County Council - Regular Meeting

appreciate y'all being here tonight and just thankful for y'all uh wanting to spend some extra time with us on a on a Monday night. So, thank you for being here. We'll start with the pledge of allegiance and by that Yes, sir. I want to I want um everybody to stand for the Reverend Jesse Jackson. He passed and I think we need to give him a moment of silence. Okay. All right. So, if you don't mind. Sure thing. So, uh I know Mr. Guy was working on that as well. So why don't we uh begin with the pledge of allegiance and then we'll follow the moment of silence followed by the invocation by council guy

to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for it stands one nation indivisibley all before I lead into the uh convocation just piggybacking off of council mckillian um he wanted to do a moment of silence for the Reverend Jesse Jackson. A few things I will say is uh Reverend Jesse Jackson was an American patriot. People may not believe that, but it's it's it's it's your choice whether you believe it or not, but he really was. Uh back in 1984, uh Jesse Jackson traveled to Damascus to secure the release of a um fighter pilot that was was shot down. That pilot was uh Robert Goodman. He did that during the term of uh Ronald Reagan. Um Jesse Jackson and and uh the government at that time, the US government at that time worked to secure the release of Robert Goodman. Um Jesse Jackson went over and had that done. Another thing about Jesse Jackson is he is from Greenville, South Carolina. So he is our fellow South Carolinian. Um and uh he was a major major part in the civil rights uh movement along with uh um Martin Luther King, Dr. Martin Luther King. So I I think that is well warranted that we uh we uh recognize him today. Uh he's actually landing state today at the uh South Carolina State House. So, uh, whenever we can lift up people from South Carolina that has done things here in our country, I think it's, uh, a great thing to do. And then I'll lead lead into our congre convocation. Our God of peace in whose image and likeness we all were created. Listen to the cry and prayers of every disciple from every corner of this

planet you created. God grant the world leaders wisdom to see beyond the boundaries of race, religion, nations, and governments. Help us to recognize that common humanity makes us all your children and brothers and sisters in these turbulent times. We ask that you grant grace to the world leaders to have conversations that leads us all into peaceful dialogue and constructive collaboration. Lord, cover our children here in the United States, our children here in Chester County, and all the children in the world. And to those that have already lost their lost their lives, Lord, we ask that you open your arms and grant them everlasting life. In your son Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Thank you. So, we'll begin with um the approval of minutes. So, 3A is the February 17, 2026 council meeting minutes. I make a motion to accept the February 17th, 2026 council meeting minutes. Question and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. Those in favor raise your right hand to say I. I. All in favor? That brings us to citizens comments and we have one person signed up to speak. Mr. John Massie, if you'll come forward and state your name and address and you have three minutes to speak.

John Massie, 171 uh East Lace Street. Yes, sir. I do local history. I'm here for heroes. Morning of October 27th, 2015, Chester County. An automobile driven by what would later become a hit and run driver bore down on two children heading towards their school bus stop, Ashford Street, just outside the city limits. From news media reports, 11year-old Adarius Wally, standing four feet tall, weighing less than 80 pounds, ran to push his seven-year-old sister out of path of the vehicle. He was struck and died the following day, becoming the most heroic kid in America. The Huffington Post, the Daily Mail in England, people.com, the New York Daily News grace to tell of the boy's selflessness. The South Car South Carolina General Assembly gave Learius family a proclamation honoring his courage. The city of Chester sought to rename a park. county wanted to rename part of a street. The park idea social media postings approving this received 80,000 likes, but both plans failed over ownership and permission problem. No one's fault really. Mother's a hero to a great many people, their families.

After much thought, this very brave, heartbroken lady gave permission, allowing her 11-year-old to become an organ donor. Organ and tissue donors can save eight lives through major organ donation, significantly enhance the quality of life for 75 others. Hornneas, for example, one cornea donor can restore sight to two individuals, children. And skin grafts can treat burn victim. The seven-year-old takes a very special little sister. Your brother to love you that much. Closing. I have read and I believe sometimes courage lives twice. once in the action and once in remembrance. If you believe ultimate recognition should honor ultimate sacrifice, and I know you do, it's time for council to step up and fully support the construct of the Wally Memorial. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Massie. All right. So, um, next up we have 5A, which is a public hearing for the Chester County Needs Assessment. I don't have anyone signed up on the signup sheet. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak to that in a minute? Yes, ma'am. We're going to do that in just a moment, Mr. Tester. Yes, sir. Mr. Ray, we'll just give us one minute. There's there'll be an agenda item, M.

All right. So, if we don't have any citizens signed up to speak, we I will close this public hearing. Next up is 6A, which is a proclamation recognizing educators for exceptional courage and service during an intruder event in October of 2025. So I will now read that proclamation. A proclamation recognizing educators for exceptional courage and service during an intruder event October 2025. Whereas the safety, well-being, and security of the students is a paramount responsibility shared by schools, families, and the community. And whereas on October 31st, 2025, Victoria Woods, Reva Evans, and Deborah Feaster Anderson demonstrated extraordinary courage and professionalism during an incident involving an intruder and a student. And whereas following a vehicle accident on the Chester Park campus, Miss Woods responded swiftly and decisively by engaging the intruder to recover a child. And whereas Miss Evans and Miss Feester Anderson responded promptly during the altercation in the classroom by calls for assistance and in ensuring the safety of the other students. And whereas these actions reflect the highest standards of public service, calm judgment under pressure, and an unwavering commitment to protecting children. And whereas the community is grateful for the preparedness, teamwork, and selfless dedication displayed by the teachers and school personnel who responded to this incident. And whereas their actions serve as an inspiring reminder of the vital role educators play, not only in teaching and mentoring, but also in safeguarding the students entrusted in their care. Now therefore, I, Pete Wilson, chairman of behalf of the Chester County Council, do hereby honor Miss Victoria Woods, Miss Reva Evans, and Miss Deborah Fester Anderson, as individuals who through heroic and selfless actions place the safety of students first. Let this proclamation serve as a lasting

expression of the community's appreciation and is a tribute to the bravery shown in the protection of our children. This was done today, the second day of March, 2026. Do we have um those three teachers, Miss uh Victoria Woods, Reva Evans, or Deborah Fester Anderson in the audience tonight? All right, if y'all would come forward and we'd like to take a picture with you. We'd also like to give you a round of applause. Look at this guy. Thank you all very much.

Thank y'all very much. Thank you. Thank you. So, I'd like to uh I would like to say thanks to Mr. Councilman Guy for helping make that happen. And um you know of He slipped out on us. All right. So, uh, you know, I would say for, um, of 2025, that was probably one of the events that was one of the scariest and also one of the best. And, uh, we, uh, really proud of our teachers and of course our our sheriff deputies and all involved in bringing that out to the to the best outcome it could come for for what was happening. So, are there any more comments from council? All right. So, thank them again for for their heroism. Um, next up is 6B is the second reading of ordinance 2026-04 authorizing pursuant to title 12 chapter 44 of the code of laws of South Carolina 1976 as amended the execution and delivery of a fee agreement by and between Chester County, South Carolina and a company identified for the time being as ches as project 2354 acting for itself one or more current or future affiliates and other project companies. Providing for certain incentives as provided under the simplified fee act, modifying a joint county industrial and business park of Chester County and York counties so as to enlarge the park. Providing for special resource revenue credits, and providing for other related matters. Is there a motion?

Make a motion we approve I make a motion we approve the second reading of ordinance 2026-04. Second. All right. We have a motion and second. Is there any discussion? Right. So, why don't we ask uh Mr. Meer if you want to say a few words? Uh yes. Thank you, uh chair and councel. So, this this is second reading. It's largely unchanged from the first. It's a $80 million in investment property, 40year repayment window. Uh it is a solar project and and it's been discussed uh repeatedly in front of this body, but if you got any questions, happy to answer them. projects.

Yes, Councilman. It is. We've discussed it several times in other contexts. Is there uh any discussion? I'll call for the question. Those in favor, raise your right hand and say, "I." I. All right. All in favor? Next up is 6C, which is a second reading ordinance 2026-05 amending ordin ordinance numbers 3-19-12A, 2018-5, and 2021-17 to update the definition of projects under an installment purchase plan of finance and other related matters. I'll make a motion we approve second reading of ordinance 202605. Second.

All right, we have a second. A motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Do you have anything you'd like to add? Mr. Hester? Only if you want if uh council would like another explanation of what this uh ordinance was from last time, give us the brief overview. And I think it'll sound familiar to everyone since it is entitle names, project names.

It was entitle only the first time. And so this ordinance, it moves forward with the reallocation of funds within to what is referred to as a gateway bond. Um originally that $1 million was set aside for a spec building. We're reallocating this money to be used uh for the grant match for the rehabilitation repaving of runway number two at the Chester County Airport. We received u or we're the potential to receive a state grant in the neighborhood of $9.2 million and the matching part of that would be 900,000. So this would allow us to use those funds that have been set aside originally for a spec building be used for that matching grant for the runway. We have gained approval from the bond holder as well. This is also the one Mr. Roach brought before us that night, the airport director.

This is the one that we did have a presentation from the consulting group engineering firm along with Mr. Roach uh in 2025. Yes, sir. All right. Is there any uh further discussion? Not I'll call for the question. Those in favor, please uh raise your right hand and say I. All right. All in favor?

Next up is 6D, which is the first reading of ordinance 2026-06 authorizing the transfer of approximately 5.259 259 acres of real property with improvements, if any, located on Doctor's Court on Highway 97 with county with county tax map number 0803 031. Also 0800300 03 029 and 08003 025 and providing for other related matters. With this being a first reading, Mr. Dr. Hester, would you want to say a few words to this one as well?

