[00:00:11]
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
WILL CALL THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 23RD TO ORDER.PLEASE RISE FOR THE, UH, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE INVOCATION.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVIDUAL, INVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY.
MR. MCKELLAN COULD NOT BE HERE IN PERSON.
SO HE HAS ASKED ME TO PROVIDE TO YOU WHAT HE WOULD'VE SAID.
DEAR WISE AND LOVING GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY AND ABUNDANT BLESSINGS.
WE THANK YOU FOR LIFE ITSELF AND FOR THE MEASURE OF HEALTH GIVEN TO US TO FULFILL OUR DUTIES.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE ABILITY TO BE INVOLVED IN USEFUL WORK AND FOR THE HONOR OF BEARING SERIOUS RESPONSIBILITIES, WE ASK THAT WE AS A BODY PROMOTE PEACE, ORDER AND JUSTICE, AND THAT YOU GRACIOUSLY, WE GRANT DISASSEMBLED BODY THE WISDOM TO GOVERN AMID THE CONFLICTING INTEREST AND ISSUES OF OUR TIMES, TO HAVE A SENSE OF TRUE NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS, TO HAVE A KEEN THIRST OF JUSTICE, TO UNDERSTAND AND CLEARLY SEE WHAT IS GOOD FITTING AND APPROPRIATE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY EVEN WHEN THERE IS HONEST DISAGREEMENT, AND TO HAVE PERSONAL PEACE IN OUR LIVES AND JOY OF OUR TASK.
FINALLY, HELP US TO ENSURE OUR DELIBERATIONS HERE TONIGHT BENEFIT THOSE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN OUR EXTENDED COMMUNITY.
AND THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN
[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.SECOND, I'M GOING TO SECOND THAT AND I'M GOING TO ASK THAT WE AMEND TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
I'LL, I'LL SECOND THE MOTION TO AMEND.
I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO ADD AN ITEM, WHICH WILL BE NOW ITEM NUMBER 15 AND IT WILL READ, I MOVE THAT THE COUNTY COUNSEL EXECUTE A LETTER OF ENGAGEMENT TO THE LAW FIRM HOWELL GIBSON AND HUGHES PA TO PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVISORY SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH MATTERS PRE PRESENTED TO OR BEFORE COUNTY COUNCIL.
AND THAT THE POINT OF CONTACT WILL BE THE CHAIR OF COUNTY COUNCIL.
I'LL REITERATE THAT, THAT SECOND ON THAT ONE.
UH, DO WE WANNA ADD THERE WAS, WE MAY NEED TO ADD THAT THERE MAY BE TIMES THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WOULD NEED TO ALSO, COULD YOU AMEND AMENDMENT FOR THAT? UM, WE DON'T WANNA KEEP OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY FROM TALKING TO OUR OUTSIDE ATTORNEY IF NEEDED.
OH YEAH, NO, THAT IS UNDERSTOOD.
THAT IS ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTOOD.
SO THAT WON'T NEED TO MAKE, THERE'S NOT ANY PLACE.
UM, THAT WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD, SO IF THAT'S THE AMENDMENT, I WILL NOT SUPPORT IT.
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A COUNCIL FOR COUNTY COUNCIL.
UM, SO THOSE LINES OF COMMUNICATION SHOULD GO AMONGST COUNCIL AND THROUGH OUR CHAIR AND IF SHE'S UNAVAILABLE OUR VICE CHAIR.
SO I GUESS I'M SEEING A LITTLE GRAYER FROM THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD PREVIOUSLY AND I WOULD, SO THE CHAIR CAN ALWAYS DIRECT THEM TO SPEAK TO OUR ATTORNEY.
I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE IN THE AMENDMENT.
THIS IS OUR COUNCIL ATTORNEY AND FOR THE PUBLIC.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS, WELL, MR. PASSMAN SAID SEVEN YEARS, BUT I KNOW WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A COUPLE YEARS, SO THERE ARE TIMES WE MAY NEED OUTSIDE COUNSEL, SO I WOULD NOT ADD THAT TO THE AMENDMENT.
IS THAT, IS THAT SATISFACTORY AT THIS TIME, THE WAY IT WAS READ BY COUNCILMAN PASSMAN ORIGINALLY? THEN I GUESS WE'RE STILL GONNA DISCUSS IT WHEN IT IS AN ITEM THEN AT ITEM 15 WE'LL STILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS.
SO WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA TO ADD ITEM 15.
UH, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION AT THIS POINT ABOUT THE AMENDMENT? ALL IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT TO ADD ITEM 15 BY SHOW OF HANDS.
UH, AT THIS TIME, UH, I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 9TH.
NOPE, WE HAVE APPROVE THE AGENDA.
OH, WE HAVE TO APPROVE THE ORIGINAL AGENDA? YES.
I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND
[00:05:01]
I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION.ALL RIGHT, I'LL, ALL IN FAVOR OF THE ORIGINAL AGENDA AS AMENDED BY SHOW OF HANDS.
ALRIGHT, AND THAT IS UNANIMOUS.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
FROM, UH, NUMBER FIVE MINUTES FROM A FEBRUARY 9TH, 2026 MEETING.DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE MINUTES? SO MOVED.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE BY SHOW OF HANDS, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 9TH BY SHOW OF HANDS.
[6. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT]
WE'RE AT THIS TIME WE'RE AT ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT.WAIT, DID I FORGET? OH, NEVERMIND.
UH, GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR COUNSEL.
UM, WE HAVE SOME RECOGNITIONS THIS EVENING FOR SOME EMPLOYEES FOR LONGEVITY.
I'D FIRST LIKE TO INVITE, UH, LIEUTENANT EDWIN AIKEN TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM.
SO, UM, LIEUTENANT, UH, AIKEN IS WITH THE DETENTION CENTER.
HIS CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE, UM, HE JOINED THE, THE BEAUFORT COUNTY DETENTION CENTER IN 2011.
OVER THE COURSE OF HIS CAREER, HE QUICKLY ADVANCED TO THE RANKS FROM CLASS TWO CERTIFICATION TO LANCE CORPORAL, CORPORAL SERGEANT, AND ULTIMATELY TRAINING LIEUTENANT WHILE EARNING MULTIPLE SUPERVISOR OF THE QUARTER RECOGNITIONS.
ALONG THE WAY, THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ORGANIZATION, DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP, OPERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE, AND A COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
HIS SERVICE REFLECTS A LASTING IMPACT ON THE TEAM, THE COMMUNITY, AND HIS APPRECIATED FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AND EXPERIENCE HE CONTINUES TO BRING TO THE AGENCY.
SO WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE FOR YOU.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING
I JUST, UH, THANKS FOR THE RECOGNITION AND ABSOLUTELY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
NEXT WE HAVE, UH, JANA PADGET, OPERATIONS LIEUTENANT BEAUFORT COUNTY DETENTION CENTER.
WE WOULD, UH, LIKE TO RECOGNIZE LIEUTENANT, UH, PAGET FOR 20 YEARS OF DEDICATED EXEMPLARY SERVICE, BEGINNING WITH HER HIRE IN 2006.
THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, SHE HAS DISTINGUISHED HERSELF THROUGH PROFESSIONALISM, STRONG LEADERSHIP, AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENT EARNING MULTIPLE RECOGNITIONS, INCLUDING EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER, EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR, AND SUPERVISOR OF THE QUARTER.
SHE HAS STEADILY PROGRESSED THROUGH KEY ROLES, MOST RECENTLY BEING PROMOTED TO OPERATIONS LIEUTENANT, WHILE ALSO FURTHERING HER EDUCATION WITH AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, SHE CONSISTENTLY SERVED BEYOND EXPECTATIONS, GAINING MASTERY ACROSS MANY FACETS OF JAIL OPERATIONS, HER BROAD KNOWLEDGE, UNWAVERING DEDICATION, AND PROVING LEADERSHIP MAKER AN INVALUABLE AND IRREPLACEABLE ASSET TO THE ORGANIZATION.
SO, CONGRATULATIONS AND YOU MAKE SOME COMMENTS IF YOU LIKE.
I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION AND THANK YOU TO MY BCD FAMILY AND MY HUSBAND.
'CAUSE I DON'T THINK I WOULD'VE MADE IT THIS LONG WITHOUT THEM.
OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE, UH, MICHAEL BRANTLEY, WHO'S OUR BILLING SERVICES DIRECTOR FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.
OH, OVER THE COURSE OF 20 YEARS WITH THE COUNTY, UH, MICHAEL HAS EARNED 10 ICC PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND HELD MULTIPLE POSITIONS WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIVISION.
HE BEGAN EMPLOYMENT WITH BEAUFORT COUNTY IN 2006 AS A RESIDENTIAL INSPECTOR.
SINCE THEN, HE HAS SERVED AS A COMMERCIAL INSPECTOR, RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PLANS EXAMINER, SENIOR INSPECTOR, DEPUTY BUILDING OFFICIAL, AND NOW IS THE BUILDING SERVICES DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, THE BUILDING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHO OVERSEES BUILDING PERMITS, PLAN REVIEW INSPECTIONS, CODE ENFORCEMENT, FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT, AND BUSINESS LICENSES.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS.
UH, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNITION.
UM, YEAH, I'M LOOKING FORWARD FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS,
[00:10:02]
THANK YOU.NEXT I'D LIKE TO INVITE, UH, OUR ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AUDRA ANTONACCI, UM, FORWARD FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.
SO AUDRA BEGAN HER CAREER WITH THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN JANUARY, 2001 AS A DEPUTY SHERIFF, AND HAS SINCE DEMONSTRATED AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE ADVANCING THROUGH CODE ENFORCEMENT TO BECOME ITS DIRECTOR IN 2011.
IN 2021, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHERE SHE HAS BECOME A PIVOTAL AND TRUSTED MENTOR OF THE, UM, ADMINISTRATION AND EXECUTIVE TEAM.
HER 25 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE REFLECT EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP, PROFESSIONALISM, AND DEVOTION TO BEAUFORT COUNTY.
AND I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR, MY TIME HERE AND YOUR SERVICE AS AN ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 25 YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE SUPPORT, UM, YOU HAVE GIVEN ME.
A TRUE FAMILY OF PUBLIC SERVICE WITH YES.
NEXT WE HAVE, UH, DANIEL MORGAN, WHO'S OUR MAPPING AND APPLICATIONS DIRECTOR AND GIS DEPARTMENT FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE.
SO DAN HAS DEDICATED 30 YEARS TO BEAUFORT COUNTY, BRING A DEPTH OF EXPERIENCE AND CONTINUITY THAT HAS GREATLY BENEFITED THE ORGANIZATION.
AS DEPARTMENT HEAD OF THE MAPPING AND APPLICATIONS DEPARTMENT, HE LEADS THE COUNTY'S GIS ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEMS OPERATIONS, PROVIDING THE DATA MAPPING TOOLS AND TECHNICAL FRAMEWORK THAT SUPPORT DAILY OPERATIONS AND LONG-TERM PLANNING ACROSS DEPARTMENTS.
THROUGH HIS COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS, DAN HAS HELPED MODERNIZE THE COUNTY'S USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENSURE THAT INFORMATION SYSTEMS REMAIN A STRONG AND RELIABLE FOUNDATION FOR SERVICE DELIVERY TO OUR WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY.
SO WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
YOUR, YOUR SPOUSE NEEDS TO COME UP.
I'VE WORKED WITH MANY OF YOU AND BEEN ABLE TO MAP, UH, I'VE BEEN THROUGH THREE CENSUSES.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL MAKE A FOURTH, BUT, UH, IT'S BEEN REALLY FUN AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT.
OKAY, THAT CONCLUDES OUR, UH, EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS.
I DO HAVE A FEW OTHER UPDATES FOR COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC, UM, UPDATE ON THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
UH, THE COMMITTEE MET ON FEBRUARY 18TH AND BEGAN DISCUSSIONS REGARDING TRANSPORTATION RELATED PROJECTS.
UH, FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE REFERENDUM.
UH, THE COMMITTEE VOTED ON A SCHEDULE OF DATES, TIMES, AND LOCATIONS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS, WHICH HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
UM, AT THE MEETING, UH, OUR ENGINEERING DIRECTOR, UH, BRIAN BAUER, GAVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION OUTLINING SEVERAL TRAFFIC STUDIES, THE LOW COUNTRY AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY, LATS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE AND COMPLETED, AND TRAFFIC STUDIES ALSO COMPLETED BY BEAUFORT COUNTY.
UH, THESE STUDIES WILL BE PROVIDED TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO HELP DETERMINE PROJECT PRIORITIES AND FUNDING COSTS.
COMMITTEE ALSO REQUESTED THE COUNTY PROVIDE A LIST OF COUNTY OWNED DIRT ROADS AND ONES, UH, WHICH HAVE FULL RIGHT OF WAY, A MAP OF JASPER COUNTY PROJECTS, A COPY OF THE PRESENTATION, FIVE YEAR RESURFACING AND DIRT ROADS.
UM, AND THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION CHAIRMAN WILL PRESENT TO THE COMMITTEE.
AND, UH, A REVIEW OF, UM, WHETHER, UH, SIRENS ARE ALLOW A STRAIGHT STATE CODE FOR TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX.
UH, DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE ALL THIS INFORMATION BACK TO THE COMMITTEE.
ITS NEXT MEETING, WHICH WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH, 2026, WHICH IS THIS COMING WEDNESDAY FROM ONE TO 3:00 PM AT THE TOWN OF PORT ROYAL 700 PARIS AVENUE.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND THAT MEETING AS WELL.
NEXT, UH, WE WERE, AS WE WERE NOTIFIED, UH, LATE LAST WEEK, THAT, UM, UH, JUDGE RICHARD
[00:15:01]
GURGLE DISMISSED THE, UH, UH, CASE OF PINE ISLAND PROPERTY HOLDINGS, LLC AND PINE ISLAND AND GC LLC AGAINST BUFORT COUNTY AND US DISTRICT COURT OF SOUTH CAROLINA.I JUST WANTED TO PASS ALONG, UM, THANKS AND RECOGNITION TO OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY, UH, HOLBERT AND LEGAL TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES THE, UH, LAW OFFICE OF CHRISTIE SCOTT AND DANNY CROW OF CAR FIELD, AND, UM, OUR LE AND, UH, BREWERS AND EACH OF THE LEGAL COUNSEL REPRESENTING THE INTERVENERS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT.
IN DISMISSING THE CASE, THE US DISTRICT COURT FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO LONGER A CASE OR CONTROVERSY SINCE THE PLAINTIFFS WITHDREW THEIR APPEAL IN STATE COURT RESULT IS THAT THE BEAUFORT COUNTY'S CULTURAL PROTECTION OVERLAY REMAINS IN PLACE, AND THE DECISIONS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNSEL REMAIN IN PLACE AS WELL.
LASTLY, UM, MARCH 6TH IS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY.
IN HONOR OF THIS, MY PLAN IS TO REWARD EACH OF THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES WITH A ONE HOUR APPRECIATION LEAVE FOR THEM TO USE AT THEIR DISCRETION, UH, AT THE REST OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.
THAT CONCLUDES MY, ANY QUESTIONS FOR OUR ADMINISTRATOR? YES, COUNCILMAN REESE? I DO.
UH, MR. MOORE, I THINK I GAVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF A HEADS UP BEFORE WE STARTED HERE TONIGHT.
UM, YORK COUNTY FROM WHERE YOU CAME FROM, RIGHT? YES.
YEAH, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO OR SO, A BUNCH OF KIDS GOT TOGETHER AND THEY REACHED OUT TO ME AND SAID THEY HAVE A PROJECT THAT THEY'RE GONNA DO A PROJECT.
THEY KNOW OF YOU PRETTY WELL AS WELL.
UM, AND THEY'RE GONNA DO A PROJECT, AND I TALKED TO TAB ABOUT THIS BEING A LIFELONG EDUCATOR.
UM, AND I HAD A CHANCE OVER THE WEEKEND TO TALK TO DR. RODRIGUEZ AS WELL, BUT THEY'RE GONNA DO A PROJECT, UH, EACH OF THE GROUPS HAVE, UM, TO PICK MY FAVORITE TOWN.
AND SOMEHOW THESE KIDS PICKED HILTON HEAD AND, UH, UH, I'M PLEASED THAT THEY WANNA WORK WITH ME ON IT.
BUT I, I THOUGHT OF YOU BECAUSE THAT'S YOUR AREA, UH, YOU AND YOUR WIFE AND ALL, AND WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE WITH SCHOOLS AND DR. RODRIGUEZ, HE'S EXCITED ABOUT IT.
SO I'M GONNA MEET WITH THEM ON FRIDAY.
UM, I'LL GET EVERY, GET EVERYBODY UP TO SPEED.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GONNA DO A WHOLE SEMESTER PROJECT ON THEIR FAVORITE TOWN, WHICH IS US.
AND I THINK MAYBE IF WE GET AN EIGHTH GRADE CLASS HERE TO DO SOMETHING RECIPROCAL FOR THEM, YOU CAN HELP WITH THAT AND I APPRECIATE IT.
UM, MR. MR. MR. MOORE? UH, YES, SIR.
I THINK THAT, UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT MEETING WITH THE, UM, UM, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE REFERENDUM WAS THAT THERE WILL BE TWO, UM, EVENING MEETINGS.
I WANNA MAKE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT EARLY.
I DON'T HAVE THE DATES, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DATES AND STUFF, BUT SO THAT, UM, PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING CANNOT MAKE THE MEETINGS, UM, DURING THE DAYTIME AT ONE O'CLOCK, THEY'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, UM, TO DO SO AT THAT TIME.
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT, I'LL MAKE IT A POINT TO AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
I'LL PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION AND THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR OUR ADMINISTRATOR AT THIS TIME? OKAY, THANK YOU.
[7. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - 30 MINUTES TOTAL]
NOW HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.WE HAVE, I WILL CALL PEOPLE UP IN THE ORDER THAT THEY SIGNED UP.
I'D LIKE TO READ, UM, THE, WHAT WE CALL OUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
EVERY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO'S RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK SHALL LIMIT COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES AND OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING PROTOCOL, ADDRESS THE CHAIRMAN, AND IN SPEAKING, AVOID DISRESPECT TO COUNCIL AND ANY PERSONALITIES CONFINE THEMSELVES TO QUESTIONS UNDER THE JURISDICTIONS OF THE COUNCIL.
AND BE MINDFUL AND RESPECTFUL OF THOSE WHO ARE PRESENT AND OTHERS WHO MIGHT BE WATCHING ON TELEVISION.
THE FIRST PERSON TO SIGN UP IS MR. ROBERT NEW.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIRPERSON.
FIRST, FOR THE MAJORITY OF COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO HAVE STOOD BY THE CPO AND THE GOOG GEECHEE COMMUNITY, WE THANK YOU.
THIS IS A LEGACY ISSUE, AND YOU COURAGEOUSLY STOOD BY YOUR CONVICTIONS THESE PAST THREE YEARS.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE MILLIONS SPENT TO CONVINCE YOU OTHERWISE, YOU STOOD FIRM, YOU HAVE OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE.
