City of Aiken, SC City Council Meetings, 14 Aug 2023

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From YouTube: City Council Meeting August 14, 2023

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City Council Meeting
August 14, 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 Executive Session, Work Session
and Regular Meetings on July 10, 2023.

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) Discussion of Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees.

NEW BUSINESS: Consideration of:
(1) First Reading of an Ordinance to Approve a Concept Plan for Property
Located on Neilson Street.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE CONCEPT PLAN FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED ON NEILSON STREET NEAR THE
INTERSECTION WITH DOUGHERTY ROAD.
(2) First Reading of an Ordinance to Rezone Aiken County Board of
Education Property on Explorer Trail from Residential Single-Family
(RS-10) to Planned Institutional (PI) and Approve a Concept Plan.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING OF REAL ESTATE
OWNED BY AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM
RESIDENTIAL SINGLE-FAMILY (RS-10) TO PLANNED
INSTITUTIONAL (PI) AND TO APPROVE A CONCEPT PLAN.
(3) First Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt Updates to the Comprehensive
Land Use and Transportation Plan.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CTY OF AIKEN
COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION PLAN.
(4) Approval of Grant Award from the South Carolina Department of Public
Safety.
(5) First Reading of an Ordinance to Adjust the 2023-24 Budget to Include
Grant Funding for the School Resource Officer at Chukker Creek
Elementary School.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BUDGET OF THE CITY OF
AIKEN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2023 AND
ENDING JUNE 30, 2024.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS:
(1) Approval of Renewal of Memorandum of Understanding with the
Friends of the Railroad Depot.
(2) Approval of a Resolution to Enter into a Lease Termination Agreement
with the Aiken Council of Garden Clubs.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF AIKEN TO ENTER
INTO A LEASE TERMINATION AGREEMENT WITH THE AIKEN
COUNCIL OF GARDEN CLUBS.
(3) Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with the Aiken Council of
Garden Clubs.
(4) Approval of a Resolution to Approve Revised EQUIP Mortgage
Program MOU with Security Federal Bank.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF AIKEN TO ENTER
INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH
SECURITY FEDERAL BANK.
(5) Approval of Resolution to Accept Deed of Dedication for Bay Meadows
Drive, Water and Sanitary Sewer Lines and Related Equipment and
Easements in Kemper Downs Phase 2.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DEED
OF DEDICATION FOR KEMPER DOWNS PHASE 2.
(6) Approval of a Resolution to Accept Deed of Dedication for Water,
Strom Sewer, and Sanitary Sewer Lines and Associated Equipment and
Easements in Woodside Plantation, Summer Hill Phase 4 Section 15.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DEED
OF DEDICATION FOR WOODSIDE PLANTATION, PHASE 4,
SECTION 15.
(7) Approval of Resolution to Accept Deed of Dedication for Water Lines
and Related Equipment and Easements from Tulsiraj, Inc.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DEED
OF DEDICATION FROM TULSIRAJ, INC.
(8) Approval of Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a Deed of
Dedication for Rivers Crossing Subdivision, Phase 1.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DEED
OF DEDICATION FROM KID OWNER 3, LLC .
(9) Approval of Bid for Parking Lot at the Public Safety Building on
Beaufort Street.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC (each speaker limited to
three minutes.):

INFORMATION
(a) Issues and Updates.
(b) Planning Commission Minutes for June 13, 2023.
(c) Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes for May 23, 2023.
(d) Design Review Board Minutes for June 6, 2023.
(e) Senior Commission Minutes for July 18, 2023.
(f) Public Services Department Report for May and June, 2023.
(g) Engineering and Utilities Department Report for July, 2023.

ADJOURNMENT

A

A

B

Good evening welcome to the August 14th meeting with Aiken city council, we're going to call it to order at this time we're open with invocation and pledge, if you're so inclined, please feel free to stand.

B

Father, we're thankful for this day we're thankful for this time that we tend to your business, the business of the city, that we love. We ask for wisdom for this Council. We ask for your blessings upon our city for protection upon those who give service our men and women in blue for all those who are on the front line, giving the service to the citizens that we represent.

B

We ask that everything is said and done in this meeting would be pleasing to you in your name. We ask amen. Chief, would you mind leading us in our pledge.

C

Good evening, mayor and Council I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic, which it says one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

B

Thank you chief.

B

Let's go over the guidelines for our City Council meetings. City Council meetings are held to conduct the business of our city as such, our Behavior should exemplify courteous and respectful interaction during non-agenda items from the public. We offer an opportunity for citizens to address City issues that are not being considered tonight. Individuals will have three minutes to speak on the city issue, and speakers should address the comments to the chair. If you wish to speak, raise your hand and I will certainly recognize you, as Speaker speakers reach the podium.

B

Please state your name and address this section of the agenda is not to exceed 30 minutes and each speaker can speak once for the public hearing portion of the items on the agenda at the appropriate time. Please raise your hand if you wish to speak. I will recognize you that that opportunity, speaker will be given five minutes. Comments must address the topic before Council and all comments should be made to the chair.

B

Our comments must address issues and not persons, and each person may address an issue once unless Council asks questions of the speaker, and we thank you tonight for observing and following our guidelines.

B

With that I'd recognize our mayor, Pro Tim, councilman Waltz for additions or deletions to the agenda councilman thank.

D

You Mr Mayor, there are no additions or deletions to the agenda. I move that we accepted as presented.

B

Thank you, councilman I have a motion. Is there a second.

E

B

Thank you, councilwoman price. We have a motion in second all those in favor of accepting the agenda as presented. Please raise your hand and that's unanimous. Thank you.

