Aug 08, 2022 County Council Regular Session

[00:00:08]

. ONE WELCOME TO OUR COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, AUGUST THE 8TH. WE ARE A HYBRID GROUP THIS EVENING AS WE HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST. THAT MEANS SEVERAL OF US ARE IN COUNTY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AS YOU CAN SEE, OTHERS ARE ONLINE. I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL PLEASE LET US KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN FACT PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM PRESENT IN PERSON COUNCIL MEMBER LLEWELLYN UPRISING COUNCIL MEMBER DAWSON ABSENT COUNCIL MEMBER MCKELLEN I LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER LAWSON MARK LAWSON PERSONAL COUNCIL MEMBER HOWARD PRESIDENT COUNCIL MEMBER RODMAN PRESENT IN CHAMBERS. COUNCIL MEMBER HASSAN. PRESENT PERSON COUNCIL MEMBER GLOVER. SYKES CHAIR SOMERVILLE. LORD CHAIRMAN PASSIM PRESENT AND IN HOUSE. WE HAVE A QUORUM. THANK YOU.

WOULD YOU ALL RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THEN RENAME ALL CINZIA AGAIN AGAIN

OR AND THEN REMAIN STANDING FOR THE INVOCATION BY MR. LAWSON. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS STANDS FOR ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL FROM.

LORD WE ASK FOR YOUR BLESSING. LET'S BE QUICK TO LISTEN SO TO SPEAK SLOW AND LET US USE THE WISDOM YOU'VE GIVEN US TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEST FOR MANY NOT THE FEW BUT PROTECT THOSE WHO CANNOT PROTECT THEMSELVES. LET'S PUT ASIDE OUR PERSONALITIES TO BE PRODUCTIVE FOR THOSE WE REPRESENT. PLEASE BLESS OUR EMPLOYEES OR STAFF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. PLEASE BLESS AND PROTECT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND KEEP THEM SAFE. WE THANK YOU THAT WE CAN LIVE IN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF THIS MEETING HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, POSTED AND DISTRIBUTED IN

[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

I WOULD ASK A MEMBER OF COUNCIL TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA SO MR. RUDMAN MAKES THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MAY I HAVE A SECOND PLEASE? MR. CHAIRMAN.

MR. CUNNINGHAM MAKES THE SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION SEEING NO

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- May 9, 2022, May 23, 2022, June 13, 2022, June 27, 2022 and July 11, 2022]

NEXT IS THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MAY 9. TWENTY THREE JUNE 13.

JUNE 27 AND JULY 11TH OF TWENTY TWENTY TWO MAY HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE MINUTES.

MR. CUNNINGHAM MAKES THE MOTION A SECOND, PLEASE. PLEASE.

PLEASE. MR. RODMAN MAKES THE SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION

[6. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT]

I HAVE SEVERAL THINGS TO GO OVER TONIGHT MOSTLY PRESENTATIONS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR COUNTY WORKFORCE AND THOSE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH. SO OUR FIRST ITEM THIS EVENING IS TO NOW THAT YOUR EMPLOYEE, MISS SARAH BROCK WHO SERVES AS YOUR COURT COUNSEL JUST COMPLETED AND GRADUATED FROM THE NACO LEADERSHIP ACADEMY NACO FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE STANDS FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, MISS BROCK HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THIS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.

SHE SPENT A LOT OF TIME SHARING WITH ME THINGS THAT SHE'S LEARNED IN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.

SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT SAYS ABOUT ME. BUT ANYWAY, I WILL THANK HER FOR HER DILIGENCE IN THAT. THE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU AS COUNTY COUNTS ON THE CITIZENS THIS COUNTY CAN BE PROUD OF IS THE LEVEL OF INTEREST IN ENERGY THAT OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND WORKFORCE HAS AND LEARNING NEW THINGS AND ADVANCING THEIR CAREERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE THE MOST QUALIFIED, MOST PREPARED TO DO THE JOBS THAT THEY'VE BEEN

[00:05:04]

HIRED TO DO. >> SO CONGRATULATIONS SARAH. LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

>> ALSO THIS EVENING, SOMETHING COMING OUT OF THE COUNSEL'S OFFICE THAT IS SOMEWHAT SAD NEWS FOR US IS THAT WE OFTEN WHEN YOU HIRE GREAT TALENT MANY TIMES THAT GREAT TALENT GETS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY JUST AFTER THEY'VE TAKEN A JOB. MORGAN JEFFREY IS MITCH MORGAN JEFFERIES HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO GO TO WORK IN WASHINGTON D.C.

TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE SPECIALIST WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE LOSING HER BUT WE ARE PROUD OF HER. WE HAVE PROUD TO HAVE WORKED WITH HER. SHE'S A TALENTED YOUNG LADY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO GREAT THINGS FROM HER OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C. SHE HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OF HER AND WILL BE AN ASSET TO ANY ORGANIZATION SHE WORKS FOR. SO LET'S GET MORGAN ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND THEN WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ABOUT THREE THINGS AWARDS.

>> AS KATIE HERRERA AND NEIL DECIDE TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM HERE WITH ME SO THIS METAL OBJECT THAT MISS HERRERA IS HOLDING HERE IS NOT A PIECE OF SCRAP METAL OR SOMETHING THAT WE FOUND AT THE RECYCLING CENTER. IT IS ONE OF THE TWO AWARDS THAT WE WON AT THIS YEAR SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES CONFERENCE IN WOW DUNES UP IN THE ISLE OF PALMS. THIS WAS THE BEAR LARRY MOORE MEMORIAL REGIONAL COOPERATION AWARD. AND THIS AWARD HIGHLIGHTS THE CRITICAL NEED FOR REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS. OF THE FIVE COUNTIES INCLUDING A PARTNERSHIP WITH THREE THAT SUBMITTED ENTRIES. BEAUFORT COUNTY WON THE AWARD FOR ITS SOUTHERN LOW COUNTRY STORM WATER DESIGN MANUAL WHICH WAS STARTED MANY WAS AN INITIATIVE STARTED QUITE SOME TIME AGO. JUST AS I WAS COMING ON BOARD HERE IN 2018. BUT NEAL AND KATIE WERE ABLE TO FINISH THAT OFF AND RESULTED IN US WINNING THIS AWARD AT THIS YEAR'S ASSOCIATION AND COUNTY CONFERENCE.

SO LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL SAYING THAT I SAY THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP HERE FOR SUPPORTING THE INITIATIVE WITH THE SOUTHERN LOWCOUNTRY STORMWATER DESIGN MANUAL. WE'VE BEEN IN IMPLEMENTATION FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND WE'RE CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTING WITH THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON.

SO THIS AWARD NOT ONLY IS FOR THE COUNTY BUT ALSO THE MUNICIPALITY THAT HELPED US GET THERE AS WELL WHICH INCLUDES JASPER COUNTY, BLUFFTON CITY OF BEAUFORT TOWN, A POOR OIL AND CITY OF KABUL. SO THIS IS A GROUP EFFORT. IT WAS WELL DESERVED AND WE'RE GLAD TO BRING HOME TO US. SO THANKS TO GOOGLE. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE AWARDS THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAS TO EAT A LITTLE BIT CHROME BECAUSE I WAS IF YOU RECALL I WAS ORIGINALLY WHAT I'M GETTING READY TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE RECEIVED A WARDELL SO I'M NOT SURE I'M THE BEST PERSON TO PRESENT THIS THIS EVENING BECAUSE I WAS AGAINST IT.

BUT THAT JAY MITCHELL GRAHAM MEMORIAL AWARD WE ALSO WON THIS YEAR SO WE TOOK BOTH PRIZES THIS YEAR. THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES COUNTIES THAT ADDRESS COMMUNITY CHALLENGES IMPLEMENT OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS OR ENHANCE THEIR CITIZENS QUALITY OF LIFE IN A UNIQUE WAY. OF THE SEVEN COUNTIES THAT SUBMITTED ENTRIES BEAUFORT COUNTY WON FIRST PLACE FOR IMPLEMENTING A COLLECTION CENTER DECALS SYSTEM TO REGULATE THE ENTRANCE AND USE OF THE COUNTY'S COLLECTION CENTERS.

THIS DEKALB SYSTEM WHICH WAS IMPLEMENTED IN THE FALL OF 2021, HAS SAVED THE COUNTY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS RESULTING IN REDUCED OPERATIONAL COSTS. TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. SO AGAIN ORIGINALLY WAS NOT AS SUPPORTED THIS BUT IT TURNED OUT THAT I WAS WRONG. THESE FOLKS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB IMPLEMENTING THAT PROGRAM.

IT HAS RESULTED IN WHAT THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD DO AND THAT WAS OPERATIONAL AND SOLID WASTE CALLED SAVINGS TO THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY. SO CINDY, I'LL LET YOU SAY A

[00:10:07]

WAY. >> SO THAT THING KATIE WAS CARRYING AROUND YOU COULD GET CARPAL TUNNEL HAULING THAT THING AROUND. SO YOU KNOW THEY SAY ME GO AHEAD. THANK YOU EVERYBODY. I'D LIKE TO ALSO THANK COUNCIL FOR YOUR SUPPORT WHEN WE GOT THE GOLD SMITH REPORT. YOU WERE IN FAVOR OF US TAKING THIS TO TASK AND I'D LIKE TO THANK ANGEL PERSONALLY. SHE WORKED A LOT HOURS.

EVERYBODY IN OUR DEPARTMENT DID. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK JESUS AND MAPPING SECTION ROBERT GACY WAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND MORGAN WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND EVEN SHANNON LOPER AND THE PARKS AND REC PART OF THIS WAS DURING THE PERIOD AND SHE'S SOME OF HER ADMINISTRATION PEOPLE TO HELP US WITH THE CARDS. SO IT WAS A GREAT EFFORT.

AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GREAT. THERE WE GO.

I WANT TO JUMP IN HERE AS WELL. THAT'S GREAT. SO THAT'S ONE OF THE PLEASURES OF MY JOB IS GETTING TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY CHANNEL AND WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENT IN OUR COUNTY CHANNEL. WE ALSO HAVE THE BEST HOST OF OUR COUNTY CHANNEL FOR OUR CUSTOM KINGDOM TELEVISION SHOW. THE COUNTY CHANNELS AWARD WINNING NATURE SERIES COASTAL KINGDOM HAS WON ANOTHER 20 22 SOUTHEASTERN EMMY AWARD IN THE CATEGORY BEST ON CAMERA.

HOST THIS IS THE FEEL TOM COASTAL KING KINGDOMS HOST AND NATURALIST TONY MILLS HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST TV HOST AND THIS IS HIS THIRD EMMY WIN THE SERIES ALSO WON THE AWARD IN 2018 AND 2020. TO DATE THE COAST KEENUM TEAM HAS RECEIVED SEVEN SOUTHEASTERN EMMY NOMINATIONS. COASTAL KEENUM IS A PRODUCTION PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNTY CHANNEL AND THE LOW COUNTRY INSTITUTE ON SPRING ISLAND. IT WAS CREATED AND PRODUCED BY COUNTY BROADCAST SERVICES PRODUCER ROB LEWIS AND TONY MEALS COASTAL KEENUM HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR OVER A DECADE AND HAS BEEN USED IN CLASSROOMS ALL OVER SOUTH CAROLINA.

IT HAS BEEN INVALUABLE AND FEATURING THE BEAUTIFUL HABITATS AND UNIQUE CREATURES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA LOW COUNTRY. THIS IS THE FIELD TOM COASTAL KINGDOMS HOST AND NATURALIST TONY'S MEALS HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST TV HOST AND APHEX WELL AND IT IS HIS THIRD EMMY AS I SAID BEFORE TONY. ROB YOU GUYS HAVING THAT YOU WANT TO SAY? WELL FIRST OF ALL I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE BETWEEN SPRING ISLAND TRUST AND BEAUFORT COUNTY CHANNEL AND THE COUNTY

IN GENERAL ALSO. >> I AM LUCKY BECAUSE I GET TO WORK WITH ROB LEWIS.

ROB IS A VERY TALENTED FILMMAKER AND A GREAT GUY AND HE MAKES US ALL LOOK GOOD FOR SURE. THE OTHER THING IS I JUST WANTED TO SHOUT OUT TO RACHEL WOLLMAN WHO IS ANOTHER MEMBER OF OUR TEAM AND SHE'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF IT FOR SURE.

AND THE LAST THING IS WE LOVE MAKING COASTAL KINGDOM BECAUSE WE WANT PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT WHERE THEY LIVE IS SPECIAL. WE WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE IT SO THEY CAN DO THE BEST POSSIBLE JOB TAKING CARE OF . AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THIS ADMINISTRATION, MR. GREENWAY, MY BOSS SCOTT GROOMS AND THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT OF THE COUNTY CHANNEL. THIS HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY CAREER TO WORK ON THE SHOW WITH TONY. WE'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR OVER A DECADE NOW AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN TIMES AND I WANT TO SAY TOO THIS IS A BIG MARKET THAT WE WON THIS AWARD AND IT FEATURES THE ATLANTA MEDIA MARKET AS WELL AS ALL OF GEORGIA'S CHARLESTON AND GREENVILLE, ALL OF MISSISSIPPI AND ALL OF ALABAMA. THAT'S THE WHOLE SOUTHEASTERN MARKET. SO THANK YOU GUYS. THANK YOU.

