City Council - Regular Meeting

bow your heads. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity tonight as we gather. We ask for your guidance and wisdom as we navigate through tonight's agenda, but for the future of North Charleston. We ask you, we ask for your wisdom and your guidance today. And we thank you in Jesus name. Amen. Amenus nationice. Our first item on the agenda is a resolution authorizing the mayor to transfer ownership to police K9 Vic to Sergeant Craig Atkins. Major Glover, please come to the front.

Good evening. I'm Major Glover uh with the Special Operations Division, Special Enforcement Bureau. I'm going to start off by saying 20 years ago when I came here, um most officers are given a career track of things they want to do in their career within the city of North Charleston Police Department. When I did mine, three things that I said I want to do is K9, traffic, and harbor. I've done a lot of things in my career before becoming a supervisor, and not one of those was it. So, let's back up about a year. I was given the opportunity or told I I'm being given that opportunity to take over the bureau. Uh, and I did that. So, in one file swoop, I came and took over the K9, the traffic in the harbor. And I was excited. Said, I'm going to get on a boat. I'm going to get on a motorcycle. I'm going to go ride some tickets. I'm going to get a dog. And I haven't got a dog. I've barely been on the boats and I've seen the motorcycles. So, a lot of times our canine officers like to bring in their dogs and seeing how they work and how things go. Whenever I'd hear the footsteps coming through the office, I'd grab a hold of my desk. I have no idea what dogs coming down the hallway. But whenever I saw that it was Vic, I was good because I can pet Vic. Vic would do just this. Sit there with something in his mouth, snoop around, and try to find a cookie. But we're here today to retire Sergeant Vic and uh transfer ownership to Sergeant Akens. So this is a resolution authorizing the mayor to transfer ownership of K9 Vic police dog for the city of North Charleston Police Department to Sergeant Craig Akins. Whereas the city council of the city of North Charleston has determined that it would be in the best interest of the city of North Charleston to transfer the ownership of K9 Vic police dog for the city of North Charleston Police Department to Sergeant Atkins. You see that made me nervous right there.

Whereas Sergeant Atkins has been with the department since 2015 and K9 Vic was sworn into service in 2018. K9 Vic was paired with his handler, Sergeant Craig Akins, shortly after arriving at the North Charleston Police Department. K9 Vic and his handler performed months of training prior to hitting the streets. K9 Vic and Sergeant Atkins were able to seize the following illegal narcotics during his time working as a police canine. 157 gram of cocaine, 21 gram of crack cocaine, 83,073 gram of marijuana, 31 gram of heroin, 23,538 gram of methamphetamines, 444 doses of ecstasy, totaling a combined seized weight of 17,264 grams of illegal narcotics worth an estimated street value over 16,239,000. Whereas along with the illegal narcotic seizures, K9 Vic also had multiple apprehensions of violent criminals. K9 Vic seized 23 illegal possessed firearms along with $49,689 in US currency that was used in the furtherance of illegal narcotic distribution. Whereas the efforts of K9 Vic and his handler, Sergeant Atkins, have made a significant impact on increasing the safety and well-being of the citizens of North Charleston, making the city of North Charleston a great place to work, I'm sorry, live, work, and play. Whereas Sergeant Craig Aens is desirous of the transfer of ownership, and the city believes such a transfer to be in the best interest of all concerned. Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and city council of the city of North Charleston and the council assembled that the mayor is hereby authorized to

execute all documents necessary to transfer ownership of K9 Vic to Sergeant Craig Atkins for his retirement. Can we have a motion in a second? So moved. Second. Second. We have a motion in a second. Any changes or corrections? Hearing none, Madame Clerk, please call the role. Mr. Rome, [clears throat] hi Dr. Ganoway Paisley. Hi Dr. Palmer Roberts. Hi Mr. MD. Hi Miss Brown. Hi Mr. Hudson. Hi Mr. Skipper. Hi Mr. Brown. Hi Mayor Burgess. Hi.

