[00:00:01]
RIGHT.[1. CALL TO ORDER]
I'D LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER FOR COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 22ND, 2026.UH, PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
AND BEFORE THE INVOCATION, I HAVE SOMETHING TO READ.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE LAW.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO SAY IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT WE SHARE THE TRAGIC PASSING OF A BEAUFORT COUNTY EMPLOYEE DONALD KELLY.
THIS MORNING, DONALD SERVED AS AN EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, THREE WITH THE STORMWATER DEPARTMENT, AND WAS APPROACHING HIS FOURTH YEAR OF SERVICE WITH BEAUFORT COUNTY.
THROUGHOUT HIS TIME WITH PUBLIC WORKS, DONALD WAS A DEDICATED EMPLOYEE WHO TOOK PRIDE IN HIS WORK.
DONALD WAS KNOWN FOR ALWAYS ARRIVING WITH A SMILE AND A POSITIVE ATTITUDE READY TO TAKE ON WHATEVER CHALLENGES THE DAY MAY BRING.
HIS WILLINGNESS TO WORK HARD, SUPPORT HIS COWORKERS AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ALL WHO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING ALONGSIDE HIM.
WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR DONALD'S SERVICE AND THE IMPACT HE MADE DURING HIS TIME WITH THE COUNTY.
HIS PRESENCE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED.
LETS PLEASE HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
AND NOW TOM RES WILL DO THE INVOCATION.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT, AND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WILL BE ADDED TO MR. KELLY'S FAMILY AS WELL.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS.
GRANT US WISDOM FROM ABOVE, HUMILITY AND OUR DELIBERATIONS AND COURAGE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, GUIDE OUR MINDS AND HEARTS, TO SERVE FAITHFULLY AND WALK HUMBLY WITH YOU.
BLESS THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY.
AND THOSE GATHERED HERE THAT OUR WORK MAY PRO, UH, PROMOTE PEACE AND THE COMMON GOOD.
ALRIGHT, MS. BROCK, WAS THIS MEETING ADVERTISED IN COMPLIANCE WITH FOIA? YES, MA'AM.
[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
A MOTION, UM, FOR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.I SECOND MY COUNCILMAN LAWSON.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE.
THE AGENDA IS APPROVED AS PUBLISHED.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ]
MINUTES FROM THE COUNTY COUNCIL WORKSHOP, CAUCUS AND COUNCIL MEETING ON JUNE 8TH TO HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE MINUTES.COUNCILMAN PASS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN BROWN.
AND THOSE MINUTES ARE APPROVED.
AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE ADMINISTRATOR'S
[6. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT ]
REPORT AND WE HAVE A DIFFERENT FACE FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT.AND WE HAVE FOUR, UM, EMPLOYEES WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE.
UM, THE FIRST BEING BETH CODY IS BETH HERE.
UM, BETH'S OUR FISCAL OPERATIONS MANAGER WITH DSN AND HAS BEEN, UM, WITH US FOR 15 YEARS.
SO BETH HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT AND POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF SERVICES FOR DSN AND THE COUNTY.
UM, YOU'RE EX, YOU'RE EX, UM, EXCEPTIONALLY BRIGHT, ENERGETIC, AND TAKES YOUR JOB VERY SERIOUSLY, AND WE'RE SO, SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
WE HAVE A WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? I JUST WANTED TO THANK ALL OF YOU AND, UH, ALL OF THE ACAS AND THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE SUPPORT Y'ALL PROVIDE TO THE DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS DEPARTMENT AND THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SERVE.
NEXT WE HAVE LIEUTENANT DANNY ALLEN, DANNY HERE.
UM, HE'S WITH THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
UH, BORN AND RAISED IN BEAUFORT, LADIES ISLAND AND SON OF EDWARD ALLEN, FORMER BEAUFORT COUNTY, EMS DIRECTOR AND THREE TERM CORONER.
DANNY STARTED WORKING FOR THE COUNTY AS A LIFEGUARD IN HIGH SCHOOL AND CONTINUED THROUGH COLLEGE AND AFTER COLLEGE HE JOINED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AS A PATROL DEPUTY.
UH, LIEUTENANT ALLEN CURRENTLY SERVES A REPUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BUT SERVED IN MULTIPLE AREAS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO INCLUDE EIGHT YEARS AS A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, AND WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE 2012 SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OF THE YEAR FOR BOTH LOW COUNTRY AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
[00:05:01]
I'M SORRY, THERE'S MORE.UM, YOU ARE SO ACCOMPLISHED IN 2020, HE ALSO RECEIVED AN AWARD FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF PREVENTION PROFESSIONALS AND ADVOCATES, AND RECEIVED THE WILLIAM J MCCORD PREVENTION ADVOCACY AWARD.
THIS RECOGNITION WAS BECAUSE OF HIS WORK IN BEAUFORT COMMUNITY AND WAS NOMINATED BY NEXUS CARE OF BEAUFORT COUNTY.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? UM, JUST, UH, WE APPRECIATE ON, ON BEHALF OF OTHER DEPUTIES AND OTHER FOLKS THAT WORK FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND FOR OUR COUNTY.
IT, IT'S, IT'S NICE TO BE RECOGNIZED, UM, AFTER, UH, GIVING YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICE.
WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS TONIGHT? UH, THEY'RE ON THE WAY TO DC HAD A DEFINITE FAMILY.
I GOT, I HAVE MY, MY SON DRIVING THEM, SO.
NEXT WE HAVE CAROLYN WALLACE, PROJECT AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR AND PLANNING AND ZONING.
CAROLYN HAS BEEN HERE FOR 25 YEARS AND SHE'S SERVED HER 20 YEARS AS THE STORMWATER BUSINESS MANAGER.
AND DURING HER TENURE, SHE WAS INTERIM STORMWATER MANAGER FOR 14 MONTHS AND LED THE 10 YEAR AUDIT FOR THE ENTERPRISE FUND.
SHE EARNED HER CERTIFICATION AS A GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICER IN 2019 AND SERVED ON THE CERTIFICATION COMMITTEE FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.
SHE'S NOW A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT, WHERE SHE BRINGS A VALUABLE ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS AND INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE ALONG WITH A STRONG WILLINGNESS, UM, TO LEARN NEW SKILLS.
EVEN A RETIREE CAME BACK FOR THIS ONE.
SHE WAS IN A, OH, THEY'RE CUTE.
SAY SOMETHING IF YOU DON'T MIND.
AND, AND TO ALL THE COUNTY COUNCILMEN.
I REALLY, UM, APPRECIATE THIS.
THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR LONGEVITY.
UM, THAT IS A GREAT, UM, TOUCH FROM THE COUNTY AND I APPRECIATE IT.
I, THIS IS A TREMENDOUS MILESTONE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY KNOWS THAT, SO THEY'VE COME OUT TO SUPPORT ME, SO I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THAT IF THEY WOULD, MY CHILDREN, IF THEY'LL RAISE THEIR HANDS.
UM, AND MY DEAR FRIENDS, UM, ARE HERE.
AND MY, I HOPE MY SISTER-IN-LAW RAISE THEIR HAND WHEN I SAID SIBLINGS, SO I APPRECIATE ALL OF THEM AND I APPRECIATE YOU.
UM, CAROLYN HAS BEEN ONE OF MY, UM, FAVORITE EMPLOYEE AND I THINK IT'S AN HONOR, UM, TO SEE HER HERE TODAY WITH HER FAMILY.
I GUESS EVERYBODY ON VILLE IS HERE TONIGHT, UH,
BUT, UM, IT, IT IS A SPECIAL PERSON TO EVEN GET PATTY WILSON TO COME OUT, SO.
THAT I, I CONCUR WITH WHAT YOU SAID.
SHE'S VERY SPECIAL AND SHE'S GOT OUR STORM WATER REVENUE FUND STARTED.
AND LAST WE HAVE MASTER SERGEANT MICHAEL STE MEYER, UM, OF BUFORT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
UM, MASTER SERGEANT STE MEYER BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH BUFORT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN APRIL 8TH, 1989.
AND AFTER LEAVING IN 95, HE RETURNED IN 96, UM, AND HAS CONTINUED SERVING THE CITIZENS OF BUFORT COUNTY EVER SINCE.
THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE HAS WORKED IN BOTH THE NORTH AND SOUTH PATROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISIONS AND HAS SERVED AS A MOTORCYCLE OFFICER SINCE 2001.
FROM 2012 TO, FROM 2002 TO 12, HE WORKED WITH AND SUPERVISED THE SPARE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, JOINT ENFORCEMENT TRAFFIC TEAM.
AND FROM 2012 TO 15, HE SUPERVISED THE HILTON HEAD AIRPORT SECURITY ASSIGNED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION IN 2015.
HE CONTINUES TO SERVE IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE AND WAS PROMOTED TO MASTER SERGEANT IN 2022.
WITH MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE, HE HAS DEMONSTRATED A LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE TO THE BEFOR COUNTY COMMUNITY.
SO, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU.
[00:10:04]
A PICTURE? YES.YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? UH, I THANK EVERYBODY ON THE BOARD OR THE COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY MY WIFE.
'CAUSE SHE PUT UP WITH ME FOR OVER 38 YEARS.
AND ALL THE DEPUTIES I'VE WORKED WITH, THEY'RE STILL HERE AND WORKING.
IS THAT, IS THAT ALL WE HAVE? YEAH.
NEXT ON OUR AGENDA, WE HAVE SOME
[7. PROCLAMATION]
PROCLAMATIONS AND THE FIRST ONE WILL BE, WILL BE RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS CHAPTER 12.AND IF THEY'LL COME FORWARD, I, I SEE THAT THERE'S A CROWD AND MR. AND COUNCILMAN JOE PASSIT WILL BE READING THAT.
WHEREAS 75 YEARS AGO, ON JULY 1ST, 1951, A SMALL GROUP OF JUST 45 DEDICATED VETERANS CAME TOGETHER WITH A SHARED MISSION TO SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE FOR THOSE WHO SERVED OUR NATION AS DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, CHAPTER 12, BEAUFORD SOUTH CAROLINA.
AND WHEREAS THROUGH STEADFAST COMMITMENT, COMPASSION, AND SERVICE, THE ORGANIZATION HAS GROWN FROM ORIGINAL 45 MEMBERS TO MORE THAN 1700 CHAPTER MEMBERS DEDICATED TO SERVING VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS FOR 75 YEARS, THE MEMBERS OF DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS CHAPTER 12 HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO ENSURE VETERANS RECEIVE THE BENEFITS CARE, DIGNITY AND RESPECT THEY HAVE EARNED THROUGH HONORABLE MILITARY SERVICE.
AND WHEREAS THE ORGANIZATION HAS MADE A LASTING IMPACT THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM, TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS, ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND COUNTLESS HOURS OF SERVICE TO THEIR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
AND WHEREAS THE CONTINUED GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF THE CHAPTER REFLECTS THE STRENGTH, DEDICATION, AND PATRIOTISM OF ITS MEMBERS AND TRUST PLACED IN THE ORGANIZATION BY THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES.
AND WHEREAS THIS 75TH ANNIVERSARY IS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE, HONORING DECADES OF LEADERSHIP SACRIFICE AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING LIVES OF THE VETERANS WHILE STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT EUFOR COUNTY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE MEMBERS OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS CHAPTER 12, ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 75TH ANNIVERSARY ON JULY THE FIRST 2026, AND EXTENDS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR 75 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY, AND FURTHER COMMEND THE ORGANIZATION'S REMARKABLE GROWTH FROM 45 FOUNDING MEMBERS TO MORE THAN 1700 MEMBERS, A TESTAMENT TO ITS ENDURING MISSION, UNWAVERING DEDICATION, AND LASTING POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF VETERANS AND CITIZENS ALIKE.
DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF JUNE AND SIGNED BY ALICE HOWARD BUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL CHAIR.
ON BEHALF OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE DISABLED AMERICANS, CHAPTER 12, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
WE CONSIDERED AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE OUR FEDERAL VETERANS.
WE FELT WHEN WE LEFT THE SERVICE, WE STILL HAVE A DUTY TO SERVE OUR FEDERAL VETERANS.
SO WE HELP VETERANS APPLY FOR THE VA DISABILITY CLAIMS, WE HELP TRANSPORT THEM TO THEIR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND PART, PARTICIPATE IN BEAUFORD NATIONAL CEMETERY ACTIVITIES, AND WE ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEMORIAL AND VETERANS DAY PARADE, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
SO, AGAIN, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION AND WE HOPEFULLY TO CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR VETERANS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, NEXT, THIS WILL BE PRESENTED BY COUNCILMAN GERALD DAWSON.
RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF LOVE HOUSE MIN MINISTRIES.
[00:15:26]
PASTOR ROBERTS, UH, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO YOU FOR THE 25 YEARS THAT YOU'VE ACTUALLY PROVIDED FAITH, FAITH, UH, SERVICES TO THE, UH, CITIZENS OF BEAUFORD COUNTY.THE PROCLAMATION READS AS FOLLOWS, WHEREAS LO HOUSE MINISTRY HAS FAITHFULLY SERVED THE CITIZENS OF BEAUFORT COUNTY FOR 25 YEARS THROUGH FAITH-BASED OUTREACH, EDUCATION, COMMUNITY SERVICE.
AND WHEREAS THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY, LO HOUSE MINISTRY HAS PARTNERED WITH BEAUFORT COUNTY TO SERVE AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES THROUGH FAITH-BASED BASED OUTREACH, EDUCATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
WHEREAS THE MINISTRY HAS PROVIDED MEANINGFUL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE $1 A DAY LEARNING ACADEMY, LOVE HOUSE LEARNING ACADEMY, SUMMER CAMP, LOVE HOUSE COMMUNITY BOWLING CENTER, AND NUMEROUS OTHER INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO SUPPORT CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND LIFE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
AND WHERE'S THE MINISTRY HAS DEDICATED ITSELF TO PROMOTING RACIAL RECONCILIATION, SUPPORTING HEALTHY MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES, AND PROVIDING HOPE, ENCOURAGEMENT, SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE TO THOSE FACING HARDSHIP ANNIVERSARIES.
WHEREAS ON JUNE 21ST, 2026 MARKS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF LOVE HOUSE MINISTRY PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE ITS ENDURING CONTRIBUTION, CONTRIBUTIONS, AND SPIRITUAL AND SOCIAL WELLBEING TO BEAUFORT COUNTY COMMUNITY.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT BEAUFORD COUNTY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY CONGRATULATE LOVE HOUSE MINISTRIES ON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY AND EXPRESS ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR THE MINISTRY'S DEDICATED SERVICES AND POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE CITIZEN OF BEAUFORD COUNTY.
DATED THE 22ND DAY OF JUNE 26TH, SIGNED BY ALICE HOWARD, CHAIR OF BE COUNTY COUNCIL.
FIRST, GIVEN HONOR TO GOD, I WANT TO GIVE HIM ALL THE GLORY FOR BEING HIS SERVANT.
AND THEN I ACCEPT THIS ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE LOVE HOUSE MINISTRY.
25 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO DO GOD'S WORK IN KINGDOM BUILDING AND SERVING THIS COMMUNITY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING MANY OTHER ENDEAVORS WITH THE COMMUNITY IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
UM, WE HAVE ONE MORE PROCLAMATION.
THIS THIS WILL BE PRESENTED BY COUNCILWOMAN PAULA BROWN.
THIS IS FOR SALLY ANN ROBERTSON.
SALLY ANN ROBERTSON HAS BEEN A FRIEND OF MINE FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
SHE'S JUST A GEM, BUT SHE'S HERE TODAY BECAUSE SHE GOT THE JAMES BEARD AWARD.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT IS, IT'S LIKE THE ACADEMY AWARD OR BEST ACTRESS OR BEST PICTURE.
SO I'M GONNA READ THE PROCLAMATIONS FOR YOUR COOKBOOKS.
WHEREAS SALLY ANN ROBINSON IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CHEF, AUTHOR, EDUCATE, EDUCATOR, AND ADVOCATE OF FOR THE PRESERVATION OF GULLAH CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA LOW COUNTRY.
AND WHEREAS THROUGH HER COOKBOOKS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH, MS. ROBINSON HAS DEDICATED HER LIFE TO PRESERVING AND SHARING THE RICH CULTURE, HERITAGE, HISTORY, AND TRADITIONS OF GULLAH PEOPLE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
AND WHEREAS HER WORK HAS BROUGHT NATIONAL ATTENTION TO THE UNIQUE CULTURE CON CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND HAS SERVED AS AN INSPIRATION TO COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO PRESERVE AND CELEBRATE THEIR HERITAGE.
AND WHEREAS IN 2026, MS. ROBINSON WAS INDUCTED INTO THE W THE BOOK AWARDS HALL OF FAME BY THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION, ONE OF THE NATION'S
[00:20:01]
MOST PRESTIGIOUS CULINARY ORGANIZATIONS IN RECOGNITION OF HER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO FOOD, LITERATURE AND LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING GULLAH FOOD WAYS AND CULTURE.AND WHEREAS THIS DISTINGUISH DISTINGUISHED HONOR REFLECTS NOT ONLY MS. ROBINSON'S PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS, BUT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BUFORT COUNTY'S GULLAH HERITAGE AND ITS ENDURING IMPACT ON AN AMERICAN CULTURE AND CUISINE.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZES, HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND CONGRATULATE SALLY ANN ROBINSON ON HER INDUCTION INTO THE 2026 JAMES BEER FOUNDATION BOOK AWARDS HALL OF FAME.
THAT'S A MOUTHFUL AND EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR HER EXTRAORDINARY CON CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PRESERVATION OF GULLAH CULTURE, HISTORY AND GULLAH TRADITIONS DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF JUNE, 2026.
SIGNED BY ALICE HOWARD, CHAIR BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL.
AND THERE'S GONNA BE A FUNDRAISER AUGUST 18TH AT OKANE RESTAURANT.
YEAH, I'M SPEECHLESS AND I LOVE TO TALK.
UM, IT'S AN HONOR REPRESENTING SOUTH CAROLINA, DUSKY ISLAND.
WE CALL DUSKY OUR LITTLE ISLAND OF MOTHERLAND.
WE CALL ON THIS SIDE AMERICA
UM, BORN AND RAISED SIXTH GENERATION.
I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH HOW I WAS TAUGHT ABOUT FOOD, HOW TO STAND TALL, HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE AS YOU WANNA BE TREATED.
AND MOST OF ALL, I AM THIS FIRST AND SIXTH GENERATION TO HAVE EVER WRITTEN A BOOK FROM THAT ISLAND.
SO I AM MORE THAN PROUD AND HONORED FOR THOSE GONE AND
THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
AT THIS TIME WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.
[8. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - 30 MINUTES TOTAL ]
THE FIRST PERSON ON THE LIST IS JENNIFER BERRO.BUT I'D LIKE TO READ A REMINDER ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE WE START.
EVERY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO IS RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK SHALL LIMIT COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES AND OBSERVE A FILING PROTOCOL, ADDRESS THE CHAIRMAN.
AND IN SPEAKING, AVOID DISRESPECT TO COUNCIL AND ANY PERSONALITIES.
CONFINE YOURSELF TO QUESTIONS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNCIL.
BE MINDFUL AND RESPECTFUL OF THOSE WHO ARE PRESENT AND OTHERS WHO MAY BE WATCHING ON TELEVISION.
I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE DO NOT RESPOND TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
AND THE FIRST ONE IS JENNIFER BERRO.
UM, I'M SPEAKING TODAY ON BEHALF OF SOME CONCERN PALMETTO BLUFF, RESIDENTS REGARDING THE NEW RIVER FOREST.
UM, POTENTIAL FUNDING, UM, LET ME BE CLEAR, WE DO NOT OPPOSE CONSERVATION.
HOWEVER, WE EXTERNALLY OPPOSE RUSHING TO SPEND $42 MILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY BASED ON AN APPRAISAL THAT APPEARS FUNDAMENTALLY INCOMPLETE.
THE GREEN SPACE COMMITTEE PLANS TO SPEND THESE FUNDS TO PRESERVE THE LAND, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT OVER 5,600 ACRES OF THE PROPERTY ARE ALREADY RESTRICTED FROM DEVELOPMENT BY A PERPETUAL COVENANT.
THIS PAST FEBRUARY, THE SELLER PIONEER WAS EVEN A PARTY TO THIS, THIS AGREEMENT, AS WELL AS THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON.
IT APPEARS THE CURRENT APPRAISALS COMPLETELY IGNORE THIS RESTRICTED COVENANT, THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY, AS IF IT WERE AN INVESTMENT FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH ARTIFICIALLY INFLATES THE PRICE TAG.
FURTHERMORE, THE SALES DATA USED TO JUSTIFY THIS PRICE DOES NOT SUPPORT IT AT AN ESTIMATED $11,000, $800 PER USABLE UPLAND ACRE PIONEERS PRICED NEARLY IDENTICALLY TO THE CHELSEA PROPERTY IN JASPER COUNTY.
BUT CHELSEA SOLD WITH APPROVED PLANS FOR NEARLY A THOUSAND HOMES AND EXTENSIVE COMMERCIAL SPACE.
GREGORY NECK SOLD FOR LESS PER ACRE AND FEATURED 13 MILES OF DEEP WATER ACCESS.
IN STARK CONTRAST PIONEERS, ROUGHLY 73% RET WETLANDS LACKS COMPARABLE WATERFRONT ACCESS AND IS PERMANENT PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED FROM DEVELOPMENT.
WHY ARE TAXPAYERS PAYING FOR A DEVELOPERS PER PREMIUM? FOR UNDEVELOPED UNDEVELOPABLE LAND? CRITICAL DUE
[00:25:01]
DILIGENCE IS ALSO MISSING.THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO RELEASE THE WETLAND DE DELINEATION STUDY, INVESTIGATE THE EXISTING REVENUE STREAMS LIKE CAR CARBON SEQUENCE SEQUESTRATION, AND CONFIRM THE $20 MILLION SOUTH CAROLINA FORESTRY COMMISSION REIMBURSEMENT, THAT IF IT WILL ACTUALLY MATERIALIZE.
BECAUSE THIS LAND IS ALREADY RESTRICTED, THERE IS NO DEVELOPMENT CLOCK.
UM, WE WOULD ASK YOU TO DELAY THE, THE VOTE COMMISSION, A NEW INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL, UM, THAT TAKES INTO THE FACT OF THESE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS AND MAKE ALL DUE DILIGENCE PUBLIC.
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO BEFORE ACTING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
UH, NEXT IS, UM, MS. ANN UBAIS THE SIGN? YES, WE SEE IT.
MY NAME IS ANNUS AND I'M HERE TO REMIND YOU WHAT WE STAND FOR IN AMERICA.
250 YEARS AGO, AN AMAZING CONCEPT MERGED HERE ON THIS LAND FOR A NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
OUR FOUNDERS AND FELLOW COLONISTS EMBRACED THE IDEAL WITH OPEN ARMS THAT THE MONARCHY USURPED THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE.
TOMORROW IS PRIMARY DAY TODAY.
I STAND BEFORE YOU, BEFORE YOU, AS I HAVE DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE.
YOU PRESENTED IN THIS CHAMBER A 2026 TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX A LITTLE OVER 30 DAYS AGO.
YOU RUSHED THROUGH THE PUBLIC MEETINGS WITH FEW DETAILS ON THIS TAX.
YOU HELD TWO OF THE MANDATED READINGS, AND THE THIRD IS TODAY.
AND YOU WILL BE PLACING THE TO VOTE ON TONIGHT, ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.
EXACTLY 30 DAYS FROM THE FIRST READING.
THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR A FRACTION OF THE PUBLIC TO BE FULLY INFORMED.
WE ASKED FOR THE FULL REFERENDUM TO BE MADE PUBLIC AND AVAILABLE.
INSTEAD, YOU HIRE AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO EDUCATE US.
I VISITED THE PENNY TAX SALES SITE TODAY.
AND COMPARED TO THE ACTUAL REFERENDUM ON THIS AGENDA, THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.
WE ASKED YOU COMPLETE THE 2018 PROJECTS, WHICH ONLY TWO ARE COMPLETED IN OVER EIGHT YEARS.
YOU HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THIS BLATANT DEFICIENCY AND INCLUDED THOSE PROJECTS WE ALREADY HAVE.
YOU'VE PLACED THEM IN THE NEW TAX.
WE ASK THAT YOU EMULATE WHAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DID TWICE AND PROPOSE A SALE OF BONDS IN LIEU OF ATTACKS.
THE SALE OF THESE BONDS COMPLETELY COVERED THEIR PROJECTS WITHOUT A NEW SALES TAX ON OUR ALREADY BURDENED FAMILY.
BUT IT'S REALLY JUST A SALES, A PENNY TAX, YOU SAY.
IT'S 1% OF ALL TAXABLE GOODS AND SERVICES ACROSS THE BOARD.
THE TOURIST WILL PAY THE VAST MAJORITY.
IN 2021, THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON DID A SURVEY.
SLIGHTLY OVER 28% OF THE TAXES COLLECTED WAS FROM TOURISM.
IN 2023, THEY DID SUBJECT AGAIN.
WE ASK THAT YOU HIRE A QUALIFIED CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TEAM.
THEY WILL SUPERVISE THESE PROJECTS AS THEY DID WITH THE SCHOOL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT TAXES, I'M SORRY, PROJECTS.
IF YOU FOLLOW THE EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF SCHOOL CHAIR, COLONEL GUYER AND SUPERINTENDENT FRANK RODRIGUEZ IS SELLING BONDS, ONLY NOT USING OUR DOLLARS WITH THESE CHECKS AND BALANCES IN PLACE.
YOU MAY HAVE A REFERENDUM THAT PASSES AND WE CAN SUPPORT, BUT YOU WON'T.
INSTEAD, AS WE DID 250 YEARS AGO, EMBRACING LIMITED GOVERNMENT OF WE THE PEOPLE, WE WILL SAY NO TO ODIOUS TAXATION THAT WE SEE HERE.
WE WILL EMBRACE A BALLOT BOX REVOLUTION.
NEXT IS, UM, RICHARD GUESS GOOD EVENING.
I AM HERE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF LANDER AND ISLAND TANK, UH, TRAILER PARKS FOR THE GRIEVOUS AMOUNT OF RENT HIKE THAT THEY HAVE BESTOWED ON US.
THE NEW COMPANY THAT BOUGHT THE LAND OUTTA GREENVILLE, WE'VE FIGURED UP AT LEAST 90 UNITS, AND THAT'S ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS PER MONTH THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE TAKING IN AS WHERE MOST OF US ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, PAYING OFF OUR TRAILERS AND, AND JUST PAYING FOR THE LOT RENTS.
[00:30:01]
BUT NOW THEY WANT TO DOUBLE OUR RENT ALMOST TO NEARLY $700.AND A LOT OF US FIND IT QUITE HIGH.
WE'RE GOING DOUBLE THE AMOUNT TO, WE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE DON'T GET ANY BENEFITS OUT OF THEM RAISING OUR RENT, EXCEPT FOR JUST THEM.
A COMPANY OUTTA GREENVILLE COMING IN, BUYING UP BEAUFORT LAND, AND MAJORITY OF THAT MONEY IS GOING BACK TO GREENVILLE AND NOT STAYING HERE IN BEAUFORT.
WHY SHOULD WE BE PAYING SOMEBODY OUT OF GREENVILLE, THEIR MONEY WHEN MOST OF THAT MONEY SHOULD BE STAYING HERE IN BEAUFORT, THE OLD COMPANY THAT USED TO BE HERE, WE WERE PAYING OUR RENT REGULARLY ON TIME, AND NOW WE'RE PAYING SUBJECT TO THIS HIKE AND RENT.
AND WE'RE ASKING IF BEAUTIFUL COUNTY COUNCIL CAN ACTUALLY LOOK INTO WHY WE'RE BEING CHARGED.
SO GRIEVOUSLY AMOUNT, I MEAN, WE'VE ALREADY HEARD THAT ISLAND TANK HAVE HAD PEOPLE GET EVICTED BECAUSE OF THE RENT BEING SO HIGH BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MEET THE AMOUNT THAT THEY WANT.
THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING NEW TO THE ROADS IN OUR AREA.
WE HAVE POTHOLES THAT WE HAVE TO ZIGZAG AROUND.
UM, SOMETIMES I WAS HITTING OTHER PEDESTRIANS, OTHER CARS BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID THE POTHOLES.
SO ONE PERSON SAID THEY'RE JUST DOING IT TO GET ALL THE RIFF RAFS OUTTA THE TRAILER PARKS.
THERE'S NO RIFF RAFS IN OUR TRAILER PARKS.
THERE'S JUST PEOPLE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.
SOME ARE ON RETIREMENTS AND PAYING, LIVING OFF THEIR RETIREMENT CHECKS AND SOCIAL SECURITY.
THEY'RE JUST PAYING THE LOT RENT AND PAYING, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, LIVING OFF THEIR, THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY AND RETIREMENT CHECKS.
SO WE'RE JUST ASKING BEAUFORT COUNTY IF THEY CAN ACTUALLY LOOK INTO IT AND TO FIND OUT WHY.
I MEAN, WE DON'T MIND A LITTLE BIT OF A HIKE, BUT ALMOST DOUBLE THE AMOUNT THAT WE'VE BEEN PAYING IS JUST A LITTLE BIT OUTRAGEOUS FOR US.
NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS JOHN CASEY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
CHAIRMAN, WHERE IS NO, I JUST WANNA KNOW WHERE HE'S FROM.
