Oct 27, 2025 County Council

THIS IS THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 27TH OF COUNTY COUNCIL AT THE BLUFFTON LIBRARY.

GOOD EVENING.

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

PLEASE RISE AND, UH, TOM RE WILL DO OUR INVOCATION AND OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

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

LIBERTY FOR ALL.

PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE ATION.

SPELL YOUR HEADS PLEASE.

HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE TOGETHER IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

I PRAY THAT YOU GUIDE US WITH WISDOM TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE FAIR AND JUST IN CONSIDERATION OF ALL VOICES IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THAT WE WORK IN A WAY THAT GLORIFIES YOUR HOLY SON.

AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CONFIRM, UM, WITH MS. OCTAVIA THAT THIS WAS MEETING WAS ADVERTISED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.

SO MOVED.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PASSMAN AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL CUNNINGHAM.

ALL IN FAVOR? AND THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

UH, WE HAD TWO MEMBERS OF COUNCIL ON ZOOM, BUT THEY'RE NOT AVAIL.

WE'RE WORKING ON THAT, BUT WE DO HAVE A MAJORITY AT THIS TIME.

UH, I HOPE EVERYONE HAD

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ THE MINUTES.

UH, THESE ARE THE MINUTES FROM A SPECIAL CALL COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 6TH AND COUNT CAUCUS AND COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 13TH.

I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE MINUTES.

SO MOVED.

COUNT.

THIS WAS A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN PASSMAN.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

A SECOND.

WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN LAWSON.

ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL OF THOSE MINUTES BY SHOW OF HANDS.

AND THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

SEVERAL PROCLAMATIONS TONIGHT AND WE HAVE A LOT, WE HAVE SOME VISITORS TOO.

WE HAVE

[6. PROCLAMATION]

UH, FIRST ONE IS PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 23RD THROUGH THE 31ST IS RED RIBBON WEEK, AND DAVID BARMY WILL READ THAT PROCLAMATION.

ANYBODY HERE FROM THE YOUNG MARINES? I THOUGHT THAT MIGHT BE YOU.

HOW YOU DOING? DOING WELL.

HAD A RED SHIRT.

I'M HERE.

GOOD FOR YOU.

WHEREAS COMMUNITIES ACROSS AMERICA HAVE BEEN PLAGUED BY THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ILLICIT DRUG USE AND THOSE THAT TRAFFICK IN THEM.

AND WHEREAS THERE IS HOPE IN WINNING THE WAR ON DRUGS AND THAT HOPE LIES IN EDUCATION AND DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION, COUPLED WITH THE HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION OF ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS YOUNG MARINES OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE TO FOSTER A HEALTHY DRUG-FREE LIFESTYLE.

AND WHEREAS GOVERNMENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS KNOW THAT CITIZEN SUPPORT IS ONE OF, OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOLS IN THE EFFORT TO REDUCE THE USE OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND WHEREAS THE RED RIBBON HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS A SYMBOL COMMEMORATING THE WORK OF ENRIQUE, KIKI CAINA A DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION AGENT WHO WAS MURDERED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND REPRESENTS THE BELIEF THAT ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND WHEREAS THE RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN WAS ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS IN 1988 TO ENCOURAGE A DRUG-FREE LIFESTYLE AND INVOLVEMENT IN DRUG PREVENTION AND REDUCTION EFFORTS.

AND WHEREAS, WHEREAS OCTOBER 23RD TO 31ST HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NATIONAL RED RIBBON RIBBON WEEK, WHICH ENCOURAGES AMERICANS TO WEAR A RED RIBBON TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR A DRUG-FREE ENVIRONMENT.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL DOES HERE, HEREBY PROCLAIMS OCTOBER 23RD TO THE 31ST AS RED RIBBON WEEK IN BEAUFORT COUNTY AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN THIS SPECIAL OBSERVANCE DATED THIS 27TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025.

SIGNED BY ALICE HOWARD, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS OR TELL US YOUR, OKAY.

SO, UM, HELLO EVERYONE.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M GONNA SET THAT DOWN RIGHT HERE.

SO I'M GONNA TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE YOUNG MARINES PROGRAM AND WHAT WE STAND FOR.

SO THE YOUNG MARINES PROGRAM IS A NATIONAL NONPROFIT YOUTH ORGANIZATION FOR AGES EIGHT THROUGH THE COMPLETION OF HIGH SCHOOL.

IT'S KIND OF BASED SIMILAR TO A-J-R-O-T-C THAT YOU WOULD SEE IN LIKE YOUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

UM, BUT WE HAVE VALUES THAT FOCUS ON TEAMWORK, LEADERSHIP, AND DISCIPLINE.

SO AS YOU PROGRESS IN THE RANKS, YOU COME TO EVENTS AND YOU RECEIVE PROCLAMATIONS LIKE I'M DOING HERE TODAY, TO ENCOURAGE A SOCIETY.

THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON STRENGTHEN, OOH, EXCUSE ME, STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S YOUTH, UM, BY PROVIDING THEM WITH INFORMATION ON, YOU KNOW, THE DANGERS OF DRUGS IN TODAY'S SOCIETY.

SO PROCLAMATIONS LIKE THIS FROM BUFORT COUNTY AND STATING THAT, HEY, YOU KNOW, THESE DATES IS RED RIBBON WEEK IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND I JUST WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR THAT.

NEXT WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION REGARDING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAVY.

UM,

[00:05:01]

AND COUNCILMAN, UM, PASSMAN WILL DO THAT.

DO WE HAVE ANY MEMBERS? I KNOW WE HAVE ONE FORMER MEMBER OF THE NAVY ON, ON YOU, MEMBER OF THE, UH, NAVY HERE THIS EVENING.

COME JOIN ME, MR. ROBINSON.

YEAH, WE HAVE TWO.

CHUCK AND, AND JOHN, ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE? NO.

OR FUN.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

WHEREAS ON OCTOBER 13TH, 1775, THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS ESTABLISHED THE UNITED STATES NAVY MARKING THE BIRTH OF AMERICA'S NAVAL FORCES AND THE BEGINNING OF ITS FIGHT TO DEFEND OUR NATION'S SEAS.

