Nov 12, 2024 Hilton Head Island Town Council

DO WE HAVE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA? NO, SIR.

SO GO BEFORE WE GO TO THE ADOPTION, EXCUSE ME, OF THE AGENDA, JUST TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW THERE WILL BE A RECEPTION, UH, FOLLOWING THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.

SO, UM, MR. ORLANDO,

[4. Adoption of the Agenda]

MINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 15TH, 2024, WORKSHOP MINUTES, OCTOBER 22ND, 2024, WORKSHOP MINUTES, OCTOBER 30TH, 2024.

MOTION TO ACCEPT.

MOVE TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED.

SECOND, WE HAVE A FIRST AND SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

SO MOVED.

SEVEN ZERO.

WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE

[5. Approval of the Minutes]

DO WE HAVE A MOTION MOVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED? DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND.

I HAVE A QUESTION.

MR. ALFRED, IN THE WORKSHOP MEETING THAT, UH, AMONG THE ITEMS, UH, THAT SEA PINE CIRCLE PROJECT APPEARED, WE DISCUSSED THE POTENTIAL SHORT-TERM, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT NOT THE LONG-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS BECAUSE THAT MATTER CAME UP QUITE CLOSE TO THE END OF THE MEETING.

MY RECOLLECTION IS THAT WE SIMPLY PUT IT OFF 'CAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME.

I THINK THE MINUTES STATE THERE WAS A DECISION MADE NOT TO TAKE IT UP AT THIS POINT.

UH, IF THE UNDERSTANDING OF OTHER MEMBERS OF COUNCIL IS, IS SIMILAR TO MINE THAT WE, WE SIMPLY DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO DEAL WITH IT AND WE'LL GET TO IT SOON, RATHER THAN PUTTING IT OFF INDEFINITELY, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT CHANGED DISCUSSION FROM COUNSEL.

I THINK I RECALL IT BEING, AS YOU SAID, AS, AS I RECALL, I THINK IT WAS A MATTER OF JUST PUTTING IT, UM, OFF UNTIL WE HAD TIME TO DISCUSS IT.

GO WITH THE AMENDMENT.

SO, SO THERE'S A MOTION TO AMEND, UH, THE, THE MINUTES ON THE WORKSHOP TO INCLUDE THE, THE CHANGE IN VERBIAGE.

YOU WANNA MAKE THAT MOTION FORMALLY? YES, SIR.

MOVE THAT THE, UH, MINUTES REFLECTING THE MATTER OF SEA PINES CIRCLE LONG TERM BE, UH, CHANGED SO THAT IT READS THAT THERE WAS NOT ADEQUATE TIME FOR THE DISCUSSION OF THIS MATTER AND IT WILL BE TAKEN UP AT A, IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

HOPEFULLY NO MORE THAN 30 MINUTES AND THEN COME BACK AND FINISH OUT.

IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE SECOND.

SECOND? OKAY.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, FAVOR OF MAKING THOSE CHANGES, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

SO MOVE SEVEN ZERO AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON, ON THOSE OTHER ITEMS? SEEING NONE, NO DISCUSSION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

AGAIN.

SEVEN ZERO

[6. Executive Session]

EXECUTIVE SESSION.

MR. ORLANDO, DO WE HAVE A NEED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND BE BEFORE YOU GO THERE? JUST SO Y'ALL KNOW, THIS IS ONE TIME THAT WE'RE DOING THINGS JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY SO THAT WE CAN HAVE, UH, THE FORMALITIES OF THIS MEETING TOWARDS THE END.

UM, SO WE'LL GO AWAY FOR PROBABLY,

[00:05:01]

SO, MR. ORLANDO? YES, SIR.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR COUNSEL, UH, ON OUR AGENDA ITEM SIX A AND SIX B AS REPRESENTED.

AMES, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? I DO.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION IF WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSIONS FOR THE REASONS CITED BY THE TOWN MANAGER? SECOND, FIRST, AND SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE? 75.

OUR RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

SO MOVE SEVEN ZERO.

WE ARE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS SAFE? DON'T PROVIDE EASY ACCESS, ESPECIALLY TO NARCOTIC MEDICATIONS, INVENTORY OF MEDICINE, CABINETS, ESPECIALLY CONTROL SUBSTANCES SAFELY DISCARD, OUTDATED OR UNUSED MEDICATIONS PROPERLY.

DID YOU KNOW BEAUFORT COUNTY HAS MANY LOCATIONS FOR YOU TO DISPOSE YOUR OUTDATED OR UNUSED MEDICATIONS RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND? UM, JUST SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, UH, WE'RE NOW OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.

NO VOTES WERE TAKEN AND NO MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION.

MR.

[7. Action from Executive Session]

MAYOR, I MOVE THAT COUNCIL, AMEND THE TOWN MANAGER'S CONTRACT AND INCREASE SALARY BY 4% AND PROVIDE A $15,000 BONUS.

SECOND.

WE'VE GOT A FIRST AND SECOND.

ANY, ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO COUNCIL.

ANY DISCUSSION FROM COUNCIL? I THINK THIS IS DEFINITELY EARNED.

EVERY PENNY OF IT IS EARNED.

I AM SINCERELY GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK, AND I HOPE THIS IS JUST COMPENSATION.

I AGREE.

, AS DO I, , AS DO I.

UM, SO WE'VE GOT A, A MOTION BY MR. AMES TO INCREASE 4% A BONUS OF 15,000.

UM, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

SO MOVED.

KIM, HAS ANYBODY SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY? NOT FOR THIS ITEM.

TO REPORTS FROM TOWN COUNCIL.

OR, OR THE OTHER TWO ITEMS. WE HAVE A FEW PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AG AGENDA ITEMS. OKAY.

JUST WANNA MAKE SURE, UM, NOW WE MOVE ON

[8. Reports from Members of Town Council]

UM, ONE GENERAL REPORT, UM, MOST EVERYONE KNOWS, BUT, UM, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE LOST, UH, MONTE JETT AND MONTE JETT'S SON TJ, UM, WORKS HERE AT THE TOWN AND WE'RE ALL HEARTBROKEN AS A COMMUNITY FOR HIS LOSS.

AND THERE WILL BE A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, UM, THIS FRIDAY AT FOUR O'CLOCK AT HONEY HORN.

UM, SO IF YOU CAN MAKE IT OUT THERE, SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY, THEN ANY OTHER GENERAL REPORTS FROM COUNSEL JUST IN GENERAL.

I SEE MS. HARVEY IS HERE.

I WANNA CONGRATULATE, UM, ALL OF THE FOLKS WHO WORKED SO HARD ON CRESCENDO.

