2026-10-26 - Committee on Public Works and Utilities

00:16And we are live streaming. We're just

00:20waiting for the mayor to join.

00:22>> Thank you, Madam Clerk.

00:24How's everybody doing?

00:27>> Good, Mr. Chairman. How are you doing?

00:30>> Yeah, I got a

00:32I got a clip of the Norris Sellers uh

00:35touchdown where he ran over that guy.

00:37>> Man, that was something.

00:40That's determination there, man.

00:42>> Man, there's a clip where he that comes

00:44from, you know, that little camera on

00:47the corner of the end zone, you know,

00:48that little

00:49that little thing they have.

00:52You know, right at the corner of each

00:53end zone.

00:54Uh and there's a camera in there, man.

00:56Have you seen that shot?

00:58>> I hadn't seen the one from that, no.

01:00>> I [clears throat] I I looked at that

01:01thing a dozen times. I still don't see

01:03how he got in that end zone, man.

01:05>> Mhm.

01:05>> One guy was holding on his leg. The

01:07second guy

01:08hit him and grabbed him.

01:10And boy,

01:12uh

01:12>> No.

01:13>> And he didn't go down. His

01:15forearm didn't go down.

01:18Well, I got to tell you uh

01:21that was a good one for us.

01:29Hey, Mark, I got it.

01:30>> The guy dropped it off.

01:31>> Oh, he did?

01:32>> Yeah.

01:33>> All right. Any problems?

01:34>> Yeah, the man, I I got to put some money

01:37to get rid of that thing.

01:39But I'm on it. I'm on a five

01:41five I'm on a Zoom. I'll be off of this

01:44in an hour. Okay, bye-bye.

01:56>> I had a different experience than South

01:57Carolina fans this weekend. So,

02:00>> [laughter]

02:02>> we went up to the Clemson game to see

02:04the kids and

02:05>> Oh, really? Oh, man.

02:06>> Yeah, I was rooting for you guys, man,

02:08but

02:09it's tough to watch, man. It's

02:11uh it is that is

02:12it is not fun to watch. It's

02:14>> Well, I got your defense actually played

02:16a pretty good game. It's just that they

02:18were on the field a lot.

02:19>> They did. Uh

02:21I mean, we I saw we had two passing

02:24touchdowns this year. The last one was

02:27North Carolina. I think that was

02:29it's over a month ago. We've had

02:31>> [laughter]

02:31>> We've had

02:32one passing That's not good. I mean, you

02:35>> So, y'all freshman guy got hurt, right?

02:38>> Yeah, but you know, I think it was

02:39questionable whether he was going to be

02:42you know,

02:42>> I was starting in that

02:43>> or whether he was, you know,

02:44I don't know.

02:47>> Mhm.

02:47>> Times have changed, that's for sure.

02:50>> [laughter]

02:51>> Well, listen, I'm going to root for

02:53y'all for the next 3 weeks.

02:55But, you know,

02:564 weeks from now, can't be can't be with

02:59you.

03:01>> My um you know, my kids they'll be home

03:03for uh

03:05get home for Thanksgiving and then uh

03:09they both got [clears throat] tickets to

03:10the South Carolina game at Clemson this

03:12year. So, they're leaving

03:14you know, the day after Thanksgiving.

03:16I'm like,

03:17y'all really want to do that? I mean,

03:19you know,

03:19>> So, the game is at Carolina this year?

03:21>> No, it's at No, it's at Clemson.

03:23>> Oh.

03:24>> And uh

03:25like, maybe maybe y'all want to just

03:27stay home for a few extra days. I'll

03:29I'll feed you.

03:29>> You know, don't take it don't take your

03:31kids out of life experience, man. What

03:32are you talking about?

03:34>> Yeah, you're right.

03:35>> The Mill's got some kids up there, too,

03:37right?

03:38>> Uh I think his daughter transferred. I

03:40think she she

03:41>> Yeah, she did. She She loved Clemson,

03:43but still big Clemson fan, but she went

03:46smaller.

03:47>> Oh, okay.

03:49All right. I think we're all up online

03:51now. Mr. Mayor for joining in.

03:53Uh Councilman Shealy, if you'd give a

03:55few words, I'd be very appreciative.

03:57>> Be happy to. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

04:00Let us pray. Our dear heavenly Father,

04:02we thank you for the blessings of this

04:03beautiful day, Lord. We hope that you

04:05will allow us to be a blessing to others

04:07as well. We thank you for allowing us to

04:09be here and to

04:11be a part of the greatest city there is,

04:13Lord. We thank you for the blessings

04:15that you blessed this city and we ask

04:17that you'll continue to bless our city

04:19staff, our residents, our visitors. And

04:22Lord, that you'll lead us tonight and

04:23allow our actions to be acceptable unto

04:25you. For it's in your holy and precious

04:27name we pray. Amen.

04:28>> Amen.

04:29Thank you, uh Councilman Shealy.

04:32Um

04:33See I'll entertain the approval of the

04:35minutes from September 21st, 2026

04:38meeting.

04:39>> Move for approval.

04:40>> moved and seconded. Any questions on

04:41those minutes? Hearing none, all in

04:43favor, would you please say I?

04:45>> I.

04:45>> I.

04:46>> Any opposed? Thank you. Acceptance. We

04:49We down to item E.

04:51Um so um

04:54item E1, acceptance and dedication of

04:56rights-of-way and easements.

04:58Release of the city drainage easement.

05:01Uh Mr. Bucci.

05:04>> Yes, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Um so this

05:06is the release of a city drainage

05:08easement just to make sure that we can

05:10record the restrictive covenants first.

05:13Um it's the process that the

05:15core requires. So once we record the

05:17restrictive covenants, we will then

05:19record the drainage easement again.

05:20>> Good. Good.

05:22Any questions of Mr. Bucci?

05:24What's the pleasure of the committee?

05:26>> Move for approval.

05:28>> Second.

05:28>> It's been moved and seconded. Any

05:30questions?

05:31>> And

05:33Mr. Chairman, who is the motion and

05:34second on that?

05:35>> Uh Councilman Shealy motion.

