Mayor Brenda Bethune started Saturday morning’s emergency Myrtle Beach City Council meeting apologizing for not having a sound system. She promised the group would “speak loudly”.
That move alone cost MyrtleBeachSC News 16 hours of sound enhancement work so that viewers can hear the unbelievable video posted above. Low mics and low sound quality are ongoing issues at Myrtle Beach City Hall.
Our news team’s investment of new sound enhancement equipment was a wise purchase this week. We have included the entire meeting so that viewers can hear the odd financing matter the city is choosing to employ. The mechanism will be no less than the suspect former DRC, operating in a new capacity.
WHAT STARTED OUT AS A LIBRARY?
The city’s promise of a library turned into five vacant buildings now being renovated. These buildings will continue to be the property and ongoing debt of the City of Myrtle Beach. Mashburn Construction, now located in this area, was given the rights to renovate the 5 buildings located along 9th Avenue North.
OOPS, I FORGOT
Retiring City Manager John Pedersen led the Saturday meeting informing all of City Council that he had forgotten there was a looming deadline concerning the bids put in by Mashburn Construction. He then informed the council that the bids expired one day previous, Friday, December 11th.
However, Pedersen said the construction company would extend the bids until Monday, December 14th if council voted for the measure to approve the Mashburn bids on Saturday, December 12th. Such was the explanation and reason for calling a Saturday morning, December emergency meeting.
Mr. Pedersen is paid by the city over $200,000.00 annually to manage details such as these.
PRICE WILL GO UP
Pedersen warned city council, if they did not approve the measure, under duress, the price would go up for certain.
The Saturday morning meeting was among the most contentious our news team has covered this year.
The measure passed 4 to 3. Councilmen Phil Render, Mike Lowder and Councilwoman Jackie Hatley voted against the measure. Councilman Gregg Smith voted for the measure, but stated he would evaluate the issue and may vote against it on second reading.
Video can be heard of the entire meeting above. Details are provided below.
DRC IS FINANCING MECHANISM
The City of Myrtle Beach announced its finalists for City Manager today.
One of the finalists is Fox Simons, Jr. He was present at Saturday’s meeting.
Fox Simons, Jr. is currently the Deputy City Manager of Myrtle Beach and was previously the Assistant City Manager of Myrtle Beach. Simons Jr. has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from The American University in Washington, DC.
The Council meeting will be held at 2 p.m. at the Council Chamber, Ted C. Collins Law Enforcement Center in Myrtle Beach on December 17.
The purpose of this special meeting is to select a candidate for the purpose of entering into negotiations regarding the terms of an employment agreement as City Manager and subsequent prospective appointment.
Despite this management miscue, many believe Simons has been chosen for the City Manager’s job.