Full meeting transcript - April 14, 2026

» Mhm.

» Good. Yeah. What is this? Good evening. My name is Or Um Oh, this is the golf course.

» Mhm. Okay. Okay.

» [snorts]

» Everybody should have I'm sorry. Good evening Good evening, everyone. We've been called to order on this April 14th, 2026 Kershaw County Council meeting. On the agenda, we've got an invocation and pledge of allegiance by Councilman Brant Tomlinson. We'll proceed to that point. Everyone, please stand and bow your heads as we go to the Lord in prayer. Dear Lord, thank you for this beautiful day today. And thank you for this opportunity allowing us to meet and do the work of Kershaw County and the people. Please give us the wisdom, the guidance, and the patience to do the best work for Kershaw County and its citizens. Please have allow everyone safe travels on the way home. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

» Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Councilman Tomlinson. That moves us on to adoption of the agenda. Do we have a motion? I make a motion we adopt the agenda as submitted, Mr. Chair. We've got a motion. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion on the agenda? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote. All in favor, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, it's unanimous. The agenda's approved. We have a series of proclamations. First one is item number 5A. Do we have a motion on 5A? Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion that we adopt this proclamation. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. We've got a second. Mr. Cato, you have the floor.

» [clears throat]

» This is a proclamation that I I started doing last year as Most of you know, the month of April is autism awareness acceptance month. And we have many of families that um are dealing with these kind of setbacks, and some are employees from around the county, and others are just other citizens, and and not just the county, but all over the nation. So, I'd like to read this proclamation in honor of them tonight. This is for autism. And it says, "Whereas autism spectrum disorder ASD is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Autism is the fast-growing developmental disorder that affects about 1 in 44 children that causes them to communicate, interact, behave, and learn differently than others.

» The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people have with ASD need a lot of help in in their daily lives, and others less. And whereas [clears throat] there is no cure for autism, love, patience, and endurance are a great dosage. But families are encouraged to get involved with early intervention treatments, services that can improve a child's development, and ask questions, and speak with um their health care provider if you feel that your child is not doing developmentally what they should at certain ages. And whereas autism impacts people regardless of race, ethnicity, and social economic backgrounds, no one is exempt from the possibility of being diagnosed.

» Now, therefore, be it known that families deal with autism every month, but Kershaw County Council would like to acknowledge the month of April as autism awareness and acceptance month in Kershaw County as we strive to support, promote, and strengthen our families with children who have autism to help them achieve a better quality of life." Thank you, Councilman Cato. Any other discussion from council members? Thank you, Danny, for putting this on there. Yes. Seeing no further discussion, we'll move it to a vote.

» And I I would just like to say before before we vote, you know, I also want to want to thank, and and I have a daughter, and even my wife, um that work throughout the school system, and and I just want to thank all the people that help these families and help these children, cuz it's it's a it's a vast wide range of people that did help these children each and every day, and and adults each and every day. So, I just want to thank them. Thank you again, Councilman. Any other discussion? Anything? I I just like to make one comment. Danny, thank you for putting this on the agenda. Um you know, I think sometimes um we we find autism is is a spectrum, and some of the most intelligent people I've ever met in my life are diagnosed with autism and ADHD, which is um on on the very lowest end of the spectrum, but um I appreciate you putting this on, Councilman. Thank you.

» [clears throat and cough]

» Seeing no further discussion, we'll move it to a vote. For those in favor of the proclamation and adoption, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, for the record, it's unanimous, and the proclamation is adopted.

» [snorts]

» That takes us to item number 5B. Do we have a motion on item number 5B, the month of April as Fair Housing Month? Uh Mr. Chairman, if I may, I'd like to make a motion that we approve the proclamation for the month of April as Fair Housing Month. Thank you, sir. We have a motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Mr. Shumpert has the second. Mr. Tucker, you have the floor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh at this time, I'll just like to read the proclamation. It says, "Proclamation proclaiming April as the Fair Housing Month. Uh whereas Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, was enacted on April 11th, 1968 by President Lyndon B.

» Johnson, enshrining into the law the federal law uh the goal of eliminating racial segregation and ending housing discrimination in the United States. And whereas Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, disability, and commits recipients of federal funding to affirmatively further fair housing in their communities. And whereas Kershaw County is committed to the mission and intent of Congress to provide fair and equal housing opportunities for all. Whereas our social fabric, the economy, health, and environment are strengthened in diverse, inclusive communities. And whereas more than 50 years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act, discrimination discrimination in housing markets still exists.

» Many communities are uh are segregated. Whereas at whereas acts of housing discrimination and barriers to equal housing opportunity are are abundant to a common sense of decency, families, and dignity. And now, therefore, Kershaw County Council hereby proclaims this month of April 2026 as Fair Housing Month, and encourages all citizens to prevent discrimination and reverse housing segregation by increasing opportunities for minority home ownership, and invest in affordable housing acts um across the county." Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Any further comments or discussion? Mr.

» Chairman, if I may, um I just want to say that I know that the COG really helps us with this, and I know we've got a housing program here in Kershaw County as well that does a great job, and a lot of nonprofits that try to take care um of folks where wherever they're homeless or it's affordable housing. We have a great community that really really uh holds this letter of law that went in in 1968 to the fullest, and I would encourage them and thank them to continue to do that. And for the people who are not involved, um I see there's a lot of builders and developers out there. It's not a bad bad thing to put on your plan as well for the future, because you want a mixed community. Um and that way that all tides rise with all ships rise with high tide. So, we don't leave anybody behind.

» But that concludes my remarks. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Any other discussion or comments from council? Yeah, briefly. Mr. Mr. Chairman. Um I find this almost ironic. Actually, I do find it ironic. Um we're talking about fair housing at a time in which we're we're talking about growth and um potentially restricting housing. So, in the spirit of a congressional law, um I want everybody here to know that my father put food on the table working for home builders here in Kershaw County when I was a child. I understand we're fighting a growing community, and we're trying to shape a future um that leaves Kershaw County [cough and clears throat] as good or better than than we found it. And it puts us in a tough position at times.

» Um I just wanted to state for the record that that I appreciate and support every home builder that's in Kershaw County. Thank you for what you do. Thank you for the people that you employ, and everybody [snorts] that it affects in a positive way. So, I appreciate y'all being here tonight. Thank you, Mr. Braswell. Any other comments or discussion from council members? Seeing none, we'll move to a vote in adopting the proclamation. All in favor of 5B, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, it's unanimous, and passes on 5B. That moves us on to public comments. We welcome everybody else out again tonight. I know many of us are getting back in town from spring break last week or the week before. So, it's good to have everybody back together. Mr.

» DeBose, how many do we have signed up for public comments? There are four speakers, Mr. Chair. Who's the first one? Mark Wood, and the subject is pecan orchard. Mr. Wood. As you're coming up, I'll just remind everyone that public comments are limited 5 minutes. It's time for council to to hear from the public and not question and answer, just interested in hearing from the public. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of council. I don't come here tonight as your auditor as I normally do. I come as a disappointed citizen. I'm disappointed in this council. I'm disappointed this council in regards to the decisions that have been made with my neighborhood, the pecan orchard.

» This neighborhood has been a topic of discussion for the last several years that relates to the stormwater issues that this neighborhood is experiencing. Last year, we were told the county had applied for a grant to finance the stormwater project. Myself, along with some of my other neighbors, asked the county what was the contingency plan if the grant was not successfully obtained. We were told at that time that if the grant was not able to be obtained, the county would look at using emergency reserves to fund the project. A meeting was held last year in the neighborhood along with county administration and several members of council, and they assured the residents that the county was committed to this project and promised the project would be a priority and get completed.

» Fast forward to today. We now have been informed that even though the county has spent somewhere between 120 to 150,000 on an engineering study, that the project will only receive 350,000 just just to fix one road, Blackberry, which is the lowest point in the neighborhood. Oh, and also that that 350,000 includes purchasing a vacant lot. What happens if that vacant lot is not able to be purchased? What happens if the county What happens to the project then? What happened to the promise made that this is an important project? This council has let this neighborhood down, and many residents are mad as they feel they've been lied to. I ask council that they revisit this issue and make the right decision to fund this entire project.

» That is what true leaders do, and that is what you were elected to do is lead. I'm going to give you a couple of of stats and some information. Maybe the county is aware, maybe the county was not aware of how this project could have possibly been funded. From 6/30/2022 through 6/30/2025, the county's local government investment pool account earned $5.8 million in interest. During that same time frame, the ARPA money from the federal government earned $1.45 million. That does not include 2026, which that would probably add another $2.5 million to that number. So, all council had to do was designate some of the ARPA interest, which was unrestricted, no cost to the taxpayers, to help fund this project.

» In addition, council passed a budget for 6/30/2024 to use $3.1 million in fund balance reserves to balance the budget, which were not used because you had a positive change in fund balance of $1.1 million, due largely to the interest income. Then, council in 2025 budgeted to use 4.945 million in reserves and only used 1.1 million. So, if you look at the two years combined, you had a negative zero impact. You had an increase and a decrease, net zero. The money has and is there. Unfortunately, council has decided these taxpayers are not important enough for them to fund this project. I ask this council do the right thing and follow through on your promise and honor your commitment made to these citizens in this neighborhood. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Wood. Mr. DeBose, who do we have next?

» speaker is Isaac McCaskill, property tax. Mr. McCaskill, yes, sir. Yes, sir. Uh a couple of months ago, I came up here because the county had posted my property as seized for not paying taxes, which I had paid the taxes.

» [clears throat]

» Y'all informed me that the county attorney would contact me. That was several months ago. I'm just trying to figure out how long I have to wait on this contact. You need to tell him to get in touch with somebody to help. He needs some help. Yes, sir. We still have your contact information, correct? Let's get updated.

» Yeah, I'm just wondering how long I got to wait. That was been 3 4 months ago. Could you provide it to the attorney, please? I can check with the treasurer's council. Treasurer has separate legal counsel and tax collector, but I will find out the status of this and report back, certainly. Thank you, Mr. McCaskill. Thanks for coming out tonight. Mr. DeBose, who's the third speaker? Uh David Dabney, subject is permits. Mr. Dabney. Hello, everyone. Uh I've been up here two nights in a row. I don't know if I like that or not.

» Last night, I attended the planning and zoning commission meeting only to find out that planning and zoning hadn't even had an opportunity to even look at the ordinances that were voted on last council meeting and and give any type of information or positive or negative input to you guys. But, it was voted on unanimously passed uh first reading. And what I'm talking about for everybody that doesn't know out here is the permit allocations things that we're having to talk about now. Um We as so basically local builders here, there's a couple of us here. Um we face challenge every day of competing against these large builders. Um And the problem is these large builders didn't create this problem. Um they're buying land that was zoned to do with exactly what they're doing on it.

