Watch the May 26, 2011 City Council Meeting

Download the Agenda

Last minute budget amendment takes direct aim at North Charleston over rail issue

The following is a response from North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey regarding Senator Larry Grooms’ last minute budget amendment directed at North Charleston over the ongoing rail issue.

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Last night, less than an hour before passing the Senate version of the State Budget, which had been debated for five weeks, Senator Larry Grooms added an amendment to punish the City of North Charleston if legal actions against the State are not halted.  Specifically, the amendment demands that the City return funds received from the State of South Carolina if a lawsuit is filed in federal court against the State. 

Last week, North Charleston sent a Notice and Draft Complaint to the Federal government and several State agencies highlighting likely violations of federal environmental laws by the State of South Carolina as a result of a planned intermodal yard on the northern end of the former Navy Base.  The proposed yard and northern rail access are in clear violation of a 2002 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of North Charleston and the State of South Carolina. 

The City seeks to challenge the State in Court, where disputes are supposed to be settled. Senator Grooms’ threat seeks to stop the City from protecting the rights of North Charleston citizens by cutting funding to the City.  His actions go against the fundamental right to challenge government action and call into question the very Constitution that this Country and State were founded upon. 

This amendment and the State’s efforts to dishonor the 2002 Memorandum of Understanding are clear, yet disappointing efforts to damage the quality of life of the citizens of North Charleston. 

These bully tactics will not deter the City of North Charleston from fighting for the rights of its citizens.  I insist that the State of South Carolina do what it morally obligated itself to do and keep its promises. 

R. Keith Summey, Mayor
City of North Charleston

The amendment passed the Senate 25-12 and can be viewed from the South Carolina General Assembly’s website: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/php/amendments.php?PAGE=PREVIOUS&DATEKEY=981&chamber=S

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Here is a breakdown of which Senators voted for and against the amendment:

The Senate proceeded to Sect. 86 and 86A, Part 1A and Part 1B, Aid to Subdivisions.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 25; Nays 12 AYES

Alexander                 Campbell                  Courson
Cromer                    Davis                     Elliott
Fair                      Gregory                   Grooms
Hayes                     Hutto                     Knotts
Leatherman                Lourie                    Martin, Larry
McGill                    Nicholson                 O'Dell
Peeler                    Rankin                    Reese
Ryberg                    Setzler                   Thomas
Williams

Total--25 NAYS

Bright                    Bryant                    Ford
Land                      Leventis                  Malloy
Martin, Shane             Massey                    McConnell
Pinckney                  Scott                     Sheheen

Total--12Section 86 and Section 86A, Part 1A and Part 1B was adopted.

May 23, 2011 Redistricting Public Hearing

On Monday, May 23, 2011, North Charleston city attorney J. Brady Hair gave a presentation on redistricting of North Charleston City Council districts.

The decennial census data allows for the realignment of City Council districts, taking into account population shifts since the last census and assuring equal representation for their constituents in compliance with the "one-person, one-vote" principle of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

More Redistricting Information

Free Spay and Neuter for your pets

The Charleston Animal Society is offering free spay or neuter operations to residents of North Charleston. In addition, rabies vaccinations will be provided at no cost.

Call (843) 556-7729 to make your appointment. A limited number of free slots are available.

Did you know? In Charleston County, 10,064 homeless pets entered shelters last year and 4,819 were put down. Charleston County shelters cannot save and support the huge number of accidental litters, strays, and family pets brought to shelter doors everyday.

These free surgeries are made possible by generous grants from Charleston Animal Society donors.

North Charleston City Council redistricting public meetings

In the coming weeks, the City of North Charleston will hold a series of Public Meetings for the general public to review and provide comments on the redrawing of City Council district lines.

It is necessary to "rebalance" district sizes periodically so a vote in one district has the same weight as a vote in all others. The Census, which counts population every 10 years, typically reveals population shifts resulting in varying council district sizes. In turn, the Census allows for the accurate drawing of new map lines based on those shifts.

Also, according to the 1965 Voting Rights Act, election plans are required to be drawn in a way that is fair to minorities. Section 5 of the Act requires that select states (including South Carolina) get "pre-clearance" from the US Justice Department or Federal Court before making any official change to its election plan.

