Town Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. I would like to welcome everyone to the town of Lexon Council meeting. The council meeting is being held at town hall on Monday evening, February 2nd, 2026, and is being broadcast live on the town's YouTube channel. I'm Hazel Livingston, the mayor of the town of Lexton. I'd like to introduce my fellow council members. To my left is Mayor Pro Tim Ron Williams. Good evening. To his left is council member Todd Lyall. Good evening. To his left is council member Jenny Michaels. Good evening. To my right is council member Todd KS. Good evening. To his right is council member Gavin Smith. Good evening. And to his right is council member Will Allen. Good evening.

Our invocation tonight will be led by council member KS.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Let's pray. Father, we pause in front of you tonight and we say that you are our God and there is no other. You say that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord. He directs it like a water path wherever he wants. You are the sovereign over all men, over all kingdoms, all women, all children. You are the one supreme. And we say we thank you tonight. We ask for your blessing on us. We desperately need your favor, your wisdom, your goodness towards us if anything we do is going to prosper. And we really want what we do to prosper, not only for our sake, but for our children, for those who come after us. We pray all this in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. And at this time, I'd like to ask retired technical sergeant of the US Air Force and South Carolina National Guard, Jake Orus, to join us for the pledge tonight to lead us in the pledge.

Please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you for coming out and doing that for us tonight. We appreciate you and appreciate your service.

I will now call the council meeting to order. Are there any lesions from tonight's agenda? I believe we're removing item number five under the new business. We're going to table it, Rachel. Is that correct? Theou. Yes, that's correct. Okay. So, we'll be removing item number five um till a further date. All those in or do I hear a motion to do I need a motion to remove it? I'll uh that was my item. So I can move to remove item number nine from new business. Number five. Number five. New business. Todd makes the motion. Is there a second? Second.

Councilman K seconds it. All those in favor raise your right hand. Thank y'all. At this time, are there any nominations or motions for the appointment of an of a mayor prom to serve in the absence of the mayor? Madame Mayor. Yes sir.

Um couple years ago we when I started this journey we uh discussed as a council that it was in the best interest of the town for us to rotate this term um so that everybody had an opportunity to serve as mayor prom and and fulfill that role. I uh I fully embrace that and believe in that. So tonight it is my honor to uh nominate uh my brother Todd KS um as mayor pro Tim and I believe we should do it unanimously and with acclamation. Is there a second to this motion? Second. Are there any other nominations? Madame Mayor. Yes sir. I have a question. Yes sir.

Just for the record before we do take this vote I've only been on the body one time since we voted for a mayor pro Tim. How long did you serve as mayor prom? 19 years. 19 years. And for the record, Ron served for two years. Correct. Okay. So, are we establishing a new president here of rotating this every two years? Because I don't believe we have any set procedures or rules. I'm just I would like a little clarity on what it is we're doing cuz I wasn't very conversation. I think that it's welcome to bring something back to the work session to put that in part of our new election ordinance. Well, shouldn't we maybe shouldn't we maybe determine what we're going to do on that before we take a vote on that?

No, it needs to be voted on tonight, Madam Mayor. Mayor. Yes. Uh I don't know that precedent is being set. I think we're simply making a vote as we do every on on this. They're two separate things. So, yes, I open to putting that on the agenda for work session to talk about, but this is a separate issue than that. And this should have been done in January. it got bass. So is it is it also fair to say however that council member Williams or current mayor pro Tim Williams said that it was our intention to rotate these two every year the the these I think I heard him say it was his intention his intention you said and you clarified

it was my understanding back when when we discussed the mayor prom seat and uh the cog and the joint water and sewer that we're going to rotate all those every two years. So we is in council. Yes. Okay. Yeah. I kind of conversation one of the executive session meetings or one of the council meetings. I can't remember which. Okay. So just for clarity is there objection to that. So is this something we're going to be doing every two years? I think we should take that to get a policy if we're going to put it in part of the policy at a work session. Madame Mayor. Yes. I I would abstain from wanting to see a policy on this. I think we have different skill sets and different

well this is not about a policy this is about actually electing a mayor prom. So let's elect a mayor prom. If we want to discuss a policy we can bring it to the work session and then that can pass however it needs to pass. If enough people want to have it as part of a policy then we can have it as part of a policy. almost hate to speak because we're almost done, but I'll just throw it out there. I've been here however long, 12 years. I I think we vote on these every two years. So, I think that kind of like uh do we want to have term limits or do we want to vote on the thing every two years? And I think I'm not sure we need policy. I think we need probably vote on things every couple years. So, at least that's the way it's been done historically. So, what we're voting on now is a motion that Ron put out there for Todd KS to be mayor prom with Todd L second in it. Do I hear a motion for any other candidates? Do I need to do that or vote on this one first?

