[0:07] [snorts] Hey, good afternoon and welcome to our first meeting in March.

[0:12] Our invocation will be led by myself and respects the flag bey.

[0:24] Father, we come before you today to ask for your blessing on our city, our

[0:30] council, and our entire workforce. We ask that you give this body the

[0:38] discernment and wisdom to make sound decisions. We ask that you keep all our

[0:43] teammates safe and workformed. We ask all these things in your name. Amen.

[0:49] » Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the

[0:54] United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation

[1:00] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[1:12] Before

[1:20] we start our meeting, we have a proclamation and I'm going to ask Wayne

[1:25] Lind to come up as he as he makes his way. This has become a

[1:30] Wayne tell us the details but I think it's a multi this has been going on for

[1:35] several years right now and we normally do a proclamation to kind of kick this

[1:40] off to um our university which is very important um to all of us in our city.

[1:46] So the proclamation reads, "Whereas Anderson University is a highly

[1:50] selective comprehensive university offering bachelor bachelor's, masters,

[1:55] and doctoral degrees on campus and online with a well-deserved reputation

[2:01] as one of the best private institutions in the south. And whereas at the heart

[2:06] of the education program is a uncompromising commitment to prepare

[2:10] students with both a breath and depth of knowledge they need not only to be

[2:15] successful in a career of their choice but to be successful in all realms of

[2:20] life in family community work and faith. And whereas Amis University's annual a

[2:26] day takes place on March 31st of 2026. Whereas a day is a fundraising effort

[2:34] that provides the support necessary to foster the academic achievements of AU

[2:39] students, further the professional development of AU's worldclass

[2:44] facilities, [snorts] and accelerate AU's growing campus

[2:47] programs and initiatives. And whereas Aday is an opportunity for people

[2:51] everywhere to come together in support of Anderson University. And whereas

[2:56] during a a day we will celebrate all things that make Anderson special and

[3:02] Trojans across the globe will participate in remembering the past,

[3:07] celebrating the present and impacting the future. And whereas the city of

[3:11] Anderson wishes Anderson University a successful a day and desires their

[3:16] alumni, friends and citizens of our city will support the cause by joining the

[3:22] festivities, thereby strengthening the bonds of our community. Now therefore,

[3:27] our Terrence v. Roberts along my fellow city council members do proclaim March

[3:32] the 31st of 2026 at Anderson University payday in the city of Anderson and

[3:38] encourage the community to share their support of AU on social media where

[3:43] they're black and gold and demonstrate that this community is true to AU. Sign

[3:49] this ninth day of March 2026. Mr. Late

[3:56] » two words. But first, let me just say we're excited about this year's A Day.

[4:01] Um, and on behalf of President Whitaker, our board of trust, and nearly 4700

[4:07] students, I just want to thank you for your support. Last year, we were able to

[4:11] raise a little over $800,000 with this initiative. So, we're hopeful

[4:16] this year that we'll be up there as well. We've been on the upward trend for

[4:20] every year. Janna Shirley, my colleague, is here and she has provided great

[4:24] leadership for that program over the last several years. So, again, we're

[4:28] excited. We're excited about our men's basketball team right now. Uh they just

[4:33] won the South Atlantic Conference record season and tournament and we're hosting

[4:38] [clears throat] the NCAA Division 2 in the South region starting this weekend.

[4:44] » Thank you. [applause]

[4:54] » [clears throat]

[5:03] » So the minutes of our last meeting in February, February 23rd were

[5:07] distributed. Are there any corrections or additions to those minutes? Not hear

[5:12] any. Do I have a motion to approve? Approve. Have a first by Dr. Thompson

[5:17] » second >> second by Mr. Harbin.

[5:20] All those in favor say I. >> I.

[5:22] » Opposed. Those minutes pass unanimously.

[5:27] » We have one item of old business and that is to request to request

[5:32] consideration of reappointment of municipal court judges. Miss Mchuan.

[5:38] » Mayor and council. This item is general approval for the consideration of

[5:42] reappointment of municipal judges. The city municipal court judges were

[5:47] previously appointed two-year terms beginning January the 1st, 2024 and

[5:52] ending December 31st, 2025. City code section 582 specifies that

[5:58] municipal judges shall be appointed by the council for a term not less than two

[6:02] years no more than four years.

