Full meeting transcript - July 14, 2026

» Huh? [snorts] Thank you.

» Good evening everyone. Welcome out tonight to this Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 Kershaw County Council meeting. We have um one council member, Mr. Shoemake, coming in from his day job who should be arriving shortly. And Mr. Brazzle is out of town, but should be calling in shortly, but at 6:00. We want to be respectful of your time and so we're going to go ahead and get the meeting started anticipating those council members will join us fairly soon. Uh again, welcome out tonight. Glad to have everyone here. We've been called to order. We've got an invitation tonight. Um Councilman Tomlinson has invited Clarence Shu Shuford. How you doing Shu? [snorts] To uh offer the prayer tonight and then he will offer um Councilman Thomas will offer the pledge of allegiance. Mr.

» Schuford is the American Legion Department chaplain, second vice commander for Kimdan Post number 17. We appreciate you being here and if you would please offer the invitation, step up to the mic. May everyone please stand. May everyone bow their heads. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock. In whom shall I take refuge? My shield and horn of my salvation, my stronghold. God, we come here today before you to lift up a prayer as a community. Bless this amazing council. Lord, we pray for unity, peace, and wisdom. Dear Lord, also watch over our beautiful nation. Bless those that are sick. Your healing touch is needed right now.

» Dear Lord, if you could watch over our armed forces, [snorts] also our first responders, safeguard them. Give us courage, hope, and strength because your holy and divine word said, "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, and unity is what we need right now." Dear Lord, bless our nation. Bless South Carolina. bless Kursow County. In your holy and divine name, let every believer say, "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 everyone and thank you Shu for that uh moving prayer. Thank you, Councilman Tomlinson for leading the pledge of allegiance. And uh welcome, Councilman Shoemaker. All right, we've been called to order. We have the invocation and we've now moved to the adoption of the agenda. Is there a motion on the agenda?

» Mr. Chair, make a motion that we adopt the agenda.

» Mr. Tucker has the motion. Is there a second?

» Second.

» We have a second. Any discussion on the agenda?

» And I'll just note, do we have Mr. Brazzle yet online? Okay. Just get my attention whenever he is able to chime in. Seeing no discussion on the agenda, we'll move it to a vote. All in favor of the agenda, raise your hand. Miss Hannah is unanimous. The agenda passes for those who are present in voting. Uh with Mr. Brazzle not participating at this moment. Um as we did last meeting, everyone's here for the ordinances. And so under the chairman's prerogative rule 4.2, I'm going to move section 10 up until after the minutes. And we will have the votes on the ordinances at that time. Again, that's section 10 up till after the minutes and we will proceed in that way. Next item on the agenda we have is a proclamation. This is regarding the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

» Something that we try to recognize each year and do so faithfully. Um I'll make the motion that we approve and adopt this proclamation. Is there a second?

» Second.

» All right, we have a second. I'll go ahead and share this before we get to a vote. Uh the proclamation includes the following important points. Whereas signed into law on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA ensures the rights of citizens with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination in the areas of education, employment, government services, places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and other vital areas of society and is recognized as the landmark legislation providing equal treatment of Americans with disabilities. Whereas the ADA has expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by reducing barriers, changing perceptions about citizens with disabilities and increasing opportunities for full community inclusion.

» And whereas numerous organizations including AEL South Carolina, advocates, and community partners within Kersell County and across the Palmetto State work tirelessly with constituents to bring forth the promise of hope and freedom envisioned by the passage of the ADA. And whereas the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act provides a vital opportunity to renew our local commitment to the ADA's principles, ensuring the rights, independence, and dignity of citizens with disabilities, and empowering our county, state, and nation to benefit from the talents and contributions of all Americans. Now, therefore, Kershaw County Council does hereby proclaim July 26, 2026 is American with Disabilities Act 36th anniversary day. All in favor of this proclamation, raise your hand.

» It's unanimous. Uh, Miss Hannah, for those who are present, voting for the [clears throat] record. And, um, before we get to any comments from the council members, I would just like to recognize Miss Rebecca Fail. Thank you very much for being here tonight. We'll have you come up in just a moment um, to be presented with this. Council members, any questions or comments regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act?

» Thank you for being here.

» So grateful to have you here. I've actually been involved in some litigation in the past with the ADA uh to to make sure businesses and those who accommodate the public or government entities uh accommodate those with disabilities to make sure they have access to various parts of society and can participate meaningfully. And so we're very thankful to have you here. Um if you're able to and you want to, you're able to come up or you can even share a brief comment if you like. We do have a mic here if if anybody with you wants to say something. Yeah, Russell.

» Hello. Thank you all so much. [applause] test.

» Thank you all so much for this wonderful proclamation. If y'all didn't know that one in three South Carolinians has a disability and lives in our state every day. That is veterans. that is everyday people, our neighbors that live next door, um anybody with heart disease, diabetes, asthma, um cancer, the largest growing disability in our country. So, we all know somebody that has a disability and we all know people who want to be a part of their communities living, working, and recreating. And so this proclamation really is a big deal because it says to our community, everybody belongs and everybody should have the opportunity to participate. Thank you so much. [applause] you.

» Thank you so much for coming out tonight. Uh, Miss Fail, Mr. Brazzle, I understand we have you on the line. Are you there?

» Hey, chairman. Yes, sir. I am here. I've been here and for the record, I'd like to add that my vote was in support of this proclamation. I'll seek common consent from council to uh amend the record for Mr. Bowsel's vote to be in favor of the proclamation. Everyone consent. No objections.

» Yes,

» it's so amended.

» Thank you again everyone for participating that. All right, that moves us up to U public comments. Not Mr. Deose tonight, Miss Douglas.

» Thank you.

» We got to get you a name tag. How many folks do we have signed up for public comments?

» Uh Mr. Chair, we have 18 individuals signed up for public comments. can check my math on that, but I believe that amounts to approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds per speaker to amount to our 30 minute total.

» Okay, just as a general reminder, I'm happy to hear people tonight on public comment section. It's not a time for a Q&A with council, it's a time for council to hear from the public, similar to public hearing, though the timing is more limited. Um, but the topics are general. Um, we found it helpful in the past if there's a bunch of people that showed up. If you do have one spokesperson that's going to share a similar message, uh you might unite behind that person and consolidate your time some. But we're happy to hear whoever wants to come up tonight. Um and whichever order you signed up. Who do we have first? Uh Miss Douglas.

» Uh Mr. Chair, we have I believe it's John B. Burns uh speaking on Bthun Energy.

» Mr. Burns. Mr. Burns present.

» Yes. and they'll have a timer for you on the screen just so you can see. Yes, sir. Mr. Burns, my name is John Burns. I'm a retired geologist.

» Sir, if you could pull the mic over. So,

» chemical industries experience have planned site characterization for geological repository for transuranic nuclear waste. I've supported negotiations and acquisitions and divesters of chemical plants, coal mining properties, and oil and gas leases and personally no negotiated sale of oil and gas leases on 30,000 acres. My questions to the council are, has the council discussed or negotiated loca locating an AI data center near the proposed 500 megawatt power station? of any of the ma major utility companies serving Kirshaw County, Duke, Dominion at all, re expressed the need to construct a major power plant in the county.

» Have the electric co-ops in the county expressed difficulties purchasing power? If Bofort Rosemary is going to link to the grid, have they began acquiring rights of waste for transmission lines? Go to Google Earth and view the size of the substation and number of transmission lines leaving the Robinson power plant near Hartsville to get an idea of the distribution needs for a major power station. Existing long distance transmission lines in in this area are probably at operating at near full capacity and wouldn't meet the distribution needs of a 500 megawatt plant.

» Has the council queried BR on whether it is negotiating long-term sales contracts with major utility companies? How have the how has the project fit the goals of the Kershaw County comprehensive plan? As to the idea that pipelines and power lines change the underlying uh zoning is a pipe dream. the underlying zoning does not ch change because these are transmission lines and not an industrial line. Therefore, the uh

» Mr. Burns,

» sir,

» uh your time has expired, unfortunately. Um and that's why on these nights, we also have public hearing which has a much longer time period. I've got a lot of people on the public comment section that have signed up and I usually try to give people a little bit of extra time uh after the times expired under the rules that this council has voted on. And if you could, would you conclude your remarks?

» Okay, fine with me. I'll mail you a copy of what I got to say here.

» Okay. Thank you, sir. We appreciate you coming out tonight. [applause] Miss Douglas, who signed up next.

» Uh, next speaker is Russell Horton, uh, speaking on Project Ballast.

» Mr. Horton. Yes, sir.

» Council members, thank you. if you could pull the mic up some. I know you're quite tall, but folks won't be able to hear you.

» Council members, thank you for your time and for serving us all.

» General, help.

» It's an undeniable fact that we need more power generation on our electric grid. Our county has seen over 14% population growth since 2020. Our state has grown by 1 million people since 2007 and is projected to have an additional 1 million people by the year 2042. So we will soon be in an energy crisis if new power plants are not built in the coming years. I know you all have done your research. I know you all have done your research and due diligence for this project and so have I. It took me and my father several months to make this difficult decision to take some of our land that has been in our family for almost a century and put it under option to sell.

» But we decided that the land is better used creating energy to serve our local electric co-ops to bring jobs, new industry, and much needed economic benefits to Bthun and Kershaw County. This property has existing pipelines and access to the Santi Cooper transmission rightway. So, it is a highly soughtafter location for this facility. I know people in the community have concerns, but the pros outweigh the cons. I have complete confidence that Buffett Rosemary will go above and beyond to follow all county, state, and federal laws and regulations to asssure our community will be safe. Let's not allow this great opportunity to slip away. Thank you.

» Thank you for coming out tonight, Mr. Horton, Miss Douglas. Uh, who do we have signed up next?

» Um, apologies. I'm having a hard time with the first name. It's either Denny Donnie or Danny Kato.

» Is there a Mr. Danny Kato? Danny Kato.

» Donnie Kato.

» Donnie Kato. Yes, sir.

» Yes, sir. If I speak too loud, you let me know by

» I don't I don't think that's at a risk for tonight. Go ahead. Yes, sir.

» All right. Here we go. I got a little history lesson here. I want everybody to be aware of natural gas is natural gas. Whether you burn it in a boiler to generate power or where you burn it in your house to cook your breakfast, no difference in it. You Google it up. Everything I'm going to tell you is right here on Google. Okay? Natural gas. I had five topics I wanted to speak to, but with a minute you can't do five. Nano particles. Nano particles. Where do they come from? They come off your kitchen stove if you cook with gas. There's no such thing as not causing a problem in a house if you cook with gas. I'm telling you this to tell you this.

» Up there on the new proposal site, they're going to be burning natural gas that comes off the same natural gas line that comes to Bthoon from down in Louisiana, I think, a long way from here. Okay. And the emissions from that stack or stacks that's going to be on that facility will dissipate in the air. in the air. Everybody's worried about that. I've been to two meetings last week. That subject keeps coming up, right, Mr. Tucker? Okay. And what I can find in researching all those things about natural gas is natural gas will not cause a problem in that small particles. Now, I want you to think about one other thing before I run out of time here. Everybody drove a vehicle down here. Carbon monoxide out the exhaust.

» And the other the other particles that come out the exhaust on automobiles, if the wind didn't distribute them, then you'd all been dead long time ago. So the small minute particles that's going to come from that plant if it's built is also coming from the CPL plant or the new Duke name on it in Pine Ridge. If there's a stack anywhere that's running any kind of combustible fuels, then these particles are part of that operation wherever it's at. Ain't no hiding it.

» Thank you, Mr. Kato. Um, I just got to let you know that your time is expired and we do have public hearing on these matters a little bit later. Um, Miss Douglas.

» Next we have Robbie Brown speaking on project ballast.

» Yes sir. Mr. Brown.

» All right.

» Got four statements and four questions. I think for the disability act I'm a disabled person myself due to the military and one of the things I'm disabled from is because of the particulate matter in the air. I was told in 07 and 01 there's no problem you what's going on in Iraq and Afghanistan from the burn pits and the burning of natural gas burning of wooden material diesel materials being burned where it was trash pits it was being burned 13 years later it's not a matter of if but when you're diagnosed and if you go to the VA you automatically given 10 20 or 30% disability based on where you were stationed That's the first statement.

» Second, when these disabilities develop for the residents who diagnosed with lung issues in the future, who's going to pay for the disabilities or the treatment? Council members, council residents or state disability board somebody's going to have to pay for it. Second, who will b or third who will benefit most from this business in the county or the data scenario electric is a cleaner electricity to me been used that way for years.

» Fourth thing, would you want this within a mile of your home, family or children? Would you? And they developed something, a disease because of lung disease or emphyma or whatever develops because particular matter, who's going to be held accountable? But they talking about you can't sue the company in the future, but who's going to be held accountable? That's all my that's my fourth statement, sir. I'd like for y'all to consider that before y'all vote on this resolution.

» Thank you for coming out tonight, Mr. Brown. Appreciate you. [applause] Miss Douglas.

» Next, we have Lynn KTO speaking on project ballast. Miss KTO.

» Miss KTO, if you could go ahead and start, please.

» I'm speaking for them.

» Great. I I've seen many children here tonight. Yes, ma'am. You may not know this, but I used to actually work at the old Bthoon Elementary School that was located near the proposed gas powered plant. I was actually pregnant at the time with my own daughter, Sydney, and went into labor while at the elementary school and had to drive 23 miles to the hospital in Camden. That was the longest, scariest 27 minutes in my life. while the most difficult pain in my life. I also learned that that this is this experience that the Camden Hospital, Hartsville Hospital, and Kershaw Hospital are all 23 miles from Bthoon, which is very interesting and an very interesting coincidence. 23 miles from everywhere with an emergency healthc care facility.

» Do you think putting a gas-powered plant in this location is increasing potential health risk for a community that has the least access to emergency health care and is a good idea? It doesn't take a rocket scientist or a natural gas geocientist to recognize the serious health risk. Stanford law research and southern environment law research indicates that gas power plants are not good for health any people. They have actually nicknamed it dirty energy. So why take the risk with other people's lives and locate a facility in a place that has limited healthc care? A gas power plant is not the answer for the modest community of Bthoon due to the close proxim proximity of residential areas where children spend significant portions of their time outside.

» Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds which are commonly emitted by gas powered plants. Exposure to these pollutants has been linked to increased rates of extreme asthma, respiratory infection, cardiovascular issues, long-term development issues such as stunted lung growth and reduced birth weight. C cancer increases due to volatile organic compounds released in the air. Extreme ad asthma risk occurs because nitrous oxide and fine particulate matter reach a with sunlight create a what's called ground level ozone.

» Misconto I just have to let you know that your time is expired. We do we do have public hearing a little bit later.

» Yes sir.

» If that's of interest. Thank you so much. [applause]

» Miss Douglas.

» Next Mr. Chair we have Shelley King speaking on project ballallas. Miss Shelley King.

» Yes, ma'am. Miss King.

» Evening, council. Um, my name is Shelley King. I live at 2226 Bthoon Road. Um, my family was given, my dad's mom and dad was given land from the King of England. So, we have had property on Lynch's River for since the 1700s. My dad was a timber um caretaker. He planted pines. He cultivated pines all over South Carolina, North Carolina. He left my two brothers and I as caretakers of this property. I'm here to say that the natural gas plant would not be good as being a good caretaker of the Bthun area. We choose to live there because it's the country. We could live somewhere else. I have a niece and a niece-in-law that chose to live in Bthun and drive to teach in North Central. They could have lived in Camden. They could have lived in Kershaw. But they chose to live in Bthoon.

» quickly my dog in in this fight. On June the 10th, the day that the information escaped that what was going to be in Bthoon, my nephew and his wife and his 15-month-old had just signed a contract on a house, their dream house on the corner of Tim Rod and Cascade Road, Boise Cascade Road. not knowing anything about this. The I know my time is up, but all the things that have been not told and are just now getting out to all the people in the community. It's not fair. You know, nobody's being held responsible for what can happen in the future. And I think that's our biggest concern. Nobody will be held if something happens. Nobody's held responsible, the developer or the council. Thank you for

» Thank you for coming out, Miss King. [applause] Miss Douglas. Um,

» next, Mr. Chair, we have uh Lori Curley uh for speaking on project ballast.

» Miss Curley. And just make sure I'm on track with your numbers. Miss Douglas, that's number seven.

» Yes.

» Okay. Miss Curley, please.

» Yes, ma'am. Um, [clears throat] I would I'm Lori Curley. I live on Tim Rodro Road. Um, we picked that side of God's country to raise our children. Our

» ma'am, if you could move the mic just a little bit. Some people are telling me they can't hear. [clears throat]

» Our children, our foster children, our adopted children, and bringing my retired parents here when they're ready. I'm sure you picked out your homes for your family and your family's needs, which is what Jim and I thought we were doing. This plant will be less than a quarter mile and 700 ft from my neighbor. It's going to be in my backyard. It's too close. I'm not against that kind of industrial anything. I just don't think it should be near people's homes that they paid for. We'll never get what we put into it, let alone what we paid for it. We're going to lose. It'll be out my window. I'll be seeing that out my window. And no doubt it'll bring chaos to all our lives. The traffic, the air, the noise, the pollution.

» [snorts] How can we sell our homes with low or no property values? We're going to be stuck. Everybody, the community will be stuck. No one will want to move to Bthoon. And we can't take anything with us. I beg you, please, please vote no. Thank you.

» Thank you for coming out. Miss Curley, [applause] Miss Douglas,

» apologies again on the first name. Um, it might be a cavid. It's a Mr. or Miss Reichbost.

» Reich Reichbost.

» Oh, she has.

» All right. U, that would move us to uh person number nine.

» Oh, she has. Okay,

» Miss Reich Bost. Did I get that right? Close enough. Okay.

» What was your first name?

» Could you make sure the mics in front of there?

» Yes, sir. We will.

» Yes, sir.

» I'm sorry, we didn't catch your first name.

» Good evening, everyone. My name is Reichost and my family lives in Bthoon. As a registered nurse and mother, I am highly concerned about the environmental impact this plant would have on the community, especially the air pollution. My son was in the NICU for respiratory distress when he was born. For anyone who has experienced a child or loved one who had to go to the NICU, you know how gut-wrenching that is. A digital petition I started through change.org has 508 signatures and an additional eight comments. This shows that the community does not support this project and your position is to represent the community. I also want to speak to the good neighbor agreement from Bufort Rosemary.

» Miriam Webster defines bribe as money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust. Per the definition of the word bribe, I believe that Bufort Rasm has attempted to coersse a public population to sway a vote through monetary means. This is a reflection of dishonesty and corruption demonstrated by the company to achieve their financial goals at the expense of the community. My son is only 5 months old. Please vote no. Thank you.

» Thanks for coming out tonight, Miss Reichos. [applause] [cheering] Miss Douglas.

» Next, we have Austin Reichost speaking on project ballast.

» Mr. Reichos.

» Hey, good evening everybody. I would like to provide some information regarding the negative effects that this power plant will have on our community. The primary concern of gas powered power plants is airborne pollutants, specifically nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. These gases react with oxygen, water vapor, ammonia, and sunlight to form nitric acid, sulfuric acid, sulfate particles, and nitrate particles. These acidic compounds eventually return to the earth as rain, snow, fog, and dust. Over time, this dispos this deposition can acidify soils, causing essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and potassium to leech away. Crops need these nutrients for root development, cell wall strength, drought resistance, and crop yield.

» This results in farmers needing to apply more lime and fertilizer to restore soil fertility. Acidification can also release aluminum that is naturally bound in the soil. Once dissolved, the aluminum becomes toxic to plant roots, reducing their ability to absorb water and nutrients while making crops more vulnerable to drought. As soil becomes more acidic, it reduces nitrogen fixing bacteria, fungal communities, and microbial diversity. This slows nutrient cycling and reduces long-term soil productivity. The impacts do not stop here. As acidic water moves through the soil, it can carry dissolved aluminum and other metals into nearby streams and groundwater, particularly in sandy soils like those common in our area.

