City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. Welcome to the January 12th meeting of the Aken City Council. If you if you are so inclined, please rise for the invocation followed by the pledge. Almighty God, our heavenly father, send down upon those who hold office in the city of Aken the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people. In your name we pray. Amen. Chief, would you come and lead us in the pledge?

Good evening, Mayor and Council. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Before the meeting begins, I will review the guidelines. Meetings are public forums in which many opinions are expressed and the business of the city must be conducted. As such, disciplined, honorable, and professional decorum is paramount. Courteous and respectful communication is required. There should be no disruptions from the floor while council members or members of the public are speaking. Anyone wishing to speak must be recognized so that we can retain order as we conduct the business of the city and all comments can be put into the public record. During public hearings, all questions and statements from the public shall be directed to the chair. If you wish to speak, raise your hand and I will recognize you. Please approach the podium and state your name and address. In order to allow an opportunity for everyone who wishes to address council, speaker should limit their comments to the subject being discussed. Each speaker will be given five minutes to address an issue and may only address an issue once unless questions from council are posed to the speaker. During the non-aggenda public comment section, each speaker has three minutes and can only speak once. We now move to additions and deletions to the agenda. I recognize mayor prom k for this agenda item. Good evening, mayor. Good evening everyone. Happy new year. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and we look forward to a healthy and prosperous new year. Madame chairman or madame mayor, there is no additions or deletions. Thank you so much. And I will take you as having done a motion.

Yes. I move that we accept the agenda as it is pres as is printed. Thank you. And I need a second, please. Uh, Councilwoman Diggs, second the motion. All those in favor. Thank you. The minutes were provided to council for review prior to the meeting. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes? Councilwoman Price made the motion. Um, and Gary reminded me to cut my speaker on. So, this is Lassie Price. Motion's made to approve. And I second and a second one from a second from Councilwoman Ward. Any comments or changes?

All in favor? Thank you. There is one presentation on the agenda tonight. It is a status report on Tribute Parkway which we initially referred to if your member as the powerhouse connector. Mr. Oliver Weston, project manager with Benish is present to give this update. Mr. Bema, will you please introduce this item and Mr. Weston?

Thank you. Um this project uh was first conceived in 2006 and funding was initially uh provided in 2022 and Benesh has uh been the design engineer for this project. It is in two phases. The first phase broke ground the week after the 2025 Masters tournament and Mr. Oliver Weston is here to provide an update as we are approaching 10 month uh nine months of uh construction work. So Oliver, the floor is yours.

Thank you Stuart and thank you councel. Um [clears throat and snorts] before we start, I'd like to go ahead and and thank the city staff um for help uh pulling pulling our presentation together and providing some of the video footage that you'll see tonight. Um as Stuart and Madame Mayor mentioned, my name is Oliver Weston. I'm the project manager for Banish on the project. Um with me tonight is Vic Conover. He's um working on the project as the lead uh drainage engineer. Um, and like Stuart said, we are almost 9 months into construction now. Um, we are we issued notice to proceed um, in April and we're looking at a 465 calendar day schedule. Um, right now we're about 60% of the way there. Um, we've got our storm water ponds which are shown on the bottom right. Um, those are about 90% of the way done. Um, we just need to get some nice grass in there. um the grading in uh storm water is there and once we see the video you'll see a nice road bed start to show up some curbon gutter you'll see those ponds that I've discussed um and actually we'll take a look at that right now so there you can see the curb and gutter layout with the median in the middle of the road um the hotel is up to the to the left there um I'm not sure when They are planning on opening that hotel, but will be ready for them when they are. Those are the detention ponds for the project. Um those are sized to those are sized to take the storm water from all the developable areas draining to it. Um as part of the discussions with the developers, um we made sure that our ponds were big enough to to handle their storm water flows. Right up here is is South Centennial

Parkway. To the to the bottom of the screen there was uh Aken Memory Care. Um there's the roundabout with South Centennial up to the left. So, moving on. Um that nice patch of grass there to to the right of the screen um is what we're calling our cross country storm water. Um most of those woods will be developed um as part of I believe it's Maybomb taking that tract. Um we've incorporated our our road storm water to provide something for them to tie into. Um once once they're moving um they'll likely have they'll likely come in off South Centennial to get most of their construction work done. Um but let's see. But up there we've got uh Whiskey Road out there. Um we are anticipating that um the contractor will be out along Whiskey Road shortly after Masters this year um trying to make sure that the new signals are working. Uh install a new right turn lane for the for the connector road for Tribute Parkway. Um but overall the contractor is making great progress and we expect them to be finishing up uh in August of this year. With that, are there any questions? August of August of

2026. That's this year. And what about phase two? When might phase two begin?

Um phase two, we're working with DOT to address some final comments. Um we're also working through the rightway acquisition process. Um once we have final plans approved with DOT, um there's a formality to have the road rightway annexed, um that we're working with the planning department on um as well as some miscellaneous permits through SCOD to make sure everything's lined up. Um I believe we said we were looking at early summer of 2026.

Do we see anything? Sorry. Do we see anything current that will delay us from reaching that August 2026 date? Sorry. No. Okay. Contractors aware of the of of their schedule and uh working very diligently to hit that date. Okay. This question is probably for our city manager. Capital project sales tax. uh what uh how much money came from that and that question has been asked of me uh and the transportation infrastructure bank.

Sure. The uh there was a ballot question from round four of CPST of $8 million and I think almost all of that is dedicated to the road plus interest from CPST. Um, also the transportation infrastructure bank for the entirety of the project uh allocated us about 22 21 to$22 million. We also received $8 million for phase 2 from the H federal highway uh administration uh program. That money uh had to be obligated uh by September 30th, 2025. And it was um and and I have I can't say enough good things about how the South Carolina the Department of Transportation uh worked with us and made this a priority as much a priority for them as it was for us. And um I don't normally speak that positively about DOT but they did uh very well there and those are the primary funding sources. cuz I think we have a little bit of hospitality tax but that it was so we did rebudget. Yeah, it was a couple hundred,000 but it's a 40 uh plus or minus $40 million project fully funded.

Thank you Stuart. All right. Thank you so much for this information. Thank you madame mayor and thank you councel. We will now open the floor to public comments on non-aggenda items. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker and for a total of 30 minutes. Yes, sir. Please state your name and your address. Yeah, it's a new year. Good evening, madame mayor, city council. My name is Kurt Johnson, 114 Brewster Way Aken.