» Um This problem was created long time ago, and it should have been noticed, I think, by I guess a group of smart people that could anticipate growth coming our way. Maybe headed off with some zoning. Um Several problems with this zoning. Mr. Tucker, you're talking about affordable housing right now. With these ordinances, I don't see anything for affordable housing in this as far as permitting and allocations towards that. Don't know what the what they are. Um Secondly, uh these ADUs or accessory dwelling units and everything else has been a arbitrary number of two put on that. It's just ridiculous, in my opinion. Um I'm I've built two in the past year myself, and I understand it has been 11 total all of last year.

» I don't know how this [snorts] is inflicting damage upon the impact of Kershaw County when one of the persons that I built this for is built up for their home for their son, who was coming in to help her uh with her husband, who had been in an accident and paraplegic now. Um the second one I'm building right now is uh for someone that is 80-plus years old, got one lung, walking with a cane, moving in on his son's property. His wife's got has has cancer twice. So, his son moved him in for that. Be a crying shame to turn down that third person that comes in has that same situation.

» Instead of taking a common sense approach to it and asking what's going on, what you doing with this? You you creating a pool party? Are you Are you Are you Are you doing something like this for your family? Secondly, how are you going to deny the fact somebody who's purchased land, been paying property taxes on it for 2 3 years, uh maybe waiting to retire or child graduate from school um so they can follow their American dream and build on a nice big piece of property and create a little homestead for the family. You're 210. You can't do that. 6 months from now, you might be able to if we got enough permits left. People such as uh the people across from uh on I-20 out there to build on your land, national builder there, a regional national.

» They can come in and buy these properties, buy these permits ahead of us. We kind of take them as we get them most of the time. So, common sense approach to me is the problematic areas are in Lugoff and Elgin, just like they always have been hadn't changed since 6 months ago when we put the impact fees. Matter of fact, where's the impact fee money going? What have we done with it? We can have an overlay district around the airport that restricts certain things. We can have an overlay district over there that says, "Hey, we got problems. We need to fix them. Let's slow it down over here." You ride down Highway 1 in Cassatt and pass two people between here and the airport.

» Extensive land and everything else, and then we're going to basically copy-paste a Mount Pleasant ordinance leaving out affordable housing. Mount Pleasant, Camden, Kershaw County, two different things. Can't go but so far east in Mount Pleasant before you run out of land. Where is centrally located? We ain't going to run out of land. Low-lying area there, too. Probably got sewer issues, don't they? Probably got to pump it uphill cuz it don't go downhill. So, I ask when you when you look at this thing again, maybe take some input from the committee that you put in place to look at these things before you just make an ordinance and pass it. Look at these things, why these people are moving in these areas, building these ADUs and things in their backyard instead of just saying no.

» Hey, tell mama 3 months from now we might be able to do it if we got another permit available for you. So, common sense goes a long way. Like John Wayne said, life is hard, but it's a lot harder when you're stupid.

» [snorts]

» So, I stand down. Thank you for your time. Thanks for coming out, Mr. Dabney. Mr. DeBose, who's the final speaker? William Robinson, Knights Hill Park. Yes, sir, Mr. Robinson. Good evening. Mr. Chair, members of council, and the illustrious Excuse me, Ms. Hannah. Let me get you all

» [cough]

» this evening. Uh just want to update you on some things that's happening with Knights Hill [clears throat] Park. First, I want to invite each of you to our May Fest uh annual May Festival that's happening on May 9th, which is the second Saturday in May, uh the day before Mother's Day, as we're celebrating as a community the 103rd gathering of African Americans in that community. Um this year we're going to uh have have an expanded kids zone. Um we had train a mini train rides last year that was very popular. We're bringing them back We're bringing them back. Horseback riding. Uh there will be food, uh other vendor information vendors. Uh and it begins at 11:00.

» Um I ran out of flyers and posters today, which I had in my car earlier today to give to each of you, but between Cassatt and Elgin today, passing them out and talking with the different businesses, I ran out, so I didn't have any for you. But, I'll make sure we get them to you uh this this this week. Um one of the things that we're going to introduce this year, also, is golf instruction at Knights Hill Park. We got a grant from the health district to bring free golf lessons to Knights Hill Park. We will be doing uh twice a month from the summer through the rest of the year, be instructed by a Mr. Herman Belton, who grew up in Kirkwood. He's a Navy veteran. Um he is also a Hall of Fame coach.

» He was inducted to the Benedict's Hall of Fame uh a year and a half ago after taking Benedict College, South Carolina State, and Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, all to minority golf championships national championships. So, he's going to be our instructor, so we're working with him. So, again, I want to invite you all out May 11th, 11:00, Knights Hill Park, and I'll get some posters and flyers to you within the next couple of days. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Robinson. Appreciate you coming out tonight. Mr. DeBose, does that conclude public comment? It does. All right, gentlemen, that puts us back on the agenda. Uh we have item number 7A, which is a presentation by Haile Gold Mine. Tonight we have Tiley Tracer Anderson and Joey Byrd with us.

» I make a motion that we have this public presentation. Second. We have a second. Any discussion? All in favor of having the public presentation, raise your hand. It's unanimous. And you've got 15 minutes. Yes, sir, Mr. Byrd. Well, good evening. Well, first of all, Mr. Chair, council, we want to thank you for giving us a few minutes to just tell our story and the impact that we're making at Haile Gold Mine, not only in Kershaw, Lancaster County, uh but also Kershaw County and the great state of South Carolina. Amen. Thanks for being here. Thank you. Um My name is Joey Byrd. I am senior advisor of community relations and land development.

» Mr. Byrd, I know you're tall. If you could pull the mic up just a little bit, I was getting a text from people they can't hear you online. There you go, that's much better. Thank you. Um as I said, [clears throat] I'm senior advisor, community relations and land development for OceanaGold Haile Gold Mine. Um the title We'll introduce herself in a moment when she comes up. Um but, we're going to start We like to start with a a video if we could. I think we have it ready.

» [music] [music]

» I guess I'll kind of start at the beginning um in um the 1980s, there were three mines that were uh in operation in our area. Uh you I know you're familiar with the one over in Ridgeway that was in Fairfield County. There was the Haile Gold Mine in the Chesterfield County in the town of Jefferson, uh where I reside. Uh there was the Brewer Mine. Um early '90s, those mines uh they closed down basically due to the fact of low low gold prices at the time. About 2006, 2007, uh Romarco Minerals, a small exploration company, came and purchased um Haile Gold Mine, which consists of several hundred acres at the time. Um they began doing their exploration drilling, and over the years um found the reserves enough to start putting in operation once gold prices increased.

» 2015, OceanaGold uh came and acquired Romarco Minerals. Uh 2016 uh was when I began my career with them during the construction years. And so, 2016 was construction year, 2017 we began our operations and the process of pouring gold. Uh currently, Haile Gold Mine is the only operating gold mine east of the Mississippi River. Not only that, we are the first mine ever east of Mississippi River river to mine underground. We have an egress of about 2 mi down, but that is not 2 mi vertical. It is sort like a spiral uh staircase as we wind our way down to about 1,100 ft down.

» [snorts]

» Uh we extract the gold on the way down and backfill that. Um We are the fourth largest producer of gold in the United States currently. Uh last uh Tuesday, April 7th, was a monumental day for our company. Uh we began listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Um last year we produced 212,000 oz of gold. Um over the next uh 10 years, we project to produce that that or more each year. Um Oceana Oceana owns uh three other mines. There's two in New Zealand, and there's one in the Philippines. Haile accounts for 45% of of all the revenue from from Oceana. Um Haile's reserves ensures that we will have another 10 years of mining, uh and we continue to explore uh for more resources with an aggressive exploration program.

» Um Haile Gold Mine em- employees nine around 900 uh people, and we also have an additional 200 contractors on site as well. Many of our employees live in this area. We really uh our our we consider our local employees in a a six-county radius. Some prefer to live in the larger cities, some rural, but in the our six county that touches us in that area is is majority where our workforce is at. And we're around 89% local. Um We have currently 5,469 acres permitted to mine. We don't need to mine all that, but we need that much space, especially for overburden. If you've been by our facility, you've seen what people call the mountains. Uh so, we we need some space, but we also uh have approximately 4,000 acres unpermitted off site.

» Um and over the next uh several years, we have about 2,400 plus acres that we will be uh designating it for conservation. Um This past year, uh just kind of speaking of conservation uh preservation uh project, uh we relocated a historic schoolhouse that was on our property. We had to move it. It was declared historical. It was built around 1919. Um and so we relocated it. It was quite a process, but we relocated it downtown Kershaw and it's in its uh preservation uh they're working on it currently. Um and hope to have that sometime finished sometime this this summer. Um but that that's uh So um I'm going to let Tally come now and she's going to share some of the impact uh economic impact that that we're making. You know, any questions before I step down? Any questions, comments from council? Thank you.

» Thank you, Mr. Byrd. Thank you. Great presentation. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I'm Tally Tracer Anderson. I'm the External Affairs and Social Programs Superintendent at Hill Gold Mine and this will be super brief. Um so Hill contributes to about 83 organizations. That's always growing every year. We um we get a lot of requests from different nonprofits and we are really supportive of conservation efforts across the state. Um most recently um we have signed up with an agreement with MUSC uh in which Hill is giving 250,000 to the residency program which promotes doctors to complete the residency in rural areas.

» Um and finally, we want to share the economic impact that Hill is making not only in Kershaw, but in the surrounding areas like Camden in Kershaw County as well as the state of South Carolina. So I have these here for you guys to to look at and keep. Thank you very much. Thank you so much for having us tonight. Thank you. Council members, any comments or questions? I'd like to Are you Mr. Brazell, sir. I'd like to say thank you um for for showing us the the video and the presentation. I'd love to find out more about the mine. I've I've had several friends that work there including this guy sitting to my right. Um uh many others as well. Billy King's a a good friend of mine. And

» [laughter]

» he um

» [gasps]

» he he's he's shared some some significant stories about how how interesting the process is and I'd learn love to learn more about the process if we could. Yeah. Absolutely. We would love to set up a lunch and a tour for you guys to see everything.

» I I would absolutely enjoy that. Thank you.

» Great. Thank you. Thanks so much.

