►
From YouTube: City Council Meeting May 8, 2023
Description
City Council Meeting
May 8, 2023
7 PM
CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
GUIDELINES
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
MINUTES:
(1) Consideration of the Minutes of the Work Session and Regular Meeting
of April 24, 2023.
PRESENTATIONS:
(1) Presentation to Winner of Aiken Soil and Water Conservation District
Storm Drain Mural Contest.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC (total time limited to 30
minutes and each speaker limited to three minutes.):
OLD BUSINESS: Further Consideration of:
(1) Approval of Appointments and Discussion of Appointees to Various
City Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
(2) Second Reading and Public Hearing of an Ordinance to Annex 1636
Two Notch Road and Zone it RS-10 (Residential Single-Family).
AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1636
TWO NOTCH ROAD AND TO ZONE THE SAME RESIDENTIAL
SINGLE-FAMILY (RS-10).
(3) Second Reading and Public Hearing of an Ordinance to Rezone 1.21
Acres at 791 York Street NE from Light Industrial (LI) to General
Business (GB).
AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY OWNED BY YORK
STREET HOLDINGS, LLC FROM LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (LI) TO
GENERAL BUSINESS (GB).
(4) Second Reading and Public Hearing of an Ordinance to Rezone 206
Edgefield Avenue NE from Limited Professional (LP) to Residential
Multifamily Low-Density (RML).
AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 206 EDGEFIELD AVENUE NE FROM LIMITED
PROFESSIONAL (LP) TO RESIDENTIAL MULTIFAMILY LOW
DENSITY (RML).
(5) Second Reading and Public Hearing of an Ordinance Authorizing the
City of Aiken to Grant an Easement to Bear Mountain LLC.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF AIKEN TO
GRANT AN EASEMENT TO BEAR MOUNTAIN, LLC.
(6) Second Reading and Public Hearing of an Ordinance to Dissolve the
Aiken Municipal Development Commission and Delete Chapter 11 from
the Aiken City Code.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE DISSOLUTION OF THE
AIKEN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND THE
AMENDMENT OF THE AIKEN CITY CODE TO DELETE
CHAPTER 11.
NEW BUSINESS: Consideration of:
(1) First Reading and Public Hearing of an Ordinance to Establish New
Charges for Water and Sewer Service.
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING NEW CHARGES FOR WATER AND
SEWER SERVICE
(2) First Reading of an Ordinance to Set the FY 2023-24 Millage Rate.
AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE LEVY OF TAXES FOR
ORDINARY CITY PURPOSES IN THE CITY OF AIKEN FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2023, SET THE MILLAGE AT
SIXTY (60) MILLS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENDITURES
THEREOF.
(3) First Reading and Public Hearing of an Ordinance to Adopt the Fiscal
Year 2023-24 Budget.
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A BUDGET PROPOSED BY THE CITY
MANAGER, CONTAINING ESTIMATES OF PROPOSED REVENUES
AND EXPENDITURES BY THE CITY OF AIKEN FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2023, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2024, AND
DECLARING THAT IT SHALL CONSTITUTE THE BUDGET OF THE
CITY OF AIKEN
(4) First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the 2022-2023 Budget to
Provide Funding for the Underground Utilities Project.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BUDGET OF THE CITY OF
AIKEN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2022 AND
ENDING JUNE 30, 2023 FOR THE GENERAL FUND -
ENGINEERING DIVISION.
PETITIONS AND REQUESTS:
(1) Resolution for Sanitary Sewer Easement from GANB Near I-20.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ACCEPT A
SANITARY SEWER EASEMENT AGREEMENT FROM GANB,
LLC.
(2) Resolution for Sanitary Sewer Easement from Tummillo Near I-20.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ACCEPT A
SANITARY SEWER EASEMENT AGREEMENT FROM
TUMMEKKI, LLC AND DORIS E. TUMMILLO.
(3) Resolution to Purchase Property Near Oak Grove Road.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF
PROPERTY FROM MANCHESTER FAMILY LLC
NON-AGENDA ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC (each speaker limited to
three minutes.):
INFORMATION
(a) Issues and Updates.
(b) Public Services Report for March, 2023.
(c) Engineering and Utilities Report for April, 2023,
ADJOURNMENT
A
A
Thank
you,
councilwoman,
all
those
in
favor
of
coming
out
of
executive
session.
Please
raise
your
hand
and
that's
unanimous,
thank
you
and
with
that
we'd
like
to
call
the
meeting
to
order
good
evening.
We
appreciate
everyone
being
here
we're
going
to
open
with
our
invocation
and
our
pledge.
If
you're
so
inclined,
please
feel
free
to
rise
for
the
invocation.
A
Father
we're
thankful
for
this
day
for
this
time
that
we
come
together
to
take
care
of
the
business
of
the
city.
We
love.
We
just
ask
that
you'd
be
with
us,
and
everything
that
would
be
said
and
done
would
be
pleasing
to
you.
We
ask
for
wisdom.
As
decisions
are
made
for
our
city
Lord,
we
always
ask
for
protection
for
those
who
give
protection.
We
ask
for
protection
for
those
who
give
service
to
our
citizens,
be
with
us
and
protect
our
city
in
your
name.
We
pray,
amen,
amen,
I'd
like
to
ask
Chief
ranko.
A
A
Each
time
we'll
go
over
our
guidelines
for
our
meetings.
Meetings
are
a
public
forum
in
which
many
opinions
are
expressed
and
the
businesses
see
must
be
conducted
as
such
discipline
and
honorable
and
professional
decorum
is
Paramount.
Courteous
and
respectful
communication
is
expected
during
the
public
hearing
for
each
agenda
item,
questions
and
statements
from
the
public
shall
be
directed
to
the
chair.
If
you
wish
to
speak,
raise
your
hand
and
I'll
certainly
recognize
you.
Please
approach
the
podium
and
state
your
name
and
address
during
the
non-agenda
items
from
the
public.
A
There
will
be
a
total
time,
limited
30
minutes
and
each
speaker
will
be
limited
to
three
minutes.
Each
speaker
May
address
Council
one
time
during
this
time
in
order
to
allow
for
an
opportunity
for
everyone
who
wishes
to
address
counsel
during
the
public
hearing
for
the
item.
Each
item
speakers
should
limit
their
comments
to
the
subject
being
discussed.
A
E
You
mayor
hello,
everybody
glad
you're
here
tonight.
Here's
hoping
that
mayor,
Pro,
Tim,
Ed
Waltz,
will
get
well
and
be
able
to
come
back
soon
and
take
care
of
all
of
this
mayor.
I
have
a
motion
to
continue
old
business
number
five.
Second
reading
and
public
hearing
of
an
ordinance
authorizing
the
city
to
Grant
an
easement
to
Bear,
Mountain,
LLC,
okay,
other.
C
G
A
F
F
E
A
Going
ahead
at
this
time
before,
council
is
the
approval
of
the
agenda.
Would
that
change?
If
it's
voted
down,
then
we
could
have
a
motion
for
the
agenda
without
the
change
and
we
could
approve
it.
Okay,
a
call
for
the
question
all
right
call
for
the
question,
all
those
in
favor
for
the
agenda
with
the
change.
Please
raise
your
hand
and.
A
Right
those
opposed
okay,
so
that's
unanimous,
so
we
move
forward
now
and
I
will
look
for
a
an
approval
of
the
agenda
promotion.
Okay,
councilwoman
Gregory
made
a
motion
for
the
approve
of
the
agenda
as
presented
all
right.
Councilwoman
Diggs
made
it
a
second
all,
those
in
favor
of
the
agenda
as
presented.
Please
raise
your
hand
and
that's
unanimous.
A
B
A
A
I
J
Hello,
Mr
mayor
council,
Mr,
Smith,
council
members
and
staff
you've
gotten
tired
of
seeing
me
here
on
this
subject.
I
know
so
I'll
be
brief.
This
is
going
to
be
the
last
time
I'm
going
to
be
before
you
with
this
project,
for
which
we
are
very
grateful
for
the
city's
cooperation
in
letting
us
select
local
artists
to
paint
murals
for
storm
drain,
storm
water
and
pollution
prevention,
awareness
on
Newbury,
Street
and
in
the
alley.
