Full meeting transcript - October 13, 2026

» All right, y'all, let's get going. Good evening, everyone. I'd like to welcome you out to this Tuesday, October 13th, 2026, Kershaw County Council meeting. Thank you, everyone who's come out from the public tonight. Grateful for staffing here and helping with the preparation of the meeting. We've been called to order, and we will have an invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Councilman Derek Shoemake. Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, please watch over us as we do the people's business, and please guide our hands and hearts to make good decisions for our community. Lord, as we head into these next several months of holidays and thanks, let us remember those who have lost, and please be with them.

» Some we're recognizing tonight, but all those in our community who have suffered a loss as we head into these holidays, please be with them. And again, let us all remember that in all these years and decades to come, what brings us together will always be stronger than those things that divide us. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Councilman Shoemake. Gentlemen, before we get into the agenda, I'll just note that we have two gentlemen in the crowd who could certainly replace us up here and have years of experience.

» We've got former Chairman Steve Kelly here tonight, and also former Councilmember Tom Gardner, who multiple of us have served with in some capacity or not. Thank you, gentlemen, for being here tonight. Thank you for your service. Two of the best. Thank you for your service in the past to Kershaw County. All right. Up next, adoption of the agenda. Do we have a motion on the agenda? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion we adopt the agenda. Is there a second? I'll second. We have a second. Any discussion on the agenda? None. All right. Let's move it to a vote on the agenda. And I'll just note before we vote, Mr. Tucker will be calling in a little bit later. He had a work obligation. But let's move it to a vote on the agenda. All in favor, raise your hand. Ms. Hanna, it's unanimous.

» The agenda passes for the record. First up, and very important for the meeting tonight, we have a resolution regarding Mr. Laverne McKenzie, who has recently passed away and left the community. Though he's alive in our hearts and certainly in the hearts of his family, I make a motion that we approve and adopt this resolution. Do we have a second? Second. We have a second. Let's go ahead and move it to a vote if we can. And then we'll get into further discussion unless someone has to say something before the vote. All right. Let's move to a vote. All in favor? Ms. Hanna, the resolution is adopted. It's unanimous in favor.

» I'm just going to share part of what we have for the family as a framed resolution, and we'll bring you up in just a moment so that if you want to say something, you're able to, and we'll hear from council members before that time. Eddie Laverne McKenzie. He was an amazing man. Every conversation I have with him either turned to family or the gospel and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and often those conversations turn to both. Just a little bit about Eddie if you didn't know him. He was born in 1952. He was a Camden High School graduate. He got his degree from the University of South Carolina. He was a faithful Gamecock, and he owned and operated McKenzie Furniture for 52 years.

» That was the capacity in which I got to know him because our businesses were right across the way, and I witnessed him for well over a decade when I was there. Served customers, served people, served families in Kershaw County. Just had a big heart and always took care of people, and often he'd be lifting furniture. He had no business lifting because it was too big. He was an Eagle Scout. He served with the Gideons. He was a loving. He was a loving husband to his sweet wife, Mary Ann, of 39 years, and he was a proud father, also known as Big Daddy, to Lynn, Brian, and Matt. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, and he served as a deacon and an usher. He was an amazing man. Tonight, we honor his life.

» We honor his family, his work in the community, his participation, his quiet leadership, which got vocal sometimes when it needed to, and he was a man that we simply loved. That is the resolution we have adopted, and I'd like to hear from any council members who would like to say something. Council members, any discussion? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Thomas. I've had the opportunity to know Mr. McKenzie since I was a little boy, about knee-high, whether it was playing on the ball fields, representing the McKenzie Furniture logo on my chest, to times at going to church, throughout the community. My parents bought furniture at McKenzie Furniture. Mr. McKenzie, losing him is a great loss to the community, but personally, it's a great loss, because he was a mentor of mine.

» There was never a time that you looked at Mr. McKenzie, you didn't see a big old smile on his face. No matter, you didn't know what was going on in his life, but he never left you without a smile, and he never left you without a godly word. He was always going to give a godly word to you, so a wonderful man. Ms. Mary Ann, we love you to death. Love the family. Y'all are stewards of the community. Thank you, Mr. Thomas. And council members, any other discussion? Yes. Mr. Jones, please. If I may, I don't want to, if my memory serves me right, Mary Ann, you can correct me if I'm wrong, but I can remember back in 1977, it was, I think, right before maybe you guys opened up your store, I had invited Laverne over to the house.

» Well, he figured out real quick it was Amway, and he said, Jimmy, we're fixing to open up a furniture store, and all my heart's going to be there, and I said, well, I'm going to get rich. He said, well, I hate you leaving me behind, but I can't do it. But Mary Ann, listen, our hearts and prayers are with you and the family. If you ever need anything, you don't hesitate to call us, any of us, and thank you. May God bless. Thank you very much, Mr. Jones. Any other council members? Mr. Chairman, please, if I may. Mary Ann, we love you. I've known you since you played football together with the boys at Thomas Sumter, and consistency in the way you and your family and Laverne live.

» I'm glad that you're still alive, and I'm glad you're still alive, and I'm glad you're still alive, and I'm glad you're still alive, and I'm glad you're still alive, and I'm glad you're still alive, and I'm glad you're still alive, and I'm glad you're still alive. When I heard what had happened, shocked is the only way I can explain it. I had just been into the store, and as a matter of fact, we had just all bought a chair from you for my father-in-law for his birthday, and that was the last interaction I had with Laverne, and I was glad to have had it, and you and I always chatted up, and I've always loved doing that with you, and I want you to know that I'm not going to do that again. I'm not going to do that again.

» I, myself, and my entire family, my parents, sibling, my brother, we've all loved you. We all look up to you. We've always thought the world of you guys, and in church, and in school, and in business, you guys have been solid. I'm just so very sorry. I don't have the proper words to express how sorry I truly am. Laverne was one of a kind, a fine, fine, fine Christian man, and we just... We know it's been tough, and this is the least we could do is honor him and your family tonight, so thanks for being here. I know it's not easy. Thank you, Mr. Brazel. Council members, Mr. Cato. Mr. Kinsey, I'm so sorry for your loss. I have one memory. I did not know him as personal as these others did, but I have a fond memory from a few months ago.

» My wife and myself was in the store, and we went in looking for something specific, and we stood in there. We were in the store. He was in there by himself, and he stood in there, and he talked to us for almost an hour, just carrying on a conversation, and we went through the history of the people that we knew, and where I was from, and everything. He remembered my mother coming in there buying furniture, and he'd give us the best advice he could give us that day on what we were looking for, but he was a sweet man. He really was. My wife even commented when we left that day. He said, that was a very nice man, and when I heard about this happening...

» A good friend of mine that goes to church with John, I won't call his name, but he was very close with him there at church, and he talked about what a godly man he was, and what an example he left for the community, and that's something to be said for him as the legacy that he'll leave behind. Our prayers will continue to be with you and your family. Thank you so much. Mr. Shoemake. Yeah, much like Councilman Cato, I did not know Mr. McKenzie extremely well, but I knew him by reputation. I think that really speaks a lot to someone like Mr. McKenzie, when you can live a life where somebody who hasn't met you or doesn't know who you are by sight knows you by reputation.

» My grandmother mentioned his name several times when she was alive, and again, I think we're special in this county because of the people we have in it, Chairman Kelly, Councilman Gardner, people like Mr. McKenzie, and so again, I'm so sorry for your loss, and again, we've lost a giant, but I have no doubt this county will continue to remember him as we do so many of the giants that came before him, so again, I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you, Mr. Shoemake. I'll just mention also, Mr. McKenzie will have a place in my home for maybe forever. The first ever piece of furniture that we got when we got married over 22 years ago, Laverne sold to us. We couldn't rub two nickels together. We were so poor about to go to college, but my parents bought us this nice leather chair and a half.