Uh happy new year. First of all, um the little update on on our homeless situation, unsheltered situation. Last month, this is the month of December, we had 296 uh reported overdoses reported. That doesn't mean they were all that. Out of that, we had six fatalities. for the month for the first week in January, we've had 51 reported it incidents with overdoses and we've had one fatality already this year. So, that's one thing that we're we're still hitting on. We're working on getting people getting the Narcan out to where it needs to be. Um, other than that, we are moving people from the street either to uh counseling or into some bridge housing. I thought I'll let Lex talk about that. Um, we are still having people come in from out of town and we're dealing with that through the the tents, the sleeping bags, the food. One thing we are desperately in need of are MREs. Um, if we can get those, we can kind of slow down the trash that we have in town as well because they won't have anything there. It's just a little packet and all it takes is water to make it and it heats it up. So, that's one big thing that we definitely desire. um sleeping bags and tents, that's a year- round thing, man socks and the typical things, but we are addressing more people than than we have in the past. Um we are getting more IDs,

we are getting more people to counseling. We uh last last year our total was 50 that we housed that we got housed. That's permanent housing or bridge housing, but that's 50 people that we got off the street. [applause] But that's not that's just a minor part of the problem. We're still just going to keep on trudging along. We get 50 off the street, 50 more show up. So, I'm so thankful for you all because you guys have been the ears and you've listened to what we've said and you're making things happen and we're just counting on the the community overall to continue to help us. So, thank you all very much for your questions.

Kurt, uh, yes, ma'am. You guys participate in the point in time count. I know they're doing that in Augusta. January is usually the month that they do that. We um I know the homeless coalition does it. They they're not this year. They're not doing it. Didn't have enough people. Um what it was supposed to be was there's somebody from a different organization, but we haven't there's nothing been brought up from from that organization because if you don't have the training, you're not supposed to be able to do this. We're still going to go out and count. Last time I think they partnered with a group out of Colombia,

so I don't know. No, that's the mock. We don't I mean, they're the main branch that gets all the funding. They're the government side of it, but we've got our own area here. We're supposed to take care of our own. Okay. So, we're still gonna we're still going to go out and get the names and stuff. We'll get it we'll get it taken care of. And we're definitely going to have a better count than we had last year. Thank you. For for money. Anything else? Thank you. All right. Have a good night. Yes, sir. Mr. Herb.

Good evening.

Good evening. Sam Herb, Dibble Road, Aken. I would like to take this opportunity. I do have something to talk to you'all about, but first I would really like to introduce uh our executive director for egg incorporation, Miss Megan Puit. Megan, she comes highly recommended and we're looking forward to putting her to work. So [clears throat] my concern uh is now our bridges that we have Union Street and Fairfield Street. I think it's time that we at least try to dress them up. I know they're not ours. I think DOT

Well, I I gosh, I jumped the gun. You told me you were going to talk about this. I announced at the end of the work session. I'll announce u um now. Okay. About 4:00 today, the chief of staff of the DOT phoned me and gave me a template. I can insert Aken information and we can uh take ownership of the Union Street Bridge if we desire. That's awesome. So, that was subsequent obviously to our conversation that we had uh this morning.

Okay. Well, good. I'm glad to hear that. That's progress. Um I would just like to let them They look horrible. You know, we have fences up and everything else and that don't look good. Um, and I'd be glad to sit on some of those, not boards, but you know, to talk about what we can do. You know, I know there's monies there for Fairfield, but Union Street, I have a couple ideas for, you know, shoring it up and

and they're going to work with us to gain um so-called TAP fund uh transportation alternative program monies uh to potentially convert it into uh pedestrian type amenity, non non motor, you know, automobile and pickup truck use. Good. Awesome. Well, there you go. We're moving forward. Thank you very much. They heard our conversation we had this morning. [laughter] Thank y'all. Happy New Year. Sam, you called that a great question. A great great response.

Good evening.

Good evening, uh, Council Mayor Lex Perry. Um, 1526 South Boundary Avenue Southeast. um pastor of C4 impact. Um to to add on to what uh Kurt was already talking about, of course we do have more people that are coming. Um so far as C4 is concerned, we are continuing to focus on looking at more uh available um current properties that can be converted into the housing because we know it works. Um this past year we've learned a lot. I also um created a manual to show what we've actually done. I have shared it with some of you. Um, obviously if you want a copy of that manual to show exactly what we do, I'm happy to send that to you. Um, just to either send a copy to the whole council or to you individually, whichever way you like. Um, and also to be able to answer any questions you have. Of course, the invitation is always open for you to come and see exactly what we're doing. It really makes a difference when you come and see what is actually taking place because I can paint a picture for you, but to actually see the difference in the people's lives and what is going on, um, that really matters. And um we know that there's two sides of this thing. You know, folks though say, "Well, you know what? I don't want my property value to go down. I don't want this. We don't want to give a hand out." We're not giving handouts. We are truly giving a hand up. Everybody that we're helping, they have to put skin in the game. So, we have to make sure we change the narrative. We're really looking at this from a different perspective. We're looking at giving people keeping their dignity. You know, being a part of this community. They are part of our community. They're part of our family. It's not those people. We have to get rid of that. Hopefully this year we really start to move away from that type of language and actually start coming together and seeing this as our aching community that we're hurting. But we have the power, we have the creativity, we have the knowledge in order to fix it, to bandage these things and obviously to bring true healing. We do have that ability if we continue to work together, get the silos down. So I'm hoping that, you know, with the continued help that you've been giving

us that we start to share some additional ideas that we have. I don't have enough minutes to actually go over all the things, but it it stems on things that I haven't shared with you yet from the bridge housing, you know, some on-ramping to and even going beyond that to more permanent housing. We have it's it I don't have that in the manual because I didn't add it. I think it was a little bit too much. It's already 41 pages long, but it is a working document. Um, but again, we will continue to add to it so you have the insight as to what we're doing. It is a solution. We're not saying it's the solution. There are too many wonderful, creative, talented people here in Aken for me to say, "Hey, we got the the answer." That's ridiculous. Okay? I'm not saying that. What we're saying is we do have something that works and it's working and it's quick turnover. Like I said, we can house people within 72 hours. Let's keep that in mind. You know, we have a lot of empty properties around town and it only takes a small investment for it to to uh to continue to to uh support itself. It's not it's an investment you put in, but it will continue to support itself. And the dignity and everything that and the pride that people are able to build into it, it takes care of itself. I invite you to come and see for yourself. Talk with the individuals there. You know, we're an open book and you know, I have always been an open book.

So again, thank you so much for all the support you gave last year and let's make this an even better year. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] And along those lines, um I I also want to add the uh Salvation Army has ready to release their uh study. And as part of that, uh Captain, Mr. Captain Good will be here January 26 at our work session to present their findings and recommendations uh to start that conversation. Thank you.

