Public Meetings

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MONDAY

WARE SHOALS CALLED COUNCIL MEETING

TIME: 5 p.m.

LOCATION: Town hall

AGENDA: Discuss renting out the top floor of Town Hall building.

GREENWOOD CITY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL CALLED BUSINESS MEETING

TIME: 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION: 520 Monument St., Room 207

AGENDA: Consider ordinance number 21-031 amending ordinance number 20-027 the city of Greenwood general fund and hospitality fund budgets for 2021. (First reading)

TUESDAY

GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

TIME: 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Greenwood County Library

AGENDA: Executive session. Beginning of regular public meeting, 5:30 p.m. Presentations: Presentation of shadow box and veteran display to the family of Steven J. Brown — Rosalind Burge, Veterans Affairs Officer. Public comment. Old business: Third readings — 1. Ordinance 2021-22 to amend the Wingert Road/Milford Springs Road PDD being Ordinance 01-95, as and if amended, to allow for a pull-a-part as an allowed use, Phil Lindler, planning director, third reading. 2. Ordinance 2021-30 to amend the Greenwood County zoning ordinance, being ordinance 13-86, as and if amended to create standards for the building of accessory dwelling units, Phil Lindler, planning director. Third reading. Public hearing: Third reading — Ordinance 2021-28 authorizing the execution and delivery of a Fee in Lieu of Tax and Incentive Agreement by and between Greenwood County, South Carolina and WC Fiber, LLC, acting for itself, one or more subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, assigns, lessors, and/or other project sponsors (collectively, the “Company”), pursuant to which the county shall covenant to accept certain negotiated fees in lieu of ad valorem taxes with respect to the establishment of certain facilities in the County (the “Project”) and other matters relating thereto — James Bateman, economic development director. Third reading. B. Consideration of boundary line agreements — Rett Templeton, county engineer. New business: A. Quarterly update of Capital Project Sales Tax projects — Josh Skinner, CPST coordinator. B. Resolution 2021-35 to amend section 4-1-29 (a)(13) of the Greenwood County Ordinance Official County Holidays for the approval of the 2022 Official county holidays — Toby Chappell, county manager. C. Resolution 2021-36 amending 911 surcharge fund budget for fiscal year 2021 — Steffanie Dorn, county treasurer. D. Ordinance 2021-31 to approve the request by Magnolia Place special tax district to dissolve (title only) — Steffanie Dorn, county treasurer. First reading. District reports. Manager’s report. Attorney’s report.

SALUDA TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: Saluda Town Hall

AGENDA: Reports from municipal officers: Administration, building codes, finance, court, CPW, fire, police, streets/sanitation. Reports of standing committees. Unfinished business. New business. Council comments.

SALUDA TOWN COUNCIL CALLED MEETING

TIME: 6:45 p.m.

LOCATION: Saluda Town Hall

AGENDA: Business — Presentation and discussion with Lakelands YMCA.

THURSDAY

MCCORMICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

TIME: 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION: 610 South Mine St.

AGNEDA: Old business — Update on zoning ordinance. New business — Welcome new member Valerie Yarbough-Jones, George Selfridge to discuss proposed zoning ordinance changes. Reports: County council report, economic development report. Next meeting: Dec. 2, 2021, at the County Administration Center.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Oct 30, 2021

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/community/public-meetings/public-meetings/article_834b5dc0-058d-53cb-9efe-5aae220cb762.html

Tie vote denies C&C a pull-a-part

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A tied vote shot down C&C Metal Recycling’s chance at getting approval for a pull-a-part at its Wingert Road facility during Tuesday’s Greenwood County Council meeting.

Cliff Redd, owner of C&C, had requested council approve an ordinance amending the planned development district for Wingert and Milford Springs roads to allow the metal recycling company to use a pull-a-part. The tool would allow the removal of spare parts from vehicles set to be recycled and shredded, then the parts could be sold to the public, providing a local vendor for used auto parts.

Redd spoke during public comment at Tuesday’s meeting, addressing a fire the company had that morning. A pile of “fluff” — the scrap material left over after a vehicle is shredded — caught fire at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Redd said he considered the fire suspicious, but had not had time to review all his security camera videos. The way it burned wasn’t consistent with previous fluff fires the company has had, including one in early September.

“It was not a typical fluff fire,” he said.

Steve and Charlotte Ehney, who live across C&C at 210 Wingert Road, spoke out in opposition to the allowance of a pull-a-part.

“This is the second fire in less than a month that has occurred,” Steve said. “If you grant this step today, what’s going to come tomorrow?”

He said with only one hydrant along the road at the corner of Milford Springs Road, he was concerned about the possibility of future fires. Charlotte said she was worried about an increase in traffic and noise.

