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| The following summary minutes have not been approved by Simpsonville City Council. An official copy of the minutes will be available after adopted by City Council at City Hall 118 NE Main St. Simpsonville. Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, notice of this meeting date, time, place and Agenda was posted on the bulletin board at City Hall and faxed to the newspapers, radio stations, television stations and any concerned citizens. |
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SIMPSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS SESSION AUGUST 12, 2008 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers – 118 N.E. Main St .
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor: But before we begin our regularly scheduled meeting tonight, we have a reason to have a public hearing relating to proposed referendum to allow alcohol sells on Sunday in Simpsonville. So, I would invite anyone here who has an opinion on that to feel free to come forward to the podium and speak to us and I will begin by calling those who may be in favor of such action. Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of that proposal? Yes ma’am the lady in the blue if you’ll come forward and state your name and address for the record please, you may begin.
Caroline Richardson Mehaffey: Caroline Richardson Mahaffey 212 S. Main St. Simpsonville I’d like to state for the record that I am also on Planning Commission and serve on the 20/20 Simpsonville Committee. I am here as a member of the Simpsonville First Baptist Church who doesn’t drink, but who can’t rent certain spaces because many restaurants don’t want to come to a town where they can’t do business on Sundays. So, it is in my opinion, in the public interest to allow it. We can not legislate morality as hard as we have tried and that comes from someone who family has a history of trying. I think ya’ll could all attest it is an economic issue. It is strictly an economic issue. And if we want to continue with the programs we have whether, it’s the terrific park that we have, the other public works activities, or the art center; we need to tax base and if we drive businesses out of Downtown Simpsonville we’re not gonna have it. Thank you.
Mayor: Thank you, alright anyone else to speak in favor? Yes Sir.
Kevin Johns: Hi I’m Kevin Johns. I live at 3714 Grandview Dr in Simpsonville. I think we should be able to get a vote on this I mean the businesses we have in Simpsonville they afford us the luxuries of Heritage Park and some of the nice things we have here. These businesses which I don’t have anything to do with I don’t own any businesses in Simpsonville I’m just a citizen that thinks we should have right not to drink on Sunday, but have the right to vote for it. Ya’ll got to vote on whether we got to drink out at Heritage Park on Sundays during the events and ya’ll got to make that decision which, you know, I don’t think ya’ll have the right to make that decision for the community, as far as it affecting the businesses here. These businesses need to thrive and help the city to grow. And I believe by giving us the right to vote on this that you’re doing the right thing. I appreciate your time.
Mayor: Thank you sir, anyone else to speak in favor? This lady right here, I think I know you.
Roxie Kincannon: Okay I’m here really to speak about something else but I’ll go. Ya’ll caught me by surprise. I have always been a proponent of public referendums because I believe anytime you give the public the chance to make that decision that’s what it’s all about is allowing a vote to take place and let the people decide what they want. And so I am always in favor of a public referendum on anything. If you want to throw in a referendum on taxes I’d like that too. Thank you.
Mayor: Thank you anyone else to speak in favor? I see a hand but I don’t see a body. There you are, if you’ll come forward please.
Cara McDowell My name is Cara McDowell. I live at 11 Harris Lane . I agree with the whole right of people to get to vote. I don’t think it’s up to the council to get to decide whether or not we have the chance to vote. I think that if it’s something that the state said we have to vote on that we should get to vote on it. You shouldn’t say that we’re not allowed to vote that’s the whole way our legal system works that we get to vote. So, that’s my opinion.
Mayor: Thank you alright anyone else speaking in favor? Yes sir, if you’ll come forward and just as a reminder state your name and address for the record.
Will Arendt My name is Will Arendt 5 Bavehearst Lane in Simpsonville and I am speaking out maybe not in necessarily for it but in this setting maybe for it. I think as a person of faith that I’m a little bit offended that we bring this to a legislative vote on what to do with behavior. I think this is a church issue if the churches in Simpsonville are strong enough to not want alcohol sells in Simpsonville they should discuss this with their parishioners. I don’t know that it’s ever in our best interest to legislate how people behave. I think that’s heading down the wrong road. I think that’s taking away liberties and one day those churches will regret this decision on alcohol. I’m not saying necessarily for it or against it, but if we are gonna be for this we’re gonna begin to legislate this type of thing I don’t know where you stop that, should we also legislate gluttony; ‘cause that’s probably a bigger issue in Simpsonville then even alcohol. And I’m guilty I’m sorry. Should we legislate television viewing on Sundays? I just don’t see how this is a legislative issue and I think that the churches are off on this. I am a person of faith I think my fellow believers are better people than they are theologians. I don’t think they have a case here from scripture on this and I just think it is a huge mistake to bring it out and vote on it or to not allow an open vote on it. I think if the people of Simpsonville want something like this that it should be fine. I don’t think we should be passing laws to restrict people’s behavior on this particular day. So, now that I have no more friends I’ll go sit down.
Mayor: Thank you, you can snuggle up with those people who spoke before you. Is there anyone else that would like to snuggle up with those people; anyone to speak in favor? Alright then I’ll call for those who would like to speak in opposition to this proposal. Yes sir.
Mike Avants: My name is Mike Avants and I am a resident at 107 Acasea Drive , but I am also an associate pastor for Students and families at Temple Baptist at 213 West Curtis Street . Ladies and Gentleman of the council I’d like to address you tonight to oppose putting this referendum on November 4 th ballet. Why, because I believe it’s not in the best interest of Simpsonville city to provide more opportunities for people to hurt themselves or others. It’s a disgrace for a city pray on the wants and acts that come along with the increased ability to obtain and use alcohol. Councilmember Bruce Larson had said that Sunday alcohol sells could help attract new restaurants and hotels and we’ve heard people speak to that notion tonight. Developing the West Georgia road corridor could help businesses that other wise lose Sunday business to Woodruff Road and other locations. Speaking strictly from a business or financial view the loss of life and property vastly out weights any gain that a city might gain from one more day of selling alcohol. One reference, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, statistics that I viewed just today and these are some of the most recent stats that they have it’s estimated that the public interest in just monetary value lost is 114.3 billion dollars. The break down of that is 51.1 billion in monetary cost and estimated 63.2 billion in quality of life losses. People other then drinking drivers paid 71.6 billion of alcohol related crash bills which is 63% of total cost. Question may rise that one day on the weekend isn’t gonna make that much of a difference stats suggests otherwise. In 2006 15% of alcohol related accidents, excuse me, 15 % of all accidents on weekends, weekdays were alcohol impaired compared to 31% a double increase on the weekends. What about the question as to whether location matters, does it matter if we have more restaurants or businesses that sell more alcohol on Sundays. I don’t think that the stats suggest that it matters. There’s evidence that heavier drinkers prefer to drink at bars and other people’s homes which increases drivers distances that they have to travel. Mr. Mayor you spoke at out last meeting and said quote “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. I don’t think its broke, the only thing we need to fix is the landslide that we have gotten ourselves on to by continuously broaching the subject of city sponsored opportunities for alcohol consumption. First it was only Freedom Weekend aloft, and then it moved on to developing opportunities for the amphitheater. Quite frankly I don’t want to place anymore responsibility in the City Council’s hands to decide, other then deciding not to place this referendum. My case and point is the allowance of alcohol sells at family friendly movie nights. Why would a responsible city have children movies and sell alcohol at the same time. All you’re doing is setting families up for failure. Sending small children to watch movies at the amphitheater and selling alcohol to the parents to drink and drive. Mr. Mayor you yourself said once we open the amphitheater down there I know we’re opening it up for 6 days a week and if we open it for a 7 th day its just another bad thing that can happen that we don’t have any control over. I want suggest to the Council that we don’t really have any control over the other 6 days as well I’m not as concerned about the incidents that happened at the amphitheater or other locations I’m concerned about what happens when Mom and Dad or Joe and Jill drive on their way home. Your last meeting Mr. Curtis made this statement: this is a situation where alcohol seems to be coming up again and again and it seems to me that we are trying to chisel away a resolve at the people who stand against it. I think a lot of times you get told no you present it again and how many times do people have to say no. At some point it’s our responsibility to stand up and take responsibility. And I appreciate that thought. It’s time for City Council to say enough on the issue of alcohol. It’s been stated here that it should be put to referendum. I agree with that on most issues, but on this issue I would disagree that it needs to be put a referendum, because in the words of Mr. Curtis it’s time to just take responsibility and say no. Rest of Council needs to understand that the ballet box is not only to set policy but it’s also to choose leadership and in November if leadership is up for question then maybe some of us who are in opposition will remember who voted for the referendum on alcohol. Thank You
Mayor: Thank you, alright is there anyone else to speak in opposition? No one else, alright, well thank you all for comments we will carefully consider those and if you’ll hang around this it is on the agenda tonight we will be discussing it among ourselves and will take some action a little later. I hereby call this hearing closed.
Mayor: Now one more little piece of business before we start our regular meeting tonight. And then we will get back on track. We are happy and proud to have with us our newest Director of Human Resources and not only that our new City Clerk Ms. Melinda Zeller. Ms. Zeller is a native of Simpsonville and apparently HR are in the gene pool in that family because her father was an HR director of Cryovac for many, many years and is a friend of some of us so we’re happy to have her here tonight. This Council will need to take action and will do that early in the process here, we’ll add that to the agenda to officially make you “official” and at a later time we will do the official swearing in to make you the City Clerk. I’d like to welcome you here tonight and I’d like to introduce her to the public.
