Nov 13, 2023 County Council

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CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY BUFORT COUNTY.

GOOD EVENING,

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

WELCOME TO OUR COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH.

WOULD YOU ALL RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE INVOCATION? I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FROM WHICH IT STANDS, PUT OUTSIDE UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

UH, INTERNET.

LET US PRAY.

OUR FATHER AND OUR GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND KINDNESS.

WE THANK YOU YOUR GOD, FOR ALL OF YOUR MERCIES.

WE THANK YOU FOR HAVING BLESSED US TO SEE THIS DAY AND HAVING GUIDED US AND KEPT US AS WE WENT THROUGH TODAY.

WE THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO ASSEMBLE HERE THIS AFTERNOON AND OF GOD, WE INVITE YOU INTO OUR PRESENCE THAT YOU MIGHT GUIDE US THROUGH THIS MEETING AND HELP US TO DISPENSE OF THE MATTERS THAT COME BEFORE US IN AN EFFICIENT AND PROSPEROUS WAY.

WE KNOW YOU ARE GOD, TO BE A GOD OF PEACE.

SO NOW I PETITION YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL THE WAR TORN COUNTRIES THAT YOU ALL, FATHER GOD WILL BRING PEACE WHERE THERE'S WAR AND CONFUSION, AND THAT YOU OR FATHER GOD WILL SAVE THE LIVES, NOT ONLY OF THE THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER'S, BUT THE INNOCENT BYSTANDERS WHO ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THOSE, UH, TRANSACTIONS.

WE ASK YOU, GOD TO KEEP THEM IN YOUR CARE AND BLESS THEM.

IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS I PRAY.

AMEN.

AMEN.

AMEN.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

IT'S ACTUALLY A LITTLE WARM IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT.

OPEN THE DOOR.

THAT'S OKAY.

UH, AS YOU CAN SEE, 10 OF THE 11 MEMBERS OF COUNTY COUNCIL ARE HERE.

UH, MR. MCKELLEN IS ONLINE.

WE DO HAVE A FULL COUNSEL TO CONDUCT THE BUSINESS OF COUNTY COUNCIL.

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF THIS MEETING HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, POSTED, AND DISTRIBUTED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

I WOULD ASK A MEMBER

[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

SO MOVED, MR. CHAIRMAN.

I SECOND.

MR. CUNNINGHAM MAKES THE MOTION AND MS. TABER MAKES THE SECOND.

ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNS ABOUT THE AGENDA? SEEING NONE.

THE AGENDA WILL BE APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION AND THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS.

NEXT IS THE MINUTES OF

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 25, 2023]

MOTION AND SECOND, PLEASE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

MS. HOWARD MAKES THE MOTION.

I'LL SECOND THAT.

MS. BROWN MAKES THE SECOND DULY MOTION AND SECONDED.

ANY QUESTIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES? SEEING NONE, THE MINUTES WILL BE APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION AND THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS.

NEXT WILL BE OUR

[6. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT]

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN.

MR. ROBINSON.

HOW ARE YOU THIS EVENING? PEACHY DANDY NEEDLE KING.

ALRIGHT, .

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SAY ALL THAT AT ONCE.

, YOU PRACTICED IT.

DON'T WORRY.

ALRIGHT, SO A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS.

I'LL START WITH, UM, MYSELF, UH, UH, CHAIRMAN RE OR, UH, COUNCILMAN RES AND, UH, JARED, UH, FRA ALL ATTENDED THE, UH, GROUNDBREAKING FOR, UH, BEAUFORT COUNTY'S HILTON HEAD AIRPORT.

OH, UH, THIS WAS A, UM, THIS WAS LAST WEEK.

IT WAS A GREAT EVENT.

IT WAS WELL ATTENDED.

UM, OUR LEGIS, MOST OF OUR LEGISLATIVE, UH, DELEGATION WERE PRESENT.

THEY HAD A LOT OF GOOD THINGS TO SAY.

UH, THE PROJECT WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS BEFORE IT'S COMPLETE, AND THIS IS PHASE ONE.

UH, THE NEXT PROJECT WILL START SEEKING FUNDING NOW FOR PHASE TWO, UH, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AND WE'LL PROBABLY START A FEW YEARS FROM NOW.

UH, BUT THAT'S A REALLY GOOD PROJECT AND WE HOPE TO, TO SEE IT, UH, BE AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR, UH, BEAUFORT COUNTY, UH, PROVIDE, UH, MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAVEL FOR OUR CITIZENS AND, UH, A NICE PLACE FOR OUR VISITORS TO LAND.

UH, SO THAT'LL BE GREAT.

I WANT TO TALK FOR A FEW MINUTES ABOUT OUR, UH, DUSKY ISLAND FERRY SERVICE.

JUST TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE OF WHERE WE ARE.

UM, SO WE, UH, HAVE ATTAINED THE OCRM PERMIT, UH, FOR THE CROSS ISLAND, UH, LANDING.

SO THIS WOULD BE HELMAN WAY AREA.

UH, THE FLOAT FOR THE, UH, FOR THE FERRY HAS BEEN ORDERED, CONSTRUCTED, AND RECEIVED.

UH, THE PILINGS AND OTHER SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN ORDERED AND, UH, SHOULD BE AND RECEIVED AS WELL.

UM, OUR, OUR CONTRACTOR HAS ALL

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JUST, JUST THE, THE KIND OF THE DOLPHIN PART THAT THE, UH, FERRY WOULD CONNECT TO OR LANDS, UH, UP AGAINST.

UM, THIS IS SCHEDULED TO, UH, BEGIN INSTALLATION ON DECEMBER 4TH.

UM, SO OUR FERRY SERVICE FOR FUSIA ISLAND, UM, WILL BEGIN AT THE CROSS ISLAND LANDING ON JANUARY 1ST IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH OUR, WITH OUR SUIT.

UH, IT'S NOT GONNA BE PERFECT.

WE MAY HAVE SOME PARKING ISSUES.

WE'LL STILL HAVE SOME, SOME TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH WITH OUR OTHER PARTNERS.

UH, BUT WE'LL BE, WE WILL, UM, OPERATE OUT OF THE CROSS ISLAND.

UM, EMBARKMENT FOR FUSCA ISLAND ON JANUARY ONE.

SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO.

OKAY.

UM, LET'S SEE.

UM, ALSO FOR THE FERRY SERVICE, WE, UH, OPENED AN RFQ, UH, BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER.

THAT RFQ, UH, CLOSED A FEW WEEKS AGO.

WE'VE GOT SEVERAL, UH, APPLICANTS FOR THE RFQ AND, UH, THE COMMITTEE IS MEETING NOW TO DETERMINE WHO IS THE MOST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER.

SO HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, WE'LL KNOW IF WE HAVE, UH, A NEW FERRY SERVICE, UH, OPERATOR.

SO THAT SHOULD COME SOON.

ALRIGHT.

NOW I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE, UH, INTRODUCE YOU TO ONE OF OUR SENIOR ACCOUNTANTS, BRYSON CAMPBELL.

