Town Council - Regular Meeting

district was abolished and replaced by Anderson, Okone, and Pickkins counties. Now, please stand for our pledge of allegiance. I pledge aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Tonight, we have the privilege of recognizing a business that has been a steady thread in the fabric of downtown Pendleton for 23 years. Donna at Village Alterations has been more than just a shop on the square. It's been a place of care, craft, and community. Through graduations, weddings, pageantss, new jobs, last minute emergencies, they have helped generations of Pendleton residents feel confident, polished, and seen. What makes Village Alteration special is not only the skill and precision of their work, but the service and the heart behind it. They have been the quiet helpers, stitching hymns, fixing buttons, easing nerves, and sharing conversations and encouragement along the way. As Donna steps into a well-earned retirement and a new season of life, we want to say thank you. Thank you for your years of dedication for supporting our residents and for helping make Pendleton Square the welcoming place that it remains today. On behalf of town council in the town of Pendleton, congratulations on 23 wonderful wonderful years. We wish you joy, rest, and happiness in retirement. And please know you will always be a part of the Pendleton story. [applause]

[applause]

Thank you all so much. But you know, all village operations wouldn't have been anything without all the ladies that come on ladies. [applause] I'm blessed to have the best crew in the world. Thank you. I'm so blessed.

[snorts] Thank you all.

[clears throat]

Before we move into tonight's agenda, I want to take a moment to reflect on the people, places, and traditions that make Pendleton so truly special. First, I would like to recognize the Pendleton Historic Foundation for the incredible celebration of 200 years at Aubula. This milestone is more than a date. It represents stewardship, storytelling, and the preservation of our shared identity. Thank you to the foundation and all those who work tirelessly to protect and elevate the history that grounds this town. Your commitment ensures that future generations know where we came from and why Pendleton matters. Next, I would like to thank the Pendleton Rhinos for serving Thanksgiving meals to members of our community at the community center. This act of service reflects the heart of Pendleton. Neighbors caring for neighbors without spotlight or expectation. Your generosity emboders embod sorry embodies true community leadership and we are so grateful for the difference that you make. Uh we also had the joy of experiencing the tree lighting. Man, what a magical night on the green, seeing families gathered, children smiling, the lights reflecting across the square. It reminds us of why Pendleton is home. Thank you to everyone who participated. Thank you, Lindsay. Special thank you to Sandra Gant for um helping orchestrate such a meaningful event. And um yeah, just I'm I'm so excited for a season that's just filled with light, connection, and hope. And finally, I want to acknowledge an upcoming um uh an upcoming transition within our police department. Uh next year, uh Chief Crosby, who I call Robbie, will be deployed to Kuwait. Um, we honor your service and we pray for your safety, strength, and um, and well-being. Um, I also want to say that in Chief Crosby's absence that David Pollson

uh, will be stepping in to serve as chief. Davis David has previously served as a police chief as well as a detective. And I've had the privilege of working closely with David for many years on the design review board. Um, I know his integrity, his leadership, and his heart for our community. And I'm deeply grateful to you, David, for your willingness to step forward at this time of need and for your kind of stability that this that this transition will bring. Um, so to each of these groups and individuals, I just want to say thank you. You make Pendleton better. You make it kinder, richer, and more connected. Uh, these moments are just reminders that progress isn't just policy. its people and you all are just exceptional. Um, [sighs] moving on to kind of I guess number four. Um, I'm talking a lot. Sorry. Uh, tonight I have the distinct honor of recognizing someone whose service is woven into the everyday life of this town. Someone who has not simply worked for Pendleton, but she has poured everything into Pendleton. For 25 years, Amber Barnes has been a steady presence, a problem solver, a listener, and in many ways, the heart behind uh much of what keeps Pendleton moving forward. I often refer to Amber as the mother of Pendleton. And if you know her, you know why. She supports, protects, encourages, nudges, comforts, and advocates, all with un an unmistakable blend of grace and the grit that only Amber can deliver. She has celebrated with our residents. She has guided them through challenges and she has been the person that so many of us call when we don't know where else to go. Amber never says, "This isn't my job." She makes it her mission. She

finds the answers. She finds the person or she just finds the way. There's no greater advocate for Pendleton than Amber Barnes. She has served mayors, as she reminded me. You're not my first mayor. [laughter] She has served. Thanks, Amber.

Thanks, [laughter] Amber. She has served mayors, councils, residents, business owners, visitors, and generations of families, always with professionalism, excellence, laughter, and genuine care. Amber, your fingerprints are on so much of what makes our town our town. From the smallest daily task to the decisions that shape Pendleton's future, you have been our memory keeper, our organizer, our voice of reason, and our quiet hero. On behalf of town council, town staff, and the residents of Pendleton, it is my privilege to express our profound appreciation for your 25 years of dedicated service. We honor you for your commitment, your loyalty, your leadership, and your heart. Thank you for being Pendleton's greatest advocate and the mother of this town. We are better because you are here. [applause] Next, we will move on to the approval of the meeting minutes from November 10th, 2025. Do I have a promot uh promotion? [laughter] I wish. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes as submitted? motion to approve is submitted.

