City Council - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon. It is 4:00 on December 1st, 2025 and officially open this meeting of the Conway City Council. Welcome to all of you. We're very happy that you're here. Mayor Proam Goldfinch has agreed to lead us in an invocation and the pledge of allegiance. We'll all stand please. Dear Lord, we pause. We pause in this moment to breathe in the breath of your spirit and to give thanks for all that you've done and all the ways that you continue to work in our lives. In this season of thanksgiving, we're reminded to be grateful and to to and to acknowledge that everything we have comes from you. Lord, we especially give thanks to all of those who show up every day and every m every night to make Conway a better place to work, live, do business, and raise family. We ask that you bless the leaders of Conway. Give us wisdom beyond our understanding and discernment when working through challenging situations. And Lord, as always, we ask that you give us all the strength and courage to be the people you've designed us to be, so that we may go out and do the work you would have us do in this community and beyond. Amen.

Amen. 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, Mr. Goldfetch. Next on the agenda is the approval of the consent agenda. Is there a motion, Miss Ber? Make a motion to approve the consent agenda. Thank you. Is there a second? Um I'm sorry. Sorry. Mayor, I'd second that motion.

Thank you. We have a properly seconded motion to approve the consent agenda. All in favor, please indicate so with the showing of your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you so much. Um item four um includes all the special presentations. Uh the first of which is item A, recognition of the 20125 artist of the city of Conway Christmas card contest. Um I am going to read who that artist is so I can call her up. Um but if she would she or he is Fernando Laredo Martinez. Would you please come forward? Your family can come too if you like. City Council had a really good time looking at all the entries this year. They were just fabulous. So difficult to choose a winner, but when we saw this, we knew it was hard. [applause] [applause] Merry Christmas, South Carolina. Merry Christmas, South Carolina. We put this in our frame so that you can always keep it and remember that you love this contest and we want you to keep those artistic skills. There's no telling you you're losing so long. All right, very excited for you. Alongside this, we're going to have you um there's a small gift for you and we have made some of your cards and have envelopes so that you can send them to your family and friends for Christmas and

also being awarded a $100 gift for winning this contest. We're so very proud of you and thank you for what you've done for us. Thank you. Almost. Next is recognition of the 2024 CP Cuddlebomb Design Award recipients. Thanks so much. The community appearance board established this awards program in 1999 to honor citizens for outstanding projects in the areas of interior design development, restoration, landscape design, and signage as well as the efforts of those involved in these projects. The award is dedicated to the legacy of Conway's first mayor, CP Krabell Bomb, as well as to the Kraalbomb family, who are associated with several of the oldest and most architecturally significant buildings within the city of Conway. Each year, the community appearance board selects

the recipients of the qual awards for the previous year and presents those projects to city council for their well-deserved recognition. For the 2024 award year, the city of Cal would like to recognize the following winners. I will call them in order. And if you are that person, would you please come forward? The first honore is Mercy Baptist Church in the category of outstanding restoration of a non-residential building for the beautiful exterior improvements to their campus. Is there anyone here from Mercy Baptist Church? We'll move forward. I'll say a little bit more about that later. The homeowner Jaywatt Shaw in the category of outstanding new construction of a residential building for the home located at 1215 Greed Street. Is there anyone from that family present? The third award goes to homeowners Phil Mcnelis and Julie Blaze in the category of outstanding new construction of a residential building for their home located at 11:09 Wooding Crane. Please come forward.

[applause]

We have a photograph of your lovely and uh I'm not surprised at all about your having won this award. We're very grateful for um what you've done first for yourselves, what you've done for all of us, and we certainly um congratulate you for winning the CP design award. Thank you so much. Is Brian Bond present? He is. Please come forward, Mr. Bond. Business owner Brian Bond in the category of outstanding signage project for the signage at his business Palmet. Very good. And there's a picture of the signage of Palmetto Tabs. It's beautiful. CONGRATULATIONS. You're welcome.

Is there anyone present from SOS Healthcare? Wonderful. Please come forward. The city of Conway 2024 CP qual design award SOS is awarded to SOS healthcare outstanding contribution to quality development, restoration, landscape or design by an organization or individual for the development of Oak Tree Farm. If you haven't visited Oak Tree Farm, it's worth the trip. Congratulations. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. Thank you. And is there anyone present from Diamond Shores? um that being the case, humbled for those uh entities and individuals who aren't present. Uh I thought I'd read just a line about Well, if I can find it, I'll read it. Um about their Okay. Uh Mercy Baptist Church um won in the category of outstanding restoration of a non-residential building with a beautiful exterior improvement to the campus. Homeowner Jay Shaw in the category of outstanding new construction of a residential building for the home at 1212 Green Street. Uh I don't know that the Mcnellis and Blaze couple were here. They were

um and I think all the others were actually present. Um Diamond Shores was not. Thank you. Design from Diamond Shores LLC was in the category outstanding signing project as well for the design of the Collins Wall subdivision sign. Uh congratulations all and thank you very much.

[snorts]

Item C is presentation of employee of the month for December 2025 from public safety. You did. So good to see you. Good evening. It's our honor to nominate Miss Sandy Martin for employee of the month award. Miss Martin, could you come forward? Sandy Martin exemplifies the highest standards of dedication, professionalism, and service that define the Conway Fire Department. As the longest serving member of the department, she has been a cornerstone of the organization, providing consistent leadership, steadfast support, and depth of institutional knowledge that strengthens every aspect of her operations. Her commitment extends far beyond her daily responsibilities. Sandy plays an essential role in managing all FEMA related matters for the city of Conway, ensuring full compliance and efficiency in every disaster recovery and re reimbursement process. She also oversees the South Carolina State Firefighters Association 1% portfolio, maintaining exceptional accuracy, accountability, and transparency for these critical funds. Sy's contributions reach deeply into our department's culture and community presence. Each year she leads the production of our children's Christmas party event. It's a cherished tradition that brings joy to countless families and shows her compassion and dedication to community service. Additionally, she serves as a key member of the awards committee, helping to ensure that the accomplishments of our first are recognized with the same fairness and integrity she brings to all of her work. Sy's work ethic, professionalism, and genuine care for others have earned her

respect and admiration of all who serve alongside of her. Her quiet leadership, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable asset to both Colony Fire Department and the city of Colony. For her exceptional service, dedication, and embodiment of the values are represented by this honor, we are proud to recognize Sandy Martin as our employee of the month. [snorts] Thank you, Mr. Fzanne. And congratulations, Sandy. Add too that Sandy will also be awarded eight hours of vacation as a short. Awesome.

