City Council - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Heat. Heat. Good afternoon. I missed the minute. It is 4:01

on March 16, 2026, and I welcome you to this meeting of the county city council and officially call that to order. Um, Councilwoman Butler will lead us in an invocation and the pledge of allegiance. Let us pray. God, we thank you for this time. We thank you for this opportunity to gather here today on the behalf of the citizens of Conway. We ask that you guide the people who are here um guide our council so that we can make the best decisions in regards to the people and how you would have us to live, grow, and raise our families. God, we thank you for the people and the staff of our great city. We ask that you continue to protect them, that you cover them under your blood, oh God, and that you continue to lead us into greater heights. We ask all of this in your son Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. I aliance 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.

Thank you, Miss Butler. Is there a motion relative to the consent agenda? Mr. What may I move that we approve the consent agenda? Thank you. Is there a second?

Miss Hardwick seconded the motion. Um all in favor indicate such for the showing of your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you so much. We are now at item 4 C presentation of a proclamation declaring March 2026 as Red Cross month. I believe there are some representatives from the American Red Cross with us this afternoon. If you'll join me in this corner, please proclamation comes from the office of the mayor Conway, South Carolina regarding the American Red Cross month. Whereas the American Red Cross has provided critical services and supplies in times of great and immediate need for over 250 years. And since World War II, every American president has designated the month of March as American Red Cross month. And whereas the Red Cross began as a national call to action in addressing growing humanitarian needs, its successes reaffirm the power of compassion and resulting shared effort. And whereas March 2026 is set aside to honor how people truly deliver support when help cannot wait. And whereas March 15, 2026, which was yesterday, was Red Cross Giving Day. With our contributions, the American Red Cross is empowered to serve growing needs and do so more efficiently. Donations are needed every day, whether through finances, volunteerism, learning life, saving skills, and providing a fundamental human need, our own blood. Therefore, by the power vested in me as mayor of the city of Conway, South

Carolina, I proclaim that March 2026 is American Red Cross month in Conway. All are encouraged to promote and support the efforts of the American Red Cross and witness whereof I've set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Conway, South Carolina to be affixed the sixth day of 16th day of March, 2026. Uh, and it is attested to by the city clerk, Alicia Sh. Bless you. Thank you very much for your service and for the way you serve. Item D is an update on the Conway Senior Center. And we have the director of the Ory County Council on Aging, Mrs. Elaine Gore. How do you do?

Hello.

Good afternoon, honorable mayor. Miss Steam City Council and staff. Ory County Council on agent is a private nonprofit 501c3 agency operating with federal, state, and local funding. To clarify, we are not a county agency or a state agency. We operate with the board of directors of which three members are appointed by the county to um oversee the dedicated millillage that they give us. We are here to express our profound interest in the opportunity to relocate our senior center to the fellowship hall at Jamestown Church. We believe that this move represents a mutual benefit for both our seniors and the city's broader recreational needs. Ora County Council agent is prepared to upgrade the fellowship hall at Jamestown Church following all necessary permission and codes. We to fully accommodate the needs of our seniors, ensure it's a safe and comfortable environment. Furthermore, we are prepared to cover our own reoccurring expenses and our existing liability will follow us. This re relocation would not only enhance the services we provide, but would also aid in allowing the recreational needs to the city to expand by potentially freeing up other public spaces. We look forward to discussing this and the proposal. And if you have any questions or need any documentations from us, we'd be glad to have a meeting and go through it. We're just happy to be able to accommodate you.

Thank you so much, Miss Gore. Thank you so much. And I'm sure that we'll give you every opportunity um and every consideration as we move along is your hand up. Thank you. Mr. Goldfinch has something to say. Miss Gore, I'm Can I ask a question? Sure. It's always good to see you. Um appreciate what y'all do, too. Thank you. Uh I've worked with I call them my little old ladies, but a number of them. Um and they are they're widows, a lot of them. And Oh, why not? They turn to your organization uh for that sense of community and belonging and a number of them just don't get it anywhere else. And so I appreciate that.

Well, we've been in business 50 years and I've been there 40 of the 50. That's right. So, I can answer any question probably. Yeah. What's I mean, okay. 40 years. 40 years. Okay. Uh, any idea the breakdown? I mean, so you're at the rec center now? We are. You're in the city limits, but you don't just serve city residents, you serve what? Can you tell me a little bit about what that looks like? Um,

or do you have any idea or maybe just wrong? Well, you know, our our business is come and we serve you and we don't go by finances or addresses or any of the above. But I would say probably 40 to 50% of the people live here in the city. Okay. Wow. I just was curious. I had no idea. Our buses pick the others up that live outside the city. Yeah.

