City Council - Regular Meeting

Good good evening everyone. Welcome to the December 8th meeting of our Aken city council. If you are 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. Amen. Chief, would you please lead us in the pledge?

Good evening, council and mayor. 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'll review the guidelines. Meetings are public forums in which many opinions are expressed in 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, 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-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. Madame Mayor, thank you so much. Hello everyone. Thank you for being here this evening. Uh we hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to a beautiful Christmas. Madame Mayor, we don't have any additions or deletions to our agenda.

Thank you so much. Um and that you will your motion. I move that we accept the agenda as it is presented. All right. Thank you. May I have a second, please? Second, Madame Mayor. Uh, Councilwoman Price made the second. All those in favor. Thank you. It's unanimous. The minutes were provided to council for review prior to the meeting. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes? I so move. Councilwoman Diggs made the motion and a second from May. We have a second. Second.

Thank you. Councilman Walto second the motion. Any comments or changes? All those in favor. Thank you. There is one presentation on the agenda tonight. It is an update on the unidirectional flushing program. I believe the presentation will be our with our city engineer Thomas Parrot and Mr. Dave Johnson of Highll Infrastructure Engineering. Will you please come up and give us your presentation? Good evening, gentlemen.

Good evening. Um Thomas Barrett, city engineer. Um Dave Johnson's going to give an update on the unidirectional flushing and where we are and where we're heading. Um so I'm going to turn it over to him and I'll be back here if you have questions.

All right. Good evening. I'm Dave Johnson with HighIll. I appreciate you guys having me in this this evening. Um, as Thomas said, I wanted to give a quick update on the unidirectional flushing program that Aken has been pursuing. Um, so with that today, what I'd like to do cover with this presentation is talk about the the downtown area UDF that was implemented um, uh, earlier this year. Kind of go over the key results and flushing observations that were made during that um, implementation of that unidirectional plan. And then I'd like to get get into the details of uh what the next steps are for Aken's unidirectional flushing program. Uh go through um what we're working on for the downtown UDF plan and then what we're working on for the phase two and phase three plans. Um and talk about some of the valve assessment work that's going to go along with that. And then lastly just talk about the the flushing and assessment schedules that we have planned for the 2026 calendar year. Uh so with the downtown UDF um quick overview uh we took an area of the downtown um divided up into four flushing zones. Um within those four flushing zones we developed 73 flushing sequences and these were developed to systematically go through the uh the water infrastructure, the water lines in this area to um clean and scour the the pipes. And mainly the the effort here was to improve the water quality. um uh within the system. The flushing activities, they began July 23rd, 2025 and they were um they continued on uh for about for a couple weeks and finished wrapped up on August 7th, 2025. Um some of the summaries from that. So over that time frame, we they uh we uh flushed 27 miles of pipe. uh we appro

used approximately about a million gallons of water to do the flushing activities and the time spent actually with flushing using the hydrants flowing the water through there was about 31 hours. Some other key metrics coming out of there. So average flush and flow rates uh they over all all 73 sequences averaged about 550 gallons per minute. Um, some were a little higher, some were a little lower, but the key thing that to kind of point out on this slide is the flushing velocities in the pipe. Um, we developed the program to to target at least a 3 ft per second minimum. Um, and we were able to over cross the all the all the uh sequences uh flushing velocities averaged to a little over 5t per second. Um, another metric was the turbidity. Um, and basically what we looked at here is what the water looked like color-wise when we first opened the hydrants and then what it looked like when we finished that flush and sequence. Um, 42% of the the flushing sequences started off with a heavy turbidity and ended in clear and then about 27% medium to clear um, and 10% they were light when we started and and went to clear. Um and we've got some examples of some of those in here. Um so this is Kataba Street flush and sequence 39 example of going from a heavy turbid water to to clear. Uh the time this one flushed for about 51 minutes to get it to that clear. Um and then had different pipelines that we were flushing in this one different diameters. So we in those pipelines we were able to get between five and almost seven feet per second depending on those size of those pipes. Um another example this one is Church Street near Eustace Park. Um, we

actually had two hydrants open on this one and this is one of them that we got captured here where it was medium to heavy start that that we were able to get to clear um with some small particullet coming out still in about 48 minutes. Um, flushing velocities on here, you know, four around 4 feet per second. Uh, this other example here is York Street um flushing sequence 73. Another example, the heavy to clear. This was further, this was towards the end of the the flushing activities. Um the flush time was only 21 minutes. Uh so this one cleared up a lot quicker than some of the early ones. And again, flushing velocities on this one was 5 ft per second. Um so kind of moving forward with the UDF program. So we got a couple things in store um for the uh the downtown UDF program. uh we're planning to implement that again um in in February of of next year and and basically this is going to help us evaluate some of those metrics that we got in the summer of this year and help us determine what that implementation frequency is. Do we need to do this every six months? Do can we do it every year? Can it be every other year uh for this area? Um so we're working on on getting getting that going. Um, and then to do that, there's some minor modifications we're making to that existing plan based off of site observations. Um, and most of that is to change valves that were called to be closed and open some and and close different ones so we can prove some of the velocities and some of those pipelines. Um, and then kind of going hand inand with this, there's an RFQ that's that's going to be um is is advertised now, but it's going to be used to help select a contractor to implement these flushing and valve hydrate assessment services over the next handful of years.

Then moving on from the downtown, we're expanding the uh the flushing program to two different areas. Uh we're calling at the moment phase two and phase three. Um the phase two plan is is really um looking at areas directly west north and east of the downtown area shown in this map here. Um and then the phase three program is areas directly south of downtown but north of the the Pine Log road area also depicted on on the map on on the screen here. Um, as we're getting into developing those UDF plans, um, we're also going to be implementing that valve assessment for both phase two and phase three. And the benefits of that is they're going to be able to go out there and and check all these valves, locate them, operate them, confirm that they are capable to be utilized in the uh in the in the flushing plan um to help kind of expedite development of that plan and and have that ready to to be implemented sooner rather than later. Um, so schedule-wise, so right now I mentioned the UDF downtown, um, we're planning to to reimplement that one in February of 2026. Um, as for the phase two and three UDF plans. Um, so what we're planning is as soon as that flushing activities is done uh, for the downtown area, we'd like to start on the ballot assessments for the phase two and phase three areas. um and then get through that. Then hopefully around April, we'd like to implement a small little pilot for both of those. And that's going to consist of about five flushing sequences where we go out there, we run those sequences, we collect the data, the pressures, the flows, and take that back to the model that we're using to help calibrate that

a little bit. Um and then the plan is to have everything ready for implementation phase two October and November of 2026. And then phase three implementing that flushing activities November December of 2026. And then kind of just a quick over benefits, you know, why are we doing the UDF program? Um the primary benefit is water quality improvements. Uh it's going to help the city provide cleaner, clearer water by flushing out builtup materials and pipelines. Uh it's going to help reduce customer complaints about discoloration, taste, and odor. Um, it's going to give this the the system more consistent water quality across different neighborhoods. Um, and it's going to continue to help the city meet state drinking water requirements. Uh, as a secondary benefit, you know, there's there's there's some system improvements that could be identified um for the valve and hydrant assessments that will go along with this. you know, it's going to help check those those assets and make and and find any that are in in need of repair or replacement. Um, it's also going to help city staff have the confidence to know that they can quickly isolate small areas during repairs to limit outages by doing those assessments. Um, and then I think the flushing and the assessments are going to help pinpoint older or problem pipes within the system that that could be you addressed in future replacement projects. And then lastly, you know, GIS database is going to benefit from this. The data collected in the field that's going to go back and update those maps and the records to give everything keep everything as up to date as possible, which will in turn allow city staff and their crew to respond more expeditiously um when needed.

All right. And that's presentation for this evening. Are there any questions? Madame Mayor, uh Mr. Johnson, um this is to finish in December of next year, 2026. Is that correct? This unidirectional flushing you're doing right now. You're doing the phases. Yeah. The phase two and three, the plan is to finish development of those and implement them by the end of 2026. So then is there do we do it again at a certain time? Is this an ongoing thing or is after that things are okay and you wait till you see if there's an issue or

so traditionally like what it's a lot of systems who do implement the UDF programs they they do put it on a uh okay a [laughter] an annual or by every two years depending on on the needs um you know older pipeline you might need to do a little more frequently. Um, so that's one of the things we're trying to to answer with the downtown doing that again in February. Okay, great. I didn't just wonder if it's a one time or you keep kind of testing or looking at evidence to see exactly. Thank you. And and I have a question about

um under your systems improvements and you've done some flushing already. Have you because of I'm asking this question because of the aging infrastructure that we have in certain parts of our town. Have you identified additional improvements that are needed in some of the areas that uh have not had infrastructure replaced in 70 plus years?

I I'll touch on it. So, I mean, one some of the things that we did with the initial ones was identify where, like he was mentioned before, where we need valves, where we need additional hydrants to be able to isolate some of those areas. Um, as far as the plan moving forward. Um, that's really and what Kay was talking about earlier is we'll we're going to reevaluate the downtown area. We'll we'll keep doing it. Um, and that will help us pinpoint those areas that do need to to be replaced because the the conditions won't continue to improve. Um, we are doing a couple other things along with this. Don't really want to get all into tonight, but we'll we'll keep you guys updated, but that will be part of it as far as being able to identify those particular areas that do [clears throat] need to be replaced.

Okay. Thank you, Mayor. Madame Mayor, um I just appreciate the effort what you all have been doing having water that was just like that York Street that coffee looking. Um most of my neighbors had it and so we have not had any other problems since they've did this and so we're grateful. Um and I my concern is the phase three service area um that's going to come the two and three will come up and that was the the one of the areas that was most affected in my district. So I was

right and it's important to note um with that yes it it looks really bad there but that's because it's what we're trying to get it to do. We're trying to get it out. Now normal circumstances when you have lower flows we're we're doing normal you know two feet per second kind of flows that you would normally see in the in the system. you're not going to see that. We were trying to create those conditions, right?