Yes, sir. And so, uh, Chester County owns approximately 12 acres at the end of Doctor's Court. Uh, there's approximately six parcels there, uh, that Chester County owns. It was deed to Chester County uh, as a donation from, um, Mr. and Mrs. Steel. Uh, Mr. Steel has passed away. Part of the deed was that, uh, this land was donated. um that Chester County would build a park and memoriam uh for Mr. Steel uh on one of the parcels of that land. And so what this ordinance does, it allows the sale of 5.295 acres of that approximate 12 acres. There's three parcels. You read the parial numbers that are being sold. Those parcels are being sold to Hazel Pitman. Um, Hazel Pitman will uh build a new treatment facility there in the future. Um, and we do have members of Hazel Pitman's board, their executive director here. If council has any questions with regard to that purchase and what they'll be doing, but what this ordinance does, it authorizes the sale, the agreed upon sale price is within the ordinance. Um, there is a scribers error that I must bring to your attention. It's actually in the agreement to sell which is about four pages into your packet under section 1.02 where it describes the sale price uh is accurate. However, the aggregate of the sale price, the number in parenthesis is correct, but the written number is incorrect. And that was uh just a scribner's error. Um that is in there. So that'll be corrected before second reading. Um the actual number is $341,835 for 5.295 acres. Um we will also memorialize uh council's wish to use

proceeds from the sale of this land to complete the park on parcel uh another parcel. We call it parcel three, but it's located in the top quadrant. Um and uh we have received um we've received some bid quotes on completing that park. It'll pay for the park and it'll pay for attorney fee, our attorney fees uh with relation to the sale. Make a motion we approve first reading of ordinance 2026-06 for Hazel Pippen. I'll

second. All right, we have a motion and second. Is there any discussion? So, Mr. Hester, um, just to be clear, so this land was given to the county from Mr. MS Steel with no charge. That's correct. All right. Is there any any further discussion? Call for the question? Those in favor, please raise your right hand to say I.

All in favor? Next up is 6E, which is a first reading of ordinance 2026-07 to adopt a comprehensive plan for the county of Chester titled Chester County 2025 comprehensive plan. Mr. Ward, I'll call you forward. He's our planning and development director. Thank you, Chairman Wilson, County Council. Glad to be here with you this evening. This is a project that's about 30 years in the making. And I say that because this is the first time in Chester Countyy's history that we have a comprehensive plan written by its citizens, its leaders, its planning commission, its county council working in harmony to create a comprehensive plan. This particular plan's been underway since October of 2024. Uh it also has the most extensive citizen feedback of any conference of plan in our history. That includes six public workshops around the county that over 150 citizens came to an online survey followed by 19 19 county council and planning commission public workshops, public meetings and field trips around this county to hash out every detail. So the result we have our comprehensive plan. It is 113 pages but the the vast majority of the important stuff is in the first 70 pages. It has readable font. It has pictures. It has graphs. Importantly I think it has 34 direct quotes from citizens within the commerce of plan itself within the action item section. So we did not just listen to the citizens and then ignore everything they had to say. Very intentionally very transparently. we put their direct words in the plan itself. So, I'll briefly cover what's what's in the plan. Uh, it opens up with the vision for the county, how the county

will grow and change over the next 10-year planning cycle. We will have revisions, of course, at the five-year mark and more often if county council deems it necessary. The plan kicks off with a vision statement and seven values for the county that undergo the whole plan. These values include keeping us Chester County, which is maintaining our uniqueness, our unique heritage and culture, growing in economic strength and opportunity, being pro business, pro- industry, pro small business in the county, protecting and supporting our rural heritage, managing growth. There's others as well. Next in the plan, there's 20 pages of research on infrastructure. And this included about 25 interviews and lots of um research on everything ranging from firefighters to our public schools to water and sewer, fiber optic. Every piece of critical infrastructure in the county was researched, compiled, and mapped out. Then we used all that infrastructure data um and the public input about where growth should be and best uh urban planning practices to create the future land use map which maps out where will growth be channeled where are the right areas for growth in our county. How do we accomplish our values like protecting our rural heritage, growing our economic strength while managing growth at the same time? How do we encourage small businesses um and also revitalize our towns? And so the future land use map sets all these out in a map and with strategies to deal with incoming growth. It's not a map that is set in stone. Again, it will be revised periodically and every 10 years, every five years perhaps, new areas of growth will emerge, particularly in areas of high infrastructure. So this is not the Chester County map forever. New areas of growth and change will occur, but it is the map for the next short term. And I'll add that future maps should also follow the same formula, the same rule. Ground your new growth in existing

infrastructure to lower the impact and cost on citizens and existing taxpayers. Finally, it wraps up with the action item section, which is which is a list of 90 action items for both short-term and long-term goals that the county can work on to improve our county across a variety of areas. And then we've got 40 pages of research and data on subjects ranging from traffic counts um on our roads to soils and um other statistics. So I' I'd like to say first of all, thank you for your work because of of your hard work over the past what is it 16 months. Um this is a great product. I would put it up against any comprehensive plan in South Carolina from a county and I've read them all so I'm not just saying that lightly. uh your hard work has enabled the county to save $150,000 compared to hiring a consultant. So, we're saving taxpayer money. We have a great product at the end of it. That could not have happened without the time and effort y'all spent and the planning commission as well. Um at least one member of which is here this evening. I would also thank all the citizens who participated and the workshops and the surveys. Couldn't have happened without you as well. the many calls and emails and meetings that I had as as well over the past months. So, now we're at the readings. We have our three meetings, the three readings to cover any any changes or comments or edits or questions that need to hap to happen at this stage before it's passed. I'm here to answer any of those questions I can and receive your comments. Thank you in advance.

Thank you. Um, quick question. So for citizens wanting to read the plan, I know it's part of our agenda packets, but is there somewhere else that they can easily access access it? Absolutely. So um you can email me in my email address. I can send you a copy. I believe it's posted on on the website for the planning commission as well. Um but any citizens welcome to call or email me and I can send them a PDF right away. Thank you. And it's on the website as well, I believe. So yes, sir. I'll entertain a motion. I'll make a motion we approve the first reading of ordinance 2026 07. Second. All right. I have a motion and second. Is there any discussion?

Yeah. I just want to thank you. You said thank us for our hard work, but you actually worked really hard yourself on this. um we all witnessed the work you put in and I appreciate um everything you did and we have a valuable employee in you here in Chester County and um again appreciate you for what you did I tell you um some will be good if you can get some of these books like this and put it out there for the people that can't use the computer they can come out here and get one Great idea. Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you for the good work.

I think we could. Mr. Ward, did you say it is available on our website already or we can do that tomorrow? I believe it's on the website. I will check that right after the meeting. Yeah. And we'll make sure we'll ensure that it gets uploaded uh if it's not for everyone. And I think that's another good idea. We'll sit some copies out over the next several weeks. We'll replenish them as they are taken. So if citizens need them, we'll make sure they get them. Absolutely. You know, one thing we've talked a lot about is we want a plan that we use and uh so the more we're citizens are aware of the plan, we're aware of the plan, we need to have it always readily accessible for us to grab it and read it, consider it. So also want to thank you for your hard work on it.

I think Mr. Wilson, I think citizens academy, they have to read the entire thing and take a test on it at the end as well. So, yep.

Well, one thing I would like for you to do if you can fit it into your schedule, this is the first reading. There are five communities in this county. Chester, Bowies, Richburg, Full Long, Great Falls. And we need to make sure that we get this word out to them, the citizens that live in those communities, they're not uh to be left out in my way of thinking. I think they'll all like what you've done, but I think we need to make sure we include them in this process as best we can.

Yes, sir. I completely agree on that. Um we we did have some presentations. I did presentations at each one of the town councils, Great Falls, Chester, all of them. Um in the fall to present especially the future land use part because as you said that's the most that's the pivotal part that impacts how growth around those cities will happen. But I I for sure want um to ensure that all the municipalities have a say and have a copy of the plan as well. Just put it down in down in Richburg at somewhere in Richburg somewhere in Great Falls. So everybody can have it. So if anything go down, they can't say they didn't have it. Yes, sir.

All right, we will uh any more discussion? Call for the question. Those in favor of the first reading ordinance 2026-07, raise your right hand and say I. All in favor? All right, that brings us to 6F, which is resolution 2026-05, authorizing an amendment to the master agreement governing the York Chester Industrial Park to designate additional property as subject to the park arrangement and providing for other related matters. Um, Mr. Ler, I'll ask for you to speak.

Thanks, chairman. Sorry, I was riveted by Jeremy's presentation there. Taking a minute to pivot. Um, so this is u to expand the uh the park to provide for additional property that's subject to the park, adding uh you know, additional space and giving us additional capacity in that. Um, are there any particular questions that the council has that I can address? you might could just explain to the citizens why we do a resolution like this every time there's a project.

Sure. Absolutely. So, uh Multicount Industrial Park uh is a joint relationship between two counties and anytime we have uh additional projects or any additional property that's going to be relocated in them, there has to be a resolution of both councils. So, this is our part to to add that in to expand out the uh the park. Now parks are not necessarily contiguous places of area but they are designated uh spots designated by each of the county governments for areas that can receive in le of taxation.

Let let me mention one thing while you're talking about this. I went to to the cog the other day and met a council person from York County. He doesn't know anything about multi county industrial parks. He's a member of the York County Council. So, I called another member of the York County Council and he's not familiar with that. So, for the sake of argument, I'm I'm really questioning what we are doing. Are they doing the same thing? And is that flowing back and forth between us? And uh according to these two guys that are members of York County Council, they're not really aware of how this works.

Sure, Councilman. That's a great question. So under South Carolina law, this is a theoretically a joint enterprise between two counties. However, one of the counties may be participating to the only 1% extent. So they are a nominal participant, if you will. So they will have joint participation but they will have more control over parks where they are the 99% and for example Chester is the 1% than they will over projects where they are the 1% and we are the 99%. So generally speaking counties will work with each other maintain that good county relationship with their neighbors and allow the projects to be driven by the county in which they're going to be located. projects can be 100% in Chester County but still be part of the multicount industrial park with York County which gets the 1%. Similarly with them if we have a park arrangement with them where we're the 1% the project may be physically located entirely in their county and the only thing that we're doing is participating in order to comply with state law. Yeah, I mean I can go into a a whole lecture as to why these things exist and and why they the legislature and its wisdom wanted multi-county parks to be partnership agreements. But that's the general thrust of it is that they are going to be participating but they're not driving the ship.