AS MENTIONED, JUDGE GURGLE DISMISSED THE GOT DEVELOPER'S FRIVOLOUS FEDERAL LAWSUIT.
THIS AFTER THE STATE LAWSUIT WAS DROPPED BY THE DEVELOPERS, THE PURPOSE OF THE LAWSUITS WAS TO GIVE THE DEVELOPER LEVERAGE.
THIS LAW FAIR HAS NOW COST THE TAXPAYERS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
AND REST ASSURED, THIS LAW FAIR IS NOT GOING TO END.
THESE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY, CRAZY RICH.
AND STILL, AFTER ALMOST FOUR YEARS, THE OWNER REMAINS IN HIDING.
[00:20:01]
WHY.GIVEN THAT THEY NOW SPENT AN UNCONSCIONABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY WITH MULTIPLE LAW FIRMS. TO CIRCUMVENT THE CPO, IT HAS TO BE READILY APPARENT TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE THAT THIS HAS BEEN ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE.
FROM DAY ONE, THE MORE HOUSES THREAT WAS TOTALLY BOGUS.
IT WAS ONLY ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE.
NOW, IN YEAR FOUR, WHEN A LEFT OFFICIALS SAY, I JUST WANT LESS HOUSES AND DOCKS, IT STRAINS THE CREDIBILITY OF THE OFFICIALS IN QUESTION AND INSULTS OUR INTELLIGENCE.
THERE WAS A SCAM FROM THE GET GO, A BIG LIE, AND GOOD PEOPLE WERE DUPED.
THE HEAD SCRATCHER IS THAT SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS PROFESSING TO BE GUARDIANS OF THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS STILL SUPPORT THIS SCAM.
THEY HAVE OPENLY ENCOURAGED AND BLATANTLY ASSISTED THIS GOLF COURSE DEVELOPER AND THEIR NEVER ENDING QUEST TO DESTROY THE CPO.
IT HAS ENCOURAGED ALL THIS LAW FAIR AND NEEDLESSLY COST THOSE TAXPAYERS A TON OF MONEY.
ULTIMATELY, WHETHER IT'S NOW OR FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, THE SOLUTION IS FOR THE STATE TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY.
THE RIGHT PEOPLE STAND WILLING AND ABLE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
GIVEN THE CRAZY MONEY SPENT, THE DEVELOPER IS VERY UNLIKELY TO SELL TO A REAL HOUSING DEVELOPER.
THE HURDLES WOULD BE ENORMOUS.
AND EVEN IF THAT DID HAPPEN SOMEHOW, THE ADDITIONAL 75 HOUSES OR SO IS STILL A FAR BETTER ALTERNATIVE THAN THE RESORT.
THUS, THE ONLY LOGICAL BUYER IS THE STATE.
ALRIGHT, URGE COUNCIL TO PURSUE THIS OPTION.
PLEASE FORM A COMMITTEE SHOULD THE SELLER REFUSE TO SELL.
HOWEVER, THE MESSAGE NEEDS TO BE LOUD AND CLEAR.
THE USE OF FRIVOLOUS LAW FAIR IS A NEGOTIATING TOOL WILL NOT WORK.
THEY BOUGHT THE PROPERTY IN KNOWING FULL WILL A GOLF COURSE IS NOT ALLOWED.
THEY CAN KEEP SPENDING MILLIONS, BUT OUR COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY WILL STAND FIRM FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES.
AM I PRONOUNCING THAT RIGHT? PERFECT.
MADAM CHAIR AND THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I'M FROM UP THE COAST IN EDISTO ISLAND, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY.
UH, IN MARCH, I WILL FILE FOR THE UNITED STATES HOUSE SEAT C ONE CURRENTLY HELD BY REPRESENTATIVE NANCY MACE.
I'LL BE SEEKING THE LIBERTARIAN BALLOT LINE, AND I'M MAKING MY WAY AROUND THE DISTRICT TO INTRODUCE MYSELF, MEET LOCAL LEADERS AND CONSTITUENTS, AND MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND WHAT LOCAL ISSUES HAVE IMPACT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
I'LL STAY IN TOUCH OVER THE NEXT EIGHT MONTHS, AND I'M ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO HEAR FROM THE FOLKS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY.
AND IN CLOSING, NO MATTER HOW THIS ELECTION TURNS OUT, I PERSONALLY APPRECIATE WHAT EVERY ONE OF YOU ARE DOING TO SERVE YOUR COUNTY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.
MY NAME IS ALISON DAVID O AND I AM HERE TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
I CAME TO BEAUFORT A, A SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVE JESSE JACKSON, AND I HALE FROM J UH, GREENVILLE
AND I CAME HERE AFTER A MANY YEARS AS A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE TO A BEAUTIFUL PART OF THE COUNTRY.
I'M GLAD TO HAVE BEEN HERE, AND I'M GLAD TO HAVE JOINED A FAITH ORGANIZATION, WHICH SENT ME TO FIND OUT HOW WE COULD SPEND 25% OF OUR BUDGET.
AND I FOUND THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IT WAS A STANDING ROOM ONLY MEETING WITH CHURCHES, WITH CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, WITH VOLUNTEERS LED BY TWO EXCELLENT PEOPLE, FRED LITA AND BEN BOSWELL.
I FELT AS I HAD FOUND THE ANSWER TO WHAT WE, UH, THIS COUNTY NEEDED.
I WAS, I WAS HAPPY TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT BEFORE GOING ON TO OTHER POLITICAL ISSUES.
THAT WAS, UH, ISSUE NUMBER ONE.
THE SECOND ONE WAS WHEN I WAS OBSERVING THE SET OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL, OFTEN IN PERSON, SOMETIME IN ZOOM, AND I SAW THE BOMBSHELL THAT WAS RELEASED LAST TIME IN WHICH IT WAS REVEALED THAT HUMAN SERVICES WAS GOING TO BE DISSOLVED.
IT SEEMED TO BE ALMOST A, A SIDE ISSUE AFFECTING ALL THESE PEOPLE.
I THOUGHT CERTAINLY THERE WOULD BE AN UPROAR.
AND WE HAVE, I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE BEEN BEATEN DOWN SO MUCH BY THE, OUR OWN ISSUES THAT WE CAN'T RESPOND APPROPRIATELY.
FINALLY, I, I THOUGHT I, THIS CAN'T, THIS CANNOT STAND.
SO I WENT TO A CHAT WITH THE COUNCIL AND FOUND THREE COUNCIL PEOPLE AND DIDN'T I, THE, THE ONE GLOWING PART OF THAT MEETING
[00:25:01]
WAS THAT I HEARD FROM A STAFF MEMBER FROM ONE OF THE CHA CHARITIES.SHE WAS, I WAS EMOTIONAL, BUT SHE WAS FACTUAL.
SHE SPOKE OF ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY DO.
SHE GAVE A, A PARTICULAR INSTANCE OF A FAMILY WITH MULTIPLE NEEDS.
NONE, WHICH BY THE WAY COULD BE RESPONDED TO BY NEXUS THE, THIS, THE ORGANIZATION THAT APPARENTLY WAS GONNA BE GET, UH, HUMAN SERVICES OUTTA HOT WATER.
I HOPE THAT SHE WILL HAVE A CHANCE.
SHE AND OTHERS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO COME WHEN THIS COUNCIL HOLDS PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS PURSUANT TO THE APPROACH OF THEIR 27 BUDGET.
BECAUSE THREE GROUPS NEED TO BE, UH, HEARD FROM ONE, THE STAFF FROM HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AN EXCELLENT GROUP.
IT'S ALREADY APPARENTLY GOTTEN THEIR P SLIPS.
SECOND, THE, THE VOLUNTEERS WHO COME FROM CHURCHES FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PITCH IN.
AND THIRD, AND YOU WON'T HEAR MUCH BECAUSE THEY'RE TOO BUSY TRYING TO KEEP THEIR FAMILIES TOGETHER FROM THOSE WHO ARE RECIPIENTS OF THE HUMAN SERVICES SERVICES COORDINATION, PUBLIC PUBLICITY AND CARE THAT THIS ORGANIZATION BRINGS.
GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, VEO TROIANO.
AND, UH, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE TIME THIS EVENING TO SPEAK.
I KNOW I SPOKE TO YOU GUYS EARLIER, BUT WANTED TO GET IT ON THE RECORD IN FRONT OF ALL OF COUNSEL AGAIN.
UM, I'M TALKING TONIGHT ABOUT TO PROVIDE CLARITY FOR THE RECORD ABOUT HOW ABOUT THE FEDERAL COURT ORDER THAT WAS ISSUED AND DISCUSSED BY MR. MOORE.
UM, JUST TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT HERE, UH, ON FRIDAY, UH, AS MR. MOORE SAID, A FEDERAL JUDGE DISMISSED THE PINE ALLEN CASE ON A TECHNICAL JURISDICTIONAL GROUND CALLED MOOTNESS IN PLAIN ENGLISH.
THAT MEANS THAT THE COURT CONCLUDED IN THAT IT, IN ITS OWN INTERPRETATION OF THAT PARTICULAR LAWSUIT, IT DID NOT HAVE A LIVE DISPUTE THAT IT COULD DECIDE AT THE MOMENT, THE ORDER FOCUSED ON THREE CONCEPTUAL APPLICATIONS FROM 2023 INVOLVING THREE SIX WHOLE GOLF COURSES.
THOSE APPLICATIONS WERE DENIED IN 2023 AND HAVE NOT BEEN UNDER COUNTY CONSIDERATION SINCE THIS TECHNICALITY WAS THE BASIS FOR THE PROCEDURAL DISMISSAL.
THE, THAT PROCEDURAL POINT SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH WHAT, AS MR. NEW SAID, EVERYONE HAS ALWAYS KNOWN THAT THE INTENDED DEVELOPMENT PLAN HAS BEEN AN 18 HOLE GOLF COURSE FOR FIVE YEARS.
WE'VE ALL BEEN PRESENT AT MULTIPLE DIFFERENT MEETINGS WITH MULTIPLE DIFFERENT PATHWAYS BEING PURSUED FOR THE SAME DEVELOPMENT ZONING, MAP AMENDMENT, DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BEYOND, UH, ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN BLOCKED AND CONTINUE TO BE BLOCKED BY A SPECIFIC ORDINANCE, MAINLY THE CPO.
SO, PLEASE DON'T BE MISLED IN THE NEWS ARTICLES OR, YOU KNOW, THE 9 MILLION EMAILS THAT YOU GUYS GET.
UM, THIS DISMISSAL WAS NOT A DECISION ON THE MERITS.
IT WAS NOT A JUDICIAL ENDORSEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE JUDGE DID NOT RULE THAT THE CPO IS VALID, CONSTITUTIONAL OR LAWFUL.
HE DID NOT APPROVE THE COUNTY'S POSITION ON THE MERITS, NOT NOR MINE.
THE JUDGE DID NOT DECIDE THE CORE LEGAL QUESTIONS.
AND THOSE QUESTIONS REMAIN UNRESOLVED.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF CORRECTING THE TECHNICAL ISSUE IDENTIFIED BY THE COURT, AND WE WILL BE REFILING OUR CASE BASED ON THE CONTINUING IMPACTS OF THE CPO IN THE COUNTY'S SUBSEQUENT ACTIONS.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS AND RESIDENTS ARE EXTREMELY, ARE, ARE INCREASINGLY EXAMINING THE BROADER EFFECTS OF THE LAW, THE CPO AND THEIR OWN LEGAL OPTIONS.
FINALLY, AS I'VE STATED BEFORE, MS. HOWARD MADAM CHAIR, I'LL RESPECTFULLY REQUEST JUST A PUBLIC CORRECTION VIEWER QUOTED IN THE PRESS SAYING THAT THE COURT BASICALLY UPHELD THAT THE CPO WAS VALID, UH, IN THE EXERCISE OF TRANSPARENCY TO THE, TO THE PUBLIC.
UM, THAT'S NOT WHAT THE ORDER SAYS.
I ASK THAT YOU CLARIFY IT PUBLICLY, THAT THE COURT DID NOT RULE ON THE CPO'S VALIDITY, VALIDITY AT ALL, SO THAT THE COMMUNITY RECEIVES ACCURATE INFORMATION.
TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS ABOUT ACCURACY.
THE CPO WAS NOT VALIDATED BY A COURT.
THE MERITS WERE NOT REACHED, AND THE DISPUTE IS CERTAINLY NOT OVER.
UNFORTUNATELY, AS I'VE SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE, ENSURING THAT ACCURACY IS, IS FOUND, IS ESSENTIAL, PARTICULARLY ON MATTERS OF SIGNIFICANCE TO THIS COUNTY AND TO THIS COUNCIL AND TO MYSELF.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I APPRECIATE IT.
UH, NEXT IS, UH, MR. STU RODMAN, MADAM CHAIR, PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU AND COUNCIL PEOPLE.
I WANNA SPEAK TO YOU ON THE BRIDGES AND THE, UH, REFERENDUM.
WE KNOW THAT THE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM BY MOST SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM BY FAR IS THE WORKFORCE TRANSPORTATION, GETTING THE WORKERS TO THE WORKPLACE.
THE TWO MAJOR ISSUES ARE ONE 70 AND THE BRIDGES.
I BELIEVE THAT THE REFERENDUM WILL FAIL UNLESS, UNLESS BOTH OF THOSE ARE SOLVED.
SENATOR DAVIS AND I COLLABORATED AFTER THE REFER, LAST REFERENDUM FAILED.
AND, UH, THE OUTCOME WAS THAT HE WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL IN KEEPING
[00:30:01]
THE 120 MILLION FROM THE STATE INFRASTRUCTURE BANK.AND WE PUT IN PLACE, UM, TAKING THE MONEY WE HAD AND BUILDING AS MUCH AS WE COULD.
FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ENOUGH MONEY SUCH THAT THE, WHEN THE BRIDGE IS BUILT, WHEN THE WESTBOUND IS, IF IT EVER IS BUILT, THERE'S FOUR LANES, TWO IN EACH DIRECTION, BUT THERE'S NO FUNDING FOR THAT.
WESTBOUND BRIDGE PROPOSAL IS TO ADD TWO LANES AND YOU CAN SEE IT ON THE SCHEMATIC.
AND THEN YOU WOULD TAKE THE TWO EXISTING BRIDGES, KEEP ONE OF THEM TO GET THE PINKNEY ISLAND.
AND IN THE COURSE OF DESTRUCTING THE OTHER BRIDGES, YOU WOULD KEEP JUST ENOUGH IF YOU WANTED TO FOR A PATHWAY WHICH MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WANT.
FORTUNATELY, UM, IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED LEADING UP TO THE BEGINNING OF THE BRIDGE PROJECT, THE ENGINEERS CORRECTLY LOOKED AT THE GROWTH OF TRAFFIC, AND IT WAS INCREASING SINCE THAT TIME.
IT HAS LEVELED OUT THE LAST 6, 7, 8 YEARS.
THE ADVANTAGES OF WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US IS SINGLE SPAN, ELIMINATE THE INTERSECTION, 50% INCREASE.
YOU GET THE TWO THINGS THAT THE REFERENDUM WAS CREATED FOR BEFORE, WHICH IS SAFETY AND REDUCED CONGESTION.
YOU GET THE AESTHETICS OF A NARROW BRIDGE, WHICH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE ON HILTON HEAD.
YOU GET THE PATHWAY, IF THAT'S WHAT THE MANY OF THE FOLKS WANT.
WE MINIMIZE THE RISK OF BEING ON BORROWED TIME OF SOME OF THE BRIDGES, GETTING EITHER SHUT DOWN BY DOT OR HAVING A CATASTROPHIC EVENT.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE ELIMINATE THE NEED TO EVER HAVE TO COME BACK AND DO A WESTBOUND BRIDGE, WHETHER OR NOT IT BE 300 OR 600 MILLION.
SO INVESTMENT HERE, WIDEN IT, ELIMINATE THE INTERSECTION.
A RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY, PROBABLY LESS THAN 5% OF WHAT'S IN THE REFERENDUM.
IT'S NOT A TAX INCREASE, IT'S AN ALLOCATION WITHIN THE, THE REFERENDUM.
AND SO IT'S A CREDIBILITY AND A REFERENDUM ISSUE.
DO WE SPEND $300 MILLION END UP REPLACING ONE DEFECTIVE BRIDGE AND WITH NO REAL IMPROVEMENTS IN DETERIORATION IN SAFETY AND THAT, OR DO WE INVEST A RELATIVELY MINOR AMOUNT OF MONEY? THANK YOU, MR. AND SOLVE THE, SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
UH, DO THINK ABOUT IT FROM A CREDIBILITY AND A REFERENDUM STANDPOINT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, MADAM CHAIR.
UH, CHAIRMAN HOWARD, MEMBERS OF COUNTY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATOR MOORE.
UH, MY NAME IS MATT SWEENEY AND I'M THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS.
UH, THIS EVENING, I HAVE FOUR OF MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS, IF I COULD ASK THEM TO STAND UP.
WE ARE HERE TO DO SOMETHING NOT DONE SINCE 2013.
AND THAT IS TO INTRODUCE A NEW DIRECTOR OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT WITH ABOUT 140,000 REGISTERED VOTERS.
BEAUFORT COUNTY IS THE NINTH LARGEST COUNTY IN SOUTH CAROLINA BY THAT METRIC.
IN 2024, ROUGHLY 105,000 VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, REPRESENTING ABOUT 62% OF OUR COUNTY'S ADULT POPULATION.
THAT LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT IS ONLY POSSIBLE WITH COUNTYWIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF 11 EXPANDS ON ELECTION DAY TWO HUNDREDS OF POLL WORKERS.
IN NOVEMBER, 2024, MORE THAN 800 CITIZENS STAFFED 126 PRECINCTS.
WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO TRAINING AND LONG ELECTION DAY HOURS.
AND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, I WANT TO THANK COUNTY COUNCIL FOR APPROVING THE $100 POLL WORKER SUPPLEMENT THAT BEGAN IN 2024.
I CANNOT THINK OF ANOTHER ACTIVITY SPONSORED BY BUFORT COUNTY THAT EMPLOYS AS MANY AS 800 CITIZENS AT ONE TIME AND ENGAGES A HUNDRED THOUSAND RESIDENTS VOLUNTARILY FOR A SINGLE EVENT.
WITH THAT CONTEXT IN MIND, OUR BOARD TOOK VERY SERIOUSLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SELECTING A NEW DIRECTOR BEFORE SPEAKING ABOUT THE FUTURE.
HOWEVER, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE STAFF WHO CAME BEFORE THE NEW DIRECTOR.
THEIR DEDICATION BUILT THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH OUR ELECTION OPERATIONS STAND TODAY.
THE PROFESSIONALISM, INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, AND COMMITMENT OF THIS TEAM HAVE SERVED BEAUFORT COUNTY WELL, AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT SERVICE.
AT THE SAME TIME, EVERY ORGANIZATION BENEFITS FROM FRESH LEADERSHIP, RENEWED ENERGY, AND A CLEAR VISION FOR IMPROVEMENT.
MS. JEAN FELIX REPRESENTS THAT NEXT CHAPTER.
