City Council

COUNCIL CHAMBER Regular Meeting April 9, 2019 The seventy-third meeting of the City Council of Charleston was held this date convening at 5:02 p.m. at City Hall. A notice of this meeting and an agenda were mailed to the news media April 3, 2019 and appeared in The Post and Courier April 7, 2019 and are made available on the City’s website. PRESENT (13) The Honorable John J. Tecklenburg, Mayor Councilmember White District 1 Councilmember Waring District 7 Councilmember Shealy - excused District 2 Councilmember Seekings District 8 at 5:38 p.m. Councilmember Lewis District 3 Councilmember Shahid District 9 Councilmember Mitchell District 4 Councilmember Griffin District 10 Councilmember Wagner District 5 Councilmember Moody District 11 Councilmember Gregorie District 6 Councilmember Jackson District 12 Mayor Tecklenburg called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. The Clerk called the roll. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Now, if you would like to join us, Councilmember Shahid will lead us in a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.” Councilmember Shahid said, “Mr. Mayor, members of Council, and Madam Clerk, I’ve invited Pastor Michael H. Edwards of Orange Grove Church, who is in my district, to give us the invocation tonight.” Pastor Michael H. Edwards opened the meeting with an invocation. Councilmember Shahid then led City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Thank you all. I know many of you have been here before and know this, but in the most unlikely event that we would need to evacuate the building and room these are our two exit doors and one to the room over to my right. In that unlikely occasion, do not use the elevator, but go down the two staircases to the front staircase to the street. Thank you very much for that. Now, we are honored this evening, my colleagues and citizens, to have in our presence the Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, and Charleston is a proud City of some Irish heritage. If you go to the end of Charlotte Street, this former Council approved the creation of the South Carolina Irish Memorial here in Charleston which includes, I presume Mr. Ambassador that you were able to visit this memorial, showing many of the individuals of Irish descent who made  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 2 enduring contributions to the history of South Carolina and to the United States, including a Captain O’Sullivan, the namesake for Sullivan’s Island who became the sentry, the guardian for Charleston Harbor in our various early days. In fact, eight South Carolinians, who either signed the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, half of them, four of them were of Irish descent. That’s why I am so pleased this evening to introduce to you Daniel Mulhall and his lovely wife Greta, and also, the Consul General from Atlanta Shane Stephens who does come to Charleston from time to time. Welcome back, Shane. Ambassador Mulhall was born and brought up in Waterford, Ireland and pursued his graduate and post-graduate studies at the University College Cork where he specialized in Modern Irish History and Literature. He has served as Ireland’s 18th Ambassador to the United States since August of 2017, but prior to that, he was a member of their Department of Foreign Affairs and had early diplomatic assignments in New Delhi, Vienna, Brussels, Edinburgh, and he was Ireland’s first Consul General in Edinburgh from 1998 to 2001. He served as Ireland’s Ambassador to Malaysia from 2001 to 2005, and he also accredited Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. From 2009 to 2013, he was Ireland’s Ambassador to Germany, and prior to coming to the United States, he was Ireland’s Ambassador to Great Britain and served in London. So, I would like to invite Ambassador Mulhall to come forward and greet us and share a few Irish witticisms with us.” There was applause in the Chamber. Ambassador Daniel Mulhall said, “Thank you, Mayor, members of the Council, and citizens of Charleston. It’s great to have a chance to observe your local democracy here in full view and full cry, which is very impressive. It’s an amazing Chamber, which I had the privilege of visiting today guided by the Mayor who gave me all of the information I needed. I just came from the College of Charleston where I gave a talk there to a very good group of students, staff, and also members of the local community. I was talking about 100 years of Irish independence because actually, as it happens, this is the centary of the Declaration of Irish Independence in 1919, though we didn’t become independent for three years after that because it took a bit of a War of Independence, a bit like your Declaration, actually. It had to be a War of Independence before we managed to finally become independent. I was comparing the two processes, and it’s not an irrelevant topic to Charleston, in particular, because the first President of that independent Irish State, President Eamon De Valera, came here to Charleston in 1920. He escaped from prison in Lincoln in England, and instead of going back to Ireland to lead the struggle for independence, he came to America and spent about a year and a half here visiting Irish communities all over the United States. A bit like George Washington he decided, after the Declaration of Independence, to set off and spend his time in France promoting American independence in France. De Valera came here, and he was very warmly received by the people of Charleston and, of course, at that time it may have been a coincidence, but the Mayor of this City at that time was Mayor John Grace. He was a supporter of Irish independence, and therefore, made sure that De Valera was warmly welcomed, so there is a rich history here. Mayor Tecklenburg is one of at least seven Mayors of this City to have an Irish heritage, which is a great tribute to the connection between Ireland and Charleston. That connection of course was formed by generations of Irish immigrants who came here really fleeing from poverty and deprivation, in some cases, hunger and starvation in Ireland and came to the United States, including here to Charleston, and became part of the fabric of this great City and this great Country. That’s a source of pride for today’s Ireland. Today, we in Ireland, we’re now home to many people from outside of Ireland who now see Ireland as a place that they want to come and make their lives in. In fact, one in six people today living in Ireland was not born in Ireland, which is a remarkable turnaround for a Country that was, for so long, a nation of immigration that exported its people. Today, we happily export high  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 3 quality products and services all over the world, including here to South Carolina, including to Charleston. I visited the Port today, and they told me that about 1,000 containers every year go from Charleston directly to Ireland, and there must be a lot more that goes via some of the European ports which are the major importers of product from all over the world. So, for Ireland we’ve gone through a 100 