[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:01] Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the August 24th meeting of the AICAN City Council. If you're inclined, please rise for the implication followed by the pledge of allegiance.
[0:15] Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, send down upon those who old office in the city of AICAN, the spirit of wisdom, charity and justice that was said past purpose, they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people. In your name, we pray. Amen.
[0:31] would you lead us in the pledge of allegiance?
[0:35] We can counsel the mayor.
[0:38] Appledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
[0:42] And to one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice.
[0:58] As the meeting begins, I will review the guidelines.
[1:01] Meetings are public forums in which many opinions are expressed
[1:04] and the business of the city must be conducted.
[1:06] As such, discipline, honorable, and professional decorum is paramount.
[1:10] Courteous and respectful communication is required.
[1:14] During public meetings, all questions and statements from the public should be directed
[1:18] to the chair.
[1:20] If you wish to speak, raise your hand and I will recognize you.
[1:23] Please approach the podium and state your name and address.
[1:26] In order to allow an opportunity for everyone who wishes to address council, speakers should
[1:31] limit their comments to the subject being discussed.
[1:34] Each speaker will be given five minutes to address an issue and may only address an
[1:38] issue once and less questions from Council are opposed to the speaker.
[1:42] During the non-agenda public comment section, each speaker has three minutes and can only
[1:46] speak once.
[1:49] We now move to additions and deletions to the agenda.
[1:52] I recognize Mayor Pro Tem, Cable for this item.
[1:56] Thank you, Mayor Miller.
[1:57] Good evening, everyone.
[1:59] We're glad to have you here this evening.
[2:01] There are no additions or deletions, Madam Mayor, so I move that we accept the agenda
[2:06] and as it was printed.
[2:09] Thank you.
[2:10] She made the motion.
[2:13] Council on role made the motion.
[2:14] May I have a second?
[2:15] I accept.
[2:17] Good.
[2:18] That's good.
[2:19] She avoids.
[2:19] Oh girl.
[2:20] Girls and boys.
[2:22] Oh.
[2:23] I heard him first, so Councilman Messina made the second.
[2:26] All those in favor.
[2:28] Thank you.
[2:30] The minutes were provided to council for review prior to the meeting. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes?
[2:36] So moved Madam Mayor. Councilman Waldo made that motion. I second. A second from councilwoman Morgan.
[2:44] Any comments or changes?
[2:48] All those in favor.
[2:52] There are two presentations tonight. The first is the
[2:55] presentation of the Municipal Association Achievement Award. We'll miss from, hi how are you?
[3:00] So from the Desiree Fargo, so from the Municipal Association of South Carolina come and tell us about that.
[3:09] Hi, good evening. May your members of Council, soared, Mary Lacks always so treated to see you all.
[3:16] My name is Desiree Fargo, so and I am the Field Services Manager for the Low Country with the Municipal Association.
[3:23] I am here this evening to present to you all with the local presentation of these this years winner for the Public Works category of our Municipal Achievement Award.
[3:36] It is my pleasure to present to you all formally before you all in the community receipt of this award.
[3:44] We presented this officially formally to the mayor and the staff at our luncheon at in Greenville earlier this well last month
[3:53] It feels like it was the ages ago, right?
[3:56] At our luncheon where a lot of our
[3:59] members
[4:01] Representatives from other state cities and towns were there and hopefully got inspired
[4:06] We have a little video that we want to show you all that we shared with with folks at the luncheon
[4:12] that explains the award and explains the project that won this award.
[4:23] As with many cities in a fast growing state,
[4:26] Aiken has faced development that puts pressure on its infrastructure and its existing community character.
[4:32] Through a partnership with the Aiken Land Conservancy,
[4:35] the city purchased 2,657 acres around Aiken's Mason Branch Reservoir,
[4:40] placing it under a conservation easement
[4:41] and permanently protecting this critical drinking water source from development.
[4:45] We definitely have embraced the conservation efforts for the people that are coming to
[4:52] Aiken and because a lot of them are interested in outdoor recreation.
[4:58] And one of our major concerns is having clean drinking water and with this conservation
[5:04] effort that will be definitely provided to them.
[5:07] When the property known as the Brunswick Track was listed for sale and was under consideration
[5:11] for private development, including commercial space and 4,300 housing units, the city decided
[5:17] to purchase it for $5.25 million. It used fund reserves and engaged in some
[5:22] inner fund borrowing to be paid off over 10 years to do this. With a $1.9 million grant
[5:27] to help manage the land from the SC Conservation Bank, the city was able to preserve the property
[5:32] in its entirety. This conservation partnership is essential to the city for our future growth
[5:37] and for our current residents people move here because they value the nature that we have and the
[5:44] beautiful natural resources and planning for the future growth that's coming. South Carolina
[5:49] continues to be on the top growing lists in the country of population growth and so we need to be
[5:54] forward thinking about how we're going to preserve these natural landscapes that people value and in
[5:59] addition to that it protects our water source. We need to provide clean quality water utility for our
[6:05] for our customers. And protecting this land, well, it's a challenging thing to do. It's
[6:12] expensive and it requires some resources. It allows us to make sure that we're protecting
[6:17] this utility and providing the quality that our customers expect.
[6:21] By protecting a water source, the project contributes to ACON's focus on water infrastructure resiliency,
[6:26] an effort that also recently included a new $70 million water treatment plan and upgrades
[6:31] to aging downtown water infrastructure.
[6:33] Conservation is rarely a bad idea.
[6:35] I haven't seen many instances
[6:36] where a community regretted conserving land.
[6:40] In turn, I've seen many instances
[6:41] where communities in this palace
[6:43] have regretted not conserving land.
[6:45] The other thing is the water quality benefits
[6:49] of this project can't be overstated.
[6:51] Not only is the reservoir protected,
[6:53] which is the source of drinking water,
[6:55] so are the wetlands that feed it.
[6:57] So are the wetlands that come out of it.
[6:58] So is the frontage on Shaw's Creek
[7:00] that provides, you know, habitat and water resources to folks downstream all
[7:05] the way to the Etistone in turn in the Atlantic Ocean. By protecting the land
[7:08] from development, the city is able to promote forest health, offer passive
[7:12] recreation access, provide groundwater recharge benefits to four aquifers, and
[7:17] protect wildlife habitat. The city is working with the ALC on several grant
[7:21] projects to improve songbird habitat and re-forest native long-leaf pines.
[7:33] Congratulations, this project, as you all know, and can see stands as a
[7:37] an incredible example of responsible stewardship
[7:40] and strategic planning,
[7:42] and really highlighting the importance of partnerships.
[7:45] So congratulations,
[7:47] and I hope that you continue to be forward thinking
[7:49] and pursuing projects that improve the quality
[7:51] of life of the community here in Egan.
[7:55] Thank you so much.
[7:59] And I would like to say, Madam Mayor,
[8:01] this project is one that is individually means a lot
[8:08] because it goes back up 10 years. I invited Dr. Harry Shealy here because to come
[8:16] tonight because he played an instrumental role along with several other people
[8:23] Laura Bagwell, Joanna Samson, Sharon Richardson, Alan Conger,
[8:29] Rhett Coleman and Ben Christensen surveyed the property, 93 corners they had to
[8:34] stake, which is a pretty large undertaking for the 2,500 acres.
[8:41] And many others, staff-wise, I know Mary Catherine Waltony now works for the M.A.S.C.
[8:50] When the property was purchased and then Mary Tilton had done a good job with shepherding
[8:56] this and Peter Kleinhence has been such a wonderful advocate for the project and it's something
[9:03] I think we're all very proud of and I know it started with Harry coming
[9:13] gosh ten years ago when John Klim was city manager and it took about four years
[9:20] to get this to fruition and I know at one time Harry and I were probably the only people
[9:26] that thought that it could happen before we broached the subject with counsel
[9:31] But because it was a big deal, five million dollar investment, I just knew there would
[9:39] be in the community concern and aggravation but there was none, and that was very gratifying.
[9:50] And I know Peter, your first day on the job was when we voted to put the entire property
[9:59] a conservation easement with the state and that is leading to a lot of great things that
[10:08] we're now sort of working on in discussions with the Forestry Commission and
[10:13] preservation of other property that is adjacent to this that's not part of that's not owned
[10:19] by the city but certainly the community writ large will benefit from and it's just a wonderful thing
[10:26] and also it's nice to see the city of Akin's name on there four times or four
[10:34] times out of the last five years. We won this award and we won it. We won it
[10:39] almost 25 times 24 times since 1990 so why not make it 25 times.
[10:49] Thank you for
[10:50] that. Our next second presentation is a quarterly report on the water treatment
[10:56] plan.
[11:01] Oh, yes. I guess we should take a photo down front with everybody getting the trophy
[11:07] here at home just as we did out in the lobby of the hotel.
[11:13] It
[13:07] can provide some good perspective of just how long it took to get here.
[13:17] Stuart was mistaken
[13:18] about when we started, I started my interest in when Fred Kavanaugh was elected mayor back in the 90s,
[13:25] I think I took him out there to show him that and I said Fred the city needs to acquire
[13:30] this at least get some easements around Mason branch pond and nothing happened.
[13:37] In 2000 the property came up for sale and I came to counsel and tried to convince him
[13:44] that they needed to buy because of the water that was my main emphasis and if nothing else
[13:53] to save the riparian area around the creek but nothing happened and then John
[14:00] Klam came and we tried one more time and it was very successful but the the
[14:03] interest in that land has been there since the since the 90s I think so I just
[14:09] wanted to give some perspective to it but that's my first time out there was with
[14:12] Fred Kavanaugh I said Fred the city out about this land he said he didn't say
[14:17] And I want you to know that in 2000, we could have gotten $5,000 acres for $5 million instead of $2,500 acres for $5 million.
[14:29] That's what the price was, so thank you.
[14:32] And I appreciate y'all doing all this stuff. Thank you for giving me a chance.
[14:42] The second presentation is a quarterly report on the water treatment plant construction.
[14:47] Then Nicholas Winkler, assistant project manager from Harper General Contractors, will
[14:53] give us our report.
[15:02] Yeah, so as you said, I'm Nicholas Winkler with Harper General Contractors. I'm happy to give a presentation on the progress of the Shaw's Creek Water Treatment Plant that we're happy to build. Here's a little bit of an outline for the presentation. My hope is that it helps paint a picture as to the progress on site so far.
[15:25] Last time we gave a presentation was January of this year. You can see that that photo on the left is from that time.
[15:32] and then the photo on the right is from a couple weeks ago.
[15:36] Hopefully you can see some pretty substantial progress,
[15:39] especially with some equipment being installed
[15:43] and some buildings nearing completion,
[15:45] especially with the admin building,
[15:48] the chemical building and the electrical building.
[15:51] And hopefully overall this site just looks
[15:53] a little more complete.
[15:58] Here's an aerial view, very similar photo.
