City Council - Regular Meeting

Welcome to the February 9th meeting of the Aken City Council. Before we begin begin this evening, I would like to have a short moment of silence followed by a tribute to past city councilwoman Beverly D. Klyburn who passed away on January 30th. Please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. Okay. Mima, it was you who touched and guided so many lives through your dedication to education. You've shaped generations with wisdom, compassion, and purpose. It was you who showed what it truly means to live with character, serving the city of Aken as a trailblazer on the city council. You always made time for others, listening, encouraging, and leading while also surrounding your family with a strong and lasting love that will live in our hearts forever. Through your leadership, service, and commitment to this community, you set a standard of excellence that will continue to inspire Aken for years to come. Your legacy lives on not only in the history of this city, but in the many lives you touched and the love you shared so freely. From your granddaughter, Lauren. Thank you. If you're inclined, please

rise for the invocation followed by the pledge. Send down upon those who hold office in the city of Aken the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people. In your name we pray. Amen.

Chief Franco, will you lead us in the pledge? Good evening, mayor and council. 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. Hey, mayor, I just wanted to bring up a a colleague of ours from our horizons and uh make sure he was recognized today.

Thank you. Before the meeting begins, I will review the guidelines. Meetings are public forums in which many opinions are expressed in the business of the city must be conducted. As such, discipline, honorable, and professional decorum is paramount. Courteous and respectful communication is required. There should be no disruptions from the floor while council members or members of the public are speaking. Anyone wishing to speak must be recognized so they can retain order as we conduct the business of the city and all comments can be put into the public record. During during public meetings, all questions and statements from the public shall be directed to the chair. If you wish to speak, raise your hand and I will recognize you. Please approach the podium and state your name and address. In order to allow an opportunity for everyone who wishes to address council, speakers should limit their comments to the subject being discussed. Each speaker will be given five minutes to address an issue and may only address an issue once unless questions from council are posed to the speaker. During the non-aggenda public comment section, each speaker has three minutes and can only speak once. We now move to additions and deletions to the agenda. I recognize mayor prom cabroll for this attend agenda item. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Hello, everyone. We're so glad to see you here this evening. Makes makes us feel good to see all of our citizens come to the council meetings. Madame Mayor, there are no additions or changes or deletions to the agenda. So, I move that we adopt it as it is printed.

Thank you. Uh, since she made the motion, is there a second, please? I second. Uh, Councilwoman Diggs made the second. All those in favor. Thank you. The minutes were provided to council for review prior to the meeting. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes? I I so move. All righty. Councilwoman Burl made the motion. I need a second, please. Second. From uh Councilwoman B uh Waldo. Uh any comments or changes? All those in favor? Thank you. Well, that's right.

There are no presentations on the agenda tonight, but Councilman Waldo has a special acknowledgement that he would like to make. So, I will give him the floor at this time.

Councilman Waldo has and I have talked about there's some young people here tonight and you know how we hear so many things and not good things about our young people. But I'm going to tell you, it chokes me up. Excuse me. I'm sorry. That these young people have taken upon themselves the responsibility to go to our blessing boxes and fill those up so that people, especially during this horribly cold weather, that they there are people that are going without food. And these young people wanted to see that that did not happen. And we're so proud of them. And it makes me understand that you know what, our tomorrow is looking brighter because these are the young people that are going to be our leaders. And I'm so proud of each one of you.

Yeah. So to our youth that are here tonight, um they really took it upon themselves as a project uh to assist with the blessing boxes around the city. Um they walk past those frequently in their neighborhoods. Um, and they realized that, you know, the blessing boxes may not have the daily essentials that those who do not have shelter will be able to use without having access to a full kitchen. Uh, so they took it upon themselves to give out essentials far as water, canned goods, uh, easy meals that can be prepared without having a full necessities of a full kitchen that we may not be fortunate to. Uh, so I just want to acknowledge uh, Brilan. He was actually the head of that project. And I want also want to acknowledge Mr. Tim Hasty who stepped up to the plate and allowed the kids to get 10 items uh from the grocery store and they went around to six blessing boxes in the city and filled them up completely. So they did a phenomenal job on that project and I just want to acknowledge them tonight. Madam Mayor, we have

Could we have the young gentlemen come up and we can go down and shake their hand? Oh, is that what I think? Is that what we're doing?