» As surface water becomes more acidic, it can result in fish eggs failing to hatch, juvenile fish experiencing higher mortality, a decline in aquatic insects, amphibians becoming more vulnerable, and decreases in biodiversity. It also damages fish gills and interferes with respiration. Increased nitrogen deposition can also contribute to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, degraded water quality, fish kills, and shifts in native plant communities. All of this information is sourced directly from the EPA. I do not think that these health risk and environmental concerns are worth whatever money this project may or may not bring to the um to the county and a lot of the residents in Bthoon moved here because we did not want to be around industrial growth and so we're asking everybody to vote no to this.

» Thanks for coming out tonight. [applause]

» [cheering]

» Miss Douglas.

» Next we [applause] have Denise Gayy Rolllings speaking on Project Ballast.

» Miss Gayy Rollins.

» Yes, ma'am.

» Good evening. Oh, I have a shadow. My name is Denise Gor Rollins. This is my granddaughter, Madison. I spoke last meeting and I told y'all how my family had owned the same land over a hundred years and that my brothers and I still live there and we have big gardens that we farm and we can the foods that we grow. I also sent out letters to each one of you and I hope that you read it. It was heartfelt. Um, one thing that hit hard for me was that some of you made a comment that it wouldn't matter if it was in your backyard. Well, I have to be honest. I had no idea when somebody sent me n I M y didn't know what it was but after I asked and googled it means not in my backyard. Well, those of you who don't mind, I really feel sad for you.

» You obviously don't have the backyard that my brothers and I have. Our backyards are our sanctuary. It's a yard where my grandchildren come, they come and play. It's a yard full of vegetable gardens. We're blessed enough that we can. We share with family and friends and neighbors. We enjoy family gatherings and sitting on the porch shelling peas and picking off elderberries. We watch the beautiful sunsets and spend hours watching our birds at the feeders. Our grands love playing outside with the farm animals, especially the kittens. They love to gather eggs, chase the goats, and pick fresh fruits and vegetables. So, our backyard does matter. It's not city living that we love. We want to keep it that way.

» Someone said that they don't want to stand in the way of someone's generational wealth. Well, let me ask you this. Is a couple of people's generational wealth worth the 75 to 100 families that will lose what they have worked so hard for when our property values plummet. I'm asking you on behalf of me, my family, my brothers, especially my grandchildren to please no, vote no for this felo. Please do not let a gas power plant come in our neighborhood. And I'm also one of those disables that have seizures. So that's my seizure alert dog with me. So I understand the disability act.

» Please vote. No.

» Thank you for coming out tonight, [applause]

» Miss Douglas. Next we have either it's Zakaya or Zakiyia Mikkel speaking on project ballast.

» Miss Mikl.

» Good evening members of the council. I'm Zakia Mikl the environmental and climate justice chair for the South Carolina NAACP state conference of branches. I'm back again to be sure that the council is making an informed decision about the future of Bthun and Kershaw County as a whole. My understanding is that you all are considering offering a fee in lie of taxes to a company called Bufort Rosemary to support their project currently titled project blast. In my research, I learned that Bufort Rosemary is known for many different types of energy generation, including solar, wind, and other types of energy projects, but the one they are seeking to bring to Bthun is a methane gas plant. It also seems that the toxic gas plant will only serve one large customer.

» As an energy justice expert who has traveled the state and the region teaching and learning about the harmful plans big tech is deploying in rural communities across the country and the world, I'm left to assume this methane gas plant will likely power a data center. I am glad to come back and remind everyone what it's like to live near a data center if the need arises, but for today I'll focus on what it's like to live near a toxic methane gas plant. Did you know that burning methane gas releases harmful air pollutants into the air, subjecting communities to fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides? Methane gas plants severely diminish and compromise the air quality in nearby communities.

» These chemicals increase the risk of asthma, heart attacks, and respiratory diseases in nearby residents. And by nearby, I mean folks living anywhere from 1 mile to up to 60 miles downwind from this plant. According to the US Environmental Protection Protection Agency, the air quality of an entire region can be compromised by gas plants like the one being proposed here. You have to ask yourselves if this $900 million investment is worth compromising the health of the children, elders, parents, families, and residents of Kershaw County. Will Kershaw use the money to build a health center to treat all the people who will become ill in the name of economic development? Speaking of public benefit, this project boasts I'm almost done. This project boasts the promise of about 15 jobs.

» We know those opportunities will likely not go to current residents of Kershaw County. My understanding is that count the county doesn't have the final say on this development, but you do have the opportunity to stand with your community and not offer tax incentives to a business that will compromise the health and wellness of your constituents and you. I urge you to vote no to this.

» Thank you, Miss Sakia. [applause and cheering]

» Miss Douglas,

» next we have Donna Pierce speaking on waste management and convenience center changes.

» Mr. Pierce.

» Miss Pierce.

» Oh, Miss Pierce, excuse me. What was the first name again?

» Uh, Donna.

» Miss Donna Pierce.

» Yes, ma'am. Miss Pierce.

» Hi. Um, I just want to talk about the recycling centers. Um, with the change that came out a few weeks effective August 1st, the time changes and the limits at the um, convenience centers, there was a lot of uproar online, negativity. Um, I have firsthand seen trucks coming, cars coming, loads coming from Sand Hills area, um, since I've been here. Um, I moved here in 2012. Um, want to say how excited I was when I saw we had that convenience center. I've never had one anywhere I've lived. And I came from a big city, suburb of New Orleans. We did not have that. So, just like Elgen, I lived about from here to New Orleans that we live from Colombia. It's a great service that we have. I support all the changes with it. I support the ID checking ID.

» Um the guys work out there in all weather and we I'm guessing we don't have more. They I heard people fussing. You get turned away and I'm nervous so I apologize. You get turned away whenever big loads come in and fill it up. me as a homeowner don't like the idea that somebody who just demolished a house is bringing their stuff to this convenience center when it should go to the landfill. So, I support all the changes, all the staff, everything that they're doing. Um, so that we are not turned away as a just a simple resident and homeowner that is not working or demolishing something. Um, I have actually been told as opening an account, I had to verify what county Elgen was in when it was on their ID. for our purposes at the credit union and they would say Richland County.

» I would say Richland or Kershaw and they'd say, "Oh, but we enjoy the free landfill that y'all have for us. We drive from Richland County on one and put our stuff there." And I've been told that more than once when opening an account. So, it does happen. My husband went there. I'm so sorry. I'm almost done. I'm so nervous. My husband went there Sunday on one in Elgen. 83 cars were turned away from being IDed. That was the first day we have been IDed. It is necessary. It is needed. Where is the uproar of people using our tax money to dispose of their garbage from another county? Thank you so much.

» Thank you, Miss Pierce. Thank you,

» Miss Douglas. [applause]

» Next, we have Ruth Parkkins speaking on Project Ballast.

» Miss Parkkins, are you present? Yes, ma'am. Miss Parkkins. Okay.

» I understand that project ballast will have benefits for the county as a whole. I don't believe those benefits will extend to Bthoon and the residents along Tim Rod Road whose lives will be most be will be most affected by the presence of this plant. While the project's development manager assures us there will be no harmful emissions, the EPA has published many studies showing gas powered plants negatively affect the health of those living nearby. Who should we believe? An agency who has the scientific expertise to measure such impacts or private individuals who stand to profit. We're also told the amount of water the plant will use will be about the same as that used by a farm.

» Given that water tables are dropping, as a recent article about Lee County's wells noted, we might be better off using the water for drinking and food production. I'm also concerned this plant fundamentally changes the character of the area from agricultural to heavy industry. The country company has optioned 800 acres, but the plant itself will only occupy about a 100 acres. That tells me there's more to come, including the possibility of a data center. According to Capitol News, data centers are responsible for more than half the growth and gas fired power plants last year and that more than onethird of the power plants into development now will be used directly to power data centers. Finally, we told this plant will benefit Bthun, but it will only create 15 permanent jobs.

» It won't encourage tourism or promote businesses that will provide local jobs. If the council really wants to help Bthoon, why not encourage the development along the lines of Project Gemstone, the golf and wellness resort near Fairfield County that will create at least 150 jobs instead of treating Bthoon like the redheaded stepchild of Kershaw County. This is our home. Some of us were born and raised here. Others like me moved here for the openness and beauty and the wildlife that will be destroyed by this type of development where we grew up. Once that is gone, it's gone. And no amount of so-called good neighbor payments will buy it back. Thank you.

» Thank you, M. Parkin, [applause] Miss Douglas.

» Next, we have Daniel Craig [applause] speaking on Project Ballast.

» Say the name.

» If you could say the name again.

» Daniel Craig. Mr. Craig.

» Good afternoon, men of the council.

» Yes, sir.

» Our community has spent years looking for opportunities that can bring jobs, economic development, economic growth, and whatever else that anything can bring to our town. If anybody knows, you've drove through Bthoon lately, it's dead. It's pretty dead. We have We don't have anything. Once this plant is under construction, we'll have construction jobs that will spend money at our gas stations, at our one restaurant that we have, and other small businesses. They'll have to stay somewhere, so that money will come back into our county. Natural gas provides reliable electric generation that helps meet the growing electric demands. Guys, if you know any history, Santi was flooded because they had to have power. They needed to get power from somewhere. What a small price we're having to pay.

» Even though this will be in my backyard, maybe a mile, not like some, but it's right there on us, it's a small price that we have to pay for having electricity down the line. We have to look out for our future generations because eventually there's going to be no power if we continue in the way we're going, you know. So, Santi had to pay the pay the price. They lost their town. Their town is completely buried under the Lake Marian. I think it's such a small price for us to have to pay to have power with it being, you know, right there in our backyard. I think the cons don't add up to the pros. So, that's my

» Thank you, sir. Appreciate you coming out tonight.

» Miss Douglas.

» Next, we have Vicky Craig speaking on Project Ballast.

» Miss Miss Craig, did you say

» Vicki?

» Is there a Vicky Craig present? We'll check one more time. Is Mr. Craig Miss Craig present? There she is.

» She's coming up.

» Miss Craig. Yes, ma'am.

» Good afternoon. I'm Vicki Craig. I'm nurse practitioner uh owner of Community Health. I've been a part of this community [clears throat] I've been a part of this community bthoon for almost 30 years. and I've been I've had the opportunity for over 20 years of public service to the community in regards to health care. When I heard about Bthoon Energy, I was a bit concerned for our community, for our people, and for our resources, specifically the water resources and contamination. Further checking and resource uh research has demonstrated that there should be no water contamination through the systems and processes that Energy um will utilize. Another concern was air pollutants. This is the main reason and the biggest concern for most people here that and their land values.

» Um through all the modalities utilized by power sources even solar panels. With solar panels th though some are temporary uh excessive water to clean um can cause and strain our ecosystem and the dust particles from the construction and the panels can contribute to particulent matter in the air. End of life waste can also um be detrimental to our environment uh from the toxic materials if they're not recycled properly. The amount of land needed for solar panels uh further impact the disposal and impacts of our farmlands and our wildlife.

» The US environmental research and regulatory analysis demonstrates natural gas uh fired power plants generally emit fewer PM2.5 and vokes uh than other fossil fuels because it burns cleaner and contains fewer particulate forming elements like uh your sulfur and your heavy metals. Um the newer plants are equipped with modern controls that have much P uh much more PM 2.5 concentrations but still not enough uh you know they're still going to emit some particulent. Um let me just say this with the advancement it comes fear of the unknown. We're all concerned. We're all worried. But I think the big thing here is dangers are everywhere we can't see. We get in our car every day and we pray that we make it home safely.

» So we either move forward or we stay back in the 40s and the 50s and pray that God I think the big thing here is we need to pray that God continues to take care of our community and expect Bthoon Power to do what they have committed to do. Take the steps to protect our community and hold them accountable.

» Thank you, Miss Greg.

» Yes.

» Uh Miss Douglas, who do we have next?

» Next we have Tom Webb III speaking on power.

» Mr. Web.

» Yes, sir. Mr. Web.

» Yes. I favor protecting Bthoon from corruption. if you would pull the mic up just a little bit.

» Okay, I'll try again.

» Yes, sir.

» I favor protecting Bthoon from corruption. I spoke to a lawyer friend about the uh money that's being offered some people to uh to speak up for the company, speak up for the gas plant. And my my lawyer friend said it looked to him like it was organized crime. And this bribery stuff pits one neighbor against another and amounts to paying for influence with county council. Not a very Christian thing to do. And I hope you won't touch it with a 10-ft pole.

» Thank you for coming out, Mr. West. Miss Douglas.

» [applause]

» Next we have Gina Knight speaking on project ballast.

» That was Gina Knight.

» Miss Knight. Miss Gina Knight. Am I correct? Is that the concluding or is there one more?

» There's one more after

» one more. Okay.

» Miss Knight. Yes ma'am.

» Good evening. Thank you so much for having us. My sweetheart. This is my grandson. Um, I believe repetition creates consumption. The councilman kindly suggested FO is non-gerine to the health and well-being of Kershaw County constituents. I beg to differ. A Harvard Chan School of Public Health study published the 5th of 2021 shows the negative impacts of burning natural gas makes increased cardiovascular respiratory disease, stroke, asthma, autism spectrum, premature mortality were noted. Most of you do not live in Bthoon with us, but you are not exempt from the fallout. Industrial [snorts] PM2.5 travels via smoke stack emissions, atmospheric mix, local wind patterns, often carrying the particulate hundreds of miles downwind. So, it will affect all of Kershaw County.

» One person's quality of life is too large a price to pay. No amount of money is fair trade. Thank you for listening and don't forget that no harm rule. Property owners obliged to not use their property in a manner which will not harm their neighbor. Thank you. I beg you to vote no.

» Thank you, Miss Knight. Miss Douglas said there's one more speaker. Uh, last but not least, we have Eve Carlin speaking on Kershaw County hate crimes ordinance.

» Yes, ma'am. Miss Carlin.

» Yes, ma'am.

» Good evening, chairman and members of the Kershaw County Council. I am here tonight representing not just myself but the Kershaw County NAACP, the Kershaw County Democratic Party, the Kershaw County Democratic Women, and the concerned citizens of Kershaw County. On May 12th, we presented 95 sheets of petitions with over 600 names calling for the Kershaw County Council to pass a Kershaw County hate crimes ordinance. Um, I have heard from some people that uh petitions like this are supposed to get a response within 30 days. I don't know if that's legally required. uh but tonight would mark about 60 days from when we handed in the petitions with over 600 signatures.

» So I am here tonight to ask the council to visit this issue perhaps within 30 days and if they can uh get back to me representing all of these groups. uh my number is on the sheet and if we can be notified so we can be in attendance when this issue is discussed. Thank you.

» Thank you very much, Miss Carlin, for coming out tonight. Miss Douglas, does that conclude the public comment list?

» It does, Mr. Chair.

» All right, gentlemen. With public comment um concluded, and thank you again for everybody coming out and participating. With public comment concluded, that brings us to a series of public hearings. We've got four public hearings on for tonight. Um again the process is you sign up for the public hearing. Each individual will have uh up to 10 minutes to speak on the particular public hearing and the matters that are spoken about are supposed to be germanine or related to the public hearing item under the rules that this council's voted on. I'll uh go ahead and open up the first public hearing and see do we have anyone signed up uh Miss Douglas?

» Uh we do Mr. Chair. We have one uh person signed up for the public hearing on the first ordinance.

» Okay. And since there are multiple uh public hearings tonight, I'm just going to make sure people have signed up for the thing they intended to. Um the first public hearing is an ordinance to approve a lease. This is 7A. Ordinance to approve a lease of real property located at 632 West Street and that would relate to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Who do you have signed up?

» I have a Claire Buchanan.

» Miss Buchanan, did you intend to speak on a lease related to the Carolina Forestry Commission? Did you intend to speak on another matter for public hearing? Okay. Oh, well, we can transfer your name as you did sign up to the uh public hearing section. What were you intending to speak on? Oh, you weren't planning on speaking. Okay, then you can just sit down and enjoy the meeting.

» Okay. Um, so we don't have anyone signed up at all for item number 7A.

» No, Mr. Chair.

» Okay. I'll open the public hearing and we will therefore close the public hearing. It requires sign up. Public hearing on 7A is closed. We'll move to the next public hearing and check the list. Do we have any one signed up for 7B on the agenda?

» We have no speaker signed up for 7B, Mr. Chair.

» And again, I'll announce that 7B is an ordinance to approve a lease of real property located at 632 West Cab Street. And that's in relation to the Department of Natural Resources. No one has signed up. I'll go ahead and open and close the public hearing. It's open and closed. And forgive [snorts] us for the formality, but we have to go through these uh mechanations to comply with the rules to make sure things are binding under state and local law. That takes care of item number 7B. Number 7 C. Do we have anyone signed up?

» Uh no, Mr. Chair. No individuals signed up for 7 C.

» Okay. Okay. Item number 7 C is an ordinance authorizing exe execution of a delivery of a special source revenue credit that is a SSRC related to a project previously known as Project Gemstone and it relates to the name of the company Candyroot Lodge Holdings LLC and affiliates. It relates to certain economic development properties uh and incentives related there too. Since we don't have anybody signed up, I'll open and close the public hearing on 7C. It's open and closed. And we move to item number 7D. How many folks do we have signed up for item number 7D on the public hearing?

» Mr. Chair, we have 15 individuals signed up to speak uh for the public hearing on 7D.

» Okay. Under the rules, again, you've got up to 10 minutes to speak for each person. I don't know that you intend to speak that long um for each person. I don't know if the council would have to vote at some point to condense the public hearing because we do have to conduct this business tonight. Um the public hearing is not designed to have a filibuster, but we're interested in hearing from those who have something to say and share tonight. And so you've got the list of 15 folks. I'll go ahead and open up the public hearing. Who's the first person that signed up?

» Uh your honor, the your honor.

» No, [laughter] you sound like I can feel that. I feel that mistake in my bones. You say you sound like councilman praying. [laughter] Um who's the first person signed up?

» Mr. Chair, pardon me. I have a Russell Horton.

» Mr. Horton,

» you you signed up for what you

» Okay. You sign You said your piece. Yes, sir. Okay. All right. So, let's move to person number two. Under public hearing,

» we have Emily P.

» Miss P. Yes, ma'am. All right, good evening. My name is Emily P and I'm a staff attorney at the South Carolina Environmental Law Project. Scalp is a nonprofit public interest law firm and our mission is to use legal expertise to protect land, water, and communities across the state. I am here to share my concerns regarding Bufort Rosemary's gas plant proposal and the fee in le of tax agreement that you are considering for the project. This felo agreement would considerably offset the property taxes the company behind the proposal rightfully owes by instead allowing it to pay a reduced rate for many decades. Under normal taxation, this project would generate about $14 million per year at full buildout.

» Under this file agreement, Bufort Rosemary's payment drops to merely $2 million per year. That means Kershaw County is losing over 85% of revenue from the proposed project and giving up tens of millions of dollars each year that could be providing critical funding to public education and other essential services over the 40-year lifetime of the agreement. South Carolina law recognizes the gravity of local tax breaks and requires that certain conditions be met before a fo is established. Specifically, state law mandates that the project benefit the general welfare by providing services, employment, recreation, or other public benefits, and that the benefits of the project be greater than the costs as demonstrated by a full costbenefit analysis.

» Does a gas plant that only creates 15 jobs satisfy the statutory burden? More importantly, do the purported benefits of this proposal outweigh the environmental, economic, health, and social costs that will be borne by your constituents as this polluting facility moves forward. Unfortunately, many public harms are confidently expected as a result of this proposed gas plant. By burning methane gas, this facility will produce many tons of dangerous air pollutants, including fine particulate matter or PM2.5, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and other pollutants. The impacts of the harmful air pollution that will be emitted by this plant are very serious and should not be minimized.