I I guess my question is I I understand that because I've spent a lot of money finding out about paying taxes. However, it seems to me like the county council people in your county, does this go before them to be approved if we do one? No, it does not. So, they would not know what we are doing. No. Again, the the the county that's driving the project will have almost complete control over it and the other county will essentially authorize us to to have control over the projects that are in our jurisdiction. Okay.

Remember, they only they only collect 1% of the revenue off of it. So, they're it's really not impact. You've answered the question I needed to have answered. Thank you. Is there a motion to be made? I'll make a motion we approve resolution 202605. Second. Second.

All right. So, open it up for discussion. Is there any discussion? I I'll say before you do, I'll say this. Um, if you look in our agenda packet, and it's available online on our county website under the council tab, you'll see um on page, oh gosh, get the page number to pop up. But anyways, you'll see uh exhibit A1 and it lists all the tax map numbers related to uh the multiount industrial park that's in Chester County that we're partnering with York. And then exhibit A2 does it the other way. So it lists all the York County industries that partner with Chester County. That's 200 200. There you go.

Um, so that that's some really helpful information. So that that shows that it's clear as day exactly what's happening and and what what what it's all about. Mr. Hester.

Yeah. And if I just follow up with um this is a property that council approved um uh the ordinance for the fee. Uh this is um project pocket pass as it was called project 2285. It's right in front of Iiko Matt tech plant off of Highway 9 in Cedarhurst. Um I believe that was a unanimous approval by council uh back last year early in the summer if I'm not mistaken. And sometimes attorneys u on these uh deals like to do the resolution for the multiount industrial park separately. And so that's what we have here. It's just typically we include it in our ordinance. This particular company and their attorney decided that they wanted to do it this way. Um it this really normally would have been part um of our original ordinance process, but that's all we're doing tonight is a project that was already approved. It was already approved that it was going into an industrial park, a multiount industrial park. So, I'll follow up with the multi county industrial parks that counties don't typically there's no permission uh that we have to require to enter into those other than council's legislative approval of those. We all participate in the multi-county industrial park, multiple counties like it says. And then we receive the benefit from those counties, 1% of their projects, and they receive 1% from our projects. And I can tell you rural Chester County benefits greatly from York County and Lancaster counties on the 1%. Um, and when I say benefits greatly, um, we receive much much more from being a part of those industrial parks than we pay out. So there is a benefit to that for for the county as well. There's also and people say well why is it multi-county industrial park and I like to tell people if you're not in a multi-county industrial park and you don't offer that to an industry then

many times those industries are not going to come to your county. And one of the reasons is because they would forego state incentives and and and abatements and one being a job tax credit. and they lose job tax credits on the amount of individuals that they hire. And it can be substantial. It can be up to $10,000 per employee. So, when you got 300 employees, um you're talking quite a substantial amount of money um that they would forego an incentive if they're not on there. Also, the other thing with multiount industrial parks that a lot of people don't understand is if you don't enter into the fee and loo within these multiount industrial parks on some of these businesses, there's an abatement, a tax abatement where the county loses out on five years of tax revenue um right off the bat. And so it benefits us greatly to be part of multiount industrial parks.

Chairman, I have a comment and a question. Yes, sir. uh in in reference to the multi-county industrial parks. From what I see, seems like we have over 50 different projects that we collect um from in York County, which is far more than what we share with them. So, uh, if anybody in the public was wanting to know what how how the comment, uh, the administrator said we collect a lot. A lot is over 50 different projects that we actually um collect funding from. My question is is how many of these may possibly be over 1% or all of them just 1% of these projects that I see? It's always 1%.

Always 1%. We pay 1%, we receive 1%. Thank you. And so, uh, I I'll give you a little example, and I'm not going to talk numbers, but everybody's data centers are a hot topic. If another county surrounding us brings in a data center, we receive 1% of that. Thank you. All right. Is there any more discussion? Not. and I'll call for the question to approve resolution 2026-05. Those in favor raise your right hand and say I.

Those opposed. All right, that motion carries 6 to1. Next is number seven, which is the administrator's report. Mr. Hester.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, council members, and the public. I apologize. This might be a little bit lengthy tonight, and I saw that face you just made, Mr. Wilson, but I have quite a bit on my on my pallet here tonight. Um, before we move too too far forward, I want to briefly explain a new process that I'll begin uh implementing as of tonight. From time to time, cons and I'm going to read because I've got a lot to go over. So, from time to time, concerns are raised during the citizen comment portion of our meetings. And many times that includes inaccurate information and sometimes even serious claims, allegations of corruption, conspiracy, or even violation of state law. When someone speaks with conviction, those claims can carry weight and give root to mistrust even when they are not supported by fact. It is not my role to silence anyone. Citizen comments is an important and protected part of our process. However, it is my responsibility as county administrator to ensure that the public record reflects accurate information. Going forward, when statements are made that contain clear factual inaccuracies, I will provide a clarification at a subsequent meeting. These responses are not intended to create hostility or discourage dialogue. They are intended to set the record straight. The goal is to protect the integrity of the institution, being the county government here in Chester, and the public's trust in it. Truth matters. Accuracy matters. And maintaining a culture where me misinformation is addressed, not ignored, is a responsibility we all share. So to begin this process tonight, during the last county council meeting on February 17th, a statement was made during citizen comment that the plan for Lando Village and Walkers Mill North did not follow state law regarding planned

developments. This is an important misconception that needs clearing up. The requirement for plan development under state code section 6-29-740 is that it must encourage innovative site planning for residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and industrial development within plan development districts. and the Chester County Code of Ordinances set forth expanded requirements regarding the intent and allowable uses of this district. The Lando Village and Walkers Mill North plans absolutely do meet both state and county requirements for plan developments being an innovative site plan specifically designed for site flexibility, multiple housing types, and a mix of commercial and institutional uses. And in fact, every plan development approved in this county has met the state and local government requirements in place at the time of its approval, which has been tested and verified by court of law. One more item relating to this public comment or two public comments comes from a citizen comment at a Fortn Fire District board meeting last month. The comment was related in public in a public meeting that the pending audit finded finding related to a Fort Lom fire district and in a citizen comment it was stated that Chester County approached the chief and requested that they turn over BNL funds be shared throughout the county. The county has not asked any district to turn over any funds collected to those district. There was no ask or question only a communication of a process change. The communication was simply that a communication uh that a communication of a proposed process change that would go before county council before it went before council. So my comment there is it was communication. It was talking about a

process change that was going to occur or that was going before council and it was just giving everyone a heads up. We should be talking about communication with all stakeholders uh that I believe has been talked about tonight. Second, the district is a county entity. County council created the district and the board it appointed to oversee it. The council is ultimate legislative and administrative authority over a county created special purpose district. The council previously approved an ordinance where 5% of funds collected from fe will go to the fire district in which the project was generated. County Council last year through its through an ordinance changed that process of allocation for future budget cycles. The change as discussed numerous times in open session during its approval simply puts the burden of justification of need for funds related to those fee and loo allocations on the fire districts as part of the budget process. It's a needsbased justification as would be expected by any fiscally responsible organization as opposed to randomly allocating money based off of percentage of revenue. The county would never jeopardize the financial stability of any district as noted in public comment. I think this is evident by council's approval last year of the Fort Laws Fire District budget from $197,271, increasing that budget to $286,495 in fiscal year 26. There was a second comment made at the same citizen comments that financial agreements, both written and verbal, were suddenly discarded, long-standing budget processes were altered without collaboration, and that this created financial instability in the district and placed it in

jeopardy. I asked Mr. Darby, our treasurer, to respond to that and he wrote me a letter in response to that. He oversees the budget and his comment is as follows. My role with the Fort Lawn Fire District from its inception was simply to collect and allocate the budget approved by county council to the district in fiscal year 25 due to the fund balance on hand allocated their entire budget and reads the numbers on July 12th, 2024 which was 197271. From that point, the only involvement the county had related to district expenditures was processing of bi-weekly payroll as a result of requests from the fire district staff. He goes on to state, let me re reiterate that I nor the county do not have the authority over the accounts used by the district for their day-to-day operations and therefore do not see uh what district expenditures are until after the fiscal year. As we prepare the county's financial statements, it would be up to the fire district board to ensure that the district is following its budget approved by county council during the fiscal year. This is per ordinance in place that gives authority to the fire district board and legislatively describes their role and responsibility as the overseer of the budget and the district operations. It was not until requested reimbursement from the district uh for their payroll costs that Mr. Darby was notified that the district didn't have the funds on hand to reimburse the county. This has brought to light some glaring issues that need to be addressed and this council has asked that those be addressed. As always, Mr. Derby states that he is more than eager to help and ensure that this doesn't happen again. Moving on to planning and development. First, I want we're going to move to a different topic now. Um, but first I don't want anyone to forget that we have our next planning and development workshop next Monday, March 9th at 4 pm. We will finish the discussion on solar

and hopefully wrap up with a discussion related to data centers here in Chester County. As many of you know, and this is still related to planning development, I as your administrator have had the privilege this year of sitting on a legislative tracking committee with the South Carolina Association of Counties. As part of that uh responsibility, I'm asked to review Senate and House bills that are on both floors of the state house and provide information and feedback on how those bills might affect rural counties like ourselves. In doing so, sometimes and all oftentimes I rely on the expertise of many our department directors and I ask them for research related uh material on a particular bill. One item that has been an extremely hot topic relates to data centers. As everyone knows, I asked Mr. Ward to do some background research. Um, I asked him to contact some folks with one Spartanberg that I was fortunate enough to meet recently and have some conversation with uh regarding their recent experience in data centers in Spartanberg County. Mr. Ward has had very profitable conversations with them as well as several other counties, some of which are in other states in North Carolina and Georgia. And I tell you all this because at the request of attorneys from the Association of Counties, Mr. Ward will testify before the House Subcommittee on Senate Bill 867 this Tuesday. And his testimony before the subcommittee will discuss challenges with data centers in the region, utility capacity, utility concerns. He has had numerous conversations with uh some of our utility providers like Duke Power as well. Mr. board will discuss Chester County's ability to support data centers given utility capacity and we also weigh in on the proper regulatory framework that is being considered regarding sighting incentives and approval of data centers.

