WHAT HAPPENED: The City Council approved the...

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council approved the appointment of Carrie Thomas to the

Planning Commission

WHAT IT MEANS:

Thomas will fill the seat of the commission’s former chair Randy

Kokal, who was asked to step down on Sept. 15 for violating protocol

by allowing a new member to be elected vice chair of the commission

rather than follow the group’s bylaws, which require the rotation of

seats to be based on seniority.

Thomas has served on the city’s environmental board and community

services commission. Her appointment was approved Monday by a

unanimous vote and her tenure will begin Tuesday.

WHAT WAS SAID:

“I think she’s going to be a great addition to the board and I

welcome her.” Mayor Connie Boardman

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council granted businesses the right to serve alcoholic

beverages outdoors July 4.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Fourth of July celebrations have tamed considerably since the

mid-1990s when public drunkenness and civil unrest swept through

Downtown, resulting in flying bottles, couch burnings and hundreds of

arrests. In an effort to quell mischief, the City Council denied

businesses the right to serve alcoholic beverages at outdoor dining

areas on Independence Day.

In the past five years, the Police Department has scaled back the

number of police officers on duty on the night of the Fourth. The

number of arrests has also dropped from 549 over a 24-hour period in

1996 to 90 arrests in a three-day period in 2003.

Due to the drop in problems, the City Council Monday night granted

business owners the right to serve alcoholic drinks outdoors again on

July 4.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council adopted a new advertising policy.

WHAT IT MEANS:

When the Surf City credit card was approved on June 2, questions

were raised regarding where the city could legally advertise for its

events, products and services. The policy adopted on Monday allows

the city to advertise in city newsletters, such as the Sands catalog

and Community Connections and on HBTV.

WHAT WAS SAID:

“This policy allows the city to accept advertising in city

affiliated outlets for city-related events, products and services.”

David Biggs, director of Economic Development