The Charleston City Council met on February 10, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting included proclamations for Black History Month, a recognition of outgoing History Commissioner Mickey Rosenblum, and a resolution supporting permanent protection of the Blake Plateau. Public comments addressed several agenda items, and the Council heard a resolution from the Commission on History regarding the 106 Cumming Street burial ground, as well as a series of recommendations from the Housing and Racial Equity Commission (HARC). Committee reports were adopted, and multiple ordinances passed second and third reading. A first reading ordinance to limit Design Review Board authority on city capital projects was advanced as amended.
All right, I'd like to call this February 10th meeting of City Council or Order. Madam Clark, we please call the role. Councilmember Greg. Here, Councilmember, Councilmember McBride, Councilmember Pulquay, Councilmember Brady, Councilmember Dialessandro, Councilmember Waring, Councilmember Seekings, Councilmember Tinkler, Councilmember Bowden, Councilmember Appel, Councilmember Skardon, Mayor Cogswell. Here. I'd now like to ask Councilmember Seekings to give the invocation to lead to everybody under the pledge. Allegiance. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Heavenly Father, bless us all, keep us under your wing. May your divinity shine down and fill us with your grace. Allow us to feel the presence as we set out in our duties, mindful of your humble guidance for those in need or feeling the effects of ill health. We pray for your gentle hand of relief and recovery. Let us strive all together and with your guidance to make this better world. Amen. Amen. Pledge allegiance to the flag. United States of America. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. Okay, we are now on to presentations and recognitions. First one up is a recognition of Black History Month. I'd like to call or ask Ms. Levanda Brown, who is the CEO of the YWCA Greater Charleston chapter to come up and join me on stage, as well as any board members or staff might be here. Come on up, come on up. As well as I'd like to invite uh Donald West and Melissa Brown, who are the president and vice president of the Charleston area branch of the association for the study of African American life and history, and any other board members uh and staff would like to join me up here on the podium. Come on up, come on up. We got everyone, yes. We got everyone here now. There's a microphone. All right. Whereas from the earliest days, black communities have written crucial chapters in our national story. And whereas the black community has contributed greatly to our national nation areas, including science, art, music, sports, education, and public service, and has bravely served our country in large numbers in times of peace, war, and in every way in our nation's history. And whereas the black community represents an array of distinct and vibrant cultures, each of which enriches communities in valuable ways. And whereas the story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. That September, the Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and Minister Jesse E. Moreland founded the organization known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, or Ashlam. And whereas President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to honor the accomplishments of African Americans in every area throughout history. And whereas the City of Charleston recognizes February 1st to February 28th is Black History Month and encourages residents of this city to celebrate the cultural, professional, educational, and civic contributions of Black communities. Now, therefore, I William S. Coxwell, Mayor of the City of Charleston, to hereby proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month. Get around. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor Cogswell, City Council, members of city staff, and members of our community. On behalf of the board, staff, volunteers, and especially on behalf of the women, children, and families that we serve, we thank you for this proclamation. Um, we this is significant receiving this Black History Month proclamation in a city like Charleston that has such a layered and complex path past. We feel like this is very significant, and that this um is not just a moment in time of a recognition, but this uh should encourage us all to continue to stay committed to the work of creating an equitable and a just Charleston. We recognize that without equity and justice in this community, many of Charleston's residents will not thrive. So we look at this as an encouragement for us to continue with our commitment to creating a just and equitable community, and we thank you. We thank you, Mayor Cogswell, thank you, City Council, and thank you to all the members of the community that have been committed to this work for 117 years, I must add, thank you very much.