County Council - Regular Meeting

I'm Joe Boykin, representing Charleston County Council District 8, and currently serve as chairman. And at this time, I'm going to ask our county council members and our key staff to please introduce themselves. Start with Mr. Moody.

Brantley Moody, District 7. Darby, District 4.

Herb Sass, District 1.

Kristen Salisbury, Clerk of Council.

Bill Tootin, County Administrator.

Larry Kaprowski, District 2.

Katie Kramer, District 5. Rob Worman, District 3.

Natalie Hamm, County Attorney.

Thank you all. At this time, I'm going to call to order our special finance committee meeting. Madam Attorney, I understand we have a need for executive session to receive legal advice and discuss contractual matters.

Yes, sir. There are three items that are listed for executive session, the first of which is regarding the Ten Mile Neighborhood Association Heritage Farm Greenbelt property. That is to receive legal advice upon the request of Mr. Moody. There is one with an agreement with the City of Charleston regarding the sale of 993 and 995 Morrison Drive, that will be legal advice with regards to the agreement and sale of that property. And then 1C is potential litigation, which is legal advice for the county attorney to provide you some updates with regards to potential litigation.

Thank you, ma'am. Are the attorneys' recommendations on all three items? Second.

Any discussion?

The attorney's recommendation is to go in executive session without voting on it. No, no.

I could have just said a motion. That was my motion.

I understand. I just wanted to make sure.

Okay. All right. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Executive session. No motions were made. No votes were taken.

Do I have a motion for item 1A?

You will shortly, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

I think we need to.

Mr. Chairman. I move to amend the previous council directive which required the sale and conversion of a portion of the 10-mile community heritage farm to the owner of the encroaching parcel and direct staff to explore the potential of a land swap of similar conservation and financial value or a sale of a portion of the property or a combination of both to resolve the encroachment on the Greenbelt property. Staff should bring back the plan of action and the proposed timeline for resolution. This item does not need to be sent back to the Greenbelt Advisory Board. Additionally, the vegetative buffer and or fencing requirement previously established would still be required for the property.

Do I have a second? Second. All right. Properly moved and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Moving on to item 1B.

Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Sacks.

I move to approve and authorize the Chairman of Council to execute the agreement regarding listing and sale of real estate property for 993 and 995 Morrison Drive and approve the purchase and sale agreement.

Second. All right. Properly moved and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. And there was no motions made for item 1C. That concludes our Special Finance Committee. This time we're going to move on to public hearings. Ms. Worcester? Item 1A.

Charleston County is submitting the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report, CAPER, to HUD for approval.

We have two people signed up. The first person is Anthony Bryant and then Henrietta Woodward.

In 2013, I made public comment regarding economic solution grants in the state of South Carolina Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture. That's . Ironically, I got my mail from the Supreme Court. I went to school in Baltimore, Maryland. This is my mail from the Supreme Court I got. The mail was open. dated August 25th, stamped here. I was here on the 27th. August 25th, I was here on the 27th, stamped open and read. Open and read from the clerk of the Supreme Court, which is Scott S. Harris' clerk, Robert Meek. And the premise of this is that 3% of African Americans, out of all the lawyers in South Carolina, 11,000 lawyers, only 3% are African American. So many African-Americans don't have someone they're comfortable with to be their attorneys. And I felt a need in 2018 to file these lawsuits and protest as a pro se litigant, not knowing it'd be read. and brought to my door on August 31st, September 1st. I couldn't respond to this document. I just talked about Lexington County and everything I talked about last week. Some people ain't here that should be here tonight. But again, you read a whole letter back and forth And you read it. And I'm here right now. Now, mind you, in your budget, you got a lot of money you spending on a number of legal issues in this county, i.e. housing issues, development, whatever I talked about. I hope that these people who are looking at us on Facebook didn't read, or YouTube didn't read this, because they read the document. I'm exposed. I'm exposed as a citizen. And so therefore, and it's dirty, too. Look how dirty this is. It's filthy, right? And it came to my door. So I want to make sure that whoever involved with this information, because I'm supposed to react to this. I don't react to nothing. I look forward to my public comment.

