County Council - Regular Meeting

Excuse me, guys. I was waiting for mister Cockrell. Good afternoon, and welcome to May 12, the Lexington County Council meeting. And for their mothers that were out there, happy Mother's Day to those who had Mother's Day on Friday. I hope you had a special day. First of all, call to order and vacation. Mister Cockrell?

Hi. Tonight's invocation is gonna be led by Sarah O'Leary.

It right.

Has Sarah has been employed with Lexington County EMS since 2014. She ran her career she began her career as an EMT and rose through the ranks as paramedic, crew chief, and then training lieutenant. After stepping away from the road, she remained with her EMS family and is now part of the leadership staff at EMS building manager. While she misses daily patient care and EMS education,

she

is grateful to still be able to serve the citizens and share her knowledge her wealth of knowledge for the benefit of the agency. Sarah lives in Lexington with her husband Joe and daughter Alina. She enjoys reading and fiber arts and can most often be found at the soccer fields cheering on Congaree Rapids and the Lexington High School girls soccer team. Welcome, Sarah.

Thank you. Let's pray. Heavenly father, we come to you today with gratitude for the opportunity that you have given us as public servants for our county. We thank you for these nine individuals who have given so much of their personal time and talents for the benefit of their community, and we ask you for your continued faithfulness and provision in their lives as they honor you with their service. Grant them wisdom and discernment beyond their natural abilities to make decisions that promote peace, justice, and prosperity for all citizens of Lexington County.

We also ask for your peace. You are a god of order and not confusion. In Psalm one thirty three one, your word states, behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. We ask that you help us to approach this council meeting with a spirit of cooperation and respect to work together for the common good. Help every county employee turn challenges into solutions and fill us with your grace as we serve the citizens and each other. Let the work of our hands become fruitful and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in the service of your children. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Amen.

Alright. Tonight's pledge, we have a sub coming in for us, and he doesn't need an introduction, but I'm gonna give him one. Is it mister Ed Lundin?

Well, you can read her bio if you'd like, vice chairman. Tell me. Bio.

We were gonna have, chaplain Karen Diefendorf. She spent over thirteen years as a pastor in the local parish in Lincoln, Elkhart, Illinois before joining the army where she served twenty four years during her

active duty. Karen was assigned to various worldwide commands, including the Pentagon where she worked

as constitutionality of the chaplains chaplaincy and contributed to the revised army's field manual of leadership related to belief system. After retiring in 2006 as lieutenant colonel, she answered her church's call to become academic dean at Lincoln Christian University in Illinois. In 2010, Karen was recalled back to active duty on a special assignment by the secretary of the army of chief of chaplains. She received numerous awards and decorations during her service, including the legion of merit with an oak leaf cluster, the meritorious service medal with three oak leaf clusters, and joint commendation medal, the army commendation medal with oak leaf cluster, joint achievement, medal, army achievement medal with four leaf four oak leaf clusters, parachute as badge, instructor of the year at the US Chaplain Center and School. Chaplain Karen was inducted into the army the year the US Army Chaplain Center and School.

Chaplain Karen was inducted into the Army Women's Foundation Hall of Fame class of 2020 and recognized by the Military Chaplain Association as chaplain of national distinction with national citizenship award 2022. After completing her recall to active duty, Karen served as part time chaplain at the Tyson Prepared Food Plant where she completed her formal pastoral career as director chaplain, leading the world's most significant corporate chaplain program. She also served as chaplain with hospice care of South Carolina before formally retiring. In April 2021, Karen continues her active military by ministry by hosting a weekly, radio program, encounters with God on Reese Across America Radio and serving on five boards. Karen lives in Elgin with her husband forty five years.

She has three children and four grandchildren with one on the way.

Second thought, I probably shouldn't tell you to read that, but anyway, I didn't know she did all that.

I

pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And, one note there, mister chairman, She apologized for not being here this evening. She had a higher calling than where we are right now, more important than the nine of you in this meeting. She had a funeral to conduct for one of her parishioners. Go tigers.

Thank you, Ed.

Thank you, Ed. I wanna inform everyone we're being broadcast live on Lexington County Spectrum channel 13 o two and our Lexington County website, and you can view that anytime on demand. Anything the council would like to bring up to discuss that they have been involved in?

Mister chair, if I may. I attended the Gilbert Town Council meeting last night, which I usually do many times a year to provide Lexington County updates and keep them up to snuff on what's going on in Lexington County. Also, last Thursday, attended the Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Banquet. Always enjoy going to that event. I saw one of our council members in the audience, Charlie Wessinger, waved at her and I was kinda wondering what are you doing?

But anyway, I found out during the meeting, she received an award from Lexington Soil and Water for her conservation and public service activities. I know she has a beekeeper system on her property, which is very useful in making sure all our plants are pollinated. So if you wanna say anything else, I'll pass it over to you.

