City Council - Regular Meeting

Yeah. Like a like a rust lust rust and gray type thing.

Oh yeah, that was this year. The black, white, and blue.

We got the light blue and then like a little zip type thing last time. Hello everyone and welcome to our March 16th, 2026 regular council meeting. If um we're going to um start with our pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence as we humbly seek wisdom, char clarity, and discernment in the work before us. May we be guided in service in this community to this community with fairness, integrity, and responsibility. If you would please rise and join me to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one nation indivisibley and justice for all.

Thank you. We have a full house because we are recognizing so many important groups and organizations. So I am going to step down and do our start our pro uh proclamations. All right. So, we are going to start with recognizing a proclamation recognizing the Fort Mill High School wrestling team as 5A Division 2 state championships. Whereas the Fort Mill High School wrestling team has achieved a significant milestone. Whereas on February 11th, 2026, the talented young men finished the season with a perfect 30 to0 and secured Fort Mill High School's fourth consecutive state title, proudly earning the title of 2026 5A division 2 South Carolina state champions. And whereas the city of Tig and the city council wish to commend each wrestler for their exemplary achievements along with the coaching staff for their leadership to their fellow Yellow Jackets and Fort Mill High School. Now therefore, let it be proclaimed, we the city council of Tig hereby congratulate and recognize the Fort Mill High School wrestling team for the remarkable accomplishment in being named the 2026 5A Division 2 South Carolina State Champions. Congratulations, guys. I would invite you all to stand up here and get a picture taken.

Everybody. Okay, next up, this is a proclamation recognizing Joshua Prince for winning the 2026 Marine Corps Junior ROC National Air Rifle Championship. Whereas the city of Tig wishes to honor and celebrate exceptional achievements, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence among the young members of our community. Whereas Joshua Prince, a distinguished cadet of the Marine Co. Corps Junior Art Reserve Officers Training Corps, has demonstrated outstanding skill, discipline, and commitment in the field of competitive markmanship. Whereas though countless hours of rigorous trainings, perseverance, and focus, Joshua rose above the elite field of competitors over the course of a two-day competition, winning the 2026 Marine Corps Junior ROTTC National Air Rifle Championships with an aggregate score of 1123-47.

If I understand correctly, that's 47 hits within full size. I stand in corrected 47 bullse eyes. And whereas this prestigious accomplishment reflects not only Joshua's personal dedication, but also the men mentorship and guidance provided by his Marine Corps junior ROC instructors, the support of his family, and the pride of Fort Mill High School and community. Now therefore be it proclaimed, we the city council of Tig hereby congratulate and recognize Joshua Joshua Prince as the 2026 Marine Corps Junior RO2C National Air Rifle Champion. Congratulations Joshua. Congratulations. Okay. Our next proclamation is recognizing public saf safety telecommunicators week as April 12th through April 18th, 2026. Whereas emergencies requiring police, fire or emergency medical service can occur occur at any time necessitating a prompt respon response to protect life and property. And whereas public safely safety telecommunicators serve as the first and most critical contact for citizens in emergencies, ensuring the

accurate relay of information to first responders. Whereas these professionals provide a vital link to police officers, firefighters, and paramedics by monitoring radio communications, providing essential essential information, and enhancing responder safety. And whereas the dedication, professionalism, and compassion of public safety telecommunicators have significantly contributed to public safety throughout through the apprehension of criminals, fire suppression, and patient care. Now therefore, be it proclaimed, we the city of Tig and the city council of Tig hereby delegate April 12th through April 18th of 2026 as public safety telecommunicators week and recognize the men and women whose diligence and dedication keep our city and residents safe. Thank you. Okay, our last proclamation. um a proclamation recognizing March 29th as National Vietnam War War Veterans Day. Whereas the Vietnam War, which began in 1955 as a conflict between communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam, saw US involvement escalate from an advisory role in 1962 to full military deployment by 1965 with American troop numbers peaking at 543,000 in 1969.

Whereas the war concluded with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords on January 27th, 1973, leading to the withdrawal of American troops by March 29th, 1973, and the release of American prisoners of war. Whereas over 9 million Americans served during the Vietnam War era with more than 2.7 million deployed to Southeast Asia, resulting in 58, 260 US service me member fatalities including 11 from TA K and surrounding Fort Mill with one still with one still missing and unaccounted for. And whereas many Vietnam veterans did not receive the recognition and honor they deserved upon returning home, leading to the establishment of March 29th as as National Vietnam War Veterans Day, officially recognized by Congress in 19 in 2017 to honor their service and sacrifice. Now therefore be it proclaimed, we the city council of TA K hereby declare March 29th, 2026 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day and encourage all to honor, recognize, and thank those who answer the call to serve, to pray for the US troops killed or missing in action, for the wounded and injured, and to say thank Thank you and welcome home.

Okay. So, we are going to move on to item E on our agenda and that is um our fiscal year 2425 audit report.

Thank you, mayor. Thank you, council. Um it's a pleasure to be here. Thank you for having me. Um won't take up too much of your time. We do have um the slides here that we'll go over um just going over the audit um in condensed form. The the audit is quite lengthy, so um don't want to stand up here and go through the whole um audit presentation with you. Um but on these slides, we will start with there we go. um the independent auditor's report. Um so just detailing the independent auditors report. This is the report that we issue um under the audit for the city of TK. It details management's responsibilities which is the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements as well as the design implementation and maintain uh maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation um of the financial statements. It also details the auditor's responsibility uh which is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on the audit. Um the audit was conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and um we issue the audit um to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement. Um we do issue our audit opinion. We issued an unmodified opinion. That is the best opinion that the city can receive. um that states that the city's financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects. Um again, we did have a clean audit, very easy audit as far as audits go. Um so we do appreciate all of the staff's hard work. Um we understand that we ask a lot of information. Um we do come in for several days and so we appreciate all their um diligence and getting us all the information that we ask for um in the the and up leading up to the audit during the a during the for the audit and then afterwards um all the information that we request from them um we they are provided that and so we

really appreciate them. Um just getting in real quickly just a broad overview of the financial statements uh the statement of net position for the governmental activities um the total assets 52.8 million of that 34.4 million is our capital assets being depreciated over time um 18.4 million are cash and current assets. Uh total liabilities are 27.8 million. Um of that 27.8 million, you do have 9.4 million in the net pension liability. Um and then the remaining majority of the remaining is 16.8 million in the debt related to um the fundings that we have for the city. Uh that leaves us with our net position which is 27 million and of that 27 million 21% of that is unrestricted. Um on the right side you have our uh statement of activities. Um this is our revenues and expenses. So total revenues for the year 21.7 million. The total expenses were 19.6 million. So we did have an increase in net position of approximately 2.1 million. Our business type activities um statement of net position total assets are 21.6 million. Um of that capital assets 17.8 million. Again, those are our long-term assets being depreciated over time. Uh 3.8 million in cash and current assets. Our total liabilities are 13.3 million. Um again, as I mentioned previously in the as in the liabilities, um our net pension liability here is 2.3 million. And um the majority of the rest of that 13.3 million in total liabilities is 10.4 million in debt. Uh we did have a net position of 8.8 million of which uh 8% is unrestricted. Statement of activities total revenues um for the year 18.2 million total expenses 8.2 million. So we did uh

pretty much net out on our business type activities. We had decrease of approximately 1,000 u for the year. Within our governmental accounting we do have two sets of financial statements in our audit. We have the governmentwide financial statements and the fund financial statements. Um the difference the two primarily is our long-term assets and our long-term liabilities. Um so here um we do just mention on our fund financials our general fund which is the main operating fund for our governmental funds uh fund balance total fund balance increased 1.7 million to 14 uh 14 million at the end of the year. Um, of that fund balance, unassigned is 10.1 million and that is 53% of the total 2025 expenditures. Um, general fund revenues and expenditures, a lot of numbers here. I promise I'm not going to read everyone to you, but um, total revenue 17.5 million. Of that, 8.9 million in taxes, 7.4 million um, in fines, fees, licenses, and permits. Um that's a eight uh $800,000 5% increase from 2024 and we were 339 over budget on the revenues due primarily to other revenues being 248,000 more than anticipated. Our total expenditures 19.1 million again I won't read all the departments to you but it breaks it down into the different departments as far as our expenditures. Um we did have uh 2.6 6 million 16% increase from 2024 uh due primarily to increase in non-EP departmental expenditures and we were on the budget for total expenditures 1.5 million over budget. Other significant items as I mentioned previously net pension liability um I do just want to mention that this is part of Gazsby 6871 which is now 134 years

old but still worth mentioning certainly um net pension liability for 2025 was approximately 11.7 million. that represents the unfunded portion of pension benefits um owed to the members and that liability is determined by PM provided to the city. Any questions?

