County Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting of the Langster County Council to order. I ask that the clerk note for the record that a quorum of council is present. that public notice of the meeting, including the meeting agenda, has been posted the required length of time in the lobby of the county administration building and on the county website, and that the news media was notified of the meeting time and place. I welcome you to your county council meeting. I would ask that you take a moment to turn off or place on vibrate any cell phones. Thank you for not wearing any caps or hats in the council chambers. and please be considerate of others in the room by refraining from conversations during the meeting. I ask that you please stand and join council for the pledge of allegiance followed by the invocation given this evening by council member Billy Melner. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Let us pray. Dear father in heaven, thank you for this beautiful spring day today. Lord, be with us tonight as we come do business for Langster County. Uh Lord, give us guidance and wisdom as we do business for Lanster County. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Have a motion to approve the agenda. So moved.

Have a motion from Miss McGriff to make a second for Mr. Luis. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. It's unanimous. Okay, we now come to citizens comments. Please bear in mind that this is not a period of dialogue with council or a question and answer period. This is your opportunity to address council with your concerns. I ask that you address your remarks to council as a body and not to any individual council member. Please speak into the microphones. State your name and address for the record and you will have up to three minutes to address counsel. Your time will not start until you have provided your name and address. Miss Libby Sweet Lambert Sweat Lambert. Thank you for correcting that chair. Um I'm here again about infrastructure and I did attend the council of the whole meeting which I thought was quite interesting um to listen to you guys dialogue with each other including the raised voices and the frustration and the concern that was exhibited. Um, we continue to recognize that EMS and fire does not have enough coverage for the county based on the number of people we have right now in this county. And you as a council asked um the chief and Mr. Ko if they had enough services, enough people to protect who is here right now. and they both stood right here at this podium and told you no. And I was impressed that these guys would stand up and just say it straight out. You ask a question and they

responded no. Um I would encourage more people to come to the cow meetings. Uh it's been a couple of years since I'd been to my last one. I think that's whenever we can see more of the interactions between you guys as you're moving forward. I also um out of that meeting grew very concerned that the land has been available in Indian land for for over 10 years. You've had it for 10 years. There's been money available to build the building and the fire department is still up not up there and we know that Indian Land badly needs that extra fire station up there. Um, I want to tell you that we had our weekly wreck last Thursday at the intersection of uh, Shallow Unity and Craig Farm. And luckily, Carla staff did not have to come this time. Um, no one died. Only EMS had to come. There was a pretty big detour. Uh, this was one of the worst we've had in a few months,

but um, we might want to turn off our phones. Um and um we we continue to see that and our concern is there is a road that's supposed to be coming from the LAR property um build if that should occur onto Shallow Unity and we're already having these kind of wrecks. Uh the last time my mother ever drove was when she totled her Jeep at the corner of Shiloh Unity and Craig Farm Road. So, this has been an ongoing problem, but it's worsening and worsening and worsening, and now we're going to be dumping more traffic onto Shiloh Unity via Craig Farm. It's a really bad intersection there. Um, I'm going to ask you one more time. What is your legacy? You have the opportunity to do what others have not done in the past few decades and make some good, solid decisions about our growth. Thank you.

Thank you. Sorry about that, Mr. Chairman. That's okay. I apologize, Miss Lambert. It's all right. I was just No, I I I shouldn't have done that. Shouldn't have happened.

My first night as chair, the first thing we did, I stood up to do the pledge of allegiance and my phone went off, so I cut mine off now. Um, Miss Jane Offford I'm Jane Alford, 2011 West Gay Street, Lancaster County. Um, I'm here on behalf of the Lancaster County Council of the Arts. Good evening, council members, and thank you for the opportunity to share an exciting new initiative that is already making a meaningful impact here in Lancaster County. This year, the Lancaster County Council of the Arts launched an arts integration pilot program at Kershaw Elementary School, a Title One school serving a diverse and vibrant student population. This program is rooted in a simple but powerful idea. The arts are not just enrichment. They are essential to how students learn, grow, and succeed. Through this pilot, we are working directly with third grade classroom teachers to integrate the arts into core academic subjects like literacy, science, and math. That might look like students using visual art to explore fractions or as writing prompts. Creating comics to explain scientific concepts and storytelling to deepen reading comprehension. When students engage creatively, they don't just memorize. they connect, retain, and truly understand. The value of this work extends far beyond the classroom. First, it supports academic achievement. Research consistently shows that arts integrated learning improves student engagement, critical thinking, and overall performance, particularly in schools serving economically disadvantaged communities. Second, it helps address the learning loss and gaps that many students still face. By making learning more

interactive and accessible, we are reaching students who may not thrive in traditional instructional models. Third, it strengthens our teachers through professional development and ongoing support. We are equipping educators with innovative tools that make their classrooms more dynamic and effective. And finally, this program is an invest in investment in the future of Lancaster County. We are helping to develop creative thinkers, confident communicators, and problem solvers. The very skills our workforce and community will depend on in the years ahead. What makes this pilot especially meaningful is that it is designed to grow. Next year, it will expand to fourth grade teachers at Kershaw Elementary. And our goal is not just to impact one school, but to build a scalable model that can expand across the district and serve more students over time. This is what the arts can do. They bring learning to life. They create opportunity. And they help build stronger, more connected communities. The Lancaster County Council of the Arts is proud to lead this work. And we are grateful for the support that makes it possible, including support from the county and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Thank you very much.

Miss Jean Doyle,

Gan Doyle, 6030 Kings Canyon Way, Lancaster. Um, good evening and thank you for allowing me to be here. Um, I want to thank council for a lot of discussion that's been going on at the last couple of meetings. I did not come to the cow meeting, um, but I did watch it twice. Um, clearly people, the council members understand, you know, what we've been talking about and I agree with Libby when she says that I thought it was really brave for these people to stand up and say we don't have enough coverage. Of course, the meeting started out with a plan to help alleviate some of the pressure um on our first responders, but there was good news. um probably a month ago, I think when the first discussion came up about the Haven and there was some push back about um what the Haven was going to do to the community and services and so on and so forth. Uh Mr. Hardy from LAR kind of scolded us and said, "Well, we had all these meetings. We talked about all these issues and everything." And you know, I thought about it. I went back and watched that county council meeting. And I think that Lenar is trying very, very hard to be good neighbors. Um they've been very generous. They've stepped up and are offering the community more than they intended to, more than they were really asked to do. But it really does come back to you folks here um on the dis. They're providing the land, but they not providing the building. They're not providing the staff. They're not providing the equipment. Um and there was a very good discussion last time. Miss McGriff asked for a very specific list of what is needed and the other thing is yes it's the Indian land people that are probably pitching all the time about it one of them but I think the discussion at the cow meeting last week

was inclusive of the entire county um and we all need to we all need to think about it because yes the overdevelopment has happened in Indian land but it's it's going to move south which is good for the county Um, I have mixed feelings about the Haven. I think it's putting the cart before the horse. Um, Mr. Hardy seems to think it's going to attract and Mr. Harper thinks it's going to attract, you know, people that have well-paying jobs. And I hope it does. But Lancaster, I think it's the Lancaster County um, Chamber of Commerce has had some things on Facebook about come build your business here. And there's been some pretty sarcastic comments about has to be a reason to come to Lancaster, meaning Lancaster City. So, you know, it's one big project. Um, but I do want to apprec I do appreciate the discussion that went on at the last cow county meeting and I'm going to be looking forward to seeing what Mr. Ketau and the chief brings to the council in terms of what's needed and why. I live at Treetops. It's been what 10 years since you gave us land for an EMS station. I mean, it was just recently reszoned. But re regardless, there's still no money to put anything on it or to use it in a meaning meaningful way. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Susan Dolphin. Good evening everybody. I want to thank you first for giving me the opportunity to say a few words. Uh my name is Susan Dolphin. I live at 2137 Florence Circle here in Lancaster. I'm representing Hope in Lancaster. We serve all of Lancaster County and Fort Lawn. Um, we've taken the last few weeks, we've talked to every single one of our neighbors that have walked through our doors. We've talked to our staff, we've talked to our volunteers to ask them their thoughts on developments, on infrastructure. Um, I'm here representing them. These are not my requests, but these are things that they're asking for. Um, one of the first things is they would like sustainable employment. They are in desperate need of sustainable employment. And you cannot work at Burger King. Burger King is fabulous place to eat, but it is not somewhere that you can support your family. That's just the long and the short of it. Most of the folks that come to Hope looking for assistance, they're employed. The 23% of our folks coming asking for assistance come from Indianland. Everyone was employed. So it's not that they're not working, but they don't have enough income to meet the bills that they have. More than 50% of our neighbors don't meet their needs. They're either living in Alice, which is 200% above poverty level, or they're living at poverty level. The second request that they had or the second thing that they would like you to consider is transportation. If we can't have sustainable jobs here, can we have transportation to get to sustainable

jobs? And what would that look like? Would it be a park and ride? Would it be we are really, really smart people. I know we can figure this out together, but that was something that they had mentioned. And the third thing was housing. It needs to be practical and affordable. If you already don't have enough money to pay all of your bills, you're not going to have enough money to pay your rent or buy a house that's in the $200 to $500,000 range. You're just not um I would go out on a limb and say that every single one of our neighbors that comes into Hope does not want to come in there. They don't want to come in and ask for help, but they have nowhere else to go. We set a record last year, and this is not a record I don't know that we're so proud of. We served over 16,000 residents of Lancaster County. More than half were employed. So, I just wanted to say those words. Thank you for your time and thank you,

