City Council - Regular Meeting

a full schedule and uh I may take the liberty to move a couple of things around tonight depending on where uh you are in the agenda. So don't despair if you're on page three. Uh we may not have to keep you till 9 or 9:30 tonight as we plow through a a fairly lengthy um agenda this evening. we'll make the best of our time and uh appreciate your indulgence as um we do the city of the the business of the city. I'm going to ask uh council member Jay Erwood if he would to lead us in the pledge of allegiance followed by an invocation. If you would like to join us, please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Pray with me. Dear heavenly father, I thank you for this day that that you have created. I thank you for the continued blessings you uh bestow on this council and your city. I thank you Lord that you have um given me and this council the the opportunity to to serve. So Lord I ask you for a a a servant's heart that um that that's that's what we do. We are we are servants for your people. Lord, I I I pray um a special prayer for uh some law enforcement officers who hey, they've had a tough day today. Uh not not in our city, but I I pray that you'll watch over the folks who um help protect us, the the police and the fire. Lord, go with us tonight as we um do your work. and may all that we do and say be pleasing in your sight. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Amen.

Amen. We offer a uh a time for addressing council. This is a time that we set aside at the beginning of uh each uh each meeting. Uh we set aside 30 minutes for this. So um we do have some time restriction on that. It appears that we um we have about seven uh folks that would like to address council this evening and uh I'm going to give you that opportunity. We would typically ask that uh you limit your comments to around 3 minutes. Um I am going to let you speak this evening. I will um give you a a sign of of some sort even if it's a a waving of the paper when you get to three minutes and uh I will ask that you conclude uh your comments uh prior to five minutes. So we will move forward with that uh this evening. Uh looks like we've got uh folks in regards to a couple of different items. uh feel like it's probably appropriate uh that we allow you to address council. Council will not uh answer or ask any questions at at this point in time. This is simply for the public to address council in public forum. As you come to the podium, as a matter of record, I would ask that you give your uh name and uh address and um that way we'll have a uh we'll have a

a record. Looks like uh we've got primarily two topics. Um, so I am going to bunch those together uh as opposed to jumping back and forth. That may uh make the conversations easier and also um keep you from uh repeating too much what others have said um since some of this may uh may be um brought up at some point in time. And so what we will do is we were going to we're going to take the folks uh that are here in regards to the Mrath project or the Mrath Road. Um I'm going to have you come first and then we'll do the aid tax uh after that. So with that um Miss Booth uh you Donna Booth you are our first speaker. You'll come to the podium please. Hi, my name is Donna Booth. I reside at 125 Cosmos Lane in Greer. I live in the Sunrest Ribs subdivision and I'm up here to really kind of voice my opinion and oppose the track development that is uh proposed to happen on Niguel Wrap. uh for a number of different reasons. Um I think that most of the people who live there purchase their homes for the privacy and tranquility of living uh in such a situation. Uh we go out on our decks in the morning. We enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature. I'm concerned about the

ecosystem in that nature. We have a lot of different animals that live in that nature park. That's what I call it. Uh there's foxes and deers and birds and everything else. Mo mostly I'm concerned about what it's going to do to my home value. Um what what it is is it going to do in so far as zoning issues go, property taxes go. Um, you know, I mean, these are all concerns that we have. Uh, and I really do think that, um, with the construction, which I would believe to be at least a year long, uh, would cause a lot of different chaos for all of us. We have an apartment complex that went up last year and, um, it it's just created havoc in the neighborhood. there's so much traffic. Uh, and we just want the peace and tranquility of living in the neighborhood that we we purchase. I think it's a very good selling point for our homes when if we do decide to sell them. And I think that having neighbors in our backyard is going to afford us less privacy, uh, less acreage, um, and and and those types of things. So, I'm really concerned about the entire issue. Uh there's a lot of um uh residents in our neighborhood that are retired in their 60s, in their 70s, in their 80s. This would create hav havoc for all of us living in that subdivision. So, we're really concerned about it. We're concerned about our home values. We're concerned about our zoning issues. We're concerned about our property taxes and we're concerned about the absolute

chaos and traffic and widening of roads and construction and everything else in a in a neighborhood that is peaceful, quiet, tranquil and we all love it and we we oppose it or at least I oppose it. So, thank you for your time and um have a nice night.

Thank you. Charles McAfee, you're next. Nobody pronounces my name right, so thank you. Um, I'm going to be looking at my phone for notes, so please, uh, bear with me. Um, I just wanted to say I I live in um actually at 315 Foster Circle, which is the first house on Foster Circle. It is the um on the corner of Foster Circle and Macrath. So, um for those of you in the neighborhood, I'm sorry about the paint job on the outside. It will get done eventually. Um but, uh I just want to say I bought that house 20 years ago and um I absolutely love living there. Um I have uh been enjoying being a resident of Reer now. um uh since I actually bought the house in 04, moved in '05. Um and uh I'm thrilled to see all the development in Greer and everything that's happened, but I do have to state that I am opposed to this new project on Macarath. Obviously, I mean there the reasons are um many uh as far the the woods border me on two sides. So, I'm going to be losing privacy. I'm going to be losing shade. I'm going to be losing um nature. Um, you know, I hadn't even thought about the wildlife, and I'm glad that you brought that up. I used to see deer, foxes, um, rabbits, raccoons, all that come up in my yard regularly, and I mean, ever since they built the apartments, I don't see any of that. Um, I love the fact that everybody is everybody that that lives in that area likes living there and it's a good thing. Now, when I bought that property, I felt like I was buying kind of a house

in the country, if you will, because I had um a field across the street and I was surrounded by woods on the other two sides. And basically, I had about 20 neighbors max. Um, and after that, you know, when in 22 when they built the uh Ryder Junction apartments, that added about 250 neighbors, I believe, cuz I think there's 210 apartments, something like that. So, at the very least, um, that was a big change. Um, that gave us, you know, permanent light coming in. There used to be no street lights, and now we've got those lit up all the time, um, at night. Um, I have no privacy. Um, and uh, I can live with that. That's not a problem. It's it's one acre and I'm happy that I've got it. Um, on the other end, other side of that, um, once that property is developed to the right of me, if they develop that, um, I'm going to have less than zero privacy. At least that's how I feel it's going to be. Um, also concerned about pedestrian safety. Mrath is basically a narrow road. It's a narrow country road that it's hard already hard to pass people going each way. Um, and it needs a lot of work. I think that's going to be a huge problem once the traffic has increased. Um, let's see. I don't think that road is intended for as much traffic as we're going to be expecting. So, um, that is a big concern of mine. And, um, I think that's all I need to say. I just the main thing is I want to make sure that y'all know that I appreciate what you do. I think we all do and we really want to see Greer always become a better place, but I'm hoping that they can find another place to put this neighborhood. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Ayla Hudson. Uh, that's Alan Hudson. I'm sorry, can't read my writing. Uh, 301 Macarath Road. Uh, you talking about putting that development right there. The main entrance is going to literally be right beside my house. That is a little small two-lane road. There's no other entrance, what I understand, but that one main entrance on that Macarath road. They're talking about widening the road, but you're going to only widen it from basically 100 yards up to below the apartments. You still have a big bottleneck there. So, you're dumping another 60 families on top or 70 families on top of the apartments that are there. Now, uh the traffic it the road just can't handle traffic. Uh so, I don't know who who did the study and saying that it could, but I just don't see how it can. Um then again, you we're losing all our privacy. Uh, I raised two children there where I'm at. Uh, but you know, it was all kind of country there. You built the apartments to start with. Uh, what I understand the road couldn't handle the traffic for the apartments, but you built the apartments there anyway. And now you're talking about winding road on my side of the road to handle what little the extra traffic from the apartments. So now we're talking about

dumping another 70 families on that small road. I just don't see how it's going to work. I mean, you putting five gallons of water in a three gallon bucket is the only way I know to put it. Um, but anyway, that's that's my answer on it. So, thank you.

Thank you, sir. All right, I believe that concludes those that wanted to speak in reference to Mrath Road. Let's uh let's change gears here um just a little bit and um same drill. Uh we'll I'll uh give you freedom for the three first three minutes and then I'm going to hold the paper up and you can wind it down in the next two. Um that would be much appreciated. Sally, you're going to have to help me with your last name. Patonsky.

Paskki. If you'll state your name is a matter of the record. We'd appreciate it.

Sally Pataskki, 3 Drexel Avenue. I'm here on behalf of Foothills Philarmonic. It's not exactly a household word. Filermonic simply means a symphony orchestra. And um not many cities the size of Greer can boast of having their own symphony orchestra that performs entirely within the city limits of Greer and actually gives performances uh at least once once every month so that tourists coming or other people coming into Greer can have a c another cultural activity um to attend. Um, we've been performing here for over 15 years and when the Edward Ardriggers City of Greer Center for the Arts was opened, uh, we were invited to perform there and we performed there ever since. It's a great partnership because we bring people in from outside of Greer to hear the orchestra and they get to um they're exposed to the wonderful art exhibit that's at the center and um appreciate it even even more um this and we've continued to find partners in the city of Greer to participate with. Um this was actually our first year of um performing in the in the Christmas parade and that will become a tradition for us. Uh when we heard about the Greer 150th celebration uh we partnered with the heritage museum uh because we wanted to promote that for them to audiences that weren't um necessarily in their network. And in our programs, we have an ad for the 150th and the events at the Heritage M museum. Um, we are our mission is to be free, fun, and familyfriendly, which really fits the city of Greer. Um, our we have sometimes

we perform symphonies, sometimes we perform pops, um, and everything in between. We have a special family concert. And I'd like to invite you all on May 2nd. We're going to have a pops and petting zoo. That means it's a concert of pops music, but beforehand you can bring the kids and we're going to have an instrument petting zoo. They get to try a trombone or an obo or a violin and they'll be guided by the players. It's a lot of fun and it just makes the cultural fabric of Greer richer. and all of us that are part of that. We appreciate your support in the past and we want to assure you that every dollar will be spent on behalf of Greer's cultural fabric. Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am. No stranger to our council. Katie Collins with the Greer Chamber is our next speaker. Floor is yours, ma'am.

Thank you, mayor. Good evening, council. My name is Katie Collins. I serve as the president and CEO of the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce. And as y'all prepare for your discussion on the 2026 accommodations tax, I wanted to provide some impact information from your 2025 investment in the Career Arts and Eats Festival. So, we work with our partners at Visit Greenville to pull these numbers. And I sent a full report to you um in advance, so I won't drown you in them, but did want to hit a couple of highlights for you. The 2025 Arts and Eats Festival had a total economic impact of over $246,000. It directly supported 154 jobs and in the spirit of accommodations tax, it generated room demand by 204 rooms. As we look to 2026, we're extremely excited to continue to grow the festival and recognizing that it is also the sesqua centennial, which I hope my museum friends are proud of how I was able to say that word finally. We we are really excited to continue to grow and drive traffic to downtown Greer. uh we recognize the investment that you make in us to put this festival on and want you to know that your investment is paying dividends for the business community and the greater community as a whole. So we appreciate your consideration uh your past investment and look forward to a great 2026 festival. Thank you.

Thank you

Sam and Mike Cybert. Is this a duo? Oh, yes it is indeed. Welcome. How y'all doing? Good. All right. How y'all doing? Good.

