Council - Regular Meeting

We're going to start off with a public hearing on the second reading of the ordinance to sell property at located on North Pine Street, TMS number 0007021-01-00004. Do we have anyone desiring to comment on this? Um, I would like to speak on behalf of the Batesburg Business Association. Um, this property we had dealt with for about four years. We were going to develop it into the Pine Street Plaza. Um matter of fact, we had come before council to talk about hax funds last year in helping to finish this. However, um Lois Black, who was leading out on this project, had numerous health issues and so it kind of got way laid. When we found out that there was interest in buying the property, we decided to relinquish um and abandon the project. However, we had spent over the last um four years approximately $15,000 on this uh site. Part of it was buying a gazebo that was going to be there. Part of it was buying pots and plants and and so forth, but we also spent $10,000 in repaving that parking lot. So, we would respectfully request that from the sale of the proceeds of this property if the BBA could be reimbursed that $10,000, not the additional uh money that was spent, but the $10,000 spent on paving the pro the property. Thank you, ma'am. Anyone else?

If not, we'll close the public hearing and call to order the December meeting of the Batesburg Leville Town Council. Like to welcome everybody here. And at this time, I'd like to call on Pastor Lisa Eisenhower, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church on Oak Street in Batesburg for the invocation. Thank you, Mayor Bach Knight. Let us pray. Almighty God, you desire that all your children should flourish. You desire that we should live in peace and in safety. And so we pray that you would guide our elected leaders and lead them in the paths of peace and righteousness that you would have all of us follow. Send your spirit to guide. Send your angels to guard and help these men and women to do the work that they have been elected to do. give them what they need and help all of us to live in the peace and flourishing that you desire. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Lisa. At this time, if all that can stand if you're able and vote, Council Turner will lead us. 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. Jay, I didn't do it right. I didn't do it right. We got to run joke about Brown. It's passing. All right. At this I need at this time a motion to approve the agenda. So move. Second. Motion by Councilman Hall and second by Kathy Kn. Have motion and a second that we approve the agenda. It's now open for discussion. If there's no discussion, we'll vote. District 8, yes. District seven, yes. District six, yes. District five, yes. District four, four, yes. District three, District three votes yes. District one, yes. And the mayor votes yes. All right, the agenda has been approved. At this time, I'll need a motion to adopt the minutes from the regular council meeting on November 10th and the special council meeting on November the 24th. Make a motion to adopt the minutes from said scripts. All right. Motion by Joe Montgomery. Second. Second by Mr. Wise. We have a motion and a second that we uh approve the minutes from the regular

council meeting and the special council meeting November 10th and no November the 24th respectively. It's now open for discussion. If there's no discussion, we'll vote. District one, yes. District three, yes. District four, four, yes. District five, yes. District six, yes. District seven, yes. District eight, yes. And the mayor votes yes. The motion carries. All right. At this time, I'd like to call on Mr. Hendris to uh get up and read the resolution to present Delani boat. Yay. Lonnie, if you want to come on up here, we'll we'll make Lonnie get a little bit embarrassed for a little longer. So uh so the resolution is uh from the town of Batesburg Leville Town Council honoring Lonnie Boatright the 2025 water operator of the year. Whereas the town of Batesburg Leville is proud to recognize outstanding employees whose dedication, skill and commitment strengthen the community and ensure the highest quality of public service. And whereas Mr. Lonnie Boatright has faithfully served the town of Batesburg Leville for 44 years beginning his career with Batesburg Commission of Public Works and continuing in various capacities with the utilities department. And whereas throughout his decades of service, Lonnie has exemplified professionalism, leadership, and steadfast work ethic that has earned him the respect of colleagues, town leaders, and residents alike. And whereas in November 2025 at the South Carolina Rural Water Association's annual conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Lonnie Boatright was honored as the water operator of the year, a prestigious award recognizing exceptional

performance, knowledge, and dedication within the water utility profession. And whereas Lonnie chose to continue his service for several additional years, ensuring that the town of Bates will successfully reach the historic milestone opposing the current water plan after 90 years of operation. And whereas Lonnie's loyalty, pride in his work, and unwavering commitment to serving his community, stand as an example of the highest ideals of public service and reflect great credit upon the town of Batesburg Leisville. And whereas the Batesville Town Council wishes to honor Lonnie for his remarkable career, his contributions to the community, and his well-deserved recognition at the state level. Now therefore, it be resolved that the town of the Batesville Town Council hereby recognizes and congratulates Lonnie Boatright for being named the 2025 water operator of the year by the South Carolina Rural Water Association and expresses its deep appreciation for his 44 years of loyal and dedicated service to the town of Batesburg, Leville. Be it further resolved that the town council extends it sincerious gratitude and best wishes to Lonnie as he continues to serve the community he has supported with pride, joy, and steadfast commission. Mayor David Baltnight and Manager J. Congratulations. Do you want to say a few words? Take a watch.

Mr. Hendris, I'm going to put you back to work again and ask you to make present the resolution to the Batesburg Leville Bum Youth Football Lesson County Champions. So, we go from old people like Lonnie to the young. So, okay. Um, stand over there so everybody can see them. And I do want to recognize that we have Cynthia Ethridge here, president of the football youth. What exactly is the official title? Youth football. Yes, youth football. All right. So, the resolution of the Batesburg Leel Town Council honoring the Batesburg Leel Banham Football Team for winning the Lexin County Youth Football League Championship. Whereas the Batesburg leisel banham football team has brought great pride and recognition to the town of Batesburg through their outstanding performance during the 2025 season. And whereas under the direction of leader dedicated leadership of head coach Denver Pageant and assistant coaches Jeremy Gant and Zack Howton, the team demonstrated exceptional discipline, teamwork, and determination. And whereas the BAM team captured the Lexington County Youth Football League Championship, securing a hard-fought victory over Lexington 8 with a final score of 14 to7. And whereas throughout the season and especially in the championship game, the players displayed tremendous grit, heart, and perseverance, never wavering in their pursuit of excellence. And whereas the coaches led by example, teaching the values of sportsmanship, dedication, and character, while the players represented the Batesburg community with integrity and pride. Whereas the support and encouragement of the players, parents, families, and community members contributed greatly to the team success both on and off the field. And whereas the Batesburg Town Council wishes to recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the athletes, coaches,

families whose collective efforts resulted in this championship accomplishment. Now therefore, it be resolved that the Batesburg Leel Town Council hereby congratulates the Batesburg Leelville Bantam football team, their coaches, parents, and families for winning the Lexington County Youth Football League Championship and representing the town of Batesburg with honor and distinction. Be it further resolved that the town council extends its best wishes to all team members and coaches in their future endeavors both in athletics and in in life. Congratulations. Good job. Somebody go Sure. See how small were you allow? Mr. May, you get to be Yeah, you're the perfect job now. I don't want to break anybody's Way to go, little Panther. Way to go. I saw that picture. I said she must be hunting her husband. And and the last item is Eagle Scout Project Braden McCormack who addressed council last month. He is here to uh with some pictures on the video board. He's also here to just kind of give a recap of his uh operation.

Braden, you want to come forward and tell us? Uh I just want to say uh thank you all of you uh even the new people that were elected over this short span of time. Uh especially to Mr. Jay Hendricks for helping me get this through. Um, as y'all see on the board, we planted about 16 trees. Well, not about exactly uh eight dog woods, eight maples uh over the course of about 3 hours. I'm really glad that I was able to get the nine people that helped me out to help me because they all live about half an hour away. So, that I'm really happy about that. And I would also like to thank um Mr. and Mrs. Harry uh for helping me figure out uh where we're going to get these planted, what I'm going to have to do over the next few weeks and well months where I'm going to have to go out about every week just make sure their water look good and all that. And I just again I want to say thank you all so much for allowing me to do this and Jay, thank you so much for helping me. So thank you'all and thank you for your work much for doing it. All right, the next regular council meeting will be January the 12th right here in this same place. All right, that takes us to council committee reports. Uh, I have a little report on Central Midlands. We had a convention.

