County Council - Regular Meeting

[laughter] Good evening everyone. Like to welcome you out. Haven't seen y'all since last year. How about that? To [clears throat] our January 13, 2026 Kershaw County Council meeting. We've been called to order. Welcome again everyone. I hope you had a restful [clears throat] holiday and Christmas season and a great new year. To get us started out tonight, we've got the invocation by Vice Chairman Russell Brazzle, who will also lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Mr. Brazzle. Thank you.

Everybody bow ahead, please. Heavenly Father, thank you for us being able here to gather tonight and represent Kershaw County collectively. Thank you for keeping us safe. Thank you for our children, Lord. Thank you for our families. We just pray that you bless us in this new year and you keep us safe. You keep our family safe, strong, and healthy. And we say all this in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of [clears throat] the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Chairman,

thank you, Mr. Brazle. Mr. Jones order. Yeah, you may have a couple of minutes for uh just some comments I want to make in in lie of council briefing or Yeah, I would like to do it now instead of your council briefing later. Yeah, I don't want to do a council briefing because that's it's this meeting may be three or four hours and I don't some of these folks may not be here and I just want to make sure that that they hear what you have to say. Yes, absolutely. Okay. All right. If there's no objection, uh go ahead.

Too kind. Too kind. You you guys are too good to me. I really hadn't discussed this with Mrs. Mara Horton Jones. She and I have seen a lot of battles in this room together when she served on school board as chairman of finance committee and I was chairman of the finance committee for the county council. She was chairman of finance committee for the uh school board and she uh came in here one night and she was asking for quite a large sum of money in millillage and I told her I wasn't going to support it. She said she didn't think I would support it and I go home and I say, "Hey baby, how you doing?" and she said, "Don't baby me." [laughter] And I said, "What?" She said, "If you ever talk to me like that again, you're going to be sleeping with Uncle Chuck." Um, [laughter] I enjoyed my couch and I stood my ground. It was it was good. But after that, we were okay. No, I just wanted to start with something light lighthearted because this is been my life. 47 years here at Kershaw County, 20 years on county council that I ended this this this year. But I want to say that I have enjoyed serving the citizens of Kershaw County. I was elected to the county council in 2006 and I am now beginning my 20th year on council serving all the citizens of Kershaw County. I really have enjoyed serving the people and there is no reason I cannot continue to serve. There is no reason I cannot serve another term on county council. I am the only council member from my district to serve more than one term. I am in my fifth term this year. However, after 20 years on county council beginning in 26, folks, it is time for me to give up my seat or the or y'all's seat that I represent district 4 to someone else. Give them the opportunity to uh continue to serve uh the service that I've had tried to serve you in the last 20 years. Therefore, I will not be seeking reelection at the end of my term. So,

which means that filing is I think uh for this seat will and and everybody else's seat who is up is in March. So, this gives I wanted to give the citiz county plenty of time to decide who wanted to stand up and run. I didn't want to sneak anything on them. Let me finish this what I wrote down so I don't get off on a sidetrack here. I make this announcement now so that other citizens in my district will know that I do not intend to run again and seek re-election. I will be here another year and I will continue to represent the citizens of Kershaw County and continue to protect the taxpayers as I feel that I have done in the past 20 years. I have been blessed and by the trust and confidence of the citizens of my district who and the citizens of Kershaw County who have trusted me with what I call a precious gift and that is the the gift of their trust in their vote. And when people give us that and I can tell you this, I know that is not a person up here that takes that for granted. I think this countyy's got a good county council. I I know I can't be right all the time, but bottom line is we've got a great county council. I know they're working hard try to get things done with with sometimes very little resources. But gentlemen, I want to say thank you. I look forward now. It's not over. I got another year. And and you know, we may have a somber night tonight, but y'all get mad at me 40 more times before this year is up. But uh I have enjoyed serving with y'all and I look forward to this last year. and to my wife. I'm gl I'm [clears throat] surprisingly glad that you were here so you could hear that. But thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Jones. All right, gentlemen. That brings us on to adoption of the agenda. Are there any motions on the agenda? Make a motion we approve the agenda as submitted. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. We have a second. Any discussion on the agenda?

Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote. Everybody's in person tonight, so if you're in favor, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, it's unanimous in favor. The agenda is approved. Um I'm going to move up item number 11A um related to SEDNR and various recognitions on a resolution to right after the proclamation for the Kershaw Environmental Collaborative uh placed on the agenda by Mr. Brazzle. And so we'll have the agenda and proceed in that way. Okay. We just won't bring right there.

All right. Uh, that brings us to the next item in the agenda, which is item number 5A, Kershaw Environmental Collaborative, placed on the agenda by Vice Chairman Russell Brazzle. Do we have a motion? I'd like to make the motion uh for a proclamation to protect the environmental integrity of Kershaw County's natural resources. Do we have a second? Second. We have a second. Mr. Mr. Browse, you have the floor. [clears throat]

Thank you, Chairman Connell. I will read this proclamation again. A proclamation to protect the environmental integrity of Kershaw County's natural resources. As many of you know, I have a passion for Lake Watery and the Watery River as well as all the wersheds um which which led to this partnership with DEES. Whereas the Kershaw County Council affirms its commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and recognizes the importance of collaboration with state of South Carolina through Department of Environmental Services. And whereas the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services seeks to foster positive cooperative relationships with counties across the state to collaboratively address environmental challenges including watershed protection and storm water management. And whereas Kershaw County and the state of South Carolina share a mutual interest in protecting natural resources while supporting responsible economic activity and community growth. And whereas this partnership is intended to provide county staff with additional resources, technical support, and opportunities for collaboration in order to strengthen environmental protections. And whereas the protection of Kershaw County's natural resources, including Lake Watery, the Watery River, and all associated streams and bodies of water, is vital to the health, economy, and quality of life of its residents. And whereas cooperative environmental stewardship can enhance relationships with industry, small business, and the community while promoting compliance, innovation, and sustainable practices. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that Kershaw County and

the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services hereby establish a pilot partnership known as the Kershaw Environmental Collaborative, reflecting a shared commitment to cooperation, problem solving, and the longterm protection of the county's natural resources. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Brazzle. Any other comments, discussion? Council members, I'd just like to say thank you to Mr. Brazzle for putting this together. I think this could potentially save us some money uh down the road and I appreciate his hard work because I know like mo most of you up here, he puts a lot of hours into the county government and gets very little money for it. But thank you, Russ.

Thank you, Mr. Jones. Any other comments or discussion? Well, I I would just like to again thank uh the director, Myra Reese, for this opportunity. This is a pilot program. Um the first county in the state, and we're still defining what this is as a partnership, but we know it's going to be [cough] positive. We know that it's going to it's going to bring better communication and it's going to we're going to seek problem solving um not hard fines and enforcements. We're going to work together and I think that's something that anybody who's seen the way uh government and politicians act sometimes on television, they're they're probably glad to see a change in that regard. So happy to present this tonight.

Thank you, Mr. Brazzle. Um, do we have anybody here from DEES that we need to recognize at all before we vote? You have anybody here tonight? No. Okay. Then in that case, we'll move it to a vote. All those in favor, raise your hand. It's unanimous. Proclamation proclamation passes. Miss Hannah, for the record. Thank you very much. Deal. Thank you. Thank you. That moves us to item new number 5B. It's the uh previous resolution we discussed briefly, former 11A resolution committing South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Do we have a motion? I would make a I would make [clears throat] a motion that we adopt the resolution. Mr. Shoe, is there a second? I'll second. Mr. I think Mr. Tucker got you on the second. Sorry about that. You want me to

I'm not going to let y'all fight over it right here. [laughter] All right. Um Mr. Shoemake.

All right. I'll read the resolution. Uh this is a resolution commending the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Lance Corporal Tommy Buchanan, Global Echo Adventures, the South Carolina Office of Resilience, and JA Still and Robert Collins Construction Company for their dedicated and successful efforts to remove a 4-year-old log jam on the Lynch's River here in Kershaw County. Whereas the Lynch's River is one of Kershaw County's important natural resources. Whereas the Lynch's River flows through the county and the main river has tracks located within its watershed. Whereas a large and long-standing log jam in place for more than four years created significant navigational, environmental, and safety hazards along a vital [snorts] stretch of the Lynch's River within Kershaw County. And whereas South Carolina DNR led by Lance Corporal Tommy Buchanan along with Global Echo Adventures, the South Carolina Office of Resilience and JA Still and Robert Collins Construction Company recognize the urgency of restoring the river's natural natural flow, ecological health, and safe accessibility for paddlers, anglers, wildlife, and future conservation initiatives. And whereas the coordinated efforts of DNR's Lance of DNR's Lance Corpal Buchanan, DNR director Dr. Tom Mullikin and DNR director of training Eric Martin together with the technical expertise, leadership, equipment, and field support provided by Global Echo Adventures under the direction of its President Thomas Mullikin Jr. and retired Army First Sergeant uh Clark Gray as well as the support of the South Carolina Office of Resilience and the operational capabilities of J Still and Robert Collins Construction Company resulted in the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible removal of the four-year-old obstruction. And whereas this successful operation demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration among state agencies, county officials, private partners, and conservation organizations working together to safeguard and enhance South Carolina's natural resources for present and future generations. And whereas the citizens of Kershaw County will directly benefit from the reopening of this

section of the Lynch's River. Now therefore, be it resolved that Kershaw County Council hereby commends and expresses its sincere appreciation to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Global Echo Adventures, the South Carolina Office of Resilience, and Jay Still and Robert Collins Construction Company for their exceptional service, dedication, and achievement in removing the long-standing log jam in the Lynches River. Be it further resolved, the Kershaw County Council recognizes their work as a model of environmental stewardship, public service, and partnership, and extends its gratitude for their continued commitment to preserving and protecting the natural resources of Kershaw County. Adopted and approved this 13th day of January, 2026. And we do have uh before we go to a vote, we do have several members of DNR. I believe Lance Corporal Buchanan and Eric Martin are also here as long as uh Mr. Mullikin is here as well.

Outstanding. Um, Mr. Tucker, you had the second. Yes. I I just want to u say thank you for their services and um what all they do here in Kershaw County. Um we always think out of the 46 counties that we're very special and number one. So we appreciate all your efforts and uh you're willing to always partner and do great things here for the citizens of Persaw County. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Kato, you had the second second. The second [laughter] and we have um Mr. Kenneth Clark Gray in the audience as well.

