City Council - Regular Meeting

It's okay. Let us bring the uh Spartanberg City Council meeting to order. We're going to have a moment of silence and with a few things that have happened here uh recently at Brown University. Um keep those amilies in the university um in prayer as well as in Australia. Keep those families in prayer and just you know let's continue to pray for our country city just your thoughts and then we'll be led by

Amen. We have a special guest with us this evening, Miss Matteline Jeter. She's going to lead us in the pledge. A third grader at Pine Street Elementary School. Okay. Salute. Pledge. 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.

Thank you. I know you have a practice that she has to get to, so we do appreciate you uh leading us in the pledge. Uh, Madison, take a seat. And Councilwoman Brown said you can come take her seat. [laughter] Just so you know. We have item three. We have approval of the amendments of the minutes for November 24th, 2020, 2025 city council meeting. So moved. Second. All in favor? Anyone opposed? Eyes have it. Item four, approve of the agenda for the December 15, 2025 city council meeting. So moved. Second.

Second. [laughter] All in favor? Any that opposed? Eyes have it. We have uh public comments. And the way public comment works here, uh we're asking you to come forward, state your name, address, and um give us your concern. You have uh two minutes uh to do that. And after you give your address with the two minutes, we'll start. Okay. Miss uh Price. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Council members. On February 1, 2012, Linda Connley, a reporter for Spartanberg Herald, wrote an article, and I quote, "Marriage Wright has a story to tell that Hollywood could not write. A story more inspiring than the li than that of Marriage Wright. Miss Wright was an educator, an activist, and a trailblazer. Her life should inspire all of us. On Thursday, December the 18th, we will celebrate 100 years of the marriage right Christmas tree. She would give kids gifts away and many some of us in here uh were fortunate to be a part of that whole experience when it was passed on down to her children. We were able to pull together a toy giveaway in her honor celebrating a hundred years after the sale of the Christmas tree that was in the cemetery street cemetery. It was only 14 years old. It is not the original tree. The original tree is still there in the city cemetery. And I do encourage you all to go to the cemetery so you will know what's in the cemetery. And there's an um marker, a historical landmark there saying that the cemetery is historical cemetery. So I'm here to invite you all to come to a senior's program that we're going to have at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. And I know all of you all are dying to get in there and see that beautiful church. It's absolutely wonderful. We'll have someone playing the organ, Christmas carols and all. We will also have Miss Hazel Jackson who Mary Wright was her first grade teacher and she's going to be in attendance.

She's 100 plus years old. She don't like you tell the whole age all. So we ought to know that you don't tell your age. Um we're asking you all if you could please just stop by if only for 10 15 minutes to share your presence with there. Go to bail. Mr. There y'all got to increase that time, but thank you. Hope to see you on Thursday. Thank you, Miss Price. December the 18th. Yes, sir. Yes. Thank you, Miss Floyd.

Good evening. My name is Monica Floyd. That's 136 South Forest Street, Spartanberg 29306. I'm the new executive director of the Spyberg Soup Kitchen. And at the Spineberg Soup Kitchen, what we do, we feed the hungry, we help the needy, we have three programs going. We have a children empowerment program, we have a men empowerment program, and we have a women empowerment program. All of those are Bible studies. We have a summer program for the children. And I just wanted to introduce myself to let you see my face. [snorts] When you see me in the news, [laughter] you'll be familiar with who I am. And I will be soliciting financial assistance from the city. And if if the city can if I can help the city in any way, please let me know. Thank you for your attention.

Thank you, Miss Monica. Monica, um, you do help the city of Spartanberg. Thank you. You do. The soup kitchen always have. Mr. Braramlet.

Good evening everyone. Um I'm Don Braramlet. I live at 185 Mills Avenue City. Uh I'm here today to express my concern about uh something that happened. I believe it was just last week when uh one of our boards uh someone on the board retired and the board appointed its own replacement for the person that retired. Well, I'm on a city board and we don't have that right. You know, I'm just curious why this board would have that right. Uh it seems to me that the city the city council should retain that power. I heard just recently today that that uh [clears throat] there's conflicting language in their bylaws. One part gives them permission to do that, which is to me unheard of, but another section said they can't do that. Well, if there's conflicting language in there, then the appointment should be put on hold until you can get some legal clarification about this. To me, it's it's not it's not for the people. If the if the board of public works and the city of Spartanberg actually own the water system, then we're letting the the residents of the city of Spartanberg down by allowing this, in my opinion, illegal appointment. And so, I hope that y'all can dig deep and find a way to at least put it on hold until you can uh, you know, have some legal folks look at it and come up with the right language. just I'm surprised that it's never come up before. You know, if it's always been in there, it seems like at some point and I I like to use this time to also say maybe the whole board of public works need to be reviewed. It seems to me they're just kind of an autonomous group that do what they want to do uh without much input from the community.