When it came time to vote, council members Mark Allison and Robbie Templeton weren’t present at the meeting. Council members Melissa Spencer and Theo Lane voted to approve allowing a pull-a-part, while Councilwoman Edith Childs and Councilman Chuck Moates opposed it. The motion failed because of the tie.

Council approved several ordinances in 4-0 votes. They approved rezoning about 10 acres of property owned by Eaton at 5502 Highway 25 N. in Hodges from a rural development district to light industrial. Council approved an ordinance establishing the process for electing county council’s chairperson and vice chairperson in the event of an opening during unexpired terms.

Council lifted its 2018 moratorium on “tiny houses,” passing an ordinance that allows building structures less than 750 square feet and provides for permitting any residential structure that costs more than $1,000.

Council members also approved the final step in offering a fee-in-lieu-of-tax incentive agreement to Impresa Building Systems of Greenwood. Impresa is a modular home manufacturer that announced last month that it’s expanding into Greenwood, making a $9.1 million capital investment and creating 180 jobs.

County Treasurer Steffanie Dorn shared with council a plan to expand the public transportation options offered through Greenwood’s partnership with the McCormick County Senior Center’s McCormick Area Transit.

“We’re off to a really good start,” she said. “Each month we have increased our ridership.”

July saw 90 riders on the MAT bus, in August there were 134 and 183 in September, said County Manager Toby Chappell. Dorn said she was confident the county could expand the area and services the MAT offers, growing the area in which the MAT transports people from a 2.5-mile radius around the county courthouse to a 4-mile radius. Dorn also said the expansion would offer transportation to banks, schools and for employment. Council approved the expansion.

“Folks in Greenwood County are using this service, and I am so glad to expand it for them,” Moates said.

Council also voted to approve moving $60,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Capital Projects Sales Tax fund to help renovate the bathrooms in the Brewer Community Center. CPST Coordinator Josh Skinner said the renovation project had $27,636 of CPST funds budgeted, but the lowest bid on the work from MADCO in Lexington came out to more than $58,000 for the renovations, but the price tag rose to more than $70,000 to also replace the tiling in the bathrooms.

The budgeted CPST funds, along with $60,000 from the ARPA funds, would cover the costs of renovating the bathrooms, which Skinner said were from the 1950s. Council approved the transfer.

Trees grown on county land near the airport have matured and are ready to be harvested, County Engineer Rhett Templeton said, and council approved a plan to bid the lumber sale out. It also approved a resolution to transfer funds, if needed, from the Special Appropriations Fund to cover the anticipated costs of obtaining property near the airport for use of its airspace — a process called avigation easement. The funds will be reimbursed through a federal grant at 95%, Dorn told council.

In other business:

Council approved a resolution to allow work to start on a fee-in-lieu-of-tax and incentive agreement between Greenwood County and an unidentified company. The project is titled Project Premises and represents a $19 million minimum capital investment. The FILOT would last 20 years at 6% of the property’s assessed value.

Loy Sartin was appointed to a seat on the Accommodation Tax Commission. He joins recent appointees Claire Griffith, general manager of Inn on the Square and Hampton Inn General Manager Shanna Lance. Council postponed appointments to the joint planning commission because of Allison and Templeton’s absence at the meeting.

Council had first reading on an ordinance to allow “granny-flats,” or accessory dwelling units, to be built on existing properties. These buildings would be limited to 1,000 square feet and located on the rear or side yards if detached from the main structure.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on: Oct 6, 2021

By DAMIAN DOMINGUEZ ddominguez@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/tie-vote-denies-c-c-a-pull-a-part/article_ecaa9bee-752d-534e-8e69-90058ddf34a4.html

Work underway to upgrade Grace Street, other parks in county

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Crews tore down the derelict water treatment plant on the corner of Grace Street and the Bypass in preparation for the next phase of upgrades to Grace Street Park.

Greenwood County officials and towns throughout the county are readying for the next phase of Capital Project Sales Tax work on various parks, including Grace Street, Magnolia Park, the town parks in Hodges, Troy and Ninety Six and the construction of a new park on Foundry Road, said Josh Skinner, CPST coordinator.

“Phase-two funding will start this October,” he said. “They should get another $1.75 million just for Grace Street Park.”

The first phase of park improvements included the installation of signage at Grace Street Park, along with parking lot improvements, making new trails and tearing the old water treatment building down. In its place, Skinner said the park will have a parking lot as an entrance to the park from Grace Street, with a small playground near the bamboo forest and the trailhead nearby leading to the current park grounds along Merriwood Drive.

“But really, the actual design — the actual Davis & Floyd design — isn’t down on paper yet. It’s just conceptual,” he said.