B

Minutes were distributed to council for their review this time. I would look for a motion for the for the acceptance of the minutes as presented Mr.

F

Mayor I so move all.

B

Right, thank you. Councilwoman roll! Is there a second all right? Thank you. Councilwoman Diggs.

B

Any comments hearing, none all those in favor of the minutes as presented. Please raise your hand and that's unanimous. Thank you.

B

All right we're moving down to our first non-agenda items from the public total time, limited 30 minutes and each speaker limited to three minutes. At this time we open up the floors comments.

A

Okay, yes, sir.

G

Hey hey, my name is Chris Johnson I live at 2470 pine log, Road, Warrenville, South Carolina um good evening, Mr Mayor good evening city council I appreciate this opportunity to speak when I was a young boy. My dad Buddy Johnson uh owned a repair shop on daughtery Road I, guess it was 1981 or 82 about 40 years ago. Aiken looked a lot different than it virtually ended right at Mitchell shopping center.

G

It was a bunch of woods after that it had no traffic lights on the either end daughtery Road and at time for the plant to get off. It was really hard to get out.

G

If you could travel back in time and flip a switch, it would look dramatically different, then than it does now around that whole area.

G

There were shopping centers now, housing developments, Walgreens Taco, Bell, Walmart and soon we'll have Olive Garden. Finally, but as they say, the more things change the more they stay the same. If the same time, travel would take place going down daughtery road. Now you get past I, guess Taco Bell in the turn, Lanes everything looks exactly the way it did 40 years ago.

G

Everything, the houses are still there, the road's still the same. We have the same drainage and water problems we had 40 years ago.

G

How is that? Is it because nobody uses daughter abroad?

G

Has nobody ever heard about these issues?.

G

The very people that are elected that I've asked for help say those things when they're asked that daughter is in a hole that the topography makes the water stand there and there's nothing. They can do about it. But it's been a problem for 40 years, but our leaders, engineers and Technology- aren't they good enough in 2023 to fix that?

G

But when I was a boy 16 years old I would sometimes give mayor Odell weeks a ride home after we would work on his car. He would drop it off and uh from my dad's repair shop and we talk about the city and the plans he had and but I can imagine.

G

I would ask him why they didn't fix the flooding problem on daughtery, road and I'm sure he would say, because this is a rural area and it just doesn't make sense for to spend that kind of money to fix the problem, but that might have been true then, but 40 years now, 40 years ago later now we still have the same problem.

G

So it's not too much to ask that a 40-year problem be finally fixed. If my supervisor asked me why my report was overdue and the answer I had for him was that the report had been overdue for four months. Would that satisfy him?

G

If we want to see the city grow evolve and get better keeping the roads utilities and storm drainage up to the task is the most important part of that. It's not a nuisance that the engineers and the politicians and the developers roll their eyes at and say it's been like that for 40 years.

G

If we really can't fix it, that's fine. We just need to stop all further development in that area shut the road down close it to everything, but people who live on the road, but we can't we can't do that. We can't keep ignoring it that time has passed.

G

Thank you for your time. Thank you. Chris.

A

Anyone else yes, ma'am.

A

Good evening good evening,.

H

Hi, my name is Heather Steinbeck and I live at 630, Greenwich Drive here in Aitkin and I'm actually here to give the council members uh two items from Don maniac maniac uh one is his comments and another one is an article that he wrote for the Aiken Chronicles and so I would like to give these to somebody for each.

B

Of you, you can you can leave them over with you. Thank you. Thank you clerk. Thank you.

B

Any other comments.

B

Okay, thank you.

A

B

Sorry I apologize in.

A

B

A

B

I

My name is Barry DeLoach I live at 527, pintail Drive in Aitkin and I drive dirty almost every day.

I

I think what you're doing is a mistake. It'd be approving. This is what you're planning on doing I think it's a mistake.

B

Hey we're not talking about the the issue on the agenda, yet this we're just this is open. I mean you feel free to, but there will be a time to talk about issues at that at.

I

That issue uh tonight: yes, sir okay, my apologies.

B

No, no! That's fine! I'm! Sorry I didn't explain that there will be a public hearing on every item on the agenda, so so that certainly will be yes, ma'am.

J

A

J

B

Good. Thank you for that good.

J

Good for khaki.

J

Khaki development sites on Whiskey there is stagnant water that has been sitting there for well over a month at the the lows end of whiskey and the Lulu development. That's only breeding um mosquitoes, and my question is: is that the city's problem to have somebody drain that water off or is that the developer's problem is.

B

That that's over where the Lulu's, that's, where the Lulu's is being proposed.

J

Yes, yes, we'll.

B

Have somebody out there tomorrow and.

J

Also across the street diagonally from there on the where they've lost trees for low same problem.

B

We'll have somebody out.

J

B

You thank you for saying that yeah. Yes, sir.

K

Good evening good evening, yeah.

L

I'm Tom Tommy.

K

I'm live at 337, Magnolia, Lake, Court and uh I really had a couple. Prayers say anything I do want to give a shout out to our city manager: Stewart is the most responsive city manager. I've ever known, I believe that Burke feedback is the Breakfast of Champions and so I send him feedback both positive and negative, and he has always gotten back to me within two hours from sending the message, including one I sent at 8 11 p.m. On a Sunday evening, he got back to me within a couple minutes, so.

D

K

He's great on follow through quick to respond. He makes things happen and I just appreciate having him as our city manager,.

B

Thank you for that comment.

M

Too bad he's not here for him.

B

Yeah he's probably what he's watching tonight.

B

Any other comment. Yes, ma'am.