UM, OH, HE DID, HE LET ME SAY HE DIDN'T SAY HE, UM, HE JUST IDENTIFIED AS BEAUFORT COUNTY.
I HAVE, HE DID GIVE US HIS EMAIL.
IF YOU WANT TO CONTACT, I CAN GIVE YOU THAT INFORMATION LATER.
UH, I'M ACTUALLY HERE TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR TWO RELA RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA AND TO STRONGLY SUPPORT THEM.
UH, ONE IS THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY ALONG BROAD CREEK, KNOWN AS THE BROAD CREEK MARINA.
UH, PROPERTY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO HILTON HEAD RESIDENCE.
IT'S DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO A PARCEL OF PRISTINE MARITIME FOREST ALONG BROAD CREEK.
AND IT WILL, UH, POSITIVELY IMPACT, UH, THE RESIDENTS OF HILTON HEAD.
AND, UH, THE RESIDENTS OF HILTON HEAD ARE LITERALLY STRUGGLING ACRE BY ACRE TO PRESERVE PROPERTY.
BECAUSE SO MUCH OF THE ISLAND HAS BEEN DEVELOPED, WHICH FEEDS INTO MY SECOND THANKS AND STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE, UH, ACQUISITION OF THE NEW RIVER PROPERTY.
UM, THESE, I, I, I, FRANKLY, I RESPECTFULLY BUT STRONGLY, UH, DISAGREE WITH THE OPPOSITION, UH, TO THE ACQUISITION OF THIS PROPERTY.
THERE WAS A SORT OF A YOURS, MINE, AND OURS, UM, APPRAISAL CREATED.
THE APPRAISALS ALL CAME IN MODESTLY ABOVE THE PURCHASE PRICE.
AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF AN ALICE IN WONDERLAND SORT OF OBJECTION.
THAT PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE ADVERSELY IMPACT BY THE PRESERVATION OF A LARGE PIECE OF PROPERTY FROM THE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS COMING LIKE A WILDFIRE, UH, FROM THE WEST.
UM, UH, I, I THINK THAT, UH, FRANKLY, GENERATIONALLY, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, 20 YEARS FROM NOW, 25 YEARS FROM NOW, PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT THIS AND EITHER SAY THAT THIS BODY HAD EXTREME FORESIGHT AND PRESERVED, UH, A PIECE OF PROPERTY, UH, THAT CAN'T BE REPLICATED, OR THEY WILL BE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS RUEFULLY AND WONDERING WHY IT WASN'T DONE.
AND IN CASE, UH, FOLKS CONSIDERED THIS SIMPLY TO BE, OH, GEE, I LIKE HIKING.
I LIKE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
THIS IS A DIRECT IMPACT UPON THEIR POCKETBOOKS.
THE PRESERVATION OF THIS PROPERTY DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE NEED TO REPAIR AND TO EXPAND THE ROADWAYS.
IT DIRECTLY IMPACTS, UH, THE NECESSITY FOR POTABLE WATER AND ITS AVAILABILITY.
IT DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE NEED TO
[00:35:01]
CONSTRUCT STORM WATER, SEWERS, AND FLOOD CONTROL.AND, UM, I JUST, I'M, I'M GLAD IT'S ON THE AGENDA AND I AM OUTTA TIME.
[9. PRESENTATION]
HAVE A PRESENTATION, AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, AP WA RE-ACCREDITATION, AND MR. RYAN BLANK.AND YOU'RE WITH THE STATE A-A-P-W-A.
AND DO YOU HAVE OTHER PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD FROM OUR PUBLIC WORKS? I WILL.
I'LL OKAY, I'LL BRING 'EM UP IN A FEW.
UM, SO I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION.
AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION IS OVER 30,000 MEMBERS, ALL FROM PUBLIC SERVICE, PUBLIC WORKS, THE, THE VENDORS, THE CONTRACTORS, ALL THOSE THAT SUPPORT, UH, THE PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC SERVICE INDUSTRY.
UM, I WANT TO THANK YOUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM.
UM, IN TERMS OF A PWA, YOU HAVE SEVERAL, UH, MEMBERS THAT REPRESENT A PWA ON, UH, NATIONAL COMMITTEES.
THEY ARE TREASURERS, THEY ARE COMMITTEE CHAIRS, THEY'RE BOARD MEMBERS, UM, ALL VERY ACTIVE IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHAPTER AS WELL AS NATIONALLY.
SO I JUST WANNA APPRECIATE THEM AND I'M HERE TO RECOGNIZE THEM.
NIGHT TONIGHT ON THEIR SECOND, A PWA ACCREDITATION, WHICH IS A HUGE UNDERTAKING.
UM, ACCREDITATION IS THE MARK OF PROFESSIONALISM INDICATING A PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY HAS MADE THE COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN THE DELIVERY OF PUBLIC WORKS, OPERATIONS AND SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY.
IT SERVES ACCREDITATION, RECOGNIZES AN AGENCY'S POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PRACTICES WHICH HAVE BEEN EVALUATED AGAINST NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES DETERMINED TO BE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT SPECIFIC AGENCY.
AND SO, IN A LOT OF A, SO IN TERMS OF ACCREDITED AGENCIES, THERE ARE ONLY 231 ACROSS NORTH AMERICA THAT ARE ACCREDITED.
AND IN SOUTH CAROLINA, THERE ARE ONLY NINE.
IT'S BECAUSE IT'S A LARGE UNDERTAKING, A LOT OF STAFF TIME.
YOU HAVE TO BASICALLY DOCUMENT EVERY POLICY AND PROCEDURE YOU HAVE AND CHECK THAT AGAINST NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED POLICIES.
AND THEN THAT, UH, BUILDS TRUST IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
YOU'RE SAYING WHAT YOU'RE DOING, WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS THE RIGHT THING, ALL THOSE THINGS.
SO IN TERMS OF BECOMING ACCREDITED, A TEAM OF EVALUATORS CONSISTING OF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS EVALUATED YOUR TEAM.
UM, THEY CHECKED AGAINST 92 PRACTICES TO CONFIRM THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS COMPLYING WITH ALL OF THOSE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, UH, APPLICABLE TO, UM, THIS ACCREDITATION PROCESS.
AND SO I'M PROUD TO REPORT THAT THE DEPARTMENT ACHIEVED A HUNDRED PERCENT IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ALL THOSE APPLICABLE PRACTICES.
UM, FOLLOWING THE EVALUATION TEAM'S RECOMMENDATION, THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR A PWA AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL HAS GRANTED FULL ACCREDITATION TO THE BEAUFORT COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS A PWA NATIONAL'S PRESIDENT VIC BNIS.
HE COULDN'T MAKE IT IN PERSON.
I'M HERE ON HIS BEHALF, UH, BUT HE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE YOUR TEAM IN THIS VIDEO.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU.
MY NAME IS VIC PANOS, YOUR A PWA NATIONAL PRESIDENT.
WE HAVE A MEMBERSHIP OF APPROXIMATELY 31,000.
REPRESENTING A WORKFORCE OF 500,000 IS A TRUE HONOR TO JOIN YOU IN, RECOGNIZE AN EXCEPTIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT BY BEAUFORT COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE PUBLIC WORKS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ROADS AND MAINTENANCE, DRAINAGE GROUNDS, STORM WATER, SOLID WASTE, RECYCLING, AND WATER RECREATION.
TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE SUCCESSFUL ACCREDITATION BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION FOR A LEADER IN STEWARDSHIP, A LEADER IN PUBLIC WORKS.
THE A PWA ACCREDITATION PROGRAM IS A RIGOROUS PROCESS THAT RECOGNIZES PUBLIC WORKS AGENCIES THAT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND IN THEIR OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT.
IT CONFIRMS THAT THE COUNTY NOT ONLY MEETS, BUT EXCEEDS NATIONAL RECOGNIZED PUBLIC WORK'S BEST PRACTICES.
IT DEMONSTRATES A COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC YOU SERVE.
IT BEGINS WITH A SELF-ASSESSMENT.
WE EVALUATE POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PRACTICES AGAINST W'S 92 BEST PRACTICES CRITERIA, A PWA EVALUATORS WHO EVALUATED THE DEPARTMENT ON INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS FROM OTHER ACCREDITED AGENCIES.
I AM PROUD TO REPORT THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT ACHIEVED A HUNDRED PERCENT RATING AND IS IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE PRACTICES.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO BE ACCREDITED? IT ENHANCES YOUR CREDIBILITY AND REPUTATION.
IT COMMUNICATES TO STAKEHOLDERS, CUSTOMERS, AND THE PUBLIC THAT YOU ARE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
[00:40:01]
TO UTILIZE BEST PRACTICES AND STANDARDS.IT DRIVES CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.
THE PROCESSES ENSURE YOU UPDATE AND DEFINE YOUR PRACTICE.
KEEPING US CURRENT WITH INDUSTRY CHANGES AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES, IT ATTRACTS AND RETAINS TOP TALENT.
HIGH PERFORMING PROFESSIONALS WANT TO BE PART OF YOUR ORGANIZATION THAT IS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND RECOGNIZED AS AN INDUSTRY LEADER, THIS ACHIEVEMENT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITH THE HARD WORK AND PROFESSIONALISM OF YOUR ENTIRE PROJECT TEAM.
I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUPPORT OF BEAUFORT COUNTY'S COUNCIL.
I OFFER A HUGE CONGRATULATION TO BRADLEY HART PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND RECOGNITION OF THIS ACHIEVEMENT ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
AND A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO YOUR ACCREDITATION MANAGER, MATT KRAUS, ON BEHALF OF A PWA, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COUNTY OF EUFOR FOR BEING ACCREDITED.
YOU ARE TRULY AN AMAZING ORGANIZATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM.
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
I TAKE A PICTURE, HANNAH, I'LL COME THIS WAY.
I WONDER, MATT, YOU WANNA SAY A FEW WORDS? BRADLEY, MATT, BRADLEY, MAYOR BRADLEY, SPEAK FEW WORDS.
SO, UH, RYAN, THANKS FOR COMING DOWN FROM, UH, YORK COUNTY TO PRESENT THAT.
YEAH, SO A LOT OF HARD WORK WENT INTO THIS.
UM, I GOT 147 PLUS EMPLOYEES RIGHT NOW WITH PUBLIC WORKS.
SO IT'S NOT, THIS IS BECAUSE OF THEM FOR WHAT THEY DO IN THE FIELD AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THIS 'CAUSE OF THE QUALITY OF WORK THAT THEY DO.
UM, MATT, THE COUNTLESS AMOUNT OF HOURS THAT WE SPENT ON THIS WAS, I, I CAN'T EVEN, IT'S A LOT.
UM, BUT MATT DID A VERY GOOD JOB PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.
SO A LITTLE SHOUT OUT BACK TO, UH, PAM COBB.
SO PAM DID OUR FIRST ACCREDITATION BY HERSELF.
LIKE LITERALLY SHE PUT IT TOGETHER BY HERSELF.
SO THAT REALLY KIND OF GOT OUR, YOU KNOW, OUR FIRST ONE.
SO THAT WAS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT.
AND WITH ALL THE STUFF THAT SHE HAD DONE PREVIOUS TO AND LEARNED TO PROCESS, MADE IT A LITTLE EASIER FOR US TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.
SO JUST WANNA RECOGNIZE ALL THE PUBLIC WORKS AND THE HARD WORK THEY DO.
AND THANK YOU COUNSEL FOR ACCEPTING THIS AWARD.
CAN YOU GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO, UH, MR. HARRY? YES.
BUT I WAS PARTICULARLY TALKING.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING Y'ALL DO IN ALL THE DIFFERENT AREAS AND IF, IF THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG, WE HEAR ABOUT IT, BUT WE NEVER HEAR THE GOOD NEWS.
LIKE WHAT Y'ALL JUST DID AND WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY.
[10. LIAISON AND COMMITTEE REPORTS ]
UH, LIAISON AND COMMITTEE REPORTS.DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING MR. REEDS? NOT AT THIS POINT.
UH, MR. CUNNINGHAM, BLUFFTON TOWNSHIP, FIRE DISTRICT, ANYTHING TO REPORT? OKAY, THANK YOU.
NEXT, UH, MARK LARSON, FINANCE ADMINISTRATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
UM, COUNCILMAN MCALLEN GREEN SPACE COMMITTEE.
WE HAVE A FEW ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, UH, THIS EVENING, AND I'LL JUST DEFER TO THAT ONE THE TIME WHEN WE GET THERE.
AND, UM, MR. PASSMAN, KEEP BEAUFORT COUNTY BEAUTIFUL BOARD.
UH, WE MET ON, UH, JUNE THE 11TH.
UH, THREE SPECIFIC THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THAT MEETING.
NUMBER ONE, OUR DESIGNED SIGN IS READY TO GO OUT AND BE CONSTRUCTED BECAUSE NUMBER TWO, THE MOU THAT WAS REQUIRED HAS BEEN SIGNED WITH THE DOT.
UH, NEXT, WE NOW HAVE ONE MORE MEMBER ON THE BUFORD COUNTY BOARD.
AND THAT'S A MONUMENTAL TASK BECAUSE IT IS AN 11 PERSON BOARD COVERING ALL 11 DISTRICTS, AND SEVERAL OF THE MEMBERS ARE NOT PART OF THE DISTRICT THAT THEY REPRESENT.
THIS IS GONNA BE THE FIRST TIME THAT DISTRICT FIVE IS REPRESENTED IN YEARS.
AND FINALLY, WE DISCUSSED THE BUDGET.
[00:45:01]
HAS BEEN DOING THIS BUDGET ONLY FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.WE ONLY MEET EVERY OTHER MONTH.
THEY ARE TRULY LEARNING HOW TO PUT A BUDGET TOGETHER.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR IS MAKING SURE WE KEEP BEAUFORT COUNTY BEAUTIFUL.
THAT MEANS ALL OF THE PLANTINGS THAT YOU SEE AROUND THE COUNTY IS PART OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.
THE TREES, THE SHRUBS, THE FLOWERS.
THAT'S WHAT THEY DO IN COORDINATION WITH OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
SO, UM, AND NOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE WE NOW HAVE THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION AFTER ALL OF OUR MUNICIPALITIES SIGN ON FOR THE ORDINANCE, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT.
AND SO WE WILL DISCUSS THAT AT THE THIRD READING.
UH, COUNCILMAN GLOVER, THE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE.
UM, COUNCILMAN DAWSON, SHELDON FIRE DISTRICT.
ANY REPORT? NOTHING FROM SHELDON FIRE DISTRICT.
AND MS. BROWN, THE, UH, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY BOARD.
WANT ME TO, UM, ME, I'LL TAKE THAT ONE.
IT'S WHAT BAY? YOU WANT THAT RIGHT NOW? AND THE COMMUNITY MEETING.
BUT LAST WEEK WE HAD A BOARD, UH, HOW FITTING IS THIS TONIGHT THAT WE HAD THIS PROCLAMATION AWARD GO TO PUBLIC WORKS THAT INCLUDES OUR STORMWATER.
AND TONIGHT, I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT THE WEEK OF JUNE 8TH, UM, OUR TEAM LAUNCHED A WEBSITE ON THE WEBSITE CALLED THE DASHBOARD.
A PROJECT DASHBOARD, WHETHER IT BE OLD JOY BAY PINES, OLD WOODLANDS, ANYWHERE, ANY PROJECT THAT'S BEING DONE WITH STORM WATER IS GONNA BE IN THIS PROJECT'S, UM, D UM, DASHBOARD, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO ON THIS SITE 24 7.
I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO LOOK AT IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN GIVE US IDEAS AND HOW WE CAN, YOU KNOW, IMPROVE IT.
BUT, UM, BRADLEY AND TAYLOR AND THE TEAM DESERVE A MAJOR SHOUT OUT BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING.
BACK IN AUGUST OF 24, WE HAD THIS LITTLE STORM.
AND AT THAT POINT, WE HAD NO IDEA WE HAD ROADS AND ASSETS ON HILTON HEAD THAT WE OWNED.
FROM THAT POINT, WE LEARNED PRETTY QUICKLY THAT WE HAVE AN AWFUL LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY THERE.
OUR TEAM STEPPED UP, WE WENT AND FIXED IT.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING A LOT.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT BAY PINES TONIGHT IN OUR AGENDA PACKAGE.
BUT GOING FORWARD, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE, WHETHER YOU'RE ON VACATION, YOU CAN'T SLEEP, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO ON THIS SITE 24 7 TO SEE WHERE YOUR PROJECT IS, AS WELL AS ANOTHER PROJECT IN ANOTHER AREA.
AND WHY SAY THAT'S SO IMPORTANT IS THAT WE'VE DONE SO LITTLE OVER THE YEARS LEADING UP TO THIS WITH STORM WATER, THAT THERE'S SO MANY PROBLEMS WE'VE GOT TO ADDRESS.
SO IF YOU GET ON THE SITE, SEE WHAT'S GOING ON ALL OVER THE COUNTY RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE GONNA FIND OUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY.
SO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US, AND THAT IS JUST A GREAT, GREAT TRIBUTE TO OUR TEAM.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER REPORTS THAT AREN'T LISTED? ANYTHING? YES.
SO I WENT TO THE RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE MUSC PAVILION ON BUCK WALTER.
THEY OFFER ADULT SPECIALTY CARE, ALL THE OLOGIES, LIKE CARDIOLOGY, NEPHROLOGY, ALL OF IT, PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY CARE, CANCER CARE, AND LABS.
SO THEY HAD THE RIBBON CUTTING.
I JUST WANNA TELL YOU THAT AS A PERSON WHO HATES THE HEAT, I SAT UNDER THE TENT, UH, WITH MR. WOOD, DAN WOOD FROM BLUFFTON.
AND THEN WE WENT OVER TO LITERALLY NEXT DOOR BEAUFORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, UM, LIVEWELL TERRACE, WORKFORCE HOUSING COMPLEX, 120 UNITS THAT WE GAVE THE LAND TO.
THEY HAD THE GROUNDBREAKING IN 94 DEGREE HEAT AGAIN.
AND, AND THAT NIGHT WE HAD CHAT WITH COUNCIL AT HILTON HEAD LIBRARY.
AND THEN I WANNA REPORT OUT ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE SCHOOL.
UH, THE LADIES ISLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING HAS OCCURRED.
THEY HAVE NAMED THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER IN BLUFFTON.
IT'S NOW CALLED PALMETTO EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER.
THEIR COLORS ARE LIGHT BLUE AND GRAY.
AND THEN AT THEIR LAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, AND THIS IS, UH, TIES INTO WHAT MS. HUBBELL'S TALKED ABOUT, THEIR CLOCK GAVE THEIR QUARTERLY UPDATE.
THAT'S A CITIZEN LED OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
AND THE CHAIR ACTUALLY EXPLAINED WHAT THEY DO.
[00:50:01]
WATCHING THEIR, UH, VIDEO ON BCTV.AND THEY'RE TRACKING REFERENDUM PRO, UH, PROGRESS.
SO THEY TALK ABOUT WHO'S ON THE COMMITTEE, WHAT THEY DO.
THEY VISIT CONSTRUCTION SITES ALL THE WAY THROUGH COMPLETION.
THE BOARD HAD REPORTS FROM ACADEMICS AND FINANCE COMMITTEES.
TANYA CROSBY ALWAYS DOES THAT.
WE'LL HEAR FROM HER IN A FEW MINUTES.
THEY RECAPPED WHAT STUDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT DOES.
IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY DO, I MEAN, WE'RE EDUCATORS, SO WE KNOW, BUT IT WAS A WONDERFUL DISCUSSION ON THAT.
AND THEN THEY DID A RECAP OF GRADUATIONS, AND I THINK THIS IS IMPRESSIVE.
1,529 GRADUATING SENIORS EARN $35 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS.
601 ARE DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENTS.
789 OF 1529 ARE GOING STRAIGHT INTO COLLEGE.
265 ARE ENTERING TECHNICAL TRADE PROGRAMS. AND SOME, THE OFFERS RECEIVED WERE VERY IMPRESSIVE.
78 OF THE GRADUATES ARE ENTERING THE MILITARY, AND THEY HAD A GREAT VIDEO OF SOME OF THE GRADUATES COMING BACK TO THANK THEIR FAVORITE TEACHERS.
IT'S ALWAYS VERY SPECIAL AS A TEACHER.
I WOULD'VE LOVED TO SEE A VIDEO, BUT I DIDN'T GET ONE.
UM, THEY DID A REALLY GREAT JOB.
I THINK IT WAS A THREE HOUR MEETING.
CARLTON COULD CERTAINLY, UM, THE CHAIR OF THE SCHOOL BOARD SIT IN THE BACK THERE.
THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION.
UH, TO REPORT, UH, FROM THE, UM, UM, LOW COUNTRY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, UM, UH, THE DIRECTOR, UH, HANK AMERSON, UM, HE'S, UH, TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO HELP US ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OR THE LACK OR THE INADEQUATE, UH, UM, UH, SERVICE OF INTERNET, UH, IN THE EXTREME PORTION OF THE COUNTY, PARTICULARLY THE SHELDON COMMUNITY, THE BIGGEST STATE COMMUNITY, AND THE, UH, JENKINS COMMUNITY.
UM, AND HE'S PARTNERING WITH A, A FIRM OUT OF MARYLAND CALLED THE BROADBAND CONNECT.
AND ALICE, YOU AND, UM, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAVE RECEIVED LETTERS OF, UH, ENDORSEMENT TO ACTUALLY HELP FUND, UH, GET GRANT TO FUND THE, THE PROJECT.
UM, NEIL BAXLEY FROM BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL HAS, UH, GIVEN HIS, UH, UH, RESPONSE LETTER FOR THE TELEHEALTH, UH, PROSPECT OF THIS.
AND SO IT'S, IT'S IN THE PROCESS NOW OF JUST GETTING, UH, LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR GRANT FUNDING.
AND ONCE WE GET THE GRANT FUNDING, THEN, UM, UH, HANK EDMONDSON, THE DIRECTOR FROM LOW COUNTRY OF GOVERNMENT, UH, WILL INITIATE THIS PROGRAM.
AND THOSE THREE COMMUNITIES, UH, SHELDON, BIGGEST STATE AND JENKINS.
BUT, UH, HE, HIS, UM, HIS VIEW IS TO SPREAD IT THROUGHOUT THE, FOR HAMPTON, JASPER COUNTY, COLLINGTON, AND BEAUFORT COUNTY.
COUNCIL AND JIM, I FORGOT TO, UH, MENTION, UH, BEAUFORT JASPER WATER AUTHORITY.
UH, THEY HAD, UM, TWO THINGS I WANNA HIGHLIGHT.
UH, ONE IS THE, UH, PENN CENTER.
THEY HAD A PUBLIC MEETING AT THE PENN CENTER, UM, RECENTLY, UH, ANNOUNCING REPLACING SOME, REPLACING SOME OLD WATER LINES THAT'S ON THE CAMPUS.
UH, SO THIS CAN BE A, A TREMENDOUS PROJECT.
AND THEY ALSO, UM, HAVE THE, AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE GROUNDBREAKING RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR ALL JOY, UM, RECENTLY.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHETHER MARK WANTS TO SAY ANYTHING.
THEY HAD TO, BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO ATTEND THAT AND STUFF.
SO JULY 22ND, THAT PROJECT NOW IS ON THE WAY IN.
IT'S BEEN SOMETHING IN THE WORK FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
BUT GOOD NEWS, THEY ARE DOING A GROUNDBREAKING.
IT WILL BE, UM, IT CHANGED IT FROM JUNE TO JULY.
SO IT'S JULY 22ND COMING UP HERE.
I THINK I SAID NEIL BAXLEY FROM BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL RUSSELL.
SO I JUST WANNA MAKE THAT CORRECTION.
ONE WORDS A UNIFORM AND ONE ONE SAID, NEIL BAXLEY IS WITH THE, UM, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE ANNOUNCEMENT IN MY, UM, MY DISTRICT.
I'D LIKE TO THANK, UM, OUR, OUR STAFF, UH, AFTER A LONG BATTLE, I WON'T SAY BATTLE LONG, UM, TIME WITH DOT, WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOME, UH, SPEED BUMPS IN THE SHELL POINT AREA.
SO I'D LIKE TO THANK WHO ALL THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.
SO, UM, AND THAT WAS A, IN AN AREA WHERE, UH, THERE HAD BEEN SOME SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
[11. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ]
TO, UM, SOMEONE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.I HOPE ALL OF LOOKED AT THOSE.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PASSMAN.
[00:55:01]
A SECOND.A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN, UM, YORK GLOVER.
ALL IN FAVOR APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA.
NOW WE ARE AT THE END OF OUR CONSENT AGENDA AND WE ARE READY TO START WITH SOME THIRD READINGS OF MANY ORDINANCES.
AS WE GO THROUGH THESE, WE'VE SEEN THEM.
AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO, UM, MS. VICE CHAIR TABER.
SO WE ARE ON THIRD READING, WHICH MEANS THESE HAVE GONE THROUGH COMMITTEE DISCUSSION.
WE'VE HAD FIRST READING, SECOND READING, AND MANY OF THESE TODAY ARE PUBLIC HEARING.
SO, UM, WE DO HAVE SOME PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR SOME.
[12.a. 2026/27: An Ordinance to provide for the levy of tax for school purposes for Beaufort County for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, and to make appropriations for said purposes. PUBLIC HEARING ]
SLASH 27 IS AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE LEVY OF TAX FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES, FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING JULY 1ST, 2026, AND ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2027.AND TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR SAID PURPOSES.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND IT PASSED THE COMMITTEE AND FIRST AND SECOND READING WITH NO OBJECTION.
SECOND THAT MS. BROWN SECONDS.
IT UM, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
SO IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, OF COURSE YOU WILL BE HERE TO ANSWER THEM.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, SO I DON'T HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP FOR THIS.
DOES ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISH TO COMMENT OR ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET? I MEAN, AFTER ALL, MS. CROSBY CAME ALL THE WAY HERE.
AND CARLTON DALLAS IN THE BACK.
I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MS. CROSBY, YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANNA SAY OR ADD? WE'VE HEARD YOU THREE TIMES, I THINK, BUT OKAY.
ANYBODY FROM COUNCIL HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT FROM MS. CROSBY? ALL RIGHT, THEN WE'LL TAKE THE VOTE.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS ORDINANCE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
[12.b. 2026/29: An Ordinance to make appropriations for County Government and Special Purpose Districts for Beaufort County for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027; to levy taxes for the payment thereof; to adopt service and user fees; to provide for the expenditure of said taxes and other revenues coming into the county; and other matters related thereto. PUBLIC HEARING ]
SLASH 29 IS AN ORDINANCE TO, UH, MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS OF BEAUFORT COUNTY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING JULY 1ST, 2026, AND ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2027 TO LEVY TAXES FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF TO ADOPT SERVICE AND USER FEES TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF SAID TAXES AND OTHER REVENUES COMING INTO THE COUNTY AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, UM, AT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING.
VOTE WAS SEVEN ONE, FIRST READING NINE ONE AND SECOND READING TEN ONE.
MR. LAWSON WILL MAKE THE SECOND.
UH, MS. MS. WOOD, DO YOU WANNA HAVE SOME COMMENTS THERE? SURE.
I THINK FROM THE LAST, UM, SECOND READING IN YOUR PACKET, YOU SHOULD HAVE ALL THE CHANGES FROM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, WHICH INCLUDED $6,000 FOR OVERTIME FOR THE AUDITOR.
UM, 465,000, UH, FOR THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FROM CIP.
UH, THE TREASURER'S ORIGINAL BUDGET REQUEST IS NOW INCLUDED.
UM, AND THAT CAME FROM FLEET AND THEN TRI SHARE $12,000 WAS ADDED TO THE COUNCIL LINE ITEM FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND THAT CAME FROM FLEET.
UM, JUST SO YOU KNOW, WE TOOK AWAY THE 465,000, AS I SAID, FROM CIP, THAT WAS FROM THE 0.3 MILLS.
THAT WAS TAKEN FROM THE B-D-E-D-C JOB AND SITE FUND THAT LEFT 488,000.
UM, FOR CIP, WHICH WE OF THAT WE PUT 185 TOWARDS THE MC RILEY A AND E DESIGN FOR NEXT YEAR.
AND THEN ADDED 338 UM, THOUSAND TO THE ADMINISTRATION, UM, BUILDING NEW BOILER HVAC PIPE UNION'S PROJECT.
UM, AND SO THAT'S WHERE THAT MONEY CAME FROM.
AND THEN FOR FLEET, 486,000 WAS MOVED IN TOTAL FOR COUNCIL ACTIONS.
THERE WAS A BOOM MOWER THAT WAS REMOVED, A SEMI TRUCK, UM, A VEHICLE FOR PARKS AND REC.
AND THE DIFFERENCE, UH, IS ALSO GONNA BE KIND OF HELD FOR MAINTENANCE AND PLANS FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FOR UNPLANNED, UH, VEHICLES THAT WERE, UH, TOTALED IN ACCIDENTS, UM, THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED.
SO IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THAT, WELL LET ME GO TO PUBLIC HEARING FIRST.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT OR ASK A QUESTION DURING PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY.
SEEING NOBODY, I'LL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AND IT GOES TO COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE THIRD READING TO ADD $50,000 TO THE KEEP BUFORD COUNTY BUDGET.
KEEP BUFORD COUNTY BEAUTIFUL BUDGET FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS.