WHAT A WONDERFUL CELEBRATION WE HAVE AND LOOK FORWARD TO HOLDING MY LANTERN DURING THE LANTERN PARADE.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANKS TO YOU AND ALL YOUR, YOUR STAFF AND YOUR VOLUNTEERS AND, UH, THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER GENERAL? ALRIGHT, SEEING NONE, WE'LL MOVE ON TO, UH, MR. STANFORD AND LOW COUNTRY AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY.

NO REPORT, SIR.

MS. BECKER LOW COUNTRY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, NO REPORT.

MR. AMES BEAUFORT COUNTY AIRPORTS BOARD.

NO REPORT.

MR. STANFORD SOKO? NO REPORT, SIR.

MR. BROWN ISLAND RECREATION ASSOCIATION? YES.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

UH, THE ASSOCIATION HELD SEVERAL COMMUNITY EVENTS OVER THE LAST WEEKS.

THE ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH AT SHELTER COVE PARK, THE COMMUNITY OYSTER ROACH, WHICH WAS LAST WEEKEND WITH FRIDAY NIGHT AT SHELTER COVE AND THE SATURDAY NIGHT EVENT AT LOW COUNTRY CELEBRATION PARK.

ALL EVENTS WERE WELL ATTENDED.

NEXT UP ANNUAL TURKEY TROT ON THANKSGIVING DAY, WHICH WILL GO THROUGH HILTON HEAD PLANTATION WITH OVER 1500 RUNNERS AND WALKERS TO PARTICIPATE.

[00:10:01]

AWESOME.

MS. BECKER COMMITTEE SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING TO REPORT ON.

THANK YOU MR. AMES.

PUBLIC PLANNING COMMITTEE.

UH, I HAVE NO REPORT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO PUBLICLY THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, UH, MS. BRYSON, MS. BECKER, MR. STANFORD, AND MR. ALFRED AS THE, UH, ALTERNATE.

UH, I THINK WE HAD A GOOD TEAM AND I APPRECIATE THEIR HARD WORK.

AND MR. BROWN REPORTED THE FINANCE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE.

UH, YES, MR. MAYOR.

UM, WE MET ON OCTOBER 29TH, UH, ONE ITEM ON THE AGENDA, WHICH WAS A REVIEW OF OUR FINANCIALS.

UM, WE HAD A VERY HIGH LEVEL SUMMARY OF THE TOWN'S FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 2025.

UM, IT INCLUDED A YEAR TO DATE FUND BALANCES, UH, BUDGET ANALYSIS AND APPROVED BALANCES FOR THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, UH, PROGRAM BUDGET.

UM, IT ALSO GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM OUR NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR AS TO SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT ARE COMING OUR WAY.

UM, PARTICULARLY IN THE CIP MANAGEMENT PIECE.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

UM, A LOT OF VIVID DISCUSSION AMONGST THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AS WELL.

AND, UH, AS I'VE GOT THE FLOOR, I ALSO WANT TO, UH, THANK, UH, COUNCILMAN STANFORD AND COUNCILING AMES AS I'VE CHAIRED THIS FINANCE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE.

YOU ALL HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT JOYS TO WORK WITH AND, UM, REALLY, UH, ADMIRE AND APPRECIATE YOUR WISDOM ALONG THE WAY.

NEXT WE'LL

[9.a. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Standardized Stormwater Agreements for Broad Creek Landing, Ribaut Island, Paddocks on Jarvis Creek, and Victoria Square - Jeff Netzinger, Director of Engineering and Projects]

MOVE ON TO NEW BUSINESS.

UH, WE HAVE MR. UH, JEFF INGER REPRESENT THE CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF STANDARD STORMWATER AGREEMENTS FOR BROAD CREEK LANDING, REBO ISLAND PADDOCKS ON JARVIS CREEK AND VICTORIA SQUARE.

THE FINANCE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO RECOMMEND THE PROPOSAL RESOLUTION TO FULL COUNSEL AT ITS SEPTEMBER 24TH MEETING.

MR. NOT SINGER MAYOR.

COUNSEL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UM, MAYOR, I THINK YOU JUST SAID, UH, JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

WE DID MEET AND DISCUSS THE DRAINAGE AGREEMENTS.

UM, THERE HAVE BEEN 22 TO DATE, AND THESE ARE FOUR NEW APPLICANTS THAT ALSO MEET THE SAME CRITERIA TO QUALIFY FOR AN AGREEMENT PER THE, PER THE TERMS THAT, UH, COUNCIL HAS SET UPON AS FAR AS HAVING A COMMON OWNERSHIP OF SHARED PLOTTED RIGHTS OF WAY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

UM, THE ABILITY TO SIGN, SIGN IN THE AGREEMENT, AND, UH, THESE FOUR NEW APPLICANTS WOULD LIKE ALSO TO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF AN AGREEMENT.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

IS THERE THE MOTION I MOVE? THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF STANDARD STORMWATER AGREEMENTS FOR BROAD CREEK LANDING RE, BOW ISLAND PADDOCKS ON JARVIS CREEK AND VICTORIA SQUARE.

SECOND.

THAT WAS A TIE.

UM, ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC ON THIS ITEM? ALRIGHT, SEEING NONE WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE DIOCESE.

ANY DISCUSSION FROM COUNSEL, MR. BROWN? UH, YES, MR. MAYOR.

UM, JEFF, CAN YOU TELL US, UM, HOW MANY OTHER POTENTIAL AGREEMENTS OUT THERE? YES, THERE'S, UH, ROUGHLY 30 COMMUNITIES THAT COULD ALSO QUALIFY FOR AGREEMENTS.

UM, MAYBE A FEW MORE.

THERE'S FOUR MORE THAT ARE INTERESTED.

I THINK MAYBE THE COUNT IS AT 35 MORE.

UM, IT CHANGES AS WE LEARN MORE ABOUT SOME COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAD NOT YET IDENTIFIED.

AND OF COURSE, AS NEW DEVELOPMENTS COME INTO PLACE, THEY COULD ALSO EVENTUALLY QUALIFY FOR AGREEMENTS WITH, UH, SOME NEW SUBDIVISIONS.

UM, MR. MAYOR, JUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, UM, YES, FNA DID TAKE A LOOK AT THIS, UM, THAT QUESTION WAS ASKED THEN I WANTED TO MAKE SURE FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT IN ATTENDANCE OF THOSE MEETINGS, THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT AND ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAD A WORKSHOP ON THE SAME TOPIC.

UH, SO WE ARE CHALLENGING OURSELVES AND THE TOWN MANAGER TO REALLY GET A HOLD ON THE EXTENT OF OUR STORMWATER HERE ON HILTON HEAD AND HOW WE CAN MAKE THE APPROPRIATE, UH, IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE WAY.

