050420 Virtual Study Session Mins Adopted North ''"s
Aug usta*
South Carolina's Riuerfront
MINUTES OF MAY 4,2020
Robert A. Pettit, Mayor
J. Robert Brooks, Councilmember
Pat C. Carpenter, Councilmember
Fletcher L. Dicker; Councilmember
David W. McGhee, Councilmember
Eric K Pmsnell, Councilmember
Kevin W Toole, Councilmember
ORDER OFBUSINESS
CVIRTUAL STUDY SESSION
The virtual study session for the City Council meeting of the City of North Augusta of May 4,
2020, having been duly publicized, was called to order by Mayor Pettit at 6:00 p.m. using
GoToMeeting online conferencing software and streamed online for public viewing at the City
Facebook page: "City of North Augusta—Public Information" and City YouTube page: "City of
North Augusta Public Information" and adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
Per Section 30-4-80(e) notice of the meetings was sent out by email to the current maintained
"Agenda Mailout" list consisting of news media outlets and individuals or companies requesting
notification. Notice of the meetings was also posted on the outside doors of the Municipal Center,
the main bulletin board of the Municipal Center located on the first floor, and the City of North
Augusta website.
Members present were Mayor Pettit, Councilmembers Brooks, Carpenter, Dickert, McGhee,
Presnell,and Toole.
Also in attendance were Rachelle Moody, Interim City Administrator; Kelly F. Zier, City
Attorney; Cammie T. Hayes, Director of Finance and General Services; Thomas C. Zeaser,
Director of Engineering and Public Works; Richard Meyer, Director of Parks, Recreation and
Tourism; Ricky Jones, Manager of Information Technology and Sharon Lamar, City Clerk. The
members of the public and the media were provided access to the meeting via live-streaming video.
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ITEM 1 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: Items on the May 4,2020 Council
Aaenda-Council Discussion
Minutes of Study Session of May 4,2020
Interim City Administrator,Rachelle Moody,led Council's discussion of the May 4,2020 meeting
agenda. Tom Zeaser, Director of Engineering and Public Works, answered questions about Item
6,the request to abandon a right of way in Hammond's Ferry in section A4. After much discussion,
Mayor Pettit suggested Council should table consideration of the ordinance at tonight's Council
Meeting to allow Kelly Zier, City Attorney,to review the property's original purchase agreement.
Ms. Moody reminded Council of the parking agreement requested by Riverside HF, LLC
previously discussed at the March 16,2020 meeting. At that meeting,Council suggested revisions
to the agreement. Item Ts ordinance to authorize entering into a lease agreement includes the
revisions. Ms. Moody and Mr. Zewer also answered general questions of Council concerning
agenda Item 8 to grant easement to Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. to provide service to
new and existing development in Hammond's Ferry.
ITEM 2. CITY OPERATIONS: Council Discussion
Rachelle Moody, Interim City Administrator, shared an update of current city operations. In the
midst of the COVID-19 situation, the City has continued to serve citizens through public safety
and services.
• The only department that has not been able to operate in their normal capacity is Parks,
Recreation, and Tourism. The PRT staff has returned to work this week to plan for re-
opening as soon as Governor McMaster lifts his Executive Order. The staff will partner
with Property Maintenance to begin cutting the grounds at the North Augusta Country Club
property.
C • The Municipal Center re-opened today to the public and served 80 citizens for utility
payments. The Finance department has done a great job to prepare for sanitization and
social distancing. Staff will continue to encourage citizens to use electronic options and
the drop-box for payments and requests for utility services as much as possible.
• Planning and Development has been very successful with virtual review meetings and have
continued to assist customers in a timely manner. The Planning Commission met virtually
in April with plans to meet virtually in May, as well.
• Human Resources is operating normally. While working remotely, Kayla Ferguson,
Human Resources Specialist, developed an online application option and `on-boarded"
five new employees. The HR department purchased DocuSign®to facilitate the efficiency
of thew tasks.
• Municipal Court will begin to hold court again on Monday,May 18. The staff returned to
the building this week to prepare letters to issue newly scheduled court dates and to make
arrangements in their physical spaces for social distancing. Criminal Investigations
Division continues to work by appointment.
• Public Services and Public Safety have continued to work throughout the pandemic with
staggered schedules and extra PPE in place. --
CMayor Pettit thanked Ms. Moody and staff for continuing to conduct the City's business
professionally and mindfully during such stressful times.
Minutes of Study Session of May 4,2020
Councilmember Dickert asked for a financial update. Cammie Hayes, Director of Finance and
General Services,reported as of April 30, 2020 tax collections are at 76% of budget and right on
C track for the General Fund. Hospitably Tax collection is down 40/. from 2019. Utility billing
collections for Cycle 1 show two times more delinquent accounts than 2019. Cycle 2 shows 3.5
times more delinquent accounts as 2019. Ms. Hayes commented that discussions are under way
as to how payments would be managed after the "no disconnect" order is lifted by the Governor.
She also noted that citizens who are struggling with making their payments on time may qualify
for a payment plan. There are several options available for making payments. The information
has been shared on the City's website and social media.
Councilmember Presnell asked when Council could resume in-person meetings. Mayor Pettit
suggested Council would probably have at least one more virtual meeting.
Councilmember Carpenter asked Tom Zeaser,Director of Engineering and Public Works,to please
check on a pothole at the intersection of Bunting Drive and Martintown Road.
AP94OVED THIS /8 DAY OF Respectfully submitted,
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Sharon
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Sharon Lamar
Robert A.Pettit,Mayor City Clerk
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