>> EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
[00:00:02]
>> HAPPY TO BE HERE. [LAUGHTER]
>> WE ARE GOING TO START THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY COUNCILMAN STEVE MEERSMAN. PLEASE RISE.
>> IN THIS SANCTUARY OF DIALOGUE, LORD, LET US RESPECT THE CORNERSTONE UPON WHICH OUR INTERACTIONS ARE BUILT.
LET OUR WORDS BE GUIDED BY A DEEP APPRECIATION OF THE DIVERSE RESPECTIVES THAT ENRICH OUR DISCUSSIONS.
LIKE THE ROOTS OF A TREE THAT INTERWEAVE TO FORM A STURDY FOUNDATION, SO DO OUR RESPECTFUL INTERACTIONS CREATE A STRONG BASE FOR FRUITFUL CONVERSATIONS.
WITH EACH EXCHANGE, LET US HONOR THE UNIQUENESS OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL, AND THROUGH THIS IMPLICATION OF RESPECT, LET US FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY VOICE IS HEARD AND VALUED.
>> 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.
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, AUGUST 7TH, 2025 AT 4:00 PM.
FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO TODAY IS APPROVE THE AGENDA.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO TODAY'S AGENDA.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> NEXT, EXCUSE ME, EXECUTIVE SESSION.
DISCUSSION OF NEGOTIATIONS INCIDENT TO PROPOSED CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAW 30-4-7082, A POTENTIAL PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.
MAY HAVE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> WE WILL NOW GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
WE WILL START REGULAR SESSION PROMPTLY AT 5:00 PM.
[01:00:15]
[01:00:17]
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS AFTERNOON.[01:00:19]
WE ALREADY BEGAN OUR MEETING AT 4:00 PM.[01:00:23]
WE HAVE HAD OUR INVOCATION,[01:00:26]
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, CALLED TO ORDER AND APPROVED THE AGENDA,[01:00:31]
AND HAD EXECUTIVE SESSION.[01:00:34]
NOW WE NEED TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.[01:00:40]
WE HAVE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION.[01:00:43]
>> MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION.
[01:00:45]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
[01:00:47]
[01:00:47]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND, ON FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
WE HAVE INTRODUCTION OF GIS SPECIALIST DERECK CLIFTON.
FINALLY, A NAME I CAN PRONOUNCE.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR COUNSEL.
CURRENTLY, WE'VE BEEN OUTSOURCING OUR GIS FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, BUT WE HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON THAT WE WANTED TO BRING IT IN HOUSE.
WE'RE UTILIZING SOME SOFTWARE THAT WE WE'RE CURRENTLY PAYING FOR, AND WE BROUGHT IT IN HOUSE, AND THIS IS GOING TO GIVE US THE ABILITY TO PUBLISH THE INFORMATION A LOT QUICKER AND HAVE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR BOTH THE CITIZENS AND TO BE A LITTLE MORE ROBUST IN WHAT WE CAN OFFER AS FAR AS THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF APPS.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE DECIDED TO HIRE GIS SPECIALIST AND THIS IS DERECK CLIFTON.
HE IS THE NEW GIS SPECIALIST. WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS DERECK CLIFTON.
I BEEN HERE A COUPLE OF WEEKS, GETTING USED TO THE PLACE MEETING EVERYBODY.
I KNOW QUITE A FEW OF THE FACES.
I FIRST CAME OVER TO THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE.
PROBABLY IN 2016 IN 2017, WORKED FOR HARGRAVE, AND SPENT A LARGE MAJORITY OF THE TIME THAT I WORKED THERE OVER HERE, HELPING WITH IT SITUATIONS, AND INSTALLING NETWORKS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO I'M QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND LOTS OF FRIENDLY FACES.
BUT I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE, LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING TO WORK AND MAKING SOME NICE MAPS FOR YOU GUYS, PUT THEM ONLINE.
HOPEFULLY, MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR EVERYONE AS FAR AS GEOLOCATION GOES.
>> ARE YOU FROM THE AREA, DEREK?
>> I GREW UP IN ADEL GEORGIA, SO NOT FAR, AND THEN I'VE BEEN IN SAVANNAH SINCE I GRADUATED COLLEGE IN 2005.
>> COUNSEL, ANY QUESTIONS FOR DEREK.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE INTRODUCTION OF BUILDING INSPECTOR BRIAN ESTRADA, TWO IN A ROW.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL.
I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE AGAIN TO SEE YOU FOLKS TO INTRODUCE ANOTHER NEW BUILDING INSPECTOR TO HELP US WITH OUR MASSIVE VOLUME OF INSPECTIONS THAT WE HAVE.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU, BRIAN ESTRADA.
I'M FROM HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA I'VE BEEN HERE ALL MY 24 YEARS OF LIFE.
EXCITED FOR NEW BUILDINGS, EVERYTHING, AND VERY EAGER TO LEARN.
>> YOU'RE A HARDEEVILLE NATIVE?
>> VERY EXCITED TO HAVE BRIAN HERE.
AS YOU KNOW, SANDY'S TEAM LAST WEEK DID OVER 900 INSPECTIONS IN ONE WEEK, AND SO EXCITED ABOUT HAVING YOU ON BOARD.
>> HE'S GOING TO BE A GREAT ADDITION.
>> WAS IT ONLY A THREE DAY WEEK LAST WEEK.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE USCB, SAN SHARK.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF YOUNG LADIES FROM USCB.
IF YOU WANT TO COME UP AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
COUNSEL, WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR.
CONVOCATION DAY IS MONDAY THE 18TH, RIGHT? I'M GOING TO ASK THE COUNSEL TO ENDORSE THIS PROCLAMATION.
BUT FIRST, WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND WHAT'S YOUR AFFILIATION WITH THE SCHOOL?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JEVANA CRUZ.
[01:05:01]
I AM THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT FOR USCB.I AM A LONGTIME RESIDENT IN JASPER COUNTY, AND I JUST STARTED MY FOURTH YEAR OF UNDERGRAD AT USCB.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS REBECCA TALIFERRO.
I AM ALSO A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT.
I AM THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT SECRETARY, AND I AM A PROUD HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINIAN.
I'M JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.
>> GREAT. OKAY, SO HERE'S THE PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT IS FULLY ACCREDITED, COMPREHENSIVE BACCALAUREATE INSTITUTION WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SYSTEM, AND WHEREAS USCB PROVIDES SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION IN 19 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES AND TWO GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS TO FULFILL ITS MISSION TO RESPOND TO REGIONAL NEEDS, DRAW UPON REGIONAL STRENGTHS, AND PREPARE GRADUATES TO CONTRIBUTE LOCALLY, NATIONALLY, AND INTERNATIONALLY.
WHEREAS USCB IS A PRIMARY RESOURCE FOR EXCEPTIONALLY SKILLED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, TEACHERS, HOSPITALITY MANAGERS, SCIENCE BASED RESEARCHERS, AND COMPUTATIONAL SPECIALISTS IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA LOW COUNTRY, AND WHEREAS USCB HAS A REPUTATION FOR INSTITUTIONAL PROMINENCE AS A REGIONAL CATALYST FOR PROGRESS, AND ENGINE, FOR CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND WHEREAS USCB'S REGIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACT IS IN EXCESS OF 1,230 JOBS, $63,000,000 IN LABOR INCOME, AND $141,000,000 IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
WHEREAS USCB WELCOMES MORE THAN 2,200 STUDENTS, THEIR PARENTS, AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS TO CAMPUSES IN BLUFFTON, BEAUFORT, AND ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND AND TO ATHLETIC FACILITIES IN HARDEEVILLE, FOR THE START OF THE 2025 2026 ACADEMIC YEAR.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, HEREBY PROCLAIMS THE WEEK OF AUGUST 18 TO 22, 2025 AS USCB, SAN SHARK WELCOME WEEK.
I HEREBY SET MY HAND AND CAUSE THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE TO BE A FIXED THE SEVENTH DAY OF AUGUST 2025.
COUNSEL, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO ENDORSE THIS PROCLAMATION.
>> MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ENDORSE THE PROCLAMATION FOR USCB.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
I ALREADY SIGNED IT. THIS WAY, I WON'T FORGET IT WHEN I SHOW [INAUDIBLE].
>> GOOD LUCK. I HAVE A GOOD SCHOOL YEAR, BOTH OF YOU.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE THE PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE JULY 24, 2025, REGULAR CITY COUNSEL MEETING.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE MINUTES OF JULY 24.
>> MOVE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES JULY 24, 2025.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> OKAY. NEXT, WE HAVE OLD BUSINESS.
THIS IS SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO CONSIDER AN INITIAL MASTER PLAN FOR PARCELS 0304-0609-012, 015-015, AGAIN, TO BE KNOWN AS RIVERPORT PARKWAY, NORTH AND RIVERPORT PARKWAY PHASE 1.
THERE'S 1,000 ACRES, AND IT IS PART OF THE RIVERPORT PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
THIS IS ORDINANCE 2025-07-24 A.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, SAME AS THE FIRST READING.
WE WILL HAVE WHATEVER PRESENTATION THE DEVELOPER HAS FOR US, AND THEN I WILL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
DO WE HAVE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH COUNSEL?
>> YES, SIR, MAYOR. IF I COULD, LAMAR WANTS TO GO AHEAD AND GET PREPARED, BUT I'LL JUST TEE THIS UP REAL QUICK.
WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS PROJECT ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS NOW,
[01:10:03]
AND SO I'M NOT GOING TO GO BACK AND REPEAT A LOT OF WHAT WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT.BUT FROM THE LAST MEETING, WHEN THIS ITEM CAME UP, THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM COUNSEL.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR AN EXHIBIT TO BE PREPARED TO SHOW HOW THE ENTRANCE TO THIS DEVELOPMENT WOULD ULTIMATELY BE CONSTRUCTED.
THEN, SUBSEQUENT TO THE MEETING, I WAS CONTACTED BY REPRESENTATIVE OF SOME CITIZENS WHO LIVE IN THIS AREA.
THEY HAD SUBMITTED A REQUEST THAT AN ALTERNATIVE ENTRANCE LOCATION BE EVALUATED.
THAT INFORMATION WAS TRANSMITTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM.
A COPY OF THAT INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO YOU ALL EARLIER TODAY, ALONG WITH THE SIGNATURES FOR THE PETITIONS.
WE'VE ASKED THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM TO FOCUS ON PROVIDING SOME INFORMATION WITH REGARDS TO BOTH OF THOSE ITEMS, SINCE THOSE HAVE COME UP POST OUR LAST MEETING ON THIS.
NOW, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO LAMAR.
>> THANK YOU, JOSH. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL STAFF.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TO YOU AND TRY TO ADDRESS ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
AS JOSH MENTIONED, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS RAISED, COUNCIL [INAUDIBLE] BELIEVE YOU WANTED A COPY OF A DETAILED BLOW UP OF WHAT THE PRIMARY INTERSECTION.
