the piebald deer had died. The experts are not sure it’s a piebald, but it was an eight point buck.

Turtle Patrol
There was a record 75 nests. Unfortunately, eight nests were over washed and lost to the high tides.

Deer Management
The September deer survey was completed. It was estimated that there are 450 deer on the island.

Wild Things
Over 40 people have shown interest in starting a birding group.

Lake House Wild Flower Field
The Greenery has submitted a conceptual design and cost estimate.

Submitted by Jane Marvin

Mosquito Control

Charleston County was here today to treat standing water for mosquito larvae. They will be back tonight (10-16-15) to spray for adult mosquitoes.

The mosquito spraying will begin at 11:00 PM and could last until 7:00 AM. Please be aware of this and do not disturb the spraying activities if you see them on the island.

Submitted by Steve Hirsch, PE, PMP
Director of Engineering
Seabrook Island POA

COVAR Meeting Announcement and New Dog Beach Rules

The next COVAR meeting (Developing and Funding Reserves for Property and Landscaping Improvement for Associations/Regimes) will be Saturday, December 12 from 10 AM to 12 Noon at the Lake House.  All Seabrookers are welcome to attend.

It is with great pleasure that I announce the adoption on July 28 of Town of Seabrook Island (TOSI) Ordinance 2015-02, amending, updating and significantly strengthening Section 32 of the Town Code, Waterways and Beaches.  This event marks the achievement of a significant step in COVAR’s collaboration with TOSI and Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA) in an effort to address Seabrook Island beach matters during the course of the last three plus years. Continue reading “COVAR Meeting Announcement and New Dog Beach Rules”