City Council - Regular Meeting

Let us bring the city of Spartanberg city council meeting to order. We're going to stand for a moment of of silence and then we're going to be led by the pledge of allegiance by the uh Dukes and Duchess Baron and Baroness uh princess and princesses Jack and Gal here of Spartanberg in a pledge of allegiance. You guys are going to lead us. Okay. All right. Let's stand for a moment of silence. Amen.

So, you guys going to tell us what to do? Do we have one one specific that can come up? Good. Good. [clears throat] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Before we go to item three, uh I I will have an opportunity to speak tomorrow about civic engagement. And just to the young people that are here today, I want you to know what you're doing here today, this evening, is truly civic engagement. finding out what's going on in your city, listening to elected officials, and also willing to make a change wherever you know it may happen for you at school or at church or in the playgrounds. But, uh, I want you guys to know that it's great to see you all coming and, uh, that you are making a difference here in Spartanberg. So, thank you for being here tonight. So, with that, we have item three, the swearing in of city council member Erica Brown. So, uh, Erica, she gonna take her time going down. [laughter] The Honorable Erica Brown, Councilwoman of District, uh, six, oath of office, administered by Miss Natalie um, Ritz Brown, assisted by Abigail Ry. Stand right there. Stand there. I Erica Brown do solemnly swear

I Erica Brown do solemnly swear that I am duly qualified according to the constitution of the state of South Carolina that I am duly qualified according to the constitution of the state of South Carolina to exercise the duties of the office to exercise the duties of the office to which I have been elected to which I have been elected and that I will to the best of my ability and that I will to the best of my ability discharge discharge the duties thereof. discharge the duties thereof. and preserve, protect, and defend and preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of this state the Constitution of this state and the United States of America and and the United States of America and I do further solemnly swear

and I do further solemnly swear that as a council member for the municipality of Spartanberg that as a council member for the municipality of Spartanberg I will equally, fairly, and impartially I will equally, fairly, and impartially to the best of my ability ability and skill to the best of my ability and skill. exercise the trust exercise the trust proposed in [laughter] me proposed in me and I will use my best endeavors to preserve and I will use my best endeavors to preserve the peace support and defend the peace to support and defend the interests of the citizens of this city the interest of the citizens of this city

and carry into effect and carry into effect according to the law according into the law the purposes for which I've been elected.

the purposes for which I've been elected. Thanks wrote a few notes here. Um thank you all for being here. um had to go and make sure that I had my own special day and have a little surgery. So, I'm I'm happy to be back here um be amongst my colleagues and everyone here today. Um first and foremost, thank you. Thank you to the voters of Spartanberg City and especially District 6 for placing your trust in me. Once again, I'm deeply grateful for your support, your confidence, and the opportunity to continue serving our community. Serving on Spartanberg City Council has truly been one of the greatest honors of my life. From the very beginning, you welcomed me into your neighborhoods, shared your hopes and concerns, and challenge me to lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose. Every conversation, every phone call, every vote has mattered. And I carry that with me in the decisions that I make. Together, we've made real progress. We've expanded housing opportunities, supported economic growth, invested in public safety, improved our infrastructure, and worked to create pathways to our youth and families to thrive. None of this happened alone. It has happened because of the collaboration with residents, neighborhood leaders, small businesses, nonprofits, city staff, and community partners who care deeply about Spartanberg. But tonight is not just about looking back. It's about looking forward. As Spartanberg continues to grow, I remain committed to ensuring that District 6 grows with it through inclusive development, equitable investment, strong neighborhoods, and

opportunities that reach every corner of our community. There is still work to do, and I'm energized, ready, and determined to keep delivering results for you. Thank you for believing in this vision. Thank you for showing up, for voting, and being active partners in shaping the future of our of our city. I'm honored by your trust, humbled by your support, and excited for what we will accomplish together. Thank you.

Congratulations. Congratulations. There we go. Item four, we have approval of the minutes of the January 12th, 2025 city council 2026 city council meeting. So moved. Second. All in favor? Anyone opposed? Eyes have it. Item five, approval of the agenda for February the uh 9th, 2026 city council meeting. So move. Second. Uh all in favor?

Any that opposed? Eyes have it. Public comment. We do have one. Um, and the way it works is that when you come up and Miss Sutton, I'll just address you and anyone that gives public comment comments. Just give us your name. You don't have to go through your address or numbers anymore. We have that here. We don't want to put that out, but you have two minutes to uh state what's on your name, what's on your mind, and uh what you want us to hear. So, come on up, Miss Sutton. Mhm. So, you done put that one away. You made me go through all this and I'm looking at [laughter]

Thank you. Uh, thank you for being here. So, I don't have any others, unless I'm missing Linda Jones and Paul Bailey. Paul. Okay, those were from uh the previous meeting that was cancelled, so we didn't know if they would show up tonight or not. So, no public comment tonight. Item seven, we have 2025 crime stats and police crime and policing uh statistics. Chief Alonzo Thompson, Spartanberg uh police department, Deputy Chief Jennifer Kendall, and I do see Major Art Lud over there as well. Chief, it's on you. Honorable mayor, distinguished counsel, uh it's my pleasure to come and present the Sparber Police Department 2025 crime report. Uh, let's see here. Now, hopefully the grimls won't get me today. All right, here we go. This first graphic that you will see will show for the past 29 years the benchmark crimes for our city. And but the focus is on those in that that square or rectangular block to your right, which is the past 10 years. Last year is the best overall numbers during that time period. And in fact, it's the best numbers we've experienced the past 29 years in our city. And I will say this from the very beginning, policing in partnership isn't just a memo on the side of our cars. This reduction is due to the work that we've done with individuals, neighborhood associations, different entities, business, communities throughout our city. So, thank like to thank everyone. The last time I spoke here, I'd asked people to help us not just uh complete the puzzle, but turn over the puzzle pieces where we can see it. and we've definitely had people being involved cuz we cannot successfully operate in a vacuum and do the job we do without our citizen

engagement involvement and participation. So, thank you very much. The next slide pertains to again the benchmark crimes and again you'll see 2016 to 2025 uh those numbers pretty much plateau but there was a noticeable reduction in 2025 regarding crimes against persons as you can see by the dip of that top or yellow or goldish line. Uh but I do acknowledge that these past been year these past years have somewhat plateaued and been steady but we did see some noticeable improvement. I'm sorry. Can you hear me now? Is that better? Sorry.

I'm sorry. Thank you. Normally they let me do just one thing this. [laughter] Okay. Police report 10 years within the past 29 years worth of benchmarks crimes which would include just shoplifting, theft from vehicle and other property crimes. There was a significant reduction in shoplifting and theft from motor vehicles and other type of property crimes like malicious injury to property as you can see by that particularly about the other property which has a more dramatic increase in this graph the 10ear index crimes first let me just define what index crimes are the FBI advisor [clears throat] index crimes comprised of murder non-negligent manslaughter for robbery, forcible rape, aggravated assault, burglary, lararseny, including shoplifting, and motor vehicle theft and arson. Our high was in 2018, the past 10 years, with 3,72 uh incidents reported. And you see how low in 2025 is 2,148. So, this was a significant incline in index crimes were 22% below the 10-year average. Approximately 83% of our index crimes were property crimes. 21% of index crimes were shoplifting. 15 were theft from vehicle and 15 were burglary. 70% of theft from vehicle and 49% of burglary reports were coded for no signs of force. The area near Dorman Center off Wizo Boulevard and East Black Road had the highest density. 10 years crimes against persons. [clears throat] In 2018, we had a high of 2,686

and our low was 2025 or 1,781. Property crimes were 25% below the 10-year average. Approximately 25% of property crimes were shoplifting, 19% were theft from motor vehicles, and 18% were burglaries. The area near the dormant center off Wo Eel Boulevard and East Blackstock had the highest density. Police report 10 years of violent crimes. Again, we had a high in 2017 of 423 and a low of 367 in 2025. Wasn't the lowest that we had, but it wasn't in reduction, even though a minor one of 2% below the 10% the 10 uh year average. Approximately 76% of violent crimes were aggravated assaults. Of these 57 involved or or alleged involvement of a firearm and 21% involved domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. The area near the intersection of Crescent Avenue and Pine Needle Drive, Wford Street and Art Street. Uh Dr. OC Kirkland Terrace and excuse [clears throat] me, Reverend Booker Tier Street had the highest density. accidents or collisions for 5 years. Spartanberg County unfortunately ranks first or second annually in the number of traffic collisions and fatalities resulting from them. Uh as you can see, we had a 7% reduction below the 5-year average. Uh tremendous improvement, but more work has to be done for us to reach our target zero. We would like to lose no one needlessly to traffic collisions.