If we all can stand and as council mayor we salute this officer and all the stuff that he's done for the city. This is it his time. He's come to a point where he's going to actually get into civilian life. Now, I want to stand and salute. Okay. Now, officer,

thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] Now we have the recognition of new employees. When I call your name, please come to the front. Building department. Sean Okando, legal John Van Wagner. Police Joseph Belo, Taylor Chase, Kayn Daniel, Michael Harley, Cara Murphy, Leandre Ravvenel, Maxwell Salter in public works, Travis Gantlin, Pete Mc Bernett, and Kon Robinson.

That's good. That's That's That's good. That's That's all right. That's all right. I don't want I don't want That's all right.

We We're doing something a little different, guys. Um but um thank you for turning this way. Uh this is council and the mayor, but really would you turn the other way? There you go. Those those are the people really you're gonna be giving your service to. And that's pretty much what we do as council or or the city of North Charleston. It's service that you're providing. It's more like the constituents that's there. All the departments we have even when we start to even think about HR, it's service that you're providing. And that's think that's what we're building our parts on that we're providing a great service to our constituents and to all the folks who really come through North Charleston. And I want to say welcome to you to the city of North Charleston. And uh I wanted you to do now do about face. You can see the council members about face. And that's the mayor and council members. Uh they can be helpful to you. I think we're doing for budget some around April the 17th of uh this year. But all the tools that you're going to be needing uh it'll come through your director and uh we'll see our best about providing it to you. But I know the mayor would love to say something to you.

Want to thank you first of all for investing into our city. We we love our city. We go hard for it. We want you all to do the same thing, too. And like he said to you, the people behind you, that's your number one priority. That's your number one priority. We have to take care our citizens. I came in these doors in 1989. I'm 60 years old. 36 of my years of living, I worked for my city. I would do it again. So, I want you all to understand that we appreciate y'all, but make sure you take care of your number one priority. That's the citizens. Thank y'all. Now, y'all don't have to stay the rest of the meeting if but if you can stay if you want to, but you don't have to. All right. God bless y'all.

Welcome. [applause] Welcome. Coach Naz Ridley, may you come to the front?

We're going to introduce the Fort Dorchester Patriots Youth 6U champions.

And now, your Fort Dorchester Youth Patriots 6U [cheering] champions. Fort Dorchester. Good evening and happy new year, Mayor Burgess, members of the city council, city leaders, families, and guests. Again, my name is Naz Ridley, and I have the honor of serving as the founder, president, and director of the Fort Dorchester Youth Patriots. I want to thank you for bringing us back to North Charleston City Hall. It truly means a lot to be here again. And just last year, we stood here in the same room with our 12U national champions. Much bigger, much bigger kids, right? And uh and tonight, we're proud to return with our 6U national champions. At this point, Mayor Burgess, we may need to start talking about officially declaring a Fort Doorchester Youth Patriots Day.

I promise you, I won't ask for a parade, though.

Amen. Amen. These young men who are ages range from 5 to six year old um captured the South Carolina State Championship which punched their ticket to Plant City, Florida to compete in the United Youth Football League National Championship where only the best teams from around the country qualify. And our sixu team rose to the challenge and brought home a national title, beating teams from Philadelphia, Maryland, and also Buffalo, New York. At such a young age, they committed themselves to teamwork, discipline, and effort. They showed up, supported one another, and learned how to compete the right way. On the national stage, they represented their families, their program, and also the city of North Charleston with pride. Championships are never won alone. This moment is a result of dedicated coaches, supportive parents, and a community that believes in investing into the youth. At Fort Doorchester Youth Patriots, our mission goes beyond football. Our focus is on building character, confidence, and pride where our kids come from. Mayor Burgess and city council, thank you for recognizing these young champions, your support, your support sends a powerful message to our youth that their hard work matters and their city believes in them. We are grateful, we are proud, and we are honored to represent the city of North Charleston. I'm going to call out the names of our players, kids. If I say your name, just raise your hand to the audience, please. Um, some of our kids couldn't make it today, but um, Carson Hon, Derek Woren, Asa Row, Kamari Wooden, Cario Brown, Yarcera Mack, King Brown, Justin Butler, Major Wright, Legend Murray, Landon Graham, Julian Warren, Cot Bukowski, Thomas Wasoga, Carson Banks, Dominique Robinson Jr., Gerard Brown, Rake Austin,

