County Council - Regular Meeting

I'm not sure about it, Bob. motion to approve the minutes from our last meeting, the 15th and the 29th. So moved, Mr. Chairman.

Second.

Moved and seconded. Moved by Ms. Cooper-Smith and seconded by Ms. Walker. That we approve the minutes from our last meeting. All in favor of it, let it be known by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. So have it. On our agenda, we've got public comments in two areas. And, um, We have a three-minute public comments on the agenda item as well as other matters. And we do have some public hearing on our agenda as well. So if there's an item that we have a public comment on the agenda item, we wait until that time. But at this time, we're going to ask if anybody had any public comment on the agenda item.

I guess the project whatsoever or anything. Just don't know a whole lot about it. And I actually have left a 920 Wilmington Drive second reading. It would be on land is to be leased. I understand that DOCAN bought it from South Carolina Farmers, and it was a camp. Maybe the reason Camp Road is named Camp Road, as far as some history. They bought it for $5 from what I was able to find out on the internet. But the council voted to purchase it for 3 quarters of a million dollars prior to this, and all the buildings and cabins on it were just nothing. I just wondered why. Such an expenditure to another agency. behind the ball, not knowing what that was about. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for that. I'm sure our minister will get back to us soon. I think it's still going to need to be answered in that effect. I'll comment on other matters. Anybody have anything for the podium?

Mr. Williams, I want to thank you all for President, I want to thank God for being able to stay here tonight. My name is Harvey Elwood. I'm the owner and operator of Respections Media. 93.7 people stationed, of course, at CCTV. We, of course, recorded this session and all the sessions for the county council as well as around the state. And I want to thank you because I've been out sick for some time, almost six months now. But we haven't given up. In fact, we're working harder than ever to make sure that this county stays looking good and working hard to make sure that it gets all the publicity and good stuff that it can get. As you may know, the radio station is now broadcasting not only world news, but inside what's going on in Orangeburg. But we're keeping it clean, good, and relevant to what's going on here in this community. I do want to commend the members of the County Council for what they've done. I live in, what's my district, Councilwoman?

Seven.

I'm in seven. So I've got a particularly... All of y'all are wonderful. All of y'all are wonderful. But my councilwoman has been doing some great stuff where I live. And I just wanted to come here personally tonight and thank her. She's done so much. I know this is an election year, and I'm not electioneering. I'm not supposed to do that. But I just wanted to say we appreciate you. Also want to appreciate Councilwoman Janie for what she's done for our organization, keeping us alive. Fiscally, y'all know that word fiscally? It means dollars and cents. So we want to thank you so much and so And you know, I just want to tell y'all, I really mean this sincerely. I love Orangeburg. I came back here to help this community. Much of what you see that's going on here, I've collaborated with Harold Young for a long time, quietly behind the scenes, nudging, pushing, shoving, sometimes asking for things that we know that we can do that other people can't do and why it needs to be done. We've changed this community for the better. And of course, there's a lot more that needs to be done. Again, I want to thank you, Councilwoman. I know she's standing there looking at me. So why is that man saying so many nice things about me? Because you deserve it. You deserve it. And I can't help but say that. You deserve it. Because, I mean, when you look at it, y'all have public meetings, not just here, but with the public, out in the communities where the people live. Y'all give out flags and awards here, sure. But you are out there in the community picking up litter, picking up trash. This lady's in a wheelchair, and she's still out there helping organize litter pickup, litter control. We have to be thankful for these people. And this is not some political endorsement. I'm just knowing what I have. Look at Delores Frazier. How hard she works. Seriously. We don't always see eye to eye now, but it's still a surprise. She done brought these people all the way here from Africa to celebrate this community. Who else you know that's doing that? That's something significant. So I just want to say that. Council Member Letitia Walker, again, I thank you for being my council member. And if I lived in anybody else's district, I would praise them the same way. Council Member, thank you all so much. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you for that, sir.