Thank you for all you do, Sandy. Item D is presentation of longevity awards. Mr. Emmery will handle this and Councilwoman Hardwick has agreed to help. More than 20 years ago, our city council created a program to recognize milestones in the careers of our employees in an increments of 5 years. And tonight, we're excited to be able to celebrate some of those milestones tonight. Uh Charlie Matthews, can you join us? Charlie joined the city of Conway 5 years ago, was hired on November 9th as a trade worker in 2020, is promoted to a meter technician in 2021, celebrating 5 years in the city of Conway tonight. Congratulations, SIR. [applause]

THAT'S MY WAY.

That way, nobody at home will know. Next, celebrating 10 years at the city of Conway is David Cross. David will join us. David was hired in 2015 as assistant finance director. In 2020, he was promoted to director of procurement and warehouse uh and assistant finance director. And in 2024, he was promoted to procurement and inventory division chief. Congratulations on 10 years at the city OF [applause]

Thank you, David. You look as young as you did when you started. Celebrating 20 years in the city is Chris Weatherberg. Chris, if you'll join us. Chris was hired in 20 I'm sorry 2005 as a trades worker one in 2006 was promoted to pump mechanic in 2008 promoted to construction inspector line locator in 2014 was promoted to utility operations supervisor in 2023 to utility superintendent and in 2025 to public utilities deputy director. Congratulations on 20 very fruitful years at the city of Chris. [applause]

Chris, you look really young to be here 20 years. And finally tonight, celebrating 25 years in the city is Timmy Williams. Timmy, will you join us? [applause]

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Timmy was hired in the year 2000 as our hospitality and beautifification supervisor and was promoted in 20 2001 to hospitality and beautifification director. He also previously worked in the administration recreation department from 1996 to 2000. And he just recently re uh retired as a volunteer firefighter, a position he served in since 1990. Congratulations, Timmy, ON All right, Timothy, you're too young to retire.

Congratulations to all of you and thank you for your service. That's all right. Item E is a discussion of a request to reszone approximately 44100s of an acre property located along Highway 701 North North Main Street from City of Conway low to medium density residential district to city of Conway highway commercial district. Miss Alex, how are you?

Good evening. Uh this property is currently zoned low medium density residential. The applicant is seeking to reszone the property for future potential development under the highway commercial district. The city's future land use map identifies the property as highway commercial, which is a zoning district intended to accommodate auto dependent commercial development. The highway commercial district is typically located along major arterial and highway corridors where autodependent development can occur while also promoting orderly growth, coordinated access, and functional corridor aesthetics such as those that are within the gateway corridor overlay. And this property would be subject to that if developed commercially. Property on either side of this is zoned highway commercial. Property across from it is zoned Ory County Heavy Industrial. Property behind the subject property is the Ivy Glenn development which is zoned low to medium density residential. Planning commission will hold a public hearing on the request at their December 11th meeting and their recommendation will be forwarded with first reading of the ordinance to reszone the property. This is just a discussion item, but I'll be happy to answer any questions that you have.

Thank you, Mox. Are there questions or comments for her at this time? [clears throat] I would I'd like for you to address uh what the buffer requirements would be between this uh highway commercial property and uh Ivy Glenn. So, the UDO currently would require that a type B buffer, which is 15 foot in width, um you'd have to plant um three canopy trees, uh two understory trees, and there's a spider right in front of me left [laughter] over from Halloween.

And so many shrubs, don't I'm not exactly sure about five shrubs for every 100 linear feet. Um if there if it is abuing a residential property that is residentially developed then they would have to up that buffer from one letter. So it would go from a type B to a type C buffer which is a 25- ft buffer width and it would have increased landscaping as well.

Wonderful. Anyone else? Thank you so much, Miss Hux. We'll move forward. Item five is second reading of an ordinance providing for the establishment of the riverfront downtown redevelopment project area. the approval of the riverfront and downtown redevelopment plan and financing of redevelopment projects and other matters related there too. Mr. Rogers, good evening. As you said, this is a second reading for the Riverfront downtown redevelopment project area and uh we have here tonight Gary Pope with Pope Flynn, our attorney who represents us in the matter. So, I will be happy to uh turn it over to him to give you a brief update and rundown and answer any questions you have.

Thank you so much, Mr. Pope. Welcome. Madame Mayor, members of council, um first reading was given a little over a year ago. We have done uh a lot of work and a lot of um preparation um to make sure this is in as good a shape as it can be for uh uh consideration of second reading tonight. Um the tiff district before you, I mean, y'all know all about this plan. Y'all are intimately uh aware of it. just for the members of the public and just give a brief overview. This will establish a district of 294 parcels of about 450 acres. It is much of the downtown area including the Granger site which the city uh recently acquired from Santi Cooper. Um the plan is to catalyze uh several key projects including uh the Granger site, Kingston Ferry, uh a number of riverfront uh restaurants, riverfront hotels, and the liner buildings. Um it anticipates about $170 million of private investment, approximately $80 million of public investment. Um the second reading does not necessarily result in additional revenues being generated. This is a function of time and investment and millage rates. And what this does by doing this now is it allows us to set our tax value as of December 31 of last year. And that gives us a baseline for future investment to count towards the increment. Um the school district and Ory County have both um as is very typical in these uh types of uh projects have sort of reserve their rights to um participate. They are currently in we're currently planning to negotiate with both the school district and the county over the course of the coming months. We presented to the school district last month. We look forward to presenting to Ory County Council um sometime at the beginning of the new year and um that will be by agreement. Again, that was very typical. There's a 2012 law um that was added that made it very clear that

um you can enter into a long-term agreement with the school district and the county to set sort of their participation on terms that they find agreeable. But um you know, my one of my favorite sayings is the best day to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best day is right now. And so what this does is this plants the tree to set the baseline value for the district to allow the city to move forward with the downtown redevelopment plan and um gives us a basis to go negotiate with the school district and the county to um commence this uh transformative plan. I'd be glad to take any questions. Thank you Mr. P. Questions or comments? Yes, [clears throat] Mr. You said first reading was a year ago. Yes, sir.