05:37>> Okay.

05:39>> I think it's the Councilman Gray who

05:40seconded.

05:41>> I'll second.

05:42>> All right. Thank you. [clears throat]

05:44>> All right. Any questions? All in favor,

05:47please say I.

05:48>> I.

05:48>> I.

05:48>> I.

05:49>> Any opposed? Item 2E,

05:52acceptance of a new variable

05:54with stormwater drainage. Mr. Bushy,

05:57that's you again.

05:58>> Yes, Mr. Chairman. So, this is just a

06:00traditional drainage easement for some

06:02stormwater pipes that are associated

06:04with the city operations facility.

06:06>> Okay.

06:09Motion?

06:10>> Move for approval.

06:11>> Second.

06:12>> Move and second. Any discussion? Hearing

06:14none, all in favor, please say I.

06:16>> I.

06:17>> Any opposed?

06:18Uh E3, acceptance of a stormwater

06:21drainage easement located in Cumberland

06:23and Concord Street.

06:26>> Yes, Mr. Chairman. It's me again.

06:29>> [laughter]

06:30>> So, this is another drainage easement

06:32near Fleet Landing,

06:34Cumberland and Concord, which was

06:35coordinated with the Department of

06:36Stormwater.

06:38>> Okay.

06:40Councilman Seekings, do you have a

06:42motion on that?

06:43>> Yeah, take it.

06:44>> Second.

06:45>> All right, move and second it. Hearing

06:47it, no questions. All in favor, please

06:50say I.

06:51>> I.

06:52>> Any opposed?

06:54Item E4, authorization

06:56to notify SCDOT that the city intends to

06:59accept maintenance. Oh, man. Go ahead.

07:02>> [laughter]

07:03>> Yes, Mr. Chairman. This is This is

07:05actually a little bit in coordination

07:06with the county as well. We've accepted

07:08maintenance for sidewalk up to this

07:11point and are continuing the sidewalk

07:13along Waverly Drive. That's within the

07:15DOT right away.

07:16>> Yeah, probably my emotions on that. They

07:19always

07:20motion. But anyway,

07:21um

07:23We have a motion?

07:25>> Move for approval.

07:26>> Second.

07:27>> Move and second it. Any questions? Any

07:29unreadiness? All in favor, E4, please

07:31say I.

07:32>> I.

07:33>> I.

07:34>> Any opposed? Thank you.

07:35Uh temporary encroachments usually this

07:37is put on for

07:39information only. Anything exceptional

07:41in this that we need to be calling

07:43attention to? Most of them are standard.

07:46>> Not at all, Mr. Chairman. Just standard

07:47fences, signs, and awnings.

07:49>> All right, good.

07:51H1, public service update.

07:54Um

07:55approve the construction contract with

07:56Wildwood Contractors. Who's going to

07:59address that one?

08:01>> Yeah, that's me.

08:02>> All right. Uh

08:04>> So, that is a contract with Wildwood um

08:06contractors for the first phase of the

08:09Broad Street sidewalk um

08:11repair.

08:13Um so, basically that is everything from

08:16King Street to um City Hall on the

08:21I guess it would be the south side.

08:23North side. North side. Yeah.

08:26>> I was going to say so you get all that

08:28kind of stuff. I mean, you need to

08:29repair a sidewalk on Broad Street?

08:31>> I I'm I'm looking out the window right

08:33now at the work that's going to be done

08:34outside my window. It's going to be

08:36fantastic.

08:37>> [laughter]

08:39>> Uh so, that's the first phase. We'll

08:41bring the other um they're working on

08:42the quotes and everything for phases two

08:44through six, and we'll bring those back

08:45as soon as those are ready.

08:47>> All right, thank you, Mr. Altop.

08:49Uh Council uh who was the second on

08:51that? I know Councilman Seeking moved

08:52it. Who was the second?

08:53>> Yeah, I was.

08:54>> All right, thank you.

08:56Uh all of oh

08:57well, I have uh Councilman Gray?

08:59>> I just had a quick question. So, can you

09:01um Mr. Altop, can you just give an

09:02overview of the scope?

09:05>> Yeah, so they're going to tear out all

09:07the old bluestone um and reuse as much

09:09of it as we can, fix the

09:11um

09:12under

09:14you know, the light or the the gravel,

09:15redo the base,

09:17um reset granite um curbing or bluestone

09:20curbing depending on what's there.

09:22Um make sure all the intersections are

09:24ADA compliant, uh remove any of the

09:27parking meters along there.

09:29Um and then on some of the sections

09:31we're going to run power to tree wells

09:34in order um for us to eventually put

09:37holiday lights and things there.

09:39>> Well, that's a pretty significant.

09:42>> Yes. [laughter]

09:44>> And the project's going all the way from

09:46the corner of King Street to East Bay on

09:48the north and south sides of the street.

09:50So, it's a fairly long run of sidewalk

09:52that ultimately will be done.

09:54>> But, this section is just King Street to

09:55Meeting Street, right?

09:56>> On the north side.

09:58>> Yeah.

09:58>> Just just across Meeting Street a little

10:00bit, just just past City Hall.

10:02>> Yep. And then it basically follows the

10:05blocks down and then turns and comes

10:07back up the other side of the street

10:09when we get to phase four, five, and

10:11six.

10:12>> Does anybody know the last time that

10:13this was done? I'm just curious like

10:14what the lifespan of of a bluestone

10:17sidewalk is and

10:19um,

10:20>> I don't think it's been done since it's

10:22been put down.

10:24>> Yeah.

10:24>> And I don't know when it was installed.

10:26That was I don't know. Do you remember,

10:27Mike?

10:28>> No, it's this hasn't been done in a long

10:30time. It was not part of the King Street

10:32improvement when they did all the

10:33underground wiring, so it's been a

10:36while. There's been some patchwork done

10:38and obviously some utility work, but not

10:39a full comprehensive redo of it all. And

10:43one of the things you might have heard

10:44is this is also part and parcel of the

10:47getting rid of all the parking meters,

10:48which will actually make the

10:50right away

10:51that much wider. It's going to be really

10:53nice.