My name is Lewis Edwards. I live in the Manchester South neighborhood over here behind DSS and the school for healthcare professionals. We got a lot of problems in that neighborhood that we're not getting no help with. First of all, they put speed bumps in front of the school. Why they got it? I know nobody that got a speeding ticket on that road. Second of all, we can't get no light, they say, because it's so dark back up in there. You know, we got a lot of single people up in there. We're going to have people breaking in cars, One person breaking an atomic, the next person pointing a gun at the front door. You know, I come out every morning with my gun out. I go outside and look and make sure there's nobody out there. I'm military trained. I know how to use a weapon. I'm going to protect me before anything else. Second of all, the roads messed up. I got a dip, or I guess we just finna cut a drain in front of my yard. DPU say, call y'all. Y'all say, call DPU. I'm tired of that. Second of all, the water Runs off so bad, these were in front of the hospital that was in front of my house. And I'm four houses down in the neighborhood in a curve. Second of all, we got two retaining ponds, no fences. And third of all, I mean, no stain on the shelter ponds. You'll never see them in the neighborhood now that somebody's gone. I mean, we got a serious problem. have a serious problem they need to be taken care of.

That's all I got. We're here and we're going to ask our minister to get back with you on some of those issues, okay?

What was it that you were holding up? I couldn't see.

Reflectors from the road that's in front of the health care professional hospital. Like I said, I'm four houses down. You got to go make a right and make a left. I'm four houses down in the neighborhood.

Any other amount of comments?

I hope I'm right about this material also. It kind of speaks to what the last two speakers spoke of, stuff that we are doing and stuff that needs doing. In 2024, the results of the election for the capital project sales tax are right here. There are 135 items attached to be done. The first paragraph says $115 billion to be the cap. 135 items total $124,600,000, so there's about $9 million that wouldn't get done anyhow based upon the cap. And this week, I understand, and this is what I hope I don't understand correctly, that $30 million is going to be taken out of this same capital project sales tax for the new courthouse. So that means about a fourth of the projects, if you just number the 135, won't get done in our needs. And I don't understand it. There's three colleges listed, $1 million apiece, 133, 134, and 135. Are they going to get cut? Are some of the other $1 million projects or someone's road not paved? I don't know. I just wanted to bring that for you.

Mayor, I want to say this again. Y'all do a good job. I don't know what he's talking about, right? What I'm saying is this. We come here every Monday, every other Monday, for the county council. The county's taking a hit. I pay Morgan out of my pocket to come here to film this stuff. We go all around this community. We do it with the help of whoever on the council gives us support to do it. They don't have a lot of money to do a lot of things here. It's hard. This is another community that you understand can't get what they do in Lexington or what they do in Columbia or what they do in a lot of other places. So we have to work together, stick together, and work harder together to make things work. So I'm not saying you're wrong for what you're saying. You should question it, but this is not the forum to do it. When you've got something you want to ask, go to them individuals. Go to Harold, knock on his door. Harold, you don't have a problem with somebody coming to see you, do you?

No, sir.

Because I'm not going to do it all the time. Don't use this as a platform for your agenda. If you've got a question about this place, because I question a lot of things, don't I come to you? Don't I come to you? I go in their face, doctor. I don't come and use no public forum for what I want. When I want something, I say, council member, it's so and so and such and such. Ain't nobody crazy. Ain't nobody stupid. I know your name's on the ballot. You're trying to run for something. That's the only reason you're up in here now. Tell me what you want to do. That's all that is. Ain't nobody crazy. You should be here all the time. Say you're just coming up here trying to use the people's time for your agenda. That don't work, doctor. We're smarter than that. Thank you.

Anybody else who has public comments?

First time I went to County Castle was because of a little park.

Say your name, sir.

John Cummings from Utahville, South Carolina. Thank you. Small park that y'all helped create near Red Bank. be very nice. You took the advice of some of the residents down there and it came out very nice. I see you're going to buy some more land for recreational property. All I ask is what happens to Indian Bluff? It's falling apart. It's like many of these old houses around here. It's beautiful on the outside, but inside It's rotting away. The bathrooms are terrible. The trash in the park itself. I've got two pages of observations and stuff like that. And I'm just saying, could we have some money, instead of the recreation here, some money just to put back that little park like it was? Thank you for your time.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity.