Good evening, council. Jensen Jones, 138 Florence Street Southwest. Hope everybody had a great new year. Just a point of clarification because I do sit on the county homeless coalition. We were approached by another organization that said that they wanted to do a point in time count. So we said, "Okay, well, if you want to go ahead and try it, do it." Because, as I'm sure many you may or may not know, is kind of a hooking task. Also, how you count homelessness using their standard, the mock standards are a little bit different. So there's some nuance there. So I just wanted to speak to that because there is nuance there. So um but I love what these guys do. Amazing work and I'm glad to also be able to play a small role in that. Um I would just ask that you all continue to help uh us help our fellow men. And uh one of the things I personally I'm speaking for myself now think might be a good solution is some kind of city leison on that is directly tied with the city to the main organization somebody like that can help direct it. I think if anything silos have been what have been a bugaboo for us for a long time. So some kind of centralized author authority that has some uh ability to do some uh uh conversations on your behalf but also um have command of what what resources they can have so we're not having redundancy of resources. So that tends to be a problem we do fall come up with is everybody wants to feed. Feeding is great. I love feeding my neighbor. I love clothing my neighbor and I think we can get a little bit better with housing our neighbor. Um, but I just that's all I have to say and I I appreciate you all and happy new year.

Thank you. You [applause] anyone else? Yes, Jacob. [clears throat]

Good evening. Good evening, Madame Mayor, Council Jacob Ellis, Southside Three Short Court. Um, I'd just like to not ask the status of the tiny home community for the homeless, but I'd just like to bring up the point that every time we approve a housing development or new neighborhood and we put four or five houses on a 1 acre lot with less than the required separation between the houses, we are already essentially approving tiny home communities. we need to go the next step and get to the point of just full-fledged approving them because like I said, we basically already have them. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else would like to speak? Okay. Thank you so much. And now we will move to approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Beenbo, will you please read the titles of the items on the consent agenda? Thank you. Uh, we did not have any electronic comments by the 2 PM deadline, nor any written comments uh, submitted to the city clerk by 700 p.m. this evening. Uh, the following consent agenda items are before you. Approval of the Aken Municipal Court jury box for 2026. Approval of a resolution accepting an amendment to a deed of dedication from Woodford Trace SC LLC. recorded on June 13, 2022. Approval of a resolution accepting a deed of dedication for water lines and storm water lines for the reserve at Hollow Creek Woodside phase 4 section 11 Peninsula and approval of a resolution accepting a deed of dedication for water lines, sewer lines, and related equipment and easements for Hampton Home to Suites Hotel near Oak Grove Road.

Thank you. Is there a motion for this, please? Madame Mayor, I so move Councilwoman Brol made the motion and a second. Second. I second from uh Councilwoman Diggs. Uh since the C consent agenda does not have um comments, we will go straight to a vote. All those in favor? Thank you. All those opposed? There are none. Motion passed. We now have we now have approval and discussion of appointees to various cities, boards, commissions, and committees. Mr. Beenville,

thank you. You have 18 names for consideration. The following reappoints, David Maner, Equin Committee. Caleb Connor, Planning Commission. Tina McCarthy, Accommodations Tax Committee. Katherine Thomas, Arts Commission. Phil Hagerty, Building Code Appeals Committee. Judy Senate Community Development Committee, Butch Robertson, General Aviation Commission. Suzanne Hasslip, Recreation Commission. Brenda Taylor, Senior Commission. Chad Ingram, Equin Committee. Terresa Callahan, Housing Authority. You have the following names for appointments to the following boards. Lucy Nolles, Design Review Board. Scott Lette, Planning Commission. Josh Reigns, Recreation Commission. Chad Meldrum, Accommodations Tax Committee, Katie Lipkcom, Design Review Board, Trudy Boyd Housing Authority, and Mark Carman Planning Commission. Also, uh, we do have a vacancy on the August Regional Transportation Study Committee, the South Carolina Subcommittee Arts SC. Council, former Councilwoman Gregory uh, held the seat. Uh, the mayor is a current member. Uh we council typically selects someone uh from within their body to serve on this board that uh meets periodically minimum quarterly. Uh so that u uh at some point needs to be filled since we have one vacancy. That's all I have today madame mayor.

Thank you. Um do we have is this a time that we could fill that uh arts commission? Yes, I mean uh you can um I spoke to uh council or excuse me the uh secretary to arts which is the county planning director Joel Duke and we just need to send a a letter stating that is the uh nominee uh to fill the position. Do I have the support of any of the council members that would like to serve on this or do we need to discuss this further? We need to do that.

The arts commission meets uh quart well they they schedule four meetings a year uh once every three months. It's at 400 pm usually on a Thursday at the county government center in the first floor sand lapper room. you interested. Barbara says she's interested. I I serve on it and I nominate Bob. I nominate second. Could you consider that? We can go together. Yes. And if she can't serve, then we send a proxy correct from

Yeah. typically u if one cannot attend a meeting, I I am a non- voting member, but uh I can serve as your proxy. Uh, one one member's absence is a proxy. Okay. Thank you. Um, do we need So I don't need to vote on that because she has agreed. Okay. Thank you. You should vote. We should vote. We need a backup too. No, we're not. No. Well, I'm I Well, I mean that's up to council, but typically I've served as a proxy as a non- voting member. So if there is an absence um and then Lex is gone for me in the past. That's correct. That's correct.

Right. [clears throat] So you you feel a vote. Okay. Um although all those in favor of voting Councilwoman Morgan to fill that seat, please raise your hand. It's a do does she vote for herself? [laughter] It's unanimous, right? It's Do we need a number? It's unanimous and thank you very much. It's very uh educational. Yeah, the uh mayors of uh most of the other small towns in or most of the other towns and cities in it, North August,

Aken are on it and Senator Young and Representative Hixon are on it as well. you find out how slow the Department of Transportation moves. Okay. Thank you. So, uh, but we're back to Is there a motion to accept these nominations? I so move, Madame Mayor, to accept these nominations that were read by our city manager. I so second, madam. Thank you. I have a um Councilwoman Brol made the motion and a second from Councilwoman Morgan.

Comments from the public. Anyone want to make any comment? Comments from council. All those in favor. Thank you very much. It's unanimous. Nominations. Are there any nominations to consider for our next meeting? Madame Mayor. Yes, ma'am. Go ahead. Go ahead. Uh, Madame Mayor, I'd like to nominate uh Deborah Hart to the design review board. Uh, Thomas Glover to the board of zoning and appeals. Uh Charles Miller to the energy and environmental uh Vivian Dixs to the senior commission and Joshua Bowling to parks and recreation.

U Madame Mayor, [clears throat] excuse me, I beg your pardon. I would like to nominate Sharon Mara to the Energy Environmental Committee. Thank you. The um next item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance accepting the fiscal year 2024 2025 audit. That

Thank you. This is an ordinance accepting the fiscal year 2024-25 audited financial statements and authorizing variances to the fisc year 2024 25 budget ordinance. Our auditor prepared the financial audit as required by state law and city code. Malden and Jenkins staff reviewed the audit with council at the December 20 December 8th, 2025 work session and reported that we had a clean or or an unqualified opinion which is aka a clean opinion with no material weaknesses and no instances of non-compliance material to the financial statements. And council approved this at first reading on the December 8th meeting and it is before you for second reading and final reading this evening. Madame Mayor,

thank you. Do I have a motion to accept this ordinance? I so move. Uh, Councilwoman Diggs made the motion and a second from from uh, Councilman Waldo. Are there any comments from the public? Comments from council? All those in favor? Thank you. We now move to new business. The first item under new business is first reading of an ordinance to reszone 7.223 acres on Rudy Mason Parkway and Wire Road from residential single family to planned residential and approve a concept plan. Mr. Be,

thank you. You did read the title of the ordinance. Uh so we have the before you this pro um applicant. It's approximately 7 and 2.23 23 acres on Rudy Mason Parkway and Wire Road. The applicant is proposing to build 86 units of multif family development with four apartment buildings [clears throat] and 136 parking spaces. The request includes a waiver to the required minimum recreation space. Since it is of this size, it uh must comply with the PR plan residential zoning. for any development in PR. This must require a concept plan to be reviewed by the planning commission and approved by city council. The property is currently undeveloped with uh topography that falls significantly from northeast to southwest. The narrative gives an overview of the development. The concept plan and a representative architectural photograph of the units have been provided. They are located in four structures with threetory elevations and 86 units with a density of 11.9 units per acre just under the maximum of 12 units per acre. These projects in planned residential districts require 40% open space at least half of which shall be improved for passive or active recreational use. The concept [snorts] plan denotes the required amount of open space, but the amenity total is only about 610 of an acre or 8.3% of the property acreage, which is significantly less than the required 20% which requires a waiver to the required recreation space to be requested by the applicant. This submitted concept and landscape plans provide for a minimum 10-ft landscape buffer buffer along the perimeter property lines with evergreen vegetative screening where adjacent to single family residential lines. Additional trees will be provided along

Rudy Mason Parkway and with the parking areas with sidewalks proposed around the perimeter. The property frontage lacks sidewalks, but the sidewalks exist on along the um other side of Rudy Mason Parkway, and crosswalks have been striped across the parkway at the Wire Road intersection with the 136 parking spaces. Uh it will provide uh for about seven more spaces than required. Handicapped [snorts] accessible spaces are shown in front of each apartment building with one ingress and egress point on Rudy Mason Parkway with an emergency only access from Wire Road. Encroachment permits for both roads will be required from SC DOT. Uh a groundmounted monument sign is required at each non-emergency entrance and the concept plan provides a median at the entrance of Rudy Mason Parkway, but it is cited in the middle of a sanitary sewer easement. The entrance sign needs to be relocated outside that easement. Our traffic management ordinance requires a traffic impact analysis when the proposed development is projected to generate a 100 or more trips during peak hour. The application narrative includes the trip generation information that this 86 unit development will generate. Uh and uh you're looking at about 48 maximum peak hour trips. So, a full traffic study is not automatically required, but the city's on call traffic consultant has commented that a traffic analysis is needed for a driveway capacity and turn lane review to confirm that left turning traffic to wire road will not conflict with the proposed department traffic turning movements. The project is also located along a section of a roadway identified as part of the high injury network in the city's safe streets for all action plan, SS4A. Those present at this planning commission's meeting on December 9th unanimously

approve the application with the following conditions. First, the waiver is granted to provide 13% of the required 20% um active or passive recreation space. Second, the entrance sign shall be located outside the sewer easement sanitary sewer easement. Third, the proposed traffic improvements shall be viewed and approved by SC DOT and the city of Aken traffic consultant and all recommended traffic improvements and identified safe streets for all traffic and/or pedestrian safety measures shall be installed by the developer. Safe streets for all. Pedestrian improvement shall include internal sidewalk connection to the sidewalk on the south side of Rudy Mason Parkway with upgraded sidewalk ramps, pedestrian signals, pedestrian level lighting along sidewalks and intersections, high visibility crosswalks on two sides of the intersection with Rudy Mason Parkway and Wire Road and upgraded street lighting at intersection if necessary. A sidewalk shall be constructed by the developer from the proposed development to the crosswalk at Wire Road with SCOT. Approval is the fourth uh condition. And the fifth and final condition is a uh submission of a revised concept plan and agreement stating approval of the conditions within 180 days. It is before you for first reading this evening.

Thank you. Is there a motion? I shall move. Councilwoman Diggs made the motion. A second. Second, Madame Mayor. From Councilwoman Price. Any comments from the public? Yes, ma'am.

Good evening, Miss Barbara. Good evening. Good evening, Mayor Milner. Um, Mr. Been Book, city manager, and council members. And forgive me, my vision sometimes gets a little blurred. A little bit louder. Huh? Can you hear me? Uh, forgive me a little bit. My vision gets a little blurred sometime and I'm in one of those. Did we stay?

Uh, my name is Barbara Williams and I'm president of the Sugar Hill Neighborhood Consortium and I'm also a resident of Aken and I just like to say I and we some of the residents of the north side desire growth and the kind of growth that fosters new housing and business development. Uh, Aken will continue to grow and we want the north side to continue to be considered forth growth. Over the last two years, Sugar Hill Neighborhood Consortium and wrote to a few companies and all of them support new rooftops with growth. Um, so while growth on the north side is overdue, we really appreciate and thank you for the consideration for this and other proposed developments. Um, just keep up the good work and keep pushing the north side to further growth. Thank you. Thank you so much. One other point I'd like to make, we also think that the south side is congested because we do all of our day-to-day business over there coming from the north side all the time. So, we help create the congestion on the south side. So, take that in consideration as well. Thank you. [applause] Any other comments from the public?

Comments from council? Oh, sorry. Did I miss? Sorry. Good evening.

Good afternoon, city council. Madame Mayor, happy new year to everybody. I was supposed to walk up with them. The only thing I came up to say was I say yes to what they just said [laughter] that we do need more housing, etc. um on the north side and we thank you so much for as Barbara already said for what what all you guys do. It's hard work. It's not easy and I know that and it's very tedious and I understand that as well. But thank you all so much and we look forward to growth together um for the many things that has has been said tonight. Thank you all so much again.

Thank you. [applause] Anyone else? Uh, comments from council. I'd like to hear from the developers. Like to hear a little bit about the proposed complex, the amenities and so forth.

Now we're dancing. Burton Fine, Cranston Engineering, representing the applicant, 815 Stanton Drive, North Augusta. Ashley Bloom, uh, 1551 Hansen Street, Sarasota, Florida, but soon to be Shaw Fork Road in Aken. Nice.

Yes, we appreciate the detailed introduction to our project as well as the support from the public. Um, we believe this proposed use um fits the nature of development along this corridor. Um with construction of the the bypass in the early 2000s, one would expect higher density residential uses as well as commercial uses to be developed along this roadway um as it's a four-lane arterial road that is underutilized. Um is it possible to pull up the concept plan?

