City Council - Regular Meeting

Hey, good afternoon and welcome to our first meeting in March. Our invocation will be led by myself and respects the flag bey. Father, we come before you today to ask for your blessing on our city, our council, and our entire workforce. We ask that you give this body the discernment and wisdom to make sound decisions. We ask that you keep all our teammates safe and workformed. We ask all these things in your name. Amen.

Amen. I pledge algiance 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. Before we start our meeting, we have a proclamation and I'm going to ask Wayne Lind to come up as he as he makes his way. This has become a Wayne tell us the details but I think it's a multi this has been going on for several years right now and we normally do a proclamation to kind of kick this off to um our university which is very important um to all of us in our city. So the proclamation reads, "Whereas Anderson University is a highly selective comprehensive university offering bachelor bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degrees on campus and online with a well-deserved reputation as one of the best private institutions in the south. And whereas at the heart of the education program is a uncompromising commitment to prepare students with both a breath and depth of knowledge they need not only to be successful in a career of their choice but to be successful in all realms of life in family community work and faith. And whereas Amis University's annual a day takes place on March 31st of 2026. Whereas a day is a fundraising effort that provides the support necessary to foster the academic achievements of AU students, further the professional development of AU's worldclass

facilities, and accelerate AU's growing campus programs and initiatives. And whereas Aday is an opportunity for people everywhere to come together in support of Anderson University. And whereas during a a day we will celebrate all things that make Anderson special and Trojans across the globe will participate in remembering the past, celebrating the present and impacting the future. And whereas the city of Anderson wishes Anderson University a successful a day and desires their alumni, friends and citizens of our city will support the cause by joining the festivities, thereby strengthening the bonds of our community. Now therefore, our Terrence v. Roberts along my fellow city council members do proclaim March the 31st of 2026 at Anderson University payday in the city of Anderson and encourage the community to share their support of AU on social media where they're black and gold and demonstrate that this community is true to AU. Sign this ninth day of March 2026. Mr. Late

two words. But first, let me just say we're excited about this year's A Day. Um, and on behalf of President Whitaker, our board of trust, and nearly 4700 students, I just want to thank you for your support. Last year, we were able to raise a little over $800,000 with this initiative. So, we're hopeful this year that we'll be up there as well. We've been on the upward trend for every year. Janna Shirley, my colleague, is here and she has provided great leadership for that program over the last several years. So, again, we're excited. We're excited about our men's basketball team right now. Uh they just won the South Atlantic Conference record season and tournament and we're hosting the NCAA Division 2 in the South region starting this weekend.

Thank you. So the minutes of our last meeting in February, February 23rd were distributed. Are there any corrections or additions to those minutes? Not hear any. Do I have a motion to approve? Approve. Have a first by Dr. Thompson second second by Mr. Harbin. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Those minutes pass unanimously.

We have one item of old business and that is to request to request consideration of reappointment of municipal court judges. Miss Mchuan.

Mayor and council. This item is general approval for the consideration of reappointment of municipal judges. The city municipal court judges were previously appointed two-year terms beginning January the 1st, 2024 and ending December 31st, 2025. City code section 582 specifies that municipal judges shall be appointed by the council for a term not less than two years no more than four years. The reappointment considerations for Chief Judge Josh Allen, Judge Carolyn Galloway, Judge Robert King, Judge Richard Thompson for a term of January 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2027. Mayor, I yield back to council for their consideration.

Thank you. Um, any questions, comments, Mr. Mayor? I make a motion that we approve um two-year contracts for Judge Allen, Judge Galloway, Judge King, and Judge Thompson. Second first by Miss Harbin, second by Mr. John Roberts. Any discussion? I would like to say it's a shame and it's part of why unfortunately it's a shame we won't be able to also nominate Judge Curtis Eaton. We thank you for his service. Definitely

for sure. Great comment. Anything else? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed.