Act like we like each other. I'm in Texas. Here we go. All right.

Thank you. We appreciate you. Okay. So, Councilman Waldo was being kind of modest. He actually serves as a director for our program. So, uh he takes his time out when he's not here to, uh be with the youth with us. Appreciate you.

Thank you. Sorry. Now we open the floor to public comments on non-aggenda items. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker and for a total of 30 minutes. Lex, good evening.

Good evening. My name is Lex Perry, pastor of C4 Impact uh Ministries, uh 1526 South Boundary Avenue Southeast. Uh good evening, Madame Mayor and Council. Uh it's always a pleasure to come and see you in the evening. I wanted to give you a quick update u from last month. Um we um we currently house um 26 people. We had 26 people last month. We're actually more than that this month. We're going to have 32. Uh 21 of those adults. 11 of them will be kids.

Uh we are at capacity uh of what we can house at the moment. Um of course, as you hear me say every other Monday, we are currently looking for more housing opportunities and um you know, we do have people who are stepping up. Uh I will definitely share with you um how those results turn out, but we have a model that works and it is easily duplicated. So, we know that and part of this is the housing part of it is one piece of it, but I want you to know that this year we're going to start changing it. So, far as C4 impact is concerned, we're going to keep going with the housing. We're going to continue that to grow, but the focus is going to be on not only bridging people to permanent housing, but also bridging them back into the community. So we have several ideas that we're going to be working on now connecting to the faith community so that people can get uh connected within the churches within the faith community that is stepping up beautifully. I want to thank the the the church leaders who have been connecting with us and um you know starting to strategically um point our resources in the right places and then use them the right way. Um really so thankful for seeing that uh these are answers to prayer and then your continued support is tremendous as well. Again, I encourage you to come and see what we're doing to get a better idea of it. Um, if you ever have any questions about what we're doing and how we're doing it, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm always looking for the creativity that's here. All of you up here have a lot of experience in a lot of different areas that you can share. We didn't say we have all the answers. We said we have a answer that's working and we want to be able to build on that. Uh but again, our focus now is going to be bridging people uh currently that we're housing back to the community, getting them planted in there because that's how we really break the cycle because at the end of it, that's what we're trying to do. We don't want another generation in these same cycles over and over again because that's what we tend to see. We want the the self-medication to stop. We want the the safe the self-loathing to stop. And we want folks to see them how God made them and what the word of God says about them. That is our that plan. And no, they don't have to be. We've

heard that. I've heard the rumor they're saying, well, uh, let's, you know, people in order to come to see for impact, you they have to become, uh, Christians and so forth. There's no such thing as that. We don't do that. We introduce people to Christ. Absolutely. We're unapologetic about that. They have to make that decision. They have free will. They can do that. I don't care if you're an atheist. You know, you're going to meet, we want you to meet Jesus, and then you make a decision on your own. I don't have that power to do that, but he does. And we're just going to continue to do what we do. But I want to make sure that that record is straight. No one has to be a Christian in order to meet us. We're going to meet you where you are, but you will be changed and you're going to be changed in a positive, wonderful way and you're going to be blended back into this community the way you should be. Thank you. God bless. Madame Mayor, I have a

I have a mad may I have may I ask him a question? Of course. Yes. Yeah. Roughly how many people have come through your program successfully and you are everybody is excited about um the change that the program has made. Well, we measure successes over every single day or we doing what God has called us to do. So successfully we are we're we have 26 people on there who are successfully going through the program. Right. So far as India, you're talking about one to two years or a lot of folks that we're meeting. This is why we need more housing. So it's not that we don't have anybody that's been there a full year yet. We've had people that have been there as long as nine months. Okay?

So they are definitely making changes. They come in, they they just had a job. Now we have folks that have their own transportation. Those are the things that those are the things I will provide a metrics for you to show you the changes that are happening because it's not as easy to measure just saying hey here they are now they got their own house we don't even have housing in um akin for that we have workforce housing but we need lowincome housing to bring people over to it and that's what we're working on that's going to happen there's no doubt about it in my mind that's going to happen we see the changes already but just so that we understand that people are transitioning uh this is why we call it a bridge it's not going to be as simple was uh just overnight or 6 months. Some people might be that short. Majority of folks are going to take maybe up to two years in order to make that full transition. Um but we need the housing in order to put them in. So it's actually it's a good thing right now that we're working the way we are because it's going to take a little time.

