County Council - Regular Meeting

How about that? Is everybody? Welcome to August 11th, 2026 County Council meeting. Today we'll start off, first of all, before we begin the meeting, I want to inform you we are broadcasting live on channel 1302 on Lexington County. spectrum channel and lexington county website and if you want to watch any of this later you can go to the web page pull it up and watch it and replay it and pull it up and watch it again yeah anyway thank you for coming vice chair would you introduce the pledge and invocation please welcome everyone tonight's uh invocation is going to be led by tanny thomas tedford

Assistant Chief EMS. Annie Thomas-Tedford has been with Lexington County EMS since 2007. For the past seven years, she had the tremendous honor of leading the Cape Bureau Community Advocacy Prevention Education. With God's grace and the right people, the Cape Bureau has launched a successful community paramedic program, which consists of three full-time community paramedics and a part-time EMT. The Cape Bureau has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of Lexington County citizens. driven by a deep compassion for those affected by substance use disorder. Taney is also a dedicated advocate f

Amen. Thank you, Taney. Tonight's pledge will be led by Benji Banning. Benji began his military career in senior service High School enlisted a combat engineer with the 178th Engineers in Fort Mill, South Carolina. After completing his six-year enlistment, he was selected as Officer Candidate School and commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Palmetto Military Academy. He went on to serve as engineer officer in multiple key leadership roles, including company commander and operations officer with South Carolina's Engineer Battalions. 2005, he deployed as a platoon leader with the 122nd

Thank you, Vice Chair Cockrell. And on a note, I'd like to take a, the council would, actually, a moment of silence for Master Deputy Julian Olsen of Lexington County Sheriff's Department, whose life was lost during a dive team training on July 30th, 2026. It's a tremendous loss for our county. I also personally want and we want to recognize all current and retired law enforcement who risk their lives every day to protect and serve the citizens of this county. We have a moment of silence. We appreciate it. Thank you. God bless. All right, let me get my faculties together here. Council's report

You can walk that way. Council report, I spoke this morning. Lynn was there. We spoke in the chamber this morning, and David Beatty came from the Capital Penny Sales Tax, and it was a wonderful crowd. And I hope we did some good, and we'll find out. Now, Charlie?

We're going to have two resolutions, two presentations. The first presentation is a resolution recognizing Chapin High School girls soccer state championship. If you would come down in front of the dais and line up with your coaches and those you brought with you.

Just line up right here, dear. Spread them out.

Okay, we are Chapin. The Council for the County of Lexington, South Carolina meeting in the general session of the 14th day of July, 2026, adopted the following resolution. Whereas on Saturday, May 23rd, the Chapin High School Eagle Girls soccer team secured the South Carolina 5A Division II state championship. And whereas the Chapin High School girls soccer team completed their state championship season with an empathetic 4-0 victory over Eastside, the match marked the Eagles' third consecutive appearance competing for the top honors in the state with this year's dominant performance earning

The Lexington County Council, South Carolina, in general succession of the 14th day of July, 2026, adopted the following. Whereas on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Chapin High School Eagles baseball team captured the South Carolina's 5A Division II state championship. And whereas the Eagles opened the state championship series with a road victory in Anderson before completing their sweep at home with a hard-fought 4-3 win. This achievement marks the program's 12th state title. The Chapin High School baseball team is led by Coach Del Lever, Lever. God, I can't believe I did that, Mr. Lever, Coach

As I've always said, ladies and young men, they cannot take that away from you. Once you win it, you win it. Congratulations. And we have two scouts in the room, too, two baseball scouts for those. I saw one in the back. Next administrative report.

Thank you. I have three resolutions and we will approve those tonight. Approval of resolution honoring Nora Hansen, Grand Champion of the Battle of Atlanta World Karate Championship. I'm seeking a motion. I have a motion by Ms. Kerrig. Second. Second by Mr. Cockrell. Any questions? All in favor? Excuse me. Madam, call for the vote.