While Chester County has not worked out its priorities regarding data data centers and we'll be discussing this in next week's workshop, Mr. Ward will be assisting uh in sharing of information and our perspective of planning and zoning information that he has accumulated around the region and research being conducted. And so I tell you all this to say that I think it's um you you've seen the good work that Mr. Ward's doing. You've seen Chester County sitting on panels down in Colombia. You've seen Chester County on the the state house floor. And I think it's important for our citizens to know how involved we are in Colombia and the fact that people in Colombia are asking for Chester County's um input on very very um important topics that are going on throughout the state. Next topic I have is uh Chester County School District information. And this is just kind of passing some information along from their recent uh workshops. Uh so you may or may not have seen the J the Chester County School District article in this week's paper um where capacity was discussed and Superintendent Snipes recently finished up her study on the numbers of students in Chester County school system and newly approved residences in Chester. The numbers were significantly less than expected. It ranges between four houses to 13 houses for every one student in public schools. In other words, places like your Lando Village, um your Walkers Mill North and the new subdivisions, um well, actually Lando Village and Walkers Mill North will bring in closer to only a hundred students extra into the school system than the hundreds that have been speculated uh by many in our community. And so I think that's important people who didn't get to go to the workshops that you see the works being done, the data that is driving the information is put forth um with regard

to the housing developments that have been approved in Chester County and what the numbers really look like. And we hit on some of those topics in our own workshops where we discuss that a majority of the migration that's coming into Chester County are people who have grown uh children that are already grown and they're not bringing in um it's not so much the young families coming in buying the homes that are starting that are putting kids into our school. And so that just kind of validates some of that information from their study. And then lastly, and this is it, Mr. Wilson. Um, but from the tourism front, I want to read a letter from the chamber president and CEO, Miss Brook Clinton, regarding uh the tourism program, which Chester County uh contracts with the chamber to run our tourism program. Um, they appreciate uh all the work that Miss Benson had done, but she has moved on from Chester County Chamber and Amy Bender will be stepping into the role of tourism director. Uh many of you already know Amy Bender uh through her work as a communication and creative director with the chamber uh over the past year. She has also helped shape the present Chester County business and ind industry through branding, events, and communication. And uh she also worked in our tourism department under Mr. Stmmire who's here tonight uh when he was over our tourism program. Uh and so she she already has a stronghold of what's going on there. Um Amy and her husband uh Chris, they call Chester County home and their proud parents uh to uh two kids and both serving in mission work and they absolutely light up when they talk about their granddaughter LA. Family and community mattered deeply to Amy. Um she's an exceptionally talented designer and storyteller. She'll be working closely with local businesses um in her new role and tourism is an important part of the county's economic future and we are confident that we're heading in the right direction. And with that, that

concludes my administrator's report, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Hester. Next up, we have uh we don't have any consent agenda or old business. So, that brings us to new business. So 10A is a presentation of plaque to to Leroy Springs and Company Incorporated in appreciation of of donated ball fields. Call for Mr. Brit Starter. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Council. Um, today is truly a special day for Chester County. We gather here not to just to recognize a gift of land and facilities, but to celebrate a lasting investment in our youth, our families, and the future of this community. On behalf of the Chester County Council, our parks and recreation department, the Chester Youth Baseball and Softball League, and the citizens of this county, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Leroy and Springs, Leroy Springs and Company Incorporated, and to Mr. John Gordon and Mr. Cal Williams for their generous donation of the Chester complex on Dawson Drive. For decades, this complex has been more than ball fields and bleachers. It has been a gathering place, a training ground, a second home. Since 1970, the Chester Youth Baseball and Softball League has called this complex home. Generations of young athletes have learned teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship right there on those fields. District tournaments, weekend competitions, and championship runs have brought families together and drawn visitors from across the state. In fact, they are conducting tryyouts tonight as we speak. In recent years, particip participation has grown significantly from 24 teams in 2020 to nearly 40 teams this year. That growth tells a powerful story. It tells us that families want recreation. Our children want opportunities and this complex continue

continues to be a vital part of their lives. In 2024 and 2025, Chester sent teams to represent both our county and the state at both the 8U and 6U Diamond Softball World Series. That kind of achievement starts right here on those fields. But their donation means even more than preserving a tradition. By transferring transferring ownership of the complex to Chester County, Leroy Springs and Company has ensured that this facility will remain dedicated to recreation for generation to come. This gift secures its future. It not it now allows us to pursue local, state, and federal grant opportunities that require public ownership and other funding sources that can support renovations, ADA accessibility improvements, expanded programming, and enhanced facilities. It positions this complex to be considered in future capital sales tax initiatives, giving our citizens a voice investing in investing in recreation infrastructure that benefits the entire county. In short, this donation doesn't just preserve what we have, it unlocks what is possible. It ensures that 50 years from now, children will step onto these fields with excitement and pride, just as they did in 1970. Leroy Springs and Company has a long history of investing in communities and today's action reflects a deep understanding that recreation strengthens quality of life, supports economic development, and builds community spirit. Mr. Gordon and Mr. Williams, who are here tonight, please know how meaningful this gift is to our county. It is a legacy decision, one that will positively impact families for decades. Thank you for believing in Chester County. Thank you for investing in our youth and thank you for ensuring

that this complex will continue to serve as a place where memories are made and futures are shaped. At this time, Chairman Wilson will read the plaque that will be permanently displayed at the park in recognition of this generous donation. read it. Okay. Right. So, this time I'll read the flag. So, it says, "Chester County extends its sincerest it sincere appreciation to Leroy Springs Company, Inc. for the generous donation of the Chester Sports Complex. Your gift enhances recreation, community spirit, and the quality of life for generations to come. 2026. Thank you very much. He's my neighbor.

All All right. So, next up we have um item 10B, which is the Veterans History Center bid award. I'll call forward our contract and procurement director, Christy Donaldson. Also joining her will be uh Miss Stud Mr. Studyer. Again,

good evening. We're requesting council's approval of the award for the veterans history center exhibit. This RFP was conducted in full compliance with the South Carolina procurement guidelines, but um due to grant funding that we received from the South Carolina parks and wreck and tourism um because state grant funds were involved, we were required to follow state procurement procedures throughout the process. A five member evaluation committee made up of Chester County government employees carefully reviewed and scored all proposals received. Based on that evaluation, HW Exhibits of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, was determined to be the most responsive and responsible proposer. The recommended award includes the base bid of $225,000 and the enhanced Revolutionary War exhibit in the amount of $60,000. for a total contract amount of $285,000 and that excludes any um selected al alternates. Um Brit's going to go over the grants that were received for the project.

So um council, we had $200,000 budgeted for the basic um Veterans History Center. um their bid came in at 225,000 and we had 62,500 um budgeted um and received from being awarded the Southline 250 grant um for the enhanced revolutionary portion um and their bid came in at 60,000. So we're we're in the black on that one. However, as we looked at it, we also realized that we were wanted to try incorporate a few of the alternates and so we selected some of the alternates which are more technology um audio stations, um a small digital kiosk, the veterans database, um where citizens can enter and research information, some mechanical interactives, and then a 60-inch wide uh free freestanding reader rail. three of those where artifacts can be placed in. And so that addition was $25,500 which put us at $50,100 over our budgeted amount. Um as I spoke to Mr. Hester and Mr. Derby today. We wanted to make that number 60,000 to include any prep work that we may have in getting the building ready um as the selected vendor comes in and starts to install and do the installation. Um I will let Mr. Hester speak on those funds as we discuss those with him and Mr. Darby. So this this process is a little bit different um because of the grants that are involved. So it's not just choose the low bidder. there's a scoring system that we have to follow based off the grants and the state and again you can lose the lose the grant awards if you

don't follow those processes. So it's not always a low bid um process. However, the the winner of this was the second to lowest bid. Um, and so while um we are in a deficit of $50,100 um I'm not going to say this too loud, but our local ATA tax um as we had reported to you the past couple of meetings um and council has approved some use of funds out of that local a tax fund balance. Um we needed to spend that budget that balance down a little bit. And so what I'm recommending to council is uh to add uh approve up to $60,000 out of local a tax. I've gone over uh with Mr. Darby extensively that local a tax fund balance. Um and even after the approval of uh the tourism center um the Christmas and Chester, the matches that are already approved on um this uh this these particular two grants, we still are hovering right around $300,000 fund balance um in that local AAX fund. Um, so with the addition of the $60,000, we can we can absorb that very well. Um, the one thing I will say is I think it's important to add the extra $9,000 in there for any prep work. We're going to do the prep work in house, but if we have to pull things, you know, if we have to paint walls, we still have to buy paint. um if we have to, you know, move electrical outlets or do anything like that, we still have to pay um for materials associated with those. And I wanted to leave us a little cushion in case we did have to bring a contractor in to do something that was outside of our capabilities, but it

should not be too much prep work. So, it's approve up to $60,000. I think this committee is also seeking some private partnerships, some private donations. So, if we get private donations, that number could go down, but um the fund balance can is healthy enough to uh handle this um as well as another item on the agenda tonight.