[16:02] However, this photo shows in the bottom right-hand corner
[16:04] the utilities building area. You can see back in January, the two slabs for both
[16:12] storage building 1 and 2 have now become complete buildings that are nearly done
[16:17] as well as a good amount of stone in preparation for asphalt. What you can
[16:22] not see in this photo that hopefully you find interesting is to date we have
[16:28] installed approximately 7200 linear feet of pipe that is just below ground pipe
[16:34] So
[16:38] moving on to key accomplishments I do want to recognize that in addition to Harper
[16:44] there has been a good number of trade partners to help us get to this point.
[16:50] I looked into the numbers today as of last Friday 116,000 main hours that have been spent on this project
[17:01] since we mobilized December 9th of 2024.
[17:04] for.
[17:09] So what's been accomplished today, some chemical equipment has been installed since
[17:14] our last presentation. Retreatment equipment has been installed, which you can see very
[17:19] well in this photo. You can see the flocculators at the head of the plant moving to the sed basins,
[17:25] which is plate settlers and trackbacks, as well as the washwater troughs, which are the green
[17:32] equipment in the five-base closest to the metal building. In addition, all the
[17:39] structural concrete is complete. Still got a little more concrete but it's not
[17:43] structural so that's exciting and the utility and administration buildings are
[17:48] both dried in which is a huge accomplishment for our team.
[17:54] Looking ahead, as I
[17:58] touched on, we will be paving at the utilities building here in a couple
[18:04] weeks and then from there we will move to the plant site which is what you can see in this photo here.
[18:10] Following that we will do permanent fencing as well as tying the raw water pump station
[18:15] into the treatment train which will allow us the water needed to do plant start-up.
[18:24] So we'll work
[18:25] through some photos hopefully I can provide a little context or explain what's going on in these photos
[18:30] to give some understanding. Here we've got the filter pipe gallery, so this is
[18:37] where the water comes from the filters themselves and then goes to the clear
[18:42] walls for storage. The filters are located on that common wall on the right and
[18:48] then the wall on the left on the other side of that is the bulk chemical storage
[18:52] area.
[18:56] Here we have the high-service pump station and raw water pump station. You can
[19:00] see all the flange piping is done as well as all 10 pumps have been set.
[19:10] So there's a lot going
[19:11] on in this photo in the in the foreground you've got the two clear wells for storage you've got
[19:16] the high service pump station and then on the right you have the chemical building just to the left
[19:22] of that is the chemical storage area which is connected to the treatment train which is the heart of
[19:27] the plant and then the administration building to the right of that and then if you can make out in
[19:32] the photo at the very top that's the utility's building area with the two
[19:38] storage buildings.
[19:41] Here you've got another photo of the chemical building and
[19:45] admin building left to right respectively. This was taken a couple weeks prior
[19:50] to the previous photo which is why there's no roof on the metal building in the
[19:54] back.
[19:58] Here we have the interior of the utility's building. You can see that we've
[20:02] We've got door frames and windows installed as well as case work and lighting.
[20:07] We've still got some flooring to put down, but this building is getting pretty close to being done.
[20:17] So the building we were just in is that brick building kind of in the center of the photo.
[20:21] That's the utilities building with the two storage buildings just behind it.
[20:26] And like I said, this area is pretty close to being ready for pavement,
[20:32] which will really make this part of the site look complete
[20:40] moving in to
[20:42] schedule. So our original contract duration was 791 days. To date we've had
[20:48] nine weather days. We have not asked for those to be added to the contract at
[20:53] this point. So we're still working with the 791 days excuse me. 623 have a
[21:02] lapsed, which means there's only 168 days remaining for our target date of substantial
[21:09] completion, February 8th of 2027, which we still feel confident in.
[21:15] Are there any questions?
[21:22] Madam Mayor.
[21:23] Thank you.
[21:23] So we're on target and on budget, right?
[21:27] That's right.
[21:27] That's what we'd love to hear.
[21:28] Yeah.
[21:32] How many million gallon storage is there?
[21:35] Storage?
[21:36] There are two million gallons.
[21:37] That's similar. Oh, million age, is it?
[21:40] Yeah, one million, one million per tank, right?
[21:47] Thank you.
[21:48] Thank you very much.
[21:52] And now we open the floor to public comments
[21:54] on non-agenda items.
[21:56] Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker,
[21:58] and for a total of 30 minutes.
[22:02] Yes, sir.
[22:04] Good evening.
[22:05] I'll watch myself.
[22:07] As we got kicked out, the speaker.
[22:11] So anyway, good evening, Madam Mayor.
[22:13] I see a council, my name's Kurt Johnson, 1-1-1 Stonington Lane, Aiken.
[22:20] I am the pastor of the Law Sheet Ministry and we are the outreach for the homeless and
[22:26] the ones that are getting to that point.
[22:31] One of the things I want to bring up today is it's probably 95 degrees out here today but
[22:38] where you're coming up on a winter.
[22:41] And the way that they're trying to track it,
[22:45] it's gonna be a wetter and colder winter for us this year.
[22:49] So this is something that we need to be proactive about
[22:52] and this happens to go with the city and our other partners.
[22:59] But we want to make sure that we don't run in
[23:02] to situations we've had in the past
[23:04] where we've still got people out on the street
[23:07] because there's no room in the end so that's one thing that we want to discuss over the next couple
[23:14] months so that we can see what we can do to alleviate some of that issue. The other issue that we've
[23:22] had in the past is people living in hotels during the masters. A lot of these people, they're one
[23:31] Just one paycheck, not paycheck, but they only have one paycheck coming in for the adults.
[23:42] And they've got kids living in hotels too.
[23:44] So what we're doing, and we're going to talk with our other partners, but we want to
[23:48] see what we can do to come up with some shelter for these people while the master's is going
[23:57] on.
[23:58] and the reason we want to do this is so that they don't have to go to Columbia to get
[24:03] a place to stay and then possibly lose their job here. We've got some ideas about that but
[24:11] these are things that we want to talk with all of you about so we will be calling you up.
[24:19] This week we're still seeing a lot of influx of people that aren't from here
[24:26] So if you see him, please call, please call so we can start doing something.
[24:34] Councilwoman Morgan called me that last week so that we could find out about a gentleman.
[24:40] We found out he was still in jail, so that was probably a good thing for him.
[24:45] But there are people out there and they're not bad people.
[24:51] They've done some bad things and they're in a bad situation.
[24:54] But there's a possibility that we can start working with them so that that we can get them off the street, so that's all I've got.
[25:05] Anybody?
[25:06] No.
[25:08] Thank you.
[25:16] Good evening, Lex.
[25:18] Good evening, City Council.
[25:21] Does anyone else know?
[25:23] I'm Lex Perry, pastor of C4MPAC, 1526 South Boundary Avenue, Southeast.
[25:30] I wanted to share first of all some good news, praise report.
[25:34] Oh, by the way, Mayor, thank you so much for your visit.
[25:36] I greatly appreciate that.
[25:38] We always have open door policy that anybody can come by and come by and visit and see
[25:43] us.
[25:43] We always enjoy having you there.
[25:47] So far as a van, from Belgrove, missionary Baptist Church, did a donated van.
[25:51] We got a little work to do it to it, but looks like we'll have that on the road next week
[25:55] Praise guy. So
[25:58] The bear to transport some of those are 15 passenger ban
[26:02] So that's that's a wonderful thing last month. We had a scheduled 133 rides
[26:09] Last month and we are on target to do more this month
[26:13] And but this is gonna enable us to do that a little bit easier and having having someone who designated to drive
[26:18] And it's going to give us a little bit more time to do more of the case management that we need to do.
[26:24] We have three openings currently.
[26:26] They are being, people are interviewing for them by the way.
[26:28] But at the moment we have three spaces open.
[26:32] As Kurt was alluding to, we are trying to change gears a little bit.
[26:36] We do have another house that we could possibly move in.
[26:39] But I'm kind of holding off on that just a little bit right now because we need to start preparing for the winter.
[26:44] We do have, I have a proposal that I like to send you all if you're willing to receive it.
[26:50] Some ideas that we have, so far as the winter months coming up as an overflow, as well as for the masters.
[26:55] We're always thinking very forward thinking about these things.
[26:58] And so you can always count on us to try to come up to the answers because we are your front line.
[27:02] We're going to have some ideas. Is it perfect? I'm not saying it is.
[27:05] But if you'd be willing to look at it and give us your ideas or some feedback from it, what we can and cannot do, that would be wonderful.
[27:11] Okay, so I'm just asking if you would be willing to at least look it over to see what's possible as all I'm asking
[27:18] From from you and I know that
[27:22] Madam mayor
[27:23] Mr. Beanbar, it's thing wish council members. I'm Rob Johnston
[27:28] 916 South Boundary and I'm here to talk about the bigger picture. We all know we have a problem
[27:34] I was introduced to Lex and C4 impact only within the last two weeks and after about 45 years in Atlanta and time here
[27:41] I have not met any agency that's willing to do the heavy lifting from somebody that's
[27:46] homeless, jobless, friendless, hungry, they're at rock bottom.
[27:51] And I've only seen one situation where one person was willing to do it all.
[27:57] And I think their goal is to make everyone who's in that category, a productive citizen of
[28:02] they can tax paying with self dignity and respect.
[28:07] And I was so impressed with what they're doing.
[28:09] I had to run my big mouth up here
[28:12] because I have no complaints, no request,
[28:15] but I want Akin to be the best that it possibly could be
[28:18] and it all starts and ends with how we treat our fellow Akin
[28:21] night and there was a great want.
[28:23] Count on me to help.
[28:24] Thank y'all.
[28:30] Madam Mayor, can I say something?
[28:32] Yes.
[28:33] God works in mysterious ways.
[28:35] I was trying to help Diane.
[28:39] Diane wanted to do a fundraiser for C4 impact.
[28:45] And I was telling her about Rob and Pam Johnson.
[28:48] And I said, I'll introduce you to them.
[28:51] They don't vacation now, but when he gets back,
[28:55] I'll introduce you.
[28:56] Well, Diane prepared a letter telling you about C4 impact.
[29:03] Now, I didn't know Rob was going to be here the night dying, but when I looked out
[29:10] and saw Rob sitting with you guys, I'm like, oh my God, that ain't nothing but the Lord,
[29:17] because he came from the back and sat right next to you and you already made the connection.
[29:25] And I'm going to tell you, Rob Johnson is a man of his word.
[29:29] If he said he's going to help, he's going to help.
[29:35] So y'all in the right place at the right time and Rob, so are you.
[29:40] Thank you so much.
[30:04] Good evening, everyone. My name is Sherry Taylor. I live at 910, Barnwell Avenue, Northeast, and
[30:11] Aiken. I'm here to get some clarity on who is responsible to mow a strip of land
[30:18] that abuts my property. When purchasing our house, we were told that we were not responsible
[30:24] for mowing this piece of land because we did ask. We were looking for a small piece of land.
