Full meeting transcript - May 13, 2025

» Let me talk to you about Thank you everyone for coming out tonight. Let's have the meeting called to order. This is the May 13th, 2025 Kershaw County Council meeting. We are going to have uh I think Mr. Jones is ill. He's not going to be joining us tonight. He sends us his regrets and he won't be calling in as well. Let's go ahead and start with the invocation and pledge of allegiance. That will be led by Councilman Sammy Tucker Jr. Can we all stand, please? Let us bow our heads and open our hearts. Thank you, Lord, Father. Thank you for this day. Uh thank you for this life that you've given us.

» We uh thank you for the lovely mother's day that you allow us uh to wake up to and to celebrate the wonderful women uh across this county, this state and this world on a magnificent job that you blessed them to do as being mothers. Lord, father now we ask that you uh cover each heart and mind that's up here on the dis that you uh let us be very deliberate and very cautious and kind to one another and to our decisions as we make them for the citizens of Kershaw County. Bless our men and women who are out fighting for our freedoms and liberties. Cover them in your blood, Lord Father, as only you know how to do. Give us travel and mercy back to our various destinations. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

» Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much, Councilman Tucker. Gentlemen, next up we have item number four on the agenda. I would seek a motion to amend the agenda before approval. I'd seek a motion to remove item 15B. That was an item that was placed on by Councilman Jones and he will not be here tonight for executive session. Is there a motion? I second. I'll make the motion to motion by council. Second, Mr. Tucker. Any discussion on the uh motion to amend? Motion to Are you going to do, Mr. Chairman, um these um Well, the other one won't need a motion. That'll be your prerogative. Never mind. That's right. That's right. Yes, sir.

» So, I can confer the second. Okay. Uh seeing no discussion, all in favor of the motion to amend. It's unanimous by those who are present voting, Miss Hannah. All right. Now, do we have a motion to approve the agenda as amended? I make a motion we approve the agenda. Second. Thank you very much, Miss Kato, Mr. Tucker. Any further discussion? Seeing none, move to a vote. All in favor, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, it's unanimous. The agenda is approved. Next up, we have public comments. Mr. Dose, we have one speaker signed up, Donnie Sly. The subject is Thank you, Mr. Spe. Is this going to be in lie of your public presentation that was on the agenda or wishful thinking, but no, sir.

» I simply wanted to say thank y'all for all that you do and I know that oftent times public comment is filled with other things. So I just wanted to simply say thank you for your service. Appreciate you. Thank you Mr. Sple. Mr. Dose. No one else signed up. No sir. Thank you Mr. Deose. That concludes public comment. With the agenda being approved chairman's prerogative I'm going to move item number 10 under resolutions. This is 10A uh regarding the three room schools in Kershaw County. This is an item placed on the agenda by Councilman Tucker. We're going to move that up right before public hearings and so we'll conduct that now. Mr. Tucker. Thank you, uh, Mr. Chair. Um, I cannot even see that. So, got it. Yeah, I guess that's way too small.

» Yeah, it's way too small and I don't have my glasses. So to uh I would like to make a motion at this time that uh we recognize uh the resolution that has been prepared for um our three room schools here in Kershaw County uh by the gentleman's club who has done extensive work uh on this resolution. That is a motion. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. We've got a second. Any discussion, Mr. Tucker? Uh no sir. I just like to read it in its entirety and um if you don't mind and then we can uh call for the vote. Mr. Chairman, please. That's how you do that, Russell. All right. I don't think that helped me much, but we gonna try. Yeah. Let's try this. Thank you, though. All right. The resolution honoring the the legacy of the colored schools in Kershaw County, South Carolina.

» Whereas the history of education in Kershaw County reflects the resilience, determination, and preservance of African-American students, teachers, communities who sought knowledge despite systematic challenges. Whereas during the era of segregation, African-American students in Kershaw County attended small three room schools built by Julius Rose Wall in part in partnership with Booker T. Washington with multi-grade levels were taught together often with limited resources and inadequate facilities. And whereas many students walked up to five miles each way in all weather conditions to access an education, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to learn and and self-improvement.

» And whereas schools such as Jackson School, Red Hill School, Mount Joshua School, Wood School, Mikkel School, St. Matthew schools and over 41 other schools not mentioned throughout Kershaw County uh provided critical opportunities for African-American students with support from dedicated educators, parents, community leaders. And whereas these institutions played a vital role in shaping generations of students who went to contribute to the progress of Kershaw County and beyond despite the challenges of segregation and discrimination. And whereas the legacy of these schools are in is an integral part of Kershaw County history and serves as a reminder of the improved importance of equal access to education for all people.

» And whereas it is fitting and proper that the contributions and sacrifices of African-American students, educators, and families to be recognized, honored, and preserved for future generations. Now therefore, let it be resolved that the Kershaw County Council hereby acknowledges and honors the legacy of colored schools in Kershaw County, recognizing the students, teachers, community members who played a vital a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of our county. And be it further resolved that Kershaw County commits to preserving this history through documentation, education, recognition, uh, initiatives that ensure the stories of the these schools remain and inspiring for generations to come. Adopted this 13th day of May, 2025. All right. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Mr.

» Tomlinson, you have the second. Any discussion before we vote? I'd say this is an honor to support this tonight. Um, I had the opportunity a few years ago to um do a resolution before the US Supreme Court um where we were honoring Briggs versus Elliot uh which was the actual first Supreme Court case even though it's named um Topeka or was it Elliot versus Topeka? Court of Topeka. Um it really started here in South Carolina. Um we appreciate all you do and anything we can do for equality, we need to continue doing it. So, thank you. Thank you, Councilman Tucker. Any further discussion? Uh, no. I'll wait and hold my comments if that's okay till afterwards. Okay, let's move it to a vote. All in favor? Miss Hannah, it's unanimous by those who are present in voting.

» Um, and before we have the gentleman come up, I know a lot of research has gone into this. Um, I've been able to spend some time with the gentleman's club over the last couple years, Mr. Tucker and I know Mr. counts among others have been uh initiating or encouraging and doing themselves a bunch of research on this and uh it initially started if I'm not wrong Mr. Tucker and Mr.

» Counts because we were talking about the locations and the generation that knows where everything is and what it was all about uh some of them were passing away from time to time and correct even even one of them was referenced and said oh he knew all about that school he passed away last year and so we just decided uh and I know y'all decided that you had to move forward in memorializing this And to the extent we're able to, I hope we can include some of what's in your binder there, Mr. Tucker, or other research and maps and things maybe with the archives and otherwise so it gets preserved. Thank you very much, gentlemen. Mr. Tucker, would you like to have the gentleman's club and those they invite come up? Yes, sir. I want to say a couple words before and then uh we'll get uh Mr.