AND THEN FINALLY I JUST WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO THE STAFF HERE AT THE COUNTY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I HAD AN EPIPHANY THAT THERE MIGHT BE A NEED FOR US TO REACH OUT TO ALL FOR SOME ASSISTANCE TO THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE COLLECTION OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS FOR UNDERPAID FOLKS. SO WE BEGAN THE BEAUFORT COUNTY EMPLOYEE BRIGHT FUTURE SCHOOL SUPPLIED GRAB ON JULY 27. IT WILL END ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10TH, TUESDAY AUGUST 10TH. AND WITH ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS LEFT, WE HAVE ABUNDANT AMOUNT OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES THAT ARE BEING COLLECTED. WE WILL THEN GIVE THESE TO THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR THEM TO DISTRIBUTE TO THOSE STUDENTS WHO MAY NEED ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES FOR STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND PARTICIPATING IN THIS THE WAY THEY DID AND TO THE ANY MEMBERS

[00:15:03]

MR. CHAIRMAN, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> OK. WE'RE ON TO CITIZENS COMMENTS. I HAVE TWO SETS OF CITIZEN COMMENTS. ONE WILL BE TAKEN UP WHEN WE ACTUALLY DO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS

[7. CITIZEN COMMENTS]

JUST TAKE SOME BRIEF COMMENTS. ABOUT TWO HOURS AGO I RECEIVED AN OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. AS YOU'LL RECALL MEETING I GUESS A COUPLE MORE THAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THE LAST MEETING THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS RAISED IN REGARD TO THE GREEN SPACE ACT. ONE WAS IN REGARD TO WHAT WAS THE ROLE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THESE THE THE COUNTY COUNCIL. SECOND WAS IN REGARD TO THE LISTING OF LEASES AS ONE OF THE OPTIONS THAT COUNTY HAD IN MAKING PRESERVATION PROCUREMENTS. AND THEN THIRD THERE WAS A QUESTION REGARDING DID THE MUNICIPALITIES OR OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES HAVE A RIGHT TO ANY OF THE SALES TAX PROCEEDS PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE ACT AND I DID SUBMIT THOSE QUESTIONS TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. I THINK I COPIED YOU ALL WITH THAT AND TO THEIR CREDIT THEY THEY MOVED THIS PARTICULAR QUESTION UP IN THE QUEUE BECAUSE THEY KNEW THAT COUNTY COUNCIL WAS GOING TO BE RELYING UPON IT IN MAKING A DECISION THIS EVENING.

AND JUST IN SUMMARY AND I'LL BE VERY QUICK AND THEN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

MR. CHAIRMAN, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONFIRMED THE SAME THING THAT THE GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND THE CLERK OF THE SENATE HAD PREVIOUSLY SAID IN AN OPINION.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE SEVEN MEMBER ADVISORY COMMITTEES ROLE PURSUANT TO THE ACT WAS NOT PLENARY OR POLICYMAKING OR IN REGARD TO THE ACTUAL IDENTIFICATION OF PROCUREMENTS TO BE MADE. IT WAS SIMPLY AS AN OVERSIGHT MECHANISM TO MAKE SURE THAT CANNOT COUNSEL WAS IN FACT EXPANDING THE MONEY FOR PRESERVATION PURPOSES AND THAT IT WASN'T A SLUSH FUND FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSE. THE REASON FOR THAT LAYER OF ACCOUNTABILITY WAS BECAUSE UNLIKE WITH LOCAL OPTION SALES TAXES FOR SAY ROAD PROJECTS THERE WON'T BE A LISTING IN ADVANCE IN THE BALLOT OF HOW THE MONEY IS GOING TO BE SPENT.

THAT'S TYPICALLY WHAT HAPPENS WITH A LOCAL SALES TAX FOR ROADS.

YOU LIST THE PROJECTS. THIS IS PROSPECTIVE IN NATURE IT'S RAISING MONEY AND THEN THE COUNTY WILL SET IN PLACE PROCESSES WHEREBY LAND WILL BE IDENTIFIED AND NEGOTIATIONS ENTERED INTO. SO YOU DON'T KNOW IN ADVANCE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE.

THEREFORE THAT'S THE REASON FOR THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ROLE. BUT IT IS LIMITED TO THAT ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT ROLE. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO CONFIRMED THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE LISTING OF LEASES AS ONE OF THE PROCUREMENT TECHNIQUES IN THE ACT, IF THIS COUNTY COUNCIL DID NOT WANT TO ENTER INTO LEASES, DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS AN APPROPRIATE WAY TO PRESERVE LAND. IT WAS NOT OBLIGATED TO USE THOSE AS SIMPLY A LISTING OF ALL THE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX FOR THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO USE IN CONNECTION WITH PRESERVATION EFFORTS. AND THEN LASTLY THE OPINION CONFIRMS THAT IF THIS IS APPROVED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL TONIGHT AND IF IT IS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS AT A REFERENDUM AN EVENT IN NOVEMBER, THE SALES TAX PROCEEDS THAT WOULD RESULT FROM THAT ACCRUED TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL ALONE FOR PURPOSES OF PROCUREMENTS NOT TO ANY MUNICIPALITIES. OKAY. SO THERE WERE SOME QUESTION AND IN THAT REGARD. SO I THINK THAT I'VE ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT THAT THAT COUNCIL MAY HAVE HAD. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE THOUGH. OK. THANK YOU.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM ANY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR SENATOR DAVIS? OK. THANK YOU, SIR. I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH.

OK, WELL NEXT GO TO DEBORAH SMITH WHO IS ONLINE DEBORAH .

CAN YOU TAKE YOURSELF OFF MUTE ? THERE YOU ARE.

AND IF IT'S OK. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, I THINK I'LL JUST WAIT AND BE OTHER FOLKS WILL BE SAYING WHAT I SAY AND THEN I WILL HAVE TO TAKE UP YOUR TIME.

OKAY. SO YOU'LL COME BACK IF NEEDED AT THE PUBLIC HEARING IF THAT'S OK? NO, THAT'S FINE. THANK YOU.

SCOTT SMITH, THANK YOU. I WHICH I THINK ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE THIS EVENING.

MY NAME SCOTT SMITH. MY WIFE AND I OWN A COTTAGE 131 AVENUE OF OAKS ON THE FIRST KEY ISLAND AT THIS TIME WHERE I LIVE. LOOKS LIKE A SET FROM A HORROR MOVIE BECAUSE OF YEARS OF NEGLECT TO THEIR CREDIT. WHY?

[00:20:03]

THE MELROSE DOCK IS THE LINCHPIN TO BOTH THE FUNKY ISLAND'S ECONOMY AND THE WHITESTONE MELROSE DEAL. THERE ARE FEW PRODUCTIVE ASSETS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACQUISITION. REMOVING THIS DOCK ENTIRELY FROM THE HANDS OF WHITESTONE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DESTROY THEIR AGREEMENTS AND CASH FLOW PROJECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN CRAFTED BETWEEN THE DEVELOPMENT THE COUNTY AND OTHERS. IT IS MY CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS ARE EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING. THEY ARE FRAUGHT WITH LEGAL WRANGLING AND ACCOUNTING ARGUMENTS ON THE VALUE OF PROPERTY.

AND TYPICALLY THESE MATTERS TAKE YEARS IF EVER TO SETTLE MY ENDING OF DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN WHITESTONE AND THE COUNT. I EXPLAINED THAT THE TRUSTEE ISLAND COUNCIL MEETING LAST WEEK APPEARS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO BOTH PARTIES AND CONTROL TO CLEARLY DEFINED PORTIONS OF THE BLOCK ACCESS ROAD AND ADJACENT PROPERTIES APPLAUD AND SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS.

THESE DISCUSSIONS APPEAR LIKELY TO BE THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EXPEDIENT APPROACH TO THE FUTURE OPERATION THE DOCK IS SUGGESTED IN THE DEPOSIT ISLAND COUNCIL'S LETTER OF AUGUST 5TH . ALL OBSTACLES TO COMPETING COMPLETING THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED AGREEMENTS SHOULD BE REMOVED QUICKLY SO THAT THE IMPROVEMENTS CAN CONTINUE TO BE MADE AND THE FATE OF THE CURRENT RESIDENTS AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS CAN'T BE RESTORED. THANK YOU LIANE. GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME'S LEE ANN COULTER AND I CURRENTLY SERVE ON THE DEFENSE COUNCIL AS VISE CHAIR.

ON JULY 27, MR. GREENWAY AND MR. PITCHER HELD A PUBLIC MEETING ON THE SKI ISLAND ANNOUNCING THAT THEY WERE WORKING TOGETHER ON AN AGREEMENT FOR THE MELROSE DOCK AND THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY AT THE MEETING. THERE WERE RESIDENTS FROM ALL OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS HUSKY ISLAND HISTORIC DISTRICT, MELROSE BLOODY POINT TAKE POINT. THERE WAS A GREAT SENSE OF RELIEF FROM EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM IN AGREEMENT HOLDS PROMISE THAT THE SITUATION MIGHT WORK FOR EVERYBODY ON THE ISLAND WHICH IS THE GOAL. A STATEMENT BY THE DEFENSE KING ISLAND COUNCIL WAS NOT MEANT TO BE ADVERSARIAL IN ANY MANNER. HOWEVER, THE MCCLUSKEY ISLAND COUNCIL HAS ASKED BEAUFORT COUNTY TO SECURE AN EMBARKATION CENTER ON THE SKI ISLAND AND ON THE HILTON HEAD BLUFFTON AREA FOR SOME YEARS NOW. A MOTION BROUGHT FORWARD BY MR. LAWSON ON JUNE 20 7TH TO PURCHASE THE MELROSE DOCK AND PROPERTY ON HELMS SMITH'S WAY IS SUPPORTED BY THE DEFENSE ON COUNCIL. A PUBLIC LANDING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WATER IS ESSENTIAL FOR DEFENSE SKILL AND RESONANCE FOR ALL OF US. IT PROVIDES VITAL TRANSPORTATION LINK TO AND FROM THE ISLAND. CURRENTLY THE COST OF A ROUND TRIP TICKET TO DEFENSE SKI IS SIXTY DOLLARS OVERNIGHT PARKING TWELVE DOLLARS PER DAY FERRY TRANSPORTATION ALONE FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE COMING TO THE ISLAND IS SIX HUNDRED EXCUSE ME AS THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS. RECENTLY RESIDENT TOLD ME HER DAUGHTER, HUSBAND AND THEIR THREE CHILDREN WERE VACATIONING ON HILTON HEAD AND THEY WANTED TO COME FOR A VISIT BUT THEY COULDN'T DO IT. WE SIMPLY COULDN'T AFFORD A THREE HUNDRED DOLLAR TICKET TO COME. THE SCANLON COUNCIL HAS FULL CONFIDENCE IN THE BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL TO WORK FOR THE GOOD OF EVERY RESIDENT ON DEFENSE REGARDLESS OF THE COMMUNITY AT THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY LIVE IN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JOHN, GOOD EVENING. I'M ALSO ON THE FUNKY OWN COUNCIL AND I WOULD LIKE TO

[00:25:02]

BOTH KEY PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF MELROSE WHITESTONE COME IN AS A GOOD PARTNER. WE SEE THAT AND WE APPRECIATE THAT EFFORT.

GIVE ME A LOT OF NEGOTIATING TO DO AND WE'RE BEHIND YOU 100 PERCENT AS A BUT PRIVATE BUSINESS THEY ARE ENTITLED TO CONDUCT THEIR BUSINESS AS THEY SEE FIT AND PRICING IS BUSINESS STRUCTURES. AND VERY TICKETS WORKING IN THE VERY DEPARTMENT.

I KNOW FERRY BUSINESS IS VERY EXPENSIVE. BOATS ARE EXPENSIVE.

DOCK MAINTENANCE IS EXPENSIVE. THOSE COSTS HAVE TO BE PASSED DOWN TO CUSTOMERS.

WE APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S EFFORT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND WHITESTONE TO HAVE THE DEVELOPMENT WORK OUT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ROBERT FOX, CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'M ROBERT TALKED. I REPRESENT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPER AT MELROSE.

I LIKE THE WAY THE FLIGHT PRIEST PREDECESSORS HAVE SPOKEN.

