[0:18] Please stand for our invitation.

[0:25] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[0:28] United States of America and to the

[0:31] republic for which it stands, one nation

[0:34] under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:38] justice for all.

[0:39] >> Thank you,

[0:41] Holy Father. Thank you for your

[0:43] blessings upon us, for our community and

[0:46] the goodness and encouragement that

[0:47] flows from them. for our council and

[0:50] staff in their time, work, and patience.

[0:53] You give us comfort when we suffer

[0:55] grief. You strengthen us when we are

[0:57] under stress. And you instill hope in us

[1:00] when all seems hopeless. Help us in our

[1:03] work to honor and serve you. Your grace

[1:05] and mercy are everlasting. In his name

[1:07] we pray. Amen.

[1:08] >> Amen.

[1:11] >> Thank

[1:13] All right.

[1:15] We have a hearty agenda this evening.

[1:17] So, we're going to start with item

[1:19] number one, a presentation of the

[1:22] official affiliate certificate by Joseph

[1:25] Barry with Palmata Pride/Keep South

[1:27] Carolina beautiful, Joseph Berry. Yay.

[1:32] >> Thank you. Thank you.

[1:34] Uh, thank you, town council and mayor.

[1:37] Uh, my name is Joseph Ary. I work for

[1:39] Palmeta Pride. We're a statewide

[1:40] nonprofit that deals with litter

[1:41] throughout South Carolina. Um, part of

[1:43] my role is I get to oversee the Keep

[1:45] South Carolina Beautiful network. And

[1:47] that is a network of over 38 different

[1:49] affiliates of Keep America Beautiful.

[1:51] Um, and I'm excited today to say that we

[1:53] have officially launched Keep Fort Mill

[1:55] Beautiful.

[1:56] >> Yay.

[2:01] » I I'll give you a little bit of

[2:03] background of what that means and what

[2:04] that means for your town, but I'll um

[2:06] also give you a little bit of um doing

[2:08] on this group that y'all have. Um, but

[2:11] what a keep America Beautiful affiliate

[2:13] does is they are focused around

[2:14] beautifification of your town, um, waste

[2:16] reduction within your town and

[2:18] addressing litter to end it in your

[2:19] town. Um, all of those things, um, this

[2:21] group is more than willing and excited

[2:23] to do, and they're prepared to do it.

[2:25] They spent the last year come up with an

[2:27] amazing board, amazing plan, and amazing

[2:29] action items to make sure that they

[2:31] address these issues in your town. And

[2:33] I'm excited about the work they're going

[2:34] to do. Um, kind of give youall some um,

[2:37] information. They're joining a network

[2:39] of over like I said 38 different

[2:41] affiliates but they have um over 700

[2:44] affiliates throughout the nation. We

[2:46] were today we were talking doing some

[2:47] strategic planning with them and um as

[2:50] we were they were like I'd love to do

[2:51] this idea. I was like well actually this

[2:53] affiliate over here does this and this

[2:54] town um or actually y'all should check

[2:56] out this state. They do this awesome job

[2:58] with that. So, they've joined an

[2:59] affiliate network of over 700 affiliates

[3:01] and 38 within South Carolina to make

[3:02] sure that they're well equipped and

[3:04] they're um well uh I I'll leave it

[3:07] equipped um to make sure that they're

[3:09] addressed on these issues. Um they as a

[3:12] keep America Beautiful, they've had over

[3:14] 2.7 million volunteers. Um just in South

[3:16] Carolina alone, we had almost 31,000

[3:18] volunteers this past year. Um that

[3:21] address litter throughout South

[3:23] Carolina. Keep America Beautiful

[3:26] beautified over nine 94,000 public

[3:29] spaces last year and I'm excited for the

[3:31] work they're going to do in Fort the

[3:32] town of Fort Mill this year to add to

[3:34] that. Uh 52 million pounds of litter,

[3:37] recycling, and debris were removed. 1.2

[3:39] of those were just in South Carolina

[3:41] alone that we were able to track. Um so

[3:43] that's a lot of trash that we're taking

[3:44] up off the roadways and waterways. Um

[3:46] and this crew is they're excited.

[3:48] They're already they're talking about

[3:49] not even ways to address it without

[3:50] before it even hits the street and we're

[3:52] excited about that. Um

[3:56] 189 plants or thousand plants and trees

[3:59] were planted last year through Keep

[4:00] America Beautiful. Um hey Pimea Pride

[4:03] offers a tree grant to um our affiliates

[4:06] and our network partners. Um and they're

[4:09] already talking about how they're going

[4:10] to apply for it next year to get those

[4:12] trees on the ground to make sure they're

[4:14] addressing with it. Keep America

[4:15] beautiful offers a nice uh re-tree

[4:18] program that helps address disaster

[4:19] areas. Um, and then the one stat that I know uh town council always likes to

[4:25] hear um is the money stat. Uh and

[4:28] there's nearly $3 million of cost

[4:31] avoidance last year in South Carolina

[4:34] alone um through our network of

[4:35] volunteers and our partners with our

[4:37] affiliate network. That was money that

[4:39] you didn't have to spend on your your

[4:42] tipping fees or your crews to pick up

[4:44] trash or your maintenance fees. um

[4:46] volunteers and affiliates like keep Fort

[4:49] Mill are able to engage those volunteers

[4:51] to make sure that that work gets done on

[4:53] behalf of the communities that they love

[4:54] and respect. Um and I'm excited for the

[4:56] work that they're going to continue to

[4:58] do. Um this past year they've worked

[5:00] tirelessly. I've talked with Mina uh

[5:03] almost weekly at times. Um but she's

[5:06] been great to work with. They're uh we

[5:08] did a little bit of strategic planning

[5:09] allude to earlier. I'm talking about,

[5:11] you know, what are some of the goals and

[5:12] stuff and I I was telling them a lot of

[5:13] our affiliates, they get to this point

[5:15] and that's this is the finish line. They

[5:16] finally hit their affiliation and

[5:17] they're excited for it. Um, and they kind of have to figure out what to

[5:21] do next. This crew was already talking

[5:23] about what they're doing next and and

[5:25] I'll let them talk about it next because

[5:26] I think that's part of their

[5:27] presentation. So, I want to step on

[5:28] their toes, but I do want to say that

[5:29] I'm excited for the work they're going

[5:31] to do. Um, and that the work that

[5:33] they're going to be able to produce in

[5:34] y'all's town. Um, and so I want to say

[5:36] today is their affiliate birthday. So,

[5:38] happy birthday to them. Um, every year

[5:40] they get to celebrate the day today as

[5:42] their birthday of their affiliate. And

[5:43] so, we're excited for the work they're

[5:44] going to do and the support that y'all

[5:46] continue to give them um will only

[5:48] increase the support they're able to

[5:49] give your community. So, thank y'all so

[5:51] much for allowing me to come here and

[5:52] speak on their behalf um and the amazing

[5:55] work they're going to continue to

[5:56] support through y'all. Thank you.

[5:58] >> Incredible. Incredible.

[6:03] » I also come bearing gifts. So, um, this

[6:06] is the official certificate certifying

[6:08] them as a Keep America Beautiful

[6:09] affiliate. Um, it'll be presented to

[6:11] them today, um, for them to hang or

[6:13] display wherever they feel feel the

[6:15] need, but I'm excited for the work

[6:16] they're going to do. Um, and as y'all

[6:18] continue to grow this network, uh, thank

[6:20] y'all for everything y'all do.

[6:22] >> Amazing.

[6:23] >> Thank you.

[6:27] >> All right, Miss Mina, I think you're up

[6:29] next to, uh, do a recap for 2026.

[6:34] you're all coming up.

[6:35] >> I love it. I love it.

[6:37] >> Yeah, this is this is uh the most of our

[6:41] committee, but we're just missing one

[6:42] person today. So, we're excited to speak

[6:45] to y'all. And I I will go ahead and say

[6:47] I just realized as we were going over it

[6:49] downstairs, I think the version of our

[6:52] presentation that we submitted has like

[6:54] a a slide missing and a slide out of

[6:56] order. Thank you, Canva, to PowerPoint.

[6:58] So, that was my fault for not catching

[7:00] that. So, you'll see a little shuffle,

[7:01] but

[7:02] >> it's all good.

[7:03] >> We got

[7:03] >> It's all good.

[7:04] >> All right, I'll let

[7:06] >> I'll take it away. Hello,

[7:10] >> madam mayor and members of the town

[7:12] council. Uh, my name is Eva Dean and I

[7:15] am the chair of this board. And, um,

[7:19] when I think about who we are, and I

[7:22] know that you have all been waiting

[7:24] probably a year to see the faces. Um we

[7:27] are I describe us as um plant lovers,

[7:32] anti-litter enthusiast,

[7:35] non-certified

[7:37] environmental science um educators but

[7:41] mostly dreamers of a greener and cleaner

[7:44] Fort Mill.

[7:46] And as such we um you want to advance?

[7:52] I'm ready. As such, um I feel like we

[7:55] embody the pillars of Keep America

[7:58] Beautiful, which is our parent um

[8:01] nonprofit organization very well. Um

[8:04] particularly the four of them, litter

[8:06] prevention and reduction, recycling and

[8:09] waste reduction, um neighborhood

[8:12] rejuvenation and beautifification of

[8:14] open spaces. And now um by the way, this

[8:18] is a recruitment also event. So, if you

[8:20] would like to or send somebody to us, we

[8:23] will take them. And like we're going to

[8:25] say, we have those really neat shirts to

[8:27] give. So, I'm going to let Tyler take

[8:29] over.

[8:32] >> Good evening. My name is Tyler Silvers.

[8:34] I'm serving as the uh vice chair of our

[8:37] board this year. Uh when we came

[8:40] together as as a committee, uh one of

[8:42] the first things that we did was

[8:43] establish our foundation together. And

[8:45] that came in in the form of three

[8:46] different aspects. It was our mission,

[8:48] our vision, and our purpose. Uh you'll

[8:51] notice on the screen here that all of

[8:52] these are centered around the people of

[8:54] our of our town, our broader community.

[8:57] Uh our mission is to empower the

[9:00] citizens of Fort Mill to take action. Uh

[9:02] lead change and build a cleaner, greener

[9:05] tomorrow. Our vision or our our picture

[9:08] of future success is that Fort Mill will

[9:11] become cleaner, greener, and uh have a

[9:14] culture that's more environmentally

[9:16] responsible.

[9:17] And our purpose or what we're charged

[9:19] with as a committee is to provide uh pro

[9:23] programming and planning

[9:25] that teaches the citizens of our town uh

[9:28] how to accomplish this vision this

[9:30] vision and this mission. I keep going

[9:33] next slide.

[9:35] Soon after we established that

[9:36] foundation we started focusing on well

[9:38] what are we what are our action items?

[9:40] What are what are our focus areas? And

[9:42] these we like we like to call them call

[9:44] them the pillars. Uh so we've

[9:46] established our foundation and now we're

[9:48] going to set these pillars on top and

[9:49] these pillars will symbolically

[9:51] represent what the community is going to

[9:53] see the the product of what our

[9:55] committee is is producing. Um our

[9:58] pillars are litter awareness and

[10:00] prevention, natural resource education

[10:03] and conservation and restoration and

[10:05] beautifification. And you'll notice

[10:07] aspects of all three of these pillars

[10:08] throughout our entire presentation this

[10:10] evening.

[10:13] » This one got a little janky. So bear

[10:15] with my my numbers. It was right when I

[10:17] sent it though, I swear. Um, so this is

[10:19] just our path to affiliation, just sort

[10:21] of how uh we got to where we are now. I

[10:23] think y'all probably recall you uh we

[10:26] had a resolution back um in 2024 to get

[10:30] the the ball rolling and then y'all just

[10:33] recently uh added us into the ordinance

[10:35] because Casey realized we we needed to be codified a little bit better. Um

[10:39] but we've been working on this uh as a

[10:41] staff person, I've been working on this

[10:42] since 2023. And um while Joseph's still

[10:45] in the room, I think um I want to say

[10:47] that Palmetto Pride has been a fabulous

[10:49] partner uh to us. Even before we started

[10:52] on the path to affiliation, you know, we

[10:54] have our water goat because of them. We

[10:56] have our environmental sculpture over at

[10:57] Harris Street Park because of the the

[10:59] program from Palmetto Pride. We were

[11:01] able to have the Marionette Theater come

[11:03] up and do their litter trashes everyone

[11:05] um program for for local children

[11:08] because of Palmetto Pride. So they've

[11:09] been a fabulous um partner to us. All

[11:13] right.

[11:15] Stay there. Hello. I am Josie Vanell and

[11:17] I'm a board member and

[11:20] the litter survey we did in January 2026

[11:24] for the town was in all four wards and

[11:28] it was um a randomized survey. So we got

[11:31] to drive through different neighborhoods

[11:34] um 55 and a mile an hour sections to 25

[11:38] m an hour sections. And the scale from

[11:41] one would be maybe one piece of litter

[11:44] that might have flown out of someone's

[11:46] mailbox, all the way to four, which is

[11:48] an illegal dump site. And

[11:51] it the average was a 1.8 of the 15 sites

[11:55] that we were able to view, which is

[11:58] really good, but it still gave us where

[12:01] we want to be better. So when we go back

[12:03] next year, the areas we've already

[12:05] noted, we've scheduled cleanups. We want

[12:07] to be at a one and keep it at a one for

[12:10] to keep our town so beautiful.

[12:16] » All right. Hi, Mayor Gwen. Hello,

[12:19] council. Uh I'm going to tell you guys a

[12:21] little bit about what we have done so

[12:22] far in 2025 and in 2026. So, so far we

[12:26] have planted two pollinator gardens, one

[12:28] at Steel Streak Park, one at Harris

[12:31] Street Park, and we've kept up with

[12:32] them. So, that's the mulching, the weed

[12:34] pulling, the watering. We have worked

[12:36] with Cub Scout Pack 832 to organize an

[12:40] event where the scouts received their

[12:42] environmental and sustainability badge.

[12:45] For America Recycles Day, we organized

[12:47] an educational event at Steel Street

[12:49] Park and we educated on recycling and we

[12:52] passed out um recycling magnets that

[12:55] show what can and cannot go into our

[12:57] recycling bins to kind of help our

[12:59] community members know, yeah, this is

[13:00] recyclable, this is not. And then most

[13:03] dear and dear to my heart are the litter

[13:05] pickups that we did. So we had the big

[13:08] litter sweep. That's probably the one

[13:10] that you guys notice in the spring where

[13:11] there's little people groups sprinkled

[13:13] across Fort Mill. We had about seven,

[13:16] eight, nine starting points across Fort

[13:19] Mill. We had roughly 150 volunteers on

[13:22] one day and we picked up litter all

[13:24] across Fort Mill.

[13:26] >> We had the Berry Sweet litter pickup. It

[13:30] was the day after the strawberry

[13:31] festival and we all came. We picked up

[13:34] around Walter Elijah Park and we picked

[13:36] up around downtown Fort Mill. After the

[13:38] festival, you know, people had fun, they

[13:39] enjoyed, but we want to, you know, bring

[13:40] Fort Mill back to its beauty. So that

[13:43] was the Berry Sweet litter pickup and

[13:44] we'll keep that going in the future. And

[13:46] then we had the Santa suite pickup which

[13:49] was the day after the Christmas parade,

[13:52] >> excuse me, immediately after the

[13:54] Christmas parade. Uh and we had a groups

[13:56] pick up around downtown Fort Mill, you

[13:58] know, as everyone left from the

[14:00] Christmas parade. So overall, we picked

[14:03] up 889 pounds of litter across Fort

[14:06] Mill. We had 174 volunteers and our

[14:11] events reached almost 1,700 people in

[14:14] Fort Mill.