» Joe Counts and company uh to come forward. So, the gentleman's that sitting out in the audience in the gentleman's club, um, they like my parents attended these schools. Um, which I think is amazing. And I don't know how much y'all know about Julius Roseall. Uh, that was a a a philanthropist movement throughout the state. I mean, throughout the United States, they built over 5,000 of these schools and there was approximately about 41 built here in Kershaw County. um back in the 1920s,30s,4s, and 50s. I did not know any of this, so I'm going to have to give Bill Roier his shout out till I came to council and he was doing some research on these when he ran his newspaper for the ones that remember Mr.

» Bill Rosier and he said something about uh a Julius Walls wall school and I'm like, what are you talking about? I did not know because that was not taught to me in um public school um for any type of history. But I um when I talked with him and he started digging in, I went back and did my own research and found out a lot about it. Um and then realized, you know, that's uh those were the schools that my parents also went to. Uh my dad was Hickman and my mom was from St. Matthews. So um that's where my roots go. But I want to commend this gentleman's club for reaching out doing this. This is vital history for the young people and all people to read and know about um United States and Kershaw, South Carolina. So, with that being said, um I'm going to ask Mr.

» Counts and um a couple others if they can uh will come up to the mic and uh introduce themselves and please share with us. Yes, sir. Mr. Counts. Yes. To the if you would speak into the mic so the folks who might be remote can hear you as well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to the uh um to the word. You okay? Take your time. There you go. To the um council. The Kersaw County Council. Thank you. You're welcome. to the Kershaw County Council and to the staff. I say good evening. Good evening. And I would like to take just a moment and walk you through the three- room schoolhouse and what it consisted of. The three- room schoolhouse. Beginning in the morning at 5:00 a.m., you would rise to prepare yourself to do what? Walk to [Music] school.

» And from where I live was down on Raven Road and the school was up there at Wood School and it was up at um up on Springville Road. So that can can let you know of the distance that we had to walk one way each day going back and forth to school, all types of inclement weather. But nevertheless, we made it. We made it through hope. We made it through through uh perseverance. We also we also had goals.

» And what was so amazing about this journey was that as we and as we we made this journey on a daily basis and I look around for there's one that went eight years brother Harris to butler brother over and then the rest of the younger fellas they they didn't go for many years but um we went and there was also what discipline in those schools now keep in mind now there was only three the reason they are named three room schools because that's what they consisted of first second and and and and uh Third was in in one room. Third and first, second was in one room. Third, fourth and fifth was in another room. And then sixth, seventh and eighth was in another room. Each room consisted of what? One teacher. And those teacher gave it all. They gave it all.

» and and and and those three room schools were the foundations of our upbringing. The the reason why we stand before you and and and thank you so much for honoring us and and and and adopting this resolution is because this means the world to me. It means the world to the rest of these gentlemen sitting here. It means the world to my grandchildren, my greatgrandchildren. It means the world to to the community that we were able to to uh build on this foundation that those three teachers taught us.

» And and for me I would go on to to become working for the the second largest construction firm in the world and go on to become a a a foreman then a general foreman then a superintendent then a general superintendent then a area manager having lived and worked in 10 different states that's what That three- room schoolhouse meant to me. That's what that three room schoolhouse meant to all of these gentlemen sitting here. A lot of those retired uh with from um retired. Speak back in the mic there, Mr. Counts. Some retired, some retired from um uh Mayus um and then somewhat goes on to what be tools teachers, you know, principles, mechanics, barbers, all of those things came from that three room schoolhouse.

» So I stand before you and thanking you and thanking all of my colleagues here for for for participating with us and helping us put together a long time coming. And one of the one of the when we say we had we we we uh tried to achieve goals and all. One of the goals was that was was achieved is when they opened up Watery Elementary back in 1955. That was a goal that we thought we would never see, but we were able to see it. That was a goal that we were able to ride a bus. Those were goals that was accomplished. So once again, I want to thank each and every one of you. I want to thank my committee, the gentleman's club of Kershaw County for doing such an excellent job in making this become proision. Thank you for listening. Thank you, Mr. CS. Thank you. Thank you, William Robinson.

» And I am the executive director of the Knights Historic Preservation Board. And I wanted to kind of bridge the gap from these gentlemen to myself. Um, and the impact that the Rosen Wall Schools had on my family directly. um as a part of the Knights Hill neighborhood. Both branches of my family, Bvard's on one side, Robinson's on the other side, attended the Nights um Rosenwall Elementary School. That building still stands today. It's out in the woods and we've been trying to acquire the building from the family that still owns it, but it sits there. trees are now beginning to grow uh through the building, but we want to preserve that building, turn it into a community center. And I must say that that grandparents on both sides of my family attended that school.

» And what was unique about the Rosenwall schools is communities had to put monies into the schools along with the Sears and Robuk Foundation that Rosenwall was president of in order to construct these schools around the country. And my mother attended one of these schools, Ruth Dorothy Brevard at the time, who married my father and became a Robinson. But she was kind of troubled because when she moved north to New York, she found the same segregated environment as she had left here in Camden, South Carolina. But my mom based on what she had learned in these Rosenwood schools about the importance of education, she fought and won an integration lawsuit.

» And I was able to attend integrated schools because of those efforts from at Manhasset, Long Island um schools, which is was noted then and still today as one of the top-notch public school systems in the country. So, I wanted to I didn't know these gentlemen would be here tonight. So, I'm I just wanted to add my piece and kind of bridge the gap so again, young people will understand the importance and the foundation that was laid by the Rosenwall School all across this county. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Robinson. Thank you, Mr. Robinson. Was there anyone else? Don't be shy. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

» I'm Jackie Murphy and I'm associated with the Gentleman's Club of Kershaw County and I feel compelled to stand before you as a witness of what all of you have seen over the last probably 3 to four months. The heritage that belongs to African-Americans is being diminished. And if you look me in the eye and tell me you haven't seen it, I will ask you to open your eyes. I don't believe that there is a future unless you know your past. When your past ceases to exist, there is no future. That's why I as an individual was compelled to have an active role in this and hope hope that this is not something that continues to pervasively tear away at the fabric of our country.