five years of psychological cause. We will continue to align our efforts with the office of mental health um formerly the mental health association. Hopefully, our efforts and um collective efforts and those of other community entities in the healthcare arena will hopefully result in more help to those in need and reduce call types of this manner. Contrary to public opinion, even my own at one time or popular opinion, um the overwhelming percentage of our homeless have ties to our city, county, or here in the upstate. They're not being busted in or dropped off. These are local folks who for whatever reason have fallen on hard times whether it's alcohol, mental health or some other issue, some major uh tragedy in their lives that caused them to be in this this head space and out of place. Uh but our cause for homeless has risen over 31% over the past 5-year average. Narcan The biggest thing I want to point out here with Narcan is that [clears throat] we still have that tool. Some consider it mission creep, but we're in the life saving business and we have and will continue to use it as the situation calls for it to hopefully to save lives. Often times we'll be dispatched to wellness checks or subjects down type calls where we will respond, but we will also respond to accidental overdose deaths and other drug or narcotic type complaints. And also, as I mentioned before, we If we're driving while impaired or under the influence to create these crashes, we may also end up using Narcan at at collisions as well.

The use of Narcan has declined, but so has the deaths, which is which is extremely fortunate. Um, we did not have any reported incidents or investigations by our agency the last two quarters of 2025. Uh it is I would like to think that we're reducing our recreational drug use, but I think it's more of a matter of Narcan is one of the few drugs that someone other than a person to use it can have it prescribed. So if you have a family member or friend that you know has some type of substance abuse problem that you can get it and should unfortunate in happen where they overdose, you can have it at your disposal to administer the drug and hopefully save your friend or loved one's life. workflow. Uh this particular slide has two parts to the to your left or the 79,000 that is for 20 25 and the section to your right of the slide where it says 80,559 is 2024. I want to draw your attention to the the box is encircled in yellow or encased in yellow. You'll notice that the number of citations uh went from 5,624 in 2024 to 1,700 I'm sorry 7,247 citations in 2025. You also will see a increase in the number of field interviews and contacts and warrants signed were also increased in 2025. So our folks are out uh engaging and taking appropriate actions when needed up to and including arrest. The most important uh aspect of this slide is contained in the rectagonal black box there which shows the most active reporting times. Uh basically 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. is the most

prolific, but f and Friday is still the busiest day of the week for us. [snorts]

stolen firearms in 2025 versus 2024. Again, to the left column there underneath the direct line underneath our shield is 2025. The other is 2024. As you can see, uh the numbers in 2024 was 129 and we had an increase slightly at 143 in 2025. Um, you will notice that they're from motor vehicles and they're from vehicle with vehicles stolen that will have firearms in them. Please keep your valuables out of sight if you leave them in your vehicles and please lock your doors to your cars and your homes. A lot of our young people who are engaging in gun play in our city, they're not buying these guns at gun stores. They are stealing them and and they're stealing them because of crimes of opportunities. unlock vehicles or vehicles where they can see something of value inside. And to drive home that point about securing our vehicles, you know, I mean to prevent some of these guns fall into the wrong hands. In 2025, 89 firearms were stolen with or from a vehicle. 56 or 63% showed no signs of force entry. In 2024, 76 firearms taken, stolen with or from a vehicle, or 63 83% showed no signs of force. I'm sorry. Need to flip that side for you. I was doing so well. All right. Please keep your valuables, especially your guns, out of view and lock your cars and secure your vehicles. Responsible gun ownership will responsible gun ownership will help us greatly in this area. Next slide here. Our victims, 6% of our victims are identified as

Hispanic. 57.6% of our victims were female. And the age ranges you'll see to your right uh section of the page, 46.6% 6% are people 20 to basically 20 to 39 years of age. If you add those two columns together and if you add those up to 49, that's over 60% of those who are victim of our crimes. Juveniles taken into custody in 2025 and 2024. 68% were residents, resident juveniles. In 2025, 32 were not. In the year 2024, it was 60% that were residents and 40% not. So, most of the juvenile offenses that we've experienced in 2025 showed an increase from 60% to 8% totaling 68% for 2025. Adult arrest in 2025 and 2024. Non-resident 52% residents 37% and homeless 11% in 2025 [clears throat] compared to 8% homeless in 2024 56% non-residents [clears throat] and 36% resident. And we identify homeless is determined by the subject's last date of home address just for information. The next slide I had put in because I thought I think we need context when it come to uh the crimes or arrest of our homeless persons to tell you what they are involved in. As you can see, number one for 2025 was trespassing. And that nearly doubled the number in 2024 where

it was 47 incidents of trespassing, but we had 99 in 2025. Second is shoplifting in both categories. Uh, simple assault was number three in 2025 and in 2024, excuse [clears throat] me, it was other incidents like probably littering, begging or sleeping in public or incidents of that type. I mentioned earlier about policing and partnerships, small efforts with large impacts. want to just share with you some that I ask that you consider engaging in and assisting this as going forward in 2026. Secure your vehicles, housing, and firearms. There were no signs of force and 70% of theft from vehicle reports, 49% of burglary reports, and for 63% of firearms stolen from uh or with the vehicle. It's like securing food at the campsite. As my crime analyst would say, if everyone does it, barrels are less likely to visit the campgrounds. And plan ahead. Smart 911 allows you to share information with with uh that you want first responders to have and to know, such as medical conditions or emergency contact phone numbers in an emergency. When you sign up for Smart 911, first responders will be aware of important information you have provided that will help police, fire, and EMS locate, and help you in an emergency. And have you ever want to see inside SPD? Register for the Spartanberg Police Department Spring Citizens Academy. Applications are available online or at the police department. The next class will be held March 24th through May 26th. Also, I ask that you help identify leads for law enforcement to assist in exposing sex trafficking. uh visit the website there listed above to learn about project 1591 which uses

techsavvy volunteers online to look for victims of self trafficking and looking for data this year we will be publishing incident report data online uh there will be a summary for general review and a record list for independent analysis and vis visualization just want to reiterate that 2025 was the safest within the past not just 10 years but 29 years. And I just like to thank thank all the citizens again, our neighborhood associations, our business communities, nonprofits, and other entities that help make this happen because again, we cannot do it alone. At this time, if there are any questions, I'll be more than happy to entertain them. Sure. And I'm sure there's a few question up here. Um, but I'm I have one or maybe two. Chief, [clears throat] you um we can see that violent crime is down over the echo over that 10year u span,

but youth, teenagers, violent crimes, do we have any idea um the percentages? Is it higher, which I would assume it is, but I could be wrong. I think anecdotally we will feel that way. We have had a number of juveniles engaged in gun play. There's no question about it. I can have data drawn to get compiled to get you that exact data as how many of those were. But a number of our incidents here recently that time that age bracket of that 20 to 21 that's where we're having where we're losing a lot of our folks too, right? Uh so but I can have that data. Yeah, definitely would like to see it from younger younger than the 20 18 [clears throat]

along those lines. Chief, it it while the while the overall uh crime index seems to be trending downward, I mean, it's it's the best year we've had um in the last 10 29 years, depending on what you want to look at, but our violent crimes has remained largely stagnant across Well, it was it was a 2%, right? So, so yeah, very small decrease. Um and it seems to be sort of consistent with the last years or so. So really then as a percentage of our overall crimes, our violent crimes have have increased as a percentage if if I'm thinking about it right.

No, no, sir. I think again we're below the the 10-year average as indicated as I said before it peaks and valley has been kind of stable or plateaued. Uh I hopefully hopefully we're in the good right direction and going to continue the downward trend because if I'm not mistaken and I have to look back at my previous ones, but we have had years where we update one or two%. So I I will take any positive direction that we get, but we'll take efforts to obviously reduce it. We're not satisfied by any stretch of the imagination. Sure.