Uh, vote on the motion at hand. Okay. Um, we do need to vote on this motion at hand because this is about mayor prom, not about whether we'll do different in two years or not. This is about just electing a mayor prom. So all those in favor raise your right hand and it is unanimous. Now if you want to bring that forward you let me know and we'll put it on the agenda for the work session. Fair enough. Thank you.

Okay. And that was unanimous. Council met in executive session prior to this meeting. Matters discussed in executive session as permitted by SC code 30-4-7A. Discussion of potential property purchase. Discussion of West Colombia water litigation. Discussion of memorandum of agreement for Hudson Ford and discussion regarding the agreement of a potential community event. No vote was taken. Do I hear a motion to ratify this report?

So moved. Mayor Per Pro KS makes the motion. Do I hear a second? Second. Councilman Michaels second it. Is there any discussion or any comments about that? Hearing none. All those in favor raise your right hand. And it is unanimous. Approval of minutes attached are the special call meeting and work session minutes dated November the 17th and council meeting minutes dated January 5th for approval. Do I hear a motion to read these minutes in? So me.

Councilman Michaels makes the motion. Do I hear a second? Second.

Councilman Williams seconds it. Is there any discussion on those hearing? None. All those in favor raise your right hand. And it is uni unanimous. Next up, we have our vision plan update. This evening, council will decide on the members of the vision plan advisory committee. This committee will be made up of 10 people who either live in the town or own an in town business. Their objective will be to gather community input, monitor progress, and provide recommendations to council to help shape Lexington's future. A big part of updating the town's vision plan will also include public input. Keep an eye on our website, lexsec.gov, for updates. Next up, we have our traffic update from Mayor Prom KS. Yes, there will be a large lane closure tonight in the inbound lane near 509 South Lake Drive as communication crews remove a tree from the fiber service line. There will be a lane closure can be expected in the inbound lane at Sunset Boulevard and Coventry Lake Drive as communication crews access the manhole to make fiber service repairs. Please exercise caution when traveling in construction areas. We encourage you to follow the Town of Lexon's Police Department social media outlets for traffic alerts and updates. And please call us at 3587273 to report any traffic signal issues, unsafe roadway conditions, or a pothole that may need immediate repair.

Thank you for that update. Next up, we have a presentation tonight. It's pretty big deal. A proclamation recognized Lauren G and Luciano Chin figure skating achievements. Lauren G, a 10th grade student, and Luciano Chin, an 11th grade student at Riverbluff High School, has achieved outstanding success in US Figure Skating, representing the South Carolina Figure Skating Club. And whereas they competed at the 2026 US Figure Skating Pairs Final in East Lancing, Michigan on November the 19th through 20th, placing fifth nationally in the Novas Pairs category, earning Eastern Sectional Champion titles and securing a spot on the 2026 National Development Team. And whereas both athletes have dedicated over 10 years to skating, practicing more than 10 hours per week locally and at Carolina as P Ice Palace in Charleston under coaches Libby Chabbat and Rocky Marvel. And whereas they recently earned a Pewer Medal at the 2026 Prebean US Figure Skating Championship. And whereas their achievement achievements bring pride to their families, school coaches, and to the town of Lexington. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and town council of the town of Lexon, South Carolina, that Lauren G and Luciana Chen are recognized and commended for their dedication, skill, and representation of Lexington in national figure skating competitions proclaimed the second day of February, 2026. And if y'all will come forward, we'll present this to you.

She's going to tell us what she wants us to do. Oh, you could take Oh, yeah.

