Town Council

Fort Mill Town Council Meeting Monday August 28, 2023 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers 112 Confederate Street Fort Mill, SC 29715 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INVOCATION EXCUTIVE SESSION Please Note: Council may take action on Executive Session Items listed on the agenda when they come back into Public Session. Executive Session Item #1 Discussion incident to proposed contractual matter between the Town of Fort Mill and Lennar Carolinas LLC. Executive Session Item #2 Receipt of legal advice relating to potential claims and ongoing legal matters. Executive Session Item #3 Discussions incident to personnel matters. MINUTES August 8, 2023, Council Workshop August 9, 2023, Council Workshop August 14, 2023, Council Meeting August 17, 2023, Council Budget Workshop Page 1|2 PUBLIC COMMENT Pursuant to Section 2-46 of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Fort Mill, any citizen of the Town may appear before council for the purpose of providing public comments on any municipal matter (except personnel matters). Those who wish to speak must sign in outside of Council Chambers prior to the start of the meeting. Citizens will be given 3 minutes each to speak. PRESENTATIONS Presentation #1 Mobility Study Grant – Fort Mill Economic Partners OLD BUSINESS There are no Old Business items. NEW BUSINESS New Business Item #1 Approval for Mobility Study Grant with Fort Mill Economic Partners – Chris Pettit INFORMATION/DISCUSSION Information/Discussion Item #1 Discussion of proposed 2023/2024 FY budget. - Chris Pettit ADJOURN The following press was notified of the meeting by email or fax in accordance of the Freedom of Information Act: The Herald; CN2; WRHI, WSOC and WBTV. The agenda was also posted on the board outside of the entrance to Town Hall the required length of time and on the Town website. The Town of Fort Mill is committed to assuring accessibility with reasonable accommodation, of Town services and facilities for all individuals, in compliance with federal law. Please contact the Town Manager’s Office at 803-547-2116 if you need assistance. Page 2|2  Fort Mill Town Council Workshop Minutes Tuesday August 8, 2023 6:00 p.m. Town Hall Conference Room 200 Tom Hall Street Fort Mill, SC 29715 PRESENT: Mayor Savage, Councilwoman Cook, Councilman Helms, Councilman Hudgins, Councilman Garrison and Councilman Wolfe were present. Councilman Moody was absent. CALL TO ORDER INFORMATION/DISCUSSION • Discussion of Long-Range Facility Needs Plan. Council reviewed the Long-Range Facility Needs Plan provided by Progressive AE. There was much discussion about priorities for Town facilities and steps going forward. ADJOURN Councilman Wolfe made a MOTION to adjourn. SECONDED by Councilman Hudgins. Passed 6-0. Being no more business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m. The following press was notified of the meeting by email or fax in accordance of the Freedom of Information Act: The Herald; CN2; WRHI, WSOC and WBTV. The agenda was also posted on the board outside of the entrance to Town Hall the required length of time and on the Town website. Page 1|2 Respectfully submitted: Virginia C. Burgess, CMC, CCC Approved by Council: The Town of Fort Mill is committed to assuring accessibility with reasonable accommodation, of Town services and facilities for all individuals, in compliance with federal law. Please contact the Town Manager’s Office at 803-547-2116 if you need assistance. Page 2|2  Fort Mill Town Council Workshop Minutes Wednesday August 9, 2023 6:00 p.m. Town Hall Conference Room 200 Tom Hall Street Fort Mill, SC 29715 PRESENT: Mayor Savage, Councilman Hudgins, Councilman Helms, Councilwoman Cook and Councilman Wolfe were present. Councilman Moody and Councilman Garrison were absent. CALL TO ORDER INFORMATION/DISCUSSION • Discussion of Strategic Plan. Council reviewed the draft outline of the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan. Council previously met with professional facilitator, Alysia A. Cook, PCED, IOM with Opportunity Strategies, LLC for a day long planning workshop on June 1, 2023. The plan in review today is a result of the priorities set by council from that planning session. There was much discussion about the priorities and vision of each council member for the future of the Town. ADJOURN Councilman Wolfe made a MOTION to adjourn. SECONDED by Councilman Hudgins. Passed 5-0. The following press was notified of the meeting by email or fax in accordance of the Freedom of Information Act: The Herald; CN2; WRHI, WSOC and WBTV. The agenda was also posted on the board outside of the entrance to Town Hall the required length of time and on the Town website. Page 1|2 Respectfully submitted: Virginia C. Burgess, CMC, CCC Approved by Council: The Town of Fort Mill is committed to assuring accessibility with reasonable accommodation, of Town services and facilities for all individuals, in compliance with federal law. Please contact the Town Manager’s Office at 803-547-2116 if you need assistance. Page 2|2  Fort Mill Town Council Meeting Minutes Monday August 14, 2023 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers 112 Confederate Street Fort Mill, SC 29715 PRESENT: Mayor Savage, Councilman Hudgins, Councilman Wolfe, Councilwoman Cook, Councilman Helms, Councilman Moody and Councilman Garrison were present. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INVOCATION Councilwoman Cook provided the invocation. MINUTES July 25, 2023, Town Council Meeting August 3, 2023, Special Called Meeting Councilman Helms made a MOTION to approve the minutes of the July 25, 2023 and August 3, 2023 council meetings. SECONDED by Councilman Moody. Passed 7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT Pursuant to Section 2-46 of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Fort Mill, any citizen of the Town may appear before council for the purpose of providing public comments on any municipal matter (except personnel matters). Those who wish to speak must sign in outside of Council Chambers prior to the start of the meeting. Citizens will be given 3 minutes each to speak. Six (6) people signed up for Public Comment: 1. Justin Huston – Spoke regarding the needed repairs to sidewalks in the Springfield neighborhood. Page 1|5  2. Gretzhen Benner – Spoke regarding the need for better accessibility to Fort Mill High School. 3. Bobbi Kimsey – Avid bike rider advocating for more connective bike trails in Fort Mill. 4. Linda Camarda – Spoke regarding more sidewalks needed and concern over littering especially on vacant lots. 5. Garrett Swanberg – Spoke in support of more sidewalks. 6. Chelsea Beauchamp – Spoke in support of Master Trail Plan. PRESENTATIONS Presentation #1 Introduction of new HR Manager, Becky Link Mr. Eric Davis, Assistant Town Manager, introduced the new Human Resource Manager, Becky Link. Presentation #2 Swearing in ceremony of Colin Okoye as Chief Municipal Judge Mayor Savage provided a swearing in ceremony for Mr. Colin Okoye, new Chief Municipal Judge for the Town of Fort Mill. Presentation #3 Employee of the Quarter, Mina McDonald Mayor Savage provided Ms. Mina McDonald with an Employee of the Quarter certificate. Presentation #4 Fort Mill Trail Master Plan Penelope Karagounis, Planning Director, and Haley Nafissi with McAdams Consulting went over the Town of Fort Mill Trail Master Plan. Presentation #5 2023 August Events Presentation Jacona Hester gave a presentation on the following upcoming events: Tribute Fest Friday-August 18, 2023, Fort Mill Amphitheater Walter Elisha Park 345 N. White St. 6PM-9PM - Greggie & The Jets - Elton John Tribute Band & On The Border - Eagles Tribute Band OTHER IMPORTANT DATES: Registration for the 9th annual fort mill scarecrow crawl begins august 21. Scarecrow Install Week: September 28 - October 5, 2023 Scarecrow Crawl: October 6-31, 2023 Scarecrow Voting by Judges: Week of October 9, 2023 Page 2|5  Scarecrow Voting on Facebook by Public: October 6-27, 2023 Scarecrow Winners Announced: October 30, 2023 on Town of Fort Mill Social Media Scarecrow Removal: November 1- 2, 2023 OLD BUSINESS There were no Old Business items. NEW BUSINESS New Business Item #1 A resolution to provide certification relating to the South Carolina Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act of 2013 for properties currently or formerly known as 219 and 221 Main Street. Penelope Karagounis explained that staff is asking council to consider approval of a resolution that would provide Kuester Commercial the ability to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for income tax credits as authorized by the South Carolina Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act of 2013 for their rehabilitation work for the property currently or formerly known as 219 and 221 Main Street. This resolution provides the Department of Revenue with a certification from the local government that portions of the building were vacant/abandoned (as defined by the state law) for the purpose of determining eligibility for the income tax credits. The resolution was written by an attorney working on behalf of the Town in conjunction with attorneys representing Kuester Commercial. Our attorney working on behalf of the Town has reviewed the request and believes the request to be proper and legal for Council to consider. If Council approves the resolution, Kuester Commercial can proceed with their application to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for income tax credits. If Council does not approve the resolution, Kuester Commercial cannot proceed with their application. In either scenario, no local tax dollars would be impacted (property tax, etc.). The only tax dollars impacted would be state income tax dollars. Councilman Wolfe made a MOTION to approve a resolution to provide certification relating to the South Carolina Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act of 2013 for properties currently or formerly known as 219 and 221 Main Street. SECONDED by Councilman Moody. Passed 7-0. New Business Item #2 2023 Tribute Fest - A resolution designating Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street, on Friday, August 18, 2023, 6 P.M. until 9 P.M. as the site of a public event in which alcoholic beverages may be sold, possessed, and consumed, and to authorize a special event permit for live music and sound amplifying equipment on Friday, August 18, 2023, 6 P.M. until 9 P.M. at Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street. Page 3|5  Councilman Helms made a MOTION to approve a resolution designating Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street, on Friday, August 18, 2023, 6 P.M. until 9 P.M. as the site of a public event in which alcoholic beverages may be sold, possessed, and consumed, and to authorize a special event permit for live music and sound amplifying equipment on Friday, August 18, 2023, 6 P.M. until 9 P.M. at Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street. SECONDED by Councilman Moody. Passed 7-0. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION There were no Information/Discussion items. EXCUTIVE SESSION Please Note: Council may take action on Executive Session Items listed on the agenda when they come back into Public Session. Executive Session Item #1 Discussion incident to proposed contractual matter between the Town of Fort Mill and Lennar Carolinas LLC. Executive Session Item #2 Receipt of legal advice relating to potential claims and ongoing legal matters. Councilman Helms made a MOTION to go into Executive Session. SECONDED by Councilwoman Cook. Passed 7-0. Council went into Executive Session at 7:26 p.m. Councilman Helms made a MOTION to come out of Executive Session. SECONDED by Councilman Wolfe. Passed 7-0. Council came out of Executive Session at 8:10 p.m. Mayor Savage stated that no votes or actions were taken during Executive Session. ADJOURN Councilman Garrison made a MOTION to adjourn. SECONDED by Councilman Helms. Passed 7-0. Being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. The following press was notified of the meeting by email or fax in accordance of the Freedom of Information Act: The Herald; CN2; WRHI, WSOC and WBTV. The agenda was also posted on the board outside of the entrance to Town Hall the required length of time and on the Town website. Page 4|5 Respectfully submitted: Virginia C. Burgess, CMC, CCC Approved by Council: The Town of Fort Mill is committed to assuring accessibility with reasonable accommodation, of Town services and facilities for all individuals, in compliance with federal law. Please contact the Town Manager’s Office at 803-547-2116 if you need assistance. Page 5|5  Fort Mill Town Council Budget Workshop Minutes Thursday August 17, 2023 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers 112 Confederate Street Fort Mill, SC 29715 PRESENT: Mayor Savage, Councilman Helms, Councilman Garrison, Councilman Moody, Councilwoman Cook and Councilman Wolfe were present. Councilman Hudgins was absent. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INVOCATION INFORMATION/DISCUSSION Information/Discussion Item #1 Discussion of FY 2023-2024 Budget Council had much discussion concerning the proposed budget for 2023-24. Councilwoman Cook made a MOTION to raise the tax millage rate 6 mills. SECONDED by Councilman Wolfe. FAILED 3-3. Mayor Savage, Councilman Helms and Councilwoman Cook opposed. Councilwoman Cook made a MOTION to raise the tax millage rate 6 ½ mills. SECONDED by Councilman Helms. Passed 5-1. Councilman Wolfe opposed. ADJOURN Councilman Wolfe made a MOTION to adjourn. SECONDED by Councilman Garrison. Passed 6-0. Being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Page 1|2 Respectfully submitted: Virginia C. Burgess, CMC, CCC Approved by Council: The following press was notified of the meeting by email or fax in accordance of the Freedom of Information Act: The Herald; CN2; WRHI, WSOC and WBTV. The agenda was also posted on the board outside of the entrance to Town Hall the required length of time and on the Town website. The Town of Fort Mill is committed to assuring accessibility with reasonable accommodation, of Town services and facilities for all individuals, in compliance with federal law. Please contact the Town Manager’s Office at 803-547-2116 if you need assistance. Page 2|2 Downtown Fort Mill Mobility and Parking Plan August 28, 2023  FMEP P3 Subcommittee ● Key Project: Downtown Mobility Plan • Finalized “Downtown Core” area map • Identified a funding opportunity to improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic around Downtown. • Reconnecting Communities Grant Program • Partner with the Town to provide resources to help complete and adopt Mobility Plan Proposed Mobility and Parking Plan Study Area Reconnecting Communities Grant Program ● Department of Transportation grant program with funds to support planning, technical assistance, and capital construction that helps to restore community connectivity. ● This would be submitted with the help of a grant writer on behalf of Town of Fort Mill ● Grant is due on September 28, 2023 Downtown Mobility Master Plan ● Purpose of the plan: ○ Evaluate the current and future multimodal needs of Downtown ○ Evaluate pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and how it is connected to parking areas, downtown destinations and surrounding neighborhoods ○ Evaluate the current parking capacity and an analysis of current and future parking needs ○ Provide design solutions and recommendations ○ Project prioritization and cost estimating Estimated Cost ● Estimated cost for professional planning and engineering firm to complete the study will be $200,000. Town of Fort Mill Responsibility ● If awarded the grant, The Town would be required to provide a 20% match, (estimated $40,000) with the remaining 80% ($160,000) being reimbursed under federal grant program Partnership Opportunity ● FMEP has offered to partner with the Town ○ We will provide $5,000 to cover the cost of the professional grant writer ○ We will provide the Town with the 20% match required, not to exceed $40,000 ● If Town is awarded grant and agrees to FMEP partnership, there would be no monetary impact Requesting: ● Town Approval: ○ to move forward with Downtown Mobility Planning ○ to partner with FMEP for funding ○ to proceed with Grant Application through the Grant Writer secured by FMEP Questions?