And I can tell you that the homicides our folks are working uh like I said tirelessly that bring we brought a number of folks to just where we've identified and made arrest on some of our recent homicides. We still somehow outstanding. I can tell you the the babies that Smith one keeps me up at night sometimes. That was a horrific incident. Not that any of them was good. it were all senseless. Um, but I'm encouraged because I do think we have people that do care and there's lines that won't be crossed and we do get more more information and I I think resolution will come. But I do ask for your patience because we only get one bite of the apple with this for you when you bring charges and go to court. If you don't have it right, then we can't bring justice to them. So again, I ask for the patience. I also ask for continued assistance from those that may have have knowledge. I don't know how it may seem insignificant, but it may be that missing piece that enable us to get that final little piece of probable cause that where we can go into court and prove a charge beyond the shadow for that.

Yeah. I I guess where I was headed with my question was was focusing on, you know, as we think about violent crimes in our in our city and and you know, we look to, you know, going forward the prevention aspect of it. You know, how are you and your leadership team thinking about ways to to maybe approach the the challenges of today and the future differently than we've looked at it over the last 10 years? because clearly y'all have been doing a great job of of moving this number down um and and and creating an environment where our community is safe, but we still see, you know, a large number of violent crimes. And so, you know, as a council, we we can't we can't prevent that. um what we can do is support you and and your efforts to prevent that and and you know address any you know deficiencies that we have from from our approach. So is there anything we need to be doing differently to support you and your team's efforts to to reduce violent crimes even more than the 2% that we've seen?

Well, well, let me say this as far as our efforts. Um as I said before, we're the tip of the spear. We're that investigative piece and unfortunately a good portion of our actions are reactionary, but we try to do things proactively on the front end as well. And some of the partnerships when it comes to mentoring or uh trying trying to get into spaces and places in the village. First off, let me let me say this. Let's use the our pronoun because it's going to take all of us. Uh as I said, we're the tip of the spear, but we're not the entire thing. I tell you the village as we talked about growing up some of that has changed. I would even say some of our village is broken uh from the standpoint that we have to somehow instill in our folks that that we ought to value life and and that starts at home. So having those conversation engaging young people and as well as adults when we go and speak to senior groups I ask them to tell your story help remind folks of the the pride in the neighborhood and how we used to to be and how we can be again. So, but the relationships, the partnerships we we develop, whether it's in our schools, whether it's in our neighborhood associations, obviously with our partnerships with our law enforcement agencies and the information sharing because I'll be totally honest with you, it's 10% roughly. A lot of the folks that are causing issues here inside the city are also causing issues in the county. And it's the same type same folks, but they're getting smarter. uh they're doing some things so it's harder to catch but we're uh have a bright bunch and by us also acquiring certain technologies that are enabling us to uh be even better at our job in the absence of having eyewitnesses and what have you because again we understand the fear of retaliation and reprisal and to be able to vet information that we get where we can keep people anonymous is what we prefer to do if and when possible. But I can tell you we're doing things on the

preventive end, on the intervention end as far as our investigative strategy and abilities, but we're also trying to when when we can make those solid cases, identify that 10% and remove them from the equation. But unfortunately, we find ourselves, it's kind of like old Greek mythology. You have the hydrogen, you cut off the head, the three will grow back because logic says, "Okay, you shot my friend. Now I got to come shoot up." And it's just a retaliatory deal. Somehow someway we have to engage with the the families and the adults in the room involved to be say where this has to end. This has to stop somewhere because we already seen where innocents can be harmed by that. Okay.

U like I said I know it's a long answer but I but I would love to have you come by see what we can really lay out for you most specifically some of the things that we're doing um on our end. But I can tell you for us to be successful, it's going to take everybody in our county, everybody in our city kind of working together. Sh. Councilwoman Lud. Yes, ma'am. Yes, Chief. I want to thank you for this report. Yes, ma'am. As I look over this report and I was listening to you and I think back on my um my years in real estate, I've got 21 years. You never like to make your neighborhood sound like a bad neighborhood

or your town sound like a bad place because you want to draw people in. You don't want to scare people out.

Um I am excited about this report. However, um looking at this cuz you're witnessing some things that are taking place in my district. I have to disagree with a lot of things that I'm seeing here. Um I wish that there was a way that we could focus on all areas of the city as we do some. I'm not saying that you don't, but I'm just saying the way that it appears because um we are having problems go with youth and people from outside of the city and I think that they have found a haven on the south side of town and that's where they are and I would like to see more patrols. I would like to see more police in these areas where you know that there is a problem and this has been something that I have stressed for a long time and I know that y'all are tired of me calling because I know that there are parts of this city and I know that there are people that are saying oh you don't want to make the city sound like a bad place. The city is not a bad place. I would not want to live any other place than where I am living here now. However, I do think that there needs to be more police patrol in certain parts of this city more so than others, especially where you know that there are hotspots. There needs to be more patrol. Um, I mean, I call you all all the time, but not as much as I should, but um,

I do believe that more patrol is needed in certain areas of the city. And again, I wouldn't want to live any other place than the city of Spartanberg. And I love where I live. I love where I live because there are good people there. They are good people. However, the people that are coming in and posing the problems don't live in Spartanberg. They are young people who do not live in Spartanberg. And this has been proven over and over again that they are coming in from the outside but because they have a haven here. I would just say that we go and utilize our resources where they're needed. Um, now as far as being able to create much more present than we currently have and still deal with issues at hand, challenging, but it's something that we try to do. Now, I will ask now I will pass my hat around here if we can get more personnel, but but we got to retain the ones that we have. And right now in this day and time when people can go and make five or $10,000 more per officer somewhere else and not be here to have the number of officers that's needed. Um, I'll just be totally honest with you. We're going to have to step our game up as a city. I mean, that's there's just no other way around it. Now we have force multipliers our technology say if it wasn't for what we have acquired and which and I thank you for your support in that area with proper funding and monies we got from representatives from the state we'll be so far behind but we're leading and we're winning and I hate to you feel that we're not taking care of your area but we are yes there's a lot of concentrated there but the work is being done there and it's taking time but I

tell you if we do not do what's necessary to make it where our officers can come here and stay and we can track those. We track good people and we train them up and they do a tremendous job. But when they can go and not even have to move from their current home and make considerably more, that's a challenge. Uh but I can pledge to you, we go where the problems are and try to work on some problems are easier to fix than others. And I hear you. And we will still do I can assure you we'll do all we can to try to enhance not just the presence but try to to deal with the very issues where our presence is required was needed. But I tell you we cannot do it alone. It starts at home the village and and has to be in to asked the deputy chief for permission to speak. She granted it. the chief. So, we've been having some longstanding conversations around our youth. Uh, as the chief noted, it does take a village and I will tell you as it relates to engagement, our team is doing an amazing job and it's not just the police department. Uh, and engagement that happens on MLK at TK Greg with the parks and recck team where PD was involved. We engaged over 300 youth that they led that conversation. So some of the things that you ask about like what are we doing differently as regards to our youth? I think some of the engagement efforts we are leading the engagement that took place at CC led by law enforcement over 100 young people mostly young black males that were present that was building those relationships. You know we had a speaker for MLK and he talked about you know what's the opposite of hate and he noted knowing those young people had a chance to get to know our law enforcement officers that day. you know, that would have a huge impact on how they see the police moving forward and their willingness to connect and share what

they know with law enforcement. Those are things we're doing. We're also forming an internal task force on youth to make sure that parks and recck, city manager's office, PD are talking and communicating strategically. So, there's a lot of infrastructure that is taking shape around our youth. So, I just wanted to add that context. Thank you. Thank you, Deputy Chief. And thank you, sir. And from again from an investigative and enforcement standpoint, I I I'll just be totally honest with you. I will never come and talk about sources and methods here because it's counterproductive for what we're doing. Again, I ask for your patience. Councilwoman Smith.

Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, just to reiterate your point at the beginning, another data piece that I would like to see is this one that has the victims of benchmark crimes. And the most startling piece in all of this report is that 10% of those victims are 17 and under. I mean, that is truly unacceptable for a community that that many of victims of crimes are 17 and under. But I would like to to know if that is different from previous years, if that is less, if that has grown. So, um, you all have long known that irresponsible gun ownership is something that, um, irks me to no end and people leaving them in their cars is, you know, also unacceptable. Do we know if any of these guns that have been stolen from vehicles have later shown up as guns used in crimes that we have later recovered?

