City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening and welcome to our last meeting in March. It's hard to believe that April was right around the corner, but um we have a few people in the audience and hopefully a few more watching us on our YouTube channel. I'll lead us an invocation tonight and Councilman Kyle Newton will lead us in respect and pledge. Please rise. Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for the many blessings that you have bestowed upon our community. We ask that you take care of our citizens as we as policy makers make decisions that are pleasing in your eyes. We ask that you take care of our employees and especially the ones that face outward in our community that you keep them safe and work. We ask all these things. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nationy andice for all. Before we get started, um I mean we have a proclamation and you know um usually proclamations come you know we're celebrating something it's always a joyous occasion. So, um, I'm gonna read the proclamation, but as I do that, I'm gonna ask Aries to walk forward here and stand with Katie and her.

So the proclamation reads, "Whereas an Anderson institution b farewell on January 17th after more than three decades of serving the community with fine locally inspired classic cube cuisine and provided an event space that has hosted everything from birthdays and weddings to corporate and nonprofit gatherings and community fundraisers. And whereas Hamid and Katie Msini have faithfully owned and operated Tucker's restaurant since its opening in January of 1995, providing e exceptional service to residents, business patrons, and visitors while offering stability to the local workforce and contributing significantly to the community's economic vitality. And whereas through Katie and Ham's unwavering commitment, integrity, and warm hospitality, they built not only a distinguished business, but also enduring relationships throughout the community. And whereas Gaby and Ami have built a lasting legacy in Anderson through their civ civic leadership, philanthropy, volunteerism, and steadfast dedication to serving our community. And whereas after three decades, the MSinis have chosen to close Tucker's restaurant and build and begin a welldeserved retirement, embrace an opportunity to slow down and enjoy this new phase of life. And whereas in retirement, Hamid and KD look forward to traveling, volunteering, and continuing to contribute to the Anderson community. And whereas the city of Anderson recognized that strong leaders set the vision for their communities and are vital to enhance the overhaul quality of life in the Anderson community. And now therefore, I Terrence V. Roberts along with my fellow city council

members do hereby proclaim and extend our best wishes for good health, rest, and relaxation and continued happiness in all future endeavors and do hereby proclaim March the 23rd as Hamid and KD Msini Day signed the 23rd day of March of 2006. Thank you so much for this honor. Thank you so much and thank you so much for what you have done to city of Anderson in last decade. You know I have mentioned that to um several people. when I moved to Anderson. I know I I went to Clemson in 2000 and 1977 and u got really involved in Anderson since we moved back. But what I have seen that has happened to this city is unbelievable. I'm proud to be a citizen of this city and thank you for this honor. I

I just like to say something mayor if you don't mind. Go ahead. Let

him finish second hand. I just like to say that um you know uh for the past three decades uh I can't thank enough uh thank uh Habid and Katie enough for all their volunteerism that they've done here in the city of Anderson because anytime something's going going on any project it always the name always comes up hey Msini Katie Msini is involved in that and so with that I like to say we thank you for your 30 years of volunteerism, everything that you do in the community and I know you're not going anywhere. We look forward to continue our partnership and every endeavor that you plan to do. So again, thank you very much.

Thank you SO minutes of the March 9th meeting have been distributed. Are there any corrections or additions to the minutes? Not hearing any. Do I have a motion to approve? First by Dr. Thompson. Second. Second by Mr. Harden. All those in favor say I. I.

Opposed. Those minutes pass unanimously. We don't have any old business tonight, but we have five items of new business. And our first item of new business is to request consideration of a referral to the planning commission a petition to reszone 1401 South Fent Street and five associated lots from R5 single family residential to NC neighborhood commercial. Mr. Strickland, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, city council, what you have before you here is uh the first of three referrals tonight. Our planning and development director, Maurice McKenzie, will take care of this item for you guys.