IT'S INTERESTING THEY ALL YOU HEARD THEM REFER TO A MEETING THAT TOOK PLACE ON MUSKIE IN WHICH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WAS PRESENT AND MR. PITCHER WERE PRESENT AND THEY REFERRED TO AN AGREEMENT THAT THEY HAD STARTED TO WORK ON. ON THAT DAY THAT THEY THEY WENT TO THE FIRST KEY THEY MET IN MY OFFICE WITH JIM CHATER MYSELF. WE MET FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS WITH MISS WARD, THE ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY AND WE STARTED WORKING ON THAT.

BUT THIS PROCESS WE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS. WE HAVE NOT RESOLVED ALL OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE SUGGESTED TO AND WE SUGGEST RESPECTFULLY TO THIS COUNCIL THAT THE MATTER BE CONTINUED. YOUR SECOND READING BE POSTPONED AND THAT AS A POSSIBLE WAY TO ADDRESS THIS. IS IT THAT WE REFERRED TO A COMMITTEE OF COUNSEL TO STUDY THE ISSUES THAT WE THINK STILL REMAIN THOSE ISSUES ARE IS THE COUNCIL'S THIS COUNCIL PREPARED TO GO INTO THE MARINA PORTS AUTHORITY BUSINESS OR WILL YOU CREATE A COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY TO RUN THIS PORT BUT IT'S GOING TO BE BROUGHT BACK? DOES THE COUNTY REALLY WANT TO PROCEED ON THE 800 THOUSAND DOLLAR VALUATION BASIS THAT YOU HAVE THE VALUATIONS BASED ON AN OPINION MADE WITHOUT A SITE VISIT BY THE PERSON EXPRESSING THE OPINION WITHOUT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THE PROPERTY WAS UNDER CONTRACT AT THE TIME THE VALUATION WAS MADE WITHOUT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT THE PROPERTY GENERATES SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY OR REVENUE ANNUALLY. AND THIRD THE COUNTY'S VALUATION DOES NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT THE COUNTY IS PROPOSING TO CONDEMN NOT A DOCK AND TWO PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE BUT IN FACT A PROJECT AND THAT PROJECT IS MADE UP OF TWO PARTS.

FIRST IS THE REVENUE GENERATING PART AND IS RELATIVELY EASY AND YOU'VE GOT THE CPA AND FINALLY ITS PEOPLE ON THIS COUNCIL TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE CAPITALIZATION RATE OF THE REVENUE WOULD BE. BUT THE OTHER PART IS THAT IT IS THE PORT AND THE MARINA BY WHICH MELROSE IS DEVELOPED AND WITHOUT IT IT CAN'T BE DEVELOPED.

SO AS A RESULT WE'VE ASKED YOU SIMPLY TO POSTPONE THIS LET US CONTINUE THE DIALOG.

WE'VE HAD AN EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I THINK WE CAN WORK THESE PROBLEMS THAT IF NOT WHAT THE GENTLEMAN SAID ABOUT A LONG AND INVOLVED CONDEMNATION PROCESS IS JUST NOT TO EVERYONE'S ADVANTAGE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND CUMULUS, GOOD EVENING. I'M HERE ABOUT THE 1 PERCENT SALES TAX REFERENDUM YOU ARE PROPOSING. AS I UNDERSTAND IT'LL BE THE THIRD READING TONIGHT.

AND I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE TO PASS IT BUT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU HERE NOW WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT IT WHILE COUNTY COUNCIL VOTED FOR THEMSELVES A PAY RAISE LAST YEAR AT THE HEIGHT EPIDEMIC WHERE BUSINESSES WERE LOCKED DOWN. PEOPLE WERE OUT OF WORK AND INFLATION WAS HITTING US HARD. GASOLINE PRICES RISING. YOU ADDING A 1 PERCENT SALES TAX ON TOP OF THAT AS WE ARE NOW CURRENTLY IN AN OFFICIAL RECESSION.

ARE YOU TONE DEAF? WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT. AS COUNCILWOMAN ALICE HOWARD SAID IN THE LAST READING. YOU HAVE THE TOOLS TO CURB GROWTH.

[00:30:01]

USE THOSE TOOLS. WE VOTED YOU IN TO CURB GROWTH AND A LOT OF YOU RAN ON THE PROMISE OF CURBING GROWTH. AND I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING. I SEE MORE GROWTH NOW THAN I DID 20 YEARS AGO WHEN I MOVED HERE. I FLED A HIGH STATE SALES TAX AND YOU RAISED THE SALES TAX YOU'LL BE ONLY 1 PERCENT LOWER THAN NEW YORK STATE.

SHAME ON YOU. DON'T DON'T PASS THIS IF YOU DO THE BEAUFORT TEA PARTY OR START THE FIGHT. AND AS CHAIR I WILL LEAD THE CHARGE AGAIN.

LAST TIME YOU HAD THIS REFERENDUM WE DEFEATED YOU TWICE OVER 70 PERCENT OF THE VOTERS WATCH JUST COMING. WE WILL DEFEAT THIS AGAIN. DO YOUR JOB, ENFORCE THE CODES, CURB THE GROWTH. YOU'VE GOT THE POWER. YOU'VE GOT THE TOOLS.

USE THEM. THANK YOU, CARMEN. THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE MEETING AND FOR LETTING US TALK. I SENT IN MY NOTES THIS MORNING AND SO I WON'T ELABORATE EXCEPT FOR ONE POINT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR I'M ALL FOR GREEN SPACE PITCH MY HUG BETWEEN MY HUSBAND AND WE HAVE 70 YEARS OF REAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCE AND WE CLEANED UP SITES NOT JUST FOR WATER BUT FOR AIR, FOR LAND, FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES AND WE DID THAT IN MULTIPLE SITES, MULTIPLE LOCATIONS AND MULTIPLE STATES. THE CONCERN I HAVE HERE BECAUSE AND I'M NEW TO BEAUFORT COUNTY BUT IT CONCERNS ME WHEN I SEE THINGS LIKE SEDIMENT BARRIERS THAT ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

AND I SEE THIS ALL THE TIME ANY CONSTRUCTION SITE WHEN I SEE THAT IT TAKES SO LONG FOR THE ORDINANCE THAT WON THE AWARD TO BE PUT IN PRACTICE TO NOT HAVE AN ORDINANCE HERE THAT SAID IF YOU DISTURB MORE THAN 5000 SQUARE FEET YOU NEED A P TO SIGN OFF ON IT AND TAKING YEARS TO GET THAT IN PLACE. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT HERE.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE VIGOR AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE DECISIONS ALL WELL-MEANING. I'M SURE THEY HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS BUT DO THEY REALLY UNDERSTAND THE DEPTH AND THE BREADTH? AND HERE'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE GREEN SPACE IS WONDERFUL. BUT IF YOU DON'T CONTROL THE RUNOFF IF YOU DON'T CONTROL THE RUNOFF FROM ALL THE DEVELOPMENT ,IT'S REALLY NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING.

AND SO THE SALES TAX IS A GREAT IDEA. I AGAIN BY VOICE ANSWER POINTS ABOUT THIS IS NOT EXACTLY THE GREATEST TIME TO HAVE A INCREASE IN THE SALES TAX.

BUT SECONDLY, IF YOU'RE GONNA GO THROUGH THIS WHICH IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE, THEN PLEASE GIVE METHODOLOGY. IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO JUST SAY YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL THIS MONEY. I PERFECTLY UNDERSTAND SENATOR DAVIS, YOU CAN'T GIVE US A LIST OF THE PROPERTIES. OK, BUT WHAT IS THE METHODOLOGY? ARE YOU JUST GONNA BAIL GET BITS AND PIECES OF PROPERTIES ALL AROUND THE COUNTY? THAT'S NOT GOOD. COULD BE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE MAKING THE DECISIONS? OK. I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME TRUE ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CREDENTIALS, NOT A MARATHON JOGGER, NOT A WELL-MEANING MOM WHO'S DECIDED TO MOVE HERE.

OK, REAL ENVIRONMENT ENGINEERING CREDENTIALS. THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU. OK. THAT ENDS THE FIRST SESSION OF CITIZEN COMMENTS. THOSE ON THE SECOND LIST YOU WILL HAVE YOUR TIME WHEN WE

[8. LIASION AND COMMITTEE REPORTS]

YES, THANK YOU. I ATTENDED THE SECOND OF AUGUST ACL MEETING.

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A 7 PERCENT COMPLETION INCREASE IN THEIR 2020 TO TWENTY THREE BUDGET ALTHOUGH THERE WILL STILL BE A LOT FREE TUITION FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS WHICH IS A GREAT NUMBER OF THEM. THEY'RE STILL SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE ENROLLMENT IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS AND THE OTHER THING THAT THEY TALKED ABOUT WAS THEY HAVE A FUND BALANCE OF ONE HUNDRED TWENTY CALENDAR DAYS WHICH IS A DECENT SIZED RESERVE.

THE ENROLLMENT IS A LITTLE BIT DOWN 5 PERCENT AS OF THE 2ND OF AUGUST AND COLLEGE COUNTING MP THIRD OR BOTH C AND THE DUAL ENROLLMENT INCREASE CAPITAL PROJECTS THEY ARE ABOUT GETTING ANOTHER CDL PAD UP IN HAMPTON AND THEY'RE RENOVATING TWO ROOMS TO INCREASE OUR HPC

PROGRAM. >> AND THERE'S SOME ROOF REPLACEMENTS GOING ON AND AT

[00:35:04]

THAT RENOVATION IS GOING VERY WELL AND THEY'LL BE DOING CLINICAL CONSTRUCTION AT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN CONJUNCTION WITH USC VA WHICH WAS ALSO FUNDED WITH SOME

COUNTY MONEY. >> THAT'S ALL I HAD TO REPORT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY OTHER REPORT TO COME BEFORE COUNCIL SEEING NONE. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ACTION ITEMS.

[9. PUBLIC HEARING AND THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE FOR A 2022 COUNTY GREEN SPACE SALES TAX REFERENDUM]

DULY MOTIONED AND SECONDED. >> NOW I'M GOING TO ASK FOR THE PUBLIC TO WEIGH IN ON THIS ITEM. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE HEARD SEVERAL THINGS GOING FORWARD ABOUT THIS. THERE WILL BE AN AMENDMENT TO THIS AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING.

WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE EXPECT TO RAISE DURING THE TIME PERIOD BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO SHORTEN THE NUMBER OF YEARS. SO THAT IS GOING TO BE COMING UP AS THAT. SO WE'LL BEGIN THIS. I'M GOING TO ASK FOR JESSE WHITE TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE. THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING. CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CAUSE OF CONSERVATION LEAGUE. WE APPLAUD YOU FOR KENNY'S LEADERSHIP IN PURSUING THIS NEW AND INNOVATIVE GREEN SPACE SALES TAX WHICH WOULD ALLOCATE VOTER APPROVED FUNDS FOR REGIONAL CONSERVATION. WE HOPE YOU WILL AGREE TO PUT THE QUESTIONS TO THE VOTER.

PUT THE QUESTION TO THE VOTERS BY REFERENDUM THIS NOVEMBER. BEAUFORT HAS LONG BEEN A LEADER OF CONSERVATION IN THE STATE OVERWHELMINGLY FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS SUPPORT LAND PRESERVATION ARE EXPANSIVE AND BOUNTIFUL. NATURAL RESOURCES ALONG WITH THE QUALITY OF LIFE THEY PROVIDE ARE AMONG THE PRIMARY DRIVERS BRINGING SO MANY PEOPLE TO VISIT AND RESIDE HERE. RICH ECOLOGY WITHIN THE PORT ROLL SOUND WATERSHED IS PART OF WHAT MAKES BEAVERING SO SPECIAL. BUT EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT ARE THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY WHO TIME AND AGAIN RECOGNIZE THE INHERENT VALUE OF OUR GREEN SPACES AND WHO FOSTER A SHARED SENSE OF APPRECIATION AND STEWARDSHIP FOR THOSE RESOURCES FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS ETHOS IS REFLECTED IN THE RESULTS OF A RECENT POLL THAT WE PARTNERED WITH THE CONSERVATION VOTERS AND TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND TO CONDUCT IN CONNECTION WITH THE POTENTIAL GREEN SPACE PENNY.

THE POLL WAS COMPLETED BY MCLAUGHLAN AND ASSOCIATES AND THEY SURVEYED 300 LIKELY VOTERS IN COUNTY AND FOUND THE FOLLOWING BROAD PUBLIC SUPPORT WITH 64 PERCENT SUPPORTING A GREEN SPACE PENNY FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS RAISING UP TO ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.

