[I. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
[00:00:06]
PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE FOUGHT AND DIED FOR OUR FREEDOM, AND FOR ALL THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO SERVE AROUND THE WORLD, PROTECTING OUR WAY OF LIFE.
AS THIS IS OUR LAST MEETING PRIOR TO MEMORIAL DAY, PLEASE THINK OF OUR PAST SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AS YOU OBSERVED THIS VERY SPECIAL DAY.
THANK YOU. I'LL NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
THIS IS THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING 205 MAIN STREET, HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, MAY 14TH, 2025 AT 4:30 PM.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO OUR AGENDA TODAY.
MOTION, WE APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
NEXT, WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THIS IS DISCUSSION OF MATTERS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED LOCATION, EXPANSION,
[IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES ENCOURAGING THE LOCATION OR EXPANSION OF INDUSTRIES AND OTHER BUSINESSES IN THE AREA SERVED BY THE PUBLIC BODY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS 30-4-7085.WE WILL BE DISCUSSING WITH JOHNSON, MIRIAM AND THOMPSON OF A POTENTIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION? SO MOVE.
WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
WE WILL BE LEAVING THIS ROOM, GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND WE WILL BEGIN REGULAR SESSION PROMPTLY AT 5:00 PM.
[00:30:49]
[00:30:51]
[00:30:55]
>> WE ARE BACK AND BEFORE WE START,
[00:31:00]
I'D LIKE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.[00:31:06]
[00:31:07]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE?
>> FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE JUST JOINING US, WE STARTED AT 4:30.
WE HAD OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION AT THAT TIME, SO WE'RE ALREADY PAST THAT.
WE ARE BACK INTO OUR REGULAR MEETING.
NEXT UP IS OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[A. DISCUSSION OF MATTERS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED LOCATION, EXPANSION, OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES ENCOURAGING THE LOCATION OR EXPANSION OF INDUSTRIES AND OTHER BUSINESSES IN THE AREA SERVED BY THE PUBLIC BODY IN ACCORDANCE WITH S.C. CODE OF LAWS 30-4-70(A)(5).]
MS. CINDY, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP?>> NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS. YES, MA'AM.
>> SORRY. I DID WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO SIGN.
>> IS THIS A GENERAL COMMENT OR SOMETHING THAT'S ON THE AGENDA?
>> IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA, BUT SOMETHING I WANT TO PRESENT TO THE COUNCIL AND SEE IF I CAN GET HELP WITH IT.
>> PLEASE, I'LL ALLOW. WE DON'T WANT TO WITHHOLD ANY GOOD.
SINCE YOU DIDN'T SIGN UP, WE'LL CONSIDER THAT YOU'RE SIGNED UP.
[V. PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 MINUTE TIME LIMIT)]
STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD, AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.>> THANK YOU. I'M JAQUELINE SCOTT.
I RESIDE AT 277 NELSONS COURT.
I THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF COMING AND STANDING BEFORE COUNCIL.
MY CONCERN IS I KNOW OF AN ELDERLY LADY.
SHE'S 82-YEARS-OLD, AND SHE'S LIVING IN A HOME THAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE UNLIVABLE.
SHE HAS JUST RECENTLY HAD, I'M SORRY.
>> CINDY, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY CAN SEE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> I'LL GIVE YOU A COUPLE MORE SECONDS FOR THAT.
>> A TERMITE INSPECTOR CAME TO HER HOME AND FOUND THAT IT IS TERMITE INFECTED.
SHE ALSO CURRENTLY HAS A MORTGAGE ON THE HOME.
THE HOME IS ABOUT 50-YEARS-OLD.
LIKE I SAID, SHE'S A 82-YEAR-OLD LADY.
THE INSPECTOR SAID THAT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THE HOUSE IS BUILT TOO LOW TO THE GROUND.
MY THING IS BECAUSE SHE STILL OWES ON THE HOME AND IT'S A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE A WAY OF HELPING HER TO SAY GET OUT OF THE MESS? HER HUSBAND WAS SHOT AND KILLED YEARS AGO.
I'M HERE PLEADING HER CASE ON BEHALF OF HER TO BASICALLY SEE IF THERE'S ANY WAY I COULD GET HELP OR ADVICE.
AS OF NEXT MONTH, THE BANK IS GOING TO ADD INSURANCE TO IT BECAUSE THEY DROPPED HER HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE BECAUSE THE HOUSE NEEDS REPAIRS, AS FAR AS ROOFING, OTHER THINGS AS WELL.
>> IS THE HOME WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF HARDEEVILLE?
>> IT'S ACROSS THE TRACK ON STINEY FUNERAL HOME ROAD.
>> THAT'S JASPER COUNTY, MA'AM.
>> YES. THAT'S UNINCORPORATED JASPER COUNTY.
>> IF I CAN MAKE A SUGGESTION.
IF I COULD GET YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, I KNOW OF A COUPLE GRANT PROGRAMS AT LCOG AND AT THE BEAUFORT JASPER REGIONAL HOUSING TRUST THAT ADDRESS ISSUES LIKE THIS, AND WE CAN CONNECT YOU WITH THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND THAT WAY YOU CAN PASS ALONG THAT INFORMATION.
>> IF YOU WOULD LEAVE ANYONE BACK THERE WITH YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION,
[00:35:06]
AND MR. GRUBER WILL GET YOU THAT INFORMATION, BUT THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION.>> THANK YOU. ALSO SINCE I HAVE A FEW MORE MINUTES, WHAT ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING? WHAT STATUS IS THAT AND WHO CAN SIGN UP FOR IT AND HOW DO THEY SIGN UP?
>> I THINK YOU NEED TO BE MORE SPECIFIC.
SHE'S A SINGLE MOTHER, AND SHE HAS A TRAILER, BUT SHE CAN NO LONGER LIVE IN IT.
SHE IS EMPLOYED, BUT SHE NEEDS HELP.
>> GIVE BOTH TO MR. GRUBER AND WE'LL GIVE YOU ANSWERS TO BOTH.
>> WE HAVE NO OTHER PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS.
THE FIRST THING UP ARE THE YOUTH COUNCIL CERTIFICATE PRESENTATIONS.
[VI. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS]
ONE OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL DID TEXT ME A LITTLE BIT AGO, AND SHE'S NOT FEELING WELL, BUT WE DO HAVE TWO OUTSTANDING YOUNG LADIES WITH US HERE TONIGHT.I JUST WANT TO, BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT, MANY PEOPLE WEREN'T HERE AT THE TIME, GIVE YOU A LITTLE HISTORY.
ONE OF THE FIRST INITIATIVES WHEN I BECAME MAYOR IN 2016 IN JUNE WAS TO ASK THE COUNCIL TO PASS AN ORDINANCE FORMING THE HARDEEVILLE YOUTH COUNCIL.
I THINK, JOHN, THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OF YOUR FIRST VOTES BACK THEN.
IT WAS JUNE 2016 AFTER YOU AND I TOOK THE PLEDGE.
ONE OF THE IDEAS BEHIND IT WAS TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH OUR YOUNGEST GENERATION, BEING THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
I ALWAYS SAY TO EVERY GROUP COMING IN, WE UP HERE ARE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT A FUTURE THAT THEY WILL LIVE IN,
[A. YOUTH COUNCIL CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION]
AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS AND THEIR THOUGHTS ARE.THAT WAS THE WHOLE IDEA OF THE HARDEEVILLE YOUTH COUNCIL.
OVER THE NINE YEARS THAT WE'VE HAD IT, THE STUDENTS HAVE WORKED ON DISTRACTED DRIVING.
THEY'VE WORKED ON HELPING OUT YOUNG MOTHERS, PARTICULARLY UNWED MOTHERS.
THEY DID A VIDEO ONE YEAR ON BULLYING.
LAST YEAR, THEY DID A VIDEO HELPING AND COLLECTING PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS.
ONE YEAR, 2019-'20, THEY ACTUALLY WERE COLLECTING FOOD WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT AND ALL THE LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES QUADRUPLED THEIR NEEDS.
THAT WAS VERY TIMELY AT THE TIME.
REMEMBER? THE YOUTH COUNCIL HAS DONE TREMENDOUS WORK OVER THE LAST NINE YEARS.
THE GROUP THIS YEAR, WHAT THEY CHOSE, WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO THEM, THERE WERE ACTUALLY TWO ITEMS THAT THEY WORKED ON.
NUMBER ONE, WHICH THEY DID IN THE FALL, WAS FOOD INSECURITY.
THEY HELPED WITH TWO MAJOR FOOD PANTRY GIVEAWAYS, ONE IN NOVEMBER, WHERE 250 TURKEYS AND FIXINGS WERE GIVEN AWAY, AND IN CHRISTMAS, 250 HAMS AND FIXINGS WERE GIVEN AWAY.
BOTH OF THOSE, THE YOUTH COUNCIL COORDINATED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HELP FROM PARKS AND REC AND SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I THINK ONE WE GAVE SANDWICH AND SOUP, AND CHRISTMAS WE GAVE HOT DOGS AND WATER.
AS WELL AS THE STUDENTS GAVE AWAY TOYS TO ALL THE KIDS WHO CAME.
I THINK WE GAVE SOMETHING LIKE 250 TOYS AWAY.
THIS GROUP WAS LED BY PARTICULARLY THREE YOUNG LADIES.
THERE WERE OTHERS THAT HELPED, BUT THE LEADERS WERE THREE.
ONE FROM ROYAL LIVE OAKS ACADEMY, THIS WAS HER SECOND YEAR.
SHE JUST TEXTS ME SHE'S ILL TODAY, BUT I HAVE THE GREAT PLEASURE THAT TWO ARE HERE.
>> SAYING THAT, I'M GOING TO GET THE RIGHT ONES.
MONTSE, WHO WAS OUR MAYOR PRO TEM AND FILLED IN AS MAYOR A COUPLE OF TIMES,
[00:40:07]
AND LESLIE ESCALANTE, WHO WAS OUR PREMIER FLYER MAKER.WHAT THEY DID IN THE SPRING WAS THEY WANTED TO WORK ON HELPING, PARTICULARLY OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY WHO ARE COMING HERE AND HELPING THEM ADAPT TO THEIR NEW COMMUNITY.