When when I hear about what the two of you are doing, I'm reminded of Proverbs that says give a give a person give a man or woman a fish and they'll have a fish. They have food for the day. teach them how to fish and they'll have their food for a lifetime. Exactly. And that is what you all are doing. You're teaching them how to fish, not feeding them for today. That's exactly right. That's exactly right. Thank you so much. You're welcome. Thank you, Lex.

Yes, sir. Good evening, Kirk. Good evening, Madame Mayor, City Council, Kurt Johnson, 114 Brewster Way Aken. Um, before I get started on all the good stuff, uh, we had 250 reported overdoses last month. Oh, wow.

In the Aken County, out of that, we had seven fatalities. Our fatality rate is higher than Lexington, Orangeburg, and Richland County together. So, we've got to start. And these people aren't the ones living on the street. These are people that are living in our communities. I just saw that we had two big drug busts. That's a that's a start. We got to But we've also got to start getting these people help. Um, we've got the organizations here. We've got to start getting them out of the abandoned houses, the trap houses, whatever you want to call it. But if we don't start doing something like that, then we're just going to keep on building up fatalities, and that's not where we want to be. Now, other than that, we had our pit count last week and it was a it was u adventurous to say the least. We got to take um a couple camera crews in from the local TV stations and they got to see what some of these uh encampments are like and it really opened their eyes. And but it's not about opening their eyes. What we want to be able to do is get these people out and get them into the rehabs they need. We're still going to provide them with their food and their tent, sleeping bags if they need it. Might only be one time, but then we can start building on that trust with them. And we're seeing a success. In fact, we got one guy that's leaving for rehab tonight through the Salvation Army, but he's been on the street for a long time. I just had a another call from I'm sure you guys know Melinda with the dog. She's thriving. She's got her own

apartment and she's doing great. So, we have the success stories and we have churches that are really breaking down the walls to come come help. We can't ask for more than that. And you guys keep on helping us out. When you see people, let us know. mayor has let me know about a lady u that walks the parkway just down around the park and she's not hurting anybody but she's not helping herself either and those are the people we're trying to reach out to so thank you very much thank you I have one question madame mayor okay

uh with your program that you run are y'all a part of the homeless management information system are we what I'm sorry the homeless management information system to keep account of we we are not part of that. Okay. No, we're we're our own entity. Gotcha.

So we we're actually the boots on the ground that will go out into the woods no matter what time it is, day or night, and we will help somebody out. They'll text me in the middle of the night and say, "Man, I'm I'm hurting." And it isn't physical hurt. They're feeling angry. They're feeling sad. There's something emotional going on. So, we try to get them out of there and we can take them to uh Aurora. We can take them to other places to start working on what the the root is of their problem.

Pastor Kirk. I think it was our last meeting that you uh had the meals ready to eat and the someone asked me after that meeting if they wanted to donate those c can they give you money and let you get them or how how how the best way to do it is through uh Amazon. In fact, I just got six uh cases delivered Saturday from a church um that that was a blessing. I mean, that's 144 meals. So, you would rather them get them and bring them to you or give you the money to let you buy?

I'd rather not have the money if I don't have to. If they want to, that's fine. No, I I just I try to be upfront with people. Now, if they need me to come pick it up from them, I'll do that. If they don't want to deal with Amazon, I'll take their money. And it it you know, everything I hear what you're saying. I hear what you're saying. Thank you. Yeah. Anybody else? Thank you, Kirk and Teresa. Thank you, too. I know about your job with this. I'm sorry. I misunderstood. Yeah, we are tracking. Yeah.