And all these entities that were involved, the properties that would be involved, would they be made made aware again of what's going on with this project?

So, the they're not given individualized notice, but they are given um plenty of notice through the ordinance process. The redevelopment plan that is part of this notice has a list of every pin number of every parcel that is in there. There's a map that was published in the newspaper. There was another notice we put in the newspaper when we determined that two of the parals were not going to be in the incorporated limits of the city by second reading. So we needed to take those out of the plan and we followed that procedure. So um to answer your question, it is through the ordinance process um and the newspaper uh process of publica publicizing notice um of which parcels will be in the district.

When you consider that there are 294 properties and only two have had to be deleted. Um, I'm assuming that we won't be able to read those at any future time. So, you can add those. Um, it's a 30 it's a 31680F2 amendment. Uh, that's the section of the statute and it requires you to go through and have a public hearing and two readings of an ordinance and um to the extent the school district and the county um you would have to regain their uh acceptance of those parcels to add to the you have to go back through the procedure essentially. Of course. Of course. But that would be a minimal. That's right. It's possible. Those two parcels really have not no large effect on the district. I was hoping that would be the case. Let's go back.

Yeah. Just to be clear, I was going to add and then maybe have you elaborate. When you start talking about notices and having to give public notice for this and this and that, people's, you know, it's just like when we stick a reasonzoning sign up, their antennas go up. They freak out because they don't know what they don't know and they feel like it's going to have a negative impact on their property. This is not this is just procedural in nature. So yeah, I just Yes. Can you say that for her? Yes, I would say. Yeah. So there's no, you know, outrage.

Absolutely. Uh any changes to this simply um draw the boundaries in a different way. No one's uh no one's tax bill will change at all because of the establishment of a downtown redevelopment district or a tiff plan. It merely sets a baseline to create an increment in the future where future taxes um may be um allocated to the project for public investment. Super duper. Mr. Goldfinch. Mayor, I move that we approve second reading of said ordinance.

I second Mr. Gfinch's motion. Um are there comments or questions before I call a vote? In that case, all in favor, please indicate so with a showing of your hand. Motion [clears throat] carries unanimously. Thank you so much, Mr. Rogers and Mr. Pope. Uh, item six is first reading of ordinance ZA 202260202A to annex approximately 22100s of an acre of property located at 250 Chevy Chase Drive. Uh, Miss Hex.

Yes. This is a request to annex the property which is being requested in accordance with city requirements for connection to city utilities. The property was transferred into the current owner's name in October and restrictive covenants were recorded on November 10th. One property directly beside this parcel is already within the city limits which was annexed in 2011. Also zoned R1. Property directly across from the parcel is also within the city limits zoned forest agriculture through although currently undeveloped with the exception of the undeveloped parcel and the elementary school. This area is primarily residential. Nearby surrounding properties although not contiguous were annexed in 2016, 2017, 2020, 2023 and in June of this year all of which are zoned R1. If first reading of the ordinance to annex is approved, planning commission will hold a public hearing on the requested zoning upon annexation at their meeting in January 2026. Staff does recommend approval of first reading to annex the property. And I'll be happy to answer any questions you have.

Thank you, Miss H. I move we approve. Um, Mr. Chair Jordan, I second your motion. We have probably seconded motion, but now still there is opportunity to ask questions or make comments. Are there either? Any of either there being none, I'll call a vote. All in favor, please indicate such with the showing of your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Miss Hux. Item B, first reading of ordinance ZA 20260202B, annex approximately 18 and 26100s of an acre of property located at 1071 and 1059 Academy Drive. Miss Hux

council [clears throat] discussed this property and the potential for annexation at a council workshop a couple of months ago where the applicant had approved plans and permit for a rectory home for St. James Catholic Church ready for pickup at Ory County code enforcement but when attempting to pay the water tap fees they were informed of the requirement to request annexation. The consensus of council at the workshop was that annexation would not be appropriate due to the fact that the only property on Academy Drive um that would need city services aside from city water would be this property. However, the applicant is still required to request annexation. They do record restrictive covenants on November 20th, but staff does recommend against annexation at this time.

Thank you, Miss Hugs. What's the will of the council? Uh, mayor, I make a motion that uh we deny follow staff's recommendations to deny. Thank you. Is there a second? Miss Butler? I second this motion.

We have a properly seconded motion to deny this request for annexation. Uh, are there questions or comments? There being none, all in favor, please indicate such with a showing of your hand. Uh motion carries unanimously. Thank you so much, Miss Hux. Item seven is an item for consideration of city assistance to Blackwater Market for restroom cleaning and stocking between October and December. Mr. We had a request from Russell Fowler at Blackwater Market. Um of of course you all know Blackwater Market is a little bit different of a product that we have in downtown. uh has more of a public feel than most of our businesses do and uh multiple uh commercial establishments share one restroom facility in the in the market. During the month of October, they were overwhelmed with um the amount of people using the restrooms as were we on our public restrooms. Um and I and they've asked that we consider as a city opening the public opening of the restaurant restrooms to be considered public for the month of December and giving city support to be able to clean and stock those restrooms as part of the public opening. It would require anou with the city um as well with them as well to be able to make it a public restroom and it is something that council could consider doing. Um there are pros and cons. It's not something we normally do. Um, but it is a little bit atypical for um, a lot of the situations that we have other places.