» Mary Ann, I don't know if you remember, we sit on it and enjoy it until this day. It's the most amazing piece of furniture. It's just been ageless and timeless and haven't had to get it repaired at all. He did us right then, and he's done us right his entire life, so with that, we share our deep condolences. We love you, and for those who would like to come up with the family or otherwise, please come up. We have a resolution. Can I say one quick thing? You know, I want to just, Chairman Kelly and I served in the Boy Scouts with them. Of course, they both made the Eagle Scout. I didn't get no higher intent for it. I think I got kicked out, run in my mouth. But anyway, I've always just thought the world of him, Mary Ann. Thank you all. Thank you, Mr. Jones.

» Mary Ann, if you wouldn't mind coming up, we've got this resolution for you. You can have anyone else come up if you'd like. Why don't you come right there? I'd be glad to. I kind of didn't know where I was going to be. Thank you. Chairman Kelly, the family has asked you to share a few words. Please do so. Thank you, Chairman and members of council. Mighty kind words you said about Laverne here tonight, and as we all know, he lived that life. Mary Ann asked me if I would to speak on a few words on behalf of the family, on her behalf. And I said, I'm going to speak on behalf of the family. And I said, I'm going to speak on behalf of the family. I'd be honored to do so. I would like to say thank you all again for the kind words. Thank you for the resolution.

» As you all know, Laverne was a fine Christian man, loved his family, loved Jesus Christ, faithful. He couldn't ask for a better family member or a better friend. And as you all know, he loved his community, he loved his county, he loved his state, and he loved his nation, and he supported it. He did. And on behalf of Mary Ann. Mary Ann and the family, again, thank you, and I know this is heartfelt, and we appreciate it, and thank you for your public service. Thank you, Chairman Kelly. We appreciate you. As I always tell folks who are here for resolutions, you can feel free to stay with us for the rest of the meeting, but you may have better things to do. We'll give you a moment to clear out.

» Okay, before we get back on the agenda, I'll just announce that I'm moving under the chairman's prerogative, the ordinances to the end of the meeting. After old business. That'll be after item 12A. And with that, we are now at public comments. Mr. DuBose, do we have anyone signed up for public comments? There are four speakers for public comments. Yes, sir. Who's the first one? William Browning. Subject is horse and hound. Mr. Browning, yes, sir. I'll just announce this is not a time for question and answers with counsel. We hear from the public during this time, and you'll have the time allotment show up on the window. Glad to hear from you. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, members of the council, I'm here representing the hunt country of Kershaw County.

» I'm one of the three masters of the Camden hunt. I watched three of you flinch right there because you think I'm going to bitch about the trees going down on Red Fox Road, but I promise not tonight. I'll do that again later. What I want to say tonight is a big thank you. We had our annual horse and hound event two weeks ago. We had a gate. 2,117 people come through gate two at CCRA. Gate three was open, and yes, I think we had a number of people sneak through that gate, which was really not manned as well as it should. And you might say, well, William, that's okay. But remember, you gave away 1,000 tickets. Well, we did so because of the good work of the council here. You gave us an opportunity to have.

» We have a $7,000 grant, which is a reimbursable grant, which allows us to be reimbursed for social media, for advertising, and other types of outreach beyond Kershaw County to advertise this event and bring people to Camden and to Kershaw County. Thank you for that. Those 1,000 tickets went to our fire department, our police department. It also went to the hospital. Next year, we'll broaden that to the school system. Thank you. And the most important thing that we wanted to do is to get people engaged with the equine history of Camden and Kershaw County. I think we did great there. We had the dock diving dogs had their Southeastern finals here. We had a great opportunity watching that competition.

» We had four competitions within the equine area, and several of our local canine handlers gave opportunities. We had an opportunity to watch us with bird dogs in action, boykins in action, and other types of even dutch hound races, if I remember that as well. But the most important thing I wanted to do is really say thank you. Your commitment to us, you allowed us to make for a very, very exceptional event where we have proceeds going to the Camden Hunt Conservancy. That Conservancy has two missions. One, to bring in young people into equine sports, and secondly, is to maintain the 1,500 acres that the Camden Hunt has here in beautiful Kershaw County for the 100 years of fox hunting here in the Midlands. So thank you all.

» It's very much appreciated, and I will be back next month to tell you how we're going to bring 100 junior riders, 100 horses, their parents. We're going to fill every horse from here. We're going to fill every hotel from here all the way up the road to Pontiac. So look forward to a huge national event the first week of March taking place here with the Camden Hunt hosting the Junior National Hunters Championships. Gentlemen, thank you so much. We really appreciate your engagement. Have a lovely evening. Thank you, Mr. Browning, for coming out tonight. Appreciate that. Mr. DuBose, who do we have signed up next? Next speaker is Tom Webb. The third subject is Bethune. Mr. Webb. About AI.

» Why are data centers scattered around all among the people here and there all over the country? Listening, listening, listening. I think that when AI gets smart enough, we no more freedom, no more Fourth Amendment. We're going to be like sheep kept by sheep. Shepherds who eat sheep and about Bethune, my guess, some of y'all know what's coming next, but you're keeping secrets from us, your employers, you know, what's going to come next. You understand it, but you're not telling us. A lot of people think that they think that it's a shame. Maybe it's true. I don't know.

» But it's a shame that the people that work for us supposed to solve our problems for us think we're so dumb that they shouldn't tell us what's coming next, though many of the people think that it's all about AI and AI is something to be terrified of. I think so, because it'll do like people do. We stand on a base of things that we understand so that we can play with the things above the base that we don't understand. And then when we understand that, we add it to the base and we stand on that to play with other things that we don't understand. And there's no end to it, really. AI will progress to the point nobody can control it, I think. And I'm. So we have a right to be terrified of it.

» And anywhere extreme AI is being developed anywhere in the world, the rest of the world might have to destroy it to survive. And rather than have more electricity like that big electric plant that's coming to Bethune, we need to have less electricity to starve out the AI. Thanks for coming out tonight, Mr. Webb. Next speaker is Jim Curley, Energy Project. Yes, sir. Mr. Curley. I see the second reading tonight for the. Post performance standards for energy infrastructure projects. That's what I want to talk about is this plant actually happens, you know, controlling noise, toxicity, lighting. I think this is a good thing. The question is, is applying manufacturing standards to an energy plant sufficient? I don't have an answer to that.

» Has there been an independent expert to testify to the council on what is needed? To regulate an energy plant to my to my knowledge, I mean, I don't consider going to energy plant in Columbia to be that they're not independent. You know, they're they're they're touting their own their own industry so far. I'm the best expert I've I've heard up here. I have two degrees in physics. I teach courses called matter and energy at the university. I have access to chemists who tell me what some of the risks are. But I'm not I'm biased. I'm not independent. Right.

» So we really need you know, I'm in favor of trying to put making sure this plant, if it goes in, is safe, but to really know who we talk to to make sure that these are the the manufacturing standards are the ones we really need to make sure that this plant will be safe. Okay, so so that's and I think, you know, this kind of. Kind of stuff should have happened before phylos are passed and emsips are passed and and things like that, that, you know, if you watch the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting a few weeks back where Bethune Energy gave public testimony, there's still lots and lots of unanswered questions that even he can't answer. All right. Sometimes he is twisting and turning. And so we've not heard that in these chambers.

» And so we've got a lot of questions that we haven't heard from him from Bethune Energy representatives. So so anyway, I think this is probably a good thing ordinance to pass, but I'm not sure whether it's enough or not. I think we need independent experts to to testify and let us know what is needed. Thank you. Thanks for coming out tonight, Mr. Curley. Mr. Bose, who's up next? Lawrence Arnold Animal Shelter. Yes, ma'am. Miss Arnold. Hey, I'm here about the status and lack of animal services in Kershaw County. And the lack of support for the current shelter. We do need support right now. Just last week for and for many weeks, the shelters only had three days left of food for the animals.

» They are in this position doing due to being overwhelmed with taking in all the county's animals and that the growth of the county and they certainly don't have time to fundraise or have events due to having so many animals to care for many of the counties I visit. They are in this position doing due to being overwhelmed with taking in all the county's animals and that the growth of the county and they certainly don't have time to fundraise or have events due to having so many animals to care for many of the counties I visit. Their animal shelters, they don't have this stress because those counties provide the funds needed for the animals food and the food donations that they receive at those shelters go back to the county citizens, they get redistributed through their food pet pantries.

