Mount Pleasant Town Council Special Meeting and Committee Sessions - October 6, 2025
Mount Pleasant Town Council Special Meeting and Committee Sessions - October 6, 2025
The October 6, 2025, meeting consisted of a special town council session and several committee meetings (Public Services, HR, Education, Transportation). Key actions included a heated debate over the implementation of a wage study and additional public safety personnel funded by a recent 15% property tax increase, as well as updates on the Highway 41 corridor project and parking issues at Edwards Park.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from previous meetings (various committees).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Carl Middlestadt (Brickyard resident) requested deferral of the Brickyard Parkway sidewalk project citing safety, redundancy, and tree ordinance violations. He stated the proposed design includes over 120 violations.
- Rebecca M. Holtz (Brickyard resident) supported the sidewalk, saying it will enhance quality of life and allow children to walk to school.
- Barbara Smith (Royal Avenue) thanked staff for no-parking signs under the oaks at Edwards Park and questioned the need for off-leash dog hours, arguing the park has worked well for years.
- Myra Jones (Creekside HOA) asked for help restoring a privacy buffer after the town’s contractor removed plantings along a drainage easement; proposed taller fences and tree planting.
- Lisa Schnipke (Mount Pleasant resident) questioned the timing of the compensation review, suggesting it should have been part of the regular budget process.
- Mike Van Horn (Iron Bridge Drive) noted the town’s 2026 budget is down 58% from 2025 and urged a wage review before the comprehensive plan.
- Ellen Moore (Carolina Park) thanked council members and urged support for the wage study to retain first responders.
- Kevin Crenane (Mount Pleasant resident) criticized the fire department’s response time and urged action to improve staffing and pay.
- Helena Stickle (Primus Road) urged tree preservation along the Mount Pleasant Way project.
- David Spedden (Mount Pleasant) argued the county’s “road to compromise” alternative for Highway 41 is unsafe, citing traffic diversion onto residential roads.
Discussion Items
- Wage Study and Personnel (Special Town Council): Council debated implementing the $1.537 million phase one of the wage study, adding 12 new public safety positions (6 firefighters, 4 corporals, 2 CSOs), and a 4% salary increase for police and fire. A motion to add the 4% increase passed 5-4. The final motion to implement phase one, the 12 positions, and send remaining funds to committees passed unanimously. The funds come from a 15% property tax increase (estimated $5.284 million annually after delinquencies).
- Highway 41 Corridor (Transportation Committee): Staff reported that a time-of-day left-turn phase will be activated at Rivertown Parkway and Highway 41. Residents raised concerns about the county’s “road to compromise” alternative, with data showing it would increase traffic on Park West Boulevard to 19,609 vehicles per day (more than on Highway 41 today). No action taken; council will seek local consent from the county.
- Edwards Park Parking (Public Services Committee): New “no motorized vehicles” signs have reduced parking under the oaks. Options discussed include bollards, vegetation, formal parking, or no-parking zones. Committee decided to monitor the signs' effectiveness before further action.
- Off-Leash Dog Hours (Health, Recreation & Events Committee): Staff proposed designated hours and rules for off-leash areas at Edwards and Carnes Parks. Council members expressed concerns about enforcement and safety; deferred for further study.
- Public Safety Education Campaign (Education Committee): Chief Arnold highlighted ongoing efforts (social media, HOA meetings, “lock it or lose it” signs) and noted 23 guns stolen from unlocked cars year-to-date. Council discussed ways to increase public engagement.
- Total Compensation Review (HR Committee): Staff presented sample pay statements showing total compensation including benefits. Discussion on overtime impacts and the need for a dedicated crime prevention officer.
Key Outcomes
- Special Town Council: Approved phase one wage study ($1.537 million) and 12 new public safety positions (6 firefighters, 4 corporals, 2 CSOs). A 4% salary increase for police and fire was added via amendment (5-4 vote). Remaining funds (estimated $1.6 million) were sent to committees for further review. Implementation will begin as soon as administrative structures are in place.
- Transportation Committee: No action taken on Highway 41; council will continue to engage with Charleston County.
- Public Services Committee: Edwards Park parking modifications to be monitored; no immediate changes.
- HR Committee: Discussed code of conduct for boards/commissions; will revisit orientation process.
- All other items were informational or routine.
Meeting Transcript
Five, eight o'clock a.m. Item number one's called order, which I've just done. Number two, approval of the minutes from the September 2, 2025 meeting. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman. Second. Okay, we got a motion and second. Any discussion? All in favor, please say aye. Aye. All opposed. Eyes have it. Item number three is public comments. If you have any public comments, you're welcome to step on up to the podium. We'll give you a couple of minutes. I've got a hand up for the councilman so they could follow along. Each of them, I appreciate it. Thank you. My name is Carl Middlestadt. I reside at 2759 Gaston Gate and Brickyard. Good morning, Council members. I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm here to respectfully request that you defer approval of the proposed brickyard parkway sidewalk project for three important reasons. Safety, tree impact, and fiscal responsibility. First safety, one of the town's justifications for the sidewalk is to allow children to walk to school on Hamblin Road. Giving easy access to cross a very busy eight-line eight-lane highway that is especially dangerous at peaks peak school hours is too great of a risk. Vehicular collisions at this intersection are common. Adding children's bodies is an irresponsible risk for serious injuries and fatalities. This is not walkability, it's child endangerment. Second, redundancy and cost. With so many real infrastructure needs across our town, this is simply not a responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Third, significant violations of the town's tree protection ordinance. The proposed design includes over 120 violations to the town tree ordinance, including invasive grading, trenching, and construction within the tree protection zone of mature canopy trees. These violations aren't minor. They directly conflict with the town zoning code and long-term tree canopy goals. Town staff invoked the ordinance exemption attended intended for only when compliance is impossible or unrealistic. But alternative designs that preserve tree health do exist and they are possible and realistic. Applying this exemption here sets a dangerous precedence. In fact, it fails to address the numerous ordinance violations of and the required grading cuts within the tree protection zones, nor does it identify the significant difference between the design elevations and actual elevations. I just got one thing. All agreed that it causes significant tree damage, violates numerous ordinance standards, and is not fiscally responsible. Councilman Rambo has also indicated he does not support the project moving forward. We all support a more walkable town, but this plan misses the mark. It introduces new risks, wastes financial resources, and threatens the environment. I urge you to remove the brickyard sidewalk section from the scope before moving forward. At the very least, a deferral would give time to explore alternative plans that remove significant impacts. Thank you. Thank you very much. Anyone else?
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