Uh, my first reaction to this was it truly is a public restroom. Everybody uses it that way. So, I'm not opposed to uh, in any way to our trying to work something out with them. Um, and and I would be good with you with authorizing you to work out that Mr. Finch.

I I piggyback on your comments, mayor. this is the right thing to do. This is a truly unique situation. This is not subsidizing someone's private business. This is like mayor said, this is public. And uh we've talked about it uh coming downtown live. This is I've talked to them individually and uh I mean they're in there two three times a day hauling out stuff and that's just not what it's designed for, but but it's being used and and and it's a good thing and so we need to I feel like we need to help.

Mr. Right. Um I'll concur with everything that's being said. Um we also need to make certain that um we have a a schedule of sort as in when we are going to go in there and if there's they are able to assist with that cleaning that they should um help with that as well. Yeah, absolutely. I think if you all give a a thumbs up tonight then we will establish what that schedule will be to make sure that we can actually we can accommodate this with our staffing as well. We we don't want to get in over our heads either. Ron move we authorize the city administrator. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Miss Harvey. That's okay.

Um I just have a couple questions before we move on. Um and and just I just want to be the devil's advocate here and just um look at maybe some cons. What kind of data do we have to support? Well, wait a minute. Let me back up. How many how often did they clean the restrooms in the month of September? I I don't know the data what they what they cleaned. I know what we cleaned ours. Um I I know that during the month of October, we brought in actually with the help of come downtown alive, we brought in um it seemed like two portaotties every week to try to catch up with what the demand was and I think we ended up with about 12 extra portaotties for the month,

six scattered around the city and there were none on that end of town. Um but even then we were emptying them every single day which is not the norm. um G but given the traffic we had for the month, it was it became something different because it just seems like I mean um that our businesses there too have benefited from the month of October that there there needs I mean have we looked at those businesses has there been a discussion you may not know that answer I do not know the answer to that

um as those restrooms are I mean it's kind of like an HOA um my other concern is um or my other request is if we if we do go forward with this, I do think it needs to be labeled as public. It needs to be put on the city maps as public. Uh my concern is it I think it's a very slippery slope with mixing business and public because those those businesses use those restrooms and we do not need to take away I mean well they're the owner so um I'm just concerned of you know overuse or if there's an issue I want to make sure it does not fall back on the city. Um, if I just might partially respond to that or just speak from my own perspective, uh, I think that situation is completely unique. There's no other uh people who shop and eat in and businesses have access to that business's rest

facilities. U, this is in the center of a semi mall. Yeah. And [clears throat] there's nobody there saying you can or cannot go in. And I am I know I I've gone there. Everybody I know goes there. So, um boy, I hate to say that, but at any rate, um I I think it's unique enough that we can look into it. And I my question is you you mentioned December alone. Would this month December? No, just now you said December. Would this December sort of be the test pattern? Yeah, I think that's the request is just for this month. I think that that will be how we handle it as a test possibility of doing it in future.

Yeah. I think if it works well in December, we would probably come back and ask for it to be considered next year for October and December. That's what I needed to know. Miss if it goes well, can we take over the bathroom? Could it could we make it ours instead? I don't know that we'd want to do that. Um because it is within their space. It would be we we would not it would not be something that would be easy for us to take over and be able to guarantee it not hurting the city financially if there becomes a a leak or something like that that requires us to fix. That's what I I don't think we're respon we don't want to be in a position we're responsible for the for the other than the cleaning of it liability. Yeah. Um like if they are backed up at 12:00 at night are they going to call us after hours to come and

Oh, that will be something that'll be part of theou. I don't think we're going to we're not we're that's not going to be something that I'm anticipating being responsible for. I just don't want the city for that establishment to think that we are their custodians and they can call us. Yeah. I think the will be limited to cleaning and restocking only. If there's a if there's a leak that requires a plumber, that's not us.

That's prior to and this is just this is coming from the property owners themselves. prior to to October, they were cleaning and restocking the bathrooms uh you know, unless there was an incident um weekly and they're in there several times a day taking away from their ability to do their jobs. It is a public benefit and we're not talking about 12 months a year. We're talking about two months a year and and I'm not backpedaling on what I initially said. Miss Harvard's right. It is a slippery slope. like what? Why are we getting in the business? And these folks pay like $30,000 a year in property taxes. Okay, it's a lot of money. And do they benefit from Halloween and Christmas? Sure. But nobody's going down there in October to buy a tuxedo. They may get foot traffic. You know, the restaurants benefit obviously, but this I think this is I I'm I'm with y'all. I think I this is the right thing to do. This is a unique situation. We need to help them out. Just clean them. Just they and they don't want us to go in there and fix the leak. they want just to help them keep up with what's going on because it's so uh so busy.

So, I'll restate my motion and it is that Excuse me, mayor. Can I ask one more question? Absolutely. Um I can't see [laughter] the right side. Must be my vision. I'm sorry. And I hear I hear what um Councilman Goldfinch has to say also. Um would we do we know how much money we would be investing in cleaning these um bathrooms? it would be staff time taken from another site to there. So, it would not necessarily be an investment of money. Um, if we do stock it, it would be, you know, just paper paper supplies. It would not be anything serious. It would not be a major investment of of resources. Would it be a a us sharing the responsibilities of cleaning or would it be or how would that be divided? I don't know.

Because from what I just heard, I think you said they cleaned it weekly. That was my understanding. I mean, you clean Okay. if they were have been cleaning weekly. Um, I just think that those businesses need to have some skin in the game. Also, I know that for Halloween, the public restrooms that we have, we were cleaning three times a day. Mhm. if not more. Right. So,

to belabor this point, um, what if we flip it around and said, "All right, Russell and Tracy, y'all put a lock on the door and if you're eating at the restaurant, you get a code from your server and you can go use that restaurant." I'd love to know when you parcel out all of that. The difference is the public use, right? Mhm. How much more of a burden would that put on us and our portaotties and everything else? Don't know. Yeah, I don't know.