Perhaps there should be more members. Maybe there should be five members instead of three members since the whole water system is so much larger. Also, um there should be single member district so that everybody in the city has a voice in who's on the board. Thank you, Don. Thank you, Don. We do appreciate that. Merry Christmas. I'm sorry I was questioning you. No, you're all right. Merry Christmas to you, too, buddy. Um Dr. Stone.

Philip Stone, 246 South Spring Street, and I'm here to talk about history, which is not controversial at all. This Wednesday will mark the 194th anniversary of the General Assembly granting the village of Spartanberg a municipal charter. I always like to bring this up every year, and since it's close to the anniversary, I thought I would come in the freezing cold and highlight it as a public comment. Of course, there was a place called Spartanberg or Spartanberg Courthouse as our county seat long before December 17th, 1831. But I think this anniversary is always worth noting because it's when we as a city became our own distinct thing and started governing ourselves. Even if we only had a couple hundred people and a couple dozen businesses, the city thus got the right or the town got a right to um regulate uh uh regulate streets and billiard licensed billiard tables and fun things like that. The citizens didn't get around to electing the first intendant and council until the spring and it was June before they got around to meeting. But that day in December that the legislature gave us our charter is one of many mileposts in our community's history, but it's one that we can point to as a definitive date. I also note that this is the 194th anniversary, which means we are six years away from the city's bicesentennial. So I hope that you all will start giving some thought about what we should do as a community to celebrate our municipal bicesentennial. And I wanted to see if I could say that without tripping over it. History is change over time. History is how the present is different from the past. It can be complicated. It can be messy. But I also think it's something that can be unifying. History isn't just about the past and influential people. History is about the people who live here. Like Miss Dr. Price was just

talking about, you make history every day by the decisions that you make. And I hope we can start to think now about how we want to celebrate our community and our shared history. Thank you. Thank you for that short history lesson, Dr. Stone. That was really appreciated and really timely. Thank you.

Comment item six, presentation of the 2025 park excellence award by the South Recreation and Parks Association. Mr. Kennedy is going to start us off and pass the baton. Mayor, members of council, quick introduction. Uh, it's always good to see James Hetley in Spartanberg. That means we're either opening a brand new facility or we're getting some type of special recognition and tonight's one of those occasions. And so, would like to turn it over to to Jim to take it from here.

Appreciate that, Mr. Kennedy. Uh, mayor, council, my name is Jim Hedley with the South Carolina Recreation Park Association. And, uh, I've had that honor uh, for a little over 38 years now. Um, and it's always a pleasure to be able to come up and share back with the community um, awards that uh, our parks and recreation uh, profession as a whole recognizes. Um, and this past year um, the the city of Spartburg Southside Cultural Monument, but then really kind of the whole park and the history that it tells. Um, won our population over 30,000 uh, parks excellence award. Um, one thing and and several of you may or may not have heard me talk before. It's always fun to talk about, you know, some of the things we do as a profession and and we're more than just fun and games. Um, but it's for some that fun and games is the only fun and games children get or seniors get. Um, it's fun to talk about some of the economic development stuff that we do participate in with the city. Um, you know, we we do make a city better places to live um and to recruit industries and to recruit families to come and live within the city. So, it it's it's uh fun to talk about all that stuff, but really the most important thing I think we do um is tell a story. And the story that this park and the Southside Culture Monument does is just truly amazing. Um it will now live forever. um and the the monument that it does and and to see the the folks that came out on June uh Junth uh last year to open up this it was just I mean it was Mitch was reminding me you know it's probably about 150 degrees but yet we had we had hundreds of people there right I mean it was just truly truly a community event and I would not be or I would be very very remiss if we didn't recognize just a few people that that I know that I council. Y'all always have the pleasure and and have the distinct

ability to be able to to take all the the thank yous and the gratitudes that you all truly truly deserve. Uh but there are a couple people here and one that that is not here. Um Representative uh Lee, pardon me, Miss Price now. Um thank you for what she did. Um many of you may or may not know that this has been a long time coming. um and she took up that championship in at the state house at that time and was able to receive some grants for the city of Spartanber. Um and then Senator Glenn Reese um he is not here today but he then continued on and he was able to get a little bit more um and now to present day um you know Representative Henderson Meyers um we can't thank you enough for helping the city tell that story. And it's not just a story for the city of Spartanberg, but it's a story for the entire state. Um, and I personally feel for the entire country. Um, because it is it is so powerful. Um, and so that that's something that, you know, we'll never be able to uh uh, you know, tell ourselves that hopefully, you know, that monument's going to be able to spark some interest and spark some some community saying, you know what, this was this was and is a proud event. So again, um also wanted to definitely thank um the Spartanberg African-American Heritage Cultural Committee. Um without, again, without them, a lot of this stuff wouldn't happen. Um but that just goes to show you um you know, I named three state house people. Um named a committee, named obviously council, y'all's backing of this would have never happened. Um you know, Mitch's uh fabulous support of this project. And then of course, you know, one of my favorite park and recreation directors, uh, Miss Kim Brown is is is wonderful. Um, and and to be able to wrap this all up together into a nice bow really tells what the city of Spartanberg is and what city council and

what the public parks and recreation profession is, and that's telling stories and being representative of all the community. So, with that, um, mayor, I don't know if we want to. Yeah, sure. video. Oh, yeah. I did have this video [laughter] for those of you that may or may not have seen this.