And we have a lot of drivers. We also house the DAV, disabled American veterans, and I provide everything they need that could help a veteran, their computers, their um internet, and I hope to be able to move them with us because not only do they work here in Conway with us, they also go to Mount Vernon and to Bucksport, and it's been a godscent to many, many veterans to have that. they feel comfortable there and we've we've aided them for years. Um I'm just going to add to what he said. Um as a former uh director of the area agency on aging,

I'm fully aware of the services that you give and they're so important and they're so critical to life when meals and that sort of thing. Transportation to doctor's appointments and I certainly appreciate all that you do and um and I'm one of those aged people now. I'm 70 now. Yes. One of the reasons I've stayed so long is because our program is based on need and not finances. As you know, many elderly people have Alzheimer's and you could have $10 million in the bank and that money will do you no good if you have Alzheimer's and you don't have anyone to help you. That's right. So, based on a need is a good thing.

Absolutely. I think it's a $20 a year membership, but if you don't have the $20, we'll spot you a scholarship. Sure. Thank you for all you do. Thank you so much. Absolutely. Um item E is a presentation by Resurrected Life Christian Outreach Ministry. Miss Robin Wages appears not to be here. We'll move on to item F. And this is a presentation by healthcare partners Josh Kate. Welcome.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council, I really want to turn it over to a couple folks and we're gonna do a little tag team if that's all right. But first, I want to introduce Santina Mayo. Santina is the the CEO of Healthcare Partners and we've got some exciting news and we want to we want to share that with you. So, wonderful. We like good news.

Good afternoon, everyone. So, I'm Santina um the CEO of Healthcare Partners and Oh, come back. Suzanne and George. I'll George Williams. Suzanne, they're on the board chair and Suzanne's on the board as well. Um so, for 47 years, Healthcare Partners has been committed to providing highquality patient centered health care to communities we serve. As a federally qualified health center, our mission is simple but powerful. To ensure that every individual and family has access to the care they need, regardless of their financial circumstances. Last year alone, we served more than 16,000 patients across our five locations throughout Ory, Marian, and Florence counties. From young children and parents to seniors and working families, our goal is always the same. to break down barriers to health care and meet people where they are. Our services are comprehensive. We provide primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental care, optometry, pharmacy services, substance use disorder, and our award-winning diabetes program. We also work closely with schools, parents, and the community partners to improve health outcomes for the people who call this region home. Today, we are excited about the opportunity to continue that mission through the development of a new 50,000 square foot facility in Conway. This new building will allow us to bring many of our services under one roof, creating a more convenient and coordinated experience for patients while expanding our ability to care for grown community. This project represents more than just a building. It represents greater access to health care, expanded

services, and a stronger future for Conway and the surrounding areas. We are incredibly grateful for the support that has made it possible, including our partners at First Citizens Bank. We have Lee Belchure here with us, and Mashburn Construction, as well as a continued collaboration with the city of Conway and community leaders. Healthcare Partners of South Carolina is proud to be part of the community and we look forward to serving generations to come. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you so very much. We're delighted that you're making progress and that looks like lovely progress. Mr. Williams, you have something to add?

Yeah. Well, I was just going to add uh well, I'm I'm George Williams, originally from here. Like originally from here. And uh I'm a funeral director here. Uh I've been here 43 years. Uh and we're just kind of local, but uh I've been a part of the health center board for the last 26 years. And I guess initially um when I joined the board, we needed a new facility. And I guess it's always been the goal to try to move out of where we were to have a a a new spot to serve the citizens of Conway. I've always uh been in service um and always felt that affiliation to Conway, my home and the people of Conway. And so uh we're excited to have this this new facility and looking forward to being able to serve the community. Um one of the things that we were also looking at was just expanding where um at currently where we're located, we have um a community garden. And so we have where the um vegetables and things like that growing. Um the the patients come over and they can harvest and that. So one of the things that we'd like to do is expand that to the same kind of thing. There's a piece of property that's uh facing the building to the left. There's the oak trees. And um we were interested in having that added to the facility for the look, but also create kind of a park for the community and create a community garden, but also such that we would be able to um uh have a spot that people could kind of go and relax as they go between appointments and that kind of thing. um and do a community garden where the community can kind of walk over and harvest and work in the little garden. We will have it in little boxes and that kind of thing and keep it neat.

But um I think we had actually put in for um to to purchase it, I think at one point. Um yes. And so, um, that didn't go through, but, um, we we're asking now for the city of Conway to to consider us, um, as a partner in the community and add to what we're going to do for for the rest of the community. So, I think it's worth some discussion. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. We appreciate you coming.