» This pollution is linked to adverse health outcomes such as respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses, asthma, and in more severe cases, heart attack, stroke, cancer, and premature death. To make matters worse, screening tools show that this area is already sensitive to environmental pollution, nationally scoring in the 89th percentile in low life expectancy, in the 74th percentile of people with asthma, in the 92nd percentile of people with heart disease, and in the 71st percentile of people with cancer excluding skin cancer.

» These existing respiratory and health conditions make the surrounding community especially vulnerable to harmful air pollution and more likely to shoulder the economic burden of increased health care costs associated with hospital admissions, asthma attacks, cardiac arrest, and missed work days. In addition to air pollution and health concerns, this proposed facility could also drain precious water resources within the county.

» The plant will require water as part of its operation, but no information has been provided on how much water will be required, where it will be pulled from, what the contingency plan is if air cooling systems fail, and what strain this usage will place on existing surface water demand following extreme drought conditions? Have each and every one of these public harms been considered by county council? Do the benefits you see from the gas plant outweigh all of these environmental, economic, health, and social costs? The reason why so many people have shown up to meetings, emailed you, called you, and requested, more information, is because they want to protect the places they call home.

» As we have already heard tonight, many questions remain unanswered about the full scope and impact of this gas plant project. And the public deserves to know what is actually being proposed for these nearly 800 acres before county council approves tax incentives. situations unfolding across South Carolina demonstrate why transparency and complete information are so important on the front end of these deals. Most recently, Spartanberg County's Valera data center, which was not even presented to the public as a data center when the file agreement was passed, has announced plans to expand its on-site generation ninefold from a 50 megawatt facility to a 450 megawatt facility. The public deserved to know what was actually being proposed from the start.

» And now the trust between that county council and its citizens is incredibly frayed and in need of significant repair. In conclusion, I urge you to fully meet the requirements of the Felo statute, considering all of the public harms posed by this project and to provide all pertinent information to the public so that a transparent, reasoned, and legal decision can be made. Thank you.

» Thank you, Miss P. Miss Douglas, who is signed up as number three on the U public hearing.

» Next, we have Samantha Melamemed. I apologize if I mispronounced that.

» Samantha Melamid. Yes, ma'am.

» Hi. Um, my name is Samantha Melmed. I am here from Aken, South Carolina. I am the co-founder of Pace Aken. Um I was approached to build a gas fired power plant on my property in Aken and I um when that happened to me uh the folks from Colin County uh came up and supported me and so um I'm here to support my neighbors and Kershaw County. Um, a few things I want to say is our county council stood up for us um and helped us when this happened and it was an incredible moment um between the community and the officials elected to represent them. But um in the inner interim period of time, a lot of the things that the folks here are worried about happened. Our real estate um sales plunged in the area where the gas fired power plant was going to happen. um developers literally stopped developing.

» Um sales stopped mid contract. The real estate agents were desperate um to help um us uh fight this. Um our state and local um government officials really helped and we are in the middle of passing um zoning um changes to push these types of developments into industrial areas. One of the things that I very much did in Aken was um work on our comprehensive plan. It took us 18 months. I am incredibly familiar with the wonderful comprehensive plan that you all worked very hard on and was passed in October of last year um because it very much um protected the rural areas of the county. It was exactly what we were trying to do. Um it had also has the equestrian overlay. I am a sixth generation farmer. my farm is 250 acres. They approached me. I said no. They came to my 85year-old neighbors.

» They um came to me sobbing. I was um organizing our group to go up and stand up on this. Um and we were able to fight it back. And so I'm just really hoping that you listen the way um our Aken County Council did as well. Um, another thing I I want to say is as I've gotten really involved in this, I'm a PhD scientist in genetics. My specialty is in lung cancer. I've been doing lung cancer research for 30 years. I was going to move um I'll just say that uh as a note, I'm not here in my professional capacity, but I am an expert um in this particular area. The type of um power plant we're talking about here is for um hundreds of thousands of homes and often um are being used to power AI factories. That is not something I am getting from Facebook.

» That is not something I am getting um from a New York Times article. Um I actually have been listening to a lot of podcasts from the data center developers themselves. They develop AI factories. The first thing that they do is they get power. The second thing they do is they lock down community support and that's when they can move in and put in behind the grid. So it's not even hooked up to the grid. A lot of times these 800 acre developments, big ones like this, they put the power, they then want to hook up to the utility or they just keep it all for themselves and that's how they proceed.

» So this very much follows the playbook that the data center developers themselves are talking about in their conferences called data center world and others where they get together and they look at where do they want to type put these type of facilities. So the fears that you're hear expressed this happened in Aken we fought it back on the gas fired power plant but this is exactly the playbook that they follow. So, I just I drove up here an hour and a half because I wanted to um help out my neighbors in Kershaw County. Um and then I just implore you uh like the wonderful comprehensive plan that you passed designating this a rural area. Um please protect Bthoon. Thank you.

» Thank you for coming out tonight. [applause] Miss Douglas, [cheering] who do we have next? Um I'm not sure if this was another um double writing, but we have a Donnie Kato on this one as well.

» Uh he is not he's already said his piece.

» Um next we have Sarah Williams.

» Yes, ma'am. Miss Williams.

» Hey, I'm Sarah Williams. Thank you for letting me speak tonight. Project Ballas provides Bthoon with air pollution, ground pollution, noise pollution, light pollution, extreme water usage, and environmental destruction. All of this for just 15 jobs. This project is bad for the environment and the people it sustains, leaving the community to wonder what happens if they can't breathe the air and their wells dry up. Answering the community questions about the environmental and health impacts of this project with promises of a commitment to mitigation is of little value and comfort.

» The company behind Project Ballast is offering to pay residents in the area $10,000 to acknowledge this project is industrial by signing a pre-written by signing a pre-written letter of support, which pretty much assures their inability to speak against the project. They also agreed to pay up to $10,000 a year toward property taxes for 20 years after construction begins. That is real generous considering property values will go down. This company is buying the support this project cannot earn. In my mind, if you have to pay people for their support and also silence them, it is a very harmful project. I also believe this power plant is the first step toward a data center or worse. Depending on the wind, this project will affect more than just Bthoon, the Bthoon area.

» There are two projects before you tonight. One is a good fit for this rural county and the other is not. Smog from project ballast could settle in over the Candyroot golf lodge project. Once project ballast is built, you can't control the wind. Please don't sell out your citizens in Bthun and the rest of Kershaw County. I'm asking you to stand up for our environment and your citizens health by denying this fee in lie of tax agreement.

» Thank you, Miss Williams. [applause] Miss Douglas.

» Next, we have Linda Canasser.

» Miss Katzer. Well, here we are again dealing with many of the same old problems and issues regarding the impacts of development and growth in our county. Ask yourself why there is very little information available about the Bufort Rosemary Energy Advisory Group. Apparently, there are only three employees. It's what I've been able to gather. All with the same last name and address. I call that a family. Also, they seem to be affiliated with a renewable energy company in Scotland. And that company, I forget the name of it, but it um it does a lot of solar and um wind projects apparently in their area.

» If there are no health problems, risks or other negative impacts from this plant, then why do they find it necessary to offer residents compensation to not oppose this project? One thing that I did want to point out, um, we're not sure that that the power created by this project is really going to come to help our electric needs. But we don't need to forget that we do have a couple of nuclear reactors kind of close to us that are being worked on now that will provide more energy for the central South Carolina area. So I don't think we have to be dependent on this natural gas plant for our electricity needs. It states in the Kershaw County Council purpose that the council will be accountable to the residents of Kershaw County by making that your priority.

» There would be no way any ch uh council member could vote to give tax breaks or permits to the proposed natural gas power plant in the Bthun area. I don't live in Bthoon. I don't even live that close to Bthoon, but I do stand with the people of Bthoon. Thank you.

» Thank you, Miss Gater.

» Miss Douglas, [applause] next we have uh Lyn KTO. I'm not sure if she wanted to speak on this as well.

» Miss KTO is signed up again.

» Yes, ma'am. According to oil and gas watch, any company that has sought out the neighbors of their facility with tax incentives is the word I'll use are trying to do nine things. They're trying to manage risk, avoid community backlash, protect corporate reputation, focus on lawsuit prevention, avoiding protests, controlling information, suppressing public outrage, protecting their property value, securing favorable zoning and t tax breaks. Nowhere does it say they're protecting the community. That's your job. Since that is your job, please remember money comes with strings attached. Do not sacrifice the health and water supply for this community. It is a necessity. A tax break is a luxury.

» You can give the tax break, but you aren't doing what you need to do for all these other businesses in our community. Why choose this one? It doesn't seem quite fair. You know, this this title for this company is figuratively means stability, firmness, steadiness to character, life and behavior. This community is very, very good. A very good community. I've been involved with it for 30 years. They look out for one another. They care about each other. I need you to do that for them, too. Do you realize that this is just four minutes from town, 2.5 minutes from city hall? Do you know how close that is? Do you realize how much this is going to affect the health of the town? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency agency and pipeline safety trust, the bazoon community is at risk.

» You know, if you're a half mile from the site, you're in what's called the danger zone. If you're a mile from the site, you're in what's called premature mortality risk zone. If you're a mile to three miles away, you have what's considered the greatest health risk according to the GAPS. That is putting pretty much everybody in can in the Bthoon area at risk. 1.2 miles. They have public health and air quality radius issues. 1 to 10 miles you're what's called ground level ozone impact area which will trigger extreme asthma issues. But did you know what's even more serious that this will go beyond that area? You see the spring summer spring and summer winds blow southwest. So it's not just going to affect the community of Bthun. And the winter winds blow north and northwest.

» And then the autumn winds blow northeast and then cold fronts come in with high pressure systems that could push the winds west. So everybody is affected. Now here's the biggest issue for me and I've talked to you about this before is the water. 28,000 gallons per megawatt an hour. The station in Collatin use 1.3 billion gallons per month. Let that sink in. Natural gas plants pull millions of gallons of water per day from underground ground aquafers. Do not risk this community's water supply. It is a necessity. It isn't a necessity. Thank you.

» Thank you, Miss Conso.

» [applause]

» Miss Douglas, who do we have up next?

» Next, we have Grace Kaine.

» Miss Grace Kane. Yes.

» Hi. Good evening.

» Good evening.

» I want to start this off by saying I was given no money to say what I'm about to say, which I think is important. Um, my name is Gracie Kaine. I am 24 years old. My husband and I chose Bthoon as our home. We were married just two months ago. We both work for Prestige Farms where I serve as the accounting manager. I hold a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in data analytics and I recently earned my masters of business business administration. We live on Holton Farms owned by Prestige very near where this proposed natural gas plant will be built. I know I may be in the minority tonight, but I wanted to speak because I believe there's another perspective that deserves to be heard.

» Not the perspective of someone who has lived here their entire life, but the perspective of someone who made the conscious decision to move here, invest here, pay taxes here, and hopefully raise family here. [snorts] I've listened over the past several meetings. I've noticed that many of those speaking against this project have lived there and here their entire lives. I respect that. This is your home and you care deeply about protecting it. But I also believe there's value in hearing from someone who intentionally chose Bthoon because that decision gives me a unique perspective. Moving from Raleigh to Bthoon has been one of the biggest lifestyle adjustments I have ever experienced.

» Oh, wait. Raleigh offered opportunities, restaurants, local businesses, recreation, and places where people naturally gathered. When we moved here, it became obvious very quickly that Bthoon was a very different place. Many businesses have closed. There are very few places for families to spend time together. Very few opportunities for young professionals, very little that encourages people my age to move here. Making friends outside of work has honestly been difficult because there simply aren't many places for people to gather. This isn't meant as criticism. It is simply the reality of a town that has struggled economically. And because of that, my husband and I have had countless conversations about our future. Those conversations almost always end the same as the same way.

» We ask ourselves, should we stay in Bthoon? Not because we don't love the people here, not because we don't enjoy living on our farm, but because we wonder what opportunities will exist here for our future children. Will there be businesses? Will there be jobs? Will there be things that encourage them to stay? Or will they have to leave like so many young people already have? I don't want to leave. I want Bethoon to thrive. I want it to become a place where young professionals see opportunities, where businesses open instead of close, where families choose to settle instead of passing by. That's why I support responsible economic development. Over the last month, I've heard one phase repeatedly. Do your research. So, I did. I didn't stop at Facebook post.

» I didn't rely on AI generated summaries. I didn't rely on rumors. I went directly to the source. I emailed the vice president development. I asked hard questions about emissions, groundwater, livestock, environmental monitoring, well testing, emergency response, permitting, and what happens if something were to ever go wrong. I have every one of these emails available should anyone on the council wish to review review them, which I do urge you to do so. Research isn't reading what someone else summarized online. Research is asking questions, reading original sources, comparing information, and being willing to challenge your own assumptions. That brings me to something else that concerned me throughout this process.

» At previous meetings, articles have been presented at EV as evidence to this project. One referenced general EPA information discussing the fossil fuel industry as a whole. Another discussed a proposed natural gas facility that is more than four times larger than the one that is proposed here. Those sources may have value in their own context, but they are not studies of this project, this location or this facility. The background memo provided on those references explains that the EPA material discusses the electric power sector broadly and the Harvard report has been presented as though it directly it is directly applicable to Bthoon. However, it was commissioned by the Southern Envir Environmental Law Center, an organization actively opposing the Kennedys project.

» It evaluates a 2200 megawatt facility more than four times larger than the 500 megawatt in Bthoon. Those are important distinctions when we are deciding what evidence should guide decisions for Kershaw County. Another article discussed was a paper written by a student in Wisconsin, which is not peer-reviewed. Again, I simply asked the council, should we base a decision that should shape Kersaw County from generations on generalized information, advocacy reports, or student papers from another state, or should we evaluate this projects on its own merits? That is all I'm asking. Judge this p project based on evidence that actually applies to this project. Now, I wasn't planning to say what I am about to say tonight.

» In fact, I completely rewrote this speech because after speaking publicly yesterday on Facebook where I had commented on a post where grown adults were bullying someone for not thinking the same as them, something happened. I engaged in what I would call a healthy debate, but it was soon interrupted by some members of the community. I was told that my opinion somehow matter less because I only lived here for three years. Then I came home and found people taking pictures in my driveway and found people not pictures of the proposed site, pictures of my home. Please think about that. Are these the kind of people that are thinking with logic and reason? Are these people going to listen to fact? My husband and I chose this community. We invested here. We bought a home here.

» We plan to raise our children here. And because I expressed a difference of opinion, people felt comfortably coming onto my road and photog photographing where my family lives. If I were worried about what will discourage young families from moving to Bthoon, I can promise you it isn't just whether a power plant gets built. It's whether people who move here feel welcome after they arrived. That's experience was extremely disappointing. Not because it changed my opinion, but it was reinforced something I've been thinking throughout this process. The greatest obstacle to growth isn't always a lack of investment. Sometimes it's the way we treat people who have different perspectives. Economic development doesn't just require businesses.

» It requires people, young families, professionals, entrepreneurs, people who are willing to invest their lives here. And if a newcomer who speaks up is told their opinion matters less or becomes subject of personal attacks, how can we expect anyone else to choose Buffoon? This project represents approximately $900 million investment. That investment has potential to stren strengthen our tax base, improve schools, support emergency services, help infrastructure, create jobs, and encourage encourage additional B businesses to invest in our community. No project is perfect. Every project deserves scrutiny. Every question does deserve an answer. But scrutiny should be based on facts, not fear like some were trying to invoke yesterday. evidence and not speculation.

» Tonight, I simply ask that the council make its decision based on information that directly applies to this project because your decision tonight will just not just affect today's residents. It will affect whether their families like mine decide to stay and whether our future children have opportunities here and whether the next generation sees Bthoon as a place worth building a life. I chose Bthoon. I want to continue choosing Bthoon and I simply hope Bthoon chooses a future that gives families like mine a reason to stay. Thank you. Thank you very much, Miss Kane.

» Ladies and gentlemen, please, we're going to have a respectful evening, I hope. I know everybody's very charged on this, and I believe in the First Amendment wholeheartedly, but we don't embrace a heckler's veto. Let's let everybody speak and say their peace and then sit down. Um, Miss Douglas, who do we have next on the list?

» Next, we have Jim Curley.

» Mr. Curley. Yes, sir.

» Good evening. So, here we are about 35 days from when uh this started for a lot of us. First, I just want to thank um council members, council members that don't agree with us that answered I think every email. Uh council members that took I don't know how many calls from me and and and called me back. uh council members that came out and listened to our concerns even if some of the people expressed them in a non-respectful way. I thank you for coming out. Um and especially for the council members that voted no on the second reading. Um so, you know, over the past 35 days, we've researched, we've listened, we've evaluated, we've tried to share the data we've had. Um, I know some data has been uh said it doesn't apply, this doesn't apply.

» And that's why we've spread so much, not just the plant in Colton, but the gas uh the Columbia Energy Center in Gaston uh plants in Wisconsin, plants in W in Virginia, all over the country. I know some of you uh or hopefully all of you received those reports of varying size plants. Uh the one common denominator with them is um that they all are either projected or do already produce nitrous oxides and particulate matter. Uh matter of fact, you can't find a source online that says natural gas plants do not um emit particulate matter that is harmful for your health. You can't find that source.

» uh you can you know the EPA you can use their Cobra tool which some of these studies did but they also used uh real data from um other plants that that are already operating that were comparable in size. Um so there's also been discussion I know last meeting about property rights and I'm a property rights guy. It's different to sell your land to someone than have your council give that the person who's been sold to a tax incentive to put something on that land. Uh especially whether there's benefits or not have been evaluated. And I know there's a lot of economic benefits, but it's clear, the data is clear, the research is clear, the stuff I showed you is clear. There are health risks and associated medical costs with those risks uh for this type of plant.

» and um especially for the close community but also for the wider community. Um which you know which dollar amount can outweigh the health and very life of people uh in Kershaw County even if it's just a small community of citizens we still count either everybody counts or nobody counts. I think I read somewhere in some some novel. Um so the nitric oxides and u particular matter of particular concern not to me mention greenhouse gases. We heard of low ozone and things like that. Um I'm not against power plants in general. I use electricity in my home although there's some people who think I don't. Uh I use electricity in my home. Um, but there's a place for them and it's not, you know, in the middle of a rural committee where people have come.

» Um, my wife talked about why we moved to Bthoon, although we're not, well, I think some people do consider us newcomers. We've only been there 22 years. Um, but, uh, why we moved there and where what it won't be anymore when we walk out our backyard and see smoke stacks and know we're breathing it in. my livestock's breathing it in. My zucchini is breathing it in um and things like that. So, and of course there's the unanswered questions um about the 6 or 700 acres. There's so much out there. I know, you know, I've talked to uh Buer Rosemary. I've read the answers to their to the questions, but a lot of them just are not don't give a lot of detail that we need.

» And I think you have to really outweigh you have to weigh the benefits against the health and life of the citizens in this community. Um so with these unanswered questions uh and the clear health risk and um and and other detriments, I would uh think in hopefully in good conscience uh you must reject the pho agreement tonight. Thank you very much.

» Thank you, Mr. Curley. Miss Douglas,

» next we have Christine A. Kato.

» Would you say the name one more time, please? Christine A. Kato.

» Miss Kato. Is there Miss Kato present? Who signed up? Is that Miss Kato?

» Nope. We'll call the name one more time. Christine A. Kato. Not seeing a Christristine A. Kato. Who is the next person on the list?

» Next we have Amy McKascal.

» Miss Amy McKascal. Yes, ma'am.

