[00:00:04]
. YEAH WE'RE GOOD TO GO. >> ALL RIGHT.
GOOD EVENING. >> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE CAUCUS MEETING OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL FOR MONDAY, JULY 11TH TO ORDER WOULD YOU ALL RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE?
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND FEEL FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
WOULD THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? AND AS SHE CALLS THE ROLL, WOULD YOU ANNOUNCE THAT YOU ARE PRESENT AND THAT YOU ARE EITHER IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS OR ONLINE?
>> THIS IS A HYBRID MEETING. THEREFORE WE DO HAVE PEOPLE FOR ONLINE FORUM PAST PRESENT AND IN COUNCIL VISE CHAIR SOMERVILLE PRESENT ONLINE COUNCIL MEMBER GLOVER PRESIDENT
. >> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBICIDE PRESENT IN CHAMBERS HELPS A
MEMBER RODMAN PRESENT HERE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER HOWARD PRESENT HERE COUNCIL MEMBER
LAWSON. >> MARK WILSON PRESENT HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER MC ELLEN
PRESIDENT LINE COUNCIL MEMBER DAWSON. >> COUNCIL MEMBER FLO ELLING.
>> PRESENT ONLINE AND COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM PRESENT AND IN CHAMBERS.
>> WE DO HAVE A QUORUM TO CONDUCT THE BUSINESS OF COUNTY COUNCIL.
PUBLIC NOTICE OF THIS MEETING HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, POSTED AND DISTRIBUTED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND BEFORE WE GET TOO FAR.
I'M GOING TO ASK US TO TAKE. ITEM NUMBER SIX AND MOVE IT UP TO ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
SO THAT OUR SENATOR CAN GIVE US SOME INFORMATION THEN WE CAN DISCUSS HOW WE'RE GOING TO WORK
[4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA]
OUR AGENDA MOVING FORWARD BASED UPON SOME INFORMATION HE'S GOING TO GIVE US.SO WITH THAT IN MIND I'D LIKE AN APPROVAL OF THE CAUCUS AGENDA WHICH SWITCHING THOSE TWO ITEMS MOVED AS A SUGGESTED SECOND. ALL RIGHT.
DULY MOVED AND SECONDED TO REARRANGE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
DO I HEAR ANY OBJECTIONS WITHOUT OBJECTIONS? THE AGENDA WILL BE APPROVED AS AMENDED. NOW I NEED TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO DO THAT? MR. RODMAN MAKES THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA OF SECOND AGAIN. IT IS DULY MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA.
[6. DISCUSSION WITH SENATOR DAVIS REGARDING EVACUATION ROUTES]
>> THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT OBJECTION AND I SEE NO OBJECTIONS WITH THAT MIND.
WE ARE AT THE DISCUSSION ITEMS AND I WOULD ASK SENATOR DAVIS TO COME FORWARD TO MAKE A
PRESENTATION. SENATOR DAVIS, WELCOME AGAIN. >> READ WITH ME.
YES. PRESIDENT ERICKSON WHO IN FACT CHAIRS THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON WAYS
AND MEANS THROUGH WHICH SCADA APPROPRIATIONS ARE MADE. >> SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE PARTICULARLY GERMANE TO OUR CONVERSATION TODAY. WELCOME.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I HOPE. WHEN I WAS HERE I GUESS WAS AT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. YES, THEY WERE. AND TOGETHER THEY WERE HOLDING
THE SECOND LINE. >> CAN YOU HEAR THE SENATOR DOWN HERE?
THANKS VERY YOU HEAR ME NOW? CAN YOU HEAR NOW? YES.
OK, GREAT. WHEN I WAS HERE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE HAD A WIDE RANGING DISCUSSION REGARDING THE TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX PROPOSAL, THE GREEN SPACE SALES TAX PROPOSAL AND THERE WERE A COUPLE ABOUT STANDING QUESTIONS THAT I PROMISED TO GET BACK TO YOU AND REPORT ON THE FIRST OF WHICH WAS WHAT WAS THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT YOU ALL WERE THINKING ABOUT HAVING FUNDED THROUGH THE PENNY SALES TAX OR
TRANSPORTATION? >> WHAT WAS GOING TO BE THE CHANCES OF HAVING SOME OF THAT
MONEY HANDLED THROUGH THE SCADA T? >> WHETHER OR NOT IT'S IN REGARD TO THE NEW RECURRING APPROPRIATION WE GAVE TO SCADA T SO THEY COULD DRAW DOWN ALL THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY? WELL IN REGARD TO A BILLION DOLLARS THAT'S BEING PLACED IN A CONTINGENCY RESERVE FUND FOR APPROPRIATION NEXT YEAR ANY ANY
[00:05:01]
AND ALL OF THE ABOVE THE THINKING WAS THAT WITH THAT SORT OF STATE AND FEDERAL MONEY AVAILABLE AND WITH SECRETARY HALL IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING THE STATEWIDE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS LIST THAT THERE MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS ON SOME CRITICALTRANSPORTATION NEEDS TO BE FUNDED OUT OF THAT MONEY. >> AND IN PARTICULAR LOOKING AT WHAT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THAT SECRETARY HALL IS WORKING ON, THE THINGS SHE GIVES MOST PRIORITY TO ARE THINGS REGARDING SAFETY AND SO WORKING WITH ASKING THE CHAIRMAN AND ASKING THE THE MANAGER WANTED A LIST OF THOSE THINGS THAT RELATED TO EVACUATION ROUTES AND TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AND SENT A LETTER WHICH I BELIEVE I'VE COPIED ALL OF YOU WITH IN REGARD TO THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO FOUR
EVACUATION ROUTES IN SOUTHERN BUTTE COUNTY. >> WORK WITH REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON TODAY ON A SIMILAR LETTER FOR NORTHERN BEEF FOR COUNTY TO IMPROVE THE EVACUATION ROUTE IN NORTHERN BEFORE COUNTY. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT PRIMARILY IN NORTHERN BEAUFORT COUNTY THAT HAS TO DO WITH EXPANDING THE CHALLENGE CREEK BRIDGE AND ALSO A SECTION OF TWENTY ONE HEADING TO WHERE THERE ARE SOME PLANNED EXPANSIONS ALREADY WHERE THE WAL-MART IS ON LADY'S ISLAND. FOLLOWING UP WITH SECRETARY HALL, I BELIEVE SOME MEMBERS OF COUNCIL MAY HAVE TALKED TO HER.
>> I'M UNDER NO ILLUSIONS THAT 100 PERCENT OF THAT MONEY IS GONNA GET FUNDED.
>> YOU'VE GOT 46 OTHER COUNTIES, YOU'VE GOT ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY STATE LAWMAKERS. HOWEVER, THERE IS A VERY HIGH LIKELIHOOD THAT SOME OF THAT
MONEY CAN BE FOUND THROUGH THE STATE APPROPRIATION. >> SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS A HELPFUL LEVEL OF DUE DILIGENCE FOR THIS COUNCIL TO GO THROUGH AS IT'S CONTEMPLATING GOING TO GET LOCAL MONEY FOR THOSE ROUTES. IT SEEMS THAT EXHAUSTING DUE DILIGENCE IN REGARD TO WHAT CAN BE HANDLED THROUGH STATE MONEY WOULD ALLOW YOU TO GET TO A DELTA THAT THEN NEEDS TO BE HANDLED BY IT BY LOCAL FUNDS. SO I DID SOME DILIGENCE IN THAT REGARD AND REPRESENTED ERICKSON IS HERE TODAY AS WELL. PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE SHE DOES CHAIR THE WAYS AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE AND SHE CAN SPEAK TO SOME OF THOSE STATE APPROPRIATION MATTERS AS WELL. THE SECOND THING WAS IN REGARD TO SOME QUESTIONS THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAD ABOUT THE MECHANICS OF HOW THE GREEN SPACE PROGRAM WOULD WORK, THERE IS SOME LANGUAGE IN THIS LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX GREEN SPACE THAT'S IN ADDITION TO THE USUAL LANGUAGE YOU TYPICALLY SEE AND LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX REFERENDUMS.
>> AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS THIS IN FOR INSTANCE THE PENNY SALES TAX FOR TRANSPORTATION THAT YOU'RE CONTEMPLATING IF YOU WENT TO THE VOTERS WITH A REFERENDUM YOU WOULD LIST ON THERE THE VARIOUS PROJECTS THAT YOU INTENDED TO FUND OUT OF THAT MONEY.
THE GREEN SPACE MONEY IS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT IN THAT YOU'RE RAISING MONEY FOR THE GENERAL OVERALL PURPOSE OF PRESERVATION REQUIREMENTS BUT YOU DON'T KNOW IN ADVANCE WHAT THOSE TRACTS LAND OR EASEMENTS ARE FEED SIMPLE TITLES ARE GOING TO BE IT'S THE NATURE OF THINGS THAT YOU RAISE THE MONEY THEN YOU GO OUT INTO THE MARKETPLACE AND YOU FIND OUT WHAT A WILLING BUYER AND A WILLING SELLER YOU KNOW HOW YOU CAN STRUCTURE THE TRANSACTIONS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF SPECIFICITY IN REGARD TO YOU CAN'T LIST PROJECTS TO PUT ON A
REFERENDUM. >> THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL PROVISION IN THE GREEN SPACE THAT CALLS FOR THERE TO BE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT'S APPOINTED BY THIS COUNTY COUNCIL WHICH WILL THEN WORK WITH THE DLR FOR THE LIMITED PURPOSE OF PROVIDING OVERSIGHT OR AN ASSURANCE THAT THE MONEY HAS IN FACT BEEN USED FOR THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED IN THE
STATUTE. >> IN OTHER WORDS, IT HAS IN FACT GONE FOR PRESERVATION PROCUREMENT. THERE'S A SITUATION RIGHT NOW UP IN RICHLAND COUNTY WHERE THE PROCEEDS OF A LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX WENT FOR THINGS OTHER THAN WHAT WAS CONTEMPLATED.