J
If
you
did
not
know
last
week,
April
30th
through
May,
the
7th
was
Soil
and
Water
stewardship
week,
as
so
proclaimed
by
Henry
McMaster
and
in
to
coordinate
with
that.
The
National
Association
of
conservation
districts
organized
and
collaborated
with
all
kinds
of
conservation
districts
on
a
theme
which
was
one
water,
and
that
was
the
theme
that
our
five
artists
were
asked
to
paint
murals
for
the
one
Water
Theme.
J
K
I
just
want
to
say
thank
you
to
the
city
of
Aitkin
for
allowing
us
to
do
this.
It's
been
a
fun
project.
It's
been
a
long
project,
but
I
think
the
results
were
really
great,
so
I'm
going
to
call
the
four
of
the
five
artists
are
here
tonight:
I'm
going
to
call
all
of
them
up
and
we
have
a
thank
you
for
them
and
then
am
I
announced
in
the
winter.
K
A
K
C
M
Thank
you,
city
of
Aitkin,
I'm,
the
chair
of
the
Aiken
soul
and
Water
Conservation,
District
and
I'd,
just
like
to
invite
you
and
members
of
the
public
who
are
here
to
please
join
us
as
we
promote
conservation
in
Aiken
County.
Our
next
board
meeting
will
be
Wednesday
morning
at
8
o'clock
and
we're
always
looking
for
input,
and
this
is
a
great
project.
I
will
say:
I
had
relatives
from
Davis
California
and
they
were
so
excited
they're.
Bringing
this
message
back
to
their
area.
They
thought
it
was
a
great
idea.
So
thank
you.
M
A
A
N
N
O
N
Contract
was
approved.
This
is
the
whole
thing.
These
three
pages
were
missing
so
and
I
also
want
to
tell
you
that
I
also
want
to
explain
that
when
I
filed
for
the
free
Information
Act
request,
it
was
five
specific
documents,
as
it
turns
out
there's
only
one,
because
the
dates
are
wrong.
Okay,
the
fee
the
fee
for
that
Freedom
of
Information
Act
request
was
593.99.
N
N
I'm
not
going
to
be
here
for
the
sewer
easement
portion
of
the
meeting,
so
I
had
a
question
about
the
agenda
item
two
on
petitions
and
requests
to
Milo
toomeki
property
there
at
Gregory
Road
has
a
lift
station
identified.
There
is
that
the
north
side
lift
station
that
is
being
funded
with
the
plutonium
settlement,
funds
for
3.5
million
dollars,
because
it
certainly
corresponds
to
the
description
that
Department
of
Health
and
environmental
control
provided
to
me
when
I
asked
them
about
the
project.
N
That
can
anybody
answer
that
question.
You
have
anybody
utilities
here.
Where
is
that
lift
station
located,
then?
What
would
talk
what's
what's
going
on
here
is
it.
This
is
a
project,
that's
north
of
Interstate
20.,
so
it's
closer
to
Edgefield
County
than
it
is
to
most
people
who
live
in
the
city
limits
and
there's
a
project
that
was
discussed
in
an
executive
session.
I
believe
it's
about
a
Bucky's
Bucky's
truck.
Stop
is
what
the
rumor
is
out
there,
but
it's
probably
about
a
truck.
Stop
quite
sure.
N
P
Good
evening,
everyone
Jacob
Ellis,
three
short
Court
I,
don't
know
if
y'all
have
seen
the
news
today,
but
WRDW
just
posted
an
hour
ago
that
God
forbid
a
person
passed
away
in
an
abandoned
building
on
Williamsburg
Street
I'd
like
to
know
what
is
being
done
to
hold
those
landlords
accountable
to
heal
up
the
buildings
that
are
abandoned
to
stop
people
from
getting
into
shed
empty
buildings
because
all
around
downtown
in
the
South
Side
North,
Side,
East
and
West.
There
are
plenty
of
abandoned
buildings
that
are
just
hitting
there.
P
I
Q
Q
Evening
tonight
a
city
council
looks
this
thing's
wait.
A
minute
is
city
council
looks
to
dissolve
the
amdc.
I
would
like
to
discuss
transparency,
openness
and
public
access
to
information
or,
as
Governor
Henry
McMaster,
once
termed
it
good
government.
The
governor
was
addressing
the
issue
of
Freedom
of
Information
Act
request
when
he
used
that
term.
Q
Adding
our
goal
of
every
government
office
should
be
to
inspire
the
confidence
of
the
people
and
when
the
people
ask
for
information,
they
ought
to
get
it
in
this
vein,
I
would
like
to
recall
a
letter
sent
to
city
council
and
staff
some
eight
months
ago
detailing
violations
of
foia
or
Freedom
of
Information
Act
request
and
asking
for
your
attention
to
this
matter.
The
letter
and
the
details
of
these
violations
are
published
in
the
Aiken
Chronicles
tonight,
I'm
asking
publicly
for
the
record
for
your
attention
to
these
violations.
Q
This
regards
specifically
public
officials
from
the
city
of
Aitkin,
who
are
responsible
for
complying
with
foia
laws
and
who
issued
exorbitant
search,
retrieval
and
redaction
fees
that
serve
to
suppress
public
access
to
information.
In
one
case,
three
different
citizens
who
placed
distinctly
different
foia
requests
on
three
different
occasions
over
a
two-month
period
in
the
spring
of
2022,
received
identical
fee
determinations
from
the
city,
specifically
a
cost
of
5
312
dollars
for
332
hours
of
work,
to
respond
to
the
request
and
to
publicly
disclose
the
requested
information.
Q
Q
What's
up
with
that,
why
hasn't
city
council
or
the
records
custodian
responded
to
a
citizen's
Written
Letter
asking
for
your
attention
to
these
foia
law
violations?
The
public
has
brought
valuable
input
and
important
questions
to
the
city,
council
and
staff.
Over
the
past
year,
we've
received
very
little
in
the
way
of
answers.
This
would
seem
to
indicate
that
little
has
been
learned
from
the
pascalis
debacle
tonight.
Q
As
city
council
looks
to
dissolve
the
amdc,
the
potential
exists
that
the
amdc
is
merely
being
replaced
by
another
incarnation
of
the
amdc,
which
will
in
turn
merely
create
another
incarnation
of
pascalis
through
the
lab
scallus
project.
I
urge
the
city
to
not
repeat
the
failures
of
pascalis
and
to
instead
revisit
the
input
and
questions
you've
received
from
the
public
over
the
past
year.
It's
been
eight
months
since
these
foia
violations
were
brought
to
the
city's
attention.
We
in
the
public
have
asked
honest
question
and
we
deserve
honest
answers.
Thank
you.
Q
R
R
R
R
A
R
R
So
you
do
consider
sometimes
borrowing
against
the
future
hospitality
and
accommodations
Revenue
as
much
as
15
to
20
million
dollars
to
pay
for
projects
in
the
city
because
I
foiled,
the
these
are
just
quick
questions.
I,
don't
have
to
go
into
this
much,
but
I've
looked
at
how
all
that
money
is
allocated
and
15
to
20
million
dollars
is
a
substantial
amount
of
money
to
come
out
of
the
hospitality
and
Accommodations
Tax
revenue,
and
that
would
cost
everyone
that's
benefiting
now
from
that
would
have
cost
them
quite
a
bit.
A
R
R
E
A
I
L
C
A
S
A
I
Thank
you.
We
have
this
zoning
of
approximately
a
third
of
an
acre,
a
residential
single
family
RS10
also
annexation
is
part
of
this
request
in
the
Virginia
acre
subdivision.
The
Planning
Commission
unanimously
approved
this
those
present
at
their
April
11th
meeting,
and
it
is
before
Council
for
second
reading
this
evening.
All
right
thank.
A
A
Moving
down
old
business
item
number
three:
this
is
a
second
reading
in
public
hearing
of
an
ordinance
to
rezone
1.21
Acres
at
791
York,
Street
Northeast,
from
light
industrial
Li
to
General
business
GB
my
title
and
ordinance
the
rezone
property
owned
by
York
Street
Holdings
LLC
from
light
industrial
Li
to
General
business
GB.