SO THIS IS A BIG TOPIC FOR US.

THESE ARE JUST A FEW MORE THAT ARE COMING INTO THE, TO THE HOPPER.

FOR US HAVING A, AN ISLAND WIDE STORM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

THANK YOU MS. BRYSON.

YES, MAYOR.

UM, FIRST OF ALL, MR. NETER, THANK VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS PROJECT AND OTHERS.

UM, AS MR. BROWN JUST SAID, WE HAD A WORKSHOP, UH, THE TOWN COUNCIL DID ON OCTOBER 30TH.

AND I WOULD COMMEND, UM, LISTENING TO THAT PORTION OF THE WORKSHOP.

WELL, TO ALL OF IT .

BUT IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, PARTICULARLY IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT TO THAT PORTION, THE CRITERIA DEVELOPED BY MR. INGER AND HIS TEAM ARE, ARE, ARE GREAT.

AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR DEVELOPING THAT MATHEMATICAL FORMULA, WHICH HELPS TO EVALUATE, UM, THE SYSTEMS WHICH ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE IN INCLUDED IN OUR PROGRAM.

I'VE ALSO BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE

[00:15:01]

AND THIS IS A WAY TO DO THAT, UH, BECAUSE WHEN WE DO HAVE STORMS AND FLOODING AS WE DO, UM, THEN IT'S, IT'S EASIER TO MANAGE IT IF WE HAVE AN ISLAND WIDE SYSTEM AND TO PROTECT NEIGHBORING AREAS ONCE THEY ARE PART OF OUR FAULT, SO TO SPEAK.

UM, OKAY.

SORRY, SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO CHANNEL THROUGH ME.

I'M NOT SURE WHO IT WAS.

ECHO.

I'M STILL WAITING.

UM, AT ANY RATE, IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, IT'S A WONDERFUL WAY TO TRY TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

UM, AND ONE OF THE THINGS I ASKED DURING OUR WORKSHOP WAS THIS, USE THE SAME KIND OF FORMULA TO LOOK AT THE OTHER SYSTEMS WHICH, UM, ARE, ARE NOT YET INCLUDED TO DECIDE WHERE OUR PRIORITIES MIGHT BE, BECAUSE WE MIGHT HAVE SOME COMMUNITIES THAT ARE INCLUDED, UM, BUT NOT THE NEIGHBORING ONES.

AND SO THE NEIGHBORING ONES ALSO NEED TO BE INCLUDED AND WRAPPED IN OUR UMBRELLA SYSTEM.

AND SO TO DEVELOP THAT PRIORITY, AND AS WE LOOK AT THAT, WE'RE ALSO GONNA NEED TO LOOK, UM, AS WE DISCUSSED IN OUR WORKSHOP AT, AT THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF MAKING IMPROVEMENTS ISLAND WIDE.

SO WE DO HAVE AN IMPROVED STORMWATER SYSTEM AND WE'RE, WE'RE GONNA BE LOOKING AT A STUDY TO DETERMINE, UH, HOW THE IMPACT OF THE RATES ON THOSE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FUTURE.

AND SO STAY TUNED FOR THAT.

BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH WHAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM ARE DOING AND I SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.

NEXT WE MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

THANK YOU, MS. BECKER.

AND TO FOLLOW UP ON, UM, COUNCILWOMAN BRYSON'S POINTS, UM, THE COUNCIL ALSO, AS I'VE STATED NOW SEVERAL TIMES, NEEDS TO LOOK AT THE OWNERSHIP OF SOME OF THE ROADS AND THE SYSTEMS THAT AREN'T ELIGIBLE FOR INCLUSIONS BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN GET TO WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT UNLESS WE CAN CONTROL THE STORM WATER AND THE ROADS THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND.

AND SEVERAL OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE BECAUSE THE COUNTY CONTROLS THEM.

AND SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT AS A PRIORITY AND MAKE SURE THAT, UM, WE'RE ABLE TO BRING THOSE UNDER THE ENVELOPE OF THE TOWN SO THAT THE GOOD WORK, THE BEST WORK CAN BE DONE BY OUR OWN STAFF.

THANKS, MR. ALFRED.

ANY COMMENTS? MR. SANFORD? THANK YOU.

THESE AGREEMENTS PROVIDE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE OVERALL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ON THIS ISLAND, WHICH IS VITAL FOR US TO DO IN, IN VIEW OF, UH, CLIMATE CONDITIONS THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO FACE.

SO THIS IS AN EXCELLENT PROGRAM FOR US TO FOLLOW AND IT FOLLOWS ON WITH OUR PROGRAM OF RESILIENCE AND NEEDING THE FUTURE NEEDS.

SO THANK YOU FOR THIS.

IT'S HARD WORK AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING MORE OF THESE IN PLACE.

THANK YOU MR. AMES.

ALRIGHT, AND I HAVE NO OTHER COMMENT AS WELL.

UM, SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY WE HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. AMES, A SECOND FROM MS. BECKER.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, FAVOR.

PLEASE WAIT, UH, RIGHT HAND.

SEVEN ZERO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NOW WE MOVE ON TO THE FINAL ITEMS OF THE AGENDA AND WE'RE GONNA PROCLAMATION THE ANNUAL THIR, UH, THANKSGIVING COMM.

I WAS TRYING TO GET US THERE.

SOMETIMES THAT HAPPENS.

[10. Public Comment - Non Agenda Items]

I'D LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE OF THE NEW PUBLIC COMMENT ORDINANCE THAT WAS ADOPTED IN JUNE THAT STATES THAT ANYONE WISHED TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT MUST FILL OUT THE FORM PRIOR TO THE MEETING.

KIM, HAS ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? YES, SIR.

THANK YOU, DR.

GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

UM, MY NAME IS DR.

I AM WITH THE, UH, BEAUFORT COUNTY VETERAN AFFAIRS OFFICE.

I JUST WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK, UH, AND TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK, UM, MAYOR PER FOR COMING OUT TO A GRAND OPENING THAT WE DID, UH, ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 2024, UM, WE OPENED A NEW OFFICE HERE IN BLUFFTON.

THEREFORE, THE VETERANS DO HAVE TO TRAVEL ALL THE WAY TO BEAUFORD TO FILE ANY TYPE OF BENEFIT, UM, AND ALSO TO HELP TO EDUCATE THEM ON THEIR BENEFIT AND WHAT THEY ALREADY EARN.

AND THE TURE, UH, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A THREE, UH, VAS, THE THREE LEGGED STOOL SORT OF.