[6:07] The reappointment considerations for Chief Judge Josh Allen, Judge Carolyn

[6:13] Galloway, Judge Robert King, Judge Richard Thompson for a term of January

[6:19] 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2027. Mayor, I yield back to council for their

[6:25] consideration. >> Thank you. Um, any questions, comments,

[6:31] » Mr. Mayor? I make a motion that we approve um two-year contracts for Judge

[6:39] Allen, Judge Galloway, Judge King, and Judge Thompson.

[6:43] » Second first by Miss Harbin, second by Mr. John Roberts.

[6:48] Any discussion? >> I would like to say it's a shame and

[6:51] it's part of why unfortunately it's a shame we won't be able to also nominate

[6:56] Judge Curtis Eaton. We thank you for his service.

[7:01] Definitely >> for sure. Great comment. [clears throat]

[7:05] Anything else? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed.

[7:11] » That passes unanimously. We have a couple items of new business.

[7:15] And the first item is request consideration [clears throat] of a

[7:19] contract for the installation of approximately 500 linear feet of 6

[7:25] in water line on East Church Street, Manning Street, and approximately 241

[7:32] linear feet of an 8 in water line on Joseph Street. Mr.

[7:38] The city's electric city utilities division and the water distribution

[7:43] department operates approximately 374 miles of water distribution lines

[7:48] ranging from 3/4 in to 30 in in diameter and serves 17,000 customers inside and

[7:54] outside of the city. The water distribution primary function is to

[7:58] provide drinking water and water use for for use of fire suppression. In that

[8:03] regard, the request involves improvement to the water lines that will enhance

[8:08] availability of hydrant water flow for fire suppression while also replace the

[8:12] water lines. A map is included in your packet. I'll turn over Scott Banks, our

[8:17] utility director, to describe the project as you view here on your map and

[8:22] the consideration of the bids and contract. Mr. Banks,

[8:27] » thank you. Good evening, uh, C. This project is uh has three uh portions to

[8:34] it. U the the currently we have two hydrants on Manning Street do

[8:38] [clears throat] not meet fire flow requirements and therefore can only be

[8:41] used for flushing. Uh so a portion of this project will extend a 6-in water

[8:45] line approximately 475 ft down East Church Street and tie into the line on

[8:50] Manning Street to increase that flow of that hydrant at that intersection. And

[8:54] additionally, the existing 6 in on Manning Street will be extended

[8:58] approximately 25 ft to the existing hydrant near the intersection of Manning

[9:02] and East Market Street. And then thirdly, we currently have a a on street

[9:08] the 4 in dead end before reaching Tribble Street. So there's a a segment

[9:14] that where we'll install approximately 250 ft of 6-in line at the intersection

[9:19] of Trible and Joseph Streets and then tie it to the existing 4 in on Joseph

[9:23] Street. Uh we had seven contractors that uh submitted bids. The low bid was Davis

[9:30] Plumbing and Sewage LLC of Iowa, South Carolina at [clears throat] $141,171.

[9:36] Um we um are planning to fund this from the water

[9:42] utility funds and therefore staff recommends approval of a contract with

[9:46] Davis Plumbing and Sewage LLC in the amount of 141,170

[9:51] plus a 10% contingency of $14,11710 for a total of 1 $155,28810.

[10:01] » Thank you, sir. comments, questions.

[10:08] » Mr. Roberts, >> um the low flow height, is that a result

[10:11] of some degradation over time or >> Well, in this case, there's a 4 in line.

[10:17] Uh it the line is not large enough to support the minimum flow that that we we

[10:23] strive for for fire protection. >> So, it never was correct sufficient.

[10:27] » And then I get the dead end line. That's never a good idea.

[10:30] » Yes, sir. Um, it looks like we have a favorable bid.

[10:35] Um, we have experience with Davis Plumbing.

[10:37] » Yes, sir. >> Okay.

[10:40] Unless there are any other comments, I move that we move forward the water line

[10:43] improvements. >> Second.

[10:45] » First by Mayor Pro Tim, second by Mr. Newton.

[10:49] Any further discussion? All those in favor say I.