Is
there
a
motion.
B
C
I
From
staff,
thank
you,
the
applicant
is
requesting
it
rezoning
of
approximately
1
and
21
hundredths
of
an
acre
at
791,
York
Street
Northeast,
from
what
industrial
to
General
business.
It
is
currently
developed
with
a
catering
business
granted
by
a
special
exception
in
another
vacant
retail
structure.
It's
on
the
west
side
of
York
across
from
Kershaw
A
J.
It
is
adjacent
to
General
business
zoned
Parcels.
Currently,
this
is
this,
does
fit
in
with
the
consistency
with
the
current
land
uses
on
the
subject
parcel
as
Pro
properties
to
the
north,
south
and
Western's
own
General.
I
A
A
I'm
number
four.
This
is
a
second
reading
in
public
hearing
of
an
ordinance
to
rezone
206
Edgefield,
Avenue
Northeast
from
limited
professional
LP
to
residential
multi-family,
low
density
rml
by
Tyler.
It's
a
reason:
I'm
certain
property
located
at
206,
Edgefield,
Avenue
Northeast
from
limited
professional
LP
to
residential
multi-family,
low
density
rml.
Is
there
a
motion?
It's.
C
I
Staff,
thank
you.
The
applicant
is
requesting
rezoning
from
limited
professional
to
residential
multi-family
low
density.
The
parcel
is
currently
undeveloped
located
on
the
northeast
corner.
At
the
intersection
of
Edgefield
in
York.
It
is
adjacent
to
residential
multi,
-family,
low
density
to
the
Northeast
and
West.
This
Zone
use
provides
for
residential
neighborhoods
made
up
of
attached
single-family
and
multi-family
units
protected
from
incompatible
land
uses
it.
The
water
and
sewer
is
available
in
adequate
Street
Frontage
for
single-family
residential
uses,
also
appropriate.
I
The
Planning
Commission
unanimously
approved
this
those
present
at
their
April
11th
meeting
and
at
the
first
reading
of
city
council,
which
passed
the
adjacent
adjacent
property
owner,
attended
and
asked
what
the
future
use
of
the
property
would
be.
If
the
zoning
change
was
allowed
and
Council
asked
staff
to
invite
the
owner
for
second
reading
and
I
believe
he
is
present,
and
it
is
before
you
for
second
reading
this
evening.
I
A
T
H
H
T
A
U
A
U
Appreciate
so
you
know
back
to
the
matter
at
hand.
206
Edgefield,
you
know
in
my
initial
discussions
at
the
Planning
Commission
meeting
regarding
this
I
didn't
necessarily
voice
opposition
to
the
rezoning
request
because
in
my
mind,
a
request
for
rezoning
from
LP
limited
professionals
to
multi-family
residential
poses
for
Less
risk
to
me
because
of
traffic
patterns,
hence
better
than
perhaps
a
sharp
stick
in
the
eye.
U
Those
were
residential
multi-family,
but
yet
the
lot
in
question
was
limited.
Professional
and
I
would
ask
the
council
to
consider
something
a
little
more
restrictive,
obviously
something
that
would
benefit
me
as
the
neighboring
homeowner.
That
would
require
specifically
that
what
is
built
there
be
a
single
family
home.
U
That
is
so
incongruous
with
what
is
happening
in
the
neighborhood,
because
there
are
other
homeowners
who
are
retrofitting,
renovating
and
they're,
not
they're,
not
modernizing
these
properties
they're
using
what
existed
and
restoring
them
and
keeping
them
to
the
original
context
of
the
community.
So
that
is
something
I'd
like
to
put
out
there.
I
I
know:
I
can
run
long
and
I
may
yet,
but
bear
with
me
a
few
other
items
here.
You
know
one
of
the.
U
U
I
heard
mention
of
an
abandoned
building.
Someone
found
dead
in
it.
I
I
think
there
are
legitimate
concerns
there,
but
I
do
know
that
there
are
many
vacant
and
dilapidated
projects
or
Pro
housing
programs,
houses,
I
should
say
in
the
north
side,
demo
200
could
easily
become
a
vehicle
for
demolishing
some
of
these
Pro
these
houses,
but
to
what
end
meaning
would
they
become
programmed
for
modernization,
Mr.
U
Q
My
name
is
Laura
Lance,
Old,
Powder,
House,
Road
I,
regretfully
missed
the
last
meeting
in
which
this
was
brought
up
for
the
first
time
and
I
did
read
up
on
it.
I
read
the
minutes
and
I'm
just
really
heartbroken
by
this,
because
I
know
that
the
the
Scofield
district
there
their
looking
to
try
to
get
a
historic
overlay
in
that
area,
and
and
it's
really
there
should
have
been
long
ago
and
and
I
I
guess.
Q
You
know
when
I
look
at
when
I
look
at
first
of
all
the
demolitions
that
have
been
taking
place
in
that
area-
and
these
are
just
you
know-
houses
historic
properties
that
are
just
gone
forever.
Just
this
big
gap
and
then
I
look
at
some
of
the
things
that
have
been
replaced
there
and
one
example
would
be
right
around
the
corner.
I
believe
it
is
from
this
property,
it
may
be
another
block
over.
But
it's
it's
on
Fairfield
Street
up
near
Hampton,
and
there
are
these
houses
or
apartments
that
have
been
put
there.
Q
I
mean
maybe
they're
still
under
construction,
and
they
look
like
Jim
Walter
Holmes
of
the
1960s
and,
if
anybody's
too
too
young
to
know
what
I'm
talking
about
it's,
it's
just
cheaply,
built
cracker
boxes,
that's
what
they
look
like
and-
and
it's
just
so
sad
to
see
that
coming
into
this
neighborhood
and
I.
Guess
what
I
wonder
and
I
guess
I.
Also
wonder
if
you
know
this
being
in
the
opportunity
Zone.
Q
I
mean
post
post
this
issue,
I
mean
this
is
water
over
the
dam,
but
on
new
construction
permits
or
something
in
that
area.
I
would
just
say
I
if
there's
a
way
to
move
Heaven
and
Earth
to
make
that
happen.
I
think
it
would
be
good
just
to
buy
some
time
so
that
this
overlay
could
possibly
be
put
in
place.
A
T
Two
things
we
already
approved
to
build
a
home
here
and
watch
smaller
home,
which
I
can
break
ground
tomorrow
and
do
without
coming
here.
Okay
I
decided
to
build
something
that
has
more
value.
We
plan
to
invest,
300
000
there,
that's
not
the
value
of
the
home,
it's
going
to
be
what
more
than
that,
but
that's
what
we're
putting
in
so
the
whole
purpose
of
this
exercise
is
actually
to
help
the
property
values
around
there,
but
I
have
an
approval.
T
H
T
T
T
L
T
T
S
It
would
be
a
really
good
idea
to
consider
working
with
the
community
on
that
also,
you
know
my
good
neighbor
judalando
is
texting
me
right
now
about
people
mentioning
demo
200.
So
again,
this
issue
seems
to
keep
coming
up.
There
was
a
walk.
I
recall
at
one
point:
I
wasn't
able
to
attend
that,
but
it'd
be
really
nice
to
see
some
progress
or
if
there
was
like
any
agenda
notes
from
that.
That's
true,
thank
you.
O
Good
evening
Bill
McGee
Bill
McGee
217
Fairfield
Street
I'm
from
the
Scofield
Community
Association.
You
have
had
three
or
four
reports
over
the
last
20
years
for
some
protection
in
this
area.
Okay,
I
think
the
suggestion
that
you
come
up
with
the
moratorium
until
we
can
get
some
protection
in
the
area
would
be
appropriate.
H
Q
E
D
I
just
want
didn't
want
to
clarify
that
statement.
The
lp
is
actually
meant
to
be
you'll,
see
them
piecemeal
for
a
reason,
because
they
are
transitionary
district,
so
you
will
see
LPS
and
LBS,
whereas
this
particular
area
for
blocks
is
rml
and
then
across.
