[00:00:02]
          ? GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE THIS IS A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING 
          [1. CALL TO ORDER]
OF COUNTY COUNCIL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2023 AT 11 A.M. WOULD YOU ALL RISE FOR THE OF ALLEGIANCE? I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. WILL THE CLERK TO COUNSEL PLEASE CALL ROLL COUNCIL MEMBER TYBURN I PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBER RIGGS YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER LAWSON MARK LAWSON HERE COUNCIL MEMBER HELEN COUNCIL MEMBER GLOVER YOU'RE COUNCIL MEMBER DAWSON HERE COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN HERE COUNCIL MEMBER BARTHOLOMEW VICE CHAIR MAGELLAN CHAIRMAN PERSIMMON PRESIDENT YOU HAVE A QUORUM YES COUNCILWOMAN HOWARD WILL BE HERE SHORTLY THERE AN ACCIDENT ON REBEL ROAD AND SO SHE'S TIED UP IN THAT TRAFFIC AND TWO MEMBERS OF COUNCIL MR. DAWSON MR. GLOVER ONLINE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF THIS MEETING 
          [3. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF THIS MEETING HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, POSTED, AND DISTRIBUTED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT]
HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, POSTED AND DISTRIBUTED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA FREEDOM 
          [4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
OF INFORMATION ACT. I WOULD ASK A MEMBER OF COUNCIL MOVE IN SECOND THE APPROVAL OF THIS AGENDA SO MOVE AS CHAIRMAN MR. CUNNINGHAM MADE THE MOTION MR. BURTON MADE THE SECOND DULY MOTION AND SECONDED. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? NO SEEING NO DISCUSSION. THE AGENDA WILL BE APPROVED. OBJECTION AND THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS. MISS HOWARD HAS ARRIVED. THE GRAND IN ITEM NUMBER IS A 
          [5. PUBLIC HEARING RELATED TO AN EMPLOYEE REGULATED BY COUNTY COUNCIL (ERIC GREENWAY) PURSUANT TO SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SECTION 4-9-620]
PUBLIC HEARING RELATED TO AN EMPLOYEE REGULATED COUNTY COUNCIL MR. ERIC GREENWAY PURSUANT TO THE CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SECTION FOUR, DASH 9-6 20 THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS BEING HELD IN ACCORDANCE WITH SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SECTION 4-9 620 IN RELEVANT THAT SECTION PROVIDES THAT IF THE COUNCIL DETERMINES TO REMOVE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HE SHALL BE GIVEN A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE REASONS ALLEGED FOR THE PROPOSED REMOVAL AND THE RIGHT TO A HEARING THEREON AT A PUBLIC MEETING OF COUNCIL THAT'S DONE BY STATUTE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING COUNSEL PLACES INTO THE RECORD THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS NUMBER ONE IS A DOCUMENT ON JULY 28TH 2023 COUNSEL'S NOTICE OF REMOVAL. 
          NUMBER TWO ON AUGUST 3RD, 2023 MR. GREENWAY'S REQUEST FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. 
          NUMBER ON AUGUST 14TH 2023 COUNSEL'S NOTICE OF SPECIFIC REASONS FOR TERMINATION AND OFFERED TO POSTPONE THE HEARING . NUMBER FOUR ON AUGUST 14TH 2023 PROOF OF DELIVERY OF THAT NUMBER FIVE ON AUGUST 19, 2023 MR. GREENWAY REQUEST TO POSTPONE HEARING. DATED AUGUST 19TH BUT RECEIVED VIA EMAIL BY MR. CAVANEY ON MONDAY AUGUST 21, 2023. ITEM NUMBER SIX AUGUST 21, 2023 MR. GREENWAY'S EMAIL REQUESTING POSTPONE AND ITEM NUMBER SEVEN SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2023 MR. GREENWAY DECLARATION THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOT A FORMAL FORUM TO REVIEW COUNCIL'S DECISION TO TERMINATE MR. GREENWAY'S EMPLOYMENT. COUNSEL DOES NOT HAVE A BURDEN OF PROOF AT THIS HEARING OR AN OBLIGATION TO FIND FACTS OR REACH A CONCLUSION THE CONCLUSION TO TERMINATE MR. GREENWAY WAS REACHED EARLIER COUNCILORS NO OBLIGATION TO REVIEW THAT DECISION. 
