[0:02] Good evening everyone.
>> Let us bow our heads please.
[0:07] Most holy and everlasting God our
father, we thank you for your many
[0:10] blessings that you have bestowed upon
us. Thank you for all that you have done
[0:14] for us this day. And we ask you to
continue to bless our city. Bless us.
[0:18] Keep us strong, focused. In your name we
pray. Amen.
[0:23] » Amen.
>> Amen.
[0:25] We we're so happy to see everybody that
join us on tonight and we're happy to
[0:29] see those that join us virtually.
Welcome to city council.
[0:35] Our first item is consideration of
August 18, 2026
[0:40] city council minutes.
>> Men council, I move for the adoption of
[0:45] the minutes.
>> Motion has been made by Councilman Kit.
[0:49] » Second.
>> Second by Councilman KN. All in favor?
[0:52] » I.
>> Any oppose? Eyes have it. The motion is
[0:55] carried.
Our next item is recognition of
[0:59] September community of character trait
and the trait is reliance. Reliance is
[1:06] the ability to adopt well and bounce
back after facing stress, hardship, and
[1:14] trauma. We're going to ask everybody to
please uh adopt this community character
[1:20] trait.
[1:24] » Resilience, I'm sorry. Resilience.
We have an appearance tonight by Mr. and
[1:30] Mrs. Randy Connor and Miss Shauna Curry,
the Cinema Special Events Order. And
[1:39] we're going to ask you if you would come
to the podium, state your name and your
[1:43] address, please.
[1:55] Hello. My name is Chen Curry.
>> And don't forget we have five minutes.
[2:00] Five minutes, you know, to speak.
>> Okay.
[2:03] » Yes. Yes, ma'am. Come on. How y'all
doing?
[2:05] » Great. How are you?
>> Good. Good.
[2:06] » All right.
>> And my name is Randy Connor.
[2:09] » Uhhuh.
>> Georgia Connor. Yeah. Okay.
[2:17] » Okay. So, we actually um is here on
behalf of the cinema like you mentioned
[2:23] um in regards to the audience that has
now changed to 12:00 p.m. Um and we were
[2:31] wondering um if it could be back the
time it was, which was 2:00
[2:37] um a.m. Well, everybody out by 2:00 a.m.
Um we actually have a venue hall um and
[2:45] a lot of people that do have weddings,
parties, we sponsor a lot with the
[2:50] colleges both state and claflin. Um and
that time is just not allowing for as
[2:55] far as business-wise
um with us um actually being beneficial
[3:01] from the business.
>> Okay. Now you're speaking on behalf of
[3:05] the cinema.
>> Yes.
[3:06] » Also okay.
>> Yes. These are my parents.
[3:08] » Okay. Okay.
Yes, sir.
[3:12] » Well, first of all, I want to commend
you all for all your hard work.
[3:15] » Yeah. Thank you.
>> But I wanted to talk to you all
[3:17] concerning the coordinates because not
does it only
[3:22] affect our business, we have eight other
families that we pay that is on our
[3:27] payroll that it's affecting when we
can't uh run to 2:00 in the morning
[3:33] because a lot of the college students
that uh come here, they're here only for
[3:38] a short while.
our record. We've been here uh running
[3:44] this cinema now for about four years.
>> You all can say there has not been any
[3:49] incident at our establishment.
Um our track record speak for itself
[3:56] and I didn't understand
by us and our record and if uh Chief
[4:02] Austin is here was here I don't know if
he's here or not.
[4:06] Uh we are always transparent with him
when we have big events. We call him up.
[4:12] We talk to him. We are proactive about
everything that we can so we can protect
[4:17] these young ones that their parents had
sent here to be in our town in
[4:21] Orangeburg. So we do everything that we
can for security talking to Chief
[4:25] Austin.
We make sure the these young ones are
[4:30] well looked after. We make sure security
is there. If they c if they can't
[4:35] provide it, my wife provides it because
we want to make sure when they come here
[4:41] or come to our establishment, they go
home safely. Now, we're not God. We
[4:45] can't prevent unforeseen occurrences.
And I'll use for instant and it's not
[4:51] the time state had it incident. It
wasn't 2 o'clock in the morning. It was
[4:55] during the day.
I mean, Patel had his incident. It
[5:00] wasn't 2 o'clock in the morning. So time
is not because what happened at 2
[5:04] o'clock in the morning can't happen 2
o'clock in the day. All we can do as
[5:08] individuals is try to protect those who
are at our establishment and we do the
[5:13] best we can with the assistance of the
uh city police and chief Austin. Thank
[5:19] you for helping us with all you do. Um
so we do everything that we can. I don't
[5:24] understand where or it came or why we
have been uh drafted into this because
[5:32] at first we were told when we went down
that we were with uh the same as the uh
[5:37] the social clubs and things like that.
They're back open to 2 in the morning
[5:43] but then they said no cinema you fall
under a different they put us in the
[5:47] park and recreation.
I don't know if it's one thing I learned
[5:51] about rules and laws.
It's [clears throat] because somebody
[5:55] came up with their opinion.
They spoke to the right person and they
[6:01] talked to enough people. They made it a
rule or a law and they don't think about
[6:06] who it affects.
Our establishment as is a place that is
[6:11] doesn't bother the neighbors. Y'all
don't have complaints from neighbors
[6:15] calling. All the crowd is this or this
and that. uh because we know what the
[6:21] requirements is. Young ones come here a
lot of them help pay for their colleges
[6:28] by having these event
literally I've talked with them you know
[6:34] Mr. Conor, when I have this event, this
helped me pay for my books.
[6:38] » Or it also, we can look at it this way,
it trains them
[6:43] » because a lot of them move off to become
big promoters in other states. When they
[6:47] start on a small environment like they
are with us,
[6:52] » we're training them. So when we tell
them that, oh, or our city is trying to
[6:57] tell them and oh, you can't do it. you
got to um because of a small criteria
[7:03] that have been set into place that
doesn't make sense to me.
[7:07] » Like I said, I'm not a college ready
graduate, but I have common sense. Make
[7:10] it make sense to me.
>> Make it tell me why is it set at two?
[7:15] Crime don't stop at 11:59. Chief Austin,
I tell you that. But we can prevent what
[7:21] happened out of our establishment when
they're there. Now, what people do after
[7:24] they leave our establish, not on us.
We can only do the best we can to make
[7:30] sure while they're there that we take
care of them.
[7:33] » And uh
>> look at our track record. It speaks for
[7:37] itself. We've been there four years. I
mean, you know, unless you all want
[7:40] another empty building because we got to
make the payments on that building. you
[7:43] all. My wife had to give people back
individuals their money back uh this
[7:49] last month because that crowd don't come
in till 11:30
[7:56] » and that's affecting how I provide for
my family, my wife and I. Like I said,
[8:01] we have other eight other people on our
payroll. But all I'm saying is please
[8:06] reconsider it because it is not only
affecting our livelihood is affecting
[8:10] we're in a college town. We have to make
and I'm sorry you all I thought I turned
[8:14] this on.
>> Mr. Connor, let me say this to you
[8:17] before uh your time ran out.
>> Yes. [snorts]
[8:20] » Um changing the the rules of of of that
time it it it requires a lot of
[8:27] dynamics, but we will take what you're
saying on advisement and we'll bring all
[8:32] the appropriate people into into the
table and and discuss it.
[8:36] » Okay.
>> Yes, sir.
[8:39] » Okay. Are there any [clears throat] It
may be some questions from the council
[8:42] members.
[8:46] » Uh thank you, mayor. You mentioned
something about two different
[8:51] classification, a social club. I didn't
hear you right.
[8:54] » Yeah. At first, we were considered under
the classification with the social club.