Miss Katie Crosby. Good evening y'all. Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to come and speak and share some concerns with you. Um, also I'm a former teacher and so it makes me really happy that you have a timer. Um, anyway, I wanted to come and just share a little bit of a bridged perspective. I live in Indian land near Sun City um, right off of 521. So, every time there are sirens, I hear them. Um, I also have volunteered at Hope in Lancaster for over three years now as a client advocate. And so, my volunteer job when I show up once a week is to listen and document cases of the folks who come in. I literally sit down with them and say, "What's going on? What do you want help with? And how did you get in the situation that you need help?" So just bridging the gap between living in Indian land and hearing the needs shared throughout our whole county at Hope and Lancaster. Um with a reminder as as Susan shared that nearly a quarter of the folks who come there for help are coming from Indianland as well. Um we could really really use some purposeful planning in our infrastructure. Our infrastructure affects every part of our lives. And I know that I'm preaching to the choir. Y'all know this. Um, but if you have sidewalks and if you have some kind of park and ride or any kind of reliable transportation, Lars is fantastic, but the feedback that I get is that people have trouble actually connecting with them over the phone and scheduling rides and that sometimes they don't even show up. That's just what I'm hearing. Um, but if we have ways for people to get to work and to make their money at their jobs, um, that would help tremendously. Like I said, even if it's just sidewalks. I sat down with someone

last week at Hope who had walked there and I don't know if y'all have been to Hope out on Highway 9, but it's a highway. I was really astounded that they managed to walk there safely without any sidewalks. Um, but the next thing besides transportation is sustainable housing and affordable housing. I'm also a real estate agent, so y'all know I'm not against growth, right? I want to sell the houses that you're bringing in. I live in a house built by Lenar. At the same time, these building companies have a lot of money that they can pour into building sidewalks that you require them to build, that they can pour into building turn lanes that you require them to build. Um, so use that, use those resources as these folks come in and want to put money into our county and say, "Great, build all the homes you can, but we need A, B, and C to make that growth sustainable." Um, again, EMS. Um, also just not overloading our electrical grids and our uh, sewage and water, all of that. Um, I'm sure you've heard a lot of feedback this past month or so about the water smell in Indian land as well. Um, so we love growth. We want growth, but it's got to make sense and it's got to be sustainable. We're overloading all of our resources and I'm just here to say that um, it would be great if we can make some of these developers pay for putting into the system as well. So, thanks for my time.

Thank you, Miss Yim Kuritan.

Good evening, council. Thank you so much for allowing me to speak. My name is Yokima Kuritan. I live at 1413 Somerset Drive, Lancaster, South Carolina. is Lancaster.

Um, I wrote my comments down so that I won't um dribble on. Uh, Lancaster County is growing and nobody can deny that. But growth itself by itself is not success. Growth without infrastructure is just congestion. Growth without a housing strategy is just displacement. Growth without smart planning is just expensive confusion dressed up as progress. So our own county documents say it plainly. Lancaster has limited transportation network, major corridors that are already under pressure and growth that is straining under public safety, service delivery, and access to everyday goods and services. We're not called to choose between growth and no growth. I I'm on the planning committee, so we we have to make those decisions, but we're not called to do that specifically. We're called to choose between plan growth and reckless growth. Lancaster County adopted the Lancaster 2040 comprehensive plan in April 2024. And that plan points us towards a w a wiser path. It says infrastructure and service capacity should be at the forefront of development decisions including transportation, utilities, EMS services, and schools. That's not obstruction. That is stewardship. I also wanted us to note that because of just changing things, we're now behind on our UDO rewrite. We are also behind on our um impact fees proposal. And that pressure is real. County council's 2025 moratorum ordinance noted that Lancaster grew by about 60% between 2020, I'm sorry, 20 2000 in 2020 with the panhandle adding

nearly 20,000 residents and growing roughly by 476%. In just the last five years, the county received requests in the panhandle for more than 3,470 town homes, 20 thou 2,50 single family lots, and 2,830 apartments. That kind of volume demands more than applause. It's going to require our discipline. So, this is the charge before us. We've got to start stop treating planning like it's paperwork and start treating it like it's protection. protection for taxpayers, protection for our neighborhoods, protection for families who need housing they can actually afford and roads they can actually travel. Lancaster doesn't need to grow fast. Just as I said, Lancaster needs to grow well. So, the people already here and the people coming next can both live with dignity. Thank you.

Thank you. We have some electronic submitts. Yes, Mr. chairman and council members, you all have copies of the four electronic comments that were sent in um in support of the Haven Development Project from David Thunderberg, Greg Gregory, Craig Williams, and Derek Close. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, we'll now move on to item 6A, special presentations. Uh tonight we'll have our community needs assessment, public hearing, uh review of community needs list and prioritization of community needs for 2025 and review of upcoming community development block grants. Uh CB CDBG opportunities. Uh we welcome Miss Kristen Schwarz from the community development planner from the Kataba Regional Council of Governors.

Thank you very much. Good evening. So, I'm going to uh conduct the um the needs assessment public hearing. It'll be in three parts. First, we'll do a brief review of the citizen participation plan and fair housing. Then, we'll do a review of the community development block grant program. And then, we'll look at the community needs list. So, the community the the citizen participation plan is a plan that uh is on file by the county and it it governs um the minimum requirements uh for notifying the the public. Um with grants, the public is always not notified in advance of public hearings through a notice. If the notice is published in the paper, it's published at least seven days prior to the hearing. And if it's posted uh on the website or in public places, it's posted at least 10 days um prior to the hearing. The CDBG, the community development block grant um regulations have recently changed and it is no longer required to have the notices published. So, um the citizen participation plan is being revised to say that the notices can be published or posted. Um generally the um public hearings are held um to solicit uh community input putut and then and it has always been required that an application public hearing um was held before uh grant has was uh submit submitted and that is no longer required. That application public hearing is no longer required. What continues to be required is a needs assessment, which is what we're having tonight. If there's any major changes during the project, then another public hearing is held to keep the public informed of those changes. And at the end of the project, um a public hearing

is held to let the the public know what was actually um what the outcome of the project was and who benefited. As far as fair housing, Lancaster County supports fair housing and each year the county passes a proclamation designating April as fair housing month in an effort to create public awareness of fair housing and to support fair and equitable housing for all persons. So, I'm going to move on to part two, which is um a quick overview of the community development block grant funding program. Um there are lots and lots of regulations. I'm just going to hit the highlights of the funding and what the program categories are. Overall, the funding must benefit low and moderate income persons, which is um abbreviated as LMI. It must aid in the prevention and elimination of slight and blump slow and blight and or meet other urgent community needs posing a serious threat to the health or welfare of the community. There's three major goals, affordability, accessibility, and sustainability. There are four um primary funding categories and um there two of them are the larger than the other two. So the four funding categories are um uh community infrastructure, community enrichment, local priorities and ready to go. Community infrastructure is the largest of the funding categories. The grants uh have a maximum of a million dollars per grant and a minimum of 50. Um the types of uh projects eligible activities are things like water, sewer, roads or drainage. The um the applications for these are actually coming up next month. So it would be too late to start one this year, but it's always the same in the spring. So those are due in the middle of April. So this year they're due April 20th. The next

category is community enrichment. This one um is also a a pretty large category. Uh these are held these this round is held in the in the fall. The maximum grant is 750,000 and the minimum again is 50 and the match on all of these is 10%. These are things that don't fit into other into the um the uh infrastructure category. The priorities are economic competitiveness, education and workforce, and safe and healthy communities. Uh, a couple of examples under economic competitiveness, brownfield clearance projects, demolition of vacant dilapidated residential structures in a targeted LMI neighborhood, downtown streetscape improvements, new or upgraded sidewalks in LMI residential areas. Um second priority under education and workforce uh library facilities or services including renovation or new construction um and equipment for internet connectivity uh publicly owned childhood child care facilities such as Head Start centers other publicly owned facilities principally designated as multi-ervice centers that will be used for educational programming or workforce training and publiclyowned transportation oriented public facilities. facilities to serve LMI workforce populations. And then the third one under that category is safe and healthy communities, public safety facilities and services in LMI areas such as a police substation. Um not a primary station but a substation. Same thing for fire substation or publiclyowned health and or social service facilities. Um and that's the infrastructure program. There's two other categories, local priorities which has a maximum of