Henrietta Woodward.

Good afternoon, and thank you for this opportunity.

My name is Henrietta Woodward, and I'm the Executive Director of the Community First Land Trust, and I have also served as the inaugural Executive Director of the First Urban Entitlement Executive Director for Charleston County. Charleston County has worked hard to expand affordable housing opportunities, but we all know the challenge is growing faster than the solution. Home prices continue to rise and families who work in our schools, hospitals, restaurants, and local government and service industries are increasingly unable to buy homes in the communities they serve. And even when affordable homes are created, too many are lost only after a few years because there are no long-term protection in place. That is why the Community Land Trust offers a resale formula. A resale formula is a simple but powerful policy that keeps homes affordable for future buyers while still allowing homeowners to build equity and wealth. It creates a balance between individual opportunity and community stability. I would like to point out that council approved housing our future plan. One of the five goals was to increase equitable access to home ownership. Among that policy tool identified was to achieve that goal for the establishment, expansion, and capacity building of community land trust and other shared equity housing market. However, for a community land trust, I'm asking that the county would look at including a resale formula along with their recapture formula. Recapture would mean when. I'm sorry I've been timed out, but I do have copies of this, and I would really like council to give me the opportunity to come before you at another time and show you exactly what happens when you have a community land trust. I was just in Florida. There are 32 community land trusts in the state of Florida. Thank you, ma'am.

If you would please hand those to Ms. Borster right here, our deputy clerk. Thank you very much.

All right, that's it for that. We can go into public comments. We have five people signed up. The first person's Ed Pinkney, followed by Anthony Bryant, and then Craig Askew.

Good evening, Chairman and members of the County Council. My name is Ed Pinney. I'm here speaking on behalf of the Ten Mile Neighborhood Association regarding the Heritage Farm Greenbelt property. We asked the county to make one important distinction on the public record tonight. The Ten Mile Neighborhood Association and their private property owner involved in their encroachment are not the same party. The residence is privately owned. The driveway serves that private residence. The association does not own the home and does not receive a private benefit of the driveway. Importantly, Charleston County's own 2023 records recognize this distinction, describing their encroachments coming from an adjoining property owner and serving that private use. The association participated in discussions about resolving the encroachment onto Greenbelt property, but participating in the resolution is not the same as causing or privately benefiting from it. Whatever role the association may have previously played in attempting to resolve the matter does not change the underlying fact that this was an encroachment for a private residence and a private property owner. Yet the association is being publicly associated with that property owner and the $135,000 repayment obligation. This distinction matters. Publicly associating an association with a private homeowner's encroachment, an unpaid financial obligation, risks damaging the association's credibility with government agencies, community partners, donors, and grant-making organizations. Charleston County has now formally noticed that the association formally disputes any characterization suggesting it caused, privately benefited from, or bears responsibility for the private property owner's residential encroachment. We respectfully request that county records and future public statements clearly distinguish the association from the private property owner or any other private property owner in the future. Thank you.

Anthony Bryant, Craig Askew, Harvey Bennett.

Mr. Chairman, before this next meeting come up, I know this is unusual, but we didn't write the article. The Post and Courier wrote the article. So I think he needs to go to the Post and Courier and ask them why they included a name in there. But we did not write that article.

Point well made, sir.