Get you the number. But unfortunately and unfortunately, well, sometimes we we find them and we can trace and see if there's a connection, but sometimes the guns are discarded and not found after they've been used. So, that makes it somewhat challenging, right? Um but but we can see what we can find out from you as far as those that we have been able to confirm had been stolen and was used in a subsequent time. And I know in the past we've done some messaging around that. We've done two gun buybacks in the past

and you know I think some of my fellow council members will speak on the impact of our social media from the storm and how people listen to us when we use our platforms. And to me this is very much a a reason to use our platforms to tell people do not leave your gun in your car. you are just as much a piece of this puzzle like you say it takes all of us. Um the other question I wanted to ask and and I usually ask this one every year that we have this report is when you talk about the hot spot areas um those of us that have a Walmart in our district that's usually the area when we talk about the hot spot for shoplifting.

Yes. And I'm we've had a couple of very high-profile incidences at the Westside Walmart this past year that I've heard several folks in my district um express serious concern over rightfully so. And usually we have a or always we have a car there. But I'm wondering, can you just talk a little bit more about our relationship with the Walmart, as my grandmother says, the Walmart, um, with the big box stores and specifically what we're doing with them to help them not just respond, but to either implement new policies or practices because every year, and and I understand it, every year the the Walmarts show up as the hot spot.

Um, you know, I read Betty Moka's name [clears throat] every single day in the in the reports. But I'm just curious if we're trying new things, if we're tracking specific data, new interventions, what we're seeing on the on the commercial real estate side.

Well, what I would say is I think the relationship and the efforts of our big box stores has improved tremendously um with them acquiring certain technologies. Obviously, we have offduty personnel that will work at some of the big box stores, which is also an enhancement. Uh, and reduce crime day and shoplifting is one of the things that we have made considerable impact on because of those enhancements. Um, so even though that number is still high and that's still where the majority is because our major shopping centers um in those areas on the east side and west side. Um, but that we we have seen declines in that arena um because of the work that they've done and we've done in conjunction with them. Uh but having also the technology we have in in some of our vehicles uh we've been able to identify some of those who are shoplift and leaving the area and we find them later on and can do some positive things to deter if you would some of that activity. But uh that's they still going to be the draw because especially the one on west side because of where it's located uh to be totally honest with you. Uh and as noticed in the past to a lot of our shoplifterss, they come even from southwestern part of North Carolina. You come down 26 or 85 and boom, you at the Walmart or the mall and you do your dirt. But again, I'm I'm proud to say that there has been a reduction and I can't um thank those at Walmart enough for some of the efforts that they've made to try to take a little bit more responsibility. Now, they're never going to uh and and probably rightfully so, have their um like a lot of stores have their employees go out and try to apprehend or stop their person shoplifting. We still will discourage that. But with the cameras, we're able to identify those folks and and be able to generally find them later if they've done any kind of assault or any type of theft at the big box stores.

But also, that's a result of the fact that they're actually intentional about those crimes, right? they have a staff that's the designed to address those crimes. So you see because of the the density of of shoppers that go in and out of that store or the one on the east side or the one at Cedar Springs on a daily basis. I mean you have volume but they also have a more robust component to address that. So they're always going to be you know read on our heat map associated with that. It's just a, you know, the fact that they're working in tandem with our folks to to see those numbers come down. They're always as a percentage, they're always going to be high, right?

Yes, sir. And the good thing about it when when it shows that it's showing the incidents, but what that incident doesn't, it shows the number of folks we have arrested who've been involved in those incidents. So, again, we have gotten better at being able to identify those perpetrators of the those shoplifting thefts than we have in years past because of some of the technology inside. And as you mentioned, uh, they've taken a little bit more well responsibility of being able to identify even for people leaving the store who are doing involved in some of the activities. And folks who who understand look at this data should realize that that it's not a it's not a fertile environment for them because they're going to get caught more than likely.

Um, so the deterrent is the fact that we're being more intentional collectively to to address those That's correct. shoplifting crimes or whatever. Yes, sir. Councilwoman Rogers. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um Chief, just thank you for for this report and you know, I think we're we're starting to talk about these these areas. Um Councilwoman Little John talked about, you know, specific areas in in her district. Can you just talk the the council and and and the room through, you know, when you do identify a place like you mentioned the dormant center and and West Jose like se several times in the report, how do you

how do you begin to address that so that we can start to see the the decline? I mean, we talked about technology, but specifically outside of a big box store. Again once you determine a certain you look for certain patterns or trends and then you determine advisor strategy how to best curtail that um because you have to have that information first you know you have some things one also are outliers or they may be cyclical you know we had a situation well I'll stick to the big bucks so tell you about another thing where it was it was almost based on if we were having a big event somewhere we knew there were certain things were going to take place so we increased our presence, okay? Plain clothes and marked uh units,

okay?

Because we knew that certain activities brought in a certain group of people going to take advantage of the crowd, right? So, but again, once we able to identify how something is going on because before you can slay something, you have to kind of understand this habits and whatever how they're doing it. And then you try to reinforce things either at the store itself, you know, with better locking mechanisms, whether they have cameras there themselves, not just ours. Um, we have some other technology around it where if we see a picture, for example, at a store, and this leaves, but we have this tag number now, we're able to track that tag until we can find out hopefully who's owning it. They may still have the stuff, but at least we know who they are. and then we can try to piece together our case there. But again, finding out is the people on foot, are they driving vehicles, those type of things. But you want to target harden the areas that are vulnerable and that like I said that comes from everything to lighting your we'll do SE test studies for example and that's crime prevention through environmental design. Sometime if we see a place that's targeted, we say, "Okay, what it may be, we need to cut back your hedge row. We need to have improved lighting. You need to have airboat locks as opposed to just your regular say a name of a company, but uh but a lot that's not as secure. So you you target harden the the location first and then we try to put more eyes on it, you know. So, we'll do keep checks for certain businesses or whatnot from time to time if they've been targeted. And then we'll do some of the things that I talked about uh that I can't talk about because of sources and methods.

Chief May, may may I ask one follow-up question? Um just looking at the the adult arrest um you know versus 2024 there's a a definite trend that non resident um crimes are being committed by non-residents. So thinking about the technology of or like the approach of how you target you figure out what's going on. Um you know again council woman little John mentioned they're they're outside of our city residents. How do you plan on addressing?

But that's where the partnership comes with our other law enforcement entities, the county and other municipalities and the information sharing uh that we do. Okay. So that that is extremely helpful because as I said the those who are committing these type crimes, they don't have jurisdictional lines and if a situation where we know person A is doing something here but we also contact the county. over they've done something here too and we share that information and we'll come up with joint strategies to deal with some of the actions depending on what the the type of incident it is. Okay, Councilwoman Sally.

Thank you. Um Chief Thompson, I just wanted to say I don't have a question just a compliment to the officers and the police department in general because I have seen some improvements, you know, and it depends on the area. I know that there are hot spots in my area as well and I know that they're working on them and I really appreciate that. Well, thank you very much. Mayor Pro Tim, one last question. Yes. [laughter] Yes. One last question. Yes, ma'am.

And I hate to ask this because it's a doom and gloom, but it's something that eats at me almost every day. I just want to know if you all have any leads on the person who killed that baby in the bed at 4:00 in the morning. I could just tell you, please be patient and let us complete the investigation. Um, are you still investigating it? Oh, most definitely, ma'am.

Okay. Not only do we investigate homicides that recently occurred, we have a cold case unit that the crimes that happened years ago that we're not letting go because again we know we cannot bring back what we cannot do for the families what they want most more than anything which is to have their loved one back. But what we can do is continue to work those cases tirelessly and hopefully identify that perpetrator, make make a solid case because nothing will make me feel worse than for us to to rush to judgment, take a case to court that's not solid and lose it. There's thing called double jeopardy. We won't be to go back again. So, we're going to take our time and do it right. And uh I like I said, please be patient on that because it's still under investigation. And um as I said uh I really won't rest till we get that one resolved because I know the pain that's caused this community.

Council Brown. Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. No, go ahead. Okay. Let me say this. I think that we have the best department, police department in the world. And I brag about y'all all the time. I brag about you cuz So, please don't think that I'm coming at your heart when I ask questions.

Trust me, I I can understand. It's not not a problem, ma'am. I I understand um trust me the the desire for each one of you to be responsive to your constituents. I can understand the frustration when things don't get resolved as quickly as possible. Uh trust me, we share it too because we know we're going to have moments like tonight, [snorts] [laughter] but I don't mind it. Uh don't mind at all because I know we're still working. We hear you and we will adjust accordingly. But I do ask that you be patient. We have professional people who do this job as well as any that I've had the pleasure of working with and I enjoy working with them and we uh like I said, we'll make some things happen. I just just trust us on that.

