Police, Judicial, Legal Committee

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE, JUDICIAL & LEGAL COMMITTEE Wednesday, August 5, 2020 9:45 a.m. Municipal Complex, Council Chambers 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Minutes Members Present: Mayor Will Haynie, Chair; G.M. Whitley; Laura Hyatt Absent: Jake Rambo Staff Present: Eric DeMoura, Town Administrator; LeVica Kirvin, Court Administrator; Chief Carl Ritchie, Police Chief Also Present: Jim Hinchey, Corporation Counsel 1. Call to order Mayor Haynie called the meeting to order at 9:46am. 2. Approval of Minutes from the July 7, 2020 meeting Mayor Haynie asked that the minutes from July 7, 2020 meeting be approved. Ms. Whitley made the motion for approval of the minutes; seconded by Ms. Hyatt. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Public Comments Mr. John Wright of 145 Rose Lane in Mount Pleasant stated that he was there to discuss an item on the day’s agenda. He stated that the resolution that is on the agenda is very special and where it is coming from is even more special. He thanked the Committee members for placing the resolution on today’s agenda. He stated that this resolution would set an example for other cities and for the State to follow and adopt.  Police, Judicial & Legal Committee August 5, 2020 Page 2 of 5 4. Police Matters a. Employee years of service recognition Chief Ritchie recognized SRO (School Resource Officer) Ransom Walters for his five (5) years of service. He stated that SRO Walters is a Navy vet and knows about serving, he served our country and now the Mount Pleasant community. He stated that SRO Walters started off in patrol and then went to Crime Prevention doing various programs, such as Coffee with a Cop, Pizza with the Police and different events that are so important to connecting the community. An opportunity came available for him to become a School Resource Officer and he has excelled in this area. Chief Ritchie recognized FTO (Field Training Officer) Mark Eiseman for his five (5) years of service. He stated that FTO Eiseman has done an amazing job working patrol. Chief Ritchie also stated that FTO Eiseman recognized that he wanted to be a part of the department’s training division to connect with new officers to ensure they were getting the proper training and to be sure they understood the Mount Pleasant culture of community service when they’re policing. Chief Ritchie recognized Crime Scene Technician Angela Mitchell for her twenty (20) years of service. Chief Ritchie stated that Crime Scene Tech. Mitchell started with department as an Animal Control officer for three (3) years but as time went on decided that she wanted to do more and become a police officer. After becoming an Officer, she served another three (3) years before going into Crime Scene Investigation where she has served for the last fourteen (14) years. Chief Ritchie stated that she is called out at all hours of the night and morning and works the simplest to the most complex crime scenes to collect data and evidence to be the voice for the victim when they could not speak. Chief Ritchie commended the department  Police, Judicial & Legal Committee August 5, 2020 Page 3 of 5 for the advancements in the unit over the years and stated that Crime Scene Tech. Mitchell was an integral part of that advancement. 5. Judicial matters No agenda items. 6. Legal matters a. Discussion and possible action with regard to a potential resolution to declare racism a public health threat Discussion led by Mayor Haynie regarding a letter that was sent to Council regarding a proposed resolution to declare racism a public health threat. He discussed the importance of building a community forum to address the issues so it is not just an official government meeting. Mr. John Wright, President of the African American Settlement Community Historic Commission, presented the letter that was previously sent to Council and stated that the content it contained would hopefully be included in any forthcoming resolution. Mr. Wright stated that he would like to see a vote taken today of the contents proposed for the resolution. Discussion between Committee members and Mr. Wright. Ms. Whitley made a motion to move forward with drafting language of a resolution to declare racism a public health threat; seconded by Ms. Hyatt. Motion carried unanimously. b. Review of laws governing the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds as well as review of original Town of Mount Pleasant tax increment financing ordinance  Police, Judicial & Legal Committee August 5, 2020 Page 4 of 5 Marcy Cotov introduced J. Paul Trouche, Esquire and Jeremy Cook, Esquire, who serve as bond counsel, and were there to walk the Committee through the history of the TIF and answer any questions. Mr. Trouche proceeded to discuss the TIF district that was originally created in 1998. After extensive review, Mr. Trouche and Mr. Cook concluded that they could not give a favorable opinion that the Town could use funds for projects not listed on the numerated list budged for 2017. Further discussion between Committee members, Staff and Mr. Trouche and Mr. Cook. c. Discussion and possible action with regard to the renourishment of Crab Bank project being conducted by US Army Corps of Engineers Discussion led by Mayor Haynie regarding the restoration of Crab Bank by the Army Corps of Engineers. Mayor Haynie discussed the study that the Town funded which indicated that there could be serious detrimental effects to the viability of Shem Creek, commercially and recreationally, should the Army Corps of Engineers proceed with their current plans to place the dredge spoil at the mouth of Shem Creek. Mr. DeMoura stated the Town’s interests won’t be recognized at a level necessary to protect the industries and citizens. In an effort to bolster the Town’s argument to the Army Corps of Engineers, DNR and the general public, it’s necessary for the Town to proceed with an Economic Impact Study. Further discussion between Committee members and Staff.  Police, Judicial & Legal Committee August 5, 2020 Page 5 of 5 Ms. Whitley made a motion to recommend to full Council to take action toward an Economic Impact Survey for the Crab Bank Project potential silting in; seconded by Ms. Hyatt. Motion carried unanimously. d. Executive session to discuss the Town’s legal representation and to review applicants for the general counsel position Ms. Hyatt moved to go into executive session to discuss the Town’s legal representation and to review applicants for the general counsel position; seconded by Ms. Whitley. All in favor. Mayor Haynie stated that the Committee may take action on any item, including any subsection of any section, listed on an executive session agenda or discussed in an executive session during a properly noticed meeting. Executive session commenced at 10:51am and ended at 11:36am. e. Post Executive Session Mayor Haynie stated no action was taken and no votes were cast during the executive session; further, no motions arose from conversations held in executive session. 7. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:36AM. Minutes submitted by: Jocelyn Campbell August 5, 2020