300 and a minimum of 50,000. And those um those tend to be things like parks, um pavilions. The first priority is projects that impact economic development. Second priority is projects that address public health and safety. And third priority is projects that address resiliency or help narrow the digital divide. And then the last category is ready to go. These are projects that are ready to go out to bid. Everything has already been done. Maximum of 500,000, minimum of 50. Um then uh also that all of these have the the 10% match. These need to address an urgent and compelling need. Um all of these are competitive. So even if they meet all of these criteria, there's no guarantee of funding. Um we help put together an application and um it just depends on who else is applying that year. Now we'll move on to the third part of the needs assessment which is the prioritized community needs. The current Lancaster County needs assessment, which was conducted last year at this time, has 10 priority needs. And we can we can delete, we can revise, we can reorder the um the order that they're in. So number one is upgrade public facilities in Lancaster County to include parks, recreation facilities, libraries, and other public buildings. This can include the upgrade or construction of fire stations, and the purchase of fire trucks. This can also include upgrades to county facilities, improvements to provide accessibility to disa disabled persons or energy improvements to reduce operating burdens and promote sustainability. Number two, upgrade and extend water and server water and sewer service in low and moderate income areas, including the upgrade of the wor Kershaw wastewater

treatment plant and the extension of services to the King's Circle area and the Kershaw Mill area, the Dobson School area and the Emerald Estates area. Number three, demolish vacant dilapidated structures in low and moderate income neighborhoods. Number four, activities to clear brownfield areas. Number five, undertake neighborhood revitalization activities in low and moderate income areas, including the Dobson School area, the Kershaw Mill area, the Irwin Farm area, the Gay Street area, and Emerald Estates area to include the following: clearance and cleanup. infrastructure upgrades to include but not limited to transportation, sidewalks, transit, water, sewer, gas, electrical, and communications to include internet, wireless, and broadband. Housing rehabilitation activities to increase affordable housing, job training and educational opportunities, and socioeconomic assistance. Number six, seek funding to better address services and activities for the homeless, including support for a homeless shelter in Lancaster County. Number seven, promote economic development and job creation activities through the provision of infrastructure to potential and expanding businesses and industries and through the provision of workforce development training to residents and industries through direct county grant match funding and provision of inind services. Number eight, locate recreational facilities and social service agencies in the north in the northern panhandle of the county. This would put these services within closer proximity to the people who use them and eliminate the need for driving into the city of Lancaster. Number nine, seek funding to address the housing needs to address housing needs to include the rehabilitation, affordable housing, and down payment and closing cost assistance. And number 10, undertake

activities to promote fair housing opportunities for all citizens. So that is the list from last year and um we can either leave it as is, we can revise it, delete, add whatever. Go ahead, Mr. McGriff. You know, usually I have a lot of comments when we get to this area. First of all, could you name the projects, the active projects in Lancaster County through some of these grants?

So, for the CDBG grants, there is um a park project, the municipal justice center project, which is with um the city of Lancaster as a subreient for that grant, and there's um a planning grant. At the moment, there's not any infrastructure projects.

Okay. Well, you know, as we know uh through some of the comments from some of our uh citizens comments, we know the need for affordable housing and we know that uh COG has done a study on affordable housing. We as the county has set up are getting ready to put together a committee to look at uh affordable housing in this area. So, I'm I think we need affordable housing to move up. I see where number one is uh recreation facilities. We're doing some of that. Uh but I think some of those can be taken out, but I really would love to see affordable housing move closer to one, two, a three. And um uh just so the audience can know this uh these grants for the entire county, but they're applied through uh LS County, but they're for Kershaw, Heath Springs, and all other areas of the county. So I just want everybody to understand that. But and I think you said something down here about Emerald Estates.

Yes. I think that's in your district now, Billy. No, I got one side and you got one side. I don't have any sides.

I do. I thought that was changed. But anyway, anyway, I have worked with Emanuel Estates to get some uh infrastructure in that area. The only concern there is people have to understand that uh it has to be low income, a moderate income. and I along with a couple of neighbors in the area tried to get folks to give us uh the survey of their income and everything. We weren't able to get it done. So, I'm hoping that if we do it again that the neighborhood be willing to help us with the surveys because without those surveys, it will not get done. Uh big

I could just mention one thing about the surveys. So these grants, these CDBG grants, a community development block grant funding is through the Department of the Housing and Urban Development. And all of these grants are required to benefit low and moderate income persons. In order to prove that that's who they're benefiting, the area which will benefit from whichever project moves forward, they generally need to do income surveys, which are anonymous. I mean, we see them, but you know, each other doesn't. But me going to knock on a door and say I'm uh I have a survey you need to complete and these are the things I need and I need you to give me your income. I understand that's not going to happen.

People are hesitant. So we we need to find another way to get that information. Um and because I was just going to say I think we looked at um mailing them in anonymously or dropping them off the counter but you got to get them back, right?

That's that's the case. that was the case last time is that we were not able to get the majority of the surveys back to uh provide the infrastructure in that area. The other thing is uh I think someone did speak about transportation and Lars um Lars is through the county but we subcontract through council and agent. I I'm sure council would love to see transportation, but I I think that's something we're going to have to work on, but I also think that needs to move up to the top. Um parks, we know that we need parks and um I think with the sports complex being built midway the center part of the county, that may help a little, but we know we need parks and neighborhoods. So, I think that's something that county continues to look at. and homeless. I don't want to get homeless. Uh we as county have uh funded uh homeless um the homeless center was it who was it count not count um United Way and I think we put in from the opera funding about $350,000 toward that project and I think right now it's at a standstill because of something licenses and specifications that they need to meet with the But

say what and time's running out. So we as county has done as much as we can do until it get until something starts to happen. So I think you know the city needs to probably step up to the plate and put some money in that area. But um that's pretty much all I have. But I think really think that affordable housing needs to be at the top. And as I said when we have we done the third reading on that Mr. Chairman on the affordable housing committee I don't believe so third reading third reading is tonight

tonight and once we do that third reading we're putting together a committee. So if you would like to be on that committee we're going to have applications online to be on that committee at certain areas that we'll need. So, please, if you're interested, fill out that application and we'll uh put together that committee.

I just wanted to mention one more thing. In addition, um in areas where there's a larger benefit um such as a substation, um depend if if something fits into a census tract, that census tract has to be low to moderate income. Everything in with this grant has to benefit low to moderate income. And so sometimes that's done through income surveys, sometimes that's done through um looking at census tracks, but a lot of times census tracks are really really broad. But we look at both. We have to be able to prove uh the benefit on these on these grants.

The only success I've had at surveys in getting infrastructure and community re revitalization is Brooklyn Avenue and Midway. They corporated almost 100%. That was the only area I was able to complete those surveys but was not successful in the emerald states in that area. Any other comments? Uh Mr. Chair, go ahead, Mr. Graham.

Um I mean I I think from my two cents it's it's econom promoting economic development and job creation is it's got to be pretty high because a lot of that stuff follows that. But for me, economic development is is a big deal in this area. Mr. Chair, Mr.

I would echo that. Um I know number one includes construction of fire stations. So I think that definitely needs to be number one. Um I would echo about economic development and job creation because that provides a sustainable path for people to get out of poverty. Um, I have a couple of questions and actually just one more comment. So, number eight, when we're talking about the local recreational facilities and social service agencies in the northern panhandle, if I remember correctly, I heard that 50% of the 16,000 folks came from the northern panhandle Indian land area. Is that correct? That was from Hope of Lancaster.

Yeah, I think that somebody else had mentioned that 23% Okay, just under 25%. Okay, I'm wondering how many more are not taking advantage of that opportunity because they can't get to the city center. Um, and so I think that's probably a huge opportunity for us in the panhandle. And then in addition to that, how is affordable housing defined? Um I think it's uh 80% or below the area medium income, but it's housing. So how is that tied to their income?

Well, a lot generally affordable housing is income based. So it's ba it's based off of what they can afford based off of an 80% below the median income. Yes. I'm I'm not a housing like I do mostly infrastructure projects, but that is my understanding of it.

I I would like to get more clarity on kind of how that's defined and how that works because we hear affordable housing a lot. I heard some of the numbers earlier today. We're talking about 200 to 500,000. That's a wide swath of what that could be. And as we talk about development moving forward, we could be pricing out folks based off of the price of homes that are there. we could not be providing affordable housing which is what one of our priorities is that we're talking about. So I think we we definitely need to get more clarity around what affordable housing is and how it is defined. Um and then the other one that I had was when we talk about number 10 undertaking activities to promote fair h housing opportunities for all citizens what does that mean? Um, so the Fair Housing Act requires that we, you know, promote fair housing that, uh, that the county adhere to that and make sure that everybody knows. And so there's a there's a proclamation every year. April is fair housing month. And, um, if there's any any complaints that are brought forward, then we we pass those on. Um, and we just make sure that people are aware that that fair housing is a thing and that they can come to the county if they have any any issues. So that

so it's more and and the reason why I'm stuck on it is when we're talking about fair housing opportunities. So it sounds like what you're talking about is promotion of fair housing practices. And so do we need to educational? So do we need to redefine that one as well? Maybe. Yeah, maybe. Yeah. education instead of opportunities. Yeah. Promoting fair housing practices. Okay. Okay. Good point. That was it. All right. Mr. Neil. Okay.

I like the list. I would like to see number seven. It all starts with promote economic development and job creation. We've had a couple speakers tonight speak on job creation and I think that's uh that's where it starts with economic development, job creation. You had to excuse me as pollen's killing me. Uh when I look at this list, I try to visualize what the there what a project would actually be. And on economic development, I think of the old uh the spring site on Brooklyn and also the uh Kershaw. you have the old Kershaw mill and and next to that the the big elephant in the room is the ADM that's sitting there deteriorating. So I I think those should be high priority, but you're talking, you know, a lot more than you, you know, grant capacity or whatever we would have. But I I think those are projects that really for the long-term benefit of this county uh need to be uh to be looked at.