[9:00] Matter of fact, I think Chief Austin, if
you correct me, at first they were
[9:04] shutting everybody down at 11:59.
But then by them being under the state
[9:10] regulation, then they can't be shut down
because their criteria is different. But
[9:16] we were cons we were considered to be
under them. But after they were able to
[9:21] go back to two, they moved us over into
the park and recreation under park and
[9:26] recreation, which I don't understand.
And that's another thing. 45 days for
[9:31] these young ones that is only here for a
short time to get a uh
[9:36] » permit, a temporary business license. I
go down to the highway department and
[9:42] get my driver's life. I got the right
criter criteria. I get it that day. If I
[9:47] want to buy a house, it don't take me 45
days. If I got everything in line, I
[9:51] meet the I meet the criteria. So if they
meet the criteria, why is it 45? the
[9:56] other lawyers, you just rather tell them
I don't want you to have your event been
[9:59] here in Orangeburg. That's what I'm
gathering from it.
[10:01] » Second part, please.
>> Yes.
[10:08] » It's just hard for me to understand.
It's two different socialist.
[10:12] » Well, listen to me. Listen, listen to
the question, please.
[10:14] » Yes.
>> Are there other businesses that are open
[10:18] after
the hour of what you speaking of?
[10:24] » Everybody Everybody's gone at that time.
cuz you're saying there's some social
[10:27] clubs somewhere open.
>> Social social bars, I guess, like clubs.
[10:33] » Yes.
>> Oh, priv. Now I got you. Private clubs.
[10:37] » Yes.
>> Okay. Okay. Thank you, sir.
[10:40] » But if they're renting from us, would it
be considered that they're probably
[10:44] having an event?
>> Right. Why can't it be private?
[10:46] » Well, we we we need to take that under
advisement with the whole entire council
[10:51] and everybody. We can't answer you now,
but we will take it on advisement and
[10:55] get back with you.
>> Yes, sir.
[10:57] » Okay.
>> And Dr. Clue has a question for you.
[11:00] » Yes, sir.
>> When did you receive the notice?
[11:04] » This been this has been in
>> they said two years now.
[11:08] » Two years. But uh we have been uh
>> operating because uh we have someone who
[11:16] was understanding we're allowing us to
go a little longer but we went and got
[11:20] permission. We just didn't do it. We
went and got permission and they allowed
[11:24] us to run past the 12.
>> Before then, how many incidents have
[11:31] you, you know, has occurred in your
facility? How many?
[11:35] » No incidents.
>> None.
[11:37] » None.
>> And there's no police report.
[11:40] » Not that other than uh Chief might have
had to come out there one time. Somebody
[11:45] was breaking in cars, but
>> not in our establishment. Not for
[11:50] violence. None.
>> Okay. Thank you.
[11:54] » Thank you, sir.
>> All right.
[11:55] » And we'll get back with you, sir.
>> All right.
[11:57] » Yes, sir.
>> Yes, sir.
[11:58] » Thank you.
>> We have another appearance from Miss
[12:03] Desiree Ross, the Ross Center, Special
Events Ordinance.
[12:08] » Good afternoon.
>> Good afternoon.
[12:11] » Uh, I'm coming on the same subject. Um,
and I've typed it down so I can stay on
[12:17] track. Um, mayor, Councilman, Chief
Austin, of course. U, my name is Desiree
[12:24] Ross and my husband and I, we own the
Ross Center on Russell Street. The
[12:28] location is 1535 Russell Street, right
next to the old bowling alley where they
[12:32] all revamp and everything. My husband
and I have been taxpayers through
[12:37] multiple businesses in the city of
Orangeburg, and the Raw Center is one of
[12:41] our longest businesses that we've been
paying taxes on, almost 18 years.
[12:46] And so we've worked hard to maintain a
great reputation and operate very
[12:51] responsible. I don't want no issues in
the building or in the parking lot. I'm
[12:56] here respectfully to ask the council to
consider the ordinance requiring events
[13:00] and venues like the Raw Center that now
have to end by 11:59 sharp. You have to
[13:06] be out, cleaning included.
I understand the city's concerns about
[13:12] noise, alcohol, crowds, safety. Of
course, number one,
[13:18] I'm not asking to remove those concerns
and protections. I'm asking you to give
[13:22] a responsible business that follow the
rules and responsible opportunity to
[13:28] operate a little later.
And I've met with the city and public
[13:33] safety. They have reviewed my contract
and the requirements I place on anybody
[13:39] that rents my facility.
My contract is strict and I enforce it
[13:43] to the fullest.
I'm proactive about security. We have
[13:49] cameras inside and outside the facility.
If I see that something is not going
[13:54] well, I will call public safety myself
to just get somebody to drive through
[13:58] the parking lot because the crowd might
not look as pleasant.
[14:03] The 1159 restriction is are is hurting
our ability to compete with other venues
[14:09] that are not in the city. We're
competing with venues outside the city
[14:14] limits or in the county where advanced
hours are not as restricted or monitored
[14:22] as such as in the city.
If customer can celebrate later
[14:28] somewhere else, guess where they going
to go? Somewhere else.
[14:32] And so that means I lose revenue, me and
my husband, but the city loses revenue
[14:38] too because I can't pay the taxes if I'm
not making the money.
[14:43] Think about a 40th, 50th, even a 60th
birthday party, anniversary, wedding
[14:49] reception. Adults aren't necessarily
trying to party until 2, 3:00 in the
[14:54] morning.
They just may be simply celebrating
[14:59] until midnight, then clean up and be out
by 1 or even a little bit later. I
[15:05] experienced this myself. I had a 60th
birthday party on August the 8th at my
[15:10] own building. I'm not going to pay for
another building if I got one.
[15:14] [laughter]
But even in my own building, during my
[15:17] party, my own birthday party, I felt
rushed because I was watching the clock
[15:21] and trying to get out by what time?
11:59.
[15:26] Now, my event was non-alcoholic. We had
fun. We had dancing. We had honorary to
[15:32] me for ministry aspects, but I was still
watching the clock. I don't want to get
[15:37] in trouble in my own building. Okay? But
I'm asking the council to consider
[15:43] responsible compliant event venues to
operate to at least one:00. Put
[15:48] reasonable safeguards on it. Require
security when appropriate. require
[15:52] compliance with noise noise ordinance
and public safety. And if a venue does
[15:57] not follow these requirements,
take the time away.
[16:03] Then I'm also asking that you
distinguish the event time from the
[16:07] cleaning time. So, if an event is until
1:00, give them the extra hour to clean
[16:13] up the facility for the people that own
the facility so it can be brought to the
[16:18] original condition because if not, it
causes threats on the owners.
[16:23] » I'm also asking I'm not asking to be a
nightclub, a bar. I'm asking a fair
[16:31] opportunity to operate a legitimate
small business, pay the property taxes
[16:37] like I'm supposed to, pay the business
expenses like I'm supposed to, maintain
[16:42] my building, but I have to generate
revenue in order to continue to do that.
[16:47] I don't want the RAW center to become
another empty building on Russell
[16:52] Street.
I want to continue maintaining it,
[16:56] paying taxes, and contributing to this
awesome city. So, I'm respectfully
[17:01] asking the council to review the
ordinance that was placed after CO
[17:07] and give responsible venues and follow
the rules an opportunity to operate to
[17:12] at least 1:00
um with a reasonable safeguard and
[17:16] cleanup time. Give those that who follow
the rules a fair opportunity to compete.
[17:23] survive and continue in this great city.
>> That's me.
[17:28] » Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
[17:29] » Maybe someone have questions. Dr. Clue.
>> Dr.
[17:32] » Yeah. Thank you for the presentation. I
will ask you the same question that I
[17:37] asked the other gentlemen. When did you
receive the notice?