Do I have a second? I'll second it. All in favor? The minutes from November 10th, 2025 are approved. At this time, we will open the floor for public comments. As a reminder, remarks are limited to three minutes per speak per speaker and may be made by Pendleton residents, business owners, or town uh town property owners. Please begin by stating your name and your address for the record. Thank you. And we welcome your comments. And we did move the podium over there. So hopefully it helps you kind of see and and hear better. Well, somebody get up and say something. It's a child first. [laughter]

Young adult. Young adult. Leave it to Forest Hills. [laughter] I don't know. Terresa Horton, 415 West Minister Drive. Um, just congratulations Sarah and Nancy and to the rest of y'all too and Lynn for your your election and I'm so proud of our council and um I'm also thankful for Frank and his years that he gave to this town and I just I just see our future shining bright and y'all are leading the way and thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

Um since there are no other public comments, the public comment section is closed. Next, we will move on uh to departmental reports, we will begin with um the police department report. Chief Crosby, thank you for being here. Please join us at the podium to provide us with your report.

Thank you, Mayor. uh council. Um I hate Don. I was leaving. Uh I remember when I first met Don the first time I had to get on my new uniforms cuz I took over and stuff. I walked in there and I she left. Uh and I was going to tell a funny story. I walked in there and it was it was football season. It was nothing but Clemson everywhere like jerseys and stuff and I was like, "What is happening here?" And she told me, "Well, I do all the uniforms for Clemson." I'm like, "I need to go find another place." But then I continue to show back up and she's done all my uniforms, all the police department's uniforms, all my army uniforms, everything else. So, you know, I gotta figure out what I'm do because I can't sew and Crystal's not going to be able to do it for me. Love her to death. But, uh, so yes, um, I hate that Donna's moving, but good for her. Um, so on that, uh, on that note, um, in the month of November, uh, Mayor Council, we've answered over 530 calls of service. That was as of a week ago. We didn't have the final numbers because they were due. So, we missed about a week of calls for service um by the time a report was due. Um we did take 19 police reports. 12 of those we cleared either arrest um warrant or cleared out of the system. Um we did write 54 warning tickets. Um I will state though um we probably have written over a hundred warning tickets just at the new stop sign. Again, no regular tickets have been issued, but it has been the um friendly blue light reminder that we have installed new stop signs in front of PFME. Um and so we're doing our part to keep the place safe. Um especially uh Joel and Kaylor. Um we did issue 24 citations. Um and uh note uh officer Cody Andrews um an asset that we picked up from another agency continues to recover um large amounts of methamphetamine and firearms. This month alone he's over he's recovered over an ounce of methamphetamine. So good for

him. Um officer Bilcom Gabe did uh the Pendleton Elementary School's career day and spent all day um doing her display and talking to the kids and parents and stuff as they came through. Um, another note that I found out last week, and I know animal control is always the biggest issue or we, you know, it's a hot button topic. Um, update on pause. Currently, Dr. Sanders is no longer with PAUSE. Um, she is, she's no longer there. Um, and a replacement has not been named yet as of today. What does that mean for the police department, you know, as far as taking in animals, injured animals and stuff like that? We tried to take an injured cat last week um and they they denied it because they do not have a vet on site. So until we get notified from the county that they have another vet there, we cannot take any injured animals there. Um we're working with the Paws um in Clemson to see if they will take some of the animals in case we run across it. Um we were able to get that cat um taken care of. Thank goodness it didn't end up at my house like the other two. Um um it did get adopted at Mountain Mountain View. So um Jordan took it took it there and got it taken care of. So anyway, that's kind of update on that. Shop with the cop. So we are coming to a close on donations. We have about another h week and a half left. Um shop with the cop is next Saturday the 13th. We had 78 children that requested assistance from the town. Um, that is the largest amount we've ever had. But what does that really mean? Just like uh Lindsay helped me to get the the word out to anyone that wants to donate, businesses, um, any stakeholder here in the town. Um it would cost us $20,000

to do every one of those children to have at least $250 to go to Walmart. Um Clemson, the the city of Clemson had a had a shortfall this year as well. They're only getting eight children taken care of out of the city of Clemson.

Um right now we are on track to for the for 30 children. Um, but you know, those who are watching and those out in the audience, um, you know, tell your friends, tell your neighbors. Um, you know, we'll take we'll take the money. I have, um, flyers and stuff if you want to take and scan the QR code. Um, you know, there there are plenty of us that that have enough and, you know, can afford to give $50 or $25. I mean, if you know, a hundred people gave $25, how quickly could I reach all those children? I mean, it's not that much. you spend that much going to um out to eat at McDonald's now. So um but I will I will say u mayor councel that swamp fox today notified me of a $2400 plus donation they'll be bringing tomorrow. So thanks to Peg and Ernie again for their continued um donation high donations that literally carries I mean that's almost 10 children that just that one business alone. Upstate Federal Credit Union $3,000 um for a uh business is not even inside the city. Um they also gave $3,000 to the fire department. They gave $3,000 to the P. They gave $3,000 to um Oh my goodness.