NUMBER ONE, WHEN THEY STRUCK THEIR BUDGET PRIOR
[01:00:01]
YEAR, BECAUSE THEY ONLY MEET EVERY OTHER MONTH, THEY WERE UNAWARE THAT THEY HAD TO PUT IN THEIR PURCHASES BY A CERTAIN DATE AND MISSED THAT DATE.SO ALL OF THE PLANTINGS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE NEEDED FOR THIS FALL COULD NOT BE PURCHASED AND HAVE TO ROLL OVER TO THE NEW YEAR.
NUMBER TWO, THE FIRST SIGN FOR ENTERING THE COUNTY HAS FINALLY BEEN APPROVED.
BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS SIGNS ALL OVER AND IN FACT, WE'VE ADDED OTHER PLACES THAT WE WANT TO PUT SIGNS, INCLUDING THE AIRPORTS.
AND NUMBER THREE, WE NOW HAVE AN ORDINANCE FOR TRA UH, FOR PLASTIC AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION.
SO THAT'S WHY I AM PROPOSING AN INCREASE OF $50,000 FOR THEIR BUDGET.
SECOND THAT, ALRIGHT, DISCUSSION.
ANYONE HAVE COMMENT, QUESTION? I'LL HOLD MINE TILL THE END.
ANYBODY QUESTION HOW MUCH, UM, IS IN THE BUDGET NOW FOR THEM? 90.
ANYBODY ELSE? QUESTION, COMMENT.
WHERE WAS THE MONEY COMING FROM? UH, YEAH.
HAD TALKED TO ADMINISTRATION AND MR. MORRIS SAID DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
FLEET, BUT WE'D PROBABLY TAKE IT FROM THAT A HUNDRED THOUSAND THAT WAS GONNA BE USED TO FOR VEHICLE REPAIR.
I DO HAVE A COMMENT AND THAT IS, I, WE ALREADY FUNDED FOR THE SIGNS AS FAR AS THE PLASTIC BAG EDUCATION.
WE NEED ALL THE MUNICIPALITIES ON BOARD.
THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN IN A MINUTE.
AND THEN THE ORDINANCE CALLS FOR EIGHT MONTHS LAG TIME TILL IT'S IMPLEMENTED.
SO I SEE NO URGENCY TO DO THIS THIS FISCAL YEAR AND I REALLY DON'T WANNA RAID THAT BUDGET AGAIN.
UH, YEAH, I'M AGAINST IT AS WELL FOR TWO REASONS.
ONE, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE OUT OF OUR EXCESS FUNDS.
UM, IF WE NEED TO, THEY CAN COME TO US FOR WHATEVER IT'S EXACTLY.
AND THE OTHER PART IS TOO, WE LITERALLY JUST PASSED THIS ON THE LAST MEETING.
WE'RE ALREADY ASKING TO FUND A PROJECT FOR THE PLASTIC THAT I CAME OUT AGAINST TO BEGIN WITH.
JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT.
ANYONE ELSE?
THEY STILL NEED MONEY FOR THE OTHER SIGNS AND WE NEED THE PLANTINGS, WHICH IS A VERY EXPENSIVE AS MR. DAWSON WILL ATTEST TO.
WE WANT TO DO THAT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
ALRIGHT, ANY OTHER COMMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADDING 50,000 TO A 90,000 BUDGET.
SO I WANNA MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS.
I PLAN TO VOTE NO ON THIS THIRD READING AS I DID ON THE SECOND READING.
IT IS ONE OF COUNCIL'S PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH THE SERVICES THEY NEED, EXPECT AND DESERVE.
LET'S TAKE THE VOTE ON THIS BEFORE WE GO FURTHER.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION THAT MR. PASSMAN MADE.
RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR.
ALL AGAINST 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 MOTION FAILS.
CORRECT MS. BROCK? OKAY, I WILL CONTINUE.
OUR CONSTITUENTS EXPECT PUBLIC SAFETY TO BE PROVIDED.
THAT'S LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.
THEY EXPECT GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE LIBRARIES, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, SAFE BOAT RAMPS, A JUDICIAL SYSTEM TO REGULATE CRIME AND ADEQUATE STORMWATER SERVICES.
AS WE'VE HEARD, THEY DO NOT EXPECT GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND OUR REACH WITH MORE REGULATIONS AND FUNDING FOR SOME OTHER OUTSIDE AGENCIES.
WE TOLD ADMINISTRATION TO HOLD MILLAGE AT THE CURRENT RATE.
THEY CREATED A BUDGET WITHIN THAT PARAMETER.
HOWEVER, I BELIEVE WE DID NOT ADEQUATELY SCRUTINIZE THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET, THOUGH THAT IS A PRIMARY JOB.
THE RATIONALE THAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE THIS OR THAT IN THE PAST DOESN'T BODE WELL WITH OUR CURRENT RESIDENTS AND DOESN'T HELP US MEET THE COUNTLESS NEEDS WE HAVE TO FUND IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.
WE HAVE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ISSUES.
COUNTLESS BOAT RAMPS IN NEED OF REPAIR.
AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES THAT ARE LACKING OR IN NEED OF ATTENTION THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTY.
THAT IS WHY I HAVE PROPOSED PUTTING THINGS IN CAPITAL PROJECTS.
I WAS HOPING WE WOULD'VE TAKEN THESE SERIOUSLY DURING THE BUDGET CYCLE.
I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH OUR RESULTS.
SO I WILL VOTE NO ON THIS ORDINANCE.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THE BUDGET DOESN'T PASS.
I AM ONE VOTE, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME AND I HOPE RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND
[01:05:01]
THE ISSUES I'VE RAISED AT FINANCE COMMITTEE READING ONE, READING TWO.AND TODAY OUR JOB IS TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES YOU EXPECT OF US AND NEED.
ANYONE ELSE COMMENT? I KNOW I PREACHED A LITTLE BIT THERE AND I'M NOT, NOT A PREACHER, BUT, OKAY, GO AHEAD.
JUST WANT CLARIFICATION ON A COMMENT YOU HAD.
UM, DID YOU SAY THERE WERE SOME VEHICLES THAT WERE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS? YES.
I MEAN, TYPICALLY EVERY YEAR SOME GET TOTALED WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND OTHER THINGS.
DON'T WE HAVE INSURANCE? WE DO, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S, I DON'T BELIEVE JOHN CAN CORRECT ME.
IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE, THE REPLACEMENT VALUE ISN'T QUITE EXACTLY WHAT, SO YEAH, I GOTCHA THAT.
I THINK THAT DIFFERENCE, JOHN, YOU DON'T NEED TO, YOU DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT IT.
ANY OTHER COMMENT? I'M GONNA ASK FOR A ROLL CALL ON THE BUDGET, PLEASE.
COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER BARTHOLOMEW? YES.
AND THANKS TO COURTNEY SPACE, UM, AND THE FINANCE TEAM FOR ALL THEIR WORK WITH US, SO WE'VE APPRECIATE IT.
[12.c. 2026/28: An Ordinance amending Beaufort County Ordinance Chapter 102 Waterways. Article 1, sections 102–1 definitions, Article II, division 1, section 102-27, purpose, section 102-28, penalties, section 102-29, general prohibitions, section 102-30, dock rules, section 102-31, landing rules, division II, section 102-61, description, division 3, section 102-95, description, section 102-98, penalties, section 102-99 general prohibitions, section 102-100, dock rules, section 102-101, landing rules, Article III, section 102-133, definitions, section 102-134, penalties, section 102-136, student riders, section 102-137, public ridership. PUBLIC HEARING ]
SLASH 28 IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING BEAUFORT COUNTY ORDINANCE CHAPTER 1 0 2 WATERWAYS, ARTICLE ONE.AND I'VE READ THIS FOUR TIMES, SO IT'S STILL THE SAME, HASN'T CHANGED.
UM, IT HAS TO DO WITH DIVISION THREE DESCRIPTIONS, GENERAL RULES, DOCK RULES, PENALTIES, STUDENT RIDER AND PUBLIC RIDERSHIP.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AT THIRD READING.
SO I'LL NEED A MOTION FOR THIS ORDINANCE.
MR. LAWSON MAKES THE MOTION A SECOND.
JUST A LITTLE BEFORE YOU MR. GLOVER.
SO IT'S MOTIONED AND SECONDED.
UM, BEFORE YOU GO, I DO HAVE THREE PEOPLE THAT, OR FOUR PEOPLE THAT WISH TO SPEAK.
ONE OF 'EM IS MICHAEL HUBBARD.
YOU'RE BECOMING A REGULAR FOR US.
IT, IT'S, IT'S ONE OF MY FUN EVENTS ON A MONDAY EVENING.
FIRST OF ALL, BEFORE, UH, BEFORE I START, I'D LIKE TO SAY, TAKE A SECOND.
FIRST, I'M, MY NAME IS MIKE HUBBARD.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE DFOS ISLAND COUNCIL.
AND WITH US TONIGHT IS SALLY ANN ROBINSON.
OBVIOUSLY WE DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE I WASN'T ON THE EARLY PART OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT, UM, HER AWARD FROM THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION, UH, HAS SET OFF A LOT OF FIREWORKS ON OUR ISLAND, AND IT'S PROBABLY THE MOST COMMENTED ON, UM, POST ON, UH, ON NEXTDOOR.
UM, IT, IT REALLY HAS BEEN, UH, REVOLUTIONARY FOR OUR ISLAND.
AND ALSO WITH US THIS EVENING IS JEN RIZZI, ANOTHER COUNCIL PERSON, AND, UH, WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HER HERE.
WE WERE HERE MEETING WITH, UH, UH, OUR COUNCIL MEMBER BEFORE THE MEETING THIS EVENING.
FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANTED TO COME, I WANTED TO BE HERE BECAUSE THIS STARTED BACK IN NOVEMBER, UM, AND I WANTED TO SEE IT THROUGH TO THE VERY END AND TO MAKE IT TO THE THIRD READING.
AND WE THANK YOU THE ISLAND COMMUNITY.
IT'S A, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW IMPORTANT THE WATERWAYS ORDINANCE IS TO THE COMMERCE OF DUSSE ISLAND.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS EVENING.
MY NAME IS TONY WELCH OF BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA.
I'M A LOCAL FISHING GUIDE, AND MY WIFE, KRISTEN, AND I ARE THE PROUD OWNERS OF BAY STREET OUTFITTERS, A GUIDE SERVICE AND RETAIL STORE LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, WHICH, UH, PROVIDES A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND OF OUR OPPOSITION TO SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN THE PROPOSED WATERWAY ORDINANCE.
UH, IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP THIS BRIEF, I WILL FOCUS MY ATTENTION ON THE FINAL PARAGRAPH, SECTION 1 0 2 DASH 1 36.
THE MAIN CONCERNS AS A CHARTER CAPTAIN ARE, NUMBER ONE, THE REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN AN ACTIVITY PERMIT.
AND NUMBER TWO, THE REQUIREMENT TO NAME THE COUNTY IN OUR GENERAL MARINE LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY.
UH, AS COUNCIL HAS BEEN MADE AWARE, THE FISHING COMMUNITY IS CONCERNED WITH FORCING US TO OBTAIN A PERMIT IN ADDITION TO
[01:10:01]
THE ALREADY REQUIRED BUSINESS LICENSE, UH, TO USE A PUBLIC LANDING.THIS CONCERN STEMS FROM US GUIDES BEING CLOSE TO, TO GUIDES IN OTHER PLACES, UH, THAT HAD BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY SIMILAR, UM, PROCESSES BEFORE.
PLACES LIKE HOME SASSA, FLORIDA, A HISTORIC AND VASTLY BEAUTIFUL FISHERY, MUCH LIKE BEAUFORT THAT RECENTLY ASKED GUIDES TO HAVE A PERMIT FOR OPERATION.
HOWEVER, UNBEKNOWNST TO THESE GUIDES, THIS PERMIT WOULD NOW CARRY A FEE FOR PICKING UP CLIENTS AT A RESORT'S DOCK.
EVERY SOLE PICKED UP WOULD REQUIRE A FEE TO BE PAID.
FURTHERMORE, IF THE GUIDE WAS FOUND TO PICK UP FROM A RESORT DISPROPORTIONATELY TO OTHER RESORTS, THEN THE PERMIT HOLDER WOULD NEED TO PROVIDE PAYMENT TO THAT RESORT, THINK TERMS OF, OF RENT OR A LEASE, ALL, ALL OF THIS FOR PROVIDING A SERVICE TO BOTH THE RESORT AND THEIR GUEST.
THE SECOND ISSUE I'LL ADDRESS IS REQUIRING FISHING GUIDES TO NAME THE COUNTY AS ADDITIONALLY INSURED POLICY, UH, IN THE AMOUNT OF 100, OR IN THE AMOUNT OF $1 MILLION.
UH, I REACHED OUT TO EACH ONE OF MY GUIDES, INSURANCE CARRIERS.
UM, FROM THAT, I WAS ABLE TO GATHER THAT THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS HERE.
THE FIRST WOULD BE $1 MILLION WOULD NOT BE AWARDED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
OR NUMBER TWO, A MILLION DOLLARS COULD BE, UM, MADE AVAILABLE, BUT THAT'S AFTER YEARS OF SERVICE.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT THIS ENACTING THIS ORDINANCE WOULD, UM, DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT THE YOUNGER GENERATION, UM, THAT I, I FEEL DESERVES A FAIR SHAKE, UM, AT, AT WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO.
UM, IN CLOSING, BEAUFORT COUNTY'S CHARTER FISHING GUIDES ARE AN INCREDIBLE ASSET TO THIS COMMUNITY.
WHILE CITY AND COUNTY COUNCILS ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL COUNTY BEAUFORT BEAUFORT COUNTY A MORE BEAUTIFUL LOCATION THROUGH EFFORTS LIKE BALLOON RELEASE AND SINGLE USE PLASTIC BANDS, OUR LOCAL FISHING GUIDES ARE WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THOSE ORDINANCE BY ACTUALLY PICKING UP THESE BALLOONS IN PLASTICS IN OUR LOCAL WATERWAYS.
WE ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS FOR THIS RESOURCE.
DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH, I SPENT TWO WEEKS IN COLORADO CONVINCING, UM, FLY FISHERMEN AND FLY FISHER WOMEN THERE, UM, ABOUT HOW GREAT OF A RESOURCE WE HAVE HERE.
I JUST RETURNED FROM GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, UH, LAST WEEK, AND WE'LL HEAD TO CHARLOTTE, UH, IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, UM, TO MAKE THE SAME PRESENTATION.
UM, EACH TIME I DO THESE EN THESE SPEAKING EN EN UM, ENGAGEMENTS, UH, I DO NOTICE THAT I CANNOT FIND ANYBODY FROM A SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP PRESENT WITH ME.
THIS IS NOT SURPRISING AS, UM, THE SPECIAL ENTRANCE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP HAVE, UH, BEEN FAR FROM PUBLICLY PRESENT IN THIS PROCESS, INCLUDING A LACK OF DISCOURSE DURING ONLINE PUBLIC COMMENTS BEING PRESENT AND VOCAL DURING PUBLIC MEETINGS LIKE THESE, OR BY RETURNING FISHING GUIDES, REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION.
UH, TO PARAPHRASE AUTHOR DAVID NICHOLS, IF YOU HAVE TO KEEP A SECRET, IT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE YOU SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
UH, I THINK THAT THE COUNTY COUNCIL SHOULD PROCEED WITH WHAT WAS ATTEMPTED AT THE LAST MEETING, AND THAT'S TO VOTE TO REMOVE SECTION 1 0 2 DASH 1 36 FROM THE WATERWAYS ORDINANCE.
UM, PROBABLY A LOT OF THE SAME POINTS TO BE MADE, BUT BEEN A FISHING GUIDE HERE SINCE 2004.
UM, AND, UH, FIRST I WANNA THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE EFFORT THAT'S GONE INTO THIS ORDINANCE, UM, AS YOU GUYS HAVE LISTENED TO IT, AG NAUM AS WELL.
UM, I WAS ENCOURAGED LAST TIME BY COUNCILMAN BATO MULES, UM, SUGGESTION, REMOVING THE PERMIT REQUIREMENT UNTIL FURTHER RESEARCH COULD BE DONE.
UM, AND IT WAS ALSO ENCOURAGING TO HEAR COUNCILMAN CUNNINGHAM'S CONCERNS ABOUT CREATING ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS WHERE IT MAY NOT BE NECESSARY.
UH, IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION TO JUSTIFY RESTRICTIONS, FEES, OR D ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS, THEN WHY ARE WE CREATING THE FIRST PERMIT REQUIREMENT? UH, THIS FIRST PERMIT REQUIREMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
UH, COMMERCIAL OPERATORS, NOT JUST FISHING GUIDES, BUT ALL COMMERCIAL OPERATORS THAT GO IN AND OUTTA THESE LANDINGS, UM, ARE REQUIRED AND DOCUMENTED THROUGH THE STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES.
WE HOLD CAPTAIN'S LICENSES, CARRY INSURANCE, COMPLY WITH STATE REGULATIONS, AND OPERATE UNDER EXISTING LAWS.
FIRST, UH, WHAT DOCUMENTED PROBLEM EXISTS THAT CURRENT LAWS CANNOT ALREADY ADDRESS, AND WHAT SAFETY CONGESTION OR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED THAT REQUIRES CREATING A NEW
[01:15:01]
PERMIT SYSTEM? I UNDERSTAND THAT ENFORCEMENT, IT IS AN ISSUE.THERE ARE ALREADY LAWS IN PLACE, MOST OF WHICH ARE NOT ENFORCED.
MAKE ANOTHER ONE SEEMS POINTLESS TO ME, BUT SURE, FIGURE OUT ENFORCEMENT DON'T APPLY PERMITS TO SO THAT OTHER SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS CAN THEN, UH, FIGURE OUT A WAY TO ATTACH MORE THINGS TO THAT PERMIT.
ONCE THAT PERMIT HAPPENS, IT'S PROBABLY NOT COMING BACK OFF.
UM, SECOND, WHERE'S THE DATA SHOWING THAT COMMERCIAL OPERATORS ARE CREATING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, UH, IN A NEGATIVE WAY COMPARED TO PRIVATE, UH, RECREATIONAL USERS AND THIRD WISE BEAUFORT COUNTY MOVING TOWARD A PERMIT REGULATION WHEN NONE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA'S OTHER? I DID SAY IN THE EMAIL THAT I SENT ALL OF YOU SEVEN COASTAL COUNTIES, BUT IT IS REALLY SIX COASTAL COUNTIES OUTSIDE OF US.
NONE OF THEM HAVE THIS PERMIT.
IT ALSO SHOULD BE NOTED, EVERY COUNTY, ALL OTHER 45 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA HAVE PUBLIC BOAT RAMPS.
NONE OF THEM REQUIRE A PERMIT FOR THE USE BY COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS.
SO, UM, MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS NOT THE, WHAT THE PERMIT NECESSARILY DOES TODAY.
MY CONCERN, UH, IS WHAT IT ALLOWS.
TOMORROW, THOUGH, THE INSURANCE SIDE OF THINGS IS A HUGE, UH, PIECE OF THE EQUATION FOR CERTAIN GUIDES.
IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT FOR THE COUNTY, IF YOU APPLY THIS PERMIT, I HAVE TALKED TO TWO DIFFERENT AGENT OR CLIENTS OF MINE.
ONE IS A CLOSE FRIEND OWNS PROBABLY SEVEN DIFFERENT INSURANCE AGENCIES THROUGH A COUPLE STATES.
AND IF YOU APPLY THIS ADDITIONAL INSURANCE ON THE, UH, IN, IN GETTING THAT PERMIT, AND THEN SOMETHING HAPPENS ON THE WATER RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY OF THAT IS THE COUNTY.
YOU MIGHT BE LIABLE FOR SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS AT THE BOAT LANDING WITH ANYBODY THAT'S THERE.
BUT IF YOU CURRENTLY ARE ON THE WATER AND SOMETHING HAPPENS WITH A, WITH A LICENSED GUIDE THAT IS INSURED IN THEIR OWN INSURANCE, THAT IS NOT THE COUNTY'S ISSUE.
IF YOU APPLY A CONNECTION THROUGH ADDITIONALLY INSURED AND YOU APPLY CONNECTION VIA PERMIT, DON'T THINK FOR A SECOND THAT AN ATTORNEY'S NOT GONNA GO AND FIGURE OUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU SHOULD HAVE ISSUED THAT PERMIT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
SO YOU ARE OPENING A DOOR TO ADDITIONAL INSURANCE THAT YOU REALLY AREN'T ADDITIONALLY INSURED FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHETHER IT SAYS IT ON PAPER OR NOT.
I ALSO BELIEVE THE PUBLIC DESERVES GREATER TRANSPARENCY REGARDING WHO IS ADVOCATING FOR THESE CHA CHANGES, WHO FUNDS THOSE EFFORTS, AND WHETHER ANY PRIVATE FINANCIAL INTEREST, UH, STAND TO BENEFIT FROM LIMITING THE USE OF PO PUBLIC BOAT LANDINGS, SOUTH CAROLINA WATERWAYS ALLIANCE.
IT LOOKS REAL GOOD, BUT IT IS NOT A, IT DOES.
UH, DO THEY HAVE A BUSINESS LICENSE? LIKE WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT THAT 5 0 3 CS NEED, LIKE, UH, WE FORTUNATELY DIDN'T MAKE THAT WONDERFUL NUN IN HERE THE OTHER DAY HAVE TO DO.
UH, AGAIN, IF THEY'RE THE ONES DOING THIS, WHY THEY HAVE A VESTED INTEREST.
THEY BROUGHT THIS TO THE TABLE UNDER DERELICT BOATS LAST TIME.
WE'RE ALL IN FANS, A FAN OF DERELICT BOATS GOING AWAY.
SO LET'S PUT THAT IN THERE AND MAKE IT SO THAT COMMERCIAL OPERATORS CAN'T BE AT PUBLIC BOAT LANDINGS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT IT'S PRETTY CLEAR.
SO, UM, BEFORE CREATING A NEW LAYER OF GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT, I BELIEVE THE BURDEN SHOULD BE ON THE, UH, PROPONENTS OF THIS ORDINANCE TO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE BOTH THE EXISTENCE OF A PROBLEM AND WHY EXISTING LAWS ARE IN SUFFICIENT, UH, FOR THOSE REASONS, I RESPECTFULLY ASKED FOR THE COUNCIL TO REMOVE THE PERMIT REQUIREMENT AND CONTINUE GATHERING FACTS BEFORE ESTABLISHING, UH, WHAT AND WHAT COULD BE EXPANDED IN THE FUTURE.
UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
UM, MY NAME IS ROBERT ALEXANDER.
I OWN A FISHING COMPANY HERE IN BEAUFORT, AS WELL AS A TOUR, UM, BOAT TOUR COMPANY HERE IN BEAUFORT.
I WILL BE BRIEF, MY PEERS HAVE ALREADY SAID A LOT OF WHAT I HAVE TO SAY, BUT I THINK IT'S WORTH VOICING.
I SUPPORT THE ORDINANCE AS IT WAS WRITTEN, UM, AS IT IS WRITTEN WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE PERMIT LANGUAGE ADDED ON MAY 26TH WHEN THE COUNTY REALIZED IT NEEDED TO UPDATE ITS BOAT RAMPS ORDINANCE.
LAST YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN A BRIEF PROBLEM WITH A FEW OPERATORS SETTING UP SHOP AT LANDINGS, BUT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH COMMERCIAL OPERATORS COMING AND GOING FROM PUBLIC BOAT RAMPS.
THE ORDINANCE DID NEED AN UPDATE.
AND OVERALL, I FEEL Y'ALL HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.
UM, AS I AND OTHERS HAVE STATED BEFORE, I'M ALREADY REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ITEMS, UH, IN THE PERMIT SECTION.
SO WHAT IS THE PREMISE PURPOSE OF THE
[01:20:01]
PERMIT? WHY WOULDN'T THE COUNTY USE THE TOOLS IT ALREADY HAS AT ITS DISPOSAL FOR ENFORCEMENT? THESE TOOLS INCLUDE THE BUSINESS LICENSE THAT ALREADY REQUIRES A CAPTAIN'S LICENSE IN ORDER TO OBTAIN, AND I CALLED THEM TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT.UM, AS WELL AS I HAVE THAT MYSELF AND HAVE DONE THAT MYSELF.
AND SOUTH CAROLINA DNR WHO ALREADY HAS OFFICERS PATROLLING OUR BOAT RAMPS, THE PERMIT IS A REDUNDANT GOVERNMENT REGULATION THAT IS A RESULT OF LOBBYING FROM HILTON HEAD MORENOS.
THEY'VE CREATED A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT EXIST AND THEN CREATED THE SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM THAT CAN BE USED AS LEVERAGE FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT.
I DO NOT TRUST THAT ADDING A PERMIT IS IN THE INTEREST OF MYSELF OR OTHER LICENSED CHARTER CAPTAINS USING PUBLIC LANDINGS.
I DO NOT TRUST THAT IN THE FUTURE, THIS WILL NOT BECOME A COST PROHIBITIVE PERMIT, THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A CAP, UH, ADDED TO THE NUMBER OF PERMITS, UH, BEING ISSUED, OR THAT SOME OTHER FORM OF MANIPULATION, UH, THAT WOULD BE A HINDRANCE TO FREE ENTERPRISE.
ASK THAT THE PERMIT LANGUAGE BE REMOVED AND THE COUNTY FOCUS ON ENFORCING THE CURRENT LAWS THAT EXIST AND PASS THE ORDINANCE AS IT WAS PROPOSED ON MAY 26TH.
ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WISH TO COMMENT OR ASK A QUESTION ON THIS, UM, DURING THIS PUBLIC HEARING? NO.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANYONE HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT FOR MR. KIDD? HE'S HERE AGAIN.
MR. WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST TO ADDRESS MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE PERMIT AS AN ITEM WAS IT WAS GOING TO BE ISSUED CONTEMPORANEOUSLY WITH A BUSINESS LICENSE SO THAT THE COMMERCIAL USE WOULD BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY, UH, A COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AS ACTUALLY HOLDING A BUSINESS LICENSE BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF THE PERMIT.
IS THAT INCORRECT? SO, AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, IT IS TO BE ISSUED CONTEMPORANEOUS, CONTEMPORANEOUSLY WITH THE BUSINESS LICENSE.
THE ONLY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT WOULD BE THAT THIS ENTITY ALSO SUBMIT THE PROOF OF INSURANCE THAT DESCRIBE IS DESCRIBED IN THERE.
SO THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE ISSUANCE OF THE BUSINESS LICENSING PERMIT.
THERE'S NO FEE, THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL FEE FOR THE USER PERMIT.
IT'S JUST ISSUED WHEN THE BUSINESS LICENSE IS ISSUED TO SOMEONE USING THE WATERWORTH COMMERCIALLY.
AND THAT WOULD BE, UH, AVAILABLE TO ANY CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO SEE THE VISUAL DISPLAY OF THE PERMIT TO INDICATE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE USING THAT PUBLIC, UM, FACILITY FOR A BUSINESS OPERATION ACTUALLY HAVE A BUSINESS LICENSE.
THAT THAT IS HOW IT'S CURRENTLY WRITTEN.
AND IN DISCUSSIONS, PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS, IF THIS WERE TO GET PASSED, WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE OR THAT IS SOMETHING WE COULD DO.
IT'S A LITTLE CONFUSED FROM ALL THE STATEMENTS OF PUBLIC HEARINGS, WHAT EVERYONE THINKS THE USER FEE.
I MEAN, THE PERMIT IS, IT'S JUST A PERMIT FOR VISUAL INSPECTION TO INDICATE THE EXISTENCE OF A BUSINESS LICENSE AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND HAVE THE INSURANCE.
THE WAY THAT IT IS WRITTEN NOW IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT INTERPRETATION, SIR.
CAN WE AMEND THIS, UM, REQUIREMENT FOR THE PERMIT IN THIS ORDINANCE BEFORE WE PASS? WE CAN MAKE A MOTION.
CAN WE DO THAT? YOU CAN CAN MAKE A MOTION.
WILL SOMEONE ELSE SECOND THAT? SURE.
MAKE YOUR MOTION TO AMEND THE, REMOVE THE PERMIT REQUIREMENT IN THIS ORDINANCE.
PAULA, WOULD YOUR MOTION BE TO REMOVE SECTION 1 0 2 DASH 1 36 IN ITS ENTIRETY? OKAY.
NO, I'M JUST ASKING IS THAT I'M NOT WITH THESE, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT'S COME UP AND TALKED ABOUT THIS PERMIT, THE EMAILS THAT WE RECEIVED, I THINK WE SHOULD LISTENED TO THEM.
THEY WANT US TO REMOVE THIS PERMIT.
SO YOUR MOTION IS TO REMOVE THAT SECTION? YES.
DO YOU HAVE A SECOND BY MR. TMU? YEAH.
A LITTLE HARD TO READ 'CAUSE BLACKED OUT.
UM, COMMENT OR QUESTION, VICE CHAIR, MS. JUST DYLAN, YOU HEARD, UM, COMMENT ON THE INSURANCE, UM, HOLDING THE COUNTY INDEMNIFY, WHATEVER.
HOW DOES THAT WORK? IS THAT, OR IS THAT OPENING US UP FOR LITIGATION AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT? OR HOW, HOW DOES THAT WORK? UH, AS AN ATTORNEY, I CAN TELL YOU VERY FEW THINGS DO NOT OPEN US UP TO THE POSSIBILITY OF LITIGATION IF WE ENACT THEM.
