Riots and unlawful assemblies were among the topics of discussion at Myrtle Beach City Council’s meeting on Tuesday.
Council had its first reading on an ordinance to re-define riots and unlawful assemblies as, three or more people, acting together, using force and/or violence which jeopardizes the public’s safety.
The ordinance also declares it as a misdemeanor for any person to participate in a riot or unlawful assembly. In addition, the ordinance gives police officers the right to disperse a riot or unlawful assembly on private property.
According to Myrtle Beach Spokesperson Mark Kruea, the ordinance was not created in preparation for Memorial Day Bike Fest.
“It’s not something that we anticipate having a need for but in the event that it does pass this does give us the ability to say it’s an unlawful activity,” said Kruea.
Council members also discussed a resolution to allow alcohol sales at the Myrtle Beach Sports Center. General Manager of the Sports Center John McDonald presented the idea. He said several potential clients have asked about it. Those clients represent adult-related tournaments like billiards and MMA.
Some council members questioned whether alcohol would detract from youth sporting events; however, McDonald said alcohol sales will be limited to adult events only and no signs advertising alcohol will be present at youth tournaments.
“It will increase a business opportunity, that’s the bottom line. It is another revenue source and it really opens us up to things that we can’t do because certain events require alcohol or expect alcohol to be there,” said McDonald.
Two parking proposals made it on council’s agenda. The first was an ordinance to increase parking meter violations from $20 to $30. In addition, the proposed ordinance states that any person, who doesn’t pay the fine within 30 days, will have to pay an additional $30.
Council also passed a resolution updating the hourly rates for public parking and switching to a three tier program:
Tier 1- Rates at beach accesses – increase from $1.50 an hour, or $8 a day, to $2 an hour and $10 a day.
Tier 2- Rates at on-street, high volume areas- increase from $1.50 to $1.75 an hour with a three-hour maximum parking time.
Tier 3- Includes all other parking meters, which currently range in price from 75 cents to $1.25 an hour or $6 a day- increase to $1.50 an hour or $8 a day.
City Spokesperson Mark Kruea said revenue generated from the increased parking rates and fees will go toward downtown re-development.