Mr. Mayor, Chief, thank you for this report. Um I'm just trying to get a better understanding of the um calls for service five years of the homeless calls. Yes, ma'am. What What does that mean exactly? Um, is it a call that you all receive that someone says someone's homeless or was there a crime committed or Well, again, that goes back to that page. Let me find it here that show the different call types on I pull it up there too if I seven for the

and it'll show you the number of actual incidents that were reported and you'll see that a lot of it was trespassing calls. It was like 99 of them. Okay. Um I get to in just a sec. Are are those numbers reflective of the fact again that we're being more intentional about addressing them? Definitely. Yeah. Yes, sir. I want to know what the call see what you're because we're up 31%. What right as far as the number of homeless encounters? Yes, sir. But I guess

and and [clears throat] but again to try to give some perspective um is why I had that those pages insert inserted to show what the um the type of incidents. Okay. Thank you. Okay. What the type of incidents were you know you have 285 and the 213. Those are actual call types where people and and it's broken down.

Okay. where you see disorder conduct that was nine or drunkenness or whatever the case may be. So that so those are the types of things but as I said number one by a long shot in both of them but it doubled in 2025 it went from 47 tres just passing to 99 and one of the things that we did because we do know like for right now even during the summer but now we'll find homeless at some of the at our business locations and spaces and places behind the manure entrances where they can get out of the the cold more or less.

Sure. And we have an officer signed downtown to go at six o'clock in the morning to go and try to make sure that those business spaces are clear are clear. But that doesn't even include those riding around during the night trying to trying to make sure the homeless are in and taken care of to the extent that we can. But there's still a number of people that are out and they're going to find places where they can pretty much escape the cold as best they can. And unfortunately some of our business establishments. Um but if we get there and someone called and then there have been people where they've called in years past we have given a warning say please you know we've been trespass whatever but now they don't heed that warning and come back and we're affecting arrest.

I think I'm fine with seeing this type of data. The only thing that makes me a little bit uncomfortable is how it's separate seems to be separate from the I'll be totally honest with you. I did that because of so much energy that we've had around homelessness. Yeah. And to me, I want that shows what it shows to me. Like for example, the assaults, which is number three. Mhm.

Those assaults amongst themselves. They're not We had this belief people say, "Oh, they're homeless. You know, I'm downtown. Here come the homeless." The homeless are not assaulting other people. Now, they may come up and beg. They may be fully uncomfortable, but they're not engaging assaulted behavior. That's not saying we haven't had a couple of incidents where we've had homeless uh a couple of incidents with an overwhelming majority. It's an outlier for homeless to engage in some type of activity like this against someone other than homeless. Um, so to me, I asked that that be put in because I anticipated [laughter] that uh but with some of the energy around homeless because as y'all know I'm I'm one of those folks, you know, I remember um somewhere I read that said you you're hungry, you're closed the naked, and you welcome the fare in. And um and I think we need to remember that in a sense when we it's great that we have the multi-million dollar investment. And I know we may not want to see some of these people in spaces that they are, but they have to go somewhere. So if we're not investing in some kind of way for some space and place for them to be, especially in times like these when the weather's cold and whatever else, that's problematic. But I know we're better than that. So I do think that as we think about the business development because we we have become I mean our crime data I'll just say this we're not crime free but but our folks are working and we capture our data and we do it I think the right way and we deal with the real but we're still you know have become a resident of choice for folks moving here for businesses moving here and they're not going to come people not going to place their church where they feel unsafe. So, but we still got work to do. But but let's acknowledge it that like I said, this is a place where people want to come, individuals want to come, families want to come, businesses want to come, corporations want to come, and that's a testament to to our city. But I will say though, when it come to the homeless piece,

as I said before, these are local folks. These are people aren't being dropped off in here. We still have to tend to the least of these in some kind of measurable way or we're going to continue to have this problem. So part of our investment has to be we just have to find a location because as you all know Nimia is alive and well. Nobody want anything in their backyard. But we do have to have a place we say you know when my officers are asked to come and engage a homeless person and we say you can't be here. It's like well where where do I go? Right? And right now there's nowhere to go. Mr. Ken, I can tell. But that's the complexity of the home.

I was going to say that's the complexity of the homelessness problem, right? Is is, you know, you're trying to address multiple different issues and often times the police have been historically charged with being the tip of that spear. We're [clears throat] trying to be more holistic in our approach

and a place to go home has been fantastic. But this is still important data because what we once we there are certain people whether they're homeless or transient or not that fall into this bucket at some point. And so being intentional about making sure that we we take care of that because you know in years past we had so many property owners in our downtown say I've had this happen at my property and nothing happened. Well did you report [clears throat] it? No. So having them feel comfortable reporting this so that we can get this data allows us to address the the criminal aspect of it, but then focusing on what we do with a place called Hope to try to find them a place to go to try to help them get the resources they need, whether it's, you know, physical or mental or whatever. um you know that's where we take the holistic approach here which may be different than than some other communities but but it is important that we address this aspect of it as well.

Oh no no doubt and and again this has always been a balance. Yeah.

You know it's one of those things. Yes. So, I want to we want to help and get the person to the place where he or she need to be to get the assistance, but they also have to be remindful respect for the property they may be trespassing on or things that they may be doing on those properties because I know if I'm a business owner, I got to come and each and every day clean up and whatever around my place that could be annoying. We get that. And after we've given you a warning or two and you've been trespassing, you come back, then we have to take we have to go another route. But, uh but the calling doesn't bother us because we're going to take appropriate action based on what we find. uh we're not going to arrest someone because uh because we'll get a call these calls where people just don't like the way someone look. I just just be totally honest with you and I always give the analogy I got two people sitting in Morgan Square. one on the bench wearing penny loafers, khakis and a polo shirt. The other one's kind of tattered jeans and whatever else. They're both not. Which one? And then people say, "Well, this person here for that person not doing anything different than a public space enjoying the I say the good weather today." Well, all weather above ground is good weather in my opinion, but but anyway, uh they're not enjoying summertime or springtime. It's it's it would be unfair for me or my Well, first off, it's legal. We're not doing it. We're not going to arrest somebody for not I'm not we're not going to make homelessness a crime but by the same token when they commit certain activities we will and evidence suggest and shows it.

I just wanted to note what councilman former noted as relates to your question. We heard from you all several years ago about documentation. What you see today is a byproduct of that conversation. It not only helps from a policing standpoint, it helps uh a place to call home from a documentation standpoint and how we mitigate the issues around substance abuse and mental health. Without data, we can't drive resources to assist those individuals. So, tracking every incident is paramount. And this team, the conversations that take place with police officers in a place they call home where they're talking about people just by a simple description, the police officers know the individuals that we see experiencing homelessness by name. And that is increase in the last couple of years. The intentional engagement by law enforcement in a place to call home is a byproduct of that. but also there will be additional context that we'll come back with you in a few weeks with an update in what's happening with a place to call home from a strategy standpoint. So I just wanted you to note that that is coming and it does work. There was a gentleman and I won't call his name but when I first came to Spark 12 years ago that used to sleep in the steps of city hall

one because he knew it was safe and there was a little break in the building kept wind off generally from the direction it used to come. Here kids are home now, right? A little place to call home, right?

But just like I said about us investigations of criminal activity, but also dealing with folks who are having a tough time in life for us to get in. It may take time, but we get there. And again, we we knowing what leverage to pull and who to call because we we're out here. We we're 24/7, 365 days a year, 366 of the leap year, but normally we're not the ones going to actually solve the problem. But we know who to call to help solve the problem. And that's what's been so beautiful about here. We're doing a lot of things right. I don't think it's drawing a whole bunch of people in, but it's having us take care of the people who are here that are ours, our neighbors who were born and raised and grew up here. And I think uh and again, I commend the city and those community partners uh that are assisting us in that endeavor to deal with homelessness in a holistic way. Um but some of that does take time. But when I think about partners like Bridge and like I said, some good stuff going on

and we should be proud of it. Good. Good. [clears throat] Thank you, Chief. U and I think something you said just throughout the conversation that we're going to do it the right way. Yes, sir.