Yes. The concept plan I believe is located on 285, page 285 for I guess who's running the computer. I know it's up uh if you look straight ahead up if you look Oh, gotcha. Um it's on our little screens up here as well. Okay, there it is. There you go.

There we go. As you can see, we're proposing a four unit or four building apartment complex totaling 86 units. Um the areas shown in in green are developed amenities um or recreational space to be utilized by residents of the community. Um some of these amenities include a courtyard area between two of the buildings um to be used for various activities. um several sitting areas, one overlooking the pond, one between um some of the parking stalls, and then a a mini center um including some playgrounds, um some hammock hanging areas, um a picnic cabana, fire pit, and um a botchi court. Um these amenities are not set in stone, but this is something that we envision being developed at a similar scale with the community. Um there's also a dog park in the lower right hand corner um of the concept plan. [clears throat] Um the setbacks shown on this development are in line with the RH district which is the multifamily in the the the plan in its entirety is in compliance with the the requirements of the RH district which is the multif family zoning within the city of Aken. We were required to go for planned residential um based on a resolution passed by city council in 2006 um which requires all tracks over 4 acres in size um to be reszoned for residential use must be reszoned as planned residential. Um the access to the property will be

provided from U. Rudy Mason and we expect this full access to be approved by the DOT at this location but would require installation of a left turn lane so that it does not conflict with the left turn onto Wire Road. um water and sewer read city water and sewer readily available at the site and um we've also reviewed the memo from um the planning commission and um agree with all the the uh conditions they recommended. Um and we've also reviewed um we also sat in on the work session and are aware of some of the concerns with this development. Um and we just like to touch on a few of those. Um one was the reasoning for going planned residential. We actually originally submitted this application to be reszoned for RH um to allow for multif family housing as we were unaware of the resolution that planning staff was holding developers to. So with that, you know, we reduced density, provided additional amenities, um although we are going for a waiver for amenity space. Um 20% of this property would require an acre and a half of amenities. Um which for a 7 acre property, that's pretty substantial area. Um and you would lose units and you need the units to support the amenities um so that they're actually utilized and um are feasible to develop um financially. Um with that um another concern was the um you the proposed use isn't in line

with surrounding uses. Um the adjacent property is actually zoned for multif family use and this is a very similar scale development to what is immediately next door to us. Um and that that has been a pretty successful um lower income housing development um similar to what we envision here. Um, in addition to that, um, this property is currently zoned RS10. Um, is probably expected to be a continuation of the adjacent neighborhood. Um, which predates the construction of the Aken bypass um, as well as the establishment of the city's zoning districts. Um, so with construction of that road, you would expect higher density developments like this to be promoted along this road. Um, storm water. There were some concerns on storm water. We've got a detention pond in the lower lefthand corner of the site. This is actually very close to a um dedicated or the 100red-year flood plane and associated floodway. So, this is a dedicated drainage way that we'll be releasing our storm water into after it's detained from the site. Um, the last concern was parking. Um, we understand that the parking the city's parking code is very light um when it comes to multif family use. Um, we're currently proposing only seven spaces over um the required minimum. We're willing to put a condition on the development to increase those parking rates based on bedroom counts. Um, we would be willing to do something along the lines of one and a half spaces per

one-bedroom unit, two spaces per two-bedroom units and two and a half spaces per unit for three bedrooms. Um, so I think the applicant would like that. Madame Mayor, council, first of all, thank you. Um, I'm actually very excited to be in front of you tonight. Um, give you a little bit about myself and then I promise never to do this again um if I come back up here, but um what started out as a show jumping uh tournament at Bruce's Fields with my daughter two years ago. Uh my whole family fell in love with Aken. Um as I mentioned before, we have bought a track of land uh in count in the county. Um, and we intend, um, we're in the permitting process to build a home and we intend to make Aken our home. I actually found this property because I come down Wire Road when I'm coming up from uh, my property to get back into downtown. So, I drove by it a number of times and I thought to myself, what is the nature and character of what should go there? And as we heard the people earlier, you know, say, the north side does need development. It does need uh, mult housing and multif family units. There was a study I think as you all know in August of last year this the city's 4,000 units plus short on housing units. So when we looked at the RH next door we we took in account that you know the bypass did take place u we felt that multifamily was the right use here and um going down to 12 just under 12 per acre is consistent with the old south property that's right nearby. That's I believe what they have in terms of density. Um we are as a part of this um this parcel was split into two. We do intend to do commercial on the other side of uh Rudy Mason. We don't have a plan for that yet. So that's why we're not here before you. So we think you know attainable market rate type housing um is what should go there and and is

the nature and character with what's nearby. And in order to do that um to keep the rents attainable at a market rate, you do need a certain amount of density and you also need that density to provide the amenities um from both a utilization and a financial feasibility. So that's just a little bit about who I am and a little bit about what went into coming up with this plan that you see tonight before you. So thank you. Happy to answer questions. Thank you. We want to question how much

it that the actual rents won't yeah it costs and and and and you know we sat in this and heard about impact fees and you know the the exponential increase in those But, um, you know, we have studied the market. Um, we use tools to study the market. And, you know, right now, if it was a one-bedroom, you know, you're probably looking in that $1,200 a month and to maybe $16,700 a month. But, it's really hard to say till you get the cost down. But, we're we're looking for this to be workforce attainable housing. And that's that's the goal. Thank you. Anyone else?

I got a few questions. Yeah. Um, I guess one one thing uh I always like to see when I review a plan is that what you're proposing is what you're going to build. And I was a little taken back by the the recreation uh listing all the things you're going to put in there, but it's not set in stone. I think now is the time to set it in stone. Uh we can't [clears throat] be approving something and then you don't provide the dog part, you don't provide the gable, you don't provide the botchi. Uh and that's what we were led to believe you're going to do. So, can you commit to everything that you put on paper?

Yeah. I mean, this is a seven acre property. Um, it's not a what property? It's a it's a 7.2 acre property.

Um, what you see here is kind of what you get. Um, when I'm say it's not set in stone, I mean, Mr. Bloom here is a developer, but he's not a vertical builder. Um, in order to market this property to partner with a vertical builder, um, it needs to be zoned properly. In order to get a planned residential zoning, we're required to provide a concept plan. Um, we can commit to certain architectural standards. You know, Hardy plank, board and batten, com brick, combination of any of the three. Um, typical architectural standards for something like this. We can commit to certain amenities, but an exact amenity of program may be contingent on the end user or the who's going to own and retain the property in the long run. So we can commit to a scale of amenities as as what's before you, but the exact program uh maybe we you know we could come back for that approval, but to commit to that at this time is just not feasible. Um that's a little concerning concerning there. Um you have agreed to provide parking at 1.5 for one, two for for two and two and a half. How many more parking spaces will that generate?