I'm Ty Davenport. I'm the Director of Economic Development at the Orangeburg County Development Commission. special treat I think for everybody. I want to introduce our intern Alyssa Davis-Hunson right here. She's a senior at South Carolina State in the engineering program and she has been a fantastic asset, a real asset to our office over the last month, month and a half. We're a little short staffed right now and bringing in an intern to do some of the The project work that's been sort of pushed off the side has really been a big help. She's working on gathering data about the needs over industrial park, things like water, sewer, where we're lacking, and that kind of thing. I walked into her office the other day, Sierra, and I said, I think we need to get a spreadsheet put together of all this data. She said, well, I've already done that. That's just the way she is. I just couldn't be more pleased. A little bit about Alyssa. She is, there's a lot of stuff on this list, so I didn't write it down. She's a senior at South Carolina State University. She's the chapter president of the National Society of Black Engineers. She's interned with South Carolina DOT, and she's currently working on some projects for us I think I'll let her speak briefly on what she's doing, but I just want you to know that there's a lot of great talent coming out of South Carolina State that did a good job over there, and she's a really fine example of what's going on here in Orangeburg. Thanks. Thank you.

Hello, and thank you for the time that I'm being given. At first, I just want to thank all you guys for your efforts and everything that you do for the county, seeing how I live here 99% of the year. I appreciate everything you guys do and are doing and I am thankful to work for the OCDC this summer and they've taught me a lot and hopefully I get to bring them back to the county. Currently I'm working on, as Ty has stated, some data collection for them and just kind of getting their books together. I'm also doing some site plans for some of the industrial parks that we have here in Orangeburg County. So I'm very blessed to have this opportunity.

And thank you for all you're doing on our account. We appreciate you, and hopefully one day you may stay with us.

Thank you, Harvey. I'd like to say this. Something's happening because I can't hear. Oh, I got to turn it on. I guess it will work once I push the button. You know, I have been arguing the point for a very, very long time about the businesses in Orangeburg going up on the campuses at South Carolina State and Claflin University and using the students. And one of my pet peeves at that library, need to train the students over at the library to come and do some things here for the county. They would love to do that and stuff. And I want to say thank you very much. Please encourage some more of your colleagues and friends to call us. And we'll see whether or not we can put you to work doing some things and stuff to give you some type of training that you can step out on your own and say, yes, I did this at the county level. Please continue it. And thank you, Ty, for going up on campus, getting students to come and help and be your intern.

Thank you. Thank you so much, Alyssa. I just want to say, I know the engineering program is phenomenal at South Carolina State University. My cousin graduated as a civil engineer last semester, so I know that they are doing some great things. And I'm so grateful that you chose Orangeburg County Development Center to utilize your skills with. So thank you so much. And we look forward to having you as a resident once you graduate. That's right. That's right.

Thank you.