[17:41] » I never received the notice. It was
brought to me through public safety.
[17:45] » Okay. Uh how many citations have you
received on that building?
[17:49] » Zero.
>> Thank you, ma'am.
[17:51] » Yes, sir. Any more questions?
>> Uh, hold on.
[17:58] » I may have a question maybe directed
towards Mr. Evering. When was this
[18:00] change? You said about two years ago,
>> I believe. So, yes, sir. I'm not on the
[18:05] perfect time, but that's what I heard.
>> Approximately two years ago. Do we have
[18:08] some type of problems that were
that [clears throat] we changed it?
[18:14] » I'm going to have to look into that. I
don't recall right off hand when it was
[18:18] changed.
might have been changed before I got
[18:20] here.
>> It was changed before you got here.
[18:22] » Yeah, I think so.
>> We had a lot of homicides, fighting,
[18:26] killing, shooting all of Columbia Road.
And um and and what happened is that
[18:34] when public safety would go out there,
>> especially somebody got killed, they
[18:38] would have to work from that time. If it
happened at 11:00, they had to work from
[18:42] 11 to 6 in the morning to kind of get
all the evidence and whatever all they
[18:47] do.
>> Yes, sir. and and that was and we had a
[18:51] lot of cases coming that if y'all can
remember during that time and that's
[18:55] when it came you we recommend to us that
we change the time so that they if
[19:00] something happened that give them time
to work the case and get the evidence
[19:03] and bring it back in to us. We had a lot
there was a lot going on at that
[19:07] particular time. It's been it's been
more than two it's been a while back
[19:11] » that we Yeah.
>> I don't know. But uh but we we we're
[19:15] taking this under advis under advisement
because we do need the business in this
[19:19] city and we're listening to you. Okay.
>> You all you all and we'll we'll discuss
[19:24] it among ourselves and we'll get back
with you all.
[19:27] » Thank you so much. Okay. Mayor Butler C.
Oh.
[19:30] » Yes sir.
>> Mr. Thank you, Mayor. 11:59 is the time
[19:36] uh you all have to be out of
>> everybody clean up included. Yes, sir.
[19:42] What time can you go in? You gave me an
ending time. What time can you go in?
[19:46] » Well, at my event, they can go in at
8:00. I do daily rentals only. And so
[19:51] that way they can set up at their
leisure. Most events start at 6 or 7,
[19:56] but people are really stressing out
because if you start a party, you start
[20:00] dancing, you got some old school music
going. You know how it is. You want to
[20:04] hang around and and and you want to have
a great time with your birthday, but you
[20:09] know 11:59 including cleaning up is very
difficult for 30,000 size building. They
[20:15] have to mop everything and get every So
basically I tell them they have to be
[20:19] out by 11:30 because I don't want to be
penalized for anything.
[20:22] » And if you're up in age, you don't want
to be longer than 11:00 or 11:30.
[20:29] » Thank you.
>> Did I answer your question, sir? I'm
[20:31] sorry. I'm saying 11 11:59 this what
time you start you know have these day
[20:36] parties and all those good things now
>> you got something
[20:38] » but I I understand your
>> where your place at you know lifestyle
[20:44] have changed
>> you know lifestyle has changed we used
[20:47] to go home at 12:00
>> right
[20:50] » now they don't come out until whatever
time
[20:53] » right
>> oh not in my event [laughter] not in my
[20:56] place
>> thank you ma'am
[20:58] » anyone else nothing else but we will
take it under consideration and I'm sure
[21:03] we'll get back with you as soon as
possible.
[21:06] » Thank you.
>> We have some people standing up. There's
[21:10] some seats over here by Jean Jean
newspaper and there some seats right
[21:16] here on the front by Chief Austin if
y'all need to come and sit down. Some
[21:20] people stand up there. She has a cane
and she needs to
[21:28] chief. I don't mean for you to go in the
back. We might we need you up here.
[21:32] [laughter]
[21:34] Yeah. So, okay.
Thank you very much for
[21:43] old business, Mr. Eye.
[21:48] » Good evening, Mayor and Council.
>> Good evening. Good evening.
[21:52] The first item in old business that we
have for your consideration is third
[21:55] reading of an ordinance amending the
budget for the city of Orangeburg for
[21:59] the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through
September 30th, 2026.
[22:06] Uh there is one uh substantial change
that I want to bring to your attention.
[22:11] Um so for the first reading we had the
amended the current I meant the
[22:16] estimated amended budget at 23,79,310.
[22:22] Uh for this reading we've added $6
million to that and that is $6 million
[22:26] in grant funds and that is the the only
difference. So, um, it would take that,
[22:33] uh, amended amount to 29,719
[22:38] thou, I'm sorry, 29,719,37.
[22:42] Uh, as far as our uh, budget to actual,
we're still tracking uh, as of last
[22:49] week, we're at 80% of budget with about
a month left. So, we do anticipate
[22:54] coming in under budget, but I did want
to bring that uh difference point that
[22:59] difference out to you. Again, that's
just $6 million in grant funds.
[23:04] » Okay.
>> Can you uh clarify um or add elaborate a
[23:10] bit on the $6 million? You're saying
that's um grant funds that were
[23:16] uh utilized or grant funds received? I
think it was re received. Is it correct?
[23:25] » But budgeted, not used.
>> Budgeted but not
[23:27] » but not used. Yeah,
>> but not used. Thank you for the
[23:30] clarification.
[23:33] » Those were grants we applied for and
received.
[23:38] » Budgeted for not.
[23:44] » Are there any more questions, concerns?
I was going to ask the same question she
[23:50] asked.
>> Good.
[23:52] » Okay. All right. If not, I would like to
read this ordinance, please. An
[23:57] ordinance amending the budget for the
city of Orangeburg, South Carolina for
[24:03] the fiscal year beginning October 1,
2025 and ending September 30th, 2026. We
[24:10] would like to entertain a motion.
>> So move properly moved by Councilman
[24:16] Grievous. Second.
>> Second by Councilman Kit. All in favor?
[24:20] » I.
>> Any opposed? Eyes have it. The motion is
[24:23] carried.
>> Okay. Item number three.
[24:27] » Thank you, Mayor Council. Item number
three, uh, for your consideration is
[24:31] third reading of an ordinance adopting
the budget for the city of Orangeburg
[24:35] for the fiscal year October 1, 2026
through September 30th, 2027.
[24:41] establishing the Hillcrest Golf Course
Enterprise Fund and renaming the service
[24:46] department as a maintenance department
with some additional restructuring. Uh
[24:50] before I begin, I want to take a moment
to recognize and thank all of our
[24:56] directors. Um I think most of whom are
here uh with us e this evening. uh as
[25:02] you know going through the budget
process is a very detailed I would
[25:07] almost say arduous process but it's
something that is uh that we take very
[25:12] seriously and I want to commend our
directors um Mishka Williams
[25:18] » ask y'all to stand our directors y'all
stand up so we can clap our hands for
[25:22] you
>> Williams is the finance coordinator
[25:25] [clears throat]
>> Mr. Roger Brandt, he's over at the
[25:28] service department. Of course, Chief
Austin over the Department of Public
[25:31] Safety. We have Marty Con who's the
interimm uh parks and recreation
[25:37] director and David Upton who's over our
public works department. So, they all
[25:41] worked extremely hard meeting constantly
and hours and hours to try to put the
[25:48] best uh budget possible forth for your
consideration. So I I do want to thank
[25:52] and acknowledge that Teresa Williams
who's our assistant city administrator
[25:58] who and HR director. So uh please join
me in thanking
[26:01] » Can we throw Daniel in there? Daniel
right there.