» Their animal shelters, they don't have this stress because those counties provide the funds needed for the animals food and the food donations that they receive at those shelters go back to the county citizens, they get redistributed through their food pet pantries. Those shelters also are able to keep their dogs and cats healthier and ready for adoption because they stabilize their diets, preventing diarrhea and other issues by having a regular stable food. The Kershaw County Humane Society will put out a Facebook post and the citizens have always stepped up. They've really donated, they really helped help them out when they need it, but it seems to always be at the last minute and it seems to be very stressful. It's difficult to understand why we have to do this continuously.

» There is, unfortunately, a Kershaw County citizen who is serving nine years in prison due to starving her animal rescue animals to death. Now, that was different circumstances and we would never be in that position, but it's all very present in our minds often. Having the shelter take in all the animals is great, they want to do it, we all want to do it, but right now, with zero support except for fundraising, But right now, with zero support except for fundraising, but right now, with zero support except for fundraising, but right now, with zero support except for fundraising, but right now, with zero support except for fundraising, but right now, with zero support except for fundraising, but right now, with zero support except for fundraising, but right now, with zero support except for f

» undraising, but right now, with zero support except for fundraising, but right now, with zero support except for fundraising, but right now, with zero support except for fundraising, the County is essentially like an unwilling or unsupportive parent, putting all the responsibility on the shelter staff. So I'm here to ask for that for them, and also for the same things again. A rabies vaccine program for pet owners, animal control support, so the animal control officers can respond to animal abuse violations with authority, and a rabies vaccine for the animal control officers. a rabies vaccine for the animal control officers. a rabies vaccine for the animal control officers.

» A TNR and spay and neuter programs that many other counties do offer for their citizens, microchip programs, which Lexington County requires of their citizens. So they do provide funding for it, and it helps us to rehome many animals and provide accountability when we receive in malnourished or abused animals. a rabies vaccine for the animal control officers. A TNR and spay and neuter programs that many other counties do offer for their citizens, microchip programs, which Lexington County requires of their citizens. So they do provide funding for it, and it helps us to rehome many animals and provide accountability when we receive in malnourished or abused animals. Clear definitions on strengthening and strengthening of animal care standards and considerations on breeding regulations.

» There's a county near Hilton Head that has much higher fines for bully dog breeding and breeding of fighting dogs. And assistance for shelter assistance and expansion because they do operate at triple capacity right now. Again, they have 250 to 300 dogs a month when they're only built for 80 dogs. And about 100, 150 cats. And immediately, animal food assistance is desperately needed, and I really hope you could consider that. Thank you. Thanks for coming out tonight, Ms. Arnold. Mr. DeBose, does that conclude public comment? It does. Okay, thank you. Moving into public hearings, do we have any motions? I would make a motion, Mr. Chairman. Specifically, I would ask basically some, I guess I'll make a motion on this one. I would basically move that.

» We consider the third readings from September 12th, September 22nd, those were an ordinance for hospital directions, the LCP Platinum, the fire hydrant requirements, that we would effectively redo those for additional county action. The reason for that is the public hearings on these ordinances were advertised for this meeting, and legal counsel has informed us that the third reason of these ordinances on September 22nd occurred a little prematurely. So basically, we're just giving a second bite of the apple. Okay. Thank you. I would make sure we're completely covered.

» I would further move that the ordinance be recognized as sitting at the second reading stage and impending a third reading, and we proceed with the advertised public hearing tonight, and that third readings be considered in due course following the closure of public hearings. It's a long motion, but I can explain it more if I need to. We have a motion for a second. We have a second. Any discussion? Again, just to, in layman's speak, we put the notice in the paper for public hearings today and did them a little bit early, and we just want to make sure we're completely out of the public hearing.

» accurate on everything we check all our boxes so we're basically just going to have a redo for public hearings in third mr chairman mr jones mr vose county attorney we're good yes sir i know he always does his homework he's very thorough i know he does his homework he's very thorough but you are the county attorney i just want to make sure correct this um inadvertence on having the third readings prematurely um does require that they i don't think we've ever done that before that's creative thinking thank you mr jones i will support it okay any further discussion all right we'll move it to a vote all in favor of the motion raise your hand it's unanimous and passes uh miss hannah and we are now into public hearings have everyone signed up on public hearing item a yes sir there are four speak

» ers for that item the first speaker is amy mccaskill okay miss mccaskill uh 95 if not 99 percent of the public hearing is for public hearing item a people in Bethune and the Timrod community are against Kershaw County bringing a fossil fuel power plant to their area, including offering Beaufort Rosemary a tremendous tax incentive. It's the basis for the Lancaster-Kershaw County Park Agreement. Yes, Lancaster County will be trimming money from the power plant funds, but the Timrod and Bethune communities will suffer the consequences.

» Polluted air that basic inarguable science states causes serious health problems, water issues for homeowners that the developer claims will be negligible, and all the rest as stated to you for several months, but it had already been decided by you before it went to first reading where it got unanimous approval. The first county meeting about it was in August 2025. A few community members got wind of the project before this meeting. This summer's second reading offering the company the fee in lieu of taxes. Bethune community members spoke against the project during that meeting.

» At third reading, it was obvious to anybody in the room that the citizens and property owners in Bethune and Timrod area were against the plant coming, and they far outweighed the handful who supported it, some of whom got in front of TV cameras to say so, which was the mission, right? The citizens against the power plant, including mothers and grandmothers in tears, were met with stone faces from some of the council as they urged you not to incentivize this company developer. As we know, Beaufort-Roseberry targeted others besides the adjacent landowners with specificity.

» Who now is responsible for the developer doing the right thing to ensure the safety of the people in Bethune and Timrod, and minimizing the detrimental effects such a structure will bring to a rural area where the people seem to be forgotten? With deregulation at the federal level, the city of Bethune and Timrod are now in a situation where they are not responsible for the development of the land. The current fossil fuel push is the county council going to do what is right? Is Kershaw County going to demand that they leave the land as they found it once they've pulled out? Or when they sell it, will the county ensure this? The Beaufort-Rosemary presentation to the Kershaw County Planning Commission in September was a pitiful demonstration.

» Did all of you watch it? Why did they not present in front of this council in public? Have all the concerns been addressed? Have any of them been addressed? Who will be reporting this critical data to the people of Bethune for the next 40 years? Thank you for coming out tonight. Mr. DuBose, who do you have signed up next? Tom Webb III. Yes, sir, Mr. Webb. Well, like I said the first time, like I spoke a while ago, more transparency. I think that some people on council know what's coming next, and they're not telling us. Again, they're treating us like children, and I object. Thanks for coming out, Mr. Webb. Mr. DuBose, who signed up next? Mr. McCaskill. Yes, sir, Mr. McCaskill. I've been coming to all these meetings, and I've got nothing out of it.

» I thought I'd say something today, and y'all won't get anything out of it either, because I think it's already a done deal. Put the mic up to his mouth. If you could pull the mic up, some council members are having a hard time hearing you. Okay. Yes, sir, that's better. I was born and married right across born and married, born in Kershaw County, right across about a quarter of a mile from where this plant is. I've lived on that property for years growing up, and then I moved to Marion and worked at an electric plant, and it was, you talk about noise, and it's something to put up with, and I cannot wait to retire and move back to Kershaw County and be a mayor. out in the country where it was quiet and everything was normal. I finally did, when I retired, I did move back. I built a house.

» The house took me about two and a half years to build, but I was right proud of it. I've been told it's right good ways worth over a million dollars. How much do you think it's going to be worth for that power plant out there that I can walk out the back door and see it and hear it? It's going to be really good for my investment. I don't know what y'all are doing or what you will do, but whatever you do, I don't have as much money as people in Camden that I got enough to hire a good lawyer, and I intend to do whatever is necessary to stop this thing if I can. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you for coming out tonight. Yes, sir. Thank you for coming out tonight. Mr. Bose. Next speaker is Jim Curley. Mr. Curley. I'll try to keep this short.