Okay. Outstanding. I just want to thank everybody that was involved in this. I don't live too far from this this site and I tell you the Lynches River, if you've ever been down to Lynch's River, is a beautiful place uh full of wildlife and and um beautiful scenes. There's some beautiful hardwoods and wetlands down through that that uh that area and it's it's awesome. So, I just thank you for helping us keep it up. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Any other comments, questions? Yeah, Mr. chairman. Um, yes, sir.

Just like to say thank you to to the A team back there. They they did a wonderful job. I had the opportunity to go out um one day. I didn't get to go the multiple days that were there and got to put on a pair of waiters, but there were thousands of tons of trash, debris, um log logs pulled out of that. It it wasn't a log jam. It was probably about a a football field size stoppage in in the Lynches River. It was absolutely ginormous. Um they got in the water on a on a freezing cold day. I know a couple of them dipped their waiters. I think um First Sergeant Gray dipped his waiters quite a few times climbing up and up and down the log jam. So it was it was a valiant effort and really appreciate it. But it um it ended up being navigable waterway after um after the cleanup. So it was a great effort. Thank y'all for your all your hard work.

Thank you gentlemen. Thank you Mr. Thomas and uh Mr. Brazzle. Yeah. Just real quick in in in the spirit of environmental greatness, I'd like to say thank you to everybody. Um, and Eric, you know, I can't I can't let it go. I hadn't seen Eric since probably 1998 in which we were bass fishing when I was in school at Clemson 98 99. He's always been an excellent fisherman. I have not seen him until he walked in the back door and it it hit me like a ton of bricks. So good to see him for the first time in 27 years

or maybe maybe 28 years. I was I was so excited to see I was so excited to see an old friend and uh just I think it's cool to get reunited with something positive for our community. So it's good to have all of you here tonight and I couldn't go without sharing that. So thank you. Thank you Mr. Brownley. Any other comments for discussion? I'll just say I've seen you gentlemen make a difference all over the state including Kershaw County and neighboring counties. So thanks again. Uh, we'll move it to a vote. All in favor, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, the resolution passes unanimously. Do we have anybody that we should recognize? Mr. Shoemaker, you had the motion. Anyone who would want to come up to the mic before a picture? Well, does did you know if any of these folks you guys Mr. Thomasson, I know you know the crew very well.

Yeah. Yeah. If the four of y'all y'all come up for a picture of Silent Heroes, that's outstanding. There you go.

Come on up to the front, please. I know Eric doesn't like to take pictures, so he's too tough. [clears throat] Yeah, that's good. Okay.

Thank service. [applause] Take your

sir. Thanks again gentlemen. Uh true public servants. It's rare that you find somebody who gets opportunity to grab the mic and they turn it down. [laughter] Keep keep a low profile. Thank you gentlemen. All right, that takes us to um public presentations. [laughter] And before we do that, I just was remiss in mentioning uh Danny Templar. His mom passed away. We excuse him tonight. Our fearless administrator. We have a capable Mr. Blanchard here tonight to uh to fill in for Danny. Um they had funeral services today. Of course, there are a lot of tears shed and a lot of Pink Floyd was listened to. Yes,

she was a great woman from all accounts. All right, that moves us to public presentations. Um, Council Mato placed on the agenda an Alpha Center update. Is there a motion, Mr. Kato? Uh, yes, sir. I'd like to make a motion that we allow Alpha Center, the opioid abatement coalition uh to come up forward and give us a presentation on these um storebought drugs and smoke shops. Okay, we have a motion. Is there a second? I'll make the second. I'd like to say thank you, [clears throat] Danny. All right, we got a second. Any discussion before we vote? Seeing none, we'll move to a vote. Mr. Chair, would it be proper for me to abstain on this?

I think you can vote because we're not expending any public dollars on this and it's related litigation that's already been expended. There's no objection. There's no objection. It' be the first time in 20 years I ever voted for anything. Well, it's not related to budget items. So, all in favor, raise your hand. [laughter] Yes, ma'am. Public presentation, please. Thank you, Miss Mara. Welcome.

All right. Thank y'all. Um appreciate being here. Been here been coming to see y'all for a long time. But um just wanted to give y'all as we promised a quarterly update. And Mr. Kato also wanted to talk about um a little bit about the um vapes uh shops. And I'm not targeting anyone specifically, but the substances that are out there. And we say vape shops, they're out there in all kinds of stores. So, we come to you tonight um just to provide a little bit of education, but also to just give you kind of a quick update on the Alpha Center. We are getting ready to break ground on an expansion and um those dollars are provided um by the legislators over the past two years. The fortunate part about is we have the dollars to expand. The unfortunate part about it is we have to expand because our cap we're beyond capacity. um our wait time for getting appointments is extended beyond what people really need. And so um we will start that. So all of y'all will see that coming. The other thing too is I also want to talk to you a little bit about um the um work that's been done here in Kershaw County has been replicated in Chesterfield with the SCRF dollars as well as Lee County picked up and was told, "Hey, um we heard what Kershaw County and Chesterfield's doing. Can you bring it to Lee County?" And we now represent Lee County as well. Also, I have to also commend um my staff and you'll meet Lyanna who is my scorf director here in Kershaw County and Bethy Hardway who is the prevention um specialist in Kershaw County. But they are also um being recognized as the model grant written for the state that will be utilized for everyone else to model their grant writing for the score awards throughout

the state and that'll be coming down. So, I do have to um give them um kudos on that. But that also brings great recognition statewide to Kershaw County as we present that at the next what they call coffee chat throughout the state for the opioid response teams. So, in saying that, I'm not going to take up much time. I do want to introduce um Lyanna Adams came as a prevention specialist and quickly showed um her drive and love and passion for working in the prevention for ensuring that um our citizens receive the best in Kershaw County as well as Lee County. She was working there and was um promoted up to my SCORF director. what she has learned to utilize those dollars to integrate into helping um look at what is it we can do to make Kershaw County healthier citizens and to grow and keep cal um Kershaw County on a fast track for ensuring our citizens are thriving. Um, and then she also is joined by Bethany. And I was fortunate to pick Bethany up. And she is, um, a crackerjack at quickly going in. And these these ladies don't just learn it. They go into the stores and ask questions and take pictures. So, when they're giving you information tonight, it's because they have been and done an environmental scan and been out in the community and learned about it. And so I'm appreciative that y'all are willing to listen [snorts] to this because even though you may not be directly affected, it is information that is pertinent to saving people's lives and building healthier communities. So I'd welcome Lyanna and Bethany up.

Yes, ma'am.

Good evening. Um today I want to thank Kershaw County Council and a special thanks to Dana Kato um for having me tonight. As Mara mentioned, my name is Lyanna Adams. Um, I actually graduated from a Kershaw County School, North Central High School, um, in 2008. And I do have my four-year degree from Coker College or University if you're asking whoever. Um, and [laughter] I do have a degree here in psychology. Um, I do serve as mentioned uh, for Kershaw County and Lee County um, for that opioid abatement coalition director and am employed by Alpha Behavioral Health Center. I started my alpha career. Mara mentioned she took all my all my introduction about being a prevention specialist. Um that means that I'm working to stop substance use and misuse and other related harms through youth and community education. Um and since moving into this role as co coalition director um I have now moved a little bit outside of that. Um but want to talk a little bit about or focus less on the business part of this but the products that are within these gas stations and these vape stores. Um and why this matters to zoning regulation and community protection. So, uh, my goal again tonight is to educate you on these products. You may not know about them or have walked past them while you're buying your snacks or gas, um, without even realizing. Vape shops and gas stations are not only selling high concentration nicotine vapes with marketing tactics like flavors, brightly colored packaging um, to attract our youth, but they're also selling these products and substances. and they vary widely in effect, legality, safety, and carry many products um or many significant health risk. These substances, commonly termed as gas station drugs, apply to all non-FDA approved substances, and they're being sold casually in our gas stations online and elsewhere. Oftentimes, they're labeled as dietary supplements, herbal remedies, and legal highs. Many

products um will use verbiage such as mood, focus, dietary, enhance, and that's to downplay the psychoactive effects of these products. These terms can also minimize and obscure those actual effects. These products and their potency are also changing rapidly and local zoning and regulation has not been able to keep up. This market is always and ever evolving. Al also with many of these products being synthetic once there is a regulation a simple chemical alteration can make it a completely new product and now it falls back into a legal gray area. These substances fall into a few key categories. Um some are plant-based likeratom and proprietary mushroom blends. And I do use the term plant-based very loosely. Um companies use these terms such as natural and plant-based as marketing tactics because they can be misleading. Others are synthetic hemp derived THC products. They come in many forms, gummies, vapes, oils and are being sold as legal highs. Uh we also see unregulated pharmaceuticals like tea and fetabunt uh which are especially risky because of their addictive potential. Inhalent like nitrous oxide are also being sold in small and large cartridges. Um, and note that some of these actually kind of fall into multiple category and we're still trying to figure out how to classify some of these. Um, so I encourage each of you to review the flyer that I've put before you um, for some visual examples and the different substances that are out there. And I challenge each of you to walk in a vape shop or even your local gas station and take the time to really look at the products that are there, especially those that are close to the register behind the counter. And you would be surprised what you did not see or notice before. Um, if these products again mention anything like mood enhancement, focus, dietarily, dietary, uh, we want you to beware and be aware.