So, it's a pretty good audit and thank you for sharing um everything with us. Is there anything that you would recommend that the city do a little bit differently in order to put us in a better financial position next even better than we are currently? Um, as with everything, I always bring in more money than we we send out, but um, I love that one. Certainly budgeting. I mean, we always want to look at our budgeting and track our budgeting throughout the year, which I know those um, uh, reports are presented to you. So, certainly just keeping track of our budgeting, but um, overall um, nothing within um, you know, our documents that we we needed to share.

I had one question about uh business activities. The net position was negative8% unrestricted. Can you explain what that is?

Yes, sir. So, um our net position um what that is is that's essentially our assets less our liabilities. Um and so with our business type activities, we do have large pieces of debt in relation to our infrastructure. Um so that's where you see that negative net position coming through. Yes, sir. Can you um give me some some I guess just more perspective on the pension liability? It's you know you're represents unfunded portion of the benefits is the 11.7 million what the city was is responsible for in pension payments that have not been issued out yet?

Um so technically it's a great question. So um when Gazsby 68 and uh subsequently 71 came out that was a big change for governmental entities. Um before what you had is um TK does pay all um retirement benefits as they're required to do. Um therefore those funds go into the state retirement system. The state retirement system invests those funds. Um so what that net pension liability is is an actuary comes in um and looks at the state retirement system and says okay this is what's expected over time based on actuarial data of retirees in the future. Um and so where where that came about was okay with the um government governmental accounting standards board uh wanted governments to put that unfunded liability the the amount that they would fall short on the actuary on their books. So starting in again gosh time flies what are we in 2026? So um you know 13 14 years ago um they the governments were required to start putting that on their books. Um pretty much every governmental um you know has a large uh net pension liability relative to their budget relative to their financials. Um again due to that unfunded portion that the actuary determines that is going to be needed for retirees in the future. I'm trying to to to understand.

So, is this is this a a red flag? Is this just something to be aware of? Is this something that we're we need to put more aside for? What what does that mean?

It's a great question. So, you can't put more aside for it. Um TK already pays in the maximum amount um of the retiree benefits. Um so it's just an amount that is you know the government says that that's that unfunded portion of that pension liability. Um and you know it really stemmed from again based on that time it stemmed from you had situations where city of Chicago city of Detroit ended up you know not having enough to cover um retirey benefits. So it started way back about 12 13 14 years ago. Okay. Thank you. Wonderful. Thank you. Have a great meeting.

And council, I I can send y'all this slideshow if you if that's something that you want. I can do that tomorrow. That'll be great. Thank you. Yep. Sure. Right. Next item up is our city manager report. Charlie,

thank you, Madam Mayor, members of council. uh in administration. We've had some new uh teammates join our organization uh recently over the last month and a half or so. Uh we hope you all join us in welcoming uh in admin our uh new HR specialist Tammy Roberts who came to us from City of Rock Hill uh and hit the ground running for us. We're happy to have her and all of our new folks. Uh our municipal clerk uh Mia Ston who is a TK resident and happy to have her on board. She started last week and it's been 100 miles an hour uh to say the least obviously uh in our police department officer Muel uh Bliss, is that right? Chief Bliss um and uh dispatcher Lauren Castler uh have joined the team. Uh parks recreation team member uh Christopher uh Matina. And then in TCUD we've had uh four new faces uh join the team. John Kajawa, Cedric Lockhart, Lucas Fulton, and Tai Conrad. Um, all great additions to the team and we're we're happy to have them uh helping us out. Um, this week marks Sunshine Week, uh, which is a time to focus on the value of access to public information and help residents understand the workings of local government. And we've got uh Gretchen's got some information teed up uh coming out on social media this week about what FOYA is, what it isn't, and and that kind of thing to help us uh celebrate Sunshine Week here in South Carolina. In development services, uh we are meeting with uh with a potential developer uh for the 10 acre site uh off of Dam Road where Nven Park Drive is. That that 10 acres there. Um it's adjacent to the Grove. Uh it's back behind the Walmart. Uh we're looking to hopefully be meeting with them next week to hear what they've got to propose and um we'll obviously report back to council accordingly um depending on how that conversation goes. So um looking forward to seeing maybe hopefully some positive movement there.

Uh staff would like to um our development services staff Nick uh in particular want to make sure to thank the planning commission uh and the steering committee for all their hard work throughout the comprehensive plan uh process over the past year. They also want to thank the committee members from planning comm uh planning commission boza EDC and the stormwater environmental committee who are not coming back. Uh but wanted to uh take this as an opportunity to thank them for their hard work and uh efforts while they were serving. Uh we are staff is awaiting Alderwood's final approval uh from SCDS on their storm water pollution prevention plan uh otherwise commonly referred to as their SWIP. Uh once um DES comes back with their approval on that, uh we anticipate them submitting for the permits uh to begin grading down there. Uh for those that aren't familiar, Alterwood is basically at the intersection of Dam Road and New Grey Rock Road on the right hand side there across from uh Lakeidge. uh our development services director Nick Cawton and our parks rec director Dustin Overton met uh back on March 11th with Duke Energy representatives inquiring about uh them adding a restroom and uh picnic tables down by the river access at the dam uh and they hope to begin that work uh next fall. So it'll be a nice new addition down there at the river access. So, um, uh, development services has al also in, uh, seen an increase in calls, inquiries, code enforcement complaints, walk-ins, um, permit requests, uh, during this time of year. So, we appreciate, uh, patience. Uh, as we roll into spring, it always becomes a busy time of year for for that crew. Um and this past month they have dealt with 14 different properties on various code violations and many of those are coming into compliance and uh we'll continue that effort there. Uh for the month of February they've uh had 79 total permits issued, eight of which were new home permits and five residential CO permits. Uh over the next month, staff is working

to determine uh projection numbers across the city for new residential and uh commercial construction to aid in revenue projections for the coming fiscal year. So Nick's definitely uh very very busy uh over this past month and this coming month. Uh fire department calls for service. Uh for emergency calls for service, they had 125. Non-emergency calls for assistance, they had 160. uh and they conducted four uh school uh fire drills over the past month. Um so that brings their total cost of service to 285 uh over the past month. Uh for their community engagement uh the department is uh been been very active. Um they uh participated in ride to school program to support TK Elementary uh PTO. Uh the firefighters shared smiles and provided a ride to school. um helping raise uh funds and strengthen their bond with the local families. Uh I bet riding a fire truck to school is a lot more fun than the school bus. Um they uh the walk, bike, and roll to school event at TK Elementary. Uh firefighters uh uh took play uh took part in that uh giving kids fist bumps and whatnot and a lot of smiles as they entered school. And they also participated with TCPD in uh last month's public safety meeting um where both chiefs uh did present their year report. I think the next one's coming up in April uh for their first quarter report uh of the year. Um also in fire um fire safety inspections, they've conducted fire safety inspections in all businesses and municipal buildings within uh within our jurisdiction. Pre-fire plans. Uh they've completed updating uh those um with planning uh planning documentation for all the commercial and municipal properties. And uh as you may have seen them around town, they are uh helping TCUD uh in conducting the uh required hydrant flow testing at at all the city's fire hydrants. And they're