THE BOARD WAS IMPRESSED WITH HER COMMUNICATION SKILLS, ENTHUSIASM FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, AND COMMITMENT TO ELECTION INTEGRITY AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.
[00:35:01]
OUTREACH COORDINATOR, JEAN STRENGTHENED POLL WORKER TRAINING HELPED DEVELOP AN EXCELLENT POLL CLERK PROGRAM AND LED RECRUITMENT, SCHEDULING AND TRAINING EFFORTS ACROSS THE COUNTY.JEAN UNDERSTANDS THE BOARD'S VISION FOR A HIGH PERFORMING DEPARTMENT AND HAS ALREADY BEGUN IMPLEMENTING IT UNDER HER LEADERSHIP.
OPERATIONS WILL EMPHASIZE PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, ROBUST PROCESSES, AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION.
RESPECTFULLY, THIS WILL NOT BE BUSINESS AS USUAL, BUT RATHER BUSINESS DONE DELIBERATELY, COLLABORATIVELY, AND WITH CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN MIND.
JEAN IS COMMITTED TO STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE, THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION, AND THE HUNDREDS OF CITIZEN POLL WORKERS WHO MAKE ELECTIONS POSSIBLE.
UM, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR NEW DIRECTOR, MS. JEAN FELIX.
AND SHE IS NEXT ON OUR LIST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN AND COUNSEL.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THIS TIME TO SPEAK TO YOU.
SOME OF YOU KNOW ME OR HAVE MET ME, AND WHILE OTHERS DON'T, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON.
AS HE MENTIONED, BEAUFORT COUNTY IS BOOMING AT A RAPID RATE AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO SO.
OUR EARLY VOTING CENTERS TYPICALLY ARE HOUSED AT USCB BEYOND HILTON HEAD, THE BLUFFTON RECREATION CENTER, OUR MAIN OFFICE AT JOHN GALT ROAD AND THE ST.
WE ARE IN NEGOTIATIONS TO REPLACE TWO OF THOSE EARLY VOTING CENTERS.
WE HAVE NOT YET DONE SO, BUT THE BEAUFORT EARLY VOTING CENTER MUST BE MOVED.
WE WERE WAITING ON CONFIRMATION FROM TCL, AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE WE NO LONGER HAVE PARKING AT OUR OFFICE, AND THEN THE BLUFFTON RECREATION CENTER GYMNASIUM MAY NEED TO BE MOVED ALSO.
AND WE ARE WORKING TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION FOR OUR BLUFFTON VOTERS.
'CAUSE AS YOU KNOW, THE BLUFFTON EARLY VOTING CENTER IS THE BUSIEST ONE.
WE HAVE, WE HAVE A SERIES OF COMMUNITY FORUMS THAT WE ARE DOING THIS YEAR.
I'VE ALREADY DONE FOUR OF THEM, AND I HAVE SEVERAL MORE ON THE DOCKET.
THREE OR THREE THAT ARE LEFT ARE ONES THAT I'M DOING THROUGH MY OFFICE.
HELENA LIBRARY IS ON MARCH 19TH.
HILTON HEAD LIBRARY IS ON APRIL 9TH.
AND THEN WE WILL BE AT THE DALE COMMUNITY CENTER ON APRIL 16TH.
WE HAVE ALSO DONE SOME FOR SOME CIVIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND WE ARE HAPPY TO DO MORE IF THERE ARE OTHERS THAT REACH OUT TO US AND WE CAN MAKE THAT TIME AVAILABLE.
AS HE SAID, WE HIRE 800 FOR EVERY ELECTION FOR MOST ELECTIONS.
FOR THE SMALLER ELECTIONS, IT'S NOT QUITE THAT MANY.
WE HAVE THREE ELECTIONS THAT WE KNOW OF THIS YEAR.
MAY 12TH, WE HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION IN BLUFFTON, WHICH AFFECTS, UM, THE AREAS FROM DUSKY ISLAND ALL THE WAY DOWN THROUGH MAY RIVER AND THAT AREA.
WE WILL NEED TO HIRE POLL WORKERS FOR THAT.
WE ALSO HAVE THE JUNE PRIMARIES, A POTENTIAL RUNOFF, AND THEN OF COURSE THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.
SO WHAT I HAVE GIVEN YOU IS OUR FLYERS FOR THE NEW POLL WORKER TRAINING, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY FORUMS. I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY IF YOU WOULD SHARE 'EM IN YOUR COMMUNITIES OR IN ON YOUR PLATFORM.
WE ALSO HAVE COMING UP A CANDIDATE, UM, WORKSHOP THAT WE ARE OFFERING.
WE'VE PUBLICIZED IT AND WE WORK, WE'RE WORKING ON PUBLICIZING IT MORE.
AND THIS IS TO HELP PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES THIS YEAR KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND KNOW HOW THE, UM, CANDIDATE FILING PROCESS WILL GO.
WE'LL ALSO HAVE CANDIDATE FILING FOR PARTISAN AND NON-PARTISAN OFFICES AVAILABLE.
THAT IS GONNA BE ON MARCH 4TH, ROUGHLY ABOUT 12 DAYS BEFORE CANDIDATE FILING BEGINS.
OUR ELECTION DAY LOCATIONS HAVE GONE FROM 126 LOCATIONS AND 24 TO 134 PRECINCTS IN 86 LOCATIONS TODAY.
THOSE LOCATIONS ARE GONNA CONTINUE TO GROW, AND WE'VE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT IN HELPING US FIND THOSE LOCATIONS TO HOUSE OUR, OUR VOTERS.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING REPORTS FROM YOU ON OUR AGENDA, PROBABLY AT COMMUNITY SERVICES MEETINGS AND IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
UH, NEXT AND LAST IS, UM, FELISE LAMARCA.
UM, I HAVE BEEN ABSENT FROM THESE MEETINGS AND, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I'VE MISSED YOU, BUT I HAVE BEEN WATCHING YOU ON TV.
UH, MY REQUEST SINCE I AM NOW AN AVID BCTV WATCHER, IS THAT THE NEXT BUDGET ALLOCATION YOU MAKE, UM, MAKE IT FOR US CITIZENS AND LET'S HAVE SOME INTERACTION.
[00:40:01]
A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT'S POSSIBLE.WE ARE A HUGE GROUP AND WE HAVE MEETINGS WHERE WE CAN INTERACT.
SOME OF THEM HAVE US ON FILM, UM, NOT FILM CAMERA, AND OTHERS ARE SIMPLY, UH, TYPE IN YOUR QUESTION.
THE BIG REASON FOR ME TO STAND UP HERE IS CHAIRMAN HOWARD, YOU TALK TO US AS OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT WE SHOULD BE RESPECTFUL AND MINDFUL OF, UH, OF EACH OTHER.
AND MR. MCKELLAN, I REALLY APPRECIATED YOUR INDICATION.
UH, WHAT I'M GETTING AT IS I WATCHED, LARRY AND I WATCHED THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING LAST WEEK, AND WE WERE EXTREMELY DISMAYED BY THE, UH, NOT SUPPOSED TO NAME PEOPLE, HOWARD, MS. HOWARD, BUT, UM, BY ONE OF THE DISTRICT COUNCILMEN, UM, MAKING A MOTION, WHICH THIS COUNTY COUNCIL HAS VOTED DOWN SEVERAL TIMES.
AND THEN AT THE END OF THAT, SAYING SOMETHING UNCALLED FOR ABOUT MS. TABER.
AND THE REASON THAT THAT UPSET ME SO MUCH IS BECAUSE THIS COUNCIL IS ONE OF THE, EXCUSE ME, IS THE ONLY ONE IN 30 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE THAT HAS BEEN TRANSPARENT, THAT HAS TALKED ABOUT THE BOATS, THAT DOES LISTEN TO US, THAT DOES TALK TO US.
AND IT SHOULD BE TO EACH ONE OF YOU.
AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN UP HERE BEFORE WHEN YOU'VE DONE IT TO OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU, WE SEE IT AND IT'S NOT ATTRACTIVE.
SO PLEASE CLEAN UP YOUR OWN HOUSE.
AND THAT CONCLUDES, DID WE HAVE ANY LATE COMERS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? NO.
THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
[8. LIAISON AND COMMITTEE REPORTS]
AND COMMITTEE REPORTS.WE'LL START IN ORDER AS THEY ARE IN THE AGENDA.
UH, NOT MUCH TO DISCUSS 'CAUSE, UH, FROM THE LAST MEETING, BUT THE UPCOMING MEETING ON MARCH 2ND, UH, WE ARE GONNA BE DISCUSSING IN MORE DETAIL THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THAT DECISION.
UH, AND HOPEFULLY THAT CAN BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO LEARN MORE ABOUT, UH, THE PROPOSAL AND, AND HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT, UM, THAT CAN SERVE THE COMMUNITY WHILE WE DO IT.
COUNCILMAN YORK? UM, NO, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AT THIS TIME, BUT THE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE WILL BE MEETING, UH, ON THE 2ND OF MARCH.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE.
UM, WE MET, AND I THINK THERE'S ONE THING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IT IS THE, UM, UM, HAWKER'S LICENSE.
WHICH AGAIN, THAT'S, WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO THAT EVERY YEAR AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED FROM LAST YEAR.
UM, BUT AGAIN, THE STATE REQUIRES US TO PASS THAT EVERY YEAR.
AND THEN JUST, UH, WITH RESPECT TO MY DISTRICT, UM, MISS, MS. HOWARD, UM, IT IS, UH, TOMORROW NIGHT, UM, THERE IS A MEETING REGARDING THE, UM, THE BIKE PATH ON BURNT CHURCH ROAD.
THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN AT MC RILEY, UM, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FROM FIVE TO SEVEN THAT HAS A DROP IN.
IT'S NOT A MEETING WHERE YOU COME AND SIT THERE, SO YOU CAN STOP BY AND JUST SEE WHAT IS PLANNED FOR THE BIKE PATH THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN ALONG BURNT CHURCH ROAD.
AND THEN THE OTHER ONE I WANNA MENTION FROM OUR, MY DISTRICT IS ON MARCH 12TH, UM, WE WOULD MEETING AT THE BLUFFTON BRANCH LIBRARY.
AND THAT IS FOR ALL THINGS, ALL JOY, WHICH INCLUDES, UM, UPDATE ON THE BIKE PATH ON ALL JOY, AND THEN THE, THE BOAT LANDING, UH, THE DRAINAGE, THE SEWER, UM, BAILEY'S PARK, UM, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT GOES WITH US.
SO A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING IN ALL JOYS.
THERE'LL BE AN UPDATE ON THAT.
UM, AGAIN, THAT IS FROM FIVE 30 TO SIX 30, MARCH 12TH AT THE BLUFFTON LIBRARY.
AND THAT WILL BE A, A MEETING THAT WILL START AT FIVE 30.
THAT'S REALLY CALLED ALL THINGS ALL JOY.
I THINK THAT'S VERY APPROPRIATE.
UM, PUBLIC FACILITIES COMMITTEE.
HAVE ONE ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR THE CON, UM, CONSENT AGENDA.
IT'S GONNA BE A HISTORICAL MARKER, UM, ACTUALLY OUT HERE IN BUFORT OVER THE, BY TENNIS COURTS AND BRICKS ON BOUNDARY.
AND THEN WE ALSO ARE FILLING A COUPLE SPOTS ON BOARDS.
YOU'LL SEE FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THAT WE HAVE, I THINK 10 PEOPLE INCLUDING ONE SPOT IN THE BLUFF AND FIRE.
UM, AND WE, UH, LOOK TO GET THOSE PASSED.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY LIAISON REPORTS AT THIS TIME? I'LL START WITH,
[00:45:01]
UM, COUNCILMAN REEDS.UM, COUNCILMAN BROWN AND I SAT ON THE, UM, STORM ORDER BOARD MEETING LAST, UH, I THINK IT WAS THIS FEBRUARY 17TH.
AND IN, IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, WE BROUGHT IN JUST ON HILTON HEAD ALONE, UH, SEVERAL COMMUNITIES, OLD WOODLANDS, OAK, MARSH, BAY PINES, TIDE POINT, BRADLEY CIRCLE, UH, SANDY BEACH TRAIL.
AND THE WORK THAT THIS GROUP HAS DONE FOR THESE PEOPLE IS UNBELIEVABLE.
UM, DURING THAT STORM WATER BOARD MEETING, I HEARD, AND I THINK MY COLLEAGUE HERE JUST MENTIONED IT, ALL THINGS, ALL JOY.
UM, AND I WANT TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY WE CAN, UH, SET UP COMMUNICATION PORTALS FOR THE WORK, THE INCREDIBLE WORK IN THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WE'RE SPENDING ON THESE STORM WATER EFFORTS.
UM, LIKE IN ALL THINGS BAY PINES, TIDE POINT.
AND MR. MOORE, I DIRECT THIS AT YOU BECAUSE I'VE HAD YOU WITH ME, UM, PROBABLY SEVEN OR EIGHT TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO AT THESE COMMUNITIES.
AND THE WORK, I MEAN, IF, IF WE HAD ALL STAKE STAKEHOLDERS HAD THE ABILITY TO GO INTO A PORTAL THAT THE COUNTY PUTS UP, WHICH I DON'T THINK WOULD COST MUCH MONEY AT ALL, AND THEY HAVE, UH, THEY CAN LOOK AT THAT 24 7 ON THE STATUS OF THEIR PROJECTS.
UM, YOU KNOW, I, I WISH, I WISH I HEARD THAT EARLIER, BUT, UM, IF YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT, IF WE CAN DO THAT OR WELL, LET'S, LET'S GO ON AND LET'S YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO MAKE OR, I, I THINK, UM, AND COUNCILMAN PASSMAN HAD SOMETHING SO MAY, JERRY, DO YOU MIND IF I COME NEXT BECAUSE I HAVE STORM WATER ADD ON JUST TO WATER.
IS THAT OKAY, MADAM CHAIR? YES.
SO IN ADDITION TO WHAT MR. RESA SAID, I JUST WANTED TO, UH, LET COUNSEL KNOW THE BOARD ELECTED MARK FEINBERG AS CHAIR AND PATRICK MITCHELL AS VICE CHAIR FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
THE BOARD WANTED ME TO CONVEY THAT THEY WANT THE STORM WATER FEES TO REMAIN IN THE ENTERPRISE FUND AND NOT GO INTO THE GENERAL FUND.
AND I WAS GONNA MENTION WHAT MARK MENTIONED, SO I DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT.
AND REAL QUICKLY, I ATTENDED LAST FRIDAY, THE GRAND OPENING FOR LAKE WAS AT DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN HAMPTON COUNTY.
'CAUSE I SIT ON THE BOARD OF SCA AND IT'S A DISTRIBUTION CENTER THAT WILL CREATE 150 JOBS.
THIS IS REAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
UM, EVERY ORDER FOR OUR LAKE WAS AT PUTT IN NORTHERN AMERICA WILL BE SHIPPED RIGHT OUT OF HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
AND WE SHOULD BE ALL BE VERY PROUD OF THAT.
UM, ON FEBRUARY 12TH WAS THE KEEP BEAUTIFUL COUNTY, BEAUTIFUL BOARD MEETING.
UM, OF NOTE, WE TALKED ABOUT THE PLANTINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE DONE IN THE SPRING AT GO CORNER.
UH, WE TALKED ABOUT THE, UH, PLASTIC BAG, UM, ORDINANCE THAT'S COMING UP.
UH, THEY HAVE SPOKEN TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ABOUT RECYCLING.
AND A LITTLE KNOWN FACT IS THAT EACH OF THE SCHOOLS INDIVIDUALLY DECIDE IF AND HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING RECYCLING.
SO THAT'S ADDITIONAL WORK THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING.
UM, UH, CHRIS CAMPBELL WAS REELECTED AS THE CHAIRMAN AND JEAN ZAL WAS ELECTED AS THE VICE CHAIRMAN.
THE DRAFT BUDGET IS BEING PUT TOGETHER, UH, AS WE SPEAK, WHICH WILL PRESENT, BE PRESENTED TO THE, UH, COUNTY COUNCIL.
AND THE FINAL THING IS THAT, UH, WE ARE DOING A, UM, PILOT PROGRAM ABOUT, UH, COMPOSTING AND THERE ARE LITTLE COMPOSTING BINS THAT ANYONE CAN GET FROM THEM.
I HAVE ONE THAT WE'RE TRYING OUT AT MY HOME.
UH, YOU PUT CERTAIN THINGS IN THERE, YOU TAKE THEM TO THE RECYCLING CENTER AND THEY WILL PUT THEM IN THE COMPOSTING BIN THAT THEY HAVE THERE.
SO, AND OUR NEXT MEETING IS GOING TO BE APRIL 9TH, AND WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR MEMBERS.
UM, I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO INDIVIDUALS IN DISTRICT FIVE AND I HAVE TWO CANDIDATES NOW.
SO WE HAVE SEVERAL VACANCIES ON THAT BOARD.
YES, WE DO HAVE FOUR VACANCIES RIGHT THERE.
HEY, UM, COUNCIL, VICE CHAIRMAN.
SO FIRST OF ALL, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HELD CONVERGE CONFERENCE.
MR. PASSMAN ATTENDED MR. DAWSON.
I SAW THERE, I WANNA SAY IT WAS HELD IN SUN CITY.
SO WE WERE GRA VERY GRATEFUL TO WELCOME THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS.
I WANNA TELL EVERYONE, THE SPEAKER WAS THE BEST I'VE HEARD IN MY FOUR YEARS.
DR. REBECCA BATTLE BRYANT, SHE'S THE DIRECTOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S OFFICE OF STATEWIDE WORKFORCE
[00:50:01]
DEVELOPMENT.SHE SHARED STRATEGIES, RESOURCES, AND REAL WORLD EXAMPLE TO HELP US ALL ATTRACT, DEVELOP, AND RETAIN TALENT.
HER PRESENTATIONS EV UM, AVAILABLE ON THE EDC WEBSITE, IT'S REALLY WORTH WATCHING.
I DON'T SAY THAT ABOUT MOST SPEAKERS, BUT SHE WAS GREAT.
UH, SECOND THING IS WE HELD CHAT WITH COUNSEL ON FEBRUARY 19TH.
MS. HOWARD AND MR. REET JOINED ME.
WE WERE AT THE BEAUFORT LIBRARY.
I THINK WE HAD ABOUT 30 PEOPLE MAYBE.
AND, UM, I SENT EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER A LITTLE WRAP UP OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT.
AND I ALSO INCLUDED THE KAPPA LETTER FROM THE, UM, DIRECTOR OF KAPPA.
EVERYONE RECEIVED THAT TONIGHT.
AND THE THIRD THING IS, UM, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, THEY WERE REALLY BUSY THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10TH.
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE, ACADEMICS COMMITTEE, FINANCE COMMITTEE, HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
AND THEN THEY HAD A BOARD MEETING ON THE 17TH.
UH, THEY NEGOTIATED AN AGREEMENT WITH NOVANT HEALTH TO INCLUDE TEACHER HOUSING, TEACHER PARTNERSHIPS.
AND IT'S GOING TO THE BOARD FOR FINAL APPROVAL.
