The Charleston City Council convened on November 18, 2025, beginning with the invocation and the issuance of a proclamation recognizing Native American Heritage Month alongside the Department of Parks and Recreation. The meeting featured the recognition of two baseball championship teams, the approval of several zoning changes and a new tree protection ordinance for capital projects, and the consideration of two settlement agreements. The session concluded with report summaries on public works infrastructure, a commitment to the Martin Park renovation, and an announcement regarding the Council's annual tree planting initiative.
Yes. We're good. I'd like to call this November 18th. Meeting of City Council to order. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll? Councilmember Greg. Councilmember Sheeley. Here. Councilmember McBride. Councilmember Mitchell. Councilmember Brady. Councilmember Gregory. Councilmember Waring, Councilmember Seekings, Councilmember Tinkler, Councilmember Bowden, Councilmember Appel, Councilmember Parker, Mayor Cogswell. Here. I'd now like to ask Councilmember McBride to give the invitation and lead everybody in the Pledge of Allegiance. Bow your heads as you feel led. This is a prayer modified from 1783 from George Washington. Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou will keep the United States, South Carolina and the City of Charleston in thy holy protection, that thou will incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally, that thou will most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which are the characteristics of the divine author. And without a humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. To the Republic, which is one nation under God's episode of Liberty and for all. All right, I'd now like to ask Chief Lisa Collins and Councilman Janie Leach to join me up on the podium. Are you? Chief Virginia. I'm Chief. How are you? Good to see you. Good to see you. So we are here tonight to recognize Native American Heritage Month. So I'm gonna read the proclamation. If Chief would like to say something after, I'm glad to have that, right? Whereas the City of Charleston recognizes and honors the enduring contributions, vibrant cultures, and rich traditions of Native American peoples who have shaped the history and character of this region and the nation. And whereas November is designated as National Native American Heritage Month, providing an opportunity to reflect on the history, achievements, and continued resilience of Native peoples across the United States. And whereas the Charleston area is home to the Wasamosaw. Damn. That uh tribe of Varner Town Indians, a state-recognized tribe whose ancestry traces back to the Edoan, Edisto, Catawba, and Cherokee peoples, and whose presence and community contributions have enriched the Charleston region for over 300 years. Whereas the Wasamassaw, Wasamassaw tribe of Varnertown Indians, historically located in rural Berkeley and Charleston counties, have preserved their identity, culture, and traditions despite over three centuries of displacement, marginalization, and erasure, and remain committed to cultural preservation, education, and civic engagement in the region. And whereas the Native American Hitch History Month serves as an important reminder to promote understanding, recognizing tribal sovereignty, support, economic, and educational equity, and celebrate the living traditions of indigenous communities, including those residing in and around Charleston today. Now, therefore, our William S. Cogswell, mayor of the City of Charleston to hereby proclaim November 2025 as Native America Heritage Month in the city of Charleston and kind of call upon all residents to join in celebrating the important contributions of Native American communities, especially the Osama tribe of Varnertown Indians, and learn more about their history, cultures, and continuing legacy. Chief, would you like to say if you want? But we would like to thank the mayor and the city council for acknowledging and recognizing Native American Heritage Month um month, which celebrates the contributions of Native Americans to the to the city, to the state, and to the nation as a whole. We uh are very happy and honored to be here to share in our rich history and being part of this community. So we would love to stay, but we thank you for the proclamation. But we have to scoot on over to the College of Charleston as we continue Native American um events that we do for November for Native American Heritage Month. But we thank you very much. Absolutely, thank you. You get a picture, little children for the camera.