That passes unanimously. We have a couple items of new business. And the first item is request consideration of a contract for the installation of approximately 500 linear feet of 6 in water line on East Church Street, Manning Street, and approximately 241 linear feet of an 8 in water line on Joseph Street. Mr. The city's electric city utilities division and the water distribution department operates approximately 374 miles of water distribution lines ranging from 3/4 in to 30 in in diameter and serves 17,000 customers inside and outside of the city. The water distribution primary function is to provide drinking water and water use for for use of fire suppression. In that regard, the request involves improvement to the water lines that will enhance availability of hydrant water flow for fire suppression while also replace the water lines. A map is included in your packet. I'll turn over Scott Banks, our utility director, to describe the project as you view here on your map and the consideration of the bids and contract. Mr. Banks,

thank you. Good evening, uh, C. This project is uh has three uh portions to it. U the the currently we have two hydrants on Manning Street do not meet fire flow requirements and therefore can only be used for flushing. Uh so a portion of this project will extend a 6-in water line approximately 475 ft down East Church Street and tie into the line on Manning Street to increase that flow of that hydrant at that intersection. And additionally, the existing 6 in on Manning Street will be extended approximately 25 ft to the existing hydrant near the intersection of Manning and East Market Street. And then thirdly, we currently have a a on street the 4 in dead end before reaching Tribble Street. So there's a a segment that where we'll install approximately 250 ft of 6-in line at the intersection of Trible and Joseph Streets and then tie it to the existing 4 in on Joseph Street. Uh we had seven contractors that uh submitted bids. The low bid was Davis Plumbing and Sewage LLC of Iowa, South Carolina at $141,171. Um we um are planning to fund this from the water utility funds and therefore staff recommends approval of a contract with Davis Plumbing and Sewage LLC in the amount of 141,170 plus a 10% contingency of $14,11710 for a total of 1 $155,28810.

Thank you, sir. comments, questions. Mr. Roberts, um the low flow height, is that a result of some degradation over time or Well, in this case, there's a 4 in line. Uh it the line is not large enough to support the minimum flow that that we we strive for for fire protection. So, it never was correct sufficient. And then I get the dead end line. That's never a good idea. Yes, sir. Um, it looks like we have a favorable bid. Um, we have experience with Davis Plumbing. Yes, sir. Okay. Unless there are any other comments, I move that we move forward the water line improvements.

Second. First by Mayor Pro Tim, second by Mr. Newton. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. Opposed. It passes unanimously. Our second item is request consideration of a resolution of a clean water state revolving fund loan for the Rocky River and generosity creek wastewater treatment plants improvement project. This one queuing.

As part of Electric City Utilities, the wastewater treatment department operates two plants that are permitted for a flow of 9.5 million gallons a day at the Rocky River and 10 million gallons a day at generosity creek wastewater treatment plant. As part of the our continuing assessment and capital improvement plans for the plants, the city and this item before you is seeking an application for funding from the clean water state revolving fund loan program for a Rocky River and generosity creek wastewater treatment plant improvement project. The project includes a replacement of a floating anorobic digtor lid at the Rocky River wastewater treatment plant and upgrading the SCADA system to a more robust and versatile software system at both the wastewater treatment plants. These improvements will replace agent infrastructure and improve our operations. The state revolving fund has approved a lowinterest loan in amount of $2.19 million for the Rocky River and generosity creek project. The estimated annual debt service payments would be approximately 136,000 715 based on 2.3% for 20 years uh paid quarterly to the state treasures office. Uh we recently funded a waterline project similar means with SRF funding. That was the East Market Street and Wellington Mill project at a 2.3% interest rate as well. That was a $3.34 million debt service. Uh the debt service would be paid from the sewer fund. M administration recommends approval of resolution 2605 for the application to the SRF funding as the next step.

Thank you, sir. We've seen the scope of the project. Um, are any additional questions or comments? I think we saw this several months ago. We did. That's the lid that we had to remove, re-engineer the structural component of it, and instead of twisting up, it'll go straight up like it'll ride straight up. Um, similar to the rest of them. And then of course our SCADA system is our uh computer control system for both plants that from time to time needs to be upgraded and will allow uh more monitoring and control systems to be implemented throughout the the treatment plants. Thanks, Mayor. I'll make the motion to approve the resolution.