Yes, sir. Mr. Bryant. The sad part about being here is that we're on social media. And when you're on social media, it's FCC 230, so that means that you're all over the place. That means that the Supreme Court, this letter here, is read. Who read my letter? US Attorney? Attorney General? Who politically read it? The Sheriff? Who read my letter? Who would read my letter and give me my letter ragging like this and think that I would talk to my postal person about this? I wouldn't talk to, I have a complaint here that you on the record now for that'll be given to the postal service in terms of this. And this right here is Robert Meek. Robert Meek and I talked on the phone. He and I talked on the phone about South Carolina and what it does. We don't have enough attorneys in South Carolina, period. We don't have enough period. Under the criminal rule, the solicitor under the criminal rule with e-filing, this one with e-filing, you got more people in the criminal rule with e-filing than the civil rule. And we got the school to prison pipeline we talked about right here. So people, this is a real issue to have my mail open up. I'm here last two weeks ago talking about Lexington County. Lexington County not read my mail. And I'm dealing with this today. Now, Lexington County got a problem with Anthony G. Bryant. I'm going to come booted as soon as they meet like this. But I won't be a buffoon and minstrel for them. That won't happen. I'll be their buffoon and minstrel to sit and open somebody's mail up. How am I going to find that out? With qualified immunity, I was just doing my job. Under qualified immunity, I'm just doing my job. So I'm doing my job. I'm going to look at your mail and read your mail. Now, mind you, the portal in which I use is associated with you. So the portal I use to do the said work is a public portal. So there's no way somebody don't know nothing in the budget about my concerns. But understand, I will be championing this effort I'm going to walk out alone. I'm going to walk in alone all the time. Have a nice one.

Craig Askew, Harvey Bennett, Zach Hall. Harvey Bennett.

Harvey Bennett, North Charleston. I'm here today to inform the council of the seriousness of the council's decision to award filo tax abatements to Elbit Systems, which is the largest weapons provider for Israel and its genocidal campaign since October of 2023. The results of this decision have meant that children of Charleston County Schools have been deprived of millions of dollars in lost tax revenues for their underfunded school system. Many concerned and outraged citizens, including myself, since the onset of the genocide in Gaza, have pleaded with this council to reconsider the Philo exemption and help to adequately fund our school system. With the Philo agreement due for renewal in March of 2027, Council will have an opportunity to atone for the damage done when they agreed to this tax abatement. The arguments being made in condemnation of Israel's genocide globally now include a damning report from the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry that found that Israeli security forces have deliberately, this is a quote, have deliberately targeted and killed Palestinian children, concluding that these acts constitute genocide crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Zach Hall.

Good evening. My name is Zach Hall. I live on John's Island. Tonight, as a constituent of County Chair Bolkin and... Sorry. As a constituent of County Chair Boykin and as an organizer of Elbit out of South Carolina, Elbit FSC is continuing to demand an end to Elbit Systems' filet with Charleston County. In almost five years since the filet was signed, our public schools have lost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars as a direct result of your actions. At the same time, Elbit has made bomb bodies howitzer cannons in Latsin. It sells to commit war crimes and genocide. This is a losing deal for working class people in Charleston and a working class people around the world. I am the only organizer speaking tonight right now outside of this building. Many people are gathering, demanding the termination of the file. The time is now to end the file. I'd like to use the rest of my time to read comments submitted by the community members in Councilmember Bulkin's district that have signed our petition to join our demand in ending the file. Diane, no subsidies for war crimes. Maddie, freedom to the people of Palestine. Elbit out of SC. Rosa, Elbit kills children. Get them out of SC. Kevin, no subsidies for war criminals. Jack, free Palestine. Juliet, Elbit out of SC. We don't want Israeli war weapons here. Samantha, I have a dear friend from Gaza. He has lost over 30 friends and family, sorry, family members since October 7th. That number should have been zero.

There's no idea to justify the starvation

You're out of time. You're out of time. Please have a seat. Okay. Who do we have next?

All right, that's the end of public comments. We'll now call County Council to order. The starter will be led in prayer by Mr. Darby, followed by the pledge by Deputy Clerk Ms. Worcester.

Let us listen well, act with integrity, and make just decisions. Amen. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right, the Freedom of Information Act.

In compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, notice of meeting was posted and agendas were distributed to news media and persons requesting notification.

Item number two, minutes, August 27th.