AND AS ALWAYS, THEY RECOGNIZE LOTS OF POINTS OF CELEBRATION.
SHE SPOKE IN SUN CITY TO MY GROUP WITH JOE.
ANY OTHER REPORTS? I THINK THAT'S, THAT'S IT.
[9. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA]
I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.I THINK I HEARD COUNCILMAN PASSMAN FIRST AND THEN COUNCILMAN CUNNINGHAM.
ALL IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA.
THAT IS THE END OF, OF OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[10.a. Appointment of Michael Szczechowski to the Airports Board for a two-year term with an expiration date of February 2028.]
WE HAVE, UH, A LOT OF APPOINTMENTS.WE'RE GONNA DO 'EM INDIVIDUALLY.
10 A IS APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL CHOKI.
I'M NOT SURE I'M PRONOUNCING IT RIGHT TO THE AIRPORTS BOARD FOR A TWO YEAR TERM WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FEBRUARY, 2028.
DO I HAVE A MOTION? MOTION? MADAM CHAIR? SO MOVED OR SECOND.
WE HAD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN CUNNINGHAM AND A SECOND BY, UM, COUNCILMAN RES.
AND THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY NEXTS IS APPOINTMENT OF
[10.b. Appointment of Glenn Williams to the Bluffton Township Fire District Board for a four-year term with an expiration date of February 2030.]
GLEN WILLIAMS TO THE BLUFFTON TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT BOARD FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FEBRUARY, 2030.I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TAVER AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN CUNNINGHAM.
ALL IN FAVOR OF APPOINTMENT OF GLEN WILLIAMS TO THE BLUFFTON TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT.
IS THAT UNANIMOUS? OH, I'M SORRY.
[10.c. Appointment of Bailey Kalvar to the Disabilities and Special Needs Board for a four-year term with an expiration date of February 2030, pending approval by the Governors Office.]
UM, BAILEY CVAR TO THE DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS BOARD FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FEBRUARY, 2030 PENDING APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.SO THIS STILL HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
MADAM CHAIR, WE HAVE A MOTION BY, UM, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BARTHOLOMEW.
A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PASSMAN.
[10.d. Appointment of Marilyn Mitchell to the Disabilities and Special Needs Board for a four-year term with an expiration date of February 2030, pending approval by the Governors Office.]
MARILYN MITCHELL TO THE DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS BOARD FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FEBRUARY, 2030 PENDING APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.AND WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BAR AND A SECOND BY DAWSON.
COUNCILMAN DAWSON? IS THAT RIGHT? YEAH.
UM, ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE.
ALL IN FAVOR OF MARILYN MITCHELL TO THE DS NM BOARD.
[10.e. Appointment of Michael Glosque to the Keep Beaufort County Beautiful Board for a four-year term with an expiration date of February 2030.]
UH, MICHAEL GOSKY TO THE KEEP BEAUFORT BEAUTIFUL BOARD FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FEBRUARY, 2030.AND SECOND BY VICE CHAIRMAN TAVERNA.
ALL IN FAVOR TO KEEP BEAUFORT.
[10.f. Appointment of Angela Baldree, District 3 - to the Library Board for a four-year term with the expiration date of February 2030.]
ANGELA BALDRY.AM I SAYING THAT RIGHT? MM-HMM
DISTRICT THREE TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FEBRUARY 20.
JOE AND PASSIT AND VICE CHAIRMAN TABER.
ALL IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS.
[10.g. Appointment of Mary Olodun, District 7- to the Library Board for a four-year term with an expiration date of February 2030.]
MARY DEN DISTRICT SEVEN TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FEBRUARY, 2030.[00:55:01]
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.A MOTION BACK TO COUNCILMAN PASSMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN CUNNINGHAM.
ALL IN FAVOR? AND THAT IS UNANIMOUS APPOINTMENT OF JACQUELINE HOWARD,
[10.h. Appointment of Jaquelyn Howard, District 8 - to the Library Board for a four-year term with an expiration date of February 2030.]
DISTRICT EIGHT TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FEBRUARY, 2030.I HAVE A MOTION BY VICE CHAIRMAN TABER IS SECOND BY BY COUNCILMAN PASSMAN.
ALL IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS.
AND THAT IS UNANIMOUS APPOINTMENT OF
[10.i. Appointment of Dahlia Handman, District 10 - to the Library Board for a four-year term with the expiration date of February 2030.]
DALIA HANMAN, DISTRICT 10 TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FEBRUARY, 2030.DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.
ALL IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS.
SO DOES THAT COMPLETE, DOES THAT FILL UP OUR BOARD FOR THE LIBRARY? YES, IT DOES.
UM, IN 2030, WE'LL HAVE SOME APPOINTMENT OF JOSEPH,
[10.j. Appointment of Joseph Maiorano to the Zoning Board for a three-year term with an expiration date of February 2029.]
UM, MARANO TO THE ZONING BOARD FOR A THREE YEAR TERM WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF FEBRUARY, 2029.DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.
HAVE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN RE SECOND AND A SECOND BY CUNNING COUNCILMAN CUNNINGHAM? ALL IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS.
[11.a. 2026/02: An Ordinance Authorizing the County Administrator to Execute the Necessary Documents and Provide Funding for the Purchase of Real Property Located at 1451 Ribaut Road (TMS No. R110 009 000 0031 0000) from Drayton-Parker Companies LLC in the amount of $700,000 plus closing costs. PUBLIC HEARING]
TURN IT OVER TO OUR VICE CHAIRMAN ORDINANCES FOR READING.OH, COULD YOU JUST TELL EVERYONE WHY WE DID THAT? HOW WE INTERVIEWED EVERYBODY AND DID THAT PROCESS? I WAS GONNA SAY, JUST SO EVERYONE UNDERSTOOD WHY WE RAN THROUGH IT SO QUICKLY.
WE, ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WERE INTERVIEWED AND, UM, ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE, AND THESE PEOPLE WERE THE ONES CHOSEN TO BE APPOINTED.
SO THAT'S OUR FOLLOWING WAS OUR NEW PROCESS FOR INTERVIEWING EVERYONE FOR THE BOARDS.
ORDINANCE FOR THIRD READING 2026 SLASH OH TWO IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1451 RIDE OAK ROAD, TMS NUMBER R 1 10 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 3 1, AND FOUR ZEROS FROM DRAYTON PARKER COMPANIES LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $700,000 PLUS CLOSING COSTS.
CAN I HAVE A MOTION FOR THIS? I'D LIKE THAT MOTION.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECONDED.
AND THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, BUT UH, PINKY, YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? I DO NOT.
HE'S OUT OF TOWN, SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, UM, I'M HERE TO ANSWER 'EM.
ALRIGHT, LET ME DO PUBLIC HEARING.
NO ONE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ORDINANCE? OKAY.
ANYONE FROM COUNCIL HAVE A QUESTION THAT MS. HARRIET CAN HELP YOU WITH? WE'VE ALREADY DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES, SO THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP ANYWAY,
ALL IN FAVOR OF ORDINANCE 2026 SLASH OH TWO.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE.
SORRY, I HAVE TO MOVE MY COMPUTER NOW.
[12.a. 2026/03: An Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a drainage easement located on Leo Green Rd. PUBLIC HEARING]
FOR A SECOND.READING 2026 SLASH OH THREE IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DRAINAGE EASEMENT LOCATED ON LEO GREEN ROAD.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, THE VOTE AT PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SAFETY.
JANUARY 20TH WAS 10 ZERO THE VOTE AT FIRST READING FEBRUARY 9TH WAS 10 ZERO.
CAN I HAVE A MOTION FOR THIS? I'LL SECOND.
AND MR. DAWSON DID THE SECOND, UM, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ORDINANCE? OKAY, I'LL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING.
UM, ANYONE FROM COUNCIL HAVE A QUESTION? MR. HARRIET'S HERE AT OUR DISPOSAL STANDING IN FOR BRIAN BAUER ON THIS ONE.
OH, YOU'RE THE NEW BRIAN BAUER TONIGHT.
ANY QUESTION, JARED ON THE NEXT ONE TOO? OKAY.
ANY QUESTION FOR MR. HARRIET? IF I MIGHT? YES, GO AHEAD.
MR. HAR, IF YOU WOULD JUST, JUST EXPLAIN THE PROCESS OF THIS DRAINAGE EASEMENT THAT, UH, THAT IS LOCATED ON THE UH, LEO.
YEAH, SO THIS WAS A COUNTY ROAD THAT THE, UM, WHERE WE DIRT ROAD WE JUST PAVE AND THE CONVEYANCE OF THIS STORM WATER OFF THIS ROAD NEEDS TO OUTFALL THROUGH THAT EASEMENT.
THAT'S BASICALLY WHERE IT'S SO AN INITIAL ROAD TO TIE INTO THE OUTFALL? YES, SIR.
AND FOR THE PUBLIC, IT IS IN THE PACKET STARTING AT PAGE 44.
ANY OTHER QUESTION FOR MR. HARRIET? ALRIGHT.
ALL IN FAVOR OF 2026 SLASH OH THREE.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND AND WE'RE UNANIMOUS.
[12.b. 2026/05: An Ordinance authorizing the abandonment of a drainage easement recorded in Deed Book 3695 at Pages 3345-3347 & Deed Book 3695 at Pages 3348-3350 located off Gumwood Drive in northern Lady's Island. PUBLIC HEARING]
SLASH OH FIVE IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ABANDONMENT OF A DRAINAGE EASEMENT RECORDED IN DEED BOOK 36 95 ON PAGES 33 45 TO[01:00:01]
33 47 AND DEED BOOK 36 95 AT PAGES 33 48 TO 33 50 LOCATED OFF GUMWOOD DRIVE IN NORTHERN LADIES ISLANDS.THE VOTE AT PUBLIC FACILITIES ON JANUARY 20TH WAS NINE ZERO THE VOTED.
OUR FIRST READING ON FEBRUARY 9TH WAS 10 ZERO.
CAN I HAVE A MOTION FOR THIS ORDINANCE? SO MOVED.
YOU SECOND? I'LL SECOND MS. HOWARD.
SO DULY MOTIONED AND SECOND FOR 20 26 0 5.
UH, IS THERE ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC THAT WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ORDINANCE? OKAY.
SEEING NO ONE I'LL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AND, UM, ANYBODY ON COUNCIL HAVE A QUESTION? MR. HARRIET'S? READY AGAIN? ALL RIGHT, THEN LET'S TAKE A VOTE PLEASE.
I'LL RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR OF THIS ORDINANCE.
ONE THING, MADAM CHAIR, MAYOR, UM, MR. BRIAN BOWERY DIDN'T HEAR HIS FATHER PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK, SO IF Y'ALL DON'T MIND, KEEP HIM IN YOUR PRAYERS.
THANK YOU FOR TELLING US CONDOLENCES.
[13.a. 2026/06: An Ordinance adding a new Section 54-8 to the Beaufort County Code of Ordinances so as to prohibit and make unlawful the discharge of firearms in certain unincorporated areas of the county, to provide the penalty pertaining to such violations, and to provide certain expectations and limitations thereto.]
FOR FIRST READING 2026 SLASH OH SIX IS AN ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW SECTION 54 DASH EIGHT TO THE BEAUFORT COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES SO AS TO PROHIBIT AND MAKE UNLAWFUL THE DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS IN CERTAIN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE THE PENALTY PERTAINING TO SUCH VIOLATIONS AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXPECTATIONS AND LIMITATIONS THERE TOO.UM, THE VOTED COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY ON FEBRUARY 3RD WAS SIX TWO.
CAN I HAVE A MOTION FOR THIS ORDINANCE PLEASE? SO, HOLD.
AND SECOND, UM, THIS IS FIRST READING, SO I'M GONNA ASK MR. HALBERT TO COME AND ADDRESS THIS SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND ANYONE ON THE DIOCESE HAS A QUESTION.
UM, BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR, WE STARTED GETTING COMPLAINTS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS, UH, IN THE RURAL UNINCORPORATED COUNTY, UH, SOUTH OF THE BROAD, UM, BY NEW RIVERSIDE RELATED TO GUNSHOTS IN THE AREA.
AND THEY WERE ASKING US TO, UH, AMEND OR ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS. SO WE MET WITH, UM, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND SPECIFICALLY MR. JEREMY BRATCHER, WHO WAS THE DRIVING FORCE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, AND AT THAT MEETING, I THINK IT WAS, UH, THE VICE CHAIR, I BELIEVE THE CHAIR WAS THERE.
UH, THE ADMINISTRATOR WAS THERE.
UH, MY DEPUTY, MYSELF WERE THERE.
AND MR. ATKINSON, THE A CA FOR, UH, PLANNING.
WE HEARD HIS COMPLAINTS AND EVERYTHING.
AND AT THAT MEETING WE AGREED THAT WE WOULD DRAFT AN ORDINANCE AND BRING IT FOR DISCUSSION AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.
AND WE BROUGHT THAT ORDINANCE TO THE NOVEMBER 17TH PUBLIC FACILITIES MEETING, UH, PUBLIC, EXCUSE ME, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND PUBLIC SAFETY, UH, COMBINED THERE, OBVIOUSLY AT THAT TIME.
AND DURING THAT DISCUSSION, WE TALKED ABOUT AN ORDINANCE, AND IT WAS BASED UPON AN ORDINANCE THAT HAD BEEN ADOPTED IN CHARLESTON.
AND IN CHARLESTON, THEY PROHIBITED DISCHARGE IN A FIREARM WITHIN 100 FEET OF STRUCTURES OR BUILDINGS.
WE WERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FURTHER BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY HERE IN BEAUFORD COUNTY.
UH, AND SO INITIALLY I DRAFTED AN ORDINANCE FOR A THOUSAND FEET.
THAT WAS PART OF THE DISCUSSION.
THE, UH, BEAUFORT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE THOUGHT THAT THAT MIGHT BE TOO TOUGH, TOO FAR OF A DISTANCE, SO IT'D BE TOO TOUGH TO MAKE A CASE.
UH, SO WE SENT THE ORDINANCE FOR THEM TO REVIEW, AND BASED UPON DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM, WE AGREED TO PUT FORTH AN ORDINANCE WHERE WE WOULD PROHIBIT THE DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS, 500 FEET FROM THE BUILDINGS TO INCLUDE RESIDENCES, UH, SCHOOLS, PUBLIC PARKS.
UH, SO THAT'S WHAT'S BEFORE YOU TODAY.
THAT'S WHAT THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED AND FORWARDED UP TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL TONIGHT FOR DISCUSSION.
YOU'LL RECALL AT THE LAST MEETING WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE, THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, THERE WERE A LOT OF, UH, GUESTS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD HERE, AND WE LEARNED ABOUT SHOTS FROM A DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD NORTH OF THE BROAD HERE, THAT WERE HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINTS, UH, ADJACENT TO PORT ROYAL THERE.
UH, SO FROM UNINCORPORATED COUNTY INTO THE ADJACENT JURISDICTION OF PORT ROYAL.
AND THE CONSENSUS FROM THE MEMBERS THAT TALKED TO ME IN THE HALLWAY AFTER THE DISCUSSION WAS THEY WOULD LIKE IT TO BE A GREATER DISTANCE LIKE WE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.
BUT YOU UNDERSTAND THE DIFFICULTY THAT, UH, MR. GORLEY, GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE EXPLAINED AS FAR AS WHY IF YOU GO WITH THAT GREATER DISTANCE, IT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM AND YOU REALLY MAKE IT JUST A FEEL GOOD IF YOU GO TO A THOUSAND FEET.
BUT THE FURTHER YOU GET AWAY FROM WHERE THAT BUILDING OR STRUCTURE OR PARK IS, THE TOUGHER THE CASE IS.
SO 500 FEET WAS THE COMPROMISE.
[01:05:01]
WHAT IS BEFORE YOU TONIGHT FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS FIRST READING.ANY QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? MR. REEDS? MR. HOLBERT, I THINK YOU, UM, ADDRESSED IT REALLY WELL.
UM, OFFICER GOR, UH, ATTORNEY GORLEY TALKED ABOUT HAVING SOMETHING FROM US THAT HAD TEETH THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO ENFORCE.
SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ADDRESSED THAT.
AM AM I CORRECT? FROM THE THOUSAND TO THE 500? I MEAN, WERE ALL HIS CONCERNS ADDRESSED? UH, HE SPOKE PRETTY WELL HERE THAT DURING THAT MEETING, UM, THIS IS THE ORDINANCE.
THE ONE THAT'S BEFORE YOU IS THE ONE THAT WAS, UH, SIGNED OFF ON AND ENDORSED BY THE LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
WAS IT ACTUALLY ENDORSED BY THEM OR DID THEY SAY THAT THEY'VE REVIEWED IT? THEY'VE REVIEWED IT AND THEY APPROVED IT.
AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY COULD ACCEPT THIS ONE.
DID THEY, DID THEY APPROVE IT? BECAUSE I, I THINK I, WELL, WELL, THE COUNCIL CAN APPROVE THE ORDINANCE.
WELL, NO, I, I BELIEVE DANIEL SAID THAT THEY WEREN'T ENDORSING ANY OF THIS, BUT THEY HAVE REVIEWED IT AND THEY STILL HAD CONCERNS ABOUT ENFORCEABILITY.
I CAN READ YOU WHAT HIS RESPONSIBLE WAS, IF YOU'D LIKE.
WELL, I'M TALKING ABOUT AT THE MEETING, NOT IN THE EMAIL.
UH, I DON'T RECALL WHAT WAS SPECIFICALLY SAID AT THE, UH, MEETING.
I GOT THE EMAIL THAT I'VE GOT FROM WHEN HE SENT IT BACK, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE ACCEPTED.
HE UNDERSTOOD THE REASON FOR A THOUSAND FEET.
UM, HE THOUGHT THE 500 FEET THAT I ORIGINALLY PROPOSED, UM, TO SEND TO HIM FOR THERE, UH, IS THE MAX THAT WE SHOULD EXTEND OUT IS WHAT HE SAID.
UM, THE SMALLER THE DISTANCE LIKE IN CHARLESTON, THE MORE LIKELY IT WOULD BE THAT THERE WOULD BE A WITNESS TO THE SHOOTING TO CORROBORATE AND, UH, AND IDENTIFY, UH, AT THE LOCATION OF THE SHOOTER.
CHAIRWOMAN, JUST ONE MORE FOLLOW UP, UH, OFFICER OR ATTORNEY GOLEE MADE IT VERY CLEAR, PLEASE DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING FOR THE SAKE OF DOING IT.
DO WE KNOW THAT HE, UH, HE READ THIS, BUT DID HE ENDORSE IT? AND, AND LISTEN, I WAS ONE OF THE ONES THAT VOTED NO, BECAUSE I WANTED TO PUSH BACK AND SAY, HECK, WE ALL WANT TO PROTECT EVERYBODY AND EVERYTHING, BUT IF WE HAVE THE ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE HERE SAYING, IT'S NOT ENFORCEABLE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES IT ENFORCEABLE.
I, I, BEFORE WE GO FORWARD, I'D LIKE TO KNOW THAT.