» I thank brother Counts and everybody else is here to support me but at the same time I look you in the eye and ask you to not let it happen in Kershaw County. Thank you. Thank you, sir. [Applause] If I may, at this time, Mr. uh chairman, I want to say thank you to Brian Mays in the Jackson Teen Center. He's not able to be here tonight. He is short-handed with his staff. They had some uh programs to attend at the middle school awards stuff because I didn't realize graduation was around the corner uh for our Kershaw County schools. So, um if you would um Mr. Chairman, it' be okay to call them up so we can take a picture. Let's bring them up. Okay. And I'll just mention while everybody's coming up, um, a lot of folks, Mr.

» Counts, if you would direct, uh, any of the Kershaw County Gentleman's Club or any folks you've invited come up for a picture and presentation, if you would come on up, that would be great. Uh, for folks who don't know the organization, I became familiar with them a couple years ago, and they focus on, we're just going to line up right up here. Mr. Counsel, if you'd come up. They focus on improving and uh dedicating their lives and service to the youth in Kershaw County, trying to make sure they have a bright future. So, we appreciate their work as well. Mr. Joe Mr. Wilson, thank you for your comments. Gentlemen, let's get a few of you to come on this side. Let's b just balance it out. slide in as much as possible. [Music] Yeah, we going to stay in the middle this time.

» Short won't matter. Step forward. You're pretty short. Everybody ready? One, two, three. Hold on one second. Over there. All right. Here. You good? One, two, three, and a half. Thank you so much. Congratulations. Yes, sir. Thank you. Can't do that. Yeah, I'm trying. You recognize her? I'm about to say so. Don't worry. No problem. Yeah, it is. Mr. Chair. Yes, sir. Mr. Tucker. Yes, sir. I have If you can get your vice chair back working on it. I have one comment. Mr. Tucker. Any further discussion? Yes, sir. I I just want to make this comment. The gentleman came up and spoke last and um I I'm compelled to say this because you have to speak the truth when you can. Um the mess that goes up in Washington DC does not affect these gentlemen that sit next to me here and nor will it ever will.

» We don't drag that mess from DC down here in Kershaw, South Carolina. We come down to govern and do what's best for our citizens and and and and our children, the elderly, middle-aged, working class, white, black, blue, green, purple, everybody who is um a citizen here in Kershaw County, no matter what your economic status is. And I just want to say that because these guys um have been very very um diligent in always trying to do the right thing by everyone. So, I just want to say kudos and thanks to them, but it is worth mentioning because we do have issues. I'm not telling you we don't have problems. I'm telling you we don't have that issue here of dismantling African-American history. Um because I think it is definitely how you learn not to repeat bad history. Thank you.

» [Applause] Thank you, gentlemen. That takes us to Mr. Carell. Could I Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry, Mr. Brazzle. I you you know I I can't help I know you can't I can't help I can't help but but say one thing. I was just talking to Mr. Counts and um we're from the same area. We're from the same part of Kershaw County and he just called my great-grandfather's name and said that he was my great-grandfather was a preacher and I think he heard him preach. So what you just said is very true and that goes back a long time. That's right. That's my great-grandfather that was his preacher. So or a preacher in a church he attended. I'm not sure which one. Yeah, we're talking a ways back. So, um, what you speak is true. Yes, sir. So, that was really neat and it's good seeing y'all.

» Like making that connection. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you very much. Gentlemen, you're obviously welcome to stay the entire meeting, but you're not going to hurt our feelings if uh if you need to file out. It won't be disruptive. You can go ahead and clear out if you need to. You might have other things to do. Gentlemen, that takes us to the next item on the agenda. Uh we're at 6A, public hearings. The first item is in relation to um water structure and fire flow. Mr. Deose. Uh Mr. Chair, there actually no no one signed to speak for either of the public hearings. All right. No one signed up, but we're going to follow protocol and open it up. And if anybody who's present wants to stand and speak on item 6A first, we'll hear them.

» Again, this is a U public hearing related to section 51.4-5 4-5 requiring installation of fire hydrants. We'll go ahead and open the public hearing. Anyone at all wishing to speak on it? Seeing none, the public hearing is closed. This takes us to item 6B on the agenda for public hearing regarding uh conveyance of a certain right of way. And do you have anybody signed up, Mr. Bose? You said none at all. We'll go ahead and open it up. Anybody present wishing to speak? Seeing none, we will close the public hearing. It's closed. That takes us to the next item on the agenda, approval of minutes. A little bit unique. We had a special called meeting in the form of a budget retreat.

» Do we have a motion on 7A by itself initially and then we'll get to chair like to make a motion on 7 alpha for the budget retreat uh October I mean April 22nd, please. And that's for approval. Is there a second? I'll second. We have a second. Any discussion on the minutes on 7A? I think the 7 7A is the regular meeting, right? Yeah, that's the regular meeting. Yeah, I'll be abstaining. I I was not present at that meeting. Okay. Thank you, Miss Hannah. Please note it. All right. Seeing no further discussion, all in favor? Miss Hannah, it's unanimous with those who are present except for Mr. Tomlinson abstaining due to absence. And then we have 7B is the next item on the agenda. So, that passed unanimously. 7B, I'd seek a motion for approval.

» There was no votes taken at the budget retreat, but just to memorialize that we had the meeting and that it occurred. Is there a motion? I make a motion we approve the minutes from the special call meeting. Mr. K. Second. Mr. Tomlinson second. Any discussion? I'll be obstaining and for absence. Due to absence. Yes. Okay. Um, seeing no further discussion, we'll move it to a vote. All in favor? It's unanimous of those who are present in voting with Mr. Brazzle abstaining. All right. All right, that takes us to item number 8A placed on the agenda by the administrator. Any briefing at all before we uh call up Mr. Mr. Administrator? No, sir. I'll just ask Mr. Simply to step up and make All right. Let's uh let's go ahead and get a motion and second to have him come up.

» Is there a motion? Make a motion that we uh have Mr. Simply present a presentation for us, please. All right. Is there a second? I'll second. Mr. Shoe, no discussion. All in favor? It's unanimous. Miss Hannah, Mr. Sup, please come up. I will do my best to be brief. I know that you may have some questions, but I will allow for time for that for sure. Um, my board chair, Dan Matthews, is here with me tonight. Uh, I think it was a real blessing for us to both be able to hear. Donnie, if you could pull the mic up a little bit more closer. I think it was a blessing for both of us to be present to hear the recognition of the gentleman's club and the work that they've done in our community.