Yes. Second, the approval of resolution in name County Fire Station 34 and honoring firefighter Jeffrey Chavis, excuse me, Jeffrey Vaden Chavis. Move to approve. We're going to read these resolutions on these, obviously in order next week, and at the stations themselves, because I want to make sure we don't have, you know, the fire people can't be here, right? So it's important that they hear the resolution. So with that said, who said move to approve? Mr. Brigham?

Yes. Approve a resolution to name Lexington County Fire Station 35 in honor of Engineer Paul Edwin Quaterbaum. Move to approve, Mr. Chair. I have a motion by Mr. Brigham. Second. Second by Ms. Kerrig. Any questions? Madam Clerk?

Yes. Appointments, boards and commissions. You have a clerk on there. Take him off to the side. That's the one Mr. Bishop is going to interview.

Yeah, I currently had somebody on the Board of Zoning Appeals, and they wanted me on planning, but he serves one more meeting, so I'm going to wait and see what other applications come in. Very good. But he's a very strong applicant, but I feel like no rush.

Then I have one for Millions Workforce Development Board, Sarah Dinger. 325 Summer Creek Drive, West Columbia. These are very hard appointments to find, and she is going to do a fine job. We have a second by Ms. Wessinger. Any discussion? Madam Clerk.

Yes. We have one approval of minutes for July 14th of 2026, and I'll make that my motion. Second by Ms. Kerrig. Any discussion? Madam Clerk?

Yes. Ordinances approval of Ordinance 2604, an ordinance approving the conveyance of real estate from the county of Lexington to Brighton Capital Park, LLC. Third and final reading. Any comments or questions?

I have a couple questions I'd like to pose. Could I ask Garrett DeGrano to come forward, please? Hey, Garrett. How long have you been the Economic Development Director? Okay, so you have been a part of this process that we are involved in right now for the entirety?

You were present when this council decided to sell Brighton Park to the highest bid? You conveyed that information to those who were making bids to purchase this property? They were clear. They understood. At any time did you receive in writing a proposal for any industry that would have created a living wage jobs?

That would have been permanent jobs? No. Did we have a proposal for an assisted living facility?

Did it meet the requirements of an assisted living? Would it create jobs, paying jobs?

It was single family dwelling units. Yes, ma'am. And an HOA that would provide that the ownership would be 55 and over. So to date, we have had no industry jobs that would create permanent living wage jobs.

All right. Thank you, Garrett. I appreciate you.

The current contract that we have, does it spell out specifically industry or jobs that would be available?

You had ample opportunity to ask those questions behind closed doors less than an hour ago, and I'm not going to answer attorney private client privilege at the front dais. So I don't know.

In the contract, it's public knowledge with the ordinance. There is none of that.

I can't answer that question. I'm not the attorney. And that's not me incurred. I'm not the attorney. I don't know. Madam Clerk, call for the vote. Oh, we had a motion. I thought already. Do we have a motion? We have a motion by Ms. Kerrig. Second. Mr. Fisher. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Yes. Second, the approval of Ordinance 2607, the ordinance approving the contract for swap of property and near the Lexington County Edmond Landfill with the Lucas Estates LLC And the granting of easements related thereto. We discussed this at the last meeting. Are there any other questions? I am seeking a motion. Move to approve Ordinance 2607. I have a motion by Mr. Bishop. Second. Second by Mr. Cockrell. Is there any discussion? With that said, Madam Clerk.

Yes. Approval of Ordinance 2610, an ordinance to provide for the insurance and sale of not exceeding $70 million aggregate principal amount of general obligation bonds of the Lexington County staff line to prescribe the purposes of which the proceeds shall be expended to provide for the payment thereof and provide for other matters related thereto. This is the third and final reading. I think we have beat this horse to death. Are there any questions? Move to approve. I have a motion by Mr. Brigham.

Second by Mr. Fisher. It's hard to hear up here, or my ears, but any questions? Madam Clerk?