» One thing that research shows is that these power plants are invariably located in marginalized communities. Now, the night that y'all voted on the public hearing on the file, there was a lady here from Aiken. They had defeated a natural gas power plant in their community, but where it was going to be located was not in a marginalized community. It was in a horse community. It was with wealthy people and people with some power. Bethune isn't like that. And as evidence, the county has taken away the high school, then the elementary school, then the EMS station. In this chamber, publicly, by council members, I've heard the community, I'm going to say mocked at least twice since June.

» council member and what do we get in return we're gonna get a big polluting power plant that's going to destroy some of the rural area that's gonna pollute us lower our property values and provide no jobs 12 jobs but those jobs aren't going to anyone in our community or at least they may come to live in our community but they're not in our community now so again I think if you want to get ahead in Kershaw County you don't have to sell your solely just have to sell out Bethune thanks for coming out tonight mr. Curley mr.

» bows anyone else signed up on 7a the Lancaster County M kit multi County Park with Kershaw County okay that concludes the public hearing on 7a anyone signed up for item number 7 B regarding zoning land development regulations section 326 exceptions to height limitations yes sir three speakers first speakers Tom Webb the third let's open up the hearing mr. Webb on 7b I might not mind it too much if you do it for someone if you would do it for everyone I might like to have a fire tower on my property something just above the treetops certainly more than 30 feet I bet you I won't get it this is all being done for special people for special reasons and I don't think it's very appropriate I don't much like it thanks for coming out tonight mr. Webb mr.

» DeBose who's the second speaker for 7b miss Linda Franklin Moore good evening members of council I want to express my concern regarding height exemptions for energy projects or any other project similar to council's concern about rezoning large tracts of land as general development you all stated that you know you can't put the genie back in the bottle and I think we have the same situation here I agree and like with mr.

» Cato's suggestion that we have the variance method I'm not saying no one can have a height exemption but it should be on a case-by-case basis and that way every project can be valued on its merits I would also be concerned about some environmental issues if you're allowing these large height exemptions for smokestacks or something of that nature we've all discussed that there are no regulations for these power plants and/or data centers the state Senate has created a committee an AI committee which dovetails into data centers the power plants and all of that sort of just all mixes together I would hope that council would be proactive and reach out to the legislative delegation and be a part of creating these regulations since it is at our back door now I'm a realist I understand that data c

» enters AI it's coming but I think again as I've stated on numerous occasions they need to have regulations especially environmental regulations if there's some sort of detriment to the community or to the environment what is our recourse right now there is none so again thank you very much Thank You miss Franklin Moore mr. Bose next speakers Jim Curley yes sir mr.

» Curley thank you so from day one I've been told by different council members that our d2 zoning in can include energy power plants clearly and I think if you watch the Planning Commission meeting in September they sort of agreed it sort of goes against the intent of our d2 zoning but would be allowed however if you have to pass an ordinance to extend height restrictions for the energy plant that otherwise they couldn't be in the zones there because their stack heights would be too high if you have to pass an ordinance to make smokestacks have the same exemption exemption as church spires is it really zoned for an energy power plant there's the Planning Commission has recommended that this ordinance do not pass but of course it's up to y'all and I hope you agree with the Planning Commission

» on their recommendation thanks thanks for coming out mr. Curley again mr. DeVos and anyone else signed up on 7b I had that as the final speaker okay we'll close public hearing on 7b do we have anyone signed up on 7c this is public hearing related to amendment of the ZLDR section 514 - 5 systems to include fire hydrants and fire hydrant related requirements and major and minor subdivisions there are no speakers on all right we'll open and close the hearing no one signed up on 7c I'll go ahead and announce 7d this was an ordinance to amend the ZLDR Kershaw County Unified Code of zoning and land development regulations to add section 342 - 19 to amend section 5 2.2 clarifying that subdivisions of land under the exempt subdivision conditions conditions are only exempt based on the standards and

» development regulations related to larger comment plans and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services regulations and matters related thereto also regarding stormwater no one signed up correct mr. DeVos correct all right we will open and close that public hearing and item number e this is a public hearing regarding an ordinance to amend the Kershaw County ZLDR adding section 342 - 19 to add directional signs for hospitals and medical facility regulations and to amend sections 3 4 5 - 1 regarding prohibited signs and prohibited sign characters in section 3 4 11 - 2 regarding off-premise advertising and exempt directional signs for hospitals and medical facilities again no one signed up for item number 7e correct okay we'll open and close that public hearing do we have a motion

» related to the minutes item number 8 a make a motion we approve the minutes is there a second on the minutes okay we have a second on the minutes any discussion on the minutes so you know discussion on the minutes move to a vote all in favor raise your hand it's unanimous and let me check do we have mr. Tucker on the line mr. Tucker how do you vote on the minutes mr. Tucker we're unable to hear you you might have us on mute or something oh yeah that's a yes on the minutes so that passes Thank You miss Hannah mr. chair just as a point of clarification you mentioned unanimous but mr. Tomlinson yeah he's not present all right I think I hear mr. Tomlinson coming in I'll just pause a second all right we have mr. Tomlinson and I understand we have mr.

» Tucker online as well all right I'll vary the order of business back to the original order since we have mr. Tomlinson back in the room we're on to ordinances now this is item number 9 a this is second reading regarding your ordinance to amend the Kershaw County ZLDR section three three point one eight to impose impose performance standards for energy infrastructure projects first readings been noted in the agenda do we have a motion I'll make a motion we have motions are second on 9a second we have a second any discussion on 9a this is part of the packet that was already passed I believe but regardless this was a this brings the energy projects to the same standards manufacturing there's a couple comments about whether it's sufficient again this is a sort of first step certainly as we look

» into other things we could always adjust this but this at least brings them to that same state Thank You mr. Shoemake mr. Tomlinson you have the second I don't have anything any other discussion I have a couple of questions if I may mr. Jones this is on the enforcement of bringing them to the manufactured level is that correct mr.

» DuBose so yeah this ordinance intends to impose the same standards on the energy infrastructure projects that exist for manufacturing yeah those are in the ZLDR really to address noise concerns air quality water quality matters are regulated by des this allows the county to I guess double-check have a seat at the table for matters that are regulated by others actually see the proof of regulation look for things like light and noise impacts that aren't addressed at a state level and we talk about you regulating them okay and that's a good thing and I know we talked to the last meeting I think mr.

» Temple is gonna bring us the recommendations on enforcement can you tell what those are correct well any violation of the ZD ZLDR provision right now is a magistrate level misdemeanor violation but in addition to that the ZLDR provides that the county can institute any other appropriate legal remedy to address violations such as injunctive actions while not specific to energy infrastructure projects any industry or business that is properly permitted or allowed under zoning if it's operated in a manner that constitutes a nuisance can be a nuisance and local governments sometimes do bring those suits so there are various avenues to regulate and enforce the regulations around well you know what worries me is I know for a fact we got one or two plants in Kershaw County over the last 20 years t

» hat have poisoned our land where was there where was the enforcement what good did the regulations do us at that point and uh so you know you know who I'm talking about yeah and a lot of a lot of the um heavy weight of enforcement for industrial properties are really through state agencies that are primarily permitting those projects whether it be an energy plant or an industry so typically the EPA and DES are involved in environmental of regulatory enforcement again there's no performance standards right now for energy infrastructure projects so um folding those projects into the existing manufacturing regulations uh does give the county a mechanism and again a seat at the table for regulation and um as Mr Shoemake referenced what if it turns certainly evolving in an area for continued uh

» improvement and investigation you know it's just like we want company one business we have they changed their name seven times if you change your name seven times you're running from something you know and when we all agree that I know this temper probably wanted to shave the rest of his hair off you inside with some of them but uh I just you know I don't want to do something just to feel good and look good I want to do something that means something because first off I I wish there was something I could say to my colleagues on Council which I do have respect for you folks I just don't don't don't agree with putting this this plan up there in the Bethune area we're listening to the people's pleas and everything and I realize this is a positive but but but I just needed to know how it's goin