» I would like to start with the fact that uh just a a week or so ago we recognized Anne Davis uh as our one of our highest honors of volunteer of the year award uh for her work 40 years in the education arena and of course she's still extremely active in our community and has certainly furthered the bridging the gap that is between uh folks that uh that need our help. So uh so I thank her for that. So tonight you have in front of you uh a packet that starts with stand in the gap. It has no United Way logo on it because I am truly here for those that we are standing in the gap for both you as council members and us as a United Way. And so I thank you again for your service to our community. It is a thankless job.

» Uh and I just appreciate the uh the fact that y'all are so involved with our community. I will say that I feel like our United Way partners with you well and you partner with us well. I think it's a mutual beneficial relationship that has made our county better. I've been here for 33 years working in our county and one of the reasons that I work in our county is because of folks like you and folks like Dan who give their lives to making a difference in the community. The first page you have is our vision and our mission. Truly, we want to make a difference in the lives of people by changing them for good.

» We have a board of directors made up of 20 people and I've given you a list of those because I think think it's important for not only you but our community to know that there are local folks that are making a difference in our community. United Way has both a good name and a bad name. There are over a thousand throughout the United States and ours is local. Our ours, just as Sammy was saying earlier, is is one that makes a difference in our community in ways that are beyond what many United Ways do throughout the nation. Our role is to stand in the gap. We speak on behalf of folks that don't speak for themselves or can't speak for themselves. I've got three parts of what I do want to do in my presentation and one of them has to do with financial transparency.

» So if you turn to that there's a cover sheet says financial transparency. The next thing is the history of administrative overhead since I started in 1992. You can see two major columns that I want to point you to. One is the percent plus or minus. You can see that lately we have grown tremendously in the size of our budget. But you can also see that the total administrative percentage has decreased dramatically over those same that same time. And it's because we've been able to secure so many grant funds. I will tell you, as was mentioned by these gentlemen, the challenge for federal funding at this point is huge. On April the 25th, we were told no more Americanore, not only here, but 33,000 folks throughout the nation were cancelled immediately and lost their jobs.

» What that means for us is we lost 20 mentors in our community who primarily 75% of them were students in our schools who lost their job because of a brush of a pen. 33,000 people, 600 in South Carolina no longer working. We've been told to go ahead and apply for next year because Congress may appropriate those monies again. And in fact, to me, it is their duty to both appropriate funds and unappropriate funds. But that's another topic for another day. So, as we move forward, I want you to see that we as an organization are transparent. Every one of these numbers that are on here are from our audit. First done by um Kanty Tiller Pierce and then secondly, now the most recent year, Shaheen, Hancock, and Godwin. Our board contracts that out.

» Those folks report directly to our board of directors who then approve the audit and its findings. We have had a clean audit almost every single year. For for many years when we were smaller, we had the exception of separation of duties, but our board made sure for example that we have two signatures on our checks even though banks don't require that anymore. So we did our own checks and balances. We serve as a con convenor in our community. Oh, by the way, we have grown from my first year we were $300,000 budget. This past year, our budget is $3 million. A whole lot of that is federal funds, but a whole lot, as I said, is unstable. And so, we need your help. As standing in the gap, you'll recognize some of these things about what we do because it's really not about the money anymore.

» It used to be United Way was just a fundraising agency. Today, it is not that way. And especially in our community, we're a social service agency. We provide services to folks. We bring folks together. We ask ourselves, who's not hungry because we fed them. We ask ourselves, who has shelter because they're no longer homeless anymore because we've provided them shelter. We ask ourselves, who have we provided clothes to? Every Friday, we give away clothes in our parking lot. We give away food to those who need who are hungry. We are standing in the gap for those who need us. We are not a hand out. We are a hand up. And I'm not just saying words. We have people that work for us.

» We have a board of directors who feel, I think, just like you do, which is people need to step up and care for themselves. Sure, they might need a hand up, but they don't need a hand out. We've got to help them. And so we do. We do so, I think, with compassion, but we also do so with firmless. I've got a homeless worker who is probably one of the most amazing folks I know, uh, Angie Shirley, who goes out and helps folks where they need it. She spent 14 years having trouble and so they can't get over on her because she knows what the tricks are of the trade. So, we're a convenor as well. Recently, we convened and that's the next part of uh number two uh under under convenor. Couple of ways that we convene folks.

» One is we of course have a board of directors that tells us um what our priorities should be in our community, but we also have four care councils. Gary Ryus, who is a pastor and member of our board, is is the chair of those four care councils. We have chairs of each of those as well that bring people together. We had over 50 folks that have told us in our community within the last month the things that they see as important. We also did a survey and you've got a summary of that. that survey we we surveyed over 500 folks who gave us remarks and I've got some of the demographics there. I think they're pretty good sampling of our community in terms of race, in terms of uh all kind of other factors, age, uh length of time in Kershaw County. Most of them were 10 years or more.

» I think 370 of the over 500. So, as a convenor, we make a huge difference because we're able to listen to folks. One of the cautions that we were given by one of the pastors uh in our community was that we really have to talk to those people who are being served. And we know that and we do that. And so Angie when she goes out she asks what's needed to those who we give food to. We ask them what does our community need to help you not need food anymore? So we ask those questions and we're we're seeking answers for them. As we do that, we've come up with certain priorities and those priorities pretty well match some of the things that we already knew and probably you already know as well. So such things as housing, food insecurity, mental health, transportation.

» In fact, they were themes in all four of our different care council meetings and you've got kind of a breakdown there. I'm not going to go over all of them. As we look at those things in our community, one of the things we want to do as a United Way is match our service with the things that you see as needed in our community. We've got challenges now that that mean that we're going to have to make some tough decisions about what we fund and how we fund it. It's looking like transportation is going to be a huge issue again come July 1. for those that need dialysis. For those that need job uh transportation to work, 30% of our transportation is taking people to work. So, I know y'all talk a lot about employment of folks and workforce readiness and all of those things.

» Well, if you're ready, but you don't have a way to get there, it's a struggle. And so, we do those things. The community needs assessment that we did helped us quite a bit. Gave us some direction, gave us some some ideas, uh and really confirmed a whole lot of what we already know. And and I think that's the great thing about all the the different groups that convene people. Uh LiveWell has a great uh practice of doing community surveys. They also do a needs assessment locally. The health district, we're looking at all of those things. And so we're also listening to you. And so as you see needs in our community, we want to not only ask you to help us, but also we want to help you in your different districts and the different things that you do.

