[0:25] Uh, good afternoon. I'd like to call this meeting of the Langster County

[0:28] Council to order. I ask that the clerk note for the record that a quorum of

[0:32] council is present. that public notice of the meeting, including the meeting

[0:37] agenda, has been posted the required length of time in the lobby of the

[0:41] county administration building and on the county website, and that the news

[0:46] media was notified of the meeting time in place. I'd like to welcome you to

[0:51] your county council meeting. I would ask that you take a moment to turn off or

[0:56] place on vibrate any cell phones. Thank you for not wearing any hats or caps in

[1:01] the council chambers and please be considerate of others in the room by

[1:06] refraining from conversations and during the meeting. Ask that you please stand

[1:10] and join council for the pledge of allegiance followed by the invocation

[1:14] given this afternoon by council member Charlene McGriff.

[1:19] Bit of my stellar >> Billy.

[1:23] » Billy >> is my name on the thing up there. That

[1:28] was from last Monday. >> Sorry.

[1:31] » I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[1:37] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[1:45] justice for all. >> Let us pray.

[1:51] » Dear father in heaven, thank you for this beautiful day today. Lord be with

[1:55] us as we come to discuss Lanster County business today and give us wisdom and

[2:00] guidance as we go through our meeting. Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[2:04] » Amen. [snorts]

[2:11] » We have a motion to approve the agenda. So move.

[2:15] » Have a motion from Mr. Harper, a second from Mr. McGriff. All those in favor,

[2:18] please raise your right hand. All those opposed, it's unanimous.

[2:24] Okay, we're going to move on to item five.

[2:29] [clears throat]

[2:36] Doesn't look like anybody signed up.

[2:48] » All right.

[2:55] So, we have no citizens comments. We'll move on to item six.

[3:18] » That's going to be a challenge for the two of y'all. [laughter]

[3:22] Maybe I'll just try to project my voice a little. I'm Sher Gregory with the

[3:26] Lindsey Pettis Greenway and you all of course know Flip Bud Lis city

[3:30] administrator. We wanted to come before you today and give you a little update

[3:34] on the Lindsay Pettis Greenway. [snorts] Has been a few years I think

[3:39] since we have given you a comprehensive overview of our progress and our plans

[3:43] for the future. And um first and foremost though, I want to just thank

[3:48] you because without this council's support, we would not have accomplished

[3:52] what we've accomplished to date. And what we've accomplished to date is that

[3:56] we now have about three miles of hard surface trail for our residents and

[4:02] visitors to the community to enjoy. [clears throat]

[4:04] And what I have um Sherry's displayed here for you is an overall map of the

[4:10] greenway. you can just see the um scope of it. And I just wanted to point out a

[4:16] little about what we've um what we have done already and what we're looking to

[4:21] do in the future. Um what you see in the purple, let's see if I can get my cursor

[4:28] to work. Uh oh, I'm not the most technologically savvy and I don't have

[4:33] my glasses. So, thank you. Start the slideshow.

[4:39] Can you find that? start.

[4:48] » So, what you see there in the purple to the east side of your screen is the

[4:52] original two miles of the greenway that we built first and that opened in 2020.

[4:59] 2020 during COVID and um Steve Willis who was the administrator then actually

[5:04] cut the ribbon on that and that was a tribute to the fact that the city I mean

[5:09] the county had had um helped us fund that first segment by floating a the

[5:16] recreation bond referendum that I believe was done in 2018 and it provided

[5:20] $2.5 million towards the cost of that project. Since then, we have completed

[5:28] the Main Street underpass. And I'm sorry that my cursor is not

[5:34] working on this, but the U Main Street underpass is the red line that's just

[5:40] north of the legend box. Um the little loop under um Main Street. That was an a

[5:48] remarkable accomplishment for the engineers to figure out how to go under

[5:52] Main Street and it was costly and we're very grateful that we were able to do

[5:55] that. We further extended the greenway at that time to the west over to Forest

[6:01] Drive. Um, since then we have added another

[6:04] quarter of the a mile segment that we cut the ribbon on last fall which

[6:09] extended the trail from Forest Drive over to Marian Sims Drive at Woodland

[6:15] Drive near MUSC Lancaster for access to the hospital and all the medical offices

[6:21] in that area. So that's what we've done to date.