          MR. GREENWAY DOES HAVE A RIGHT TO PRESENT WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE TO SHOW THE PUBLIC HIS VERSION OF COUNCIL'S REASON FOR HIS DETERMINATION UNDER A CASE KNOWN AS DRAWING. 
          NEVERTHELESS, I WILL ASK FOR A MOTION AT THE END OF THIS HEARING. 
          THAT MOTION SHOULD ADDRESS COUNCIL'S DECISION ON MR. GREENWAY TERMINATION WITH CAUSE. THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC DURING THIS PERIOD. 
          EVERYONE IS ASKED TO REFRAIN REACTING TO COMMENTS MADE DURING THIS HEARING. 
          MR. GREENWAY IN COUNCIL'S LETTER OF AUGUST 14, 2023 WE GAVE YOU VERY SPECIFIC REASONS 
          [00:05:05]
FOR TERMINATION SO YOU COULD FASHION A RESPONSE IN A PUBLIC HEARING PURSUANT TO SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SECTION 4-96 620. WE INDICATED IN THE LETTER THAT THE SPECIFIC REASONS WILL ME BE MADE PUBLIC AT YOUR HEARING AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DUTIES UNDER THE STATUTE THE SPECIFIC FOR YOUR TERMINATION ARE AS FOLLOWS. 
          ITEM ONE THE ELEMENTAL LLC CONTRACT ON JANUARY 9TH 2023 YOU ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH ELEMENTAL LLC. THE CONTRACT SAYS IT IS QUOTE AN AGREEMENT FOR THE OPIOID PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN CLOSE QUOTE. 
          IT PROVIDES THAT THE COMPANY WILL QUOTE PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE COUNTY SUBJECT TO THE AND SUPERVISION OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, CLOSE QUOTE RATHER THAN TO A DEPARTMENT SUCH AS THE BEAUFORT COUNTY ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE DEPARTMENT OR TO ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. COUNSEL UNDERSTANDS THAT THE ELEMENTAL LLC FILED ARTICLES ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA SECRETARY OF STATE ON DECEMBER 15TH 2020 TO JUST 25 DAYS BEFORE YOU ENTERED INTO THE CONTRACT. THE COMPANY'S ORGANIZER IS LISTED AS ANGELA MESSENGER COUNCIL UNDERSTANDS THAT YOU HAD A SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH MS.. SINGER AND HER FORMER SISTER IN LAW LISA LYNCH. 
          DURING THIS TIME AND THAT THIS SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP CONTINUED AT LEAST UNTIL THE EVENING OF MAY 6TH, 2023. MS. LYNCH. MS. RELATIONSHIP TO ELEMENTAL IS NOT KNOWN TO THE COUNTY ELEMENTAL AS INVOICED ACCOUNTING FOR WORK ATTRIBUTED TO MS. LYNCH. THE ELEMENTAL WEBSITE IDENTIFIES MS. LYNCH AS A CO-FOUNDER AND PART OF A QUOTE TEAM OF EXPERIENCED CONSULTANTS CLOSE QUOTE COUNSEL HAS THE COUNTY'S PROCUREMENT FILE ON THIS CONTRACT. IT APPEARS THAT IN A PERIOD OF JUST 30 DAYS BEFORE FEBRUARY EIGHT, 2023 AND MARCH 30TH, 2023 YOU APPROVED THREE NON ITEMIZED BILLS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TOTALING $35,543.75 BASED UPON COUNSEL'S INVESTIGATION TO DATE IT APPEARS TO COUNSEL THAT YOU VIOLATED SEVERAL PROVISIONS OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY'S PURCHASING ORDINANCE ITS PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS, PROCESSES AND GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYEES AND PAYMENT WHEN AS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR YOU ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT WITH ELEMENTAL LLC AND YOU AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES INCURRED BY MS.. ANSLINGER AND MS. LYNCH. THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF CODE PROVISIONS PROCUREMENT REGULAR AND PRACTICES THAT COUNSEL CONCLUDES YOU VIOLATED IN THE MANNER IN WHICH YOU VIOLATED THEM. CODE OF ORDINANCE SECTION 2-505 STATEMENT OF POLICY SUBSECTION A REQUIRES THAT ALL THE USE OF THE CENTRALIZED PURCHASING SYSTEM SUBSECTION B SAYS THAT ALL PURCHASES SHOULD BE MADE IN A MANNER WHICH PROVIDES FOR GREATEST ECONOMY FOR THE TAXPAYER, THE FAIREST SELECTION OF THE VENDOR AND THE PREVENTION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. TOWARD THAT END IT SHALL BE THE POLICY OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL THAT WHENEVER PRACTICAL GOODS AND SERVICES REQUIRED BY THE COUNTY AGENCIES SHOULD BE THROUGH COMPETITIVE BIDDING GO TO THE ORDINANCE SECTION 2-5 42 ARCHITECT ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, LAND SURVEYING AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. 