ROLL CALL
Ms Bridgeman: Councilmember Bridges: Here Councilmember Garrett: Here Councilmember Sanders: Here Councilmember Bagwell: Here Councilmember Curtis: Here Councilmember Larson: Here Mayor Waldrop: Present
Mayor: Thank you.
INVOCATIOIN Mayor: Bless this meeting in your own personal way. Alright then council member Curtis will you ask blessing on this meeting in your own personal way please?
Mr. Curtis: Yes sir. Our dear Heavenly Father I’d like to thank you for this beautiful day that you have given us and all the many blessings that you have bestowed upon us. I ask you now if you would please grant us the wisdom and courage to make decisions that are pleasing to you and in the best interest in Simpsonville; in Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor: Thank you, would you all join us please in the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor: Thank you and by the way I just noticed that we have Boy Scouts and it’s our tradition to ask them to come forward and help with the pledge of allegiance. I noticed that we have Girl Scouts back there too, and I was afraid there may be some friction if we ask one group or the other, seriously I didn’t notice you in time. I thank you all for coming and I hope you all learned something as well as be entertained. Thank you for coming.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7/8/2008 AND 7/22/2008 Mayor: First of all Council you have in your packets the minutes of the July 8 th , and July 22 nd meetings and I’ll entertain a motion in that regard at this point; Mr. Larson.
Mr. Larson: I make a motion that we approve the minutes of 7/8/08 and 7/22/08 .
Mayor: Thank you Mr. Larson, do I hear a second?
Ms. Sanders: Second
Mayor: Thank you Ms. Sanders. Are there any corrections, additions, comments or anything relating to the minutes? Hearing None I will call the vote. All in favor signify with saying Aye opposed no. Aye’s have it, it’s unanimous, those minutes are official now.
REVIEW OF MONTHLY COMMENTS Mayor: We all have our monthly reports thanks to our department heads for the great job you do for providing all that information for us. And I know that the Council members have reviewed them and I am going to review them tomorrow, but I haven’t at this point. But thank you for providing that for us and I’m sure if any of the Council members have any comments regarding those they will take advantage of their Council comment time to.
CITIZEN COMMENTS Mayor: This is the portion of our program where we invite citizen comments to be a regular part of our meeting which is different from the public hearing. If you called ahead and asked to be placed upon the agenda we’ll give you four minutes to speak, but no one did that so if you signed in at the door we’ll give you two minutes. We’ll be pretty generous with that if your interesting we may give you a little more but approximately 2 minutes to talk to us about whatever you would like to talk to us about, but with this being our regular voting business meeting we will not interact with you, we will listen to what you have to say, but will not answer any questions nor engage conversation; we reserve that for our workshop meeting on the forth Tuesdays of the month. So we will begin with the one who is probably most experienced with this, Ms. Roxy Kincannon. You know the routine so if you’ll approach the mic., give us your name and address for the record you may begin.
Ms. Roxy Kincannon: Roxy Kincannon 216 Jones Ave Simpsonville. I thank ya’ll for giving me an opportunity and I’m good mind to go over my two minutes just to see if ya’ll think I’m interesting.
Mayor: I have a loud alarm here so.
Ms. Roxy Kincannon: Oh Okay, alright, well I am here to talk about the West Georgia Road area and since we are improving the looks of our city so much I would like ya’ll to consider devoting a little attention to go to West Georgia Road . Since that’s one of our corridors, you know, gateway to the city. That Ingles building is an absolute eye sore. I have some pictures which my photographer Ms Patsy Fowler took. And that place is an absolute mess over there and there are all kinds of filthy graffiti written on the building. And I think Bob Ingles is being a very bad neighbor he needs to do something about that mess. And I think we have a commercial maintenance ordinance which might address this issue. I‘m not absolutely positive because I haven’t read it lately, but something really does need to be done about that place, that place is a real eye sore. And I don’t think Bob Ingles would want that sitting in his neighborhood. Also, the Spinx station I had heard one time there’s some plans for that but since we got this nice new development up there on the hill I think we need to spruce up there a little bit. I’m going to give these pictures to Mr. Hawes and ya’ll can look at them. There are some pictures of the sidewalks we really need to do something about the sidewalks over in that area. They are a real mess and believe it or not we have a lot of people that walk over there and that’s one thing we are trying to encourage is walking traffic. So I would really appreciate if ya’ll could take a look at that and do something about the Spinx, and Ingles property and take a look at our sidewalks. And there’s a lot of brush growing over the sidewalks which I guess the city trims. How many minutes do I have left?
Mayor: Oh I’m just checking actually you’re pretty interesting.
Ms. Roxy Kincannon: I would really appreciate ya’ll seeing what you can do about that because I think we are looking forward to some things coming down Georgia Road and they’re not gonna want to come with some of that mess over there. Two like someone else mentioned kids don’t need to see all that nasty stuff written on Ingles building. Thanks.
Mayor: Thank You. Next is Brent Giles. Mr. Giles if you will give your address for the record you may begin.
Brent Giles: Brent Giles at 108 Richardson Street . There’s actually two items I‘ve come forward with ya’ll today. First, I live on Richardson Street between South Street and South Main Street and over the past several months I’ve noticed the volume of traffic that for lack of a better word is flying up and down the road. We have probably 5 or 6 children living on this road. I’ve noticed later on today you’ll have some speed humps and that’s something that I’ve actually contacted the police department and actually had Officer Parker come out and talked to him about that after witnessing vehicles driving up and down the road at a high rate of speed. Somebody’s going to get killed out there and I’m really concerned about that, it might be one of the kids, could be one of my cats or my wife’s cats, or possibly our little puppy, something is going to happen and it’s not going to be pretty. The second thing is just general maintenance Ms. Roxy was talking about the Ingles building it also extends through Richardson Street yard maintenance, litter, people leaving trash out, just piled up beside their house, not cutting grass; getting to waist high. The Bradley Place town homes on Richardson Street where we had the fire I think about 5 or 6 months ago. Those buildings are still vacant and abandoned windows have been knocked out, who knows what else might be going on in there, but something needs to be done. The owners need to be held accountable for that; I’m not sure what ordinance I looked up a little bit 1836 and 1837 addresses some concerns about public nuisance and that is what we’ve got in the nice Mill area. People are trying to move into that area. We have new apartments that have been built on South Street . And that’s something as people ride through there is going to detract from people wanting to move into that area and they are not going to want to come. So if you could look at that and see what can be done I’d appreciate it. Thank you.
Mayor: Thank you alright next is Mike Avante. Is that Avants or Avante?
Mike Avants: “Avants”
Mayor: ”Avants” okay I was close.
Mike Avants: In the ball park.
Mayor: So you’ve already spoken in the hearing and that is what this is about? Alright, well, you got two more minutes if you want to speak? We don’t want to use too many minutes I meant to mention early on that our 11-12 year old girls softball team are playing in the world series and tonight on ESPN 2 at 9:30 pm; so whatever you’ve got on your mind come 9:25 we’re not going to listen to you (Laughter). Okay so all these (on the agenda) are people who spoke on the Sunday alcohol sells, just making sure I didn’t miss someone here. Clara McDowell and Caroline Richardson Mehaffey so you’ve all spoken? Well, thank you all very much, that’s all our speakers for this evening and we appreciate all your comments and we’ve listen carefully.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT Mayor: Next on the agenda is the City Administrator’s Report. Mr. Hawes I’m sure you have a thorough yet brief report for us is that correct?
Mr. Hawes: Yes Sir, first of all I want to announce that our Assistant Fire Chief, Wesley Williams, has been honored with a fine distinction he has successfully completed the process that professionally designates him Chief Fire Officer. The Commission of Professional Credentialing confirmed the designation of Assistant Chief Williams and he is one of only 551 CFO’s world wide. Wesley has a rich knowledge of the emergency services profession and has far surpassed established bench marks for personnel serving in senior fire positions. Wesley Williams has been a member of Simpsonville Fire Dept. for 14 years and we are very proud of the accomplishments that Wesley has achieved including his professional credentialing. I wanted to make council aware of that.
Mayor: Is Wesley here tonight?
Mr. Hawes: No, he’s not here
Mayor: Well, please pass along that we gave him a standing ovation Chief. Well, we did in our hearts.
Mr. Hawes: Very good. With regard to the fiscal year 2007-2008 financial audit the City’s presentation of its comprehensive annual financial report requires compliance with new government accounting standards board guidelines. Currently, we are working with auditing firm to produce this year’s audit. Last years and previous years the City was awarded the certificate of excellence in government financial reporting from the Government Finance Offices Association. This audit will involve the review of all departments. City Hall will be occupied by members of the audit team for the next two weeks. You may have seen them down stairs if you’ve visited City Hall this week. We expect a report to City Council the findings of the audit and present in November. I know there are a number of questions concerning the Downtown street scape project. The final phase of the project was delayed by an issue of SCDOT State contracted construction firm. The City has to deal with State contracted construction firms with regard to this project, because it is a State highway. There are a limited number of construction firms that are approved by the State, however, because of the issues with the one that we had originally been working with; we have now basically gone to another State approved contractor and we expect them to be on the job within the next week or so. The project completion should be within two to three weeks thereafter. I apologize for the delay I know it has been an inconvenience for all the downtown business owners, the City’s hands have been tied on this project however, because of State contract and bidding requirements and when you run into a contractor that does not inform you of issues that he has had and doesn’t basically answer the phone, when you call or return calls. It’s a real concern and we nipped it in the bud with that contractor and have hired a different one. So, that’s where we are on that project. We do expect have that new contractor in place soon and the planting of the medians will follow the street construction that will occur during the fall season to avoid transplant shock from planting during the heat of summer. Upcoming events, oh before I get to upcoming events, I also wanted to announce that with the opening of school coming soon for the Greenville County schools and all the schools in Simpsonville the Police Chief and I have received a number of calls from School Principles concerned about parking near schools, and the enforcement of the parking regulations and the placement of signage identifying no parking zones and we want to announce to Council and everybody who is here listening that in the future that we will be diligently enforcing parking regulations near schools this year. This is at the request of Principles with regard to their concerns for safety and for all the children and that is something that we will be very carefully watching and we have placed new no parking signs in a number of school zones so we don’t have the roads being blocked by folks waiting in the afternoon and so forth along Neely Ferry and Stokes Road are the two that come to mind immediately that have been real issues that we will be addressing here. With regard to event information upcoming the next meeting of City Council is our workshop meeting on August 26 th and the Simpsonville Labor Day family fun festival is August 30 th - September 1 st . I’ll be glad to take your questions or any thoughts or comments.