C4 has another tracking that we're doing with the We've got 38 people on my weight list right now. So, everybody that calls in, we track it and we stay in communication better, but nobody's lost their track. Right. Yeah. I just misunder my mind. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Teresa. Yes. Good evening, ladies. Madame Mayor, City Council, how's everybody doing? We're good. Good. I don't want to elaborate on the homeless, but um we're here and Tor and Tor Major Kurt

and of course Teresa Callahan. Um we are an informal group um with Mayor Teddy. It's called Coffee with Clarity. And we had a um meeting with the merchants downtown Aken to see what their um interests etc may be. Um anything that they may want um just whatever their ideas were or complaints possibly could be or whatever. And I'm going to read this. Okay. Is that okay? Um, coffee and clarity, an informal group of Aken volunteers working hand in hand with the mayor to encourage conversation and learning focused on the business community met January 13th to share the ideas at the center of African-American history, arts, and cultural in Aken. It was the sixth listening tour inviting constituents from different neighborhoods and the university which started about a year ago. A great article written by Aken Standard reporter DD Bows described the meeting. The target audience Aken merchants wanted to learn more about plans for hotel development, the unexpected timeline and how um could it impact Aken downtown and area businesses. They also touched on the impact of homelessness on the merchant community. Lively discussion about ways to improve popular events such as Aken making holiday events and sidewalk sales touched on a range topics including transportation, parking, and food trucks. The need for more ways to share information on the range of in innovative products and services for citizens and visitors alike led to a suggestion for developing an improved online application specifically aimed at Akin's

unique offerings. In addition to the potential for an actual information site, the committee plans to share some of the ideas raised with those who attended the meeting and the other listening tours in the form of a quarterly newsletter along with an invitation for merchants to continue the dialogue in future meetings. It's a great start to improving communications with our creative, imaginative merchants. Thank you. Thank you. County Development Association.

Any other speakers? If not, I will move on to our next item. Uh we will move to approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Bebo, will you please read the titles of the items on the consent agenda into the record?

Thank you, Madame Mayor. We received no uh no comments or requests from members of the public either online or uh via submission of doc of paper documentation to the city clerk uh by the stated deadlines. So we have the following three items on our consent agenda. First is an ordinance to annex property located at 611 Boardman Road Southeast and zone the same residential single family RS10. The second is an ordinance to annex to the corporate limits of the city of Aken certain property located at 1124 Conger Drive and to zone the same residential single family RS15. And the final one is a request to approve a fireworks display on July 4th, 2026 at the Reserve Club of Woodside. And those are the items on the consent agenda this evening. Madame Mayor,

Madame Mayor, I move that we adopt. Um, Councilwoman Morgan made the motion and a second from Second. Uh, Councilman Waldo. Uh, since the consent agenda does not have comment, we will go straight to a vote. All those in favor. Thank you. It's unanimous. We now have approval and discussion of point appointees to various city boards, committees, and commissions.

Thank you. Uh you have the following uh appointments for consideration this evening, madame mayor and council. You have the appointment of Barry Bournestein to the Eichcoin committee, the reappointment of Sarah Wilderson and Susan Troder to the Ecoquin Committee, and the reappointment of Amy Hannah to the senior commission. Those are the appointments for consideration this evening. Madame Mayor and Councel. Thank you. Do I have a motion to accept these nominations? So move, Madame Mayor. Council,

I second. Councilwoman B made the motion and Councilwoman Morgan second it. Comments from the public, comments from council. All those in favor? Thank you. It's unanimous. Uh are there any nominations to consider for uh at our next meeting? Madame Mayor, I would love to make a nomination for uh Kevin Pik to the community development committee.

Okay. I have if anyone else I have uh pleased to uh re-nominate um Peggy Penland whose term is up in uh March to the accommodations tax committee and also to um William Price for the senior commission. His term is also up in March of this year. Thank you. The next item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance authorizing the city of Aken to approve a quick claim deed.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. This is an ordinance authorizing the city of Aken to grant a quick claim deed to RA develop Dev LLC homesite SCLC and the Leon and Renee Boilston Recon Reconcilable Trust Agreement. We do have this before you. Um, this is uh an abandoned alley that uh may may have been city-owned property at one time, but has been confirmed by staff to be long abandoned and has not been used for city purposes in recent memory. And for the purposes of resolving the title issues, council has been requested to approve a quick claim deed to release, relinquish, and disclaim any right, title, or interest the city may have in the property. Uh this is for uh the uh Kershaw Street potential Kershaw Street redevelopment project. Uh and the alleyway is noted by the two dotted lines uh in the center of the of the uh plat that's up on the screen here. And uh council approved this at first reading on January 29th and it's before council for second reading this evening. Madame Mayor and council.

Thank you. Do I have a motion for this? So move, Madame Mayor. Councilwoman Price made the motion. I second. Councilwoman Diggs, second it. Comments from the public, comments from council. Madame Mayor. Yes. Uh like Mr. Beenbo was this was probably just found when they were doing the surveying for the Kershaw Street project. Correct. That's correct. That was my only question. Thank you.