I got one more comment. Agree.

Um and Jose talked about the definition of affordable housing. Once we put this affordable housing committee together, we're we're going to ask that committee to bring forth to this committee the proper definition of affordable housing so we all can understand what is affordable housing. Uh cuz I think everybody's got their own definition of what they think is affordable housing. What I can afford, you may not be able to afford. So we want a clear definition coming from that committee once we set it up as to a clear definition. Any other comments? Uh I think what we did last year is that we took the time to go through the list and provide back to the cog any changes or whatever. um ask council members to review this again and and give us you your feedback on what you want this where

do we send it to Sherry or send it directly to Kong? Go ahead and send it to Sherry because we'll need to review this again before it goes back to the COG.

So yes, then you will need to vote on the list at the next meeting, your prioritized list. you and for the citizens, you know, one the one of the issues we face on this quite often is that getting the density out in the county to qualify for a lot of these programs is hard to do. But around the city, it's much easier to to get uh what's needed like for the upgrading parks and fire trucks and everything like that. It has to be connected to a low and moderate income neighborhood. It can't be built in one of the um subdivisions up in Indian land. It's got to be connected to that low and moderate income. So, if if y'all can provide your feedback to Miss Simpson and we'll have the list updated for the next council meeting. And

I just want to make another point. I I think it was said earlier about the 23% nearly 25% that are in Indian land. I think there's an assumption that in Indian land there's higher wealth and there probably is but the property values are al so significantly higher in Indian land. So the impact is significantly greater and so you are going to have people that cannot afford to live there and you're going to have people that are more impacted because of the higher prices in Indian land. And it's one of the concerns that I have throughout the county that as we continue growth, we're going to be pricing people out. So,

thank you very much. Thank you very much. We're going to move on to item seven, our consent agenda. Do we have a motion? Mr. Chair, I move to approve consent agenda items 7 A, 7B, 7 C, 7 D, and 7E.

Have a motion for Mr. Meller. Do we have second? Have a second from M. McGrip. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. All those opposed, it's unanimous. And we're going to now move on to our non-consent agenda. Um, first item is 8A. We have a public hearing and third reading of ordinance number 2025-206. an ordinance to approve a permanent easement grant to Taylor Thornberg Presley and Jonathan Allen Presley upon real property owned by Langster County and located off of Grace Avenue bearing tax parcel number 0083-0000-00.01 01 and to authorize county officials to take such actions as are necessary to effectuate the grant of the easement and to affffectuate the purpose of this ordinance. This passed 6 to1 at the February 23rd 2026 county council member Mr. Louise opposed passed 6 to1 at the March 9th 2020 2026 council member Mr. Luis opposed. Um, we did not have anyone that signed up for the public hearing, so we'll move on past that. Mr. Willis,

Mr. Chairman, members of council. Oh, I'm sorry. I have a motion to approve. Have a motion for Mr. Harper. Second, and a second for Mr. Neil. Go ahead, Mr. Willis. Mr. Chairman, members of council. No change from first reading.

All right. Is there any discussion? If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. All those opposed. It's vote is 641 against. Okay. We move on to item 8B, public hearing and third reading of ordinance number 2026-2020. an ordinance to amend the amended and restated master multi multicount park agreement between Chesterfield County, South Carolina and Langster County, South Carolina as amended and restated as of November the 9th, 2015 so as to further update the exhibits by adding property located in Langster County, US Strapping Company Incorporated. This passed 7 to zero at the February 23rd, 2026 county council meeting. Passed 7 to zero at the March 9th, 2026 county council meeting. No one signed up for public hearing. So we'll go past that. Do we have a motion to approve?

So moved. Have a motion for Mr. Louise. Do we have a second? Have a second from Mr. McGriff. Mr. Willis. Mr. Chairman, members of council, both Brian and Amy had a prior commitment this evening, so I'm filling in for economic development. Uh, no change from second reading. And I was asked to thank councelor for supporting a local car company such as US traffic.

All right, we have a motion and second on the floor. Is there any discussion? Hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. All those opposed, it is unanimous. Okay, we move on to item 8 C. Second reading of ordinance number 2025-201, an ordinance to amend the official zoning map of Langster County to reszone approximately 604.56 acres. Tax map number 00032-0000-26.00 and 0044-0000-5.00 O and 00032-0000-28.0000 and PO 0033-0000-31.0 O which is located on Charlotte Highway from the rural neighborhood district to medium density residential cluster subdivision overlay MDR- CSO district planning department case number is RZ 20224-2259 planning commission recommended approval by unanimous vote and the planning staff also recommended approval of the resoning this passed 4 to 3 at the February 9th, 2026 county council meeting. Mr. Graham, Mr. Louise, and Miss McGriff opposed. At the February 23rd, 2026 County Council meeting, the public hearing was held. However, the second reading was postponed by a vote of 4 to three. Mr. Harper, Mr. Neil, and Mr. Mel are opposed. We have a motion.

Motion to approve. Have a motion, Mr. Harper and a second for Mr. Meller. Miss Williams,

good evening. Um, at this time there are no changes to the ordinance that I had. I have no additional information to give you. You um had a lengthy discussion at the cow meeting. Um, Miss Snowden has prepared some supplemental information regarding that, but I have nothing else to offer for this one at this time. Okay. Um, good evening, um, chairman and members of council. I'm just going to um go through this and um just want you to know that this data is really just a starting point and an initial snapshot to build upon because there's um assumptions that are are being made and also looking at today's dollars. So after our meeting there was a lot of discussion about wanting to understand the overall impact from a county perspective and so what I started with was just looking at um the area. Oh, sorry. Sherry, can you get me back to the first slide? Thank you. Okay, so if you look at this map, and I know that it's a little bit hard to see, it will it would show you um the buildout of 926 lots at the Haven um as well as the um 1850 lots um um from from Roslin and um and then and then others Okay. And then the assumption um would be um in that area a total of 3,393 lots um with an assumption of two persons per lot which is um standard uh

planning um data um for 6,786 residents at total buildout. So then um you're looking down at the projected growth impact which could be 10 years, 20 years. We really do not know. Um but just giving you an idea with that twoerson um lot of what uh the estimated population could be. I did speak with um um one of the the chief deputy at the Lancaster County Sheriff's Department um with those assumptions that said over time at total buildout they would need uh approximately eight deputies, two deputies per shift. And so then further um the costs broke down um would be the um the personnel uh including fringe benefits, a patrol vehicle and these are today today's dollars law enforcement equipment technology body cams um vehicle fuel maintenance etc. So if we just took the straight math of 8* 173,162 we're looking at about 1.3 or close to 1.4 4 million and that does take into consider consideration uh the patrol vehicle. So likewise um spoke with Chief Nicholson about what would this buildout mean? And again that's an assumption. Um and so essentially we looked at the key standards um national standards of four firefighters per apparatus and um and even um the developments could trigger well we know what we would need an additional uh fire station um estimate of 10.9 million engine and equipment about 1.35 million and minimum staffing about 731,000 annually

and then this looks like that and again with the capital costs about 12.58 million and again this does bring in um assumptions of a total buildout not staggered and likewise had the conversation with Mr. Clay Kato about uh per unit costs um essentially he would be looking at having four EMTs and four um paramedics um as well as u the unit cost of an um new ambulance 550,000 medical supplies on the unit uniform cost per employee radio per employee and cost per year including overtime training and then also some of the standard metrics um that EMS has used over the last 14 years. One EMS transport transport unit per 10,000 residents for non-age restricted households and one unit per 7,500 residents for age restricted households. And again, this is how the data would look. um the capital cost of a EMS unit, uh paramedic salary, salary, fringe, EMT salary and fringe medical supplies and uniforms per uh employee, radio costs, as well as overtime training. And that total was approximately 361,000 for oper operating costs and 550 for capital for a total of $911,000. So here and I did update this um I certainly um would look at um the estim the summary of ongoing costs. Now in the sheriff's department's number I did include the vehicles which we know that they would need to be replaced but they are not part of the um operating cost. So that has been adjusted and I have copies here for at 865,296

and then with the fire service 731,000 and EMS 361,000. So the total is a uh 1.957 million. So that would be 2 million. And again these are making assumptions of total buildout but this is just what would be um be um estimated at being the operating costs. But again those are today's dollars. So again as I stated this is just to kind of give you all a starting point and certainly we will improve as we kind of look at our our metrics and data. It's definitely let let me ask you a question before you move on. Yes.

That ongoing cost will be from year to year, but it potentially could go up from year to year. Again, today's dollars are may not be tomorrow's, but also um when you're talking about vehicles, they have to be replaced. I didn't want to um conflate the ongoing capital costs that each entity um would have. So, yes, ma'am. Did you separate separate the one-time costs for us to get these buildings built without the personnel part of it? Did you separate those two out?