I am uh Chef Michael Cyber and my wife Samantha. Uh we are at uh 2299 Gap Creek Road. That is Greer Golf Course. Um we are here to talk about our Jubilee Festival that we have presented to you guys. And um me being very well connected in the culinary scene here um especially for Greer, I've had the opportunity to represent the state of South Carolina and not only the state of South Carolina but uh the city of Greer as well to continue to bring that national recognition and all that that's come with that of representing this uh beautiful city of Greer. And um we have we have really enjoyed being able to continue to bring tourism here as well. Um being some of the founders of the Renaissance Festival that's that's happened here before and uh continuing to do that. One of my my biggest things about putting on this festival is um I get a little passionate about food and um I see what a lot of people are doing in our neighboring cities. uh the Spartanbergs, the Greenvilles, and so forth. And those are big food festivals that are being put on. But uh we want to be a part of something that's special for Greer and that continues to build something for Greer and and to give Greer that staying power why people choose Greer as a true destination, not just passing through Greer, but again to to have that true stay power and to drive the tourism and to bring the the cultural arts here as well and with food. And so at our disposal, we have a lot of connections have been made with uh local celebrities as well other celebrity chefs and uh celebrities for this golf tournament that we want to you know continue to bring here and with the staying power of this tournament we believe that this can be something that goes on for years and years to come and

uh you know a little bit of help would be very nice to get to that point. So um you know have anything you want to add to her? um just an appreciation for the city of Greer and and everything that it's done for u not just my husband but our family and um my name is Samantha OPA cyber

whoever you're asking um and uh you know we've we've really I feel like we've gone like above and beyond to um you know when he is on Food Network when we are being mentioned in these you know they're like oh that's near Greenville I'm like no no no we're in Greer and um and We want to we we we always say that uh we didn't choose Greer, Greer chose us. And um we want to bring something um I was describing it the other day, but basically like a program meets Euphoria um something for Greer. Um um um with our 501c um and any given supper um and Yeah. Yeah. Thank you.

Thank you all. Thank you. We appreciate it. Thank you,

Mr. David Loveg Grove. Floor is yours, sir.

Thank you, David Loveg Grove, 431 Riverside Chase Circle. Uh, good evening, Mayor and Council. I just wanted to give you a very brief update um on the Greer Heritage Museum. uh that I'm the director there. Since our Greer 150 kickoff and opening of all new exhibits in the museum, um we have seen fantastic community support and uh our partnership and investment in the Greer 150 is really paying big dividends. Um our intention is to carry that momentum and build on it throughout this year and into the future. Our second story of career event is coming up a week from Saturday. We already have uh 220 tickets reserved and we only started advertising a day ago. Uh so demand is high and the response to those have just been fantastic. Uh our new exhibits are expanding our audience. Uh just this month we welcomed visitors um from Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and we even had a few from South Carolina. Um and we've also hosted international visitors from Australia, Germany, China, and I don't remember the rest. Uh what we believe and we are seeing happen is that a world-class museum can attract a world-class audience. We want to build a magnet that draws people into Greer, makes them fall in love with our town and stay here and spend their money here. That's our objective. Um, so to sustain this momentum, we have submitted three applications uh for the accommodations tax. Two are in the advertising category. One of those I'm incredibly excited about. Lamar Advertising has graciously given us a 45% discount on a year of billboard advertising across Greenville County

attracting people to come uh into Greer. And I'm just I'm so excited about that. The third is in the new programming category and would uh allow us to develop new exhibits. And the one we have uh planned and specifically presented is an exhibit on the history of the police and fire departments in Greer and the role that they play in our community which I think is often overlooked and I would love to showcase that. So uh your support is really appreciated as we continue to prepare for this coming year. Thank you very much.

Thank you sir. Folks, that was all of the people that we had sign up. I was made aware there may have been others that wish to speak, but um we do this by uh direction here and um if there was an oversight. I'm sorry about that. But um at this point, those are the ones that signed up for the public forum and who we will entertain this evening. With that then council we will move forward to the minutes of the council meeting. You have those minutes from March 24th 2026 contained in your packet. I will entertain a motion that they be received.

So move. Second. Uh any items of note for the clerk hearing? None. Miss Duncan. Mr. Wood. Yes. Mr. Booker. Yes. Mr. Hopper. Yes. Mr. Lander. Yes. Mr. Bettis. Yes. Mr. Lamb. Yes.

Mayor Danner. Yes, council. This evening, um, we want to follow up on our, uh, last meeting. Last meeting, we had the opportunity to recognize some of our city employees and u we always appreciate the opportunity to do that and especially when uh it it involves someone with as many years as one of the folks that we hoped to honor last week but was unable to join us. And uh tonight uh he is uh here with us and uh we are going to honor Chris Forester. Um this is um this is done uh by uh the authority of council which says now be it therefore resolved that the city council of the city of Greer, South Carolina in a duly assembled meeting wishes to officially recognize and commend these employees for the distinguished and dedicated service which for which they have performed. And let it therefore be resolved that city of Greer hereby rewards this dedicated employee with a certificate of appreciation and an administrative day off with pay approved this the 24th day of March last meeting 2026. With that I am going to ask the administrator and uh Mr. Forester to join us up front please. Round of applause.

Mr. Marryman, your report, please. Sir,

thank you, Mr. Mayor, Council. One of the things um that um I love to do for our employees, especially um when there's a week dedicated to a a trade or a specialty, is uh present this to council, present that to the community. Uh this group in particular is unheralded and often overlooked when it comes to public safety, but they are as crucial to public safety as our police and firefighters who are on on an active scene and those are our telecommunicators. um they are in a position to uh respond at your worst moments and they are often a reassuring voice on the other end of the line and while they're playing counselor to you, they are also mobilizing those that are coming to you. So this week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This is a time we set aside to honor 911 dispatchers. These dedicated men and women are our first first responders keeping our community safe from behind the scenes. And so on behalf of our city staff and the people who live and work in Greer, thank you for the work that you do to our telecommunicators. So if you see one, pat them on the back. Uh the Greer Alive event returns to City Park from 5 to 8:00 p.m. um every Friday. See this free familyfriendly event features live music, food vendors, and free giveaway from the city's parks, recreation, and tourism team. So don't miss that. Uh we got a busy day on the 25th and uh so just kind of bear with me that check the city's websites for items that you can drop off for safe disposal on spring cleaning day. Uh this annual event is at the convenience center and runs from 8 to noon. The Greer Goes Global International Festival takes over city park from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. And this is a free event in celebration of the diverse cultures that make up the

greater Greer community. And the next Greer 150 Cesqua Centennial event. Did you catch that Katie? You look good. Cesqua Centennial event will take place at the Greer Mill from 1 to 2 pm. It's the second of four story of Greer events and it will focus on the city's textile area or excer um and just one other quick update. Well, two updates. One, um there's been some questions about this the timing of the speed control devices on Vanavvener. those materials have been ordered and should be installed as soon as they arrive. So, I know that's been um of interest to this council. So, uh bear bear with us as we um await on the arrival of those um those speed control devices. There's one other thing that I think is important that we don't talk about a lot is uh the city's website. It is quite often the front door of our community and is the front door of all city business. Um, you can get all the information that you need on everything that was discussed this evening. Everything from information about public telecommunication week to Greer Live to all the events that are going on to the city, including the actions that this council will take um is on our website. The site recorded our website recorded its highest traffic count ever during the month of March with nearly 108,000 page views. So, I want to comm community I want to um commend Michelle and her team. And it's not just Michelle and her team. She just kind of catches all the information that our department heads and uh managers forward on to her and her team to uh ensure that we are as transparent as any government you're going to find. Uh Mr. Mayor, Council, that concludes my report.

Thank you, sir. Mr. Mayor, I have a question for the administrator. All right. um a followup on the um city's television channel if you we haven't I haven't heard anything about and I don't have an update to give to you tonight but I will make sure you have. Thank you sir. Yes sir. And real quick on the speed control devices you said they were ordered. Do you have like an approximate lead time for I asked for the lead time. We they've not provided it but as soon as we get them they are we're bringing in the we're not going to pour them in concrete. We're going to do the rubber okay rubber one. So when we get those should be pretty quick. Yeah, should be okay. Probably need to communicate that with those people.

With that then council let's move to appointments of boards and commissions. Um planning commission still has a vacancy and um I will enter entertain a recommendation for that if uh someone has um person. Yes sir. U Mr. Mayor, I um was looking for someone who would be knowledgeable and uh I believe everyone's familiar with Judy Albert. I'd like to place Judy's name in nomination for that position. Second.

I have a motion in a second uh for the planning commission discussion or questions of Miss of Councilman Bettis. I apologize for not having her biographical info, but uh she's she is working on it. Most of us know it. Yeah, I think so. I do have a question. Um because this came up with Judy being in Paul's district and Paul's assigne being in a different district and district. Yeah. Can you guys you guys want to just swap them? Well, there's no district restriction to that position.

Okay. It just it the appointment is made by the the council person who represents that district. That's because there's always been a little confusion about that, but yeah. Okay. Yeah. All right. Others hearing none. Miss Duncan, Mr. Wood, yes. Mr. Booker, yes. Mr. Hopper, yes. Mr. Lander, yes. Mr. Bettis. Yes. Mr. Lamb. Yes. Mayor Danner. Yes.

Council, let's um we've got four items in old business. And then we've got several um exciting storm water reports and um then a number of items in new business. Concluding with our accommodation tax uh grant recommendations as the last item for consideration this evening. Let's go ahead and um take the four items of old business. We'll dispense of those and then uh I'm going to take the liberty as we go into new business to move the um accommodations tax discussion to the first item of new business and then we will follow um the the um agenda after that. So with that, let's move to items of old business. The first of which is the second and final reading of ordinance number 5-2026. This is an ordinance to provide for the annexation of certain properties owned by Curtis C. HIPP, also known as Clarence C HIPP, located on Mrath Road by 100% petition and to establish the zoning classification of traditional neighborhood for said properties. Um floor is Miss Cotti, the floor is yours.

Thank you, mayor and councel. Um I just wanted to give a quick update. Uh the planning commission did hold a public hearing on March 9th and recommended approval and happy to answer any questions that you might have. For the purpose of discussion, do I hear a motion to receive? So move and a second. Second. Floor is open. Did did the contractor present what their plan is to planning commission? I wasn't here for the first reading. So the developer Yes. Um, so they the current proposal is approximately 67 single family detached lots.

My my question would be go back right back to the last one we did like this um with 67 houses. Why are we asking for traditional zoning and not suburban zoning?

Um well the density they're proposing is actually very similar to suburban neighborhood. Um the lot size and setbacks um are the most appropriate for this area so close to downtown. Um so our future land use map calls for traditional neighborhood a little bit higher density this close to downtown and major corridors. So the zoning that they're requesting in staff's opinion and planning commission is appropriate, but it does have the density similar to what suburban neighborhood allows.