SO BECAUSE OF THE OPEN ENDED NATURE OF THIS IN TERMS OF YOU DON'T KNOW YET WHAT LANDS ARE BEING ACQUIRED, THAT'S WHY THAT ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE IS IN THERE IN REGARD TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN REGARD TO THE DLR . NOW THERE WAS A QUESTION FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ASKED YOU WHAT LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT WOULD DLR HAVE IN IN PROVIDING THAT CERTIFICATION, PROVIDING THAT LEVEL OF OVERSIGHT? AND I PROVIDED A LETTER SOLICITED A LETTER FROM HARTLEY POWELL WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF DEMAND OF REVENUE ACTUALLY FROM THEIR GENERAL COUNSEL SAYING THAT DLR R WOULD HANDLE THIS LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX FOR GREEN SPACE LIKE DO ANYTHING ELSE. IT WOULD COLLECT THE MONEY REMITTED TO THE COUNTY. THE ONLY EXTRA LAYER WOULD BE THAT THAT WHATEVER COMMITTEE THIS COUNTY COUNCIL APPOINTED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS IN REGARD TO PRESERVATION PROCUREMENTS ONCE THAT WENT BACK TO COUNTY COUNCIL AND YOU GUYS GAVE FINAL BLESSING ON YES, THIS IS IN FACT WE WANT TO ACQUIRE THIS PIECE OF LAND OR ACQUIRE THIS EASEMENT FOR THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEN WOULD BE REVIEWED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE DNR TO CONFIRM THAT THE MONEY WAS GOING FOR PRESERVATION PURPOSES .
>> SO IT WOULD BE AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAYER ON TOP OF THAT.
[00:10:01]
SO THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS GOING TO BE THE ENTITY THAT ACTUALLY MADE THE PRESERVATION PROCUREMENTS WHETHER THAT FINAL AUTHORITY IN THAT REGARD OR WHETHER IT WAS GOING TO SUBSTITUTE ITS JUDGMENT INSTEAD OF BEFORE COUNTY COUNCIL. THAT ISN'T THE CASE. IT'S SIMPLY IN REGARD TO LET ME TAKE YOU THROUGH AN EXAMPLE SAY ATTRACT A LAND WITH THE COOLER PROPERTY OUT THERE BY OLDFIELD SAY THAT WAS IDENTIFIED BY WHATEVER COMMITTEE THE COUNTY COUNCIL DECIDED TO APPOINT TO MAKE PRESERVATION RECOMMENDATIONS AND IT WENT TO BE FOR COUNTY COUNCIL FOR FINAL APPROVAL. YOU GUYS WOULD HAVE FINAL SAY SAY YOU THEN APPROVE THAT THAT WOULD THEN GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE FOR CONFIRMATION THAT YES, THE MONEY THAT YOU INTEND TO USE HERE FOR THIS PURPOSE IS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE STATUTE.>> IN OTHER WORDS, AS FOR PROCUREMENT IS FOR PRESERVATION IS FOR CONSERVATION.
>> THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN THE DLR WOULD SIGN OFF ON THAT AND THEN THE GREEN LIGHT WOULD THEN BE GIVEN TO THE COUNTY TO ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH ON THAT ACQUISITION.
SO I RECEIVED AN OPINION FROM YOURS GENERAL COUNSEL IN THAT REGARD TO ANSWER THOSE
QUESTIONS. >> ALSO IN REGARD TO THE PLENARY AUTHORITY OF COUNTY COUNCIL TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISIONS IN REGARD TO PROCUREMENTS I GOT A LETTER FROM THE CLERK TO THE SENATE SAYING THIS IS EXACTLY HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK.
COUNTY IS THE ENTITY WITH THE FINAL AUTHORITY SO WITH THAT BY WAY OF BACKGROUND IT'S KIND OF TECHNICAL, MR. CHAIRMAN. BUT THERE WERE THOSE QUESTIONS THAT AROSE AND SO TRIED TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS I'M SURE REPRESENTED
ERICKSON WOULD BE. >> ALL RIGHT. QUESTIONS I STILL HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION. YES, REGARDING THE THE THE USE OF THE FUNDS I HAVE I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WAS USING DOLLARS TAX DOLLARS FOR LEASE AGREEMENTS I'VE SEEN THAT BACKFIRE IN OTHER STATES WHERE USDA PARTNERED WITH THE STATE AND ALSO THE MILITARY TO BUY A 10 YEAR LEASE ON AGRICULTURAL LAND AND THEN WITHIN 10 AS SOON AS THOSE 10 YEARS ARE UP THE
PROPERTY WAS SOLD. >> YES, MA'AM. OR TO PROTECT WETLANDS TOO.
SO I JUST HAVE THAT SECTION FOR 10 DASH 1 0 1 0 AND THEN IT ALSO RESPOND TO THAT BEFORE YOU
GO THE NEXT ONE. >> SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE REFERENDUM QUESTION IT LISTS THE SEVEN OR EIGHT DIFFERENT THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE WITH THE MONEY LEASES BEING ONE OF THEM. THE OPERATIVE WORD THERE IS FOUR.
OK, SO YOU CAN USE YOU YOU KNEW ANY OR ALL OF YOU NOT TO DO ALL OF THEM.
YOU CAN PICK ANY ONE OF THOSE THINGS AND THEN THE SECOND THING WOULD BE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY IN REGARD TO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH THE MONEY IS RESERVED UNDER THIS COUNCIL.
I MEAN SO IT'S NOT AS IF YOU'RE TURNING IT OVER TO A COMMITTEE WITH A CHARGE TO GO OUT THERE AND LEASE LAND. I MEAN ALL THEY'RE GOING TO DO IS WHATEVER DECISION YOU MAKE THE COUNTY COUNCIL MAKES IN REGARD TO EXPENDITURE THOSE MONIES THEY'RE LIMITED ROLE IS SAYING YES IN FACT THESE DOLLAR FOR GO ON FOR ONE OF THESE PROCUREMENTS THAT ARE
AUTHORIZED IN THAT STATUTE. >> SO IF LEASES ARE NOT DESIRABLE AS A PUBLIC POLICY AND I TAKE YOUR POINT IN SALARY THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING TO THIS COUNTY COUNCIL WOULD NOT HAVE TO APPROVE AND I SUSPECT GIVEN THE WAY YOU FEEL ABOUT IT AND GIVEN YOUR ABILITY TO MAKE THAT CASE TO THE COUNCIL, I WOULD SUSPECT THAT WOULDN'T BE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS ADOPTED
. >> I'M NOT CLEAR THAT WE WOULD HAVE THAT OPTION.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING BUT I'M STILL NOT CLEAR ABOUT THAT.
AND THEN THE COMMITTEE TO ACT AS ADVISORY DISTRIBUTION OF THE FUNDS CLEARED UP A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS. BUT WHO APPOINTS SEC COMMITTEE THE STATE THE LEGISLATIVE IF THE COUNTY COUNCIL DOES IN AND CAN AND DOES IT HAVE TO BE MADE UP IN THE WAY THAT IT'S DESCRIBED IN THE STATUTE? YOU KNOW THAT PARTICULAR SEVEN MEMBER ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE LIMITED PURPOSES OF MAKING SURE THAT WHAT COUNTY COUNCIL DOES WITH THE MONEY CONFORMS
WITH THE STATUTE. >> THAT WOULD BE APPOINTED BY BE FOR COUNTY COUNCIL AND AND THOSE I GUESS IT WAS ONE MEMBER OF COUNTY COUNCIL ONE MEMBER DELEGATION, ONE MEMBER WHO'S FAMILIAR GEOGRAPHY AND THEN FOR LAYPEOPLE AND THEN ONE MORE WHO IS KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE
GEOGRAPHY AND CAN JOG WRITINGS LAND WHICH IS TO ME. >> BUT THE POINT I'D LIKE TO MAKE IS IS THAT THE ROLE OF THAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS SIMPLY A SORT OF A DILIGENCE TO MAKE SURE THAT YES, IN FACT COUNTY COUNCIL'S USING THAT MONEY FOR PRESERVATION PURPOSES . AND AGAIN, THE REASON THAT WAS ADDED IN THERE IS BECAUSE YOU DON'T UNLIKE WITH THE PENNY SALES TAX YOU DON'T HAVE LISTED UPFRONT.
EXACTLY WHAT THAT MONEY IS GOING TO GO FOR. >> SO IT'S A LITTLE MORE OPEN ENDED. RIGHT. SO THERE WAS A NEED FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE ASSURANCE THAT THE MONEY WAS ACTUALLY BEING USED FOR THE PURPOSE THAT THAT THE STATUE PROVIDES IN REGARD TO YOUR FIRST CONCERN IN REGARD TO THE PLENARY POWER OF THE COUNTY, THE OPINION AND LEGAL OPINION FROM THE CLERK OF THE SENATE IS IN REGARD TO WHAT
AUTHORITY DOES THE COUNTY HAVE? >> OK. THIS MONEY IS ACCRUING FOR THE BENEFIT OF BEAUFORT COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE PROVIDED IN THE STATUTE.