they're working through those. Uh even saw them out this past Saturday flowing uh flowing some hydrants. Uh parks recreation, the award-winning Best Dam Food Festival is right around the corner. And we do mean award-winning now. Um so applications for arts and crafts vendors remain open until April 3rd. Also, if you're interested in volunteering for the event, please visit the events website for more details. Guarantee you Caroline uh Hasty has something for you to do. Just sign up and she'll be glad to get you busy. Uh just a quick PSA, our parks rec staff has seen a uh bit of a spike, if you will, uh in vandalism at city parks and also along the walking trail uh over the past few weeks. Parents, please, please, please help us uh have some conversations with kiddos. uh about those are not appropriate behaviors. Uh and if you see something, please let us know. Uh if you see somebody doing something, please call PD uh and help us out there. Uh our maintenance staff with Parks Rec has been busy with the start of the recreation season. Uh recently began working on updating the uh Lookout Golf uh or the Lookout Park uh disc golf course. They've completed trimming limbs, repainting uh the disc catchers, and replaced and relocated a disc catcher. and they'll begin installing uh turf at the launch pads this month. Uh special shout out to TK resident and disc golf enthusion Austin Venetti uh for volunteering his time to assist to assist with those course improvements. So appreciate it, Austin. Way to go, bud. Uh and then lastly, just some uh our final numbers um as we uh as we've gotten the season started. Uh our final count for spring 2026 is a total of 2,286. So only slightly below uh what we've seen in the past, but pretty much on target. Um 11,000 or excuse me, 1,180 of those are in our baseball soft uh youth

softball and flag football programs and 1,16 in our soccer program. So almost an even split there. So uh lots of kids having a lot of fun. Um, and on top of that, we've got all of our adult sports and men's and women's softball and our co-ed kickball program going. Um, police department, congratulations to Lieutenant Bowling and Sergeant Ectinol on completing the FBI Command College. Uh, command college is a week-long high level executive leadership program hosted by the FBI uh, Colombia field office for law enforcement leaders in South Carolina and North Carolina. So, congratulations to both of those guys um, for for completing that. Thank you to everyone who um who did uh come out and attend the uh uh public safety meeting. Had a good turnout and they hope to see everybody again uh in April for the first quarter of 2026. I'd also like to thank uh the folks that did come out to the or excuse me, I want to thank everyone who has tuned in and listened to the new podcast, Protect and Connect. If you haven't heard it yet, check it out. It's on all the streaming platforms where you find your podcast. Um they've now released two episodes and look forward to connecting with community and members uh sharing information about the organization. Um I think uh the episode this coming Friday is if you didn't make it this past Saturday to the your city your safety on ebikes, don't worry, they're going to cover some of that stuff on the uh on the podcast this Friday. So hopefully we'll get a lot of folks tuning in for that. Especially parents who aren't sure what they have purchased their child, whether it is going to be legally operated or not. So definitely check that out uh because enforcement will pick up, I'm quite certain, as the weather warms and we start seeing those out there. Uh officers will complete uh spring in service training this month. Uh they receive uh training on defense tactics, emergency vehicle operations, firearms qualifications, overview of the uh use of force policy, tourniquet applications, stop stick deployment,

mock traffic stops, and ethics. So um they they do a lot of training and this is the time where it really starts to pick up. calls for service um for February 2026, 399 calls for service uh 41 incident reports uh with a response time of 3 minutes and 36 seconds. So, they are absolutely moving and grooving there. Uh property crimes, we had uh two uh for uh February uh property checks 3,52 and uh you could have been a victim notice. So folks that may leave their garage door up at night and things like that, uh we go and put a notice out there and let them know just that general reminder. Uh passed out 173 of those. So folks, lock your doors, close your doors, close your garages, help protect yourself. Um for sure, uh protection life, we had zero crimes against persons. Uh traffic enforcement, we had 946 traffic stops, six parking citations, and seven vehicle collisions. Um and we had seven DUI arrest and 18 other uh custodial arrests. Uh community engagement. Uh we had three community events. And uh something uh new that chief is starting to track is community outreach and we had 24 of those. So where an officer may see a group of kids having fun at a basketball court or something like that and getting out and playing with kids and interacting or interacting with uh you know folks on the walking trail and that kind of thing. And that's big for us. It's big for that department. Um and chief is starting to track those. Had 24 this past month. So um definitely definitely getting out doing a great job. Your upcoming events um let's see tomorrow Chief Crosby will be attending the Carolina Crime Reduction Task Force and this meeting will focus on uh juvenile crime reduction um which is a great topic. Uh Chief Crosby and Officer McCormack will attend the law enforcement community engagement

training summit in Rock Hill on April 1st. Summit will feature a variety of training topics and speakers and will provide insightful ways for law enforcement organizations to learn strategies for professionalizing, fostering, and maintaining successful community engagement activities. Um which I think our folks could probably lead that class. They do an excellent job there. So looking forward to the uh great stuff that they'll bring back from that. Um, as a reminder, hopping with the popo will be on March 27th. Um, as Chief Crosby explained, I think last month, it's uh pretty similar to the uh Grinch, but this time with the Easter Bunnies where they'll have crafts and the Easter Bunny will be on hand uh so our folks can get their pictures made with it. Also, self-defense classes are being offered for youth, girls, and adult women on April 28th at Gold Hill Middle School. And you can find more information how to register uh for that on our website. Just go to the police page. And finally, on April 16th, uh we'll be high five Friday at Gold Hill Elementary School. And April 17th, High Five Friday at Tik Elementary School where our officers going to greet students with high fives. Great way to start the day. So looking forward to that. Public works and storm water. Our uh public works team has completed a variety of tasks this past month, including removal of four trees from the Hamilton Walking Trail, replaced nine street signs. We're now into patch hole uh pothole patching season. So, they they got 16 of those knocked out last month and 56 uh storm water line locate request uh tickets that they uh were able to fulfill. In addition to that, they uh were able to clean uh the storm water inlets on Huber Way and repair and outfall on River Bend. Um in addition to inspecting three other uh storm storm water lines uh via our CCTV system. Um as folks are aware, loose leaf collection program is done for the year. Thank goodness. Um but if you waited and waited too long and you still got

leaves, go ahead and bag them and put them out the curb and our crews will pick them up during their weekly collections. Um the two new dump trucks that council afforded to us uh for this budget year have been deployed. So, uh helping our crews be a lot more efficient and get that rolling. So, uh we're excited to have those as well as our team members are very excited to have those. Um this is time of year where we see a lot of residents doing their spring cleaning around the yards and putting out more brush than we we typically see it as single residents, you know, um on average throughout the year. So, just as a reminder, when you're putting your brush out, they need to be cut down to 4 feet or shorter in lengths, and they need to be less than 4 inches in diameter. Now, what do you do with the stuff that's bigger than that? We'll still come get it. You just need to call city hall. There is a fee for that, but we can get you on the schedule and pick those up. Or if you have just a lot of brush because you've waited a few years or whatever the case may be and you've got more than one truckload, you may get a door knocker or something like that at your house, just letting you know. You just got to pay the fee for that. Our fee schedule is online, but that's uh those run 150 uh $150 per load. Um so if you're just putting out your normal brush, again, just make sure we're cutting it down to that 4 foot uh 4 foot lengths um for the safety of our crews as they as they pick those up and cart those away. And uh here pretty soon, you will begin to see the rap uh rectangular rapid flashing beacons being installed. Uh Tim talked to DOT today. Um we anticipate by Wednesday the encroachment permit will be approved. We've got the equipment. So, we'll start at the Trail Ridge uh Seven Coast Crosswalk. Uh those will get installed and then we'll install the ones at um Callaway. So, looking forward to those. Uh if you're not sure what they're going to look like. DOT just replaced uh the ingground or impavement markers with the RFBs at Heron Harbor and you can't help but notice those. out. Advice to pedestrians, make sure you push the