[14:14] >> It's amazing.

[14:16] >> All right, I'm going to turn it to

[14:17] >> That's worthy.

[14:20] >> Hi. Um, so my name is Danielle Holmes.

[14:23] Um, it's kind of hard to follow

[14:24] Michelle, but um, I will. Um, we plan in

[14:27] the future to do everything that

[14:29] Michelle just said. Um, we'll plan on

[14:31] doing those again next year. Um, we also

[14:33] are planning on partnering with the

[14:35] Clemson Extension for a Fort Mill

[14:37] Bradford pear bounty.

[14:39] >> Um, Bradford pears are not native to the

[14:42] US. Um, and they have been widely

[14:44] planted everywhere.

[14:46] >> Although they look very pretty, they can

[14:48] become very stinky.

[14:49] >> They are stinky.

[14:50] >> And as many of us know, when storms

[14:51] happen, the branches fall um and it

[14:54] becomes um a huge mess. So, we are

[14:56] looking to partner with the Clemson

[14:58] Extension. Um the program is where they

[15:00] can bring up to five um Bradford pairs

[15:03] and then they are given in exchange an

[15:05] equal number of free healthy native

[15:07] young replacements on a one-on-one

[15:09] replacement. Um we'd also like to

[15:12] continue and expand our cleanup events

[15:14] and our educational events. We want to

[15:15] increase more awareness within the

[15:17] community. Um also based on the

[15:20] pollinator gardens that we've already

[15:21] started, we would love to continue some

[15:23] more um kind of increase that reach.

[15:27] Another thing, and I really think this

[15:29] is an attainable goal, and I wore my bee

[15:31] um earrings tonight just to show you

[15:33] that this is an attainable goal. Um we

[15:35] would like to become a B city. Um our

[15:38] local we there are local affiliates in

[15:40] Colombia, in Greenwood and Florence and

[15:43] South Carolina, and close by in Gastonia

[15:45] and Belmont and Charlotte are all B

[15:47] city. So we would love to become a B

[15:49] city. Um it it only has a couple things

[15:52] that we would need to do. We would need

[15:54] to reduce the use of pesticides. We

[15:55] would need to incorporate a pollinator

[15:57] conscious practice into our city

[15:59] policies and plans. Um, we would host

[16:01] pollinator awareness events and we would

[16:04] create and enhance pollinator habitats

[16:06] in public and private areas. So, we

[16:09] really think that these are doable and

[16:11] we hope that you all will come on board

[16:13] with us um in the future to do those

[16:15] things.

[16:17] >> Join us.

[16:20] >> All right. Hello everybody. My name is

[16:22] Dan. I'm uh the newest member of the

[16:24] keep fort mill beautiful committee. Uh

[16:26] started back in I believe it was April.

[16:29] Uh and to go continue on with what she

[16:31] was just describing uh some of our

[16:33] long-term goals here uh we're really

[16:36] looking to build the momentum that the

[16:38] committee has already created and one of

[16:39] our bigger goals uh would be working

[16:42] with the town uh to get the Tree City

[16:44] USA designation as well as the B city.

[16:47] That one is a little bit more in-depth,

[16:49] a little bit more involved, requires a

[16:50] lot more resources and a lot more

[16:52] involvement from uh other other groups

[16:55] outside of us. Um, but it feels like it

[16:59] would be a great recognition of Fort

[17:00] Mill's commitment to urban trees and

[17:02] green spaces. Uh in addition to that, we

[17:04] would also want to continue working with

[17:06] the police department on opportunities

[17:08] to reduce litter uh while also looking

[17:10] for new mural and beautifification spots

[17:13] uh such as sculptures and and other

[17:15] beautiful things that uh that just make

[17:18] the town a lot nicer. Uh and finally,

[17:20] we'd really like to get more young

[17:21] people involved. Uh and I'd say that

[17:24] goes for everything that we do. Um they

[17:25] already do a great job at it, but um

[17:28] would love to continue uh with that with

[17:31] uh creating a be uh sorry a beautiful

[17:33] keep form beautiful youth council

[17:35] possibly and the ultimate goal is to

[17:38] make beautifification something that the

[17:40] whole community feels invested in and a

[17:42] part of. So

[17:45] >> all right so um we just wanted y'all to

[17:48] get a snapshot of what we we've been up

[17:50] to this past year and what we will be

[17:52] doing in the years to come. Uh just know

[17:55] that you are invited to come to any of

[17:57] our uh Saturday service cleanups that

[18:00] will be happening. They start back up in

[18:01] September. And if you come, I will give

[18:04] you a t-shirt. I will. Um you don't get

[18:07] one until you come pick up trash, but

[18:08] then we'll get you a shirt. Uh and then

[18:11] also the litter sweep. Uh like Michelle

[18:13] mentioned, litter sweep's a big one for

[18:14] us in April. And I would really love to

[18:16] see y'all out there in your wards

[18:18] leading um groups with us. We have a

[18:21] great turnout and it would be fabulous

[18:23] to have y'all involved. So, thank you.

[18:26] Any questions that y'all have?

[18:28] >> So, incredible. I This just fulfills so

[18:31] many of our discussions and our dreams

[18:34] to bring this forward to our community.

[18:36] So, you're making it happen. That is

[18:39] just near and dear. Uh just absolutely

[18:43] priceless to us that you have started

[18:45] this. And yes, we will pitch in. I know

[18:49] Chris

[18:49] >> I have a whole list of things to follow

[18:51] up just exactly what you

[18:52] >> and I think Chris and Ben have assisted

[18:54] with the economic and Allen the economic

[18:57] development group has on our Saturdays

[19:00] that we pick up. It's just really sad

[19:02] that it has to be done. Um I I really

[19:05] wish I had a ruler for every hand that

[19:08] goes out a window. Um but it is an

[19:12] amazing gift to Fort Mill. So, thank you

[19:15] for what you're doing and I do dearly

[19:17] hope that we'll all participate with

[19:19] you, council.

[19:20] >> Yeah. So, I I have a whole list of great

[19:22] and all of them have smiley faces by

[19:24] them, but the the tree grant I think

[19:26] it's great. Uh uh you'll realize this

[19:28] counsel is very tree friendly.

[19:32] >> Uh and staff will they probably hear

[19:35] more than they want to about it. the uh

[19:37] thank y'all so much for the education uh

[19:40] on what is recyclable and is not because

[19:42] I try to wash all the stuff out do it

[19:44] then I see I ride by the neighborhood

[19:46] and there's somebody's got old tires and

[19:49] garden hoses and they just undo what

[19:53] everybody else is trying to do um and

[19:56] also on uh education for well I'd say

[20:00] kids but also adults I don't know where

[20:02] they ever got the idea it's okay to

[20:04] throw trash out some can and I'm

[20:07] surprised that number is not higher than

[20:08] 1.8 because there are certain areas that

[20:11] I you can spend 10 minutes in one ditch.

[20:14] >> That's that's exactly right. We had to

[20:15] get a randomized sample. So I I'll give

[20:18] Gavin did us um some word maps with

[20:21] randomized road sections and so yeah

[20:23] there are a couple like driving through

[20:25] Massie and like yeah there's here. Um we

[20:27] didn't get to go down like brickyard.

[20:29] >> Yeah, there's other areas

[20:31] is terrible. Yeah. And and I actually I

[20:34] just got back from a a trip to Ireland

[20:36] and I was talking to the mayor. They

[20:38] actually have a community pride thing

[20:39] because they're a little different

[20:41] organization, but they have these little

[20:43] small rural towns and you see people out

[20:45] there working at the entrance of their

[20:46] towns. And the guy was telling us they

[20:48] have this by pro not by province, what

[20:50] do they call those? Uh

[20:53] >> they're like uh not states uh uh

[20:56] counties. They call them counties over

[20:58] there and they have county awards for

[21:00] that. So, it's it's to get people

[21:02] involved and it's all about pride for

[21:04] their communities. And I was like, it

[21:06] was a great I came back and called the

[21:07] mayor right up. I said, "Oh, we got to

[21:09] do this. It's the greatest thing ever."

[21:10] And she goes, "Let's do this." You know,

[21:12] so so everything y'all doing, there's a

[21:14] lot of passion up here about it. So,

[21:16] thank you. And uh look forward to seeing

[21:19] uh what happens by this time next year.

[21:22] >> Yeah.

[21:23] >> A long list. We'll have a long list of

[21:25] accomplishments.

[21:26] >> Give a shout out to the Colonel's Club

[21:27] as well. Being part of the greenway, we

[21:30] uh adopted the section between all down

[21:33] Old Nation Road, the whole length of

[21:34] that from the dairy barn all the way to

[21:37] the walking parks four times a year.

[21:39] >> Y'all picked up 14 bags this weekend.

[21:41] >> I know.

[21:42] >> I saw

[21:44] the

[21:46] picked up.

[21:47] >> You guys mentioned the cleanup the day

[21:49] of the Christmas parade and it kind of

[21:50] had had a flashback to the candy cane

[21:53] wrappers everywhere. So, we do the same

[21:55] thing. had pockets were overflowing with

[21:57] candy cane rappers. So, you know, those

[21:59] are but thank you guys for doing that.

[22:00] Thank you for all that you do. Like I

[22:01] said, the passion that this group has is something else and it's contagious,

[22:05] too. So, thank you guys.

[22:06] >> Incredible. Just incredible.

[22:09] >> And I hope the education piece will

[22:10] continue. We've got so many corporations

[22:13] within the area that I think it's a

[22:15] great time to reach out to them to make

[22:17] sure they see this nice award that we

[22:19] now have and how can they partner with

[22:21] us because I know even the company I

[22:23] work for, we've got sustainability goals

[22:26] and projects that we do and so we get

[22:28] volunteer hours and get paid to

[22:30] volunteer. So you can count on me for

[22:31] that. I will say um you know it was

[22:34] mentioned about Massie. Massie I live in

[22:36] the community and we do four cleanups a

[22:38] year. I think three or four and it is

[22:40] amazing how many people and how much

[22:42] that they the pride that they take all

[22:44] ages to clean it up. So, um I hope those

[22:48] go into your numbers of how much stuff

[22:49] but almost as prideful as I am with

[22:52] that. The fact that we have a strawberry

[22:53] queen wearing Birkenstocks really makes

[22:55] me feel good. So, um you're speaking my

[22:58] love language for sure now. Um I did

[23:02] want to um ask I know Gordon, you and I

[23:04] talked the other day about the civic

[23:06] camp. Um, and this is a great thing that

[23:08] we could add to that civic camp if we

[23:10] did it for the youth. So, just want to

[23:12] make sure that didn't get lost. As well

[23:13] as the comment about making sure the

[23:16] chemicals that we're using within an

[23:18] organization are sustainable, they are

[23:21] um healthy for the environment, making

[23:23] sure as we look with our budget that

[23:25] we're putting out there that we're

[23:27] making the community better um and not

[23:29] killing the pollinators. So, um yes,

[23:32] central everywhere you can to help with

[23:34] the I love the plants. They do great

[23:36] here. And get rid of the Bradfords. I'll

[23:38] wear that t-shirt all day.

[23:40] >> You can't tell we're interested, can

[23:42] you?

[23:43] >> I'm really excited about the Bradford

[23:44] Fairy

[23:46] um that we'll get more details on

[23:48] registration for that because uh public

[23:50] will be able to register um and and

[23:53] claim those trees and we will be giving

[23:55] those away uh next next April. So, April

[23:58] 2027. And the rain barrel sale is is

[24:01] next spring as well. So, rain barrels

[24:03] will be happening. So, we've got all

[24:04] kinds of good stuff going.

[24:05] >> Yeah. Miss M, I do have a question. Um,

[24:07] with the cleanup, the second Saturday

[24:09] clean up. Are you you guys going to do

[24:10] it through the farmers market like you

[24:12] used to in the past?

[24:13] >> We are doing a sign up genius and we uh

[24:15] I'm trying to rebrand it as Saturday

[24:17] service because we do move them around a

[24:19] little bit like the Christmas parade

[24:20] one. Um, so we're trying to drop the

[24:23] second just because it gets confusing

[24:24] for people. But we um have that sign up

[24:27] out there right now so people can sign

[24:29] up. We usually have between 40 and 50

[24:31] volunteers each time. We do allow people

[24:34] if they don't want to clean up on the

[24:35] section we're doing, they want to get a

[24:37] bag and, you know, gloves and vests from

[24:40] us, they can do that and then go do

[24:42] their own area, sort of like they did at

[24:44] the farmers market. Um, but yeah, we we

[24:46] do them September through June, take a

[24:49] break July and August, and I do creek

[24:52] cleanups during that time. And of

[24:53] course, Danielle is my partner in crime

[24:55] on all of those. We kind of flip-flop

[24:57] who's got which month, um, who's leading

[25:00] those. So

[25:01] >> because it just it felt like the through

[25:03] the farmers market there was a kind of a

[25:05] sense of purpose going there getting the

[25:07] bags getting supplies you know picking

[25:08] out a section and everything. So

[25:10] >> and we look at at having um some se you

[25:13] know some put together bags available at

[25:15] the farmers market tent for people who

[25:17] want to do that for sure.

[25:19] >> Awesome.

[25:19] >> I've got I'm doing inventory right now

[25:21] y'all. got tons of

[25:24] >> well and also I didn't mention it but

[25:26] the river cleanup after Hela came

[25:28] through um it was horrible everywhere

[25:30] and and that wasn't somebody throwing

[25:32] out something as much as it just what

[25:34] mother nature did to our area and as

[25:37] much as we're kayaking on the lower half

[25:39] past um Riverwalk area all of it got

[25:42] past there are people's tubes that you

[25:44] know got cut along the way thank you for

[25:46] what y'all been doing in the waterways

[25:48] and keeping them clean I mean if there

[25:49] is one little benefit benefit of being

[25:51] in a drought. It makes it easier to

[25:54] clean up some. So, thank you. Yeah.

[25:56] Thank you to everybody who took

[25:58] advantage of that time and cleaned up

[26:00] our waterways.

[26:01] >> We're going to be doing the river suite

[26:02] in Sugar Creek the first Saturday in

[26:04] October, October 3rd. Registration is

[26:07] open for that as well if anybody wants

[26:08] to come out. It's a great uh workout

[26:10] because it's cardio. We're digging tires

[26:13] out of the Sugar Creek. Um we usually

[26:15] will get between 50 and 100 tires out of

[26:18] the creek in two hours. And then after

[26:20] you dig them out, you have to get them

[26:23] out and it's a 25 foot embankment. So

[26:26] leg day, arm day, full cardio.

[26:30] » Amazing.

[26:31] >> Totally amazing. Thank you so much.

[26:35] >> So much appreciate you.

[26:36] >> Congratulations.

[26:38] >> Chris Sardelli, did you want to get a

[26:40] picture of them with the Please, if you

[26:43] guys would.

[26:43] >> Yes.

[26:44] >> Where do you want us?

[26:45] >> Up here.

[26:48] >> Please.