THEY INVITED SOME LEADING HISPANIC LEADERS, INCLUDING JUDGE NANCY TO COME AND ADVISE THEM.
THEY CAME UP WITH A BEAUTIFUL WHAT TO DO TO HELP NEW STUDENTS.
THEY COORDINATED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY HAD AN EVENT LAST MONTH WHERE WE INVITED THE SPANISH COMMUNITY TO COME.
LAS QUINTAS MADE SOME GREAT TACOS, AND WE INVITED THE SPANISH COMMUNITY TO COME IN AND MEET OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, GET TO KNOW THEM, NOT TO FEAR THEM.
I WANT TO THANK LESLIE, MONTSE AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO CAME.
IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE JOIN US AT THE PODIUM.
>> COUNCIL, DO YOU WANT TO HAVE A PHOTO AFTER THIS?
>> THE FIRST ONE IS MS. MONTSERRAT TRUJILLO, AND I PROBABLY BUSHED THAT NAME.
WE FINALLY REFER TO HER AS MONTSE.
THIS IS A CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION.
THE CERTIFICATE IS PROUDLY PRESENTED TO MONTSERRAT TRUJILLO, RIDGELAND SECONDARY ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE, AND RECOGNITION OF VALUABLE SERVICE AS YOUTH COUNCIL MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2024-'25.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND INVOLVEMENT [NOISE] ARE SINCERELY APPRECIATED.
PRESENTED THIS 14TH DAY OF MAY 2025.
>> MONTSE. I WON'T READ IT AGAIN, LESLIE, BECAUSE IT SAYS THE SAME THING.
ONLY YOU WERE NOT MAYOR PRO TEM, SO YOU WERE JUST THE COUNCIL, BUT THAT WAS A VERY IMPORTANT ONE.
I COULD ADD THAT, AS I MENTIONED, YOU MADE THE GREATEST FLYERS.
IF YOU EVER WANT TO GET INTO MEDIA, COME ON BACK, WE CAN USE YOU.
HERE WE GO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU'RE GREAT.
>> WHY DON'T WE HAVE A PICTURE? [LAUGHTER].
>> ONE, TWO. WE GET ANOTHER ONE, AND ONE MORE.
>> WAIT. DON'T GO ANYWHERE. LET ME HAVE ONE.
>> THANK YOU, LADIES. NOW, [INAUDIBLE] AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO ADDRESS THE COMMUNITY.
YOU ARE LIVE ON VIDEO, SO PLEASE IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING, YOU HAVE THE MIC.
>> DO WE HAVE TO GO UP TO THE [INAUDIBLE]?
>> YOU WANT TO GO IN THE MIC BECAUSE YOU'RE BEING FILMED?
>> WELL, FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL OF HARDEEVILLE, THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, AND ESPECIALLY TO THE MAYOR, MR. HARRY WILLIAMS, FOR GUIDING US AND HELPING US A LOT WITH, WHAT'S IT CALLED? THERE'S CERTAIN RULES TO HOW COUNCIL WORKS.
THAT WAS A BIG ISSUE AT FIRST, BUT IT WAS A LONG AND VERY ENJOYABLE RIDE TO BE A PART OF THE HARDEEVILLE YOUTH COUNCIL.
[00:45:07]
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE AS WELL FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT SUPPORT FOR.BEING STUDENTS FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTY, I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE COUNCIL FOR HAVING OPEN ARMS FOR US.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I FORGOT. I'M GOING TO END ON THIS.
THE HARDEEVILLE TRANSFORMATION COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NINE YEARS A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND MONTSE, LESLIE AND MIA BUSH FROM ROYAL LIVE OAKS ACADEMY, QUALIFIED FOR THE FIRST EVER SCHOLARSHIP.
MONTSE AND LESLIE, ARE YOU STILL GOING TO MARS? I THINK LESLIE, ARE YOU THE VALEDICTORIAN? MONTSE, ARE YOU THE SALUTATORIAN? I DON'T SAY THAT, BUT SHE WAS VERY HIGH RANKED IN HER CLASS AS WELL.
THEY HAVE FULL RIDES TO MARS, THE TWO OF THEM.
[APPLAUSE] NEXT, WE HAVE THE KIDS TO PARK DAY PROCLAMATION.
[B. KIDS TO PARK DAY PROCLAMATION]
I UNDERSTAND THAT SOMEBODY'S GOING TO TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ME.>> THANKS. [INAUDIBLE] COPY TOO.
>> YOU HAVE A COPY? PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. I'M HALEIGH.
I AM THE MARKETING AND EVENTS MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE IN THE PARKS RECREATION AND TOURISM DEPARTMENT. THIS IS DENISE.
SHE'S THE ASSISTANT MARKETING AND EVENTS MANAGER, AND WE ARE HERE TONIGHT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A NATIONAL INITIATIVE THAT OUR CITY IS RECOGNIZING, WHICH IS KIDS TO PARKS DAY.
WE'LL BE CELEBRATING IT THIS SATURDAY 8:00 AM TO 11:00 AM WITH OUR YOUTH FISHING RODEO.
>> IT SHOULD BE EITHER ONE OF THEM.
>> THIS IS A QUOTE FROM MARK BALLARD, THE JACKSON STATE PARK SUPERINTENDENT.
HE DESCRIBES KIDS AT PARK DAY AS A NATIONAL EVENT DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE OUTDOOR EXPLORATION AND PARK APPRECIATION.
IT'S ABOUT CONNECTING KIDS TO THE OUTDOORS THROUGH PLAY, LEARNING, AND STEWARDSHIP, WHETHER IT'S LEARNING ABOUT WILDLIFE, PARK CONSERVATION OR SIMPLY ENJOYING TIME OUTSIDE.
THIS IS THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF KIDS TO PARK DAY, WHICH IS HELD ANNUALLY ON THE THIRD SATURDAY OF MAY.
CITIES AND TOWNS ACROSS THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATE BY ENCOURAGING FAMILIES TO EXPLORE THEIR LOCAL STATE AND NATIONAL PARKS.
IT'S A PART OF A LARGER MOVEMENT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO OUTDOOR RECREATION, STEM EDUCATION, AND EVEN THE HISTORY OF OUR PUBLIC LANDS.
THERE ARE MANY REASONS AS TO WHY THIS DAY IS IMPORTANT, WE'RE GOING TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THEM.
BEING IT IMPROVES PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
IT GIVES CHILDREN A SAFE PLACE TO EXPLORE NATURE FIRSTHAND AND BUILDS A STRONGER BOND WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IN A WORLD DOMINATED BY SCREENS AND DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS, THIS DAY REMINDS US OF HOW POWERFUL TIME OUTDOORS CAN BE.
TO CELEBRATE KIDS TO PARK DAY HERE IN HARDEEVILLE, WE'LL BE HOSTING OUR ANNUAL YOUTH FISHING RODEO THIS SATURDAY, MAY 17TH, FROM 8:00 AM TO 11:00 AM.
THIS IS A FREE EVENT WITH FREE FOOD, FAMILY FUN, AND IT'S EVENT OPEN TO AGES 16 AND UNDER.
WE'LL HAVE FISHING GEAR PRIZES, AND LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS.
PD AND FIRE WILL BE ON SITE TO HELP OUT, SO THAT'S ALWAYS FUN.
IT'S A PERFECT WAY TO CONNECT LOCAL FAMILIES WITH THE OUTDOORS.
WE'RE EXCITED TO CONTINUE GROWING THE EVENT.
WE'RE HOPING FOR A BIGGER TURNOUT THIS YEAR.
TO HIGHLIGHT THE EVENT, WE MADE THIS LITTLE PROMO REEL THAT'S RUNNING ON OUR SOCIALS RIGHT NOW.
YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN IT. THE STAR OF THE SHOW IS DENISE.
SHE'S THE ONE WITH THE FISHING GEAR ON.
[00:50:29]
THAT WAS AT THE POND INSIDE THE RICHARD GRAY COMPLEX.THAT'S WHERE WE'LL BE HOSTING IT.
IF YOU'RE AVAILABLE, OR IF YOU'VE GOT YOUR KIDS, GRANDKIDS, PLEASE BRING THEM OUT.
WE'D LOVE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE.
AT THIS TIME, DENISE IS GOING TO READ THE OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 17TH, 2025 IS KIDS TO PARKS DAY IN THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE.
>> YOU GO TO BRING RAGS, A LITTLE RAGS, TAKE THE FISH OFF? YOU GOT THAT GEN? WE GOT SHORT ONE YEAR, AND IT'S GOT ROUGH.
THOSE CATS DON'T FLY AROUND, YOU TAKE THEM OFF THAT HOOK. [LAUGHTER]
>> I TOLD MY DAUGHTER TO BRING CLOTHES.
>> YEAH, ALL THAT, EITHER ONE.
>> PROCLAMATION. PROCLAIMING MAY 17TH, 2025 AS KIDS TO PARKS DAY IN THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE.
WHEREAS MAY 17TH, 2025 IS THE 15TH KIDS TO PARKS DAY ORGANIZED AND LAUNCHED BY THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST HELD ANNUALLY ON THE THIRD SATURDAY OF MAY.
WHEREAS KIDS TO PARK STAY EMPOWERS KIDS AND ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO GET OUTDOORS AND VISIT LOCAL PARKS, PUBLIC LANDS, AND WATERS.
WHEREAS WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO LEAD A MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE TO COMBAT ISSUES OF CHILD OBESITY, DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA.
WHEREAS KIDS TO PARK DAYS WILL BROADEN CHILDREN'S APPRECIATION FOR NATURES AND OUTDOORS, AND WHEREAS KIDS TO PARK SAY WILL RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF RECREATING RESPONSIBLY WHILE ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF THE OUTDOORS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I MAYOR HARRY WILLIAMS, DO HEREBY RECLAIM MAY 17TH, 2025 AS KIDS TO PARK DAY.