Mayor: Alright thank you Mr. Hawes for that report.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor: We will now move to Council comments and I’m sure that any questions Council might have can be directed to you. So anyone on Council have a comment?
Mr. Larson: I’d like to ask a question as far as the Heritage Park , are there any future events coming up down there?
Mr. Hawes: We’re working very closely with promoters on events in September and October we have none that we can confirm at this point we’re very close on a good number during those two months we’re excited to get that facility functioning with quality entertainment.
Mayor: Okay, Ms. Bagwell
Ms. Bagwell: I’d like to commend the Rec. department they have actually pulled together all the practices I’ve noticed for football this year. Everybody’s on Heritage Park on one park rather then having to go parks all over. So, those of you who obviously have children in some of the rec. department’s programs you only have to take your children to one place.
Mr. Hawes: Yeah, we’ll be glad to finish those football fields beside the amphitheater.
Mayor: Thank you anyone else? Well, I just want to say one thing I’m glad you mentioned that street ’scape project, because I can tell you I can’t even go to the grocery store anymore without people asking us have we lost our minds up here at City Hall. And of course the answer to that is kind of tough but it has been an embarrassment for us. I’m glad that you have an explanation for it and I hope that you will express to the Department of Transportation that they we’re not very much help to us and I would like for them to share in some of this ridicule that we are receiving and also the contractor. I don’t want you to mention his name but there ought to be some way to get on his reference sheet and express our discontent. That has been our single biggest issue and we’ve got a lot of important things going on right now including this alcohol thing but people don’t talk to me about that they want to know what the heck is going on with our main street and why it’s taking so long. So, I appreciate you explaining that and mentioning that and I hope the public will accept that as an explanation and I of course assure them that once this is through they will be so happy with the new traffic flow down there that they won’t remember all this. So, perhaps you can pass that message along to people who ask; so thank you for that. Okay no more comments.
NEW BUISNESS Mayor: I’d like to take some liberties with the agenda right now I am going to insert an item on the agenda right now. We do need to introduce Melinda Zeller. We do need to take action to hire her I guess. So, appoint her, hire her, however you want to put it as city clerk. And I will entertain a motion in that regard. And we’ll take a vote on that and then we will get on with our business. Mr. Larson
Mr. Larson: I’ll make a motion that we hire Melinda Zeller as city clerk?
Mayor: Or appoint her. (They pointed out that appoint is better term)
Mr. Larson: Appoint
Mr. Larson: Okay
Mayor: Do I hear a second?
Mr. Cutis: Second
Mayor: Mr. Curtis? Thank you Mr. Curtis
Mayor: Alright any discussion? Alright hearing none, I’ll call the vote all in favor signify by saying Aye, opposed no. Aye’s have it, it’s unanimous. You are all official now. Welcome and you’re a part of the family now. Doesn’t that make you proud?
A- NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY Mayor: Alright, next item on the agenda. I’d like to welcome some old friends, or some long standing friends, excuse me, to our midst tonight. MS. Gwen Kennedy the former of Director of Greenville County Redevelopment Committee and the Director of the Greenville Housing Coalition along with her is the present Executive Director of Greenville County Redevelopment PCRA Greenville County Redevelopment Authority and a friend from our sister City Fountain Inn, who I don’t believe is here as a representative of the City of Fountain Inn tonight Mr. Eddie Case, the City Administrator, now you are on Board of Directors of the Neighboring Housing Administration. I believe that’s correct. Alright, Ms. Kennedy you are the one who’s going to speak to us tonight and we are happy to have you here. It’s good to see you again and I know you gonna bring us something that’s gonna make us all joyful.
Ms. Kennedy: Mr. Mayor and members of Council thank you so much for allowing me to come before you tonight to talk about the Neighborhood Housing Corporation. And that partnership I think we can form to provide affordable housing to more people in the City of Simpsonville . We get a lot of phone calls from the NHC and the DUCRA about affordable housing in the City. I am getting some help from one of your staff people here Mr. Mayor did I need to say that I was Gwen Kennedy and I live at 315 E. Parkers Mill Lane in Greenville ,SC?
Mr. Mayor: We don’t need to know your address, but it’s nice to know who you are. No, you’re doing just fine. I’ll correct you if you leave something out.
Ms. Kennedy: Thank you Mayor Waldrop. The neighborhood housing authority is a 501 C3 not for profit organization in Greenville County and it was created in 1989 to provide quality affordable homeownership opportunities to households from low to moderate income. The NHC works with an 8 member of volunteer board you just heard from Mr. Case he’s been on the board of NHC for 8 years and he served as chairman for most of those years. Ms Nancy Fitser is with us tonight, Mr. Mayor and members of council she currently serves as chairman of NHC and we are happy to have her and her little daughter. The offices are located at the Greenville County Redevelopment building and we contract with GCRA for staff support. One of the primary goals over the past five years has been to work with cities in Greenville County to provide affordable housing NHC has constructed homes in Fountain Inn, Greer, Mauldin, and the City of Travels Rest . We very much want to construct affordable housing in the City of Simpsonville . and so therefore we are asking for this partnership with you we receive funds from the GCRA home budget and we also go out for grants that provide money to non-profit organization. Recently, we were so pleased to receive a grant from the Home Depot for landscaping and some homes that we’re going to be showing you in just a moment.
Mr. Mayor: No commercials.
Ms. Kennedy: We try, our goal is to build and sell 8 to 10 houses a year and we operate with a budget of approximately $500,000 dollars annually. The NHC is audited annually by a professional, independent auditing firm, and to date we’ve not had any findings. These are the houses in Mong Bluffs and I’m happy to show these to you because this is what we would like to do down at Tebblewood here in your City. The houses in Mong are near the mill and were built and completed in 2008. They are approximately 1200 square foot, not under and one might be over three bedrooms, two baths, the two story house has two and a half baths and the prices range from $95 to $102,500 thousand. Three of those houses were sold before they were completed and one house remains on the market. The next community I would like to share with you is Sampson Village , which this is one of the oldest neighborhoods that NHC worked in. Starting in1990 and we completed all those houses in that neighborhood by 2006 these are just some of the streets and I guess I wanted to share this with you because these pictures were taken last week. These are homes on Buff Street , Church Street , and Sampson Village Community you pass Poe Mill and turn on the circle around Buncombe and there is Sampson Village . Forty five homes built by the Neighborhood Housing Corporation. I’m very proud of these houses because number one no one has gotten into mortgage difficulties there has never been a foreclosure and all the houses have been sold and the houses are kept. So, often people say “Oh, it’ll just be a slum, it’ll just be a mess” but I can tell you after 25 years of working with low and moderate income people they cherish their home and these houses that we are proposing to partnership with you will be first time home owners; so they will cherish their homes. This is right by the place in the City of Mauldin , you may have heard about this. We built this over the last 12 years. It is a great little community it has I think sixteen, it has eight duplex units. These were sold to people over the age of fifty five. And these units sold out very quickly as well I wish we could build more in there. This is a map of the Crestwood Neighborhood and I kept asking when we were putting this together why are we showing this like this, because I think there’s another map later on, but you see the lots the one is in red down in on Tebblewood. I believe I’m saying Troublewood and it’s Tebblewood I had a little trouble with that word. We have a lot of demographics in this community 90% of the homes West Wood are owner occupied. That is a very high rate. And I think there is only 1-2 house holds with people over 65. Most of the people are young with families 35-54 and you see 41 female head of household and we are particularly in this, because we find that in the price range where we are and so forth that it does attract female heads of household with 2 children. The estimated taxes for the houses in Westwood Mr. Mayor would generate $300-400 dollars a year for the City of Simpsonville when they are built and sold. Tebblewood is the property I am here tonight asking you to donate to the Neighborhood Housing Corporation. That would be your part of the partnership and our part of the partnership would be to find those families and to build those homes and to bring four new families into your city who maybe otherwise could not live in the city, because you’ve got some of the most beautiful housing and you can go any direction and you run into all these neighborhoods. This is a perfect location for the NHC to build there are really six lots here, two of those lots are very much in the flood plain all the lots have flood plain issues at the back of the lots but we are proposing to build houses up nearer to the street and you can build houses we had a contractor look at that. Beautiful land and I think Mr. Mayor and the members of Council that your Public Works Department would probably thank you if they didn’t have to go out there and keep cutting grass 2-3 times a month. I believe this is my last slide. This is Tebblewood Drive you saw the houses in Mong and the houses over in Sampson Village these are some of the houses that are on Tebblewood Drive right now. We took these pictures again last week. This is an extremely neat, well-kept neighborhood the homes are kept up. There are not a lot of cars or debris or anything. It would just be the most perfect neighborhood if I was going to come up with a perfect neighborhood for affordable housing then this would be the property. I believe that you’re a wonderful City that has overcome so much marvelous publicity and you’ve just overcome so many things in the very past several years most of you were serving on Council and I commend you for what you’re doing in Simpsonville. And I thank you Mr. Mayor for your consideration of this request from Neighborhood Housing Corporation to have you donate the lots to the Neighborhood Housing Corporation. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you. And I see Mark Livingston coming up and I apologize I skimmed right past, I said the Director of GCA. I didn’t even say your name I just kept moving. So, that’s Mark Livingston who is Director of GCA. And I didn’t know the other young lady; so, I apologize. Welcome. Alright, well, are you expecting to get an answer tonight?