A

N

A

N

My name is Mary Camlin agresta I live on Ascot Drive in Aiken Aiken. It all seems to look like a quaint little city. It is growing quickly with little time in between to look at the big picture. As stated in the Aiken Standard, a 2022 traffic study was conducted by the city of Aiken's traffic consultant. Whiskey Road is 17 over its intended capacity and by now, one year later, I'm sure it has risen again. I have a copy of that.

N

Could it be because many Concept plans are passed without proper assessment of the site's location, traffic and proximity to another very familiar already established business example: mattressman 1557, Whiskey Road, this new Sleep Number 1490 Whiskey Road Mattress, Firm, 2, 1965, Whiskey, Road, Mattress, Firm, 1, 2424, Whiskey Road, the new Mattress Warehouse 2560 Whiskey Road 450 feet away from Mattress Firm one. Besides the fact that Badcock at furniture outlet and Incan Furniture also sell mattresses and they are on Whiskey, Road I hope you all acknowledge that eight is definitely enough.

N

So next time please say no the same scenario for supermarkets and restaurants, all on Whiskey Road. What I and others do not see and hope to see one day is a store we can appreciate having we used to have a mall. Now it looks like only two food places are coming so far. I would love to see a Macy's or some other department store. We have to travel to Augusta to go shopping, although downtown is wonderful with their very unique small stores, let's be more imaginative, something to think about now.

N

Let's focus on yet another issue on Whiskey Road, the Lulu's Car Wash does not belong there. Somehow the ordinance did not stop anyone, the one that states no car washes no gas stations, no cleaners and no bars, and then there are three other Parcels semi Untouched by the tree. Removal companies, where three subdivisions are tucked away behind their spectacular landscape.

N

We asked the city to purchase the parcels, as I mentioned at the last meeting and trust them to the South Carolina Land Conservancy, to guarantee all the neighboring properties and citizens that travel on Whiskey, Road peace of mind, leaving us to love and admire the Landscapes. Thank you thank.

A

B

Anyone else good all right, thank you. We'll move down to Old business at this time. I'm number one is discussion of appointments. The boards commissions and committees and I'll recognize our assistant city manager,.

M

Thank you, Mr Mayor. We have no nominations tonight. Okay,.

B

I now open the floor for Council to make nominations to be considered. Our next public meeting.

A

B

Right very good.

B

Moving down a new business I'm number one: this is a first ring of an ordinance to approve a concept plan for property located on Nelson Street by title and ordinance approving the concept plan for property located on Nielsen Street and year. The intersection with Daria Road and before I. Take a motion. I'll recognize our City attorney.

O

Thank you, Mr Mayor, um on the on the ordinance that is before Council. There is a condition in section one that condition is number seven. It states that the developer complete the road section of Bergamot Parkway Southwest to Rural Road standards, as approved by the city of Aitkin engineering department, up to the secondary entrance. That condition should be deleted when the city purchased this property from the original owner.

O

There was a condition in that purchase that would not allow anybody that takes title to the property to be required to make that roadway, and so that condition should be deleted. And so, if council is inclined to approve the motion, the motion would be to approve the ordinance after removing condition, number seven.

B

Okay, very good so before this is emotion.

A

B

Condition number seven at this time, I'd look for a motion.

F

This is just for the removing the condition.

A

O

Will approval of the ordinance with condition number seven removed.

B

B

The item fails for a lack of emotion.

B

I am number 200 new business. This is the first ring of an ordinance to rezone Aitkin County Board of Education property on Explorer Trail for residential single family RS10, the planned institutional pi and approve a concept plan by title and ordinance amending the zoning of real estate owned by Aiken County Board of Education, from residential single family RS 10, to planned institutional pi and to approve a concept plan. Is there a motion.

A

B

F

We approve this okay.

B

We have a motion. Is there a second.

K

B

All right, thank you. Mr jaredo comments from staff.

M

The applicant is requesting rezoning and concept plan approval. The request for rezoning is from residential single family RS10 to planned institutional and approval of a concept plan for the purpose of allowing the development of a regional, Bus, Parking facility, detention, Pond and Playfield at Aiken Intermediate School. The additional parking lot will consist of 77 bus parking spaces, while two other nearby, smaller Lots will consist of 34 and 33 additional bus spaces.

M

Typically, some bus parking would be considered as accessory to schools and would only require staff administrative approval. However, the proposed bus parking lot is a regional facility serving far more than the needs of the two schools. Therefore, it is deemed as a separate principal use, which is not one allowed in a single-family residential Zone, thus requiring the rezoning to Pi the planned residential Zone provides locations for schools, churches and some other institutional uses which may affect residential or other more restrictive zones or less intensive uses.

M

The zoning requires a concept plan approval by city council after Planning Commission review. Currently, the property is developed with Aitkin Intermediate School and North Aiken Elementary School. The bus parking site is currently a grasped field. The new play field will be located in a wooded area to the north and east of the school buildings for any development in the pi Zone. A concept plan must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and approved by city council.

M

The concept plan appears to address issues by providing extensive storm water management and vehicle access improvements. At the closest point, the bus parking will be about 260 feet from the nearest house, and the play field will be an estimated 500 feet. The property is served by two private drives. The concept plan shows an on-site driveway improvements to provide one-way, Ingress and egress for the main bus parking area. The concept plan shows a large detention Pond to manage the anticipated additional stormwater runoff.

M

The concept plan will have to comply with the open space percentages, which is a minimum of 25 percent of any track. Five acres or more, the site is served with City Water and Sewer. The Planning Commission reviewed the requests and voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the rezoning request with no conditions. The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the concept plan with the following conditions: one that the development complies with the open space requirements of the zoning ordinance; two, that the development complies with the city of Aitkin, tree preservation, buffer and Landscape requirements.