The community.

Yes. Community center. Thank you. I'd get it. Um so, you know, $12,000 for businesses not in town. Um we had 2600 other funds and we had a donor um drop off a check for $500. So we are very close uh mayor council to reaching our goal of you know at least the 30 children but I have to make a cut off next Tuesday and I'd like to push to be able to go more than 30. So um that's kind of the update on shop with the cop. Um quick from word from the fire department. Um during November, the fire department responded to 62 calls for service. 36 of those calls were within were inside the city limits, 23 inside the district, and they answered three calls for u with mutual aid. Um they had one new member certified to the highest interior firefighter level. Um one South Carolina fire academy course is currently being taken by other members. Engine two and squad two attended to touch a truck at the elementary school. On the 19th, they fire department hosted a class from Lef France where students toured the station, checked out the apparatus and learned about fire safety. Engine 2 squad 2 attended the career day at the elementary school with the police department. Um and the fire department attended the Christmas tree lighting. The fire department held um training in rope rescue and apparatus familiarization. During the training, members became more familiar with their tools and hoses and stuff that they do because they're the fire department. Um yep, 17 members attended that training. So that's the update from the fire department, mayor council. Um not to uh beat a dead horse, but you know, I will not get to say anything funny for the next year and I'll have to turn that over to David. Um, he's not as funny as

I am, but I'm sure he'll come up with some witty thing to say. Pending David taking over next month. I will take any questions or comments you all have. Um, Ron. Oh, yes, ma'am. On here, you spoke about the recovery of of an ounce over an ounce this month that uh, Officer Andrews. Yes, ma'am. How much is that? Uh, an ounce of methamphetamine is about this big, but you can break that ounce in. You're selling it by the gram anyway. So, I mean, it's an ounce is going 12 $12,000, something like that. Okay. So, how much is how what's the increase that we've seen recently?

Traffic stops have be how do I say this? There I'd like to give you some a better answer to this. um in a couple of weeks there because we're working on something else. I can give you a better answer in a couple weeks if you'll grant me that or um you know I can get I can get you something or if not um David.

Well, I just want to know is there an increase in these these types of confiscation stops? I'd say the increase comes from the directed patrol efforts of officers. So obviously um more officers, you're going to have more encounters with citizens, right? Just like I've become more familiar with prestige um for wreck patrol cars now. Um so [laughter] you know it's just you know the nature of the business. More officers, more people working the street, you're going to have more citizen encounters in any variety of capacity. So, I'd say that leads along with the technology that you guys have approved over the past, you know, year and a half with the LPRs and the incar camera systems and flock coming online. The other week, we've already um Officer Bishop recovered a stolen vehicle last week from it. So, um you know, it's just some of that tech as that technology comes online and more people on the streets, you're going to see more of that kind of effect. You know, just like you can write a hundred warning tickets on a stop sign just to remind everybody, you know, but somebody who has, you know, a couple of guns and some methamphetamine is probably not going to get a warning ticket.

Okay. So, those are the people we want. Wondering if is if there is a uptick in this type of activity. I would say um Barbara, it's probably been consistent. Okay. It's just, you know, from five years ago having three officers working to, you know, currently right now staffed at eight on the street, you know, with one getting ready to go to the academy and, you know, I hope that answers your question. It does. Okay. I know that. Yeah. Just two years. I mean, I've been on the council now for two years and I think the very first meeting I was on, they were talking about pause. Yes.

And we're still talking about pause. I mean, is there anyone ever coming up with a solution to this problem?

Um, you know, it's a as a taxpayer funded entity, you know, being PA and a county run entity, it's just like if we own, you know, the town we ran one, there's cost associated with it and stuff like that. Mountain View has done us very well. They've we any of the animals we've carried, they've done at a discounted rate. um you know they are a private business but they have at least done a discounted rate every time we've had to you know pay pay a little bill or something like that and they take care of the animals pretty quick and she's been great to work with and stuff. Um other than that then working with you know another government agency or you know a nonprofit like the pause in Clemson you know it's just but you know we're few and far between though really

you know a lot of people call you know majority of our animal control calls is you know rovers running down mechanic street you know might cause an accident you know then we grab them chip them okay get them back to their owner simple things like that right I hope that answers your question somewhat So, it's the same old same old thing. Yeah. [laughter] Thank you, [clears throat] sir. Appreciate it. You're welcome. Thank you, um, Chief Crosby. Yes, Mayor. Absolutely. We uh we're going to miss you selfishly. We're gonna we're really going to miss It's They got Zoom. Your wife told me I could Yeah. She's like, "You can zoom with them anytime." So, you can zoom me putting me on the big board. Maybe we'll have Frank install a couple more TVs or something. You know, you can see me zoom you into these meetings.

Yeah. I don't know. I'm I'm not going to eat anyway seven hours ahead, Madam Mayor. So, thank you. So, but thank you and as well as well as our officers for your continuous service to Pendleton. Um, our next report is from the planning department, town planner David Pollson. Please share your highlights.