>> THANK YOU. YOU SAVED ME FROM READING ALL OF THESE PROCLAMATIONS.
WHO GETS THIS? WELL, FIRST, WE HAVE TO DO ONE THING.
I'D LIKE A MOTION FOR COUNSEL TO ENDORSE THIS PROCLAMATION.
>> MAYOR I MOVE THE PROCLAMATION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD LUCK CELEBRATING.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE THE PRESENTATION OF APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 17TH AND MAY 1.
[VII. PRESENTATION & APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
I BELIEVE THERE WAS A CORRECTION MADE FOR APRIL 17, AND THAT'S WHY WE BROUGHT IT BACK ON THIS AGENDA.HAS THAT CORRECTION BEEN MADE?
>> YES, SIR, THE MAYOR, THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT WHO WAS IN ATTENDANCE AT THAT MEETING.
[A. APRIL 17, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING]
SO FOR PURPOSES OF MAKING SURE THAT THOSE THAT WERE THERE, WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO RE VOTE ON IT TONIGHT FOR THOSE MEMBERS THAT WERE PRESENT AND ATTENDED THE MEETING ON THE 17TH.>> BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY WAS THERE, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THESE SEPARATELY BECAUSE THERE WERE DIFFERENT ATTENDANCE ON BOTH MEETINGS.
LET'S TAKE THE APRIL 17TH REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE MINUTES FOR APRIL 17TH?
>> MAKE A MOTION, WE APPROVE APRIL 17TH.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND.
EVERYONE WHO WAS HERE, PLEASE VOTE.
>> WE HAVE THE AYES CARRY THREE, NOTHING.
NEXT, WE HAVE MAY 1ST, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
[B. MAY 01, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING]
I THINK WE HAD EVERYONE, BUT YOU, STEVE.DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE MINUTES OF MAY 1ST?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE ALL BUSINESS.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE,
[A. SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE TO MODIFY APPROVED HOURS OF CONSTRUCTION RELATED ACTIVITIES (2025-04-17B)]
MUNICIPAL CODE TO MODIFY APPROVED HOURS OF CONSTRUCTION RELATED ACTIVITIES.THIS IS 2025-0417B, MR. GRUBER.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. BY WAY OF A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THIS ITEM.
IT WAS INITIATED AT THE REQUEST OF SEVERAL CITIZENS WHO CONTACTED THE CITY
[00:55:05]
WITH CONCERNS ABOUT THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR CONSTRUCTION RELATED ACTIVITIES, PRIMARILY, HEAVY EQUIPMENT THAT WAS WORKING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO RESIDENTIAL HOMES.SO BASED UPON THOSE CONCERNS, WE HELD A WORKSHOP WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
WE RECEIVED FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL.
THAT RESULTED IN A DRAFT ORDINANCE BEING PRESENTED TO THIS BODY AT THE LAST MEETING.
I'M SORRY, NOT AT THE LAST MEETING, THE MEETING BEFORE LAST.
WHICH WAS THEN CARRIED OVER UNTIL TONIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS MATTER TO GET OUT INTO THE PUBLIC, TO SOLICIT COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC TO VARYING DEGREES.
BUT ULTIMATELY, THE DOCUMENT THAT IS BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING FOR CONSIDERATION IS IN THE SAME FORM AS WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO YOU FOR FIRST READING.
WHAT THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY DO IS MODIFY THE CITY'S CODE, TO PROHIBIT CONSTRUCTION RELATED ACTIVITIES OCCURRING OUTSIDE OF THE HOURS OF 7:00 AM-7:00 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 08:00 AM-7:00 PM ON SATURDAYS, AND 12:00 PM-5:00 PM ON SUNDAYS, THAT IS THE ITEM THAT IS PENDING BEFORE YOU TONIGHT FOR SECOND READING.
>> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO GO A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE THIS IS SECOND READING, AND I KNOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF COMMENTS, I'M GOING TO FIRST OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC SO THE COUNCIL HAS THE BENEFIT OF HEARING THE PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE WE DEBATE AND HOLD A VOTE.
I WOULD ASK, CAROL, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE, SINCE YOU CC, READ THIS BESIDES WHAT ELSE YOU HAVE TO SAY, TO PLEASE READ VITAS COMMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT OR ASK A QUESTION? CAROL, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
[PUBLIC HEARING]
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD, PLEASE.I LIVE 36 GLEN EAGLE COURT IN BLUFFTON, HARDEEVILLE.
>> I WILL READ BETA'S LETTER TO YOU FIRST? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO EAT.
>> REGARDING THE MODIFICATION TO THE NOISE ORDINANCE, I TRULY UNDERSTAND THE MIXED FEELINGS, AND I DO RESPECT THE INITIAL RESPONSE FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT THE LITTLE GUY WHO NEEDS TO WORK ON SUNDAY.
THE COMMENT WAS MADE THAT THE ORDINANCE COULD ALWAYS BE CHANGED AGAIN LATER.
I AM BEGGING COUNSEL TO RECONSIDER AND GIVE RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY ONE DAY A WEEK WITH NO CONSTRUCTION SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
WE STILL HAVE A VERY LONG HAUL OF HEAVY CONSTRUCTION AHEAD OF US TO MEET THE CURRENT STRATEGIC GOALS SET FOR HARDEEVILLE.
THEN SHE HAS A COUPLE OF POINTS.
ONE, CERTAINLY OAKITIE CROSSING IS A MAJOR ISSUE, AND UNINTENTIONAL MISTAKES HAVE BEEN MADE.
THERE ARE THREE APPROVED MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT WILL OCCUR IN OVERLAPPING TIME FRAMES, NOBLE VINES, RESIDENCES AT OAKITIE CROSSING, AND END MARKET.
MOST OF THE CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE LIVED OR ARE NOW LIVING IN A DEVELOPMENT WHERE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ADDS TO DAILY NOISE.
IN OAKITIE CROSSINGS, CONSTRUCTION NOISE FROM THE THREE PROJECTS WILL COME FROM MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS AT THE SAME TIME IN A SETTING WHERE IT DOES NOT HAVE SPACE TO FULLY DISSIPATE.
CONSTRUCTION FOR THE THREE PROJECTS IS CONCENTRATED IN 73 ACRES.
ALL OF THE PROJECTS ARE QUARTER MILE FROM CURRENT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY LINES.
THE MASTER PLAN FOR RESIDENCES AT OAKITIE CROSSING DEFINES 173 LINEAR FEET FROM THE FIRST BUILDING TO THE PROPERTY LINE AT GLEN EAGLE COURT, AND 390 LINEAR FEET FROM THE FIRST BUILDING TO THE PROPERTY LINE AT MYSTIC POINT DRIVE.
NOBLE VINES IS ADJACENT TO THE RESIDENCES AND IS VERY CLOSE TO GLEN EAGLE COURT.
NOBLE VINES IS ADJACENT TO CANTERFIELD ASSISTED LIVING.
THE END MARKET IS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO CANTERFIELD AND NOBLE VINES.
WITHIN THE 73 ACRES AND THREE PROJECTS, WE ARE FACING CONSTRUCTION THAT INCLUDES FOUR STORY STRUCTURES WITH ELEVATOR SHAFTS,
[01:00:05]
AMENITY CENTERS, A SWIMMING POOL, PARKING LOTS, PICKLEBALL COURTS, TENNIS COURTS, AND A TOTAL OF 730 APPROVED UNITS OF HOUSING, PLUS A SERVICE STATION, CONVENIENCE STORE, CAR WASH, AND MAJOR STREET CONSTRUCTION.THE DENSITY OF THE PROJECTS MEANS ONGOING, MAJOR CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS.
AS MUCH AS I AM CONCERNED FOR THOSE OF US ADJACENT TO OAKITIE CROSSINGS, I AM ALSO MINDFUL OF WHAT OTHER COMMUNITIES MIGHT SOON BE FACING.
A NUMBER OF THEM WILL HAVE INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN AMONG THE RESIDENTS.
PROJECTS ON ARGENT EAST INCLUDE THE PUBLICS NEXT TO RIVER ROCK EASY LIVING AND THE FARMHOUSE MULTIFAMILY TUCKED INTO PROPERTY ADJACENT TO RIVERTON POINTE.
IN HARDEEVILLE PROPER, AS WE HAVE HEARD DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS, SAUL'S COURT HAS AN EXISTING RESIDENCE WITH SMALL CHILDREN IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED MULTIFAMILY PROJECT AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAUL'S COURT IN MAINE.
I AM VERY SURE THERE ARE MORE EXAMPLES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
LAUDABLY, A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION IS PAID TO THE IMPACT OF NOISE ON QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER CONSTRUCTION.
LET'S PAY EQUAL ATTENTION TO THE IMPACT OF NOISE ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE DURING CONSTRUCTION AS WELL, WITH THE GREATEST RESPECT VITA.
SHE'S OUT OF TOWN, SO SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TO READ THAT HERSELF.
>> THEN MAY I CONTINUE? YES. THAT FEED IS THAT'S THREE MINUTES, NOW YOU HAVE YOURS.
>> YES. NOW I HAVE MINE, OR OURS.
YES. AGAIN, I'M CAROL GANTLIN, AND A RESIDENT OF HARDEEVILLE.
WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL'S RECOGNITION THAT NOISE FROM CONSTRUCTION NEGATIVELY IMPACTS ON US AS CITIZENS OF HARDEEVILLE.
WE ARE SUBMITTING TONIGHT A PETITION TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERN THAT THE CURRENT MODIFICATION PROPOSAL DOES NOT PROVIDE A FULL 24-HOUR PERIOD IN WHICH CONSTRUCTION IS NOT ALLOWED.
OUR NEIGHBORS IN CHARLESTON AND HILTON HEAD HAVE FOUND WAYS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING A FULL 36 HOUR RESPIT FROM CONSTRUCTION NOISE EACH WEEK FROM 7:00 PM SATURDAY TO 7:00 AM MONDAY.
THEY TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF NOISE POLLUTION ON THE POPULATION.