I started that. I did not have a lot of time from our cow meeting. I was just trying to actually give you all some some starting point data. I think that we'll be able to um refine it. But the other thing that I want um to point out is that these public safety costs did not take into account um the coroner's office. She would probably need an additional deputy coroner as well as vehicles. I was not able to get those those numbers. So, I didn't want to just throw anything out there. As well as as our um as we get busier um 911, our emergency communications and 911 and Robert Per would probably need to have additional staffing. So there's just a lot of considerations but I just wanted to give you all at least some start uh uh looking out what buildout but again these are the assumptions of total buildout what we would need um I don't know when you know when new new uh developments will come online will it be 10 years will it be 20 years but at least if we can start um as a staff giving you some data you know okay in year one this is what we need to plan for in year two and so I think, you know, in speaking with council member Louise, I think we've got kind of like a a better way to kind of present some of this data that I'll have a little bit more time to,

but I would love to see the ongoing cost opposed to the one-time cost, right? I did have that up there. So, when I um

but again, there are assumptions being made in the data. And then also um so this is what I sheriff's cost essentially said they would need. This is essentially the ongoing personnel includ let me have some clarifications so I can understand EMS station fire station that will be needed in these uh areas that's going south to five and north of five. The equipment, personnel, buildings uh to uh house these and provide those services. That's what we've got here.

You've got that in what they've said that they would need, but it's probably not every single thing. I'm I I tried to actually say what is it that you would need to service this specific area if it was at complete buildout. And so I do have it there, but again there's a lot of assumptions that are being made.

We have we made a motion yet to Yes, we made a motion. Are you ready for discussion?

Yes, ma'am. I'm in the same position I was uh on the first reading and we postponed the second reading. But we know we've got growth coming and we know it's coming south of five. My concern is let's have planned growth and smart growth. We know that it's until I can see funding uh and where it's going to be built and approved funding for these projects. I still am not going to vote for this project unless I can see funding approved and everything we're going to need to make those areas safe with EMS stations, fire stations, law enforcement, infrastructure. And we know I think they said something about traffic will not be on Craig Farm. We know traffic is going to be on Craig Farm. I live up in that area. That is a cut through and people will cut through there until I hear a definite um uh fire stations, EMS station, law enforcement, infrastructure. I'm still where I was at last time.

Yes, ma'am. I'm in the exact same boat. I I understand that. But when we left, what was said was we want to know what the entire impact would be. I there is no way that I can factor what the entire impact. We we have to actually agree upon some sort of metrics that staff can actually start building out to look at everything

and and I hear you and I appreciate that and I understand that. But we still don't even have any plan for what we're going to do for anything that you're talking about. And we already heard from Chief Nicholson and Mr. KO that we already don't have the services that we need. So to me, this I don't even understand how we're having this conversation. Okay. Well, we're having the conversation because when we left here, you all said you wanted to know what it it doesn't it doesn't have to do with you and the research that we're asking, but you you asked about the area and so right now you asked about what would be the impact.

Correct. and and we're getting some information and I know you've got to provide more information, but even with the information that we have, we know that it could be $2 million in ongoing operational costs at a minimum, let's just say. Yes.

But to Miss McGriff's point, we have no plan in place for how we're going to address that. So even at a minimum for what we know, we don't have it. And that's just for these developments. We're still not addressing the dirt that we have with everything that has already happened. So it to me I I don't understand how we're continuing to how Mr. McGriff would always say kick the can down the road when we haven't done anything. So it's it's a it's a no for me. Well, I'm not I mean I'm not here advocating. I'm just No, we send us information. Yes.

It's not you. It's us. But but I guess what I'm asking is that from a staff standpoint because after that cow meeting it was like we need information. So start I'll say that one. So just so just for a staff trying to put their arms around it's a whole lot more difficult to say how does everything impact everything in the whole in the whole uh county and also to be fair when you all are looking at a new development coming online. I can't atone for the sins from the past, but you know, but maybe I can like say you, Mr. Chair, I object to those comments.

No, I didn't mean it like in a mean way. I mean, I can't at No, we're this county when I 15 years ago, we were one of the poorest counties in South Carolina. We're number seven right now. I see nothing about revenue. How many houses are you talking about? I I helped a constituent this week with a with a tax problem. They had a 6% assessment. Uh and uh oh god, I have to go back look and see what the county operations were on a 4%. It'd be different. I need or would they be this? Councilman Harper

own. The only thing I looked at was that was the numbers of of of lots coming online and the um the the costs. I did not have the opportunity to actually look at what the revenue generation would be. That's actually one of the things that we had spoken earlier about is to look at the total expenses that county has right now for public safety versus the total revenue that we're generating from property taxes in the county and then compare it to the expenses that are anticipated based off of these new developments versus the total expected revenue that these new developments. That percentage should be about the same in order to make sure that development is paying for itself at least in terms of these services.

Go ahead, Mr. M. Mr. Mosteller asked to speak.

Yeah, I got some comments about about the fire department thing and y'all heard me say at the cow meeting. We got a great fire department that that is in this area handles all these developments we're talking about and and they're wanting to do a fire fee and have money to get full-time firemen. That's that's all they said that they would, you know, need to to take care of it. have f full-time firemen that could respond quickly to these developments. Uh where all this talk comes in about building a fire station up, I don't know. But I mean, I can't see building a fire department in district in another fire department district, it just don't make sense. They they they fall in line with the ISO being close enough. Uh so I I don't know what the big deal is. Why can't they do a fire district like they want to do and provide full-time firemen for these people in these districts? I mean, it it's just simple. I mean, I I don't I don't know where this is coming from on building $10 million fire departments. It ain't going to happen. Long my vote ain't going to happen. Uh but uh when we when we got good fire departments and good people and if we can put full-time firemen there, you don't get no better than that.

Right. And this was just a a request from me to um to chief to say if you had to service this many homes, what would you need? So this is just um an exercise and trying to provide you all with some numbers. I'm like Councilman Harper. It's a little bit misleading this info compared to what we really need to do. Uh there's the way I look at it. Yeah. We asked Greg for information on what he would think it would take to provide fire services to the district, that growing district. He gave us the numbers. Yes. All of

what I'm going by. If we're going to provide service uh efficient service and on time service, we cannot service them with what we already have. That's impossible. If you're going to add 8 to 10,000 homes and you're going to serve that capacity with what you already got, that's not even reasonable. And I started out saying that this was not perfect. It was assumptions. This is at complete 100% build out.

But that's what Greg Greg is the is the fire chief. He knows what he would need to provide services. I would go by what he says rather than me because I don't do it. But if he say he need 10 firefighters, I'm going to go with him. If he say he need a fire station, yes. If not, that's what we want. And Stephanie, please understand, it's not your presentation. It's council. We need to have a plan on how we're going to get it, how we going to fund it, when we're going to fund it, because we know it's going to take time to even do any of this. It's going to take time. We've got to start the motions right now. We've got to start moving. And this is the first step. And I guess that's what I'm saying is that I'm just trying to figure out how to actually kind of not narrow the discussion but for us to actually look at agreed upon set of data so that I'm we're giving you the best possible information. So again, I don't take this personally. I just want to figure out how to get you all what it is that you you want and need to make a good decision because this is not saying

I mean we know that things could take 20 years, they could take 30 years, but how do we start planning for u the area? So absolutely it would just be helpful to try and get some idea. Now, I do think that after speaking with council member Louise and looking at and I think to Councilman Harper's point, looking at what would what would the actual revenues be, this purely is the expenditures expenditure side. Go ahead, Mr. Harper.

There's no consideration of revenue. There's no consideration of what the uh other taxes in the uh and what it will bring to the Lancaster area. This lifts the middle part of our county up is and I think you know the per capita income around the city is less than half of what it is in Indian land and there's and as I said before uh anybody that comes to town any managers doctors anybody um most of those people are going to Indian land or they're going to Waxaw Marvin area. We don't have this type housing and it pays for itself. Y'all can gripe all you want. We got some fire department issues, but our millage is less than it was 10 years ago. So that inflation included we are we are on a flat line and I don't think you see any many other counties. I I I I challenge anybody to go find another county that we we've got top rated uh I know we're going to have growing pain. We've had them since I've been on here and they're being addressed. Uh like the the the fire and the EMS, uh whether we like it or not, uh I'm probably going to have some volunteer firemen get mad at me, but the long-term model is going to be public safety

down the road. And we all going to have to accept that. But uh I'm I'm completely in support of this and what it brings to my community. Please know I am for uh growth. Not against growth at all. And I know uh it brings rooftops, bring other things to the community, but all I'm saying is if we're going to have these developments coming, let's plan for infrastructure. Let's plan for what's coming. It's no sense in building all these houses and then we find out, oops, we can't provide the services. That's all I'm saying. Let's just have a plan that we can go by where we know what we're going to do. We know what we're going to how we going to deal with fire. We know how we're going to deal with EMS. We might not have to hire anybody, but I'd like to see the numbers to say and please don't tell me that Craig Farm can accommodate that traffic cuz I live up in that area and it will not. Yeah,

Mr. Chair, go

ahead, Mr. Grant. um the the number the numbers were very helpful for me so I appreciate it. I think it um kind of zeros in on I mean if you take a you know a house is roughly $350,000 to $400,000 in value which is somewhere going to be what these houses are going to be. They're going to kick off about and I'm just talking in general numbers about $2 million or two $2,000 in um to the county. So I I think what we have seen and what I have seen is that when you say the the growth is take we can take care of it on an operation side where I am hung up on is on the capital side of the house and it's kind of what Charlene is saying you know committing to to building the infrastructure. We've we've zeroed in on fire and EMS, which is very fair, but we haven't addressed roads in this whole discussion that we've had. So, but focusing on fire and EMS, it the numbers that were presented here in terms of what the expenses are, assuming that we go to some kind of fire district fee in this area, which I think we have to go down, I feel comfortable from an operating standpoint that we can that we can we can make we can make this worth is what's we which is what we've shown kind of to Mr. Harper's point of keeping Millage down throughout the county despite the growth in Indand, it's not the operating, it's the capital and it's the planning for the the capital expenses and where those EMS and those fire stations go and when they go in. So from my perspective, I'm definitely not against growth. I we definitely need this growth to take

pressure off of Indiland and make make this county as good as it can be. My issue is con going to continue to be until I see council take steps to put that infrastructure in and use the funds that we have and make those plans. That is what I'm looking for. And when I see that and I think we're headed down the right direction, but until I see us take those steps and make those votes and put the money where our mouth is, that is that's what I'm holding on to and that's what I'm looking for. have any other comments? We have a motion on the floor. We have a motion and a second. So, I'm going to call for the vote. All those in favor of passing second reading. All those opposed. Passes four to three.