The
road
is
for
blocks
RMH.
So
when
you
do
put
an
RS8
and
RS6
or
S10,
it
would
be
considered
spot
zoning.
E
Or
the
the
zoning
itself,
you
have
to
go
back
and
look
at
the
history
and
I
think
the
zoning
was
done
in
the
70s
or
somewhere
thereabouts,
and
it
was
well
after
a
whole
of
these
houses
were
built
I,
the
houses
were
built
in
the
30s
40s,
maybe
earlier,
maybe
a
little
after
50s
60s,
so
zoning
finally
came
along
and
they
were
met.
They
were
retrofitting
it
to
what
was
there
and
there's
places
all
over
Aiken,
particularly
on
this
side,
the
east
side
and
over
on
the
west
side.
E
In
some
of
those
subdivisions
where
you
have,
you
have
subdivisions
over
on
the
west
they're
GB
in
their
houses,
there
was
GB
on
the
east
side
and
we
changed
some
of
that,
the
DB
to
kind
of
try
to
make
it
fit
and
that
I
don't
know
whether
that's
been
successful
one
way
or
the
other.
But
in
this
particular
case
they
were
rml,
because
a
lot
of
those
houses
had
apartments
in
the
backyard
and.
E
There's
residential
multi-family,
low
density
and
it
accounted
for
that
now
there
is
some
apartments
in
the
I,
don't
know
if
it's
the
400
block
or
the
500
block
before
Hampton
Avenue
on
Fairfield
street,
that
they
took
three
lots
and
they
put
little
apartments
in
there.
It's
been
there
a
long
time
too.
I,
don't
know
how
long
I
don't
know
the
history
of
everything,
but
you
know
it
sort
of
comes
with
what
I
do
for
a
living,
any
rate
that
was
the
process
and
how
it
got
to
be
that
particular
scenario.
E
C
E
Bunch
of
years,
but
okay,
there,
it
is
it's
1970.,
there's
a
lot.
This
plat
was
made
before
zoning.
It
had
a
house
at
one
time.
Of
course
the
house
is
gone,
but
there
was
one
house
single
family,
residential
and
again
I
understand,
spot
zoning
I
understand
how
that
works.
Why
it's
there,
but
at
the
same
time
it's
more
appropriate
to
be
single
family.
In
my
mind
now
the
owner
has
stated
Mr
Williams
that
he
wants
to
build
a
single
family
house
which
once
it's
done,
it's
done.
E
He
puts
it
in
the
middle,
and
that
is
consistent
with
the
neighborhood.
The
neighborhood
is
single
family
houses.
So
from
that
perspective,
I
think
it'd
be
appropriate
to
do
that,
but
I
don't
think
it
kills
us
to
not.
Have
it
because
rml
he's
going
to
do
that
once
he's
done
it's
there,
but
that's
the
reasoning,
that's
why
planning
is
saying
RMA
and
and
what
Miss
Moultrie
just
said
is
right.
E
You
go
across
the
street
where
the
Croft
house
and
that's
a
topic
of
discussion
for
one
day
how
in
the
world
do
we
come
up
with
craft
house
and
I
think
that
was
done
when
I
was
in
college
or
something
and
I
don't
remember
all
that,
but
that's
kind
of
interesting,
that's
there
and
it's
RMH,
which
would
be
high
density,
which
is
how
that
gets
there
in
the
overall
process.
So
it
certainly
shouldn't
be
RMH.
So
we've
already
got
what
I
consider
spot
zoning
it.
E
F
H
Well,
within
that
I
used
to
live
in
that
block
right
across
from
where
Croft
house
is,
and
that
used
to
be
a
workstation
for
the
city
of
Aitkin
100
years
ago.
You
you
all,
are
too
young
to
remember,
but
anyway,
the
city
owned
that
property
before
it
was
purchased
by
a
developer
for
Croft
house,
but
we
lived
in
an
apartment
and
there
were
several
apartments
at
the
very
end
as
you
head
north
on
that
it
was
in
that
block
right.
So
it's
changed
over
the
years
and
we
have.
C
E
A
bunch
of
them
are
rml
than
some
RMH
and
again,
who
knows
what
the
history
is?
Mr
McGee
may
know:
are
there
any
Apartments
still
over
there
in
that
block,
just
going
from
Abbeville
to
Fairfield?
No
okay,
I
didn't
think
there
was,
and
also
one
of
the
houses
up
there
I
know
it's.
It
actually
has
an
apartment
in
the
backyard
which
isn't
and
it's
completely
dilapidated
and
I.
Don't
know
what
he's
done
with
that
thing.
F
F
C
N
F
Low
density
is,
is
a
very
you
mentioned
it.
Safe,
safe
route
right
I
mean
to
be
able
to
invest
and
have
options
that
are
still
very
residential,
because
that's
what
people
are
doing
a
lot
nowadays
in
every
neighborhood
is
they
come
in?
They
build
a
single
family
and
then
they
build
an
in-laws
quarter
or
something
that
they
can.
You
know
rent
out
to
a
college.
Student
I,
don't
know
whatever,
but
you
know
do
we
want
to
limit
those
things
or
do
we
want
to
not
I.
V
H
C
H
A
A
G
A
B
I
You
Bear
Mountain
owns
property
on
US-1
between
the
city-owned
vereen's
industrial
park
and
Center
Fire
Department
Bear
Mountain
would
like
an
easement
for
a
driveway.
Approximately
a
quarter
of
an
acre
across
property
owned
by
the
city.
City
staff
and
scdot
have
discussed
this
proposal
because
access
to
the
highway
is
problematic.
I
A
A
If
we
could
pull
this
and
consider
those
items,
I
I
will
say
I
think
staff
I
would
give
councilman
Jared
a
lot
of
credit
too
I
made
a
lot
of
calls
spoke,
spoke
to
one
of
the
agents,
who's
actually
selling
and
answered
some
questions
for
it,
too
still
felt
like
we
should
have
that
vote,
appreciate,
Council
and
doing
that.
For
me,
it
stayed
on
the
agenda,
and
so
the
questions
I
I
had
were
resolved.
I,
don't
mind,
saying
those
before
you
open
a
public
hearing:
it's
not
a
transfer
of
property.
A
W
Louis
ronaldinhi,
638,
Magnolia,
yeah
I
think
just
for
clarity.
We
should
understand-
and
it
wasn't
said
so.
I
will
say
that
at
least
in
the
previous
reading,
if
the
easement
was
for
one
dollar-
and
you
know,
even
though
it's
an
easement
rather
than
a
transfer
of
ownership,
if
somebody
has
an
easement
for
a
driveway,
you
can't
do
anything
else
on
it.
So
you've
actually
lost
the
value
of
that
land
for
the
city.
W
W
W
W
Real
estate
has
value,
and
if
it's
a
third
party
and
the
city
is
trying
to
accommodate,
you
say:
okay,
this
is
an
incentive.
We
want
to
do
to
make
people
come
and
do
business
with
the
city.
I
mean
the
city
wants
to
be
helpful,
great,
terrific,
that's
what
Pro
development
City
should
do
when
it's
the
city,
attorney's
partner,
you
should
say
you're
out
of
luck.
Pal,
the
City
attorney
you're
his
partner
you've
got
to
pay
full
price.
W
W
This
is
just
not
a
good
idea.
I
don't
want
to
recite
the
other
deals
that
these
two
parties
have
been
involved
in
that
were
highly
unfavorable
to
the
city.
If
you
did
a,
if
you
added
up
the
amount
of
real
estate,
that's
been
transferred
to
the
city,
to
partners
of
Smith
Massey
employees
of
Smith
Massey
clients
of
Smith
Massey
at
below
value.
W
It's
over
a
million
dollars
in
the
last
three
years.
That's
terrible!
It's
a
terrible
record!
It
doesn't
look
good
for
Council.
Doesn't
look
good
for
Smith
Massey?
You
ought
to
stop
it.
You
ought
to
say
look
happy
to
do
this,
for
you,
let's
figure
out
what
fair
value
is
pay
for
it.
A
dollar
is
not
fair
value.