Mrs. Mayor, Council, good evening and welcome. I think Chief Crosby got all of his meetings in next year in one time. So, he was up here for quite a little time. So, no, thank you so much for the kind words. I'm I'm honored and I'm I'm grateful that you let me serve in that position next year while he's while he's over there doing his thing. So, thank you. Um, so the planning department in November issued 19 permits. Those broke down into six new homes. Those new homes were in Champions Village and in Sunrise development. The Champions Village development is almost full now and almost completed. So, we've got that and we they should be closing that up. Uh we had three interior renovations, two new roofs, four mechanical or electricals, one preliminary plat, three new signs. So those are the permits we issued in November. Uh we also answered seven code enforcement complaints. Code enforcement identified seven businesses which were subcontractors working within the town limits without a license which resulted in a thousand $1,127.35 collected in licenses fees and [clears throat] $25 in permit fee for a total of $1,153.35 for November. In the month of November, planning department participated in the interview process for the uh firms that were submitting bids for the wastewater and water system planning and engineering uh RA grant that we have. I know that you guys are looking at that a little bit later this evening. It was interesting to see the the presentations from the individual uh firms. Um so that was that was fun to be a part of. During the month of November, we also assisted the board of zoning appeals with their monthly meeting. Uh on November the 18th, they considered a request for a variance from the Pendleton Candy Shop that was in uh for a variance of their sign ordinance. Following the review of all the information that was given in and the the words and things spoken from the owners, the board approved the conditional variance for the applicant. Basically, what they did was they identified six things that were out front of the business that were in violation and asked them to remove three of those. They've also asked staff to

work with them to determine which three of the six that they're going to remove. So, we're currently working through that process and we'll have some more um as we get through that. Um on uh we also in November we assisted a home builder that's we're building a house in Merchants Gate. We're working through the storm water management plan that we have and our green infrastructure. Unfortunately, in that neighborhood, they've already got an approved uh system that was done by DHCK when the original uh development was was created. So, we were able to assist him through that. Uh we also met with a property owner who's got property on Highway 76. um he was interested in the possibility of bringing in the town limits and and developing into a commercial area. So, we're still waiting to get some information from him. We explained what annexation was, how you do it, what is involved in it, what are the pros and what are the cons of annexation. So, we're waiting to hear back from him. Uh we also attended the Christmas tree lighting um on November the 28th, which is a great time. And I tell you, if you want to have some fun, we were talking about it earlier. If you want to see the most nerve-wracking 10 seconds, watch public works. When you countdown from 10 to zero, when that zero hits, them lights have to come on. So, and Jay did a really good job. The lights came on and and everything went great. It's always a good time to get out there and just meet everybody and just kind of hang out. So, it was a lot of fun. In December, we have three meetings coming up. On the 9th, we have the board of zoning appeals meeting. On December the 11th, we have the planning commission meeting. December the 18th, we have a design review board meeting. And that's all I have for my report tonight and I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Yes, ma'am. I have a question. Um um the you talked to Rico with MRB on the UDO. Yes, ma'am. Did we get chance to schedule another meeting for that? So, I have a conference call with him Thursday at 11. So, we we're hopefully be able to get that ironed out on that date. Get a meeting scheduled for that date. Well, I'm going to talk to him on the 11 on on this this Thursday at 11 to try and figure out when we can do the next meeting. Oh, okay. So, that's moving along then. It is. Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much.

Thank you, David, for your leadership and your support of Pendleton's planning priorities. Next, we will hear from town administrator Steve Miller. Steve, please provide your report to council. I probably had the most boring report out of everybody, [clears throat] but I'm not going to be as long as you are. [laughter] So, the uh uh so billing for the month is 1119. Uh we build 8.9 million gallons of water. That's $91,000 of revenue, $8.7 million gallons of sewer, $14,000 in revenue, and $35,000 in flat rate billing. Uh we rented a depot building twice, Barrett Place shelters five times. Uh we collected $4,589 in business license, some of that from the enforcement activity from Owen. Uh 28,600 motor vehicles and 355,000 in property taxes. Uh they processed 528 transactions in house. I always like to preference this. It was $4,782,000. The bulk of that was the waste treatment plant. It was over approaching $3 million. is the payout we had on this month. Uh we had 1,171 transactions online for $112,000. 53 of those was through open forums totaling $15,000. As compared to 2024, uh we had 957 online transactions for $78,000. Um just some general updates. Uh I got some information from Lindsay. You can look at the social media uh website information right there. For the last four months, uh our sanitation truck, not to scare council, but uh we got our new sanitation truck in. They had a recall on the PTO. We promptly sent it back to the dealer to have them replace the PTO because that's the last thing we want is for that thing to be on the road and PTO go out. Uh for anybody that's