Thank you.

And we're going to move on to item 8 D. Second reading of ordinance number 2025-202. An ordinance to approve a development agreement for the Haven development project located between Charlotte Highway and Craig Farm Road, Langster, South Carolina, establishing the regulations for the development of the property and other related there too. Planning department case number is DA-2024-2259. Planning Commission recommended approval by unanimous vote and the planning staff recommended approval of the development agreement passed 6 to1 at the February the 9th 2026 county council meeting. Mr. Louise opposed at the February 23rd 2026 council council meeting. The public hearing was held. However, the second reading was postponed by a vote of 4 to three. Mr. Harper, Mr. Neil, and Mr. Mos are opposed. Um, we have a motion on this

move. I'm sorry. We had we have had discussion about the fact that this needs to go back to the development agreement committee and so I think a motion would be proper to send this back to the development agreement committee at this point in time. It's we need a general motion to start with or a motion. We got a motion on the floor. Mr. Meer was going to make one. I'll second. Okay. We have a motion from Mr. Meeller and a second from Mr. Harper. And what's the motion, Brian? Motion is to approve the the um development agreement. Development agreement.

Uh so, Mr. Ch, as you said, this uh does I mean there was some discussion. There's yeah there's two things that we need to discuss. One would be the increased fees and removing a line in the current development agreement and then adding some language ex accepting um uh the the proposed uh land donation. Those are the two primary things that I'm go back to that not committee. It needs to go we think we could

I think we could handle that. I think we can make the amendments here is kind of where I was going with it because unless I'm missing something, those are the two major items. I don't think we need to waste Yeah. What he's saying is correct. Yes. Do you want to make a motion to make those moves? Yes. So, I I'll make a motion to remove I don't have the specific language, but there's a there's a sentence in regarding the rooftop fees, and you can help me out with that. Just hanging out in case you need me right now.

So, um I I know the two areas that you're talking about. If you would like me to, I can make those changes and we can bring them back by third reading. Um Mr. Luis, you did have some other comments. Were you able to look at those and address those or do we need to set a time between now and then to look at those as well? Okay. We hear from the applicant if y'all had any comments or statements or anything. So, so, so if I may, Mr. Chairman, I believe Council Member Graham, you have made a motion to amend officially those two things. Those two items. I just don't know the best way to word that.

And I think Miss Williams can help us figure that out. And then I believe there's some other amendments potentially that Mr. Louise may have based on a review. So we need to deal with this motion first before we have any other discussion because that's what's on the floor at the moment. So I will second that. We have a motion and a second to amend. And now we need to and I believe the the motion that's on the table is to amend to increase the rooftop fees and then remove the language that would cap that to the existing rates or whatever it was.

Right. Yes, sir. There's a a section and I don't have it with me, but there's a section that we put in there specifically to to have that be able to fluctuate. Um but if they're offering the higher rates voluntarily, then we need to remove that. So that'll be what's always paid. So that's the the current motion that Mr. Graham has made. Correct. And the discussion should be limited to that at this point until you get back to the main motion and then it can be on the DA as a whole in addition adding the um proposed land donation. So I don't know if those need to be two separate things. We need to state that motion as it is printed or because we don't have the clarification of that motion.

Yes ma'am. I would like to know exactly what it's saying before I can can if if she can find it right now. We can I don't have it with me. If somebody has a book, I can look at it really quickly. Mr. Chairman, go ahead. Mr. Harper, if if we're going to take that clouds out, the increases would need to be based on the impact study or whatever some can't can't we let this she have this ready for no raise.

Well, we're I mean in this this scenario, we would remove that clause. So it would the the impact the proposed rooftop uh fees that would be in the development agreement would be locked in and they would not move. Okay. That that's the intention of the motion. Okay. All right.

Sorry I said I would be really quick, but I'm looking. Just give me one second. on. Got it. I can look at one of these in my sleep until you guys put me on the spot. So to clarify, Mr. Hardy did give me the numbers that we will impact um replace section 4. So, um, to clarify, article 4, um, so section 4 4.01A, which would be the payment for the school district, would stay the same.

How much is that? $8,899 per rooftop.

Um, section 4.01B, funds for public safety. The sheriff is currently listed at 138. They're agreeing to make that $1,000 per rooftop. EMS is 128. They're also agreeing to move that up to $1,000 per rooftop. Fire is currently $1,53 and they're agreeing to move that up to $2,933. The parks and wreck is $892 and they propose to leave that one as is. Section 4.01D is the future impact fees. That clause would be stricken.

Said it again. Uh 4.01D 01D is that clause that we were talking about where it said that it would be able to change based on future impact fees in that area. We would strike that and these would be the numbers that are static for the development agreement.

Who made motion? Okay, we have the information now. We got a motion and second. Is there any further discussion? Mr. Chair, the the intention and I don't know if this needs to be two motions was to also add in the land donation component for the fire and the EMS. You can you can have that as a part of this motion as well if you'd like. Okay. I think I think you mentioned it when you started out and I seconded.

Yeah, correct. I think you mentioned it from the outset. So that's a part that we don't have at the moment. So we need to add that language. We don't have that language. you have that mis I mean 4.01E does talk about land donation and that's for the convenience center. So I'm I'm assuming that we would add into that section those exact acreage. We we can do we can do that there. Whatever that exact acreage would be. Yes. Into that section. So So I'm going to ask you a question on the record here for that. The the land that they're proposing to donate is not actually a part of this area. Is that something that we need to do differently or can they add it from somewhere else? They can add it. We can take care of that.

You want to restate your motion.

Yes, Jose can. The motion that is on the table is to amend section four to provide for the price increases the roof of the rooftop fees that um Miss Williams mentioned earlier and in addition to remove section 4.01D which has the cap on the rooftop fees based off future impact fees and then we would amend either section 4.01E 01E to add the additional land donation there or to add another provision that includes the land donation. That is correct. We all everybody set on what we need to

add it. All right, then I'll call for the vote. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. All those opposed, it passes unanimously. So now we go go back to the Go ahead, Mr. Willis. Back to main motion. Okay, we'll go back to the main motion. And I just want to recall from the last meeting, I thought there was a conversation about adjusting the rooftop fees for the schools. Was something? Okay. All right. We're back to the main motion. All those as amended.

As amended. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. All those opposed passes six to one. Yes, sir. Go ahead, Mr. Willis.

Good. Um, April, mind coming back up just one second. Um, wanted to make sure that council was aware, I think most of y'all already know, I learned today by email, that unfortunately we are now addressing the assistant city administrator for the city of Lanthm as of April 3rd. Um, I've only had the privilege of working with April since mid December. certainly think she's done a good job for the county and we'll make sure we thank her for her service. Congratulations. Thank you, Miss Williams, for all your service to this county. Thank you.

This will be my last meeting with you, so you don't have to yell at me anymore ever. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be here, though. I really do appreciate it.

Thank you for all your hard work. Okay, we're going to move on now to item 8E. I think that's correct. Second reading of ordinance number 2026-2022, an ordinance to amend ordinance number 2025-1971 relating to the appropriation of funds in the approval of a detailed budget for Langster County for the fiscal year beginning July the 1st, 2025 and ending June the 30th, 2026. our fiscal year 2025 2026 to further provide for revenues and expenditures during the fiscal year and to provide from matters related there too. This past at 7 to zero at the March 9th 2026 county council miss meeting. Miss Perusnack.

Good evening Mr. KS and council. There are no changes to this particular budget amendment tonight. Do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Have a motion from Mr. McGriff. Do we have a second? Second. Have a second from Mr. Neil. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. All those opposed, it's unanimous. Thank you.

Okay, we're going to go on now to item 8 F, first reading of ordinance number 2026-2026. uh an ordinance to approve a temporary construction and permanent easement grant to Langster County Natural Gas Authority upon real property owned by Langster County and located off of Harrisburg Road bearing tax parcel number 003-0000-41.00 00 and to authorize county officials to take such actions that are necessary to effectuate the grant of the easements and to effectuate the purposes of this ordinance. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Have a motion from Miss McGrift. Is there a second?

Second. Second from Mr. Harper. Mr. Willis.