[30:30] After a month, the strip had not been mowed.
[30:34] I spoke to a city vacant worker when I noticed he was mowing the median on Barnwell Avenue
[30:41] Northeast.
[30:42] I asked him about the mowing on Williamsburg, which I live at the corner of Barnwell Avenue
[30:49] Northeast and Williamsburg.
[30:51] I asked him about that strip there.
[30:54] And he told me that he would go get a supervisor, a supervisor was down the road.
[30:58] He brought a supervisor down, and forgive me, but I can't remember his name.
[31:04] And I asked him about it, and he told me that they expect the homeowner to mow this.
[31:12] So I called the realtor, the listing agent, and tried to get some clarity from her again.
[31:19] I said, you told me that this was not our property and were not responsible to mow it.
[31:24] And she said, well, the South Carolina Department of Transportation is supposed to do that.
[31:30] So my husband and I went to the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
[31:35] And we were told that Williamsburg Street is not on their list either to Moe.
[31:41] So I'm just looking for some clarity on this.
[31:45] You know, it's like an eighth of an acre and we moved here because we had a small plot.
[31:52] We have less than a quarter of an acre. We don't have much to mo. We don't want much to mo
[31:57] And I just want to know who is supposed to keep this up. Well, I know that staff will find out for you
[32:06] Okay, all right. I appreciate that
[32:11] Thank you.
[32:20] One more time. I don't see anyone else. We will go on to
[32:26] Approval of the consent agenda, Mr. Bidinbo. Will you please read the titles of the items on the consent agenda?
[32:32] Yes, thank you Madam Mayor. We have eight items for tonight's consent agenda
[32:38] No one has reached out and and asked that any of these items be addressed
[32:45] Or or pulled off the agenda by the appropriate time
[32:50] Those items are the following an ordinance to annex property located at 11-21 Conger Drive and zone the same
[32:58] residential single-family RS-15
[33:00] 2nd is an ordinance to annex property located at 108 Small Ridge Street and Zone the same residential single-family RS-10.
[33:10] 3rd an ordinance to annex property located at 5-0-5 Chatham Street and Zone the same residential single-family RS-10.
[33:19] 4th an ordinance to annex property located at 608 Timber Lane Road and Zone the same residential single-family RS-15.
[33:28] 15th and ordinance amending the zoning of real estate located at 1, 2, 1, 3 park avenue
[33:34] southeast from L.I. light industrial to R.M.L. residential multifamily low density.
[33:42] 6th and ordinance amending section 44-85 of the A.C.N. city code regarding grease oil or
[33:49] sand and fats oil and grease control. 7th and ordinance to amend section 4.6.1 of the
[33:56] The City of Akinzoning Ordnance regarding parking space requirements and multifamily properties
[34:02] and 8th an ordinance to amend section 5.2.2 of the City of Akinzoning Ordnance regarding
[34:09] historic property designation.
[34:11] That is a consent agenda this evening, Madam Mayor.
[34:14] Thank you for all of those.
[34:16] Is there a motion, please?
[34:17] So move, Madam Mayor.
[34:19] Councilwoman Price made the motion.
[34:21] second, I'll second that man a mere second from Councilman Brough since there's no comment
[34:29] on the consent agenda. We will go straight to a vote. All those in favor. Thank you.
[34:44] We now have approval and discussion of appointees to various city boards, committees, and commissions.
[34:56] Thank you. For boards and commissions this evening, we have sorry
[35:20] for the pregnant
[35:21] Paul's with a reappointment of William Hall to the General Aviation Commission.
[35:27] That is before Council this evening.
[35:30] Thank you.
[35:30] Do I have a motion to accept his nomination?
[35:33] So moved Madam Mayor.
[35:34] Councilman Waldo and second from Councilwoman Morgan.
[35:39] Comments from the public.
[35:41] Comments from Council.
[35:44] Those in favor.
[35:46] Thank you.
[35:47] are there any nominations to consider at our next meeting?
[35:52] Yes, Madam Mayor.
[35:54] I would like to reappoint John Owing to the General Aviation Commission.
[36:03] And Madam Mayor, I would like to reappoint Angela Fleming to the Community Development Committee
[36:10] and Dr. Encermo Arthur to the General Aviation Commission.
[36:17] Madam Mayor, I'd like to reappoint Joshua Bowling to the Parks and Recreation.
[36:23] And also, let's go point Harrison, how to the housing authority.
[36:30] Mayor, I'd like to re-appoint Josh Reigns to the recreation committee.
[36:37] Thank you.
[36:45] The next item under old business is second reading and public hearing of an ordinance to approve a concept plan for property at Whiskey Road, Stratford Drive, and Mammoth Pass, Mr. Dean.
[36:57] Thank you.
[36:57] You have read the title of the ordinance.
[36:59] We do have this project before Council, and at the last meeting, we had discussion regarding the property.
[37:14] We sent the traffic study we received one week ago today, as well as the on-call engineers comments.
[37:25] We supplied the comments to the agenda packet by our own call engineer there dated August 16th of 26th.
[37:38] The full study was over 100 pages, so to conserve paper we provided a link to you to review the study and members of the public.
[37:51] I know we received a Councilman Waldo sent questions to us to review that we attempted
[38:02] to answer, and I'll go over if I may, the questions and the answers.
[38:11] The question he asked the City Attorney to clarify whether traffic safety, existing
[38:18] infrastructure cumulative development impacts in plan, but not yet completed roadway improvements
[38:23] or factors that Council may consider in its decision.
[38:27] And essentially, the city attorney in a very short sense said, yes, you can consider
[38:36] those.
[38:42] Let's see.
[38:45] Also, could we summarize how the intersection performs under the 2030 build scenario without
[38:52] the Plan DOT improvements, particularly any significant changes in level of service delays
[38:58] or cues?
[39:00] And we answered based on a conversation with the traffic consultant that it will not have a significant impact to those to the level of service delays or keys this proposed development.
[39:15] What is the timeline and funding status for the plan DOT improvements at Whiskey, Powderhouse and Stratford Hall Drive.
[39:23] DOT and again they tell us that they will start those improvements in 2028. So that's
[39:32] over a year from now.
[39:35] SCDOT identified prohibitive turning movements at
[39:38] whiskey road and mammoth pass and recommended a raise median. Is that
[39:42] improvement required as part of this development who is responsible for it and
[39:46] when will it be completed and that was a condition put on as part of this
[39:52] process by the planning commission and the developer will be responsible for paying for an installing
[39:58] that raised median on whiskey road that would prohibit a full-turning movement out of the
[40:07] property there. And if readily available, can public safety provide the five-year crash history
[40:15] for powderhouse roadstrap for drive and the adjacent mammoth pass area, including total crashes
[40:22] is injuries and fatalities and the answer was according to public safety record zero.
[40:30] And that answer questions that Councilman Waldo asked of Council just in the last day
[40:41] and we were providing answers throughout the day.
[40:46] Also, as I stated, we've provided this summary.
[40:50] We know there's representatives here from the applicant.
[40:55] This project was approved by planning at their meeting on July 14th and it was by a vote of five to two with the conditions read into the record at the last meeting.
[41:06] And Council heard this for first reading on August 10th and approved by a vote of four in favor and three opposed to bring it forward for a second reading.
[41:17] and it's now before you for a second reading and consideration this evening, Madam Mayor and Council.
[41:25] Thank you. Do you have a motion to prove this concept plan?
[41:31] Madam Mayor, I make a motion to accept the concept plan.
[41:35] Councilman Missina made the motion. I'll second, Madam Mayor. Second from Councilwoman Broll.
[41:43] Any comments from the public?
[41:52] Good evening.
[41:56] Again, my name is Ben Dinges, I'm with Whole Barrett, and I represent the developer.
[42:01] This is Steve Jenkins with McNight Engler on behalf of the developer, and we are seeking
[42:06] approval of the conceptual site plan for the subject property.
[42:11] The only concern that we are aware of relates to the traffic impact of the development in
[42:20] general and not a specific tenant use or tenant in general. There has been no public objection
[42:29] or opposition to our intended development, and in fact, we've received vocal support
[42:33] at the Planning Commission meeting on July 14th. I don't believe there was any public comment
[42:42] on the August 10th meeting.
[42:47] Developer met with the Springstone and Stratford Hall HOA
[42:51] to understand and address concerns, and it is our understanding
[42:54] that all of those concerns have been met and addressed.
[42:58] The developer engaged, Kimlee Horn, and you guys have a copy
[43:01] of that extensive traffic study that has been reviewed by the
[43:05] the SCDOT and AC and city traffic consultant.
[43:09] And they've identified the median
[43:11] as an appropriate mitigating measure for the traffic.
[43:15] We're here to answer any questions
[43:18] that you guys may have about them.
[43:30] Thank you very much.
[43:34] Any other comments from the public?
[43:38] Yes, sir.
[43:46] Good evening.
[43:50] Little councilor Clayton Clarkson,
[43:51] 125 Gatewood Drive,
[43:52] vacant South Carolina, 29801.
[43:54] This is actually my first time speaking to council
[43:56] So thank you all for the opportunity with that.
[43:58] From that side.
[43:59] Speaking of things, thank you, Councilman Waldo,
[44:02] for speaking up about the traffic issues on whiskey
[44:05] at the last meeting.
[44:06] And speaking of the last meeting,
[44:08] I know there was some of the things
[44:10] that went on around 2% hospitality tax in regards
[44:14] to the parking garage.
[44:15] And I remember one thing that you guys talked about,
[44:17] that really struck me.
[44:18] I remember Ms. Morgan, Ms. Price, Gail,
[44:21] who of you talked about the process with that
[44:24] when it came to transparency,
[44:25] currency when it came to communication, public input, and that's what I think might be good
[44:32] for Whiskey Road right now, because we're going to have, later on in the agenda, another
[44:38] development coming up on Whiskey Road, right off of hundreds, go ahead and just a couple
[44:41] hundred yards from this development. Do they need to have this kind of not full traffic
[44:46] report? Do they need to have the extra reports from public safety? You know, what are we
[44:50] looking for? Might there be a moratorium? Might there not be? Just a little bit more clear
[44:55] understanding about what we're looking to do. I know things are it's hard to walk
[44:58] and chew bubble gum at the same
[45:00] Any time, because we're constantly getting new developments in while simultaneously trying to figure out a process. I just want to know whether be my capacity as a planning commissioner or rather just be a citizen. What council is looking for and not looking for when it comes to developments that should or should not happen on the whiskey vote. I don't need to talk too much about this specific development because I think what's been talked about agnasium for you. You all have that information, but it's more just about that general process because we saw that process worked at the last meeting.