[00:15:02]
YOU'VE GOT THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT THE COMMITTEE. YOU'VE GOT THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS BY THAT COMMITTEE AND YOU CAN DIRECT THAT COMMITTEE TO BE WHOEVER YOU WANT IT TO BE WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH WHOMEVER YOU WANTED TO WORK WITH, WHETHER IT BE THE RURAL CRITICAL LANDS BOARD, THE OPEN LAND TRUST, THE COASTAL CONSERVATION LEAGUE WHATEVER DEGREE OF DILIGENCE GIVES YOU ALL COMFORT.>> BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WOULD BE BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL THROUGH READINGS THAT WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE THE ACTUAL PURCHASES AND I KNEW THAT WAS A CONCERN, MISS
HOWARD. >> SO THAT'S WHY I HAD THAT THAT LEGAL OPINION ISSUED BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO REASSURE YOU GUYS THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL WAS THE ONE SIGNING OFF ON THIS. SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE LEASES, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE LEASES IF YOU DON'T LIKE A CERTAIN TRACT, YOU DON'T APPROVE THAT FRACK. I MEAN SO YOU HAVE PLENARY
AUTHORITY IN THAT REGARD. OK. >> HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.
IT WASN'T CLEAR TO ME THAT THE FUNDS COULD BE COLLECTED BY ALL SEVEN LOCAL ENTITIES EQUALLY AND THEY CAN MAKE THE DECISIONS AND THE COUNTY WOULD NOT HAVE ANY VOICE OR OVERSIGHT IN THAT.
BUT I THINK YOU'VE CLEARED UP THAT A LITTLE BIT AND THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION BECAUSE THE WAY THE WAY IT WAS. I AND IT IS UNUSUAL BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT USED TO SEEING THIS LAYER OF OVERSIGHT IN YOUR LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX REFERENDUM.
YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF A NEW WRINKLE AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS AS I SAID BEFORE, UNLIKE OTHER LOCAL OPTION SALES TAXES ,THIS ONE IS PROSPECTIVE IN NATURE AND IDENTIFYING WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO THE MONEY WHAT'S WHAT WHAT EXACTLY WHAT FRACS YOU'RE GOING TO GET, WHAT EASEMENTS WHEN FEW SIMPLE. AND SO THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE THIS EXTRA LAYER OF THIS THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE SAYING OK, WE SEE WHAT THE COUNCIL'S PROPOSING HERE.
YES. WE CERTIFY THAT MONEY MONEY'S GOING FOR THESE PRESERVATION PURPOSES AND NOT FOR SOME OTHER NUT OR SOME OTHER THING BUT SO. SO I ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS WHAT ROLE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PLAYS WITH DLR. IT'S SORT OF LIKE AN ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT BUT THE AUTHORITY IN REGARD TO IDENTIFY TRACKS WHETHER IT BE LEASES, WHETHER IT BE FEE SIMPLE WHETHER IT BE CONSERVATION EASEMENT, WHATEVER IT IS THAT LIES WOULD BE FOR COUNTY COUNCIL YEAR THE YEAR THAT YOU'RE THE ENTITY WITH
PLENARY AUTHORITY HERE. >> I'M JUST NOT SURE THAT'S WHAT I READ ENABLING IN THE STATUTE. THAT'S THAT'S MY RIGHT. I APPRECIATE YOUR OPINION THAT YOU GOT FROM DLR BUT AND FROM THE CLERK TO THE SENATE IN REGARD TO WHAT THE STATUTE SAYS ,WHAT THE STATUTE MEANS AND WHAT SPECIFIC IN REGARD TO YOU KNOW, LET ME KNOW WHERE PLENARY
AUTHORITY LIES. >> LET ME KNOW WHO HAS FINAL AUTHORITY IN REGARD TO WHERE DOES THIS MONEY GO? WHAT INTERESTS ARE BEING PURCHASED AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE OPINION THAT WAS ISSUED, IT'S EXPLICIT IN THAT REGARD THAT THAT BE FOR COUNTY COUNCIL IS THE ENTITY THAT HAS A RIGHT TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS AND THE ROLE THAT DLR AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PLAYS IS SIMPLY TO CONFIRM THAT THE MONEY IS BEING USED FOR PRESERVATION PURPOSES
AND NOT FOR SOME OTHER NOT FROM SOME OTHER THING. >> THAT'S NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE
STATUTE. >> YES, I HAVE A QUESTION. THIS MAY BE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OR OUR ATTORNEY . DO WE WOULD WE IN FACT BE ABLE WE THE COUNTY TO APPOINT THAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE OR WOULD THE STATE LEGISLATORS BE
APPOINTING. NO, THAT'S I'M SORRY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
GLORIA. I BELIEVE THE COUNTY COUNCIL APPOINTS THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. MY MAGIC. THAT'S THE WAY I READ THE
STATUTE AND THAT'S FAIRLY THAT MAKEUP IS SET BY STATUTE. >> MAKEUP IS DETERMINED THAT THE U.S. WILL. AND THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE AS TWO ELECTED OFFICIALS ON IT STATE LEGISLATOR AND YES ,A STATE YOU KNOW, ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE UNDUE INFLUENCE ON ANY COMMITTEE EITHER AS A COUNTY OR STATE LEGISLATOR OR THOSE TWO.
>> THERE MAY BE ONLY TWO VOTES BUT THEY ARE REALLY MORE THAN TWO VOTES IN MY OPINION.
I'VE SEEN THAT AND I THINK THAT'S FAIR. >> AND I WOULD SHARE THAT CONCERN, MISS HOWARD, IF IN FACT THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS THE ONE MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ON TRACTS OF LAND PURCHASE OR IF THEY ARE THE ONES THAT HAD THE FINAL AUTHORITY ON DECIDING WHAT TRACTS OF LAND PURCHASE BUT THEIR ROLE HERE AGAIN IS
EXTREMELY LIMITED. >> THEIR ROLE HERE IS SIMPLY TO CERTIFY THAT WHAT COUNTY COUNCIL HAVE DECIDED THROUGH THROUGH, YOU KNOW, READINGS AND DECIDING IN PUBLIC AND PUBLIC
SESSION WHAT THEY'VE DECIDED PROPOSED TO DO WITH THIS MONEY. >> THEIR ROLE IS LIMITED TO SAYING YES, IN FACT THIS IS FOR CONSERVATION OF PRESERVATION. IT'S NOT TO BUILD A ROAD OR IS NOT TO BUILD A SCHOOL OR IF IT'S NOT FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSE.
IT'S JUST THERE AS SORT OF AN AUDITING FUNCTION. THEY DON'T HAVE POLICY MAKING AUTHORITY. BUT I WOULD SHARE YOUR CONCERN IF IT DID AND THAT'S WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE DLR SAY IN NO WAY DO WE VIEW THAT TO BE OUR ROLE.
WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE THIS IN THE SAME WE DO OTHER LOCAL OPS AND SALES TAXES.
WE'RE GOING TO COLLECT THE MONEY. WE'RE GOING TO REMIT THE MONEY IN THE COUNTY. THE ONLY THING WE'RE GONNA DO THAT'S DIFFERENT BECAUSE THIS LANGUAGE IS WHEN COUNTY COUNCIL SAYS THIS IS WHAT WE PROPOSED TO DO WITH THIS CHUNK
[00:20:03]
OF MONEY FOR THIS LAND. >> WE'RE GOING TO CERTIFY THAT IT'S FOR PRESERVATION PURPOSES AND IT'S NOT FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSE. I MEAN IT'S THE SAME THING WITH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THAT'S THE ONLY ROLE THAT PLAYS.
AND SO THAT'S WHY I DON'T HAVE AS MUCH CONCERN AS I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SEE VOICED IF THAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WERE THE ONE ACTUALLY MAKING NEGOTIATING AND DECIDING ON HOW THAT MONEY IS
TO BE SPENT. >> BUT THAT'S NOT THE ROLE THAT IT PLAYS HERE.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT IT WITH ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.
I MEAN I APPRECIATE YOUR EXPLANATION. IT IN IT DOES HELP ME BETTER TO UNDERSTAND IT BUT THEN I CAN'T HELP BUT COMPARE IT TO OUR OUR TRANSPORTATION AND GREENBELT TAX REFERENDUM WHICH SEEMS A LOT CLEANER AND EASIER TO ADMINISTER TO ME.
SO I THINK THAT'S A FAIR POINT . >> I MEAN AND IN THE END AND TO BE FAIR OR TO BE COMPLETELY FORTHCOMING HERE THIS IS SOMETHING BRAND NEW FOR THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. I MEAN THIS WOULD BE WE BE THE FIRST COUNTY TO TRY TO DO THIS OPEN SPACE REFERENDUM. WE'D BE THE FIRST COUNTY TO TWO TO IMPLEMENT IT OR TO DISCHARGE IT OR TO FULFILL WHAT THE STATUTE AUTHORIZES. IF YOU ALL DECIDE TO DO IT AND SO YOU'RE ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS I MEAN HOW IS IT GOING TO WORK BECAUSE YOU'RE USED TO LOOKING AT SOMETHING WITH MUCH SPECIFICITY. YOU'RE SAYING ALL RIGHT, IN THIS REFERENDUM WE HAVE VERY LISTED ON HERE THIS HIGHWAY, THIS HIGHWAY, THIS HIGHWAY AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS DIFFERENT THIS IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU'RE ENTRUSTING INTO THE FUTURE THAT WHY IF DECISIONS ARE GONNA BE MADE IN REGARD TO THAT MONEY, I GUESS THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD SEEM THIS HOUR IS THAT ULTIMATELY IT'S GOING TO BE THIS BEFORE COUNTY COUNCIL THAT MAKES THE DECISIONS AND AGAIN THE ONLY ROLE THE DLR AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PLAYS IS TO SIMPLY SAY IS THIS GOING FOR CONSERVATION?