button. Don't just stand there on the side of the road waiting for people to stop. Push the button. Uh folks will stop for you and allow you to cross that street safely. So, looking forward to those going in um and should be in uh probably within the next week uh is what we're hearing. And finally, with TCUD, uh progress continues on the wastewater treatment plant uh improvement uh project. Contractors mobilized uh to the site with delivery of mobile office trailer. Uh portable facilities, equipment and materials, site prep activities have also begun, including excavation and grading and preparation for the installation of the temporary equalization basin. Now, for those that back up to that area or see that area or happen to play golf on the go, don't fret. This is very very temporary unlike the last one that was put there by TK Water Service who is planning on it being permanently there. It'll only be there until we can get the treatment plant back online. Um so um that uh with that here pretty soon uh later this month going into early April and we've got uh Antonio Muro has been working with Gretchen. We've got several communication pieces coming out on this uh very soon, but delivery of a crane and large steel uh panels and whatnot are expected again later this month, early uh next month for the and that's the EQ basis. So, have to bring that in in pieces and put it together and um before they place it in operation. Uh and last but not least, uh you will be getting, if you haven't already, uh annual backflow prevention test notifications, and those are getting mailed out. Uh residents with backflow prevention devices have to have their devices tested by a certified tester who also has a TDK business license and submit that completed report to city hall by the June 1st deadline. So, those notifications will be coming out. If you've got an irrigation system, odds are you have a backflow uh you've got a backflow pretor on there. It is imperative that you get that tested

because if you don't and uh we're going to be testing that for you and that testing will cost 150 bucks. It's much cheaper if you hire your own contractor. But our goal uh for that department is they want 100% compliance uh going forward and we need it. So get them tested, folks. All right. And that concludes my report for this evening. Thank you. Sounds like you almost need a break there. It was a lot and I I skipped some things, but the entire report obviously council will be emailed to you and it will be online here in the coming days. Thank you. Um, next item on the agenda are um committee and commission reports and we have the planning commission, Councilman Carter.

Yes, thank you. Um, the planning commission did meet. They met on March 2nd. Um, they did have a quorum. The discussion was mainly around the um comprehensive plan for 2025 through 2035 and had a very hefty discussion about that. Um but didn't really have much after that.

Okay. Thank you. um for the economic development commission. I um they did meet and they did have a quorum for their um March sorry February meeting and um the the main focus was on the upcoming um business connect meeting which is scheduled for April 16th and uh the developers from um the grove will be in attendance as well as someone from the cog so it should be a well attended meeting. If you are a business within Tig, you are invited. We welcome you. We encourage you to come and ask questions about um the development at the Grove, what's coming, um you know, timelines, anything that's important to you. Um it should be a meeting full of a lot of information. there were no um no other um dates set because we have an incoming change on um commission members. So once that that um full membership is seated then there will be dates that are set for upcoming meetings and upcoming events. And next up is item two are public comments. There wasn't anyone that signed up for public comments. However, I would like to take one quick second and recognize our scout troops and members that are sitting in the back. I I don't know why you're here, but I would love to hear why you're here and and what you're what we can do for you.

Pull that microphone down a little. Thank you. Um we're here as part of our communication merit badge and also as part of our citizenship in the community merit badge even though we are not part of TK. We live in Steel Creek which is like just right over there. So, we decided to come to you guys because your schedule worked for us. Thank you. Well, I'm glad that you're here. Thank you for being here.

Thank you. I'm kind of a proud parent of an Eagle Scout, so I just had to recognize you guys being here. Next up is our approval of minutes from February 23rd, 2026, our regular meeting. If I could have a motion to approve the minutes as presented, please. Madame Mayor, members of council, a motion to approve the regular city council meeting minutes from February 23rd, 2026. And a second. Second.

Any discussion? Okay. Um, if I could um a vote for approving, please. I carries unanimously. Thank you very much. Um, next up on our agenda is committee appointments for several of our um, open committees and commissions. And if I could have Charlie, you take over that for us and kind of walk us through.

Yes, ma'am. Um, so council, I'll present the names per uh, commission committee board. Once I present your top nominees, uh, just let you vote at that and then we'll go to the next one. So for Boza, um, your top nominees are Nancy Feliciano, Dirk Tannis, and Amy Young Bloodood. Okay. If I could have a motion to approve the members as they have been called out by our city manager, please. Madame Mayor, members of council, I make a motion to approve the nominated members for the board of zoning appeals.

And I second. All those in favor? That motion carries unanimously. Second. Okay. Our next group is going to be the uh EDC. Uh and your top nominees are Chris Frankhouser, uh Roger Mets, Ashley Raven, Gus Machunis, Audrey, and please forgive me and Madison Bert. Okay. If I could have a motion to approve all the um nominated nominated members as our city manager has called out, please.

Madame mayor and members of the city council, um motion to approve the nominated members for the economic development council commission and a second. Second. All those in favor? Motion carries unanimously. Next. Okay. Our next group is going to be the parks, recreation, and events committee. Uh, we've got two nominees there, Milton Chickas and Jeremy Lambert. Okay. If I could have a motion to approve those members as they have been called out. Madame Mayor, members council, I'd like to make a motion to approve the members for the parks, recreation, and events committee as presented. And a second, please second. All those in favor?

Motion carries unanimously. Next, Charlie. Uh, next up, we've got the planning commission. Um you your top nominees are Thomas uh Gilliani, Nick Aiko, Sher Stroll, and Michael Wilhelm. If I could have a motion to approve the members, new members as they have called out been called out by the city manager. Please. Madame mayor, members of the council, a motion to approve the planning commission members as stated by the city manager. All those in favor? I carries unanimously. Next

and our final one uh for this evening uh the storm water and environmental committee um is Nelson vote GT vote. Okay. Um can I have a motion to approve the one member as called out by our city manager please? Madame Mayor, members of council, I'd like to motion to approve the committee members as nominated by the city manager. A second. All those in favor? Motion carries unanimously.

And madame mayor, if I can. Um, and this is really more for the public. Um, we have recently had at least one uh person step down from the public art jury. They moved away. We may have a second one. So, we've opened up those applications. Uh, we'll be pushing that out again. And we also need more members specifically for the stormwater environmental committee because as of right now, we don't have a quorum. So, we definitely need members there. Um, I know Gretchen did a video with Nick uh pushing that out. If you're curious as to what it is, please email Nick Cawan, our development services director. He can fill you in on it. Um, but we definitely need uh need some more volunteers for that committee. And we'll need at least one person um maybe two for the public art jury. So,

thank you. All right, we are moving on to new businesses. New business um our planning commission uh 5A new business our planning commission recommendation regarding the adoption of the 2025 2035 comprehensive plan. I believe we're going to have Nick Cawan come up and Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.

Thank you, Nick. Thank you. Anyone have any questions to ask either Nick? Thank you very much. Next item is 5B. Um, planning commission's recommendation for reszoning of parcel number 645-0000-00-40 address of 1557 Huber Graham Way um from an RSF40 in York County to R40 in the city as part of a 100% annex annexation petition.

Thank you. All right, we are now at 5C and this is consideration of the introduction and first reading of an ordinance to adopt the 2025 2035 comprehensive plan. Um if I could have a motion to um approve the ordinance adopting the 2025 2035 comprehensive plan, please. Madame Mayor and members of council, motion to approve the introduction and first reading of an ordinance to adopt the 2025 to 2035 comprehensive plan. And a second. Okay. I would like to open the um for discussion, please. Anyone with any questions or thoughts around that plan?