[45:28] There are certainly people who spoke again certain things when it comes to that 2% or
[45:32] 4% but I don't think anybody would say that process was bad or that they weren't heard
[45:36] or that they didn't know what was going on and just kind of having that in other areas
[45:40] of the city might be nice as well.
[45:42] Thank you all.
[45:43] Thank you very much for your comment.
[45:49] Any comments from council?
[45:51] Madam Mayor.
[45:52] Yes, as this project is in my district, I had been aware of my past tense on the planning
[46:00] commission about other types of developments that have been proposed for this one corner
[46:05] and the concerns of the adjacent neighborhood concerning that.
[46:13] The one thing that strikes me here after seeing several different types of intensive developments
[46:19] here, it appears from what's being proposed this evening is a very low intensity used from
[46:25] a traffic perspective. A dental office or a medical office, a small drive-through coffee that's
[46:34] going to be probably seven in the morning to 20 a.m. you and I'll answer who buys coffee after that.
[46:40] A medical office doesn't have hours late at night or hour a weekend so I think what's being
[46:47] proposed this evening for this one sensitive corner is the best I think that we're ever going to see
[46:53] And I think we should embrace that for its less intense traffic generation.
[47:00] The project does, the developer has agreed to limit access to the site.
[47:09] You only have access from mammoth and the back area.
[47:13] There will be a, they've agreed to a barrier along the entrance by mammoth so you can't
[47:19] make the left turn into the site.
[47:22] So I think they're doing everything that's would be required of them.
[47:28] There's also comment at the last meeting concerning, why don't we wait till the DOT does their work.
[47:35] I looked at the traffic report and it looks like the improvements that are being proposed
[47:41] are really on point for here.
[47:43] They're going to improve a northbound by turnling, well that's nothing to do with this.
[47:48] They're going to improve a Westbound approach, which has nothing to do with this.
[47:53] There's two other recommendations in terms of Northbound and Southbound left turn lanes,
[47:59] which really have very little to do with this.
[48:02] I think the key that, no, I know the Plenty Commission has extensively reviewed this and has granted approval.
[48:11] And one answer to Mr. Clarkson is that one of the comments that were raised at the last meeting is trying to change the process of the Planning Commission and that traffic impact studies are required at the application stage and traffic
[48:30] The comments from our own traffic consultant are received prior to some coming here.
[48:36] So when it comes to the City Council, we say, okay, they prepared a traffic study, our
[48:40] traffic consultant has reviewed it, our traffic consultant says, yeah, your name.
[48:45] And that's a big help for us to understand if the traffic is going to work.
[48:51] So what we've seen from the BL engineering is that the no concerns on the project was a very extensive report from Kimberly Horn.
[49:01] My background is in traffic engineering. I was quite impressed with the extent of their analysis and also the BL review.
[49:11] So from my perspective, I think it's a good use for this property.
[49:16] Thank you. Anyone else?
[49:19] Yeah, I want to, Madam Mayor and Council, clear about my position with this project because
[49:28] I think it's a little misconception about no way, shape or form, do I believe this is
[49:33] a bad development, but I do believe that it's a bad timing for this particular project.
[49:40] But I support, you know, responsible growth in private investment in Akin and my opposition
[49:45] is not directed at a developer or the business that's being proposed.
[49:51] Staff has advised us that individual projects is not expected to significantly change
[49:56] the level of service delays or cues which are received today so I appreciate staff
[50:02] or gathering that information but my concern is bigger than just the one project.
[50:07] Significant roadway improvements are already planned for this area and we still do not have
[50:12] an updated timeline for their completion.
[50:13] The traffic review also identified prohibited attorney movements and recommended a physical
[50:18] safety improvement.
[50:21] And I think at some point we have to stop looking at whiskey rolled as one parcel at a time.
[50:27] One project may be manageable but also we have to consider what continued development collectively
[50:32] means for this particular corridor.
[50:36] So that's why I believe Council should have a serious conversation about a temporary moratorium
[50:41] and other appropriate planning tools that allow us to comprehensively evaluate growth,
[50:47] traffic, safety, infrastructure, long, whiskey, rope.
[50:52] So I support growth, but infrastructure keep up with the pace of growth and not continuously
[50:57] chase it.
[50:58] So, for me, it's not yet.
[51:02] And again, this is not a bad development at all.
[51:05] I just really did this bad time.
[51:07] So, for that reason, I'll be going to know tonight.
[51:11] Thank you.
[51:14] Yes.
[51:16] Thank you, Madam Mayor.
[51:18] I just wanted to comment a little bit about our safe streets for all initiative.
[51:25] Because I think we all know, especially those of us new to council,
[51:31] how much traffic on Whiskey Road was a concern for pretty much everybody.
[51:37] and we have some good news. We've won an award to get safe streets for all to look at what has
[51:46] happened between Whiskey Road, between Pine log and Chucker Creek. Just for the record, they know
[51:53] that there's been 11 people killed or seriously injured. It's called a KSI crashes during a study period.
[52:01] We know we have a problem, and I know we can work together to do it.
[52:06] Nobody's against growth, but we are about to open up the powerhouse connector, the
[52:11] Tribute Parkway.
[52:12] We don't really know the influence on that at this time.
[52:16] We really don't.
[52:18] And what I'm reading is we have been awarded some money to look at that, to identify this
[52:28] high-endering network, and to make a serious plan to be accountable to look at it so that
[52:33] suicide lanes are not bad, and I know we're going to be doing that, and there's going
[52:41] to be a cost to it, but we need to have those discussions about it, because I know a lot
[52:47] of people don't like to go past fine log. Now, I will thank Mr. Russ for telling me to
[52:55] go out and look, and I did, and some other people in this room. I drove it, I drove it a lot.
[53:01] I didn't know all that, all those residences were back there. I was delighted to see how
[53:06] lovely they were. And then I tried to figure out what's the right thing to do. And I realized
[53:11] it really isn't stratford hall, it's the problem, because as Russ explained to me, they have
[53:16] the unnamed road, there are different options for those residents to come and go, and it
[53:21] make sense, and it is better than some of the plans that were voted down previously,
[53:26] the Parker's Kitchen.
[53:28] But I am concerned that it isn't just a strafford hallside, it is that major intersection
[53:33] at Powderhouse, and I'm not sure we're being really responsible about fixing it first.
[53:41] And I've read a lot of the work that was done, I was appreciative of the traffic studies,
[53:46] But like Councilman Messina said, you know, we got it a week ago.
[53:51] We need this beforehand and I'm requesting that we get some of this safe streets for
[53:58] all policy studies that they tell us what we need.
[54:03] They do.
[54:05] I just wanted to clarify, we did adopt, the Council adopted the action plan for the safe streets
[54:11] for all and the implementation grant we received, which is a 10 million with match, we'll
[54:18] go to those specific things that were identified as safety concerns along Whiskey Road.
[54:23] So we're working toward it.
[54:26] And I think that's the transparency and accountability we need to have as we look at the numbers, Council
[54:33] and Messina said, how many new residences in that area?
[54:37] Quite a few.
[54:40] not on the track for, but the whole.
[54:42] It's more on the north side.
[54:43] Yeah, and on the tribute parkway.
[54:46] And tribute parkway.
[54:47] Yes, and that's going to flow in.
[54:49] So my concern is that we need to take a look and be a little better about not against this development whatsoever,
[54:58] especially given the length of time.
[55:01] But I also think I kept looking at different time frames.
[55:05] they were saying when they were going to implement the traffic corrections and I am concerned about
[55:13] council having a really good idea with the responsible developer about what's going to happen
[55:19] and why. So it's not against you all. It's about are we planning appropriately? Do we really understand
[55:25] that that meeting is going to be four feet tall? I'm sorry, the four foot tall. I mean, there's a lot
[55:33] going on here that well they agree I agree to that yeah that's right and I think
[55:39] there's there's some things that we need to know when is it going to be done
[55:43] it would probably be done prior to occupancy it will be part of the
[55:48] condition of the approval right but if it's if it's required by planning they
[55:53] can't go and just do whatever they want it's required they would not get a
[55:57] certificate of occupancy that's right so all the traffic improvements have been
[56:01] And what I want to add to this is, I don't disagree with doing a study of whiskey, but I agree with Commissioner Messina.
[56:10] You know, we're looking at this and all we have to base most of this on is what we have seen in our experience.
[56:17] And Pete has more experience than any of us.
[56:20] And the fact that we've had our traffic study and our traffic engineer.
[56:27] year. So if we're not going to trust them and follow what they say, then we just don't
[56:34] do anything. And, you know, I'm not willing to do that. We pay people to give us this
[56:43] advice. And having been a planning commissioner, I was a planning commissioner for seven years
[56:48] before I was a council person. This is a good development. And there have been others
[56:57] that have been rejected that's water under the bridge but I'm looking at this
[57:03] and judging it fairly and I'm going to support it tonight.
[57:11] Thank you.
[57:16] And I
[57:16] just want to add one more comment to that. The work that they put in to get us
[57:22] hot information for this project well taken and I really do appreciate that but my
[57:27] concern is I have a constituent base that is very very concerned about the whiskey
[57:32] be called over right now and I have to bring their concerns with me as I make that decision
[57:37] so they want to put that on the record as well.
[57:39] Madam, I also, in that regard, my consistent face is directly affected.
[57:45] They live on strafford and the fact that they were not very, not vocal at the planning commission
[57:51] meeting, they're not vocal tonight.
[57:54] The developer and has met with them, I'm aware of that home association.
[58:01] and they have to agree that this is the least intense traffic generation that they're ever going to see here.
[58:09] And so I would prefer to approve this then wait till some comes in with another Parker's kitchen and another gas station or whatever and try to force it down or throw it.
[58:22] It takes something that's low key, it works,
[58:27] it doesn't, they direct a traffic away from the intersection
[58:31] by the way of their regress points.
[58:34] It's a very low generation project,
[58:38] traffic generation project.
[58:40] Again, our traffic consultant has stated it's acceptable.
[58:45] So any council member has a question
[58:49] of that traffic report, please raise it right now.
[58:56] My biggest concern with the traffic report is the increase from the Tribute Parkway
[59:02] once it opens up, and how that's going to affect everything along that area.
[59:09] And I'm not saying what I'm voting, yay or nay, I am saying that as a council person and
[59:17] And as a person responsible for what we hear in the community, traffic is a problem.
[59:23] And I think the city should do a corridor study, traffic study.
[59:31] And I still question the tribute study.
[59:34] But now that we have more and more impact, yeah, let's do that with any future, build
[59:41] an analysis on Westview Road, specifically looked at.
[59:45] But we have an application before this evening that, again, I can't say there are enough times.
[59:52] This is a low generation, trip generation number.
[59:55] or I can imagine.