But you're going to put the actuals up there, the real keep it real, as they say, and we're going to keep it real in Spartanberg. Identify what we can. Thank you, man. Thank you to you and your team. We have item um eight, the resolution. resolution uh certifying an abandoned building site pursuant to South Carolina abandoned building revitalization act title 12 chapter 67 section 12-67-100 of South Carolina code laws 1976 amendment regarding the property located at Mandela Lane Spartenberg bearing the tax map number 7-08-9-9200 for the purpose of uh enabling application for credit against South Carolina state income taxes. Mr. Chris Story, a lot of information. Thank you young people for coming. Thank you. Thank you,

Mr. Mayor, members of council. The the item before you uh is allows a project to advance that is consistent with the goals and purposes that the city has for broadening our economic development strategies and u encouraging the reuse um and reinvestment in underutilized properties um in the city. Uh the South Carolina abandoned building revitalization act enables credits uh against future uh taxes when a building has set uh dormant for a period of 5 years and is reactivated by um different ownership. And in this case one Mandala Lane is a long vacant commercial building just off North Church Street. It's um in the it's generally on the north side of of the community near the hospital campus. Uh John Moore and his associates have a plan to uh renovate that structure and put it back into active use. That is positive for our tax base and and for the tax base of the school district and others. Um and it is uh purely consistent with uh the purposes of the South Carolina abandoned building. uh act and we would encourage your approval of the project to pursue those credits. Uh there'll be subsequent discussion of the specific of the project as it moves through the development review process. This is an early stage sort of gate gatekeeping u hurdle to to make the project economically viable to justify additional um investigation and design work and the like. Certainly welcome any questions that you would have. Any questions on Mr. Story? Do I hear a motion?

I move that we accept the resolution certifying the abandoned building um as stated. Do I hear a second? Second. All in favor? Any that opposed? Eyes have it. Ordinance number nine, ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute agreement for the lease and sale of property located at 362 Union Street, Spineburg, South Carolina, bearing the amount number 7-12-15- 336.00. First reading, Mr. Martin Livingston, community development director.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of council. Staff is requesting approval of a lease and purchase of a property vacant lot uh that's owned by the city. Uh the lease and purchase agreement will be with the Lemonade Chick. I didn't make that up. Uh Lemonade Chick LLC. It's a uh registered LLC with the state of Secretary of State. Uh they're a small business, local minerowned small business that have been developing out of their home. Uh they make bakery goods and uh a variety of uh drinks and they approached the city about using this property for parking purposes. Uh they are making renovations to a property next door uh where they have 388 Union Street where they have um where they have the um uh a purchase agreement with the property owner uh and it's owner financed. And so uh staff is recommending approval of this lease purchase agreement. They'll lease property for 5 years. That'll give staff enough time to determine if their PAL connection can be made in that area. uh as well as the the viability of the business that they're expanding. So, uh staff is requesting approval and ask any questions you may have.

Any questions to Mr. Livingston? I just have one question. Did you say um they're going to use the building for parking? Parking. So, the the building itself is 388 Union Street. That's where they're going to be operating from. But the building the property behind them is the city property. Uh and that that's a vacant property which they'll be using for parking. There's not enough parking availability in the front of the property. You don't have any pictures of it? I do have something somewhere. Where where is it? 388. There's a in your packets. You should see a uh part of the agreement. There's a page that shows the property location.

Yeah. I would just couple of aspects of the property that that make this a nice fit is that it's it's sort of a landlocked remnant parcel. Uh its highest and best use is related to the it needs at some point to be connected to an adjacent property for it to make sense. It's an it's otherwise unusable if except for its neighboring properties. this way. It's closer to street coming this way. Closer to page 16 of the packet. 362. Is it 362?

So So 388. So what's that cross street right there? Is that Marion skate park? Yeah, it's across from the skate park. Yeah. Oh, okay. So that is that Oh, so they're going in the old Clancies. Yes. No. You just aged yourself. [snorts] You knew what I was talking about. [laughter] I can still hear the beer clanking. [laughter] All right. So skate park. So it's down right at the end of Okay. Where's

It's It's close to the glass place. Across from the glass street. Okay. Okay. I think we need a motion. Yeah. I mean, do everybody feel comfortable where it is now? We know. Make a motion, Mr. Mayor, that we approve the ordinance as read. Second. All in favor? I. Any that opposed? Thank you.

All right. Thank you. Now we uh uh public hearing uh here uh an ordinance that to amend the city of Spartanberg, South Carolina zoning uh ordinance and comprehensive plan uh plan land use element by amending section 206 change to district boundaries specifically the property located at 1619 White Senior Boulevard uh from the current zoning R15 single family residents to B1 neighborhood shopping district and providing uh for servability and and an effective date uh ordinance is 2026 uh through 00-002. Uh Miss Fredelyn Frasier, planning director.

Good evening, mayor and council members. Uh the matter before you tonight is an application for the resoning of 1619 John B. White Senior Boulevard and um I'll just briefly go through some um the findings and the applicant is also here this evening as well. There you are. Yes. So um the owner and applicant the owner is Ruth Hillman. Uh the applicant is Brandon I hope I'm pronouncing this right. Brandon Kubler. Um and the request here is to um reszone this property that is currently zoned as R15 which is general residential to a more compatible use which is B1 which would um neighborhood shopping district. So with any reasonzoning you know we have several um hurdles or steps that we have to go through. So the first is a public information session and so that was held on January 6 at that time at the Woodson Community Center. Uh there were no public attendees at that meeting. We did not receive any inquiries either at the meeting because no one was there but also there were no inquiries that came through the office at that time. Uh it then moved on to the planning commission as uh as required. And at the uh planning commission meeting again there were no public uh individ any anyone from the public there to speak in favor or opposition and there was no other additional comments coming that came through the office as well. And so the public uh the planning commission unanimously unanimously approved the application to move forward and that's why we're here now for first reading. should you decide that you want this to move forward, it would then come back to you for a second reading on the 23rd of February. So, that's the process that we're following right now. So, a little bit about the property. It is um

just little over an acre and as I mentioned, it is currently zoned R15 single family. We um have a significant kind of mix of uses or zoning around this property. Uh there's uh B1. You also see light office indust um district there as well. And there's also um again some more residential R15. And this property also abuts the county. And so there's the the south the southern portion of this uh parcel is uh along the county and there's predominantly residential there. And I'll go into some more figures here, but a little bit about B1 and what we're proposing here. It's generally for uh general softing um shopping and convenience uses. And so that's where we feel as though this is perhaps the most compatible use to move forward with. And here's um the reason why we see this as we did um walk through our analysis. As you can see, this is a corridor that is in transition. It is moving from more uh residential to more commercial and retail. It's surrounded right now by B1. And I mentioned LOD as well and also um B3. And if you've driven down there recently, you'll see the different new uh businesses that have come in there and those that are prepared to move in there as well. So, you know, we have a car wash that has recently um um uh taken has been developed there. A take five oil change. There's a Jersey Mike and a Five Guys. All of that is relatively new in terms of development along the corridor. And as you can see, this is a single uh residential piece that sits in the middle of all of that. And here it is just an aerial to show you the transition of the uses as you move down the corridor. So what you see in the yellow is the proposed use. Right now there is still a single family on

the parcel, but of course that will be removed. But adjacent one lot over um to the east is the uh car wash that I mentioned. And then there's a proposed use on that vacant lot there. That is an oil change, but it has not come before us. We have the application, but we have not conducted the site plan review for that one that's immediately to the right of this parcel. So when we think about reszoning and what um some of the criteria that needs to occur here, we first look at the comprehensive plan and the land use plan that we have for this area which we call our growth and conservation map clearly indicates that this area is u where we want to see more dense and commercial use. And so the purple there is what we call center infill growth sector and that is proposed for uses that are transitioning along corridors, highly trafficked areas and this is what is in our comprehensive plan. The the orange piece that you see there shows that that's intended or was intended for us to make that more in um more intense use. So it does align with our growth and com conservation plan. But there are other criteria that we also take into account when we talk about a reasonzoning. And there are the five that we have here. I just have that large check box there because it meets all of those criteria that we have here. Um compatibility. I think we've demonstrated that in terms of the sound uh surrounding uses for this property. The suitability again because of the uses that are there now. Um the marketability of course with the resoning certainly enhances marketability but we already have a proposal for the Dutch Brothers coffee there and then of course because there's sewer and water and everything else the infrastructure is there to support it and it is along a major corridor. So we feel as though it has met all five

criteria and that's one of the reasons also that the planning commission um approved it unanimously. So, this just gives you an idea of the site plan that they're proposing for the coffee shop. And just wanted to leave that with you. It's the area that's highlighted in yellow is the proposed Dutch Brothers Coffee. And with that, I'll take any questions that you may have or if you have any for the applicant. Any questions?