I got a a overwhelming amount of uh emails and phone calls about this one and uh I reached out to several people um in planning and and the um you know a lot of the responses I got were that you know the people that were complaining were outside of the city which I didn't I didn't I didn't appreciate but um with this being a private land you know it's going to be developed no matter what uh I guess what we're voting on now is if it's going to be developed inside the city or not and so uh I don't sit well with me not from you. I I I think it's pertinent to the conversation and I appreciate your question and your answer. Um there seems to be some idea in in in some regards that that we build or we you know we we take these is individual cases in some regards when in fact the zoning is is is is made clear. And even though we have changed the way we approach that in the last probably three years um it is it is set by definition to the appropriate sizing and numbers and those sorts of things. I I I do find sometimes that uh there is some misunderstanding about how all that process works. By the time it gets to us, it will have been through reviews and consideration, uh through through the planning commission, uh through our different departments, through our partners, infrastructure partners, uh from our

schools, um all these have already had input on this and had a say over it. So, as it comes to us, um, while we consider each one of these on a case-byase basis, as we bring more, uh, folks into an annexed area, uh, it's it's fairly clear, uh, what our expectations are going to be for that area, for those that are, you know, that are interested in it or are, uh, choosing where to live and and that sort of thing. So, uh I would just offer that um if if indeed um there is there is concerns about about that that um you know that uh we'll be we'll be happy to to answer any questions in regards to that process. But this is a process in and of it in and of itself.

Three years ago, that's the UDO when we adopted that. It been three years at this point close. Um the unifying development ordinance was adopted in 2023. Um and then our comprehensive plan was last majorly updated um at the end of 2020. Thank you, ma'am. Others

kind of piggybacking off what Mayor Danner said, I know a lot of the folks that spoke tonight live in the Spartanber County section of Greer. Um and especially the the subdivision off Cosmos Lane. uh what we're proposing or what's being proposed is a city development. Could you talk about the differences with sidewalks and some of the other amenities that maybe even screening that would be potentially required by the developer that would be more intense or or than what they would probably see in their community

under the county? Yeah. Oh, and absolutely. Yeah. their their development is in the county, so they're weren't subject to our regulations, especially the new UDO regulations. Um, so the development will be required to have interior sidewalks, exterior sidewalks. Um, they would be responsible for widening the road along their frontage. Um, in this case, the city is already working on a project. Um, so they'll be requested to contribute their share to that. um they would be required to do a type one buffer which is um a minimum of 10 feet and plantings including both trees and shrubs. Um trying to think of what else. Um they are bound by lot size, by density caps,

but I guess anything else at the moment, but I guess it would be fair to say that this development from an aesthetic standpoint would consider the surrounding neighbors and amenities and things of that nature by way of our UDO.

Yeah. especially I think the buffer is the most important part. Um kind of screening and buffering it from the new homes in the surrounding areas. Um they're also required to um preserve open space and they're also required to have both passive and active open space um and a minimum of 10% tree safe area as well. And when you're talking about the the buffer the screening, would that be adjoining to the the subdivision or is it only applying to what areas would that apply? It would actually be all boundaries except um the frontage of Mathra and that one would be required to have street trees.

So even along adjoining the subdivision next door, they would have a buffer some type of buffer yard. Yes. A type one. Type one. What does that mean? type one. Um, so it's a minimum of 10 feet um and includes both um trees and shrubbery. Okay. I do notice that two of the people that talk here today uh live on well I guess one's Foster Circle, Charles McAfee and uh Hudson, Allan Hudson. There's a lot in between them off of M uh Mrath. That would be

Yeah. So that will be part of the annexation and it would be the entrance drive. Is there enough road frontage to I mean do we know what that road frontage is? Um so it looks like there is um a little bit of open space. the road, which would be a minimum of 44 foot rightway. Um, and then lots on the right side. So, there's lots on the

on the right side of the entrance drive. But again, this this is a conceptual layout. So, you're really considering the zoning, not the given project. But they are proposing to have an entrance on Mathra. But we don't have what you're looking at right now, do we? Yeah, we typically don't share conceptual plans because again you're considering the zoning. Um I don't know if I have a council like to see it.

That's up to you. The engineer does have the conceptual plan. in in in in this case since this is I I normally ask in in the new business for uh a representative of the owner to address council since u that wasn't available in in our first meeting. I I'll entertain that this evening.

I say I certainly appreciate it. My name is Waverly Wilks and I work for Gray Engineering who would be the engineer on the project. Um if I may, I will pass those out. um to take a closer look at again um as Ashley said, it is a conceptual layout to show um the proposed use for the project as single family homes. Um you'll notice when you look at the layout, it is very similar to say the neighborhood adjacent to us. It does include the buffer that was mentioned that would be required around the development. Um that's the green area. The tan brownish orange colored areas you see are the lots on the plan. Um, so that is our proposed use. Um, to answer the question, there is ample frontage along the front of there to put our entrance in, provide enough buffer, um, and to keep some of the lots in the main entrance there.

Miss Scotty, does staff have an update on on the road plans? Do do we know at this time what Yes. What improvements are going to be made? According to the city engineer, the tenative um date to open the bidding process is actually this Friday um the 17th and then tenative close date of May 7th. So, and then of course it would have to come to council um to approve the contract after that. Is this I know this is a proposal, but does this meet the 20% green space? I to be completely honest this has not gone through planning advisory committee so I cannot say for certain

I guess I'm asking oh miss it does yes sir so this layout does meet all requirements per this traditional neighborhood zoning yes and the 20% I'm guessing is including a detention pond

we do exclude that from our calculations to air on the side of caution Now, I understand some of the the neighbors aren't in aren't happy. I will say this. I also got I got two emails today in favor and I've had one phone call in favor. So, there certainly are some people in favor. Um, and the property owner certainly has a right to do something with their property just as the people who built the existing homes at something had a right to do something with their property.

Um, not a bad looking development. Mr. Mayor, I've got comment in general about this. All right. Go ahead. We'll have some decorum, please.

Um, this is in general about this development and uh I I know we're all human and we don't like change. I understand that. uh but to in today's time uh in our economy in our location we are in a constant state of change our um as you know our population is exploding whether you're inside the city whether you're in Spartanberg County within Greenville County um just ask some of the people and you know how long you've been in Greer uh there's probably I don't know how many folks here are not are were born and raised here, but probably we are in the minority there. Um, I travel uh during the week up and down I 85 all the way to the Georgia line back there. There there's property that's been taken down and being developed that you would never expect. There's property on Wayade Hampton Boulevard, not in our city, but just outside that is set. I mean, it even had a house on it just fallen in. You would not think that that the land there would be too many challenges to develop it. It's not. It's coming. Um, there's a few things that we can be assured of. Change is always going to happen. Uh right now in the current situation uh economic situation that we are in in our area um if there is vacant property and a willing owner or owners to sell, someone will buy it, someone will develop it.

even and you maybe you've experienced this receiving just blind calls from uh realtors wanting to know if you're interested in selling your house or your property. Um that's just a function of I guess the good times and you two gentlemen have been born and raised here, you remember some of the bad times and you know so uh there is None of us, I don't think, wants to be told what we can do with our own property. And it's just like where I live now. I'm surrounded by more development than I ever thought would be possible as far as apartments, commercial development, everything. But it it is. And the only the only true solution that I know of um because I hear the comments about the wildlife. Hey, I soft spot there. Uh that's um and you may just tell me to go jump, but the only solution I know of is if you form groups almost like an investment group and you buy these tracks of land which your community thinks is important for your subdivision to maintain a certain appearance. And what you can do with that is then turn around and put it into a um easement that where it can never be developed. Um that's the only solution that I I know of because I I I I got it. when you when you are located

off the beaten path and there's no you know there's nobody around you and then within a couple of years time there's brand new subdivisions there's more traffic it's it's part of what's going on now and if you want to know what it was like in the 70s and the 80s when textiles started to abandon ask these two gentlemen right here and they tell you downtown Greer was literally falling in. So, nothing's perfect. Um, but what we try to do, what I try to do as a council person, I know this this council tries to do it. The planning commission, our staff, we use the tools at our availability to manage the growth the best we know how. That's probably not comforting, but that's that's my words on it.

Others comments,

Mr. Airway, that's that's very well said. Um, a lot of things I've been kind of thinking through to to try to share. You said it very well there. The couple things that I would say is I I'm almost tempted to say we, but I'll say I. Something that I've thought about that that I want to do a better job of is expressing empathy when folks like the folks who came tonight. Empathy for the change that feel that brings uncertainty. Uh empathy for the grief that any of us share when something that we've grown accustomed to and that we enjoy for so many years changes, right? But also on the flip side of that, I want to do a better job of communicating the decisions that we make and and the tasks that we are charged with on issues like this. There are no perfect answers where we can give everybody what they want. We are limited by our role in the process. We're limited by guidelines and constraints in the process. And what you know, the point has already been made. You know, this this land owner has has a right, as any of us do, with our own property, has a right to be able to realize economic value of their property. And we as elected officials, we as a governmental entity don't have we don't have the authority to deprive them of that in our in our system, in our society. And so the best way that we as an entity, as a city, the best way that we as a body of elected officials, in my estimation, is in a situation like this is a perfect example of not if, but when this landowner does something with their property that it does happen within the city, that is the only way that we have to be able to not only influence that development to protect our residents who are in the city, but also our neighbors who we do value who may not be residents directly within

city limits. And so I just want to say again in conclusion, I understand the uncertainty and I understand the grief that we feel again when when things change and uh you know maybe things aren't the way that they used to be. I do I live in the community with you. We all do. Uh and we feel that. Um but again there's there is no perfect there's there's just tradeoffs for as things do change. And again, Mr. Awood, well said um in that uh kind of the historical context as well.

Both well said. But this will because it's in the city, it will be a quality development with infrastructure with sidewalks which will meet our standards. Excuse me. Others comments questions. Really wish it was a We were zoning for suburban. Um, seems like a lot, especially with the two two other houses right at the entrance. It's uh

further discussion. the prop but the proposed what what it could could change legitimately but what is intended as things stand now is consistent with the suburban density the density the density itself yes the proposed density is about 3.9 and the suburban density is four and again the rationale is the smaller lot sizes and the and the proximity to downtown making it consistent with the ability to have the density there. Yes, sir. How come nobody lane sir? Others. Hearing none. Miss Duncan.

Mr. Awood. Yes. Mr. Booker. Yes. Mr. Hopper. Yes. Mr. Lander? No. Mr. Bettis? Yes. Mr. Lamb? Yes. Mayor Danner? Yes. Council, the next I Thank you, ma'am. We'll take a break. Plantation where everybody's going to go to green space through people's yard. Same thing.

Both of those live. This is awful. They come. They were both here tonight. They could Yeah, sure. Now,

council will resume the meeting with the second item before us this evening in old business, the second and final reading of ordinance number 9, 2026. This is an ordinance authorizing the conveyance of an easement in certain real property inside the city of Greer. Mr. Googleh Howard, the floor is yours, sir. Good evening, mayor and councel. Uh, in regards to this conveyance of an easement for the sanitary store out at the sports complex, I have no additional information, but I'm welcome any questions.

