08/14/2026
Tuesday night’s City Council meeting opened with monthly award presentations and a swearing-in ceremony for our newest Council Member, Chaz Campbell. We proudly celebrated Citizen of the Month Tammy Sakalas for her dedicated efforts in the Otranto community, as well as Antonio Johnson, Vidoll Abrams, and Malachi Chisolm of our Public Works team, who were named Employees of the Month. While running their trash collection route, these three team members quickly performed critical, life-saving measures on a citizen in distress. “These three men saved my life… Am I surprised that they did that? I’m grateful they did that, but I’m not surprised,” shared Mr. Meadows, expressing his gratitude during the meeting.
Turning to City business, Council Member Crowley made a motion to add an agenda item to form an emergency special review committee for city real estate transactions. Following discussion, the motion failed to reach a supermajority in a 3-3 vote, with one recusal. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of immediate emergency deadlines and the importance of giving the public adequate notice to review and comment on agenda topics.
Council then proceeded with the posted agenda, approving consent items, receiving a presentation on the CARTA 2026/27 budget, reappointing members to the Board of Examiners, and passing Resolution 4-2026 forming the Accommodations Tax Committee.
During the City Administrator’s report, Courtney Soler shared numerous key project updates. These updates included that sand has been delivered for the new sand volleyball courts, and work on the Bettis Boat Landing project begins September 1, which will temporarily close the landing. Phase 3 of the Tanner Trail is slated to finish on schedule this week. Additionally, the city is coordinating with SCDOT regarding a potential flashing crosswalk sign along this trail, as final approval for crosswalk signaling falls solely under SCDOT discretion.
Looking ahead, applications for the 2026 Citizen’s Academy close this Friday, August 14, and applications for the Design Control Committee remain open through the end of the month. City offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, for Labor Day, and our next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be Tuesday, September 8, at 6 PM.
Thank you to everyone who attended and engaged in these essential processes. You can view the full recorded meeting broadcast on the City of Hanahan YouTube Channel.