M

Three, that the applicant submits a revised concept plan listing the conditions of approval and four that the applicant signs. An agreement stating the conditions of approval within 180 days for city council approval and first reading is an ordinance to approve the rezoning of 60 Acres of property owned by the Aitkin County Board of Education on 100 Explorer trail from single-family residential rs-10, a planned institutional pi and approve a concept plan with the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission.

B

Thank you, Miss tilt. Any comments from the audience comments, questions from Council hearing, none all those in favor of some first reading. Please raise your hand, that's unanimous. Thank you.

B

I'm number three is the first ring of an ordinance to adopt updates to the comprehensive land use and transportation plan by title and ordinance amending the city of Aitkin, comprehensive land use and transportation plan. Is there a motion so moved all right? Thank you, councilman Gerardo. Thank you. Councilman Waltz comments from staff at.

M

Their June 12th and July 10th 2023 work sessions, Council reviewed and had an opportunity to provide feedback on the city's, updated, comprehensive land use and transportation plan planning. Director Mario Moultrie gave a presentation to Council on June 12th, highlighting the updated plan. South Carolina law requires all jurisdictions, with a zoning ordinance to have a comprehensive land use and transportation. Plan update every 10 years with a reevaluation every five years. The primary changes in the 2023 comprehensive, Plan update, included, updated Census, Data, additional land use, transition and character areas in an updated long-range Transportation plan.

M

Additionally, a resiliency element has been updated to the plan, as this is a recent requirement from the state of South Carolina. A full update to the city's comprehensive land use and transportation plan will be completed in 2027..

M

The Planning Commission voted 6-0 with commissioner Clarkson not present to recommend the approval of the updated comprehensive plan at their May 9th 2023 meeting. We'd also like to note that the planning department did a really great job. Getting public comment on this. They received over a thousand unique comments online. They did five different public and put opportunities. They went to the University of South Carolina Aitkin. They went to Aiken's Macon, they had a table out there and they've also done three stakeholder meetings, so they they did a good job reaching out to the community.

M

Input for Council consideration his first reading of an ordinance approving updates to the comprehensive land use and transportation plan.

B

Thank you very much. Any comments from the audience comments, questions from Council, okay, hearing, none and all.

E

That mayor I do have some comments.

B

Here, oh okay, yes, ma'am.

E

This Is Our, Land, Use audience and comprehensive plan. You may have seen it already, but this is what it constitutes. Marty I want to thank you and your team for what you've done. The question that I have been asked by the public is what happens with this, and if somebody can read the public, it's fine for us to vote on it, but the public needs to know what happens with this. It should require updates, or whatever can someone give that provide that answer today for them.

P

So I know at this at this point. Obviously it's it's been out for about three months now on the website, hopefully as a giraffe for people to look at and and to you know, hopefully give us comments. uh Obviously, today, first reading to adopt, but the the intent of a comprehensive plan is very overarching, it's very umbrella. We have very distinct elements. We are required by the state um to to look at so that those restrict what we look at. This is not a master plan.

P

This is again very overarching and the antenna is to guide and to pinpoint areas that we do need to look at in more detail. So those of you that are looking for extreme detail- it's not in this um but again I hope it will guide us forward and help us determine what what steps we need to take next.

E

Thank you. That was a great response, and a lot of work went into this. It's not as simple as it as it looks a lot of times. A lot of effort and I want to emphasize your team and the great job that they're doing you don't have a large team working on these things. We thank you for the job you've done. Thank you.

B

Thank you for your comments. Councilwoman price I think we all Echo that and Mario. Thank you for you and your team I know a lot of public hearings, a lot of input given and uh it's it's a it's a lot of a lot of reading, but uh but it's it's important, it's important for our city. So thank you for for that. Mr.

F

Mayor I had yes.

B

F

Mario I think I had said when we talked the last time.

F

I really appreciate it and I love that you had how each area fit into those different categories that you were using and we talked about Community branding initiatives which I thought was a great thing in all different parts of our city uh were individuals and unique in different areas, but there are certain things that bind us all together and I think the more that we focus on that that we're all part of the city of Aitkin, that's a great thing and then I think.

F

You also stated that our quarterly meeting, scheduled between County planning and City Planning, am I, correct and saying that that's correct, that's something we're doing! That is wonderful. uh I! Think I was a planning, commissioner, when we had the first ever meeting and out of that came The Whiskey Road overlay before that there was no parameters at all on that, so good things do come out of this and County and City can work together.

F

You know to see that those kind of things happen and again. Thank you for all the time know how much time it takes. I know all the meetings you had I know all the input we read all of the responses. They were a lot of great responses all over the place and ideas, and they were all good. You know just let you know what different people think about our city and what should be focused on and, of course, everybody had a different opinion, but that's what you want to hear. Thank you very much.

F

Thank you that.

Q

Was my favorite part reading the.

L

Q

From the citizens um and hearing some of the questions very thought-provoking for sure.

B

All right, very good, I'll, this time, I'll call for a vote. All those in favor of first reading by the ordinance adopt the updates to the comprehensive land use and transportation plan. Please raise your hand and that's unanimous. Thank you.

B

We moved down to item number four, which is approval of a grant award from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety uh Ms Tilton I'm, going to recognize you first before I. Take the motion. Okay,.

M

A public safety safety with Carolina depart the public Department of Public Safety Office of Highway Safety and Justice programs. The additional grant funding is for 172 thousand fifteen dollars with funding for a period of July 1 to 2023 to June 30th 2024.. The funding is to be used for a school resource officer at Tucker, Creek Elementary School. With this additional funding, the total Grant is 3 400 346 513 dollars.