10:55>> Looking forward to it.

10:56>> Yeah.

10:57>> And all longer we do as needed. Um, all

11:00in favor of the motion, please say aye.

11:03>> Aye.

11:04>> Any any ready to say any opposed? Thank

11:06you. Item H also I one.

11:11Department of Development Services

11:14update.

11:16Ms. Creech.

11:18>> Yes, good afternoon. The first item that

11:20we have up for today is an amendment to

11:24our stormwater ordinance to adopt the

11:27definition of functionally dependent use

11:29that FEMA has promulgated

11:32um, to adopt FEMA's model ordinance for

11:35a variance procedures for

11:37structures that meet that definition.

11:40Um, this is really for structures that

11:42are going to be above, uh, open water.

11:45Um, and if if I said that wrong, Ron

11:48will will correct me, but, um, we

11:50anticipate that we might see some more

11:51of these in the future and want to make

11:53sure that our process aligns with

11:54FEMA's.

11:56>> Okay.

11:58Um,

12:00need a motion to carry this forward.

12:03>> Move for approval.

12:04>> Second.

12:05>> Probably moved and seconded.

12:07By the mayor, seconded by Council

12:09member, uh, Greg.

12:11Any discussion? All in favor, please say

12:13I.

12:14>> I.

12:15>> I.

12:15>> Any opposed?

12:17Uh, item I2, declaration of exclusive

12:20storm water drainage easement and public

12:23access easement conjunction with fire

12:25station 23, Ms. Creech.

12:28>> Uh, yes. So, this is the parcel that

12:31will be fire station 23, and rather than

12:35give ourselves an easement since we own

12:37it and we can't do that, it's just a

12:38declaration of our standard, uh,

12:41drainage, uh, storm water drainage

12:43easement and and an access easement as

12:44well, so that if any, uh,

12:47time in the future the property were to

12:49change ownership, those easements would

12:52remain in place.

12:53>> Okay.

12:56A motion from the body.

12:58>> Move for approval.

12:59>> Second.

13:00>> Probably moved and seconded. Any

13:01discussion on that?

13:03Well, it sounds simple, Ms. Creech. All

13:05in favor, please say I.

13:07>> I.

13:08>> I.

13:09>> Any opposed? Thank you. Uh,

13:11I3, confirmation of easement and repair

13:14maintenance agreement between One Vendor

13:16Range

13:17and the city of Charleston, Ms. Creech.

13:19>> Huh.

13:21>> Yes. So, Councilman Seekings can help me

13:23out on this one if if I get anything

13:25wrong.

13:26>> I I can do this one if you want.

13:27>> Sure. I'd be happy to let you talk about

13:29it.

13:30>> So, no problem. And Magli has done a

13:31really This creature has done a really

13:33great job of doing this. So, you all

13:35know where One Vandu is, right by Joe

13:36Raby One Front Park with the City

13:38Gallery. Those condominiums, which have

13:40been there for a long time, just did a

13:41complete with it was just a complete um

13:44renovation and repair of the

13:45condominiums. At At the end of that

13:48project, the city came in and rep-

13:51replaced a bunch of trees and repaired

13:53all the common areas in front of the um

13:56City Gallery and along the sidewalks.

13:57All the sidewalks have been redone.

13:59>> Mhm.

14:00>> And one of the things we learned during

14:01the course of the project, both of

14:02renovation and doing the sidewalk and

14:04and tree work, is there were not really

14:07complete documents sort of memorializing

14:11who had responsibilities moving forward

14:13with maintenance. Um so, what has been

14:16done during the course of all this work

14:18is the legal side of it has been cleared

14:20up and through Miss Creature's hard

14:21work, we now have a complete

14:23understanding on whose responsibility it

14:25is to now maintain a beautifully redone

14:29common area in and around the One Vandu

14:31Range condominium complex.

14:33>> Okay.

14:35So, do you have a motion, Councilman

14:37Seekins?

14:39>> Pardon me, I'm sorry.

14:40>> I said, do you have a motion?

14:41>> Oh, yeah. Move to approve.

14:43>> Second.

14:43>> It's been moved and seconded.

14:45Aids on readiness. All in favor, please

14:47say aye.

14:48>> Aye.

14:49>> [clears throat]

14:50>> Any opposed? Thank you. E4, request for

14:52approval of a new and revised fees

14:55associated with building inspections.

14:57Uh Mr. Bucci.

14:58>> Uh yes, Mr. Chairman. I was going to

15:00share a very brief presentation with you

15:02all if that is okay.

15:13Um are you all able to see my screen?

15:15>> Yes.

15:16>> Okay. So, this is um some new and

15:18revised fees that we will be taking into

15:20effect January 1, 2027. Uh presenting to

15:23you all and then will be um reported out

15:26to council or first, second, and third

15:28reading.

15:29Um just a quick overview, all the fees

15:31that will be discussed are based on what

15:33is required to cover the cost of the

15:35city's time. Um all fees have been

15:37coordinated with BFRC and legal. Um as I

15:40just stated, the plan is to make all

15:42fees become effective January 1st, 2027.

15:46And um my department development

15:48services has projected about a 1.8

15:50million dollar additional general fund

15:52dollars based on these fee increases.

15:55And the goal is to better account for

15:56the city's cost when it comes to the

15:58permitting, review, and inspection of

16:00various city processes.

16:04>> So this ordinance, Mr. Bucci, uh

16:06this something has going on for a series

16:08of years, but even when we increase

16:10these fees, Mr. Bucci, comparing to the

16:12county, we

16:14and all the municipality, we're still

16:15pretty competitive, aren't we? In some

16:16cases, we still lag.

16:18>> Yeah, I absolutely. And I'll definitely

16:20get to to that nice comparison table we

16:22have for the the residential fees that

16:24we've changed, but you you're absolutely

16:26right.

16:27Um so so with the fee revisions, there's

16:30about uh a few that we revised. Um the

16:33encroachment permit fee is a one-time

16:35payment that's traditionally $25 for

16:37doing non-standard material in our

16:38right-of-way. That fee has increased to

16:40$100.