not familiar, that's a power takeoff unit. That's how you power everything on the rear of the truck. Uh, so it's pretty important piece. Um, we do had the lift out here. We're going to finally get around to reboarding the doghouse and getting the quilts back up. Uh, Norman's got some people over there. He's working with them on uh Central Road. We're kind of at a stopping point on Central Road. Uh, we're waiting on some Duke Power to move the electrical. Uh we are redoing one of the sewer lines going into there because the manhole is so degraded. We're actually deleting that manhole and running a new line from an existing manhole straight into the station. Uh but that'll be the last we do until the generator comes in and generator is not due to be delivered till this spring. Um but we are going to try to get a partial permit to operate and start operating that pump station so we can start demolishing the old one. Uh waste treatment plant. We got the electrical done. We got the piping inside the reactor is about 50%. I have a nice picture of it from being up on there. Um, but that's mainly what we're doing right now is the piping uh work through there. The EPA stag grant, which is still giving us some problems. They sent back about a page and a half worth of questions that we sent to the engineers. So, they're supposed to have the answer back to the EPA uh by the end of this week. Um, and then we'll see what happens from there. EPA has to approve all this stuff. Uh, and of course they've been shut down for 43 days. So, they have to approve all this stuff so we can go into design because that was a request we made because they already had us in design once and then we got to the bidding process and wouldn't let us bid it. Um, and we don't want to spend respend that money on design. uh Winston Street. Um [clears throat] we are scheduling to replace we have a collapsed uh storm drainage under Riverside. We're scheduled to do that during Christmas break. Uh we've also

identified where the locations where the cameras are. Police chief has uh and he's working to get those up. We've done all the clearing down the one side. They've got the road cut. They've got it graded out. We're waiting for the contractor uh that does the concrete to show up and do that. We're making some small changes because of utility conflicts in order to save some money at the end of it. And we're going to replace the sidewalks on Riverside. Then we're going to go ahead and do full depth patching on Riverside uh while we got the contractor down there mobilized uh out of our paving money for this year. Uh town hall. Um we've got the bid. We're going to make one more small change to the Seymour RFQ and get that out. The design team will have 30% plans that can be given to the prospective biders on that by the end of January so they can do their presentation and come back in. And then it much like y'all have tonight for the RFP, RFQ for uh the engineering. That's essentially the same thing we're going through. for everybody else. We're we're doing a multi-year uh maintenance contract essentially is what it's going to end up being because we have all this deferred maintenance in some of these facilities. Um lastly, uh we believe we finally got the permit for the water and sewer down in Village Hills. Uh so we're going to start putting that out to bid. That's a $2.1 million project and we have a million dollar CDBG grant on that. And we are hopefully Ansley and I are going to finish the land and water conservation grant tomorrow. We got our comments back from uh SCPRT on Monday. Uh Riverside has another meeting on the 18th for the steering committee in case y'all haven't been notified.

Yeah, it's a public meeting. Yeah, I was going to say people have to register. People have to register. Yeah. So that's out on social media, right? It's out there. Um I don't know if it's on social media. I got an email. So, but they're supposed to be singing it out. I don't know. Well, I think Lindsay has put something out about it, believe um just shake your head. Yes. Um Bruise parking lot. Just for everybody interested in here, we're going to be starting the utilities hopefully in the next two weeks behind Swamp Fox to Main Street. And then after December, we will close the parking lot and start the grading work on the parking lot at that point. So, will that parking lot be closed, Steve? I'll have to look back at the schedule, but I believe it's about 120 days.

That's what it's going to be until spring, right? It'll be done by the time the Jubilee comes in, right? I actually doubt that [laughter] cuz we have work on Queen Street. Uh we have work in the parking lot. We have actually work in behind every building on there. So, I don't know if we And the sewer inside the parking lot is [snorts] 17 to 20 ft deep. So that's pretty significant there. Yeah. All right, Steve, I have a question again about the lighting over there on Winston. Mhm.

And it just is there any way for us to get it lined up a little bit or any kind of make it a little more aesthetically pleasing? It looks kind of like it's on its last leg rather than it's brand new. Um, we can probably go over there and look at what you want me to talk to Duke about, but okay. That that's probably the better way to do it. Okay.

Okay. Our final report this evening is the strategic plan update. Um so if you would, Councilwoman Merchant, please update council on the strategic plan.

Thank you. Um we are um team one has reviewed all of the branding proposals that have been submitted and they have been scored by the individuals on that uh evaluation team and the results of the scoring I think will be released sometime in the near very near future and then that can be put out to bid I mean can be presented to council for for acceptance of a bid. Team two has completed a survey, the work survey, and they are tabulating the results of that survey. They um

yes, so I guess those will come either to their next meeting. I don't know if that's going to be ready for the quarterly meeting or not. Um

hope so. They are also uh reviewing the schedule trying to get the evaluations completed and the cross trainining implemented um for the first part of next year. Those are a little bit behind schedule and they'd like to get those on task and they also are scheduling and planning for their next next year task and events and that and that's the um I guess those projects as well as new projects. Team three um has met and we have asked the other two teams to complete um and contribute their version of a of the vision statements that deal with their committees. Um we're waiting on a couple of those to come back still. We've hope to present those. We would hope to have presented be able to present those at the quarterly meeting. Um all of our teams are experiencing some changes due to the election and membership changes and I think we'll have some leadership changes probably at the quarterly meeting. Um so I think we'll have a a different kind of report um after that that quarterly meeting which is next Wednesday afternoon.