[6:25] Since we got started in we were we were founded in 2015 and started our

[6:32] fundraising. We've raised 12.5 million dollars for the trail. To date, we've

[6:37] spent about 10.5 million of what we've raised. We still have a little in our

[6:42] pocket for future projects. One of those is a tap grant that the city

[6:49] secured from the South Carolina Department of Transportation and Flip

[6:55] can speak to a little bit about that and where it is.

[6:58] » Thank you, Sherry. Yes. Um, city did secure a TAP grant. That's a

[7:03] transportation alternative project. Uh, it's a 8020 match. The city is paying

[7:09] 20% uh with the greenway itself paying some as well. That is to do the

[7:15] extension from Rody Drive which is I kind of had it but basically going

[7:21] past the ball fields North Elementary then curving back into the Walmart where

[7:27] Papa John's is Dunkin Donuts and Taco Bell. Um do is working on the

[7:34] engineering draw drawings. They're doing the site the strip maps now and they

[7:40] should go to let that project early 2027.

[7:45] So probably March of 2027 they will start construction.

[7:50] That is a relatively simple construction project. It's basically putting a 10-ft

[7:55] sidewalk along Rody Drive and just turning to the west. With that said,

[8:03] that's just one I think is gonna be a big

[8:06] boost to the trail because I'm an avid user of the trail. And the one thing I

[8:12] do love when I'm walking on trail is seeing other individuals wearing their

[8:18] uniform with Hardies, Walmart, Fruit Lion. So, they're using that trail to

[8:24] get to work and it's helping them um gain gainful employment. So, it is a a

[8:30] huge benefit.

[8:34] » Y'all, I apologize. My computer just suddenly started doing the perpetual

[8:38] circle. So, I don't know what the technological problem is, but I lost my

[8:43] display. But at any rate, I think most of you are familiar enough with the

[8:46] community that you'll understand where we're um where our next priority project

[8:52] will go. And it's going to one of the county assets. So, you you'll be very

[8:57] familiar with this. So from the current terminus Oh, my computer screen is not

[9:02] even owned. That's interesting. >> Oh, thank you. [laughter]

[9:07] So, um,

[9:13] Mr. Tucker, can I get you to stand up and point to something on the screen?

[9:18] So, can you see MUSC Lancaster almost in the middle of the um

[9:24] » Keep going. >> Keep going east down. Follow Just follow

[9:27] the trail down. I'll tell you where to stop. Pardon me? [laughter]

[9:33] » Because you've run the trail [laughter] from this perspective.

[9:37] » Okay. Well, I um >> it's kind of in the middle of the map.

[9:42] » Let me come over there >> next to the line.

[9:48] See the legend? >> Yes, ma'am.

[9:59] » Right here. Now go to your red line. That's where the trail ends.

[10:05] Now run your pin up there

[10:12] next. So continue west to your left along the red line. Now go south.

[10:17] And that crosses meeting that

[10:24] » sorry thank you thank you I want I that ends up at the rec center. So our that's

[10:31] our next priority project is to go to the Melbourne Steel Soccer Complex will

[10:37] be going underneath Meeting Street connect to the soccer complex and to the

[10:41] rec center. Is it going under that little cross over that little bridge?

[10:45] » Underneath the bridge on Meeting Street between um the offices at Barnett where

[10:52] the rec center offices are now in DHECK and the Mariah Baptist Association

[10:57] building. That bridge, it'll go under there and then continue into the

[11:01] Melbourne Steel Soccer Field Complex and over across Bear Creek to the rec um

[11:07] center um facilities there. So, and the estimated cost of that project is $3.5

[11:14] million. We have about $1.1 million in capital project sales tax three funds um

[11:21] available for that. Uh and and um we are seeking funding for that segment.

[11:29] » And also too, the city did apply for a general assembly special appropriation.

[11:35] Oh, we hit 1.7 >> three. I'm sorry. Yeah, we got $3

[11:40] million for that project from the state. However, if you've been following the

[11:45] news, that is now up in the air um with the state budget. But if we do see the

[11:52] appropriation, we will have the funding hopefully if construction costs stay

[11:57] stable to make it to the Springdale Rec Center.