To to help clean it. So, is is this a, you know, a oneshot deal and we're done? No. I mean, this is part of ongoing maintenance for a whole system. So, this is one of those those things we're touching on right now. And it's we hopefully continue to see real value in it. So I I I think it is and and you're mapping to understand where the problems occur and we're doing the repair and maintenance which I think is really commendable. My only question is have did you map where the complaints were on those two initial episodes so that we could

they they do have we do have all information. So and and again it's it's a process. So we've got that data. We also have historical records about repairs and all that to to pinpoint those. It's a living system. So, um, even, you know, recently, I won't get into again specifics, but there's a section of pipe downtown that we've continued to have problems on, and we need to get it moved up the the ladder to be able to to replace it sooner than later. You know, those are things that we're constantly working on. Well, I just want to appreciate your efforts because I have in there have been people that have said people been out repairing water lines in the middle of the night and would not stop until it was done. That's a commending you all for doing it. So, so thank you. And if there are any complaints in any current if somebody has a problem, follow the what's on the website and Yes.

what you all put out there. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you so much. Excuse me. Councilwoman uh Morgan. Um does this happen all over the city? This every I mean I've never had brown water, but my neighbors, these two ladies on the front row, well these three on the second row, they had brown water and they are stone stroke for my house. I've never had it. Yeah. I and people think I paid y'all not to, but I'm I'm just wondering um

it it is and can be, you know, because again, our system's so large and there's so many interconnections that it you could just be lucky enough. Yes, [laughter] I mean, you are lucky enough to to live here, but um with that, I mean, it really is just dependent on where you are and what the connections are. um because we're we're in some ways probably overly connected but um with our water and sometimes in our community as well but um really just you know it just depends on where you are sometimes.

Thank you. a question I'd like to see um maybe I more attention I you're spending a lot of attention to it but to find the exact problems because just flushing out the sediment and the particulates is now obviously sediment and particulates are getting into the system and you're flushing it out to make it better but have you done I mean like concentrated the sanitary sewers do ionizi studies inflow and infiltration studies you really try to pinpoint where water is getting into the system now have you concent concentrated at all on that and to find out where exactly sediments are getting into the system. I mean they're coming from the pipes they're themselves. Yeah. Crack pipes. No, like the pipe material itself.

The pipe material. Yes. Because our our pipes the majority of ours because of when it was constructed in the 50s or our first expansion. Um a lot of those pipes are cast iron pipes. So they're unlined. Um which means that there's there's no protection on it. Again, I didn't want to get into all the things that we're we're working towards and through, but one of the things is is there's really there two other key aspects of it, which be chemistry of the water, making sure that we're doing everything we can to

to prevent those things. The the second point would be, you know, [clears throat] doing lining of those those larger. So, yes, we're doing that. We're putting putting together plans for that. That's really where it's not coming it's not coming from sources when it comes out of the wells or the the surface treatment plant. It's it's perfect. Um because it has to be. So it's not coming from anywhere else. Okay. And there will there'll be signage for the the citizens when you are doing the flushing. Yes, there there will be signage for citizens. I will say we because we'll forget by then.

Yeah, we'll have sign and we do that with the flushing the traditional hydrant flushing as well. So there'll be notifications out for that as well that we do annually. And I have I I want to add two things. First, I was uh speaking with someone how, you know, with pipe replacement, we did do a recent pipe replacement downtown uh that uh looped our system, it it it eliminated the dead end. And um the u one of the beneficiaries uh mentioned to me that since they went live on the line about a month ago, they've not had any issues. uh we had to install a post hydrant uh prior to uh to to regularly flush the line and uh that seems to be working well. And uh as it relates to the overall topic of the um uh sediments in the line that that naturally occur with the galvanized metal line. Um I know we got a lot of questions about uh the safety of the water and the one thing I want to mention um is that to say that the water is not safe and I understand just generally the the appearance but we follow the and we are uh licensed and regulated by the state of South Carolina department of environmental service department of public health former DHECK And if there were issues of the safety of the water, we would be under a consent order and so forth and it would be they it they would be publicizing that for the users of the water system. And that has not happened. And there is not um the the water there are no questions in the regulatory uh uh from the regulatory viewpoint from those that are regularly monitoring our water about

um it safety. Um I know that question came up um understandably, but um you know there are people that that continue to say that and that's just not correct. So thank you. Thank you both for your dedication to this and getting that problem under control. Appreciate it. Welcome. Thank you so much for your presentation.

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. Good evening. I think I'll disagree with a few things. I am Dr. Robert A. Lasher of Lashier Engineering LLC. Can I take this to my seat and speak? Prefer you not to.

I don't believe it will re reach that far.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. I am Dr. Robert A. Lashir of Lashier Engineering LLC at 205 Longleaf Court in Aken. I am still gravely concerned about Aken coverups of drinking water safety problems. Aken is American administrator for our national drinking water safety dangers. Aken is South Carolina coverups of drinking water dangers continue to threaten their health. Both the city of Aken and the state of South Carolina parallel the for their forces to stonewall legitimate freedom of information act requests for information to further prove the connection between water main breaks and the transmission of infectious diseases and Achen. Important information is censored from the public. This safety concern is documented in many publications that are sub summarized in my opeds. The deeper that I dig into this investigation, the dirtier the story becomes. Governor McMaster refused to respond to a concern, including a statement that I firmly believe that the Aken city government is involved in a cover up of a water main breaks that increases taxes and dangers health and a cover up investigation is warranted. The South Carolina Department of Public Health absurdly claims that dates and zip codes invade personal privacy of people who were infected by waterborne diseases. The South Carolina Department of Public Health acknowledges 68 cases of infectious drinking water diseases in Aken between 2018 and 2024 where death information was not provided. Disease data was also redacted without explanation by the South Carolina Department of Public Health for the 2025 achen brown water fiasco. False reporting was provided by Aken for the 2025 aen brown water fiasco when we were misinformed about the brown water cause. Akin claims that additional data information previously provided to others is unavailable. Without such data, cross referencing referencing disease information to water main breaks is nearly impossible. The single case

that Aken cannot sensor was recorded for an Aken resident in an earlier oped. An Aken resident drank clear water that passed through a filter which does not filter cryptosperia cryptosperidiosis from drinking water. When she went upstairs to brush her teeth, she thought saw the brown water was flowing from the faucet in her bathroom sink. She was ill for five days after drinking the partially filtered brown water where cryptoperidious symptoms appear in 2 to 10 days. She collapsed within several days of drinking brown water and she was later later hospitalized for 4 days in January 2020 [snorts] and the cause of her illness was unknown for several years until it was diagnosed as cryptosperidiosis. Evidence concludes that she was infected with cryptosperidiosis by Achen drinking water. Sadly, Achen claims that there is no such evidence. As long as the truth is buried in backroom politics, drinking water will not be as safe as it can be. Our health and our lives are unnecessarily risk. As as one resident said about Aken, and it happened to be that resident, they just don't care. And my question is, there corruption in Aken? Mayor Milner, you and Mr. Beenball, the city manager, in my opinion, threaten our lives. Will you permit a city council work session to publicly discuss drinking water safety concerns?

That's my question. Thank you for your comments. Can we have can we have a work session to talk about these issues?

Thank you for your comments. So there's no answer to that question. You said in September that you you would answer my questions at the last work session. That was one of the questions. Can we have a worse work session? I believe I did answer your questions. We The only question I got is there's not one scheduled. That's not an answer. I believe the your department answered his questions. Correct. His answer was there's not one scheduled. That does not say whether you're going to allow one or not. So you're saying you're not going to allow one. I just want that to be clear. Allow a a work session to discuss this public safety concern for our community. I believe we already did.

There was a work session uh and you had time at it um earlier this year. That was a work session where you made false comments against me and smeared my character, sir. That's that's the session you were talking about. And that smear of my character was the reason that you canled the second work session, I believe. Is that correct or am I mistaken?

Mistaken. Was I mistaken about you smearing my character and making false statements in that and making false statements to the city the entire city council in that meeting? You stated in that meeting that that you and I don't have the exact quote, but you basically said, "I claimed that I could stop all water mane breaks and you use that to dismiss all my work by smearing my character." But I never said that. I've given you copies of the two presentations I made and you have them in your records. And in each of those each of those records, it says something different than what you said. It's in black and white, sir. I sent you a copy of it. So, I guess the answer is no. Public safety is not your concern. And you will not have a work session. Correct.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, sir. Any other comments? Yes, sir. Mr. Kirk. Yes. Good evening, Mayor, City Council. Uh, we'll bring it down just a notch here. Um, we have seen an increase in the homeless as we always do and we're uh we got the shelter at the Salvation Army. We'll open it when it gets down below 30° at night, but between 30 and 40, it's still cold out there. We will have some warming stations set up at one at a Ebenezer Church and one at 316 Greenville Avenue. Those will probably be between four and six or five and seven. So for that time, we've got people where we can get them warm and uh keep them a little bit dry in case it gets wet and things like that. We're still short on blankets, sleeping bags, and tents. People say, "Well, you know, the tents, why do you want to keep on enabling them?" Well, because we don't have room for them in the end. That's the reason we do it so that they got someplace that's dry and can stay that way. Um, black isn't here. So, I mean, he is Oh, he didn't even come say good hello to me. Boy, now I'm really upset. Now I'm going to get down to business now. [laughter] Um, I'll let him speak for himself then. But we also are in need of a cup of soups. Just the ones that we can make ramen noodles so that we can keep on feeding these people as well. Uh this is for the evening times. We we've got

other activities throughout the day for for people to come and do do certain things. We're trying to get them to go to work. So that's one of the things we're trying to work on. Um last month last month 257 possible overdoses. Okay. That's That's 40 less than the month before, but we had five fatalities. That's four more than we had the month before. And the thing is, these are not people that are on the street. These are the ones that are going into the hotels or into somebody's bathroom or in somebody's house and overdosing. We we work with people all day long with these with these issues. It's not getting any better. I can tell you that right now. But it's not only the people on the street. We've got doctors, lawyers, and everything else that are that are getting hooked up in this stuff. So, I think that what we would like to do is have some more training available for that. And if you guys have a good idea on that, please contact me. And if you see people out in the streets, uh, get a hold of your city council member so they can get a hold of me. Thank you.

