Last Tuesday, Council met for a Business Meeting at 6:30 PM at City Hall.  Here’s a quick recap:

Citizen Comments: 1 citizen spoke about leaf and yard debris pickup. 1 spoke on One Simpsonville/Labor Day Festival. The owner of ACE Environmental spoke on the new sanitation services.

The following items were brought to Council from the Planning Commission: 

1st Reading of AXZ-2016-04, Portion of Tax Map #0566.01-01-002.07 (next to 700 Fairview Road). Mr. Knudsen reported on behalf of the Planning Commission, who reviewed the request to rezone this property to the B-G, Business – General District at their September 6, 2016, meeting. By a vote of 6-0, the Planning Commission recommends approval of the requested zoning for Ordinance AXZ-2016-04. Mr. Graham made a motion to pass 1^st Reading. It was seconded by Mr. Cummings. It passed unanimously.

1st Reading of AXZ-2016-05, Portion of Tax Map #0574.03-01-022.00 (along Barker Road). Mr. Knudsen presented the report on Ivy Walk Subdivision’s request: The Simpsonville Planning Commission reviewed the request to rezone this property to the R-Mid, Residential – Medium Density District at their September 6, 2016, meeting. By a vote of 6-0, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the requested zoning for Ordinance AXZ-2016-05. Mr. Gooch made a motion to pass on 1^st reading. Ms. Braswell seconded. Passed unanimously.

1st Reading of AXZ-2016-06, Portion of Tax Map #0574.03-01-011.01 (824 Neely Ferry Road). Mr. Knudsen reported that the Planning Commission reviewed the request to rezone this property to the ID, Innovative Development District at their September 6, 2016, meeting. By a vote of 5-0, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the requested zoning for Ordinance AXZ-2016-06. Ms. Braswell motioned to approve on 1^st reading with Mr. Graham seconding the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The following items were brought to Council from the Committee of the Whole:

2nd Reading of Ordinance #2016-06, Adoption of 2015 Edition Building Codes. Mr. Graham made a motion to pass on 2^nd reading. Mr. Cummings seconded. As previously explained, these changes are required, so there was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously.

2nd Reading of Ordinance #2016-07, Amendments to the Solid Waste Management Ordinance. The purpose of these revisions is to remove from the ordinance Public Works Policy that does not need to be included in the ordinance.  As an operational procedure of the Department, it should exist separately from the ordinance.  This will make it easier to revise as needed.  Further, it puts the operational policy back in the hands of the Department Head, where it belongs.  No other Department’s policy is included in ordinance or set by Council. I made the motion to pass on 2^nd reading. Mr. Cummings seconded that motion. Motion passed on 2^nd reading, with Mr. Graham opposed.

1st Reading of Ordinance #2016-08, Amendment to Section 6-81, Definition for Animal Control Officer. Our current ordinance puts responsibility for Animal Control in the Public Works Department. However, our Animal Control Officer is actually a Class 3 Police Officer in the Police Department. This change simply makes our ordinance match our practice. Other discussion regarding other components of our Animal Ordinance are ongoing and will be picked up at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. Mr. Gooch made the motion to pass on 1^st reading. I seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2^nd reading will be at the October Business Meeting.

1st Reading of Ordinance #2016-09, General Bond Ordinance (Sewer System Revenue Bond) Until now, the City has approached the sewer rehabilitation project as pay-as-we go. However, it’s become clear that this is not working. Since July, staff has been analyzing the ability of the City to issue a sewer revenue bond to complete the outstanding rehabilitation needed for the City’s sewer system. To date we are considering a bond that will provide for sewer rehabilitation not exceeding $11 million. This is the maximum project size that could reasonably be supported by the current revenue stream. We have also used a 20-year amortization. This is the lowest amortization term that is feasible. Staff has determined that the sewer fund is in a position to support a revenue bond that carries these terms. Mr. Cummings made a motion to pass on 1^st reading. I seconded that motion. The motion passed unanimously.

1st Reading of Ordinance #2016-10, 2016 Series Ordinance (Sewer System Revenue Bond) See explanation above. Mr. Cummings motioned to approve in 1^st reading. Mr. Gooch seconded that motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The following item was brought to Council by the City Administrator:

Participation in the GLDTC Municipal Match Resurfacing Program

The Greenville Legislative Delegation Transportation Committee (GLDTC) has asked that the City make known its intent to participate in their Municipal Match Resurfacing Program (MMRP) during the summer/fall of 2017. The City has traditionally utilized this program to resurface roads within the City. In the past the GLDTC has typically matched City funds on a “dollar-for-dollar” basis; however, last year the GLDTC approved a reduced total for the County and the municipalities for resurfacing projects. The match approved by the GLDTC for Simpsonville was $107,602.06 for 2016.

In the past, the City has typically participated in this program in the amount of $150,000. In 2016 we contributed $150,000 to resurfacing projects even though it wasn’t fully matched “dollar-for-dollar” by the GLDTC. (Note: We originally indicated to the GLDTC last year that it was our intent to contribute $200,000 toward resurfacing projects if it would be matched dollar-for-dollar.)

The resurfacing needs throughout the City are great. The Public Works maintains a priority list of roads in need of resurfacing and, at present, there are 38 roads on this list (this list entails roads with a pavement condition rating of less than 80).

The amount of funding that the GLDTC will make available for 2017 is not yet known. In the event that it is more than last year, it would probably be wise for the City to take advantage. It is the recommendation of staff that the City apply for $200,000 in “dollar-for-dollar” matching funds. Participation in this program during the summer/fall of 2017 will affect the City’s budget for FY 2017-2018.

The GLDTC has asked for the City’s response in advance of their meeting on September 22, 2016.

Council authorized the City Administrator to engage the GLDTC for the purpose of participating in the Municipal Match Resurfacing Program with the intent to apply for $200,000 in “dollar-for-dollar” matching funds.

Council then went into executive session for discussion of negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements with Habitat for Humanity and proposed sale or purchase of property at Woodside Park. No votes were taken. No action was taken, and…

The meeting was adjourned.

Next meeting: Next Tuesday, September 27^th at 6:30 PM, City Hall.

See you there!