County Council - Regular Meeting

A call to order. If you can hear me, I'll call to order today's county council meeting of 04/14/2026. Welcome, by the way. Our invitation and our allegiance, would you please introduce who's coming?

Yes, sir. Welcome, everyone. Tonight's invocation will be led by Linda Griffith. Linda Moore Griffith grew up in Lexington County. She is a graduate of Lexington High School and University of South Carolina. Linda retired from USC after thirty one years of state service. She has been a public service most of her life, having been an an election precinct manager for thirty plus years and serving on the Lexington County Election Commission. Linda returned to work temporarily at Lexington County legislative delegation office. She has been on the Lexington County Library Board since 2019, where she served two terms as chair. Linda is married to David Allen Griffith, and they have two children, Allen and Lindsey.

And they have four children. Grandchildren. Grandchildren. Excuse me.

Soon to be a Gamecock. One of them. Oh. In the van. Let us pray. Lord, we come together in prayer with heavy hearts because our country is at war. We pray you put your protection around all our service members and civilians abroad in harm's way. We ask that you give all our leaders home and abroad the wisdom and the knowledge to make the best decisions. We pray for our local and state leaders as they go about the daily task of taking care of South Carolina citizens. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Amen. Amen.

Thank you very much.

Tonight's pledge will be led by Richard Richard Knee served in the South Carolina Army National Guard for thirty five years, of which twenty two were on active duty in the active guard reserve program. He is a veteran of operation Noble Eagle, operating operation enduring freedom and operation Iraqi freedom. He received numerous awards and decorations to include the legion of merit, the meritorious service medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, and army commendation medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters, the army achievement medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, the army good conduct medal, the Iraqi campaign medal, and with two campaign stars, global war on terrorism, expeditionary medal with one campaign star, the global war on terrorism service medal, humanitarian service medal, military outstanding volunteer service medal, and a noncommissioned officer professional development ribbon, and

with numeral three and the army overseas service, ribbon. He also received a combat action badge and army national guard master recruiter badge. Richard is retired and lives in Chapin with his wife Carol. They have four children and eight grandchildren.

Welcome.

Thank you. Good guys. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mister Chakril.

I've got a little cotton mouth. Y'all bear with me on allergy medicine. I'm begging for a little rain. I think everybody's probably having a little bit of that problem, and I think this is my sixth or seventh meeting that I've chaired. And I've missed saying, you can watch us on County Spectrum channel thirteen o two and Lexington County website at any time. I'm I'm I'm three for seven, and I really don't care, but I'll let you know that I've I make mistakes on a regular basis and don't have a problem owning up to them. So welcome. Council report, I think we've got one thing before we get going.

We do, mister chair. I need to make a

motion to amend the agenda.

So I move to amend the agenda to include an agenda item to have first reading of ordinance 26 dash o four, an ordinance approving the contract for conveyance of real estate from the County Of Lexington to Brighton Capital Partners LLC.

That is your motion?

That is my motion. Second.

I have a second by mister Cockrell. I have a motion and a second by mister Cockrell. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum?

Yes.

Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Carrick? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger?

Clarifying this is to amend the agenda to put this item on the agenda for a first reading.

So it can be discussed in public, which is what you requested.

It could

be discussed in public with details to come out later.

Is that correct?

Or details coming out today.

Yes. It's what you requested.

Voting on details coming out today.

Yes, ma'am.

Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Okay. Council reports. Anybody have anything they'd like to report?

Mister chairman, I have something I wanna report, not saying that I would like to report, but here this past week, a couple of days ago, Mr. Billy Huckabee passed away. Some of you may know Billy. He served on our Recreation and Aging Commission for almost thirty years, I think, almost three decades. I don't know the exact date, but I've known Billy twenty five years and he's served that whole time that I've known him.

He was a avid Clemson fan and he was not bashful about it. I think actually Ed Lundin and Billy Huckabee would be a really good conversation of which it probably would be all orange. But I just wanted to say that to Billy and his family, his wife Sarah and his two daughters, I think one still lives here in Lexington, maybe one lives in the Upstate that we're family sorry for their loss, but we're also profoundly appreciative for the time that Billy spent in our rec commission. He really had a heart for the community. From a standpoint of a public servant's heart, they without question Billy Huckabee had a public servant's heart.