I'd just like to thank the um planning commission. Uh wonderful work. I had an opportunity to attend a couple of meetings and the the dedication uh the commitment to working through all the issues was was inspiring and I was impressed. So, thank you for everyone who was involved.

Yeah, I've said it before and I'll just echo it again. Um, thank you to everyone who was involved in this process, especially our staff, our planning commission, and to all the residents who came out to all the opportunities that were presented to give your feedback because this truly was a team effort, it feels like, and I think it's a very good view of what we want for our board to help us make decisions. Um I being part of the the steering committee for for the comprehensive plan I I was able to have um a seat at the conversations and I'm excited for what the plan is going to uh bring to the city. I'm excited for the um the definition that it gave to the vision. Having listened to so many of our residents speak about um you know keeping that that sense of small town, keeping that sense of continuity um being very focused on what and how we grow. Um I feel that it's it's an excellent reflection and I'm very grateful for everyone that participated and gave um gave their their feedback. Um, if I could, can I have a vote, please, at this point? And all all in favor of um the first reading for our ordinance to adopt the 2025 2035 comprehensive plan. And that passes unanimously. Thank you. A quick note, if you wanted to read any of the resolutions or the ordinances that are being approved, they are part of our um packet that is um part of our council meeting today. Those are all online. All right. The next um is 5D, consideration of the introduction of the first reading of an ordinance to annex tax map number 645-0000-00-40, address 1557 Hubert Graham Way and reszone from RS40, RSF40 in York County

to R40 in the city. Could I have a motion, please? Madame Mayor, members, a council motion to approve the introduction first reading of an ordinance to annex t tax map number 645-0000-00-41557 Hubert Graham Way and reszone from RSF40 in York County to R40 in the city. A second. All those in favor?

The motion carries unanimously. Thank you. All right. Um, new business 5e, discussion and consideration of extending the municipal municipal solid waste removal contract with signature waste. Um, I would like a motion. Actually, no, not yet. We are just going to discuss this at this point. Charlie, would you like to give us some some background on this, please?

Yes, ma'am. So the uh current agreement that we have with signature waste uh we entered into back in two 2022 um and as set forth in the um in the agreement uh it is set to expire on September 30th, 2027. So about a year and a half from now uh give or take. Um as such uh as stipulated in here um it can either renew for an additional two years um which would take it out to 2029 and additionally after that it could do another two years um uh ultimately taking it to 2031. Um so we have an obligation if uh we're not going to let it renew uh and council does decide to put it back out for bid then we have to give them 180 days uh notice. So on or about uh on or before April 1st of 20 27 is when we would need to give them such notifications. So place this on the agenda for this evening so that uh council has the opportunity to discuss uh if you want it to renew uh you you would give us that direction and we would let it go uh and then have this conversation again in a couple years. um if you're inclined for it not to renew and go back out for bid. We would need that uh direction as well. Um at which uh staff would begin um fairly soon uh putting together the uh the RFP and putting it out for bid uh and then bringing that back to council. Um, I think the I'll call it feedback that we received when we put this out for bid last round is that companies uh wouldn't have enough time uh from the time that the bid was over and council would have awarded before they got started. So, we're doing this well in advance uh this go around to make sure that anybody that if it is council's direction for us to put it out for bid um that we would uh we've got plenty of time to do that.

they've got plenty of time to consider their bids and plenty of time to get ready if they um if they are awarded said contract. Um just to um make council aware uh our current rate. So in 2022 we started at $17 per household per month. Over the years that costs like everything has uh increased incrementally. Uh we're currently at 1803 per customer. Um, in my conversations last fall with Signature Waste, uh, they have been experiencing over the last couple years, uh, increases in their tipping fees, um, they do plan on requesting, uh, an increase for this coming year, which they are allowed to, up to 3%. Um, now they have to request it. Uh, but the city, uh, if under the, uh, under the agreement under section 9E, uh, we can't unreasonably withhold that request. Right. Um, so there's there's really only two things that they can increase for. One is if uh the price of diesel gas exceeds $4.75 per gallon for more than a four uh consecutive weeks, they can request that increase, but then it drops back down. They're supposed to go back down, right? Um I can tell you that there's only been one fuel increase since signature way started with the city many years ago, uh even before the 222 agreement. Uh, and from what they have at least told me, I am waiting for them to give me the requisite documentation and and things of that nature. Apparently, the tipping fees have been escalating each year over the last uh I think they told me over the last three years. Uh, so they're they're going to be requesting that rate increase, but again, it would take you from 1803 to 1857. Um, if if that's where this ends up going, they may come and just ask for a 2%. I don't know yet. uh because that official request hasn't come in at this point, but um and then that would be taken under consideration

during our budget workshop process uh later in April. So, uh I'll be happy to answer any questions if I can. Uh otherwise, I'm going to turn it back over to council and u for y'all's discussion.

Yeah. So, I'm comfortable with leaving it where it's at right now and letting the contract um renew for an additional two more years. The price isn't crazy or astronomical per household. The service that we're getting is is pretty decent. I haven't had any complaints or any anything or uh we we have no problems with them currently. Um so I'd like to go off and do that. I would be worried about a potential going off and putting out for RFP due to where the economy currently is and what the companies that could potentially come in here, what they would potentially try and charge us with the 3% increase for signature waste. I would be completely fine with that. Okay. And just keep on going there. Nothing if if it's not broke, don't fix it type situation, but I'd like to keep a word of that. I know we're not voting, but that's my two cents on it.

Yeah. Thank you. I'm curious as to how many solid waste management companies do we have realistically in this area that might compete for that bid? So, when we put it out um last time, we had a number of folks and then we later found out some of those folks were actually just like uh the cart vendors and things like that. They weren't, you know, the roll carts, to carts and things like that. Um but we had a total of four. Three of them um basically sent us notice that they were declining to bid. Um and two of those were I would consider to be national companies like Republic and Waste Management. One I would call more of a probably regional type company with um I think their name was Allied Waste and then Signature Waste. Um you know, Waste Management and and Republic are probably your two biggest ones. Republic I think is one of the biggest ones nationwide. Um Signature Waste has grown a pretty decent size. Uh I'll call it a regional footprint uh in and around York County. They may have some in North Carolina, Mecklberg County, whatnot, where their home base is, if you will. Um so how many would bid on it? I would anticipate at least one of the national companies. I know waste management is in this area. I think they are the provider, the recycle provider for uh town of Fort Mill right now. Um I would suspect at least them and Republic um would probably want to bid would probably entertain a bid on it, but really don't know. I mean it's it's it's hard to nail down just from a you given where we're at um until we actually would put it out for bid. And Signature Waste was the only company that submitted

actually gave us the number. Yes. Yes. And was that and you said it was some of that was due to the short.

So the so we had we had a pre-bid meeting um at at the beginning of the of the bidding process. U but then once the bids were due, the responses that we got back from them was that it didn't give them enough time uh from the contract award to contract start date to buy a new truck. um which wasn't a requirement of of the RFP, but apparently that's something that they customarily do is to buy a new truck whenever they start with new customers. Um obviously, as council can attest, you can't pick up all the TK with one truck, not not get it done in a day, right? Um but that that was the that was the responses that we got back at the end of it versus at the beginning of it when when the timelines were laid out. But uh so that's why you le learned from that feedback. That's why we're starting this process where we are now. And again, as I said, if it's council's direction tonight to let it renew for two more years, then there's there's nothing for us to do right now. Uh we just sit and wait and until this point in time of the contract came around again. But we'll definitely be doing it much earlier um than what we did the last go round. Um, you know, but Signature Waste has been with us, I want to say, probably since 2007, uh, give or take. Um, you know, like anything, there's going to be bumps in the road. Uh, they've tried different things. They tried recycling trash on the same day. That did not go over well. Has too many way too many carts out on the road, especially in traditional TK. But, um, I think they've got it nailed down pretty good as far as the routes and and their delivery service. Um, I heard Councilman Carter mention he hasn't received any complaints. We rarely receive anything at city hall. Um, but Signature has done a really good job, especially over the last two years. If they've got a driver out or a truck has gone down or something like that, notifying us so we

can communicate to the public of delays and things of that nature. I've personally not had any issues either and pretty pleased with the service. Um because we only received one bid in 2022 and there are other management companies that are available, I'm inclined to to, you know, consider going through the bid process again to see how competitive of a bid we can get. Um but I'm open to discussion and other perspectives on that. Thank you.