UH, WE HAVE THE MEDICAL SIDE, WE HAVE THE BURIAL SIDE, OR WHAT WE CALL THE CEMETERY.

AND WE HAVE THE BENEFIT SIDE.

SO WE ARE HERE TO HELP WITH THE BENEFIT SIDE AND TO EDUCATE OR DIRECT ANY VETERANS, UH, THAT MIGHT NEED HELP IN OTHER AREAS TO WHO AND WHERE THEY CAN GET THAT SERVICE.

[00:20:02]

SO ON BEHALF OF MY DIRECTOR, UH, DR.

CAROLINE, FOR ME, UM, WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO MAYO ISLAND FOR, UH, FOR JOINING US ON EDUCATION, OUR OFFICE LOCATED, UH, THE IN BLUFFING, OUR NUMBER NINE ING FIELD ROAD.

UH, WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER OFFICE HERE ON THE ISLAND THAT IS LOCATED ON, UH, 5 39 WILLIAM HILTON PARKWAY.

UM, THE, WE THANK COUNCIL FOR THE SUPPORT, EVEN THOUGH WE APPROACH FOR NOT EXTENDING INVITATION TO EVERYONE, BUT I THINK, UH, MAYOR PERRY, UH, REPRESENTED EVERYBODY VERY WELL THERE, UH, WITH THE OTHER, UH, COMMUNITY AND, UH, THE, THE COUNCIL.

SO AS WE CELEBRATE THE VETERANS DAY, UH, ON NOVEMBER, UH, 11TH, UH, WE WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE WITH THIS, WITH THE CITY, TO LEARN ABOUT ANY TYPE OF ACTIVITY THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE PLANNED TO SUPPORT OUR VETERANS.

UH, IT'LL BE A PRIVILEGE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EFFORT AND TO STAND ALONGSIDE YOU AND OUR COMMUNITY IN RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTION AND SACRIFICES OF OUR VETERANS.

UH, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UM, WE EXPECT THAT YOU AS A COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT, UH, VETERANS.

YEAH.

YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION FOR ME? ANY? NO.

ALRIGHT.

THANKS SIR.

I'M 16 AND A JUNIOR AT HILTON HEAD PREP.

YOU NEXT CHRIS ROACH.

THANK YOU, COUNSEL.

MY NAME'S CHRIS ROACH, UH, 23 DE BALLOON DRIVE.

I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE BROAD CREEK DISC GOLF CLUB, UH, AS WELL AS THE ISLAND RECREATION CENTER.

UM, DISC GOLF HAS BECOME THE SECOND LARGEST GROWING SPORT IN THE COUNTRY.

UM, THE TOWN USED TO HAVE THE AMATEUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS HERE ALMOST A DECADE AGO NOW.

UM, THE GENTLEMAN WHO RAN THAT KIND OF LOST INTEREST IN THE SPORT, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE TOWN KIND OF HAS CEASED, UM, ITS IMPACT, UH, IN DISC GOLF WITH THE GROWTH THAT IT IS, UH, INDICATIVE OF IN THE COMMUNITY.

UM, WE HAVE STARTED A COURSE WITH THE CLUBS, UM, ON THE UNION CEMETERY PROPERTY.

UM, KIND OF HAD GONE DEAD AFTER THE WOOD STORAGE, UH, FROM THE HURRICANE.

UM, IN SEVEN WEEKS OF THAT COURSE BEING REGISTERED PUBLICLY, WE HAVE OVER 500 CHECK-INS ON IT, UM, MAKING IT PROBABLY THE SECOND MOST USED PARK ON HILTON HEAD NOW.

UM, WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR IS, UM, APPROVAL TO GROW THE SPORT, UH, LOCALLY AS WELL AS GROW THE CURRENT COURSE.

UM, WE HAVE SEVEN KIDS, UH, LOCALLY READY TO JOIN, UH, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS. THE REC CENTER IS WILLING TO BACK AND SUPPORT THAT.

UM, I'M WILLING TO BE THE COACH FOR BOTH OF THOSE AS WELL, UH, FREE.

UM, ADDITIONALLY WE HAVE FOR THE ADDITIONAL NINE HOLES THAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A, UH, TEAM, BUT ALSO AND JUSTIFY TRAVELING TOURNAMENTS.

UM, WE HAVE PRIVATE DONATION TO COMPLETE THE OTHER NINE HOLES, UM, BE IT THAT THEY ARE TEMPORARY AS THE OTHER NINE ARE ON THE PROPERTY.

UM, IT ENABLES US TO HAVE, UH, PRACTICES FOR BOTH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL KIDS, AS WELL AS, UH, INCREASES A SPORT ON THE ISLAND.

IT'S A FREE ACTIVITY, INITIAL INCOME TO GET INTO.

IT'S ABOUT $19.

THEY SELL STARTER PACKS AT WALMART NOW.

SO UNLIKE A BAG, A BUNCH OF CLUBS, HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OF INVESTMENT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A MINIMAL INVESTMENT.

UH, INSIDE OF JUST LAST MONTH, WE HAD FIVE NEW PLAYERS WHO HAD NEVER PLAYED DISC GOLF CHECK INTO THE COURSE.

WE HAD 246 MILES TOTAL TRACKED ON AN APP THAT'S CALLED U DISC.

UM, INSIDE OF THAT 17 STATES PLAYED ON THERE, 265 PLAYERS LAST MONTH ALONE.

UM, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN ADVANTAGE TO THE TOWN FINANCIALLY.

UM, PERSONALLY I'VE SPENT NOW PROBABLY CLOSE TO A HUNDRED HOURS ON THAT PROPERTY WITH A FLATHEAD SHOVEL, UH, MY OWN LAWNMOWER, A BACKPACK BLOWER TRYING TO GET IT REESTABLISHED.

UM, WHAT THAT HAS AVAILABLE TO IT IS KIND OF UNCANNY IN THAT THE TOP COURSES IN THE WORLD ARE ALL SEEMINGLY BUILT ON RETIRED GOLF COURSES.

UM, SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A BEAUTIFUL COURSE ALREADY THERE WITH THE NINE THAT ARE THERE, WE DO NEED TO EXTEND IT, UH, TO 18 TO MAKE IT COMPETITION WORTHY, UM, BUT AT A ZERO COST TO THE TOWN, UM, THROUGH PRIVATE BENEFIT OF LOCAL COMMUNITY.

UM, SO IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT I WANTED TO KIND OF INTRODUCE MYSELF DIRECT, BUT ALSO BRING THE, UH, IDEOLOGY OF GROWTH OF DISC GOLF ON HILLHEAD.

MR. KLIPPEL, HOW ARE YOU? GOOD.