» We have seven uh pantries that we operate throughout Kershaw County. We help to bring food to out to the rural areas. And so those things are all important as we look to the future and as we look to you. I put the front page just to show you transparency. That front page u showed you that we're asking for $100,000. I would be remiss if I didn't thank you all for the 175,000 that you appropriated last year. 140,000 of which was from reserves. you helped us do transportation in a major way and that transportation is in jeopardy, but it is something that you can also help with. And so as as we look at some of those things, I want to tell you that in 2024, we provided 432 different people with transportation. We pro provided 13,000 rides. And a ride is just one stop.

» So it's going or coming back. It's not both. So it's not a round trip. Total miles 157,000 miles. You can see that we helped a whole bunch of folks in Camden. Um because the Camden address is is a is a broad one. It's not just the city of Camden. It's the 2902. You can see Lugoff, Casset, Elgen, Bthoon. We provide transportation everywhere. There's a couple of folks in Bthoon that need dialysis that we take three days a week to dialysis. They for some reason can't go to Colombia, excuse me, can't go to Camden and so they have to go to Colombia. So it's a it's a it's a huge deal for them. We were able to get them to go at the same time. They both are on dialysis. At one time when we first started, they were doing it individually, different days. So, we are definitely working on that.

» You can see the top destinations are dialysis. Kershaw County adult ed again having to do with education and getting people ready for work. Employment. Springdale Health is one of our major ones. Piggly Wiggly is for employment. River Oaks Center is for employment. uh carish long-term care is for employment. We're taking people to work. We encourage, in fact, uh we have gone to where we limit some of those transportation rides to say you've got a month or two to get a car or get another way to get there so that we can serve our entire community. It's very important that we do. So, it's looking like there's going to be a route in Camden, but that route in Camden is only going to help people that are already in Camden. And so we have to be able to get them to where they need to go.

» If you feel it in your heart to to do more than what I ask, that'd be an amazing thing. But I know that y'all are strapped and and uh to your county administrator, I appreciate the fact that he has let me be up here today because I know that y'all have needs within the county and I know that that's his job is to provide for all of the different things from sheriff's all you know them all. Uh and he knows them all. So, I really appreciate that. I see time is fleeting. Ready program, like I said, did some amazing things. We served 300 kids this past year in all nine elementary schools. We serve them well. They all 100% increased their reading skills. It's K through third grade.

» As I said, 20 of those volunteers that we had or those Americanore members that we had uh were high school students, seniors, many of them going into the teaching profession or at least deciding whether or not to do so because of their experience. The experience on both of the ends was incredible and Shannana Redford has done an incredible job with this thing. Um, New Day on Mill, as you know, we have provided shelter in our community since 2005. We have nine shelters now. The Canes have agreed even though they're moving. I don't know if you knew that, but uh makes us sad. Um but they are they are still committed to helping us in Kershaw County and building new homes in Kershaw County to help us 10 of them. And they've already built two, one of which is a duplex.

» So they count that as one. So that's pretty handy for us. So we are in Kershaw County. We're making a difference. We have housed folks that were in the hotels that needed to be housed. A lot of them are in some apartments that uh that are really some of the best things we've found in Kershaw County for $900 a month. It's still a lot for those people that don't have much money, but for Kershaw County, uh we're doing some great things in some of those uh some of those places. The mobile nutrition center, uh we do some incredible stuff, mostly because of Target distribution center. The more things they damage, the more food we get. So last year that totaled 656,000 pounds of food. We and and goods. So we're able to help with diapers. We're able to help with paper projects.

» We're able to help people that otherwise maybe it's not food, but they can replace it because it's good stuff that we're able to distribute throughout our county. And like I said, there's seven different stops that we do. Our community gardens are kind of a blessing uh in terms of there's eight different churches uh in our community. one uh garden club council on aging do some great stuff in our community. They are getting to the point where they're going to be self-sufficient and not need our funding, which is good because it's about to run out as well. So, uh not real hopeful that that federal funding will be revived. We're going to apply, but we'll see. Uh our HUD funding right now is on pause and so we are we are hopeful that with our housing work that we do, we can do that.

» My time is up and so I will stop. I'm sure there might be some questions. If there are, is there a motion to um amend the rules for this particular presentation to extend it by uh five minutes? Yes, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to make that motion, please. All right. Is there a second? Second. All right. All in favor? You got some more time? Okay. Briefly, I would just say, well, I I would just ask you, let's yield to any questions. We've heard your presentation. Absolutely. We have the materials. Thank you so much. Absolutely. Any discussion or questions from council members? I just want to make it clear, thank you, Mr. chairman that um the uh 100,000 request does not include any transportation in it.

» It it actually if you look at this sheet which I think was on your second one on your cover, it is asking for $40,000. And one of the things I want to say to y'all is that my you might want to push start on that. Uh five minutes. I got it in my head. Go ahead. Okay. Um it is very likely in fact um it's well it's un unknown right now exactly where we're going to need the money to go if we're not able to do transportation. I can tell you that if you give us money for transportation we'll do it. We'll find a way. Uh we've even looked at ways for us to provide it ourselves. Uh we right now get a 50% match on the rural transportation. So it would go from 50% to 100%.

» Y'all have helped us tremendously um with that and we've we've allocated it 11,000 a month to to go through June 31 uh or June 30. Um and so we have some of that funding. Our last reimbursement was in February. So our transportation provider is desperate to have reimbursements and that's a whole another story. But the fact is is that his request was for $40,000 for us to reimburse him. We got 31,000 from the state from or excuse me from uh Santi Watery RTA to pay that. So we had to use your other funds to for that. That means that we have absolutely no um costs of our administration including our full-time worker, the $1,000 we pay for tracking uh devices and all of those things. Uh we're we're footing that. So we're losing about $10 to $20,000 a month still.

» Um and uh our dedication has been to do that but our also our board is very uh frank in saying we just don't have it anymore to give. So so our struggle is if you appropriate money two different categories I I again say that your priorities are are more important than mine uh as you fund things and I'm going to tell the same story to city council but local is where it's at at this point and that's why I'm asking for as much as I'm asking. uh y'all have historically done about 35,000 and so it is a it is a big increase from that and again I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that 140,000. It has made a huge difference in the lives of folks who need it. Thank you, Donnie. We appreciate you and your board and all your staff um there at United Way.