COME ON UP.

BRYSON .

UM, SO BRYSON HANDLES OUR AT TAX APPLICATIONS, UH, CORRESPONDENCE, UM, AND, UH, RECONCILIATION THEREOF, UM, AS SHE ASSISTS WITH, UH, ANNUAL AUDITS.

VARIOUS PROJECTS GENERATES, UH, JOURNAL ENTRIES, ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE INVOICES, CREATES MONTHLY FINANCIAL AUDITS.

ASSIST FINANCE STAFF WITH OTHER FUNCTIONS OF DAILY OPERATIONS IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

UM, BRYSON HAS BEEN WITH BEAUFORT COUNTY FOR JUST OVER A YEAR.

WE RIGHT, JUST UNDER A YEAR.

JUST UNDER A YEAR.

PRETTY CLOSE TO A YEAR, ALMOST A YEAR.

UM, FINANCE STAFF REPORTS THAT BRYSON IS A QUICK LEARNER AND BECOMES A MORE VALUABLE ASSET EVERY DAY.

AND THAT'S ALL WE CAN ASK FOR.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

BRYSON LIKES PICKLEBALL.

HAVE YOU PLAYED OUR NEW COURT YET? NOT YET, BUT I'M PLANNING TO .

THERE YOU GO.

PICKLEBALL BAKING AND CALLIGRAPHY.

UM, INTERESTING FACT ABOUT, UM, BRYSON IS THAT, UH, SHE WAS FOUND BY OUR INTERIM DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, CFO SLASH FINANCE OFFICER SLASH A BUNCH OF EVERYTHING ELSE THAT, THAT, UH, DENISE DOES WITH OUR, SHE WAS RECRUITED BY SHARING A PIECE OF CHEESECAKE.

THAT IS TRUE.

.

UM, UH, BRYSON, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AND IT'S BEEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY WORKING IN BEAUFORT COUNTY AND EVEN MORE AMAZING TO WORK WITH DENISE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, BRYON.

THANK YOU.

NOW, ONE OF OUR, UM, GREAT LIBRARY LIBRARIANS.

UM, ELENA HERRICK.

DID I SAY IT RIGHT? YES.

OH, THANK YOU.

GOOD.

UM, ELENA PROVIDES EXPERT ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO THE LIBRARY, UH, TO THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR AND SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF.

UH, THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF BEAUFORT COUNTY AND THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES, UH, AND THE REST OF THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT'S MANAGERIAL STAFF.

UH, SHE SERVES AS THE, AS THE RECEPTIONIST FOR THE LIBRARIES.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES MAINTAINS INTERNAL LIBRARY FILES, FINANCIAL RECORDING AMONG OTHER DOCUMENTS.

SHE IS THE LIBRARY'S EXPERT ON NOVA TIME AND PRIDES HERSELF IN ACCURACY AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

NOVA TIME IS OUR, IS OUR TIME CLOCK SYSTEM.

UH, AND IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT, UH, IT, IT CAN BE CHALLENGING, RIGHT? ? UH, IT'S CHALLENGING FOR ME FOLKS THAT KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

IT'S LIKE, WHOOP, HEY, JUST GET IT DONE RIGHT AWAY.

UM, SO ELENA CAME TO AMERICA IN OCTOBER OF 2023.

UH, SHE MASTERED THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

SHE'S RETAINED HER ACCENT, SO SHE SAYS YEAH, YEAH, A LITTLE BIT.

UM, SHE, UH, FELT LUCKY TO BE OFFERED A TEMPORARY, UH, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT JOB IN THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM.

UM, SHE, UH, APPLIED FOR THE PERMANENT POSITION, UH, AND WAS REALLY OVERJOYED WHEN SHE WAS SELECTED, AND SHE'S WORKED FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY NOW FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

UM, ELENA STATES THAT SHE APPRECIATES ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT BEING PART OF BEAUFORT COUNTY'S COMMUNITY HAS PROVIDED.

UH, SHE'S A GRADUATE OF TCL OF USCB, UH, THAT SHE COMPLETED IN HER FIFTIES, AND SHE IS WORKING TO BECOME A NATURALIZED AMERICAN CITIZEN.

OH, SHE HAS DONE THAT.

OH, EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

[00:10:01]

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT.

AND WE HAVE, UH, ALSO WITH US IS SIDNEY BARRY'S, UH, FROM THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

DID I SAY IT RIGHT? BARRIS BARRIS, YES.

THANKS.

SORRY.

UM, SYDNEY IS A PROPERTY TAX ANALYST TOO.

UH, SHE'S WORKED FOR THE COUNTY FOR THREE YEARS.

UM, SHE, UH, SHE WORKS AS THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX ANALYST TOO.

SIDNEY CALCULATES AND CREATES PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX BILLS.

I GOT A FEW OF THOSE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

, UH, SHE PROCESSES REFUNDS FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY WORKS AS THE RESIDENT EXPERT FOR MILITARY AND SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE EXEMPTIONS RESOLVES TAX RELATED ISSUES, ANSWERS MORE THAN 400 PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS, COMMUNICATIONS WITH TAXPAYERS EVERY WEEK, AND DOES THIS ALL WHILE PREPARING AND TEACHES CLIENT TEACHING CLASSES FOR THE AUDIT STAFF, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

EDUCATION'S ALWAYS A GREAT VALUE.

UM, OUR AUDITOR, UM, DAVID CAD, WROTE, WRITES, UH, THAT HE APPRECIATES SIDNEY'S DEDICATION TO COMPLETING HER NORMAL TASK WHILE ASSISTING WITH ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRAINING.

THE EXTRA EFFORT SHE PUTS INTO TRAINING HAS CREATED A MORE EFFICIENT AND PROFICIENT WORKFORCE.

SIDNEY TAKES PRIDE IN THE OFFICE AND STRIVES TO CREATE A GOOD CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE FOR OUR TAXPAYERS.

SIDNEY ALSO ENJOYS COOKING.

YOU KNOW, SHE'S LIKE, SHE LIKES BAKING.

OH, THIS ONE'S FUNNY.

SHE, SHE, SHE BAKED, SHE LIKES TO BAKE CHEESECAKE FROM SCRATCH.

NOW, DAVID, OUR AUDITOR DOESN'T USUALLY EAT LUNCH, SO WHEN SYDNEE MAKES CHEESECAKE, CHEESECAKE, DAVID EATS LUNCH.

, UH, SO HE EATS THE CHEESECAKE.

SO THAT'S, THAT'S PRETTY CREATIVE THERE.

UH, SO SYDNEY'S CREATIVE IN THE KITCHEN.

SHE ENJOYS TRAINING FELLOW EMPLOYEES, HELPING THE PUBLIC.

AND, UM, THOSE THINGS ARE, ARE VERY GRATIFYING FOR HER TO DO SYDNEY.

A FEW WORDS.

UM, IT'S JUST BEEN A REAL, UH, PLEASURE WORKING FOR THE COUNTY AND ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES IT'S GIVEN TO ME.