          THIS SECTION APPLIES SPECIFICALLY TO CONTRACTS FOR PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS THE ONE WITH ELEMENTS OR SUBSECTION EIGHT PROVIDES THAT WHEN THE CONTRACT OF PURCHASE ORDER AMOUNT IS EXPECTED TO BE $25,000 OR MORE, IT'S THE POLICY COUNTY TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND TO NEGOTIATE SUCH CONTRACTS BASED UPON DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS AND A FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE. 
          THE INITIAL PURCHASE ORDER FOR ELEMENTAL CONTRACT WAS $50,000 IN ENTERING TO THE CONTRACT WITH ELEMENTAL ON JANUARY 9TH, 2023 YOU VIOLATED BOTH REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT AND NEGOTIATIONS BASED UPON COMPETENCE QUALIFICATIONS CODE OF ORDINANCES SECTION 2-518 SOLE SOURCE PROCURE. THIS SECTION CREATES AN EXCEPTION TO THE GENERAL RULE RULE THAT REQUIRES COMPETITIVE BIDDING OF CONTRACTS WITH 
          [00:10:02]
GUILFORD COUNTY. IT PROVIDES THAT A THAT A CONTRACT MAY BE AWARDED WITHOUT COMPETITION WHEN THE PURCHASING DIRECT DETERMINES IN WRITING. AFTER CONDUCTING A GOOD FAITH REVIEW OF AVAILABLE SERVICE SOURCES THAT IT IS THE ONLY SOURCE FOR THAT REQUIRED SUPPLY SERVICE OR CONSTRUCTION ITEM IT FURTHER PROVIDES THAT THE PURCHASING DIRECTOR SHALL CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS APPROPRIATE AS TO PRICE DELIVERY AND TERMS. YOU ENTERED INTO THE CONTRACT WITH ELEMENTAL ON JANUARY 2023 WITHOUT COMPLYING WITH ANY OF THESE CODE SECTIONS. THIS CONTRACT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BID OUT PURSUING PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-505 AND SECTION 2-5 42. IT WAS NOT FURTHER THERE WAS NOT AT THIS TIME YOU ENTERED INTO THE CONTRACT THE DETERMINATION BY THE PURCHASING DIRECTOR IN WRITING OR OTHERWISE AFTER CONDUCTING A GOOD FAITH REVIEW OF THE TABLE SOURCES THAT ELEMENTAL WAS THE ONLY SOURCE FOR THE REQUIRED SERVICE AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 2-518. OUR INVESTIGATION TO DATE REVEALS THAT THE PURCHASING DIRECTOR WAS NOT EVEN MADE AWARE OF THE CONTRACT UNTIL EARLY MARCH OF 2023 ALMOST 60 DAYS AFTER YOU ENTERED INTO CONTRACT AND AFTER ELEMENTALS ALLEGES THAT HAVE PERFORMED SERVICES TOTALING $20,075 IN VALUE INVOICES IN JANUARY FOR THE AMOUNT OF $9,762.50 AND FEBRUARY IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,312.50. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS CLEAR TO COUNSEL AFTER REVIEWING THE CONTRACT AND ELEMENTAL WEBSITE THAT ELEMENTAL IS NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF PROVIDING CONSULTING SERVICES, THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPIOID EDUCATION AND. THE COMPANY IDENTIFIES ITSELF QUOTE AN INDEPENDENT STRATEGIC GROWTH CONSULTING FIRM CLOSE QUOTE. THAT QUOTE HELPS GROW CLIENT BUSINESSES CLOSE QUOTE THERE IS NEVER A PROPER WRITTEN DETERMINATION UNDER SECTION 2-518 THAT ELEMENTAL QUALIFIES AS A CONTRACTOR FOR THE OPIOID PUBLIC EDUCATION AT ALL. 