» Thank you, Mr. Brazell. Uh Mr. Tucker. Yes, thank thank you. Mr. Brazell, you're talking to the right folks, especially the tall guy. Uh that's that's what he likes to do and that's what he's good at. Um amazing place to work. Amazing place to visit. Um what you guys and and and I say guys, but I'm talking about the ladies and the men uh do out there is nothing but um remarkable and um you employ a lot of good people. And last I checked, Mr. Byrd, you can correct me. Um when we did the uh 25 um family friends day, uh most of the residents were in Kershaw County that worked out there. We had the majority of them that's living in Kershaw County. So that's part of our growth too as well and um you know, they're coming from all over the world to work out there.

» So it's not like they're just moving from North Carolina or Georgia. These folks are moving from out west, California, Nevada. Um I think some's out maybe in Texas. Wherever they're digging minerals at cuz they're coming with experience. So um but I just want to uh say thanks and make sure that um when you get back there, you tell the big cheese I said hello and that um we appreciate all that you guys do uh for not just our community, but the surrounding counties as well. Y'all been a great great partner to work with. And if I could dig you up and move you back in the Kershaw County or redraw the lines, we would love to have uh our gold mine that was given away in the '60s to redraw of school district lines cuz that's how that happened.

» But thanks very much and and we appreciate you very much. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Any other comments or questions? Um [snorts] thanks again for coming out. I hope you don't mind if I share your contact information with any interested council members that want to reach out. And Mr. Brazell, that's a great idea. Um Jeff Burgess had already reached out about doing a a tour. We'll just make sure we comply with FOIA whether four all of us come and we have to announce it for the media and otherwise, but you've already dealt with that in the past.

» want to come too, Mr. Chairman.

» [laughter]

» They might want to come too. Thank you so much. Thank you. Appreciate you. All right, gentlemen, that moves us on to approval of the minutes. Uh we have items number 8A and 8B. Do we have a motion on the minutes for 8A? Make motion we approve the minutes from March 24th, Mr. Chairman. We have a motion on 8A. Is there a second? Second. We got a second. Any discussion on the minutes? Seeing none, all in favor raise your hand on 8A. Miss Hannah, it's unanimous on 8A. And then we have the minutes for 8B. Do we have a motion? Make a motion we approve them. Mr. Cato has the motion. Is there a second?

» Second. Mr. Tomlinson, any discussion on the minutes for 8B? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote. All in favor raise your hand. I'm abstaining due to absence. Please note the abstention, Miss Hannah. Otherwise, it's unanimous and passes with Mr. Brazell abstaining. On to discussion items. We have a couple discussion items tonight. Item number 9A first placed on the agenda by Mr. uh Vice Chairman Russell Brazell. Homestead exemption plan. Do we have a motion? I'd like to make a motion to discuss uh an homestead exemption plan for seniors. Is there a second? Second. There's a second. Mr. Brazell, you have the floor. Thank you.

» Um ladies and gentlemen, I have I've been researching um homestead exemption plan and I'd like to with your help formulate something that that we could potentially in the future refer to state delegation um for members of of the House and Senate to consider um that would that would be broadly applied throughout the state. And I don't think we're going to get there overnight, but I think everything starts with the conversation. I know that our homestead exemption is currently uh $50,000 uh per uh per home for a senior. I [snorts] would like to make a proposal that as people age, the homestead exemption increases into a point at which if you own a home that's less than $500,000 by age 75, you would be free and exempt from taxes. So in brief, my plan would start at age 60.

» So the primary residence and the qualifying homeowner at age 60 would receive a $100,000 homestead exemption versus a $50,000 homestead exemption. Now, given if your house is only worth $100,000 or less at age 60, at that point you would be paying no taxes no differently than um currently I think it's it's 50,000 and if I'm not mistaken, the age is 65. At age 65, that would increase to a $200,000 homestead exemption that would as stated, if your home is worth less than $200,000 at age 65, you would have a completely exempt house or you would have that much reduction in in tax on a home. Um say if it was a $400,000 house, you pay taxes on $200,000 and you would be exempt $200,000. Um as as you age at age 67, it would be a $300,000 exemption. Same scenario. At age 70, a $400,000 exemption.

» And at age 75, a $500,000 exemption. Now, I'm fully aware of the pitfalls that it would create for councils and and county and county agencies. I think that this is something that could be implemented over a 6 to 8 year time frame. Potentially less, potentially a 5 year time frame. And we would have to look to the state for money back to the counties from sales tax revenues and other tax revenues that that could help counties replace those those losses. But it would be my goal to work collectively to have something that we could refer to our delegation. And there's no vote needed tonight. I just wanted to put this up for discussion and I'm happy to hear from any of my colleagues. Any comments or discussion from council members? Mr. Tucker. Yes, Mr. Chairman, if I may.

» Um Councilman Brazell, I I just have a couple questions. Um will you be able to get us those in those numbers or some type of format so we can look at further and have you um had any conversation with um how many homeowners that would affect here in Kershaw County and what's the economic loss of revenue to the county? No, and and those are all good questions in which I know that we have to address. Um I do have something in a better format. Um I think Miss Hannah, you still have a copy of that? Okay. Miss Hannah can provide copies. Um what I'd like to do is is look at how it would affect Kershaw County.

» We could we could use ourselves as a demonstration and and look at those revenue losses and we could talk to legislative delegation members and find out what does that look like for Kershaw County? How could we fundamentally do this without creating havoc? And I think it's a step in the right direction. I think it's something that seniors want. They want to be secure in their home. Um, as as people get older they need to feel secure, especially if they have a house that's paid for. They want to feel that it's paid for completely. They don't want to feel like they're having to rent their house from the government. So, I think this is something that we can do. It'll take reallocation of taxes, but fundamentally I know it's feasible.

» Um, and there'd be guardrails, I think, as as far as how long you you lived here in South Carolina, how long you've owned your home. And we'd have to look to attorneys such as John the Bose to help us with questions like that. So, um, yes, I'd love to talk about it more. I'd love to discuss it more. I'd like to um, go as far as you'd like. We could we could do a committee, you know, if if anyone would be interested in that, but I I genuinely would like to find solutions to those issues and and find a path forward. I'd love to just look at at what a mock would look like for Kershaw County. And and look at those losses and and how we could replace those losses. Absolutely love to do that. As and as chair of the finance committee, I think um, you would be key in in helping to do this.

» Thank you. So. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Brazell, any other comments or discussion? Seeing none, no votes required. Thank you, Mr. Brazell. All right, thank you very much. Next discussion item is 9B, Pecan Orchard related topics placed on by the uh, the agenda by Mr. Jones. Is there a motion on 9B? I so move, Mr. Chair. Have a motion for discussion. Is there a second? I'll make a second. There is a second. Mr. Jones, you have the floor. Thank you, Councilman Brazell. Um, I had spoke with Mr. Tucker on this earlier and he told me he would be able to give us a full update on the Pecan Orchard. Are you prepared for that, Mr. Mr. Tucker? Uh, not at this moment. I was going to do it in my council briefing along with um, my um, stuff from my finance committee meeting Friday.

» Okay, but you know, you and I talked about that. Yeah, but I didn't tell you I was going to be ready when you come up on the um, agenda, but I

» I'm sorry, there must have been a misunderstanding there.

» Yeah, it's okay. Yeah. Um, go ahead and lead your part on what you've done and then I'll join you. Well, where I'm at, guys, is that I've been getting phone calls from the Pecan Orchard neighbors. Not one, not two, but more than that. As you saw, Mr. Markwood came here tonight and he had some comments to make. They're saying there's been no activity for the last 2 weeks. There's been no communication. And uh, I thought we were going to lay out a plan at some point in time to address this to where there would be everything put in order as it was going to happen. And you may be prepared to talk about that in your uh, council briefing. But um, I had the pleasure this morning of taking uh, Mr. C.R. Miles with me to go out and look at the Pecan Orchard.

» And I'm not going to comment too much on that because he's going to look at some plans that we've got. I I want him to look at things and give me his thoughts on what we plan to do and of course what we had previously planned to do when we had the engineers or we did a a study with the engineers. Um, just somebody, whether Mr. DeBose, Mr. Templer, Mr. Chairman, somebody can just tell me when, where, how this is going to get started. And I've been threatened that it may be taken off the agenda or it may be the project may be dropped if I say too much. I don't care. If you if you want to use my uh, the part of the agenda I put in there under new business, if you want to use that to to to portray something negative towards this neighborhood, so be it.

» But I'm going to stand up for them and I want something done. I I think we need to put this to rest. We've been discussing it way too long. May I may may I comment, Mr. Jones?

» Yes, you can. Mr. Chairman? Go ahead. Um, well, I think there's there's a lot of misinformation, Mr. Jones, and um, you know, I I just listened to a public comment made about how we were going to fix Pecan Orchards as a whole, Pecan Orchards as a whole, and that we were going to um, fix it with $350,000 and that was never the uh, conversation or uh, the intent or plan. Um, that was supposed to take care of phase one and phase one only. And then from there we would have to work on phase two and a phase three. That's what staff brought us. And I can tell you there's been activity out there. Remember when you're dealing with the county, the county has more responsibility than just Pecan Orchard.

» So, they're trying to work and do the best they can and getting there, but they have made tremendous progress out there, Mr. Jones. So, I'm I'm in probably um, disagreement with you on there's been nothing done because um, there has been work out there. And I'm happy to refer to the administrator cuz he's sitting right here and he knows way more than I do, but um, I I think what we need to do, and I say this to all the citizens that's out there, is allow the county to go through the plan that we all voted on a few weeks ago and allow to see what fruits of our labor that will bring. Everybody's Monday night quarterbacking and becoming um, engineers overnight cuz they probably went to AI and you know, they they they they're ready now. AI, [clears throat] uh, they they're good to go.

» Give the uh, the project and the plan an opportunity to work. And it's hard to try to help people when you keep beating people upside the head that's trying to help you. Can we just pause for a minute, please? And then allow the county to go through the plan that council has voted on. We all voted on it. It was unanimous. And then if something is not right, then we can we can judge. We can we can make the phone calls. We can uh, email the letters and everything else. Um, but you have to give opportunity to people that's trying to help you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And Mr. Mr. Jones, yes, sir. Thanks so much. Well, that's that's that's well and fine and you are eloquent speaker, but I disagree with you on what you just said.

» [laughter]

» Every everything you just said. We've been talking about this for 2 years, Sammy. Well, Mr. Jones,

» we're no further than we were I disagree with you on Okay, what says the flags put up? What's to talk about flags? And the what and what about the property? Are we going to get updated about the property? When does it go What what what how we going to

» get to a point where we can report out, that's that's that was given to staff and our county attorney and I don't control that. So, we're just waiting on um, their progress. How long we going to wait? Till they tell us. Wait's what broke the wagon. That's what a man told me one time. What did you say? Wait's what broke the wagon. It's spelled different there, Mr. uh, Yeah, I know it's spelled differently. I don't know. I'm I'm I'm a little bit like Mr. Jones, it's time to it's time to it's time to move. It's time to get it done. We've talked about it. I mean, like we've talked about it. I've I've gotten grayer as we've talked about it. We need to get it done. Get it behind us. Get it Get it fixed. Get it done. Move on to the next thing. That's how I I don't know.