So I just ask that the public, those that may be watching you here, if you didn't know Billy, super great guy, super fortunate to have him on our rec commission for that long and to keep his family in your prayers and thoughts. And I think his funeral is next Tuesday, if I'm not mistaken. So yeah. But thank you.

Thank you,

mister Cole. Anyone else? By the way, one of the toughest jobs, you know, is being vice chair.

What's that?

All that reading you gotta do and all them big words. Been there and done that. So anyway, first, second, first of all, administrative report. Would you?

Thank you, mister chair. Tonight, we're gonna recognize or or have some departments stand up as we recognize a a national week or appreciation week for each. So I would like if the members of the library that are here would please stand. The Lexington County Library, we're celebrating the National Library Week, which is April 19 through the twenty fifth. The Lexington County Library System originated in 1912 in Batesburg.

So there you go, mister mister Brigham. Over a 109 residents, a 109,000 residents have library cards and collectively, the libraries have received around 609,000 visitors, so in Lexington County this year. So the library does an outstanding job of services servicing the citizens of Lexington County, and so we very much appreciate it. So I wanted to recognize you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is the animal services. If they would please stand. And the director too, please. She was hiding in the back there. Director Brittany Jones.

Animal Control Appreciation Week is April 12 through the eighteenth. You know, these these guys are actually first responders first responders for animals in need and and I can't thank the animal services staff enough for what they do each and every day as well for protecting and and and working with the animals, our citizens, and what they do for for with Lexington County with this with the animals. So thank you for everything you guys do. And finally, for the recognition, of course, they they were unable to be here today with what they have going on, but it's also nine one one telecommunicators caters week with April 12 through the eighteenth. You know, nine one one received the CALIA award for our processes and what we do.

They also received the CALIA Meritorious Award for maintaining this for over fifteen consecutive years. So I'd like to give them a round of applause as well. And finally, mister chair, our budget work sessions will begin. Our recommended budget to county council will be presented April 28. That's our next council meeting.

Looking forward to presenting that. On May 5, the department presentations for any new programs that they would like to ask, and May 12, the outside agencies or any agencies that has any consideration. So looking forward to getting through our our budget process. I appreciate all the departments. There's been a lot of meetings behind the scenes already developing this budget, working with departments and negotiating, I would say. But I wanna thank them publicly now and we'll do that again on April 28. We're looking forward to giving the recommended budget on April 28. And that's it, mister chairman.

Thank you. Alright. Very good. We'll move on to, approval of our resolution recognizing May 2026 as National Correctional Officers Week. I'm seeking a motion.

Chairman, I make a motion that we approve that.

I have a motion by mister Coffman.

Second.

Second by mister Cockrell. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum. Yes. Councilman Conwell. Yes. Councilwoman Carrig.

Yes.

Councilwoman Wessinger. Yes. Councilman Fisher. Yes. Councilman Brigham. Yes. Councilman Bishop.

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell. Yes. Chairman Hudson.

Yes. Second, the approval of resolution recognized in May 2026 as National Police Week and 05/15/2026 as peace officers memorial day. And I also know there is a before we do that, that is the fifteenth next month. Is that right? When we meet over here? Wednesday, the thirteenth, there will be a memorial service across the street, 09:30. Love to see you there. Anyway, look seeking a a motion.

Move to approve, mister chairman, resolution recognizing National Police Week and Peace Officer Memorial Day.

Thank you, sir. Mister mister Cullum, we have a motion.

Second.

Second by mister Fisher. Madam clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum? Yes. Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Carrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop? Yes. Vice chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Boards and commissions, if you'll go through your I would like to be reelected to the COG. If somebody would elect me to the COG, I'd appreciate it. Mister chairman

go ahead.

Go ahead. I'd like to reappoint Daryl Hudson to the COG.

Second.

Thank you. I have a motion by mister Glenn Hockman. And who was that? Miss West Westsinger seconded. Madam clerk, call for

the vote.

Councilman Cullum?

Yes.

Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Carrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson? Yes.

Do you see anybody else or anything else?

I guess you wanna be reelected too.

I would like to. I'm on the executive committee. I would move that,

we reappoint Charlie Wessinger to the cod, please. Second.

I have a motion by mister

Kerrig, a second by mister Cullum. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum?