And we will go out and take care of them. Um, I've went over. I'm sorry. It's fine. Any questions? Thank you, Lex. Um, I mean, I'm sorry. The warming stations stay open just until 5 for 5 to 7 for us. Okay. Uh the city has the community centers and whatever time they're open until that's supposed is that what it what we had come to an agreement on.

So whatever time the community center shut down, they have to be out. So if Smith Hazel closes at 8 or 9, they stay over there in the I mean it is available if anyone wants to use it to get out of the elements until closing. That we got to go. Yes. Uh once the facility closes because we're not um it's a liability per Yeah. And we're not permitted to have the overnight because of a lot of you know the building is not constructed for that. Okay, it Thank you. Thank you, Kurt. Yes, sir.

Good evening.

Lex Perry, 1526 Southboundary Avenue Southeast. um a pastor of C4 Impact uh ministry. Good evening to everyone. Um as Kirk was saying, we do have a warming station that's going to be open. It is open Monday uh through Saturday um from 400 p.m. to 6 uh p.m. uh each day. Uh we providing soup um you know and we also scheduling showers um and also um the laundry as well just so folks can get cleaned up. Um, we also still have the computers there as well so that folks can also once we find out exactly what it is, do a little bit of triage, they can get on a computer, start looking for jobs, also helping them get IDs and those type of things as well. And that's also open during the day. Um, we have the um the the showers and the laundry available during the day from 10:00 a.m. starting at 10:00 a.m. uh Monday through through Saturday. Um so, you know, if anybody you knows of someone you see them, they can come to us. It gives us an opportunity again like I said to triage find out exactly what it is that they need between uh Kurt and I is uh Aken and several other organizations. So we are all working together to try to solve this issue. We also uh make um referrals over to um Aken Barwell mental health um or to the hospital and they also call us um if they have a case where someone needs um housing. We currently have 18 adults and seven uh children um that we're currently housing um and we're still interviewing uh folks a lot tomorrow and we are still looking for additional um housing opportunities as well. And I do thank those in the community who are um coming out and um developers who are contacting me and with an opportunity to see if there's something we can work out. Uh because what we're doing is working. Um we know that it is um one of the fastest ways to get folks off the street. We can usually

do it within 72 hours after we interview people um as long as we have a place for them to go. Um so uh again I want to thank you for the support that you all have given us. Um if you again see someone in need um use relink.org is a great resource to go to first. Uh but then of course you can call Kurt and I. We'll we'll be there. You know uh this is a 247 um thing that we do. I'm always monitoring my phone. Um, I'm always available. Um, except for Sunday. I tried the one time I said Monday through Saturday. I tried to unplug on Sunday, but I will answer the call if you call me. I promise you that. Where's those warming stations located?

Well, the the the one we have is at 316 Greenville Street Northwest, right at my office. Um, we have a uh we use one of the apartments as um we call it the clubhouse, but we use that as a warming station. Pas Pastor Perry, [clears throat] excuse me, I want to thank you for the lady that I referred you to and you got back with me and let me know and I appreciate that very much.

Absolutely. Absolutely. We're always watching and we're very familiar with most of the folks that you that you referred to us. Um I think hardly anybody gets past this. We know a lot of folks by name. Um but we are still available to try to help them out. Um you can lead a horse to water. You can't make them drink. Uh, but we're going to do our best. [laughter] Okay. Well, I don't know whether you work with Teresa Callahan, but I tell you what, she's been my go-to person the last few weeks, and I reached out to her last year about a regular person that's always y homeless, which she says she's not homeless,

but you've been in staying in the woods and you've been at other locations and each time you have to leave. So, she's been a lifesaver. She was able to to call me right back and help try and find a solution. Unfortunately, the person left before she could even pick her up, but she did her part.

It is. So, everyone know it is part of the challenge. It's it's it's really a myth that people really want to be homeless. It's a matter of spending the time so that they build the trust, so that they know that you really care. And and that's why it's important for us to continue those touches and don't get tired of referring them. You know, we we every touch that we get, we get one step closer to helping them to make that decision to come out. We've had folks that have been out there six to 10 years. Now they're in house and now we we have two people, as a matter of fact, one it was six years out on the street and almost 10 years out on the street. They're now housed and they're making really good headway, you know. So, we need to continue to do that. [applause] Madame Mayor, [clears throat] let me comment on on Lex and and Kurt. Um, this has been something that this population that's been talked about 25, 30 years and all that happens is the number just increases. You can't tell me given the income of people in this town and what I see happening in different framework in this town that people cannot get come together have a huge fundraiser identify some property have a 30,000 or 40,000 square foot building or get one that's already existing.

You renovate it. You start working with people like yourself and Kurt,

you spend a lot of hours out there trying to help these individuals and all we can say is you're doing a good job. That is not enough. And our heavenly father is not pleased with that. There's enough churches in this town, enough people in this town that know enough know enough people with influence that can do something. You have the city of Bacon and I'm not leaving us out. You have the county and you have the state and you have the feds. Somebody ought to be able to do something so that you will not have to do this every time, every week, every day. At least get a facility. That is my sermon today. It can be done [applause]

and that is our prayer for that to happen. And and for folks who say who's going to do it, I promise you we are dedicated to it. I know that we're dedicated to it. So it it will not be um you don't have to worry about the leadership wise. We've got a lot of people here who are willing to dedicate the time to it to make it happen. So you have the volunteers. It takes money. It it takes resources. It does. You can't do it without that. It does. Talk is cheap. All right. But we got a lot of good people on Akin. We're just calling you out to just just to give us a hand. We appreciate you all. Thank you. God bless. Thank you. [applause] Anyone else would like to speak?

Good evening. Good evening, Madame Mayor, Council Jacob Ellis, Three Short Court, Aken, South Carolina. Um, a friend of a coworker brought to my attention that there is a maybe in the pipe works a proposed development out on Anderson Pond Road coming before the county soon. And then she brought to my attention that part of it would be maybe annexed into the city. 113 houses out on Anderson Pond Road. When is enough enough? We have the old mall site being developed with condos and apartments. We have the powderhouse connector road being developed with housing and condos. Do we really need more strain and wear and tear on our aging infrastructure of roads and water? I propose for a to look into a proposed moratorum on housing developments within the city limits of Aken until we can get some of these infrastructure improvements updated and we can get ahead of the curve and then go back to building. Mount Pleasant just ended this year. I think it was a seven-year moratorum on housing and developments of certain kinds and their population still grew. So, if Mount Pleasant can do it, there's no reason we can't do it. Thank you.

Thank you so much. [applause] Did someone raise their hand back there? Anyone else? Good evening, Tim. Good evening, Mayor Council. My problem seems pretty small in the realm of things. I'm Your name, please. To tell you your name, please.

James Brody, and I'm now residing on Two Notch Road in Akens, South Carolina. That It's a quality of um life issue. I have to listen to leaf blowers most every day that I work at home. And I've adapted to that. But now my weekends are by Bruce's Field. And there's an irony here that when you drive down Whiskey Road, there's an $1,100 fine for straight pipes. But Bruce's Field can have horse shows every weekend and this voice comes through the trees and it's talking to me about the class and this and that. You know, it seems like they have enough horse shows there they could buy more speakers and kind of reduce their noise level and noise is a quality of life thing. That's all I have to say. I know you guys can take care of that quickly.

Thank you. Thank you for your time. [applause] And I will uh reach out to the county since Bruce's Field is in the county u to see what their code calls for. Okay, I think we're done here. Thank you all. We now have approval and discussion of appointees to various city boards, committees, and commissions. Mr. being.

Thank you, Madame Mayor and Council. We have the following appointments for consideration. James Horsch to the Building Code Board of Appeals. Jacob Ellis to the Accommodations Tax Committee. Thank you. Is there a motion to accept these nominations? So move, Madame Mayor.

Councilwoman Brion and a second from Councilwoman Diggs. Comments from the public. Good evening, council. Uh, my name is Jensen Jones. I live at 138 Florence Street Southwest downtown here in downtown Aken. I'm actually just here to say I enthusiastically approve of both employees and I say for Jacob Ellis's sake about damn time. Okay. And I know it's a little bit of a curse word, whatever the heck with that, but we I really hope to see uh people pick uh more uh make more employees of the youth and others who have different thoughts. Iron Shivan's iron. One of the greatest administrations in the history of the United States was Abraham Lincoln's administration and his administration was a viper's den of of political uh uh enemies and that became one of the greatest uh administrations in all his nation's history. So when looking at appoint council members I don't even think you have to agree with them. Maybe a little bit you should, but you it's not it shouldn't be a prerequisite. If you think they might add something to the city, then I think you ought to consider them. Thank you so much. And once again, great appointees.

Thank you. Thank you, Jensen. And comments from council. All in favor? Thank you. It's unanimous. Are there any nominations to consider at our next meeting? Okay.

Um, for the uh Common Asian tax committee, I'd like to nominate Tina McCarthy. She's already on the board is will extend her uh tenure. Uh, arts commission, Katherine Thomas, the same. She's been on on it for some time and needs to be renewed. Building code of board appeals. uh uh Phil Hagerty again, he's on there now and will extend his his tenure. Same with the community development committee of uh Judy Sten. Uh she's been on there and wishes to continue. I'd also like to make a recommendation for the planning commission to uh have Scott Lyset and the recreation committee to have Josh Reigns.

