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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Goose Creek City Council Regular Meeting - January 13, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, January 13, 2026

BodyGoose Creek, South Carolina

SessionCity Council & Commissions

DateTuesday, January 13, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 35:13

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:06

Yeah, I know.

0:10

Yeah, don't get carried away.

0:23

Okay.

0:30

That means we're starting.

0:33

That's what I do.

0:35

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:37

Welcome.

0:37

Appreciate everyone being here.

0:39

Today is Tuesday, January 13th.

0:42

This is our regularly scheduled council meeting following the swearing in of our re-elected council members, Melissa Eno Sims, Councilwoman Galen McSwain, and also re-elected, I think, Corey McLary, and we're very happy to have everybody back here.

1:01

So thank you all for being here.

1:10

At this time, Pastor Josh Tgey will uh from St.

1:13

James United Methodist Church will lead us in prayer and we'll follow that with a Pledge of Allegiance, please.

1:21

Shall we pray?

1:22

Holy one, we thank you for new things.

1:25

We thank you for a new year and the reminiscence of the year past, our strengths and our struggles that move us in a way forward.

1:35

We thank you for the community and the commitment of the citizens of our city and those who provide leadership here in Goose Creek.

1:43

May we bear with one another in our differences and champion those things that bring us together as an opportunity for the flourishing of all in the community.

1:53

Be with us as we endeavor to be in peace and harmony with our neighbors, help us to bear with each other in compassion and grace, and as the days continue to bring increasing light to the world, we ask that you enlighten our way forward into this new year, both in private and in public service.

2:12

Be our study guide, our stay when things get difficult and when things are easy, be our rest.

2:19

Give to all the public servants of this city, especially our first responders, safety and help in their work.

2:26

Guard us with divine wisdom in our decisions and in the shaping and forming of the community of Goose Creek.

2:33

Help us to recognize that we don't live in the isolation of our own selves, our own opinions, our own thoughts, and our own weaknesses.

2:42

Let us realize that the resilience to move into the new ways of being drawn upon draw upon our relationship with others to become together stronger people.

2:53

We pray all these things in the holy trust that with divine guidance we will find our way forward.

3:00

Amen.

3:03

I pledge allegiance.

3:51

Thank you for that nomination.

3:52

Uh Ms.

3:53

Green Fletcher.

3:54

Are there any other nominations?

3:58

Hearing no more, nominations are closed.

4:01

All those in favor of Councilman TCAC from Mayor Pro Tem, please signify by saying aye.

4:06

Aye.

4:06

Any opposed, nay.

4:11

Thank you very much.

4:14

At this time it's time for general comments from the public.

4:19

David Walker, I believe, uh signed in to uh speak.

4:24

Did anybody else have to your announcement or no?

4:27

Sign in to speak?

4:28

Okay.

4:28

Mr.

4:29

Walker, if you'd come to the podium and good evening.

4:45

Mr.

4:46

Mayor and members of council, my name is David Walker.

4:50

And it's required, my address is a 329 Water Oak Drive.

4:54

I rise today to speak on a critical issue, one that strikes at the very heart of democracy in the city of Goose Creek.

5:03

And that issue is voter turnout.

5:07

Goose Creek now has a population of over 50,000 residents.

5:12

And our city is growing at a very rapid rate.

5:16

Yet in our most recent city council election this past November, only 7,554 residents participated in that election.

5:26

That is roughly 15% of our total population.

5:31

Even when we narrow these numbers to eligible voters, approximately 35,000.

5:37

Only about 20 percent of those eligible voters in the city of Goose Creek took place, took part in that election.

5:44

Going even further back to the mayoral election of 2022, the trend is the same.

5:51

At that time, Goose Creek had roughly 47,000 residents.

5:56

Only 11,642 residents voted.

6:01

Of those votes cast, 4,056 were cast for Mr.

6:04

Delaney.

6:05

And 7,530 were cast for you, Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Engagement█████████████████████████████████████37%

Parks and Recreation██████████████14%

Procedural███████████11%

Racial Equity█████████9%

Zoning And Land Use█████████9%

Personnel Matters█████████9%

Public Health Awareness███████7%

Youth Programs████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Goose Creek City Council Regular Meeting - January 13, 2026

The Goose Creek City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included the election of a new Mayor Pro Tem, public comments on voter turnout, presentations of proclamations, approval of minutes, a public hearing and first reading of an annexation ordinance, and the Mayor's report. All votes were unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 PM.

Election of Mayor Pro Tem

Councilmember Jerry Tekac was elected Mayor Pro Tem following a nomination by outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Green-Fletcher, seconded by Councilmember Enos-Sims. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

David Walker, a resident of 329 Water Oak Drive, expressed concern about low voter turnout in recent city elections. He noted that in the November 2025 council election, only 7,554 residents voted — approximately 15% of Goose Creek's population of over 50,000, and only about 20% of the estimated 35,000 eligible voters. He cited similar low turnout in the 2022 mayoral election (11,642 votes out of roughly 47,000 residents). Walker urged the council to implement policies and public information campaigns to increase voter engagement. Mayor Habib agreed that turnout is "abysmal."

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the City Council Meeting of December 9, 2025, were approved unanimously.