And I'll just add U again, Josh K with with Mashurn Construction. We're excited to be a partner in this project. We have a lot of other partners from Novas Architect, Thomas and Hutton, uh Terracon, um a lot of different partners across the across the uh the the region. Uh I also want to certainly thank uh your staff. Uh they have been tremendous to work with uh from planning, zoning, uh storm water, uh codes, everybody in between. You know, we work in all over the state of South Carolina. Uh, and I will tell you that that your team is probably one of the most professional and responsive uh out of all communities that we work with. So, um, I see Mr. Goldfinch, you may have a question, but I also wanted to to to let Lee Belchure with First Citizens uh, speak as well. Do you want to wait or you want to

Well, it's it's to you. I think it's to you. So, the rendering that we see is that is that rendered to scale? Is that what it'll

Yeah, it will. Yeah, that's correct. So, it is a it is a tilt building. Uh so you'll actually have the brick inlay uh but this is a concrete two-story 50,000 ft² building right on the corner of Powell and Fourth. Um so again meeting with zoning department as well as your administration uh came up with this uh very gorgeous we think plaza space that integrates pedestrian walkway into the healthcare partner space. Uh so it meets all the regulations in terms of setbacks. Um, again, also paying mind to a lot of the utilities that are in that corner section, Santi Cooper and and a lot of the other utilities that are there that we had to work around, but all the parking will be in the rear and on the side. Um, so again, it's it's this is our way, our design team's way of incorporating both the future of Conway, but also the history of Conway. And so we hope that's what this building and that transition district uh shows.

Thank you. It's beautiful. It keep going for more words. Uh, Mr. Kate, uh, what's what kind of timeline where are we at on that? Yep. So, we our goal uh, again, we're working with your your staff on the final permit. Uh, our goal is actually mobilized in the next 45 days. Part of that is also the closing on the loan. Uh, which we will mobilize prior to that closing uh, of that loan. So, probably 30 to 45 days, we will get out and start moving dirt. Uh, we've got a precon meeting scheduled with your team on Thursday afternoon, I believe, uh, to to to restart that process. So you so you commence spring 2026. We cut the ribbon when

uh it's a 16 uh 16-month construction duration. So end of summer, next fall. Yeah. Um Okay. Very nice. Yep. And then Lee, Mr. Belchure. So Lee Belchure with uh First Citizens. And just here to say we're honored to partner with this uh great organization, healthcare partners and the people here. I think it is crucial for the community to have this here. and we we're honored to have a term sheet out and we're working to get to that final commitment stage and get all of the small pieces that you have to do after you get that term sheet out to them. So, we are working to finalize that and we are excited to partner uh and bring this to the community here of Conway and the city of Conway.

Thank you for your part, Mr. Belure, and thank you all for being here. We look forward to seeing the construction and the final product. Item 5 A is first reading of ordinance 20260420C, an ordinance granting a distribution rightway easement to the South Carolina Public Service Authority uh Santi Cooper specifically across property of the city of Conway adjacent to Sherwood Road. Mr. House and Mayor Council. Um, so what we have here tonight is the uh grant-f funed Mckith and wershed project that has been going on is getting close to completion. So we started diving into landscaping and part of that was providing lighting down the path with Santi Cooper and providing electrical service so Adam can add more decorations. Um but uh and so to do that um Santi Cooper has requested a 20ft um rideway distribution. That would be 10 ft on both sides of where the the line lays. Um staff recommends approval and after second reading approval for the city administrator to sign the easement

and I'm certain this is critical to the completion of the project. Yes, ma'am. Wonderful. Um this is first reading, Mr. White. I move that we approve first reading. Thank you. Is there a second? Miss Butler. I second this motion. We have a properly seconded motion to approve first reading of this ordinance. Are there any questions or comments? There being none, all in favor, please show your hand. And motion cares unanimously, Mr. Harelson. Thank you so much. Item B is first reading ordinance ZA 202260504A to annex approximately 73100s acres of property located at 424 Maplewood Circle. Miss Hux, welcome back.

Yes. Um, good evening. Uh, this item is a request to annex 73 acres at 424 Maplewood Circle. The current zoning is Ory County SF40, which is single family residential on lot sizes of 40,000 square ft. The parcel contains a single family home and a detached garage. The applicant is requesting annexation in accordance with city ordinance regarding new connections to city utilities and the property is adjacent to parcels already located in the city limits including properties to the side and rear. The future land use map designates the area as low to medium density residential R1 which is consistent with surrounding properties. This request is for first reading of annexation only. Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning at their April 2nd meeting and their recommendation will be forwarded, but staff recommends approval.

Thank you, Miss Hux. I move we approve first reading. Is there a second, Mr. White? Second. Have a properly seconded motion to approve first reading of this ordinance. Are there questions or comments? There being none, all in favor, please indicate your favor with the showing of your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Item C is first reading ordinance ZA 20260504B to annex approximately 63100s of an acre property located at 1121 East Highway 501. Miss Hugs.