Thank you, Bob.

You madame mayor. I have quite a few um boards and commissions people and I I beg your patience with me. Um for accommodations tax, I nominate Chad Meldrum. Um for your information, the term would be from March 25, 2024 to March 25, 2026. So it's only a three-month term. I'd like to see if we could do it for that three months and an additional two years if that's appropriate. And I think it is. Is that a nod from the attorney that tells me I can do that? All right. So, that's Chad Meldrum. Next one would be the design review board. Um, I nominate Katie Lipkin. She will be doing the term from December 31st of 2025 through December 31st of 2027. Next one would be the General Aviation Committ Commission. Um I nominate and reappoint Butch Robersonson to that general inviation committee. His term had expired and it will be the existing term was September 1, 2025 through September 1st, 2027. As to the housing authority, they are five-year terms. I nominate Trudy S. void for the term of 5 years which would begin already began May 28th 2023 through May 28th 2028 on the planning commission um Mr. for Reynolds. The chair has resigned effective December of this year. So, I would nominate Mark Carman. Um, and that term would be an existing term from December 1st, 2024 through December 1st, 2026. The senior commission um would like to extend Brenda Taylor her appointment to the senior commission. Also in regards to the recreation

commission, Susie Hasslip, she has um never really been appointed in all the eight years she's been serving. So I am saying that she could be appointed for the term September 2024 through September 1st, 2026. That's less than nine months. I don't know if we can add a a two-year to a nine month. Okay. That's what I thought. And then um yeah, Brenda Taylor, her term was March 14th, 2025 through March 14th, 2027. That's all. Thank you.

Uh Madame Mayor, I would like to reappoint Terresa Callahan to the housing authority. Madame Mayor, yes. uh on the quinine committee. Uh Chad Ingram has served for a number of years and he's been a dedicated u attendee and I'd like to see him uh reappointed. His term expires next month. So he would begin his term um in January, his new term.

Thank you. Uh I have [clears throat] uh for the equin committee uh reappoint David Mer to the planning commission. I would like to reappoint Caleb Connor and I would like to nominate Lucy Nolles for the design review board. The next item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance to reszone two parcels in the block surrounded by Richland Avenue East, Marorrow Street Northeast, Orberg Street Northeast, and Barnwell Avenue Northeast from Light Industrial to Downtown Business.

Thank you. And this is an ordinance to reszone property located at Richland Avenue East, Arborough Street Northeast, Orangeburg Street Northeast, and Burmal Avenue Northeast from Li Lightnustrial to downtown business DB. The applicant is requesting that the two parcels be zoned, reszoned from Lightnustrial to downtown business. these parcels are within the old Aken overlay and if um the resoning takes place this would not impact their uh their continuing to be in the overlay. Um, the one thing I do want to mention also is the there is some interplay between the zoning designation and any and the overlay that may also apply to that parcel. And I think the simplest explanation is that the overlay is an additional layer of zoning that was created by the city. And our zoning ordinance states that the city council may designate overlay districts which impose regulations in addition to the underlining underlying zone or relax requirements imposed by the underlying zone. Um if there is a special public interest which the underlying zone does not address and uh this does mirror South Carolina code section. So, um, as is the case with any other parcel where a resoning via the planning commission is designated, the parcel does have to comply with those designations found in the overlay. Um so um there is um and again I'm just u I wanted to bring this um up as it relates

to uh because I did receive some questions um and also um we have enacted a provision in our zoning ordinance that reads if there is conflict or or apparent conflicts between uh provisions of the zoning ordinance the more restrictive provision shall apply. apply and that is sort of in line with uh how zoning is done in South Carolina. Um so in this case if there is an apparent conflict uh between what the uh DRB the uh overlay says versus the uh zoning ordinance the more restrictive um would apply. Um this is designated by our comprehensive plan as undeveloped. uh surrounding properties um zone general business, light industrial, RML and uh DB uh the existing light industrial zoning does allow various types of development such as uh multif family, equestrian, daycare, religious etc. Uh downtown would allow for additional commercial uses such as retail and office uses uses but would restrict equestrian vehicular and industrial uses. It is across from property currently zone DB, which is the proposed market side village at uh the north, what is that, excuse me, southeastern corner of Williamsburg and Richland. And the DB is more compatible with uh nearby residential and office uses than light industrial. and the planning commission at their November 12th meeting. All those present, excuse me, it was approved unanimously with one abstension or excuse me uh one uh person not present. So those present at the November 12th meeting approved it and uh it is being recommended by the planning commission to council it be reszoned

from light industrial LII to downtown business DB the two parcels. City Council heard this at their meeting on November 24th and is before you for second reading this evening. Madame Mayor and Council, thank you so much. Do I have a motion, please? Madame Mayor, I so move that' be Councilwoman Br. I second

and a second from Councilwoman Diggs. Any comments from the public? Comments from council. This is not the district that I represent, but it is district one where Councilwoman Diggs represent. And I don't hesitate to speak that we have been waiting uh for growth to occur on the east and west of the north side. And certainly it is uh coming with the approval of of council. Um, it is exciting to not only think about it, but the hope has never disappeared. The hope has been in the community waiting, watching patiently, and now it's here. So, I want to commend you, Councilwoman Diggs, for your not only persistence, but your patience as well. You're trying to keep hope alive. [applause] Thank you for your support. Thank you.

Um I'll Yes.

I just want to thank the the people party involved. Most of us were able to attend the chet that they had. It it it was a perfect way to to for us to dialogue, to see, to observe, let the community have an opportunity to share the vision. Everybody should be so excited for this community, the whole community that people that love this town, that have lived in this town, that want to design something for a long-term effects for Aken are involved. So kudos to everyone in for the district that has a really exciting addition. And if you missed a charet, you really missed something good because all of the photographs of the proposed plans were just spectacular. And we are just so excited and glad that you chose District 2. You kept hope alive. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh with that, all those in favor. Thank you. It's unanimous. [clears throat] Congratulations. [applause] And next under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance authorizing the city of Aken to authorize the city manager to execute and deliver an agreement to provide for the development of a parking deck and an agreement to stabilize and improve the hotel Aken and surrounding properties and other matters related there too.

Mr. Been B. Thank you. You did read the title of the ordinance into record. So I will dispense of that. Um I guess the question is how did we get to this point? Uh after the failure of project Pascalis and the subsequent lawsuit filed July 5th, 2022, council resolved to see the hotel akin project uh through. um a total reboot of the project took place that first started with a solicitation to find a firm to market the project as an adaptive reuse or renovated endeavor with the uh um vacant properties. It was natural uh a natural thing to to pursue um at that point in time. Um, two firms responded to the solicitation and in 2023 we were selected uh, Collier International been working with uh, uh, representatives out of their Columbia, South Carolina office as uh, one of the things that Collier's uh, was attractive to us is their u experience in um, marketing these sort of properties. they have the contacts nationally if not across uh um overseas to uh put in uh we we we believed if Collars could find someone excuse me that if anyone could find someone it would be Collars I want to emphasize Collers has only been working for the city of Aken u I've have I know I've had questions over the um here recently about Collers working for the Oliver Group no they are the city of Aken's client U and they have not been paid any money um uh in in terms of commission um to this point. They will not until the property sold. We did uh pay for

Collier's uh about over a year ago to attend a hotel convention in New York and we paid for some marketing [snorts] uh some to boost uh as we were trying to search for firms. Um so so a little bit of outlay there I think. Uh the numbers it's it's around u $10,000. I want to say it was about $2,900 for the marketing and the uh hotel year uh um trip was um around $8,000. So it might be around $11,000. But again, those were reimburse them reimbursements. But again, CERS I want to emphasize is working for the city of Aken only. Um and they have not received any commission. uh and they will receive the standard uh I guess a standard commission uh once the property sells should it sell uh while they are still our contracted um realtor. Um cyers began putting feelers out to their clients and contacts to prepare for a fall release of a request uh to request uh interested parties. Um we submitted that with a due date of almost a year ago, December 23rd, 2025. We received uh six uh inquiries or or six written um um documents to review and um in the interim uh so we let's stop about that for a minute. Also during this process after the failure of project Pascalis uh city staff uh worked with the design review board to appropriately address a demolition by neglect uh finding um that a citizen filed against the city uh a complaint. uh the DRB had a finding and we needed to do some work to shore up the uh roof uh to meet minimum code standards which we did and and a little

bit above that but it was just uh meant to be temporary shoring. Um generally speaking our commercial building uh code is a minimum standard compliance code. Um, so, uh, since the city didn't know what the future held, uh, as we went down this road, uh, we did not spend a lot of money to, uh, shore up the building. Uh, but, um, it looks like the time is not, uh, now to, uh, seriously look at this and therefore that's an element of this proposal that's in front of you. Um so back to the RFP and uh uh six proposals were received by the due date of December 23rd. Council wanted this process to move as efficiently as possible. So I uh exercised my council mandate and uh uh asked for people individuals to participate on a review panel. That review panel consisted initially of uh the mayor, the mayor, the then mayor pro Tim. Uh it consisted of an architect who was uh not involved in any of the projects that were before us as well as an experienced uh construction and project manager. Collars uh sort of were the facilitator of all of this uh arranging this. We interviewed every respondent who submitted a proposal. Those took place in uh uh the winter of 2024 and uh we quickly saw Oliver Hospitality Group rise to the top based on scoring criteria and interview and uh portfolio. Um also during this time uh as we move as winter uh the page turned from winter to spring we had an appraisal performed by a branch of CERS. Some have questioned the propriety of having call your separate appraisal arm conduct the