Yes. Um, all those in favor then? Thank you. Unanimous. The third item under old businesses second reading and public hearing of an ordinance to amend the concept plan for the Junction Shopping Center located on Whiskey Road. Mr. Beenboro,

thank you. Uh, that you have read the title and again, this is for a proposed credit union. Uh, this, uh, request does require an amendment to the concept plan. This is approximately a 1 and 6300s acre out parcel adjacent to the frontage between the shopping center entrance uh drive and the adjacent gas station. This is uh near the uh intersection of Powderhouse Road and Whiskey Road. Um and since it is uh part of uh PC zoning u and requires a concept plan uh this is uh was not in the original concept plan and therefore requires an amendment. The planning commission at their January uh at at their January meeting unanimously those present unanimously approved the request with the conditions that were read into the record at first reading and this is before council for second reading this evening. Madame Mayor,

uh thank you. Is there a motion to uh approve this ordinance to amend the concept plan? So move, Madam Mayor. Councilwoman Winaldo made the motion.

A second here and a second from Councilwoman Morgan. Any comments from the public? Comments from council. All those in favor then? Thank you. Unanimous. The next item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance to amend the concept plan for Coffee Talk 7 LLC located at 2235 Whiskey Road. Mr. Thank you. Uh and you did read the title into the record. Again, what this is uh for is a I guess a wrap uh that um uh that goes on the cooler uh the approved cooler image uh depicted directional arrows, but the applicant is requesting graphic variations on the cooler unit. Um and it is considered a sign by our ordinance and it does require a variance. the planning commission, those present at the January 13th meeting, unanimously recommended uh the approval of the requested amendment to the concept plan. And council heard this at first reading January 29th, and it's before you for second reading this evening, madame mayor and councel.

And I wanted to make a quick correction. Um we don't consider it a sign and a variance is not required. We mentioned that at the first reading. Say say that again please. So according to the memo it states that we the city of A considers this a sign and a variance is required. Uh mentioned that in the first reading that is not correct. We just consider this basically a mural.

Okay. Yes. Now I remember you miss Moltry saying that. So I will make I will move to pass this. Uh, is there a motion to uh u amend um amend the concept plan? She moved and I second. Oh, I'm sorry. I missed I'm not forgetting death. That's okay.

Councilwoman Brol made the motion. Council Morgan second. All um uh all those uh Oh, no comments from the public. Um no comments from the council. Okay. All those in favor. Thank you. The next item under old business a second reading and public hearing of an ordinance to reszone Aken County Board of Education property at 232 and 274 East Pine Log Road to plan institutional and approve a concept plan. Mr. Beenville.

Thank you. This is an ordinance amending the zoning of real estate owned by the Aken County Board of Education from RS10 residential single family to PI planned institutional and approve a concept plan. Uh this is for property where currently um Kennedy Middle School and South Aken High School are located. Improvements are additions to the high school. And at the last meeting, I know uh questions were raised about various elements of traffic flow and design. And I know there was uh there were supposed to be, I guess, some discussion of that between Councilman Waldo and the applicant uh and Mr. Hildebrand, I know, was representing the applicant, the board of education. So, um the uh but but council um heard this on first reading January 29th. The planning commission uh had recommended approval unanimously at the January 13th meeting with the conditions that were read into the record at first reading. And this item is now in front of council for second reading this evening. Mayor,

thank you. Is there a motion to accept this? I so move. Uh, Councilman Diggs made the motion. A second. Second from Councilman Waldo. Uh, comments from the public. Comments from council. Yes, madame mayor. Uh, I wanted to add had a conversation. Uh, I believe that was Friday. Um, it's a great conversation. Um, and we really worked out all the questions that I had. So, thanks to to uh what's your name? Mike, Mr. Mike I talked to Friday, took about 30 minutes of his time, but it was a great conversation. So, thank you so much.

Thank you for that. Uh, all those in favor. Thank you. The final item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance authorizing the city of Aken to grant an easement to Kim and Tim Hill. Mr. Beenville.