Yes. Uh the property is currently zoned Ory County Highway commercial and it contains an older commercial building currently used as a tire center. Based on Google imagery, the property has consistently been used as either a tire center or a small used car lot since the early 2000s. The property is owned by the same owner of the next request 1125 and 1135 East Highway 501 which has restrictive covenants and which triggered the annexation when the property applied for city utilities since all adjacent properties became subject to annexation upon requirement of any property owned by the same applicant that is being subject to annexation. The city's future land use map identifies the property as highway commercial, which is consistent with the future land use map for the surrounding properties with frontage along the Highway 501 corridor. This ordinance is for first reading of annexation only. If approved, planning commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning upon annexation at their April 2nd meeting. Staff recommends approval, the first reading of the ordinance to annex.

Thank you. Do we need to bifurcate 1121 from the other two properties? Yes, it's separate properties with separate conditions, which is why we've separ se separated them. Um I'm not sure where we are. Was there a motion made yet? There's not a motion. There's not a motion. Is there a motion? Anyone? Mr. Mr. Hardwick. Um Mr. Jordanotion. I won't I'll change people's names.

All right. And Miss Hardwick, would you Thank you so much. I thought you might. Uh we have a properly seconded motion to uh approve first reading of this ordinance. Are there questions or comments? Yes, sir. Mr. White. Um and this is something minor, but I'm getting old and I don't know where all these buildings are. So when whenever we're doing something like this for businesses, could we have a a name of you know surrounding businesses? I can't think about it. It's in your package. Do you need You mean like make something a little bit larger? I'm sorry. You want something like a little bit larger that's more easy to see? We can certainly work on that for sure.

I I see the map just that I don't know what those buildings represent. Right. That's what I'm saying. Anyone else? I'm sure they'll take care of that. Mr. White, uh, there being no other comments or questions, I'll call a vote. All in favor, please show your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Item D is first reading of ZA 202604C to annex approximately 3 and 29100s acres of property located at 11:25 and 1135 East Highway 501. Miss Hux, you started to explain the tie between these and and the former.

This one is a little bit more complicated. Um, it is adjacent to the previous property that was just discussed. It contains the structure that actually triggered the annexation requirement. The property at 11:35 East Highway 501 contains the commercial business skyline signs. And the property at 1125 East Highway 501 was previously a used mobile home dealership until around 2017. According to county land records, the current property owners acquired the property at 1125 East Highway 501 in 2018, and the two parcels remain separate until 2022 when the county approved a plat combining them into a single tract. And as a result, what was previously separate uses on individual parcels now exist on one combined property, including commercial businesses and a mobile home that was used residentially for several years. County records indicate that the mobile home was moved to its current location and registered in 2010, and the structure is currently vacant. The property owner is seeking annexation in accordance with city ordinance in order to reconnect the mobile home to city utilities, which has been disconnected since September of last year with the intent of renting the structure as a residence. Unlike the county's highway commercial district, the city's highway commercial zoning district does not permit residential uses, including mobile homes. And while limited residential uses are permitted under the county's version of highway commercial, manufactured homes are not. So it's unclear whether the residential structure was originally permitted under county regulations. Staff has also noted that a new address of 1129 East Highway 501 has been assigned to the location of the mobile

home which was previously associated with the 1125 address. If the property is annexed and assigned highway commercial upon annexation, the structure would be considered non-conforming. Whether it could continue to be used residentially would depend on whether the use can be verified as a lawful pre-existing use prior to annexation and how it is evaluated under the city's non-conforming use provisions. Aside from skyline signs, it appears that another business, Safe Shield, which provides traffic control services, has equipment and materials stored on the portion of property addressed as 11:25 East Highway 501, although the website for the business lists their address as being 11:35 East Highway 501. At this time, staff has not located a record of an active business license for the business at either address, and if annexed, any businesses operating on the property would be required to comply with city business licensing and zoning regulations. Tonight's request is for first reading of annexation only. If approved, planning commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning at their April 2nd meeting. Staff does support annexation as it represents a logical extension of city limits along the highway 501 corridor and recommends approval of first reading.

Thank you, Miss Hex. That is lengthy. Is there a motion relative to staff's recommendation and this just for annexation? Just for annexation. Mhm. If I move, Mr. White, we approve for I'd second Mr. rights uh motion. Are there questions or comments? Mr. Mr. Gold.