GOOD.

ALRIGHT.

HI, MY NAME IS RICKY CLIFFEL AND

[00:25:01]

I'M HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU ABOUT A PROBLEM YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BE AWARE OF.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE ON HILTON HEAD OF UNSECURED TRASH FLYING OUTTA THE BACK OF PICKUP TRUCKS AND ALSO FALLING OUT OF SOME GARBAGE TRUCKS THAT FAIL TO PROPERLY SECURE THEIR LOAD.

A LOT OF THIS TRASH, UM, COMES OUT OF THESE TRUCKS WHEN THEY'RE GOING OVER OUR BRIDGES BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THEY EXPERIENCE STRONGER WINDS.

THIS, THE NEXT TIME YOU DRIVE OVER OUR BRIDGES, LOOK AT THE SHOULDER AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

ONCE THIS TRASH IS ON THE BRIDGES, IT IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO FLY OFF OF THE BRIDGE AND FALL INTO OUR WATERWAYS AND ON THE LAND UNDER OUR BRIDGES.

I BROUGHT SOME PICTURES OF MY TRASH CLEANUPS EFFORTS OVER THE YEARS TO SHOW YOU WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

UM, LOOKING AT THE, UM, LOOKING AT THESE PICTURES, IT MIGHT BE HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ON OUR BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, BUT IT IS, IT IS OUT OF VIEW FOR MOST PEOPLE.

SO THE PROBLEM IS NOT KNOWN.

RICKY, HANG ON ONE SECOND.

KIM, IF YOU COULD PAUSE.

OKAY, THERE YOU GO.

WHEN I CLEAN UP UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGES, IT ONLY TAKES SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE IT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AGAIN.

IN ADDITION TO MY EFFORTS, THERE ARE OTHER GROUPS THAT HELP CLEAN UP, SUCH AS LOW COUNTRY TRASH HEROES, UM, OUTSIDE HILTON HEAD.

ALSO, DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE KIDS FROM OUT OF STATE THAT HAVE HELPED TO CLEAN UP OUR TRASH PROBLEM? I HAVE A PICTURE HERE OF A GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOLERS FROM KENTUCKY THAT WERE VISITING OUR ISLAND AND TOOK TIME OUT OF THEIR VACATION TO PICK UP OUR TRASH.

LET THAT SINK IN.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WILL BE.

PERHAPS PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH SIGNS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADS TO REMIND DRIVERS TO SECURE THE TRASH IN THEIR TRUCKS.

OR MAYBE TICKETS NEED TO BE GIVEN TO DRIVERS WHEN THEY POLLUTE OUR ISLAND, UM, WITH THEIR TRASH.

I HOPE YOU'LL TAKE THIS PROBLEM INTO CONSIDERATION AND WORK TOWARDS FINDING A SOLUTION.

WE ALL WANT TO KEEP OUR ISLAND BEAUTIFUL.

YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? NO, SIR.

BUT, UM, I'VE SEEN THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE OVER THE YEARS MM-HMM.

, UM, THROUGH HILTON HEAD TRASH HEROES.

YES, SIR.

AND THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL.

AND IT'S VERY COMMITTABLE THAT YOU TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOU STEP UP TO DO THAT.

UM, I, I DO WANT TO TALK TO, SO LOCO AND INVITE YOU TO COME OUT THERE TO HAVE THE SAME CONVERSATION OKAY.

TO THAT GROUP BECAUSE WE HAVE A LITTER AND TRASH GROUP, UM, THAT IS ADDRESSING IT, UH, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

SO WHEN WOULD THIS BE? I, I'D HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

WE'LL WORK WITH YOU ON THAT.

NOW WE MOVE ON TO THE FINAL ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA THIS AFTERNOON.

BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YES.

THANK, THANK YOU HEATHER WRATH.

I DO NOT SEE HER.

THAT'S ALL WE HAVE.

AND

[11. Presentations and Recognitions]

AND FIRST WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION ACKNOWLEDGING, UM, THE ANNUAL THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY DINNER.

SO REPRESENTATIVE, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

THE TOWN OF HILTON NUT ISLAND PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS THE ANNUAL THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY DINNER HELD ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA IS CELEBRATING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY.

AND WHEREAS THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER CELEBRATES AND OFFERS A FREE COMMUNITY FAMILY-STYLE DINNER WITH OVER 400 VOLUNTEERS SERVING MORE THAN 1600 GUESTS.

AND WHEREAS THE DINNER PROVIDES COMFORT AND A SENSE OF BELONGING ON THANKSGIVING DAY, IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAY HOLIDAYS, DONATIONS COLLECTED AND DISTRIBUTED TO DEEP WELL LEFT IN SELF-HELP AND SECOND HELPINGS PROVIDE RESOURCES TO THOSE WHO NEED THEM MOST.

AND WHEREAS THIS WONDERFUL DAY COULD NOT HAPPEN IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE FOUNDING PARTNERS AND HOSTS GIVING THEIR LOVE TO THIS PROJECT, ST.

ANDREWS BY THE SEA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND HUDSON SEAFOOD ON THE DOCKS.

NOW, THEREFORE, I ELEANOR PERRY, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF HILTON HU ALLEN, SOUTH CAROLINA DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 28TH, 2024, AS A DAY OF APPRECIATION FOR THE FOUNDERS, SPONSORS, VOLUNTEERS AND PARTICIPANTS AT THE ANNUAL THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY DINNER AND TESTIMONY WHEREOF I HAVE HERE UNTO SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THIS SEAL OF THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND TO BE AFFIXED ON THIS 12TH DAY OF NOVEMBER AND THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2024.

GLORIA AND ALLEN, THIS IS FOR Y'ALL, ANDREW, AND THAT IS FOR YOU.

[00:30:09]

OKAY, MR. AMES, COME ON DOWN.

FINALLY, THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND COMMEMORATING, HONORING COMMENDATION, HONORING DAVID AMES.

WHEREAS DAVID AMES HAS SERVED THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND AS A DEDICATED MEMBER OF THE TOWN COUNCIL SINCE 2016, REPRESENTING HIS CONSTITUENTS IN WARD THREE WITH INTEGRITY AND DEDICATION.

AND WHEREAS COUNCILMAN AMES SERVED THIS DISTINCTION AS MAYOR PRO TEM FOR BEFORE PROVIDING STRONG AND PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP IN HIS ROLE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL.