          LESS AS A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACTOR FOR THESE SERVICES. YOUR ACTIONS VIOLATED THE NEGOTIATED PROVISION SECTION 2-518 AS WELL ASSUMING IT AS INDICATED ABOVE AFTER PROPERLY DETERMINING WRITING THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE SOURCE FOR THE REQUIRED SERVICE THE DIRECTOR IS THEN REQUIRED TO CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE TO ACHIEVE THE GREATEST ECONOMY OF TAXPAYER FOR TAXPAYER. BY THE TIME THE PURCHASING DIRECTOR BECAME AWARE THE CONTRACT THE COUNTY HAD ALREADY BEEN OBLIGATED TO COMPENSATE ELEMENTAL AT A RATE OF $275 PER HOUR THEREFORE THEREBY PREVENTING HIM FROM CARRYING OUT MORE STUDENTS CODE OF ORDINANCES 2-5 22 PURCHASE ORDER REQUIRED THIS PROVISION PROVIDES THAT ANY PURCHASE MADE COUNTY FUNDS SHALL BE RECORDED ON A PURCHASE ORDER BEARING THE OF EACH ITEM TO BE PURCHASED. 
          THE PURCHASE ORDER FOR THIS CONTRACT IS DATED MARCH TWO, 2023 AGAIN ALMOST TWO MONTHS AFTER THE CONTRACT WAS ENTERED INTO AND AFTER THE CONTRACTOR HAD BEEN BILLED AN UNBILLED TIME IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,075. THIS IS NOT IN KEEPING WITH COUNTY CODE IF THE COUNTY'S PROCUREMENT PROCESSES AND GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYEES THE COUNTY'S CURRENT PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS AND PROCESSES WERE ADOPTED IN JANUARY OF 2022 DURING YOUR TERM OF OFFICE. 
          SECTION TWO DASH 100.4 PROVIDES THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CELL SEARCH MAY EXECUTE ANY CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AS TO FORM BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S. THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DID NOT OR APPROVED THE CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGNED IT BUT SECTION TWO DASH 100.4 GOES EVEN FURTHER. 
          IT STATES QUOTE IT SHALL BE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S DUTY TO ENSURE THAT ALL COUNTY CONTRACTS ARE PROCURED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY PROCUREMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS AS WRITTEN BY THE PROCUREMENT DIRECTOR AND APPROVED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. AGAIN, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S DID NOT SEE THIS CONTRACT UNTIL MAY OF 2023. SECTION TWO 100.7 PROVIDES THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE MUST REVIEW AND APPROVE ALL CONTRACTS THAT EXCEED $15,000 
          [00:15:07]
AS WELL AS TO FORM. AGAIN THIS DID NOT OCCUR. SECTION TWO DASH 200.1 PROVIDES THAT ALL CONTRACTS $15,000 MUST BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY LEGAL AND PROCUREMENT BEFORE THE CONTRACT IS SIGNED BY BOTH PARTIES. NEITHER THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT NOR THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT REVIEWED OR APPROVED THE CONTRACT. 
          IT WAS SIGNED BY BOTH PARTIES ON JANUARY 2023. COMPENSATION TO INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO ATTEND PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES COUNCIL HAS LEARNED THAT AT YOUR INSTRUCTION BEAUFORT COUNTY PAID ANGELA HANSON JUROR AND LISA LYNCH THE LATTER PRIOR TO COMMENCE COMMENCEMENT OF HER EMPLOYMENT. THE COUNTY TO ATTEND PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE IN ATLANTA AFTER BEING TOLD THE COUNTY DOES NOT PAY FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO ATTEND SUCH CONFERENCES. THE COUNTY PAID REGISTRATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,750 AIRLINE TICKETS AND BAGGAGE CLAIMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,010.59 AND HOTEL EXPENSES IN THE AMOUNT OF $782. THE COUNTY ALSO PAID MS. PASSENGER AND MS. LYNCH A FLAT FEE FOR OUR EX SUMMIT TIME OF $3,000 AS IT APPEARS ON AN INVOICE FOR THE MONTH APRIL. COUNCIL HAS REVIEWED TEXT MESSAGES BETWEEN YOU AND ANGELA HANSON GERMINATION LYNCH BASED THESE MISSED MESSAGES NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF ORDNANCE PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS AND ITS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU VIOLATED THEM AND YOUR DEPARTURE ESTABLISHED PRACTICE COUNCIL HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE VIOLATION AS ARE SET FORTH ABOVE WERE NOT MERELY MERELY ACCIDENTAL THEY WERE INTENTIONAL AND THEY CONSTITUTE A BREACH OF YOUR CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT WITH BEAUFORT COUNTY. THE ORDINANCES YOU VIOLATED ARE LAWFUL DIRECTIVES OF THE COUNTY PAST AN OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS OF COUNTY WHICH DO NOT REFLECT OR INVADE THE RESPONSE ABILITIES AND AUTHORITY CONFERRED ON YOU BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION CODE OF LAWS. AS SUCH YOUR ACTIONS CONSTITUTE CAUSE UNDER YOUR CONTRACT NUMBER LISA LYNCH EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 2023 YOU SUBMITTED JOB DESCRIPTION TO THE BEAUFORT COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT FOR A POSITION ENTITLED WELLNESS DIRECTOR ON APRIL SIX, 2023. YOU EXECUTED EXECUTED AN EMPLOYMENT OFFER LETTER TO MISS LISA LYNCH FOR POSITION OF WELLNESS DIRECTOR. ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT CLEAR WHETHER YOU FULLY COMPLIED WITH THE BEAUFORT COUNTY HIRING PROCESS FROM A TECHNICAL PERSPECTIVE IT IS CLEAR THAT YOU DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE HIRING PROCESS. 
