Goose Creek City Council Meeting - April 14, 2026: Resolutions, Recognitions, and Property Purchases
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Goose Creek City Council Regular Meeting – April 14, 2026
The Goose Creek City Council met on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM at Municipal Court. The meeting included several proclamations, recognition of first responders who saved a 3-month-old, approval of resolutions to designate public works employees as first responders, participation in a retirement benefits program, fee schedule amendment, and bond reimbursement. The council also approved the purchase of property on Liberty Hall Road, a contract for parking lot and restroom construction at the golf department, an appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals, and a 30-year lease with the Goose Creek Recreation Commission for Dogwood Park and Foster Creek Park. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The council approved the minutes from the Special City Council Meeting (March 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM) and the Regular City Council Meeting (March 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM) by a unanimous vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Judie Edwards (826 Buckler Street) invited the community to attend Jeff Neal's "Declaration of Independence Stories and Myths" on April 21, 2026 at 3:15 PM at the Activity Center Gymnastics Room. She described him as a dynamic speaker. No other public comments were made.
Presentations & Proclamations
- National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (April 12-18, 2026) – Mayor Habib presented a proclamation to Chimere Myers, Communications Supervisor, and her staff of the Goose Creek Police Department's 911 Communications Center. He noted that the center handles over 61,770 inbound/outbound calls, 6,057 walk-ins, and 19,839 emergency 911 calls annually, dispatching to over 69,000 incidents.
- Second Chance Month (April 2026) – Proclamation presented to John Matthews of the NAACP. Mayor Habib highlighted the importance of providing opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals and noted that South Carolina has the lowest recidivism rate in the nation.
- Child Abuse Prevention Month (April 2026) – Proclamation presented to Councilmember Enos-Sims, Nilsy Rapalo, Yajaira Bess, and members of the Latin Advisory Committee. The mayor noted that there are 12,371 children in South Carolina in need of prevention efforts.
- Honorary Life Saving Award – Presented to EMS Medic 1's David Morgan and Jason Rios, and Firefighters of Ladder 3's Ryan Logue, Jay Wyman, and PJ Pickering for saving the life of 3-month-old David ("Cruze") on January 28, 2026. The baby had suffered a stroke and seizure. Corporal Carli Carr (Berkeley County Sheriff's Office), the aunt, described the event and thanked the responders.
- Goose Creek Citizen Police Academy – Recognition of Graduates – Mayor Habib recognized the graduates of the Citizen Police Academy (class name "Five Spinous"). One graduate, the valedictorian, thanked the department and noted that the ride-along was especially educational.
- Special Recognition – Mayor Habib recognized Sid Busch, a U.S. Navy veteran and submariner, on his 80th birthday. Busch completed a marathon to prove fitness to continue service after a back injury, and has since run over 200 marathons and founded the Goose Creek Running Club.
Discussion Items
- Resolution to Designate Public Works Employees as First Responders – Introduction and final reading. Mayor Habib explained the federal recognition of public works as first responders per HSPD-5 and PPD-8. The resolution designates DPW employees as first responders. Public comment was opened and none offered. The resolution passed unanimously.
- Resolution Authorizing Participation in SC Other Retirement Benefits Employer Program – Final reading. The city will pay a portion of health insurance benefits for retired employees who meet service criteria. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution Amending the Master Fee Schedule – Final reading. Adjusts credit card fees that were previously absorbed by the city. Residents are encouraged to use ACH for water bills (free and safe). Passed unanimously.
- Resolution to Express Intent to be Reimbursed with Tax-Exempt Obligations – Final reading. Allows the city to incur expenditures for Fire Station IV, Crowfield Golf, and Recreation Parking now and later be reimbursed by bonds. Passed unanimously.
- Administrator's Report:
- Purchase of Real Property (0 Liberty Hall Road) – City Administrator Natalie Zeigler requested authorization to purchase the property for $350,000 for future expansion of the Public Works facility. Councilmember Green-Fletcher recused herself as she is employed by the listing real estate company (Carolina One). Vote: 6 in favor, 1 recusal. Approved.
- Contract with Branks Construction for Parking Lot and Restroom Facility (Golf Department) – $1,844,450 for new parking lots and restrooms at Crowfield Golf and the city pool lots. This was the lowest responsive bid and came in lower than anticipated. The parking lots are over 30 years old and in poor condition. Approved unanimously.
- Appointment to Board of Zoning Appeals – Ms. Lisa Anagnostopoulos was appointed to fill a vacancy and then reappointed for a new 3-year term ending December 31, 2029. She is an attorney and was recommended by Planning and Zoning Director Kendra Wise. Approved unanimously.
- Thirty-Year Lease Agreement with Goose Creek Recreation Commission (Dogwood Park and Foster Creek Park) – The agenda was amended to add this item. The lease is for 30 years with a 10-year renewal option. The city plans to invest approximately $1.7 million in improvements: new stands, renovated bathrooms and press box at Dogwood Park, and a concrete pad for an introductory skate park and BMX track at Foster Creek Park. Mayor Pro Tem Tekac expressed preference for ownership of the properties but supported the improvements. Mayor Habib noted that the lease protects the city's investment and that future councils will face similar decisions. Approved unanimously.
