City Quick Connect Podcast from the Municipal Association of South Carolina

In January, the second half of the 2021 – 2022 session of the General Assembly begins, with legislators taking on the issues left over and newly introduced issues. Scott Slatton, director of advocacy and communications; Casey Fields, manager for municipal advocacy; and Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright; legislative and public policy advocates, talk about what to expect.

Hilton Head Island won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its $4.2 million project to improve the town’s two oldest pump stations. Stormwater Manager Jeff Netzinger explains how the town handles its stormwater challenges, how the project developed and how it was funded. See the video at vimeo.com/575510902.

South Carolina law allows municipalities to choose their governance model from one of three forms of government. Field Services Managers Charlie Barrineau and Jeff Shacker discuss common questions they receive about the council form, the mayor-council form and the council-manager form.

Sidewalk maintenance problems can endanger people and create costly insurance claims for municipalities. Loss Control Consultant John Ciesielski discusses what issues to look out for, and ways to manage sidewalk risks proactively.

City Connect Market, a cooperative purchasing partnership between the Municipal Association and HGACBuy, allows SC cities and towns to get volume discounts on purchases. The Association’s Chief Operating Officer Jake Broom explains the program’s benefits.

Conway won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association when it replaced flood-destroyed playgrounds in a series of projects that emphasized resiliency, accessibility and local character. Deputy City Administrator John Rogers describes the planning and funding of the new playgrounds, and how they have been received. See the video at vimeo.com/575512354.

The Municipal Association’s advocacy team has significantly increased its outreach to members of South Carolina’s federal delegation in the last couple of years, and had meetings with legislators and their staff in Washington, D.C., in September. Scott Slatton, Erica Wright and Casey Fields explain.

The changes coming about from the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act mean that business licensing will look different to elected officials and business licensing staff in 2022. Director of Advocacy and Communications Scott Slatton and Manager for Local Revenue Services Caitlin Cothran discuss.

Surfside Beach won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association its infrastructure and streetscaping project on a historically overlooked commercial street. Director of Public Works John Adair explains how the project was funded and planned, and what it has meant for the area’s business development. See the video at vimeo.com/575511738.

Greenville won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its weekly videos explaining its projects in an easy-to-understand and engaging way. Director of Communications and Neighborhood Relations Beth Brotherton explains how her department develops and produces the videos, and the impact they have had in the community. See the video at vimeo.com/575512259.

Hanahan won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association after its fire department fought the spread of COVID-19 with virus testing throughout the community and around the state. Mayor Christie Rainwater explains the emergency planning efforts beyond the effort and how the city managed numerous funding sources. See the video at vimeo.com/575512059.

MCAA 101 provides municipal court administrators, clerks of court and other court staff with the skills critical to running and administering the duties of a municipal court, and will have another session October 26 – 27. The course’s designers, Greenville’s Pam Larson and Greer’s Kirsten Pressley, explain how they developed the material and what clerks of court can gain from it.

The City of Laurens won the 2021 Excellence on Main Street Award for its Back Street Park development, a pocket park that took the place of a dilapidated building and pays tribute to the area's rich history. Laurens Mayor Nathan Senn and Main Street Laurens Executive Director Jonathan Irick explain how the project evolved, and its impact on downtown Laurens. See the video at vimeo.com/580855979.

Hartsville won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its professional development project among the young people who work at Neptune Island Waterpark. Karen Caulder, chief financial officer for Hartsville, explains the impact that the effort has had for the employees and the community. See the video at vimeo.com/575511434.

The Local Business License Renewal Center, which cities and towns must use in 2022 to comply with Act 176, is intended as one way to make the license process easier for businesses. Caitlin Cothran and Fran Adcock of the Municipal Association’s Local Revenue Services explain how it works and how to set up accounts. More information: https://www.masc.sc/programs/local-revenue-services/local-business...

Bluffton won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its development of the waterfront Wright Family Park. Mayor Lisa Sulka discusses the property’s history, the partnership that made the park possible, and what’s next for the project. See the video at https://vimeo.com/575512450.

Todd Glover, Erica Wright, Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the latest news regarding the American Rescue Plan and the Association's request for the state to draw down the funds.

Newberry won a 2021 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its project to bring a fiber-optic network to residents and businesses. Assistant Utility Director David Eldridge discusses how Newberry made this effort work and what it means for internet service going forward. See the video at https://vimeo.com/575511899.

The Investing in America’s Communities program of the ARP involves $3 billion in funding opportunities. Legislative and Public Policy Advocate Erica Wright talks to Robin Cooley, economic development representative for the Atlanta Region of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, to learn more. https://eda.gov/arpa/fact-sheet/

Frank Rainwater, executive director of the SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, discusses the impacts of the pandemic on the state’s economy and governmental revenue, as well as the redistricting process following the 2020 Census.

Jim Stritzinger, broadband coordinator for the SC Office of Regulatory Staff, discusses the state’s plan to expand broadband to underserved areas. Newberry Utility Director Tim Baker and Assistant Utility Director David Eldridge talk about Newberry’s work to ensure the availability of affordable high-speed internet services to its residents and businesses.

Clarence Anthony, CEO and executive director of the National League of Cities; and Erica Wright, one of the Municipal Association of SC’s legislative and public policy advocates; discuss the specifics of the American Rescue Plan and allowable uses of its funds for cities and towns. Municipal Association of SC Executive Director Todd Glover moderates.

Municipal Association Director of Advocacy and Communications Scott Slatton reviews action during the General Assembly’s 2021 legislative session. The Association’s Deputy Executive Director Eric Budds discusses municipalities’ business license standardization efforts in 2021 to achieve compliance with the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act.

Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook, Williamston Police Chief Tony Taylor and Bluffton Public Information Officer Debbie Szpanka talk about planning for effective communication before a crisis and other communication considerations for building trust and protecting residents. Ryan Johnson of North Charleston moderates.

Meghan Walker, executive director of the SC State Ethics Commission, talks about ethics law compliance for elected officials.