But I think it's worth a little bit of staff time to help keep up because if it like you say, everybody's got to go and if they don't go there, they going to go somewhere else. and that somewhere else is going to be our problem or our, you know, our responsibility. So, let's help it.

Well, and and how often it needs clean and and how often needs stock is really going to depend on the traffic we have this year, which we don't know what that's going to look like. Um, each day of the week is going to be different. Um, I mentioned, I think, at the last meeting, that the predictability of Christmas is not as as predictable as it is for Halloween. We know which what what the nights are on Halloween. Um, so I think it's going to take a little bit of trial and error and there's only three weeks really to do the trial and error. So I think we'll just have to kind of be prepared [clears throat] Thursday, Friday, Saturday to maybe maybe clean it twice and the other days once.

I I see December as a wonderful opportunity to test the case and I trust the city administrator to ask the right questions to uh u approach it with the city's interest in mind and with the public's interest in mind. understanding that the ultimate um fundamental responsibility is that of the owners. And because of that, I move that we authorize the city administrator to enter into a one-monou um with the owners of Black Market uh and use that test month to come back to the city council with a recommendation for further assistance from the city. And mayor, I'm assuming that is a replacement motion to the earlier motion made.

Yes. And if I didn't say it the same, I don't remember how I said the first time. So yeah, that this is and I believe that Mr. Goldfinch seconded it. So Yes, ma'am. Okay. All right. Would you second it again, please? I second your motion. Thank you. So now we have a formally seconded motion on the floor. Are there any other questions or comments before we call a vote? Vote is called. All in favor, show your hand. Motion carries. No. Show your hand again, please. Uh, there are six members in favor. All oppose, please show your hand. And one opposed. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mayor.

And mayor, if I may, um, I appreciate everything that Mr. Fowler, Blackwater Market does. I just think it is a slippery slope and I I think it's a close call either way, but I'm very supportive of this measure even though I voted against it. Yes, ma'am. And the only reason I'd see it not as a slippery slope is that there's nothing like it. There may be one day, but we'll see. But thank you.

Um items item eight is public input. We have one person who has uh signed up for public input. It is Miss Liz Marlo. Are you present, please? Miss Marlo, Miss Liz Marlo, is that you? Yeah, please come forward. Miss Marlo, if you would please, I need you to speak directly into that little mic. Yes, ma'am. Absolutely. And um I I believe your address is Yes, ma'am. I'm so sorry. I wish you had let me know. The acoustics in here the acoustics in here a little strange. So, we try. That's not important. Is is 1516 Laurel Street still your address?

Well, I don't know what you said. Is 1516 Laurel Street? Yes, it is. Still your address? Thank you, ma'am. Yes, it is. Um, you will have three minutes to speak. I know. I know. And this has been timed and I'm to the point. Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much. Yes, ma'am.

I'm Lizzie Marlo, 1516 Street Conway. married 63 years to a 94year-old fourthg generation Marlo native of Conway. He's a Navy veteran, retired minister, missionary, church builder, business owner for years, downtown property owner, taxpayer, and entrepreneur. In all of these years, we have never seen such blatant disregard for the welfare of seniors and small property owners. I'm here to remind you of these two issues that have not been reconciled. Number one goes back to 2018, the ordinance that allows unscrupulous businesses to encroach on residential property lines. number two that occurred on Wednesday 10:22. The attack of a satanic decoration on me when I attempted to open the door to city hall information desk. Ignoring these issues will not make them go away. So far, I found one person that's willing to listen to reason.

They say powers that be these are civil issues and my problem I say they are both criminal and civil because they both have done bodily harm. Our right to live in peace and safety have been violated. We live under the threat of jail and court in the ordinance issue. Actions in both cases have shown clear intent to do harm. More facts and details are to come at the next city council meeting during public input. Proving motive, intent, means, and opportunity to do bodily harm.

Miss Marlo, thank you for your time and for hearing the truth. Thank you, Miss Marlo. Thank you.

I move we close public input at this time. Is there a second?

Mr. White, a second. All in favor, please indicate such for the showing of your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Uh item nine is the city administrator's report. Mr. Emerick, good afternoon again. Our technology services department is going to be testing out some new hardware for the Christmas season. They're installing a parking lot sensor at the town green parking lot to be able to monitor the amount of vehicles that are in and out of the parking lot which will help determine the number of available spaces in the lot at any given time. This data then can be made available to the public via a dashboard and if it works well for Christmas, we can add additional parking lots in the future. It's a relatively small upfront expense that will help people be able to navigate parking issues in the future if if it's successful. So,

how will they know? How will how will a a motorist know? Well, we could have we have a public dashboard that is available right now. The only information on it is flood sensor data, which is not super interesting to the public, but we can add more data to that dashboard to add data that might be something interesting. So, we could have a a public facing dashboard that you can log into to see where parking is available at any given time.