[26:51] All right.

[26:51] >> All right.

[26:52] >> Will you guys stand up? So, we're not.

[26:54] >> So, where are you going to put the uh

[26:56] the the thing there?

[27:00] >> You're good.

[27:01] >> Wherever I'm allowed.

[27:03] >> Anywhere you want.

[27:05] >> Thank you.

[27:06] >> Thank y'all. Congratulations. Good work.

[27:08] Great work.

[27:12] » Well, that's a great way to get started.

[27:16] All right. Uh, now we have a

[27:18] presentation of parks and wreck proposed

[27:20] budget for the fiscal year 2627.

[27:24] Our very own Brown Simpson. Welcome,

[27:26] Brown.

[27:27] >> Brown.

[27:28] >> Good evening, everybody.

[27:29] >> Good evening,

[27:29] >> Mayor, members of council. Thank you for

[27:31] this opportunity for us to be here

[27:33] tonight to present uh our kind of a

[27:36] snapshot of our 2026 budget and talk a

[27:39] little bit about next year's budget also

[27:41] too. I think you got a handout

[27:43] >> uh that was given out. Chris, you gonna

[27:46] sign it for me as we go forward. Thank

[27:49] you. Uh, as we look at this year's this

[27:53] past year's budget, our annual budget

[27:55] was 2,587,470.85

[28:00] and expenses to date 2,18,9

[28:05] excuse me, 2,189225

[28:09] has been stent. It's been spent that's

[28:10] almost 82.1%

[28:13] of our budget. We do have 13 full-time

[28:16] employees um and about 15 to 20

[28:19] part-time employees in all aspects of of

[28:21] things that we do. I do want to point

[28:24] out recognize two of our employees

[28:25] tonight. Two of our superintendents in

[28:28] our divisions. First of all, our parks

[28:30] superintendent Lee Louney is here and

[28:33] also our recreation superintendent Bob

[28:35] Houston. I know some of y'all have met

[28:37] Bob, some of you have not. He's been

[28:39] with us since um January. moved all the

[28:42] way from from the Pacific Northwest and

[28:44] has done a great job for us hit the

[28:46] ground running. So, we're glad to have

[28:48] Bob on our team and of course Lee's been

[28:50] with us here with the town for about

[28:52] >> 17 years.

[28:53] >> Uh, one of the budget notes is we did

[28:56] move $42,500

[28:58] uh back in the fall of last year after

[29:00] we approved this from contract to

[29:02] services to salaries regular to affect

[29:05] the hiring of a tennis manager. We hired

[29:07] Brevin McKini. I think some of y'all

[29:09] know Brevin. His dad Billy was our

[29:10] longtime contracted tennis employee. And

[29:13] we also hired part-time tennis

[29:15] instructors for the tennis program.

[29:17] Every instructor that we have now in our

[29:19] tennis program is a part-time employee

[29:22] of the town of Fort Mill, which is a

[29:24] good thing because we've done background

[29:26] checks on all those folks and they've

[29:28] really hit the ground running. Some of

[29:30] our key accomplishments fiscal year

[29:32] 2526.

[29:33] Uh the big one of the biggest ones I

[29:35] think the biggest one is we completed

[29:36] the parks and recreation master plan. We

[29:39] hired like I said Bob and uh Brevin our

[29:42] 800 all-star football team won the SCPA

[29:45] Scap State Championship. You recognized

[29:47] those kids at the uh at our last meeting

[29:51] here. Our all-star baseball posted it

[29:54] best district tournament finish in more

[29:56] than seven years. Our ozone team

[29:58] finished second the district and our AAA

[30:01] team finished third the district. Ozone

[30:03] is 11 12. AAA is 9 and 10 year olds.

[30:06] Some of our parks and facility

[30:08] improvements that we've done, of course,

[30:11] Walter Elijah Park, which I call the

[30:13] jewel of our park system. Uh we finished

[30:16] a concrete sidewalk all the way around

[30:17] the entire park. We've got new safety

[30:19] cameras and lighting is installed in

[30:22] that park. Steel Street Park, uh we

[30:24] built a new indoor picnic shelter and

[30:27] added picnic tables there. Banks

[30:29] Athletic Park. Our batting cages are to

[30:32] be concreted by the end of August. We

[30:33] actually got those finished today and

[30:36] that is something that we're excited

[30:37] about. Uh so that we should open those

[30:40] up hopefully by the end of the week.

[30:41] We're going to let that concrete settle

[30:42] and make sure it's good. So that'll help

[30:45] with uh warming up the teams whether

[30:47] they want to hit some or and we're

[30:50] excited about that. Millstone Park, of

[30:52] course, we added the new uh port and

[30:54] play safety surfacing also there. And

[30:57] then a new outdoor picnic shelter and

[31:00] tables. I give get to give credit on

[31:02] something with Millstone. It's probably

[31:04] been a couple years ago Lee mentioned to

[31:06] me, he said, "You know what would be

[31:07] nice up here is we had a shelter at the

[31:09] top of Milstone Park where people could

[31:11] eat lunch and enjoy downtown Fort Mill."

[31:14] So Lee, you've been wanting that credit.

[31:16] So I had to give Lee that credit

[31:17] tonight.

[31:19] >> It does. It really does. It's really

[31:21] added to that part. Harris Street Park.

[31:23] Y'all know we added a new picnic picnic

[31:25] shelter in gazebo. Also too, one of the

[31:28] things we did was a couple years ago we

[31:31] had a massive rainstorm. If y'all

[31:33] remember on a Friday night where we had

[31:35] to shut the interstate down the turf at

[31:37] Fort Mill High School buckled, but it

[31:39] did recede back down when we had that

[31:41] massive rainstorm that we kind of didn't

[31:44] doing do anything to that field. So, we

[31:46] were able to repair the fencing back

[31:48] earlier this fiscal year. And also we

[31:50] just add a side to the infield because

[31:52] we want to be able to use that field for

[31:54] practice space for flag football or for

[31:56] youth soccer and because we have the

[31:58] lighting on there. And then probably the

[32:00] other thing that's excited too is the of

[32:02] course the community center. The

[32:04] construction is uh right on schedule and

[32:07] we're hoping to open that in early uh

[32:10] early winter. Uh we actually rode by

[32:12] there today. We have a meeting every two

[32:14] weeks. We got a meeting this Thursday.

[32:15] So, being able to go in that facility

[32:17] and see what's being done, it's going to

[32:19] really make Fort Mill proud and

[32:22] especially for those that went to school

[32:24] there many years ago. Uh, our spring

[32:27] sports participation is next. Um, we can

[32:31] look at our numbers if this was spring

[32:33] baseball. We were down a little bit

[32:35] there. Flag football down a little bit

[32:37] there. Soccer numbers have gone down

[32:40] there. Softball increased. and

[32:43] volleyball in the spring was down from

[32:45] 279 to 260. Uh softball did increase.

[32:49] Our fall participation numbers when you

[32:51] look at baseball from last year was down

[32:55] uh some flag football just down about

[32:58] five folks. Soccer down a little bit,

[33:01] softball increased and volleyball

[33:04] has exploded. Our our volleyball program

[33:08] has taken off. The biggest thing we got

[33:10] to look at next is what can we do for

[33:11] boys because our girls program has taken

[33:14] off big time and we're very very proud

[33:17] of that increase about 19.8%.

[33:22] » Before you turn the page

[33:24] >> Yes ma'am.

[33:24] >> Do we believe that any of the decrease

[33:27] in participation is related to the

[33:29] county not providing us with the funding

[33:32] that they historically had for our

[33:35] programs?

[33:35] >> Yes, ma'am. And then the complication of

[33:37] a county resident that actually has a

[33:39] Fort Mill address trying to get the

[33:42] money, the stipen that they had offered

[33:44] to participate in our programs.

[33:46] >> Yes, ma'am. We think that's a lot to do

[33:47] with that. And I was going to address

[33:48] that a little bit later on on some

[33:50] future slides on it, but that's okay.

[33:51] That's a great question. It is. We truly

[33:54] do believe what's happened with some of

[33:56] those and I and I'll touch on it right

[33:58] now.

[33:58] >> Thank you.

[33:59] >> Our winter basketball, we had 806 kids

[34:02] this past year participate. The year

[34:04] before that we had 1,3

[34:07] and let me hit on that right there. When

[34:08] we we started winter basketball

[34:11] registrations on October the 1st, 2025

[34:13] we registered for about a month. That is

[34:16] also the time that we introduced civic

[34:18] wreck which was our new software

[34:20] program. And civic wreck has been a big

[34:23] plus for us. And one of the things that

[34:25] we've been able to do with that also too

[34:27] is we've been able to tie into our GIS.

[34:30] So we know if if a participant whether

[34:33] they sign up for you sports or they sign

[34:35] up let's say for sh picnic shelter or

[34:38] they sign up for to play tennis they

[34:41] want to reserve a tennis court

[34:43] everything goes to civic wreck and we're

[34:45] able to identify whether that

[34:47] participant

[34:49] lives in the municipal town limits of

[34:51] Fort Mill or they live in an

[34:53] unincorporated area of of of Fort Mill

[34:56] or another unincorporated area of the

[34:58] county or out of eight. We got a lot of

[35:01] questions about this when we started

[35:03] this back in the winter because we were

[35:05] able to activate that GIS and we would

[35:07] have people call us and say, "Well, we

[35:09] live we have a Fort Mill address." And

[35:12] we would say, "Yes, ma'am, you do. You

[35:13] have a Fort Mill address, but you don't

[35:15] live in the municipal town limits of

[35:18] Fort Mill where you pay taxes actually

[35:20] to the town of Fort Mill." So, that was

[35:22] a great question, mayor, and we kind of

[35:24] as we've gone through that and I think

[35:26] we we've gotten better with that. We've

[35:28] been able to educate people over the

[35:30] last 10 months on why they had to pay

[35:32] that extra $70 fee. Tennis lessons were

[35:36] down a little bit this past year from

[35:38] 5.85 to 4.89. Our pickle ball lessons uh

[35:42] were down a good bit. We cut last year

[35:44] with pickle ball when Billy was on

[35:46] staff. We were just able to throw some tennis some pickle ball lessons in

[35:50] because he had a great interest in that.

[35:52] We're still teaching them, but they're

[35:54] down some. One of the biggest pluses we

[35:56] had this past summer was we had 44 slow

[36:00] pit softball teams. That's the most

[36:02] we've ever had. Now, we did switch it up

[36:04] some. We still had the men's church, we

[36:06] had a co-ed, and then we had more of an

[36:07] industrial league, but it was a big

[36:09] plus. We actually got city of Rock Hill

[36:12] called us and we know how'd y'all do

[36:13] that? Why is your numbers up? And we

[36:16] were able to tell them what we did. We

[36:17] changed it the format around with that.

[36:20] Uh we did have we talked about pickle

[36:23] ball. We did have a new indoor pickle

[36:25] ball facility that that opened here in

[36:26] the town limits and they took a good bit

[36:29] of those bit of those folks

[36:31] >> and the heat had a lot to do with tennis

[36:33] lessons. Billy Billy and I talked about

[36:36] that.

[36:37] >> The heat's been brutal this summer as we

[36:38] all know.

[36:39] >> Our summer camp participation,

[36:42] uh, our tennis camp, we were down some

[36:44] in that from 243 to 180. Pickle ball

[36:47] camp, you can see that one during the

[36:49] summer. Kids on the ball camp uh was

[36:52] down a little bit. Soccer camp down. Our

[36:55] baseball camp was down a little bit.

[36:56] Basketball camp was up. Instructional

[36:59] basketball league was down. Our

[37:01] volleyball camp went from zero

[37:02] participants to 75. I give Bob credit

[37:05] with that. He was able to build a

[37:07] rapport with one of the local high

[37:09] schools, Kataba Ridge, and their coach.

[37:11] And that was something that we were able

[37:12] to add new. And it's been been a huge

[37:15] plus. Let me mention this. kids on the

[37:17] ball camp, soccer camp, baseball camp,

[37:19] basketball camp, all those are done by

[37:22] individuals. It's it's a contract

[37:24] service. So, we give them a percentage

[37:26] and we get a percentage of that revenue.

[37:29] Um, we do have competition here. And if

[37:32] the next slide, when you look at soccer,

[37:35] flag football, baseball, softball,

[37:38] volleyball,

[37:40] um, one of the things we have is some

[37:41] other organizations that are also

[37:43] offering sporting activities too. uh

[37:46] Fort Mill United Soccer, Charlotte

[37:48] Independent Soccer, I9 Sports, uh

[37:51] Victory Sports Outreach, and of course

[37:53] the Baxter YMCA. Uh which uh we do have

[37:56] some local travel ball organizations

[37:58] also doing baseball and softball, flag

[38:01] football. You've got the endzone sports

[38:04] and some of the other ones I just

[38:05] mentioned there. And of course, the

[38:07] pickle ball, we just mentioned that the

[38:08] new indoor facility uh right above us

[38:11] here at 160 and 21.

[38:15] Um, mayor, you you mentioned of course

[38:18] about the the funding. Uh, York County

[38:20] fund for you sports, tennis, and camps

[38:22] was eliminated for fiscal year 2526.

[38:25] In prior years, that funding allowed the

[38:26] town to charge one uniform registration

[38:29] fee regardless of where you lived at.

[38:31] Now, we did charge an out ofstate fee,

[38:33] an extra fee then, but if you live

[38:35] anywhere in York County, you paid one

[38:37] fee, and that was pretty much the rule

[38:39] across the board for all municipalities.

[38:41] it was

[38:42] >> because we had that recreation

[38:43] coalition.

[38:45] Um the non-resident fee implementation,

[38:48] you can see that what I just mentioned

[38:49] earlier about our loss of funding from

[38:51] the county. Uh the funding change. York

[38:54] County funding was discontinued, not

[38:56] included in fiscal year 2526.

[38:58] town council. Uh you guys as a body last

[39:02] year approved a non resident fee of 70 bucks for those folks living outside

[39:07] of Fort Mill municipal limits and

[39:09] applied to you sports tennis lessons and

[39:11] camp and that fee did mirror what

[39:14] Rockill and TK also did. Uh also I

[39:18] mentioned about uh we started civic

[39:21] wreck back on October the 1st, 2025. And

[39:24] I will say this, like I said before,

[39:26] over the past 10 months, staff has

[39:28] worked to clarify the difference between

[39:30] a Fort Milling address and residing

[39:32] within the town limits. The public

[39:34] understanding has steadily improved with

[39:37] that. So that is that is good news

[39:39] there.

[39:40] Want to talk a little bit about the

[39:42] proposed fee adjustments for fiscal year

[39:45] 2027.

[39:47] And I'll just go through each one

[39:48] individually. If you need to ask me a

[39:50] question to stop, we we can do that.

[39:53] Baseball AAA ages 9 and 10 is currently

[39:56] $95 for those that live in the municipal

[39:59] town limits. We're proposing increase

[40:01] that to $110. Uh that is to help with

[40:06] cost of umpires have increased and

[40:08] uniform costs have also increased. TK

[40:11] charges $110 currently for that.

[40:14] >> So how does Rockill get away with 65?

[40:17] That's a great question and I think

[40:18] that's because they have a heck of a

[40:20] sports tourism program that some of

[40:24] those costs.

[40:24] >> So it's the Walmart principle. They buy

[40:26] in bulk so they get lower cost.