WELL, TO BE ENFORCEABLE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE WITNESSES AND BE ABLE TO MAKE YOUR CASE TO PROVE IT BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT IS WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
SO EVERY CASE WILL BE DIFFERENT, UM, AND TO BE DEPEND UPON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH INDIVIDUAL CASE.
UH, WHEN YOU BRING IN A CASE, YOU LOOK FOR ALL THE EVIDENCE YOU CAN, AND YOU REALLY WON'T KNOW HOW ENFORCEABLE IT IS UNTIL IT'S TESTED.
BUT EACH CASE WOULD BE TESTED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING UPON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE PROOF THAT YOU HAVE.
DO YOU HAVE EVIDENCE OF, UH, THE SHELLS? DO YOU HAVE WITNESSES? UM, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
UH, I JUST WANT TO KNOW THAT WE HAD LAW ENFORCEMENT HERE SAYING THAT, PLEASE DO SOMETHING THAT'S ENFORCEABLE.
I THINK THE QUESTION IS, AND I THINK MY COLLEAGUE SAID IT AS WELL, OR ASKED IT AS WELL, DID GORMLEY OFFICER GORMLEY SAY HE'LL ENDORSE THIS BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY ADDRESSES WHAT THEY NEED? OR IS THIS MORE OF A LET'S THROW A STAB IN IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE WAY WE WANNA GO.
IF WE'RE GONNA PUT IT UP THERE JUST TO TEST IT.
I MEAN, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE DO IT THAT WAY.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE SHERIFF, AND THAT'S WHO WOULD BE THE ONE TO ENDORSE IT IF YOU'RE GONNA ENDORSE IT.
UH, MR. GORLEY LIKE ME JUST GIVES ADVICE, IS WHAT HE DOES.
BUT HE REVIEWED IT AND GAVE HIS OPINION AND THE ONE THAT HE SENT BACK TO ME WAS WHAT, UH, THEY APPROVED FROM THEIR OFFICE.
I DON'T HAVE SOMETHING FROM THE SHERIFF TANNER THAT SAYS THAT I'VE JUST GOT WHAT HIS COMMENTS WERE.
AND THEN YOU HEARD WHAT HE SAID AT THE MEETING LAST WEEK.
SO JUDGE, FOR YOURSELF AS FAR AS WHAT YOU THINK HIS OPINION WAS AS FAR AS, UH, THIS ORDINANCE I'M GONNA BE PUSHING BECAUSE WE OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE, DO THE RIGHT THING.
SO WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO DO THAT, I, I THINK WE HAVE THE PEOPLE IN PLACE TO DO IT.
AND THE, THE REASON THAT THAT THIS HAS COME FORWARD IS, IS BECAUSE OF, UM, APPARENT SHOTS THAT WERE FIRED AND, AND PEOPLE HEARING WHIZZING BULLETS GOING BY THEIR HEAD AND MAYBE THEY FOUND A, A BULLET IN A, IN A HOME, A ALONG NEW RIVERSIDE, UM, THAT, THAT THAT OCCURRED.
UM, SO THAT'S WHY THIS HAS HAPPENED IS BECAUSE, UM, THERE IS A STATE LAW ALREADY IN PLACE, UM, THAT THE STATE LAW IS THERE.
UM, BUT WE HEARD FROM OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE, AND THAT'S WHY THEY'VE ASKED US THEN TO COME WITH, WITH THIS ORDINANCE.
SO, UM, NOW READING THE ORDINANCE THAT, THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE, AND OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, BEAUFORT COUNTY IS, IS A VERY OUTDOORS PLACE.
MANY PEOPLE OWN GUNS AND USUALLY PEOPLE THAT OWN GUNS ARE VERY SAFE WITH THE GUNS THEY'VE GOT, I AM ALL FOR SAFETY.
UM, THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT ABOUT NOISE.
IT'S ABOUT KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE.
UM, SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION FROM MY CONSTITUENTS, AND I'VE GOT, UH, QUITE A BIT OF, OF MY AREA THAT THAT IS OUTSIDE THE TOWN LIMITS OF BLUFFTON THAT'S IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS, IS PEOPLE ASK ABOUT THE EVEN THE 500 FOOT AREA, UM, THAT, THAT WOULD BE FOR A RIFLE.
BUT IF SOMEONE HAS A SHOTGUN, YOU DON'T NEED 500 FEET FOR A SHOTGUN.
[01:10:01]
AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SHOOT CLAYS, UM, IN THEIR BACKYARDS, AND THEY COULD HAVE ONE OR TWO ACRES THAT THEY'VE GOT, OR PEOPLE WILL SHOOT CLAYS OFF OF A DOCK THAT THEY'VE GOT.UM, OR, OR THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY GO OUT INTO THE WATER AND SHOOT CLAYS FROM THEIR, FROM THEIR BOAT.
UM, SO, SO THIS MIGHT BE OVERREACH IN ON WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT AGAIN, IT'S ALL ABOUT SAFETY WITH THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND, AND PEOPLE FIRING GUNS.
SO, UM, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TODAY TO PRESENT AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT I'D RECOMMEND, UM, TO MAKE A CHANGE THAT WOULD ALLOW THEN PEOPLE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
'CAUSE EVEN WHAT IF YOU WERE GONNA SHOOT, UM, A UM, UH, DOVE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SHOOT DOVE WITH, WITH SHOTGUNS AND THEY'RE GONNA BE WITHIN 500 FEET OF, OF A BUILDING A LOT OF TIMES IN A FIELD THAT'S CLOSE BY OR, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SO, UM, THE LAST THING I WANNA DO IS TO, TO INHIBIT PEOPLE FROM USING THEIR GUNS AS THEY INTENDED WHEN THEY BOUGHT THE PROPERTY.
AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SAY, I LIVE IN UNINCORPORATED BEAUFORT COUNTY FOR THAT REASON.
UM, I LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ACTUALLY BECAUSE THE ASSOCIATION, UM, SAYS I CANNOT SHOOT A GUN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO THERE'S NEIGHBORHOODS THAT, THAT HAVE THAT.
SO AS IT'S WRITTEN NOW, UM, I, AGAIN, SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
WE WANNA MAKE SURE NO ONE'S FIRING, UM, TOWARDS HOMES.
UM, BUT AGAIN, IT MIGHT BE OVERREACH WHERE WE'RE SITTING RIGHT NOW PROTECTING THEN PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO USE THEIR GUNS IN THEIR BACKYARD.
AND AGAIN, AS I FIRST STATED, MOST PEOPLE ARE VERY SAFE TO MAKE SURE THEY NEVER SHOOT TOWARDS A HOUSE OR A CAR OR A PERSON, A BUILDING.
UM, AND THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR, FOR, FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
UM, BUT IT'S SAID THAT ONE NEGLIGENT PERSON THAT, THAT WE HAVE, THAT HAS CAUSED THIS IS ISSUE THEN FOR US TO HAVE TO PUT A WHOLE OR ORDINANCE IN.
SO AGAIN, TO TO JUST TO BACK UP AND SAY, I DON'T HAVE A RECOMMENDATION.
AND THERE MIGHT BE A RECOMMENDATION COMES IN FOR THE SECOND READING.
BUT, BUT RIGHT NOW, I MEAN, I DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN AND, AND NOT HAVING THE, THE, THE SHOTGUN OR, OR RIFLE OR NOT HAVING, UM, YOU KNOW, THE 500 FEET OR, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SO I'M USUALLY THE FIRST TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW SLOW GOVERNMENT IS.
THIS ACTUALLY WENT PRETTY QUICK FROM COMPLAINT TO ACTION, AND I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT.
THIS IS A SERIOUS TOPIC AND WE NEED TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS PARTICULAR ORDINANCE WITH THE 500 FEET AND I'VE, I'VE HAD ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE SOLICITOR, WITH, UM, WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ATTORNEYS, AND THEY ARE CONCERNED WITH ENFORCEABILITY.
AND I SINCERELY DO NOT WANNA PUT SOMETHING ON THE BOOKS THAT IS A FEEL GOOD TO TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THAT ULTIMATELY CURBS LAW ABIDING CITIZENS FROM EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO, TO UTILIZE THEIR FIREARM ON THEIR PROPERTY.
UH, FOLLOWING THE MEETING, I ACTUALLY, UH, DRAFTED SOME AMENDED LANGUAGE TO 16 23, 440, WHICH IS A STATE STATUTE, AND, UH, GOT WITH OUR, UH, STATE DELEGATION, SOME MEMBERS OF THAT AND PUT FORTH, UM, A SECTION C AND D TO THAT STATE STATUTE, WHICH IS, UH, NEGLIGENT DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM INTO A DWELLING AND NEGLIGENT DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM INTO A VEHICLE.
IT MIRRORS WHAT THE STATE STATUTE IS.
UM, I, I KNOW THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY PURVIEW OVER THE STATE STATUTE, BUT I, I THINK THAT THIS NEEDS MORE WORK.
I WOULD BE INCLINED, I WANNA SOLVE THE PROBLEM AGAIN, BUT I THINK A NEGLIGENCE LANGUAGE WOULD BE BETTER TO INCORPORATE RATHER THAN A, A DEFINITIVE 500 FEET FOR DISCHARGING A FIREARM.
BECAUSE REALLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS IS WHEN SOMEONE IS NEGLIGENT WITH A FIREARM.
AND I, I THINK THAT EVEN THOUGH A 30 DAY MISDEMEANOR, IF WE WERE TO PASS SOMETHING LIKE THAT HERE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, TRIBAL AND MAGISTRATE COURT, I KNOW THAT'S A SLAP ON THE WRIST, BUT POTENTIALLY WE COULD ADD SOME GUN SAFETY TRAINING AS PART OF THAT.
UM, I'M GONNA VOTE NO AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, WRITTEN IF, IF THIS MOVES FORWARD.
UM, BUT I WOULD, I'M INCLINED TO MAKE A MOTION TO SEND THIS BACK TO COMMITTEE SO THAT WE CAN WORK ON THIS AND PROPERLY ADDRESS IT, UH, AND GET MORE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK.
'CAUSE I'M CONTINUING TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS WELL.
WELL, I'M, I'M GONNA LET OTHER PEOPLE TALK FIRST, MR. BROTHER.
UH, THIS, THIS ACTUALLY CAME FROM COMMITTEE, RIGHT? YES.
UM, SO, UH, IT HAS TO HAVE THREE READINGS MM-HMM
SO EVEN IF YOU FORWARD IT ON, ON THE FIRST READING, AND THEN YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO DO WHATEVER IN YOUR COMMITTEE, IT'D BE FINE.
BUT I THINK WE NEED TO SAY SOMETHING TO THE COMMUNITY THAT, THAT BASICALLY, WHEN YOU HAVE GUNS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AND PEOPLE ARE SHOOTING, IT'S NOT ONLY HAPPENING IN, IN, IN SOUTH OF ABROAD, IT'S HAPPENING NORTH OF ABROAD AS WELL.
AND THERE ARE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SAYING, YOU KNOW, WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT? SO AT LEAST THIS IS PUTTING SOMETHING ON THE TABLE THAT
[01:15:01]
WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.I PREFER, I'M GONNA VOTE TO SUPPORT IT.
AND IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO COMMITTEE TO REFINE, THAT'S FINE, BUT AT LEAST PUT SOMETHING ON THE BOOKS.
UM, THIS HAPPENED IN PORT ROYAL SHADOW MOSS IN THE RURAL, THE AREA ADJACENT TO SHADOW MOSS, PORT ROYAL.
UM, THE, THEIR, BOTH THEIR CHIEF AND THEIR, UH, ASSISTANT CHIEF ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.
WHAT HAPPENED OVER THERE? I'M GONNA VOTE TO SUPPORT THIS.
UM, A FAMILY HAD TO TAKE COVER LITERALLY, UM, WITH WHAT HAPPENED AT, IN, AT A HOUSE IN SHADOW MOSS.
AND, UM, I THINK WE CAN MAKE THE REVISIONS AFTER FIRST READING.
CORRECT? YOU CAN ALWAYS AMEND IT UP UNTIL THE FINAL APPROVE AT THE THIRD MEETING.
SO I'D LIKE TO KEEP IT AT THE, AT THIS LEVEL AND IF WE NEED TO WORK ON IT, WE'LL WORK ON IT.
MADAM CHAIR IS, OH, I'M SORRY.
UM, WE'RE ALSO GONNA HAVE PUBLIC HEARING RIGHT IN BETWEEN.
THE HEAR THE VOTES FOR SECOND AND THIRD.
THERE HAS TO BE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR EVERY ORDINANCE.
SO, YEAH, I'LL BE MR. CUNNINGHAM OR MR. DAWSON.
UM, I I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE MOTION.
UH, I MEAN THE, UH, YEAH, I'M, I'M GONNA SUPPORT THE ORDINANCE AS IT IS WRITTEN NOW.
UM, I'M, I'M OPEN TO FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION, BUT, UM, TO COUNCILMAN GLOVER'S POINT, WE NEED TO GET SOMETHING ON THE BOOK TO NOT APPEASE, BUT TO ACTUALLY, UH, MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION THAT WE HAVE.
I HAVE A NEIGHBOR THAT'S A COUPLE OF HOUSES, UH, FROM ME.
UM, SHE HAS THE, SHE HAS A BULLET THAT CAME THROUGH THE TOP PART OF HER HOUSE, HIT THE BACK OF THE TELEVISION, WENT INTO THE, UM, STOOD IN THE WALL, CALLED THE DEPUTIES OUT.
THEY CAME OUT, THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND THEY BASICALLY SURMISED THAT, OKAY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THE BULLET COME FROM, THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO.
THE BULLET THAT'S IN THE, THAT'S LODGED IN THE, UM, IN THE DOOR JAMB IN, IN ONE OF THE ROOMS IN THE HOUSE.
IT'S, IT'S SO FAR INTO THE WOOD THAT DAY.
THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TRYING TO GET IT OUT.
SO, UM, WE NEED SOMETHING TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BECAUSE AS WAS SAID EARLIER, IT'S IS, IT'S NOT ONLY JUST SOUTH OF THE BROAD, IT'S BEEN HAPPENING NORTH OF THE BROAD FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW.
UM, UNFORTUNATELY, I SAY UNFORTUNATELY, FORTUNATELY WE HAVE, UM, SOME, UH, UH, TARGET PRACTICING IN THE RURAL PARTS OF THE AREA IN THE WOODS WHERE THEY DO HAVE THE DIRT BERMS AND THE DEPUTY SHERIFFS WILL GO OUT AND VERIFY THAT THEY MEET THE STA STATE, UM, STATUE OF HAVING THE DIRT BERMS. BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE STILL HAVE NEGLIGENCE.
AND SO WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING IN THE BOOK TO ADDRESS THE NEGATIVE AS PART OF THIS.
MR. CAN YOU HEAR ME? ANYTHING? UH, YES MA'AM.
UM, THERE'S NO WAY THIS IS ENFORCEABLE THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN.
HE JUST DESCRIBED AN INCIDENT WHERE THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT BULLET CAME FROM, SO THERE'S NO WAY YOU'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO TRACK THAT DOWN.
UM, HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT A BERM, WHICH THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN CONFIRMED, THAT THIS LOCATION WHERE THIS STARTED HAS A BERM.
AND THE DEPUTIES HAVE BEEN OUT THERE AND SAID THE BERM DOES MEET THE STANDARDS AS WELL.
SO THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT CAME UP BECAUSE ONE PRETTY SURE ISN'T THAT NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON.
AND THEN THE OTHER HOUSE THAT WE'RE ACCUSING OF IS AN UNINCORPORATED YES.
SO WE'RE CREATING A LAW FOR AN INSTANCE WHERE WE HAVE ONE PROBLEM, MAYBE TWO IF THE OTHER ONE WE JUST LEARNED ABOUT, UM, IS IMPACTING SOMEBODY THAT'S IN THE TOWN LIMITS AND SOMEONE THAT'S UNINCORPORATED.
SO THE PEOPLE INSIDE THAT NEIGHBORHOOD DON'T EVEN GOTTA ABIDE BY THE SAME RULES.
THEY ABIDE BY THE ONES OF TOWN OF BLUFFTON.
SO I HAVE ISSUES WITH WHEN YOU START RESTRICTING GUNS ANYWAYS, UM, THE REASON FOR THAT IS PEOPLE THAT ARE GONNA BREAK THE LAW ARE GONNA BREAK THE LAW ANYWAYS.
SO WE'RE CREATING A LAW FOR LAW ABIDING CITIZENS.
UM, IF SOMEBODY IS BREAKING THE STATE STATUTE WHERE IT ENTERS A HOUSE THAT IS ALREADY ILLEGAL BY STATE STATUTE, THERE'S NOTHING WE ARE DOING HERE THAT CHANGES THAT EXCEPT PUTTING WHERE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO SHOOT.
NOT IF IT ACTUALLY ENTERS A BUILDING, WHICH WE ALREADY KNOW THAT'S A FELONY BY STATE STANDARDS AND IT SHOULD BE, IF WE'RE GONNA PUT 500 FEET ON, THAT MEANS IF THAT PERSON'S IN A HOUSE AND UNINCORPORATED AND THEIR NEIGHBOR MOVES AND SOMEONE ELSE GOES IN AND BUYS THAT HOUSE, THEY COULD SAY THEY DON'T GIVE PERMISSION ANYMORE AND JUST TOOK AWAY THAT PERSON'S PROPERTY'S RIGHTS BECAUSE THEIR NEIGHBOR MOVED.
THAT GIVES THEM THAT ABILITY TO DO IT.
'CAUSE IN OUR ORDINANCE IT SAYS YOU HAVE TO HAVE PERMISSION FROM SURROUNDING HOUSES.
IF YOU'RE GONNA SHOOT AN UNINCORPORATED WITHIN THE 500 FEET, ALL IT TAKES IS ONE NEIGHBOR TO SAY THEY DON'T LIKE IT.
TO BE ABLE TO TELL SOMEONE WHAT THEY COULD DO ON THEIR PROPERTY WHEN THEY BOUGHT THAT PROPERTY THAT HAD THOSE RIGHTS.
THERE'S NO WAY I'M GONNA TAKE AWAY THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF SOMEBODY IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, ESPECIALLY SOMEBODY THAT WAS THERE FIRST AND THEN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAME AND GOT BUILT IN.
I'M ALL FOR SAFETY AND I'M ALL FOR FIGURING IT OUT.
BUT IF THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WITH ONE PERSON OR ONE INSTANCE, THEN WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT SITUATION AND THAT PERSON NOT CREATE A LAW
[01:20:01]
FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.I'M TIRED OF CREATING LAWS JUST TO CREATE LAWS FOR THE SAKE OF A MASK.
UM, I WOULD HIGHLY ENCOURAGE SOMEBODY TO TRY TO SEND IT BACK DOWN IF THEY WANT.
'CAUSE I THINK YOU'RE IN FEAR OF IT GOING DOWN IN DENIAL ALTOGETHER.
IF YOU GUYS TRY TO MOVE IT FORWARD, UM, I WON'T RECOMMEND IT 'CAUSE I WANT TO SEE IT GO DOWN ALTOGETHER.