For the purposes of discussion, I'll entertain a motion to receive. So, move. Second. Floor's open. comments, questions, discussion. Hearing none, Miss Duncan. Mr. Erwood, yes. Mr. Booker, yes. Mr. Hopper, yes. Mr. Lander, yes. Mr. Bettis, yes. Mr. Lamb, yes. Mayor Danner,

yes. Item item three is the second and final reading of ordinance number 10-2026. This is an ordinance authorizing the conveyance of an easement in certain real property inside the city of Greer. Mr. Googlehowers. Yes, mayor. And in regards to this conveyance of an easement uh regarding the permanent power out at the sport center, I have no additional information on that as well. Um but welcome any questions. For the purpose of discussion, I'll entertain a motion to receive. So moved. Second. and a second. Floor is open for discussion, comments, questions

hearing none. Miss Duncan Mr. Awood, yes. Mr. Booker, yes. Mr. Hopper, yes. Mr. Lander, yes. Mr. Bettis, yes. Mr. Lamb, yes. Mayor Danner, yes. Second and final reading of ordinance number 11-2026, an ordinance authorizing the conveyance of an easement in certain real property inside the city of Greer. Floor is yours, sir. Yes. And finally, mayor and councel, this is in regards to this conveyance of an easement for the domestic water out at the sports center. I have no additional information. Uh, welcome. Any questions? I'll entertain a motion to receive. So move.

Second and a second. Floor is open for discussion. comments questions hearing none. Miss Duncan Mr. Awood yes Mr. Booker yes Mr. Hopper yes Mr. Lander yes Mr. Bettis yes Mr. Lamb. Yes. Mayor Dann.

Yes. Thank you, sir. Council, if you will, as we move to new business, if you will um follow me down to item eight. We're going to go ahead and dispense with the accommodations tax recommendations. This is the 2026 accommodations tax grant recommendations. On behalf of the accommodations tax committee, we respectfully forward the attached recommendations for the use of the a tax money from the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2025 to the Greer City Council. Mr. Christopher Klein, Chris Klene, um, who is our finance director, joins us for this discussion. The floor is yours, sir. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor, council, members of the audience. Thank you for being here tonight. Happy to present to you the uh recommendations for the 2026 accommodations tax grant for the FY27 fiscal year. So, the accommodations tax grant committee uh we the they met on Monday, March 30th at 5:00 pm. Uh in attendance was Candace Good, Sergio Diaz, Bill Tyler, Hiten Patel, and Katie Joner. Absent were Karen Hall, and Heidi Henry. The committee reviewed a total of 26 applications, 13 applications from advertising and 13 applications from programming. So, want to give you all a general idea of what the committee looks at and considers every year when making these decisions. Uh, pretty consistent year-over-year. They look at the economic impact to the city's hospitality and accommodations industries,

attendance of out of town guests, culturally enriched events, sales and marketing plans to target out of town guests, and promoting and marketing the culture and life of the city of Greer. wanted to share with you what the what Turk the tourism uh expenditure review committee considers tourism related expenditures that do that are that do qualify. So there's eight listed here. So first one is advertising and promotion of tourism as to develop and increase tourist attendance through the generation of publicity. Promotion of the arts and cultural events, construction, maintenance and operation of facilities for civic and cultural activities including construction and maintenance of access and other nearby roads and utilities for the facilities. the criminal justice system, law enforcement, fire protection, solid waste collection, and health facilities when required to serve tourist and tourist facilities. Public facilities such as restrooms, dressing rooms, parks, and parking lots, tourist shuttle transportation, control and repair of waterfront erosion, operating visitor information centers. So, I wanted to provide a slide that kind of shows you all how we uh came up with the total dollar amount. So, there's actually a form for formula that's uh given to us by the state. So, in FY25, the city of Greer received $326,863 in accommodations tax. Right off the bat, $25,000 is sent over to the general fund, and that money can be used with no restrictions. It goes straight to the general fund. After that $25,000, we arrive at what we call the balance. And the balance is then split up in

three ways. 5% also goes to the general fund. So that was a total of uh $40,000 that went to the general fund. 30% goes to the advertising grant. So that was a total of $90,559. And the remaining 65% goes to the programming grant. So a total of $196,211. And just kind of referencing the prior slide. So the advertising grant is just that. It only covers advertising and promotion of tourism. The programming grant covers all the expenditures that I listed on the prior page, including advertising. So I wanted to be a little more specific with the amounts that we had this year. So again, the advertising amount FY25 30% was $90,558. We had a prior year carryover of $31,71. So this year we had a total available to CR grant for advertising of $121,629.90. On the programming side, the 65% for FY25, $196,210.95 plus interest earned throughout the year. So, additional $4,15.70 for a total of $200,3165. So, the final recommendation funding for the accommodations tax grants are as follows. The advertising grants again $121,629.90 available. The committee recommended to grant that entire amount. On the programming side, there was a total of $200,316.65 available to grant. The committee recommended to grant $182,290.75

and rolling over the they recommended to roll over the additional 18,000 to next year. So with that, I'd like to go into the specifics of the grant recommendations for the this is the advertising piece. The Greer Farmers Market, Greer Farmers Market Regional Tourism requested $5,100 and it was recommended $5,100. Greer Heritage Museum Post Interior Travel Guide ad requested and recommended $1,56. The Greer Heritage Museum new exhibit promotion both requested and recommended $9,700. City of Greer Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Discover Greer website redesign requested $35,000 and was recommended $20,000. City of Greer Parks Recreation and Tourism 2027 Discover SC vacation guide ad recommended and requested $11,000. South Carolina Charities Inc. the BMW ProAm Golf Channel coverage requested $40,000 and $0 was recommended. any given supper in partnership with white wine and butter. The Jubilee of Food, Wine, and Culture Festival regional tourism campaign requested $25,000 and were recommended $10,000. City of Greer Parks Recreation and Tourism Dia Deos Mertos Festival recommended and requested $3,375. Cultural Arts Council, the Greer Children's Theater recommended and requested $3,375. The Greer Chamber of Commerce, Greer

Arts and Eats Festival requested $60,000 and were recommended $49,323.90. City of Greer Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Freedom Blast requested and recommended $4,725. City of Greer Parks, Recreation, and Tourism International Fest requested and recommended $3,975. And finally, BMW Car of America, the Ultimate Driving Museum 2026 2027 ad campaign requested $20,000 and were recommended $0. So there was a total of $222,36 that were requested and again a total recommended amount of $121,629.90. So, there was over $100,000 that had to be cut in these requests. And I believe right now is where we can open up for council discussion.

Council, for the purpose of discussion, I'll entertain a motion to receive. So, move and a second. Second. Floor is open. Chris, the way you've got it on the slide is um different way. It's in our packet. So, I've got some questions that maybe you can help me with, but um programming grants of the first topic. The Greer's far Greer Farmers Market uh comes with a recommendation of $20,000. Now, what's

So, that is on the next page. So, it sounds like those two are flipped in your packet. That is actually on the programming side, which is the the next page. This one's the grants or excuse me the uh advertising grant. That one you're referencing is the adver are the uh programming grants. Okay. So what we're talking about now is the advertising dollars. Yes sir. Okay. Um advertising. We're doing advertising first and program second.

Right. Okay. Um the the farmers market they are advertising. is that that $5,000 and th this is one and I know it's it's us but $20,000 for advertising for our website. So the website redesign so they're going to be building they're going to be partnering with a outside company to completely redesign the discover gre website. Uh my understanding is it's been ran uh and developed internally and they're going to actually be partnering. So, it's actually it's going to cost more than that as well. It's just that's the amount that they are requesting. I think it's going to be closer to 48,000 if I'm not mistaken. Um, but the recommendation was 20,000.

Okay. Well, Mr. Mayorman, you said tonight you talked about the numbers uh for the website. So, we're talking about the same thing, correct? No, this the what I what I referenced specifically was the city's website. Greersc.gov is the is the is the this would be the discover greer and it's a separate website tailored to uh discover gre and our tourism activities completely controlled around tourism. Yes, sir. And it's but it's ours. It's the city of Greers. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yeah. I mean, what do I know about marketing? But we need two. I mean, can maybe we got a marketing expert in the back back there. Maybe she can help us. Well,

I don't I mean, do we need two?

The the the while the city of Greer the.gov the domain.gov is essentially that um and I can get you know we at some point we can probably bring in some technical expertise on uh some of the restrictions and search engines and population on how.gov pops up versus a dot pops up versus a.edu pops up on search engines. Um I'm I'm going to claim ignorance. I'm not feigning it, I'm claiming it. Um on how that works. However, uh having a dedicated tourism website specifically for the activities not only that the city participates in but our community at large is a unique search identifier. Okay.

And I think it needs to be separate. Mr. Mayor, two very different purposes and built for very two very different. One veryformational, functional, operational. The other one

Yeah. If you're looking for the Foothills Phil Harmonic and you Google Foothills Philharmonic and you go to the city of greater.gov website, you're also going to find council records of ordinances passed for land use decisions from the 70s. So it just the point is is the function of the city of Greer's website is significantly different than what we're with this. The discover grew website lists, you know, places to stay, uh, places to eat, which all go to the funding um, of what's being uh, discussed tonight, whereas you wouldn't find those recommendations on our general city of Group website.

And those recommendations would be for businesses located and and happenings located within the city. Yes, sir. And events um, all that. Everything related to tourism within city of GR within the city. Yes, sir. Okay. It's it's it's like a prolonged commercial in some regards. It it's got a ton of information in it and u Okay. I buy it. Yeah. I understand.

It's it's it's different than going to our website entirely. I mean, it it's got a different look. It's got a different feel. it is geared towards those folks that um may be looking for something to do or somewhere to go or that sort of thing. So, yeah, I think it's I think it's valid. Something that jumps out at me at on this list is that almost all the people that are requesting are not city funded departments except for parks and parks and rag.

So, and that's because they're all involved. Tourism is what drives all these decisions. We have to prove that we are increasing tourism within the city. Um, all these events um do that, right? Whereas, you know, finance department or another department in the city isn't going to have an event that's going to bring tourists to the area which is going to provide the accommodations tax funding for these things. Mr. Lander, even the makeup of the board is prescribed by state law. Okay. Um they may not be city residents, however, they are subject matter experts in tourism related industries. Uh be that lodging, be that uh food, be that whatever.

Yeah, they must drive be or Mercedes then you know they obviously didn't like the BMW people. Um they got money. Was it advertising or planning programming where you decided not to spend all the available funds? programming.

It was programming. So, per the per our ordinance, the committee can make a recommendation to use those dollars as it sees fit in which uh we decided to allocate it to the advertising piece. Um for two reasons to as you so last year advertising grants, we only had six applicants. It nearly doubled this time around. Um also, as you see this year, there's a recommendation to again roll over funds on the programming side. So the committee felt that those do that rollover can be better utilized here. However, that is up to council's discretion if they would like to reallocate that amount back.

Um but I and I also will add final piece to that is on the programming side as I mentioned going through that list. The first item is advertising and promotion of tourism which is exactly that in the advertisement grant. So that money is still being utilized for its intended purpose. I guess you're just kind of restricting the scope of what can it can be used for. Um, so with those factors, the committee recommended to place that role over there. Uh, while I'm demonstrating ignorance, and I know no Spanish, so tell me what that one is. Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead. Yes. Day of the Dead. Yep. That's Halloween. Yep.