The South Carolina COG had a convention in Myrtle Beach the 23rd, 24th, and 25th. Well, our meeting was on the 24th, but I had something I had to come back here and take care of. So, I missed it. So, I really don't have a report other than there was a convention. All right. Environmental Planning had no meeting. Councilman Prowse was former Councilman Price was on that committee and I talked to him and it had no meeting. Common Advisory Committee, Council McCain. Yes, sir. No, no meeting, Mr. Mayor. All right. With no report. Let me say that. Okay. And then joint municipal and that has been Mayor Schaw and I have his report. We're expecting an official permitting of Batesburg Leville this week, possibly tomorrow. Should be moving water by Wednesday. The mix the commission executed a 40-year lease agreement with the town of Swansy whereby they will be taking over all operational and management functions and eventually began a revenue share with the town. This partnership allowed them to secure 4 million in grant funding from the state raia and dees mainly for sewer system improvements commencing February of 2026 pending USDA approval of JMWSC paying Swansy's debt service on their behalf. New cellular AMI system to be installed by JMWSC once commencement date is confirmed. Water customer growth is steady at 3.16%. Sewer customer growth is steady at 5.83%.

All right. Mr. Mike Taylor, president of the BL Chamber of Commerce. If you would come forth and give us the chamber report, please sir. Yes, sir. If I may, good evening, merry Christmas, and happy new year. Before I see you again, the chamber held their 2025 annual banquet on Thursday, November 20th at TNS Farm. The new format was appealing, I think, to everyone. All enjoyed an evening of networking, food, entertainment, presentations. Award winners for the evening in 2025 were small business of the year, Prosperity Drug of Batesburg Leville. The chairman's award went to Arts on the Ridge and the president's award went to Mayor Fetchel. On Sunday, November 23rd, the Batesburg Leville Ministerial Allianc's community Thanksgiving service was held at Leville Methodist Church. It was well attending attended. The offering that evening of $872 went to the school district social worker, Meritt Bishop, to help those needy children in the district. So, they were very proud of that offering. On December uh I'm sorry, our December general membership meeting was last Thursday. Cheryl Felder and 18 members of the Batesboro Leville High School's honor corps a choir uh provided Christmas cheer to the membership. Leville Merchants Association held their annual Christmas in Leville this past Friday evening from 6 to8. The weather could have been more accommodating. Uh, but S'mores by the Fire and Gingerbread House competition got everyone into Christmas spirit. The chamber conducted a ribbon cutting for Darling Piggy Tales Children's Boutique at 128 North Oak Street on Saturday. And on Sunday, the chamber hosted the 2025 Christmas parade. We had the most entrance we've had since I've been there, 53. But to

give you some idea, one of the entrance took over 100 ft. So, we had at least 75 units in there, maybe more. Um, on behalf of the chamber, I would like to thank the community's churches, businesses, and organizations for making this year truly special. It was an event. I'm sorry. It was evident that each entry put in a lot of time and effort so many could enjoy. Thanks to Batesburg Leville Police for traffic control, the Batesburg leaves fire department for giving S and Miss Claus a ride and the town for the festivities after the parade. Uh parade winners this year, first place went to Old Lex Baptist Church, second place went to Libraries Grow Hearts and Minds and third place Element Dance Elements Academy. Next Sunday, December the 14th will be another special day uh with Christmas in Batesburg from 4 to 8. The Batesburg Business Association is planning a special fun-packed day. And from what I understand, it might even snow that day. Okay. So, I hope you'll all show show up and and and they've gone to a lot of work. It all be a special day. Thank you. Thank you, Mike. Thank you. All right. I missed something. I didn't approve the minutes for the call meeting. special meeting. They You actually approved them both at the same time. Same time. And the attorney I didn't mark it on my sheet. We got you. Okay. Good. All right. At this time, we'll open public comment regarding items on the agenda. Do we have anyone? Miss Rachel already signed up. She's already Okay. All right. That brings us to the I need a motion. to adopt second reading

of the ordinance to sell property located at North Pine Street TMS number 07021-01-00004. We have a motion for second reading. Mr. Mayor, I move that we approve the second reading. Okay. Second, all we have a second district. Okay, we have a motion and a second that we adopt the second reading of the ordinance to sell property on North Pine Street. It's now open for discussion. If there's no discussion, we I would like to um bring up what Miss Taylor spoke to us about with this property that there's about $10,000 the BBA spent there. Are we willing to talk about giving them in return some of that those funds? You can't talk about anything that's not on the agenda. That's I thought that was about selling the property. Yeah, but that's not what you're talking about is what we're going to do with the money. We only talking about selling the property. Okay. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Mayor. Y'all, um if the council would entertain the request to um direct funding of the

sale to as as asked or requested, then the motion would need to be amended to include that in the original motion to when to sell the property. But can't we put it on the agenda for another meeting and decide how we're going to distribute the money or whether we're going to give them that money? Yeah. Yes, Mr. Mayor, you can. Yeah. Okay. You can you can consider it two separate actions. Yeah. We got I don't mind doing the amendment. I don't have a problem doing that, but we got a lot on the agenda tonight and I think it would be better if we put it off and do it the next meeting. Okay. Call for the question. All right. Question's called for. We'll vote. District one. Yes. District two. District two votes. Yes. I mean, I'm sorry. District three. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Dave. Right now, slip. Don has just distracted me, y'all. District four. I see district four. Yes. District five, I vote yes. District six, yes. District seven, yes. District 8, District 8, vote yes. And the mayor vote yes. All right. Takes us to new business. I'll entertain a motion for first reading to an annex property located on Line Street, Lexington County, TMS number 005900-08-00005, Saluda County, TMS number 183- 09- 01-00003

TMS number 183-09-01-00004 consisting of 20.05 acres and to be zoned R1 single family res sing single family residential. I make a motion that we approve to annex the property located there that you've just mentioned. Kathy, do we have a second? Second. We have a motion and a second that we uh have first adopt first reading of ordinance to sell that or to annex that property and zone it R1. It's now open for discussion. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. May I ask staff question? Yes, sir. So, Jay, what is it going to be used for now? step forward. Yeah. Um will you just step Yeah, we do have staff here and we have a representative from the Okay. Uh good evening. I'm Phil Mabry. I represent Batesburg Leville Investors who owns the property. Um we don't have a site plan right now. If you look currently about a 45 acre partial, I believe about half of it is already in the town if I'm correct. Um, so we'd like to get the entire parcel annexed into the town um with some future plans to do some kind of residential development. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Is this adjacent to the property that we just uh did a couple months ago, last month or so? You don't recall? No, sir. Not okay. Now, so the the image on the screen u the highlighted portion is the out of town portion that's being annexed and a little bit to the left is in

Saluda County. This is from the Lexon and GIS. Um yeah, the the shaded area south of that is in town already, but you can see the property line. Uh so as Mr. Mabry say stated, it's about 45 total acres. It extends from Line Street, loops around and touches, you know, the back side of JF Johnson property and Miller Street. Thank you. Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, if I may. Yes, sir. Uh, and this is for the town attorney, uh, town manager. Water and sewer availability to this property. Will it support, uh, 160 homes? Uh, yes. But also, we have Andrew with us. Um, you know, we do have our sewer list station right across the street at Alexander and there are water lines along line and on Miller Street that would access the property. But Andrew, is there anything you would want to add to that? I think some as well. There may be some extensions and improvements as is normal with a lot of housing developments throughout the town outside of town. There may be improvements needed there as far as extended, but I do town does have the capacity to serve. How many bagel houses we going to put up here? The number that was thrown out. Yeah, I'm not I'm not sure where that number. Our standard ordinance requires six at most if we approve it or four houses per acre. You have 40 acres. So, it's a it's a rough number. It's something to shoot at per se, right? Uh, and the water is located almost adjacent to the property. I'm looking at the town's obligation to provide contact with the property. This so it would be the responsibility of the developer to come to us to come to you. Yeah. Mr. Mayor.