W
Any
comment
from
Council:
you
all
feel
comfortable
just
giving
money
away
to
the
city
attorney's
party
for
a
dollar.
That's
a
good
idea.
You
think!
That's
how
you
should
that's
that's
your
representation
of
how
we
should
run
the
cities,
let's
just
if
you're
partners
with
the
city
council
I'll,
give
you
I'll,
give
you
real
estate
for
a
dollar
or
a
thousand
dollars.
W
W
W
C
A
A
N
N
A
I
E
Okay,
well,
this
is
the
appropriate
time
for
us
to
talk
not
to
answer
questions.
While
we
stand
there
and
look
at
us
I
dispute
that
we're
giving
discounts
to
anybody
or
we
sold
anything
for
Less-
we're
not
going
to
debate
that
here
and
now,
but
since
he
brought
it
up,
he's
never
talked
to
me
individually.
He
never
has
Mr
Money
act.
E
No,
none
of
you
have
so
that's
stated
for
the
record
since
he's
making
that
statement
and
no
discounts
are
given
to
anybody
at
Smith
Massey
and
in
fact
the
only
reason
we
know
that
who's
one
of
the
investors
is
because
Mr
Smith
recused
himself.
So
now
we
know
we
don't
ever
consider
that
we
consider
it
on
the
merits
of
what's
before
us
and
whether
we
go
forward
with
it
and
they're
making
a
big
deal.
That's
fine!
If
that's
what
they
want
to
do
so
now.
Let's
talk
about
the
specifics
of
this.
E
This
is
not
a
deed
exchange.
Some
of
the
other
things
he
brought
up
are
deed
exchange
where
they
end
up
owning
the
property.
This
they
don't.
Yes,
it's
going
to
have
a
driveway
on
it,
but
that
we
already
have
an
easement
in
this
place
that
was
given
to
the
owner
beforehand.
Who
is
selling
the
property
now,
which,
if
I'm
not
mistaken,
is
it
water
sewer?
Do
we
know
what
all
the?
What
are
the
exact
easements
I
think
it's.
E
And
there
was
no
charge
for
that
at
that
time
in
place.
So
it's
it's
a
whole
different
scenario
than
some
other
easement
here
there.
In
other
words,
is
it
positive
for
the
city
to
give
an
easement
to
this
property?
So
they
come
in
yes,
they're
going
to
be
water
and
sewer
customers,
they
will
pay
water
and
sewer
at
a
commercial
rate.
That's
and
it's
not
in
the
city.
So
it's
twice
the
amount
of
money
for
a
normal
in
the
city,
type
property
they
will
pay
and
and
again
we
can
get
down
splitting
hairs.
E
I
think
did
you
use
twelve
thousand
dollars.
Is
the
the
number
that's
sort
of
a
rhetorical
question?
I
would
agree
that
the
real
estate,
if
we
were
selling
real
estate
it
could
be
somewhere
around
ten
thousand,
though
it's
really
not
usable
for
anything,
because
it's
only
80
feet
deep,
it's
not
a
processed
setbacks.
E
So
it's
really
not
fair
that
a
property.
That's
all
for
us.
One
would
be
a
hundred
thousand
dollars
an
acre.
But,
let's
just
say
it's
forty
thousand
dollars
an
acre
that'd
be
ten
thousand
dollars
for
point
two:
five:
a
quarter
of
an
acre.
Ten
thousand
okay,
ten
thousand
still
significant
amount
of
money,
but
it's
not
a
deed
exchange.
It's
an
easement
it'd
be
worth
less
than
that
and
again
I've
been
a
real
estate
appraiser
for
40
years
in
Aitkin.
I
think
I've
got
a
little
more
experience
in
real
estate.
E
Okay,
if
y'all
want
to
debate
this,
if
you
want
to
call
me
and
discuss
the
other
properties
which
you've
never
done
call
me,
you've
got
my
number.
It's
very
easy
and
I'll
be
glad
to
talk
to
you
about
all
that,
except
for
project
pascalis,
we're
not
going
to
talk
about
that.
Real
estate
deal
you're
the
primary
in
the
lawsuit,
so
we're
not
going
to
have
any
discussions
about
that,
but
any
other
ones
y'all,
taking
a
lot
of
things
out
of
context
in
what
you've
done.
E
A
All
right
item
number
five
before
so
the
second
reading
authorizing
C
vacant,
the
grand
easement
all
in
favor.
Please
raise
your
hand
and
that's
unanimous.
Thank
you.
I'm
number
six.
This
is
the
second
reading
in
public
hearing
of
an
ordinance
to
dissolve
the
Aiken
Municipal
development
commission
and
delete
chapter
11
from
the
Aitkin
city
code
by
title
of
Lawrence,
approving
the
dissolution
of
the
Aiken
Municipal
development,
commission
and.
A
I
The
amdc
was
created
by
City
Council
in
August
2019.
This
ordinance
before
Council
would
dissolve
the
Aitkin
Municipal
development
commission
no
later
than
June
1st
2023
and
transfer
its
assets
to
the
city.
A
list
of
the
assets
which
consists
of
several
Parcels
of
real
estate
in
a
bank
account
holding
as
of
May
1st
2023
123
657.79,
will
become
property
of
the
city.
Council
delayed
a
second
reading
of
the
ordinance
to
have
the
state
South
Carolina
state
ethics
commission
review
allegations
of
potential
conflicts
of
interest.
I
The
state
ethics
commission
issued
an
informal
opinion
on
April,
26
2023
and
stated
quote
based
on
the
facts
presented.
It
is
the
opinion
of
commission
staff
that
the
four
council
members
are
permitted
to
vote
in
the
proposed
ordinance
unquote.
Therefore,
the
item
is
back
before
Council
for
second
reading
Council
approved
this
reading
at
their
March
27th,
meaning
at
first
reading,
and
it
is
before
you
this
evening
for
second
reading.
N
It
is
important
to
note
that
since
the
amdc
did
not
create
the
Aiken
Corporation
and
yakin
Corporation
did
not
serve
at
the
discretion
of
the
amdc
that
the
recent
ethics
Commission
in
formal
opinion
probably
did
not
apply.
Then,
nor
was
it
addressed
by
the
Essex
commission.
So
the
non-vote
that
day
was
the
right
thing
to
do.
N
I'd
like
to
say
that
it
was
good
to
move
it
on
to
dissolving
the
amdc.
So
legal
counsel
then
advise
in
full
public
view
that
Council
moved
to
dissolve
the
amdc
at
its
next
meeting.
In
order
to
transfer
amdc
assets
and
properties
to
the
city,
without
this
option
appears,
there
would
have
been
no
transfer
of
properties
and
assets,
so
March
27th,
the
first
vote
to
dissolve
the
same
conflict
of
interest
issues
were
raised,
counseled
and
voted
in
a
rather
unorthodox
manner.
N
If
you
watch
the
video
to
enter
executive
session
prior
to
entering
executive
session,
there
were
three
side
conversations
off
the
Record
I
said.
Yes,
you
watched
the
video
and
see
which
who
was
talking
on
the
side
to
each
other
off
the
Record
and
I
want
to
note
that
on
June
24
2022
councilwoman
price
acknowledged
its
side.
Conversations
are
improper
after
having
one
with
councilman
woltz
during
a
rezoning
hearing,
so
the
precise
transcript
and
description
events.
That
then
follows
the
side
conference
occurred.
N
Then
Mr
Smith's,
then
stated
without
being
recognized.
If
Council
would
like
my
advice,
we
can
go
into
executive
session,
followed
by
if
there's
a
motion
to
go
in
an
executive
session,
so
moved
councilman,
Gerardo
seconded
the
motion,
presiding
officer
price
said,
is
a
motion
to
go
in
an
executive
session,
so
moved
second
and
we'll
come
back.
N
So
no
specific
reason
was
given
to
go
into
an
executive
session
and
no
South
Carolina
foia
opened.
His
meetings.
Exemption
was
cited
so
note
that
the
South
Carolina
Supreme
Court
ruled
in
favor
of
North
Augusta
resident
Steve
Donahue
in
his
lawsuit
against
the
north
city
of
North
Augusta
for
violating
South
Carolina
foia
for
failing
to
identify
a
specific
purpose
for
going
into
executive
session.