review but it was fair and appropriate and understand uh that uh appraisers have very strict guidelines and um they can lose their license if there's any evidence of collusion and again uh the the fact that the property appraised for what it did visav what the city paid for it which again averages out if you uh look at it um you could uh just in a round figure we paid paid probably 7.5 million and factor in uh closing costs, uh the city uh spent about 7.5 to 7.6 6 million on this property in question, which is uh all of the 200 west block of Richland Avenue on the south side of Richland as well as uh three storefronts on Lauren Street uh off that intersection and then uh property on Newberry from the corner down to the property line shared with Waricki Dry Cleaner and Newberry Hall. So uh again, the appraisal was done to standards. Uh it was done by this is a very niche type uh appraisal type work. It was done by a firm who uh uh excuse me by an individual who specializes in uh in appraising historic buildings. uh he had to bring in uh someone from Boston, Massachusetts who also has experience in appraising um hotels uh that are in this sort of condition that that uh have deteriorated and have some uh have elements of historic value. So, that appraisal came in and um the property appraised for $2.5 million, which uh you don't have to be a um a business expert or a math wiz to understand that uh 7 when you pay 7.5 for something and you it appraised for 2.5, uh that is um

that's that's a loss. It's basically appraised for a third uh a third of what uh we paid for it. So in June, negotiations were approved by a vote of 6 to1 of city council to attempt to strike a deal for a purchase and sale agreement along with a development agreement with Oliver Hospitality Group. A purchase and sale agreement uh was uh was struck uh for $2.5 million, which was the appraised price. I want to note that um the other firms uh that submitted proposals did not want to pay u appraised value uh for the property. Uh I noted in the work session we had one firm uh want us to pay them to take the property of uh uh pay them $100,000 and then uh to the gamut. So, uh, this left us, uh, once that purchase and sale agreement was approved, we had been working on a development agreement for a while. It's a lot of back and forth, uh, of negotiations both, uh, done by, uh, the city uh, staff and all of our hospitality group as well as, uh, attorneys for both sides. And um we began um traversing a fine line of helping the project move forward uh um while understanding that this agreement is not perfect if you're looking at it from the standpoint of trying to recoup uh um investment or or monetary just dollar for dollar. But um there's several of the elements um that I would like to highlight um as part of the agreement. The developer is going to replant the property to more clearly delineate portions of the property that will be adaptively reused and therefore eligible for appropriate tax credits and other incentives and

property that will have new construction on it. We would contribute monies from the so-called plutonium settlement funds to not exceed $2 million for uh uh stabilization within the building envelope and uh improvements of uh of of the building as and see the the one of the things I think that needs to come out is the reason why we have the two agreements and we're doing it this way is uh the city u if if this were to pass uh the this work can begin immediately. Um, we would work hand in hand with Oliver Hospitality. And what that means is, uh, if this passes, the city is not going to, uh, uh, remmit a check for $2 million, um, immediately to all of our hospitality. No, this is going to the city's going to hold that money. We're going to work hand inand on uh very specific things and begin um towards the goal of uh of getting ultimately to uh the sale. The some of the things are going to be uh some streetscaping improvements. There will be uh improvements to the roof um to the uh to the facade. Uh there will be relocation of utilities. There will be uh uh we'll we'll ultimately work with the developer on the publicly accessible uh courtyard that will be uh public space, but it will be owned by the developer. I liken it is it's it's a concept similar to what we have in the alley. The alley is publicly owned by the city of Aken. However, uh it it is um it is accessible obviously to the public, but there are times when you can rent the alley, folks. Uh we've had uh uh school district, the hospital entities have

rented uh um rented the patio and and um that is uh necessitated what I would call like a closure of the alley and that people can still come in there, but it is um you couldn't have uh if if someone is uh lease space uh you can't have competing bands, for example. So, um unless someone's rented the courtyard out for a wedding, that would be uh some nice publicly accessible space that all of our hospitality is um offering up to the uh to the uh to the public. It will be uh maintained by them. Uh so, uh will not have uh the city will not be responsible for that maintenance. Um parking deck construction project is proposed for a portion of the property. The deck would be four levels plus rooftop parking. So essentially it's five levels of parking with four constructed levels. Uh the building cannot exceed 55 ft. Um and the number of spaces is still being determined. Uh but we expect the amount to not to be around 210 spaces. Two I've heard 210 and 211. Um uh it would be uh built by the by the developer. the city would pay uh that construction cost plus a 12% developer fee. At the uh recent meeting, we were I was asked how much the garage would cost and the brickandmortar construction will be around 7 between 7 and 7 12 million. So, we'll just split it and say 7 and a quarter 7.3. uh than with uh some of the other soft costs and and uh related fees described uh it does put the cost at uh uh $9 million. So uh the one of the things um that uh the developer would lease 90 spaces approximately 90 spaces paying local market rates. Now um I've been asked

well what is the local market rate? uh it's hard to say at this point but um while we don't like to compare ourselves to other communities uh we have looked at other communities uh as it relates to this and I think um we are certainly not Colombia South Carolina but Colombia has uh I think uh is is something that's a logical uh comp in that uh Colombia is in South Carolina it's uh geographically close to us uh they have a large number of parking garages. But uh typically uh what uh Colombia has seen is that if you have parking um uh kind of a baseline uh lease rate and and again this would be paid by the by the uh developer Oliver Hospitality as they'll own and operate the hotel. It could be uh $50 of space uh approaching in in that 50 uh dollars. Uh if you look at Columbia as an example, if uh there if you have a a parking garage that uh public employees park at, it's uh $50. Uh the the cost is generally about $50 per space per month. Um as you move away to uh more uh other types of professional uh uh buildings, uh law offices, accounting, um etc. It can uh go up towards $100 of space. again. Um, that just provides kind of some perspective. Uh, at this point because this hasn't been approved, we haven't exercised a lot of of energy or or or time to determine that, but I [snorts] think that is a reasonable comparison. the developer with the city support would work with uh the county to potentially obtain [snorts] a

multi-county park designation for only the new construction portion of the project. Uh again, so we're talking the area where the uh um current Holly House Motorc Court building is as well as uh if you look at the map that's um in the agenda packet that [gasps] is I'm not sure what oh I'm not sure what the page number is, but it's up on the screen. It's essentially the uh two uh fluorescent green uh spots uh where new construction would go, which is again uh uh bisected by Bane um um at the intersection of Richland East and Bane. And again uh that is uh the we would find that the hotel lake and configuration qualifies as two separate abandoned buildings for uh abandoned building revitalization state income tax credit purposes. Uh there would be uh and this is something that I know we've discussed uh uh uh we've discussed for a while going back a number of years even before the city owned it. uh some sort of uh drop off for uh for the um hotel. Uh maybe it we don't know the form it could take. It could be uh the in the form of spaces. It could be a bumpout. Uh but um some for uh patrons who are arriving or departing can uh safely uh uh deposit or drop off luggage and uh before cars are parked. Uh and um in accordance with the uh economic uh development ordinance uh the city has had since 2018, uh we would as we've done with other projects, um uh put make

them eligible for necessary rebates, uh a business license, uh impact utility impact fees, permits, etc. Um this uh the the project is something that um that I think people have been um waiting for a long time for and uh we're one step closer at least uh as far as making it to a second reading. And now it is before the council and uh the public for uh comments, questions, and so on. Thank you.

Thank you. Very well put. Um is there a motion? I so move, Madame Mayor. Uh Councilwoman Brol made the motion and a second. I'll second that motion. Second from Councilwoman Price. Any comments from the public? Yes, sir.

Madame Mayor, members of city council, thank you for this opportunity. My name is Frag Kidd. I moved Aken two and a half years ago from Lexington, Kentucky with a 35-year degree in interior design and also one in historic preservation. I've witnessed buildings destroyed, historical buildings destroyed in my hometown of Lexington. because people sat and argued about what was the best thing and what they wanted to the point by the time they finally agreed the buildings were such into bad shape it was cheaper to tear it down and build a new one. I don't want to see that with this this building. One of the reasons I moved to Akim was because of its love of history and the historic buildings it's got in it. I understand more than anyone being in preservation that always what you want and what you get are two different things but you have to look at the bigger picture of what's best for the building and to preserve it for future generations of this city. I highly recommend that you approve this notion that's before you and move ahead with the approval of this hotel and the construction that is wanting to go into this corner. I think it's good for the city and I think in the long run people will come to love it just as much as what I think I'm going to. I don't agree with everything in it, but again I'm looking at the bigger picture and it's saving a building that's historic and it's been here for many, many years. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much, Fred. [applause] Any other comments? Yes, sir. Good evening everybody. Uh Lewis Reynoldi, 638 Magnolia Street. And um I also want to recommend that you approve this and uh I want to congratulate you on getting to this point. Um I think some of us have followed this process uh as it went along and I couldn't be happier with the way it was handled and more importantly I couldn't be happier with the dialogue we have about this. I think it's a good open dialogue where people have been able to say things uh that they like, things that they don't like. It's been civil, it's been um positive. Uh it's follow the law, which makes me even happier. Uh and uh again uh all of us have little things that we might want wish were slightly different one way or another but uh I think the most important thing is uh let's get going and get it done. Thank you.

Thank you Louisis. [applause] Good evening, Madame Mayor, Council Jac, excuse [clears throat] me, Jacob Ellis. Again, as someone who's been fighting for this since 2015 when the first proposed renaissance of Aken was brought before us, I'd just like to fully give my support for this sale, the Oliver Hospitality, and the plan going forward. It is right now the best plan. I think we're on plan three now. The best we have seen since many years and I hope to see it come to fruition and I look forward to seeing the progress. Thank you.