[40:29] >> Well, we we we buy in bulk, too. And we try to we try to get the best quality

[40:35] uniform we can, but also

[40:37] >> fast improvement.

[40:38] >> We bid we bid it out also too. So we try

[40:41] and look at look at all that. But I

[40:43] think one of the things Rockill has done

[40:44] with that is like I said the sports

[40:47] tourism they bring in a lot of lot of

[40:49] funding on that.

[40:50] >> Baseball ozone is also the same and then

[40:54] Dixie Boys we're encouraging to move

[40:56] that up to 125. You can see the

[40:58] breakdown there. Let me say this about

[41:01] our our fees right here. Since we

[41:04] started running the youports when Leroy

[41:06] got out of the business in 2010, that

[41:08] was our first year running that. We have

[41:11] not increased the fees in our youth

[41:14] sports at all. So we've held that cost

[41:18] for the last 16 years. And of course

[41:20] also too the price of uniforms have gone

[41:23] up. The price of officials have gone up.

[41:26] So that has that has increased pickle

[41:29] ball and tennis daily fees. Currently we

[41:32] charge $2 if you live outside of the

[41:35] municipal limits of the town of Fort

[41:37] Mill. I'm en encouraging us to move that

[41:40] up to $5. I think that that adds value

[41:44] to our to our courts, to our facilities,

[41:47] and it kind of makes people realize

[41:50] there is there is a cost of that. We

[41:52] will be opening the community center. I

[41:54] am uh suggesting that we don't charge

[41:56] our residents anything, but for a

[41:58] non-resident to come in just to play

[42:01] basketball, I'm I'm I'm asking you that

[42:03] we look at a $7 fee on that. To me that

[42:07] also provides value and also from a

[42:11] standpoint of appreciating and valuing

[42:14] that that money that the town residents

[42:16] have put toward that toward that fee

[42:18] toward that facility. Um one day

[42:21] preseason skill clinic uh which we're

[42:24] looking at doing some of those this

[42:25] upcoming year. Uh $50 preseason clinic

[42:29] listed for sports and residents will pay

[42:31] additional $70. Fort Mill Knights select

[42:35] baseball team. That's something new and that's my next slide and I will I

[42:38] will talk about that. We're a $225 fee

[42:41] for that which will cover uh two jerseys

[42:44] for that program and a hat. Wbridge Park

[42:47] Rental $50 is $50 an hour right now and

[42:51] $250 for the entire day for a field. I'm

[42:55] encouraging you to raise that up to $60

[42:58] an hour and 300 a day for the field. And

[43:01] um also looking at doubling that for

[43:04] non-residents that don't hold residents

[43:07] inside of Fort Mill Community Center

[43:09] gym. We know we're going to be uh asked

[43:12] to use that facility. Also a $60 an hour

[43:15] and a $300 a day for those that live in town limits. Uh proposed non-resident

[43:21] rate would be $120 an hour and $600 a

[43:24] day. the community center rooms, which

[43:26] are going to have two of those. Uh we're

[43:29] asking you to look at proposing and

[43:31] approving $30 an hour for those that

[43:33] live inside the town limits that they

[43:35] want to use that. And then if you're

[43:37] non-resident, let's say somebody want to

[43:39] rent some for a birthday party, it would

[43:40] be $60 an hour. We would double that.

[43:43] >> That is a small amount compared to other

[43:46] rentals. I have worked to get rentals

[43:49] for my garden club and looked all all

[43:52] across town at available space. That's a

[43:56] very very reasonable amount.

[44:00] >> And then the rest of our youth sports,

[44:01] basketball, flag, football, volleyball,

[44:03] soccer, we're looking to ask you to bump

[44:05] that up $5, $80 for non-competitive and

[44:09] $100 for competitive. And the

[44:10] non-residents will continue to pay an

[44:13] additional $70. Ran before you flip over

[44:16] uh because I know the community center

[44:18] rooms as the mayor mentioned it's going

[44:19] to be very there's a lot of interest in

[44:21] that. So if when you mentioned birthday

[44:23] parties I think a cleanup so is there

[44:25] going to be a cleanup fee now like I

[44:27] know there's a lot of adult groups that

[44:30] need a place to meet and that's one of

[44:31] the reasons we moved aggressively on

[44:33] this project. But you know birthday

[44:35] parties that's all we don't want to

[44:36] leave birthday cake all over the floor

[44:38] and so how you going to deal with that?

[44:40] >> We did not include that in it but

[44:42] something we might need to look at.

[44:43] >> Yeah. You might want to bake that in.

[44:46] >> That's absolutely necessary.

[44:48] >> And we can and we can do that.

[44:49] >> Go to Chuck-E-Cheese and spend an hour

[44:50] and you'll have all different

[44:52] perspectives.

[44:53] >> We can do that.

[44:54] >> Brown, while we're on that too on the

[44:56] community center, um, as we're looking

[44:58] at charging $7 for somebody, are we

[45:00] going to have an administrative support

[45:02] at the door as people are walking in to

[45:04] support? And does that mirror what we're

[45:06] doing at the YMCA as well?

[45:09] what they're doing at the Y right now. I

[45:11] think it's a $10 fee if if they allow

[45:15] somebody, a non-member, to come in and

[45:16] like shoot basketball for a day.

[45:18] >> Okay.

[45:19] >> Um

[45:20] I'm not sure. I think it's around $10 is

[45:23] what they what they

[45:24] >> ought to look at mirroring whatever

[45:25] they're doing given that, you know, the

[45:27] town owns both facilities. So, um we

[45:30] ought to consider that, please.

[45:32] >> Okay. We can we we'll look at that and

[45:34] get back with y'all on that.

[45:35] >> Okay. Thank you.

[45:36] >> Thank you. I know it's primarily going

[45:37] to be on the weekends at the community

[45:39] center. We got a lot of questions about

[45:40] that. But is the rate going to be the

[45:43] same like seven days a week or will it

[45:46] be different more on the weekends or

[45:48] >> It would be the same seven days a week.

[45:50] Yes, sir.

[45:51] >> It would be.

[45:51] >> And you list the Dixie Boys league. Um

[45:54] do we have a Dixie Girls league?

[45:56] >> We don't, but we have a um 15 and under

[46:00] softball

[46:01] uh that we do offer. We've had one or

[46:04] two teams in that that's played and they

[46:07] usually play with some of the other

[46:08] municipalities like Rock Hill, TK,

[46:10] Clover, York. Okay.

[46:12] >> So,

[46:12] >> but the baseball team we do allow girls

[46:14] to play as co-ed. Correct. So, can we

[46:16] take boys off of that name?

[46:18] >> Yeah, we will. That's just officially

[46:21] the name of

[46:22] >> after having the girl play. I understand

[46:25] the semantics.

[46:27] >> We can we can look at that. Change that.

[46:29] >> Thank you.

[46:30] >> Y'all have any other questions about

[46:31] proposed fees? We can look at everything

[46:33] that y'all said to us, especially about

[46:34] the deposit and everything for like a

[46:36] birthday party.

[46:38] >> Yeah. Some of the um other information

[46:40] you went through a lot and I was trying

[46:41] to take notes but didn't want to

[46:43] interrupt you. Um with the flag football

[46:46] side of things, are we doing now that

[46:48] they've added girls flag football at the

[46:50] high school level? Are our programs

[46:53] mirroring that? So is what age flag

[46:55] football? Is it co-ed, boys, girls? How

[46:58] does that look? It's we're still using

[47:01] that model NFL flag football. So, the

[47:03] kids get the rep replica jerseys. They

[47:06] love it. It comes with the replica

[47:07] jerseys of a team. It also comes with

[47:09] the flags. It comes with footballs.

[47:11] >> Uh we are co-ed in that. Right now, we

[47:14] don't have a separate girls league or

[47:16] separate boys league. It's co-ed right

[47:17] now. But,

[47:18] >> and what ages?

[47:19] >> 6U, 8U, 10U, and 13U.

[47:23] >> Correct.

[47:23] >> Okay. So, that will cover um I I would

[47:25] like for us to consider a middle school

[47:27] age to do um until the middle schools

[47:31] actually get a team knowing that we're

[47:33] doing it in high school now. Yes, ma'am.

[47:34] >> And maybe middle school has

[47:35] >> I think middle school's got it already

[47:38] at the and the middle school girls. I

[47:40] think I'm correct on this play in the

[47:42] spring.

[47:43] >> Okay. I think too we would have to

[47:45] consider the fields because we use the

[47:47] fields at the schools and those are not

[47:49] free. Uh we pay a sizable amount of

[47:52] money to the Fort Mill School District

[47:54] to rent their fields, which is

[47:55] reasonable. We would too, but I can tell

[47:58] you right now it's difficult because

[48:00] having grandkids in many of the programs

[48:03] you've just talked about, times get

[48:05] changed, fields get pushed because of

[48:07] school practice. It It's not an easy

[48:10] situation.

[48:11] >> I will I will say to address you on

[48:13] that, Mayor, last spring was a disaster.

[48:18] this spring.

[48:19] >> I didn't say it.

[48:20] >> I know. This spring was a lot better.

[48:22] >> A lot better. And and I'm going to give

[48:24] Bob credit for that because he's built a

[48:25] great rapport with that contact, the new

[48:28] contact at the Fort Mill School

[48:30] District. And we want to thank I know

[48:32] this is being recorded. We want to thank

[48:33] the Fort Mill School District for

[48:35] allowing us their facilities. We

[48:37] couldn't do a lot of what we do without

[48:39] >> Absolutely.

[48:40] >> that partnership that we have. So, we're very appreciative of that.

[48:43] >> Absolutely. I I mean no harm to the

[48:46] school district. I'm just saying it's

[48:47] not without cost

[48:49] >> for us to be able to operate these

[48:51] programs. So when we want and I don't

[48:54] disagree with you at all, Lisa, we need

[48:55] to offer fairly across the board, but to

[48:58] increase the programs, we have to

[49:00] increase the field usage. And Brownie,

[49:03] you and I both know from the travel

[49:05] leagues, they're looking, they're

[49:07] begging for field use. And and I do

[49:11] think we have to take a long hard look

[49:13] at this,

[49:13] >> right? When it comes to the decline in

[49:16] numbers, I also think that what has come

[49:18] into play is the school district's

[49:20] calendar changing. So, you know, we have

[49:23] now squashed down to eight weeks in the

[49:25] summer.

[49:25] >> Eight weeks.

[49:26] >> So, vacations are very tight. It's hard

[49:28] to get as many camps in as they the

[49:31] parents probably would like to do. So,

[49:33] it's probably worth Well, yeah. School

[49:35] camps, YMCA camps, you know, vacations,

[49:38] there's not enough weeks to cover it

[49:40] all.

[49:40] >> That's that's a great point. and and

[49:42] even with our leagues and everything

[49:44] because you have that intercession week

[49:47] the first week of October now

[49:49] >> you have three days off at Thanksgiving

[49:52] you have two weeks off at Christmas we

[49:54] got another week off in February and

[49:56] then we got another week off in April so

[49:58] we try to you know once we once we

[50:01] finish our summer camps we go right into

[50:03] the fall sports and we're wide open for

[50:05] another 44 weeks during the year just

[50:09] trying to get everything in to finish up

[50:11] before Memorial Morial Day.

[50:12] >> So, it is a tight schedule, but I give

[50:14] our staff a lot of credit. They do a

[50:16] good job of of managing that and getting

[50:18] all that done.

[50:19] >> Well, and I know we've seen some camps

[50:21] be successful on those off weeks during

[50:24] the school year. So, you know, maybe

[50:26] that's a way to shift an indoor camp

[50:28] that doesn't have to be outside to still

[50:30] get the play.

[50:31] >> You just brought up a great point that

[50:33] we've been working on and I'm glad you

[50:35] mentioned that with our tennis program.

[50:37] Brevin has done a good job. And one of

[50:40] the things we're looking at is offering

[50:42] a camp during that intercession weeks.

[50:46] We're also looking at and at at offering

[50:48] a camp between Christmas and New Year's.

[50:52] Um we're going to start a little bit

[50:54] later in the day like a half day camp.

[50:56] Instead of nine, we're going to do 10

[50:57] because it might be a little bit cooler

[50:58] out there. That's some things that we're

[51:00] looking and talking. How do we get how

[51:03] do we think out the box? How do we get

[51:04] more creative as to help with those

[51:06] things?

[51:07] >> Now that corporate world's gone back to

[51:08] so many businesses having um work from

[51:11] home doesn't work anymore. Uh look at

[51:13] maybe a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

[51:15] where the core hours the parents are

[51:17] going into the office might be

[51:19] successful too. So just a thought.

[51:21] >> Thank you for that. All right. Fort Mill

[51:24] nights initiative. This is something

[51:25] that that we've talked about as a staff

[51:27] and something we want to introduce you guys to. It would be select

[51:31] baseball. It's not travel. Stop wreck.

[51:34] It's what we call select in between. And

[51:36] this is modeled on TK select program

[51:39] which has run successfully now for over

[51:41] 10 years across six age divisions 8U 9U

[51:45] 10U 11U 12U 13U. It bridges the gap

[51:48] between traditional recreation and

[51:50] travel baseball keeping skilled players

[51:52] registered for fall and spring seasons.

[51:55] Still have volunteer coaches for select

[51:57] teams. Continue coaching at the

[51:59] recreation level. We still have those

[52:01] guys coaching uh for us, keeping both

[52:04] players and coaches in the recck league.

[52:07] Select players are required to play

[52:09] recreation baseball in the spring while

[52:11] in the select program. This strengthen

[52:14] strengthens the talent pool for

[52:15] recreation all-star selection at the

[52:18] district and state competition.

[52:21] Bill's positivity positive visibility

[52:24] for Fort Mill through branded uniforms

[52:26] and teamed identity and adds program

[52:28] revenue per participant.

[52:30] This is one of the key things. Our

[52:32] department retains direct control of

[52:34] select teams and coaches. Our recreation

[52:36] coordinator who has a passion for

[52:39] baseball will oversee the program

[52:42] alongside the volunteer coaches that uh

[52:45] we would select for that. And we um I

[52:50] always said this, some of the best ideas

[52:53] you get, you get from other programs or

[52:56] other entities that do something good.

[52:59] And we feel like this has been a good

[53:01] program. Ever since we've been talking

[53:03] about this, actually last week, Rock

[53:06] Hill also reached out to us and said,

[53:07] "We know y'all are interested in

[53:09] possibly starting a select team. We're

[53:11] interested in that also, too." So, I

[53:14] just wanted to to bring that bring that

[53:17] to you. We feel like this would be a

[53:19] great proposal for for our program and

[53:22] especially from a competition standpoint

[53:25] to keeping those good kids with us if we

[53:28] can a couple more years. I'll give you

[53:30] this example and I'm not taking anything

[53:31] away from this. When we won the coach

[53:34] pitch Dixie World Series, it was Dixie

[53:38] still then. It wasn't dime at that time

[53:40] a couple years ago. A lot of those kids

[53:43] that came back from that seven and eight

[53:45] year old team did not come back play

[53:47] with Seymour. They moved on to travel

[53:49] ball and that's okay. That's their

[53:52] option to do that. I'm not taking

[53:53] anything away from travel ball at all.