AND WHEREAS COUNCILMAN AMES SERVED AS CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC PLANNING COMMITTEE CONSISTENTLY ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH, SO STRATEGIC LAND ACQUISITIONS AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, ENSURING THE PROTECTION ENHANCEMENT ENHANCEMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY'S UNIQUE CHARACTER AND SERVED AS AN ALTERNATE AS A COMMUNITY SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

AND WHEREAS COUNCILMAN AMES BROUGHT A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO THE COUNCIL WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM PRINCETON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND A MASTER OF FINE ARTS WITH CONCENTRATION AND PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

AND WHEREAS COUNCILMAN AMES HAS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN MULTIPLE C COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE MAYOR'S TASK FORCE, THE LAND MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE REWRITE COMMITTEE, THE BEAUFORT COUNTY AVIATION BOARD, AND THE CIRCLE TO CIRCLE COMMITTEE REFLECTING HIS COMMITMENT TO FORWARD THINKING POLICIES AND INITIATIVES.

AND WHEREAS COUNCILMAN AMES HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN CREATING BEACH ORDINANCES THAT PROTECT THE ENDANGERED LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES, AND HAS SHOWN UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR THE SEA TURTLE PATROL, HHI ADVOCATING FOR THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALAN R. PERRY, THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN COUNCIL AND TOWN STAFF DO HEREBY COMMEND AND HONOR MAYOR PRO TEM DAVID AMES FOR HIS VISION, PROFESSIONALISM, AND DEDICATION TO THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND, HIS CONSTITUENTS AND HIS FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS.

WE EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR HIS SERVICE AND WISH HIM WELL AND BEST IN RETIREMENT.

IT IS IN TESTIMONY THEREOF, I HAVE SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL, THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND TO BE AFFIXED THIS 12TH DAY OF NOVEMBER AND THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2024.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK, I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW MUCH THIS COMMUNITY MEANS TO ME.

AND SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY OF SERVICE.

IT'S BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARY PRIVILEGE AND HONOR FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

UM, THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE I NEED TO THANK VERY QUICKLY THERE REST OF COUNCIL, THE COLLABORATION THAT THEY HAVE SHOWN OVER THE SIX YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN ON, OR EIGHT YEARS I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL.

BUT THE STAFF, THE STAFF, THE SMILES, THE COMMITMENT, THE EXPERTISE DAY IN AND DAY OUT, I WANT TO COMMEND THE STAFF FOR WHAT THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED HERE IN THE ISLAND AND HERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND HERE IN THE TOWN HALL.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A WISE OF ME TO ALSO RECOGNIZE MY WIFE .

UM, I DON'T KNOW HOW LUCKY I'VE BEEN BECAUSE SHE UNDERSTANDS WHERE, WHERE MY MOTIVATION IS REGARDING THIS COMMUNITY AND SHE'S ALLOWED ME AND HOURS AND DAYS AND YEARS OF COMMITMENT.

MY MAIN THOUGHT, THOUGH IS TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU AND TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY FOR THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU'VE GIVEN ME TO SERVE ON THE TOWN COUNCIL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[00:35:13]

YES, SIR.

MR. STANFORD, IT'S YOUR TURN.

YES, MR. MAYOR , TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND COMMENDATION HONORING GLEN STANFORD.

WHEREAS GLEN STANFORD HAS DILIGENTLY SERVE THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND AS A DEDICATED AND PRINCIPLED MEMBER OF THE TOWN COUNCIL REPRESENTING WARD SIX SINCE 2019.

AND WHEREAS COUNCILMAN STANFORD HOLDS A BACHELOR OF ARTS FROM THE UNI, EXCUSE ME, UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA AND A DOCTORS OF LAW FIRM, EMORY UNIVERSITY, PROVIDING HIM WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION IN LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.

AND WHEREAS THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE, COUNCILMAN STANFORD HAS DEMONSTRATED A DEEP COMMITMENT TO HIS COMMUNITY SERVING WITH PROFESSIONALISM, VISION, AND WILLINGNESS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HIS DISTRICT AND THE BROADER HILTON HEAD ISLAND COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS HIS CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE TO TO TO INCLUDE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION ON THE TOWN'S BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AND PLANNING COMMISSION, AND AS A SOUTHERN BEAUFORT COUNTY CORRIDOR BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, AS WELL AS A DE DEDICATED COLLABORATION WITH THE BEAUFORT COUNTY RURAL AND CRITICAL LANDS PROGRAM.

AND WHEREAS COUNCILMAN STANFORD HAS SERVED ON THE FINANCE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL, BRINGING THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATIVE INSIGHT AND THAT HAVE ADVANCED CRITICAL INITIATIVES AND STRENGTHENED THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS COUNCILMAN STANFORD'S INSIGHT, VISION, INTEGRITY, AND COLLABORATION, COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ADDRESSING KEY ISSUES AND PROMPTING INITIATIVES THAT HAVE INSPIRED BOTH RESIDENTS AND FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS ALIKE.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALAN R. PERRY, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN COUNCIL AND TOWN STAFF DO HEREBY COMMEND AND HONOR COUNCIL MEMBER GLEN STANFORD FOR HIS VISION, PROFESSIONALISM, AND DEDICATION TO THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND, HIS CONSTITUENTS AND HIS FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS.

WE EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR HIS SERVICE AND WISH HIM ALL THE BEST IN HIS RETIREMENT AND TESTIMONY.

WHEREOF, I HAVE HERE ON TWO SET MY HAND AND CAUSE THE SEAL OF THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND TO BE A FISK AFFIXED THIS 12TH DAY OF NOVEMBER AND THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2024.

WITH THE BRIDGE, UH, PROCEED WITH THE COLORADO PROJECT.

FRIENDS, PLEASE BE SEATED.

UH, MY WIFE CINDY IS HERE.

THANK YOU CINDY, FOR ALL THE SUPPORTS YOU'VE GIVEN ME.

THIS HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE, THIS HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE IN THIS POSITION.

I'VE BEEN PART OF A TEAM.

I HAVEN'T DONE THESE THINGS ON MY OWN.

I'VE BEEN PART OF A TEAM OF THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET GOOD THINGS DONE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR WONDERFUL COMMUNITY.

EVERY DAY, EVERY TIME WE GET TOGETHER, EVERY ISSUE THAT COMES UP, WE DEBATE IT, WE COME UP WITH WHAT WE HOPE IS THE BEST SOLUTION.

I'VE THOUGHT BACK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE MOST, THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED HERE.

AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO SAY WHAT'S NUMBER ONE, BUT I'LL, I'LL TALK ABOUT A COUPLE.

ONE IS SHORTLY AFTER I CAME ON COUNCIL, WE HAD A LITTLE HEALTH EVENT THAT WAS SHUTTING EVERYTHING DOWN AND WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE EFFECT WAS GOING TO BE ON OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY, WHICH IS OUR MAJOR INDUSTRY HERE AS EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM KNOWS.