» Yes. side. Um, I have the letter from the Coastal Conservation League that had a lot of information that I know I shared um what I thought was scientific information for y'all, but the uh it's from the Taylor Allred, the state energy and climate program director for the Coastal Conservation League. He says, "Dear County Council, please accept the following letter submitted on behalf of the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League in opposition to Bowfort Rosemary's proposal to develop a 500 megawatt gas power plant near Bthoon, South Carolina. The Coastal Conservation League respectfully urges the Kershaw County Council to reject this proposal and all fee in lie of tax agreements committed to supporting this project.

» The Coastal Conservation League is a statewide nonprofit organization headquartered in Charleston that advocates to protect the natural environment of South Carolina's coast for the benefit of all. We envision a South Carolina coast where wildlife thrives, air and water are clean, and natural landscapes are protected for generations to come. The sighting of a major fossil fuel power plant in a community comes with potentially serious impacts that should be considered, including infrastructure needs, air pollution, water usage, potential impacts to surface and groundwater supplies, noise, light pollution, upward pressure on energy costs, and more. Many of these impacts impose quantifiable costs to community members.

» Those costs could outweigh the benefits and those who bear the costs are not necessarily those who benefit. At this time, not enough information has been provided to have a complete picture of these costs and benefits. It is our understanding that the project would generate $2 million per year in revenue for Kershaw County, but it is not clear how that revenue would be spent or where whether there would be any additional community benefits for an agreement benefits agreement. Health impacts due to air pollution are a major concern with any gas plant this size, which would emit particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, greenhouse gases, and other harmful pollutants.

» The health care costs resulting from just the fine particulate matter emitted by the plant could exceed the annual revenue provided to the county by the project. There is no safe exposure level to fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter PM2.5 which is able to be penetrate the human body's defenses enter the bloodstream and cross the bloodb brain barrier exposure can cause cardiovascular damage respiratory illness neurological problems and cancer not enough information's been provided to determine the project's PM 2.5 emission rate.

» But even assuming a conservatively low emission rate similar to much larger, more efficient combined cycle power plants, the fine particulate low emission rate similar the fine particulate matter from this project would increase healthcare costs for South Carolinians by 1.5 to3.3 million according to our findings using the Environmental Protection AY's COBRA model. the actual costs are likely to be much higher and other pollutants would drive additional cost. The company's project background page states that they are quote exploring an energy generating facility in Kershaw County to meet the needs of the local community and it cites population growth as a reason the project is needed.

» However, this project is not a part of the electric utilities long-term resource plans for meeting future demand and the project has not been studied in the utilities generator interconnection cues. Moreover, population growth in Kershaw County would be inadequate to justify the plant. The county has a population below 75,000. And even at a rapid growth rate of 2% a year, it would not likely exceed a 100,000 before 2040. A 500 megawatt power plant could generate the amount of electricity used by 500,000 homes. It's far more likely that this project would provide power to a large new industrial customer like a data center. Important questions remain that should be answered prior to a final vote on the proposal.

» For example, Bowurt Rosemary has acquired 800 acres for the project site, but the gas plant would require only a 100 acres. We understand that a natural buffer is necessary for the facility to remain compliant with the noise limitations for residential properties, but 700 acres is notably excessive for meeting the stipulation. So, we ask what will happen to the remaining 700 acres. The council should consider this along with its consideration of the proposed gas plant. In addition, the facility's cooling system would likely draw on groundwater, potentially requiring hundreds of millions of gallons per year.

» Has the company provided any data on expected water use? Does Kershaw County have the capacity to supply this without putting other future uses at risk? In closing, we understand that this project could bring economic benefits to Kershaw County, but the Coastal Conservation League is concerned that the costs outweigh the benefits. Due to the negative effects the gas plant will have on the land, water, wildlife, and residents of Kershaw County, the Coastal Conservation League opposes this project. We respectfully ask the county council to reject the proposed fee in lie of taxes agreement for a 500 megawatt gas plant. Thank you in advance for your consideration. sincerely a toler all red state energy and climate control climate program director for coastal conservation league.

» Um, nowhere in the third reading version of project B's ordinance is the health of people in Bthoon mentioned three of councilmen who responded to my concerns about the polluting effects this plant would have on the people living in close proximity to it were in agreement that the potential health risk was minimal, if at all. They asked for scientific studies, scientific proof of health risk, and they dismissed everyone. It was obvious project ballast was on a fast track before first reading when councilman claimed no knowledge of it. One councilman talked about hydro geologic concerns and that a study needed to be done before he approved this project as Bthoon sits on an aquifer.

» Did that happen? How is that precious water source going to be protected? Is project ballallas going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg? Again, this will all be on the backs of the citizens of Bthoon. Right now, the federal government is dismantling environmental protections. Time and again, Councilman referred to quote, "regulations being fought when the time comes." But deep down, they can't deny baboon residents will bear the brunt of the pollution to come. This whole process has been belittling, handpicking a few souls who the company let in on the secret. No plan shared by the developer or by the county with some of the people they knew would be affected most. Residents at the intersection of Timrod Road and Boise Cascade Road did not receive letters. I'll say that again.

» Residents at the intersection of Tim Rodrod Road and Boise Cascade Road did not receive letters and nobody north on Tim Rodrod Road, such as my 87year-old uncle here who lives less than a mile away, if not a half mile. He has received no communication from the county or the development. Is he part of the second wave of this? Some people within a mile of the proposed plant are still hearing about it for the first time. That's in the last couple of days. They just learned about it. People in Bthoon generally, and especially some who live near the proposed plant site, have been condescended to when asking basic legitimate questions and are overwhelmingly disgusted. Rightfully so. There is no reason that this can't be considered deliberately with more time. Please vote. Please do not vote to support this. Thank you.

» Thank you for coming out tonight, ma'am. [applause]

» Miss Douglas, who do we have next?

» Next, we have Adam Smith.

» Mr. Adam Smith. What number is that, by the way?

» 12.

» Um, I believe that would be number 12. Sorry, there's skipped a line on here.

» Okay, Mr. Smith. Good evening. Uh just briefly a little bit about me. My name is Adam Smith. I was born uh raised and currently live in Bthoon. I'm a third generation cattle farmer with our farm being about 2 miles uh from the side of this proposed power plant. First of all, Mr. Ko, Mr. Jones, Mr. Brazil, if he was here, uh thank you for voting with the people over profits last time. Um while I do share the same concerns that others have raised regarding pollution, contamination, etc., I'm looking at this primarily from a different angle. Mr. Schoemck, you said at the last council meeting referring to the golf course project that a council count county, excuse me, that doesn't grow dies. I have to disagree. I don't believe growth is necessary for survival.

» Adapting, maintaining, developing, sure, but not growth. In fact, when growth is left unchecked, it can become detrimental. Such growth has a name, cancer. I see this power plan as nothing more than a gateway for more of this growth. more housing, solar farms, or heaven forbid, a data center. None of these, I see, is a net good for our community. I can't speak for everyone of Bthoon, but I'm willing to bet that most of us choose to live there to get away from just these sorts of things. We like our small town small. And right now, it feels like there's a rug that we're standing on, and it's about to be pulled out from up underneath us. My next concern is water usage.

» Now understand natural gas energy production and this the technology of this P plant in particular is supposed to use much less water. Uh that's great. Nevertheless, it would be an additional strain on our water resource. And thinking down the road if this power plant does in fact open the door to more housing in the area or data center, water usage is only going to be compounded even further. This is personally at the forefront of my mind when I consider the drought we've experienced so far this year. At least three local mun municipalities, including Bthoon, have [clears throat] implemented or otherwise encouraged water usage restrictions. Again, I'm a cattle farmer.

» I'm nervous that one day I'm going to show up, the troughs are going to be empty, and I'm going to have to rush to have a well drilled deeper. Um, as I see it, any vote in favor of this project is at best a disregard and at worst an act of betrayal to the will of the people most impacted by it. I get it. Those of you have vote who have voted in favor of this project have nothing to lose and everything to gain. But it isn't your responsibility as an elected official. We've gotten along just fi just fine without this power plant and we can continue to do so. Thank you.

» Thank you, Mr. Smith. [applause] Miss Douglas, who do we have signed up next?

» Next we have uh Tom Webb. Not sure if he wants to come back up.

» Mr. Webb, was that a double sign up or you want to speak again?

» He's coming. You know he's coming back up. 20 years.

» He know the rules. He's coming.

» Tomy.

» Yes, sir. Mr. Web. Well, I'm going to be real long- winded this time. Be prepared. Power corrupts. If they get their foot in the door with 500 megawatts of power, then what? A data center. Eventually, a data center. Are they telling you? They're not telling us. Give us a data center. Put them out in the desert southwest. Not around people. Not here. The company is sneaky and not forthcoming about what's up with almost 800 acres. Something ain't right. I don't trust them. Neither should you. Just leave it alone.

» Thank you, Mr. Web. [applause] [cheering]

» Miss Douglas, who do we have signed up next?

» Um, next we have Paul Black.

» Mr. Paul Black.

» Yes, sir. Mr. Black.

» Good evening, County Council. My name is Moment. has been driving me crazy for the last hour. [clears throat] My name is Paul Black and uh I'm speak I want to first thank you guys for this opportunity to speak and for the efforts that you've put in as our county council representing us. I am a resident of Kershaw County. have been here for about three and a half years now and uh I'm I'm speaking on to you on that behalf, but I'm also the senior campaign organizer for Sierra Club uh and that is the nation's largest and oldest environmental advocacy organization and I specialize in energy issues. So, oh dang, I was not close to the mic. I just heard my echo. Am I too close? Too loud.

» You're fine. Go ahead.

» Okay, my apologies. But I spend a lot of time in front of county councils, talking to elected officials, talking to leaders, talking to decision makers across both North and South Carolina around power issues, around how we get our power, around where it comes from and the importance of making educated decisions for the how as well as the how much. And this that I I come to you this afternoon evening to ask for you to vote against this project. This project is there's a host of issues around methane gas plants. And just because you call it a natural gas plant, that does not mean that it's good to have around you. It's like calling coal natural solid or oil natural liquid. It's like that's a PR term that game recognized game.

» I recognize the you know the gas providers for coining that but I'm drifting a little bit off topic so my apologies. The point is just because it's called natural gas does not mean that it has natural good impacts on the citizens of Kershaw County and the citizens of any county that a facility is built around. So, one of the one of the folks that spoke a little bit earlier said that this is something that a price they're willing to pay for their community and the price that the community of Bthoon should be willing to pay. And that is a g a gross mischaracterization of the rest of the comments that folks in this community have made. I don't live in Paviloon. I live on the other side of the county.

» Um, but the will of the people has been heard pretty loud this this evening as well as over the last 354 days when ever since this project information about this project has emerged. The concept of sacrificing a certain community for future economic uh development or enrichment. The term used for that community is a sacrifice zone. So what we are discussing is the creation of a sacrifice zone for the town of Pthoon uh for the that region of Kershaw County and for large swaths of the county depending on where the wind blows and the subsequent health impacts cannot be underrated.

» We've had speakers this evening talk about what happens when these particulate when particulate matter comes down to the ground when it gets into the lungs and gets into bodies crosses the blood brain barrier and causes premature mortality. This these are concerns that cannot be understated not be overstated. My apologies. That's why I need to stay on my script. But the point is when the county when county council is considering legis passing a tax incentive for an industry that actively hurts the health of the community, rewarding a poller for bringing an industry here that is a mischaracterization of the will of the community and worse a betrayal. And I believe that my county council is better than that. And there's one moment. There we go.

» And the fact that this company is coming with these good neighbor agreements offering five figure checks on at first blush for folks willing to speak on behalf, it already poisons the well for anyone speaking to the affirmative of this project. Because I, as someone who does advocacy work, if you heard that an environmental group was out there offering five figure checks to folks to speak on in favor of a project, would you be able to trust the words of those who speak speak up on that behalf? It is a little ludicrous. So, and while there was a com some comments made around like uh you know a land owner holders right to you know operate to use their property as see fit. I understand that I am a land owner here in Kershaw County and during the pan pandemic even got a real estate license.

» Uh so it's like I am in familiar with private property rights and the bill of rights that come when it that come with holding property but there's a off quoted saying in civic life my freedom to swing my arm ends when I punch someone else in the face and in this scenario the freedom of a land holder to do what they wish for their land ends when it has such a negative detrimental impact on the community and the other folks trying to enjoy their property, trying to enjoy their their land in the way that they see fit. And this is a this is a classic example of how one person's right ability to do what they want directly contradicts the ability for others to enjoy their property for to that same end. So I just don't want my my neighbors in Bthoon to be punched in the face there.

» There was also a statement I made during the second reading that, you know, there are a lot of other power plants here in South Carolina and that these issues aren't controversial. As someone who's worked on pretty much every single power issue in South Carolina for the last se six to seven years in some way, shape or form, I cannot say that these issues are not controversial. The closest parallels are the the situation that happened in Aken where uh we were graced and lucky to have someone from Aken able to speak on that behalf and what's currently happening up there in Spartanber around the Valera data center where instead of a power company power plant coming first a data center came first and now they're trying to back door power plant.

» So and that is that situation is rife with issues and I can't say that it's a non-controversial topic. So there and then when we're talking about just power generated for our community and power facilities as was mentioned in the letter from the coastal conservation league. This power plant is not in any of the utilities integrated resource planning. I I can attest to that myself as someone who has to painfully go through those documents. And so this is not what's been projected by Dominion, not projected by Duke, and not projected by Santi Cooper as a need for growth here in South Carolina. It is a like this project came out of the blue.

» And while they might eventually sign some form of interconnection agreement possibly, that's a possible, it is telling that a plant that would be that a plant this size that could power 4 to 500,000 homes is not being called for by the industrial utilities and the, you know, stateowned utility that have the the the burden of service for South Carolina who have to power every single house. They didn't call for it, but a independent merchant power plant is coming in to build a facility that is not called for and claims that it's for the welfare of keeping South Carolina lights on. Wow, I used a lot of time. Um, I'll try to wrap it up since I'm have a bit habit to go along. the rust nature of this project.

» Uh it highlights all these insufficiencies, the lack of information that we have, the lack of clarity around how would this power plant impact the community, exactly what is the configuration of its turbines, where exactly is the water s source, will it be surface water? Will it be uh will it be water withdrawals from the aquifer? How much will it need? How much will return to the river basin if it is being from surface water withdrawals? how like there's so many questions and I could sit here and rattle them all off to add nauseium, but I've been going for a while there. This project is going through at light speed and has the potential to have a cataclysmic impact here in Kershaw County. Um, and I just want the county council to disprove to vote no on this, not pass this third reading.

» And hopefully if they still want to proceed, they can do so without being incentivized. And we hopefully we'll have opportunity to learn more. Just one last quick thing, like I had the I live here in Crystal County Convention and we had an issue around like an odor in my community. uh and my county council member, he got to the thick of it. He found out the information what was wrong and he solved that project. It was I was here for a year here in the county and to see that civic service, it was really heartening and I want my county council as a whole to be able to do so as well. Thank you.

» Thank you for coming out tonight, [applause] Miss Douglas.

» Next we have Cody Mitchell.

» Mr. Mitchell.

» Yes, sir.

» Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, members of County Council. I'm Cody Mitchell. Uh, I represent House District 65, which is the northern end of the county, including my hometown of Bthoon, but more importantly, I'm a resident of Bthoon. I've been there my whole life. Over the past few weeks, I've heard from countless constituents about this proposed power plant on Boise Cascade Road in the Timrod community of Bthoon. How I found out about it was Facebook, which is interesting to me that uh that's where how I found out about it. My constituents informed me instead of me informing my constituents. Uh their message has been very heartfelt, very consistent, and very clear. They're extremely concerned about the effects of this project that none of us know what they may be or may not be.

» Uh they're also concerned about the futures of their family and they're also worried about their community. I'm here today to say that I stand with them. I believe in economic development. Of course, I understand economic development as well as all of y'all do. We need jobs. We need income. That's how we get taxes. Uh, but not every project is the right fit for every community. Based on the conversations that I've had with the people of Timrod that have lived there their entire lives, they're extremely concerned, not as much about the project them itself. I know that there's been a lot of conversations about the environmental concerns and those are valid because we haven't gone through permitting yet. We haven't had Department of Environmental Services. We haven't had the EPA.

» haven't had all of those people who are outside of y'all's purview talk, but there's a whole lot of uncertainty and uncertainty develops conspiracy and that's what happens. It's not that there's a power plan. Of course, no one no one who's spoken is happy about our power plan. But what you hear is what's next. Well, none of us know what's next. That's the concern. Everything I've heard is Cody, I'm not crazy about a power plant behind my house. I'm not, you know, beside my hunting property, but what if they put a data center? I don't know the answer to that question because I didn't know about the project till a month ago. And no one knows that. The developer doesn't even know that. I mean, I don't blame the land owner for, you know, auctioning and selling their property.

» That's what they're supposed to do. That, you know, we had a war 250 years ago for them to do what they want to with their property. I don't blame county council for economic development. I don't blame the developer for capitalism. What I do hesitate on is what's next. And none of us can answer that question. And that's not only this community that's having to deal with that. Bthoon, Kershaw County, wherever. It's the entire state of South Carolina. It's the entire US. It's the entire world. That's the world we live in. But I think that it causes pause of why we're moving this project. so quickly when there are so many questions. So, I appear on behalf of my constituents to say they're concerned. I know that y'all are concerned, but you know, I I believe Mr. Curley stated 35 days.

» I didn't count the calendar, but I have no doubt that he's accurate. 35 days. I know I've known about it for about a month. that raises concern to me and I just ask that y'all not act with haste but pause in and seeing where this goes. What I will also note for the constituents that are behind me, if county council approves this project, if county council doesn't approve this project, I'm not on county council, so I can't go wrong either way uh on that. But I would note that this is not the end of how this happens. Any project has permitting that's involved in the state. This is a utility project. You'll have to go through the public service commission. It's a 500 megawatt proposed plant. It'll have to go through environmental services. Your voices will continue to be heard.

» And I recommend and suggest that you continue to allow them to be heard if this project is approved. With that, county council, I thank y'all for y'all's service. I do not envy where y'all sat tonight, but I thank y'all for your service and I thank y'all for y'all's friendship. Thank y'all.

» Thank you for coming out tonight. No one else has signed up. Correct, Miss Douglas?

» That is correct, Mr. Chair.

» Okay, that moves us to the ne Thank you again for everyone's participation. It's going to be a long meeting and so I'm going to move us on through. We've got um approval of the minutes up next as an agenda item that requires a vote.

» Do we have a motion on the minutes?

» Make a motion we approve the minutes.

» Second,

» Mr. Kato, we've got a second as well. Any discussion on the minutes? Seeing no discussion, Mr. Brazle. Any discussion remotely on the minutes?

» No discussion, sir.

» Any uh how do you vote, Mr. Brazle remotely?

» Yes.

» That's a yes for Mr. Brazzle. All present in voting. Raise your hand if you're in favor on the minutes. It is unanimous in favor. The minutes are approved, Miss Hannah. Uh next up, we're going to go ahead and address ordinances. And so, we're going to start with section 10, item number A. Item 10A is third reading. We had first reading and second reading as indicated and we just recently had the public hearing. Uh third reading on an ordinance to authorize a fee and Lou uh agreement between BRNG LLC. It's a company that was previously identified as Project Ballas and one of more sponsor affiliate uh counties. Do we have and it also includes SSRC's or uh special source revenue credits for the benefit of the project. Do we have a motion on three uh third reading on item number 10A?

» I would make a motion that we adopt third reading.

» Mr. Shoemake has the motion. Do we have a second?

» Mr. Chairman, I second.

» Mr. Thomasson has a second. Mr. Shoemaker, you have the motion. You've got the floor.

» Sure. Uh, a few things. First off, I appreciate everybody coming out tonight. Um, you know, when we do this job, I think we got some feedback, by the way. Council Brazil, I think, you may be on.