Yes. Approval of Ordinance 2613, an ordinance awarding a contract for residential curbside service to Capital Waste Services for Franchise Area 1. I might want to say that we mentioned this in the regular meeting, which you probably weren't watching. I can't recall exactly how many companies there were, but I think he said over 100. Is that correct? We sent out over 100 RFPs, requests for bids or purchases, on this trash pickup, and we received one in return. I think that Chapin's trash pickup will go up, I believe the number was 90 cent. 92 cent. Anything else I need to cover there? Got it. O

Yes. I believe we go to the committee reports. We have the Justice Department. Chairman Kehrig.

Yes, I would seek the approval to accept the fiscal year 25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant Award.

Second. I have a motion by Ms. Kerrig for the 25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and a second by Mr. Cullum. Any discussion?

Did you want me to read this, Mr. Chair, really quickly?

The Justice Committee convened earlier today to hear a request for approval to accept the fiscal year 25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Award. The Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded funding for the fiscal year 25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The County of Lexington has been awarded $58,170,000. That was a lot, wasn't it, $58 million? I was about to get excited. The grant will be split between Magistrate Court Services $6,980, the Sheriff's Department $44,791, and Sister Care at $6,399. Magistrate Court Services will use their portion to purchase

It is. Second. We have a second by Mr. Cockrell.

Yes. All right. We're going to recess out of the County Council meeting and convene the County Transportation Committee. I think we discussed this, we can go in it more in detail, but approval of the Thompson Street S862 resurfacing. Town of Lexington Municipal Request Council District 3, and we have gone, this has been going on for about, I don't know how long, but anyway. Four years. Yes, go ahead. Four years, I know. Any questions? If not... I would like a motion.

Motion to approve the resurfacing S-862 for the Town of Lexington Municipal Request.

We have a motion by Mr. Cockrell. Second. Second by two people, I think. Mr. Cullum. Any questions? Bantam Court.

Yes. We'll recess the county transportation, and we will reconvene the county council meeting. Budget amendment resolutions, if you'll look through them, but don't forget we have two on the other page at the top. I miss you. Hope you don't have any.

All right. Now, as we go forward, bids and purchases, don't forget.

Mr. Chair, if I might, I would move that we approve Tabs 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19.

Have them covered. Second. I have a second. Excuse me. A motion by Ms. Carrick, a second by Ms. Wessinger. To approve 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Any questions? Hmm. With that said, Madam Clark.

Yes. Okay, that concludes our business for today, County Council. We will go take a five-minute break. Do you need it, guys, or not? We're not taking a five. We got to adjourn, though. I'm going to adjourn. I'm going to beat the heck out of this thing. Parliamentarian. We got about nine of them. We are adjourned. All right.

All right, welcome to the public hearing.

Hey, guys, y'all can socialize out in the hallway. Our public hearing has started. Please. Thank you. We've got some signature mix-ups. Hold on one second. While she is looking, they print this in a nice form for me. The purpose of the public here is to obtain comments for proponents and upon opponents and regarding opponents and people against it regarding specific subject matters. All citizens who wish to be on record as attending must sign in. The floor will be opened by the chairman, who will call the names of those who have checked the box, yes, and would like to speak. They will be asked

I have a question. Randy, somebody brought up to me the other day, we don't have a pool in this county. Yes, sir. Is there a hard reason why we don't, or would this not be a good place to consider a pool?

Well, I just thought this was going to be a world-class venue, a good place to have another sport there. It was just a thought. Somebody asked me and it hit me. I was like, I don't think we have a pool.

Thank you. All right. Let's do the electronic first. Let's find out what we have electronically. buddy electronically we had two in favor and 23 in opposition aye in favor we've got quite a few we'll start off let me see if i can read this right ac councilman byron thomas make sure you speak you may give your name address so we will have that information

Thank you, Barry. All right, next we have Tony Tam. I think it says CWC Chamberlain. Is that correct? All right. Where you live and your zip code, please, sir. You got it, sir.

I'm going to probably misspell, I'm going to say some of these blast names, and it's not my fault. I'll do my best. Marilyn Forseca. Or Fornseca? That was close. See, I blew the first one. And your address, please, and zip code.