THEY ALSO FOUND WAYS TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS IN WRITING WHEN IT'S WARRANTED.
THE MANY PROJECT IN HARDEEVILLE'S RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT PIPELINES, AND THE BENEFITS THEY BRING ARE WELCOME.
HOWEVER, THESE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS DO CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL NOISE POLLUTION AS THEY PUT A STRESS ON RESIDENTS.
IN FACT, DURING TIMES OF CLEAR CUTTING, MY SMART WATCH NOTIFIED ME THAT I WAS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE NOISE WHILE I WAS STILL IN MY HOUSE.
THE NOISE CAN BE PARTIALLY REDUCED NOW BEFORE THE NEXT WAVE OF PERMITS FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT AND VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION ARE APPROVED.
AS NEW DEVELOPMENTS, PROJECTS COME UP FOR THE FUTURE.
OVER THE NEXT DECADE, RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT HARDEEVILLE, WILL BE BOMBARDED WITH ADDITIONAL NOISE POLLUTION AS HARDEEVILLE CONTINUES TO GROW.
LET US TAKE THIS SMALL STEP TODAY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A SHORT RESPITE FROM CONSTRUCTION, 07:00 P SATURDAY TO 7:00 A.M MONDAY, AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO ME, AND I HOPE YOU WILL SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS PROPOSAL.
>> THANK YOU, CAROL. THE PETITION HAS BEEN SIGNED, HOW MANY PEOPLE SIGNED THAT?
>> JUST THE COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING.
>> UNDERSTOOD. I JUST WANTED TO IN THINGS.
IF YOU WOULD PLEASE GIVE THAT TO MISS CINDY, OUR CLERK.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC?
>> LET'S GO TO COUNCIL COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS, AND I'LL START TO MY RIGHT WITH MR. MEERSMAN.
[01:05:01]
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. FIRST QUESTION, AND THIS IS FOR STAFF.
PASSED IN THE CURRENT FORM OR WITH NO CONSTRUCTION ON SUNDAY, DOES THAT PREVENT THE HOMEOWNER FROM DOING ANY WORK ON THEIR OWN HOME?
>> THE LANGUAGE AS DRAFTED IS CLEARLY DIRECTED TOWARDS THE USE OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
I THINK WE REFERENCED THINGS LIKE STEAM SHOVELS, PYLE DRIVERS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
PART OF IT COMES DOWN TO THE LANGUAGE THAT'S IN THE ORDINANCE, BUT ALSO THE APPLICATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THAT.
THAT'S WHERE COMMON SENSE REALLY, I THINK COMES INTO PLAY.
NOW, IF THAT HOMEOWNER WAS USING THOSE TYPES OF EQUIPMENT, THEN YES, CLEARLY IT'S GOING TO APPLY BASED UPON THE LANGUAGE WITHIN THE PROVISION.
BUT IF THEY'RE OUT THERE REPLACING SOME WOOD ROT ON THEIR FACIA, AND THEY'VE GOT A HAMMER AND NAIL, I BELIEVE THAT THAT'S NOT WHAT WAS INTENDED BY THAT RESTRICTION.
IT WAS REALLY MEANT TO FOCUS ON HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
THEREFORE, THE EXAMPLES THAT ARE GIVEN IN THAT SECTION ARE ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT EXAMPLES.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE TYPE OF ACTIVITY THE HOMEOWNER IS DOING.
IF THEY'RE USING HEAVY EQUIPMENT, IT IS MORE LIKELY TO APPLY TO THE RESTRICTION.
IF THEY'RE NOT USING HEAVY EQUIPMENT, IT IS LESS LIKELY TO APPLY.
>> WHAT'S ENFORCEABLE WITHOUT HAVING CHIEF SAM DEPARTMENT RUNNING AROUND THE CITY WITH A NOISE COMPLAINT CAUSE BOB DOWN HERE IS USING A POWER SAW TO CUT THAT SHEETING ON HIS HOUSE.
WE'RE LOOKING AT AN ORDINANCE, AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ALL HAVE BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL TONIGHT ALSO, BUT I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM RESTRICTING A HOMEOWNER FROM WORKING ON HER OWN HOME.
YOUR COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY THAT I LIVE IN, WE'RE FAIRLY NEW.
WE HAVE A LOT OF OLDER HOMES DOWN HERE, AND THIS PORTION OF HARDEEVILLE IS FILLED WITH WORKING PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BUILDING OUR HOMES AND DOING THIS.
THEY HAVE TWO DAYS OFF TO WORK.
A COMPLETE RESTRICTION OF WHAT THEY CAN DO ON THEIR OWN HOME ON SUNDAY, I FEEL IS UNFAIR.
I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE SUNDAY NOON TO 5:00.
BUT IF THE COUNCIL FEELS THAT A SUNDAY RESTRICTION IS NECESSARY, I CAN LIVE WITH THAT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO BE SURE THAT IT'S FAIRLY ENFORCEABLE.
>> DON'T WE KNOW FOR WHAT STEVE SAID, AND WHAT JOSH SAID.
I THINK WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE WORD CONSTRUCTION IS CONSTRUED.
BECAUSE I WOULD NOT LIKE THIS ORDINANCE TO BE WRITTEN IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT TIES THE CITY UP AND NOT SO FAR TIGHT THAT NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND UNRAVEL THAT BECAUSE I THINK IT NEEDS MORE THORN.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW CONSTRUCTION IS ACTUALLY CONSTRUED IN EVERY MANNER, MEANING COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION AND WHAT IS RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION, MEANING THE HONEYDEW LIST THAT HUSBANDS GET ON THE WEEKEND TO FIX STUFF AROUND THE HOUSE.
DOES THAT CONSTRUE AS CONSTRUCTION?
>> I WILL ANSWER THAT BY SAYING, THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT WE'VE SPENT THE MOST TIME ON FROM FIRST READING UNTIL NOW IS LOOKING AT THOSE THINGS SUCH AS DEFINING WHAT IS A BLOCK, WHAT IS CONSTRUCTION RELATED ACTIVITY, WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS.
WHERE WE'VE WOUND UP IS THAT UP UNTIL NOW, THERE REALLY HAVEN'T BEEN ANY CONCERNS WITH THE APPLICATION OR ENFORCEMENT OF THAT PROVISION.
THE ONLY CONCERN THAT'S ARISEN HAS REALLY BEEN WITH THE HOURS THAT IT'S ALLOWED TO OCCUR.
THAT'S WHY WE'VE CONTINUED TO JUST FOCUS ON THAT ASPECT, AND WE DID NOT CHANGE THE OTHER LANGUAGE.
WE STARTED GOING DOWN A DEEP RABBIT HOLE AND DECIDED TO PULL BACK AND SAY, LET'S NOT CHASE A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T EXIST.
RIGHT NOW, I WOULD SAY I FEEL COMFORTABLE IN TERMS OF APPLYING THE LANGUAGE THAT'S IN THE CODE ONCE WE HAVE GUIDANCE ON THE HOURS AND DAYS FOR WHICH IT WOULD BE APPLIED.
>> I THINK WHAT YOU JUST FINISHED SAYING, JOSH, IS IMPORTANT IN DEFINING WHICH HOURS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
IT SOUNDS LIKE SUNDAY IS THE KEY FOCUS HERE.
[01:10:01]
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE WANTING FOR EVERYONE IS A QUALITY OF LIFE WITH THEIR FAMILIES, WITH THEIR CHILDREN, WITH ONE ANOTHER.I THINK THAT THAT CREATES THAT OPPORTUNITY TO USE IT CONSTRUCTIVELY AND WE NEED TIMES LIKE THAT TO ROUND OUT THE COMMUNITY WE WANT TO BE.
THE HOURS, I THINK THAT YOU SAID, JOSH, IS VERY IMPORTANT.
>> YES, SIR, AND I'M SORRY, MR. MAYOR.
THAT WAS TOO IMPORTANT. I WOULDN'T HAVE LEFT IF IT HADN'T HAVE BEEN [OVERLAPPING].
>> I DON'T KNOW WHO WAS ON THE PETITION, BUT I'VE HAD TWO PEOPLE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUNDAY.
>> AS I SAID IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS REGARDING THIS, IN MY CONVERSATIONS, AND I PURPOSELY CALLED A COUPLE OF BUILDERS AND A COUPLE OF THE LAND OWNERS OF THESE MASSIVE PROJECTS, NEITHER ONE OF WHICH HAD ANY OBJECTION TO BANNING SUNDAYS.
THEY SAID THEY DON'T WORK ON SUNDAYS ANYWHERE.
THERE WAS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT SMALL SUBCONTRACTORS WHO DO INSIDE WORK.
IN THINKING ABOUT IT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, I THINK OUR FIRST OBJECTIVE IS MAKING SURE WE PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS AND NOT THE BUILDERS.
I'M LOOKING AT THIS ORDINANCE, AND IT SAYS, IT SHALL BE ILLEGAL TO OPERATE ANY MACHINE, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER APPARATUS.
WE CAN ADD TO THAT SO THERE'S NO MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE RESIDENTS DOING IT.
DOES IT MAKE ANY SENSE ONLY TO ADD THE WORD COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, MRS. MAINES?
>> AGAIN, I THINK THAT JUST FALLS ON ENFORCEABILITY.
LIKE WHAT THE MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ISSUES WITH THE LANGUAGE OF MACHINERY THAT CREATES LOUD OR UNUSUAL NOISE.
I THINK THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN THE TIMES OF THE ENFORCEMENT.
BUT WHEN THE ENFORCEMENT HAPPENS BETWEEN THOSE HOURS, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES IN THE INTERPRETATION OF THAT BY OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT.
>> WELL, SHORT OF THAT, I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF JUST BANNING SUNDAY.
MAKE THIS SIMPLE AND RESPOND TO THE RESIDENTS AND LIKE MS. RUSS SAID, IT'S NOT JUST THE OKATIE CROSSING, IT'S THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, AND IT COULD AFFECT ANYONE.
BAN SUNDAY. MR. MEERSMAN, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING FURTHER?