All right. So, Mr. Hester, can you uh clarify for sure so we understand exactly what action we're looking to do tonight? So, we're looking for you to approve the bid um that was brought for you tonight from HW Exhibits, and Miss Donaldson can clarify the exact dollar amount for that bid, including alternates. Um so, you would approve the bid plus alternates. HW uh exhibits as the contractor and then approve the use of up to $60,000 uh and and additional funds from the local a tax fund balance. I know that's a mouthful. What was that balance? The base bid uh the balance

the sorry the the base bid plus the extras. The um base bid was $225,000. The enhanced revolutionary war exhibit was in the amount of $60,000. So the total was 285 $285,000. And then um we have 50,100 but up to 60. Oh, I'm sorry. The al the alternates were 25,100. That's what gets you to the 50,100. Yeah. Tell me tell me those numbers again. to

$225,000 was the base bid and then $60,000 for the enhanced revolutionary war exhibit and then $25,100 for the alternates. So be $310,000 is the total that council will be approving and improving HW exhibits and for us to use an additional 60,000 up to 60,000. 310. Yes. Yeah. 310,100 for a total. All right. So is there a motion?

That's just the bid there. I make a motion we approve the $310,000 total bid for the Veterans Historical Center at the Gateway 310 310 $100. So we have a motion for $310,100 um for that HW exhibits. That's correct. Correct. Is there a second? Second. All right. Is there any more discussion? I'll call for the question. Those in favor, raise your right hand and say, "I."

All right. Also, um, entertaining a motion regarding the $60,000 to be used from local AAX. I'll make a motion we approve up to $60,000 from a tax for completion of project. All right. Motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Call for the question. Those in favor raise your right hand to say I. Thank you'all very much. Thank you, council. Thank you. That brings us to TNC, which is a multi-year contract approval for ESRI. I'll call forward our IT director, David Shorty.

Hello. Good evening, chairman and council. Um, I'm here seeking approval for a multi-year three-year contract in the amount of $126,600 with Ezri. This is our uh ARJS software that we use. Um, kind of the core core software to handle E911 addressing. It also handles our incident response field app and uh we also use it heavy to uh partial partial editing in the assessor's office. Um, the previous three years was um So, this is a savings of uh 9,250 per year from the previous three-year contract. I'm here to answer any questions.

So, this this three-year cycle is a is a $30,000 reduction from last time. Savings, I mean, not reduction, but um Yes. Oh, sorry. I mean, cut you off. No, no, that's okay. Okay. So yeah, the um per year previous contract is 51,250 and this new proposal is for 42,000. Okay. Thank you, sir. All right. Is there any questions for David? Not I'll entertain a motion. Make a motion to approve the multi-year contract with EZRI as presented. Second.

All right. Have a motion in second. Is there any discussion? We got to thank you for uh more savings. You're the king of savings and so keep it up and uh it's good news. Thank you. Thank you. I'll call for the question. Those in favor raise your right hand and say I.

All right. All in favor. All right. So that brings us to 10D, which is a Chester County needs assessment. Miss Grace Ray, come forward. She's the community development director. Sorry, I was I was um passing out signin sheets. Um thank you so much for allowing me to come, Mr. Chairman, and and council members. Um, I guess I come about once a year to do this and hopefully it won't be um too long because I know y'all had a long long evening. Um, this is the needs assessment hearing that we have to h hold in order for Chester County to apply for any community development block grant funds. So, I'm going to tell you a little bit about the funds and then um talk about um the the needs that y'all identified last year so that you can see what if you want to update your priority needs. Before we start though, I want to say this that y'all have a citizen participation plan and um you've had this for years and we've we have actually amended it. So, I want to tell you what we're amending it for, but the citizen participation plan we have to have in in order to have these funds also. And it in in essence, it it says that you'll have to to um not have any private meetings, of course, and that you uh advertise any public hearings that you have that that deal with this this um funding source. And I know y'all um obviously advertise all the time

anyway. And in the past, we had to do the needs assessment hearing and you had to advertise that. Then if you identify a project that you want to apply for, you had to have another public hearing to discuss that. Then if it if a project gets funded and there's any changes in that project, like with the budget or the scope of the project, we have to have another public hearing for that. And then at the end of the project, you have another public hearing. Um, one good thing is, um, you do not have to have a public hearing for the application anymore. It's just for those other items. Then the other thing that is more, um, I think even more important, in the past, we had to advertise it in the paper as well as, um, uh, have posters around. I know y'all have, and thank you to your clerk for for um, posting things around the county. But now it can be and or in the paper and that does save the county some money. Plus I think um the the um the state that oversees this realizes that there say this but maybe not as many people read the papers although I know Chester that's not the case but anyway you can we can still advertise in the papers and of course if you want to we can do that but if you don't want to we don't have to. we can just post and put it on your website and those sort of things. So, those are the changes to the citizen participation plan and I will give it um in fact your your clerk already has it so if anybody needs to see it we can certainly give it to you. The next thing I want to just briefly say is that uh Chester County is um supports fair housing and uh April is fair housing month. So, y'all will be passing a resolution that that month. And just to let the citizen know that um Chester County does support fair housing in Chester County. So, now I'm just going to give a brief overview of the community development block grant

program. Um this is a federal program that um is obviously comes from from um the federal government and in it's given it's the small cities community development block grant program and those funds are given to each state and in South Carolina those funds flow through and are managed by the department of commerce and so um we the department of commerce oversees any projects that are in South Carolina for this and then also um overseas um well actually that's where you apply to and that's who decides who gets the funding right now. In fact, we are um we weren't sure about the budget as y'all know. We've had a lot of um different things that have happened in the on the federal level on on budgets and funding. But the budget actually um was increased a little bit this ne next year for f funding year 26 and 27 is 20.1 million um available um statewide. That's up from 19 million last year. The um only local governments are are qualified to apply. That's the counties, cities, and towns. And also that is all for non-entitlement areas. There's some entitlement um localities that all are automatically entitled to this to to money from not this pot this specific pot but from the community development block grant. The only one in this region in this region is Chester, Lancaster Union and York counties is the city of Rock Hill. So Chester County is in the small cities program and you um there are three national objectives you have to do at least one of these to apply for this money. The first one which we do most of the time is to benefit low and moderate income persons. The second is to aid in the prevention of eliminate or prevention or elimination of slums for blight. Um that

is usually for um like we did the Springsteen clearance a long time ago. That was one we can do clear brownfields areas. We can also um uh demolish dilapidated and vacant houses and things like that. The third one is to meet urgent community needs posing a serious threat to the health or welfare of the community. We this has rarely been used in South Carolina and like I said most of the ones that we we do for our local governments is to benefit low and moderate income persons. So um as I said there's um $20 million overall for the program and there are different programs under that program. There's um a business development program, the community development and regional planning. What I want to talk about is the um is the um community the community development programs because that is what you apply for on a competitive basis. under those program under that program there um the subprograms are the first one is community infrastructure and that is um what it's what it sounds like that is for duty water and sewer storm water those sort of activities there's $8 million available that statewide in South Carolina this year and um a million dollars is the max that you can apply for u Chester County in the past has has um has partnered with uh Chester Sewer District um or Chester wastewater recovery, the Dawson Drive sewer project was one of those. So, normally y'all y'all are not in the water and sewer business. So, you normally would apply on the behalf of like the sewer or the water districts. So, you can do that. Those those applications are actually due um April the 20th of this year. The application requests are due on March the March the 20th. And there is a 10 there's a 10% match on all of the on all of these projects. So

there's a 10% match required on that. The second one is the community enrichment program and there's 7.9 million dollars available statewide and 750,000 is um the maximum. Um, I'm pleased to say y'all received one of these grants um back in the December and it's to um it's for the uh Great Falls. It's the uh fire service truck. So, y'all received $750,000 for that project. We're really excited about it. Um there are different things you can do under this project um or under the under this program. You can do brownfields, like I said, brownfield clearance. You can de demolish vacant dilapidated residential structures. You can do downtown streetscape improvements. You can also do new or upgraded sidewalks in low and moderate income areas. You can also do libraries um or services to um including renovations and construction and of construction and equipment and publicly owned child care facilities for children age 12 and under. And those can only be done in in um facilities that are owned by the county um or and but it could be like daycare centers or head start preschool centers. You can also do other public um public centers for for other services. In fact, y'all got a project for the DSS um upgrade that building that that was one of them. So those are some other things you can apply for. You can also um do other public safety facilities like police or sheriff substations. We can't do the primary sub the primary offices for for law enforcement, but we could do substations and then fire substations. As I said, we're already doing the fire truck. And um one thing with the fire trucks and also for any of the

substations or no the fire trucks, excuse me, you have to show that it will it will reduce the um uh the the reduce or not well you have to you have to expand the services but it also has to reduce the ISO and sometimes that's hard to to show that it's going to reduce that. Kell Benson did a great job and of of explaining that for the Great Falls fire fire truck. So, we were really excited he did that. Um, we can also do public health facilities or like I said already the social services. We can also do ADA accessibility and inter energy efficiency for um CDBG eligible public facilities. That might have changed a little bit. We are hoping. Um, we were trying to do that for y'all last year and they said like you couldn't do it through um like this building. It can't be where you have regular ser regular services. I mean regular county services. So, we're going to probably look into that with y'all. So, those those applications um the application requests are due August the 21st and the applications are due September the 21st. Then the third one is the local priorities program. There's $2 million available statewide. $300,000 is a maximum and the match again is 10%. Again, Chester County received one of these to do your Chester EMS 5 district ambulance. Um that was the first ambulance that was funded in the in the state. So, we were we were very excited about that. But that is for alternate um alternative grant activities and partnerships that might not go under anything else. um like like the ambulance is one historic preservation, innovation, energy conservation, parks, rail, and trails and greenways. Um we've also been trying over the last few years. I'm glad to see that um Mr.