[1:00:01] And may I add one more thing, madameer? If I'm in this military, please correct me if I'm incorrect. But in reading the bill engineering,
[1:00:13] the, it says,
[1:00:17] this is currently in the engineering phase by SCDOT. It's also included in the arts transportation improvement program. The preliminary engineering is happening right now.
[1:00:32] Now, right away, acquisitions are planned for fiscal 2027, $360,000, and construction
[1:00:41] plan for 2028, $1,560, okay, so that's construction in 2028.
[1:00:46] This particular development, it says on the page before, will not be completed till 2030.
[1:00:53] So that intersection should be well underway or finished before this particular development
[1:01:01] that comes into fruition.
[1:01:04] Am I understanding that correctly?
[1:01:05] It's the way I would read that.
[1:01:07] Thank you very much.
[1:01:10] In addition to that, there is a note
[1:01:12] on that bottom of that other intersection improvement.
[1:01:16] It does say note that in recent discussion with SCDOT,
[1:01:19] the timing and phasing for that intersection
[1:01:22] has not been fully determined yet.
[1:01:25] There is an old one there.
[1:01:26] But timing and phasing is something you can do
[1:01:29] in relation to a cookie.
[1:01:30] I used to do that for a living.
[1:01:31] It's a very, very simple process to do
[1:01:36] that tomorrow.
[1:01:46] I just feel like I have to say something that this parcel of land is for sale.
[1:01:53] So previously there was a business that wanted to come and the people of Stratford were
[1:02:01] very upset.
[1:02:03] And if I saw a room here full of people that were belligerent and upset and scared about
[1:02:11] about something I would be much more inclined to vote against.
[1:02:18] However, I think this is a very good project and I do have to say that
[1:02:22] Aiken is growing and if there's a parcel of land somewhere that looks like
[1:02:26] it can be used for a project, it's going to get sold.
[1:02:32] So that is my feelings.
[1:02:41] We'll take a vote now, all those in favor.
[1:02:44] So I have Council, there'll be four, four, the main projects that are named, and those
[1:02:56] are the, are you, I'm sorry, five for the project and all those vote against,
[1:03:06] I'm
[1:03:06] sorry, I'm seeing.
[1:03:09] So Councilman Waldo is our opposed and Councilman Morgan is abstaining.
[1:03:15] Thank you so much, that is
[1:03:21] the vote count.
[1:03:23] Thank you, gentlemen.
[1:03:28] Next item under old business, the second reading of an ordinance to amend the concept plan for 199 willow on road to being bill.
[1:03:35] Thank you, this is an ordinance amending the concept plan for property located at 199 willow run road and owned by SBCA Albrecht Center for Animal Wellness.
[1:03:46] This project does require a concept plan approval to allow a accessory building detached accessory structure for residential use as well as meeting space on this almost 10 acre parcel.
[1:04:07] and Council heard this at first reading, August 10th, and a private unanimously to second reading.
[1:04:17] And that was after the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval at their meeting in July.
[1:04:25] This is before Council tonight for second reading, Madam Mayor.
[1:04:30] Thank you.
[1:04:31] Is there a motion to amend the consent plan?
[1:04:35] I still move.
[1:04:38] Councilwoman Diggs and a second from...
[1:04:42] I'll second, Madam Mayor.
[1:04:43] Councilwoman Browell.
[1:04:46] Are there any comments from the public?
[1:04:50] Any comments from Council?
[1:04:52] All those in favor?
[1:04:55] Thank you.
[1:04:57] unanimous.
[1:05:00] Fourth item under old business.
[1:05:01] the second reading of a master bond ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of hospitality
[1:05:05] fee revenue bonds of the city of Aiken, defining the terms and security for such bonds and
[1:05:11] other matters relating there to Mr. B.
[1:05:14] Thank you.
[1:05:18] We do have second
[1:05:25] reading and this is a master bond ordinance as you describe providing
[1:05:34] Starting for the issuance and sale of hospitality fee revenue bonds of the city of Aiken defining the terms and security for such bonds and other matters related there to this is the master bond ordinance that following this would be a series bond ordinance but what we have is amending the master bond ordinance which will allow a series bond ordinance to be issued.
[1:06:04] for construction of a parking deck and related matters.
[1:06:09] So, I guess we'll be doing the master bond ordinance first,
[1:06:13] and followed by a series bond ordinance.
[1:06:16] So, I know Mr. Pope is here who is our bond council,
[1:06:21] and I think there may be more questions as it relates to the second reading
[1:06:26] of the series ordinance.
[1:06:29] But we need to have the master bond ordinance for consideration first and this is second reading of that Madam Mayor.
[1:06:38] Thank you. Is there a motion to accept this?
[1:06:43] I so move Madam Mayor. Councilwoman Role made the motion.
[1:06:48] Second. Second from Councilman Waldo.
[1:06:53] Comments from the public.
[1:06:56] Comments from Council. All those in favor?
[1:07:02] Thank you, unanimous, much like the other.
[1:07:08] This is the final item under old business.
[1:07:11] Second reading of a series ordinance of the City of
[1:07:13] Acan, South Carolina, providing for the issuance and sale of
[1:07:15] hospitality, revenue bonds and the aggregate principal amount of
[1:07:19] not exceeding $7 million.
[1:07:22] Mr. Beanbow.
[1:07:23] Thank you.
[1:07:24] This is the series ordinance of the City of
[1:07:26] Acan, South Carolina, providing for the issuance and sale of
[1:07:29] hospitality fee revenue bonds and the aggregate principal amount of not exceeding $7 million authorizing an amendment to the parking deck development contract and
[1:07:39] amending the fiscal year 202627 budget to the city of Akin to appropriate funds for the parking deck project and providing for other matters related there too.
[1:07:50] What we have is this is part of the development agreement that was passed in December 2025.
[1:07:57] five. The project we're looking at now, I mean the cost is very, I got another number
[1:08:07] that's lower than the 11.35 million that was updated in the Memorandum. But we are
[1:08:17] looking to put down $4.5 million. The source of the funding is interest that has a crude
[1:08:26] from plutonium funds for this down payment we would look at financing either 10
[1:08:34] to 20 years depending on when we get when the request for proposals come in
[1:08:40] in the next few weeks. Our hope is we would be able to finance this over a 10
[1:08:47] year period. We're optimistic that based on expected cost and annual payments
[1:08:56] that will fit in with what we would be looking at with revenue from the hospitality tax.
[1:09:04] Again, we don't, the cost should not rise above this 11.35 million. I had a meeting at four
[1:09:12] o'clock this afternoon with Oliver in that number after some value engineering has gone down
[1:09:19] back to around 10.9 million based on some value engineering again being very
[1:09:27] cautious they have contingency in light items and contingency and just as a
[1:09:33] overall line item in the budget. So again we have this before you this
[1:09:41] evening for second reading and I see Mr. Pope has moved up here to the front if
[1:09:48] There are any questions about the mechanics of this. Certainly, we would come back to Council
[1:09:54] assuming this passes with
[1:09:57] RFP and a recommendation for Council's approval
[1:10:01] And that okay, so that would we would go ahead and report that to Council. This accounts for that, but
[1:10:08] I'm going to let you take over
[1:10:11] About a mayor members of Council nice to be with you Gary Pope
[1:10:15] One two things I wanted to just note in the ordinance first is a, this delegates authority
[1:10:22] to U.S. City Manager and the mayor to execute the transaction with the parameters that
[1:10:26] are set forth in the series ordinance.
[1:10:28] The other item I wanted to note was that in section 4.01, we currently, not 4.01, 4.03,
[1:10:34] we currently note $4 million being appropriated, and if that's 4.5 from the agenda, we would
[1:10:40] just want to make sure that figure is adjusted in that document if we need to.
[1:10:45] Yeah, if we, the number, that's the thing is the number keeps, again,
[1:10:50] it's based on cost of materials and value engineering.
[1:10:54] I do believe maybe adding an up to 4.5 would be the appropriate approach
[1:11:01] because of material cost, however, after today,
[1:11:07] and there'll be some additional value engineering coming up.
[1:11:14] I'm optimistic that it'll be
[1:11:16] in that four million number. I just wanted to note that and for Gary however we need to do the
[1:11:22] amendment if you do want to take it to four and a half or
[1:11:31] leave it as is.
[1:11:38] I just didn't want to
[1:11:42] I think we would be okay.
[1:11:47] Again, after the report I got about four and a half hours ago, I think we would be okay leaving it at four million.
[1:11:54] But based on a call last week, that's why the number increased.
[1:12:05] Did you want to add anything, too?
[1:12:07] No, I think we'll be fine as written in the ordinance.
[1:12:12] Okay, then.
[1:12:14] Do I hear a
[1:12:18] motion?
[1:12:18] We would need a motion in this second.
[1:12:20] Do I hear a motion?
[1:12:22] I still moved Madam Mayor.
[1:12:24] Thank you.
[1:12:25] Councilman Roll.
[1:12:28] Second.
[1:12:29] Councilman Waldo.
[1:12:30] Second.
[1:12:32] Comments from the public.
[1:12:36] Comments from Council.
[1:12:56] That number's gone back down.
[1:13:00] It's gone up.
[1:13:01] It's up about $150,000 now.
[1:13:04] I think we quoted.
[1:13:05] It's about $10.9 million.
[1:13:08] Again, when I wrote the memo,
[1:13:10] I had a meeting with everyone and with cost of materials, with inflation, it had gone
[1:13:20] up however they did a value engineered out.
[1:13:27] A fair good amount of money almost half
[1:13:30] a million dollars, conservatively about half a million dollars to get it down to 10.9
[1:13:35] million and again that was information I received about four o'clock this afternoon right before we
[1:13:41] stepped into our work session so I do believe that leaving the down payment, leaving the ordinance
[1:13:48] written as four million plus this information I feel comfortable with how we have everything laid
[1:13:56] out for council this evening and I don't believe the number will, I think we're pretty fixed at 10.9.
[1:14:03] So, you don't think it's going to fluctuate with this?
[1:14:06] It could, if it does, it might fluctuate slightly down.
[1:14:09] Okay.
[1:14:09] But I don't believe it will fluctuate upwards.
[1:14:13] But I guess if I could say with a hundred percent certainty, I would, you know.
[1:14:18] But I feel very comfortable saying that.
[1:14:21] Okay.
[1:14:22] Thank you.
[1:14:27] Thank you.
[1:14:29] Any other comments from the council?
[1:14:32] All those in favor.
[1:14:36] Thank you.
[1:14:36] unanimous.
[1:14:40] We now move to new business. The first item is first reading of an
[1:14:43] ordinance to rezone five acres located at 102 gas in road northeast from
[1:14:47] industrial to plain commercial and approve a concept plan Mr. Bidenville. This
[1:14:52] is an ordinance. Thank you Madam Mayor and ordinance amending the zoning
[1:14:55] a property located at 102 gas and red northeast from eye and dust.