BUT I WOULD JUST CAUTION LIGHTLY WITH THAT, THAT YOU'RE CLOSER ON THOSE VOTES AND I THINK YOU WOULD REALIZE.
BUT IF YOU GUYS ARE ADAMANT ABOUT WORKING ON IT, I WOULD TAKE DAVID'S OFFER AND SEND IT BACK DOWN BEFORE IT GOES DOWN.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE COMMENTS ON THE LAST ONE.
SO I ACTUALLY VISITED THIS SITE.
AND THIS IS WHY, TO ME, IT'S A LITTLE MORE URGENT THAN SOME OF THE OTHERS.
WHERE THIS BULLET CAME THROUGH IS WHERE CHILDREN ARE GOING TO STAND WHEN MAY RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPENS, WHICH WILL BE IN THE FALL.
SO THE BULLET, THIS WHERE THE PERSON IS SHOOTING, IS IN THAT GENERAL AREA.
AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN ONE PERSON THAT TIME, BUT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT UP THAT THEY HEARD IT, IT HAPPENED IN JOE'S NEIGHBORHOOD IN RIVER BEND.
IT'S HAPPENED IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND I THINK WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SAFETY.
WE'RE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN HERE TOO.
THE ISSUE IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS IN BLUFFTON.
THE SHOOTER WAS IN UNINCORPORATED BUFORT.
SO THE NEIGHBORS CALLED BLUFFTON AND THEY SAY, NOT OUR PROBLEM.
THERE WAS THIS BACK AND FORTH.
SO I THINK WE'VE MADE SOME HEADWAY.
WE PROBABLY NEED TO GO BACK FOR MORE.
BUT WE DID INVOLVE THE SHERIFF.
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH SOME OF THAT.
WE DID INVOLVE THE CITY OF BLUFFTON ORIGINALLY AS WELL.
SO I THINK WE'VE MADE PROGRESS, BUT I BELIEVE THERE'S SOME THERE.
WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE WE HAVE CHILDREN INVOLVED HERE.
OH, JUST FOR CLARITY, IT'S OVER 2000 FEET AWAY FROM THAT NEW SCHOOL COUNCIL.
ANYBODY HAVE A SECOND COMMENT? WE'VE DONE ONE ROUND.
I WOULD JUST MAKE TWO COMMENTS BASED ON WHAT I HEARD HERE.
NOT ENTERING IN THE POLITICS OF IT, BUT IN GENERAL, I THINK DAVID'S GOT A GOOD IDEA AS FAR AS CONTACTING THE STATE BECAUSE AS RULE, I FAVOR LAW.
CRIMINAL LAWS BEING CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
UH, BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT LOCAL ORDINANCES, THERE'S OFTEN A NEED FOR IT.
AND THE VALUE IN THE LOCAL ORDINANCE ASPECT, THE GREATEST VALUE IS THE DETERRENT EFFECT.
SO IF IT DETERS JUST ONE, IT'S WORTH IT.
UH, IF IT HAS A GREATER DETERRENT EFFECT, OKAY, UH, IF YOU CAN USE THAT ORDINANCE TO INFORM SOMEONE THAT IT'S PROHIBITED, YOU MIGHT STOP THAT.
BUT IF THERE'S NOT A LAW THERE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO.
ALL RIGHT, SO WE'VE ALL HAD DISCUSSION.
SO ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS FIRST READING OF 2026 SLASH OH SIX.
SO YOU NEED TO ROLL CALL TAKE, ROLL CALL.
COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM? NO.
COUNCIL MEMBER BARTHOLOMEW? NO.
OKAY, SO ORDINANCE 2026 SLASH OH SIX.
AGAIN, THIS WAS FIRST READING, SO IT'S COMING BACK FOR SECOND READING.
UM, AND WE CAN, DID YOU WANNA MAKE A MOTION THERE, MR? NO.
[13.b. 2026/07: An ordinance amending the Zoning map for 5 acres (R300 016 000 0063 0000, R300 016 000 0064 0000, R300 016 000 0065 0000) from T3HN to T4VC.]
2026 SLASH OH SEVEN IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP FOR FIVE ACRES WITH ALL OF THOSE ZEROS AND S AND EVERYTHING FROM T THREE HN TO T FOUR VC.THE VOTE NA NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE ON FEBRUARY 3RD WAS SIX ZERO AND ONE ABSTENTION.
CAN I HAVE A MOTION FOR THIS ORDINANCE? MADAM CHAIRMAN, BEFORE YOU TAKE THAT MOTION.
AND I NEED TO RECRUIT MYSELF BECAUSE I'M IN LEADERSHIP IN THAT FELLOWSHIP, SO I DO THAT.
OKAY, SO YOU'LL FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK.
WE'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN TO COME BACK TO THE PRESS.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
ALRIGHT, UM, WE HAVE A MOTION A SECOND.
MR. MERCHANT IS HERE TO EXPLAIN.
UM, WELL, GOOD EVENING COUNSEL.
UM, SO THIS IS A FIVE ACRE PIECE OF PROPERTY ACTUALLY CONSISTING OF THREE DIFFERENT PARCELS.
IT IS LOCATED JUST SOUTH OF THE CORONER'S COMMUNITY ON ST.
ACTUALLY, IT'S IN THE CORONER'S COMMUNITY.
UM, BUT IT'S JUST SOUTH OF AN AREA THAT IS, UH, ZONED
[01:25:01]
T FOUR VILLAGE CENTER.THE PARTICULAR PROPERTY THAT IS REQUESTING REZONING IS ZONED T THREE HAMLET NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND IT IS CURRENTLY THE SITE OF, UM, BETHESDA KRISTIN FELLOWSHIP.
UM, THAT THEY OCCUPY THAT SITE AND THEY'RE SEEKING TO INCREASE THE ZONING BECAUSE IN, IN OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE, THERE ARE TWO CATEGORIES OF WHAT WE CALL MEETING FACILITY PLACE OF WORSHIP.
ONE IS 15,000 SQUARE FEET OR LESS.
AND THE OTHER ONE IS, YOU KNOW, ALLOWS, YOU KNOW, GREATER THAN 15,000 SQUARE FEET.
AND THE PURPOSE OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.
UM, WITH THE CURRENT ZONING OF THIS PROPERTY, T THREE HAMLET NEIGHBORHOODS, THIS CHURCH IS RESTRICTED TO NO GREATER THAN 15,000 SQUARE FEET.
AND, UM, BEING A NON-CONFORMING USE THAT COULD ONLY EXPAND 15%, IT IS THE INTEREST OF THE CHURCH, UM, TO EXPAND BEYOND THAT.
AND THEY'RE SEEKING TO CHANGE THE ZONING TO T FOUR VILLAGE CENTER.
I WILL MENTION THAT THAT CURRENT, THAT ZONING T FOUR VILLAGE CENTER IS THE ZONING, UM, OF THE PROPERTIES LOCATED JUST NORTH OF THERE THAT COVER THE, THE CENTER OF THE, THE CORONER'S COMMUNITY.
AND, UM, THIS IS AN EXISTING USE THAT IS ON THAT SITE.
FOR THAT REASON, UM, STAFF HAS LOOKED AT THE IMPACT ON THE CORONER'S COMMUNITY, THE INTENT OF THE ZONING.
AND, UM, WE BELIEVE THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
I CAN GO THROUGH THE REASONS, UM, OR UNLESS COUNSEL WANT, YOU KNOW, WE, WE BELIEVE THAT IT'S BASICALLY CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
UM, IT'LL ALSO, UM, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF THE, THAT IS, UM, THE PROPOSED CHANGE THAT HE T FOUR VILLAGE CENTER, IT WOULD NOT CREATE A SITUATION OF SPOT ZONING.
SO IT WOULD BASICALLY JUST EXPAND THAT DISTRICT TO INCLUDE THE EXISTING CHURCH.
UM, IT, IT WOULD NOT BE, UM, IN ANY CONFLICT WITH THE, THE DEVELOPMENT CODE.
UM, THERE IS AN INTEREST IN THE CHURCH TO DEVELOP A SCHOOL.
YOU KNOW, WE CERTAINLY SUPPORT INSTITUTIONAL USES, UH, IN THAT AREA AND BELIEVE THAT THIS WOULD ADDRESS A COMMUNITY NEED.
WE DIDN'T REALLY FEEL IT WAS, UM, REQUIRED BY CHANGE CONDITIONS.
UM, IT'S COMPATIBLE WITH THE EXISTING PROPOSED USES AROUND THE SITE.
IT BASICALLY ADJOINS OTHER PROPERTIES THAT ARE NON-RESIDENTIAL IN THE CENTER OF THE CORONER'S COMMUNITY WOULD NOT HAVE ADVERSE IMPACTS ON NEARBY LANDS, WOULD RESULT IN A LOGICAL ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT PATTERN AND WOULD NOT RESULT IN ADVERSE IMPACTS IN A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING, YOU KNOW, TO THE WATER, AIR NOISE, STORM WATER MANAGEMENT, WILDLIFE, VEGETATION, WETLANDS, AND, UM, THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND IS ALREADY SERVED BY PUBLIC FACILITIES AND ADE, YOU KNOW, ADEQUATELY SERVED.
SO FOR THOSE REASONS, STAFF SUPPORTS THIS RECOMMENDATION.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION SUPPORTED THIS, UM, UNANIMOUSLY AND THEN ALSO THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE.
AND I REALIZE THAT'S A RURAL WHIRLWIND OVERVIEW.
BUT, UM, WITH THAT I'M WILLING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
SO, AND I WOULD JUST REMIND THE PUBLIC IT'S ALL IN THE PACKET SO THEY CAN READ ALL OF THAT AS WELL.
THANK YOU MR. MERCHANT, ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. MERCHANT? YES, MR. CUNNINGHAM, WHAT IS, WHAT ALL IS ALLOWED? T FOUR, UM, T FOUR VILLAGE CENTER IS A MIXED USE, UH, RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, UH, DISTRICT.
AND IT REALLY IS, IT'S THE MOST INTENSE DISTRICT IN THE CORONER'S COMMUNITY.
SO IT ALLOWS, YOU KNOW, A MIX OF COMMERCIAL, UM, RETAIL SERVICE AND, UM, RESIDENTIAL USES.
THE HIGHEST ZONING POSSIBLE? YES.
AND THEN JUST LOOKING AT THE MAP AND OUR BACKUP DOCUMENTS, IT ONLY SHOWS THE ONE PROPERTY NEXT TO IT.
MM-HMM
HOW FAR DOES THAT GO? BELOW? HOW FAR DOES WHAT? GO BELOW? SO THE PROPERTY ITSELF, HE SAYS THREE PARCELS.
I'M ASSUMING IT'S A THREE IN RED.
THE ONES RIGHT BELOW THAT PROPERTY ARE ALSO ZONED.
THE ONLY ONE THAT'S ACTUALLY ZONED T FOUR IS THE PROPERTY ABOVE IT.
SO HOW FAR DOES THAT T THREE GO DOWN THAT ROAD? I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK THE MAP, BUT IT'S A FEW MORE PARCELS.
AND THEN YOU GET TO PENN CENTER, UM, WHICH IS ZONED T TWO RURAL.
SO WE WOULD PUSH THAT ALL THE WAY DOWN IT.
SO REALISTICALLY THIS COULD START GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO VILLAGE CENTER, ALL THE WAY TO PENN CENTER?
[01:30:02]
IT HAS, YEAH.THEY CAN SAY IT'S NO LONGER SPOT ZONING BECAUSE IT, MY NEIGHBORING IS T FOUR.
AND I WILL SAY THAT ONE OF THE REASONS THAT STAFF SUPPORTS US IS THAT IT'S AN EXISTING USE.
IT'S NOT EXPANDING THAT ZONING DISTRICT TO ACCOMMODATE FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S BASICALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE, THE PATTERN OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
ONLY IF THEY KEEP THE PROPERTY.
AND WITH THE NEW ZONING, THE HIGHEST ZONING ALLOWED.
ARE YOU DONE? YEAH, I WAS JUST SOME QUESTIONS.
JUST FOR THE RECORD, UM, THERE IS A RIVER THAT SEPARATES THIS PARCEL FROM PENN CENTER.
HOWARD, I'D JUST LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.
THIS HAS BEEN, UM, HISTORICALLY CHURCH PROPERTY FOR GENERATIONS AND GENERATIONS.
THE LIKELIHOOD OF IT COULD HAPPEN THAT IT BE SOLD, BUT, UM, WITH THE ADDITION OF WHAT THEY PROPOSED TO DO WITH A SCHOOL, I THINK THAT WOULD BE HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT IT WOULD BE SOLD.
ANYBODY ELSE? COMMENT, QUESTION MR. LAWSON? I THINK WE, WE STILL HAVE THE, UM, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT TO COME IN THE NEXT ORDINANCE.
SO I THINK THAT WE'LL THEN SEE IF THERE'S UM, UH, YOU KNOW, OPPOSITION OR SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AT THAT TIME.
UM, YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS LIKE TO SEE CHURCHES AND, AND THINGS LIKE THAT EXPAND IF THEY CAN AND 'CAUSE AGAIN, THERE'S SUCH A BIG PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
SO AGAIN, I'LL, I'LL SUPPORT TO GET TO, UM, UH, THE SECOND, UM, UM, READING AND, AND THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
ALRIGHT, ANYBODY ELSE? ALRIGHT, SO ALL IN FAVOR OF 2026 SLASH OH SEVEN.
READ THE REASONS WHY WE'RE DOING THIS.
YOU HAVE TO READ THE REASONS, CORRECT? YES.
I MOVE THAT WE GRANT THE REQUEST FOR REZONING FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS.
NUMBER ONE, IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE COMPREHENSIVE CODE AND THE PURPOSES OF THE DEVELOPMENT CODE.
TWO, IT IS NOT IN CONFLICT WITH PROVISIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT CODE OR OUR CODE OF ORDINANCES.
THREE, IT DOES ADDRESS A DEMONSTRATED COMMUNITY NEED.
IT IS NOT REQUIRED BY CHANGED CONDITIONS.
IT IS COMPATIBLE WITH EXISTING AND PROPOSED USE OF LAND SURROUNDING THIS LAND.
IT WOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT NEARBY LAND SEVEN.
IT WOULD RESULT IN LOGICAL AND ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS.
IT WOULD NOT RESULT IN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND NINE, IT WOULD RESULT IN DEVELOPMENT THAT IS ADEQUATELY SERVED BY PUBLIC FACILITIES.
HE WAS JUST READING THE, THE REASONS.
ALL IN FAVOR OF 2026 SLASH OH SEVEN.
ALL OPPOSED? WE HAVE TWO OPPOSED.
ALRIGHT, THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
THAT CONCLUDES THE ORDINANCES.
[14.a. 2026/05: A Resolution authorizing the County Administrator to execute the documents necessary and to provide funds to contribute to the procurement by the applicant, the Open Land Trust, for a conservation easement on property located in the Town of Hilton Head Island known as the Simmons Tracts (pin# R510 010 000 0008 0000, R510 010 000 0647 0000), not to exceed ($1,545,000).]
A.WE HAVE, UH, RESO TWO RESOLUTIONS 20 26 0 5 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY AND TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCUREMENT BY THE APPLICANT.
THE OPEN LAND TRUST FOR A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND KNOWN AS THE SIMMONS TRACK PIN NUMBER R 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 R.
AND THEN THE SECOND ONE, I'M NOT GONNA READ THAT ONE.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN RES.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
COUNCILMAN GLOVER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS MADAM CHAIR AND I THINK WE HAVE, UM, STAFF HERE, MARK DAVIS, TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION.
WE, WE'VE GOT A MAP UP TO PROPERTY.
MY QUESTIONS ARE NOT ABOUT SIMMONS TRACK.
MY QUESTION IS ABOUT A PIE THAT YOU, I UNDERSTAND MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU DREW OR THE GREEN SPACE NORTHWEST SOUTHEAST, IS THAT RIGHT? WELL THAT WAS AT, THAT WAS A MAP THAT SHOWED, IS THIS ABOUT, THIS IS ABOUT GREEN SPACE, RIGHT? YEAH, THIS WOULD BE GREEN SPACE.
THIS IS SPECIFIC PIECE OF PROPERTY RIGHT IN GREEN SPACE THAT'S LOCATED ON HILTON HEAD.
SO DO WE WANT, NO, I'M NOT FINISHED.
ALL THE TAXPAYERS OF BEAUFORT COUNTY DONATED OR NOT DONATED PAID TAXES FOR THE GREEN SPACE.
THEY, I THINK WE RAISED A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
IS THAT RIGHT? A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT, YES MA'AM.
[01:35:01]
EVEN MORE THAN I THOUGHT.SO I LIVE IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE PIE THAT WAS DRAWN.
AND ARE MY COLLEAGUES SITTING NEXT TO ME ON BOTH SIDES HERE? LIVE IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY.
AND SENATOR DAVIS, I ATTENDED THE LAST GREEN SPACE MONEY MEETING AND SENATOR DAVIS ADDED AND ADDRESS MY CONCERNED IN THAT MEETING.
SO I'M GONNA VOTE NO FOR THIS UNTIL WE START GETTING OUR PIECE OF THE PIE.
SO WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT? YEAH, IF I COULD.
SO WHEN YOU SAY YOU'VE GOTTEN ZERO, JUST SO I'M CLEAR, YOU MEAN THAT NO PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FUNDED IN THAT AREA, IS THAT CORRECT? OKAY.
SO THE WAY THAT THE GREEN SPACE WORKS, WHICH I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE, IS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE APPLICANTS IN THAT AREA WHO ARE WILLING LANDOWNERS TO PARTICIPATE.
COUNTY STAFF DOES NOT CONTROL THAT.
WE CAN'T MANDATE THAT ANY LANDOWNERS IN A PARTICULAR AREA APPLY.
UM, WE ARE CERTAINLY WILLING TO WORK WITH LANDOWNERS, UM, WHO ARE IN THOSE DISTRICTS.
UH, IF, IF YOU KNOW OF ANY, YOU CAN, IF THERE ARE PARCELS OF LAND.
LEMME LET ME CORRECT YOU ON THAT BECAUSE SENATOR DAVIS ADDRESSED THIS IN THE GREEN SPACE MEETING.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE IN THAT MEETING OR NOT.
IT'S STILL IN PROGRESS, SO, AND WHAT ABOUT THE, THE, UM, THE FOOTHILLS, THE, THE, UH, BUCKWALTER PRO PROPERTY THAT FELL THROUGH RIGHT THE END OF THE YEAR? OR WE HAVE TO, THEY HAVE TO REAPPLY.
I'M JUST SAYING THERE'S HILLMAN.
SO FIRST OF ALL, FOOTHILL, I'VE, I'VE HAD A DISCUSSION WITH SOME TOWN OF, UM, HILTON HEAD COUNCIL PEOPLE AS WELL, THAT HILTON HAS GOT QUITE A BIT AND WE'VE GOT NOTHING.
WELL, VICTORIA BLUFF IS NOT OVER WITH.
IT'S STILL IN PROGRESS, CORRECT? THAT'S STILL IN, I'M SAYING AND TELL CAN START GETTING OUR PIECE OF THE PIE AND VOTING NO FOR THIS.