AND WHEREAS FOR 250 YEARS, THE UNITED STATES NAVY HAS STOOD AS ONE OF THE GUARDIANS FOR LIBERTY, SECURING OUR NATION, MAINTAINING READINESS, AND PROTECTING AMERICAN INTERESTS IN ALL SEVEN CONTINENTS.

AND WHEREAS THE COURAGE, DEDICATION, AND SACRIFICE OF OUR SAILOR SAILORS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE ENSURED OUR WATER STATE DEFENDED AND NO ADVERSARY CAN DISRUPT THE PROSPERITY OF OUR NATION AND THE FREEDOMS WE CHERISH, CHERISH.

AND WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES NAVY REMAINS STEADFAST IN ITS MISSION TO SERVE AND DEFEND WHILE BUILDING STRONG TIES IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS THAT STRENGTHEN THE FABRIC OF OUR GREAT NATION.

AND WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES NAVY HOSTS HOSTS THE STRONGEST AND MOST ADVANCED NAVY IN THE WORLD, WITH A BATTLE FORCE OF ALMOST 300 SHIPS, INCLUDING 11 AIRCRAFT CARRIERS HOSTING OVER A THOUSAND ROTATING AIRCRAFT, 71 NUCLEAR SUBS, AND A ROBUST FLEET OF DESTROYERS AND CRUISERS TO HELP DEFEND AMERICA'S INTEREST FOREIGN AND ABROAD.

AND WHEREAS THE BUFORT WITH ITS PROUD TRADITION OF SERVICE AND ITS DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THOSE WHO SERVE JOINS IN HONORING THE UNITED STATES NAVY ON ITS 200 5250 ANNIVERSARY, RECOGNIZING THE ENDURING BOND BETWEEN THE NAVY AND THE COMMUNITIES, IT PROTECTS AND REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING SOLDIERS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THE 13TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025 AS THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY IN BEAUFORT COUNTY AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN IN THIS SPECIAL OBSERVATION OBSERVANCE DATED TODAY AND SIGNED BY OUR CHAIR, ALICE HOWARD.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

OH, PLEASE, THANK YOU.

NO NAVY .

NEXT WE HAVE, AND WE HAVE A LARGE GROUP FOR THIS, UM, PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE MONTH.

AND MS. MAJORS IS, UM, LEADER ALL MINE.

AND THIS WILL BE READ BY MS. TABER.

YEAH, COME ON UP SO THAT THEY CAN SEE YOU ON TV.

IT'S REALLY GREAT YOU ALL CAME ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE.

WHEREAS IS THIS, CARRIE CARES CARES.

WHEREAS KERRY'S LOWCOUNTRY MODELING ESTABLISHED IN 1985 IS THE FOUNDING ORGANIZATION OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE.

AND WHEREAS THE ANNUAL BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE WAS FORMED UNDER KERRY'S LOWCOUNTRY MODELING IN 1992.

AND WHEREAS THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNUAL BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE IS TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR STUDENTS IN GRADE SIX THROUGH 12 TO DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS AND EQUIP THEMSELVES TO EFFECTIVELY DEAL WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAT TEND TO DERAIL AND DESTROY THE LIVES OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND WHEREAS THE BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE IS HELD ANNUALLY ON THE FOURTH SATURDAY IN SEPTEMBER, CONSISTENTLY SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1992, EXCEPT FOR TWO OUT OF THE 33 YEARS, I COULD GUESS ONE OF 'EM WAS COVID D.

PREMARITAL SEX, AND OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE IN COMMUNITIES.

AND WHEREAS THE FOCUS OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE IS TO ARM STUDENTS WITH VITAL AND LIFE-SAVING SOCIAL SKILLS, INFORMATION AND MATERIALS TO HELP PREVENT SHOOTINGS, UNDERAGE DRINKING,

[00:10:01]

AND WHEREAS THE EFFORTS OF THE YOUTH CONFERENCE HAVE BEEN STEADFAST, RELENTLESS, AND UNWAVERING IN PROVIDING THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY NOW THAT NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM.

AND I'M A LITTLE LATE SEPTEMBER, 2025 AS BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE MONTH AND COMMEND IT TO OBSERVANCE FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.

DATED TODAY, ALICE HOWARD CHAIR.

AND LET ME SAY, AS AN EDUCATOR FOR 37 YEARS, THIS IS A GREAT THING TO DO TO TRAIN OUR YOUTH.

SO, CONGRATS.

HERE'S YOUR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK? GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

ON BEHALF OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE, WE ARE DEEPLY HONORED FOR THE RECOGNITION THROUGH THIS PROCLAMATION.

IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE OUR LOCAL LEADERS SEE THE WORK THAT OUR YOUTH ARE DOING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN.

I'M GONNA LET YOU HEAR FROM ONE OF OUR AMBASSADORS, BUT I JUST WANNA THANK YOU AND FOR SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH AND SEEING THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE.

AND WE ARE RAISING TOMORROW'S LEADERS.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

THAT'S GREAT.

OUR AMBASSADOR? YES.

TELL THEM YOUR NAME.

OH, MY NAME IS JASMINE SMALLS.

I'M A BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE AMBASSADOR.

AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT IT MEANS SO MUCH THAT OUR GROUP IS BEING RECOGNIZED BY THIS PROCLAMATION.

IT MEANS SO MUCH TO US THAT THIS CITY IS RECOGNIZING THE VOICES AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE YOUTH.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVING THAT THE YOUTH CAN BE A POWERFUL FORCE OF GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

I'M GONNA GO TO THE END 'CAUSE YOU GUYS ARE MORE IMPORTANT.

GET IN.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ALL THE WAY FROM ST.

HELENA TO THIS MEETING TOO.

OUR LAST PROCLAMATION FOR TONIGHT IS, UM, A PROCLAMATION FOR THE PAN AFRICAN FAMILY EMPOWERMENT AND LAND PRESERVATION NETWORK SLASH HELP SAVE GULLAH GEECHEE LAND CAMPAIGN MONTH.

AND THIS WILL BE PRESENTED BY COUNCILMAN MARK LARSON.

SOMEBODY HERE FOR THAT? YES, I THINK SO.

ALRIGHT.

I ASK MS. THERESA WHITE TO COME FORWARD ON UP AND JUST STAND RIGHT HERE WITH ME.

PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS THE PAN-AFRICAN FAMILY EMPOWERMENT AND LAND PRESERVATION NETWORK INCORPORATED, ALSO KNOWN AS FIN, IS AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED NONPROFIT FOUNDED ON AUGUST 28TH, 2013 BY FORMER JOURNALIST AND CONGRESSIONAL AIDE THERESA WHITE OF ST.

HELENA ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, TO EMPOWER PEOPLE OF THE AFRICAN DESCENT TO PRESERVE ANCESTRAL LAND, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, AND PROMOTE GLOBAL PAN-AFRICAN UNITY.

AND WHEREAS PAFF AND LAUNCHED THE HELP SAVE GULLAH GEECHEE LAND CAMPAIGN IN MARCH, 2015 TO PROTECT BLACK OWNED LAND IN THE FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED GULLAH GEECHEE CULTURAL CORRIDOR.

AND WHEREAS THE CAMPAIGN ADDRESS CELEBRATES THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2025, HAVING HELPED SAVE HOMES, LAND OF BUSINESSES VALUED AT NEARLY 25 MILLION ACROSS BEAUFORT, BERKELEY, CHARLESTON, CARLTON, HORRY, GEORGETOWN, JASPER, AND WILLIAMSBURG'S COUNTIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND CHATHAM GLEN MACINTOSH COUNTIES IN GEORGIA.

AND WHEREAS PAPIN IS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2040 BEAUFORT COUNTY PRESERVATION PLAN AS A KEY PARTNER IN PRESERVING RURAL LANDSCAPES IN HARRIS PROPERTY, ESPECIALLY ON ST.

HELENA ISLAND.

AND WHEREAS PARAFFIN HAS BROUGHT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION TO GULLAH GEECHEE FAMILIES WHO ARE LAND RICH, BUT CASH POOR FIGHTING TO KEEP LAND PURCHASED BY FORMERLY ENSLAVED AT WEST AFRICAN DURING THE CIVIL WAR AND THE RECONSTRUCTION ERAS.

AND WHEREAS PARAFFIN HAS PREVENTED THE LOSS OF GULLAH PROPERTY IN MULTIPLE BEAUFORT COUNTY COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING HILTON HEAD ISLAND, DUSSE ISLAND, BLUFFTON BURTON, GRAYS HILL, YEE BIG ESTATE, BEAUFORT, LADIES ISLAND, AND ST.

HELENA ISLAND.

AND WHEREAS BAFFIN HAS LED TAXPAYER EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOPS AND OTHER FREE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS WITH NUMEROUS COMMUNITY, NONPROFIT, COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL PARTNERS.

AND WHEREAS PARAFFIN HELPED SECURE A STATEWIDE EXTENSION OF PROPERTY REDEMPTION DEADLINES DURING THE COVID-19

[00:15:01]

PANDEMIC AND HAS WORKED WITH PARTNERS TO IMPROVE LAND USE AND TAX PAYMENTS OPTIONS FOR GULLAH GEECHEE FAMILIES.

AND WHEREAS PARAFFIN HAS BROADENED ITS IMPACT THROUGH OUTREACHING OUTREACH, SUPPORTING FAMILIES OF AFRICAN DESCENT IN LIBERIA, HAITI, AND THROUGHOUT THE LOW COUNTRY.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT BUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL PROCLAIMS JULY, 2025.

AGAIN, WE'RE A LITTLE LATE AS WELL.

UM, AS PAN-AFRICAN FAMILY EMPOWERMENT AND LAND PRESERVATION NETWORK HELP SAVE GALLAH GEECHEE LAND CAMPAIGN MONTH IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA, DATED THIS 27TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025 BY OUR CHAIR OF BEAUFORT COUNTY.

ALICE HOWARD, I JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT, UM, ON BEHALF OF THE PAN-AFRICAN FAMILY AND EMPOWERMENT AND LAND PRESERVATION NETWORK, WE ARE VERY HAPPY THAT OUR 10 YEAR PROJECT HAS DONE AS MUCH AS IT HAS TO BE ABLE TO SAVE GULLAH GISI OWNED PROPERTY.

AND THAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO POSSIBLY EXTENDING THAT 10 YEAR PROJECT AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

AND, UM, WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS GIVEN US AND THIS RECOGNITION FROM COUNTY COUNCIL AND LIKE, UH, OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT IN OUR AREA, BUT WE ALSO REALIZE THAT WITHOUT DEVELOPMENT, THERE WON'T BE ANY PLACE FOR US TO LIVE.

NO INSTITUTIONS FOR OUR CHILDREN TO LEARN, NO PLACE FOR US TO GO SHOPPING AND OTHER THINGS, INCLUDING MULTIPLE PLACES FOR US TO WORK.

IN THE 94 YEARS BETWEEN THE BIRTH OF MY PATERNAL GRANDFATHER AND ME, UH, A LOT OF CHANGES HAPPENED IN AMERICA.

PART OF THAT PROCESS WAS MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM BEING SOMEBODY'S PROPERTY TO PROPERTY OWNERS.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE WORK TO PRESERVE.

IS PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP AND IT'S MS. CARRIE, MAJOR .

THANK YOU, MR. PEYTON.

[7. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD]

AND I'M, I'M NOT GONNA READ 'CAUSE YOU KNOW THE RULES ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENT.

WELL, , YOU CAN TELL US VERY WELL.

YES.

UM, MY NAME IS CARRIE MAJOR AND, UM, I'M JUST SO GLAD TO BE HERE, UM, IN BLUFFTON TONIGHT.

BUT, UM, AS A REMINDER, UH, ABOUT OUR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTER ON ST.

HELENA ISLAND, THAT'S ONE OF MY ASSIGNMENTS, ALONG WITH, UM, OUR YOUTH AS WELL TO, TO GET SOMETHING, UH, BUILT FOR THEM ON ST.

HELEN ISLAND THAT WILL BE COMPARABLE TO, WE JUST TOOK THEM TO BUFF WALTER AS WELL.

SO WE WANT OUR YOUTH TO BE ABLE TO, UM, GROW STRONG IN THE AREA AND HAVE SOME THINGS GOING ON FOR THEM AS WELL.

A PLACE TO MEET, AS WELL AS TO HAVE SPORTS ACTIVITIES AND, UM, OTHER THINGS AS WELL.