Thank you. Um the technology services department is also working on a uh real time people counter which would add with our existing infrastructure. Uh again a relatively small upfront expense. It will allow us to know in real time the number of people in certain areas of the city at any given moment. We'll continue to use the other service we have for a year to be able to compare the two data um points to see if they if they match up. Um, one of the issues that we have with the placer data is it's three days behind. If there is an issue when we need to know how many people are in Riverfront Park right now, this will give us that data. At the same time, it might be able to re it might be able to replace the placer data without any additional infrastructure. It really is software on this one. So, we're going to test it out too during the Christmas season and see how it works. Um on Wednesday the at 1 pm the police department is hosting a dropin to celebrate the retirement of Sergeant Michelle Michelle Johnson at the public safety building. Um Sergeant Johnson's um worked 20 years with the city and will be retiring. The Christmas tree lighting is this Thursday at 6 p.m. Uh I know we've announced this before and I know several of you have posted on your Facebook pages. Make plans now to avoid the traffic. If you're not coming to the event, um, use 22 to get around it. Um, if you are coming to the event, leave early and, um, have a plan in place for where you plan to park as well. Main Street will close early around 3 p.m. Third Avenue will probably close earlier than that, and we will be restricting parking at noon on the streets that are affected by the event as well. Um, the tree lighting is the official start of Christmas in Conway. So after the lighting of the tree, the expanded celebration of lights, the Christmas carnival in Santa's Village will all begin. And on Friday nights from now on, now until Christmas, Ory Georgetown Technical College is sponsoring movie nights at the terrace. This Friday, the mayor's youth council will lead the

event showing a double feature of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, both the 2000 version and the original 1968 version. And they're also leading a Toys for Tots drive at the movie night. So bring a toy with with you if you come. Uh there's a chance that they may inclement weather this Friday. There's a chance of inclement weather. If that is the case, there'll be a rescheduled date for the Toys for Tots portion of the event. This Saturday is a very busy one in Conway. We kick it off with the reindeer run beginning at the Conway Marina. It's followed by a celebration of Arbor Day um from 11 until 3:00 p.m. at the Terrace. This year's Arbor Day is going to be a larger event as we commemorate the 40th year of Conway being a Tree City USA uh affiliate. The holiday market is also Saturday beginning at the at 9:00 a.m. in the sports and fitness center. A Christmas to remember, that is the event that our police and fire department take children shopping um for Christmas, children who may otherwise not have a Christmas. Um that event is also Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the public safety building. The 8th annual Rivertown Roda is also Saturday at dusk. Uh, and then next week, the Under the Lights 5K is the 10th, beginning at 6 p.m. And the sensory friendly Christmas tree lighting is the 11th at 5:30 at Riverfront Park. Um, that event is an opportunity for those who are new or divergent or just who are uncomfortable with large crowds that we get at our tree lighting um to have a little more relaxed and accepting event um to be able to celebrate Christmas, bringing in Christmas. as well. Hospitality beautifification department is hosting a drop in to celebrate the career of Anthony Huggin from um on the 12th from 10 I'm sorry from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. He is um retiring after 24 years of service to the city and that event is at the Shrine Club. Christmas parade is on the 13th. Uh, all of you will have an opportunity to ride on the train to that event and make sure you're at the starting point no later than 9:45 a.m. Parade starts promptly at 10:00 and as

you know if you're not on it, you got to catch up to it. Um, and I want to give a shout out to our parks and recreation department. Paty Baker was featured in the new National Parks and Recreation magazine, the December 2020 2025 issue um for implementing new training techniques in her role with the city. And so well done Paty. Good job Ashley. YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS GO FORWARD. [applause] AND WE HAVE NO WORKSHOPS OR executive sessions tonight, but we do have a short report from Jessica Hawk and planning if there's no questions for me. Although I see hands on you just talk too dog fast. Can I get you to say something about Saturday events again? Yes. I missed the the first two.

All these events are online as well. Uh thank you. I do it. Um thank you. Thank you. Is that good enough? That was good. Excellent. I want to make sure you didn't miss it. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Uh just something to think about. Um we've sort of already started this process in the last year or two, couple years yet. Um is as newer neighborhoods are coming in these these bigger, you know, home developments and whatnot. uh you know, we've we've had discussions and we've actually implemented some development agreements where where we're able to assess an enhancement fee that goes to offset, you know, capital expenditures to basically subsidize the expense of growth. And and the the thinking behind that, of course, was, you know, longtime residents or lifelong residents shouldn't subsidize or shouldn't be on the hook to subsidize growth. And I really I really wish this was a a broader discussion not just on the local level, the county level, but the state level that should have been had 30 years ago because we have no highways, we have no roads. I mean, we do, but we've essentially got the same thing we had when I was little. Um, and anyway, I just I don't have numbers, but I'm going to put together numbers. You know, the the people that seem to complain and gripe the most are people who maybe haven't been here that long and it was done better somewhere else, but they're still here. And then you look at what they pay on their house for their property taxes and you compare that to what they pay, you know, up the road and it's significantly smaller. That's right.

And that's fine. You pay you pay less. you should in theory expect less, but I don't think that that translates in many people's minds. And I just I don't have the answers. But, you know, when we don't have roads, when we can't get roads paid, when we can't do the things that we'd love to be able to do, and I'm not talking about the hospitality tax collections and a tax collections, what can can we uh reignite this discussion about getting a little more aggressive? And I think we sort of already have been a little bit of the leader at least in this county in terms of that. But step out and say, "All right, we're going to do this." Ori County, you step up and do it. North Myrtle can do it. Myrtle can do it where you know people want to be here. You, you know, and you're going to retire and sell your house for a million bucks up north and move down here and buy a $400,000 house. You can afford to pay. And listen, nobody likes cutting that check. Uncle Sam, myself included. But things cost and and I'd really like for us to have a serious discussion on what we can do because I don't want to pay for infrastructure for a new subdivision. Well, as you know, one of the reasons people move here is the cost of living being so low. Um, and the biggest part of that is property tax being low. Um, and you hear the discussion at the state house of them trying to remove the income tax, um, state income tax from that as well, which is only going to drive more people into our state. So growth is a major issue. We know we're the fastest growing um county in the in the country most um most quarters. We've been the fastest growing city in the country um in the first first half of this year. So the growth problems are a problem um without question. And how we pay for the infrastructure that is needed is always a problem. One of the biggest factors that we have in place also is the you know the growth isn't just in the city, it's around the city as well. We had a