Denim Smith, Mccuel, Jeffrey Bogs Jr., Connor Holmes, Gino Gavins, Ramon Harris, Demetrius Young, and Xavier Brown Jr., if you can please applaud these young kids. [applause]

Mayor Burgess, if you don't mind, we would love for you to come down and hold the trophy and take some pictures with us. and also put on the chain. Yes, sir. [laughter] God, man. That was your back then. How y'all doing, man? Oh, man. Thank you, man. [applause] Thank you.

[laughter] Oh man.

[applause]

I need a bag. I need a bag. You ready? Yeah.

Our first item on the agenda is a request to approve the minutes from December 18th, 2025 city council meeting. Move for approval. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any changes or corrections? Hearing none, madam clerk, please call the role. Mr. Rome, I. Dr. Ganway Pasley, I. Dr. Palmer Roberts, hi. Mr. MD, hi. Miss Brown, I. Mr. Skipper, I. Mr. Hudson, I. Mr. Brown, I. Mayor Burgess. I. We have the final reading of an ordinance abandoning and accepting drainage easements. Mayor. Yes, sir. Um, without objection, could we do two and three by Title Limy? I think four may have some discussion.

Yes, sir. Without objections, we will hear items two and three through title only. We have the final reading of an ordinance abandoning and accepting drainage easements on TMS number 484, parcel 737940 St. Ives Road in Council District 2 and the final reading of an ordinance authorizing the mayor or his design to execute a termination of lease agreement between the city of North Charleston and the Defense Logistics Agency relating to the premises known as 1.684 acre parcel containing building 1628 TMS number 400 parcel 71. Move for approval.

Second. We have a motion second. Any discussions hearing? None. Madame clerk, please call the role. Mr. Rome, I. Dr. Ganoway Paisley, I. Dr. Palmer Roberts, I. Mr. MD, I. Miss Brown, I. Mr. Hudson, I. Mr. Skipper, I. Mr. Brown, hi. Mayor Burgess. I have the final reading of an ordinance amending section 2-36 of the code of ordinances of the city of North Charleston to adjust the times of regular city council meetings. Mr. Chair. Yes. Uh, I move to amend the motion by changing uh the ordinance on final reading um changing the meeting time from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Second. Okay, we have a motion in the second. Any discussions? We'll be voting on the amendment hearing none. Madam clerk, please call the role. And and just just so we're clear, we're voting on whether or not um we want to hear to to make the amendment and then we'll we'll decide what motions after that. But this is to determine whether or not we want to amend the times. Miss Jerome, I Dr. Ganoway Paisley, I Dr. Palmer Roberts, I Mr. MD, I Miss Brown, I Mr. Hudson, hi. Mr. Skipper, no. Mr. Brown

um if I'm just want to make sure there should be a motion was made and before sec we're voting on just the point on changing we haven't designated a time right now is that right that is not that is not correct no I think her motion was if if this motion passes the language will go from 7 to I'm sorry from 6:00 to 6:30 Okay. And then if if that passes, you will then vote on whether or not you want to do that. No. Mayor Burgess. No.

Okay. So, the amendment passes and the language now is um all the same except for from 6:00 it should say to 6:30. And so now we would need a motion to move forward with that one. If this motion passes tonight, we would still need another reading. point of order. Um, Mr. Parliamentary, Mr. Chair. Yes, ma'am. Uh, like to call a point of order in regards to that. I thought I understood Robert Ru of orders that once the amendment is made and the time change that we're voting on the actual time and not go through another three readings. Clarification, please.