Sort of, but not Halloween. It's something different. I'll be Is that our first endeavor in that? No. Last I believe this is year three. Yeah, this will be year three. Where do they have that? Uh the center for the arts. Ah, that's why I don't know. I think it was here the first year. First year it was in the park, but the last two years. Kids love it. Okay. So, tell me. All three at the center for the art. Yeah. All three. Have they? Yeah. Okay. Okay. This Day of the Dead festival. Yes, sir. Please explain. I I I don't know what it's about.

It's essentially celebrating the the the Mexican culture celebrates death. They don't they don't you know it's a instead of fear and death you life you they celebrate the the day of the dead. And so it's just acknowledging the ancestry um and all the culture related to that has a lot to do with ancestry, but the movie Coco does a great job explaining it as well. Yeah, go watch Coco. Yeah, go watch Coco. Well, that's why it's written in Spanish. You thought it'd come off across better instead of day. It did. It sounds better to say it in Spanish.

Mr. Mayor, I don't know if it'd be appropriate or possible, but I would love to get twominut synopsis of the Jubilee event, just what's planned, what's envisioned that way, if if that's possible from Chef Cyber. Can we do that? Um, certainly. Yeah. Can Can you yield the floor? Absolutely. Will you please yield the floor? Yep. I'd be happy. Chef, you want to give us some insight?

Believe it or not, this is the the brains of the operation. I'm just a muscle. We all know that. So, Am I okay to go? Yes, please. Samantha,

Samantha Opier again. So, basically, um, we've been talking about this for for quite some years and, um, we were we established our 501c a couple years ago with uh, Chef Troy. Um, forget her last name. Uh, but she's outside. She's in Atlanta. And um we started kind of doing the talks on that and and um trying to bring awareness to um to food um insecurities in different areas of not just the world but in our own backyards, right? So um we were like, how do we do this? She so she already does stuff with like children um on on her side of the border, if you will. And uh this would be our first contribution um to the um 501. Um basically we want to bring people that have a lot of money to spend um and to lodge and spend money not only just you know um um with the vendors that we have on site um that think of it as a um as a elevated farmers market if you will. Um you'll have jewelry makers, you'll have um um you know pottery makers, you'll have uh we'll also have live music, we'll have uh auctions for charity, we'll have the celebrity um um celebrity golf tournament, and we already have um some already committed to this. Um um I don't know if who all knows who uh a tribe called Quest, but um we have a few of those. Um and and some other people that are this close to to committing um and um so that'll be going on as well. All raising money um to go not only to our 501, but also to other charities that we

align our our values with. And um um yeah, like I said, um I don't know who all's been to Euphoria. I don't know who all has been to ProAm, but it's pretty much going to be a very very um smaller scale, but we we're even as a company um and um and everything that we we really believe in is uh quality um over quantity. We don't we don't you know I could bring in 15,000 people that will spend $20 or I could bring in 1,500 people that'll spend a thousand. Um I mean and and and or or more really. Um so that's Yeah.

Is it single site or is it different places for right for for the ina um for the inaugural event? It's um going to be single site. um um basically we're we're looking at um one versus two days um and and that a lot of the uh programming grant I know we're not there yet but a lot of that will go um will be a determining factor if we do one or two days um and at GR golf is your site yes and dates do we have dates

um so we're looking at um um early summer, late spring. We haven't nailed down a date yet. Um, and um, not that this is going to determine whether or not we have the event. It's just more of um, you know, I have to talk with the with uh, Sam Merrill and and the guys up at the course about what date would be the best um, that isn't already taken and you know, that kind of thing. So, and this would always this would also we would have to close the um the parking lot for that day to have to house vendors and stuff there. So, it's just a a bigger talk than just like here's our money, save the date. But, um we we we think we'll have a date probably by the end of um by the end of May. Yeah.

Excellent. Thank y'all. Appreciate it, Mayor. council. These I think it's um good to be reminded that there is a committee that uh that gets together and um prepares this budget for us for our consideration and certainly is available for our consideration. Um Mr. Klein has uh joined us for uh discussion here. I'd like to uh move on. If there are questions, comments, or other things here that you want to discuss, let's go ahead and get those teed up, please.

So, the the Greer Arts and Eats Festival, that's 49,000 for advertising. Yes, sir. That's a lot of money for ads. A lot of advertising, marketing. Um, they they do include that they they include a full project cost in the application. Um, yes,

Mr. Wood. I do know in years past we've they've done radio ads out of market different places, Asheville, other places, Billboard, uh, you know, in different markets, etc. Uh, and extensive social media out of our market as well. all targeting those folks that are outside of that that radius that we're trying to attract to come into town that way and and over over an extended period of time as well.

What what what goes on at the arts and eats just eating and artwork. Ext well I would certainly not the one that puts it on or anything but extensive live music throughout the day various locations performers extensive arts craftend vendors demonstrations there is alcohol available

and that's where the rub comes with me because the and I guess I could take this up when we get to the the other portion of it but the it was the chambers and they had come up with the um family fest many years ago and it was a big success. It was built as the family. There was not alcohol. There's not anything like that. And um I you know that it never has been talked about by the chamber to bring anything like that back. Um so I I mean I just don't understand $49,000 in advertising plus another however much in the programming part. 40 40,000. So 89 almost $90,000 um uh you know the the the I will I know that with the family fest um they're they didn't have these kinds of dollars to work with in the very beginning. They um you know is done by contributions. Uh but they they did make a lot of money to turn back over to other uh nonprofit agencies in our city and it brought people from all around. Uh but um I I don't know there there's a lot of things about the Arts and Eats Festival that just I I just do not like and I think that those numbers need to be adjusted uh to some other folks are on this list that I think are as more deserving. Did it was an email that was sent from the chamber.

Yeah. Was it copied to all of council? And so you've had a chance to read the study that was done by Clemson? No. Okay. I just thought I just wondered. Well, no, but but what I'm But the email basically what I have a question. Um Yes, sir. Katie, what was the the monetary return from this festival that you quoted? So we back out personnel. Miss Miss Collins, for a matter of the record, can you come to this podium, please?

Sorry, I was just going to have conversation with you. Um, once you back out personnel, the chamber does make a profit on the event. This is a fundraiser for the organization as well. Uh, so that we can then turn around and do the rest of the work that we do, um, including workforce development, advocacy, and and things of that nature. So, I don't have the exact budget numbers from last year in front of me, but we did make a profit. How much? You got an idea roughly backing out personnel? Probably 40,000. And Miss Collins, I don't want to speak for the chamber, but in the late in the latter years of the Family Fest, it was not at all a profitable

family fest once you backed out personnel, especially towards the end, and granted I was only here through 2018. if you backed out personnel, that festival was losing money by the end.

But it wasn't a money maker thing. It was it was not supposed to be that. Um and and and I I know people don't like this comment, but the arts and eats and that's just nothing but a copy and paste festival. Everybody else does it. It doesn't represent anything about who we are that I know of. So if if I may sir um one thing I would say particularly to the uh the alcohol portion we do partner with Southern Growl which is another local city of Greer business. Um they have their own booth. We specialize they only have their beer there. We are very specific in making sure that we are bringing people here to get into the local restaurants and local businesses. So, we have over 80 artisans, over 30 food vendors, but the goal is really to showcase our beautiful downtown to get those people to come back. Um, and again, it it does have alcohol. That is just a fact of the event, but we do specifically support a local business through that.

A number of the Live Music Acts, they are local.

Yes, we've actually made a considerable effort over the last two years to try and get more local bands knowing that they have local followings to bring larger crowds out. I can understand the sentiment, you know, I mean, yes, there are other festivals that have craft beer, arts, music, etc., But I would say having been having been there multiple years myself, you know, in in our downtown, it definitely has its own unique flavor for sure with the vendors, the music, even you know, you referenced Southern Growl, you know, our local craft beer company, etc. And it's in our unique downtown that I am obviously very biased to, you know, in the context of where we are. Um and again under the the you know it's hard to argue with the impact of putting heads in beds and you know in restaurant seats you know in in our businesses during that day. Um so that I guess that's

or bringing them back the next day. Yeah. They get introduced and come back. Yeah. Yes. I' I'd offer as as somebody that attended the last several family festivals, I don't know that having 12 airbrush tents was reflective of who we are as a community either. Well, I you and you may be correct. However, $5 Chinese t-shirt booths. Well, here again, it wasn't about making the dollars. However, the well, it it may have been I don't know what the chamber's motivation behind it was at that time. Um

well, it wasn't started by it wasn't it wasn't a chamber event when it was started. They they took it over, right? They took it over because it didn't make any money. Yeah. So, they took it over, ran it in the ground, and then they changed.

Nope. What I would also add, if I may, we did keep certain and I to be clear, I was not here when Gree Arts and Neats was started either, but we did keep elements from Family Fest. So, Creation Station is a a long-standing tradition um that Family Fest held for many, many years in partnership with a lot of churches and group or local organizations. We still maintain that. We had over a thousand kids come through that last year for arts and crafts. So, it really is when we say there's a little bit of something for everybody, we really mean it. And our goal in this um to be frank, we we have to operate and make our our costs as well. However, it is really meant for us to showcase the community that we are all here to support and all love. Um and we think there's a little bit of that for everybody as part of it.

Well, do we do in in your showcase of Greer, all I've heard talk about is our downtown. What about the rest of the businesses that aren't in downtown? And what about you know our our resources that we have the lakes and things like that? Yeah. So Greer CPW has actually been a sponsor of this event for many years and helps to showcase their uh component of it and we try to partner with as many of our local businesses as as we can as part of it. You know downtown is is the beautiful jewel. I mean and it's also the best setup to host a festival. So there is a certain component that it it makes sense to host it there just given the infrastructure components of it. But we do try to make sure that we are including as many local businesses in it as we can.

We've also had home um excuse me, motel hotel owners on 29 that have served on this committee as well too. Miss Collins, I would say the partnership with Southern Growl is a great example of outside of downtown businesses, successful key businesses that you think of when you think of the city of Greer that we are featuring and and highlighting through this event. Absolutely. And I will add on the Southern Growl part. They actually do a special beer specific to the festival and a portion of those proceeds go back to Greer Relief.

And this goes back to council and and our direction. Um I was going through the the the the renovated clubhouse with the administrator one day and um as we were walking out, turned the corner and there was a sign that all it was doing was advertising liquor. Yes, we serve it. Yes, we serve liquor in our stores. But I don't think that is what our city is about. And um sometimes these festivals, that's what happens is you you there's Yeah, let's go down there because they're serving beer and wine because they really push that. Um and and please don't misunderstand me. I I don't I'm under no illusion that that that I'm I'm here to stop drinking and people in Greer don't drink. No, that's not that's not it. But I think council has to step up and say, is this what we are about?

All right. Well, pretty much every festival we have sells beer. Correct. I don't think there's one that doesn't sell beer. Anybody? Unfortunate truth. I mean, huh? Any any other questions of Miss Collins? Thank you, ma'am. Thank you.

I do want to highlight one of the items on here um that I don't think is getting enough glory is the party on trade and how they've the charity program has come in and created a really nice familyfriendly event in our downtown. I know it's very well attended and um I it's a definitely a different vibe from arts and eats for sure and uh I think it's a really good quality event that's put on and party of trade was uh is on the recommendation for the programming side. Yes sir.