CONTINUED SUPPORT AT 64 PERCENT. WHEN FRAMED IN TERMS OF AVERAGE ANNUAL FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE AVERAGE RESIDENT WHICH IS ESTIMATED AT SIXTY THREE DOLLARS PER YEAR INCREASED SUPPORT AT 71 PERCENT. WHEN INFORMED THAT GREEN SPACE FUNDS COULD BE USED FOR REGIONAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS PROTECTING LAND THAT IMPROVES WATER QUALITY, REDUCES CONGESTION AND IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE EVEN IF LOCATED OUTSIDE COUNTY AND BROAD PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT GROWTH. WITH SIXTY FIVE PERCENT FEELING WE'RE GROWING TOO FAST. IN ADDITION, THE POLL TESTED ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS FOR THE REFERENDUM INCLUDING A HALF PENNY OVER TWO OR FOUR YEARS AND A FULL PENNY FOR FOUR YEARS RAISING TWO HUNDRED MILLION. THE STRONGEST SUPPORT REMAINED WITH A GREEN SPACE PENNY FOR TWO YEARS RAISING ONE HUNDRED MILLION. THEREFORE WE RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL ADJUST THE PARAMETERS OF THE GREEN SPACE PENNY TO A TWO YEAR TERM RAISING UP TO ONE HUNDRED MILLION. THE BEAUFORT JASPER REGION IS GROWING RAPIDLY AND WE'RE FAST APPROACHING A TIPPING POINT. IN ORDER TO RETAIN WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE SO SPECIAL.

YOU NEED TO APPROACH GROWTH MANAGEMENT IN A MORE HOLISTIC MANNER.

THE GREEN SPACE PENNY PROGRAM OFFERS A TOOL TO MEET REGIONAL GROWTH DEMANDS AT THEIR ROOT BY PURSUING STRATEGIC LAND PROTECTION OF PROPERTY PROPERTIES THAT SHARE REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE AND PUBLIC VALUES AND BENEFITS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR

CONSIDERATION AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER 9? THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE GREEN SPACE SALES TAX VENTURE.

[00:40:05]

THE ACT ITSELF REQUIRES TWO WEEKS BEFORE A REFERENDUM. THE COUNTY MUST PUBLISH IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION. THE QUESTION THAT IS TO APPEAR ON THE BALLOT WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODS BY WHICH THE COUNTY'S GOVERNING BODY INTENDS TO PROCURE OPEN LANDS AND GREEN SPACE PRESERVATION SO YOUR ACTION HERE TONIGHT IS THE FIRST STEP IN A PROCESS AND THEN YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND COME UP WITH AND ARTICULATE WHAT THAT PROCESS IS GOING TO BE AND THAT'LL BE PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC PRIOR TO. THE SECOND QUESTION OR CONCERN WAS RAISED.

WHY DOESN'T THIS KIND OF DO SOMETHING IN REGARD TO ITS ZONING OR LAND USE REGULATIONS ? THE PROBLEM IS THE HORSE IS OUT OF THE BARN.

I MEAN YOU'VE GOT DENSITIES BEEN APPROVED, THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, THEY'RE IN PUDDLES. IN MANY INSTANCES MUNICIPALITY THAT SOMETIMES OTHER ENTICEMENTS TO HAVE PEOPLE ANNEXED TO THE BOUNDARIES. I MEAN WE'RE DEALING WITH THE CARDS THAT HAVE BEEN DEALT AND RIGHT NOW IF YOU DID SOMETHING IN REGARD TO A MORATORIUM OR TRY TO TAKE AWAY THOSE VESTED RIGHTS, YOU'RE SUBJECTING YOURSELF TO AN INVERSE COMBINATION LAWSUIT. SO YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE THOSE AS AS ALTERNATIVES.

AND THEN LASTLY, ANN'S RIGHT. I MEAN THIS IS A DEBATE THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR. AND I RESPECT THE TEA PARTY. I RESPECT THEIR ARGUMENTS.

I RESPECT THE FACT THAT THAT TAXES DURING AN INFLATIONARY PERIOD IS AN UPHILL BATTLE.

I'M WILLING TO MAKE THAT CASE AND AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'LL BE THE PEOPLE HAPPY FOR COUNTY THAT DECIDE. BUT UNLIKE THE VOTE THAT SHE CITED THE 70 30 DEFEATING LAST TIME THAT WASN'T IN REGARD TO OPEN SPACE AND GREEN SPACE. THOSE PARTICULAR REFERENDUMS HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN APPROVED BY BOTH KIND OF VOTERS IN THE 70S.

AND SO I WOULD DISMISS ALL THAT TO YOU AND RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE THIS TONIGHT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE SEEING NONE? I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTION OF THIS. I WILL TURN TO MR. SOMERVILLE.

MR. SOMERVILLE, YOU WISH TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE THIRD READING.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'D LIKE TO MOVE AT THE DURATION OF THE RHETORIC BEING LOWERED FROM FOUR YEARS TO TWO YEARS AND THAT THE AMOUNT TO BE ELECTED IS CAPPED AT ONE

HUNDRED MILLION. >> SO BY MY MOTION IS TWO YEARS.

>> ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS SECOND THAT MR. CHAIRMAN. >> OK.

DULY MOTIONED AND SECONDED. DISCUSSION. ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL? MS. HOWARD'S.

YES SIR. I APPRECIATE A G'S OPINION THAT WE RECEIVED.

IT WAS VERY GOOD TO GET THAT. I ALSO APPRECIATE THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN A LETTER TO COUNCIL MEMBER OF DATED AUGUST 4TH.

I HAD SOME VERY THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS IN THAT REGARDING THIS REFERENDUM.

I STILL WILL VOTE AGAINST THIS BECAUSE FOR SEVERAL REASONS AND I'M PROBABLY THE LONE LONE VOTE IN THOSE CHAMBERS OR ON ON ONLINE WE'LL BE VOTING AGAINST IT.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FOR PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY AND EASEMENTS BOTH IN THE STATE NORTH CAROLINA AND IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA WITH MY PREVIOUS LIFE I WAS EMPLOYED BY THE AIR STATION AND I'VE SEEN VARIOUS METHODS ON HOW TO DO THAT.

I DON'T REGARD THIS AS A GOOD METHOD NECESSARILY TO BUY DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FROM THINGS

THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY NASA POLITIES FOR 20 YEARS. >> YOU'VE HEARD COUNTY RULE

CRITICAL LANDS PROGRAM HAS EXISTED. >> 2002 AND THEY'VE ONLY SPENT ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE MILLION DOLLARS AND NOW WE'RE PROPOSING TO SPEND ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS INTO YEARS. I KNOW THAT WE CAN PUT ASIDE THE MONEY AND NOT SPEND THAT QUICKLY BUT THE RURAL AND CRITICAL LANDS PROGRAM HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY.

AND HOW THOUGHTFUL AND AND HOW THAT PROGRAM WORKS WITH LANDOWNERS WHO WANT TO PRESERVE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IT BE FOR COUNTY. THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE WITH THIS REFERENDUM AND IF IT GOES EVOKE THE VOTERS FINE AND HIS PAST AND I WILL GREATLY SUPPORT AT THAT TIME BUT I CANNOT VOTE FOR TONIGHT. I THINK THAT WE HAVE PRESERVED OVER TWENTY EIGHT THOUSAND ACRES SINCE RULING CRITICAL LANDS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED.

>> BUT HAS ALL BEEN IN BEAUFORT COUNTY. THIS REFERENDUM EXPANDS THAT TO OTHER TO A REGIONAL. SO I HAVE QUESTIONS. IS COUNTY COUNCIL THE FUTURE COUNTY COUNCIL GOING APPROVED FOR PROPERTIES TO BE BOUGHT IN HAMPTON QUALITY? JASPER COUNTY TO PREVENT GROSS OR PROPERTY? I HAVE I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH

THAT. >> THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE THAT HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED

[00:45:01]

IT COULD HAPPEN. >> SO I WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR THIS REFERENDUM IF THE VOTERS

IN NOVEMBER VOTE TO PASS IT. >> SO BE IT AND I WILL BE FULLY BEHIND IT TO SUPPORT IT.

BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT REFERENDUM RIGHT NOW FOR OUR FUTURE COUNTY RESIDENTS OR

ANY OTHER MEMBER OF COUNCIL WISH TO MAKE A COMMENT. >> MR. LAWSON? YES, I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT PAUL HAS MADE THE MOTION TO LOWER TO TWO YEARS AND THEN IN OUR LAST LAST COUNCIL MEETING I THOUGHT THAT WAS OUR ORIGINAL MORTGAGE WAS AGGRESSIVE.

I I STILL THINK WE'RE AGGRESSIVE IN WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.

IN ONE SENSE I THINK THAT MORE MOORE MORE APT TO BE ABLE TO GET SOMETHING APPROVED FOR HALF . I AM NOT MAKING A AN AMENDMENT RIGHT NOW UNLESS SOMEONE ELSE WANTED TO DO ALSO JUMP IN THERE. BUT I WILL SUPPORT THE TWO YEARS AND ONE CENT. HOWEVER AGAIN I THINK WE'RE BEING TOO AGGRESSIVE AND WE WE WE LEAVE OURSELVES TO THE VOTE OF THE PUBLIC. YOU GET TIMES TIME SOMETHING HAS COME UP AND IN OUR CHAMBERS HERE I'VE ALWAYS BEEN SOMEONE THAT SAID LET'S LET THE PUBLIC DECIDE. LET'S PUT IN THE PUBLIC'S HANDS WHICH AGAIN THAT'S WHAT WE DO AND I THINK THAT'S BETTER THAN THE ELEVEN OF US MAKING ALL DECISIONS IS WHEN WE CAN HAVE THE PUBLIC MAKE THEIR DECISION AND TELL US WHAT THEY WANT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? LOGAN SAME AS SHERMAN. I TRY TO BE BRIEF SO ORIGINALLY WE A YEAR AGO CAME OUT WITH LOST WHICH IS THE LOCAL SALES TAX. I CAME OUT AGAINST THAT.

I THINK FOUR OF US CAME OUT AGAINST THAT AND IT WAS DEFEATED BY 70 PERCENT.

THERE'S A LOT OF BIG DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THAT. ONE IS LOST AND NOT HAVE AN END DATE. WE DID NOT HAVE A REVENUE CAP ON IT.

BUILDING WAY TO GET IT REMOVED WAS WITH SIGNATURES AND SIGNATURES AND THEN IT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO COUNTY COUNCIL TO BE VOTED ON. SO IN REALITY THERE'S NO WAY IT WAS GOING TO BE REMOVED. THAT'S THE BIGGEST REASON I OPPOSE THAT ALONG WITH I BELIEVE WE ARE COMING BACK WITH ANOTHER REFERENDUM THIS SUMMER BECAUSE WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS.

WE START OFF WITH THE TRANSPORTATION TAX ARE THE TRANSPORTATION REFERENDUM.

THAT WAS OUR DISCUSSION AND THAT WAS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN SIX TO 10 YEARS AND MAYBE 700 MILLION DOLLARS WHICH IS A BIG PILL TO SWALLOW IN A TIME LIKE THIS.

A LOT OF US DID RUN ON SLOWING DOWN GROWTH IN THIS AREA AND A LOT OF TIMES COUNTY COUNCIL TO PASS HAS VOTED AT TRANSPORTATION REFERENDUM HAS TRIED TO PUT NEW ORDINANCE IN AND WE'RE STILL IN THIS SITUATION. SO WE'VE BEEN USING THOSE DIFFERENT TOOLS AND WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING HE GETS MUNICIPALITIES WITH THEM APPROVING MORE ROOFTOPS. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO ACTUALLY BUY DOWN THOSE ROOFTOPS. EVERYONE'S CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT PURCHASING LAND ITSELF BUT WE CAN ALSO BUY BUILDING REITS FOR EXAMPLE IF A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT LAND IS ZONED FOR 500 HOMES. THERE ARE WAYS TO NEGOTIATE TO BRING THAT DOWN TO THREE HUNDRED HOMES WITHOUT IS ACTUALLY OWNING COUNTY PROPERTY BUT WE'RE BRINGING DOWN THE ROOFTOPS AND BE FOR COUNTY. WE CAN BUILD MORE ROADS, WE CAN BUILD MORE SCHOOLS BUT WE'RE ALWAYS GOING CHASE IN THE TAIL OVER AND OVER AND OVER UNTIL WE CAN SLOW DOWN THE AMOUNT OF ROOFTOPS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY. I LIVE IN BLUFFTON. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 7.

IT IS THE MOST BOOMING AREA AND BEAUFORT COUNTY RIGHT NOW. AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY NONSTOP AND I HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS CONSTANTLY WITH BLUFFTON TOWN COUNCIL.

SO I'M IN FAVOR OF THE TWO YEAR HUNDRED MILLION. I THINK THAT IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE PUBLIC THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE THESE FUNDS.

WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU HOW TO USE THESE FUNDS AND IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, IF WE DECIDE TO COME BACK OR SOMEBODY ELSE IN THE FUTURE, I HOPE THAT WE CAN INTERTWINE THAT WITH US. IT IS A NEW TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE'VE HAD BEFORE. THIS WAS ALSO A NEW TOOL AT ONE POINT AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO FIX IT. WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO WORK AND WE'RE STILL HERE TODAY.

SO I'M GOING TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS. I DO SUPPORT IT.

