Council extends emergency powers and adopts COVID-19 safety resolution
Council members voted to extend the county emergency ordinance for another 60 days, allowing for continued flexibility in reallocating existing budget funds and conducting virtual meetings during the pandemic. Additionally, council unanimously passed a resolution encouraging citizens to wear face coverings and follow medical guidance regarding COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.
11 votes11 passed1 split
The vote behind the headline
Resolution Encouraging Face Coverings and Vaccinations (Motion):Council passed a resolution encouraging citizens to wear masks and seek medical advice regarding vaccinations.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
This resolution encourages patrons of grocery stores, pharmacies, and county-owned facilities to wear face coverings where social distancing is not possible. Additionally, it encourages citizens to follow the recommendations of health agencies and their individual healthcare providers regarding COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Council members emphasized that this is an encouragement rather than a legal mandate or government overreach. The resolution was crafted to explicitly encourage residents to consult with their own personal doctors when making medical decisions. It passed unanimously as a show of unity during the pandemic, with members hoping it would signal to the community the importance of working together to mitigate health risks.
Agenda Amendment to Defer Ordinance Discussion (Motion):Council voted to remove a scheduled ordinance discussion from the agenda and postpone it for two weeks.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
Council member Jimmy Jones requested that the first reading of an ordinance regarding Kershaw County Council rules be removed from the current meeting agenda. He explained that because he was participating remotely due to a family member's illness, he felt it was necessary to be present in person to properly discuss and debate the proposed rules. The Council supported his request to defer the item, and the motion to amend the agenda passed unanimously. This move effectively moves the discussion to the January 26, 2021 meeting. No other members objected to the delay, and the rest of the meeting agenda proceeded as planned after this administrative change.
Adoption of Amended Agenda (Motion):The Council formally adopted the updated meeting agenda following the removal of the council rules item.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
Following the successful motion to amend the agenda by deferring the council rules ordinance, the Council proceeded to formally adopt the remaining agenda items. This procedural vote ensures that all members are in agreement on the order of business for the remainder of the session. The motion was made by Jimmy Jones and seconded by Sammie Tucker Jr. The Council voted unanimously to proceed with the revised list of topics, which included resolutions, zoning ordinances, and administrative updates. This step is a standard administrative requirement to keep the meeting on track according to the established rules of order.
Approval of Meeting Minutes (Motion):The Council approved the minutes from the previous meeting with one member abstaining.
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
The Council moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting as presented in the electronic agenda packet. Because Russell Brazell was not present for the meeting covered by those minutes, he recused himself from the vote. The remaining six members voted in favor of the approval. The minutes serve as the official record of the council's past actions and deliberations, and their approval is a routine administrative function required at the start of meetings.
Resolution Honoring INVISTA and Robotics Team (Motion):Council recognized INVISTA for its long-standing financial support of local student robotics programs.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
This resolution honors the business partner INVISTA for its ongoing commitment to STEM education in Kershaw County. Specifically, the resolution highlights INVISTA's history of providing laptop computers and a consistent annual donation of $5,000 to the local robotics team since 2017. The Council recognized these contributions as vital for opening vocational opportunities for students in grades 8 through 12. During the meeting, representatives from INVISTA and student members of the robotics team were present to receive the commendation. Council members expressed their gratitude to the company for investing in the community's youth and encouraged the students to continue their innovative work.
Resolution Encouraging Face Coverings and Vaccinations (Motion):Council passed a resolution encouraging citizens to wear masks and seek medical advice regarding vaccinations.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
This resolution encourages patrons of grocery stores, pharmacies, and county-owned facilities to wear face coverings where social distancing is not possible. Additionally, it encourages citizens to follow the recommendations of health agencies and their individual healthcare providers regarding COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Council members emphasized that this is an encouragement rather than a legal mandate or government overreach. The resolution was crafted to explicitly encourage residents to consult with their own personal doctors when making medical decisions. It passed unanimously as a show of unity during the pandemic, with members hoping it would signal to the community the importance of working together to mitigate health risks.