Yes.

Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Kerrig?

Yes.

Councilwoman Wessinger? I see. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Reappoint Charlie to the River Alliance if she's make that motion.

Second it.

Motion by who was that?

Glenn. And

a second by mister Bishop. Madam clerk. Off the vote. Councilman Cullen? Yes.

Councilman Conwell? Yes. Councilwoman Carrigg? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. One else?

So we have a citizen's appointee that's vacant? We have a citizen's appointee that is vacant. With that, one of my Chapin appointees had resigned, and I have asked newly elected member of the town of Chapin to apply for that position, and I believe that that was taken off.

Okay. Taken off. I gotcha.

And that's right now.

For that.

K. Will

discuss those issues this week.

Yep.

Yep. Thank you.

Anything else? Thank you for your cooperation on that matter. Next, the approval of minutes of 03/24/2026.

Move to approve 03/24/2026 minutes.

Second.

I have

a motion by mister Bishop. A second by mister Cockrell. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum?

Yes.

Councilman Conwell? Yes. Councilwoman Carrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Next is ordinances, and I have one here to read. Ordinances first reading, twenty six zero three. An ordinance amending the Lexington County zoning ordinance article one chapter one section eleven seventy, exclusions in article two chapter two sections twenty two fourteen parking lot connectivity. Whereas county council determines and identifies the need to remote public safety and traffic planning by providing an exemption in the Lexington County zoning ordinance related to emergency access for certain land use activities that frequently have a large number of attendees to provide further requirements relating interconnectivity.

This is a big deal guys between various development types. The amendment to section 11 dot seven zero of the Lexington County zoning ordinance will specifically allow emergency access where access limitations occur only for certain land use activities onto zoning street classifications that do not allow access of principal land use activity. The amendment is is section 24.14 of the Lexington zoning ordinance will further promote interconnectivity with road access as well as reference potentially direction from traffic improvement plans. This is a big deal. I'm seeking a motion.

Move to approve, mister chairman.

I have a motion by mister Cullum.

Second.

Second by mister Bishop. Madam clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum?

Yes.

Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Carrick? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Alright. For committee reports, first up,

we have mister Brigham. Yes, sir, mister chairman. Health and Human Services, Committee met today to hear a request for approval to accept the Library Services and Technology Act grant for the summer summer reading program and learning grant. The South Carolina State Library administers summer reading grants to support the initiatives that focus on improving literacy skills. The library system provides a summer reading program for all ages.

The library plans to offer exciting and interactive programs and events focusing on the 2026 theme, Unearth a Story. Grant funds will support a new intergenerational program called series called Unearthing Lake Murray, Stories Beneath the Surface. The youth services coordinator will coordinate the program and activities for the library system. The total cost of this program is $3,100 operating supplies for the program series are 2,000 and the in kind staff salary is 1,100. The grant award is for 2,000 and would reimburse the County of Lexington the operating cost of this educational program series. There will be no cost to the library. Committee approved that earlier and that's my motion.

Second.

A motion by mister Brigham, second by mister Bishop. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum? Yes. Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Carrig?

Yes.

Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. I wanna make sure I get this right

before we go to you.

On this item you just gave me is I need to move to amend the agenda to include all agenda items Have first reading of ordinance 26 dash o four, an ordinance approving the contract for conveyance of real estate from the county election to Brighton Capital Partner LLC first read.

Move to approve.

Motion by I was told to do this, so news to me. That's my miss Carey. Second by mister Cockrell.

Participate for voting on that, ordinance.

We've already amended the agenda. This is the motion. We did the agenda for it. Thank you, Jeff. Appreciate it. We did it so fast. I couldn't even write it fast enough. Madam

clerk We have a motion wait. We have a motion and a second. Yep. I would like to say something.

So I just wanna be clear. There's been a lot of conversation about this particular item. This is not a vote by anyone to approve the item. It is a motion to approve first reading because that's the only way the information gets out to the public to engage them to hear their comments and concerns rematting regarding this particular matter.

Thank you, miss Kerrig. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullen? Yes. Councilman Conwell? Abstain. Councilwoman Kehrig?

Yes.

Councilwoman Wessinger? No. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham? No. Councilman Bishop? No. Vice chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes.

Committee reports Alright.

