Charleston City Council Meeting – September 8, 2026

Mayor Cogswell presided over the Charleston City Council meeting on September 8, 2026. The meeting opened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a proclamation recognizing September 2026 as Recovery Month. No public hearings were held, and 17 citizens signed up to speak during public comment. The council approved routine items, heard committee reports, and voted 7–5 to approve the amended Dash Hall / 148 Smith Street settlement agreement.

Proclamation & Opening

• Mayor Cogswell proclaimed September 2026 as Recovery Month in the City of Charleston, highlighting the work of Favor Low Country and the importance of peer support, treatment, and reducing stigma around substance use disorder.
• Judge Condon spoke in support of the drug court program and invited council members to attend graduation ceremonies. Councilman Bowden echoed that support, praising the program's transformative impact.

Consent Calendar

• Council minutes were approved by voice vote.
• Appointments to the Commission on the Arts and the Recreational Commission were approved by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Food cart rules: Laura Stosel and Emil Stosel raised concerns about the food cart bid process, saying the paperwork uses the term 'food vendor' rather than 'push cart,' which could allow trucks or trailers. They asked for language requiring carts to fit the city's character, said they preferred battery inverters over generators, and urged the city not to fast-track the process.
• First Amendment demonstration ordinance: Matt Colburn, Tim Shaw, Izzy Wallard, Mike Jones, Charlotte Lewis, Danielle Sutton, Andrew Blanchard, Griffin Specker, Joel Milliken, and Sam Carroll called for repeal or decriminalization of the ordinance. Colburn said he was arrested 15 months ago and still has not had a court date. Others described the ordinance as vague and chilling, citing provisions such as the 15-foot distance from aesthetic features and the prohibition on damaging grass. Sam Carroll said a permit for a July march and rally took 25 days to be approved by the Charleston Police Department, while the same rally portion took four days through the National Park Service.
• Dash Hall settlement: Julie O'Connor, speaking for Save Our Structures Charleston, opposed the settlement, saying the timeline was inadequate and the demolition clause unacceptable. Brian Turner, representing the Preservation Society, urged council not to overturn the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) decision and said the claim that the building was a remnant of Dash Hall moved in 1950 is not supported by written evidence.
• Ashley Hall: Brian Hellman, on behalf of Ashley Hall, thanked council and city staff for working toward a resolution on 148 Smith Street.
• Anthony G. Bryant expressed concern that his physical mail had been opened and read, and said he would address council in person.
• Online comments: Two comments from Anthony G. Bryant were distributed to council. Blake Scott, on behalf of the Wagner Terrace Neighborhood Association, asked the city to finalize negotiations and resolve issues surrounding the Lomborough Green Space and Dock, establishing the site as a public waterfront resource.

Committee Reports & Discussion

• Recreation Committee: Chairman McBride reported on the August 20 meeting, including the facilities and capital projects report, a request for analysis of free access to recreation facilities for mobility-disabled or legally blind residents, an update on Stephen Washington Park improvements, and fall recreation programming. In response to a question from Councilman Di Alessandro, McBride said adding a bathroom to a park depends on infrastructure and community input.
• Public Safety Committee: Councilman Waring, filling in for Chairman Sheeley, said the committee discussed the First Amendment ordinance and that the work is not finished. Mayor Cogswell clarified that no vote on the ordinance would occur that night and that the next discussion would be at the Public Safety Committee on September 15.
• Community Development Committee: Chairman Appel reported on the August 20 meeting. The committee unanimously approved a resolution certifying 141 Meeting Street for the South Carolina Abandoned Buildings tax credit. The committee also discussed Dash Hall at length and the infill housing proposal at 806 Magnolia Road in West Ashley, which raised technical challenges for 'missing middle' housing. Appel said lessons from that discussion should inform future zoning work.
• Dash Hall settlement details: City staff member Magalie Creech explained the amended settlement. Ashley Hall could proceed with demolition but would first make the building available to nonprofit or government organizations for relocation. Interested parties would need to submit a relocation plan by October 31, including the site, licensed contractor, proof of funding, insurance, and acceptance of the structure as-is. Relocation would need to be completed by November 30. If any portion remained, Ashley Hall could demolish it. The agreement also includes a historical plaque or monument on Smith Street by December 31, 2028.
• Human Resources Committee: Chairman Bowden reported on healthcare budget increases, a completed compensation study, a discussion of drug-testing policy, and deferred parental leave discussion.
• Ways and Means: Chairman Greg clarified a previous statement about a $5 million employee bonus, saying all employees who received a score of 2 would receive the same dollar amount, and all who received a score of 3 would receive the same dollar amount, rather than prorated amounts.

Discussion Items

• Councilman Waring opposed the Dash Hall settlement timeline, saying it was designed to fail and would set a bad precedent for other historic buildings. Councilwoman Scarden said she voted no because of a lack of evidence about the 1950 relocation. Councilman Brady said asking a nonprofit to raise significant funds within 60 days was unrealistic. Councilman Baldwin and Mayor Cogswell supported the compromise, with Baldwin noting the building has been available for some time and that approval moves the process forward.
• Councilman Polk asked that the community development items be voted on separately.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the resolution certifying 141 Meeting Street for the South Carolina Abandoned Buildings tax credit by voice vote.
• Approved the amended Dash Hall / 148 Smith Street settlement agreement by roll call vote, 7–5. Voting aye: Greg, McBride, Di Alessandro, Seekings, Bowden, Appel, and Mayor Cogswell. Voting nay: Polk, Brady, Waring, Tinkler, and Scarden. Councilmember Sheeley was absent.
• Adopted 12 bills on second reading and 12 bills on third reading and ratification. One bill scheduled for third reading was deferred pending action by Berkeley County.
• Approved a first-reading item related to the sustainability and advisory committee, described as part of cleaning up the city's boards and commissions.
• The next City Council meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, at 5 p.m.