anyone else on public matters. Now we move on to the next item on our agenda is presentation. Presentation from South Carolina State University, Dr. Matthew Wartock-Gowaff, Dean of College of Business and Information Systems and an international graduate student from the continent of Africa.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Thanks for allowing us a slot in your very busy and, of course, important job here for the county. On behalf of Desi State, I bring greetings from President Anazana Cañas, the board members, faculty, and staff at Desi State. We're proud of South Carolina. We're proud of Orangeburg, which is our home. Our job is to make it better, since our responsibility is to prepare the youth to be the rightful leaders of tomorrow. Thank you for allowing us in. NC State is the only Research II institution, university in the state of South Carolina, which means we go beyond just teaching in the classroom to doing things externally and ensuring our young people are decent citizens, productive citizens, and ready to move all of USA forward. We are proud of Lisa and the many students of South Carolina State. And more importantly, we are delighted for Ty and the rest of the Council for helping us giving our students what we term experiential learning, which allows them to apply theory and prepare them for tomorrow's challenges. We look forward to giving you more students, and we are happy to inform you that there are a lot more students from all departments of the university. At the moment, we have 21 students. A few of them are here from the continent of Africa, to be specific, East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, from the United States International University of Africa, which is located in Nairobi. They're visiting us for two weeks, and this is their third time in Orangeburg. And of course, part of our obligation in preparing our young people is to expose them internationally. So we also take students to these countries. For a long time, for decades, we've taken students to London, Paris, China, Korea. We learned that we also need to take students to the continent of Africa, so for the past three years, we've taken them consistently to Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, and a lot of other places. South Africa will stay planning, of course, with what's happening in South Africa now, which we plan to do in the future rather than immediately. So I'm proud to present to you a number of students from the continent of Africa. These are PhD students These are students who have done their first degree, second degree, and doing their PhD. And surprise, surprise, among them are parents, executives, business people. And one of them asked me this morning, the kid in last night, can I bring my daughter here to do this course or that course? So there's a direct benefit in bringing these students into Orangeburg. as our job is to promote Orangeburg, promote South Carolina State, and of course, make our students, give them better opportunities than they have in the past. So past few minutes, inviting the dean from the business college, USIU to come and give you a few words.

Thank you, Dean Matthew. Good afternoon, all. Good afternoon. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to visit you. My name is Timothy Cage. I'm the Dean of the Tandaria School of Business at the United States International University Africa. On behalf of my president and the entire USAID community, we are indeed very grateful for you to have allowed us to come before you. Thank you, thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you and present my students. With me, I have 21 students pursuing doctorate of business administration in various fields, accounting, finance, leadership, and change management, and also strategic management. Now, we in USIU, we believe in two or three areas. One is transformative teaching, learning and research, whereby we believe in ensuring that whoever we prepare is well-grounded and that he can be able to go out there and be able to create wealth. And to be able to do this, we ensure that indeed there is internationalization in our curriculum. And that's why I am with these 21 students. I would have wanted to come with as many as possible. Unfortunately, query number could not get the visa. To speak also, I have three, my professor who was still stranded in New York because of cancellation and the like, but they likely to be with us tomorrow. I take this opportunity again once more to thank you. The other area that as a university we pursue vigorously is the issue of community and industry engagement, where we do not just work alone, but we work with industry and And to be able to do this, we reach out to various universities, various institutions, for purposes of partnership and collaboration. And that, therefore, explains why we are here. The other area that is very critical for us is the issue of research and scholarship. We, again, are pursuing this for purposes of ensuring that, indeed, our university is known out there as a research and teaching institution. plus many more other things. I wouldn't want to take too much of your time. I want to thank you, but please, with your permission, allow me just to ask one of my students to say one or two words. Thank you, John.

Esteemed council members, county residents, deans, and my fellow students, good evening. Good evening. I guess I lack words. Because most of us, when we come to America, we always land at Washington or New York, where everyone is in a hurry. So we always assumed the southern hospitality is on me. But from the moment we landed at Charlestown, some at Columbia, y'all are amazing. Better be careful, because when you tell us y'all come back, we might just stick here. Thank you so much. We've had a beautiful time. Madam Dolores, thank you so much for the gifts. We got them from David Goud, Matthew. We really appreciated it. We were shocked. Thank you so much. Did you state your names? Sorry, my name is John Makdo, a DVA student. Sorry. You might have to spell that last name. You know I spell John. It's N-D-U-N-G-O. Don't go. Thank you so much. You've had a beautiful time, and you'll definitely be back. I think one of our team leaders is coming here the second time, so we don't judge you. We don't fault you. It's a beautiful place. God bless you.

Thank you. I'd like to say something. Dr. Gould, you said something about a parent wanting her child to come here. Please raise your hand. Who's that person? Whenever she gets, she or he gets here, please look us up. We're going to take care of her. Promise you that.