LOOKS LIKE, WHICH IS WHAT'S SHARED ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW, AND WE TRY TO EMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT WHAT IS SHOWN ON THIS COLOR AND THIS COLOR ARE THE SIGHT DISTANCE TRIANGLES, AND THE IMPROVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE TO MEET SIGHT DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS.
FOR THE QUESTIONS, BEG TO TRY TO ANSWER THOSE OR PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
GENERALLY, THIS WILL BE THE CONFIGURATION.
WE MAY SLIDE IT LIKE MINIMALLY, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, JUST SO WE OPTIMIZE ALIGNMENT WITH THE OPPOSING DRIVEWAY FOR THIS RESIDENTS, SO IT DOESN'T CREATE ANY CONFLICTS OR UNDUE MOVEMENTS FOR THEM.
BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP IT WITHIN, ITS BEST PRACTICE TO KEEP IT WITHIN THESE GENERAL LIMITS OF THE OWNERSHIP OF THE APPLICANT, THAT WAY WE DON'T IMPOSE ON ANYBODY'S ADJACENT PROPERTIES.
THE ROOM EXISTS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
IT'LL BE AN ASYMMETRICAL WIDENING MEAN IT'LL BE OFFSET TO THE WEST WITHIN THE APPLICANT'S PROPERTY FOR ANY ADDITIONAL RIGHT AWAY AND DITCHING. OKAY.
>> TRUCKS ENTERING THE PROPERTY, WILL HAVE A RADIUS LANE WHERE THEY'RE NOT JUMPING OVER THE OTHER LANE.
>> OH, ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. THAT AND MEET DOT REQUIREMENTS. THAT'S CORRECT.
YEAH, THERE WILL BE AN INSIDE TURN LANE HERE TO BE ABLE TO TURN LEFT INTO THE PROPERTY WITHOUT HITTING PROPERTY OR TRAFFIC COMING.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. JOSH, SORRY.
YOU WERE DOING THE LEAD IN, AND I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE THE PONER.
YOU MENTIONED THIS ITEM AND THE OTHER ONE RELATED TO THE OFF SITE, THE POTENTIAL BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE QUESTION HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT A POTENTIAL ALTERNATE ACCESS POINT, WHICH THE APPLICANT IS NOT OPPOSED TO CONSIDERING OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, BUT WE DID DO A LITTLE FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IF YOU CAN PULL UP.
>> I BELIEVE THIS IS THE PARCEL THAT WAS PROPOSED AS AN ALTERNATIVE.
WHAT IS NOT SHOWN ON THERE, AND I THINK IT'S ANOTHER SLIDE WE CAN BRING UP, BUT ONE OF THE FIRST THING WE GENERALLY TAKE A LOOK AT IS ANY ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS RELATED TO THE PROPERTY.
WE'RE PREPARED AN OVERLAY USING NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY MAPPING INFORMATION, AND A MAJORITY, NOT ALL OF IT IS CONSUMED WITH WETLANDS WITHIN THE PROPERTY.
THERE WOULD NEED TO BE A MUCH FURTHER IN DEPTH INVESTIGATION RELATED TO ANY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT AS WELL AS THREATENING ENDANGERED SPECIES, CULTURAL RESOURCES.
AGAIN, IT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED, BUT IT REQUIRES AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF TIME TO DEAL WITH THAT.
JUST BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN EVEN GET IT PERMITTED.
CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE OTHER EXHIBIT, PLEASE? REPRESENTS LOUISE.
THERE IS A DRAINAGE WAY THAT TIES INTO THE HARDEEVILLE, JASPER CANAL THAT TRAVERSES THE PROPERTY THAT IS ALSO A CONSTRAINT.
BUT REALLY PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CONSTRAINT IS THE FACT THAT AND JUST PICK THE GENERAL LOCATION.
THESE ARE BALLPARK NUMBERS, BUT EVEN THIS DIMENSION IS 285 FEET.
ANYWHERE 285-315 FEET ISH IS THE SEPARATION DISCIPLINE BETWEEN THIS PROPERTY WHERE AT ACCESS POINT COULD BE AND THE CHURCH ROAD 321 DEERFIELD INTERSECTION.
THAT DOES NOT MEET ACCESS SPACING REQUIREMENTS [INAUDIBLE].
PLUS, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TOO, THIS WILL RECEIVE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS.
RIGHT NOW IT'S PROPOSED AS A ROUNDABOUT, AS WE MOVE THROUGH THAT PROCESS, THAT MAY CHANGE SOME, BUT THERE WILL BE RUN-OUTS WITH THAT WITH LANE TIE ENDS COMING SOUTH THAT WILL LIKELY PUSH THAT SEPARATION SPACING.
YEAH. THAT'S GENERALLY ASSESSMENT.
ALTHOUGH AGAIN, NOTHING'S OFF THE TABLE FOR CONSIDERATION, THINKING THROUGH THIS,
[01:15:04]
THERE'S A LOT OF CONSTRAINTS RELATED TO THAT PARTICULAR PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT I'M AFRAID OF TOO MANY HURDLES TO OVERCOME.>> CAN WE GO BACK TO THE FIRST SLIDE?
>> WHEN WILL THOSE IMPROVEMENTS BE COMPLETED?
>> THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE COMPLETED INITIALLY BECAUSE ENDING THE OUTCOME OF THIS, WE'LL BEGIN DESIGN APPROXIMATELY 10 MONTHS WORTH OF DESIGN AND PERMITTING, THEN HOPEFULLY PUTTING A SHOVEL IN THE GROUND NEXT, SOMETIME BY SUMMER OR SPRING.
>> PRIOR TO THAT, WILL YOU BE CLEARING TREES?
>> OKAY. SO NOTHING WILL COME OFF THE PROPERTY UNTIL THIS IS STARTED HERE?
>> CORRECT. UNTIL WE RECEIVE CITY PERMITS, FINAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT, WHICH AGAIN WILL BE ESTIMATED RIGHT NOW NEXT SPRING OR SUMMER.
>> PRESUMABLY, YOU WOULD INSTALL A CONSTRUCTION ENTRANCE? Y.
>> THEN ULTIMATELY IMPROVE IT TO THAT DEGREE?
>> THE CONSTRUCTION ENTRANCE IS WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.
YOU'VE SEEN WHAT'S ON 278 HERE WITH AT THE MORGAN PROPERTY, HOW THEY DESIGN THAT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT FOR TRUCK INGRESS.
>> OKAY. ANY OTHER PRESENTATIONS FROM JOSH FROM THE DEVELOPER?
>> EVERYTHING. IS THAT ALL FOR YOU?
>> THAT'S ALL THAT I CAN RECOLLECT FROM THE LAST MEETING. THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IT NOW IS OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
AS WE DID LAST TIME, EVERY SPEAKER WILL HAVE 3 MINUTES.
ALSO, SO WE DON'T HAVE REPEAT, I WILL ASK PEOPLE TO RAISE THEIR HANDS IF THEY ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH WHOEVER SPEAKS.
THE COUNCIL HAS A UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MANY PEOPLE AGREE WITH WHAT THE STATEMENTS ARE.
THERE WILL BE A 30 MINUTE TOTAL LIMIT PER OUR RULES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
HAVING SAID THAT, WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST?
>> MY NAME IS BRIDGET SANCHEZ, AND I RESIDE AT 6954 PETERSBURG ROAD IN HARDEEVILLE.
AUDIENCE. DEVELOPERS. TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TO YOU OUR PETITION WITH HUNDREDS OF SIGNATURES, AND IT READS AS FOLLOWS.
WE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS AND CONCERNED COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE WRITING TO FORMALLY REQUEST THE CLOSURE OF THE DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE TO THE RIVERPORT PARKWAY LOCATED ON CHURCH ROAD.
WE FURTHER URGE THE DEVELOPMENT TO CONSTRUCT OR DESIGNATE AN ALTERNATE ENTRY AND EXIT POINT THAT BETTER SERVES THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF BOTH RESIDENTS AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS.
OUR CONCERNS REGARDING THE CHURCH ROAD ENTRANCE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING.
THE DRIVEWAYS LOCATION ON CHURCH ROAD CREATES HAZARDOUS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
THE INTERSECTION OF CHURCH ROAD AND HIGHWAY 321 IS CURRENTLY IDENTIFIED AS A LEVEL OF SERVICE, LOS C INTERSECTION.
THE FLOW OF VEHICLES ENTERING AND EXITING THE DEVELOPMENT WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE CONGESTION ON CHURCH ROAD.
A ROADWAY NOT DESIGNED FOR HEAVY RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC.
CHURCH ROAD IS USED BY PEDESTRIANS, INCLUDING CHILDREN WHO FACE HEIGHTENED RISK DUE TO THE CURRENT TRAFFIC PATTERNS.
THE INCREASED VEHICULAR ACTIVITY WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE PEACE AND LIVABILITY OF THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
WE BELIEVE A SAFER, MORE EFFECTIVE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO ESTABLISH AN ALTERNATE ENTRANCE AND EXIT THAT BETTER ALIGNS WITH TRAFFIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY PLANNING STANDARDS.
POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES COULD INCLUDE ACCESS FROM A MAIN THOROUGHFARE OR AN EXTENSION TO AN EXISTING CONNECTOR ROAD DESIGNED FOR SUCH USE.
WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THIS MATTER BE REVIEWED WITH URGENCY AND THAT A PLAN BE DEVELOPED AND COMMUNICATED TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERNS.
WE ARE WILLING TO MEET WITH DEVELOPERS, CITY OFFICIALS, AND RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS TO FURTHER DISCUSS THIS ISSUE AND POSSIBLE SOLUTION.
[01:20:01]
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.>> THANKS FOR REMINDING ME. WHO AGREES?
>> DANNY MCKENZIE, 6472, PETERSBURG ROAD.
THERE'S TWO THINGS THAT OUR GROUP REALLY DREAD.
[LAUGHTER] AND THE OTHER IS A LARGE DEVELOPER PUTTING A DRIVE ON CHURCH ROAD.
BACK ON JUNE 2ND, THERE WAS A PUBLIC HEARING, A WORKSHOP, I SHOULD SAY, WITH THE COUNCIL, AND THERE WERE A LOT OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE CHURCH ROAD DRIVE FROM THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THERE'S TWO VERY SHORT SEGMENTS, AUDIO SEGMENTS I'D LIKE TO PLAY FOR YOU IF THAT'S OKAY.
>> WHY WOULD YOU STAY WITHIN 3 MINUTES?
>> IT'S PUBLIC RECORD. ANYBODY CAN GO IN THERE AND LISTEN, BUT HERE WE GO. FIRST ONE.
>> LOOKING AT IT FROM CONSUMER STANDPOINT.
IF I LIVED IN THAT DEVELOPMENT AND I WAS GOING TO WANTED TO GO SHOPPING, I WANT TO GO GET GROCERIES.