16:42Engineering permit is any work within

16:44our right-of-way, whether it be

16:45standard, non-standard, just, you know,

16:48digging, uh utility work. Again, that

16:50increased to 25 from 25 to 100. That

16:53requires review and inspection. And then

16:56our permit center application fee we

16:59have increased from 40 to $80. Um

17:03those are all existing fees and we do

17:04have and I see the building permit fee,

17:06I'll cover that in more detail on the

17:08next slide. But the new fees we have, um

17:11one of them is the letter of map

17:13revision for fill. We don't see these

17:15too often, but it's when a site wants to

17:16bring in a a certain amount of fill to

17:19revise the maps and take them out of

17:21flood zones. Um we're going to start

17:22charging $200 for that. And then for

17:25commercial buildings where we require a

17:27certificate of occupancy, there's

17:29actually a lot of coordination between

17:30fire, building, permit center, and

17:32zoning. Um we're proposing to to charge

17:36a $350 fee. Um our computations

17:39supported up to $600 but we felt with

17:42this being a new fee uh coming in at 350

17:46was a little more appropriate for for

17:48what we should be charging for now.

17:51>> Okay. Any questions of Mr. Butchie?

17:54>> I got one more thing I was going to

17:56cover, Mr. Chairman, if you I'll go

17:58quickly though. Yeah, sorry.

18:00>> Stage is yours. Go ahead.

18:01>> Yeah, so this is just the residential

18:03fees um for new buildings and additions.

18:07Um and basically what you'll see is it's

18:09a 50% increase for all of the fees. Um

18:13we were able to support much higher than

18:14that but going to the next slide, this

18:17column that says proposed 2027, this is

18:20the fees based on the cost of

18:22construction. And as you compare it to

18:24the county, we're we're very in line

18:26with the county

18:28um

18:28and even less in in some cases when you

18:31get to those higher values. And then we

18:33also compared it to Mount Pleasant which

18:34is is essentially the same.

18:37Uh

18:37basically meeting the the other

18:39municipalities that surround us and and

18:41coming more in line with them.

18:44And that's really it. And now I can open

18:46it up for questions if you have any.

18:48>> All right. Questions for Mr. Butchie?

18:53You did a solid job, Mr. Butchie. It was

18:54the pleasure of the committee. What's

18:56the motion?

18:57>> Move for approval.

18:59>> Properly moved.

19:01>> Second.

19:02>> Councilman Shealy second.

19:04>> Seeking's dead but I either way.

19:07>> Okay. All right.

19:08I second twice, Mr. Butchie. All in

19:10favor of the motion, please say I.

19:13>> I.

19:14>> Any opposed? Thank you. Uh Mr. Bushy,

19:17good job.

19:18>> Thank you.

19:19>> Stormwater management update, Mr.

19:21Fountain, J1.

19:23Table Hazelwood and Tablewood

19:25small project.

19:27>> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know

19:28this one is close to your heart.

19:31>> [laughter]

19:33>> I was hoping with with your permission

19:35we were going to have Ms. Jordan

19:36Mallette, who's the project manager for

19:37this project to a brief presentation.

19:40>> That'd be great.

19:41>> Yeah, thank you, Matt. Thank you, Mr.

19:43Chairman. I'm going to share my screen

19:47briefly.

19:49Okay.

19:52Um so, yeah, today going to provide an

19:54update on the recently completed

19:56project. This was a part of our small

19:58projects program uh located in the

20:01Orleans Woods neighborhood in West

20:03Ashley. Uh project ultimately replaced

20:05two existing city stormwater pipes at

20:07the intersection of Hazelwood,

20:09Taperwood, and Jaywood.

20:12>> Mhm.

20:12>> Um

20:14kind of zooming out before getting into

20:15the details, wanted to briefly put us in

20:18the context of other city efforts within

20:20the larger Dupont Wappoo basin. Um we

20:23have a handful of capital projects

20:24underway currently, including a

20:26collaborative effort with the Army Corps

20:28of Engineers,

20:29um as well as an upcoming project on

20:31Orleans Road, which should be begin

20:33construction in early 2027.

20:36>> [clears throat]

20:36>> Um and then looking a little bit closer,

20:38the project area, um this is where we

20:40replaced our pipes. Um in general, kind

20:43of in this neighborhood, stormwater

20:45flows through roadside ditches and

20:46through a rear rear yard ditch um before

20:49it reaches the larger ditch in the

20:50Orleans Road corridor. Um from there, it

20:53all passes to the south, generally to

20:55the larger Dupont Wappoo main drainage

20:58channel before it goes under 526,

21:00Savannah Highway, and the Greenway

21:01before it gets to the Stono River.

21:04Um now looking closer at this

21:06neighborhood, um project was developed

21:08in response to recurring drainage

21:10issues, particularly at this

21:11intersection.

21:13During significant rainfall, water

21:15typically accumulates around this

21:16intersection as well as at some

21:18mid-block side yard drainage ditches.

21:21We did do all model and design on this

21:23project in-house. Ultimately found that

21:26the biggest impacts

21:28looked at upsizing a handful of

21:29different pipes, but the biggest impacts

21:31were to upsize these two existing 18-in

21:33pipes to 24-in pipes. Which allowed

21:36water to drain out faster.

21:38Um

21:40Construction began this past September,

21:42so about a month ago, and all work was

21:44completed in early October. We were able

21:46to complete all of this using in-house

21:48city construction crews.

21:51And lucky enough,

21:53as an engineer, we always like to be

21:54able to test our designs.

21:56Project was completed right before a big

21:58storm event at the first week of

22:00October, and we can actually see where

22:02the debris line

22:03did not overtop the redway. So, which is

22:05an encouraging initial observation.

22:08Although, one storm event isn't enough

22:09to determine, you know, the overall

22:11impact or entirely solve flooding in the

22:13neighborhood. So, that's why we will

22:15continue with our other capital

22:16projects.

22:18Happy to take any questions.

22:20>> I don't have a question, but I certainly

22:22want to say thank you, ma'am. This is a

22:25uh

22:26This is well done for a neighborhood

22:28that's, you know, long

22:30asking for it. So, thank you, Mr.