No, no questions. Um, just a comment. I I completely support this resoning and Miss Ruth, you're getting a a great parcel from the sweetest lady. Um, I'm sad to lose a constituent who has lived there for quite some time and she has been so complimentary of the city who has worked with her as as you have said as her neighborhood has changed around her, but she's recognized that it is finally time to let go as she said today. Um, so take good care of that piece of land. [laughter] Um, and Stephen, she specifically has mentioned how you have been such a a help to her in the past. Um, and Martin as well, but he but he just walked out. So, um, going to be sad to lose her, but wish her the best in her her new endeavors.

Any questions? Yes. Um, Fredelyn, the the So, I assume that the interex exit area is all going to be along John B. White. You mentioned I think that behind that was a residential on along. So the the the ingress and egress will be off of John B. White. The other um road that runs behind there which I think is Nullwood is actually a residential street. The the the pictures you show showed us in the package that th that that property those homes or are dwellings those are in the county. Correct. Yes. Where you see the gray, where you see the gray here is the county,

right? But the pictures in the package of the not it's not on the slides, it's in the package that those those dwellings are in the county. Is that right? So So does the same buffer requirements um exist when they abut the county? Well, typically what we do is we work with the county staff to make sure that whoever has the highest and best buffer is the one that's applied. So that's the lowest common denominator the the which likely would be the city's buffer required. Exactly. Okay. But yes, it is. No, we uh have to go into a public hearing. I was going to make a comment.

No, I'm sorry. Okay. I just want to piggy back on what Megan I mean Councilwoman Smith said about Miss Davis. She is a beautiful person and she's also my church member. We attend church together along with Mitch. [laughter] All right. So we uh have to go into a public hearing and the way the public hearing works is that u we have 20 minutes uh per side. No one person can speak over 10 of that 20 uh for or against this uh reszoning. So do I hear a recommendation to go into public hearing?

So second all in favor. Any that oppose? Eyes have it. So we're in a public hearing. Uh, anyone want to speak in favor of this u u recommendation? Anyone would like to speak against this recommendation? Mr. Mayor, I make a motion to close the public hearing. Second. Second. All in favor? I. Any that oppose? Eyes have it. Now we need a motion. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion we approve the resoning. Second. All in favor? I.

Any that opposed? Eyes have it. Great job, staff. Staff updates. Mr. Story, it's been a long time since we've been here. Bunch of information you got. Uh, actually, not so much, Mr. Mayor. Uh, we have I'll start just highlight a couple things quickly. U, we, as everyone is aware, have had a couple weeks in a row of winter weather. Uh and when that happens, uh our team our teams, most notably our public works department, but also uh police and fire have to operate differently. Um and uh I just want to to to take a moment to express appreciation for the diligence of uh particularly our public works team in their aggressive efforts on that. That's a lot of overtime backtoback weekends. uh a lot of time away from family, backtoback weekends, and of lot of uh special services and work and and that type of thing. And they handled it um in my opinion extraordinarily well. And I know there were a lot of other partners in the mix to to get us through those um winter weather uh events with minimal disruption. But really proud of the coordinated efforts of the team. Uh doing things to have each other's backs in the sense of um uh you know sharing meals so they can stay on shift um sharing equipment and things of that nature. uh really good teamwork and uh a lot of efforts to prioritize the health and safety of the citizens. Also appreciative of the of the community uh for heeding the call to to to to minimize uh unnecessary travel movements during the winter weather. that makes a

huge difference not just in uh folks avoiding accidents involving themselves but by keeping uh traffic down we can make it safer for the emergency responders and other things. The other side of that coin that I just wanted to mention is that when we take that amount of time out of regular services, there is a bit of a catch-up that has to occur, particularly as it relates to like our green waste and yard waste collection services. Um, so you we you will be seeing us play catch-up on that front um in in the coming weeks because we missed effectively a couple of weeks out of that rotation. Um uh so uh we ask folks patience and cooperation uh with that. Um and uh so that's that's my uh primary update tonight. Certainly welcome any questions uh that you all have about other folks. I uh I also wanted to um uh highlight the great cooperative efforts that are going on in downtown with the new uh traffic pattern changes going into effect and construction sites. um u getting more and more active in the infusion of additional construction workers into our downtown. The cooperation level uh not just with the the city team and those contractors but also with the downtown businesses and downtown residents has been terrific and we are grateful for it. Any questions, Mr. Mayor?

Any questions, Mr. Story? Great. Sounds good. Let's move forward. Jame is smiling. [laughter] We have uh council updates now. Miss Rogers, Councilwoman Rogers.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um so, going in order of the topics. Um Mr. Mayor, I just really want to echo your your thoughts on civic engagement, having youth in the room, having having a room that is more full um tonight versus some others. It's just really nice to see people here and listening and participating in in the the operations and the things that are important to our community. So, thank you for being here and I I hope we all continue to engage um the youth and and different groups to come and and and take part. Um and then in in terms of the police report, um thank you so much. Uh I really look forward to uh hearing on more continued collaboration with community partners specifically um data as well around around the youth and and our homeless community. Um it is encouraging to see that even though the the mention of homeless is is increasing, they are they are calls of service. They are not crimes. They are not um you know less than 1% uh for overdose and and drug related incidents. um you know, don't like to see numbers grow, but the fact that we're tracking it and working to to understand it and address it um is encouraging and thank you to our our community partners for sure. Um and then lastly, to to echo Mr. story. I just looking at our communications, looking at what our public works teams, our police, our fire departments um around the storm, also our school districts, the the the fun and yet very clear message of stay home and also have some fun. Um, I was really encouraged to see um, you know, a storm is a storm and it was very cold, but I

know that our family truly enjoyed the moment uh, the several moments of of white um, in the safety of our home. But I just would like to thank public works and and our departments um as well as our communications team to truly encourage us to experience snow in a a safe and uh virtuial way. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Councilwoman Smith.

Yeah, not much for me tonight, Mr. Mayor. Um I had the opportunity to attend the municipal association with the mayor. Um, and the chief was there as well as the new sheriff. I had not had an opportunity to meet or interact with him yet and was actually quite impressed um, and with with many of the ways with the ways that he answered questions and the kind of new foot forward foot forward, is that an expression? Um, that that he put. And so, thank you, Chief, for being there. um and he was asked some very pointed questions about way we've seen law enforcement in other states um especially coming from our federal government and he was given an opportunity to pander um and he did not and he said we we do things differently here um it's about pro protecting our community um folks who don't have documented status we're not here to go after folks we're here to make that everyone in our community feels safe, that they feel like they can come and report crimes um to us. So, I it was a it was a breath of fresh air, especially after what we've been seeing across our country right now. So, I was thankful for that and some of the different ways that he's talked about our department partnering with the sheriff's department was interesting and um looking forward to to those coming to fruition. So, thank you all for coming out tonight.

Brown,

Mr. Mayor. Yeah, don't really have much either. I've kind of been at home, so it's nice to be out and about and starting to get my bearings again in the new year. But I do want to thank you all for all the support and the well wishes that you've given me. Um it was quite an experience to, you know, be you you really kind of take for granted small things like bending over and pick tying your shoes and those sort of things. I my mom came down and um helped take care of me while I was in the hospital and then you know stayed for a couple weeks. Um I kind of shoved her out the door after once I started to get my own bearings on things I was like okay it's you can go now. So um but you really no matter how independent you are you always you don't ever realize no matter how independent and how old you get, you never realize how much you you need your mom. So, it was it was good to have her here and um you know, my wife that was here tonight and um and my best friend who also they everybody just kind of tag teamed and um that's why I love this place so much. You know, I'm not born and raised in Spartanberg, but I have found my family that is here who has always been there for me um at any given time. you you mentioned and you know came by and saw me at my worst, you know, [laughter] unshaved and unbathed and so um I'm just eager to get back into the swing of things. I probably will not be at the next mayor's walk because I can't quite, you know, but I know I owe you this year. So, thank you all for the well wishes. Glad to be back.