We're going to thank you for that presentation. Beautiful said. That's all I'm going to say. A long time. Next on our agenda, we have an audit and second reading and public hearing. Public hearings mean that anybody from the public can comment on these agenda items. I think it's four on the public hearing. The first one is the ordinance authorized in Oswego County to release regarding Probably commonly referred to as 920 Willington Drive, Orangeburg, South Carolina. Tax amount is 0154-19-02-009-000. The state of Orangeburg County shall be the landlord and the Orangeburg Council of Agents shall be the tenant. Harold, please.

Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. This is a lease agreement so that we can relocate.

Talk into my car, please.

Sorry. This is a lease agreement so that we can relocate the current councilman agent to this new facility that we're doing that . I have a motion to accept this order.

Second.

Second.

Anybody from the public need to comment on that?

I didn't realize it was a public hearing. I apologize for the comments earlier. I still have the same question about the value of the property. On March 8, 2024, three-quarters of a million dollars was paid for that property by two OCAP. And I don't know what the lease value is, but I'd like that to be shared. Because at $1,000 a month, it's going to take 62 and a half years to recap those monies that were spent when OCAP got it for $5. And it was 64 acres in acreage at one time on the old cards. That was scratched out to like 54 acres. Overestimated the acreage. Orangeburg County only purchased 10 acres of that and paid three-quarters of a million dollars for it. Okay, it still owns the remainder. I just don't understand. Thank you.

This is Jim. I can answer that. Because it's a public hearing, I will answer that. The original purchase price for that building OCAP invested and put a building there that is now the building that's on the site that we're actually going to use. So if you look at the value of the building that's there, it far surpasses the $5 that the land was paid for. That building was built way after the Future Farmers Camp was shut down, and therefore the cost of that building and the building on that 10 acres goes into the value of what we had to purchase it for. And as far as the lease of the

And it's part of the ordinance. We've researched the fair market rent for the property, and it's $1,250 to $1,350 per square foot, or $8,379 a month, or $100,542 per year. It's a four-year lease. And the county is not charging the council on aging rents. rent because the in-kind services which are attached as an exhibit that the Council on Aging is providing to senior citizens exceeds what the rent would be, such as meals, recreation, educational opportunities, and hobbies, a whole lot of stuff.

That's right. Thank you, Council, for that comment. Explanation back to the motion for the second item. So moved. Second. We're going to prompt the second that we affect this item on our agenda. All in favor let the gentleman say aye. Aye. Opposed have the same right. Seeing none. Consider the motion approved. Agenda approved. Item approved. Excuse me.

And I would point out who are participating virtually who are also voting.

I'm just saying just for purposes of the audience understanding we never talked about we have empty chairs where are these people?

These representatives are on other sites, and they are participating virtually online, and they appear on that screen. You didn't see them during the vote, but they were there and they voted in favor, just making it clear. Thank you for bringing that to their attention.

Second item on this is with polar herring as well. ways to use agreement regarding a portion of a property commonly referred to as 1404 Springfield Road, Springfield, South Carolina, tax matter GM0012-03, I'm sorry, dash 13-12-002-000, where in other account it shall be The lease off at the Auburn County Council of Agents shall be the lease fee.

Harold. Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. This is also a lease agreement with the Springfield property, and this is also for community activities in the Springfield area, Council District 4.

I'll invite the public to comment on that item. I'm going to be all-star paying a motion.

So moved.

Second. We will probably second that be approved. I don't want to let it be known by saying aye. Aye. Oh, that's saying right. Being done, we consider it approved. Third item of the same with the public hearing. An ordinance authorizing all of our counties to enter into a lease regarding The landlord and the community organization for right and empowerment also known as CORE should be suspended.

Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. This is also a lease agreement for the 1250 Unity property, and this is a community development project which entails a lease to the community organization for rights and empowerment.

not be offered to obtain a motion to accept this one. So moved, Mr. Chair.

Second.