UM, THERE IS, THE WAY THIS WOULD WORK WOULD BE, UH, AN ADDITIONAL INSURED ON AN INSURANCE POLICY, UM, BASICALLY WOULD SET FORTH THAT THE COUNTY IS, AS YOU WOULD SAY, ADDITIONALLY INSURED ON THE POLICY.
IF AN INCIDENT WERE TO HAPPEN, COVERAGE WOULD BE, THERE WOULD BE COVERAGE THERE IN FAVOR OF THE COUNTY.
UM, TO THE EXTENT THESE ARE REQUIRED BY OTHER ENTITIES, I DON'T HAVE ANY REASON TO DISPUTE THAT THROUGH DNR OR ANYTHING ELSE.
I THINK THE CONCERN THAT WE HEARD FROM COUNSEL, AND THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF THAT MOTION, AND THEN WHY WE PUT THE, UH, PERMIT REQUIREMENT IN SUBJECT TO THE MOTION, WAS THAT WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS ADEQUATE INSURANCE FOR THE COUNTY IF SOMETHING HAPPENED AT A COUNTY FACILITY.
AND THE LAST, UH, TIME WE WERE TOGETHER, UM, OUR COLLEAGUE LOGAN TALKED ABOUT, UM, GOVERNMENT OVERREACH, IF YOU WILL, IF WE DO THIS TYPE PERMIT
[01:25:01]
AND ALLOW THIS IN, COULD IT OPEN UP FOR OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN DO THAT ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE HERE TODAY AND MANY OTHERS BEFORE THIS, FOR THE LAST NUMBER OF MONTHS? I MEAN, ARE WE GONNA GET INTO A POINT WHERE WE CAN JUST DO ARBITRARILY WHATEVER WE WANT TO DO? DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? SO AGAIN, IF THAT OPENS US UP, I WANNA SUPPORT THAT MOTION THAT WAS JUST MADE TO TAKE THAT OUT.WELL, THE, THE EXTENT TO WHICH COUNCIL WISHES TO GET INVOLVED IN REGULATION IS A QUESTION FOR, FOR COUNCIL AND FOR THE ELECTED POLICYMAKERS UP HERE.
UM, IF THERE'S, THERE CAN ALWAYS BE, UM, THINGS ADDED TO OR TAKEN FROM AN ORDINANCE THAT, THAT WE PASS HERE.
UH, AND SO THERE'S ALWAYS THAT POSSIBILITY.
BUT JUST TO CLOSE THIS OUT, UM, FOR YEARS, THIS COUNTY FAILED TO DO WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO, RIGHT? WE NOW HAVE THE BUSINESS LICENSE THAT INCLUDES FEES THAT THEY PAY ALREADY.
THAT'S INCLUDED IN THAT BUSINESS LICENSE BASED ON SALES.
OUTSIDE OF THIS PERMIT, AM I CORRECT? THERE'S A REQUIREMENT FOR INSURANCE THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS THING THAT WE'RE GONNA PROBABLY THROW OUT TONIGHT.
THERE ARE VARIOUS INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS THROUGH OTHER ENTITIES, RIGHT? WE HEARD ABOUT IT.
UH, DNR, WHATEVER, COAST GUARD, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
AND THEN I THINK THE ONLY THING THAT WE REALLY HAVE TO DO IS WHAT OUR JOB IS SUPPOSED TO BE IS ENFORCEMENT.
SO BUSINESS LICENSE INSURANCE ALREADY INCLUDED AND ENC UH, IN ENFORCEMENT I SUPPORT TO GET, UH, THIS, UM, MOTION THAT MY COLLEAGUE POLAND MADE.
UM, SO IF THIS LANGUAGE IS NOT REMOVED TODAY, UH, WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEBODY COMES IN WITH A A HUNDRED, $300,000 POLICY? I THINK WE WOULD SAY, WOULD THEY BE DENIED BY THE LANGUAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE? IT THIS WOULD PREVENT THEM FROM GETTING THE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY PERMIT? YES, SIR.
AND WHEN WOULD THIS GO INTO EFFECT? I THINK BUSINESS LICENSES OTHER THAN NEW BUSINESS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED, RIGHT? FOR APRIL, ISN'T THAT WHEN THEY'RE RENEWED? YES, SIR.
WE WERE, WE WERE THROUGH THE RENEWAL PERIOD, GENERALLY SPEAKING.
SO THIS WOULDN'T ACTUALLY TAKE EFFECT UNTIL NEXT YEAR IF, IF IT'S NOT REMOVED.
LOGISTICALLY SPEAKING, I THINK YOU'D BE CORRECT.
SO I, THERE WOULDN'T BE TECHNICALLY ANY ENFORCEMENT ON THE PERMIT SIDE OF THINGS RIGHT NOW.
I GUESS WE, WE HAVE NOT HAD MAPPED OUT THAT CONVERSATION YET AS IT HADN'T PASSED, BUT, UH, OKAY, FAIR ENOUGH.
UM, SO I, I'LL SAY I HOPE THIS MOTION PASSES.
I, I THINK IT'S AN EXTRA, EXTRA LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY THAT IS NOT NEEDED.
UH, BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE, IF, IF IT DOESN'T, I INTEND TO MAKE A MOTION TO, TO REMOVE THE ADDITIONAL INSURED LANGUAGE AND JUST PROVIDE A CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE RATHER THAN A DOLLAR AMOUNT POLICY.
UH, WHEN THE OTHER PEOPLE CAME UP AND SAID THAT THEY WERE THE BOAT CAPTAIN CAPTAINS AND THEY HAVE REQUIRED INSURANCE, BUT THEY DIDN'T SAY WHAT THE VALUE OF THAT INSURANCE IS, IS IT, AND MAYBE IT'S SOMETHING THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO RESPOND TO.
IS THERE A MINIMUM INSURANCE THAT A BOAT CAPTAIN MUST HAVE? AS FAR AS THE STATE IS CONCERNED, WE, WE DON'T HAVE THAT DATA FROM THE STATE OR DNR.
UM, I, I IMAGINE IT VARIES FROM SITUATION TO SITUATION, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT DATA ON HAND AND THE, WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO VERIFY THEIR INSURANCE WITHOUT THE REQUIREMENT IN THE ORDINANCE.
BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE WISH TO DO SO, IS ENTIRELY IN COUNCIL'S HANDS.
MR. LAW, I'M ACTUALLY, UM, ALSO FOR, UM, THE AMENDMENT AND, UM, I, I THINK THAT WHEN WE ORIGINALLY DID THIS ORDINANCE, WE TALKED ABOUT LEAVING THAT SEPARATE AND THEN AS NEEDED IN THE FUTURE TO COME BACK IF WE FELT WE HAD A NEED.
WE CAN ALWAYS ADD TO THIS ORDINANCE IN THE FUTURE TO ADD MORE REGULATION IF WE THOUGHT, UM, 'CAUSE AGAIN, THIS, THIS ALL CAME ABOUT AND, AND KIND OF SNOWBALLED BECAUSE WE REALIZED THAT OUR ORDINANCE WAS NOT IN PLACE THAT WE NEEDED TO ENFORCE, UM, THINGS AT, AT THE LANDINGS TO MAKE IT BOTH SAFE FOR RESIDENTS AS WELL AS FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN USING THE, UH, LANDINGS FOR COMMERCIAL USE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
SO, UM, AGAIN, AT THIS TIME, UM, I WOULD, UH, SUPPORT THE MOTION.
ANYBODY ELSE CONVERSATION? I JUST WANT TO BE, JUST CLARIFY THE PURPOSE OF THIS.
UM, USE A PERMIT, WHICH IS CREATING SUCH, SUCH HEARTACHE.
IT'S ISSUED SIMPLY TO HELP ANY CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO SEES A COMMERCIAL WATERWAY ACTIVITY UNDERSTAND THAT THE PERSON WHO IS ENGAGING IN THAT ACTIVITY ACTUALLY HAS A BUSINESS LICENSE TO DO SO.
THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE, IN MY MIND, THE ONLY PURPOSE OF THIS.
THERE WAS NO FEE ATTACHED TO IT.
THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE ATTACHED TO IT.
THE REQUIREMENT FOR INSURANCE I THOUGHT WAS 500,000 AND SLASH A MILLION, WHICH IS I THINK THE ORIGINAL, UM, SUGGESTION THAT WAS MADE.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT NUMBER CAME FROM.
UH, IT'S, IT'S MORPHED INTO A MILLION DOLLARS AND I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO MAKING IT MORE REALISTIC IF THAT'S WHAT THE CAPTAINS ARE, ARE
[01:30:01]
BEING REQUIRED TO HAVE FROM EITHER THE COAST GUARD OR DNR OR WHOEVER REGULATES THAT.BUT THIS WAS NOT TO COLLECT ANY ADDITIONAL FEES OR ANYTHING ELSE, IT'S JUST WHEN THOSE, WHEN THE TIME COMES AND WE DO GET ORGANIZED NEXT APRIL, AND PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY AT THE BOAT LANDINGS ENGAGING IN CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY.
IF THEY SEE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND THE DECAL IS ON THE BOAT OR ON THE VESSEL THAT'S BEING USED, THEY CAN SEE THEY HAVE A BUSINESS LICENSE.
IF IT'S NOT THERE, THERE MAY BE SOME QUESTIONS THAT WOULD BE ENGAGED IN AS TO, DO YOU HAVE A BUSINESS LICENSE? I DON'T SEE YOUR PERMIT.
THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THIS WHOLE THING.
UM, COULD YOU RESPOND TO MR. MR. MCALLEN'S, UH, COMMENT? BECAUSE MY POSITION IS PROBABLY WITH HIS, AS FAR AS HAVING THE PERMIT, UM, AND, AND BASICALLY HAVING THE LICENSE AND A PERMIT, THE INSURANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY, UM, UH, SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE DONE FROM WHAT I'M HEARING.
AND TO ME, THE LANGUAGE OF, UH, PREFERRED AND NOT REQUIRED COULD BE IN THERE.
UM, AND YOU CAN LIMIT IT TO WHATEVER INSURANCE YOU HAVE.
UM, IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY INSURANCE IS ON YOU, BUT, YOU KNOW, UH, WE PREFER YOU TO HAVE INSURANCE AND THAT COULD BE AT ANY AMOUNT.
BUT I THINK THE LANGUAGE THAT MR. MCALLEN WAS EXPRESSING, IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR ENFORCEMENT TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A LICENSE, THERE IS A PERMIT ON THAT BOAT THAN THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE REQUIREMENT, WHETHER THEY HAVE INSURANCE OR NOT.
I THINK, LIKE THE GENTLEMAN SAID EARLIER, I THINK HIS NAME WAS, UH, I DON'T KNOW MR. SCOTT OR MR. WELCH, ONE OF THEM, THAT IT WOULD BE HARD FOR A NEW BEGINNER GETTING INTO THE BUSINESS TO GET INSURANCE.
SO WHY PUT THAT BURDEN ON THEM, UM, AT THIS TIME? SO, UM, I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD WANT INSURANCE AT SOME LEVEL, BUT MAYBE NOT AT A MILLION DOLLARS.
SO I, I REALLY LIKE THE PERMITTING PART, BUT I WOULD JUST TAKE THE INSURANCE PART OUT OR ESPECIALLY THE MILLION DOLLARS BECAUSE, UM, IT'S PROBABLY PROHIBITIVE FROM SOME PEOPLE.
ALRIGHT, MR. CUNNINGHAM, GO AHEAD.
I MEAN, DAVID AND I HIT ON THIS LAST TIME.
WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 10 MONTHS NOW, STILL HAVE GONE ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.
EVEN IF WE PUT A PERMIT INTO EFFECT, LIKE SOME PEOPLE ON COUNCIL WANT, IT DOESN'T GO INTO EFFECT FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
REMOVE THE PERMIT AND IF YOU WANNA DISCUSS IT FURTHER ABOUT ADDING IT LATER ON, WE CAN, BUT WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 10, 11 MONTHS.
CAN WE JUST PLEASE GET THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, REMOVE THE PERMIT, AND ACTUALLY GET BACK TO WORK.
ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA ASK FOR A ROLL CALL.
YOU GET TWO TIMES THE TALK ON A MOTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN VOTING ON THE AMENDMENT.
THE AMENDMENT TO REMOVE THE PERMIT.
COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM? YES.
NOW WE'RE VOTING ON THE ORDINANCE AS AMENDED.
YOU WANNA JUMP ON THAT ONE? I YOU WANT ME TO JUMP ON? OKAY.
ANYBODY ELSE? I'LL JUMP ON IT VERY BRIEFLY.
WELL, WE HAVE COME TOGETHER FOR 10, 11 MONTHS TO DO SOMETHING AND TONIGHT WE'RE GONNA GET THIS DONE.
THIS WAS A GREAT OPEN PROCESS WAY.
WE SHOULD DO IT AND, UH, LET'S JUST GET THIS DONE.
ALRIGHT, MR. CUNNINGHAM? YEAH.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO MR. KIDD.
I KNOW YOU'RE PUT A LOT OF TIME TO WORK ON THIS, YOU AND STAFF, SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR WORKING WITH IT, HOLDING THE WORKSHOPS AND WORKING WITH US.
IT'S NOT EASY DEALING WITH 11 OF US UP HERE.
SO I APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU TO COUNCIL AND THANK YOU EVERYONE ELSE WHO CAME OUT.
TROOPER, ANYBODY ELSE COMMENT ON THE ORDINANCE AS AMENDED? CALL THE QUESTION.
UM, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WELL, LET'S DO ROLL CALL.
COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM? YES.
[01:35:01]
VICE CHAIR TABER? YES.OKAY, I'M MOVING TO ORDINANCE 2026
[12.d. 2026/32: An Ordinance Amending the Community Development Code (CDC): Table 3.1.60 (Consolidated Use Table), Table 3.2.40. H (T2R Allowed Uses), and Division 4.1 (Specific to Use). PUBLIC HEARING ]
SLASH 32 IN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE.CDC TABLE 3.160 CONSOLIDATED USE TABLE TABLE 3.2 0.40 HT TWO R ALLOWED USES AND DIVISION 4.1 SPECIFIC TO USE.
DOES ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS, UH, ORDINANCE? OKAY.
SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING.
COUNTY COUNCIL, ANYBODY WISH TO, UH, TALK ON THIS ONE? ALL RIGHT, WE'LL CALL THE QUESTION.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS 2026 SLASH 32.
[12.e. 2026/30: An Ordinance Providing for a 2026 Transportation Sales Tax Referendum. PUBLIC HEARING ]
SLASH 30 IS AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A 2026 TRANSPORTATION.TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX REFERENDUM.
UH, IT WAS FIVE TWO AT FACILITIES 10 ZERO.
FIRST READING EIGHT THREE SECOND READING.
THANK YOU MR. PASSIT TO MOVE IT.
I DO HAVE FOUR PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC.
UM, HEARING CHARLIE RUSSO, YOU'RE FIRST COME ON DOWN.
CHARLIE RUSSO, PORT ROYAL AND MIGHT BE, UH, THROW YOU OFF 'CAUSE I'M GONNA START A LITTLE DIFFERENT ROUTE.
I'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION PREVIOUSLY, SOMETHING THE STATE HAS GIVEN US.
I BELIEVING WE'RE ANTICIPATING THE LOSS OF MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DUE TO A TAX LOOPHOLE.
UM, I'M ANXIOUSLY AWAITING TO HEAR A CONTINGENCY PLAN OF WHAT WE AS THE COUNTY ARE GONNA DO TO MAKE UP FOR THAT LOSS OF MONEY HEARING THIS PENNY OR TRANSPORTATION TAX.
MY CONCERN IS THE STATE HAS BEEN NICE ENOUGH TO SELL THE FARM ON US, BASICALLY.
AND MY CONCERN IS THE MONEY THAT WE, THE TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO PAY ON THIS TRANSPORTATION TAX.
IT'S GONNA BE USED TO POLISH THE DOORKNOBS AND PAVE THE ROADWAYS TO THESE DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE PUTTING NOTHING INTO THEIR REAL PROPERTY TAXES.
AND, YOU KNOW, WHILE THEY'RE TWO DI UNDERSTAND THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
MY CONCERN IS WE ARE, WE'RE BEING ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE MORE MONEY TO FIXED ROADWAYS AND WHATNOT.
WHILE THESE MANY DEVELOPMENTS WHO STARTED VERY FAIRLY SMALL LAST YEAR, IT'S GONNA BE A MUCH LARGER NUMBER THIS YEAR.
WHAT'S BEING DONE TO FIX THAT PROBLEM? I GET IT.
THE FIXES WITH THE STATE, BUT I BELIEVE WE, THE COUNTY CAN DO SOMETHING TO STOP THE BLEED AND THAT, THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.
NEXT I HAVE LISA SKA, A FAMILIAR FACE.
UM, VICE CHAIR AND CHAIR AND COUNTY COUNCIL.
BEFORE I START, I DO WANNA THANK SO MANY OF YOU WITH THE PRIMARY OVER IN THE RUNOFF OVER TOMORROW.
SOME OF YOU WILL NOT BE SERVING US THE BEGINNING OF 27.
UM, AND I JUST WANNA THANK YOU AS YOU KNOW, WHERE I SAT.
PUBLIC SERVICE IS SO HONORABLE, BUT IT IS ALSO VERY HARD.
UM, BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TIME YOU TOOK AND THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
YOU, UM, TOOK EACH MONTH TO MAKE DECISIONS ON THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL OUR RESIDENTS.
SPEAKING OF ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS, I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE PENNY.
UM, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TWO PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE THAT THERE WAS JUST NOT, NOT ANOTHER SIDE TO IT.
ONE WAS THAT THE COMMITTEE DIDN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED THROUGH LATS.
THE MAJORITY OF THE SIGNALIZATION SAFETY AND ALL OF THE WIDENING PROJECTS COME FROM THOSE STUDIES.
A COMMENT WAS MADE THAT MY ROLE AS CHAIR CAUSED MANY MORE PROJECTS IN THE BL AREA THAT IS UNTRUE.
LOOK AT COUNCILMAN PASSMAN SPREADSHEET AND YOU'RE GONNA SEE THAT EVERY DISTRICT HAS PROJECTS THAT ARE FOCUSED OVER THE 40,000 PLUS DRIVERS THAT USE OUR ROADS EVERY DAY FROM BUFORT TO HILTON HEAD AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN.
I DID WANNA LET YOU KNOW THIS COMMITTEE DID SUNSET, BUT SOME OF US CONTINUE TO EDUCATE AND SUPPORT THIS PENNY.
WE'VE SPOKEN TO THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND AREA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS WHO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SUPPORT THIS REFERENDUM.
THE BEAUFORT AREA REALTORS ASSOCIATION WHO SUPPORT THE HILTON
[01:40:01]
HEAD ISLAND AREA ASSOCIATION, HILTON HEAD ISLAND, BLUFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SUN CITY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AND OTHER SUN CITY GROUPS REGIONAL CITIZEN COMMITTEE.THE MAYORS FROM HILTON HEAD, BEAUFORT, PORT ROYAL BLUFFTON, AND HARDY.
SO LOCO NORTHERN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE AND GREATER BLUFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN VERY POSITIVE.
THEY ALL FEEL LIKE THEY'RE BECOMING EDUCATED ON THE 18 PENNY, BUT ALSO THE PROCESS OF THE PENNY.
OVERALL, THESE GROUPS AND OTHER HIGH PROFILE GROUPS ARE READY AND EAGER TO SUPPORT THIS AFTER THE READING TONIGHT AND WILL BE A GREAT HELP FROM MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS TO SUPPORT THE UPCOMING PROCESS TO ENSURE A POSITIVE OUTCOME.
ONE FINAL NOTE, THERE ARE TWO REALITIES TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE.
FAILING UNSAFE ROADS IN EVERYDAY TRAFFIC JAMS ARE LEADING TO A LOWER, MORE EXPENSIVE QUALITY OF LIFE.
WE MUST REMIND RESIDENTS THAT GRIDLOCK WILL GET EXPONENTIALLY WORSE EACH YEAR AND THE WORKFORCE DEPLETION.
WE'RE EXPERIENCING BIG LOSSES ALREADY, UM, IN OUR DWINDLING WORKFORCE.
THOUSANDS, WELL, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF COMMUTERS MAKE SLOW, LENGTHY, DIFFICULT RIDES FROM THREE TO FIVE COUNTIES EVERY MORNING AND EVERY EVENING IN BLUFFTON, BEAUFORT, HILTON HEAD, AND EVERYONE IN BOTH IN BETWEEN.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS ON THIRD AND FINAL READING AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
DAN IS A MEMBER OF BLUFFTON, UH, COUNTY BLUFFTON TOWN COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TONIGHT, NOT AS A COUNCIL MEMBER THOUGH.
I'M HERE FOR MYSELF AS A RESIDENT AT BLUFFTON, AND I JUST WANNA TAKE A MOMENT AND SAY, THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR AND COUNCIL.
AND GOODNESS, Y'ALL HAVE A TOUGH JOB AND I UNDERSTAND IT.
AND SO YOU'VE GIVEN YOUR COMMUNITY SERVICE, GREAT SERVICE, AND YOU CAN ALWAYS TAKE THAT WITH YOU AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN THE TIME COMES, YOU'RE NO LONGER SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY.
AND I JUST WANNA SAY THANKS AGAIN FOR ALLOWING ME THESE FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK.
AND I AM HERE ON THE PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION PENNY REFERENDUM.
AND AS WE ALL KNOW, DEMOCRACY CAN BE MESSY AND COMPLICATED.
REACHING UNANIMOUS CONSENT AMONG 11 PEOPLE OR A COMMITTEE OF 15 IS RARE.
AND BALANCING THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS DISTRICTS WITH THE GREATER GOOD OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY IS NEVER EASY.
AS YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR FINAL VOTE THIS EVENING, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE CONCERNS BEFORE YOU, AND INSTEAD TAKE A FARSIGHTED AND VISIONARY VIEW OF BEAUFORT COUNTY'S FUTURE.
WHILE THE FINANCIAL REQUESTS BEFORE YOU MAY SEEM SIGNIFICANT, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF OUR COUNTY ARE MUCH GREATER.
THE PROJECT LIST DEVELOPED BY THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REFLECTS NEEDS ACROSS EVERY REGION AND COMMUNITY IN BEAUFORT COUNTY.
SC ONE 70, US 21 AND US 2 78 ARE THE THREE PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION LIFELINES OF OUR COUNTY.
THEY CARRY THE VAST MAJORITY OF LOCAL AND VISITOR TRAFFIC AND ACCOUNT FOR A DIS DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF OUR SERIOUS INJURY AND FATAL CRASHES.
TONIGHT'S VOTE IS ABOUT MORE THAN ROADS AND INTERSECTIONS.
IT IS ABOUT PROTECTING OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN, HELPING RESIDENTS GET TO WORK SAFELY AND ON TIME, SUPPORTING OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR ECONOMY, AND MORE, MOST IMPORTANTLY, IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND AT ITS CORE, ITS CORE VALUE.
IT'S ABOUT DIMINISHING THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS, IT SAVING LIVES.
AND SO I THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME.
THAT, UH, IS THE END OF MY LIST.
ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE CARE TO COMMENT OR ASK A QUESTION DURING PUBLIC HEARING? THANK YOU.
LET ME HAVE YOUR NAME SO I CAN RECORD IT.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO HAVE THREE MINUTES TONIGHT AND FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT, UH, UH, AS WELL AS THANKING YOU.
UM, I ALSO WANNA SAY I AM A RESIDENT OF HILTON HEAD AND I DID REPRESENT DISTRICT 11 ON THE TAX COMMITTEE.
UM, IN THE LAST MEETING, THERE WAS WORDING ON THE TAX REFERENDUM THAT NEEDED TO
[01:45:01]
BE CHANGED.WHEN I LOOKED TONIGHT TO, UM, TO SEE WHAT HAD CHANGED, IF IT WAS CHANGED IN A WAY THAT WAS BENEFICIAL AND WHAT YOU TALKED ABOUT, IT WASN'T CHANGED.
SO I'M KIND OF CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
AND I DID WANNA BRING IT UP TONIGHT SO WE COULD DISCUSS IT.
UM, THE AREAS ARE 2.4 AND 2.15.
UM, I STARTED TO SPELL EVERYTHING OUT, BUT I'M SURE YOU ALL KNOW FROM, UH, NOTES AND THINGS FROM LAST WEEK.
UM, THE RESIDENTS NEED YOUR COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY AND LEAVING THIS UNCHANGED, WE'LL SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO VOTERS IF THIS GETS ON THE BALLOT AND IT STAYS WORDED THIS WAY.
THE SECOND THING I WANTED TO MENTION IS USING OUR TAX DOLLARS, REGARDLESS IF YOU HAD SAID THEY WERE NOT DESIGNATED FOR A PARTICULAR USE TO MARKET, THE TAX REFERENDUMS TO US IS NOT SETTING WELL.
YES, IT'S ALREADY BEEN NOTICED.
BILLBOARDS ALREADY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS, AND NOW YOU'RE HIRING MARKETING COMPANIES THAT WILL ONCE AGAIN USE OUR TAX DOLLARS TO MARKET THIS TAX TO US.
SO TO ENSURE IT WILL PASS IS REALLY LOOKING POORLY UPON BY THOSE WHOSE MONEY YOU'RE TAKING.
WE, THE TECH COMMITTEE, WERE CAUTIONED IN ONE MEETING BY THE CHAIRWOMAN TO NOT USE THE VERBIAGE, OR EXCUSE ME, TO USE THE APPROPRIATE VERBIAGE.
WE'RE EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, NOT MARKETING.
WELL, WE ALL KNOW THAT A TEACHER WILL EDUCATE, BUT YOU HIRE MARKETING COMPANY TO MARKET.
WE FEEL THE COUNTY NEEDS THIS TAX TO GO THROUGH BECAUSE THERE'S THIS GREAT HOUSE BILL FLOATING AROUND THAT WAS MENTIONED BY TOM RES LAST WEEK CALLED HOUSE BILL 8 66, WHICH MANY RESIDENTS AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH AS YET.
IT WILL GRANT MUNICIPALITIES, EACH CITY OR TOWN IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE THEIR OWN MONEY AND MANAGE IT FOR THEIR OWN LOCAL NEEDS VIA THEIR OWN REFERENDUM.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, IT OFFERS LOWER PROPERTY TAXES.
LOWERING OUR PROPERTY TAXES WILL HELP STIMULATE OUR ECONOMY IN SOME GREAT WAYS.
THE TAXPAYERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HOUSE BILL 66 IF THIS COUNTY REFERENDUM IS APPROVED.
THE COUNTY TAX, UH, REFERENDUM IS NOW AT A NINE YEARS DURATION PERIOD.
IN OURT COMMITTEE MEETING ON APRIL 22ND, BEAUFORT COUNTY ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR JARED FRA, STATED THAT HE NEEDED A TAX DURATION THAT ALLOWED HIM THE TIME TO WORK ON THE NEXT TAX AND HAVE IT READY TO ROLL OUT AS SOON AS THE 26TH TAX IS FINISHED.
HE REFERRED TO IT AS HAVING ANOTHER TAX ON THE SHELF.
I INVITE YOU TO VIEW THIS BY GOING TO THE COUNTY YOUTUBE WEBSITE AND VIEWING THE VIDEO STARTING AT THE ONE HOUR AND FOUR MINUTE 54 SECOND TIMESTAMP.
SAME MEETING AT TIMESTAMP, ONE HOUR, TWO MINUTES, AND 44 SECONDS.
JARED ALSO OFFERS SIX YEARS OF PROJECTS AT AN EIGHT YEAR PRICE TAG TO COVER ANY INCREASES.
EVERYTHING WAS PRICED OUT AT A 2030 PRICE, AND THEN THEY HAD ACTUALLY ADDED SOME MORE PERCENTAGE IN ON THAT.
SO AT THIS POINT, IT WOULD BASICALLY GIVE HIM, HE SAID, A 33% OVERAGE TO WORK WITH, AND THAT BASICALLY EQUATED TO $200 MILLION EXTRA.
THIS IS MORE GOVERNMENT, MORE TAXES, AND NO TRANSPARENCY WITHOUT RESULTS.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE OPPORTUNITIES IN HOUSE BILL 8 66 AND I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE NO IN NOVEMBER.
ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC HEARING? ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNTY COUNCIL.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NOBODY.
OH, MR. LAWSON? YEAH, AND I'LL PROBABLY REPEAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE, I'VE SAID BEFORE IS, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED IN THIS COUNTY.
EVEN IF WE SAT DOWN AND LEMME TRY TO PUT IN NUMBERS FOR YOU.
WE SAT DOWN AND, UM, WE'RE ABLE, OUR BUDGET IS 200 MILLION A YEAR AND WE'RE ABLE TO SAVE 10%, $20 MILLION, UM, AND TRY TO SPEND THAT TOWARDS TRANSPORTATION.
UM, IT WOULD TAKE US 38 YEARS TO GET TO WHERE THIS TRANSPORTATION PENNY IS GONNA TAKE US.
UM, IT, IT, IT'S, IT'S KINDA LIKE WHAT I, WHAT I'VE SAID BEFORE IS, IS THE FACT THAT, UM, IF YOU THINK THE ROADS ARE FINE IN BEAUFORT COUNTY AND YOU THINK THAT WE DON'T NEED TO MAKE ANY CHANGES, THEN YOU SHOULD, YOU SHOULD VOTE NO.