M

The 174 498 portion of the grant was approved in the 2023-2024 budget for Council approvals. A total Grant award from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety for 346 513 for expenses, for continued funding for school resource officers at Kennedy and Schofield middle schools and for Tucker Creek Elementary.

B

Very good, thank you without a way of explanation, I'd look for a motion at this time.

B

Thank you, councilwoman brawl. Is there a second councilwoman Diggs? Thank you all right. We've already had staff comments and comments from the audience. Okay. Thank you. Any comments. Questions from Council does.

Q

That mean that uh we have resource officers in all of the schools in the city in the middle school I.

B

Think that's the first elementary school if I'm not mistaken, yeah.

C

Yes, ma'am. That's the first Elementary School that we had a school resource officer in okay.

Q

Or may I, yes,.

R

I'm coming I I just want to um I think it's important to bring up and it's also an uncomfortable conversation, but we have got to um really put out there that Aiken Department of Public Safety is not the end-all be-all to discipline in our schools.

R

um We need to support them with a lot more than a random or single, not random, single resource officer. In a school of 12 1300.

R

We need to really speak and have these conversations and I know Stuart opened the door to these conversations this week with the district, because we need the district to step up and help support and fund more resources at our schools to keep our kids safe and under control. So I will put that out. There I appreciate all of the efforts.

R

Aiken Department of Public Safety shows at our high schools and middle schools when things go array and it's not a secret, it was in the papers in the news at the state and National level would happen at Aitkin high and continues to happen across the state. But we appreciate the efforts. I think adps does a tremendous job at responding to all these events, but we need to do more at the school level to support our teachers, our administrators and with that comes the responsibility from the district. Thank you, mayor. Okay,.

A

Q

Think that responsibility starts at home as well, when my girls were in school, I reminded them that teachers ought to teach they're there to learn, and we have to remind our kids of that every day before they leave their homes. The reason why they are going to school is not the teacher's responsibility to be the disciplinarian.

B

All right, very good with that we'll Now look for a vote all those in favor of approval of this grant award. Please raise your hand and that's unanimous. Thank you and way of explanation and the consistency manager. Just just reminded me of this.

B

The the issue or the um we addressed earlier Barry I, think you were going to speak on the daughtery road. That issue failed for a lack of emotion and I. Apologize. I should have said that then, but that issue failed for a lack of emotion.

B

So moving down the agenda to item number five, this is a first ring of an ordinance to adjust the 2023-24 budget to include grant funding for the school resource officer at chucker, Creek, Elementary School by titling, an ordinance amending the budget of the city of Aitkin for the fiscal year, beginning July, 1 2023 and then the June 30th 2024. Is there a motion.

F

I so move Mr Mayor. This is just kind of part. Two of Spanish.

B

F

Now we're adjusting our budget to incorporate it into our budget, correct.

B

That's absolutely correct all right, so we have a motion as our second. Second all right. Thank you. Councilman Gerardo comments from staff city.

M

Council just approved acceptance of a grant for 346 513 dollars from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety Office of Highway Safety and Justice programs, with the funding to be used for expenses for school resource Source officers at Kennedy and Schofield middle schools and trucker Creek Elementary School for salary benefits and equipment, a portion of the grant funds were in the amount of 17400 174 498 was included in the funding for the 2023 budget.

M

However, notification of the funding in the amount of 172 172 000 15 was awarded after our budget was adopted. Therefore, a budget adjustment is necessary to include the funds for revenue and expenses of this portion of the grant.

M

The budget would be adjusted, as shown in the attached ordinance for city council consideration his first reading of an ordinance to amend the 2023-2024 budget to include the revenue and expenditures for the funding received from the South Carolina Department of Public Public, Safety, Office of Highway Safety and Justice programs in the amount of 172 thousand five fifteen dollars for revenue and expenses for the school resource, Source officer at shucker, Creek, Elementary, School,.

B

Very good, thank you. Any comments from the audience comments question from Council.

R

Suffice a resource officer or.

C

Thank you. This is um for salary benefits and Equipment just for this year, and so it includes vehicle and all the necessary equipment that goes along with an officer plus salary and benefits. Thank.

R

M

C

Just for this uh calendar year I mean a fiscal.

R

Year, fiscal year, oh fiscal year, yeah so pretty much kind of the school year. So the point of my question is once this grant funding um depletes um what will happen to that resource officer? We.

C

Reapply every year and um that's where we've gotten the Kennedy and Schofield school resource officers through the state and as long as they continue to to fund that we'll have those school resource officers. There.

R

And does the Aiken County Public School District have the ability to also apply for funding or grant funding to provide Safety and Security measures at our schools.

C

So I'm not sure about their availability for grant funding, but they also Supply revenue for us for the high schools and Aiken intermittent media for those school resource officers there. So we have a total of six school resource officers.

R

Right I believe it's shared funding, correct between the city and.

C

The we they pay about 75 percent of their salary, okay, I.

R

Know, eiken High has one resource officer right now, so the point of everything I'm saying is it's not enough and we need to make sure that the city has conversations with the district, so they can tag team in a very unified approach address the lack of resources we have in this department. Thank you. Chief.

C

R

It should not all come from the city.

B

A

B

Other comments, questions hearing, then all those in favor of this item, please raise your hand. That's unanimous.

D

A

D

B

B

You want to stay for number, you want to say for number one stay for number, one: the uh you want to do the railroad Depot and then go for this one. Okay, all right, very good.

B

All right under petitions and requests I am number one and, as noted councilman Waltz councilman Waltz was recusing himself from items, one two and seven other petitions and requests so um I'm number one is the approval of renewal of memorandum of understanding with the friends of the railroad. Depot I will recognize our assistant city manager at this time.