Thank you. This is for a easement that would be granted um for property at Lauren Street Northwest. Uh this what where this came about is in July 2025. The applicants or or the Hills requested approval to reszone their property from general business for a small stationary business that they're going to locate. the close uh and they need to connect to city sewer. The closest sewer connection point is on Colombia Avenue and the easiest method for the property to obtain access to that city sewer on Colombia is via an easement across city-owned property in Osman Park. And in exchange, the property owners dedicated a portion of their property to Osman Park. So, this request has been uh reviewed and council recommends uh excuse me and and it's recommended to council for approval. You may remember at the January 29th meeting we had an ordinance to accept that prop or we had uh council approval to accept that property. This is again second reading for an easement which does require two readings and this is before you tonight for second reading. Mayor,

thank you. Do I have a motion for this? Please. So move, Madame Mayor, that we adopt this. Councilwoman Price made the motion. I second.

Second from Councilwoman Morgan. Comments from the public. Any comments from council? All those in favor? Thank you. It's unanimous. We now move to new business. We have two items to cover this evening. The first item is first reading and public hearing of an ordinance authorizing the city of Aken to approve a quick claim deed for Danbrook section one. Mr. Beanbo. Thank you. And this is an ordinance authorizing the city to grant a quick claim deed to Beasley Development Company Incorporated. November 22nd, 2021, council did accept a deed of dedication of infrastruct storm water system infrastructure from Beasley Homes, but the deed did not include specific language regarding the storm water pond infrastructure and uh that is due to deficiencies that were identified during our staff review. While the deficiencies were addressed in 2025, this formal deed of dedication for the pond was not completed. This is located at Adelaide Loop in Danbrook section 1. Essentially, this uh is uh something that was recorded. We need to do the quick claim deed to transfer back now and but now that it's met our specifications, we will be having a formal deed of dedication back to council at a later date. Uh but but soon. So we need to first to order in order to do this properly from a document recording status at the register of deeds office. We need to execute the quick claim deed via this reading and assuming it passes a second reading and then we can then formally accept it now that the pond has

met our uh uh our uh standards. So, this quick claim deed is before you tonight for first reading, madame mayor and counsel. Thank you. Um, do I have a motion, please, to accept this ordinance? I so move, Madame Mayor. Uh, Councilwoman Br made the motion and a second from Second. Second from Councilman Waldo. Comments from the public. Comments from council. All those in favor? Thank you. The final item under new business is first reading of an ordinance to amend the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget. Mr. Be.

Thank you. This is an ordinance amending the budget of the city of Aken for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 for the general fund. We have the following. A budget adjustment uh following items uh for consideration. in a budget adjustment to account for the $200,000 approved by city council for the legal fees paid to the plaintiffs in the Blake at all v city of vacant lawsuit. That check has been received by the um well the check has been remitted to our attorney who was remitting the check to uh the plaintiff's attorney for their own distribution to the various group uh individuals and entities that may have contributed to pay for the um cost incurred for the plaintiffs filing the lawsuit. a budget adjustment to pay $85,000 towards the balance of a federal small business administration mortgage. The board of of the center of African-American history, art, and culture took out in 2016. Repayments are current and pay and the payoff would remove the building's collateralized status now that we own the building. We acquired the building in 2021 and enable the board to devote their fundraising efforts to help the center with capital improvements. uh they have uh ch they are now the friends of the center uh uh in a similar fashion to friends of the railroad depot and friends of hopelands and ry patch to and and this would allow that to focus on that and a budget adjustment to account for uh revenue um of $182,284 from the opioid settlement fund, South Carolina opioid recovery fund. These monies are going to the Aken Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse with we've had anou with them for several years and uh for medical supplies for the Department of Public Safety related to op the

opioid uh uh addressing the opioid crisis and a budget adjustment to account for a grant match of $40,000 for the recent grant we received from the South Carolina Historic Preservation Office. And this is before council this evening, Madame Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. I do have a motion to accept this. So move, Madam Mayor. I second.

Uh, Councilwoman Waldo made the mo motion and a second from Councilwoman Diggs. Comments from the public. Any comments from the council? All those in favor? Thank you. We have no petitions and requests this evening. So, we will now open the floor to public comments on non-aggenda items. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker and for a total of 30 minutes.

Well, it doesn't don't see anybody doing that. So, are there any items from the city manager this evening?