Mr. Chairman, members of the council, this is a request coming to you from the Lancaster County Natural Gas Authority. Um Chief Nicholson's left. I would note that, you know, we certainly did check with Oh, here he's coming back. Uh did would let note for the record we did check with Chief Nicholson. Uh the granting of this easement would not adversely impact Indian Land Fire Rescue. Uh it's going to be over on the side of the property where there's already a caporium substation already there. Uh the Lanster County Natural Gas Authority is requesting this to locate a natural gas substation on the property. uh will also include construction of a high-pressure gas line from Possum Hollow up to the substation. U this is needed to serve the continuing growth in that area. When we had the recent cold snap, they actually had to have staff up there manually adjusting the valves to make sure that they had enough gas pressure flowing to keep houses warm. And this would alleviate that would be high pressure to the substation and then radiate out natural pressure. We have any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. Those opposed, it passes unanimous. Okay, we're going to move on now to item nine, discussion and action item. Uh, first to item 9A, scope of work for the fleet IT facility. Mr. Willis and Mr. Green.

Uh, Mr. Chairman, members of council, let me get the page in my computer here. Um, this is an updated um cost estimate for the I I call it the the fit building, the fleet information technology building, formerly known as the old Burns building. Um, one of the things wanted to do was to bring you some updated data because originally when council got this project, my understanding going to be um, elections and fleet that did not pan out. The it is going to need more infrastructure than the elections office would have. Also, we wanted to go back and if council gets upset, this is my fault. I'm I'm the folks that asked project management to take a look at this. If we're going to do it, do it right there. You know, for example, having a taller bay door so that some of the higher equipment can actually get into the building. Um, that was not included. So, we're going to include that. It does take care of some of the uh concrete work that has been done. Um, again, project management is here. There he is. Uh, moved on me. Uh, they're here. If you have any particular questions, I am not a construction person. I would say that, you know, rather than numbers you've just heard in the past, from what I understand or, you know, estimates, this is a number you can pretty well take to the bank. Any comments available for questions?

Is are there are there any servers going to be up there or is this just office? This this is office. Um, one of the things we're going to be talking a little bit later on is potentially looking at a data center there. This this would be office, but I know council at an earlier meeting expressed concerns, um, air handling, uh, restrooms, making sure there was separation there. This would handle that. Where would this funding come from?

It would come from fun. Uh, Mr. Chairman, I've I've I've been in that building over the years. Uh, and for being just going to be back office and all, I I I think the scope is more than I can support. scope of $3 million. $3.4 million. It's more than what? No. What? No, I I can't support spending. Oh,

okay. I I know some of that stuff needs uh completed, but I just uh I I think it needs to be scaled back. That's just my opinion. Another question.

Go ahead. I I agree with Councilman Hopper Harper on some of this. Uh the higher door in the shop, they do need to get larger equipment in the concrete improvement around the lifts has to be done. It's a safety issue, but that separation of the bass and and the HVAC, all that stuff, I mean, it's worked all these years for the Ford place. I I don't know. I mean, you've had a shop in one side and you had car sales with with several several several offices in it with with people and it was not an issue. I don't know why it's the issue now. I mean, I uh I really don't Oh, I'm sorry, Billy. You finished. That's what I had to say.

Mr. Chair, what was the original amount that we looked at in doing some work up at that building? I think the original amount was around a million dollars. 50,000 I think. And what was that to what was with with that? That that was correct. 950,000 was the original budget to cover what what were we going to do with

renovating the building for voter registration and fleet maintenance. And then when we got in the pro programming for voter registration, it was it was not adequate. So then we shifted to moving it into the building. The the issue was is the original number was basically a grab by the air and I thought we had some we had we had a little bit of estimate but then there was other things that got added on to it. Yeah, I mean that pole barn obviously wasn't in that original

pole bar was not in there but we discussed that's what I was thinking that was not in the estimate right and we said that we needed that repair to be done right we needed the pole barn to be able to work on the larger equipment like the fire trucks and stuff like that because there's not enough height in the building to do that right there is a larger door on the south side of the building but with the property line and the and the woods on that south side. The larger vehicles cannot make that turn to get into that door. And what would it cost to make that happen? Is that into this total $3 million request?

That's what the pole barn alternate is what that is. Is that pole barn a designing bill? I mean, that can't be I know a lot of people put up pole barns, right? I'm I'm I'm picturing a metal building. Uh basically I don't know whether we hadn't decided whether it'd be enclosed or not but it could be a pole barn with just a roof uh and then the and then the necessary facilities that that uh fleet maintenance needs to service the vehicles.

M Mr. chairman. Uh I just uh we we have went to design build and the the corner is tickled and I first thing I look at and I see $28,000 for architectural fees uh for for something like this. Uh if I it it a uh a building contractor has staff that will design. Now you could go into more. You did it. You do the

I was right. I was right where we I just think this is way more than what we had initially anticipated. I mean when we were talking about is a million dollars to start with. The construction just for right now is a million8. That's twice what we had already talked about. When you're talking about the 238,000, that's additional architect fees. We've already paid 30,000. So that's 268,000 in architectural fees. If that is what architectural fees are, I am in the wrong business. Well, the two things that affected that one was we did voter registration first. We had to do concept plans for that. Then

I I hear you. But this is a renovation for an existing building. 268,000 for that is just seems like a lot to me. The the original fees were based on 12% of the of the construction budget and that's that's program. I hear you. But I do construction build for retail buildings and we don't get architectural fees like that, especially when we're talking about renovations and existing buildings. That's it. That's a lot. Um, so looking at all the other fees, I just think we need to go back and compare where we were, what is increased, and where we can make some value engineering decisions.

Certainly the pole barn could be an alternate um, and that of course includes the architectural fees. So yeah, we're going to go we need to go back to the original discussion. We need to go we need to value engineer this thing. Yeah. I I do I know the the fleet maintenance does need that this cement repair for their lifts. Yes, that's we talked about the pro that I thought we already proved that we talked about that we do have. We were good with that. We do we do have an on call contractor under contract right now to do that work. Good. That's got to be done. That's a safety issue there. So, yes. Yeah. thought we had.

So, sounds like the consensus is let's go back and retool it. Yeah. We need to know exactly what we have approved to date. I want a review of what we had approved and what that covers and the amount. All right. Y'all can I I would uh I would like a report. You need Come up, Scott. There you go. There you go. Yeah.

So, as Tim was going to show, and if you can go back one, Paul, I'm trying to find I have 23 staff members. So, if you see on here, everything green is a cubicle. So, I'm I'm really there's the only really change to this building is trying to do the bathrooms like we were saying that council asked. So, whatever you guys need from the IT side, whatever. I I don't you know, Tim has everything that we've had and the numbers on there. I can't control architectural costs, but I'm just from our standpoint that we're asking literally building as is cubicles up. So, I just I just want to make sure because especially when we continue to ask for more staff and try to grow, I don't have any more room. And you're going to hear Steve bring up something later about potential space. So I know I know you guys are really focused on numbers and stuff like that for for just from our standpoint. Just so when you look at that understand everything blue is asis now green is cubicle space. So because that the the cheapest cost we have is just throwing them and those are 6x sixes so they're fairly small and the two and the two bathrooms in the top left. Yep.

Mr. Chairman, can we go ahead? Can we And now as far as the shop, the concrete work has got to be completed. The door needs to be completed. And what else, Brandon? That's two things right there. I mean, a cubicles, that's an open building. You can you can run conduit overhead and down in in my office cubicles. They're they're going to need some additional support and IT needs because of that like data data closets and all that

be expensive wiring. Go ahead Brandon. I'm glad I'm not here. Um on our side

get picking tonight. door, enlarging that door so we can pull in straight. And we need concrete apron in front of that door because you cannot jack a dump truck, trash truck up on asphalt in the summer to sink into the asphalt, fall over. Um, and on the other bay door, we need to put a concrete apron because we've already busted through the asphalt. Jeff had to fix it because it just ain't made for the weight. Um the lift concrete, that one lift that failed, we moved that lift back 5 foot cuz when we had that lift taken down, we found the reason it fell was there was 17 holes underneath each column and there were not supposed to be any holes under the column. So we moved it back to a spot to where there had never been a lift and had it put back up and it's fine. But to install the second lift, we do have to redo the concrete because we have to be farther than six and a half inches away from an expansion joint. And both posts currently landed on the expansion joint. And we have to do that.

And they uh one other comment, I know we talk about the fire trucks and all, but he uh the I've been I went to the new facility down there. I stopped by one day and I don't know how big a trucks they can work on in there, but two two of those new trucks were getting outfitted with the outriggers on it. So I and I've I've never saw a fire truck up there since I've been riding by. We do them in the back and when we have to do tires and stuff on them, we usually just pull them out back. But are they doing maintenance down on Lynwood Drive?

I cannot speak on that. That's that's Greg can probably answer that. Greg, do you want to also mention the the coating on the floor? I've heard you mention that.

Yeah. The other thing we want to do is um it had been paint well epoxy painted before and most of it's tearing up. And we would like this to resand well regrind the concrete, recoat it, make it easier to keep clean. I mean, it's took a lot of years to get to where we are. So, I want to try to keep it as nice as we can for as long as I'm still here. But we did save some money on by moving the lift because I I feel the failure in the concrete was caused by the previous owner and the way they had put the lift in just on top of it looked like there had been three lifts put in where that lift was put and it shouldn't have been installed like that. It it does make for a lot cleaner environment when

Yeah. And that and that's something in the other end of the the uh of it and all too is to consider taking up all that old carpet and all. Yeah.

