City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to the March 9th meeting of the Aken City Council. If you're inclined, please rise for the invocation followed by the pledge. Almighty God, our heavenly father, 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 Baranka, will you come forward and lead us in the pledge, please?

Good evening, council and mayor. 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. As the meeting begins, I will review the guidelines. Meetings for public forums in which many opinions are expressed in the business of the city must be conducted. As such, discipline, honorable, and a professional decorum is paramount. Courteous and respectful communication is required. There should be no disruption from the floor while council members or members of the public are speaking. Anyone wishing to speak must be recognized so that we can retain order as we conduct the business of the city and all comments can be put into the record. During public hearings, all questions and statements from the public should 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 cape role for this agenda item. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Good evening, everyone. We're all glad you're here. Madame Mayor, there is no additions or deletions, so I put this forth as a motion to pass the agenda as it is printed.

Thank you for that motion. Is there a second, please? Councilwoman Morgan, all those in favor? It's unanimous. Thank you. The minutes were provided to council for review prior to the meeting. Is there a motion to for for approval of the minutes? I so move. Councilwoman Diggs made the motion and a second from So second, madam.

Councilwoman Price. Uh any comments or changes? All those in favor? Unanimous. 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. Yes, Jacob. Good evening.

You were pointing to

Hi, Jacob Ellis, South Carolina. I am speaking on behalf of myself and no entity or commission I am a part of. I have it has been brought to my attention by several citizens of Aken that it is rumored to be that a roundabout is being built on Dowardy Road. I know that is a county road, so it has no jurisdiction to the city, but they have also told me that once the roundabout is finished, that a connector road will be built towards the mall on some of the neighborhoods behind Doward. And I have an image that then the city will acquire the connector road. So then it would be a city issue. I'm just looking for clarification or info on if this is true or not.

There are plans. Okay. Uh no, nothing is by any means imminent for that. However, there are uh plans u that have been discussed to build a parallel road from Neielen. Uh and and some of it was completed when those apartments were constructed. Uh you might remember that road that um where the skating rink used to be if you can

head up and then it sort of takes a 90 degree turn to the north to Neielen. There is there is a platted rideway that the city owns that takes it to Dherty Road and yes uh it has been discussed that if it gets to that point a roundabout right there would make the most sense but that was some years ago. We've tried several times, not in several not in gosh three or four years. Uh we tried for a it used to be called a tiger grant to uh to do that and did not get funding. We tried then they changed the name of the program from tiger to brick. We did not get that. So, um, yes, uh, it is kind of a transportation alternative, uh, that they're looking at that's being looked at, but it is not, I mean, I don't see, uh, that coming anytime soon. And the pure for the pure fact is uh, of lack of there's no money.

Okay? because the gentleman that showed me the pictures had renderings and everything of a roundabout and was told he was Yeah, there's it he was losing land and I'm just looking for clarification. No, it's I mean there is a plan but nobody it it just hasn't gone beyond uh the talking about stage. I mean, it took 20 years to get to the point of uh the uh Tribute Parkway. I understand. Like I said, he just asked me to ask y'all for clarification. So,

but no, there's no uh nothing's imminent. And by that, I mean there gosh, this iteration of council there hasn't even been discussed. That was discussed several councils ago. I'll let them know. Thank you so much. Oh, you're welcome, Jacob. Yes. Good evening to you.

Good evening, council. Jensen Jones, 138 Florence Street Southwest, appointment 3. Um, I just wanted to come forward and just uh ask about um if we get some extra uh money from the accommodation tax. Uh if we can put some of that money to um sidewalks that speak out or chirp, letting uh visually impaired persons know uh that they can cross safely. Um my wife and my child uh travel the streets semiafeely as of now. Um but uh you know uh since we have a lot of new development maybe in the process of of signing or contracts with developers or whatn not especially in the downtown area a part of provision uh could be hey let's make sure that the sidewalks are clear and accessible as possible for all persons uh called universal design it actually helps all of us right because disability is an inevitability so on that I thank you and I hope that uh if you have Any questions? You know how to get a hold of me. Thank you. Is there some way to um is there a population um you have to declare that there's handicap people or uh to

I mean I know we have to u I know that as part of um pet the so-called pet heads um having th that sort of u audible cue is something that could be looked that um and we we would just have to check in and and get back to and report this to council and to Mr. Jennings. Um because what he's asking for is certainly not unreasonable. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Kurt Johnson, 114 Rooster Way Aken. um pastor for Law Sheet Ministries. Um we got a couple new uh positive reports. We've got two that have moved to Nebraska with jobs. We've gotten a couple people into assisted living, so they're no longer on the streets. Um we're coming up on the masters. We're going to see a lot more on the streets because the hotels will move out the families uh and people that would normally be on the street if they didn't have the hotels. So, it's just something and I always want people if you if you're afraid of the people that come up to you and ask you for anything, please contact me instead of contacting 911 and and and blocking those cops up for that minute. Maybe I we can Lex and I we can go out there and talk to them and kind of uh deescalate the situations. We're by no means um saying we're better than the cops, but maybe we can get to that point before the police have. And I'm sorry for calling them cops. They are police and I'm I'm sorry for that. But um everything's been going pretty good. We are getting busier. Um donations have done well with this this year. Uh we are coming up on the time when it's going to start getting hot. So um we are still looking for tents. uh sleeping bags and we've gotten MREs and they they're very much a lifesaver for some of these people. So anyway, thank you all very much.

