City Council

MINUTES CITY OF GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 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 H an n a h C o x ; C o u ncil me m b e r Me l i s s a E no s -Si m s ; C o u ncil me m be r C hr i s to p he r H ar mo n; C o u ncil me m b e r G a yl a Mc Sw ai n ; C o un cil me m be r Je r r y T e kac CO U N CI L A BS E NT : N o ne . 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 tte ; Spe ci al Pr o je c t s Ma n age r Al e xi s K i se r ; P u bl ic In f o r m at io n Offic e r Fr a nk Jo hn so n ; C h ie f L J Ro sco e ; D ir e cto r o f Pl a nni ng a n d Zo n in g K e n dr a W i se PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT SC CODE 30-4-80: WRITTEN NOTICE WAS DELIVERED TO THE PRESS BY EMAIL ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 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 Jeffrey Lippard, from the Worship Center in Goose Creek, 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. Alan McDowell, a resident of Royal Oaks, stated there was a project he and some neighbors wanted to look at in his community and he recently visited City Hall, the Police Department and the Department of Public Works. He stated although he is not able to do the project, out of the 7 people he met, each and every one of them could not have been more friendly. Mayor Habib stated he was sorry his project could not be done, and he appreciated his comments, and we have great people who work for and represent the City. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. City Council Meeting – January 14, 2025 City Council Workshop – January 28, 2025 Motion to Approve: Councilmember Enos-Sims; Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher Discussion: None. Motion Carried: All ayes. V. PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS a. PROCLAMATION – NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY – FEBRUARY 7, 2025 PROCLAMATION – NAACP DAY – FEBRUARY 12, 2025 PROCLAMATION – BLACK HISTORY MONTH – FEBRUARY 2025 1  Mayor Habib presented Mr. John Matthews of the NAACP and its members with several proclamations recognizing National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and commemorating NAACP Day and Black History Month. VI. OLD BUSINESS a. AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL THE EXISTING DEFINITION OF SMOKING, CHAPTER 94: SMOKING, SECTION 94.02 DEFINITIONS, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, AND TO ADOPT A REVISED DEFINITION OF SMOKING, SECTION 94.02 DEFINITIONS, IN LIEU THEREOF (Second and Final Reading) Motion to Approve: Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher; Councilmember McSwain Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes Mayor Habib stated the new Smoking Ordinance now includes vaping as our businesses requested that it be included and City Council also wanted it in the Smoking Ordinance. VII. NEW BUSINESS & PUBLIC HEARINGS a. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA, CODE OF ORDINANCES, TITLE 15: LAND USAGE, CHAPTER 151: ZONING, § 151.1 (INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS), § 151.2 (ADMINISTRATION), § 151.3 (ZONING DISTRICTS), § 151.4 (USE AND STANDARDS), § 151.5 (SITE DEVELOPMENT), § 151.6 (SIGNS), § 151.7 (NONCONFORMITIES AND ENFORCEMENT), § 151.8 (DEFINITIONS AND MEASUREMENTS), AND § 151.9 (FORM, DESIGN, AND OPERATIONAL STANDARDS) (Introduction and First Reading of a Public Hearing) Mayor Habib stated the proposals included numerous updates to the Zoning Ordinance. He stated City staff recommended after using the new Zoning Code after the last year, as many of you may know, we spent over 2 years rewriting our Zoning Code and when we went to implement it, we realized there were a few things that did not quite work out; so, we have some changes, and this proposed Ordinance addresses those items. There were no comments from the public. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Enos-Sims made a motion with the following amendments. She stated, “the proposed special exception will not have a substantial adverse impact on vehicular traffic and pedestrian safety in general reliance upon a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA), as applicable, at the time of plan submittal for permitting; Councilmember McSwain seconded. Discussion/Comments: Mayor Habib stated to elaborate on what Councilmember Enos-Sims just read, they want their decisions to be made based on data rather than how people feel. It requires language that says to add traffic analysis to assist in making decisions and he feels it is an important change being added to the Ordinance. Motion Carried: All ayes b. AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A PURCHASE AGREEMENT; APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A REPURCHASE AGREEMENT; APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF RECIPROCAL ACCESS EASEMENT; AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO (Introduction and First Reading of a Public Hearing) Mayor Habib stated this was the item discussed today at the Special City Council Meeting, in Executive Session, at 5:00 pm. The proposed Ordinance moves the City from a Memorandum of Understanding to a purchase and sale agreement, and eventually a development agreement, with developer JJR regarding 2  the corner lot of the City’s municipal complex located at Old Mount Holly Road and N Goose Creek Boulevard (US Highway 52). There were no comments from the public. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Tekac; Councilmember Harmon Discussion/Comments: Councilmember McSwain stated she wanted to mention the developer was present and it is her understanding they will provide the City with a very high-quality development of our new design standards within the City. Mayor Habib stated he echoed Councilmember McSwain’s sentiments and what the City and developer were trying to create was a destination district with what will be a retail restaurant and a little bit of residential and he believes it will be an amazing area. Motion Carried: All ayes VII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT a. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SITE WORK CONTRACT WITH TRIDENT CONSTRUCTION ON EVENT CENTER PROJECT Mrs. Zeigler requested approval of a site work contract with Trident Construction on the event center project for what will be known as The Assembly at Goose Creek. This enters the City into a contract for site work to commence on the project in the amount of $2,049,743 that will come from the General Fund Balance using ARPA revenue replacement money. This contract also contains an escalation clause due to uncertainty around tariffs and pricing, which has been added since the last City Council Workshop. Mayor Habib stated the City is building a new council chamber/event center right next to City Hall and facing the pond. He stated the current building was built in 1999, during a time the City’s population was 29,000, and today we are at 50,000 and have exceeded space in City Hall. The current Council Chambers will be turned into much needed office space. He stated there are very few locations in the City to hold an event and the new building will be used for that, Council meetings, to include board and commission meetings. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Harmon; Councilmember Tekac Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes b. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF POLICE DEPARTMENT RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE – OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK Mrs. Zeigler requested approval of a Police Department Records Retention Schedule, from the City Clerk, that will set a 10-year retention schedule for criminal case seizures. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Enos-Sims; Councilmember Cox Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes c. APPOINTMENTS TO ACCOMMODATIONS TAX ADVISORY COMMISSION Mrs. Zeigler stated City staff were seeking approval for three (3) appointments to the City’s Accommodations Tax Advisory Commission. The recommendation is to appoint Destiny Ball (At Large); Vince Lehr (Hospitality Industry); and, Mike Meador (Hospitality Industry) for terms to expire December 31, 2028. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Cox; Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher Discussion/Comments: None. 3  Motion Carried: All ayes VIII. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Habib stated at the July 2024 conference for the Municipal Association of South Carolina, his friend, Mayor Cornelius Huff of the City of Inman, received an award for their Mayor’s Leadership Council program. He stated he was so very impressed with what they did that he asked Alexis Kiser to implement the program for the City of Goose Creek. So, she has spent the past six (6) months creating a program for us. He stated the City of Goose Creek is a much larger city with three (3) high schools and he has tremendous faith in the next generation of leaders being produced right here in Goose Creek. He stated he wants to educate, nurture and inspire these young leaders. And that’s what the new Mayor’s Leadership Council will do. Sophomores and Juniors at Stratford, Goose Creek and Cane Bay High Schools are invited to apply for this program, which will involve the students coming together for an impactful service project. Visit our website for all of the details of this exciting new program. He stated as we celebrate Black History Month, watch our social media for different features, including the profile of D’Andre Jackson, the owner of Gail’s Soul Food restaurant. He is an incredible talent and Gail’s Soul Food is looking at a possible expansion and franchising. That profile is on our City website now. MOMO Crowfield has had a great first month. I want to encourage all of you to give it a try; Reminder: Central Creek Farmer’s Market returns in March, and if you’re interested in being a vendor, please visit Goose Creek Recreation’s Facebook page or the City website, where you can find an online form and lots of information; Adult Sports Leagues are coming to Goose Creek Recreation in 2025. Softball registration is underway, and Pickleball registration begins February 24. Check out Goose Creek Recreation online for all of the details; Art in the Park returns to Graffiti Park on Red Bank Road from 10am to 12pm on February 22. Spray paint will be provided, there will be food trucks, and all ages are welcome; Also on Feb. 22: The Senior Prom for active adults takes place from 4 to 6pm at the Recreation Complex. Prom tickets must be picked up in person – please visit our website or Goose Creek Recreation on Facebook for all of the details; Looking ahead: BBQ and Brews is set for 3 to 6pm on Saturday, March 8, at Carnes Crossroads. Everyone is invited to enjoy live entertainment, great food and lots of fun activities; Also in March: Pi Day Skate Night is set for March 14 at Central Creek Park. See the website for more details; The Red Cross Blood Drive that was scheduled for January was cancelled due to the snow. The next blood drive is set for March 28 at the Activity Center. Visit the website to sign up to give blood; Finally, watch social media for some community meetings / State of the City updates that I will be delivering to you beginning in late March. 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. X. MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS a. JANUARY Monthly Department Reports (Informational Purposes Only) XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Councilmember Harmon Discussion: None. Carried: All ayes. 6:30 p.m. Date: March 11, 2025 Kelly J. Lovette, MMC City Clerk 4