The minutes of the regular meeting of the Ways and Means Committee of the Town of James Island held Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at 1246 Camp Road.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Mary Clark with Councilmen Joe Qualey, Parris Williams, Bill Wilder and Bill Woolsey present.  Also present was Clerk-Treasurer, Marie Copeland.

The minutes of the November 4, 2003 meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Councilman Woolsey which was seconded by Councilman Wilder.

There was no Old Business to come before the Committee at this meeting.

Councilman Woolsey asked to amend the agenda to discuss a budget resolution for funds for residential speed limit signs.  There were no objections and this item was added to the agenda.

NEW BUSINESS:

A motion to request funds in the amount of $20,000 to fund a speed hump program was made by Councilman Williams and was seconded by Councilman Wilder. 

Councilman Williams stated that the requested funds will be used to install 2 speed humps on 5 streets. No specific streets have been named at this time. The cost of $1,945 will purchase one flat-topped speed hump.

Councilman Woolsey said a particular type of speed hump was approved in the Traffic Calming Policy.  We need to determine if the funds being requested will be consistent with the type of speed humps that were approved.  Mayor Clark asked if the $20,000 was specifically earmarked for speed humps or if it could be used for other methods of traffic calming.  Councilman Williams noted that the funds allocated will be used specifically for speed humps.

Mayor Clark mentioned that the number one problem since the incorporation of the Town has been speeding through neighborhoods.  We must be careful not to have too many speed humps in a neighborhood; other measures should be considered in order to calm the flow of traffic.  A letter has been sent to Public Works asking them to close the road at the end of Regatta Street; this would solve at least two of the problems where the people want speed humps.  Councilman Wilder said the speed humps in the Westchester subdivision are made of brick.  He mentioned that some of the residents from the Stiles Point area complained about the appearance of the speed humps that were installed in their area; will these speed humps be designed and studied by an engineer?  Councilman Williams explained that the Roads and Traffic Committee will work with the Planning Commission and Planning & Zoning Chairman Joe Qualey to determine the kind of speed humps which will be installed.  Vote:  Councilman Qualey-aye; Councilman Wilder-aye; Councilman Williams-aye; Councilman Woolsey-aye; Mayor Clark-aye. 

Councilman Woolsey presented Resolution 2003-20, the posting of residential speed signs. He made a motion for the allocation of funds up to $5,200, for the purchase and installation of speed limit signs to come from the Roads, Drainage and Traffic budget.  A line item will be added to account for the funds budgeted.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Williams.

Mayor Clark asked if we had decided what the speed limit would be or is this request for the signs only?  Councilman Woolsey responded that this would be funding in order to pay for the signs since the Town is responsible for signage on Town roads. Mayor Clark asked if anyone had investigated whether the Town can lower the speed limit on State roads in the Town, County roads in the Town and to what degree.  Councilman Woolsey’s response was that the Town has the authority to lower speed limits and control speed limits on Town maintained roads, there are no County maintained roads in the Town; we do not have the authority to control the speed limit on State maintained roads.

Councilman Williams asked and received verification that funding will come from the Roads, Drainage and Traffic Committee’s budget. He also asked where the signs would be located.  Councilman Woolsey stated that they will be located based on the policy that will be voted on later this evening. The cost per sign is $52.00; in addition, these funds will be available for neighborhoods wanting the speed limit lowered on their streets. Mr. Williams asked if requests from residents wanting the speed limit in their neighborhoods lowered would come through the Public Safety Committee or the Roads Committee.   Residents would be required to come to the Town Council to make a request; if the Town Council agrees, the speed limit would be changed with the posting of a new sign.  Councilman Qualey suggested that policy and implementation issues regarding this matter be discussed at a later date.  Councilman Wilder asked if the requested funds will include posts; Councilman Woolsey understood that for $52.00 per sign, the signs will be ready to install and that the Public Works Department will install the signs.  Vote:  Councilmen: Qualey-aye; Wilder-aye; Williams-aye; Woolsey-aye and Mayor Clark-aye.

There being no further business to come before the Ways and Means Committee, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.