[53:55] That's not it. What we're looking at

[53:57] with this program is just trying to

[53:59] bridge a gap in between from wreck ball

[54:03] to travel ball and have something kind

[54:04] of a middle just to let people we've had

[54:07] parents, coaches kind of come to us and

[54:09] say, "Tica Kay's done this good. Can

[54:12] y'all look at possibly possibly doing

[54:13] this?" So, we're we're bringing that to

[54:16] you and I'll be glad to answer any

[54:17] questions for you on that. Lisa,

[54:19] >> I was going to say you you knew I was

[54:20] going to fight you on this one and and

[54:22] it's for many reasons. Um, number one, I understand about playing at that high

[54:28] level. As you know, my son's team and

[54:30] two other teams made it to um, Little

[54:32] League World Series representing the

[54:34] state of South Carolina. So, um, in

[54:37] addition to the Dixie team, we had,

[54:38] we've had some outstanding baseball

[54:40] programs, but when I look about our

[54:42] comprehensive plan and what the

[54:44] community has asked for more of with our

[54:47] recreation program, it hasn't been an in

[54:49] between select team for baseball. it has

[54:53] been more adult programs, more youth,

[54:56] um, young adult programs that we can

[54:58] have. It's for senior citizens. There's

[55:00] a lot of other programs that we really

[55:03] need to consider outside of just the

[55:06] youth side of things. Um, I don't see us

[55:09] as competing with the travel ball teams.

[55:11] I don't see us competing with the YMCA

[55:14] or Victory Sports. I think each one of

[55:16] them brings their own value proposition

[55:19] to what they're why the parents are

[55:21] choosing those organizations. What I do

[55:23] see is a lot of input from our community

[55:26] really wanting to have more activities

[55:29] for older adults in different

[55:30] demographics than what we are

[55:32] considering. So, I feel like with, as

[55:35] Gwen was mentioning, the field usage

[55:37] that we have and our decreasing numbers,

[55:40] right now, to me, it's not a time to get

[55:42] into travel unless we're willing to do

[55:44] it for multiple sports, not just one

[55:47] sport, one activity. Um, so I I am not

[55:51] in favor of this at this time at all. As

[55:54] you know, when I ran 13 years ago, it

[55:56] was because of my passion for our parks

[55:58] and recck program and for the youth

[56:00] sports in the community. back to the YM,

[56:03] what was it? FM ya, Fort Mill Youth

[56:05] Athletic Association that tried to save

[56:07] parks. Um, I I just would like for us to

[56:10] consider some other means of growing our

[56:13] programs besides this.

[56:15] >> Now, can I can I add something to that?

[56:16] >> Absolutely.

[56:17] >> Um, while I do not disagree on the the

[56:21] different programs for more than just

[56:23] the youth, I will disagree with you on

[56:25] that that program right there. I think

[56:27] that's a great idea. my son just came

[56:29] through it and while he he wasn't the

[56:31] one to be part of the travel team um but

[56:34] seeing just kind of the the poaching of talent from the local to you being

[56:40] pulled out of our wreck league and going

[56:42] to other other leagues and travel ball

[56:44] and everything else. I think this is a

[56:45] great initiative to try to keep those

[56:47] kids in our program and like I said and

[56:50] kind of create that year after year uh

[56:52] with it. So, I I I personally think this

[56:54] is a good idea. And not again, not to

[56:55] take away anything from senior

[56:58] activities or anything else, but to keep

[57:00] our kids here, I think that's I think

[57:02] it's a great idea.

[57:03] >> I I'm in the middle. Um because I see

[57:05] value in having, you know, I used to

[57:09] play softball for springs when I worked

[57:11] in this building when it was Springs and

[57:14] we played all the Lancaster teams. We

[57:16] played everyone. We travel a little bit

[57:18] to Lancaster, whatever. It was a lot of

[57:20] fun. We loved it. But to Lisa's point

[57:23] and Allen's point, my point is we have

[57:27] to have some division because it is also

[57:30] not right. I have been to many ball

[57:33] games in the last two years to have a

[57:36] wreck mentality and a wreck team that we

[57:39] have travel teams using it for practice

[57:42] because they join the team. That is a

[57:44] whole lot of not fun for a bunch of

[57:47] little kids that are not traveling on

[57:49] the weekends and not getting individual

[57:52] skill sets and they're knocking them out

[57:54] of the park. I'm scared for the health

[57:55] of the kids in field because those kids

[57:58] are really playing at a different level.

[58:01] So, I I think it's something we need to

[58:03] discuss. I'm not marking it off, but I I

[58:07] do think we have a lot of opportunities.

[58:11] To Lisa's point, I agree. We have been

[58:13] asked about walking trails, which

[58:15] Penelopey's working on. I have witnessed

[58:19] rugby matches on the fields at the

[58:21] complex and lacrosse, you know,

[58:24] >> cricket, I saw adults playing cricket at

[58:28] the complex. So, I I do think that

[58:32] there's a need for us to embrace, you

[58:34] know, there are a lot of taxpayers that

[58:36] don't have little kids and and we do owe

[58:38] them, too. So, I I I think these are

[58:41] great conversations.

[58:43] So, let's let's try to see how we can

[58:46] find some middle ground to do what's

[58:48] right.

[58:49] >> And I will say this, one of the things

[58:50] with the community center that we're

[58:52] going to look at is concentrating on

[58:54] senior program and doing things there,

[58:56] whether it's pickle ball, whether it's

[58:57] bingo classes, I mean, you name it. It's

[58:59] all kind of things that we can do for

[59:01] seniors. And that's one thing that we're

[59:02] going to look at as we open up that

[59:04] facility to do more for for seniors. We

[59:07] even talked about in house when we have

[59:09] meetings about looking at possibly doing

[59:11] uh an adult men's basketball program or

[59:13] adult women's basketball program or

[59:15] adult volleyball program. That's some of

[59:16] the things that we're that we're looking

[59:18] at.

[59:18] >> I want to play the volleyball thing.

[59:19] >> Yeah, I was going to say there were

[59:20] pickup soccer leagues at one time where

[59:22] you know Sunday afternoons the field was

[59:24] an open league. You know, again, I just

[59:27] feel like seniors and I'm getting closer

[59:30] to that little bracket there aren't

[59:31] necessarily playing bingo all the time.

[59:33] You know, some of us want to do a little

[59:35] bit more active lifestyle and still like

[59:37] the competition. Yeah. Give me flag

[59:40] football game. I'm I'm all in.

[59:43] >> All right. I'm going to move on to the

[59:44] next slide. Wbridge Park project.

[59:47] >> We uh budgeted this year $475,000.

[59:51] One of the ideas we had was the

[59:52] playground adjacent to field one was

[59:55] built more than 20 years ago when the

[59:56] park only had one baseball and softball

[59:59] field. That was the first first field we

[1:00:00] had there. And we built that one too

[1:00:03] because we had a lot of homes going up

[1:00:04] out in that area too during that time

[1:00:07] frame. The budget covers a completely

[1:00:09] new play structure, new swings and port

[1:00:11] in place safety surfacing. A matching

[1:00:14] grant opportunity from game time has

[1:00:17] been been identified in the last two

[1:00:19] weeks and could significantly lower the

[1:00:21] town's cost and we do believe that we've

[1:00:24] got a good chance at getting that. So

[1:00:26] just want to give you a heads up on

[1:00:28] that. Also, I know we purchased more

[1:00:31] property out there about the possibility

[1:00:33] of a disc golf course. Uh, one of the

[1:00:36] land that was was was purchased. Of

[1:00:39] course, y'all know that the headquarters

[1:00:41] for disc golf is right across as they

[1:00:43] like to say,

[1:00:44] >> right across the river in Rock Hill over

[1:00:46] off Red River Road on Commerce Drive. We

[1:00:49] feel like that we can build a disc golf

[1:00:52] course out there. Partnering with this

[1:00:54] group, it's f fits well into currently

[1:00:56] underutilized areas of the park. A sport

[1:00:58] that everyone can play regardless of

[1:01:00] age, ability, or gender. A 9-hole course

[1:01:02] is schedule friendly and easy to try.

[1:01:05] Local players are frequently willing to

[1:01:07] help with the course maintenance and

[1:01:08] upkeep. It's easy to learn with lasting

[1:01:11] recreation and fitness value, and

[1:01:13] sponsorship opportunities can be

[1:01:15] explored with Ace Place is the name of

[1:01:17] the organization now, and other

[1:01:19] corporate partners to help fund this

[1:01:22] project. So, we're excited about that.

[1:01:24] So,

[1:01:25] >> y'all have any questions about the

[1:01:26] possible grants?

[1:01:28] >> No.

[1:01:28] That's awesome. And thank you to the

[1:01:31] Cunningham family. I know they're Fort

[1:01:33] Mill, so I am proud of what they are

[1:01:36] doing for the community um across the

[1:01:38] nation, honestly. Um the port place at

[1:01:42] Field One, it's not 20 years old, is it?

[1:01:44] >> It's it's approaching 20 years. Yes,

[1:01:46] ma'am.

[1:01:46] >> Wow. It feels like it's been done since

[1:01:48] I was on council. Okay. Um, and Gordon

[1:01:51] and I have had some ideas, you and I can

[1:01:53] talk offline, too, about um, as we look

[1:01:55] at making it a safer park and more

[1:01:57] usable. You know, I've expressed a lot

[1:01:59] of concern up at field two and three at

[1:02:02] the turnaround area that we have up

[1:02:04] there. I'd like us to consider instead

[1:02:07] of having that separate playground down

[1:02:09] at field one, potentially putting making

[1:02:11] a larger playground up at between those

[1:02:14] two, we've already got the asphalt area,

[1:02:17] so it makes it real easy to add to it. I

[1:02:20] feel like I'm not an engineer, but um

[1:02:22] and then possibly making where the field

[1:02:25] one playground is make that batten

[1:02:28] cages, make that a picnic shelter or

[1:02:30] something for that field to be able to

[1:02:32] use. Um

[1:02:32] >> you know, we have a batten cage there.

[1:02:34] Okay,

[1:02:34] >> just left of field one back up toward

[1:02:36] field three. So, we have that in place.

[1:02:39] >> One of the things we would have to look

[1:02:41] at to see if that if we add on to that

[1:02:44] playground between fields two and three

[1:02:46] if we have enough room there.

[1:02:47] >> Yeah.

[1:02:48] >> To make put that in there. That would be

[1:02:50] something that we would have to explore

[1:02:51] because we know we have the room

[1:02:52] currently where the one is now.

[1:02:54] >> Yeah. I I'd love to be involved and know

[1:02:57] a little bit more before we actually

[1:02:58] spend the money and apply for the grant.

[1:03:00] But I do think it's great and I do hope

[1:03:02] we will continue to get a lot of sun

[1:03:05] shade while we're there. I know that's

[1:03:06] been one of our projects with all of the

[1:03:08] playground equipments.

[1:03:10] >> That is one thing that we looked at with

[1:03:11] this with the possible play structure is

[1:03:13] adding shading on that play structure

[1:03:15] >> needed. I'd also believe on both of

[1:03:19] these initiatives that we have some

[1:03:21] businesses coming nearby that might

[1:03:24] would like to do some sponsorships. Um I I think we should probably

[1:03:30] talk to Mr. Pettit or Gordon about

[1:03:33] reaching out and seeing if they'd like

[1:03:35] to have a banner um for I don't know

[1:03:37] picnic area or whatever we decide it's

[1:03:41] collocation is prime

[1:03:44] >> for that kind of recognition and we'll

[1:03:46] have a walkway over that way. So um I

[1:03:49] think too on the disc golf course don't

[1:03:51] forget that Winthrop holds the

[1:03:53] international disc golf championship

[1:03:55] once a year. It's incredibly well

[1:03:58] attended. Um, so since we're going to

[1:04:00] have Winthre next door, I think there's

[1:04:02] some partnershiping that we might

[1:04:06] try to benefit from. Um, just saying

[1:04:10] >> that's a great idea. It is. And we're

[1:04:12] And actually, I'm going to give Bob

[1:04:13] credit on something. We're working Bob's

[1:04:15] reached out to Winthre with the athletic

[1:04:17] department and we've actually got a

[1:04:20] volleyball night at the Winthrop

[1:04:21] Coliseum September the 19th. Bob, am I

[1:04:23] correct on that? Oh,

[1:04:25] >> September 19th, all our volleyball teams

[1:04:27] are going to get in free and parents can

[1:04:28] get in for $5. That's a Saturday night.

[1:04:31] >> Awesome.

[1:04:31] >> So, put that on your calendar.

[1:04:34] >> We'll we'll send you more information on

[1:04:35] that.

[1:04:36] >> Well, and as we're talking about camps,

[1:04:37] can we get a disc golf camp so I can

[1:04:39] learn how to throw a Frisbee, please?

[1:04:41] >> We can look at that.

[1:04:42] >> Thank you. I'll take that.

[1:04:43] >> Be a great opportunity for a healthcare

[1:04:45] company. I really

[1:04:48] >> going forward strategic uh some focus

[1:04:50] areas that we've got uh we want to focus

[1:04:52] on community and customer experience and

[1:04:55] uh I won't go through all of that but

[1:04:57] y'all can read that are our of course

[1:04:58] our athletics recreation standard

[1:05:00] evaluate the program structure coaching

[1:05:02] standards officiating scheduling field

[1:05:05] allocation sportsmanship parent

[1:05:07] communication competitive balance and

[1:05:09] the overall participant participant

[1:05:11] experience partnership and community

[1:05:13] relationships y'all would ment Mention

[1:05:15] that define roles of schools, YMCA,

[1:05:18] athletic associations, nonprofits,

[1:05:20] private providers, sponsors, and

[1:05:22] volunteers. Identify where partnerships

[1:05:24] can expand services without

[1:05:25] unnecessarily duplicating programs,

[1:05:28] performance, and measurement

[1:05:29] accountability. Uh we want to build a a

[1:05:32] parts direct manageable scorecard of 8

[1:05:34] to 12 meaningful KPIs such as

[1:05:36] participation program fill rates,

[1:05:39] customer satisfaction, complaint

[1:05:40] resolution, cost per participant, cost

[1:05:43] recovery, and the registration and

[1:05:45] facility experience. I will say since

[1:05:48] we've gone to civic wreck, it has been a

[1:05:50] lot better than the former software that

[1:05:54] we had, especially for instead of eight

[1:05:57] or nine clicks to register, it's three

[1:05:59] to register now. So, we're we've been

[1:06:01] very pleased with Civic Recre programs

[1:06:03] and services. Eva, evaluate the current

[1:06:06] portfolio of youth and adult athletics,

[1:06:08] recreation programs, camps, special

[1:06:10] events, and rentals. Determine what

[1:06:12] should be expanded, modified,

[1:06:13] discontinued, or added based on

[1:06:15] participation, demand cost, community

[1:06:18] benefit, organizational capacity, and

[1:06:20] staffing. Evaluate staffing levels,

[1:06:23] organizational structures, seasonal

[1:06:25] staffing, training, succession planning,

[1:06:27] workload, technology, internal process.

[1:06:29] confirmed the department is organized to

[1:06:31] deliver the level of service expected as

[1:06:33] the community grows and of course

[1:06:35] financial sustainability and cost

[1:06:37] recovery. Uh you can look at that uh

[1:06:40] principle for fees, subsidies,

[1:06:41] scholarships, sponsorships, rental

[1:06:43] tournaments. The goal is not to maximize

[1:06:45] revenue but to be intentional about

[1:06:47] which services are subsidized and why.