» g to be enforced and uh I guess that'll be a that'll be left up to my colleague who sits here after January but I'll be on him oh I mean that okay thank you thank you Mr Jones any other discussion on 9a Mr Shoemake make me feel better about the enforcement on this because you you you really are you're you're a darn good attorney and you know you're a fighter and I want to know how is this going I mean you really are you're a federal prosecutor you did a great job I know your reputation you're a bulldog tell me how the people are going to be protected by this well I can tell you how the people are going to be protected but I don't know that I can make you feel differently the people are protected because this is an enforcement mechanism at barrier to entry so what that means is any plant bui

» lding an energy project has to build within the scope of this standard so you're looking at enforcement as a reactive mechanism but I would argue that you've got to look at both the proactive and reactive aspects of it this ordinance says that if a plant comes it has to meet these certain standards before the shovels hit the ground this plant is not approved we've approved a filo but this plant has its own hurdles beyond us to go through but when the shovels hit the ground it has to meet these certain minimum standards so part of the enforcement is in how it initially constructs and then there is reactive enforcement I understand what you're saying you feel like the reactive enforcement piece of it is one that we don't catch enough well that may be true for anything we can talk about in the

» county but you only have two options to that we can continue to to work and improve or we can throw our hands up and say we just won't try at all and so I think reactively it makes sense because we have teeth it's just a question of getting the manpower to enforce it if it becomes a problem but again you're also I think overlooking the again proactive enforcement capabilities of this as to those places before they're ever built and that we're getting ahead of something because we don't have an energy infrastructure in Curacao County yet and this gets ahead of that that's why I think it makes sense well and I don't know that I've gotten ahead of myself because I you know you've explained it in a different situation there I mean of course this pose has done a great job as well too all right t

» hank you thank you uh Mr Jones and Mr Shoemake any other discussion with those who are present we'll go to Mr uh Tucker remotely any discussion Mr Tucker and how do you vote no discussion I vote yes it's a yes vote remotely from Mr discussion on 9a for all who are present and voting raise your hand if you're in favor on 9a that is unanimous for those who are present voting and it is unanimous 9a passes second reading that brings us to item number 9b this is a third reading regarding amending the zldr section 3 2.6 exceptions to height limitations and listing additional structures we got first and second reading listed any motion on 9b I would make a motion we adopt I have an amendment but I guess we'll wait for the motion to go through okay there is a motion is there a second Mr Thompson ha

» s a second any discussion or is there a motion I have an amended motion or a motion to amend 9b I would move that we amend this zldr text to include and this tracks with Councilman Thomas's suggestion last time to include one foot tall zone ratio for structures associated with energy projects and we add an absolute high cap to the exception for height limitations and then there has been on your table sort of very specific language that adds two new paragraphs to be very specific about the various limitations I would move that we adopt those and these will be provided obviously uh as part of the packet and they've are they're in front of all of you that's my motion okay there we have the pending motion then we have a motion to amend is there a second on the motion to second Mr Thompson has a

» second on the motion to amend we are on the shoemake Amendment at the moment any discussion on the shoemake Amendment I mean from my perspective is the movement I mean this a lot of this was said in the prior meeting so I'm just relying on those comments and it's more restrictive as I understand it correct is that's additional restrictions that's exactly from what the may I miss Jim it was a one-to-one ratio so basically every every foot tall was one foot back this is a two to one ratio yeah yeah so we're increasing the setback based upon the height distance and I like that what I don't like is why are we even doing this you know at this point in time you know um why wasn't this done before we did the fee in lieu before we vote on the plant I just uh and now the planning and zoning departme

» nt voted against this correct or they vote for it well was there a motion the motion on this amendment has never been before them yes sir and I do understand I do understand that I meant the on the ordinance in itself did they did they have a favorable or unfavorable on the base ordinance they came back unfavorable but several of their comments reflected the desire for restrictions some of the planning commission members tried to do that the other planning commission members didn't want to do that so they had a debate there so what we're doing is rectifying some of those concerns by increasing those limitations and restrictions pursuant to what Councilman Thomas and suggested which is effectively doubling the session sure thank you and Mr DeVos when we do an amendment like this it does not

» have to go back to the planning commission correct thank you thank you Mr Jones any other discussion from those who are present I just I just want to explain I'll support the amendment only because I'm afraid that the other original ordinance is going to pass and at least this will give some extra restrictions however I hope there's some reconsideration on parts of some of the other council members to where we go back to the variance part of the original ordinance instead of an across the board scale but I'll support the amendment part of this tonight thank you Mr Kato any other discussion from those who are present before we go to Mr Mr Jones if I may thank you Mr Mr I mean this is I like what Mr Shoemake has done I think it's very very good but of course I'm not going to support it becaus

» e I just saw my hands in that but I do appreciate you making the amendment that makes any sense any other discussion from council members who are present seeing none Mr Tucker any discussion and how do you vote on the Shoemake amendment on seven excuse me 9b a discussion I vote yes okay that's a yes vote on the Shoemake amendment remotely seeing no further discussion from those who are present we're on the Shoemake amendment raise your hand if you're in favor on the Shoemake amendment that is Shoemake Brazel Connell Kato and Tomlinson in favor raise your hand if you're opposed Mr Jones opposed the Shoemake amendment passes that puts us back on the original motion by Shoemake seconded by Tomlinson any further discussion before we move to a vote on the original motion seeing none we'll go rem

» ote to Mr Tucker any discussion or how do you vote and this is on the original motion discussion I'll vote yes that is a yes vote from Mr Tucker remotely on the original motion and for those who are present and voting raise your hand if you're in favor that is Shoemake Connell and Tomlinson in favor if you're opposed on the original motion raise your hand that is Brazel Kato and Jones opposed it passes on third reading as amended all right that brings us to item number 9c this is a third reading regarding an ordinance to authorize and approve a multi-county Parker mkip between Kershaw County and Lancaster County to create and develop a joint Industrial Park initially located within geographical boundaries of Kershaw County we've got first and second reading listed do we have a motion on thi

» rd reading 9c so moved Mr Thompson has a motion is there a second I'll second we have a second any discussion Mr Thompson had the motion um no discussion I think we've we've already went through um okay this on multiple meetings so no discussion all right Mr Shoemake you have the second no discussion any further discussion from those who are present uh quick question um is this going to be for future projects other than the power plant as well is that for Council or for staff I mean uh some well sometimes you answer sometimes Mr Bo's answers whoever would like to answer is fine sure we'll defer to legal staff yeah this uh multi-county park would be available for any economic development project uh going forward I think the partnership with Lancaster in a general sense is good um it no matte

» r where you stand on the rest of what we're talking about tonight thank you thank you Mr Brazel any further discussion from those who are present if not we'll go remote Mr Tucker any discussion or how do you vote we have no amendments it's just an original motion no discussion vote yes that is a yes vote I heard from Mr Tucker remotely on 9c seeing no further discussion on 9c third reading those in favor on 9c third reading raise your hand that is Shoemake Brazel Connell and Tomlinson in favor if you're opposed on 9c raise your hand that is Cato and Jones opposed Nancy passes on third reading next ordinance this is number 9d this is an ordinance to amend uh Kershaw County zldr to add section 342-19 regarding directional signs for hospitals and medical facility regulations regulations and to

» amend section 345-1 regarding prohibited signs and prohibited sign characters and section amendment for section 342 11-2 regarding off-premise advertising to exempt directional signs for hospitals and medical facilities first and second reading are listed in the packet do we have a motion on 90 third reading I'll make a motion we move forward with this ordinance okay we have a motion Mr Kato we have a second Mr Thompson any discussion Mr Kato so we've been through this a couple times and it's pretty self-explanatory I think we've needed enough okay Mr Thompson you have the second I don't have anything any further discussion for those who are present if I may Mr Jones Mr DuBose give us some clarification on it again please the substance of the motion of the ordinance itself yes yep so um rig

» ht now there is a prohibition in the zldr for off-premises advertising um and uh hospitals and medical facilities are caught with that exemption um this uh provides them the ability to have purely directional signs uh they can't have advertising um on them but they can have directional signs which again are um really prohibited in their application to medical facilities or hospitals so this is essentially a carve-out to allow um treatment facilities to put up directional signs to allow people to find them more easily thank you well you know I uh voted against and may surprise y'all I voted against that sign ordinance um because you know some folks some businesses out here that's the only advertisement they have is their signs but I wish we could do more of this this is deregulation I like i