SO THANK YOU.

THANKS.

THANK YOU, SYDNEY.

ALL RIGHT.

SO, UH, JUST TWO MORE ITEMS FOR ME TO DISCUSS.

UH, THE FIRST ITEM I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT IS THE, UM, END OF THE YEAR EMPLOYEE CASH OUT, UM, OF, UH, PTL PERSONAL, WELL, PLT PERSONAL LEAVE TIME.

UH, SO THIS IS A, A TYPICAL PROGRAM THAT THE COUNTY OFFERS TO ITS EMPLOYEES, UH, TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.

UH, BEAUFORT COUNTY, UM, UH, TRADITIONALLY OFFERS THE PAID LEAVE TIME BUYBACK AROUND NOVEMBER, WHICH IS PAYABLE IN DECEMBER.

UM, EMPLOYEES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS AS WELL, UH, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

UH, SO I'M REQUESTING YOUR BLESSING TO ONCE AGAIN OFFER THE PLT BUYBACK PROGRAM, UH, TO OUR EMPLOYEES.

THE BUYBACK PROGRAM IS A GREAT, UM, IS GREAT FOR OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS IT GIVES 'EM A LITTLE EXTRA CASH RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

UH, HR STAFF WILL PREPARE A MEMO TO DISTRIBUTE TO EMPLOYEES, UH, UPON APPROVAL.

UM, THIS, UH, THE FUNDING FOR THE PAID LEAVE TIME BUYBACK PROGRAM COMES FROM OUR EMPLOYEE CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT.

SO IT'S ALREADY APPROPRIATED FUNDS.

UM, IT REDUCES THE COUNTY'S LIABILITY TO MAINTAIN, UH, THAT FUNDING FOR LEAVE TIME.

SO IT'S A, IT'S, UH, AN OVERALL BENEFIT.

UH, RIGHT NOW THAT, UH, CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT HAS ABOUT $4 MILLION IN IT, AND THE BUYBACK PROGRAM COST US $800,000.

SO I'M SEEKING YOUR BLESSING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE, UM, PAID LEAVE TIME BUYBACK PLAN.

UM, AND THE OTHER IS, UM, LAST IS BEAUFORT IS, UH, THE ADDITIONAL DAY AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

SO TRADITIONALLY COUNSEL HAS GIFTED EMPLOYEES AN EXTRA DAY AT CHRISTMAS TIME THIS YEAR.

I'M SEEKING YOUR BLESSING TO OFFER COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY AS PAID HOLIDAYS, AND THOSE ARE GONNA BE OBSERVED ON MONDAY THE 25TH AND TUESDAY THE 26TH.

SO I'M ASKING FOR YOUR BLESSING TO GIFT EMPLOYEES FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22ND AS A PAID HOLIDAY.

UH, AND DEPARTMENTS WILL, WILL, UM, APPLY THAT AS THEY HAVE DONE IN THE PAST AS A, AS A REGULAR HOLIDAY.

UM, THAT COST TO THE COUNTY IS REALLY A LITTLE BIT OF, UH, OVERTIME FOR STAFF THAT HAS TO WORK AND IT'S

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AND THAT'S ALSO COVERED FOR OUR CONTINGENCY.

SO WITH YOUR, WITH YOUR HEAD NOD.

YEAH, I'LL MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

YES.

ALRIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

UM, SIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.

EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, WE ARE AT THE,

[7. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING BEAUFORT COUNTY DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR - Council Member Tabernik]

SO APRIL BRYANT HELLO.

CLASS.

SO WHEREAS IN MAY OF 2023, EACH SCHOOL OF BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SELECTED A TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

AND WHEREAS BEYOND THIS RECOGNITION, FIVE FINALISTS WERE SELECTED AND ONE WAS TO BE TITLED DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR REPRESENTING BEAUFORT COUNTY IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE TEACHER OF YOUR PROGRAM.

AND WHEREAS THIS YEAR, THE PRAISE WORTHY AWARD, LIKE THAT PRAISE AWARD, I LOVE THAT WENT TO APRIL BRYANT, A FIFTH GRADE TEACHER AT SAU ELEMENTARY.

AND WHEREAS NOMINATED BY HER PEERS, MS. BRYANT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE SAU ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL, MELISSA PENDER, TO BE NAMED DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

AND WHEREAS MS. PENDER DESCRIBES MS. BRYANT AS QUOTE, AN INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS BORN TO BE IN THIS PROFESSION, SHE IS STUDENT CENTERED.

SHE CONSISTENTLY SHARES HER CRAFT WITH OTHER TEACHERS, AND HER CLASSROOM SERVES AS A MODEL FOR OTHERS IN THE DISTRICT.

AND QUOTE MS. BRYAN'S RECOMMENDATION LETTER SAYING HI PRAISES FOR BEING AN INTEGRAL PART OF OSA ELEMENTARY'S FACULTY FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

AND WHEREAS MS. BRYANT HOLDS A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION, PRE-K TO SIXTH GRADE LITERACY, AND A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EDUCATION, ELEMENTARY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD WITH A CONCENTRATION IN BEHAVIOR STUDIES.

AND WHEREAS MS. BRYANT DISPLAYS STRONG INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS, PARENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, FACULTY AND STAFF, THESE RELATIONSHIPS FOSTER HER DESIRE TO MAKE ALL LEARNERS FEEL AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY.

AND ONE MORE.

WHEREAS MS. BRYANT'S REACH OF INFLUENCE EXTENDS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM AS SHE'S AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH MENTORING YOUTH AND BEGINNING TEACHERS VIA THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT COHORT AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA BEGINNING TEACHER MENTOR PROGRAM, MS. BRYANT ALSO VOLUNTEERS FOR THE GULLAH GEECHEE CORRIDOR, THE GULLAH GEECHEE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION, AND THE HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATION.

MS. BRIAN HAS ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO SHARE LOCAL HISTORY WITHIN THE OSA COMMUNITY WITH THE GOAL OF TRANSCENDING PARTNERSHIP INTO THE NEIGHBORING SCHOOL.

NOW THERE BE IT RESOLVED.

BLOOMBERG COUNTY COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MS. ME TOO AND HUSBAND, YOU'LL BE HERE FOR IT'S ALL P COME.

CAN YOU GET IN THERE? EVERYBODY SMILE? ALRIGHT.

ONE MORE.

ONE MORE.

THANK YOU GUYS.

STAY FOR THIS ONE.

YES.

OUR SECOND

[8. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING COOSA ELEMENTARY NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL - Council Member Tabernik]

ME LEE HERE, STEP UP AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CELESTE LAHAN.

SHE'S NOT HERE.

SHE, OKAY.

AND WE HAVE MR. SMITH, WHO IS AN HONOR BOARD MEMBER.

AND MELISSA PENDER, THE PRINCIPAL.

ALL RIGHT.

OKAY.

SO THIS IS A GREAT ONE TOO.

AS AN EDUCATOR, THIS IS JUST EXCITING FOR ME.