Yes, sir. And the the developer will add to make those improvements to the water and sewer system to get it to your property. Absolutely. Just want to clarify. Thank you, sir. Any further discussion? How many houses he going to put there? We haven't even done a layout. Um, we're first we, you know, want to get it annexed and kind of figure out what our options are with with the town zoning. Who Who's the developer? He said the developer would Y'all have a developer? I I'm part of the development team. Yes, sir. For the for the owners. Yes. Okay. It's a owner It's a owner operated development. Gotcha. Any further questions? If not, we'll vote. District eight. Yes. District 7. Yes. District six, yes. District five, yes. District four, no. District three. District three votes yes. District one. Yes. And the mayor votes yes. All right. That first reading pass. So this spot zone in. All right. At this time, I need a motion to for first reading to reszone 532 West Colombia Avenue and that would be from it is on that new that check sheet you've got. Um it was not on the initial agenda. Okay. My apologies.

All right. West Columbia Avenue from C2 Office and Institutional to C1 General Commercial Lexington County Tech TMS number 007027-07-00001. Do we have a motion to to have first reading for that ordinance? Salute. Yes. Sister Wise who second Joe okay Mr. Montgomery we have a a motion and a second for first reading to reszone 532 West Columbia Avenue from C2 office and institutional to C1 general commercial. It's now open for discussion. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. May I address Jay? You there? Yeah. Okay. Um, so you know what I'm about to say, right? I just Okay. I have an idea what you want to say. Okay. So, we we never truly know what's going to come out of your mouth, but I have I have ideas. Welcome to my mama's life. Right. Um, so we have to stop spot zoning and annex and stuff. We have to have a plan to to do it because 160 houses sounds benign, here, there, but all these people need to be moved to the grocery stores, to work, to school. And well, if I may, if I may interject, uh, anybody, any property owner in town can come forth to the town hall and and request a re reszoning. They pay the

fee. They go before the planning commission. It's our job to bring it to you. We we really don't we as staff don't make that determination. That's on council. So, we're simply doing our job bringing it forth to council and it's all it's council's decision whether to reszone it or not. I totally agree with you. For the last five years, I think we had this conversation, me and your princess. But anyway, the the issue is I understand you doing your job, but you have to help council do its job. Our ordinances need to be changed, adjusted to what's happening because if not, we're going to be like Lexington. It's going to be an emergency situation. It's going to cost a ton of money to fix it. So, we need to as a council get together with planning, change or fix our ordinances. Most of the people are new here probably don't even know what our ordinances say yet. Um, and it's not anybody's fault that they don't know because how would you know? But our ordinances, we need to be doing work sessions so that we can bring these guys up to speed and to decide what our town's going to look like, how we moving all these people. 2026 is going to be your year for work session. So we got them coming, my man. Thank you. Any further discussion? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. My concern, Mr. Hendrix is similar. We have this same piece of property has been reszoned a few months ago this year. Uh might have been might have been last year but anyway for another a commercial business. So now because we have not met with planning zoning to talk about what we would like to see the town of Batesburg leville will look like

in the future. We are continuously coming back to the table with the drawing board being similar all the time. So if we could get together with them and look at ordinances and determine what we would like to see happen so we would could possibly avoid the constant resoning council. And I understand that people come into the area and they come to probably open some businesses or create some a business atmosphere or even homes. But if we had something on paper that was more strategic than what is there now, then this we wouldn't have to come into every month and twice a month sometimes to go over this. We could say well this is what the ordinance says and this is what can be done. So we are working on the comprehensive plan and there will be followback up between planning commission and town council. Uh and then they but again I will reiterate is if the public comes in and they pay the fee to have that reszoning request, it will be heard by planning commission and then comes to town council. Whether I agree with it or not, that that ultimately is y'all's decision. So y'all y'all will get that final say. Uh it is Becky's job as zoning administrator, my job as town manager to bring it forth to you. So, um, even even if the comprehensive plan spells out that it will not be C1 or or R3 or whatever, it's still up to council to make that determination. So, we our job is to bring it to y'all and we just want to let you know that we understand that. Okay. And that we do have some concerns when it comes to bringing it to us. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yeah. Yes, ma'am. Um, doesn't it on a piece of property to be reszoned, isn't it proper that someone has to wait a full year if it's been changed before before they can reapply? Uh, it has been So, has it been one year on this property?

The property was August of 2024. So, yes, it's been one year. Okay. Isn't that our policy? I believe it is. Yes. Okay. But, no. Any further discussion? Mr. Mayor, if I may. Yes. Uh, a mundane question. Uh, what does the owner intend to do with this property that it cannot do with C two? He wants to turn it into a graphic design. And he wants more options. Should something happen and that business may not produce the income that he wants, he wants to go back to C1. That's what the discussion. Thank you. Any further discussion? If not, we'll vote. District one. Yes. District three. District three votes. District four. Yes. District five. Yes. District six. Yes. District seven. Yes. District eight. District A vote yes. And the mayor votes yes. First that motion carries. All right. We need a motion for first reading to res re reszone 413 Hartley Street from C1 General Commercial to R3 multifamily residential Lexington County TMS number 007020-05-00004. Do we have a motion?

I make a motion uh to pass the first reading to resone for 413 Hartley Street to R3. All right. Motion by Kathy Knox. Do we have a second? I'll second. Second by Councilman Weise. We have a motion and a second to open session on first reading of to reszone 413 Hartley Street from C1 General Commercial to R3 multifamily residentials. Now, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. What's the acreage of that parcel? Uh 37 third of an acre. how you mean like apartment buildings or so it is uh the house on the TV screen. Um the property is currently zoned uh commercial. Uh the buyer would like to renovate the house for residential use. It is uh contiguous with R3, hence the R3 uh designation. Uh R3 is multif family. It's just the only residential option closed and they don't have enough property to have their own zoning district. So, uh, R3 would allow for single family residential. Thank you, Jake. Yes, sir. Any further discussion? I will not. If there are no further discussion, we'll vote. District one yes. District three. District three votes. Yes. District four. Oh, yes.

District five. Yes. District six. Yes. District seven. Yes. District eight. District eight votes yes. And the mayor votes yes. Brings us to the next item on the agenda. A motion for council approvement of the contract to perform automated metering infrastructure project and financing. And Mr. Mayor, if I if I may. Yes, sir. Um in your packet there is that highlighted part that was an issue uh the issue portion. Uh there was a slight change made from last month. Uh the new price is $2,799,68 as there was a slight cost adjustment of about $5,000 for software coordination fee between the census product and the town Springbrook Express bill pay system so that it's integrated for customer ease. That was something that came out of the work session to make sure that there was integration between the current uh express bill pay and the the new system. So that was the only change from the contract that was presented last month to this month. Okay. Thank you, sir. Do we have a motion? This is this is concerning what we just had the work session on. Make a motion to approve. You don't know how much it cost. That's Councilman Montgomery. It's financed. It's going to be $4 million. All right. Second by Miss Councilman Knox. We have a motion and a second for council to approve of the contract to perform automated metering infrastructure project and finance. It's now open for discussion. Mr. Mayor.