I'M NOT GOING TO TRAVEL ALL THE WAY BACK DOWN RIVERPORT PARKWAY TO 95 AND ZIP BACK UP TO THE NEXT EIGHT TO COME DOWN THIS WAY.
THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THE SHORTEST ROUTE.
NOT ONLY THAT. YOU HAVE 1,900 HOMES, FAMILY HOMES.
THE SCHOOL BUSES AND THE PEOPLE TRANSPORTING THEIR CHILDREN BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL IS GOING TO USE CHURCH ROAD AS A MAIN ACCESS.
WHAT JOHN IS SAYING, WITHOUT IMPROVEMENTS OF WIDENING THE ROAD OR HOWEVER THAT IS, WE COULD BE CREATING A NIGHTMARE.
>> YEAH, I'VE DRIVEN DOWN CHURCH ROAD A COUPLE OF TIMES.
I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE A RESIDENT LIVING OFF OF CHURCH ROAD WITH THAT CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC BEING ON THAT ROAD BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I FEEL THAT THEY ARE TAKING THEIR LIVES IN THEIR HANDS AS IS RIGHT NOW.
ADD TO THAT PART, ALL OF THIS HEAVY DUTY CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC, THAT'S A RECIPE FOR A MAJOR DISASTER.
THE LOSS OF EVEN ONE LIFE OR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT CAUSES SOMEONE TO BE MAIMED OR WHATEVER, IT'S NOT WORTH ANY OF THAT.
>> SINCE THAT JUNE 2ND WORKSHOP, NOTHING'S CHANGED.
WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU TO REPRESENT THE CITIZENS, NOT THE DEVELOPER.
THE DEVELOPER HAS A REPRESENTATIVE.
WE JUST WANT YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND CONSIDER THAT PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD AS BEING WHAT IT IS, A PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD.
THERE ARE OTHER LOCATIONS THAT THE DEVELOPER CAN CONSIDER. I KNOW THERE'S WETLANDS.
I KNOW THERE'S A DEAL WITH OBSTACLE WITH CSX RAILROAD.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CROSS THAT RAILROAD SOONER OR LATER ANYWAY.
AND THERE'S PROSPERITY PARKWAY THERE.
IT'S A BIG, BEAUTIFUL DRIVE THAT COMES OUT IN FRONT OF A HOTEL THERE ON HIGHWAY 17.
IF THEIR PROPERTY TIES INTO THAT, THAT'S AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR THE DRIVE.
IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE THAN RIDING ALL THAT TRAFFIC ON THE CHURCH ROAD.
WE JUST ASKED YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THAT'S ALL.
WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU, SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. WHO AGREES? NEXT.
>> HELLO. I KNOW THE ATTENTION IS FOCUSED ON CHURCH ROAD.
>> COULD WE HAVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD?
>> DEBORA BUTLER, 107 ROBERTS LANE, PETERSBURG AREA.
AS I SAID, I KNOW TODAY'S FOCUS IS ON CHURCH ROAD AS IT SHOULD BE, BUT I ALSO KNOW YOU'RE FINALIZING PLANS FOR ACCEPTING THIS MASTER PLAN, AND I HAVE CONCERNS REGARDING PETERSBURG ROAD.
I JUST ASK, PLEASE, AS YOU LOOK AT THOSE FINAL PLANS, THAT YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A PLAN TO ADDRESS THE INTERSECTION OF CHURCH ROAD AND PETERSBURG ROAD.
IN WHATEVER YOU SIGN OFF ON, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THIS COUNCIL TO DO TO FUTURE COUNCILS WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO YOU.
IN TERMS OF ALLOWING DEVELOPERS TO SIGN OFF ON SOMETHING, MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING IN PLACE TO ADDRESS THAT INTERSECTION.
MAKE SURE THAT THE ENTRANCE AND EXIT WHERE IT MEETS MILLSTONE LANDING IS SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT PROHIBIT OUR LOCAL PEOPLE FROM ACCESSING THAT RESOURCE.
SOMEBODY MENTIONED TO ME THE OTHER ENTRANCE ON PETERSBURG ROAD WOULD BE A NIGHTMARE. I DON'T KNOW.
WE HAVEN'T FOCUSED ON THAT, BUT PLEASE LOOK AT THAT BEFORE YOU SIGN OFF ON THIS.
[01:25:02]
FINALLY, PLEASE DON'T ALLOW LARGE VEHICLES TO TRAVEL BEYOND MILLSTONE LANDING GOING NORTH OR BEYOND HONEYHILL ROAD GOING SOUTH WHEN EXIT 3 OPENS.I KNOW I'M TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE.
BUT IF WE DON'T ADDRESS THOSE THINGS, AS YOU MOVE FORWARD NOW, WE WILL BE BACK DEALING WITH PROBABLY A NEW MAYOR AND COUNCIL BEGGING THEM TO SAVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
BY LOOKING AT THIS NOW, YOU MAY SAVE EVERYBODY, THE FUTURE COUNCIL AND PROBABLY THE FUTURE PEOPLE LIVING THERE.
JUST MAKE SURE, PLEASE THAT PROTECTIONS ARE IN PLACE BEFORE YOU PASS THIS AT YOUR FINAL READING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. WHO AGREES? NEXT. AT THIS POINT, IF THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKERS, I WILL CLOSE OFF PUBLIC COMMENT, AND WE'LL TURN IT OVER TO COUNSEL FOR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
WE'LL START WITH MR. MEERSMAN.
I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE AUDIO PORTION THAT YOU RECORDED OUT OF THAT.
THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO.
TWO MONTHS AGO, I DIDN'T HAVE A PLAN IN MY HAND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE INTERSECTION AT CHURCH ROAD IN THE 321.
I DIDN'T HAVE THAT IN MY HAND THEN.
I DIDN'T HAVE THIS, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TONIGHT IN MY HAND THEN.
THE DEVELOPER HAS WORKED WITH US TO EASE THE FEARS THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS.
IS IT PERFECT? I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT IS.
I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT ISN'T.
BUT GIVEN THE FACT THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO BUILD THESE HOMES AND THE LACK OF OTHER USABLE GROUND TO PUT THIS ENTRANCE AND EXIT, I THINK THEY HAVE GONE AND DONE WHAT I HAVE REQUESTED.
THERE AGAIN, I DIDN'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION BACK IN EARLY JUNE.
I DO TODAY, AND I AGREE WITH WHAT THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT THEY HAVE BROUGHT FORWARD.
THEY HAVE PRESENTED ME WITH A TIMELINE.
THEY'VE PRESENTED ME WITH THE DESIGNS, AND I THINK THEY ARE PEOPLE OF THEIR WORD.
WHAT THEY HAVE TOLD US TODAY THEY WILL COMPLETE. THAT'S ALL, MR. MAYOR.
>> I ECHO WHAT MR. MEERSMAN JUST NOTED BECAUSE WHEN JUNE 2ND CAME AROUND, WE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF THIS INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO US.
WITH ALL THESE QUESTIONS THAT WE RAISED, I KNOW THE DEVELOPER HAS GONE BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD SEVERAL TIMES AND TRIED TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THESE ISSUES.
LIKE MR. MEERSMAN SAID, IS IT 100% PERFECT? NO, IT'S NOT. COULD WE GET IT TO 100% PERFECT? I DON'T THINK SO.
YOU'RE GOING TO PLEASE SOME PEOPLE AND YOU'RE GOING TO ANNOY SOME PEOPLE.
SO I THINK I BELIEVE WE ARE AT A HALFWAY POINT, A HAPPY MEDIUM.
I'M HOPING IT'S A HAPPY MEDIUM SOMEWHERE.
KUDOS TO THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR MEETING WITH US AND ANSWERING SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS, AND I'M HAPPY WHERE THINGS ARE AT RIGHT NOW.
>> I AGREE WITH THE COMMENTS OF MY TWO COLLEAGUES IN TERMS OF THE ESSENCE OF WHAT'S BEEN SAID.
FIRST OF ALL, AND NOT TO DISPUTE ANYTHING, BUT JUST FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD WITH THE PETITION.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THOSE PAGES THAT ARE DUPLICATES.
THERE ARE A LOT OF SIGNATURES FROM LEVY THROUGHOUT THE HARDEEVILLE, AND LOOKING AT THE ADDRESSES, THERE'S A LOT OF SIGNATURES THAT ARE NOT FROM CHURCH ROAD OR PETERSBURG ROAD.
AGAIN, JUST FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD FROM WHAT WE SAW RIGHT BEFORE THIS MEETING WHEN WE RECEIVED THEM.
ALSO, I'M BIG ON GOING AND TAKING A LOOK AND MAKING SURE I UNDERSTAND.
WE TALK ABOUT IT UP HERE ALL THE TIME TO GO DO SITE VISITS.
I'VE BEEN DOWN CHURCH ROAD AND PETERSBURG ROAD.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES OVER THE 10 YEARS I'VE LIVED IN THIS AREA.
BUT IT NEVER REALLY LOOKED WITH THIS IN MIND.
[01:30:04]
I WENT BEFORE I CAME HERE.LIKE JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER TIME I WENT DOWN CHURCH ROAD, NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC.
>> I DON'T LIVE THERE, I DON'T SEE IT ALL THE TIME.
JUST WHEN I GO THERE, I SEE JOHN SMITH ROAD, I SEE ARGENT BOULEVARD, I SEE 278 THAT ALL HAVE LOS WORSE THAN C. WE DEAL WITH A LOT OF ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE CITY WITH TRAFFIC.
BUT ANYWAY, MY LITTLE FIELD TRIP FROM 321 TO THE SITE WHERE THE ROAD WOULD COME IN, IT'S 6/10 OF A MILE.
OF CHURCH ROAD THAT'S 2.1 MILES IN TOTAL.
MOST OF THE TRAFFIC OR MOST OF THE ROAD, CHURCH ROAD IS AWAY FROM THIS INTERSECTION.
RIGHT NOW, THESE 500 HOMES COMING OUT OF THAT SECTION WILL NOT BE GOING LEFT TOWARDS PETERSBURG ROAD, BECAUSE WHY WOULD THEY? AT SOME POINT, EXIT 3 WOULD BE OPEN.
THEN THERE WILL BE OTHER ACCESS POINTS ONTO PETERSBURG ROAD, BECAUSE THAT'LL BE PAVED.
IF THEY ARE GOING TO EXIT 3, THEY'LL HAVE AN ACCESS NOT ON CHURCH ROAD.
WHERE THAT ENTRANCE IS WILL NOT IMPACT THE 1.5 MILES THAT ARE TO I'LL SAY THE LEFT OF THAT ENTRANCE.
THE OTHER THING I HAD ASKED ONCE I HEARD ABOUT THIS ALTERNATE ROUTE, BESIDES THE WETLANDS AND EVERYTHING, I ASKED FOR TRAFFIC THAT'S ON 321 VERSUS CHURCH ROAD.