THAT'S, WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS THEN.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY FUN? I JUST, I JUST WANNA SAY I, I CAN APPRECIATE WHAT MS. BROWN'S SAYING BECAUSE WE HAVE A FINITE AMOUNT OF FUNDS AND RIGHT NOW THE MAJORITY OF WHAT WE SPENT EXCLUDING GREGORY NECK AND CHELSEA HAS GONE TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND AND I COMMEND THEM FOR AGGRESSIVELY SEEKING GREEN SPACE MONEY.
BUT EVENTUALLY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SAY, HEY, WE HAVE THREE OTHER QUARTERS THAT NEED TO DEAL WITH, BUT PEOPLE HAVE TO APPLY FOR THIS GREEN SPACE.
AND I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IF PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE BIT LAX IN, IN THE WEST PORTION OR THE NORTH PORTION, THEY HAVEN'T APPLIED YET.
I WANNA MAKE SURE WE DON'T RUN OUTTA MONEY BY CONTINUALLY FUNDING ONE SECTOR.
SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT MS. BROWN'S TALKING ABOUT.
SO IN OUR GREEN SPACE ORDINANCE, IT ALLOCATES FUNDS TO THOSE REGIONS.
SO YOU CAN'T TAKE MONEY FROM ONE REGION AND SPEND IT IN ANOTHER.
SO IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT MONEY RUNNING OUT IN A REGION, THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
IF YOU HAVE AN OUT OF COUNTY PURCHASE OR FUND CONSERVATION, CONSERVATION, WHATEVER, UM, THE APPLICATION IS, THEN THOSE ARE DISTRIBUTED IN A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
ONE WE HAD THAT WAS DISTRIBUTED IN ALL FOUR BECAUSE OF WHERE IT WAS.
AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE, WHICH IS BASICALLY A GRANT.
IT'S A, IT'S A LOAN THAT'S GONNA BE PAID BACK, UM, THAT WAS ALLOCATED TO A DISTRICT, BUT THAT MONEY'S COMING BACK TO THE COUNTY.
UM, SO THE EQUITY AND THE, UM, EQUITABILITY PIECE OF IT IS THERE.
SO YOU'RE NOT GONNA RUN OUT OF MONEY IN A PARTICULAR QUADRANT JUST BECAUSE MONEY IS BEING SPENT IN OTHER AREAS.
AND ONCE THAT PROPORTIONAL SHARE IN ONE AREA IS SPENT, THEY'RE DONE UNLESS YOU REWRITE THE ORDINANCE.
ONCE THEY MEET THAT CAP OF A QUARTER OF ALLOCATING MONEY IN HILTON AND THEY HAVE BEEN VERY AGGRESSIVE, THEY HAVE, UH, BUT ONCE THEY MEET THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT, NO OTHER PROJECTS ARE GONNA BE FUNDED.
I HAVE A, WE'RE NOT, WE ARE, YOU KEEP SEEING EQUITY THAT'S NOT THE SAME AS A PIECE OF THE PIE.
SO I WANNA MAKE CLEAR, BECAUSE MAYBE LAND IS MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE ON HILTON HEAD THEN IT MAY BE IN THE WESTERN REGION OR IN THE NORTH.
SO IT'S REALLY NOT CUT INTO FOUR PIECES.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EQUITABLE, WHICH IS NOT EVEN, THEY'RE NOT THE SAME FROM A, FROM A DOLLAR AMOUNT.
IT IS, IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT BY ACRE, OF COURSE NOT EVERY ACRE IS WORTH THE SAME DOLLAR.
MAY IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT DOLLARS, IT IS EQUITABLE BECAUSE IT'S AN EVEN SPLIT.
AND THEN COUNCIL FOR ANYTHING SPENT OUT OF THE COUNTY HAS THE ABILITY TO APPROPRIATE THAT ANY WAY YOU WANT.
BUT BAR ME, I KNOW THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY GERMANE TO THE AGENDA ITEM,
[01:40:01]
BUT I ASKED THIS VERY SAME QUESTION, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE TWO YEARS AGO AND ABOUT THE EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE QUADRANTS.AND I GOT THE ANSWER THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT WITH EQUITY, MEANING THAT IT WASN'T GOING TO BE 25%, 25%, 25%, YOU KNOW, SPREAD OUT THAT IT WAS BASED ON THE DOLLAR AMOUNT AND IN THE ACREAGE AND ALL THAT STUFF.
AND THE EQUITY, THE HILTON HEAD HAS MORE EXPENSIVE PROPERTY, SO THEY MAY GET A LARGER PIECE OF THAT PIE.
THAT'S JUST COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING TODAY.
AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THAT.
'CAUSE I HAD THE SAME CONCERN ABOUT THE, THE DISTRIBUTION OF THAT IT IS A DOLLAR AMOUNT, PERCENTAGE SPLIT NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, AND WEST.
THE ONLY CAVEAT TO THAT IS WHEN YOU SPEND MONEY AS A COUNCIL OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY LIKE WE DID IN JASPER COUNTY, LIKE WE DID IN JASPER COUNTY MM-HMM
SO ORDINANCE SAYS THAT THE QUADRANT THAT BENEFITS THE MOST, BUT THAT'S VERY SUBJECTIVE, RIGHT? IF IT'S A, A WATERSHED PIECE THAT TOUCHES ALL FOUR, THEN YOU SPLIT IT FOUR WAYS.
THE ONLY OTHER ONE THAT WE HAD OUT OF COUNTY IS A LOAN.
SO WE REALLY ONLY HAVE ONE THAT WAS SPLIT FOUR WAYS AND WE HAVE A LOAN THAT'S GONNA BE PAID BACK, WHICH IS $6 MILLION.
SO WE HAVE, SO THAT'S THE EQUITABLE PIECE.
I HAVE A REQUEST, COULD YOU SEND ALL OF US THE ORDINANCE AGAIN? ABSOLUTELY.
THIS IS A REFRESHER SO WE CAN ALL LOOK, LOOK, SURE.
I LIKE MR. BAR TELLING THAT'S WHAT WE WERE TOLD.
WE'LL SEND REMEMBER THAT, DON'T YOU? WE WERE TOLD EQUITABLE IS NOT EVEN YEAH, THAT'S EXACTLY, I MEAN THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALL RAISING THE QUESTION.
IT'S NOT EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT IT FROM THE NUMBER OF ACRES.
NO, NO MONEY BECAUSE WE NO MONEY.
IT IS EVEN, THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO DO IT.
SO MARK, DO YOU, IT IS SPLIT FOUR WAYS PLUS THE OUT OF COUNTY, CORRECT? I, YOU KNOW, IF THIS IS THE CONVERSATION DURING THIS AGENDA ITEM, IS THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING? YEAH, WELL WE'RE ANSWERING AS WELL.
MIGHT AS WELL BEFORE WE VOTE MM-HMM
ALL, WELL THE, THE WAY THE DISCUSSIONS AND KIND OF PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN HERE FROM THE BEGINNING, THERE WERE SOME DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THIS EQUAL AND THIS EQUITABLE.
AND I THINK THE ELEMENT OF HOW IT WAS TO BE APPROPRIATED, UM, BASED OFF OF WHERE IT WAS, HOW IT CAME THROUGH, AND THEN THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS ADOPTED.
THE ORDINANCE DOES SPEAK TO THE USE OF THE TERM EQUITABLE AND THEN IT KIND OF DEFINES THE TERMS OF HOW EQUITY CAN BE USED.
IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY SPECIFICALLY SAY EQUALLY DIVIDED TO QUADRANTS.
HOWEVER, THAT HAS BEEN A PART OF THE DISCUSSION OF COUNCIL.
SO IF THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH THIS, I WOULD PUT IT ON THE COUNTY AND COUNTY COUNCIL TO VERY QUICKLY DECIDE WHAT DIRECTION YOU WANT TO TAKE EQUAL AND EQUITABLE.
IF THIS IS, UM, WHERE WE'RE AT NOW AS A PART OF THIS DISCUSSION WITH THIS PROGRAM, AND AGAIN, WE NEED TO SEE THE ORDINANCE BECAUSE WE'RE, WE'RE ALL TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T HAVE IN FRONT OF US.
SO THAT IS, WHEN WE SPLIT THAT INTO FOUR EQUAL PIECES, IT WAS, IT WAS A QUARTER SPLIT WITH ANYTHING OUTSIDE BEING EQUITABLY, THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT WORD.
BUT IT'S, IT HAS BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING AS WE MOVE FORWARD THAT IT IS A 25% SPLIT BETWEEN ALL FOUR AND THE OUTSIDE IS EQUITABLY DIVIDED, EITHER BASED ON IMPACT OR HOW IT AFFECTS THOSE REGIONS THAT IT'S CLOSE TO.
OR AS A WATERSHED IT WOULD BE ALL FOR, THIS WOULD BE A GOOD DISCUSSION AT THE NATURAL RESOURCE.
WE'LL BE HAPPY TO PUT THAT ON IF YOU WANT TO COMMITTEE PUT THAT ON.
AS A CHAIRMAN, I'M SURE, I THINK COUNCILMAN LARSON, I JUST, I, I, I'M, I'M FOR IT TO VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING, BUT, UM, AND I'M NOT, I'M NOT, UM, ADVOCATING FOR HILTON HEAD, BUT WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT EQUITABLE, THEY'VE PROBABLY PAID MORE INTO THE A HUNDRED MILLION AND $125 MILLION THAN THE OTHER FOUR AREAS.
I'M NOT SAYING THEY SHOULD GET MORE MONEY, I THINK IT SHOULD BE SPLIT EVENLY, BUT THAT'S WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S FAIR AND WHAT'S NOT FAIR AND HOW IT WORKS OUT AND ALL THOSE THINGS.
SO AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT AS A COUNCIL.
SO I THINK IT'S GOOD IF IT COMES BACK, YOU KNOW, TO, TO, TO THE COMMITTEE AND, AND WE CAN DISCUSS THAT AFTER WE HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE ORDINANCE, THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN.
I THINK CHAIR, I HAVE A QUESTION.
NO, WELL, LET'S, NOW WE'VE GOT COUNCILMAN RES AND THEN COUNCIL MCALLEN AND THEN I'LL COME BACK TO YOU.
TONIGHT'S, UM, SESSION FOR HILTON HEAD.
BETWEEN MITCHELLVILLE 26, UM, UM, BEACH, THE 1.89 ACRES THERE, AND THIS, AND THE 5.8.
IT'S GONNA BE ABOUT 14 TO 15 MILLION RIGHT NOW WITH THIS PASS, IF WE PASS THIS, I, CHUCK,
[01:45:01]
I AGREE WITH YOU.I THINK IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE DO A 25.
25 ORDINANCE SAYS, AND, AND I'M, IT'S GONNA BE MORE THAN THAT, BUT PAULA, UH, I WILL SUPPORT EVERY DISTRICT TO GET EQUAL AMOUNT, BUT TONIGHT LET'S NOT LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT WE'RE PROTECTING ON HILTON HEAD.
AND IT'S LESS THAN THAT QUARTER SPLIT RIGHT NOW WITH EVERYTHING WE'VE DONE THERE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO IT'S NOT IN THERE.
OH, SO I THOUGHT, BUT LISTEN, I YOU CAN ADD THAT UP PRETTY WELL.
YEAH, IT'S A PRETTY SIZABLE, UM, IT'S ORDINANCE.
I DOUBT THAT THE WHOLE ORDINANCE IS IN THE BACKUP, BUT WE'LL SEND IT OUT.
AND IF, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION IN A COMMITTEE, WE'RE CERTAINLY WILLING TO DO THAT.
COUNCIL MCKELLAN HAS HIS HAND UP.
I THINK THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE DISCUSSION TO HAVE WITH THE COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT EVERYBODY'S TREATED FAIRLY.
THIS PARTICULAR ITEM HERE IS A HIGHLY DESIRABLE PIECE OF PROPERTY IN THE EYES OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS, UH, CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? YES.
THIS IS NOT A FEE SIMPLE PURCHASE.
WE'RE NOT GONNA OWN THIS LAND.
THIS IS A CONSERVATION EASEMENT AND IT'S A HIGHLY DESIRABLE AREA ON SPANISH MILL GROVE.
THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF OFFERS TO THE FAMILY THAT OWNED THIS PROPERTY TO PURCHASE IT SO THAT THEY CAN PUT SOME HOUSES UP THERE.
THEY'VE AGREED TO TAKE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT PAYMENT AND THEY'LL CONTINUE TO LIVE THERE IN THEIR COMPOUND AND THEY'LL CONTINUE TO OWN THE PROPERTY AND THEY'LL CONTINUE TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES.
BUT WE HAVE TAKEN AWAY THE ABILITY OF ANYONE TO BUILD ANYTHING ON A HIGHLY DESIRABLE LOT IN A VERY OVERPOPULATED AREA.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE IS ACCELERATE CONSERVATION.
SO I URGE EVERYONE, IF YOU HAVE A DISCUSSION YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AT APPROPRIATE TIME AND PLACE, BUT IF WE COULD CALL THE QUESTION ON THIS AND MOVE IT ALONG, I THINK WE WOULD DO A DISSERVICE.
WE, IF WE WERE NOT TO TAKE A POSITIVE ACTION ON THIS TONIGHT.
THIS IS A HIGHLY DESIRABLE PIECE OF PROPERTY IN A, IN A HIGHLY DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND WE ARE MAKING A REAL, UH, UH, WE'RE REALLY SCORING A GOAL HERE, UH, BY KEEPING THE PROPERTY UNDEVELOPED AND ALLOWING THE FAMILY THAT'S OWNED FOR GENERATIONS TO CONTINUE TO LIVE HERE AND WOULD URGE US TO CALL THE QUESTION.
I I, ANY OTHER ONE MORE COMMENT? CALL THE QUESTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER GLOVER? UH, YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM? YES.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT AFTERWARDS SINCE I DIDN'T BEFORE.
COUNCIL MEMBER BARTHOLOMEW? YES.
SORRY, I WAS JUST RAISING MY HAND, LETTING YOU GUYS GO AT IT.
BUT, UH, IN OUR, UH, THE ORDINANCES ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE, AND IT DOESN'T SAY IT IS REQUIRED, IT SAYS BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FOR THE APPLICANTS.
IT'S TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
SO JUST PUTTING THAT OUT THERE.
BUT, UM, I WOULD LIKE AT SOME POINT, NOT TONIGHT 'CAUSE I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT SETTING FOR THAT, BUT AN UPDATE ON THAT BLUFFTON PROPERTY.
'CAUSE IT WASN'T OUR AGENDA THEN IT WAS REMOVED.
IF WE COULD HAVE THAT ONE DAY, WE VOTED ON IT THE FIRST TIME.
WE HAVE, WE HAVE TWO BLUFFTON APPLICATIONS, UM, TOWN PURCHASED A AND B AND UH, THAT IS STILL ACTIVELY AND WE ARE STILL ACTIVELY IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE TOWN ON THAT.
SO I CAN GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THAT RIGHT NOW.
AND WE ARE, THAT'S THE ONE THAT WENT THROUGH FIRST RATING, BUT IT HASN'T BEEN BACK OR SECOND OR THIRD? NO, IT WOULD BE, IT WOULD BE A GRANT.
YOU APPROVED IT BY RESOLUTION TO FUND THE PROJECT AND THE TOWN PURCHASED IT WITHOUT GREEN SPACE DOLLARS.
CHAIR, IF I COULD JUST MAKE A COMMENT.
IF YOU'RE GONNA BRING THE ORDINANCE TO A COMMITTEE FOR DISCUSSION, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY INCLUDE THE REFERENDUM TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LANGUAGE IS IN PROJECT TO UNDERSTAND.
HAVE WE'D HAVE TO, WE WENT WHEN WE INITIALLY ADOPTED IT, WE WENT THROUGH THAT.
UM, NOT SOME WORK IT COMMITTEE LEVEL I THINK IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO, UM, DIVE INTO IT.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE BOTH RIGHT HERE ON OUR COUNTY WEBSITE FOR THE ORDINANCE AND THE SETTING OF THE GREEN SPACE BOARD AS WELL AS THE ORDINANCE ITSELF AND HOW IT SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE BOARD.
I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU, BUT I, I DON'T THINK TONIGHT'S A NIGHT TO GET INTO THAT.
ALRIGHT, ANYTHING ELSE? WE CAN DO IT AT COMMITTEE LEVEL QUESTION.
[14.b. 2026/04: A Resolution repealing Resolution 2024/54 and Resolution 2019/31 and replacing them with Resolution 2026/04 to revise the policies and procedures for processing applications for Beaufort County 3% Local Accommodations Tax Funds and 2% Hospitality Tax Funds.]
B IS 20 26 0 4.UH, RESOLUTION, REPEALING RESOLUTION 20 24 54 AND RESOLUTION 20 19 31
[01:50:02]
AND REPLACING THEM WITH RESOLUTION 20 26 0 4 TO REVIVE THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR THE BEAUFORT COUNTY.3% LOCAL OCCUP OCCUP, I CAN'T SAY IT.
ACCOMMODATION TAX FUNDS AND 2% HOSPITALITY TAX FUNDS.
SECOND THAT AND, UH, COUNCILMAN BROWN.
COUNCILMAN PASSMAN? UH, WHY WOULD WE WANNA GO BACKWARDS? THIS IS TAKING US BACK.
JOE, YOU LEAN INTO THE MICROPHONE A LITTLE BIT.
I SAID WHY WOULD WE WANNA GO BACKWARDS? BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO NOW PUT THE BURDEN BACK ON ADMINISTRATION.
WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM THE DIRECTIVES, UM, THAT I RECEIVED IS THAT WE WOULD LIKE MORE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THESE GRANTS SO WE CAN FUND OUR OWN, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.
THIS WAS DISCUSSED AT A COUPLE OF FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS AGO.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD COMMENTS? YEAH, COMMENTS.
COUNCILMAN, IF YOU REMEMBER I BROUGHT UP A FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING THAT WE ARE LITERALLY THE ONLY ENTITY THAT SENDS THEIR AT TAX MONEY OUT IN GRANTS ALL THE WAY HILTON HEAD KEEPS IT.
BLUFFTON KEEPS IT PORT ROYAL, BEAUFORT CITY.
AND WE HAVE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS AND WE DON'T HAVE FUNDS AND WE HA WE CAN USE GREEN SP I MEAN, SORRY, WRONG ONE.
AT TAX FUNDS FOR CERTAIN THINGS THEY HAVE TO MEET THE CODE, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT.
AND IN THE PAST I AM TOLD THAT COUNTY HAS PUT IN APPLICATIONS FOR STATE AT TAX MONEY AND THE COMMITTEE HAS SAID, NOPE, WE'RE NOT INTERESTED.
TURN, DON'T BOTHER COMING BACK.
WE, WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THAT.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT AT OUR MEETINGS.
AND IT WAS A COMMITTEE JUST SAID, NOPE, YOU KNOW, GO LIVE YOUR LIFE AND DON'T COME BACK WITH SOMETHING.