We will probably second that we approve this item on our agenda. All in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Opposed, that's the same right. Seeing none, we consider it approved. Both on our agenda is an ordinance authorizing all very kind of to purchase for recreational use. Portion of the property commonly referred to in the, in the Aldenburg County Tax Map System as TMS0154-00-02-006-000 from James J. Boyd Jr. Yes, Mr. Chairman, this is an additional acreage to go along with the Council, all in favor make a motion. So moved, Mr. Chair.

Second.

Moved and probably seconded. Seconded. Approved the item more than three times. All right. All right. All right. that certain amended and recently multi-county park amendment date May 17, 2010, sequentially amended governing a joint county industrial park by and between Marjory County, South Carolina, and Dorchester County. and other related matter. Mr. Carroll. Yes, I was just here.

This is a Dorchester County located economic development transaction for Translucent Solar. And as is their right, under the state of South Carolina's laws, the counties can enter into a multi-county park agreement, which It's not a physical park. It's just an agreement to share certain things. And the share on this is the standard 99% of the fee agreement money goes to Dorchester and 1% comes to Orangeburg County. Just as when it's an Orangeburg County property, 99% comes to us and 1% goes to Dorchester. So this is a Dorchester project and Dorchester has asked us to

Thank you for that explanation. Counselor, can I get a motion to this effect?

So moved, Mr. Chair.

Second. Okay. Moving. Probably second that motion. All in favor let me know by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, I'll say I'm right. Next on our agenda, we've got six procurements. And I'll start off with eight. Number one, sole source justification. P-U-B-L-I-L-L-C. S-I slash P-U-B-L-I-Q. Annual tax proceeding.

Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. This is an agreement with the cloud-based tax processing software and maintenance subscription that is used by the treasurer, auditor, delinquent tax, tax billing, notice printing, mailing, and delinquent tax. There's an annual service agreement that has to be paid to go along with the software, and this is being presented to you in the amount of $534,819.45.

The motion on that, please.

Second.

So, second.

Move on to the second, we approve this item A, procurement. All in favor, let it be known by saying, aye. Aye. Opposed, have the same rights. Me, none. We can serve. So, so, justification approved. Next, item B.

Goodland Community Park. Mr. Harrell? Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. This is a request to proceed with the bidded out and purchased replacement equipment for the Springfield Goodland Community Park in the amount of $110,395.75. The vendor would be MAPA Recreation LAC, and this is under the state contract term.

We'll make a motion that we approve IASRAD. Second.

Second. Walker approving. Courageous second. All in favor let it be known by saying aye. Aye. Aye for that. Mr. Harrell.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. This is a request for approval for the information technology service department. We utilize the Microsoft 365 platform to support county's operations, including email productivity applications to security services. And this is a renewal for that agreement to all the Microsoft licensing throughout the entire county. The licensing agreement is being presented to TU at $219,000. How much you said, Harold?

$219,000. Okay. Being that we didn't have an explanation, can I get a motion to approve this one as well?

So moved, Mr. Chairman. Second. Moved.

I'll probably second that we approve this request for technology, Microsoft. All in favor let it be known by saying aye. Aye.

Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. This is a service agreement for the motor oil solutions that run our radios, and this is a service agreement that is need to be renewed, and the price of the service agreement being presented to you is $137,219.09.

Karen, explanation, can I get a motion to that effect as well?

So moved, sir. Second.

Moved. I want to be able to let you know by saying I have the same rights. Being known to consider item D approval as well. Next is item E on my agenda, request for approval. A striker, co-care, preventive maintenance agreement.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. This is an agreement that's the annual preventive maintenance services agreement for the striker equipment, which is most of the EMS equipment that's used. uh... stretchers machines uh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh...

Move to second that item E be approved. All in favor of the letter be known by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Opposed? I have the same right hand. I'm going to consider item E approved. Item F, request for approval as well. A, E, 3.

Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. This is a facilities, this is the procurement that is for surveillance and access control for the county for the DPH project, which is the DHEC building that's being put together to move into the whole library. So there has to be updated access and control and surveillance systems for that. It's under state contract, state contract numbers provided, and the amount of the agreement is $85,960.53.

make a motion that we accept item F as written second second that we approve item F all in favor let it be known by saying aye aye both have the same rights we consider item F approved thank you for those procurement next on our agenda we have a vote for And the second session is going to be an economic development update. SC code 30-4-70, discussion of matter related, purpose of location, fashion, as well as service encouraging the location and expansion of industrial or other buildings in the area served by the public body. That's going to be the first item of the 42nd session. And the second one is going to be Project Square. A to where the legal advice related to attending written or plan or other matters covered by attorney privilege. Those are going to be the ones that are going to be entertained in the executive session. Yes, sir.

I have been mentioning establishing a public, a regional housing authority here in Orangeburg County for two years now. The nearest housing authority is located, the nearest housing authority is South Carolina Regional Housing Authority, number three, located in Baltimore County. That regional housing authority serves nine counties, nine counties. The nine counties are Orangeburg, Calhoun, Bamberg, Bonwell, Allendale, Aiken, Hampton, Jasper, and Berkeley counties. Developers are building houses in every area of Orangeburg County, but they are not affordable. Let us think seriously about bringing a housing authority to Orangeburg County. By the way, a regional housing authority does help the low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Owning a home is a part of the American dream. Mr. Administrator, I have been mentioning this for two years, and I would like to know, has the county placed any emphasis on bringing a housing authority to Orangeburg County?

Yes, ma'am. on a state level to do that because the housing authority is prescribed in the state regulations for that particular housing authority.

Well, are we going to start working on establishing one? It's needed. Nine counties, there's a lot of counties for one housing authority to serve. And the people from Orangeburg County have to go all the way to Baltimore County And that makes their list longer. They're put on a waiting list forever. So it would be so convenient if we could have one right here in Baltimore County. We have people from Aiken, Berkeley, Hampton County going to the Housing Authority in Baltimore County.

Yes, ma'am. We need to get to the topic. But there are some hurdles that we have to overcome because of the fact that

Well, are we doing anything to overcome those hurdles that you're talking about?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Cooper, for that, because like you said, it's very much needed. And I also would like to redirect and go back to the young lady who's doing an internship. Our goal is to make Orangeburg County affordable for students who are leaving college or their parents' home, and also the ordinary citizens. So we're working on some things to bring that to fruition because our goal is also to retain the youth as they leave here. That is a skill that you will possess being an engineer. And we need engineers here in Orangeburg. We don't need you graduating South Carolina State University and Claflin University and moving to Charleston or Columbia because that's the only way you can find a job or the only way that you can afford to live and pay your bills. So like I said, we're working on some things so that we can afford the youth an opportunity to live and stay here in Ontario County. So thank you again.

Thank you.

Believe it or not... What?

You must have been talking all day.

I'm tired.

Listen, let me give you all an experience of what I had this weekend. I went to NACO, which is held in New Orleans, and here we are on the airplane, sitting, waiting to fly out. Everybody's there except the pilot. So now you go and reschedule again, and you're on the bottom of the list. Same thing happens again. So believe it or not, I'm tired, and I just got here. So I have to say.

I knew there was a reason. Something that kept you quiet.

Mr. Chairman, do you have anything you'd like to say?

I'll finish. I'm just looking. I'm good. It's a good afternoon every day. I hope everybody's family is well. I hope all the good things that are being said is being worked on. We will continue to move Harnsburg County in a positive direction. We've just got to keep hope alive and keep working. We'll get there. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. I'd like to also say welcome back to our attorney, Leanne. Welcome.

The only thing I would like to say before I ask for a term is that in Osborne County we have a lot of challenges. And I feel like we are trying to overcome them the best we can. And working hard in Dillington. So moved, Mr.

Chair.

Second. I'll second that bill according to the second session. That being said, we're not going to decide anything, so we don't have to wait around, correct, to get an answer for what we talked about in the second session. All in favor of adjournment?

So moved.

And I'm going to apologize. being closed. Thanks everybody for coming. Thank you.