City Council

MINUTES CITY OF GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 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 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 ic I nfo r m a tio n Offic e r Fr an k Jo hn so n; C hie f L J Ro sco e ; F ir e C hie f Mik e N i xo n ; D ir e cto r o f Pl a nn in g a n d Zo ni ng K e n dr a Wi se ; D ir e c to r o f Re cr e a tio n C r ys t al Re e d PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT SC CODE 30-4-80: WRITTEN NOTICE WAS DELIVERED TO THE PRESS BY EMAIL ON FRIDAY, MARCH 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 Niccole Franklin, from The Oaks Wesleyan Church 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. There were no comments from the public. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Special City Council Meeting – February 11, 2025 (5:00 PM) City Council Meeting – February 11, 2025 (6:00 PM) City Council Workshop – February 25, 2025 Motion to Approve: Councilmember Enos-Sims; Councilmember McSwain Discussion: None. Motion Carried: All ayes. V. PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS a. PROCLAMATION • WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK – MARCH 2-8, 2025 Mayor Habib presented Ms. Sandra Marlowe, President Elect of the National Association of Women in Construction Palmetto Chapter #385, with a proclamation for Women in Construction Week for March 2- 1  8, 2025. SPECIAL RECOGNITION • GOOSE CREEK ARTIST GUILD – MAYOR’S CHOICE AWARD – YOU LOOKING AT ME? BY ARTIST: LORI MOEN • 2025 STAMP AND POETRY DESIGN – ADA MOAKE, HANAHAN ELEMENTARY; BROOKLYN LATHROP AND KAYLA SHAY BOWEN, CROLYN LEWIS SCHOOL Mayor Habib recognized artist Lori Moen with the Mayor’s Choice Award for her painting “You Looking at Me?”. Mayor Habib and Barb Richardson, Arts Director for the City of Goose Creek, both recognized students Ada Moake, Hanahan Elementary; and, Brooklyn Lathrop and Kayla Shay Bowen, both from the Carolyn Lewis School, for their artwork in the 2025 Stamp and Poetry Design. b. PRESENTATION OF THE AGENCY FBI LEEDA TRILOGY AWARD Chief Operating Officer Michael Robinson, Sr., of the FBI-LEEDA, presented Chief LJ Roscoe with the Agency FBI Leeda Trilogy Award. VI. OLD BUSINESS 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) (Second and Final Reading) Mayor Habib stated the proposals included numerous updates to the Zoning Ordinance. He stated City staff spent over 2 years rewriting our Zoning Code and when we implemented and applied some of those things, we realized there were a few things that needed some tweaking, and those changes were within the proposed Ordinance. Motion to Approve: Councilmember McSwain; Councilmember Tekac Discussion/Comments: None. 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 A RECIPROCAL ACCESS EASEMENT; AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO (Second and Final Reading) Mayor Habib stated this proposed Ordinance relates to the sale and agreement of the City owned property adjacent to the Municipal Complex. Motion to Approve: Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher; Councilmember Cox Discussion/Comments: Councilmember Tekac recused himself from the vote. Councilmember McSwain inquired if the developer was present. Mrs. Zeigler stated he was not present, and he had reached out to her earlier to ask if it was necessary and she told him it was not since he met with City Council at their last workshop meeting. Councilmember McSwain stated she wished to reiterate the City has certain design standards and they will be expected to meet those criteria. Mrs. Zeigler stated City staff would be going back before City Council for approval of the PUD, so they would get to see it again. Motion Carried: Six (6) ayes; one (1) recusal. (Councilmember Tekac) VII. NEW BUSINESS & PUBLIC HEARINGS 2  a. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA AMENDING THE CURRENT BERKELEY COUNTY - CITY OF GOOSE CREEK INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT - ACCEPTANCE OF ROADS FOR MAINTENANCE (Introduction and Final Reading of a Public Hearing) Mayor Habib stated the proposed Resolution was discussed during the January City Council Workshop, and it spells out how Berkeley County will accept the roadways and development as long as we meet their requirements and there is the one percent sales tax with funds. There were no comments from the public. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Enos-Sims; Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT a. EMPLOYEE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Mrs. Zeigler stated she was seeking approval to make amendments to the Employee Down Payment Assistance Program. This is to encourage homeownership for employees of the City of Goose Creek and to adjust the current program’s cap from $10,000 to $15,000, and ties eligibility to Area Median Income which will adjust each year. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Tekac; Councilmember Cox Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes b. APPROVAL OF CONTRACT UPDATE WITH CAMERON BAKER ENGINEERING ON MUNICIPAL COMPLEX OVERFLOW PARKING Mrs. Zeigler stated she was seeking approval to update the City’s contract with Cameron Baker Engineering for overflow parking; this would be for additional parking behind the recreation center and to the side of the Activity Center in the total amount of $46,000. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Enos-Sims; Councilmember Tekac Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes b. APPROVAL OF ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR CROWFIELD GOLF COURSE IMPROVEMENTS Mrs. Zeigler stated she was seeking approval for engineering services for Crowfield Golf Course improvements wherein the City previously hired an architect to work on adding a new restroom facility near the Clubhouse. If approved, it would allow Cypress Engineering to engage on the project for $26,840. She stated the amount is actually less than the total amount, as this is also for oversight of the project. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Cox; Councilmember Tekac Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes c. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH J. DAVIS CONSTRUCTION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE STATION IV Mrs. Zeigler stated City staff were finally seeking approval to build Fire Station IV, as this project has been ongoing for several years, and the City is ready to move forward. The total amount of the project is $7,534,846, with the anticipated construction to take 370 days. 3  Mayor Habib stated the City has worked on this project for seven (7) years and the City has received great support from other governmental agencies in order to have the money to pay for Fire Station IV; and City Council and staff are very excited about the growth of the City’s Fire Department to meet the needs of our growing community. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Tekac; Councilmember Harmon Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes d. REQUEST TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR MUNICIPAL ADVISOR SERVICES RELATED TO THE MID Mrs. Zeigler requested to enter into a contract for a municipal advisor for services related to the Carnes Municipal Improvement District. She stated this would expand the current scope the City has with Water Street Public Finance, and the City is anticipating issuing bonds around July/August, and we need to go ahead and get them onboard for this project. Motion to Approve: Councilmember McSwain; Councilmember Enos-Sims Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes f. REQUEST TO PURCHASE - KUBOTA EXCAVATOR FOR GOLF Mrs. Zeigler stated she was seeking approval to purchase a Kubota Excavator for the Golf Department in the amount of $49,595 from Steen Enterprises. She stated this was a budgeted line item in the 2025 FY Budget and the overage, $9,505, will be absorbed through the Golf Equipment budget. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Harmon; Councilmember Tekac Discussion/Comments: None. Motion Carried: All ayes g. APPROVAL TO HIRE JENNIFER LELAND AS THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Mrs. Zeigler stated she was seeking approval to hire Mrs. Jennifer Leland as the City’s new Human Resources Director. Motion to Approve: Councilmember Harmon; Councilmember Cox Discussion/Comments: Councilmember Enos-Sims recused herself from the vote. Mayor Habib stated the City used a recruiting expert in this process and it was whittled down to several high quality finalists, and we are thankful Natalie was able to find, interview and talk Jennifer into coming to work for the City. Motion Carried: Six (6) ayes; one (1) recusal (Councilmember Enos-Sims) IX. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Habib stated the following: Mayor Habib thanked the City’s recreation team for a fun BBQ and Brews event last weekend at Carnes Crossroads. Congratulations on our incredible City of Goose Creek Gymnastics program. The level 3 and 5 boys won first place in the state meet over the weekend, and Logan Parker was the boys’ Level 7 All Around State Champ. Thanks to Coach Brittany LaRoche, Coach Keenan Shine and all the gymnastics staff for making this program great. Mayor Habib stated he would be hosting Creek Conversations wherein he decided to have three town hall meetings this year in lieu of a more traditional State of the City address. They will include information on all that is happening with our City and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. A groundbreaking will be held soon for the new Assembly at Goose Creek, a multipurpose building that will be right behind us, on the lake. Residents will be able to use this facility for weddings, banquets and other gatherings. We will also hold many City events there, including our monthly Council meetings. Just as important, the building will allow the space we’re in now to be converted to crucially-needed offices. As construction begins, please be patient, as access to our parking area will be 4  limited. We will have complete details about this in the days ahead on social media. The Mayor’s Leadership Council is continuing to accept applications. Sophomores and Juniors at Northwood Academy, and 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. Central Creek Farmer’s Market’s 2025 debut was a huge success. The market takes place on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. The next Farmer’s Markets are Wednesday, March 19; and Wednesday, April 2 at Central Creek Park. Mayor Habib encouraged all of you to register for the Goose Creek Police Department’s Laws & Paws Walk for a Cause, which takes place on March 30 here at City Hall. The event will be a fun way to raise money for our GCPD’s community programs. Pi Day Skate Night is set for March 14 at Central Creek Park. See the website for more details. The Goose Creek Fire Department’s Saint Patrick’s Day Party to benefit the South Carolina Firefighter’s Burned Children’s Fund is set for 1:00 pm on March 17 at Stones Throw Brewery. T-shirts are still on sale for this fundraising event – visit the City of Goose Creek Fire Department Facebook page to order online. The 3rd Annual Spark in the Park Autism Research Fair is from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 22 at Central Creek Park. There will be games and activities with lots of informative resource vendors. This event is open to everyone. A Red Cross Blood Drive is set for March 28 at the Activity Center. A Shadow Cast Movie Night takes place at 7pm on March 29 at the Daning Amphitheater. Charleston’s Absent Friends will present a live “shadow cast” performance of The Princess Bride. Therapeutic Recreation’s One Night Prom will take place from 6 to 8pm on Thursday, April 3. In partnership with New Life Church, the event is intended for individuals (ages 16+) with disabilities. With a red carpet entrance, full course meal provided for guests & families, party bus rides, photo opportunities, and music, this will be the one night to remember. Email Hannah Miller at HMiller@cityofgoosecreek.com to register. Goose Creek Recreation’s annual Egg Hunt is set for 10am on Saturday, April 5 at the Carolyn Lewis Fields. Check our website for more details in the weeks ahead. Check out the Goose Creek Recreation Facebook page for info on a host of other upcoming events and programs, including The 50+ Olympics that returns on April 12, and Youth Pickleball Clinics that begin March 31. Congratulations to Marketing Manager Adam Kelly, Special Projects Manager Alexis Kiser, and our Recreation Team – including Program Director Lyza Bowers, and Arts & Entertainment Coordinator Gabbi Pace for securing the City’s third straight, statewide Communications Award from the Municipal Association of South Carolina. The City won for the opening of the Daning Amphitheater – and all facets of what we did to communicate that to our residents and indeed the entire region and state. He thanked Adam for the incredible work! 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. FEBRUARY Monthly Department Reports (Informational Purposes Only) XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Councilmember Harmon Discussion: None. Carried: All ayes. 6:44 p.m. Date: April 8, 2025 Kelly J. Lovette, MMC City Clerk 5