Bidding for the first phase opened Sept. 21, and the low-bidder was Greenway Construction Group with a bid of $2.2 million for the work at Hodges, Troy, Foundry and Magnolia parks. The bid, Skinner said, was broken up so Hodges, Troy and Magnolia would cost less than $1 million, with Foundry costing about $1.26 million.

The bid is over-budget, however. Phase one’s budget is at about $2,053,000.

“Dwight (Funderburk) is looking at ways to reduce cost,” Skinner said. “Our main focus right now is Hodges, Magnolia and Troy.”

Troy and Hodges parks are supposed to see new signature pavilions to fit community interests there, and most park mock-ups include walking trails, lighting, benches and parking. The Ninety Six town park is set to see its pavilion and bathrooms replaced, as well. Troy, Magnolia and Foundry are set to see new playground equipment installed.

The new park on Foundry Road, to be in a swath of woods between South Main Street and the John G. Lamb center, has run into an ecological issue. A fuel leak from a nearby gas station tank has soaked through the soil toward Foundry Road.

“If you’re down there, you can smell the gas in the creek,” Skinner said. “The city has $150,000 from the EPA to clean up the soil from when it was an actual foundry.”

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control is helping stop and clean the leak, Skinner said.

Funds for phase two come in October, bringing an estimated $3.5 million for further work at Grace Street Park, the second phase of work at Foundry, the Ninety Six town park and walking and bicycle trails that run through Greenwood.

Skinner said if Greenway can get the price of the bid down by compromising on elements of the designs, work from phase one might start at the beginning of next year. If the price can’t come down, however, the county might have to re-bid the project.

“The issue, like we’ve seen at Boozer, is the building trades,” Skinner said.

The bathroom facilities drafted in the conceptual designs have had to get cut back, as material costs have inflated these park bids, he said.

Actual planning for phase two should start soon — Skinner said county officials will soon meet with Ninety Six Town Council to solidify their park’s design concept into an actual plan. There’s no contract yet for the design work.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Sep 30, 2021

By DAMIAN DOMINGUEZ ddominguez@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/work-underway-to-upgrade-grace-street-other-parks-in-county/article_a9729870-ef56-5d1e-847f-6827be5b7c10.html

Greenwood County Council hosts first meeting after Chairman Brown’s passing

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Steve Brown was missed dearly at Monday’s Greenwood County Council meeting.

The meeting was previously set for Aug. 17, but Councilman Chuck Moates, now serving as chairman following Brown’s death, said they rescheduled it.

“Council felt out of respect to Mr. Brown’s family and him that we would not conduct a public meeting until after his funeral service,” he said. “Monday was the first time we could do it, and do it respecting his family.”

In their district reports, each council member paid their respects to Brown, a longtime public servant who spent nearly four decades in service to Greenwood city and county. But Moates said he would serve as council chairman according to procedure until Brown’s District Five seat is filled in a special election, then council will elect a chairperson and vice chairperson. Until then, he said members will continue to serve Greenwood County to their utmost capacity, like Brown would have wanted.

Humane Society of Greenwood Executive Director Connie Mawyer presented her quarterly update, sharing that the trap-neuter-return program for reducing feral cat colony populations has been a success. The group trapped, neutered and released 62 cats in the area of Crosscreek Connector, and through the past year the colony reduced to 16 total cats. HSOG has provided shelters and food for cats in the area that keep them away from heat and food sources from area businesses.

The animal shelter has struggled to handle its increased population, but Mawyer said HSOG is working on adoption events and working with pet owners to reduce the number of surrendered animals that come into the shelter.

“The strategies that we’ve put in place, we call them managed intake, but really it’s about managing sometimes the intake, the output and the in-between because of the population,” she said. “Typically from June to the end of August is our peak season.”

Many shelters are facing a crisis as populations expand. This year has seen fewer owner-surrendered animals, though, and Mawyer said she wants to target lowering the number of public strays in the following year. Last year featured about 1,000 animal adoptions, with a 90% live release rate, she said. Council members Theo Lane and Mark Allison complimented Mawyer on her work, and the HSOG and shelter staff for their smooth and effective operation.

Capital Project Sales Tax Coordinator Josh Skinner had two requests for council. His first was to spend an additional $10,000 on the Promised Land Walking Track project, which was originally budgeted at about $66,000. The Promised Land Community Association asked for the additional funds to rubberize the surface of the walking track, but Lane expressed concern about giving additional funds for an expense not included in the approved project application.

The request was shot down, and Councilwoman Edith Childs suggested to her constituents a community fundraiser to finance the rubberizing.

Later, Skinner gave an update on the work at the J.C. Fox Boozer Complex in Ninety Six. Funds from the first phase of construction are spent, but additional costs arose for the work at this county property when the county had to re-bid renovations for the park’s restrooms, along with the addition of LED lighting, overflow parking and irrigation.