Thank you, Garrett. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Good evening, Council Lex Ferry, 1526 South Boundary Avenue Southeast, pastor of C4 Impact. Um, we do still have a full house. Uh, we're still actively looking for more housing for those. As Kurt has already said, we know that the Masters is coming, so we are expecting that the the the issue that we have so far is unsheltered to be exasperated a little bit. Um we're trying to prepare for that as much as we can. Um obviously we still have the shower ministry and things like that that are available for those who are unsheltered. Um one of the things that some people have asked what can we donate it you know to bring in um clean underwear things like um for men and women just underwear you know medium large extra large for men and women that would be great so that they would have something to change into after they have a shower you know so uh that would be uh fantastic. Um, other than that, um, as Kurt said, we know things are going well, um, overall. Um, but we would like to, um, see anybody who's a developer, if you have a property that you don't know what to do with, I know it may sound strange, uh, but consider calling us and see if there is something we can work out, um, so we can repurpose it, um, to to have shelter for those individuals that are out there. We have a lot of resources. We have a lot of talent out there. All we have to do is put our heads together. And I honestly believe Aken can solve our homeless issue. We have our own. Every city in the country has one, okay? Primarily, you know, but we have our own and we can solve it. These are our brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, you name it. Mothers and fathers who are out there on the street. We can't look at them as those those people. They are our people. Uh you've heard me say that many times. And it is about having our minds renewed. Just like we're trying to renew their minds, we have to get our minds renewed and understand that these are our family. These are our folks and and they're also potential voters once they

get to that point and you know um that you know they're there for us to help. Um they're also your constituents whether they have an address or not. Um they come see us they're going to automatically get one because we help them get you know get their IDs and so forth. We're providing an address. Um trying to think if there's anything else um that I wanted to discuss with you. I have too many things going on in my mind. Um I've had a lot of meetings that are coming up. Um, we've had a lot of positive feedback from the community. I'm very grateful for the positive feedback that we've been getting from the individuals. Uh, please, there is still an open invitation for anyone that wants to see what our ministry is doing to please come and see us. Um, it's much better if you come and see it in person and see how things are operate. Um, so that you can better understand. Um, as Kurt said, there's no need to be afraid of the folks on the street. You can give us a call. We will answer the call. We will go out. We will talk to the individuals there. more than likely we can deescalate things only because we've already started building relationships with a lot of the folks that you see not because ADPS is you know they can't handle it of course they can but again we don't have to tie them up with something like this just give us a call and let us have an opportunity to talk with the folks that we built the relationship with and hopefully not have anybody to go to jail unnecessarily and we can just start them on a path to to get them on their feet. Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you,

Madame Mayor. I just want to point out to Kurt and to Lex that on Saturday there was a meeting with Eyes on Aken connected with um the Tool Hill Neighborhood Association. And you would be amazed at the kinds of things that was echoed about you too and how results come with your efforts. You just don't talk. there's action behind it but also people's lives are directly impacted and improved. So people are talking very very positive about the things that's happened. So Susan and and um uh Teresa was there and they were echoing and saying all these positive things as well. So I thank you all for sharing that to the group that met at Alman Branch U Church on Saturday.

Praise God. Amen. Madame Mayor, if I may, Pastor Johnson, did you said you had four people that you were able to place, two that went to jobs in Nebraska, Nebraska, got two that we found assisted living in Augusta for that's we've also got four IDs last week and that actually opened up for another young lady to get a job. The only thing she was waiting on was her ID. So once she got that, she's off and running. God bless you. Who was on disability who now has a full-time job as well.

Yeah, that's wonderful. You are th those are numbers tangible, but they are also people and God bless you for what you're doing. And madam sir,

I I do want to add that uh Susan and Teresa is working with uh a program in about a month from now where we they're working with trying to keep kids off the streets and active. They're looking for sponsors in terms of having activity at Almond Branch. That's a huge area to have activities for kids. So if you know anybody that want to help or sponsor activities there for the kids, they're the two to get in contact with with our Reverend Boseman

Kurt. Um I'm sorry I meant to ask you um the ones that you sent to Nebraska um to work um do you have to uh who pays for lodging and can we get you back up at the bank accommodation? organization that we did the record. I'm sorry. Sorry. Okay. So, the two we sent to Nebraska um they had a well we had somebody that worked with us to get them bus tickets. Okay.

Um we we gave them a little spending money so when they got to a bus stop they could get some food and things. But it was it was just the working with the organizations. I mean that's the biggest thing that we got. Uh we work with the churches. The churches are really helping out and eyes on a we've got a lot of people that have come to know that we're out there right and we're willing to work with anybody. Okay. So yes ma'am. Thank you. Thank you, Kirk.

