In one minute
Approved minutes for the Town of Bluffton Regular Town Council meeting held January 13, 2026. Items included swearing-in of two councilmembers, appointment of Mayor Pro-Tempore, adoption of prior minutes, presentations/recognitions, public comment on electric bicycle safety, approval of an ordinance amendment (second and final reading), authorization to amend a sewer construction contract for additional funds, approval of the consent agenda, executive session matters including an appointment to a county advisory committee and approval of a mediation settlement (4–1). Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM and adjourned at 6:30 PM.
Executive summary
Council sworn in Councilmember Emily Burden and Councilmember Fred Hamilton (oath administered by Municipal Judge Clifford Bush III). Councilmember Frazier moved to appoint Councilmember Fred Hamilton as Mayor Pro-Tempore; motion approved unanimously. Council approved the Regular Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2025. Presentations included a Beaufort County student recognition and a Martin Luther King Jr. proclamation. Public comment raised safety concerns about electric bicycles. Council approved, on second and final reading, an ordinance amending Chapter 23 — Unified Development Ordinance, Article 5 — Design Standards (Section 5.15.8 Accessory Buildings (New) and Sections 5.15.5.A–E Maximum Lot Coverage (New)). Council authorized amending Contract #2025-49 for Historic District Sewer Phases 4, 5, and 6 with Jordan Construction of Hilton Head Inc. by $205,805 for unforeseen field conditions. The Consent Agenda was approved. In executive session, Council appointed Lisa Sulka to the Beaufort County Transportation Penny Tax Advisory Committee (unanimous) and approved a mediation settlement in the appeal filed by Jason Alexander regarding a Historic Preservation Committee decision (motion passed 4–1; Yea: Toomer, Hamilton, Wood, Frazier; Nay: Burden).
Why it matters
These minutes record official actions that affect town governance, land use regulation, public infrastructure expenditures, and resolution of pending litigation. The ordinance amendment updates local design standards and lot-coverage provisions; the contract amendment increases project funding for Historic District sewer construction; and the executive-session settlement resolves an appeal affecting the Historic Preservation Committee.
Key decisions
Source/Context: Page 1, Section IV.1
Source/Context: Page 1, Section IV.2
Source/Context: Page 1, Section VI.1
Source/Context: Page 3, Section X.1
Source/Context: Page 3, Section XI.1
Source/Context: Page 3, Section XII
Agenda items
Mayor Toomer called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Source/Context: Page 1, Section I
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Toomer.
Source/Context: Page 1, Section II
Invocation led by Councilmember Frazier.
Source/Context: Page 1, Section III
Municipal Judge Clifford Bush III administered the oath of office to Councilmember Emily Burden and Councilmember Fred Hamilton.
Source/Context: Page 1, Section IV.1
Councilmember Frazier moved to appoint Councilmember Fred Hamilton as Mayor Pro-Tempore; motion approved unanimously.
Source/Context: Page 1, Section IV.2
Motion by Councilmember Wood, seconded by Councilmember Burden, to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of 12/09/2025; all in favor and motion passed.
Regular Meeting Minutes of 12/09/2025
Source/Context: Page 1, Section VI.1
Motions
Source/Context: Page 1, Section IV.2
Source/Context: Page 1, Section VI.1
Source/Context: Page 3, Section X.1
Source/Context: Page 3, Section XI.1
Source/Context: Page 3, Section XII
Source/Context: Page 4, Section XIV, Executive Session Item #2
Official sources
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