» That's that's just the way I live my life. Let's if we're going to do it, let's do it, but let's quit talking about it. So, I'm ready I'm ready to help.

» have the votes and you want to take it off the agenda and not do it, so be it. Well, I think we've already voted on it. I think it's

» but I've been I've been told that that could possibly happen, so let it happen. Let it happen. When I retire, I promise you this, I won't go away. Mr. Jones, What

» like to hear from the county administrator? Sure. Okay, Mr. Templer, would you have anything that you'd like to add, please?

» Please, Mr. Templer.

» [laughter]

» Um, I think it was our last scheduled meeting I was authorized to engage in some property negotiation. That took place the very next day. Um, this property negotiation is it's important. It's the vacant lot over there that's going to be important as an outfall. It's the lowest point of the neighborhood on that side. Um, this $350,000 is going to do the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people on this particular street. Um, but we need an outfall. We need a right away. Can't dump water and now there's natural water flows. There's two options there.

» I'll meet with somebody um, another property owner on Thursday to give them exhibits, engineered exhibits, to help them understand what their property would look like should we get a right away there, should we be um, successful on that. The other vacant lot, uh, it's you know, it's going to be critical. That's the low point. That's where we need to discharge point discharge and get that water going to the another natural flow point. Received just yesterday an update from the engineer that we need to be careful with some of the work we're doing. We're doing just basic maintenance out there, some trimming back shrubs, we're identifying utilities. Report from the engineer as recent as last night indicates that some of the water lines will have to be moved.

» Um there's a lot of utilities out there. And what we don't have the luxury of is utility companies coming and doing the right thing and getting encroachment permits in our county roads, um letting us know where utilities are going to go so we have a say. They just go out and install. And so we got utilities everywhere out there. It's fiber, it's expensive to repair. Um and you know, ultimately we don't want to fix one neighbor's problem and create a problem for the next neighbor. Um And guys we really have nothing to work with out there. This neighborhood is so poorly developed from original concept to what the product is now. There's documentation going back to with the administrator in 1995 when these roads were coming in indicating that engineering needed to be happen out there.

» Um so we're doing things, but we're it's it's not necessarily tangible. It It doesn't look like it, but engineering has happened. We're working to get property acquisitions. Um we're trying to do it the right way. We're trying to do it the most effective way. Um sure we can go in there and just start moving stuff. I mean any I mean we have plenty of equipment to do that. But um it's not going to happen. I'm going to go by the engineering the information. I'm going to go by the law. I'm going to go by what the attorney tells me I should do, what I shouldn't do. And when we say we're going to do it right, it also includes those items as well. We need to do right by the people that are not having such the drainage issues that some others are.

» I don't want to spread the love in terms of the problem out there. I want to resolve as much as I can. And at the end of the day the expectation needs to be understood that my responsibility is to drain the county roads out there, not the private property. We capture the water that is falling onto the county roads, we capture that water, we discharge it in an appropriate manner. Um I'm not responsible, nor is any other taxpayer for what goes on in someone's backyard. Now, there may be some results of you know, underground springs or something like that. I I can't be responsible for that. It's roadways and ditching and discharges and making sure that I have the appropriate right-of-ways going onto private property. Um for point discharge.

» I'm always happy to discuss with any one of y'all any anything we're doing. Um we're not sitting on our hands as some may want to um point to. The day after that uh we were authorized to get that property, we were moving on it. We're waiting on an appraisal right now. We had comps that were just that comps, but it wasn't an official appraisal, which is something I need to expend county money on private property. So there's there's red tape. I understand the frustration. I've been dealing with Pecan Orchard for 10 years. Um [snorts] I'm not impacted [cough] by it, [clears throat] but I am when I come to work and um and I'm just being blistered on social media and slandered and through incompetence and that I need to be terminated for sitting on my hands. It's adorable. But that's fine.

» I don't look at people out there, I look at the problem because it's it's about capturing the drainage from the roads and appropriately getting it to a point where it can be discharged and not impact anyone. And if it's going too slow you know, I it's unfortunate, but there has been more work done out there in the last several months, contrary to popular belief than there has since we put the four outfall pipes that run out to from Plum Thicket out to behind the rest area. Um that was a $350,000 project. Um so again, that just illustrates the point that I really have nothing to work with out there because it was so poorly designed. Um but at the end of the day, my responsibility is the roads, so happy to answer any questions. I'm happy to sit down with anyone.

» Um I am communicating communications went out yesterday, redline responses. Um there is a lady I'm drawing a blank on her name, but she asked very thoughtful questions and I feel they're reflective of what the neighborhood would want to know, so I appreciate her correspondence to me. It allows me a vehicle to respond to her questions in red to show that these are my responses to her questions and reply all to all the homeowners. Um so I I appreciate her efforts. And again, she asked very thoughtful, meaningful questions that I think are are fair and um you know, probably what most people want to know, but they're just not asking, so she's representative of that neighborhood. So um again, I it's unfortunate, but progress is slow.

» I wish we could just go in there and and just start tearing stuff up, but that's all we would be doing. We're not fixing anything. That's one. Thank you, Mr. Chandler. Council members, any further comments or discussion? Are we going to discuss um or or could we discuss furthermore those dates and those timelines for the purchase of the property at the next council meeting? If I have a anything I have moving forward in terms of progress, I will be happy to share in my briefs just as we did yesterday. Um so I think maybe at this point we may be 2 weeks out, 3 weeks possibly. So hopefully by the time Okay. we we get something. And I will absolutely, given the gravity of this situation, be updating y'all as much as I can.

» Yeah, I I think I think if we could

» Sure. I think if we could have a a timeline um and a schedule from you and or public works, however you want to frame it. If we could have a schedule with goal set dates what's next, next steps. If we could have that to for our own knowledge and for the knowledge of the community, um that would be a great help with some of these situations that you're talking about, the misconceptions and that sort of thing and and us us not knowing. I didn't know until just now that the the next day you you move forward with that. That was the first I heard of it. And um as far as people saying things about you, Danny, that's just getting you ready for when you're on council one day. Never have them get them. I'm not going to wish that on you. Well, let me just say this and thank

» Mr. Jones, yes, sir. Thank you so much. Mr. Chandler, thank you for that update, but I I swear I know less now than what I did before we come in here. We're saying the same old thing over and over and over. And I don't know what's strapping Mr. Chandler's hands, but I know we Mr. Tucker, you finance chair, sir. Great one, we talked about setting a schedule. Yes, sir. We'll talk about it again tonight. Well, I'm going to say this, Mr. Jones, and I'm going to I'm going to be done with it for um this discussion. Uh you know, cuz you were in that meeting, um anytime you have legal points um contracts, things of that nature, um that does consume some time and they can only move as fast as um the attorney is uh able to clear them to because what we don't want to do is misstep and it cost us.

» Um And whoever we're dealing with, the individual we're dealing with, how quickly they want to move. Are they are they holding out? Are they willing to cooperate? Um these things do happen and unfortunately you, the administrator, or the attorney, or this body up here on the dais has no control of that sometime when it's on the you know, the person. Whether it's a contract or whether it's property or whatever it may be. So with that being said, I think what Councilman Brazel asked for, um Mr. Chandler said that he think he can get it if uh he gets progress made on that. But if not, he can give us another update by the next council meeting, but I I wish I could tell you. That's That is the hold up. After that, you can get a timeline.

» But if if he gives you a timeline now and it and he doesn't meet that timeline, Mr. Jones, then he's going to be labeled as a liar. But you asked for a timeline the last time we were here.

» Right, but that was that was not knowing that this is going to take this long. So he can't give me a timeline until we cover the legal portions of this so they will be accurate. And I understand that and I'm asking all of us just to be a little patient. Let's get through this next step, please. Any further comments or discussion from council members? Seeing none, we can move on. No votes required. Non-B is concluded. Thank you very much, gentlemen. This brings us to a series of ordinances. I'll just check with the administrator on on one before we seek a motion. Any updates or anything we need to know about for context before we seek a motion on 10A. No, sir. Okay. We've got item number 10A before us.

» It's the first reading for ordinance to amend a development of a joint industrial park between Kershaw County and Fairfield County. Do we have a motion? Make a motion that we approve the ordinance for a joint business park. We have a motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Mr. Shumpert, we have a second. Mr. Debose, Mr. Templar, any further expounding for us? So, um this ordinance is lack of a better term a housekeeping ordinance. Um the Kawashima properties were formerly in the Kershaw Fairfield multi-county park. Um as y'all are aware, you've approved a series of um economic development incentives for uh companies that have reoccupied that property. Um those projects were placed in the Lee Kershaw Park.

» Therefore, um these non-performing properties are not eligible in Kershaw Fairfield anymore. In fact, when they sat vacant, um they weren't eligible for MCIP status. So, this is just a cleanup ordinance. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Debose. Any further comments or discussion on 10A? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote on first reading. All in favor of 10A, raise your hand. It is unanimous and passes first reading, Mr. Chairman, on 10A. Mr. Administrator, any summary, any updates we need on 10B before we seek a motion? No, sir. No amendments. Okay. Uh as a reminder, 10B is going to be second reading to amend the official zoning map. It's a rezoning of a 32 plus or minus acre portion located at 41 Youngs Bend Road in Kershaw. Do we have a motion? I'm making the motion. We have a motion.

» Is there a second? Second. We have a second, Mr. Shumpert. This uh no, I think this is just the ordinance we dealt with last time where they're just seeking to amend some of the adjoining parcels as they grow their business. Okay. Mr. Tucker, you had the second. Yes, sir. I I just wanted once again tell that entity that thank you for uh their um good business and good neighbors they have been out there in the Westville area and um just keep wishing them well. Keep growing. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Any further comments or discussion? Just just as way of information, I put it out there, but if if this correct understood correctly understood this parcel that we are voting on tonight is surrounded with general development. I believe that's I believe that's correct.

» If I recall correctly from the um planning commission materials, at least on three sides of it. Okay. Councilman Gater, I believe possibly on on all sides. Yes, well, there's a um small map from the uh planning commission materials in the very last page of that section of the agenda materials. And um this large parcel is yeah, um surrounded by GD on um the opposite side of the road and I believe to its south. Um and separated from other parcels by uh another roadway. Thank you, Mr. Cato. Any other comments or discussion? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote on second reading. This is for 10B. All in favor, raise your hand. Miss Hannah, it's unanimous and in favor and passes second reading on 10B. That brings us to item number 10C. Mr.