So if we have no vision is that our vision statement? No ma'am that is not acceptable. Somebody has to ask these questions.

Well, thank you, Lynn. I really appreciate your guidance and your commitment to this plan. Um, our first action item is the consideration of appointing a mayor prom for a two-year term. Following each municipal election, council must select a member to serve in this role, stepping in when the mayor is absent or unable to perform duties. Tonight council will nominates will nominate from among its members and select the mayor prom by majority vote. I nominate Lynn Merchant to be mayor prom. Do I have a second? I second it. All in favor. All right. Lynn, mayor prom. Um, okay. The next your vision. [laughter]

Uh the next item is a resolution requesting that the South Carolina Department of Transportation install two four-way stop intersections, one at Mechanic Street and Queen Street and the other at Main Street and Mechanic Street. These intersections have experienced speeding concerns and with reduced traffic expected after the Riverside Middle School closure, this timing is appropriate for new traffic control improvements. If approved, this re resolution will be sent to SC DOT for an engineering study and consideration. Is there any discussion?

Yeah, Steve Al, can we just review? We we talked about this this these two four-way stops before and what was SD SC do DO's response a couple years ago when this was proposed with the school there they didn't want to do it because school traffic they came back had a stacking issue now with traffic backing up on Queen Street coming back to Bruise and part [clears throat] of it is that for some reason our lane striping you know it's straight and a left in one lane and right turn only and typically it's right turn only and then I mean right with straight and a left turn only. Uh and so they came out to restripe that and and look at that and then started talking about the school going away. They didn't realize the school was moving which brought back up the intersections. So that's kind of how it started. But how about main and uh mechanic? What was their opinion on that second stop?

If they have if they have the stop lights there, they do not want to do a stop fourway stop main mechanic because that creates another stacking holding problem for trying to clear people through a stop light. So all all stop lightss are timed [clears throat] to move and I don't do stoplight timing, but I know kind of how it works. They're timed to move a certain amount of cars through there and they have triggers inside of them and they can change throughout the day, but that's what the box over there on the side does. And so if you're coming down Mechanic Street, one of the things with Mechanic Street, it's Highway 28. It's actually a federal road, federal dollars put into it. So they're interested in moving even though it's the same highway. They're interested in how fast they can move traffic which has always been a problem for Village Green Bean right there on that highway. So if you get stop signs, you know, if you look outside, there is no other stop on Mechanic Street but that stoplight. And that's one of the reasons why you cannot get them slowed down and you get so many speeds. So, if you get if they're willing to do two stop signs or two four-way interstates, at least slows them down in the middle of town and it breaks that up because you can time it just right. Go from max drive in 276 and if you hit that light just right, you never have to stop and and that's that's a pro if you're talking about pedestrian friendly, that's a problem.

Are we going to get a crosswalk at the uh mechanic and Main Street? We already have it there. Yeah. But is it going to cross? Mechanic and Main Street has four four crosswalks in front. Okay. So, that'll be safer then because there'll be a stop sign there if if they approve. The only one I'm [clears throat] pretty sure they'll approve is Queen and Mechanic. But if they approve both of them, yeah, it'll be much safer there because they have to stop each. All right. And in that design change, can we go back to the master plan and add that sidewalk in front of Hunter store? Is that part of that [clears throat] part of this?

That's not part of this. That would that would be something we would have to put on.

And would well that the desire to have that sidewalk impact the possibility of this? Um the it would probably well the simple answer is um it makes way more sense with that sidewalk blocking thing when you go down to a four-way stop because there's I believe there's bumpouts back in that design to even narrow the intersection even more. Um you probably wouldn't have want a stop light at that point because of the walkability and the narrowing around it. It would just make more sense for a stop sign. But until you [cough and clears throat] traffic, that bus track already has difficulties navigating that intersection.

Yeah, they're probably not going to let you do anything, but I mean even this is design. I mean, the proposal is for post school, right? I mean, they would not consider taking proposal for post school. So, we don't we don't have design um we've never finished. Actually, we never started the whole design on because we've never gotten far enough to get any kind of approval. Would they would they consider throwing those stop lights on flashing red all the way around to simulate a stop sign so we can get people used to seeing what it would be like? Uh, what I understand from from Billy L who would be the one doing this, that's how they start.

They're going to start with just flashing. So, people don't stop. We've got a chance to [laughter] Any other discussions for motion? You good, Robbie? I you you've heard my opinion on stuff. [laughter] I move we I move we adopt it. I second the motion. All in favor.

Our next consideration is approve Oh, sorry. Motion passes. Thank you. Our next consideration is approval of a of a request for sewer service outside the town limits on Porter Road um for a portion of a proposed development. Council will decide whether to authorize extending municipal sewer services to this parcel. Any discussions? Call for motions.