» Yeah, Mr. Brazzle, if you could, um, please mute your phone. We're getting some feedback, it appears, and you will be recognized uh at some point um to speak whenever appropriate. Thank you, sir.

» So, obviously, the job that we do up here can be very difficult at times, choosing, you know, in these projects and what we support and what we don't support. Um I've been vocal that I have voted for this project twice. I plan to vote for it tonight. I've been very upfront with everyone that has reached out to me and told them that. So, I want to lead with that. I don't want to bury the lead here. I support this project. But and again, I don't expect to change the minds of anyone in the room. I think you've come here having done your research and got to the place where you feel like you should be. And I just want to explain my logic for you. I think one of the key things to note is what we're voting on here and not voting on which is a fee agreement, a felo agreement.

» And I understand some people are just against them generally and that's fine. Uh but that's how we get business into Kershaw County. That's how every county gets business into county. So what we're voting on is whether to give a felo to a use that is zoned for that use. And I think that's another important point. The area that we're talking about is zoned for this type of heavy industrial use. It is it is zoned for it. They're not seeking a zoning change to make this use happen. Um you know I also um worry about just as a general rule Kershaw County moving into a place where we sort of adopt this culture of no. Um, I don't think many people here have fought harder on the growth concerns than I have with permit allocation, lot sizes, impact fees, working the comp plan.

» And I think it was Mr. Smith who who brought up his his fair disagreement. You know, when I say that we either grow or we die, what I mean is just a factual statement. No county stays the same in population. A county either loses its population or it gains population. So when I say we either grow or die, what I mean is growth is inevitable, right? Growth is coming to Kershaw County and counties either grow or they find themselves losing population. We're in the great fortunate problem that we are growing.

» So how do we grow the right way? I've sat up here and made difficult decisions and talked to my friends who are developers and gotten you know into you know very very lengthy discussions with them about why I supported limiting residential growth and for these same reasons a lot of these same reasons I support this project. If we start saying no to residential growth, no to industry, no to commercial development, or saying it can only be golf courses or things that don't, you know, produce any type of of any type of chemical or no production processes at all, then what we end up with is a place that nobody wants to come to to do business.

» So, I think this is exactly the kind of growth that pays for the infrastructure issues we've addressed in some of our growth issues with residential growth. You fix your infrastructure issues by increasing your revenue base. That is just a mathematical fact. And this does that. Um, it also does it. A lot of talk about sort of the jobs. I think it's about I've heard about 20 25 jobs, but fairly a small number of full-time jobs. A lot of temporary work. But when you talk about a $900 million economic benefit that doesn't add rooftops or kids in a school, there's actually some positives in that as well. You know, when you you don't have the people flooding the schools and the neighborhoods.

» So again, I think that if we say no to every opportunity or opportunities like this, we're going to have fewer opportunities for that next generation. One of the questions was about in our own backyard. As most everyone knows here, I live out in Elgen and you know, I'm within a mile of a a sewer plant, chemical plant, and a landfill. And we have issues sometimes, right? And we have to work those issues. We we dis I've had conversations with most of those folks. Some are bad, some are good. And what I do understand is that part of a county growth is you're going to have uses that a nextdoor neighbor may not love, but when they're zoned for it and they in aggregate do more good than they do harm in the community at large for the county, then I think you have to support them.

» So, um I have accepted this in my backyard. Um in terms of community support, I understand what we had in the room that there's no denying that. But I would also like to point out that the health services district has supported this project. Bthoon Rule Waters says they can handle it and they welcome it. Uh the community me the community medical center is supportive of this project and we've been reached out to by several property owners and to that point I do want to say I have been in Kershaw County my entire life save a short stint when I joined the Marines and was a defense contractor where I was you know serving our country and still maintaining residency here. I am the fifth generation of my family. My children are the fif my children are the sixth to grow up in Kershaw County.

» We cannot cast stones against people that move here and want to call themselves residents. We can control our growth, but when people become part of our community, we have to accept that. What I saw with Miss King getting booed really bothered me. Now, I understand people don't support this project, and if you want to boo me, that's fine. I I ran for office. I'm I said, "I'll take this hit." She didn't. It's a 24 year old mom who wants to come in here and share her opinion. And by the way, so I can be fair, Mr. Curley, I super appreciated your comments and we've had multiple emails back and forth and we're going to disagree on this and that's okay. Not a single person in this room doesn't have my phone number.

» I think I've returned every phone call and responded to every voicemail or email, but if I haven't, send them my way and I'll happily set a meeting up. I was in court all day today, hence the uh the suspenders and time. But I do think we have community support for this beyond what's represented in this room. Now, of course, the big thing that's been addressed is taking the concerns seriously, you know, and obviously these concerns deserve respect. I'm not an environmental expert. I very few people uh are environmental experts on methane gas plants, but I like the folks in this room have done my research as well. And I think it's important to note that we have to separate some of the concerns uh from from evidence. Gas plants are heavily regulated.

» I know one of the EP articles that were state that was discussed deals with um deals with sort of the entire power grid in general which is misrepresents the impact of natural gas. Um I would also note that the same EPA studies you know we've talked about EPA a little bit. EPA's own data shows that home wood burning so burning wood inside the home is a bigger source of the PM2.5 nationally than the entire gas power sector. So, you know, I think and you know, like there was the letter from the Coastal, which I appreciate. I read that. I did some homework on that. And I would note that there were some gaps in that letter, not the least of which is their complete underestimation of our growth rates. We've been at over 2% every year for the last 5 years except for one.

» So, not everyone has their facts all the way right. But what's going to happen with this if after this vote, if it's successful, as Representative Mitchell mentioned, this has to go through other regulatory processes with bodies that are tasked with weighing those environmental impacts. But my own research doesn't lead me to believe uh that I actually agree with the gentleman here. I think it's an old Ben Franklin quote actually about the man's right to extend his fist ending where another man's nose begins. I don't disagree with that. Where we disagree is whether this does that. So I respect your opinion and again I come down on a different side of that. But I do believe that this plant uh is the right move. It's going to have to follow the law and go through these regulatory processes.

» So again, in conclusion, I I think we need to avoid falling into a culture of no. I think we need to let businesses know that we're here for them. And so upon [clears throat] weighing all that evidence, I'm in support of this project. I know a lot of my council members have to speak, so this will be my last word on it until we vote. But I I appreciate y'all coming out tonight. And again, I would ask as you guys come to these things in the future, let people speak, respect their different opinions, have a conversation with them. But the booing I thought was a little bit untowart.

» Thank you, Mr. Shoemake. Mr. Thomas, you have the second.

» Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um I won't be quite as long-winded as Councilman Shoemake. um he did have have a lot of the same same points that I wanted to touch tonight and I don't think there's really any need for me to repeat um some of the things that he said. However, I would like to state um over the last couple months I've had the opportunity to speak with a lot of residents to do a lot of research. Um there is one phone call that I do still owe a call to is Miss Bone. She called me uh this afternoon and I have not had the opportunity to call her back. I plan to call her back tomorrow um after this vote. and I too have been upfront with everybody I've spoken with about my support for this project.

» Um over the last couple months, I've had the opportunity to talk with representatives from South Carolina utility companies who have natural gas fired plants across the state um about concerns, issues that they have. Um I've had the opportunity to speak with environmental regulatory staff for state agencies um both in hydrarology um and emissions. Um, I've had the opportunity to speak with residents of the community both for and against this project. I've had the opportunity to speak with the company. Um, I was on the phone for about an hour last night um, just following up again asking some hard questions and I got some answers that I that I really appreciated prior to third reading.

» Um, I've had the opportunity and one of the main reasons that I do support this because I have had the opportunity and I appreciate our Kershaw County staff setting that up to visit the Dominion Energy um was it the Columbia Energy Center plant in Gaston, South Carolina. It's a very similar size plant. Um, I actually have have a a good buddy who works for Dominion and I've told a few of the residents uh that I've spoken with that they'd like me to set up a a tour for them. I could have called and they said, "No, I don't I don't want that that opportunity." But having the opportunity to visit that plant specifically, there's a highdensity development a quarter of a mile away from there. There's multiple industrial facilities right there.

» I asked during during our meeting there, I said, "Have you had one concern from a resident about noise, environmental pollution, or anything since Dominion purchased that?" I believe in 2004. They bought it from a private utility or a private entity in 2004 2006, one of one of those years. I can't remember off the top of my head. The answer was no. They promised and this was when we had the opportunity for entire council to be there and do. Um lastly, I too agree. I get every everybody who spoke tonight both for and against. I had I was blessed to grow up on a small family farm in Antioch. We still own that small family farm.

» Um, my parents still live out there, my grandparents, my son's out there right now with my with my parents staying on the farm, you know, and I I understand the landowner perspective and I also understand the neighbors around the property, their perspective as well because, you know, one day my family may be in a situation where they need to sell a piece of that property. You know, we've invested for generations. this I will be the when it comes down to me I will be the fourth generation owner of that property and I hope one day I'm not in a situation where I have to sell it. I hope my family before me is never in a situation where they have to sell but if it comes down to it I think they have the right to do so without a big impact and burden on things.

» Um I appreciate the NAACP speaking tonight. I appreciate um the resident from Aken from coming out. um the S Southern Environmental Law Group, the Sierra Club, right? I appreciate everybody who spoke tonight and this is not an easy decision, but it is it is a decision that I feel that I'm making that is best for Kershaw County.

» So, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

» Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Council members who are present, any other comments or questions?

» Mr. Jones.

» Thank you very much. Let me just start. I've got a couple things I want to share here, but let me just start saying this. I too feel I have gotten very little information on this. I don't like the fact that there's been a $10,000 shut up money offer to certain folks. And I truly believe that this is a Trojan horse for a data center. And I'm going to tell you right now, I'm going to stand with the people from Bthoon and and I'm going to go And I got to share something with you folks. Some may like it, some don't. I don't really care. Uh, and by the way, too, I'm not a typical politician. I don't need your vote. Won't you vote? I'm done in five more months. But I I would like to think in the 20 years I've done something. Well, I got reelected, but anyway, uh, I have a 26 year old son.

» I did not talk to him about this, but he sent me uh a a short statement and uh he went to school at Winth graduated Carnegie Melon and he's up there working in Ohio, but he is coming back to Kershaw County at eventually one day if I got anything to do with it. But um he sent this and I just want to share this with you. It says, "Good evening everyone. My name is Taylor Jones." First off, he said, "Hi, Hannah. below. This is attached information from my dad, Jimmy. He said, "Good evening, everyone. My name is Taylor Jones. I would like to thank all of you for allowing this to be uh this this information to be put out here tonight. I currently am pursuing work outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and can't be present in my can't be present in defense of our community, supporting our community.

» I consider Kershaw County to be my home, the place I grew up, where my friends and family are. I know I stand for my fellow community members. When I express how detrimental this proposal plant in Bthun could be, I will stand. My son saying he will stand with Bthoon. He's raised in Lugof. increased demand uh on our electric grid, the potential use of thou hundreds of thousands of gallons of water or more for cooling operations, and the immense pollution associated with burning natural gas. And locals will feel this the most. And we're not locals constantly breathe. They've been constantly breathing in emissions every time they step out of their house. Our our friends in Bthun have a real valid concern that should not be dismissed.

» I received my masters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, not too far from where I studied, and Washington County accepted natural gas extraction wells, pipelines, and compressors to be built. Initially, residents were told this would bring about economic growth in Washington County. It was found that those concerns uh over I said I'm sorry I had to read his writing. It was found that concerns over groundwater contamination reduce the value of some homeowners uh homes and relying private wells by as much as 24% damaging private wells by as much as 24%. No good neighbor deal is what it was but yet that's not what was sold. um and also a lot of the devastation the development left behind and they hit uh regarding this plant.

» I do hope members of county council can assure all of the public that this will not work to house a future data center and and as I said I think it's a Trojan horse for a data center. May you vote yes tonight. Be that commitment. stand with your people in Bthoon and uh what would that commitment hold if you stand with your people? Excuse me, I I got a little confused right there. If a data center were to come from the this development, uh you'll be telling you will be willing to step here's what he's saying. If a data center were to come from this development, would you be willing to step down from council if you voted yes because you we we understand that there's no information being given on data center.

» I understand that this sounds extreme, but I don't think it's much to ask that an elected member of of county council who works for the community. As mentioned before, even if it is not a data center and simply a natural gas power plant, the effects are still devastating to the local community. Think of Washington County. As I mentioned earlier, after construction of this plant is completed, it's estimated that there will be 15 to 20 jobs.

» How specialized are these positions? Will they benefit local workers? Do EPA uh requirements justify a plant that works and destroys our planet? Does a company is a company does a company doing anything is a company justified in doing anything wrong when they have to offer somebody money to shut up? That's that's just the biggest problem of mine to be quiet. Anyway, he says, "I am asking this county council to not pass the perceived investment and pass the perceived regulations we believe this plant will hold." and instead look to our fellow citizens of Kershaw County and do not and who are asking and you can stand up for them. Do not allow another corporation who only prioritizes profit to stretch his hand into our backyard. Thank you for your time. I'm very proud of my son.

» Very He's got a little bit of me in him [cheering] and and I and I'm going be honest with you. I apologize for my stuttering and my my pausing. I I have a reason for that. But uh anyway, get that later. Let me just say this too about a data center very quickly. Negative impacts of data center. Data centers will while essential for modern technology have several detrimental effects on local communities and the environment. Environment concerns. High energy consumption. Data centers consume vast amounts of electricity often relying on fossil fuels which contributes to increased carbon emissions and air pollution, water usage. They that breathe deep. They they require

» Mr. Tucker was stretching.

» Oh, okay. They require uh significant water for cooling with some large facilities using up to 5 million and some 15 I think it's 150,000 gallons whatever but it can go up to millions 500 million or 5 million gallons daily. Uh this can lead to water shortages in an already water scarce regions. Pollution is a problem. Uh economic impacts are a problem. Increasing utility bills. Pollution to operate center generates noise. Light pollution which can disrupt local wildlife negatively affect residents and quality of life. Uh limited local benefits. Despite promises of job creations, we're talking $900 million investment. Okay, that's great. But we're giving a fee and little taxes. we're going to get that back and then all of a sudden uh we got 15 jobs.

» If you 15 jobs, $9 million investment doesn't match to me. That that's why I believe without a doubt it's a data center. And and the fact that you're on you got 7800 acres or whatever and you're on 100 acres, you still got all that other land out there. Let me tell you something. I've gotten very little information about this and um this is too many questions out there. Health risk, air quality degragation, emissions, uh, backup diesel generations to the power plants, supplying data centers can worsen air quality leading to respiratory infections and other health problems in nearby residents. Uh, electronic magnet fields uh, field exposure.

» The the extensive electrical infrastructure required for data centers can increase community exposure to uh, electronic magnet fields which can be linked to various health concerns. And that's all been said here tonight. And I'm running through it very fast, but it's very important to me. Um, let me say this to this this this beautiful young lady over here. Nobody deserves to be treated disrespectfully. We need to show respect. We look, nobody's agree with me on on councils for the last 20 years. I mean, and I've gotten beat up pretty bad some days, but I but I came back. But but regardless of all that and we're not going to agree tonight, but I'm asking this council, we all represent Bthoon. I know you're the representative and I know you're the chairman.

» Y'all certainly get votes from that area, but we all represent this entire county. And I don't care. So I'm I'm not into this. This is your district. This is his district. This is my district. I would not want this in my backyard. I I I watched the the families come up here tonight. A couple of the grandmothers, mothers were in tears and they uh had their grandchildren with them. I would just like to ask my chairman who I have much respect for who represents this county. I hope his vote will be the fourth vote we can have tonight to postpone this, stop it, or whatever. But I want to say to each and every one of you, thank you for coming. Thank you for putting up with my comments and things, but uh I I I've always said I've always said in county council, let me just let me just say this.

» I'm having trouble tonight. I have Parkinson's and what happens is it swells my vocal cords up sometimes. So, I'm trying to get this out and I apologize and I have not said that publicly. This is the first time I said that publicly.

» You're doing fine, Mr. Jones.

» But thank you so much. But it makes me I just want to make sure y'all understand why I may hesitate or whatever. But anyway, having said that, I love you guys. Thank you for the time you've given me to serve on county council. Thank you for your friendships over 20 years. I'm going to support the majority tonight. I've always said I put people before money, and that's just that's just the way I feel. But let me say this, too, about these folks up here. Every one of them are good men. Every one of them are doing what they think is right. We just don't agree. Okay. I happen to be right. [laughter] Thank you very much.

» That conclude your remarks, Mr. Jones?

» It It does. Thank you.

» That concludes your remarks. Um Mr. Brazzle, while we still have you on the phone, anything remotely.

» Chairman, hey, can you hear me?

» We can hear you. Go ahead.

» Hey, thanks, Councilman Jones. Uh enjoyed your remarks. if you did just just fine, sir. Um, chairman, I'd like to not being in [clears throat] the room is is difficult, but I've been listening and and keeping up as best I can. The the few questions that have crossed my mind regarding the power center or the power plant rather, where do we know where that power is going? Is it just going into co-ops into a general grid? Would it would it help decrease rates? What benefits do we know that the citizens of Kershaw County would have from that power plant? Do we have any answers?

» Well, um, is that a rhetorical question or you're asking me?

» Well, I'm not sure if if there's a representative there that could answer it, sir. I I mean, I've done my own individual research since uh I had the entire council take a tour last December, and I'm aware of those concepts.

» Okay. So, we don't we don't have anyone in the room. Um

» I mean, if if if you wanted uh I mean, who who are you looking for?

» I didn't know if there was a

» Sant Cooper or Dominion or someone who purchases power,

» right?

» All right. I can generally explain the process. Um I I did not receive your prior to try to have one of those folks here, but

» they do an RFP.

» No, no, no. I

» I understand the process as I've worked for Santi Cooper when I was in college. Um coal fire stations, hydro, etc. So, I I do understand the process. I just wanted to find out if we we had someone in the room that could better explain to us how it could benefit the citizens of Kershaw County. But that's the one thing that I searched for that I haven't been able to find. you know, [sighs and gasps] anybody on the city's um grid has has been paying a tremendous price and and if if someone said Russell, this is going to lower rates across Kershaw County and it's going to help the city of Camden who's experienced especially high electric bills and rates, then I could see benefit.

» Obviously, there's a room full of people who who are afraid and and see harm and for for those reasons that I don't see a benefit and that there is a potential that [snorts] there could be a data center. I'm going to be a no vote on the situation. I just have not have not had enough positive to outweigh the negative.

» [applause]

» Now, I I'd love to hear from anyone who who could conclusively tell me no, there's not going to be a data center. But what I've heard is it's going to be built and developed and then potentially sold to someone who would who would operate it and produce power and distribute power. That's my understanding. Correct me if I'm wrong. I I didn't hear I heard something, but I'm sorry.

» Mr. Brazzle, if you have a question that's directed to a particular member or staff member or council member, um please state it and and we can make sure we try and respond to you as you're chiming in remotely. So, one one question that I would have for for our attorney and and I don't think John's there tonight, but whomever's representing Kershaw County tonight. Um, are we conclusive that a data center would not be on that property?

» Well, I I can respond to that question. It's not zoned for a data center. And so any attempt to have a data center land on this property or any one other one in Kershaw County except for those industrial zonings that directly relate to it would have to come before the planning commission or this council. And so just like any of the neighbors or myself could not build a skyscraper on my property, my property is not zoned for it. It couldn't happen unless it is applied for and brought to this council or the planning commission. Well, that is good to hear and and I hope that that stays um stays true and and that we I know that we we turn one well, we didn't have to turn it down.