» Administrator, any context we need? There are some items here and we have the legendary Stephen Smoke here as well. Any any updates from you before we seek a motion for bringing them up? Okay. This is second reading on uh amendment to the ZLDR section 3.3 conditional uses rural country club requirements and related matters. Do we have a motion on second reading? Make motion that we approve on second reading. All right. Do we have a second?

» Second. We have a second. And so, Mr. Tucker, you have uh the motion, but we do have the applicant's representative here, Mr. Smoke.

» from the the applicant representative, please. Mr. Chair, real real briefly, um the version of the ordinance in y'all's agenda um the first reading uh version misspelled country. I don't know who drafted it. Might have been me. Um I type county a lot every day. So, country was misspelled in a few uh spots. I took the liberty of just correcting that and placing it in here. A scrivener's It's a correct version with that scrivener's error corrected. Um for the sake of transparency, though, uh would seek a motion from council to correct that scrivener's error by reference, basically what I just uh informed y'all of. Um the other uh edit on the face of the ordinance is the conflict of law provision uh carried over from the last version of the rural country club um ordinance.

» It covered so many um matters and was so broad. Uh y'all have subsequently narrowed this to rural uh golf clubs. But, the conflict of law provision um read differently than most of our conflict of law provisions. It basically said if the ordinance was stricter, it would control, but if there were other areas of the code that were stricter, they control. Um the conflict of law in the version in your agenda package has been changed to the standard conflict of law provisions that Kershaw County's used in every other ordinance. So, I wanted to bring that to council's attention as well. Uh again, because it did change between first reading and second reading. It's a minor um housekeeping matter. So, again, I included that in the agenda. I do have a would seek a motion on um that correction.

» Again, just adopting the version in your agenda package um as the second reading version of the face ordinance. ZLDR text uh Mr. Smoke uh will speak to as the applicant and the applicant's desire to um advance a few uh small amendments at this second reading. Thank you, Mr. Debose. Mr. Smoke. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and uh good evening, council members. It's always a pleasure to be in front of you. Looks like you have quite the full agenda tonight, so far be it for me to keep you from your dinner. Um there were no substantive changes other than the ones that we discussed uh at the last meeting that I had submitted prior to the last meeting. Uh Mr. Debose just went over the uh scrivener's errors, if you will.

» I think there are some cross-references to other pertinent ordinance sections, but there were no other changes that that we uh as the applicant had submitted at this time. But, I would did want to be here just to express our appreciation to you all and to answer any questions that you might have. Um Thank you, Mr. Smoke. Any Yes, sir. Mr. the attorney

» Mr. Debose, go ahead. So, um the So, one one matter Mr. Smoke and I discussed is the the last amendment, I believe, changed guest unit lodging to 18,000. Uh-huh. I believe y'all um at first reading, my understanding was that the applicant um was seeking a um amendment tonight to 20K, not more units in the guest lodging, just slightly more square footage to comport with uh their renderings that they've had. Um I will note that the staff lodging regulations in here uh in the attachment, um staff lodging was allowed under the first reading ordinance, but had no parameters as to what staff lodging would look like. Um that staff lodging um regulation is included in the redline text in your agenda package.

» And again, it just uh essentially mirrors the guest lodging um and restricts staff lodging to 8,000 square feet, no more than um 16 kind of apartment or or units within the staff lodging for onsite. Thank you, Mr. Debose. So, I stand corrected. That three-week gap between your last meeting did something to my recollection, but thank you. It's called birthdays. Mr. Mr. Chairman. I noticed Mr. Thompson. Um and it may just not even be pertinent, but under 33285 where it it is right line itemed out 8,000 to 20,000. If you flip to the next page underneath 28-6, line item five, it still lists 8,000 square feet there. Correct. Um so, the 3328-6 section that you've referenced on this last page, again, are those um regulations for the staff lodging that didn't exist.

» The prior amendment just stated staff lodging um would be allowed. So, that doesn't need to be updated to 20. Well, without any guidelines um specifically for the staff lodging, you know, I I guess it'd be open to interpretation about how large the structures could be, etc. etc. Um in consultation with Mr. Smoke and the needs of uh the applicants, I just took the guest lodging. But, my understanding is the 8,000 square foot area um for staff lodging is sufficient. Guest lodging is at the the 20. Yeah. Thank you. It's in keeping with the master plan and those those dimensions are are sufficient for the plans. Okay. Thank you. Mr. Chairman.

» [clears throat]

» Mr. Tucker. Uh I'd like to make an amendment to to I think we Mr. Cato, he already he got my attention first. Okay. No, that's that's fine. We all should have it before us and uh Mr. Debose has already done a fine job of explaining it. And I yield it to you, Mr. Cato. Um [clears throat and laughter] I want to make an amendment uh to this. And I move the council amend the ordinances described by legal counsel and amend the ZLDR text in the form of the document included in the agenda packet and to adopt the text as written in the agenda packet. To include the applicant's requested amendments. Mr. Shoemaker. And that would include allowing for the 20,000 square feet guest lodge revision. All the points you have there. All right. Okay, as described. Second.

» There's a second. So, we've got a second. Any other discussion on the Cato amendment? Yes. Are you okay with that? Yes, [snorts] sir, Councilman. Then, I'll vote for it. He checked with you. Any other discussion or comments on the Cato amendment? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote on the amendment. All in favor, raise your hand. It's unanimous in favor on the amendment, so it is amended. That brings us back to the original motion. Any further discussion or comments? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote on the motion [clears throat] as amended. All in favor, raise your hand. It's unanimous and passes second reading as amended. Thank you, Mr. Smoke, for coming out tonight. Tell your client we're very thankful for their interest in Kershaw County. Thanks, Stephen. Always, the Councilman.

» All right, the last item as an ordinance is another second reading. This is an amendment to the code of ordinances related chapter 24 and related offenses, solicitation and panhandling. Do we have a motion? I have a motion, Mr. Chairman. And to sort of consolidate, I'm going to make a motion that we adopt on second reading the ordinance, but specifically as amended to reflect the text of the ordinance that is in the document included in the agenda package and labeled suggestion suggested amendments at second reading, agenda item 10D. So, I'm making a motion that we adopt it on second reading as amended in this packet. And I can explain those after I get a second.

» Is there a motion or a second on that motion? Mr. Tucker. Mr. Shoemaker, you got the floor. Yes, so obviously the original ordinance that came before us at first reading banned panhandling and aggressive panhandling. We talked about that. Pursuant to Councilman Jones and some other folks' comments, this this amended packet that you have in front of us does a couple of things. It allows It specifically allows permits to be issued that would allow rescue squads, volunteer fire squads, and any other registered 501c3 group to solicit from motors with the permit. And it makes clear that permitted solicitation activity isn't permitted by the ordinance. So, that addresses specifically the issue that It does not. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for that. And that's what this amendment does.

» Otherwise, it's in form and substance the same when we voted on it first reading. For and for what it's worth, again, I don't think those matters that were included in the already included in the code of ordinances and allowed under that permitted structure for rescue squads would be under any of these defined prohibited acts. Nonetheless, the question's out there for the removal of all doubt. I think it's wise to explicitly reference those and how they are not as existing code sections are not altered by that. And again, yes, that's that's all this amendment does is states that those two county code sections are still valid and allowed. Thank you, Mr. Dubois. Any further comments or questions from council? We've got Mr. Shoemaker's motion before us. All in favor, raise your hand.

» It is unanimous in favor and passes second reading on 10D. Miss Hannah. 10D. Thank you, gentlemen. That takes us to new business. Mr. Templar, any background or summary for us before we seek a motion on this? Uh 11A. Pretty straightforward. Okay. Allowing us to have medical continuing in the jail. All right, do we have a motion on 11A? I'll make a motion that we I guess the motion would be that we adopt the proposal as recommended in the new business packet. Second. [snorts] Yes, Southern Health Partners in Chattanooga, Tennessee. And we have a second. Okay, any further discussion from council members or staff? Yeah, so this is a a big improvement from what we from what we were dealt with last year. Is that right? Right.

» And just also this one needs a little bit of finessing from me cuz it's not the bid. We're actually recommending ACH. See, you're doing the Advanced Correctional Health Care. Okay. Yeah, can I can I jump in one thing cuz we did speak about this in finance. The the lower bid does not offer the the higher bid gives us more qualified medical professionals, which is helps us meet more of the standards.

» So, what we're seeing in that higher bid is while it's a slightly higher bid amount, it's not a substantially higher bid amount, it offers us a substantially higher quality of medical professionals, which in the long run should save us money because we have people that can do the the more advanced medical work there at the jail as opposed to having to farm them out and having just kind of your lower level medical people. Is that a fair kind of layman's description? Correct. And there's also some staffing increases [clears throat] with ACH that Southern Health Partners, namely around holiday time, was not able to do. All right, well, let's just clarify for the record then the motion and the second was related to ACH as recommended by staff.

» Cuz Southern Health was mentioned before and so before us we have the $828,871.53 per year contract related to detainee health services. What what was last year's payment? The provider is the same Advanced ACH, and so it's going up slightly. I think about 100 and

» 80. 180. So, there is an increase. We were able to take advantage of just getting them in last year under that kind of emergency situation, if you will, if you remember. So, there is an increase because we went out to bid, they had to kind of competitively bid, so there was a slight increase on both of those items. For both of those reasons, I'm sorry. So, Well, competitive bids should reduce the price.

» I would I would like a little bit more time on this um if I could. I remember talking about this in depth last year. And we were caught flat-footed, if you will. And this year um I don't know that I can accept an increase without further discussion. Um

» [snorts]

» Can we defer it until the next meeting? I would caution against because of the And and I will certainly defer to whatever this body wishes, but it's critically important that we have appropriate health care especially with some of the mental health uh Understood. When's our when's our contract end? Um I mean, we would have time. Um I don't know the drop-dead date on it. We were just trying I would I would frankly I would like to talk about this more because we talked about this in depth last year. And I know that we had a a large increase in price. And there was a lot of conversation about having a better opportunity this year for a a better price. So, I I don't know what I don't know. And I hadn't been briefed on this.

» And so, I would just ask my colleagues if we could defer this until for 2 weeks and have an executive session or if we could include this in tonight's executive session to have a more detailed conversation. I'd be more inclined to to vote in favor of it if I better understood it. Sure. And I respect that. I I can speak to I mean, I've been asking questions by and by to try to keep myself informed on the issues. And I know we reached out to a local provider, but they just were not able to provide the level of services required on site. You have local providers that already mobilized that could you know, truck inmates over for just general stuff that needs to be taken care of on site as opposed to at their hospital facility or otherwise.