IT'S AMELIA, WHEREAS IS IT ? WHEREAS THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZED 353 SCHOOLS AS NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS FOR 2023.

AND WHEREAS THE RECOGNITION IS BASED ON A SCHOOL'S OVERALL ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OR PROGRESS IN CLOSING ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AMONG STUDENT GROUPS ON ASSESSMENT.

AND WHEREAS THE NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON AWARD AFFIRMS AND VALIDATES THE HARD WORK OF

[00:20:01]

AND WHEREAS THE NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL LEADERS ARTICULATE A VISION OF EXCELLENCE AND HOLD EVERYONE TO HIGH STANDARDS BY DEMONSTRATING EFFECTIVE AND INNOVATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING.

AND WHEREAS THE NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL SERVE AS MODELS OF EFFECTIVE AND INNOVATIVE SCHOOL PRACTICES FOR STATE AND DISTRICT EDUCATORS.

DID YOU ALL THIS WAS THE APPLICATION 22, WHEREAS OUT OF 420 NOMINATIONS, SOUTH CAROLINA WAS AWARDED FIVE NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON AWARDS.

WHO SAW ELEMENTARY IN BEAUFORT WAS ONE OF THE FIVE AWARDED IN THE NOMINATION CATEGORY OF EXEMPLARY HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOLS.

SO WHEREAS KU ELEMENTARY HOME OF THE BOBCATS HAS APPROXIMATELY 450 STUDENTS IN PRE-K THROUGH FIFTH GRADE.

MM-HMM.

AND ONE THIRD OF THE STUDENTS ARE COMPRISE OF MILITARY FAMILIES.

WOW.

AND WHEREAS THE PRESTIGIOUS 2023 NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL'S RECOGNITION CEREMONY IS THIS WEEK, NOVEMBER 16TH, WERE WASHINGTON DC IN WASHINGTON DC SO NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED IF THE COUNTY COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE WHO ELEMENTARY AND ITS STAFF ARE BEING AWARDED THE NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL AWARD.

WELL, FIRST I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNTY COUNCIL FOR RECOGNIZING US FOR THIS AWARD.

I, UM, TO BE HONEST, WHEN I REALIZED WE WERE NOMINATED AS ONE OF THE FIVE BY THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT, I DIDN'T REALIZE JUST HOW MUCH THIS MEANT.

I MEAN, JUST LAST WEEK, BLUE BELL ICE CREAM REACHED OUT FOR ICE CREAM FOR EVERYBODY.

OKAY.

UM, I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY SENATORS, HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES, PEOPLE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAVE SENT US LETTERS.

I MEAN, JUST EMAILS JUST COMING OUTTA THE WOODWORKS.

THIS, UM, THIS PROCLAMATION IN THE NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON AWARD IS REALLY REPRESENTATIVE AS WHO WE ARE AS A SCHOOL.

THAT WE ARE COMPRISED OF OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH, UM, WHERE INDIVIDUALS HELP US, OUR SCHOOL BOARD THAT SUPPORTS US NOT ONLY FINANCIALLY, BUT BY VISITING OUR SCHOOLS, SUPPORTING OUR PROGRAMS, OUR PARENTS, UM, OUR STUDENTS, OUR FACULTY AND STAFF.

UM, OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE REALLY FORGED FORWARD AS A SCHOOL AND IT'S JUST NICE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR SUCH.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT ALSO.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? I'M SORRY, I FORGOT.

IT'S OKAY.

I'LL SAY YOU.

IT'S ALWAYS, YOU'RE A TEACHER, YOU'RE GONNA SPEAK.

WE'RE GOOD AT TALKING.

IT'S ALWAYS CHALLENGING FOLLOWING YOUR PRINCIPAL.

OF COURSE.

.

THANK YOU.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I'M VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THIS AWARD WITH BEING A TEACHER.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU CELEBRATE BY YOURSELF.

YOU DON'T BECOME DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR BY DOING IT ALONE.

YOU'RE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE WHO WORK ALONG BESIDE YOU AND BEING A TEACHER.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY TRUE THAT WE ARE LIFELONG LEARNERS.

WE'RE NEVER STOPPING.

AND OUR LEARNING DOESN'T JUST COME FROM TEXTBOOKS, SO FROM CLASSES WE TAKE, BUT IT DEFINITELY COMES FROM THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE SO LUCKY TO BE SUPPORTED BY EACH AND EVERY DAY.

SO AGAIN, I'M SO INCREDIBLY HUMBLED AND I THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR CELEBRATING US THIS EVENING.

I DO WANNA TURN OUT DR. RODRIGUEZ AND THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS WEREN'T UNABLE TO ATTEND.

THEY'RE AT A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING, BUT THEY SEND THEIR FOLKS, SO LET'S ALL GET TOGETHER AND TAKE A PICTURE, MR. IN THERE.

AND EVERYBODY ON COUNCIL IS A LIFELONG THANK YOU ALL.

WE HAVE ONE

[9. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH - Chairman Passiment]

WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN ME? THIS PROCLAMATION IS REGARDING NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH.

WOW.

WHEREAS THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF OUR GREAT NATION HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCED, INFLUENCED BY AMERICAN INDIANS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

AND WHEREAS THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN INDIANS HAVE ENHANCED THE FREEDOM, PROSPERITY, AND GREATNESS OF AMERICANS TODAY, WHEREAS THEIR CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS ARE RESPECTED AND CELEBRATED AS PART OF A RICH LEGACY THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

AND WHEREAS NATIVE AMERICAN AWARENESS WEEK BEGAN IN 1976, AND RECOGNITION WAS EXPANDED BY CONGRESS AND APPROVED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH BUSH IN AUGUST, 1990, DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH.

AND WHEREAS THE HONOR OF NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE HERITAGE MONTH COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS,

[00:25:01]

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY DECLARES NOVEMBER AS NATIONAL AMERICAN INDI INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH.

AND WE URGE ALL OF OUR CITIZENS TO OBSERVE THIS MONTH WITH APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS, CEREMONIES AND ACTIVITIES DATED THIS DAY, 13 DAY OF NOVEMBER.

SIGNED BY MYSELF, CHAIR.

CONGRATULATIONS.

I WOULD JUST LIKE, UM, TO THANK COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THIS PROCLAMATION FROM THE THOMAS HAYWARD JR.

CHAPTER, NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

AND WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU DO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND CULTURAL ASSETS, THE NATIVE AMERICANS THAT MADE TO THIS COUNTRY.

THANK YOU.

NEED TAKE? OH, I'M GOOD, .

YOU CAN DO THAT.

YOU CAN DO THAT.

I GUESS YOU CAN.

OKAY.

WE ARE AT OUR FIRST CITIZEN

[10. CITIZEN COMMENT]

UM, WE ONLY HAVE TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS. MR. HOAGLAND, WELL FALL ON THAT.

I'M SORRY.

I'M NOT HERE FOR THE HAPPY STUFF.

UNFORTUNATELY, YOU COULD BE.