22:32Felton, for you and your team

22:34getting it done.

22:36>> Thank you.

22:38>> Any uh

22:40Obviously, if if I were in presiding,

22:42I'd be the one making a motion on this

22:44one, but

22:45Can we get a motion?

22:46>> Move for approval.

22:47>> Properly moved and

22:48>> Second.

22:49>> Second.

22:50>> Do we need

22:51This is just updates. So, do we need

22:52[snorts]

22:53>> Yeah.

22:53>> Do we need a motion?

22:54>> You're right. You're right. Thank you.

22:56>> [sighs]

22:56>> I'm used to spending money. This money's

22:58already [laughter] been spent.

23:01>> This one actually was just updates Um um

23:05both in-house engineering and in-house

23:07construction effort um great

23:09collaboration between the project

23:10management team and the field ops team

23:12doing a really cost-efficient

23:15significant improvement very quickly or

23:16as as Mr. Knight mentioned uh less than

23:19a month basically instead of having to

23:20go through the long

23:21>> I'd like to make a motion for a round of

23:23applause for our stormwater

23:26>> You're right, man.

23:30Again, thank you, Mr. Flood. These small

23:32projects mean a lot because it normally

23:34happens I don't care where it is in the

23:36district. It happens in somebody's

23:37neighborhood, somebody's front or

23:39backyard. It matters.

23:41Um J2 update on MUSC pump station upfit

23:46project.

23:49>> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, this

23:50one is also a gem.

23:52Up to that slide.

23:56Uh so, this is also just an update. Um

23:58this is a project we've brought through

24:00council previously for the funding

24:01allocations. It's a collaborative effort

24:03with the US Army Corps of Engineers to

24:05upfit the MUSC pump station.

24:07Um similar to what we did recently for

24:09the Concord pump station with the city.

24:12Uh we just wanted to update y'all that

24:14the construction bidding was

24:15successfully completed by the core. We

24:17actually have our pre-con meeting I

24:19think it was today

24:20um for that

24:22project. Um Ruby Collins is the selected

24:25contractor from the core team. They're

24:26the ones doing the both the Lockwood

24:29pump station for us in Spring Fishburne

24:31as well as they did the

24:33on the Concord pump station. Great

24:35contractor. Uh bid came in within

24:37budget. So, that's moving forward. It'll

24:39likely be a few months till you see any

24:41work on the ground because there's a lot

24:42of long lead time items um on these pump

24:45stations, but looking forward to

24:46continuing that. So, happy to answer any

24:49questions, but just an update that

24:50that's um that's continuing apace.

24:54>> Any questions

24:55uh committee members.

24:59I continue Mr. Felton J3 update on

25:02Market Street project.

25:04>> Yeah, thank you Mr. Sherman. So, the

25:05Market Street project I think is one

25:07that many of the committee members are

25:09familiar with, but just as a very brief

25:11refresher,

25:12the city previously installed as you see

25:14in the bottom right corner

25:16tunnels, a deep tunnel and a drop shaft

25:19system with drop shafts between the

25:21market stalls to drain the street that

25:24it is generally no longer kayakable, but

25:28it does still flood about curb deep or a

25:31little bit higher for that water to

25:33drain down to these big inlets that you

25:36can see in the top right photo.

25:38The next phase of the project is to

25:41install a modern collection the curb

25:44inlets and

25:46grade inlets and upsize pipes to take

25:48that water to these drop shafts where

25:50then you wouldn't see really any

25:51flooding of substance within the street

25:54and temporary curb flooding

25:57like we see on most roads.

25:59That work is something that the city has

26:02initial plans for. We have recently

26:05finished the upfitting of the Concord

26:07pump station which is where all this

26:08water runs to

26:10and there are a number of large-scale

26:12projects in this area. So, we said we're

26:15talking with the mayor. I'm sure the

26:16mayor will will have

26:19some ideas to add into this, but

26:21to basically how do we coordinate all of

26:23these complex projects together into the

26:25same space cuz this the city project

26:27also includes undergrounding the power

26:28lines as well as all the cable and

26:30communication lines and working with CWS

26:32to update all of their water and sewer

26:34lines through the system and then put

26:36back an improved streetscape over all of

26:38it. So, we're going in right now. We're

26:40working through those plans making sure

26:42everything is in coordination.

26:44Doing our stakeholder engagement,

26:46reaching out to property owners,

26:48developers, business owners, market

26:51vendors, um

26:53residents in the area, and then of

26:55course the utility companies to try to

26:56make sure we're all on the same page,

26:58working together as quickly as possible

26:59cuz as we all know large-scale

27:02uh civil infrastructure projects like

27:03this are disruptive

27:04in construction, even though they are

27:06extremely impactful um

27:09post-construction.

27:10And uh Mayor, is there anything you'd

27:12like to add into that that process we're

27:14working through?

27:15>> No, we're we're close to um

27:19I I I I think this can be a very

27:20transformative project, not just from

27:22stormwater but from an aesthetic

27:24standpoint. Really from King Street all

27:27the way down to the water, and

27:30um some of the improvements that we're

27:32looking to add on to this, which I'm

27:35excited to show you all

27:38and then either the next meeting or the

27:40meeting following

27:41uh with the chair's permission

27:44are some of the renderings that um

27:48uh we're working on that really will

27:50make this um

27:53uh

27:54one of the biggest landmarks it already

27:56is in the region, but really dressing it

27:59up with more of an urban canopy because

28:01we're burying the power lines.

28:03Obviously, what Matt and his team are

28:05working on is critical with the uh

28:07movement of water and stormwater,

28:10but really beautifying Market Street in

28:14a pretty meaningful way um because most

28:17of the cost associated with this is

28:18subsurface. Uh so while we're at it, you

28:21know, may as well do some uh I think

28:25facelifts.

28:26And it is going to be a very complicated

28:28project just because of all the moving

28:30parts, but I do think I'm excited to

28:33share what we're working on with this

28:35committee um

28:37because I think it's going to be pretty

28:39spectacular.