The county has reached its original $1 million budget for the current site work, he said, but it will cost an additional nearly $600,000 to complete the remaining work. Skinner requested transferring $150,000 from the special appropriations fund to the CPST fund, along with an additional up to $500,000 from phase two of the Greenwood County Athletic Facilities project budget.

Councilman Robbie Templeton said some of these funds are being redirected from a project to put an all-inclusive playground at the Wilbanks Sports Complex — the site of the former civic center — and that funds from the American Rescue Plan Act will be secured to cover the playground. Council unanimously approved the funds transfer.

Council had first readings on two ordinances: One to allow the Lost Lure Special Tax District to dissolve, the other to rezone 28 acres on Sagewood Road from R-1 to R-2. For the first, County Treasurer Steffanie Dorn said there are only six or seven people in the Lost Lure tax district, and none objected when she asked about dissolving. The rezoning ordinance would allow for 10,000-square-foot lots on the property, potentially adding up to 40 units there. County Planning Director Phil Lindler said that many units is unlikely, given the geography of the land, and the owner said they weren’t intending to develop all of the property.

The state Regulator and Fiscal Affairs Office will help the county with its upcoming redistricting, as council approved a resolution to have the state agency serve as an impartial third party in the process. County Council’s districts will be redrawn based on the 2020 federal census data set for release next month. The fiscal affairs office will have public hearings and help with the process, although council will have the final vote for approval of the changed maps.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Aug 25, 2021

 By DAMIAN DOMINGUEZ ddominguez@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/greenwood-county-council-hosts-first-meeting-after-chairman-browns-passing/article_ec8bfc56-3165-5099-89eb-e40a5c0525bd.html

Public meetings

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MONDAY

ABBEVILLE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

TIME: 5 p.m.

LOCATION: District board room

AGENDA: Discussion action item — bond resolution

GREENWOOD CITY COUNCIL

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS MEETING

TIME: 5 p.m.

LOCATION: 520 Monument St.

AGENDA: Consider executive session for the following: a. Discussion regarding the development of security personnel or devices b. Discussion regarding the performance review of city manager. Public appearance: 1. Recognize Jenny Boulware, Main Street South Carolina, for a presentation of National Main Street Accreditation to Uptown Greenwood Development Corporation and 2021 Master Merchant Award to Laura Bachinski, owner of Main & Maxwell. 2. Recognize Mrs. Helen Nazzaro representing bringing Wraths Across America. 3. Recognize Mr. Freddy Adams, resident of South Hospital Street. Proclamation: 1. Recognize Parker Egbert for his participation in the 16th Summer Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Unfinished business: 1. Consider Ordinance number 21-024 Amending the city of Greenwood’s official ordinance number 10-004 concerning automatic changeable copy boards for educational uses in the PDD zoning district created by the ordinance (second reading). 2. Consider ordinance number 21-025 amending ordinance number 03-010, zoning ordinance, chapter 6, supplemental regulations, section 6.3.10.3, concerning electronic signs in the IP and OP zoning district for educational uses (second reading). 3. Consider ordinance number 21-026 amending the city of Greenwood’s official zoning map (ordinance number 04-020) by rezoning approximately 1.08 acres of land located at 1408 and 1410 Cambridge Ave. from R3 (medium density residential) to GC (general commercial) (second reading). New business: 1. Consider reappointment of Lillian Thomas to the Greenwood Housing Authority Board of Directors. 2. Consider ordinance number 21-027 amending ordinance number 03-010, zoning ordinance, chapter 5, design and performance standards, section 5.6.4(B), concerning sidewalk requirements for innovative development incentives (first reading).

TOWN OF DUE WEST COUNCIL

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: 103 Main St.

AGENDA: Legislation: Ordinance number 04-2021, First reading — An ordinance of the town of Due West, S.C. to add section 32-78 “Sewer deposits” and attached exhibit A, to chapter 32 “Utilities,” article III. “Rates and fees,” of the code of ordinances, which by reference becomes a part of this article and code of ordinances. Reports: A. Mayor’s report B. Town administrator C. Attorney John Andrew Bishop D. Fire E. Police F. Utilities Announcements: 1. Town Hall will be closed for Labor Day on Sept. 6, 2021 2. Upcoming general election for three council seats will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. Books closed on noon Aug. 16, 2021. 3. ASC’s on-demand online courses consist of six sessions. FOr more information and to gain access to the free training sessions, visit www.masc.sc (keywords: planning training). 4. Regional advocacy meeting will be at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Oct. 5, 2021 at The Arts Center in Greenwood. Registration information to be posted when available.

GREENWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 50

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: 400 Glenwood St.