» That was one of the discussions about how can we have a significant savings in having a local partner, but the standard of care that we need to provide, as I understand it at the facility, and Mr. Jones, you actually worked over there for your entire career, is that you need to have the doctors on site. Is that correct, Mr. Administrator? Correct. Um And so, I know administration had some in-depth conversations with several local providers, but they just weren't able to do exactly what we needed to do in this detention health care service. And how many Do we reach out to people beyond these two bids that came in and solicited? We did. And once we told them that we were trying to kind of curb our costs at just 12 hours, we we lost some participants as well.

» The Southern Health Partners was a provider some years ago when I first came on board, but we went to our previous provider who decided to pull the plug. They wanted to have us essentially forced into a 24-hour care. And that's is something we didn't have to worry about with Advanced Correctional Health Care. They're also going to do the medically assisted treatment through the Alpha Center. They're going to assist with that. So, it is an increase of about $172,000. The difference here in the bid, but what we get in terms of is care. Mr. Shoemaker had mentioned the level of care. Um it's it's certainly well worth it especially as it relates to the Eighth Amendment and and potential lawsuits that we could encounter should we not provide appropriate medical care for any inmate that is pre-detention.

» I'm sorry, go ahead. Are we receiving additional care level beyond what we were contracted for in the emergency situation last year? So, the MAT portion will will be an an addition that is complimentary to the the um the Alpha Center and the funding we received from the opioid settlement. So, that it's it's complimentary with that. There's some uh other avenues we'll be looking at for injections with uh some uh with probate as it relates to mental health patients. So, there's there's a lot of mesh points here.

» Is a portion of this contract funded by the opioid settlement? No, it's

» Through the Alpha Center? It we're we're a pass-through for the Alpha Center, but this there's the ability for the MAT program to be in-house with the inmates uh at the jail. Okay, I saw some pictures.

» Mr. Mr. Mr. Chairman. Um I just want to add to what Mr. Temper reminded me. We're going from a LPN to an RN to those services. So, there's a difference in in the care there alone on who's certified to do what. So, just wanted to add that piece on. Okay, thank you, Mr. Jones. Thank you. Thank [clears throat] you, Mr. Chairman members of Council. Uh let me just say a few things uh I think staff has done a good job in the process of bringing this to us. The thing about a jail and I think what Danny's point is he wants to make sure we're covered in time before this one lapse. I also understand Mr. Brazell's wanting to defer it to make sure he understands a little bit better.

» As long as we're within that safety zone, Danny, to where it won't cost us to get gigged by minimum standards of South Carolina Department of Corrections. You know, I don't see what the harm would be to postpone just to to let our colleague get caught up-to-date on it. However, I'm going to tell you I'm fine with it. I like it. Uh I think you've done a good job on this. And and I would be prepared to vote tonight, but but if if I have one colleague that wants a little bit more time and we have that time, I would think that we it'd be a respectful thing to let him have that. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Mr. Cato. Um I'm fine with it like Mr. Jones.

» I kind of have a little bit of background in this and and it's I think it's very important for the mental health part of it that we have somebody on site. Um that that's a big thing. The RNs are on site. But looking at it from a safety and liability issue um when we have to transport these people for different different things that could be handled at the institution when these when these correctional officers or these detention officers have to transport these people to the to the hospital and back, it creates a safety issue. It could be escape. It could be an issue in the hospital. I mean, it and and then it ties up staff at the jail.

» So, I can I can kind of understand I I can kind of reasonably understand the increase in cost and where that goes because it's saving us possibly a lot of litigation and a lot of issues in the future by not having to transport these inmates back and forth. Mr. Chairman. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Yes. I was just wanting to point out I you know, I'll make the motion obviously. I I would I think I mean, I've heard enough myself to be able to vote on it tonight. I think it's important to note too that Finance Committee did look at this. We were briefed on this and so this comes from the Finance Committee with a recommendation as well cuz we kind of had discussed all this. So, I mean, I you know, obviously it's up to this body what it wants to do, but we did have that discussion.

» I think for all the reasons that he said I'm you know, we've got a lot of business coming up in our next two meetings. So, um I would be inclined to to move forward. Mr. Tucker. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. And I and I just want to add too because um no one's brought this up, but Advanced Correctional Healthcare last year filled in the gap for us, they told us that they were giving us a deal and if we change what we wanted because at one time we were trying to look into 24-hour care with them too, but it's just not something that's going to be conducive to our pocketbook. I'm just being straight up and honest with you, but

» So, so if if I could just be clear as to what the difference is that It is all the things the your mental part.

» All right, so we we have we have we have how many people on staff? Two? Two RNs at all times? One? You talking about now or you talking about in this proposed part?

» In this proposal. I don't know the exact numbers of who will be on at any particular time, but it's just the I think we all I mean, frankly, I just think we all like I need to know that. I need to know the particulars and I need to know that you know the particulars before I can vote on this. If if you can answer those particulars, I'll on Danny Cato's recommendation and and our Finance recommendation, I'll I'll vote in favor of it. But if if we can't get those answers tonight, frankly, I just think we need time to understand it better. This was I mean, this was not taken lightly last year by you or anyone else. No, you're right. I mean, you Danny, you didn't take it lightly at all. Sure. So, um it I'd like to make a motion to defer until the next meeting. I'll second that.

» There's a motion been made to defer. There's a second. Any discussion? I have Yes, I do. Um Mr. Tucker. So, if we can get your answers um and particulars, can can you give us time as we go down the rest of this agenda to gather that information? Sure. Yeah. They were Yeah, it's fair. Okay. I think it's I'm not I'm not asking for anything. I I have no reason to defer it other than the fact that he wasn't sure of the question I just asked him. So, Can you research that, Mr. Temper?

» I want to make sure that our administrator has every tool at his disposal, has every um that we're not okaying a contract just to move it Okay. through the process because we got more to do. This is important. This is important to our jail. It's important to the staff at the jail. And it's a it's a lot of money. So, I'm I'm taking it extraordinarily serious and I want to make sure that that we um we address it correctly. That's all. So, do we need a a motion to move it down to the end of the agenda? Right, if we can

» No, I can unilaterally move um an item of [clears throat] business to the end if there are no objections from Council members.

» fine. All right, we'll Okay, so we'll put it to after executive session to allow the staff to have adequate time. I think that's fair. And I was just going to Mr. Jones, I was just going to clarify. So far, ACH has been a good partner. Absolutely.

» want to clarify. If they're watching right now or if they have a friend in the room, if if it's someone we're going to enter into a contractual relationship on something that uh requires such

» If if they're in the room, they can answer the questions.

» Yeah, that No, unfortunately, I don't think they are, but um I Any other question while I'm querying

» What What's the the staffing What's the staffing this year? What's the staffing next year? And and why is it different? Is it Is it Is it the amount of time they're going to be there? Is it the amount of people that they're going to be there? You want to know what's that $180,000? Yeah, what Show Show me the money. Show Show me the reason for the money. I That's it's a lot of money. Well, I think it's important too, Mr. Temper, if we're going to get additional staff, that we know how many staff we got. I don't know how how many how many do they have one nurse? It typically there's one nurse on shift and then there's so, there's a a cohort, if you will, of of um a doctor, a mid-level, um you know, the RN, if you will.

» So, it just it just depends on I imagine the cleanest way to get the information is what is in the bid package that they agreed to comply with and submitted the bid for. So, I'll I'll mine for that information and get it for you. Okay, so we're bumping um 11A to after executive session 15B, not executive session matter itself, but just for further research for staff and otherwise to see if we can reach resolution uh to the end of Council. I'm sure the doctor can can Hearing hearing no What's that? I said I I feel sure we got a good jail administrator. I feel sure he'll be able to to answer that question. Okay. And hearing no objection from Council, then we're going to bump Thank you. it down. All right, um next item on the agenda, that's 11A.

» Next item on the agenda is 11B related to Pecan Orchard placed on by Councilman Jimmy Jones. Is there a motion? There is no motion. The matter is moot. And so, we will bypass item number 11B related Pecan Orchard. This brings us to our Council Member Briefings. Mr. Cato, if you'll allow me to be faithful and start with you. Faithful. [laughter] Faithful, yeah. Yes, ma'am. Last I'm sorry, three years ago.

» [clears throat]

» No, I'd be glad to cuz I'm going to be very brief. I just I just want to say thank you to Prestige Farms and Ron Prestige. Um we had an opportunity Everybody was invited here on Council this past weekend to go out [snorts] to to their family fun day and uh we was able to take our families out there and and uh I just appreciate the hospitality and um great food, great games, and circus, and it was just a fun time out at the Equine Center, and I appreciate the invitation, and I just wanted to give them a shout-out. Great company. I appreciate it. That ends my report. Thank you, Mr. Cato. Mr. Tomlinson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

» Just want to thank staff and and the Sheriff's Department for being here, and want to let everyone everybody know that the public comments and and everybody, especially addressing um the ZLDR and permits, all those concerns are are heard. And we're going to work to do what's best for Kershaw County. So, appreciate everybody being here. That's all I have, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Tomlinson. Mr. Jones. Well, just a couple of things uh I was going to talk about me, but I think I'll talk about the pecan orchard. If we can, let's try to have some dates at the next council meeting. If we are, we are. If we're not, we're not. But what's going to happen? And two, I went to I have never done this before, but last night I went to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

» I I've never gotten involved, I've never interfered, and I didn't interfere last night. I went to just sit and listen. Guys, I'm going to tell you something. I said this one time before when the Equine industry came to to us, and they needed 60,000 maybe, 30,000 I can't remember. But anyway, I said, "This is a chance. We talk about we support the Equine, we support the Equine, but this is a chance for us to prove it." Well, we didn't give them the money. But we support Equine. It bothered me last night to see those folks that y'all grew up with, cuz they're all younger than me, but you folks grew up with them, and they're worried.

» They're worried about their their jobs, their their employees' jobs, they're worried about their income pertaining to the the the ordinance that was brought before us. And I and I do have a problem with us doing first reading on something before the Planning Commission sees it. Um I appreciate the work of that hot committee, as I said before, but I just think it was to me, it's just inappropriate for me to and I I don't know if I thought that the Planning Commission had already seen it, but anyway. Um I hope we'll we'll listen to these folks out here when they come before us. I hope we'll try to understand, maybe slow down just a little bit, and get some of them involved, and uh let's see what

» [laughter]

» solution we can come up with. I hate [clears throat] to vote down something not have a solution to vote on alternative. And you know, that same I've been always very good about having an alternative if I voted something down. Probably one of the best on this council to ever do that. And uh but I don't have that for this one. It's a tough one, isn't it? It's but but then again, too, let's take the time and and do that. Let's listen to our partners, our our neighbors, our constituents, our friends. Let's listen to them, and um not maybe not put the fifth gear in there wide open. But that's something I just like to ask y'all to consider. And uh to all the homebuilders and everybody else, I hear you loud, and I appreciate what you do. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Mr. Shemack.