AND SO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, WHICH I WAS PARTICIPATING IN AT THE TIME, RECOMMENDED A COUNCIL THAT WE STOP ALL DISCRETIONARY SPENDING.

WE DID THAT AND WE FOUND MUCH TO OUR PLEASANT SURPRISE THAT OUR REVENUES CONTINUED TO GROW.

UH, AND SO THAT CREATED SOME, A LOT OF MONEY THAT WAS AVAILABLE TO US TO USE FOR MAJOR PROJECTS.

THAT'S ONE.

ANOTHER THING THAT HAPPENED WAS WE HIRED THIS GENTLEMAN BACK HERE IN THE BLUE JACKET HIRING MARK ORLANDO IS ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I'VE EVER PARTICIPATED IN.

HE IS A FANTASTIC TOWN MANAGER.

HE'S A FANTASTIC HUMAN BEING.

AND SO I'M GRATEFUL TO HIM, UH, FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE.

MOVING THROUGH ALL OF THESE ISSUES.

WE RECENTLY MADE AN IMPORTANT DECISION, WHICH WAS VERY CONTROVERSIAL, AND THAT IS WE GAVE MUNICIPAL CONSENT TO OF THE TOWN, UH, TO PROCEED

[00:40:01]

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF MONEY TO CATCH UP TO DO THAT PROJECT, BUT THAT WAS ANOTHER VITAL AND IMPORTANT DECISION THAT THAT WAS A DECISION THAT WAS MADE BY THIS TEAM, NOT BY ME.

SO THANK YOU.

SO AFTER ADJOURNMENT, WE WILL HAVE A QUICK, WE'LL HAVE A RECEPTION, BUT PRIOR TO, UM, ME ADJOURNING, I WOULD LIKE TO TURN OVER THE GAVEL TO MAYOR PRO TEM DAVID AMES TO ADJOURN US OUT.

STAND ADJOURN .

UH, GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

UM, GUEST AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR TENNIS PLAYERS.

WELCOME TO THE NEWLY RENOVATED BEAUFORD TENNIS COURT.

TENNIS CENTER.

YEAH, OKAY.

UM, THIS ROUGHLY $700,000 INVESTMENT WILL SERVE TENNIS LOVERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTY.

THE RENOVATION STARTED LAST APRIL WITH DE, UH, DEMOLISHING OF THE EXISTING COATS AND INSTALLING ALL NEW COATS, NETS, FENCES, AND GATES, ALONG WITH A DA COMPLIANCE SIDEWALKS.

THE EXISTING COURT LIGHTING WAS UPGRADED AND RAIN GARDENS AND RUNOFF CONTROLS WERE ADDED TO ADDRESS THE STORM WATER ISSUES.

THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED THROUGH A VERY STORMY, WET SUMMER.

THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF BEAUFORT COUNTY INVESTING IN THE CITY OF BEAUFORT.

SPENDING AROUND $2 MILLION IN PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES.

THE CHARLES LYN BROWN CENTER CONTINUES TO BE UPGRADED AND THE COUNTY WILL ADD MORE PICKLE BALLS AND BASKETBALL COURT TO THE SOUTH SIDE PARK WITH MUCH MORE TO COME.

ALTHOUGH TENNIS IS THOUGHT TO BE A, PREDOMINANTLY A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE SPORT, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT IN 2022, MANY AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE PLAYING TENNIS.

AND THERE'S ACTUALLY A LONG WITCH HISTORY BEYOND ARTHUR ASH AND THE WILLIAMS SISTERS TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE FOUNDED BY BOOKER T WASHINGTON, ADDED TENNIS COURTS AND THE TENNIS TEAM IN THE 1890S.

NOT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HEARD THE STORY OF, UH, ALETHA GIBSON.

SHE WAS BORN IN A TOWN OF SILVER IN CLARATON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND MOVED TO THE, IN 1930S TO HARLEM.

GIBSON WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO COMPLETE, TO COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY IN TENNIS, WINNING FIVE GRAND SLAM SINGLE TO, UH, TITLES BETWEEN 1956 AND 1958.

IF THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO THE, UH, IN THE 1960S, SHE ALSO BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PLAYER TO COMPETE ON THE WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL GOLF TOUR.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE, AMERICAN, BOTH BLACK AND WHITE HAVE BEEN, HAVE ENJOYING TENNIS FOR A LONG TIME.

AND ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I LEARNED TENNIS OR HOW THEY HIT THE BALL, UH, ON THAT COURT RIGHT THERE BACK IN THE 19 EARLY 1960.

I NEVER KNEW THE GAME OF TENNIS UNTIL I GOT TO COLLEGE AND I FIRST LEARNED WHAT, UH, 15 LOVE WAS.

UM, SO WE JUST PLAYED TENNIS, UH, ON THIS COURT

[00:45:01]

RIGHT HERE.

I HOPE THAT THIS STORY AND THESE COURTS INSPIRE ALL THE YOUTH IN BEAUFORT COUNTY TO EXCEL IN THEIR INTERESTS AND TALENT.

AND MAYBE JUST MAYBE A TENNIS STAR WILL START THE JOURNEY RIGHT HERE.

YEAH.

I KNOW THAT THE CITIZENS OF BEAUFORT, UH, THE BEAUFORT AREA WILL ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT.

HALLELUJAH.

WE PRAISE GOD.

I GREW UP RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.

SO THIS IS THE HOOD, THIS IS HOME.

UM, THIS IS BLESSED.

MY GRAND BABIES, UH, ALL FOUR OF THEM PLAYED, UH, NATIONAL TENNIS BECAUSE OF, UM, LARRY DUANE, WE JUST LOVE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

YES, YES, YES.

JUST A LITTLE SIDE NOTE BEFORE I PRAY.

UH, LARRY'S UH, I GREW UP ON THIS CORNER AND HE GREW UP RIGHT ON THE CORNER.

HIS OLDEST SISTER WAS MY BEST FRIEND, AND WE COULD TALK FROM THE STEPS.

AND I REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE, LITTLE, HE WAS, HE WASN'T EVEN WALKING, HE WAS CRAWLING AND HE HAD A TENNIS BALL IN HIS HANDS.

AND I TOLD MY JULIE, HIS MOTHER AT THE TIME, I SAID, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER HE'S GONNA BE IN LIFE IS GONNA BE WITH THE BALL.

AND NOT ONLY DOES HE PLAY TENNIS WELL, HE PLAYED EXCELLENT BASKETBALL, BASEBALL AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT HE HAS EXCELLED IN TENNIS AND HAS GIVEN THAT GIFT BACK TO THIS COMMUNITY.