AGENDA: Information items — District update (Steve Glenn), COVID update (Dr. Matt Logan), board recognition (Ken Cobb). Financial update (Rodney Smith). Executive Session, personnel recommendations and vacancies. Action items: A. Budget amendment (Rodney Smith) B. Personnel recommendations and vacancies (Christi Louden).

GREENWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 51

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: Ware Shoals Community Library

AGENDA: Athletic Director’s Update — Coach Johnston; Health and Safety Report — Mr. Cox; Title IV — Dr. Crockett; Superintendent’s Update — Dr. Sprouse (ARP — ESSER III Plan); Action Items: Annual Appointments, District’s Attorney (Recommendation: Duff, Freeman, Lyons, LLC), Ex-Officio Secretary (Recommendation: Brenda Mattison), Energy / Safety Team (Board Member), Russell Technology Center Advisory Board (Board Member); Finance Review

TUESDAY

GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

TIME: 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Greenwood County Library

AGENDA: Executive session. Public comment. New business: A. Resolution 2021-19 to transfer of funds to Capital Projects Sales Tax Fund for the Promised Land walking trail — Josh Skinner, CPST coordinator. B. Consideration of the appointment of special tax district commissioners for the following subdivisions: Beech Lake — Johnny Holtzclaw, district seven; Rock Creek — Matthew Clary, district six; Belle Meade — T. Stewart McDonald, district six. C. Consideration to authorize county manager to sign amended investment advisory agreements with Greenwood Capital — Steffanie Dorn, County treasurer. D. Update from the County treasurer’s office. E. Resolution 2021-20 to consider budget amendment for partial expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act funds — Steffanie Dorn. F. First readings: 1. Ordinance 2021-20 to approve the request by Lost Lure special tax district to dissolve — Steffanie Dorn. 2. Ordinance 2021-21 to amend the Greenwood County zoning ordinance as and if amended, so that one parcel of land totaling approximately 28.1 acres, owned by Beattie Development located at 421 Sagewood Road, Greenwood changes of zoning classifications from R-1 (single family residential) to R-2 (single family residential) — Phil Lindler, planning director. District reports, manager’s report, attorney’s report. Executive session if needed.

MCCORMICK COUNTY COUNCIL

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: 610 South Mine St., McCormick

AGENDA: Speakers: 1. Rufus Chamberlain and Joe Greene 2. Doug Chalifour, Blueway Festival 3. Clay Antonakos 4. Rita Smith 5. Allen Dean 6. Larry and Francis Lewis 7. Patti Yarbrough 8. Mike Payne 9. Donald Putnam 10. Dale Metts 11. Tracy Middlebrooks 12. Billy Bass 13. Amy Gay 14. Joey Harris 15. David and Julie Thacker 16. Jessical Delaigle 17. John van Haastrecht Public hearing: Ordinance 20-10, an ordinance to increase building inspection fees. Decision items: 1. Ordinance 20-10: an ordinance to increase building inspection fees. Council to consider third reading. 2. Ordinance 21-06: An ordinance abolishing the Modoc Special Tax District for fire protection pursuant to South Carolina Code section 4-9-30(5)(e). Council to consider second reading. 3. Resolution 02-21: Honoring the Rev. Sara Covin Juengst. Council to consider passing resolution 02-21. 4. Council to consider authorizing the administrator to renew easement number DACW21-1-21-0076 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 5. Council to consider authorizing the administrator to sign memorandum of understanding with South Carolina Women’s Leadership Network (Matchboard), free of charge from Nov. 1,2021-Oct. 31, 2022. 6. Council to consider authorizing administrator to approve Modoc Special Tax District for fire protection invoices FY 2020/2021 for allowable expenses until further notice. 7. Council to consider donating $500 to the 2021 Western Blue Way Festival from the council special projects account. Information: 1. Letter from the S.C. Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.

WEDNESDAY

SALUDA TOWN COUNCIL

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: 100 South Jefferson St., Saluda

AGENDA: Budget for 2022. Priorities and goals for 2022.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Aug 14, 2021

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/community/public-meetings/public-meetings/article_1f495a8e-7b15-5739-aea3-18535ef2d9a9.html

Ware Shoals committees keeping tabs on projects in progress

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WARE SHOALS — In a town teeming with potential, Ware Shoals town council members gave updates on developments they’re tracking down at three committee meetings Monday.

Councilman Kent Boles said in a properties and public works committee meeting he’s preparing the former fire department building at 39 E. Main St. to be the new home of the Public Works Department. He’s pressure-washed the building but will be grinding some of the cement and moving other items out of there before the public works crews move in.

At a previous meeting, council discussed options for Katherine Hall, with some council members expressing interest in tearing the historic building down and building a new community center on the site. One of the Greenwood County Capital Projects Sales Tax items approved in the 2016 election involved spending more than $3.3 million to renovate the building.