Mayor's Report
Mayor Habib provided a summary of upcoming events and reminders:
- April 12–18 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week; thanked dispatchers.
- Central Creek Farmers Market first and third Wednesdays, 4–7 PM (next: April 15, May 6, May 20).
- Creek Conversations town hall meetings continue: April 16 at Nexus Pointe Church (with Latin Advisory Committee), April 23 at Northwood Church in Carnes Crossroads, April 30 at Planters Walk Clubhouse in Crowfield. Topic: growth and city planning.
- Food Forest Grand Opening April 24, 5–7 PM at John McCants Veterans Park.
- Creekapalooza continues April 25 with Plain White T's concert (free tickets claimed; waiting list available).
- Laws and Paws Dog Walk May 9, 5–8 PM (registration $40, limit 2 dogs).
- Fire Department Open House May 16, 11 AM–2 PM.
- Hot Pursuit 5K June 13 (registration open; a wager between Councilmembers Harmon and McClary).
- Recreation: tennis lessons, Half Pints program for ages 3–5, Puzzle Palooza April 16, summer basketball registration, Cinco de Mayo celebration May 5, Boulder Bites May 14.
- House Watch Program: Mayor Habib acknowledged that the program had been discontinued but is now restored. Residents can register online or call the police non-emergency line to request house checks while out of town.
Key Outcomes
- All resolutions and motions passed unanimously, except the property purchase vote which had one recusal (6-0-1).
- The council approved a 30-year lease with GCRC for Dogwood and Foster Creek parks, enabling $1.7 million in improvements.
- The council designated DPW employees as first responders.
- Authorized participation in the SC OPEB employer program.
- Amended the master fee schedule for credit card fees.
- Authorized bond reimbursement for capital projects.
- Approved purchase of 0 Liberty Hall Road for $350,000 for future DPW expansion.
- Approved a $1,844,450 contract with Branks Construction for parking lot and restroom improvements.
- Appointed Lisa Anagnostopoulos to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- The meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Don't do it that loud. I guess we're sharing. I'm really supportive of myself. Thank you all very much for coming out this evening. Today is April 14. It is our regularly scheduled council meeting. I thank all of you for coming out tonight. And we will follow that because we've got to believe. Let us pray. Creator God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, I thank you for this great small but large city of Goose Creek, a place I love to live, work, and play. I thank you for your presence and its people, for your spirit in its parks, and for your purpose, even in this season. Lord, I thank you for the leaders who guide our city from the municipality level to our first responders, to the pastors who lead the faith communities, and the teachers who shape our future generations. Tonight, Lord, I pray for the commonwealth of Goose Creek, asking you bring justice to the poor and prosperity for everyone within its economic systems. Lord, I pray for your protection for the vulnerable and your binding of those who seek to cause harm. Lord, remove their weapons and expose their motives and thus remind us who is in control. Tonight I pray for the safety of the city, that our citizens, from babies to those who are seasoned with age and wisdom, will be kept safe from harm and violence on the streets. Lord, I pray that criminals themselves will be met with your spirit and transformed by the love that you behold. This very night, Lord, I ask that you grant wisdom and integrity to our city leaders. May their decisions be weighted for the good and sustainable future of our city. And lastly, Lord, I pray for your peace, both in this pinpoint on the map of South Carolina, but also in our county, our state, and our country. Your word tells us that you will be our peace. And Lord, tonight I place this city that I love and the people who call Goose Creek home into your hands. Amen. Franklin is also the executive director of Public Hands of Goose Creek. I'm sure you can get links there. Nicole is that go to their Facebook page. Please take a minute and just donate it if you can. It's a very important uh group in our city that serves many, many people. Um we're very thankful for their presence and I would really uh mean a lot to me and our council uh take what you can do and support that organization. So thank you for all of you. Thank you, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Um this year marks the sescar centennial of the declaration of independence. In other words, the 250th anniversary. Next week, Tuesday, April 21st at 3 15. I know that's kind of a strange time in the gymnastics center. Jeff Neil will present the Declaration of Independence, Stories and Myths. I've heard this man speak 13 plus times. I've learned something new every single time. He's a very dynamic speaker, and I know most of many of you will be working, but I do encourage you to try and take an hour and come and listen to it. Um he's just there's something about him. He was a former Marine. After he got out of the Marine, he went and got his degree in history. He was most recently a docent and curator at Middleton Place, but he was also a docent at the baseball hall of fame, so he's got kind of a varied background. The event is free, it's open to the public. Again, 3 15 next Tuesday afternoon at the gymnastics center, and I hope to see a lot of you there. Thank you. Thank you, Jacob. We appreciate you sharing that. Thank you.
openpublica.com