[01:50:01]
GOT ISSUES AND WE NEED TO THINK TO THE FUTURE, THEN YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO VOTE YES FOR THIS 1 CENT SALES REFERENDUM.AND AGAIN, UH, WOULD WOULD LOVE TO SEE US BE, HAVE THIS TO, TO CREATE A BETTER VIEW FOR ACCOUNTING FOR THE FUTURE.
ANYBODY ELSE? MS. HOWARD? UM, YES, EARLY ON, GET HIM.
UM, WE MET WITH THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT AND THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOLS.
AND AFTER MEETING WITH THEM, I WAS CONVINCED, UM, AS SOMEONE HAS ALREADY SAID THAT THIS IS A SCHOOL SAFETY PROBLEM TOO.
I, I WANT, UM, OUR CHILDREN TO BE SAFE ON OUR ROADS AND IF WE DON'T PASS THIS, UM, OUR SCHOOL BUSES ARE NOT GONNA GET TO SCHOOL ON TIME AND THEY MAY NOT GET THERE SAFELY.
SO IT IS COUNTYWIDE NEEDED, ESPECIALLY SOME OF OUR DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS, WHETHER YOU LIVE NORTH OR SOUTH OR EAST OR WEST IN BEAUFORT COUNTY.
YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO TOUCH ON THE FACT THAT, UH, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT IT DID CHANGE BETWEEN ONE OF THE READINGS.
WE ADDED AN EXTRA YEAR ONTO IT.
THAT'S BECAUSE WE REMOVED UNPREPARED FOODS, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT MORE OF THE BURDEN WENT ONTO TOURISTS INSTEAD OF OUR RESIDENTS OF BEAUFORT COUNTY.
SO JUST NOTE THAT THAT CHANGE DID HAPPEN TO ACTUALLY LOWER, THAT CAME TO ABOUT $12 MILLION A YEAR.
WE MADE THAT ADJUSTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE TOURISTS WERE CARRYING THAT LOAD MORE THAN RESIDENTS.
UM, I THINK WE ALL KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
I, I WANNA JUST FOCUS ON WHAT MS. ERICKSON HAD TO SAY.
UM, A COUPLE THINGS WITH THE LANGUAGE WE WERE GONNA BE SPECIFIC.
IT SEEMS TO BE, UM, WHAT MS. EON WAS SAY ERICKSON WAS SAYING TO TAKE OUT OR WHAT YOU MENTIONED YOU WOULD TAKE OUT, JAR, YOU CAN COMMENT ON THIS.
UM, IS HAVING THE ABILITY TO PICK AND CHOOSE, WE MAY DO THIS OR MAY DO THAT.
I WAS, WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS GONNA BE A TARGETED APPROACH TO PROJECTS AND THE LANGUAGE IS STILL IN THERE.
IF YOU GO TO BROCK, I THINK IT, WHAT'S PAGE, UH, 3 73 IN THE PACKET THAT WE WERE RECEIVED.
IT'S THERE AND IT TALKS ABOUT MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING PROJECT.
I THOUGHT WE WERE GONNA GET AWAY FROM THAT KIND OF LANGUAGE AND BE A LITTLE BIT MORE TARGETED.
YEAH, SO THAT DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE AT SECOND READING AND THAT LANGUAGE WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE STATUTE.
WHAT WE DID STRIKE FROM THE, THE PARAGRAPH WAS THE MASS TRANSIT AND THE GREEN BELT COMPONENT OF WHICH WE DON'T HAVE ANY REPRESENTED IN THE PROJECT LIST.
UM, AS FAR AS THE SPECIFICITY OF THE PROJECTS, UM, IN THAT SECTION 2.4, IT, IT TALKS ABOUT, UM, THE PROJECTS AND THEN FURTHER DOWN, WE, WE CHANGED IT.
WE HAD AN EXHIBIT, UM, WE REMOVED THE EXHIBIT AND NOW WE LISTED ALL OF THOSE QUES IN THE BALLOT QUESTION.
SO WHEN YOU GO TO THE BALLOT, UH, YOU'LL SEE ABOUT THREE OR FOUR PAGES WORTH OF PROJECTS LISTED AS PART OF THE BALLOT QUESTION.
SINCE THAT'S INCLUDED IN THE ORDINANCE, WE DON'T HAVE AN ATTACHED EXHIBIT.
UM, SO THERE IS A MINOR SCRIBNER'S ERROR THERE THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED THAT, UM, PROJECTS ARE ESTIMATED COSTS INDICATED AT THE EXHIBIT A THAT SHOULD BE STRICKEN, THAT LAST SECTION THERE.
BUT BEYOND THAT, SO THE SPECIFICITY, SPECIFICITY THAT WE, UM, DISCUSSED IS REPRESENTED IN THE BALLOT QUESTION FURTHER DOWN IN THE ORDINANCE.
JARED WOULD BE BETTER RATHER THAN REMOVE THAT CHANGE EXHIBIT.
BUT I WOULD, I WOULD, UM, ASK THAT THAT BE LISTED AS EITHER A MOTION OR A SCRIBNER'S ERROR TO BE UPDATED AS SUCH.
MS. BROCK, UM, I THINK IT READS SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT INCLUDED BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE GENERAL PROJECTS INDICATED IN EXHIBIT A.
AGAIN, THAT GENERAL, WHAT WOULD THAT BE IN THERE FOR? I THINK IT'S 2.15.
THIS IS DESCRIBING THE CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
UM, AND THERE ARE NO GENERAL PROJECTS.
ALL THE PROJECTS ARE LISTED AS SPECIFIC PROJECTS DOWN IN FURTHER IN THE ORDINANCE.
I HAVE THAT IN THIS PACKET I RECEIVED.
UM, LET'S TALK ABOUT REAL QUICKLY, BILL 66 OR 8 66, WE FOUND SOME INFORMATION THAT IF THIS DOES PASS, THE MUNICIPALITIES WILL HAVE NO ACCESS TO HAVE THEIR OWN,
[01:55:02]
UM, FUNDING ABILITY.SO THAT'S A PROPOSED BILL AND UH, IF THIS PASS OR IF THERE WASN'T A, A FUTURE BILL OR FUTURE OVERALL COUNTY TAX, THEN MUNICIPAL MUNICIPALITIES WOULD BE ALLOWED TO PUT OUT A SPECIFIC TAX, UM, THAT'S JUST COLLECTED WITHIN THEIR CONFINES OF THEIR JURISDICTION, UM, AND APPLIED TO THEIR SPECIFIC ROAD PROJECTS.
IT WOULD BE MUCH LIKE THE CAPITAL PROJECT SALES TAX THAT THE COUNTIES HAVE.
BUT JUST FOR INSIDE MUNICIPAL LIMITS, IT DOESN'T REMOVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO HAVE A FUTURE COUNTYWIDE TAX.
BUT IF A COUNTY PASSED A TAX AFTER A MUNICIPAL PASSED A TAX, THAT TAX WOULD OVERLAY, IT WOULDN'T BE A DUPLICATE.
IT WOULD BE SHOULD THE MUNICIPAL TAX EXPIRE, THEN THE COUNTY TAX WOULD THEN TAKE THE COLLECTIONS THAT WERE IN THE MUNICIPAL AREA.
SO ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS, UM, THE, THE PROPOSED BILL FOR THE MUNICIPAL TAX IS A COMBINATION OF CAPITAL TAX, CAPITAL PROJECT, SALES TAX, AND WHAT WE CALL AS LOSS, LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX, WHICH HAS A PROPERTY TAX ROLLBACK.
SO SHOULD THIS PASS, UM, THERE'S STILL AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX COUNTYWIDE, WHICH ALLOWS FOR SIMILAR PROJECT RELATED SPECIFIC PROJECTS, COUNTYWIDE, MUNICIPALS INCLUDED, AND A PROPERTY TAX ROLLBACK THE SAME AS THE HOUSE BILL THAT YOU'RE REPRESENTING.
SO THAT WOULD TAKE IT REALLY OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE MUNICIPALITY BE UP TO THE COUNTY.
THAT WOULD BE ANO, THAT'S ANOTHER COUNTY STATUTE.
AND THAT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE ITS OWN SEPARATE REFERENDUM.
ANYBODY ELSE COMMENT QUESTION? NOBODY.
WOULD YOU DO A ROLL CALL? VOTE PLEASE.
THIS IS ON THE, WELL DO WE NEED TO SAY NOTE THE SCRIVENER'S ERROR AS AN AMENDMENT? YES.
YEAH, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU DO RIGHT IN THE SECTION.
UM, AND I FORGET THE VERBIAGE YOU SAID.
SO LISTED IN, AS LISTED FURTHER IN THE ORDINANCE, IS IT SATISFACTORY TO PASS THE ORDINANCE WITH THE SCRIVENER'S ERROR OR DO WE NEED A MOTION? I WILL MAKE THE MOTION SO THAT IT IS DOCUMENTED THAT IN 2.4 WE REMOVE PROJECTS AS ESTIMATED COSTS INDICATED IN EXHIBIT A.
REMOVE THAT AND ADD AS THE PROJECTS ARE LISTED IN THE BALLOT QUESTION.
AND THEN IN 2.15, REMOVE THE WORD GENERAL AND JUST SAY THE PROJECTS.
ANYBODY COMMENT ON THIS? THE AMENDMENT.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT AS STATED BY MR. PASSMAN.
OH, I CAN'T SEE MR. CUNNINGHAM, BUT I'M GONNA, OH, THERE HE IS.
OKAY, SO THE AMENDMENT PASSES NOW WE ARE VOTING ON THE ORDINANCE AS AMENDED.
ANY COMMENT OR QUESTION BEFORE I CALL THE QUESTION? ALRIGHT, PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL.
COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER BARTHOLOMEW? NO.
[12.f. 2026/35: An Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of Drainage Easements Associated with Drainage Systems in the Bay Pines Subdivision. PUBLIC HEARING ]
35 IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF DRAINAGE EASEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN THE BAY PINE SUBDIVISION.CAN I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE? ALL RIGHT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE ON COUNCIL WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE? ALRIGHT, ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS, UH, ORDINANCE.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND AND IT PASSES.
[12.g. 2026/36: An Ordinance Authorizing a Lease Agreement between Beaufort County and the General Services Administration (GSA) for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) use within the Hilton Head Island Airport terminal. PUBLIC HEARING]
IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEAUFORT COUNTY AND THE GENERAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.AS WE ALL KNOW, TSA USE WITHIN THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND AIRPORT TERMINAL.
MR. MO, YOU MR. REEDS MOVED IT OR MR. PASS? SO I DID, YEAH.
[02:00:01]
OF THE FACILITIES AND THE READING.FIRST AND SECOND READING WITH NO OBJECTION.
SO THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND NO ONE SIGNED UP.
ANYONE HAVE A COMMENT IN THE AUDIENCE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ORDINANCE? ALL RIGHT.
SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE HAVE A QUESTION OR A COMMENT ON THIS ORDINANCE? ALL RIGHT.
ALL IN FAVOR OF ORDINANCE 2026 SLASH 36.
[12.h. 2026/31: An Ordinance to amend Beaufort County's Parks and Recreation Ordinance (Ordinance NO. 2018/41 Sec. 90-33) to change the Parks and Recreations Board's authority to set fees and rates. PUBLIC HEARING]
SLASH 31 IS AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND BUFORT COUNTY'S PARKS AND RECREATION ORDINANCE, WHICH IS NUMBER 2 0 1 8 SLASH 41, SECTION 90 DASH 33 TO CHANGE THE PARKS AND REC BOARDS AUTHORITY TO SET FEES AND RATES.UH, NO ONE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING, BUT ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISH TO MAKE A COMMENT FEEL FREE TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM.
OKAY, SO NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ANY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS AND JUST FOR THE AUDIENCE LISTENING, AGAIN, THIS HAS BEEN THROUGH COMMITTEE MEETING AND FIRST READING AND SECOND READING WITH NO OBJECTIONS.
SO WE HAVE NO QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS ORDINANCE.
THEN NOW WE ARE GOING TO ORDINANCES
[13.a. 2026/33: An Ordinance Amending the Community Development Code (CDC): Division 5.10 (Historic Preservation), Section 7.2.120 (Certificate Of Appropriateness), Section 7.3.80 (Historic Designation), Section 7.4.50 (Public Hearing Scheduling and Notice), and Section 7.5.40 (Historic Preservation Review Board (Hprb)). PUBLIC HEARING ]
FOR SECOND READING IN ORDINANCE OF 2026 SLASH 33 IN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE DIVISION 5.10, HISTORIC PRESERVATION SECTION 7.2 20, CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS, SECTION 7.3 0.8, HISTORIC DESIGNATION, SECTION 7.4 POINT PUBLIC HEARING, SCHEDULING AND NOTICE.AND SECTION 7.5 0.4, HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW BOARD.
ANYONE TO MAKE THE MOTION? MOTION? OH, MS. BROWN MAKES THE MOTION.
I DO HAVE TWO PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
AND YOU WROTE 30 MINUTES PLUS OR MINUS 15.
I THINK I DID THAT LAST TIME TOO.
I'VE SERVED ON THE CITY OF, UH, BELFORT'S HISTORIC DISTRICT REVIEW BOARD, UH, WHERE I CURRENTLY SIT AS THE VICE CHAIR, UH, AND WAS RECENTLY REAPPOINTED TO ANOTHER THREE YEAR TERM.
I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE SECRETARY OF, UH, INTERIORS OF REHABILITATION STANDARDS, UH, THE MILNER GUIDELINES AND ALL THOSE THINGS, ALL THOSE RESOURCES WE USE TO, UH, ADMINISTER HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
MY UNDERSTANDING OF THIS ISSUE ISN'T JUST REGULATORY.
I'M ALSO THE CEO AND FOUNDER OF BERMAN PROPERTY GROUP.
WE'RE A LOCAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND CONSTRUCTION FIRM.
WE HANDLE BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION.
UH, AND WE'VE COMPLETED DOZENS OF HISTORIC RENOVATIONS, UH, AND PROJECTS, UH, IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH A UNIQUE VANTAGE POINT ON THIS TOPIC.
I KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FROM THE HISTORIC REVIEW BOARD SEAT.
UH, I KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FROM A BUILDER'S PERSPECTIVE, UH, AND I ALSO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FROM AN INVESTOR'S PERSPECTIVE.
WHO NEEDS TO COMMIT CAPITAL TO A PROJECT, UH, AND PUT CAPITAL AT RISK FROM ALL THREE VIEWPOINTS.
I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT PASSING THIS SWEEPING COUNTY ORDINANCE, UH, AS CURRENTLY DRAFTED IS A DANGEROUS MISTAKE.
TO BE COMPLETELY CLEAR, I'M NOT ANTIP PRESERVATION.
UH, THERE ARE ICONIC UNDISPUTABLE AREAS LIKE THE OLD POINT, NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIFIC HISTORIC CORRIDORS ALONG BAY AND RE STREETS, UM, WHERE I THINK 80% OF FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE UNIVERSALLY AGREE THAT WE MUST PROTECT OUR HISTORY, UH, AND TRUE PRESERVATION MATTERS IN THOSE SPECIFIC ZONES.
TRUE HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICTS ARE INHERENTLY DESIGNED FOR DENSE LOCAL MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTS LIKE A CITY OR TOWNSHIP.
THIS SWEEPING COUNTYWIDE FRAMEWORK IS COMPLETELY ANTITHETICAL TO THE VERY STRUCTURE AND PURPOSE OF OUR STRATIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
WHY DO OUR CITIZENS CHOOSE TO LIVE IN UNINCORPORATED COUNTY AREAS? THEY DO IT PRECISELY BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT MICROMANAGING THEIR LIVES.
THEY WANT MORE FREEDOM, MORE AUTONOMY, AND MORE LEEWAY TO DO WITH WHAT IS THEIRS AS THEY WISH.
SLAPPING A RIGID CITY STYLE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FRAMEWORK OVER UNINCORPORATED COUNTY LAND STRIPS AWAY THE EXACT REASON PEOPLE CHOOSE COUNTY LIVING TO BEGIN WITH.
WHEN YOU APPLY PRESERVATION AS A
[02:05:01]
BLUNT INSTRUMENT ACROSS AN ENTIRE COUNTY WITHOUT AN IRONCLAD PROPERTY OWNER OPT-IN MECHANISM, IT STOPS BEING ABOUT HISTORY AND INADVERTENTLY BECOMES AN ENGINE FOR GENTRIFICATION AND DISPLACEMENT.AS A BUILDER AND INVESTOR, I SEE THE MARKET PERVERSIONS.
THESE REGULATIONS CREATE, THEY PROP UP PREDATORY COTTAGE INDUSTRIES AROUND HISTORICALLY APPROPRIATE MATERIALS, HISTORICALLY APPROPRIATE.
IF A FIXED INCOME FAMILY OR MULTI-GENERATIONAL HOMEOWNER NEEDS TO REPLACE THEIR WINDOWS STANDARD, HIGH QUALITY OFF THE SHELF OPTIONS ARE BANNED.
THEY'RE FORCED TO BUY CUSTOM WOOD WINDOWS, OFTEN AT DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE COST.
IF THEY NEED TO RECITE THEIR HOME LOW MAINTENANCE, LONG-LASTING CEMENTITIOUS SIDING LIKE HARDY PLANK IS DISALLOWED BECAUSE IT ISN'T HISTORICALLY ACCURATE.
INSTEAD, THEY'RE FORCED TO BUY PINE LAP, CEDAR LAP, CEDAR SHAPE, OTHER TYPES OF SIDING THAT WILL ROT AND REQUIRE COSTLY MAINTENANCE IN A FRACTION OF THE TIME.
NOT TO MENTION THE LABOR COST IS TWICE TO THREE TIMES AS MUCH.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ACTUAL HUMAN BEINGS LIVING IN THESE NEWLY DESIGNATED ZONES? FIRST, THEY FACE DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT.
WORKING CLASS FAMILIES CAN'T AFFORD THESE ONEROUS MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS, SO THE REPAIRS DON'T HAPPEN.
THEY DON'T WANT TO GO TO A BOARD AND GET APPROVALS FOR THESE THINGS.
IT BECOMES A BUREAUCRATIC NIGHTMARE FOR THEM.
SO THEY JUST DON'T DO THE REPAIRS.
THE PAINT PEELS, THE WOOD ROTS, THE VERY HOMES WE CLAIM WE WANT TO SAVE END UP BEING DEMOLISHED BY NEGLECT AND ALL BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT MADE SOME BASIC MAINTENANCE FINANCIALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
SECOND, THEY'RE ECONOMICALLY DISPLACED WHEN THESE FAMILIES ARE FORCED TO SELL BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO MAINTAIN THEIR HOMES TO BUREAUCRATIC STANDARDS.
IF WE PASS THIS AS WRITTEN, WE'LL INEVITABLY DISPLACE FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATION, BEAU IANS, INCLUDING THE HEIRS OF FREEDMAN, WHO HANDED DOWN HISTORIC COTTAGES ALL UNDER THE GUISE OF PROTECTING HISTORY.
IF THE COUNTY MOVES FORWARD WITH A PRESERVATION PROGRAM, A STRICT VOLUNTARY OPT-IN PROVISION IS THE ONLY WAY TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS' RIGHTS IF YOU CHOOSE AN OPT OUT PROVISION.
INSTEAD IT BECOMES A BUREAUCRATIC TRAP.
WORKING CLASS FAMILIES, THE ELDERLY AND BUSY PEOPLE WILL GET CAUGHT UP IN THIS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SEE THE NOTICE, DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE JARGON, OR DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO OBJECT IN TIME.
THEY WILL INADVERTENTLY LOSE THEIR PROPERTY RIGHTS OVERNIGHT.
FURTHERMORE, LET'S TALK ABOUT VALUE RESTRICTING WHAT A PERSON COULD DO WITH THEIR PROPERTY STRIPS MARKET VALUE AWAY FROM THEM.
IF THE COUNTY IS GOING TO SEIZE THAT VALUE.
HOW ARE THESE OWNERS BEING COMPENSATED? WHEN THE GOVERNMENT EXERCISES EMINENT DOMAIN FOR A ROAD EXPANSION, CITIZENS ARE RIGHTFULLY COMPENSATED.
WHY SHOULD THIS BE ANY DIFFERENT? IS THE COUNTY PLANNING TO HIRE APPRAISERS TO DECIPHER HOW MUCH MONEY IS OWED TO EVERY SINGLE PROPERTY OWNER WHOSE RIGHTS ARE BEING INFRINGED? I HIGHLY DOUBT IT.
WORSE YET, I'VE SEEN DRAFT EDITS SUGGESTING A PATHWAY WHERE THE COUNTY COUNCIL COULD OVERRIDE A PROPERTY OWNER'S OBJECTION.
IF THE PUBLIC INTEREST SUBSTANTIALLY OUTWEIGHS THE PRIVATE INTEREST, I CANNOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME FATHOM A SCENARIO WHERE IT MAKES SENSE FOR THE COUNCIL TO OVERRIDE AN INDIVIDUAL'S OBJECTION TO THEIR OWN HOME.
BEING FORCED INTO A DISTRICT, THERE IS ZERO PUBLIC INTEREST IN LOOKING AT A PRETTY BUILDING THAT OUTWEIGHS A CITIZEN'S FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO THEIR OWN PROPERTY.
NO LOOPHOLE SHOULD EXIST TO LET THE GOVERNMENT OVERRIDE A NO.
IT HONESTLY BLOWS MY MIND HOW SOME PEOPLE CAN MOVE INTO AN AREA, LOOK AROUND AT THEIR NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTIES, AND SUDDENLY FEEL ENTITLED TO DICTATE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD DO WITH THEIR OWN THINGS.
IMAGINE IF WE CREATED A COUNTY COMMITTEE TO TELL YOU WHAT COLOR YOU'RE ALLOWED TO PAINT YOUR CAR, OR WHAT BRAND OF TIRES YOU HAVE TO BUY TO MAINTAIN THE COUNTY AESTHETIC.
WE WOULD CALL THAT COMPLETELY INSANE.
YET WE ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING DOING EXACTLY THAT TO SOMEONE'S HOME, THEIR SINGLE LARGEST FINANCIAL ASSET.
IT IS AN ASTONISHING LEVEL OF ENTITLEMENT AND FOR WHAT THE STAFF NOTES SUGGEST, WE NEED THIS FOR RID, THIS RIGID FRAMEWORK TO CHASE ABSTRACT ETHEREAL GRANT FUNDING.
GRANT FUNDING FOR UNNAMED PROJECTS.
WE ARE BEING ASKED TO TRADE THE CONCRETE FUNDAMENTAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OUR CITIZENS FOR A MIRAGE OF FEDERAL OR STATE DOLLARS.
LET'S LOOK AT THE REALITY OF HOW MONEY IS HANDLED IN THIS COUNTY.
CAST YOUR MINDS BACK TO THE 2018 PENNY SALES TAX REFERENDUM.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT TONIGHT.
THE TAXPAYERS DID THEIR PART PASSED THE TAX AND WERE PROMISED A SWEEPING LIST OF INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS EIGHT YEARS LATER.
WHAT DO WE HAVE TO SHOW FOR IT? A TINY FRACTION OF THOSE PROJECTS HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN EXECUTED.
THE PLAIN TRUTH IS THAT THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY A SYSTEMIC CRISIS OF PUBLIC TRUST.
WE HAVE SEEN NONSTOP EXECUTIVE TURNOVER, WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS OVER FUND ALLOCATIONS, ABRUPT DEPARTURES OF FINANCIAL
[02:10:01]
STAFF, AND A REVOLVING DOOR OF EXPENSIVE OUTSIDE INVESTIGATIONS INTO PROCUREMENT, FAILURES AND MISMANAGEMENT.WHY ON EARTH SHOULD THE CITIZENS OF BEAUFORT COUNTY TRUST THAT IF YOU'RE HANDED MORE GRANT MONEY, EVERYTHING WILL SUDDENLY BE OKAY? IT'LL BE HANDLED FLAWLESSLY.
THE MONEY THIS COUNTY HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN HAS NOT BEEN ADJUDICATED WISELY, FAIRLY APPROPRIATELY OR JUDICIOUSLY.
SO WHEN STAFF TELLS US WE NEED TO PREEMPTIVELY STRIP CITIZENS OF THEIR BASIC PROPERTY RIGHTS SO WE CAN QUALIFY FOR AN UNSPECIFIED GRANT, I ASK YOU, DO WE EVEN BELIEVE WE'LL GET THE FUNDING? IF WE DO, WHAT UNNAMED PROJECT WILL IT ACTUALLY GO TO? IS IT A PROJECT ANY OF US WOULD EVEN APPROVE? AND BASED ON OUR TRACK RECORD OF UNCOMPLETED PROJECTS, WOULD IT EVEN SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY TRADING A CITIZEN'S ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO THEIR OWN HOME FOR AN EMPTY UNVETTED PROMISE FROM A GOVERNMENT STRUGGLING WITH ITS OWN ACCOUNTABILITY IS A COMPLETELY BANKRUPT CONCEPT THAT IS A LOSING TRADE EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE WEEK.
I WOULD SAY SHAME ON THE COUNTY STAFF FOR PUSHING THIS FORWARD AND SHAME ON THE COUNCIL IF IT LETS IT PASS A SECOND.
READING IN ITS CURRENT OVERBROAD FORM.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WRITING ORDINANCES AND STAFFING THEM IS A MESSY BUSINESS.
AND I KNOW IT OFTEN GOES UN THANKED AND THERE'S PROBABLY SOME GOOD STUFF IN THE ORDINANCE, BUT IT HAS TO HAVE AN OPT-IN PROVISION.
IT MUST, EVERYONE ON THIS COUNCIL SHOULD IMMEDIATELY APPLY THE GOLDEN RULE TO THEMSELVES.
IF YOU WOULDN'T WANT AN UNELECTED COMMITTEE TELLING YOU THAT YOU CAN'T REPAIR YOUR OWN ROOF UNLESS YOU SPEND TRIPLE THE MARKET RATE, DO NOT PASS THIS LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS IT TO HAPPEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
DEMAND A MANDATORY EXPLICIT PROPERTY OPT-IN PROVISION WITH ABSOLUTELY NO COUNSEL.
OVERRIDE, PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED YOU AND PROTECT THE FOUNDATIONAL FREEDOM OF COUNTY LIVING.
UM, FELISE LAMARCA, YOU'RE NEXT VERY WELL.
I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT HE SAID FLED PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE I WAS TIRED OF THE RULES, TIRED OF BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO, WHEN TO DO IT, WHAT COLOR TO DO IT, AND THEN THE LAST STRAW WAS I HAD A WEED IN THE FRONT YARD I HADN'T PICKED.
SO PLEASE, UM, TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.
I, THE LAST TIME YOU VOTED ON IT, THE VOTE WAS NINE TO ONE.
AND THAT'S WHEN I STARTED RESEARCHING THIS BECAUSE FROM THE BEGINNING IT SOUNDED LIKE GOVERNMENT OVERREACH.
AND IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO GET HERE.
AND AT THE LAST MEETING, I GAVE YOU A MEMORANDUM, GAVE YOU AN AMENDMENT, AND GAVE YOU QUESTIONS.
SO I'M A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT I'M STANDING UP HERE AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT IS NOT ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS.
THIS COULD BE LENGTHY BECAUSE OF THAT.
NUMBER ONE, HAS BEAUFORT COUNTY BEEN DENIED ANY HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS THAT THIS ORDINANCE WOULD HAVE ALLOWED US TO RECEIVE? NUMBER TWO, CAN STAFF IDENTIFY A HISTORIC RESEARCH IN BEAUFORT COUNTY THAT HAS BEEN LOST A DOCUMENTED PRESERVATION FAILURE OF THIS COUNTY? YOU HAVE IT.
NUMBER THREE, UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, CAN THE COUNTY DESIGNATE A PROPERTY AS HISTORIC WITHOUT THE CON CONSENT OF THE PROPERTY OWNER PROPOSED? 7.322 PROVIDES THAT APPLICANT APPLICATIONS MAY BE INITIATED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL, THE DIRECTOR, OR THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW BOARD.
WHERE'S THE OWNER? NUMBER FOUR.
CHARLESTON COUNTY'S HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE REQUIRES THE PROPERTY OWNER'S SIGNATURE ON THE DESIGNATION APPLICATION.
IF A PROPERTY IS DESIGNATED AS HISTORIC UNDER THIS ORDINANCE, WHAT IS THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE OWNER CAN GET IT REMOVED? MOVED.
WHY DOES THE AMENDMENT WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT OF WRITTEN NOTICE TO NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS? I LIVE NEXT TO YOU AND IT DOESN'T COUNT.
[02:15:01]
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS DOES THE BOARD HAVE TO TELL ME? MY HOUSE, MY PROPERTY IS HISTORIC NUMBER EIGHT.PROPOSED FIVE OH 0.60 C REQUIRES THAT AN APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE APPROPRIATENESS FOLLOWING AN EMERGENCY REPAIR BE FILED WITHIN THE NEXT WORKING DAY.
REALLY, I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET UP THE NEXT MORNING.
NUMBER NINE, HAS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUED A WRITTEN OPINION ANALYZING THE ORDINANCES, EXPOSURE TO REGULATORY TAKINGS DUE PROCESS AND EXACTIONS CLAIMS? AND WILL THAT OPINION BE AVAILABLE TO COUNSEL BEFORE I SAID SECOND READING.
NOW I'LL HAVE TO SAY THIRD AND NUMBER 10.
