City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon offers the report of the Municipal Association’s legislative committee, and the Association’s advocacy team talks through numerous key issues currently debated at the State House. Hear from Scott Slatton, director of advocacy and communications, as well as legislative and public policy advocates Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright.

Todd Glover, executive director of the Municipal Association of SC, highlights the impact of legislative advocacy for South Carolina’s cities and towns, and takes a look at the Association’s strategic plan for the coming years: economic development, workforce and civility in government.

City of Rock Hill Councilmember Kathy Pender, president of the Municipal Association of SC, examines the ways that South Carolina’s cities and towns have risen to the challenges of the pandemic, and what will come next for the state’s municipalities.

Alyssa Leigh Richardson, state director and deputy chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, as well as David O’Neal, district director for U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, talk about how local government leaders can foster strong relationships with the congressional representatives. Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon moderates.

Reps. Chandra Dillard, Tommy Pope and Chris Wooten, and Sen. Shane Massey discuss current law enforcement reform proposals in the General Assembly. Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy moderates.

Matt Lehrman of Social Prosperity Partners, who presented during Hometown Legislative Action Day, speaks with Scott Slatton about how to move conflicts in municipal discourse to a point of productive conversation.

Casey Fields, Scott Slatton, Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright discuss the medical marijuana bill, inclusionary zoning bill and hospital regulation; and preview Hometown Legislative Action Day on February 1.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss adjournment of debate on the bill that proposed city council representation for nonmunicipal water customers, and also discuss the hands-free cell phone bill and the squatted truck bill.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about what the 2022 legislative session could look like as well as the congressional redistricting process, debate over certificates of need for hospitals, and the funding decisions facing the General Assembly.

Annual renewals begin in January for the Municipal Association’s various affiliate associations, which fulfill many professional development needs for city and town staff. Ken Ivey, manager of member services, as well as Elizabeth Copeland and Sara Whitaker, both of whom are staff associate for affiliate services, discuss the different affiliates and the training opportunities they offer. Learn more at https://www.masc.sc/education-events/affiliate-associations.

The Municipal Association will host monthly virtual meetings in 2022 to talk through the many issues involved in the business licensing process following the enactment of the new law standardizing business licensing processes. Manager for Local Revenue Services Caitlin Cothran and Revenue Analyst Kaylee Summerton explain.

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.