Now I want to offer an amendment uh to these numbers if you all would oblige me. Um, and I would like to take them out of the additional programming dollars. Uh, I would like to add $5,000 to um, Foothill Field Harmonics and then uh, increase the Jubilee Food White Wine and Butter uh, 5,000 from program. So, Foothills Phil Harmonic is on the programming side. It's not they're not being included on the advertising side. Are you Oh, we're looking at advertising. Yes, sir. Okay. I'm sorry. I was wondering why we're not switching.

Okay. I'm sorry. Okay. I'll wait till we get to programming. So, y'all seen what I'm trying to propose. Here are my cards. I take it back. Now, here we're allocating the full amount, right? Yes, sir. The full 121,000. Now, are we going to vote on both side individually or the full in the past? we have taken there the the accommodations tax grant recommendations as per the committee. Um while council may adjust some of those they would be for separate vote. So um programming these first

if if anybody wants to offer an amended uh recommendation then that needs to be voted on before we can vote on the recommend on the actual recommendations. Well I are we good everybody in agreement on advertising we're happy with that? No. Okay. I mean, we're I think we got to review everything first. Correct. Is that what we need to do? Let's review operational. Maybe if you if you want if you want to review it by by sections, that's fine. Yes, we can do that.

I'll move on to the programming side recommendations. So, Greer Farmers Market, the Greer Farmers Market is requested $24,000 and were recommended $20,000. Greer Heritage Museum main gallery new exhibits and upgrades. They requested $36,284 and were recommended $30,000. City of Greer Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Greer Diamond Invitational at Stevensfield requested and recommended $6,000. City of Greer Parks Recreation and Tourism Christmas Sevens Rugby Tournament 2026 requested and recommended $8,572 I apologize requested $8,572.50 and we're recommended $8,572.

South Carolina Charities Inc. BMW charity ProAm Party on Trade requested and recommended $25,000. City of Greer Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Dia Muertos Festival requested and recommended $10,875. any given Sunday supper in partnership with white wine butter jubilee a food wine and culture festival requested $85,000 and were recommended $15,000 city of Greer Parks Recreation and Tourism a mural public art requested $30,000 and they were recommended $0. Greer Chamber of Commerce, Greer Arts and Neats Festival requested $40,000 and were recommended $40,000. City of Greer Parks, Recreation, and Tourism International Festival. They requested and recommended $4,46.25. City of Greer Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Freedom Blast requested and recommended $20,437.50. BMW Car Club of America, the Ultimate Driving Museum 2026 exhibition requested $30,000 and were re recommended zero. And finally, Foothills Philarmonic Classically Casual Concert Season for 2026 2027 requested $11,000 and we're recommended $2,000. The total amount requested here was $331,57525 and total recommended were was $182,290.75.

All right, with that being said, this section discussion tell me somebody give me the explanation about the Day of the Dead. Yeah, I mean that's that's important to me. I mean, in all seriousness, Mr. Wood, the the Dia de los Muertos Festival is a I can explain a little bit about that if you want to.

Okay, hang on a sec. Is a festival that is very specific to our neighbors in this community that are Latino. It is a in historically speaking it is a religious festival that has become very much a part of the culture and it is celebrated on one day of the year. So the diia de los muertos festival is specific to um the culture of that community. It is growing nationwide. It is you're seeing more and more of it. um more and more communities are celebrating this with uh larger and larger festivals that are very well attended and uh have been very important to um our Latino neighbors.

Can we ask? We absolutely can. I think that'd be an excellent idea.

Miss Munoz,

Lady Munos, um I think uh Mr. Marman explain in a nutshell what this uh festival is for us the Latinos. It is it's a celebration of afterlife. It's for our past ancestors that passed away and we keep their traditions. Uh we celebrate their birthdays, their life, their the inspirations of what they gave us while they were living. So it is a very important uh festival for the whole community of Latinos and is a way also of teaching our culture to the others as well. So it's pretty much in the nutshell of a celebration of of life afterlife.

And you're saying you you say Latinos and I know that um folks from Mexico very proud to be called Mexican. Um, is is this something that is um specific to Mexico or all the Latin American countries? It is specific to all Hispanics and Latino countries. It's just in each different country, we celebrated with a different flare. So, all of the all of Central and South America. Okay. I'm just It's most popular in Mexico.

In Mexico. As for Colombians, we have a different day to celebrate the diia loss muertos. It doesn't really fall on the I think it's November 1st is what it usually is in Mexico. So it it is different days for different countries but the whole meaning and purpose of the celebration it is concept with the same. Okay. Okay.

This is something that we was that we have talked about for quite some time among the staff. This is this is a this is a segment of our population is that is nearly 20% of our population and we were dreadfully under reppresented at a lot of a lot of our events and this was one of the ways that we came up with to address that and um I would I would urge this council to attend more of these events. If you have children, they will spend the whole day down there doing something. I mean, there was there was there was drawings. There was there was stamp things that they could do. You have people that are dressed up. You've got people walking around on stilts and these fabulous kinds of costumes. Uh they fill the park. The the the area down there and inside and outside of the building is full. They have an art show. Uh, I would urge you all to to see some of the things that are going on because while some of these questions raise questions, while some of the comments raise questions about the amount that we spend on these things, um, you you need to see the kind of effect that they have. this this sesquential celebration that we had just the other night. I don't know what the numbers on that were, but it had to be one of the largest events we have ever had in downtown Greer. And um it was a wonderful, wonderful night. And I don't know, you know, I don't know what we allocated for that or whatever it was, but it wasn't enough. And you know, we we have this money to spend. It is outlined in state law how it has to be spent. And I think in some regards,

while it is our responsibility to be cognizant of where this money goes, we have appointed a committee to set this up and give us a recommendation. If we want to make changes on that, we can. But I don't want I don't want to continue this line of questioning about and and for your information I think that is is valuable. But that's all I'm going to say a good point. Listen, you you made a good point and because exactly that when you said uh kids educating and all that. Listen, all that's rolling in my head and how what I think we should do and what based on what we've laid out in the past that we value education, we value athletics, we value arts, we value these other things and and that's at the core of my decision making and we have been funding this festival. This is not the first year I believe probably couple other years and I really hadn't had an explan explanation of it and that's all I wanted to know. It wasn't anything. It's just to to let me know what what what I'm either saying yay or nay to. So it's not uh

Do they serve alcohol? No, they sure don't. As far as I know in favor of they don't. I attended it the the first year. It was very well attended. I did not came uh for the second year, but I'll tell you it had grown the second year bigger than it did the first and it was a very good festival to show and showcase the city and showcase diversity. Is it safe to venture that it's been well attended not just by our Hispanic community as well across cultures? Yes, across different cultures and different backgrounds. So, a melting pot. I That's how I see it.

Thank you. What I wanted to hear what it was. Chris, um sir, quick question. What is the reasoning behind not allocating all the funds received? How how is that decision made?

So the committee felt and again it kind of came up last year to to you can you can roll over for the funds have to be spent within two years. So they the committee again who's made up of uh you know community members who are involved in Hex A tech who see a lot of these dollars coming in through their own business um they gave the recommendation of hey maybe these dollars will be better allocated for next year in anticipation of some of these more requests like I said this year advertising doubled right the applicants. So it was just a decision of looking at the dollars we had and you know going off the requests being made just moving some o over for the following year similar to last year.

But as we progress as a city these a taxes dollar amounts should also grow. So I mean it's a little confused. I mean kind of with Kim on this I I mean I'd like to see a little bit more go. Yes sir. Um I think last year was the first year in a while where they requested to roll over and then this year as well because in the past typically they had um recommended the entire amount. Okay. So I don't know how we do this but I'd like to see you know Phil Montronic Phil Harmonics uh with a little bit more um and with the balance going to white wine and butter.

I agree with that. Uh Chris, you were privy to the negotiations on all this. Yes, sir. Can you give us a little bit of clarity on the ones that were zeroed out? Why they were zeroed out? Especially the public art. Is that the one we just BMW? Yes, sir. Well, there's there was two. So, BMW the public the mural the the committee didn't feel that the while the mural is going to be great that it's going to bring in tourism that folks are going to come in from out of town to view this mural. every the folks in town are going to appreciate it, but is it going to bring in folks outside this 50 milei radius? They just didn't feel like it would. Makes sense. What about the BMW? Yeah, but the BMW

So BMW, so twofold. One, BMW does receive funding through uh a a tax through um Greenville County and um city of Greenville as well. So they have other avenues. Um they have a little more dollars to be given to them, the committee felt. And also just recently the committee felt that BMW doesn't promote the city of Greer specifically like some of these other events do. They they promote their event, not so much the city of Greer. Correct. I agree with that. But when they don't get any money, you can hardly blame them. Well, they're getting money in a couple. They're getting money and not much. Well, they got somewhere. They got They got 25.

More than I got. What did you say about the the programming? I I didn't catch what you were saying. You said full You said fully fund uh I think if we were jump up to 10 or eight or whatever. I mean it I don't I don't know. I don't see the reason if if we're going to have more a tax dollars next year to allocate, then why roll over anything? Um

there is $18,25.90. So yeah, if we wanted to go I mean I I like a tribe called Quest. So like I'm a little bit biased here. So I think 5,000 suggestion to Phil Harmonic is good and put the balance on the uh talking with Mark he would like to push it up to the 10,000 mark for foothills. I think last year we gave him 12. The Phil Harmonic fills a a very unique one-of-a-kind agree niche in our community. Throw the balance to white wine and butter. Yeah. And I I agree. And that goes along with what we

have said in in in what we believe. We we believe we we value the arts. We value athletics. Um we value education. And those two things right there go right along with education. You can look at look at children who participate in athletics or the arts or both. They generally perform better than children who do not. So I I'm all behind. So you're you would say an amendment of if you want to have a an additional aid a total of 10,000 to

Yes. So then would be to add like 10 and change added on to Jubilee. Yeah. So it' be add 8,000 to Foothills. Mhm. And then that would leave 10,000 as a change to go to So Mr. Rick. Yeah, I'll make that as a motion to Could you repeat that please? add at add 8,000 to Foothill Phil Harmonics and then that leaves a remaining balance of 10,000 what's the $25.90 to Jubilee a food wine and culture festival and that would increase to 25 change whatever he said

and I second We It's the point of order. We've already got a We've got a motion. We've got a motion. No, we have an amendment to the motion. Amendment. You've got a motion to the amend to amend the the I second the amendment. We need to vote on the amendment. All right. So, we need to we need to confused vote to vote to change vote on the amendment. We have to vote on the amendment. of it comes as an amendment. Correct. Correct. All right. With that, Miss Duncan,

Mr. Erwood, we're voting on amendment. Yes. Yes. Caram's amendment of of the two items. We're taking a vote to We've got a motion. We've got a motion and a second on this. Yes. We will have to take a vote. to amend it. Is that correct? That's what we're We're voting on the amendment Councilman Booker just made. He just made. Okay. Okay. All right. Yes. All right. Mr. Booker. Yes. Mr. Hopper. Yes. Mr. Lander. Yes. Mr. Bettis. Yes. Mr. Lamb. Yes.