Awesome. Councilwoman Sal, thank you. Uh glad to have you back, Erica. Thanks. And um I want to say I think I see Mr. Norwood out there in the audience. So good to have you here with us. It's been a while.

Um and to the chief and the deputy [laughter] chief, I want to say I I want to compliment your officers during the weather, the bad weather and the snow storm. One of my residents called and needed assistance for her father and Officer Wright was there Johnny on the spot to assist her with getting her father settled in a proper way. And I know that she's not the only one on the force that has helped other residents or people with concerns, but we do have a great police department, you guys. And I hope and pray that if you see an officer, say hello and thank you. Thank them for their services cuz they are important. They are very important to our our city and and for us and they do take care of us. They may not be next to to you like Jamie is to me. Uh Councilman Fulman is next to me, but they're there and I appreciate that. And thank you all for being here as well. Thank you, Councilman Foreman.

Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, just a couple items. Um, since our last meeting, uh, few of us had the opportunity to attend, uh, one Spartanberg's outlook event, which was, uh, an incredible, incredibly informative event. Um, but one thing that that I'd like to highlight, uh, Councilwoman Smith and I stayed to the very end and and at the end of the day, they had a a panel of developers, uh, that were investing in Spartanberg that were from outside of Spartanberg. And, uh, in particular, uh, the Barrett folks who are doing the wrap, uh, they're from Indiana and they're doing the wrap around the city county complex and and, you know, to a to a tea, those developers were singing Spartanberg's praises. Uh, and I think sometimes we lose sight of the fact of the good things that are happening here. Um, but beyond the disruption that we're seeing in our downtown, progress is happening. We're creating something exciting and new and and that creates opportunities for everybody. But but you know, to a te those developers sung our praises and said Spartanberg gets it. We work in other communities across the country. They're difficult to deal with. Their permitting process is is cumbersome. their staffs are are anti-progress and and seem to be doing ways to or come up with ways to say no. And in Spartanberg, you're saying yes, you get it. And you know, we think about the investment the Johnson's have made and and others in our community. And we're starting to attract new investment from outside of of our community. And that's healthy. And I think that's exciting. And and so I think we should not lose sight of that when we get into the to the weeds about, well, I couldn't find a parking place or my car got dusty because I drove downtown. I mean that's all progress and we should celebrate that. The other thing I would uh I also had the opportunity to attend uh the go forth recovery celebration um which was an incredibly informative event speaking to the conversations we were having around uh crime and drugs and things and and you know the work that they're doing

along with others in our community is is really uh nothing short of miraculous and and it was a great opportunity to learn more about that organization but also the the the the inspirational message of of hope, grace, in recovery that that uh they are helping people individuals in our community uh achieve every day and and so you know that's exciting. And then lastly uh today the the mayor and I had the opportunity to attend uh the hub city spartenberger event where they announced their I guess their third alternate uh uh uh identities. Uh they've got the the sluggers that they identifi in introduced last year, the regiment I think that was identified earlier this year and then today they introduced the pastime which which is incredibly exciting. Um

because it coincides with the the 100th anniversary of Duncan Park Stadium. Uh and it shows their continued commitment to not only the history of our community, but the history of baseball in our community, which is very rich and exciting. uh but it's also a way to tie the the h the past, the present, and the future together. And so, uh you know, I think that's uh that's incredibly notable and exciting. And then lastly, to the chief and and uh everybody in our in our city team, uh public works, police, fire, um you know, the work that we nothing show nothing highlights the the the core essential functions of government like a storm, right? Uh it it requires everybody on the city team to to fire on all cylinders and and and I believe we did that here in Spartanber and and I think as a council, at least since I've been on council, I've never heard one of my colleagues say that we weren't willing to invest in the critical resources that are needed to address any issue that we're facing in our community. And so especially as it relates to those core essential uh functions. So, and so as we hear the chief present on their statistics, um you know, and and we see other statistics on a on a weekly, monthly, and and yearly basis, uh we're going to make sure that we invest in those core essential functions in government so that we're delivering quality services to the people of our community because they deserve that and and it's our responsibility to deliver. So, thank you.

Oh, that was more than two minutes. Sorry, [clears throat and laughter]

that means you only got 30 seconds. Yeah. Well, first of all, let me say we have a great team. I just I love the team. And you, Christie, you must do five jobs. I mean, cuz she is on every time that you call cuz she gets things done. But, uh, okay, that doesn't mean that you are due for a raise. [laughter] Okay. On Saturday, I attended um end the cycle of violence down at CC Woodson Gushian. Thank you, Chief Gushian, Deputy Chief, you know, for being there. It was a large group of people that were there and it was a lot of youth and I want to thank everyone that put that on because it was a great event and I think it was the city. Was it the city the one that put Well, it was NACP. Whoever put it on, it was great.

Okay, it was really great. You know the ones that put it on. And then I want to congratulate you on achieving your MEO got from the state. Well, thank you, Amigga. You're welcome. And then uh and then uh I do this newsletter. You all know that I do this newsletter, but this I get compliments all the time. But because from this one, I got so many people to contact me cuz she wanted to bring people to help. Councilwoman Smith contacted me and she wants to bring a youth in to help me. And then it was a student from Walford that contacted me. he wants to help because you he said he could get somebody to help. And then a lady that attend the Y with me, she contacted me and she said, "That is such a great letter. I [clears throat] would do anything that you want me to do." So, I'm grateful, but y'all don't want to come and help me because I get up at 2 and 3:00 in the morning and work on [laughter] that.

Yeah. But thank you anyway for your help. Can we get more pictures of me in there? Thank you.

No, thank you. Thank you, uh, Mayor Pro Tim. Um, Councilman Farmer just mentioned the, uh, 100y year of, uh, Duncan Park baseball. We did have that opportunity to be there for that announcement with the Spartanbergers. Also, um, Councilman Former also mentioned creating opportunities, and that's what we're really trying to do here in Spartanberg with everything that goes on. We're trying to create opportunities for everyone. At least, you know, that's that's my thought process. Um, young people, civic engagement. I do want to say thanks again to the police, to fire, uh, public works, even for their little quirky videos during the storm about stay off the streets and all that. People see this stuff on social media all the time and it it actually works. Um, um, I was not one that stayed off the streets. We did get out to see how bad it was, but no accident. And to that point, our son, Shane, our son, had a a fender bender um uh in the ice and uh fire first on the scene, police there. Everything worked out and it is working out. But, you know, again, they're just out there for us and and I get that opportunity quite often um when the park and wreck team uh may feed public works or fire may feed public works or what have you. That's what happened in the last storm. And I get a chance to go by and thank the guys for what they're doing because when I'm at the Y over in the mornings, you know, it's not a time that doesn't go by. Man, you guys did a great job with this storm. You did a great job with this storm. And I so proudly take credit in the pats on the back, but you know, to the ones that are really doing the work out there, I always always want to say thank you. Thank you for making this council looks good. Thank you for making

the staff look good. Thank you for Spartanberg uh looking good as well. Miles with the mayor is um the third Saturday we will huddle up at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church uh at 9:00 to have our walk through Highland talk and uh share about some things that's going over in that area. And again, one more thing about civic engagement. I do so appreciate the Jack and Jill young people coming today to get their feel, but also Spinberg High School just a couple um uh days ago. uh had a protest, a protest about what's going on here in America and it was a peaceful protest uh and they're showing their civic engagement and it's nothing wrong with that by any stretch of the imagination. I know um uh we had about 5600 Chris I did go back to verify that actually uh went to the gym uh and had a peaceful uh protest in the gym for about 20 minutes. Dr. Rice uh uh 20 minutes. They had flags and um uh showcasing them on the um uh gym floor uh missing school time at that particular time. And once it was time to go back, the school still has to be orderly and and and and in order. They went back to class. A few did leave campus, but um um those few will be dealt with, but again, they were showing their civic duty. And that's what it's all about. Each and every one of us should get involved in some form of fashion about something we see that we do not agree with. And we all may not disagree or agree with everything, but get involved. Get involved. All right. Thank you all for being here. Do I hear a motion?

Mr. Mayor, before I make a motion to go into executive session, um, you made me think of something when you mentioned the communication videos. I know the chief doesn't like to talk about specific uh you know criminal incidents, but I was just curious. Did y'all ever arrest Phil? [laughter] Very much so. Very much so. We go into executive session. All in favor? Any that opposed? Executive session. Who was that? I had this