Okay, thank you. Again, this is for 1401 South Vance Street and five associated properties. 1401 South Fance Street was a funeral home in operation for many years. The five associated lots are actually parking to complement that funeral home during the years. But again, it was a funeral home for many years. It was operating as a legal non-conforming use. Basically, it was zoned R5 single family residential, but it was grandfathered in. So, it was operational as a legal non-conforming use. But since the funeral home ceased to operate a couple of years ago, it reverted back to its R5 single family status. The non-conforming guidelines in the zoning ordinance say that if you cease to operate for a period of more than four months, you revert back to the zoning classification that you're in. It's zone R5 single family residential. So funeral homes just aren't allowed in R5 single family. So they're requesting to reszone the property to NC neighborhood commercial. That is the least intensive zoning classification that would allow a funeral home. So again, the request is to reszone it to NC so they can operate a funeral home there. Once again, this is a referral. It will be heard by the planning commission at their April 7th meeting.

Thank you, sir. It'll come back to us, buddy. Any comments before we entertain a motion to have it go to the Mr. Roberts? Yeah, I have one question. Uh are all these properties uh under the same ownership that will be reszoned? There's not additional properties being brought into this. All these properties were owned in the same ownership and this is it. This is the request. It's total of six lots. Okay. Make a motion to refer to the planning commission. First by Mr. Stewart. Second by Mr. Steel. All those in favor say I.

Opposed. It passes unanimously to the planning commission. Our next item is request consideration of a referral to the planning commission a petition to annex and zone 3415 Clemson Boulevard to GC General Commercial. Mackenzie,

thank you. You're all familiar with this property. It's 4 acres. It's historically been in use as an automobile dealership completely surrounded the city limits does. So, it's considered to be a donut hole. It's been like that for a long, long time. So, here's an opportunity to eliminate one of these donut holes that we have scattered around the city. But the applicant is requesting to annex it and zone it to GC General Commercial. And once it's annexed, they plan to redevelopment the site, redevelop the site for commercial uses. GC is recommended. That is consistent with what is surrounding the property and what you see on Clemson Boulevard. And again, this is another referral. It will go before planning commission on April the 7th.

Thank you, sir. Comments, questions before it goes. This is the uh Hayes Auto Lot, right? That's correct. Kind of behind the Toys R Us. That's right. Okay. Yes, sir. Um this is in my district and we're going have to send it through planning commission. So, I make a motion that we do that. First by Mr. Steel. Second. Second by Dr. Thompson. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. That passes unanimously.

Our third item is request consideration of a referral to the planning commission a petition to reszone 1502 and 1504 East Grimble Street from NC neighborhood commercial to GC general commercial. Mr. McKenzie.

Thank you. The applicant seeks to reszone two lots 1502 and 1504 East Greenville Street to general commercial in order to construct a car wash. Again, it's currently zone NC neighborhood commercial and that encourages lower intensity retail office type uses simply said car washes are not allowed under the NC zoning classification. That's why they're requesting the GC general commercial district which does allow car washes. on the site now are two vacant buildings and just as a point of reference, you recently reszoned the property behind it for the church use. So that's where we're located now at the corner of East Greenville Street and McCle Road. Again, this is a referral. It's scheduled to go before planning commission on April the 7th.

Any questions before it goes to Mr. Ste? Brief comment. You know, we just reszone that parcel back neighborhood commercial. I know there's church property behind that. There's some banks and other kind of offices. That corridor seems to be an office corridor. So, I just again, this is a referral. I'd ask planning commission to really make sure that um the use matches the the use of the neighborhood as we move forward um and as they consider it and go through their process. Any other questions? I'd entertain a motion first by Dr. Thompson. Second,

second by Mr. Har. All those in favor say I. I. Oppose. That passes unanimous. Thank you, Mr. McKenzie. A fourth item is request consideration of a medical contract for the detention center. Mr. Strickland.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. uh before you uh again kind of a theme from the the referrals that you just heard uh are two uh pretty routine contract renewals. Uh these are done uh every few years as contracts expire um for our detention center. Uh this first one you have before you uh is a medical care contract uh for the detention center. Uh police chief Jim Stewart will present this item for you.