I knew it was something was in my brain because the spring and summer coming. I know I proposed this before, but the um um the C4 impact clean team. We want to look at, you know, a cleaning team. Um what do I need to do to put forth a a an official proposal to you because if we put the folks that we have to work, some of those in disability and so forth, we can get a lot of light cleaning things like that done in the parks after the fairs and all those type of things. It has already been done. These are things that are not brand spanking new but things where I've worked before in other states or and even um even talking to um uh what is it clean up Aken as well even um combining with them to do some other things that you talked about to madame mayor uh but I'm really excited about the possibility of starting that this year. Um I already got the t-shirts but let's let's make it happen. That's what I want to just let me know what I need to do to put forth that proposal and I think it'll be a really good one for the city.

Thank you. Thank you. He can reach out. Lex, reach out to me. Thank you, Lex. Thank you, Kirk. Anyone else? Okay. Uh, we will now move forward to approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Beanbo, will you please read the titles of the items on the consent agenda?

Yes, Madame Mayor. We have uh four items. An ordinance to annex property located at 104 Small Ridge Street South and to zone the same residential single family RS10. An ordinance to annex property located at 1 Partridge Court and zone the same residential single family RS-15. an ordinance to annex property located at 1116 Conger Drive South and zone the same residential single family RS15 and an ordinance to designate the property located at 431 Dupri Place Southwest as non-contributing historic district. I do want to note too that um I know Councilman Msina had some good points at the last meeting uh as part of our uh you potential rewrite of a uh zoning ordinance to a UDO to account for those uh sizing of lots. So I did want to state that that that's something that will be added to the list for review um as part of that. Uh but that is the consent agenda this evening. We had no um no one submitted an online request by the allotted time nor did anyone turn in a handwritten form to the city clerk at by 7 p.m. this evening. So that is what we have this evening.

Thank you. Um do I have a motion please? Madame Mayor, I so move. Councilwoman Morgan made the motion and second second from Mr. Uh, Councilman Waldo. Uh, there's no comment on the consent agenda, so we will go straight to a vote. So, all those in favor, please. Thank you. It's unanimous. We will now move to approval and discussion of appointees to various city boards, committees, and commissions. Mr. Thank you. We have no appointments for consideration. Uh, Okie do. Are there any nominations to consider for our next meeting?

Uh yes, Madame Mayor. I have uh two. One is for the arts uh commission, Bonnie Anne Fulgum. Uh reappointing her to that commission. She is in business and in mental health. And for the senior commission, that individual would be Kathy Heath, who's working in a in a nursing home. Kathy has served on the commission and she has been wonderful in terms of helping to bring sponsorship to seniors who's uh who has a desire to have activities at recreational centers and getting sponsors to support those activities. So those two are one is a senior commission Kathy and then Bonnie is at the with the arts commission.

You anyone else? Thank you. We will move on to um the next item which is under old business second reading and public hearing of an ordinance approving a development agreement with Sycamore Aken LLC for water infrastructure for home two Suites Hotel on Oak Grove Road. Mr. Beanville,

thank you. Uh you we do have the ordinance title red and this is for a development agreement for this parcel at Oak Grove Road and Tribute Parkway for this Hampton in Home to Suites Hotel. The extension will extend water service onto the newly developed parkway. uh the developer will be doing the design, permitting and water line installation and then the dedication to the city along with any easements will be granted over to us. Uh the total cost is estimated to be $158,668 with a uh uh city share uh not to exceed $104,720.88 88 cents and the agreement is null and void if council does not grant approval and and that the project is not completed by May 31st, 2026. And uh this is before council for second reading this evening. Madame Mayor and councel,

thank you. Is there a motion to uh approve this? I so move, Madame Mayor. That'll be Councilwoman Br. Second and Councilwoman Diggs. made the second motion. Um, are they comments from the public? Comments from councel? All those in favor? Thank you. Motion passed. The final item under old business, second reading and public hearing an ordinance approving the imposition of sewer capacity impact fees. Mr.

Thank you. This is entitled um an ordinance approving the imposition of sewer capacity impact fees and other matters related there too. Um how did we get here? Uh there's been a misconception that the city is haphazardly uh giving away sewer capacity. Uh there's also a misconception that um we're in a state of crisis. Uh sewer capacity does exist. There's been a recalibration by the county of the cost of their operations. I do want to thank our engineering director for thoroughly laying out uh for council the issue before them both in a January work session in it first reading. We are the only user of the water or the of the sewer treatment facility that has completed necessary steps to both purchase additional sewer capacity and establish an impact fee structure. So the cost is not borne by current rate payers. There's been a tremendous amount of um a number of reports that uh the sewer capacity is running out and again that is uh want to reiterate not correct. Uh the city through the engineering and utility department tracks this as part of project management with regular um updating. It's important to um also correct a misnomer that planning approval does not equate to sewer capacity allocation and all projects are evaluated through our council established permitting and capacity review process. Regarding questions um about a database staff is working on a report that meets uh council's expectations. Uh I don't believe we're quite there yet, but we're getting closer. I know an email sent um earlier today uh to council that was shared with