While Ware Shoals’ council hasn’t decided to do anything else with the building, council member Micheal Powell said Monday he received an update from CPST Coordinator Josh Skinner. If tax income levels stay strong, Powell said the Katherine Hall restoration project would likely receive its funding between July and October 2024.

Council member Bryan Ross said he looked into whether the town could cash in on a bounty. The Clemson Extension Campus issued a bounty on Bradford pear trees, offering a replacement tree to anyone who photographs themselves removing a Bradford pear from their property.

“They’re invasive, and the trunks can’t support them and it’s breaking them up,” he said.

The town can’t take advantage of Clemson’s offer, but Ross said he’s looking into having the Bradford pear trees in Pines Park trimmed and cut back.

In the youth and communities committee, Ross said the town’s back-to-school safety night event was rescheduled because of possible rain. It will now be Aug. 24 in the town square, featuring local law enforcement and firefighters with their equipment, face painting, and free hot dogs and drinks.

Council member Valerie Jackson said she’s getting estimates on asbestos removal and other work needed in the bay area of the town hall building in order to turn it into a youth center for the town. In the meantime, Ross said council is trying to create a subcommittee for the town’s amphitheater to plan and manage events there.

Ross fielded the idea of a new annual event hosted at the amphitheater — a weekend beach music festival in the spring. He said the town could sell tickets for an event that runs through a Friday and Saturday, featuring four bands and hopefully attracting visitors from surrounding areas. The committee made no decisions on the matter, but Ross said he’d continue to explore the idea.

In a police committee meeting, Chief Bryan Louis said the town’s call volume and tickets are up from last year. Police have fielded 3,455 calls to date this year, while last year saw 2,862 in the same span. The police department has written nearly 600 traffic tickets to date in 2021, while 270 had been written by August 2020.

Louis said in part the higher tickets and call volume could be because more people are out and about than were at this time last year, because of COVID-19-related shutdowns. The department has also issued 686 warning tickets this year as opposed to 319 by the same date in 2020, which Louis said is because two new officers are getting accustomed and trained in doing traffic stops, so they’re handing out more warnings than tickets.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Aug 10, 2021

By DAMIAN DOMINGUEZ ddominguez@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/ware-shoals-committees-keeping-tabs-on-projects-in-progress/article_4bc233a8-a43e-5f59-861b-bc45094f1c49.html

CPST rakes in another record amount

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Greenwood County’s Capital Project Sales Tax brought in a record sum with its last quarterly revenue check.

The county’s July revenue check was for $2,942,594, besting April’s haul by nearly $200,000.

“That’s our highest amount to date,” said Josh Skinner, CPST coordinator. “Typically, this collection is the lowest of the year.”

Greenwood County Treasurer Steffanie Dorn said the amount was a 7% increase from the previous quarter and a 36.7% increase from June 2020.

Skinner said the revenue from this check will go toward funding the county’s fire master plan phase three and the Lake Greenwood Master Plan phase two. In addition, the amount fully funds the Promised Land walking track at $66,326, building restroom facilities at Cokesbury College for $33,163 and renovations at the old Brewer Recreation Center to the tune of $27,636.

Council selected the Gordon Group to build the fire station at 1400 Highway 221 S., which adds coverage for 22 structures to the county’s fire master plan. The projected cost is $342,598.

The vote to change auditors for 2022-27 fiscal years ended in a tie with Vice Chairperson Chuck Moates and council members Mark Allison and Melissa Spencer voting in favor of awarding the contract to Mauldin Jenkins, while council members Edith Childs, Robbie Templeton and Theo Lane voted against it.

Dorn recommended Mauldin Jenkins after her office evaluated three proposals for auditing services for the county. She also said the Government Finance Officers Association recommends rotating auditors.

Council moved on from the vote but went behind closed doors to receive legal advice from Greenwood County Attorney Carson Penney at the end of the meeting. During the executive session, Chairperson Steve Brown joined the meeting via Facetime because he was not able to attend Tuesday’s meeting in person, although he said he watched the meeting on the county’s website.

After coming out of executive session, Templeton made the motion to stay with the county’s auditor, Manley Garvin. The motion passed 4-3 with Brown joining Templeton, Childs and Lane.

“I hate to vote against you,” Lane told Dorn.

Council asked Dorn to inquire with Manley Garvin about certain specialized services that Mauldin Jenkins offers to see if they also can offer those services.

“I fully respect this council’s decision,” Dorn said.