>> IS THIS GOOD FOR PRESERVATION OR IS IT FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZED BY THE STATUTE? SO ULTIMATELY IT'S GOING TO BE IN YOUR LAPS AS TO HOW THAT
MONEY IS SPENT. >> OK, YES. APPRECIATE IT.
>> COUNCILMAN HOWARD, IF I COULD INTERJECT THAT POINT WAS DEBATED IN THE HOUSE AND WE ACTUALLY HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC INPUT THAT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THAT OVERSIGHT WERE THE PEOPLES ELECTED SERVING THE PEOPLE WITH MONEY AS THE FOCUS AS A LITTLE BIT MORE ACCOUNTABILITY THAN JUST A CITIZEN WHO FISCALLY MIGHT NOT HAVE ANY ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THAT PIECE. IT WAS DISCUSSED IF I AGREE, SENATOR DAVIS IN THAT IF THEY WERE MAKING DECISIONS ON PROPERTY IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERTAINED IN THE HOUSE.
IT WAS DISCUSSED AT LENGTH. SO THAT THE PIECE WAS TO HAVE THOSE WHO ARE APPROPRIATING FUNDS AND LOOKING AT THESE THINGS ON DIFFERENT LEVELS BEING COUNTY AND STATE IS PART
OF SIMPLY A CHECKLIST. >> DID THE PIECES PARCELS THAT YOU DECIDE MEET THEIR CRITERIA FOR WHAT YOU ASKED WERE TO DO AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO ON THAT PIECE.
I HAVE NO DECISION FOR YOUR OR OPINION ON WHICH ONE YOU CHOOSE.
I WOULD ALSO OFFER THE THE TRANSPORTATION PIECE. I SPOKE WITH SECRETARY HALL AT LENGTH. WE DISCUSSED THE LEVEL OF NEED IN THE AREA AND THE SAFETY PEACE BEING OF LARGE CONCERN. SO I WOULD TELL YOU THAT IT'S ON HER RADAR.
WE HAVE MEETINGS SCHEDULED THAT WILL FOLLOW UP WITH. BUT SENATOR DAVIS AND I ALSO SPOKE TODAY ABOUT THE OFFICE OF RESILIENCY THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY TALK TO AS WELL.
>> THERE ARE MORE WAYS FOR US TO PROCURE FUNDS AND WITH SENATOR DAVIS OVER IN THE SENATE ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND REPRESENT HER PERSON AND I SERVING ON WAYS AND MEANS, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO FORM THOSE GROUPS THAT THAT WILL GET US TO THE TABLE WITH RIGHT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE US ANSWERS AND HELP US WORK THROUGH THOSE PROCESSES FOR WHATEVER FUNDS WE CAN AND QUALIFY FOR. WE'D CERTAINLY HAVE TO APPLY FOR THEM.
BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THEY MEET A GOOD NUMBER OF QUALITY ISSUES THAT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE
LOOKING FOR OTHER QUESTIONS. >> I THINK ONE QUESTION THAT I THINK PAUL CAN PROBABLY BETTER
EXPRESS IS ABOUT THE ENTITIES AND HOW ARE THEY TREATED. >> ALL SEVEN ENTITIES.
BUT IF HE WANTS TO ADDRESS THAT INSTEAD OF ME, ALL I DO HEAR THAT COMMENT I DID.
>> I HAD TO GIVE HIM A HAND UP. BUT ANYWAY YEAH, A COUPLE OF THINGS IN ALICE KIND OF ALLUDED TO ONE OF THE THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE IN THE FORMATION OF THIS COMMITTEE THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A LOT IS THE COUNTY IN WHICH A REFERENDUM IS PASSIONLESS ASSEMBLE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE WITH DIRECTING THE
DISTRIBUTION OF TAXES COLLECTED. >> HERE'S THE PART THAT'S INTERESTING TO ENSURE A TRANSPARENT AND EQUAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE COUNTY EQUAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE COUNTY. THAT RAISES A WHOLE BUNCH OF QUESTIONS THAT IF YOU READ THE ENTIRE STATUTE A COUPLE PLACES IN THERE REFERS TO GOVERNMENTAL UNITS APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENTAL UNITS AS OPPOSED TO COUNTIES.
[00:25:02]
AND WHEN I HEAR THAT TERM GOVERNMENTAL UNIT AS OPPOSED TO COUNTIES, I HAVE TO ASK MYSELF WELL ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT MUNICIPALITIES TALKING ABOUT SPECIAL PURPOSE OR ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT. AND OF COURSE ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE MENTIONED IN THERE.SO WHAT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME IS MORE OR LESS EQUAL DISTRIBUTION REFERS TO NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST. WE JUST ALSO SPOKEN TO IN THE IN THE IN THE STAT SHEET OR DOES REFER TO MUNICIPALITIES AS REFERRED TO IN THE IN THE STATUTE IN VARIOUS PLACES IT LEAVES THAT QUESTION IN MY MIND OPEN OR OPEN FOR AN ANSWER BECAUSE I COULD READ THIS MAYBE A LITTLE FAR FETCHED BUT I CAN CERTAINLY READ THE STATUTE TO SAY THAT THAT THIS COMMITTEE'S JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE DOLLARS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE POLITICAL ENTITY IN WHICH THEY'RE COLLECTED AND A BEAUFORT I ALL I AM A CIA TRIVIAL ET CETERA, ET CETERA, ET CETERA AND THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF DETERMINING WHAT IF ANYTHING IS QUOTE UNQUOTE PRESERVED IN THEIR IN THEIR JURISDICTION. THE LAST YES.
>> THE FIRST QUESTION THAT I WOULD PUT OUT THERE BECAUSE IT'S JUST NOT CLEAR TO ME.
I READ THE STATUTE SEVERAL TIMES AND I BECAUSE WHEN YOU SAY WHEN THE WHEN THE STATUTE ITSELF IS TO ENSURE EQUAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE COUNTY AND ALSO IN THE SAME VEIN THERE'S A THERE'S A SECTION IN HERE THAT TALKS ABOUT WHAT THE PROCEEDS CAN BE USED FOR WHICH THEY MAY INCLUDE PRESERVATION PROCUREMENTS LOCATED WITHIN OR WITHOUT OR BOTH WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE BOUNDARIES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES. THERE WE GO AGAIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES INCLUDING COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES WITH SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS.
SO I MEAN I COULD READ IT ONE WAY SAYING IT'S OK TO PRESERVE LAND AND ALL OF THOSE POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS. I CAN ALSO READ IT TO SAY THAT ALL OF THOSE POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS GET THEIR PRO RATA SHARE OR WHATEVER IS COLLECTED WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION.
AND THAT'S JUST NOT CLEAR TO ME. >> WAS RESPOND TO THAT IF I COULD. MR. I THINK YOU KNOW IN REGARD TO THE THE EQUAL DISTRIBUTION LANGUAGE THAT DOESN'T REFER TO TWO MONEY BEING REPATRIATED TO MUNICIPALITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH WITH WHERE DOLLARS WERE COLLECTED. WHAT IT REFERS TO IS IN REGARD TO LOOKING AT THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE THAT THERE BE AN EFFORT ON THE PART OF YOU FOR COUNTY COUNCIL WHEN IT'S MAKING THESE PRESERVATION PROCUREMENTS TO BE EQUITABLE IN REGARD TO THE AREAS THAT IT IDENTIFIES IN THE AREAS THAT IT DECIDES TO PRESERVE AS OPPOSED TO SAY FOCUSING IT ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON ON ONE AREA THAT THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THAT TO ENSURE SOME SOME PARODY OR SOME SOME EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS .
IT DOES NOT REFER TO ANY OTHER MONEYS GO INTO ANY OTHER UNIT OR MUNICIPAL OKATIE OR A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY AS HAVING AUTHORITY. THAT'S FAIRLY CLEAR.
I THINK YOU KNOW, IN THE IN THE STATUTE AS A WHOLE READING THE STATUTE AS A WHOLE IS VIEWED FOR COUNTY COUNCIL THAT'S AUTHORIZING THIS YEAR FOR COUNTY COUNCIL THAT'S
SUBMITTING IT TO REFERENDUM. >> AND AS THE OPINION FROM THE CLERK OF THE SENATE SETS ITS VIEW FOR COUNTY COUNCIL THAT HAS PLENARY AUTHORITY IN REGARD TO HOW THAT MONEY IS SPENT.
THE THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU'VE READ IN REGARD TO EQUAL DISTRIBUTION THROUGHOUT THE COURT, WHATEVER THE LANGUAGE WAS IS IN REGARD TO IS IT BEING DONE EQUITABLY? AND THAT IS FOR THE D O R. AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT ONE AREA THE COUNTY IS BEING FAVOR OVER ANOTHER. AGAIN, THIS IS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S NEW AND SOMETHING THAT WE'RE TRYING FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WE'VE NEVER HAD A LOCAL OFTEN SALES TAX RAISING, YOU KNOW, A STREAM OF FUNDS THAT WILL BE LEVERAGED INTO BONDS THAT IS THEN GOING TO BE SPENT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME A 10 YEAR PERIOD
OF TIME. >> SO IT WAS FELT LIKE THERE NEEDED TO BE SOME GUIDANCE IN REGARD TO HOW THAT MONEY WAS SPENT. BUT BUT IN TERMS OF OF EQUAL MEANING GOING TO MUNICIPALITIES OR THOSE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL UNITS, THAT'S NOT THE WAY THAT I THINK THE STATUTE IS FAIRLY READ. IS THAT IS THAT RESPONSIVE IN
SOMERVILLE? >> IT IS. >> I GUESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH IS SO I READ THIS TO SAY THAT 60 MUNICIPALITIES AND THEIR LAWYERS ARE GOING TO STAND IN LINE FOR THEIR QUOTE UNQUOTE FAIR SHARE OR IS THIS GOING TO BE SOMEBODY DECIDE THIS COMMITTEE DECIDING WELL LOOK AT EAST, WEST, NORTH OR SOUTH AND BY THE WAY, WE KIND OF LAUGHED AT THAT NORTH SOUTH, EAST WEST BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT NORTH SOUTH EAST AND WEST OF YOU WERE TRYING TO LOOK LIKE.
