City Council

MINUTES CITY OF GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 – 6:00 PM CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS 519 N GOOSE CREEK BOULEVARD MAY O R/ C OU NC IL PR ES E NT : M a yo r G r e go r y S. H abi b ; M a yo r Pr o T e m D e br a G r e e n - Fl e tc he r ; C o un cil me m be r Me l i s s a E no s -S i m s; C o un cil me m be r C hr is to phe r H ar mo n; C o u ncil me m be r G ayl a Mc Sw ai n MAY O R/ C OU NC IL AB SE NT : C o unc il me m be r H a nn a h C o x; C o u ncil me m be r Je r r y T e k ac CIT Y ST AF F PR E S EN T : C it y A d min i str a to r N a tal ie Ze i gl e r ; A s si s ta n t C it y Ad m in is tr a to r Br i a n C o o k; C i t y C l e r k K e l l y J. L o ve t te ; C hie f Fi n an ci al Offi ce r T yl e r H o wa n yk ; S pe ci al Pr o je c t s M a na ge r Al e xi s K i se r ; Pu bl i c I nfo r m a tio n O ffice r Fr an k Jo h n so n ; Po l ice C hie f L J Ro sc o e ; Fir e C hie f Mi ke N ixo n ; D ir e cto r o f Pl a n ni ng a n d Zo ni ng K e n dr a Wi se ; D ir e cto r o f Re cr e at io n C r y st al Re e d; G e ne r al M a n ag e r o f G o l f T r o y S a n de r s ; D ir e c to r o f Eco no mi c D e ve l o p me n t Ro b Wig gin s ; D ir e cto r o f IT R y an B y r d; D ir e c to r o f H u m an Re so ur ce s Je n nife r L e l a nd PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT SC CODE 30-4-80: WRITTEN NOTICE WAS DELIVERED TO THE PRESS BY EMAIL ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025, AND DULY POSTED AT CITY HALL LOCATED AT 519 N GOOSE CREEK BOULEVARD, AN ACCESSIBLE FACILITY, AND ON CITYOFGOOSECREEK.COM I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 PM Mayor Habib called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. II. INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pastor Niccole Franklin, The Oaks Wesleyan Church, said the invocation. III. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS: Note: All comments sent to the City Clerk by 12:00 noon, via US Mail or Email, on the date of this meeting, were forwarded to City Council. Mr. Melvin Colleton, 319 Amy Drive, inquired what the requirements were for the installation of speed bumps and stated his concerns for people who are passing cars and speeding on Amy Drive. Mayor Habib and Councilmember Enos-Sims stated the information could be found on the City’s website; however, it begins with an application and petition that has to be signed by 75% of the residents on Amy Drive. Mayor Habib stated he would request City staff to look into what he described and maybe reach out to South Carolina Department of Transportation and request that the Police Department place more patrols in that area. Mr. Alan McDowell, a resident of Royal Oaks, stated his concerns about truck traffic on Montague Plantation Road and that there are signs stating, “no through truck traffic”. Mayor Habib stated the City would look into the issue. Mr. John Savioli, 402 Gianna Lane, inquired about a property under “Public Hearings” on the Agenda and if it was up for annexation. Mayor Habib stated during Public Hearings he would be able to comment should he so choose. IV. MAYOR’S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL – MONTHLY REPORT Mayor Habib explained what the Mayor’s Leadership Council is and what it will entail. He stated it will allow for students from the four (4) different area high schools to apply for the program and to learn about public service. He stated whether they go into public service or not, they will have an understanding of what local 1  government actually entails. Two (2) of the students, Mackenzie Dillard and Alex Johnson, provided the first ever report for the Mayor’s Leadership Council to City Council. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES City Council Meeting – August 12, 2025 City Council Workshop – August 26, 2025 Motion to Approve: Councilmember Enos-Sims; Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher Discussion: Councilmember McSwain stated there were a couple of corrections needed; however, City staff took care of them. Motion Carried: All ayes. V. PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS • PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL ADULT DAY SERVICES WEEK - SEPTEMBER 21-27, 2025 • PRESENTATION OF THE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA COMMUNICATIONS AWARD • SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF GRAYSON RHEA Mayor Habib read the proclamation for National Adult Day Services Week. Desiree Fragoso, Field Services Manager of the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC), presented the award for the MASC Communications Award to Mr. Adam Kelly, the Marketing Manager for the City of Goose Creek. Mayor Habib recognized and presented Grayson Rhea with the Mayor’s Citation Award. Grayson is a resident of Goose Creek and recently competed at the World Yo-Yo Competition