It was a surprise. They gave me a little bit of a heads up to make sure I was gonna be there. And I will tell you, I learned about the what is it? The great pollinator event takes place in August. I'll get you information. I think we should share it. And they basically count pollinators for fifteen minutes during the course of the day, and they they they track it with all the Southeastern states. And South Carolina had 12 people participate no. I'm sorry. Lexington County had 12 people to participate last week or last year, so we're hoping to double that, triple it, quadruple it.

But it was it's a good group of people. They do amazing things for and they are the ones that brought us Scott Lynch for Lexington Outdoors. So shameless plug, Lexington Outdoors is a great site too.

Thank you. Congratulations.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Anybody else involved in multiple budget meetings? We're coming to the close of that, I hope. We may have a couple we have a couple more, I think. But, anyway, somebody asked me earlier if I was gonna get an office up here, and I said, nope. That's not gonna happen. But, anyway, we've spent a lot of time together. We're about to to hammer this down. We have three presentations tonight. The first presentation of resolution is, miss Kerrig is gonna do a presentation of resolution recognizing May as National Correction Officers Week.

Sheriff? Alright. The council for the county of Lexington, South Carolina meeting in the general assembly, the April 2026 adopted the following. Whereas since initially proclaimed by president Ronald Reagan in 1984, the congress and president of The United States have annually designated the May as national correctional officers week. And whereas Lexington County's correctional officers make a positive impact on our community by providing correctional services to incarcerated individuals in the custody of the Lexington County Detention Center, and whereas it is important for all citizens to acknowledge and appreciate the critical importance, vital role of correctional officers, which includes serving the people of our community by protecting them against violence and disorder.

And whereas correctional officers go above and beyond to promote positive behavior and attitudes among inmates, while helping them to increase skills which may improve their chances of being successful in their release from custody. And whereas correctional officers don't receive the recognition they deserve to honor their many contributions and accomplishments as they fill custodial supervisory and counseling roles with professionalism, dedication, and courage. And whereas correctional officers have one of the most challenging professions in all of public service yet are often underappreciated. Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of Lexington County Council, do hereby recognize the week of May 3 through 05/09/2026 as National Correctional Officers Week as we ask for the continued protection of our correctional officers not only during this week, but all year long.

Thank you. Secondly, we're gonna recognize the it's National Police Week two. The council for the county of Lexington County, South Carolina meeting in general sessions, the April 2026 opt adopted the following. Whereas the congress and president of The United States have designated Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, 05/16/2026 as National Police Week. And whereas the law enforcement officers of Lexington County selfishly and unceasingly provide a vital public service and whereas the law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to serve Lexington County and the citizens safe to keep them safe while in pursuit of justice for all.

Whereas, it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement officers. Whereas, law enforcement officers recognize and embrace their duty to serve people of the community by protecting them against violence and disorder. Whereas law enforcement officers are heroes in our community who serve with merit, dignity, reliability, and courage. Whereas the successful delivery of law enforcement services is and will always be contingent upon the relationship based on trust and cooperation between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Lexington County Council, may say proudly, do hereby recognize May 10 through 05/16/2026 as National Police Week and May 15 through 05/15/2026 as Peace Officers Memorial Day as we pay tribute to the memorial following officers, support their survivors, and stand together in remembrance.

And I believe the Memorial Day remembrance is Wednesday.

In the morning, 09:30.

09:30. We'd love for you to be there. Sheriff, would you say a few words, please? Yes, sir. Thank you. Yes, sir. First, I'd like

all my men and women in uniform to stand up and get recognized, please. Thank you all, and mister chairman and council, thank you all for recognizing us and the support you all give us every day. You know, I just this week is a small portion last week and this week just to reflect on our men and women that bring it every day, you know. Sometimes I hear people say, well, that's what you signed up for, thank God these men and women did because we couldn't do it without them. And to have a community that has thin blue line banners as you ride around is just huge because I can tell you and you all know there's places in this country that would never stand for that.

But so to have the community support us and love on us is is just means the world. And as a chairman, Hudson said in the morning, we're going to gather right on the courthouse grounds at 09:30 to remember the fallen. And as we tragically found out yesterday in Greenwood, some people leave in the mornings and don't get to come home. So we will be with Greenwood as they mourn officer Keller up there that died tragically in a collision from a violator and a chase yesterday. So certainly, we appreciate you and hope to see y'all in the morning. Thank you.

That was a dig. You got. Oh, yeah.

They never end.

That poop. Alright, mister Coffey. We'll take a few here. Recognizing National Public Works Week. Hurry up your group.

Yellow shirt. Welcome, guys. The council for the county of Lexington, South Carolina meeting in general session April 2026 adopted the following. Whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, engineering, transportation services that are vital importance of this sustainable and resilient communities and to all public health and high quality of life, people of Lexington County. And whereas the service could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works, professionals who are engineers, public managers, superintendents, operators, and employees at all levels of government and the private sector who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, water treatment, and solid waste system.