Yes, sir. Uh basically, uh Mr. Strickland said this is something we had to put out every three years for our policy. We did a request for proposal, set a open date, and um we only had the two biders, Southern Health Partners and Advanced Correctional. Um Southern Health Partners, our current vendor. We've had no issues with them. We've had them over a decade now. Um since we've had nurses. Um the last time we came before you, we added Saturday and Sunday service. So we have 7 day service within the jail. There was a slight increase. Um I would say probably just like everything else probably in the country right now. But um we're very satisfied with their business. Answer any questions you got.

Thank you chief. Any questions? Morgan. Chief. And so I think it says 10 years that we've been using um using an outside or third party because at one time we did it in house. Did we not? We had LPNs and a doctor that visited once a week, but it really wasn't adequate. And we found that we were sending officers to the emergency room quite a lot and taking them off the road to have to sit with people. This kind of frees that up. Um, if it's not an emergency, we can have those people stay here and see the nurse in the morning.

That's what I I remembered years ago that it had been a good uh partnership. And with that, I'd make a motion we approve this. Have first by Mr. Harvard. Second. Second by Mr. Stewart. Any further comments or discussion? And we during the 10 I just want to confirm during the 10 years we've had them as a provider, there's been no issues. There's been um you know, obviously you have the typical complaints with jail, but no um major things that that would expose the city to liability or anything like that.

No, sir. And uh our vendor for this area is Chris Hudson. He was the major with Lawrence County Sheriff's Office and he visits us quite often to make sure everything runs smoothly. Perfect. Any further questions? I I agree with we probably grew into this. I mean with expectations of of care and so forth and we um probably like a lot of things um relied on professionals that do this and I I do this several places across the southeast, don't they? Yes, sir. Yeah. So, we had a first and a second. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed.

That passes unanimously. Our last item of new business is request consideration of food service contract for the detention center. Mr. Chief Stewart, Chief, you still up?

Yes, sir. This this is very similar. Um we were up for renewal. Uh every 3 years this has to be bid out and usually it's always to our advantage. Um as well uh this was an increase also in food costs. this year. Uh we're staying with the same provider, Trinity Food Services. They've done a really good job for us. No complaints. Um they meet all the nutritional standards as per the US Marshals was required. Thank you, sir. Comments, questions. M Stewart,

how much of increase do we see from last year this year? I know it's some, but do you know what last year's contract was? I I don't have that exact figure, but I I think it was um $30,000 increase. Is that correct? No, 20. This actually numbers, I believe it was 20, maybe the huddle partners, it was 30, but I can check into that. According to the numbers we have, um our finance director, Margaret Martin, has this is actually a decrease from previous years about $9,000. A decrease. A decrease. Yeah. So, not an increase. Okay. Previously budgeted increase on medical.

Yeah. The medical was the biggest increase, but again, a decrease on this decrease on food. Yeah. It just depends on the market. It it varies greatly. So, based on inflation primarily. So, and and it it actually varies based on um the number of in inmates, the population within the detention center. So, I ask the number of inmates increased also. We have not. We we've seen a decrease in inmates. Yes, ma'am. Any other questions, comments? Made a motion to approve. First by Mr. Newton, second by the mayor pro 10. Any

council Harvin? I think we used to do these in house years ago. Builds correctly, right? Yes, sir. Absolutely. You're dating yourselves. Yes. Not sure. That's good. Yeah. Y had a person in a second. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Passes unanimously. I'm not having any other business tonight. I'd entertain a motion to adjourn. Make first by Mr. Steel. Second. Second by Miss Harvin. Miss Stewart, you got something?

Yeah. I just like to say I just like to thank all of the city departments who came out this weekend downtown. It was a great event. They came out, brought the fire trucks, uh, police cars, public works. I'm talking about every piece of equipment you can think of and kids really enjoyed it. I'm I was down there, I saw Councilman Steel, you know, it was very well attended and I think the city really enjoys it. It's a great thing that we do every year and so just want to say thank you to the staff. I know a lot of workers spent probably 12 13 hours down there this past weekend. So we just really appreciate all your service and putting that event on for us. Very good.

That is the cleanest you'll ever see at a garbage truck. That's not normal normal for garbage truck. Another thing I would say that that horn blowing was got a little ridiculous. All right. First, second. All those in favor say I. I. We stand journ.