[1:06:51] And of course we're going to ground all

[1:06:53] this in evidence and uh I think the park

[1:06:55] and recreation master plan will help

[1:06:57] with that. the SWAT analysis and survey

[1:07:00] feedback from participants, families,

[1:07:02] coaches, and our partners. And we do

[1:07:06] have a lot of uh current businesses that

[1:07:09] sponsor at a certain level for us and I know this is being recorded. I

[1:07:13] want to thank all those that have been

[1:07:15] with us over the years. We couldn't do a

[1:07:18] lot of things we do without them.

[1:07:20] >> Moving into a strategic planning

[1:07:22] process. Um, of course I said our

[1:07:25] department looks forward to its next

[1:07:27] chapter. Staff are moving forward in

[1:07:29] strategic planning process once again

[1:07:31] grounding the parks and recreation

[1:07:32] master plan or third of SWAT analysis

[1:07:35] and extensive survey feedback gathered

[1:07:36] through participants, families and

[1:07:38] coaches. And if you'll look over on the

[1:07:40] right, how the process will be executed,

[1:07:42] evaluate the seven focus areas.

[1:07:46] Gather evidence, build the scorecard,

[1:07:49] and present the adoption.

[1:07:52] And I started by saying this and I'll

[1:07:55] end by saying this. I've been here

[1:07:57] almost 23 years now. And when I came, I

[1:08:00] was the only employee that we had in the

[1:08:02] department. And things really changed in

[1:08:06] 2010 when we took on the workload of all

[1:08:08] the programming and everything. And I've

[1:08:10] been with uh worked with different

[1:08:12] mayors. I've worked with different

[1:08:13] council members. But one thing's always

[1:08:15] been significant. We have had the

[1:08:18] support of this council. And we cannot

[1:08:21] thank each and every one of you so much.

[1:08:24] And we we're thankful for what you do

[1:08:26] for us and our department. And we look

[1:08:28] forward to continue to working with you

[1:08:30] with all of you. and we're working with

[1:08:32] this community to better what we offer.

[1:08:35] So, I'll be glad to answer any

[1:08:36] questions.

[1:08:38] >> I don't have a question. Um, but I do

[1:08:40] have a comment. This is a very nice

[1:08:43] presentation. Uh, we've received some

[1:08:46] data recently that has been helpful as

[1:08:49] we consider where our money needs to be

[1:08:51] spent and how can we maximize the use of

[1:08:54] it. And yes, I do want to thank all

[1:08:57] those that sponsor and I want to thank

[1:08:59] the volunteers. We have some amazing

[1:09:02] I've been to so many ball games that

[1:09:04] went so pleasantly. There were no

[1:09:08] fighting, no arguments. It was, you

[1:09:11] know, our coaches are quality coaches.

[1:09:14] They're there for the kids and they want

[1:09:16] to make it a a great experience and a

[1:09:18] safe experience for those kids. So,

[1:09:20] whatever we're doing to help them and

[1:09:22] prepare them, it's working. And I I

[1:09:26] can't thank our volunteers enough and

[1:09:28] our sponsors enough for what they do.

[1:09:29] And you guys, it's it's a good thing.

[1:09:32] >> Ron, how are we doing getting coaches?

[1:09:35] Um, how are volunteers looking? Do you

[1:09:37] have a waiting list? I hope

[1:09:40] >> we we have folks that's been with us

[1:09:43] year after year, but then also too

[1:09:44] depends on the number of teams that we

[1:09:46] have. we have to sometimes call parents

[1:09:49] and ask we need help. Okay?

[1:09:50] >> You know, so we we do do that. Uh the

[1:09:53] volunteer opportunity is always there.

[1:09:56] Uh we do do a thorough background check

[1:09:58] once a year on all of our volunteers. We

[1:10:01] run it through our our security system

[1:10:03] that we have. So, uh just like every

[1:10:06] other organization out, it's it's hard

[1:10:09] to get good quality people, but we do

[1:10:12] have good quality people, volunteers

[1:10:13] here in Fort Mill. Yes, we do. We are

[1:10:15] appreciative and we want to say thank

[1:10:17] you. We can't say thank you enough.

[1:10:19] >> I I remember while I was doing baseball

[1:10:21] and soccer, it was some of the most

[1:10:23] gratifying um work that I've ever done

[1:10:26] and even though it didn't pay a dime, it

[1:10:28] was a lot of fun and a lot of those kids

[1:10:30] we still have relationships with. Um I

[1:10:33] did want to ask you about the financial

[1:10:35] aid. I know we're talking about raising

[1:10:37] the fees that we have, but can you also

[1:10:39] talk a little bit about what we offer

[1:10:41] for those in need?

[1:10:42] >> Yes, ma'am. If if we have I've always

[1:10:45] been a true true believer and I it goes

[1:10:47] back to the value and if we have folks

[1:10:50] that are you know have a tough time they

[1:10:52] might have five kids if they will come

[1:10:55] to us and sit down with us we will help

[1:10:57] them. Now I do think it's important that

[1:10:59] you pay something because it goes back

[1:11:02] you value what you pay for. So we we

[1:11:05] have had folks that's called us and said

[1:11:07] you know I'm going through a tough time

[1:11:09] right now and I I'll say to them you'll

[1:11:12] come in and sit down and talk to me

[1:11:13] we'll be glad and look and see what we

[1:11:15] can do to help you out. So we have done

[1:11:17] that.

[1:11:18] >> Okay. So they just need to reach out to

[1:11:20] you or um

[1:11:21] >> me or Bob. Okay.

[1:11:23] >> So yes ma'am.

[1:11:24] >> Thank you.

[1:11:26] >> Any further questions?

[1:11:28] Thank you for the diligence in the

[1:11:31] presentation. very beneficial and the

[1:11:34] hard work. Thank you all. We appreciate

[1:11:36] it.

[1:11:36] >> Thank you all.

[1:11:37] >> Appreciate it.

[1:11:37] >> Thanks, Brown. Appreciate you.

[1:11:39] >> All right. Item number two. We're going

[1:11:41] to move into a public hearing as duly

[1:11:43] published in the Afro said newspaper

[1:11:45] Rock Hill, the Herald, and affidavit

[1:11:47] number IPL363651.

[1:11:51] Item A, we're going to open a public

[1:11:54] hearing. Second public hearing to enter

[1:11:56] into a fourth amendment to the

[1:11:58] development agreement with Charlotte

[1:12:00] Meckllinmberg Hospital Authority. Let

[1:12:02] the public meeting be opened.

[1:12:08] » Good evening.

[1:12:08] >> Hi. How are you,

[1:12:10] >> Council? I'm Ben Johnson. I have an

[1:12:12] office in Rock Hill. I'm here tonight on

[1:12:14] behalf of the Charlotte Meckllinburgg

[1:12:16] Hospital Authority. Our project team is

[1:12:18] back on I guess that's the bride side of

[1:12:21] the of the room. Um

[1:12:23] >> it's all the good guys, right?

[1:12:25] >> The um a thumbnail. We covered this last

[1:12:27] time. Um we uh are requesting that you

[1:12:31] give second reading tonight to um our

[1:12:34] request to annex two parcels that the um

[1:12:37] hospital authority has has one it it has

[1:12:41] owned all along since 2008 and it was

[1:12:44] left out by survey um just a

[1:12:48] miscalculation and then 10.9 acres that

[1:12:51] were recently acquired from the Scott

[1:12:54] family. We ask that these parcels be

[1:12:56] included under the existing mixeduse

[1:12:58] plan, that it be zoned mixed use and

[1:13:01] included under the existing mixeduse

[1:13:03] plan already in effect for the 83 acres

[1:13:06] that Atrium already owns uh and has

[1:13:09] owned on Sutton Road. Uh this is without

[1:13:12] increasing any of the entitlements,

[1:13:15] without increasing any of the density.

[1:13:17] Um, and then we would also request and

[1:13:20] as part of the proposal is that we

[1:13:22] update the term of the agreement and set

[1:13:24] a new development schedule because these

[1:13:26] we're we're ready to begin. Uh, the

[1:13:29] request is limited to the atrium

[1:13:31] property out on the site. Uh and then

[1:13:34] finally, as I covered last time, we've

[1:13:36] made a commitment to the town and to the

[1:13:38] Carolina Thread Trail to build

[1:13:40] connectors uh from the hospital site and

[1:13:43] to provide parking uh down to the trail

[1:13:45] and down to the connector to the trail.

[1:13:47] So, thank you. Be glad to answer any

[1:13:49] questions.

[1:13:50] >> All right.

[1:13:52] >> Thank you.

[1:13:53] Ben.

[1:13:56] No further

[1:13:58] interesting comments. We'll close this

[1:14:00] public hearing.

[1:14:03] Okay. Now we will entertain a public

[1:14:07] hearing for ordinance amending the town

[1:14:09] zoning code as it relates to election

[1:14:11] signs. This is item B. Chris Pettit.

[1:14:15] Open the public hearing.

[1:14:18] This sounds so funny.

[1:14:20] Go ahead.

[1:14:21] >> Thank you, mayor. Um this is um uh a

[1:14:24] change from in the timing where the

[1:14:27] signs are allowed to be out from 60 days

[1:14:30] prior to the election to 30 days prior.

[1:14:33] It also increases the size of those

[1:14:35] signs from six square feet the allowable

[1:14:37] size from 6 to 8 square feet. Uh there

[1:14:39] have been no updates since first reading

[1:14:41] approval.

[1:14:43] >> Any questions for Mr. Pettit?

[1:14:46] >> No.

[1:14:47] >> All right. Um, any further interest in

[1:14:51] speaking? None heard. Public hearing is

[1:14:54] closed for item B.

[1:14:57] All right.

[1:14:59] Council members, you have received the

[1:15:01] July 27th council meeting minutes,

[1:15:04] August 10th council workshop minutes,

[1:15:07] and the August 17th council budget

[1:15:10] workshop minutes. Do we have any

[1:15:12] changes, deletions, or additions?

[1:15:17] I need a motion.

[1:15:17] >> I make a motion to approve minutes or A,

[1:15:21] B, and C as submitted.

[1:15:24] >> I have a motion.

[1:15:25] >> Second.

[1:15:26] >> I have a second. All those in favor,

[1:15:27] please say I. I. Thank you.

[1:15:31] >> All right. Public comments. Pursuant to

[1:15:32] section 2-46 of the code of ordinances

[1:15:35] for the town of Fort Mill, any citizen

[1:15:37] of the town may appear before council

[1:15:39] for the purpose of providing public

[1:15:41] comments on any municipal matter except

[1:15:44] for personnel matters. Those who wish to

[1:15:47] speak must sign in outside of council

[1:15:48] chambers prior to the start of the

[1:15:50] meeting. Citizens will be given three

[1:15:52] minutes each to speak. Casey, we have

[1:15:55] none. All right. Thank you. Old

[1:15:57] business. Item A, consideration of the

[1:15:59] second reading of Ordinance 20

[1:16:02] 26-32,

[1:16:04] an ordinance annexing York County tax

[1:16:06] map number 66100000030

[1:16:11] and 65800 0106

[1:16:14] containing approximately 10.986

[1:16:18] acres and to reszone from general

[1:16:20] commercial to mixed use. Penelope

[1:16:23] Caragunas.

[1:16:25] Hi.

[1:16:25] >> Hi. Good evening, mayor and council. Um,

[1:16:28] this is second readin. Um, this is for

[1:16:30] the annexation. It's el eligible.

[1:16:33] There's no changes from the first

[1:16:34] readin. Perfect.

[1:16:36] >> That's just uh some additional thoughts.

[1:16:38] I read down through this again today.

[1:16:40] The MXU that it came in under in the

[1:16:43] original agreements, I think it was in '

[1:16:44] 08.

[1:16:46] >> Have any of the ordinances changed in

[1:16:50] that many years? the the MXU have has

[1:16:53] that ordinance changed

[1:16:55] at all? Have we?

[1:16:56] >> Gosh, that that's before my time because

[1:16:58] I I got here in 19. Um, however, always

[1:17:02] keep in mind, you know, it's locked with

[1:17:04] because it has a development agreement

[1:17:06] so that it's entitled um what the code

[1:17:09] was at that time. So again, this

[1:17:12] annexation doesn't change anything about

[1:17:15] the MXU. is just basically to provide

[1:17:18] them a little bit more room um from a

[1:17:20] design flexibility and they're very

[1:17:22] small portions of um like 10 acres.

[1:17:26] >> Just think about it. Are we still

[1:17:27] looking at something from 18 years ago?

[1:17:29] That was my thought was

[1:17:30] >> it is um Mr. Hudgens. I mean again when

[1:17:32] you have these big development

[1:17:34] agreements and mixeduse projects, you do

[1:17:37] lock in um given the developer security

[1:17:40] but also council security of what was

[1:17:42] approved back then. And there are times

[1:17:45] that we have done amendments, but again,

[1:17:47] you do an amendment with the um

[1:17:50] agreement between the council and um the

[1:17:54] developers, but for this one right now,

[1:17:56] it's the annexation. Later on, the mayor

[1:17:58] will talk about the amendment of the

[1:18:01] development agreement, but but right now

[1:18:03] for this annexation, they're eligible.

[1:18:06] And even though Penelopey wasn't here

[1:18:09] then, Penelope abides by the regulation

[1:18:12] to the to the minute detail. I'm very

[1:18:16] familiar and it is a good faith process

[1:18:18] that we go about working with those that

[1:18:21] wish to build and develop and enter into

[1:18:24] an agreement with the town. So, I thank

[1:18:26] you for your diligence. You might not

[1:18:29] have been here 18 years ago, but we're

[1:18:31] really happy you are now.

[1:18:32] >> Well, thank you.

[1:18:34] And just to clarify, so we're right now

[1:18:36] it's just the uh annexing of the two

[1:18:40] pieces of property. Yes, sir. The little

[1:18:41] small together. That's 9 10.98.

[1:18:46] >> Okay.

[1:18:46] >> Yes. And there's been no public input uh

[1:18:50] since the first reading. We've not heard

[1:18:52] from anybody.

[1:18:53] >> I have not received any.

[1:18:54] >> Okay. Perfect.

[1:18:56] >> All right.

[1:18:56] >> That being said, I'd like to make a

[1:18:58] motion that we approve old business item

[1:19:01] A.

[1:19:03] >> I have a motion. Do I have a second?

[1:19:05] >> A second.

[1:19:06] >> I have a motion and a second. All those

[1:19:07] in favor, please say I. I.

[1:19:09] >> All oppose. Thank you.

[1:19:11] >> Thank you.

[1:19:11] >> Then we have old business B. You might

[1:19:13] as well take a seat there, Penelopey.

[1:19:15] You're going to be here a while. Okay.

[1:19:16] >> Consideration of the second reading of

[1:19:18] ordinance 2026-33,

[1:19:20] an ordinance authorizing the town to

[1:19:22] enter into a fourth amendment to the

[1:19:24] development agreement with Charlotte

[1:19:25] Meckllinburgg Hospital Authority.