HE'S SUCH A JEWEL AND A TREASURE, AND I THANK GOD FOR HIM, FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU, HALLELUJAH.

SWEET HOLY SPIRIT FOR YOUR PRESENCE IN THIS PLACE.

FATHER GOD, WE ANOINT THESE GROUNDS AS HOLY AND HOLLOW GROUND FOR YOUR SERVICE, FOR YOUR SPIRIT TO DWELL GOD.

WE SAID NONE OF US, BUT ALL OF YOU, AND WE SAID, NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST WHAT YOU HAVE STARTED HERE SHALL BE ABLE TO PROSPER.

FATHER GOD, AS WE WALK THESE COURTS AND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE COME, FATHER GOD, THEY WILL FIND A PLACE OF SAFETY, A PLACE WHERE LOVE ABIDES IN THIS PLACE AND WHERE SOMEBODY CAN SPEAK A POSITIVE WORD INTO THEIR LIVES.

AND GOD, THOSE THAT HAVE HAD A HAND IN THIS MOMENT, GOD, WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS THEM WITH A DOUBLE PORTION OF A PROPHET'S REWARD.

AND GOD, ORDER OUR STEPS IN YOUR WORD.

HELP US TO TRUE, TRULY BE KEEPERS AND STEWARD OF THE GIFT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US AND NOT TO TAKE THIS DAY FOR GRANTED.

LORD, THIS IS THE DAY THAT YOU HAVE MADE AND WE'VE MADE A CHOICE TO COME TOGETHER TODAY AND TO BE REJOICE AND BE GLADED.

AND IT IS IN YOUR NAME.

SWEET JESUS, WE DO PRAY.

AMEN AND AMEN.

HALLELUJAH.

NOW, ONE OF THE GULLAH TRADITIONS IS ONCE YOU GET THE WORDS YOU HAVE TO JOIN IN, THIS IS NOT A SOLO.

OH, Y'ALL GONNA DO THE PLEDGE.

THEY WANNA DO THE PLEDGE FIRST.

OH, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HALLELUJAH.

HOLY SPIRIT, THE KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA SAID WHISTLE ON FIRE.

PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER.

HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT SAID WE SO ON FIRE.

HOLY SPIRIT.

HOLY SPIRIT SAY HOLY SPIRIT.

HOLY SPIRIT SAID, WE SO CAN PRAY.

RIGHT? HOLY SPIRIT, AYA, HOLY SPIRIT, AYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KU, THEY SAID, WE SO ON CAN LOVE.

RIGHT? HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA, HOLY SPIRIT, KUMBAYA SAID, WE SAW LONG FIRE SAID WE SAW LONG FIRE SAID WE SO LO FIRE THE MANDATE IS THAT WE LOVE BETTER AND IF WE LOVE BETTER, WE'LL DO BETTER.

GOD BLESS.

A MEMBER OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE NEW BEAUFORT TENNIS CLUB.

HANG TIGHT, HANG TIGHT, HANG TIGHT.

OH NO.

YOU GOT, YOU CAN'T CROSS.

WE CAN'T CUT THE RIBBON YET.

GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS MARSHALL WILLIAMS AND I'M

[00:50:01]

THE CLUB HAS BEEN ORGANIZING OVER THE SUMMER TO BE READY TO BRING THESE BEAUTIFUL TENNIS COURTS TO LIFE WITH CHILDREN AND ADULTS FROM THIS HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD, THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT OF BEAUFORT, AND FROM THE WIDER AREA NORTH OF THE BROAD, AND EVEN FROM SOUTH OF THE BROAD, IF YOU CAN BRAVE THE TRAFFIC .

I THINK ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE BUFORT TENNIS CLUB STEERING COMMITTEE ARE HERE THIS MORNING.

AND I'LL JUST ASK THEM TO STEP FORWARD OR WAVE SO WE CAN SEE EVERYONE.

JANICE JOHNSON, MARY ENRIGHT, CHRIS PETERSON, ROB HILTON, JAN HORAN, VICKI HOKI, SALLY HENDRICKS, SUE RAINEY.

IT'S BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH YOU ALL.

IF YOU WANNA LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLUB, PLEASE SPEAK TO ANY OF US AND WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU VOLUNTEER ALONG WITH US.

WE'LL HAVE INFORMATION AND AN EMAIL SIGNUP SHEET FOR YOU AFTER THE CEREMONIES.

I KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE ON OUR LIST ALREADY.

THANKS EVERYONE.

IT'S ALSO A REAL PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE HERE TO INTRODUCE AND RECOGNIZE LARRY SHEPHERD.

LARRY, COME ON.

COME ON OVER A LITTLE BIT.

MANY OF US CALL HIM COACH.

HE REALLY DOESN'T NEED AN INTRODUCTION.

LARRY HAS BEEN LEADING FREE PUBLIC CHI CLINICS FOR CHILDREN AT THESE COURTS, AND HE'S TAUGHT LEGIONS OF YOUNG AND OLDER TENNIS PLAYERS THROUGH THE YEARS.

HE'S A GREAT COACH.

HE'S HERE WITH HIS ASSISTANT DONNA WINLAND.

DONNA, THANKS LARRY.

GREW UP COMING HERE TO PLAY TENNIS.

HE WAS BORN AND RAISED RIGHT IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND CHARLES LIND BROWN WAS A MENTOR TO LARRY AS HE WAS TO SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE GROWING UP HERE.

LARRY AND HIS CREW WORK HARD TO CONTINUE THAT TRADITION.

HIS FREE CLASS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGE TWO TO 18 WILL START ON SATURDAY AT NOON AND HIS CLINICS AND LESSONS BEGIN TOMORROW.

LARRY, I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH ALL OF US SOON, AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE HERE.

BUT PLEASE JUST TO HAVE A WORD FOR US.

OH, UH, FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TU PARKS AND RECREATION FOR GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO GIVE OUR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

UH, THANK YOU TO MY COUSIN, UH, PERLEY SUE, SAYING THOSE KIND OF THINGS ABOUT ME.

UH, THANK YOU TO, UH, MY ASSISTANT, MS. WINLAND, AND TO ALSO MS. JANICE JOHNSON, JAN AND ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE HELPED ME THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

UH, WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.

UH, I GUESS THAT'S ABOUT IT.

JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU GUYS.

AND ALSO I KNOW MR. LYNN BROWN'S LOOKING.

WE NEVER WANT TO FORGET HIM.

AND OF COURSE, MY PARENTS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR, UH, FOR YOU ALL, FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY.