City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the June 22 meeting of the Aiken City Council. If you're 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 Aiken 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 lead us in the pledge?

Good evening, Mayor and Council. I pledge allegiance to the flag, States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible,

As 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, discipline, honorable and professional decorum is paramount. Courteous and respectful communication is required. During public hearings, all questions and statements from the public should 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 speakers 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-agenda public comment section each speaker has three minutes and can only speak once We now move to additions and deletions to the agenda. Since Mayor Pro Tem Kay Brohl is not here this evening, I recognize Councilwoman Lessee Price for this agenda item.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. We want to thank you all for your presence this evening as well. Madam Mayor, there are no additions or deletions to our tonight's agenda. And with that, I move that we adopt the agendas presented to Eakin City Council members.

Thank you so much. She's made the motion. Is there a second, please?

I have a second, please.

Councilwoman Diggs made this 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?

So moved, Madam Mayor.

Thank you. Councilman Waldo and Councilman Messina may second the motion. Any comments or changes? Yes.

Madam Mayor, the minutes for the work session and the executive session indicate I was absent. I was connected by digital. For both of those, I was unable to connect to the public major council meeting, but I watched it on YouTube.

Thank you. Did you get that? Okay. Okay. Thank you for that. All those in favor? Thank you. There are four presentations tonight. The first one is a proclamation designating July as Parks and Recreation Month. Councilman Price, will you please read the proclamation into the record?

Thank you, Madam Mayor. The proclamation reads, whereas parks and recreation are essential to the quality of life in the city of Aiken, providing opportunities that promote physical health, mental wellness, and enriches overall community wellbeing. And whereas access to parks, trails, pools, recreational facilities, and natural spaces encourages active lifestyle, supports cognitive health, and fosters meaningful connections with nature for residents of all ages. And whereas parks and recreation programs provide valuable services including health and wellness initiatives, nutrition education, youth sports, environmental education, and out-of-school programming, that contribute to positive childhood development and lifelong learning, and whereas parks and recreation resources strengthens the local economy by increasing property values, expanding the tax base, attracting tourism, supporting business retention and growth, and contributing to safer communities, and whereas parks green spaces, and natural recreation areas enhance the environmental health and ecological beauty of our community while providing resilience infrastructure that helps communities adapt to natural disaster and changing environmental conditions. And whereas the United States House of Representatives has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month, recognizing the vital role parks and recreation play in communities across the nation, whereas the city of Aiken South Carolina proudly recognizes and celebrates the many benefits derived from the parks, from our recreational facilities, programs, and natural resources. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Aiken City Council that July is recognized as Park and Recreation Month in the City of Aiken. It is signed by our Mayor, Teddy Milner, and six council members.

Thank you very much. Will the representatives from Parks and Recreation come forward please?

That's the way to do it, have the whole staff come up. Not the whole. That's all right, that's close enough. They'd represent us well.

That's a good representation.

Yes. Jessica.

Where is it? Right here.

Sure.

I'd be remiss if I didn't say that our parks and recreation is the best in the state and the best in the nation.

And I would like to thank all of you who made sure that the park was ready for Juneteenth last Saturday. No bug problems. Of course, it was hot. We can't do anything about that. But last year we had a bug problem. This year we didn't. Everything was so organized, and everybody enjoyed themselves. So I thank y'all so much for making us look good at each and every event that you put your hands on. We are blessed. Thank you.

Thank you. The next presentation is a proclamation honoring Coach Troy Toney for 35 years of dedicated volunteer coaching. Councilman Waldo, will you read the proclamation for us, please?

yes madam mayor thank you uh whereas for 35 years coach short tony faithfully served that the served the youth of the aiken city as a volunteer coach at citizens park generously dedicating his time talent and leadership to the development of young athletes and whereas through his commitment to baseball In girls softball, he has helped shape the lives of countless young people, teaching not only the fundamentals of athletics, but also the values of teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, perseverance, and respect. And whereas his influence has extended well beyond the playing field, as he has served as a mentor, role model and positive example for generations of youth and their families throughout the Aiken community. And whereas 25 of the athletes he coached have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, with several achieving the distinction of playing professionally, reflecting the lasting impact of his instruction, encouragement and dedication. And whereas the true measure of his success is found not only in athletic accomplishments, but in the confidence, character, and life lessons instilled in many young people lives he has touched over the course of three and a half decades. And whereas the city of Aiken recognize that volunteers such as Coach Troy Tony are essential to the strength of our community and the success of our young sports programs. And their contributions leave a legacy that endures for generations. Now, therefore, we proclaim that the mayor and the city council of the city of Aiken do hereby recognize and honor Coach Troy Toney for his outstanding 35 years of volunteering coaching service at Citizens Park and express their sincere appreciation for his unwavering commitment to the youth of our community. Thank you.

Let's hear it.

Would you come forward, please?

To accept your proclamation.

Get in front there.

The third presentation tonight is a proclamation designating June as home ownership month. Councilman Messina, would you read that, please? Maybe in a minute. Give them a minute.

Give them a second.

I thank Troy. Thank you for coming. Troy bought his whole family plus some. Thank y'all for coming. That's the immediate family. Right?

All right, I guess I could start. OK. You're ready.

Yeah.

Good evening, everyone. I like to present this. And whereas Homeownership Month is an opportunity to encourage citizens to explore the benefits of owning and maintaining a home. And because a home provides shelter and a safe place where families can prosper and children can thrive, homeownership is an important part of the American dream. And whereas homeownership unites families, empowers communities, strengthens both local and national economies, Homeownership strengthens communities economically and culturally and encourages residents to be more active and invested in their neighborhoods and local businesses. Homeownership is fundamental to the health of the Aiken community, economy, and important generator of jobs, income, and financial security. Whereas the annual observance of Homeownership Month provides an opportunity to work together to provide all families with the tools and information they will need to overcome the barriers to homeownership. And whereas Aiken County Habitat for Humanity, Security Federal Bank, and the City of Aiken have scheduled a house dedication in June 2026, Governor Aiken Park in celebration for a first-time homeowner. Now, therefore, the Mayor Teddy Milner, Mayor and City Council of the City of Aiken, South Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 2026 as Home Ownership Month in Aiken and encourage all residents of the City of Aiken to work together to promote quality, affordable housing, safe communities, and increased ownership opportunities for the citizens of Aiken and encourage all to celebrate June as Home Ownership Month by participating in open house events.

Thank you so much. Is there anyone from Habitat, from Humanity here to accept this? Hi. Please come up. And Security Federal Bank and Sabina Craig.

today Thank you.

Y'all don't have to leave. Y'all can stay around.

You're invited to stay.

They got the goods.

The final presentation I'd like to ask Councilwoman Diggs to help me introduce a presentation about the Youth Empowerment Program. Reverend Carroll.

Yes. And Tim Hastie. Good evening. I am honored to have Reverend John Carroll here and Tim Hasty, and Chris Emanuel, and whoever they got with them tonight, to talk about a youth program that they partnered together for. And they are teaching these young people life skills. You know, sometimes, and not just sometimes, most of the time, people come up to me and say, oh, there's nothing for the youth to do in Aiken, nothing. And you hear people talk about after-school programs, but this is more than an after-school program, guys. This is a remarkable partnership between these two. We know that First Baptists and Second Baptists always worship together twice a year, but they are also doing other things together. Many of you may not know that a few months ago, the brothers and sisters of Aiken County relocated from their building right next to the African American Museum. And everybody was wondering, well, where will they go? Because this is a program that's been in existence forever and serving kids from first grade on up to the 12th grade. But anyway, they have partnered together. And because of everything that First Baptist believes in when it comes to children, they decided to offer brothers and sisters a place for the kids to be. So they didn't worry about what's going to happen when they leave that house that they've been in. across from First Baptist for over 20 years. First Baptist already had made plans to give them space in a building in the middle of their parking lot. Such a nice facility. And it is working out well for Brothers and Sisters program. And I thank y'all so much for that. But if you look at some of the posts online for this program, you will notice that young people are building houses. They're learning skills that's going to prepare them for the next chapter of their lives. And it's all because of this partnership. So I invited them here tonight. And thank you, Tim Hastie, for that. just letting me know what was going on. I invited them here tonight for them to give us a short presentation on what all is happening when these kids get together. It's not just an after-school program, but this is something special. Guys, will y'all come forward, please? Oh, don't be shy. Come on. Okay, you're going to let him come by himself, huh? Oh, okay. Y'all going to join him in a few minutes, right? Good evening.

Good evening. Good evening, Mayor Milner, Councilwoman Diggs, and all of the members of the council. You know, people often warn you, be careful what you ask for. I have a church member who recently warned me, be careful what he asks for. Because Tim Hastie then came and told me that I was going to be talking here tonight. So thank you, Tim. And, but... But yes, the partnership between First Baptist and Second Baptist over recent years has been rich and deep, but it goes back many, many years, back at least into the 90s, if not prior to that, of working in partnership for the betterment of our city. I can only speak more to what has happened in recent years. In recent years, we have gathered in each other's sanctuary. We didn't just gather on a weeknight when a few folks would come out, but on Sunday morning at 11 o'clock, which many people call the most segregated hour of the week. We gather in each other's space to worship jointly, sharing choirs and pulpits and worshiping side by side twice a year. We've hosted two gatherings under the banner of undoing the harms of racism. in which we seek to understand our history, where we come from, better understand the perspectives that our brothers and sisters carry with them, and to walk together into a better future. But also there's been partnership in ministry as well. So fellowship, worship, and learning about issues facing our city and our brothers and sisters, and then partnership in mission. We have worked together with Christ Central to restart a GED program on the north side. And so there's a GED program that offers classes two, sometimes three days a week and help those who, for whatever reason, did not have a degree to get their GED and to take the next step in their journey. And that is run jointly by members of First Baptist and Second Baptist. You referenced brothers and sisters, that house that they were in was a piece of property that belonged to First Baptist. They have been in the facilities of First Baptist for a couple of decades. That facility was no longer viable in that direction. And so we rehoused them close to the heart of our campus. And it has been an incredible venture where we now are closer tied together through volunteer opportunities, providing meals and mentoring relationships. But also the partnership with the After School Teen Center that is held on Second Baptist Campus. Chris Emanuel is here who is the dream starter for that ministry and also for the dreams of so many youth who are part of that program. He has single-handedly lifted that program up to begin. Second Baptist said, please come and do this here. Other entities along the way have come in partnership with that ministry, but First Baptist now has folks who show up and be a part of it as well. Tim Hastie has led the charge on that front, and any of you who know Tim Hastie knows that if he leads the charge, many folks are going to come along for the journey and that a great difference will be made. And so there is a rich partnership that we enjoy between First and Second Baptists in the offering that we are able to do together because we truly believe that the needs of a city, the needs of our city and our community cannot be handled by any single entity unto themselves, but require the partnership of churches and nonprofits, businesses and politics all to come together to try and tackle those issues which we face. And as a church, as First Baptist, I can say that we are seeking to double down on our partnership with those who are around us, opening our campus to support groups that are in need of it, to nonprofits who need meeting space, seeking for our campus to be a seven-day-a-week center for community and belonging, where folks can meet and play and live out lives of compassion one with another. embarked not only on doing that ourselves, but investing in our facilities, not so that they serve us better, but so that they serve our community better. If you walk by our campus right now, you'll have trouble finding which way to go in because it's all marked off with construction that's happening. But that is the endeavor that we're making there. And our partnership with Second Baptist and those ministries is one endeavor on that front. And I would ask you as counsel that as you encounter problems and opportunities, many of which that we may not be aware of in the faith community, remember the resources, remember the people, remember the heart that belongs in so many of our faith communities seeking to lift up those who are hurting, seeking to set right to the places that are broken in our community. Remember us as we may not be aware of what you are aware and reach out to us because it may just be that as faith communities, we have the people, we have the facilities, and we have the heart to meet the need and rise to the opportunity that may be present before us.

That's beautiful. Thank you. I want the rest of them to come up front. And Gary, can we have a picture of all of them? Yeah. Okay. There are other people out there involved with y'all, isn't there? One trying to do a video. Yeah.

Cool.

Pastor Carol, I don't know what you were worried about. That was a great presentation. Thank you. It really was. But y'all, this is what unity looks like.

We've got to do a little bit better. All right.

This is what we need. We've got to get a little bit better. This is what we need more of. People working together to make sure our youth have what they need and get where they need to be. So God bless you all. Thank you so much. Y'all can come back anytime and you don't have to leave now. So thank you for being here tonight. We really, really appreciate y'all. We do.

Thank you. We now open the floor to public comments on non-agenda items. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker and for a total of 30 minutes. Who would like to be first? Mr. Lex. I mean, Kirk, sorry.

Good evening, Madam Mayor, City Council. That's going to be a tough one to follow. My name is Kurt Johnson, 111 Stonington Lane, Aitkin. I'm a pastor of Lost Sheep Ministry, and I do the outreach on the street. And over the past three weeks, it's been crazy. I mean, we're getting calls seven days a week, 24 hours a day to go out and check on people. some of the city has called out to us BPS has called out and we're getting HOAs that are calling I'm not Not saying that there's anything wrong with that, because most people don't know how to relate to people that they just don't know. So I appreciate the phone calls. I really do, because that way we can find out who they are, get some information from them, and find out why they're here. on the street. We've got some things in the works that we're looking at to increase the availability of getting these people the help they need. That's about all I got. We are still in need of MREs and that's the big thing right now is MREs so that we can continue to feed these people. And it's actually less trash laying around because it's contained meal. So out there in TV land, if you're watching this, get a hold of us. My number's 505-340-7151. And you can call me. We've gotten calls from Alabama. So we know that there's people out there watching it. So thank you very much. Questions?

Thank you. You're the one who had the housing. I'm sorry? You have housing available. Lex does. Okay, I know he's coming up. I'll save this question for him. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, Lex.

Good evening, Council. Lex Perry, C4 Impact Ministries, 1526 South Boundary Avenue, Southeast. I guess I'll come up. You had some questions for me. I can tell you briefly that we have added an additional location. That just happened a couple of days ago. So we will be moving a family into that location, praise God, which opens up another one of the studio apartments that we have on Greenville Street. So we'll have that space open and one other space where we can put two more people in as well. We're actively interviewing folks, of course, and we do have a case manager on our team now if you hadn't seen that on our social media post that is april tiller she's our case manager she's doing a fantastic job with that as well and so we're just thankful that she's a part of the team from the things that i've heard from the presentations here tonight i really just like pastor kirk said i can't add a whole lot to it because you've heard me say this it is going to take a community for us to do this together we can be that guiding light to the county and to the rest of the state because aiken can handle this homeless situation i really believe we have the resources here all the meetings that i've attended of people of influence that's within the city i think they're in agreement that we can do it it's going to take some work But we have the resources here. What we need to do, as the pastor here said, we have to take down the silos. We have to take down the banners. This is not about C4. This is not about any particular church. It is about our people. And when you remove some type of services there, it is the people that they should miss, not the service. We're dealing with people here, not at numbers. And so as long as we remember that, I see that we're really going to be an example for the rest of the state. So what questions you have?

I received a call from a gentleman on Saturday who has four or five houses. He usually rents out, but he wants to work with you to identify some people, but he also wants to volunteer with your program. So I'll give you his contact number.

Fantastic. I love that.

And one other question. I'm sure my colleagues on council and other people that has driven by this parkway right across from Pizza Joint and you see the people that are sitting up house right there in the parkway.

Right.

Do y'all know anything about them? Yes. Okay.

There's one reason we offer the cooling station and so forth. One of the things we invite them to come in, they're going to get showers, they're going to get fed a meal. We don't give out extended meals because obviously what we want to do is to help them move forward. But once we get their information into the system, we then discover what exactly that it is that's keeping them where they are. And it's not an immediate process. We don't shelter first. We make sure that they can get verified income or whatever it is that they need. And then they were able to shelter them and to move forward because we give a hand up, not a handout. But we are aware of them. And we do need to make some connections as far as mental health is concerned as well.

Thank you. All right.

And I know you spoke on a few weeks ago about transportation. Have you all been able to locate a reliable transportation?

No, we're still using our own. It's funny that you should say that. I have a beautiful tree in my yard. It's a 300-year-old oak, and it fell on my SUV, and it blew out the window. The vehicle is drivable. It is not going to stop us, but we're still making it. We do need a van still. We're looking to obtain a van. drive people around. We do have drivers that can do it. They've been trying to use their vehicles. But we do need one. And you know what? We believe it will be provided. We're going to keep seeking. But in the meantime, whatever we have, we're going to still get people to their jobs. We're going to get them to their appointments. And we do that daily. This is a hiccup. Gotcha. All right. Yeah. All right. God bless.

Thank you. Yes, sir. Good evening.

Good evening. My name is Don money. I live north of Aiken to 901 zip code. November 2021, the city of Akins municipal development Commission, the MDC use $9.6 million of city funds to purchase 7 properties. Collectively knows the project Pascales properties. The properties as a whole were misleadingly presented as blighted because nine businesses were actually operating successfully on five of the occupied properties. Nonetheless, each of these businesses were presented with relocation options. Five of them signed rent reimbursement agreements prepared by Gary Pope Jr., one of the city's contract attorneys. Since he is still on excellent terms, I believe the city council should ask him from where this template derived, the one that Mr. Biedenbaugh claimed two weeks ago was unprecedented. Newberry Hall was not one of the tenants that had to sign a relocation agreement. They had a very fortunate arrangement through their prior landlord who was looking out for them. When the city obtained that property, it knowingly inherited a lease that required reimbursement of lost income. during the demolition and construction period of project pascalis a sum much higher than lost than reimbursed rent this very generous degree arrangement was negotiated between wtc investments a weldon wyatt firm in newberry hall it was not a government deal i just want to point out that that's another standard to consider Newberry Hall is also a sole candidate for managing or owning new conference center. After negotiations ended and Project Pascalis was canceled, the city reimbursed the business $37,000 in legal fees. To my knowledge, no other tenant has had their legal fees reimbursed. Another merchant that did not sign this relocation agreement was relocated at the expense of the city to the tune of $74,000 to another vacant building in downtown. This was to the benefit of the city. It was the right thing to do. There was nothing wrong with it. But nonetheless, $74,000, that was four times more than what the rental reimbursement agreement would have provided. Three other businesses received five-year leases in early 2024. No business has endured more uncertainty and false hopes that were generated by the city than Taj Aiken and Warnecke Cleaners. These were the two most complicated and expensive businesses to relocate, yet they were the only initially offered the rent reimbursement agreement that never would have provided nowhere near enough funds to relocate had Project Pascalis moved forward. Four months after Project Pascalis was canceled, the city proposed to keep both businesses in place. Mayor Rick Osborne would later write that those businesses should be made whole and fully protected. The city also tentatively offered to move Taj Hagan to the Johnson Drugstore building. The city also reportedly offered a five-year lease. And then when the city contracted for realtor services, they said those buildings weren't going to be demolished. And I bring all these up just to point out that there were disparities in how these businesses were treated. And personally, I think the city owns Wernicke and Tajay can apology as they move forward with relocating. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? Yes, sir.

Off the subject of what we've been talking about, Robert Gossett, 440 Banks Mill Road, Aiken. I stand before you tonight as a board member of the historic Gaston Livery Stable. And I wanted to, for Madam Mayor, council members, and of course the public behind me, I wanted to publicly invite everyone here to a 250th America Independent Celebration Gala that we're having next Saturday. I say next Saturday, it's here and now, this coming Saturday. And so if many of you I'm sure have been over there before, the Gaston Livery Stable is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's just one of several things in Aiken that makes Aiken the great place that it is. One of several. I remember being a little kid and driving past it many times wondering, you know, I wonder what that place is out in the field. It sure is big. But the Gaston livery stable is actually the only known remaining carriage lift facility left in the United States. Back in the winter colony days, when the railroads would bring in the private cars and the carriages, They would pull their carriages into that little bitty area, they'd get on the lift, and the crank still works. It can still lift things up to the second floor. So I wanted to invite you, let you know, this coming Saturday between 4 and 9 p.m. is free to the public. This is being well advertised to the public. We are going to have a bluegrass band, an authentic bluegrass band performing between six and nine. There'll be food vendors, period colonial demonstrations. I myself in colonial attire will be reading as it would have been read to South Carolina for the very first time, the Declaration of Independence. We'll have a lot more things. And one of the most unusual things we'll have is a good old fashioned dunking booth. And I will tell you that I have lined up Marty Sawyer. And then also we also have another official within the city that may be a surprise to everybody. But if you want to come on out, we look forward to having you there again this Saturday between 4 and 9 p.m. at the Gaston Livery Stable free.

Any questions? Okay, so you've got the Duncan booth.

Yes, we do.

And Marty Sawyer is one of the ones that's... And my lips are sealed as to the other person. It's probably our mayor.

Anyway... I'm drawing a blank. I asked the person, but I forgot who it was I asked.

I will pay you all $5 for three balls.

Y'all better be glad I'm going to be out of town. That person may be amongst you. That's all I can say. Just to get a shot at Marty.

Yeah, yeah. But again, this will be a nice event. The weather should be really good for it. So come on out for that event. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

OK. OK, if everyone is finished with this session, we will go to the approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Beanbow, will you please read the title of the item on the consent agenda?

Thank you. The consent agenda, we had no no one file any paperwork. to ask that it be removed either with the city clerk or electronically. The consent agenda item is an ordinance to annex property located at 2910 Catawba Street and zone the same RS-15 residential single family. That is all we have this evening.

Oh, thank you. Thank you. Is there a motion?

Second.

Okay. Councilman Waldo and Councilman Messina. Second. Since we don't have comments on the consent agenda, so we'll go to the vote. All those in favor? Thank you. We now have a move to move to approval and discussion of appointees to various city boards, committees, and commissions. Mr. Bedeville.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. We have the reappointment of Jermaine Williams to the Building Code Appeals Committee and the reappointment of Angela Key to the Accommodations Tax Committee and the appointment of Lance Danko to the Senior Commission. Those are the appointments for consideration this evening, Madam Mayor.

Thank you so much, is there a motion? Motion, go ahead. All right, Councilman Waldo and the second from Councilwoman Price. Any comments from the public? Comments from council? All those in favor? Thank you. Are there any nominations to consider at our next meeting? All right. Thank you. The next item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance to amend the concept plan for 16.21 acres zoned as planned residential at Sunday Avenue Northeast and Jake Place Northeast. Mr. Bean, Bill.

Thank you. This is an ordinance amending the concept plan for property located at Sunday Avenue Northeast in Jake Place and owned by William Clyburn in the estate of Beverly Clyburn. This has come before us before. This is part of the... application process and subsequent to we passed this at first reading Council agreed to have the ordinance amended to note the project is to provide high quality workforce homes for individuals and families earning 40% to 80% of the average median income and And we added that language to the third paragraph of the ordinance. And it's the underlying portion that's in the paper ordinance found on page 71. Also, I want to note that the applicant inquired about concept excuse me to condition number four that it be would council consider removing that condition which is that a high visibility sidewalk be installed across Sunday Avenue at Kershaw Street Northeast as um they believe that's how my understanding is that it's I guess they believe it's out of the scope of the project um was my understanding however we do not from a staff perspective this is what was passed by the planning commission and recommended to council and brought at first reading so i did want to note that and that is uh what has changed since we presented this at first reading So, essentially, I want to note that the amended change from the council meeting two weeks ago is noted in the concept plan, and we received that other request from the applicant, and I have not heard of planning. Mr. Cowick, is that still the case, or is that request about the crosswalk being removed, that's still... okay that was my did i understand that correctly from the applicant yes

Good evening, Mayor and Council. Jen Wilkinson, 1121 Park West Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. We did some investigating on adding the crosswalk with the property. It seems that this crosswalk is about a quarter of a mile from our property line. And unfortunately, because we're building this with tax credits, we're not able to use our funds to build something that's not attached to our property. The second thing would be is we would also be required to ADA the sidewalk, which is not on our side of the road, all the way to that. So that would be a huge burden on the property to build this crosswalk. A third offer we would like to do is maybe we could add some speed humps through Sunday Avenue to maybe slow down the traffic there, but it's just not feasible for us to build a crosswalk with the funds that we're having for this property. We'd have to come out of pocket or request the city to help us pay for it.

In fact, it's just a crosswalk. It's because of the traffic generation. There's a sidewalk on Kershaw. So there's a chance that more traffic comes out of Kershaw. There'd be a safe passage across the street. It's just a meeting of stripes. It's not a crosswalk. It's just a crosswalk itself, you think.

Okay, that is no problem at all. We would be happy to take her that. We probably need to identify it a little bit better.

So item number four is acceptable as written that, okay, thank you.

Yes, thank you. Thanks, Richard.

Thank you for clarifying that. Appreciate it. Thanks, Jen. I so move. Second, Madam Mayor.

yes they are willing they are now with they are willing to put the crosswalk in as stated and described in condition four so there does not need to be an additional amendment or adjustment to the ordinance that is presented for second reading this evening that was the condition from the planning That is correct. That was part of the conditions that the Planning Commission recommended to City Council prior to first reading.

Okay. I'm sorry. Thank you. The next item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance to rezone 10 acres at Gregg Highway and Loki Drive to plan residential and approve a concept plan. Mr. Bedenboe.

Thank you. This is an ordinance to rezone property located at Gregg Highway and Loki Drive from Office O to plan residential PR and approve the proposed concept plan. This is there are two concepts as part of this plan, either or concept A or concept B. Several things to note first. At first reading, council approved an amendment to the ordinance for second reading to state that this development will be funded under the South Carolina Rental Development Program for individuals at or below 60% of the average median income to address affordable rental housing issues in Aiken County. And this change was written in the second paragraph of the ordinance that is found in the paper copy of the agenda on page 88. And it is noted in the underlined text. And again, this was amended with a council motion and a second and a majority vote, and it is placed in the agenda and in the ordinance for second reading. And also, council was in receipt Friday of an email we forwarded to you from an adjacent property owner who could not, I don't believe, I think he described he could not be here this evening, but I think as an adjacent property owner, he did state he preferred to, fewer buildings, which would be, I guess, concept A. Concept A, and again, I just state that because that was sent to council after the agenda was published, so it did not make it in the agenda packet, but you did receive that email forwarded by the city clerk on Friday. Thank you.

Thank you is a motion. Some of them Councilman price made the motion.

Second second.

Thank you Councilman Waldo second the motion. Comments from the public. Comments from Council.

Mayor, I do would like to concur with the Planning Commission's recommendation that we accept concept plan to as we did in first reading for the 2 buildings would be would be lower in stature stature where they would be able to be hidden better with landscaping as we talked about at the first reading. So I would just keep that in there the the ordinance does say a concept plan be is what we're proving and that is the 2 buildings. I'm in favor of that.

Okay, thank you. Any other comments? All those in favor? Thank you. Anonymous. The next item is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance authorizing the City of Aiken to waive its right of first refusal for Lot 14 Adventures Industrial Park.

Thank you. It is an ordinance authorizing the city of Aiken to waive its right of first refusal in the property owned by Ashbury Lending LLC located in Ventures Industrial Park. This is a park to the south of the Aiken Regional Airport and it is governed by the covenants of the property and is part of the covenants any time a transaction takes place. the city is not the owner the city must council must consider a right of first refusal to purchase the property back the city sold this property in the early 21st century to Piedmont Coca-Cola and subsequently in 2014 it was sold to Ashbury Landing LLC and now the owner is in a contract to sell approximately 4.04 acres of the approximately 10 and a half acre tract to Bullfrog Venture LLC for a warehouse and distribution center. I believe it's resin-based material. And we talked about at the last meeting that the utility impacts in terms of city's water and sewer would be minimal. It would not be a heavy water use type facility. It would have more commercial type needs for water with just restroom facilities and some sinks, et cetera. But in terms of the use from an industrial standpoint, would not have a lot of use. So, council approved this at first reading, and it's before you for second reading this evening.

Thank you. Do I have a motion for this? Wave this right, a first refusal.

So moved, Madam Mayor.

Councilman Waldo? Councilman Waldo made the motion, and the second from Councilwoman Diggs. Any comments from the public? Comments from council? All those in favor? Thank you. The next item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance approving certain economic development incentives for residential development by Parker Aiken LLC.

Thank you. This is an ordinance authorizing certain economic development incentives pursuant to ordinance number 08132018 of the City of Aiken Code of Ordinance for a project developed by Parker Aiken LLC approving an economic development inducement and incentive agreement. and other matters related thereto. This was a project where this matter was first broached with them a number of years ago when the project was first proposed. It is for apartments at Gregg and Robert M. Bell, and the investment is approximately $59 million. The incentives would not exceed $115,000, and this is before council for second reading this evening.

Thank you. Is there a motion to approve this?

So moved, Madam Mayor.

Councilman Waldo made the motion. Second from Councilwoman Morgan. Any comments from the public? Comments from council? All those in favor? Okay. That was unanimous?

It's a five to one. Councilman Messina opposed.

Thank you. The final item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance to adjust the 2025 2026 budget for emergency roof replacement on the parks operations. Mr. Beanville.

Thank you. It is an ordinance to amend the budget of the city of Aiken for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 for the general fund. We did have roof leakage. We at the time it was in a it's in a It was a dire, almost emergency situation. We needed to get bids because we felt the bid, the two bids we received were a little too much of a delta between them. We ended up getting three quotes and the low bid, or the bid we're going with based on after examining the three quotes, were $253,205 as the most responsive bid for a local vendor who could immediately perform the work. It was the middle cost of the three bids, and the budget ordinance allows for a contingency of about $22,000, $21,795 to be precise. And this is before council for second reading. I know the work, I think, was starting prior to this, given when we had the rain, we had to do some moving around and moving some employees. So we're bringing it for second reading, Madam Mayor and Council.

Thank you. Is there a motion to accept this?

I so move.

Councilwoman Diggs? Second. Second from Councilwoman Morgan. Comments from the public. Comments from Council.

What's the square footage of this building? Anybody know? 250.

Oh, no, it's a large, it was that building the city purchased with Capital Project Sales Tax 3, if you give me a moment. It was an industrial type warehouse when we purchased it back in 2010. But if you, it's thousands of, it's over 10,000 square feet, I believe. Okay.

Okay, thank you.

Any other comments from Council? All those in favor? Motion passed unanimously. We now move to new business. The first item is first reading and public hearing of an ordinance to annexed 2916 Mississippi Avenue and zone at residential single family RS 10. Mr. Bedenboe.

Thank you. This is an ordinance. to annex property located at 2916 Mississippi Avenue and zone at RS 10 residential single family. The applicants are requesting this annexation of approximately 28 hundredths of an acre and zone at RS 10 and the Planning Commission unanimously recommended it be annexed and zoned RS 10 is before you for first reading.

Thank you. Is there a motion for this? Yes, Madam Mayor. Councilwoman Price made the motion.

I second, Madam Mayor.

Second from Councilwoman Morgan. Comments from the public? Comments from council? All those in favor? Motion passed. Next item under new business is first reading and public hearing of an ordinance to annex 538 Bluebird Lane and zone at general business. Mr. Beden.

So move, Madam Mayor.

Oh, the building is 24,000... The building is 24,400 square feet.

Stuart, I apologize. I'm ahead of you.

I am okay with that. But I was researching... What was it? 24,416 square feet.

Wow. Okay.

And that's just the part that's being replaced. That's not the full building. Okay. Five... Bluebird Lane, the applicant is requesting annexation of that property, which is approximately one and a fifth acres and zone at General Business. This, you might remember when they built, completed the bypass from York Street over to Wagner Road. This little Bluebird Lane was kind of an odd piece with some kind of an uneconomic remnant type parcel, but there's some surrounding parcels that maybe could be combined. But the applicant is requesting annexation of the property and zone general business, and the Planning Commission reviewed this at their most recent meeting and unanimously recommended it be annexed to the city and zone general business GB.

I was a bit out of line in making a motion too early. I'm deferring to Councilwoman Diggs in her district, so I think she'd want to do that. I'll second it. Second it.

I don't even have the microphone on. How are you?

Doing well. Burton Fine, Cranston Engineering, representing the applicant, B52LC. I'd like to speak to items two and three on the agenda as they are tied together tonight for the same applicant. So a portion of the adjacent property to what we're referring to here on the screen came to you all back in December. And as you can see, the northern property was owned to PR to allow for multifamily use. At the time, the applicant did not own the property, but they have since purchased it. And now they're under contract to buy this piece on Bluebird Lane. And the intent is for them to annex the property in, rezone it along with the adjacent track, which is just over two acres to general business, and then abandon the Bluebird Lane right away and combine the parcels into one contiguous parcel to market for commercial use. So if you all have any questions, I'm happy to answer.

Thank you.

Thank you. We see this piece being sold maybe after the multifamily is developed and the applicant is thinking maybe fast food or a gas station, depending on who could potentially come in. But it really depends on the market. But it would be a use that is permitted in the general business district.

Or a grocery store.

A grocery store? I can't make any promises about a grocery store. Space is quite limited, but I can assure you they're gonna try to get as much out of it as they can. Thank you.

Thanks. Any comments from council? All those in favor? Thank you. Now we have first reading and public hearing of an ordinance to rezone 2.35 acres on Rudy Mason Parkway from residential single family to general business. Mr. B.

Thank you. You have read the title of the ordinance, and this is approximately 2.35 acres. And it has frontage on Rudy Mason and Bluebird Lane and a partially improved dead end street. And Mr. Fine just described what the intention would be and the comprehensive plan. assigns commercial uses to this property. The proposed rezoning would bring the property into conformance with its future land use designation and be appropriate for its frontage on the major arterial roadway. Those present at the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend it be rezoned to general business, and it is now before you this evening for first reading.

Thank you. Is there a motion for this?

So moved, Madam Mayor.

Councilman Waldo, in a second? Second. Second. Councilman Price, second the motion. Comments from council? I mean, sorry, comments from the public. Any comments from council? All those in favor? Thank you. Next, we have first reading in public hearing an ordinance to annex 877 Doherty Road zoning plan commercial and approve a concept plan. Mr. Bedenboe.

Thank you. You've read the title of the ordinance. This is approximately 34 hundredths of an acre. It's been utilized for various automotive related businesses in the recent past. The applicant is requesting concept plan approval to operate a heating and air conditioning business on the property. They would occupy the existing building and make minor site improvements such as landscaping and striping the parking area. Since it is in the PC zone, a concept plan must be reviewed and adjacent properties include the Taco Bell and Walgreens. The proposed use shows an existing 1,214 square foot building with proposed parking improvements with six parking spaces with one designated for handicap use. The parking spaces will have to meet the minimum requirements of the zoning ordinance Existing access to the site will be maintained on Murrah and on Doherty. The current sign on the property does not meet our planning commercial requirements. that the sign be a monument sign and with the four lane portion of Doherty Road, the maximum sign height is 12 feet and a maximum sign area is 60 square feet. The comprehensive land use plan does not have a future land use designation for this parcel or the south side of Doherty Road, but an office use is permitted in planned commercial zoning and would be consistent with commercial uses and zoning. It has access to sewer. the planning commission and water, and the planning commission reviewed this at their most recent meeting, and after reviewing, they recommend unanimously to the council the annexation and zone plan commercial with the following conditions on the concept plan, that the provision or extension of water and sanitary sewer shall be contingent upon service availability and civil review, that any freestanding signage be monument in style in accordance with the land development regulation, Whiskey Road corridor study standards. Third, that the building be repainted in an earth tone color palette and the color approved by the planning director. Neon or bright colors should be avoided. Fourth, that the driveway entrance on Murrah Avenue be upgraded and compliant with the zoning ordinance. Driveway changes will require an encroachment permit from SCDOT. Fifth, that the revised concept plan listing conditions of approval And any changes required by city council be submitted within 180 days and six that the applicant sign an agreement stating the conditions of approval within 180 days. And this is before you for first reading this evening.

Thank you. Is there a motion to accept this?

So move, Madam Mayor.

Councilman Waldo made the motion. Second from Councilman Morgan. Comments from the public? Comments from council? All those in favor? Thank you. The next item is first reading and public hearing of an ordinance to amend the city code regarding stormwater management.

Thank you, this is an ordinance amending section 44171 through 44191.5 of the Aiken City Code regarding stormwater management. We discussed with council at a work session proposed updates to the ordinance and removed conditions related to the advisory committee. A committee was never established. Staffing changes have occurred since the ordinance was originally adopted. The committee does not enhance the effectiveness of the stormwater program upon further review and could introduce unnecessary delays for customers and additional administrative burden for staff. Maintaining these responsibilities under the administrator and existing staff processes will allow a more efficient and responsive service delivery. And we have this before you at first reading, Madam Mayor and Council.

Thank you. Appreciate it. Is there a motion?

Madam Mayor, so moved.

Councilman Morgan made the motion. Second from Councilman Messina. Comments from the public? Comments from the council?

Yes, Madam Mayor. I just wanted to thank the staff for their efforts. The Stormwater Management Act that was passed, the advisory committee really is somewhat redundant. It doesn't help us any. The whole framework was better, and I think we're moving in the right direction in regards to stormwater. So kudos to staff, and thank you for clarifying it and getting it done.

Thank you for that nice comment. All those in favor? It's unanimous, thank you. The final item under new business this evening is first reading of an ordinance to amend chapter 38 of the Aiken City Code to collect a 2% hospitality tax. Mr. Bedenboe.