Um so I'll echo uh what Council M Carter said. I haven't received any complaints and I actually did my little bus stop lit test with families that I have to spend my afternoon with. get to spend my afternoon with I should say um and a range of opinions but all of them were that they appreciate the continuity of service we have um I'm inclined not to rebid this and part of that process is I think it would be very disruptive to our community to have to go through that whole process to have the turnover that that would create um I also echo what council car said right now two of the things tipping fees diesel are very much in flux out there in the economy and I worry that by putting it out to bid while it's tempting to would be competitive. They could come back and raise their rates much more than that 3% and say actually now that we're here in the bid process. This is our offer and it's actually much higher than what you've got locked in now. And it still might be the lowest out of all those, but we could end up paying more overall just based on the numbers that are out there right now um that I've been looking at. And I also think we have those, you know, we have that 3%, we have that assurance, we are addressing the issue that took place with that lack of time by having this discussion now. So that initial problem of only ending up with one bid because of a timing issue has been addressed. And to me, we're also a smaller city and I worry that if it looks like we do not realistically look at those bid extensions that make it appealing for people to bring us bids as a smaller city that may not usually get some of these contracts that in the future we will lose bids because they'll say, "Well, if I'm only going to get three years out of it, why am I going to throw a bid out in the first place?" Um, I don't want our city getting that reputation because that actually will decrease the chances of us getting competitive bids in the future. And this is a relationship that's been built with this one contractor. I haven't heard any complaints about it. So, I'm just inclined to go through a bid process if we don't need to and let our staff spend their time on the many other projects

they have to do um versus having to go through writing the bid, taking the bids, bringing it to us. Um so, for me, it just doesn't make sense financially um or time-wise to to go through that. Maybe in another two years, once hopefully things have settled, it might be worth it to try and get a better bid from one of the larger companies, but I think this isn't the right time for that. Um Charlie, do we have any idea if any local municipalities have recently put their waste collection out for bid and what their rates were.

Not specifically. Um I can tell you that I know that from time to time Rockill will do some feelers specifically around their recycling program uh because they still do the the weekly um little bins uh where they their employees sort them at the street. But yeah, but Rockill is fully in-house. Fort Mill. Um, like I said mentioned earlier, um, the last that I saw, they had uh contracted out just the recycling, but they still do their their trash in-house. Um, York and Clover have kind of a a mix, if you will. Uh, they share services between the two. Uh, at least on the trash collection side of things. Not sure um what they're doing from the recycle standpoint. I would imagine they probably have it contracted out just on the recycling end. Um, as council is probably aware or if you're a resident living here, uh, over the last several years, recycling, uh, became a bit of a bear. Um, and there's really not money in recycling. Um, you we were having 50% of our loads uh, were being rejected at the recycle facility until 2022. And now it's an opt-in program with Signature Waste. Uh last I talked to Savior's waste, we had about 50% of our customers or their customers are uh participating in the recycle program and we've had zero rejected loads. Uh because now you've got the people that are serious about recycling doing it. So um but as far as other cities and what their rates are, I would say as far as what we charge, which is exactly what Sudish waist charges us, we're pretty comparable to to Rock Hill. I can put together analysis um of of those trash rates if if that's something council wants

what other people are charging based on what Brian and Heather said. I'm just wondering coming into the meeting. I was thinking okay put it out for bid maybe right now. Yes. trucks. So with that, second question, if we put it out for bid, can we can we decide before April? The bids come in and they're $10 higher per home per month. We say, you know, we're just going to do the extension as long as we do April 1.

I'll I'll defer to chaplain, but I'm pretty certain we can we can put out for bid and council does is there's not a mandate the council has to award, but I'll defer to chap. Yeah, we'll have the standard language that we uh reserve the right to reject any and all bids. You just got to make sure that there's sufficient time for us to trigger the 180day notice in here. And that may be tough because we're talking about not rushing the bidden process, right? Last time.

So, it may be difficult to get that that done if you want to have a longer bidding process and have the 180day notification. If we put it out for bid, let's say by the end of the month, right? Um, under the procurement code, we're required to put it out for 15 days. Obviously, we could go longer than that, but I think Japan does bring a good point. Let's say we put it out for a month or two months, right? So, now we're at June, potentially into July. You're looking at things. we would give the notification if if council if we did get a bid that council likes, right? Um then it sets us up to okay, yeah, we can give the bid, but you know, okay, we can award you're more than a year at that point. Um I have no idea how long it takes to get a garbage truck. I can tell you for some of our larger trucks, uh, for instance, the grapple truck. Um, I would say is a comparable size to a garbage truck. I mean, it it took us a few months to be able to get it. So, and yeah, that was when it was taking a lot longer to, you know, I mean, we we've also seen where we've ordered a police car and it's taken us a year almost before we have said police car in possession. So, uh, I'm not sure how long it takes them to get a garbage truck or the the the the roll carts, if you will. I would think you could do that, uh, with a little over a year. Um, but I that's not something that I I I don't have that direct knowledge on.

Um, yeah, I was just trying to avoid.

So, if if I'm understanding the the process here. We have we have a contract that is is in place until September of 2027. Um if this was to go out to bid sometime this year, the new contract wouldn't wouldn't be effective until after the existing contract is is over. So regardless of how much time the bid process gave for each company to turn in their bid,

they would not have to be able they wouldn't have to start start actually providing the service and have all of their equipment and bins etc in place until September of next year. Octo technically it would be October 1st.

Okay. October 1st. Um, I I I understand the the concerns regarding regarding fuel and and and charges and it's it's those are those are very valid. I also um would like to say that the thought of putting of putting this back out to bid is not a reflection on on the specific service of the company that we have in place. I you know for for for the service that they provide they're they're relatively consistent and they have they have done a a good job in in in managing and providing that service. My thought process in opening this as as a bid opportunity is because they were the only company that provided that that bid the first time around. So whatever they they provided to us and what we agreed to with the contract and their their bid is our only point of reference to know whether that was the best option for the city or not. Um, I like the suggestion of possibly doing a bid process with time and and keeping the option of continuing with our existing provider, but at the same time having the opportunity to provide that transparency and data that lets us know that this is the best decision possible. Um, I don't know that we are are at a place where we're ready to move forward with one direction or another. I think that there's been some questions that have been brought up that are important. if I could offer perhaps a suggestion. Um I think uh Mayor Pro Tim Heisel asked a very good question um as far as what what are the other rates that that other people are paying you other cities and whatnot. Um we've got a uh special council meeting workshop coming up on March 31st. Um, and the only thing on is

discussion uh any questions council may have directly to department heads on the CIP. I could bring the I could report that back to council and have that as a as an agenda item if council would like at your March 31st. So you're not losing a whole month. I mean, we're talking a matter of weeks. I could bring that back to you. And I mean, if we're seeing all the other cities are at $ 19, $20, you know, or whatever that they're charging, I I don't know if that if that matters or how much it matters or what, but I could bring that information, get it to you in advance for you to have further conversation on the 31st with perhaps a direction at that point if that's what you want to do. Um, if you don't feel like you're in in a place this evening, um, happy to happy to work and put that together. uh if that's if that's something council wants to see as part of your discussion so that you don't have to wait till the regular April meeting if that if you want to have that conversation sooner.