SO WE THANK YOU.

AND, UH, WE KNOW PHASE ONE IS IN THE WORKS.

WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR ON ST.

HELENA SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT PUBLIC MEETING WITH EVERYONE ON ST.

HELENA TO SEE WHAT'S IN STORE FOR US.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO NOT ONLY PHASE ONE, BUT PHASE TWO FOR OUR YOUTH.

THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT.

MOVING ON WITH

[8. LIAISON AND COMMITTEE REPORTS ]

OUR AGENDA.

I HAVE A LIST OF DIFFERENT COMMITTEES FOR OUR, UH, LIAISON REPORTS.

I'LL START WITH, UH, UH, I'LL START COMMUNITY SERVICE, HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT? UH, NO.

NOT FROM THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE, BUT YOU'LL BE MEETING NEXT IN A WEEK.

UH, NATURAL RESOURCES YORK'S ONLINE AND IT'LL BE, AND THEY'LL BE MEETING NEXT WEEK.

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING FROM FINANCE, MARK? UH, YES.

WE HAVE TWO THINGS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

AND FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA THANK LOGAN FOR HANDLING THAT, UM, COMMITTEE MEETING.

I THINK IT'S MY FIRST MEETING I'VE MISSED IN 2, 3, 4 YEARS, I THINK.

BUT, UM, UM, I HEARD IT WAS A FUN ONE.

UM, BUT, UH, UH, THE TWO THINGS THAT ARE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, UH, FROM THE, UM, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE IS APPROVAL, UH, FOR A, A CONTRACT FOR TRUE LOCK CONSTRUCTION, UM, FOR A ROAD CULVERT, AND THEN ALSO I QUINN MARINE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE MELROSE DOCK REPAIR ON DUSKY.

PUBLIC FACILITIES.

LOGAN? UH, YES MA'AM.

TAVERNA, YOU, WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, BEAUFORT COUNTY? SURE.

YEAH, WE DID HAVE A MEETING LAST WEEK.

WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER ONE NEXT MONTH.

I BELIEVE IT IS THE 17TH OF NOVEMBER, I BELIEVE IS OUR NEXT PUBLIC FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING.

UM, ALSO FROM BLUFF AND FIRE TOMORROW.

THEY'RE MEETING AT FOUR.

UH, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FINALLY NARROWING DOWN WHICH CANDIDATE THEY ARE, UM, CHOOSING TO SEND FORWARD TO US.

SO IF WE CAN GET THAT SQUARED AWAY BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.

[00:20:01]

I ATTENDED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MEETING ON OCTOBER 16TH.

THERE WAS A DISCUSSION OF USING SITE FUND DOLLARS TO SECURE STATE MATCHING FUNDS FOR TWO PARCELS AT THE BEAUFORT CITY COMMERCE PARK.

UM, AND THERE WAS ALSO A DISCUSSION OF A TENTATIVE CULTURAL CENTER ON LADIES ISLAND AND THE BUFORT COMMERCE PARK WAS BROUGHT FORWARD, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE MOTION FAILED.

THE DISCUSSION OF A CULTURAL CENTER ON LADIES ISLAND WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE NEXT MEETING.

I WANNA COMMEND OUR CHAIR.

OCTOBER 15TH, WE HAD STATE OF THE REGION OVER 500 PEOPLE ATTENDED.

SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THIS DIOCESE.

GOVERNOR MCMASTER WAS THE PRIMARY SPEAKER, BUT MS. HOWARD SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY.

WHAT GREAT THINGS WE'RE DOING.

IT WAS, UM, TO ENLIGHTEN PEOPLE HOW THE COUNTY'S MOVING FORWARD.

WE HAD A CHAT WITH COUNCIL OCTOBER 16TH AT DISABILITIES, UM, CENTER, AND IT WAS VERY LIVELY AND WE INVITE EVERYBODY TO COME TO CHAT.

OUR NEXT ONE'S IN NOVEMBER, IT'LL BE, I BELIEVE, RIGHT HERE AND OCTO OCTOBER 21ST.

IF YOU MISSED IT, 'CAUSE I'M SURE YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN BUSY, YOU CAN WATCH IT ON BCTV.

WE HAD A COUNTY WORK SESSION WHERE MR. EDMONDSON REVEALED WE HAVE OVER 500 PROPERTIES THE COUNTY OWNS.

SOME ARE RURAL AND CRITICAL LANDS, SOME ARE UNDERWATER.

I'M JUST GONNA SAY THAT.

AND SO WE TALKED ABOUT CAN WE USE SOME OF THESE FOR HOUSING OR SOMETHING ELSE.

WE HAD THAT DISCUSSION.

WE ALSO HAD OUR HR DIRECTOR, CATHERINE MEAD, TALK ABOUT, UM, OUR, WE'VE LOOKED AT STEPS FOR INCREASES IN MERIT PAY AND LOOKING AT OUR REMOTE WORK POLICY.

IF YOU MISS THE, THE MEETING, IT'S ON BCTV.

IT WAS OCTOBER 21ST WORKSHOP.

UH, JOE, DID THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS MEET IN THIS? NO.

BUT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING, UM, YES, THEY'VE BEEN DOING SOME WORKSHOPS, I THINK YES, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

AND I'D LIKE TO REPORT ON BEAUFORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL SEPTEMBER MEETING.

THEIR REGULAR MEETING IS ALSO WEDNESDAY MORNING.

UH, THEY HAVE APPROVED THEIR BUDGET, UH, LAST MONTH WAS PROFIT PROFITABLE AND THEY ANTICIPATE SEPTEMBER WILL BE TOO.

UH, THE ER, THE BED WEIGHT TIME IS UP.

THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

UM, AND THEY'RE WORKING ON PATIENT SATISFACTION REGARDING THE EMERGENCY ROOM WAIT TIME.

UH, THEY'VE UPGRADED THE NURSE SYSTEM SO THAT NURSES BADGES CORRESPOND WITH THE VISITS TO THE ROOMS. UH, THEY'RE WAITING FOR THE WINTER COVID SPIKE POSSIBLY, BUT HOPING THAT WON'T HAPPEN.

AND, UH, THEY'RE GIVING OUT ADVICE ON VACCINATIONS.