Well, you have a great day. I appreciate you coming, but the top of it says in favor, so thank you. I'm not mad. Corey Wears, I assume you're in favor. You signed up to speak. Warner. Warner. He forgot to fill out. Keep writing. I ain't making him mad. No, don't make him mad.

Thank you. Bill Shanahan. I know how to say that last name. Thank you all.

Thank you. Next up on deck, I should say, Phil Carter, you're up. And on deck is Tim Jane.

Thank you, sir. And Hunter socks his own debt.

Hunter Sox is next, and on deck is going to be Larry Mack.

Thank you. Next we have Jerry Dornicker. And on deck is Ted Stamboulinas.

Sue Dillon, this is in favor sheet. Is that correct?

I think this is the last name is Hayden. Okay. Welcome. Your address, please, sir.

Yep. Good job, though. Good job. The gong hit. All right. We have, I've got so much paper up here, but it looks, appears that we have three people left. Let's see, Anna Marie Green. And I've got Corey signed down on every sheet we have. So, Corey, are you still here? Sign all three sheets. I don't think you want to speak three times, I don't think. Yes, ma'am.

And last but not least in favor is Tim Miles.

Thank you, sir. All right, that is in favor. Mr. Chairman? Yes.

I was headed that. Have we missed anybody that would like to speak?

Thank you. I think you know the drill. Name and address.

Thank you, sir. I don't recognize this guy. You probably know the drill.

Okay. I'm going to close the favor section. Now with the opposition section, we have some people who like to speak. Matt Toole.

Give me just... Mr. Two, if I give it to you, I've got to give it to everybody else. You've been here, done that, and bought the T-shirt, so you understand how it works.

All right. Reed. Meeman. Is that right? Is Reid here? Is Reid here? Is he left? Going once, going twice. Vernon Reinhart, is he here? Going once, going twice. James Lamb, are you here? Going once, going twice. There he is. Very good.

Okie dokie, Smokey. That is everybody, I think, unless there's somebody I missed. Yes, ma'am. Knock yourself. Get up and say if you're in favor or against, and rock and roll.

Thank you. Mm-hmm. All right. Got one more. Yep.

Okay, I think we have covered the gamut, and we appreciate everybody's opinion. No, I'm not waiting. Where? Oh, okay. All right. Excuse me. I thought he was waving to Nikki. I didn't... My name is Jake Knotts.

Thank you. The 26-11 public hearing is closed, and we will open up the public hearing. 2611 is... Well, people are going to leave. 2609 is ordinance authorizing pursuant to Chapter 44 of Title 12 of Chapter 1 of Title 4 of South Dakota Code of Laws 1976 as amended. the execution and delivery of fee agreement, number two, a special source revenue credit between Lexington County, South Carolina, and Project Ribbon, number three, the continued benefits of multi-county industrial business park to be made available to this project and to four other matters related thereto. Garrett's going to give u

It is. Thank you, Gary. We had on electronic, we had zero in favor and four opposition. I have no one signed up in opposition to this 2609. We have one, I think, signed up by mistake. Roger, maybe you did sign up to speak, but I think Roger's already gone on Roger's side, so... We have 0, 0, 0 in favor and 4 in opposition. So with that said, 2609, hearing is closed. We have one moment to finish business. We have ordinance, the second reading, approval of 2609 and ordinance authorizing pursuant to chapter...

If you're going to make it, I'm going to make it.

Second. I am so glad you made that motion because I was too tired to make it. Second by Ms. Carrick. Am I missing anything?

We've got... ADDED TODAY. I WANT TO MOVE THAT WITH THE SECOND READING IN ORDERS 2609 IS SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO THE FEE AGREEMENT BY THE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND COUNTY ATTORNEY.

THANK YOU, SIR. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, A PROPER SECOND. MADAM CLERK, CALL FOR THE VOTE.

Yes. Great to see everybody. Mr. Chair. Yes, yes, yes. Second. All in favor. Third. Great to see everybody. All in favor? All opposed? We're gone. The word is boondoggle.