Thank you. [applause]

Good evening, Mayor Council. I've had the honor of working with many of you, but to our new council members, my name is Emily Sams. I'm the executive director of Aken Downtown Development Association. I want to strongly express our support for this hotel project. A successful downtown doesn't happen by chance. It requires strategic investments that attract people, strengthen our businesses, and enhance the overall experience of being in the heart of Aken. This hotel does exactly that. We know from ongoing conversations with merchants, visitors, and community partners that there is a real need for additional lodging within walking distance of our shops, restaurants, and cultural venues. This project meets that need and brings new energy, new customers, and new opportunities for the small businesses that define downtown Aken. Beyond supporting local commerce, this hotel represents a long-term economic benefit for the entire city, creating jobs, generating revenue, and helping us maintain the vibrant, welcoming downtown our residents value. For these reasons, Akin Downtown Development strongly encourages approval of this project. It is an investment in our community and in the continued vitality of our downtown. Thank you for your time and dedication to this important matter. Thank you. [applause]

Good evening. Hey y'all. Hey Madam Mayor. I am Janette Mosley. I own Vampire Penguin and Spa 106. So, if anybody has any reservations, it should be me. I have been in this fight since day long. [laughter]

Um, getting to this point has been exhausting and been a roller coaster ride, but I am here to tell you that I 100% believe that if you guys are really looking out for your small businesses downtown, these people have us in mind. I have had the pleasure of speaking with them and I feel very confident that they have us in mind, too. If you want your small businesses downtown to flourish and grow, this needs to happen. We need this hotel. We need this development. We need people downtown to shop our businesses. And they're only going to do that if it doesn't look like this anymore. So, all of you need to go ahead and say yes, pass this. Let's get this thing over with. Let's move past this. We need this place beautiful again. So, let's do it. Let's move on.

Thank you. Thank you, Janette. [applause]

Good evening, Sam.

Good evening, Sam Herb. Dibble Road, Aken, South Carolina. Uh, let's see. I have been a merchant here for 32 years. 32 and a half years um in the alley. Um sold it in 13. Since I've opened, I've been a property owner downtown for 45, close to 45. Not many people in this room can say that. I'm proud of it. Um my heart has always been for downtown and for Aken. It has. Um, you know, when the mall was being built, we uh I was part of forming ADDA. Thanks, Emma. And, uh, the first [clears throat] thing we did was streetscape, then we did lights, and then we did Ballards, then we did the festival site. We had a 2020 campaign happen. Aken Corporation was formed. Look what Aken Corporation has done in this in this town. I just cannot express enough for the support of awardw winning Oliver Group to move forward with this. We don't need to delay. We don't need We just need your vote tonight to move this forward. We really do. I had a bunch of stuff to say, but I think I basically have said it. So, I'm behind you. I'm behind the Oliver Group. I wish them well. This is going to be a huge plus for our merchants, our small business, and it'll take downtown to the next step that it needs to be. Thank you'all.

Thank you. Thank you. [applause] Good evening. Good evening again. Linda Johnson, 515 Parkside Drive. Um, I'm speaking on behalf of the board of the historic Aken Foundation. Uh, the board is excited that renovation of the Hotel Aken and the associated properties is moving forward. Four years ago, we joined the community on a journey to preserve the hotel and those properties from demolition and to revitalize that block. It's taken too long to get here, but we finally have a qualified, highly qualified developer who can do this for us. Oliver is our best bet for historic preservation. They have the experience and the track record, and they intend to run the hotel and restaurant themselves. they're going to stay invested in this community. We're not interested in wasting money. However, it is our belief that the city's agreement with Oliver is reasonable and fair and less costly to the taxpayer than prior unnamed projects would have been. [snorts] Delaying will cost the city more in loss tax revenue and maintenance cost, and it will indirectly be hurting small businesses. I'd like to highlight a few points. The city has already lost the $5 million that it overpaid for the properties. It's not going to get that back. At least as far back as 2015, the city was planning to build a publicly funded garage in part to support the hotel. We know that parking decks are controversial, but all the biders for this project said new parking was necessary, and we trust their

experience. The 2015 hospitality tax specifically said part of that tax was to fund a parking garage. So hopefully some of that money's around. Um okay. In past proposals for the hotel properties and the garage, the garages would have been larger and more expensive and the hotel operator would have been given free space in the garage. Oliver is going to have to lease it at whatever this market rate is determined to be. It makes sense for Oliver to oversee the construction of the garage as a general contractor rather than get a separate entity. Oliver has proven that they understand the importance of designing and building a garage that fits the character of downtown Aken. they can assure coordination with the other projects going on in the nearby area um and give single point accountability to the city. The city's going to contribute funds from the plutonium settlement money, $2 million. We're hearing a cap of $2 million. There's a stabilization task to to address issues with the hotel. And some people have said, "Well, didn't they buy it as is?" Well, frankly, these tasks are things that should have been done three years ago to stabilize the hotel before you ever put it on the market. And they are things that need to be done yesterday because the ex the deterioration is accelerating. We can't wait even six months for the whole design process to happen. This needs to happen now. The improvements task includes a lot of streetscaping, utilities relocation. One of the big ticket items is $800,000 for this courtyard that's going to be behind the hotel. This is not a courtyard just for the hotel. This is a public space much like we have those

areas to sit on the alley. Anybody can go sit there. You don't have to be a hotel guest. You don't have to buy a drink there, although I'm sure they're hoping you might. Um, [laughter] this is going to be a public space on B Lane for everyone to hang out and maybe someone will get the bright idea to bring bands in there. Um, incentives like these, doing the utilities, doing the streetscaping are things that bring companies to downtowns and help revitalize them. It is done everywhere. In Greenville, they built a a courtyard behind a new hotel just like the one that's being talked about. The bottom line is this time the city did things right. They followed a legal process. They had a competitive selection for a marketing group who then ran a competitive selection for a qualified contractor. And that word qualified is important. Aken deserves a developer that understands and has a track record of developing historic properties. It's time to move forward. Thank you. [applause] Mayor Council Jim Tunis, 140 Martin Road, president and CEO of the Aken Chamber of Commerce. The [snorts] Hotel Aken redevelopment represents one of the strongest economic development opportunities our downtown has seen as year in years. With more than $40 million in private investment, this project will transform a long vacant structure into a vibrant boutique hotel that supports yearround tourism, business travel, and downtown activity. The redevelopment is expected to generate signific significant construction employment, more than 50

permanent hospitality jobs, and millions in new annual visitor spending that directly benefits our restaurants, retailers, arts venues, and service providers. Equally important is the 200 space public parking deck that makes this redevelopment possible. It resolves a documented parking desk deficit, supports the hotel's guests and employees, and provides over 100 public spaces that strengthens every business within walking distance. Structured parking is the catalyst that encouraged additional redevelopment and maximizes the city's return on investment. It's also important to point out that the Oliver Hospitality Group has a proven track record in restoring historic boutique hotels into thriving destinations, making them precisely the partner capable of delivering a project of this complexity. This is a strategic public private partnership that strengthens the economic foundation of our downtown, supports small businesses, increases workforce opportunities, and positions Aken for long-term competitiveness and vitality. Thank you.

Thank you, dear. [applause] Thank you. Good evening again, Jensen James, 138 Florence Street Southwest. Um, uh, uh, city manager, uh, I had a quick question. Uh, plutonium funds, how much should we still have of those funds?

I'm I don't know off the top of my head. Um, but keep talking and let me see if I can find it. Okay. Yeah. Well, [laughter] well, thank you. No. Um, no, I just, you know, first and foremost, I support the project as well. I think we're at a point of sunken cost if we were to be, uh, delay any further of any, um, so I do support the project. Um, I'm going to, you know, advocate as I have been and will continue to do. I would like to see a more accessible downtown Aken. And I hope that when you go into these meetings with the developer and when you redesign that uh section of the uh of the block that you will uh see if we can't get some of those beeping crosswalks or talking crosswalks. You know, I have to give my little ear mark. Um, but uh in all honesty, I just asked about plutonium funds because I I want to see I want to know if I want to make sure that we're equitably dispensing those cuz I do like this project, but this is a a forprofit project and that's great. But I do see the north side under developed. There's a food desert going on down over there and I want to make sure that some of the money that we do decide to reinvest in this city of that million money goes towards some of those less sexy if you will um projects. So I just you know keeping the little guy in mind once again I support the project but thank you so much

and and thank you for talking. I was able to find um what you asked [laughter] and uh 20 $26.2 million. Uh I'm not going to include the $20 million that's only for the mixed use the the the Newberry Street building. $26.2 million is what was allocated. And this uh there has been 12,256,000 spent. So about 13.94 million uh balance. Uh there are some allocated projects uh that um that are that have been allocated but um that is what has been um spent versus what's remaining.

Awesome. Well, maybe we can get a little bit more for the homeless situation as well. Thank you so much. [laughter] Yes. And as it relates to that, we did allocate 400,000 to Salvation Army. Uh Thank you. Thank [clears throat] you, Jensen. Anyone else? Yes, sir.

Good evening, Steve.

Uh Steve Silver, 233rd Avenue Southwest. I also want to speak in support of the of uh the project. I just want to add something on top of what Linda and Jim was saying. Uh noting that this has been a long and winding road to get here. There's been a lot of money spent. Maybe could have been spent more wisely. Uh I think beyond this proposal as it stands now, we need to think about there is a potential for return on investment if we do this right that comes from hospitality tax revenues that that uh that are going to flow as well as property tax revenues that that are going to flow back to the city. And if we do this right, it's going to take longer than we would like, but we will get some that money back. If we do this wrong, it's going to have an inordinate negative effect on the city's future and uh potentially uh is going to hurt uh you know the town that we love, the historic and natural beauty of this town. So I just wanted to add that perspective.

Thank you. Let me just say thank you so much because earlier today I used the term return on investment. U so thank you for acknowledging that. I'm an optimist so I look for a huge return on the investment. [laughter] [clears throat] Yeah. Thank you. Anyone else? Yes.