me um sort of indicates what that format could look like. Uh we've been asked about developers paying for sewer upfront and how this works. If you look in your agenda packet on page 174 in appendix B, um it notes the capacity is the property of the city of Aken and is non-transferable. If the developer doesn't use it, they're not entitled to a refund. It is and it's not theirs to to transfer as as noted. Um, other questions that have arisen throughout this process include how much sewer capacity has been issued by the city since the alleged shortage was noted. The answer is an issuance of 13,000 gallons uh has been issued. Another developer purchased the right to access 30,000 gallons. Uh the city will continue to track sewer capacity as stated on at least a quarterly basis and if today's second reading ordinance is passed will continue to follow a process that is standardized and objective not excuse me subjectivity is not an issue. This is an objective and standardized process. uh new sewer capacity up to the 1.5 million gallons per day less what was described above is available to be applied to developments that council approves. Um we have this for you for second reading this evening. Uh again it's uh been discussed quite a bit that the rates going up from 48 to $1089 for these new developments. um established in a wastewater agreement that uh was approved by council in June 2025. Uh this is something um that we took a

lot of care to craft a fee document that um that met the standards we have because we are currently uh b um have uh debt outstanding debt against our water and sewer system. We wanted to make sure this agreement did not impact any of those uh statements as part of the issuance of debt. And we have this before council for second reading this evening. Madame Mayor, thank you. Is there a motion to accept this? So move, madame mayor. Councilwoman Price made the motion.

A second, Madame Mayor. Second from Councilwoman Brol. Any comments from the public? Comments from council?

Yes, madame mayor. I think the biggest concern I have I love the what we've done. The details are commendable. I I think we're ahead of the game and doing what's right. My concern is the 1.5 million given uh some of the what we hear out in the community and the legislative delegation requesting some changes. Do we have that in writing that they has the county given us in writing that we can access 1.5 million that we've purchased? I mean, I'm grateful we've done it. I just want to make sure we have something in writing. I look for it in the ordinance. I didn't see it. That's my one concern. Uh that we are banking a 1.5 million on the six million of which my understanding there is not capacity yet from Horse Creek and and what I think is happening is there's going to be hearings at least that's what I what little I can find out.

9:30 on March 24th. There you go. But I know there's pending legislation to take it over in a different manner again that I think that could be in the right decision, but I'm concerned the six million is not additional capacity that is actually out there. So, I'm just looking for something in writing that says we're we're comfortable that it's there and we legally can access it. And that's what I'm looking for. I didn't see anything in the paperwork, but I would I think we just need to have that. I don't think it directly relates to today's passage of this, but I do think it's due um diligence for the people of of our community.

Yeah. And if we're giving out sewer that we don't have access to, you'd probably just need to make personnel changes, too. I want to add because we're we're not we're not going to be that reckless. But yes, we can provide that. And I think that's a that's a really uh we we'll we'll provide that because we do have um documents from the uh that that we passed and sent on. Uh with regards to the changes that the legislative delegation uh might make or or well really it's the state legislature. Um what we know now is that the county manages the facility and they've put this together. Um the legislation that was introduced is very ambitious. It calls for all this to be transferred to a regional authority by September 30th, 2026. So that's uh pretty quick. Um, but I'm I'm not really sure uh because I don't I hadn't had time to I guess talk to folks how this what what the prospects of this legislation is. But um yes, uh what what was the statistic we heard too that they're permitted to process 20 million gallons a day and they run about 11 to 12 million?

Yes. Come up to Yeah. So, so they're running about 40% of what I guess they're permitted to process right now. Um, but we can let Mr. Parrot elaborate on that.

I don't know if I can elaborate much I don't know if I can elaborate much more. Um, but I will comment on the the 1.5. So, yes, we can we can use that now as we purchase it. um the county the PSA um got approval through dees partly because of what Stuart mentions um is that there there actually is we currently only send about 5.8 8. We're permitted at 7 um four. I'm sorry I don't have all the numbers exactly in front of me, but whatever that difference is and what we're permitted and what we're actually sending, we can use, right? So that using that 1.5 is not an issue because they're we're not sending that much current.

See that that to me I understand that distinction. So what you guys did was checked made sure that what our current flow is is lower than what we've been permitted from. That's different from 6 million for future capacity. That that isn't there. We're using what we've been permitted. Correct. Okay. Which is this difference of the five to the seven approximately. Yes, ma'am. Okay. I understood that would had been.

Yeah. So, anything like again like I said any we can use that 1.5 now if we wanted it um to we're still using what we were already pre-permanented for

as long as we can see something about the 6 million and the 1.5 and that will be wonderful. is more important for us now status report uh produced by the staff that would list all the projects that the planning commission city council has approved a number of dwelling units for square feet of commercial space uh and then whe whether the plans have been approved by engineering ing or other entities within the city and more importantly on point here is have they received an allocation is what's in writing what's and how many gallons are proposed and even to a point where once they're under construction to list how many building permits they have how many cos they have so we can tell from sitting in here without having to run out there we can see where this project is in terms of completion and and progress but I In terms of what we're talking about tonight, I think it's really important for us to have a really good handle on what's allocated, not allocated, what's still open, what's floating around. So, I

Yeah, I I agree. And I know we put that uh we put a kind of a a first pass in the January 12th agenda packet. Um but it one thing is adding I guess what's permitted from a sewer capacity. So working on that um uh to get something that the council would find meets their expectation uh and and put in a public form so everyone can uh see that and and find it fairly easily. Okay. Thank you.