Thank you, Mayor. Um so essentially this is one piece, but technically they're two pieces. We just approved or we will be approving based on staff's recommendation highway commercial for the adjacent piece. Uh we just voted on that. But in this case, even though we're not voting on reszoning it, the first step is annexation in our new procedure for doing that. Correct. Uh but really ultimately the end goal here for them is is industrial and if it's not going to be industrial if we're going to bulk at that next month then do we need to bring it in? Do we need to have the conversation about annexing it or not?

So what will happen at planning commission now they have not requested a specific zoning for this parcel. They actually did put highway commercial on their application because that's what our future land use map showed. Why we encourage light industrial then we're proposed. Did I not see that? There is one. Is that the other one? Where's it at? I was just looking at it. Am I looking E? There's another one. So I'm on the wrong damn one. My bad. So I got y'all. All right.

Anyone else? Mr. Mr. I just Mr. Goldfish call the worst thing. I just want to point out that some of the worst looking portions of Conway are not in Conway. Red Hill being one and this being the other. So an opportunity does not come along very often for us to be able to correct that. And this is one of those opportunities. So even if it's messy and even if it's going to be complicated to fix, can you go back to the aerial photograph of this? We we can't let this be the entrance to the city. No. So, we've got to find a way to solve it and and we know the county isn't going to solve it for us cuz it haven't yet. So, this is the only way we have to do it.

All right. I think I understand mayor if I may jump back in to ask my question. I thought we were on the same it. Yes, I was referring to E, but still, why would we why do we want light industrial there? That's where I'm confused. To to Mr. Emer's point, we're trying to make that corridor look nice. How does

Well, there highway commercial is actually what we would be um recommending if planning commission if they make the recommendation this doesn't need to be highway commercial because we feel it should be industrial. It would have to be readvertised because light industrial and heavy industrial could be considered more intense uses than highway commercial. But staff's recommendation will be what the future land use map shows for that area. I then we need to talk about that because just because that's what somebody said 10 years ago for the next 10 years or 5 years ago for the next last 5 years and next five doesn't mean I mean to Mr. Emerick's point. I'm going to build on that. I mean that's significant. If we zone that light industrial it ain't never going to change.

I don't think there's any We want it to be highway commercial. We do. I mean, you're on. You're still on. Are you still on the other one? Might be time to go up in glass sizes, y'all. I'm sorry. Yeah. Sorry. I'm with you now. Okay. Okay. And and correct me if I'm wrong, Jessica, but the businesses that are there that are legally operating, regardless of what use they're in, can continue to operate even if it's zoned something different than what they're in operating. So like Skyline Signs is an industrial use. The way they've got it set up, it will allow to be be allowed to continue.

Sign shops are actually permitted in highway commercial. Whether or not Safe Shield, a traffic control company, is permitted in the highway commercial district. I know we definitely don't have a specific use in our use table for it. So we would have to look at that. But I can tell you that staff did speak with Ory County and that has anything that they're doing at the 1125 location has not been approved through them. So they will have they will be subject to city regulations and business licensing requirements. And it will be um the responsibility of the applicant to prove to the city that they have um had lawful use and have been granted approval of that mobile home prior to annexation um and zoning of the property. And if they can't prove that, the city does not have to allow them to continue the use. If they can prove that, then it would be legal non-conforming and they'd be subject to our nonconformity provisions in our UDO.

Thank you, Miss Hooks. Uh, I'm lost again. Got a motion. We have a motion. Are there any other questions? D, not E.

Are there any other questions or comments? There being none, I'll call a vote. All in favor of approving first reading of this ordinance item D. Please indicate so with a showing of your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Item E, first reading of ordinance ZA 20260504D to reszone an approximate an approximate 7 and 4/10 of an acre portion of 8 and 76 um hundreds of an acre property located at 2487 Highway 501 East. Yes.

From highway commercial and light industrial districts districts to light industrial district. Miss Alex.

Yes. Uh, this request is being made in conjunction with a proposed minor subdivision and is intended to eliminate an existing split zoning condition that was created when the property was annexed in 2006, meaning that the parcel has two different zoning districts on the same property. At the time of annexation, the first approximately 300 ft was zoned highway commercial with the remainder of the property zoned light industrial. Since that time, amendments to the city's unified development ordinance included an amendment explicitly prohibiting split zoning of parcels except in limited cases involving environmentally sensitive areas. The property owner is proposing to subdivide a 1.36 acre portion from the parent tract that would retain the highway commercial zoning with the existing business Tyson Signs on the light industrial zone portion of the property. Staff found that allowing subdivision while keeping the exist existing zoning pattern would increase the degree of the split zoning condition representing an expansion of a non-conformity that is not permitted under the UDO. The portion of property proposed to be reszoned to light industrial is primarily the driveway access serving the existing business which is already located on the light industrial portion of the property. So the request does not introduce a new industrial use along the highway 501 corridor. It simply aligns the zoning with how the property already functions. It would also eliminate the split zoning condition of the property and result in a single zoning designation across the parcel following subdivision. Planning Commission held the public hearing at their March fifth March 5th meeting and recommended approval and staff also recommends approval.