Mayor Danner. Yes. Thank you, sir. Thank you all. We go back and vote. Now we need to now we got to vote a whole on the whole thing. As amended. Yes. As amended. Okay. Motion to approve as amended. Second. Have a motion as amended. Got a second. First and a second on that. Further discussion, comments or questions? Hearing none. Miss Duncan. Mr. Aaron Wood. Yes, Mr. Booker. Yes, Mr. Hopper. Yes, Mr. Lander. Yes, Mr. Bettis. Yes, Mr. Lamb. Yes,

Mayor Danner. Yes,

confusing. Let's do the rest of it. They had almost $5 million to give away. Well, we would have been here till tomorrow. It always takes us.

All right, we took the liberty of changing some things around. We're going to let some folks slip out at this point and we are going to go back to the agenda in uh just a second here to items of new business. Water. I like it. All right, council. The items of new business. The first this evening is the pilot watershed study uh update. This is the engineering department is in the process of evaluating our storm drain system citywide. Adam Videos joins us for that discussion. The floor is yours, sir.

Uh good evening everyone. Uh my name is Adam Vidalis. I'm a civil engineer in the engineering department. Um, mostly doing storm water engineering with the city. Um, as some of you may or may not know, we commissioned a pilot watershed study in 2022. Uh, the results of which came back in 2024. And we'd like to go over the results of that study. Um, so a little bit of back of background. Um, the study was completed in 2023 and we got the report in 2024. Um the watershed that was targeted for analysis was identified in our strategic asset plan and it was the highest priority wershed based off of uh resident uh feedback. Uh and the goals of that study were to essentially address the flooding in any floodprone areas based on resident feedback. Um identify whatever infrastructure needs to be repaired or inspected. uh enhance our GIS inventory of storm water assets and eventually establish our methodology of how we're going to uh master plan other wersheds in the future. Um so here's the wershed. It's the Maple Creek wershed. Uh as you can see on the bottom right there's the red star where the entire uh basin of 1600 acres all drains to. And uh there's some familiar areas within this wershed. So we have Stevens Field, Century Park, um a little bit of downtown, Greer Mill, they all drained to that red star. Um you can see on this um map that there were some areas within that study that were recommended for improvements. Um so the areas in green are actually areas that were already improved. Uh you have the Greer Mill West and Stevens Field. Those were um already initiated. Um in the future we have the blue areas which

is Carolina Avenue and Greer Mill um east. We have uh improvements planned for that as you'll see in our next exhibit. And then um we have proposals for a couple of culverts on Maple Circle and Bunkham Street that we will be um telling you about in the future. Uh so the results of the study um WK Dixon surveyed and inventoried about 500 structures and 8 miles of storm drain pipe. Uh they geollocated the pipe and used that information to upgrade update our GIS system. Um they also did some stream analysis. So about 32,000 ft of streams within the wershed and we used their recommendations to personally CCTV inspect uh 7,000 ft of pipe and we jet cleaned 1,200 ft of pipe. Um so here's some those were the results of the study. Now this is mainly about how we're going to use those results. Um and the watershed study basically gave us the ability to identify the areas that we need to focus our public service efforts on. Um a few of the areas as I discussed before are the Greer Mill. Um we actually worked with the Greer Mill developer to improve um two pipes that were in very poor condition. So, um we they were the ones who uh actually went and did that for us. Um we also improved Lee Street um near Turner Field. Um as part of that project, uh they upsized 300 ft of pipe at the recommendation of WK Dixon who did the study. Um they also did some outfall improvements to prevent

erosion in the future. Um, and that pipe directly discharges to Maple Creek. Um, here's some images of pipes that were taken by our um, public services storm storm water crews. Uh, these are pipes that were recommended for review by the study and as you can see, they're in very poor condition. Um, these pipes are on our list for repair um, in our next exhibit for the uh, storm water capital improvements. uh they'll they'll both be replaced. Um but we also wanted to tack on another a few other projects that have been um kind of lingering around. Uh so this is Glen Willow Court and this is an outfall um that is totally collapsed. It's a very steep slope and we um basically we wanted to tack this on with the other projects like Lee Street and Ford Street um to get a more competitive bid and to um kind of lump all that together. And the final one is Ebot Court. Um we also wanted to include this. This is a pipe that has collapsed. Um we tacked this on with um the other projects um as I said before just to get a competitive bid. Um, and I guess that's kind of going to be what we're going to do in the future is just um lump everything together as we find it. Um, and on the next phase, I think we're going to do the Bible Brook Drive water wershed, which uh has about 76,000 ft of storm drains. Um, and that's 900 plus total runs of pipe that will be inspected. Um, and the primary goal that we are aiming for is to identify the most critically damaged storm drain assets. These are assets that are under roads, you know, under sidewalks or that get a

lot of water going to them. Um, ones that are far downstream. Um, we want to prevent, you know, sink holes and flooding. Uh, and the best way to do this is to fix the most critical um, assets. And then our secondary goal would just be to geollocate any assets that we don't have because our storm draining system is very old and there's a lot of assets that the city should be maintaining that we may not know about. Um, that really concludes our findings from the study. I'll take any questions if you have them. Thank you, sir. You for the purpose of discussion and questions, I'll entertain a motion that we receive.

So move and a second. Second. Floor's open. Two questions I have. One, um, is there a a different material to that's, uh, used to make storm water piping that's more durable than than concrete?

Yeah. So they have um they have a pipe a polyropylene pipe called HP Storm that's very um it's a very popular product now. Um you usually see one or the other. You usually see concrete or plastic pipe. Um the plastic I find that a lot of people do preer prefer it. Um but RCP is the triedand-true method. So, is there any discussion with y'all's department about saying, "Hey, if you're going to put in storm water drainage, we want to we're thinking about using the the plastic pipe." Yeah. Versus the concrete. Have y'all

both? We do allow both. Yes, sir. Yeah. Or allow both. Yes. Well, would it be prudent that we talked about requiring plastic instead of concrete? We don't require it. We just allow it. Is the developer? Yeah, but should we? That's that's the question. Should we? That is up for discussion. Um I'm not partial to either one. Um, I think it depends on the project and also depends on availability of the product. Yes. Okay.

I I'd like to see maybe if y'all could just do a very brief look into that and just get back because you know concrete is is going to be porous and eventually it's it's going to fail just because of the infiltration of the water. Um I'm not sure about plastic but u whatever we can find you know what whatever I mean you guys are the experts I just like to know. Um the other the red star where it's all draining too. Um of course by making all these repairs we're going to make that flood plane a lot more active. Right. Um what do you mean by active?

Well we're going to send more water down the line. is going to flood that place a lot better. No, you'll get the same amount of water. It's just it'll go where it's intended to go, which is a

No, I got I mean, we don't we don't want any of the the the the sink holes or anything like that. I got that. I'm just saying that in that study that these guys did, you know, one of the last pictures they showed was the flooding, I guess, that's Acorn Drive in 101. That's not in the city. It's always flooded. It flooded right after that when Hela came through and it flooded a bunch of houses. It's always been flooded. I just want to make sure that what we're doing is just for the city. Correct. Yes, of course.

Kind of looping back to what Jay said concerning whether you use plastic pipe or concrete pipe. At least in my experience, I think the issue over the years we faced is geotechnical engineering wasn't as utilized in construction as it is now. And so what you're finding in these concrete pipes is it was really more the soil strata was what failed. It wasn't necessarily the pipe itself. And so maybe instead of us saying you can only use concrete or you can only use plastic, I know SC DOT has moved to where every run of pipe now is the soil is tested and you get a B, you know, you understand what type of soil material you have and based on that you'll have foundation improved pipe installation. And so um because you know if if we ex out concrete well what do you do for outfalls from a storm water pond and we all know that those 20 foot sticks of plastic pipe is not it's not a good situation when you got a 50 50-in barrel coming out of a storm water pond because then the installation of it is is more challenging and you don't get a better product. So um that's that was my take on that. Um, I do want to give y'all kudos because storm water infrastructure is it's always set in the ground and forgotten about. And so I'm glad that uh our roads fall apart because we don't get water off the road and get it away from the roadway. And so I give y'all kudos for tackling this issue that most people don't even think about and we drive over every day. So thank you.

I would second that. I mean, that's the infrastructure makes the city work. Now, people showed up tonight about development, but you know, without without the underpinnings that y'all put in, it wouldn't matter.

Good work. other curious on situations where like case one one case in point would be over the Victor site you know we've got um the area behind the lively at Victor I know there's some SC DOT infrastructure I think old wood road is SC dot road what do we do in situations where we've got deteriorating infrastructure ure and you know how is there opportunities for us to work with DOT and and make requests or do we tackle them oursel how are we t tackling situations like that

that would be something you'd have to we'd have to discuss with uh DOT we're not we don't maintain any of their assets um we don't partner with them in any way I mean I mean we have in some cases um but I think stuff like that needs to go directly ly to do and have them handle it.

How how responsive are they on Mr. Grant if if you'd like to reply if you'll come to the podium please so we can make a matter of the record.

I mean all we can do is give them the information what they do with it and how fast they react. We really don't have any control. I think this is going to be another part of our discussion. What council is going to say is that we all know DOT is going to do DOT and there may be things the most simple things we're doing now and I've seen it that we're running our sweeper trucks outside city limits but it it's we're hitting a lot of the city limits with it but we still cleaning up stuff out of their gutters. So, I don't know. It it it's a discussion we need to have at some point about how we need to address some of that stuff. All right. This was a matter of discussion. We don't need to take any action. Any further discussion in this regard?

Thank you, gentlemen. Appreciate it. With that, then let's move to item two, storm water improvements projects. This is the 2026 uh-014 award recommendation. City of Greer Engineering Department solisted sealed bids from qualified offerers for storm water improvements on Ebs Court, Glenn Willow Court, and Carolina Avenue. Miss Karma Karma Camo Car Camo joins us for this discussion. Yeah, I know it's You got it the last time it every time.

Thank you. Well, good evening, mayor and council. Um, as mayor mentioned, our storm water division from our engineering department would like to recommend award to McMur Grading LLC who was the lowest responsive bidder for this um solicitation um out of four bids received. And for that, I'll open that um for any questions. For the purpose of further discussion, I'll entertain a motion to receive. So move. So moved. I'm second. And a second. Floor's open.

Well, let's say I'm thrilled to see EPIC court on this list. Uh that's been something I don't know how many times Mr. Grant and I have emailed back and forth. I know if you've talked to residents, I was first made aware of this in I think it was September of 2023. And uh so I appreciate all all the work and getting this to this point. Carolina Avenue. That's been an issue for a while, hasn't it? Yeah. Glad we're getting on. And all this is funded out of our storm water fund. Correct.

Correct. Just out of curiosity, what would we expect turnaround time for the work after tonight? Assuming we approve

midsummer, others hearing none. Miss Duncan, Mr. Wood, yes. Mr. Booker, yes. Mr. Hopper, yes. Mr. Mr. Lander. Yes. Mr. Bettis. Yes. Mr. Lamb. Yes. Mayor Denner. Yes. Thank you.