N
The
Court's
ruling
stated
in
part.
It
is
clear
in
its
mandate
that
the
specific
purpose
of
the
session
shall
be
announced.
Therefore,
foia
is
not
satisfied
merely
by
some
citizens
having
some
idea
of
what
a
public
body
might
discuss
in
private,
the
specific
person
specific
person
must
be
identified,
so
at
128
Council
returned
to
Chambers.
At
that
point
there
was
no
motion
to
leave
executive
session,
at
least
on
the
archive
video,
which
ran
continuously
error
in
the
transcripts,
and
it's
not
reflected
in
the
minutes
at
1
28
30.
N
The
meeting
resumes
again
no
motion
was
made.
No
vote
was
taken
to
leave
executive
session,
presiding
officers
stated
I.
Think
I
do
want
to
hear
from
Miss
Lewis
Mr
Lewis
I
think
he
wanted
to
make
a
comment,
but
according
to
South
Carolina
foia,
no
action
may
be
taken
an
executive
session
except
to
adjourn
or
return.
The
public
session
members
of
the
public
body
may
not
commit
the
public
body
to
a
course
of
action
by
polling
of
members
and
executive
session
according
to
city.
Ordinance.
Emotion
is
a
means
by
which
city
council
takes
legislative
action.
N
Therefore,
by
not
making
a
motion
to
leave
executive
session
Council
conducted
a
vote
in
an
executive
session
which
the
courts
might
find
illegal
under
South
Carolina
foia,
so
I
would
suggest
that
maybe
submitting
a
request
for
an
informal
opinion
from
the
attorney
general
now
just
to
see
what
they
would
say
and
and
one
of
the
reasons
I
bring
this
up,
because
I
can
tell
you
one
thing:
I've
been
to
about
40
at
least
40
county
meetings,
maybe
50
or
60
since
2014
or
so
and
I.
Don't
think
that
mistake
has
ever
been
made
there.
V
Evening
my
name
is
Kelly
Cornelius.
So
is
this
still?
The
first
reading
I
think
you
guys
know
I've
been
asking
you
to
get
rid
of
the
amdc
since,
on
the
record
at
least
October,
but
I
still
have
some
concerns
before
you
move
forward,
because
I
think
most
of
us
paying
attention
or
a
lot
of
us
realize
that
this
this
isn't
the
end
of
pascalis.
It's
just
a
transition
to
lab
scallus.
V
Also
in
a
statement
September
29
2022,
the
chair
of
the
then
chair
of
the
amdc
Keith
wood,
raised
concerns
that
included
problems
with
the
lack
of
transparency
from
the
staff
to
the
amdc
in
a
December
9
2022
email,
resignation,
letter
from
then
chairman,
Keith,
wood
States
in
part
I
strongly
believe
that
you,
as
an
entire
body
speaking
to
you,
the
commission.
He
was
needs
to
be
made
aware
of
the
actions
that
I
understand
were
taken
that
resulted
in
the
failure
of
the
project.
V
These
actions
resulted
in
significant
expenditures
of
city
of
Aiken
taxpayer
monies
and
considerable
reputational
harm
to
all
involved.
Also
in
a
December
9th
resignation,
then
Vice,
chair
of
the
amdc,
writes
in
part.
The
focus
should
be
on
why
this
project
was
suddenly
stopped
and
relayed
to
us
in
amdc
meeting
June
23
2022
15
people
attended
that
meeting,
including
City
staff,
consultants
and
Commissioners
as
relayed
to
us.
In
that
meeting
actions
were
taken
that
I
cannot
condone,
approve
or
excuse
the
cost
of
taxpayers
money,
and
they
have
the
right
to
know
members
of
the
council.
V
There
are
still
much
we,
the
public,
do
not
know
as
you
transition
from
pascalis
and
head
into
lab
scallus.
With
many
of
the
same
staff
in
place,
there
has
been
no
accountability,
no
transparency
and
after
destroying
public
trust
with
pascalis.
It
appears.
Public
Safety
is
now
in
your
sights
as
you
propose
a
federal
bomb
plant
lab
on
iconic,
Newberry,
Street,
so
I
think
there
are
many
questions
that
still
have
to
be
answered
and
I
feel
like
this
is
just
getting
rammed
down
the
Public's
throat.
V
We
were
told
on
February
6th
that
this
was
just
the
beginning
of
a
feasibility
study
and
then
quickly
after
that,
you
know
you're
already
in
a
contract
with
somebody
to
do
this.
So
the
surprises
continue.
The
secrecy
continues
and
it
feels
like
you
haven't,
learned
anything
as
somebody
stated
earlier
and
as
far
as
being
a
real
estate
appraiser.
Why
was
there
none
on
this
property?
There
was
none
before
the
deal
was
made.
Okay.
X
My
name
is
Valerie
Roble
I
live
in
South,
Aiken
I
have
a
couple
questions
and
I
know
you
probably
won't
answer,
because
we
never
seem
to
get
answers.
But
where
are
we
with
the
feasibility
study?
We
gave
Aiken
Corporation
250
000
for
that
study
and
I.
Don't
think,
we've
heard
anything
on
that.
So
I'm
curious
about
that,
and
then
also
when
are
the
rfps
going
to
be
or
available.
When
can
they
be
submitted
for
the
Pascal's
Properties
or
for
the
old
hospital
building?
Any
idea
where
we
are
on
any
of
those
old.
N
F
X
X
A
We
hope
there
will
be
an
RFP
or
RFQ,
but
only
only
after
it's
it's
work,
work
right,
and
you
know
we
we
all
saw
the
banner.
Do
it
right,
I
think
that
that's
the
certainly
the
desire
for
a
council,
and
hopefully
when
it
comes
out
once
people
see
it,
they'll
see
that
it
is
doing
right,
leaning,
leaning
hard
to
preservation,
as
opposed.
A
X
X
We
all
feel
like
you
know
we
as
a
public
need
to
get
reprimanded.
That's
not
really
the
case.
I
think
we
just
want
information,
but
lots
of
things
that
were
supposed
to
be
transparent
and
were
not
documented.
You
know
just
one
small
thing:
in
June
222
a
staff
member
of
the
amdc
issued
a
list
of
25
public
meetings
in
the
previous
24
months.
This
is
false,
so
this
is
not
a
true
statement.
X
Yet
it
was
even
reported
to
local
newspapers.
Project
pascalis
was
not
even
published
or
publicly
announced
until
March
18
2021.
Eight
of
the
meetings
occurred.
Even
before
that
date
there
was
no
conceptual
result.
Design
for
project
Pascal
is
available
for
public
inspection
prior
to
March,
1
2022.
Yet
16
of
the
meetings
cited
by
the
amdc
occurred
prior
to
that
date.
So
you
know
we
seem
to
get
reprimanded
as
public,
but
we
deserve
to
know
correct
and
truthful
and
lawful
information,
and
so
we,
let's
hope
that
we
get
that
moving
forward.
X
F
Yes,
ma'am
about
us
taking
votes
in
an
executive
session,
I'd
like
to
clarify
that
I
have
not
been
a
part
of
any
executive
session
where
any
votes
have
been
taken.
So
the
assumptions
and
misinformation
that
keeps
being
presented
as
accusations
are
inappropriate,
so
I
will
say
for
the
record.
Andrea
Gregory
has
never
been
a
part
of
any
executive
session
where.
E
A
H
A
B
I
One
of
these
is
the
construction
funding,
infrastructure,
repairs
and
beginning
construction
of
a
new
water
plant
to
replace
the
one
built
in
1954..
Additional
upgrades
and
Equipment
replacement
have
been
funded
through
annual
budgets
allocations
through
four
rounds
of
the
capital
project
sales
tax,
enter
fund
borrowing
and
issuing
revenue,
bonds
and
utilizing
other
external
financial
instruments
were
possible.
I
We
have
periodically
examined
our
rates
and
updated
our
rate
study
in
2020.