BUT NO MATTER WHETHER IT'S POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OR WHETHER IT'S GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS
[00:30:05]
PRETTY MUCH PART I DON'T THINK SO. >> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY QUESTION GIVEN YOUR ANSWER THAT THAT THIS COMMITTEE IS GOING TO MAKE DETERMINATION SUBJECTIVE DETERMINATION AT LEAST PARTIALLY EFFECTIVE DETERMINATION ON WHERE THESE FUNDS SHOULD BE SPENT. I MEAN IF I WERE HOWEVER A LAWYER FOR ONE OF THE OR THE MUNICIPAL HAD TO LOOK AT THIS AND SAY WELL ONE SECOND NOW YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO GET OUR SHARE ACCORDING TO THIS. YOU SAY NO. WELL, MAYBE NOT.
ONE LAST QUESTION IS THAT THIS PORTION I READ ABOUT WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE POLITICAL BOUNDARIES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT INCLUDING THE COUNTIES, MUNICIPALITIES.
I COULD READ THAT TO SAY WE COULD SPEND ALL THIS MONEY IN HAMPTON COUNTY OR SOME OF IT.
WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT? >> YES. I LET ME ANSWER.
FINISH UP MY ANSWER TO YOUR FIRST QUESTION A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
FIRST I THINK IT'S FAIR IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT INS AND HAVING THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN THE DLR KIND OF PASSING UPON HOW YOU DECIDE TO APPROPRIATE THE MONEY FOR COUNTY COUNCIL THAT BEFORE COUNTY COUNCIL HAVE TO BEAR IN MIND AS IT GOES FORWARD WITH ITS PLAN THAT ALL AREAS OF THE COUNTY ARE TREATED EQUITABLY. I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THIS IS AN INSTRUCTIVE IN A DIRECTION. I MEAN IT'S NOT SPECIFIC IN NATURE BUT IT'S CERTAINLY DIRECTIVE IN TERMS OF IT'S THE INTENTION THAT IF THIS MONEY IS BEING RAISED COUNTY WIDE THAT WE WANT PRESIDENT ASIAN EFFORTS TO MAKE COUNTY WIDE.
I MEAN SO I THINK THAT'S THAT THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF OF THAT LANGUAGE.
IT'S INSTRUCTIVE TO YOUR SECOND QUESTION AND THIS QUESTION CAME UP AS WELL DURING A FLOOR DEBATE IN THE SENATE. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE HOUSE BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT VIEW FOR COUNTY IN PARTICULAR AND YOU LOOK AT OUR WATERSHED AND YOU LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF OUR RIVERS TO A MATERIAL EXTENT THE QUALITY OF THOSE RIVERS IS DEPENDENT UPON WHAT HAPPENS IN
JASPER COUNTY. >> I MEAN DEVELOPMENT THE HEADWATERS OF SOME OF THESE RIVERS ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE IN JAFFA COUNTY ARE GONNA HAVE A MATERIAL IMPACT ON THE WATER QUALITY IN BEAUFORT COUNTY. AND SO BY ADDING THE LANGUAGE IN THE STATUTE THAT ALLOWS NOT REQUIRES BUT ALLOWS YOU FOR COUNTY COUNCIL TO PURCHASE PRESERVATION FOR PRESERVATION PURPOSES LAND OUTSIDE OF FOR COUNTY WAS MEANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GEOLOGIC FACT THAT THAT THAT WHAT HAPPENS IN AN HARDY VILLE AND WHAT HAPPENS ALONG 278 AS YOU GO TOWARD EXIT 8 AND IN THOSE HEADWATERS THAT THAT HAS A MATERIAL IMPACT ON THE RIVER AND THE MAIN RIVER AND
RIVERS THAT ARE IN BEAUFORT COUNTY. >> SO.
SO AGAIN THAT WAS THE INTENT MR. SOMERVILLE WAS TO GIVE THIS BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL LATITUDE SO THAT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY IN HEADWATERS THAT HAPPEN TO BE IN JASPER COUNTY THAT YOU HAD THE LATITUDE TO DO SO BECAUSE THE PURPOSE OF THIS STATUTE IS IS TO IS TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF BEAUFORT COUNTY.
AND THAT MAY NECESSITATE GOING ACROSS THE COUNTY LINE. DOES IT REQUIRE YOU TO BUT IT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO. AND THEN MY FINAL COMMENT WOULD BE WOULD BE THIS.
THIS IS SOMETHING BRAND NEW. IT IS IT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WOULD BE GROUNDBREAKING.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK BEFORE COUNTY COULD TAKE THE LEAD ON AND SHOW THE REST OF THE STATE. AND IT MAY BE THAT THROUGH REGULATION THROUGH DLR OR THROUGH AMENDMENT IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IF GIVEN THE EXPERIENCES THAT BEFORE FOR COUNTY COUNCIL OR BEFORE COUNTY HAS WHAT THIS SHOWS THAT FOR PROGRAMS LIKE THIS TO WORK SEAMLESSLY ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE. I CAN TELL YOU THIS PASSED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE. AND IT IS THE WILL OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO EMPOWER COUNTIES. >> AND SO IF THERE ARE LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS OR TECHNICAL PROBLEMS OR THINGS AREN'T FLOWING AS WELL, I CAN TELL YOU AND MAYBE REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON CAN SECOND IT.
THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE A PROBLEM EITHER THROUGH RAG WITH DLR OR THROUGH A STATUTORY
CHANGE. >> BUT WE DID THE BEST WE COULD WITH THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT'S BRAND NEW. WE WORK WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ON THIS.
WE WORK WITH DLR ON THIS. WE WORK WITH THE RESOURCE AGENCIES UP THERE.
THIS IS THE BEST THING WE COULD COME UP WITH AND MAKE AN OMELET.
YOU GOTTA BREAK SOME EGGS AND AND ARE THERE GOING TO BE QUESTIONS? GOOD QUESTIONS LIKE THIS HOWARD HAS RAISED ARE LIKE MR. SOMMERVILLE HAS RAISED.
GOING FORWARD THERE'S GOING TO BE BUT BUT BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHAT THE INTENT OF THIS STATUTE IS AND I CAN TELL YOU THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF GOODWILL THERE EXHIBITED TOWARD ANY COUNTY THAT TAKES THE BULL BY THE HORNS AND TRIES TO SOLVE ITS OWN PROBLEMS RATHER THAN GOING UP TO COLUMBIA AND TRYING TO HAVE APPROPRIATIONS.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS TOO. >> OK, CHRIS, WE'LL START WITH YOU IN THE STUDIO NOW WHERE WE START WITH THIS IS A QUESTION THE SHORT WHERE NOT TO DO THAT IS TO GET GIVEN WHAT PAUL MENTIONED AND SOMETHING COULD BE INTERPRETED TWO DIFFERENT WAYS FROM A LEGISLATIVE
STANDPOINT. >> IS THERE ANY WAY TO NOT REALLY CODIFY IT BUT IS IT TO
[00:35:04]
GET AN OPINION THAT ESSENTIALLY SAYS NO, THIS IS WHAT WE REALLY INTENDED HERE THAT WOULD MAYBE FORECLOSE THE MUNICIPALITIES SUING US OVER THAT WHICH COULD GET VERY MESSY?>> SURE. >> AND THAT WAS MY INTENT. IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME AND GETTING THAT LETTER FROM THE CLERK OF THE SENATE WAS TO SPEAK TO WHAT THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE LEGISLATION WAS AND WHAT ITS MEANING WOULD BE IF YOU WOULD LIKE WHAT I WILL DO IF IT GETS SECOND READING IN BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN IT WOULD GET THIRD READING WHICH I GUESS WOULD BE SOMETIME IN AUGUST. OBAMA TOOK AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND REPRESENT ERICKSON I CAN. CAN ENDEAVOR TO GET A WRITTEN OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ANSWER SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS THAT MISS HOWARD IS RAISING.
AND MR. SOMMERVILLE IS RAISING TO GIVE YOU ALL ADDITIONAL COMFORT IN THAT REGARD AND I'M
HAPPY TO WORK ON THAT AS I REPS OF ERICKSON WILL BE. >> I TEND TO THINK THAT WOULD
BE HELPFUL GOING INTO THE REFERENDUM. >> I'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT,
CHRIS. >> THANK YOU SO VERSIONS PROPERTY IN ANOTHER COUNTY WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE AN ANNEX. NO, NO. WE JUST OWNED PROPERTY.
>> RIGHT. AND I CAN I CAN TELL YOU JUST BY WAY OF INFORMATION HAVE A SHOT. JASPER COUNTY IS CONSIDERING A SIMILAR REFERENDUM TO PUT ON THE BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER. I WORK WITH ATTORNEY DAVID TEDDER.