» It one showed up and it disappeared rather quickly um a few months prior to uh to looking at this, which left questions for a few of us, but from [snorts] everything I've heard, that's not the case, and I hope that continues to be the the case. So, um, still left with a lot of unanswered questions. For those reasons, I will continue to not support, uh, the the FEL tax agreement that I would I would have to say regardless of zoning, this project hinges on the agreement. Um, I don't think financially it would make sense to develop there if this fe if this uh was not in place. Thank you for your comments, Mr. Brazzle. Um, Mr. Mr. Kato or Mr. Tucker, any comments, questions?

» I Mr. Tucker.

» Go away, Mr. Tucker.

» Hey, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to all of you shown up here tonight. I want to say a special thanks to the ones that came out Thursday to the town hall in Bthoon at the Women's Center. Um, I'm elected. Um, have been for a while. Um, any darts, arrows, um, bad comments. Um, I put myself in this position to take. Um, and I'm okay. Um, I appreciate that day and I appreciate today when you came out and spoke so courageously for your community. Now, where my problem lies is with Miss Miss King. I'm gonna start there and then I'll roll back. Um she spoke up Thursday night in that meeting as well and she was received not with an applause because there was applause and then it was nothing.

» Um to be a good neighbor and a good Christian you must treat people kind, decent regardless whether you agree or disagree. Um I'm saying this because when and I wrote it down when Mr. curly came up. I wrote down on my paperwork, professional, fair, and kind. That's the way you should be wherever you agree or disagree on any topic. To everyone, especially when you have young people that's trying to move in. I'm eighth generation from this county. I go way back. And I hope and pray that my grandchildren, which is eight of them, will be able to reside here when they get old enough and work here and live here. Um, that's yet to be said because they're young. They're still trying to get through school and do things.

» But my kids graduated right from Camden High, all three of them, and went off to school, went off to college in various different places. I'm saying that because my blood, my roots run deep in this county as well. Now, the question was asked by Councilman Brazzle in reference to what this company's going to do if this is approved tonight. Well, let me tell you a little bit what they did with the power plant in Alabama, Cahoun, Alabama. They built that plant and then that plant eventually I think in 2022. You can Google it um was sold to the local Alabama power plant um to be permanently theirs and run on their grid. They they built it and they um gave an alternate uh way of power to the grid and then they turned around and sold it to the power company.

» There was never a data center that came about and that's as late as today when I looked it up. So, I know that I can't promise or I can't tell you that that subject would never come up, but you've heard it from the chairman and you probably knew it already during your studies and your um inquiries that the land has to be reszoned, has to come back before this body whenever that does come up. So, um there is recourses and there is process that you can take. Let me say this about a data center as well. If you want something to be done by a data center, your representative Cody Mitchell who represents House District 65, this is not a Kershaw County problem. This is a state national problem. Encourage him, support him in putting some state law into place. That's what they do.

» This is, like I said, not a Kershaw County's problem. put some state law and make it where they can regulate where the burden is not on the citizens where they put these data centers where where the burden comes back on the company if they truly truly want to put one because everywhere where they have gone pretty much has been uh for the taxpayers or the citizens to help support private industry and I can tell you now I don't believe in um helping private uh companies um to start their business or run their in this uh on the backs of uh citizens. Fenlue is different. We have to do fenlu if we want to be competitive in economic development. Our tax rate is like 10 a.5%.

» You're looking at 6% I believe in Georgia and less than that in North Carolina which is the bording states in this uh corridor that we're in. If you don't lower the fee in Lou, you will get nothing. So, as my grandmother would say, who was up in heaven, piece of the pie is better than none of the pie. And that's what this council who has supported this in the past is trying to get. If you have zero, you get zero. But if if you have something that you can grasp, those $2 million that was spoke about uh from the young lady that came up, it's 2 million we don't have to put in the coffer to keep your taxes for being rise raised.

» And I want to say because I chair the finance committee here in Kershaw County, I am very proud that we were able to balance the budget without raising your taxes uh in in the millillage factor of um for this 26 27 uh year. And we did that because we were able to capture the growth and um fee and Lou and other things to balance that budget. And that means a lot. So, I want to say that um there's other avenues and there's other procedures that you can take. You've heard a lot of them tonight and I wish that you would um uh keep that in mind as you go through. But please, please in the future, at least if I'm in your presence, let's keep our young people and our neighbors good neighbors and uh let's treat them with uh love, respect, and dignity. Mr. Chairman, that concludes concludes my report.

» Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Mr. Kato.

» Yes, sir, Mr. Chair. [clears throat] Well, I've patiently waited my turn. For over two hours tonight, we listen to the concerns of the citizens of not just Bthoon, but all of Kershaw County. And I appreciate each and every one. I appreciate the concerns from the ones that are opposed to this plant. I appreciate the ones that come out in support of it. I want to say to start with that um I appreciate and I and and anybody that knows me very well in here knows that I'll I'll shoot you pretty straight. I'm just going to say what I think and how I feel. I want to thank uh Buford Rosemary because every time I've called them or I've had a question or I wanted them to call somebody, they have done exactly what I've asked them to do. So, I've got to give them credit on that.

» Anybody that's called me and asked to speak with them, they have done that. This is probably one of or it is the most controversial, stressful situations I've had so far in four years on council. And it's even worse because it affects a place that I grew up. It affects a place that I call home. And everybody's talked about their generations. I had generations going back through law enforcement, generations that ran the mills, the grits meals, the flower mills, and I I mean, I I've I've don't even know how far it does go back, but I have those roots here in Kershaw County, mainly on the northern end. I've tried my best to answer every phone call, text message, and email that I've got, and if for some reason I overlook one, I apologize to you tonight.

» But I have had probably close to a thousand in just the last three weeks. You know, I really appreciate the way that 98 to 99% of the people have handled this situation, the opposition of this situation. I said this in my council briefings the last time on the second reading that I was proud of the people of Bthun in the way that they handle this. But I was very disappointed to hear Miss Kaine speak tonight and I apologize. You do not deserve that. Everybody deserves to be heard and everybody has a right. My father fought and many other men fought and women fought for our freedoms. Some died, some were injured, and some come home safe. But they all give us the right to have a choice and to speak our mind, and everybody deserves that.

» So, Miss Kaine, I'm sorry that that happened to you, but I am very proud of the majority of the way things have been handled. And I thank Bthun and the others for being here tonight to show your opposition and even the ones that showed your um favor for this project. Um Russell and his family I love dearly. No doubt about it. Was raised around them. I understand your your place. I don't fault you and I there shouldn't be another person in this room to fault you for what you are attempting to do. It's your land and I understand that. You know, I while talking to Mr. and Mr. Curly spoke on it tonight. They said that they didn't really have an opposition to a plant, but to the location of it.

» You know, I'm not going to sit up here and tell you that everything I've heard and we've heard I'm not even going to get into the to the to all these numbers of what's poisoning who and what and where and all this kind of stuff because I don't know that be frank with you, I don't know that I believe it all and I don't know if anybody really knows the truth and I don't know that I would be opposed to just this plant. But I will tell you this, I'm opposed to the location. Half a mile and and and and I've heard people say, "Well, you know, county has setbacks and it meets the setbacks." Well, I get that, but a half a mile really isn't that far. You know, I thought about this. I was up at Bthoon the other day and I happened to go by the old walking track at the high school.

» That walking track's a quarter of a mile. Well, if you stretch two of those walking tracks out, you've got a [clears throat] half a mile. And that's not very far. And I asked myself, would I really want that plant that close to my house? And the answer is no. You know, I told somebody when this thing first started, you know, it it wouldn't bother me to have the plant. Well, that's true, but it would bother me if it was that close. So, that is probably one of my main concerns is the location. [cough] My next concern, and and some of my colleagues will disagree with me on this, but I I I've got feel like I need to say it because it's it's just the way I feel and it's the truth. And I agree with Cody on this part. We need to work on more transparency when it comes to these county projects.

» The transparency part of this and and and don't get me wrong, I had it explained legally at the second hearing about how the the first reading works and title only and and I get that that's law. But after that, we need to work on our transparency of getting it out to the community in which this these projects are going. Not just the one in Bthoon, but all out throughout Kershaw County. It may be a project that that I still support. It may be one that I oppose, but at least it gives the people in that area the rightful opportunity to know what may possibly be coming to their area. I'm not going to take up any more time. I'm not going to get in any more weeds. Everybody here knows exactly how I feel.

» And I want you to know that this is, as they said earlier, if this passes tonight, I and and I I accept the opinions of my colleagues. They know how I feel and whatever happens tonight, we will deal with. But know that it's still a long way from the end if it passes tonight. But I appreciate dearly each and every one of you coming out tonight and I thank y'all for y'all's hard work in protecting your community. Thank you.

» Thank you very much, Mr. Kato. Um I'll conclude. I have a I have a few remarks. Um just so folks understand my position. And I've stated I support this and I want to say why. This is one of the most challenging votes that I'll uh encounter perhaps on council. I may have a little bit of runway ahead of me, but it's already been eight years I've been serving. Um and longer than that if you include time at the state house. Um first I I wanted to state that this this really has been a unique project uh as far as economic development goes and that it's the only one I'm aware of in the history of Kershaw County where the council has gone and actually done a site visit to look at something.

» I wanted to make sure that that happened because I thought it was that significant of a project that people need to have a runway of six plus months. So December 2025, we actually went to see a 500 kilowatt mega uh plant so that council members had the opportunity to ask questions of any experts they wanted to to uh get as much information as they wanted. At that point um folks had cell phone numbers which historically never happens. Typically only the chairman and the economic development director would be uh privy to that information until you come up to a a second reading and you start getting to more details in a um executive session on the matter. So if there's any information that that people don't have, there's been plenty of time to ask questions and figure it out.

» And during that period of time, I've asked a lot of questions and really tried to understand what the risks are, what is real, what the facts are. And just for context, South Carolina is the number one state for new moveins in the country for the last two years. I was also surprised to learn that Kershaw County is the only inland county in the top 10 out of 46 of new moveins. So, we're number seven. We're the only inland county, meaning of course you got um Aken was one of them. Um you've got Lancaster, some that touch other states, but all the rest of them touch the the coast, but we're the only one in the inner part of South Carolina. So I reached out to the co-ops to try to understand where boots are on the ground.

» What does the power generation need and invariably they said we need more power generation. Now the way I understand the process works is uh central or Santi Cooper will put out RFPs, requests for production or proposals or requests for information um and state which is going to be a period that comes up in the next four to five months. I'd have to look at the exact date and then people propose what they can uh get a project done for and sell or produce the power for that they would purchase. And so um that's kind of the process that goes but locally speaking with the folks that provide electricity to my house and yours they're indicating that we need the power generation in South Carolina.

» Speaking to general market pressures, since a power generation plant sends the energy back to um a larger distributor, it be Santi Cooper or Central, and then it comes back to co-ops or Duke or whoever has purchased it. No, there's not a direct specific line benefit for Kershaw County, but there are general m market pressures of supply and demand, and if you increase supply, it puts a downward pressure on price. And so, I think that that is encouraging. Um though I can't site a specific data point on a percentage that the electrical rates would drop. But of course um city of Camden may not benefit from that because they have a long-term contract.

» Uh other folks that are served by other um providers of utilities in Kershaw County definitely could benefit and see the market pressure that goes down. I had questions brought to me and and it's interesting when you're talking about somebody else's land, they folks will kind of suggest what should happen with the land. folks uh have suggested to me, and I'll just say as a caveat, I've also received hundreds of calls, text messages, and emails, and forgive me if I didn't get back to you on all of them. I'm still faring through many of them and and trying to respond, but uh folks have suggested the land should be used for agriculture, and maybe historically it was used for that at a certain point. And the suggestion was made, you know, just plant corn out there.

» Well, I did a little research on that, and 13 acres of corn uses about 120,000 gallons of water per day. I was very surprised by that. I don't have a real agricultural background, but 13 or so acres of corn uses a whole bunch of water when it's in peak season. This project, as I understand it, would be seeking a permit not to exceed 120 to 150,000 gallons of water per day, just for context. So, if you planted 100 acres in corn, you're looking at a magnitude more of corn um being watered, you know, unless we had, you know, I guess regular rainfall that that could compensate for that. Um I also was very concerned uh about some of the studies that were circulated and saying that these are dire health risks.

» And so I tried to understand and ask experts including experts who testify and recogn are recognized by courts as experts in these matters on uh air quality control pollution. It could be mold, it could be particulate matter, it could be NO2, but the things some of which would be generated by a natural gas plant. Um what I discovered was and I I even asked this of the uh the folks and um person that wrote the the Coastal Conservation League letter. I went through that and actually reached out to that group as well. And I asked what daily activities to help me understand this in context are similar to the risk if you live, you know, I think point4 of a mile or half a mile away from a natural gas EPA compliant site like this that's 500 megawatts.

» And what I discovered was if you cook with propane or natural gas, which I do, I have my entire life, you're exposing yourself to a significant multiple of what you would be exposed to of um PM2.5 or NO2. These are not terms that I really uh cared to know until, you know, last December or January of this year when I started researching. And so you're looking at it could be 40 to 50 to 60 times depending on whether or not you have uh an outside vent off of your natural gas or propane stove.

» And so every day when me and my kids and my family cook and that's just to say that I have not seen any data that supports the idea that this one or the other 20 uh two I believe natural gas plants and I've been asking for it and hunting for it and trying to look for claims or lawsuits or anything related to the other sites that pose significant health risks that are even close to what we experience every day. Got a wood burning fireplace. Some of you might enjoy that in the winter time and need it for heat. We use one that one burning biomass, burning wood produces so much more PM2.5 and particulate matter. It It's a multiple that would really surprise you compared to what you might be exposed to from a a EPA compliant uh gas plant with filters. It's just the reality.

» Whenever you're burning natural gas or propane unfiltered in your own home, you're within two or three feet of this gas and all its byproducts and benzene and other items that that actually get filtered out through a natural gas plant. So, I was surprised to learn some of those things. Um, as we sit here, this meeting has approximately been powered by about 30 plus% natural gas. The energy mix in South Carolina might surprise you. It's a little over 50% nuclear. um about a third or a little more than a third in peak times is natural gas and so we rely on it even in this moment at night when we're running our our HVAC and there's a mix because they all sell to these large hubs and then it comes back to your local providers and utilities that bring it to you. Uh over 30% is natural gas.

» You've got coal and biomass which is roughly 10% that's being phased out. Hydro is about 3% and so it's not a real significant portion and then 1% is solar. And so we already rely on natural gas and it's not realistic to to have solar that actually um that's extremely cyclical. It can supplement small portions of the grid, but with the growth we're having in South Carolina, um natural gas is one of the ways I think that we can can meet the population growth we've had and and the energy demand that was reported to me from the local co-ops. Um I had concerns come up and I tried to investigate research about agricultural impacts. So, where I live is also less than a mile from uh we call it the mountain, but it's a landfill right there that's next to uh Kershaw and Richland County.

» It's where Kershaw County dumps from some of its sites. And um it actually this would not be I guess it would be because it's technically in Richland County, but there's there's um natural gas power generation there. They collect the methane and burn it off and have a tower that generates um power right there. live about a mile or so from the sewer plant that's on the edge of Kershaw County in Richland County and uh about a half a mile from the chemical plant and I started asking around and checking with all the farmers and seeing what issues people had experienced. That's a very agrarian area actually and I I I don't know the actual headcounts of other farms.

» I understand we had a very successful um cattleman or or farmer here tonight, but I know across from me is one of the most successful and busiest u cattle farms in the whole county like 450 head um right on the Miles property that Will Boozer operates and just busting at the seams and the cows seem to be growing doing great. they um they still bail hay in several local hay fields and I haven't seen um the data to support a negative impact from those exposures and I haven't seen the data to support a negative impact on agriculture from this one as well. Now, I want to talk about some of the positives that I see to this or at least the potential positives because it's got a long way to go.

» Since I've served on council for eight years and then two years at the state house as representative, I know we have other representatives in the audience tonight. I've tried to help Bthoon every time I could. Whenever Suominan had a felo vote to uh expand jobs and operations and equipment there, supported that. We recently supported funding of Cassid and then directed ARPA funds to the um the Boyd Young Recreation Park and then even uh Representative Mitchell who I disagree with tonight but I respect immensely. We worked together and I I supported his request for uh the Bthoon water tower that had to be fixed otherwise it was going to be in in drastic disrepair. We worked with the uh the council there and and got that state funding for it.

» And so I've seen from the county level and the state level the requests that come in, the need that Bthoon has for infrastructure, for improvement, for funds to come in and help Bthoon. And I view this as an opportunity. Some folks have said this will this will harm or hurt Bthoon, but I view it as the opposite. Imagine if if from the felo funds 200,000 or $250,000 per year could be directed back to Bthoon area and used as a grant match which matters at the state level. And so if you can turn 250 into or 200 to 400 or 500 and do a downtown uh streetscape improvement or improvement for blighted buildings or grants to help local businesses grow and improve or a playground downtown to attract families and kids.

» That's the vision I have and and several people have called me encouraged in wanting something like that and actually saying they really want to see it. I know the room tonight um has been has been pretty much vigorously against and I respect that. But there are a lot of folks that wanted to come out and speak tonight that that didn't for the same reasons that I kind of heard. They didn't want to get booed and and harassed. And so that's the vision that I have and I hope it would be a very helpful opportunity because otherwise I don't know where the funds come from.

» um Bthoon would have to keep going to the state or the county to to get funds when it really requires some growth and it has to be an attractive area enough where families that are of the age to have kids want to move to Bthoon and it's got to be kind of a neat and cool spot if you want to grow. Otherwise, you just keep it just the same and you'll see, I predict because I've seen it over 10 years, some of the same struggles that it's had in the past, which which are very tough. And I've been struggling for that uh 8 to 10 years to figure out how to try to address those. And I see this as one opportunity to to have some injection of capital into Bthoon that can help um the local population and businesses.

» Got a grocery list. You know, I had several other items that we've um that I was going to share, Mr. Tucker, but some of them, no pun intended, since we're talking about agriculture, would be beating a dead horse. So, I'm going to bypass those and see if council members have any other final questions, comments, or anything else they want to bring up or say. No one present is uh is speaking. Mr. Brazzle, anything remotely? Nothing from Mr. Brazzle remotely.

» And I'll just say that I hope that if this does pass tonight and it does satisfy the APA and dees requirements at the state and federal levels that you will reach out and help us figure out how to uh improve and address some of the concerns that are in bthoon, how to make it attractive so that population grows and you can have a school there and and take that position to the school district or bring businesses in. I'm very interested in that and figure out how you can get the matching uh funds to help the area. With that, we'll move it. Mr. Tucker. Yes, if I can. And I know that someone's probably either listening or um or in the audience from Rosemary.

» Um, I don't know the exact protocol on who received letters and who did who didn't, but um, just from my personal standpoint, um, if this does, uh, go through, can you reach out to the others who may be in that corridor that you might have skipped or, um, that just or wasn't in that area that you thought they were in. I just like to know that um whatever has been offered to certain people is offered to everyone that's in that pathway of um of of the potential plant. I just I would ask that you please do that.

» Thank you, Mr. Tucker.

» Mr. Chair,

» well, Mr. Jones,

» just very quickly, one one last plea with y'all.

» Vote vote no.

» Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't get that earlier. [laughter] Thank you, Mr. Jones. Um all right, so with that, we'll move it to a vote. All those who are present and in favor raise your hand on third reading. That is Shoemake, Tucker, Connell, and Tomlinson in favor. All who are present and opposed, raise your hand. That is Kato and Jones. And then Mr. Brazzle voting remotely. How do you vote?

» Opposed.

» That is a no vote remotely from Mr. Brazzle. Miss Hannah, it passes for the record on 10A. That's third reading. That brings us to item number 10B on the agenda. This is an ordinance regarding

» Yes, sir. Thank you. Um, council has asked that

» council has asked that we take a five minute break. We've been at it for a good while already. We'll recess we'll recess for five minutes. Thank you. All right, we're going to come back in session. We've reconvened a quorum and we'll pick up with the agenda where we were. Mr. Brazzle, are you still on remotely?