Like cities across the United States, the city of Spartanberg failed from its inception to recognize and safeguard the rights of its black citizens. The Southside Cultural Monument seeks to tell that story. Despite systemic oppression, black people in Spartanberg persevered and built strong, self- sustaining communities. Nowhere was this more visible than along Liberty Street. Once a bustling hub of black enterprise and community life, known by many as Black Wall Street, Liberty Street was home to thriving businesses, including doctor's offices, restaurants, taxi companies, beauty salons, and countless other establishments that anchored the Southside's economy and spirit. families lived, worked, and worshiped there, creating a network of resilience and pride in the face of exclusion. That vibrant history, however, was largely erased during the era of urban renewal when black homes, institutions, and businesses along Liberty Street were systematically destroyed under the guise of progress. Generations of wealth, and community stability were lost, and the stories of the people who built Liberty Street have never been fully honored or commemorated. The Southside Cultural Monument recognizes both the injustices of the past and the extraordinary strength, creativity, and perseverance of Spartanberg's black community. The progress of the project was faced with many challenges, including the CO pandemic and manufacturing shortages. It was, however, the steadfast community engagement that kept the project alive. Delayed but not denied. The monument is a shining example of how placemaking and arts and culture can transform parks into hubs of social connection and resilience. This beacon of community pride, reconciliation, and remembrance will shine forever to remind visitors of Spartanberg's commitment to preserving

history and highlighting green spaces. Congratulations to the city of Spartanberg on the 2025 Parks Excellence Award. I uh won't accept this award alone. Representative Meyers, Dr. Price, Kim, and Jessica in the back. Yes. Go and get get a picture so we can get in the newsletter. [laughter]

Let me hold that for you. Awesome. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you to this committee and everyone that played a part in making this happen. Thank you.

[snorts]

I took the picture with everyone, but it will hang in my office. And I am truly uh appreciative that uh James did mention everyone that played a part from when it started back with uh representative, former representative Price. uh Senator Glenn Reese moving to current representative uh Rosyn Henderson Meyers and Jessica in the back, the artist that played a part uh uh Walford uh professor there and along with our very own Kim uh Brown with so many other people that that that played a part in this as well. But thank you. Welld deserved. And it is just really recognizing our strength here in Spartenberg and how a gracious u history we truly do have here in Spartanber. So thank you all again. Item seven, we have consent agenda.

Mayor A and B. Mayor. No. Yes. Yes. Second reading. I would like to make a motion that we accept the consent general A and B ordinance. Second. All in favor? Any that oppose? Eyes have it.

Item eight, award bid to street resurfacing phase two. Mr. J Squires, public works director. Mayor, [clears throat] council, we're all out here on this really cold night, so bear with on that stuff. But, um, pleased to announce so, uh, staff received bids for the street resurfacing phase 2. We received three bids. Cherokee Landscaping and Grading Company was the responsive load bid at $2,38,464.79. So, that's the same firm that actually completed phase one back in October. We were pleased with what they did. No change orders, no um everything was on time and so forth. So, we're very confident they were be able to complete phase two as well. So, we reviewed the bids and we've determined that they are the responsive low bidder. It should take 90 days depending on the weather. It is the cold season right now. Asphalt's not really good sometimes when it gets cold, but we do have um warm enough days to in order to get that project completed throughout the spring so forth. Um, we're asking staff to allow the uh council, we're asking the council to allow the staff to accept the bids and let the city manager to negotiate with the contractor for the completion of the project. Uh, county penny tax will be utilized to complete the project and of course we'll have detour routes A-frames out as well to let the citizens know when those streets are going to be resurfaced.

I'll entertain any questions. Questions? Mayor Pro Tim. Uh, Jay, thank you. Um, you made a comment about the weather and asphalt. What What kind of effect does cold weather have and are there any concerns that the work will be done during this weather, the cold months, and then needing something else down the road if it's Yes, ma'am. So that way

the good thing is um asphalt companies won't make asphalt unless it's meets certain criteria for generally speaking it's 45 degrees and rising ambient u temperature air temperature. So if we have that um we've got that characteristic we're able to to uh install the asphalt then and um Jake can you remind us what what streets were included in phase two uh at this section.