>> COULD WE INCLUDE THIS AS NON-OWNER OCCUPIED? THIS SEEMS TO BE OUR GREATEST PROBLEM WITH THE CONSTRUCTION BY YOURS AND WITH ALL THESE.
I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM, BECAUSE I'VE LIVED WITH THE SAME THING.
BUT I DON'T WANT TO PUT A RESTRICTION ON OWNER OCCUPIED FIXING UP HIS HOME.
I DON'T WANT TO MAKE ENFORCEMENT A REAL ISSUE ON THIS.
IS IT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE INCLUDED IN THERE?
>> WE CERTAINLY CAN LOOK AT DOING THAT.
AGAIN, THE NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE START DEFINING LEADS US DOWN A PATH THAT IT COULD BE FAIRLY ENDLESS.
TO THAT POINT, I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT.
THE ONLY REASON FOR THAT IS DETERMINING IF SOMEBODY IS, IN FACT, A VERIFIABLE OWNER.
THERE COULD BE A NUMBER OF THINGS THERE THAT ARE AN ISSUE.
FROM AN ENFORCEMENT STANDPOINT, I THINK PROBABLY THE EASIEST WAY TO LOOK AT THIS IS IF YOU'RE OPERATING HEAVY EQUIPMENT, HEAVY VEHICLES, SOMETHING WHICH IS GOING TO GENERATE MORE NOISE THAN WHAT YOU WOULD TYPICALLY SEE WITH A OWNER OCCUPIED SELF-RENOVATION PROJECT, IF THAT'S THE CALL THAT WE GET, OFFICERS AREN'T GOING TO STOP SOMEBODY BECAUSE THEY'RE USING A TABLE SAW ON THEIR GARAGE.
THAT'S NOT THE INTENT OF THIS.
THE INTENT IS IF YOU'RE OUT THERE WITH HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND YOU'RE DOING SITE DEVELOPMENT WORK, THAT YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT OUTSIDE OF THE HOURS THAT ARE ALLOWED FOR HERE.
I THINK THE BEST THING THAT I CAN KIND OF
[01:15:01]
CLOSE WITH ON THIS IS THAT THIS IS A LIVING DOCUMENT.REGARDLESS OF WHICH DIRECTION THE COUNCIL GOES, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT IT IN PLACE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, SEE HOW IT GOES IN TERMS OF APPLYING IT.
IF ANY UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES COME UP, THEN WE CAN BRING IT BACK, REVISIT THIS, AND MAKE ANY FURTHER MODIFICATIONS THAT MIGHT BE WARRANTED.
>> ONE FURTHER COMMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS BEFORE, WE CANNOT PREVENT THE EQUIPMENT FROM TRAVELING TO THESE JOB SITES AND SITTING THERE PRIOR TO THE 8:00 AM OR THE 7:00 AM TIME FRAME.
I KNOW A CONCRETE TRUCK SITTING 100 YARDS DOWN THE STREET SPINNING IT WHILE HE'S WAITING FOR THAT 7:00 AM OR 8:00 AM CAN BE VERY NOISY ALSO.
>> [LAUGHTER] I AGREE WITH YOU THERE.
ANYTHING FURTHER, MR. MEERSMAN?
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNCIL? WE'VE HAD PUBLIC HEARING.
AT THIS TIME, CALL FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-04-17B IN THE MOTION.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION, AND YOU AGREE THAT SUNDAY SHOULD BE BANNED ALTOGETHER, BECAUSE THE CURRENT ORDINANCE SAYS SUNDAY 12:00-5:00, YOU NEED TO MAKE THAT MODIFICATION IN THE MOTION.
>> I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO SECOND READING OF THIS ORDINANCE?
>> MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ON A SECOND READING AND REMOVE THE SUNDAY TIME OF 12:00 PM TO 5:00 PM COMPLETELY, AND HAVE IT INSTEAD SAY NO CONSTRUCTION ON SUNDAY ALLOWED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNCIL OR THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, MADAM CLERK TO TAKE THE ROLL.
>> YES. THE ORDINANCE IN THE REVISED STATE PASSES 5-0.
THANK YOU, LADIES FOR COMING FORWARD AND STATING YOUR OPINIONS.
APPRECIATE IT AND GIVE THE SAME TO VEDA WHEN SHE RETURNS.
>> I WILL DO THAT. APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU. I KNOW OUR COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE THRILLING, BUT IF ANYBODY HAS TO LEAVE, YOU WON'T HURT OUR FEELINGS.
>> MAYOR, IF I COULD ADD SOMETHING JUST REAL QUICK BEFORE WE MOVE ON.
>> JUST FOR THE PUBLIC'S SAKE, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS VALID AS OF TODAY WITH YOU ADOPTING IT ON SECOND READING, WE'LL LOOK AT IMPLEMENTING THIS ON AN ADVISORY POSITION FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS UNTIL THE INFORMATION REALLY GETS OUT THERE ABOUT THESE CHANGES, AND THEN WE'LL LOOK TO GO FORWARD WITH ENFORCEMENT AT SOME POINT IN TIME AFTER THAT.
BUT WE WANT TO WORK ON COMMUNICATING THIS INFORMATION FIRST, GETTING IT OUT THERE, AND THEN WE CAN REALLY START GOING LIVE WITH ENFORCEMENT.
>> IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU HEAR SOMEBODY OUT THERE SUNDAY MORNING, PLEASE GIVE US A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW.
>> WE WILL BE PATIENT. THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> WE HAVE HIS NUMBER. [LAUGHTER]
>> THEY KNOW AND THEY'RE NOT SHY.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL BUDGET WHICH INCLUDES REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 TO SET THE MILLAGE RATE,
[A. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL BUDGET WHICH INCLUDES REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026; TO SET THE MILLAGE RATE; TO ESTABLISH A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZE A MERIT INCREASE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES (2025-05-14A)]
TO ESTABLISH A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, AND TO AUTHORIZE A MERIT INCREASE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.THIS IS FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-05-14A.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I FIGURED IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR ME TO COME DOWN OFF THE DIAS HERE AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS ITEM DIRECTLY.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT BEING ABLE TO PRESENT TO YOU THE BUDGET THIS EVENING.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHAT IT ALLOWS US TO DO, THE FUTURE THAT IT'S HELPING TO CREATE FOR US, AND THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TO THE PUBLIC AS A RESULT OF THIS BUDGET.
WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS NOW,
[01:20:01]
AND SO I DON'T WANT TO GO TOO IN DEPTH BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS INFORMATION THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE, BUT REALLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, IN CASE THEY HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW ALONG, WE ARE PROPOSING A CONSOLIDATED BUDGET OF JUST OVER $76 MILLION FOR THIS UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.THAT HAS BROKEN DOWN INTO ABOUT $40 MILLION FOR OUR GENERAL FUND.
A LOT OF THAT IS OUR OPERATING BUDGET AND OVERHEAD EXPENSES.
WE THEN HAVE $20 MILLION FOR OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND WE HAVE ABOUT JUST RIGHT AT $15 MILLION FOR ALL OTHER FUNDS, DEBT SERVICE, SPECIAL ACCOUNTS, OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.
FROM A MILLAGE STANDPOINT, THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED WOULD KEEP MILLAGE FLAT.
FOR JASPER COUNTY RESIDENTS, IT WOULD BE 95 MILLS, AND FOR THOSE PROPERTIES LOCATED IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, IT WOULD BE 100.9 MILLS.
WITHIN THE CAPITAL PROJECTS, WE ARE RECOMMENDING A LITTLE LESS THAN SIX MILLION DOLLARS FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES, FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FOR ROADWAYS, $4.5 MILLION FOR PARKS, $2.5 MILLION FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THEN A LITTLE OVER TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR EQUIPMENT.
I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
ALL OF THIS INFORMATION WE'RE GOING TO POST ON THE WEBSITE, MAKE SURE THAT IT'S AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO READINGS THROUGH WHICH YOU WILL GO THROUGH TO ULTIMATELY ADOPT THE BUDGET, AND ARE HAPPY TO DIVE INTO AND ANSWER ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. LET'S START THE QUESTIONING.
WE'LL GO TO MY LEFT THIS TIME, AND START WITH MR. CARROLL.
>> WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE WORKSHOP, AND THEN WE ALSO MET INDIVIDUALLY WITH YOU AND I ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS, AND I'M SURE MR. WHITE DID, TOO.
>> MY VIEW IS YOU HAVE A WORK OUTLINED, YOU'VE PUT A LOT OF TIME THINKING THROUGH WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST TO GET IT DONE, AND WE HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU'VE DONE THAT THOROUGHLY.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO THE WORK, THESE ARE THE FUNDS, AND I THINK THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
I THINK IT WAS DONE THOUGHTFULLY, AND I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
>> I ECHO WHAT MR. CARROLL AND MR. WHITE SAID.
WE'VE MET INDIVIDUALLY, HASHED SOME THINGS.
WE HAD BOTH WORKSHOPS, HASHED THINGS ALL OVER AGAIN.
I THINK WE'VE COME TO A HAPPY MEDIUM, SO THANK YOU TO YOU AND THE STAFF FOR MR. BOYLE FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER FOR US. APPRECIATE IT.
>> I'D LIKE TO THANK CITY MANAGER AND STAFF FOR THEIR HARD WORK WITH THIS.
THIS IS MY THIRD BUDGET WITH THE CITY OF HARDYVILLE.
FIRST ONE THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO ME UNDERSTANDABLY CONCISELY, AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE PUT INTO THAT AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU.
>> FIRST OF ALL, FOR THOSE OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THE WORKSHOP THAT WE'VE HAD, WE'VE HAD TWO SINCE MAY 5TH.
WE ASKED ALL OUR QUESTIONS, SO COUNSEL DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS BECAUSE WE SPENT HOURS ASKING QUESTIONS AND MEETING WITH YOU SEPARATELY, WHICH I THINK WE ALL DID.
THIS PROCESS STARTED WAS IT JANUARY OR FEBRUARY, FORGET?