One, two, I have I have a question. Can I get one question to hear one question? I just want to know how tough your coach is whose name Rocky. All right. Is he a tough one? Actually, he's a pretty nice coach. I'd say that um Miss Coach Libbyy's actually tell her coach on this. And when is your next competition?

Um our season starts around I think June, but the big ones usually happen um August through October. All right. Best of luck to you guys. Thank you.

Good luck. Thanks. We will now open up the public hearing portion of this meeting. Those who wish to speak are limited to three minutes on the specific agenda item and please provide your full name and address when coming forward. Does anyone wish to speak on the annexation of Rural Creek Subdivision hearing? None. I will now close the public hearing portion of tonight's meeting. We're moving on to old business item. Our first old business item is um well only old business item is final reading and ordinance annexing Royal Creek subdivision. Council member KS.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. The town recently received an annexation petition signed by 83% of property owners of the Royal Creek subdivision. Royal Creek is an 83 lot single family dwelling subdivision located in 300 block of Hope Ferry Road. Properties in town near this winter's own protected residential. Hopefy Road is classified as an arterial road. The property is shown on the future land use map as suburban residential area. The comprehensive land use plan describes this area as lowdensity single family detached housing on large lots. At their November meeting, the planning commission recommended annexing the properties with protected residential zoning and classifying Stately Way, Royal Creek Drive, and Majestic Court as residential local four roads. Madame Mayor, I make a motion for final reading approval and welcome to the neighborhood.

Mayor Pro makes a motion. Do I hear a second? Second. Councilman Michael seconds it. Is there any discussion on this, Mayor? Yes, sir. Yeah. Just like to ask Chief Ring, just just for the folks watching at home. Um I know we're we're gang a neighborhood so that folks have talked in the past about us not having uh infrastructure. Chief, this neighborhood going to put a burden on your police department or we cover? Well, since it's brunch time, I always say yes. But we uh will be uh uh patrolling tonight um starting tonight uh for it. Uh it'll be along the subdivision around Hope Ferry Estates, Hope Ferry Plantation. So we will be able to handle it.

Awesome. Hope they close the garage door so y'all don't have to wake them up. They're not going to be used to that. But just remember in the budget we got more homes to protect. Yes, sir. Thank you, Chief. Any other questions? All those in favor, raise your right hand. And it is unanimous. Next up, um, our first item on new business is Council Member Smith, regulations update 2026 market at ice house rules.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. After reviewing the market at ice house rules and regulations with several market vendors, staff has recommended amending the 2026 market at ice house rules and regulations. Attached to our packet uh, were the draft changes. The amendments were presented at the January work session and are now submitted for council's approval. All that said, mayor, um I move for approval of the updated uh regulations. Council Councilman Smith makes the motion. Do I hear a second? Second. Mayor Proim K seconds it. Is there any discussion?

Hearing none. Those in favor raise your hand. Right hand. Except for Jenny. She's raising her left. Raise your hand. She's raising her hand tonight. She failed playing in the ice and that was unanimous. Our next item is from council member Allen regarding appointments to boards and commissions. Thank you, Madam Mayor. The town received two applications for board and committee service, both meeting the established requirements. The applications presented at the last work session are in tonight's packets for approval. Uh, Madame Mayor, I move for the approval of appointing applicants Jennifer Morgan to the traffic committee and Brad Cunningham to the board of zoning appeals.

Councilman Allen makes the motion. Do I hear a second? Second.

Councilman Williams seconds it. Is there any discussion? All those in favor, raise your right hand. and it is unanimous. Our next item tonight is from council member Michaels regarding the vision plan advisory committee and she will cover how the appointment and voting of these members will go. Thank you, madame mayor. The vision plan advisory committee was established by council in October 2025 to ensure meaningful citizen input during the ongoing implementation of the town's vision plan. Since that time, the town has accepted applications through this week. The meeting packet includes 16 applicants. The requirements are total of 10 citizen members appointed by town council. All members must either reside in the town of Lexington or own a business within the town. One member must represent the faith-based community. One member must represent a school or a school district. And members serve without compensation. The selection process for committee members shall proceed as follows. Each council member shall appoint one applicant via roll call vote to select the first seven members by written ballot. Each council member shall select three additional applicants for membership from the remaining pool of applicants who have not already been selected. The municipal cler clerk shall collect all ballots, tally the votes, and rank the applicants in order of the votes received. The three applicants receiving the highest number of votes shall be appointed to serve as members. In the event of a tie, council shall vote again by written ballot to break the tie. All council ballots shall be retained as part of the official meeting record. I make a motion to select these 10 applicants to serve