Thank you. Third item before us. First and final reading of resolution number 8-2026. This is a resolution approving the conveyance of city property. Mr. Mayorman. Uh yes sir, Mr. Mayor. Council. Thank you. um as we do from time to time um when we dispose of p city property and I don't want to use the term dispose callously in this particular case uh as as an officer is going to be retired in in um and officer IICAR our K9 uh but this is a transfer agreement between the city and um officer Cody Gould who uh was IICAR's handler during IICAR's service to the city uh IICAR is aged out And um Officer Gold would like to keep him as um uh a domestic pet and the partner and friend that he was.

Uh straightforward explanation. I'll entertain a motion to receive and one of those counts as a second. Did you give Mr. L? It don't just pick. Don't matter. What you pick? Okay. Yeah. Whatever you like. We've got a We've got a motion in a second at this point. Miss Duncan. Mr. Earwood. Yes. Mr. Booker. Yes. Mr. Hopper. Yes. Mr. Lander. Yes. Mr. Bettis. Yes. Mr. Lamb. Yes. Mayor Dann. Yes. How long do our canines stay in service, guys?

Uh, there's a number of variables that kind of come into play with that. Um, a working law enforcement K9 can be anywhere from six to 10 years maybe on average depending on qualifications, environment, things along those lines. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Would have been nice if Mr. Iicard would uh would have joined us today.

Let's move to item four, which is the first and final reading of resolution number 9, 2026. This is a resolution to accept Vines Creek subdivision streets, namely Reier Road, Bowin Street, Redf Fin Road, Vines Creek Drive, and Hickory Shad Court into the city of Greer Street system. Mr. Buchanan joins us for this conversation. The floor is yours, sir.

A good late evening, mayor and council. Um, this is the Bines Creek subdivision. It was uh started construction in 2022. It is located off Brockman Mccclimman Road and it is approximately 260 ft off the intersection of Abner Creek and Brock Minnon. Um all utilities are installed. The streets are paved. It is fully built out with 168 out of 168 lots being built. Um staff has inspected um the construction and believes it meets city standards. Therefore that we recommend uh Reed Reader Road with a length of 168 feet, Bow Fin Street with a length of 955 ft, Red Fin Road with a length of 695 ft, Vines Creek Drive with a length of 1660 ft and Hickory Shot Court with a length of 918 ft be accepted into the city's inventory. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

For the purpose of discussion, I'll entertain a motion. I moved and a second. Second. Floor's open for discussion. I love these names. Somebody who must have been a big fan of South Carolina fish. I mean, bow fin man, that is nothing but a prehistoric just nasty fish. Or the hickory shed. Yeah. Others here. Out of curiosity, when when when this when we do these for future reference, um when we take ownership of these streets, are there any kind of bond that comes with them or

So during the development, during the construction process of a vanilla subdivision? Um there's a few bonds that come into play, performance bonds. We have our storm water bond, which is required at the actual issuance of the grading permit. Um that covers all your erosion control devices and um the pond construction, some uh asbuilt which basically lets the city know whatever you installed is actually this versus it may vary a little bit off the plans um stuff like that. And then for subdivisions at final plat there's a it has various names um amongst staff but it's basically a infrastructure bond um that covers um the road surface sidewalk repairs um stuff that isn't installed at the issuance of final plat um we require um a little bit in the weeds but we require a surface of asphalt be installed. We call that the binder surface. It's got a little bit different of a mix than what you typically drive on. Um, but that's basically if you've ever gone into a newer subdivision where the curb is a little bit higher than the surface. Um, that's part of what that bond covers in addition to some landscaping, street lighting, everything else that city requires.

Okay. Yes, sir. Okay. Yeah. So I guess kind of just tying it to the storm water discussion we just had where you know so um as part of our vanilla ones and we'll talk about one a little bit later that's a little bit different. Um our two-year road warranties is basically just and to our understanding we've never had to use it. Um but it's basically an assurance um for the city that if there is a major problem um within two years we'll call the developer and basically come fix it right like settling issues or

major stuff. Now obviously asphalt's going to crack stuff like that. Um but if there's sink holes or major major stuff then that's when we would call that.

But it's it's not only on the road it's road and infrastructure as well. So storm water piping. So, uh, the the storm water wouldn't necessarily be covered in the 2-year road warranty. That would just be the actual asphalt. Um, the, uh, the performance bonds, um, typically those are released, um, in their entirety at the acceptance of the roads. Um, so part of the assurance that we know the storm water's in good working order is our public service teams will go in and CCTV it um, before we get to this stage. and then the developer makes whatever repairs we ask or else we don't accept the roads. Okay,

I think that covers it all. Just a couple moving pieces. That helps others questions I guess in reference to the storm water ponds themselves. That's a whole another requirement where you have a they have maintenance agreements in place and they're required to

so the the storm the city basically maintains um any storm water asset that carries um and there's minor exceptions um carries runoff from the roadways down to the pond. the city doesn't maintain the ponds themselves, but as long as there's the correct easements put in place, um the city will maintain all those assets downstream to the pond. Now, the ponds are um typically turned over, as Councilman Booker was indicating, um to the HOA that's formed at the setup of the um development. And they're charged with mowing the grass of that, making sure debris stayed out, all that. And all that's checked by our inspectors throughout construction. And a part of this process is the grading permits closed out. Um develop our inspectors will walk through with the contractors and make sure everything's up to standards.

Thank you. Yes, sir. Others questions, comments, further discussion hearing none. Miss Duncan Mr. Awood. Yes. Mr. Booker. Yes. Mr. Hopper. Yes. Mr. Lander. Yes. Mr. Bettis. Yes. Mr. Lamb. Yes. Mayor Danner.

Yes. Council, let's move to item five, the first and final reading of resolution number 10-2026. A resolution to accept Donu Hills subdivision streets, namely Donhill Drive, Naen Way, Cindress Lane, Aligz Drive, and Alvin Pond Drive into the city of Greer Street system. Mr. Buchanan.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, this is the Donahghue Hills subdivision. Uh this project also started in 2022. Um this is located off Old Jones Road approximately 622 feet from the intersection with Old Jones and D Young Road. This is in council district number three. All utilities are installed. The streets are paved. Housing construction is completely built out with 95 L95 lots being built out. City staff has inspected the construction and believes that meets the standards. Therefore, staff recommends Don Hill Drive with a length of 900 ft. Naen Way with a length of 981 ft. Sindis Lane with a length of 396 ft. Alis is drive with a length of 445 ft and Alvin Pond Drive with a length of 727 feet be accepted into the city inventory for ownership of maintenance. I'd be happy to answer any questions. For the purpose of discussion, I'll entertain a motion to receive.

So moved and a second. Second. Floor is open for discussion, questions, comments. Hearing none, Miss Duncan. Mr. Erwood. Yes. Mr. Booker. Yes. Mr. Hopper. Yes, Mr. Lander. Yes, Mr. Bettis. Yes, Mr. Lamb. Yes, Mayor Danner. Yes.

Council item six before us this evening is the first and final reading of resolution number 11-2026. This is a resolution to accept Chartwell Estate subdivision streets, namely Chartwell Drive into the city of Greer Street system. Mr. Buchanan.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is the Chartwell Estate subdivision. Uh this is abnormal cuz the project was started in 2000. Um this is located off Gibshaw's road with a length of 930 ft off of um north of Diller Road and 285 ft southeast Super Road. Um this is a um one of our subdivisions located in two districts in council district 3 and six. Um all utilities are in the streets are paved although staff did not inspect the construction of the road at the time. Um we have done corines and it does meet um city standards based off those cings. Um therefore uh staff recommends chartwell drive with a length of 56 five excuse me

5160 ft um be entered into the city inventory. I will note at this time um staff is not considering Chartwell Gate Drive as there is a portion of the road surface that is a stamped concrete pattern. Um and we don't have the ability to maintain that currently in the city inventory. Um it's been communicated and I'd be happy to discuss it more with the residents or with council. um that once that segment is replaced with asphalt, we'd be happy to consider it into acceptance, but I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

I'm an HOA president. I'm just here to answer. Okay. Thank you, ma'am. We'll we'll keep that in mind as we get to that point. For the purpose of discussion, I'll entertain a motion to receive Boom. And a second. Now the floor is open for discussion.

I'll say I appreciate you being here. I've been in contact with Mr. Wolf about this and I know it's been quite a journey for you guys navigating with your current and past management companies etc. So I'm glad we're to this point. Um, curiosity, the the stamped concrete at the entrance, what kind of shape is that in? Uh, it's in fair condition. Fair.

Um, there is some noticeable cracking in the concrete. Um, it it's drivable. Um, but in a longevity, it it will need to be replaced with either a similar concrete pattern or asphalt if the city would like to take it in. Questions, comments, any further discussion in this regard hearing none. and Miss Duncan. Mr. Airwood, yes. Mr. Booker, yes. Mr. Hopper, yes. Mr. Lander, yes. Mr. Bettis,

yes. Mr. Lamb, yes. Mayor Danner, yes. Thank you all. My apologies for making you sit here until 9:00. Congratulations on long. You got to talk to Tim suck up her and get moved up.

Council, the uh the last item was the AAX conversation. So we are left with a uh a recommendation that is coming to us as a resolution. Um as you are all aware we are um making headway in the transition uh with the retirement of Judge Henry Mims. Uh we have um we have a resolution uh which will name the city's municipal courtroom the Henry J. Mims courtroom. Um, I I think we probably all can think of our favorite Judge Mims uh saying or uh story or or whatever. Um, and uh, so this comes to us as a first and final reading of a resolution, resolution 12-2026. With that, I'll ask for a motion to receive.

So move second and a second. Any uh any conversation in regards to the renaming or the naming of the Greer Municipal Courthouse Courtroom, excuse me, the courtroom to the Henry J. Mims courtroom. You know how I'm always saying is it needs to represent Greer and we need to be unique. We need to get him to record some of his sayings and have a little push button that you could, you know, like you go to a museum and you Yeah. Well, there's some we don't want others. My favorite is Do you like orange?

Yes. Yeah. You Clemson fan? Yeah. I will say over the years growing up, you know, admiring Judge Mims at a a very early age, uh just at a distance and then being on council the past four years, he's he's turned into a really uh great friend, um a lot of great wisdom, and I'm I'm honored to be so close to uh such greatness to admire over the here. So, I really appreciate everyone bringing this to the forefront and it's it's definitely welld deserved, not just in the black community, but the community across Greer for sure. Uh cuz Judge Mims has many life lessons that we all could rattle off

and we will certainly be um doing some special stuff around his retirement as well, too. So, just keep that in mind as we look to future calendars. Um, anything else in that regard? Miss Duncan. Mr. Aaronwood? Yes. Mr. Booker? Yes. Mr. Hopper? Yes. Mr. Lander? Yes. Mr. Bettis? Yes. Mr. Lamb? Yes. Mayor Danner?

Yes. Council is uh we don't have anything in executive session. Before we disperse, I'd like to remind you uh of some calendar updates for workshops. be aware of those as uh we move forward with our um planning for the uh the budget session. If um if you're not going to be able to make those, those should be recorded uh as we will be gathering as a as a group. So um maybe provide you some information in that regard. Certainly questions uh directed to the city administrator are appropriate as well too. But hopefully we'll be able to spend enough time together to make sure that your questions, comments, and uh thoughts are uh collag are are gathered as uh as we go through these opportunities to spend some time with the budget. Not having anything in executive session, we stand adjourned.