321 WHERE ONE OF THE ALTERNATE SUGGESTIONS WERE., AND I DON'T REALLY CARE WHERE THE ENTRANCE IS.
I HAVE NO VESTED INTEREST IN IT.
[NOISE] BUT 321 IS A MUCH MORE HEAVILY TRAFFICKED ROAD THAN CHURCH ROAD.
WHY WOULD WE MOVE THE ENTRANCE FROM A LESS TRAVELED ROAD TO A MORE HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD, RATHER THAN HAVE THE PEOPLE COMING IN AND OUT.
THAT'S MY THINKING IN TERMS OF HAVING THE ALTERNATE ROAD.
IF THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM, IF THE ENGINEERS CAN COME UP WITH AN ALTERNATE THAT IS BETTER.
I'M SURE THE COUNCIL HAS NO OBJECTION.
BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE NOT HEARD A BETTER SUGGESTION GOING ON TO 321.
FOR ME, PERSONALLY, I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD OPTION.
I THINK IT'S LESS TRAFFIC ON THE CHURCH ROAD.
I JUST WANT TO REMIND HIM WE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST TIME.
AS MISS BUTLER RIGHTLY POINTS OUT, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS APPROVED 20 YEARS AGO.
THIS IS NOT WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN BUILD HOMES THERE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS COUNCIL IS BEING ASKED TO APPROVE.
WHAT WE'RE BEING ASKED IS HOW.
THAT'S WHY MR. MEERSMAN AND MISS.
GUZMAN SAID, WHAT'S HAPPENED FROM THAT JUNE 2ND VIDEO, TO NOW HOW HAS BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED.
THE ROUNDABOUT, THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS WE ASKED FOR IS A DEFINITIVE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT, HAVING, AS YOU SEE HERE, SO THE CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE WIDE TURNS ONTO CHURCH ROAD.
GUZMAN ASKED ABOUT THE STORM WATER, AND WE HEARD THAT THERE WILL BE MONITORING SO THAT THERE IS NO RUNOFF THAT WILL CONTAMINATE THE SAVANNAH RIVER.
ALL THE THINGS THAT WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT ON JUNE 2ND HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.
THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE THESE WORKSHOPS IN ADVANCE SO THAT WE CAN GET THESE QUESTIONS OUT AND THESE CONCERNS OUT AND GIVE TIME TO COME UP WITH THE BEST SOLUTIONS THAT WE CAN.
AS MS. GUZMAN SAID, IS A PERFECT WHAT'S PERFECT IN THIS WORLD? IT IS NEVER PERFECT.
BUT I AGREE THAT WE'VE TAKEN A LONG TIME TO COME UP WITH THE BEST PRODUCT THAT WE CAN,
[01:35:03]
GIVEN THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO BUILD HOMES IN THIS LOCATION, THAT HAS NEVER BEEN ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE DEALT WITH HERE.ONCE AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK THE PUBLIC.
OFTENTIMES, WE'RE SAID WE'RE TOLD AND WE'RE ASKED TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
WELL, SOMETIMES THE RIGHT THING, WHAT YOU THINK IS THE RIGHT THING, AND WHAT WE THINK IS THE RIGHT THING ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
BUT I THINK, AND I CAN SPEAK FOR THE COUNCIL THAT WE'VE PUT A LOT OF TIME, A LOT OF EFFORT BECAUSE WE WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM AND EVERYONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARDEEVILLE, GIVEN THE RESTRICTIONS OF WHAT WE HAVE, WE'RE HERE TO.
I WANT TO THANK THE PUBLIC BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS.
SOME OF YOU ARE GOING TO WALK OUT OF THIS ROOM.
WHETHER IT BE ME OR YOU THAT ARE NOT PLEASED, AS MS. GUZMAN SAID.
BUT I CONFIDENT THAT WE HAVE THOROUGHLY VETTED THIS ISSUE, AND THAT WE'RE READY FOR A FINAL VOTE ON IT.
HAVING SAID THAT, WE'VE HAD PUBLIC COMMENT.
AT THIS POINT, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES.
THIS IS ORDINANCE 2025-07-24A.
>> MR. MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE ON SECOND READING 2025-07-24A.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION? DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
I'M GOING TO CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
NEXT IS AN ORDINANCE 2025-07-10A.
THIS IS SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE.
SECTION 3.6 MOBILE VENDOR STANDARDS.
> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS ITEM HAD PREVIOUSLY COME BEFORE THIS BODY FOR FIRST READING.
AT THAT TIME, THERE WAS A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT HAD COME UP, PARTICULARLY ABOUT IDENTIFYING AREAS WHERE MOBILE FOOD VENDORS WOULD BE ALLOWED AND AREAS WHERE MOBILE FOOD VENDORS WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.
STAFF HAS WORKED ON A PRESENTATION THAT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THOSE QUESTIONS AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GO AHEAD AND PROVIDE THOSE TO YOU THIS EVENING, AS WELL AS ANSWERING ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO BRAN.
>> THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING.
>> I THINK WE'VE GOT OUR FOOD TRUCK TASK FORCE GOT TOGETHER AND CAME UP WITH SOME GOOD IDEAS.
>> I WASN'T ON THAT TASK FORCE.
>> BUT YOU GAVE US SOME GOOD INFORMATION.
>> I WANT TO SAMPLE THE FOOD. [LAUGHTER].
>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO DO.
>> WHAT WE DID WAS WE LOOKED THROUGH WHAT WE HAD, AND THE QUESTIONS YOU ASKED ME THAT AT FIRST READING, AS WELL AS WHAT WE WERE REALLY TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
WHAT WE HAD IN PLACE WAS THAT A FOOD TRUCK WOULD COME AND GET A PERMIT, AND FOR UP TO THREE LOCATIONS, MAX, AND NOBODY ELSE COULD BE ON THAT SAME LOT.
IT WAS THE WAY IT WAS 15, 20 YEARS AGO.
IT'S NOT HOW FOOD TRUCKS OPERATE CURRENTLY.
WE LOOKED AT BLUFFTON AND BEAUFORT COUNTY.
NO, JUST BLUFFTON AND BEAUFORT COUNTY.
WE PULLED THEIR ORDINANCES, WE PULLED THEIR PRACTICES AND EVERYTHING, WENT THROUGH IT.
WHAT YOU GOT IS A VARIATION OF OUR CURRENT ONE, AND THOSE TWO, WHAT IT DOES IS IT ALLOWS FOOD TRUCKS IN ALL AREAS AND THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL EVENT, AND IT'S JUST FOR THE PEOPLE ON THAT PROPERTY OR AT THAT HOME OR PARTY OR WHATNOT.
RESTRICTIONS ON LOCATIONS IF IT HAPPENS IN THE WHITE HARDY BOULEVARD MASTER PLAN AREAS, AS WELL AS THEY HAVE TO MEET ALL THE STANDARDS OF THE MZDO AND ANY OTHER ORDINANCES, CITY ORDINANCES THAT WE HAVE OR AGENCIES.
LIKE I'VE MENTIONED, WE WORKED WITH THOSE FROM THE ADJACENT JURISDICTIONS AND REALLY TOOK OUR CUES FROM THERE.
OVERRIDING WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WHEN SOMEBODY COMES IN TO DISCUSS A FOOD TRUCK,
[01:40:01]
WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM A FOOD TRUCK OPERATING AGREEMENT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON THIS, AND IT HAS A LOT MORE DETAILS THAN IS ON THIS LIST, BUT THIS IS A SHORT LIST TO GET THE IDEA ACROSS.NECESSARY APPROVALS FROM DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
BUSINESS LICENSE, HOSPITALITY, TAX, CONFIRMATIONS, ALL OF THAT WILL HAVE TO HAVE CONFIRMATION FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER.
IF THEY WANT TO OPERATE AT NEAR A BUSINESS OR ON A BUSINESS PROPERTY, THEY HAVE TO COME IN AND GIVE US THAT CONFIRMATION.
WE ALREADY DO THAT, BUT THIS GIVES A LITTLE BIT MORE OVERSIGHT AND PLUS FLEXIBILITY.
THEY HAVE TO SHARE PARKING, ACCESS.
THERE'S NO OVERNIGHT OR UNATTENDED VEHICLES, RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN GARBAGE LITTER, RESTROOMS, ACCOMMODATIONS, ZONING PERMITS ARE REQUIRED.
ZONING AND SAFETY REVIEW BY THE FIRE MARSHAL AND WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL AND ZONING HAS TO BE.
THEY CAN BE NO CLOSER THAN 150 FEET FROM AN EXISTING RESTAURANT WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE RESTAURANT.
WHAT WE FOUND IS THERE ARE SOME RESTAURANTS THAT DO WANT TO BRING IN FOOD TRUCKS FROM TIME TO TIME.
THAT THEY CAN HAVE TO HAVE WRITTEN CONSENT IF THEY'RE CLOSER.
IN THE WHITE HARDY BOULEVARD MASTER PLAN AREA, THERE'S THE GATEWAY VISITOR DISTRICT, WHICH IS EXIT 5, AND THEN THE BUSINESS PARK, WHICH IS ABOVE THE POST OFFICE, NORTH OF THE POST OFFICE.
THEN WE'LL SHOW YOU ON THOSE MAPS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, EXIT 5 AREA THAT GOES UP TO JUST 321 AREA IS WHERE THERE WILL BE ALLOWED IN THIS IN THIS DISTRICT OF THE WHITE HARDY BOULEVARD, AND TO THE NORTH, IT'S FROM THE POST OFFICE BACK UP TOWARDS EXIT 8.
THOSE AND I'LL SHOW YOU THAT LAST MAP SHOWS YOU.
THAT ALLOWS US TO HAVE SOME CONTROL AND NOT ALLOW FOOD TRUCKS TO TAKE OVER THAT AREA THAT WE'RE REALLY WORKING HARD ON IN THE BEGINNING OUR INTERSECTION AND WHERE THE HUB AND THAT TYPE OF THING IS.
THEY'RE AVAILABLE IN WALKING DISTANCE TO THOSE PLACES, BUT NOT UP AND DOWN THE INTERSECTION AREA.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TOO THAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES ALLOW MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS ON ONE LOT IF THEY HAVE THE APPROPRIATE SEPARATIONS AND THAT KIND.
IF WE HAVE A FOOD TRUCK RODEO OR THAT TYPE OF THING, IT IS ALLOWED NOW.
IT'S EXCITING TO FINALLY GET AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE THAT WILL WORK.
PLANNING COMMISSION DID WORK HARD ON GETTING US SOME IDEAS, AND WE TOOK SOME OF THEIR IDEAS FROM THAT AND ADDED IT TO THIS AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. LET'S OPEN UP THE QUESTIONS WITH MR. WHITE.
I'M JUST CURIOUS WHEN I THINK OF RESTAURANTS OVER ALL MY YEARS, I HEAR HEALTH DEPARTMENT INTERFACE TOO.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS HOW THAT WORKS WITH THIS IN TERMS OF OVERVIEW OR INTERACTION OR WHATEVER.