          IT APPEARS THE COUNCIL LARGELY VERIFIED THROUGH YOUR OWN TEXT MESSAGES THAT YOU INTENTIONALLY CREATED POSITION FOR MISS LYNCH STRUCTURED IT FOR REPORTING PURPOSES IN A WAY THAT SHELTERED HER FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF PRODUCTIVITY AND THEN HIRED HER A WOMAN WITH WHOM YOU HAD A PROLONGED PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP. SPECIFICALLY YOU PROVIDED MS. LYNCH WITH A SIX FIGURE SALARY AT YOUR DIRECTION AND CONTRACT . 
          CONTRARY TO THE WAY THE POSITION WAS ORIGINALLY STRUCTURED SHE WAS MADE TO REPORT DIRECTLY TO YOU. IT IS COUNSEL'S UNDERSTANDING THAT STAFF ULTIMATELY DETERMINED THIS POSITION SHOULD HAVE BEEN OVERSEEN BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. 
          AFTER A FALLING OUT WITH MS. LYNCH SEVERAL DAYS AFTER SHE STARTED WORK YOU TEXTED HER ON SATURDAY NIGHT STATING THAT SHE WAS NOW JUST AN EMPLOYEE OF BEAUFORT COUNTY IMPLYING THAT THE PRIOR THE FALLING OUT YOU CONSIDERED HER TO BE SOMETHING MORE THAN THAT SOMETHING SUPERIOR TO OR IMPORTANT THEN OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES SOMEONE WHO WAS ENTITLED TO CONSIDERATIONS THAT OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES WERE NOT ENTITLED TO RECEIVE. 
          ADDITIONALLY AND AS TROUBLING WE HAVE LEARNED THAT WHEN THIS POSITION WAS CREATED THERE WAS NOT A BUDGET FOR IT IN. THE PROPER PROCESS FOR CREATING A BUDGET FOR NEW PERSONNEL, AN ADMINISTRATOR WAS NOT PROPERLY FOLLOWED. WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT YOUR ACTIONS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF YOUR DESIRE TO PROVIDE COMFORT SECURITY FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL REGARDLESS OF HER QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OR THE VALUE THE TAXPAYERS WOULD DERIVE AS A RESULT OF THE HER EMPLOYMENT ALL AT THE EXPENSE OF THE COUNTY. 
          THOSE ARE THE REASONS FOR MR. GREENWAY'S. WE WILL NOW HAVE MR. GREENWAY MAKE ANY PRISON CHANGES HE SO DESIRES OR SOMEONE IN HIS STEAD . 
          PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. 
          [00:20:01]
MY NAME IS PAUL PORTER AND I REPRESENT ERIC GREENWAY. THANK YOU ALL FOR HOLDING THIS NAME CLEARING PUBLIC HEARING ACCORDING TO THE STATUTE. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ON THIS, MR. GREENWAY IS A LONG TENURED PUBLIC SERVANT AND. 
          I AM HOPEFUL THAT WITH TIME AND THE COMPLETION OF THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT IN RETROSPECT THERE WAS NOT CALLS FOR HIS TERMINATION. ERIC GREENWAY SERVED COUNTY SINCE JANUARY 2018. MR. GREENWAY FOR OTHER COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE LION'S OF HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER BEGINNING AS A ZONING ASSISTANT 1993 NORTH COUNTY. 