THEY'RE GETTING QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

THEY'VE INCREASED MENTAL, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

AND THE NEW OPERATING SUITE IS OPEN AT BEAUFORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

AND THE GROUNDBREAKING WILL BE IN DECEMBER FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE BLUFFTON AREA, UH, FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME TO THAT NOW, OFFICIALLY THE LARGEST PRIVATE EMPLOYER IN THE COUNTY.

UM, AND JUST WANT THE PUBLIC TO BE MADE AWARE OF THAT.

UM, YORK, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT FROM THE BEAUFORT JASPER SEWER WATER AUTHORITY? I DON'T.

I I THINK WE DID.

I DON'T THINK YOU DID.

UM, GOING ON TO GERALD, WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPORT ON WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LOW COG MEETING LAST WEEK? UH, WELL, UH, LOW COUNTRY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT, UH, BOARD OF DIRECTORS MET LAST THURSDAY.

AND, UM, UM, MS. GRAHAM, WHO'S BEEN THE DIRECTOR FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS IS RETIRING.

UH, AT THE END OF THE YEAR, DECEMBER 31ST, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS GAVE A REPORT THAT, UH, THEY ARE CURRENTLY, UH, RECEIVING, UH, UH, RECEIVING, UH, RESUMES FROM CANDIDATES.

THEY HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT 30 RESUMES.

THEY'RE, THEY'RE REVIEWING THOSE RESUMES AND INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES.

AND, UH, UH, BOARD OF OUR, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS MADE IT KNOWN THAT, UH, THEY WILL HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MS. SABRINA GRAHAM AT OUR NEXT, UH, REGULAR SCHEDULE MEETING ON DECEMBER THE 11TH.

AND DAVID BARTHOLOMEW, THERE WERE SEVERAL OF US AT THE NORTHERN REGIONAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE MEETING ON FRIDAY, BUT IF YOU COULD GIVE A SHORT REPORT ON THAT.

UM, LIKE I SAID, ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL PRESENTATION.

UH, SHORT REPORT OUT OF NERPA, UH, WE HAD TWO GREAT PRESENTATIONS.

UH, ONE OF THEM WAS ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULT FROM THE PLASTIC ORDINANCE THAT MAY BE MOVING FORWARD HERE SOON.

[00:25:01]

A LOT OF USEFUL INFORMATION ON THAT FRONT.

AND THEN WE HAD ANOTHER, UH, PRESENTATION UPDATE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION, UM, THE PALMETTO BREEZE STUDY THAT'S BEEN DONE.

I THINK THEY HAVE SOME WONDERFUL PLANS THAT ARE GONNA BE COMING FORWARD.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN EXPAND, UM, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, ESPECIALLY NORTH OF BROAD.

I I THINK THIS IS ACTUALLY WONDERFUL.

AND, UM, ONE OTHER THING THAT'S NOT ON THAT LIST, THE BEAUFORT, UH, WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WE MET AS WELL.

AND, UH, WE FINALIZED THE SURVEY THAT'S GOING TO GONNA BE GOING OUT, UH, TO GET PUBLIC INPUT ABOUT WHAT THE, WHAT THE USE SHOULD BE, WHAT DESIGNS THAT, FEATURES THEY WOULD LIKE AND, AND HOW PEOPLE USE AND INTERACT WITH THE WATERFRONT PARK.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THAT OUT.

AND I THINK IT'S GONNA BE OPEN ONCE IT GOES OUT FOR ABOUT 60 DAYS OR SO TO GET SOME FEEDBACK.

[9. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ]

I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THE TWO ITEMS THAT ARE ON IT IS APPROVAL TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO TRUE LUCK CONSTRUCTION FOR THE PAULY ISLAND ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT.

IT'S $2,207,000, 7 89 AND 79 CENTS.

AND NUMBER TWO, A CONTRACT TO O QUINN MARINE CONSTRUCTION FOR MELROSE DOCK REPAIR PROJECT, WHICH IS 282,609.

I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION.

COUNCILMAN PASSMAN.

WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN CUNNINGHAM.

ALL IN FAVOR OF PASSING THE CONSENT AGENDA.

AND THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

UH, WE HAVE ORDINANCES.

I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MS. PASSMAN.

SO, I MEAN, MS. YES.

I'M GONNA SAY IF EVERYONE WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE BEFORE THE ORDINANCES, WE UNDERSTAND.

SO I'LL WAIT 30 SECONDS YET.

NO, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SNEAK OUT.

GO.

WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

WE GET IT.

THEY HAVE TO GO HOME AND GET READY FOR SCHOOL TOMORROW.

YES.

MM-HMM .

LOOK AT ALL THEIR HAPPY FACES ABOUT SCHOOL TOMORROW.

RIGHT? ? YEAH.

SHE'S LAUGHING AGAIN, Y'ALL.

GOODNIGHT.

SAFE DRIVE UP 1 7, 1 70.

YES, I KNOW.

SLASH 46 IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF UTILITY EASEMENT NUMBER 9 0 7 0 4 1 FOR THE RIGHT OF WAY, OWNED BY BEAUFORT COUNTY, KNOWN AS DOLPHIN WATCH POINT, LOCATED ON LADIES ISLAND, THE VOTED PUBLIC FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 15TH WITH SEVEN OH THE VOTE AT OUR FIRST READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON OCTOBER 13TH WAS 10 ZERO.

ORDINANCE 2025

[10.a. 2025/46: An Ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of Utility Easement #907041 for Right of Way Owned by Beaufort County known as Dolphin Watch Point Located on Lady’s Island ]

CAN I HAVE A MOTION FOR THIS? SO MOVED.

AND I'LL SECOND THAT.

2025 SLASH 47 IS IN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE EXCESS FUNDS COLLECTED FROM THE 2018 TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX.

WE HAVE A MOTION FOR MR. PASSMAN AND A SECOND FOR MR. BARTHOLOMEW.

UM, WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED THIS, SO IF ANYONE ON COUNCIL HAVE A COMMENT OR A QUESTION FOR MR. FRA, HE'S READY TO ROLL.

OKAY, THEN I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE ON 2025 SLASH 46.

ALL IN FAVOR? ALRIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ORDINANCE

[10.b. 2025/47: An ordinance to appropriate excess funds collected from the 2018 Transportation Sales Tax ]

THE VOTE AT PUBLIC FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 15TH WAS SEVEN ZERO.