[12:03] And just one final thing I would remind you is that this entire project has been

[12:08] planned, engineered, and permitted. So, it's ready to go. It's a construction

[12:12] ready project. So, as soon as funds are available, we're ready to let contracts

[12:18] and build pretty much. So, that's a big asset that we have for this project. But

[12:23] it is a legacy project and we know that it'll continue to take time to build it

[12:29] out um and eventually go beyond our next project and um the trail ends near the

[12:36] bypass behind the old Duracell facility near there and it will eventually

[12:41] connect into the larger county Carolina thread trail master plan. So, it's um

[12:46] part of a larger project and um we I really want to um express our deep deep

[12:53] appreciation for the investment that the county has made. Most of the funding for

[12:58] this project has been local between the county, the city, and individuals,

[13:03] corporations, and foundations. So, of that 12 million that um we have raised

[13:10] so far, $12.5 million, all but about um four has been local. So about eight I

[13:16] mean yes 8 million or so has been local funding and so that's tremendous the

[13:21] value that our community has placed on this amenity. So I just wanted to um let

[13:27] you know where we were and to give you an opportunity to ask any questions um

[13:31] that you might have of us at at this time

[13:34] » any questions or comments? >> No, I think Shar I think you answered

[13:38] all of the questions that I had the future plans and where it's going. Uh, I

[13:44] just know it's an asset for the community.

[13:47] » Well, thank you so much, Councilman Griff. Councilwoman Griff, if you

[13:51] prefer, but um, we c I cannot, um, overstate the importance of the council

[13:59] support to making this project a reality for our community. And my final thing

[14:03] I'd like to say to add to Flip's um comments about how the community is

[14:09] using this is that we have a counter on the trail and we estimate that we have

[14:14] over 20,000 visits to the trail every year and that's just in one area and

[14:19] that we don't have count we only have counters in one spot and that doesn't

[14:23] account for people who don't walk past that counter. They may walk other areas

[14:27] of the trail. last year at our holiday lighting event. We had around 3,000

[14:32] people attend over the three nights of that event. So, the facility is a

[14:38] beloved amenity for this community and we really appreciate how you've

[14:43] supported us and hope you'll continue to do so and um will be supportive of us as

[14:49] we continue to seek funding for it. >> I want to add one more thing. Yes, the

[14:54] trail is recreation but also helps when we are looking at industrial prospects.

[15:01] They they are looking for quality of life issues and trails is always high on

[15:07] the list. That's one thing you know when we talk about like the air rail park or

[15:12] the quality drive industrial park is yes you have water and sewer but you also

[15:16] have this trail and we have all these other amenities. So, it's not just

[15:21] recreation and good um for the community, but it is a way for us to

[15:26] help attract other industry than commercial.

[15:30] » Mr. Chair, I've got some. >> Go ahead, Mr. Louise.

[15:32] » So, Miss Gregory, I understand that you're thanking council, but you need to

[15:38] give yourself some grace and some thanks, too, because these things would

[15:41] not happen without your efforts and without the passion that you have shown

[15:44] for our community and everything that it stands for, especially with this trail.

[15:48] So, as a somewhat runner, um, this trail is

[15:54] fantastic. Um, and and it is a great amenity for our community. And and to

[15:59] flip to your point, this is something that we can tell potential businesses

[16:04] that are coming in about how our county is supporting these efforts and how we

[16:10] are a one county that does everything throughout our county. So, thank you.

[16:16] » I appreciate. You know why Jose said and I must give you your props. Uh

[16:22] » I didn't come here to get my props. >> When we started this discussion, you

[16:29] started the greenway in my district and you don't know how much I appreciate

[16:33] that starting it right there at Bar Street. And I know the discussion was

[16:37] around where we're going to start it, but I appreciate uh including you know

[16:42] my district in the start of that greenway.