Yes, sir. I I have an issue here. Uh council is being asked to approve a vendor and we're going to approve financing shortly. But we're asked to approve a vendor on a project that we really don't know the cost until we know the financing. So how is the project going to be financed? U so I'll I'll jump in there. David may can help me out. Uh so we are working with Parker Poe uh our bond attorney. Uh it's Ray Jones. Y'all, most of y'all know Ray from previous council meetings. Uh, so they are currently compiling, they were doing an RFQ u, I believe that is correct, RFP. Uh, seeking I think they've got nine different banks that they're trying to get uh, the financing done from. And so they will have those numbers for us for the second reading which will be in January. Uh, so this contract number and we do have the the crew from uh, Wegman here. uh they feel confident with these numbers. Uh the financing was for 2.9. That will be something we get to in the next one. And that will cover the included uh attorney cost and closing cost of that uh loan, but it's not related to the the contract. Okay. Uh basically uh earlier probably in the work session uh the issue came up and 4 and a half% was given as a possible interest rate. Yes, sir. 20-year loan. Yes, sir. Then we are looking at a $4 million plus project, four and a half%, 2.9 million for 20 years. Uh I've run the numbers. Yes, sir. So, we're really looking at a cost here of $4 million. We're going into debt uh for this. We already have an outstanding $4 million uh bond in the U enterprise fund. Yes, sir. at this point in time. So, I'd

like to make sure my fellow council members understand that we have the option of putting this off and and taking another closer look at it, but that's $4 million, uh, and its debt that we're incurring for 20 years. Um, also the from what I understand, uh, it is going to increase the water sewer bills for some of our customers. It will be a fair there will not be a rate increase. That is the important I understand the technicality between the rate increase and the fact that actually it still will we will be faced with the public saying that we have increased their water bills and their sewer bills. uh because essentially the numbers uh so-called justification for $16 million savings is the fact that and I'd like the public to know is the fact that we anticipate to build an additional 5% water that is not currently being properly metered uh in this. So uh it's additional revenue not a savings. Well, it is it is currently a loss to the town. We are currently not billing for that. And so if council's perview is to to short change the town itself, then that that is certainly council's prerogative. But uh we do believe that this is one going to replace our meters, which are old and needed to be replaced anyway. And this goes with the the best technology that will make uh our our department way more efficient. It will also allow the customer to be able to see what their usage is, get early notifications. Um, so we we have we stand firmly by that this is the best thing for the community. I understand that and of course I have concerns about the projections of battery life since we haven't fully uh specked uh the system as far as how

often the meter will actually read and how often our customers will be allowed to access those readings. Uh yes it is a big advant it is a big savings for someone who has water leak uh because it will allow but the battery life uh will be totally dependent uh upon and it is a sealed battery so therefore you replace the meter uh the battery life will depend upon how we spec uh uh how often the meter will will read and how often. So, we're looking at a project that hasn't been fully spe uh specifications haven't been fully issued, and we're looking at a cost of $4 million. Well, we we covered all those points in the work session two weeks ago. I mean, we we discussed the battery life and that if a more frequent battery, more frequent reading is going to wear that battery out. And so, we do have staff from GRP Wegman that can uh speak to that concern if that is a concern. So, but what does the town intend to offer our end user, our rate payer, as far as how often will that meter read? That is a specification that should be part of a contract. And also, how often will they be able to access that? Because if they access it twice a day, some people's meters are going to uh run out of juice. Uh well, within the 20 year span, and correct me if it's 6 hours. Is it 6 hours? Uh, Philip, if you don't mind for and and just to be clear, the the customer doesn't have the ability to go and push a button to read the meter. It is read and so they can access their portal 24 hours a day and it would not wear out the battery. Mr. Hendris, that's exactly correct. The system from Census that we propose comes with a default of being read four times per day. And four times per day, the manufacturer will guarantee that this battery will last for 15 years. If it fails within the 15-year period, the

entire meter will be replaced at the manufacturer's cost. No cost to the town. I would argue with uh Commissioner Hall here, Councilman Hall here, that if you read it less than four times per day would likely last even longer. And I'm not sure why any water utility needs four the meter read four times per day. But to Mr. Hendricks's point, the information that comes from those readings is then stored within the billing system and as an IT function. You could call it a million times a day and it will not affect the battery whatsoever. They are only responding from the default four reads. So again, the system is set up to be read four times per day for every account within the city. And within those four readings per day, if that battery has any issue within the first 15 years, it's replaced 100%. In years 16 through 20, it is prrated. So in year 16 you're looking at what do the math 90% of the value of the meter will be replaced and then it scales down to from 80 to 60 to 40 to 20. I'm just doing five you know 20% for each year. So you are protected throughout the entire 20 years. I hope that was a I hope that explain the position well enough. It did. Thank you. Thank you sir. I'll just any further discussion. Yeah, I do. I I have a issue with this, Jay, because we going $4 million in debt and our our folks are going to pay more for their water and they're not getting any better water. If you're going to spend $4 million, I would spend that money fixing the pipes in the ground versus um putting in meters. I understand that the profit that we're going to make and I understand what you're saying about we're not making that same profit now and this is a a scheme to get more money

into the town's coffers. I understand that. But the reality is that most people are going to pay more for their water and they're not going to get any more benefit. It's a good benefit for the town, but it's not a good benefit for the citizens. And on top of that, you go into about $4 million worth of uh debt. So, Mr. Mayor, if I may appropriate, many of our customers ask me that exact same question. And the remarkable thing about these programs is while it may be an inclusive of $4 million spent over 20 years, project returns I believe 16 million 16 million the additional monies are made available to reinvest in the infrastructure, the broken pipes, things of that nature without this council having to add additional monies through taxation rate increases. 4 million is council. Yes. Please be recognized before you Yes. Stop back. I thought he was talking to me. That's why I said, were you asking me? Were you addressing me? I was simply suggesting that it produces net positive cash for the city to reinvest in its infrastructure and often times buried infrastructure is forgotten because it's not parks and sidewalks. So, it creates a revenue stream to you reinvest without having to actually put a burden on your citizens to pass new water rate increases and increases. Yes, sir. You will you finish? I'm sorry. No, I am sir. Forgive me. Thank you. Okay. So now I want to address you because um you're saying $16 million, right? How much over the 20-year period? Okay. So the two things, one, real quick, that includes operation and maintenance. That is also salaries and stuff. So it's not it's not all just water rates or the cost of water. It does include the salaries and and operation and maintenance of less fuel spend in trucks driving

around. So it's a Please. Yeah. I I I do understand what you're saying, but I also understand that one one thing I'm going to address you line by line. Okay. So, one thing about it, you said that there's a 16,000 16 million $16,000 whatever. Um 16 million. 16 million over 40 years. Okay. Huh. Over 20 years. Okay. So is there anything in the contract that says that that money is returned back to the citizens and in what manner does it go back to the citizens? I don't think that's uh a part of what council has discussed and secondly I will reiterate that we're going into debt and the citizens are going to pay more for their water. Okay? And if we wanted to go into debt and we really wanted to do a service for the citizens, and this is not for you, but if we really wanted to uh go into debt and do a service for our citizens, we would be doing pipes in the ground, the lead pipes, the old pipes that are in the ground. We would be replacing them as a priority. And then we would um uh be able to uh look at doing uh new meters. But I think we we have jumped onto this um uh project way in advance of where where we probably should be. So my issue again is the fact that we're going to be raising water bills. However way you look at it, at the end of the day, people going to write a check for more money tomorrow than they're writing today. So that's more money out of people's pocket. and the debt and the service on that debt I think is uh is not is not appropriate at this time and it's no slight against you. I understand the the the technology and um I agree with the technology. I don't agree with the timing. I think you have exceptionally good