The public works, the solid waste management committee has one item on the agenda today. This item is approval of a petition for property owners to close Bear Point as county maintained. Public Works Solid Waste Management Committee convened on Tuesday, 03/24/2026 to hear a request from the Public Works for approval of petition by property owners to close Bear Point. Lexington County Public Works has received a petition from a property owner to close Bear Point for public use and convert it to a privately maintained road. Bear Point is a dirt road in the Chapin area beginning at Lake Tide Drive and extending 675 feet to dead end.

Public Works performed a traffic study on this road from January 2026, and the average traffic was only 63 vehicles per day. Public works received statements and no objection from Lexington County Emergency Services, Lexington County Sheriff's Department, and Lexington EMS, Lexington Rich School District five, community development and planning, and the GIS. The petition has provided documentation for the adjoining property owners consenting to the privates privatation of Fair Point and has been in contact with community development to develop a draft private road maintenance agreement. Based on the information provided, Public Works recommends no objection to the proposed road closing. After being after a brief discussion, the committee moved to recommend full council approved the petition by property owners to close Bear Point.

After a brief discussion, the committee moved to recommend to full counsel approval of the petition by property owners to close Bear Point, and that is my motion as well. Second.

Oh, go ahead, Tara. Alright.

Second.

A motion by mister Cottrell, a second by miss Wessinger. Madam Court, calling for the vote.

Councilman Cullen? Yes. Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Carrick?

Yes.

Councilwoman Wessinger?

Yes.

Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham? Yes. Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes. We're gonna recess the county council meeting real quick and

go Mister into chair.

Yes.

I'm so I apologize. I just noticed that the justice committee is all the way down below the public hearing. Is it supposed to be that way?

Yeah. It has

to be hearing. Yeah.

If they have the hearing grant. Okay.

Okay. Yeah.

Yep. Supposed to be. Okay. We have recessed the county council going to CTC, county transfer transportation. And I'll read you what we got here, guys.

The Public Works Solid Waste Management Committee convened on Tuesday, 03/24/2026 to hear the request for public works for approval of the 2026 c fund request. Letters were sent to municipalities on 12/05/2025. Public Works received nine municipal requests totaling $860,920. There's a $250,000 budget annually in accordance with Lexington County transportation plan. After review of each proposal, Public Works recommends funding for the projects listed below.

Town of Gilbert, Hayes Street, sidewalk repairs in the amount of $6,200. Town of Lexington, Matlour Lake subdivision, additional funding for sidewalk repair and range improvements in the amount of $60,000. Town of Pillion, Lydia Drive, resurfacing in the amount of $150,000. Town of Springdale, Parish Plantation Subdivision, resurfacing sidewalk repair and drainage improvements in the amount of a $119,720, and you're welcome, mister Bishop. Town Of Swansea, North Carthdiff Avenue and South Carthdiff Avenue, resurfacing the amount of a $185,000.

City of West Columbia b Avenue, ninth Street, four high visibility crosswalks in the amount of $60,000. The recommended project is total of $580,920. There's sufficient funds in the special projects account for these projects. After a brief discussion, the committee moved to recommend to the county transportation committee approval of a 02/2026 municipal c fund request. I am seeking a motion.

Mister chairman, I would

I'm sorry. I would move to approve the list is submitted, for the municipal

Defund.

Defund request. I apologize. Tongue tied over here. That's my motion.

Second. We have a motion by mister Cullen and a second by mister Bishop to approve the c fund request. Madam clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullen?

Yes.

Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Carrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes. That's it for the CTC. We will reconvene the county council meeting. We have budget amendment resolutions.

Thank you, mister chairman. Tonight, we have two. The first one is an additional fiscal year funding increase of $3,500. Due to the increased number of hazmat calls that the fire service has responded, there's a need to replace items such as monitor sensors, wax rings, and other hazardous remediation supplies that's used on hazmat scenes. With the additional calls, fire service has received additional funding or additional revenue and above what was budgeted, and this is to cover for those costs.

Next is an additional fiscal year funding increase of $2,000. The library has received a Library Services and Technology Act Summer Reading and Learning Program grant award. This is to establish the budget for that award. And that's it, mister chair.

Guys, we look over the bids and purchases. It would be appreciated.

Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that we approve our bids and purchases tab M, N, O, P, r. M through r is my motion.