years of independence. There have been ups and downs for us. We’ve had our troubles, including ten years ago. We had our great financial difficulties, but we’re come through that. Today, Ireland is the fastest growing economy in Europe for the last five years. The exciting thing is that this is based on, some extent at least, 750 U.S. companies who currently employ 150,000 people in Ireland but also, by the way, an increasing number of Irish companies coming here to this Country. We now have 500 plus Irish companies in America who employ 100,000 people, and 2,000 of those are in South Carolina, and part of my reason for being here, along with the Consul General Shane Stephens, is to encourage more Irish people to be aware of the opportunities that exist all over the United States for Ireland. Additionally, after Britain leaves the European Union, we will become the only English speaking country in the European Union. We expect that to mean that Ireland will become an even more vital partner for the United States in the future. We have a lot in common with the United States, a lot in common with South Carolina. We’re both places that maybe used to be places where the mainstay of the economy was rural and was food production. Today, in Ireland, as in South Carolina, it’s all to do with the production of high quality goods and services. That provides the basis for a future relationship between Ireland and South Carolina, between Ireland and Charleston that, I hope, will thrive and prosper. I will certainly do everything I can during my time as Ambassador to ensure that the relationship between Ireland and Charleston, Ireland and South Carolina, goes from strength to strength. As we say in Irish, D’fhèadfadh go bhfuil tù 1,000 rudaì maithe a tharlòidh a thabhairt duit which means literally ‘May you have 1,000 good things happen to you.’ Thank you very much.” There was a standing ovation in the Chamber. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Mr. Ambassador, if I could ask you and your lovely wife, Greta, to come forward for just a minute. I just have a couple of gifts for you, one a photographic book of Charleston to remind you of many good memories, hopefully here. For Ms. Greta, it was so pleasant to be with you today, and here is a gift for you from the City of Charleston.” Ambassador Mulhall said, “Thank you very much.” Greta Mulhall said, “Thank you so much.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Mr. Ambassador, just to let you know, we are a sovereign City State, but on St. Patrick’s Day, we do fly the Irish colors above City Hall.” Ambassador Mulhall said, “By the way, thank you also for your support for the Irish Memorial. I went there today. It’s a magnificent tribute to the Irish connection with Charleston. Thank you very much for that.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Yes, sir. God bless you.” There was applause in the Chamber. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “So, we mourn the loss of a favorite native son of Charleston, but celebrate really truly one of the most remarkable careers of public service to our State, our City, our Nation, in U.S. Senator Ernest Frederick ‘Fritz’ Hollings. I would like for the record, to make a proclamation regarding Senator Hollings. I had invited his son, Michael, to be here today, but he had to go back to Columbia. We will present this to the family at the time of the funeral or the visitation. For Council’s information if you hadn’t read, it is this coming Sunday from 3:00 p.m.  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 4 to 6:00 p.m. at Jimmy McAlister’s. The funeral will be Tuesday, a week from today, at the Summerall Chapel at The Citadel with a reception thereafter.” Mayor Tecklenburg read the proclamation. ---INSERT PROCLAMATION--- There was a standing ovation in the Chamber. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Thank you very much. Giving thanks, one more little recognition. I want to recognize your and my colleague, Councilmember Seekings, for his role in helping manage and lead the Cooper River Bridge Run which was this last Saturday. He stepped up to the plate when Julian Smith’s health was passing, and then as we know, Mr. Smith passed away recently himself and, Mike, you did a great job. The race was terrific.” There was applause in the Chamber. Councilmember Shahid said, “Mr. Mayor, if I could just add to that comment, I spent about an hour and a half with Councilmember Seekings on race day, and he was cool as a cucumber. I just want to tell you, under all of that stress and all of that pressure, I was just so impressed watching him just go through this process without worrying about anything, and it worked like clockwork, so congratulations, Mike.” Councilmember Seekings said, “Well, Mr. Mayor, and fellow Councilmembers, thank you very much. As you know, the Cooper River Bridge Run is part of this community. It has been for 42 years, and it was an honor to play a very small part of it this year following Julian Smith, who was literally a larger than life human being and did something for this community that no other person has probably ever done. So, it was a heck of a day. It was really successful. I don’t know if you all were out there that morning, but it was a beautiful morning and about five minutes before the race started, the fog descended on Charleston, and it cooled everything down, so it was great for runners. It was just an amazing sort of eerie event and everyone came on the other side from Mt. Pleasant through that fog as happy as I’ve ever seen them, 30,000 strong. We finished ten percent more runners than we did last year, and I just think, as we transition from a race that was Julian’s to now a community race, it’s stronger than ever. Again, it was humbling, for sure, to be just a very small part and watch as I was with Councilmember Shahid on the scaffolding as 30,000 people go underneath you and running towards downtown Charleston. All of them still had a smile on their face when they got there. It was pretty amazing. So, thank you all for the opportunity, thank you for the recognition, and I can assure you that there will be someone else doing it next year.” There was laughter in the Chamber. Councilmember Seekings continued, “I will be running it again next year. It’s the first time I hadn’t run in 20 years, but it was a fantastic experience and just fun to be part of the community. So, thank you all very much.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Great job. Alright. Next is our approval of Council minutes from March 14th and the 26th.” Councilmember Mitchell said, “Move for approval.” Councilwoman Jackson said, “Second.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Are there any deletions or additions?” No one asked to speak.  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 5 On a motion of Councilmember Mitchell, seconded by Councilwoman Jackson, City Council voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the March 14, 2019 and March 26, 2019 City Council meetings. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Lastly, one recognition that I didn’t have on my list originally was a little matter of today’s date is a birthday for someone, one of our colleagues. Councilmember Shealy, it’s your birthday. Happy Birthday, Councilmember Shealy.” Councilmember Shealy said, “Thank you.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “So, next is our Citizens Participation Period. We have just nine folks signed up. I’m going to ask you to please limit your remarks to two minutes. I would like to address, this has come up a number of times during Citizens Participation Period, where one citizen has “allotted” his time to another citizen. We would like to refrain from that practice here, and just please utilize your time. Anybody can sign up, anybody can speak their mind, but it’s intended for a variety of voices to be heard, and so we ask you just to keep to your own personal two-minute time. Madam Clerk.” The Clerk said, “Okay. Mohammed Idris, I think this is Dawn Mears, Marc Knapp, Jason Taylor, Ann Birdseye.” 1. Mohammed Idris said a police officer shot someone in the back, and then someone killed nine people in a church. He said the City had to get together to do what was right. He said the Mayor wasn’t doing the right thing, and the City needed someone else. When people were only allowed to speak for half a minute, it was wrong. He said they would work to get themselves another Mayor. 2. Dawn Mears said she was an 18-year resident and a member of the Eastside Community Development Center. They were there to offer their support in changing the Residential Parking Ordinance in the Eastside. As all of the new hotels were built, the parking would continue to flow down into the Eastside, and it was already a struggle to park. The area used to be a bad place to live, and now it was almost like a Country Club thanks to the Police Department, Fire Department, Mayor, and the City, and they appreciated it. She said they hoped they could get the Residential Parking Ordinance passed that was promised over a year ago. 3. Marc Knapp said apparently the City had become a standout at giving people tickets, but he was concerned because two weeks ago two young ladies hit a tree on Riverland Drive. Both were under age and the young lady that was driving passed out because she was drunk. The other young lady was hurt badly. Neither were wearing seatbelts, and the blood alcohol level of the young lady that was driving was still above the legal limit the next morning. No tickets were written. He questioned how to get people to understand there were consequences to their actions when they didn’t do the right thing. This was typical of what was going on in the Country. He was also concerned that moving money and hiring a lawyer for the Police Department was a step in going towards what they discussed last time about a certain lawyer. 4. Jason Taylor said he approached Council the previous week, and many on Council spoke out against him in support of the City’s Police Chief. He was there to thank the Police Department for listening to his comments. He also thanked the Mayor for understanding that the community could effectuate change in the City. Since he spoke at the last meeting, Captain Middleton came to his home, was on the streets walking  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 6 around, and saw what was going on and asked questions. He had also seen the Police Team in the City driving with lights. He said he improved it by bringing this issue to Council. They mattered as citizens and when they brought complaints and issues forward it was not for convenience or pay but because they cared about their City and they should be listened to. Every Councilmember had a duty to their constituents to listen. He thanked Chief Reynolds, Captain Middleton, Mr. Lawrence, and for the police presence as that would diminish crime in their neighborhood. He thanked Councilmember Seekings for the amazing job he had done on CARTA. He was one of the few individuals who transported via dark, and he was now able to use WiFi, which enabled him to be more productive. He reminded Councilmembers that residents had issues, and he thanked Chief Reynolds for sending Captain Middleton and for the increased police presence. Everyone who thought things were fine in Charleston had a lot of work to do. 5. Ann Birdseye said she was a member of Circular Congregational Church and represented the Charleston Area Justice Ministry. She was joined by Pat Mack who was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Their vision for their community was one where everyone lived in a safe, healthy, and affordable home with enough money left over each month for food, medicine, and childcare. The reality stood in stark contrast to their vision. Their housing problem was at a crisis level. Those earning $15.00 an hour would have to work 54 hours per week to afford the basic two-bedroom apartment in the area. Minimum wage earners probably could not physically work enough hours to afford decent housing. The businesses were impacted and aware of it. Two weeks ago, Kitchen 208 announced they would be closing because they struggled to find qualified workers. In a recent article, a restaurant spokesperson said it wasn’t only about qualified people, but also about the lack of public transportation and affordable housing, which were both critical issues. It was a problem for the entire region. Over 500 community members gathered and signed a cutout of a house to show their support for Charleston, North Charleston, and the Town of Mt. Pleasant to not only establish a Regional Housing Trust Fund, but to fund it, as well. They called on Council to come to their Nehemiah Action on May 6th. 6. Steven Azzarella said he was a City of Charleston Fireman and also President of the Charleston Firefighters Association Local 61. He invited Council to participate in their 2nd Annual Fire Ops 101 on April 27th at 8:00 a.m. They had great participation last year and the Mayor, along with many Councilmembers, had participated. They were looking forward to the second year and getting more members out to participate. Councilmember Shealy was excused from the meeting at 5:38 p.m. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Thank you for your service.” There was applause in the Chamber. Councilmember Seekings said, “Mr. Mayor.” Mayor Tecklenburg recognized Councilmember Seekings. Councilmember Seekings said, “Just in follow up to that, there were several of us who did participate last year. Councilmember Griffin was there. I think Councilmember Shealy was there. It is quite an experience. If you haven’t done it, do it. It is a workout of epic proportions. I will tell  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 7 you, I know we all appreciate what our fire people do for us in this City, but if you really want to know what it’s like, and you want to get a great appreciation at ground level of what it’s like to be a firefighter under stressful conditions, go to this program. It is unbelievable. It’s an experience, I’ll tell you, you will recognize how hard a job they have physically and mentally to keep us safe. So, thank you for doing it. I don’t know that I can take it again. But if you haven’t done it, get out there and do it, right?” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Haven’t you always wanted to operate the Jaws of Life? You get to do that and literally cut right through an automobile door. It’s amazing. So, anyway, I recommend it highly.” Councilmember Seekings said, “It’s something.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Thank you, again.” Councilmember Seekings said, “By the way, one other thing, Mr. Mayor, that I want to point out. There was someone who said something nice about CARTA in these Chambers. I’m just one of many members. You sit on that Board and so does Councilmember Lewis. This City has been really behind it, so it’s a group effort, not just a one person show.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “I believe I sit on that Board, as well.” Councilmember Seekings said, “I said you did. I said you did, and Councilmember Lewis did.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Yes, sir. Please come forward.” 7. Chip Walker said he was a part-time Uber driver to help pay for his son’s college at The Citadel. He wanted to make Council aware of a problem he had as an Uber driver with picking up and dropping off passengers on King Street, which he called the King Street cluster. Many of his passengers were from out of town, and the tourists did not know it was against the law to pick them up on King Street after midnight on the weekends. The solution was for him to call them and have them meet him on a side street, but they had no idea where they were because they were not from Charleston and likely had been drinking, plus he battled the other rideshare drivers who were on the same side streets. Going to King Street on the weekend had turned into an event for tourists and local residents. He said any time a drop off or pick up rider was at other events, there was a designated drop off and pick up location, which was true for the North Charleston Coliseum, the Tennis Center, the Airport, and lots of other places. There weren’t any designated locations on King Street. He thought there should be at least three designated drop off and pick up locations located just off of King Street on one of the side streets, as well as signs placed on King Street directing the out-of-town tourists to where the side locations were in order to eliminate the cluster. He was willing to help in any way possible, and he gave his number and e-mail address to the Clerk. He said Charleston was better than this. There was applause in the Chamber. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “So, thank you, Mr. Walker, and very unfortunate, my granddaughter is a student at the University of South Carolina and was a close personal friend with Ms. Josephson who was killed there last week. So, I’ve asked our Department of Traffic and Transportation to actually look at what you’re suggesting already and also, we will be publicly promoting this little movement they’ve started in Columbia to ask citizens to be sure they’re getting  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 8 in the right vehicle. To ask the driver to say, ‘What’s my name?,’ to have that identification between the driver and the passenger, so there is no mistake about who is picking up and looking out for the safety of the passengers. So, thank you for that recommendation, and we will be coming back to our Traffic and Transportation Committee with a recommendation along those lines. Thank you, Mr. Walker.” Mr. Walker said, “My pleasure.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Ms. Gamble, sorry to interrupt.” Latonya Gamble said, “No problem.” 8. Latonya Gamble said she was the President of the Eastside Neighborhood Association which was called the Eastside Community Development Corporation. She said two Board members were with her, and they were asking for Council’s help. Everybody always said they wanted to help the Eastside, and they saw that grants had been written with the Eastside Choice Neighborhood Initiative, but she questioned why Council didn’t never listened to them. She said they needed help with the residential parking, and it had been over ten years. They had charrettes, and directors came to their meetings, but they needed some relief. They were more than willing to work with the City to get the residential parking. She thought there was a concern that they wanted to do harm to the Housing Authority, but that was not their intent. They simply needed relief. If the City was going to allow bars and restaurants to be built and have permission to be in their neighborhood without adequate parking for their employees and patrons, then they needed the residential parking. They had another very nice man that wanted 20 off-street parking units. Another man wanted eight off-street parking units. She said if they allowed all of this to happen, they could not park in their neighborhood. One developer had 85 properties, some newcomers had six to seven properties, and the out-of-town people they had to contact, so they needed some relief. They had short term rentals and college students. She questioned how they were supposed to get it done. She said if Council really wanted to help the Eastside, they needed to give them the residential parking. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Thank you, ma’am. Appreciate it. Thank you. Alright. Did anyone else fail to sign up who would like to be heard?” No one else asked to speak. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Seeing none, we will proceed with our Council Committee Reports. First, Committee on Public Works, Councilmember Waring.” Councilmember Seekings was excused at 5:39 p.m. Councilmember Waring said, “Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m going to ask for the privilege to go back. Mr. Taylor came up, and I thanked him for being thankful to the Police Chief, but to say that our policemen do not patrol the neighborhoods with their lights on, that’s just not accurate, and I think everybody in this room knows that’s not accurate. It doesn’t matter what part of town you live in. In particular, at night you can see our policemen cruising through neighborhoods with their lights on as a signal to let you know they are there, that their presence is there, but I am glad he had the chance to meet some of our professionals in the Police Department. As far as complaints, that’s why we have Citizens Participation, not only this public body, virtually every public body does. County Council has it. North Charleston has it. Mt. Pleasant has it, so we can  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 9 hear from our citizens. So, I’m glad you had the opportunity to access that privilege in the public forum. Now, I want to thank, Mr. Mayor, and Council for allowing Public Works to come sooner, so all of Council can hear the reports from our professional staff, in particular when it comes to the drainage. On the Committee on Public Works, we had, as you see on the agenda, the Acceptance and Dedications of J.1.a.(i), (ii), and (iii), as well as (iv), passed unanimously, and I move that they be passed by this body right now.” Councilmember Shahid said, “Second.