Thank you, Miss Hu. What is the will of the council? Mr. White, move that we approve first reading. Is there a second? Excuse me, Miss Homes. Thank you. We have a properly seconded motion to approve this ordinance. Are there questions or comments? There being none, we'll call a vote. All in favor, please show your hand. Motion carries unanimously. I I'm going to vote against it. I don't think we should have industrial 501 anymore.

All right. So, it's not unanimous. We have one opposed. One council member opposed. Item six for items for consideration. A is consideration of approval of the proposed subdivision name Oak Haven for a new development located on West Ridge Boulevard. Miss Hux?

Yes. Um this is located off Highway 378 on West Ridge Boulevard across from the Holt Gardens development and next to the West Ridge subdivision. The proposed development will consist of 10 single family dwellings on one common property. Plans are currently being reviewed by TRC. However, the ordinance requires city council approval of the subdivision name prior to final plan approval and staff also recommends approval of this.

Thank you. I move we approve. Mr. Second, Mel properly seconded motion to approve the name Oak Haven for this development. Questions or comments? There being none, we call a vote. All in favor, show your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Item B is consideration of a request for proposal to conduct an employee classification and pay study. Miss Smith.

Good evening everybody. Um the city requested proposals from qualified vendors for an employee classification and pay study. We received seven bids ranging from 49,000 to 229,000. It was a really wide range. After review, staff recommend accepting the bid from Evergreen Solutions at 595. whose sub whose submission that we were determined to provide the best overall value based on the established guidelines that we set in our RFP.

Thank you, Miss Smith. Is there a motion? I move that we approve the um uh study to be provided by the chosen uh vendor. Thank you. His name I can't say right now. Have a Yes, Mr. Dwight. I second.

Uh, we have a properly seconded motion to approve the completion of that pay study by this organization. Are there questions or concerns or comments? There being none, all in favor, please show your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Mr. Um, item C is consideration of a special event, Springfest at the Outpost on April 18th, 2026. Mr. Emmerick,

good afternoon. I'm going to introduce this one and I believe the applicants are here um to to answer any questions. Um we received a request from the outpost for a special event permit for April 18th from 11 to 4 to have a a festival of sorts with vendors. Um we we at staff level could not approve this one because there's a lot going on that day. Um number one, there is a 5K earlier that morning and being April 18th, um we expect if the weather's well um that the boat ramp will be busy, there'll be a lot of boat parking. And so before we approve it at the staff level, we wanted to give the opportunity for council to review it and have the applicants answer any questions. Um they expect to have between 60 and 80 vendors um with 10 x10 spaces and they would use the parking lot of the main marina and the back parking lot as well. Um and like I said they are here to answer any questions prior to

hi. How are you Shannon Jordan? Um, I had actually sent uh Natasha a revised version without using the back parking lot so we didn't have to close the um the dock for the marina. So, you know, I can submit that to you guys if I I gave it to her. But um we were looking at just using that front parking lot for that event if we could. I'm sure that make it more palatable. So, you know, doing that and then having some food trucks along the way as well. So, we know Thank you. Please stay there. We're going to have you answer some questions. Mr. Ginch, thank you. Adam, what about the tennis lot? What about Laurel Street?

I think the advantage for the outpost is they're there and so the event would be them as the centerpiece of the event. Um I I I don't want to speak for them, but I believe that is the thought process. No, I understand that their their attachment to what's going on. I'm just and you said, you know, it's if it's April 18th and it's an average April 18th, it'll be a busy day. So, um, does anybody have a sense of how much that might be cause difficulty for voters? I don't own a boat.

Well, I mean, we had the same event in December. Of course, not many people are going to the river that day, but we had it on both. We had it on the backside for the last time. And we just decided we would do both sides. And then Miss M Sherman came back with, you know, boat ramp. And I said, well, you know, we can redo it, revise it. We just scaled it down a bit. So we just put it on that one side. So that whole back side will be used for the marina use, right? Um high traffic day. And you're going to have more people in. Yes. um was hard with just to clarify the revision said what where you're going marina to the point or yeah to the park so that the parking lot would the vendors would set up

the ramp back right and then the everything on the ramp back would be park on that side for the marina so okay yes and the gravel and the grass that whole area in the back yes on the back side Mr. golden. Um, let's do it. I hope the weather's good. I hope it's a logistical nightmare. We can learn from it. Well, I did it the day of the Christmas parade, the one in December. It was pretty crazy. Mhm. Very busy. Yeah. Mayor, I move that we approve uh 7. Thank you. I second Mr. Ginger's motion. Uh, any further questions or comments? I do have one question.