Good evening, council. Um, I'm David Blake, 621 Magnolia Street. I'm here to commend the city council and the city manager and staff [clears throat] for following the law and for um honoring the public process in the selection of first collars who did so much work to bring us the right developer for Aken. Um, it's something that we really have needed for a long time. This is the best thing that I think's ever been proposed [clears throat] on this scale for the historic downtown. And these people as as one said are going to run it themselves. They have a successful experience elsewhere. Uh we're all very excited to see something like this happen. But preserving and restoring and enhancing these historic buildings raises the property values of everyone downtown. So, this is truly a long-term investment for everyone who lives here and this vitality, you know, we cannot possibly not vote for this now. I mean, imagine what that would entail. Do you want do we want to go through advertising, RFPs, all of this? Again, I know that there are some things that, you know, aren't perfect and we will never get back the money that was misspent before. We have to just face up to this. You said it best, Mrs. Price. Um, you all really screwed this up. You said it. You've acknowledged it. But we all we have to move forward and we have to understand what's best for the city now is to vote in favor of this tonight. Please vote in favor of this. And thank you. [applause]

Yes, Teresa. [cough]

Good evening, Madame Mayor, City Council. Teresa Callahan with the eyes on Aken. All I want to say is let's get it done already. [laughter] [applause] With that, uh, if everyone's finished, I will ask for comments from council. Mayor, if I could start. Yes.

Um, first, I had the opportunity today to meet with the uh, Oliver uh, development group and uh, I was very impressed with their credentials, their experience, uh, their knowledge of the project. Um, I'm an engineer and I've done many projects very similar to this and they answered all my questions uh to my satisfaction. Um, I do have a big however here. Um, I do have a concern on how this ordinance is worded. Uh, it's worded as a stabilization and improvement uh, ordinance. It really is a stimulus package for the developer. I want this project to go forward. I think they're a good group to do this work, but I do have just problems the way it's worded. uh all these items uh in that $2 million that we're paying uh for the developer are items that he should be doing. I mean, we're paying for his design work. We're paying for uh improvements to the building uh that he should be doing. You buy a building, you buy it. You have to do the work to it. Improvements, street facads, that's fine. We can do some cobblestone streets, sidewalks, some nice street lighting. But in here is also improvements to their facads of their buildings. Uh so doing work on their buildings, no um concerns me. Um the the the courtyard, I'm hearing more and more about how the courtyard and the hotel will be accessible, which I didn't know before. However, $800,000 is a lot of money to put some tables and and uh umbrellas, but I think that really needs to be be looked at. Uh again, I don't have a problem with the with the concept. Uh I think if they're paying right now, what I'm seeing is that they signed a contract for 2 or developers

agreement for 2.5 million. They've done some more homework and saying, "All right, to make them make the numbers work, we need $2 million more." So the contract really should be rewritten to be a half a million dollars and we can all say okay then we went from 7.5 to.5 and we we blew 7 million I can live with that. Um putting 2 million in the side door here as as I'm saying kind of bothers me. Um the parking garage I have difficulty with that in terms of the uh developer um building it at a relatively high cost. There's they're well they're they're not paying for it. They're designing it that we're paying for the design. Uh and then they're building it but the city is going to pay for that now seven whatever plus million dollars for that. And I can get around that. I mean, that parking is is needed by the hotel. It's also needed uh by the area. So, I can get around the fact that the city is going to, you know, build that garage and maintain the garage. We're we're need to hire staff to maintain that and pay more electric bills and all other problems with a with a parking garage. And I can I can accept that. What I can accept is the fact that this agreement says that the city has to pay the developer for the land of which where the parking garage is going over to a tune of $773,000. Uh in my mind and what I've done in my my past when we're building a public improvement for a developer for something he needs, they dedicate the land to the city. And I've done that many times. And developers develop de donate the land to the city. The city then builds a parking lot or whatever to service the building. Uh that makes

sense. Having us paying for something that we're building uh again puts a little knot in my stomach. The this agreement also calls calls for over a million dollars of construction management of their development fee, their profit overhead and a construction manager. A million dollars. And that again, that's on top of the cost of the uh construction of the parking garage. Uh that again doesn't make sense to me. We have an in-house staff that does major projects. Their only job is major projects. We're doing $80 million water treatment plant, no $30 million powderhouse. This $6 million parking garage would be nothing for them to oversee and manage. The developer should design the plans according to his plans and specifications, give it to us and the city will build the parking garage and uh after they have given us a pad to work on. Uh that would save the the city millions of dollars just by doing it that way. having the developer do that, sticking on his nois fees to that adds work cost and we get nothing out of that. We we still at the end end you get a parking garage. So I think we just need to know what the dollar figures really are. I again we want this bill we want this to happen. I I want this to happen but we have to have our eyes open and the public to know that again the contract was for 2.5 million. We're giving back two million right now. That brings it down to $500,000. They're want they want to sell us. They want us to buy the property where the garage will be. That's $773,000. So, we're paying them $273,000 to build this project. Then we're adding on another million dollar development and management fee to them. So, we're

paying them $1.27 million to build this project. and I want this project to go through, but we have to sit back and and look at the numbers and make sure we're aware of all these numbers. Uh it's more than just a loss of $5 million. So, I'd like to have this a lot of this restructured. Um I I mean that could be done fairly quickly. Uh I'd like to take the have make sure the parking garage is built by the city at the city's expense and the city's managers. That will save us millions of dollars. Uh, and if you want to restructure the give them $2 million in another another fashion, that's fine as well. Uh, I want to see this project get done as well as everyone else here does, but I just don't like the way it's being done right now.

Thank you. Anyone else?

Call for the vote. I have to say, Madame Mayor, that over the last I don't know how many months that I have been dealing with this that my constituents, my friends, also my friends who are small business people downtown, all I hear is what was it Teresa said? Get her done. [laughter]

And uh we've looked at this. This is not out of the ordinary. In fact, Miss Johnson spoke to us in work session. This is not an unusual an agreement in South Carolina. And after going through this, the longer this is delayed and each thing that we do to tweak is a chance that it's not going to get going. And I have to say that I'm I'm ready to move this forward. This has my support. Thank you. Thank you, [applause]

Madame Mayor. I'd like to uh add a comment. Um you know, my vote tonight is pretty simple rooted in a priority of doing what's best for the people of Aken. Um, this agreement will help us, you know, stabilize the historic Hotel Aken, uh, improve the downtown, uh, and create a parking deck that would support our local business. Um, and as you know, me being a 27 year old serving this city, uh, my priority is thinking about the families, uh, the workers and the young people who will rely on uh, this project. Uh this will help us create a vibrant downtown uh for decades to come. Um my focus is making sure that every step we take keeps a welcoming uh walkable and full of opportunity for everyone. So I fully support this project. Okay, let's get her done. [laughter]

Thank [applause] you. Did you want I just want to say I have to write it down because I can't remember anything for five minutes. This proposal was immediately heads above the other five proposals that I was fortunate enough to be involved in and therefore I must support this ordinance as it reads. Thank you may [applause]

madame mayor. I you know for people who love this town and I think everyone in this room loves this town. We know there is no other place in the world than Aken South Carolina. Um it has been frustrating the math that didn't math on the previous proposal. It wasn't easy. It caused a lot of hard feelings with people. But when you see a process done right, when you see people wanting to assess appropriately and make up for the things that weren't done right before, it is optimistic. It brings hope for all of us. The Oliver Hospitality Group is truly the best we could get for this type of project. I I know we have all been concerned. We're been on a short schedule. Those of us who newly got thrown into this mess. It was not easy. I I will tell you it's not. I commend the newly appointed council people to bring their talents here. Pete helped us all look at it better, understand it better, and and I think we will all be better because of his discernment and experience. Brilan's new face and facing about what it means for young people, we will be benefited for that forever. I join all of us in saying I think this is something that needs to be done and is overdue. I drove around downtown before I came here today. It didn't look good. The hotel doesn't the place

doesn't look good. But the one group that I am confident can bring it back to where we all have dreamed and crossed our fingers and hoped and told stories about is the Oliver Hospitality Group. And I I bring a perspective from one of my dear friends who text me earlier and she said, "We all have feelings about this hotel. We wish, like has already been said, sometimes we wish it would be a little different or maybe it could have been something else, but we all have feelings about it and hope that something happens soon and happens the right way. I want my son family to move want to move back to Aken and have a vibrant downtown to draw other people here too. I don't think any of us on this panel has anything worried about a pro a parking garage. It is what it is. I hate that we've lost money. It's not coming back. But I also believe contrary to what I thought about a week and a half ago when I was faced with a lot of paperwork and a lot of it doesn't matter. It does matter. the process matters and I am grateful that the Oliver Hospitality Group was willing to talk to merchants so that we had uh Janet come up here and say this is a group that cares about small businesses. It they're going to make a difference because that's what I believe makes downtown Aken as we've all heard the place that is special beyond any other place. So despite the difficulties of getting to this place, despite the work that it's taken for a lot of people in a lot of hours that we might not have

wanted to put in over Thanksgiving, just saying. [laughter] I think we all can be proud that this is the right thing, the right time, the right place for this place that we love. Thank you. [applause] Uh, Madame Mayor, my comments is to our audience out there and the comments you made really really was impressive but very sincere about the care you have for the town you live in and how with that passion you also illustrate that you want others that visit here that choose to live here to feel what you feel. I can also say I am so proud of this entire council and what our new leaders bring uh to us with us, your new ideas and your respect for each other. I cannot say that enough. Jim, I was at First Friday. I was late in getting there as usual. Uh but I was at First Friday and uh Molly, I want to commend you for your service and hate that you're rotating off. uh with your leadership, but Jim, when you talked about Aken and the hotel and how important it was for folks to attend this meeting and the voice to be heard as well. You didn't say what they should say, but you talked about this town and what you felt. And that sent volumes to me uh

when I heard you make those comments. the love that I that I see in this room and Mr. Ramini, I was surprised to hear your comments and because he will go after you whether if he feels passionate about something and that's what we want to hear from individuals. Uh but it's all about discernment and how to say things. I cannot thank you enough. This hotel happens to be in the district that I represent and I am so tired of hearing when are you all going to do something about THAT HOTEL WHO LIVES in there and all I can say no one right now we're going to do something something's going to get done so I feel so great about not only this town but the people that live in it and the passion that they bring to issues welld deserved thank you and thank you all for your service