And when we talk about these products, we're really talking about emerging drugs, which means emerging risk. And the impact is already showing up in our schools, in our homes, and our emergency rooms. New substances, including product like seven hydroxy metroine and pseudoindoxil introduce unpredictable effects. Many are harder to track and that creates a gap in our prevention and response efforts. These substances are also affecting overdose prevention efforts. When they're mixed with opioids and used unknowingly, they increase over increase overdose risk and make it harder to interpretate those trends and excuse me interpret trends and data. uh that matters because that shapes our prevention messaging and our outreach. And from a policy and a strategy to standpoint, understanding what's emerging can help guide decisions about funding, partnership, and enforcement. And identifying trends early allows coalitions and local government to be proactive instead of reactive. And ultimately, I just want awareness to help you better understand so that we can protect our residents by strengthening education improve improving coordination among schools and providers and other stakeholders and allowing us to respond quickly to these emerging threats. Then when we talk about zoning, this issue issue isn't also about if these products exist. It's also about where they're being sold. Location matters because proximity matters. When products with psychoactive effects [cough] are being sold near schools, parks, churches, and other youth centered spaces, exposure increases and it the use becomes normalized. Visibility also matters. When the these products are being placed right behind the counter near the register, it becomes a part of everyday purchasing and that can increase impulsive buying especially for young people and for people that are in recovery. We also want to look at the cumulative impact. One store may not be

a concern, but when on their own, but when several are located close together, this can have an effect on the neighborhood and it will change. That's why zoning exists. That's why location effects impact and local government [laughter] has the responsibility to consider that. In December, uh, council took a important first step by addressing where hemp derived and synthetic cannabonoid products are sold and recognize that location and clustering does matter. At the same time, many of these products fall into legal gray areas. Unlike alcohol and tobacco, THCR, and other similar products do not have a clear statewide age restriction. Some companies actually volunteer and voluntarily label their products as 18 plus or 21 plus. Others do not. Many are packaged to look like energy drinks and alcoholic beverages and are easily placed near those items, sometimes without staff realizing that the age restriction should even apply. Because federal regulation has not kept kept paced, local action becomes necessary. Community cannot wait for federal guidance and must use local tools to protect our youth and our residents. Conditional use is a familiar and effective zoning tool. We already use it for alcohol sales and other high impact uses because it recognizes that location and context does matter. Conditional use allows for that case by case review um which makes decisions thoughtful not automatic and it creates a space for public input so that ra residents can raise concern and be part of that process. This also allows the county to apply location specific conditions um without creating a blanket ban and conditional use doesn't really shut doors it sets guard rails. This approach uh provides predictability for businesses while protecting community standards and public health. So Kershaw County has made meaningful investments in prevention, treatment, and recovery. And we work hard to

protect our youth, our families, and reduce substance related harm. And both zoning and point of sale protections are part of a larger system. But we can invest in recovery, recovery and prevention in one hand and ignore environmental exposure and access on the other. These ordinance align with community standards, support responsible growth planning, and provide those safeguard rails that protect residents today while remaining adaptive as new substances emerge. This isn't about being anti- business. It's about being intentional, informed, and proactive. Taken together, these they reflect today's realities and represent a practical step forward for Kershaw County. Again, this retail market is constantly changing and these ordinance recognize [clears throat] that reality. They provide reasonable and lawful guard rails that protect sensitive spaces while allowing the county to respond responsibly to emerging products. Their adoption and ordinance like it will ensure oversight, protect community health and safety, and give Kershaw County a clear and practical framework to move forward. I do thank you guys for your time.

Hello everyone. I'm Bethany Hardway. I'm a prevention specialist here with Alpha and I'm learning a lot just alongside you all about these substances and the harm that they're causing to our society, not only our community. So, like Lyanna mentioned, there's a lot of youth access. As you guys can see on the flyer, there's a lot of colorful imagery. There's a lot of youth marketing targeting youth similar to how the tobacco industry targets youth in their vape products and as Lyanna mentioned the legal consequences or the legal catching up of the law obviously um the legal field is having a hard time keeping up with some of these new products that are coming out because the second one is legal. It just changes the chemical compound and the age restrictions are also very hard to enforce. So, just to give a little bit of background, um, from the youth tobacco survey that is conducted every year in South Carolina, of the youth that reported using tobacco, almost 50% of those tobacco products were purchased from traditionally legal outfits. So, including 10% from gas stations, 26 from vape shops, and then 13% from another store type. With these considerations, especially the large percentage being from a vape shop and these obviously being illegal for youth to buy, it's very important to put guard rails on these substances, especially because we're having a hard time preventing their actual sales. So, the least we could do is put guard rails on their access to youth and strengthen those restrictions. Thank you so much for having us.

Thank you, Mara, Lyanna, and Bethany. Mr. Kato, you had the motion. I felt that this presentation tonight was very important after the opioid I I have the the pleasure of serving on the opioid abatement coalition council commission and we had a meeting back on December the 16th and this really opened my eyes for one solid hour. This was very a a a a very short presentation because of time restraints, but we we had one solid hour of presentations during this meeting. And if you could have heard that, you would have really seen why I wanted what a little bit was shared here tonight to be said. Um we had testimony from people that were trying to help people overcome addiction that um considered this to be a legal way to stay high. We had people that were accidentally overdosing on this type of stuff that was seeking medical attention um that could have very easily cost them their life. So, you know, I I was very I have to say even coming from a law enforcement background, 27 years, that this actually shocked me a little bit. This was so readily available in our stores. We had a um uh legislative breakfast at Alpha Center and and Councilman Brazwell uh actually went by the store and purchased some of this stuff just to show how easy it was and and how easy you could mistaken this for just some type of energy drink or strawberry lemonade drink and you'd never know what was in it. So I I thank the Alpha Center so much for coming out tonight and for giving us this presentation. I thought that it was very important based off the vote that we're going to take tonight. Um, and one last thing that wasn't mentioned tonight. One of these substances is actually being

produced and packaged in Fort Mill, South Carolina, less than an hour and what, 15 minutes from us. And when we know that we had a big round up, our sheriff's office and sled was involved and the sheriff's office has representation at these meetings and the city of Camden, I think Dave Miller and a couple others were there, uh, Chief Jack Rushing, and they told us that SLED and these these sheriff's offices from around the state collected 26 tractor trailer loads of this stuff. 26 tractor on one one seizure. that that that amazes me and it frightens me to know that our young people have access to this without sometimes even knowing what they what they're getting their hands on. I'm sorry for the for the long speech, but I thank you again for coming out and and doing this presentation.

Thank you, Mr. Kato. Mr. Browsley, you have the second, I believe.

Yes. Thank you, Chairman Danny. Thank you. And um thank you ladies. Thank you for the whirlwind of support and education that you have given us on these topics. Um, I know that this council and the Alpha Center together want nothing more than the health, wellness, and safety of children, middle-aged folks, and all generations. Because frankly, a lot of the people consuming some of these drinks and gummies are mistaking them for CBDs, and that's not what this is. Um, this is not granddad's marijuana. This is not weed that was purchased in 1973. This is a different animal completely. These drugs have been mutated, manipulated, and appropriately marketed towards our youth. And frankly, it ticks me off. It ticks me off to know that I've had friends suffer from these issues and that somebody's making a lot of money off of the downfall of of our society by letting this crap be sold in an unregulated fashion. Um, if it were up to me, it wouldn't exist. We're going to take every step towards keeping this off the streets, keeping it out of stores, and making sure that everybody understands exactly what it is and how it can harm them. So, I just really want to say thank you for everybody's support. Danny Kato, I couldn't thank you more. Mar, thank you so much ladies. This means so much to so many. Thank you very much.

Any other comments or discussion? Any questions? I have a question. I'll yield to Mr. Schumank for Mr. Schumank. Yeah, just briefly. Thanks you. Thanks again, Mara, and all you folks at the office center. Um, one thing I think is kind of interesting. Excuse [clears throat] me. A lot of folks ask, well, why can't we just make these things illegal? And something I think that a lot of people don't realize is like for example methamphetamine. We all know meth is illegal. But what methamphetamine is is C10H15N. That's the chemical compound, right? 15 atoms of carbon. I think see is carbon. I'm not great at chemistry. That's my sister-in-law. Are you making this? You you're getting ahead [laughter] of yourself.

But uh before I get ahead of my skis on that, if you change one atomic element to that, it becomes a different chemical formula. So the law says this chemical formula is illegal. What happens is people who are savvy enough with the chemistry can change the atomic uh compound. And so that chemical formula, because you have to make these things illegal, unless it's a natural grown thing like hemp that we can point to and we know it exists in nature, it's created in a lab. And so that's why the law enforcement is always playing catch-up with this because you can have synthetic marijuana, for example, which is a chemical formula that is different than the natural grown marijuana. You can have anything in there. And that's, you know, the the the common question is why can't we just make this illegal? Generally, law enforcement uh agencies go after the stuff once it's made illegal. But making it illegal is like a catch-up game. And that's part of the big issue in these is that they're all chemical stuff made in the lab. And it's hard to say anything with carbon in it is illegal, right? Anything with these formulas, these atoms are illegal. You can't do that. It has to be the specific formula. That's why when we talk about schedule one drugs, schedule two drugs, these schedules are written out with these specific chemical formulas. So, just kind of a little point of clarification because I get that question a lot.

So, thank you, Mr. Ch. Mr. Tucker. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, great presentation. Um, thank you ladies. Miss Mara, I only have one complaint. You were up here blowing Jimmy kisses and you never blew on any on this side. So, we're [clears throat] definitely jealous and feel less than, but [laughter] but I'm happy to see you uh ladies out tonight. And um I have a question and then I have a comment. So on your emerging drugs presentation, how does the public get this information? Um and how often is this given because this is too good of information not to get it out to our citizens as best we can.

Um so as Danny mentioned um at my coalition meeting, me and my um constituent uh Jessica Barry, she's the prevention director. We have a presentation that is really probably about an hour and a half long and I probably shoved it into an hour. Um, so trying to shove this into 10 or 15 minutes was a huge thing. That's why I made sure I got a flyer to kind of give you guys some visuals and some more information. Um, but you can definitely reach out to me um at the Alpha Center or Jessica Barry and we are happy to come and talk about all the things and go in depth into each one of these substances. Um, and as uh was mentioned, I actually just since I am up here, so every picture that is on that flyer, I either took myself or I have seen in Kershaw, Lee, or Chesterfield County since that is the counties that we serve. So, it's here.

Thank you. Um, so what I would like to do, u, Miss Jones, if possible, is get with you and see, you know, um, a lot of this information can be carried out throughout our, um, faith-based communities where we can set up in churches and teach folks and educate the community. And I would like to partner with you on that and making that happen because um,

this stuff with uh, all these energy drinks and it's like the internet. Internet's great, but it's got a lot of evil things that happens. And that guy or that gal that created the vape, I can choke them any day that I can put my hands on them for the simple fact I was at a Pittsburgh Steelers game two weeks ago when we won and we looked like garbage last night and we're out of the playoffs. That's a whole another story. And um they were smoking marijuana. I don't think there's nothing you can't smoke in a vape. And um I didn't get high, but I got very nauseous because as Councilman Browser say, I don't know where they grow it or where they buy it, but it ain't what I'm used to. Not that I took it before, BUT [laughter] now

Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. And I do want to make everyone speaking Mike, please. one. Miss Mara, Jimmy says you're not loud enough and you need to speak into the mic. That's acceptable for the people out there. Chairman Connell, I'll show you the respect. [laughter] Yes.