M

City staff has been working with the board of directors of the friends of the Aitkin railroad Depot. To provide a memorandum of understanding, the city has been establishing mousse with organizations we work with to better, communicate and coordinate the use of the facility and resources of the city. The friends of the Aiken railroad, Depot, board of directors and City staff have mutually agreed upon the mou being presented to city council for approval. The proposed mou is an update of the present mou.

M

This demo, you has been reviewed by City staff and City attorney and is recommended for approval for city council. Consideration is approval of a memorandum of understanding with the board of directors for the friends of the Aitkin railroad Depot.

B

All right, thank you, Miss Tillman, at this time, I'd look for a motion.

R

B

All right, thank you, councilwoman Gregory! Is there a second all right? Thank you, councilwoman Diggs and comments from the audience.

B

Comments, questions from Council.

A

E

This memo indicates that we're going to use this and I know I'm reading this in some way for all of our organizations, can we list those organizations that this apply.

M

The ones that we have mous with so the MU use will be individual for each organization, but I could give you a list of all the organizations that we have I'd.

E

Like to for for future reference, so there will be no doubt I'd like to see a list of those organizations that this recognizing that they are different, yes ma'am, but we need to have a list of those sure. Thank you.

A

All right, very good.

E

And this is okay. Thank you. Mr Mayor, Mr.

F

A

F

Question two Miss Tilton, so we're moving to mou's for almost all of these correct. Yes, ma'am and I I think it's good in the fact that it spells out exactly what the responsibility of the city is and what the responsibility of the entity is that we have the memorandum of understanding with that's right.

M

Yes, ma'am thank.

E

You I think I was saying similar, but I want a list. I want.

L

To see a list understood.

B

All right well done any other comments. Thank you all. Those in favor of the approval of the renewal, the memorandum of understanding with the friends of the railroad Depot, please raise your hand and thus unanimous with the recusal of Mr Waltz.

B

Moving down to item number two and I think Mr waltzels also expressed that he needs to recuse himself from this item as well. This is the approval of a resolution enter into a lease termination agreement with the Aiken Council of garden clubs by title of a resolution authorizing the city of Aiken to enter into a lease termination agreement with the Aitkin Council of garden clubs and I'm, going to ask Miss Tilton if she would to give us this.

M

Is the first of two agenda items tonight with Aiken Council of garden clubs? The first is their request to terminate the lease of the dollhouse property located at hopeland's Gardens. The maintenance costs associated with the upkeep of the dollhouse exceeded the garden club's capacity. Therefore, the club's membership requested that the lease be terminated and that they engage in an mou with the city council will review and approve the mou in a separate agenda item next city staff in the Garden Club membership have mutually agreed. The determination of the lease is appropriate.

M

There will be no reimbursement or expenses incurred by the city or the Garden Club. As a result of his lease termination for Council consideration is approval of a resolution terminating the lease of the dollhouse at hopeland's Garden, with the Aiken Council of garden clubs.

B

All right, very good, thank you, Miss Tilton and after that explanation, I'd look for a motion.

B

Thank you, councilwoman Diggs is there a second.

F

B

Right, thank you. Councilwoman brawl any comments from the audience.

B

Comments, questions from Council.

E

I have a question: yes,.

A

E

The termination of the least the dollhouse exists on the property it is the the upkeep is the maintenance of the Hopeless Garden board. Is that where that leads, with the.

M

Upkeep of the dollhouse was by the garden clubs, okay and.

E

They so they will maintain.

F

E

Just worried about a structure not being maintained on that beautiful piece of properties. That's why I'm asking yes ma'am.

M

I, may let Jessica speak to that. Thank.

E

B

Miss Campbell good evening.

S

Surprise the lease that was put into place many years ago put the maintenance of the property on the council. Garden clubs terminating at least then takes the responsibility back to the city as a city, property, okay, terminating.

Q

S

Correct, which is what the motion is before you so.

E

We will assume the responsibility correct: okay,.

E

Do we know the status of the Garden Club right now and how much it would cost us is.

S

E

S

Have funding in our current budget was approved through our city recent budget.

E

S

To do some maintenance and and preventative maintenance and upkeep so.

E

S

Prepared to do that.

E

Can you share that we made out the others may not want to know, but can we can you share that information with me? If you don't mind not.

L

Q

E

We'll talk later absolutely all right. Thank you.

B

All right, any other questions, comments.

B

Hearing, none all those in favor of this item before is please raise your hand and that that's unanimous with the recusal of Mr Waltz, and if someone would well he needs to be, he needs to be up for this one too yeah.

B

I am number three.

E

Under yes, for stopping you, yes.

B

E

I I want to correct myself, because oftentimes I ask questions that others may not be interested in hearing the the the uh response, which is why I ask our director Jessica to respond to me if you desire, we can have that available. That information is also available to anybody in this audience. Just not me because I desire to know what it's going to cost us to up for upkeep with that kind of facility.

E

So it's available.

B

Yeah I think I think it would I think it would be good for everybody.

E

But yeah she's an update.

E

Some of the council members not.

B

Very good I'm good, all right Jessica. Would you mind sharing that number with turn your.

S

Mic down, we budgeted 15 000., okay, um it may not cost all of that, but that is how much we've anticipated. Thank.

A

S

R

You thank you Jessica.

B

All right we're on item number three um Mr Waltz we'll have a recusal on this as well. This is an approval of memorandum of understanding with the Aiken Council of garden clubs and I'll. Look to miss Tilton, okay,.

M

Garden Club Council has had a lease for the use of the dollhouse in Hopeland since 1974..