I THINK IT GIVES US A GOOD HEAD WAY, A GOOD DIRECTION TO SEE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY FOR YOU FOR COUNTY TO GO. IT DOES HAVE A FINANCIAL CAP AND IT DOES HAVE AN END DATE ON IT. AND THOSE ARE TWO THINGS I NEED.

I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE ANY TYPE OF TAX PROPOSAL WE HAVE. AND THE OTHER BIG THING CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, SENATOR DAVIS, BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE TAX ON FOOD OR MEDICINE.

THAT IS CORRECT. THERE ARE EXEMPTIONS IN REGARD TO FOOD AND MEDICINE AND GASOLINE THAT THOSE ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE LEVEL OF THE SALES.

AWESOME. SO THANK VERY MUCH. SO BASED ON THAT, THAT MEANS A LOT OF THINGS THAT THEY ARE GETTING PAID FOR IS GOING TO BE PAID FOR BY TOURISTS AS WELL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO SAY 50 PERCENT. I THINK IT'S MORE LIKE 40 PERCENT TOWARDS TO PAY FOR IT. BUT I DO THINK THAT'S A BIG CHUNK THAT WE CAN CAPITALIZE ON IF THIS GETS APPROVED HERE TONIGHT AND THEN IT GETS VOTED ON NOVEMBER.

[00:50:01]

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? MR. GLOVER? YES, A LOT OF MY GUESTS COMMENT OR QUESTION IS GOING TO BE SENATOR RUSS DAVIS. SENATOR DAVIS.

HOW WOULD ASK THE QUESTION ABOUT CONDEMNATION? I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CONDEMNATION AND I DO NOT REALLY SUPPORT CONDEMNATION. BUT AS A LAST RESORT.

SO I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO GO MICHIGAN AND START CONDEMNING PEOPLE'S PROPERTY BECAUSE OF WHATEVER. SO THAT QUESTION IT DOESN'T SAY SO WHEN THE BILL IS CONDEMNATION AN OPTION FOR THIS COUNCIL IF THIS GREEN SPACE BILL PASSES THIS AFTERNOON, THEN PASSES IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THAT QUESTION. OK, BEN, PASS TO ME IF YOU

COULD GET IT AND TURN TO THE GENERAL OPINION. >> WELL, I APPRECIATE IT.

I MEAN IT IS NOT IN HERE BUT SHE RAISED IT AND IT IS A CONCERN AND I THINK IT SHOULD GO ON RECORD NOW WHETHER YOU KNOW IN OUR DISCUSSION WHETHER THAT SHOULD BUY SOMETHING TO BE CONSIDERED. I GUESS THAT'S THE MOST DIRECT RESPONSE I CAN GET TO THAT, MR. GLOVER, AS NOTHING HAPPENED IN REGARD TO THAT MONEY WITHOUT THIS COUNCIL DECIDING THROUGH

AN ORDINANCE WHAT IT WANTS TO DO. >> SO THE SENTIMENT ON THIS BODY AND I WOULD AGREE WITH IT IS THAT YOU OUGHT NOT GO IN AND COMPEL AND CONDEMN BUT RATHER NEGOTIATE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU AS A COUNTY CAN CAN DECIDE TO DO.

YOU KNOW, THE ACT ITSELF IS SILENT IN THAT REGARD. BUT IF CONDEMNATION IS SEEN AS SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY DOESN'T WANT TO DO, THEN COUNTY COUNCIL SHOULDN'T PROPOSE IT.

NO, I AGREE WITH YOU AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS AN ELECTED BODY.

>> WE LIVE IN PEOPLE THAT WOULD CHANGE EVERY TWO YEARS TO CHANGE OF COUNCIL OPINION ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT. BUT THAT'S THE YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T ANSWER THERE.

AND THAT'S I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT THAT'S A CONCERN AND I THINK MY WHOLE REASON I THINK ALSO RAISES WELL MARK, MY OTHER QUESTION IS REALLY IF THIS REFERENDUM PASSES AND COUNCIL WILL DETERMINE THE METHODOLOGY OF HOW FUNDS ARE DISPERSED EXTERNALLY SEVERAL THERE WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM OF HAVING A HYBRID TYPE OF APPROACH TO SPENDING.

AND WHEN I SEE A HYBRID WE HAVE IN PLACE A PROGRAM WITH RULE AND CRITICAL PROGRAM, SOME OF THOSE FUNDS COULD BE ALLOCATED TO THEM FOR THEIR PROGRAM AS WELL.

WELL I THINK IN TERMS OF THE LATTER I THINK IN SPIRIT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS CORRECT.

>> I MEAN WOULDN'T BE ALLOCATED TO THEM AND THEN THEY TO SPEND THAT MONEY.

NO. BUT YOU COULD INTEGRATE THEM INTO THE SELECTION PROCESS.

YOU COULD INTEGRATE WITH VIOLATING LAND. AND IN FACT THIS THIS LAW WAS DRAFTED WITH THAT IN MIND BECAUSE I WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE WRONG CRITICAL AND PROGRAM AND HOW SUCCESSFUL IT'S BEEN DOWN HERE. AND SO WHEN I DRAFTED THIS LEGISLATION IT WAS TO GIVE THE COUNTY ENOUGH LATITUDE SO IT COULD ADOPT WHAT PROCESS IT THOUGHT WAS BEST. AND I HAD IN MY MIND QUITE FRANKLY THE WRONG CRITICAL LANDS PROGRAM. AND REALLY I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO COME DOWN ON THIS, BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THAT HUMAN AND INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING TO BE INCORPORATED INTO YOUR SELECTION PROCESS. I WANT TO MAKE THIS MY QUESTION.

OF COURSE THAT'S UP TO YOU. ALL RIGHT. RIGHT.

I APPRECIATE YOU, VINCE. YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

YES. ANY OTHER COMMENTS, MR RUDD? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

I'M IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSAL AS IT'S BEEN DISCUSSED AND I THINK WILL GO WELL.

YES. THIS IS YOU WOULD HAVE THIS ADVICE FOR TWO YEARS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT WOULD BE COMING OFF ABOUT THE TIME WE WOULD PROBABLY BE LOOKING AT PUTTING IN PLACE THE TRANSPORTATION ANY SO ONE WOULD BE COMING OFF OR COMING ON.

WE ALL KNOW THAT WE NEED TO DO THE TRANSPORTATION AND I THINK WE'LL END UP USING THE TIME WISELY TO TEE UP SOME OF THE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS SO THAT THEY'LL MAKE IT EASIER TO DO THAT. WE'LL GET THAT FROM THE TIME COMES.

SO I AM IN FAVOR OF AGAINST MOST THE OTHER COMMENTS. SO THE SUMMARIZATION IS ON THE TABLE IS A TWO YEAR MAXIMUM TIME FRAME WITH ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS THAT WAS NOT JUST PULLED OUT OF THIN AIR. IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL IN NOVEMBER ,IF WE DON'T START COLLECTING

[00:55:04]

THIS IS BEAUFORT COUNTY. I KNOW THE LAW SAYS WE ARE ENTITLED TO SPEND THAT MONEY IN JASPER COMPTON, HAMPTON COUNTY. WE HAVE A LOT OF LAND PRESERVED IN BEAUFORT COUNTY.

THEREFORE I'M NOT SURE THAT THIS COUNCIL OR A FUTURE COUNCIL WOULD WANT TO SPEND MONEY IN ANOTHER COUNTY WHEN WE NEED TO SPEND IT IN OUR OWN COUNTY NEXT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF TOOLS IN THE TOOL BOX THAT WERE LISTED THERE.

WE DON'T HAVE TO USE THEM. LAW CONDEMNATION MEANS YOU'RE CONDEMNING A PIECE OF PROPERTY BECAUSE YOU WANT TO USE FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE. I DON'T THINK THIS ACT REFLECTS THAT. I AM GOING TO SUPPORT THIS. I HOPE THE REST COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT THIS. I'M GOING TO CALL THE QUESTION NOW DO I NEED A ROLL CALL FOR THIS? YES, PLEASE. OK.

WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL BEGINNING WITH THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THE MOTION? AND SECOND WHICH IS MR. SOMERVILLE AND THEN MR. CUNNINGHAM, THIS IS IT IS THE VISE CHAIR SUMMERVILLE. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM.

YES. COUNCIL MEMBER FLO ELLING. YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER DAWSON IS NOT COUNCIL MEMBER MCGOWAN YES. COUNCIL MEMBER LAWSON MARK LAWSON YES. COUNCIL MEMBER HOWARD NO. COUNCIL MEMBER RODMAN YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARBHAJAN YES. COUNCIL MEMBER GLOVER YES. CHAIRMAN MEANT YES.

I GET IT AS NO NINE ONE ONE MOTION PASSES. MOTION PASSES.

OK SO IT'S BEEN AMENDED NOW WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE .

ARE THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THIS? IF NOT WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL? JARROD? YES, I'M SAYING WHAT THEY SAID IT IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT.

OKAY. IT IS A DIRECT ONE CENT SALES TAX FOR A TWO YEAR DURATION ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO COLLECT UP TO ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS WHICHEVER WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. MR. CUNNINGHAM MADE THE MOTION AND MR. MCCULLUM MADE THE SECOND THIRD ON THE MAIN MOTION . COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM.

YES. COUNCIL MEMBER MCKELLEN? YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER FLEW ELLING? YES. COUNCIL MEMBER LAWSON FOR BOSTON? YES. COUNCIL MEMBER HOWARD.

NO. COUNCIL MEMBER RODMAN? YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER HIRSCHHORN? YES. COUNCIL MEMBER GLOVER? YES. NICE CHAIR SOMERVILLE. YES.

[10. PUBLIC HEARING AND THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF THE REAL PROPERTY WITH TMS NO. R552 010 000 0648 0000 AND R552 010 000 0649 0000, LOCATED ON HELMSMAN WAY, HILTON HEAD ISLAND - FISCAL IMPACT: Funds from use of General Fund – Fund balance account. Funding not to exceed $3,400,000 plus closing costs and legal fees]

THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 10 IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF THE REAL PROPERTY OF WHAT TMX NUMBERS LOCATED ON HELMSMAN WAY HILTON HEAD ISLAND.

MAY I HAVE SUCH A MOTION THAT MOTION MR. LAWSON MAKES THE MOTION.

MAY I HAVE A SECOND? >> BACK IN MAY. MR. MCKELLEN MAKES THE SECOND.

WE WILL NOW TURN TO THE PUBLIC. THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT UPON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. SALLY ROBINSON, YOU WILL BE FIRST GOOD EVEN COUNSEL AND

[01:00:15]

WANDA FUSCA ON RN AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF CHANGES IS COMING TO THE FIRST GATE CHANGES THAT I'M TRYING TO MYSELF BE A PART OF BASICALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE GOT A HOMESTEAD FALLING APART.

WE HAVE GRAVEYARD BEING OVERGROWN SO I HAVE A NON PROFIT TOWARD BUSINESS TO HELP RAISE FUN BESIDE THE PAY FOR FUNDING. DO OTHER COMPANIES RIGHT NOW I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF HEARINGS THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PAY TO MAKE AND WHILST I'M TRYING TO MAKE MONEY FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY AND ON BEHALF OF MANY FOLKS WHO ARE NOT ON THE AND WE HAVE HOUSES FALLING APART LIKE I SAY GRAVEYARD GROWING UP AND I'M TRYING TO MAKE FUNDING BUT THEN I'M HEARING THAT I'M ALSO GOING TO HAVE TO PAY I MEAN ORDER TO RENT THIS BUSINESS AND I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW DO YOU TAKE FROM A GIVING COMPANY SOMETHING THAT'S TRYING TO GIVE BACK? I USED TO SEE MY MOM MY GRAND. MANY FOLKS ARE I'LL RUN BACK AND FORTH TO THE COUNCIL FOR THINGS THAT THEY FELT WE NEEDED AN OUTLET FOR ME AT SIX GENERATION COMING BACK HOME AND SEEING OUR COMMUNITY THESE HOUSES AND FALLING APART AND GRAVEYARD OVER GROWING.

I JUST CANNOT STAND TO SEE THIS HAPPEN. KNOWING THAT I HAVE TO TRY TO DO THE BEST I CAN IN DOING SO. THAT'S WHY I STARTED THIS TOUR BUSINESS.

BUT NOW I'M ALSO FINDING THAT I MAY HAVE TO BE SHARING A PIECE OF THAT PIE WHICH I'M GETTING

VERY LITTLE AT. >> JUST FOR ME FOR JUST NOW AND IT JUST HURTS ME TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE NEW GROWTH AND STUFF COMING. I AM ALSO TRYING TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY BE BETTER BUT THESE HOMES GRAVEYARD IS FALLING APART AND OVERGROWTH SOMEHOW IS HURTFUL TO ME BECAUSE MY ANCESTORS THOSE PEOPLE THAT I GREW UP WITH TAUGHT ME RAISED ME TO BE A BETTER PERSON, TO BE A GOOD PERSON TO GIVE BACK, TO SHARE, TO CARE.