» We know that you have tremendous challenges. Um none of us are closed out up here when it comes down to what's going on nationally. Um, and as much as I love you, I don't want to be in your shoes. So, thank you for what all you do. Thank you, Mr. Matthew, for leading this wild bunch uh that supports United Way. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Any further discussion? I have a quick question, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Thson. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Donnie. I appreciate your presentation. Um, just had a quick question on the vehicle access network. Yes. Charts the line chart that says Camden Lugoff Cassid and numbers. I guess Cam is 245, Lug Golf 79. Is that the number of people that went from those areas or is that the destination of the ride? That's that's where they're picked up from. Okay.

» Um and I was honored a few months ago to be able to um appoint Whitney Marsh to the to the Santi Watery RTA and she's doing a wonderful job. Um, so that 40,000 I know that they're in works right now about how to best serve Kershaw County and I believe there's some talks about fixed routes and Whitney was educating me on on all the specifics, but in your opinion that that $40,000 um with the suggestion from Santi Watery RTA, which they could definitely expand more in Kershaw County, would that $40,000 be helpful for that? And at that point, could we push for more flexible routes versus fixed routes just strictly in Camden? Cuz we're we're a rural community and we got a lot of people in the rural area that need that need rides and I know that your your team has a lot of pressure.

» Um, and Whitney was on giving rides the other night at 7:30 at night when I talked to her. Um, so it's dedicated staff and I really appreciate. Just kind of wanted to get your opinion on the flexible versus fixed routes. the flexible versus fixed route. I guess I'm is flexible doortodoor. Yes, sir. It would be okay. Doortodoor in in my mind there has never been a solution in Kershaw County that was that was a fixed route and not a doortodoor.

» uh Santi watery rta tried it um on highway one and at the time that we were funded only by the health district for $100,000 they were spending somewhere in the neighborhood of a couple hundred,000 of car's act money and they were uh transporting three or four people a a month just almost nobody there were there was no markings and so hopefully it will be better if there's one in the city but still the people that are on the outlying areas there's no other way than to do a doortodoor and the $40,000 would help do doortodoor what's happening at this point and I'll know more on on May the 23rd from U Miss Gibbons at Santi Watery RTA uh because I've told her we have to have a decision to be able to tell our people that are both the transportation provider All-Star Transit is a for-profit entity

» and all of our riders who ride we have to give them notice that we're no longer going to be able to do that or not. She said there's a possibility that Santi Watery RTA will take it on. I'll be shocked as can be if that happens, but I've also said that would be an amazing answer because truly they are the transportation provider designated for Kershaw County for all four counties. They're supposed to be it. Yes, sir. Um we've been able to fill that gap. We still would be approved for the Lugoff area and the Elgen area that is considered urban, but it is a very small portion of the county.

» it's from the 10,ou 2010 census and we would be left with in fact I think that money is appropriated only for the United Way to provide but I don't see our board saying yes let's provide it there but not in the rest of the county so I think we've got to find a way to do that we're working on it diligently uh the folks that we have approached everything from MUSC to uh Bluec Cross Blue Shield Foundation have said that transportation is something that they are just not able to support as much as they did in the early days. So, it's gone from 142,000 to 100,000 to 50,000 50,000 and this year the health district is giving us 10. Um, it's going to be really tough for us to do anything further than what we're doing, but we would make it happen.

» Whitney, for example, has 20 youth that she's serving, all of whom don't have transportation, or at least, yeah, I think all of whom don't have transportation. those those kids from 18 to 24 they utilize our van. We would as a agency because it's under our jurisdiction we would make it a priority to provide them with transportation for sure some way somehow. Um we've had the grocery van for years and we will reinstitute it. We've had vehicles donated to us and and and we've made it happen. But uh it's not this the scale that we've been able to do I think is a model for our state um and and nation I would say for rural transportation and I think it's got to be doortodoor. It's expensive but uh it works. Thank you very much for the presentation.

» And just for context before we conclude, yes, sir, this portion of the agenda, it's a very tough budget year for us as well as your board sounds like they're experiencing. Just as an example, we have $3.5 million in new requests and only a little over $1.2 million in new revenue to balance those requests against and most of those requests or many of those requests are statutoily required to be addressed. And so it's in that context we consider uh your request. But thank you so much for coming out tonight. Thanks. Appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Thank you. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. Can I do a quick point of order, please? What's your point of order? Uh, point of order is back on the approval of minutes for April 22nd.

» Can you resend your vote to abstain? Um, so it could be right for Miss Hannah. So, I won't have to correct the minutes because you were absent as well. Exactly right. So, sorry. I resend my vote. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Hannah. All right. Uh, that takes us to item number 9A, third reading on an ordinance to approve particular requirements for installation of fire hydrants. Any further explanation needed from staff or council? All right. Do we have a motion? I would make a motion. Second. Got a motion to approve and a second. Mr. Shumake. Oh, you're asking if I had comments. Yes, sir. Yeah, it's on the floor now. I got you. I I just I wasn't sure if you were reiterating I made the motion. Uh yeah, this is a motion.

» This obviously we debated this pretty heavily in the last two uh meetings. I don't really have much to say, but other than this is uh a requirement that developers put in fire hydrants if they have proper water flow and they meet certain requirements and I'm supportive of it for the reasons I've mentioned in our last two meetings. Thank you, Mr. Schumick. Mr. Tucker, I just want to make sure with my colleagues, did everybody get their questions asked? I know there was some on first reading and then second reading and I just want to make sure that um all of you got your your answer to your questions that you were seeking from staff. We didn't talk about any any further. Okay. Did you reach out or I talked about it a lot during the meeting. Anybody reach out? Yes, you did.

» Don't do that tonight to us. Okay. Thank you, Miss Jim. Okay. Any further discussion? Okay. Seeing no further discussion, we'll move it to a vote. All in favor of 9A passing on third reading. Got Mr. Schemick, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Connell, Mr. Kato, Mr. Thomasson voting in favor. Any opposed? Mr. Brazzle opposed. Miss Hannah, it passes. That takes us to item 9B. This is third reading regarding conveyance of certain water facilities and public rights of way. Uh any further summary from staff needed by councel on this third reading? Seeing none, is there a motion related to 9B? I'll make the motion. Mr. Schemck makes a motion. Second. There's a second. Mr. Tucker to approve. It's on the floor. Mr. Schemeck. No. No commentary. Uh we've had plenty of discussion. Mr. Tucker. No commentary.

