Facilities committee seeks polling‑site surveys, flags security changes for executive session

Mr. Ford presented the facilities committee's operational charter and said the group will support the director in ensuring office operations have necessary space and security. The committee will assist with annual compliance reports and survey communities for new polling locations; Mr. Ford cited SC Code Section 7‑7‑910 (stated in the transcript) as the statutory basis for the polling‑location compliance work. He identified potential new sites — including 2003 Pearl Street Apartments and Garden Oaks/Salem Bay Drive — and emphasized ADA checks for each precinct site.

Ford also described a security‑specification issue raised at the committee: project managers suggested substituting a protective film in lieu of ballistic‑resistant glass that had been requested by staff. "That was kind of eye opening and very interesting that the project managers or the engineering function would change the specification of what a customer has requested without having some follow‑up discussion with the customer," he said. Because the content was security‑sensitive, the committee reserved detailed discussion for executive session and promised a memo from capital projects to be shared confidentially. Staff will follow up with developers and property owners about potential new polling arrangements and a draft compliance form will be submitted to the board at the May meeting.