concerns and I've been in the business for 30 years. I've heard those concerns many times and I always applaud them. Looking out for your constituent. One of the things you ask is what do we return to our citizens from this project? You return the ability to avoid astronomical large rate increases when you have a real problem and a large part of your infrastructure needs to be replaced. Yes. Because now you're simply charging for the amount of water that's being used. Nothing more than what's being used. Right. But it returns to your community. So if you're charging for what you're using, you might avoid having large rate increases in the future. They could be minimi minimalized over time. So I think that's one possible way to to look at it. I also would say that while this project generates net positive dollars much more than the cost, you could use those extra dollars to pay off that loan much earlier and spend far less money on the actual interest cost. Yeah, but that has to be in attorney is working with Parker Poke. Make sure you have a provision in there that says no prepayment penalties, right? To allow you to pay it off earlier and then that extra 2 million is that is that in what we're voting on now? That's what you'll be doing when you select your financing provider. Yes. But is that is that that's your next item, Mr. Mayor? The ordinance is that they're asking us to vote on is earmarking the the the profit. Is that part of what we're doing? Cuz I didn't hear that in the motion. We could do it. Well, that's outside. We're not I'm saying I'm not and I'm not asking you I'm not asking you about for for that answer. That answer comes from Jay. I'm sorry, Dave. But that um that answer comes from from Jay. whether this money is actually earmarked for the good things that this gentleman has said that we could do. Paying the paying it off early, um uh rebating some of that to to our citizens in in infrastructure that needs to be spelled out. If not, it just becomes a slush fund for the council or the the staff or whoever. There's no

there's no direction for where that money goes. And your last point, Mr. Mr. Hendricks is going to choke me after this. There are federal funds available right now for lead service line replacement. If you would like to have a workshop, I don't I won't charge you a dollar. I can speak to you at length about what the town could do in terms of accessing federal funds at a future council meeting if you want to address that. There are really good programs available right now, maybe as much as 50%. We could have we could show you how to maybe access some of those dollars for your citizens. Yes, sir. Point of personal council. Yes. You've already had your two or three times. Yes. I appreciate. We have other people on council. So, Mr. Mayor, I'd like to call for question, please. Mr. Mayor, if I may, Miss KN had it first. I'd like to call for question, please. Question's been called for. No. That means we'll vote. Don't we have to vote on the question, though? No. anticip for that request to vote. Mr. Mayor, I do have a question as to what we're voting on. You're voting on the motion to approve of a contractor to perform automated metering infrastructure project and finance. So then when the word for legal uh information, so we are voting to finance this. You are voting to approve the motion as as is presented here. Yes, sir. So, the word and financing is in that motion. Yes, sir. So, I'm at a loss here. Uh we have we have another issue where we're going to handle financing as a separate motion. And here we are. You know, this should be just except the contractor. And Mr. familiar. I do think we need to remove that or the financing

portion of that cuz that is the next item is is the ordinance on financing. It's two different. All right. So, we're going to take it out of the motion. That's right. Mr. Mayor, the the um the councilman who made the motion needs to amend their motion removing that from the motion and uh it needs to be seconded again the amended. That would be Councilman Montgomery. I'd like to amend my previous motion to take the financing part of that script out. Okay. We have a second to the amendment and I second it originally. I'd second that as well. Okay. Well, we have the original motion maker and original person that made the second that are vote are proposing to amend their motion to take out financing. The amendment is now open for discussion. There's no discussion. We'll vote on the amendment to remove financing. Councilman I mean district one. Yes. District three. Yes. District four. Yes. District five. Yes. District six. Yes. District seven, yes. District eight, District 8 votes yes. The mayor votes yes. All right. This brings us back to the discussion of the amended motion, which is to approve of the contractor to perform automated metering and infrastructure project. We had a call for question on that. Mr. Mayor, there's no further discussion. We'll vote on the motion as amended. District one. Yes. District three. District three votes. No.

District four. Four. No. District five. Yes. District six. Yes. District seven. Yes. District eight. Yes. And the mayor votes yes. That motion carries as amended. Uh that brings us to the next item on the agenda and we need a motion for the first reading on an ordinance to finance AMI. Do we have a motion? Yes, Mr. Mayor. I'll make the motion that we finance AMI with um our bond attorneys. Uh you want to with our bond attorney? Uh it doesn't have to be. I'm sorry. Right now we're just voting to finance it. We're not youing finance it with AMI. We're not going to discuss how. Right. Okay. Proposing to finance with AMI. Do I have a second? Second. Councilman Montgomery have a motion and a second to discuss first reading of an ordinance or to pass the first reading of an ordinance to finance AMI. That motion is now open for discussion. Mr. Mayor, if I may. Yes, sir. Uh we are not obligating any monies at this point in time simply to investigate financing and come back to correct. This this is the first reading. You'll have a second reading the public hearing at the January meeting. At that time we'll have well in advance of that we'll have all of the financing options from Parker Poe. But

by resolution, we could authorize uh administration to bring us forth the financing without an ordinance. You're telling me, or at least I understand, and I'm I'm slow. Uh but you're saying that this is the first reading to actually expend monies because the second reading would be a reading in which the monies would be spelled out to council. Uh, so I have an issue of us sitting here approving an ordinance expending money that we don't know what we're spending. So, and David can speak a little bit clearer to it. He's he's better at the words, but uh, so this is authorizing up to $2.9 million $2.9 million loan uh, which will cover the cost of the contract that was just approved and the the financing cost. Um, so, so again, I'm still saying it could be north of four million, it could be south of four million, correct? All right. You're asking again, I mean, if I go to a car dealership and say, I want a car, and they say, "Well, okay, sign the contract, we'll tell you what the price is." That's uh, not the way I'm accustomed to doing business. And this this is not a binding. This is a first reading. You'll have a second reading next month. Um, David, would you like to expand on that? Uh, we didn't ask Ray Jones to be here as the bond attorney, so David's gonna kind of speak in his place. The obviously the the financing at the next meeting uh the ordinance just authorizes the town to enter into the financing. Uh like uh Jay mentioned earlier that you will have uh banks will put in bids for the financing and whatnot. Um if t if council would prefer before we we should have those back

before the second reading. Uh if not then uh council would be be able to come back and actually vote on the actual uh terms and the lowest, you know, the um the bidder with with the that that you feel com comfortable going with. on which bank has the best rates and and what in terms if council chose to to go that route. So our options at that time is to either vote on uh a unknown sum if they are not ready at the the next or the second reading or to table that motion uh for a second and then I would encourage you to table it if we don't have the terms but I fully expect we'll have the terms just clarifying what council's options are. Yes. Thank you. Just to reiterate the way I see it, we're voting on the on that we're going to finance. We're not voting on any particular bank or any particular amount. We're just voting on the fact that we're going to finance this purchase. And that's that's what we're voting on. I just want everybody to understand that's all we're voting on at this time. We're not spending any money. We just finding out how much it's going to cost us. We're deciding whether we're going to finance it or not. That's what you'll be voting for on this motion. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, um and Jay, am I clear on um it will help us to get better bids for the loan package if banks are aware that the council is looking for the right numbers? Um I I and that we're serious about it. I I can't speak to the what they may or may not do, but certainly with uh with Parker Poe and and Stifel is the

financing uh arm of that. Uh they they are well respected and so they are are working through their their normal chains and I believe it was nine uh banks or or companies that they were working with. So we fully expect that those numbers will be back in time for y'all to review before the the council meeting. And as I mentioned, you know, if we don't for some reason with the holidays, if things get delayed, we can push that to February. We want to get it done, but we'll get it done correctly. Okay. Thank you. Any further discussion on the motion to authorize the or a first reading on the ordinance to authorize finance and AMI? If not, we'll vote. District 8. District A votes yes. District seven, yes. A coward. District six, yes. District five, yes. District four, no. District three, District three votes no. District one, yes. And the mayor votes yes. takes us that first motion to pass first reading carries. Takes us to the next item on the agenda, which is a I'll need a motion for first to approve first reading of an ordinance to modify zoning ordinance I-1 height restrictions. So move. I'll second. We now have fire trucks that can handle that. So, that is an awesome thing. Have a motion and a second to modify zoning ordinance for I-1 height restrictions. It's now open for discussion.