28:41And appreciate Matt and his team

28:43kind of really leaning in. We We've got,

28:46you know, this touches almost every

28:47department in the city um when it's all

28:49said and done. So, it's going to be a

28:52Herculean lift to get it done, but I

28:54think we've got the team um put together

28:57to do it.

29:03>> Okay, any uh other

29:05questions of

29:07Mr. Felton or the mayor?

29:10>> All right.

29:15>> Uh

29:16move on to J4, uh Dupont Wapoo Orleans

29:19Road drainage improvements. Mr. Felton?

29:22>> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

29:23Um

29:25This is as Ms. Mullett mentioned, we did

29:27a small project effort just upstream of

29:29this area. This is the

29:31capital scale effort that kind of

29:33leverages and this that project

29:34leverages off of uh to do some

29:36improvements in the canal system and the

29:39drainage along Orleans Road.

29:41Um

29:42we have finished design permitting,

29:44finished our construction bidding. Uh

29:46we're just finalizing the selection of

29:48the low bid contractor now that will

29:49come to council um probably in the next

29:52month's set of council meetings.

29:54Um but this item is to accept a million

29:56dollars of state funding from the annual

30:00appropriations that was supported by our

30:01legislative delegation, of course, and

30:03Representative Stavrinakis.

30:05Um so, the again, the vote I the vote is

30:07to basically receive um receive that

30:09funding and approve us to submit the

30:10forms to receive the funding.

30:14>> Uh um

30:16this does involve money, so Madam Clerk,

30:18this necessitates a motion, right?

30:23>> Yes.

30:25>> Second.

30:26>> All right. Uh any more discussion on

30:28this one?

30:30All in favor, please say I.

30:32>> I.

30:32>> Any opposed? Thank you. Uh

30:36and thank Representative Stavrinakis,

30:38too.

30:39I saw him Saturday. If had I known that,

30:42I would have thanked him again for this.

30:45Uh

30:45>> a very successful collaboration with the

30:47state and the city and the county in

30:49this area in finding funding and and

30:52bringing in efforts in this kind of

30:53multi jurisdiction state roads, um both

30:56city and county jurisdictions. Really

30:59good partnership work out here getting

31:00to improvements.

31:01>> It was great.

31:03Thank you for your efforts, too, Mr.

31:04Felton. Uh

31:06J5, uh Newmarket Creek restoration.

31:10>> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is

31:12um

31:13and I uh another actionable item, but

31:16one to update you that we've completed

31:18the RFQ process um for the professional

31:21services for the Newmarket Creek work.

31:23Selected Thomas and Hutton for

31:25recommended Thomas and Hutton to the

31:26committee for approval. Um we developed

31:29that

31:30scope for um at this point the funding

31:32is to do a review of the different

31:35conceptual project options and then take

31:37preliminary design. We'll come back with

31:39a

31:40amendment to the scope for final design

31:42and permitting once we have a a better

31:43feel for the um exact recommendation.

31:46This is uh this work is funded from a

31:49million-dollar grant also from the

31:50National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

31:53So, uh this is a

31:55motion as per the agenda to approve the

31:57professional service contract with T&H

31:59for $380,000

32:01for that initial work.

32:02>> Okay, chair entertains the motion.

32:04>> Move for approval.

32:05>> Second.

32:06>> Second.

32:07>> Uh let me ask a question, Mr. Felton.

32:08That that bull what what kind of low I

32:10mean

32:12the king tides to come I my swamp that

32:14thing, huh? That thing going to be?

32:16>> Yeah, this was a this was a decorative

32:18rendering from one of the early

32:20conceptual um project ideas of what

32:22Newmarket Creek could be. I think the

32:25stormwater project is is going to be a

32:27combination of ecological rest

32:29We're evaluating a combination of

32:31ecological restoration, probably some

32:34tide control, some limited tide control,

32:36and then improving public access because

32:38if we can get people to see the value of

32:40the marsh from ecological health and

32:42flood control, that also is a kind of a

32:45wonderful way to leverage our projects

32:46with public access. But you're right,

32:47Mr. Chairman, uh that one might go

32:49underwater a little too frequently, so

32:51maybe we'll bring it a little higher in

32:52the actual engineering.

32:53>> All right. Thank you. Thank you.

32:55All in favor of stated motion, please

32:57say I.

32:58>> I.

32:58>> I.

32:58>> Any opposed? Thank you.

33:00Uh okay. Uh

33:06Item J6, Lake Dotter.

33:09Uh

33:09>> Yeah, this one is uh I think near and

33:11dear to Councilman Chilly's heart, but

33:13um so this is a memorandum with Thomas

33:15Norton for $28,700.

33:18It's a

33:19uh lower dollar amendment that we

33:20normally see at council because we

33:22didn't establish a project budget yet

33:24for this project with the permission to

33:26be able to do minor amendments without

33:27coming back through council committee

33:29cuz we're still in the professional

33:30services firm, not yet in the

33:32construction contract firm. So it's

33:34coming back through council, but it's

33:35just a a small change. And basically,

33:38this is to add in the engineering

33:39support um to allow for in-house

33:42construction of the phase on Mariner's

33:45Ferry that we identified as part of the

33:47larger capital scale work um that will

33:49occur on more of the

33:51um the dam structure across Lake Dotter.

33:55The berm, technically.

33:57So, this basically lets our field ops

34:01crew go out with some construction

34:02staking support and some assistance in

34:04procuring materials um to to build

34:07similar to what we saw with Miss Mulot

34:09earlier in in Giba Wabu.

34:11Um to build this first phase in-house

34:13lets us have a a lower project budget,

34:15stay within our existing funding

34:16allocations, and get the work done much

34:18quicker

34:19um while we're working through uh the

34:22larger project going into its formal

34:24construction low-bid procurement. So,

34:27um this work all funded by the county um

34:30through ARPA funds that they provide to

34:32the city, scheduled for our construc-

34:34construction by our own field apps crew

34:35late this year. Um, if if again, we

34:38approve this and uh

34:39agree to that initial design work.

