Public safety emerged as a paramount concern during the meeting, as officials and citizens addressed the recent violent incidents over Memorial Day weekend, which included 765 calls for service, 15 arrests, and the involvement of 5 illegal firearms. Chief Smith recommended a comprehensive approach to downtown safety, calling for a clear enforcement strategy, the development of a collective mission statement for the area, and the establishment of metrics to gauge improvement. Chief Smith’s emphasis on the urgency of addressing safety was underscored by the statistic of 600 illegal guns confiscated over the past five years.

The council also heard from Cathy Hall, who advocated for increased paid parking in the downtown area to enhance public safety, including expanding it to beach accesses and streets like First and Third. Hall proposed the organization of employee parking and highlighted the need for repairing a sign at Beach and A1A, which has been in disrepair for over a year. Bradley Lewis supported the police department but raised critical questions about the council’s effectiveness in fostering a safer environment and managing unpermitted events, in light of recent shootings.

The council then moved to address the First Amendment to the agreement with the Beaches Lifeguards Services Corporation (BLSC). The discussion focused on the contract’s transparency, duration, and specific language, with the council ultimately voting against delegating authority to the city manager to negotiate and execute subsequent amendments to the agreement. The city manager clarified that the current contract would extend until December 1, 2028, and acknowledged the likelihood of more frequent changes needed to the agreement.

In another notable move, the council approved the advanced purchase of a new Laine truck for Beaches Energy Services, addressing concerns about the delivery time of the truck and the condition of the current vehicle. Additionally, the council approved the addition of sanitary sewer pipelining for an area that required emergency repair, with the Public Works director outlining the project’s scope and confirming that it would stay within a budget of $400,000.

The meeting also touched on the city’s involvement in community events and the acknowledgment of efforts by various departments. The Parks and Recreation department was thanked for involving the community in creating a new playground, while members also discussed the Hurricane season preparations and expressed satisfaction with the success of the Country Music Fest. Furthermore, the upcoming Seawalk Sessions were highlighted as an example of the council’s engagement with local activities.

Council members also expressed support for the police and their handling of Memorial Day weekend events, while discussing their attendance and involvement in local ceremonies and festivals. The importance of regular meetings with the School Board was mentioned.