Thank you. It is an ordinance amending Chapter 38 of the Code of the City of Aiken to adopt a local hospitality tax. The city is, the future is staring us... and is very bright looking ahead. You know, we have more folks move here for equestrian amenities as a retirement mecca. Missions at Savannah Riverside are slated. And this whole CSRA, Aiken included, seems poised to be a center in the world for cyber thanks to Fort Gordon. I think our best days continue to be ahead of us. city council continues to be very proactive when planning for growth including uh road improvements such as tribute parkway a new water plant and a once in a lifetime opportunity to place a building at no cost to us the tom young center for research and innovation which we'll see uh approximately 100 employees with an average salary of $150,000 shopping, dining, and working in our downtown. We also recognize, as was stated earlier, how stellar a parks, recreation, and tourism department we have here at the city. boy those these men and women operate under the mantra of continuous improvement the director and the senior team hold each other accountable they monitor innovations and trends and parks and recreation and tourism those industries and meet the needs of our growing communities as best they can I will say I I've had the privilege of doing city budgets, really, I guess, putting my name on them nine. This is my ninth budget we finished. And I'm astonished because Parks and Rec, because it is the front porch of the city. But, you know, we historically, like most cities, budgets whether it's a household budget a budget for a fortune 500 company or a budget for a municipality the needs Excuse me the won't sometimes exceed and the needs exceed the availability of funds and Parks recreation and tourism a lot of times has had to wait and wait and wait Hurry up, then wait. And that continues. But they are able to make it. Council saw some of the wisdom of continuing to have for a robust Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department in 2014, excuse me, in 2015 by reinstituting 1% of the hospitality tax. Some of you may remember the city passed a hospitality tax in 1998. And rescinded it in 2001 after the voters approved capital project sales tax number one in November 2000. We, the 1% hospital, adding a 1% hospitality tax is nothing that's undertaken lightly. I mean, I recognize that as the person that has brought this forward. I'm working for a city that hasn't raised property taxes since 1989. I was still trying to be educated in school the last time we raised property taxes. I've been here since 2011 working for the city and the only time council has voted to raise taxes was in 2015 when that 1% was added. So here we are with the consideration of an additional 1%. And what is the reason and why? It's different now. In May 2015, council was concerned about economic stagnation in the city. I remember the discussions well. We debated a millage increase. We debated a, we considered a, the council considered a little bit of a millage increase and a little bit of a hospitality tax increase and ultimately landed on a 1% hospitality tax increase. It's very controversial. Several votes were made to try to rescind it, and council voted to ultimately keep it. I think the fruits of it are born when you see everything from the flowers that we have in our beautiful entryways in downtown, the events that we have in our downtown, so many improvements at our recreation facilities, it augments and takes pressure off of the general fund. But what it also does is it... It allows us to move, take expenditures that would normally be paid out of the general fund and slide them over to a fund where a substantial amount, and I would say conservatively at least a third of the revenue from the hospitality tax, but probably a little more, approaching a half, is paid by non-city residents. non-city residents uh help fund that whereas if we were to transfer this to users whether it's property owners or some other method of for city residents that burden would be solely gained by the or or paid by the residents the um One of the things I want to note, too, is a majority of the money, and we are going, since this is sort of a kickoff and over the next month and month and a half, we're going to have a special meeting. We're going to publicize what the plans are for these funds and what we've done with the funds over the past year. 11 years. I believe you can look at some of the improvements we've made and see that the money, we've been good stewards of the existing 1%. I want to note that certainly this would not be discussed if we would not have passed a development agreement in December 2025 for the Oliver Hospitality Group and as part of the agreement to construct a parking deck that up to 210 cars could park in. Majority of the spaces will be publicly available. The expectation, there are no plans to charge for those public spaces. Oliver Hospitality will pay for their spaces as part of the development agreement. But to show why our future is bright, we've got two hotels that are coming up to be constructed over the next year, year plus in our downtown. The old hospital at Volcluse Road and Richland will be constructed. So again, our downtown and our city are growing. But this is bigger than the downtown. A majority of the funds, again, will be expended away from the downtown. I've had the privilege and pleasure here over the last week to speak to two groups, Aiken Senior Men's Club and the Sunrise Rotary, and I can share that those meeting attendees are very also bullish on the future of Aiken. We were all present June 4th at the ribbon-cutting meeting. of the Tom Young Center for Research and Innovation, and the positive vibe that a broad arc of the community holds illustrates that we're in a very good place, but we need to strive to continue to do that. I wish I could say that we were substantial enough to where increases in the cost of doing business, whether it's roof repairs, planting flowers, improvements to our parks, etc., were not going up. Or we could control the pricing, but we can't. And again, I know one tax increase that the city is voted for in since 2011. And I think if we could go back further, we would find it's not been much more than that going back 30 years. So we bring forward tonight first reading of the hospitality tax for council's consideration. One final note before I'll turn it back to the mayor is, you know, I've talked to folks. legitimate concerns from people about Certainly a lot of our small restaurants family-owned restaurants there are concerns That a price increase and again, they're already competing with the cost of food is rising And as people's incomes are squeezed by Inflation discretionary spending is down but again We don't take this concern lightly and I believe our track record shows that the stewardship of those funds by the city have been very positive and good and I believe we can continue to do so and make our residents and visitors proud of how we are stewards of those monies. So this is before council for first reading. The thought process is we would do a first reading tonight and pause, tell the story a little more, have a public meeting, bring a second reading back sometime in August, as early as the second Monday in August, because also we're cognizant of the timing as the Oliver Hospitality will want to start work. Frankly, the timing of this is tied a little bit with Oliver because I did not want to get too far ahead because taxes and asking to increase taxes or somewhat anathema in the city and i was very cognizant of that as the as as the person you trust in in the position i hold so this is why the timing is uh the way it is uh because i want to be cognizant and deliberate and thoughtful as we bring this forward thank you mayor thank you for

all the explanation. Is there a motion to accept this first reading of the ordinance tonight?

So moved, Madam Mayor.

Thank you. Councilman Price made the motion. Second from Councilman Messina. Comments from the public?

EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS GRAHAM HALL, 825 EDISTOA AVENUE. I SERVE AS THE CURRENT CITY RECREATION COMMISSION CHAIR AND HAVE BEEN A BIG PROPONENT OF THIS TAX FOR WELL OVER 10 YEARS. I've been a lifelong resident of Aiken, have played youth sports my whole life in Aiken. I have children that both play youth recreation and travel ball here locally. And obviously travel, we have to travel quite a ways on weekends to follow soccer and baseball tournaments. When we travel to other municipalities in the state, we pay this 2% hospitality tax. When you go to New Ellington to eat dinner, you pay a 2% hospitality tax. North Augusta, Lexington, Barnwell, the list goes on. Most other municipalities, we compare ourselves, collect a 2% hospitality tax. And when these taxes are collected and allocated appropriately, you can see the benefit to the community. And for me, the benefit is more than it relates to tourism and that sort of thing. It's to our local stakeholders. It's to our, particularly our children in this town. How do we benefit our children? Our PRT program has done a wonderful job with the limited resources, so to speak, they have. They are at a max capacity as it relates to field usage, to indoor facilities. Their hands are tied. This would be a great way to alleviate some of those pressures, to expand on all this growth that we are seeing in Aiken, and to give the youth a real benefit as it relates to their future, to get them off the screens, off the streets, And to really add a crown jewel to the city of Aiken as it relates to recreation, particularly for what I'm truly concerned about. We've seen it, what it's done to other communities, how it relates to the development of their communities. and the youth, but then how it relates to the local restaurants, retail shops that we see in those communities. When we have tournaments that are particularly off-peak season tournaments, we used to host the Aiken City Cup soccer tournament for 17, 18 years. We've now lost that to Columbia County. At the peak of that tournament, we had over 200 teams come to Aiken from around the southeast, heads in beds for a weekend. I've been told that when that tournament was in place, it was the second highest revenue generator for hospitality accommodations tax outside of the week of the Masters. Hotels were filled, restaurants were filled, shops were being participated and money was spent at local retailers. You see the feedback. You see the concerns, particularly for the restaurant owners, how this might affect them. Inflation is tough. Discretionary budgets are tight at the moment. But again, this is a low burden to the person who goes out and spends their money. An additional 1%, as I said, is being spent. around the communities that when we go to these other areas. But when it is allocated appropriately, we can see the benefits. If we get these tournaments back, if we get more softball, obviously the equestrian community is huge to our local retailers and restaurants. But if we can continue to build on the facilities we have, attract those weekend tax dollars, heads and beds, that's what helps our local downtown businesses. So For me, I spend my money locally, happily, proudly, continue to do so. But again, this is a fund that I charge the council to be bold and brave here and the community to stand behind and say, hey, taxes are nothing that we want, but this is something that will benefit our community, particularly our youth as we go forward. So thank you for your time in this, and I hope we can move forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Graham. Appreciate it. Anyone else? Comments from council.