Yeah. So the majority are there is a good [clears throat] good segment of them. And so we've got East Shore Drive, um, North Park, Otis, and Otis was a project that Spart completed a water line. So they contributed to the city in order to get that done when we were getting ready to pave. So they contributed that money to that for this project. Um, Pinerest, Elderberry, um, Aspen Wood, Kent Place, Parin Drive, Dolphin, Arahhead Circle, Peach Tree. Peach Tree is a really critical piece as everybody sort of knows on that um area at near near um I get confused with Spart old Spart McCracken now. So, it's McCracken for the most part. It's the cut through. So, we we need to update. We need to make sure that we're that that pavement's in uh good good condition because it is a tremendous amount of of u of use now as well and u Monroe Drive as well.

Can we can we get uh Randall Far to work on that line at at Peach Street a little bit? [clears throat] It's a tricky one. He's working in partnership with DOT. We're working on all of those uh those signals in that corridor. And then you referenced the the penny um and then the signs that we'll put out when these streets are being paved. Are we going to make any special notice of this is a road being funded by the penny sales tax? I know we've seen it, you know, we've seen it at the courthouse. We saw it on the banner of the government complex when we turned dirt last week. I just think it's good communication to let people know that this is the result of of the penny sales tax vote by the citizens of the Spartmer County.

Yes, sir. So, we will work with Spartmer County. Travis Brown gave that update uh about a couple of weeks ago or so. So, it's really it's a really good we want to make sure everybody understands that their money is being spent, not you know, we we're we're city residents, but we're also county residents. So, we want to make sure it's being spent inside the city as well. So, yes, sir, we will do that. Great. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes.

You said Arrowhead Circle. Um, we've talked about this before, the shoulder right there as it meets 29 that kind of fell off during Helen and some of the washa. I get that question all the time from residents in Woodland Heights. Will we with this resurfacing? But the the holdup has been that 29 or WL is a DOT road and we haven't been able to do that. Will this resurfacing be able to address that little shoulder area right there?

We'll we'll we'll we'll review it when we're there. It's a good time to the economy of scale breaks into it then. So, we'll work with our DOT partners to see if we can have that um you know, looked at when we're actually completing a mass project. Yes, ma'am. We'll do that. Okay. But I say we're going to work with our DOT folks to see what can happen. All right. We just want to make sure. But they're they're a really good resource, too. They're very understanding with these projects. That is a one of the most frequent complaints of Woodland Heights neighbors is that area right there. It's already a tight turn. Yes, ma'am. And that wash out makes it even more difficult. We'll we'll review that when we [clears throat] get ready to do the uh scheduling. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Jay. Mr. May,

I make a motion we approve the request as written. Second. All in favor? I. Any that opposed? Eyes have it. Ordinance uh item nine, ordinance authorizing the city manager execute documents for the transfer of the city owned property to Spartanberg County to facilitate the uh construction of the new joint government center. Mr. Story, not Col. We traded. He's going to do the next one. Okay.

Um Mr. Mayor, uh I just wanted to cover a couple of things. I I think the the public is aware that ground has broken and work has started on the the joint government center. Um this is this action before you tonight is just a procedural step towards towards that. The facility itself is about 215,000 square feet. Uh it will include the administrative offices of the city and the county. Um it will be immediately adjacent to about a thousand uh space parking facility and additional um private development portions of the block. Uh that will create a a a fully energized um uh complete block uh re redevelopment. Uh the building itself uh will have extensive agreement uh in draft form between the city and the county to make our shared use of that facility uh partnership uh implementable and sustainable over time. The city will own portions of the of the building. The county will own other portions of the building and then we will share some portions of the building. Uh the use of the shared spaces will be u specified in intergovernmental agreement between the building and the parking facility be a a small but very attractive uh plaza that will be another uh outdoor destination in the downtown. And of course, as you know, the the primary architectural feature of the building is is a clock tower that's about 130 ft tall that replicates in in a in a modern fashion the similar form that was built in 1881 and again in 1907 in primary local government buildings

there. Construction's expected to take about uh 24 months give or take. Um, we are very excited about all the uh uh functionality that will be built in um from the ground up, including uh amenities to support public meetings and activities and features that will make it significantly more convenient for the public to do business with either the city or the county. A anytime I mention this project though, it's important to flag that uh this project itself was specifically approved by voters in the 2017 uh referendum. Uh it was described and scoped um out then and and specifically authorized. So um we are operating in specific direction of that expressed will of um the voters. um that uh approved that referendum at that time. So, we're excited about the uh advancing to this stage. This particular action allows the the parcels that the city owns uh that are part of the um uh development footprint to be uh transferred to the county so that they can be consolidated. and then those other agreements I I referenced can be u implemented um to ensure the the long-term use of the facility. So, we'll certainly welcome any questions, but just wanted to give that background into the record.