Ms. Kennedy: It would just be so wonderful.
Mr. Mayor: Well, we need to discuss it. So, I will take a motion if anybody wants to introduce a motion to talk about this.
Mr. Bridges: I move that we donate I believe those six parcels to GCA
Mr. Mayor: Yes it was six, alright, do I hear a second?
Ms. Garrett: Second
Mr. Mayor: That’s seconds now a discussion. Mr. Curtis
Mr. Curtis: I’d like to ask the City Administrator what’s the current status of those lots, what are we using that property for? Are you aware?
Mr. Hawes Those lots are vacant. The lots that are not used for anything it’s open space primarily there, somewhat treed. You can see there’s actually not a lot of activity going on there. There actually mowed by the city right now; so they are kept up. This would take them off the City’s rolls and we wouldn’t have to maintain them anymore, they would be productive use of property for the City and for folks that need affordable housing and in my opinion. My recommendation would be that this is exactly the type of thing since it is basically surplus City land that a donation would be very appropriate.
Mr. Mayor: Okay Mr. Bridges
Mr. Bridges: How did we acquire those?
Mr. Hawes: I can’t answer that.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Kennedy you probably need to stay at the microphone because I think you going to need to answer some questions.
Ms. Kennedy: Mr. Mayor the City of Simpsonville received those lots in about 1980, I believe. And you received them as a gift from the former Mayor Hendricks who had built or who had developed a lot of property in West Wood. Mayor Hendricks donated the property to Simpsonville he could not control how it would be used, but he recommended that a fire station go there. And the City in its wise way knew that I would be coming asking for these properties so they put the fire station in another location it would better serve.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Larson
Mr. Larson: I couldn’t tell from the overhead satellite photo or the red outline was that all six lots? Or was it one?
Ms. Kennedy: No it’s a single lot, the other one (lost sound too far from mic)
Mr. Larson Oh it’s six lots contiguous to each other?
Ms. Kennedy: Yes, they are.
Mr. Larson: So they would all be on Tebblewood?
Ms. Kennedy: Yes they would.. The forth house to build had one downward bend closer to the bridge, where those two lots are; their not real good with the lots. Plus, I know they are very much in flood plains. They would probably go with the forth lot we would help with some fencing or whatever was necessary couldn’t build a house but we would like to receive all of those properties.
Mr. Mayor: Go ahead.
Mr. Curtis We’ve had discussion like this in the past and other areas and in a lot sometimes there’s is a concern from the other people in the neighborhood that once the people buy the house and move in and then they aren’t able to keep up the maintenance or, you mentioned that those pictures of the homes were taken recently and those homes have been occupied for several years, so that doesn’t seem to be an issue with this program?
Ms. Kennedy: I believe Councilman that it’s not an issue because we have a very intensive mandatory counseling period. And I think that’s also the reason that the redevelopment authority as well as NHC has had less than 1% foreclosures over the last 25 years in fact. I do believe that is that the classes at the redevelopment authority and people are told that when you have leak in the faucet you know how to turn off the water and stuff and it just goes all the way. And we talk a lot to people because it is a first time home buyers this home’s a $98 thousand dollars and you’re buying it and if you want to keep the value in your property you and everyone on your street has to keep property up and in a good repair.
Mr. Mayor: It sounds like they’re motivated, highly informed, trained and show a lot of pride and ownership
Ms. Kennedy: Yes, absolutely, yes.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Curtis
Mr. Curtis: I’d like to know what steps you’re going to take be certain that the flood plains are not going to be an issue for these homebuyers. I certainly do not want to be party to putting someone in a home that ultimately flooded out or that they had problems with.
Ms. Kennedy: I appreciate that question Mr. Curtis and I can assure you that Department of Housing and Urban Development wants to make sure that people don’t get into flood plains or get into difficulty that way to. We are going to begin, after you have given us a feeling of what you plan to do with what we call an environmental study of those laws on what to know what is on the property what is deep down in the property and so forth and want to know the 100 year flood plain and where it comes to. We will do an environmental study. Include phase one, flood plains.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Bagwell did you change your mind? Well, I have a couple of questions. Just so I am clear on this now NHC. Will be building the houses?
Ms. Kennedy: Yes.
Mr. Mayor: Then when the people come to buy the homes, where does their mortgage come from? Currently, Mr. Mayor we are working with two or three banks up in Greenville and some of those have branches down here. One of the banks has given some very attractive loans, like 4- 41/2 % 30 fixed. We don’t do any of the APR’s. We don’t work with the Ditech Mortgage Company, no offense meant here, but currently we are working with Carolina First, Wachovia, and I believe BB&T at different times, different banks have a good program for first time home buyers.
Mr. Mayor: Okay so, GCRA loans won’t be available to them?
Mr. Livingston: They will be available if they qualify.
Mr. Mayor: They will be available.
Ms. Kennedy: We would use a GCRA loan only as a last resort that’s mortgage loan fund they of course are just as strict with their requirements. We really prefer that our people first go to the bank and try to get a loan there rather then at GCRA, but GCRA is a fallback, if a person just can not get the bank to maybe approve their loan because they have had some credit issue, a student loan that’s not paid. And we work with people to improve their credit. I think we have had only one or two loans been made by the GCRA, where their acting like the bank, rather then the bank itself. I did read in the paper today and you probably did too the banks are definitely tightening down on homebuyers. Making mortgage loans and we will, I believe Mr. Mayor that we will overcome that.
Mr. Mayor: We believe that too, but as a follow up to that how will that affect our home fund Mr. Livingstone I’ll direct that question to you? Okay I’ll direct it back Ms. Kennedy. Does Ms’ Kennedy still remember all that stuff? Okay, I’ll just ask you Ms. Kennedy; if a loan a GCRA loan is issued does that come from home funds? Or how does that work?
Ms. Kennedy: It does not come from your home funds the mortgage loan fund was set up by he GCRA and it is comprised of community development block grant money block money. So it will not in anyway affect your home allotment for the City of Simpsonville .
Mr. Mayor: So other then the donation of the lot there is no cost to the City.
Ms. Kennedy: There is no cost, but there is so much to be gained.
Mr. Mayor: Such as that huge tax check will get.
Ms. Kennedy: It does look really good Mayor, at 10 years I mean, you know.
Mr. Mayor: It looks better than nothing which is what we’re getting now.
Ms. Kennedy: In fact, those lots are costing to you money.
Mr. Mayor: In fact, I saw Mr. Carter smile real big when the fact that they wouldn’t have to cut, mow those lots anymore, when you said that. So, well Mr. Attorney as I recall down through the years our procedure is that we must declare this a surplus, before we can do anything. So, would you please explain to us the procedure for that. I get the feeling that folks are wanting us to take some action tonight and I get the feeling the people up here are ready to take some action.
Mr. Holmes: What you would do is simply by resolution, declare that they are surplus that are not needed for the City purpose anymore and then dedicate them to NHC. The only thing that I want to make sure is that GCRA is working with NHC. So, basically what we are doing is another government function; so while the City won’t own them they will still be serving a legitimate government purpose.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, and again just to be clear NHC is an actually an arm of GCRA is it not? Or is it a totally separate entity?
Ms. Kennedy: The neck of it has a corporation is 501c-3 non-profit organization. The GCRA is a government organization. We do have some similarities in what our goals are and what our reason for being is and our mission statements. The GCRA did Mr. Mayor, set the, they put into motion 501c-3 IRS designation, etc. etc. They did that back in’89 because the GCRA could not build any homes; HUDD did not allow it so they set up a non-profit to do that and we’ve been doing it ever since.
Mr. Mayor: Is that the point you were trying to make
Mr. Holmes: Yes
Mr. Mayor: Alright, thank you for that. Well, I suppose then what I need first is a motion that Council is of mind to, a motion to declare this a surplus property.
Mr. Curtis: Mr. Mayor I’ll make the motion to declare this a surplus property.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you Mr. Curtis, do I hear a second?
Ms. Bagwell: Second
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Bagwell seconds, thank you Ms. Bagwell, Any discussion to that? Alright hearing none I’ll call the vote all in favor signify by saying AYE, oppose no. Aye’s have it, it’s unanimous. SO, we now have a piece of surplus property on our hands. So, does anybody have a motion regarding this new found surplus property that we have, Mr. Bridges?
Mr. Bridges: Didn’t I make that motion already?
Mr. Mayor Well, you need to do that again, so that I will remember it.
Mr. Bridges: I move that we donate that six blocks to the NHC.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you Mr. Mayor, do I hear a second
Mr. Garrett: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Brown, I mean Mr. Garrett seconds. Any discussion of that motion? Alright, hearing none, I’ll call the vote. All in favor signify by saying Aye, opposed No, Aye’s have it, it’s unanimous. Go forward and produce homes and tax money.
Ms. Kennedy: Thank you so very much.
Mayor: Thank you.