complaint this morning uh of someone who was in traffic for 25 minutes to get out of downtown. If you look at the data of downtown, 48% of the folks driving on Main Street in the morning to get to where they're going live in the city, which means 52% don't. So 52% of the people who are coming through downtown clogging the roads because without them the roads wouldn't be clogged, don't live in the city. They're not stopping in the city and they're not working in the city. They're going from somewhere to somewhere and none of that involves us. That's where the congestion comes from. Um, there are infrastructure improvements that could be had to improve that, but that would involve removing traffic lights, which causes other issues that people can't figure out roundabouts and those sort of things. So, all of that comes with an expense. Those roads are also not city roads. They're not county roads. Sometimes they're not even state roads. Sometimes they're federal roads. So, what you can do on those roads is limited. And doing those things on those roads is incredibly expensive just because of all that red tape. In the new transportation sales tax, you know, we've got two new bridges coming. It's going to take 20 to 25 years to get those bridges, which means the traffic we have today will be the traffic we have in 20 to 25 years until those bridges are open. And the problem with building those bridges is not the construction of the bridges or the or the planning of those bridges. It's the permitting of those bridges. So you add 10 to 15 years of red tape to get those bridges out. So the money of of what growth costs is only a small factor of what the problems are with growth. We have um in the the two largest subdivisions we've ever approved um the the one on the on 71 South and the one on 378 recently. Those both were done with development agreements which included enhancement fees which will offset the cost to the city. It's a relatively new thing for us to do development agreements. We did them in the past and they were kind of frowned upon. They did not go well for the city. We're hoping these ones are much better for us. You cannot do those enhancement fees without there being a development agreement. Just recently, we changed our ordinance to require development agreements when when um developments are

over a certain size or a certain number of lots. That will help offset that cost of growth by being able to include those enhancement fees in that. But development agreements are limited on on when we can put them into place by state law as well. They have to be over a certain acreage and if they're not over that acreage, we can't do a development agreement, which means our hands are tied on that as well. um we can't add taxes, we can't do an in um we can't do um impact fees don't work for the city because of the way they're structured at the state. So our our hands are tied a lot on on that. Um we really have very few tools in the toolbox to be able to address the growth issues that are coming and um simply because of the way state law is structured. Um I think we're utilizing as many of those as we can. If there's more, we will certainly find them. Um, we need to be vigilant about how we um we plan for growth and how we pay for growth in the future. There's no question. Um, it's going to be a tricky one to balance, but I I think we have a lot of the tools we need. I wish there were more. I wish we were had a few less of these handcuffs. And and and you said it. I mean, you know, some states that don't have the state income tax. You're seeing a lot of folks out of the Northeast flock to Florida, flock to Tennessee, flock to Texas, no income tax. and you know, but the reality is I think 46 or 47% of South Carolinians don't pay state income tax, right? And so, you know, whatever tools we can have to make sure that we're we're using every single bit of it. Um, you know, and but but somebody's got to take that step. Somebody's got to challenge. And and my question is, why can't that be us? If if everybody's flocking here, if everybody wants to be here, why are we giving it away for free? Because we're the ones paying for it. And I'm not talking about dollars and cents. I'm talking about sitting in traffic. I'm talking about the 3minut trip to food line that turns into a 33minut trip because there's not enough grocery stores because you stand

in line because you've got all these new neighborhoods. All about it. But, you know, let's be the leader in this. Let's be the leader and let's encourage our partners in the county, the county, the other municipalities and let's go to the state and let's change some of these antiquated stu frankly stupid laws that handcuff us. uh you know that that were written by politicians who have most of whom have never served in local government and have absolutely no understanding of how the laws that that they pass impact us and and great people but they just don't know what they don't know and and and so let's have these conf let's continue to have these conversations with them that's that's all I would ask fair totally agree

anyone And with all of that, I think we need to have something called um communication with these other entities so they know what we're talking about. Like as you say, they don't know what they don't know until we tell them what they don't know. They're just not going to know. Well, and there are opportunities. U there's a League of Cities uh not well attended. Uh it t it t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t tends to be a fellowship and dinner and but there are multiple opportunities for us to to spread our information and to seek some uh partnering with our neighbors.

Absolutely. Before we move on, I'd like to call Jessica Hu up to do a brief report on planning.

All right, how will we be fast? uh planning and development. We continue to remain busy. Um but with the new positions that were granted with the most recent budget, now that they're filled, we'll start the process of rewriting the comprehensive plan for the city, which we estimate to take approximately three years, as well as two area plans, one for Red Hill and another for North Main Street. Um it's also been a productive year. We've had 12 text amendments that council has adopted this year so far. Another four or five going through drafting and review process. Um they deal with uses in highway commercial, light industrial, heavy industrial and an ordinance that would permit outdoor event facilities in certain districts as well as an adoption of a special exception process that would address some of the permitted uses in several zoning districts. Uh through November 2025, our department received 333 plan submitts which includes minor or major plat civil plan for major residential subdivisions and commercial projects. This is comparable to November 2024 which was a total of 351 but out of the 333 submitts 203 were brand new submitts. Uh through November we uh reviewed 764 applications for single family town home and multifamily dwelling. 572 of those were single family detached dwellings. Last year at this time we had reviewed 421. So, that's an 82% increase um in applications that were reviewed for residential dwellings. I do want to note that those number that number is what was reviewed by our department. Um and it may not match the permits that were actually issued. That could be less or could be more. Um but that number is how many were submitted for review. Accessory structures, we've reviewed 688 through November 30th, which would be your sheds, pools, and fences. Last year

at the same time, we had reviewed 460. Other items, zoning violations are up 282 um through October 31st um compared to 223 last year. Mobile vending is also up. We've had 80 requests for that compared to this time last year at 52. Um tree removal permits that have been issued um with a more definitive process including an application, site visit, and inspection. We've had 95 protected tree removal permits this um year that have been issued. Uh GIS staff created 445 new address points which is down slightly from last year um which was 468. But one interesting statistic in terms of growth is the increase in the size of the city. In 2016 the city was approximately 22.8 square miles. In 2020 it was 24.5. Today the city's footprint is 30.2 2 square miles is

in 1992 it was 6 square miles in um 2016 22.8 2020 24 I'm just going further back in 1992 it was six square miles. Oh wow. Wow. As far as population those numbers are mixed. Some sources have the city um just over 26,000 others around 29,000 and even some just over 30,000. And um if the current growth trend continues um we could be nearing the 35 to 36,000 mark by the time the next census occurs. Wow. And that's all I have unless you have any questions.

