Sure, why not?

All right.

I'd like to call this May twenty sixth meeting of City Council to order Madame Clark.

Will you please call the role?

Councilmember Greg, Councilmember Sheley, Councilmember McBride, Councilmember Polkane, Councilmember Brady, Councilmember D Alessandro, Councilmember Waring, Councilmember Seekings, Councilmember Tinkler, Councilmember Bowden, Councilmember Appell, Councilmember Scarden, Mayor Cogswell.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today seeking your guidance as the Charleston City Council gathers to serve this great city.

Your word declares in James One, verse five, but if any of you lacks wisdom, let him seek ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Reminds us where there is no guidance, a people falls, but an abundance of counselors or safety.

Help us to be faithful stewards of the authority entrusted to us, pursuing justice, promoting peace, and building a community that honors you.

Guard us from selfish ambition and guide us by your spirit so that our leadership brings blessing and flourishing to Charleston.

In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen.

Amen.

United States, the mayor.

One day, liberty.

Okay, before we get started tonight, there's one item on the agenda relating to a settlement agreement on Smith Street.

And because I think there's some people here that might be here to talk about that, uh, do some information that's come out, we're looking to potentially defer that.

Uh Councilman Seekings, you have uh a motion on that.

I do, uh Mr.

Mayor, I'd move that we um move item I two approval mediated settlement agreement, Ray 148 Smith Street, up on the agenda.

I would then move that we defer it and send it to our community development committee in a special meeting to hear from the applicant and any who might have any comment on the applicant.

Taking both motions, Mr.

Chairman of Community Development, are you good with that?

Happy to happy to have it.

Sounds like an interesting issue.

Okay, so motion made, property second any further discussion on this.

If not, all those in favor uh bringing it up on the agenda and moving for a deferral, please signify by saying aye.

Opposed, eyes have it.

Okay.

Uh we are now moving on to presentations and recommendations, excuse me, recognition, and the first one being a longtime steward of the house the uh community and housing uh guys, it has been a very long day for me today.

I apologize.

But John, Miss Gianna Shaw Johnson, would you please join me up on the daisy whereas Gianna Shaw Johnson began her service with the city of Charleston in 1997 as a 20-year-old, and has faithfully led the Department of Housing and Community Development under three mayoral administrations, Mayor Riley, Mayor Tecklinberg, and Mayor Cogswell.

And whereas throughout her accomplished career, Gianna Shaw Johnson has been dedicated to the development and preservation of affordable housing in the city of Charleston by creating homeownership opportunities, revitalization of neighborhoods, spurred economic growth, and ensuring solutions for our most vulnerable citizens.

And whereas Gianna Shaw Johnson was instrumental in founding the Hope Center and Homeless to Hope, reflecting her enduring dedication to serving the community with compassion and integrity.

And whereas her leadership has been recognized through numerous honors, such as remarkable women of the year 2022 and historic Charleston Foundation's inaugural women who impact preservation award, and whereas through her visionary leadership, she has transformed the landscape of affordable housing, proving that compassionate action and relentless dedication can profoundly change our world.

Now, therefore, I William S.

Cogswell Jr., Mayor of the City of Charleston, to hereby honor and recognize Miss Gianna Shaw Johnson for her outstanding public service and lasting contributions to the city of Charleston and extend sincere congratulations and best wishes upon her retirement.

Thank you all so much.

Mayor, thank you for getting my name right before I leave you.

Many thanks, Mayor Cogswell, for your kind words and the wonderful proclamation read.

I want to first give honor to God, who of course is the head of my life.

I am who I am because of him.

So I praise God for this moment.

I also want to thank you, Council members, those of you who challenge me, as well as those of you who supported me for your ongoing and long-term support.

We've accomplished a great deal in this city of Charleston, and there's a great deal more to do.

I want to also appreciate my sister, who I see coming in late, but I love her nonetheless, because she is wonderful in every regard, and I will just say to us, you all know I'm from a family of 10, and it was eight girls and two boys.

So very special family support.

Yes, I also see one of our collaborative partners, this outside of staff.

Tracy, would you stand as well?

I know you weren't expecting that tonight.

I would say to council, and I think you know this all too well, any success that I have had was made possible through the collaborative efforts of my staff and the many nonprofit and for profit partners that we work with every day.

As I close my comments today, I want to again thank you all for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.

Please continue to support the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The work that we do is labor-intensive, yet so vitally important to the citizens and our community at every level.

We appreciate you, City Council, and we wish you and the city of Charleston continued success.

Thank you again.

Hang on, hang on, hang on.

Sign it here.

All right, one more round of applause for Mr.

Okay.