Ms. Kennedy: Ms. Bagwell I would like to be in touch with you later on as we progress, so we can call a neighborhood meeting and make sure that the people know what we will be doing. Thank you very much.
Mayor: Thank you very much and what a pleasure it was to have such esteemed people join us tonight.
B- ORDINANCES- 1 ST READING 1-CITYWIDE REFERENDUM ON SUNDAY ALCOHOL SALES
Mayor: Next item on the agenda is ordinances up for 1 st reading and Mr. Hawes is very first to talk to us about the City referendum on Sunday alcohol sales, I bet there are people interested in that.
Mr. Hawes: Yes sir, Mr. Mayor it was requested by the prior workshop meeting that the City place on the agenda 1st reading that would allow a referendum to be held at the General Election in November for the purpose of authorizing Sunday alcohol sells within the City limits of Simpsonville. This item had a public hearing attached to it, that you heard from citizens earlier this evening regarding their thoughts on this particular item. And it’s really up to the City Council right now, whether they feel, whether you all feel it is appropriate for the citizens to decide this matter in a referendum in November.
Mayor: Okay, thank you Mr. Hawes. Okay so we can get started I’ll entertain a motion in this regard, would anyone like to make a motion in this regard? Okay Mr. Larson.
Mr. Larson: I’d like to make a motion that we do a City wide referendum on Sunday alcohol sales on the November ballet.
Mr. Mayor: Thanks you Mr. Larson, do I hear a second?
Ms. Bagwell: Second.
Mayor: Thank you Ms. Bagwell I have a motion and a second, do I hear any discussion? Ms. Sanders
Ms. Sanders: Thank you, my comments are going to be informational mainly, there is a lot of misinformation and misperception about a referendum. This is not just something you can tack on the end of the General Election ballet. I had it explained to me today, that this is actually a Special Election that is separate from the General Election. It will held at a separate place at the polling place and we Simpsonville we’ll have to hire two pole workers to man the poles and also have to pay for this Special Election. And, you know, America is all about voting and people did have an opportunity to vote; and they voted for the leadership to make a decision, here this evening. So, you have had a say in what will happen. With that being said, it’s not just adding it to the General Election ballet. It will be a Special Election with a specific cost to the City just for this one specific event and I just want folks to be aware that is the situation and it’s not like this is going to be cost free to the City to have this election. And I just have not heard the out cry from a lot of business owners to have it or not have it actually. Like I said, my comments are purely for informational purposes.
Mayor: Okay, thank you who else? Mr. Curtis.
Mr. Curtis: As I stated last meeting, I was kind of at a crossroads with this and I’ve given it quit a great deal of thought, I’ve asked a lot of questions and I’ve come to a decision for myself. I believe that we have beat the citizens of Simpsonville over the head with the metaphorical beer bottle enough. And I don’t believe I can support this.
Mayor: Thank you Mr. Curtis anyone else? Ms. Bagwell.
Ms. Bagwell: As a follow up to Mr. Curtis statements, I would agree we’ve had this conversation come up quit a bit and as I recall during many of our discussions we had people request that we put any issue concerning alcohol for public referendum, put it on the ballet, let us vote for it. That’s all we’re doing let us vote for it, or against it. Most of those people who wanted us to do that we’re actually in opposition of the sale of alcohol. What is the harm in allowing the people to say no or say yes, this is their city, this is a decision that is made by them and the State Legislature has said that we seven people are not wise enough to make that decision. That we are to put it in the laps of the voters that is why I do support this referendum.
Mayor: Okay anyone else? Mr. Larson.
Mr. Larson: I agree with Ms. Bagwell. We had the public hearing. We had numerous people speak out in favor of being given the right to vote on it. We had one gentleman speak out against alcohol in general but not actually giving people the right to decide by the ballet. I think one of the issues was it was economic issue; I don’t think it’s trying to force morality on or against anybody. I think it’s something that city should look giving our citizens a right to decide if we’re going to have an opportunity generate more business in the city, to attract more businesses in the city, by offering them a choice, or will they turn to look somewhere else, for where there going to locate and do business. I think what we are talking about tonight is whether or not to put it on the ballet, not whether or not you’re for Sunday alcohol sells.
Mayor: Okay and next Mr. Bridges.
Mr. Bridges: I was under the impression that we could just add it to the ballet, but with this information I don’t think we need to add that much more expense to our budget.
Mayor: Okay anyone else? Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Yeah, I was elected to serve the people of Simpsonville and I try to go by what the majority of what people ask me to do. So, far I’ve heard from seven people that are for, and two that are against it going on the ballet. I also agree with Mr. Bridges that cost would be between $5 thousand and $7 thousand dollars to add this ballet at a time when we’re struggling with our budget and expenses are rising daily in the City and I certainly hate for us to spend that money. So, I guess I’ll wait until the vote gets here and I’ll make my mind up.
Mayor: Okay, you’re not going to give us a hint?
Mr. Garrett: No.
Mayor: Anyone else?
: So, those are accurate figures that would be that much extra expense to add this to the ballet?
Ms. Sanders: It’s not added to the ballet, there will be a separate place at the polling place where people will have to go and vote, after they’re done voting on the General Election. And that being a Special Election we could really hold it anytime we choose, because we’re paying for it and everything.
Mr. Holmes: There’s a SC statue that sets forth the basis under which this referendum can be held. And it must be held during a General Election, you’ve used the term Special Election, it is not a Special Election. However, the mechanism by which it would occur the way you’ve described it, is accurate. This referendum would only be available for City residents to vote on, may have people who vote who are not also city residents, so there would have to be other pole workers to make sure that the only people who voted on this referendum were only City residents, and is my understanding that they would have only paper ballets and that they would vote on the referendum separately, from the electronic balloting. And I believe that is primarily a result of making sure that only City people vote on that, because in some polling places of mixture County residents and City residents.
Ms. Sanders: It was explained to me that Simpsonville would have to put two polling workers at each place and that County would provide one, because there would have to be a total of three pole workers.
Mr. Holmes: That is what Mr. Balangy has indicated to me.
Mayor: Okay Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: I would like to ask a question, so we have to basically hire 3 people for each polling place?
Ms. Sanders: We have to Hire 2, and the County provides 1.
Mr. Garrett: So we have to hire 2?
Mr. Holmes: The County would probably procure them, but Mr. Balangey has indicated that he would anticipate invoicing the City for the cost of the extra labor that he is going to need to cover that, and printing of the ballots and that type of thing.
Mayor: Okay, what was the estimate of that cost?
Ms. Sanders: He told me between $5to $7 thousand dollars.
Mr. Holmes: If the city printed its ballots on its own equipment it could save that cost and the pole workers are typically paid $90 to $150 dollars per day per worker.
Ms. Bagwell: So are you saying that the largest portion of that cost is the printing of the ballots?
Mr. Hawes: I’m saying that portion could be born by the City because we have the high speed printer that prints at less than a penny per page. About a tenth of a penny per page it would just have to be black and white single page item.
Mr. Larson: So there’s no cost from the County election commission they would not be issuing an invoice for whatever they do, counting ballots or just being there and they can.
Mr. Holmes: No, I don’t believe so.
Mr. Larson: So that entire $5 to $7 thousand dollars is a salary of those people and the ballots being printed?
Mr. Holmes: I’m not sure that $5 to $7 thousand was entirely accurate I think that was a number upon a typical election.
Mr. Larson: Would this be A-typical?
Mr. Holmes: I would say it A-typical because it is in conjunction with a General Election that already has staff poles, so forth, now we have to put two Municipal pole workers there.
Mayor: I think Ms Sanders assumed something like that.
Ms. Sanders: I was informed that they would have to be not your regular pole workers; they can not be regular workers. They’ll be people we have to hire to do this. That was my understanding.
Mayor: Excuse me, I’ve been waiting patiently to be last, but I can’t wait any longer. I think it’s pretty clear what my position is because I was correctly quoted in the paper saying, if it ain’t broke I don’t know why we’re trying to fix it. So, let me correct that right now in this reporter, if it isn’t broken, I don’t understand why we are trying to tamper with it, let’s put it that way. But seriously though, I’ve heard what has been said about a referendum and how that’s a tool that we have at our disposal and I don’t mean to minimize that I believe that referendums, like you so correctly stated Ms. Bagwell. We are elected in a representative republican form of government we are elected to make decisions for the people and sometimes those decisions are tough. It’s a lot easier to have a referendum because then you can let them make the decision and blame it on that particular tool. Where it should be reserved where there is a huge public out cry, where there’s huge disagreement in the community. We can’t get a clear feel for what the community wants and we can’t convenience ourselves that our wisdom is greater then these large throngs of people that are banging on our doors out there. So, I just think it’s disingenuous for us to put this up for referendum, when I have not until tonight had a single person, I told you I can’t even go to the supermarket without people jumping on me about the streets and things, until tonight I have not has a single person, other then some of you up here tell me that this would be a good idea for the City. I haven’t heard from any restraint owners, which in my mind, is the people who should be crying out about this if they’re struggling, if they’re suffering, Okay one, and a property owner who has other motives, but I’m sorry Ms. McHathy because you’re trying to make money off this.