After
much
thought
and
deliberation,
we
are
recommending
rate
increases,
since
our
water
and
sewer
utility
is
an
Enterprise
fund
that
must
be
run
as
a
self-supporting
entity.
A
significant
amount
of
work
remains
to
be
done
with
our
aging
sewer
system.
This
seven
percent
increase
will.
S
I
Users
who
use
400
cubic
feet
a
month
which
may
include
smaller
households
would
see
their
bills
rise,
a
dollar
fourteen
a
month,
their
sewer
bill
users
who
live
by
themselves
or
maybe
on
fixed
incomes
and
closely
monitor
their
usage
and
use
200
cubic
feet
a
month
but
see
their
bills
rise,
70
cents
per
month.
We
have
also
discussed
the
seven
percent
water
rate
increase
for
users.
I
This
is
needed
to
keep
with
keep
up
with
normal
cost
escalation
and
inflation
that
occurs
when
managing
a
complex
utility
system
such
as
ours
and
to
help
prepare
for
construction
of
a
new
water
plant.
Our
Baseline
rate
user
of
800
cubic
feet
would
see
their
water
bill.
Increase
a
dollar
eleven
a
month,
users
to
use
400
cubic
feet,
which
includes
smaller
households,
would
see
their
bill.
Their
water
bill
rise,
51
cents
per
month.
I
I
The
total
increase
for
monthly
water
and
sewer
bill
in
the
monthly
water
and
sewer
bill
for
the
average
residential
user
of
800
cubic
feet
is
estimated
to
be
approximately
3.38
cents
a
month.
400
cubic
feet
is
1.65
200
cubic
feets,
a
dollar
three.
This
is
before
Council
for
first
reading,
and
should
it
pass
it
would
go
into
effect.
July
1st
again,
I
want
to
note
the
budget
that
is
going
to
be
considered
later
does
not
have
the
increase.
I
In
again
these
any
monies
as
a
result
of
this
increase
would
go
into
the
system
depreciation
for
water
and
sewer
for
the
maintenance
of
said
sewer
system
and
put
away
more
money
as
we
embark
on
the
water
plant
construction
and
ultimate
payback.
That
is
what
I
have
for
first
reading
this
evening:
Mr
Mayor
all.
A
U
A
Rate
by
title
and
ordinance
to
provide
for
the
levy
of
taxes
for
ordinance
ordinary
City
purposes
in
the
city
of
Aitkin.
For
the
fiscal
year
beginning
July,
1
2023
set
the
millage
at
60
Mills
and
to
provide
for
the
expenditures
thereof.
Is
there
a
motion
all
right?
Thank
you,
councilwoman
Diggs!
Is
there
a
second
second.
I
I
24
for
the
fiscal
year
budget
2023-2024
is
being
recommended
that
the
millage
rate
remain
at
60
mils,
which
was
the
millage
rate
first
set
in
November
2021.
The
last
increase
in
the
millage
rate
was
in
1989
when
it
was
set
at
120
mils.
The
military
has
been
lowered
seven
times
since
1989
to
its
current
60
mils,
and
this
is
in
the
form
of
a
recommendation,
as
first
reading
of
the
ordinance
to
set
the
military
for
fiscal
year,
2023-24.
all.
E
B
A
I
Every
five
years
by
state
law,
the
Aitkin
County
Assessor,
must
do
an
assessment
of
all
real
property
and
then
the
city
adjusts
the
millage
rate.
Accordingly,
we
are
fortunate
that
our
community
is
one
where
property
values
for
the
most
part
are
very
healthy
and
strong,
and
it
has
been
this
way
for
many
years
and
we
have
adjusted
the
millage
rate
down
accordingly.
A
A
I
am
number
three.
This
is
the
first
reading
and
public
hearing
of
an
ordinance
to
adopt
the
fiscal
year
2023-24
budget
by
title
and
ordinance
adopting
the
budget
proposed
by
the
city
manager,
containing
estimates
of
proposed
revenues
and
expenditures
by
the
city
of
Aitkin
for
the
fiscal
year,
beginning
July,
1,
2023
and
ending
June
30th
2024,
and
declaring
that
it
shall
constitute
the
budget
of
the
city
of
Aiken.
Is
there
a
motion.
E
I
I
In
addition,
the
cost
to
replace
motor
vehicles
and
other
equipment
are
much
higher
and
repairs
have
said
equipment
generally
take
longer
due
to
lack
of
Parts
Supply
so-called
supply
chain
issues.
At
this
time
we
continue
to
manage
fuel
costs,
but
the
volatility
of
these
costs
require
us
to
stay
ever
vigilant.
I
Our
on-time
tax
collection
and
water
collection
rates
were
at
the
same
percentage
levels
as
in
previous
years,
based
on
our
multiple
work
sessions
and
New
Horizons
meetings,
councils
provided
staff
with
a
clear
path
forward
for
fiscal
year.
2023-24.
here
are
some
fundamentals
for
the
fiscal
year
2023-24
budget
first,
the
general
fund
has
no
millage
increase.
Our
military
is
60
mils,
as
it
was
after
the
most
recent
county-wide
reassessment
of
properties
in
2021.
The
city
of
Aitkin
has
not
increased
its
military
since
fiscal
year,
1989
1990..
I
This
is
primarily
attributable
to
the
good
stewardship
by
city
council
over
the
last
34
years
that
continues
to
make
Aiken
viable
for
growth,
while
maintaining
its
attractiveness
as
a
place
to
live.
We
continue
to
have
a
strong
tax
digest
in
the
city
of
Aitkin
the
value
of
a
mill
for
fiscal
year.
2023
24
is
estimated
to
be
two
hundred
eight
thousand
thirty
five
dollars,
which
is
approximately
2.7
percent
higher
than
fiscal
year
2022-23.
This
increases
much
less
than
last.
I
Year's
increase
against
real
estate
market
is
reflective
of
the
country
as
a
whole
with
some
cooling
down
over
the
last
year,
though,
Aiken
continues
to
attract
new
residents
due
to
our
cultural
and
natural
amenities,
along
with
the
low
cost
of
living
and
efficient
services.
Our
storm
water
rate
7.90
per
average
residential
and
solid
waste
fees
25.21
cents
per
month.
Residential
will
not
need
rate
increases
due
to
to
continue
providing
Quality
Service.
I
Our
citizens
deserve
and
expect
I
applaud
the
leadership
of
Mike
presbyloitz
and
Lex
Kirkland,
and
their
hard-working
teams
for
continuing
to
efficiently
provide
excellent
service.
Funding
for
Public
Safety
continues
to
be
Paramount
in
this
year's
budget,
which
allows
the
continued
funding
of
critical
Public
Safety
needs.
We
continue
to
expand
necessary
replacement
of
existing
Vehicles
using
depreciation
funding.
Essential
equipment
for
our
Public
Safety
officers
is
also
funded
in
this
budget.
I
In
keeping
with
our
Council
ordered
rate
study,
we
are
recommending
a
seven
percent
water
rate
increase
which
will
keep
up
with
the
cost
of
operating
a
quality
utility
and
continue
to
provide
a
funding
base
for
a
new
water
plant.
We
are
also
recommending
a
sewer
rate
of
seven
percent.
This
increase
will
allow
us
to
continue
maintenance
of
a
fundamental
asset
for
the
city,
our
aging
sewer
infrastructure,
since
Council
directed
staff
to
address
our
sewer
system.
We
have
performed
maintenance
on
many
miles
of
sewer
lines,
including
grouting
blinds
and
replacement.
I
If
necessary,
these
recommended
increases
will
add
3.38
cents
to
an
average
residential
customers
monthly
bill,
which
is
classified
as
using
800
cubic
feet
of
Water
and
Sewer
Service
per
month.
Customers
that
use
less
water
will
see
smaller
monthly
increases,
which
I
went
over
in
the
last
item
in
fiscal
year,
23
24
I
believe
several
of
the
fundamental
elements
of
our
general
fund
will
stay
stable.
The
collection
of
real
property
taxes
will
slow
will
slightly
rise
to
an
estimated
10
million
eighty
five
thousand
dollars.