Um what I would say is it only one call to the Alpha Center. We it it fits everybody's budget for this presentation to be given because it is absolutely free. That is what we're here for. And um we're very fortunate because it like Elgen Town Council put it up on their website. the more places we can get it to because what I will tell you and um some of you heard it um right now we're detoxing people

and the um and JD Chaplain our one of our senators was talking about it's middleage white women that are being detoxed off of these drugs middle-aged white women. It was the how do you say it the keratin or Yeah, it's theratom cratom.

And um right now they've released state funds and individuals are taking these feeling like well I've got this anxiety cratom will reduce my anxiety and it's being sold as that. It's in a store so it must be safe. And he's exactly right. I've had two um individuals who are um I don't middle to upper income go through detox coming off. And if you've ever seen a mratum detox is pretty it it's not a pretty sight. It is very very painful um to come off of. And um no one again y'all have heard me say this. No one sits around in a kindergarten classroom and says, "I hope to grow up to be addicted to drugs, disappoint my family, and you know, be homeless and have a destructive life." No one does that. But life happens with a right or wrong. And this is just a doorway for those individuals who had no idea they were becoming addicted to become addicted. And so that presentation is free to anyone who would call. We love being in the faith-based community because the faith-based community sometimes does not want to look at what's really going on. Absolutely.

So, thank you. Thank you, Miss Jones. And my last comment is um Miss Jones, I know what's in your heart. I mean, that's why you're back here doing what you're doing, but you two young ladies um keep the passion and the love and the desire. I know it's your job and you get paid, but when you have the others, it makes it that much more easy to get up in the morning and do it. And you're serving a great cause. So, thank you and continue the rock stars that you are. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Tucker.

Thank you, Chairman. If is there any further discussion? If so, I'll need to see a motion to suspend our time requirement on public presentations. Any other comments or discussion? Everybody good? Okay. Thank you [clears throat] so much. No votes required. Appreciate y'all coming out tonight. Thank you, Mr. Kato. Mr. Mr. De Bose, next up on the agenda is public comments item number seven. Mr. Chair, no one has signed up tonight. Very rare. Interesting way to start off 2026. Everyone must have partied a little too hard over Christmas and New Year's. Everyone is happy with everything for now. They heard I was stepping down. You spoke too soon. We haven't done anything wrong in 2026 yet. Okay, moving on from public comments. This takes us to approval of minutes. Item number 8A. Is there a motion on the minutes? I'll make a motion to approve the minutes.

Mr. She may have a motion. Mr. Thomasson has a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote. All in favor, raise your hand on the minutes. Miss Hannah, for the record, it passes unanimously on the minutes. This takes us to uh discussion. Any particular update, Mr. Blanchard, before we move to a vote on discussion for 9A Pan Orchard?

Yeah. No, other than the fact that we have applied for all of the um different permits and we have gotten comments back from dees. We're working through those comments. We will resubmit by the end of the month. Uh and then we can start the progression of uh getting with utilities and things like that for uh the actual boots on ground. Okay. Thanks for that overview. Um Vice Chairman Russell put it on the agenda. We'll see what else the council wants to hear. Is there a motion? Yeah, I make a motion just uh for a brief discussion on that update. I just like to pencil in some dates. Is there a second? Mr. Tucker has a second. Mr. Brownley, you got the floor.

Thank you, chairman. Um, thank you for being here tonight and um, Godspeed to Danny and his family and and their loss. Um, appreciate you filling filling in and um, handling these situations. So, I'd just like especially for the residents of the Pecan Orchard, they would like to find out what the timeline looks like. I know um we can reference an email from August of 2025 in which um all of the residents received an update from administration stating that everything had been approved for the first portion of the work. Can you just help me briefly define what that portion looks like and when the start date should be?

Again, we've we've applied for all of the uh the permits for this uh for this project. We have broken the project down into multiple phases. Uh phase one is what we're focusing on right now. Uh permitting covers primarily the phase one aspect of things. Uh we did get, like I said, we did get some comments back. We're addressing those comments. The plan resubmitt to dees should be by the end of January. Uh we are also planning on having a utility meeting um to discuss the uh the water and the the fiber and things of that nature um the first week of February. Um anticipated dees approval after we finish these questions and get back with them uh is sometime mid-March. Um, so, uh, once we once we get to that point, uh, we are in the background doing the, uh, the bid documents and things like that to get them as soon as we get the permitting, we will get the bid documents out and then we should be able to move forward. [snorts]

So, we we thinking that we can get this bid by what, late March, 1 of April. Um, bid documents and plans for county um, advertisement end of March hopefully. Uh bid opening would be end of April because you have to have it the you know you have to have the package out for a while. Um council approval for whatever they come back with would be the month of May uh miday and then uh you're talking about a precon and then a groundbreaking sometime in June. Okay.

Very rough estimates because weather comes into play. There's so many different aspects that could set this off. And that phase one includes which roads and primarily Blackberry um Blackberry Place um going it's Blackberry going back into the Crab Apple area, but we've got two outfalls. Put a mic up. Pull your mic up to I can't Yeah. Sorry. We've got uh two outfalls um that are going to be on Blackberry that we have to uh to work through.

Okay. So, um, to keep it brief, I I just wanted to kind of highlight what we're doing, when we're doing it, to give the the residents an idea. If we could, um, at our next meeting, could we get a um a diagram that we could share with the residents and the public of what what this is going to look like for them? Absolutely. Yes, sir. Just maybe one of the engineering drawings or whatever we have available. Absolutely. All right. Thank you so much. Sure. Yes, sir. Mr. Mr. Tucker, you have the second.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. uh Gerald, can you also uh update us? Um I knew there's some correspondence that went back out to those residents in December and then after our finance meeting this month, uh y'all were supposed to do an update of updating those citizens out there. Again, I believe it was it was pretty much what was just contained in and [clears throat] that very high level, right? Because again, we are trying to really nail down these dates. Uh we want But that's gone out though, right? Correct. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Any other comments or discussion on this item? I think uh Mr. Tucker, you and Mr. Browser, the rest of you have done a good job to keep staying on it. Gerald, thank you. And so I have no comments.

Thank you, Mr. Jones. Seeing none others, uh with no votes required, so that will conclude this item. This moves us on to item number 9B. Any other highle update we need, Mr. Blanchard, before we move to a vote for discussion? Uh related to 9B.

9B. Yeah, Vincent Road. The um there there was some question exactly what um the discussion was going to be on with Vincent Road. Um so just went ahead and and uh just for everyone's background, Vincent Road is an approximately three mile road with six homes on it. Uh those six homes are located on the paved portion which is SC DOT uh maintained section of the road. The remainder of the road is primarily uh timber and and um some hunt properties. Uh we did have eight work orders uh in 2025 on that road. Uh everything from undersized pipe was replaced. Some safety issues with ditching was taken care of. Um approximate cost to the maintenance of that road was around 30,000 last year. Um

thanks for that overview. We we'll move to a motion in a second if there's any further discussion or questions. Is there a motion, Mr. Brazle, you placed on the agenda? Yeah, just again just a a brief synopsis. Um just a couple of quick questions. We got a motion. Is there a second? Absolutely. Second. Mr. Tucker has a second. Mr. Brazel.

So I know this was a a priority and and you are right. it is in a um an area where six homes and maybe some family farms exist. I think the sticking point for a few of the residents is that the road crosses into Lancaster County. So I'm not sure approximately how many miles are in Kershaw versus Lancaster, but um is it paved in Lancaster or is it just maintained differently? I'm not 100% sure. I believe it's I believe it's dirt all the way. The the remainder of the road.

The situation that and the concern that that's been brought to my attention is that it's gotten narrow and it needs some brush cutting. It needs to be opened up and of course it sounds like some ditching work has been done. I have not seen it since it's been worked on, but I have uh talked to some local residents and they just maybe feel like they they haven't had as much work done to it as they would like to. I know at the time there was a extraordinarily undersized pipe and there was a a beaver dam on either side of the road that was causing an issue, but whether we like it or not, it's our responsibility to make it passable and safe. So, I'd just like to mention the fact that we need to ensure the safety on that road and um I would expect that we could do a better job than Lancaster when it comes to um a level of quality. We we shouldn't we shouldn't be looked at as, you know, we're not doing as good a job as as our neighboring county.

Sure. Um and I think that was the point that the individual was trying to impress upon me. [snorts] Um, so you know, I don't know if there's any kind of co-op that we could talk with some folks in Lancaster if if they're up there working and if if we're doing some work, we can help one another um further collaborate like we've done with dees. But, you know, anything works um within legal limits. So, absolutely appreciate y'all's time. Yes, sir. Thank you.

Any other comments? Just want to I just want to clarify kind of what Gerald said. Uh I know last year I had some complaints also from some of the people that lived up in that area and mine in Russell's districts and and district doesn't matter. We we serve Kershaw County as Jimmy says many times. But Absolutely. But we we did put in a new pipe because the water was overflowing and we started the brush cutting and the cutter tore up. It was my understanding they were going to go back up there after the cutter was fixed and finished the the cutting. I I assume that did not happen at this point now, but um yeah, I I mean I know we've done some work up there, but I I too would like to see us finish the job. Yes, sir. Absolutely. Thank you, Dan.

Any other comments or discussion? Any questions? If not, the no votes required. This moves us on from item number 9B for discussion only and on to some ordinances that we have on the agenda. Um any highle summary that we need on 10A before we consider a motion? Mr. Blanchard. Absolutely. Um, members of council, what you have before you for first reading is a reszoning of 16.68 acres off Black River Road from RD1 to MRD1. Thank you, Mr. Blanchard. Do we have a motion on first reading on 10A? Like to make a motion for to approve first reading on 10A. Mr. Chairman,

we have a motion. Is there a second? Mr. Thompson has a second. Mr. Tucker.

Yes. Um so where this property happens to be um down off of uh Black River Road. Um there has been some reasonzoning in that area in the past, Gerald, if I'm not mistaken. [snorts] And um this family is trying to set up where they can uh get their kids um to be able to put some marginal homes um in the area. and the land adjacent to and across from is zoned um in that fashion, but the piece that they want to which is their land want to um to build on is not. And so this would just bring it into compliance as the rest of them. And uh it came out of planning and zoning with um with the approval of us reszoning it. And I'm again I ask for your support and I'm very familiar with the land because across the street is my church and we do not have any objections on these.

Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Mr. No comments.

Okay. Any other comments, questions? I I would just note, you know, one of my things on these resonings is always whether or not we're going to impact density, make things more dense. And I would notice this particular zoning does not appear to do that. If you look at the uses as well allowed, it doesn't really have a massive expansion of the uses allowed beyond the the mobile home addition. So, you know, for example, zoos and botanical gardens were in the existing one, they would still be allowed in the new one. So, I think for that reason, I'm going to support it. But I just wanted to point that out that we're not making this, as we all know, when we reszone, we reszone forever. So, [clears throat] even if this family moves, someone who moves there later could do whatever they wanted with the property. That's why I'm lyer to resone anything more dense, but this doesn't do that. Correct.

Thank you, Mr. Shoemake. Any other questions, comments? Mr. Jones, please. Well, I look at this I will say thank you to you guys bringing this before us because I look at this as deregulation. so many rules and order and things we have on the books and uh you know where I stand when it comes to being somewhat lenient with the folks using their land for what they want it to. So, thank y'all for bringing that before us. And I would like to point out, Mr. Chairman, too, the families out there. I couldn't see because I'm short stature, but they're sitting out there [clears throat] waving their hands, the Wade family. We have Councilman John Well sitting out there, too. Yes, sir. He is. I could see him. He's about 9 foot. [laughter]

Thank you'all for being here tonight. Any other comments or questions? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote. This is on first reading for 10A. All in favor, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, it is unanimous in favor and passes on first reading. That's 10A. Chairman, I know I stepped out, but I was familiar with the uh the the request to vote. So, I voted in favor of as well. You didn't miss much. M Mr. Chairman, can I make one comment just for the family, so because they're not very familiar with going through? Sure. Before we get to B. Yeah. So you have two more of these um before that you could uh be uh granted the permission. So you can come back in two more weeks and then two more weeks after that. So just watch the agenda and I'll keep you informed as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Tucker. And y'all are welcome to stay the rest of the meeting if you'd like to, but if you need to take off, we totally understand. People often wait for their agenda items uh and then have to leave and attend to other business or family matters. All right, gentlemen. That takes us to item number 10B. Mr. Blanchard, any high level summary before we consider a motion?

Uh, yes sir. Um, what you have before you first reading is an ordinance to restate and amend regulations and restrictions for the use of boat ramps in Kershaw County to establish and also to establish penalties and for violations. Back last summer, Duke approached the county regarding uh some uh inappropriate uses of their boat ramps in surrounding counties and in our county, and they just wanted to see what we could do to help. Um, this has been drafted to reflect uh penalties if convicted of a it would be a misdemeanor not to exceed $500 or imprisonment not to be uh greater than 30 days. Thank you, Mr. Blancher. Do we have a motion?

Second. Do we have a motion? Make a motion to approve. Mr. Tucker has a motion. Sorry. I thought had a motion. Sorry. M has a second. I was reading. Um I do recall Duke coming and asking you about this and speaking about it in detail. Mr. Tucker, you have the motion. Yes, sir. Give me some clarification. Mr. Tucker. Mr. Tucker, you have the floor. Oh, go ahead. Um I have no no further to discuss. Um I think Gerald's already said it. I'm sorry. Okay. Mr. Shumake, you have the second. Mr. Jones, you asked for what exactly is going on? Um, actually it's it's some of the concerns are like sleeping in vehicles, camping, uh, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, things like that,

stuff that normal people wouldn't do. Some some of the things I'll just grab the floor real quick. Some of the things that you would see at the tail race that disappoint us and trying to clean up that area. Um whenever we're thinking about, you know, yak the river or other things that feature um the watery [clears throat] river in a beautiful way. Sure. People behave in ways [laughter] after maybe after they start drinking a little bit too much. I told my wife we can't be doing that. Yeah. Where they just trash it up [laughter] and so this is good stuff. Yeah. We we don't want to and we're trying to increase the enforcement mechanisms to make sure people don't do that. Gotcha. To these public assets. Any other comments or questions? All right. We're on 10B first reading. See, no comments. One, one minor question. Um,

nothing in here makes it necessary for us to lock the park, does it? We're we're back open at Veterans Park as far as the boat ramp's concerned 24/7. Correct. Yes, sir. Okay. I just I I read over it. I just wanted to ask that question to be 100% sure. Good job, Gerald. Any other comments or questions? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote on first reading. This is 10B. All in favor, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, it's unanimous and passes on first reading. That's 10B. Item number 10 C. Mr. Blanchard, do you have a high level summary for us before we consider a motion?

Um, this will be a first reading of an ordinance to prohibit the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide andratom to miners in Kershaw County. This also establishes retail display and labeling requirements with provisions for enforcement and penalties for violations. Thank you for the summary. Do we have a motion? Make a motion. We accept this or this ordinance. Okay. Um, Mr. Kato has a motion. We have a second. I'd like to make the second. Mr. Brownzel has a second. Mr. Kato. You have the floor. I think there's been plenty said tonight as to why we need to accept this ordinance. I don't think that I need to go in any further detail, but I ask my colleagues to also um support this first reading.

Thank you, Mr. Kater. Mr. Brazzle, you have the second. I'd like to thank Councilman Kato for his his work on the uh opioid council and um addressing all of these products. This is a this is a big deal. This is a major problem and 110% has my support and any assistance that I may uh give, I'm here to help. Amen.

Thank you, Mr. Basel. Any other comments or questions? See none. I I have one um for the county attorney. You don't necessarily have to give us legal advice and I'm not seeking a legal uh executive session on this, but just projecting forward. We don't often have um on our agenda regulations related to retail display and labeling requirements. And so I just want to make sure that as a as a progyny or baby of the state here as a county, we're a creation of the state. I want to make sure as written from what you understand from other counties and any litigation you've seen or that might be bubbling up right now that we wouldn't be overstepping any of our bounds and requiring some of these restrictions and that they wouldn't conflict with what uh the state has jurisdiction over above us.

Yeah, I won't appine on the fly, but um feel confident in the ordinance, but we'll certainly triple and quadruple check it. Okay, thank you. Any other comments or questions? Okay, we'll move it to a vote. All in favor of first reading on 10 C, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, it passes unanimously. In favor on 10 C. That moves us to item number 10D. It's a second reading. Mr. Blanchard, do you have a high level summary for us?

Yes, sir. Second reading, reszoning of 4.18 acres on Bullwear Road uh from GD to B2 to align with adjacent properties. Um, no changes since first reading. I remember this was a downzoning. Um, we have Mr. Wells stepping up. We'll see whether or not we need you, but glad for your service in the past and how you serve Elgen. Now, do we have a motion? I'll make a motion. Mr. Schumake has a motion. Is there a second? We have a second. Mr. Schumake. Yeah, I think we discussed this last time. It's a down zone and I think Mr. Wells answered all our questions pretty adequately last time. And I also concur with the chairman. Thank you for your past service on this council and your current service to the county. Mr. Tucker, I think you had the second. Yes, sir.

Okay. No other comment. Any other questions, comments? I'm good. Seeing none on second reading, then we'll move it to a vote. All in favor on 10D, raise your hand. Just stay the public. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Wells. Passes on second reading unless 12 years together. 12 years together and you both survived that somehow. You loved every year of it. [laughter] All right, that moves us to the last ordinance that we have on the agenda. This is a second reading on 10E. Mr. Blanchard.

Correct. Uh second reading uh before you tonight uh proposed ordinance to establish regulations for operating golf carts within Kershaw County pursuant to section 52-2-90 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Um 56-2-90 allows local jurisdictions to set hours and locations of golf cart operations on roadways where speed limits are 35 or less. If operated after dark, operating lights must be in place. Thank you. No changes since first vote. Sorry. Thank you, Mr. Blancher. No other recent developments or anything. Do we have a motion here? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion. Mr. Thompson has a motion. Is there a second? I'll second.

Mr. Kato has a second. Mr. Thompson, you got the floor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I'll be brief, but there's nothing changed since last time. We had a decent discussion um over this ordinance last time. But what it does is last year South Carolina legislature passed a law that of golf cart operations um at the state level. This is just expanding upon that um as all the safety measures are in place. This allows golf carts to be operated after dark um with all safety measures in place as long as the state uh law is met. So that's all it does just expand operations after dark. Okay. Thank you very much, Mr. Tomlinson. Uh, Mr. Kato, no comment. Okay. Any other questions or comments on 10?

I have some, [clears throat] but I'll deal mine with Mr. Thomasson later because I had some concerns from last time, but I'll do that offline. All right, sounds good. Any other questions or comments before we move to a vote on second reading? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote. All in favor on 10E. Miss Hannah, it is unanimous in favor and passes on second reading. That's 10 E. All right. Uh, the resolution was previously taken care of in the meeting. This moves us to item number 12A, new business, adoption of General Pullbar Engineering, uh, permanent discussion and I think possible vote. Um, placed on the agenda by Vice Chairman Russell Razzle. Is there a motion? I'll make a motion for the discussion. I don't know what the vote is, so my motion will be for the discussion.

Okay, we have a motion for discussion. Is there a second? Well, I guess I'll make a second then. Okay, there's a second. Mr. Schumank, you defer. I'm not really sure. I just know Councilman Brazzle wanted to discuss it, so I wanted to make that motion for his benefit and turn the floor over to him. Mr. Brazzle,

thank you. Thank you very much. Um, so [clears throat] Chairman Connell and and myself and others have had um people contact us regarding trying to simply build a a pole barn in Kershaw County and how that's become so difficult. We were frankly um unsure, but I think Sam Gau has a solution for us tonight. Sam, can you present that solution, sir? Sure.

So, at your guys uh instruction, I met with a uh engineer last part of November of last year, and we discussed what was needed to get a one-sizefits approach to residential pole barns. Uh, in order to do that, um, we're going to he's going to put together a drawing. [clears throat] Um, we will make something that is presentable to the public in like say a packet that's easy to understand, send it back to him for his final approval and with your guys approval and payment, it'll be an annual renewal that will take place. So, as as I understood it, I remember 20 years ago, you could walk in and for 50 bucks, you could you could build a barn. Now, [snorts] barnaminiums have become popular and you didn't have the the tools in your bag essentially to to be able to issue it without an engineering oversight. Is that correct? The the permit, you couldn't issue a a a pole barn permit without an engineer's stamp drawing or a letter

today or today.