HE HAD SOME OF THE SAME QUESTIONS THAT MR. CAVANEY HAD IN REGARD TO THE MECHANICS OF IT. WHAT'S THE ROLE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE? WHAT'S THE ROLE THE DLR WHO HAS PLENARY AUTHORITY HOW TO SPEND THAT MONEY?
SO BUT BUT NO I WOULD NOT INVOLVE ANNEXATION. >> WHICH BRINGS UP ANOTHER QUESTION BUT WE'LL GET TO THAT. MR. GLOVER. NO.
THANK YOU. JUNE SENATOR DAVIS DUE LATE ON THIS DAY.
SO AND I LIKE OPEN SPLIT SCREENS FOR HIS I'D LIKE CONSERVATION PERIOD.
SO I AM NOT AGAINST WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING HERE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I WOULD BE MORE SUPPORTIVE OF IT BECAUSE I DO LIKE GREEN SPACE SO IT THAT THING THAT PUZZLED ME IN MY MIND RIGHT NOW IS THAT WHEN WHEN I WHEN I LOOK AT THE RULING CRITICAL LAND PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE IN THE COUNTY THAT'S VERY SUCCESSFUL IT PURCHASE GREEN SPACE JUST LIKE
YOU OUTLINED IN THIS LEGISLATION HERE. >> AND WHETHER YOU LIKE THE LAND OR NOT, THE MONEY THE PROCEEDS ACTUALLY GOES DIRECTLY TO THE LAND OWNER FOR EITHER FEE SIMPLE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS OR WHATEVER. BUT THE LANDOWNERS REALLY BENEFIT FISHERY OR THOSE FUNDS. THE ONE OF THE PROBLEMS AND IT DOESN'T WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT THAT WAY AS A COUNTY. IF IF THIS PASSES AS WE CAN APPROVE THE APPROPRIATION WHATEVER HOWEVER IT COMES TO FORCE I UNDERSTAND THAT THE THING THAT REALLY BOTHERS ME A LOT IN THIS IS THAT WHEN YOU READ SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN THE IN THE IN THE IN THE RESOLUTION THE BILL HERE YOU KNOW YOU TALK ABOUT NINETY TWO PERCENT OF LOFTON IS UNHAPPY
YOU DEEP YOU KNOW THAT. >> WHY WOULD A WHY WILLIE TOWLE PUT OVER THERE WITH RESOURCE IN THESE ME YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WILL HAVE LEFT SOME OF THAT LAND OPEN JUST BECAUSE THE NATURE AND WHEN I WAS AT CLEMSON I'LL TELL YOU THAT I USED TO GET A LOT OF PHONE CALLS FROM SUN CITY BECAUSE OF FERAL HOGS AND I TOLD YOU I'D PUT YOUR HOUSE IN THEIR DOMAIN. AND THE MORE GOOD PLACE GLOBAL WHERE THEY USED TO GO WOULD TAKE A LOT WEEK WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS WAS HERE FOR THE THE THE THE HORSE ACTUALLY GATHERED THE BARN. BUT IT'S OUT OF THE BARN RIGHT NOW AND TRYING TO CAPTURE THAT IN THE RECIPIENT OF THIS FUND MAY ACTUALLY END IN THE HANDS OF DEVELOPERS WHO WOULD THEN PROBABLY TAKE THAT MONEY AND COME GO OTHER PLACES TO BUY PROPERTY FOR DEVELOPMENT.
I WISH WE COULD PUT THE MONEY IN THE HANDS OF THE LAND OWNERS FIRST BEFORE ANY OF THIS
[00:40:07]
PROPERTY IS ACTUALLY TRAINED. YOU KNOW, TRANSPIRED. SO THAT'S MY ONLY CONCERN AND PERSPIRING ABOUT BILL RESPONSE RESPONDED THOSE VERY GOOD COMMENTS.ABSOLUTELY. AND I WOULD SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE SAID AT THE RURAL CRITICAL LANDS. I MEAN FRANKLY AS AS THIS WAS BEING DRAFTED IN DEBATED AND AS I THOUGHT THROUGH WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE AND BE FOR COUNTY IN MY MIND IT WAS ALWAYS GONNA BE WRONG. CRITICAL LANDS WAS GONNA BE INVOLVED IN THIS SOMEHOW BECAUSE IT HAS INCURRED SUCH GOODWILL OVER TIME AND THE RESPECT OF THIS COMMUNITY AS EVIDENCED BY THE PERCENTAGE BY WHICH BOND REFERENDUMS HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN THE PAST.
I THINK THEY GET THE MID 70S WHICH IS ALMOST UNHEARD OF . SO SO I SHARE WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY ABOUT THAT. I ALSO AGREE WITH YOU THAT AND I'M NOT HERE TO THROW ANY STONES AT ANYBODY BUT I THINK WE'RE IN THIS BOX RIGHT NOW. AND BY THE BOX I MEAN THAT IF EVERYTHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED, OK, IS BUILT, WE'RE LOOKING AT A DOUBLING OF THE ROOFTOPS IN SOUTHERN BEAUFORT COUNTY IN AN ABSOLUTE RUINING OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.
YOU TALK ABOUT TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ON THE ROADS. YOU DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF CARS THAT ARE THERE. I DON'T CARE HOW MANY HOW MANY ROADS YOU WIDEN YOU'RE GONNA HAVE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. YOU HAVE TO GET TO THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. AND I WISH WE DIDN'T HAVE MUNICIPALITIES AND LET'S JUST CALL AN ACE AND ACE A LOT OF TIMES LANDOWNERS WILL COME IN AND THEY'LL SAY WE'LL ANNEX INTO YOUR MUNICIPALITY IF YOU GIVE US HIGHER DENSITIES. I MEAN YOU SEE THAT SAME DYNAMIC PLAYING OUT NOT ONLY IN BEAUFORT COUNTY YOU SEE IT PLAYING OUT IN JASPER COUNTY.
SO. SO I AGREE WITH YOU. AND THAT'S WHY I SAID WHAT I DID TWO WEEKS SAID TWO WEEKS AGO IN ORDER FOR THIS TO WORK THERE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME SORT OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE COUNTIES JASPER COUNTY BEFORE COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITIES THAT WE'RE NOT TO KEEP INCREASING DENSITY IS ON THE ONE HAND AND THEN BUYING UP THOSE DENSITIES WITH THIS GREEN SPACE MONEY ON THE OTHER HAND.
I MEAN THAT'S JUST SELF-DEFEATING AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MAKE AN EXCELLENT POINT AND I WISH WE COULD GO BACK 10 YEARS AND IMPLEMENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND BUY UP SOME OF THESE LARGE TRACT LAND TRACTS OF LAND THAT ARE NOW BEING SUBDIVIDED INTO THOUSANDS OF LOTS. I WISH WE COULD BUT WE ARE WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES AND I GUESS WHAT I WAS THINKING TO MYSELF MR. GLOVER WAS IN THE TIME THAT I'M IN THE SENATE I DON'T WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS THE PERSON THAT LET BEAUFORT COUNTY BECOME LIKE MOUNT PLEASANT ON MY WATCH WHILE I WAS THERE THAT I WAS AT LEAST GOING TO GIVE COUNTY COUNCIL A TOOL IF IT WANTED TO EXERCISE IT TO GO AHEAD AND CONTROL ITS DESTINY TO DO SO IN A WAY NOT BY DOWN ZONING OR NOT BY INVERSE CONDEMNATION OR BY MORATORIUMS WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOU TIED UP IN COURT BUT LIKE THE RURAL CRITICAL LANDS ARE DOING, THEY GO IN THERE, THEY GO INTO THE MARKETPLACE AND THEY DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO PURCHASE. AND IN TERMS OF MONEY GO INTO DEVELOPER I'LL GO BACK AND SAY WHAT I SAID TO MISS HOWARD. IT'S YOU GUYS. BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL THAT'S ULTIMATELY GOING TO DECIDE HOW THAT MONEY IS SPENT. YOU'RE THE ONES YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE THOSE HARD DECISIONS IN REGARD TO HOW TO WISELY SPEND THAT MONEY.
AND JUST LIKE THE POINT I MADE HIM HOWARD IF IF LEASES AREN'T AREN'T A WAY TO GO FOR THE GOOD REASONS AS SHE SUGGESTED, I SUSPECT THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE ONE OF THE THINGS FOR COUNTY
COUNCIL APPROVES. >> BUT BUT I SHARE YOUR WISTFULNESS THAT WE COULD GO BACK 10 YEARS AND IMPLEMENTED THEN INSTEAD OF DOING IT NOW. BUT I STILL THINK THERE'S TIME.
OK, I MEAN THESE ARE CANCER CELLS BUT THEY'RE NOT YET THEY'RE NOT YET.
YOU KNOW, ACTIVE. THEY'RE SORT OF DORMANT. WE CAN STILL GO IN THERE AND DO CHEMO. OK, AND BUT I THINK THE CLOCK IS TICKING WHICH IS WHY I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO IT THIS NOVEMBER. IF WE WAITED TWO MORE YEARS AND THIS HAS TO BE HELD IN A GENERAL ELECTION CYCLE THE WAY THE THE ORDER OF THE ACT IS WORDED WOULD HAVE TO BE IN A REGULAR CYCLE COULDN'T BE NEXT YEAR IT WOULD HAVE TO BE IN 20 24 WHO DON'T KNOW IT NOW I FEAR THAT IF WE WAIT TWO YEARS THOSE PUDDLES AND THOSE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS AND THOSE TRACTS OF LAND THAT RIGHT NOW ARE UNDER TREMENDOUS PRESSURE TO BE DEVELOPED, THEY'RE GOING TO BE DEVELOPED IN A COUPLE OF YEARS AND I THINK OUR OPPORTUNITY
WILL BE MISSED. >> COMING UP MAKE IS THAT A COMMEND YOU FOR TAKING THE I CALL YOU BULL BULL BY THE HORNS AND BRINGING WHATEVER YOU CAN DO TO BRING IT TO JASPER COUNTY BECAUSE A LOT OF JASPER COUNTY REVENUE WAS ACTUALLY OWNED LAND OWNERS AT AGRICULTURAL LAND SO THEY COULD NOT GAIN A LOT OF REVENUE BUT THAT PORT WILL HELP THEM A WHOLE LOT.