Public buildings and structure and facility essential for our citizens. And whereas in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children in Lexington County to gain knowledge of and to maintain ongoing interest, understanding of the importance of public works and the public works program in their respective communities, and whereas Lexington County Department of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of 706 miles of paved roads and 597 miles of unpaved roads, associated traffic control devices, drainage systems, bridge structures on those roadways, and whereas Lexington County Department of Public Works helps keep communities strong by providing service and engineering, transportation, construction, emergency management, and planning. And whereas Lexington County Department of Public Works keeps community strong by providing services in engineering, transportation, emergency management, and planning. And whereas this year's public works week theme rooted in service powered by the community acknowledges that the roots of the service run deep in public works. It's what has propelled public works innovate innovations and that have helped our communities evolve into places where people can lead lives and purpose and possibilities.

Some work, like building roads and bridges, is highly visible while other public works contributions, like maintaining water, sewer systems, are sometimes hidden from view. Together, these efforts formed a foundation of thriving communities reminding us that every project, seen or unseen, powers the connection between service and the people it support. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of Lexington County Council do hereby proclaim the week

of

May 17 through the twenty third two thousand twenty six as National Public Works Week and call upon all citizens and civic organizations to acquaint themselves with the funding and resource challenges of providing public work services and to recognize the substantial contributions that public works officials protect our health, safety, and quality of life.

10 people do 1,300 miles of road. That's impressive. Y'all do a good job, guys.

Thank you, guys. Appreciate it.

Gosh. Thank you, guys.

Thank you, y'all. As someone who lives on a dirt road.

Alright. Thank you, mister administrator.

Thank you so much, chairman. Tonight is just a or or kind of playing off what you had talked about earlier. We're as we continue with the budget, a lot of progress have been made, lot of meetings, a lot of discussions, as you know, as we've had a a work session earlier today, but we are getting there. The public hearing for our fiscal year 2627 budget will be scheduled for May 26. That's our next council meeting. So we look forward to presenting that. All the changes that have been discussed and included in the budget from what was recommended will be reviewed before the public hearing. So that's it, mister chairman. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Ask guys about boards and commissions.

I would like to reappoint Greg Brewer to the cog.

Greg Greg Brewer Brewer to to the talk. Cog.

Do we

have a second?

Second.

We have a motion? I don't

know him.

And a second. Any questions?

Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

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

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell? No. Chairman Hudson?

Yes. One else. Yes. I'd like to appoint James McGee junior to the assessment appeals board. We have a motion for James Looking for a second.

I'll second. We have

a second by miss Wessinger.

Motion and a second. Call for the vote.

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

Yes.

Councilman Brigham. Yes. Councilman Bishop. Yes. Vice chair Cockrell. Yes. Chairman Hudson.

Yes. I will make a motion to approve the minutes of 04/28/2026.

Second.

Second by Mr. Bishop. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

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

Yes.

Councilman Brigham? Yes. Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes. We have two ordinances. One I'm gonna read, so this is the first reading and the other one I'm not. The first one in this new, is the county of, the ordinance that amend the section dash two nine five of Lexington Museum Board to allow any residents of Lexington County to be appointed to the museum. Since this is first reading, I'm gonna read it.

The ordinance to amend section two dash two nine two and two nine five of the Lexington County Museum board to allow any resident of Lexington County to be appointed to the museum. Whereas county council has found it difficult to find Lexington County residents for each council district to serve on the Lexington County Museum Board. Whereas county council has determined that is in the best interest of the county to amend the appointment of the Lexington County Museum Board members to remove the requirement of each council district must have an appointee and allow any resident of Lexington County to be appointed to the museum board. Therefore, to be enacted that section two dash two nine two dash two nine five of Lexton County codes are amended as follow-up. Section two dash two nine two composition, the county museum commissions shall consist of 10 residents of Lexington County of which nine members shall be appointed by the majority of the county council.

In section two dash two nine five, vacancies, vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointee of the unexpired terms. That's my motion.

Second.

I have a second by mister Bishop.

Vote. Counseling. Oh.

Speak up just a little bit.

Speak up. Speak up? Yeah. From here on out. Gotta be the microphone. People in the back can't hear you. My wife will love you for saying that. Court, call for the vote.

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

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes.

Well done. Thank you.

I learned too. I'll just move over next to it. Second is the approval of ordinance 26 dash o two, an ordinance approving the contract to conveyance of real estate from the county of Lexington to Cedar Creek LLC. This is the third reading. I am seeking a motion.

Second.

I am seeking a motion.

Approval of ordinance 26 dash o two, an ordinance approving a contract for the conveyance of real estate from the county of Lexington to Caesar Square LLC. Third and final reading. That's my motion.