IT'S NOW DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
ONCE THEY DID THE WHOLE RECONFIGURATION OF D HECK AND MADE IT DES AND DIFFERENT ARMS, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TOOK OVER THIS PROCESS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME.
>> THEY WILL BE INVOLVED. THEY HAVE OVERSIGHT.
THAT'S WHAT I DIDN'T SEE, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
>> IT'S IN THERE, AND IT'S PART OF THE AGREEMENT.
>> THESE ARE JUST FOOD TRUCKS.
ARE THERE ANY TRUCKS THAT SELL ALCOHOL OUT THERE?
THOSE ARE BASICALLY REGULATED THE SAME, BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO WE TAKE OUR MARCHING ORDERS FROM THE STATE ON ALCOHOL SALES.
>> THERE CANNOT BE A FOOD TRUCK THAT SELLS ALCOHOL ANYWHERE?
>> WHETHER THEY CAN GET A PERMIT FROM THE ALCOHOL AND BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD? WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY INFLUENCE ON THAT.
IT'S NOT TO SAY THAT THEY CAN'T.
I WOULDN'T WANT TO SPEAK IN TERMS OF ABSOLUTES, BUT IF ONE WERE TO GET ONE, IT WOULD ONLY BE BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED THE NECESSARY PERMITS FROM THE STATE REGULATORY AGENCY FOR THAT USE.
>> OTHER THAN THE LIKE MR. WHITE WAS SAYING ABOUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS,
[01:45:02]
BECAUSE THAT'S MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THE LEVEL OF HYGIENE, EXCEEDS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE GOING AND EATING FOOD OFF OF THAT TRUCK, AND THEN WE HAVE A BIG HEALTH HAZARD.>> IT HAVE TO BRING THE DOCUMENTATION TO US FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NOW?
THE STICKERS, I BELIEVE, STILL SAY D HECK.
BUT IT IS THAT INFORMATION, AS WELL AS THE FIRE MARSHAL GOES OUT AND DOES A SAFETY REVIEW AS WELL.
>> HOW OFTEN DOES THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT INSPECT THE KITCHENS?
>> IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ONCE A YEAR AT A MINIMUM, BUT I THINK IT CAN BE MORE FREQUENT THAN THAT. BUT YOU MENTIONED THAT.
IN ORDER TO GET A MOBILE FOOD VENDOR PERMIT FROM THE STATE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PHYSICAL COMMERCIAL KITCHEN THAT THEY WILL COME INSPECT AS WELL THAT YOU'RE OPERATING OUT OF.
>> IT'S NOT LIKE OUT OF YOUR KITCHEN IN YOUR HOME, YOU CAN'T PUT TOGETHER STUFF AND THEN JUST PUT IT ON THE TRUCK AND BRING IT.
>> I HEARD YOU MENTIONED THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE RESTROOM FACILITIES.
>> THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE A PLAN FOR THAT IS WHAT THE ORDINANCE SAYS.
>> THE OTHER QUESTION IS AS YOU SAID RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
MARGARITAVILLE. QUITE OFTEN [INAUDIBLE] WILL THAT STILL BE ALLOWED?
>> ABSOLUTELY. THERE ARE REGULATIONS, BUT IT'S NOT FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME IN AND GO INTO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT HAS TO BE FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INVITED TO THAT EVENT.
>> YES. THEY COME AND GET A PERMIT.
>> THEY HAVE A PERMIT FOR EACH TIME [INAUDIBLE].
>> WE WOULD ESSENTIALLY TREAT IT AS A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT.
>> YOUR QUESTION IS EXACTLY WHY WE EXPLORED AMENDING THIS ORDINANCE BECAUSE OUR ORDINANCE DID NOT ALLOW THOSE NEIGHBORHOOD POOL SIDE OR BLOCK PARTY PERMITS.
BUT WE HAD BEEN TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE IT BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS RISING IN POPULARITY.
WHAT WE DO IS THEY CAN GET WHAT'S CALLED A SEASONAL FOOD TRUCK PERMIT.
THAT MEANS THAT THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR EACH LOCATION THEY GO TO, IF IT'S NOT, LIKE A SPECIFIC LOT, LIKE DOWNTOWN, A COMMERCIAL LOT.
THEN IF IT'S IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY'LL HAVE TO PROVIDE A SITE PLAN AND A LOCATION AND HAVE THEIR UP TO DATE INSPECTIONS.
THEY HAVE TO PROVE TO US THAT THEY HAVE THAT UP TO DATE INSPECTION FOR EACH TIME THEY GO.
THEY'LL EMAIL OUR ZONING SPECIALIST, ASHLEY, AND THEY'LL GIVE THE DATE AND TIMES AND THE LOCATION WITH A SAFETY PLAN, AND WE'LL REVIEW IT.
>> I'M SUGGESTING THAT THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE PROBABLY CONVEYED TO THE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES OF THESE DIFFERENT GATED COMMUNITIES BECAUSE IT'S QUITE INCLUSIVE OVER WHAT HAS BEEN OUT THERE.
IT HAPPENS QUITE A BIT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S DONE RIGHT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THOSE PEOPLE BANGING ON MY DOOR, MAD THAT THE FOOD TRUCK CAN'T COME IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD ANYMORE.
>> WE WILL DEFINITELY WORK ON GETTING THE ORDER.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE WITH THIS.
IT CAME UP, WE'VE SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF FOOD TRUCKS, WHERE THEY WERE BEFORE, NOW THEY'RE THERE.
THEY HAVE GREAT FOOD AND WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT.
I HOPE THE DAY WILL COME WHEN WE COULD HAVE A FOOD TRUCK PARK WHERE FOUR, FIVE, SIX OF THEM COULD BE ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS.
THAT ALONE COULD BRING PEOPLE OFF THE INTERSTATE. WE HAVE A DOG PARK.
WELL, WE HAVE A HARDEEVILLE FOOD TRUCK PARK.
COME STOP AND SEE THAT. THAT'S ALL.
>> I HAD ONE QUESTION LAST MEETING, AND I THINK YOU'VE ANSWERED IT.
I ASKED ABOUT CONFINING THE AREA AND NOT JUST MAKING IT THE WHOLE CARTER.
IT'S EXIT 5-321, AND THE POST OFFICE TO EXIT EIGHT.
>> YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE THE BLACK LINES ON THERE, BUT THE GATEWAYS VISITOR DISTRICT IS MEASURED.
THEN TO THE NORTH, IT STARTS RIGHT AT THE POST OFFICE AND GOES UP RIGHT ABOVE THE POST OFFICES.
>> WHICH IS INTERESTING BECAUSE ON RICK PATEL'S PROPERTY, THERE WAS A FOOD TRUCK.
>> WE WILL WORK ON THAT ONE CERTAINLY IS GRANDFATHERED AT THIS POINT, AND WE WILL KEEP WORKING WITH THAT.
[01:50:02]
>> I CONCUR WITH MR. MEERSMAN AND I DO A FOOD TRUCK PARK, AS OPPOSED TO HAVING THEM DOTTED ALL OVER THE PLACE, BUT I THINK THIS IS A NICE STEP.
NOW, I ALSO MADE A NOTE WHEN IT CAME UP.
I'VE SEEN SPECIAL EVENTS LIKE FESTIVAL IN MAINE.
A BEER TRUCK IS POSSIBLE AT THOSE EVENTS IF THEY GET APPROVAL A PERMIT FROM THE STATE?
>> BECAUSE I KNOW WE'VE HAD THEM OR I'VE SEEN THEM IN THE PAST. THAT'S ALL FOR ME.
THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE PUBLIC TO HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, IF YOU'D LIKE.
SEEING NONE, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-07-10A.
>> MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO PASS ON SECOND READING, ORDINANCE 2025-07-10A.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
NOW WE GO ON TO NEW BUSINESS, AND I BELIEVE THE NEXT TWO ARE RELATED TO EACH OTHER.
THE FIRST ONE IS AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX INTO THE CITY, 1.69 ACRES OF REAL ESTATE.
ALL ADJACENT PUBLIC RIGHTS AWAY, RAILROAD RIGHTS AWAY, ETC.
THIS IS OFF BRICKYARD ROAD, AND THIS IS 2025-08-07.
THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS ALSO REFERENCES, SO WE WILL LOOK AT THE OVERALL PICTURE FOR BOTH ORDINANCES AND ACCEPT QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FOR BOTH. MR. GRUBER.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK YOU'VE COVERED EVERYTHING THAT I WOULD HAVE SAID ABOUT IT.
I'LL JUST TURN IT STRAIGHT OVER TO KATIE.
>> GOOD EVENING. WE HAVE A ZONING MAP AMENDMENT AND ANNEXATION BEFORE YOU.
>> THE PROPERTY IS 1.69 ACRES.
IT'S LOCATED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF JOHN SMITH ROAD AND INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD, 278.
CURRENTLY, THE PROPERTY IS ZONED SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL IN UNINCORPORATED JASPER COUNTY.
THE PROPOSED ZONING IS GENERAL COMMERCIAL IN THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE.
THE PROPERTY IS OUTLINED IN YELLOW HERE.
AGAIN, JOHN SMITH ROAD, BRICKYARD ROAD, 278 HERE.
THIS IS THE GEORGIA SKIN CANCER CLINIC, AND THIS IS FOUR CORNERS BUILDING SUPPLY.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN THIS IMAGE HERE, THIS IS SHOWING THAT THE PROPERTY IS COMPLETELY SURROUNDED, SO IT'S A TRUE DOUGHNUT HOLE HERE SURROUNDED BY GENERAL COMMERCIAL, IN THIS PART OF WEST ARGENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IS ALSO A COMMERCIAL ZONE.
IT IS COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY GENERAL COMMERCIAL TYPE USES.
IT'S UNDEVELOPED AT THIS TIME.
THAT'S JUST A VIEW FROM BRICKYARD ROAD THERE.
AS I SAID, IT IS COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY COMMERCIAL ZONING.
THE ANNEXATION REQUEST IS CONSISTENT IN FILLING IN THE DOUGHNUT HOLE, INCREASING COMPACTNESS, AND INCREASED CONTIGUITY.
THE APPLICANT ALSO OWNS ADJACENT PARCELS WHICH ARE ALREADY INCORPORATED INTO THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, SO INCORPORATION OF THIS PARCEL WILL IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE ADJACENT PARCELS.
THIS ONE IN FRONT OF PLANNING COMMISSION LAST MONTH AND THEY'RE IN FRONT OF YOU FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
PLANNING COMMISSION DID RECOMMEND APPROVAL AS PRESENTED.
AT THIS TIME, I WILL INTRODUCE CONNOR BLANEY FROM WARD EDWARDS TO ADD ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO ADD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
HONOR BLANEY WITH WARD EDWARDS.
THANK YOU ALL, AND THANK YOU, KATIE, FOR THE GREAT PRESENTATION.