Sure. And just just for clarity, you mentioned a clock tower. This is in no way, shape, or form. Right. Unrelated to unrelated to We will have another clock tower that will be built. Okay. Yes, sir. So, we're we're clear on that. Yeah. And and just so I'm clear on the exchange, we're exchanging the property that we've collected and owned previously for the purposes of the development of the building. And then at some point in this process, they will then convey the ownership portions that we will have and then we will jointly own and that will be the new ownership structure of what resides on that property.

That That's correct. And and so we will future city councils have assurance that this will be their primary administrative [snorts] uh facility in perpetuity by virtue of direct ownership of portions of the agreement and a binding uh intergovernmental agreement between the two bodies on the pieces and parts that we'll both use in different ways. That's what I was getting at. Yes, sir. So we own what we own. Yes, sir. Any other questions? Need to put this to a motion to hear a recommendation. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion we um approve ordinance A.

Second. All in favor? Any that oppose? Eyes have it. Mr. Col's up for B. ordinance suspending the acceptant pro uh processing and approval of the application for advertising signs, billboards, and other off- premise signs pursuant to uh city code section 503.44. Mr. Cole, presenter.

Good evening, mayor and council members. A little background. [snorts] So, in 2011, uh city council updated the zoning ordinance regarding billboards. Um, the ordinance in 2011 called for the creation of an inventory of existing billboards, and we gathered the name of the owner, the zone it was in, and location. Uh, the ordinance also provided for the replacement of any sign that was lost, removed, or destroyed, so long as the replacement um sign complied with the new a set of new requirements that came into effect around 2011. for the most part that that new uh requirement was uh regulating digital or internally lit signs. Um it also the new ordinance in 2011 provided for an opportunity for the city to negotiate. So a sign could exceed those requirements if it was part of a negotiation between the city and the sign proposer and it called for the deletion [snorts] or removal of one of our dilapidated signs. uh the the city could then negotiate signs that exceeded our our restrictions on things like digital internally lit signs. Fif for 15 years we've been engaged in the process of permitting signs. We've done signs regularly permitted. We've done signs that were negotiated and got rid of an old dilapidated sign and resulted in a new you'll see the digital ones around around the city. Recently, we um had conversation with and received a formal submitt for a new billboard, and the submitter has challenged our interpretation and application of the 2012 um ordinance. Uh and so, while that challenge runs its normal course through an appeal to the board of zoning appeals and probably a hearing in circuit court, what we're asking you to do is consider pausing the um permitting of any signs for 12 months. We don't want to short

change anybody. We don't want to um we want to make sure we are interpreting the sign uh correctly, the ordinance correctly and any stamp of approval that we get along the way from BCA and accord uh will will further our belief in that interpretation. So that's what we're asking for. Um I'll note sort of as a separate matter, planning and zoning has just begun the process of updating the entire 1999 zoning ordinance. Um and the billboard uh section of the zoning ordinance will certainly be examined at that point for any needed changes. Um but that's down the road a little bit. So we're asking for a a 12-month moratorium on permitting uh signed so we make sure we get it correct and gather those stamps of approval along the way.

All right. Do I hear uh any comments, any questions? Uh, Councilman Foreman. Uh, Bob, so what is the source of the difference in interpretation?

So, the the n the 2011 ordinance called for the um replacement of any signs on the then existing inventory that was created in 2011. And we interpret that to believe that the sign has to be replaced in the zone location where it currently stood. Uh, we've had an applicant submit a different interpretation of that. uh and and it excludes or ignores the location of the current sign, the zone of the current sign, and the requirements of the sign. So, I I I think the the best way to describe it is we think it's an inventory. Some people are trying to interpret it perhaps as a cap, a license,

and it's not a cap. It's it's a we think it's a specific inventory. But either way, that would have to be approved by council, by whatever board it would go through and then ultimately council. I mean, to be staff, planning staff, I assume, and then counsel or is the staff just have latitude? Staff.

Yeah. So, so, so staff receives applications for for billboard permits, they [clears throat] examine our they look at our our zoning ordinance, and if it meets the language of that, they issue the permit. Um but again when we get a challenge the normal course will be BCA will have an opportunity to to uh hear us about our interpretation, hear the applicant about his interpretation and again I think a circuit court will probably hear the same uh argument. We we think we're correct but again we want to give everybody the benefit of the doubt. And so the purpose of this is just to wait for that 12 months till all this is clarified. That's correct. And so and we're not saying one for one.

No. Nope. Nope. There there there there is no one for one. Um if you read the ordinance, I don't want to get into the weeds of it, but there's essentially two ways to permit a billboard here in the city. You get to replace one that's on the inventory or you get to take down some dilapidated ones and negotiate for a new one that could exceed the the requirements of the current zoning ordinance. In a normal year, maybe the hurricane Helen year was was an abnormal year or maybe the tornado was an abnormal year, but but in a normal year, how many of these would we would we approve? billboard applications. Yeah.

