Charleston City Council Meeting - February 10, 2026
Charleston City Council Meeting - February 10, 2026
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.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from the January 27, 2026 meeting (voice vote, unanimous).
- Appointment of three code enforcement officers from the Development Services Department (motion made, seconded, approved unanimously).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mohammed Idris (in-person): Claimed Mayor Cogswell made a promise to pay him for helping with the election; stated he would "fight him like Frederick Douglass fought to get free."
- Lisa Jones (Historic Charleston Foundation): Urged Council to oppose the proposed amendment limiting the Design Review Board’s authority on capital projects to a single conceptual review, arguing it would reduce transparency and public input.
- Anthony G. Bryant (online, President E.G. Bryant Group Inc.): Expressed concern regarding "equal text and due process" and requested a disparity study on race, income, and class regarding cause of death and cold cases from 1982 to 2026.
- Anna Catherine Alexander (Preservation Society of Charleston): Urged Council to take seriously the resolution on 106 Cumming Street (a former city-owned burial ground) and to participate in community engagement; also asked Council to defer action on the design review exemption ordinance, stating there had not been enough public discussion.
- Additional written comments: one from Mr. Harris, two from Mr. Bryant, and two emails supporting repeal of the First Amendment demonstration ordinance (read into the record).
Discussion Items
- History Commission Resolution (106 Cumming Street): Commission Chair Harlan Green presented a resolution passed on November 5, 2025, recommending that the City act as a respectful steward of the burial ground, adhere to ethical guidelines, consult with descendant communities, and become a role model for similar situations. Green noted that preservation laws protect structures but often not what lies beneath the ground.
- HARC Recommendations: Councilman Bowden presented seven resolutions from the Housing and Racial Equity Commission’s final meeting:
- Require informed consent from descendant communities before disturbing human remains from historic burial grounds.
- Expanded youth programming in response to the youth curfew ordinance — urging engagement with the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council.
- A coordinated action plan to support homeless students and families in collaboration with the Charleston County School District.
- Comprehensive review of the city code governing First Amendment demonstrations.
- Support for state hate crime legislation.
- Support for freedom of the press and recognition of Pierre Manigault’s leadership.
- Increased proportional funding for the Hope Center to address rising homelessness needs.
- Committee Reports:
- Public Safety (Councilman Chile): Approved code enforcement officers, the 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan; one item deferred. Report adopted unanimously.
- Public Works & Utilities (Councilman Greg): Approved six items (already passed at Ways and Means) and an update on Concord pump station and Sandcroft outfall projects; authorization for the mayor to execute a contract amendment for an inland tide and flood risk management study. Report adopted unanimously.
- Traffic & Transportation (Councilman Seekings): Reported on Charleston County sales tax projects, including the James Island connector improvements (with scatter crosswalks and a large check valve) and the flyover at 17 and Main in West Ashley. A road transfer for Colberts and Drive was approved. Discussion on e-bikes will lead to a proposed ordinance at the next meeting. Report adopted unanimously.
- Audit (Councilman Seekings): Heard from the internal auditor on current and planned work; all items approved. Report adopted unanimously.
- Ways and Means: Report adopted unanimously.
- First Reading Ordinance — Design Review Board Exemption for City Projects: Council considered an amended version of an ordinance that would limit the Design Review Board’s authority on city capital projects to a single conceptual review. The motion passed as amended (voice vote).
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Minutes, code enforcement appointments, all committee reports, second and third reading of 11 bills (approved en bloc), and first reading of the design review ordinance as amended.
- Referred to Committee: The History Commission resolution on 106 Cumming Street and all seven HARC recommendations were referred to the appropriate standing committee chairs for further review and agenda placement.
- Next Steps: The design review exemption ordinance will go to the Planning Commission; a proposed e-bike ordinance is expected at the next council meeting; the City will continue community engagement on the burial ground facilitated by the College of Charleston.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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