May 16, 2023
Hampton Park Terrace Neighborhood Association
Meeting Notes
Anne Kelley Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the church at 137 Moultrie Street by outlining the evening’s agenda: bank balance, neighborhood socials, and key note speaker, Becca Hopkins.
Ben D’Allesandro, Treasurer, reported a balance of $12,945.71. There are additional outstanding hard checks and Venmo payments that have not yet been included in this total. A large portion of the current balance came from the success of the March 2023 Home Tours, about $4,000.00.
Ann reminded everyone the May Social is Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Allan Park, from 5-7 p.m. and will feature The Dalleas Band. Ann reminded everyone to pack a picnic and although some chairs will be provided, it’s best to be prepared and bring your own. Friends and family are welcome. Ashley Williamson posted the event to the Wagener Terrace Facebook page. This will be the first larger-scale neighborhood social since pre-Covid. It’s the committees intention to observe the overall success of the May event and implement improvements or changes for the next larger-scale event. An example of potential change might be to include food trucks next time. A total of $2,500 was contributed from the HPTNA budget and another $2,500 was supplied by four different local businesses.
The Kona Ice truck is coming for our June social on Saturday, June 17th from 4-5 p.m. at the First Church of Christ, Scientist parking lot (137 Moultrie Street).
Ann introduced Becca Hopkins, the city’s Neighborhood Services Manager, and she spoke on navigating city processes and other services the city provides to our neighborhood. The outline that Becca followed for her presentation can be found here: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/34009/Civics-101-v6?bidId=.
Becca engages with all neighborhood presidents for questions and concerns about the city and helps neighborhood associations figure out how they can fit into the city planning. She looks at Charleston city groups and reaches out to see who can help voice and facilitate different initiatives. Neighborhood services, her office, oversees the neighborhood counsel, which is made up of organizations recognized by the city.
Becca also works with the business community as well as the neighborhoods — and some projects are special projects because they don’t fit into a business or specific neighborhood association group — and she helps to facilitate those initiatives as well.
Becca emphasized that the structure of Charleston government is for accountability not speed, and acknowledges they are a lean work force and slow is to be expected as they serve a greater numbers of people as the city grows. She encourages polite persistence, and constant friendly nudging from anyone or any group waiting to be heard on an issue. Tracking a personal or group initiative with a Google sheet (listing dates and times of outreach and responses, and the specific location of an issue) can be very helpful to all stakeholders.
Traci Davis asked about storm drains, and was pointed to mckaink@charlestonsc.gov for storm drain activity.
Kevin Eberle asked who is in charge of street sweeping and if the scheduling be changed. Street sweeping is on the same day as trash pickup and usually the street sweepers cannot perform because garbage bins are in the way. Becca suggested to work with the neighbors to petition for a change in schedule and Becca would help to change the schedule for next year.
Ann Kelly asked if we should be doing something specifically as a neighborhood. Ann and Becca agreed to talk about HPTNA goals another time and Ann would report back on their conversation at a later HPTNA meeting. Becca did say that really effective associations divide and conquer different initiatives.
Gervais Hagerty asked how she can receive help and input from the city regarding slowing traffic down on Ashley Avenue. SCDOT has classified Ashley as the same type of road as Folly Road and that determines what kind of traffic a street has, or is allowed to have. Gervais has written and asked for B classification. Becca said Gervais needs to get state legislatures involved.
Someone asked how to get one-way or two-way streets reassigned. SCDOT is a “mysterious glob” to Becca.
Katie Boutte updated everyone on the underground wiring and continues to try to get approval from neighbors. 100% interested per block is needed in order to receive a plan from the city. Wesson is a yes. Parkwood is a yes. Kevin Eberle is working on a write-up to the city. Kevin suggested we have block captains and they report back to Katie. Katie and Kevin are hoping to submit neighborhood weigh-in to the city by the end of June (instead of end of May). Blocks with underground wiring will have new street lights installed. One neighbor requested more technical information regarding the actual process. One person asked if all cables come down. Another person asked what kind of energy will be provided while they connect. Bob Olson shared that he has been to other neighborhood meetings who are also tackling underground wiring and he reported that some businesses are helping neighborhoods to pay. Maybe the Citadel will help HPT. Also, underground wiring will help with storm issues and lines being needed to be restrung. Bob also suggested that maybe funds from the HPTNA can be donated to any neighbor in support of underground wiring, but maybe not capable to have final connects made to their home.
Finally, Steven Jones from 541 Huger Street shared some information on an upcoming singing social on May 27th. More information on this event can be found here.
7:56pm meeting adjured.