Charleston · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Charleston public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Country Club II/Harbor View Road stormwater outfall improvements
A $100,000 state grant would help fund stormwater outfall work aimed at reducing flooding near Country Club II and Harbor View Road — with no local match required.
Brockman Drive drainage improvements
Another $100,000 state grant, this time from SC DES, would fund drainage improvements on Brockman Drive to help reduce flooding in that neighborhood.
Stormwater pipe relocation onto Housing Authority property
The city wants an agreement with the Housing Authority to move stormwater pipe onto CHA-owned property. The committee will weigh the memorandum of understanding.
King and Huger Drainage Improvement Project Update
Two flood-prone areas — the Country Club II/Harbor View Road outfall and Brockman Drive — could each get $100,000 in state money for design and permitting, at no cost to the city. The committee will decide whether to certify those funding requests.
James Island stormwater drainage easement
Bethany United Methodist Church on James Island is offering an exclusive stormwater drainage easement to the city. Accepting it would secure land needed for drainage infrastructure.
Dominion Energy franchise agreement and undergrounding power lines
Council gave final approval to the 20-year Dominion franchise deal after months of public pushback over tree butchering and undergrounding. Residents were told a follow-up city ordinance will set priorities and funding for burying power lines, and Council pledged Johns Island won't be treated differently.
2026 Stormwater Capital Projects and Basin Improvements
A $4.5 million construction contract will install new storm drains and culverts to reduce tidal flooding in the Central Park Road basin on James Island, helped by a $1.5 million state grant.
Harleston Village basic services: drainage, flood response, parking
The neighborhood association president asked for more vacuum-truck crews, reliable street closures and barricade removal after floods, and enforcement at five illegal parking hot spots.
Stormwater Drainage and Brick Arch Infrastructure Repairs
The committee advanced multiple stormwater initiatives, including a $1 million RIA grant for Dupont Wappoo Orleans Road, a $380,000 engineering contract for Newmarket Creek, and local drainage improvements in West Ashley and Lake Dotterer.
Central Park Drainage and Infrastructure Improvements
The city is moving forward with dirt-moving and construction preparations for the Central Park drainage project, including purchasing salt marsh mitigation credits and adding engineering oversight.
Dominion Energy Rate Hikes and Proposed Merger
Residents and historic preservationists raised concerns regarding the proposed 20-year Dominion Energy franchise agreement, asking for stronger tree protection and public workshops.
Lockwood Drive pump station flood protection
The city extended a $420,000 maintenance contract to keep the Lockwood Drive pump station running — key infrastructure that protects downtown peninsula from flooding.
William Dudley Gregorie Pump Station Maintenance Extension
The city extended its maintenance contract for the major stormwater pump station to ensure continuous operational reliability.
East/Oak Forest Culvert Improvements Project
A federal agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers brings $1.875 million in federal funds alongside $625,000 in City funds to improve drainage capacity under the Greenway and Savannah Highway. This project addresses severe historical flooding issues in the Oak Forest neighborhoods.
Lake Dotterer and Longbranch Creek Drainage Grant Extension
The committee extended a grant deadline and approved buying backflow valves early to ensure federal ARPA funds aren't lost.
MUSC and Cigna Contract Negotiations and Healthcare Costs
The committee discussed ongoing contract disputes between Cigna and MUSC and explored strategies to reduce medical procedure costs and self-referral markups.
Battery Extension and Coastal Resilience Project
The city is moving forward with a multi-phase seawall and promenade project in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers to protect the peninsula from storm surge and tidal flooding while improving public waterfront access.
Maritime Center Transient Boater Rate Increase
The city is raising transient boater rates at the Maritime Center from $2.00 to $2.75 per foot to match nearby marinas while preparing for grant-funded dock replacements.
Groundwater Monitoring and Data Dashboard
The city is partnering with the College of Charleston to track water table levels across 14 monitoring wells, helping officials understand how rainfall and groundwater movement impact flooding and underground infrastructure.
Small Project Funding Allocation Process
Staff reviewed the annual stormwater small project funding process, which allocates about $1.5 million for flexible, localized drainage solutions across neighborhoods. Council members were reminded to submit project ideas by August.
Windermere Drainage Improvements and Capital Infrastructure
Council approved major stormwater and infrastructure contracts, including a $10.25 million construction contract for the Windermere Drainage project to alleviate flooding.
MUSC Pump Station Upfit Project
The city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are partnering on an $11.78 million upfit of the MUSC pump station to improve stormwater drainage around Courtney Drive and the Expressway.
James Island Creek Water Quality Monitoring
The city is partnering with James Island and Charleston County to monitor fecal contamination in James Island Creek, sharing 58% of the monitoring costs up to $40,000.