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “I’m sorry what was the motion?” Councilmember Waring said, “I asked that J.1.a.(i) through (iv), passed Committee unanimously, and I’m asking the same for Council.” Councilmember Shahid said, “I seconded that motion.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion?” No one asked to speak. On a motion of Councilmember Waring, seconded by Councilmember Shahid, City Council voted to approve Items J.1.a.(i) through (iv) of the Committee on Public Safety Report as presented. Councilmember Seekings was not present for the vote. -- INSERT PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES REPORT -- a. Acceptances and Dedications: (i) Acceptance and Dedication of a new 10’ wide Exclusive Stormwater Drainage Easement Agreement at 224 Muirfield Parkway. (ii) Acceptance and Dedication of a new 40’ bridge right-of-way, Governor’s Cay. -- Title to Real Estate -- Affidavit for Taxable or Exempt Transfers -- Plat (iii) 1300’ eight - foot multi-use path on Oceanic Street. Approval to notify SCDOT that the City intends to accept maintenance responsibility for the multi-use path described above in conjunction with SK8 Park and the Magnolia Development on Oceanic Street (S-10-2472). -- Letter -- Map (iv) 61 State Street. Approval to notify SCDOT that the City intends to accept maintenance responsibility for granite curb, concrete sidewalk, street lights and street trees on Linguard Street (S-10-214) in conjunction with the project at 61 State Street. Councilmember Waring said, “Mr. Mayor, at this time I would like to turn the report over to the Project Managers and Floodplain Manager for Q and A.”  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 10 Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Yes, sir. Thank you very much. We will call on Director Matt Fountain to give us a summary report of some projects that are underway.” Matthew Fountain said, “Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and Councilmembers. In brief, the King Street arch repair was completed. Repair work, on Monday, we will have a single lane closed on Wednesday for the final paving on that project. As we mentioned earlier, we will be developing a plan for the remainder of the arches, to come up with a better system for maintenance and the lighting of this, as well. The Calhoun West Project, we have the preliminary engineering report. That should be available for review by the end of the month. The Huger/King Drainage Improvement Project, the selection committee is currently reviewing proposals on that, and we would like to bring those to Council with a recommendation by June. The Barberry Woods Drainage Improvement Project, we’re currently finalizing the model with the consultants. The draft versions do show some potential for a significant improvement, so we should have that final model and report also by the end of the month. For Spring/Fishburne Phase III, we’re currently lining the main tunnel, and that’s continuing. That phase is still on schedule to be complete Spring of 2020. Phase IV, the contractor is preparing to mobilize in the next 30 days, and they’re working on their work plan for the Army Corps of Engineers to review for the coffer dams and trussell component of that project. Market Street Drainage, we’re hopefully in the final design and actually submitting to TRC right now. Those plans should be ready for bidding in 2019. Forest Acres Phase II, we’re working on property acquisition while we’re finishing some permits right now. We also attended a Neighborhood Coalition meeting last week to provide updates, and that should be ready to advertise this summer. Hickory Farms, the diversion channel, that’s Church Creek, the design is about 70 percent complete at this point. It’s in permitting and property acquisition, and we’re planning to have that construction work in 2019, as well. The Program Manager contract, we’ve met with the consultant. They are preparing two tasks to bring, which include the system of prioritization we discussed briefly at Budget Ad Hoc and the Wambaw Central Park Drainage Improvement Projects. The Stormwater Manual revisions, we’re continuing on those with our next Task Force meeting next week and, again, we’re planning to have a draft of that prepared this summer and hoping to get it all finalized and brought to Council by the end of the year. For floodplain, the Countywide Flood Insurance Rate Maps, those are the firm maps, the remaining challenges to those maps are going to the Scientific Review Panel at this point. There is still pretty good optimism that we will be able to bring those to Council for adoption by the end of the year. Property buyouts are continuing for the flood properties. We have demolition beginning this month, and that will likely continue into the summer on the first round of those buyouts. We also have applications for FEMA grants that we’re putting together right now for the next round of funding, and we’ll be bringing that request to Council for approval, as well, to apply for those. Then, we are working on doing an update with all of the discussion that’s been going on, on Risk Rating 2.0, which is the new proposal for FEMA of how they’re going to adjust flood insurance rates. We’re putting together a presentation for you about what is known, what is still unknown, and how we’re planning to address that and what else we’re doing with floodplain at this moment in time.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Are there any questions for Mr. Fountain?” No one asked to speak. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Thank you so much. A great, great summary. Alright. Next is our Committee on Recreation, Councilmember Gregorie.”  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 11 Councilmember Waring said, “Mr. Mayor, did he take care of floodplain, as well?” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “He did.” Councilmember Griffin was excused at 5:45 p.m. Councilmember Waring said, “Thank you.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Yes, sir. Committee on Recreation.” Councilmember Gregorie said, “Yes, Mr. Mayor and Council, I’d also just like to make a comment regarding the comments at our Citizens Participation. The Westside Community is a rare breed. It has three Councilmembers representing that neighborhood, and I’m not aware of some of the issues that were brought forth to our Council. I would just urge, as we all have urged members of all our communities, if there are any issues, please bring them to the Councilmember, and we will be able to take care of it accordingly. The number to call, and it has not changed in the last ten years, is 327-7900. Ask for Mona Lisa, and she will assist in making sure that any of your issues are addressed. Thank you. The Committee on Recreation met today at 3:00 p.m., and as you can see, we had a pretty long list, but believe it or not, we got through it all in less than an hour, and I think that was due to great staff work. I will go through the items quickly, and I may need Jacob at some point to sort of assist me. On the Woodland property, which