May 2016
D I G E S T
The Official Publication of the Kiawah Island Community Association
Message from the Chair: Key Objectives and Focus
“If you don't know where you
are going, you will probably
end up someplace else.” –
Attributed to Yogi Berra
As the new chair of the KICA
board, I thought it would be
useful to share several of my
key objectives for the year
and beyond. Please keep in
mind that I am only one
of seven board members. I
lead the board but I do not
rule it, so the board could
decide on different objectives
and priorities as the year
progresses. I believe we have
consensus on most of the
items below.
The board has the good
fortune to work closely
with KICA’s Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Bailey. Jimmy
leads an outstanding, dedicated and talented team of KICA
employees. With KICA operations so well managed, the board
is able to focus on strategic objectives.
Some focus items include:
Complete the purchase of the Municipal Center building.
Your previous board conducted negotiations leading to a fair
purchase price. This is a great opportunity for the community
association to spread out a little. KICA has occupied the
same amount of space for 20 years, notwithstanding the very
substantial growth on the island during that period. Only a
portion of the space currently occupied by the town will be used
for additional KICA office space. That will provide additional
room to relieve space constraints at the Sandcastle. The board
will be working with Jimmy to determine the highest and best
use of Town Hall for the community and will share our ideas
and recommendations as we progress.
The Sandcastle is outdated and no longer reflects the
quality of other island amenities. While not everyone uses
this facility, a very substantial number of property owners
do. Having an impressive amenity facility is important
to the preservation and enhancement of property values.
Work is underway, with help from
designers and architects, to explore
opportunities to renovate, improve
and possibly expand this facility.
We will share information with the
community on progress and ideas.
Story Highlights
New KICA board Chair Bruce
Stemerman shares key objectives
Focus items include completing
the purchase of Town Hall,
infrastructure maintenance,
and Sandcastle renovations
For both of these projects, we are
working towards solutions that do
not result in any additional assessments to our members.
It is an objective, but cannot be a promise as future events
could impact on plans.
Infrastructure maintenance and improvement is KICA’s
most important responsibility, particularly with much of
it being 40 years old. The board will continue to be closely
engaged on this with Jimmy and his team. We intend to update
future spending projections to determine if the Supplemental
Annual Assessment can be reduced. KICA’s guiding principals
will remain the safety and security of our owners and visitors
while being sensitive to Kiawah’s natural beauty.
Last year KICA decided to file a Declaratory Judgment
action in order to once and for all resolve long standing
disputes over permissible uses of the Rhett's Bluff
property. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the
action, but that motion was denied by the court. They
subsequently filed a motion to reconsider which was
also denied. This will allow the matter to proceed and be
adjudicated. However the court ultimately rules, it will be
good for the community to put this issue to rest.
We will play an active and collaborative role with other
stakeholders on Kiawah, Seabrook and John’s islands to
address the John’s Island access and egress challenges. This
is a substantial problem that impacts all of us. With approved
building permits on John’s Island, there could be in excess of
10,000 new homes built. Roads will become an even more
major issue unless options are developed and implemented.
KICA will continue to play an important role encouraging
and supporting volunteerism among our members. So many
of you have given so much to those in need. We plan to work
closely with groups like Kiawah Cares to focus on activities
that will be impactful to our less fortunate neighbors.
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