I'd like to call this May twelfth meeting of City Council to order.

Madam Clark, will you please call the role?

Councilmember Greg, Councilmember Sheeley, Councilmember McBride, Councilmember Polkay, Councilmember Brady, Councilmember Di Alessandro, Councilmember Waring, Councilmember Seekings, Councilmember Tinkler, Councilmember Balleton, Councilmember Appell, Councilmember Scardon, Mayor Cogswell.

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

Let us pray.

Our dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the many blessings that you've given to each of us and to this great city of Charleston, Lord.

We thank you for our first responders and for all our city staff who just pour themselves into their work each day and make our city stronger and better.

We ask that you'll bless each one of them, Lord.

And during this National Police Week, we ask that you'll watch over and protect our police officers, comfort the family of the fallen heroes, and for and those who have made such ultimate sacrifices in the service to others.

Lord, we thank you for small businesses throughout our community.

We ask that you'll bless them as they provide goods, services, jobs, and opportunities to the people of Charleston.

And as our temperatures rise, we enter the summer months, Lord, we ask that you'll watch over and protect our outdoor workers, the elderly, children, and those without access to adequate cooling, Lord.

We ask that you'll grant them wisdom and fairness as they uphold justice in our city.

First up, I'd like to call on Chief Walker and Sergeant DeBose to join me up on the podium to recognize National Police Week.

Whereas there are more than 800,000 law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States, including the dedicated members of the City of Charleston Police Department.

And whereas since the first recorded death in 1786, there are currently more than 24,500 law enforcement officers in the United States that have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty, including 24 known members of the Charleston Police Department.

And whereas the names of the dedicated public servants killed in the line of duty are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

And whereas 363 new names of fallen heroes are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this spring, including a hundred and nine officers killed in 2025 and 254 officers killed in previous years.

Whereas the service and sacrifice of all officers killed in the line of duty will be honored during the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13th, 2026.

And whereas May 15th is designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of all fallen officers and their families, and the U.S.

flag should be flown at half staff.

And whereas we publicly salute the service of law enforcement officers in our community and communicate across the nation and thank them for safeguarding the lives of our citizens.

Now, therefore, I William S.

Cogswell Jr., mayor of the City of Charleston, on behalf of City Council, do hereby proclaim May 11th through the 16th, 2026 in the City of Charleston to be National Police Week.

I got a sign photo.

Thank you to the community.

We do it because we love the city.

And I'm appreciative of each and every person that decided to volunteer to service.

But I'll be remiss as we talk about National Police Week, without mentioning loss we just had last night in Greenwood with our brothers and sisters up there.

Also DJ Keller for those that didn't know, lost his life last night doing a vehicle pursuit with suspects.

And to have that happen to a young officer that just came on in 2023.

All right, 2025, he went to the K9 unit.

And it's not about what we do when the cameras are watching us.

It's about how we serve the community and how we take care of each other.

And I'll be remiss if I didn't tell you how that means the world to this agency and to this leadership, and especially to me as a resident in this community.

So I thank you for the recognition.

Please, if you don't haven't done so already, pray for that family.

This is going to be a tough week for them.

And also just keep in mind of why we do what we do.

Thank you.

Next up, a lady who needs no introduction, our own Ruth Jordan with Small Business Enterprise Manager.

Please come up.

And Angela Brewer with the state uh SBA and Carolyn Strange of the Regional Small Business Development Center, y'all come on up.

Very good.

Whereas small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, representing more than ninety-nine percent of all businesses and creating a significant share of new jobs.

And whereas small businesses strengthen Charleston's local economy, foster innovation, provide essential goods, services, and opportunities that enrich our community.

And whereas Charleston's entrepreneurs and small business owners demonstrate resilience, creativity, and dedication in adapting to evolving economic conditions.

And whereas supporting small businesses helps promote economic growth, job creation, vibrant neighborhoods throughout the city of Charleston.

And whereas National Small Business Week has been recognized since 1963 to honor the critical contributions of small businesses to our nation and local communities.

Good afternoon and thank you all.

Thank you all.

On behalf of the United States Small Business Administration's South Carolina District Office, and my director, um Melissa Lindler, who couldn't be here this afternoon, I would like to sincerely thank Mayor Coswell, the City of Charleston, and Miss Ruth Jordan for this recognition during National Small Business Week.

Small businesses are the heartbeat of the communities.

They create jobs, drive innovation, support local economies, and leaving lasting legacies for future generations.

Every day we see entrepreneurs take risks, overcome challenges, and continue to push forward with determination and vision.

At SBA, it is our mission to help businesses start, grow, expand, and recover.

We are proud to stand beside the small business owners of Charleston and throughout the South Carolina and throughout South Carolina as they pursue opportunities and strengthen our economy.

Strong collaborations between local government, community leaders, resource partners, lenders, organizations like the city of Charleston's, help create pathways for entrepreneurs to succeed.

To Mayor Cogswell and Ms.

Ruth Jordan, thank you again for your continued support to the small of the small business community and for recognizing the importance of National Small Business Week.