as vision plan advisory committee members. Council member Michaels makes the motion. Do we need a second to start the roll call? I need a second to start the roll call. Mayor Proim second. Set. Now you going to start the roll call. Everybody's ready. I take it. And so let me ask you this so we can keep up with it. Do we mark the person that they call or we can write their name beside it so we'll know who they voted and who's left? I mean who they appointed and who's left. Yes. And you'll on your own ballots you guys have up there. You would want to cross out the names as we go down the roll call so that you know which member applicants you have to choose from. Okay. Madame Mayor. Yes sir.

Can I ask for a point of clarification? Yes sir. So, we're all going to do a roll call vote and then council will need to vote on that slate of candidates. Correct. At the end. Yes. Um, council, there will be uh the roll call. So, everyone will name their seven and then as Laura mentioned, you cross off the names of people who have been selected. Once those seven names have been chosen, then you all will each select three from the remaining names uh to get to 10. The vote will be on all 10 together.

So, just to clarify, whoever council member Williams tends to appoint, I have to vote as a on all 10. I don't get to say I I agree for these six. Correct. Everyone's voting for all 10. Okay. Well, I would just say I'm not comfortable with that process. So, I would make a counter motion that we divide the vote. That we what? Divide the vote. I think we should vote individually on our own nominations. I'm sorry. I I'm not understanding. You mean like you would make a nomination and we would all vote consensus per per nomination?

Correct. Each person gets a nomination. We vote on that nomination. Is there a second? So, what happens when you appoint someone? If they don't carry the vote, you get appointed someone else, the the nomination fails. Then we'll end up with less than 10 people, don't we? Well, not necessarily. You would have to go back and appoint somebody else. I'm just trial lawyer. I'm the dummy one up here. I don't know how we're going to do this. Um, well, what happens if they all fail or a portion of There there's a motion up. There's a motion up. Um, I'm trying to help clarify it. That's all. I don't know how to vote.

No, I appreciate that. I appreciate that. If we get to I I just have an issue voting on a on a slate. I think it's a a good thing for the record for the public to know our intention of each of the nominations. I don't agree with some of the nominations that are being made. Well, nobody's I don't know who's who's nominated anybody yet. Oh, I think we know. I don't.

So, there wasn't a second. So, it's going to be done like this. You can either vote against everybody or vote. There wasn't a second to Gavin. So, it's either vote for the full slate or don't vote I mean vote against the full slate. Is that right? Cuz there was a motion to do it this way and there was not a second and there was a second to do it this way. And then Gavin wanted to make a motion to change how we did it and there was not a second to that. Have you called for the second motion? I did. Okay. I didn't. Okay. Is there a second to that motion? I'm sorry if I didn't. Madame Mayor. Yes, sir. If I may,

um, my concern, this is what I said last week, is I didn't want to vote against individuals and that's why I was suggesting it where we stay positive. And that's where the slate comes in, right? And so that's where my concern. I understand where um Council Member Smith's coming from, but I don't I don't think that's appropriate personally to vote against individuals. So that's why I would not second that motion. Just for the record. Okay. So we're going we have a first and a second for the first one and we have your motion, but we did not get a second.

Madame Mayor, can I just offer one point and then we can move on? Uh, Council Member Allen, I would say you typically applaud what the county does. That's actually the process by which the county follows is they each make individual motions and then vote on each individual one. It's actually very standard procedure. This is somewhat regular individuals. It is actually with But that's okay. I mean, you don't have to agree with the motion. I understand. I just for the for the record, I don't agree with the process. I respect, you know, the body does, but I do not. So now we have a motion in a second. We will start with the roll call. Okay. Um, so we'll obviously start with Mayor Livingston, Eddie Davis,

Council Member Williams, Charlie Speake, Council Member Cars, or I'm sorry, Mayor Pro Tim Cars, Randy Halfacaker, Council Member Law, it's Tony Coleman. misspelled as Tory Coleman on this sheet and council member Smith Marcy Straw

and Council Member Allen um Dana Holsley and Council Member Michaels uh Kathy Mayus So now we pick our three.

