appy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for – the great country we live in, the beautiful area we get to call home, family, friends and on and on. I hope you will have the opportunity to spend some time with family and friends and enjoy our beautiful island this holiday season. You may be aware that City Council is reviewing options for a potential new City Hall building. You may be asking yourself, ‘Why is this project being discussed at this time? What is wrong with the existing building? Aren’t there other more pressing needs, such as drainage infrastructure or beach preservation, facing the city?’ Recognizing that City Hall is an important asset, City Council began an exploratory process to evaluate the condition of the existing building, identify immediate maintenance needs and assess all options available to the city. Before making investments in expensive and flooring, insulation, an elevator and repairs of termite damage and rotted railings and stairs. These repairs are estimated to cost more than $3 million. City Hall also needs additional office space to accommodate staff. A more open, flexible space for employees will encourage greater collaboration and boost creativity – all the good things we want in a workspace. Thoughtful consideration is also being given to how to improve the delivery of government services to residents by creating a convenient, one-stop shop for folks. To date, the Public Services and Facilities Committee has met with vendors to review possible alternatives from renovating the existing building or renovating and expanding the existing building to a possible relocation of City Hall. There is much more work to be done. As we move forward with the evaluation of our City Hall facilities, I want to emphasize council’s commitment to being thorough, thoughtful and transparent in our decision-making process. It is our responsibility to explore all available options, gather feedback from the community and ensure any investments reflect our community’s priorities and are a prudent use of public funds. I hope you have a great holiday season. Thank you for the opportunity to serve! See you around the island. Phillip Pounds, Mayor IOP 843-252-5359 ppounds@iop.net IslandVibesIOP.com 11 CIVICS Mayor’s Message City improvements are always the best investments By Phillip Pounds Mayor, Isle of Palms H repairs, we feel it is prudent to explore all possible options that not only address the building’s current condition but enhance its functionality, adapt to the changing demands of our community and serve us for the future. Our existing City Hall was built almost 40 years ago and needs extensive repairs including a new roof, windows IOP RUN 5K 10K FUN RUN Proceeds go to the following local charities fighting for prevention of child abuse and healing those affected by it. Halos. Windwood Farm. Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center. Florence Crittenton. My Sister’s House. Landmarks for Families. Doors to Freedom. Darkness to Light. Child Abuse Prevention Center - Beaufort. IOP Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Committee. Lowcountry Orphan Relief. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! IOPRUN.COM 2024 Run Beneficiaries $146,000 Raised! John & Carol Bogosian Mike & Claire Powers Dan & Barbara Brown Barb & Dave Janssen Deb & Dave Barr Jim Smitherman Georgia Roane Jim & Jan Anderson • Dimi & Brooke Matouchev • Limehouse Produce • Whole Foods • Pinnacle Bank • IOP Escapes • Brett Barnes • Long Island Cafe/IOP Raw • The Cone Family • Islander 71 • Rusty & Deborah Streetman • Stacey Streetman Johnson • Cal & Billie McRae • Scott & Jennie Pierce • Lalla Lee & Chip Campsen • Janis & Jeffrey Rubin • Chuck & Sue Harris • Amy Jancewicz • James & Jodee DeFinnis • Cindy & Bob Keane • Daulton & Harriet Kieth • Chick Fil A - Long Point • Ellen & George Dalton • O’Charley’s • Brian & Pam Smith • Papi’s Taqueria • John & Tonya McGue • Eike & John Gundersen • Abide Awhile Garden Boutique Susan & Matthew Breckheimer • Paul & Elizabeth Grantham • Trader Joe’s • Costco • Anonymous 2024 IOP Run for the Child Sponsors Thank you
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