[1:15:27] I'm not sure if you have any questions or questions, but I would like to ask you a few questions. I would like to ask you a few questions.
[1:15:29] commercial zoning, which requires a concept plan to be reviewed by the Plenty Commission
[1:15:35] and approved by City Council.
[1:15:38] There would be the applicant is proposing to bill four dueplex units, two units with
[1:15:44] two bedrooms and two units with three bedrooms.
[1:15:47] Guests that frequent this high fields will find onsite lodging and enhancement for their
[1:15:53] stay with the City Pave Road access, off of gas and road.
[1:15:57] guest find easy access in a quiet environment and with short term event driven guest occupancy the trip volume will be minimal once guests arrive there
[1:16:06] They will be on the 75 acre facility and can access their stabled horses or the concert venue on foot or by golf cart without access to public roads
[1:16:16] The parcel is currently developed with an office building, which will remain
[1:16:21] The concept plan proposes a parking area in the middle of the duplex buildings, which
[1:16:26] appears to provide 16 spaces, which is too less than the parking text amendment recently
[1:16:31] approved by Council on first reading and subsequent second reading tonight on the consent
[1:16:38] agenda.
[1:16:39] The plan does not provide for passive or active recreation, but the parcel is adjacent
[1:16:43] to Highfield's equestrian and music events facility for which the housing is associated.
[1:16:49] PC projects require any free standing signs to be monument type, the located, the proposed
[1:16:56] duplexes, and parking lot will significantly reduce existing tree canopy, an existing
[1:17:01] tree survey and landscaping plan will be provided, will be required to confirm that the
[1:17:07] tree canopy will be replaced by conserved and proposed new trees, the concept plan shows
[1:17:13] the shared driveway with the existing on-site office building, which services Gaston Road,
[1:17:20] which is service by Gaston Road and pedestrian traffic between the two properties since they're
[1:17:27] interconnected with the event center would be anticipated. They have city sewer, sanitary sewer and
[1:17:37] lines available, sewer capacity will be contemplated and considered for approval by
[1:17:45] Aiken County's public service authority.
[1:17:48] The concept plan does not denote the proposed open space percentage, but staff estimates
[1:17:54] about 75% of the property will remain undeveloped.
[1:17:57] The concept plan shows a minimal 30-foot separation between the proposed duplexes, which complies
[1:18:03] with the separation standards that are required.
[1:18:06] The property is not adjacent to any property zone or used residentally, so landscape screening
[1:18:12] buffers are not required.
[1:18:13] A planning strip varying in length between 10 feet and 25 feet and street trees are required
[1:18:18] along Gaston Road frontage and daily trip generation will depend upon events at the adjacent
[1:18:25] event center.
[1:18:26] Those present at the Planning Commission's August 11th meeting unanimously voted to reason
[1:18:32] done from industrial eye to PC playing commercial with the following conditions that the number
[1:18:37] of parking spaces and parking lot dimensions comply with the applicable zoning ordinance
[1:18:42] standards. Second, that either the existing single lane section of the driveway be improved
[1:18:47] for two-way traffic with SCDOT permit or striped and posted for one-way movement. Third, that
[1:18:55] in all weather pedestrian path be provided along the duplexes and the northern property
[1:19:01] 30 line 4th at the development complies with the required minimum building setbacks.
[1:19:06] Fifth at the development complies with all applicable tree preservation and landscaping
[1:19:10] standards at the zoning ordinance.
[1:19:12] Six at the applicant submits a revised concept plan saying the conditions of approval and
[1:19:17] seventh, an agreement stating the conditions of approval signed by the applicant.
[1:19:23] And this is a consideration of an ordinance to reason five acres at 102 Gaston Road, northeast
[1:19:30] from eye industrial to PC playing commercial and approval of the concept plan with the conditions recommended by the planning commission as before you this evening.
[1:19:41] Thank you so much. Do I have a motion to explain?
[1:19:44] I still move.
[1:19:46] Second.
[1:19:47] Wait a minute.
[1:19:48] I was second.
[1:19:49] Oh.
[1:19:50] Councilwoman Morgan made the motion.
[1:19:52] I'll gail make the motion.
[1:19:54] I'm sorry.
[1:19:55] It'll make the motion.
[1:19:56] Councilwoman.
[1:19:57] It's a district, sir.
[1:19:59] Councilwoman Diggs made the motion and Councilwoman Morgan's second the motion.
[1:20:04] Are there any comments from the public?
[1:20:08] Are there any comments from Council?
[1:20:13] I personally would like to say I think this is a fantastic idea and great use of space.
[1:20:18] And thank you for planning this and repurposing a property.
[1:20:27] Yes, of course.
[1:20:28] Yeah, it's a great, it's the middle property, is that right?
[1:20:33] What a wonderful way to celebrate what you can have right next to Highfields.
[1:20:41] I mean, it's awesome.
[1:20:42] This is Rick Cram.
[1:20:43] Yeah, I know.
[1:20:44] Yeah, Richard Cram, 118 Surrey Circle.
[1:20:47] Good evening.
[1:20:47] Thank you, Madam Mayor, Council.
[1:20:51] We acquired the Biddle Real Estate Office last winter and had been trying to figure out what would be the great purpose for that and my daughter graduates.
[1:21:01] some UGA this December and wants to be a CPA so I think that that's going to lend a place
[1:21:09] for her to maybe put up a shingle there but the duplex we've been asked for years by our clientele
[1:21:18] why don't we do tiny houses why don't we have you know somewhere for these folks to stay on site
[1:21:23] and I found they just decided that maybe that's what I've probably proposed so I'm excited that
[1:21:32] do you think that this is a great idea?
[1:21:35] It's great.
[1:21:38] Thank you.
[1:21:39] Thank you.
[1:21:40] Thank you for coming north.
[1:21:42] Absolutely.
[1:21:46] Okay.
[1:21:47] All those in favor.
[1:21:49] Thank you.
[1:21:50] It's unanimous.
[1:21:53] The next item is first reading and public hearing of an ordinance to prove a historic
[1:21:57] designation for 524 Cogros Springs Road, Southwest.
[1:22:04] Thank you.
[1:22:04] You read the title of the ordinance and the applicant has requested that contributing historic designation be provided or be applied to this property and the definition of contributing is, quote, structures that are 50 or more years old or that have aesthetic or historic historical importance are normally classified as contributing, contributing properties are board of the preservation.
[1:22:30] but are often more tolerant of change in properties eligible for landmark status, partial demolition or relocation might be allowed.
[1:22:39] This allows the DRB to determine what structural changes are appropriate of it if demolition and
[1:22:46] part or in whole would be considered with a historic designation.
[1:22:50] Even with a contributing status change to the interior of a structure or not under the purview of the DRB
[1:22:58] and do not require a certificate of appropriateness only changes proposed to the exterior that
[1:23:03] are visible from the public right of way or under the purview of the DRB or a contributing
[1:23:08] structure. The DRB met on July 7th and considered this request. This property was not included in the
[1:23:16] 2010 historic resource survey and was not given a designation even though it is located in a historic
[1:23:22] District 2. This property is located within the District Historic Overlay District and Historic
[1:23:29] District 2 in his own single-family stable RSS. The assessors report lists the construction day
[1:23:36] of the stables as 1978. The property does not have a historic resource survey card. At the DRB
[1:23:43] meeting on July 7th, the Board approved a recommendation and at the Planning Commission meeting,
[1:23:49] the commission recommended the contributing historic designation and it is now
[1:23:54] before you for first reading this evening. Thank you. This is our motion. So move
[1:23:59] Mr. Madam Mayor. Councilman Price made the motion.
[1:24:05] Councilman Morgan had her
[1:24:06] hand up. I'm sorry.
[1:24:12] We'll have to ring bells here. I don't mind with sending
[1:24:29] I'll make the motion there she second the motion. Okay. Are there any comments from the public comments
[1:24:42] from the council about a mayor if the owners are doing an incredible job fixing up this property.
[1:24:51] They've willingly wanted it to be contributing to match the Ron point historic property that it's adjacent to
[1:24:58] So this is a great news for our neighborhood.
[1:25:20] Thank you unanimous the next item is first reading a public hearing event
[1:25:24] Or in this to annex 915 ospin drive and zone at residential single-family
[1:25:28] 15 Mr. Dean Bell. Thank you. You have read the title of the ordinance and this is approximately 1.3 acres
[1:25:36] and it is located in the Acan North neighborhood and those present at the
[1:25:41] Planning Commission August 11th recommended annexing and zoning RS-15
[1:25:47] residential single-family.
[1:25:52] Thank you. Is there a motion to accept this
[1:25:57] ordinance to annex? So move Madam Mayor. Councilman Christy. Councilman Gailiwa.
[1:26:02] second.
[1:26:06] Second the motion.
[1:26:08] Comments from the public. Comments from Council. All those in favor.
[1:26:16] Thank you.
[1:26:18] Next we have first reading in public hearing an ordinance to annex 1115 conquer
[1:26:23] drive and zone at residential single family RS 15 Mr.
[1:26:26] Thank you. You've read the title of the ordinance and this product per D is approximately one and a 10th acres and
[1:26:35] The recommendation is to zone at residential single-family RS-15
[1:26:40] It's located in Akina States in the Congerwoods neighborhood
[1:26:44] Those present at the Planning Commission's August 11th me unanimously recommended
[1:26:50] the annexation and zoning RS-15 is before you for first reading
[1:26:56] Thank you. Do I have a motion, please add a mayor. I so move councilman Morgan made the motion
[1:27:02] I need a second please
[1:27:05] second second
[1:27:06] Councilman Waldo second the motion
[1:27:09] comments from the public
[1:27:12] comments from council all those in favor
[1:27:17] Thank you to unanimous next item is first reading a public hearing of an ordinance to annex 909
[1:27:23] and Zonet residential single-family RS-15.
[1:27:26] Thank you. This is approximately 1.13 acres
[1:27:31] and the recommendation is to Zonet residential single-family RS-15
[1:27:37] and those present at the Planning Commission unanimously voted
[1:27:41] at August 11th, meeting to Zonet, RS-15 and annex it into the city
[1:27:48] just before you for first reading.
[1:27:50] Thank you. Is there a motion to accept this ordinance to annex?
[1:27:57] I so move Madam Mayor, Councilwoman Browell, made the motion.
[1:28:02] I second Madam Mayor.
[1:28:03] Second from Councilwoman Morgan.
[1:28:06] Comments from the public.
[1:28:09] Comments from Council.
[1:28:11] All those in favor.
[1:28:13] Thank you.
[1:28:14] It's unanimous.
[1:28:15] The next item is first reading and public hearing of an ordinance to annex 1104 Hampton Avenue
[1:28:20] Northwest and zone at residential single-family RS-10.
[1:28:25] Mr. Beaton.
[1:28:26] Thank you.
[1:28:27] This is in the Pinecrest Avenue Area Neighborhood.