Thank you, mister Cullen. We have a motion by mister Cullen for m n o p q r.

George, second. Second.

We have multiple seconds. I'll take mister Bishops. Madam Clerk?

I'll vote.

Councilman Cullum?

Yes.

Councilman Conwell? Yes. Councilwoman Carrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger?

Yes.

Councilman Fisher? Yes. Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. We will be back here at 05:30 for a public hearing on ordinance 26 dash o two and application for financial year 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. And at this time, we are recessed, we will come back to see you at 05:30. Thank you. Welcome back.

We are back for our public hearing on fifth excuse me. 2602 in the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Got here on twenty six seven two. I see no one has signed up in favor. Do we have anybody on social media right now?

Nothing there? Have you

Nothing against? In the audience.

Do you want him to say anything about what it's about? You want us

discuss it?

You can cover it. You don't mind,

I'm gonna save you. I have to do it. Yep.

There you go.

Alright. Thank you, mister chair.

Good

afternoon or good evening. Ordinance 26 dash zero two is an ordinance to approve the conveyance of county owned real estate to Cedar Square. This is a 21 or approximately 21 acre parcel, 21 o seven acre parcel that's located on Old Dunbar Road over near West Columbia. This is near the airport right off of 302. This this is Cedar Square is a private real estate development group that's looking to develop this property into an industrial development.

It's that's pretty pretty straightforward. I can answer any other questions if there's anything on

that. Pretty simple. Yeah. The press the press was asking me about us. It's basically simple. Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Appreciate it. Alright. With that, I said, I'm gonna close the first It's

very long.

Hearing. And I'm gonna open the second. And I would go through all the people speaking and talking and all that, but I don't think I need to do that tonight because there's no one here for either one of these. According to our attorney, I've read his notes on the top of his. '25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice assistant drafts. We have to go through the council for approval. One signed up in favor. No one has signed up opposed. Do they have any electronic? Yes, sir. Okay. Ask if anybody wants to speak. Anybody wanna speak? There's nobody here. But thank you.

Let me read this. Can you scroll up as I go if you got it printed? Yes, you do. Thank you. Application of financial year 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, JAG program.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance, they released funding allocations for 2,025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Grant JAG program for the county of Election has been allocated $58,170. This grant will be split between magistrate court of $6,980, the sheriff's department of forty four thousand seven hundred ninety one dollars, and sister care sixty three ninety nine. The grant application is due to the grants.gov on Tuesdays, April twenty first two thousand twenty six, and the due date to apply is JustGrants is on Tuesday, 04/28/2026. Sheriff's department will use the portion of the purchase 50 detention grade radios and one, I guess, ruggedized laptop. Magistrate Court of Services will use their portion to purchase audio visual equipment for the summary court, five flat panel monitors, and one walk through magnetometer magnetometer, I guess it is, by providing providing counseling service for Lexington County, sister care will be reimbursed for the portion of their services cost.

Pursuant to federal JAG statute, this JAG application must be made available for public comment by citizens.

Anybody else? Anybody else want to say anything before we close this hearing?

Very well. That part of the hearing is closed. We have one other thing we have to address, and that is reading the

Beth's not here. Do you want

me to I got it. You got

it? Yeah. Yeah. You want me to make the motion? Oh, you want

me to

read it? Yeah. The

justice committee convened on 03/24/2026 to hear a request for approval to apply for the fiscal year '25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, JAG. The Bureau of Justice Assistance has released funding allocations for the fiscal year twenty five Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, JAG program. The county of Lexington has been allocated, excuse me, $58,170 This grant will be split between Magistrate Court Services, $6,980 the Sheriff's Department, $44,791 and sister care, $6,399 The sheriff's department will use their portion to purchase 50 detention grade radios and one ruggedized laptop. Magistrate Court Services will use their portion to purchase audiovisual equipment for the summary court, five flat panel monitors, and one walk through magnemometer. By providing counseling service for Lexington County, Sister Care will be reimbursed for a portion of their service cost.

The committee moved to recommend full council approval for the fiscal year '25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, and that is my motion.

Thank you, mister Bishop. We have a motion by mister Bishop. Second.

Second by mister

Bishop. Any questions?

Councilman Cullum? Yes. Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Anybody have any other business