Motion by mister Bishop. I'll second again. Second by mister Cockrell. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

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

Yes.

Councilman Bishop? Yes. Vice chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Committee reports. Economic development, miss Carey.

Thank you. The economic development committee convened earlier today to hear a request for approval of a resolution to apply for a USDA RBD grant. If awarded, the grant funds will support completion of a bio fuel development opportunity zone assessment for Lexington County with a focus on evaluating the county's competitiveness for bio fuel, biomass, forestry related manufacturing, and biomanufacturing investment opportunities. The funding would be used to offset eligible costs associated with completing the assessment and strengthening the county's industrial recruitment efforts in rural areas of Lakeland County. After a brief discussion, the committee moved to recommend full council approval, a resolution to apply for the USDA RBD grant.

That is my motion.

Second. We have a motion by miss Carrigg and a second by mister Brigham. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

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

Yes.

Councilman Brigham? Yes. Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes.

Next up, the economic development committee convened earlier today to hear a request for approval to accept the South Carolina Department of Commerce locate South Carolina fund grant award through the Palmetto site certification program in the amounts of $35,950 and $46,937.50 pending successful completion and review of the due diligence. The awarded funds will be utilized to offset eligible due diligence expenses including environmental assessments, geotechnical studies, infrastructure analysis, and other site readiness activities. The Locate South Carolina fund provides reimbursement for up to 50% of total eligible projects cost, thereby reducing the county's financial burden while advancing priority industrial sites towards certification. After a brief discussion, the committee moved to recommend to full council approval to accept the Locate South Carolina grant award Palmetto site certification program. That is my motion.

Second. About my motion by miss Carrigg and a second by who is that? Mister Brigham? Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

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

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Alright. I am gonna recess county council meeting and convene the CTC for the approval of Wilbert Lee Jeff Cope Memorial Highway c fund request for signed dedication. The Public Works Solid Waste Management Committee convened earlier today to hear a request for approval of a signed dedication. Public Works received a request from South Carolina Department of Transportation to name a portion of US Highway 321 from the intersection of I W Hutto Road to the intersection of S C Highway 3 in the town of Swansea with Wilbert Lee Jeffcoat Memorial Highway.

Pursuant to South Carolina code 57Dash3Dash610, the Lexington County Transportation Committee is required by law to fund and fabricate the replacement of dedication signs with c funds not to exceed $500. After a brief discussion, the committee moved to recommend full council approval of the c fund request for the signed dedication. I will make that in the form of a motion.

Second.

We have a second by mister Bishop. Any questions? Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

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

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop? Yes. Vice chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes.

I'm a recess out of the CTC and reconvene the county council meeting. Budget amendment resolutions. How many sir we have tonight? Three.

Tonight, mister chairman, we have nine.

I'm sorry. I was looking at the agenda. Bids purchases.

We have no budget amendment resolutions. We look we have a contract extension we talked about today. Approval of award on a bunker gear accessories, that was last week. Approval of award on call minor construction repair and services. I'm seeking a motion.

Move to approve bids purchases RFPs for items n o

and p. We have a motion to re approve, N, O, P by Mr. Bishop?

Second.

A second by Ms. Wessinger. Any questions? Madam Clerk, conflict vote.

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

Yes.

Councilman Bishop? Yes. Vice chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. We are done. We have no other matters. We have a public hearing starting at 05:30. We're in recess until then.

Thank you. K. Thank you. We're gonna open up back the county council meeting, and we'll go straight into the public hearing. The nice public hearing is You'll frame it.

Twenty six zero three, an ordinance amending the Lexington County zoning ordinance, article one, chapter one, section eleven seventy in article two, chapter two, section twenty two fourteen, and it's about connectability. I'm not gonna read the whole thing. It basically says if you are building commercial as we go through our vast building boom that we have that the commercial properties will attach to each other for traffic flow reasons, safety reasons, fire trucks reasons, and EMS among a multiple other reasons. With that said, we we ask for speakers. You get three minutes.

We have no speakers, so I'm not gonna read the attorney's notes here. Will go immediately to have in favor signed up zero. Have anybody on electric?

No, sir.

Nothing. No. Nothing on even of that sort. So in favor, we have zero on electronic. Non electronic. We have zero. So we should open in favor first. Favor zero, electronic, corresponding zero. Therefore, the in favor is I am now opening the opposition of there is no one here. I've asked that wants to speak in opposition or in favor.

In opposition of no one signed up. No one on electric electronic media has signed up. So therefore, we have no opposition to this ordinance. Questions?

No. I'd just like to reiterate. This is if you have, like, a large gathering or you're building something that it's an issue to get EMS in, this is they'll have to provide a access for EMS in the event of an emergency. That's all this is.

Great decision. Whoever's With that said, county council and the public hearing is now adjourned.