[1:28:31] It's approximately 6,300 Sivanaker.
[1:28:34] The planning commission at their August 11 meeting unanimously voted to annex the property
[1:28:40] and zone at residential single-family RS-10 is before Council this evening.
[1:28:46] Thank you.
[1:28:47] I need a motion.
[1:28:48] motion, please. Motion.
[1:28:50] I have second. Motion made to a done Madam Mayor.
[1:28:54] Council in price and councilman digs second the motion.
[1:28:58] Comments from the public. Comments from council. All those in favor.
[1:29:03] Thank you. Again, new manimists.
[1:29:07] The final item under new business is first reading of an ordinance to waive right a first
[1:29:11] review for property at 65 Wyndon Boulevard owned by Havara Management Services LLC, Mr.
[1:29:17] being bill. Thank you. This is an ordinance authorizing the City of
[1:29:20] Acan DeWave. It's right. A first refusal in the property owned by Vera
[1:29:24] Management Services LLC and located in Acan Airport industrial park. You may
[1:29:29] remember over a year ago, this property was before you for this same reason for a
[1:29:35] liquid nicotine factory. Well that fell through. So now we have a, I've
[1:29:47] found out over the weekend post-publishing of this memorandum that the firm that wants
[1:29:53] to purchase it as Union Agener Incorporated, which is a biotechnology for...
[1:30:00] It was termed dedicated to animal health. They would like to purchase these three parcels that formerly house
[1:30:08] Glaxo Smith Klein, Smith Klein Beacham, Beacham, as the name changed over many, many years. And it was last
[1:30:17] Avara, which manufactured pharmaceuticals. This will be pharmaceuticals except for animals. And since it is in the
[1:30:28] city's industrial park per the of Marines industrial park per the covenants we have the right
[1:30:34] of first refusal to purchase the property back and it is recommended we don't exercise
[1:30:44] the option to purchase an empty pharmaceutical plant back and see if union agent or incorporated
[1:30:51] would purchase it from Avara and this waving of the right of first refusal is before City Council this evening.
[1:31:02] Thank you. Could I entertain a motion, please?
[1:31:06] So moved.
[1:31:07] Councilwoman Price.
[1:31:08] Second.
[1:31:09] And Councilwoman Waldo, second the motion.
[1:31:12] Comments from the public.
[1:31:14] Any comments from the council?
[1:31:17] All those in favor?
[1:31:19] Thank you.
[1:31:20] It's unanimous.
[1:31:22] We have three items for petitions and requests tonight.
[1:31:26] First item is approval of a resolution to provide water and sanitary sewer services.
[1:31:30] 26-20 and 26-22.
[1:31:32] Columbia Highway, North, Mr. Beanville.
[1:31:34] Thank you. You did read the title of the resolution.
[1:31:39] This is an application for a parcel of approximately two and three quarters acres.
[1:31:45] Since it is outside the city, but is requesting water and sewer service, we do have a policy
[1:31:54] for said provision, which establishes the process decision criteria and conditions for this development.
[1:32:02] It is on US-1 Columbia Highway North near the exit 22 interchange to interstate 20.
[1:32:09] There is city water service and sanitary sewer service available and all
[1:32:15] materials associated with said systems must conform to the city standards
[1:32:21] and the design approved by the city engineer.
[1:32:24] The site will have to comply with city of aching standards for tree protection
[1:32:28] and landscaping, signage regulations, open space, separation building separation
[1:32:34] requirements, utility design, access management requirements and traffic study
[1:32:39] the impact analysis, all those present at the planning commissions, all of us, 11th meeting,
[1:32:44] unanimous, we voted to recommend approval with the following conditions.
[1:32:48] First, at the property under selects, acute an agreement for the property to be annexed
[1:32:53] into the city, at the city's discretion when the property becomes contiguous to the city limits.
[1:32:59] Second, that the development plan complies with the landscaping provisions of zoning ordinance 4.6.7.
[1:33:06] third, that the development's freestanding signs shall comply with the city's signage regulations
[1:33:11] fourth, that the cross easement, cross-access easements shall be provided in accordance with
[1:33:18] the zoning ordinance section 4.8.9, that the fifth, that the traffic impact study shall be approved
[1:33:24] by SDOT and the city's traffic consultant, and that the developer shall construct any traffic
[1:33:30] mitigating measures that are identified as necessary. Six, that the applicant shall sign an
[1:33:35] in agreement stating the conditions of approval.
[1:33:38] Seventh, the applicant submit the revised plan
[1:33:40] for approval by City Council.
[1:33:43] And this is before you,
[1:33:45] as in the form of a resolution to provide
[1:33:49] water and sanitary sewer utility services.
[1:33:52] Thank you.
[1:33:53] Thank you.
[1:33:54] Is there a motion to approve this resolution?
[1:33:57] I so move.
[1:33:58] Councilwoman Diggs made the motion.
[1:34:01] Second.
[1:34:01] from councilwoman price comments from the public comments from council I have a
[1:34:10] question if mr. Patel is in the room are you good evening my name is Peter Patel
[1:34:22] I address his 518 seminar place Augusta Georgia 397 thank you just out of
[1:34:31] You may not want to respond to this.
[1:34:33] Any idea of the use of this property that you're looking at?
[1:34:38] Sure, it will be a dunk in dollars.
[1:34:40] Okay, one of the users is dunk in dollars.
[1:34:43] This way to be sure.
[1:34:45] So that's a good location to have the business.
[1:34:49] Thank you.
[1:34:49] Thank you.
[1:34:50] As a man of mayor, if I may, Mr. Patel, if I'm looking at this,
[1:34:55] correctly, there's going to be four businesses there.
[1:34:58] One is the currently would be just dunking daughters and then there'll be a future development future development
[1:35:04] Do you haven't signed those as of yet? Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you so much
[1:35:11] Madam Mayor just one brief comment
[1:35:16] I'm normally not in
[1:35:21] Would like to approve extending water and sewer outside of the city
[1:35:26] And we're extending water and sewer into the county
[1:35:29] I think that's a discussion for another day, but we're using the city's resources of water and
[1:35:39] center for the county. However, in this situation, you got water and sewer right and you're going
[1:35:45] through the property, so we're not extending it to them. It's already there. I don't know why it's already
[1:35:50] there, but it is. So a discussion for another day, but I'd like to really discuss
[1:35:58] know why we're extending water and sewer to other areas beside ourselves in the future soapbox
[1:36:07] comment any
[1:36:12] other comments from council all
[1:36:18] those in favor thank you and I can say I think the
[1:36:25] reason why you have the water and sewer there is the shawl plant that was built in the early 1990s
[1:36:31] I think that's how we ended up with the water and sewer service on that side of the highway.
[1:36:38] We also have it obviously in the industrial park as well.
[1:36:42] It kind of flows all through there, but it was initially put in, I think,
[1:36:46] in the early 1970s as part of potential industrial industrial.
[1:36:55] The next item is approval of a resolution to provide water and sanitary sewer services to 10.54 acres
[1:37:01] at Whiskey Road and Hunter's Glen Road, Mr. Beade.
[1:37:04] Thank you. This is a request for Water and Sanitary Sewer Service for approximately ten and a half acres on Whiskey Road at Hunters Glen Road, and as the prior item, the policy for the provision of Water and Sanitary Sewer Service to unincorporated areas applies here.
[1:37:29] The applicant, the development lotus park of Aiken would be an independent living community
[1:37:36] with 34 individual two bedroom homes constructed in 17 duplex residential buildings and one
[1:37:42] four story structure that it would include 120 independent living homes, 84 one bedroom
[1:37:49] units and 36 two bedroom units.
[1:37:51] The plan to minted these include a slope-nentry pool walking pass, a theater, fitness studio,
[1:37:57] salon, bistro, elevated dining experience, dog park, and community garden.
[1:38:02] This property is in the College Acres Water Service area, the chairman of the College Acres
[1:38:10] Public Works States that they would allow the city of Aiken to serve water to this project.
[1:38:15] Since we have an existing 12-inch water main on the west side of Whiskey Road, the developer
[1:38:20] would extend a water main to the project and install a master meter to service the domestic
[1:38:25] needs of the project.
[1:38:29] Fire lines would also be included that will include provide fire
[1:38:34] protection for all community based on the City of Aakins Department of Public Safety requirements.
[1:38:42] We have a 10-inch sanitary sewer main which runs through the middle of the property.
[1:38:49] You
[1:38:50] been in communication with the city's engineering and utilities department about the project
[1:38:55] and confirm that the existing systems in the city of Akin has the capacity to service
[1:39:00] the project, but it would be subject to approval by the county's public service authority.
[1:39:06] It is within our city's fire district.
[1:39:09] Those present at the Planning Commission's Office 11th meeting unanimously voted to recommend
[1:39:14] approval with the following conditions.
[1:39:16] First, that the property owners shall execute an agreement for the property to be annexed into the city at the city's discretion when the property becomes contiguous to the city limits.
[1:39:26] Second, that the development plan shall comply with the landscaping provisions of zoning ordinance 4.6.7.
[1:39:34] Third, that the development's freestanding sign shall comply with the city's signage regulations.
[1:39:39] 4th, the landscape-divided median shall be provided at the development entrances.
[1:39:44] 5th, the developer shall provide an agreement from the college acres, public works district
[1:39:49] for the city to provide water service to the proposed development.
[1:39:53] 6th, the turn lane review for the project driveway shall be reviewed and approved by
[1:39:58] SEDOT in the city's traffic consultant and that the developer shall construct any
[1:40:03] traffic mitigating measures that are identified as necessary.
[1:40:06] 7th the building separations shall meet the improvement of the city's fire marshal 8th at the applicant's signs and agreement stating said conditions.
[1:40:15] This is before you tonight for consideration.
[1:40:20] Thank you. Do I have a motion, please?
[1:40:24] So moved Madam Mayor.
[1:40:26] Councilman Waldo made the motion.
[1:40:30] Second.
[1:40:32] Second.
[1:40:33] Second from Councilwoman Diggs.
[1:40:36] comments from the public?
[1:40:39] Any comments from council? Oh, I'm sorry, it's
[1:40:46] too fast. Good evening
[1:40:48] gentlemen.
[1:40:52] My name is David Banks. I'm the project engineer of concept plan. I prepared
[1:40:57] the concept plan. It's not a concept plan, but the plan which works for me plan to submit
[1:41:02] the city. I'm really here to answer any questions y'all may have on the project. It was about
[1:41:09] about two years ago today that this council, maybe not the same group, approved water and sewer extension of this property.
[1:41:17] And my client, Mr. Patel, signed that petition, but we've made some changes to that.
[1:41:23] So we're here requesting just basically a revision of that, obviously it's a new approval.
[1:41:28] But we have, we have gone through this process full with the very similar type project.