Yep. First by Mr. Newton, second by Dr. Thompson. Further discussion, Mr. Harvey.

Mr. Mchuan. So the capacity for both plants is just under 20 million. What where are we at on a capacity standpoint real quick? Yeah, it so when you look at daily flow, I mean we we can have a minimum daily flow of of 4 million gallons a day and you could have um a a period that's you know a high daily flow up to 7 to eight. Um, however, what they look at when they look at the the permitted flow is allocated capacity to that and sometimes things come on line for each plant and sometimes they're removed. We've gone through the process of removing some recently that the project just never because we serve uh the countywide and then also we serve um homeland parks sewer district. So sometimes a something perspective thing might come online, they reserve capacity and then you look at it five years later realize it's not going to take place. So we've been removing some of those. So right now we're still in good shape with that. We haven't hit the the threshold that requires you to upgrade the capacity of the plants. What we're looking at now of both plants is that aging infrastructure as far as what needs to be replaced mechanically. And so there's several projects that we have upcoming that we're engineering right now. We're doing a peer master per uh preliminary engineering report for both plants that will have a recommend recommendation of those items. But we also know some of our weak points that need redundancy uh that we have in our capital improvement plan going forward. So we haven't reached that that capacity threshold yet, but our um certainly we have the ability there to expand at both plants. Uh they were well designed and and functioned well as far as and have have great expansion

capability to them, you know. I like to keep them asking through the years um you know you read about other communities that don't have capacity and have reached and can't add anything else. Someone a long time ago who built these saw the growth potential for our area and we've always had plenty of of capacity and it seems like our area is growing fast. So that's good to know.

Yeah. Another thing too is uh industrial customers. So we have uh it's public now that Duke Energy is looking at putting a and they're moving ahead with their plans to to put a plant here a uh gener electric generation plant here and that plant itself would discharge a large amount of waste water looks like to the generosity plant. Um still engineering that because it could potentially go to Rocky River. We do have the capacity for that and and can take that and look forward to uh being a them being a customer. Um and that would that would be good for us in way of revenue. However, we'll continue to look at as big things come online like that our capacity and what needs to be upgraded.

Thank you. Good point. Any other questions, comments? Mr. Roberts, let me tag on to Mr. Harbin. Uh do these improvements allow any efficiencies that we can claw back or reclaim some of the allocated flows? Yeah. or or is this just an an improvement that

Well, it was a these were this was a mechanical failure of the lid. So, I mean, we this was an improvement of a mechanical failure, right? And we this is just happens to be a larger project than pumps going down and so forth that we're constantly replacing here and there um as these plants run 24/7. So, this is more of a mechanical failure that we will recapture back that process because right now it's offline. Um, and we've been able to work do a work around it. And so the skater though does grab efficiency to it. It does as far as the flow, the management of your flow, the management of the chemicals, the treatment process and so forth. And so as we add that in, we'll have some efficiency gain there

that will allow us to reclaim some allocated um flows or Yeah, Mr. information you want to add on it's cheaper to to reclaim some that the capacity as our chief engineers will out there Scott you have something

yes I I don't know that it would reclaiming flows uh because the flow is is is what's coming to us but what it will the projects that we're going to be recommending in the future what they will do is allow us to operate more efficiently because we'll be putting in more electrically efficient pumps also the processes that we would be going to would reduce chemical use there would be more of a biological nutrient removal process that that that uh uh would be more u bacterological and not not having to add chemicals. So, and I will add unique to our plants um not completely unique but we do have large basins for holding the storm water when we have a a quick um downpour and you have a lot of infiltration that may come to the plant. So, you have a high inflow to the plant. we have the ability to split that off into the basins, hold that water and then let it trickle back in the system when floods reduce and that's very helpful. Um otherwise, you know, you would you'd be spending a lot on the uh capacity side that you really don't need all the time, but just during high flow rain events. And so, but another goal of course is to reduce the infiltration into the system period and which we've been rellining sewer pipes throughout our system and doing that. So, Yeah. And and that's one of the things that that will um slow the requirement from dees to add capacity is continuing to improve on our collection system and reduce the ioni that's coming to us cuz unfortunately when that water that if it's it's mainly rain water but we still have to treat it. So we're it cost us chemicals and power. Uh whereas if we if it's not coming to the plant then it's that's not costing us and it allows us to operate more um uh consistently when we get rid of the items. Good good