IF THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENT IS TO QUALIFY THE COUNTY FOR CLG STATUS, WHICH PROVISIONS OF THE AMENDMENT ARE REQUIRED BY 36 CFR 61.6, AND WHICH ARE DISCRETIONARY ADDITIONS? THIS IS THE KIND OF WORK AND QUESTIONS THAT YOU SHOULD BE GETTING.
NOT FROM ME, AS MR. KIDS SAID EARLIER, THE AMOUNT OF REGULATION IS UP TO YOU.
MOST OF US LIKE HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
IT'S AN EASY FEEL GOOD AMENDMENT TO VOTE FOR, BUT YOU WERE TOLD IT'S ROUTINE TECHNICAL AMENDMENT FOR GRANT FUNDING.
AND I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE PROPONENTS OF INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
THIS IS NOT FEELS GOOD UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU.
THIS IS NOT A ROUTINE TECHNICAL UPDATE REQUIRED FOR GLC ELIGIBILITY AS WAS PRESENTED TO YOU.
THE STAFF REPORT STATES THAT CLG ELIGIBILITY REQUIRES A LOCAL DESIGNATION PROCESS THAT IS ONE OF FOUR FEDERAL GLC REQUIREMENTS UNDER 36 CFR 61.6 THAT I REFERRED TO A MINUTE AGO.
WHAT THE FEDERAL PROGRAM DOES NOT REQUIRE, NOT REQUIRE IS THE SPECIFIC DESIGNATION PROCESS DRAFTED BY STAFF.
IT DOES NOT REQUIRE INVOLUNTARY DESIGNATION, DOES NOT REQUIRE THE ABSENCE OF OPT OUT OR THE WAIVER OF NEIGHBOR NOTICE OR THE OTHER HARSH FEATURES OF THIS DRAFT.
CHARLESTON COUNTY ACHIEVES GLC ELIGIBILITY WITHOUT ANY OF THEM.
SO WHY WERE YOU NOT GIVEN THAT OPTION? DID YOU NOTICE THAT THIS AMENDMENT DOESN'T ADD FUNDED ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY? IT DOESN'T COME WITH A LITIGATION BUDGET.
IT DOESN'T COME WITH A STAFF BUDGET.
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CLG GRANT MONEY THIS AMENDMENT IS SUPPOSED TO UNLOCK IS MODEST.
IT FUNDS SURVEYS AND PLANNING.
IT DOES NOT PAY PROPERTY OWNERS FOR THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON THEIR LAND.
IT DOES NOT PAY THE COUNTY'S LEGAL BILLS.
WHEN DESIGNATIONS ARE CHALLENGED, THE COUNTY TAKES ON PERMANENT REGULATORY AND LEGAL EXPOSURE IN EXCHANGE FOR INCREMENTAL GRANT FUNDING THAT FLOWS TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A FAIR EXCHANGE TO ME AND I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY AND EVEN I GOT IT WHEN I READ IT.
THESE ARE NOT EXOTIC REQUESTS.
ANY PERMANENT REGULATORY EXPANSION SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR ABSENCE IS IN AND OF ITSELF A REASON TO DELAY THIS VOTE.
THIS AMENDMENT IS NOT ROUTINE.
THE PROVISIONS IN THE DRAFT AS STATED PREVIOUSLY TO YOU AND MY MEMORANDUM TO YOU
[02:20:01]
ARE UNUSUAL IN SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCES.WHEN UNUSUAL PROVISIONS ARE PRESENTED AS ROUTINE, THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE IS TO SLOW DOWN.
YOU HAVEN'T HAD AN OPINION WRITTEN BY ANYONE BUT STAFF UNTIL ME, AND THAT'S SCARY.
YOU SHOULD DECLINE TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2026 SLASH 33 AS DRAFTED.
IF CLG STATUS REMAINS A GOAL, THEN DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN WITH A REVISED AMENDMENT THAT ADOPTS THE CHARLESTON MODEL PROTECTIONS OWNER SIGNATURE REQUIRED FOR INDIVIDUAL DESIGNATION, 51% OR FREEHOLDER CONSENT REQUIRED FOR DISTRICT DESIGNATION.
OWNER INITIALED REMOVAL MECHANISM FOR BOTH.
NOTICE TO ALL OWNERS WITHIN 500 FEET.
ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AS A REQUIRED FACTOR IN DEMOLITION REVIEW AND A REASONABLE WINDOW FOR EMERGENCY REPAIR BEFORE ANY REVISED VERSION IS RECONSIDERED.
YOU SHOULD OBTAIN AN INDEPENDENT LEGAL RISK ASSESSMENT FROM OUTSIDE COUNSEL COVERING TAKINGS DUE PROCESS AND EXACTIONS EXPOSURE.
AS I REFERRED TO EARLIER, YOU SHOULD DIRECT STAFF TO PRODUCE BEFORE ANY FURTHER ACTION.
A QUANTIFIED COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF CLG ELIGIBILITY AGAINST ADMINISTRATIVE AND LITIGATION COSTS.
HAVE YOU SEEN ONE OF THOSE? A MINIMUM COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVE DRAFT, A MINIMUM COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVE DRAFT THAT ACHIEVES CLG ELIGIBILITY WITHOUT INVOLUNTARY DESIGNATION, WITHOUT WAIVED NOTICE, AND WITH AN OWNER INITIATED REMOVAL MECHANISM.
DIRECT STAFF TO EXPLAIN ON THE RECORD IN PLAIN LANGUAGE WITH SPECIFICS WHAT ROLE COUNSEL ITSELF WILL PLAY UNDER THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, INCLUDING THE EXPECTED VOLUME OF HEARINGS YOU LIKE WORKING LATE, THE APPELLATE EXPOSURE TO CIRCUIT COURT AND THE STAFF SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO COUNSEL IN ADJUDICATING DESIGNATIONS UNDER STANDARDS SUCH AS SIGNIFICANT INHERENT CHARACTER OR THE SITE OF AN EVENT.
SIGNIFICANT IN HISTORY, REALLY WHERE IN BEAUFORT COUNTY WAS HISTORY NOT MADE? WHAT PIECE OF DIRT WAS NOTHING SIGNIFICANT DONE IN THIS COUNTY? THESE ARE THE VAGUE THINGS THAT ARE GONNA BE IN THIS ORDINANCE TO CONTROL DECISIONS.
NOW, COUNCIL'S JOB IS NOT TO RATIFY STAFF DRAFTS.
I DON'T CARE HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS, IT'S NOT LONG ENOUGH TO COME BEFORE YOU WITH WHAT'S BEFORE YOU.
I HAVE SAID BEFORE THAT STAFF SHOULD BE PROVIDING YOU WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO MAKE THESE IMPORTANT DECISIONS.
I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY IT MANY TIMES.
COUNCIL'S JOB IS TO WEIGH WHETHER A PERMANENT REGULATORY PROGRAM IS WORTH ITS COSTS TO THE COUNTY AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS WHO LIVE HERE.
YOU HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED THAT INFORMATION TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THIS ORDINANCE UNTIL IT IS THE ORDINANCE SHOULD NOT ADVANCE.
AND I WOULD EVEN BE INSULTED IF I WERE ALL OF YOU.
ANYONE? THERE'S NO ONE ELSE ON THE LIST.
ANYONE ELSE CARE TO DISCUSS THIS DURING PUBLIC COMMENT? ALRIGHT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING COUNTY COUNCIL COMMENT QUESTIONS.
CAN I THROW WE HAVE MR. MERCHANT HERE? YES, I HAVE QUESTIONS.
OKAY, COME ON UP, MR. MERCHANT.
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT PRESENTATION THAT YOU GAVE US.
[02:25:01]
UM, YOU KNOW, I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT VOTED AGAINST THIS LAST TIME AND THERE WERE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE LAUGHING AT ME BECAUSE I ASKED ONE QUESTION AND I ASKED THE QUESTION OF DOES THIS, THIS IS ALL BEAUFORT COUNTY, YOU SAID RURAL AS RURAL AND, UM, UNINCORPORATED, CORRECT? MM-HMMTHIS APPLIES TO ALL, ALL OF UNINCORPORATED BEAUFORT COUNTY.
SO IT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE CITY OF BEAUFORT, TOWN OF BLUFFTON, TOWN OF HILTON HEAD.
SO HOW DID THIS ALL HAPPEN? HOW DID IT ORIGINATE? WHO OKAY.
BROUGHT THIS IN? I WILL, I WOULD LIKE TO START, I SAY HISTORY BY SAYING, AND, AND I SAY THIS IN ALL HONESTY, I THINK, AND I JUST HAVE TO SAY THERE'S BEEN SOME KIND OF ALMOST SAYING LIKE WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO TRICK COUNCIL MM-HMM
BUT WE HAVE BEEN, WE HAVE HAD HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE IN PLACE SINCE THE YEAR 1990.
AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION IS A VALUE OF BEAUFORT COUNTY.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE A NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF BEAUFORT.
AND I WILL SAY THAT IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT ANIMAL THAN WHAT THIS ORDINANCE IS, IS DOING BECAUSE THAT'S A NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT, AND THE BOARD THAT OVERSEES THAT, THEY HAVE A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL OF REVIEW THAT GOES ON IN, IN THAT.
SO THERE IS A HUGE CONTRAST BETWEEN WHAT GOES ON IN THE CITY OF BEAUFORT AND WHAT THIS IS PROPOSING.
BUT TO BACK UP, BUFORT COUNTY HAS BEEN DOING THIS WORK FOR, FOR 37 YEARS.
AND SO, AND, AND I I, NOT TO SOUND GLIB, BUT THE COUNTY SEAL, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE VALUE IN THIS COUNTY, AND I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, I'M SPEAKING OUT OF WHAT IS IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE THINGS THAT I HEAR.
WE HAVE A LIVE OAK, SHRIMP, BOATS, WILDLIFE, AND A, A HISTORIC PLANTATION HOUSE.
SO HISTORIC PRESERVATION HAS BEEN A VALUE OF THIS COUNTY, AND IT'S BEEN IN PLACE FOR ALL THESE YEARS.
WHAT? AND SO THE, AND I WILL ALSO SAY THAT WE WORK WITHIN A FRAMEWORK.
THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT WAS ADOPTED IN 1966, AND THAT SET INTO PLACE A WHOLE SYSTEM OF FEDERAL WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GUIDELINES FOR HOW, UH, HISTORIC PRESERVATION IS REGULATED LOCALLY.
IT SETS UP NAT OR STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICES, WHICH ALL 50 STATES AND INCLUDING TERRITORIES HAVE IN PLACE TO ASSIST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN PRESERVATION.
AND IN MANY COUNTLESS LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF, THEY HAVE LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCES LIKE BEAUFORT COUNTY.
SO THIS IS A, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TAKINGS OR DUE PROCESS, THIS IS A WELL PAVED, YOU KNOW, THIS WHOLE FRAMEWORK FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR MANY YEARS.
AND BEAVER COUNTY HAS FOLLOWED THAT VERY CLOSELY.
WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE, UH, STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE.
AND SO FOR 37 YEARS, WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WE ARE WORKING WITH, THIS IS SPECIFIC SITUATION THAT BROUGHT THIS INTO PLACE ON ST.
THERE'S A VERY MUCH A CONCERN ABOUT HISTORIC CEMETERIES, GULLAH GEECHEE CEMETERIES BECAUSE OF THE CULTURE.
UM, HISTORIC CEMETERIES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.
WE HAVE AN A SURVEY THAT WAS DONE IN 1999, AND WE REALIZED THAT THE INFORMATION IN THAT SURVEY IS VERY LIMITED, AND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CONFLICTS ON THAT ISLAND OVER, UM, HISTORIC CEMETERIES ACCESS, PEOPLE PUTTING STRUCTURES ON CEMETERIES.
AND SO WE SOUGHT A GRANT TO HELP UPDATE THAT SURVEY AND DO SOME INDIVIDUAL WORK WITH, UM, GROUND PENETRATING RADAR.
AND IT WAS THROUGH THAT PROCESS THAT WE LEARNED NOT ONLY THAT THERE ARE GRANTS AVAILABLE THAT WE WERE INELIGIBLE FOR BECAUSE WE WERE NOT CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
BUT IN TALKING TO THE STATE, WELL, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THEY SAID THAT THERE ARE THINGS ABOUT OUR LOCAL ORDINANCE THAT ARE, BECAUSE OF CASE LAW IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ARE OUTDATED.
AND THAT THEY PROVIDED, THEY SAID THAT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD FRAMEWORK FOR THE COUNTY TO FOLLOW OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN ORDER TO BE, I WOULD SAY, TO BOLSTER US FROM, YOU KNOW, MAKE IT MORE RESILIENT TO LAWSUITS.
YOU KNOW, AND I WOULD SAY THAT THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID THREE YEARS AGO WITH THE SIGN ORDINANCE, WHERE WE HAD THAT COME IN.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT INITIATED THIS FOR.
CAN I STOP YOU? CAN I, CAN I STOP YOU SO WE DON'T GO ON AND ON AND ON? MM-HMM.
I JUST WANT A SIMPLE ANSWER TO MY QUESTION.
HOW DID THIS ORIGINATE? DID NATIONAL, WHO BROUGHT IT TO NATIONAL RESOURCES
[02:30:01]
COMMITTEE AND HOW DID IT ORIGINATE? WHERE DID IT ORIGINATE FROM YOUR OFFICE? IT ORIGINATED FROM OUR STAFF.THAT'S ALL I WANNA KNOW THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
VICE CHAIR, I HAVE A QUESTION.
BUT JUST A COUPLE QUICK QUESTIONS.
YOU'VE MENTIONED COUNTLESS TIMES HERE, YOU'VE DONE THIS 37 YEARS.
WHY ARE YOU ASKING THIS COUNCIL TONIGHT? SECOND, READING TO TAKE AWAY A TAKE AWAY, THE HOMEOWNER'S RIGHT.
IF YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 30, WE ONE GOOD REASON FOR THAT.
SO FOR RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE ABOVE GROUND HISTORIC SURVEY, WHICH INCLUDES NATIONAL REGISTER, NATIONAL LANDMARK HOUSES OR BUILDINGS, AND THOSE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR NATIONAL REGISTER, THOSE ARE ALREADY REGULATED.
AND I DO NOT KNOW THE, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT EVEN THE HOMEOWNERS OR PROPERTY OWNERS OF THAT LIST HAVE BEEN INDIVIDUALLY NOTIFIED.
WHAT THIS PROCESS WOULD DO IS IT WOULD TAKE THAT SYSTEM THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE WHERE WE DON'T HAVE A LOCAL HISTORIC DESIGNATION.
WE SIMPLY USE OUR SURVEY AND THE, UH, FEDERAL, UH, WHETHER SOMETHING IS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OR ELIGIBLE FOR NATIONAL REGISTER.
AND THOSE ARE THE PRO, THE, THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE REGULATED.
WHAT THIS WOULD DO IS THAT ONCE, IF THIS ORDINANCE WERE ADOPTED, AND WE WOULD RULE BACK ALL OF THAT, AND THEN SO THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE ADOPTED, THERE'D BE ZERO PROPERTIES THAT WOULD BE REGULATED BY IT.
SO AT SOME FUTURE DATE, WORKING WITH THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW BOARD, WE WOULD MOST LIKELY BE PRESENTING TO COUNCIL THAT LIST OF NATIONAL REGISTERED PROPERTIES.
AND THESE IN THE BEAUFORT COUNTY, THESE ARE, UH, MANY OF 'EM ARE PLANTATION HOUSES, COUNTRY STORES, UM, OLD CHURCHES.
THERE ARE, UM, 43 STRUCTURES ON THAT, INCLUDING ONE NATIONAL REGISTER, HISTORIC DISTRICT, AND THAT IS PENN CENTER.
SO IT'S NOT THE TYPE OF HISTORIC DISTRICT WHERE YOU HAVE INDI INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING AFFECTED.
IT'S, IT'S ONE OWNER, AND THEY'RE VERY WELL AWARE OF THAT, YOU KNOW, PENN CENTER.
SO THAT'S KIND OF THE CONTRAST WITH A HISTORIC DISTRICT WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE WHO ARE, UM, NOT AWARE THAT ARE, THEY'RE IN A HISTORIC DISTRICT OR MIGHT HAVE ISSUE WITH THAT TIMEOUT.
THAT'S, THAT'S LEADS ME TO, I'LL CONCLUDE QUICKLY HERE.
UM, I, I BELIEVE IT'S GONNA BE THIS COUNCIL'S POSITION TONIGHT TO PROTECT THE HOMEOWNER FROM THIS.
I, I DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THIS GOVERNMENT OVERREACH.
NUMBER TWO, THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE.
AND IT, MR. BERMAN AND MS. LAMARCA, PHENOMENAL WORK THAT YOU PRESENTED HERE TONIGHT.
AND OTHER TIMES IT, IT LEADS ME TO ONE THING THAT WHY DOESN'T STAFF THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE? PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF PROS AND CONS.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF A PROPERTY, WE DEEM IT, WHOEVER DEEMS IT, THE STAFF SAYS THAT'S GONNA BE HISTORIC.
WELL, WHAT DOES THAT DO TO THE PROPERTIES AROUND THEM? WHY CAN'T YOU COME TO US AND SAY, HERE'S A LIST, HERE'S WHY IT'S GONNA BE INCREDIBLY GOOD.
HERE'S WHAT YOU GOTTA THINK ABOUT FOR OTHER RAMIFICATIONS.
AND ALSO WITH THE QUESTIONS THAT MS. LAMARCA, UM, ASKED, DOES ANYBODY HERE ON THIS COUNCIL HAVE ANSWERS TO THOSE? NO.
I CAN GO THROUGH EACH QUESTION.
COUNSEL, IF THAT IS THE DESIRE, MR. MERCHANT, JUST LET ME FINISH MY THOUGHT.
WHY WOULD YOU DO IT TONIGHT? ON THE SECOND READING, WHEN THESE HAVE BEEN IN FOR A WHILE, WHY? I MEAN, I'M, I'M NOT CHASTISING, I'M NOT CRITICIZING MM-HMM
I'M SAYING WE NEED TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THE PEOPLE, PERIOD.
UNTIL WE GET EVERYTHING ANSWERED.
UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT'S, WHAT COULD HAPPEN.
WHY DOES IT EVEN MAKE SENSE TO CALL, BRING IT UP AS AN ORDINANCE.
I DIDN'T SEE THE QUESTIONS UNTIL THE LAST MEETING.
SO I WASN'T AWARE THAT THESE QUESTIONS WERE BROUGHT UP.
I WOULD'VE ANSWERED THEM AT THE LAST MEETING IF, IF THAT WERE THE CASE.
AND I WANNA CONCLUDE WITH THIS.
WE HAVE CLOSE TO 2000 EMPLOYEES THAT WE EMPLOY AT THIS COUNTY.
WHY CAN'T WE BE PROACTIVE AND COME UP WITH THOSE QUESTIONS? WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEBODY THAT LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY, THAT WATCHES US TO SAY, WAIT A SECOND, YOU'RE NOT GETTING ALL THE INFORMATION.
AND AGAIN, I'M NOT CRITICIZING, I'M SAYING, WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE THIS? SO I WANT TO TURN THIS QUESTION AROUND.
I, I DON'T, I'M GONNA STOP IT RIGHT NOW AND GO TO MR. BARTHOLOMEW.
THAT WAS QUITE ENOUGH, MR. BARTH.
AND THEN I'LL GET TO MR. GLOVER.
[02:35:01]
SORRY, JUST, I'M GONNA TRY TO BE BRIEF.SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN THIS ORIGINALLY CAME FORWARD, I'D WORKED ON SOME AMENDMENTS AND THOSE WERE COMPLETELY IGNORED BY STAFF UNTIL LATER ON.
AND I DO WANNA THANK STAFF FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WORK SOME OF THOSE INTO IT, UH, AND HAVING THE ONE-OFF MEETING WITH ME.
BUT THE REASON I'M SO PASSIONATE ABOUT IT IS THAT DEMOLITION THROUGH NEGLECT THAT MR. BERMAN REFERENCED EARLIER.
I LIVED THROUGH THAT WHEN I LIVED IN DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON LAW SCHOOL.
OUR LANDLORD LET THE HOUSE DETERIORATE TO THE POINT OF BEING CONDEMNED WHEN IT, WHEN WE MOVED OUT, BECAUSE OF OVERREGULATION, BECAUSE OF BUREAUCRATS, A HISTORIC PROPERTY WAS ESSENTIALLY DEMOLISHED THROUGH THE LANDLORD'S NEGLECT BECAUSE IT WAS TOO COSTLY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL TO COMPLY WITH THE ACTUAL TERMS OF THE ORDINANCE IN CHARLESTON.
AND NOW HERE, I ALSO WANNA REFERENCE MY WIFE'S FAMILY IN NORTH CAROLINA, THEY HAVE A 200 PLUS YEAR OLD HOME THAT IS BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED.
THEY DON'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT'S HELP.
THEY'VE NEVER SOUGHT THE GOVERNMENT'S HELP.
THEY DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
AND I ECHO THAT SENTIMENT RIGHT HERE WITH, WITH THIS, I THINK WE'RE WE'RE IMPACTING PROPERTY RIGHTS.
I TOLD YOU IN THAT MEETING THAT I WOULD FIGHT Y'ALL TOOTH AND NAIL IF THERE WAS NOT SOME TYPE OF OPT-OUT OR OPT-IN PROVISION.
I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS AS WRITTEN.
I DO APPRECIATE SOME OF THE MODIFICATIONS.
I THANK Y'ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO THAT.
BUT IF IT WAS SUCH A GOOD ORDINANCE, PEOPLE WOULD BE OPTING INTO IT TO GET TO REAP THE BENEFITS.
AND I THINK THIS IS CREATING MORE REGULATION AND I, I CANNOT GET BEHIND THIS ONE.
MR. CUNNINGHAM, IS YOUR HAND UP OR ARE YOU JUST OH, MR. GLOVER'S IS, OH, SORRY.
ARE YOU? YEAH, I, I'LL, I'LL BE BRIEF.
UM, YEAH, THIS WAS GOING DOWN IN THE LAST MEETING.
UM, REALISTICALLY WE'RE JUST INFRINGING ON PROPERTY RIGHTS LEFT AND RIGHT.
WE, THIS IS THE THIRD THING WE'VE DISCUSSED TODAY THAT IS GOVERNMENT OVERREACH IN ONE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING.
AT WHAT POINT ARE WE JUST GONNA SAY IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
IF PEOPLE WANNA PRESERVE THEIR HOME, LET THEM DO IT.
IF PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE AN AREA THAT'S GOING UNDER AND TRY TO BRING IT BACK UP, THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
THIS PUTS RESTRICTIONS ON OUR HOMEOWNERS AND FUTURE HOMEOWNERS, AND NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE THAT ARE OWNING IT CURRENTLY WHO CAN'T SELL IT TO ANOTHER BUYER BECAUSE THE BUYER'S RESTRICTED BY LAW OF WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH THE HOUSE.
YOU'RE ACTUALLY HURTING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE EITHER INHERITED THESE HOMES OR TRYING TO REVITALIZE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO TO ME, THIS IS WORKING BACKWARDS.
UM, MR. MERCHANT, UM, YOU TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE OPTING IN, OPTING OUT, UM, OF, OF THIS ORDINANCE HERE, LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION HERE.
IF, IF, IF THERE'S A STUCCO BUILDING OR, UM, REMNANT LEFT ON A PROPERTY THAT WAS PROPERTY IN THE 15 HUNDREDS, 16 HUNDREDS, AND THAT'S, THAT WAS DISCOVERED, WOULD THAT PROPERTY BE CONSIDERED A HISTORICAL SITE BECAUSE OF THAT STUCCO BUILDING? IT MAY BE JUST, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TABBY FOUNDATION RUINS.
HMM? YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TABBY RUINS? TABBY RUINS.
I CALL IT STUCCO, BUT TABBY RUIN IS A BETTER WORD.
WELL, THERE'S A PROCESS, USUALLY THINGS LIKE THAT ARE DISCOVERED WHEN SOMEBODY DOES A HIT, LIKE AN ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY ON THEIR PROPERTY THAT'S TRIGGERED BY A FEDERAL PERMIT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SO, BUT TABBY RUIN IS DISCOVERED ON THAT PROPERTY.
UH, UH, UH, UH, UH, WOULD YOU ASK THAT PROPERTY OWNER TO OPT IN TO A HISTORICAL SITE OR YOU WOULD DECLARE THAT A AND A HISTORICAL SITE BECAUSE OF THAT TABBY RULING? SO THERE'S A WHOLE PROCESS OF, I UNDERSTAND THAT, OF ESTA ESTABLISHING A HISTORIC SITE, WHICH INVOLVES FIRST, YOU KNOW, SO TYPICALLY SOMETHING LIKE THAT'S GONNA BE DISCOVERED THROUGH SOMEBODY IS DOING AN ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY BECAUSE THEY, THE FEDERAL PERMIT OR SOMETHING REQUIRES IT.
THEY WORK, THEY WOULD BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE STATE AND THAT ITEM WOULD BE ADDED TO PROBABLY THE SC UH, CALLED SC ARC SITES.
BUT THEY HAVE A, A BASICALLY AN INVENTORY OF ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES AROUND THE COUNTY.
IS THAT NOW LEFT UP TO THE OWNERS OF THAT PROPERTY TO, TO, TO OPT IN TO AS A HISTORICAL SITE.
SO RIGHT NOW, ABOVE GROUNDS, WE DID AN ABOVE GROUND SURVEY IN THE NINETIES, WHICH IDENTIFIES NATIONAL REGISTER, NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE SITES, YOU KNOW, ACROSS THE COUNTY.
[02:40:01]
THAT ARE BASICALLY REGULATED BY OUR EXISTING HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE.SO THERE WASN'T AN OPT IN, IT WAS PART OF THE, THE SURVEY AND WORKING WITH THE STATE ON WHAT PROPERTIES, YOU KNOW, MEET THE GUIDELINES FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO, UM, MOVE THIS BACK TO THE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE.
ALTHOUGH THIS DID GO THROUGH THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND IT DID GO THROUGH THE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE.
I THINK, UM, THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED TONIGHT.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH MR. BERMAN ON SOME OF HIS ASSUMPTIONS.
UH, I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH, UH, HISTORIC PRESERVATION LAW BECAUSE I WORKED FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.
UM, ACTUALLY THERE IS A TABBY WALL.
I WON'T TELL YOU WHERE ON MILITARY PROPERTY, UH, THAT IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER.
BUT, UM, WITH, WITH ALL THAT, I THINK THE BEST THING TONIGHT, INSTEAD OF UH, VOTING IS TO SEND IT BACK TO COMMITTEE.
SO YOU WANNA MAKE A MOTION? YES, MA'AM.
SHE MAKES A MOTION TO RETURN THIS TO THE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND THAT.
OH, MR. MCALLEN SECONDS IT NOW.
DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
WELL ALL CALL, SHE JUST VOTE ON TONIGHT.
WHAT'S GONNA CHANGE BETWEEN NOW AND THE LAST TIME WE SENT THIS BACK? YEAH, NO.
SO WE'RE JUST DOING A ROUND AROUND THING, TRYING TO SAVE IT TO TRY TO GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.
WE JUST SPENT THE LAST 20 MINUTES DEBATING WITH STAFF OF WHY WE SHOULD PASS IT.
AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, MR. GLOVER'S QUESTION DID NOT EVEN GET ANSWERED.
IT'S REALLY A SIMPLE YES OR NO.
IF THIS, NO, IT'S NOT A SIMPLE, I WOULD DISAGREE.
AND THE ANSWER WOULD BE YES, MR. GLOVER, BY THE WAY, IT IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, NATIONALLY WRITTEN.
SO LET'S VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT TO RETURN IT TO NATURAL RESOURCE.
ALL IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR HAND TO RETURN IT TO NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE.
SO THE MOTION PASSES, IT GOES BACK TO NATURAL RESOURCE, I THINK.
WE'LL, I JUST COMMENT, I THINK WE WILL SEE CHANGES AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO ADD VERY BRIEFLY, AND THEN THIS TIES INTO THE POINT OF IT GOING BACK TO, TO RESOURCES.
UM, MR. MERCHANT RECEIVED AND STAFF RECEIVED MS. LAMARCUS QUESTIONS AND THE OTHER QUESTIONS AT THE LAST MEETING.
HE PREPARED AN ENTIRE PRESENTATION THIS EVENING THAT WOULD'VE ANSWERED ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS.
UM, HE WAS NOT GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE IT.
AND IF WE'D LIKE TO PRESENT THAT IN A WRITTEN FORM TO GET TO COUNSELING COMMITTEE BEFORE NRC, WE CAN DO THAT.
BUT THE IDEA THAT HE WAS HIDING OR MISLEADING SOMETHING FROM COUNSEL IS, IS UNFOUNDED.
AND I THINK SINCE HE'S DONE THE WORK ON IT, IF YOU WOULD PROVIDE IT TO ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS TO READ AND WRITTEN FOR HIM, I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU DID DO THE WORK ON IT.
AND I'M SORRY DUE TO THE LATE HOUR, WE DIDN'T ALLOW YOU TO GO THROUGH ALL OF IT.
[14.a. 2026/37: An Ordinance authorizing the abandonment of County Maintenance of a portion of Gibson Drive following petition by adjacent property owners and reclassifying said portion as a Private Road.]
FIRST READING 2026 SLASH 37 IN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ABANDONMENT OF COUNTY MAINTENANCE OF A PORTION OF GIBSON DRIVE FOLLOWING PETITION BY ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS AND RECLASSIFYING THIS PORTION AS A PRIVATE ROAD.IS EVERYBODY STILL WITH ME A SECOND, PLEASE.