Yeah, I think having it as part of of that meeting would be good and having that information. I'd also like to have the information of what this looks like if we were going to put it out on bid as far from from a date standpoint. Okay. Um and also from um a terms, you know, what what would be included, what wouldn't be included, what would our time frame be to make those decisions, what how much time we're going to give in order for those bids to be properly presented.

Okay. We can uh we can map out a um I'll call it a tenative schedule. um you know for that consideration if that's the direction we're going. This is what the dates and whatnot would look like. Um have a conversation around that as well as um try to get you as many different cities as we can. Um whether they're contracting it out or doing it in house. What are the rates that you're charging? Um I know for a number of years we were we were under by a dollar or two um from what we what we were being charged industly charging versus what other cities were charging uh including the ones that were doing it in house. Uh so we felt pretty good about it then but I don't know what that that landscape looks like now. So we can work to put that together over the course of the next uh couple weeks and get that to you um and have that discussion on the 31st if that's what council would like to do.

Yes. And if you if the information regarding what specifically is included within those rates um and how comparable are they to the number of households that they're servicing? Obviously, if it's a much larger community, the rates could potentially be less because they have more homes potentially. Yeah, potentially. And just to confirm, chap when you said there's no issue if we decided to put it up a bid and then bids come in, they're all super high. We could not pick nobody in the extension. Well, if they're going to come in high, they're probably not going to bid because they're going to look at this contract.

You might not you might not get any bids. Uh because if somebody looks at this contract and they're like, "Well, staffing has gotten higher. The u the price the carts and the garbage truck has gotten so much higher. You might not get bits. They know they can't beat it. Yeah, they're Why am I going to put together a bid when I'm looking at because they'll they'll probably try to pull the I mean, all they've got to do is go to your agenda packet, right? And pull the

So, it's just something else to consider. Yeah, I think that that that would give us the knowledge of moving forward with the current provider knowing that no one else can can perform in in in providing that service. I just based on on the previous bid process, I would really like to be able to to have the all of that information in place before making a decision.

Okay, we can work to that end. Um, my computer's gone, so we're I'm Yes, council comments. Thank you. It's always good to have paper, I'm telling you. Um, we're going to move on to council comments. Uh, council member,

I get to go first. Um, so let's see. First of all, I want to thank um the police and fire departments. Uh, so I had an opportunity to go attend the SC walk and roll event uh a couple weeks ago. fantastic just seeing the uh the children and the parents walk up, get some cocoa, some stickers, some booklets, and the smiles on their faces. So, that's a fantastic community outreach program. So, thank you. Uh and we'll be doing that again soon. So, I look forward to that. Um so, thanks Chief Crosby, TK Police Department, and Officer McCormack for the ebike safety event that you conducted last Saturday. Uh that was fantastic as well. It was great to see the kids come out um enjoy some popcorn and it's a timely event, you know, with the proliferation of ebikes that we're all seeing. We're seeing them all over the place and so safety is a concern. So, it's a great idea for parents to learn the rules of the road, if you will. And uh and teach their kids how to ride those safely, have fun, but be safe. Um boy, that Fort Mill High School wrestling team. Um I know they're not here, but you know, to win five division two state championships consecutively, to win two backto-back is impressive. To win four in a row is is amazing. So, congratulations to them. Wrestling is a very competitive, tough sport. Uh Joshua Prince. Um man, um I'll tell you the the uh he's got a bright future if he continues shooting. A lot of a lot of folks that want to hire a good sniper coming from the military. Don't don't take that the wrong way. Um yeah, to to win anything on the national level is just incredible. So congratulations to Joshua. Um thank you to our emergency response dispatchers, the unsung heroes who help keep the city safe. Thank you for what you do every day. Um uh long overdue the Vietnam War veterans um the recognition for their service. Um as we all know they didn't really receive the recognition and gratitude when they came home. So uh as a fellow veteran it's great to see them being recognized. So for the veterans here thank you for your service. Appreciate that. Um and I want to put in

an early plug. So Memorial Day. So we're going to have a the TK Veterans Association. Uh we've got the chair here, Todd Herman, uh is going to be hosting a 5K race at Kataba Park. Have we hosted a 5K before there? Any races at Kataba?

Great. Great. And so that promises to be a great event, fantastic uh venue. So I'm really excited, looking forward to that. So they can use some help volunteers uh volunteers to help set up uh and man the route. So uh put that on your calendars and more information to come. Madame Mayor, that's that's it for me. Thank you, Councilman Carter.

Yes. Nice. Um, thank you everybody that's here this evening. Um, always thank you for everybody that's watching online. Um, every time I go out, people always tell me tell me they're always watching online or they watch it after the fact. That's pretty cool. Um, want to say thank you to the troop for being here. Um, or the scouts. Appreciate that, you know, jumping over the border to come out and hang out with us for the evening. Hopefully it's not too long of an evening for you guys. Uh, congratulations to the Fort Mill High School wrestling team. Like Councilman Fol said, that's just These they're impressive. They're really really really impressive. And then congratulations to Joshua Prince as well with his national air rifle championship and 40 some odd you know bullse eyes in a row or whatever with like that's just wow.

So welcome to the new city staff that has joined us recently. Um we we've picked up quite a few and uh that's that's awesome and welcome to the city. We appreciate you guys being here. I always want to say thank you to the department heads for everything that you guys do and the city staff for keeping the city running smoothly and and operating smoothly every single day and looking beautiful as usual. You guys are pretty awesome that way. Last week, uh, Council Member Jones and I did a little coffee with council um and had a couple people come out. We're going to probably do that um every once in a while and switch it up with different council members and do coffee with council moving forward. So, just want to put that on people's radars. And last but not least, I just want to do recognition. So, this person um typically they're they're they're out there always posting things about wanting to help people. And there's people that, you know, have issues with their bikes or something like that. And this person always posts that they want to go off and help them and they'll fix their bikes or do all this kind of stuff. But during the last um snowstorm and the ice storm that they had, this person was out there um posting a whole bunch of stuff like, "Okay, if you need, you know, tools for this or if you need flashlights and even to the point where this person was like, hey, if I if you need generators, just let me know." And was trying to like offer all this kind of stuff. And I just I think that epitomizes like, you know, what we do as a community and and trying to help each other out, not dealing with anything else, but just helping your fellow neighbor out. Um the person I'm talking about is Kristoff Halverson, and he's done a good job with doing that kind of good stuff. But again, he epitomizes um when he does that kind of stuff um what it means to be, you know, good neighbor and just to live in a really good community where you have good people around. And with that, I'm done.

Thank you, Council Member Jones.