I mean, I I think probably I in in the seven years I've been here, I don't think we've approved any new major billboards. Uh we've essentially been engaged in a process of of weeding out a lot of dilapidated ones. I can tell you that in in 2011, the inventory stood at 55. Now, it's about 37, but the 37 we have look a lot better than the 55 that that did before. Okay. I was just trying to get a sense of how many how many will be affected or impacted over the next 12 months during this moratorum. It's very few. Very very few. But we also have the new digital that we allow that play multiple advertisement. I

if again if you engage in that negotiation process with us with us and and bring uh some dilapidated or or outdated or or um not aesthetically pleasing signs, we can allow digital in that process. It's a part of a it's a part of a negotiation where we think we put it in the appropriate place, the appropriate uh lighting so as to not create noise pollution, light pollution, and all those kinds of things. You could get a digital Smith.

So, I want to make sure [clears throat and snorts] I'm understanding what you're asking us to do. You're asking us to pause for 12 months so that BZA and a circuit court can work their way through this process, not us to correct frogger that um process and jump ahead of them.

Correct. We we believe our interpretation is correct. But if it's not, we want to make sure that that we don't in inadvertently approve or disapprove any signs. Um and we think in 12 months we'll be that will be affirmed. And again, we will be back to normal business. But again, on the heels of that is a is an entire rewrite of the zoning ordinance that is certainly going to address billboards as the entire billboard community or industry is changing. When did this applicant submit their application?

Um, this year that we had a number of conversations with them. We we we worked with them on what we thought they could do. They ultimately chose to go their path with submitting a a straightup application. We denied it and so they're in the process of appealing that. Is there a fee to submit an application? It's nominal. I think $150. Okay. And $25 to appeal it, I think. So we went in this 12 month [cough] moratorum. We would not even allow we would not collect fees and like create a queue. Correct. Okay. Yeah. [snorts]

Any other questions? Item B. Do I hear a motion? Recommendation. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve item B as read. Second. All in favor? Any that opposed? Eyes have it. Thank you. Item 10, Mr. Story with staff updates.

Mr. Mayor, members of council, I wanted to uh share a couple of bits of progress. uh with you and then certainly would welcome any questions that you have. Um as you know the largest single chunk of um of our American Rescue Plan dollars or ARPA dollars as we've called them have been to um work on the housing front. Uh a couple of meetings ago I gave an update on how we're doing uh with deploying those dollars towards rental uh housing development. And tonight, um, Martin and his team report that the home ownership, uh, side of it is also moving forward. We have five new homeowners in the in the city limits who have received down payment assistance um, through that process. And those homes are uh, Promised Land Drive, Vernon Street, Riby Street, Arch Street, Fremont Avenue. Uh so in several neighborhoods of the city, we welcome um uh new new homeowners um in furtherance of of that objective um to have affordable housing of several different types and um strengthen our neighborhoods with additional home ownership. So pleased with that progress and credit to Martin and his team for that and our community partners like North Side Development Group, Foothills Federal Credit Union, um Community Works Carolina and others that help in that process. Also wanted to briefly um uh touch on uh we've expanded our capacity as we've talked before to pursue uh grants from multiple sources. Um, we built out a staff uh team and an infrastructure that that Kevin and Harley and others are integral to to make sure that we're doing our best to leverage our dollars uh further by

aggressively pursuing uh opportunities to uh successfully compete for grants. Uh wanted to give you a little 2025 stats on that front of how that is going. Uh we have in this calendar year competitive grants uh awarded is the number is 12. The dollar total is $3.9 million. Uh we have two in addition to that technical assistance grants. Uh we have pending applications of about $2.6 $6 million and we were total of 14 awards against 23 submissions. So I'm really uh proud of the team's good effort. You know each of those some of you all have direct experience in this professionally and otherwise. Uh some of those are pretty extensive undertakings. Um, and I'm I'm pleased to to to brag on the team uh batting 14 out of 23. If we could keep that in future years, I'll I'll take it. Uh, so uh that's across a number of departments. Um, and uh a number of folks affected by that good work. So, just wanted to call attention to that. Circum certainly welcome any questions that you have on any other topics.

Mr. Mayor.

Yes. Um, two questions, but I forgot the first, so maybe it'll come to me. [clears throat] Um, but I I've received multiple questions, statements, inquiries, and um, Mr. Braramlet addressed it tonight about the city's relationship with Spartanberg Water and our jurisdiction, our ability, as as Don said, to add additional seats to commissioners. um what we can do about you know the the the situation that that he addressed. Can you take the next couple of minutes? Um a Post and Courier article came out today. Dr. Stone was quoted in it. um to kind of give everyone the context because when I get questions I'm trying to help people understand that we I I am a citizen as I'll let you just explain but if if you could so that folks know who to direct their

questions or their eye to so that they're getting their um information or or questions to the right people.

