Goose Creek City Council Regular Meeting – November 11, 2025
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Goose Creek City Council Regular Meeting – November 11, 2025
The Goose Creek City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers (519 N Goose Creek Blvd). The meeting included public comments, presentations, adoption of the FY 2026 budget, several zoning and annexation ordinances, and approval of multiple contracts and expenditures. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to a discussion on additional contingency funds for Fire Station IV at Carnes Crossroads. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Janice Henley (806 Doulton Lane) expressed concerns about the proposed development at the corner of N Goose Creek Boulevard and Old Mount Holly Road, citing traffic problems and aesthetic issues similar to the Chipotle development. She requested a site plan rendering. Mayor Habib offered to discuss further after the meeting.
- Herbert Mathis (119 Parish Road) asked about sidewalk improvements along Highway 52 (Goose Creek Boulevard) from Red Bank Road to Button Hall Boulevard and from Stephanie Drive to John McCants Veterans Park. He noted unsafe pedestrian conditions. Mayor Habib explained that a quarter-mile sidewalk would cost approximately $1.2 million and that funds for such projects would come from the general fund, which is currently insufficient. He stated the city would continue to seek grants.
Presentations & Proclamations
- Mayor Habib presented a proclamation recognizing November 2025 as American Indian Heritage Month to Chief Lisa Collins, Vice Chief Joshua Shumak, and councilmembers Janie Leach and Darren Clark of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians.
- Recognitions: Bob Semashko (Golf Course Maintenance) as Employee of the Year; James Allen Cadien as Police Explorer of the Year; and Pastor Steve Kiser as Volunteer of the Year.
Mayor's Leadership Council
- Students Destiny Hall (junior, Stratford High School) and Charles Hauk (senior, Stratford High School) presented their monthly report. They visited the police station and learned about finance from the CFO. They are planning a spring event.
Old Business (Second and Final Readings)
- FY 2026 Budget Adoption: Unanimously approved an ordinance to adopt the budget for fiscal year beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026. Mayor Habib described the budget as conservative with built-in contingency and savings.
- Zoning Map Amendment: Unanimously approved changing approximately 10.17 acres at 603 N Goose Creek Boulevard and adjacent parcels from Village Node (VN) to Planned Development (PD).
New Business & Public Hearings (First Readings)
- Business License Ordinance Update: Unanimously approved an ordinance to update the class schedule as required by Act 176 of 2020.
- Annexation Ordinance: Unanimously approved annexing property on Beverly Drive (TMS 235-13-04-045) and assigning Residential Single Family (RSF) zoning.
- Zoning Map Amendment: Unanimously approved changing 5.15 acres on Etiwan Drive from Village Node (VN) and Central Creek District (CCD) Overlay to General Commercial (GC) and CCD Overlay.
Administrator's Report
- Sewer Line Contract: Approved a $2,088,280 contract with RH Moore Company, Inc. to construct a sewer line on the east side of S Goose Creek Boulevard. Funds come from remaining ARPA money moved to the general fund. Mayor Habib noted it is an economic development project and that Steinberg Law Firm will move its headquarters from Charleston to Goose Creek. Motion carried unanimously.
- Pond Pavilion Design Contract: Approved a $270,000 contract with Rush Dixon Architects, LLC for design, engineering, and construction administration of the pond pavilion. A change order will be issued on The Assembly project with Trident Construction. Motion carried unanimously.
- Fire Station IV Contingency Funds: After extensive discussion, the council approved an additional $202,500 in contingency funds for completion of Fire Station IV at Carnes Crossroads. Representatives from J Davis Construction (Alley Linder, COO; Ron Jaruzel, Regional Director) explained that unforeseen conditions (soil stabilization, gas line hookup, water line size increase, design revisions) consumed the original contingency. They stated the company had absorbed $150,000 in its own costs (insulation and fire alarm errors). Councilmembers questioned why soil stabilization was not included in the guaranteed maximum price. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilmember Cox opposed.
- Dogwood Park Improvements: Approved use of up to $424,000 from the Hospitality Fund for improvements including: concession stand renovations ($100,000), bleachers ($64,000), bleacher pads ($10,000), basketball renovations ($65,000), press box ($65,000), fencing ($13,000), and other items (pavilion, playground). Councilmember Green-Fletcher raised the possibility of future lighting upgrades. Mayor Habib noted adding lights would increase operational costs and deferred discussion to a future workshop. Motion carried unanimously.
- Fueling System Purchase: Approved $232,000 to replace the 34-year-old fuel system. The cost will be allocated to general fund, recreation, and water funds based on usage. Mayor Habib noted the city saves over $200,000 annually by owning its fuel service. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor's Report
- Mayor Habib thanked participants in the Veterans Day ceremony (Goose Creek High School JROTC and Chamber Choir, Rep. Joe Daning, Recreation team).