» Yes, so want to thank the Kershaw the Arts Center of Kershaw County for their gala the other week that we went to that, and Councilman Wilkes on Camden City Council here was the name sponsor. It was a really good event. Appreciate that. You know, I wasn't going to say much about this, but but since it came up twice, I just on this on some of these growth issues that we're going to be talking about, I want to say a couple of things. One is um in terms of rushing, I I respect and agree with the general statement we should not rush this. I do not think working on something since August on an ordinance that was drafted 13 months ago, that has been heavily researched, is rushing. I've talked to no less than two dozen people in the last three weeks about this.

» I've listened to the public comments. I would answer back, and a couple of things I I mean, I'm just going to mention I made some notes earlier. There was some discussion about uh accessory dwelling units, what we call ADUs, building a house for mom in the backyard. We've only seen eight of those last year. Every formula for the permit allocation is based on math. We certainly, this council could raise the number of ADUs. It's not a driver of growth, totally agree with that. That's something we could look at, too, is just the way the math works out if you do a 20% reduction or 30% reduction. That's an easy adjustment. That that one's not too big. The bigger questions are still in front of us. Obviously, I support all local economy.

» I support anyone that makes money in Kershaw County, but also afford the people in the community support the people in the community. The thing I hear more than anything else is we are growing too fast. We talked about affordable housing. No doubt, we need to that's a concern of ours, but I challenge anyone to stand up here with a straight face and say if we do nothing, housing will somehow get more affordable. Affordable housing is not something that we can mandate, it is something we can encourage. Limiting the growth does not encourage or discourage affordable housing directly. It may have a corollary impact, but that's why we have PDDs.

» We can put incentives for developers that come to us with plans to build affordable housing, but guess what, guys? No one's coming to us wanting to build affordable houses. That's just a fact. And that's something we can deal with separately. Um everybody wants to say no, but nobody wants to hear it. And the fact is, if you're going to limit growth, you're going to have to tell people no. The two questions I've been asking in the dozen or so people I've talked to is, is growth in Kershaw County a problem? Universally, the answer has been yes. If you say that growth is not a problem in Kershaw County, then you and I will just have to disagree, and obviously we can't really have a helpful discussion because we start with a point of disagreement.

» Assuming you agree with the first, which everyone has, how do we lower the growth rate? I've asked that question to everybody, and shy of just see how things we've already done work out, which we've already seen that in the last 2 years, I haven't seen much of a specific plan. Um so, again, I I heard comments about this problem being created years ago. Don't disagree with that. But the time to act is now. You know, there's an old Buddhist saying, right? The two best times to cut down a tree or, you know, 20 years ago and today. Plant a tree. You cut down a tree when you build houses. Correct. But I'm a big supporter of the timber industry. So, but that you're right, plant a tree, correct.

» So, again, I'm fine to talk to people, and I've been talking to people, I've talked to every every one of you about this at one point since our last meeting. So, you know, I'm going to fight for this. I I I'm going to fight hard for this. It This is our policy-making body. I appreciate the Planning Commission. Mr. Jones, to that point, the Planning Commission isn't a policy body. They make recommendations on zoning, they're there to carry out our policy. So, you know, that that's why I didn't have too much heartburn going with us first on that, but that this is a unique situation. But our job is to set policy, and we're going to have a decision over the next couple of meetings to decide what policy we're going to set for growth on Kershaw County. This is what I support.

» I look forward and hope that it passes, and if it doesn't, I look forward to those who vote against it and carry the day coming up with and showing me how they're going to fix growth, because this is the best idea I've been able to come up with. So, I look forward to having those discussions. Thank you, Mr. Shemack. Mr. Tucker. Thank you. Mr. Shemack, you were so involved in the ZLDR, you forgot to mention that you were going to do an update here. Maybe I'm wrong.

» to rename him. Yes. Okay, is that correct still? Yeah, well, not a I'll be in executive session cuz it has to do with contract. Yeah. Okay. All right. Thank you so very much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A couple quick things. Um I I too want to say thank you to the Precious family. Uh We went out, and it was a good time had. Danny was one of the clowns, so I really enjoyed him out there. Now, he was

» [laughter]

» But it it was very exciting. So, I had this discussion actually with the administrator yesterday when we spoke. Um this this county, and Mr. Jones, you've been with the county longer than I have. I've been up here longer than you have. Do you remember ever having an employee family day? Cuz all I remember is an employee day. Well, the corporate has started that. Well, yeah, the employee day. And so, I'm saying that because this was a family uh it was employee family day, and mandated they have the crowd, the Sheriff was there. Um Mr. Gerald Blanchett was there, um and also Mr. Cato and myself, um and others just had conflicts in their schedule. Mr. Jones got a chance to speak to Mr. Precious over the phone, cuz he called during the middle of the circus.

» I was getting a suntan. And why did I answer? I really can't tell you, but um so, with that being said, I just want your support or your thoughts or your input on how can the county do a instead of just an employee day, do it as an employee family day, and get these folks family to participate. Cuz we do the employee luncheon. So, just keep that on your radar, that'll probably be back up.

» Just changing the name. You got a big big let's do it. Well, I think I know a couple of venues. Um the other thing that I wanted to speak about was we have an opportunity in the Finance Committee. A lot of this stuff you guys have already spoken about, so I'm not going to bring it back up again. We had an opportunity Friday to hear a presentation about our sewer from uh uh Kiefler engineering firm, Tom Kiefer. That is something that we're going to bring to council because um it is an amazing report and what staff is doing and the money they're saving, and we really need to get behind what they're going to be proposing back to us. So, I'm just putting that on your radar. We'll get you more information. That's right. [cough and clears throat] Need to know about it.

» Um the other thing that I want to talk about is that um we have an opportunity. Um we haven't um done anything yet, but we have an opportunity to extend out um demand response bus and so um I would like to talk to you individually or collectively on that. Um we can get a lot of bang for our buck. We're talking about maybe $60,000 to extend out to the Elgin, Bethune, Westville, Mount Pisgah area for transportation for our citizens. Um and that money would be matched with the same. So, for 60 we'll get a 120 return. So, just keep that on your radar as well. Um other than that, I've already talked about P Cannon Orchard and we've already set some um parameters for our administrator to get back in touch with us.

» So, um I want to move on to um And all that came up with the RTA on Monday night when we met with the cog and then uh Mr. Councilman William Wilkes is the chairman of that board now and he brought that proposal back to us. So, um but I also want to say um my prayers and thoughts go out to the Turner family, Cannon Turner's parents, um who are um Brooks and Carey. Um this was the accident on the four-wheeler that happened last at Buck Hill Road. It's it's a terrible thing and y'all know my story. To lose a child. I don't care how old or how young they are. And so I know they've got a great support system around the church because some of y'all may be members at the church there in Lugoff First Baptist. Um but embrace this family.

» Uh keep them in your prayers and just love them up every minute you get. They're going to need it as the weeks go by, as the months go by, as the years go by. What's never going to erase their mind is that they lost their child. That will never go away. They can get old, gray, and the and and hair can get bald like mine. His turning gray, mine's turning loose. So, uh you know, just the way life is, but please keep them in your prayers and um I thank all of you. I know we don't always agree, Mr. Jones, probably none of the time. But um I love you. It's my honor

» you coming up here. And um you know, we fight up here for what we believe in, but the most thing that I think that you can ever do is always keep your respect and um your commitment of being open-minded and open-hearted with each other. So, with that, Mr. Chairman, that concludes my report. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Brazell. Chairman Connell, thank you. Um I'm thankful to to get to go last. Gives me an opportunity to kind of reflect on a few of the comments. Um In in regards, Derek, you and I've worked hand in hand on on a lot of these community challenges. Um You put a lot of work into your efforts and and I want to thank you for that. Um There there are concerns. I Here's what I'm going to ask you.

» Be be open-minded to a a version that works for all of the hardworking families um here in Kershaw County that have made their livings um that has sponsored our baseball that have reared their children because their profession depends on it. It's no different than if it were Sammy in his business whether it be a driving school.

» [snorts]

» If you hamper someone's business directly, it's it's it's a big deal and I know you don't take that lightly. Um If if this were to directly affect me in a in a large way, which it it doesn't, because we're we're so geographically diverse in our business, but if if this was as a direct of a of an effect as it as it is to the people that were sitting in this room, frankly, I'd have a tremendous problem with it. So, so I do I do have a problem with it because I care about them and their family. So, I want to ask you kindly to to work together with me on something that works for everyone that we can pass. If you show me a plan, I'll look at it. Well, I I'd like to do that with you. Okay. I've I've I've gotten myself in lots of trouble for having plans of my own.

» And I've learned from those troubles. And so tonight, I ask you kindly to work with me on a plan that it it it I know how it gets when you you you've worked and worked and worked and you and you know in your mind that this is what's going to work and and I'm not saying it's not, but [snorts] I'm asking you to work on something so that we can have a viable future for citizens um for the the projects that are that are ongoing now. Um I don't want to cause anybody any economic damage. And I think there's there's potential for economic damage for families and and we we can't do that to to our friends and neighbors and it's um it's something that that we're taking very seriously.

» So, if if we can work together on a plan and what I would suggest um would be a a formal meeting hosted by Kershaw County and a public invitation to to builders in the community and you're right. We've worked on it for a long time, but they haven't. Let's slow this process down in in in just a little bit here on the tail end. Let's bring in the local builders, the local um support to those builders, the electricians, the plumbers, the frame carpenters. Let's hear from them and then let's find what works. I don't know what that is right this minute, but if we rush this and we push it and we fight fight fight and we dig our heels in, we're probably either going to A pass something that hurts families or B not pass anything at all. And frankly, I'm a happy medium.

» Try to do what's best for everybody here in Kershaw County and I just I ask very kindly that we're able to do that and I would like to um ask our chairman if he could help facilitate with administration that meeting. Mr. Templar. Yes. Thank you. Um Enough about that. Um We've we've had uh tragedy here in Kershaw County. My heart aches um listening to Sammy discuss it. I'm not going to discuss it any further, but I um we all we all have families that we love dearly and my heart aches for for those that have suffered loss and um I appreciate all my colleagues and uh especially my new neighbor. So, looking forward to that real soon.

» even looking up.

