February 2017 3 Looking Back , Forging Ahead ( Continued From Previous Page )
including examining how other resorts handle it , traffic speed , a re-alignment of management within the security department , and changing staff uniforms , which he described as an easy fix : “ No one likes them , they are easy to change because we have a contract with a company that has other uniforms , and small things like that can make people a lot happier .”
One of Tony ’ s current goals is a review of the gate pass process and budgeting for a change in technology to enhance it . He likes the bar code system for property owners but wants a better entry management process for employees , contractors and visitors , none of whom have bar codes . “ I have been looking at this for eight months already ,” he says . Another is a personnel change . He is in the process of hiring an assistant director and is seeking someone with an extensive emergency management background who can share in the management of Kiawah ’ s mitigation , response and recovery to any emergency situation , including major weather events .
Tony stresses the importance of working with the other island entities as well as Freshfields and the St . Johns Fire Department in emergency situations . “ During Hurricane Matthew , I got a chance to look at how we operate and realized there are significant opportunities for us to enhance our capabilities ,” he says . He would like to see a “ unified command structure ” with representatives of all the organizations for making decisions or managing communications , and he says KICA will contribute more effectively to the joint effort with an additional emergency management expert on staff ( Tony also has this expertise ).
Tony practices an open door policy and encourages you to come to him with questions , concerns , ideas or just to chat . Maybe think twice , though , about coming with something to hide . Tony says his children would say that it can be unsettling growing up with someone whose job it is to get people to confess .
Article contributed by Digest Feature Reporter Sue Schaffer .
KICA Annual Meeting Packets in the Mail
KICA Annual Meeting - Friday , March 3 , 2 p . m . at the Sandcastle Watch your mail for your Annual Meeting packet . These packets include ballots , information on online voting , and the KICA Annual Report . For questions regarding the Annual Meeting materials , contact KICA at 843-768-9194 or memberservices @ kica . us .
Save Time and Vote Online - kica . us / vote Instructions for online voting can be found in your annual meeting packet . To vote , visit kica . us / vote . As long as your online vote is submitted by the Feb . 24 deadline , you are still eligible for the $ 500 assessment refund drawing .
Utility Presentation Highlights Informative Board Meeting
Representatives from Kiawah Island Utility ( KIU ) gave a detailed and informational presentation on the utility ' s rate adjustment application at the Jan . 9 KICA Board meeting . The Public Service Commission will also hold a hearing on the request Tuesday , Feb . 2 at the Turtle Point Clubhouse , which will allow concerned parties to speak .
To view the KIU rate presentation , visit kica . us / kiupresentation .
Also during the meeting , the board approved a new policy for named storms such as Hurricane Matthew that impacted the island last year . According to the policy , in the event that a named storm creates a financial impact to KICA , the association will fund clean-up and repairs as follows :
1 . KICA will absorb up to $ 500,000 in clean up and repair expenses from its available resources .
2 . If the annual assessment and any supplemental assessments are less than the maximum annual assessment , the board will assess up to the maximum annual assessment , or $ 1 million , whichever is less .
3 . Any additional expenses shall be subject to a vote of the membership for a special assessment .
The next regular meeting of the KICA board will take place on March 6 at 1 p . m . at the Sandcastle . The KICA Annual Meeting is being held on Friday , March 3 at 2 p . m . at the Sandcastle . For more information on the board , visit kica . us / board .
Digest Contributors Frances Boyd - Member Volunteer Virginia Chapel - Member Volunteer Bill Hindman - Member Volunteer Shauneen Hutchinson - Member Volunteer Sue Schaffer - Feature reporter Deb Stewart - Member Volunteer
Staff Production Team Doug Reynolds - Communications / Editor Tammy McAdory - Executive Director
Digest Mission Statement Kiawah Island Digest is an official communications tool of the Kiawah Island Community Association . Its mission is to accurately and effectively communicate information to the membership in a balanced and constructive manner .
Statement of Editorial Policy KICA will endeavor to report significant island news as well as informational topics , programs and events of interest to its members . KICA may from time to time publish editorials in support of its strategic objectives . Member suggestions on content should be submitted by email to communications @ kica . us