July 7, 2025 — Regular Council Meeting
At its July 7, 2025 regular meeting, Loris City Council gave second reading to Ordinance 06-25 amending the elections chapter of the city code, and approved buying a used aerial work platform for $24,408.00. Council took several Meadow Walk actions with D.R. Horton and received two Planning Commission rezoning reports for which public hearings will be scheduled.
At a glance
- Add item to agenda — Planning Commission report on ~18.8 acres near Broad Street and Meadow Street (Request No. PC-202401-003)
- Approval of minutes — May 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting
- Approval of minutes — June 26, 2025 Budget Hearing
- Approval of minutes — June 26, 2025 Special Council Meeting
- Amend the Municipal Code of Ordinances: Chapter 14, Elections — Section 14-5, C and D
- Purchase of a used manlift aerial work platform
- Proposed contract with Enterprise Fleet Management
- Accept deed of conveyance from D.R. Horton for Meadow Walk — Phase 1 pump station and utility infrastructure
- Reduction of improvement guarantee for Meadow Walk — Phase 1
- Accept improvement guarantee from D.R. Horton for Meadow Walk — Phase 2 infrastructure
- Rezone ~3.8 acres from R-1.4 (Residential) to C-2 (General Business), southern side of Main Street (SC-9)
- Rezone ~18.8 acres from IND (Industrial) to PD (Planned Development), southern side of Main Street (SC-9)
- Executive session — personnel matter
Read the full summary
At its July 7, 2025 regular meeting, the Loris City Council approved on second reading Ordinance 06-25, amending Chapter 14 (Elections), Section 14-5, C and D of the municipal code, and approved purchasing a used manlift aerial work platform for $24,408.00, funded half from the Hospitality Tax account and half from the General Fund. A proposed contract with Enterprise Fleet Management was deferred at the city attorney's request so indemnification language could be renegotiated.
Several actions concerned the Meadow Walk subdivision on Highway 45 and its developer, D.R. Horton, Inc.: council accepted the deed of conveyance for the Phase 1 pump station and utility infrastructure, approved reducing the Phase 1 improvement guarantee from $2,392,001.25 to $244,822.69, and accepted a Phase 2 improvement guarantee of $565,284.38.
Council also received two Planning Commission reports as information and will schedule public hearings: a request to rezone about 3.8 acres from R-1.4 to C-2 on the southern side of Main Street (owner Wagdi Mitry), and a request to rezone about 18.8 acres from IND to PD on the southern side of Main Street (agent Bolton & Menk). Two residents, Lenell Black and Loretta Smith, raised flash flooding and drainage concerns during public comment.
Council held one executive session on a personnel matter and reported that no action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 7:14 P.M.
Written by an AI from the verbatim record below, a convenience, not the official record. It may contain errors; the sourced items below are authoritative.
The item-by-item record
Click “Jump to …” on any item to play the video at the moment it was taken up.
Add item to agenda — Planning Commission report on ~18.8 acres near Broad Street and Meadow Street (Request No. PC-202401-003)
Mayor Suggs informed Council that an item had been inadvertently left off of the meeting agenda. That item is to receive the report from the City's Planning Commission regarding a rezoning request for approximately 18.8 acres near Broad Street and Meadow Street (Parcel No. 186-00-00-0023 — Request No. PC-202401-003). Because the item requires no action from City Council, it can be added by a majority vote of Council. The item will be added to the end of the business portion of the agenda and will be item "H".
Approval of minutes — May 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting
The Minutes of the May 5, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting were presented for approval.
Approval of minutes — June 26, 2025 Budget Hearing
The Minutes of the June 26, 2025, Budget Hearing were presented for approval.
Approval of minutes — June 26, 2025 Special Council Meeting
The Minutes of the June 26, 2025, Special Council Meeting were presented for approval.
Amend the Municipal Code of Ordinances: Chapter 14, Elections — Section 14-5, C and D
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 06-25: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF ORDINANCES: CHAPTER 14, ELECTIONS—SECTION 14-5, C AND D. Planning and Zoning Director, Meredith Holmes, read Ordinance 06-25 by title only.
- What it is
- Ordinance 06-25 changes Section 14-5, parts C and D, of the city's elections chapter in the municipal code.
- What it does
- Passed on second reading, this ordinance's changes to Chapter 14, Section 14-5, C and D of the municipal code are adopted.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Purchase of a used manlift aerial work platform
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE PURCHASE OF MANLIFT AERIAL WORK PLATFORM. Mayor Suggs explained that from time to time an aerial work platform has to be used by the City, and for several years the City has rented one as needed. Interim Administrator Neighbours explained to Council a way the City could possibly purchase a lift and save money in the long run by avoiding the expensive rental costs. A used lift can be purchased for approximately $24,408.00. A similar, brand-new lift would cost the City in excess of $80,000.00. After speaking with the City's independent auditor, it has been determined that because the lift will be used primarily during the holiday season decorating the downtown that one-half of the cost can be paid from hospitality funds and the remaining half from the general fund. Councilman Padgett stated that he thought it would be to the City's advantage to own a lift and have it available as needed and asked if the used lift was certified. Administrator Neighbors state that the used lift would be sold by an equipment rental company and such companies have regular maintenance and maintain certifications on the equipment.
