City Council

CITY OF WESTMINSTER REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING April 18, 2023 @ 6:00 PM Westminster Fire Dept. 216 Emergency Lane Call to Order Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance Certification of Quorum Public Comments: The floor is now open for public comments. Citizens of Westminster or others who have registered for time with the Clerk can now address Council for any matters on tonight’s agenda or other matters you wish to bring before the Council. Speakers are allowed up to 3 minutes and possibly longer if that Speaker is recognized in advance as representing a larger group with similar concerns. In order to preserve the decorum of this public meeting, and to allow adequate time for discussion among the elected membership of City Council, this will be the only time we will receive unsolicited comments tonight from the public. Special Presentation – Downtown Master Plan Presentation, Katherine Amidon and Lorna Allen, Bolton & Menk, Inc. Special Presentation – Westminster Hope ComeUnity (to make formal request for Riley Street Property – three handouts included) Presentation of Hospitality Tax Grant Requests (3 minutes each requestor) Comments from the Mayor and Council Routine Business 1. Approval of the March 7, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of the March 7, 2023 Budget Workshop Minutes 3. Comments from the Utilities Director a. Fire Bay Demolition Project b. Street paving project (C Funds) c. Continuing sewer inspections/issues d. April 8, 2023 power outage e. Other 4. Comments from City Administrator a. Vacant building ordinance b. Rural Development Compliance Review – demographic data to collect c. Limited English Proficiency d. PMPA General Manager Resignation e. City Hall Campus – mural and landscaping f. Other New Business 5. Consideration of Ordinance No. 2023-05-9-02 – An Ordinance to amend Title III Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Westminster (provide for City Councilmember and Mayor Pay) Current Pay: A. Mayor $2,300 B. Councilmember $2,000 6. Consideration of ORDINANCE NO. 2023-05-09-01; AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT RELATING TO SOUTH CAROLINA LOCAL REVENUE SERVICES; TO PARTICIPATE IN ONE OR MORE LOCAL REVENUE SERVICE PROGRAMS; TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER ONE OR MORE PARTICIPANT PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTS; AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO. For many years, the Municipal Association has offered collection programs for certain business license taxes. These programs include the Insurance Tax Collection Program, the Brokers Tax Collection Program, and the Telecommunication Tax Program. The Municipal Association has collectively rebranded these programs as Local Revenue Services and has renamed the three business license programs as the Insurance Tax Program (ITP), the Brokers Tax Program (BTP), and the Telecommunication Tax Program (TTP). In addition, by Act 176 of 2020 the General Assembly standardized business licensing in the State of South Carolina. Following the adoption of this Act, the Municipal Association provided a revised model business license ordinance. Westminster along with every municipality in the State has adopted a revised business license ordinance based on Act 176 and the new model ordinance. As a result of the Local Revenue Services rebranding and the adoption of new local business license ordinances under Act 176, the Association is required to update the ordinances and agreement by which municipalities may participate in Local Revenue Services. There are three documents with this item: (1) an ordinance to participate in Local Revenue Services, (2) an intergovernmental agreement for the programs, and (3) a program participant supplement by which a municipality elects which programs to join. (This item requires Council Action and is listed below.) Staff recommends approval. 7. Consideration of PARTICIPANT PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT This Supplement is a component of the South Carolina Local Revenue Services agreements between the City and the Municipal Association of South Carolina. It is written to accompany Ordinance No. 2023-05-09-01.  Staff recommends approval. 8. Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 04-18-2023-01; A RESOLUTION ADOPTING APRIL AS FAIR HOUSING MONTH The State of South Carolina recognizes April as Fair Housing month. The components of Fair Housing are outlined in the Resolution. Staff recommends approval. 9. Consideration of Acceptance of the City of Westminster Downtown Master Plan 2023 10. Consideration of Proclamation Recognizing Beth And Ron Black, Founders Of Cherokee Creek Boys School – proclaiming May 6, 2023 as Ron and Beth Black Day in the City of Westminster Members of the staff at the Cherokee Creek Boys School have made known the 20th Anniversary of the school is in May 2023. The staff have requested the attached Proclamation to honor Ron and Beth Black for their contributions to the school, its students and the Westminster community. Old Business None. Executive Session 1. Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements and proposed sale or purchase of property, the receipt of legal advice where the legal advice relates to a pending, threatened, or potential claim or other matters covered by the attorney-client privilege, settlement of legal claims, or the position of the public agency in other adversary situations involving the assertion against the agency of a claim pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. 34-4-70 (2). (1) Contractual agreements between the City of Westminster and Oconee County regarding Fire Service (2) Possible contractual agreement(s) with Blue Ridge Electric Coop Adjourn