» Yes, still here.

» We got Mr. Brazzle still. Okay, that moves us from item number 10 A to item number 10B. This is a third reading on an ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery. Um, oh, one one item. Where's Where's our attorney?

» Yes.

» Assuming. [laughter] Yes.

» Yes. Yes. Yes. Just Yes. That's all.

» Okay. Go ahead.

» There she There she goes. [laughter]

» It's not John.

» Thank you. Yes, Miss Douglas. Thank you. Um, one thing before we move on from the last agenda item. Uh, there was a matter that was brought up um from staff and council about a common consent request and we would seek common consent that um for the third reading of 10A. They had was it Richland County or Richland? The word Richland um was on the resolution.

» Uh that was for the resolution 11 A.

» Oh, it was original 11A. Okay. later on. Well, we'll address it when we get there. All right. Then we're back on item number 10B. This is a ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a SSRC or special uh source revenue credit agreement between Kershaw County and Candyroot Lodge Holdings LLC and certain affiliates uh of Candyroot Lodge Holdings LLC, also previously known as Project Gemstone, with certain economic development uh property in the county and matters related there too. We've had first and second reading and the public hearing. Is there a motion on item number 10B?

» Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion that we approve the third reading.

» We've got a motion to approve. Is there a second on 10B?

» Second. I'll yield.

» We've got a second from Mr. Tucker.

» Any discussion?

» None. We done been through two readings. This is the approval for the Candy Root Lodge Golf Resort coming up to Mount Pisa. And I'm excited to see. I think it's a great opportunity for the area, for the community, and for the county.

» Glad you're excited about something. [laughter] I think it I think it is important to note as a factual matter that this is technically the second most controversial Bthoon project we've talked about tonight. [laughter]

» Well, the audience dumped out and I want to thank uh Attorney Smoke for hanging in there because he's three hours in now, just like us. But thank you for spending the night with us, sir.

» All right. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Uh any other comments, questions? Mr. Brazzle, anything remote?

» None.

» How do you vote?

» No, I vote yes. in favor of

» that's a yes on 10B remotely for Mr. Brazzle for those who are present voting raise your hand if you're in favor it is unanimous for those who are present and voting with Mr. Jones being out of the room at the moment. All right, 10B pass.

» Thank you, Stephen.

» We can get your name tag if you want to come back. [laughter]

» Thank you, Stephen.

» Item number 10 C. This is an ordinance regarding approval of a lease for real property located at 632 West Cab Street. We've had first and second reading. We just had the public hearing and of course it is in relation to the Department of Natural Resources. Do we have a motion on third reading?

» Make a motion we approve on third reading. Mr. Chair,

» Mr. Tucker has the motion. Is there a second?

» Second.

» Mr. Kato has a second. Mr. Tucker, anything on third reading?

» No, sir. Thank God glad this is over.

» Mr. Mr. Chairman, can I get some with my father-in-law being the head of DNR? Should I recuse myself on this um vote? Third reading.

» You said your father-in-law

» My father-in-law is is the director of DNR. It just I think I actually voted on it the other two readings, but is is would there be any issue related to this, should I recuse myself from this third reading, would you recommend that I recuse myself?

» Um, it falls in a slightly gray area, but um given that it is an agreement with a contract and a lease and there's money changing hands,

» then recommend you.

» Yeah. Then, Mr. Chairman, I recuse myself from this.

» Very well. Any other comments or any other comments or questions?

» Mr. Kato, you had the second. Seeing none, we'll move to a vote for those who are present. All in favor, raise your hand. That is Shoemake, Tucker, Connell, and Kato in favor with um Mr. Tomlinson abstaining for the reason stated. Mr. Brazzle, any comments? Um or how do you vote?

» No comments. I vote in favor. Yes.

» Okay, that's a yes. So, it passes with Mr. Jones um being absent at the moment. That brings us to item number 10D, third reading regarding an ordinance to approve a lease of real property located at 632 West Street. Um this is in relation to the South Carolina Forestry Commission and we've just had public hearing. First reading and second reading are appropriate as occurred and listed in the agenda. Do we have a motion on third reading?

» Make a motion on third reading, Mr. Chairman.

» Second.

» All right, we got a motion and a second. Mr. Tucker, anything on third reading?

» No, sir. Thank you.

» Hearing none. Any other comments or questions from those who are present? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote for Actually, let me just check with Mr. Brazle real quick. Any comments, Mr. Brazzle?

» None, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

» How do you vote?

» I vote in favor. Yes.

» That's a yes remotely from Mr. Brazzle. All who are in favor who are present, raise your hand. And it's unanimous for those who are present and voting with Mr. Jones being absent at the moment. This brings us to um our discussion items now which is section number nine. Um so we move now to item number 9A placed on the agenda by uh Mr. Brazzle. Topic is inmate work crews road crews. Is there a motion? Yeah, I'll make a motion um to discuss whether or not we can utilize inmates to pick up litter and trash in Kershaw County.

» Do has is there a second?

» Second.

» Mr. Thompson has a second. Mr. Browse, you have a floor for discussion.

» Hey, thanks, Mr. Chairman. So, I've had actually um other me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me members of uh the community including uh some city council members um reach out to me and ask this question repeatedly and I I failed to get a clear answer. So I think it's probably best to to ask legal. Um it seems like that before COVID inmates uh that were um incarcerated at Kersowl County um jail and detention center were able to get out and help keep Kershaw County clean. Postco I think things changed and maybe they didn't revert back to the the natural state. I would just like to gain some clarity as to how inmates can be utilized to keep Kershaw County uh beautiful and um contribute to cleaning our community and keeping our roadsides clean and neat.

» Mr. Brazle, Mr. Kato has a response initially. Councilman Brazzle. Um I can speak a little bit on what happened and it mainly happened back around COVID uh when I still work for the state and for SEDC. Uh what happened was we seen a influx of contraband being brought in and escapes. But the main reason for the Department of Corrections was the staffing and finding people that was able to transport these inmates, stay with these inmates. And I I believe the same was with the Kershaw County Detention Center. However, I am very much in favor of bringing this back if it's possible. But I do know that there was a a lot of problem between and and some of the SCDC inmates were being supervised by Department of Transportation employees.

» So the Department of Transportation employees had to go to special training and stuff to basically see these inmates that were put on work detail. So it was a staffing issue from both not just SEDC but DOT. I have been.

» Yeah,

» Mr. Shumake.

» So, Council Brazzle, this is Derek. Another point on this. I first off would love to see it, too. I've actually had this issue come up a lot over in my area, and I actually have talked to the SC the well, he is no longer the SCDC director. When I talked to him, he was the SCEDC director, Brian Sterling, who's now US attorney, and I actually I saw this on the agenda, so I texted him and confirmed with him that's still the policy. SEDC is not providing him a work cruise statewide at this point. Now, maybe they'll change that. Maybe we can talk to our delegation. As to the jail itself, the jail's a trickier beast because most of the folks other than those being held like on detainer for the state for like that were in prison.

» Uh pretty much everyone in the jail is legally innocent because they haven't committed a crime found convicted of committing a crime. So to do an inmate road crew at the jail has to be all voluntary. The inmates have to volunteer for it and then we have to staff it as the county. And talking to Danny, when we run those numbers, the cost of getting staff, new staff out and and getting those inmates out, assuming they volunteer, is actually a little more than some of the um contractors we can hire because we'd have to cover the cost 100%. So, that's where I was, but I'm happy to when you get back to sit down and you know, we can make some of those calls again together. But that is that was what I the information I got probably within the last six months kind of looking at this issue as well.

» Well, I think it's something that we've done in the past. If we've done it in the past, we can certainly do it in the future. Um it just I think if there's the willingness, and it sounds like there's a willingness uh from several members of council, and Danny, I'd like to thank you for your input. You certainly know more about it than I do, and Derek, you as well. Um, so what we can do is we can

» Hey, Councilman Jones as well. Yes, absolutely. Um, I didn't know if you were in back in the room yet, but I I what what we can do is is [sighs] we can maybe defer this until the next meeting um and have some some better conversation and try to come up with a plan and willingness to enable um or or reenact what once was a very normal situation that I think kept our county beautiful.

» So, so Councilman Brazzle, this is this is Gerald. Um, we have done this in the past and and each time that we did it, we utilized volunteers um because they are um uh pre-trial detainees. Um, one of the things that uh just in the discussion with uh Germaine Gordon, Dr. Gordon, uh the director, uh this is something that is falling off as Derek pointed out across the [snorts] state. Um but it is also labor intensive and from a risk standpoint there is you know some considerable risk as well. Um at the will of council um director Gordon is available to discuss further uh unless you guys are good with where you're at right now.

» Can I say something?

» Um sure. Mr.

» Mr. Jones

» I don't know where we are what's been said. I apologize. I [clears throat] had to leave for a minute. Um, we always you one, you can't put pre-sentence inmates out on the road. They got to be sentenced. And the only sentence inmates I had when I was the jail administrator were mostly family court. I don't know how that's going now, but but if if if you do have some sentence family court there, uh, I'm I'm certainly in favor of using them on the sides of the road.

» Thank you, Mr. Jones. Well, I think uh you know, pending pending Gerald's remarks, you know, Gerald, thank you. And Councilman Jones, thank you as well. What I would like to do is is continue this conversation. And um had I been satisfied where I was at, I would have not have put this on the agenda, I'm dissatisfied with the situation. And I think a lot of citizens are as well as as well as um other political members of of different councils in in our in our county and they'd like to see these things um these things happen. Right. We we we are the ones that that make the at will decisions. the council itself and um at our direction I would like to find a way to make this happen.

» Oh, that's easy.

» Thank you. Mr. Bzel, are you requesting that be put on as a discussion item on the next agenda?

» Yes. And we can have um others available for further discussion and then council can make the decision as a group together.

» Okay. Whoever those others might be, please inform staff so they might be present. Um, Miss Hannah, please note that for the next agenda. Thank you. Any other discussion?

» That's it. Thank you, chairman.

» All right, that concludes item number 9A. No uh vote is required. Item number nine be placed on the agenda by Councilman Jones. Convenient center hours. Is there a motion?

» I so move.

» We have a motion. Is there a second?

» I'll second.

» I'll make a second.

» We got a second. Mr. Jones, you have the floor for discussion.

» So enthusiastic on that second, [laughter] I know it's been a long night. Yeah, it has.

» Listen, keep this short and simple. I I think one thing that we we we we might have overlooked. I'm all in for the for the hours of the uh convenience centers to to do Sunday and Monday. just take the lake hours and make them open on Sunday and maybe be enclosed another time because po the people at the lake are having they it's tough on them to have to uh they they either rent to somebody and then they got that garbage coming out and there's no place to put it at the end of the day you know um I I would really like staff to consider and one thing I say I talked to Gerald Gerald said well we're not always he looks at like what are you going to say he he said well you know we're not always locked in at where we are. If we see something's not working, we can certainly go and change it.

» And I appreciate that. I'm just I'm just [snorts] telling you, we got a lot of residents on Lake Road. We've got a lot of residents on uh Lake Shore Road, both sides of the lake. We got a lot of residents right up there in that area. But uh I wish some way that those two we could keep open on Sunday for just a few hours if nothing else.

» Would it would it be possible for me Go ahead. What?

» Just make sure if I may. Yeah,

» Mr. Jones is done. Go ahead, Mr. Brow.

» Oh, no. I yield to him. I'm not done yet.

» Uh, Mr. Jones, would you like to make a motion if if you if you would like to make a motion to open the Lake Recycling Centers? Uh, I can make an amendment and then we can put it to a vote.

» I I don't think I can because I didn't

» Yeah, I've got to call a point of order. We're in a discussion item. There could be a request to be placed on the next agenda as new business or some other old business matter or something.

» I'd like you placed on the agenda for new business. Uh

» if you would note that please.

» Next meeting since I did put on for discussion now. And and guys, what I'd like you to have is just have an open mind. Just think about what I'm saying. It just make it so much easier for those folks at the lake. And uh and I know y'all want to do the right thing and [snorts] just follow my lead.

» Yeah. C Councilman Jones, I've received obviously the lake is inside my district and I've received numerous calls, texts, concerns, uh people that are disappointed um you know, slightly upset and um we'd really really be hurting a considerable amount of rural population. And people do use their homes at the lake on the weekends and they they do need to empty their trash on Sunday afternoons. So I think a limited um schedule on Sunday afternoons. I've I've done some research and I've seen that in other counties um maybe from 3 to 6:30 depending on sunset and that sort of thing.

» Well, I believe in my mind that that my brother John Thompson is going to ambush uh Mr. Shoemake and Mr. Tucker and Mr. uh Connell. Well, may I may I say something?

» He thinks the world of y'all to death. He thinks the world of y'all, but he he was one that was calling this very

» um Mr.

» Yeah, I that ambush has already occurred, but I will say this. I want to be very clear about something. I would oppose any vote on this and I want to tell you guys why in advance of next week just so you can think about it as you prepare your thoughts. You know, one of the worst things we can do in my opinion as a council is send the signal out that we're going to second guess our administrators before policies even went into place. This is Danny's policy. He briefed the finance committee. we backed him on it even though it wasn't a vote like here because he just asked our opinion. Um, and maybe that makes sense. I want to be clear. I'm not saying I disagree with that idea. But I think the proper channel is to let Danny work this thing when it starts August 1st.

» Trust our administrator because Danny's going to be retiring. You know, you know, he's not, you know, he's he's not a young chicken like any like many of us. But, you know, in three, four years or two years, three years, whatever Danny decides to retire, we're going to have to find a new administrator. And the signal it sends to know that if they reschedule dump hours, the county is going to come right behind them before the policy goes into effect and change those hours is a bad bad precedent to send in my opinion. So I will not be supporting.

» Thank you. But I disagree with you on that. Uh because we we set the policy, you know, and we we make sure that the people we're the ones that are really accountable to the people, the staff are accountable to us,

» but we don't set the landfill hours, right?

» Uh we could

» we could then that's my point. We could step into every one of his roles and that's why we don't get a good administrator. Well, no, no, no, no, no, no. That's a good argument, but it's not it's not realistic. Let me just tell you.

» Anyway, I know it's not new, Bill, but I just want that's that's all I have to say.

» It Okay,

» Mr. Jones, are you still holding on to the floor?

» I'm trying to. Yes, sir.

» Okay. I'm trying.

» Mr. Kato would like to say something if you're ready to reield.

» No, you rey because I I need to come back. [laughter] Go ahead.

» Okay.

» No, I mean, I I do understand what uh Mr. Shoemake's saying and and I do agree. Um, however, I I do see the issue at the lake as being the problem in the county. I think what I'd rather see happen is maybe let's give administration an opportunity to see if something can be changed or worked out rather than us just step in and try and take a vote to take over. Give them an opportunity to see if there's something that might could be worked out, hours or change or something. I think if I may chairman. Okay.

» Any other council member not spoken yet wish to speak? And do

» we hear from J? See

» none. Mr. uh Mr. Brazzle and then um Mr. Blanchard.

» Go ahead,

» Danny. Thank you. And um I don't you know I don't think I made any unclear statement initially when this was brought before us. Um nobody asked me if I liked it. it was it was told to me that this was going to be done and so I it's it's nothing personal towards administration and I certainly can't find how us hiring someone in the future how this will be detrimental. It it just shows that we're representing the people. Uh no different than the votes earlier tonight. Everyone had an opinion and everybody was respectful of the opinions even even in a very heated situation in a in a three-hour debate and a public comment session. That was a tremendous effect on certain people in the community. And you know this is you know frankly it's it's no different.

» It lands it lands in our lap at the end of the day. We have to voice our opinion. I think if I don't speak up, I'm sending a word that that I'm not willing to represent. Um Danny has the opportunity between now and and two weeks from now or Danny and Gerald together to to work on an arrangement and I'm happy to hear from them and if they can make an adjustment prior to that then no vote needed and I'm happy to vote to overrule otherwise. Well, I think we've already got it uh as an agenda item on the next available agenda and so y'all have made your wishes clear as an individual council member or two council members wanting to put an agenda item on under new business which will be eligible for a vote. So, in the meantime, folks can do their research.

» Um, before we move on from the discussion item, I just wanted to mention that there is some root cause for the policy. And one of the questions that I know staff is researching is this is a a issue that costs us several hundred,000.

» It don't cost no more money.

» Well, um, before you shortcut me, Mr. Jones, I'm sorry.

» It actually does cost us a lot more when people come into Kershaw County and commit fraud and make us carry other trash and dump it and pay the fees at the landfill. I've asked for the exact number. I don't know if we have it yet.

» Actually, we don't we don't have an exact number, but when we looked at um the Placer ID data, it shows that a third of the uh deposits made at the Elgen Convenience Center on Sundays are from Richland County residents.

» Not talking about Elgen.

» Well, I I understand that. With all due respect,

» but but one of the things that that admin was trying to listen to or the complaints that we receive about inconsistent hours across solid waste as a whole. People that we've heard from want consistent hours for all the convenience centers. Um employees want consistency um with their scheduling uh across the board. Um it's it's really important to understand that. I think I speak for for Danny and the rest of admin and the rest of staff. We are dedicated to making processes and services better. Um we do that by not being afraid of change.

» We we embrace change. Um and once changes are made that doesn't stop. That process doesn't stop. Once changes are made we consistently re-evaluate and we pivot if necessary. But again, making the decision to change something before it's even enacted um is is a little frustrating because we have the responsibility to listen to staff and I think that's what Danny has done. I think that's what Chris has done bringing this proposal to us.

» Thank you, Mr. Blanchard. Um I if you can't get us the data in the meantime on what we can estimate the the fraud is resulting in additional costs and I'm sure between now and next vote we can talk about the most narrowly tailored way to address the issue. Really good job.

» Absolutely. And we we had Chris here tonight uh who would be willing more willing to talk about it but we can certainly discuss it next.

» That was very eloquently put. I didn't agree with it.

» Thank you very much Mr. Johns.

» Wait a minute. I still got the floor. All right,

» Mr. Mr. Jones, Mr. Chairman, if I may say one more thing.

» One more thing

» to clarify, Mr. Blanchard,

» I understand uh your perspective and your point of view and the 500 employees that serve 72,000 people in Kershaw County. Our situation is the exact junk position is yours. We're accountable to the people. you guys are are more accountable to your employees and trying to provide a a a wonderful workplace and and I and I appreciate that. But no different than us trying to make a a quick adjustment after we were told something was changing. Um, we our phones start lighting up like this is an immediate concern for the people that live in Kershaw County, especially in these in these certain areas. And to to bring back data about what Richland County is doing, that's not even in this equation. That's not part of this discussion. what what this discussion is about is about the recycling centers on either side of the lake. So, I just wanted to make that extra clear.

» Well, Mr. Brazzle, I'll just say uh in reply, I think it's directly a part of the discussion. I'm interested in the data because overall we're talking at a about a holistic um solid waste convenience hour policy that might need to be catered to particular areas, maybe some not. Um, you know, I've heard from several folks that want staff and us to root out fraud, waste, and abuse. I think this is an attempt at that. I'm not saying it doesn't need to be refined, but I think that's squarely one of the issues in front of us.

» Can I say one last thing?

» Yeah, I don't I don't disagree with the the situation in Elgen. I think I think that makes a lot of sense. But here's a for instance. If if you were to leave um when I leave Edestto Island, I was taking trash off and I was stopped and I was asked to for to see my ID. I said, "Well, I'm not a Charleston County resident, but I I own a home and I pay taxes here." And he says, "Oh, okay. Could you bring your tax bill next time?" I said, "Sure. I'll try to put it in my truck." So there are many people that live on Lake Watery that pay a 6% rate in tax that come from Charlotte or wherever to use their their lake home and then when they leave if they find that Kershaw County is closed and not willing to accept trash on Sundays, they're going to be extraordinarily frustrated and and they're a heavy taxpayer in Kershaw County.