Stommy is here because we were trying to get something for um one of your parks. So, we're hoping maybe something like that can can be eligible in the future. Those applications are also um due in August 21st with the application request due September the 21st. Then there's a ready to go program. There's $750,000 available for that. The grant maximum is 500,000. They um those are for any any of those other three programs, but um it's if something comes up, especially if it's a an infrastructure project. You might have something that might be an emergency and you can't wait for a whole year to apply. You can apply any time during the year. However, the project has to be shovel ready. It has to be um designed, permitted. If there's any envir we have to do an environmental review, if there any acquisition, all of that has to be done and you have to be ready to go to bid before you can apply for that. Um there's also the business development program that is not a competitive program and usually it come goes through the the county economic development um uh departments and Robert Long is the one kind of in charge of those. Um we haven't done any um economic development program projects in a long time. In fact, there's not very much. They don't put very much money in that anymore. Um, but what happens is when the um econom if if a company comes in, it's for large larger um companies that might be coming in to create jobs. Yeah. There's only $250,000 available statewide. And they are um they the the economic development directors go to the state and say, "Okay, we have this company come in. we need this much to run water and sewer, whatever it is, and then they go around to the different funding sources to find out what might what might be the best thing. I think a lot of the times with this this funding, it's a little bit harder because it's it's based on number

of jobs and the companies have to keep up with those jobs and we have to we have to track them as they as they come in. So, that one is not as um robust as some of the others. There are a couple of things um to let you know. Y'all have two projects right now. You can have three at a time so that y'all have one slot open for something if you want to do maybe in the fall sometime. So, we'll be working with your staff to try to do that. So, that is a brief overview of the program. Are there any questions? I know that's a lot of information, a short amount of time. So if not, the next thing we need to do is go over your priority needs from last year, which it was finalized last July, and I will just read through them so that the um audience can hear and to see if y'all want to make any changes or additions or deletions. Um these were the top priorities for Chester County and for the 2025 um year. First was to upgrade water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer infrastructure and services in low and moderate income areas, including infrastructure upgrades in the East Chester, Lancaster Street, Saluda Street, and Mccclure Street areas in the city of Chester, water upgrades in the Lincolnville Street neighborhood, and storm drainage in the Cedar Grove area of Chester County. This also includes the upgrade of water and sewer lines serving the Chester County Board of Disabilities facility and Dawson Drive built ball fields as well as upgrades to the Sandy River wastewater treatment plant. Um, just to let y'all know and I really should have said this before I started reading these in order as I said at the very beginning and usually we have to prove that an area that is going to be served is low moderate income. So some of these areas might not be but they're still your needs. So, and there's some probably some other needs on here that might not be eligible for

the the CDBG funds, but um they're still your needs. So, that's that's the uh first one. The second one is renovate or construct Chester County facilities to include the following ADA upgrades to the Chester County Courthouse to provide access to disabled persons. Renovate fire substation and EMS facilities to make them more efficient and and usable. This includes the upgrade of fire and safety equipment to include firet trucks, ambulances and other emergency vehic vehicles. Third is facility for the joint location of services to include SC department of public health, SC works and other agencies. Um the next is probate judge office and courtroom, the federal building. And then the next one is county recreation facilities to include the Great Falls Republic Park, a park on Dawson Drive, Gale Park, and the Backgate Park and um the county jail. Third, the third priority is upgrade sidewalks to include the Gail Mill neighborhood, Ashford Street from El Ella to JA Cochran bypass, the area from Parkway Avenue to the JA Cochran bypass, York Street, Brindle Street, areas along Ja Cochran bypass, and sidewalks in the town of Fort Lawn. The fourth is undertake streetscape improvements to enhance the main entrances into the city of Chester to include SC highway 72 which is Saluda Street and SC Highway 9 which is Lancaster Street and improvement. The improvements can improve can include road improvements, lighting, sidewalks, landscaping, water, sewer and other infrastructure. Number five is address slums and slums and blighted areas. This includes the clearance of brownfield areas as well as the following abandoned mills. The Great Falls Mill number mill number two and number three, Eureka Mill and the Gail Mill. This also includes the demolition of dilapidated buildings and residences

in low and moderate income areas. Six is to support additional Chester County Library facilities to provide education and training for low for low and moderate income persons in order to enhance employment opportunities. Seven is to expand water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer to low and moderate income areas currently not being served. I think that's the same as up there. Um, eight is construct and upgrade infrastructure to promote economic development through the expansion of existing industries and location of new industries. Nine, extend water, sewer, and other infrastructure services to affordable housing sites in order to promote housing opportunities for low and moderate income persons. Number 10 is to extend water and sewer along the I77 corridor, including the um SC highway 97 interchange at exit 55. And the last is to continue to further h be housing in Chester County, which is something we always put at the at the end of everybody's um needs list. So that's your needs list. Um, and I don't know, I did notice just reading through that we had, um, you had a facility for the location of SC works. I think they already have one, so I think you can take that off. And then I also um, you're saying, okay, one is upgrade, one's expand, so never mind. Number seven is expand water and sewer. And I thought that's the same as number one, but the number one is to upgrade. This is to expand. So, any comments or ideas of anything that y'all want to add or change or delete?

Would you tell us what two projects we currently have going? Yes, you have the um the Great Falls Fire Department. Well, no, excuse me. The Great Falls Fire Service Truck. That's right. Fire service truck. It's not a fire truck. our fire service truck. And the other one is the um Chester EMS district five ambulance district four. District four. Yeah. Out in Westchester.

I thought well it was wrong and everything. I'm so sorry. Glad to know. Um those are the two y'all also sponsored one for Great Falls. No, they did it. They did their own, but they they actually got a park project for the I can't remember offhand the name of it. Um, was it Sunset? No, it was not Sunset. It was the David Miners park.

It was the David, not Miners. Thank you. That also received funding, which is was pretty awesome. But you can you y'all do have a spot for another one. And these projects usually last two years. And um I know I don't know I know with some other fire truck projects we're doing um they sometimes take longer than two years and I'm sure Mr. AG probably knows how long it takes to order those there. But I I think what happens in Richburg is the income is too high. Yeah.

To do that. I'm curious if the fire truck was gotten by the town of Great Falls, which is a minority town, and the and the money was available to the town or did it include the fire district, which is outside and the income level of those people would have disqualified it.

Well, I tell you what happened and um with both of those projects, so the county staff did a phenomenal job. We had to do income surveys and we could for chess I mean you're asking about Great Falls. Great Falls in itself is a low and moderate income area. So that no they they were they're not. So they actually had to in they had to do surveys for the town and then the district outside. So I guess there were enough low and moderate income people in the town that offset that. The town's income really helped that. Yeah. because I I I know we've tried with Richburg and I'm sorry we haven't been there, done that.

Yep. We've been there, done it. So, y'all can keep the list like this or you can make changes and I don't know if you want to think about it and come back to me or say something. Are there any are there any comments from council? So basically there's just one one slot for us to apply for. Correct. Correct. Okay. And I would um think it would be something that you could apply for in the fall on the which is everything but the infrastructure.

Okay. So um if y'all will because at some point you got to we'll give our feedback to Mr. Hester and he'll relay it to you. Okay. That's great. And then y'all can just once y'all decide and um I can redo the list for you and then you can just um approve it at your one of your future that again. What's the date for that again that we need? You really Okay. The good thing is you're not in a big hurry. Okay. Yeah. You really won't need to do it until I won't be but August probably. But don't wait till August. But um it's it's good. You you really

would we handle this the same as we did? would you come back down and meet with our staff and we'll go through like we did last time the list of ideas that we had and so we can kind of Yes. So just so council knows the LA um last year when these two projects were selected for application we probably met for an hour hour and a half um and went through extensive list from you all and from county staff to see what qualified. I think we came up with these were the two projects that actually qualified. So, um

and we are receiving some brownfield money on projects currently as well from different grants. Yeah. And we we have a um we keep a list. So, if y'all come up with ideas, um, please let us know and we'll we'll vet them because, um, we we try to make sure that whatever you apply for has a really good chance of getting funded because it's very time consuming on the county's part as well as ours. So, it was really good to brainstorm and try to come up with some things. Thank you very much. Thank you all. Thank you.

All right. Next up is 10E, which is request approval of local AAX funds for SE250 events. We'll call forward SC250 committee member Neilie Cast.

Thank you, Chairman Wilson, members of the council. Uh just want to bring your attention to the seal on the behind you stated 1785. All the work of the SC250 committee deals with a time period before we were even a county. And I say that because even though we use the term Chester County in identifying people and events that took place here, this was really known as the Kataba River and the Fishing Creek watershed area. And it was mainly a bunch of Scottirish Presbyterians who were glad to be out of out of the hands of the British until we all know what happened in 1775, actually not 1776. But your South Carolina 250 committee has been very hard at work. Your chairman, Bill Marian's right behind me. Um Brian Garner's behind me. uh our council person uh Aaron Mosley, Glenda Coleman, I saw her back there, and also Sandy Angland. A lot of our folks are also not only involved in activities in the county, but some are on the historical cemeteries committee where you probably recognize me more from that. Some are with the Chester County Historical Society, also with the activities that uh Mr. Stoutmire has been involved with. Some of us have been involved There's a great synergy going on right now in the county to promote the activities of that time period. And just to say a little bit about it, this is a grand opportunity for us to not only educate our folks and our children, but to show the significance of every people group that's represented in the county today. Uh I mentioned Scott Iirrish Presbyterians,

but there were also African-Americans. There were uh members from the Kataba Nation. There were patriots predominantly men were doing the fighting at that time. But also in Chester County, we have documented evidence of the significant contributions of even risking their lives or being martyed by the women who were here. So I had the opportunity along with uh Miss Coleman to be with Britt when we had to uh do a Zoom call with the South Carolina 250 on that wonderful grant that you just heard about tonight. and that was a full 50,000 and we were seeing everybody on the committee. Uh I wanted to just say that on that particular grant we scored I think it was 93% and we had a chance to hear some of the other counties they weren't anywhere near that number and we got the full amount and I just want to give my congratulations to Brit and all the folks that have had something to work the part that they've done on that. But we're going to kick off officially on June 28th this year. And if any of you are historians, you know that's Carolina Day. That's the day that the Patriots in the Charleston Harbor on Sullivan's Island with the blue Liberty flag that at the time didn't have a pale metat tree on it, but it had the we say crescent moon, but technically it's a gorge. I won't get into all that, but uh we call it the crescent moon. But that was where we defeated the British in 1775 and they didn't come back for almost five years. Now they won the second time they came which sets up what happened here in our part of the country. Our nation probably would not be in existence if it were not for the events

