From the Ellipse: 10-13-2026

BUSINESS MEETING ON 10-13-2026

1. Call to Order – 6:02 p.m.
2. Roll Call – There were no absences.
3. Pledge of Allegiance – Mayor Paul Shewmaker led Council Chambers in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Approval of Minutes – The minutes were approved as submitted without corrections or changes.
5. Proclamation – Mayor Shewmaker read into the record a proclamation declaring October 2026 “National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month.”
6. Citizen Comments
   1. Sharonda Brown gave comments about elder abuse, fraud involving public healthcare benefits, and human trafficking. Ms. Brown also expressed concerns about safety.
7. 1. A. O-2026-11: Council voted to approve second and final reading of Ordinance O-2026-11 with a motion by Councilmember Tim Pinkerton and a second by Councilmember Chad O’Rear. The motion carried in a vote of 7-0. Ordinance O-2026-11 makes changes to requirements for participating in Council meetings.
   2. B. O-2026-12: Council voted to approve first reading of Ordinance O-2026-12 with a motion by Mayor Shewmaker and a second by Councilmember Sherry Roche. The main motion as amended carried in a vote of 4-3 with Councilmembers O’Rear, Aaron Rupe, and Jerry Tuso dissenting. Ordinance O-2026-12 amends Ordinance O-2026-10, which sets requirements for naming city-controlled properties after individuals. O-2026-12 would, if approved upon second and final reading, remove the effective date of January 1, 2023 in O-2026-10 and make it effective the date upon which O-2026-12 is adopted. The amendment to Mayor Shewmaker’s motion was to remove language that included “January 1, 2023” from Section 2 of O-2026-10. The amendment carried in a vote of 4-3 with Councilmembers O’Rear, Rupe and Tuso dissenting. Mayor Shewmaker made the motion to amend with a second by Councilmember Roche.
   3. C.R-2026-16: Council voted to adopt Resolution R-2026-16 with a motion by Councilmember O’Rear and a second by Councilmember Rupe. The motion carried in a vote of 4-3 with Councilmembers Roche and Shannon Williams and Mayor Shewmaker dissenting. Adoption of R-2026-16 changes the name of Gracely Park to “Simpsonville City Park.”
   4. D. Hudders Creek Way, Council voted to reduce the speed limit of Hudders Creek Way to 20 mph with a motion by Councilmember Tuso and a second by Councilmember O’Rear. The main motion as amended carried in a vote of 7-0. The amendment to Councilmember’s motion struck the speed hump from the main motion and carried in a vote of 7-0. Councilmember Tuso made the motion to amend with a second by Councilmember Pinkerton.

Mayor Shewmaker spoke on two points of personal privilege by congratulating the Fire, Police and Public Works departments for a successful National Night Out on Oct. 6, 2026 and expressing gratitude to Mr. Daniel Hughes for serving in the role as city attorney for nearly five years.

Adjournment – 6:29 p.m.