Today. Today. uh because a pole barn is not covered in the books that we have. It has to be designed by an engineer. So, for example, when you build a house and a stick built, all of that's within our books and we can judge it. Um I really don't need anything but maybe a floor plan for a simple house and our guys can go in and go from the ground up and tell you everything needs to be done to it. But a pole barn's completely different. Um there's different types. Some have walls which are called lateral bracing. Some of them are just on posts uh with no walls. It's up to an engineer to tell me how deep the hole needs to be, how far apart you can space your post, what size posts you need. There's a good bit that goes into it. So, because that information is in our books, we have no way of judging it other than an engineer's design. So, this would this would simplify the the building process and like you said, be a most size fits most approach to a simple pole barn.

It would not include barnaminiums which would be a home. Correct. Uh it would not include uh agricultural buildings which do not require the drawings to start. They're exempt. And it'll be around I think he said the building size would be like 30 by 40 would be the maximum size. Okay. Would you be able to extend the length? Could he if if you if it needed to be 30 by 60 or per

perhaps it'll it'll just depend on what his drawings say. I've also asked that uh if we do do this, he gives me the ability without fee to give him calls occasionally in regards to things like uh let's say that your hole needs to be 48 in deep. Well, at 38 or 30 inches, there's a big rock that we just can't get rid of. How do we work around that? and he'd come up with some type of plan that says, "Well, it's okay to put it at 30 for just that one pole or fill it in with concrete, whatever he recommends." So, we know somebody's going to end up needing one that's 40 or or 50 or 60 foot. Um, could we do it? And could he offer it in an expandable fashion?

I'll have to ask and find out. Yeah. So, that's what I'd like to do. I'd like to try to cover all bases. Uh, if we're going to do this, I think it's a good idea. I think it'll simplify things. Would you offer a pole barn permit with a fee structure that was say if you had a set of engineered drawings, the fee is one thing and if you use the county's drawings, it's a little more because you're getting a prepaid engineered fee. How would you how would you structure your fees?

Fees are generally up to you guys, but I understand where you're getting. Like for example, there is one company that has a uh engineer on staff. So, you're saying we would not charge them the additional an additional fee where if you use our plans, we charge more. Well, it seems to to make sense and and it wouldn't have to be a lot more, but it would it would it would keep them from having to hire an engineer and spend anywhere from three thou 300 to $3,000 because an engineer charges what you know, whatever they they like to. Um, I know I I had to do an extension on a dock and it cost me $2,500. Okay.

Um for a very simple extension and it took me about three and a half four months to get the permit pulled and that was not here for the record. Um but I I thought boy this is a lot for a little and I think that's probably the same thought process with these pole barns is how do we simplify it for builders, homeowners? Um, and if if you have to spend a a little more money to get the pre-engineered fee, I think that's reasonable. Uh, we can work through that in the budget. But is as far as you having a solution, um, do do we have a annual cost associated with that?

$8,500. So, for $8,500, um, would it be relevant to say 75 to 80% of pole barns would likely be covered for those that need uh engineering drawings? Yes. Okay. Well, I I think it's I think it's smart to get ahead of things and I think we can recoup to a break even point and be fair to everyone involved and just streamline the process because I do know that there are there's a a church that's waiting and has wanted to have this done, but they they just trying to get everybody on the same page to to get the engineering done. They could have they could have built this would not help a church.

Well, no, there was a church that wanted a pole barn. Okay. But but this would not help a church. This would be residential structures only. It would only be residential structures. So, because it was on a piece of property that was owned by a church, would that matter? That would be commercial property. Is there a way to generalize it for either or? We can. I would not be willing to I wouldn't don't want to take on any liability with it.

Well, the liability would be on the engineer, right? That's the reason for the engineer drawing. If the engineer would agree to allow it for commercial use, sure. But if it's up to me, I'm not going to accept anything that's not drawn up commercial wise if it's not drawn up by an engineer. Okay. Well, let's see if we can get a religious exemption. And that that would be up to us, I would think, as long as it's not beyond the scope. Same type structure. It's a pole barn. If somebody wants a pole barn for a picnic shed at a church, it's not going to be built any different. It depends on the use. So, right,

if it's an assembly, uh it's going to be have to have to be drawn by a design professional on a construction level per state law. I get that. So, there's no way around around it. I'm sorry. If they're using it as an assembly, like you go outside for sunrise service on Easter Sunday and they're using that building as an assembly, you're not going to get around it as state law that a design professional will have to design that building. Well, at least we would have someone to reach out to to say, "Hey, we can connect you to this person to to modify this." Yes, we would have that. The design professional would have to draw specific

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. At this point, you could refer them to our design professional. Sure. Okay, that that works. I'm just looking for solutions and taking away roadblocks. That's it. All [clears throat] right, perfect. I'm good with it. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? I do. Mr. K, a couple question. one. Would this what would this would this include the metal sheds that you buy and have put up in your yard such as uh carports, what we call square two construction.

The company that you purchase it from will provide you with an engineered set of plans when you purchase your building. So, it's not like you have to go find an engineer. um they already had those plans drawn up for you when you purchased the building. And you said earlier something about $8,500. So what would it So let's hypothetically say that we had this in in place and I wanted to build a 24 by 30 pole building. Okay. What would my initial cost be to get started on my pole building through the county? It would just be your standard permit fees.

Just the standard permit fees that would include the engineering. Well, Mr. Brazzle, I believe, stated that he would like to add a certain fee if you use our plans. Was that correct? Well, it'd be up to this council. It's just a thought. Yes, I would. I'm you know, people pay enough in taxes as it is, but if if you're it's just a whole another discussion, I think I think that's something we can discuss once we get to budget. Moving forward from this particular item, I think it'd be useful for us to know for next time, Gerald. um if you can get from staff and otherwise how many poleb barn applications came in last year so we can look at the economics of it versus 85 how many how many were last year

that that information was included in an email I sent you uh towards the end of the year just what is the number again because I didn't know about 8500 then let's see 26 we had 26 total accessory pole buildings all right so hypothetic oh sorry go ahead of the 26 12 of those were agriculturally exempt. So, they didn't need anything. So, 12 to 14 or so. 14. Um, okay. So, we're looking at spreading $8,500 over 10 of those were done by a specific

pole building company that has an engineer on staff and that left us with what uh I think it was 14 total. Okay. So, so really I think what we're looking at gentlemen is if it if it is that number that occurs regularly for applications that are non-exempt, non-aggricultural, but but non-b businessiness also non-commercial. So, it's a primary use four to5 to $600 that the county would assess as an additional fee to cover the 8,500 roughly. We'd have to look at the arithmetic based on applications. Does that make sense to make it easier for people to not to have to pay $2,500 or $3,500?

The the gentleman who draws There is a a gentleman in town who the primary thing he builds is pole buildings and he uses this engineer that I've spoken with and the general cost is around $350 for the plans. But we can't steer everybody to him. That that'd be interesting. [laughter] No, we can't. Yeah. So that I mean like that's the whole reason why like we've had one somebody that has asked repeatedly to do something and I didn't I didn't know that there was somebody that would do it for that amount of money. We need to make an amendment to this. I know there there's no uh there's no vote required. Jimmy that's right.

I've also talked to somebody that said they were $3,000 in in design fees. So, I'm I'm thankful for that person, whoever that person is, and I want to keep that person's name out of it right this minute. Um, if I don't I don't know that a government agency can refer people to to other people for a small I think that's highly illegal. So, I think the best thing for us to do is is maybe say it's $350 additional plus the you know the existing fee. What's the existing fee for the permit? Yep. It's going to depend on the price of the permit. I'm sorry, how much it costs to build the structure.

Okay. So, so if there's a $350 adder, I think that's good. I'm happy with the situation. I'd like to move forward. I we can we can noodle through it and figure everything out in the in the coming uh months and I appreciate the the work. So, this is my suggestion. Um maybe let's get a draft form of an ordinance that we consider and see if we want to put it on the agenda if we can shape it up. if you could update the email to us with the $8,500 and any other caveats that the uh the engineer Yes, sir. I forwarded the email to everyone this morning. Oh, I'm sorry. I haven't seen it yet for some reason. Sorry. Miss Miss Hannah was stacking me up with other emails. Would you rather send things to your law firm email or the one through the No, no, the county email is fine.

It went through the county email. Okay. Well, then I'll double check that. Um and then let's review and kind of reconvene. We can talk behind the scenes and see if this makes sense to go forward. we can we can get an ordinance put together with a fee that's reasonable that saves people time and money because I don't think everybody knows where a $350 engineer is. I certainly didn't when I just needed to build a small walkway. Um so I think this that would have been heaven for me in in my situation which is similar but different. So thank you Sam. Appreciate it. Um, I'd like to ask John Deose to um, let's move in that direction towards making life simpler here in Kershaw County. Any other comments or questions? Yes, I have a question.

Mr. Jones, Sam, are you candid Julian GS? No, sir. I'm not. Okay. I know who you're speaking of. He was a longtime friend of mine years ago with county. Thank Well, thank you. All right. Thank you, sir. Thank you'all. No votes required. That takes us to item number 12B, finance committee update. Mr. Tucker. You have a motion, sir. Um, like to make a motion that um I give you an update from the finance committee meeting uh for December 19th, 2025 and January 9th of 25. [laughter] Got a motion. Is there a second? Second. Got a second. Mr. [clears throat] Tucker.

Right. Some of this has been discussed already, so we won't go back over it. Like the Pecan Orchard, you've got that update. Um my colleagues, I want to thank um Councilman um Thomasson and Councilman Shemate uh for making themselves available. And of course staff couldn't do this without you. So thank you very much. Um wanted to put on your radar. Nothing we need to take a vote on or do, but um there's going to be some sewer projects that's going to come up from staff um as we continue to dive into uh some of the issues that we're having. And I'm not talking about with our second loop um that we just put in. U for the ones who's been here um since Bethuso like Jimmy and myself. Um we've got an aging sewer system and um we were briefed on that uh this month last week uh through staff. So there's going to be some opportunities for us to take care of some things that we need to take care of to make sure we don't have any liability risk at um in our sewer system. And I'm not talking about the plant. talking about the lines. So, just want to make you aware of that and we will be bringing that back up uh before council. Um we had a great presentation on the storm water. Um Jonathan did an excellent job and so did staff and um they have um been working very hard. We would like to uh do a presentation for the full council during one of our workshops and staff is going to recommend which one and see where that fits in because we have a little bit of leadway or um um space in between those dates that the chairman is going to bring up to your attention later on. And then um also

is this money budgeted already or next?