          EVERY ACTION MR. GREENWAY TOOK WAS WITHIN HIS JUDGMENT IN FURTHERANCE BEST INTERESTS. 
          THIS COUNTY'S HIS BACKGROUND AND HIS BACKGROUND UNTIL PROBLEMS THAT WE CONFRONT TODAY WAS WITHOUT REPROACH IN THIS BRIEF PRESENTATION I WILL NOT MAKE LEGAL ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT COUNCIL THE LEGAL RIGHT TO TERMINATE MR. GREENWAY'S CONTRACT THE WAY IT DID OR WHETHER THE STATUTE WAS FOLLOWED TO OBTAIN. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT MR. GREENWAY DOES NOT RETAIN ARGUMENTS BUT THIS HEARING IS NEITHER THE TIME NOR THE FOR THAT. INSTEAD MY ROLE AS HIS REPRESENTATIVE BRIEFLY TELL HIS STORY IN RESPONSE TO THE GROUNDS YOU HAVE STATED. MR. GREENWAY HAS ADDITIONALLY PROVIDED YOU ALL WITH A DECLARATION. YOU ALL HAVE ENTERED INTO THE RECORD I BELIEVE AND SEVEN. THAT DECLARATION IS CONCISE. MY DESIRE TO PROTECT HIS INTERESTS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ADDRESSING THE CAUSE CITED IU FOR HIS TERMINATION AND THE UNDERLYING WRONGDOING ATTRIBUTED TO HIM. BRIEFLY I WOULD LIKE TO RECOUNT HOW WE GOT. MR. GREENWAY WAS PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE BY THIS COUNCIL BY 24TH 2023 TO ALLOW FOR AN INVESTIGATION BY A THIRD PARTY FIRM. 
          THE PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT SPANNING FROM 2019 TO 23 THE NEXT DAY. 
          THIS LAND WAS SEPARATED FROM THE COUNTY'S EMPLOYMENT MADE ALLEGATIONS BOTH MR. GREENWAY COUNT. THOSE ALLEGATIONS RESULTED IN UNFLATTERING MEDIA COVERAGE. 
          BOTH GREENWAY DOWNING IN ON JULY 28TH. PRESUMABLY BEFORE THAT THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATION WAS COMPLETE AS COUNCIL MOVED TO TERMINATE MR. FRANKLIN ON AUGUST 14TH, 2023. HE WAS GIVEN A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS FOR HIS TERMINATION ITS CHAIRMAN ASSIGNMENT AS I'VE WRITTEN READ THE RECORD THIS MORNING. 
          PRIMARY DISCUSSION MISS LYNCH IS ON THE FINAL PAGE THAT FIVE PAGE STATEMENT OF THE GROUNDS AND DISCUSSION HAS TO DO WITH THE WAY SHE WAS HIRED REGARDLESS OF THE ISSUES SURROUNDING MS.. LYNCH WITHIN THE THIS LETTER OF THE GROUNDS. 
          THESE ARE NOT STATED TO BE THE SPECIFIC CALLS UNDER THE CONTRACT FOR MS. EIS TERMINATION AS OUR REGIONAL MEMORANDUM. INSTEAD THE PROCUREMENT ISSUES AND PAGES WENT THROUGH CONCERNING THIS CONTRACT FOR OPIOID EDUCATION. 
          HOW FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWFUL DIRECTIVES OF THIS COUNCIL THOSE LAWFUL DIRECTIVES REFERRED TO ARE SAID TO BE VARIOUS PROCUREMENT ORDINANCES FOR THE COUNTY. 
          I WILL FOCUS ON THESE SIDE AT ISSUE SINCE THIS IS THE SPECIFIC CONTRACTUAL CALLS STATED IN YOUR MEMORANDUM. THERE ARE SEVERAL INDISPUTABLE REALITIES WHEN WE DISCUSS PROCUREMENT THAT SHOULD BE MUTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGED BETWEEN BOTH MR. GREENWAY THE COUNCIL. 
          FIRST, MR. GREENWAY DID NOT ASK FOR THE ROLE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AT FIRST HE RESISTED IT. YOU ASKED HIM TO SERVE VERSUS ACTING INTERIM AND THEN FULL TIME. HE DID NOT CLAIM HAVE KNOWLEDGE AND FINANCE. 