» t I just wish we could do more thank you thank you Mr Jones any other discussion with those who are present if not um we'll go remote to Mr Tucker any discussion and how do you vote no discussion I'll vote yes that's a yes vote on 9D remotely for Mr Tucker seeing no further discussion for those who are present in voting raise your hand if you're in favor on 9D that is unanimous in favor and it passes third reading that's 9D that brings us to item number 9E third reading regarding ordinance to amend the Kershaw County zldr regarding section 5 2.2 clarifying subdivisions of land regarding exempt subdivisions and related conditions for larger common plans do we have a motion on third reading 9E I'll make that motion I also have an amendment when the time Mr Shoemake has the motion there is a s

» econd and I heard we have a motion to amend as well yeah and for clarification this this the prior ordinance and the next ordinance is in that group of ordinances that we've actually already passed third reading on we just had to come back and do it again so I'm making the same motion that was made last meeting which is that we adopt the ordinance with amendments in the same form included in the agenda package as suggested amendments from staff and legal counsel third reading version and I can explain it once I get a second is there a second second we have a second for Mr Thompson on the motion to amend the Shoemake motion to amend and these were Mr Brazil these are some things we talked about basically legal counsel kind of added and adjusted this based on some of the discussions with othe

» r parties and again this is exactly the discussion and then that we made last time no changes from last time we just had to make the motion again since we had to make the make the third reading again okay any further discussion from those who are present on the Shoemake motion to amend yes Mr Schumann give me some basic uh elementary facts how this works well basically it it's it's fairly it's a fairly detailed motion and amendment but effectively it brings us in line with statewide standards when it comes to managing storm water and projects of the like I mean that's the short version of it it's it's more in line with deregulation it's it's some of the things we talked about in the last meeting and uh Councilman Shoemade I appreciate your work with this this uh I work with uh our administr

» ator Mr Templar and Mr DuBose a couple with DES to simplify and try to find a way to to not stumble through some of this because it there are a few nuances but um I like it Councilman Jones if that counts for anything thank you Mr Brown thank you Mr Jones any further discussion for those who are present on the Shoemake motion to amend seeing none we'll hear from Mr Tucker remotely any discussion on the Shoemake motion to amend and how do you vote I heard no discussion in a yes vote remotely on the Shoemake motion to amend for those who are present and voting raise your hand if you're in favor on the motion to amend by Mr Shoemake that is unanimous in favor and now we're back on the original motion as amended do we have any other discussion on 9e all right seeing no further discussion we'll

» hear from Mr Tucker first remotely how do you vote on the original motion to approve as amended third reading final uh Mr Tucker well yes that's a yes vote remotely from Mr Tucker on 9e back on the original motion as amended any other um discussion seeing none we'll move to a vote all in favor raise your hand and it's unanimous and passes that's third reading on 9e as amended thank you gentlemen that moves us to the final ordinance that we have for tonight this is third reading regarding an ordinance to amend the Kershaw County zldr to amend section 5 1 4-5 related to systems including fire hydrants and further clarifying fire hydrant requirement requirements in major and minor subdivisions do we have a motion on 9f Mr chairman I'll let them make a motion Mr Thompson has a motion on approvi

» ng 9f is there a second I'll second Mr Kato has the second Mr Thompson any discussion now I think we've discussed this um enough so ready to vote when you are all right Mr Kato any discussion no discussion all right any discussion from those who are present Mr Jones I saw you lean in a little update if I could under County attorney or either from I'm sorry I couldn't hear your question excuse me if I could I'd like just like a little bit of an update you know each time we do these there's two weeks between each time we meet Mr Bose I think a summary yes um so this fire hydrant ordinance for lack of a better term um is a little bit of a course correction from 2025 um Council imposed uh placement of fire hydrants um to reduce uh insurance ratings for public writ large the 2025 version uh was

» perhaps a bit too expansive called uh projects and properties that it really didn't make a ton of sense to have them undergo that expense so this is right sized and again allows uh for a little more practicality and where fire hydrants are required on the development thank you thank you thank you Mr Jones all right we're on third reading uh Mr Tucker let's hear from you remotely any discussion and how do you vote on 9F okay yeah no discussion and I heard a yes vote remotely from Mr Tucker and I think Mr Brazel had to step out for a moment um we'll go ahead and move to a vote but let's be ready to record his vote to see if he's able to come back in and wishes to do so without objection um for those who are present in voting if you're in favor raise your hand on 9F for those who are present i

» n voting um it is unanimous and I'll just note for the record that Mr Brazel had to step out for a moment we may record his vote at some subsequent point in the meeting but it passes for the record Miss Hannah all right that brings us to item number 10a this is under new business uh fire service storage building placed on the agenda by the administrator and just want to know is there going to be a vote required Mr Templer yes sir okay let's hear from you on um the background on this one please Mr Chairman members of Council you have before you a uh uh a series of bids with the low bid identified for a design build of a 40 by 40 foot uh storage building for our fire services in Westville um this is a much needed facility you see the low bid is JP Smith a local builder at 178 320 staff recomm

» ends going with JP Smith Councilman we have the information before us in a summary from the administrator do we have a motion on approving the motion on 10a Mr Chairman I'd like to make the motion we approve we have a motion is there a second on 10a I'll suck it we have a second for Mr Cato any discussion seeing no discussion from Mr Jones go ahead and the only reason I didn't jump out there is because I know you normally let the man who personally makes the motion go first and second go second I guess what I want to say is that I was just looking at these numbers and I'm so glad we got a low number of 178 000 plus dollars but look at the others 448 267 295 357 is the lowest number that we've ever seen and I think that's going to be is this an apple for an apple on these I mean you know how

» can I guess I'm wondering why those are so high and then yet we got one that's so low yeah I don't know specifically why the uh you know Spartanburg the company out of Spartanburg I don't know why they were so high but I do know that uh this particular build builder that we are asking y'all to vote on has uh built several EMS stations and then has done a really good job so I feel very comfortable with you and I wasn't questioning that I'm just questioning the fact of the difference in their one number and all these others are and these are still beds right yeah you got one two three four that are way out there and then one who's pretty low which is good for good for y'all you know if it's an apple for an apple thank you one thought Councilman Jones too is they're also the only builder locat

» ed in Creswell County so there could be some out of there thank you thank you Mr Jones any further discussion from those who are present Mr Templer exactly where will this building be built in Western oh right by the Westville fires right beside it well I'll say this um I know several of the contractors lots of good contractors and um full confidence in the gentleman that won the bid so yeah and I don't have no it's not I don't have confidence in it it's just the numbers are so low Mr Jones over the uh many years I've served um I think some people just like to have their name in the hat and even if the bids are a bit higher they just like to have their name in the hat so the next time we see them they're not unfamiliar to us and in my experience those bids tend to be much higher as well but

» I have but I have Mr Chairman Rogers I have heard you question the same thing in the past yeah yeah discrepancies um but this is a local known entity to us okay any other discussion um for those who are present in voting this is on 10-a raise your hand if you're in favor and it's unanimous for those from President voting I think we lost Mr Tucker who understands traveling for work he's off okay he's off all right um if he's able to hop back on we'll record his vote on that note um Mr Brazel stepped out for 9F without objection would you want your vote recorded on 9F for the record in the minutes uh yeah vote yes okay without objection do we have any objection from members um it'll be unanimous Ms Hannah for uh the minutes on 9F with no objection Mr Brazel voting in favor on 9F thank you gen

» tlemen item number uh 10B I've heard we may have caused to defer this is are there any emotions on 10B uh yes I would like to defer this to the next meeting um after some conversations last minute with the um rec commission so if that if that's okay suits me okay we have a motion we got a motion to defer we have a second any discussion sounds like we need some more information yeah just some more information on it um we should be ready to to have a vote on this next meeting okay all in favor of deferring to the next council meeting uh which raise your hand and that would be in um what's the exact date on that one I don't have my counter in front of me the fourth Tuesday in October 27th that sounds right 27th Ms Hannah thank you so much all right defer uh item number 10C placed on the agenda