Um we expect a split just approximation a split of 50% onebedrooms, 50% two bedrooms. I mean total parking spaces you have 136 now. So if we split the bedroom count um by one bedrooms and two bedrooms 50% each that would be 1.75 spaces per unit 20 spaces beac additional 20 spaces. Okay, that's what that would be. But it would be contingent on bedrooms, which is, you know, based on the study in the memo provided by um yourself, you know, that was kind of the most restrictive or

I think it's logical. I mean to have one and a half bedroom [clears throat] one spaces for one bedroom to in my experience with these types of developments the the owner who's going to own and retain the units and rent them. They've got their own parking standards typically a whole lot higher than what's required by municipalities. What I'm saying is what we're approving is this plan. Yeah. And we're we're willing to put that condition on the development.

That's why but again when you provide this 20 more parking spaces or or similar that will decrease and where you putting those and that will decrease your open space it'll again decrease the already Marian you're asking for for the recreation open space.

We we at uh previously we have the 13% amenity space. We understand that if we can't program this, we'll have to lose uh some units. I mean, that that that's just the condition that we'll live by. So, I think the idea is we're not looking to come back and reduce now the amenity space or or the open space. We we understand that under this new agreed parking, we'll have to program that in and you know, if it makes, you know, less units or more onebs or whatever it might be, we understand that that's the program we'll have to go under. Okay. Um that's my questions toward I have comments but I I have no more questions for

I would like to clarify just one item um on the waiver request that is that we originally asked for 8% um developed open space and after um some discussion with the planning commission we decided to go to comply with 13% which is equivalent to the building coverage on the site. Um so we increased our original ask by 5% um to satisfy their concerns. So is there any other questions for us? No. No. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Yes, sir. [clears throat]

Good evening everybody. Todd Still, 1982 Banks Mill Road. Um, I've had the pleasure of knowing Ashley Bloom for basically almost the exact year now when I first met him and looking at [clears throat] land with them and um, I can honestly say I've met his wife. I've met his children and they are planning on coming to Aken to live. They love Aken and his wife is more excited than he is. So, so they're definitely coming. Um, one of the things I'm dealing with is the piece of property he bought. He bought a piece of property. It's about 80 acres, might be a little bit more than 80 acres, but it is in land conservy. So, he can only use four acres on the whole track of land. There's lots of rules he has to adhere to, and he adheres to them. So, but we're building a gorgeous property out there. Everything will be gorgeous. what he wants to do. He'll follow the letter of law. He's also been involved in Aken and uh um he is a commercial real estate guy from South Sarasota down Florida, but he believes in doing quality stuff and how he does it. So, um he's already looking at some other properties and aching to buy and improve. So, I mean, he's here to stay and this is where he wants to live. So, he wants it to be nice for what he's trying to do. But um and I will probably be assisting on making sure that this has got the right plants and everything's done right so it looks good because we will be coming back for other projects. You got any questions for me?

Can he get us a grocery store? Pardon? A grocery store? Grocery store across the way. You really never know. I actually remember driving out there. My sister lives out on Wire Road for the last 40ome years. Um, but I've been driving that wire road and we used to come up behind the police station and there was that little white building. We used to always stop in there and get firecrackers and stuff before we're going out out further out in the country. So, yeah. Need a little bigger than that. A little bigger. Okay. [laughter] So, just a quick I'll I'll have him work on that. All right. There's a quick question. I just hate to be argumentative, but you said the the build the Mr. Bloom is a good builder, but

we heard before that he's not going to be building this project. Pardon? Mr. Fine said Mr. Bloom will not be building this project. No, I didn't say he was building that. I said I might be involved in the landscaping. That's not what we were told. Pardon? We're told that Mr. Bloom is not a vertical builder. Okay. I I realize that, but I might be involved in the landscaping of the project. That's what I do for a living. Right. I'm sorry. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Oh, sure.

I just want to address the the comment about actually being the vertical developer. I am new here in town. So I I'm here in front of you saying that I I would look to partner with a vertical developer because you know I I've done this for 28 years and I know you to come into a any new place you're going to have to find the right partner from the vertical side of it. So that I just to clarify your statement that's the intention is to find a partner that that has experience locally um in the area that's done the vertical side. So I just want to make sure that was clarified. Thank you. Thank you. and they have a very fine reputation, Branson. So, okay. Any comments from council?

Regarding um the north side and I keep harping on the the similar comments as it relates to the northeast and west. And I want to applaud those individuals that have lived on the northeast and west over the last 40 years as we've seen growth occur elsewhere. And we've said to the residents, be patient. It will come. The growth will come on the north side. The infrastructure will come on the north side. Now that it is coming, what we hear is stop growth. What we hear is there is an issue with water. I will tell you that we will do our best to continue the growth on the north side of Aken. We've we have a great beginning that's already occurred. city council has has been on board understanding that the need is there and they have always said it's coming but just give us time and I thank you all for being advocates letting others know be patient it will come

thank [applause] you

got a comment I [clears throat] would like to add to Miss Lesie's point and also Miss Barbara um far as the uh grocery stores and retail go on that's out of town. Um my district, as you know, district 5, we are pretty much to capacity over that way for development for anything right now. Um so expanding the rooftops to the north side, I think will be beneficial um to get started in that pathway for restaurants and retail on the north, east, and west side. Um I think this will help kind of get that process rolling. Um, and eventually I love to see, you know, going on record saying I would love to see the eventually a major grocery store and some retail restaurants. Um, and I'm not saying restaurants as in some fast food, but some quality restaurants on that side of town because we waited, you know, too long enough. So, I think now is time. Uh, and I'm looking future, um, this will alleviate the Whiskey Road congestion and also the congestion we'll see on the Powder House connector future wise. So, just want to throw that out there. [applause]

Let me just add, Madame Mayor, that we had a session uh, last this week last week regarding traffic flow on the north side. And I admittedly said, I'm your pro I'm one of your problems. My husband is one of your problems. I have two kids is what that that's your problem because of what a certain portion of our town offer and the services and the things we're looking for. The attraction is not on the north side of town. And so what you do there is is you try to achieve a balance. I have been told by hotel owners and others, Lesie, you all don't have enough rooftops there. So we we've got to look at things in ways where it is an attraction to attract the things that we need. And certainly I I um want to say uh though to those who do not live on the north side, I appreciate your advocacy too and the need that these individuals are looking for in terms of not only hotels, grocery chains, but really something to be competitive, not competitive, but something that will attract people uh to the east and west side of town. And it's happening right now. and I thank you for your uh your support as well, Gail and I I should say. So,

Madame Mayor, I would just [applause] I would just like to echo what my colleagues have said. It's exciting to see someone like Mr. Bloom move here and have such concern and love for our community that he's willing to take a risk to do this and to hear the neighbors come out and speak on behalf of it. So, I think this is something that we've been waiting for a long time and I think it's a good thing. Thank you for saying that. Mayor, may I be the uh course in I'll I'll go last. No, go ahead. Be sure you go.