I
This
is
borne
out
for
several
reasons:
real
property
tax
receipts
rise
slightly
each
year.
Our
tax
digest
continues
to
see
an
increase
due
to
large
number
of
property
transactions
we
have
had
in
Aiken
over
the
last
two
to
three
years.
Real
property
tax
revenue
makes
up
30
percent
of
our
anticipated
general
fund
tax
revenue.
The
second
general
fund
element
is
the
collection
of
franchise
fees
from
our
electric
utilities.
These
amounts
will
be
a
million
100
721
thousand
hundred
and
seventy
dollars,
which
is
5.1
percent
of
our
general
fund
Revenue.
I
The
amount
we
received
is
based
on
what
the
utility
provider
bills
account
holders,
not
what
they
collect.
We
are
continuing
to
replace
Capital
Equipment,
where
depreciation
money
exists
and
I
have
several
noteworthy
items.
I
want
to
point
out
needed
maintenance
and
hope
ones,
Gardens
and
Rye,
patches
identified
by
the
friends
of
hopeland's,
gardens
and
Rye
patch
and
City
staff.
I
The
aforementioned
purchase
of
four
additional
Patrol
vehicles
for
the
take-home
car
program,
continued
system
depreciation
for
our
water
system,
as
we
prepare
to
begin
construction
of
our
new
water
treatment
plant
at
Shaw's,
Creek
and
US-1
directly
across
the
highway
from
our
existing
plant.
Funding
for
our
tree
partnership
program
was
the
streetscapes
money
for
repairs
and
maintenance
at
several
of
our
parks
and
PRT
facilities.
This
budget
contains
a
four
percent
pay
increase
for
our
most
valuable
asset:
our
employees,
a
one
percent
cost
of
living
increase
for
employees
that
will
go
into
effect.
I
The
second
payroll
after
July
1st
2023
a
one
percent
cost
of
living
increase
that
will
go
into
effect.
The
second
payroll
after
January
1st
2024
and
a
two
percent
Compensation
Plan
increase
for
all
employees
who
make
an
appropriate
score
on
their
annual
employment
evaluations,
which
are
given
around
the
time
of
their
employment
anniversary
in
closing
I.
A
All
right,
thank
you,
Mr
beanbo
I
want
to
say
we
appreciate
all
the
work
that
you
put
in
our
finance
director
and
the
staff.
I
know
a
lot
are
here
with
us
tonight.
Thank
you.
It
represents
a
lot
of
effort
to
put
a
budget
before
Council
or
a
city,
and
we
appreciate
all
the
efforts
that
you
put
into
this
with
that
I
open
it
up
for
comments,
okay,
comments
from
Council.
F
I
There
will
be
I
know
that
is
something,
and
it
I
think
the
bulk
of
that
when
we
talk
about
the
dispensation
of
the
plutonium
funds,
that
is
I,
think
what
you
mean.
Those
kind
of
big
Capital
type
improvements,
the
streetscaping
and
such
those
are
going
to
be
in
that
pot
of
money
which
we
need
to
kind
of
allocate
at
a
coming
meeting.
I
was
looking
at
doing
that
as
we
March
into
our
June
meeting
schedule.
L
H
L
So
that
he
can
do
it
for
the
tiny
homes
I've
I've
seen
it,
and
it's
really
nice,
but
I
just
think
after
finding
someone
deceased
in
one
of
our
buildings
on
the
Williamsburg
Street
project
property,
that
now
more
than
ever,
we
need
to
make
sure
that
we
do
our
part
to
help
with
the
homeless.
Population.
L
F
To
add
to
what
councilwoman
Diggs
is
speaking
about,
I
think
the
problem's
much
bigger
and
we
do
need
to
address
the
homeless
issue.
But
the
grand
majority
of
the
homeless
issue
is
substance,
use
and
mental
health,
and
we
are
seeing
it
at
record
rates
in
our
backyard
in
our
city
in
our
County,
and
that
is
the
majority
of
the
homeless
issues.
So
without
the
education,
the
awareness
and
the
rehabilitation,
this
would
be
a
vicious
circle
that
never
ends
and
so
for
us
to
address
one.
F
L
Of
those
issues
at
the
same
time,
what
we
have
to
understand,
too,
is
when
the
Homeless
Coalition
decides
to
do
this
project
they'll
have
a
resource
center
to
address
the
behavioral
health
that
needs
funding
right
and
some
of
the
other
issues
that
brought
them
where
they
are.
Some
just
had
bad
luck,
yeah.
L
F
A
B
A
I
You
we've
partnered
with
Dominion
on
this
undergrounding
project
and
it
is
completed
and
we
do
need
to
do
a
budget
adjustment
to
incorporate
some
of
the
funds
in
the
budget
or
that
need
to
be
included
in
the
budget
from
the
reserves.
For
this
particular
project.
I
know
with
covid,
it
was
slowed
and
then
a
work
backlog,
but
we
are
pleased
that
it's
done
and
it
is
this.
Budget
adjustment
is
before
Council.
A
A
E
I
You,
the
g-a-n-b-l-l-c,
owns
property
north
of
and
adjoining
I-20.
It's
been
identified
as
an
appropriate
location
for
expansion
of
the
north
side,
sewer
system,
sanitary
sewer
system,
the
all
owners
have
offered
degree
in
a
sanitary
sewer
easement
to
the
city
for
the
purposes
of
constructing
installing
maintaining
connecting
a
sanitary
sewer
line
that
will
tie
into
some
existing
sanitary
sewer
lines,
and
it
is
before
Council
for
approval
this
evening.
I
A
G
Mr
Mayor,
if
I
may,
just
for
the
record
I
wanted
to
let
Council
know
several
years
ago.
I
even
think
it
was
more
than
10
years
ago,
I
represented
Doris
tamilo
in
a
family
court
action.
That
action
had
nothing
to
do
with
this
easement
this
before
Council
today,
but
I
wanted
Council
to
be
aware
of
that.
I
do
not
believe
it
qualifies
as
a
conflict
of
interest.
That
requires
me
to
recuse
from
this
discussion.
Thank
you.
A
A
I
Staff,
thank
you:
tamiki
LLC
and
Doris
tamilo
own
property,
North,
oven
and
joining
I-20
and
again
it's
an
appropriate
location
for
the
expansion
of
the
north
side,
sanitary
sewer
system.
They
have
offered
to
Grant
this
easement
on
this
property
to
construct,
maintain
and
connect
a
sanitary
sewer
line
that
will
tie
into
existing
sewer
lines,
and
it
is
before
Council
this
evening.
I
A
Okay,
comments,
questions
from
Council
hearing,
none
all
those
in
favor,
please
raise
your
hand
and
that's
unanimous.
Thank
you.
Moving
down,
petition's
request.
Item
number
three:
this
is
a
resolution
to
purchase
property
in
your
Oak
Grove
Road
by
title
of
resolution
authorizing
the
purchase
of
property
from
Manchester
family
LLC.
As
their
motion.
I
Staff,
thank
you.
We
do
have
this
before
Council.
It
is
part
of
the
powder
House
Road
connector,
the
right-of-way.
We
have
funding
from
the
County
transportation
committee.
For
this,
the
proposed
price
is
425
thousand
dollars
which
will
include
the
per
the
seller
moving
all
of
the
individuals
in
the
Trailer
Park
from
said
trailer
park,
they're
all
on
month-to-month
leases,
but
they
will
be
responsible
for
finding
new
locations
for
these.
For
these
individuals
and
this
before
Council
for
consideration
all.
G
Mr
Mayor,
if
I
may
yes,
sir,
the
draft
of
the
agreement
that
was
discussed
in
executive
session
and
is
before
you
now,
there
are
still
some
tweaks
being
made
to
that
agreement
among
the
lawyers,
and
so
what
I
would
ask
is
part
of
the
resolution.
The
council
Grant
the
City
attorney
some
leeway
to
finalize
all
of
the
details
of
the
contract,
which
I'll
present
back
to
city
council.
The
purchase
price
will
still
be
425
thousand
dollars.
The
main
requirement
of
having
the
tenants
removed
from
the
property
will
still
be
in
those
discussions.