Goose Creek City Council Regular Meeting - May 12, 2026
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Goose Creek City Council Regular Meeting - May 12, 2026
Mayor Gregory S. Habib called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 PM at the Municipal Court. All council members were present. Pastor Steve Kiser of Nexus Point Church gave the invocation. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the City Council Workshop of March 24, 2026, Special Council Meeting and Regular Meeting of April 14, 2026, and Workshop of April 28, 2026 were approved. Motion by Councilmember McSwain, seconded by Councilmember Green-Fletcher; all ayes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Judie Edwards (826 Buckler Street) announced the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. On Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 8:15 PM, the Berkeley 250 and Goose Creek Recreation Department will show the film 1776 at The Daning, with activities starting at 7:15 PM. Free popcorn, lemonade, and cotton candy were noted.
Presentations & Proclamations
- National Public Works Week (May 17-23, 2026): Mayor Habib recognized Director of Public Works Chuck Denson and staff for their essential services.
- National ALS Awareness Month (May 2026): The Mayor acknowledged retiree Ron Faretra, who has been battling ALS for over 20 years, and the wife of businessman Pete Patel, who is currently fighting ALS.
- National Tennis Month (May 2026): Recognized Steve Wilson and Lee Knick for promoting lifelong sports.
- Westview Middle School Robotics Team: The first-year team qualified for state competition and placed 11th. Members: seventh graders Nikko Riotta and Brant Bowers; eighth graders Liam Smith and Tyler Hook. Coach: Christie Calvin. Principal Taylor Bradley also attended.
- Mayor's Leadership Council (MLC) Graduates – Class 2026-1: Nine students from Cane Bay, Goose Creek, Northwood, and Stratford high schools completed the nine-month program. Five graduates presented: they described visits to city facilities, job shadowing, and a student-organized service event that raised over 460 pounds of food and more than $2,000 for Lowcountry Orphan Relief and Helping Hands of Goose Creek. The Mayor thanked former MLC supervisor Alexis Kaiser and current supervisor Reagan Osbon for creating and running the program.
Public Hearings
- Unified Development Ordinance (Introduction & First Reading): An ordinance to repeal Title XV, Chapters 151 (Zoning) and 153 (Land Development Regulations) and adopt a unified Chapter 151. Mayor Habib explained this codifies years of zoning rewrites. No public comments. Motion by Councilmember Harmon, seconded by Councilmember Green-Fletcher; all ayes.
Discussion Items
- Multi-Use Path Funding: Request for $50,505.18 from Hospitality Tax Funds to fully fund a multi-use path from the corner of Old Mount Holly Road / N. Goose Creek Boulevard to the Marguerite H. Brown Municipal Complex. Motion by Councilmember Enos-Sims, seconded by Councilmember McClary; all ayes.
- Tennis Court Renovations: Award contract to Howard B. Jones and Son for resurfacing, relining, net post replacement, and crack repair. The bid was $5,350 over budget. Councilmember McClary inquired about timeline; City Administrator Zeigler stated completion this year but no specific date. Motion by Councilmember McSwain, seconded by Councilmember Green-Fletcher; all ayes.
- Overflow Parking Lot Construction: Award bid to Ashley River Site and Utilities for additional parking behind the Recreation Complex and beside the Activities Center. Total bid: $1,716,776.29, plus up to $200,000 contingency for soil issues. Funded by sale of corner property and future financing. Mayor noted the contingency was included because the bid came in under budget. Motion by Councilmember Enos-Sims, seconded by Councilmember Green-Fletcher; all ayes.
- Fire Study: Approval for the Center for Public Safety Management to conduct a fire study based on various staffing models. Cost: $43,815, duration: six months. Mayor Habib emphasized the goal of ensuring firefighters are best trained, equipped, compensated, and providing maximum safety. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Tekac, seconded by Councilmember McSwain; all ayes.
Mayor's Report
- Mayor Habib addressed recent social media attacks questioning his local roots. He reaffirmed his lifelong ties to Goose Creek (resident since 1982, high school graduate 1986, raised two children locally). He promoted the Municipal Association of South Carolina Civility Initiative, urging the public to engage respectfully even when disagreeing with council decisions. He encouraged residents to visit the city's website (CityofGooseCreek.com) and social media platforms for updates on events and activities.
Key Outcomes
- All votes (minutes approval, ordinance introduction, and four contract/funding items) passed unanimously.
- Proclamations and recognitions were formally presented.
- Monthly department reports for April were received for informational purposes.
- The meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Good evening. Come on, man. The whole reason I hit it that hard is to ensure everyone is awake and engaged. So that we can all uh yeah, I mean that's fair. Uh but welcome. Thank you all for being here. Today is May 12th. This is our regularly scheduled council meeting. Uh and I very much appreciate your attendance. At this time, Pastor Kaiser, the associate pastor in Nexus Point Church. You're on. He used to be the head pastor, but he retired. But they still make him work. And he's also our chaplain here at the City of Goose Creek Police Department. He's gonna leave us in prayer and we're gonna follow that with the blood complete. I don't follow with them for your grateful heart for the opportunity to gather and the sorter. Thank you for the wisdom, the talent, and the dedication of those who lead our city. I ask for your guidance in our discussions today. Help us listen with respect, speak with clarity, and decide with a thank you. May our work reflect fairness and a genuine desire to serve the greater good for all the citizens of use free and the surrounding area. Let's our body together and let each of understanding guide our discussions and our decision. Sorry about that. I had to make sure I had everything uh squared away. I appreciate you sharing those words with us tonight. Uh general uh general public comments. We have one signing. Uh that is Ms. Edwards. Uh and we appreciate your being here. Thank you. As I told you last month, this year is the Sescar Centennial, or the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This Saturday, May 16th, the Berkeley 250 and the Goose Creek Recreation Department will be showing the film 1776 at the Danning. 1776 is a musical version that led to the of the events that led to the writing and the signing of the declaration, and it's a really fun movie. Danning will open at 7.15 with them crafts and yard games for kids, and the Berkeley 250 will also have some revolutionary books for uh elementary students and some new swag. All of it free. So Maz Gourmet Kettle Corn is gonna be there. She's gonna have popcorn, uh lemonade, and cotton candy. I haven't had that in a long time. So bring your blankets, bring your chairs, movie begins about 8.15, and I hope to see everyone there. Thank you. I appreciate that very much. Council, in your packet, you have the minutes from City Council Workshop of March 24 stuff, City Council meeting of April 14th. The council meeting of April 14th. And the City Council workshop of April 38th. I would invite the motion to approve this. Mr. Mayor made it to approve. I second Mr. Raman.
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