UM, SO AGENDA ITEM 13 AND 15, UM, IT'S REAL SIMPLE ON THAT ONE.

WHEN WILL ALL THIS, ALL THIS BE, UH, FORENSICALLY AUDITED, INCLUDING THE SCHOOL, SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE TREASURER, WHO ALSO SUED THIS COUNCIL TRYING TO HIDE FUNDS? WE HAVE TO FORENSICALLY AUDIT EVERYTHING.

I DON'T CARE WHETHER BUDGETS AUDITS, IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO ME.

WE, IT'S JUST BUSINESS.

WE NEED TO SEE IT ALL.

THE SECOND THING, NUMBER 15, AND I DON'T MEAN ANY DISRESPECT TO ANY OF THE HONEST, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT SERVE US.

BELIEVE ME, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE APPRECIATED AND YOU KNOW YOU'RE RESPECTED, BUT YOU ALSO KNOW WHO THE DISHONEST ARE WHO KEEP VOTING FOR THE ILLEGAL USE AND ISSUE OF OUR TAX FUNDS.

SO ON 15 WITH THAT, THIS IS NOT RES AGAIN, DISRESPECT TO ANYBODY THAT'S HONEST, BUT I'M GONNA TURN MY BACK.

WHEN OFFICIALS START VOTING IN FAVOR OF LEGAL ISSUE AND USE OF OUR TAX FUNDS AND FORENSIC AUDITS, THEN WE CAN, THEN WE SHOULD ALL REWARD THESE OFFICIALS.

WE SHOULD GIVE 'EM PAY RAISES, BUT NOT UNTIL THEY DO THIS.

AND THE REASON I'M TURNING AROUND AND FACING THE TAXPAYERS AND NOT THE COUNCIL IS BECAUSE THEY WORK FOR US IS TOWN HALL IS PAID FOR US.

IT'S OWNED BY US.

THESE PEOPLE SERVE US.

THEY WORK FOR THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE.

AND IF WE CATCH 'EM, NOT ABIDING BY THE LAW AND OBEY THE LAWS, WE NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO 'EM, WHETHER IT BE TURN MY BACK ON 'EM OR WHETHER IT BE THE TYPES OF SPEECHES OR COMMENTS THAT I COME HERE TO MAKE QUITE FREQUENTLY.

SO I'M VERY, VERY SET IN SEEING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PROPER ACTIONS BY THIS COUNCIL GOING FORWARD.

AND IT, WE'RE GONNA DO IT BY THROUGH THE TAXPAYERS, AND WE'RE GONNA DO IT THROUGH THE COURTS AND FILING LAWSUITS, BUT WE MUST DEMAND THAT THEY FOLLOW THE LAWS, STATE, FEDERAL, AND THEY SHOW US EVERY PENNY OF EVERY DOLLAR THAT THEY GET FROM US BECAUSE IT'S GETTING TOUGHER AND TOUGHER.

WE'RE TAX TO DEATH AND WE NEED TO BE, HAVE A HAVE A-A-A-A-A HOLD OR CONTROLS ON OUR MONEY.

THIS IS IMPORTANT.

AND THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO IT IS BE LIKE ME AND STAND UP AND LET 'EM KNOW IT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UH, MR. ADVOCATE.

THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS, UH, DIETRICH VOCON.

I'M A RESIDENT OF HILTON NET ISLANDS.

AND, UM, A LITTLE BIT IN LINE OF MR. HOAGLAND.

UM, UH, IT DOESN'T GIVE ME PLEASURE, UH, TODAY TO STAND HERE.

UM, AS TAXPAYERS AND VOTERS, WE EXPECT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO BE TRUTHFUL AND TRANSPARENT.

PERIOD.

AS YOU KNOW, CHAIRMAN PESSIN LEADS THE 2 78 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT TO BUILD NEW BRIDGES FROM THE MAINLAND TO HILTON HEAD, AN INVESTMENT OF OVER $300 MILLION.

NOW, IT APPEARS THAT CHAIRMAN PES IS ALSO A MEMBER OF A LOBBYING GROUP GROUP CALLED THE GREATER ISLAND COUNCIL.

IT'S 150 MEMBER GROUP WHERE HE, AT LEAST UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO, WAS VICE CHAIRMAN ON THE GREATER ISLAND COUNCIL REGIONAL COMMITTEE, A COMMITTEE SET UP TO LOBBY HIS VERY OWN COUNCIL ON ISSUES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE

[00:30:01]

AND ON THE 2 78 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, NOT TOO LONG AGO, THE GIC ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE HILTON HEAD, ISLAND TOWN COUNCIL ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO GIVE MUNICIPAL CONSENT TO THE PROJECT.

AND AS A SIDE NOTE, YOU ARE GONNA DEAL WITH, UH, REQUESTING A MUNICIPAL CONSENT FROM THE TOWN TODAY AS THE TOWN IS GOING THROUGH ITS OWN INDEPENDENT STUDY.

SO IT MEANS WORKING AT CROSS PURPOSES WITH THE TOWN OF HILTON NET, WHICH I THINK IS A MISTAKE.

IT IS MY VIEW, UM, OF IT IS IN MY VIEW OF A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF CHAIRMAN PESS TO BE AT THE SAME TIME A COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER AND A COUNTY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN AND NUMBER TWO, A LOBBYIST AT GIC.

WHILE, UH, THE GIC HAS NOT ESTABLISHED ITS OWN RULES OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS, THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA CERTAINLY HAS, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE COUNTY'S, UM, THAT THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S MISSION IS TO SERVE CONSTITUENTS AND SET AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE.

HOW CAN YOU, IN YOUR RIGHT MIND, UM, BE PART OF AN EXTERNAL LOBBYING ORGANIZATION AND AT THE SAME TIME BE THE RECIPIENT OF THE LOBBYING MANIPULATIONS ON THE 2 78 CORRIDOR PROJECT? AND IT SHOULD ALL OF YOUR TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS QUESTION, UM, UH, WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING IN YOUR OWN COUNCIL.

UM, IT ALSO BRINGS INTO QUESTION THE 2, 2 78, UH, CORRIDOR PROJECT STUDIES INITIATED BY THE COUNTY, UH, ONE BY HDR R UM, I JUST WANNA FINISH UP.

SO, UM, BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE OF, UM, UH, ETHICAL, UH, ISSUES, I THINK THAT IT'S MY STRONG SUGGESTION THAT MR. PESS AMAN SHOULD RESIGN AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL AND RESIGN AS CHAIRMAN OF WARD FIVE, DISTRICT FIVE AND DO SO IMMEDIATELY.

I THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT MR. PESS DOES THE RIGHT THING.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

UM, WE'RE NOW AT OUR COMMITTEE REPORTS

[11. LIASION AND COMMITTEE REPORTS]

I HAVE MR. , ANYBODY, MR. REEDS, YOU WANT ME TO GO? UM, THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.

THE ONLY THING I HAVE TO REPORT IS I'M ON THE AIRPORT BOARD.