conversation. Anything else guys? First and a second. All those in favor say I. Opposed. That passes unanimously on the vote. Our third item, and we will not have an executive session on this item, but our third item is request a resolution authorizing a project to be considered for participation in a special tax assessment for rehabilitated historical properties. Historic properties. Mr. Mchuan, thank you. I'll turn over our plan development director, Maurice McKenzie, to go over the item.

Okay. Thank you. Back in November, you adopted guidelines by ordinance that promotes the preservation and redevelopment of historic properties by granting a special tax assessment to qualifying rehabilitated historic properties in the city. And this was made possible because the state of South Carolina enacted Bailey bill several years ago, which allows local governments to freeze the pre-rehabilitated assessed value of properties that may participate in a program for a predetermined number of years. And when we do receive an application to participate in this program, there is a process. And the first step in the process is to come to you with a resolution to authorize a project to be considered for participation in the program. Uh once you adopt the resolution, it then goes to the board of architectural review and they will confirm that the project meets the design investment requirements and that's called the preliminary certification. So that would be the next step following this. Once the work is complete on the rehabilitation of the dwellings or the buildings, the final certification will be granted by the board of architectural review if the completed work meets all the approved standards and the expenditures were met in accordance with the approved plan. Now, we're coming to you tonight because there has been an application submitted to us and the applicant is ST Real Estate Holdings and the properties that we are looking at are 215, 217, and 219 South Main Street. They are a budding buildings. They're at the corner of South Main and Church Street. The fair market value of those buildings is $254,400. and they're proposing an estimated project cost of $2 million into these buildings. So, we are recommending approval of a resolution authorizing this project to be

considered for participation in the special tax assessment for rehabilitated historic properties. And after you consider this and approve it tonight, it will then go before the board of architectural review for their review and potential preliminary certification. and that is scheduled for March 18th. Thank you. Um, any questions or comments on the proposal?

Miss Har. So, I'm not sure who exactly ST Real Estate Holdings is, but I appreciate their u interest in rehabilitating the um buildings for the general public. That's the old Big John's and the building next to Big John's and that have been vacant for quite a number of years. Uh, and and it's always exciting to see old buildings continue their integrity and the the history of Anderson and someone willing to invest and to keep that flavor and just reuse it for a uh for another building versus knocking it down. And so with that, mayor, I'd make a uh motion that this be referred. Uh this we would um this resolution authorizing the project to be considered for participation in the specialy property tax assessment for rehabilitated historic properties. Have a first by Miss Farman, second by Mr. John Roberts. Any further discussion, comments?

It's exciting. I hope see more come on down the road. Yep. I mean, it's in the central business district, um, a historic district. And so, um, I echo that. It's it would be good to have it come back in, uh, in a historic way in that in that regards. Everybody members see a first and a second. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. That resolution passes unanimously. Mor, I do have one thing.

Uh, we do have the Cater's Lake ribbon cutting. Um, it's, uh, looking forward to that is Tuesday, March the 17th at 10:00 a.m. And we jo we we ask that, uh, you join us as we celebrate the completion of the Cater Lake improvements and the continued investment in Anderson's parks and public spaces. We look forward to that event. It's going to be a great event, especially good time. It looks like it's going to be sunny that day to be opening up a new park, especially uh one that has the the pretty aesthetics it does with a pond um this time of year in spring. So, thank you, Mayor. Good. Everything's blooming. Good deal. Entertain a motion to adjourn. So, move.

First by Mr. Newton, second by Mr. Roberts. May pro Tim. All those in favor say I. Opposed. We send her.