Questions? Miss Holmes? Um, I know Jessica doesn't brag on her department much, but in January, since we want to cut this meeting short, could you go over some of those text points that we talked about like conservation subdivisions? We've saved over a thousand acres and some of the highlights that actually your department's done in the three years that you

Sure. Yes. Sure. So, we do encourage conservation subdivisions. We probably have five or six of those that are in review. I know three of them that are currently under construction now. And that what conservation subdivisions do is give the ability to have cluster density. So you use a smaller area of the land overall and you preserve the flood zones, wetlands that may exist on the property. So overall you're having less infrastructure, less of imperous area. So that is better for um for the environment. Since council adopted the split zoning where you actually have the ability through planning commission staff recommendation and your decision um to be able to split zone property when it contains environmentally sensitive areas um just in the last few years um we have been able to preserve nearly 1,200 acres of property. Um and that is through the split zoning ordinance alone.

Thank you. Anyone else have questions or comments? Do you want to introduce your two new employees? Yes, these are two of my newest employees. I told I'd have to give give a speech, but I was kidding. [laughter] This This is Nancy Alvarez and Charlotte Peterson, and they are going to be working on the comprehensive plan. Wonderful. Welcome. I hope you don't age any faster than those gentlemen did earlier. Thank you so much, Miss Hex. And now it's time for council input. I had a note to tell me who was first and I've covered it up. So, Miss Hardwick, we're gonna start with you tonight.

Thank you, Mayor. I just want to say I think uh 2025 in reflection has been a very good year for the city of Conway. Yes, we've had some ups and downs, things we've had to address and work on, but I'm I'm very proud of of what we and the city have done and the staff has done for 2025. And I want to wish you a merry Christmas, a happy new year, and I look forward to 2026 being uh much better and brighter, and we're just going to continue improving and doing what we're doing. And thank you staff so much. Thank you, Miss Hard, Mr. Jordan.

Thank you, Mayor. I agree, Miss Hardwick, uh with everything you've said. Uh obviously looking forward to all of our events the month of December. Um, and since uh, you know, we do not meet again, you know, merry Christmas from from me and my family and uh, a happy healthy uh, new year to all. Thank you so much, Mr. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Thank you, sir. Mr. Right.

Um, I got a list of stuff. One thing I want to say is that I just had to say it. Um, Singer's Grocery, which has been a staple in our community. They're planning on closing in on December the 12th and I would love for us to do something to [cough and clears throat] recognize a business uh in our community for a number of years. Uh secondly, today I I was told about tiny homes that are being built out on Highway 701. This has been one of my pet peeves for since I got on C city council, excuse me. And um I went out there to visit today and I brought a brochure back and I'm going to share this with the council as well as with the staff to take a look at that and see how we can work on getting some of these tiny houses built in Conway. um the youth council. I thought you you ladies were on the youth council [laughter] and I do apologize, but the mayor and I went to Utah for the um National League of Cities meeting and they had their youth council there as well. So, I would love for us to um try to create a way a means of getting our youth council to attend the League of Cities, the National League of Cities. Last year when I went to Jacksonville, they were there as well. Tampa whether they were there as well. So we would love for that to um happen for our um youth council here and also for us to join the National League of Cities so that we can get a discounted rate. And I would love to thank um Miss uh Debbie for getting us back home uh as quickly as she did. And um just we avoided a whole lot of red tape getting back home. So I thank her for that. And lastly, [snorts] it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. all through the town. Thank you. [laughter]

We don't even get a whole verse. That's it. That's it. Wonderful meeting in this building. Um I just want to say really quickly that I the staff has done an absolutely amazing job with um all of the decorations and decor for Christmas. So definitely want to thank them for all of their hard work. Um, I also want to encourage everyone if you have free time during your Christmas time during the month of December to support Conway High School's winter sports. They kick off tonight. Um, so our basketball teams will be performing tonight, tomorrow, and throughout the week and throughout the Christmas holiday as well as the other sports. Um, and then just wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Thank you so much, Miss Elms.

I'm excited I get to announce this. Um, the Conway RT department is proud to announce that Conway has been selected as the host city for the 2026 state Special Olympics this spring. [applause] Well, that's a pretty big deal and I appreciate it actually all your hard work. But yeah, we have a great staff. Um, appreciate everything they do all year, especially towards the end of the year. Uh, merry Christmas, happy new year, be safe. Um, I just ask ask you just to look out for others. Smile at people, wave at people, pray for people, speak to people. We're we're good people in this town. We love each other. And I just appreciate how well we put on this show. So, that's all I have.

That's very well said. Thank you, Miss Helms. Um I I I must at the end of the year say again how much I appreciate our staff. Uh all those wondrous things that happen are not magic. Uh it takes hours and labor and thought and planning and um and it works out to make us all feel good, enjoy where we live and and for the council, the city's elected leaders to look really good. I get so much credit for things I had nothing to do with and that's because of what you do. Really appreciate it. I just want to ask to ask everybody to have a a peaceful, a safe, a loving Christmas. I think Beth just hit the nail on the head. I bought Christmas cards this year that say something like um encourage a child, say hello to a stranger, uh pick up something that was dropped. The bottom line is be kind. That's that's that is who we are and it's so easy to do so. Um people not only talk to me about how pretty Conway is, they talked to me about how welcoming Conway is. And for somebody to say we're welcoming, that speaks to the energy we put into giving a smile. That is all. So um with that, we will entertain a motion to adjourn. Uh, I'll move that we adjourn. All right. Is there a second? Mel.

We have a properly seconded motion to adjurnn at this time. All in favor say I. I. Thank you.