AND I'M JUST TRYING TO CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THAT IF I HAVE TO SHARE WHAT I'M TRYING TO GIVE BACK TO, HOW DOES THAT WORK? I'VE SEEN GRAVEYARD. YOU HAVE HAD TWO GREAT SHOTS THERE BUILT ON ONE. YOU'VE GOT THE GRAVEYARD ONE A NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVEYARD.

IT HURTS ME TO SEE THESE THINGS HAPPEN. SO I'M JUST BACK I'M JUST BACK HOME TRYING TO SUPPORT AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, NOT TAKE AWAY.

AND WITH THAT I NEED THE HELPING HAND OF OTHERS TO HELP SUPPORT AND GIVE ALSO SO THAT WE CAN ALL LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND SHARE AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

AND THAT'S MY SPIRIT. THANK YOU. RUN ANGLE GAMING MELROSE MARINA IS CERTAINLY A VERY HOT TOPIC AT THE MOMENT. IT'S A CATCH 22 SITUATION FOR MY WIFE AND I BECAUSE WE LIVE ON OURS. WE OWN A HOUSE MOUSE SO WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MOTHERS IN START UP AGAIN. WHAT HELP ARE OUR ISLAND MOTHERS? IT WOULD HELP THE PROPERTIES INCREASE ON MOTHER'S HOWEVER.

IT'S VERY ALARMING TO SEE SOME OF THE PROPOSED BUSINESS STRUCTURE THAT WHITESTONE HAS PROPOSED TO US VENDORS AT MELROSE MARINA PRIOR TO JUNE 27 WHICH IS WHEN THE FIRST READING WAS DONE IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL VENDORS WERE TOLD TO PREPARE FOR PROFIT SHARING. IT WOULD BE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 20 AND 30 PERCENT.

THE NUMBER WAS NEVER EXACTLY SAID BUT IT WAS GOING TO BE IN THAT AREA AND WHEN I UNDERSTOOD IT EVERYONE HAD TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT WHERE THEY HAD TO INCREASE THEIR PRICES OR WHATEVER BUT TO BE READY FOR AFTER THE FIRST READING ON JUNE TWENTY SEVENTH CHANGE THEY CAME AND WENT AND OFFERED US FIXED RATES BUT DOING SO ONLY OFFERED US A MONTH TO MONTH LEASES WHICH MEANS THAT COULD OBVIOUSLY BE CHANGED AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND THAT BUSINESS STRUCTURE COULD GO BACK TO PROFIT SHARING AT ANY TIME. IT'S VERY ALARMING TO ME AND TO ALL THE OTHER VENDORS AT THE MARINA FOR THE BIG PICTURE HERE IS IF WE ARE VENDORS HAVE TO PAY SUCH A HIGH PERCENTAGE BERTH THEN GONNA HAVE TO INCREASE OUR PRICES WHICH THEN AT THE END OF THE DAY THE BIG PICTURE IS GONNA BE LESS TOURISTS COME TO OUR ISLAND BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE LIKE LEON HAD MENTIONED EARLIER, IT'S ALREADY VERY EXPENSIVE AND IF WE HAVE TO REFLECT THIS PROFIT SHARING IS GOING TO BE MUCH HIGHER THAN

[01:05:01]

I'M WITH YOU. I'M SORRY YOU'RE HERE AT LIKE. WHAT'S A WHY THERE? I'VE BEEN CALLED WORSE THINGS. SO BY YEAH. I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION WITH REGARDS TO THE TWO PIECES OF PROPERTY THAT WERE BEING PURCHASED ARE GOING TO BE PURCHASED AT HELMSMAN WAY AND I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF THE TOWN OF HILTON THAT HAD BEEN LOOPED IN ON THOSE PLANS, THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES. OK, GREAT.

THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THIS ITEM YENDA FOR HELMSMAN WAY SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND ON THE FLOOR DISCUSSION BY COUNSEL MEMBERS. ANY DISCUSSION BY ANY COUNCIL MEMBER GOING FORWARD? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. MR. BHUSHAN, GO AHEAD.

I HAVE VOTED AGAINST THIS. I WILL CONTINUE TO VOTE AGAINST THIS.

I THINK THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT ON THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE WILDLY EXPENSIVE.

I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY WE HAVEN'T LOOKED A LITTLE BIT MORE SERIOUSLY AT OTHER LOCATIONS NAMELY THE PROPERTY NEXT DOOR THIS ONE AND THEN ALSO A LITTLE BIT MORE SERIOUSLY ABOUT PAYING. WE'VE DEBATED THAT FOR FOUR YEARS AND NO NEED TO GET BACK INTO THAT. BUT GENERALLY I AM AGAINST CONDEMNATION.

I DON'T LIKE IT. I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA. I DON'T I DON'T THINK IT SENDS THE RIGHT MESSAGE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. AND I THINK THAT THIS PROPERTY'S GOING TO BE WILDLY EXPENSIVE. SO FOR THOSE REASONS I AM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THIS OKATIE. THE OTHER COMMENTS, MR. LAWSON, IS THAT I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS. I THINK THAT WE NEED TO SECURE OVER AND PERMANENTLY STATE WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING A LOCATION ON THE MAINLAND AND THAT THE VERY LOCATION ON THE FOSTERS.

WE HAVE BATTLED THIS FOR YEARS AND COUNCILS BEFORE US HAVE BATTLED THIS BUT I THINK THIS IS THE ONE STEP WE COULD WE COULD GO ON AND ON AND CONTINUE TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND LOOK FOR MORE LOCATIONS. THIS LOOKS HAS COME UP FROM STAFF AS BEING A LOCATION THAT NEEDS AND CHECKS MANY OF THE BOXES THAT WE NEED MAYBE NOT ALL THE BOXES BUT ENOUGH THAT THIS IS THE PLACE WE NEED TO GO. WE HAVE THAT LOCATION TO HAVE A PERMANENT FERRY WHICH I AND I'VE SAID THIS LONG AS ONCE WE HAVE A PERMANENT LOCATION ON BOTH SIDES I THINK WE'D SEE OUR FERRY COSTS GO DOWN. WE NEED TO GET OUT OF FERRY BUSINESS. JUST HAVE LOCATIONS THAT YOU COULD GO TO THAT WOULD BE THE IDEAL SITUATION THAT THE FERRY THEN EVENTUALLY BECOMES SELF-SUFFICIENT.

BUT AGAIN THIS IS A FIRST STEP IN A LONG MARATHON. AND AGAIN I'M SUPPORTING THIS TO MOVE FORWARD TO HAVE THOSE NECESSARY AND NEEDED LOCATIONS. ANY OTHER COMMENTS MR. RODMAN? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. BIFURCATION. SECONDLY, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO FIX IT FOR THE RESIDENTS ON FALSE KEY. AND THIRDLY, I THINK IT OPENS UP A REASONABLE PROBABILITY WILL PROBABLY OCCUR WHICH IS WE WILL END UP WITH SOME KIND OF A FERRY SYSTEM BRINGING TRANSPORTATION WITH GEORGIA THROUGH SAVANNAH WHICH WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR US WHICH WE COULDN'T DO IF WE DON'T HAVE THE LOCATION ON THE ISLAND. SO I'M STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF THIS.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? BRIEFLY, SIMON, BRIEFLY SAY THAT I DO OPPOSE THIS BUT I WILL SAY THE MAJORITY MY COMMENTS FROM OUR ROSE. I THINK THEY GO HAND-IN-HAND AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE FOR ONE BUT NOT FOR THE OTHER.

IT'S STILL THE SAME SITUATION. ONE PERSON IS A PROPERTY OWNER. THE OTHER PERSON IS A PROPERTY OWNER. IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO READ A ROOM AND YOU SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN SUPPORT OF THE CONDEMNATION OF THIS PROPERTY. BUT I'M GOING TO COME OUT AGAINST A CONDEMNATION OF ANOTHER PROPERTY FOR THE EXACT SAME PURPOSE.

FINAL COMMENTS. WE WILL CALL THE ROLL MR. MORSI WAS MCKELLEN SECOND COUNCIL MEMBER LATHAM. MARK LAWSON. YES, COUNCIL MEMBER MCKELLEN

YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM NOW FOUND COUNCIL MEMBER

[01:10:08]

COUNCIL MEMBER HERBERT ON NO COUNCIL MEMBER GLOVER YES. VISE CHAIR SOMERVILLE YES.

CHAIRMAN SUMMIT YES. THE MOTION PASSES EIGHT TO NUMBER ELEVEN A SECOND READING

[11. SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF THE REAL PROPERTY WITH TMS NO. R800 021 000 006C 0000 AND R800 021 000 006B 0000 COLLECTIVELY COMMONLY KNOWN AS MELROSE LANDING. FISCAL IMPACT: Funds from use of General Fund – Fund balance account. Funding not to exceed $800,000 plus closing costs and legal fees]

DISCUSSION. ANY DISCUSSION? MR. LAWSON YES.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT THAT WE INCREASE THE FUNDING FROM EIGHT HUNDRED TO NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. FOR THIS READING OF THE ORDINANCE, THE SECOND READING OF KIM DOOLEY MOTIONED AND SECONDED. WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION OF THE MOVE TO MAKE IT FROM EIGHT HUNDRED TO NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND.

ANY COMMENTS SEEING NO COMMENTS. DO I NEED TO CALL THE ROLL? YES, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL COUNCIL MEMBER LAWSON. MARK LAWSON? YES. COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM MADE MCGOWAN SORRY.

YEAH. YEAH. COUNCIL MEMBER FLEW ELLING YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM NO. COUNCIL MEMBER HOWARD YES. COUNCIL MEMBER RODMAN YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARBHAJAN NO. COUNCIL MEMBER GLOVER YES. VISE CHAIR SOMERVILLE YES.

CHAIRMAN PASSIM YES. MOTION PASSES EIGHT TO OKAY. IT'S BEEN AMENDED TO THAT.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ITEM BEFORE WE TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE AGAIN? MR. CUNNINGHAM THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. OTHER JUST FEW MOMENTS AGO I AM OPPOSED TO THE CONDEMNATION. I DO FIND IT KIND OF INTERESTING NOW THAT WE REALLY ARE STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE. WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT COME UP TODAY AND SAY THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR FEES GOING UP BY THEIR VENDORS BUT THAT'S NOT US. THAT'S THE NEW PROPERTY OWNER THAT CONTROLS THAT.

WE ALSO FEEL SAD THE FAIRIES EXPENSIVE BUT NOW WE'RE BEING CHARGED TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS A MONTH TO RUN THAT FERRY OUT OF THERE WHICH IS ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND A YEAR WHICH THE COUNTY IS GOING TO HAVE TO PICK UP THAT BILL AS WELL. I UNDERSTAND NEGOTIATIONS.

I UNDERSTAND DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES. IT'S TOUGH.

WITH THAT SAID, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE ONLY OPTION WE HAVE.

I DO THINK THERE'S OTHER OPTIONS. THIS PROJECT JUST ON THIS SIDE ALONE WILL I BELIEVE WILL BE OVER THREE MILLION DOLLARS JUST TO GET THE PROPERTY LOAN AND GET IT UP TO DATE IS GOING TO AT LEAST BE AROUND TWO POINT SEVEN.

AND THAT'S NOT ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE HAVE TO UPDATE. THIS IS A LENGTHY PROCESS THAT CAN GET VERY, VERY MESSY AND I DON'T THINK YOU CAN SUPPORT ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER.

IT'S HARD TO SUPPORT CONDEMNATION OF THE ONE ON THE ISLAND BUT NOT A ONE ON MELROSE. SOME PEOPLE SAY THIS COULD BE WHAT ENDS A DEAL OF MELROSE BEING PURCHASED. I DO KNOW THAT THAT I BELIEVE THAT THAT WAS THE CLOSING ON THAT WAS PUSHED BACK BEFORE WE EVER SHOWN INTEREST ON IT ONCE ,TWICE BEFORE.

SO I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH ACTUALLY GOES INTO THAT. THAT'S THE COUNTY'S FAULT.

THAT'S BETWEEN THOSE TWO PRIVATE PARTIES WHICH THEY ARE ENTITLED TO DO JUST LIKE WE'RE ENTITLED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS. I DON'T THINK COMBINATION IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO ABOUT THAT. I THINK THIS OTHER OPTIONS I WILL NOT SUPPORT THIS.

JUST LIKE I WILL NOT SUPPORT THE OTHER ONE. I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THE BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR THE FUSCA AND ALL OUR TAXPAYERS. WE'RE LOOKING ABOUT AN EIGHT TO 10 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT TO GET THIS DONE NO MATTER HOW WE GO ABOUT IT. SO EIGHT TO 10 MILLION DOLLARS PLUS BEING TIED UP IN COURT FOR A WHILE AND TWO DIFFERENT PIECES OF PROPERTY DOES NOT

[01:15:02]

I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT FOR ROBERT BLOCKS IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER HIS GOAL.