Thank you. Um I will echo the previous comments, welcoming new city staff on board, thanking our first responders, celebrating uh these amazing students in our community. I always love pulling up our draft agenda and seeing five or six. And madam mayor, you're probably a little bit more like I got all this reading to do, but it's so cool seeing all the things we get to celebrate in our community and having people from outside our community come to uh spend time with us is fantastic. Um I will echo it was said earlier uh thank you for the ebike safety. Again, our kids are getting out there. I love that about our community, but I also know it terrifies so many of the parents there when we get out to this season and there's a lot more kids and a lot more people out on those trails. So please um push the button on the RFBs. We've got new RFBs coming in. the one that they've already replaced the ingground up and I'm so excited to see the new ones coming. So, just just remember to do your part and push the button. Um, and that's just something I'd also like to echo is we've heard this through several of our staff comments. Um, it takes all of us, it takes community to really do this together. So, you know, think of what little part you have in it. If it's pushing the button, if it's reminding your kids to wear their helmet, if it's making sure if you hear or you see that there's vandalism going on in the parks, you know, we're all in this together. So, I know that our staff and our departments do such an amazing job and they pull so much weight with so little resources and they do so much for us. So, let's make sure we're doing our part to support them back um and and do what we can. Uh uh the fire truck to TCES, I'll just do a personal thank you for that. It is actually Sorry, uh Chief Crosby, but they do bring in more money with the firet trucks than the police rides to school. I think the kids just like the big big truck going. Um it's been it's been going that way, but the kids always appreciate it and the parents appreciate the heads up that it's happening, so they don't freak out thinking something's happening at the school. Um this Saturday, the TK Lions Club is doing an adopt a pup event. So if anybody is looking for their new family friend on 3:21 at 11 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, the Lions Club does a lot. They're going to part they're partnering with TCPD for the

Hopin with the Popo Easter Bunny. That's a joint thing. Um, so if you want to go out, they're going to have food trucks, pets that are available for adoption. You won't take any pets home that day, but you will get to meet some and see if they're a good fit for your family. And so that's a really fun time. Even if you just want to go out and see some really cute pets, they're doing like a a parade, like a fashion show style thing. Um, and how Landscaping, who helped with the mulch giveaway, which I heard was a resounding success at Lookout Park, thank you for taking the mulch because when you take the mulch that the city mulches off of all those branches they're collecting, we don't have to pay to send it away. So, please take the mulch. Um, but thanking How as well for helping to get that out into our community. Um, just too many things to mention on that. So, that's all I have tonight. Thank you.

Thank you, council. And hi.

All right. Thank you, Mayor. Um, first u echo what Brian said earlier and Heather, everyone. Jim, you know, thanks for everyone that's here. Uh, glad to see the scouts here. Outstanding. you're out earning those merit badges and uh seeing how local government works. It's a little different where the rubber meets the road and uh uh so excited to have you here and thanks for coming out. Um everyone watching at home, thank you watching on YouTube next week. It's always there. So um hope hope you can catch that. Uh I want to welcome all the new employees to the city that it's awesome that uh we're getting those slots filled. Um, and you're joining a great team. And with that, you know, thank you to staff for everything they do. um from all the departments, you know, uh the police and fire do a wonderful job and you know, they're kind of out there in the public and they get a lot of recognition and they deserve all of it. But so does the rest of staff because the people behind the scenes here at the city do a wonderful job whether it's TCO administration, parks and w public works, storm water people, they keep the city running dayto day and the only time you talk to them is when you have a problem, right? if you don't have to talk to them, everything's great. Um, and and very rarely uh do most people have to talk to our staff because they're doing such a wonderful job. So, thank you to them. Um, also the volunteers for the committees. Thank you for putting in a couple more vacancies. So, if anybody wants to serve and give back a little to your great city, uh, a couple more vacancies. So, please, if you're interested, put in um, Lieutenant Bowling and Sergeant Ekno, congratulations on the FBI command school. That that's awesome. And, um, I'm doing it backwards. I'm going to close uh with the proclamations. I just want to congratulate the wrestling team. I've been here every year. Four years in a row I've been here congratulating them. So, um keep it going. That's outstanding. Uh Joshua Prince, great job. Um I'm a product of ROC, so I can I

can hold my head high and say great job and uh uh keep it up. I know uh believe team or another team is going on to another competition. So, good luck in that. Um Well, communicators, uh, thank you for all you do. Um, again, unsung heroes in the police station. Um, getting those calls when people are in a panic in the worst day of their life and you're the ones that have to deal with it and and get those first responders there to to assist them. So, thank you for all you do. And then finally, of course, AC still here. No, he took off, wheeled himself out. But, uh, the Vietnam veterans, um, thank you. Uh like Jim, a veteran myself, uh it it breaks my heart to think of what you went through at war and then come home and deal with that. So I sorry I get emotional, but uh thank you. Thank you for what you did. Uh this is long overdue and I know it started in 2017 and we'll do it every year and I'll probably be up here choking through it every year. Thank thank you and all the Vietnam veterans out there. Thank you for your service. Thank you. Thank you. Um I think everyone has has done a beautiful job in commemorating and recognizing those that um we recognized through our proclamations today. Um for the wrestling team boys and Joshua Prince, I've said this before, we race them well here in Fort Mill in TA. Um these are kids that um that exemplify um their parents and exemplify their schools in our community and and we're so grateful to have the opportunity to um to recognize them for our first responders. Um like it's been said where our our dispatchers and telecommunicators um it starts with you and and we're very grateful for the time that you give to that. Um,

I especially want do also want to recognize our our veterans, um, Vietnam veterans. Um, it it it was a little bit surprising to know that we didn't have that that resolution in place for you before. I'm I'm I'm so grateful that I was able to to read that and to present that to to you and and to our TK veterans. Um there is so much pride for those of us that um have learned from the history of it. Um and to to have the opportunity to recognize you is is truly an honor. Uh TK in the spring it it's beautiful. We have so many amazing things happening. We have parks that are are being spruced up. We have events that are coming up. We have our golf club that is um you know the pavilion area that is going to be finished in the next month weeks. It seems like every time I look it's it it's more finished than it was the day before. We have new restaurants and venues that are opening up. Um I'm excited to be able to hop around this Saturday. I think we went to three different places all within TK. It was really exciting to be able to do that. Um so so much pride in our city. I I I feel it. I I see it uh with our staff that's out there doing the work that they do to to to uh spruce us up and I see it in in conversations and hear it and in conversations from people that I um just throughout the city. Uh chat with council, we have that coming up on the evening chat with council. We have that coming up on um the 26th. It'll be council member Folultz and I that um are doing that the 26th at 5:00 pm at the uh police station. I I'm looking at uh Chief Crosby write that down. Um, thank you very much for those of you guys that attended the coffee and um, I also want

to just uh, quickly uh, there'll be more information in this coming, but we're also going to be adding a roundt discussion and that will be with um, our city manager and myself um, inviting you for another opportunity for conversation and to get clarification on questions, to get comments from you, to get concerns from you. um want to make sure that we give every opportunity for for those conversations to happen. Uh there is for our Memorial Day celebration, we are adding um we're going to be burying a time capsule. This is something that um was produced uh back in 2012 2013. It somehow did not make it in the ground. So, we're going to put it in the ground and it is supposed to be a 20-year time capsule. So, in 2033 it will be open. And I'm kind of looking forward to to having that be part of our um our ceremony. We're going to be honoring uh uh one of our TIG K fallen bed uh veterans at uh at that time, too. Uh I'm really excited to hear about this podcast. So, I I will be looking for it. I will be sharing it. I think it's it's a wonderful opportunity again to add to that communication factor. We want you out there to know what we know. We want you to understand the decisions that are being made and understand the concerns that are happening and all the programs and projects and really good things that are happening within our city, but also an opportunity to hear your concerns. Um, the art jury and storm water commissions. Heather is our liaison for both. She really wants to work with with a a a full committee and a full commission. So, please volunteer um and and be part of that. I know she was the chairperson for storm water last time and you don't have to worry so much about what to do with it. I am pretty sure that she had it all worked out as to what that commission uh what the call was what you know what the vision was

and while all new vision all new call is is always welcome I know that she had already done a great job in in in directing that so she is the liaison you won't be starting from scratch she's got you so volunteer and that is all that I have thank you very much and welcome to the new um new city members also we're we're glad to happiest part of our family. And I believe with that uh we are going to go into executive session. And I will need a motion to move to executive session, please.

Madame Mayor and members of council. Motion to move into executive session to discuss legal advice as it relates to a pending litigation matters and uh contractual matters related to the cell phone tower lease with American Tower. And I'll have a second. Second. All those in favor? Motion carries. We are in executive session.