[10:53] » Opposed. It passes unanimously. Our

[11:00] second item is request consideration of a resolution of a clean water state

[11:06] revolving fund loan for the Rocky River and generosity creek wastewater

[11:11] treatment plants improvement project. This one queuing.

[11:14] » As part of Electric City Utilities, the wastewater treatment department operates

[11:19] two plants that are permitted for a flow of 9.5 million gallons a day at the

[11:23] Rocky River and 10 million gallons a day at generosity creek wastewater treatment

[11:28] plant. As part of the our continuing assessment and capital improvement plans

[11:34] for the plants, the city and this item before you is seeking an application for

[11:38] funding from the clean water state revolving fund loan program for a Rocky

[11:43] River and generosity creek wastewater treatment plant improvement project.

[11:48] The project includes a replacement of a floating anorobic digtor lid at the

[11:54] Rocky River wastewater treatment plant and upgrading the SCADA system to a more

[11:59] robust and versatile software system at both the wastewater treatment plants.

[12:04] These improvements will replace agent infrastructure and improve our

[12:07] operations. The state revolving fund has approved a

[12:12] lowinterest loan in amount of $2.19 million for the Rocky River and

[12:16] generosity creek project. The estimated annual debt service payments would be

[12:21] approximately 136,000 715 based on 2.3% for 20 years uh paid

[12:29] quarterly to the state treasures office. Uh we recently funded a waterline

[12:34] project similar means with SRF funding. That was the East Market Street and

[12:39] Wellington Mill project at a 2.3% interest rate as well. That was a $3.34

[12:44] million debt service. Uh the debt service would be paid from the sewer

[12:48] fund. M administration recommends approval of resolution 2605 for the

[12:53] application to the SRF funding as the next step.

[12:57] » Thank you, sir. We've seen the scope of the project. Um, are any additional

[13:02] questions or comments? >> I think we saw this several months ago.

[13:07] » We did. That's the lid that we had to remove, re-engineer the structural

[13:11] component of it, and instead of twisting up, it'll go straight up like it'll ride

[13:15] straight up. Um, similar to the rest of them. And then of course our SCADA

[13:20] system is our uh computer control system for both plants that from time to time

[13:25] needs to be upgraded and will allow uh more monitoring and control systems to

[13:30] be implemented throughout the the treatment plants.

[13:33] » Thanks, Mayor. I'll make the motion to approve the resolution.

[13:37] » Yep. First by Mr. Newton, second by Dr. Thompson. Further discussion, Mr.

[13:42] Harvey. >> Mr. Mchuan. So the capacity for both

[13:47] plants is just under 20 million. What where are we at on a capacity standpoint

[13:54] real quick? Yeah, it so when you look at daily flow, I mean we we can have a

[14:00] minimum daily flow of of 4 million gallons a day and you could have um a a

[14:06] period that's you know a high daily flow up to 7 to eight. Um, however, what they

[14:11] look at when they look at the the permitted flow is allocated capacity to

[14:16] that and sometimes things come on line for each plant and sometimes they're

[14:21] removed. We've gone through the process of removing some recently that the

[14:25] project just never because we serve uh the countywide

[14:30] and then also we serve um homeland parks sewer district. So sometimes a something

[14:36] perspective thing might come online, they reserve capacity and then you look

[14:39] at it five years later realize it's not going to take place. So we've been

[14:42] removing some of those. So right now we're still in good shape with that. We

[14:45] haven't hit the the threshold that requires you to upgrade the capacity of

[14:50] the plants. What we're looking at now of both plants is that aging infrastructure

[14:55] as far as what needs to be replaced mechanically. And so there's several

[14:59] projects that we have upcoming that we're engineering right now. We're doing

[15:02] a peer master per uh preliminary engineering report for both

[15:07] [clears throat] plants that will have a recommend recommendation of those items.

[15:10] But we also know some of our weak points that need redundancy uh that we have in

[15:15] our capital improvement plan going forward. So we haven't reached that that

[15:19] capacity threshold yet, but our um certainly we have the ability there to

[15:23] expand at both plants. Uh they were well designed and and functioned well as far

[15:28] as and have have great expansion >> capability to them,

[15:31] » you know. I like to keep them asking through the years um you know you read

[15:39] about other communities that don't have capacity and have reached and can't add

[15:45] anything else. Someone a long time ago who built these saw the growth potential

[15:50] for our area and we've always had plenty of of capacity and it seems like our

[15:56] area is growing fast. So that's good to know.

