News Release

Town Council June 17, 2025, Meeting Highlights

Actions result in South Carolina’s first municipal fully integrated pest management policy, changes in beach parking fees, funding for community programs addressing opioid addiction, and appointments to Town Council boards, commissions and committees

June 20, 2025

At its regularly scheduled meeting on June 17, the Hilton Head Island Town Council took steps to support the Island's long-term livability, resilience, and quality of life. Major actions included amending a first-in-South Carolina municipal integrated pest management policy, changing beach parking fees, approving a consolidated budget request for funds from the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund, consideration of the first reading of updates to how Town Council Committees function, and announcing appointments to Town Council boards, commissions and advisory committees. Additional actions are included below.

A full recording of the meeting is available on the Town's YouTube channel, and a complete meeting overview (agenda and packet materials) is posted on the Town's website. The next regular Town Council meeting is scheduled for July 15 at 3 p.m.

Actions taken by Town Council on June 17 include:

• Amended a first-in-South Carolina municipal integrated pest management policy (IPM)that was originally adopted at the Oct.15, 2024 Town Council meeting. The amendments result in an organic-first pest management policy that ensures transparency to the public. 
   
• Amended the Town’s beach parking program fees to the following, effective June 24, 2025:
  • Weekend Parking Fees (Saturday & Sunday): The $20 flat daily parking rate was eliminated. Instead, parking charges are $5 per hour.
  • Weekday Parking Fees (Monday - Friday): The $15 daily parking fee cap has been removed. Parking will continue to be charged at $3 per hour.
  • Hours of Enforcement: Parking fees apply daily from 7 am to 5 pm Parks are open daily from 6 am to 10 pm.
  • Coligny Beach Parking: Remains free and is not impacted by these changes.
     
• Approved a consolidated funding request for $331,864.35 from the Guaranteed Political Subdivision Sub fund of the South Carolina
  Opioid Recovery Fund, allocated to two entities as follows:
  • Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue would receive $93,859.35 to establish a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Management Team to proactively identify and support individuals at risk of opioid use disorder (OUD) and co-occurring mental health (MH) conditions. The program includes field outreach, peer support, and treatment referrals.
  • The Low Country Alliance for Healthy Youth will receive $238,005.00 to support a comprehensive set of prevention efforts including media campaigns, public education on drug disposal, distribution of drug deactivation systems, school- and faith-based programs, mental health training, and youth engagement strategies.
     
• Considered the first reading of updates to the current municipal code provision governing Committees of Council, Section 2-5-60, to provide more clarity, consistency, and flexibility in how committees are formed and function.
   
• Adopted annual updates to the 2020 Lowcountry Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Repetitive Loss Area Analysis as required for participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) and the 2025 Program for Public Information.
   
• Authorized the ratification of certain redevelopment projects undertaken as part of the Town's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Redevelopment Plan, including projects in adjacent areas that directly benefit the redevelopment area, and to provide notice to the taxing entities in accordance with state law.
   
• Authorized the temporary use of Islanders’ Beach Park for construction access necessary to complete coastal maintenance work authorized by state permit for Admirals Row Owners Association, Inc., Ocean Villas Owners Association, Inc., and Tennis Villas Owners Association, Inc. (HHBT Regimes). The HHBT Regimes received a South Carolina Department of Environmental Services permit to conduct permitted sand relocation activities along a boardwalk seaward of their properties. 

Following Executive Session, the Town Council:

• Authorized the appointments of these residents to the following Town Council boards, commissions, and advisory committees:
  • Beaufort County Stormwater Utility Board
    • Jeff Netzinger - Ex-Officio Seat (2029)
  • Board of Zoning Appeals
    • Jeffrey Greene - At-Large Seat (2027)
    • Peter Kristian - At-Large Seat (2028)
    • Robert Johnson- Architect Seat (2028)
    • Kathryn Bayless - At-Large Seat (2028)
  • Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals
    • Angelina Carpenter - General Contractor Seat (2029)
    • Charles Fauer - Building Industry At-Large Seat (2029)
    • Neil Gordan - Architect Seat (2028)
  • Design Review Board
    • Cathy Foss - At-Large Seat (2027)
    • Megan Fitzpatrick - At-Large Seat (2028)
  • Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhood Community Development Corporation
    • David Ames - Board Member Seat (2028)
    • Sarah Eisner - Board Member Seat (2028)
  • Hilton Head Island Recreation Board of Directors
    • Ray Kisiah- Board Member Seat (2029)
  • Parks and Recreation Commission
    • John Parsons - Board Member Seat (2028)
    • Charles Quigg - Board Member Seat (2028)
  • Planning Commission
    • Margaret Hewitt - At-Large Seat (2026)
    • William Redman - At-Large Seat (2028)
    • Jeff Turnbull - At-Large Seat (2028)