» Mr. Mr. Brazwell, I'll just note that I'm in the exact same boat in regards to property on Edesto and that facility is closed on Sunday.

» Extraordinarily frustrating, isn't it?

» It's closed on Sunday. I've I've figured out a way to work around

» I know it's it's it's frustrating for me. It it it irritates me every time.

» Okay. All right. Any other discussion, council members?

» Mr. Jones, no. Okay.

» I got you too riled up.

» No. No votes required. Uh thank you for the discussion. And again, we already have it as a new business item under I believe um Mr. Jones and Mr. Brazzle's names and others can add in if they like.

» Thank you staff for working with us on this.

» Yes, sir. That's 9B and then no votes required. 9C project um ballast. Mr. Jones, you had as a discussion item.

» No, that that should have been taken off.

» Okay. Um we will have no motion on 9C from Mr. Jones. That brings us to

» 11A and uh I would before we seek a motion on 11A just like to get clarification from council or staff the scriveners error regard related to Richland County was that in relation to 11A that I mentioned earlier?

» Yes.

» Okay. All right. So do we have a motion and then we'll seek a motion to amend. But do we have a motion on 11A? This is a resolution um committing to negotiate advalorum taxes. This is um really kind of a housekeeping matter after the third reading that we just had between Kershaw County and BRNG LLC. A company previously identified is Project [clears throat] Ballast. Do we have a motion?

» I make a motion, Mr. Chair.

» Mr. Tucker makes a motion. Do we have a second?

» Second.

» We have a second Mr. Shoeake. Um before we have any discussion, is it okay, Mr. Tucker, if we get a uh update on what amendment might be needed from from legal counsel.

» Yes. Uh Miss Douglas.

» Yes, Mr. Chair. Um the text of the ordinance itself, if you'll notice on the title of the or excuse me, not the ordinance, the resolution. Um there's a reference to Richland County and that should obviously say Kershaw County. Um I believe that was just an error when that was passed through in different versions. Um and legal just had a couple suggested edits also. describers more just of making sure that our present and past tenses are correct as to section two to remove from the second second sentence the word subsequent and the words to be such that that sentence would read the further details of the fo payments and the agreement will be prescribed by ordinance of the county adopted in accordance with South Carolina law and the rules of procedures of the county

» u Mr. Tucker, you had the floor, but will you yield to a motion to amend as stated by legal counsel?

» Yes, sir. I most definitely

» I will make that motion.

» Mr. Shake has the motion on the U recommendations from legal counsel and some scriveners corrections. Any second?

» Do you I just made the motion.

» I'll give a second.

» Okay,

» Mr. Shoemaker, you got a second. Any discussion on the motion to amend before we get back to the original motion?

» No discussion. Seeing no discussion on the motion to amend. Any discussion, Mr. razle remotely. Hearing none, we'll move it to a vote for those who are um present. All in favor of the motion to amend, raise your hand. We have we have Shoemake, Tucker, Connell, and Tomlinson in favor. All opposed on the motion to amend. Jones and Kato uh opposed who are present in voting. Uh Mr. Brazzle, do we still have you? lost.

» We just lost Mr. Bowser.

» He's going to take trash out.

» Okay. The motion the motion to amend uh passes. We're back on the original motion on resolution for 11A has been corrected um or amended to include at this point the recommendations from legal staff on some scriers issues. Do we have any further discussion on 11 A? Seeing no further discussion on 11A and understanding Mr. Brazil's not on the line anymore, we'll just move it to a vote for um the [clears throat] quorum that's present. All in favor, raise your hand. That's Shoemake, Tucker, Connell, and Tomlinson in favor on 11A as amended. And anyone opposed? Raise your hand. Mr. Jones and Mr. Kato opposed the resolution 11 A passes. Next up, we've got um item number 12A. This is in relation to pickball courts placed on by deputy administrator [clears throat] administrator Gerald Blanchard.

» Is this an update for us or going to require a vote? uh will require a well it's actually just an update letting you know that um well no staff is seeking approval to purchase and move forward.

» Okay. Um give us a a

» this is [clears throat] a a brief background and then we can see if we get a motion.

» Yeah. This is a source well contract with Sports Court Incorporated in the amount of $249,000. Uh the project has been accounted for in our current budget and uh Kershaw County appreciates any uh private uh donations that could possibly be used for this activity as well.

» Okay. Thank you, Mr. Blanchard. Do we have a motion on the recommendation from staff and the item before us relation to pickleball courts?

» I make a motion that we approve this request from staff on the pickle ball courts. And I do have a question.

» I will second it.

» Okay, we have a second. Uh Mr. Tucker, you had a question?

» Yes, sir. Uh, Mr. Blanchard, um, of this 249, how much of that was private?

» Um,

» do you remember?

» I can speak on that.

» You got that, Mr.

» I I can speak on that. Um,

» so approximately $210,000 has been committed, though we have not voted on it yet. We will the council and perhaps I will

» be a gift.

» A gift.

» So, we won't be pulling anything out of our coffers? No, we've already we we have already budgeted $300,000 towards pickle ball improvements. I'm trying to make sure some of the funds go to um Mr. Kato's area as well. What's the name of that tennis court? Does it have a

» Oh, that's Boyd Young.

» Boy.

» All right. So, next to Boyd Young where we've had significant improvements. Um there's private citizens interested in donating up to $210,000 through various means to split between those two pickle ball projects. Casey West and the one adjacent to Boyd Young, which is a tennis court that needs to be um revamped into pickle ball, which is extremely popular now. And I'm hearing a bunch of demand for it. I assume council members are hearing some of the same demand for conversions.

» I hadn't heard anything.

» You hadn't heard anything about pickle ball? Okay. Well, um I don't know if it's generational or not, but everybody tells me [laughter] everybody tells me they want to do it. Um so at any rate, instead of instead of having the vote just on the 249 tonight, which you know, I think we move this forward, just know that maybe next meeting as soon as we can get it lined up, we'll we're looking at a substantial donation, which I think will let us

» Can we wait the next meeting to do this? No, I think we need to go ahead and prove this and get the contract working and work from the capital that we have.

» I'd be more I'd be more apt to support it if I knew the money was there.

» No, the money is there.

» Money is a grant. I mean, not a grant, but a a donation.

» No, an amount greater than this in the budget that you just voted in favor of. I know the budget

» amount has already been allotted higher than the 249.

» Yeah. Okay.

» So, the money is there to get this project done. I'm just saying that in in a [clears throat] future meeting, we'll be able to vote on another $210,000 that will allow us to address Boyd Young, I think, at the same time.

» Would this just be for KC West or is this going to include Boyd Young?

» No, the $249 is the quote for Casey West.

» So, where would the other come from for Boyd Young?

» You're going to get a $210,000 donation, I anticipate, coming in, assuming the council votes to accept it. And I'm hoping economies of scale perhaps with the same contractor won't have to mobilize twice in Kershaw County. They can do one project in Kershaw County and then roll right into the next one. And if they have some of the same equipment that needs to be used on the next project, it's easy to transfer. And I'm hoping we can save some cost there and benefit another portion of the county.

» Well, I'm going to tell you why. I probably will support this tonight if you're interested.

» I am. Yeah. We budgeted for it. I think we need to get this roll.

» I know, but then jump on the next one. The pecan orchard money is still in the budget. It is

» okay. And we're gonna move forward on that, too.

» Okay.

» All right. I mean, if you want to put that on as agenda item, we can discuss it. Um

» maybe next next time, but Sammy and I Sammy and I working together on that.

» Okay. But for the matter before us, Mr. Tucker, you did have the floor. I just want to give that background.

» No. And I appreciate that. So, that that gave me great clarification on where we're at, and I look forward to um the generous donation by private citizens uh to move forward in the upper end of the county. And I will be playing pickle ball, too.

» I have 50,000 left over to help with that boy young project anyway. So, if it comes in at the same with the 210 plus the 50 left over, we're still

» Yeah, this is awesome. Uh we just we just cut the ribbon on the KC West new parking lot. This will be huge. Those tennis courts get very little use and starting to fall in disre. This is awesome. I I'll just say since it's immediately adjacent to um where we're doing this renovation, assuming the vote passes tonight, the uh the playground, which is also donated, we got to make sure we do a good job of staying on top of equipment repairs and I get calls from time to time about, you know, whatever apparatus it is that's having an issue. Um people really notice that and especially with their kids playing out there, we want to make sure we stay on top of Mr. [snorts] Chairman.

» And it's going to be more highly traffic once the pickle ball courts come. People are going to be in and out all the time. So, if you don't mind, let me speak to this since we're talking about KC West. So, um great uh picture photo for the ribbon cutting last week. Sorry I missed it,

» but um we need to look at because I've got my butt chapped pretty good for some basketball courts to go out there somewhere.

» I I understood.

» Yeah, I'm telling you now. I will not take this beating by myself. All of you sitting up here and who's not here is going to get part of this if we don't do something. We need to find out where we can locate some basketball goals out of God bless you out of that park because it sends the wrong message number one um for our community and our county. So

» I didn't heard nothing about that

» white man K. [laughter]

» Thank you Mr. Tucker and Mr. Jones.

» Thank you.

» Um any other discussion on this agenda item 12A? Seeing none, we'll move it to a vote on the bid before us of 249, 239, and 96 cent. All in favor, raise your hand. It's unanimous for those who are present in voting with Mr. Brazzle having dropped off the call at the moment.

» Thank you.

» It passes for the record, Miss Hannah. That's 12.

» Just remember that when I come back to y'all.

» 12B. Um [snorts] I I don't know this necessarily requires a vote because we're not adjusting the schedule for the rest of the year. I think we'll talk about that at our next meeting. Um, but council meetings

» cancel it.

» What's that?

» It requires a vote to cancel.

» Yeah. Yeah. I just I mean, well, if if a quorum don't show up, the meeting's canceled. Yeah. So, [laughter] either way, um, I'll make a motion that we cancel the 72826. Excuse me. Make sure I have that date correct.

» 720. It's 7:28. [clears throat]

» Yeah, the 72826 council meeting. Uh, I'll explain after we get a second.

» Second.

» We have a second. Um so we've got the annual South Carolina Association of Counties um training seminars and conference during that time period. So every council member that's attending which would be a quorum will be out of um out of town and unavailable to attend the meeting and so we typically cancel that meeting and then I would suggest that the next meeting that we have in August we take up the council schedule for the rest of the year look at holidays in November December whether or not we want to do other meetings um based on schedules. But that's my motion just related to the 72826 meeting.

» Can we entertain a amendment to this motion for the schedule for the rest of the year? Would that be appropriate?

» We we could except for I've got a couple of economic development matters or other time-sensitive matters that Mr. Dose was telling me about when a certain newspaper publishes versus not for a hearing and other things. And I don't want to prejudice any citizen or any uh potential business looking at Kershaw County. I just want him to be back in town and and confer with you and then y'all both update us and say you're okay. We don't need meetings on these dates to meet a timeline for somebody's um either reszoning or project or uh something even important as you know solid way service but 72826 meeting is the the item before us for cancellation. Any further discussion? 2826

» 728-26 July 28 2026 um the again the the annual South Carolina Associated Cent conference in favor

» okay all in favor

» it is unanimous for those who are present in voting Miss Hannah the 72826 meeting is canceled

» thank you Mr. That takes care of number 12B. Um 13A. We've got a reappointment on the agenda from District 3, Councilman Schumick. This is related to the Kershaw County Clean Community Commission. Do we have a motion?

» Uh yeah, I have a motion to appoint uh Miss Dennis. Uh she has been on the clean community commissions. I understand that she's willing to serve again.

» Thank you, Mr. Schumick. Is there a second?

» Second.

» We have a second. Any further discussion?

» No.

» Who second it?

» I did. Thank you.

» All right. All in favor, uh raise your hand on the reappoint. It's unanimous for those who are present in voting, Miss Hannah. That takes care of item number um 13A1. We get to council member briefings. Mr. Kato, I don't really have a whole lot. I think we've had a long enough meeting tonight, but I do want to thank the ones that come out for the ribbon cutting at both Boyd Young and up in Bthoon. We had a good crowd, I think, at Copeland and at Boyd Young. and parks look amazing. And I just thank everybody for their hard work and for their support. And uh I want to say thank you to all the ones that uh lifted up prayers. I'm a new grandfather.

» Congratulations. grandbaby was born on the 3rd of July and few little complications that sent her to the Nick unit and she stayed in there uh for about seven or eight days and she was brought home Sunday evening but I thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and reaching out to me during that time. That ends my report.

» Thank you, Mr. Kato. Mr. Tomlinson.

» Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um the 3rd of July is a good day. That's my late uh sister-in-law's birthday. So when when one leaves um one comes in place. So congratulations Mr. Kato.

» Um

» and and I was being sincere earlier in my comments when we were on the third reading of that ordinance and I know that there's not a person sitting in this audience who was here during that time but I'm sure that some are still listening or they might come back and listen. But I I sincerely appreciated every single person's comments whether for or against and that's what this process is about. Um, I see the the mayor of Bthoon sitting in the audience here currently and uh council member elect um who'll be serving with us here in in January in the audience still you say that.

» Yep. I really appreciate you know being here but if if anybody has any concerns um about the plant or would like like to call and talk to me I I am available. I've tried to respond to everybody's text calls and like I said there is one that is on the top of my head uh Miss Bond who I will call back tomorrow. I did not get that chance but if you need me my number is 803427928479284. My my number's on the website.

» I I put that out there so people

» so people but I'm I'm being it's all sincere, you know. I'm I'm being very sincere because I think this is something that impacts the people. comments in time.

» Yeah. Thank you.

» Call tonight.

» Thank you. Um and staff, as always, thank y'all for being here and thank you for all you do. Um this would not be possible without you. I miss Hannah's probably ready to go home and wants me to hush, so I'm going to take that my cue.

» Thank you, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Jones.

» I will give you a list of who all to thank. This I said it with good humor. U let me just say that uh I don't know if y'all are aware or not. Y'all know Gary Patterson with uh Patterson Insurance, Off State Insurance. He was named the new head of officials for football in the ACC.

» Yeah,

» he's supervisor of the football officials in the a of the ACC.

» That is really neat, you know, and uh very proud of him. Also, um Jonathan, I want to make sure we get to Pan Orchard on the agenda and get something done as soon as possible. Thank you, Jonathan. [laughter] And and having said that, I don't think I got anything else. Just

» I appreciate this council. I don't agree with you, but I appreciate y'all in the way you conduct yourselves. And I mean that. I think this council works well together even in disagreement. And uh that's the way it should be.

» Thank you.

» Thank you, Mr. Jones. Mr. Shoemaker.

» Yeah, not much. It's pretty charged meeting. Um, so we're pushing 10 o'clock. I think

» I think I'm good.

» Thank you, Mr. Shoemake. Mr. Tucker,

» I'm not going to quite be that brief. [clears throat] Um, I want to say um, thank you, Mr. Blanchard, and um, Miss Douglas for stepping in and filling in. I thought that you guys did a magnificent job tonight. never had any questions about your abilities or talents, but it's always good to have council will be willing to step in when our attorneys out. And the same thing with our administrator, and we appreciate all you do behind the scenes as well. So, um, and I just want to say so it can be recorded that um I feel the same as my colleague here to my right. Um, I'm not willing to snatch the rug from um on these staff on these recycling centers until we get some data and allow staff to make adjustments like we said we would before doing anything drastic. And I know we're getting pressure.

» I'm getting those phone calls and um you know the um ambushes and all that, but it's not my first time and won't be my last. So that concludes my report. Mr. Chair,

» thank you very much. Mr. Tucker, I don't have any report tonight other than to um just remind everyone, hug your kids, hug your parents, hug your family members. Uh it still echoes for me. My dad's recent stroke and I've had other family members or friends, excuse me. Um also who have almost lost someone or lost someone recently and there are so many things that are more important in life than some of the things that we get distracted with and family is really what matters and uh I just want to share that in God. So, with that, we'll carry on with the uh agenda. That brings us to Mr. Deputy Administrator's briefing, Mr. Blanchard.

» Yeah. Um, thank you, sir. I certainly hate that Mr. Brazzle uh fell off the call because I just wanted to say that all of our permits are in for the expansion of the uh veterans boat ramp.

» So, so we've got those in. Now, we're just waiting for a couple of quotes to be able to move on getting that ex uh 16 foot expansion on that. I think that will definitely help uh the citizens that are using the the boat ramp out there. Um we are watching Woodward uh sports complex very closely. Um just trying to make sure that uh fall ball does not uh this does not extend beyond the opening date of fall ball. We're doing our very best uh working with uh KBI there. uh had a re um recent meeting with uh dees and um on Wellim. They continue to remove uh product off of that um uh that site uh during their closing process. So, it's it's just removing wastewater and sludge from the EQ basin. So, DHECK is good with what's going on there. Our dees is good with what's going on there. They are working with um uh the EPA to ensure [snorts] everything is copastatic. So, we're all good there.

» Where are they taking it? Do you know?

» Say again.

» Where they hauling it to? Do you know?

» They're actually hauling it to the um wastewater treatment plant off of Spears Creek. I forgot the the name of the company there.

» That's Southwest.

» Yep. Yep. Uh they're removing three to five truckloads a day of of waste still. So,

» um

» bad stuff.

» Say

» I said bad stuff.

» Yes, sir. Um, we did recently hire our grant administrator. Uh, so that is going to be uh Crystal Stafford. Uh, she's a resident of Lugaf and she starts on the 18th of July. So, we're excited about welcoming uh, Crystal on board with us. Uh, employee lunchon on the 22nd from 11 to 2. uh please plan on enjoying or please join us uh in welcoming and and thanking our staff for the job they do every day. Um thanks for putting up with the backups uh tonight. Appreciate your patience with us. Um and other than that, that's it my report. Thank you.

» Thank you very much, Mr. Blanchard, and for uh serving tonight and filling in. And we miss we miss uh Mr. Templer.

» His name is Dan,

» I think. Yeah, his name's Dan. Sorry, I'm I'm a little tired. Mr. Danny Templar, uh, his name's right in front of me on this big sign. [laughter] Who who who I think he's vacationing locally, so yeah, bless his heart on that.

» Um, do we have

» 22nd from 11 to 2?

» 11 to 2.

» 11:30 to 2.

» Okay.

» Any non-privileged legal briefing?

» Uh, no, Mr. Chair, nothing from legal.

» Thank you very much. That will bring us to item number 17, which we do have three matters for executive session.

» I would seek a motion on items number 17, A through C. This would be discussion of negotiation institute proposed contracts for A and C and then receipt of legal advice related to a potential claim and other matters uh covered by the attorney client privilege. This is all under SC code 30-4-70A2. Do we have a motion for executive session?

» Very begrudgingly, I move.

» I'll I'll second the motion.

» We have a second. Any discussion on executive session? Seeing [clears throat] none, all in favor raise your hand.

» It is unanimous on executive session. We are in executive session and for public's benefit, Miss Douglas, I don't think any votes are anticipated.

» Uh, no, Mr. Chair, not

» Thank you. Mr. Chair,

» we have a motion in a second.

» Well, I I guess I made the motion. I'll take your second. All those in favor of ending executive session, raise your hand.

» I think Mr.

» I made it, but it's okay. He can have.

» It passes.

» Mr. Shoemaker, you in favor of ending executive session, it's unanimous, Miss Hannah.

» And then seek a motion for adjournment.

» So moved.

» Second.

» And we have a second. No discussion. All in favor raise your hand. We are adjourned.

» Hey, I wanted to say something.

» Yes, sir.

» Go ahead.

» A friend of mine, his name is uh