City Council Meeting Summary - December 2, 2025

The City Council of Charleston convened on December 2, 2025, to address budget approvals, public hearings on expenditures, and significant discussion regarding a transportation sales tax referendum and the annexation of the Zero Folly Road property. The meeting featured substantial public testimony regarding budget allocations, property rights, flooding concerns, and federal grant compliance. Key actions included the unanimous approval of the consent calendar, the approval of the final Transportation Sales Tax (TST) priority list, and the approval of the Zero Folly Road annexation, while an omnibus ordinance regarding the Human Affairs and Race Conciliation Commission (HARC) and minority business programs was deferred for further committee review.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: The Council approved the minutes of the previous meeting unanimously.
• Budget Appropriations: Approval of ordinances one through four regarding the distribution of municipal accommodation fees and general fund expenditures/revenues. Items three and four were noted as amended during Ways and Means.
• Commission Appointment: The appointment of Michael Smith (CEO of the Charleston Symphony) to the Commission on Arts was approved.
• Fire Department Standards: The community risk assessment and standards of cover for the fire department were approved.
• Committee Reports: Unanimous approval of reports from Community Development, Ways and Means, Special Facilities, and Human Resources committees.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anthony G. Bryant (Speaker 1): Expressed strong opposition to the budget distribution, alleging that 80% of the budget was allocated to law enforcement/SSA, and criticized wealthy developers like Ben Navarro. He spoke on a second appearance regarding the council being part of an "organized effort" to remove Black representation, stating, "I'm the hope and dream of a slave."
• Lisa Jones (Historic Charleston Foundation): Expressed conditional support for the 2026 County sales tax referendum. She stated her organization supports transportation projects that improve resilience and walkability, contingent on the inclusion of greenspace funding, bike/pedestrian projects, and transit. She raised concerns regarding flooding and maintenance at 1614 Gribble Road Extension.
• Charlene Green (Attorney for Moultrie Heirs): Expressed 110% support for the development project (Zero Folly Road annexation), arguing it supports the "highest and best use" of the land and offers resolution after a decade of litigation.
• Josh Dix: Expressed support for the TSC list and the "Project 3500" residential zoning goals, thanking the council for leadership in right-sizing zoning.
• Rhonda Walters: Expressed firm opposition to the Zero Folly Road annexation. She argued that the annexation would exacerbate flooding, traffic, and density issues without fixing existing infrastructure, and requested the denial or delay of annexation and a relocation of the project entrance.
• Ellis Leesman (Applicant Representative): Expressed support for the Zero Folly Road annexation, stating its purpose is to bring the project under a single jurisdiction with stricter stormwater protections and to resolve a 14-year litigation.
• Jonathan Altman (Attorney for Heirs): Expressed strong support for the annexation, emphasizing the 125-year legacy of the property, the 60 heirs involved, and the generational impact of the sale on the family.
• Jerome Harris (Human Affairs and Race Conciliation Commission): Requested a deferral of the omnibus ordinance amending HARC and the Minority Business Program. He argued that bundling multiple components prevented proper examination and that the body should be on record regarding the necessity and impact of the amendments.
• Eileen Doherty: Expressed strong opposition to the Zero Folly Road annexation. She detailed personal experiences with flooding on Bright Road and Folly Road, arguing that the annexation bypasses county protections in flood-prone areas.
• Written Online Comments: The Clerk noted 55 comments in opposition to the Zero Folly annexation, one comment in support of Calhoun Corridor funding, one supporting the renaming of 275 Hughes Street to honor Councilmember Mitchell, two comments requesting deferral of the HARC ordinance, and one supporting the name of Judge Arthur McFarland.

Discussion Items

• Transportation Sales Tax (TST) Priority Package: The Mayor presented the final list of road improvements and greenbelt projects intended for submission to the County. Priorities included Maybank widening, safety improvements on various island routes, and Calhoun Corridor flooding mitigation. The Mayor acknowledged the importance of greenbelt funding and the need to coordinate with neighboring municipalities.

  • Correction: Councilmember Sheeley noted a typo excluding West Ashley; the report was corrected to include the Magwood Flyover, US 17 widening, and Old Town safety improvements, which represent the largest share of the allocation.
  • Data Discussion: The Council discussed COG commuting data, debating the inclusion of James Island traffic in Folly Beach statistics and the potential for non-resident funding of the sales tax.
  • Outcome: The Council moved forward with the general list, with the final package to be submitted to the County Council after further review.

• HARC and Minority Business Program Ordinance: The Mayor and staff discussed an omnibus ordinance requiring amendments to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements (specifically regarding the prohibition of "DEI/DEIA" programs) to avoid losing approximately $100 million in federal grants.

  • Position Conflicts: Councilmember Gregory and Councilman Waring expressed significant concern over the lack of clarity regarding what constitutes a "DEI program" under federal grants, noting the ambiguity of the executive order language. Councilmember Gregory stated, "I don't vote on anything that I don't clearly understand."
  • Decision: Due to these concerns and the request from the Human Affairs Commission for proper committee review, the Council decided to grant only a first reading with a motion to defer the item to the Community Development Committee for a special meeting to flush out the language and ensure proper oversight before a second reading.

• Annexation of Zero Folly Road: Council discussion highlighted the jurisdictional benefits of annexation, including stricter stormwater guidelines and ending the 14-year legal limbo for the heirs, outweighing the argument that development could proceed without annexation.

  • Position of Council: Councilmember Parker noted that while the development could proceed under the County, the City's annexation provides stricter environmental controls. Councilmember Seekings framed it as a jurisdictional necessity to consolidate governance and end litigation.

• Recognition of Councilmember Mitchell: Mayor Cogswell and Colleagues proposed naming 275 Hughes Street (a housing authority complex) after Councilmember Robert Mitchell. Mitchell declined the honor, stating, "I don't need nothing to name after me," emphasizing his focus on community service over personal legacy.

• Recognition of Judge Arthur McFarland: Councilmember Waring proposed adding Judge McFarland's name to the Municipal Building but withdrew the motion after the Judge expressed that it would detract from the recognition of Chief Ruben Greenberg. Waring suggested a future, more appropriate recognition and noted the current building sign incorrectly lists "Reuben Greenberg" without his first name.

Key Outcomes

• Approval: Unanimous approval of the final TST priority list (with West Ashley correction) to be submitted to the County.
• Voted Approval: The annexation of the Zero Folly Road property passed with one nay (Councilmember Parker) and two abstentions (Councilmember Mitchell and Councilmember Tinkler). Councilmember Parker recused herself from the vote.
• Deferred Action: The omnibus ordinance amending HARC and the Minority Business Program was deferred to the Community Development Committee following a motion to grant only a first reading and refer it for further study to ensure compliance clarity.
• Resolutions: The Council will draft a resolution for the Housing Authority to name 275 Hughes Street as the "Robert Mitchell Community Housing Complex" (though Mitchell declined, the intent was expressed). A future recognition for Judge McFarland is planned.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for December 16, 2025, to consider the second reading of the deferred HARC ordinance and other first-read items.