ALRIGHT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND MR. FRA SPEAK IN THIS.
IT'S A VERY SMALL PORTION OF ROAD, VERY SMALL, VERY QUICK.
SO THIS IS A DIRT ROAD PAVING PROJECT THAT WE HAVE ON HILTON HEAD.
IT'S ABOUT 700, 800 FEET LONG.
AND AS WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS, SIX HOMEOWNERS, UH, IT TEASED AT THE END, SIX HOMEOWNERS, UH, REQUESTED THAT THEY, WE NOT PAVE THAT AND THAT WE TURNED THAT OVER AS A PRIVATE ROAD FOR THEM TO MAINTAIN THEMSELVES ABOUT 500 FEET.
SO THAT'S WHAT THIS IS, IS AN ABANDONMENT OF A PORTION OF GIBSON ROAD ON HILTON HEAD, ISLAND OF COUNTY ON DIRT ROAD.
I THINK IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING WHEN THE RESIDENTS WANT TO TAKE IT BACK AND NOT HAVE IT BE A COUNTY ROAD.
SO, ALRIGHT, ANY OTHER QUESTION, COMMENT FOR MR. FRA ON THIS ONE.
ALRIGHT, ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS ORDINANCE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND AND IT'S UNANIMOUS.
THANK YOU MR. FRA, YOU'RE UP ON THE NEXT ONE TOO.
[14.b. 2026/38: An Ordinance to amend Ordinance 2017/12 to appropriate funds from the 2017 Series General Obligation Bond to the Station 34 joint Fire/EMS Station. ]
UH, SLASH 38, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2017 SLASH 12 TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM THE 2017 SERIES.GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND TO STATION 34 JOINT FIRE, EMS STATION.
AND THIS WAS, UH, SEVEN ZERO AT FINANCE.
[02:45:01]
BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO GO.THIS IS UP FOR DISCUSSION FROM COUNCIL.
SO MR. FRALEY, DO YOU WANNA GO AHEAD AND EXPLAIN IT TO THEM? YEAH, SO WHAT THIS IS, IS WE HAVE TWO PROJECTS IN OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND THAT ARE ALLOCATED TOWARDS, UM, EMS FIRE STATION.
AND WE PREVIOUSLY CAME TO COUNCIL A COUPLE MONTHS AGO TO OBLIGATE MONEY FROM THE FUSCA ISLAND FERRY OLD SAME BOND, 2017, AND TO MOVE IT TO STATION 39.
SO THAT PROJECT'S FULLY FUNDED.
THIS IS, UM, FUNDS FROM THE PREVIOUS PROJECT STATION 34, OUTSIDE OF THE GATE OF SUN CITY.
UM, SOME FUNDS HAD BEEN, UM, OVER EXPENDED TO THE AMOUNT, UM, THAT WERE REQUESTING SO THAT THIS CAN BE CLEANED UP AND, AND THAT PROJECT CAN BE FULLY CLOSED OUT.
QUESTION OR COMMENT FROM ANYONE ON COUNCIL? THANK YOU MR. FLI.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS ORDINANCE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
[14.c. 2026/39: An Ordinance to amend the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Ordinance to carry forward purchase orders and funds from Fiscal Year 2026 and prior for projects that have not yet been completed. ]
2026 SLASH 39 IS AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET ORDINANCE TO CARRY FORWARD PURCHASE ORDERS AND FUNDS FROM FISCAL YEAR 26 AND PRIOR.FOR PROJECTS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED, THE VOTE AT FINANCE WAS SEVEN ZERO.
WHO MADE THE MOTION? I'M SORRY.
MR. LAWSON AND MS. HOWARD MADE THE SECOND, UH, MS. NOVAK, ARE YOU PRESENTING THIS? WHO'S PRESENTING THIS? OH, ALL RIGHT.
I'M DAVE THOMAS, DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING, PURCHASING FOR BUFORT COUNTY.
UH, THIS LIST, BASICALLY WE'RE ASKING, UM, IT'S, IT'S, UH, FUNDS OR PURCHAS ORDERS BE FORWARDED THAT TOTAL $35,973,644 AND 66 CENTS.
NOW THIS IS FOR EQUIPMENT THAT WE HADN'T RECEIVED YET, OR FOR PROJECTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED.
SO IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD, WE NEED TO ADD THIS TO THE OVERALL, UM, COUNTY BUDGET.
SO WE'RE ASKING FOR COUNTY TO APPROVE IT AND MOVE IT FORWARD.
BUT IN THE PAST, UH, I THINK IN BY MY NOTES IN THE TWENTIES, I THINK IT WAS LIKE 76 MILLION, LIKE TWO YEARS, TWO YEARS AGO.
THEN IT WAS 26 MILLION THE YEAR BEFORE THEN, AND NOW IT'S 35 MILLION.
ANYONE HAVE A QUESTION, THOMAS? I MEAN, THIS IS PRETTY ROUTINE.
I JUST LISTENED TO HILTON HAD DO IT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET PROJECTS DONE.
I WOULD, I WOULD ALMOST SUGGEST SLOWING THINGS DOWN IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
IF WE, IF WE CAN'T COMPLETE THINGS ON TIME AND STAFF NEEDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH UP, THEN I THINK WE SLOW THINGS DOWN IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT SAVINGS? THAT'S HOW YOU SAVE IT.
SO, AND WE, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, LET'S FINISH THE PROJECTS WE HAVE INSTEAD OF JUMPING ON NEW ONES.
UM, SO THAT WAS A DISCUSSION WE'VE HAD BEFORE.
SO I ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR COMMENT.
UH, FOR INSTANCE, IF WE ORDER AMBULANCE FIRE TRUCKS, THAT'S A THREE YEAR, THREE YEARS PROCESS.
AND SO SOME OF THOSE ARE JUST GONNA START COMING IN NOW.
OUR SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO BUILD.
I KNOW THE FIRE CHIEFS TELL US THAT EVERY YEAR.
TAKES THREE YEARS TO GET A FIRE TRUCK.
ANYONE ELSE? COMMENT QUESTION.
ALRIGHT, ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS ORDINANCE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
[14.d. 2026/40: An Ordinance to reallocate remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount of $1,496,825.73 towards existing projects as obligated to the Department of Treasury.]
ORDINANCE 2026 SLASH 40 AN ORDINANCE TO REALLOCATE REMAINING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, ALSO KNOWN AS ARPA FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,496,825 AND 73 CENTS TOWARDS EXISTING PROJECTS AS OBLIGATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY.THE VOTE AT FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS SEVEN.
THANK YOU, MS. HOW SECOND? A MOTION? I'LL SECOND.
SO, AS YOU'RE ALL AWARE, ARPA FUNDS HAVE TO BE SUSPENDED BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR 2026.
AND SO IN EVALUATION OF THAT, WE HAVE A COUPLE PROJECTS.
WE'VE DONE THIS PREVIOUSLY IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS.
UM, WHAT PROJECTS ARE REMAINING, WHAT HAVEN'T BEEN? UM, THIS IS SOME OF OUR LOSS OF REVENUE FUNDS FROM THE, UH, FERRY ARE THE, UH, DFU ISLAND FERRY LOCATION THAT WE WERE PLANNING ON INITIALLY AT CROSS ISLAND PARKWAY.
UM, THAT PROJECT WILL NOT BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
SO THE INTENT IS TO RELOCATE THOSE PROJECT OR THOSE FUNDS TO ANOTHER PROJECT.
UM, IT HAS TO GO TO ALREADY APPROPRIATED PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THE PROJECT
[02:50:01]
LIST.SO JUST MOVING FUNDS BETWEEN ALEC APPROPRIATED PROJECTS.
SO STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO MOVE IT FROM, UM, THIS LOCATION TO THE AIRPORTS, UM, SO THEY CAN BUILD MORE HANGERS AT EXECUTIVE AIRPORT AND AGAIN, GET THOSE PROJECTS COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE END OF THE YEAR.
SO, QUESTION FROM COUNSEL OR COMMENT? ALRIGHT.
THAT PASSES AND WE ARE THANKFULLY AT THE END OF ORDINANCES.
[15.a. 2026/22: A Resolution authorizing the County Administrator to execute the documents necessary and to provide funds to contribute to the procurement by the applicant, the Town of Hilton Head Island, for the acquisition of fee simple real property located on Hilton Head Island, known as the Broad Creek Marina Tract (PIN# R510 011 000 0006 0000), not to exceed the requested amount ($7,700,000).]
15 A IS 20 26, 22, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE THE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY AND TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCUREMENT BY THE APPLICANT, THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND FOR THE, A ACQUISITION OF FEE.SIMPLE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND, KNOWN AS BROAD CREEK MARINA TRACK.
I'M NOT GONNA READ THE PIN NUMBER, IT'S THERE.
THANK WE HAVE A MOTION BY YOU.
UM, COUNCILMAN RE DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND IT.
I THINK I HEARD, UM, MR. MCKELLAN ONE SECOND.
I DID, I HEARD COUNCILMAN MCKELLAN AND THE AMOUNT OF SEVEN, $700,000.
AND WE HAVE, UM, MR. MIKE MCSHANE, CHAIRMAN OF THE GREEN SPACE COMMITTEE HERE IN FRONT OF US.
MADAM VICE CHAIRMAN, COUNCIL MEMBERS MIKE MCSHANE, RESIDENT OF CHARLESTON COUNTY.
DELIGHTED TO BE HERE IN BEAUFORT COUNTY THIS EVENING.
AND FOR THE RECORD, I AM STAYING THIS EVENING, SO I'LL ADD A LITTLE SALES TAX REVENUE INTO THE, OKAY.
SO I'M NOT GONNA BE TRYING TO DRIVE UP 17 THIS EVENING TO ME.
UH, COUNCIL ASKED THAT THE, UH, RELU OR THE PROJECT COME BACK TO GREEN BAY TO, UH, EXCUSE ME, THE NATIONAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE THAT MET LAST MONDAY ANSWERED A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ON THIS.
ONE QUESTION I WAS ASKED EARLIER TODAY WAS ABOUT THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE PROPERTY.
THAT THE GREEN SPACE GRANT DOES NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THAT TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE WORK.
IT'S SIMPLY FOR THE FEE ACQUISITION THAT THE TOWN WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.
AND I BELIEVE THE GRANT WILL ASSURE THAT.
AND IF COUNCIL HAS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT, I, I JUST WANT, IT WOULD NOT BE ME IF I DIDN'T SAY AGAIN, MY CONCERN FOR EQUITY VERSUS EQUAL, BECAUSE AGAIN, THIS IS A PROJECT FOR HILTON HEAD AND THEY'VE BEEN VERY AGGRESSIVE IN APPLYING KUDOS TO THEM.
BUT I DO LOOK AT THE SOUTHERN, UH, PORTION.
SO WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS OVER AND OVER, BUT ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I'D LIKE TO ADD, COMMENT TO THAT? YES.
IF I MAY, MADAM CHAIR, I'M SORRY.
UM, GREEN SPACE ORDINANCE IS CLEAR AND IT MUST BE DISTRIBUTED EQUALLY WITHIN THE COUNT.
THE COUNTY, THE DISTRIBUTION IS OUT OF LINE WITH THE STATE ACT, THE AG OPINION AND THE COUNTY ORDINANCE.
IF WE DON'T LIKE THE REQUIREMENT, WE NEED TO JUST CHANGE IT TO EARLIER THE STATE SENATOR IS DOING THAT, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE WE VOTE ON THIS.
I, I'M, UM, I'M AWARE OF YOUR COMMENTS SINCE YOU'RE, YOU'RE NOT ALONE.
WE'VE HAD GREAT DISCUSSIONS ABOUT, UM, EQUAL VERSUS EQUITY AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN PROVEN CASE ON LEGISLATIVE INTENT.
THIS WAS LEGISLATIVE INTENT WAS TO REALLY TALK ABOUT EQUITABLE APPORTIONMENT.
NOT EQUAL, BECAUSE THERE'S NOT EQUAL PRICING DEMAND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE, IN WHAT THE COUNTY, IN MIKE'S VIEW ARBITRARILY SET UP THESE, THESE REGIONS ON THAT.
SO WE HAVE, WE TAKE THAT IN CONSIDERATION AND THINK THAT THIS PROJECT IN PARTICULAR, TO YOUR POINT, THAT HILTON HEAD HAS BEEN VERY AGGRESSIVE, THE VICE CHAIRMAN POINTS THAT OUT.
THEY, UH, TO THIS PROJECT, THEY'VE ALSO COME IN TO BE AN EQUAL PARTNER WITH THE COUNTY ON THIS ACQUISITION OF THIS, OF THIS PROJECT.
THAT'S A TREMENDOUS STEP THAT THE TOWN HAS TAKEN ON THAT AND IT'S REALLY CERTAINLY COUNCIL'S PREROGATIVE OF HOW THEY'D LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THAT.
NATURAL RESOURCES, UH, THIS ACTUALLY DID GO THROUGH NATURAL RESOURCES ORIGINALLY AND THEN CAME BACK, LIKE I SAID LAST MONDAY NIGHT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE HAVE THE VOTE? ALRIGHT, WE'RE GONNA DO A ROLL CALL.
YEAH, I THINK THE ONLY QUESTION IF YOU GUYS WENT OVER IT ON MONDAY, I APOLOGIZE, UM, WAS WHAT IS THE CURRENT ZONING ON THE PROPERTY AND HOW MANY UNITS CAN BE BUILT ON IT TODAY IF WE DO NOT PURCHASE IT? THANK YOU MR. CUNNINGHAM.
I'M GONNA, IF I MAY TURN TO GET SOME RESOURCE ON THAT, MR. DAVIS, ON YOUR STAFF.
UH, FROM THAT WE DID PUT THAT, UH, A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARIFICATION ON THAT IN COUNSEL'S
[02:55:01]
BACKUP TO ASSIST IN THE, IN THAT FOR YOU.SO HOPEFULLY IF YOU WANTED MORE DETAIL YOU COULD PROBABLY THAT, BUT IT'S WATERFRONT MIXED USE IS THE ZONING AND THE UNITS.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S THAT THAT ANSWERS THE QUESTION.
AND THEN SOME, BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST UNITS, THERE'S OTHER USES THAT DISTRICT WOULD ALLOW, BUT, UH, AROUND 150 UNITS IS WHAT IT WOULD TOTAL UP TO BE.
HAD THE, UH, HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING IN THERE AS WELL, WHICH WAS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER.
'CAUSE I COULD PUT UP NUMEROUS BUILDINGS AT THAT HEIGHT.
AND, AND THAT WAS, AND THAT WAS ADDRESSED AT THE LAST MEETING.
THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY WERE TRYING TO FOCUS ON WAS THE HEIGHT OF THE STRUCTURE, WHAT THE ZONING WOULD ALLOW, AS WELL AS THE INTENSITY AND THE DENSITY THAT THAT 9.5 ACRES WOULD ALLOW.
THE HEIGHTS HEIGHT, 75 FEET AND HOW MANY BUILDINGS DO YOU THINK WOULD BE GOING UP? DEPENDS ON WHAT KIND OF USE A DEVELOPER FINDS TO, TO WORK THAT SITE THE BEST.
I CAN JUST ADD SOMETHING THERE IF I'M ALLOWED.
IT'S TOTALLY OUTTA CHARACTER WITH THE ENTIRE AREA AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE, UH, AND THE, UH, ELECTED OFFICIALS THERE ARE, UH, ARE, UM, VERY CLEAR ON THEIR STRONG DESIRE TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING AND, AND, UH, ACCELERATE CONSERVATION WITH REGARD TO THE PURCHASE OF THIS PROPERTY, THE MITIGATION OF IT, WHICH WILL COST PROBABLY A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS THAT THE, THAT THE TOWN OF HILTON HAS GOING TO ABSORB SO THEY CAN GET ALL OF THE THINGS OUT THAT WERE ADDED THERE.
UM, AND TO DEVELOP IT AS A PASSIVE PARK WITH WATERFRONT ACCESS.
UM, COUNCILMAN BAR, YOU HAVE A QUESTION? COMMENT? YEAH.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT.
UM, MY ONLY ISSUE IS HOW, ARE THERE ANY OTHER PROJECTS FROM SOUTH OF THE BROAD THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE PIPELINE RIGHT NOW? ONE, YEAH, THE NEXT ONE, I MEAN, NOT, NOT, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT ONE, JUST SAYING THAT THAT'S SPECIFICALLY JUST, SO IF I MIGHT CLARIFY YEAH.
SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN REGION OR SOUTH OF THE BROAD? JUST JUST SOUTH, SOUTH OF THE BROAD.
WE WILL BE, UH, BRINGING FORWARD AT SOME POINT A RECOMMENDATION ON THE THIRD TRACK THAT IS IN THE BUCKWALTER AREA, WHICH I THINK WE'VE COMMONLY BE CALLING BUCK WALTER C NOT TO, NOT TO QUOTE, NOT TO CONFUSE IT WITH OTHER CODE NAMES THERE.
UM, I GUESS MY, MY THOUGHT PROCESS IS HERE, IS THERE ANYTHING NORTH OF THE BROAD THAT'S GOING THROUGH THE PIPELINE LIKE RIGHT NOW? BECAUSE IF WE EXPAND WITH THIS VOTE AND THE NEXT VOTE AND WE ONLY HAVE $21 MILLION LEFT, THAT DOESN'T LEAVE MUCH FOR NORTH OF THE BROAD AND THE ALLOCATION BREAKDOWN OF THIS, OF THIS TAX.
YOU, YOU'RE GONNA SEE SOME REIMBURSEMENTS COME BACK IN HERE THIS SUMMER, WHICH WILL BE ADDED AND THEN ULTIMATELY WE SHOULD SEE AT LEAST 20 MILLION IN A, IN A PROJECT YOU'LL DISCUSS HERE IN A FEW MINUTES.
PRESUMING THAT WOULD GO THROUGH, SHOULD BE 26 COMING BACK, RIGHT? ROUGHLY.
UH, IT'LL NET OUT AROUND 4 MILLION BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA DO, DO 2 MILLION GRAND IN IT.
YOU AND YOU DID A REIMBURSEMENT GRANT OF SIX, SO THAT'S AROUND FOUR ON THAT.
THERE ARE SOME PROJECTS OUT THERE, BUT I THINK FROM, FROM, I, I THINK I'M SPEAKING VERY FAIRLY AND THE VICE CHAIRMAN, THE COMMITTEE THAT WE HAVE LOOKED AND TRIED TO FORECAST OUT SO THAT WE'RE NOT PUTTING OURSELVES IN A POSITION OF WISHING WE HAD NOT HAD DONE SOMETHING.
I THINK WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE RIGHT NOW.
I'M, I'M STARTING TO GET TO THE POINT.
I KNOW IT TAKES A WILLING PROPERTY OWNER MM-HMM
BUT I'M STARTING TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE I, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN ACCEPT ANYTHING SOUTH, ANYTHING FURTHER SOUTH OF BROAD.
WE, WE NEED SOME ATTENTION UP HERE AND THIS TAX MONEY NEEDS TO COME BACK UP HERE TOO.
THE WAY THIS WILL WORK, MR. BARAL, YOU IS THE HEAD AND IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE THAT YOU DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S ANYTHING GOING ON IN A PARTICULAR AREA.
AND THAT'S ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST SAW IN THE WESTERN REGION WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF ACTIVITY AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAD A COUPLE BUCK WALTER TRASH, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE ANOTHER BUCK WALTER TRACK.
AND THEN YOU HAD THE, UH, DURST FAMILY AT VICTORIA BLUFF TRACK ALL, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU WENT FROM ALMOST ZERO TO A HUNDRED THERE.
AND IT, AND IT JUST SEEMS THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.
WE'RE ABOUT TO PROBABLY AT SOME TIME, LIKELY SINCE JUST THE SUMMER SCHEDULE, UH, PREDICT THAT WE'LL BE COMING TO YOU WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAN IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY THAT WE HADN'T HAD A LOT OF ACTIVITY IN HERE RECENTLY AND ALL ON BOARD, LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP.
AND SOME OF 'EM IS PARTICULARLY IN, IN DISTRICTS THAT YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT.
IT'S JUST THE WAY I THINK IT JUST THE WAY A CYCLE SEEMS TO WORK AND, UH, COUNCILMAN LAWSON.
I JUST WANNA SAY THAT, THAT, UM, UH, HILTON HEAD HAS COME TO US AND THEY ARE WILLING TO PUT UP 50% OF THIS MONEY.
AND THIS IS THE KIND OF THINGS THAT DEEP WATER ACCESS THAT, THAT IS, IS RIGHT THERE TO LIMIT UNITS IS KIND OF WHAT THIS WHOLE ORDINANCE WAS PUT IN.
BUT AGAIN, YOU LOOK AT WHAT THAT PROPERTY IS WORTH AND WHAT COULD BE BUILT THERE.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM ANYONE BEFORE WE TAKE THE VOTE? I JUST WANNA SAY WE SUPPORT THAT AS WELL.
UH, THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT, AS WE ALL SAID, THAT IT'S PROPERTY THAT WOULD CHANGE
[03:00:01]
THE CHARACTER OF THE CHARM OF THAT LITTLE PLACE.OH, LOGAN, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP.
YEAH, SORRY, I JUST DIDN'T GET A FINISH MY THOUGHTS FROM EARLIER.
UM, BUT I GUESS THE ONLY THING I WOULD WANT TO TOUCH ON IS I DO NOT BELIEVE WE CAN CHANGE ANY WAY WE DISTRIBUTE THIS MONEY UNTIL WE EVER CAME BACK TO ANOTHER GREEN SPACE REFERENDUM OR NOT.
BECAUSE WE SENT THIS OUT TO VOTERS A VERY CLEAR WAY AND WE NEED TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THESE FUNDS THAT WAY.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY'RE DOING AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT US AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, WE SHOULD NOT BE CHANGING THOSE RULES 'CAUSE WE COMMITTED THIS TO VOTERS.
I, I AGREE WITH YOU COUNCILMAN CUNNINGHAM.
AND, AND ANOTHER, ANOTHER GREEN SPACE BILL WOULD BE GREAT WHEN THE TIME'S.
COUNCIL MEMBER LAWSON MARK LAWSON.
COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM? NO.
COUNCIL MEMBER BARTHOLOMEW? YES.
[15.b. 2026/23: A Resolution authorizing the County Administrator to execute the documents necessary and to provide funds for the procurement by the applicant, The Nature Conservancy, for the acquisition of fee simple real property located in the Town of Bluffton, known as the New River Forest (Portion of PIN#’s R614 045 000 0019 0000, R610 044 000 0126 0000), not to exceed the requested amount ($42,000,000). ]
OUR AGENDA IS, UM, 2026.23, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE THE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY AND TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE PROCUREMENT BY THE APPLICANT, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY FOR THE ACQUISITION OF FEE.
SIMPLE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON, KNOWN AS THE NEW RIVER FOREST.
AND THEN THERE'S, UM, PEN NUMBERS TO FOLLOW, NOT TO EXCEED THE REQUESTED AMOUNT OF $42 MILLION.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PASSMAN.
A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MCALLEN.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN A, UH, MOTION TO AMEND THIS RESOLUTION.
THE MOTION WOULD BE THE PROPERTY SHALL BE, THIS WOULD BE ADDED, UM, THE LAST PARAGRAPH OF THE RESOLUTION.
THE PROPERTY SHALL BE SERVED AND HAVE DIRECT PHYSICAL ACCESS TO A PUBLIC ROAD RIGHT OF WAY SLASH EASEMENT THAT CONNECTS TO AN EXISTING PUBLIC ROAD RIGHT OF WAY SLASH EASEMENT ACCEPTABLE TO THE COUNTY WITH PUBLIC VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY.
AND NEW RIVERSIDE'S A PRIVATE ROAD.
SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC, TO THIS PROPERTY IF THIS ALL GOES THROUGH.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY VICE CHAIR TAVERNA.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? A SECOND AND A SECOND.
UM, ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING THE AMENDMENT? ALL RIGHT.
OH, I DIDN'T SEE YOU RAISE YOUR HAND.
UM, TO THE AMENDMENT ON THE AMENDMENT? UH, NO, NOT, NO, NO, I'M SORRY.
NO, NO QUESTIONS REGARDING THE AMENDMENT.
DO WE NEED A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT? NO.
ALL IN FAVOR, JUST SHOW BY HANDS.
ALL RIGHT, NOW WE GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION AND WE'RE IN DISCUSSION.
OKAY, MR. ACHE, THANK YOU FOR SAYING SO LATE.
AND SORRY YOU HAVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT HERE.
THERE IS A MITIGATION BANKING PROPOSAL MENTIONED IN THE LISTING AGREEMENT.
CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN? I CAN ONLY GIVE A LITTLE CONJECTURE 'CAUSE I DON'T HAVE, I DON'T RECALL SEEING THAT.
MS. BROWN, THERE'S A MITIGATION BANKING PROPOSAL MENTIONED IN THE LISTING LISTENING LISTING AGREEMENT THAT MAY SIMPLY BE IDENTIFYING THAT, THAT, THAT THE PROPERTY COULD HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE.
IF SOMEONE WANTED TO CHOOSE TO PURSUE A MITIGATION BANK, WHICH IS A WHOLE NOTHER APPLICATION IN A PUBLIC PROCESS, DO SO JUST ABOUT ANY TRACKS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY CERTAINLY WOULD ALMOST QUALIFY FOR CONSIDERATION OF A MITIGATION BANK.
IF YOU'LL PERMIT ME, IF I MAY JUST INTRODUCE A COUPLE PEOPLE HERE AND THEN THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP AFFIRM AN ANSWER FOR YOUR, FOR ME ON THAT MATTER.
I HAVE ADDITION A QUESTION TO THAT, AND WILL THE GREEN SPACE BE GETTING THE MONEY IT GENERATES OR WE GIVE GETTING THAT MONEY BACK ON THE MITIGATION BANKING PROPOSAL? SEE IF SOMEONE CAN ANSWER THAT.
DOES NO ONE NOT KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT? I THINK I CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTION OKAY.
BECAUSE THE QUESTION YOU'RE ASKING IS, IS THERE A MITIGATION PROPOSAL ON THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY? AND IF IT WERE AND IT CAME TO AN INSTRUMENT THAT WOULD BE APPROVED, WOULD THE COUNTY GET ANY REVENUE FROM THAT? RIGHT.
THERE IS NO MITIGATION BANK PROPOSAL BEING MADE BY, THERE IS NOT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OR THE FORESTRY COMMISSION ON THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY.
WHAT YOU MAY HAVE READ IS THAT SOMEONE MAY HAVE PROPOSED IN A MARKETING PIECE ABOUT A PROPERTY THAT IT COULD QUALIFY FOR A POTENTIAL MITIGATION BANK.
BUT NO MITIGATION BANK IS BEING A, A APPLICATION
[03:05:01]
TO THE ARMY CORPS OR TO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.TO MY KNOWLEDGE IS BEING MADE.
AND I'M GONNA LOOK TO THE NATURE CONSERVANCY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DALE THREAT, TAYLOR PROJECT MANAGER, DAVID BISHOP.
YOU HAVE, UM, WE'VE GOT STATE FORESTER SCOTT PHILLIPS, GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE STATE FORESTRY COMMISSION.
I HAVE KATE PARKS, SCHAFER, OPEN LAND TRUST, EXCUSE ME, UH, CONSERVATION OFFICER.
AND IF I SAW KAYLA, KAYLA ROMANS, WHO'S THEIR PROJECT MANAGER AT OPEN LAND TRUST.
AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NO ONE I'VE HEARD TALK ABOUT MITIGATION BANK.
GO AHEAD DAVID, IF YOU WANNA MAKE A COMMENT.
LET HIM MAKE HIS COMMENT AND THEN I'LL COME TO YOU.
DAVID BISHOP, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, THEY HAVE PURSUED, UH, EXPLORING MITIGATION BANKS AND THEY BEING, THEY BEING THE OWNERS, THE OWNERS, CURRENT OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY, NO MITIGATIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
UH, AND NONE WILL BE ON THIS PROPERTY IF PURCHASED.
IF, IF ANY MITIGATION WAS GONNA OCCUR, I WOULD BE OPPOSED TO THIS.
'CAUSE YOU TOUCHING THE WETLAND.
WHAT I THINK MR. BISHOP JUST, UH, QUALIFIED IS THAT THE CURRENT OWNERS MAY HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS AND HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT, WHICH IS PROBABLY WHERE MS. BROWN SAW THAT MAYBE SOMEBODY PUT THAT IN AS A DISCLOSURE AND A MARKETING PIECE.
BUT THERE'S BEEN NO APPLICATION.
THE, THE, THE, UH, APPLICATIONS THAT GO THROUGH, THROUGH THE STATE ON, UH, POTENTIAL MITIGATION BANKS.
AND SO I DON'T, THIS IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE IN THAT REGARD.
OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? YES.
COUNCILMAN BAROLO? UH OH, YOU GOT JUST REAL, REAL QUICK CUNNINGHAM TOO.
SO, YEAH, JU JUST REAL QUICK, THE CLOSING DATE, IF THIS GOES THROUGH SEPTEMBER, CORRECT? THEREABOUTS FOR THE NATURE CONSERVANCY TO DO SO.
SO YOUR FUNDS DO NOT GET DISPERSED UNTIL THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR DUE DILIGENCE, WHICH INCLUDES SUCH ISSUES LIKE THE ROADS ACCESS.