Well, I have a couple questions to ask. Is this going to be the town of Clemson? [clears throat] No, it's in once you get them under your utilities, they have to sign a annexation agreement with so they they would not be able and it runs with property record. So they would never be able to annex in into the city of but it's adjacent to Nettles Park, right?

Yes. part of it is that's that that particular uh what has been indicated to us and to the city of Clemson is when that's developed that will be donated one to two miss continue. So what sort of development I mean the density and the um they have asked I believe it's 250 units but until they can get water and sewer until they figure out really until they figure out what zoning ordinance they're developing under which you know is tough to say right now but I don't see it being much above

but this is adjacent to another development as well. Uh, this is adjacent to Neville's Park, but it doesn't connect onto that other Well, I guess the easiest thing is it connects to Patrick Square through the back of Patrick. So, I guess what I'm asking is is this going to be a continued effort? Are we going to be continuing to support sewer outside of the town? Well, um,

is this the dam? Well, for that side is the dam because that but starts button up to the city of Clemson to the edge of our utility district. But our utility district runs the Anderson County border right there and then back up to 88 essentially around refuge and back in the town and then everything else outside of that is the county or goes over to county and we don't have the rights to serve over county. Any [clears throat] motions? [cough]

What would be the advant I mean what what would be our advantage other than having to keeping it from annexing somewhere else?

Well, I mean, you're a utility provider on this side of it. So, if you're a water and sewer utility provider, you've got capacity, you got bonds. Um, you know, your bonding is going to want you to look at servicing people. Uh, and that's just under in South Carolina in particular, the provision of utilities is one way that you stop [snorts] encroachment of other municipalities or other in our case, we have some special purpose districts. And that's really what limits us on a lot of our sides from uh annexing things or growing is because they have the water and sewer on certain sides of us. And so really you're you're kind of protecting your utility service district at that point. But with that, it carries the requirements that they have to sign annexation covenants. And those annexation covenants, every time somebody buys a house, you re-record it and it just keeps running with the problem. So if we do annex it, that means that they're they have to operate under whatever our ordinances for development is. Right.

When when you annex Yeah. Yeah. That's what I'm saying. When you do annexation, that puts them under everything that everybody else in Pendant is under. And if we don't agree to the annex, you know what's going to happen? They're going to get it somewhere else. And there will be apartments that are popping up right here in next county and people going to be upset about that too. So I say let's annex and and you know at least we have some control over over something that's really in our door.

Well, it's not contiguous. So So we've asked them if they can get contiguous which would be part of the requirements to annex. In South Carolina, you cannot have any parcel. In other words, if you want to annex, you have to touch at very simply, you have to touch at least one foot of length onto that parcel to annex. So, they've got about 800 to a,000 ft where they're non what we call nonigous. So, so what if y'all extend utility services in there, what you do is they actually touch the city of Clemson, but we negotiate all these utility contracts. Uh the city of Clemson has to stop there at Neville Park. Um so you're you sign you extend them services, they have to sign an annexation agreement that runs the property back when you become contiguous. Sometimes the town will become contiguous, the council at that time can trigger an annexation without the consent of the property owners.

Oh, good.

And so what happens is if you look at the subdivisions out on Lebanon that are on the other side of Vortekch, those are completely serviced by two other utility providers. So we have no utilities we can get in there. We have no utilities we can provide, but they're touching the town limit. So they're constant, ours constant, but our police are responding out there. Our fire department's responding out there. So they're getting a free ride off and that's why you do certain things like this when you cannot touch them. You get them under essentially a contract because you are going to send your services out there and they are going to use your services because of interlocal agreements and mutual aid requirements whether you want to extend them or not. So, do I have a motion?

Make a motion. Make a motion. Uh, yeah. I make the motion that we approve. I second. All in favor? Motion carries. Our next item is awarding the bid for the request for qualifications issued for the water and wastewater systems planning grant. Um, this determines which firm will conduct planning services related to our water and wastewater system needs. Discussion. [clears throat] Motion. Motion to approve. I have a second. Second. All

in favor? Motion carries. The next item is the second and final reading of an ordinance located in the Village Hills. [cough and clears throat] Um tax map number 62-07-031 into the town of Pendleton. If annexed, the property will receive temporary zoning of conservative open spaces. Um, do I have any discussion, call motions? Motion to approve. Do I have a second? Second.