          QUITE THE OPPOSITE. HE SPECIFICALLY TOLD YOU HE DID NOT HAVE KNOWLEDGE IN THOSE AREAS. HE DID A GOOD JOB BY ALL ACCOUNTS UNTIL THESE ISSUES INCLUDING YOUR OWN ACCOUNTS IN HIS EVALUATION COUNCIL STATED THAT HE WAS QUOTE AN 
          [00:25:05]
OUTSTANDING LEADER WHO HAS CHANGED THE WAY EMPLOYEES ARE PERCEIVED BY THE PUBLIC EVALUATION CONTINUES. WELL THERE IS NOTHING TO ADD WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER. 
          THE COUNTY IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. STAY THE COURSE. 
          UNDER ERIC'S LEADERSHIP THE COUNTY HAS STEADILY IMPROVED AND AN OPINION EDITORIAL ON NOVEMBER 17, 2022 COUNCIL CHAIRMAN PARSIMONY GENUINELY IN GOOD FAITH WROTE AN TITLED STABILITY BRINGS HIGHER EXPECTATIONS BEFORE COUNTING YOUR EMBARRASSMENT YOU WROTE. 
          COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ERIC GREENWAY WILL CONTINUE TO GUIDE OUR STAFF AFTER A FEW YEARS OF INSTABILITY, THE COUNTY COUNCIL HAS FOUND THE RIGHT FOR THE JOB. 
          ERIC HAS MENTORED THE COUNTY STAFF TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVE VOTING AND PROVIDE INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. PASSIM CONTINUED HIS LEADERSHIP HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER THE STAFF RAISE MORALE AND MADE COUNTY AUTONOMOUS. MR. GREENWAY'S WORK WAS NOT ONLY JUSTIFIABLY PRAISED YOU ALL BUT ALSO BY THE PUBLIC AT LARGE FOR MAKING A DISCERNIBLE IMPACT IN BETTERING THE LIVES OF WORKING CLASS CITIZENS THIS COUNTY. 
          AS DESCRIBED BY THE JANUARY 26, 2023 POST AND COURIER ARTICLE TITLED BEAUFORT AND JASPER COUNTY'S MUNICIPALITIES GET SERIOUS ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. 
          THAT ARTICLE WAS ABOUT ERIC'S WORK TO SPEARHEAD THE CREATION OF A $3.4 BILLION TRUST FUND TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING IN THIS REGION. NOW I DO NOT PRETEND THAT MR. GREENWAY IS PERFECT OR THAT HE HAS NOT MADE MISTAKES BUT I DO SUGGEST THAT ON BALANCE HE MET THE EXPECTATIONS OF HIS JOB AND I RESPECTFULLY CONTEND THE DECISION TO TERMINATE MR. GREENWAY WAS HASTY AND REACTIVE AND THAT IT OUGHT TO BE RECONSIDERED AND REVERSED ON ISSUES OF PROCUREMENT AND HIRING. MR. GREENWAY RELIED ON EXPERTS HIRED TO SUPPORT ROLES. THIS INCLUDES THE DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR A CPA RECRUITED SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE MR. GREENWAY ACKNOWLEDGED HE HAD A BLIND SPOT IN PUBLIC FINANCE. THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE COUNTY'S FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT OFFICE AND HUMAN RESOURCES WITH RESPECT TO THE HIRE OF MS.. THE PRINCIPAL CONCERN YOU ALL HAVE ADDRESSED IS THE HIRE ELEMENTS OF LLC TO OVERSEE OPIOID PUBLIC EDUCATION EARLY ON IN THE MEMORANDUM YOU CITE THE APPROVAL FOR $35,543.75 AND BILLS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO THAT CAMP. DO THAT COMPANY MR. GREENWAY HAVE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD USE ITS OPIOID SETTLEMENT AGGRESSIVELY TO ADDRESS THE ACTUAL VICTIMS OF OPIOID ADDICTION IN CREATIVE WAYS? RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, HE WAS WELL-INTENDED IN WANTING TO BRING A FRESH PERSPECTIVE TO BEAR IN THAT FIGHT IN REVIEWING THE ORDINANCE WITHIN CONTEXT OF MR. GREENWAY'S TRANSPARENT AND LACK OF A BACKGROUND IN PUBLIC FINANCE, THE FOLLOWING POINT SHOULD BE MADE IN MITIGATION OF THE WRONGS IN WHICH THE PLAIN READING OF ORDINANCE 2502 INDICATES THAT MR. GREENWAY DID NOT HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE OPIOID EDUCATION CONTRACT NOR. DID ANY IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER AS DEFINED BY THAT ORDINANCE ORDINANCE 2-205 DOES NOT MANDATE THAT EVERY CONTRACT FOR SERVICES BE SUBJECT TO COMPETITIVE BIDDING. THIS CONTRACT WAS REVIEWED BY OTHER HIGH RANKING COUNTY EMPLOYEES WITH GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF PUBLIC FINANCE AND GREENWAY PRIOR TO ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND SIGN FURTHERMORE AND THE COUNTY'S INTERNAL PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS, PROCESSES AND GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYEES SECTION 2.106 BEST THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WITH AUTHORITY TO FORMALLY CONTRACTS OVER $30,000 IN SOLE SOURCE REQUIREMENT 7999 . REGARDLESS OF THESE POINTS MR. 