is a property West Ashley, I think it’s a nine-acre tract. The tract is owned by the City, and during our Recreation Committee, we asked staff to move forward with at least identifying some programming for it and that we will have further discussion, in terms of funding consideration, in our next budget. The Golf Course Commission and Recreation Commission, were simple. We just wanted to make sure that the terms of people on these Commissions are consistent across the board, and we will be getting something at Council to firm things up and to vote on. Brantley Park, which is in my district, is a park that Councilwoman Jackson has really been spearheading and doing, I think, a great job, we’ve run into a little problem in terms of costs, and we will be reporting on that as we move forward. The issue is it’s appraised at one price and the owner is looking at a different price. Longborough Exchange Agreement, is something that we’ve been working on since 2014, and I think that it’s finally come to fruition, at least we have the Homeowner Association in agreement with what was submitted. There were a couple of residents that did come to our meeting that did have a few concerns, of which we have directed our Parks Department to work through. Most of their issues have been security concerns. Of course, the Waring Senior Center is complete and up and running. Anyone elderly needs to go and put an application in. It’s a great center. Stoney Field, for those of you who don’t know, Stoney Field is now finally under construction, and we’ll report as we move forward, particularly as the City starts putting their signature on improving the stadium itself. Also, we have directed Recreation to come up with programming for Stoney Field because it appears as though a lot of people are interested in the field now. As for WPAL, I think sometime this week our Parks Department and our Planning Department has had a meeting over there recently to discuss the WPAL site and to start determining design issues, etcetera. Am I doing okay so far?” Councilmember Griffin returned at 5:52 p.m. Jason Kronsberg said, “Yes, sir.” Councilmember Gregorie continued, “The status of the ongoing Cultural Planning Process is that the Commission on Arts asked our Cultural Affairs Office to do a Cultural Plan which  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 12 requires an assessment. Eventually, they will come up with a report to us. There are things that they are doing, particularly as it relates to public art in certain sectors of the City. The Cannon Street Art Center is up and running. Those of you who have not been there should go and see it. I think it’s a great addition to our community, particularly the art world. The Corrine Jones Community Garden proposal is moving forward, as well. The Daniel Island Neighborhood Park #4 is moving forward. Ferguson Village has finally gotten a bathroom after 36 years of a request. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and we are doing some other things in conjunction with Bishop Gadsden and Ferguson Village to utilize some land that they own to expand recreation for that area. The Wellness Center, they are still taking a look at the cost and analyzing things, looking at the land, etcetera. Finally, for the late Mrs. Tee, that’s a dedication to one of our long term employees where we want to utilize a space in the Arthur Christopher Community Center and dedicate it to her, so we’re still moving forward, Mr. Mayor and Council, on that. There were no actions to bring before this body for a vote. Thank you.” Councilmember Seekings returned at 5:54 p.m. Councilmember Lewis said, “A question.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Thank you very much.” Mayor Tecklenburg recognized Councilmember Lewis. Councilmember Lewis said, “Was there any discussion on the building at 1099 King Street, the old fire station? Was there any kind of discussion?” Councilmember Gregorie said, “No, we’ll put it on the next agenda.” Councilmember Lewis said, “Thank you.” Councilmember Waring said, “Mr. Mayor, I have a question.” Mayor Tecklenburg recognized Councilmember Waring. Councilmember Waring said, “When it comes to WPAL, are we close to having a RFQ being requested?” Mr. Kronsberg said, “Yes, sir. So, the report was that we’ve finished our community engagement. The Design Center has put together a summary of that report. We met with the Mayor, and we were instructed to move it along, so we’ll be developing that Selection Committee issuing the RFP soon for design services.” Councilmember Waring said, “Back to Stoney Field, I know we have the dirt to compact the ground underneath. Are we doing any work to renovate the stadium?” Mr. Kronsberg said, “Yes, sir. Concurrently with the School District Project, we have developed a cost estimate for a number of different items to renovate the stands. Then we have the structure, we’re looking at a number of items, field lighting, the press box, seating, potential conditioning of the locker rooms, any aesthetic upgrades the locker rooms may need, thereby making sure that the stadium is accessible.” Councilmember Waring said, “Thank you very much to all for moving those items forward.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Yes, sir.”  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 13 Councilmember Gregorie said, “Great staff work.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Thank you. As you can see, a lot of items on that agenda, a lot of balls bouncing, a lot of them in the air at the same time, and Capital Projects has actually been short a couple of Project Managers over the last couple of months. We’re filling those positions, but it’s really been an amazing effort on Jason and our Capital Projects staff to keep all of these things going. Thank you very much.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Councilmember Mitchell, did you have something?” Councilmember Mitchell said, “No. Is there a motion on the floor, right?” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “I don’t think so.” The Clerk said, “No.” Councilmember Mitchell said, “Okay. Before we go on, I just want to recognize my Neighborhood Association President and the members of the Eastside, the Board, and let them know I’ll be working with Mr. Benjamin to see exactly what we can do with this residential parking, because I’m hearing this at every neighborhood meeting I go to. All I can do is explain to the community what’s on the books insofar as the ordinance is concerned, and that’s what I told them. But I’m going to work with Mr. Benjamin to see what we can possibly do concerning the ordinance, and how things can be changed, or if it can be changed at all. So, we will be working together on that. I just wanted to let them know.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Terrific. Thank you.” Councilmember Waring said, “One last question on Recreation.