HONESTLY, I THINK THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION, AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
AS KATIE MENTIONED, THE ADJACENT BOTH PARCELS TO THE EAST IS THE SAME OWNER FOR HIM TO ACCESS THOSE PARCELS.
HE HAS TO CROSS THROUGH A DIFFERENT JURISDICTION.
THIS REALLY CLEANS IT UP AND PROVIDES REALLY CONSISTENT OVERSIGHT THROUGH THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. THIS MAY NOT BE MAYBE A LITTLE TOUGHER THAN THE FIRST ONE WE HAD TODAY.
BUT IN SPITE OF THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MR. MEERSMAN.
[01:55:03]
>> IT'S A SMALL PIECE OF PROPERTY.
IT CONNECTS TO PROPERTY ALREADY OWNED BY THE APPLICANT.
IT'S EVERYTHING ELSE AROUND IT IS GENERAL COMMERCIAL.
THIS IS WHAT OUR PLANS ARE TO BRING THESE DOUGHNUT HOLES BACK IN.
WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE OF THEM. I SAY GO FOR IT.
I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT THEY DO WANT TO COME IN WITH IT.
THERE'S NO PLANS FOR IT RIGHT NOW, BUT THERE WILL BE IN THE FUTURE, I'M SURE. THAT'S ALL.
>> THE ONE PHRASE I LIKE THAT YOU SAID WAS CONSISTENT OVERSIGHT, I THINK, IS VERY IMPORTANT.
>> I UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCEPT IN CLOSING THE DOUGHNUT HOLE, AND OF COURSE, THAT'S IN OUR GROWTH BOUNDARIES, AND WE'D LIKE TO CLOSE THEM UP.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF POSSIBLE, WHAT'S THE OVERALL PLAN FOR THAT AREA? THERE'S A REASON BECAUSE I KNOW NOW, BY ANNEXING IN, IT CREATES A BIGGER COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
BUT ALSO WE'RE AT AN AREA THAT HAS SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC.
WE'LL GO INTO 278, WHERE SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC.
I WOULD LIKE NOT THAT IT DETERMINES MY DECISION HERE, BUT I WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE FROM FIVE YEARS, 10 YEARS IN THAT AREA.
>> GREAT QUESTION. I'M HAPPY TO SHARE.
THE OWNERS MDR INVESTMENTS, THAT OWNERSHIP BEHIND THAT IS REALLY CARTER VETERINARIAN SERVICES.
THEY'RE A LOCAL BUSINESS, SMALL BUSINESS.
IF YOU HAVE A LARGE ANIMAL THAT GETS INJURED, 90% OF CITY OF HARDEEVILLE OR GREATER JASPER COUNTY WOULD CALL CARTER VET.
THEY SEE THE EQUINE, MAINLY HORSES IN THIS AREA.
BUT THEY ARE A AMBULATORY SERVICING CENTER, WHICH MEANS IF YOUR HORSE GETS INJURED, THEY COME TO YOU.
IF IT NEEDS SERVICES BEYOND THAT, THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT SERVICES LIKE UGA.
I THINK AIKEN MIGHT HAVE SOME SERVICES WHERE YOU COULD DO AMBULATORY SURGERIES, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, BUT THERE'S NOTHING VERY LOCAL.
ESSENTIALLY, THE OWNER WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE AN EQUINE VETERINARIAN HOSPITAL ON THE LOWER RIGHT PARCEL.
TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT, THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY TO TRY TO ANNEX THIS IN AND PROVIDE CONSISTENT OVERSIGHT FOR THE ACCESS.
THAT PROPOSED USE IS A VERY LOW VOLUME, LOW TRAFFIC, LOW DENSITY USE.
>> I'M GLAD I ASKED [LAUGHTER] I'LL NOW OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC.
MR. EDS IN THE GROUP, IF HE WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME.
SEEING NONE, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES.
THIS IS FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-08-07A.
>> MR. MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2025-08-07A.
>> 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, A CALL FOR A VOICE PHONE ON THIS.
>> NOW, RELATED TO THAT, IS A REZONING FROM SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL IN JASPER COUNTY TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL IN THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE.
THIS IS ORDINANCE 2025-08-07B.
MR. GRUBER, DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS REGARDING THIS?
>> NO, SIR. OTHER THAN THESE TWO ITEMS ARE LINKED TOGETHER, SO BRINGING IT INTO THE CITY MEANS THAT WE DO NEED TO ASSIGN ZONING TO IT, AND THIS IS THE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ASSIGN SUCH ZONING.
>> MR. MEERSMAN, DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?
>> NO. SINCE THIS IS NOT A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR FROM THE LAST ONE. I CAN'T HELP IT.
[02:00:02]
IT ALL FALLS IN LINE AND I REALLY THINK WHEN THIS ALL COMES ABOUT, THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT ASSET HARDEEVILLE.>> THERE'S NO NAME ON THIS ONE.
>> I'M SORRY, MAYOR, BUT AFTER THE FIRST ONE TONIGHT, A LITTLE LEVITY.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT? IT'S A WELCOME RELIEF.
MR. WHITE, DO YOU HAVE ANY HORSE ANALOGIES THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
>> JUST SOME ADVICE FOR THOSE TWO DON'T QUIT THEIR DAYTIME JOBS.
NO, I THINK IT'S A REAL IMPORTANT ADDITION. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD AFTER ALL THOSE COMMENTS.
I THINK IT'S TIME TO GET ON THE MOUNTAIN AND RIDE THIS FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU, TADA. THE HOME [INAUDIBLE] HERE.
>> DOES ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY HORSE JOKES THAT THEY'D LIKE TO COME UP AND SHARE? SEEING NONE, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES.
THIS IS ORDINANCE 2025-08-07(B).
>> MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO PASS ON THE FIRST READING, MOTION 2025-08-7(B).
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BY COUNSEL OR THE PUBLIC? SEEING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS, SO IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> THE SECOND READING ON BOTH OF THOSE WILL BE IN TWO WEEKS.
NEXT, WE HAVE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROHIBIT TOBACCO USE, INCLUDING SMOKING AND VAPING ON ALL CITY OWNED PROPERTY VEHICLES, PARKS, AND WITHIN 100 FOOT RADIUS OF SUCH PROPERTY.
PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS, ENFORCEMENT, PENALTIES, AND EXCEPTIONS, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT WHEN I FIRST JOINED THIS ORGANIZATION, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO ESTABLISH WAS VERY OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION WITH STAFF SO THAT THEY COULD TELL US THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING WELL, THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE UPON OR ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS THAT THEY MAY HAVE.
AS A RESULT OF OPENING UP THOSE LINES OF COMMUNICATION, THIS WAS A REQUEST THAT CAME IN FROM STAFF.
PRIMARILY, IT WAS CENTERED AROUND CONCERNS THAT EITHER STAFF MEMBERS OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, IF THEY WERE ENTERING INTO A PUBLIC BUILDING, MAY HAVE TO PASS PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE SMOKING AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING TO BE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.
WE LOOKED AT OUR LOCAL REGULATIONS.
THE PROHIBITION ABOUT USING TOBACCO PRODUCTS INDOORS HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR SOME TIME NOW, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING WITH REGARDS TO USING TOBACCO PRODUCTS OUTSIDE OF OUR FACILITIES.
THAT IS WHAT THIS ORDINANCE WOULD DO, IS IT WOULD LIMIT THE ABILITY TO USE TOBACCO PRODUCTS AS EXPRESSED IN THE TITLE HERE.PRIMARILY WITHIN ALL OF OUR PARKS, WITHIN ALL OF OUR BUILDINGS, WITHIN ALL OF OUR VEHICLES, AND THEN ANYWHERE WITHIN 100 FEET OF AN ENTRANCE TO ONE OF OUR FACILITIES.
AGAIN, THIS IS RESPONDING TO SOME SUGGESTIONS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM STAFF, AND I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF BRINGING IT FORWARD TO YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU. LET'S OPEN UP TO QUESTIONING AND START WITH MR. WHITE THIS TIME.
>> MY QUESTION WOULD BE WITH THIS: DOES THESE CONDITIONS AND SUGGESTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS GET BUILT INTO THE HUMAN RESOURCE BOOKLET.
WHERE PEOPLE ARE GIVEN THAT, AND THAT'S PART OF THE WHEN THEY'RE COMING ON BOARD, THEY HAVE A LIST OF THINGS THEY AGREE TO.
I THINK THIS WOULD BE VERY IMPORTANT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THAT AS TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT.
THEN I GUESS THE OTHER THING AND I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT YOU DON'T NEED TO ANSWER, BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T FOLLOW THIS?
>> NO, THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THIS, SO I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.
FROM A STAFF STANDPOINT, YES, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ROLL INTO OUR PERSONNEL HANDBOOK, OR IF THIS IS ULTIMATELY ADOPTED BY COUNSEL, IT JUST BECOMES THE LAW IN WHICH I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING IT AS IT APPLIES TO STAFF.
WHAT THIS HELPS TO PROVIDE IS, IF IT'S A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO'S NOT A STAFF MEMBER,
[02:05:01]
WE CAN LET THEM KNOW, HEY, I'M SORRY, BUT YOU CANNOT USE TOBACCO PRODUCTS HERE, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED.IT'S NOT ALLOWED ACTION UNDERNEATH OUR CODE.
THEN WHEN IT COMES TO ENFORCEMENT, BECAUSE THIS IS A REGULATORY PROVISION, THERE ARE PENALTIES THAT ARE ASSESSED WITH IT.
I BELIEVE IT'S A GRADUATED SCALE.
THE VERY FIRST STEP, AND MOST OF THE TIME IF WE HAVE A SITUATION COME UP, IT'S NOT GOING TO GO BEYOND THAT FIRST STEP.
BUT THE FIRST STEP IS JUST A VERBAL WARNING OF, HEY, YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE, BUT YOU CAN'T DO THAT HERE.
MOST OF THE TIME FOLKS WILL COMPLY WITH THAT.
IT ALSO ALLOWS US THE ABILITY TO PUT UP SOME SIGNAGE SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO MAKE FOLKS AWARE OF THAT ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT HAVING TO INTERVENE.
BUT IT DOES GIVE US A MECHANISM THAT IF YOU HAVE REPEATED VIOLATIONS, THEN IT COULD BE ESCALATED TO SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD RECEIVE SOME CITATION FOR.
>> THANK YOU. MR. WHITE ANY MORE?
>> THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE PUBLIC AS WELL?
>> IT DOES. IT WOULD APPLY TO ANYBODY IF YOU'RE ON ANY OF OUR PROPERTY.
>> THAT'S THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD.
>> THE 100 FOOT RADIUS, HOW WAS THAT COME ABOUT? WAS THAT SOMETHING THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES USE OR?
>> I WOULDN'T SAY THAT IT'S A STANDARD, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE REASONABLE.