Yes, ma'am. Miss B. Um I see on here that this is probably an application the or 5K the same day. Um do we know if they if that event will not um conclude it? It should be over by 11. Uh the only time that it might be a problem is the setup for the event. So is it set where where is that? It starts and ends because I didn't even know where it starts and ends at the marina. So we'll get you in touch with them to make sure that we can coordinate any issues that might Okay. Yeah. They should be wrapped up and I could change the hours if I needed to based on that. So, I mean, if it's an hour or two, we'll get you in touch with them to be able to coordinate. We could definitely cuz we're not exactly sure how long it'll take them to tear down or how long it takes you to set up. So, we'll get Yeah, we'll coordinate

and I appreciate your effort to to bend and make it happen. Hey, I want to see all of it. So, I'll Yeah, I'll do whatever I need to do. Thank you so much. We haven't voted, have we? I'm sorry, Miss Hardwick. Yes. Uh, you know, and I do appreciate I enjoy what's happening at the outpost. Um, might be a neat um adventure to for the two events to crisscross. Um, and you know, the runners, they enjoy a lot of things after the race, like food. I mean, we offered like even the one they did in I think over the winter we offered coffee and danishes and donuts. Like we'll open early for that stuff like that. You know, if it's there, if it's the business there, I'll get it all. So wonderful. That's right. I'll try to take it. I'll try to get it

for your efforts down there. Yeah. Thank you so much. We look forward to expanding and growing with you guys. So, it's a great thing. Great. We have a motion on the table and I'll call a vote. All in favor, please show your hand. And we that passes unanimously. All right. Thank you so much. Thank you for being here. All right.

Uh we'll move forward to the city administrator's report. Miss Bick. There is a brief window here with no rain, so I'm going to keep it short. Um, I would like to prepare. Um, first I want to remind you all of the recreation department holding the state's east largest Easter egg hunt on March 28th. There will be separate hunts for children of all ages and abilities. I would not do I would be remiss if I didn't point out again. It's the state's largest Easter egg hunt in the state's largest Easter egg hunt just Easter egg hunt. I think it starts at 10:00 a.m. Is that right? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Depending on the age group. Yeah. Um the city of Conway sponsored coastal baseball game is this Friday the 20th. I hope to see all of you there wearing teal um to support our nationally ranked home team. Justin, I think you're throwing out the first pitch. So, we all look forward to seeing how well you do. Um

no pressure. Um staff is meeting with the Department of Environmental Services later this week to look at Lake Busby and to assess whether there's any invasive plant species out there that need to be addressed. This is part of a larger effort to support our native bird habitats at the lake. Uh it's coordinated by uh SEDDNR um as well as some support from our our elected officials at the state making this speed up a little bit. So um hopefully they're able to go out there and see what needs to be seen and and remediate any issues that need to be remediated. The mayor's youth council is beginning their mural at Riverfront Park this week. Um I believe starting tomorrow night if weather permits. Hopefully it does. So you should see progress on that beginning soon and it should be done by the end of the school year. The second class of the citizens academy starts this on on March 25th. We still do have some space available. The class runs for 8 weeks. It takes place on Wednesdays from 2 to 4. The first class was a great success. I'm assured the second one will be too. So, if you know anybody interested or anybody here often um weigh in on issues that are city related, this might be an opportunity for them to be be better educated on the things that we do. Um and finally, a couple weeks ago, the city was presented a monetary gift from the estate of Dave and Carol Hoy. Um Carol and Dave lived on Laurel Street, and while they were not residents of Conway that long, they certainly made an impact in the time that they were here. Um, Carol actually spoke to this council several times advocating for upgrades to the Conway dog park. And part of this gift was um to the city for bettering the dog park. And the money would be used to create an archway that matches the other archways in the city and to plant additional shade trees there, which is something that she had very strongly advocated for during her time. U and that concludes my report unless there's any questions.

Thank you, Mr. Emry. Are there questions? Thank you. There are no workshops or executive session tonight. Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you. Uh we'll now have uh council input beginning with Miss Helms. Due to the weather, I am going to hold my comments. Thank you, ma'am. Miss Butler. Uh nothing tonight, not Thank you, Mr. White. Well, I would just like to say that um I would like to invite um healthcare partners to help with my community garden on the hill on Race Pass Street. Um, I've been doing it for maybe about 10 years since working for you guys, but I'd love to have y'all come out here help. Thank you.

Well, and the two parks are close together. So, um, Mr. Goldfinch. Looking at the radar, weather looks clear. I think we're good. Maybe a little bit more rain, but nothing severe.