Yes, sir. And that's what I'm going to say. also all the monies that they're needing for um the storm water um commission ad hoc and projects uh they're fine. It's already in the budget. But um I the finance committee thought it would be great uh sometime before we get too far into this process is to make sure council's brief on what they're doing. So with that being said, we'll try to put that together and bring it before you. The um other thing that we're looking at um and I don't want to get too deep in the woods, but um was brought to our attention and we've got to do some amendments and our ordinance is with our um solid waste fees for RV parks. And that's all I can really give you at this point because we're waiting for staff to bring us back some recommendations on um the changes that needs to be so we won't be um in a predicament where our [clears throat] citizens are being double um

double increase or decrease in regulation. This will be a decrease. Okay, good. This this this will be to the good of the citizen. Um colleagues uh from finance committee, anything you have or anything that I leave off? No. All good like to say all good on my end. Thank you. Okay. Uh thank you again. Uh like I said, the chairman will go over some dates for you uh further down the agenda. And I want to just say thanks to my my team and to my colleagues and staff. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Any other comments or questions on finance committee update? Seeing none, no votes required. We'll move on. Uh this will require a vote. This is 12C. placed on the agenda the county council budget work session and budget retreat dates. Um I make a motion that we accept and approve these dates as proposed for meetings coming up and uh we'll allow the attorney to say whether or not additional public notice is required. There's a [clears throat] motion. Is there a second? Second.

We have a second. These dates have been included in the packet for finance committee workshops and budget retreat. Of course the workshops um any of us are welcome to attend. We also have the budget retreat coming up and we'll have some other budget work sessions I anticipate, but the dates are self-explanatory. I know we all have life, we all have uh work in some way, and some of us won't be able to make some of these meetings coming up, but we'll do our best. Any comments or questions regarding these dates? Mr. Tucker.

Yes, sir. If I could add, Mr. chairman. Um, and you're absolutely right on the budget workshops, but it is very very uh important that you do make the retreat. The retreat is going to be done a little different and in-house this year. I want to put out and it's very important to have your input because staff needs a a plan, a map, a uh our vision on where to go. And if you're not there, you're not able to give your input. So, please, please, please mark this date on your calendar and try to attend. and um and I hope to see all of you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Any other comments or questions on the motion? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote. All in favor on 12C, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, it's unanimous in favor on 12 C. The dates pass. That takes us to 13A, appointments, planning commission. Uh Councilman Tucker, man. Oh, man. Okay. Um, yep. Mr. uh, chairman, I would like to make a motion that we reappoint Mr. Robert Horton from District 2. That's my motion. We got a motion. Is there a second? Second. We have a second. Mr. Shoemake, Mr. Tucker.

Yes, sir. Um, I had the opportunity to spoke to speak with Mr. Horton today and unfortunately he had um other obligations that he could not reschedule or cancel but he is very helpful and thankful to be reappointed and he has already served a term here. Um Mr. Horton uh does a good job on the planning commission about being open-minded, very reasonable and compromising and um I think he's a great representation for not only district 2 but for Kershaw County. Thank you Mr. Tucker. Mr. Sheamck I think you had the second. No. Uh, Robert's wonderful. He's also been helping out on the Smart Growth Committee, so happy to have him aboard. Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments or questions on 13A?

Just I think we're very fortunate to have him and I I appreciate him willing to serve again. Yes, sir. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote on 13A. All in favor, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, it's unanimous and passes in favor. [clears throat] Mr. Horton is reappointed. Thank you, Robert. Item number 13B is by way of update. Um, I placed it on the agenda. I'll make a motion that we get an update on the board of zoning appeals. Is there a second? We got a second for Mr. Kato. Um, Miss Hannah is most familiar with the timeline and vacancies, but I'll look to Mr. Blanchard first. Do we have any update or you want to defer to Miss Hannah?

Defer. [laughter] Defer. Miss Hannah. This is really just to let council know since since we've got it on the table. That's right. Um for for future appointments, I think we had two or three vacancies on BZA. Is that right? Okay. And if you don't have it at your fingertips, if you just please email the council members so they can be looking and know. But is it two or three that we have right now?

It's two. Okay. So, if you'd email the council members, I just want to make sure that they get a full body. I know a lot of stuff happens over the holidays, but we need to get that one filled back up. They do some important work. Any other comments or questions on the BZA update? Seeing none, no votes required. It's just for update only. Um, I was informed by Mr. Brazzle that we no longer need 14A. So, there would be no motion. Is that correct, Mr. Brazzle? Yes. No motion. We we took care of that with the proclamation. Thank you.

Okay. That moves us to item number 15, council member briefings. Mr. Kato. I'm going to be short and sweet. Um, first, um, my condolences go out to Danny, our our county administrator, Danny Templar, and his entire family on the loss of his mother. Our thoughts and prayers are are with you, Danny, and your entire family. and uh we look forward to getting you back, but take time and and uh grieve and we will we will get back to work when you get back to work with you.

On a lighter note, happy birthday, Miss Hannah. [laughter] Happy birthday. Yeah, [applause]

I would sing. Of course, you might want me to cuz it' end this meeting real quick, [laughter] but I'll I'll pass on that due to time restraints. But, um, lastly, Jimmy, uh, thank you for your service. You ain't left yet, but, you know, to say that you've been here 20 years serving or will be 20 years the end of this year says a lot. I mean, because people don't realize I I'll tell you, I've been in community service since I was about 17 years old. Started with a fire department, rescue squad. People do not realize what it takes to be part of community service and serving the public because you can't make everybody happy. You can't do it. So, I thank you for what you've done. We don't always see eye to eye. We butttheads sometimes, but that's part of it. We ain't supposed to we ain't supposed to always think alike, but um thank you. Thank you for service.

Thank you, Mr. Kato. Mr. Tomlinson, Mr. Chairman, and

on that Miss Hannah birthday info as we look good and make us all look bad. So, happy happy birthday, [laughter] Miss Hannah. Um repping College of Charleston, my daughter's new school starting in August. So, uh go Cougars. Um quick update on the Smart Growth Committee. We've had a number of meetings. Uh we've got another one coming up I think on the 20th, but it'll be uh a Thursday coming up. We're working hard. Vice Chairman Brazzle was in our last meeting. At this point, we're just kind of figuring out how to triage everything. Um I think I saw Zach in earlier, but u we have Zack Hoover helping us out and doing great stuff. We got the consultants coming in next month and we're making good progress. I'll have a more thorough update uh in a month or so, but I just wanted to give a heads up that that work is being done on a regular basis. And I want to thank every member of the Smart Growth Committee uh for showing up and having some really spirited debates that are very helpful for the county. Obviously, uh my prayers also go out to Danny um lost his mother. I know he's been dealing with a lot of her health has been poor the last several weeks and he's been dealing with a lot. So, um well, [clears throat] uh you know, hope he can come back when he feels ready. And again, I just, you know, my prayers go out to the whole family. Um, at that funeral, uh, many of the members of council came, many other elected officials came, and I, you know, I think what makes this county unique, and we've talked about this before, is, you know, we all sort of sat together and, you know, we joked around, we didn't discuss business, but, you know, we joked around and stuff, and I think it's, it says something that we get up here and we argue sometimes. I don't think there's any two of us that haven't had a spirit of debate in public and certainly in private, but we respect one another and when we go to an event like that, we talk to each other. You go to some county governments and if they're not on the dis, those guys won't even spend, you know, within 10 ft of each other. And the fact that we go to each other's homes, we know each other's cell phone numbers and we use them and we speak regularly not just about county business, but just about checking up on

people. Um, I think that says a lot. And so, so Jimmy, I'm going to miss uh having you up here next year. I'm looking forward to the next year of uh very spirited debates, but I appreciate your service, man. Like, like Danny said, 20 years is absolutely nothing to sneeze at. I mean, that's an entire second career that you've done. And um you know, earned the right to hold your head high and, you know, again, appreciate all that you've done for the county and and the service and again, look forward to our next year of jousting and debating. Thank you. [clears throat] Thank you, Mr. Shemake. Mr. Tucker.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um my um prayers and thoughts and condolences goes out as well to the Templar family and um what an awesome homecoming homegoing it was today uh to be able to uh share with the Temper family and um we wish them speedy healing uh as they grieve in the way that they want to and need to because all of you who have experienced it, I see some heads nodding out there in that aisle uh have lost some loved ones and there's no book, there's no pattern, there's no time frame for you to grieve the way that you need to grieve. So, um we we wish him nothing but um speedy recovery from there. I also want to uh let you know that um [clears throat] we had an opportunity last week, myself and the um county attorney to set out and talk about and we will be having a meeting on the 208 water quality with staff on the 15th which will be this Thursday I believe around 300 p.m. So we'll be we'll be talking about that. um so we can get back with the uh delegation from the cog here that represents Kershaw County and also to uh get with our partners. Um I want to say to uh Russell and uh anyone else sitting on his dis and staff uh thanks for um partnering with dees I think this can be a great opportunity for us to be a beacon to the state for other counties to do the same. Um but let's also make sure we get it right. We don't want to I always tell people you don't want to be the first and the worst. Okay. So, let's not let's not do that. But, um I'm looking forward to that. Um Gerald and Lauren, thank you. It's It's been a ride. And I say that

with nothing but respect and love and dignity for you. And sorry, but I'm getting choked up because I know I have leaned on you guys. I know this council has leaned on you and um needed your help, your your your your guidance and your support and keeping this county moving in the right direction as we all were going through uh the pain of watching loved ones uh move on and get their wings and giving people the quality time that they need. and and I just want to say um from me, thank you because I know it's been a lot of late nights, early mornings cuz I've been a part of those conversations and I know it's been times you like what in the devil am I doing? Um you know this is a lot but you've mustered and uh you've pulled through and you've shined just as bright as you can shine and we say I say thank you and keep up the good work. Thank you.