M

um Since the city has been establishing mousse with the organizations we work and partner with to better communicate, it was felt that we should terminate the Aiken Garden Club Council lease and enter into an mou as a continuation of the partnership. Both parties are agreeable to terminating the lease and entering into an mou. Aiken Garden Club, Council and City staff have mutually agreed upon the mou being presented to city council for approval approved the mou lists the responsibilities of the city as well as those for the Aiken Garden Club Council.

M

The mou has been reviewed by both parties and is recommended to council for approval. For Council consideration is approval of an memorandum of understanding with the Aiken Garden Club Council, for use of the dollhouse in hopeland's gardens.

B

All right, thank you, Miss Tilton! After that explanation, is there a motion. Mr.

F

Mayor I move that we accept this memorandum: memorandum of understanding with the Aiken Garden Club for the lease of the dollhouse. The memorandum spells out the responsibilities of both the egg and Garden Club and the City.

B

Very good, thank you, councilwoman Brothers, second,.

Q

B

Thank you, councilwoman Diggs,.

B

That's all right all right, so we have a motion in a second. Is there any comments from the audience at this time?.

B

Any comments, questions from Council, okay hearing, none all those in favor, please raise your hand and that's unanimous, noting the recusal of councilman Waltz and, if you'll get him at this time very good. Thank you.

B

I'm number 400 petitions and requests as an approval of a resolution to approve, approve revised, equip mortgage program mou with Security Federal by Taylor resolution authorizing the city of Aiken to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Security Federal Bank. Is there a motion.

E

B

Mayor all right, thank you, councilwoman price! Is there a second all right? Thank you. Councilwoman Diggs comments from staff.

M

City council approved an mou between the city and Security Federal Bank April 24 2023, to fund up to three thousand dollars in real estate, closing costs for qualified low to moderate income, home buyers using Community Development block grant funds after discussion with the city and said Security federals Bank staff, it was decided, the funding would be more helpful to homeowners if the assistance was offered as down payment assistance.

M

Therefore, the original mou has been revised to use cdbg funds for a fifteen thousand dollar second mortgage to be used as a down payment assistance and a thousand dollars toward closing costs. The city would be the second mortgage holder and the loan would be forgiven over a 15-year period at five percent each year, qualified home buyers must meet Hud's, adjusted low to moderate income limits for Aiken and be able to afford a home through the equip mortgage program.

M

There was a public hearing held on this on this topic and the staff responses and questions are in the memo. For Council consideration is approval of a revised mou between the city of Aitkin and Security Federal Bank.

B

All right, thank you, Miss Tilton, any comments from the audience.

B

Mr Simmons. It's good to see you here tonight. Thank you, I think Phil wall, yeah Phil on the front I'll see you on the front right there very good. Any.

Q

B

From the audience Council.

Q

Just like to say, I'm so happy to see you bringing this back um years ago. I had the opportunity to go through this program and it just changed everything for me. So for so many people they will have an opportunity to do what I did realize the dream of home ownership and I. Just thank you so much for bringing this program back. A lot of people will benefit from it very.

B

Good mistake very good, well said: okay, all those in favor, please raise your hand and, of course, that's unanimous. Thank you.

B

Moving down to item number 500 petitions and requests, this is an approval of resolution to accept the deed of dedication for Bay, Meadows, Drive, water and sanitary sewer lines and related equipment and easements and Kemper Downs phase two by title of resolution authorizing the acceptance of a deed, a dedication for Kemper Downs phase: two: is there a motion.

F

I so move Mr, Mayor.

B

All right, thank you. Councilwoman role is their second I'll. Second, it all right. Thank you. Councilman Gerardo comments from staff.

M

The applicant has requested that the city accept a deed of dedication for the right-of-way known as Baymeadow drives the water line, sanitary sewer lines and storm water lines within the right-of-way Valves and related equipment and Associated easements and Kemper Downs phase. Two Kemper Downs is located off pine log Road.

M

Our engineering staff has reviewed this request and recommended the city accept the deed of dedication for the portion of Baymeadows drive, curb and gutters sidewalks sanitary sewer lines, water lines, storm water only within the right-of-way Valves and related equipment and Associated easements, as shown as the utility as built plat for Kemper Downs Phase 2 dated February 7 2023, the stormwater Pond is not being accepted at this time. For Council consideration is approval of resolution, accepting a deed of dedication for the street Utility Systems and related equipment and easements, and temper Downs phase two.

M

As indicated on the as on the as builds.

B

All right, thank you. Any comments from the audience.

B

Comments: questions from Council hearing; none all those in favor of this. Please raise your hand, that's unanimous. Thank you. Moving down petitions and requests item number six. This is an approval of a resolution to accept a deed of dedication for water storm, sewer months that stroms or storm sewer and sanitary sewer lines and Associated equipment and easements in Woodside, Plantation Summer Hill phase four section 15. by title of resolution, authorizing the acceptance of a deed of dedication for Woodside Plantation phase four section 15. Is there a motion so.

K

B

All right, thank you, councilman Jared, Dozer, a second second, thank you, councilwoman Gregory comments from staff. The.

M

Applicant has requested the city accepted dean of dedication for the water storm sewer.

M

Access and maintenance over a portion of the roadways of Summerwind, Circle Commonwealth way and Beauty Berry Way, the dedication of Utility Systems is in summer hill and the Reserve at Hollow Creek phase 4, section 15 of Woodside Plantation. Our city engineering staff has reviewed this request and recommended the city, except this deed of dedication. For Council consideration is approval of resolution, accepting the deed of dedication for the waters, storm sewer, sanitary sewer lines and Associated equipment and easements in Woodside, Plantation, Summerhill phase, 4, section 15.