[16:46] Can I just say really quickly that that was a strategic decision because we

[16:52] wanted our community to see that this is a an amenity, an asset for all people in

[17:01] our community and not just one neighborhood in our community. And I

[17:05] feel like the success of the project has been because of that strategic decision

[17:10] to start it where we started it. have any other comments? Thank you both

[17:17] very much. Okay, we're going to move on to item

[17:21] seven, our non-consent agenda. Our first item is second reading of ordinance

[17:26] number 2026-2048

[17:29] and ordinance of the county council of Langster County, South Carolina,

[17:33] extending ordinance number 2025-1992,

[17:38] the 9month residential development moratorum for an additional 90 days,

[17:43] reaffirming the findings of the county council, providing for severability, and

[17:48] providing for an effective date. Do we have a motion to approve?

[17:52] » So move. Have a motion from Mr. Louise. >> Second.

[17:55] » Second from Miss McGriff. Is there any discussion?

[18:01] All those in favor, please raise your right hand. All those opposed, it is

[18:05] unanimous. Okay, we'll go on to item 7B.

[18:12] uh an ordinance to amend ordinance number 2026-2036

[18:16] relating to the appropriation of funds and the approval of a detailed budget

[18:20] from Langster County for the fiscal year beginning July the 1st 2026 and ending

[18:26] June the 30th 2027 our fiscal year 2026 2027 to further provide for revenues and

[18:34] expenditures during the fiscal year and to provide for matters related there

[18:38] too. Do we have a motion to approve? So move

[18:40] » a motion for Mr. Meller, a second from Miss McGriff,

[18:50] » Miss Harris. >> Good afternoon, council members. Um the

[18:53] ordinance you have before you today is requesting council's approval to

[18:57] appropriate um $1,245,500

[19:02] from the general funds unassigned fund balance for the sheriff's evidence

[19:05] storage facility. Um these funds will provide well the facility will provide

[19:10] secure um more modernized evidence storage that preserves the integrity of

[19:15] evidence from the time it's collected um through its final disposition

[19:20] um and supporting successful criminal investigations and court proceedings.

[19:24] It's one of the um public safety capital projects is partially ARPA funded and

[19:30] construction of the facility is um substantially complete. So, approval of

[19:34] this budget amendment will restore the 1.216

[19:39] um million that was um previously authorized in December of 2024 by

[19:44] council through ordinance number 2024-1943.

[19:48] Um and it'll provide an additional $30,27

[19:52] needed to satisfy um any remaining cont um contractual obligations and to

[19:57] complete the project. So staff is requesting that council approve um

[20:02] ordinance 2026-2054 to appropriate the 1.245

[20:09] um 1.1 1,245,500 from the general fund um unassigned fund

[20:14] balance and that'll allow the um staff to successfully complete and

[20:20] close out this project. Um we can answer any questions that you have about the

[20:24] project or about the amendment. Is there >> any questions? Hearing

[20:30] none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor, please raise your right hand.

[20:34] All those opposed, it is unanimous. >> Thank you.

[20:40] » All right, we're going to move on to item 8A. Um, proposed changes to

[20:45] ordinance number 2025-1960. Uh, recommendation from the community

[20:50] outreach and engagement advisory committee.

[20:57] Are they here? >> Okay.

[21:02] Well, we'll move on past that and we'll take a I need a motion to go in I

[21:10] need a motion to go into executive session for the receipt of legal advice

[21:14] subject to the attorney client privilege regarding potential contractual matters

[21:19] relating to the regional park and to invite the deputy county administrator,

[21:24] the director of parks and recreation and members of project management into the

[21:28] discussion. Do I have a motion to approve? So moved.

[21:32] » Have a motion from Mr. Neil, a second from Mr. Louise. All those in favor,

[21:37] please raise your right hand. All those opposed, it is unanimous. We are in

[21:41] executive session.

[1:09:43] Okay. Do I have a motion to come out of executive session? So move.

[1:09:47] » Uh I have a motion from Mr. Mel or a second from Miss McGriff. All those in

[1:09:50] favor, please raise your right hand. All those opposed, it is unanimous. Uh Miss

[1:09:56] M Dupont. >> Mr. Chairman, for the record, council

[1:09:58] met an executive session in regards to one item, the receipt of legal advice

[1:10:01] subject to the attorney client privilege regarding potential contractual matters

[1:10:04] relating to the regional park. No motions were made, no votes were taken.

[1:10:08] » Do we have a motion to adjourn? We stand adjourned.

Lancaster County Council Special Meeting

Agenda

Transcript