SO THIS PUTS IT ON THE HANDS OF OUR ADMINISTRATOR AND PINKY AND REMEMBER WHATEVER THEY RECOMMEND HAS TO BE APPROVED BY COUNCIL.
SO IF IT COMES TO COUNCIL AND WE DON'T LIKE SOME OF IT, WE SAY NO, IT, IT'S NOT A A DONE DEAL.
THIS JUST PUTS IT BACK SO THAT WE CAN GET SOME COUNTY FUNDS HERE.
MR. MCKELLEN'S IN THERE? OH YES.
UH, WE HAVE A TRANSPARENT OPERATION AT THE MOMENT WITH THE COMMITTEE THAT WE'VE SELECTED.
IT HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE ON TO A ROLE PROVIDING THEIR OPINIONS.
I THINK IT WOULD BE A DANGEROUS THING TO GO BACKWARDS AND PLACE ALL OF THE POWER FOR THIS DISTRIBUTION IN THE HANDS OF ONE PERSON AS OPPOSED TO THE SEVEN OR EIGHT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
JUST RECALL, WE HAVE NOT SEATED THIS COMMITTEE YET.
WE HAVEN'T, I THINK THAT'S STATE AT TAX.
COUNCILMAN MC STATE IS SEATED.
DID THAT CLARIFY IT FOR YOU? COUNCIL MCALLEN, THAT'S THE STATE.
UM, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE CLARIFICATION WAS.
MS. MS HAR, THE COMMITTEE YOU CURRENTLY HAVE IS STATE AT TAX STATE, RIGHT? THIS IS LOCAL A AND H TAX? CORRECT.
UH, I'M GONNA VOTE NO FOR ON THIS RESOLUTION.
UM, I I I'VE ALWAYS LIKED THE INVOLVEMENT OF, UH, COMMUNITY AND UM, UM, SO IT TAKES, THIS TAKES IT AWAY FROM THE COMMUNITY OR INVOLVEMENT OF ALL DIFFERENT PLAYERS AND IT PLACE IT IN ONE HAND AND I, I DON'T, I THINK, UM, HAVING INPUT FROM VARIOUS COMMUNITIES OR COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STUFF IS VITAL.
SO I'M GONNA SUPPORT, I'M GONNA VOTE NOTE AGAINST THIS, UH, RESOLUTION.
DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT FOR THAT? I WAS GONNA SAY THERE WILL BE A COMMITTEE THAT DECIDES ON THE AWARDS.
IT'S NOT IN THE HANDS OF ONE PERSON.
COUNCILMAN CUNNINGHAM? YEAH, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT IT IS IN THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS THAT THERE IS GONNA BE A COMMITTEE.
IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT'S THE VERY FIRST THING ON THERE, BUT UM, IT'S JUST GIVING US THE ABILITY TO ACTUALLY DISPERSE THOSE FUNDS.
JUST, NO, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY THIS, THIS WILL FUND SOME OF THE BOAT, BOAT LANDING REPAIRS AND, UM, RAMPS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIX AND WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX.
SO THIS GIVES OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDS.
THIS RE THE OLD RESOLUTION WAS ALREADY ON FILE PREVIOUSLY.
WE'RE JUST GOING BACK TO DOING IT THAT WAY SO THAT OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS CAN APPLY FOR THESE FUNDS AS THEY MEET THE CODE STANDARD.
SO IN, I THINK IT'S EXHIBIT A.
YEAH, EXHIBIT A DOWN HERE, UH, NUMBER EIGHT AND NINE, UH, THE ADMINISTRATOR OR ADMINISTRATOR'S DESIGNEE IS AUTHORIZED TO ADD ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE IN THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS ABOUT APPROPRIATE USES OF A A TAX AND H TAX FUNDS.
[01:55:01]
AS THE ADMINISTRATOR ADMINISTRATOR'S DESIGNEE IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE AMENDMENTS TO THE APPLICATION EXHIBIT A ONE AWARD REVIEW CRITERIA AND SCORING SHEET EXHIBIT A TWO AND PROGRESS REPORT EXHIBIT A THREE PROVIDED HERE IN THE SAMPLES.UM, WHY ARE WE GOING THROUGH AND APPROVING THESE FORMS? IF WE CAN JUST ALLOW MODIFICATION TO IT AT, AT THE STAFF LEVEL.
THESE ARE FORMS THAT WE CREATED SO THAT IT'LL BE MORE IN LINE WITH THE STATE ATEX FORMS. BUT THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING WITH THE EIGHT AND NINE.
IT GIVES THE STAFF THE ABILITY AFTER WE PASS THIS, TO GO BACK AND MODIFY THIS AT ANY POINT WITHOUT COUNSEL APPROVAL.
THE FORMS NOT THE YEAH, THE FORMS. YEAH.
WE'RE JUST ATTACHING THE EXHIBITS.
'CAUSE IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT COMES UP THAT DOESN'T FIT AN ORGANIZATION, WE DON'T WANNA BRING IT TO YOU TO JUST EDIT A FORM, WHICH IS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATOR'S PURVIEW.
TUITION ITSELF IS THE POLICIES AND THE PROCEDURES.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? ANY OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? WE'RE NOT CHANGING ANYTHING IN THE STEPS.
IF THAT MAKES, IF THAT MAKES ANY SENSE.
THE MOTION WAS MADE BY CUNNINGHAM AND, UM, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BROWN.
I JUST WAS COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM? YES.
OUR LAST ITEM WAS ADDED ON AS AN AMENDMENT.
AND I'LL ASK COUNCILMAN PASSMAN TO UH, YES.
UM, I MOVE, UH, THAT THE COUNTY COUNCIL EXECUTE A LETTER OF ENGAGEMENT TO THE LAW FIRM HOWELL GIBSON AND HUGHES PA TO PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVISORY SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH MATTERS PRESENTED TO OR BEFORE COUN COUNTY COUNCIL.
AND THAT THE POINT OF CONTACT WILL BE THE CHAIR OF COUNTY COUNCIL.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I SECONDED THAT EARLIER.
OH, YOU SECONDED EARLIER? MM-HMM
ANY DISCUSSION? CAN WE JUST HAVE CLARITY OF WHAT HAPPENED THIS EARLIER IN THE MEETING THEN? SO WE CAN CLEAR THAT UP.
'CAUSE THAT WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT.
THIS IS WHAT, THIS IS THE MOTION AS IT IS.
SO WHERE, WHERE DID THAT LANGUAGE COME FROM TO, TO INTERJECT THAT? THAT IS NOT THE LANGUAGE YOU HAD WHEN WE LEFT THE ROOM.
NO, NOT LIKE, NOT EVEN IN THE SLIGHTEST.
WELL, THIS IS, THIS IS EXACTLY, YEAH, THAT WAS, THAT WAS, BUT YOUR ORIGINAL ABOUT ADDING, UM, THE, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY INTO IT.
'CAUSE WE, NO, I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
THAT WAS AN AMENDMENT THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.
AND IF I COULD JUST MAKE SOME COMMENTS.
THE REASON I SUGGESTED THAT TO THE CHAIR WAS THAT WE'VE HAD LONGSTANDING ENGAGEMENT WITH HAL GIBSON HUGHES OVER THE YEARS AND THEY REPRESENT US ON SEVERAL MATTERS.
TAB BENDELL, ONE OF THEIR LAWYERS, THOMAS BENDELL DOES MOST OF OUR REAL ESTATE LAW AND, UH, DOES REPRESENTATION FOR OUR TAX SALE ISSUES IN CASES UNDER THE TREASURER.
UH, ROBERT A. CHURCH, UH, DOES SOME INSURANCE, DEFENSE WORKFORCE.
IN FACT, HE'S REPRESENTED US IN THAT WRONGFUL DEATH CASE.
THEY WERE OUR, UM, DISASTER RELIEF, UM, PROVIDER AND THEY HAD THE TRAILER THAT FELL OFF AND THEN KILLED THE INDIVIDUAL WHEN THE TRAILER SEPARATED.
SO WE HAVE SEVERAL CASES WHERE WE'RE INVOLVED AND WE RELATE WITH THEM ALL THE TIME.
SO I TALK WITH THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS ON OUR CASES.
THIS MOTION IS COUNSEL RELATED BUSINESS THAT I JUST, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS MOTION IS.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IT DOESN'T PRECLUDE US FROM CONTACTING US ON REGULAR COUNTY BUSINESS WHERE WE HAVE INTERACTIONS WITH THEM.
AND THIS IS JUST RELATED TO WHERE YOU FEEL THE NEED FOR THE OUTSIDE LEGAL ADVICE, RIGHT.
UH, GENERATED BY COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE CHAIR TO WHERE IT'S REPRESENTING SOLELY COUNSEL.
THAT'S WHAT I NEED TO MAKE CLEAR.
I DIDN'T WANT ANY OBSTACLES IN THE REPRESENTATION THAT WE SEEK.
I GUESS FIVE MINUTES PASSED FROM THE END OF THAT MEETING TO THAT MOTION THOUGH.
SO I'M, I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THAT CONVERSATION FROM US LEAVING THAT ROOM TO COMING HERE WHERE IT EVEN HAPPENED.
THIS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM OF WHY I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST YOU OR MR. MOORE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM WE EVEN ARE GETTING A COUNCIL IS BECAUSE THAT CONVERSATION HAPPENED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF LEAVING THAT ROOM TO EVEN IT BE
[02:00:01]
A TOPIC AND A RECOMMENDATION TO SUGGEST IT.SO FROM US ENDING THAT LAST MEETING TO US TAKING A FIVE MINUTE RECESS, A CONVERSATION HAPPENED WHERE THAT COULD BE AN OPTION THAT WE SHOULD PUT THAT LANGUAGE IN THERE.
I THINK WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND VOTE.
I LIKE TO CHAIRMAN CHAIRWOMAN QUESTION PLEASE.
I MEAN, IF WE'RE JUST CALLING THE, THE VOTE, 'CAUSE WE DON'T WANNA AIR DIRTY LAUNDRY.
I, I I WILL VOTE NO THEN, BUT THERE'S NO DIRTY LAUNDRY.
I I I DO NOT APPRECIATE THAT REMARK AT ALL.
I DON'T MEAN A DISRESPECTFUL WAY, BUT SOMETHING CLEARLY HAPPENED FROM LEAVING THAT ROOM TO NOW A CONVERSATION WHERE THE REST OF US WERE IN THERE HAVING A CONVERSATION ALL 11 OF US.
BUT THEN SOME SOMEBODY ELSE HAD A CONVERSATION TO BRING IT UP ON THE AGENDA.
IF NOBODY WAS PAYING ATTENTION TO THAT, IT WOULD'VE BEEN PUT RIGHT INTO THE MOTION.
THE, THE LANGUAGE IS NOT IN THE LANGUAGE IS CLEAR.
JOE'S MOTION MAKES IT CLEAR THAT DEALING WITH THE CHAIR END OF STORY.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BUT THAT'S NOT THE MOTION.
THE MOTION IS WHAT WAS READ BY COUNCILMAN PASSMAN.
DO WE NEED A ROAD? WE CAN HAVE ONE DOWN TO THE ONE MORE POINT OF DISCUSSION.
I GIVE COUNCILMAN CUNNINGHAM COURAGE AND CREDIT FOR BRINGING THIS UP.
I DON'T KNOW OF ANYBODY THAT WAS TALKED TO ABOUT WHATEVER THAT LANGUAGE WAS THAT IN, I THINK THIS IS A PERFECT PLACE TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND NOBODY SHOULD BE OFFENDED BY IT.
WHAT WE SHOULD BE OFFENDED BY IS HOW IT HAPPENED AND WHY DO WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
WE ALL TALK ABOUT GETTING A BETTER REPUTATION AND WITHIN MINUTES WE, WE GOT TWO PEOPLE KNOWING SOMETHING THAT'S GONNA GO INTO EMOTION ON THIS LEVEL.
I, I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW, IT'S SHOCKING TO ME.
I WAS NOT IN THAT, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.
IT WAS NOT IN THE MOTION WHEN WE TALKED IN THERE.
I THINK IT WAS MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT MR. HALBERT TALKED ABOUT AND HE HAS NOW CLEARED IT UP.
HE IS NOT GONNA BE INVOLVED IN COUNTY COUNCIL INTERACTIONS WITH THAT FIRM.
I THINK IT WAS MISUNDERSTOOD AND SO, BUT I, I DON'T KNOW.
WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IT IN THERE IS RIGHT.
I, WHEN THEY CAME OUT AND THEY ANNOUNCED THAT THERE'S GONNA BE A VOTE ON THE COUNCIL, I ASKED THE CLERK OF COUNCIL WHO THE FIRM WAS AND THEY SAID THAT AND THEN SHE SAID THAT, UH, THERE WAS, UH, A CAVEAT THAT ONLY THE CHAIR WOULD HAVE THE COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE FIRM.
AND THAT'S WHEN I SAYS ALRIGHT TO THE CHAIR THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF BUSINESS WITH THE, UM, LAW FIRM.
THERE'S TIMES WHERE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE ADMINISTRATOR NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY DO OUR REAL ESTATE, OUR TAX SALE LAW, UH, INSURANCE DEFENSE, THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO THERE SHOULD BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION AS FAR AS WE NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THEM AND DO YOU REALLY WANT EVERYTHING TO GO THROUGH THE CHAIR EVERY TIME WE GET A REAL ESTATE DEAL OR A TAX SALE OR A ISSUE WITH THE TREASURE RELATED TO THE TAX SALE OR FORECLOSURE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? I COULDN'T IMAGINE THAT WAS THE CASE.
THAT'S WHY I RAISED IT WITH THE CHAIR AS FAR AS TO CONSIDER THAT I'M GONNA READ THIS PART OF THIS.
WE DID TALK IN THERE ABOUT THE ADVANCED WAIVER OF CONFLICTS.
THIS, THIS WOULD BE COUNCIL BUSINESS WITH OUR ATTORNEYS.
IF YOU HAVE BUSINESS WITH ZONING OR WHATEVER ELSE, YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO DO WHATEVER.
THAT'S WHY I NEED TO MAKE CLEAR THAT'S OUTSIDE THE PURVIEW OF THIS, UM, LETTER OF ENGAGEMENT, WHATEVER.
THAT WAS THE SOLE REASON FOR MY COMMUNICATION WITH THE CHAIR BEFORE YOU TOOK THAT VOTE.
I DIDN'T MEAN IN A DISRESPECTFUL WAY TOWARDS YOU.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT'S THE WAY THIS CONVERSATION SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED IS RIGHT HERE AFTER I GOT PUT ON.
THAT'S WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE HAD THAT CONVERSATION OPENLY IN FRONT OF EVERYONE.
SO THAT'S WHY I SAY I, I APPRECIATE THE WORD DIRTY LAUNDRY.
APPRECIATE, I APOLOGIZE, BUT APPRECIATE I APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS.
CAN WE GO AHEAD AND VOTE IF WELL GO AHEAD? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO SAY? NO, MA'AM.
DO WE NEED A ROLL CALL? VOTE NO.
ALL IN FAVOR BY SIGN OF HANDS.
[02:05:03]
THANKS FOR WATCHING BC TV.THIS IS LARRY ROWLAND AND THIS IS A BEAUFORT COUNTY MOMENT.
ONE OF THE EXCITING ASPECTS OF CO COLON, THE COLONIAL SEA ISLANDS WAS THE ARRIVAL OF NUMEROUS FREEBOOTERS AND PIRATES IN THIS AREA.
THE PIRACY IN THE CARIBBEAN WAS ESSENTIALLY ENDED IN 1713 WITH THE TREATY BETWEEN SPAIN AND ENGLAND, BUT THE PIRATES WHO, UH, HAD INFESTED THE SPANISH MAINE FOR A HUNDRED YEARS MOVED NORTH.
MANY MOVED INTO THE BAHAMAS, MANY MOVED INTO THE SEA ISLANDS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST AND INTO THE OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THIS AREA.
THE COMMON PIRATE HANGOUT WAS THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH WAS LESS POPULATED AND LESS DEFENDED THAN EITHER THE SEA ISLANDS OR THE NORTH COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
SO IN 1719, SOUTH CAROLINA SENT A FLEE TO NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH CAPTURED STEED BONNET, AND SANK HIS VESSEL, DROVE BLACKBEARD NORTH INTO BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA, WHERE VIRGINIANS CAPTURED HIS VESSEL AND KILLED BLACKBEARD.
AND HIS VESSEL, QUEEN ANNE'S REVENGE IS BEING ARCHEOLOGICALLY RECOVERED OFF OF BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA AS WE SPEAK, UH, SOUTH OF CHARLESTON.
THIS PLACE BECAME A VERY ACTIVE CENTER FOR A PRIVATEER WAR IN THE 1730S AND 1740S.
IT WAS ESSENTIALLY A CONTEST BETWEEN THE SPANISH AND ST.
AUGUSTINE AND THE ENGLISH IN CHARLESTON.
DURING THE 1740S, SPANISH PRIVATEERS INFESTED THIS COAST AND VIRTUALLY STOPPED THE MARITIME TRADE FROM PORT ROYAL NEAR BEAUFORT AND FROM CHARLESTON, HARVARD.
THE MOST NOTABLE OF THOSE SPANISH PRIVATEERS WAS FRANCISCO LORENZO.
HE CAPTURED MANY SOUTH CAROLINIANS IN HIS VOYAGES, CAPTURED 56 ENGLISH VESSELS OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE SINGLE YEAR OF 1741.
BUT ALL OF HIS PRISONERS, HE TREATED WELL WHEN HE WAS FINALLY CAPTURED BY SOUTH CAROLINA NAVAL FORCES IN LATE 1741.
HE WAS TAKEN TO CHARLESTON AND THE POPULATION ASSEMBLED AND CHEERED HIM WHEN HE CAME ASHORE BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN SUCH AN HONORABLE PIRATE.
IF THERE IS SUCH A THING, OTHER PIRATES, FRENCH AND SPANISH CONTINUED TO INVEST THE COAST FROM 1742 TO 1744, AND THEN AGAIN FROM 1748 TO 1751.
THE LAST SPANISH PIRATE, DON JULIAN VEGA, UH, WAS HERE AS LATE AS 1760, AND HE WAS CAPTURED BY SPANISH GUARD OF COASTUS, NOT ENGLISH COAST GUARDS.
DURING THAT TIME, THE IANS AND THE CHARLESTONIANS BUILT TWO INLAND GALLEYS ROAD GALLEYS WITH HEAVY GUNS THAT COULD PROTECT THE INLAND WATERS FROM THE SPANISH AND FRENCH FREE BOOMERS.
BUT BETWEEN 1739, WHICH IS THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR OF JENKINS EAR AND 1763, WHICH IS THE TREATY OF PARIS THAT ENDED THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, THIS WAS AN ACTIVE AREA FOR PRIVATEERS AND PIRATES AND THEIR COUNTER FORCES, THE GALLEYS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA.
THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUFORT COUNTY MOMENT.
TO SEE MORE BEAUFORT COUNTY MOMENTS GO TO THE BEAUFORT COUNTY LIBRARY HOMEPAGE AND CLICK ON THE LOCAL HISTORY TAB.