Yeah, I was going to say so then with the remaining applicants that haven't been crossed off, um you would want to check up to three applicants. So we'll give that a few minutes and then collect them. You're going to collect them.

And you your name's on it, correct? Everybody's name is on it.

Where did we put her name? Uh, you put your name at the bottom. She still got Yeah, y'all's name should be to give her a second. She still got Yeah, I already t Just after your three. Yeah. Oh, you checked. That's what you did wrong. All right. Yours are going to be confused. Who do you want to check? I got extra sheet if you want. Probably check. No, you check. You can't cuz it's You can't because it's your name. She checked the ones as they were calling them off down at the bottom. Forget another sheet. Yes. Oh, okay. You should have two, didn't write Kathy's name in here. We're having to help our handicap down here tonight. Okay. All right. We all call I checked them all.

She's trying. At least she's here and she just went to the doctor. Will um these names right here. Okay. So, Chuck was not um Misty Stamos was not. I'm helping you out by stressing the ones that were Courtney. Nobody said Courtney. Okay. Now, you do your tiebreaker.

Okay. She she calling them spelling tie. Select from tie up. Try two names. Where are we selecting the tie up from? Just the ones. Yeah. Okay. Let's do that. Did you sign? Oh, I didn't sign that. Okay. Okay.

I'm sorry. I should have helped you. What? That's a good problem to have. Yeah. Yes. Madame Mayor.

Yes. While we're tabulating, I would just like to say for the record that it is a good problem to have that we had this many people who wanted to be a part of the vision plan and that we have a lot of great candidates that unfortunately we cannot select them all. So, I appreciate everybody who has put forth their uh interest and appreciate everybody's vote tonight so that we have a nice collection of diversity as well as um everyone still having the shared goal of helping Lexington move forward with its vision plan. Hey, I don't think we're going to need a tap. breaker. Um, we've got Courtney Maloney received five votes and we have Misty Stathos receiving six. Chuck Corley receiving four.

Okay. So, there wouldn't be a need for a tiebreaker. So, that would complete the 10. So, do I need to do we need to read the names of what we're voting on? We can. I would recommend not.

Okay. Yeah, we can read them. Okay. So, for the members of the vision plan advisory committee tonight, we have Eddie Davis, Randy Halfacaker, Dana Holmsley, Kathy Mayus, Charlie Spite, Marcy Schrother, Tony Coleman, and then we have Courtney Maloney, Misty Stoos, and Chuck Corley. Complete the 10. Do we need another motion or no? We just need the vote. You would uh move to appoint those 10 individuals to the committee. Yeah.

Okay. So, we need a motion to appoint the This is the first time we've done this, so bear with us because this is a new way of doing this. Um, do I hear a motion to appoint this 10 to the committee? Yes. I would so move that we appoint these 10 to the committee. Council member Ly makes the motion. Do I hear a second? Second. Mayor Pro Tim K seconds it. Is there any discussion? Yes, madame mayor. Yes, sir.

I have to state for the record that while I respect former council members applying to this committee, I am really disappointed that we have 12, I believe it's 12 other citizens that want to get involved in their community. And two of the seats are being filled by individuals who have many years had an opportunity to impact their change in this community. It irks me. We always talk about citizens getting involved in this town and wanting more people to get involved. Yet tonight, we voted in the face of that. I will not vote in favor of that. So to my nominee who I'm voting for, I'm sorry that I'm voting against it. No, I'm not voting against you, but I am voting against that slate because we sit here during election years and talk about getting people involved and then we get up here and we do exactly the opposite of that

and I'm disappointed by it. Madame Mayor, if I could just raise one one point, I I would I would uh

I would be disappointed at the notion that not being on the vision plan committee is these are not mutually exclusive. uh if you're not on the committee, it does not mean you can't be very engaged and and participate and provide lots of um ideas in the marketplace of ideas for this. So, um there were a lot of great candidates and I'm just again going to reiterate that we had a plethora of great candidates and so that's a good problem to have. But just because we can only appoint 10 on this committee does not preclude those from who did not make the cut or those who did not even put their name in the hat from being members being citizens and being engaged being involved and and caring about and and putting their their time and their effort and their talents um into the betterment of this community. So, I would um I would refute the idea that because they're not on a vision plan committee that they are they are somehow considered a lesser um contributor to the direction of the town.