Um Mr. Madame Mayor if I may Mr. Beenba and our ordinance we've reserved 734 millions per day. Correct. Yes. So we have not drawn down on all of that. No. Okay. And so Mr. Parrot, you are keeping track judiciously of all of this. You know how much that we have, correct? and at any time we can find out from you. Please. Thank you.

So, yes, we we do track, like I told you last time, we we do have a list of everything that's on the books that's potential. But as far as what's been permitted, yes, that we we know to a tea. I mean, we have to. So again, I just want to make that distinction because when they're in concept or or planning stages, they're not they're not a project yet and that they can change a lot between there, but we do make sure that we have enough to be able to cover it. But if everybody showed up at our door at one time, yeah, we may need to be able to say, "Okay, yes, you're first or no, you were not." But I mean, we we have plenty to cover what we have right now. Not everybody's going to come to our door tomorrow. A because they don't have the funds to do it. Um but b because of the the amount we have. And that's all we're trying to do right now is protect that amount and make sure that we can continue to to have that for the future.

Exactly. And we don't we can't know as we discussed I think it was at the last meeting or work session you know things change. concept plans come, they come with numbers of houses or whatever the project is and they keep changing and people in planning know that better than anyone. So you're it's using a best guesstimate when you get to that point, isn't it?

Correct. Yes. And that's that's what we try to do and that's what we've done all along. Um, I mean the the only issue that really came up was the county wasn't wasn't keeping track of what they had. So, um, and then nobody nobody was known about it until till it got to the point where it was too late and they had to do the audit. But as far as what we're we're doing now and and ever since then, yes, we we track what they are, what the permits are, um, and any projections related to it. So, um, yes. So, the county was not keeping track of what where theirs were. It wasn't us. Correct. Thank you,

Thomas. Don't leave yet. The public service authority is has said to us that it is 10.89 a gallon. Yes, ma'am. Um people should not hold on to that and think that that's it because they're constantly updating things and that's critical for people to understand. Yes, ma'am. And um

yeah, we we expect the current management of the PSA to raise rates uh again probably as early as uh effective July 1. I'm told they will do a better job. And I remind my the people I know over at the county regularly um to give us an inkling uh because uh in the past we've been unpleasantly surprised. Um so we've been working to to try to make sure that happens. So

yeah, and and I'll say that with this as well. If it does change, especially the cost of the capacity, we'll come back and have to do an update to that amount. So, anytime that happens, can you share also how the changes are taking place with the city of Aken having a seat at the table as well? And in what regards?

Oh, that's the bill that's written. Uh the potential bill is currently written would call for a nineperson regional authority. One person who's a Saluda County resident registered voter. Two people registered voters in Edgefield County. Six people registered voters in residing in Aken County. I have mentioned um verbally to a a a delegation member that I think the city since the I can't speak for North Augusta but city of Aken and city of North Augusta are the two largest users of the facility. I believe we use or we are permitted for about twothirds of their spoken for capacity between Aken and North Augusta that we should be you know I hate to use the word guaranteed but I think there should be an understanding that we the the two large users have folks that are um customers or representatives of our utility uh on the board um because in theory we may not That's right.

That's that's just something that was what jumped out at me when I read the current bill. Yeah. Your thoughts?

My thoughts? Yeah. I mean, I agree with Stuart's assessment. I did read it and I didn't see anything about, you know, the city of Aken having a a representative on the seat. Um, so yeah, I implore the the council you guys to call and and say that, you know, that's a non-starter for you guys because I mean, we are the um one of the largest users of the system. So, we should have a voice that could easily be delegated to somebody else and we could be we wouldn't be pushed out, but we'd have a whole lot less um, you know, chance to affect what they're going to be doing. Thank you. Thank you, Thomas. Thank you, Thomas.

Great report that you gave us. Are there any more comments from our council before we vote? All right, then. All those in favor? Thank you. It's unanimous. Motion passed. Thank you all. Stay up front because we got something. We got you for something next, too. Oh, that's right. Back the old back thing. We now move to new business. The first item is first reading of an ordinance to amend the city code regarding backflow as we discussed at our last work session. Mr. Beanville,

thank you. This is an ordinance amending section 44-3 of the city code regarding cross connection backflow and back siphonage control. Thomas did a wonderful job at our last work session talking about a no pun dry topic with uh backflow. Uh this um our ordinance is very old. Uh need and and in review we believe the code section needs to be updated to clarify and strengthen the ordinance while streamlining procedures. Uh the updates um as Thomas went over last time proposed to clarify device requirements for commercial and residential properties, distinguish between lowhazard and high hazard systems, update residential testing frequencies to every 3 years, establish a compliance timeline for so-called legacy systems. Formalize commercial containment requirements and updates uh administrative and appeals authority. Uh, additionally, this will allow a third-party compliance portal which will allow the city to engage a third-party expert to ensure ongoing compliance. And the city attorney has reviewed this as well as staff and we uh bring this forward for council's consideration this evening.