- Congratulated election winners: Melissa Enos-Sims, Gayla McSwain, and Corey McClary. Recognized outgoing Councilmember Hannah Cox for her service.
- Commended Helping Hands of Goose Creek for community support.
- Congratulated the Stratford Knights for winning the 2025 Golden Goose Trophy, with sponsorship from Century Aluminum.
- Thanked volunteers for the Food Forest launch at John McCants Veterans Park.
- Highlighted October events (Trunk or Treat, Halloween Carnival) and upcoming events: Christmas Parade (Dec. 13), Boulder Bites (Nov. 13), Holiday Farmers Market (Nov. 22), Cultures in the Creek (Nov. 15), Puzzle Palooza (Nov. 20), Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec. 5), Sensory Tree Lighting (Dec. 6), and others. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the city newsletter and follow social media.
Key Outcomes
- All agenda items were approved. The only non-unanimous vote was the Fire Station IV contingency (6-1).
- The FY 2026 budget was adopted.
- Contracts were awarded for the sewer line ($2,088,280), pond pavilion design ($270,000), and new fueling system ($232,000).
- $424,000 was allocated from the Hospitality Fund for Dogwood Park improvements.
- First readings of three ordinances (business license, annexation, zoning) were approved and will move to second reading.
Meeting Transcript
I got something for you to return for me. Athletic fit. I'm a regular one. I'm regular old legs. That's fair enough. I'm with you. All right, Kelly, that was a thumbs up. Very good. Thank you. Good welcome. How how is everyone? Thank you all very much for being here. I appreciate it, appreciate it very much. I appreciate uh the service to our country that all of you have made. Uh and all and the many veterans that are in here now tonight. I made some comments earlier today at the Veterans Day celebration, and it occurred to me as I as as before I started speaking that my mother had to put up with a lot as a supporter of the veteran and my family. And so as you thank your veteran, uh please thank their families, their spouses, their parents, and their children, because uh it takes a lot of support at home when folks get deployed to go and serve our country, and it takes a lot of support at home. So please thank everybody involved uh in the uh in in the in the service of our country. Uh and I would again like to recognize the three veterans on our council and councilwoman McSwain, Councilwoman Enos Cox, Enos Cox, Councilwoman Eno Sims, and Council Hawks. We very much appreciate your service and councilman elect Corey McClarey, who happens to be in the crowd tonight, uh served our country as well. So thank all of you very much for your service. We appreciate it. Um Pastor Kaiser, the Goose Creek Police Department chaplain and pastor at Nexus Point Church will lead us in prayer, and that'll be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Almighty God, we gather together in unity today, grateful for our freedoms and the opportunities we enjoy in this city and in this nation. On this Veterans Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have answered the call to serve, who have defended our country with courage and sacrifice, and whose commitment to liberty inspires us all. And me may we as citizens of this great city be guided by their example of service of their integrity and their dedication to the common good. Thank you for each one who serves this city in any capacity and bless and keep safe all of our first responders. Help us to make decisions today that honor their legacy, strengthen our community, and promote justice and compassion for all. Bless our mayor, our city council members, our city, and bless all those who serve and have served. May we never forget the price of freedom and always strive to be worthy of the sacrifice sacrifices made on our behalf with grateful hearts. We offer this prayer. Amen. Janice Henley, if you'd like to come and speak to us today, please. First of all, I want to thank you for your comments about families who supported the veterans. As former Navy wife, I appreciate that. Um, my concerns are about the um proposed construction over here. Um next to the old carpet store on that corner. And um it sounds like a really ambitious project. And and my concern is that it's a lovely area, it's a beautiful front yard, and I just hate to see anything built there. It's kind of like if somebody came in and built something in your front yard and then just left it that I'd like to see more green space instead of losing green space acquired by the city. And my other concern is that I don't want to see it end up like where Chipotle was built, where it's caused a lot of problems with traffic, it's almost impossible to drive through that parking lot, it's too small, and there's uh it's difficult for people who are turning into the drive-thru lane, they have to go against traffic. And my final thing is that it's just not very pretty. Nice looking building because you're looking at it from the back, and the egress and the entry is difficult, and it causes snap-o's with the traffic. I wouldn't want to see something oversized put over here on the corner and causing all kinds of problems like that. And those are my main concerns, and I just wanted to speak up about it because I feel bad if I didn't. Thank you, Miss Henley. I appreciate you very much sharing your thoughts. Um, and if you'd like to, if you're gonna be around for the meeting, I'll be happy to sit and talk with you afterwards. All right. I was wondering, too.
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