Madam Mayor, Madam Mayor, sorry. Hold it up. Let's go with Miss Michaels.

Um I I second what Mr. Lyall said is um all these people are great great candidates. Um a lot of us know some of them. Some of us don't know all of them. Um, but I agree with you. Anyone that's on this list or anyone that's not on this list is always welcome to email every one of us up here to call every one of us to, you know, get with these people that are going to be doing this vision committee and give your ideas. You're all your ideas are always welcome. Any town citizen, any out of town citizen. I'm open to hearing any vision plan um comments at any time.

Well, I'm going to speak next since um I have served through the vision plan from the original one and the vision plan is not just about this committee. It's about the citizens. it this group will be helping orchestrate com I mean groups to come in and speak the faith-based the schools the citizens the businesses everybody will be encouraged to come give your input this is not just about this committee this is about everybody and it is then your responsibility as a citizen to come to a meeting and let them know there will also be from what I understand this time which we didn't have last time um online surveys and things that you can do too. So that'll be a big benefit that you can do some of those. Um I talked to some people today develop Lexington. They had some questions and concerns that they wouldn't get to have input and say how they would like the um future of the town to go. They will definitely get to have input and say how the future of the town would go. This is not just about this committee. But at the same time, I would ask all of my council members up here to show respect to each other. Each of us got to name their own appointee. And whether you like them or whether you don't or whatever, each one of us got to choose someone. And we should respect each other's vote on what or who they chose. You don't have to go along with it, but each person got to pick their person. I chose Mr. Davis for several reasons. He grew up in the Hendricks area. He left and went in the service. He served his time for our country. Then he come back and he lives here in the community. And that's how I picked him after talking to him and getting to know him some. That was my choice. But everybody has their choice of who to pick.

Madame Mayor, go ahead. You want to let him go? Okay. Go ahead, please.

Well, I'd just like to respond to some of the comments made up here. If it is really true that you don't have to be on the vision committee to be a part of it, then why don't we allow average everyday citizens to fill those two positions that former elected officials are doing? And why don't we engage all of our living What about Miss Constant Fleming? What about former mayor McDougall? What about the other living former council members? Why are two former council members occupying seats when we have additional citizens who want to get involved? If that's really true, why don't we put the average citizens who haven't had a moment to make an impact on their community through elected office and allow them to serve on this committee? Further, I'd ask the question of you and I had the conversation earlier today that we were supposed to have a conversation about making former elected officials exeicio members so that they weren't fulfilling these seats. That conversation didn't

have time downstairs. You want I mean I I'm just I'm disappointed that we always talk about getting additional citizens involved and we have an opportunity tonight. It's nothing against Randy or Kathy. Nothing personally against them, but we have an opportunity here tonight to get new citizens engaged and we are not doing that. Madame Mayor.

Yes, sir. Uh, I think we twisted oursel in a pretzel tonight as uh, Councilman Will said that uh, we're trying not to take this thing negative and I thought we were just going to nominate seven people, vote on three more, put a slate of 10 and everybody be positive and put a vision plan committee in place to go get information and move us forward. But uh unfortunately somehow we took this idea of eight I guess what you would call every average everyday citizens and two I'm not sure what you call former uh people who served I've been here since 2014. I never served with Randy. So Ry's been out for 15 years. I don't know if he's got some kind of special status, but I don't know how you take eight people and put them in play and then we pontificate up here for five minutes about somehow that's some kind of negative because we're taking a guy who led the last one which I think resulted in the ice house amphitheater. I think it resulted in the old mill pond. I think it resulted in the revitalization of downtown. I think it resulted in a lot of what makes our town great. I don't know how you take a guy like that and somehow make that a negative when he's been not in these chambers for 15 years. And so I just think that was very very poor form.

And I apologize that the thing did turn negative. But we do have 10 people. We voted on them and we can hopefully move forward with a little more positivity, a little less negativity. Madam Mayor, thank you, Madam Mayor. Yes, sir.