Mr. Curtis: But seriously what I am trying to say here is I seen not heard the public out cry, I have not heard the public out cry. I don’t see any need for this to come up. Now, I know when it was first opposed it was because Mauldin is doing it, and we’re some how going to lose business to Mauldin if we do that and I just don’t buy that, because as I stated in the last meeting demographics from developers identifying different demographics and Simpsonville is clearly a different demographic area from Mauldin; so we’re not really competing with maudlin for the types of businesses their looking for on Woodruff Road. These are my feelings that I am telling you So, I will not support this. I have as recently as today been called a hypocrite, because I talked about serving alcohol in the Ampa Theater down here in Heritage Park . The difference in this, and I’m going to be clear about this is that for those of you who feel that way about me is that there was a very compelling reason to serve beer and wine in the Ampa Theatre in Heritage Park. That was because what we were trying to accomplish down there would have been impossible without those sells people would just not have come. Performers would have not have come to our arena. So, in my mind that is a completely different situation down there and a lot more details that I’m not going to go into, but my conscience is clear that I’m not being hypocritical on this. I just believe that as Mr. Curtis stated in our last meeting when we were talking about this, I don’t think that Simpsonville is quit ready to endorse something like this, there has been no public out cry. I’ve received no phone calls so I am using my best judgment to say if it isn’t broken we shouldn’t be trying to fix it. So, there my statement now I’ll take some more from you Mr. Larson..
Mr. Larson: I was just going to say if depending on the outcome if these issues about the election costs could be explored by Mr. Hawes and we could go and report back on that for a second reading.
Mayor: Okay, I don’t have a problem with that, does anybody have a problem?
Mr. Larson: We could clarify that if council were to approve it between first and second reading. We could explore any issues regarding costs or other implications of the decision.
Mayor: Okay, anyone else, hearing no other comments, I’m going to call for the vote. All those in favor signify by saying Aye, opposed no. Okay it’s clear to me that the no’s have it, so the issue fails. Thank you all for your attention and consideration.
2-FLOOD DAMAGE PROTECTION ORDINANCE
Mayor: Alright, Mike Craven on a flood damage protection ordinance.
Mr. Craven: That’s right. Mike Craven your building inspector and flood plain manager
Mr. Curtis: Mr. Mayor, can I ask that we skip this repoir for a moment until the hallway clears so we can hear?
Mayor: Yeah, thank you Mr. Curtis good idea we’re going to wait until the folks leave.
Mayor: Alright, make another go at it Mr. Craven.
Mr. Craven: We’re review back in April by the Department of Natural Resources that stated, our current flood plain ordinance had to have almost 12 amendments to it, wrote this Ordinance in 1987 has been amended 3 other years they strongly suggested between the lines, that maybe I should look the state model ordinance; which I have. I have amended that in some ways, trying to knock off things like Coastal requirements and that sort of thing to come before you tonight, with this new ordinance that is in line with what the state and FEMA want us to have. That’s it. I think you all have a copy of it; it’s essentially the same one just with different words.
Mr. Hawes: Mr. Mayor if I can clarify.
Mayor: Please do Mr. Hawes.
Mr. Hawes: This ordinance comes before you because there is a time frame by which it must be passed by state law it must be passed by September 30 th . So, what I would recommend is that we vote on first reading, and then address any questions a workshop meeting. Should there be any questions we’ll be glad to place it on the workshop between first and second reading, but in order for it to be passed through the business sessions prior to September 30 th and implementation on October 1 st , we’d have to have first reading tonight and second reading in September.
Mayor: Okay, good information. Thank you for that. And since we have that information I’ll entertain a motion in that regard, Ms. Sanders.
Ms. Sanders I move that we accept the amendments to the Flood Damage Protection Ordinance as presented.
Mayor: Thank you Ms. Sanders, do I hear second?
Mr. Larson: Second.
Mayor: Thank you Mr. Larson, any discussion? Anybody want to talk about floods, Alright hearing no discussion; I don’t like that look on your face, is there something else we need to know Mr. Hawes?
Mr. Hawes: No, ugh-uh I am awaiting the vote.
Mayor: Alright, hearing no discussion and no more facial expressions I’ll call a vote. All in favor ay Aye, opposed no. Aye’s have it, its unanimous. Good Work Mr. Craven: C-TEXT AMENDMENTS
Mayor: Next, Mr. Dyrhaug your going to talk to us about Z-2008-04-707 West Georgia Road Zoning Map amendment request.
Mr. Dyrhaug: I thought for sure the TV crew was waiting for this one. This is a request to re-zone a single piece of property that’s along West Georgia Road . At 707 West Georgia Road . It’s owned by Casey and Willie Roberson. It’s currently zoned RM and has a multi- family structures that is comprised of four dwelling units the applicant is requesting that it be re-zoned to C-2 and I think the primary intention is that it could be re-marketed for commercial development along with a neighboring C-2 property. On the wall this shows the location of this property right between Westwood Dr and Cheyenne Dr. You can see on this next photograph on the wall that this RM property is kind stranded by C-2 to the North and South, as well as R-12 to the East and West at the public hearing that was held on August 5 th no opposing was expressed by any members of the public and at that proceeding the planning commission voted 3-1 to recommend re-coning this property to the C-2 district and given that it’s already adjacent to the C-2 zoning district staff also supports this request.
Mayor: Okay thank you Mr. Dyrhaug, I’ll entertain a motion in this regard. Ms. Bagwell.
Ms. Bagwell: I move that we accept C-2008-04-707 rezoning amendment as presented by staff.
Mayor: Okay thank you Ms. Bagwell, do I hear a second?
Mr. Curtis: Second.
Mayor: Thank you Mr. Curtis any discussion? Mr. Larson.
Mr. Larson: Weren’t a lot of these properties going out West Georgia Road being annexed and zoned as planned development?
Mr. Dyrhaug: That’s a ways further down. That’s on the other side of Neely Ferry Road. On the west side of Neely Ferry Road. This one here is on the east side, fairly close to the intersection with I-385. Right across the street is the Given’s property.
Mr. Larson: Right. What is allowed in C-2?
Mr. Dyrhaug: Pretty much standard commercial and office uses. Various types of retail and services and offices. Mayor: Okay, anyone else. Alright, hearing no further discussion, I’ll remind Council that this is the first of two readings. I should have done that on the last, but at any rate. Hearing no further discussion, I’ll call the vote. All in favor, signify by saying Aye. Opposed, no. Aye’s have it. It is unanimous. Passes on first reading. Thank you Mr. Dyrhaug. Now if you will proceed to further text amendments TX-2008-03.
Mr. Dyrhaug: Thank you Mayor and Council. This text amendment has been introduced by Staff. In working with various applicants throughout the city who owns C1N zoning, zoned properties. It has come to Staff’s attention that it is somewhat of a hardship or I should say the procedures that they have to go through are somewhat strenuous to get development approved on C1N zoned properties. Right now there is a fairly limited list of uses that are permitted by right and the C1N Zoning District does go in to allow by special exception any other commercial use that’s allowed in any other commercial zoning district and so what we’re finding is a lot of properties that were zoned C1N first have to get a special exception use approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals and then our Land Development Regulations require that development on C1N zone property also has to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and that’s just a long process going through both of those boards when they’re practically reviewing for a similar things. So Staff’s recommending we expand the list of uses that are allowed in the C1N zoning district to uses that seem to be compatible and typical in neighborhoods or near neighborhoods and at the same time we would also like to create more of a finite list of what is permitted by special exception in the C1N Zoning District. I’m not going to go into it for the sake of time unless you ask me to but I am prepared to introduce to you the list of some of the uses that are proposed and, if you like, we can get into that a little bit more, but at the public hearing that was held on August 5, there was no opposition expressed by any members of the public and the Planning Commission did vote 4 to 0 to recommend approval of this text amendment on the condition that there be maximum sizes established for food stores and clothing stores. So that’s been reflected in the ordinance that has been presented to you tonight. In conclusion, within the city of Simpsonville , there are approximately 51 properties that are currently zoned C1N. These properties are all found along one of three roads either Main Street, West Georgia Road and Fairview Road and I have maps here that show some of those locations. They’re highlighted red here on the wall. These are some of the properties along Main Street and there’s also a cluster of properties there on West Georgia Road as well. This is the location of properties on Fairview Road and this is a location of a few properties also on West Georgia .. You can see that at least in Staff’s observation that these are in fairly commercial areas. So obviously Staff supports this next amendment.
Mayor: Okay, thank you Mr. Dyrhaug. Do I hear a motion in this regard?
Mr. Curtis: I make a motion that we accept TX-2008-03 Amendment regarding C1N Zoning District.
Mayor: Do I hear a second.
Mr. Larson: I second. Mayor: Mr. Larson seconds. Thank you Mr. Larson. Any discussion? I have a question. Would this make our C1N sort of akin to the County’s neighborhood commercial zoning classification? Is that where we are heading with this?
Mr. Dyrhaug: Umm. I am not very familiar with the county so couldn’t really adequately answer that question. What we’ve done here is kind of, we have another zoning district in the city called the C3 Zoning District which is a low intensity commercial district. What this text amendment really does is, they both the C3 and the C1N Zoning District have the same character and purpose if you read through them. It may be different words but they are saying the same thing. What this really does is kind of blend the two and create a hybrid so that basically, they’re consistent and we can work on using this as a standard zoning district for neighborhoods such low intensity commercial instead of having two different zoning districts that are really trying to accomplish the same thing and have the same purpose.
Mayor: So would this allow me to have a hot dog stand in Poinsettia?
Mr. Dyrhaug: At Poinsettia?
Mayor: I mean, that’s an example. Would it allow someone to put a small food service area, restaurant, café, whatever in a neighborhood?
Mr. Dyrhaug: This would allow for that, if it is zoned C1N.
Mayor: Okay, anyone else? Alright, hearing no further discussion I’ll remind Council this is the first of two readings so we will be talking about this again. If you have questions or concerns, you can probably get those answered between now and the next time. I will call for a vote. All in favor, signify by saying Aye. Opposed, no. The Aye’s have it It is unanimous. Thank you Mr. Dyrhaug.