34:42>> With your pleasure, Mr. Shealy.

34:44>> Move for approval.

34:46>> Say again.

34:48>> Yeah, and um, Mr. Chairman, I just I

34:51just want to say thank you to the

34:53Stormwater Department. Um, people are

34:54excited around that area. They're

34:56starting to see see trucks come in and

34:58um, they're very very excited. A couple

35:00of weeks ago we had a little scare with

35:03the weather report and um, our

35:05Stormwater Department along with the

35:06Parks Department did an outstanding job

35:08of keeping Lake Dotter, um,

35:10within the banks for the most part, but

35:11keep certainly keeping it out of

35:12people's homes. Um,

35:14got some pumps over there and um, people

35:16are very happy with um, with the service

35:19they received. So, I just want to say

35:20thank you so much.

35:22>> Thank you for sharing that.

35:24Um,

35:28uh, did I call the motion yet? All in

35:30favor, please say aye. Did I?

35:31>> Aye.

35:32>> Aye.

35:32>> Aye.

35:33>> Okay. Any opposed?

35:35So much good news I forgot. Carried the

35:37motion. Uh, J7, uh, Avondale Mall Drive

35:41Drainage Improvements, Mr. Fountain.

35:43>> Yeah, thank you Mr. Chairman. So, this

35:44is a, um,

35:46another item for for a vote. This is an

35:48approval of an agreement with Charleston

35:49County for the city to provide $25,000

35:52of funding,

35:54um, basically for the

35:56county to have its engineering

35:58consultant for the Avondale Intersection

36:00project, which is Stantec, review

36:04the drainage infrastructure in um, sort

36:08of this Westwood-Avondale area that's

36:10coming down to the realigned

36:11intersection to see if you were to

36:14improve the downstream system, what size

36:17should the infrastructure go in, um,

36:22that is the new infrastructure that

36:23they're installing as part of their

36:24project. So, trying to sort of

36:26future-proof

36:27so you don't install new infrastructure

36:29that would then be undersized if we do a

36:30downstream improvement project and you

36:32have to come back and replace.

36:34Um county's agreed to have their

36:35consultant look at that, which is often

36:37the most efficient way to do it since

36:39they'll be the ones designing the

36:40project. Um we agreed conceptually um to

36:44transfer $25,000 towards this efforts

36:46with the approval of council, of course,

36:48which is what the MOU would allow.

36:50Um you would still need to have the

36:52city, county, state all collaboratively

36:54somehow make these downstream

36:56improvements for those upstream

36:57improvements to make an improvement to

37:00you're basically not installing a new

37:01construction as part of their project.

37:03They have agreed

37:04conceptually as well to fund the

37:06construction of the correct sized

37:08infrastructure, not asking for

37:10additional city funds at this point um

37:12towards those efforts. Most likely it'll

37:13be larger larger inlet boxes and some

37:16larger pipes um coming into that

37:17intersection in the new section of road

37:19that they're building. Happy to talk

37:20about that in more detail if helpful,

37:22but

37:23uh I think it's a a good continued

37:24collaboration between the two entities.

37:27>> All right.

37:28We have a motion on the floor.

37:32>> Move for approval.

37:33>> Second.

37:34>> Properly moved and seconded.

37:36Any more discussion?

37:38Last chance. All in favor, please say I.

37:41>> I.

37:42>> I.

37:43>> Any opposed?

37:44With that, that brings a conclusion to

37:47to this meeting uh

37:48>> S- Sorry Mr. Chairman, we have one more

37:50one more item.

37:51>> One more?

37:52Oh yeah, discussion. Okay.

37:55Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

37:57>> Yeah, I don't we have we have a lot of

37:58items um last last week was a little bit

38:00shorter than this week and it'll be a

38:02little heavier for stormwater items.

38:04>> Discussion of FY 27 small projects.

38:09>> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, this

38:10is this is just our kind of initial

38:12presentation of the items that we are

38:15currently putting together and assessing

38:17for potential small project funding for

38:19next year. Um it's just discussion at

38:21this point. wanted to show these to the

38:23committee,

38:24make sure there's time for the committee

38:26to ask questions for us and provide

38:28input before we'd eventually have to

38:29take a final vote.

38:31Normally, we do it in the

38:33November

38:35public works utilities meeting and then

38:37December when we actually finalize the

38:39budget because we can't technically

38:42approve any of the allocations until we

38:43have the budget approved for next year.

38:45But we can make a recommendation saying

38:47here's where we want to see that funding

38:48be allocated assuming budget passes.

38:51It's all more complicated. We do come

38:53back again with anything that requires

38:54council approval. These are not

38:57approvals of

38:59future projects. They are just

39:01approvals of an idea for allocation. If

39:03we come back with a contract, that would

39:05be approved. If we come back with, you

39:06know, construction contracts,

39:07professional service contracts. So just

39:08as a refresher of how this all works is

39:10a little bit unusual. Mr. Chairman, at

39:13your strong encouragement and

39:15suggestion, we have proposed $2 million

39:18in the small project allocation for next

39:20year with the support of

39:21the budget office, the mayor's office.

39:23>> [clears throat]

39:24>> So that's what we're showing here is a

39:25tentative identification of 2027

39:28funding. Again, this is not in any way

39:30final yet. It's just for your awareness

39:32and discussion.

39:33I can briefly go through any of the

39:35projects um

39:37or go through all of the projects if

39:39that's helpful, whatever the committee

39:40prefers.

39:42I do not have full slide presentations

39:45for each project. That one that would

39:46take a lot quite a while for this

39:47meeting which is long already, but happy

39:49to talk about them a little bit in more

39:51detail, especially some of the carryover

39:52projects. Oh, I should

39:54should reiterate that too. We do show in

39:552028 um

39:58if something is funded in 2027 and or

40:00has been previously funded and is likely

40:02to require additional funding in 2028,

40:05we do is likely to be required. Of

40:07course, it's not binding that in at this

40:09point uh

40:10and

40:11>> [clears throat]

40:11>> um approved in a budget yet.

40:13Just trying to make sure there's

40:13awareness of the scale of project size

40:15as we as we approve funding in any given

40:18year.

