I'd like to call this August 19th, 2025, City Council meeting to order.

Councilmember Greg.

President.

Councilmember Sheeley.

Councilmember McBride.

Councilmember Mitchell.

Here.

Councilmember Waring.

Councilmember Seekings.

Councilmember Tinkler.

Councilmember Balden.

Councilmember Appel, Councilmember Parker, Mayor Cogswell.

Here.

I'd now like to ask Councilmember Tinkler to give the invocation and lead everybody on the Pledge of Allegiance.

In memory of Reverend Darby, if you could bow our heads, uh, allow me to read an opening prayer that he gave to a session of United States House of Representatives on May 15th, 2003.

Gracious, merciful, and omnipotent creator, we thank you for this new day for our grace, for your grace, for your wisdom and your mercy.

We thank you for the blessing of democracy and for bringing us safely to this present hour.

Bless and guide all that is said and done in this deliberative body.

Bless the members of the House with your judgment, your strength, and your compassion, so they may they will make decisions with an eye not towards what is politically convenient, but towards what is right for all Americans.

Bless our world and keep all nations in perfect peace.

Bless our nation so that what Lincoln called the better angels of our nature will prevail.

Bless our leadership at all levels so that public policy will be made in the light of the truth that shall indeed make us free.

Have mercy upon us and help us to celebrate the diversity of our unity and the unity of our diversity.

Let the words of your servant Amos be reflected in the decisions made here, so that justice will roll on like a river, so that righteousness will flow like a never failing stream, so that we can really become one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

Amen.

So it will not be taken up.

So I don't want you to have to wait through the uh the meeting.

Uh just to realize that it's gonna been withdrawn.

So now before we get going, I would like if y'all will uh humor me a little bit to take a moment of personal privilege to recognize an extraordinary leader in our city.

Chief Curio, if you would please stand or join me better yet, up here at the podium.

Last month, our chief was honored at the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs annual conference in Franklin, Tennessee, where he was named the 2025 career fire chief of the year.

This award is the highest recognition given by the association, and it is reserved for leaders who set the standard for fire excellence across the Southeast, measured by their leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, and their lasting contributions to the profession.

As you all well know, with our chief having over 35 years in the fire service, the last seven uh being at the head of the Charleston Fire Department, he has guided our firefighters with steady leadership, a clear vision, and a true passion for protecting our community.

His experience and dedication continue to strengthen not just our department, but the fire service as a whole.

The Southeastern Fire, Southeastern Association of Fire Chief represents more than 2,000 members across 10 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S.

Virgin Islands to be recognized by this by his peers at that level is a tremendous achievement and one that makes all of us here in Charleston very, very proud.

So on behalf of myself, city council, and the citizens from Charleston, I wanted to give a hearty congratulations to the chief and thank you for all that you do to keep our city safe.

Well first off, thank you.

And what I would say is uh I got the award, but it is clear that it's a team effort in the Charleston Fire Department.

We have such fantastic people who move things along every single day, and I am happy to work with them.

So thank you.

All right, we have uh two recognition uh presentations or recognition.

Councilman Tankler mentioned uh the Reverend Darby, the first is a resolution related to uh honoring Reverend Darby.

Whereas the City of Charleston extends its deepest sympathy at the death of one of South Carolina's most devoted civil rights leaders, Reverend Joseph Darby Jr.

And whereas a Colombian native Reverend Darby passed away on August 8, 2025, at the age of 74, just one day after his birthday.

And whereas for nearly five decades, he faithfully served as a pastor at African African Methodist Episcopal Churches across South Carolina, including Nichols Chapel, AME in Charleston, demonstrating unwavering commitment to spiritual leadership, community engagement, and the better betterment of those he served.

And whereas as a tireless civil rights advocate, he held leadership roles as first vice president of both the Charleston branch and the South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, working as an advocate equally and justice statewide.

And whereas Reverend Darby also served on several statewide education and civic boards, including the African American Achievement Committee, the Racial Cultural Advisory Council for the South Carolina School Boards Association, and the Board of Directors of the Daniel J.

Jenkins Institute for Children.

And whereas his leadership and advocacy earned numerous honors, including the Top Achiever Award in the South Carolina Black Male Showcase, recognition among South Carolina's 25 most influential African Americans, the NAACP Southeast Regional Medgar D.

Everons Award, leadership award, an induction into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame.

And whereas his legacy is cherished by his wife, Mary Bright Darby, his sons, Jason and Jeremy, his grandchildren, and the many congregants, colleagues, and community members he inspired throughout his lifetime.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, William S.

Coxwell Jr., mayor of the city of Charleston, on behalf of our citizens, extend a heartfelt condolences to the Darby family and trust they will find comfort in the enduring impact of his remarkable life, leadership, and service.

All right.

Yes.

I wanted to thank uh Councilman McTinkley for the prayer that he brought reciting the words of Reverend Darby.

I want to thank you, the city staff, all involved with the resolution that you just read.

As we all know, whoever came in his presence, we all were very fortunate to have a man like Reverend Darby in our community, but frankly our state as well.

I guess we stole him a little bit from Columbia.