THE VOTE AT FIRST READING AT PUBLIC HEARING ON OCTOBER 13TH WAS 10 ZERO.

CAN I HAVE A MOTION FOR THIS ORDINANCE? SO MOVED.

I'LL SECOND IT.

ANY COMMENT OR QUESTION FROM COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC? IF YOU LOOK IN OUR PACKET AT PAGE 88, THERE'S SOME SPECIFIC INFORMATION THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH SEVERAL TIMES.

THANK YOU MR. PASSMAN.

AND MR. BARMY.

FIRST AND SECOND, JARED, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS ON THIS? BECAUSE THIS IS A TOPIC THE PUBLIC'S VERY INTERESTED IN.

NOT THAT ALL OF OUR TOPICS AREN'T INTERESTING, BUT THIS ONE'S OF PARTICULAR INTEREST.

MR. FRA, I HEAR YOU SAYING TRANSPORTATION'S NOT ALWAYS INTERESTING.

UM, NO.

UM, THIS ONE IS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST.

THIS IS OUR 2018 SALES TAX.

UM, OF COURSE THIS IS IN REFERENCE THAT WE HAD A 2024 SALES TAX REFERENDUM THAT DID NOT PASS.

WE HAD SOME PROJECTS THAT NEEDED TO BE REEVALUATED BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING TO COVER THOSE.

COUNCIL DID THE HARD WORK ON THAT PROCESS IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER.

UM, THEY PASSED A RESOLUTION 25, 46 THAT REPRIORITIZES THE PROJECTS AND THE FUNDING ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE PROJECTS.

THIS ORDINANCE IS THE MECHANISM THAT ACTUAL APPROPRIATES THE FUNDS TO MATCH THE PRIORITIES THAT WERE APPROVED IN THAT RESOLUTION.

SO, UH, THERE WAS A OVER COLLECTION.

WE HAD $120 MILLION PROGRAM.

WE COLLECTED 145 MILLION, 146 MILLION, AND WE HAD PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED AND APPROPRIATED 15 MILLION OF THAT OVER COLLECTION.

SO THIS IS THE BALANCE, $11 MILLION TO BE APPROPRIATED ON THE PROJECTS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED AND PRIORITIZED IN THE RESOLUTION FROM TWO JULY.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THIS ORDINANCE.

[00:30:01]

SLASH 48, AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $848,912 TO ST.

I'D LIKE TO CALL FOR THE VOTE.

EVERYONE IN FAVOR OF THIS ORDINANCE.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S UNANIMOUS.

UM, ORDINANCE 2025

[10.c. 2025/48: An Ordinance to appropriate $848,912 to St. James Baptist Church from the established project funds for the associated furniture and fixtures related to the overall project]

JAMES BAPTIST CHURCH FROM THE ESTABLISHED PROJECT FUNDS FOR THE ASSOCIATED FURNITURE AND FIXTURES RELATED TO THE OVERALL PROJECT.

THE VOTED AT PUBLIC FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 15TH WAS SEVEN ZERO.

THE VOTE AT FIRST READING OF COUNCIL IN PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 13TH WAS 10 ZERO.

CAN I HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ORDINANCE? SO MOVED.

MOTION, UH, CHAIRMAN CHAIRWOMAN, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU MOVED IT? ALRIGHT, MR. REETS, WE'LL TAKE THE MOTION.

WHO WOULD LIKE TO SECOND IT? I'LL SECOND IT.

MR. PASSMAN WILL SECOND IT.

IT'S BEEN DULY MOTIONED AND SECONDED.

UM, I DON'T KNOW IF JARED, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? I KNOW YOU HAD A MEETING LAST WEEK WITH THE ST.

JAMES CHURCH GROUP.

YEAH, I CAN, I CAN KIND OF SPEAK TO THAT AND WHAT THIS IS.

SO THIS ORDINANCE IS $850,000, UM, TO HELP THE CHURCH, UM, WITH THEIR FURNITURE AND FIXTURES SO THEY CAN OBTAIN AND TAKE CARE OF THAT SCOPE OF THE PROJECT WORK.

UH, THIS IS ALL CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE PROJECT COST.

THE COUNTY WILL BE PROCURING THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT.

WE DID HAVE, UH, WE HAVE A QUARTERLY MEETING WITH OUR ADVISORY TEAM, THE TOWN, THE COUNTY, AND THE CHURCH.

AND WE MET LAST WEEK.

IT WAS A POSITIVE MEETING.

A LOT OF GOOD ACTIONS TAKING PLACE AND INCLUDING THIS AS A MAJOR ACTION.

SO WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO PUTTING THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT OUT TO BID IN THE COMING WEEKS, EITHER SOMETIME AROUND BEFORE OR AFTER THANKSGIVING WITH BIDS DUE BACK IN HOPEFULLY THE END OF JANUARY.

AND WITH THAT, THIS, UH, WILL COINCIDE WITH THAT WORK.

AND AGAIN, THE GOAL WILL BE TO HAVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHURCH, UM, WITH THE, THE PROCUREMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF SOME OF THESE ITEMS TO ALL COME TOGETHER FOR A FINISHED PRODUCT.

WHEN DO YOU ESTIMATE THE CHURCH MIGHT BE CONSTRUCTED AND OPEN FOR WORSHIP? TAKE A STAB AT IT RIGHT NOW.

BASED OFF OUR DISCUSSION AT OUR LAST MEETING IS, UM, WE'RE PROJECTING IT TO BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR.

AND WE HAVE A 18 MONTH CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE, WHICH WOULD GIVE US A FALL OR WINTER OF 27.

ANYONE ON COUNCIL QUESTION, QUESTION OR COMMENT? I, I HAVE A COMMENT.

WHEN I GOT ON COUNCIL IN 2015, THE WORK HAD STARTED ON THIS EVEN BEFORE THEN.

I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAFF HARD WORK IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, UM, AND ALSO THE TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM HILTON HEAD TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

THIS, THIS WAS A HUGE EFFORT AND THANK YOU.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE NOT THERE YET, BUT WE'RE GETTING CLOSER.

WE'RE GETTING CLOSER THOUGH.

THAT'S RIGHT.