All in favor? Motion carries. As we look ahead, I want to highlight meaningful ways to gather, celebrate, and stay involved throughout December and beyond. Pendleton is strongest when we show up for one another, and we have many moments ahead to do exactly that. First, our Christmas parade is Sunday, December 7th with a lineup beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the parade. Um, we're uh stepping off at 4:00 p.m. This is one of our most beloved traditions, families, local groups, schools, and churches all coming together to share the holiday spirit. I hope to see you lining the streets, waving, cheering, and joining in the celebration. We're also collecting food donations through December 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Town Hall. These contributions help ensure that neighbors who need a little extra support this holiday season are cared for. In that same spirit, as Chief Crosby um explained, the Pendleton Police Department is seeking donations for Shop with the Cop, helping local children have a joyful Christmas. If you are able, please consider contributing. Spread the word. This is a direct way to support families right here in our town. Chief Crosby has the QR code. We'll also post it. Um, our Chris K Chris Chris Kindle Amber Chris Kendall Chris Kendall market continues um December 5th, 6th, 12th, and 13th from 4 to 8:00 p.m. Offering handcrafted goods, music, food, and fun for all ages. A wonderful way to shop local and celebrate holiday traditions. Santa photo opportunities are ongoing as um are ongoing as well for families and children. Um, one event I'm especially proud of is our sensory friendly Santa at Town Hall on December 14th from 4:00 to 6 p.m. Families receive a private time slot in a in a low stimul stimulation um environment. It's will in a wheelchair accessible setting. Um, this reflects who we are as a community. We make space for everyone. Um, uh, take a tour this holiday season

with the Pendleton Historic Foundation featuring uh, beautifully decorated sites and opportunities to explore Pendleton's heritage. Additionally, the Christmas uh tour and tea at Magnolia Hill offers a charming seasonal experience, a chance to step inside history, enjoy decor, and share a moment of community during this beautiful season. And I want to extend a personal invitation to everyone to join Councilwoman Barbara Hamburg and myself for my for my first um Ask the Mayor event on December 16th from 6:00 to 7 at the Pendleton Fire Department. Thanks Tommy for hosting us. Um it's a chance to ask questions, share priorities, and learn about ongoing [clears throat] work that embodies our commitment to transparency. Um looking ahead, the Pendleton Foundation for Black History and Culture is organizing a trip to Savannah over MLK uh weekend in January. It's a powerful way to connect and with regional um history and culture. And finally, there are several ways to engage directly with the work that our town is doing. As David noted, we have a board a board of zoning appeals meeting on December 4th at 6. And um also the Anderson County treelighting is December 5th at 6. We have the planning commission meeting December 11th at 6. Uh Pendleton Historic Foundation historic Christmas I think is December 13th at 4. Design review board meeting is December 18th at 6. And um although all of these I guess town related meetings may not be as festive as a parade, they're they're foundational to how we grow um shaping our neighborhoods, planning uh planning developments, preserving our history, and ensuring that we reflect our values. Your engagement matters. Um on behalf of the town of Pendleton, I would like to extend our warmest wishes for a very merry Christmas and a happy new year to all of our residents, staff, business owners, and community partners. We're so grateful for your continued support and engagement in our town. I hope this holiday season, we hope this holiday season brings you peace, renewal, and connection. And we look forward to

seeing you in the new year. Mayor, can I add one thing to that? Oh, yes, please. Um, we [snorts] at the shop the cop, we have the families um prepare nice meals for Meals on Wheels. And so we are collecting ready to eat soup with the pop tops. Uh you can take those to the Chris Kindle market next week, I guess, just one more week, or bring it to the town um for those nice meals. So, thank you. Thank you.

Um uh we will then uh consider an executive session under SE code 30-4-70A1 to discuss appointments to town boards and commissions. Um, supporting documents include applicants packets for planning commission, board of zoning appeals, and election commission positions. Do I have a call for motion to enter executive session? Motion to enter executive session. Second. All in favor. All right. Once discuss um motion carries. Once discussion is complete in executive session, um we will go back into open spaces and yeah. Thank you. What are we doing there? things in here.

And I Oh, I'd like to make a motion that we come out of executive session. Second. All in favor? No, I get I actually had that. Sorry. I was I was ready, Lynn. I'm sorry. I had Okay. Anyway, it's fine. Thank you, Lynn. Um, just for practice, uh, yeah, I called this meeting back to order in executive session. No decisions or votes were made. Do I hear a motion to leave executive session and enter open session? It's okay. Um All right. So along All right. So [snorts] um do I hear a motion for nominations for planning commission?

Let me do it. I would like to nominate Richard Baldwin and Veronica Lucklo to serve on the planning commission. Do I have a second? Said. Uh, do I um All in favor? Motion carries or appointment, I guess. Um, okay. Uh I um do I have a motion to extend the terms for both Jennifer Krenshaw and Terrence Hassan u to extend um their their current terms on planning commission until January 9th or Boza sorry board of voting until January extend their terms.

Second. All in favor. All right. Motion carries. Do sign. Do I have um What's the next one? All right. So, we're we're good with ask I'd like to move that the staff Oh, I'd like to to make a motion to direct the staff to contact all the individuals or to contact the individuals that applied for planning commission to see if they would be interested in serving on other boards. I second that. All in favor? Motion carries.

Am I missing anything? Oh, sorry. Um, do I have a motion in regards to the election commission? Yeah. Motion B. Go ahead. Bonita is uh reappointed. Second. All in favor? Motion carries for Bonita. Um, that is it. Do Okay, Lyn, you can help me with the next motion to end our meeting. I make a motion to adjurnn. I make a motion to adjurnn. Second. Third. All in favor? [applause]