[26:04] » Oh yes, Daniel is [laughter] the one
I apologize Daniel. You so quiet.
[26:11] » Stand up Daniel. So Daniel, please stand
up. Uh Daniel Driggers who did all all
[26:15] the budget coordinators. [applause]
>> Thank you all. and Clay Clay back there.
[26:20] He's unassuming with it.
>> Yes, sir.
[26:23] » So, I I just cannot thank them enough
for for all their hard work. Um and so I
[26:29] appreciate you guys. Thank you.
[26:34] » So, um do want to just remind council of
some of the highlights of of this um
[26:43] budget that we're proposing. Um, let me
get my
[26:49] numbers here together. So, we have uh a
general fund uh proposed budget revenue
[26:57] and expenses in the amount of 26 million
uh 376,756.
[27:04] Uh this would include um a oper fund
transfer operate
[27:13] amount of $1.9 million. Uh we would use
these funds to help cover uh cost. As
[27:20] you might recall, we originally um
recommended uh transition closing the
[27:27] forensics lab and also a 10 mil increase
which would have uh brought in about
[27:33] $400 to $450,000
that we were going to use uh for capital
[27:38] improvements for DPS. But this um this
$1.9 million is a one-time
[27:44] non-reoccurring
uh transfer that will uh help cover
[27:51] those uh costs and um
but I will again emphasize that it's
[27:58] non-reoccurring and and so uh we will
need to either uh find ways to continue
[28:07] to cut expenses or expand the tax base
tax revenue uh to make sure that we can
[28:13] provide citizens with the services that
they currently expect. Um
[28:19] we are not recommending uh any new debt
uh for 2027. Uh business license rates
[28:28] remain unchanged. Um we do we have set
aside some funds for the update to our
[28:34] comprehensive plan which is required
every 10 years. Um, we have included
[28:40] funding in there for uh the employee
compensation program. Um,
[28:47] we have included $38,000 for a kennel
for rescue animals. Again, $400,000 for
[28:54] patrol vehicles and equipment. Uh,
$74,000 for safety equipment. $800,000
[29:01] to refurbish two fire engines.
uh $220,000 to replace a graffle truck.
[29:09] Um
$100,000 to replace HVAC uh
[29:16] equipment in this building and in
Stevenson auditorium. So again, we would
[29:22] recommend transferring the ARPA funds.
Now that that will eliminate uh funding
[29:28] available to fund some of those projects
that were uh listed in ARPA. So I want
[29:33] to be clear on that. We would have to
find other funding sources to
[29:38] uh to do those projects. Um but as it
stands now, our recommendation would be
[29:44] to transfer those funds uh to not
increase the millillage and keep the
[29:49] millage at 109 mills.
>> Okay. Okay, sir.
[29:58] » Thank you, Sydney.
[30:02] I need to go back.
I'm glad that we're [clears throat] not
[30:06] increasing the the rate, you know, the
tax on the people, but I need to go back
[30:12] to to the audit that was done by the
agency.
[30:20] As we move into this new
budget for the new fiscal year,
[30:28] I will implore you and your department
to try very hard
[30:34] to see that we have a CFO.
>> Yes,
[30:38] » we need to have a CFO who will track our
expenses,
[30:44] our revenue
and uh let us know how we are doing
[30:49] financially. We need to have a CFO.
>> Then second thing is the hill crest is
[30:58] like a nagging headache. Mhm.
>> We need to put our foot down on that
[31:05] hill crest
and find a thorough solution, you know,
[31:10] with our partnership with our state
to make sure that it's a viable
[31:19] uh program for the city.
[31:24] So CFO
and um Hillrest
[31:31] and we need to go back to that audit
that we did in in terms of consolidation
[31:36] because that was one of the proposals.
>> So we need to look around and see how we
[31:42] can combine certain things [snorts]
>> if it's possible
[31:47] you know because the more you have the
more expenses.
[31:52] So we need to redirect
you know what we do financially because
[31:59] when we look at our population is a
growing population
[32:04] and most of the uh folks
either Medicare or
[32:11] retired
you know so we cannot keep imposing and
[32:17] that's what I said I'm glad we did not
increase you know the the millillage
[32:22] And so we have to find a way to buffer
the zone. We have to find a way really
[32:28] good, you know, uh because there limits
somebody can take with, you know, the
[32:34] job unemployment rate is kind of a
little bit high in the, you know, in the
[32:39] city of Orangeburg and also in the
county. So let's try very hard as we
[32:45] move in into this new fiscal year to see
that we make a lot of changes
[32:51] » that will be beneficial to us.
>> Yes, sir. If I can speak to a couple of
[32:55] those um issues that you you raised. So
so CFO as you all know we we've hired a
[33:00] a consulting firm that a search firm
that we've been working with to find a
[33:05] CFO. Uh CFO is for a local government is
probably one of the most difficult
[33:10] positions to fill. It's a very um niche
skill set if you will. Uh it is
[33:18] extremely difficult to find a a a
qualified uh experienced candidate. And
[33:25] so again, we we are working with the
consultant. They're engaged in that
[33:29] process as we speak. Uh they are
interviewing uh doing preliminary
[33:34] interviewing
and to identify candidates, finalists
[33:39] for us to consider. So we are actively
uh engaged in that process. As far as
[33:46] Hillrest is concerned, um yes sir, we we
certainly uh know that Hillrest has has
[33:54] been an issue. Uh but quite frankly, the
investment in Hillrest has has been less
[34:00] than what it it should have been over
the years. Uh we entered into a new
[34:04] agreement with South Carolina State a
year or so ago. Uh, as a reminder, that
[34:08] agreement does allow the city to um to
terminate that agreement if there are
[34:14] two years of uh losses uh at Hillrest.
Um we uh have set aside South Carolina
[34:22] State gave us $700,000 that we're using
to do the top tracer uh facility at
[34:29] Hillrest that's in the process of being
constructed uh as we speak. We expect
[34:33] that to be a significant revenue
generator. Uh you all set aside u $2.2
[34:40] million in capital project sales tax
taxes that uh can be used for
[34:47] improvements to Hillrest. So we believe
that once those significant investments
[34:54] are made in Hillrest and we can improve
the facility uh that the usage will
[35:00] increase and revenue thereby will
increase because we realize the
[35:04] important asset that it is to the entire
entire community and has been for years.
[35:10] Um but again if if it turns out that the
there are losses we have the option to
[35:18] get out of the agreement.
>> Thank you.
[35:24] » Any more? Go ahead.
>> Yeah. Just a um couple of questions and
[35:28] clarifications. I want to start with the
last thing that you said in terms of we
[35:32] set aside $2 million um for improvements
to Hillrest through the um penny tax.
[35:38] Correct. Yes. But that was something
that was voted on by the public, right?
[35:41] So it wasn't something that we set
aside.
[35:44] » That that's a better way to put it. Yes.
>> So I do want to um make sure that we're
[35:47] aware that the public had input in that
decision as well. Um in terms of the
[35:52] surplus for the anticipated surplus for
this um year and do we anticipate a
[36:01] surplus for this coming year? I know
it's hard to look ahead, but um with the
[36:07] way that the budget is allocated, are we
working towards um seeing a surplus in
[36:13] this budget for 2627?
>> That that is always the goal.
[36:18] » Um and as you said, it's it's difficult
to to predict that because any anything
[36:23] can come up. Um but yes, we we are
trying to budget accordingly to to make
[36:29] sure that we have um and do all that we
can just like we did this past year. Uh
[36:35] I commend our directors again for being
very uh mindful of of spending of trying
[36:41] to um find revenue generating um
activities that can be done and which
[36:49] has allowed us to be again about 80% of
our budget this year. Uh so it it's
[36:55] difficult to to answer your question in
affirmative because I just cannot
[36:59] predict the future. Um but we certainly
will do all we can
[37:04] » and if there is a surplus where do those
funds go?