Well, mayor, I I I am all for growth uh especially on the north side. Uh I am just very concerned about this type of growth uh on this property. Um, if this property it presently zone for uh homes at on 10,000 square feet, the same as we have on Martin, same as we have on on Alfred and I don't see no reason why this property could not be developed in that fashion. There's actually a stub off of Martin Street that goes right into this property lending itself that past planners and past city council people assumed that it would be developed. It's a steep terrain, very tough piece of property which is more easily developed and less impactful on the environment and on storm water if it was um built the way it's currently zoned uh at uh 10,000 foot single family homes. That is still growth. That is still development. Uh but it's not a high density development that crams a lot into a small space. Um, the PR zone is meant for a plan development. It's meant to to give a developer some creative license to do something imaginative, do something creative. There's nothing creative or imaginative on this plan. It's just four big boxes with a parking lot. Um so it kind of goes against the concept of of the of the planning um the plan residential area the plan residential area zone it states several times at least three or four times in the ordinance that must be compatible with the surrounding properties. The surrounding properties on two sides at least are single family homes uh on 10,000 square feet. So again, it kind of cries out that what it should be designed at the um

the concerns of um again over intensity of of of the use. Uh it impacts the the property. I mean every of every tree uh and every grade is uh is being disturbed on this property. Um it increases the traffic no by three-fold. Uh this [clears throat] proposed development will generate around 630 homes trips per day. Um and where single family homes of 20 or 20 or 25 homes would be around 200 trips a day. So that's around over 400 trips a day that will be adding to the intersections of Rudy Mason and Wire, Rudy Mason and New York. [clears throat]

So that's a concern. Um, I'm happy that the developer has agreed to the increased parking. Uh, that was it's a flaw in our ordinance, which, you know, is doesn't make much sense to have a two-bedroom or threebedroom uh unit only provide 1.5 parking spaces. So, I'm glad he's proposing that and I'd be interested to see how he's going to achieve that. There are obviously creative ways to achieve that uh on this property. So, I am very concerned about that. I I don't think is the the appropriate land use uh for this zone. I'd like to see it developed uh and help the the north side and and getting more more units, but I don't see this being smart growth and I don't see it being a benefit uh to Aken. Sorry. Um, Madame Mayor, uh, I just I was struggling with this a lot because I'm concerned about density in different parts of our community as council person Brilan said. You know, he's full up in his side a lot. the north side. The most poignant thing is you need the rooftops to be able to get the development to be able to get the amenities. A game changer was the traffic supply traffic supply. I didn't think about it, but if you needed to get those items, you had to go all the way through Aken to get to the traffic supply. And now the traffic supply is available for anybody on the north side. They have a much better parking situation and drive-thru situation. There is need for appropriate development. The amenities that we take

for granted on the southside and I talking to and listening to the developer and the engineer, it makes more sense to me now. it. Rudy Mason wasn't there when those other houses were built. This is density that is appropriate. There is another apartment complex not far from it. They are complying with various concept plan requirements that are appropriate more than what they originally thought. The traffic improvements are with safe streets for all initiatives. That is a big deal. Um they're going to construct pedestrian crosswalks and lights and buttons. A big deal. Um I appreciate the parking um increase. Uh they shall submit a revised concept plan later. This is in the concept phase. Um my concern has always been school buses. If you're going to have children, for goodness sakes, I I just we have allowed different things in the county that make no provision for children in light in in the early morning when they're going to school. So, I I've asked that just as a common sense uh requirement, but I think they are trying to do what they can on this lot that will be appropriate for its location. Um, and I am going to be voting for it with the conditions of the concept plan. [applause]

I'm going to call for the vote. All those in favor? Um, and all that is six to one. All all those opposed. Thank you. It is u it passed to six to one. The next item under new business is the first reading of an ordinance to annex 215 Silver Bluff Road and zone it limited business. Mr. Beenville.

Thank you. You have read the title of the ordinance. Uh this is a application for annexation of approximately a fifth of an acre zone limited business LB 215 Silver Bluff Road. Those present at the planning commission meeting on December 9th unanimously recommended it be annexed and uh into the city limits and zoned LB limited businesses before you for first reading this evening. Thank you. Is there a motion to um so move madame mayor? I second Brandon Councilman Waldo

first [clears throat] uh motion and second from councilwoman Price. Comments from the public, comments from councel. All those in favor? Thank you. Unanimous. [snorts] Now we have first reading of an ordinance to annex 447 East Pine Log Road and zone it residential single family. Mr.

Thank you. This is a property uh at 447 East Pine Log approximately 3500s of an acre. Uh it is located in the Virginia acres subdivision. Those present at the planning commission at their December 9th meeting unanimously recommended it be annexed and into the city limits and zone residential single family RS10. It is before you for first reading. Madame Mayor and councel. Thank you. Do I have a motion, please? Madame Mayor, I so move that we pass this annexation. Thank you. Um roll,

a second from Councilwoman Morg Morgan, comments from the public, comments from council. All those in favor? Thank you. It's unanimous. Next item is first reading of an ordinance to annex 215 East Pine Log Road and zone it residential single family. Mr. Beenbo.

Thank you. This is an ordinance uh for annexation and zoning. Uh it is approximately a fifth of an acre. It is in the Virginia acres subdivision. At the December 9th planning commission, all those present unanimously voted to recommend the property be annexed in zone RS10 residential single family. It's before you for first reading. Thank you. Do I have a motion for that? I so move. That was Bob. Councilwoman Morgan. Thank you. Second. Second from Price. Uh, Councilwoman Price. Thank you. Any comments from the public?

Comments from council. All those in favor? Thank you. Unanimous. The final item under new business this evening is first reading of an ordinance to amend the 2025 2026 budget. Mr. Be.

Thank you. Uh this is an ordinance to amend the budget of the city of Aken for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 for the general fund and water and sewer utilities fund. Uh we have a uh repair uh excuse me a replacement of the well at Hidden Haven at a cost of $138,24. Um also we uh increased cost of uh chemicals for water treatment and related laboratory cost and general supplies and uh that is uh needs to be reflected in the budget for this current year. Also, um I neglected uh in September when we carried over did carry forward uh the city clerk asked for some funds uh uh that that was budgeted from the previous year for agenda software updates and um I neglected to put that in the budget uh carry forward. So I'm u she's I think forgiven me but um we do uh have that in this budget uh amendment. Thank you.