Council also approved an ordinance to fix a funding issue concerning the property taxes of Mumford and Rhine Properties. Greenwood County School District 50 had received tax revenue from the property when it actually resides within the boundaries of Greenwood County School District 52. Council’s action Tuesday remedied the problem.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Jul 21, 2021

 By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/cpst-rakes-in-another-record-amount/article_cd867e8b-5091-555a-9c03-466d07de3c5f.html

Katherine Hall’s future in question for Ware Shoals council

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WARE SHOALS — Restore it or knock it down. Although they hadn’t planned on it, Ware Shoals’ town council talked Tuesday about the conflicted future for Katherine Hall.

“This is pretty tough on me,” said Councilman George Leagans, introducing the matter for discussion late in Tuesday’s council meeting. “I did not experience the great things many did in Katherine Hall.”

Leagans said in his years on council officials have talked about the future of Katherine Hall many times, and he’s been a supporter of restoring it. During the Catfish Feastival, a resident brought to his attention how dilapidated and damaged the building is, and he took a closer look at the building.

“I believe it’s best for this town. … It is time to look seriously at bringing that building down,” he said. “If we can’t get someone to fix it, what does that tell us? It’s just not fixable.”

The restoration of Katherine Hall is one of the projects set to be funded by the 2016 Greenwood County Capital Project Sales Tax. The 18th project on the finalized list, the CPST is set to fund the building’s restoration to the tune of $3,397,273 — funds that are still years away from coming in, and that Councilman Bryan Ross said the town can’t wait for.

Councilman Kent Boles put it succinctly: Restoring the building is a pipe dream.

“It should have been torn down 38 years ago,” he said. “I’ll be 65 on my birthday, and that canteen was closed before I was old enough to get in it.”

How can he tell residents to clean up their yards and beautify their properties, Boles said, when the town has had a dilapidated building at its center for decades?

Mayor Scott Horne said they can’t tear down the building without a plan for what they’ll do with the property. The town submitted a plan for the property in 2016, when it petitioned for the restoration to be funded by the Capital Project Sales Tax.

The original project application, submitted in January 2016, sought funds to restore the three-story, 15,637-square-foot building to be used as a centerpiece for the town. It holds a 500-seat auditorium the proposal suggested could be used as a performing arts venue, and would have space where several of the town’s departments could be relocated. It was also intended as a town recreation center.

The application included a 31-page report on the condition of Katherine Hall, completed by consultant Preservation South on behalf of the Katherine Hall Preservation Committee.

“Katherine Hall retains much of its architectural integrity and can return to being a significant resource for the Ware Shoals community through the funds generated from this grant,” the application said.

The application said once the building was restored, it would be maintained using tax revenue, donations and income brought in by the building’s services.

Councilwoman Patty Walters cast doubt on the project’s price tag.

“What it’s going to cost to renovate that is going to cost double what the penny sales tax is going to get us,” she said. “My problem is once you get it done, how are we going to maintain it? … And 3 million is not going to do it. Three million is not even going to come close to repair it.”

Council would look foolish to seriously consider tearing down Katherine Hall when there’s millions of dollars coming from the CPST for its restoration, said Councilman Micheal Powell. He suggested talking with the preservation committee that made the report on the building, to get their input.

“I see it as potential for tourism in the future,” he said. “Katherine Hall is a viable and important part of our future.”

Leagans floated the idea of building a one-level building on the Katherine Hall grounds and using it as a rentable event space and venue.

“No, we don’t have a concrete plan, but citizens have mentioned — at least around me — that it could be used as a multipurpose building,” he said.

Council only talked about the future of Katherine Hall and didn’t take any action, but town officials said they’d look into their options regarding the building.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Jun 17, 2021

 By DAMIAN DOMINGUEZ ddominguez@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/katherine-halls-future-in-question-for-ware-shoals-council/article_efcea294-5b6d-55ae-849e-d88e7dbb6a99.html

 

Two CPST projects could receive additional funds through state earmarks

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Additional money might be coming to help fund projects from the 2016 Capital Project Sales Tax.

State Sen. Mike Gambrell, who represents portions of Anderson, Abbeville and Greenwood counties, requested funding through the state budget for a project at Lake Greenwood and for a park in Hodges. The budget requests — known as earmarks — are associated with the lawmaker who requests them after the state Senate voted earlier this year to eliminate the previously secretive process of obtaining funding for local projects.

Gambrell asked the state to allocate $300,000 toward the Lake Greenwood master plan boat ramp project. The project was designated $810,000 when voters approved the 2016 CPST.

After estimates for construction came in significantly over budget, the county sought other funding sources to supplement the funding received through the penny sales tax.

“We are working with SCDNR to apply for a U.S. Fish and Wildlife — Sport Fish Restoration Grant that will pay up to 75% of the construction cost of the boat ramp,” Josh Skinner, county CPST coordinator, said in an email.

Skinner said he was unaware of Gambrell’s earmark for the project but the county would use the funds, especially if the SCDNR grant does not come through.