Our ordinance requires us to have two readings before it is finalized. And so when when this tonight's reading will be considered the first reading. And so if it passes tonight, there will have to be a second reading to make it a part of the ordinance. It requires two readings. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Parliamentary. Yes. Yes, ma'am. All right. All right. Question. Um, do I need to make another motion, Mr. Parliamentarian? Yes, ma'am. Not addressing you, chair.

At this point, I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor. At this point, we would need a motion to either affirm or deny or approve, I guess. um the ordinance as now um presented and that's the same language except for 6:30. I'm sorry, instead of 6:00, it would be 6:30. So if if the idea is we're ready to have a motion for 6:30, we would move for approval on that motion. If the idea is we are not ready to move forward with 6:30, um then we move for denial.

Mr. Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion like to make a motion to move forward uh by changing the time meeting time from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Okay. Motion in a second. Second. Any other discussions? Hearing none. Madam clerk, please call the role for 6:30. Mr. J. I. Dr. Ganway Pasley. Hi. Dr. Palmer Roberts. Hi. Mr. Mr. MD I, Miss [clears throat] Brown, I Mr. Hudson, I Mr. Skipper, I Mr. Brown, I, Mayor Burgess, I.

So, that passes and it'll be on the agenda um at the end of the month for a final reading. Mr. Mayor, just for clarification, 6:30 really works better for those of us that live on the north end of the city because we have to fight the traffic to get down here. I take that in consideration because I'm here already. Exactly. And I do live in the north end. But you're right. That's good. I mean, that's how that's what we're supposed to do. That's right. You know what I'm saying? And we conduct businesses in this manner. Thank you. Thank you.

I have an ordinance for first reading. An ordinance adopting a bill to be entitled an annexation ordinance of the city of North Charleston annexing an area of Charleston County known as 55U TMS number 41105 parcel 102 and 41105 parcel 103 and make it part of the present city council district 6 as shown on a map prepared by GIS department for purposes of this annexation dated December 23rd 2025. 5 bearing the title area proposed for annexation by the city of North Charleston section 55U council district 6. Move approval.

Second. We have a sec motion and a second. Any discussions? Hearing none. Madam clerk, please call the role. Mr. J. I. Dr. Ganway Paisley. Hi. Dr. Palmer Roberts. Hi. Mr. MB. Hi. Miss Brown. I. Mr. Hudson. Hi. Mr. Skipper. Hi. Mr. Brown. I, Mayor Burgess, I

have the first reading of an ordinance annexing an area of Charleston County known as 55T, Charleston County TMS number 48414, partial 73 and making it part of present city council district 2 as shown on the map prepared by the G GIS department for purposes of this annexation dated November 6, 2025 bearing the title area proposed for annexation by the city of North Charleston, section 55T, and resoning the property addressed as 28 96 Casey Street, Charleston County, TMS number 48414, parcel 73 from Charleston County, R4, Lowdensity Residential to M1 Light Industrial, Light Industrial, Council District 2.

Move for denial.

Second. This is this is one that goes to the public safety. Yeah, this goes to public safety committee for further review. Tim, you have to come up. Yeah, come on up. Tim. Um so as as the title indicates uh this is a request for annexation and reszoning of the property highlighted here in blue. This property is currently zoned R4 lowdensity residential in Charleston County. Uh the applicant has requested M1 light industrial is a currently undeveloped lot. You can see here adjacent to the city uh adjacent to M1 as well as some R3 zoning uh in the brown. The subject property uh is designated suburban residential within the city's comprehensive plan which is designated for more uh single family residential type development as opposed to light industrial uh style development as has been request requested. This is the subject property here. You can see the posting for the public notice. Adjacent properties include a mix of uh commercial uses as well as single family residences, mobile homes, and some undeveloped wooded lots. So given the property's location, the residential character of Casey Street and South Oakidge Circle and a lack of support from the comprehensive plan, staff is recommending denial of the proposed resoning of the property. uh from the staff recommendation of R2 multifamily residential to M1 light industrial. This was heard at the

December planning commission meeting where the planning commission made a recommendation of denial as well uh with unanimous vote. Okay. Without objections, this will be referred to the public safety committee for further review and consideration. Now um before 10 begins, 7 8 9 10 11 and 12 will all be referred. So they know it was for reading only.