» Any further discussion by council members? Seeing none, all in favor? Miss Hannah, it's unanimous for all those who are present in voting. We've already taken care of item number 10 on the agenda. Uh on item number 11A, I'd seek a motion for discussion only for staff to update us on airport commission uh appointments that are on the horizon that need to be addressed. Do you want to do them as a group if it's just discussion? I'm fine doing them as A&B if you'all want to. All right. I'll make a motion that we uh bring 11A and 11B to the floor for discussion. There you go. Second. Okay. Mr. Thomasson has a second. Mr. Shoemake, uh the update was going to be provided by staff initially. Do you have anything? Nope. Okay. Staff. Uh Mr.

» Chairman, you have members of council, you have before you just the uh some discretionary items on um some appointments. uh for airport commission. We have one individual rolling off the the chair of that commission uh due to the uh the ordinance stating that they can only stay on for two uh successive terms. So that individual will be rolling off. So you will have in your packet um a name that will be needing to be reappointed or at least considered for reappointment. And then um Hershaw Health District also we have an individual that is looking to be reappointed for as the the chair for that committee. I believe that would be at least the Mr. Jones district. He's not here tonight. Yeah. Correct. I I have some questions to um Go ahead, Mr. Tucker. If I can, Mr. Chair. So, Mr.

» Uh Templar, uh I think we've got statutory uh time limits or terms on the health district as well. And um I know for a fact because I was part of the party that reappointed that individual. This would be 10 years for them. I think they've reached their capacity. So I would really like to dig down in that before we put that on the agenda to vote on. And you know, I don't want to do that to an individual at all is what I'm saying. Sure. Sure. And um and was do you remember did I know we retoled the airport commission, right? And it reset and I was this I thought this was a similar instance. It is but he had already served. Yeah. Yeah. Okay.

» He's already served two terms there and then we gave an additional because we retoled it and he was also told that it this would be it and I and I don't want to uh violate our own ordinance or the state ordinance. Um, on top of that, um, love to keep him, but we can't live, uh, on boards and commissions when we got statutory term limits. And you're sure you're pretty sure he's, um, 99.9%. But that's why, um, I'm asking let's research to make sure. And, um, okay. That that'll be with Mr. Deose, Miss Hannah, the administrator, and myself just to because I don't want to be wrong, but I'm feeling pretty strong. Okay. And Mr. Jones is aware of this as well. I've had a conversation with him. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Any further discussion? Questions for staff.

» Is the airport commission appointment? What district is that in? Yours? Is it mine? Yeah, I believe so. Uh well the names have to be on the say that there [Music] um there was some council members with two and three appointments because I think there was lack of willingness in other uh districts for anyone that really had interest in particular the airport. So um Mr.

» Connell, I think we had looked at that a little bit and there was a little little Yeah, I think we figured out I think overall for the council, you're supposed to have at least one appointment if possible from each council member and some of them have two or three appointments from various council members, not just the district, but the council member actually made the appointment, right? And we got to figure out where the chair fits on some of them or not. and the way I took it for the airport commission for that vacancy that would fall to you. Yeah, I'm not sure. We'll we'll research with Mr. Deose and try to figure out exactly who will be making the next appointment.

» But the point is on the next couple of agendas at least, we'll be looking at some making sure applications are in the packet to comply with the rules and then trying to get these committees filled out so that we can have these folks serve who want to. Yes. All right. All right. Any further discussion, council members? All right. No votes needed. We'll move on from item number 11. That brings us to council briefings. I'll start with Mr. Kato. No report tonight. No report. Thank you, Mr. Kato. Mr. Tomlinson. I'm I'm going to be brief. I just wanted to give my condolences and prayers to the Singleary family. Um their son passed away last week. Um Johnny and Naomi.

» Um Daniel's parents are are good friends and um I actually had the opportunity to train Daniel and to scuba dive when he was in Boy Scout Troop 777. Um just please keep them in your prayers. That's a devastating loss. Can imagine what they're going through. Thank you. Thank you very much for that, Mr. Tomlinson. Mr. Schumake. Yeah, just a few small things. I see in the crowd we have Miss Autumn Dunlap and Miss Belveloo. Uh thank you guys for joining us. They were recently elected as officers of our local uh Republican party. And in addition to that, they are in about a couple hundred civil groups between them. So, appreciate all you guys do for this community and for coming out tonight. Um the next time we meet, at least two of us will have high school graduates.

» Uh so, obviously, we'll talk a little more about that, I'm sure, next time. But just want to send a shout out to uh a group of people that I think are uh particularly important and we recognized some of them at our last meeting which is the high school athletes that are also going to graduate. Uh my son played baseball which is why I missed uh two of the recent meetings or phoned in so I was at a baseball field having to mute myself so that you guys didn't hear the bad things I might say when things didn't go our way. But I just wanted to uh thank all the athletics. You know, baseball in particular is kind of interesting because it's so uniquely both team and individual.

» Every player on the team is going to have a moment where it's just them standing in front of either a pitcher or a batter, but it's also a team sport. You know, you can have a great individual day and lose as a team. And the lessons that teaches these young men and and women who play softball and sports in general, I mean, you get kicked in the teeth and you have to come right back and compete the next day. It's not over till it's over. You can be in the bottom of the ninth inning losing by three runs. It's not like football where if you're down by three or four touchdowns with a minute left, you're cooked. That game can change in a minute. So, it teaches these young men compete always. Uh you have to come back strong even when your teeth get kicked in.

» And so, as these young athletes graduate, I just want to send a special shout out because they're learning the skills that some of us had to go into the Marine Corps to learn. Uh and it's going to be um it's going to carry them well in life. So, to all the college athletics and particularly the coaches in Kershaw County that mold these young men and women, just a special shout out and thanks. And that's all I have. Oh, one more thing. I'm sorry. Our the chairman of our county council, I wasn't here in person, uh was recently inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Uh so, congratulations to our chairman. I got to go uh watch that and watch his remarks. As you most probably everyone in Kershaw County knows, he was at one point the best wrestler in the United States.

» and they given all his work over the last several decades, they honored him as an inductee into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. So, congratulations, Mr. Chairman. Welld deserved. Speaking of athletics. Thank you very much, Mr. Tucker. Any report? Yes, sir. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, let me start off where um, Shoemate left off at. He needs to stay away from his son's baseball game. He I showed up at the last home game they had and he's a total wreck. Uh Frell's out there doing his thing. He's a total wreck on the sidelines. So, but I enjoyed being out there with you and u and my mom got to meet her favorite councilman. So, so it was a a wonderful time uh with the Shoemake family and I thank you again for the invite cuz I thoroughly enjoyed.