SO IF THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN GENERAL IS NOT SATISFIED THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN WHAT YOU WOULD, YOU AND THE STATE FORESTRY COMMISSION WOULD APPROVE, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A CLOSING UNDERSTOOD.
BUT ASSUMING EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT, CLOSING ROUNDABOUT SEPTEMBER IS YES SIR.
IS IT GONNA BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IMMEDIATELY THERE? THE NATURE CONSERVANCY AND, AND THE FORESTRY COMMISSION, UH, HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS AND I BELIEVE WILL HAVE EVEN MORE EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT A TIMELINE.
WHEN YOU SAY IMMEDIATE, I DON'T NECESSARILY WOULD'VE SET THE EXPECTATION.
IT'S THE DAY AFTER A CLOSING, BUT I THINK IN A RELATIVELY TIME BECAUSE IT'S GONNA REQUIRE SOME STAFFING AND SOME TRANSITION TIME FOR FORESTRY COMMISSION TO MAKE SURE THEIR RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE IN COLLABORATION WITH TNC ON THAT.
SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE, SO THE LAST TIMELINE THAT WAS GIVEN WAS 18 MONTHS FOR THE STATE FORESTRY COMMISSION TO DO THEIR PUBLIC PROCESS.
ARE WE SAYING WE'RE GONNA SPEND $42 MILLION THAT YOU KNOW NOW WITH THIS VOTE AND THEN HAVE TO WAIT TWO YEARS-ISH, 18 MONTHS TO TWO YEARS BEFORE THE PUBLIC CAN ACCESS IT? MAYBE I WASN'T CLEAR BEFORE.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT 18 MONTHS, WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT IS THAT IT COULD BE 18 MONTHS FOR THE STATE TRANSITION TO TAKE OWNERSHIP.
SO WHEN DOES THE PUBLIC GET ACCESS TO THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY? I THINK THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IS PUBLICLY COMMITTED THAT THEY'LL WORK WITH THE FORESTRY COMMISSION TO TRY TO OPEN THAT UP AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN.
WE'RE ABOUT TO SPEND $42 MILLION AND I WANT THE PUBLIC TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT TRACK OF LAND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
WE, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY DOES HAVE PUBLIC PRESERVES THAT THE PUBLIC COMES.
WE DO NOT HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS, PEOPLE ON STAFF AND ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO MANAGE A PROPERTY LIKE THIS.
WE COULD POSSIBLY ENTER INTO A MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE FOREST RECOMMISSION IF THEY SO CHOOSE.
BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE INTENTIONAL AND WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO DECIDE WHAT THOSE USES ARE BECAUSE THERE ARE NEEDS FOR CERTAIN BUFFERS AND HOW YOU USE IT AND IS WHAT KIND OF HUNTING.
AND THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT THAT AND RIGHTLY SO.
SO I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT OPENING IT TO PUBLIC AND HOW WE DO IT.
AGAIN, TIMELINE, NOBODY HAS YET TO GIVE ME A TIMELINE.
WELL, I WOULD SAY, AND I WOULD MAYBE ASK THE FORESTRY COMMISSION TO COME UP HERE BECAUSE THEY WILL BE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR IT IF WE GO DO THAT.
THE REASON I ASK, WE HAVE, THERE'S A PROPERTY IN MY DISTRICT SIX YEARS AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE ANY IMPROVEMENTS ON IT.
AND IT'S TECHNICALLY NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EVEN THOUGH IT'S PUBLIC PROPERTY.
NOT YOU, BUT IT'S PUBLIC PROPERTY.
IT'S NOT Y'ALL, BUT THAT'S SIX YEARS.
EVERYTHING ELSE HAS BEEN MY FAULT.
I WAS THINKING I WOULD JUST ADD THAT TO THAT.
THAT'S SIX YEARS OF PROPERTY TIED UP WITH NO ACCESS.
I THINK MR. BARTOLO, YOU, I'LL OFFER THIS.
IN MY EXPERIENCE, I DON'T COME TO YOU WITHOUT ANY CREDIBILITY.
AND IN MY 20 PLUS YEARS OF HELPING RUN STATE AGENCIES AND BEING INVOLVED IN THESE TYPE OF LARGE LANDSCAPE TRANSACTIONS,
[03:10:01]
EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE INTEREST IN THE ENTHUSIASM, GET 'EM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.WE GOTTA MAKE SURE THAT THE ROAD ACCESS POINT IS CONSIDERED.
WE GOTTA MAKE, YOU KNOW, SURVEYS ARE BEING DONE AS WE SPEAK SO WE CAN CLEARLY HAVE THOSE, SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SAFETY PROGRAM IN PLACE SO THAT YOU CAN INSTITUTE A HUNTING PERIOD.
'CAUSE YOU DON'T WANT HUNTING GOING ON.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT IN A SAFETY CONSIDERATION AND HOW YOU SET THAT WITH THE SEASON AND HOW MANY LIMITS YOU'RE GONNA DO, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
ALL THAT WILL HAVE TO BE DONE.
I SUGGEST YOU SIR, IS GONNA BE PROBABLY THROUGH THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR BEFORE WE CAN GET THAT ALL RESOLVED.
IF THEY CLOSE IN SEPTEMBER, IT'S PROBABLY GONNA BE SOMETIME IN, IN THE, EITHER VERY END OF THE YEAR OR EARLY PART OF THE WINTER TO DO THAT.
TO DO THAT, WHAT THE PUBLIC WILL BENEFIT FROM IS THEY'LL HAVE CERTAINTY FROM THAT DAY FORWARD AFTER THAT CLOSING THAT THIS PROPERTY NO LONGER IS GONNA BE A THREAT OF BEING POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, AGREEMENT BEING AMENDED.
AND ONCE AGAIN, ANOTHER REASON I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IT, WE HAVE LARGE TRACTS OF LAND THROUGHOUT HERE THAT WE'VE PURCHASED THAT THE PUBLIC STILL HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS.
BUT WE HAVE 800 ACRES ADJACENT TO THIS THAT THEY STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS.
I THINK, UM, I'M GONNA, WHICH IS PART OF A SOLUTION TO THAT IS THIS TRANSACTION.
COUNCIL MCALLEN, DID YOU HAVE YOUR HAND RAISED? OH, ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL COME BACK TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.
THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO COUNCILMAN BROWN.
I THINK DAVID STOLE MY THUNDER ON THAT PART, SO I'LL LET HIM KEEP FIGHTING THAT BATTLE.
UM, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAD WITH YOU, AND I KNOW WE DISCUSSED IT A LITTLE BIT, WAS THAT WHEN TNC, THEY'RE OBLIGATED TO PAYING US BACK.
I, I BELIEVE IT WAS 20 MILLION.
SO MAY I, MAY I SUMMARIZE THE, THE CONTRACT OBLIGATION BY THE PARTIES, MR. CUNNINGHAM, WOULD THAT BE HELPFUL? THAT'D BE FANTASTIC.
ALRIGHT, SO FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS NOT A LOAN, THIS IS A REIMBURSABLE GRANT.
WE'RE CLEAR 'CAUSE THERE'S BEEN SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT DO WE HAVE THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO, TO MAKE A LOAN.
WE'RE NOT DOING A LOAN IN THE CONTEXT OF MORTGAGES AND RECORDING OF THAT, THIS IS A GRANT BEING MADE TO THE NATURE CONSERVANCY TO ALLOW THEM TO CLOSE ON THE TRANSACTION EARLY AND THEN SEEK A NO LESS THAN A $20 MILLION REIMBURSEMENT.
TNC IS OBLIGATED UNDER THE GRANT AGREEMENT OR WILL BE OBLIGATED UNDER THE GRANT AGREEMENT THAT WITHIN THREE YEARS HAVE PRODUCED AT LEAST $20 MILLION IN REIMBURSABLE GRANT.
WHEN YOU THINK OF THE TIMEFRAME, THE CLOSE IN SEPTEMBER, WE'LL BE DOING THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, FISCAL YEAR 28.
THAT'S WHERE SENATOR DAVIS IS COMMITTED AND THE FORESTRY COMMISSION'S BEEN CLEAR.
THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
THAT BUDGET WON'T BE SET UNTIL FOUR A YEAR, A YEAR FROM NOW.
THEY HAVEN'T EVEN SET THE FISCAL 27 BUDGET TODAY THAT HAS TO BE SET BEFORE JULY ONE.
THAT'LL HAPPEN IN JUNE OF 27 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 28.
WE GOTTA GIVE 'EM, 'CAUSE THE STATE DOESN'T RELEASE THEIR, THEIR APPROPRIATED DOLLARS UNTIL TYPICALLY IN THE SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER TIME PERIOD AFTER A NEW FISCAL YEAR.
WE SAID WE'RE GOING FOR 18 MONTHS.
WE ASKED THE FACT THAT THAT'S NOT GONNA BE THE ONLY GRANT SO THAT WE'RE GONNA TRY TO SECURE.
SO THIS POINT WE SAID, AT MINIMUM $20 MILLION, I'D LOVE TO SEE IT.
WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN DOING ADDITIONAL GRANTS ON THAT.
SO THAT, THAT IS THEIR OBLIGATION.
IF THEY WERE TO FAIL ON THAT OBLIGATION, WHICH I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THEY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL, THEN THEY HAVE TO, THEY HAVE TO OFFER BACK TO THE COUNTY FOR YOU TO PURCHASE THAT PROPERTY FOR $1,000.
IT'S JUST A, IT'S A FIGURE THAT YOU THEN JUST HAVE THE OPTION TO GO BACK.
IT'S, SO IN MANY WAYS IT'S NOT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN WHEN I BET SOMEBODY A DOLLAR FOR A YEAR LEASE ON SOMETHING.
IT IS JUST THESE PUTS IT IN THAT THEY HAVE TO COME BACK AND OFFER THAT TO THE COUNTY WHERE YOU COULD TAKE IT.
AT THAT POINT, YOU THEN HAVE A, YOU HAVE AN ASSET IN MY VIEW, IF THAT WERE TO BE THE CASE, YOU HAVE AN ASSET THAT IS MORE VALUABLE THAN WHAT YOU'RE GONNA BE PUTTING IN IT AT THAT POINT.
BUT THREE, THREE YEARS IS WHAT WHY WE THOUGHT WAS A REASONABLE, I THINK IT'LL BE SOONER FOR AT LEAST TO 20 MILLION.
SOME OF THE GRANTS THAT WE HAVE IN MIND APPLICATIONS ARE NOT EVEN BE DUE UNTIL THE BE END OF THIS YEAR, WHICH MEANS, AND THEY WON'T MAKE A, THEY WON'T AWARD THOSE UNTIL THE END OF NEXT YEAR TYPE.
AND SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE LOOKING AT A THREE YEAR WINDOW TO TRY TO CAPTURE SOME OF THOSE.
I THINK YOU HAD A FOLLOW UP QUESTION.
MR. I'M SORRY, MR. CUNNINGHAM.
YEAH, NO, I, I DID SEE THAT, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
'CAUSE MY NUMBER ONE QUESTION WHEN WE MET A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, MY OTHER QUESTION IS THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT CURRENTLY IS BETWEEN THE PROPERTY OWNER AND THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON WHO GETS RIGHTS TO THAT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WHEN THE PROPERTY IS TRANSFERRED.
IF I UNDERSTOOD, AND MAY I REPEAT WHAT I THINK I HEARD THE QUESTION.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR TRACK
[03:15:01]
ONCE IT'S ACQUIRED BY THE NATION CONSERVANCY? CORRECT.AND THEREFORE, ERGO THEN ULTIMATELY TO THE STATE, YOU'RE NOT GONNA CHANGE THE DEVELOPMENT.
YOU'RE NOT EVEN GONNA ASK FOR AN AMENDMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
AND SO IT'S, AND BASICALLY BECAUSE THERE'S GONNA PLACE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT HELD BY OPEN LAND TRUST, A BUFORT ORGANIZATION, AND FRANKLY THAT'LL, THAT'LL SUPERSEDE ANYTHING WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
SO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ON THIS 55,000 ACRES, I UNDERSTAND THAT'S, THERE'S DEBATE ON THE SALT WATER V SALT MARSH VERSUS THE UPLANDS ON THAT WILL, WILL NO LONGER BE NECESSARY.
AND BUT THERE WON'T BE A NEED TO AMEND IT BECAUSE THE, THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT WILL SUPERSEDE THAT.
YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ULTIMATE DECISION STILL GOES TO THE NEW PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON CANNOT CHANGE THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITHOUT APPROVAL OF US.
WELL, THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE OWNER MAKE THE REQUEST AND I DON'T THINK THE OWNER WOULD DO SO KNOWING WHO THE OWNERS WILL BE.
THE FIRST TIME? YEAH, MY FIRST TIME.
UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS IN MY DISTRICT AND, UM, I, I'D LOVE TO SEE IT HAPPEN.
UM, I'VE STILL GOT SOME RESERVATIONS THOUGH, AND, AND AGAIN, I'VE EXPRESSED THEM IN THE PAST THAT, THAT OBVIOUSLY WE KEEP SAYING, YOU KNOW, UM, 5,900 ACRES OR 4,900, EXCUSE ME.
AND REALLY IT'S, IT'S 3,340 ACRES OF, OF UPLAND, 340 ACRES OF THIS UPLAND, UM, WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO UNLESS WE GO ACROSS MARSH.
UM, SO AGAIN, THAT'S, THAT'S THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF, OF THIS TRACK THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
SO AGAIN, THAT'S 10%, UM, THAT, THAT WE'RE NOT GONNA HAVE UNLESS YOU ACCESS IT, UM, THROUGH PALMETTO BLUFF.
UM, WHICH AGAIN WAS SOMETHING WE PROMISED THAT WE WOULD NOT DO.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE, AND WE TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE, THE $20 MILLION COMING BACK TO US AND, AND AGAIN, WE'VE GOT THE AGREEMENTS AND THINGS, BUT, UM, NONE OF THAT IS, IS GUARANTEED.
AND I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE WHERE, YOU KNOW, WE GET COVID AGAIN, WE GET NINE 11, UM, YOU KNOW, WE, WE GET, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND, AND, OR WE TALKED ABOUT THE, THE STATE CHANGING THEIR TAX LAWS AND OR GOVERNOR, UH, MCMASTER WHO GOT RID OF ALL WHAT EARMARKS JUST, JUST LAST YEAR AND ALL MONEY WENT AWAY.
AND SO I'M STILL ON THE, ON THE FENCE ON THIS THING.
IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, UM, AGAIN, LOVE TO SEE IT HAPPEN.
UM, IF, IF WE WERE TRULY TAKING THE, THE UNITS OFF THE TABLE RIGHT NOW, IT'S UNDER A CONSERVATION EASEMENT UNTIL YEAR.
MADAM CHAIRMAN, I MEAN, NO DISRESPECT TO MR. LAWSON, BUT I NEED TO CLARIFY.
IT IS NOT UNDER A CONSERVATION EASEMENT.
THIS IS UNDER A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, WHICH IS NOT A CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN ANY LEGAL WAY.
IT IS NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY.
WHEN I SAY CONSERVATION, YOU'RE RIGHT.
'CAUSE IT, WHAT IT SAYS IS THAT NO BUILDING CAN HAPPEN ON THAT PROPERTY AS PART OF THAT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT YOU CANNOT BUILD ANYTHING ON THERE FOR.
AGAIN, IT'S IT'S THAT 20, 30 YEARS FROM FROM NOW AT THE EARLY 1950.
SO EVEN IF WE TOOK IT OUT TO 2058, OKAY, IT'S STILL SUBJECT TO ANYONE THAT AN OWNER CAN PUT IN AND ASK FOR AN AMENDMENT.
THIS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT HAS BEEN AMENDED SIX TIMES SINCE 1998.
SO ONE CAN'T SAY, AND THIS COUNCIL KNOWS OF ALL COUNCILS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS COMING IN FRONT OF YOU TO BE AMENDED
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS DO NOT GIVE YOU PERMANENT PERPETUAL, AS IT WAS SAID EARLIER, THIS EARLIER TODAY, SOMEONE SAID IT WAS, IT WAS PERPETUAL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT DOESN'T EXIST.
PERPETUAL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS JUST DON'T, ARE JUST NOT A, JUST DON'T HAPPEN.
A CONSERVATION EASEMENT IS THE ONLY ASSURANCE ANY TAXPAYER, ANY RESIDENT OF THE COUNTY, ANY VISITOR TO THE COUNTY WILL ASSURE THAT THIS PROPERTY STAYS UNDER THAT CONDITION BASED ON THE EASEMENT'S LIMITATIONS.
I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A 36 ACRE TRACK WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS INCLUDED IN THIS PURCHASE.
IS THAT CORRECT? I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A 36 ACRE TRACK WITH THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS INCLUDED IN THIS PURCHASE.
WILL THE 38, 36, I'M SORRY, ACRE TRACK BE PART OF THE PRESERVED PROPERTY? UH, IF SO, WILL THE DEVELOPMENT RATES BE SOLD OR RETIRED? THIS IS PART OF THE NEW RIVERSIDE, UH, PUD, THAT LITTLE FINGER UP THERE, RIGHT WHERE THE CURSOR IS THERE, WE ARE BUYING A PORTION OF THAT AND THE RIGHT TO HAVE THREE, UH, DEVELOPMENT UNITS.
NOT THAT WE INTEND TO USE 'EM, BUT TO ALLOW FLEXIBILITY FOR THE FORESTRY COMMISSION IF THEY WANT TO HAVE A VISITOR CENTER.
SO, MR. RICK SHANE, DID I HEAR YOU
[03:20:01]
SAY THAT IF THIS ALL GOES SOUTH, LITERALLY THAT THE, UH, TNC WOULD GIVE, WOULD GIVE US BACK THE PROPERTY TO THE COUNTY FOR A THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NOT TO BE CHEAP? SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COURT, I UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT YOU LEMME DO, IF I MAY READ YEAH.THE GRANT AGREEMENT WILL ALSO CONTAIN AN OPTION GIVING BEAUFORT COUNTY THE RIGHT TO PURCHASE THE NEW RIVER PROPERTY FOR A PURCHASE PRICE OF $1,000 FROM THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THIS GRANT HAVE NOT BEEN MADE.
AND WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT THE, UH, MINIMUM $20 MILLION REIMBURSEMENT ON THE, ON THE GRANT, AND, AND IT ALSO IS IMMEDIATE OR PRIOR TO THE, UM, BEING CONVEYED BY THE NATURE CONSERVANCY TO THE FORESTRY COMMISSION.
YOU HAVE THAT OPTION ONE MORE TIME.
THE ONLY REASON I'M ASKING YOU IS IT'S NOT IN THE RESOLUTION.
AND ALSO IT SEEMS TO ME WE'RE PUTTING UP $42 MILLION.
WHY WOULD WE HAVE TO BUY IT FOR $1,000? I THINK, MA'AM, THAT WAS JUST SIMPLY A DOLLAR FIGURE THAT WAS PUT IN.
IT'S NOT IN THE RESOLUTION, I DON'T THINK, I DON'T THINK THE NATURE CONSERVANCY WOULD BE HEARD IF YOU WANTED TO CHANGE THAT TO A DOLLAR, BUT I'M IT'S NOT IN THE SOLUTION.
YEAH, IT'S, IT'S GONNA BE IN THE GRANT AGREEMENT.
THE GRANT AGREEMENT WILL BE ATTACHED TO THIS RESOLUTION.
THE GRANT AGREEMENT WILL BE WHAT'S RECORDED AND GOES WITH THE PROPERTY.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? CHAIR? YES.
UM, I'M A VERY STRONG PROPONENT FOR GREEN SPACE AND YOU KNOW THAT I GO BACK TO WHAT TAB SAYS AND WHAT DAVID SAYS ABOUT EQUITABLE AND FAIR.
UM, I, I THINK ABOUT WETLANDS AND WHAT'S PRESERVED IN THE WETLANDS OF THIS 4,950 ACRES.
I, I LOOK AT THIS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT SAYS YOU, YOU CAN'T BUILD A BUILDING ON THERE UNTIL 58, IF NOT AMENDED.
IF NOT AMENDED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
I, I ASK COUNSEL TO UNDERSTAND I'M NOT BEING DISRESPECTFUL, BUT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS HAVE PROVEN THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN AMENDED BEFORE IT COULD BE AMENDED.
IT SIMPLY TAKES A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF, OF THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON COUNCIL TO AMEND THAT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
IT IS NOT GIVING YOU THE LONG-TERM PROTECTION.
I LIVE IN A SA I LIVE IN A CITY THAT HAS SUFFERED FROM SEEING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS AND SOMETIMES 19 TIMES BE AMENDED.
LISTEN, I APPRECIATE YOUR PASSION AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT, AND MY VOTE TONIGHT IS NOT GONNA BE IN ANY DISRESPECT OF WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
I UNDERSTAND MR. RE AND I UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR, YOUR REGION HAS BENEFITED IMMENSELY FROM THE GREEN SPACE PROGRAM AND NO ONE QUESTIONED ABOUT APPRAISALS OR WETLAND DELINEATIONS ON ANY OF THE TRACKS THAT WE DID WHEN WE JUST SPENT SEVEN AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO, THAT'S 50% OF ONLY NINE ACRES.
AND WHAT WE'RE ASKING IS $42 MILLION TO PUT ALMOST 5,000 ACRES THAT'S GONNA BRING YOUR 800 ACRES IN TO BE ACTUALLY USABLE.
AND YOU'RE GONNA GET AT LEAST 20 OF THAT BACK.
DOES ANYONE ELSE ON COUNCIL HAVE ANY COMMENTS? YES.
I, I DON'T HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH BEING THE LAST CALL.
I I, I DO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT HERE.
AND I WOULD ALSO SAY TO, TO THIS COUNCIL THAT, UM, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT EQUITY AND FAIRNESS ACROSS THE REGION, UM, SING HELLNER IN THE NORTHERN BEFORD HAS REALLY BENEFITED FROM THE RULING RULING CRITICAL LAND PROGRAM.
UH, A LOT OF LAND HAS BEEN PLACED IN CONSERVATION EASEMENT, SO THERE'S NOT A LOT OF APPETITE, BUT THERE ARE SOME PROJECTS STILL ON THE LIST FOR SING HELE AND IT'S PROBABLY GONNA COME BEFORE GREEN SPACE.
I HOPE IT DOES, BUT, UM, I WOULD PUT MORE VALUE AT THIS TIME, NOT ON THE UPLAND.
I PUT MORE VALUE ON THE WETLAND.
WETLAND IS A, IS A, IS A ASSET THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED.
UH, IT'S, IT, IT, IT'S, IT'S, UM, IT'S VALUABLE IN MANY WAYS.
UM, I WOULD EVEN GO AS FAR AS TO SAY THAT IF IT WASN'T FOR DUCKS UNLIMITED, A LOT OF LAND WOULD BE, UM, DEVELOPED AT THIS TIME.
DUCKS HAVE SAVED A LOT OF CONSERVATION IN, IN, IN THE LOW COUNTRY.
UM, BUT ONE OF THE OTHER PART OF THE, UH, WETLAND IS THAT, UM, HISTORICALLY, UM, THE WETLAND ON A, ON A ON ON A FRESH WATER HAS BEEN USED FOR RICE PADS.
AND, UM, I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT HAPPENING THERE.
BUT, UM, WETLAND IS VALUABLE IS, TO ME IS MORE VALUABLE THAN UPLAND.
I I HAVE ONE LAST, ONE LAST COMMENT.
UM, BUILDING ON HIS STATEMENT.
THE NURSERIES ARE OUR WETLANDS, WHETHER THEY'RE
[03:25:01]
SALT WATER OR FRESH WATER.AND THAT'S WHY WE, OUR AREA IS MORE VALUABLE THAN CHESAPEAKE BAY BECAUSE THEY DESTROYED THEIR WETLANDS UP THERE.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SEAFOOD THAT WE CAN EAT AND NOT WORRY ABOUT IT BEING CONTAMINATED.
DO WE NEED TO ROLL? WE NEED TO ROLL.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER I GAVE? OKAY.
COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER BARTHOLOMEW? YES.
MADAM MADAM CHAIRMAN? YES, SIR.
WOULD YOU CONSIDER ASKING THOSE WHO OPPOSE THAT TO CONSIDER CHANGING THE VOTE FOR THE LEGACY OF THIS PROJECT? THIS IS THE LARGEST PROJECT THIS COUNTY WILL TAKE ON IN TERMS OF CONSERVATION, BOTH ACREAGE AND I THINK IMPACT WHEN YOU THINK OF 2058, IF WE ALL AGREE THAT THAT'S WHEN NOTHING MORE CAN HAPPEN IN 2058, WE WOULD JUST BE KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
AND THE FACT THAT THE PRESSURES WE KNOW OVER THE NEXT 30 PLUS YEARS ARE GONNA TAKE PLACE IN THIS AREA, ONLY GONNA MAKE THAT MORE VALUABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
I HAVE TRIED TO BRING AN APPROACH THAT I THINK ABOUT THE GENERATIONS.
THEY'RE NOT HERE YET, JUST AS I BENEFITED AS EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM HAS BENEFITED FROM THOSE BEFORE US.
I'D ASK IF YOU GIVE THOUGHT TO ALLOW THOSE TWO MEMBERS TO CONSIDER REVERSING THEIR VOTE AND CHANGE THAT TO A POSITIVE AND MAKE THIS A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
CAN YOU, AND MAYBE THE PARLIAMENTARIAN SAYS YOU CAN'T DO THAT AND WE CAN'T DO IT, BUT, BUT THE VOTES, IT CREATES A TRIGGERING MECHANISM TO GET IT TO DO IT AGAIN.
YEAH, I SHOULD HAVE ASKED THAT TO BEGIN WITH.
I GET YOUR INTENT THOUGH, MADAM CHAIR, CAN I MAKE A COMMENT? YES, MR. MACHINE, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.
BUT I LISTEN TO MY CONSTITUENTS AND WHEN THEY TELL ME TO DO THIS OR DO THAT, THAT'S WHAT I DO.
AND THOSE QUESTIONS CAME TODAY FROM MY CONSTITUENTS AND I DO WHAT THEY ASKED ME TO DO.
SO THAT'S THE REASON I VOTED NO TONIGHT.
DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT? I WOULD JUST SAY I'VE BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT ONE TO SAY YES FOR GREEN SPACE PURCHASES, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TAKE A HUGE TRACK OFF IN THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON.
AND THAT'S MY JOB, IS TO MAKE SURE WE CAN SLOW DOWN THE GROWTH IN BLUFFTON, THE FASTEST GROWING AREA IN BEAUFORT COUNTY.
AND WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT TONIGHT.
IT'S NOT, NOT OFTEN WE GET HAND CLAPS FOR A VOTE, BUT THANKS FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO DID TONIGHT.
[15.c. 2026/24: A Resolution to approve Avis Budget Group, Inc. Rental Car Concession Agreement for Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD).]
2026.A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AVIS BUDGET GROUP RENTAL CAR CONCESSION AGREEMENT FOR HILTON HEAD ISLAND AIRPORT.
THE VOTE AT PUBLIC FACILITIES WAS EIGHT ZERO.
WE HAVE A MOTION FOR A SECOND.
[15.d. 2026/25: A Resolution to approve Enterprise Holdings Rental Car Concession Agreement for Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD). ]
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE ENTER ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS RENTAL CAR CONCESSION AGREEMENT FOR HILTON HEAD AIRPORT.SECOND IT AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL, VICE CHAIR TAB TABER.
ALL IN FAVOR BY SIGNALING BY HANDS.
[15.e. 2026/26: A Resolution to approve GSP Transportation, Inc. Rental Car Concession Agreement for Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD).]
26.A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE GSP TRANSPORTATION RENTAL CAR CONCESSION AGREEMENT FOR HILTON HEAD AIRPORT.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND IT.
AND A SECOND BY VICE CHAIR TABER.
ALL IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS.
[15.f. 2026/28: A Resolution to accept South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC) Grant 26-020 in the amount of $88,538.00 for Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD) Development Projects. ]
DID WE SKIP 27? PROBABLY A DIFFERENT ONE.UM, MS. BROCK? YEAH, I'LL LOOK INTO THAT.
THIS IS THE NUMBER FOR, ALL RIGHT.
THIS 20 26, 28, A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT SOUTH CAROLINA AERONAUTICS COMMISSION GRANT 26 DASH ZERO TWO IN THE AMOUNT OF $88,538 FOR THE HILTON HEAD AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN RE DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND IT.
[15.g. 2026/29: A Resolution To establish Beaufort County's Community Development Priority List. ]
A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH BEAUFORT COUNTY'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY LIST.[03:30:01]
A MOTION? A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DAWSON? DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.AND A SECOND BY VICE CHAIRMAN TABER NECK.
ALL IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS.
[15.h. 2026/30: A Resolution authorizing a new Stormwater Management Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Town of Bluffton. ]
20 26 30 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A NEW STORMWATER MANAGEMENT INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON.THANK YOU TAYLOR AND BRADLEY FOR STAYING SO LATE.
UM, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.
ALL IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS FOR THIS AGREEMENT.
A NEW AGREEMENT AND THAT IS UNANIMOUS.
[15.i. 2026/31: A Resolution Authorizing a new Stormwater Management Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Town of Hilton Head Island.]
FOR THE EVENING 20 26 31.A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A NEW STORMWATER MANAGEMENT INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN REITZ AND WHO SECONDED IT.
I'LL SECOND AND SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PASSIT.
ALL IN FAVOR BY SIGN OF HANDS.