WE DO HAVE STAFF MEMBERS THAT ARE TOBACCO USERS, AND SO WE WERE TRYING TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THAT IF YOU DO WANT TO UTILIZE IT, WE WILL ALLOW FOR IT.
BUT WE WANT TO CREATE A CORRIDOR THAT IS WIDE ENOUGH THAT IF WE HAVE STAFF OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT ARE COMING IN AND OUT OF FACILITIES, WE DON'T WANT THEM TO BE SUBJECTED TO THAT SECOND HAND SMOKE OR OTHER ISSUES INVOLVING THE TOBACCO USE.
THE HUNDRED FOOT IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE, BUT WE THINK IT'S REASONABLE TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
>> I WAS A FORMER SMOKER, AND MY BUSINESS ALLOWED SMOKING FOR YEARS.
I HAD A MOTHER THAT SMOKED FOUR PACKS A DAY FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE.
BUT WHEN I'M READING THIS, WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT OUR PARKS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THEN WE GET INTO AN ENFORCEMENT.
COULD BE ENFORCEMENT ISSUES ON THAT.
THE 100 FEET RADIUS OF ANY CITY OWNED PROPERTY, IT'S NOT JUST OUR PARK HERE AND BACK.
WE HAVE THINGS GOING ON DOWN THERE.
IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT A DESIGNATED SMOKING AREA WHERE THESE ARE? BECAUSE IF WE JUST SAY WITHIN 100 FEET WE'RE GOING TO CAUSE PROBLEMS. LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, UNLESS YOU DO HAVE AN AREA, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO COMPLAIN AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FIGHT.
I'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN. WE ARE GOING TO CREATE THESE AREAS WITHIN OUR PARKS AND OTHER THINGS TOO.
>> YES, SIR. WE WOULDN'T WANT FOLKS TO TRY TO GUESS, AM I AT 98 FEET OR AM I AT 100 FEET? WE WOULD PREPARE SOME AREAS TO SAY, IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT, HERE'S WHERE YOU NEED TO DO IT.
THAT IS AN OPTION IF WE GO FORWARD WITH THIS.
THERE'S ALSO THE OPTION THAT IF WE WANTED TO, TO JUST SAY, WE WANT OUR CAMPUS TO BE TOBACCO FREE.
IF YOU SAY, HEY, WE JUST DON'T THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE ANY SMOKING AREAS DESIGNATED HERE, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT AS WELL.
I KNOW THE HOSPITAL COMPLEXES, THE SCHOOL COMPLEXES.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE DONE SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS.
WE'RE JUST LOOKING AT IT AT THIS POINT OF STRIKING A BALANCE THAT THIS WOULD STILL ALLOW STAFF MEMBERS OR THE PUBLIC WHO DO UTILIZE TOBACCO TO HAVE A PLACE TO DO IT.
WE WOULD TELL THEM THIS IS THE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO IMPACT VISITORS OR OTHER STAFF MEMBERS.
>> GENERATIONAL GOING FORWARD IS FEWER AND FEWER SMOKERS.
CHEWERS, VAPING IS ON THE UPTICK RIGHT NOW.
BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO CRIPPLE OURSELVES.
WE LIVE IN THE SOUTH, WHERE PEOPLE STILL DO SMOKE AND THEY STILL DO CHEW.
THAT MIGHT NOT BE AROUND FOREVER, BUT AS LONG AS WE ARE CONSCIOUS THAT THOSE PEOPLE ARE STILL OUT THERE AND LIVE WITHIN OUR CITY. I'M OKAY WITH THIS.
>> I'M A FORMER TOBACCO USER MYSELF, AND I DON'T MISS IT, ALTHOUGH IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET RID OF THE HABIT.
I THINK BEING THE WORLD WE'RE IN AND WE ALL KNOW THE DANGERS IN THAT, HAVING A SMOKE FREE CAMPUS, I THINK IS A GOOD THING.
THERE MAY BE SOME STAFF MEMBERS WHO DISAGREE WITH ME, AND I MAY BE LOOKING AT ONE.
BUT KEEP YOUR EYE ON HIM, CHIEF.
[02:10:04]
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OVERALL COMMUNITY.I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO DOES SMOKE, QUIT.
I'VE BEEN DOWN THE ROAD, AND IT'S NOT EASY.
BUT I'M A LOT HEALTHIER, PROBABLY ALIVE TODAY BECAUSE I QUIT A LONG TIME AGO.
BUT EVERYBODY MAKES THEIR OWN CHOICES, AND MY CHOICE WILL BE TO SUPPORT THIS.AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC.
ANY SMOKERS OUT THERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD AND DISPUTE OUR ACTIONS.
PLEASE COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME.
SEEING NONE, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE OR MAKE ANY CHANGES.
THIS IS FIRST READING OF THE TOBACCO ORDINANCE 2025-08-07(C).
>> A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE ON FIRST READING 2025-08-07(C).
>> 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.
>> I HAVE ONE QUESTION, IF I MAY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HOPE DOESN'T HAPPEN IS AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF THIS.
I'VE READ ABOUT IT, AND I'VE SEEN IT BEFORE WHERE PEOPLE KEEP TALLIES OF HOW MANY SMOKE BREAKS SOMEBODY HAS.
THEN THERE BECOMES, IF YOU'RE OVER FOUR OR YOU'RE OVER FIVE OR SOMETHING, AND IT CREATES A AN UNDERGIRDING OF ALL THIS.
I JUST THINK WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THAT POSSIBLE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES BEFOREHAND BECAUSE THAT'S A TOUGH THING FOR YOU TO SUDDENLY HAVE TO DETERMINE, JOSH, IS FIVE, TOO MANY IN A DAY, ETC.
I'D JUST LIKE TO THROW THAT POSSIBLE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE THAT I'VE READ ABOUT AND SEEN HAPPEN.
>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU. WE ARE AWARE OF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON BECAUSE IT COMES DOWN TO MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE PUTTING IN AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF TIME, AND THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE SOMEBODY'S PUTTING IN LESS.
>> GOOD QUESTION, THOUGH. NICE COMMENT.
BEFORE I CALL FOR A VOTE, ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
>> NEXT. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF THE EAST ARGENT MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA, BY APPROVING THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENT REPORT.
UPDATING THE ASSESSMENT ROLE AND AUTHORIZING THE DELIVERY OF THE VARIOUS ASSESSMENTS TO JASPER COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERE TOO.
THIS IS RESOLUTION 2025-08-07(D).
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. WE HAVE SAVED THE EASIEST ITEM FOR LAST.
THIS IS PART OF THE EAST ARGENT MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.
AS A HOUSEKEEPING MATTER, YOU'RE REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE ASSESSMENT ROLE, AND ESSENTIALLY, THEN WE TRANSMIT THE APPROVED ASSESSMENT ROLE TO THE COUNTY.
THE COUNTY THEN GOES AHEAD AND PUTS THE ASSESSMENT VALUES ONTO THE TAX BILLS AND COLLECTS THOSE ON OUR BEHALF.
THEN REMITS THOSE FIGURES BACK SO THAT THE MID PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE.
THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO WITH REGARDS TO THE NUMBERS.
THE MATH HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY OUR OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS THAT WE HIRE FOR THAT PURPOSE.
THIS IS AN ITEM FOR YOU TO APPROVE AS A MATTER OF COURSE IN THE MID LIFE CYCLE.
>> THANK YOU. LET'S OPEN IT UP THE QUESTIONS STARTING WITH MR. MEERSMAN.
>> I GUESS THIS IS THE EASIEST ONE WE HAVE BECAUSE I HAVE NO QUESTIONS EITHER.
AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RESOLUTION? SEEING NONE, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO RESOLUTION 2025-08-07(D).
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
[02:15:01]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> NOW WE GO ONTO THE MANAGER'S REPORT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] DID THE ACTUAL MOTION [INAUDIBLE] MOTION.
>> I GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. NO. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.
YOU MAY WANT TO GO TAKE A CIGARETTE BREAK.
>> THANK YOU FOR KEEPING AN EYE OUT ON US BECAUSE GOD KNOWS WE NEED IT.
>> MAYOR, SO I'VE GOT THREE ITEMS THIS EVENING.
THE FIRST IS, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE AS ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS, MR. KYLE BLACKMON.
HE IS ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS IN OUR BUILDING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND HE RECENTLY RECEIVED HIS COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL INSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
THAT PROBABLY DOESN'T MEAN A WHOLE LOT TO MOST OF US, BUT IF YOU'RE IN THAT BUSINESS, THAT IS ONE OF THE HARDEST CERTIFICATES TO GET.
WE WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HIM FOR DOING THAT BECAUSE THAT INCREASES OUR ABILITY TO DO THOSE TYPES OF INSPECTIONS WITHOUT HAVING TO GO OUT TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES.
VERY EXCITED FOR HIM TO GET THAT CERTIFICATION.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT THE PRECONSTRUCTION MEETING FOR THE I-95 WIDENING PROJECT WAS HELD EARLIER TODAY.
A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE, ALL THE CONTRACTORS, ALL THE VENDORS, ALL THE SUBCONTRACTORS CAME TO THE HARDEEVILLE REC CENTER.
I THINK WE HAD, PROBABLY CLOSE TO 80 OR 90 PEOPLE VERY EASILY AS PART OF THIS DEVELOPMENT TEAM BECAUSE OF HOW BIG THIS PROJECT IS.
BUT EXCITED TO SEE THAT START MOVING.
IT'S A VERY COMPLEX PROJECT, AND UNDER A VERY TIGHT TIMELINE.
BUT I THINK THEY HAD ALL THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE ROOM TODAY TO START THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
THEN LASTLY, I'VE ASKED CARLA VINCENT TO GIVE US A QUICK UPDATE ON HER EFFORTS AT MOVING FORWARD THE 278 AND JOHN SMITH ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
CARLA, I'LL HAND IT OVER TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
>> I JUST HAVE A QUICK PRESENTATION.
BACK IN EARLY JUNE, I SENT OUT THIS IS THE COVER SHEET OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN ON THE US 278 AND JOHN SMITH ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS.
REAL QUICK. BASICALLY, I ASKED FOR THE CONSULTANTS TO GO THROUGH AND PROVIDE THEIR SCOPING.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE EXISTING CONDITION.
THERE'S A CONCEPTUAL WHAT WILL BE THERE, FULL SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION WITH MULTIPLE TURN LANES.
WE'RE BASICALLY ALMOST READY TO KICK OFF THE DESIGN.
THEN THE LAST SLIDE IS I REQUESTED FOUR PROPOSALS FROM DESIGN FIRMS. ONE OPTED TO NOT RESPOND FOR STAFFING REASONS.
WE RECEIVED THREE, WE SCORED THEM.
I'VE GOT A SUMMARY OF THE SCORES DOWN HERE IN THE BOTTOM.
WE GOT REALLY GOOD PROPOSALS BACK.