[15:59] » Yeah. Another thing too is uh industrial customers. So we have uh it's public now

[16:04] that Duke Energy is looking at putting a and they're moving ahead with their

[16:08] plans to to put a plant here a uh gener electric generation plant here and that

[16:13] plant itself would discharge a large amount of waste water looks like to the

[16:17] generosity plant. Um still engineering that because it could potentially go to

[16:21] Rocky River. We do have the capacity for that and and can take that and look

[16:24] forward to uh being a them being a customer. Um and that would that would

[16:29] be good for us in way of revenue. However, we'll continue to look at as

[16:33] big things come online like that our capacity and what needs to be upgraded.

[16:37] » Thank you. Good point. Any other questions, comments? Mr. Roberts,

[16:41] » let me tag on to Mr. Harbin. Uh do these improvements allow any efficiencies that

[16:48] we can claw back or reclaim some of the allocated flows?

[16:54] » Yeah. or or is this just an an improvement that

[16:58] » Well, it was a these were this was a mechanical failure of the lid. So, I

[17:02] mean, we this was an improvement of a mechanical failure, right? And we this

[17:08] is just happens to be a larger project than pumps going down and so forth that

[17:11] we're constantly replacing here and there um as these plants run 24/7. So,

[17:18] this is more of a mechanical failure that we will recapture back that process

[17:22] because right now it's offline. Um, and we've been able to work do a work around

[17:26] it. And so the skater though does grab efficiency to it. It does as far as the

[17:32] flow, the management of your flow, the management of the chemicals, the

[17:35] treatment process and so forth. And so as we add that in, we'll have some

[17:39] efficiency gain there >> that will allow us to reclaim some

[17:44] allocated um flows or >> Yeah, Mr. information you want to add on

[17:50] it's cheaper to to reclaim some that the capacity

[17:54] » as our chief engineers will out there Scott you have something

[17:57] » yes I I don't know that it would reclaiming flows uh because the flow is

[18:02] is is what's coming to us but what it will the projects that we're going to be

[18:07] recommending in the future what they will do [snorts] is allow us to operate

[18:10] more efficiently because we'll be putting in more electrically efficient

[18:13] pumps also the processes that we would be going to would reduce chemical use

[18:18] there would be more of a biological nutrient removal process that that that

[18:23] uh uh would be more u bacterological and not not having to add

[18:29] chemicals. So, and I will add unique to our plants um not completely unique but

[18:35] we [clears throat] do have large basins for holding the storm water when we have

[18:39] a a quick um downpour and you have a lot of infiltration that may come to the

[18:45] plant. So, you have a high inflow to the plant. we have the ability to split that

[18:49] off into the basins, hold that water and then let it trickle back in the system

[18:53] when floods reduce and that's very helpful. Um otherwise, you know, you

[18:58] would you'd be spending a lot on the uh capacity side that you really don't need

[19:05] all the time, but just during high flow rain events. And so, but another goal of

[19:10] course is to reduce the infiltration into the system period and which we've

[19:14] been rellining sewer pipes throughout our system and doing that. So, Yeah. And

[19:18] and that's one of the things that that will um slow the requirement from dees

[19:24] to add capacity is continuing to improve on our collection system and reduce the

[19:30] » [clears throat] >> ioni that's coming to us cuz

[19:32] unfortunately when that water that if it's it's mainly rain water but we still

[19:35] have to treat it. So we're it cost us chemicals and power. Uh whereas if we if

[19:39] it's not coming to the plant then it's that's not costing us and it allows us

[19:44] to operate more um uh consistently when we get rid of the items. Good good

[19:51] conversation. Anything else guys? First and a second. All those in favor say I.

[19:57] » Opposed. That passes unanimously on the vote.