>> NOW IN THE MEANTIME, I GUESS THE EXPANDING ROOFTOPS WHICH IS COMPOUNDING THE SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY. SO IF YOU CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE PORT HOPEFULLY YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AT LEAST THERE COULD BE SOME SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY.
AND ANGELA AND TO YOUR POINT, MR.. >> A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING IN SOUTHERN BEEF COUNTY IS DRIVEN BY THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT THAT'S ALREADY OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN JASPER COUNTY. YOU'VE GOT MILLIONS OF SQUARE
[00:45:03]
FEET OF WAREHOUSES AND DISTRIBUTION CENTERS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICING THE PORT IN SAVANNAH AND THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE COMPANIES LOCATING IN SOUTHERN JASPER COUNTY MUCH AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST DECADE LOCATED THE BERKELEY COUNTY IN DORCHESTER COUNTY TO BENEFIT FROM THE PORT OF CHARLESTON LITERAL LOCATE IN SOUTHERN JASPER COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS OF IMPORTANCE IVANA WHICH IN TURN INCREASES THE PRESSURE ON WHERE EVERYBODY WANTS TO LIVE WHICH IS BEFORE COUNTY.>> I MEAN SO IT'S ALMOST A VICTIM OF OUR OWN SUCCESS. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I LOVE THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. JASPER COUNTY AND YES, YOU KNOW, OUR DELEGATION HAS WORKED HARD FOR THAT BECAUSE IMPORTANT YOU KNOW, THE CORRIDOR OF SHAME IS NOW THE CORRIDOR OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COLLATERAL EFFECT OF THAT IS TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ON B FOR CASH. AND I THINK THAT JUST INCREASES THE URGENCY WITH WHICH WE HAVE
TO TREAT THIS MATTER. >> OK. WE'RE WE'RE KIND OF RUNNING
SHORT ON TIME NOW. >> SO WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO. >> GO AHEAD.
BRIEFLY IF I COULD FIRST THANK YOU BOTH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME TODAY AND SETTING US UP.
>> I'M PROBABLY NOT THE MOST GREEN PERSON HERE ON COUNTY COUNCIL.
I'M NOT THE BIGGEST FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. BUT ONE THING IS I WILL SAY THAT WE'VE NOTICED ON COUNTY COUNCIL OVER THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF AS THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK OF WHAT WE CAN DO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHAT ARE WE GONNA START FOCUSING ON THAT? BIGGEST THING I SAYS WHEN ARE WE GONNA SLOW DOWN THE GROWTH? WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP THE GROWTH. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BRIDGE? WHEN ARE WE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD THAT ROADS? AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE A LOT OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS. NOBODY ACTUALLY EVER DOES ANYTHING. SO THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST REASONS I SUPPORT THIS.
YES. IT MIGHT NOT BE PERFECT. YES.
WE MIGHT HAVE QUESTIONS POLICE. WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING. WE'RE PUTTING BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND PUTTING SOMETHING IN PLACE AND TRYING TO PUT A DENT INTO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE BEFORE US AND PRIOR PEOPLE IN OUR SEATS.
AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE A STAND TO THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED US HERE TO SAY HEY, WE WANT TO SLOW DOWN THE GROWTH AND WE ALL KNOW WE CAN'T SAY OK, WE'RE CLOSE THE DOOR NOW THAT YOU'RE HERE BUT THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO MAKE AN EFFORT. AND THIS GIVES US THAT TOOL.
IT'S THE SAME THING WITH SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRAINED HERE IN COUNTY COUNCIL WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING. NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES, DIFFERENT WAYS TO TRY IT. I HONESTLY THINK IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM.
I HOPE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD THIS YEAR. IT'S SOMETHING I SUPPORT EVEN IF IT IS, YOU KNOW, NEGOTIATING STILL LIKE YOU TALKED OTHER FIVE YEARS 10 YEARS FULL PENNY HALF PENNY. THOSE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS WE STILL HAVE BUT AT LEAST WE'RE MAKING AN EFFORT TO DO SOMETHING INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT IT AND KICKING IT DOWN THE ROAD UNTIL NEXT ELECTION CYCLE WHERE SOMEONE SAYS OH WE WANT A CANDIDATE THAT'S GOING TO STOP THE GROWTH HERE IN BEAUFORT COUNTY AND THEN SOMEONE UP HERE IS GONNA BE LIKE OH YEAH. WE TRIED TO DO THIS BUT LET'S AT LEAST PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. AND THAT'S WHERE I STAND ON IT.
THE TRANSPORTATION TAX THAT YOU KNOW, I EVEN SUPPORTED ORIGINALLY I DON'T WANT ANY NEW
ROADS BECAUSE I'M NOT TRYING TO GROW THE AREA. >> I'M TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE HAVE IN FACT WHAT WE HAVE. AND IF THAT MEANS BUYING UP SPACE SO WE CAN CATCH UP ON THE ROAD DENSITY, THEN SO BE IT. IS THAT THE BEST PLAN IN THE WORLD? NO, BUT AT LEAST THERE'S A PLAN. JARED SAID ONCE WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BRIDGE. HE SAID A 10 YEAR PLAN THAT NEVER HAPPENS.
IS WORSE THAN A EIGHT YEAR PLAN THAT AT LEAST GETS STARTED AT SOME POINT.
WE HAVE TO START YOUR POINT, MR. CUNNINGHAM. >> WHEN THIS BILL WAS INITIALLY DRAFTED BY OUR DELEGATION AND IT WAS A DELEGATION EFFORT IT WAS FOR THE LOW COUNTRY BECAUSE THE LOW COUNTRY HAS THE MOST FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM IS THE ONE THAT I CARE MOST ABOUT.
BUT WHEN I INTRODUCED THE LEGISLATION I HAD PEOPLE IN GREENVILLE AND THE UPSTATE AND IN THE MIDLANDS THERE ALSO FEELING THE PINCH. AND SO THAT'S WHEN IT WAS EXPANDED TO NOT ONLY APPLY THE COASTAL COUNTIES BUT TO EVERY COUNTY.
AND THAT'S WHY YOU HAD REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS UPSTATE LOWCOUNTRY COUNTRY MIDLANDS I MEAN ACROSS THE BOARD SUPPORTING THIS BECAUSE EVERYBODY IN SOUTH CON IS FEELING THIS PINCH. I MEAN PEOPLE ARE VOTING THEIR POCKETBOOKS AND COME INTO SOUTH CAROLINA AND AND IN FACT I WAS TALKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES THE OTHER DAY THEY SAID WELL, WE
GOT YOUR GREEN SPACE BILL. >> THE DELEGATION GREEN SPACE BILL PASSED.
ARE YOU GUYS GONNA DO SOMETHING WITH IT? >> THEY'RE WATCHING.
GREENVILLE IS WATCHING US. CHARLESTON COUNTY IS WATCHING US.
I MEAN THEY'RE WANTING TO SEE SOMEBODY GO AHEAD. AND AS YOU SAY, MR. CUNNINGHAM ,DO SOMETHING PROACTIVELY. THEY WERE GIVING YOU ALL THE TOOLS.
HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS WILL USE THEM. MR. CHAIRMAN, I WANT TO MISS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THIS IF I MAY. >> GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU BOTH TO SENATOR DAVIS AND REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON FOR COMING TONIGHT.
I THINK SENATOR DAVIS IS CORRECT. THE CLOCK IS CERTAINLY TICKING.
I SEE THIS AS AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING POSITIVE TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO FURTHER DETERIORATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND TO IMPOSE LIMITS ON DENSITY AND GROWTH AND OTHER FACTORS PLACING STRAIN ON OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.
I FULLY SUPPORT THIS ENDEAVOR AND OUR COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROPOSAL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ONE LESS THING TO SAY YES. AND THEN I'D LIKE TO SUMMARIZE SO WE CAN GET TO THE AGENDA, MAKE SURE THAT WE AS BOTH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
[00:50:02]
HERE. AND AS BOTH OF YOU KNOW, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF CONSERVATION. I TOOK THESE TWO THINGS WE CAN'T WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT THIS ONE WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION GREENBELT TAX REFORM.AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME COMPARING I SUPPORT THE TRANSPORTATION GREENBELT TAX REFERENDUM. IT'S PATTERNED AFTER THE ONE IN CHARLESTON WHICH HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL WITH THE GREEN GREENBELT PROGRAM UP THERE. IT HAS THINGS IN IT FOR A RESILIENT CITY WHICH BENCH AND I THINK THERE'S TOO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ONE ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT IT AND FOR THAT REASON I'M MORE SO I AM SUPPORTIVE OF OUR OUR TRANSPORTATION REFERENDUM AND THE GREENBELT PART. BUT WITH THE WITH THE THOUGHT THAT WE PUT THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF MONEY INTO THE GREENBELT TAX REFERENDUM PORTION OF THAT.