I've got about three dozen. No, no, I've got I've got one uh one item uh and it's it's really good. I've I announced it via email, but I do want to publicly state it. We did receive in the recent uh the federal budget uh you may know uh a lot of the most of the federal budget was passed and signed into law um several I guess week before last two Fridays ago. Um, and we u in the EPA portion of the budget, we received a congressional directed spending line item of $2 million, which uh we will be able to use with our match of money from 1% sales tax to replace all the old water lines in Crossland Park. The neighborhood was built in the uh early 1950s when uh when Savannah River plant came into being. But I'm told uh I I learned something new all the time. And I was told by a a highlevel uh very informed staff member that these water lines were actually pulled from an existing development in Georgia, the story goes, and then repurposed in Crossland Park.

Wow. And those are metal uh metal lines uh cast iron or iron metal lines and they are prone to discoloration. So by putting in uh updated uh material in the lines non-metal I guess some sort of uh PEX type material I would imagine. Um uh that should help tremendously in Crossland Park. Um and we're very grateful for the hard work. We appreciate Senator Graham's office and Senator Graham for sponsoring the uh congressional directed spending um line item and the hard work of William Klyber Jr. uh who assists us tremendously in uh over the last six or so years. Uh this is uh over $25 million of congressional directed spending um for critical infrastructure that uh he uh we've been able to get through the work of all those folks as well as the work of our staff and team. That's all I have.

Yes.

Then uh I would like to uh just come in and thank Gary Meadows. Um the Clyberg family was um during the planning of Beverly Sim had a lot of things that they wanted to do but didn't know where we saw and disembark audio visuals. Gary stepped up and volunteered to help them. And this was not one island and it wasn't on city time. It was on its time. I can tell you he spent two days helping Courtney put the program together for not only the visitation but also for the service itself and the the the uh Ley I don't know. Yes, I did. That's all right. I'm so I'm so tiny you can't see.

This man went beyond the call of duty and I can tell we the fire children and Mr. Furn representative are so grateful for Gary Meadow because he came through with everything they need. And even at the church, um I don't think First Baptist had anybody to take care of the screens and whatever they wanted on the screen. And I know um the young lady that sang Earl and Owen Coleman, one of me and Lesie's favorite children, but boy did she sang that sauce.

What that screen had to be set for that, too. So Gary had to show up early, earlier than all of us at the service so that he could make sure that everything was in working order and was set to go. So I just want to say I know we got some good employees in the city of Aken. Y'all continue to make us proud. This time Gary Meadows made us proud, y'all. And so you hiding behind the screen.

I'm done. Okay. Madame Mayor, I just have another Were you going to comment about the funeral? No, you go ahead. Um, it's interesting when we had our Horizon's meeting and we talked about infrastructure uh improvements uh in some of our areas. Stuart was the next day we heard that we had that evening. That evening that an hour before his mother Yeah. That evening No, I'm talking about the money that we received. Was that Yes. Yes. Right.

After we talked about our infrastructure needs, we get a call saying that we had the money coming to Gail's district. So, it just shows you how God works. When you ask, you shall receive. Ask with faith and hope and it's there for us. So, as needed, unless he also No, I'm not that powerful. I can tell you that. I got one thing I want to comment on, Madame Mayor. Um, last Tuesday we hosted a community meeting, interest meeting, uh, at the Woodside Country Club. Um, I just want to thank everyone who participated and came out. We had a room full. Um, and I want to commend our city manager.

Oh my goodness. He was there and he did a phenomenal job um, getting the people all the information that they needed. Um, so kudos to our city manager and also our developers that showed up uh from the Aken Town Park and Tribute Parkway. Um, they did a phenomenal job and the community was very very pleased. So, thank you, Stuart. Thank you. Same thing from the city manager

and and I was uh handed a note to remind everyone we rescheduled from January 29th from due to the winter weather a joint meeting of the planning commission and the city council to this Thursday at 5:30 at the Price Center 841 Edgefield Avenue Northwest. the uh the the main participants will be council and the planning commission, the BZA and the DRB have been extended invitations um as well. But uh again a reminder that is this Thursday 5:30 and it is um again a an event that was rescheduled due to weather from January 29th.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adjourn this meeting? So move, Madame Mayor. Councilwoman Price made the motion. I second. I don't know who to pick. Give it to us. Council Councilman Waldo second the motion. All those in favor?