Second.

All in favor say aye. Aye. Ayes have it. All right. Ms. Salisbury, a third reading of ordinances.

An ordinance authorizing the James Island Public Service District, South Carolina, to issue not exceeding $11 million aggregate principal amount of general obligation bonds, providing for the publication of notice of the said finding and authorization, and providing for other matters related thereto. Mr. Darby? Aye. Mr. Kabrowski? Mr. Moody? Aye. Mr. Pryor? Aye. Mr. Sass? Aye. Mr. Worman? Aye. Mr. Boykin? Aye. The ordinance passes third reading with one, two, three, four, five, seven ayes and two absent.

Okay, moving on to item four, second reading of ordinances 4A.

An ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a special source credit agreement by and between Charleston County, South Carolina and CHA Robert Mills Manor LLC with respect to certain economic development property known as Robert Mills Manor Multifamily Rental Project located in the county, whereby such property will receive certain special source credits and other matters related thereto. Mr. Darby?

Aye.

Mr. Kabrowski? Aye. Mr. Moody? Aye. Mr. Pryor? Aye. Mr. Sass? Aye. Mr. Worman? Aye. Mr. Boykin? Aye. The ordinance passes second reading with seven ayes and two absent.

Okay, 4B.

And ordinance to further amend the agreement for development of a multi-county business park in conjunction with the Colleton County, South Carolina, providing for the development of a jointly owned and operated business park, so as to include additional property in Charleston County as part of the multi-county business park. Mr. Darby? Aye. Mr. Kabrowski? Nay. Mr. Moody? Aye. Mr. Pryor? Aye. Mr. Sass? Aye. Mr. Worman? Aye. Mr. Boykin?

Aye.

The ordinance passes second reading with six ayes, one nay, and two absent.

All right, moving on to item five, committee recommendations, first reading of ordinances 5A. Do I have a motion?

I'll move for a committee recommendation. Second. Second.

All right, properly moved and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

And ordinance amending the Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance number 1202 as amended to clarify short-term rental property zoning permit application requirements concerning bedrooms and designated sleeping areas and establish corresponding short-term rental parking requirements at the following document locations, Chapter 6 use regulations and Chapter 9 development standards.

All right. Moving on to item six, consent agenda.

Second.

Seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Aye. I just have it. I'm sorry. Excuse me. I have to recuse myself. I'm only voting for 6A and 6B, so I did not vote for 6A and B. Sorry.

Yes, sir. So if we're reimbursing them back for a trip on behalf of county council, what would procure him from voting because he's not benefiting from it as personally he's serving as a you know as a county representative so i just don't want mr boykin to get tied up thinking he can't when he could mr boykin because we all know that you're not benefiting from this this is a you as a chairman you're going on a trip for county council And we authorize, you know, so much for that. But, you know, I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I think it's admirable.

Mr. Pryor, this is actually just Park and I incurred at the request of the county attorney to attend a mediation session downtown and decide to pay Park.

Yes, but, yeah. Okay. If it's less than $25, you don't have to worry about it anyway.

Thank you for that.

Yes, sir. We know you're an honorable man.

I appreciate it. All right. Moving on to item seven, finance committee recommendations.

A through B. I want a separate vote on B.

A through D is in delta.

Yeah. Yeah.

Okay. All right. Do I have a second? All right.

Which one do you want to vote on? 7D. Yeah, so he wants to. But you can tell him what you want to do on 7D for the record.

So A through D. A through D, and Mr. Cabrasa, you can clarify your vote.

I'm voting no on 7D.

Okay. Okay. All right. Properly moved and seconded. We did have a second on that, didn't we? I did. Thank you, Mr. Williams. Make sure I got it right. All right. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Aye. Mr. Kabrowski on 7B. 7E, there was no motion to be made.

That one falls off.

That takes care of all of our agenda items. We'll move on to council comments. Mr. Wareman, would you like to go first?

