Jay Lockaby

The agenda for the meeting included several key action items and reports. Discussions involved considering the waiving of fees and liability requirements for two special events: the Keese Barn Festival and the Unity in the Community event. The Council was set to consider a request from the Pendleton Garden Club regarding proposed beautification improvements to the Depot Building courtyard. Key resolutions included adopting the Town of Pendleton Social Media, Community Calendar, and Digital Sign Policy, and authorizing mediation concerning an appeal from the Planning Commission related to The Villages at Town Creek development. Furthermore, the Council was to consider a resolution accepting the Planning Commission's recommendation to adopt the Village Hills Design Overlay District Guidelines and conduct a first reading of an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget to recognize additional tax revenue and fund the CMAR Capital Project Fund (9114). An Executive Session was scheduled to discuss an appointment to the Planning Commission. Reports included updates from the Police Department (covering February activity) and the Planning Department (covering January/February activities, including building permits and code enforcement).

The meeting commenced with the consideration of a resolution to amend a previously adopted resolution concerning the reallocation of funds previously committed for fireworks and the composition of an ad hoc downtown seasonal decorations committee. This resolution was approved. The meeting then moved to departmental budget presentations, starting with an overview of ongoing capital projects, including the wastewater treatment plant project scheduled for completion by December 31, 2026, and the EPA STAG grant project involving several partners. Updates were provided on the Central Road Pump Station generator procurement and various street and sewer projects. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the overall budget development process, including projections for tax revenues, hospitality taxes, debt service, and how capital project decisions impact the overall budget structure. Subsequently, the Police Department presented their budget overview, including their role in law enforcement, administrative duties, community relations goals, and staffing levels, noting a current staffing level of nine sworn officers.

The proceedings included an acknowledgment of the Pendleton Foundation for Black History and Culture regarding their Keith Barn legacy project, which involves refurbishing a physical structure connected to the town's black history and promoting education through community events. A significant portion of the meeting involved a public hearing on curbside recycling and bulk container services due to increasing operational costs and service challenges, emphasizing that no decisions would be made that night. The Public Works Director detailed the financial strain on the sanitation budget, noting operational costs are structurally unsound under current fee structures, especially with growth impacting service demands. Recommendations included focusing on core municipal services (roll carts, leaf, brush, and limited bulk pickup) while transitioning dumpster and optional cardboard services to private providers.

The meeting agenda included a public hearing regarding citizen input on curbside recycling and bulk container services, including potential modifications or discontinuation of services. Key action items involved considering a resolution to certify an abandoned textile mill site at 244 Cherry Street to qualify for state income tax credits; considering a resolution to direct staff to explore a recreation partnership with the YMCA of Anderson County; considering a resolution requesting the SCDOT conduct a traffic study for an all-way stop at Broad Street and South Mechanic Street; consideration of waiving special event fees for Bishop Branch Baptist Church; and consideration of awarding the bid for the Town's branding and cultural identification project to Destination by Design. Department reports included updates from the Police Department and Planning Department, and a strategic plan update was also provided.

The Town Council convened for a meeting where the primary agenda item was a discussion with members of the Strategic Direction Plan. No formal decisions were made during this session.