I'M GOING TO MAKE THEM NOTING THAT WE DELAY THE FINAL READING FOR ONE MONTH IN THAT NEW FORM OF COMMITTEE START TO EVALUATE ALL THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE IN GREATER DETAIL AND MEET WITH THE DEVELOPER IN ERNIE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE WE ARE CROSSING EVERY T AND DOTTING EVERY TIE BEFORE WE VOTE TO CONDEMN THIS PROPERTY BECAUSE I WOULD RATHER HAVE AN AMICABLE SETTLEMENT WITH A BUSINESS PARTNER AS OPPOSED TO A DEFENDED LOSS BY THE COUNTY.

>> SO MY MOTION IS TO DELAY FOR FOUR MONTHS TO PROCEED WITH NEGOTIATIONS INSTEAD TO

PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY. >> I'LL SET OKAY. MR FOOTBALLING MADE THE MOTION AND MR CUNNINGHAM MADE THE SECOND. MY QUESTION IS THIS.

THIS IS THE SECOND READING THEREFORE I THINK THIS IS PREMATURE BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT EVEN PUT THE THIRD READING WHICH WON'T BE UNTIL NEXT MONTH AND THEN IF YOU WISH TO DELAY IT BECAUSE WE'RE IN NEGOTIATIONS THAT WOULD BE THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

BUT I THINK THAT HEARING THE MOTION VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TODAY PUTS IN A FAVORABLE LIGHT WITH ANY POTENTIAL PURCHASER OF MELROSE AND IT MAKES MAKES IT SEEM MAKES IT OUR WILLINGNESS TO DISCUSS THIS VERY APPARENT AND VERY TO THE PUBLIC AND

EVERYBODY ELSE INVOLVED AND IT WILL LAY A LOT OF PUBLIC FEAR. >> I THINK THIS IS THE

APPROPRIATE TIME TO DELAY SECOND READING. >> OH, NOW YOU'RE CHANGING IT.

>> THIS IS WE ARE SECOND READING. WE'RE DELAYING SECOND READING.

NO, I THOUGHT YOU SAID DELAY. THIRD READING. YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT WAS THE MOTION THAT YOU MADE WAS TO DELAY DELAY LAY THIS MOTION FOR A 30 DAY DELAY THIS BOZO YOU WANT TO DELAY THE SECOND READING WHICH WE ARE IN FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS IN FACT.

OK, OVERALL I'M SORRY. YEAH. WE NEED TO WITHDRAW THE EXISTING MOTION AND SECOND YOU WITHDRAW THE MOTION. DO YOU WITHDRAW THE SECOND OK.

ALL RIGHT. NOW THAT DELAY SECOND READING FOR UNTIL THE MEETING IN THE

MIDDLE SEPTEMBER 11, SEPTEMBER 12TH, SEPTEMBER 12TH. >> AND I WILL SECOND THAT.

OK, MOTION AND SECOND ON THE FLOOR TO DELAY THE SECOND READING TO SEPTEMBER 12TH.

ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT? MR. RUDMAN BRIAN, YOU MEAN YOU BEAT ME TO IT?

>> BUT I THINK IT'S A GOOD MOTION TO BE IN ANY INTEREST, RIGHT? I KIND OF THINK WE ARE. I DON'T SEE ANY DOWNSIDE TO IT. I DO SEE QUITE A BIT OF UPSIDE TO IT AS IT'S PROPOSED IN. SECOND WOULD BE THE TIME TO DO IT BECAUSE WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE AT THIRD. WE'D HAVE TO COME BACK TO SECOND ANYWAY.

BUT MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE WE ARE IS BETWEEN THE PARTIES THAT THERE'S GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THE COUNTY WOULD ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY BUT THE WHAT'S WHAT'S BEING NEGOTIATED IS THE ACCESS BY MELROSE AND THE PURCHASE PRICE. SO I THINK TAKING A COUPLE EXTRA WEEKS WILL NOT HARM ANYTHING AND IT HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING MORE ON THE SAME PAGE IN A LONG TERM PARTNERSHIP. SO I'M IN FAVOR OF IT.

OKAY. MR. FOLLOWING YOUR HAND IS STILL UP IS YOU WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER COMMENT? OH NO YOU DON'T. OKAY.

MR. LOTS. YES. SO THE IS YOU'RE ASKING FOR A 30 DAY EXTENSION OF THAT PUT US BEFORE OR AFTER NEXT COUNCIL MEETING SO WOULD IT BE IN 30 DAYS? NO. HE'S ASKING FOR THE THE AMENDMENT TO DELAY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 12TH. SO THAT THE SECOND READING WOULD BE ON SEPTEMBER THE 12TH FOLLOWED BY A THIRD READING WHICH WOULD BE EITHER TO

[01:20:07]

I THOUGHT I HEARD THE 30 DAY DELAY SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE COUNCIL WAS CLEAR THAT ALL WE'RE DOING IS GIVEN SECOND READING TO A MOTION TO APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS.

RIGHT. AGAIN, WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME SECOND AND THIRD READING TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS. YOU ALL HAVE ALREADY VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO PROCEED CONDEMNATION WHENEVER THAT POINT ARRIVES.

IF IT DOES ARRIVE SO WHILE WE'RE DOING TONIGHT IS APPROPRIATING THE MONEY TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR FOR THE RECORD AND CLEAR FOR COUNSEL EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT BY BY MAKING IT ALSO CLEAR THAT PART OF THAT MOTION WAS THAT YOU FORM A COMMITTEE TO MEET NEGOTIATE WITH THE OWNER AND HIS COUNSEL

. >> I DIDN'T HEAR THAT ONE. YEAH, THAT'S PART OF THE MOTION. IT WAS PART OF THE MOTION OF PART SALES ORIGINAL PART OF THAT WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL MOTION. OK.

BUT WE WERE THROUGH THAT. OK. ALL RIGHT.

SO IF I UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE WE WOULD DELAY THE SECOND READING UNTIL SEPTEMBER 12TH.

THEREFORE THE FIRST AMENDMENT THAT PASSED TO RAISE NINE 900000 IS NEGATED BECAUSE WE ARE DELAYING THIS SECOND READING WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE PASSED.

THEREFORE WE'RE BACK TO THE EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND THAT WE ORIGINALLY HAD.

IS THAT NOT CORRECT? AHEAD BEFORE YOU ARE YOU ARE HAVE ALREADY APPROVED THE AMENDMENT IF YOU DON'T VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED THEN THAT NON HEARD.

THOUSAND DOLLARS CARRIAGE FORWARD TO THE NEXT AGENDA BUT DELAYING THIS SECOND READING NEGATES WHAT WE APPROVED AS THE AMENDMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL ITEM.

>> THAT'S. RIGHT. BECAUSE WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT THAT SAYS WE WANT TO DELAY THE SECOND READING. WE HAVE ALREADY APPROVED AN AMENDMENT THAT SAYS WE WANT TO RAISE THE PRICE TO NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND.

SO PARTIES THAT PASSED BUT THIS ONE IS NOW GOING TO SAY WE'RE NOT TAKING A VOTE ON THE SECOND READING PUBLIC GARRISON OR. YEAH, THE MOTIONS HAVE BEEN AMENDED TO NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND WHENEVER CHORALE VOTE ON THAT. RIGHT.

WHETHER IT'S IN THIS MEETING OR IN A FUTURE. BUT WE DID NOT TAKE A VOTE ON THE ITEM. YOU'VE DONE MORE RIGHT NOW. IS FORWARD.

KNOW WE'RE JUST DELAYING THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR. WE'RE STILL LEADING NOT DELAYING THOSE KIDS. THAT WAS THE ONE THAT CAME FROM THE PREVIOUS MUSIC.

THIS IS THE ONE THAT MOVES FORWARD IS THE ONE THAT WE JUST APPROVED, OK?

>> IT'S TO A MANDATE. AGAIN, OUT I'M GOING TO STRETCH TO SHOW THAT I AND I NEED YOUR WORD ON THIS THAT YOU WILL APPOINT A COMMITTEE IF IT'S NOT PART OF THE MOTION, I'LL I'LL

CHANGE MOTION AGAIN. NO, THAT'S FINE. >> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A

COMMITTEE TO MEET WITH THE DEVELOPER AND ITS ATTORNEY. >> WE CERTAINLY WANT TO BE AMICABLE IN THIS. I JUST WANT TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

MR. SOMERVILLE, THANK. RIGHT. I THINK I AGREE WITH YOU THAT THE EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND CARRIES FORWARD BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T VOTED ON THE MAIN MOTION. BUT MY CONCERN IS THIS QUOTE UNQUOTE COMMITTEE THAT WE'VE BEEN REPLACING OUR PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATORS WITH SOMEBODY ELSE WHO MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. I'M NOT COMFORTABLE FORMING A COMMITTEE AT ALL.

I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST IT ON THAT BASIS ALONE. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS AND UNDERSTAND ISSUES AND HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO AN EXCELLENT JOB. AND I THINK THROWING PEOPLE IN

THERE AT THE LAST MINUTE IS A MISTAKE. >> I WILL VOTE AGAINST THE MR.

GREENWAY. >> I WAS JUST POINT OUT TO YOU ALL REGARDING THE COMMITTEE THAT YOU KNOW, YOU ALL HAVE A HISTORY OF PUTTING TOGETHER COMMITTEES TO NEGOTIATE THINGS

LIKE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. >> I'VE I WOULD VENTURE TO GUESS THAT THE REASON THE INDIVIDUAL WHO SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR HIM AND HE AND I WORKED ON A COUPLE OF SITUATIONS THAT WE HAVE RESOLVED SUCCESSFULLY IS SO THAT HE CAN TURN THIS INTO A POLITICAL ISSUE WITH HAVING MEMBERS OF COUNTY COUNCIL SERVE

[01:25:05]

BUT I TOO WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND GET A COUNCIL COMMITTEE TO CARRY OUT THESE NEGOTIATIONS THAT NEVER WORKS OUT WELL FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY WHENEVER COUNCIL GETS INVOLVED IN NEGOTIATING THESE AGREEMENTS. ANY OTHER FINAL COMMENTS BEFORE WE TAKE ACTION? MR. MAYOR, I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST IT NOW AFTER I UNDERSTAND THE AGAIN, I HAVE NO PROBLEM. WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM AND UNDERMINE STANDING WITH WITH OUR STAFF. AT THIS POINT THIS IS FOR FUNDING. WE CAN CONTINUE TO NEGOTIATE. AND IF IF WE NEED TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE AT THE NEXT MEETING THAT DOESN'T PUT US ANY DIFFERENT PLACE THAN WE ARE RIGHT NOW ASKING FOR A DELAY. SO I WANT TO VOTE AGAINST IT TO GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE. MR. BHUSHAN. THANK YOU.

I THINK. POINT WELL TAKEN ABOUT THE COUNCIL ON HAVING THE BEST TRACK RECORD NEGOTIATING AGREEMENTS. THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT.

THAT SAID MR. ROBINSON, SOMETHING INTERESTING WHICH WAS UPSIDE NO DOWNSIDE WITH THE DELAY. I THINK IT SENDS A GOOD MESSAGE .

I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE MAKER OF THE MOTION WOULD AMEND HIS MOTION SO AS TO REMOVE THE COMMITTEE BUT KEEP THE DELAY. I WOULD SUPPORT THAT AS WELL.

MR. WILEY THAT'S ACTUALLY THE SAME POINT I WAS GOING TO MAKE. I THINK BRITNEY'S DONE A GOOD JOB OF HARD NEGOTIATIONS AND I'D LIKE TO SEE IT THROUGH. OK, YEAH I'LL GO AHEAD WITHDRAW THAT PORTION OF IT. I THINK YOU KNOW WE ALL IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION HAD VALUABLE QUESTIONS AND SOME THERE SOME INFORMATION WE NEED THAT WE AREN'T GETTING AT THIS POINT.

>> AND I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS A SIT DOWN FACE TO FACE A COUPLE OF MEMBERS OF COUNTY COUNCIL AND BRITNEY AND THE ADMINISTRATOR IN ATTENDANCE WOULD PROVIDE THE ANSWERS THAT WE NEED AND HAVE A BETTER BASIS FOR DISCUSSION OF THE REASONS FOR THE VARIOUS ISSUES THAT WE'VE HAD. SO BUT I'M WILLING WITHDRAW JOHN, I'M SURE THAT MISS WARD IS FULLY CAPABLE OF REPRESENTING THIS COUNTY. SHE'S DONE IT ADMIRABLY TIME AND I'M AGAIN NOW I'M WILLING TO DO THAT AND I'M SURE THAT IF WE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS SHE WILL PROVIDE AND SHE WILL GET THAT INFORMATION FOR US.

SO I WITHDRAW THAT SECTION THE MOTION SIR AND I WILL SECOND. ALL RIGHT.

SO WE'RE BACK TO THE JUST DELAYING THIS TILL SEPTEMBER 12TH.