And a lot of commercial buildings are not they're just using a sealed floor now. They air conditioning talking about air conditioning. the the offices that are orange on my side of the building, it shares the same air conditioning as the main building. They used to have zones set up and you had a bunch of different thermostats. But in the closet where the zone control was at, all the wires was tore out, stuff just hooked together. So, one thermostat in the big showroom that's open there controlled the heat and air in the little office. So if it's warm enough for their staff, it's 100° in that office because there's no way to

So that I think that can be Yeah, we just need to redo the zone. But like the shop heating in there is totally separate from the other building. It's just the office space that shares the same air conditioning with where it would be. So I I think it would be a minimal expense because the air conditioning works. I mean it gets cold, the heat works. This is either going to be hot or you going to be cold according to where you at the building

on the shop side. That's really all we to we using it as it is. It'll make life easier and we'll be able to get stuff turned around faster if we've got another way to get some of the bigger stuff in. Because right now, if we pull a trash truck in, that one door that's open, all those those six lifts you see outlined, you can access none of them. That truck cuts all that off. So you basically down to just the lifts in the bottom of the shop. So So would that we would be turn around and come through the front? Is that what

that that would leave us? We would have room to get to those lift and then still get the truck out. Right now, anytime we pull anything from public works in, we block the whole middle section of that upper shop because that's where they have to come in at. So, that's why you need the big door in the why we need the door cuz it uh anything like we have to pull one of the trailers in, it's almost impossible to get it looped in and backed in. It takes all of us to We got people watching all the way around so we don't hit the building trying to get back into the place. All right. You can't pull in with a trailer. It has to be back. Other than that, that's all.

So, where we at, Mr. Chair? I I think I think we're going to go back and rework things based upon the conversations we just had. Mr. Chairman, I does council have a an upper figure in mind so that they have something reasonable going to cut. years. Here's what we're cutting. Well, you you get number that council want to you you're getting into some high dollar wiring and some when you start reading the zones on air condition or whatever. I mean, you're looking at you could be looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars on wiring and and uh air handlers. I mean,

I don't think they're talking about replacing them. I think they're just talking about getting the wiring back correct. So, how soon can this get back before us, Mr. Chair? As far as I think we need to give staff time enough to look at it again. Um, you think couple of weeks for a month? Are y'all talking about cubicles that you I'm I'm not familiar with that one month. Are are we talking about the cubicles that office cubicles? Are we talking about what what we specialized what we agreed on last time and what we acceptable and affordable.

You're just wanting an office cubicle with desk, computer outlet, all that kind of stuff, right, Scott? So yeah, those are just you guys. When you look at that plans, we're not changing like we can I feel we can move in right now. You put me up some things and we can make it work, right? Uh the bathrooms were one thing that we talked about here because the separation I mean we from the IT standpoint we're not asking I mean if I can put cubicles in there we're not taking walls down we're not doing

that's where I'm kind of confused. I don't understand what's in that 1.8 based off of what you're saying. That's why I'm That's why that's why I'm not understand we're we just need to take another look. Like I think we've had this discussion long enough. Like we just need to move on. Like we just need to the particulars. Yeah. Look at the particulars and move on. We'll we'll see you back in a month. Thank you. Okay. We're going to go on to item 9B, potential relocation of Clemson Extension. Mr. Willis.

Mr. Chairman, members of council, um, one thing that has come to my attention is the facility that the county acquired, I believe sometime last year, maybe a year before, uh, from Founders Federal on North Kaba was originally used as a data center for the Bo, I believe it was Bowwater Credit Union, one of the credit unions that founders bought. Um, and then founders used it as a data center until they merged all that equipment into their main data center. Um, after the county acquired it, Clemson Extension was located there. Is that behind Pizza Hut?

Spartman's office. Bartman. Oh, okay. Okay. Um wanted to just see what council's thought were that perhaps you it's a data center with fiber drops, emergency generators and all that. We might find a greater use for it with it than Clemson Extension. Now this one I I do not have any cost estimate. I'm gonna have to try to find out bring you back something but didn't want to do that. If y'all were Nope. Leave Clemson there. We have to relocate.

Bring bring it to us. That That was supposed to be a temporary thing anyway. So, uh Scott, you come up for a minute, please. I think we need to look at relocating. We don't need that bill. Um the the data center that he's talking about, have you been able to check it out or the older point? Yeah. Yes. Is that Does that fit into your operational scheme?

Right. So, our data room here, we've spent that money to So, any future growth we're going to have, we would put it somewhere else. So, whoop, sorry, there's a lot of back. So, with the growth that we're planning to to do, that is a very it's a smaller room, but it's already set up for of everything. So, it would accommodate if we're going to try to grow and at least have a different spot outside of here because we don't have any our backup data center right now is at 911 and it's like a partial so it could be utilized by your staff. Right. Right. Y All right. We'll we'll pursue that. Give us some numbers.

Yeah. This was something brand new. The the Burns building was something already underway and so We'll get some numbers for you. All right. And we're going to go on item 9 C, notice of closure of the Fort Convenience site. Mr. Willis,

uh, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Council, um, Fort Convenience site out on JB Denton Road, um, has been sold. Um, from what I understand, apparently the original owners, we had leased the property farm for a number of years, passed away sometime last year. Um, first I heard about it was when the new owner sent us notice, said, "Get off my property by June 30th. Checked back with them, see if maybe they might be willing to, you know, sell us a little piece of the land." And it was like, "Nope, get off my property by June." So, we're going to have to close the Fort Convenience site. My understanding is that council's expressed a desire and Mr. Jeff Kato is working on a plan on some of the larger um more busy sites because Fort was the least used site we had outside of McGill which just was literally on the Kersaw County line. But um wanted to expand ours there. So looking at reallocating some resources um and simply closing the port site unless council reps otherwise. at this point. Just need to let you know

lease is terminating and it's not going to be renewed. I I think the sooner that can be noticed, the better off. Yeah, I agree. Yeah, go ahead and notice it. All right. Okay. 9D, Miss Simpson, apologize. Finished taking my minutes here. Um so um this is for um boards and commissions action. William Caspar and Marie D. Martino have applied for the planning commission for district 1. Um if appointed, they would be serving an unexpired term that would end on 6:30 2029.

I I think we've got a new application coming in too. So I think we're still getting some applications in. So I want to we'll wait on you to make a determination. Does he need to postpone? Is it postpone or defer? Postpone it. You want to postpone it to the next meeting or to the second meeting in April? What? Let's Let's do the uh second meeting in April.

Mr. Chairman, are you going to handle that as an official motion with a vote? Make a motion. Do we do we need a motion with a vote for this? Because it's an action item to appoint somebody and we're postponing it and we do have applicants. Yes, we do. Okay. So, I like to make a motion to postpone till um the second meeting in April whenever that date. We have a motion from Mr. Graham and a second Louise. All those in favor, please raise right hand. It's unanimous.

The second item is Presley has applied for either community outreach and engagement or health and wellness. The only position available is in district 4. Um, she does reside in district 7, but residency in the district is not required for either of these advisory boards. I would like to make a motion to postpone this until the second meeting in April as well. Have a motion from Mr. Louise. We have a second. Second.

Second from Mr. Graham. Any discussion? No discussion. All those in favor? It's unanimous. I have a question from Sherry. Sherry, if you could these applications, get these people's make sure they put their mailing their house address where they live. Uh they got their address where they work, but they don't put it, their home address. So, that would be on the unredacted applications that I send y'all in a separate email where they have listed their home addresses because we can't we have to redact those for the public. Gotcha.

Okay. And um number three is just postponed indefinitely and four and five are just for information for council and citizens. Thank you. All right. I think takes care of everything else. We're going to move on to item 11, executive session. Do we have a motion to go into executive session? We have three items. I guess I need to read all of this before I get there.

Um, we need a motion to go into executive session for the following. Uh, number one, discussion of a personnel matter pursuant to the South Carolina Code of Laws 30-4-7A1 related to the county administrator's office. Number two, receipt of legal advice subject to the attorney client privilege regarding potential contractual matters relating to animal control services. And number three, receipt of legal advice subject to the attorney client privilege regarding potential contractual matters relating to fire services. We have a motion to go into executive session. So moved. Second.

Have a motion from Miss McGriff, a second for Mr. Louise. All those in favor, please raise your right hand. We are in executive session.

We have a motion to come out of executive session. We have a motion from Mr. Luis. Do we have a second? Second from Mr. Neil. All those in favor? We are out of executive session. Mr. Chairman, for the record, council met in executive session in regards to three items. The discussion of personnel matters pursuant to the South Carolina Code of Laws. 30-4-7A1 related to the county administrator's office. The receipt of legal advice subject to the attorney client privilege regarding potential contractual matters relating to animal control services. And the receipt of legal advice subject to the attorney client privilege regarding potential contractual matters relating to fire services. No motions were made. No votes were taken. Have a motion to adjurnn. So moved.

We stand adjourn. told me I could not go straight down. Good night. Good night.