Our next item on the agenda is proposed reszoning of the property addressed at 7047 Stall Road, Charleston County, TMS number 47813, parcel 16 from B1 light limited business to B2 general business in council district 2. Uh as was stated, the applicant uh did request B2 uh resoning from B1 to B2. Uh this current property is uh vacant and cleared and you can see it highlighted here on Stall Road. Current zoning is B1 limited business and it's directly adjacent to R3 mobile home and R2 multifamily residential. uh it's designated employment center according to the comprehensive plan uh which is intended for uh commerce focused environment uh and uh larger scale office and industrial uses uh the surrounding land uses would make B2 zoning incompatible with the area's midblock context and see the property here as we said before before it is a cleared lot uh prepped for future development. Uh majority of the lots fronting stall road are zoned R3 and R2. As I said before, most are occupied by single family houses and mobile homes. Given the subject property's proximity of other residential uses in the midblock location, the subject property uh staff is recommending denial of the proposed reszoning from B1 to B2. Planning Commission also made the same recommendation 61 at the December planning commission meeting.

Without objection, this item will be referred to the public safety committee for further review and consideration. Our next item on the agenda is the proposed reszoning of in address 1912 English street Charleston County TMS number 46916 parcel 122 from R1 single family to R2 multif family residential and council district 10.

All right. So this is a request for reszoning from R1 to R2 which is from single family residential to multifamily residential. Current use of the property is a single family home. You can see the property here highlighted in blue. Zoning as indicated is existing R1 mostly surrounded by one R1 zoning but directly adjacent to an R2 zoned property as well. Uh the property is designated traditional neighborhood development as well as mixeduse corridor. This designation does support uh a mix of uses on the property as well as a higher density uh style of residential development. Um those designations are intended to promote development of mixed uses and will enhance access to a wider range of services uh for the nearby neighborhoods. This is the existing development on the property and these are adjacent homes developed within the na existing neighborhood. There's uh as stated earlier a mix of R2 B1 B2 zoning. Uh English Street has a mix of residential uses. Uh given support from the comprehensive plan and the residential character of the neighborhood, staff uh did recommend approval of the proposed resoning uh from R1R2. Planning Commission recommended denial of the requested resoning for three at the December meeting.

All right. Without objection, this item will be referred to the public safety committee for further review and consideration. Um Tim, I'm going to go back one. I think I skipped Cian Street. It's easy. I can go back. So, our next item on the agenda is proposed reszoning for the property addressed as 1809 Grayson Street, Charleston County, TMS number 46912, partial 316 from R1 single family residential to R2 multif family residential in council district 10.

Uh this is again another request from R1 to R2 multifamily residential. uh property is located here at the corner um along North Carolina. Uh it's currently developed as a single family home. See the zoning here, R1 as well as adjacent to R2. This has uh traditional neighborhood development designation within the future land use plan. Uh this is to promote again that mix of uses on smaller lots, multiple residential units and uh this would be consistent with that land use designation. Subject parcel is currently developed with a single family home. you can see here in the photos as well as the other homes uh along the street in the area. Given the designation in the future land use plan uh for of the comprehensive plan which supports this type of request, staff recommended approval of the proposed resoning from R1 to R2. Planning Commission's recommendation was denial of that uh with a 4-3 vote to deny at the December planning commission meeting.