Thank you. Do we have a a motion to amend the budget? Councilwoman Br. Second. Second. Councilman Waldo. And uh any comments from the public? Comments from council? All those in favor? Thank you. I wanted to ask, may I ask one thing? Um have any we gotten any more money back from um FEMA? Yes. Uh we have gotten back u in the about 300 about $400,000 of 5.2 H

a little over 500,000. We are uh we we have 13 uh reimbursement requests into FEMA. Uh the largest one is about 3.9 million. Uh we spent about 5.2 million. So, uh, we have gotten back, uh, as as Miss Brooks said, about, uh, $500,000 of funds. Thank you. Uh, now we move on to petitions and requests. We have two items tonight. And the first is approval of a resolution to provide water and sanitary sewer services to property owned by Aken County on Wire Road. Mr. Beambo,

thank you. This resolution, you did read the title. Uh the Aken County owns property um along Wire Road um and they are seeking um approximately 9 acres of a portion of this tract would be about 9 acres to construct a law enforcement center. Uh the primary tenant would be the Aken County Sheriff's Office. Uh and it would be between the county detention center and the county coroner's office. It has water and sewer available uh as part of our policy. We had uh um it it must um meet that criteria for provision of water and sanitary sewer service to uninorporated areas. Those present at the planning commission unanimously voted to uh approve the request with the following conditions. Number one, that an executed agreement on the provision of city services listing conditions of approval be recorded within 180 days of approval by city council. Second, that an agreement to annex the property as soon it becomes contiguous be executed and recorded. Third, that the city engineer approve the design of the water and sanitary sewer services. Fourth, a waiver is granted for the tree preservation and tree survey tree landscape requirements and tree preservation fee. Fifth, that a waiver is granted for the parking lot detention pond landscape requirements. Sixth, that a waiver is granted for the requirement of concrete curbs and islands in the nonpublic area only behind the gates uh which will be in the rear of the structure. Seventh, that the sign area comply with the city of Aken signage regulations. This is before council this evening. A resolution to provide water and sanitary sewer service for the proposed law enforcement center of Aken County on Lar Road with conditions recommended by the planning commission.

Thank you. Do I have a motion to accept this? Madame Mayor, I move I so move. Councilwoman Brol made the motion and a second from I second. Uh Councilwoman Diggs. Any comments from the public? Comments from council. All those in favor? Thank you. Unanimous. Our final item tonight [clears throat] is approval of a resolution to provide water service to property on Gunrange Road for a proposed recreational vehicle campground. Mr. Be.

Thank you. This is an approval of a resolution authorizing the provision of water utility services to property on Gun Range Road. The owner is requesting um a prop is proposing a recreational vehicle campground with 24 campsites on approximately 8.36 acres on Gun Range Road. The campground will include a septic system and detention pond. The proposed RV sites are 10 ft wide by 60 ft deep. Water service is available at this location. the council. Again, this uh policy for the provision of water and sanitary service uh which establishes our process and decision criteria for development outside the city limits. Uh those present at the December 9th planning commission unanimously recommended approval with the following conditions. First, that an executed agreement on the provision of city services listing conditions of approval be recorded within 180 days of approval by city council. Second, that an agreement to annex the property as soon as it becomes contiguous be executed and recorded. Third, that the city engineer approve the design of the city of the water service. Fourth, that the site landscape and landscape plan comply with the city of Aken tree preservation and landscaping regulations. Fifth, that the signage complies with the city of Aken sign ordinance standards. Six, that the proposed culde-sac complies with the international fire code standards. And this is before you this evening for consideration water service for this property on Gun Range Road.

Thank you. Um, do we have a motion to accept this? I so move. Councilwoman Digs made the motion and a second from I second that. Thank you. Councilwoman Price second that. Any comments from the public? Any comments from our council? I have a question to ask our city manager. Will the rates double?

Yes. Uh this property is located outside the city limits and um property outside the city limits uh pays double water rates. What or basically they pay the full water rate as I like to say and in city residents get a 50% discount. [laughter]

Uh sewage disposal. Yes. Uh explain the the water the water rates um are double. Well, the it's it's an extra half the sewage disposal. What? Well, they will not have to pay sewage. They are proposing septic for this development. So, they will not be build for sewage. Good. Yeah. I to piggyback on that, Councilwoman Price, it to see that that they're going to do their own septic system makes a difference. So, right, they're just asking for water. So, thank you.

Okay. Thank you. Uh, all those in favor? Thank you. It's unanimous. We will now open the floor to public comments on non-aggenda items. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker and for a total of 30 minutes. Do I have anyone to like to make some comments? Well, with that being done, since no one does wants to say anything, um are there any items from Mr. Beenbo this evening?

I do. I've got just a couple of brief ones. I want to remind everyone the city of Aken's uh public safety department citizens academy uh application period is open. Um you can um contact Carl Odinthal um about for information about registration at 8035024862. Registration closes in 10 days on January 22nd and it is eligible uh uh members of council, members of the public uh staff are eligible to participate and the classes start uh January 29th. Again, our public safety's um citizens academy. They've had u over a decade of these. I don't know which uh ver iteration or but it is very informative to learn about our public safety department. Also a reminder we are clo city offices are closed next Monday January 19th in observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and u we will have several um the week of January 26 we've got three meetings scheduled with city council. Our next council meeting is the 26th. Then the 29th, the joint meeting with the planning commission at the Lesie B. Price Aken Senior uh and Youth Center to discuss the uh revised zoning ordinance or uni unified development ordinance UDO. And of course, New Horizons, which is uh public meeting also uh will uh begin at 8:30 on January, Friday, January 30th at the Center for African-American History, Art, and Culture. That's all I've got. Madame Mayor,

thank you so much. We will not mad. Are we at the end of our agenda? Okay. I want to introduce someone that is here for his first time and he is a contractor. He's moved from New York here with two children and uh he's he's done the contracting work in New York for seven years. So Shelton, will you stand please so folks can see you? Thank you. That's Shelton. Thank you for being here, Shelton.

Thank you for introducing him. Uh we will we will now move into executive session and I will read the notice. Aken City Council will go into executive session pursuant to section 30-4-70 parenthesis ARS 2 to receive legal advice where the legal advice relates to a pending threatened or potential claim or other matters covered by the attorney client privilege set. settlement of legal claims or the position of the public agency and other adversary situations involving the assertion against the agency of a claim. Specifically, the city council will receive a legal briefing regarding Blake at Al versus the city of Aken. Is there a motion, please, to go into executive sessions?

So move, madame mayor. Councilwoman Price made the motion. I need a second, please. I second. Councilwoman Woman Diggs made the second. Thank you. We will now move into executive session in room 3.

and mine is on as well. Barbara here.

My kids about leaving the trash. Thank you. Okay. Is there a motion to come out of executive session? So move. So move. Uh, Councilwoman Price made the motion and Councilman Brawl second the motion. All in favor? Thank you. It's unanimous. Is there a motion to adjourn this meeting? I so move. Councilman Bald made the motion and a second from Councilman Waldo. Meeting is all in favor. Uh motion uh meeting is adjourned. Thank you. All right.