Thank you. Is there a motion to I so move, Madame Mayor? Second, Madame Mayor. Councilwoman Pearl made the motion second by Councilwoman Morgan. Uh any comments from the public, comments from council? All those in favor? Thank you. Unanimous. The final item under new business is first reading and public hearing of an ordinance to amend the fiscal year 2025 to 2026 budget. Mr. Bill,

thank you. This is an ordinance to amend the budget of the city of Aken for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 for water and sewer fund and local accommodations tax. uh large meter replacement for uh four industrial or commercial locations for $125,000 and a budget adjustment um to incorporate $100,000 for Aken Horse Park uh facility which hosts multiple events throughout the year, many or multi-day affairs, generating accommodations, both state accommodations tax, which we'll hear about that later, as well as local accommodations tax. uh the their funding is typically placed in the annual budget each year, but it was appropriate to wait until we receive FEMA reimbursements. Uh and we'll have a large budget adjustment, we believe, at the next meeting for that, as well as matters related to the redevelopment of the downtown hotel, which uh we've got a clear picture of. So, this is before council at first reading this evening.

Thank you. Is there a motion? I so move. Councilwoman Diggs. I second. And a second from Councilwoman Brol. Any comments from the public? Yes, ma'am.

Good evening, Madame Mayor, members of city council. Uh my name is Tara Bastwick. I'm 525 Laurens Street Southwest. I'm here in my capacity tonight as chief executive officer of the Aken Horse Park Foundation and I present with you Joanie Morris who is our chief operating officer and I look forward to the opportunity to introduce Joanie to you and the rest of Aken in a more formal setting very soon. But we're very excited about bringing her on board uh with all her depth of experience.

Thank you. I just want to say a few words um uh of appreciation for the city council's ongoing support of the Aken Horse Park Foundation uh as we more commonly call Bruce's Field. Um for those that of you that may not know, Akin Horse Park Foundation is a 501c3 and our mission is to promote Aken's equestrian way of life and to encourage the community's civic, educational, and charitable endeavors. When I first came to the city council in 2021 to talk about our um plans to increase our capacity at Bruce's Field, um I ran uh some economic impacts that was direct spending based on the number of horses per event, the number of weeks per event. um I could never gauge uh discrim discriminating ta um uh purchases such as restaurants and bars, but I could do heads on beds. So in 2021, I conservatively estimated uh given the number of events we had at Bruce's Field to have a direct impact to the community of um just under 11.5 million, 11,378 to be exact. And that was in 2021. The next time I had an opportunity to pause and take a breath was actually at the behest of some of the hotel um the uh potential hotel buyers. Um and that was to come up with an estimate of heads on beds based on the amount of weeks we now have um at Bruce's Field. So this was 2023 and I feel like we probably need to even update more because in 2026 our capacity has increased and the number of events that we have have increased as well. But in uh 2023

um we had 113,000 heads on bedsund sorry 113,000 hotel room nights in Aken and um as we know there aren't 113,000 uh and of course luckily and that is through 10 months out of the year there is only two months April of course why don't we have an event in April well there's something else going on that would uh preclude us from being able to secure hotel room nights.

Um and then July, which is a time of the year that we do um a lot of our work um uh to remediate repairs at the horse park. Um thanks to your support, it allows us to keep uh our fundraising initiatives and capital improvements continue. And it is so important and I and I know you all as leaders would recognize the importance of keeping what what I say keeping that penny shiny in in we're in the hospitality business and the competitors that come to Bruce's Field have so many different choices that they have to make they can make. Um so we have to prove to them each time they come that they they want to come back to us. I'd love to say it's because we have this incredible facility, which I think we do, but it's also because of Aken, and it's the opportunities, the shopping, the restaurants, and hotels. Although I've told all three hotel groups uh that are in the process that you all cannot build those hotels fast enough, I can tell you that we can we can populate all of those at the same time. They will all complement each other. um they will be a great uh addition to Aken and we need those hotel rooms but again we need to keep that penny shiny. We need to keep the the facility kept up that is expensive. We are a nonprofit. We do take donations. We we have fortunate for the grants that you have provided us but it's really important. We are we are constantly having to make sure that we have a facility that people want to come back to that we are the choice and uh so much of what you have approved for us uh allows us to do that. So thank you and we appreciate very much uh your

continued support. Thank you Tara. Madame Mayor, Madame Mayor. Oh, I'm sorry. Any I just gonna ask if there were any other comments from the public. Nope. Okay. I'm sorry, Madame Mayor. I just want to add on to what Miss Boswick said. Uh that's what I was going to say.

This has been over over the last four or five years, it's been astounding to drive over there and see the barns that have been built. And I don't think she really touched on how much they do in the community as far as charity. I was there for a couple of shows. They had people from try development there. There were people from nursing homes there. Some who had never seen any kind of horses or horse races. And not only that, they fed them lunch. And uh there was such a a feeling of um welcomeness, you know, it was not a exclusive kind of thing. It was just a very familyoriented thing. So the hundreds of thousands of dollars that you bring in, Tara, thank you and all of your crew and I look forward to meeting your new CEO very soon. Thank you. Thank you for your words. Um we look forward to the um horse park annexing into the city one day as well.