Without objections, this item will be referred to the public safety committee for further review and consideration. Our next item on the agenda is a proposed reszoning for the property addressed as 4621 Durrain Avenue, Charleston County TMS number 4704, parcel 127 from R1 single family residential to neighborhood office in council district 8. again uh request to reszone from R1 single family residential to O neighborhood office. The existing use of the property is actually a small scale neighborhood office that's been used for years as such. You can see the surrounding zoning is basically all R1 with some adjacent B1 zoning to the south. This property is within the traditional neighborhood development designation. Uh and again that promotes a mix of uses within uh the area and this would be consistent uh with both the established neighborhood character and the intent of the land use designation. See the subject property here and here. You can see it's uh a commercial style uh use with the parking in front. Adjacent properties are developed in a single family nature. You can see uh in the photos provided. Staff recommended uh approval of the request to reszone the property from R1 single family residential to neighborhood office. The planning commission also recommended approval uh 70 at the December planning commission meeting.

Okay. Without objection, this item will be referred to the public safety committee for further review and consideration. Our next item on the agenda is the proposed reszoning of a property addressed as 5623 Doppson Street, Charleston County, TMS number 47313, parcel 140 from R1 single family residential to R2 multif family residential on council district 8.

Property is highlighted here in blue. Again, request is R request to reszone from R1 to R2 multifamily residential. Current use of the property is a single family home. See the zoning uh is R1 surrounding the subject property. This property is also designated traditional neighborhood development. It's also um within the mixeduse corridor. Uh those designations do support uh an R2 zoning uh for the property. Subject property in the photos. Adjacent development does include multifamily residential as can be seen here in this photo as well as single family and other uh mix of residential uses. Given the support of the comprehensive plan and the residential character of the neighborhood, staff uh is recommending approval of the proposed resoning from R1 single family to R2. Planning Commission also recommended approval unanimously at the December meeting.

Without objection, this item will be referred to the public safety committee for further review and consideration. Our next item on the agenda is a proposed reszoning of the property addressed as 5728 Dorchester Road, Charleston County, TMS number 40803, parcel 4 from B2 general business to M1 Light Industrial in council district 6.

So this request is a a request to reszone from B2 to M1. Uh current use of the property is actually a uh recent addition to the building. It's a pool store. Um they are requesting uh the the reszone to allow for some outdoor storage that they uh feel they need. Subject property is designated as employment center and within the mixeduse corridor of Dorchester Road. uh that designation uh benefits proximity to other uses that are similar. The mixeduse corridor land use designation is intended to promote development of mixed uses that will enhance access. The proposed M1 zoning would not be consistent with the comprehensive plans designations. Subject parcel can be seen here in the photos. As I said, Heritage Pools moved in recently. Um, the surrounding area is comprised of other businesses along Dorchester Road as well as other residential uses. Um, as well as a mobile home park. Staff recommended denial of the request from B2 to M1 and the planning commission also recommended denial of the request to reszone. Without further objection, this item will be referred to the public safety committee for further review and consideration. Thank you, Tim.

Thank you.

All right. Any other business to come before the body? Okay. I've got two and we're out of here. District one election will be next week, Tuesday the 13th. and I'm very excited to bring the team back together. Second thing, uh, Councilwoman Charmaine Palmer Roberts and I have been talking. We're working on a retreat for council the mayor and um we're looking at uh possibly going to a a couple of places uh or looking at a couple places and one place that we would like the council to to attend is to uh Winston Salem, North Carolina. The reason why is we we are actually building a real-time crime center and I really think that you all as the leaders of the city need to go there because their crime center will be the same as ours. So we'll get that information out to you uh in a timely manner. Um but the retreat we're looking at where we looking at show Greenville. So if we attend Greenville in the retreat one day, then it's only 2 hours to get to Winston Salem from Greenville. So if you guys and girls can take a look at it, we'll get some dates out to you, you know, as soon as possible so we can make that happen. Other than that, hearing none, this meeting is ajourned. [laughter]