ALRIGHT, WE'RE UNANIMOUS.

ANYONE ELSE COMMENT? JUST ONE.

I'VE BEEN PART OF THAT NOW ALMOST THREE YEARS, AND I WILL SAY JARRET FANTASTIC LEADERSHIP ON THAT.

BUT TO THE CHAIRWOMAN S POINT, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THIS AND IT'S BEEN HAPPENING LONG BEFORE 2015.

SO, UH, SHOVEL THE GROUND NEXT SUMMER, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF YEARS THAT WERE PUT INTO IT AND INCREDIBLE WORK TO BE DONE, SO THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER COMMENT OR QUESTION FROM COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT.

I'D LIKE TO HAVE A VOTE ON THIS ORDINANCE.

THANK YOU MR. FRE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF ORDINANCE 2025 SLASH 48.

I HAVE ONE ORDINANCE

[11.a. 2025/49: An Ordinance to amend the business and professional licenses Ordinance, Chapter 18, Article III, Section 18-67(A)(B), Appendix A&B. ]

FOR FIRST READING.

IT IS 2025 SLASH 49, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES ORDINANCE CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE THREE, SECTION 18 DASH 67 AB AND APPENDIX AB, THE VOTE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE ON OCTOBER 6TH WAS SEVEN ZERO.

CAN I HAVE A MOTION FOR THIS ORDINANCE? SO MOVED.

MR. PASSMAN MAKES A MOTION.

SECOND.

A SECOND.

MS. HOWARD MAKES A SECOND.

AND YOU'RE UP MR. ATKINSON.

AND THEN I KNOW THERE'S COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.

AND GOOD EVENING.

SO THE SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LICENSE TAX STANDARDIZATION ACT REQUIRES THAT BY DECEMBER 31ST OF EVERY ODD YEAR, THE COUNTY MUST ADOPT BY ORDINANCE, THE LATEST STANDARDIZATION BUSINESS LICENSE CLASS SCHEDULE PUBLISHED BY THE IRS IN APPENDIX B OF THE SUBJECT TO ORDINANCE.

THERE ARE SIX, UH, DIFFERENT INDUSTRY SECTORS WHERE THE CLASS HAS BEEN, UH, MODIFIED AND AT THE BOTTOM OF THAT IT GIVES THE DATE RANGE FOR THE STATISTICAL DATA THAT'S USED FROM THE IRS.

WE'RE GOING FROM 23 TO 25 IN THE CLASS SCHEDULE AND IT'S A THREE YEAR AVERAGE FROM 2019 TO 2021.

I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

ALRIGHT.

ANY YES, MR. BERT? I WAS READY FOR YOU.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T, I GET WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

UM,

[00:35:01]

WE HAVE TO ADOPT THIS AND I DON'T MIND, I GUESS MOVING FORWARD WITH IT TODAY.

BUT, UH, IN READING THIS SECTION 10 IN PARTICULAR REALLY BOTHERS ME AND, AND I'LL READ IT VERBATIM FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENFORCING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE.

THE LICENSED OFFICIAL OR OTHER AUTHORIZED AGENT OF THE COUNTY IS EMPOWERED TO ENTER UPON THE PREMISES OF ANY PERSON SUBJECT TO THIS ORDINANCE TO MAKE INSPECTIONS AND TO EXAMINE AND AUDIT BOOKS AND RECORDS.

AND THEN IT FURTHER STATES IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY SUCH PERSON TO FAIL OR REFUSE TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO NECESSARY BOOKS AND RECORDS.

AND WHEN YOU, IT KEEPS GOING.

BUT WHEN YOU PUT THAT IN CONJUNCTION WITH SECTION 19, WHICH IT MAKES ANY VIOLATION PUNISHABLE BY A JAIL OF 30 DAYS OR $500 FINE, I'M WORRIED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THAT'S A VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FOURTH AMENDMENT AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION.

AND I, I WONDER KNOW HOW THAT PLAYS INTO, I, I KNOW THE WORDS HERE MIGHT NOT BE WHAT'S EQUAL TO WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DO IN PRACTICE, BUT THE LANGUAGE MATTERS TO ME AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT VIOLATING PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

SURE.

SO THERE ARE A FEW PRESUPPOSITIONS TO ALL OF THESE ORDINANCES.

UM, ALL CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED, UH, DUE PROCESS RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS PERTAINING TO AND GOVERNING SEARCHES WOULD CERTAINLY BE SEARCHES AND SEIZURES WOULD CERTAINLY APPLY HERE.

SO THAT IS A SUP, YOU KNOW, A PRESUPPOSITION WHERE WE ARE BOUND AS ENFORCEMENT AGENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE CONSTITUTION.

EVEN THOUGH THERE'S STRONG LANGUAGE LIKE THIS THAT MIRRORS, UH, STATE ENABLING LEGISLATION, IT DOES NOT GIVE US THE ABILITY TO VIOLATE SOMEONE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

I WILL SAY THAT, UM, IN SECTION 10, I THINK IT'S THE THIRD SENTENCE.

IT SAYS, IT SHALL BE LAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO FAIL OR REFUSE TO MAKE AVAILABLE THOSE NECESSARY BOOKS.

SO ANYTIME WE HAVE AN ENFORCEMENT ACTION, THE FIRST THING THAT WE DO AS GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IS WE EDUCATE IN ANY ENFORCEMENT ACTION.

SO WE WOULD EDUCATE AND COMMUNICATE WITH THOSE FOLKS, LET THEM KNOW WHAT WE NEED.

99, PROBABLY MORE THAN 99.9%, UH, THERE'S VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE, RIGHT? SO UNDER THAT, WE WOULD CERTAINLY NOT JUST GO IN AND VIOLATE SOMEONE'S RIGHTS.

UM, WE HAVE THOSE GOVERNING, YOU KNOW, RULES THAT WE ALL HAVE THOSE PROTECTIONS UNDER THE LAW AND WE CERTAINLY WOULD NOT VIOLATE THEM AS FAR AS THE ORDINANCE ITSELF.