- What it is
- The city has been renting an aerial work platform, a lift used for tasks like downtown holiday decorating, instead of owning one. This measure is a purchase of a used lift instead of continuing to rent.
- What it does
- Passed, the city buys a used aerial work platform for $24,408.00. A comparable new lift costs in excess of $80,000.00. Half of the $24,408.00 comes from the Hospitality Tax account and half from the General Fund.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Proposed contract with Enterprise Fleet Management
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED CONTRACT WITH ENTERPRISE FLEET MANAGEMENT. City Attorney John Zilinsky stated that language in the proposed contract regarding indemnification must be clarified because the City cannot contract regarding liability due to the coverage requirements of the state insurance reserve fund. He asked that the discussion of the proposed contract with Enterprise Fleet Management to be deferred so that further discussions can be held with the company. No councilmember expressed an objection to deferring the matter. Therefore, the agenda item was deferred to allow Attorney Zilinsky an opportunity to further negotiate with Enterprise Fleet Management.
- What it is
- This is a proposed contract between the city and Enterprise Fleet Management. The city attorney said the indemnification language (who covers the city if something goes wrong) in the draft contract needed to be clarified because of the state insurance reserve fund's coverage requirements.
- What it does
- Deferred, council put off a decision on the proposed contract with Enterprise Fleet Management so the city attorney can continue negotiating the indemnification language with the company. No contract was approved or rejected at this meeting.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Accept deed of conveyance from D.R. Horton for Meadow Walk — Phase 1 pump station and utility infrastructure
CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF DEED OF CONVEYANCE FROM D.R. HORTON FOR MEADOW WALK – PHASE 1 PUMP STATION AND UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE. Attorney Zilinsky informed Council that the installation of the utility infrastructure has been completed in Phase 1 of the Meadow Walk Subdivision on Highway 45. Upon completion, the utility infrastructure and easements are supposed to be turned over to the City. By accepting the deed from the developer, D.R. Horton, the infrastructure and easements become property of the City. Mayor Suggs stated that it was standard practice for municipalities to accept the utility systems following installation by a developer and final inspection. Attorney Zilinsky confirmed that to be correct.
- What it is
- D.R. Horton finished installing the pump station and utility infrastructure for Phase 1 of the Meadow Walk subdivision on Highway 45. This measure is the city accepting a deed of conveyance (the legal document that transfers ownership) to take over that infrastructure and its easements from the developer.
- What it does
- Passed, the city accepts the deed of conveyance from D.R. Horton, Inc., and the Phase 1 pump station and utility infrastructure and easements become city property.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Reduction of improvement guarantee for Meadow Walk — Phase 1
CONSIDER REQUEST BY D.R. HORTON FOR REDUCTION OF IMPROVEMENT GUARANTEE FOR MEADOW WALK – PHASE 1. Attorney Zilinsky explained that by installing and conveying the infrastructure in Phase 1 of the Meadow Walk Subdivision to the City, D.R. Horton, Inc. had fulfilled their obligation under the improvement guarantee for Phase 1, and it would be proper for Council to authorize the reduction of the Letter of Guarantee. The original amount of the guarantee was $2,392,001.25 and the remaining guarantee, if the reduction is granted, will be $244,822.69.
- What it is
- An improvement guarantee is money a developer has on file with the city to cover unfinished infrastructure work. D.R. Horton installed and conveyed the Phase 1 infrastructure for Meadow Walk to the city, and this measure reduces the guarantee amount on file for that phase.
- What it does
- Passed, the improvement guarantee for Meadow Walk Phase 1 is reduced from $2,392,001.25 to $244,822.69.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Accept improvement guarantee from D.R. Horton for Meadow Walk — Phase 2 infrastructure
CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF IMPROVEMENT GUARANTEE BY D.R. HORTON FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MEADOWWALK – PHASE 2. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes explained that the procedure for the improvement guarantee for Meadow Walk Phase 2 as being identical to the procedure used for Phase 1. The Phase 2 infrastructure project is not as large as Phase 1; therefore, the amount of the improvement guarantee will be less. Attorney Zilinsky informed Council that the Phase 2 improvement guarantee will be in the amount of $565,284.38.
- What it is
- An improvement guarantee is money a developer puts on file with the city to cover infrastructure work still to be completed. This measure is the city accepting an improvement guarantee from D.R. Horton for the Meadow Walk Phase 2 infrastructure, following the same procedure used for Phase 1.