Yes, ma'am. I'll do my best. uh start with the fact that you all represent roughly 40,000 residents of the city of Spartanberg. The residents you represent are the owners of the Spartanberg water system. However, that the governance of the Spartanberg water system is distinct from the city. The financial activities of the water system are distinct from the city. Legally it is a distinct entity. Um we know have no authority over their activities and operations and uh and there while decades ago maybe close to hundred years ago I used to know the date but it's a long long time ago. Um uh this the your predecessors on city council were part of the formation of the city of Spartanberg Commission of Public Works which is the legal name of of the water side of Spartanberg water. Um but at that point um uh the governance of of that system was entrusted to the same electorate that elects you all. And there is there is state law that specifies how commissions of public works um are to be governed. Um and it is a three-member uh board elected at large across the city. Um that occurs their elections occur on municipal election cycles. Um they serve six-year terms. Um and state law supports that. There

are some there there commissions of public works and many you know in lots of communities of um that are have this the same basic legal structure um as the water side of Spartanber Water does. And uh so we get questions a lot. We consider them a partner. Obviously they provide a a service and a function that's very important and obviously we seek to to to to make sure that um we work well with them and uh and are transparent with the people we serve about the relationship between the two entities. But they are financially distinct, governancewise distinct. um they have their own legal council, their own uh operating policies and procedures. None of those come through the the the this city entity. Um it's the relationship in some respects begins and ends at the fact that it's the same electorate that brings forward those things.

So it essentially functions like our relationship with school district 7 or school district 6. They're they're own legal entity with their own governance and we are partners with them on related topics, right?

So the city has no like you know we we it's not like our city boards and commissions [clears throat] we appoint and that we have rules and uh procedures for the term and how replacements are are made when there is a vacancy. It is completely separate of that. That that is correct. And then we have um we have obviously we have partnerships with them and agreements with them and uh procedural activities that overlap, but they are they're they're autonomous of of us. Um uh the only the connection is the same voters at the voting booth. That's the connection. Just to be clear, and the mayor sits on the sewer side of Spineberg Public Works,

which is a county board, right? Well, it has it has a larger geographic footprint than the city limits, the the side county as well. Yes, have a few. And if additional seats were to be added to that commission, that's something that would have to change at the state level. I should be careful to say I haven't researched that legal question myself. Um and and Bob may have. I don't know if he has.

I've looked at it. I will tell you there is a provision in state law that would allow this board to this council to enlarge the uh the commission. To my knowledge, there's never been any interest to that right? But if there is some, it would have to be uh instituted by this council to enlarge them. It has nothing to do with what happened in the past month about how they replaced their their members. But there is a provision I believe that that would allow that to add two additional seats that this board the the council city council do. What what does that take?

City council action. I mean, we've talked about it in in executive session, but it would be again I'm not there's to my knowledge there's never been any interest in the city to do that. It's been a threeperson board and it's been operating fine. But I do believe there's a a state statute that allows that. That's new information to me. I would be interested in seeing a copy of that state statute. Um I thought of my second question.

Okay. um which you we talked about updating the zoning ordinances related to billboards um and I can imagine our chair of the planning commission would be interested in an update as well and I've asked it before but do we have an update on where we are on updating our zoning ordinances that process you you mentioned it last week and I should have an update for you tonight but I don't and I'm sorry I it it slipped my mind to to to to connect uh with Fred, but we'll make sure to do that and and share it with the council um in the next day or so.

I've just been thinking about how voting on that comp plan was my first meeting six years ago and that was one of the main things that the comp plan calls out. Yes. And and I know that yes, that is a substantial thing. I I I I would u suggest however that the planning um department has advanced dramatically over the last 18 months in its capacity and that added capacity is going to make this zoning ordinance rewrite much more effective in the long run. Yeah.

So I I I do think the the trajectory is one of positivity and accomplishment. uh if the new ordinance is not before you yet for action, it we're we're we're building to that and we've we've gathered a lot of insights of of some of the areas that that need improvement u to feed into that. Yeah. Yes, ma'am. [clears throat]

Yes. Chris, I'm going to kind of change the subject a little bit on the trail extension that is going uh through the marriage right greenway off of Marin Avenue and down by Hudson Boxdale. Do you know if we ever got permission? I know that there was a halt on that because we had to get permission to go forward go with that. And do you know if we ever got permission got to finish that part of the trail because it was supposed to go across CER onto um CER Avenue going up that way. But did we ever get permission to extend that further? You you mean specifically the Calder Avenue crossing?

I know that it was halted I believe because we had to get permission from some owners in order for us to proceed with that. Do you know if it was approved? No, I the the Mary H right greenway extension is not um it's all on public property. U and so I will uh you know I know of no impediment to get permission from somebody on something but maybe Laura is the one I need to be talking to. Okay.