OLD BUISNESS • ACTION ITEM: KUDZU ARTS GUILD
Mayor- Alright, next on the agenda is old business, Mr. Hawes you’re going to kick it off with telling us, talk to us, reminding us, I guess o the Kudzu Arts Guild, the use of our Art center.
Mr. Hawes: Yes sir Mr. Mayor and council the Kudzu Art Guild approached city council at our workshop meeting, previous meeting, discussing proposed use of a room in the future Arts and Cultural Center , currently the old Simpsonville Elementary School . This property is under utilized right now because it is under a transitional phase. It is the master planning phase for great things to come in the future. While we are master planning it, the Kudzu Art Guild was basically requesting that they could have a use of a room for some storage equipment, but primarily the teachings, and art classes, workshops, and so forth. That they currently do at the City Community building, City Park . The city attorney and I have worked together to determine the best way to approach this request. Perhaps David could elaborate on that with regard to action of city council, should city council want to follow through on the allowance of Kudzu Art Guild’s temporary use of that building.
David: Mr. Mayor, you currently have a policy that you have city property that’s available for rent, and that typically doesn’t come back to city council. So, what my recommendation would be is that this building, but doesn’t fall under like recreational department; like other buildings do that our available for rent that what council could do is authorize staff to authorize either the temporary use of the building in accordance with rules that they see fit, because this particular building is not something that the council would want to enter into something long term arrangement, guarantee some specific room, but it maybe something that city staff could say on a week to week basis that they could use that property so I just ask you to give staff that authority. And because the other problem too is that I don’t want to establish a present that every time someone wants to rent something they got to come to city council, but this building just doesn’t fall neatly within other things that council has done over the years, because we don’t have a specific department controlling the use of that building right now.
Mayor That answers my concern that I expressed in our last meeting. From the beginning of when we obtained the school over there we agreed that we wouldn’t allow any permanent residence, that we wouldn’t allow someone to establish a permanent residence, we wouldn’t allow someone to keep a permanent presence there; keep it more as a public building to be used by the general public, different groups from time to time. And that was my fear in this whole issues, as that we were going to allow someone to establish residence there, which was set up to precedence for other people to want to have their place there, call it their place and that sort of thing. So , why it belongs to all the public, I think we should allow all the public to have access to it, and use of it, but not specifically one group, one length of time; so, that satisfies all that. Did you take a look at the, did either one of you take a look at the Liability Insurance, where are we with that?
David: As long as this is infrequent, it’s not on a lease basis I don’t think the city has any more liability then would when a local church group wants to rent out the community building for an afternoon to have hot dog sell; so, I wouldn’t be concerned about that.
Mayor: Okay great, Ms. Bagwell.
Ms. Bagwell: But do they not want to able to leave their things in the building that was their whole thing. They wanted to be able to set up residence there until they were asked to leave. Leaving their things in the building, would we not be liable or responsible for any of that?
Mr. Hawes: Well, we undoubtedly have the building insured, but their contents would be at their risk the liability that I was concerned about is the city would have liability if someone was injured as a result of our negligence.
Ms. Bagwell: Which again, God for bid, if the building were to burn down and someone is in there with that Art Guild are we affected in any way shape or form?
Mr. Hawes: No.
Mayor: To go back to what I was saying to allow someone to move equipment supplies and things in there to leave them that establishes residence and I would, I don’t think I could support that, but just as a statement; anyone else? (Pause) Does this require two readings?
Mr. Hawes: No sir, it would just be a resolution.
Mayor: Okay and the motion was to allow staff to. Can you frame that for Ms. Sanders?
David: That staff be authorized to develop polices, rules, and regulation about the use of that building. So long as it is on a temporary basis, would anyone like to make that motion?
Mr. Larson: I would.
Mayor: Thank you Mr. Larson, would anyone like to make a second?
Mr. Garrett: Second
Mayor: Okay, Mr. Garrett seconds it, now we’ll have discussion. Ms. Sanders.
Ms. Sanders: Having this resolution as just proposed exactly not what they asked for they want to set up shop have permanent residence, have permanent fixtures there, store things so really we have made a resolution for something they haven’t even asked for. They don’t plan on being temporary, you know. And the only thing I have to question is if they leave things there and there’s not consideration, I mean they have not given us one dollar we’ve kind of taken on responsibility for their items, is that not, because there’s not a lease because they haven’t given us any money we can not consider it a lease if we just let them in, correct? A lease is like a contract of money exchanged, and their not leasing it. So, my point is we’re holding their things and we don’t even have a lease agreement.
David: Well, okay there maybe, I think you’re mistaken. You can lease something for an hour.
Ms. Sanders: But that takes money. When you say lease that means we take money and give them the building for an hour. They do not want to give us money. There is no consideration
Mr. Hawes: Okay, well what I don’t want to confuse is that staff has recommended to city council, that you not enter into any long term relationship with anybody because the planning of that building in under way, and it is impossible for staff to say you can use it for one month or six months or one year, and I think it is impossible to say you can use room 1 or room 10 or whatever and it is also not a building like a community building that is held basically for the rental of the public. This building, council hasn’t adopted rules, the purpose of resolution is to allow staff adopt some rules on this building until such planning of this building is done..
Ms. Sanders: Specifically this building, only.
David: Yes,
Ms. Sanders Okay what I would say is first of all is the building is not complete it’s not complete construction. So you have folks in there potentially exposed to construction hazards I just don’t think it’s time to let people in the doors yet, it’s not presentable and it doesn’t I think that would be a safety hazard. I would hate for the city to open itself up to that kind of liability at his point.
Mayor: Okay, anyone else. Mr. Larson
Mr. Larson: We are talking about the rooms adjacent to the auditorium right? I mean those have been used when they did those concerts, they do have things set up there.
Ms. Sanders That was for an evening, but these people are wanting a room to look at their papers, they want the use; we would like to request that they be granted the sole uses of one building, one of the former class rooms of Simpsonville Cultural Center, and they’re going to be leaving things in there it’s not going to be a one night shot.
Mayor: Mr. Curtis.
Mr. Curtis: As Ms. Sanders pointed out, I would have to agree this resolution does not address the request that we have before us. So to frame it and say that we are making this resolution to address the issue I think would be misleading and probably would make more sense if we’re not going to allow them to do it, that we are not going to allow them to do it. Because it sounds like they are asking for something totally different then what we are willing to do. And I tend to agree with Ms. Sander’s.
Mayor: Okay, anyone else Mr. Larson.
Mr. Larson: I can agree some of it, it seems like there are issues to work through this. It just seems like we can work something else if we got an art center over there and we got an art guild wanting to take advantage of it. We’ll trying to encourage more use of that building, in addition to the remolding of it it just seems like Mr. Hawes, Mr. Homes and the staff could come up some sort of agreement with the art guild where we can help them out and out that building to some good use , like encouraging the arts in our community. I think these are more legal or technical issues we’re talking about; rather then just in general not letting some outside group take advantage of that building
Mayor: Okay, Mr. Curtis
Mr. Curtis: Alright, in response to that I say lets work some of those details out and come back and let’s look at it a future date. There’s no rush to do this right now. Or I don’t see any rush to do this right now.
Mayor: Okay Mr. Bridges.
Mr. Bridges: So we’re not really asking to give approval, we’re just asking them or allowing them to set up and I think if that’s all we’re asking for right now then I think I can support that.
Mayor: Okay Mr. Garrett.
Mr. Garrett: Like Mr. Bridges said when we make the rules for the building they might not even want to do it. I don’t see a problem with putting down something in writing saying that if somebody uses it this is it, because thee building has no air conditioning no heating , I remember the grammar school was pretty hot in there
Mayor: You got to have memories in there (laughter), alright anyone else? I think staff knows what council’s attitude about that building is. And that is what we talked about from the very beginning about not allowing anyone to establish permanent residence there or call out someone in the position to call it their own, but maintain it’s community wide usage and I believe staff will keep it simple I think we should them to make decisions on a case by case basis whether or not someone can use it or not or if there’s a cost to it or not. So I wouldn’t have a problem with a motion that would propose Mr. Hawes to make a decision as to whether or let Kudzu or anybody else use it. You know for two days this week four days three weeks from now. But I hope Mr. Hawes understands that we don’t want it to become a storage building or a residence for anybody.
Mr Hawes: I was just going to say fully understood.
Mayor: I wouldn’t be opposed to allowing them to make the decision but it is just my opinion. Ms. Sanders.
Ms. Sanders: One clarification. They are asking to store and if we let them store, we are going to have to let the next group store and the next group and the next group. Just so that is understood, if we were to allow these specific people to do that that it would be setting a precident. If we were able to keep it where we are not setting a precedent like that, I think I could support the Staff making that kind of decision. As long as that is understood.
Mr. Hawes: Okay.
Mayor: Anyone else? Alright, the motion before us then is, just to refresh our memory, is to allow Mr. Holmes, the motion before us is…
Mr. Holmes: Is to allow Staff to develop rules and regulations about the temporary use of a building and that motion would include that storage is not allowed.
Mayor: Okay, so that is the motion we have before us, so if I don’t hear any other discussion, I’ll call for a vote. All in favor signify by saying Aye, opposed, no. The Aye’s have it. So go forward Mr. Hawes and see if you can work out a temporary arrangement with them or whatever we just voted on.