Gambrell also requested $50,000 to be used by the Town of Hodges for its park which will receive $126,494.63 from CPST funds.

“The CPST park plans include parking, restroom, pavilion and a fireplace/grilling area that will be bid as an alternate because of budget concerns,” Skinner said.

Skinner said the town applied for a PARD grant to help cover fencing and lighting for the park.

Hodges Mayor Michael George appeared before the county’s legislative delegation in April to ask for funds to help complete the park.

“This request through the parks and recreation department allowing us to remove an old barbed-wire fence, replace it with a nice black chain link fence,” George said. “Landscaping, irrigation and picnic tables to place under the pavilion.”

State Sen. Billy Garrett, the delegation chairman, said they would not be able to vote on it until their next meeting in July.

“We will also be looking at if there are other sources of funds,” Gambrell said at the meeting.

PARD grants require an 80/20 match and the town’s request for $50,000 means $40,000 would come from PARD and the town would have to supply $10,000. There is only one problem.

“We don’t have our PARD money yet,” Gambrell said.

Gambrell said to avoid the town having to match funds, he requested the money to directly fund the park.

The earmarks are not guaranteed, however. Gambrell said it is in Senate version of the budget but the House will still need to vote on it before it becomes final.

“They call it House two,” Gambrell said. “Which is their second bite at the apple on the budget.”

Normally, the House will pass the state budget, send it to the Senate where it will be amended and sent back to the House. The House will vote to non-concur — rejecting the Senate’s amendments to budget — and conference committee comprised of equal representatives of the House and Senate will meet and work out a compromise.

Gambrell said this year because the House didn’t have as much money to deal with during its budget deliberations as the Senate did, the House will get another chance to work on the budget.

He said the budget process will take a little longer this year.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:May 6, 2021

 By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/two-cpst-projects-could-receive-additional-funds-through-state-earmarks/article_9fb11783-5aea-543e-af73-2b4a54efce53.html

Greenwood County Council honors The Salvation Army in Greenwood for its 100th anniversary

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For 100 years, The Salvation Army has ministered to the needy in the community. Greenwood County Council honored the organization Tuesday for its achievement.

“We are so proud of what The Salvation Army has meant to Greenwood,” Chairperson Steve Brown said.

As Brown read the proclamation, he asked the two pastors who serve on council — Vice Chairperson Chuck Moates and Council members Melissa Spencer — to present the proclamation to Maj. Jason Hughes.

“We appreciate what you do,” Brown said to Hughes.

The organization distributed more than 150,000 pounds of food in the last years and more than 1 million pounds of food in the history of the organization’s time in Greenwood County.

“They give hope to individuals,” Brown said.

Hughes said he and the organization were blessed to be in this community.

“The Salvation Army is a tool that can be used by each community,” Hughes said.

Moates was reminded of scripture when thinking about the work of the organization.

“You put flesh to Jesus’ words,” Moates said as he quoted Matthew 25:40.

Council approved a contract with Palmetto Group Construction to construct the enhancements to the J.C. Boozer Athletic Facility as funded by the 2016 Capital Project Sales Tax. Josh Skinner, the county’s CPST coordinator, provided council with the final numbers for the contract. The county’s final cost estimate for the contract was $884,473, just under the project’s budget of $887,994.

Skinner said the amount would cover renovating the facility to the site plan that was approved and offer better lighting for ballfields. However, the amount does not include a centralized restroom facility or renovations to the existing restrooms. Those specific parts of the project will be rebid and will be funded from another yet-to-be determined source.

Council members voted to approve the conversion of a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with the Eaton facility on West Alexander Road. County Economic Development Director James Bateman said the conversion was to bring the FILOT up to the current simple fee process that the county has been using in recent years.

Council approved the rezoning of more than 41 acres at 3600 Old Laurens Road from R-1 residential zoning to light industrial zoning. The property is owned by Greenwood CPW and was recently de-annexed from the Greenwood City limits. CPW plans to develop the property into a pad-ready site for a future economic development tenant.

Council approved a resolution giving preliminary approval to incentives for an industrial solar farm — code name Project Cosmos — on first reading in title only to an ordinance related to a FILOT agreement on the project.

Council approved an ordinance on second reading that would allow Self Regional Healthcare to refinance revenue bonds to gain a lower interest rate. Self’s Chief Financial Officer Tim Evans said the refinance would save $6 million.

Council also approved the purchase of three trucks for the roads department using funds saved from staffing vacancies in the department.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:May 5, 2021

 By JAMES HICKS jhicks@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/greenwood-county-council-honors-the-salvation-army-in-greenwood-for-its-100th-anniversary/article_9495f69a-0b1e-5726-a5da-1eb318ea5c4e.html