I don't have anything to comment tonight, Mr. Chairman, but thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think the gentleman who spoke, I think his name was Mr. Patney. Yes, sir. So I think you have a problem with the Post and Courier because the county didn't write that article. And we would never try to defame or include somebody. So I just want you to know that county council stands with your organization. But you might want to give David Slater a call because he wrote that article, not us.

All right. All right. Mr. Kabrowski?

I defer to the end as vice chairman, if that's all right.

Mr. Moody? Mr. Darby?

Mr.

Chair, whether the young man was a antagonist or a protagonist, when are we going to address the situation with Elbert?

The reason I ask, because when we went along with this, council did not have the clairvoyance to know that a war would be going on between the two. Because if we were privy to that, perhaps some of us would have made a different vote. We're in this county council going to explain that to the folk that we did not have any knowledge of a pursuing war. We just didn't. And for these people to continue coming, coming, and blaming us for something we did not know, it sometimes grieves me. So you don't have to answer now, but will there come a time when this council is going to explain Why we did what we did, knowing that we had no clue of what was going on between the two.

Mr. Darby, I agree. We don't possess a crystal ball. We can't see into the future. The point well made, sir. Mr. Sass?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Two things. I'd like to remind everybody that this week is the 25th anniversary of 9-11. A lot of Americans lost their lives that day. A lot of families were hurt, and it's carried on. I just want to remind everybody to remember it, and thank everybody who's Played their part, all our military and first responders. Thank them. And on a brighter note, I want to give congratulations to the Citadel football team. They won a football game. Saturday night in Charlotte against a football subdivision team. So that's a team higher level than us. We're like, and that doesn't happen very often. So I just want to give them congratulations. Thank you.

Sure. Mr. Administrator? Oh, sorry. Ms. Kabrasky, sorry.

I'd just like to echo Mr. Councilman Sasse's comments, the 25th anniversary of September 11th, but we haven't, as in my opinion, from the comments we heard tonight, the hatred and murder is still with us. And to remember, and I strongly disagree with the things that were said, I feel this, you know, The Jewish New Year is coming up this year, and to me, what I hear reminds me of that hatred that has existed for thousands of years. And in Elbit, they also make armaments that defend American armed forces, flak jackets and armament for tanks. They help defend this country. And in terms of accusing Israel of genocide, I think is abhorrent, disgusting. And what any government would do to protect its citizens when their babies are, their heads bashed in, their women raped, and their people killed by the thousands, any government would protect themselves and do what they can to get at the terrorist. So I just think that that should not go unresponded to. Thank you.

Okay. Mr. Administrator. I echo Mr. Sasse's sentiments. It's hard to believe. It's been 25 years when I was in D.C. when that happened.

Wow.

That was scary.

Never forget.

No, sir, nothing.

Madam Attorney? No, sir. i'm going to kind of follow what mr darby was saying you know i will always be respectful to those that have different views they're certainly free to come and express them here you know here at county council it's one of the gifts we have from our democracy What I won't tolerate is people being disrespectful and not following the very rules they signed up for as far as their code of conduct. So that was unfortunate. As Mr. Darby was saying, we treated that as a philo as we do all economic incentives that come here. Boeing that makes the planes here in Charleston, also they're a defense manufacturer. Many facilities here are making parts and sub-components for our aircraft carriers and our submarine fleet. We've been a military town as far back as I can ever remember, and we're proud supporters of our military. In fact, so much so that the Coast Guard has put their largest base in the world here in Charleston. It's part of our heritage, it's who we are. It's easy to take one side of a conflict that's nowhere near here, There are two sides to every story, as Mr. Kabrowski pointed out. Having had the benefit of traveling to Israel in person myself and meeting with survivors of that attack and listening to firsthand accounts, we don't talk about that side of the equation. I try to stay out of that. I don't think that's a role for a county council to involve itself in. We are here to serve the citizens of Charleston County and govern accordingly. So with that, we are adjourned.

Okay.