          [00:30:04]
GREENWAY NEVER PRETENDED TO HAVE A BACKGROUND IN GOVERNMENT RELIED ON THE PROFESSIONALS AROUND HIM WHICH IS WHAT EXECUTIVES FORCED TO DO WHEN CONFRONTED WITH PROBLEMS IN PROCESS FROM OUTSIDE OF THEIR BACKGROUND. THIS COUNCIL REASONABLE CALLS ON JULY 24, 2023 TO INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES BUT IT SHOULD HAVE ALLOWED THAT INVESTIGATION TO RUN ITS COURSE. I RESPECTFULLY CONTEND TO YOU THAT IF THERE WERE UNINTENTIONAL VIOLATION OF ORDINANCES STEMMING. ORDINANCES ARE ULTIMATELY FOUND TO BE VIOLATIVE AS CASTIGATION THAT I UNDERSTAND TO STILL BE ONGOING AND THAT IS STILL NOT THE SORT OF INTENTIONAL INSUBORDINATION DISCUSSED IN THE CALLS FOR VISION OF MR. GREENWAY'S CONTRACT WITH MR. GREENWAY. NEVER WILLINGLY DISREGARDED A LAWFUL RESIDENCE COUNCIL THAT WOULD NOT BE IN HIS NATURE AND WE ALL KNOW MR. GREENWAY IS IMPERFECT AS WE ALL ARE ON BALANCE THOUGH HE HAS DEVOTED HIS HARD WORK AND LOYALTY TO THIS COUNTY AS A PUBLIC SERVANT WHO HAS ABOUT ZONING DEVELOPMENT AND MAKING BETTER FOR COUNTY. HE DESERVES A MORE DELIBERATIVE ASSESSMENT. 
          I ASK THAT RECONSIDER AND REVERSE YOUR DECISION. HERMAN I AM OF THANK YOU. 
          WILL YOU GIVE STATEMENT TO THE CLERK SO IT IS ENTERED INTO THE RECORD? CERTAINLY. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY OTHER ITEM YOU WISH TO PRESENT AT THIS TIME? NO. THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN PARSON. 
          OKAY. THANK YOU. IS THERE A MEMBER OF COUNCIL WHO WISHES TO MAKE A SPECIFIC MOTION AS A RESULT OF THIS HEARING OR THE LANGUAGE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? I WOULD ASK A MEMBER OF COUNCIL MOVE INTO SECOND TO AFFIRM COUNCIL'S DECISION OF JULY 28TH 2023 TO TERMINATE MR. GREENWAY WITH CAUSE FOR THE REASONS THAT FORTH IN OUR LETTER OF AUGUST 14, 2020. I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION SECOND THAT MISS TABACHNICK MADE THE MOTION MR. BARTHOLOMEW MADE THE SECOND DULY MOTIONED IN SECOND IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION SAYING NONE? THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL COUNCIL TABACHNICK? YES. COUNCILMEMBER BARTHOLOMEW. 
          YES. COUNCILMEMBER YES. COUNCILMEMBER LAWSON. 
          MARK. YES. COUNCILMEMBER HOWARD. 
          YES. GLOVER COUNCILMEMBER. YES. 
          NOW I CAN YES SIR. COUNCILMEMBER DODSON. YES. 
          COUNCILMEMBER CUNNINGHAM. YES. COUNCILMEMBER BROWN. 
          YES. VICE CHAIR MAGELLAN. YES. 
          CHAIRMAN PASSMAN. YES. THE MOTION PASSES THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THIS COUNCIL. THIS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.