Any other comments? Um Madame Mayor, I am such a fan of Bruce's Field and what it has brought to the equin culture of of Aken. I I mean it is amazing what it does for so many. I think the only issue some of us had that are new is that we weren't sure how this money came about. Um it's my understanding you as well as another organization were given a large sum and we're honoring that. Is is that correct Mr. Beenbo?

Yes. the the council committed sometime oh I guess in 21 the uh million dollars spread out um over a number of years. Um I think some of it the it can be at the council at the option of uh in kind as it relates I think uh utility uh work but um also it can be in the form of a of these of a grant such as what's under consideration this evening uh by the council

but is the but there's two things Bruce's Field has gotten the the 100,000 which is the local a tax which is the part of the a million that was agreed upon is what I that is correct. state a taxes aortioned out almost exclusively through the uh the committee that we'll hear about at the next agenda item but this is local

this is local which is a different amount of right the state law allows a and I always get the it's a total of 5% and 3% is um one amount I think that's local and 2% is state um and the state monies is what the group that um I guess we have two of the members here, Mr. Ellis and Miss Penland are on that committee amongst other people that that uh make those recommendations um for the state and this is local.

That's right. and and but the the concern that some of the the new people are trying to just understand the history and honor what we've committed to if it's appropriate and and that was helpful understanding that

I just had one I I just wanted to say that I had an opportunity to attend the reception you invited us to last year and I had not been on that field since it had changed over to the horse park. And I can tell you, I was so impressed with how you have packed so much into that piece of property. It's not only amazing, but it's beautiful. And you invited us to come back. I hadn't taken you up on that yet, but I intend to come to a show. and uh we just thank you for having something um that special and providing so much entertainment locally. Thank you so much.

Madame Mayor, I have a comment. Tara and I had an experience regarding Claflin University and Claflin's interest in ex exposing their students and their faculty in an equestrian environment and the network was done with the president of Clafman University and his family uh in addition to his wife's family and bringing some faculty members to stay overnight here. I think they may have stayed two nights. two nights here uh to get that equestrian experience. None of them had ever visited uh an equestrian had the equestrian experience. They learned so much. They had a wonderful time and frankly we were looking at something in the Orangeberg area where where uh they're located. Fast forward, he was so pleased with what he saw. He wanted some other faculty members to come to Aken to have that experience and he sent a number of faculty members here to spend overnight to get that experience and they are they have come to Aken to some of your events uh following that. So, it has been a wonderful exposure and experience and Don Don is a Claflin uh graduate back here who I'm looking at. But nevertheless, they've had a wonderful time with attending the question events here. Quite an interesting lesson that they carried back with them. Thank you for your comments. Well, let's vote. All those in favor? Thank you. It is unanimous. Thank you, Tara. We now move on to petitions and requests. We have one item tonight and is approval of a recommendation from the accommodations tax committee for allocation of funds

for grants. Mr. Thank you. I will just call the I I don't know Jessica or or Peggy needs to come up uh with the accommodation tax recommendations to council for consideration. Good evening, council. Good evening.

Um, you have in your agenda packet the recommendation made by um the committee that reviewed all applications. They score them based on guidelines from the state and um utilize a scoring matrix and then fund out based on estimated available monies um that will not be collected until fiscal year 2627 and um take a percentage based on the score for each applicant. So, we're here to answer any questions you may have. And I might mention, I believe that we had

I think there are 28 applicants and we had $550,000 worth of requests, but only $400,000. Whoop. What's worse than that? 573,000. Okay. And 400,000 estimated income. So, you know, we love to fully fund everybody, but we could not do it this time. So, all we could do was fill out our score sheets. This is the package, by the way, that gets delivered to us a couple of days before the meeting. And we do the best we can do. And we have a very strict scoring matrix. And we score all the events based on these questions. and then we average the scores and that's how the monetary recommendation comes. So, we hope you'll agree to it. And we would love to say that there's going to be another $100,000 in September, but we don't know because these are all based on estimates and we won't know until what after the end of June. So if we do have an additional 100,000 or whatever then we can go back and re allocate or recommend to you for realloc reallocation

Peggy. Yes ma'am. Benefit of those who do not know what is required to receive funds. Can you tell us is it the heads on beds? Well, no. Part of it. They have to be a 501c3 or they have to be partnered with a 501c3. Okay. They have to spend some of their own money on marketing. Okay. And they have to give a thorough application. Okay.

If their application is flawed, they it counts against them. But some of the questions which you know you're asking about which are very important um attendance

if this program or event occurred previously did it attract tourists as defined in the handbook. Now we have changed the rules of the game. It used to be that had to be 50 miles away, that they could only spend marketing dollars in locations which are 50 miles away. That has all changed. We found out the county was doing it, but I thought, well, just because the county does it, that doesn't mean we can do it. But we we did check with the state. I talked to the people up there. And so now it's outside of Aken County. If it's outside of Aken County, it's legitimate.