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Yes, sir.” Councilmember Waring said, “Mr. Kronsberg, when it comes to the Bender Street Park, I thought the building was being priced out to construct or get bids on. Where are we on that?” Mr. Kronsberg said, “So, we’re in the TRC process. We received comments on March 21st. We’re revising and re-submitting drawings per the comments, so we have the construction schedule. The bidding is tentative for July or August, construction contract in October.” Councilmember Waring said, “Thank you.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Yes, sir. Thank you very much. Next will be our Committee on Ways and Means, Councilmember White.” Councilmember White said, “I move for the adoption of the report.” Councilmember Mitchell said, “Second.” Councilwoman Jackson said, “As amended.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “We have a motion to adopt the report.” The Clerk said, “Okay. Mayor, that would be without the item that we withheld.” Councilwoman Jackson said, “Deferred.”  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 14 Mayor Tecklenburg said, “That’s correct. The one item exception. Is there any discussion?” No one asked to speak. On a motion of Councilmember White, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell, City Council voted unanimously to adopt the Committee on Ways and Means Report, as amended: ---INSERT COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS REPORT--- (Bids and Purchases (Police Department: Approval of an application for a grant in the amount of $338,946 to fund the acquisition of a NIBIN IBIS Trax System, a ballistics tank, safety equipment, and the salary for one (1) Firearms Examiner for the CPD Forensics Dept. This grant application is due on 04/19. This grant does not require a City match. (Police Department: Approval of an application for training and technical assistance from the DOJ to support violence reduction strategies and build the Police Department’s capacity to fight crime. This application is due on April 11th. This grant does not require a City match. (Police Department: Approval of the award of $47,500 for the removal of five abandoned vessels from the Ashley River/Charleston Harbor area. This grant has already been accepted due to time constraints. This grant does not require a City match. NOAA/DHEC are providing $42,500 towards the project, and Charleston City Marina has agreed to provide a $5,000 match. (Stormwater: Approval to apply for the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (“SCRIA”) grant application that requires a City match of $166,667. If approved, this grant would cover $500,000 of the construction costs of the Huger/King Drainage Project. Due to time constraints, the application was submitted on March 8, 2019 to meet the deadline on March 11, 2019. The City Match of $166,667 is available through an existing project allocation of $1,000,000 from the Cooper River Bridge TIF. (Parks-Capital Projects: Approval of a Construction Contract with McGrath Industries dba Talbot Tennis in the amount of $107,010 to resurface and repair cracked surfaces at the following courts: Moultrie Tennis (6ea.), Mitchell Basketball, Mary Utsey Basketball (2ea.), Ferguson Village Basketball, Lenevar Basketball, Willie Gaines Basketball, and Johns Island Tennis (4ea.). With the approval of the project budget, Staff is authorized to award and/or amend contracts less than $40,000 to the extent contingency funds exist in the Council Approved budget. The Construction Contract will obligate $107,010 of the $150,000 project budget. The funding source for this work is Capital Projects-Structural Repairs. (Parks-Capital Projects: Approval to accept a 2018 Park and Recreation Development (PARD) grant award for the funding of the construction of a new playground at Johns Island Park, with the existing equipment removed upon completion. Scope of work includes site preparation, purchase and installation of new playground equipment, purchase and installation of safety surfacing, and related site improvements. This grant provides 80% of the cost of a project, with the remaining 20% to be provided as matching funds. The grant funding provides $26,487.25, requiring a $6,621.81 match for total project funding of $33,109.06. Funding will be available upon acceptance of award, and work must be completed by May 31, 2021. The approval of the grant award will institute a $33,109.06 project budget. The funding source for the project is: 2018  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 15 PARD Grant Funding ($26,487.25) and 2019 Construction-Playground Equipment Maintenance ($6,621.81). (Housing and Community Development: Request the Mayor and City Council approve the Subordination Agreement for Oakside Apartments SC LLC. The LLC has finalized construction of the apartments and are converting from a construction loan to a permanent loan for the 38-unit development. The City of Charleston invested $250,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds and the City of Charleston’s loan and restrictive covenants are subordinate to the Bank of America loan. Should the LLC default on the Bank of America loan, the City of Charleston’s Covenants are extinguished. However, because Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) are a part of the funding structure; a fifteen-year compliance period has to be met. City Council approved the award of $250,000 April 24, 2018. (Legal Department: Approval of Host Venue Partnership Agreement between the City and OC Sport Pen Duick, French subsidiary of OC Sport, for the City’s financial support in the amount of $150,000 and operational and logistical support to OCS for the City to host the finish of “The Transat” single-handed Trans-Atlantic sailing race in 2020. (DEFERRED) (Budget Finance and Revenue Collections: Approval of a budget transfer in the amount of $130,086 from the Police Department to Corporation Counsel for the addition of a lawyer that will work predominantly with the Police Department. This position will be responsible for helping the Police Department update current policies and procedures as well as write and implement new policies and procedures specific to policing activities. It will also be responsible for training sworn positions by complementing current training programs as well as developing new training programs and initiatives. Funds will come from three civilian positions that will be converted to this position. Remaining funds will come from salary savings within the Police Department. (Budget Finance and Revenue Collections: Approval of a budget transfer in the amount of $41,000 from Non-Departmental Contingency for an additional 6 months of operating costs at 529 Meeting St. ($21,000) additional contribution to Military Connections ($10,000) and a contribution to Sister Cities International ($10,000). (Approval of Termination of Lease between 160 St. Phillips St., LLC and the City pertaining to the parcel of land at the northeast corner of Morris and St. Philip Street (TMS No. 460-12-02-054), currently leased by the City for parking use. (Northeast corner of Morris and St. Philip Street) (DEFERRED) (Consider the following annexation: - 2037 Lake Shore Drive (TMS# 343-03-00-156) 0.21 acre, James Island (District 11). The property is owned by East Bay Air, LLC. First reading was given to the following bill: An ordinance to provide for the annexation of property known as 2037 Lake Shore Drive (0.21 acre) (TMS# 343-03-00-156), James Island, Charleston County, to the City of Charleston, shown within the area annexed upon a map attached hereto and make it part of District 11. The property is owned by East Bay Air LLC. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Next is our bills up for second reading.” Councilmember Griffin said, “Move for approval of L-1 through L-5.” Councilmember Seekings said, “Second.”  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 16 Mayor Tecklenburg said, “We’ve got L-1 through L-5 taken together with a second. Is there any discussion on any of those items?” No one asked to speak. On a motion of Councilmember Griffin, five (5) bills (Items L-1 through L-5) received second reading. They passed second reading on motion by Councilmember Seekings and third reading on motion of Councilmember Seekings. On further motion of Councilmember Lewis, the rules were suspended, and the bills were immediately ratified as: 2019-023 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 54 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON (ZONING ORDINANCE) BY AMENDING SECTION 54-263, THE DANIEL ISLAND MASTER PLAN ZONING TEXT, TO ADD PROVISIONS THAT ALLOW THE VISUAL BUFFER ZONE SETBACK TO BE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED AND ALLOW THE VISUAL BUFFER ZONE TO BE REDUCED WHEN CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE NEW PROVISIONS ARE MET (AS AMENDED). 2019-024 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, CHAPTER 28, SECTION 45 TO INCLUDE STREETS CROSSING KING STREET FOR ONE BLOCK IN EITHER DIRECTION OF KING STREET BETWEEN AND INCLUDING LINE AND BROAD STREETS AND STREETS CROSSING NORTH AND SOUTH MARKET STREETS FOR ONE BLOCK IN EITHER DIRECTION OF NORTH AND SOUTH MARKET STREETS BETWEEN KING STREET AND EAST BAY STREETS. 2019-025 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND DIVISION 2 (TOURISM COMMISSION) OF ARTICLE II (ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT) OF CHAPTER 29 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA (TOURISM ORDINANCE), BY STRIKING REFERENCES IN SEC. 29-33 TO THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF TOURISM AND INSERTING INSTEAD REFERENCES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LIVABILITY AND TOURISM, AND BY ADDING LANGUAGE TO SEC. 29-33 EMPHASIZING THE APPLICATION OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER TO THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE COMMISSION. 2019-026 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 29, ARTICLE V, SEC. 29-206 (A), 29- 208 (C) (5) AND(C) (6), SEC. 29-209, AND SEC. 29-212 (B) AND (C) (1) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON PERTAINING TO THE GATEKEEPER LOADING AND MEDALLION ISSUANCE PROCEDURE, RECORDING OF TOUR INFORMATION, SANITATION COMMUNICATION, AND MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS. 2019-027 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 29 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON BY ADDING REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE BLOCKING OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY BY WALKING TOURS. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “I’m signing away. We don’t have any bills up for first reading. So, thankfully, we can move right to a motion to go into Executive Session.” Mayor Tecklenburg recognized Councilmember Mitchell.  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 17 Councilmember Mitchell said, “Before we move to go into Executive Session, I just want to let all of the members of the Council know and thank them that South Carolina State University, the Community Center, has been officially approved. Everything has been approved on it. The State is now putting an RFP out for a developer to be working on that. So, as soon as that happens, we’ll bring it back here to inform you, but it’s up in the State’s hands now. The State said probably by the middle of May, they will be picking a developer to do the work, then we’ll see a sign coming up, and they’re going to have a groundbreaking and things like that shortly.” Councilmember Griffin said, “That’s great news.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Well, should we say hallelujah?” Councilmember Lewis said, “Hallelujah.” Councilmember Mitchell said, “It started in 2005.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “How many years has that one been in the works?” Councilmember Mitchell said, “Since 2003 or 2005 we started this, and this was a long, drawn out procedure, but it’s finally there. Everything is approved. The City doesn’t have to do anything else now. It’s in the State’s hands. So, as soon as the developer is picked, we’ll have the sign coming in. We’ll have so many people from Washington, DC from the 1890 Program coming down to Charleston, and it’s going to be a big event because this is the first time you will see that in the City of Charleston, an African American college, which is a historical university, has a presence in the City of Charleston. This is history in the making itself. It’s going to be a nice Community Center, and I think, when you see the plans, you’re going to enjoy it.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “It’s going to be terrific.” Councilmember Mitchell said, “It’s going to benefit the City of Charleston.” Mayor Tecklenburg recognized Councilmember Waring. Councilmember Waring said, “Mr. Mayor, before we go into Executive Session for the purposes of time, can we get the Clerk to give the actual time before we go into Executive Session?” Councilmember Waring continued, “For the purposes of our Legal Counsel?” The Clerk said, “We record the time.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “6:01 p.m. I think someone has made a wager.” The Clerk said, “I know what it is. The time is 6:01 p.m., and we do record it. I know what this is about.” Mayor Tecklenburg said, “I think there have been some promises made about the provision of some liquid refreshments to Council in regards to the timing of this meeting. So, I’ll let everyone know it’s most unlikely that we will take any action after this Executive Session, so in effect, even though it’s not official, but in effect, this would be the end of our City Council meeting tonight. Can I hear a motion to go into Executive Session?” Councilmember Griffin said, “So moved.”  City Council April 9, 2019 Page 18 Councilwoman Jackson said, “I’ll second.” On a motion of Councilmember Griffin, seconded by Councilwoman Jackson, City Council voted unanimously to go into Executive Session at 6:04 p.m. On a motion of Councilmember Waring, seconded by Councilmember Griffin, City Council voted unanimously to come out of Executive Session at 6:26 p.m. Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Let the record show that no action was taken while we were in Executive Session. Now if there is no further business to be conducted before Council, we are hereby adjourned.” There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m. Vanessa Turner Maybank Clerk of Council