Rezoning Ordinance for 70 Acres on Bulware Road (2nd Reading):Council approved the second reading of a rezoning request for residential development.DevelopmentRoads
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
The ordinance approves the rezoning of approximately 70 acres of land on Bulware Road. The request was previously approved unanimously by the Planning Commission and passed its first reading with the Council. During the discussion, it was clarified that a previous typo regarding lot size had been corrected to 15,000 square feet, which developers Robbie Lackey and Greg Newman confirmed would be the minimum lot size for the planned stick-built single-family homes. The area contains floodplains and will require standard storm-water management. Developers noted they are still in the early planning stages and will adhere to all county regulations. The ordinance passed unanimously on its second reading.
Extension of Emergency Ordinance (3rd Reading):Council extended emergency powers for 60 days to handle pandemic-related operational needs.
Yes 6 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns✗ Jimmy Jones
What this was about
This ordinance extends the county's emergency powers for another 60 days, allowing the administrator to reallocate budget funds and continue conducting virtual meetings. While Council members acknowledged the necessity of flexibility, there was debate over the level of oversight provided by the measure. Jimmy Jones voted against it, arguing that the emergency ordinance grants too much authority to the administrator and chairman without sufficient Council oversight. Supporters countered that the ordinance does not bypass the procurement code or existing spending caps and is necessary to respond quickly to pandemic-related needs. The extension passed with a 6-1 vote, keeping the emergency measures in place until the first Council meeting in March.
Intergovernmental Agreement with Town of Bethune (1st Reading):Council approved a contract to provide planning and zoning services to the Town of Bethune.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
The Town of Bethune, citing limited resources to manage its own planning and zoning requirements, requested an agreement for Kershaw County to provide these services. The agreement dictates that the county will collect fees for these services, and the town will cover any incidental costs. County staff confirmed that the demand is low and can be absorbed into existing staff responsibilities without requiring additional personnel or budget line items. The agreement is severable by a vote of the Council at any time. Members supported the move as a way to provide uniform professional services to small neighboring municipalities. The first reading passed unanimously.
Election of Vice Chairman (Sammie Tucker Jr.):Sammie Tucker Jr. was re-elected as Vice Chairman of the Kershaw County Council.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
Following a nomination by Councilman Tom Gardner, the Council voted to re-elect Sammie Tucker Jr. as Vice Chairman for the 2021-2022 term. Council members expressed confidence in his leadership and his role in key council initiatives over the past year. The election was unanimous.
Bid for Library Van (Motion):Council approved the purchase of a new van for the library using grant and local funds.Parks & rec
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
The Council approved the bid for a new library van from Driver's Vehicle Innovations in the amount of $35,281. The purchase is funded by a $28,500 state grant and $6,700 from the library's existing budget. Council members praised library staff for being frugal and utilizing grant money rather than requesting additional county funds. The new vehicle replaces an aging model that had become unreliable for library operations.
Bid for Sheriff's Office Boat (Motion):Council approved the purchase of a new boat for the Sheriff's Office to improve water safety.Public safety
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Russell Brazell✓ Julian Burns
What this was about
Council approved the low bid from Marshall's Marine of $53,015 for a new patrol boat for the Sheriff's Office. Funding for the boat includes a $35,000 grant from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, with the remaining $18,015 coming from the Sheriff's forfeiture account, ensuring no additional burden on the general taxpayer. The boat will be used for lake patrol, search and rescue, and property checks. Sheriff's officials explained that the current boat is nearly 30 years old and has been unreliable. The purchase includes standard equipment and identification graphics.
Council received an administrative update on COVID-19 trends and vaccination progress from the County Administrator. The board also held a discussion regarding the ongoing effort to secure state and federal transportation funding for the West Watery area and reviewed the status of state legislation (S.401) intended to facilitate better funding models for rural volunteer fire departments.
Members also received the evaluation instrument and performance goals for the County Administrator.
Public comment▸showhide
One resident, Tom Webb III, expressed concerns regarding the proposed intergovernmental agreement with the town of Bethune and the potential for excessive government expansion.
He also shared personal reflections on the importance of community preparedness and cultural roots.
Coming up▸showhide
Ordinance on Council Rules: Deferred to the January 26, 2021 meeting.
Budget Planning Retreats: Scheduled for February 2 (5:30 PM), February 16 (5:30 PM), and February 20 (8:00 AM) at the technical high school.
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the meeting's live-stream transcript. The county's official minutes (the verified vote record) will be cross-checked automatically once the county publishes them, often a couple of months later. This is an automated summary written by software (a neural-network summarizer working from the documents above). Rely on the official county record for anything important.