Yeah, Madam Mayor, I want to put something on the record that I believe we are constituents, you know, clear information and transparent communication. You know, the people that we represent deserve to know exactly why the increase is being proposed, how the funds will be used, and what benefits they can expect to see from us raising the additional 1%. You know, I understand, you know, the importance of the parking garage. I visited the Oliver Hotel property in Knoxville. They've done a great job with that area that they currently have in Knoxville. So I understand the value of the quality development that that can bring. However, you know, I have feelings about the parking garage being our best. primary thing that we're leading with so I would like to see us over this next month or so you know communicate that a broader for you know our vision for the city as Graham mentioned you know we see that everywhere you know we're paying a two percent hospitality tax surrounding areas so I do understand the significance of that and I want to you know when I think about you know the projects and things that we could you know utilize it for I know a regional sports complex will be something that I think will be great you know for the city of Aiken I know Graham mentioned that we're at capacity right now with the fields and everything else and But utilizing that with partnerships to those that have, you know, successfully connected with recreation and, you know, economic development. Investments in public transportation, I think, is something that's pivotal as well. Coming up in improvements on our entryways into the city. I know we've had many discussions about that also. And just, you know, more things that's family oriented. You know, I was in, I've been seeing things about Finley Park. I've visited there several times with the water park that they have there. I think it's a huge benefit during the summertime. And it, you know, just boosts the morale of the community. Things like that, you know, attract tourism as well and also quality of life. That's pivotal. So, you know, willing to move the conversation forward. But I would love to see us kind of have a concrete plan and communicate that better to the constituents because we owe them that at least.

Thank you for those wonderful words.

Madam Mayor. I just want to address comments that Graham said. Graham, I don't want to use the term rarely, but not often enough do we have citizens like yourself that come to that mic So well informed and with the understanding expressions of the need for what we have been ignoring for some time. Years ago, we were reluctant about having the 1% tax. And finally, that was approved. And we talked about a 2% at that time. But we were very reluctant about going that distance given the comments we were having about the 1%. And we certainly are not doing anything inappropriate that other towns are doing. As a matter of fact, it's been a negative for us to sit as long as we have. But we were operating with caution. Let me put it that way. But oftentimes, sometimes you have to take a few risks to move the process along. So thank you for sharing your side of it and what you've been exposed to you and your family. We appreciate and would love to hear from you more often.

Just a quick comment. One of the reasons I'm sitting here this evening is because after sitting four years on the Planning Commission, I think we had over 5,000 new homes approved during that time. That translates to roughly over 12,000 people with a substantial number of kids coming in. I know it's It's hard to hear that, presently, the fields are strained, the indoor facilities are strained. Therefore, we cannot have more traveling teams come to Aiken to participate in tournaments. So I really want to stress that we need funds to promote additional fields, additional recreation facilities to help our own teams and and traveling teams coming in so uh i think we have to look toward the future to make sure we're not strained uh five years from now uh where we could have thought ahead and and did something about it now thank you thank you thank you anyone else

Madam Mayor, Graham, thank you for your comments. Graham and I have talked a lot because he played soccer with my son and now we're seeing this next generation. We see our grandkids go to other places and pay that 2%. AND WE HAVE LOST SO MUCH ACTIVITY IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE USED TO HAVE THAT POLO CUP, CITY CUP, AND IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE. AND NOW WE CAN BARELY GET ENOUGH GAMES IN FOR OUR TEAMS LOCALLY BECAUSE THE REFS DEMAND BETTER FACILITIES. THEY NEED SO MANY GAMES TO PLAY OR TO REF BEFORE THEY'LL COME. AND I JUST THINK WE Our dollars are going to other communities. We have lost it. And I think I wrote down we need to be bold, we need to be brave, and we need to benefit our children. They deserve it. And one of the reasons why I'm on it, Pete, is similar to you. If we're going to build... homes and grow, then we need to grow effectively, efficiently, and provide for our children. And I think we have failed at that. Now, on the other hand, The 2% hospitality makes sense to me, but I want us to do what we said we were gonna do in the work session. And I will vote tonight to move it forward, but I believe there's some responsibility that the city said they would do between now and the time in August. And I'm a little concerned that we won't follow through with that. There are many constituents that want to not just have a public hearing, but they want to have a mechanism to effectively communicate why. And it is incumbent upon us to do better about explaining what we're doing and why. And because we are max capacity, I hear it from people at Citizens Park. They can't use it like they used to. It's full up. We need to be clear about where we're going and why. And the people, this is a crucial juncture for us to do better about communicating, allowing people to digitally give their opinions so that we can make better decisions for all of us. And I just think we're at this crucial juncture where we can be bold, brave, and we can benefit the future for our children and for better services. And I think we're up to it. And that's, I'm willing to vote for it tonight, but I think I'm not doing it in a vacuum that all's gonna be wonderful. It's gonna demand some work from us. But I think we're up for it. So that's all.

Thank you. Anyone else. All those in favor of this. It is unanimous and let us remember that we are going to have a public hearing here on July the 27th at 5.30 I believe for anyone who would like to come and comment on just this matter. So that will be very transparent. We will all be here and we'll be able to listen to the public's comments.

And hopefully, Madam Mayor, we will have other mechanisms for people to comment, not just be at one public hearing, but there'll be other several options to communicate effectively.

Well, is this a time to discuss that? What you have in mind? It's a good suggestion.

I think the staff can work on it. I think Mr. Bedenboe, Mary, they're ready to do something that's effective. We've talked about it.

And I'm sure that the Aiken standard will be very helpful in getting the word out.

Yes, we'll have multiple mechanisms between, since obviously people consume information in different ways, whether it's newspaper, social media, email, other electronic means, video. We will be putting the finishing touches on some of those elements to share with council and certainly to share to the public at large so we can offer everyone an avenue to communicate with us if they desire. But thank you. That's so important. You're right. We don't take this lightly.

And remember we all are our cell phones are all available on the city website and we are happy to take calls from anyone about anything and we do and we return our calls so let's look forward to that. Thank you. We now move on to petitions and requests. We have two items this evening, and the first is approval of a resolution authorizing acceptance of a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Thank you. We do have this grant that we would like council to approve. to consider this is an faa grant for our airport layout plan and it is a typical or a the common funding percentage mechanism that we have seen in the past where the feds pay 95 i'm sorry i think it's normally 90 percent by the feds five percent by the state, and 5% by the city, but this one is a 95% FAA share, 2.5% by the state, 2.5% by the city. This plan that we need to update has a budget of about $330,000 and our share of that would be $8,300. So we need council to approve a resolution for us to accept the grant so we can move forward on the future of Aiken Regional Airport, which is also very bright.

Thank you for that. Need a motion, please.

I so move.

Councilman Morgan made a motion. Second. I've got one from Councilman Waldo. Sorry about that. Comments from the public? Comments from council?

madam mayor this is just a wonderful opportunity the airport is just a gift that we all need to celebrate all the time and what a wonderful way to have funding that we are in line for the improvements so kudos to everybody to making it happen thank you yes uh that the airport uh there we're sitting on the cusp of a lot of wonderful things out there

Thank you, anyone else wanna make a comment from? Okay, all those in favor. Thank you so much. Unanimous. The final item tonight is approval to award a contract to Advanced Travel and Tourism for Visit Aiken Marketing Services, Mr. Biedenbaum.

Thank you. We did advertise in April a request for proposal from marketing firms to provide professional services for Visit Aiken to include. We requested services to include but are not limited to content creation strategy, marketing campaigns, and creative development for both traditional and digital media. We wanted to... see the following objectives brought forward including to position us as a diverse and distinctive destination by leveraging our tangible and intangible attractions, attract overnight visitors within the drive market and yield an increase in accommodation tax revenue and focus on content and digital marketing using measurable methods and utilizing traditional marketing when needed. We received five responses, interviewed three firms and recommend after scoring and interviewing the responses, advanced travel and tourism, as the new marketing firm with a $220,000 one year term contract, which is a budgeted expense in our budget, which starts July 1st. And this is for consideration this evening.