[37:07] » Our reserves to to make sure that we
have build up the reserves.
[37:11] » And what are the reserves used for
exactly?
[37:14] » Just that [laughter] just reserves. Can
you kind of
[37:17] » just just in case something happens, we
get a a bad storm or or what have you?
[37:23] Um it's it's just for a rainy day, so to
speak.
[37:28] » Thank you.
>> Any more questions? Any more concerns?
[37:36] » Okay, I'm going to read the ordinance.
An ordinance approving the budget for
[37:41] the city of Orangeburg, South Carolina
for the fiscal year beginning October 1,
[37:46] 2026 ending September 30, 2027,
establishing the Hillrest Golf Course
[37:52] Enterprise Fund and renaming the service
department as the maintenance
[37:58] department.
[38:02] the motion. [clears throat]
[38:06] Mayor and Council, I move to adopt the
ordinance approving the budget for the
[38:11] city of Orangeburg, South Carolina for
the fiscal year beginning October 1st,
[38:17] 2026
and ending September 30th, 2027,
[38:22] establishing the Hillrest Golf Course
Enterprise Fund and renaming the service
[38:28] department as the maintenance
department.
[38:31] » Motion's been made by Councilman Kit.
[38:36] Do we have a second? Second by
councilman Koo. All in favor?
[38:41] » I oppose. Eyes have it. The motion is
carried. One one opposed. [snorts]
[38:50] Okay. Item number four.
[39:00] » Good evening, Baron Council.
>> Good evening. Good evening.
[39:06] Uh item number four under old business
is uh third reading of the ordinance to
[39:13] consider a zoning district map change
from A1 residential single unit district
[39:20] to B3 neighborhood business district for
property belonging to Donald G and
[39:27] Steven M. Atkins located 1374 St.
Matthews Road. Tax map number
[39:33] 0174-18-09-00005.0000.
[39:43] Uh as mentioned previously, the
developer uh John Pitus uh whom council
[39:49] met at the uh second reading and the
public hearing discussed his plans for
[39:54] uh the area in placing a coffee shop on
the property. Uh Mr. Mr. Pletus has a
[40:01] contract with the property owners which
allows him to speak on their behalf. Uh
[40:06] Mr. Pitus also presented his plans to
the planning commission during the June
[40:11] planning commission meeting. Uh one
person from the community attended but
[40:17] chose not to speak. After hearing the
plans, the planning commission voted to
[40:21] recommend the resoning to city council.
Um I reached out to Mr. Pitus uh earlier
[40:28] today regarding uh any outreach that he
may have uh done along with uh the
[40:35] property owners and I was told that
there was no outreach that was done.
[40:39] However, um as required, the city mailed
uh everyone in that area a notification
[40:47] so that they were aware. Um
[40:53] so that's the the third reading.
>> Thank you.
[40:56] [clears throat] All right. Um, council,
do we have any discussions on this
[41:00] matter?
[41:03] » I think last time we made mention of
fencing that area, right?
[41:07] » Yes, sir.
>> How far would the fence go?
[41:11] » Um, I am not actually sure, but I can
find that out for you. Um, I'm not sure
[41:17] about the the plans. I'm not sure if
>> they will have they will have to provide
[41:22] a buffer along the um perimeters of the
residential areas and that business.
[41:31] » Okay.
>> Will be a buffer there.
[41:34] Have to run the entire length of the
property.
[41:38] » Okay. Thank you.
>> Uh Mr. Aptton, let me ask you this
[41:42] question. Has um what type of buffer of
uh has that been discussed in terms of
[41:51] » Yes. Our zoning our zoning ordinance
requires a um a type B buffer which
[41:58] would be a I think it's a a six-foot
fence and the type of buffer that the
[42:04] type of material that that buffer or
fence has to be made out of is a stone
[42:09] or concrete.
>> Okay,
[42:14] [clears throat]
[42:17] » that's it. Thank you.
>> You miss
[42:20] anything?
[42:23] Okay. If if it's no more discussion, I
want to read the ordinance. An ordinance
[42:27] [clears throat] to approve a change to
the zoning district map from A1
[42:34] residential to single unit district to
B3
[42:38] neighborhood business district for the
property belonging to Donald G. And
[42:44] Steve Ais located at 1374 St. Matthews
Road. tax map number 0174
[42:53] 1809005000000
[42:57] and provide for related matters. If we
could entertain a motion, please
[43:03] [snorts] move for approval.
>> Uh motion been made by Dr. Koo.
[43:09] » Second.
>> Second by uh uh Councilman Kit. All in
[43:14] favor?
>> All right. Any oppose?
[43:18] Three,
four, three, four. You You oppose,
[43:23] » huh?
>> You oppose.
[43:25] » No, sir.
>> Okay. 3 4 3 4 Three against it.
[43:32] » Motion. Motion's carried.
[43:38] » Okay. Okay. Number um item number five
uh under new business uh is a resolution
[43:47] for the city administrator to negotiate
and enter a contract with we Martin
[43:53] contracting for the reconstruction of
police camp road due to the flooding
[43:57] that occurred in 2024.
Um we issued an RFP in April of this
[44:04] year. Um but we received very little
response. So that um because of that we
[44:10] reissued the RFP in June of this year.
Um bid notifications were placed on the
[44:18] skebo site which is the state uh
business opportunity site as well as our
[44:24] website for any interested party to view
and respond. Um there were six big
[44:30] criteria that was used. Uh one is proof
of commercial liability insurance. Uh
[44:37] timeliness of the RFP response. Uh the
experience qualifications and ability to
[44:44] perform the requested services. Uh the
cost references and any deat
[44:51] demonstrated compliance with uh state
and federal laws for a total of 100
[44:57] points. uh including myself, there were
four evaluators and we had a total of
[45:03] five bid responses.
Um
[45:08] so we recently sent a letter to um
Martin uh We Martin Contracting
[45:15] informing them that they received the
highest overall score based on the
[45:20] evaluation criteria and that we were
recommending them to council to be
[45:25] awarded the contract. Um, we did receive
monies from FEMA um towards the
[45:33] reconstruction of the road. Um, and that
was based on an estimate that was given
[45:40] to us by a local contractor. However,
they decided or they chose not to
[45:44] respond to the RFP.
[45:49] » And that this is over there by the
skating ring,
[45:52] » correct?
>> Over there. Okay. And you're repairing
[45:54] the road.
>> Yes.
[45:55] » Oh, good. Good. Good. Okay. Now, any any
questions or concerns while I read the
[46:02] ordinance resolution?
Okay. Resolution approving the city
[46:06] administrator to negotiate enter into a
contract with E Martin Contracting LLC
[46:14] for the reconstruction of the police
camp road and approving for other
[46:20] related matters. Would you like to
entertain a motion, please? So move
[46:24] mayor
>> and properly moved by Councilman uh
[46:26] Hannah.
>> Second second by Councilman Koo. All in
[46:29] favor? Any opposed? Eyes have it. The
motion is carried. Thank you.
[46:34] » Thank you.
[46:50] Good evening. Good evening again, mayor
and council. Um, item number six for
[46:55] your consideration
is first reading of an ordinance to
[46:59] amend the city code to add a new article
regulating electric scooters, electric
[47:04] assist bicycles, electric micromobility
devices, party bicycles, and shared
[47:10] mobility devices. establishing
definitions, operating rules, equipment
[47:15] and safety requirements, dismount zones,
parking and obstruction rules, rental
[47:21] and shared fleet regulations and
enforcement and penalties. Um,
[47:27] as you all know and uh uh uh Councilman
Hannah has has been uh very instrumental
[47:34] and admit that uh the city uh become
proactive as it relates to electric
[47:42] mobility devices. Um and so our city
attorney uh has proposed or put together
[47:49] an ordinance for your consideration.