B-ACTION ITEM: SPEED HUMP AND STOP SIGN REQUESTS 1. DAVENPORT ROAD PETITION 2. BRENTWOOD WAY PETITION
Mayor: Alright next items on the agenda, Mr. Hawes you’re going to talk to us about some speed humps and stop sign requests.
Mr. Hawes: Yes Mayor and council. The council and city staffs were approached prior to last workshop meeting with petitions from residence of Davenport Road and Brentwood Way concerned with perceived levels of speeding and safety in the neighborhood along those roads. The petitions specifically ask for traffic calming measures to be considered by the city of Simpsonville , to litigate the problem of speeding. As I explained previously in the workshop there are a number of traffic calming measures that can be looked at and analyzed with regard to the appropriateness of application on certain roads. The first step is to determine if there is deed a speeding issue on that road. So, therefore, I directed the Simpsonville Police Department to do a speed study of speeds on Davenport Road and Brentwood Way . The study came back and analyzed 46 thousand vehicles sampling on Davenport Road and 35 thousand vehicles Brentwood Way . The studies were 8 and 9 days in length, respectively, the findings on Davenport that there was a 85 th percentile which is the standard engineering demarcation for behavior tendencies on roads. The 85 th percentile is typically what is taken; the 85 th percentile was more than 5 mph over the speed limit. In consultation with Chief Reese and Joe Carter, we decided that the appropriate approach to Davenport is to place three way stop signs which will cause vehicles to slow down, stop and then resume. In three separate locations on Davenport Road . We recommend 1st Hunter’s Hill Road for a three way stop sign implementation. 2 ND at Vinewood Ct , and last at Adrule Drive . Now there is a map attached to your hand out tonight, placed with you Simpsonville letter head. The second page of which identifies with white starts the locations that we propose that these stop signs locations. You’ll notice that on Davenport they are virtually equal distant, which is very high priority when trying to find traffic calming measures. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices identifies the minimum distances in certain situations on certain roads and this meets all criteria. This manual meets all criteria; this application meets all criteria of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which is used by SCDOT and the association of State Highway Traffic Officials. So we would highly recommend that there would be the immediate placement of these three stop signs of these three locations, this immediate placement would be continued through the construction and improvement scheduled for Davenport Road in the upcoming year, and would remain after those improvements. Regardless we’re looking for these three- way stop signs for the three locations, should city council approve it. With Regard to Brentwood Way , Brentwood is a interesting situation in the sense that it is a loop type road that begins and ends on the same road. One side of the loop has a natural curveager that causes speed to basically within the realm of design. What we found on the south side of Brentwood , the speeds were less than 5 mph above the posted 25 speed limit. On the North side however which is basically a straight away, now you can see it on this map as an overhead map if you look at the top of the map, you will see two stars. You can see that Brentwood Way that on the north side is a true straight shot and can basically be considered a drag strip, so I can see exactly how there would be speeding issues on Brentwood . On that section of it obviously, it comes around a large curve if you approach Awal Way there have been significant curves that have been negotiated and that keeps the speeds down, but on that one section basically the entire north end of it is a straight away and we recommend equal distant stop signs locations at Minlow Drive and Adment Drive. These are three way stops and would observe to litigate speeding issues at Brent wood Way. We did consider speeds and other traffic calming measures on both Davenport and Brentwood Way and it was determined through consultation that the best approach at this time is the three way stop signs and that is the recommendation that we implement 5 separate three way stops 3 on Davenport on the before mentioned locations and 2 on Brentwood on the before mentioned locations.
Mayor: Okay before we have questions. I’ll need a motion so we can get this on the floor. Mr. Curtis.
Mr. Curtis: Mr. Mayor I make a motion that we fall through with the recommendations the Simpsonville Police Department and staff to implement three way stops both on Davenport and Brentwood Way .
Mayor: Thank you Mr. Curtis, do I hear a second?
Ms. Bagwell: Second.
Mayor: Thank you, Ms. Bagwell, alright discussion anyone have anything to say. Mr. Bridges
Mr. Bridges: I really don’t like the stop signs because that forces people to slow down, stop, start again, slow down, stop, and start again it wastes too much gas. However, I don’t know of a better way to do it, so?
Mayor: Okay, any one else. Mr. Curtis, I don’t mean to put you on the spot, but don’t you have a personal statement for this. You made a motion so apparently you feel like this is okay.
Mr. Curtis: Yes, I feel like this is okay, I guess my only concern would be threat the three way stops on Brentwood Way, might encourage people to increase traffic flow on the other leg of Brentwood thus just move the problem. However, we have to, we’ve heard these recommendations, and we know these are the experts in the field and I’m certain if that problem presents itself, that we can go back and address that at a future time. So, I support what they recommend and suggest keeping an eye on the situation.
Mayor: Okay, Ms. Bagwell.
Ms. Bagwell: It’s my suggestion basically after we get those in Brentwood in particular, once we get those stop signs up, if we could just make sure that south Brentwood is paid close attention to; to make sure that the speed isn’t picking up down there and if that does in deed happen we’ll know about it from citizens if the police department could be proactive with that, and I see the police chief shaking his head so thank you, but if they’ll be proactive in checking that out.
Mayor: Okay, anyone else? Alright hearing no further discussion I’ll call the vote, this is a one vote item here. So, all in favor signify by saying Aye, opposed no. Aye’s have it’s unanimous.
• ACTION ITEM: DEVELOPMENT AGRREMENT
Mayor: Alright, Mr. Hawes you are going to talk to us about a development agreement
Mr. Hawes: Yes sir, Mayor and council, council previously discussed parameters around which to develop an annexation of the development and amendment to the annexation, which we previously had with the property owner for land development holdings LP and we have drawn up that particular agreement and ask that city council would approve such.
Mayor: Okay so give us a little more information, where is this property?
Mr. Hawes: This is near Heritage Park in Heritage Crest Development.
Mayor: Okay I’ll entertain a motion in that regard, Ms. Sanders.
Ms. Sanders: I move that we discuss this next item.
Mayor: Do you move to accept it?
Ms. Sanders: Do I have to accept it right now?
Mayor: Well, you got to make a motion to for some kind of action.
Ms. Sanders: I move that we discuss the action item development agreement.
Mayor: Would you like to make a motion to accept the recommendation for the staff to enter into a development agreement.
Ms. Sanders: Yes
Mayor: Okay, do I hear a second.
Mr. Curtis: Second
Mayor: Mr. Curtis seconds, alright we have a motion and a second to do something, do I hear any discussion?
Ms. Sanders: A little more information please, I’m lost just give me a little more information
Mr. Hawes: It was previously discussed in Executive discussion, and it is a contractual matter I really discuss it out here.
Mayor: So, what you’re saying is that we should remember what we talked about.
Mr. Hawes: Exactly (LAUGHTER)
Ms. Sanders: I’ve sleepy since then, thank you.
Mr. Hawes: We can discuss it Executive discussion again and then come back out, if that’s not a problem.
Mayor: Some of us, surprisingly some of us remember what this is about. It’s…
Mr. Hawes: Something we can’t say.
Mayor: It’s, this is really weird. Mr. Parliamentarian could you help us with this?
Mr. Parliamentarian: Well, I would tell you to do is if you’re not prepared to vote on it at this point and you want to discuss it in executive discussion; you have two choices which is either to withdraw the motion on the floor or to move to table it which means, after you come out of executive session you have to move to take it off the table to vote on it.
Mayor: Okay, well I guess the most expediential way to do this is to ask the maker of this motion if they would like to withdraw this motion.
Ms. Sanders: I‘d like to withdraw the motion.
Mayor: You did that very quickly it took a little while for. Okay
Mr. Parliamentarian: To withdraw it, or table it?
Mayor: Well, if we withdraw it a new motion can be made, after we take the motion, and hopefully a little clearer in it’s…Alright, good point, good point. So, we need a motion to do that.
Mr. Bridges: I move that add discussion of development agreement to the executive session.
Mayor: Thank you Mr. Bridges, do I hear a second? Hearing a motion and a second, I’ll call the vote all in favor signify by saying Aye, opposed no. Aye’s have it. It’s unanimous.
EXECUTIVE SESSION • PERSONNEL MATTER- ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT • CONTRACTUAL MATTER- FIRE DEPARTMENT
Mayor: Now we have a need for an executive session to discuss a development agreement, which is a contractual matter to discuss a personnel matter relating to the administration department. And to discuss a contractual matter relating to the Fire Department, so I will entertain a motion in that regard. Ms. Bagwell.
Ms. Bagwell: I move we go into executive discussion to all those things.
Mayor: Thank you Ms. Bagwell, do I hear a second?
Mr. Larson: Second
Mayor: Alright, Mr. Larson second, all in favor signifies say Aye, opposed no. Aye’s have it, it’s unanimous. We are in recess, thank you all for coming tonight.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Tones: Mr. Mayor the city recommends, the city staff recommends that the city council authorizes city administrator to enter into a first addendum to annexation and development of agreement with land development and holdings. LP in accordance with terms and conditions set forth in that agreement.
Mayor: Thank you Mr. Tones I’ll set entertain a motion in that regard. Ms. Bagwell
Ms. Bagwell: So moved
Mayor: Ms. Bagwell made a motion do I hear a second?
Mr. Bridges: Second
Mayor: Thank you Mr. Bridges; any discussion? Hearing None I will call the vote on it. All in favor say Aye, opposed no. Aye’s have it, it is unanimous Alright I’ll entertain another motion.
Ms. Sanders: I move we adjourn this meeting.
Mayor: Thank you Ms. Sanders, do I hear a second?
Mr. Larson: Second
Mayor: Thank you Mr. Larson. All in favor say Aye, opposed no.
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