[1:41:34] Do you have any questions? We'll be here to answer.
[1:41:37] Thank you, thank you, comments from anyone. Thank you, John, and comments from council.
[1:41:46] I just have a question and I'm yielding to the city managers to help me here regarding
[1:41:53] the difference. I'm in support of this and the question regarding the 10.5 acres of
[1:42:02] on whiskey and hundreds of land for water and
[1:42:06] sanitary sewer services.
[1:42:08] And the previous one, this is on the south side.
[1:42:11] The previous question was on the north side for water and
[1:42:17] sewer services, Mr. Cosswell and Pete, that you asked and
[1:42:22] what's the difference in the services that based on the
[1:42:28] question being asked.
[1:42:29] Well, the first we do our water and sewer districts are larger than the city limit boundaries.
[1:42:43] Those are approved ultimately by county council.
[1:42:49] We provide water and sewer if council approves it in the planning, both the plan, it goes
[1:42:59] of the Plain Commission they make a recommendation to Council and then the Council would approve it or not
[1:43:06] approve it and in the past there have been occasions where it has been approved and sometimes it has
[1:43:12] not been. I think a classic example is the hotel just across Hunters Glen Road from here in 2002
[1:43:22] Council was asked to provide sewer to the property or water.
[1:43:29] They were asked to provide a utility to the property, and the Council rejected it.
[1:43:34] So the developer of the hotel went to City of New Wellington and they ran the line up
[1:43:41] and it got developed and built.
[1:43:43] So when we have projects like this, those applicants, whether it's commercial or residential
[1:43:54] pay the full water and sewer rate, whereas if you're inside the city, you pay half of
[1:44:00] what the full rate is.
[1:44:02] So we offer those services, typically the lines already run there.
[1:44:11] So it's adjacent because certainly running new service, especially sanitary sewer, can be quite cost prohibitive to a developer.
[1:44:21] These lines have been here a number of years.
[1:44:25] And as Mr. Banks said, this is a project that came before council some years ago, two years ago, and I guess they had to make modifications to the plan which necessitated the coming year.
[1:44:40] back to the Planning Commission and subsequently to Council for consideration.
[1:44:45] Thank you.
[1:44:48] Any other comments from Council?
[1:44:53] All those in favor?
[1:44:56] Thank you. It's unanimous.
[1:45:00] Final item on tonight's agenda is approval of a resolution adopting the Lower Savannah Regional
[1:45:05] Hazard Mitigation Plan, Mr. Boone. Thank you. We collaborated with representatives from Lower
[1:45:12] Savannah to develop this plan. Historically, this has been done by Aiken County's emergency management
[1:45:19] division, but as Hurricane Helene showed, these sort of responses to weather events and other
[1:45:28] disasters don't know county boundaries and a hazard mitigation plan regional
[1:45:38] plan involving the counties that make up Lower Savannah Council of
[1:45:42] Governments region was put together as well as municipal governments. Those
[1:45:48] counties include Aiken, Alendell, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties
[1:45:52] with all the municipalities. Adoption to this plan will maintain our
[1:45:57] eligibility for certain federal hazard mitigation funding opportunities. We've
[1:46:02] gotten monies in the past through this program to do a number of projects.
[1:46:09] And this is time to review the five-year plan. As we lasted it in 2021, this
[1:46:19] proposed updated plan will remain in effect for five years. We attach the summary
[1:46:25] document as the full plan is 737 pages, so we did not want to publish a 1300 page agenda,
[1:46:33] but we did provide a hyperlink in the memo for members of the public and council
[1:46:39] to review the entire plan. This is before council this evening in the form of resolution,
[1:46:45] Madam Mayor. Madam Mayor, before we do that, I need to be accused myself because of being a board
[1:46:51] Okay. Thank you for saying that. Councilwoman Price is going to be absent for this, a resolution.
[1:47:02] Do you have a motion, please, to accept this. I move Madam Mayor.
[1:47:08] Councilwoman Morgan. Second.
[1:47:11] Councilwoman Digg, second motion.
[1:47:13] Any comments from the public? Not many.
[1:47:24] Oh, that's for a lesson.
[1:47:28] Not too many people left to make comments, so comments from Council?
[1:47:35] Comments?
[1:47:41] Oh, sure.
[1:47:48] I was just going to say, Madam Mayor, it's coming up next.
[1:47:52] I wanted to mention Dr. Molnar from COG was here during our work session and I had asked
[1:47:59] a question he was very good at explaining. Doing this as a region gives us more leverage
[1:48:07] and we get more funding. So it makes a lot of sense to do it this way. So I was happy
[1:48:14] to hear his explanation when she did a great job with. Thank you.
[1:48:19] Thank you for that comment. Any other comments? All those in favor?
[1:48:30] Thank you.
[1:48:31] and is 6-0 with one abstention.
[1:48:34] Right, 6-0 with Councilwoman Parice absent from the vote.
[1:48:39] We accused herself from the vote.
[1:48:42] Thank you.
[1:48:43] I will wait for her to come back before our
[1:48:52] next.
[1:48:55] We will now open the floor to public comments.
[1:48:58] I'm not agenda items.
[1:48:59] Comments are limited to three minutes for speaker
[1:49:01] and for a total of 30 minutes.
[1:49:02] Ms. Teresa,
[1:49:05] you're ready.
[1:49:10] Thank you for being so patient.
[1:49:11] Thank you for having me there, Madame, here, Petty, also Teresa Isle-Agan,
[1:49:22] say, Tutu, Washington Circle. I'm here to my entourage. They left me. They left
[1:49:31] because they're very disappointed. I told them I would stay and go over some of
[1:49:38] same things I guess that we are asking for but it says though there's not a lot that can be
[1:49:48] done I guess but there is a lot that need to be done and that's where I come back again with
[1:49:54] the donut hose that we're all trying to fight and fix and trying to find a solution we go to
[1:50:01] the county council and you have the way to the very end of their meetings to address
[1:50:07] anything. There's none agenda. I've gone to code enforcement and I'll wait two hours
[1:50:13] for somebody to come in and code enforcement to address certain houses that are dilapidated
[1:50:20] et cetera. That's in the county because it's not city. You have three, four houses, county,
[1:50:25] city, to city, et cetera, et cetera. I've had city thanks to Teddy. I'm
[1:50:31] said, and I can't think about the guy's name. There's a house directly behind me
[1:50:36] where the homeless and I advocate for the homeless by the way. So I'm not
[1:50:39] terrified of them. However, there's another house that's directly behind me
[1:50:44] where they're not all the bricks out and they live underneath the house. And so
[1:50:49] now they start grilling in the house, which is which are scary. So they've came
[1:50:53] and read like that the other day.
[1:50:56] They told me to just stop going over
[1:50:57] and trying to mitigate the problem myself
[1:51:00] and to kind of just kind of take law enforcement,
[1:51:01] but you get tired of calling law enforcement
[1:51:03] because it's the same repetition of stuff
[1:51:06] that you're calling for
[1:51:07] and I know they have bigger fish to fry
[1:51:09] so I try to mitigate the problem myself
[1:51:12] and I probably should be scared, but I'm not.
[1:51:14] Which is how I look like I look most of the time.
[1:51:17] I know how to dress, I have clothes, I promise you.
[1:51:19] But I stay comfortable because I'm never comfortable
[1:51:22] that makes sense. And so if we could somehow possibly get county and city together because of this,
[1:51:32] just like Marty Sawyer mitigated the problem over at the across from the YZ,
[1:51:40] where there are apartments, where all the drugs, and you got 50 to 100 people deep
[1:51:44] in that one area that most people were scared to pass by. I've even talked to a lot of our college
[1:51:51] other students that will not come through Hampton Avenue because of Hampton Avenue being
[1:51:57] what it is in a slum area. I've addressed a lot of people that own homes there that are
[1:52:05] out of state. They are listening. We'll see, TBD, but I have, you know, burnt to their attention.
[1:52:16] If you own the property, please fix the property up because otherwise we're out there cleaning
[1:52:21] up what need to be cleaned up because Cali is so huge that don't have time to just focus on
[1:52:27] Hampton Avenue. Does that make sense what I'm saying? So if we can come up with a solution for
[1:52:33] Hampton Avenue that
[1:52:38] would be part of the problem. That would be a half a tackle itself right there.
[1:52:43] I don't know what we can do. Thank you. Your time is up. Man, I think three and a half minutes.
[1:52:49] Yeah, I'm sorry I know my time is up, but I'm thank y'all for listening y'all have a good night. Thank you
[1:52:55] Maybe we can come together and do something, but it's a nightmare where we are pretty much still
[1:53:00] Thank y'all y'all have a good night
[1:53:13] Are there any items from the city manager? I do have multiple items. I want to report that
[1:53:22] Thursday
[1:53:23] Dirty road will be closed
[1:53:25] close. A portion of Dirty Road will be closed at 9.30 p.m. until Friday morning 6 a.m.
[1:53:37] We will be doing a water line repair. Dirty Road in this area around 9.21. Dirty will
[1:53:45] be closed to through traffic in the work area while the repair is being completed. We will
[1:53:51] have a detour in place and we'll get that publicized out but again we expect
[1:53:58] minimal inconvenience to our motorists in that area as it will be closed
[1:54:04] starting at 9.30 in the evening and reopening no later than 6 a.m. Friday August
[1:54:10] 28.
[1:54:13] Also we had as reported southboundary the DOT was nice enough to install a
[1:54:24] three-way stop sign. We had no notification that was going to happen but we
[1:54:31] appreciate the efforts of Senator Young and the DOT told him that it would be
[1:54:39] installed before the end of the month, then they surely met that mark.
[1:54:45] So public safety was out today doing some enforcement.
[1:54:51] We asked EOT to complete some flashing signals on South Boundary in either direction as it
[1:54:59] was a new phenomena to voterists to have stop signs on South Boundary.
[1:55:05] We will be getting with you later this week on a ribbon cutting date for the first phase of tribute parkway, which will provide much needed traffic relief to Whiskey Road as was discussed earlier.
[1:55:21] That will take place the week of September 28th and will get an exact date and time to you.
[1:55:28] And last but not least, I want to note the police athletic leagues Blue Night Run 5K will take place October 9th at Citizens Park.
[1:55:42] There'll be a one mile fun run at 6.30 that evening and a 5K race at 7 p.m. that evening.
[1:55:52] So, you can register for this at achingdpspael.org, achingdpspael.org and, again, well, that's
[1:56:05] going to have been posted on appropriate social media pages.
[1:56:11] So, that's all I have in the way of announcements today, Madam Mayor.
[1:56:17] Thank you for the updates is your motion to adjourn tonight's meeting so move
[1:56:23] Madam Mayor second councilwoman digs made the motion councilman Waldo second
[1:56:30] in the motion.
[1:56:32] Meeting is adjourned.
[1:56:33] Thank you all.