Kiawah Island Property Owners Group

Traffic Counts: 

Art requested that the data be verified. He also requested a check to see if the counters were working properly all month, since this is the third month that the numbers have decreased at the Main Gate, but increased at the V Gate. It was reported that the data is correct and that the counters were working properly. The total number of incidents reported to KICA increased to 49 in December.

• KICA Mosquito Mister Debate: Diane contacted our attorney informing him that our next TALK deadline was Friday, January 12th. We would like to bring this issue to closure. The attorney has not yet heard back from Palmetto. There is a forum at the Sandcastle on Friday, at 2:00PM, on the Mosquito Mister Issue.

• Freshfields: Amphitheater: The town has been working the last two weeks on site analysis. They have another 3 weeks of analysis before they know if either site will work. Then they will talk to various community groups like CSO and come up with a proposal. Work is estimated to begin this summer.

• Johns Islands Roads: Guest Greg Vanderwerker (Kiawah Island Property Owner and member of Coastal Conservation League) brought us up to date on the 526/Johns Island Roads issue. Questions raised were: Will the reported improvements that a 4 lane highway/ 526 bring, actually make things worse with bottlenecks getting on and off the highway? Has the recent development on the island increased the need for work done on current roads? Is the money really there? So far the only money given is for a four lane Maybank Highway. Johns Islanders feel the need now, not for 526, but for work done on current roads. Next Wednesday at 5:00, the Charleston City Planning Commission will have a meeting to present their proposal for the widening of Maybank Highway (at School Building downtown). The next local meeting will be February 12th at Johns Islands High School.

• Interactive map for website: The interactive map for our website provided by property owner Jay Smith is up. The best feature is being able go in and find streets and find directions to streets. There will be a box in February TALK issue to inform members that we now have it available. Diane Lehder will send out an FYI to member list that it is available in advance of TALK.

• Annual Meeting: Diane sent e-mails to individuals asking them to speak at the KPOG Annual Meeting on March 3rd. Roger Warren will be there to speak and answer questions. Bill Wert said that he would sit in audience and answer questions. Dick Sula, will not be there. Buddy Darby has not responded to his invitation. It was suggested that we ask Joe Bunting to speak about the reorganization. It was also suggested that we invite Leon Stavrinakis and Paul Thurmond from County Council. Wendy Kulick also suggested that we ask those who can not come to the meeting to answer questions submitted in advance from members. Vice President Art Morgenstern will help with meeting logistics.

• Nominating Committee: The nominating committee consists of Lynn Morgenstern, Chairmain, Jim Piet, and Carol Fishman. We have 3 people whose terms expire: Membership Chair Kathy Heikes, Vice President Art Morgenstern, and President Diane Lehder. Kathy Heikes has agreed to maintain the data base.

• Other: KICA Board Meeting. Dick Sula introduced the Board candidates Armand Glassman and Paul Roberts for the upcoming KICA election at the Annual Meeting on March 18th. There will also be an amendment to the bylaws proposed to change the way certain funds can be spent.

• Russ Crane was appointed chair for Strategic Planning. Joe Bunting is instituting monthly town hall style meetings. This will be a forum for people to ask questions which he will answer if he can. Joe plans to use the time to bring people up to date.

• There are two big issues for MR&R committee. The first issue is the internal bridges. They are looking for a contractor to do an assessment. The second issue is dredging of ponds. The bids are very high. The issue is where the contractor will take the stuff they dredge out. The big cost is taking the stuff to a place where they can dump it. What legal obligation does KRA have when land is donated in not optimal condition? Who pays for improvements?