Well, I'm going to respond to that. I don't think it I I think Brandy had and I really should call him former mayor Halfacaker respectfully. He had an opportunity to impact his make an impact on this community bill which I think none of us could argue that he did not do but the people that were voting against tonight which we are voting against them because we're not certain we're not appointing them they they don't have the opportunity to do that. So Randy had an excellent opportunity did great things for the town. Maybe let's create a seat for new people to do that. Maybe some new ideas could come about. It's nothing personal against Randy. I like Randy, but I think having new people involved is a great thing. And lastly, I would just state for the record that the ordinance by which we establish standing up this committee does not outline this process at all. It does not outline this process. It says it is appointed by council. So, we are really operating outside of our standard rules of procedure as well.

Madame Mayor. Yes, sir. If I may, we we are not in a police state. We don't act um only where this isn't the federal government where we have must be given specific permission to act. This is home rule. This is state law. We we are allowed to with some discretion to work within the bounds of the general ideas. So I I would take issue with the notion that what we're doing is outside the bounds of our power and our ordinance. I think if it says that we shall appoint, then we have some discretion to do that in various different ways to include the way we've just done it. And um I think that we're crossing a dangerous line to start making accusations about acting outside the power of what we have. Madam Mayor, yes, sir.

I just want to applaud this council for uh appointing 80% new people to this committee. I think that was a great great thing we did tonight. If appointing new people is the ultimate standard, 80% better than I ever did in school. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you. Anything else?

I do again encourage everybody to come to the meetings, give your input, fill out surveys, tell us what you want to see. Is it the old mill trail? Is it not another amphitheater? But just what you want to see. Is it the L tip? The L tip come out of that, too. So, I just encourage you tell us what you want to see going forward. With that being said, all in favor of this slate of candidates, raise your right hand. And it is se 64 and all opposed. One opposed. Our next item of new business is from council member Williams. First reading of ordinance of transition and swearing in of elected officials. This is a draft ordinance. This is a draft ordinance presented in the last work session to establish consistent procedures for the transitioning and swearing in of elected officials after municipal elections. The ordinance addresses administration of oath of office, scheduling of meetings before and after the election, benefits and procedures for the final meetings of outgoing officials. The draft ordinance is attached to the meeting packet. Um, make a motion for first reading approval. Council member Williams makes a motion. Do I hear a second?

Second. Mayor Proim K seconds it. Is there any discussion on this? Hearing none. All those in favor, raise your right hand. And it is unanimous. Are there any comments from the public regarding a specific agenda item listed tonight? hearing none. Is there any questions from the news media? Are there any questions or comments from staff?

Yes, Mayor. I'd like to make a few comments. Um, I wanted to take an opportunity to thank our employees who've worked for two straight weeks, including two straight weekends in a row, monitoring, evaluating, preparing for the weather. Um, every department had some role to play. Many departments like police department, transportation, parks and community services and utilities were out there in the nasty weather on the weekend away from home and they did such a tremendous job to keep the roads in town looking good. Um we were very very fortunate to not have major accidents, major utility issues, um any accidents at any of our facilities or in our parks. And so there are fewer directors here tonight because a couple of them took uh welldeserved rest. So I just would be remiss if we ended this meeting without thanking our employees who have really put in a lot of hours. And just to piggyback on top of that, I got a call today saying what a great job our staff was doing out there. So, thank you to all of our staff. Any comments from council?

Just one quick followup based on that. I'd agree with what you said. I'm sorry, Leah. Is that okay if I have a comment? Yes. And uh just remind everyone there's still a little bit of ice. It's about to refreeze back over. So, just because we've had no major accidents, let's continue to be vigilant and safe the remainder of this cold weather time. Thank you. Other than me. Yeah. Don't even casual.

We Todd, you're throwing me for loops tonight. We want to take a moment to welcome our new employees. Hired in January in the police department is Andrew and Jacob. And in the utilities department is Jaylen. A reminder that the chili cookoff will be held February the 15th at 12 noon at the ice house. Please join us to warm up and enjoy some chili with the community and come check out I'm sure our police and our utilities will be competing again. So come check out our people that compete from here. Um that concludes our business for this evening. Thank you for watching and we are journed.