[1:19:27] >> Yes, ma'am. So, this is an amendment,

[1:19:29] the fourth amendment that this project

[1:19:31] has had over the time period that it

[1:19:34] first got approved. Um, and it's

[1:19:35] basically we're adding the properties

[1:19:38] that we're going to were annexed

[1:19:40] successfively just free just a couple

[1:19:42] seconds ago. So, we add those parcels to

[1:19:45] this development agreement. It's also

[1:19:47] updating the actual development

[1:19:49] agreement schedule and also adding the

[1:19:52] part where they're their commitment for

[1:19:55] the Carolina Thread Trail by utilizing

[1:19:58] the future hospital property and working

[1:20:00] with Carolina Thread Trail to connect

[1:20:02] with the trail and provide the the free

[1:20:04] public parking.

[1:20:08] » Tremendous um benefit for the town.

[1:20:11] Thank you uh for the effort on that. It

[1:20:14] really matters to all ages and uh

[1:20:16] certainly upholds a healthy opportunity,

[1:20:19] doesn't it?

[1:20:21] >> And you know, it's very close to my

[1:20:22] heart. So, I know it is. So, to be able

[1:20:25] to have a company like Atrium and I do

[1:20:28] hope other people that want to do

[1:20:30] business in Fort Mill look for the

[1:20:33] future by giving us opportunities

[1:20:35] because it does take a lot of money and

[1:20:37] effort to build these trails. So, it's

[1:20:39] very great that we are having this

[1:20:40] partnership with Atrium Health.

[1:20:43] >> Not just on that, but we certainly are

[1:20:45] open armed welcoming you to Fort Mill.

[1:20:48] We appreciate uh your investment in our

[1:20:51] community.

[1:20:52] >> And after spending um an hour of my

[1:20:55] morning having a work meeting, hiking a

[1:20:57] trail with somebody else that we said,

[1:20:58] "We're not going to sit and have lunch

[1:21:00] today. We're going hiking and we're

[1:21:01] going to have a conversation." I would

[1:21:03] like to make a motion to approve all

[1:21:05] business item B.

[1:21:07] >> I have a motion. Do I have a second?

[1:21:08] >> I'll second.

[1:21:09] >> I have a motion and a second. All those

[1:21:10] in favor, please say I. I. All those

[1:21:13] opposed. Thank you.

[1:21:14] >> All right. Thank you.

[1:21:15] >> All righty. Thanks, Penelope.

[1:21:17] >> All right. We have uh item C,

[1:21:20] consideration of the second reading of

[1:21:21] an ordinance 2026-34,

[1:21:24] an ordinance to amend the town's zoning

[1:21:26] code as it relates to election signs.

[1:21:28] Chris Pettit.

[1:21:30] >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, no updates. Happy

[1:21:32] to answer any questions.

[1:21:33] >> Okay. Any questions for Chris? No

[1:21:36] updates. I need a motion.

[1:21:40] >> I'll make a motion to approve uh old

[1:21:43] business item uh C regarding the

[1:21:47] amending zoning code for election signs.

[1:21:49] >> Thank you.

[1:21:50] >> Second.

[1:21:51] >> I have a motion and a second. All those

[1:21:53] in favor, please say I. I.

[1:21:55] >> All those opposed. Thank you. Item D,

[1:21:58] consideration of the second reading of

[1:21:59] ordinance 2026-35,

[1:22:02] an ordinance amending the fiscal year

[1:22:04] 2526 budget with amendment 2609 for

[1:22:08] Academy Street. Eric Davis.

[1:22:10] >> Thank you, Mayor Council. This is the

[1:22:11] second reading of budget amendment

[1:22:13] 26-09,

[1:22:14] which appropriates a total of $4,120,000

[1:22:19] for water and sewer improvements on

[1:22:21] Academy Street. Uh just a reminder that

[1:22:23] the town did apply for and receive a

[1:22:25] grant from the Rural Infrastructure

[1:22:27] Authority or RAIA uh in the amount of

[1:22:30] $1,320,000.

[1:22:32] The remaining funds will come from the

[1:22:34] town's water and sewer cash reserves,

[1:22:35] which is $2.8 million. Uh there are no

[1:22:38] changes from the first reading.

[1:22:41] >> Any questions for Eric? No changes from

[1:22:43] the first reading.

[1:22:44] >> Eric, it was a little hard to hear you.

[1:22:46] How much did you say that grant was that

[1:22:48] we received?

[1:22:48] >> The grant's 1.3 million.

[1:22:50] >> 1.3. Awesome. Thank you.

[1:22:53] >> I need a motion.

[1:22:55] >> I'll make a motion to approve old

[1:22:57] business item D.

[1:23:00] >> Have a motion. Do I have a second?

[1:23:01] >> I'll second.

[1:23:02] >> Have a motion and a second. All those in

[1:23:04] favor, please say I. I. All those

[1:23:06] opposed. Thank you. And we're going to

[1:23:08] move into new business. Uh, new business

[1:23:11] a consideration of a resolution 2026-36,

[1:23:16] a resolution to accept the streets

[1:23:18] within Ardan Mill into the town street

[1:23:20] maintenance system. Chris Pettit.

[1:23:22] >> Thank you, mayor. Um, the developer has

[1:23:24] completed construction within the Ardan

[1:23:26] Mill subdivision. All the inspections

[1:23:27] have been approved by town staff. We do

[1:23:30] have bonds and landscape maintenance

[1:23:32] agreements in hand. Uh, therefore, they

[1:23:34] are requesting uh acceptance of the

[1:23:36] streets. Happy to answer any questions

[1:23:37] you may have.

[1:23:40] Okay.

[1:23:40] >> A one-year bond or something with that.

[1:23:42] The first year

[1:23:42] >> there's a one-year warranty period in

[1:23:44] which we're holding a bond on that.

[1:23:46] >> Okay.

[1:23:46] >> Can we do that with everyone moving

[1:23:48] forward? Right.

[1:23:49] >> That That's correct. This is our st

[1:23:51] everything is following our standard

[1:23:52] policy here.

[1:23:54] >> Warranty, etc.

[1:23:56] >> My biggest concern with this one as

[1:23:58] opposed to other ones we've had is the

[1:24:00] Ardan Mills 2 project that is still

[1:24:02] looming out. Have we had any changes or

[1:24:04] updates after it was voted down by this

[1:24:07] council

[1:24:07] >> there? As of today, there have been no

[1:24:10] updates from the county as far as

[1:24:11] anything being officially submitted to

[1:24:13] them. Um ultimately,

[1:24:16] um if they were to come back through

[1:24:17] council, that's a council decision, but

[1:24:19] uh as of today, nothing's been submitted

[1:24:21] to the county.

[1:24:23] So, I still have the concern that when

[1:24:25] we approve this, if we approve this, if

[1:24:28] it passes, that um we're going to have

[1:24:30] additional these roads weren't designed

[1:24:33] for those additional homes to be using

[1:24:35] as a pass through and traveling on. So,

[1:24:38] we're going to be covering the cost of

[1:24:40] the additional use as a town. Um would

[1:24:44] they be paved any differently? And do we

[1:24:47] have any legal leg to stand on given

[1:24:49] that they've met our requirements? So, I believe what you're referring to is

[1:24:53] the the road stub out that that

[1:24:55] basically stubs out to the north. Um,

[1:24:59] I don't know immediately off the exact

[1:25:02] top of my head whether that road um goes

[1:25:06] all the way to the property line or

[1:25:08] generally to the property line. So,

[1:25:09] there may be some discretion uh of of

[1:25:12] staff and council as to whether um a

[1:25:15] connection is made. there would need to

[1:25:16] be an encroachment permit uh by which

[1:25:19] they would should anyone develop that

[1:25:22] property to the north uh get a permit to

[1:25:24] touch our roads. Um so there is some

[1:25:27] authority there. Um,

[1:25:29] but

[1:25:31] certainly understand your point of if a

[1:25:32] connection is made, it would be county

[1:25:35] folks coming potentially coming through

[1:25:37] the the town's road system

[1:25:39] >> and they certainly would not pay

[1:25:41] anything to do,

[1:25:42] >> right? We'd barely have any way of

[1:25:44] recognizing who was who, but uh it is a

[1:25:48] an interesting quandry since there has

[1:25:50] been interest expressed publicly and a

[1:25:53] process that they went through. Um

[1:25:57] I don't know Barry do we

[1:26:00] >> they met all the requirements

[1:26:01] >> they've met all the requirements that's

[1:26:02] kind of what I was trying to get to that

[1:26:04] >> the only concern I would have be and

[1:26:07] thought where you were going to go is

[1:26:08] there's any damage due by construction

[1:26:10] equipment who would be responsible for

[1:26:11] that

[1:26:13] >> beyond the same in any neighborhood

[1:26:15] right

[1:26:15] >> yeah beyond the one-year warranty period

[1:26:17] I mean certainly it's it's hours to

[1:26:18] maintain um we we we know when someone's

[1:26:23] installing a pool and uh by chance the

[1:26:26] sidewalk panels get busted during that

[1:26:28] process, we we know who to go to. Um if another subdivision is being um built

[1:26:34] behind here, you would have no idea who

[1:26:36] to go to or how to prove it wasn't um

[1:26:39] you know, a delivery truck for somebody

[1:26:41] getting a new refrigerator. So it it

[1:26:43] would be an impossible task for us to to

[1:26:45] place the blame on somebody given given

[1:26:48] the context of what council's talking

[1:26:50] about.

[1:26:51] But with us, if we own the road, does

[1:26:54] that give us a voice at the table when

[1:26:56] Ardan Mills 2 were to come?

[1:26:59] >> Yes, there would be an encroachment

[1:27:01] permit request

[1:27:03] um coming to the town for any connection

[1:27:07] to be made.

[1:27:08] >> Okay.

[1:27:09] >> Um

[1:27:11] as a public rightway, I don't know

[1:27:13] really what

[1:27:15] authority we would have to say no in

[1:27:18] that situation. Um, but a request would

[1:27:21] be made and and we would have typically

[1:27:24] in that scenario you would be talking

[1:27:25] about how the connection is made from a

[1:27:29] construction design standpoint, not

[1:27:31] necessarily a pass through construction

[1:27:34] traffic, that sort of thing.

[1:27:35] >> Okay. Is that something that um staff

[1:27:38] would be able to notify us of as it

[1:27:41] moves forward? C

[1:27:42] >> certainly is something if anything were

[1:27:44] to happen uh any in the property to the

[1:27:47] north, we can certainly notify you, sir.

[1:27:49] I will say that from coming from a

[1:27:51] neighborhood who was not in the town

[1:27:53] obviously it was not built to code uh

[1:27:55] it's not say fair for lack of a better

[1:27:58] word to hold the residents of that

[1:28:00] neighborhood met all requirements and

[1:28:02] done everything for us not to accept the

[1:28:04] roads

[1:28:05] >> uh because it's not going to get any

[1:28:07] better um if if there's no if Barry has

[1:28:11] no concerns with any incumbrances put on

[1:28:14] it by future development and I think

[1:28:17] it's our duty to take those roads into

[1:28:19] the town. It's not for the homeowners to

[1:28:21] be responsible for all if they've put

[1:28:23] the bond and they've already met all

[1:28:26] requirements.

[1:28:29] » Further comments

[1:28:32] hearing none. I need a motion.

[1:28:33] >> Make a motion to approve item 6A.

[1:28:38] >> I have a motion.

[1:28:39] >> I'll second.

[1:28:40] >> Have a second. I have a motion and a

[1:28:42] second. All those in favor of approving

[1:28:44] item 6A say I.

[1:28:47] >> I. All those opposed. Thank you. All

[1:28:49] right. New business item B,

[1:28:51] consideration of the appointment of

[1:28:53] committee members to the accommodations

[1:28:56] tax committee. Gordon Bernett.

[1:28:58] >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, this I this item

[1:29:00] is being presented to full council or

[1:29:02] for full council consideration due to

[1:29:04] the timing of the ATAX grant application

[1:29:06] process and the need to review

[1:29:08] applications and return a recommendation

[1:29:10] within the required time frame. Three

[1:29:13] applications were received which

[1:29:14] correspond to the three vacancies that

[1:29:16] currently exist on the ATAX committee.

[1:29:18] Um given the limited applicant pool and

[1:29:21] the need for a full committee before

[1:29:22] review can begin, timely consideration

[1:29:25] will keep the process on schedule. This

[1:29:27] will allow the committee to meet, review

[1:29:29] the applications, and bring its grant

[1:29:31] award recommendations back to council by

[1:29:33] October 12th. Um, so I say all that to

[1:29:35] say we are asking for consideration to

[1:29:37] appoint Adam Smith from Poppyc Kitchen,

[1:29:40] Nick Confory from Humble Cup Coffee

[1:29:42] Company, and Melinda Foster from True by

[1:29:45] Hilton Fort Mill to two-year terms

[1:29:47] expiring March 31st, 2028.

[1:29:50] >> Excellent.

[1:29:52] >> I need a motion.

[1:29:54] >> I'll make a motion to approve business

[1:29:56] item 6B, the motion to appoint Nick

[1:29:58] Confory, Adam Smith, and Melinda Foster

[1:30:00] with their terms to expire March 31st,

[1:30:02] 2028. I'll second.

[1:30:05] >> I have a motion and a second. All those

[1:30:06] in favor, please say, "I."

[1:30:08] >> I. Thank you.

[1:30:10] >> All right. Item C, consideration of

[1:30:12] setting the millage rate for the fiscal

[1:30:14] year 2627.

[1:30:15] Eric Davis.

[1:30:17] >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, it's that time of

[1:30:19] year again. Uh, due to the variation in

[1:30:21] fiscal year calendars, York County

[1:30:23] requires a notification of the proposed

[1:30:25] millage rate from the town of Fort Mill

[1:30:27] prior to August 30th of each year. Uh to

[1:30:31] date the council has held multiple

[1:30:32] meetings where the proposed operations

[1:30:34] and capital needs were discussed for the

[1:30:36] coming fiscal year. Uh based upon the

[1:30:38] information provided by staff, the

[1:30:40] priorities indicated by council and the

[1:30:42] expected revenues and expenditures for

[1:30:44] the coming year. Uh the required millage

[1:30:46] rate would be 87.0

[1:30:49] mills per $1,000 of assessed value. Uh

[1:30:53] we'll be going through the budget

[1:30:54] adoption process at both meetings in

[1:30:56] September, but due to the uh calendar um

[1:31:01] uh issues, we have to give York County

[1:31:03] notice before August 30th. Happy to

[1:31:06] answer any questions that you may have.

[1:31:08] >> I think I've asked this previous, but

[1:31:10] I'm going to ask again. What

[1:31:12] flexibility, if any, do we have to start

[1:31:15] our process much earlier so that we're

[1:31:18] not attempting to set a millage rate

[1:31:20] increase on a budget we've only had one

[1:31:22] meeting on.

[1:31:26] >> I mean, we in the time that I've been

[1:31:28] here, we we we keep moving the time up.

[1:31:31] So, the issue is not what we're doing at

[1:31:33] the beginning of the process. It's it's the fact that um it's it's the back

[1:31:40] end here as far as uh trying to get

[1:31:44] everything adopted. We have to give

[1:31:46] everything to to the county um really a

[1:31:49] month before the end of our year. So um

[1:31:54] I mean we've had meetings in July and

[1:31:56] earlier this month. So I don't know what

[1:31:58] else we can do.

[1:31:58] >> We had a meeting last week was our first

[1:32:00] formal meeting on the actual data within

[1:32:04] the budget. Right. I know we've talked

[1:32:06] about the budget a multitude of times,

[1:32:09] but as far as a process to do that, it it's not our it's not your fault.