- What it does
- Passed, the city accepts an improvement guarantee from D.R. Horton, Inc. for Meadow Walk Phase 2 infrastructure in the amount of $565,284.38.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Rezone ~3.8 acres from R-1.4 (Residential) to C-2 (General Business), southern side of Main Street (SC-9)
RECEIVE PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: (PC-202504-001) REQUEST TO REZONE APPROXIMATELY 3.8 ACRES FROM R-1.4 (RESIDENTIAL) to C-2 (GENERAL BUSINESS) LOCATED ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF MAIN STREET (SC-9) PIN#: 176-09-04-0002 (OWNER WAGDI MITRY). The Planning Commission presented a written report indicating the Commission recommends approval of the request to rezone the 3.8-acre parcel on the South side of West Main Street to C-2 (General Business). City Council received the report as information and will schedule a public hearing on the request as required by the City's zoning ordinance.
Rezone ~18.8 acres from IND (Industrial) to PD (Planned Development), southern side of Main Street (SC-9)
RECEIVE PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: (PC-202401-003) REQUEST TO REZONE APPROXIMATELY 18.8 ACRES FROM IND (INDUSTRIAL) to PD (PALNNED DEVELOPMENT) LOCATED ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF MAIN STREET (SC-9) PIN#: 186-00-00-0023 (AGENT-BOLTON & MENK). The Planning Commission presented a written report indicating the Commission recommends approval of the request to rezone the 18.8-acre parcel located at the corner of Broad Street and Meadow Street to PD (Planned Development). City Council received the report as information and will schedule a public hearing on the request as required by the City's zoning ordinance.
Executive session — personnel matter
Interim Administrator Neighbours indicated to Council that there was one personnel item that needed to be addressed in executive session. A motion was made by Councilwoman Gerald, seconded by Councilwoman Gause, to enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Mayor Suggs and all members voted favorably. Motion passed. Upon returning from executive session, a motion was made by Councilwoman Gause, seconded by Councilwoman Gerald to exit executive session and reconvene in open session. Mayor Suggs and all members voted favorably. Motion passed. Mayor Suggs announced that in executive session Council discussed a personnel matter and that no action was taken in executive session.
Beyond the votes
Reports, announcements, and public comment from the same meeting, also drawn verbatim from the minutes.
Reports & announcements
- Mayor's Report — July 4th patriotic display. Mayor Suggs reported that he had several positive comments regarding the lighted old glory patriotic display exhibited by the city for the first time this year to celebrate the July 4th holiday.
- Mayor's Report — 2025-2026 budget. June was a very busy month at City Hall as the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget was finalized with second reading being held on June 26th. Operations under the new budget began July 1st.
- Mayor's Report — Fire Safe Community 2024. On June 13th, Mayor Suggs attended the State Firefighters Association meeting in Myrtle Beach. Loris was recognized as a Fire Safe Community for the year 2024. This was possible due to the efforts of our firefighters to promote fire safety through educational programs, the free installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and meeting other standards. This is the department's first Fire Safe Community Award and the department is working to achieve this again in 2025.
- Mayor's Report — brush truck skid unit grant. The City was notified that the fire department received a grant from the United States Department of the Interior for a slip-on skid unit that will be mounted on one of the department's brush trucks. The skid unit holds all of the equipment necessary for fighting brush fires.
- Mayor's Report — Horry County League of Cities. Mayor Suggs reminded Council that the Horry County League of Cities will meet Thursday, July 24th in Loris at 6:00 pm. He urged all councilmembers to attend.
- Mayor's Report — Chamber of Commerce. Loris Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Samantha Norris was not present at the council meeting.
- Administrator's Report. Interim Administrator Angel Neighbours reported that the demolition and clean-up of the former site of Loris High School is almost complete and a final walk through with the contractor will be done this month. Also, Phase 1 of the sewer line replacement project is almost complete. The first phase addressed the main sewer line from Meeting Street to Bayboro Street. Phase 2 will begin soon and will replace the main sewer line on the South side of the city.
- Committee Reports. There were no committee meetings scheduled during June due to the hearings and special meetings held to complete the budget.
- Department Head's Reports. Mayor Suggs advised that written reports were prepared by each department and provided in the council meeting packet.
- Department Head's Report — Code Enforcement & Planning. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes stated that, in addition to her written report, she wanted to inform Council that the department has been working on a proposed stormwater ordinance, which is being reviewed by City Attorney John Zilinsky and should soon be ready for review by the appropriate council committee.
- Department Head's Report — Fire. Chief Jerry Hardee informed Council that the bid placed in the amount of $33,000.00 for the purchase of the used aerial truck from Upper Macungie Township in Pennsylvania had been accepted. The next step is to have the truck inspected by an independent third-party inspector from Consolidated Fleet Services. If the truck passes the aerial certification test, Chief Hardee will travel to Pennsylvania to inspect the truck and, if it is suitable for our department, will finalize the purchase. Also, notice was received from the U.S Department of the Interior regarding the grant award for the brush truck skid unit. The City will have to go through the required bidding process for the unit, and it is hoped the unit can be purchased by September. Mayor Suggs congratulated Chief Hardee and the department for achieving the Fire Safe Community Designation for 2024.
- Department Head's Report — Police. No additions to the written report.
- Department Head's Report — Public Works. No additions to the written report.
- Department Head's Report — Recreation. No additions to the written report.
Public & press comment
‹ Newer meeting · Older meeting › · All meetings