There's no discussion. We'll vote. District one, yes. District three. District three votes. Yes. District four. Four. Yes. Five. Yes. District six, yes. District seven, yes. District eight, yes. And the mayor votes yes. Takes us to the next item on the agenda, which would be to approve the approval of hax grant request from the BBA for Christmas in Batesburg. Do we have a motion? I'll make that motion, Mr. Mayor. We have a second. Second. All right. We have motion by Councilman Knox and a second by Councilman Wise. And just and just for clarity, the requested amount is $1,948.93. Okay. For for the record and that's in the packet. So that information has been made available for you to look at. There's only two entities that can get the money. Any discussion on that motion? That's crazy. If not, we'll vote. District one. Yes. District three. District three votes. Yes. District four. Yes. District five. Yes. District six. Yes. District seven. Yes. District eight. District eight votes yes. And the mayor votes yes.

takes us to the next item on the agenda which is the resolution to suspension of open container ordinance for propo proposed beer festival Rosemary Nol was homeland Mr. Mayor, before we select the motion, I have a question of uh legal question seeking legal advice. Uh if I may, the rule of equal dignity uh require requires that an ordinance be amended by an ordinance. Now, we don't have provisions to override that. It is not a law. But normally when you change an ordinance and suspending an ordinance is amending it that should be done by an ordinance uh per se. Uh should this not be an ordinance uh Mr. Attorney ordinances can ordinances can only be amended by another ordinance. That is correct. However, this is merely a suspension of an existing ordinance from being enforced for a period of time in a specific area. It is it is not um amending the ordinance or changing the ordinance as it currently stands. Once the the temporary period where it's paused is over, the ordinance is still in effect or it's still in effect for other locations as well, just not this location. So, it's not um a amending or changing the ordinance. Um uh it's merely just just pausing it from being enforced in a certain area for a certain period of time. Well, I'm not an an attorney by any means, but essentially uh suspending is in effect changing or amending u per se.

And of course my concern is does does a resol is a resolution have standing in courts as a legal legally binding a resolution is a is a legal act of of council establishing a a a decision. Um, so it is legally binding and enforceable. An a resolution is and like I said, it's it's not um amending or or changing the ordinance as it is. That can only be done by another ordinance. This is merely just just pausing it for a a from being enforced for a specific period of time in a specific location. It the ordinance is still in effect for other locations. It's still valid. Okay. So you're from my understanding again for of the term equal dignity it would only apply if we for instance spent money that was not in the budget ordinance and the remaining monies available did not meet the uh the monies that we're expending. So, I'm saying you if we go out and buy buy a $100,000 firet truck and there's not $100,000 left in the budget, that would require the ordinance, our budget ordinance be amended, not a resolution. And when when amending, like I said earlier, when amending an ordinance, it needs an ordinance needs to be amended by another um by another ordinance. In the situation of a budget, it obviously the revenue has to equal the expenditures. So if you were you would need if you had additional expenditure if you had an additional expenditure and then Mr. Mayor point you would have to identify additional re of revenue coming in and you would need to amend your ordinance by another ordinance to establish that unless you had money in your already budget

that was enough to cover that expense. Then at that point you would not have to amend your budget. could uh pass a resolution authorizing that expenditure. Thank you. All right, Council McCain. Call for the question. Call for the question, please. Okay. Well, there's no question because there's no motion. Oh. Oh, that's right. He jumped in before the motion. He He jumped in. He put his cart before his horse. Okay. No. Well, let's get the ox out. All right. We need a motion. Motion. Motion. He made the motion. All right. I'll second. All right, we have a motion to sus to suspend the open container ordinance for proposed beer fest by Rosemary Len. That's in August August the 8th. Yes. Okay. And it would be on Main Street in Louisville. Yes. That's all in your packet if you read it. It's now open for discussion. Um, Don, will Mike Teller be making um his famous primal cheese? I'm trying to decide if I'm going to get a ticket or not. Okay. Okay. We'll talk, Mike, afterwards. We got months to talk him into. Any further discussion? If not, we'll vote. District one. Yes. District two. See, you're not gonna get I'm not gonna get District three. District. Invisible man hadn't spoke all night long. No, not all night. That's good. Okay. Uh, District three. Yes. District four. No. District five. Yes. District six. Yes. District seven. Yes.

District eight. District A vote chess and the mayor vote chest. The motion carries. Approval of the regular council meeting dates for 2026 and they're on the screen. Do we have a motion to accept or approve those dates? I make a motion to approve the dates printed out and show. I'll second that motion. Have a motion and a second. A motion by Councilwoman Montgomery and a second by Councilman Hall to approve the dates for the regular council meetings for 2026. It's now open for discussion. There's no discussion. We'll vote. District one, yes. District three, District three votes. Yes. District four, yes. District five, yes. District six, yes. District seven, yes. District eight. District eight vote chest. And the mayor vote yes. The motion carries. All right. That brings us to the next item on our agenda, which is council election for Mayor Pro Tempora. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that Paul Wise of District 6 serve as mayor prom. We have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Right. We have a motion by Councilman Knox. A second by Councilman Montgomery. They want We have a motion as and a second to elect Councilman Wise as Mo Mayor Pro Tempora. It's now open for discussion. There's no discussion. We'll vote. District one. Yes. District three. District three votes yes. District four. No. District five, yes. District six, yes. District seven, yes.

District eight, District 8, votes yes. And the mayor votes yes. All right, this brings us to the next item on the agenda, which is C on the agenda, which is council appointments for planning commission and the board of zoning appeals. And we're going to do that as one blanket thing. Is that correct? Yes, sir. That is the normal procedure. Uh an updated list was uh placed on the dis uh before the council meeting, I believe. Um we have received a few extra names since the council packet went out Thursday. So, uh just review the the sheet on your desk. I do not have it for the board. I'll read them off. Okay. Okay. Uh these are the uh appointees by each council member for their district. Uh from the mayor appoints on the planning commission Rachel Taylor and the board of zoning appeals Billy Barry. District one appoints Laurel Gillespie for planning commission and the board of zoning appeals Ashley Sturgeon. Uh, district two is Shawn Bryant on the planning commission. District three has not appointed anybody at this point. District four is Lejona Williams on planning commission and Lily Gibbs on the board of zon and appeals. District five on the planning commission is Kevin Duggins and the board of zon and appeals, Greg Smith. District six has Riley Adams for the planning commission and no one for the board of zon and appeals.

District seven has for the planning commission Bart Cotchgr and Justin Troder for the board of zon and appeals. District 8 has Johnny May Lemon for the planning commission and the board of zone and appeals Shelma for law Morgan. You going to put right in there. Do we have a motion that we accept those appointees? Mr. Mayor, I move that we accept the appointees for the mayor, District 1, District 5, and District 7. All right. Second. All right. We have a a motion by Councilman Hall and a second by Councilman Montgomery to accept the council appointees. It's now open for discussion. There's no discussion. We'll vote. District one. Yes. District three. District three votes. Yes. District four. Four. Yes. District five. Yes. District six. Yes. District seven. Yes. District eight. District eight votes yes. And the mayor votes yes. The motion carries. All right. Next will be the council appointments. This would be a council members. Uh Mr. Hendricks. Do we need to do that individually or do we can we do that as a blanket? Oh, separately would be best. Separately. Yes, sir. All right. We need uh an appointee for the Central Midlands or a motion for an appointee for the C appointee for the