in Prague, Czech Republic, as the youngest competitor at 9 years’ old wherein he placed 12th in the Junior 16 and Under Division. VI. OLD BUSINESS a. AN ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO TITLE 5, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 5-3-150, SUBSECTION 3, OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, AS AMENDED, TO ANNEX THE AREA IDENTIFIED AS TMS NO. 244-01-04-023 LOCATED ON LINDY CREEK ROAD, INTO THE CITY OF GOOSE CREEK, A SOUTH CAROLINA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION (Second and Final Reading) Motion to Approve: Councilmember Harmon; Councilmember Enos-Sims Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes VII. NEW BUSINESS & PUBLIC HEARINGS a. RESOLUTION COMMITTING THE CITY OF GOOSE CREEK TO PROVIDING A LOCAL MATCH FOR A MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA BIG IDEA GRANT AND FOLLOWING ITS PROCUREMENT POLICY WHEN SECURING SERVICES AND PRODUCTS WITH GRANT FUNDS (Introduction and Final Reading of a Public Hearing) There were no comments from the public. Motion to Approve: Councilmember McSwain; Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes b. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA, TITLE XV: LAND USAGE, CHAPTER 151: ZONING, SECTION 4.2: TABLE OF PERMITTED USES TO ADD "DRIVE THROUGH FACIILITY, MICRO" SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS IN THE VILLAGE NODE (VN) DISTRICT (Introduction and First Reading of a Public Hearing) 2  There were no comments from the public. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Enos-Sims; Councilmember McSwain Discussion/Comments: Councilmember Enos-Sims inquired if under “Standards” wherein it states, “Does not contain an amplified ordering system”, was it to not be after 7:00 pm or not at all? Mrs. Wise stated not at all, and it’s not presented in the proposed Ordinance. Councilmember McSwain inquired if there was a decibel limit on it at all? Mrs. Wise stated at the City Council Workshop it was discussed the Village Node would be more pedestrian friendly versus residents living in close proximity. Motion Carried: All ayes c. THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, AS AMENDED, TO ANNEX THE AREA IDENTIFIED AS TMS NO. 235-14-04-030, 235-14-04-036, 235-14-04-040 LOCATED ON NELLO DRIVE, INTO THE CITY OF GOOSE CREEK, A SOUTH CAROLINA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION (Introduction and First Reading of a Public Hearing) Mayor Habib stated the proposed Ordinance was previously approved by City Council; however, it was discovered there was an error in the Ordinance and to error on the side of caution, City Council is approving the corrected version. There were no comments from the public. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Harmon; Councilmember Enos-Sims Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes VIII. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT a. DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE STUDY Mrs. Zeigler stated City staff was seeking funding for an Impact Fee Study in the total amount of $58,000 from the General Fund fund balance to update our study and it would also provide for a Capital Plan for the City. Mayor Habib provided a detailed explanation for why a Development Impact Fee Study was important to the City and for growth to pay for itself. Motion to Approve: Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher; Councilmember Enos-Sims Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes b. REMODEL OF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICES Mrs. Zeigler stated City staff was seeking $41,105 from General Fund fund balance to remodel the current HR offices as they are out of space. She stated the remodeling will make the space more practical so the Fire Marshal can be moved out of a closet; and, a wall will be added for the HR staff to have a conference room to conduct general meetings and private conversations with staff. Motion to Approve: Councilmember McSwain; Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes c. REQUEST TO PURCHASE VEHICLE FOR BUILDING INSPECTION DIVISION 3  Mrs. Zeigler stated City staff was requesting $41,000 from the General Fund fund balance to purchase a vehicle for the new position added to the Building Inspection Division so they can go out to inspect new structures. Motion to Approve: Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher; Councilmember Enos-Sims Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes c. REQUESTING FUNDS FROM THE TREE FUND FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD FOREST GRANT Mrs. Zeigler stated City staff was requesting funds from the Tree Fund for a Sustainable Forest Grant in the amount of $150,000. The project requires the City to spend the money upfront and we will then be reimbursed. There is a 20% match requirement on this project, and additional hardscaping will be added to make sure the project is ADA compliant. Ms. Emma Hall provided a detailed explanation of what the Food Forest Project will entail and stated it would be located at the John McCants Veterans Park. Mayor Habib stated over 150 people have already signed up to volunteer. Councilmember McSwain personally thanked Mrs. Kendra Wise and her team in the Planning & Zoning Department. She stated if developers come in and cut down trees they were not supposed to, they are required to pay penalties and that is where the monies come from in the City’s Tree Trust Fund; and trees are essentially replanted to put back into the ground. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Harmon; Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes e. REQUESTING FUNDS FOR FIRE APPARATUS REPAIRS Mrs. Zeigler stated City staff was requesting funds from the General Fund fund balance for fire apparatus repairs in the amount of $28,200 to repair Engine 12. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Enos-Sims; Councilmember McSwain Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes f. REQUEST TO PURCHASE TWO (2) VEHICLES FOR SRO - 2025/2026 STATE SRO GRANT Mrs. Zeigler stated the City received SRO Grant funds from the State for 2025/2026 for two (2) SRO’s. City staff was requesting to purchase two (2) vehicles and related equipment for the SROs in the amount of $90,820 from the General Fund fund balance. She stated this Grant operates on a reimbursement basis and it is possible they will not reimburse until after January 1, 2026. Motion to Approve: Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher; Councilmember Harmon Discussion/Comments: Councilmember Harmon stated he wished to applaud the efforts by City staff to supply an SRO to every school in the City of Goose Creek and this helps to provide safety for all of the students. Motion Carried: All ayes IX. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Habib made the following announcements: He stated the City was very excited about the food forest coming to the John McCants Veterans Park. This will be a shared space where neighbors can grow, harvest, and enjoy fresh, healthy produce, right in their own backyard. Check out our City website under Food Forest in the Recreation section for all of the details, as well as info on becoming a volunteer. Be sure to follow our Goose Creek Recreation Facebook for details on all upcoming programs and activities, including Boulder 4  Bites on September 11, which includes food trucks, live music and games, and takes place on the second Thursday of every month at John McCants Veterans Park; Other events and activities include: • a Lacross Clinic for boys and girls ages 5-14 on September 13; a Christmas Card competition open to all high school students; a Community Mural Event at the Graffiti Park on September 19; also on Friday, September 19, bring your pup along to Yappy Movie Night at 7 pm to the Veterans Park, which features the DC League of Super Pets movie; a Paint and Sip class at the Creek Collective on September 23; and many more fun events and activities. Mayor Habib stated he has enjoyed chatting with residents at the Central Creek Farmers Market, which returns on Wednesday, September 17 and October 1 to Central Creek Park. The market takes place from 4 to 7 pm. The American Red Cross returns to the Activity Center on Friday, September 19, from 9 am to 3 pm. See our website for more details and to register to donate. Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 27, which is Goose Creek Appreciation Day at Charleston Southern University. The Bucs will host the SC State Bulldogs at 6pm. Goose Creek Recreation participants who wear their game jersey or cheerleading uniform will get in for free, and City residents will only be charged $5 for admission. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online – visit our website for all of the details. I am very much looking forward to attending this game. The Fall Festival returns on Saturday, October 4, to the Municipal Center. Bring the entire family for a day of great food, craft vendors, and games for the kids from 10 am to 2 pm. Visit our website, the Recreation Facebook page, or drop by the Community Center to learn more about all of the information and events stated by Mayor Habib. As always, please keep up with the City on our social media pages, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, now known as X. Be sure to watch Adam Kelly’s Your Week in the Creek video recap, and please sign up for our digital residential newsletter at CityofGooseCreek.com. IX. MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS a. AUGUST Monthly Department Reports (Informational Purposes Only) X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Councilmember Harmon Discussion: None. Carried: All ayes. 6:30 p.m. Date: October 14, 2025 Kelly J. Lovette, MMC City Clerk 5