I'll just highlight a a few of the
[47:55] uh items in the ordinance. Um
so it
[48:02] um it basically would require that
devices these electric uh mobility
[48:08] devices would be allowed to uh operate
in roadways if the speed limit is 25
[48:16] miles per hour or less. Uh they must
ride on the right side of the road
[48:21] obviously and obey all traffic controls.
Uh as it relates to sidewalks, um
[48:28] bicycles, ebikes and scooters only would
be allowed to ride on sidewalks at a
[48:34] speed of 8 miles per hour or less. They
have to yield to pedestrians. Um
[48:41] provide audible signals to pass. Uh
microobility devices and mopeds cannot
[48:48] operate on sidewalks. Uh there will be
no sidewalk riding in the central
[48:53] business district which currently would
be designated as Russell Street or
[48:57] sidewalks of paths bordering South
Carolina State and Claflin. Um anyone in
[49:04] that capacity must dismount and walk. Um
equipment and safety. The devices must
[49:13] have lights uh front and rear or
reflective material required after dark.
[49:19] Functioning brakes. Um again they must
yield and provide audible signals before
[49:24] passing pedestrians.
Um no one under 16 would be allowed to
[49:30] operate these uh electric devices. And
if you're under 21, you must use a
[49:38] helmet. Uh there can be no tampering
with ebike speed limiters or mislabeling
[49:46] um modified devices. As far as
prohibited activities, uh rental rentals
[49:52] um shared or dockless fleets of
scooters, ebikes, or micromobility
[49:57] devices would be banned on the public
way. Um party bicycles like um pedal
[50:03] pubs or beer bikes would be banned
outright on any public street, sidewalk,
[50:08] trail or right away. Um parking or
abandoning devices that block pedestrian
[50:15] paths uh would be prohibited uh along if
they are on um curb ramps, transit
[50:22] stops, entrances or ADA
uh accessible features. As far as
[50:28] enforcement violations equals uh public
nuisance and civil penalties escalate
[50:35] within a rolling 12-month period,
starting at $75 for the first offense,
[50:39] $110
uh for the second offense, $250 third
[50:43] and $500
um for any subsequent offenses. Uh
[50:48] non-compliant devices may be impounded.
Uh administrative hearings are available
[50:53] for anyone who wants to um protest
within 14 days. The city may also pursue
[51:00] injunctive relief. Um
as far as administration, it would
[51:06] require the city administrator or
designate to review the article at least
[51:09] every 24 months for changes in
technology, state law, and industry. And
[51:15] of course, it would be effective upon
approval. Um, so those are just some
[51:20] highlights of the ordinance. U we all
realize this still a work in progress,
[51:26] but we wanted to put forth something for
you all to consider. Um, I would also
[51:31] recommend that uh if if you all are
amanable to it that we um engage the
[51:38] universities Claflin and South Ghana
State for their input as well once uh we
[51:43] have a a working ordinance that that you
all are comfortable with.
[51:48] Happy to answer any questions.
>> Oh yes, sir.
[51:53] » Have you seen some people on the street
with their motorized wheelchair?
[52:04] » So the question is would those would
those apply?
[52:09] » Yeah. So what do you classify that?
>> Michael, you want to talk that?
[52:14] Excuse me.
Yes.
[52:18] » Uh I will look in the section, but the
intent was there be a carve out for um
[52:25] handicap related devices.
[52:30] » Can you read the first um what thing you
said? You said that they can ride on
[52:35] public highways with a speed limit less
than 25 miles an hour. Did I hear that
[52:39] correctly?
>> Yes. Roadways allowed if the speed limit
[52:42] is posted at 25 miles per hour or less.
But they would have to, you know, obey
[52:48] traffic signals and and and ride on the
the right side of the street just like
[52:53] any anyone else.
>> Michael, is there anything in title 56
[52:56] that contradicts that?
>> I apologize.
[53:00] » I was looking for the other item. I
didn't hear that question.
[53:03] » Is there anything in title 56 of the
state code of laws that prevents a ebike
[53:08] or e- scooter to travel on roadways? Um,
as far as I recall, 56, other than
[53:15] actual motor vehicles, of course, um,
deals with
[53:20] golf carts, and I know in November it
will deal with side by sides, but I
[53:24] don't recall that it covers anything.
>> So, the definition of a motor vehicle in
[53:28] title 56 doesn't cover these is what
you're saying.
[53:31] » Uh, no. And low um low-speed vehicles,
which is a separate section, would also
[53:38] not I don't think would cover this as
well. Okay.
[53:43] » Um, just a couple of clarifications. Uh,
so the sidewalks, pathways bordering
[53:49] South Carolina State and Claflin, that
would include 601, correct? So, um, as
[53:54] it's written, they would have to, um,
walk the bike along 601.
[54:01] » Yes, ma'am.
and u riders under 16 may not operate an
[54:06] electric scooter um or micro mobility
device. So if the device is made for a
[54:14] child um they would still have to be 16
years of age to operate that device for
[54:20] a child under 16. If the device is made
for a child under 16 they would still
[54:24] have to be 16 years of age to operate
that device
[54:27] » as
it's currently drafted. That is correct.
[54:30] » Okay. And this is banning um any rental
companies coming into the city um to
[54:37] rent ebikes to um citizens. Okay.
>> I had one more question uh for Chief
[54:45] Alson. Have we had any collisions or
anything with any of these scooters or
[54:49] ebikes?
[54:55] » Mr. Mayor, members of council, uh we've
had a couple of incidents. Yes.
[54:59] » Okay. But no one has been injured.
>> Okay. Are we seeing an increase in
[55:04] these?
>> We are. We're seeing an increase in
[55:07] ebikes and also we've noticed an uptick
in the thefts of ebikes.
[55:14] » All right. Thank you.
>> And it may be hard to classify, but
[55:19] would you say that the use is
particularly around the academic year
[55:23] and when South Carolina State and
Claflin are in session?
[55:27] » No, not particularly.
>> Okay. Thank you.
[55:31] » And the universities will have to make
their own rules and regulations, don't
[55:37] they?
>> They can, but again, I would I would
[55:41] recommend that we engage them for their
input as well. Obviously, they do have a
[55:45] lot of students who who use these um you
know devices.
[55:52] » Uh thank you, mayor. It's e ebikes, e
scooters,
[55:58] electrical,
two wheelers, three-wheelers.
[56:05] First and foremost, the city is not it's
not our intent
[56:11] to hunts on these
tools that some people use to to go to
[56:18] go to work. Some of them use to go to
school and some of them use just to
[56:21] plagiarize. If I was a young youngster,
I'd definitely like to have him in. But
[56:26] there is a different there is a
discretion between an e scooter which
[56:31] basically go 20 miles per hour and an
ebike which some of them go 75 80 miles
[56:38] per hour.
So it's it's a little
[56:43] wiggle room in there. And the intent was
just to make the citizens aware of this
[56:54] influx of electrical use um tools,
bikes, you know, scooters
[57:03] and that was only intent was so that we
could be safe.
[57:07] If if you're riding along and you don't
know no rules, you don't use no rules.
[57:12] This is not the Ottoman.
So kids will use whatever rules
[57:18] that is posted and that was the justice.
We didn't have anything and when it
[57:23] started out so only six cities in South
Carolina months ago had any rules or
[57:29] regulation about ebike but since that
time
[57:33] many of them have jumped on board and
investigating how ebikes
[57:38] affects the daily lives of this city.