Presentations & Proclamations

Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 19, 2026: Mayor Habib presented a proclamation to Mr. John Matthews of the NAACP. The proclamation recognized January 19, 2026 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a National Day of Service, encouraging citizens to participate in community service.
National Human Trafficking Awareness Month – January 2026: Mayor Habib presented a proclamation to Ms. Lauren Knapp, Co-Chair of the Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force. The proclamation recognized January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Ms. Knapp noted that human trafficking is a $27 billion economic crime worldwide and that the task force now has active cases in all three counties (Berkeley, Dorchester, Charleston).

Discussion Items

Mayor's Leadership Council Monthly Report: Students Aiden Branch and Destiny Hall (juniors at Stratford High School) presented recent activities. They learned about planning and zoning, including a task to create a development following city ordinances, and heard from a representative about the Master of Public Administration program. Upcoming activities include field trips and department shadowing.
Annexation Ordinance (First Reading & Public Hearing): An ordinance to annex TMS 233-08-03-059 (a former DOT right-of-way on College Park Road) into the city with a General Commercial (GC) zoning. No public comments were received. Councilmember McSwain moved to approve, seconded by Councilmember Harmon. The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor's Report: Mayor Habib announced:
- City offices closed Monday, January 19 for MLK Day; Monday trash pickup shifts to Tuesday.
- Crowfield Golf Club hosting the Bobby D. Classic Junior Golf Tournament (Sunday–Monday).
- Citizens Police Academy (8 weeks, begins Feb 11) open to residents age 21+.
- 2025 Veterans Banners available for pickup at City Hall.
- Winter Wonderland event on Jan 17, 5–8 PM at Central Creek Park (free, food, roller skating, artificial snow).
- Spring sports registration and various recreational classes.
- Alexis Kiser's last council meeting; she is leaving to become an Assistant City Manager in another municipality.
Councilmember Comments: Councilmember Enos-Sims reported on the Toys for Tots program, noting that 48 families in Goose Creek received toys, food, jackets, and blankets. Overall, the program distributed 16,582 toys, 311 bicycles, $5,000 in gift cards, 100 blankets, 207 jackets, and over 100 food boxes, serving 8,667 children. She thanked the Police and Fire Departments for their help.

Key Outcomes

Election of Mayor Pro Tem: Councilmember Jerry Tekac elected unanimously.
Minutes Approved: Unanimous.
Annexation Ordinance Approved: Unanimous (first reading).
Proclamations Presented: MLK Jr. Day and Human Trafficking Awareness Month formally recognized.
Recognition: Alexis Kiser acknowledged for her contributions to city projects (new fire station, Creek Collective, Daning Amphitheater, annexation coordination, zoning rewrite) as she departs for a new role.
Adjournment: Motion passed unanimously at 6:35 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Yeah, I know. Yeah, don't get carried away. Okay. That means we're starting. That's what I do. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome. Appreciate everyone being here. Today is Tuesday, January 13th. This is our regularly scheduled council meeting following the swearing in of our re-elected council members, Melissa Eno Sims, Councilwoman Galen McSwain, and also re-elected, I think, Corey McLary, and we're very happy to have everybody back here. So thank you all for being here. At this time, Pastor Josh Tgey will uh from St. James United Methodist Church will lead us in prayer and we'll follow that with a Pledge of Allegiance, please. Shall we pray? Holy one, we thank you for new things. We thank you for a new year and the reminiscence of the year past, our strengths and our struggles that move us in a way forward. We thank you for the community and the commitment of the citizens of our city and those who provide leadership here in Goose Creek. May we bear with one another in our differences and champion those things that bring us together as an opportunity for the flourishing of all in the community. Be with us as we endeavor to be in peace and harmony with our neighbors, help us to bear with each other in compassion and grace, and as the days continue to bring increasing light to the world, we ask that you enlighten our way forward into this new year, both in private and in public service. Be our study guide, our stay when things get difficult and when things are easy, be our rest. Give to all the public servants of this city, especially our first responders, safety and help in their work. Guard us with divine wisdom in our decisions and in the shaping and forming of the community of Goose Creek. Help us to recognize that we don't live in the isolation of our own selves, our own opinions, our own thoughts, and our own weaknesses. Let us realize that the resilience to move into the new ways of being drawn upon draw upon our relationship with others to become together stronger people. We pray all these things in the holy trust that with divine guidance we will find our way forward. Amen. I pledge allegiance. Thank you for that nomination. Uh Ms. Green Fletcher. Are there any other nominations? Hearing no more, nominations are closed. All those in favor of Councilman TCAC from Mayor Pro Tem, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Thank you very much. At this time it's time for general comments from the public. David Walker, I believe, uh signed in to uh speak. Did anybody else have to your announcement or no? Sign in to speak? Okay. Mr. Walker, if you'd come to the podium and good evening. Mr. Mayor and members of council, my name is David Walker. And it's required, my address is a 329 Water Oak Drive. I rise today to speak on a critical issue, one that strikes at the very heart of democracy in the city of Goose Creek. And that issue is voter turnout. Goose Creek now has a population of over 50,000 residents. And our city is growing at a very rapid rate.

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