A BUSINESS LICENSE TAX, A PRIVILEGE TAX IS AN OPTION FOR THE COUNTY.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S MANDATED, BUT IT EXISTS THAT RIGHT TO UH, COLLECT THIS TAX UNDER STATE LAW EXISTS UNDER ENABLING LEGISLATION.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO COLLECT THE TAX, YOU HAVE TO DO IT IN ACCORDANCE AND HAVE AN ORDINANCE THAT MATCHES AND MIRRORS WHAT THE STATE LAW SAYS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE AND DO.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE THAT WOULD BE BUILDING CODES.

WE CANNOT WRITE OUR OWN BUILDING CODE, BUT WE ENFORCE BUILDING CODES, OUR ORDINANCE MIRRORS, AND ALL OF THE, UM, PROVISIONS THAT WE ENFORCE MIRROR WHAT THE STATE LAW SAYS THAT WE CAN DO TO ENFORCE THOSE BUILDING CODES.

BUT WE DO IT, OUR FOLKS ARE LICENSED THROUGH THE STATE AND THAT'S GOVERNED THROUGH THE STATE.

SO WE CAN'T GET CREATIVE, ALTHOUGH THERE'S VERY SIMILAR LANGUAGE THAT SAYS WE CAN ENTER ON PREMISES TO DO INSPECTIONS AND THINGS OF THE LIKE.

SO, UM, THERE IS NO OVERREACH HERE.

UH, IT'S VERY RARE THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO GO IN AND AUDIT SOMEONE.

UH, WE COLLECT THEIR, UM, TAX RETURNS.

SO THIS WOULD BE A CASE WHERE THERE IS EVIDENCE WHERE THERE'S SOME WRONGDOING.

WE'RE NOT GONNA GO IN AND GO ON MISSIONS SNOOPING LOOKING FOR THINGS.

THIS IS JUST A TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX WHERE IF THERE IS A AN OUTLYING SITUATION WHERE IT'S NEEDED, WE HAVE THE TOOLS THAT WE NEED TO DO.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND I PERSONALLY JUST WANNA LIMIT THE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS.

UH, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS.

AND THE OTHER THING IS, CAN YOU TELL ME THE ENABLING LEGISLATION? I WANNA MAKE SURE, I THINK IT'S REFERENCED IN A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SPOTS, BUT I WANNA MAKE SURE I'M READING THE RIGHT STUFF.

'CAUSE WHAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO READ SO FAR, I DON'T SEE VERBATIM SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN THERE.

SURE.

SO IT IS THE SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LICENSE TAX STANDARDIZATION ACT AND I BELIEVE THAT'S 2021 IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.

IS THAT SE CODE SECTION 6 1 400? I BELIEVE IT'S THE ENTIRE ACT.

OH YEAH, YEAH.

THERE'S SUBSECTIONS TO THAT ACT, BUT OKAY.

THAT, THAT'S, SO THEY REVAMPED IT IN 2021 AND WHAT THEY DID IS THEY STANDARDIZED HOW YOU COLLECT IT AND THE PROVISIONS FOR COLLECTIONS STATEWIDE FOR ALL THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO COLLECT THE, UM, THE TAX.

SO, BUT I WILL SAY, UM, IN RECEIPT, I GOT YOUR, UH, EMAIL THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE PROPOSED CHANGES.

OBVIOUSLY THIS HAS TIME

[00:40:01]

RESTRAINTS WHAT WE'RE DOING TONIGHT.

WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND IS THAT THIS COME BACK TO YOUR, UM, SUGGESTED CHANGES, COME BACK TO A COMMITTEE FOR DISCUSSION, THEN THE COMMITTEE GIVE DIRECTION TO STAFF TO RESEARCH THAT.

LET US GO BACK TO SCAC, THE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION AND OTHER PLAYERS AT THE STATE TO, TO ENSURE THAT YOU KNOW WHAT'S BEING ASKED FOR.

ACTUALLY COMPLIES, HAVE OUR LEGAL STAFF DO A REVIEW AND THEN COME BACK AND GIVE YOU A REPORT ON THAT.

UH, THERE'S NO LIMIT ON WHEN YOU CAN, UH, MAKE EDITS TO THIS ORDINANCE.

SO IF THAT'S A SEPARATE PROCESS, THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE THE BEST WAY TO GO ABOUT IT BECAUSE IF WE DON'T PASS THIS BY OUR DECEMBER MEETING, WE RUN A FILE AND WE WILL BE COLLECTING INCORRECT, UH, AMOUNTS STARTING JANUARY 1ST.

AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANNA DO THAT.

SO I HOPE THAT HELPS.

YEAH, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OKAY, WELL WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR, SO, UM, ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL, GUYS ON LINE? OKAY, THEN LET'S VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE AS STATED.

AND THIS IS FIRST READING SO IT COULD GO FORWARD.

ALL OPPOSED, TWO OPPOSED, THREE OPPOSED.

UM, MR. ATKINSON MADE A SUGGESTION.

IT GOES BACK TO COMMITTEE.

NO, HE NEEDS, IT NEEDS TO GO FORWARD.

WE CAN WORK ON IT LATER.

KEEP THE TIMELINE.

YEAH, YEAH.

KEEP THE TIMELINE.

BUT COMMITTEE SHOULD DISCUSS IT.

SO THE ONLY THING THAT'S ON THE FLOOR TONIGHT AS PART OF THE AGENDA IS UPDATING THE SCHEDULE.

THAT'S IT.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS THAT WERE EMAILED OUT TODAY, IF THOSE COULD COME BACK AND BE DISCUSSED ON AN ALTERNATE TRACK, 'CAUSE THAT'S GONNA TAKE LONGER THAN THE NEXT TWO COUNCIL MEETINGS, UH, TO VET THOSE OUT.

IF IT GOES TO JANUARY, FEBRUARY, WHATEVER IT TAKES, WE CAN WORK THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND STAFF IS MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK WITH COUNCIL ANY WAY WE NEED TO, TO, UH, TO GET THOSE VETTED OUT.

BUT THIS PARTICULAR ONE, WE JUST NEED PASSED BY DECEMBER SO THAT WE DON'T RUN A FALLOW STATE LAW WITH THE FEES THAT WE'RE COLLECTING.

DO I NEED, WELL, WE VOTED SO WE DON'T NEED A ROLL CALL.

IT'S THREE AGAINST.

ALRIGHT.

MADAM CHAIR, THAT'S, THAT'S THE ORDINANCES.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS.

WE ARE ADJOURNED.