I HANG OUT WITH THOSE PEOPLE QUITE A BIT AND MS. SARAH BROCK JUST PUT UP A LOT OF TALK HAS BEEN GOING ON ABOUT GETTING THIS AIRPORT DONE.

AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY I'M IN THAT PICTURE SOMEWHERE.

AND WE ACTUALLY THREW SOME DIRT AROUND THE OTHER DAY THIS WEEK.

AND THAT PROJECT IS UNDERWAY AND GOING PRETTY WELL.

AND I'M TELLING YOU, IT WAS JUST A GREAT EVENT TO BE AT.

I'VE NEVER BEEN AT A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY LIKE THAT.

AND ON BEHALF OF MY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ASSIGNED ME, THE CHAIRMAN ASSIGNED ME TO THIS AND, UM, TO THE PEOPLE THAT I REPRESENT, THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB FOR YOU.

AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU WE'RE KEEPING A GOOD EYE ON 'EM AND, UM, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE DOING A GOOD WORK.

THEY'RE DOING VERY GOOD WORK.

THANK YOU, MS. BROWN.

UM, ON OCTOBER 25TH, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING THIS SCA BOARD MEETING DANNY BLACK AND HIS TEAM AT SCA, ALONG WITH THE ALLENDALE COUNTY COUNCIL, BROUGHT IN A COMPANY FROM VIETNAM.

IT'S CALLED THE TEA TANG GROUP.

AMERICAS, THEY EXPECT TO BREAK GROUND NEXT SUMMER, CREATING A THOUSAND NEW JOBS.

AND THIS IS HUGE FOR OUR AREA AND OUR REGION.

THEY DECIDED TO COME HERE, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THEY WILL BE RECYCLING TIRES, WHICH IS GREAT FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT.

EXCELLENT.

ANY OTHERS? SO I HAVE A SCHOOL BOARD REPORT.

UM, THEY DID PASS THEIR REFERENDUM, BUT THE CHAIR OF THE CITIZEN LED OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE GAVE THEIR THIRD QUARTER REPORT.

THEY'VE HAD 47 MEETINGS IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

I THINK THAT'S IMPRESSIVE.

THEY'RE ALL CITIZENS.

THEY ARE MONITORING THE PROGRESS AND EXPENDITURES FROM THE 2019 BOND REFERENDUM AND, UH, THEY'VE GOING FORWARD ON BATTERY CREEK.

ROBERT SCHMO MIDDLE SCHOOL, HILTON HAD, UM, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THEY'RE 93 PROJECTS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN THE DISTRICT, AND 36 HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, SO THEY'RE GETTING READY TO CLOSE OUT 2019 REFERENDUM.

I ALSO ATTENDED ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL THE BLUFFTON STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION.

THAT WAS RATHER INTERESTING.

I HAVE BEEN ATTENDING THE SALES TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE, GREAT INFORMATION FROM JARED, GREAT GROUP OF GUY OF PEOPLE, NOT GUYS, MEN AND WOMEN.

AND WHAT I WANNA SHARE WITH ALL OF MY COUNCIL MEMBERS IS I'M ON THE SCAC MEETING, UH, SUBCOMMITTEE FOR FINANCE, REVENUE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT FIRST TIME I WENT, BUT THEY HAVE LIKE 40 PROPOSALS THEY'RE CONSIDERING.

AND I JUST WANNA GIVE YOU A TASTE OF ONES I THINK ARE IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY FOR US.

THEY ARE OPPOSING LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS COUNTIES BY ORDINANCE TO REDUCE THE ASSESSMENT RATIO

[00:35:01]

THEY WILL SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO EXTEND THE IMPOSITION TIME OF THE CAPITAL PROJECT SALES TAX FOR UP TO 12 YEARS.

THIS WAS BROUGHT FORTH BY OUR CHAIR.

CURRENTLY IS SEVEN YEARS.

THEY'RE GONNA SUPPORT EXTENDING IT TO 12 YEARS.

THEY WILL SUPPORT, AND WHEN I SAY SUPPORT, THAT MEANS WE VOTED AS A GROUP TO SUPPORT OR OPPOSE THESE SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE THE DMV TO PUT THE NAME OF THE COUNTY WHERE A VEHICLE IS REGISTERED ON THE LICENSE PLATES.

THEY WILL SUPPORT LEGISLATION, ALLOWING ONLINE PUBLICATIONS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLIC NOTICE.

THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY IN THE SMALLER COUNTIES WHERE THE NEWSPAPERS DON'T PRINT ANYMORE OR THEY PRINT ONCE A MONTH AND YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR NOTICE IN AND THEN WAIT.

BUT I THINK THAT WILL BENEFIT US TOO.

THEY WILL SUPPORT LEGISLATION REQUIRING THE REMITTANCE OF LOCAL ACCOMMODATION TAX ON SHORT TERM RENTALS TO COUNTIES.

THEY WILL OPPOSE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REDUCE THE ASSESSMENT RATIO RATIO ON COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FROM 6% TO FIVE.

THEY'RE OPPOSING THAT THIS IS A GOOD ONE.

SUPPO SUPPORT LEGISLATION REQUIRING ONLINE RETAILERS TO REMIT ALL SALES TAXES TO THE APPROPRIATE TAXING AUTHORITY, INCLUDING THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN CASE OF LOCALLY IMPOSED SALES TAX OPPOSE LEGISLATION CREATING A MUNICIPAL CAPITAL PROJECT SALES TAX.

THAT'S A VERY INTERESTING ONE.

IF YOU WANT INFORMATION I CAN SEND THAT.

THEY'RE SUPPORTING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD STANDARDIZE THE TREATMENT OF TINY HOMES FOR TAXATION, INSPECTION AND CODE ENFORCEMENT.

AND I JUST SAW WE HAVE SOME IN HARVILLE TINY HOMES, I MEAN TINY.

AND THEY WILL SUPPORT INCREASING THE CURRENT $50,000 THRESHOLD TO EITHER 75,000 OR 100,000 FOR THE 4% SPECIAL ASSESSMENT RATIO PROVIDED BY THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

AND HERE'S THE CATCH.

AS LONG AS THE, THE OUTCOME IS REVENUE, REVENUE NEUTRAL FOR COUNTIES, BUT THAT MEANS ALL OF US GET TO POSSIBLY HAVE A HUNDRED THOUSAND HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

ANYWAY, ANYBODY THAT WANTS A FULL PACKET, I'M HAPPY TO EMAIL IT TO YOU.

IT'S VERY INTERESTING INFORMATION.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ITEMS IN THERE THAT ARE JUST NOT RELEVANT TO US, BUT THE, THAT WAS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

ANY OTHERS? YEAH, IF I MIGHT, UM, THE LOW COUNTRY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MET, UH, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26TH.

UM, AND, UH, UH, THE DIRECTOR OF THE LOW COUNTRY CONSULATE GOVERNMENT, MS. SABRINA GRAHAM, UM, UH, SHARED, UH, UH, WEBSITE WITH THE, UH, BOARD, UM, THAT, UH, HAS VALUABLE, UH, INFORMATION.