Central Midlands Council of Governments. I make a motion. Joe Montgomery, District 7. We have a motion. Do I have a second? the effect for Joe Montgomery. Do we have a second? I'll second. All right, we have a motion and a second that we appoint Joe Montgomery to the Central Midlands Council of Governments. And just for clarity, who did you have for the second? Was that Councilman Hall or Councilman Weise? The tie. It was unanimous. Well, it was a tie, but you know, she's the one making. And and just a reminder, I don't have a blank to fill out up here on that. So, Okay. Okay. Mr. Mayor, um if I may, um I I would um I would recommend that any council member who is appointed to a commission um recuse himself from voting on that um position when if if it when the vote is called. Good recommendation. Fancy that. All right. I'm sorry. Uh, we have a motion in a second that we point Council Montgomery to the to the Central Midlands Council of Governments now open for discussion. There's no discussion. We'll vote. District one, yes. District three. District three votes no. District four, no. District five, yes. District six, yes. District seven, recus vote. District eight, District 8 votes yes. And the mayor votes yes. All right, we need a motion to an

appoint for an appointee to the joint municipal water sewer commission. I make a motion, Mr. mayor that we appoint uh you as the joint municipal water commission. Do we have a motion? Do we have a second? Second. Motion and a second that I be appointed to joint municipal water sewer commission. It's now open for discussion. If there's no discussion, we'll vote district one. Yes. District three. District three votes. Judge. District four. Four. Yes. District five. Yes. District six. Yes. District seven. Yes. District eight. District eight. Vote. Yes. And the mayor recuses himself. Amen. All right. Jeez. All right. We need the next motion is going to be uh an appointee for the environmental planning advisory committee. I make a motion um district one vote. Turner for EPA. No, we have a motion. Do we have a second? I'll second that motion. A motion and a second that we that we appoint Councilman Turner to the Environmental Planning Advisory Committee. It's now open for discussion. There's no discussion. We'll vote. District one recused. District three. District three votes. Yes. District four. Yes. District five. Yes. District six. Yes. District seven. Yes. District A.

District A vote chess. The mayor vote chess. Motion carries. All right. We We need a motion for an appointee to the Comet Advisory Committee. Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion on that one as well that we um have Mr. Steve Kane from District Three on the Comet Advisory Committee. Uh no, ma'am. No, ma'am. You you you haven't spoken to me about that or any other you made all these motions and you never spoken to me. Did she speak to you, Betty? Okay. So, no, ma'am. Thank you. No, but I know you've been sitting on that committee for quite a while. So, did you think I wanted to stay on there? I didn't think to ask you, sir. Okay. It it' be good in the future if you going to bring my name up to ask me. Do we have a nominee for the comet advisory committee? If there's no nominee, then I guess we don't have anyone on that committee. Okay. We can advise some of that. Is that what we do? What do they say? Uh just for clarity, I believe that the common advisory board position came out of the uh the pilot program we had several years ago and and so we are not uh providing financial assistance to the comet. We don't have a vote on the board and we have no service. So I don't think there would be any objection from the comet. Uh if if we did not have a representative, I will sit on there, but I'm not going to in the future. I need to be asked to sit on there. And if and if council Apologize, Steve. If council is not going to move forward with council does, there's no need for us to sit on it.

I agree. One or the other. So, we're going to say we don't have a representative that we're not going to send a representative there. That are you actually we need to vote on that or or I I don't know. Are you actually is town the town actually going to move forward? I mean, I've been on there for god knows how long. We need to do that. You have been the only advocate really for any uh comment service, but um I mean, we we we we are increasing the number of people we have in this town. So, public transportation is important if we're going to be serious about it. If not, then we shouldn't we shouldn't have anybody on there. Those are three-hour meetings. So if if there's nothing to take action on, it can be brought up at a later date if if somebody does want to be appointed. All right. That takes us to you, Mr. Hendricks, for the manager's report. did not anticipate it being 8:30, but I apologize if uh we had a long agenda tonight. Uh just gummy yourself accordingly. Uh just a the the commanders are obviously not on Monday Night Football tonight, so after last night, I don't think you want to see anymore. But um just if anybody sees a phone laying around, I am missing my my telephone. Um, it might be in the car, but um, it's one of those days. One of those days. Um, and just a couple of counts that are coming up. Obviously, the Christmas

holidays are coming up. Uh, so the the town hall and town staff will be off the 23rd, 24th, and 25th with Christmas falling on that Friday. Uh, also the first is uh the New Year's holiday. Uh just as a reminder, the special election to fill the district 2 seat will be February 17th. Uh I believe the filing period will fall between December 12th and 22nd. Um I did put a a uh letter on your your DAS uh for the work session, special council meeting work session, but uh just to to note uh for the public, Chief Ach, uh the police chief am stepping down as chief on December 17th. Uh, Major David Baltnight will become the interim chief on the 18th. Uh, we have been working on the details of the hiring process. Uh, we anticipate posting that job after the holidays. It'll be posted for one month. We'll post it through uh, several profer professional organizations. Uh, and then we will conduct interviews using a panel of law enforcement professionals with the goal of offering the position sometime in February. Um the uh town employee Christmas lunch is scheduled for December 22nd at noon at Whizz's Eery. I guess that's Wizery 2.0. Uh council is encouraged to attend. We will have some uh awards to give out to town employees. So we'd love to see you there. Uh reminder, Hometown Legislative Action Day and the Municipal Elected Officials Institute are coming up June January 20th and 21st. If you have not let us know yet if you plan to attend uh please let us know so we can go ahead and get you registered. Um I believe you also have that uh on the dis as well. Um Mike touched on the Christmas parade uh from last night and the afterparty. Uh both of them seem to be very successful. Uh I saw a little bit at the beginning as Wyatt was uh walking the entire length carrying the American flag with the ROC when I have to share this

personal story. the daughter with her 2-year-old rambunctious baker. Uh she was like, "What time did the parade start?" I was like, "It started about 5 minutes ago." And she goes, "Well, when will it be here?" And I was like, "How fast can your brother walk from Bojangles to the college park?" Needless to say, she she started heading back towards the house and teamed up with her husband. So, um so, uh but it was a very good success. We had a great crowd uh for the parade. Uh Santa reported that it was the biggest crowd he'd seen in years. And then uh we also had a great turnout at the uh park for the the afterparty and Santa uh taking pictures as well. Uh some project updates. Um as mentioned earlier, uh it we should have water flowing this week uh on the line from joint municipal. Uh all of the the sampling has been completed and passed and has been submitted to dees. Uh so we're expecting to receive that all the permits. The town has received permits. We're waiting on that permit from joint municipal and then also the water tank. But, uh, we should have that water flowing this week and then we'll start the process of shutting down the plant. Um, I make it sound much easier than Andrew. Uh, Andrew has, uh, he's got a lot more issues to work through than just turning the switch. Um, that's going to be crazy. Another utility project that is ongoing, uh, replacement of water line on Peach Tree Street and Maple Street. Those, uh, pipes are in the ground and are in the sampling process. I think the Peach Tree has passed. Maple Street is, uh, the next one. And then uh South Oak Street, a uh sewer line repair is uh beginning as we speak. Uh park restrooms got slowed down a little bit with all the wet weather. It makes it tough to paint outside. Kathy can relate to that, I'm sure. Uh so that is uh hopefully going to happen soon along with the painting of the depot. Uh it's supposed to be completed by the end of the month. We'll wait and see on on how close that goes. Uh we do have a meeting tomorrow with the contractor and the engineer. Uh Pine Street parking lot. Again, we had uh put a hold on planting the big trees during