» by the administrator Mr Templer can we get a summary before we seek a motion Mr Templer yes sir what you have before you is the the bid to go with a freestanding EMS station over at the property recently acquired by the county on Battleship Road at the old um health resource uh building over there all right Councilman we've heard the summary and we have before us the uh the bids that came in in response to request do we have a motion on 10C Mr Chairman I make a motion Mr Thompson has a motion is there a second on 10C accepting the the low bid proposed by staff I'd second we have a second for Mr Shoemake Mr Thompson any discussion uh no discussion I think the administrator hit it hit all the points and just for the record this is from uh bond money that we had from uh the defeats bond a long

» time several years back so um and the temporary residential space just means that it's not a temporary building it's just temporary residence for the duration of each shift so yes sir any other uh discussion from those who are present all right we'll move it to a vote this is on 10C all in favor raise your hand it's unanimous for those who are present voting I think we still don't have Mr Tucker is that correct okay it passes unanimous for those who are uh who are voting all right item number 11 I think this is a series of reminders Miss Hannah is is doing us a solid and making sure we're staying on top of our responsibilities um we can address them one by one uh as I understand it no votes required um council members correct me unless if you had someone you planned on putting up tonight bu

» t item number 11a no discussion required this is um essentially is a reminder for me a tax that's a reminder for me and Kershaw County clean Commission uh that's a reminder for three of us and so any discussion needed on these gentlemen is more of a reminder in the packet okay thank you Miss Hannah well we'll try to stay on top of our duties and get you the names I would just like to say from district six if there's anybody that's interested in serving on the clean Commission please reach out to Miss Hannah this is a very important position um and it's come open here recently and I'd love to see some somebody from District six participate thank you for that no votes required on any of the items under 11a B or C just reminders um any further discussion seeing none um I have to make an announ

» cement and then step out of the room for item number 12a a little bit unorthodox but I have a client who is interested in donating funds to Kershaw County for projects that we have before us and since they're a client I have to step out not participate in the vote I'll hand the meeting over to our vice chairman Mr Brazel and this is not a client of Mr Shoemakes but since he works at the same law firm as I do he will also be stepping out and so y'all engage in your discussion conduct whatever motions or votes that you need to and please let us know when item number 12a is concluded well I just want to say thank you to you and Mr Shoemake please stand up on this appreciate it yes sir got awful lonely didn't it it's just us now guys at least you got your towel that was for Mr Laverne under old

» business do we have a motion for a pickle ball court naming and receipt of donation yes Mr Vice Chair I'd like to make a motion um the motion is is going to be all in one however it's basically three three or four different pieces of it and I can name out each one just for clarity um well if you'd like to make your motion and then go into further detail after we yes if I can make my motion and then we'll get a second and then I can go into a little bit more detail uh the motion is um the receipt of a hundred and ninety five thousand dollar donation from Mr Mark Mason Sr Mr Mark Mason Jr and family this donation is to be um earmarked for the Mason family pickleball complex County-wide there will be portion of it at Kershaw West um in Lugolf 105 000 will go to Casey West Councilman if if we c

» an make that in the form of a motion and then we I'll let you go on to describe it in great details so um yeah the receipt of 195 000 donation and the naming rights for the pickleball complex County-wide as Mason family pickleball complex and the naming rights for the middle court of the Casey West complex to be named after Mrs Beth Grammel who is a personal family friend and an avid pickleball player that is my motion Mr by share all right as stated the motion I won't dare repeat at all because I can't remember it I'm gonna ask for to be repeated if uh if we could get a second I'll second all right um so to repeat the donation amount from the Mason family is 195 000 a hundred and five thousand dollars will go to the Casey West Mason family pickleball complex with that hundred and five thou

» sand dollar donation they would like to have the naming rights for the complex as a whole which is County-wide which includes ninety thousand dollars going to the northern entire Kershaw County West no no for the pickleball complex so 90 so pickleball complex will be have at Boyd or Copeland Boyd Boyd Boyd Boyd Young Boyd Young Recreation Complex in the northern part of the county ninety thousand dollars will be going to that a hundred and five will be going to Casey West within that hundred and five thousand they would like the naming rights for the middle court to be after a personal family friend Miss Beth Grammel all right the motion is stated um and and we have a second um is there any discussion um would you like to just talk about um anything in particular other than than the way you

» stated the motion yeah I just would really like to thank the Mason family um they're wonderful stewards of this community and to have a hundred and ninety five thousand dollars to be donated um to the county on on the behalf is we're just blessed to be able to have people like that here in Kershaw County so I'm very thankful can I say something they have done wonders for this Canada they've made a lot of donations Mr DuBose have we ever accepted donations with mandates in them so um I don't know about in very recent history I will say that um accepting a donation in this manner and naming a county asset or resources is explicitly allowed in the rules and order of business um I think it's just a policy question for um Council about um the desirability of of donations in this in this format b

» ut it is permissible okay so basically it's legal we just we're the authorities over the policy part of it thank you Mr Foster yes sir Councilman Kato uh I would just like to to thank the Mason family I can tell you that this was something that many many community um people around Westville has come to me about wanting to redo the tennis courts in Westville into pickleball courts it's a very popular thing even up in Westville I think even they play at the the Baptist Church there at Bethany Westville I'm excited to be able to put this at Boyd Young and I just appreciate the donation given to the family and then thanking of us all right um any more conversation thoughts questions I'd also like to say thank you to the Mason family what a what a large donation um I'm not one for pickleball I d

» on't know that my knees could could take another unathletic sport from for me I'm I'm I'm struggling to get around 18 holes of golf every night again but um I do have a couple of quick questions I think this this seems like a good thing um how many buildings will um honor their name that they're existing and would we change any names to precede anything would it no so this would just be the two the tennis court facility if you will not necessarily a building but just the tennis courts themselves over at KC West the ones that are already there correct um and they really they really need to be replaced anyway don't they right so this is just converting that and then up at uh up in Westville there's a tennis court up there that's dormant and needs it just it's not being used at all right so an

» d they're um since I've been here there has been a a large um demand for pickleball up there at that so it would just be the two the two courts so I know that KC West there's tennis courts and so what are we doing are we converting all of them half of them some of them to pickleball because I know others are going to still want to continue to play tennis so they're they're um I'm going to say it was the six courts so I think you get two pickleball courts out of each one tennis but I I don't know the breakdown to be honest will we still have tennis there um you know I I don't know I wouldn't I would need just a little bit of clarification on that um Brent do you know I I remember correctly because we had this come up a couple years ago I believe and I thought there was supposed to be at leas

» t two tennis courts remaining out of the six I I can't remember correctly but can I tell you Mr Chairman concerned it's something that I just when we talk about it's one thing if we name a building after a person or we recognize person I guess legally when I hear that that we're getting a sizable donation but and we're giving all naming rights I mean that just kind of well and this opens up the opportunity um specifically with the naming of the individual court so we now have the opportunity to have other other people come in I have no problems putting somebody's name on something that folks I guess what I'm concerned in Mr DuBose I want some straight clarification do you understand what I'm saying when I hear the word naming they buy are they buying the naming rights or what I mean it's on

» e thing we're going to put somebody's name in the court after I'm all for that but we tell them we're going to sell the naming rights where did that language come I think we're just allowing it is that right yeah well let's just let's say it differently there so yeah my understanding of the motion is that um the donations being made but the Mason family would like the pickleball area you know there's courts being converted um it's the Mason family pickleball complex as well as a a specific court named in honor of a family friend uh again permissible under the county do we it's a I think of ultimate policy decision decision for Council do we have the policy that could be brought up on our screen you don't have don't believe it can be brought up on the screen but I do have the y'all's rules a

» nd orders of business um and really it's um the contemplates naming of County property and displays of honorariums and really the control is that only Council by Express action can name property or buildings and only Council by Express action and permit the display of honorariums on or in County property or buildings including names plaques or portraits so it falls squarely within y'all's power um what policy the county wants to have on um what buildings are named um what structures are named under what circumstances again I think is wholly a a Council decision um and to your point Mr Jones um nothing would prevent if County Council were interested in it um naming other courts or ball fields after um people donating um yeah I know at one time the county stopped it because it was becoming bu