and participation that took place in what is now Chester County. And the SC250 committee in Colombia knows it. They're so excited that we're doing the the uh gateway center, the Veterans History Center as part of this big plan because they see us as a gateway to the rest of the state to get people to go to Charleston and to go to 96 and to go to Camden and they're going to come down 77 right through Chester. So, just wanted to say thank you. We're going to kick off on the 28th with uh celebrations of the patriots who gave their life at the burnt meeting house and the other patriots that are buried there. We're going to be talking about uh William Martin who was out of the Rocky Creek area, the Covenant Preacher that stirred his folks up. We're going to be doing a lot of activities with some of the other cemeteries and then we're going to move into an event. We hope to have everything in place before July the 4th to dedicate a monument at the memorial building that shows at this time over 34 patriots who gave their lives who were from Chester County. Uh they paid the ultimate sacrifice. So we hope to dedicate that uh later this summer. With all of these things going on, I I am asking that you consider a grant of $25,000 to help us not only do some of the events that are taking place this year that will continue on all the way for the next seven years because the war wasn't over until the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which then two years later, we become a county. And we're hoping to have events that'll take in every area of the county to take care of every person that's

represented that I've named. And we also are hoping to have the events take place at different locations throughout the county where every every person can have an opportunity to understand the significance of those men and women who did their everything that we could be a country that we enjoy so much today. So that was that's our request that you would help us. And and lastly, this is important. You know, everybody likes skin in the game. When you're applying for grants, we can use some of this money to as a portion of a matching grant. It shows that the county has continuing skin in the game and that really makes a big difference. That was part of the reason we got a full grant at the for the Veterans History Center. So, Mr. Chairman, that's our request.

Thank you very much for that update. Entertain a motion from council. I make a motion we approve the request for the uh a tax funds um SC250 events. Second. We have a motion second. Is there any discussion? Be clear. That's up to $25,000. Is that up to it? Yeah. Y All right. We want to thank the committee for all y'all's hard work. We're excited for the months to come. Do vote on

We will. We have. We will. We certainly will. I think it's going to pass. We'll see. So, um, is there any other discussion? Call for the question. Those in favor, raise your right hand to say I. All right. All in favor. Thank you. All right. So, that brings us to 10F, which is a temporary non-confirming nonconforming permit extension request. We have U. Mr. Alan Clack. um who's who's a part of this request, also our planning and development director, Jeremy Ward. In a moment, you can come forward as well, Mr. Clap.

Councilman Wilson uh and members of council, thank you for letting us come tonight. Uh you've probably seen what we've been dealing with the last few months on Cedarst Road. Uh we've had a temporary permit and it's about to run out. So, we've asked Jeremy Ward to give us a an additional we said we asked for 10 months uh but tonight I'm coming uh in front of you to also say that during the last week we've actually came to terms and agreed upon uh a property adjacent to where we are right now. So we have a contract on that. Um and also we have a lease with the owner of the property that we intend to uh purchase. we have the contract on that she would lease us property so we can begin moving the rolls over to the new property uh that has already been zoned ID1 which uh Jeremy has uh told me that that conforms to what we need. Um however, you've seen what we we have to move. It's over 700 loads right now. So, it would probably take us up to three to four months of moving it over if you can u temporarily add four months to the permit instead of 10 that we're here to ask for tonight. Uh with me here is uh Arco Design and Build and they're the ones that we're going to turn it over to for the chop plant where we'll need to process the material where the landfills will uh take it. Uh they uh in your package you you see that they've got timelines. So we are serious about this. It's just not coming here in front of you saying hey give us keep giving us more time. We do have a a plan, a

timeline plan. Um, and they're here tonight to if you have any questions or you have any questions with me. Well, we we'll hear from our planning planning and development director, Mr. Ward, and then we'll we have a few questions as well if if you would just don't go too far.

Thank you, Chairman. I'll add a I'll add in a few quick details um and then we'll be available for questions as well. So, Mr. Clack was granted a temporary non-conforming permit um on October 28th. Temporary non-conforming permits are not something we we often do, but it's a temporary use of a property for something that the zoning does not allow, but on a temporary basis while construction or land acquisition or or land development's underway to allow flexibility for people about to make a capital investment. Uh so, Mr. Clack is working with several of our local industries, Ieko and GAF, to haul their waste fiberglass. And the plan, which I believe you can expound more on, is to eventually purchase a piece of property. Um, his plan is in Chester County, if zoning permits, to slice the rolls of fiberglass, haul it off to a landfill somewhere else. Our landfill is not rated to support it. Um, and so the the new piece of property that Mr. Clack is looking into would be the plan is for slicing it and then trucking it off. So currently he has a temporary permit for two acres on an adjoining property just to store the rolls of fiberglass and that was originally for the four months. Um so the fiberglass I think you can see pictures in your packet is there stored and as Mr. Clack mentioned the other piece of property that he has the contract on and now has permission to lease is zoned ID1. So the zoning ID1 allows you to store the waste fiberglass there. It would not permit the slicing of it. Mr. Clack's aware of this. So um if everything moves ahead, he would submit a resoning request to reszone that to ID3. It would also require a special exception by the board of zoning appeals for the slicing of it, but he would be allowed to store the waist fiberglass there on the new

site if the extensions granted for um a few months extension. I'll also note that we have gotten a number of citizen complaints on this roughly five about half for litter along the road from hauling of the fiberglass about half from just the visual impact. Um they are stacked up pretty high there. The advantage of the new site would be that it would be completely hidden behind trees is my understanding. So I think that would alleviate some of the concerns of the neighbors. I'm here if you have any questions.

Well, it seems like the majority of the complaints when I looked at it came in from the litter on the road. It's actually my district. Cedar Hurst is actually a district I represent. So um seems like four out of the five was litter on the road. Is there any plans? you got any plans to try to or is it even you? Um because I I do understand from my research that you're not the only one that's hauling the waste out of there. They actually haul the waist out of there in a different form on different trucks as well. So what's going What could you explain that?

Yes, sir. Uh right now we're um contracted to haul the roll form uh which the trailers we put it on is covered top. We don't take the tops down, doors on the back. So, ours is completely encased into a trailer. Now, you do have other companies hauling them with the tarps over top and they're not rolls. They're in the uh loose form and it can come out. So, not saying it's 100% them. We might contribute a little bit if it's stuck to a tire and all, but we will make sure uh everything's picked up between the plant and where we're going to uh up and down the road there. Would you would you be committed to kind of like they have the adopt the road uh things and things that would you be committed to make sure that roads clean? Um

yes sir we can commit to that. Can we get a commitment from that? Um so the ones that haul the loose stuff is it like dump truck or something? It's the open top containers like waste management or something like that. Green box you pull the top so you They roll the tarps over, but you know, some can blow out. That's That's that waste management truck that comes up the road every morning. It's a double comes off of 77 and makes a left and goes comes to justice that where he's going Io.

It could be. And like I said, I'm not putting a blend by any means. Uh but there's other companies that come in. But for what you see on Cedarhurst, the rolls, that would be DNC. Isn't it true that these rolls, some rolls like this are stored somewhere else in Chester? Also,

uh, another plant has them on their site. Uh, and we're in the process of helping them uh, alleviate that problem. uh which you know landfields will just they do not like them in roll form because it's hard to push them around and they get up on top of them and they want them chopped so they can scatter them throughout the landfills better and cover them. So a lot of landfills we've tried two or three different ones over the last year and we've been turned down after like two or three weeks of hauling to them. They say don't bring anymore. It's got to be chopped. You say you already have a lease on the current property that you're going to be moving it to. Is that correct?

We do. We just obtained it today and we uh signed the contract last week to uh begin the process of buying the property. Okay. With due diligence period and archive is once it'll do the site plan and all the design. And how long did you say it would take for you to roughly I mean I know it's not exact but how long would that process take for you to move the the rolls in a great world two months maybe I'm asking for four just case of the weather you know we've had great snow storms this year

and it's put put it behind so uh but you'll see it'll start going down it won't be as visible as it is right now So, uh, Mr. Ward got a question for you. So, um, as far as the ID1 zoning, that that's okay for him to store this material on it. Yes, sir. It would be. And is there a regulatory agency that oversees the storage of this type of facil this type of material or or there's not really? Not to my understanding for the sto the storage of it. I believe Mr. Clack is working with them for the for any grading that has to occur on the site and storm water. Those are the only two things that this that the state would have regulatory ability to

you know you certainly have to understand that the reasonzoning is not guaranteed and so you need to be have a plan B in case the resoning does not go through for what you'll do with this material even after it gets moved to this new site. Right. U yeah but it'll it'll allow us time to time to leave it there until we do if this site doesn't When will the resoning take place? Is it already been submitted? Will be soon. I believe the resoning will be submitted soon.

This is sorry, David McCormack with the ARC design build. Um we do plan on submitting the resoning here um very soon. We're working on obtaining surveys, geotechnical reports, environmental reports so that we can prepare that and get submitted. How much additional material could you potentially accumulate in a month's time? What's sort of your rate of input on average? Uh right now it's around 15 loads a month. The load the reason why it's so big right now is because we didn't start when they started. They they had it on their property

and it got so so much on their property they couldn't move. And that's when they came to us and I came to Jeremy and asked about the temporary permit to get it off their site to clean it up. 15 loads a month. Yes, sir. Good. A load consists of how many rolls? Uh your eight rolls. Eight rolls. Okay. Mhm.