THE WEBSITE IS ENTITLED, UH, LOW COUNTRY COMMUNITY INDICATORS, UM, THAT THAT WEBSITE PROVIDES VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR THE FOUR COUNTIES IN THE REGION.

THAT IS BEAUFORT COUNTY, HAMPTON COUNTY, JASPER COUNTY, AND CARLTON COUNTY.

UM, THE DATA IS VERY COMPREHENSIVE AND RESOURCEFUL AND IT'S, UH, IT HELPS IN THE DECISION MAKING OF, OF THE COUNTIES.

UH, SOME OF THE, SOME OF THE DATA ON THAT WEBSITE UH, PERTAINS TO DEMOGRAPHICS, UH, HOUSING, EDUCATION, ECONOMY, TRANSPORTATION, UH, HEALTH, POVERTY, POVERTY, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

UM, MS. GRAHAM HAS SHARED WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT SHE DESIRE AND WOULD BE WILLING TO COME TO OUR COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING IN ALL FOUR OF THE REGIONS AND ACTUALLY PRESENT AND, UH, UH, DISPLAY THIS, UH, WEBSITE SO THAT THE COUNTIES WOULD HAVE, UH, UH, KNOWLEDGE OF THE, UH, THE ASSISTANCE THAT THIS WEBSITE CAN PROVIDE AND OUR PLANNING PROCESS.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

UM, THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.

I WENT TO THE FINANCE AND THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

THEY HAD THEIR RETREAT OCTOBER 26TH AND THEIR FINANCE MEETING WAS OCTOBER 23RD.

UM, AT BUFORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, UH, THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE, 5% INCREASE IN REVENUE AND THEIR CONTRACT COSTS SUCH AS FOR NURSES, HAS GONE DOWN, WHICH IS PART OF THAT REASON THEIR REVENUE'S GONE UP.

ALSO.

UM, THE URGENT CARE IN PORT ROYAL HAS BEEN VERY BUSY AS EXPECTED THIS TIME OF YEAR, THE OKEE URGENT CARE IS BUSIER THAN THE BLUFFTON URGENT CARE, PROBABLY DUE TO SUN CITY AND MARGARITAVILLE RESIDENTS THAT USE IT FREQUENTLY OR REGULARLY.

UM, THE FOUNDATION REPORT, THE CAMPAIGN LETTERS WENT OUT AND THEY'RE GETTING THE WORD OUT AND THEY'RE, UM, MEETING WITH EXECUTIVES ON HILTON AT ISLAND TOO, WITH THE FOUNDATION.

UM, THE OTHER THING IS THE OPERATION ROOM RENOVATIONS WILL START AS SOON AS THE DEMOLITION PERMIT IS ISSUED.

AND, UH, I THOUGHT THIS WAS INTERESTING.

THE NAVAL HOSPITAL, UH,

[00:40:01]

THEY HAVE, UM, 10 NURSES, AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF NURSES AND THEY HAVE, UH, 10 NURSES NOW HERE FROM THE PHILIPPINES WHO ARE WORKING AT BEAUFORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

AND THAT IS WORKING OUT REALLY WELL.

I ATTENDED THE, UM, CITY OF BUFORT MEETING ABOUT IMAGINE REEBOK ROAD, ALONG WITH COUNCILMAN GLOVER, UH, COUNCILMAN EW.

AND I ALSO ATTENDED THE FORT ROYAL.

VERY DIFFERENT COMMENTS AT THOSE TWO MEETINGS ABOUT REIMAGINING, UM, REBUT ROAD AND AT BOTH, UH, JARED .

I'D LIKE TO SAY WELL DONE JOB AT BOTH OF THEM.

UH, HE ONLY NEEDED ARMOR AT ONE OF THEM.

I THINK HE DID A GREAT JOB.

AND NOVEMBER 6TH I ATTENDED THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND THEY HAD A TRAINING SESSION AND GOT TO MEET THE NEW MEMBERS AT THAT.

AND ON NOVEMBER 2ND, SEVERAL OF US MET AT LYNN BROWN RECREATION CENTER WITH, UH, COUNT THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.

UM, MITCH MITCHELL AND HANK WAS THERE AND THE LOCAL CITIZENS GROUP TO TAKE A TOUR OF THE RENOVATIONS THAT LOOKED VERY NICE AT LYNN BROWN RECREATION CENTER.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY, WE ARE NOW AT THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION ITEMS. I'M GOING TO ALERT THE AUDIENCE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THE REST OF THE MEETING IS LENGTHY.

IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEXT PAGE.

ITEMS 21 THROUGH 24 ARE OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. WE WILL BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IN EXCESS OF AN HOUR AND A HALF.

SO BEAR THAT IN MIND AS WE GO THROUGH THE AGENDA.

I NEED A MOTION AND

[12. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA]

SO MOVED MR. CHAIRMAN.

MR. CUNNINGHAM MAKES SECOND THAT MS. BROWN MAKES THE SECOND JULIE MOTION AND SECONDED.

ANY CONCERNS, THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION AND I SEE NO OBJECTIONS.

ITEM 13,

[13. PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND BEAUFORT COUNTY’S FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET ORDINANCE (ORDINANCE NO. 2023/22) TO PROVIDE ROLLOVER APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,432,768 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND (FUND 1040) FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS APPROVED BUT NOT COMPLETED IN FISCAL YEAR 2023 (FISCAL IMPACT: This will increase the Capital Improvement Fund's budget from $21,232,455 to $24,665,223. There will be a balance of $703,423 remaining in Fund Balance should 100% of all budgeted line items be expended FY’24)]

MAY I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND PLEASE.

I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

MS. TABER MOTION I MAKE THE SECOND MR. BARTHOLOMEW THE SECOND DULY MOTIONED.

AND SECOND IT, I'M GOING TO GO TO THE AUDIENCE.

IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? SEEING NONE, THIS WILL BE APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION AND I SEE NO OBJECTIONS.

ITEM 14

[14. PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES ORDINANCE CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE III, SECTION 18-67 (A) (B), APPENDIX A&B (FISCAL IMPACT: Updated Rate Schedule will have a minor fiscal revenue impact.) Vote at First Reading on October 23, 2023- 9:0]

SO MOVED, CHAIRMAN MR. CUNNINGHAM.

SECOND.

I'LL SECOND IT.

MS. TABER.

JULIE.

MOTION.

AND SECOND, IS THERE ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO MAKE A COMMENT REGARDING THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION.

ANY COMMENTS FROM COUNSEL? SEEING NONE, THIS WILL BE APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION AND THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS.

ITEM 15,

[15. PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE RATIFYING THE SALARIES FOR VARIOUS ELECTED OFFICIALS AND TO AMEND SECTION 2-347 OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY CODE OF LAWS ESTABLISHING THE SALARIES FOR VARIOUS ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS (FISCAL IMPACT: Potential salary amounts owed totals $45,417.78 to be paid from the payroll contingency account) Vote at First Reading on September 25, 2023 - (send back to Finance, Administration, and Economic Development Committee) 6:4 Vote at Finance, Administration, & Economic Development Committee on October 16, 2023- 7:0 Vote at First Reading on October 23, 2023- 9:0]

A MOTION PLEASE? I'LL MAKE THE MOTION MR. CHAIRMAN.