Um, a few things. um year before last we started talking about public input and we run challenges and y'all all know what I'm referring to just you know people piling on and piling on and so we've changed the rules uh I think it's the right thing to do it's a good thing but I was hoping perhaps uh we could we could revisit that discussion um you know I I still and I'm just speaking from what I prefer I do like that folks have to sign up in advance that that prevents people from just piling on with with nothing prepared. But but you know, folks that don't live in the city that may have an interest or a cause that's rooted or based in the city um under the current or under the new rule are not uh allowed to or permitted to speak. I would just I'd love to entertain a workshop discussion item. Uh there's a lot to discuss. Uh we got a lot to workshop after the budget and could not think of a more timelier time than than than now while it's all on our minds. That's one thing. Uh second thing um and you just talk about the Carol Hoy gift. Is there a mechanism for folks that want to, you know, you talk about Coastal and I mean Coastal's got a whole staff, Coastal Carolina University, every university does whole staff committed to raising money for their foundation, be it educational or athletic or otherwise, you know. Do we have anything else? I mean, I think I we brought it up before, but we not really talked about

Yeah. Um, we are actually at the retreat. We talked about it a little bit bringing an RFP or RFQ back to bring in a third party consultant to do just that to work on sponsorships for the city both for um events and activities and for naming rights as well. Um we do we do a lot of that in-house right now. I think it would be much more advantageous for us to seek a third party that that's what they do um and and have it work that way instead. So we'll bring in some folks kind of feel what their packages are and then come in and see what works best for council.

Yeah. And I just bring that up. There are a lot of folks moving here that love this town. They love what we're doing. And it may be um as simple as they love the mural on the corner of whatever street in Conway. And they love it. And they love it so much they're willing to leave money to make sure that that project and other projects are uh embraced. Um you know, there's a lot of that out there and people don't know what to do with it. And I just I see it as an opportunity longterm for the city, you know, in addition to grant funding to get money to do cool things around the city. So, it's an opportunity. And finally, I just was going to um point out uh your book, Adam, that you've written. It's all 41 pages is fantastic. Uh it should be require before you get your water turned on as a new city resident. It should be required reading. Uh absolutely, it should be. uh speaks to the Easter egg hunt in the book. By the way, if you haven't read it, Ashley, you should read it. You're in there.

He made and he made you look good. But you make us look good, too. So, anyway, check it out. Um that's all I got. Thanks. Um Mr. Jordan. Uh nothing for me tonight, Mayor. Thank you, sir. Miss Hardwood.

Thank you, Mayor. Um I have a couple of things tonight I'd just like to say. Uh start with one. Um, I'm going to ask city staff if you would look into our new developers. And I'm I was prepared to call names, but I'm not going to call names of these companies publicly. Um, but if you down Main Street, um, it is becoming more and more obnoxious, their signing that they're putting out on Friday afternoons when city closes, city hall closes, and they're picking them up Sunday night, it appears to me, or somebody has gotten them. But if we could look at maybe some overtime for uh staff to go and get those signs and I hope we will uh find these companies to the maximum that we can. And if you will give me I will go pick them up. Um

but I do but I do think this this st this staff and this count this council and previous councils has worked diligently to put into a sign ordinance so that Our community is beautiful and these signs are are terrible going down Main Street, out 701 North, down Highway 65 um and and various other places. Um also want to say that um had an opportunity to go to the CCU um investor of uh Dr. Weinre. was a great ceremony and I was so very pleased that the city was able to be there and be included in this celebration of him. Um, in addition, um, I'll ask staff to remember as we're working on the dog park with the Hoyets, we do have some dog fountain, water fountains, and human fountains that we've we've budgeted to go out along the riverfront. And

they arrived they arrived on Friday.

Fantastic. Um, and again I'd like to say and I hope I can tell the story correctly. One of the things that I love about Conway is her heart. There's a lot of heart in the city and a lot of resilience. I was doing some volunteering on Saturday and I got grouped with several ladies that I had never had an opportunity to to talk with before. I did not really know them and we started talking and found out that they volunteered uh through the city to to help with the decorations and um the best comment ever and I hope I don't slaughter it as I say this but the lady says the city of Conway um provided us an opportunity to come and volunteer and work with the decorations and but what they gave us is they gave us family. They said we are now and they pointed to the group of ladies and it was five of them and they go we are family and they had come from different parts of the country Alaska, Minnesota. Uh they said we are now family and we are sisters. And I think that is what is so remarkable about this city and the staff and this council and the people of our town is that we continue to have heart and and you're amazing. Thank you.

I echo your comments, Miss Hardwick. Uh, and I have none of my own. Uh, since we have no workshop and since we have no um anything actually, I move that we adjourn. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? Show your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you all for being here.