Thank you. Do I hear a motion, please, to accept this?

I so move, Madam Mayor Councilman Morgan.

Second, I second from Councilwoman Diggs comments from the public. Comments from council?

Yeah, I have one question about this. Where will the content be posted?

I'm going to ask Mr. Gordon, our tourism manager, to comment on that.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council. So the content, what we're going to be doing is we'll be doing both a mix of digital outside of social media and within social media. So we have a listing of personas that visit Aiken, whether it's families girls getaways couples whatnot so depending on what we're going to be targeting whether it be a particular event or all year round traveling that will determine how we put out the digital marketing so it could be something that appears in digital newspaper while you're reading it could come up on your Facebook feed it really depends on who the traveler what we're looking for is that who will go to So it will go to their most popular outlets. Got you. OK. Any other questions?

Thank you.

Thank you. OK. Yeah, sure. So from this, and so just to be clear, we don't pay a monthly fee for our advertising, for our marketing firm. Most marketing firms, when you work with them, the one we're working with currently, we have between like a four, 4,500, $5,000 monthly fee. to work on putting together different campaigns and whatnot with advanced travel and tourism. So all of the creation of the advertising, all of the creation of the content, all the strategy, all of the personas and whatnot, that is all put into that $220,000. And so then that will allow us to further expand on how we're marketing aching and where. So right now we only hit digitally, you know, our major markets such as Charleston, Atlanta, actually the suburbs north of Atlanta, Charlotte. But now we'll be able to flood those markets a bit stronger. We look at this as right now we have two hotels downtown. We're going to be looking at another two hotels at a total of probably 170, 175 rooms, plus Rose Hill, plus a hotel that's opening up shortly behind Cracker Barrel. We need to start now to be putting our name out there more than we have in the past so that we can build up momentum so when those hotels open, we're gonna have the people to come. So I do see how it is a cost when you take the 220,000 that we spend and then compare it to a 2%, our local hospitality tax plus our 2% state, sorry, accommodations tax is three locally, two state. What comes back, I don't have an exact number off the top of my head, but it is much, much higher than $220,000. Well, we spend 5,000 plus all the expenses of a lot of design, like that doesn't include any of our placement costs. So when we are going over to advanced travel and tourism, We don't pay a monthly fee. All of our costs go to, yes, some creative, but then everything goes to our placement costs, where right now we do spend $5,000 a month. So it's $60,000 a year. And then I have another $170,000 approximately that we also have to spend on all of our advertising, all of our billboards. our digital advertising, print advertising. So all of that, it may only look like we're spending $60,000, but then we have everything else that we pay to our different providers for those services. No, no, no. This is a flat $220,000. That includes creative. That includes placement. It's actually, I mean, this is not something I've actually have done for a long time. Because when we used to back like 30 years ago, it was very normal to only pay a design and placement fee to an advertising firm. Then they took the commission. Then as time went on, I found more companies that did the retainer because it's guaranteed income, whereas advanced travel and tours kind of takes it back to the old model. And I really feel that's because they are a... portion of a much larger company that has its own outlets for advertising, that works with so many different types of travel companies, aviation companies, that they do have economies of scale that places like Aiken that may not be as large can take advantage of.

So are we also, is it just tourism or is it the parks and recreation side?

This is strictly tourism. Okay. You know, that being said, if we are doing like brochures or something for like playgrounds and things like that, but this is strictly for tourism. Any other questions?

Councilman Waldo, we do have many of our events under tourism that you may consider parks recreation. Christmas in Hopelands, we do a Christmas campaign, a holiday campaign through our tourism division. So this agency would work with staff to create that holiday campaign. Again, tourism is advertising outside of that 50-mile radius. So there are some local recreation programs that do benefit from this dollar advertising agency.

And and could you break down for us if we put this off until next month could you break down the tourism side of things so we know where the money is being spent because you've educated me a little bit or that tourism. No, I understand that, the actual dollars. I want to be able to understand the dollars we're spending and why, because you helped me understand that there's a lot of money out there that we're getting through accommodations and hospitality, and we're doing it. I just think this might be an opportunity. I have no problem looking at this contract, but I also think we need to go up a little bit and look at what all is being spent and why on tourism. and have those dollars have a better understanding it just creates an opportunity especially for those of us new on council to understand what you all are doing I'm not questioning it we're just trying to create better understanding then this is that first juncture for those of us so

Well, I mean, if I can answer, like, what does tourism do? I mean, with bringing, I mean, just with, I mean, I know you know what tourism does. I think I do. But with bringing in people, that is our hospitality tax. That is our accommodations tax. So as we are marketing the city outside of 50 miles and also much further, we are bringing in those people who are spending that money into our economy. Yes. So I guess I'm not exactly sure. I'm more than happy to give you the numbers of everything that we're doing.

I THINK THAT THERE'S JUST SOME QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP WITH MR. PEET TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THIS MONEY AS TO WHAT WE'RE SPENDING. BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A LARGE AMOUNT. BUT IF WE'RE MERGING IT, I THINK I UNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU WERE SAYING. I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LOOK AT THE MONEY BEING SPENT A LITTLE MORE HOLISTICALLY FOR TOURISM. ESPECIALLY GET A HANDLE AS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT HOSPITALITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS TAX AND DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES. I THINK WE ALL NEED TO BE BETTER EDUCATED ESPECIALLY THE NEWER PEOPLE ON COUNCIL. I'M NOT AFRAID TO LEARN.

I COUNCIL MAKES ITS OWN DECISION. WE WILL BE WITHOUT A MARKETING COMPANY UNTIL WE DECIDE.

Yeah, because the contract would go into effect July 1st, correct? June 23rd, which is tomorrow.

Thank you. And I'm happy to share everything, but again, I understand council makes the decision.

I mean, certainly we can continue it, but that is the risk.

I'm not averse to having a vote tonight, but I would request that maybe we have some more dialogue about this.

I'm more than happy to do it in any place that you'd want me to.

Thank you. That'll be great.

Certainly. We do ask that our marketing agency on record provide counsel with reports. We do that annually. So you will see the product on an annual basis and could be done sooner as well.

I had one thing.

since we are at the beginning of a new fiscal year, we will be putting together a report of what we've done in the past 12 months. And then again, once we, I mean, we have ideas of what we want to do, but once we sit down and put together some of the campaigns, again, I'd be happy to sit down and show you everything that we do and how it economically benefits. Thank you. Thank you, Eric.

Thank you, Jessica. Anyone else want to make a comment from council? So we're going to go ahead and vote. All those in favor? Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Animas, thank you. No. No.

No. I'm sorry. Four to two? Okay. Five to one. Councilwoman Morgan opposed. Opposed.

All right, thank you. We will now open the floor to public comments on non-agenda items. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker and for a total of 30 minutes. Getting fewer and fewer out there. Are there any items from the city manager this evening?

Thank you, just several, very brief. I want to acknowledge two things. Every year since 1992, we've been awarded the certificate of achievement from our GFOA Excellence in Financial Reporting for our ACFER, which is the annual comprehensive financial report. And I appreciate the work that Ms. Rooks does. You'll get the latest act for later this calendar year. And that document has a copy of the prior year's audited financial statements, plus a very helpful, handy statistical section, which shows trends over a 10-year period and in some cases even further back. So kudos to the finance department. And one final reminder, city offices are closed in observance of Independence Day Friday, July 3rd, since the July 4th proper is on a Saturday. So we will close on Friday the 3rd and reopen with normal hours on Monday, July 6th. That's all I have at this time.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adjourn our meeting?

So moved.

That would be Councilman Messina. And a second from Councilman Price. You had your hand up. Second from Councilwoman Price. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you. Thank you.