» [laughter]

» Councilman Thomason. Everybody have a good night. Thank you. [laughter] He didn't look up. I was paying attention. We know. You you still live in [laughter] the district, right? I don't know. Russell said you're moving to Lugoff. Anyway, um I have a few remarks before we move on to the next portion. Uh growth rate. We got to figure out what we want the growth rate be in Kershaw County. Um do we just let it run naturally and as it sits, are we comfortable at 14% over a certain number of years? Is that sustainable in any way? I believe it's not and we have to figure out what the target is. Is it 5 6 7%? Is it 8, which would push um infrastructure and schools and all of our resources in a in I believe an unreasonable way. You know, no one will ever Mr. Sheumake first, I know you not you you hate not being able to respond.

» [laughter]

» But no one's ever faulted Mr. Sheumake being Mr. Jones, uh sorry. No one's ever faulted Mr. Sheumake with being too passive.

» [laughter]

» And so And so but what I do love about him and those who are committed to addressing the growth issue in Kershaw County is they have the future of Kershaw County in its best interest at heart, which includes families. It's either um we figure out how to address growth now or we look at significantly higher tax rates, perhaps, to pay for the infrastructure improvements and all the requirements that will lay in cuz the the the outlays that we're given by staff based on the growth that we're going to see, the the impact fee doesn't touch it. It pays for some of the growth, but it doesn't really touch it in any meaningful way.

» As we've discussed in the past and I've mentioned and encouraged the school district could look at a impact fee, which would be much higher and and pay directly for schools and uh you know, that will be in their prerogative if they want to take that up. But growth rate, South Carolina is the number one state that people are moving to as of last year. We got that up update. Um we've had it, but we also got it uh in our faces again recently in the news and otherwise. And then of the 46 counties in South Carolina, we are the number seven county for growth in the fastest growing state. And so, it's an issue that we have to address. I've received numerous calls as well just about from everybody who's in the room and many others who are concerned on both sides.

» I have uh some of the the big builders saying, "Hey, something you got to do something, but it needs to impact only the small builders." I got the small builders saying, "You got to do something, but it only needs to impact the big builders." And then I've got uh everyone else saying, "Don't let another house be built in Kershaw County ever again." And all three of those positions are unreasonable and not realistic. And so, how do you figure out what you can do? I think there's already a series of amendments that council members have been talking about. I've got some in mind, which would um and this is where Mr. Shumaker and others I would disagree. I'm not as aggressive on the reduction in the growth rate. I think we could perhaps phase it, and there'll be some discussions about that.

» Um allocations for those who might already be in the pipeline and already have site uh plans approved and already expended significant funds, there might be additional allocation uh made for those. And so, I think there's some things we can look [clears throat] at to address some of the concerns we've had, but it's either we do something now or we really have to do something later, and I think it's going to be more painful. All I know is all the calls that I've received and maybe you've heard the same thing uh council members is they say, "You have a really tough decision to make. You have to do something.

» We don't know what it is, and I'm glad I'm not you." And so, that's where we find ourselves uh at this moment as we move forward in addressing growth in Kershaw County, which we need to have. If you're not growing, you're dying, but we've got to grow the right way. Um That's the report that I had. I don't have anything else beyond that. [snorts] Um Mr. Administrator, do you have any remarks or report for us? I do. Um just want to give y'all the update on Parks and Rec that um we're going to be doing some ribbon cuttings here soon. Uh these things have been going on for a while, but what we're at the the point we're at now is just the um the point of the punch list to make sure we're getting a quality product handed over to us.

» So, um just an example uh we met uh Alliance we're we're going to meet um with Alliance to mark the areas of asphalt over at Casey West parking expansion. Um we've notified or noticed several areas over there is just not what we're going to accept. So, they'll probably do some milling over there and some patching and um but we don't want potholes in in a couple couple years in our our new stuff. So, just really scrutinizing these projects to make sure what we take into our inventory is maintainable, it's new, and it's not a project when we take it in. So, we want to maintain, not repair. Um Woodward Park is uh it continues to drive on. Um subbase for the parking lot is being uh spread out in prep for asphalt.

» Um there was an additional drainage system that had to be put in at the base of the retaining wall near the basketball courts to prevent water from pooling. It's a little bit of a there's some wet areas over there, but they are it's just some where plans change um and this is going to ensure a better product product over there, excuse me. Um hydroseeding has been put in in all the common and disturbed areas, but with the the drier climate we've had recently, um not much is growing. We do have irrigation out there, but that's more for the fields, not necessarily these disturbed areas. So, I don't see those areas necessarily preventing any kind of openings. We'll just continue to nurture those along and hope and pray for rain.

» Um some of the things we are looking at at Boyd Young and Copeland Park and things like that, uh the fields are really ready to almost to play on. We we know the irrigation has been key. We've never done this before in any of our projects, Casey West in the past with the irrigation, and this is just going to be a game changer when it comes to the aesthetics and the playability of these fields. So, um we feel pretty good about the fields up there, but we're also going through with the punch list on the 27th to look for any safety hazards. There's some areas that need to be uh taken care of some ruts and things like that where the uh the silt fencing has been taken out and created some holes.

» We don't want any hazards up there, but we just want to again have a safe, playable, usable uh set of fields up there. So, we look forward to getting up there um with these punch lists, and just because we have a punch list date, doesn't mean we can't work concurrently with our contractors to notify or notice things and have them addressed before these punch lists kind of get a jump on this. We do want to cut ribbons very soon and get these things going uh for their intended season, the the summer. That's all I have there, but what I do also have for Mr. Brazell if he would like to entertain some numbers here for your questions. So, what ultimately we have is um At Mr. Administrator, I'd ask

» Yes, sir. reserve it until after executive session if it's going to be part of a discussion that we were going to put on anyway. Fair enough.

» Um otherwise, you know,

» That's it. I don't have anything else. Okay. We'll we'll we'll bring all the data up in 11A after executive session. Thank you. Okay. Um that concludes administrator's briefing. Thank you, sir. Legal briefing, anything non-privileged? No. Never is. All right, next up You might. I'll be shocked. Next up on the agenda, we've got executive session. We have A and B. Take them as a slate. A is related to a legal briefing on a matter covered by attorney-client privilege. Both of these are under SC Code 30-4-70 and relevant subparts. B is related to contractual arrangements related to the sale or purchase of real property. Is there a motion on entering executive session?

» I'll make a motion we enter executive session.

» a motion. Is there a second?

» Second. We've got a second. Any discussion on executive session? Seeing none, all in favor of entering executive session at this time, raise your hand. Ms. Hannah, it's unanimous in favor. We are in executive session. No votes. For the public's benefit, no vote is anticipated after executive session.

» Yes, sir. What you got? We got Sammy and Jimmy Dale as the last. Yeah, we got We'll just need one more to come out. There we go. Seeking a motion to exit executive

» So moved. We have a motion. Is there a second on exiting executive session? Second. We've got a second. Any discussion on exiting executive session? Seeing none, all in favor of exiting executive session, raise your hand. I did. Weren't you cuz you weren't here. Thompson and Cato. We are out of executive session, Ms. Hannah. [laughter] And it's unanimous in favor except for Mr. Jones who's just absent at the moment. All right, that puts us back on the agenda prior to adjournment. Uh we had under chairman's prerogative 11A moved for some additional research. Thank you, chairman.

» And staff, yes, sir. And staff being able to share or answer some questions. Mr. Templer, yes, sir. Yes, sir. So Mr. Brazile, to just tersely answer your question, it'll be two people you'll have, but they will be RNs, an RN for 80 hours a week, and then an additional RN supervisor for 40 hours a week. And this ups the cachet of the level of care. There was LPNs. Um So substance

» care

» Substantially, we're just going from LPNs to RNs.

» RNs

» No more time, no more people. Um But the mental health piece, what was that? Mental health was, let Um 80 hours, Jim. Eight hours, isn't it?

» Eight hours, I'm sorry.

» Yeah, eight hours, yeah, eight hours. Yeah, when I put my readers on, I'll tell you.

» [laughter]

» Are we still allowing uh churches to to go in and and visit and Yes, like Gideons and things like that, yes. Well, yeah, any church group that's able to minister. Yes, we've um and we get requests from time to time, but we always accommodate. Good. Can I make one addition? You mentioned the RN to LPN. I think there's one thing, too, is I recall they are also offering more provide prescriber hours as well. Prescriber hours

» Yeah, so to your point, Councilman Brazile, like it's terms wise more money, so you're going from LPNs to RNs. The uh the ACH is also offering more prescriber hours than Southern Health Partners. So we have more doctors who can write scripts that are available to us. Is that that's correct, isn't it? Correct. And then one other key feature is that when these these inmates come in for screening, unless they with the um with Southern Health Partners, if they don't answer any yeses to anything, then they're not screened. But with uh the Advanced Health, they are screened regardless, and I I feel much better about that for, you know, I mean, when you think about things like in custody deaths and things.

» I was I was almost ready to vote when Danny Cato said he felt good about it because I know I know about No, I he he knows. He knows, and Jimmy frankly Jimmy knows. Um and and I appreciate the research and the knowledge that our finance committee had, but I know that this was a huge topic, and I didn't want to I didn't want to just advance it just to advance it. Sure. And and if I may just to kind of further um we had a committee on this. It was a jail director. We had procurement. Our old procurement officer came back and assisted because she was so ensconced with the last evolution of when we were

» And this is what This is where they want to be.

» This is where they wanted to be, and it's it's probably don't remember many of these being where we go with the higher bid, but just because of the quality and the fact that we want to be um accredited soon to just have more cachet over that jail. I I certainly understand sometimes low bid is low service. I don't have an issue with that, but I I did need a reason why, and I appreciate y'all taking the time. So I'm ready to vote, and I'll support it. Mr. Brazile, if I may just say Uh go ahead. Inflation has not been accounted in there, too, and you know how that has done over the last couple of years, especially. Do we need a new motion, or how does that work, Mr. Chairman? I I would ask for a renewed motion. Okay.

» Just just for delaying time. Since I made the first one, I'll make I'll make a renewed motion that we adopt the proposal recommended by our staff, specifically that we award this contract to ACH. Second it.

» And we have the same second from Mr. Tucker we had previously. We still don't have Mr. Jones. Any further discussion? I have no more discussion. Thank you. Okay. All right, seeing none, we'll move it to a vote on the motion. All in favor. This is 11A, and it passes unanimously for those who are present and voting. Please note Mr. Jones' absence at the moment. All right. That brings us to adjournment. Is there a motion?

» Motion to adjourn, Mr. Chairman. We have a motion. Is there a second? We have a second. Any discussion on adjournment? Seeing none, all in favor of adjourning, raise your hand. It's unanimous on adjournment. We are adjourned. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Hannah, and staff.