[20:04] [clears throat]

[20:07] Our third item, and we will not have an executive session on this item, but our

[20:11] third item is request a resolution authorizing a project to be considered

[20:16] for participation in a special tax assessment for rehabilitated historical

[20:22] properties. Historic properties. Mr. Mchuan,

[20:26] » thank you. I'll turn over our plan development director, Maurice McKenzie,

[20:29] to go over the item. >> Okay. Thank you. Back in November, you

[20:34] adopted guidelines by ordinance that promotes the preservation and

[20:38] redevelopment of historic properties by granting a special tax assessment to

[20:43] qualifying rehabilitated historic properties in the city. And this was

[20:48] made possible because the state of South Carolina enacted Bailey bill several

[20:52] years ago, which allows local governments to freeze the

[20:56] pre-rehabilitated assessed value of properties that may participate in a

[21:00] program for a predetermined number of years. And when we do receive an

[21:06] application to participate in this program, there is a process. And the

[21:10] first step in the process is to come to you with a resolution to authorize a

[21:14] project to be considered for participation in the program. Uh once

[21:19] you adopt the resolution, it then goes to the board of architectural review and

[21:23] they will confirm that the project meets the design investment requirements and

[21:27] that's called the preliminary certification. So that would be the next

[21:31] step following this. Once the work is complete on the rehabilitation of the

[21:36] dwellings or the buildings, the final certification will be granted by the

[21:40] board of architectural review if the completed work meets all the approved

[21:45] standards and the expenditures were met in accordance with the approved plan.

[21:50] Now, we're coming to you tonight because there has been an application submitted

[21:54] to us and the applicant is ST Real Estate Holdings and the properties that

[22:01] we are looking at are 215, 217, and 219 South Main Street. They are a budding

[22:08] buildings. They're at the corner of South Main and Church Street. The fair

[22:12] market value of those buildings is $254,400.

[22:17] and they're proposing an estimated project cost of $2 million into these

[22:22] buildings. So, we are recommending approval of a resolution

[22:27] authorizing this project to be considered for participation in the

[22:30] special tax assessment for rehabilitated historic properties. And after you

[22:36] consider this and approve it tonight, it will then go before the board of

[22:39] architectural review for their review and potential preliminary certification.

[22:44] and that is scheduled for March 18th. >> Thank you. Um, any questions or comments

[22:52] on the proposal?

[23:00] » Miss Har. So, I'm not sure who exactly ST Real Estate Holdings is, but I

[23:06] appreciate their u interest in rehabilitating the um buildings for the

[23:13] general public. That's the old Big John's and the building next to Big

[23:19] John's and that have been vacant for quite a number of years. Uh, and and

[23:27] it's always exciting to see old buildings continue their integrity and

[23:33] the the history of Anderson and someone willing to invest and to keep that

[23:39] flavor and just reuse it for a uh for another building versus knocking it

[23:44] down. And so with that, mayor, I'd make a uh motion that this be referred. Uh

[23:50] this we would um this resolution authorizing the project [clears throat]

[23:55] to be considered for participation in the specialy property tax assessment for

[24:00] rehabilitated historic properties. Have a first by Miss Farman, second by

[24:04] Mr. John Roberts. Any further discussion, comments?

[24:08] » It's exciting. I hope see more come on down the road.

[24:12] » Yep. I mean, it's in the central business district, [clears throat] um, a

[24:16] historic district. And so, um, I echo that. It's it would be [snorts] good to

[24:22] have it come back in, uh, in a historic way in that in that regards.

[24:30] » Everybody members see

[24:35] » a first and a second. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. That resolution

[24:40] passes unanimously. Mor, I do have one thing.

[24:46] [clears throat] >> Uh, we do have the Cater's Lake ribbon

[24:49] cutting. Um, it's, uh, looking forward to that is Tuesday, March the 17th at

[24:54] 10:00 a.m. And we jo we we ask that, uh, you join us as we celebrate the

[24:59] completion of the Cater Lake improvements and the continued

[25:03] investment in Anderson's parks and public spaces. We look forward to that

[25:07] event. It's going to be a great event, especially good time. It looks like it's

[25:10] going to be sunny that day to be opening up a new park, especially uh one that

[25:15] has the the pretty aesthetics it does with a pond um this time of year in

[25:20] spring. So, thank you, Mayor. >> Good. Everything's blooming. Good deal.

[25:25] Entertain a motion to adjourn. >> So, move.

[25:27] » First by Mr. Newton, second by Mr. Roberts. May pro Tim. All those in favor

[25:34] say I. Opposed. We send her.

Council Meeting- March 9 2026

Transcript