Some of them ride them in the malls. You
[57:44] didn't have no rule against it. What you
going to tell a person if you didn't
[57:47] have no rule?
>> Ride them in the parks, ride them
[57:51] wherever they want to ride. All it is is
that give them some rules and
[57:56] regulation. And that's what this
ordinance is all about. Giving rules of
[58:00] regulation. We can protect each other,
the rider and the non. So we go along
[58:06] with that. I just I'm happy to see them
and I know people can use them. I seen
[58:11] them riding from what we call they
change the name so many time rope
[58:15] hostana
>> electrolux western house whatever that
[58:19] plant is down on 33 they changes names
I've seen them riding from there
[58:26] 40 50 year old people and then I also
see that same 40 50 year old people
[58:32] riding a scooter that's running 20 miles
an hour and some of them are supposedly
[58:40] made to ride 20 miles per hour 22 but
I've seen the scooter riding 35 and 40
[58:45] it is zigzag so we just want to make
our citizens aware [clears throat] of
[58:50] what's happening and just give a better
life livelihood
[58:56] so we all can live with each other and
don't be conflicted on each other and
[59:02] both of us know the rules
and we know that this ebike is uh the
[59:09] the chief
[59:12] Since you've been talking, I know there
have been some kind of collisions
[59:15] somewhere about ebike somewhere and you
can't stop collisions. You just have to
[59:20] make people more aware of it with, you
know, like wearing a helmet so they can
[59:23] protect yourself if there's collision,
riding on the right side of the highway.
[59:28] So, you know, put those restrictions in
order. That's all we ask. just have some
[59:32] kind of restrictions so that we can
better ourselves in Orangeburg and we
[59:37] can take the lead on knowing that we
have a town where people is safe to ride
[59:42] the electrical
motorized vehicles. Thank you, ma'am.
[59:49] » Okay. Any more discussions on this item?
If not, I'm going to read the proposed
[59:54] ordinance. Regulation of electric
scooters, electric assistant bicycles,
[1:00:00] electric micro mobility devices, party
bicycles,
[1:00:07] and shared mobility devices.
[1:00:12] We need a motion.
>> So move, mayor,
[1:00:16] » properly moved by Councilman Hannah.
>> Second.
[1:00:19] » Second by Councilman Kit. All in favor?
>> I
[1:00:24] I'm standing at the moment.
>> It's so How many is in favor? Ra Shane
[1:00:29] so I know.
>> Okay. One, two, three.
[1:00:34] » You in favor?
>> Okay.
[1:00:37] » You're in favor Jo.
>> Are you in favor?
[1:00:40] » Uh, not right now. Not as it stands.
>> It's one, two, three, four.
[1:00:45] » Four.
>> Yeah.
[1:00:46] » Four.
>> Three.
[1:00:49] » Motion is carried. [snorts] Eyes have.
Motion is carried.
[1:00:54] You said the motion.
>> Yeah, it's four.
[1:00:57] » Yeah, it's four of us.
>> Four of us. It's me,
[1:01:00] » Miss K and
>> Yes.
[1:01:05] » Scary. Okay. Thank you, Miss Evy.
>> Thank you, mayor.
[1:01:09] » Okay. Okay. Uh, you want me to start?
>> Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm just here. Uh on
[1:01:15] item number seven is a city council
determination of a grievance matter as
[1:01:20] relates to DPS.
On July the 23rd, 2026, the city
[1:01:27] grievance committee held a hearing
regarding Benjam Benjamin Jones and
[1:01:32] Battalion Chief Winningingham
and the five uh lieutenant promotion
[1:01:38] process.
Council has council has received and
[1:01:43] reviewed the grievance committee's
findings and recommendations.
[1:01:48] The committee recommended that the city
and department of public safety number
[1:01:55] one adopt a comprehensive written
promotional policy.
[1:02:01] clearly communicates the promotional
process, evaluation criteria and scoring
[1:02:08] methodology to all candidates. Number
three, establish a standard scoring
[1:02:15] system. Number four, ensure all
candidates receive the same information
[1:02:21] material in and time and timelines.
Number five, require candidates to
[1:02:29] acknowledge
their understanding of the promotional
[1:02:33] process.
Number six, maintain complete
[1:02:37] documentation of promotional and
selection selection process.
[1:02:43] The committee also recommended that DPS
consider
[1:02:47] re-administering the fire lieutenant
promotion process.
[1:02:53] [clears throat]
Is is there is there a motion at this
[1:02:58] time for city council to accept the
grievance committee's finding and
[1:03:02] approve approve all of it
recommendations with the exception of
[1:03:07] remministering the lieutenant uh
promotion process.
[1:03:13] Um, mayor and council, I u move that we
um conclude the grievance process by
[1:03:20] adopting the following. Um, as stated,
adopting a comprehensive written
[1:03:25] promotional policy, clearly
communicating the promotional process
[1:03:29] evaluation criteria and scoring
methodology to all candidates. Establish
[1:03:34] a standardized scoring system. Ensure
all candidates receive the same
[1:03:39] information, materials, and timelines.
require candidates to acknowledge their
[1:03:44] understanding of the promotional process
and maintain complete documentation of
[1:03:49] the promotional and selection process.
Again, I recommend that we um move to
[1:03:54] conclude the grievance process as stated
and direct any further matters to the
[1:03:59] city administrator to handle.
>> Motion has been made by Councilman
[1:04:03] Grievous.
>> Second.
[1:04:04] » Second by Councilman Hannah. All in
favor?
[1:04:08] » Eyes have it. oppose.
>> I uh six
[1:04:14] 61 motion motion is carried.
>> Thank you.
[1:04:18] » Thank you, Mayor.
[1:04:22] » Mr. Holly, is there any DP?
[1:04:28] Mr. Mayor, members of council, thank
you. And uh first of all, I want to uh
[1:04:34] take the same opportunity as Mr. Evering
did and thank uh all of our team that
[1:04:38] worked on the budget. I have called
their names previously, but certainly uh
[1:04:43] this is uh a task that one person does
not do alone. It is certainly a team
[1:04:48] effort. Uh even uh Sydney and I and and
staff's uh our regular meeting on
[1:04:54] Tuesdays, we get together and we talk to
uh each other about the plans that we're
[1:04:58] making. So uh the teamwork uh flows
throughout. Uh certainly Daniel is here.
[1:05:05] uh he is uh largely responsible for
helping us put this together as well as
[1:05:10] our budget director uh along with the
other members of the team that are not
[1:05:14] here. So I want to say thank you to them
but I want to say thank you to city
[1:05:18] council because you endure and I I do
mean in boldface capital letters
[1:05:24] underlined endure countless hours of
meetings of us talking about these
[1:05:28] things and uh all the projects that
we're doing and the challenges that we
[1:05:33] face as a city. I thank you for your
time and your effort and and and uh
[1:05:37] dedication to this. So I want to commend
you on that. Having said all that, uh I
[1:05:43] committed to you that as uh we know more
about
[1:05:49] how our budget uh uh will uh end up the
the the amended ordinance. I will point
[1:05:55] out to you any changes that we've made.
And so you have at your your uh desk uh
[1:06:02] a highlighted version of the amendment
that we will ask you to make uh to the
[1:06:08] amended budget. Um and first of all I
want to point out uh where those changes
[1:06:13] are. We are uh projecting a uh 76 point
76,655,000
[1:06:25] uh instead of the $70,000
uh increase uh to cost of total sales.