Uh, Miss Hannah, that was probably the best kept secret. And [laughter] that joker next to me on the left over here gets no credit about keeping it from the rest of us because [laughter] I've seen you two or three times a day. At least could have hugged you and tell you happy birthday. So, I kind of feel kind of sad that I didn't get a chance to hug you, but happy birthday. We're wishing you many more. May God continue to bless you and your family. And um, Mr. Jones, Mr. 47 years man of public service. Um I'm not going to give you all your kudos and goodbyes tonight, but um I appreciate your your statement you made earlier today in announcing and giving people the adequate time to for the ones that wish to serve to think about it, talk with their families, their supporters, and um to decide whether they want to do this or not. Um Councilman Kato said it best. Um, it's kind of like, you know, everybody, Mike Tyson, I'm gonna have to say, quote him, everybody can fight till you get punched in the face. You sit up here and your life changes. And I'm not going to tell you it's all all bad, but it changes. And you have to be equipped, and ready to battle when it's time to battle. You have to be patient, kind, and compassionate, and sympathetic when it's time to be. There's a lot of hats you have to wear up here. So, this doesn't fit everybody in the world, and it shouldn't. But I hope that in the process, Mr. Jones, that someone in your district uh who's willing to come up here and be as passionate as you, maybe they don't have to be as wrong as you are always, but um they can be as passionate as you um and serve at least half of what you have given to this county. So, thank you for your service.

Thank you, Vice Chair. That concludes my report. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Brazzle. Sammy, you missed one. I'm gonna speak for myself. I'm hard-headed. [laughter] That's another thing that you have to be to sit up here. I miss one.

Yeah, you definitely miss one. Um I think it was really neat that we had DNR in here earlier. Um it was cool to um see an old friend after so long unexpectedly. Um it's a fun thing about having a variety in life. Um, and and the one thing that I do love about serving this county and and our state is that if you if you're born and raised here, odds are you're going to run into somebody that you've known in in years gone by, especially as as you get a little bit of age and time moves on. Um, so that was really neat to get to see Eric Martin here with DNR. Uh, Brandt, thank you so much for for having them here and that was cool. what what y'all were able to do at the Lynch's River. Um, I'd like to say thank you to the Alpha Center and uh Danny Kato. I think there many of us that are pretty passionate about the health and welfare and and safety of of kids and um again people of all ages. So that was really important to me and I just appreciate the whirlwind of support. Um, Councilman Jones, thank you for um, training me how to how to sit at this dis. The toughest man I've ever faced in my life sitting on that far end. And I'm going to tell you, we've become really good friends. And I I want to say that for the record and and and for eternity. Jimmy Jones and I buted heads as hard as anybody I have ever fought with in my life. And that was pretty uh prevalent in the first two years that I sat on this council. But I can tell you right now, I can pick the phone up and call him and at any time he's going to answer

and we're going to talk. We're going to have meaningful conversation that's way beyond politics. And Jimmy, I'm better for having known you and I'm better for uh being tuned up just a little bit by you over the years. And I mean that in the most sincere regard. Um, Jimmy doesn't play. [laughter] At least you didn't throw that water bottle at me that night. Well, you still got a year. Remember? I do. But you still got a year.

20 years of of of giving up free time to to work through county issues and and serve constituents and answer phone calls. That's that's meaningful. And Councilman Tucker, I know you you've done it as well. Um, so it's hard to believe I'm going into year six. And Ben, you as well. You you've been in public service for what, eight years now? 10. 10.

That's that's hard to believe, but um very uh very glad to be a part of of making Kershaw County a better place to live. So, Jimmy, glad to share this last year with you as we go into 2026 in your last year on council. A lot of respect. So, um, attending Danny's uh, mother's funeral was obviously touching and Danny, I could tell, really appreciated everybody's prayers, support, text, phone calls. Um, he he told me that we have all been amazing. I think were his words and I said, "Well, I don't know that I've been amazing, but hopefully um he has felt the love from from this council, which I think so long as we're human, I think that's a wonderful thing to support somebody in their time of need. Um we we'll always have ups and downs in life. So, um I know Jimmy, there's also other people. I think probably due to the fact that you're giving it up this year, you'll probably see other people retire this year saying, "Well, if Councilman Jones isn't there, I don't really need to do my job anymore." And and and there I think there's some people that hung in just for this last year. And we'll we'll see how that how that pans out. But um I say that a little a little jokingly just because um I know some people in in the industry also may retire and um we'll celebrate celebrate that together. But Jimmy, could I do a roast for you whenever you retire?

What? A roast. Anticipate. Not. That's what y'all do every night. I come to county.

Oh no. It's such the opposite. Such the opposite. Anyhow, um Smart Growth Committee, uh I was fortunate to be able to sit in. Thank you. Um that's a lot of meaningful work um for this county and I appreciate uh being a part of that the other night, the other afternoon, and our finance committee. I appreciate what y'all do. And our chairman, Ben, he keeps us all straight. Thank you for letting us yak on and talk too long, Ben. We appreciate that. And with that, I'll conclude my remarks.

Thank you, Mr. Brazzle. Uh, Mr. Jones, I'm not bypassing you, but I'm just honoring your word. You traded your time for earlier in the meeting, correct? You have anything else you want to share in the briefing? I didn't say I traded my time. I asked [laughter] for additional time. No, no, run the tape back. Did I say you wanted to whisper sweet nothings to Miss Mara Jones? [laughter] Oh, I did. Do you have anything else to share before I do?

Go ahead. if I could, but I want to I want Excuse me. [clears throat] Thank you guys for the kind words tonight because I know tonight I feel the love. I may not feel it at the next meeting, but I do tonight. But let me just say this. I've enjoyed working with you guys. Don't agree with a lot of what you do, but I have enjoyed agree working with you, you know, and I have to look out. I see Bill Rosier and I see Martin Khan. You know, [clears throat] they've been here as long longer than me.

So, I'm I'm I'm sorry. I know you guys are going to miss me, but uh but you know what, guys? It's time to go. 20 years is long enough. And I just want for my district hope that there'll be some young folks out there and I've already heard a couple names and I had four people call me said, "If you don't run, we're going to run." Well, that was the biggest compliment I could ever get. I said, "Well, you can go ahead and bank on this. You'll stand a better chance of winning the lottery than seeing my name on the ballot. [laughter] I am not running. But but thank you guys, too, for putting up with uh me as well. And I look forward to this next year." Now, there's two things I really am. Well, actually there's three, but I won't talk about one that I want to see happen this year. And [clears throat] I want to thank y'all for it. And you're on top of this pecan Orchard. You guys I I haven't had to say anything. I mean, y'all men are your word, and I appreciate that. But, uh, the second one is I hope that some way somehow we can come out with a balanced budget this year. I know that y'all are interested in it because I've heard the conversation on it. And if I can do anything to help on that, [laughter] let me know. I'd I'd love to be able to vote for the budget this year. And uh so that's pretty much about it. No, but let me just say this too. Danny Templer, you know, my hearts and thoughts and prayers have been going out with them and and happy birthday, Miss Hannah. And I was going to say it, but somebody beat me to it tonight. But anyway, Mr. Chair, you're a good man. You do a great job. I don't agree with you all time, but you've been a good [laughter] job.

If if I can ever get a straight-handed comment on those tubes, though. I appreciate that, Jimmy. You're welcome. [laughter] Okay, that concludes your remarks. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Jones. Um, I have just a few things to share before we move on uh and work towards concluding the meeting. Update for council over the holidays. Um, I replaced Weston Adams on the smart growth committee with Steven Smoke Weston's work schedule. He picked up a few new items as I understand it and his travel schedule just made it prohibitive for him to participate um fully in the smart growth committee. We we're thankful for his participation thus far. Steven Smoke I thought was unique as having city, county, and legal experience. And so he is now serving on the smart growth committee um under the leadership of Mr. Shoemake. Um Miss Hannah. So she's threatened me with physical violence if I mentioned anything about her age because she never ages. Miss Hannah, I'm just joking. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you.

Be proud to be 30. [laughter]

That's right. Um and then lastly, I wanted to say for Mr. Templar and his family. Uh, a stay a saying that has stuck with me in my work from time to time. I I interact with folks who have lost loved ones in unexpected ways. And one of the grandmothers one time said, you know, grief is all the love that you never got to share. And that saying has just stuck with me. You've got to ride that wave of grief because the memories come back, but it reflects how much love you had for that person and never got to share. And then I would be remiss if I did not say that I have great hope in the resurrection for the Templar family and for all of us who have lost loved ones or even even ourselves through the gospel of Jesus Christ. And I have faith in the fact that he was resurrected and broke the bands of death and therefore we all can experience that same benefit.

Amen. And I just wanted to share that. Amen. That's right. All right. So that moves us on. That concludes my remarks. Um Mr. Blanchard, any briefing for us?

Yes, sir. Uh, thank you council for your continued thoughts and prayers for the Templar family. Uh, thank you for the support that you've shown to Lauren and I over the past uh, couple of weeks. Um, I just want to thank the staff. Um, our executive directors have really stepped in and and helped Lauren and I through a lot of the uh, trials and tribulations over the past few weeks as well. Looking forward to the new year. This is the first uh, meeting of council this year. uh looking forward to the challenges that 26 is going to bring our way. I am confident that if we work together, we focus on the things that we have in common, not that the things that we see differently or our differences. And if we're willing to put in the work, we will be successful together. Together is the key.

Amen. So, uh thanks again. Uh happy birthday, Hannah. Without you, I don't believe Lauren and I could find our offices some days. So, [laughter] thank you. Thank you, Mr. Blanchard. Anything outside of executive session we need as an update on legal briefing? No, nothing from Mr. Deose. With that, gentlemen, that takes us to item 18A. We have four items for executive session. I'll seek a motion in just a moment. Um, the first two items are related to contractual arrangements. The first one is related to real property and then the last two C and D are regarding personnel matters all under SC code 30-4-70. and relevant subp parts. Do we have a motion to enter executive session?

Make a motion we enter exe. Mr. Case has a motion. Second for Mr. Tucker. Any discussion? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote on executive session. All in favor, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, for the record, it's unanimous. We're in executive session. For the public's benefit, there are no votes anticipated after executive session.

an hour. Yeah, bet. It was about an hour. I don't get to spend the night over. All right, we got four. A movie while we were gone. Seek a motion to exit executive session. We have a motion. We have a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, move on to a vote on exiting executive session. Miss Hannah, for all those who are present in voting, raise your hand if you're in favor of exiting executive session. It is unanimous. We have all seven in the room. 21. All right. See a motion to adjurnn. No votes required after executive session. We have a motion. We got a second. Any discussion on adjournment? I'd like to stay a little while. Seeing none, we're going to leave Russell here to his brothers. Right. All in favor of adjourning, raise your hand.

It's unanimous, Hannah. We are adjourned. All right. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you, staff.