AS WE'VE OBSERVED, NOT EVERYBODY HAS THE PROFESSIONAL PROCESS THAT WAS PUT INTO PLACE.
THAT'S WHY AFTER EVERYTHING, THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF QUESTIONS BECAUSE WE'VE CERTAINLY ASKED THEM.
I WILL HAVE TO SAY, AGAIN, AND NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME, THAT IS ONE OF MY CORE PRINCIPLES.
THAT AS THE CITY IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY TO REDUCE TAXES.
I BELIEVE THAT SINCE THE DAY I CAME HERE AND BEFORE.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE, AS I SAID, IN THE PAST, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF NEW REVENUE, AND THAT WE SHOULD SHARE THAT WITH THE PUBLIC.
THE PUBLIC HAS THANKFULLY VOTED FOR TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX.
AS THE CITY GROWS, WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE OUR POPULATION IS GROWING FASTER THAN OUR INCOME FROM SALES TAX.
[01:25:03]
AS A RESULT, THE LOSS IS REBATE IS GOING DOWN, AND THAT RESULTS IN A TAX, BASICALLY BOTTOM LINE TAX INCREASE TO THE RESIDENTS.FOR THOSE REASONS, I CANNOT AND WILL NOT SUPPORT OR ENDORSE THIS BUDGET.
I RESPECT WHATEVER THE COUNCIL VOTE IS, I RESPECT THAT, BUT I WILL NOT DEFEND IT UNLESS IT HAS AT LEAST A ONE MILL REDUCTION.
HAVING SAID THAT, THAT'S MY FEELINGS.
I'VE SAID IT ENOUGH OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, AND BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ON THE PUBLIC RECORD AS I ABOUT TO GIVE MY VOTE.
>> IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS, I'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE MY SEAT.
BUT BEFORE I DO SO, I DO WANT TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU TO JOHN, AMY, TO ALL THE FINANCE STAFF, TO ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS.
THE FIRST TIME THAT YOU DO ANYTHING IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU THEY WERE AMAZING TO WORK WITH.
I GREATLY APPRECIATE ALL THEIR HARD WORK.
AGAIN, THE PRODUCT THAT WE'RE HERE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS A REALLY GOOD PRODUCT, AND SO A LOT OF THAT WORK IS BECAUSE OF THEM, SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.
HAVING SAID THAT, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 202-05-0514(A).
>> MR. MAYOR, BEFORE, WE OH, I HAVE COMMENT ALSO.
JUST PLEASE REMEMBER THAT AS WE GET DOWN TO THAT.
FIRST BUDGET I CAME WITH HERE WAS 2023.
WE WERE STILL IN COVID, AND WE LEFT OUR MILLAGE ALONE.
WE DIDN'T REDUCE, BUT WE HAVE REDUCED IN THE OTHER YEARS.
THAT TOTAL REDUCTION, GOING BACKWARDS, IF WE LEFT OUR MILLAGE ALONE, MY HOME AT 475 IS THE AVERAGE THAT WE SEE HERE IN HARDYVILLE.
MY PROPERTY TAX FOR HARDYVILLE WOULD HAVE BEEN $1,900.
I WILL HAVE TO SAY THAT IT IS A SAVINGS.
BUT WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SHOWS OF $128 MILLION.
A LOT OF IT IS, YES, IT'S REQUESTS THAT WE MAY NEVER SEE, BUT THERE'S SOME THINGS ON HERE THAT WE MUST PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE WITH.
REDUCING THE MILLAGE FURTHER DEMI IS SHORT SIGHTED, BECAUSE EVENTUALLY WE ARE GOING TO NEED THOSE FUNDS.
THAT $1,840,273 IS THE REVENUE THAT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED BY REDUCING OUR MILLAGE FROM 100.
WE'RE GOING TO SEE AND WE HAVE SEEN.
WHEN I MOVED TO HARDYVILLE, WE HAD 7,000 RESIDENTS SEVEN YEARS AGO.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FINISHED THIS YEAR WITH 20,000 RESIDENTS THIS YEAR.
THOSE ARE ROOFTOPS, AND WE HAVE DISCUSSED AND WE KNOW THAT ROOFTOPS BRING IN NEW REVENUE, BUT THEY ALSO BRING IN SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSES TO SERVICE THOSE.
COMMERCIAL IS WHERE OUR GROWTH WILL BE IN TAX DOLLARS.
BUT RIGHT OUTSIDE OF MY DEVELOPMENT, SEVEN YEARS AGO, WAS PROMISED DEVELOPMENT.
THE SAME TREES AND WEEDS ARE STILL GROWING IN THAT SPOT.
WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
WE SEE BUCKIES COMING, BUT THAT'S FOUR YEARS AWAY.
I THINK TO BE PRUDENT, IF WE LEAVE OUR MILLAGE ALONE AND BANK THE MONEY FOR SOME OF THESE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT WE ARE GOING TO DESPERATELY NEED.
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS IN WHAT WAS A FORMER WAREHOUSE.
WE'RE ASKING THEM TO WORK WITH THE SAME FACILITY THAT THEY DID WITH A THIRD OF OUR POPULATION.
WE'VE ADDED FIRE STATIONS, WE'VE ADDED OTHER THINGS, BUT WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE.
WHETHER I'M HERE OR NOT, THE FUTURE IS STILL GOING TO BE HERE, AND THOSE EXPENSES ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW.
I JUST FEEL THAT AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THIS YEAR, KEEPING OUR MILLAGE WHERE IT'S AT IS A PRUDENT THING TO DO. THAT'S ALL.
>> WELL, I HAD NOT PLAN TO SAY ANY MORE THAN WHAT I ALREADY HAD, BUT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF POINTS THAT YOU BROUGHT UP THAT WERE DISCUSSED AT WORKSHOPS.
[01:30:08]
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE SAID REPEATEDLY, THAT IF YOU GO BACK AND MR. BOYLE SHOWED US A CHART.IF YOU GO BACK, IF WE HAD NOT HAD A REGULAR SYSTEM OF TAX REDUCTION, AND THE ONLY YEAR, AS YOU RIGHTLY SAID, WAS COVID YEAR BECAUSE WE WERE A LITTLE CONCERNED WHAT EFFECT COVID WOULD HAVE ON OUR INCOME.
AS IT TURNED OUT, WE COULD HAVE LOWERED IT THEN, TOO, BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW AT THE TIME.
JUST LAST YEAR ALONE, AND THE TAX REDUCTIONS WE'VE HAD OVER THE YEARS, YOUR HOUSE WOULD HAVE HAD $1,100 MORE IN TAXES, HAD WE NOT HAD THIS PHILOSOPHY OF LOWERING OUR MILLAGE EVERY YEAR.
IN SPITE OF ALL THOSE MILLAGE, WHICH IS JUST SINCE I'VE BEEN MAYOR, 31% REDUCTION IN TAXES, AT WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED.
OUR STAFF HAS WE'VE GIVEN OUR STAFF SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES OVER EVERY YEAR.
THEY'VE GOT A GOOD SYSTEM OF REGULAR INCREASES.
WE'VE DONE A REC CENTER, WE'VE DONE AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF PARKS AND REC FACILITIES.
WE HAVE DONE ALL THESE THINGS WITHOUT RAISING WHILE AT THE SAME TIME LOWERING TAXES.
WE'VE SAW ALSO IN THE WORKSHOP THAT TO YOUR POINT, WE NEED TO PUT ASIDE, WE CAN DO THAT THIS YEAR.
WITHOUT INSTILLED LOWER THE MILLAGE BY USING OUR DEBT FOR A COUPLE OF SMALL ITEMS. BECAUSE THE DEBT IS THERE BECAUSE ALL THESE $128 MILLION OF IMPROVEMENTS, THAT'S GOING TO BENEFIT PEOPLE HERE 10 YEARS, 20 YEARS, 30 YEARS, 40 YEARS FROM NOW.
THEY SHOULD SHARE IN THE BURDEN OF PAYING FOR THEM, AND THAT'S WHY YOU BOND ALL HAVE TO COME OUT OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE TODAY AND THAT'S THE WHOLE CONCEPT BEHIND BONDING AND REDUCING YOUR TAXES.
WE HAVE SHOWN THAT WE CAN DO BOTH, AND I THINK WE SHOULD CONTINUE WITH THAT PHILOSOPHY IN OUR CITY.
>> I'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING, IF I MAY.
>> PLEASE INTO THE MICROPHONE, MR. WHITE.
>> SURE. JOSH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU SAID, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU SAID.
YOU TALKED ABOUT BEING ABLE IF WE LOWERED IT BY ONE MILLAGE POINT TO GO INTO NON PERSONNEL AREAS.
BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT'S THE WORK PLAN, YOU SEEMED TO GIVE ME THE INDICATION YOU COULD GO THROUGH AND FIND POCKETS OF REDUCTIONS WITHOUT GETTING INTO PERSONNEL THAT WOULD SUPPORT WHAT THE MAYOR IS SAYING.
I'VE BEEN TORN ABOUT THIS, BUT I THINK THERE'S A POSITIVE MESSAGE OF KEEPING THINGS LOWER EACH YEAR, PARTICULARLY IF YOU CAN GO INTO THE BUDGET AND FIND AREAS TO MAKE THOSE COSTS FIT WITHOUT REDUCING PERSONNEL.
GIVEN THAT, I THINK THAT WE CAN HONOR LOWERING, BUT WE CAN ALSO NOT TAKE AWAY PERSONNEL, AND THE PEOPLE THAT MADE THE BUDGET ARE GOING TO AGREE THAT BY DOING THIS, THEY CAN STILL GET THAT WORK DONE.
TO ME, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A WIN WIN SITUATION, NOT AN EITHER OR, SO I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE MAYOR'S POSITION.
>> I'LL COME BACK AFTER AT THIS POINT, DOES ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? DO WE HAVE ANYONE ONLINE WHO HAS ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
>> I'M GOING TO CALL FOR A MOTION, AND SINCE THE ONE ISSUE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND,
[01:35:04]
A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS ORDINANCE IS A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MILLAGE RATE STAYING THE SAME, AND A MOTION TO MODIFY THAT OR WOULD CHANGE IT, OR THEN THE YES OR NO VOTE WOULD BE ACCORDINGLY.IF THERE'S A MOTION EITHER WAY, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE FIRST READING OF THE BUDGET.
>> MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE BUDGET ORDINANCE AS WRITTEN AND THE MILLAGE TO REMAIN AT ITS CURRENT RATE.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS BY COUNSEL OR THE PUBLIC.
SEEING NONE, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE TAKE THE ROLE.
THE SECOND READING WILL BE THE FIRST MEETING IN JUNE.
NEXT, WE HAVE A RESOLUTION FOR AMENDMENT TO THE INTER-GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HARDYVILLE AND THE BUFORD JASPER HOUSING TRUST.
THIS IS RESOLUTION 20205-05-14(B).
[B. RESOLUTION FOR AMENDMENT TO IGA BETWEEN THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE AND THE BEAUFORT JASPER HOUSING TRUST (2025-05-14B)]
MR. DAVIS, PLEASE.>> AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
FIRST OF ALL, I JUST HAVE TO SAY THOUGH, MAN, HOW TIME FLIES.
THREE OF YOU WERE ON THE COUNCIL IN 2022 WHEN WHEN THE CITY OF HARDYVILLE FIRST ENTERED INTO THIS INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH SEVEN OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT COMPRISE SLOCO.
I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS ALREADY.
BUT ANYWAY, THAT AGREEMENT CREATED AND FUNDED, AND SET UP A FUNDING MECHANISM.
YOU TO ESTABLISH THE BUFFER JASPER HOUSING TRUST.
IN THE INTERVENING YEARS, AS WITH ANY FLEDGING ORGANIZATIONS, YOU HAVE SOME UPS AND DOWNS, BUT THE TRUST IS ON VERY SOLID FOOTING NOW.
WE HAVE HAD A PERMANENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OVER A YEAR AND SEVERAL PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FUNDED, MANY MORE IN THE PIPELINE, AND A LOT OF GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING.
BUT AGAIN, AS TIME HAS GONE ON, WE'VE REALIZED, YOU KNOW, WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN'T WORK QUITE SO WELL.
THERE ARE A FEW CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED BY BEAUFORT COUNTY AND SOME OF THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT.
A COUPLE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS, JUST I OUTLINED THEM IN YOUR SUMMARY, BUT ONE OF THE BIG ONES WAS THE REMOVAL OF THE MASHER ACT LANGUAGE.
THE MASHER ACT HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA BASICALLY SAID THAT IF YOU WERE DOING CERTAIN HOUSING RELATED FUNCTIONS, THAT ANY PARTICIPATION WILL BE LIMITED TO PROJECTS THAT ONLY INVOLVED THAT WERE AT OR BELOW 80% OF AMI AREA MEDIAN INCOME.
AS WE ALL KNOW AROUND HERE, THAT DOESN'T GET YOU A LOT, UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE THE HOUSING PRICES ARE SO EXPENSIVE, SO WE HAVE TAKEN THAT OUT OF THERE BECAUSE SEVERAL OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE SEEN, WHILE WE'RE CERTAINLY STILL SERVING LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FOLKS, EVEN AT 100%, IT'S STILL DIFFICULT FOR MANY PEOPLE TO AFFORD HOUSING.
THE BOARD, OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO HAS ADDED ADDITIONAL MEMBERS, FOLKS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE HOUSING INDUSTRY, WHETHER IT BE LENDERS, OTHER BROKERS, THAT THING.
AND THE CONCERN FROM MANY OF THE PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS WAS THAT THOSE FOLKS DON'T REPRESENT ENTITIES THAT CONTRIBUTE FUNDS, LIKE MYSELF, WHO'S A MEMBER, THE VICE CHAIR.
ANYWAY, AN OVERSIGHT BOARD WAS CREATED, IT SOLELY EXISTS OF THOSE APPOINTED MEMBERS FROM THE EIGHT PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS.
ANY PROJECT THAT INVOLVES FUNDS THAT ARE FROM THOSE JURISDICTIONS HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
THAT PRESERVES, YOU KNOW, THAT LEVEL OF OF CONTROL. THERE'S SOME OTHER THINGS.
THE OTHER BIG ONE IS THE CLARIFICATION OF A FISCAL AGENT.
ORIGINALLY, AS YOU MAY REMEMBER, ORIGINALLY, THIS WAS GOING TO BE THROUGH COMMUNITY WORKS AT A GREENVILLE.
THEY DID HELP GET THE TRUST ON THE GROUND AND MOVING, BUT THAT'S NO LONGER NECESSARY.
WE NO LONGER HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM AND THE TRUST HAS ACTUALLY BECOME A FIVE OH ONE C3 NOW.
AND THIS LANGUAGE SAYS THAT A FIVE OH ONE C3, INCLUDING THE TRUST SHALL SERVE AS THE FISCAL AGENT.
REALLY, NOTHING'S CHANGING AS FAR AS THE OPERATION OF
[01:40:01]
THE TRUST CONTINUES TO GROW AND IMPROVE AND DO VERY GOOD THINGS.BUT I'LL ENTER ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE THEM.
>> THANK YOU, MATT. MR. MEERSMAN, LET'S START WITH YOU THIS TIME.
>> THIS IGA CHANGE HAS TO BE APPROVED BY ALL EIGHT JURISDICTIONS?
>> WHERE ARE THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE ONLY ONE I AM COMPLETELY 100% POSITIVE OF IS THE CITY OF BEAUFORT.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE OTHERS ARE AT THIS POINT.
I'D LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT.
>> THE ADDITION OF BOARD MEMBERS, ARE THEY VOTING MEMBERS?
>> THEY VOTE. BUT AGAIN, IF THERE'S A PROJECT, SAY A DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, SOMEONE'S ASKED TO ASK FOR FUNDS, AND MONEY IS INVOLVED THAT HAS COME FROM THE JURISDICTIONS, THAT OVERSIGHT BOARD, WHICH AGAIN, IS JUST THE FOLKS LIKE ME WHO ARE APPOINTED FROM EACH JURISDICTION, THE MAJORITY OF THEM HAVE TO AGREE THAT IS A PROPER USE OF THE FUNDS.
>> MR. GRUBER, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, I THINK BEAUFORT COUNTY MAY HAVE TAKEN IT UP AS WELL BECAUSE I THINK THEY'D HELPED TO DRAFT THE ACTUAL LANGUAGE FOR THE AMENDMENT. THAT WAS THE ONLY THING I WAS [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'D LIKE TO THINK THEY'D BE IN FAVOR SINCE THEY DRAFTED IT.
>> THAT WAS THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD.
WE PUT A LOT OF TRUST INTO THE ORGANIZATION, AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF IT.
SOLOKO HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL REGIONAL GROUP THAT'S LED TO A LOT OF REGIONAL COOPERATION.
I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT GROUP.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING A KEY MEMBER OF THAT BOARD.
>> YEAH, AS I ALWAYS SAY, I THINK EVERY TIME WE GET A CHANCE, WE SHOULD CELEBRATE THE FACT THAT EIGHT JURISDICTIONS SIGNED A DOCUMENT, THEY'RE ALL IN AGREEMENT WITH SOMETHING.
I THINK THAT'S A TREMENDOUS SHOW OF COOPERATION AND TEAMWORK.
GETTING EIGHT PEOPLE, MUCH LESS EIGHT JURISDICTIONS, EIGHT COUNCILS TO AGREE TO SOMETHING.
THAT'S WONDERFUL. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO OPEN UP TO THE PUBLIC.
DOES ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RESOLUTION? SEEING NONE.
I'D LIKE MOTION TO APPROVE DISAPPROVAL OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO RESOLUTION 2025-05-14 B.
>> MR. MART I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 202-05-0514 B.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNSEL OR THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> THANK YOU, MART. NEXT, WE HAVE THE MANAGERS REPORT, MR. GRUBER.
[X. MANAGER’S REPORT]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. TWO ITEMS TO CHAT ABOUT THIS EVENING.
THE FIRST IS THE CITY WAS NOTIFIED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD.
THIS IS ACTUALLY THE FOURTH AWARD THAT THE CITY HAS RECEIVED FROM THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.
IT'S JUST A RECOGNITION THAT NOT ONLY DO WE PUBLISH A QUALITY PRODUCT, BUT WE PUBLISH A MEANINGFUL PRODUCT.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF CATEGORIES THAT ARE TALKED ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION.
IT'S NOT JUST A BUNCH OF SPREADSHEETS THAT MAKE YOUR EYES GO CROSSED, IT IS SOMETHING THAT A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC CAN PICK UP AND GET MEANINGFUL INFORMATION OUT OF.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE FINANCE TEAM AGAIN FOR HELPING US RECEIVE THAT AWARD.
THEN, VERY SELFISHLY, JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE BUFORD HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM ON CLINCHING THE CLASS 4A LOWER STATE DISTRICT D CHAMPIONSHIP YESTERDAY EVENING IN A NAIL-BITING GAME AGAINST HARTSVILLE.
>> YOU DON'T HAVE A RELATIVE ON.
>> HAPPEN TO WATCH. JUST A FAN.
>> YOU DO HAVE A RELATIVE THERE.
>> EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEAUTIFUL.[OVERLAPPING]
>> MR. CARL, WE'RE GOING TO GO ALPHABETICALLY TONIGHT.
>> I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANYTHING, MAYOR.
I DO HAVE TALK ABOUT THE JASPER ON THE MOVE. THAT WAS REALLY GOOD.
WE HAD AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE FROM HARDYVILLE
[01:45:03]
THAT WERE RECOGNIZING INCLUDING YOUR BETTER HALF.I JUST THINK THAT'S GOOD BECAUSE USED TO BE, IT WAS HARDYVILLE DIDN'T GET AS MUCH RECOGNITION AS THEY DO NOW.
I THINK THAT'S A POSITIVE SIGN OF REGINALD HARDYVILLE AND JASPER WORKING MORE TOGETHER.
OTHER THAN THAT, THE LAST WEEK, I'VE BEEN REAL BUSY, BUT IT WASN'T CITY STUFF.