Um, will the upcoming program or event attract tourists as defined in the handbook economic impact? And this is where the rubber meets the road, okay? All this will the program or event have a positive economic impact on Aken? That does include restaurants and shops and other things besides hotels. Will this program or event generate generate overnight stays in Aken? Does the benefit of the program or event exceed the cost of the project? Um, is the applicant using their marketing money to reach their goal? Um, are they providing their own marketing dollars? And you know, I'm not trying to pick on people, but Bruce's Field, they score raving reviews on all of this because they put lots of heads on beds, not to mention the other impact.

Um, so each one of these, sorry, each one of these questions has 35 points, 20 points, 15 points. And so that's where we have to score. And that's where we come up with our recommendations. You do a fantastic job of that. You've been doing this for a long time and I know like you asked me to reup. I know you would like to I am so glad you said yes. I said yes. I only have one request. I was going to do this privately with Sarah. Go ahead. Come on.

Uh my only request tonight is not too bad. Eric said, "Oh, it's going to be a long night." But it's not. So that's good. But sometimes we have all these controversial things and we have to wait for the old business and the new business and then at 10 o'clock at night we finally come up. I really think we should be able to go between the old business and the new business. And that's really just for my benefit. It's usually right after the steeplechase and you know we're hotel years. We're trying to get our hotels ready for the masters and it's tough. So, but anyway, anybody anybody have any other questions? Well, you realize you're at the almost at the end of the agenda right now. I know, but guess what? It wasn't too long,

right? So, we'll create a new 10:30. I'm going to be right. But I'm I'm sure council would be in favor of moving your items up on the agenda. Maybe I'll write a letter to Sarah and say, I would love to continue on this condition. We'll create a new category. We got you. Just support me on that one, Madame Mayor. But anyway, I want to say thank you to Alex Meyers. He does a really good job. He's a breath of fresh air in the tourism department. He's not here tonight, but we have Jessica and we have Eric. And the city staff's doing a good job. All right. Thank you,

Peggy. Megan, the question was asked about it was commented about young your longevity and doing this work here for for us. How many years have you been working with this? I don't know how many years I I it's nine tourism supervisors. How many have passed through? Peggy, you've been doing it for a long time and I would I know it's over 20 years. Sam Herb and Todd Alista, they're the ones that put me on it. Yeah. Almost as long as Lesie has served on council. Excuse me. Almost as long as Lesie has served.

A long time. And Fred Kavanaaugh used to call me every time and say, "Peggy, it's okay. If you'll just accept, you can quit. You can you can resign in the future." No. Thank you, Peggy. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Question. No, not just comment just I mean all of this a is available online if people are interested. The qualifications are there. Uh so it's not any secret. You take all applications and you do incredible work. I know you had two days this time, right? You we had a couple. Yeah. Yeah. Two days to do it. Thank you for all that you welcome.

Thank you. Thank you both. Where was I? I need a Sorry. I need a motion. I need a motion, please. So, move, madam. Councilman Waldo. Second. And a second from Councilwoman Price. Comments from the public. Any more comments from council? Hardly accepted. No. Go ahead. Um,

all those in favor? Thank you. Uh 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. I guess everyone has talked out. Are there any items from the city manager this evening? I just wanted to make a comment before we get to Stuart. Madame Mayor, excuse me for the interruption. I I just wanted to commend our city staff on the um concert that they had um honoring black history. But Susan, we had good time. Let's see. We had a good time. Great. Look.

I mean, it was so good and well attended and um so organized. I just wanted to uh say that our staff always make us look good and uh I appreciate that so much. We all do. Yes.

Cuz y'all work hard and that night was no exception. So I just want to say thank you. Um Lesie and I and and Brayen and I know Susan. Um, I don't think any of us got on Well, I got on the dance floor one time, but but we had some people that stayed on the dance floor. And so that's because they had a really really good band that played everything requested, even Purple Rain. When I asked, they played Purple Rain. So, thank you so much Mr. Beenbo,

just a reminder, March 18th from 5:30 to 7 is the drop in for the um UDO and it'll be on the first floor. That is all I have at this time. I had one more comment in reference to the uh Black History Program. Uh Gary had suggested that we bring some of the youth from the teen center. Um they actually enjoyed the program. We left a little early. Uh they got a little bit embarrassed about people on the dance floor. They couldn't keep up. So, but they they had a fun time. So, thank you all for that.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adjourn the meeting?

I'm sorry. There is a very very thoughtful letter in our agenda to applaint. But when someone takes the time to compliment that means a lot. But I also want to thank Thomas because at a meeting two weeks ago there was concerns on red red street uh regarding a leak and I mentioned that to Thomas and Thomas said I'll be out there the next day. Next day I heard that Thomas came out Wednesday that leak was was completed and done successfully. So Thomas the committee is the community is talking about you in record time. uh uh talking about how quickly that was expedited. So, thank you for that. It's Debbie Caver that wrote the letter. So, we thank Debbie for her courtesy in writing the letter.

Good job. Thank you. Is there a motion to adjourn our meeting? So, moved. Councilman Msina. Second. Second from Councilman Waldo. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you all.