[1:32:14] It's not my fault that the county has

[1:32:15] that date

[1:32:17] >> and our fiscal year, Carrie, is set

[1:32:19] there. Do we not have any opportunity to

[1:32:23] say we're going to do a different end

[1:32:25] date for our fiscal year?

[1:32:26] >> Yeah. So, mayor, if I may, um, staff has

[1:32:30] had conversations over the last several

[1:32:32] years about actually changing our fiscal

[1:32:34] year fiscal year

[1:32:35] >> to a more customary July one start date.

[1:32:39] >> Um, we could not do that this year

[1:32:41] because there's just too many moving

[1:32:43] parts switching from one finance

[1:32:45] software to another finance software. U,

[1:32:48] but that remains our goal.

[1:32:50] >> Um, so we hope to be on our new finance

[1:32:52] software

[1:32:54] >> probably in our second or third quarter.

[1:32:56] I don't want to overpromise and

[1:32:58] underdel. Um, but next year we will be

[1:33:01] on our new finance platform and at that

[1:33:03] point we will do everything we can.

[1:33:06] We'll probably have to pass maybe a six

[1:33:09] or eightmonth budget

[1:33:11] >> and and then pass another budget that

[1:33:13] would begin July 1 at some point. So we

[1:33:16] understand your frustration.

[1:33:18] >> I'm not mad. I'm not

[1:33:20] >> I understand. I'm not mad. I'm just

[1:33:22] asking.

[1:33:22] >> We share the sentiment. I'll put it that

[1:33:24] way. I I could see the stress and I

[1:33:27] understand it, but I I also know that

[1:33:29] it's up to us to vote that and and to

[1:33:32] vote that on one formal meeting. It's

[1:33:35] not your fault. Uh I'm just asking, is

[1:33:38] there a way we can make this work for

[1:33:40] you, for us, and for what the process

[1:33:43] needs to be?

[1:33:44] >> Ultimately, I I believe that that final

[1:33:46] resolution is really transitioning to a

[1:33:48] more standardized fiscal year.

[1:33:51] >> Thank you. Thank you. That makes me feel

[1:33:53] better.

[1:33:54] Yeah, and I want to commend staff. Every

[1:33:57] year our budget process does get better

[1:33:59] and the information gets even um more

[1:34:02] detailed. The metrics, y'all know my

[1:34:04] favorite word, metrics and details that

[1:34:06] we get helps us to make a much more

[1:34:08] educated decision and a much more

[1:34:10] knowledgeable decision based on what our

[1:34:12] staff is doing and the accomplishments

[1:34:14] that they're making. So, thank you to

[1:34:16] everyone who's been involved. the

[1:34:18] presentations that we have been

[1:34:19] receiving from the various department

[1:34:21] heads also is very informative for us.

[1:34:25] Um I I would like the mayor's mentioned

[1:34:28] like to have time to react before we

[1:34:30] have to make a decision on the

[1:34:32] millillage. Um because you know to

[1:34:34] Brown's presentation, we haven't dug

[1:34:37] into parks and wreck really hard on the

[1:34:39] numbers or our event stuff. you know,

[1:34:41] we've touched on it a little bit, but if

[1:34:42] we want to make a change, we don't know

[1:34:44] how that change impacts the budget

[1:34:46] without having to make an amendment to

[1:34:48] the budget. So, um I look forward to the

[1:34:50] day when we are all um have our

[1:34:53] questions answered and new ideas veged

[1:34:56] out and played out a little bit before

[1:34:58] we have to make a decision on the

[1:34:59] millillage. So,

[1:35:01] >> and I second the presentations this year

[1:35:05] have been phenomenal. the information

[1:35:07] collection has been much better in my

[1:35:11] opinion. Um process is getting there. I

[1:35:15] just needed to ask that question because

[1:35:18] I think it's very difficult. This is a

[1:35:20] recorded meeting and everyone that

[1:35:21] watches it afterward, you they're going

[1:35:23] to hear that we're going to vote on

[1:35:25] something that has to be done by an

[1:35:29] agenda and a process in the county, but

[1:35:32] yet we're not approving our own budget

[1:35:34] till a much later date. So, I just think

[1:35:36] that's a complicated process to describe

[1:35:40] to our constituents.

[1:35:42] >> So, uh anything we can do to better

[1:35:44] that? Yes.

[1:35:45] >> I just want to kind of follow up. the process has done been very good and

[1:35:48] we have had a lot we spent hours and hours on the budget so it's

[1:35:53] not like

[1:35:54] >> this year

[1:35:55] >> yeah uh

[1:35:57] >> really

[1:35:57] >> yes

[1:35:58] >> I don't

[1:36:00] >> sure

[1:36:01] >> should I mute

[1:36:02] >> no

[1:36:03] >> so I just want to say thank you for the

[1:36:05] time that we've put in on it it's not

[1:36:07] it's if you watch just this you'll feel

[1:36:09] like it's we're pushing this through

[1:36:10] we've spent a lot of effort into in the

[1:36:12] budget all of us have and I just want to

[1:36:14] acknowledge that it has gotten better

[1:36:16] and it's not just a snapshot. We've done

[1:36:19] a lot of work. The mayor's trying to get

[1:36:21] the two dates to match. I understand

[1:36:23] that, but it's a lot of work's been put

[1:36:25] into this budget and I want to thank

[1:36:26] everybody for it. Uh from staff all the

[1:36:29] way up. So, thank you.

[1:36:30] >> And I apologize for interrupting you

[1:36:32] when you said we. I assumed you meant

[1:36:34] council. I didn't understand you meant

[1:36:36] the collective. We And you're correct.

[1:36:39] Our collective we have spent tremendous

[1:36:42] a number of hours to get this through. I

[1:36:44] was only addressing an opportunity for

[1:36:47] us to have more than one formalized

[1:36:50] meeting before we make that decision on

[1:36:53] raising the millillage. That's all. So I

[1:36:56] guess what we need is to know what are

[1:36:59] we voting on

[1:37:02] » narrow

[1:37:03] >> narrowed down.

[1:37:05] >> Can you repeat it without going through

[1:37:07] the whole just I need a motion so I need

[1:37:11] somebody to make a motion.

[1:37:14] Right. So, the the motion would be to

[1:37:15] set the millage rate as as we've at

[1:37:18] least um the workshop and uh the

[1:37:21] meetings that council's had to date. Um

[1:37:23] with regards to our our CIP, uh we're

[1:37:26] looking at a millage rate of 87.0

[1:37:29] mills, up from the current mill rate of

[1:37:32] 83.0.

[1:37:34] Uh so that's an increase of 4.0 mills.

[1:37:37] The value of a mill is right at about

[1:37:39] $245,000.

[1:37:41] Um, so that'll be about a million

[1:37:44] dollars of additional revenue in that

[1:37:45] one line item. Um, if I need to go into

[1:37:48] more detail, I'm happy to do so. I don't

[1:37:49] know if that's what you're looking

[1:37:50] >> Do you happen to know what it means for

[1:37:52] a person with a $400,000 home?

[1:37:54] >> I can I can get all that.

[1:37:56] >> That probably be pretty good for the

[1:37:58] public's knowledge.

[1:37:59] >> Sure.

[1:38:01] >> I think to to what Mr. Wolf was saying

[1:38:03] also is there's been a tremendous amount

[1:38:05] of time not only with everybody with

[1:38:07] staff but as council maybe we would have

[1:38:10] liked ideally you could always keep

[1:38:12] raking it over but there has been for

[1:38:14] everyone to know there's been a lot of

[1:38:16] hours that are spent reading through

[1:38:18] this at home and and trying to to rake

[1:38:21] through it and see literally where

[1:38:23] everything is going. you know, that's

[1:38:24] our responsibility to go line item by

[1:38:27] line item and and make sure it's truly

[1:38:29] being vetted out as as best as possible.

[1:38:31] So when we do get together and meet and

[1:38:33] talk about it, that is, you know, we're

[1:38:35] able to have intelligent conversation

[1:38:36] based on the homework that's been done.

[1:38:38] So there is a lot of effort that gets

[1:38:40] put into that.

[1:38:42] And you know, any anytime that you

[1:38:44] propose raising taxes is something that

[1:38:46] needs to be taken seriously and it's not

[1:38:48] something that we should take very

[1:38:50] lightly. And and to Mr. Mr. Hoden's

[1:38:52] point, the the budget has been gone

[1:38:54] through, items have been cut. It was

[1:38:56] really kind of cut down to essentials,

[1:38:58] but with with a growing town and just

[1:39:01] that the things that we've been going

[1:39:02] through and the different projects,

[1:39:04] including, you know, the the room that

[1:39:05] we're sitting in here, all kind of

[1:39:07] factors into that. So, um, if there's

[1:39:09] not any other comment, I'll I'll make a

[1:39:11] motion to uh to set the millage rate at

[1:39:14] 87 mills and to direct staff to notify

[1:39:16] York County.

[1:39:20] I have a motion to approve item C. Do I

[1:39:24] have a second?

[1:39:25] >> I'll second.

[1:39:26] >> Have a motion and a second. All those in

[1:39:27] favor, please say I.

[1:39:29] >> I. All those opposed. Thank you very

[1:39:31] much.

[1:39:33] >> And as a followup real quick, when will

[1:39:34] we finalize the budget then?

[1:39:37] >> Uh you'll have two budget meetings or

[1:39:40] public hearings in September 14th and

[1:39:42] 28th.

[1:39:43] >> September 14th and 28th. Okay. Just

[1:39:45] making sure the public's aware. Thank

[1:39:47] you.

[1:39:49] All right. I think given that we have an

[1:39:51] executive session, even though item item

[1:39:53] seven is for council comments, we

[1:39:55] typically do that at the end. Um, we do

[1:39:59] have an executive session this evening.

[1:40:01] Item A, discussion of the sale or

[1:40:04] purchase of land. I need a motion to

[1:40:06] move into executive session.

[1:40:08] >> Motion to move into executive session.

[1:40:10] >> I'll second.

[1:40:10] >> Have a motion and a second. All those in

[1:40:12] favor, please say I. I. All those

[1:40:14] opposed. Thank you.

[1:40:21] All right. Um, I need a motion to return

[1:40:23] to to regular session.

[1:40:25] >> I'll make that motion, please.

[1:40:27] >> I'll second.

[1:40:27] >> I have a motion and a second. All those

[1:40:29] in favor, please say I. I. Please let

[1:40:31] the record reflect that no votes were

[1:40:33] taken inside of executive session.

[1:40:37] With that, Mr. Wolf, do you have

[1:40:38] anything for the good of the whole?

[1:40:40] >> No. A lot of good uh good stuff. the uh

[1:40:44] the the uh lead off thing of the the

[1:40:47] clean up the litter and all that was

[1:40:49] great. It's great the involvement, a lot

[1:40:50] of the energy going on with that. So, I

[1:40:52] think that's uh it touches a couple of

[1:40:55] the main topics that we've like to do.

[1:40:57] The trees

[1:40:59] uh you know, it's good stuff.

[1:41:02] >> Mr. Moody,

[1:41:04] >> um it was interesting approach the

[1:41:06] budget issue. I was really glad that we

[1:41:08] got all the presentations kind of see

[1:41:10] what goes into it even though I've been

[1:41:12] doing this about what 11 years now it's

[1:41:16] pretty a lot more seamless I felt like

[1:41:18] this year and any questions I I emailed

[1:41:21] I think you know and got back with us

[1:41:24] that went back with me on that. So

[1:41:26] anyway good presentation good meeting

[1:41:28] tonight and Mr. HS will say I'm I'm

[1:41:30] good.

[1:41:31] >> Okay Mr. Garrison

[1:41:33] >> mornings are getting a little cooler.

[1:41:35] Squirrels are starting to get nervous.

[1:41:37] Uh leaves are starting to fall. Just

[1:41:39] please, as the leaves fall, don't put

[1:41:41] them in the gutters. Don't put them in

[1:41:42] the drains. Don't put them on the roads.

[1:41:44] Please.

[1:41:45] >> I'll add to that. Don't put the leaves

[1:41:46] in the drains. Don't blow the grass in

[1:41:49] the street. You know, we we need to be

[1:41:51] respectful for everyone else using the

[1:41:54] same community. It it's not just get it

[1:41:57] off your property. And as far as all of

[1:42:00] the uh presentations tonight, I couldn't

[1:42:03] be happier to think that we have such a

[1:42:05] great group of people addressing uh the

[1:42:08] things that are important to all of us,

[1:42:09] the beauty of Fort Mill. Miss Cook.

[1:42:12] >> Yeah. So, um received several comments

[1:42:15] over the last few days about ebikes in

[1:42:17] the Massie neighborhood. I know it's

[1:42:18] something that our police department is

[1:42:21] continuing to look at, our staff, town

[1:42:23] manager is continuing to review.

[1:42:26] Ultimately, it comes down to just people

[1:42:29] being mindful of what's going on. I

[1:42:31] mean, I had a regular motorcycle pass in

[1:42:34] the I forget the split lane, I think

[1:42:36] it's what my husband called, in between

[1:42:37] cars right on the bypass flying through.

[1:42:40] People are going to do um not wise

[1:42:43] things out there and the police

[1:42:45] department can't enforce all of it. So,

[1:42:47] um I hope parents will make sure they're

[1:42:49] educating their kids on eBike safety and

[1:42:52] that they're um being mindful of stop

[1:42:54] signs just like I hope every motor

[1:42:56] vehicle will be mindful of stop signs.

[1:42:58] Um so that's one thing and just want to

[1:43:01] say congratulations on starting a new

[1:43:03] school year. All the kids are back in

[1:43:05] school and colleges and it's nice being

[1:43:07] an empty nest again. So

[1:43:10] >> Mr. Hudgins

[1:43:11] >> just uh excited about Thursday the

[1:43:14] groundbreaking for the new fire station.

[1:43:16] >> Amen.

[1:43:17] >> I think uh based on some solid

[1:43:19] information from the fire department and

[1:43:21] chief doing his due diligence uh as he

[1:43:24] always does and identifying the need for

[1:43:26] that on that side of town. Seeing that

[1:43:29] come along I think is going to be a very great thing for for that side of

[1:43:33] town and for the town in general.

[1:43:35] >> Thank you Gordon. I do have one request.

[1:43:38] I had a letter in my inbox from someone

[1:43:41] that had come to town hall expecting to

[1:43:44] vote here. Uh, tomorrow there is an

[1:43:46] election of which the town of Fort Mill

[1:43:48] does not run elections. That comes from

[1:43:51] the board of elections in York. But if

[1:43:54] you would please put on our all of our

[1:43:57] social media sites and make our customer

[1:44:00] service uh aware of if anyone should

[1:44:03] come to this building asking for

[1:44:05] directions how they might be of

[1:44:07] assistance. I appreciate that. Uh with

[1:44:11] that I'll entertain a motion for

[1:44:12] adjournment.

[1:44:13] >> I make a motion we adjourn.

[1:44:15] >> I'll second.

[1:44:15] >> I have a motion. Uh oh. You have

[1:44:17] something else? Okay. Uh motion and a

[1:44:19] second. All those in favor please say I.

[1:44:22] >> I. All those opposed. Thanks so much.

Fort Mill Town Council Meeting - August 24, 2026

Transcript