>> I WAS LETTING YOU OFF THE HOOK.
NEXT, IF I HAVE MY ALPHABET CORRECT, MRS. GUZMAN.
>> I ATTENDED THE CONVOCATION OF TCL.
I WAS REALLY STUNNED TO SEE HOW MANY KIDS ACTUALLY GRADUATED WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE BEFORE THEY EVEN GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.
IT WAS MIND-BLOWING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY TOO.
>> I THINK DUAL ENROLLMENT WORKS IF KIDS WANT TO PUT THE WORK INTO IT.
IT IS AVAILABLE AND HIGHLY SUPPORTED BY TCL.
I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR OUR SCHOOL BOARD TO MAYBE PUSH THE HIGH SCHOOLERS INTO OR EVEN EARLIER, IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, PUSHED THE IDEA OF DUAL ENROLLMENT BECAUSE I MEAN, THE AMOUNT OF KIDS THAT GRADUATED WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE BEFORE EVEN GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL WAS I WAS JUST DONE, AND I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE THAT BECAUSE IT TELLS ME THAT THEY STILL HOPE FOR OUR YOUNG ONES BECAUSE THEY PUT THE WORK.
IT'S A HEAVY COURSE LOAD FOR THEM TO DO THAT.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY AT BMH AT THE CORNER OF BUCK WALTER IN BLUFFTON.
THEY HAVE HUGE PLANS TO ENHANCE THE MEDICAL CARE DELIVERY TO CITIZENS AROUND THE AREA.
INCREASING HOSPITAL BEDS AND EMERGENCY CARE, AND ALSO BRINGING IN OTHER SPECIALTIES.
STEVE, I'M GOING TO SPEAK FOR YOU, TOO.
>> STEVE AND I GRADUATED FROM THE CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY YESTERDAY.
THEY PUT TOGETHER A GREAT PROGRAM FOR OUR CITIZENS, AND THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM WAS EVIDENT BECAUSE THEY ALMOST DOUBLE THE CLASS SECOND TIME AROUND.
THAT MEANS 28 MORE CITIZENS WITHIN THE CITY OF HARDYVILLE NOW KNOWS WHAT OUR HPD DOES ON A DAILY BASIS.
IT AMAZED ME HOW MUCH THEY DO OUT THERE OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE, WITH NO FANFARE.
IT SEEMS LIKE THEY GO OUT THERE PUTTING THEIR JOBS ON THE LINE, LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY IN THE OFFICE FOR THE REST OF US.
TO ME, IT WAS AMAZING SEEING SOME OF THOSE VIDEOS OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DO OUT THERE, THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT, WAS JUST SOMETHING ELSE.
JUDGE NANCY GAVE AN AWESOME TALK ABOUT HOW THE COURT WORKS IN THE CITY OF HARDYVILLE.
THEY ALSO PUT A GOOD SKIT TOGETHER, WHICH WAS REALLY FUN.
YES. THEN OUR VERY OWN COUNCILMAN, MR. JOHN CARROLL, GAVE A WONDERFUL TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF HARDYVILLE.
IT EDUCATED A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THAT ACADEMY BECAUSE I THINK THE MAJORITY OF US, MY FRIENDS PLANS FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS, AND I THINK JUST TO HEAR THE HISTORY FROM WHEN JOHN WAS A YOUNG WAS GREAT.
IT WAS APPRECIATED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE.
ALSO, EVEN THOUGH I WATCHED JOHN CRINGE WHEN PEOPLE SAID PERES BOOK INSTEAD OF PIRIS.
>> I GOT TO WORK ON JOSH WITH THAT, TOO.
>> [LAUGHTER] YEAH, I SAW HIS EYES ROLL. I WAS LIKE, OH.
OKAY. I WANT TO THINK SAY, A HUGE THANK YOU TO HPD.
THEY WORKED REALLY HARD TO PUT THE SECOND CITIZENS ACADEMY TOGETHER.
LOTS OF KNOWLEDGE WAS PUT OUT THERE.
DIFFERENT OFFICERS CAME IN ON DIFFERENT DAYS TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY DO.
THEY EVEN BROUGHT THE DOGGIE IN.
[01:50:02]
THE CITIZENS ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TO GET OFF THE GROUND BECAUSE THIS ENDEAVOR IS ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER.CHIEF, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR A JOB WELL DONE BY YOUR DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU.
>> TO CONTINUE OFF OF WHAT MS. GUZMAN HAS SAID, THE 28 THAT GRADUATED LAST NIGHT, NOT ONLY PART OR FEEL PART OF THE HARDYVILLE PD, WE JUST HAD 28 MORE ADVOCATES FOR THE CITY OF HARDYVILLE.
TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT OUR CITY IS ABOUT, HOW IT OPERATES, AND BASICALLY 28 MORE SUPPORTERS.
SECONDLY, I'M SORRY THAT I MISSED THE JASPER ON THE MOVE.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR WIFE, MR. MAYOR.
>> BUT I HAD A TRIP PLAN, AND IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO RECHARGE MY BATTERIES, WHICH WE ALL SHOULD DO AT CERTAIN TIMES.
THE THIRD THING IS, TONIGHT, WE MAY HAVE DISAGREED ON SOME THINGS, AND OUR VOTE SHOWED IT THAT WAY, BUT IN OUR OWN HEARTS AND OUR OWN MINDS, EACH ONE OF US ARE DOING WHAT WE FEEL IS BEST FOR THE CITY OF HARDYVILLE.
WE ARE NOT HERE JUST TO ALL AGREE EVERY TIME.
WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR OWN MINDS UP.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ALL FEEL THAT WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS THE BEST FOR THE CITY OF HARDYVILLE.
I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF AGAIN.
JOSH, EVERYBODY FOR THE HARD WORK THAT'S PUT IN WITH THESE BUDGETS.
A LOT OF HOURS. BUT WHEN YOU BRING IT TO US, IT'S A CONCISE DOCUMENT WITH REQUESTS THAT ARE REASONABLE. THANK YOU.
>> I AGREE WITH WHAT'S BEEN SAID, NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
>> A COUPLE OF THINGS HAPPENED IN THE COUPLE OF WEEKS SINCE OUR LAST MEETING.
NUMBER 1, ON THE THIRD SATURDAY AFTERNOON, I WENT TO PRESENTATION AT THE THOMAS HAYWARD HOUSE UP IN RIDGELIN, AND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 250 COMMITTEE FOR ALL THEY'RE DOING TO PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY.
ALSO ON THE FIFTH, WITH MS. GUZMAN AND MR. GRUBER, WE MET WITH THE HARDYVILLE, GARDEN CLUB.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THEY CAN ADD TO THE BEAUTY OF OUR CITY.
I ALSO I SAT NEXT TO MISSES GUZMAN AT THE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL GROUNDBREAKING, AND ALTHOUGH THAT'S IN BLUFFTON, IT SERVES OUR ENTIRE REGION, AND IT'S CERTAINLY NEEDED.
I WISH THEM BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ALL THE BEST OF LUCK AND THANK THEM FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR REGION.
ON THE 8TH LAST WEEK, I GAVE A CIVICS CLASS TO TWO CLASSES AT ROYAL LIVE OAKS ACADEMY.
IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR ME.
AS MS. GUZMAN SAID ABOUT THE DUE ENROLLMENT, YOU SEE THESE STUDENTS, AND, THERE ARE SOME OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
YOU SAW TWO OF THEM TONIGHT FROM THE YOUTH COUNCIL.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING A COUPLE DOZEN MORE GIVING THAT CLASS AND TELLING THEM HOW THE MUNICIPALITY WORKS, AND INCLUDING THAT EACH ONE OF US UP HERE ARE ONLY ONE VOTE OF FIVE TO WHAT MR. MEERSMAN SAID.
WE'RE ALL HERE IN MAJORITY RULES. JASPER ON TO MOVE.
I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE AWARD WINNERS, INCLUDING OFFICER EGER, WELL DESERVED.
I ALSO ATTENDED FRIDAY NIGHT, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AWARDS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE AWARDEES, JUST LIKE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, OUR PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM REALLY DO A LOT FOR US, INCLUDING PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS, AND THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY IN BOTH DEPARTMENTS.
THIS MORNING, I ATTENDED A PANEL,
[01:55:04]
THE EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM FOR THE NEW JASPER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, AND THAT SEARCH FIRM OUT OF CHARLOTTE WAS GETTING INPUT BY A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING A NUMBER OF THE EDUCATORS ON WHAT WE ALL FELT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT.I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THAT POSITION FILLED.
I THINK THEY WANT TO DO IT BY JULY.
LASTLY, ON FRIDAY, I'M HOSTING A LUNCHEON FOR A GROUP OF PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S, AND SPECIFICALLY, THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK THAT OCCURS IN OLD TOWN BLUFFTON IN OCTOBER.
I INVITE THE COUNCIL TO JOIN US.
THIS IS BASICALLY AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING.
IF YOU'LL RECALL LAST YEAR, I STARTED TEAM STARSHIP PARTYVILLE.
I'VE ASKED PEOPLE FROM EVERY ONE OF THE AREAS OF OUR COMMUNITY, ALL THE GATED COMMUNITIES IN EVERY PLACE, IF THEY WOULD JOIN US TO SEE IF THEY COULD BE THE AMBASSADORS FOR THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT'S THE LAST THING I HAVE TO SAY.
>> WHAT ARE THOSE [INAUDIBLE]?
WE HOPE TO BE FINISHED BY 1:30.
THE TYLER MANION, WHO'S THE ONE WHO GOT ME INVOLVED, HE'S THE 5:00 ANCHOR AT WTOC, A GREAT YOUNG MAN.
THEN A COUPLE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION.
IT'S GOING TO TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE GROUP.
I DO HAVE FORMER MAYOR SOCA AND MAYOR DAN WOOD ATTENDING FOR THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON AS WELL.
THIS IS A SOFT CELL, NO PRESSURE.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY, AND I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
THAT WAS FAST. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> AYE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.