IT BASICALLY CAME DOWN TO THE PRICE FOR THE DESIGN.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND MOVING FORWARD WITH A CONTRACT WITH STANTEC FOR DESIGN PERMITTING AND BID ASSISTANT SERVICES FOR $76,900.
>> MAYOR, NORMALLY, WE'RE COMING TO YOU AND TALKING ABOUT PROJECTS THAT ARE COMING IN OVER BUDGET. MOST RECENTLY.
THIS IS ACTUALLY ONE WHERE WE'RE GETTING REALLY GOOD SERVICES BELOW OUR ESTIMATED COST.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
WITH THE DOLLAR VALUE BEING LESS THAN $100,000, THAT'S WITHIN MY AUTHORITY.
WE'VE GOT A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PROJECT, SO YOU DON'T NEED TO VOTE ON IT, BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON, WHERE WE'RE AT IN THE PROCESS, AND THEN WE CAN HELP KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED AS THIS MOVES FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS FOR JOSHUA ON THIS OR CARLA?
>> WE USE STANTEC MANY TIMES BEFORE, SO WE KNOW THEIR WORK.
>> I LIKE THE PRICE EVEN BETTER.
>> I DID SPEAK TO JOSH BEFORE, AND MAYBE WE WANT TO RESUGGEST THAT THAT MIDDLE COMPANY USE A DIFFERENT ACRONYM.
>> I'LL SPELL IT OUT NEXT TIME.
[02:20:01]
>> WE NOW GO TO COUNCIL COMMENTS, AND I'M GOING TO GO REVERSE ALPHABETICAL ORDER AND START WITH MR. WHITE.
>> MY COMMENT IS MORE AT MAYBE THE 30,000 FOOT VIEW.
I THINK IT'S VERY HELPFUL, MAYOR, AND TO YOU, ALSO, JOSH.
I THINK TO OUR COUNCIL, TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW SOMETIMES THAT WE'RE DECIDING THINGS THAT AREN'T IF WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, BUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT.
I THINK THAT BEFORE I GOT INVOLVED, I NEVER UNDERSTOOD THE IFS AND THE HOWS.
I THINK WE'VE DONE A NICE JOB.
I WANT TO COMPLIMENT, MR. MAYOR AND JOSH, YOURSELF, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THAT TO TAKE SOME OF THE POSSIBLY EVEN HOSTILENESS THAT CAN COME OUT OF THESE KINDS OF THINGS, BUT CERTAINLY STRONG FEELINGS, AND I THINK THAT DISTINCTION IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND I JUST WANT TO COMPLIMENT US AS A GROUP FOR DOING IT AND YOU AND HARRY, IN PARTICULAR.
>> TONIGHT WAS A CULMINATION OF PROBABLY SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL, THE MOST DIFFICULT AND PROBABLY THE MOST EMOTIONAL PROJECT THAT WE HAVE COME ACROSS.
WE ASKED FROM OUR VERY FIRST MEETING, WE PUT THE IMPETUS ON DOING WHAT'S RIGHT WITH WHAT WE HAD TO WORK WITH.
I DO BELIEVE THE DEVELOPER GAVE A LITTLE.
WE GAVE A LITTLE. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AT THAT.
IF WE WALK AWAY WITH EACH SIDE BEING SOME HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME OF, THAT'S A WIN WIN, BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY'S COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH IT, SOMEBODY ELSE IS GOING TO BE UNHAPPY WITH IT.
I THINK WE REACH THAT MIDDLE GROUND TONIGHT.
I THINK AS A PROJECT MOVES ALONG, I REALLY HOPE THE FOLKS ALONG CHURCH ROAD IN THAT AREA WILL SEE A BETTER PRODUCT THAN WHAT THEY COULD EVEN ENVISION, CAUSE I SURE DO.
THERE AGAIN, 20 YEARS FROM NOW, I HOPE THE COUNCIL THAT'S SITTING HERE SAYS, BOY, THEY DID A GOOD JOB WITH THAT.
>> I'M JUST VERY HAPPY TO GET THE INVITATION TO THE I-95 GROUNDBREAKING.
I THINK IT'S A LONG TIME COMING.
MANY OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE US, PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS, AND I THINK IT'S PROBABLY VERY SATISFYING.
MR. MAYOR, I'M SURE, FOR YOURSELF AS WELL, ALL THE WORK THAT WENT INTO THIS, AND NOW YOU'RE SEEING THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT AND I'M JUST EXCITED TO SEE THE SHOVEL GOING INTO THE GROUND. THAT'S IT.
>> YES, IT'S CERTAINLY BEEN A PROCESS, HASN'T IT? SOME REAL QUICK ITEMS. ON THE 28TH, WE WENT TO MARGARITAVILLE AND THANKS TO MR. MEERSMAN FOR SETTING THAT UP.
I REALLY LIKE THAT TOWN HALL FORMAT, THE QUESTION AND ANSWERING.
RATHER THAN JUST GIVE POWERPOINTS, THIS WAS REALLY INTERACTIVE, AND I LIKE THAT.
LAST WEEK, ON THE 29TH, THE 30TH, AND THE 31ST, AND ACTUALLY THE FIRST AS WELL.
WE HAD THE FILL THE BUS PROGRAM.
THE AMOUNT OF GOODS THAT WERE DONATED WERE UNBELIEVE BY FAR THE BIGGEST YEAR YET.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE DONORS.
WE HAD DOZENS OF VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SET PARKS AND REC, AGAIN JUST SHOWED HOW SPECIAL THEY ARE.
THE PUBLIC WORKS GUYS, IT WAS SO HOT, AND THEY WERE OUT THERE LUGGING ALL THIS STUFF BACK AND FORTH.
OF COURSE, MEDIA PUT TOGETHER SOME REALLY GREAT VIDEOS OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT WEEK.
THE 30TH, WE WENT TO ROYAL LIVE OAKS AND HARDEEVILLE, ELEMENTARY, DROPPED OFF TONS OF STUFF.
THE 31ST, MS. KRIS CHASE OF HARDEEVILLE, ORGANIZED 11 NEIGHBORHOODS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY IN SUN CITY, AND AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF DONATIONS WERE GIVEN FROM THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS, AND THEY WENT DIRECTLY TO RIDGELAND ELEMENTARY.
[02:25:02]
I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR BEAUFORT COUNTY NEIGHBORS AND MRS. KRIS CHASE FOR ORGANIZING THAT AND HELPING OUT OUR NEIGHBORS TO THE NORTH IN RIDGELAND AS WELL.ON THE 29TH, I WENT TO COASTAL STATE BANK RIBBON CUTTING IN OKATIE.
AS I SAID THERE, WHATEVER OKATIE IS.
THAT'S A REALLY NICE LOOKING BANK.
A LOT DIFFERENT THAN THE OLD DAYS.
I WORKED WITH CHIEF BEKEMEYER AND CHIEF CHILDS AND CHIEF CAMP, AND AND CHIEF RA, AND THEY GAVE ME QUITE AN EDUCATION ABOUT MODERN FIREFIGHTING.
YOU'LL SEE THE I SENT IT ALREADY TO THE COUNCIL, BUT THAT WILL BE COMING OUT IN MY MONTHLY MAYOR'S MEMO IN THE JASPER SUN TIMES.
I WANT TO THANK THEM. THEY PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO EDUCATING ME.
JOSH, I THINK WHAT I'D LEARNED AND THERE WAS SO MANY THINGS I DIDN'T REALIZE, I THINK IT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD THING TO HAVE THEM PRESENT THAT INFORMATION TO COUNCIL.
I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD BENEFIT FROM THAT.
WE ON FRIDAY, LAST FRIDAY, WE HAD A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER SPEAK TO SUN CITY AT FIRST FRIDAY.
AS WE ALL KNOW NOW, WE SENT A LETTER OF SUPPORT, THE CITY OF HARDEEVILLE, THE TOWN OF RIDGELAND AND JASPER COUNTY COUNCIL.
ALL 15 OF US SIGNED OFF AND SENT THE LETTER TO SECRETARY WEAVER AND THE BOARD CHAIRMAN.
I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL OF RIDGELAND AND JASPER COUNTY FOR US WORKING TOGETHER AS A UNITED COUNTY IN SUPPORTING SOMETHING WE ALL BELIEVED IN.
I HAD A VERY LONG SESSION WITH UNITED WAY HAS BEEN DOING THIS, CALLED A WORKSHOP SINCE MARCH.
BEEN A LOT OF SESSIONS, A LOT OF HOURS, AND THE FINAL FIVE HOURS WERE THE OTHER DAY ON THE FIFTH.
I HAVE IT, IF THE COUNCILS INTERESTED IN IT.
THERE'S A REPORT CALLED ALICE, AND THIS IS ASSET LIMITED INCOME CONSTRAINED EMPLOYED HOUSEHOLDS.
THAT'S BASICALLY THIS SERIES OF WORKSHOPS IS AIMED AT WHAT DO WE DO TO HELP THOSE IN POVERTY? WE HEARD THAT THE MEDIAN INCOME ACTUALLY IS 63,500 IN JASPER, AND THAT'S MAINLY BECAUSE OF A LOT OF THE NEW PEOPLE HERE, BUT SIGNIFICANT HOUSEHOLDS IN POVERTY IS STILL 20% IN JASPER COUNTY.
THE ALICE HOUSEHOLDS, THE ONE THAT INCOME CONSTRAINED, IS 26% IN JASPER COUNTY. COUNCIL, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE REPORTS, I DO HAVE THEM.
JUST LET ME KNOW, CINDY MAKE COPIES.
THE POLL RESULTS FROM THE GROWTH POLL THAT THE REAL ESTATE GROUP TOOK WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WEDNESDAY.
IT WAS CANCELED BECAUSE THE PRESENTER HAS COVID AND IS NOW AUGUST 20.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GO TO THAT AND SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING IN THIS AREA ABOUT WHAT THEY FEEL ABOUT GROWTH.
THE JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION WAS A GOOD STEP YESTERDAY.
FOR EVERYBODY'S EDIFICATION, MS. GUZMAN ALREADY MENTIONED.
NEXT THURSDAY IS THE I-95 GROUNDBREAKING.
THE GOVERNOR SECRETARY POWELL WILL BE DOWN, AND I THINK THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION FROM GEORGIA WILL BE DOWN.
TOMORROW, WHICH I FOUND OUT A COUPLE OF HOURS AGO, THANKS TO ME NOT LOOKING AT MY JUNK MAIL, THERE IS A BEAM SIGNING EVENT AT THE YMCA TOMORROW AT 8:45.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A BEAM SIGNING IS, BUT I'LL GO AND FIND OUT.
I HAVE TO CHECK MY JUNK MAIL A LITTLE MORE OFTEN.
[02:30:04]
YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME TO JOIN ME TOMORROW AT 8:45 AT THE YMCA SITE.THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY FOR THIS EVENING.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US AND HAVING A NICE EVENING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.