AND I'LL SECOND THAT MS. HOWARD.

MOTION.

MS. BROWN, THE SECOND DULY MOTIONED.

AND SECOND, ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THIS ITEM? GO AHEAD, SIR.

AGAIN, UH, I'M ALL FOR RAISES OF SALARIES AND COMPENSATION, BUT YOU HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE LAWS BEFORE WE SHOULD.

ANY OF US SHOULD ALLOW THAT.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

ANY COMMENTS FROM COUNSEL? YEAH, I, I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THIS IS NOT FOR US.

OKAY.

THIS IS FOR OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS WITHIN THE COUNTY? THAT'S CORRECT.

AND THEIR, UH, THEIR SALARIES WERE ACTUALLY INCORRECT.

SO WE'RE MAKING THAT CORRECTION.

THE AUDITOR BEING ONE OF THEM? YES.

MM-HMM.

[00:45:01]

OKAY.

SALARY.

UH, THIS WILL BE APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION AND I SEE NO OBJECTIONS.

ITEM 16

[16. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 39 AIRPORT CIRCLE WITH BEAUFORT FLIGHT TRAINING (FISCAL IMPACT: Beaufort Executive Airport will receive monthly income generated through lease revenue – Tenant shall pay $437.25 (265 sq ft x $19.80/12) in monthly base lease payments for premises located at the Beaufort Executive Airport terminal. Annual Expected Revenue increase: $5247.00. These lease rates are in accordance with current Beaufort County lease policies)]

FLIGHT TRAINING.

MOTION PLEASE.

MOTION MR. JIM? I'LL SECOND.

MR. BARTHOLOMEW MADE THE MOTION.

SECOND.

MR. REETS MADE THE SECOND DULY MOTION AND SECONDED.

ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, UH, THIS WILL BE APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION.

ITEM 17 IS THE

[17. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 39 AIRPORT CIRCLE WITH TIM VERROI(FISCAL IMPACT: Beaufort Executive Airport will receive monthly income generated through lease revenue – Tenant shall pay $145.20 (88 sq ft x $19.80/12) in monthly base lease payments for premises located at the Beaufort Executive Airport terminal. Annual Expected Revenue increase: $1742.40. These lease rates are in accordance with current Beaufort County lease policies) - Steve Parry, Deputy Airports Director]

YEAH.

ROI A MOTION PLEASE.

I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

MR. BAR MULE.

I SECOND.

AND MR. GLOVER DULY MOTIONED AND SECONDED.

ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE.

THIS WILL BE APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION AND THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS.

NUMBER 18

[18. APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE US 278 CORRIDOR PROJECT JOINT INDEPENDENT REVIEW PERFORMED BY CBB AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE INTERIM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO SEND CORRESPONDENCE TO TOWN OF HILTON HEAD REQUESTING THEIR MUNICIPAL CONSENT FOR THE PROJECT (FISCAL IMPACT: N/A) - Jared Fralix, Assistant County Administrator, Infrastructure]

SO, MR. CHAIRMAN, MR. CUNNINGHAM MAKES THE MOTION, MRS. TABER MAKES THE SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? I'M GONNA VOTE NO FOR THAT, MR. CHAIRMAN.

FINE.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? IT IS LONG OVERDUE.

YEAH, IT'S OKAY.

UH, DULY, MOTIONED AND SECONDED.

UM, WE WILL HAVE A VOTE OF NINE YES.

AND TWO.

NO MS. BROWN AND MR. REE WILL BE THE NO VOTES, BUT THE MOTION WILL CARRY YOU.

YOU HAVE LARRY ON LINE? YEAH.

I SAID NINE WILL VOTE YES.

TWO WILL VOTE NO.

ITEM NUMBER

[19. APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE RESULTS OF BOND REFERENDA CONDUCTED IN THE FRIPP ISLAND PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA ON NOVEMBER 7, 2023.]

SO MOVE, MR. CHAIRMAN.

OH, SORRY.

MR. GLOVER MADE THE MOTION.

MS. HOWARD MADE THE SECOND DULY MOTION DIDN'T SECOND IT.

ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, THIS WILL BE APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION.

OKAY,

[20. CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD]

UH, SENATOR MARGIE BRIGHT MATTHEWS, WHICH WILL YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD? GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN A WHILE, UM, ABOUT IN OTHER COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

I'VE SEEN A LOT OF YOU YES.

THAT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

SEEING YOU IN THE COMMUNITY ALSO.

BUT, UM, I'M REALLY HERE NOT AS A SENATOR.

I DO THAT IN MY DAY JOB.

UM, , I'M HERE AS AN ATTORNEY.

MM-HMM.

.

UM, I'VE BEEN PRACTICING.

I STARTED OUT MY PRACTICE REPRESENTING MUNICIPALITIES SUCH AS YOURS.

IT'S THE FIRST PART OF MY PRACTICE AND I'VE CONTINUED MY PRACTICE THROUGHOUT.

I SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY TRYING A CASE IN REFERENCE TO AN ELECTION LAW ISSUE REGARDING A COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER.

UM, BUT I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND I HAVE BEEN RETAINED BY MEMBERS OF BEAUFORT COUNTY IN REFERENCE TO THE PINE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS BEEN BEFORE YOU.

I'M CERTAIN YOU REMEMBER, UM, ONE OF THE, UM, MEMBERS THAT CAME BEFORE YOU, AND MANY OF THE MEMBERS THAT HAVE COME IN OPPOSITION.

BUT THERE WAS, UM, SOME THAT HAVE WANTED TO INTERVENE IN SUPPORT OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.

I THINK YOU WOULD REMEMBER THAT ROY BROWN, THE FORMER FORCE MASTER CAME BEFORE YOU AND HE SPOKE CLEARLY.

SO I WAS CONTACTED BY EIGHT MEMBERS THEY HAVE FILED TO INTERVENE AND WHAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE IN SUPPORT OF A DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD LEAD TO LESS DENSITY ON ST.

HELENA ISLAND.

UM, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES.

THE STATUTE SAYS THERE MUST BE A A MEDIATION, BUT YET IF YOU'LL LISTEN TO WHAT HAS BEEN SAID BY THOSE LOUDER VOICES, IT'S BEEN SAID THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO NEGOTIATE, THEN WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE BEAUFORT COUNTY FINANCIALLY AS A MUNICIPALITY? THAT MEANS THIS, UM, LITIGATION CONTINUES ON BY RIGHT USE OF THE LAND IS A BIGGER FOOTPRINT TO BEAUFORT COUNTY 160 HOME SITES VERSUS AND 60 DOCKS WITH NO FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, NO SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND NO POLICE IN PLACE.