» t but also they didn't have access to it like this either gentlemen if I may I want to reign this in because I'm supportive of the situation but I don't have any defined details to vote on did you know about this before it came up tonight I did yeah did you know about it the details oh I know he's talked to me I knew nothing about any of this Mr Templer do we have a strong Casey West now yes we do so the two tennis courts in the front will be converted the two in the rear will remain as tennis courts okay so here's what I'd like to do we're going to solve this problem quickly okay we're not going to drag it into another meeting I'm going to ask for a five-minute recess for Mr DuBose to frame this properly for us to vote on is that fair Mr DuBose to frame an ordinance is that what you're say

» ing or to frame a motion or what are we framing we're framing what we're doing because what what it is is extraordinarily loose and and all it's been is verbal and I want to make sure that this is almost two hundred thousand dollars that the Mason family is donating I want to make sure they get what they're at I want to protect them and I want to have a clear agreement between the Mason family and Kershaw County because what what I can't do is acting as the chairman is not let this pass properly it needs to be done it needs to be done it needs to be done it needs to be done it needs to pass properly so what I would like to do if if if we may we're going to take a recess I'm happy for you and Mr DuBose and and myself to frame something and pass it out to all voting members and then we can ta

» ke the vote take a vote on the mo I'm I'm okay with that that yeah I don't I don't I don't think that it's I don't think that it's something that needs to be drug out I think we can simply would arrange it and listen I am very appreciative of the Masons they're outstanding people put as our community but I just want to make sure that we've got the framing or the wording right like I said naming rights is just something that bothered me all right so I'm gonna I'm gonna put us in a five minute recess can I get a shot clock on that all right we're in recess in all of them I'm going to extend it for 10 more minutes so that we can properly achieve the the goal of creating a motion that will be in the minutes thank you all right we're resuming our session thanks for bearing with us as we made a v

» ery important point of clarification um Councilman Thomason would you like to restate the motion as we have it now written uh yes Mr Vice Chair um I make a motion and would like to move that Kershaw County accept a donation of 195 000 from the Mason family to convert four tennis courts at KC West to pickleball courts with two tennis courts remaining after the conversion secondly the KC West and Boyd Young pickleball courts will be named at will be named the Mason family pickleball complex in recognition of the family's donation 105 000 of the 195 000 will of the funds will get be allocated to KC West 90 000 will be allocated to Boyd Young Park to convert an unused tennis court to pickleball courts furthermore in recognition of the donation the middle court at KC West will be named the Beth

» Grammel Court Mr Vice Chair that is my motion I'll second it stated in a motion we have a motion and we have a second from Councilman Kato um thank you for taking the time to clarify this we now have it written everyone has a copy that is that is voting on this uh very specific motion and as a point of clarification we will be converting four tennis courts to pickleball courts and um there will be two tennis courts remaining at KC West and I'm very thankful for the donation from the Mason family we took a short recess to make sure that we did this right for the Mason family we appreciate their contribution to KC so to all of the Mason family thank you thank you thank you we appreciate it very much um and if we can just memorialize this in the minutes and so if we can get clean copies please

» Ms Hannah uh for the next meeting to to memorialize it in the minutes so that we have it all correct um no this is this is just this is one simple vote so all those in favor please wait a minute Councilman yes sir you haven't offered me the opportunity to say anything no I'm sorry sir go ahead okay all right I just want to say to my colleagues one thank you very much for taking time let's just get this clarified and I too am very appreciative of what the family has done the donation that they have made and some donations they've made in the past and they they've been man they've been givers to our community and it hadn't gone unnoticed but we have an obligation up here that we want to make sure we get things right for future you know hopefully more like this and I want to thank you and than

» k each one of y'all that's sitting up here for taking that time to let's let's reword it let's let's get it fixed and do it the right way and thank you to the Mason family from Kimmy Jones as well thank you thank you um so we've clearly defined the allocation and what it's meant to do um giving it some some boundaries and guard rails with that being done how does how do we vote all those voting in favor show of hands and it's unanimous unanimous with all of us voting in present thank you none opposed but you know what Mr browser can I say something you know what bothers me about this Council sometimes if you ask questions people get mad yeah I'm going to uh thank you for that point I'm going to I'm going to bring everyone uh back in and uh I'll let Chairman Ben Connell resume the meeting at

» item 13. all righty glad to be back with you item number 13 Council member briefings Mr Kato you won't be surprised any report I have just a short one uh first of all I wore my pink tonight it's October and that was just in recognition of breast cancer awareness and of course cancer awareness in general uh which has affected my family in many ways to include breast cancer um and it's just near and dear to my heart and I my heart goes out to anybody that has have to has to suffer this horrible disease also without calling all the names uh you know who you are but there's been many a family's grieving in our communities here in the last month or so and my heart is goes out to you and there's several that uh that is close to me right now that is is battling cancer and um it's very very sick an

» d and they know who they are and my heart and my prayers go out to them as they go through this this season of life that's all I have tonight thank you Mr Kato Mr Thompson any report uh no report thank you Mr Thompson Mr Jones any report tonight a couple of comments or questions maybe um we've got how many more meetings till December well including December 3.

» after tonight we got three meetings left correct yes sir that was what my arithmetic showed okay listen there will be there will be some therapy sessions made for y'all because I know somebody's gonna need it when I'm gone and uh because I know you're gonna miss me so bad I had mine during the first year yeah anyway thank you down to three right yeah right thank you don't change towards the end okay thank you Mr Jones for your report um Mr uh Shoemake yeah um nothing major to report um I know a lot of people are doing fall break I think this week and some of the schools did it last week so people get to have their kids home um also want to um note I know there's some comments about the animal shelter and I just thought it'd be worth mentioning that I've had some really productive conversati

» ons with the board at the animal shelter and I think you know I've I've had some really positive feedback from them and uh there was some comments made about us supporting and I think I'm not sure if that person's there but this county gives several hundreds of thousands of dollars to the animals and so I think it's important to know and again we I personally had very productive conversations and I know several council members have as well so happy to talk to the board at the animal shelter about any issues but it is something I did want to point out and you're correct we we pay for what we get thank you Mr Shoemake oh thank you Mr Shoemake um Mr Brazel any report tonight yeah um a couple of things um October is one of my favorite months um Councilman Cato thanks for the reminder of breast

» cancer my mother's a survivor survivor of breast cancer so thank you for remembering those that um that had dealt with treatment and been through that process it's it's not fun I'd also like to wish my oldest son Merritt Brazel a happy 23rd birthday tomorrow um I know you're sitting there thinking boy he's just too young to have a 23 year old maybe you're not yeah but now all jokes aside I'm wanted to wish him a happy birthday he's uh I'm time flies when you're having fun and this Saturday I've got a grandmother that's turning 99 years old so we're in the count down to 100 and uh it's very exciting for for me and my family so I'd like to recognize them tonight and to the McKenzie um my heart goes out to Mary Ann she's been a dear friend for a long time thank you thank you Mr Brazel um I jus

» t want to tell my daughters Annabelle and Alexis I'm cheering you on they're they're uh in the fifth set of a volleyball throw down the Twin Towers of Connell power are at the net hopefully representing themselves and the family well um but that's part of the sacrifice we make in serving on Councils we miss some family stuff from time to time so I just want to tell my daughters I love them and I hope you pull out that fifth set um administrators briefing do we have anything Mr Templer just uh be on the lookout uh for y'all and the public as well for the ribbon cutting announcement for Woodward that will be within the next day or so we're just finalizing some scheduling availability for the Health Services District and some of the key players that help make that facility and all of our rep p

» rojects possible so just want to make sure they're involved in an initiative so thank you Mr Templer I appreciate that update Mr DuBose anything non-privileged yes sir no legal briefing no executive sessions required for tonight seek a motion to adjourn make a motion we adjourn we have emotions they're saying we have a second any discussion seeing none all in favor of adjournment raise your hand and we are adjourned