November 19, 2025 Meeting Minutes
Beaufort Housing Authority
1009 Prince Street
P.O. Box 1104
Beaufort, South Carolina 29901
843.525.7059
Fax: 843.525.7090
TDD: 1.800.735.2905
www.beaufortha.com
Commissioners:
- Ethan M. James, Chairman
- Marilyn J. Harris, Vice Chairman
- Linda J. Robinson, Commissioner
- William Achurch, Commissioner
- John Warley, Commissioner
- Janie Glover, Commissioner
Interim Executive Director - Aris Hanchard Ferguson
Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
The Board of Commissioners of the Beaufort Housing Authority convened a regular meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. at 5:00 p.m. in the Beaufort Housing Authority Conference Room. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ethan M. James, and upon roll call those present and absent were as follows:
Commissioners Present:
- Ethan M. James, Chair
- Marilyn J. Harris, Vice Chair (arrived approximately 5:15 pm)
- Linda J. Robinson, Commissioner
- William "Will" Achurch, Commissioner
- Janie Glover, Resident Commissioner
Commissioners Not Present:
- John Warley, Commissioner
Staff and Guests attending the meeting included the following:
Staff:
- Aris Hanchard Ferguson, Interim Executive Director
Guests
- Ronald T. Scott, Legal Counsel, Haynesworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. (via Zoom);
- Ben Quattlebaum, Consultant (via Zoom);
- Sheila Jones, Repositioning Consultant, Selenium Consulting (via Zoom);
- Kevin Connelly;
- York Glover;
- David Pirkey;
- Shannon Rice;
- Wendy Conroy;
- Kevin Conroy;
- Idell Myers
Call to Order and Roll Call
Chairman James called the meeting to order, took roll, and a quorum was recognized. Chairman James noted that Vice Chair Harris arrived Shortly after the Start of the meeting.
Freedom of Information Act Statement
Chairman James asked for confirmation that public notification of the meeting was published, posted, and distributed in compliance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Mrs. Aris Hanchard Ferguson, Interim Executive Director, confirmed compliance.
Adoption of Agenda
Chairman James requested a motion to adopt the agenda With an amendment to the description of Executive Session to include discussion of Board appointments. Commissioner Achurch made the motion, Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
The Board reviewed the minutes from the meetings held on July 16, 2025; August 6, 2025; August 20, 2025; September 23, 2025; October 6, 2025; and October 15, 2025. Each set of minutes had been previously circulated and reviewed. Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the minutes as presented, and Commissioner Glover seconded the motion. Commissioner Achurch abstained from the vote on the August 6, 2025, minutes; all other minutes were approved unanimously.
Public Comment
Ms. Shannon Rice addressed concerns related to maintenance, pest issues, and outdoor hazards at her residence, and the Interim Executive Director advised that staff would follow up. Mrs. Wendy Conroy provided an update on the demolition of 504 Euhaw Street, expressing appreciation for the contractor's work and raising questions about dust, runoff, and long-term lot maintenance. Ms. Idell Myers spoke regarding her housing application history and requested assistance in understanding her waitlist status and reasonable accommodation options. The Interim Executive Director agreed to review her file and coordinate follow-up.
Executive Director's Report
Interim Executive Director Ferguson reported that year-end financials had been received and that the Authority's newly hired Financial Operations Administrator would begin work on December l. Rector Will provide a close-out summary before transitioning to a new fee accountant. HUD operations have resumed following the federal shutdown, and the Authority continues to move forward With grant submissions and regulatory compliance items, including Capital Fund disbursements, the FSS and ROSS grants, and the update to the PHAS score.
Mrs. Ferguson noted that demolition at 504 Euhaw Street is nearly complete, with staff evaluating soil stabilization and seeding options. Two recent fires at Sandalwood are under insurance review, and maintenance will undertake preventive inspections relating to exhaust vent buildup. NSPIRE inspections took place on October 30-31, and corrective action is underway. Work also continues on repositioning efforts, with resident meetings scheduled for December 11, and a draft RAD authorization resolution provided for the Board's review. Open enrollment began November 3, and Mrs. Ferguson recommended designating December 26 as an administrative holiday due to operational considerations.
Old Business
The Board briefly discussed the template resolution authorizing repositioning and RAD submission. No action was taken pending additional analysis and a future meeting.
New Business
A resolution designating December 26, 2025, as an administrative holiday was presented. Commissioner Achurch moved for approval, Commissioner Glover seconded, and the motion was unanimously adopted.
Executive Session
Chairman James called for a motion to enter a closed Executive Session. Vice Chair Harris made a motion to enter Executive Session and Commissioner Glover provided the second. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
- Discussion of personnel matters related to staff and Executive Director search - SC. Code 30-4-70(a)(l).
- Discussion of appointment of Authority Commission - S.C. Code 30-4-70(a)(1).
- Discussion Of negotiations incident to contractual arrangements regarding repositioning - S.C. Code 30-4-70(a)(2).
Commissioner Achurch made a motion to exit Executive Session. Commissioner Glover provided the second. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. The Board of Commissioners exited Executive Session.
Possible Votes as a Result or Executive Session
Board Commissioner Appointment. The Board voted to recommend Dr. Natassia Allen to the City of Beaufort for appointment to the Board of Commissioners to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner John Warley effective January 1, 2026. Vice Chair Harris moved for approval, Commissioner Glover seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Questions and Comments: Next Regular Meeting
The Chairman called for any questions or comments. Hearing no further questions or comments, Chairman James announced that the next Regular Meeting of the Board is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., and that he would entertain a motion for adjournment.
Adjournment
Commissioner Achurch moved to adjourn the meeting, Commissioner Glover seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:05 p.m.