AND I THINK IT'S MORE SPECIFIC . I THINK IMPLEMENTATION IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. I WORRY ABOUT THESE OPINIONS FROM THE STATE AND DLR OMELETS SO GREAT. BUT I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE THEM FROM SOMEBODY ELSE, YOU KNOW? I'M STILL NOT GREAT AT IT TO USE THAT ANALOGY BUT I THINK THIS WE DON'T NECESSARILY BEAUFORT COUNTY HAVE TO BE THE FIRST TO PASS THIS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER TOOLS ALREADY INCLUDING THE ROLLING CRITICAL LANDS PROGRAM.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. AND AS I SAID, I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE A DECISION FOR YOU AND OFFER INFORMATION. I WILL TELL YOU THAT FROM THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE AND CARRIED THROUGH TO THE CHANCE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE THE BUDGET FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY'S THE FUNDS COMING FROM THE STATE ARE INCREASING.
>> WE PUT A BILLION DOLLARS INTO ROADS. YOU TALKED ABOUT DOING SOMETHING, MR. CUNNINGHAM. I PROMISE YOU THAT WAS THAT WAS MY LINE IN THE SAND THIS YEAR.
CIVILIAN DOLLARS WENT INTO ROADS WE'LL SEE I 95 OR UP TO EXIT 33 HOPEFULLY 38 GET WIDENED AND REAPER SURFACED HERE. THEY'RE DOING THE ENGINEERING
AS WE SPEAK. >> WE'RE ALMOST DOUBLING OUR OUR COUNTY TRANSPORTATION FUNDS FOR EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE. WE HOPE THAT THESE WILL HELP PEOPLE SEE THAT THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING USED WISELY AND GOING WAS WHAT WE PROMISED THEM THEY WOULD GO TO.
SO THIS DIFFICULT TASK. I KNOW YOU'VE GOT TO OPPORTUNITIES HERE AND YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THAT FITS YOU ALL.
>> I WILL TELL YOU THAT SENATOR DAVIS HAS PUT AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF WORK INTO OPEN LAND.
>> THE DELEGATION YES. SUPPORTED THE BILL WHOLEHEARTEDLY AND IT'S WRITTEN WITH A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY FOR THE COUNTIES TO UTILIZE NOT TO CAUSE YOU HEARTBURN.
SO WHEN WE GO GET THOSE OPINIONS, I'M GOING TO FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET OPINIONS THE BACKUP THE ABILITY FOR THE COUNTY TO BE MAKING THE DECISIONS AT LEAST THAT'S ALL THE DEBATE THAT THERE WAS IN THE HOUSE SIDE. AND I WATCHED MOST OF WHAT WAS ON THE SENATE SIDE AS WELL. SO YOU'VE GOT TO DECIDE YOU'RE THE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE, THE GOVERNMENT CLOSEST TO THEM MAKING THIS DECISION. YOU'VE GOT TWO GREAT OPPORTUNITIES AND QUITE FRANKLY I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE THE DECISION AND NOT MAKE AND I BLESS YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WE'LL GO BACK AND MAKE THE OTHER DECISIONS THAT ARE THAT YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO MAKE BUT I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME ESPECIALLY
LISTENING TO SENATOR DAVIS'S ANSWERS. >> HE'S BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD ON THIS FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND OUR DELEGATION IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.
>> BOTH OF THEM COULD ISSUE ONE COME ONE COSMIC MISHAP AFTER YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE STATUTE IF IT WERE TO GET SECOND READING AGAIN, I WOULD COMMIT TO GETTING AN OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BEFORE A THIRD READING TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS.
>> THAT'S THE FIRST POINT I WOULD MAKE. THE SECOND POINT I WOULD MAKE RESPECTFULLY IS THAT GO INTO THE PEOPLE OF BEAUFORT COUNTY AND ASKING THEM FOR A LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX MONEY FROM THEM TO PAY FOR STATE PROJECTS AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE THE SORT OF MONEY THAT'S IN THE COFFERS IN COLUMBIA THAT PEOPLE ARE ACTIVELY PETITIONING FOR.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THE SALE COULD BE MADE IN THAT REGARD. I MEAN IF WE WEREN'T IN A SITUATION WHERE THERE WERE SIX BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL MONEY BEING DRAWN DOWN OVER FIVE YEARS IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE FACT THAT WE'VE APPROPRIATED TWO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS A NEW RECURRING D.A. ON TOP OF THE GAS TAX IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE FACT THAT WE SET ASIDE A BILLION DOLLARS IN A CONTINGENCY RESERVE FUND IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE FACT THAT YOU'VE GOT LITERALLY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS UP THERE IN ROAD MONEY THAT WE CAN ACTIVELY AND PERSUASIVELY PETITION FOR, I WOULD BE MORE SYMPATHETIC TO THE PENDING SALES TAX FOR THE
ROADS. >> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I THINK DUE DILIGENCE REQUIRES GOING AFTER THAT STATE MONEY FIRST TO FIGURING OUT WHAT IT IS YOU ACTUALLY DO NEED TO COLLECT FROM THE LOCALS. I THINK IT WAS GENEROUS. YES, I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF YOU. I AM COMFORTABLE WITH MANY OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE SAID BECAUSE THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE POSED TO YOU YOU DID HAVE ANSWERS FOR US.
IT IS MY OPINION THAT COUNTY COUNCIL SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SECOND READING BECAUSE YOU'VE ASSURED US THE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE. WE'RE GOING TO GET ADDITIONAL
[00:55:04]
ANSWERS TO. I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT YOU SAID SOMETHING THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART. WE LIKE TO HAVE PRESERVATION OF LAND.WE ARE THE FORERUNNER OF THAT. WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE THAT SAYS WE CAN CONTINUE ON WITH THAT PROCESS, SAYS THE COMMITTEE THAT YOU ARE SETTING UP.
IS ADVISORY MINISTERIAL TO ENSURE THAT WHAT THIS GROUP DOES OVER HERE COMES TO THEM AND THEY JUST SAY YES, IN FACT IT IS PRESERVATION. GO AHEAD.
MY ONLY CONCERN A QUESTION I HAVE IS OK, IT EVENTUALLY GETS TO DEAL R AND D A LA HAS THE AUTHORITY TO SAY WE DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS LAND PRESERVATION. WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL THE OFF GO BACK AND LOOK AT IT. >> BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE OPINION I GOT FROM THE GENERAL COUNSEL FOR DLR SPEAKS TO THAT AND SAYS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT A 40000 FOOT VIEW. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET INTO THE WEEDS.
I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE SECOND GUESSING IN REGARD THIS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SAY IS THIS GOING FOR PRESERVATION OR IS IT GOING FOR SOMETHING THAT'S COMPLETELY FOREIGN TO THIS STATUE? BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE NEED TO BE MORE SPECIFIC IN THAT REGARD AND I THINK THAT THEY ARE SPECIFIC I'LL I'LL GET THAT FOR YOU AS WELL.
I UNDERSTAND MS. HOWARD RAISES GREAT QUESTIONS. SO DOES MR. SOMERVILLE.
I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE GET YOU ALL THE ANSWERS BY TIME READING RATES AND ON THE
TRANSPORTATION REFERENDUM YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. >> I WAS THE ONE THAT CAME TO YOU AND SAID WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY IN THERE THAT THE TAXPAYERS OF BEAUFORT COUNTY SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR WHEN SOMEBODY ELSE NAMELY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE VITAL PART OF THE FIVE PARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION MAY BE ABLE TO HELP US THE ADDITIONAL MONEY THAT THE STATE IS GETTING. AND SO I COMMEND YOU FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT. THAT MEANS THAT WE DO HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR TRANSPORTATION REFERENDUM. THEY DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF LAYING OUT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED. NOW WE HAVE TO PASS THAT OUT AND SAY WE DON'T NEED THIS IN THE REFERENDUM. THIS COULD BE DONE ELSEWHERE. WE CAN WE CAN TAKE THAT AND
[5. AGENDA REVIEW]
CHANGE THE REFERENDUM SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING IN AND CLEANING UP SOME THINGS.OK, WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE MINUTES. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE AGENDA TO SEE IF ANY OF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE AGENDA. WE ONLY HAVE ONE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM THAT I BELIEVE IS UNANIMOUS IN NATURE WHEN WE COME TO ONE SPECIFIC ITEM ON
THE AGENDA WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER 17. >> IF YOU READ THAT IT'S TALKING ABOUT PROPERTY REGARDING THE MELROSE LANDING. I I'M GOING TO ASK FOR A MEMBER OF COUNCIL TO MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE RECEIVED TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INPUT TODAY REGARDING THAT WHICH WILL LEAD US TO HAVING FURTHER DISCUSSIONS.
SO I DO NOT WANT TO CONVOLUTED THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE.
>> SO I WILL ASK A MEMBER OF COUNCIL TO TAKE CARE OF THAT WHEN WE DO THAT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE ADJOURN THE CAUCUS MEETING? >> YES, SIR.
>> IT STRIKES ME, MR. CHAIRMAN, THAT 15 AND 16 WHICH ARE THE TWO REFERENDUMS ARE RELATED AND PERHAPS WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THOSE SOMEWHAT AT THE SAME TIME .
>> WE WILL. WE WANT TO ABSOLUTELY. THAT WILL HAVE SOME DISCUSSION.
THEN IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS AT THE CAUCUS MEETING WILL BE ADJOURNED AND WE WILL COME BACK IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES FOR US TO CHANGE OVER
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.