Copies of the draft map will be displayed throughout the City at City Hall, community centers, churches, and on the city’s website, here: http://bit.ly/councilredistricting.

Citizens can also submit comments online from the webpage mentioned above.

Below you will find a schedule of Public Meetings:

Date	Location
Monday, May 23, 6:00 pm	North Charleston City Hall, Council Chambers
Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 pm	Chicora Elementary School Auditorium
Tuesday, May 31, 6:30 pm	Ft. Dorchester High School Cafeteria
Wednesday, June 1, 6:30 pm	Lambs Elementary School Cafeteria
Thursday, June 2, 6:30 pm	Northwoods Community Center Gym

The City hopes to have First Reading of the Council District Ordinance at the Thursday, June 9, 2011 City Council Meeting and Final Reading at the Thursday, June 23, 2011 City Council Meeting.

North Charleston to take further legal action to halt northern rail access

On May 17, 2011, the City of North Charleston sent a Notice and Draft Complaint to various state and federal officials to precede the filing of a lawsuit in federal court over the ongoing rail issue. Unless a resolution that is not detrimental to the citizens of North Charleston can be reached, a lawsuit will be officially filed in 60 days.

Full Notice and Draft Complaint

News coverage

Post and Courier
North Charleston to sue over rail line plan
North Charleston gives notice: Clock ticking on plan to sue over rail issue
Charleston Regional Business Journal
City lawsuit to challenge memorandum with state
WCIV ABC News 4
City plans to file suit in rail argument
WCBD NBC News 2
SC City Says it Will Sue if Rail Terminal Proceeds
Businessweek
SC city says it will sue if rail terminal proceeds

Watson Hill legal battle over

Watson Hill remains within the City of North Charleston

Watson Hill tract highlighted in green

After a protracted legal battle, litigation over the Watson Hill tract annexation has concluded.  No further legal challenges remain outstanding and the tract shall remain a part of the City of North Charleston.  The City, property owner MeadWestvaco Corporation (MWV), and the Coastal Conservation League (CCL) all look forward to the property becoming a national example of productive land use accomplished with sensitivity to its natural beauty, environment, and neighbors.

On June 7, 2005, North Charleston City Council voted to annex five vacant parcels located on Highway 61 and 165 in Dorchester County, including the Watson Hill tract.  The annexation immediately met legal opposition, and a portion of the case was heard by the South Carolina Supreme Court (See Opinion No. 26492), before the dispute ultimately concluded with the property becoming confirmed territory of the City of North Charleston.  Watson Hill is currently a part of MWV’s acclaimed East Edisto master plan.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey stated, “I am very happy to see an end to the dispute over the annexation of Watson Hill.  Although initial concerns over the annexation were ones of land use, I believe that with award winning and publicly recognized projects such as Oak Terrace Preserve, the Montague Avenue revitalization, and various parks / preserves, North Charleston has proven itself during my administration to be a leader in sustainable practices and development.  The City welcomes the opportunity to further our vision of sustainable, green, and smart growth by teaming with Lowcountry residents, MWV, and the Coastal Conservation League.  Together, we can ensure Watson Hill becomes another area of great pride in the City of North Charleston.”  Mayor Summey continued, “I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the diligent work of Julie Elmore and Raymond Anderson, Special Assistants to the Mayor, and the City’s legal staff, Brady Hair and Derk Van Raalte to resolve this annexation suit.  We are fortunate to have these dedicated individuals serving the people of North Charleston.”

Coastal Conservation Director, Dana Beach, said, "Our driving concern for Watson Hill was the potential for four thousand or more houses on the property.  We are confident that the plan proposed by MeadWestvaco, which includes perpetual conservation easements on the majority of the tract, will protect the integrity of the Ashley River historic district.  The critical goal has always been land conservation, not jurisdictional control."

In recent years, the City of North Charleston has received a number of accolades and recognition highlighting its sustainable practices, including the Home Depot Foundation’s Award of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development and the National League of Cities Award for Municipal Excellence for Sustainable Urban Development.  In addition, Oak Terrace Preserve, a city development was named one of the nation’s Top Green Developments according to Green Builder Magazine and was named one of the nation’s leading projects by renowned ‘green’ expert Jerry Yudelson.