» Uh with that, I want to say thank you to Councilman Shoe and um Councilman um Thomasson and all the council members for the retreat. Um, I thank those two though, especially for the finance committee meeting. I'm telling you, we're pounding heads and um put pulling teeth. I think I got two or three loose in my mouth now. Lord, forgive me. Don't let them fall out. That's not the truth. Um, thank you for your work and your due diligence and your time. I I can't say that enough. And I thought I don't know if uh the administrator or the chairman is going to speak on this, so I won't stay on it long. Um, I thought that went well. It was very very informative. Had a lot of good information. I thank several of you in the audience for attending.

» Um I appreciate that very much following your government and um keeping up with what we do and that's important as well. So kudos to everyone. The other thing I want to say is my condolences goes to the uh secretary family as well and also to the green family which happens to be my barber who passed uh Sunday from a massive heart attack. He's a Cameron High grad 61 years old. Um died at home. So, my condolences go out to the Green family and um it's it's pretty sad. Actually, that's the second classmate of Camden High from the class of 81 in less than 30 days. The Wood family lost one last month as well. So, death has been in the community unfortunately. And also to the Dixon family, they lost their 33y old phone son. They funeralized uh Saturday um from a car accident.

» So, a lot of um things are going around, a lot of people are grieving. Um I want to say too as well, um if you have an opportunity, go on and read the uh 2026 proposal budget from the federal government. If you need something to cry about because it's awful. Uh you think cuts are this year, you read that proposed budget for 2026 and um it's out. It was released sometime today. It will really really um ask you how are people going to live, function, and make it. So, I just want to put that out. With that, um Mr. Chairman, that concludes my report. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Brazzle. Thank you, Chairman. Um I'd like to dubtail off of what Brandt was talking about regarding Daniel Singleary.

» um came to came to my attention that the young man that passed, his grandfather Johnny is a good friend of ours and our family and um I wanted to extend condolences to the family. Absolute horrific situation and uh just know that we'll be praying for for you all and y'all's family in the days and weeks ahead. Um it is nice to see the Republican party here. Um, we've got a Republican party here in Kershaw County that understands the difference between local government, state government, and federal government. And, um, for that, I am grateful. And, uh, congratulations to Autumn Dunlap, Belaloo, and Amanda Uten on their recent election.

» I'd like to say to all Kershaw County schools in the class of 2025 and uh my son as well who attends school in Colombia that you've got a bright future ahead um where you started and where you finish. So once once you get out of high school, whether you decide to work in a trade or if you decide to go to a technical school or or university, um it's all about how you apply yourself. And um never let somebody tell you that you can't because this world is full of opportunity and um if if you work hard, you can accomplish a lot. So, we uh we do congratulate the class of 2025. And I would be remissed and in trouble if I didn't mention one other thing. Today's May 13th, if I'm not mistaken. Yes. 1998, I met my beautiful wife, Casey, and uh we met at Clemson University on this day.

» So we we have been together since the day we met. Wow. So 27 years to today. So congratulations. Well, it's it's an anniversary that that we we don't often remember, but I woke up this morning. I said, "Hey, today's the day we met." So said that first. It's a long time to put up with a brazle. So, and congratulations to Ben. I think I wrote a letter on your behalf for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame cuz you tried to wrestle me once and you hurt me. I deny anything. That concludes my report. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Brazzle. I just have one item to go over for the benefit of the public and council members. We've been discussing an item that's always of interest this time of year, third reading of the budget.

» And uh we often, as tradition would have it, amend or change the summer meeting schedule. based on family vacations which are very important. At this point, we're looking at doing third reading of the budget potentially on June 17th. And so I would just ask the administrator and Miss Hannah to place on for our next agenda um next meeting so we can discuss the summer meeting schedule and firm that up and also looking at cancelling the last meeting in June, which would be June 23rd, and having that replacement meeting on the 17th of June so that the public and everyone else can put it on their calendars. And that concludes my report. All right. Uh Mr. Templer, any briefing? Uh just very quick.

» Um you know, in my uh capacity as administrator, I get to meet a lot of neat people and in 10 years in this office, I uh or in this in administration, not as the administrator. I get to meet a a lot of people and a lot of them I've become close friends with. And it's it's kind of neat just going from complaints about dirt roads to um talking with them and then just becoming close friends, but I don't always agree with everybody's opinions or anything like that, but it's not about that. And um so Jeff Maddox has uh he's been going through a little bit of a medical issue and he just sent me something saying that he was all cleared. So I'm just um you know, it's it's good. again.

» Jeff and I, we we kind of go round and round a little bit, but it's just it's nice to know that uh he's healthy again. So, that's my report. Good. Thank you, Mr. Templar. Great. Great. Any legal briefing other than executive session? No. Okay, gentlemen. That takes us to item number 15. Uh A and C. We'll take them as a group. Um I'd seek a motion regarding items A and C. One deals with contractual arrangements and one deals with pending threatened or potential claims and legal matters. both under SC code 30-4-70. Do we have a motion to go into executive session? I'll make a motion. Second. Second. Mr. Tucker has a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of going to executive session? Miss Hannah, it's unanimous. Uh we'll have Mr.

» Nance join us, the county attorney, um the administrator, and uh assistant administrator, excuse me, deputy administrator. And we're going up into the upper room. Is that right? Uh is that where you have the technology set up? The upper room. Upstairs. Upper room. All right, we're in executive session. Good. All right. And I was just going to mention for the benefit of the public before the mic got cut off. Uh we do anticipate one vote uh at least one vote coming out of executive session. Good. See a motion to come out of executive session. Motion to come out of executive session, Mr. Tucker. Chairman. Second. Got a second. No discussion. All in favor of coming out of executive session. Miss Hannah. Unanimous. All right. No vote required on item 16 C.

» We do have a matter of business on item 15A. Is there a motion? I I'd like to make a motion, Mr. Chairman. I move that we authorize the administrator to proceed with the acquisition of real property at 124 Battleship Road subject to final completion of due diligence items to the satisfaction of the administrator and that we ratify and approve the purchase and sale agreement for the property. That's a motion. Is there a second? Second. We have a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, let's move it to a vote. All in favor, raise your hand. The hand it's unanimous. Let's voting. We don't have any further business for the council tonight. Is there a motion to adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn, Mr. Chairman. Second. We've got a first and a second. Seeing no discussion. All in favor? Miss. Senator.