Okay. because I know that we had to get permission from someone and I can't remember exactly and I was wondering if we ever got that in order for us to proceed with that. Yes, ma'am. I I will check the the Mar Greenway does is envisioned to connect to the Dan uh and some of those sections are are are in the planning stages. So, we'll we'll we'll get together and we'll lay all that out with with Jay and Laura and make sure that I have full information to you.

Okay. And Jay, let me ask you this. Maybe um maybe I'm supposed to be asking this question to Jay, but you know got the fire that was on um at 304 Garin Avenue question that mess that was still there and I think I mentioned that to Mitch as well, you know, but when can we get all of that cleaned up

there? I've spoken to Mr. Livingston's office and there's a process that we have to do go through in notifying the owner about the work. They have been notified and there's a 10day period this is Lil John on his response back to us before we can act. So they're given 10 days to correct those u those violations and if they don't correct those in 10 days we're still within a we can then act. So that's where we are. Okay. And we can't clean up the street in front of that as well up until you get permission for that. I'm not certain what's in the street. Uh but any items in the street of course

because a lot of that debris that washed down during the time the fire was taking place cuz you know all of that's there. Um hold on just one second. I had one more question for you. Go ahead. I'll answer that later. Any other questions? Thank you, Mr. Story. [clears throat and cough] Excuse me. City Council updates. We're going to start down at uh Councilwoman Sally.

Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming and congratulations on the Southside Coach Wall to each and everyone that was responsible for getting it here. Also, um I don't have much to report on other than I think we started the holiday off with u some real cold weather and some wonderful activities with a beautiful Christmas tree lighting, uh diggings of a Christmas and all the other good stuff that went along with it. And I do hope and pray that everyone have a wonderful holiday. Thank you, Councilman. Yeah, Mr. Mayor, I just want to wish everybody a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing everybody again in the new year. Mayor Pro Tim.

Mr. Mayor, happy holidays to everyone. Thank you all for coming. Um, happy new year. I don't think we'll be back until after the new year. Um, [clears throat] I hope to be here, but you have my note of excuse of having a minor procedure uh before the next meeting. So, um, I'll be a little bit immobile for a little bit. Uh, but I'm looking forward to the new year and all the work that's ahead and appreciate all that our city staff does for us. and appreciate all the citizens who continue to engage, challenge us even if they're frustrated, and share their concerns and hopes and dreams with us. So, thank you all. Thank you,

Councilwoman [laughter] Rogers. Yes, I will echo uh the holiday cheer has just been lovely the past couple weeks with the Dickens of a Christmas and my first time in the parade with all of you. So, um, wish everyone a wonderful holiday and I'd like to thank the staff for really working with me in the past two weeks, catching me up, getting me, uh, feeling confident and learning the processes and procedures and answering some of the questions that I have come into to this seat with. So, I look forward to uh, starting the new year very soon. Awesome. Councilwoman Smith,

happy [clears throat] holidays to everyone. Um, and to Kim, I don't Chris, I don't know if you included the new grant that Kim and her team received from the Spartanberg Academic Movement um, to continue and expand programming at the Thornton Center. So, I'll let her catch you up on that. But very proud of her and her team and the work that they do in the community and looking forward to all that's ahead and hoping we can be a little bit nicer to each other in 2026 and just believing that we all have the same goals, which is to continue to better Spartberg and make this be the place that we all want to raise our kids and live our life and just have it be the place that we all know and know that it is already. Awesome council.

Congratulations to the heritage committee. I am excited about all the work that you all are doing and I am grateful for all that you have done. I also want to thank our entire city team, but especially Jeff and Jay. I regret that I can't call on them anymore when [laughter] I regret that I can't call on you all anymore, but thank you and merry Christmas to everybody.

Awesome. Um just one one side note, the cold weather shelter is open with the uh weather that we are experiencing. So, if we know, as I see Hannah out there, uh some of our um neighbors that may be unhoused right now and need shelter, our cold weather shelter is open. Um and um happy holidays, happy new year to you all. Thank you all for being here. Uh thank you all for showing concern for our city. Uh I mean, and that goes for each and every one of you in the audience, the ones that are listening online as well. this this council and mayor really do appreciate all that uh our citizens, you know, bring to the table. I mean, and as Councilwoman Brown mentioned, you know, challenging us as well. We definitely get challenging emails and responses and comments, but uh thank thank you all for what you do. Councilwoman Little John,

yes, I forgot to congratulate Katherine O'Neal. she was awarded, she was recognized recently with the Mary Thomas Award. So, congratulations, Katherine. Congratulations, Katherine. That's that's awesome achievement. And again, thank you all uh Representative Meyers, you know, for your hard work, Price, Representative Price, and everyone that played a part in the uh Southside uh cultural monument. Thank you all for being here this evening. Have a lovely, lovely rest of your week. Merry Christmas to you. And if you don't know a person that is born on Christmas, tell Christy Lindsay happy birthday Christmas and Jerome Rice.

Second. All in favor? I. Let's move.