B

All right, thank you. Miss Tilton, any comments from the audience.

B

Comments, questions from Council.

B

Hearing none all those in favor, please raise your hand and that's unanimous.

B

Moving down to item number seven, this is an approval of a resolution to accept deed of dedication for water lines and related equipment and easement from.

B

Telstra Raj tulsaraj Incorporated by by title and a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a deed of dedication from tulsaraj Inc. Is there a motion.

F

So move Mr, Mayor.

B

All right, thank you, councilwoman roll is there a second, a second all right. Thank you. Councilman Gerardo comments from staff. Okay,.

M

We have two more dedication to go. A request has been received from Tulsa Raj Inc, that the city accepted deed of dedication for the water lines and related equipment and Associated easements for Aiken Travel Center Aiken Travel Center is located on Richland Avenue East at Beaufort Street. Our engineering staff have reviewed this request and recommend the city accept this deed of dedication.

M

For Council consideration is approval of a resolution accepting a deed of dedication for the water lines and related equipment and easements from Tulsi Raj Inc at the Aitkin Travel Center, located on eight Richland Avenue East.

B

Very good, thank you. Any comments from the audience.

B

Comments, questions from Council hearing, none all those in favor of this resolution. Please raise your hand and that's unanimous. Thank you.

B

I Am Number Eight this.

O

Is Mr Mayor if I may I wouldn't know for the record? Mr Walsh was not present for that discussion. He would he.

B

Refused himself on that item and that's right- we announced it earlier, but thank you for that. So.

B

Very good I'm, Number Eight: this is an approval of a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a deed of dedication for Rivers Crossing subdivision Phase One by Taylor resolution authorizing the acceptance of a deed of dedication from kid owner. Three LLC.

B

Is there a motion.

K

B

All right, thank you, councilman Gerardo is our second second.

F

B

All right, thank you. Councilwoman brawl comments from staff.

M

The applicant has requested that the city accept a deed of dedication for the water and sanitary sewer lines and related equipment and easements on a portion of the property known as Rivers Crossing phase. One Rivers Crossing is located off Edgefield Highway near Williams Lane, our city engineering staff has reviewed this request and recommended that City accept the deed of dedication. For Council. Consideration is approval of a resolution accepting the deed of dedication for the water and sanitary sewer lines and Associated equipment and easements in rivers, Crossing subdivision phase one.

B

Thank you, Miss Tilton, any comments from the audience.

B

Comments: questions from Council hearing on all those in favor of this resolution. Please raise your hand and that's unanimous. Thank you. I mean I Am Number Nine. This is an approval of a bid for parking for a parking lot at public safety building on Beaufort Street and Miss Tilton I'm, going to let you give us the explanation. First, as.

M

Part of the original plans for the public safety building on Beaufort Street, the parking lot was to be expanded, but delay was delayed because of funding. We now have received bids for the expansion of the parking lot. Five bids were received for the parking lot expansion. After reviewing the bids, it was determined that Stewart Builders was the lowest builder at a cost of 487 900, as anticipated. The next additional twenty thousand dollars will be needed for electrical installation on the middle building being constructed on the property.

M

Funds are available from the project for capital projects, sales tax, three and four for Council. Consideration is awarding of the bid of the parking lot Expansion Project at Public Safety headquarters, building on Beaufort Street to je Stewart Builders, and the amount of 487 thousand nine hundred dollars.

B

All right, thank you, ma'am any comments from the audience comments, questions from Council.

Q

B

C

Thank you. This is a large portion of this, as we had to wait till the antenna was completed was another reason for the project being delayed, but this is really covering the ditch the drainage, ditch that goes around it piping. It fencing the property, adding additional, secure parking and some parking places with a um a four-stall building to be able to do some minor work on vehicles on the property so, and it's going to be, if you're, looking at the building the um west side and west side of the building so back towards the bypass.

B

Thank you chief, any other comments, hearing on all those in favor of this approval of the bid for the parking lot at the public safety building on Beaufort Street. Please raise your hand and that's unanimous. Thank you.

B

We now move down to the non-agenda items from the public speaker limited to three minutes total 30.. If anyone we should speak, they can't at this time. Okay, thank you.

B

uh We'll move down to information, anything for issues and updates.

M

I, don't I think um I just want to recognize that we had five separate commendations listed in issues and updates great.

F

Job um Mr Mayor I was just going to mention that looking at that yeah our finance department, excellence in financial reporting, our I.T director was a panelist on South Carolina, critical infrastructure. Cyber security, Forum I mean uh I'm very proud of our staff. Very.

A

F

And they're being recognized not only by us but by other that's always good, very.

B

Good or that I.

E

Would say, I have a comment.

B

Yes, ma'am councilwoman.

E

They want to thank um Jessica, uh Campbell and her team. We have students uh in our community that are anxious to get tutoring. They don't have anyone to look forward. I know how to search for a tutor and Jessica came to some of the parents rescue last week in the city.

E

Regarding a dinner where we had already identified the tutors, but they had no space to tutor our kids and one student, one parent said I know my child is going to fail algebra if she doesn't get a tutor, so fortunately we had someone from making high and then an elementary uh former Elementary School teacher. That said, I will be available to help. So thank you, Jessica for providing the space along with these uh Educators uh retired Educators, who have said that they will help with our children. Thank you again very.

B

Good anything else for the good.

B

Hearing none I'll, look for a motion to adjourn it this time, all right. Thank you, councilwoman Diggs! Is there a second? Second all right. Thank you. Councilwoman brawl, all those in favor. Please stand up we're adjourned.