[applause]

I'm going to be real short

today. We've got all of us I think were bombarded with emails and phone calls and most were in opposition of this project and was encouraging us to vote against it. So I came here tonight thinking [gasps] it's going to be a long night. It's going to be a fight. We've been through it before with Pascalas. We had so many people getting up speaking against it and I was not looking forward to go coming tonight [clears throat] [laughter]

and that's the truth. But I'm like, Lesie, I'm so proud of all of you who got up and spoke in support of this. Janette, I think somebody just called me today and said, "Yeah, you should think about businesses like Vampire Penguin. She's being impacted by that. Are y'all not thinking about her?" Okay, I hope they're listening. I really do. I really do. And and Emily, you know I love you. Speaking about the merchants downtown, the businesses downtown and how they feel about it. That means a lot to us. So many people think that we have no love or respect or don't even care about our downtown business people. That's a bald-faced lie. I just want y'all to know that. Sam, you've been around a long time and I know how you feel about downtown. You won't you can't let it go. You really can't. But most surprisingly, I'm like Lesie, Mr. Real Deanie and Mr. Blake, [laughter] where where are you? But I saw him coming up. I was like, "Oh my god, [laughter] what is he gonna say?" So I am just so happy and so proud of my Agonites. We stuck together on this one, y'all. Together we stand. Divided we fall. Y'all stood up tonight. We won't forget that. We thank you so

much. Thank you for making my night and theirs, TOO. [applause]

And and she she may not want me to share this, but she goes in for surgery on tomorrow. So, we made her surgery to go well. I'm going to uh call for the vote, please. All those in favor? That would be um unanimous except for one all those opposed one one opposition that's Mr. Councilman Msina. The rest is you is a a yes vote. Thank you. [applause] [applause]

Thank you all. Say something. Oh, the team was the contracting team. Yes, sir. Yes. Yeah. Come on. Come on. [laughter]

Uh Craig Bradford with the Oliver Group. Um, I I wanted to just take a moment after the vote and just say the, you know, the trust that this town has put into our hands, uh, we take it seriously. It's a it's a very I mean I I'm pretty emotional right now. We're excited to be here. We're excited to uh to change to be part of the change of of Aken be in the community now. So, just wanted to say thanks. We'll do you proud. So, thank you. [applause]

[applause] The next item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance approving certain economic development incentives for residential development to be developed by Vanrock Holdings and commercial development to be developed by Oh, okay. Sorry. I'm sorry. uh developed by VP Riverside LLC. Mr. Beenbo.

Thank you. This is uh an ordinance authorizing certain economic development incentives pursuant to ordinance number 07082018 of the city of Aken code of ordinances for a project developed by VP Riverside LLC Rutland Place approving an economic development inducement and incentive agreement and other matters related there too. and the city council uh uh has a we we have a incentive ordinance and the master developer is developing uh the property on Rutland Drive across from Aken High School. Uh the reszoning of the parcels to plan commercial and plan residential was passed by council July 2024. There are going to be single family unit residential components with town homes and detached single family homes. seven commercial parcels with tractor supply being the only confirmed business at the time. Uh the developer estimates the total investment to be approximately 58.9 million uh and the commercial investment of 15.1 million. This is a good faith estimate of up to 74.2 million. So uh we have met and uh reviewed these fees with the developer. We sat down last week, all the relevant city parties and um and the developer and we went over all of the u all of the uh fee u investment and then looked at the fees based on the investment. These are up to numbers as noted on the screen. Um the residential component as you see adds up when you look at your building permits, your inspection fees, plan check fees, impact fees, and water tap fees. It is not eligible for business

license fee, reimbursement, uh estimated fees of $713,32. The commercial fees uh for building uh permits and inspection fees up to 36,355. Uh plan check fees up to 18,3175 impact fees up to 140,965 water tap fees up to $12,000 business license fees up to $168,000. These again up to numbers. Uh what you do based on the ordinance that was pack that uh we have the development incentive ordinance is you take those uh good faith up to estimated fees multiply it by 50% and your residential uh amount is $356516. And the uh business amount is $187,747. Uh and again, this would be if the if those good faith estimates are reached, it would be up to that amount reimbursed in a period of of five years. Uh again, um uh we know when we had the ordinance uh discussed at second reading several weeks ago, there was some uh miscommunication that I believe uh has I know that has been resolved because uh we did sit in the room and spend a fair amount of time handholding and uh handholding and agreeing and uh we did everything but sing kumbaya and it is for uh council's consideration. ation here for second reading this evening.

Madame Mayor and Council, uh, thank you. Is there a motion to uh, Councilwoman Price made the motion? Second. I second from Councilwoman Diggs. Any comments from the public? Comments from council?

Um, this is not a solid comment. It's just I'm glad that we're here with this development as well uh given uh some of the things that they have faced in addition to that the investment uh again uh in this area of town. So just want to thank the contractor for uh looking at uh that area and investing some revenue base as well as some uh new apartments and homes in in that area. And madame mayor, if I may add on to Councilwoman Price's uh comment, if I remember correctly, we asked them to come back with a little bit higher materials and they did. They came back with uh I believe Hardy Plank wasn't it and some of the other things. So, it's going to be what? Better than what the original.

No, they did come back with Hardy Paint. Is that correct? Yeah. They did. So, thank you for the question. That was unanimous. Thank you. We now move to new business. We have one item and it is an ordinance to accept the fiscal year 2024 2025 audit. Mr. Beenbo.

Thank you. It is an ordinance accepting the fiscal year 2024 2025 audited financial statements and authorizing variances to the fiscal year 2024 2025 budget ordinance. We did have our annual visit from uh Grant uh of Malden and Jenkins and we enjoy hearing Grant tell us that we have an unqualified or clean opinion. Uh what that means is that's the most favorable rating stating that the city's financial statements are presented reliably and fairly in all material aspects giving our taxpayers confidence in the stated financial health of the city. Uh there are no material weaknesses and in instances of non-compliance. Uh and we ha we must by state law have an audit performed every year of the prior fiscal year. Our fiscal year runs July 1st uh through June 30th. And we uh should council approve the audit at first and second reading, we will then submit it to the state which will continue to make us eligible to receive our annual um um aid to local subdivisions payments amongst other funds to be eligible for. And first reading tonight is before council. Uh madame mayor,

thank you. Is there a motion to accept this? I so move, Madame Mayor. Councilwoman Pole made the motion and a second from Councilwoman Morgan. Any comments from uh the public? Comments from council. All those in favor? Thank you. It's unanimous. Now we move on to petitions and requests. We have one item and is approval of the proposed city council 2026 meeting schedule. Mr. Beville,

thank you. Couple of things I want to point out. Uh we we do approve this at the last meeting of the prior calendar year for next year. Historically, we've uh met on the second and fourth Mondays of each month except July and December. And we do not meet on the fourth Monday of May if that falls on National Memorial Day. which it does this year. I want to add two unique elements to the meeting schedule. Um January 14th, which is uh um a few weeks away, um the mediation for the Blake uh Ed versus City of Aken lawsuit, I guess colloquially known as the Project Pascalis lawsuit. Um it appear uh based on feedback from city council that um that will need to be a noticed meeting because we uh have a an abundant quorum of council that wants to attend uh that and then of course our new horizons. We had booked a uh facilitator to kind of help with this and his schedule can't be he his schedule's kind of backed up and I know uh Councilman Msina had shared with me you're unavailable on January 30th cuz you're out of town for uh but but we have that scheduled uh but then again our our other meetings again um multiple meetings uh second and fourth Mondays every month between um except for May, July and December. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Uh is there a motion to accept this uh meeting schedule proposal? I so move. Councilwoman Diggs and a second from Councilwoman Br. Any comments from the public? Comments from council. All those in favor? Thank you. We will now open the floor to comment to public comments on non-aggenda items. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker and for a total of 30 minutes.

Mayor, members of city council, I share one thing with sher. She says I've got a big mouth and I use it while I use mine. Especially when it comes to something I have a passion about. I've served on a lot of city boards and a lot of state boards. I know the job that you all do is hard regardless of what anybody in this chamber thinks or anybody in this city thinks. You serve with integrity. You try to do the best that you can. Yes, mistakes are made, but there are mistakes that are made with good intentions. I don't think that anyone that sits on this chamber in this chamber has been dishonest. I think that what you do is try to represent the best you can when you have thousands of people wanting something. You can't satisfy everybody. You're privileged to information that none of the average citizens of Aken have. because you're privileged with that. I rely on you to represent me and make the decisions that I represent trust that you are going to make. And I want to thank you all for your service and thank you for every headache that you've had and I know it's been a lot and I thank you so much and have a merry Christmas.

Thank you, Fred. Thank you so much. Thank you, Fred. Wow. I just want everyone to know that that's my constituent [laughter] and I just want to personally invite you to each and every meeting [laughter] that we have. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, we will now move on to uh items from the city manager this evening.

Yes. Um just a reminder, we have our annual employee awards lunchon um this Friday at 12:30 at the HO week center for um our active employees um and uh council and it uh again city offices will be closed uh Friday at noon and we'll reopen Monday at 8:10 and our holiday schedules listed um in the uh online. Um, so again, thank you and merry Christmas and I hope everyone has a a wonderful, happy, healthy, and safe new year.

Thank you to you all. Happy holidays. And to my council members, is there a motion to adjourn? Second. Councilwoman B made the motion and Councilman Msina seconded. Either way. Either way. Thank you all. Uh the meeting is adjourned. Thank you.