the heat. We have reached out about getting those planted. Again, those larger trees are were, you know, quoted at 18 to 20 ft tall. So, those are some big bigger trees. Um and we are waiting to hear back from the the contractor. Uh Central Midland staff was out last week as we continue to work on the comprehensive plan working on those chapter 789. Uh and those will be coming to you in the near future for your review and and for another meeting. Um Arbor Day Grant. Uh I know uh Councilman Kaine was uh at the uh class on Thursday night, I believe. Uh I attended on Wednesday. Uh but it was a big success. Uh hundreds of trees were given out. You may have seen some of them were still out here in the parking lot to be picked up. uh Keep the Midlands Beautiful uh has been helping facilitate this grant and they advised that they were able to get a great price and uh on the trees and there are some more that are available and coming. So, um it's not too late. If you're interested, let me know. Um Jay, who's the chair of that board? Uh Jeff Cox is the board. Who's the chair of the lady that was here? Well, the old chair is me, and I think that's who you're referring to. But, uh, but Jeff has taken over, thankfully. Well, thank you for your service on that. That was a great project. Yeah, that was a great partnership between the town and and Keep the Midlands Beautiful and and Trouty really deserves all the credit. She wrote the grant and uh and it has facilitated. That's where the real work comes in. Uh, town financial updates. Um, I try to run through it a little bit slower for our newer people so they can understand it. Um, so our general fund checking account is at the balance of $94,268.99. And then we have the LJIP uh general fund account with $883,857.13. So the general fund checking general fund again is police, fire, street department, fleet, uh, administrative,

town council all fall under that. Um there is an eb and a flow in those bank accounts as property tax comes in first of the year. January, February specifically are the big months. So you'll see that revenue tick up and the the balances will rise accordingly. Uh our utility checking balance is $29,950. Our local government investment pool, again the LJIP is our investment. We've got money put in those accounts drawing interest. Uh that's a 3,475,654.98 in that account. Um utility checking is usually pretty steady. Uh we we do have that one uh bond that uh Councilman Hall mentioned earlier that is paid annually and that was paid in July. Uh we've had some bigger checks recently with um the the project that we just talked about with the uh Maple Street, Peach Tree Street. Um and then there is also a capital improvement uh project and impact fee which has a balance of $880,753.93. So that goes towards capital projects and is primarily funded through the impact fees. Impact fees are assessed on new construction. Any new taps have an the tap fee essentially pays the cost of the tap and then the impact fee is going into that uh capital improvement impact fee account. Um, victim's assistance has a balance of $9,96456. Fire department 1% account has a $42,26549 account or49 in the account. Uh, that is kind of a separate account that comes from the state. It's a uh from the 1% it references uh insurance rate. So, as people pay their insurance uh 1% comes back to the local fire department. Uh that is not in in the town budget. that is separate by law. Uh police department donations is also what it is. It's

donations to the police department. They've got $14,94857 cents. Often times that's used on some small items at the the firing range. Um municipal court has a balance of $54,92248. Um and those are are coming in obviously through court fees and fines. Um the hospitality tax budget or account has a balance of $31,55758. And then the elip for H tax is $975,94824. And for our new people, the hospitality tax is 2% charged on prepared food and drink. Uh so that that is separate accounts and I think most of y'all are familiar with that. Uh does anybody have any questions? Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Hendendricks, for that report. That takes us to the next item on our agenda, and we would entertain a motion to go into executive session. Move. I have a motion by Mr. Hall. Second, second by Miss Hartley. Any discussion? Not. We'll vote. District one. Yes. District three. Yes. District four, yes. District five, yes. District six, yes. District seven, yes. District eight. District A vote yes. And the mayor vote yes. The motion to go in executive carries. We are in executive session.

It's married.

Uh, I would to end session and reconvening and reconvene us into uh, general session. Mr. Mayor, I move that we leave executive session. Second a motion, Mr. Mayor. I have a motion and a second that we exit executive session. And that would put us to reconvene in general session. It's now open for discussion. There's no discussion. We'll vote. District one, yes. District three, District three votes, yes. District four, four, yes. District five, yes. District six, yes. District seven, yes. District eight, District eight, vote yes. And the mayor vote yes. We are back in general session. All right, that brings us to get my sheet up there. Motions from the executive session. Okay, where we starting? Town attorney. We possible at town attorney. We need a motion about the town attorney. Mr. McGomery. Yes, sir. Did you have a motion? I thought Mr. McGomery had a motion. I was doing another one, but I can do it. Uh, I make a motion that we accept keep the uh town attorney as is at uh maybe put out some feelings for some better prices in the future. But at this moment in time, since it is open-ended contract, I say that we retain. Point of order. You you talking about the uh attorney, not the manager. Look at Jay's face. Okay. We're talking about the attorney though. I mean, yeah, the attorney. I was talking. That's what he was saying. Oh, I thought he said the manager. No, he said town attorney.

Lord have mercy. Y'all forgive me. I second the motion. Been here too long. Yeah, I'm sorry. The motion. Second. All right. All right, we have a motion and a second that we continue as is with the town attorney and that was my if deemed necessary at a later point we will be open to putting out feelers for shopping for better prices. Now open for discussion. Uh how long are we going to um accept that? Is it going to be ongoing like in a month by month? It's not in the motion, so we can't really say. Okay. What was Mr. Mayor? Call for the question. All right. Questions called for. We'll vote. District one. Yes. District three. District three votes. Yes. District four. Yes. Yes. District five. That's it. No. District six. No. District seven. Yes. District eight. District eight votes yes. And the mayor votes yes. Motion carries. All right. The next thing will be the municipal judge. We need a motion. Mr. Mayor, I move that we approve the contract to extend the contract for the current uh judge for two years at the salary in the contract as presented to council. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Second.

All right. Have a motion and a second that we uh continue with the municipal judge. Say again at the current as the contract as presented or would compensation as presented in the contract. All right, it's now open for discussion. There's no discussion. We'll vote. District eight. District 8 votes yes. District seven, yes. Six, yes. Five, yes. Four, yes. Three, District 3 votes yes. One, yes. And the mayor votes yes. And that brings us to the contract for the town manager. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to amend the manager town manager's contract to extend it to the end of December of 27 and the severance package to 24 weeks. Have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Have a motion and a second. It's open for discussion. There's no discussion. We'll vote. District one. Yes. District three. District three votes yes. District four. Four. Yes. District five. Yes. District six. Yes. District seven. Yes. District eight. District A vote yes. And the mayor votes yes. That motion carries. All right. The next thing as potential agenda items for the next month's meeting. Anybody got anything? Uh we when will we start working on ordinances? Will that be part of the agenda or just work?

What my recommendation is uh and I want to say that I'd sent out kind of a a timeline. U January work session. Uh we're looking at the comp and class study and have department heads come in and present information about their departments for kind of an education. Um, and then looking at we also need to get the comprehensive plan completed, but uh looking at impact fees as a work session for February. I'm going off the top of my head. And then I think I was looking at zoning ordinances for March, I think, is my timeline, but that that's all subject to change. Um, we could speed that up or change it as as so desired because when did you say the um comprehensive plan was going to be brought to the planners on? Did you say it was January? Uh, no. That is the comp and class study, the compensation classification study that was approved by council. Uh, we kind of put a hold on it so that it was presented to the new council. Um but uh the comprehensive plan is being worked on by Central Midlands that as I said they were out last week uh working on as soon as we get it from then we'll schedule another work first. It'll probably be the first of the year. It will certainly be after the first year. Yeah. There's there's no work sessions I'm planning for this month. So we're good. Thanks. All right. Can I ask a question? Absolutely. and a work session and we can include a in our in an a upcoming a soon upcoming work session how we can implement town hall meetings where the community can come in and make comments and tell us about things problems they have. Sure. Uh some people are saying we want it every month. I personally think that's going to bog us down a little bit longer than we want to. But I think we need to let the community be involved at least every other month. And tell you that in a work session. You're talking about in a work session format town in a town. Yeah. Talk about it in a work session comment and how we would

implement town hall meetings. We can incorporate that to January's work. How can we separate and have single district meetings here if we'd like we talk about council members are always if you want to have some event here have some form you're always welcome to have that. Just let us know and we'll reserve the room for you. Jay, did you That's just Well, hey, but to answer your question, I I do that all the time. Okay. I just wanted to be sure, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. I move we adjourn. Do we have and a third? We have a motion and a second that we adjourn. That motion's privileged. Without objection, we'll adjourn. Amen. Good night.