[1:06:31] And so that uh increase will uh be about
approximately $7 million increase to our
[1:06:38] our uh cost of total sales. And then if
you flow down a little bit lower uh to
[1:06:44] the cont contributed capital uh you see
a uh change from 9.8 million to 11.5
[1:06:53] million uh in uh contributed capital
that is just uh more reflective of the
[1:06:59] grants that we have received to date. a
more updated version of how much money
[1:07:03] that we have uh that that has come into
us from the grants that we uh that we
[1:07:09] use to do a uh major projects that we've
uh applied for over the last several
[1:07:13] years. Um at the end of the day, the all
of that changes our net profit after
[1:07:20] transfer and contributions from 22.9
million to 17.6
[1:07:27] million. uh a net uh decrease of 5.3
million uh thereabout and I would ask
[1:07:35] council uh to make the amendment uh I
think you have one in front of you
[1:07:41] amendment that reflects the net profit
change uh from the 22.9 to the 17.6 Six.
[1:07:49] » Okay.
>> Number eight.
[1:07:52] » Number eight. Number eight.
>> Number Yes. Item eight.
[1:07:54] » Yeah. An amendment to the budget for the
operation of the Department of Public
[1:07:59] Utilities for the city of Orangeburg for
the fiscal year October 1st, 2025
[1:08:06] through September 30th, 2026
to revise the net profit after transfer
[1:08:14] and contributions from 22,943,057
[1:08:21] to 17,642.
2,57.
[1:08:27] » Motion has been made by Councilman Kit.
>> Second.
[1:08:31] » Second by Councilman Kn. All in favor?
>> I.
[1:08:35] » Any opposed? I have it. The motion's
eyes have the motion is carried. Thank
[1:08:42] you,
>> Mr. Mayor, members of council. Likewise,
[1:08:46] I want to point out on uh the projected
budget for 2026
[1:08:51] 27. Um I want to point out one the
revenue hasn't changed, but we do have
[1:08:58] uh uh a change that we based on the the
uh impact fee adjustment that council
[1:09:06] has passed to this point and we'll have
uh third reading on after this. Uh we
[1:09:11] are revising our numbers that will
increase our uh final net profit after
[1:09:18] transfer and contributions by 660,000
uh from 16.8 million to 17.5 million.
[1:09:27] And I'd ask that you uh make that
amendment to reflect uh the changes.
[1:09:32] » Okay. Amendment number nine, an
amendment to the budget for the
[1:09:36] operation of the Department of Public
Utilities for the city of Orangeburg for
[1:09:41] the fiscal year October 1st, 2026
through September 30th, 2027
[1:09:48] to revise the net profit after transfer
and contributions from 16,887,396
[1:09:59] to 17,546.
7,396.
[1:10:04] » Okay. Motion has made been made by
Councilman Kit.
[1:10:10] » Do we hear the second?
>> Second.
[1:10:12] » Second by Councilman Grievous. All in
favor?
[1:10:16] » I.
>> Any opposed? Eyes have. The motion is
[1:10:18] carried.
>> Mr. Mayor. Um, pardon me. I should have
[1:10:21] got you after you made the amendments.
You now need to pass both ordinance as
[1:10:26] amended.
>> Okay. Okay. Okay.
[1:10:30] We'll read we'll read the ordinance.
>> Yeah, just read it as
[1:10:34] I I'll read it.
[1:10:39] Let me see this.
[1:10:44] Ordinance number eight, an ordinance to
amend the budget for the operation of
[1:10:49] the department of the public utility in
the city of Orangeburg, state of South
[1:10:54] Carolina for the fiscal year October 1,
2025 through o through September 30th,
[1:11:01] 2026. We like to entertain a motion,
please
[1:11:06] move for approval of item number eight.
A motion been made by Councilman Ku,
[1:11:10] second by Councilman Kit. All in favor?
>> I.
[1:11:14] » Any opposed? Eyes have. The motion is
carried.
[1:11:17] » Item number nine, an ordinance to adopt
a budget from the operation of the
[1:11:23] Department of Public Utilities of the
City of Orangeburg, South Carolina for
[1:11:28] the fiscal year of October 1, 2026
through September
[1:11:34] 30th, 2027. Adopt and amend electric
rates effective October 1, 2026.
[1:11:41] Adopt and amend water rates effective
October 1, 2026.
[1:11:49] Adopt and amend wastewater rates
effective October 1, 2026. We like to
[1:11:55] entertain a motion.
>> Move for the adoption.
[1:11:57] » Motion has been made by Council Kit.
>> Second motion. Second by Council Koo.
[1:12:03] All in favor?
>> I. eyes have. The motion is carried.
[1:12:06] Thank you,
>> Mr. Mayor, members of council. Item
[1:12:09] number 10 is the third reading of an
ordinance that would uh increase the
[1:12:14] impact fees for our water and wastewater
division. Uh there are no changes in
[1:12:19] that ordinance. At this time, I'd ask
you to uh make third and final approval.
[1:12:25] » Okay. Council, before I read this
ordinance, are there any discussions on
[1:12:29] item number 10?
>> Um uh Mr. Mayor.
[1:12:32] » Yes, sir.
I just want you to let the public know
[1:12:35] that this is not for the current
customers, right?
[1:12:38] » Yes, sir. Uh just uh as Dr. Koo uh uh
reminded us, Mr. Mayor, members of
[1:12:44] council, and people uh in the public, uh
the increase in impact fees will impact
[1:12:52] those customers who are new to the
system. So existing customers who are
[1:12:58] not building new uh facilities, new uh
uh buildings, new homes, they would not
[1:13:04] be impacted. It is for customers that
are coming onto the system so that they
[1:13:09] can carry their fair share of the uh
burden that it costs the citizens and
[1:13:15] the community to provide water and
wastewater services.
[1:13:21] » Are there any more discussions on on
item number 10?
[1:13:25] Okay. If not, I want to read the
ordinance. An ordinance amended section
[1:13:30] number four five four uh department of
installation
[1:13:36] sub session water impact fees sub
session D wastewater impact fees of the
[1:13:47] general terms and conditions of
department of public utilities.
[1:13:52] » Okay. would like to entertain a motion.
>> Mayor, councel, I move for the adoption
[1:13:55] of the ordinance amending session four.
>> Um motion's been made by Councilman Kit.
[1:14:01] » Second.
>> Second by Councilman Hannah. All in
[1:14:04] favor?
>> Any oppose? Eyes have. The motion is
[1:14:07] carried.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council
[1:14:09] » and thank you, Mr. Har.
[1:14:13] » Okay. At this time, we are getting ready
to go into an executive session. We will
[1:14:19] discuss item number 11 in the executive
session. Discussion of matters relating
[1:14:24] to the proposed location expansion of
the provision of service encouraging the
[1:14:30] location of expansion of industrials and
other businesses in the area served by
[1:14:37] the public body South Carolina code
section 347A
[1:14:43] 5 project Russell. We're going to we're
going to entertain a motion to go into
[1:14:48] executive session.
going to do that just to say your
[1:14:53] statement.
>> We miss kit want to have personal
[1:14:56] privilege just for one minute please.
>> Before we go into session I want to
[1:15:00] again thank the our administrator
the department of each department
[1:15:07] chairpersons
all of department of public utilities
[1:15:12] the chair all of you and the times of
democrat for the articles. Yes, the
[1:15:19] » the beautiful articles that have been
put in the newspaper con um talking
[1:15:24] about what we are doing and to the
audience we thank you for coming. We
[1:15:31] appreciate having you here and we want
to say to you, we're working as hard as
[1:15:38] we can and goodness knows we are moving
ahead. So, thank you so much. Keep
[1:15:45] coming to see us and we will work for
you. Thank you. Now go ahead. [applause]
[1:15:51] » Amen. All right. We'd like to entertain
a motion to go into executive session.
[1:15:56] » So move
>> properly moved by Councilman uh
[1:15:59] Grievous. Second.
>> Second by Councilman KN. All in favor? I
[1:16:04] have the most good night and have a safe
trip home.