How how big of a facility uh facility are you guys planning on building to uh actually chop this stuff up? Uh well in your plans uh I wrote we're looking at a 100 by 100 building uh with awnings uh with docks and uh we also have already purchased the the shear machine from REI. Uh it's about a 18week um build date on it. So the machine will actually get there before we can actually put it in the building. Uh but it has to be designed to put in the floor uh the power and everything to go to it. It's just not something that you just move around.

What would council like to do? We would need to be clear, we would need uh Mr. award. We would need action from council to allow this to be extended beyond March the 15th. Yes, sir. We would need a vote by council to extend this for a certain length of time.

How soon um are you planning to submit for ZBA for for that property? Like how soon could it, Jeremy, that's a question for you also. like how soon would it be available to be on for zoning amendment? Yes, our timeline here has I know you're doing your studies and all just to make sure it's it's there. I'm just curious. Yeah, it's really it's really based on the survey that we need to get through our due diligence. So, I'm thinking sometime April 1st of May somewhere in there. Okay. And you have a lease agreement that you could present to Mr. Ward? Um, yeah. Now, even you have it in hand.

Um, you said April 1st of May. It's still very preliminary, but that's mine. I I would hate for us to have to come back through here and deal with this all again. Um, what do you think about August 15th? We won't have to deal with it. That's fine. August 15th sounds good to me. You know when

I make a motion we approve the extension um Mr. Clatt um to August the 15th contingent upon um Mr. Clatt making a uh commitment to make sure that the the waste is not on Cedar Hurst Road when he hauls it from the plant to Cedar Hurst Road. Um I think we do have some litter enforcement that can actually make sure that that's uh being taken care of. Um this motion to uh be contingent upon if there is litter on that road, us contacting you and you being responsible getting it up.

I second that. U just clarification. Is that the whole road to 72 or just to where we go to from Cedar Hurst to where you go to? I would that's my opinion. That's my thoughts from what I see on the pictures. I think that's where you should be. I don't see why you would have to come in off 72 and come in that way. Okay. I just know trucks travel all the way down the road. All right. We have a motion and second. Is there any discussion? Not I will call for the question. There's a favor raise your right hand and say I. All in favor. Thank y'all.

Next up is 10G which is first reading of CCMA 26-01 Thomas W. Clark request tax map number 0104000000008400 0 which is 5.07 07 acres located at 20002 Craig Road, Rockill, South Carolina 29730 to be reszoned from rural one district to rural two district planning commission approved 7 to zero. Mr. Ward make a motion we uphold the planning commission we go ahead and uphold the planning commission first reading CCMA26-01. I'll second.

All right. Have a motion second. Mr. Ward, very briefly tell us anything you want to tell. So, this is a very simple reasonzoning. The land owner purchased an adjacent parcel and wants to reszone it the same as his house in order to combine the two parcels. All right. Thank you. Is there any discussion? Offer the question. Those in favor raise your right hand to say I. All in favor? Next up is 10H, which is a first reading of CCTA 26-01, Chester County zoning ordinance text amendment to chapter 4, section 4103, number seven, landfills and cellulose. Planning commission voted um approved 7 to zero. Mr. Ward.

Yes, sir. So, as you know, we're updating the zoning code to be sure that every industry, whether it's a new industry like vape shops or older industries, have a zoning district where it it has its home, it has regulations for it. So, as part of that, we're doing a we're proposing a simple text amendment to clarify which zone sanitary landfills fall under. And the proposal is to classify them sanitary landfills, which is household garbage, non-hazardous waste. is to classify them the same as the two other landfills in the zoning code, which are inert landfills, which is like brick and sand, non-organic matter, and cellulose landfills. This would add them in as a special exception in the R2 zoning district, which means that they would have to be in the R2 zone and get a special exception by the board of zoning appeals, which would look at is it appropriate for the surrounding area or there safety or traffic concerns with it? And all of that would have to be reviewed before approval, but it is simply a one-word text update. All right. Is there a motion?

I'll make a motion we approve first reading of CCTA 2601. A second. All right. We have a motion and second. Is there any discussion? Those in favor raise your right hand and say I. Thank you, Mr. Ward. Next up is number 11, which is boards and commissions. A is the historical cemeteries advisory board. Vice Chair Mosley. Yes, sir. Um I would like to um appoint Mr. Richard Hollis to our uh historical cemeteries advisory board. We have a second. Second.

I have a motion and second. Is there any discussion? Yes, I have a discussion about boards in general, boards and commissions in general. It um can we at some point possibly look into um revising this process and looking to some of our boards as to give us some education as to why some of the boards uh have a member for each district and some of the boards do not. And what I think it's to me it's a little unfair for some of these boards um where maybe I don't for example the airport board I don't have a pointee but I'm actually voting so you know are I'm I'm not accusing but it's some of any other some of the other council members talking to some of these people getting them to apply things of that nature and then some of us don't have a really skin in the game

well this particular you know, with that kind of make it a little bit more fair so we all have some money. Um, yeah, I get what you're saying because I get confused sometimes. just some just some education on that. And then maybe um I don't know if interviewing is the right um word I want to use, but maybe talk about some of these members um before we actually come in and vote on them maybe in a in another setting or a workshop or something of that nature. I don't know. I just I've just never been comfortable with boards and commissions since I've been up here. I think we need some some

and we don't be knowing who they is. Y'all just tell us they name but we don't All we get is an application at the end of the day. We need to know who these people is that we putting on these boards. Yeah. So our applications are in our packets. Yeah. So it's important to read those applications sometimes make a phone call. Got it. But I'm I'm all for trying to look at our process, see if there's something we can do better. There's a lot of people I don't know either. Yeah, the boards are important. Yeah, because they are important. I think I think we're all starting to slowly understand how important our boards are. Um, and we got to make sure that we all are comfortable and maybe know something about everybody that's on the board. That's just my opinion.

Put the right people on the board. So, so council pleases, um, you guys at the end of last year asked, um, the county attorney and myself to do some take some steps with regard to boards. And so, one of the things that we do see is there there probably needs to be a full um review of all boards. Some boards advisory, some boards have different different authority. uh the ordinance has established that authority many of them were written 20 years ago and so it's going to take some time but we have started that process um of going through those boards provide putting together training for boards and I think what we would end up doing is once we get through the budget this year we would come back to you guys probably do a workshop on boards and uh committees and make some overall recommendations and kind of get some guidance from you guys on how to move forward. And we have been making notes on a lot of the things you guys have been saying regarding representation authority and so the real issue is there's a lot of there's different ordinances that govern different boards in different ways and that becomes really confusing to all of us as well. So um we will work on on all these matters that you're bringing forth.

Thank you. All right. So we have a motion on the floor right now. It's to u put Richard Hollis on the historical cemeteries advisory board. Is there any discussion? Any more discussion? If not, I'll call for the question. This is almost Hollis. Yes. I'll call for the question. Those in favor raise your right hand say I. I. All in favor? Next up is 11B, which is a solid waste advisory committee. We have three names here. Victor, don't know that one. Sorry. I usually can get that pretty good. Okay.

Uh Alan Hammond and Joan Gton. Mr. Hester, would you want to speak just a moment about those those applicants?

So, I will uh speak to the solid waste advisory committee. It's a citizen advisory group that supports Chester County Council on issues related to solid waste management, including collection, recycling, processing, and disposal. The committee reviews proposed ordinances and resolutions before final council action. Um provides recommendations when requested and offers input on plans, programs, and policies aimed at improving solid waste services in the county. Um the advisory committee also helps encourage public awareness and community involvement on solid waste issues and can assist with related projects and studies. The committee includes non- voting members appointed by council uh to represent a broad range of community interests along with non- voting representatives from county departments as uh and contracted service providers. So it's really a collaboration um to improve our solid waste uh plan. I believe the last plan was in 2018. Um, and there was a committee established then. They really didn't have a lot of work that was brought to them and I think it kind of fizzled out. Our goal is to get this advisory committee back in place and functioning as solid waste is uh an issue that we are more dealing with more and more.

So we we appointed some members at our last meeting, right? You appointed six in the last meeting and this would give us our nine voting members. This this is the same committee we voted for the sheriff last time. Yeah. Uh yes. And these applicants, how how did they come about? They they inquired with the county. Um they they expressed their interest at the county or

so so we actually everybody really reaches out to us and wants to be on this. So we um you know put out uh that we are through social media that we are taking applications for this and many times there's specific parameters that have to be met. So say somebody from the business sector, somebody from um um insurance or somebody from solid waste. Um so there's different parameters that have to be met with those members as well. So, we're trying to fill all of those holes and this will do it.

So, would anyone like to make a motion? Make a motion we accept the solid waste advisory committee names. I'm not going to try the first one. Mr. Hammond and Miss G. Second. All right. Have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? All right. I call for the question. Those in favor raise your right hand and say I. I. All right. Next we got 11 C zoning board of appeals. Mr. Agy.

Uh Mr. McBreer, Mr. Mike McBreer was on the committee for years and he decided he would uh get off. He needed a little rest. And uh Mr. Dodson is an engineer. I've known him for many years. He lives in Richburg. and uh I would uh think he would be an excellent person on the zoning board of appeals with his background and then a form of a motion. I make that in the form of motion.

All right, I have a motion. Is there a second? All right, so we have a motion to appoint Mr. Dodson to the zoning board of appeals. Is there is there a second? All right. So, there's no second on that motion. So, um that motion fails. So, that brings us to we'll move on. That brings us to uh number 12 is executive session. We don't have any tonight. Council comments. The Great Falls High School girls basketball will um play in the uh 1A state championship this Saturday in Colombia. very proud of the Great Falls girls basketball.

It seems a lot of uh athletics are doing really well around around the county. So, that's always good news. All right. Is there anything else? Been a long meeting, a lot of moving parts tonight, but uh we made it through. So um with that I will entertain a motion to adjurnn.