OK. OK. SO BEFORE WE TAKE THE FORMAL VOTE I STILL MAINTAIN WHEN UNDER ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER WHEN YOU HAVE A MAIN MOTION ON THE FLOOR WHICH WE DID AND YOU AMEND IT. OK.

YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED SO YOU TAKE A VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT AND THEN YOU GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION. WE NOW HAVE AN AMENDMENT THAT SAYS DELAY THE SECOND READING.

SO IF WE GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION, OK, THAT SAYS THE NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IS PART OF THE MAIN MOTION JAMBOREE WHERE WE'RE JUST DELAYING EVERYTHING TILL SEPTEMBER 12TH SO THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT. YEAH IF I COULD HAVE A REFERENCE TO THAT BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING AND IF NECESSARY WE'LL DO THAT.

IF THE NEXT MEETING BUT THAT WOULD SET US BACK TO SECOND SECOND READING SIR.

>> I THINK SO IF YOU WOULD PLEASE CLARIFY AND GIVE US. GIVE ME A CITATION.

I'D BE HAPPY TO LOOK IT UP BUT I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT WE'RE CORRECT EMOTION AS AMENDED IS WHAT I AM ASKING TO BE DELAYED CORRECT. THE MOTION THAT WAS PRESENTED BUT THE MOTION AS AMENDED BRIGHT WOULD BE PRESENTED ACROSS THE NEXT COUNCIL

MEETING. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT. OK.

IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THAT I'D LIKE A CITATION. >> NO NO I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THAT. BRIAN I'M SAYING THAT THE WAY YOU ARE ASKING NOW IS THE AMENDMENT FOR THE NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IS BEING AMENDED AGAIN TO SAY WE WANT TO DELAY THE SECOND HEARING, OK, WHICH WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW. THEREFORE IF THAT PAST IS AS AMENDED IT IS MY OPINION THAT WE HAVE LITERALLY SUPERSEDED THE NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND

[01:30:05]

AND CHAIRMAN JEREMY, WHERE DID WE OR DID YOU NOT VOTE ON THE NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS

WE DID AND THAT PASSED. >> WE DID AND THAT PASSED BUT WE.

>> BUT BUT WE DID NOT VOTE ON THE NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND IN THE ORIGINAL MOTION AS AMENDED.

YOU THEN CAME UP WITH A SECOND AMENDMENT THAT SAID WE WANT TO DELAY THE SECOND HEARING FOR A MONTH WHICH MEANS TO ME AND COUNSEL CAN OVERRULE ME BUT IT MEANS TO ME THAT ONCE WE TAKE A VOTE AND HAVE THIS PASS I'M GOING TO CALL FOR THE MOTION AS AMENDED TO DELAY THE SECOND HEARING AS IF THE NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOESN'T EXIST LATELY LOST HERE.

>> AND I NEED SOMEBODY ELSE TAKES. I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU

THINK MR. SOMERVILLE. >> YEAH. THANK YOU, KAREN.

>> YOU'RE ACTUALLY CORRECT. MY HUMBLE OPINION BECAUSE THE AMENDMENT TO CHANGE IT TO NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS WAS PART OF IT BECAME PART THE MAIN MOTION WHICH IS NOW BEING

EXTENDED OR OPPOSED AROUND UNTIL SEPTEMBER. >> YOU A THOUSAND DOLLARS NEVER WAS PASSED. WE'RE STILL AT EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS 900 AND WE'RE

LOOKING TO AMEND WAS IT WAS. >> YEAH. YEAH.

THAT MOTION WAS PASSED AND I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU. >> NOT THE MAIN MOTION BUT THAT MOTION WHERE WE'RE DELAYING THE VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION WHICH IS I THINK YOUR PANEL I THINK.

YEAH I THINK IT'S I THINK IT'S IRRELEVANT IF YOU ALL VOTE TO AMEND TO EXTINCTION AND DEFER ACTION ON THE VOTE. WE WILL HAVE A SOUND LEGAL ACTION FOR YOU ALL TO TAKE UP.

IT'S EITHER AMENDED NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND OR SO NOT BY THE DEFERRAL AT WHICH TIME WE CAN THEN AT THE NEXT MEETING MAKE A MOTION TO PUT ME ON BY NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE COURSE OF ACTION ONCE WE HAVE A CHANCE TO READ EVALUATE ROBERT.

SO I WOULD PROCEED ON WITH A VOTE ON THE DEFERRAL. YEP THAT NOT TO BELABOR IT TOO MUCH BUT I DO BELIEVE THE NINE HUNDRED IS APPROVED BUT AN ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE FOR THE MAKER BRYAN TO ACTUALLY GO BACK AND INCLUDE GOING FROM THE 800 TO 900 IN HIS MOTION AND THAT WE COULD PASS IT THEN IT BECOMES DON'T. NO I CAN'T.

WHAT MATTERS IS WE DON'T REALLY HADN'T DONE ALL ROUND ACCORDING TO JOE IF WE DON'T PASS.

NO NO NO I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS DONE. WE'RE WE'RE UNDOING IT BECAUSE WE SAID JUST DELAYED THE ACTION FOR THE SECOND HEARING IT BECOME EIGHT TO TWO.

I THINK WE'LL GET IT PASSED AGAIN IF WE HAVE TO. AND I VOTED AGAINST PRODUCT TO SAY OKAY, I GOT TO THE NEXT RECERTIFY REGISTERED PARLIAMENTARIAN TO TELL.

RIGHT. OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON THIS. MR. FLOOR WALLING, YOU MADE THE MOTION AND MR. CUNNINGHAM MADE THE SECOND TO DELAY THE SECOND HEARING UNTIL SEPTEMBER 12. WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL COUNT AMERICA ROLLING? YES. COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER MAGELLAN NO. COUNCIL MEMBER LAWSON YES. COUNCIL MEMBER HOWARD OH NO.

COUNCIL MEMBER RODMAN YES. COUNCIL MEMBER HARBHAJAN YES. COUNCIL MEMBER GLOVER NO.

VISE CHAIR SUMMERVILLE NO. CHAIRMAN PERSIMMON. I HAVE TO SAY NO.

TELL US INFORMATION FAILS. PERSON TO POSTPONE FAILS. SO NOW WE'RE AT THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED FOR NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. OH YEAH. MR. CUNNING.

MR. CUNNINGHAM, MR. PURVIS. SHAWN IT'S OKAY. MY NAME IS.

>> I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THIS. I DON'T THINK THIS IS NECESSARILY A MOTION FOR 900000 HOURS SINCE IT'S MORE THAN THAT.

AND AGAIN, I AM AGAINST CONDEMNATION. I DON'T THINK IT SENDS THE RIGHT MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC AND THIS BIG ART CASE WHERE WE'VE GOT AN ASSET ON THE FSB WITH THE MEMBERS RESORT THAT IS IN VERY DESPERATE NEED OF GETTING REDEVELOPED.

I THINK THAT WE'RE PUTTING THAT IN JEOPARDY. I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD

[01:35:03]

RIGHT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A WEEK UNTIL TILL SEPTEMBER 12TH TO FIND OUT HOW FAR WE CAN GET.

WE CAN'T. I THINK WE DO NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR THE COMMENTS. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL COUNCIL MEMBER LAWSON MARK LAWSON. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER MAGELLAN YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER FLEW ELLING YOU KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM NOW COUNCIL MEMBER HOWARD YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER RODMAN YES. COUNCIL MEMBER HARBHAJAN NO. COUNCIL MEMBER GLOVER YES.

VISE CHAIR SOMERVILLE YES. CHAIRMAN PAT SUMMITT YES. THE MOTION PASSES 7 3.

OKAY. WE ARE AT BEFORE WE GO TO THE CITIZEN COMMENTS.

IT'S VERY APROPOS TO SAY TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS THE FAMOUS YOGI BERRA LINE IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER. WE HAVE 30 DAYS AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL COME BACK AT THE THIRD

[12. CITIZEN COMMENTS]

IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO MAKE A COMMENT? YES.

PLEASE COME FORWARD. STATE YOUR NAME, MR. SMITH. ITEM CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. I COME TO YOU TO NIGHT TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THE ARTICLE I SAW ON THE PAPER. BEFORE CONSIDER USING FUNDING TO BUILD SPLASH PAD YOU KNOW IT'S BEEN GOOD. YOU KNOW IT ACTUALLY. THIS IS ALSO PART OF THE AMERICAN KIDS FUNDING THAT WE TALK ABOUT THEM. ONE OF THE LAST TIME I WAS I WAS UP HERE, YOU KNOW THIS IS ANOTHER WASTE WE'VE ALREADY HAD.

AND WHAT WATERPARK YOU KNOW AND THE SAME PLACE THEY WANT TO PUT THE WATER PIPE AT THE SAME PLACE IT WAS THAT WE PUT IT THERE BEFORE. WELL, WHAT HAPPENED TO DIDN'T LAST AND WHO IS PUTTING OUT WHAT PUT UP WATER PARKS? LAST PART OF IT.

WHO DOES THAT REALLY BENEFIT? AND HOW DOES THAT BENEFIT WEIGH IN THE BALANCE? YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF YOU TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING BEFORE THAT THE WATER PARK YOU'RE GOING TO USE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS FIRST WE HAVE BUILDINGS LIKE THIS COUNTY THAT WE'RE NOT UTILIZING THAT ARE NOT THAT KIND OF CONCEPT COULD BE INVESTED MONEY IN TO HELP EDUCATE KIDS AND HELP IN SOME OF THESE COMMUNITY CENTERS THAT WE COULD USE YEAR ROUND AND WE USE, YOU KNOW, MAKING BACK FUNDING FOR THAT AND THEN WE ACTUALLY WE'RE ASKING THE PUBLIC TO DO SURVEYS WHEN THEY CAN'T WHEN IT CAN'T. WHEN IT CAME RIBAUT CAME OUT A COUPLE MONTHS GO PUBLIC TO SAY IT WAS TRUE ABOUT ABOUT THE ABOUT ABOUT THE NEED THE PUBLIC FACILITIES AND NOW I SEE THE TENNIS COURTS COMING UP TO TENNIS COURTS UP.

I SAW A DIFFERENT CULTURE OF PEOPLE WHO WAS PUSHING THAT AND I THOUGHT IT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. THAT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. WE WENT TENNIS.

WE WERE PLAYED. WE WANT TO PLAY. WELL, WHATEVER WHATEVER BOND COULD CLOSE A BASKETBALL. WE WANT TO WE WANT TO PLAY THAT .

BUT THEN BUT THEN WE WE HAVE A DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC. I'M NOT I'M NOT GOING DRESSED UP IN THE WRONG WAY WHEN WE'RE WITHIN A CRIME RATE. WE HAVE MINORITIES AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE ASKING FOR SENTENCE FOR THE KIDS TO JUST PLAY SPORTS OR DO SOMETHING TO GET THEM OUT THE HOUSE SO THAT THEY CAN BE MORE PRODUCTIVE. AND WE WANT TO PUT UP A SPLASH PAD. ARE WE REALLY USING UTILIZING THE TAXPAYERS MONEY CORRECTLY? YOU KNOW, THIS IS A REAL SERIOUS PROBLEM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

EVERYONE IS ASKING WELL, WHAT LAST BASTION? AND THE SAD THING IS THAT WE

[01:40:01]

THEY JUST SAID OH WELL WE DID SOMETHING OVER THERE. THE COMMUNITY HAS ALREADY SPOKEN AND THEY'VE SAID WELL THEY WANT YOU HAVE DATA. WE HAVE DATA.

LOOK INTO THAT DATA UNLESS YOU THE AMERICAN KIDS AREN'T FUNDING CORRECTLY.

LET'S LISTEN. LET'S NOT ASK THE COMMUNITY THAT'S NOT DOWN WITH BRITAIN'S BATHROOM WITH THE B.S.. LET'S LET'S NOT JUST HEAR THEM AND BE RECEPTIVE TO WHAT THEY'RE SAYING AND ACTUALLY PUTTING A PLAN INTO PLACE TO CARE TO THE CITIZENS SPLASH THAT THAT'S FOR TOURISM. THAT'S THAT'S THAT'S THAT'S NOT FOR THE LOCAL PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE. TWELVE MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. THANK YOU.

YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU WENT MISSING. SENATOR DAVIS WAS UP.

YOU'RE TALKING WHEN WHEN IT WAS TIME ROUND YOU ALLOWED HIM TO CONTINUE TO TALK.

JUST JUST GIVE ME THE SAME RESPECT THAT DID YOU GET THAT YOU GIVE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS POINT BLANK PURE EVERY LIKE MY MESSAGE OR NOT AND YOU MAY HAVE LIKED THIS BUT YOU DON'T LIKE MINDS. BUT MY SENSE IS IT'S VERY TRANSPARENT.

WE SERVE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY. WE SERVE PEOPLE NOT OUR PERSONAL AGENDAS AND GROUPS HAS GOT TO STOP. ANY OTHER COMMENTS, ANY OTHER

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.