40:18>> Okay.

40:21All right, committee members, uh Ms.

40:23Gordon.

40:24>> Um I'm not seeing a project list um on

40:28my screen.

40:30Is there a

40:30>> Is anybody else not seeing the list?

40:32>> I see it.

40:33>> I see it.

40:34>> Okay. Well, apologies. Ignore me. Um

40:37would we be able to talk about Neighbors

40:38Drive at all?

40:40>> So that is one of the ones um shown on

40:41the list. That one's shown for

40:43tentatively at $125,000.

40:45Um that's one of the more

40:47unknown uh

40:49final budgets that we're still working

40:51through and that that town is doing a

40:53sidewalk project there, has identified

40:55there are some areas of flooding in a

40:57portion of the city where the sidewalk

40:58is

41:00passing through. Um they have just

41:03started doing some initial survey work,

41:05so we are

41:06using the initial survey work they've

41:08done, but they've indicated they're

41:09going to come back with some additional

41:11detail uh which will help us refine our

41:12budget, but at a very rough level, we're

41:16looking at probably $125,000 for the

41:18most straightforward improvement. We

41:20might have a cheaper idea that we're

41:21looking at, but we placeholder that for

41:23now.

41:24>> So in terms of next steps, just cuz we

41:26have um James Island and Nirgovan on

41:28Wednesday, and I'd love to update them.

41:29So they So the town owes us final design

41:34for the sidewalk, and then we'll be able

41:36to

41:38design a plan and and try to get funding

41:40for it.

41:42>> So we'll we'll continue looking at

41:43design even barring their final approved

41:47plans, uh but it will Any information

41:50they can Any information they provide us

41:52always helps us tighten up our cost

41:54estimates.

41:55>> Okay. So what would the next step be

41:57then um when the town's ready to to put

42:01shovels in the ground for the sidewalk

42:03and we transfer over the earmark we were

42:05able to get?

42:08>> So

42:10for the drainage work, if there's

42:11funding allocated by the committee, we

42:13would start doing either in-house design

42:15or

42:16um

42:17external design, probably in-house on

42:19this one, and then look at

42:21whether we need permitting or not,

42:23depending on which option is picked, and

42:24then construction likely with a con-

42:28tractor. We got to have to see which

42:29option is picked. So,

42:31we're we're putting it on here because

42:32we know it's likely to be a time issue

42:34next year, but it is pretty high-level

42:36at this point. So, we'll have to do a

42:38little bit more of that progressive

42:39work.

42:40>> Okay. So, I should tell them,

42:42"Let's move forward with the sidewalk on

42:45the other side, and then hopefully next

42:47year we'll be able to

42:49approve officially funding for a

42:50drainage project there."

42:53>> Yes, I don't think they're

42:55approaching it like short very

42:57short-term construction of that

42:58sidewalk. I think you could say you were

42:59looking for an allocation of funding to

43:01support drainage improvements um along

43:03with the sidewalk, so the sidewalk

43:04basically doesn't end up underwater.

43:06>> Okay. Thank you.

43:08>> Yep.

43:09>> Uh Councilman uh Greg.

43:12>> Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you,

43:13Mr. Fountain. Uh Mr. Fountain, just real

43:15quick, we talked about earlier this year

43:18um

43:19uh playing out based on cost cost and

43:22effort, I think, how many of the uh curb

43:24and gutter repairs we could do on

43:27um Daniel Island due to ponding issues.

43:30Uh as you recall, we we

43:32unfortunately made some really poor

43:33decisions. Uh and by by we, I mean, you

43:36know, previous folks in the city and the

43:38developer on uh street trees, planting

43:41live oaks as street trees is not really

43:43a

43:44uh anything sustainable or or workable

43:47for the long term. Um but we have a lot

43:49of curbs that are lifting up now causing

43:50ponding issues. I think you had said we

43:52were going to potentially look at pack-

43:54packaging some of

43:55the locations together on Daniel Island

43:57for a small project. Um any thoughts on

44:00what how we might be able to get that in

44:02the budget for next year?

44:03>> It Yeah, we do have those on there as a

44:05future allocation option for the curb

44:06and gutter realignment

44:08>> Okay, I see.

44:09>> program. We have it Yeah, we have it

44:10tentatively at $75,000.

44:13That'll likely be somewhere between 5

44:16and 12. We've been working on them

44:19in-house. Our field ops crews have kind

44:21of been

44:22have done the first couple in-house.

44:23It's much It's pretty time-consuming.

44:26a long a section you have to reset

44:27normally, but it does save

44:29quite a bit of money, so it'll be more

44:31like 12 if we can do them in-house.

44:33It'll be more like five if we can do

44:34them

44:35uh if we end up doing them

44:36contractor-wise, but we are setting that

44:38up and working through it.

44:40>> Okay.

44:41Um okay, so but that's So, that's

44:4475,000. I mean

44:47and then that's There's someone James

44:49Island that needs to be done out of that

44:5075,000.

44:50>> There's one on James Island right now

44:52that we have allocated. The rest of them

44:53are on Daniel Island.

44:54>> All right.

44:55>> For that For that budget item For that

44:57budget item.

44:58>> Yeah.

45:00Thank you.

45:01>> Yep, absolutely.

45:03>> Any question from any other committee

45:04member of the

45:06Think I can see all the hands.

45:09Um

45:11>> And again, Mr. Chairman, please if

45:12anyone want wants to reach out to me at

45:14any point before the next

45:16discuss in more detail. If there's

45:17something you see that's missing that

45:18you think should be on there, we can

45:20Uh this is just our initial

45:23uh initial distribution numbers will

45:24continue to refine as we work through

45:26them.

45:27>> Okay, great. Uh if you can, could you

45:30push this um

45:32summary out to all members of council,

45:34please?

45:35>> Absolutely.

45:35>> That'd be great.

45:37Uh these small projects, as I said,

45:39prove very positive

45:41and popular over the years.

45:43Uh unless there any last comments, by

45:46acclamation, this this meeting is

45:48is done. See you all tomorrow.

45:51>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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