The URL can be used to link to this page

072020 Virtual Council Mtg Mins Adopted C North - AuAugusta g .. South Carolina's Riuerfront MINUTES OF JULY 20,2020 Robert A. Pettit, Mayor J Robert Brooks, Councilmember Pat C. Carpenter, Councilmember Fletcher L. Dickert, Councilmember David W McGhee, Councilmember Eric K Presnell, Councilmember Kevin W. Toole, Councilmember O ORDER OF BUSINESS VIRTUAL REGULAR MEETING The virtual regular meeting of the City Council of the City of North Augusta of July 20, 2020 having been duly publicized was called to order by Mayor Pettit at 7:06 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 8:16 p.m. Per Section 30-4-80, (e) notice of the meeting 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 meeting 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. Mayor Pettit rendered the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present were Mayor Pettit, Councilmembers Brooks, Carpenter, Dickert, McGhee, Presnell, and Toole. Also in attendance were Rachelle Moody,Interim City Administrator;Cammie Hayes,Director of CFinance and General Services; John C. Thomas, Director of Public Safety; Lillian E. "Libby" 1 C Hodges, Director of Planning and Development; Ricky Jones, Manager of Information Technology; and Sharon Lamar, City Clerk. Members of the public and the media were provided access to the meeting via live-streaming video. The minutes of the Public Hearing, Regular City Council Meeting and Study Session of July 6, 2020 were approved by general consent. ITEM 5. PERSONNEL: Employee of the Ouarter—April. May and June 2020—Fidel Rubio Mayor Pettit recognized the employee of the quarter for April,May,June 2020,Fidel Rubio,Maintenance Worker 11,with the Department of Public Safety. Fidel started his employment with the City of North Augusta on November 21,2012. Our maintenance employees have always played a significant role in the day to day operations of the City of North Augusta but their value has only increased as we have encountered this pandemic. Fidel has always been an exemplary employee for Public Safety,but has taken the challenges presented by COV ID-19 head on.He took the initiative to implement extra cleaning and sanitizing measures before having been required to do so by our current environment.As always,Fidel has taken great pride in his work and has strived to make a difference in the areas that he can to promote high morale in Public Safety. Fidel cleans and sanitizes the court room after each session,sanitizes every door handle at Public Safety headquarters, Records,and the Criminal Investigations Division on a regular basis, and performs his regularjob functions to the exceptional standard that he always has. Fidel is part of the Public Safety family and is loved by all of the employees. He always imparts a warn greeting and kind word to everyone he encounters. Fidel is a tremendous asset to the Public Safety O Department and the City of North Augusta workforce. Mr. Rubio will be presented with a plaque and monetary prize of$50. ITEM 6. PERSONNEL: Retirement—Sergeant Linda Oliphant—Recognition of Service to the City of North Augusta Mayor Pettit recognized the retirement of Sergeant Linda H. Oliphant who served the City of North Augusta from May 31, 1980 until May 29, 2020. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's degree, she came to North Augusta to begin her service to the community in May 31, 1980. She was then promoted to Sergeant in May of 1987. Linda has been a Sergeant in Training and Crime Prevention assigned to Headquarters for the past 33 years. This is in recognition of 40 yews of dedicated service to the Citizens of North Augusta and to the Men and Women of the North Augusta Public Safety. She served as an example in the Public Safety Profession for others to follow. She will be missed by all that she has influenced during her long and outstanding career. ITEM 7. FINANCE: Ordinance No.2020-17—Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Containing Estimates of Proposed Revenues and Expenditures by the City of North Augusta, South_Carolina, for the Budget Year Beginning January 1. 2020, and Declaring that Same Shall Constitute the Amended Budget of the City of North Augusta for Such Budget Year; Ordinance—Final Reading On the motion of Councilmember Carpenter, second of Councilmember Presnell, Council agreed Oto consider an ordinance to amend the budget for fiscal year 202 containing estimates of proposed 2 revenues and expenditures by the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, for the budget year beginning January 1, 2020,and declaring that same shall constitute the amended budget of the City of North Augusta for such budget year. With no comments of citizens or Council, the ordinance was approved unanimously on final reading. Please see the text of the proposed ordinance is below: ORDINANCE NO.2020-17 AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020 CONTAINING ESTIMATES OF PROPOSED REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES BY THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA SOUTH CAROLINA FOR THE BUDGET YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1.2020, AND DECLARING THAT SAME SHALL CONSTTFUTE THE AMENDED BUDGET OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA FOR SUCH BUDGET YEAR WHEREAS,in accordance with the Laws of South Carolina,and the Ordinance of the City of North Augusta, the City Administrator prepared and submitted to the City Council a Balanced Budget for the budget year beginning on January 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020 which was adopted December 2,2019;and WHEREAS,the City has determined that amendments to the General Fund and Riverfiont Central Core Funds are necessary at this time due to the current outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease("COVID-19"); and OWHEREAS,a public hearing has been held on said budget amendment,as required by law. j NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, IN MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED AND BY THE AUTHORITY THEREOF,THAT: I Section I. The City Council hereby amends the 2020 Fiscal Year Budget, designated as Ordinance No. 2019-14, for the conduct of the business of the municipal government of North Augusta for the budget year,January 1, 2020, to December 31,2020 as follows: Decrease General Fund Revenue $740,135 Decrease General Fund Expenditures $740,135 Decrease Riverfront/Central Core Expenditures $462,150 i Section 11. That in all other respects, except as hereby and heretofore amended, the Budget for the City of North Augusta for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020, and ending December 31,2020,shall remain in full force and effect. Section III. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are,to the extent of such conflict,hereby repealed. Secfion IV. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption on second Oand final reading. 3 I © DONE,RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA,ON THIS DAY OF JULY,2020. ITEM 8. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT: Resolution No. 2020-26 —Authorizine the City Administrator to Provide a Revised Letter of Support for the Plannine and Development Department's Transportation Alternative Application to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for Expansion of the Knobcone Avenue Sidewalk On the motion of Mayor Pettit, second of Coancilmember Brooks, Council agreed to remove from the table a resolution to authorize the City Administrator to provide a revised letter of support for the Planning and Development's Transportation Alternative Application to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for expansion of the Knobcone Avenue sidewalk. The item was removed for the table with a 7-0 unanimous vote. On the motion of Councilmember Dickert, second of Councilmember Brooks, Council agreed to consider a resolution to authorize the City Administrator to provide a letter of support for the Transportation Alternative Application for the expansion of the Knobcone Avenue sidewalk. There were no comments from citizens or Council. The resolution was approved with a unanimous vote of 7-0. Please see the text of the proposed resolution below: O RESOLUTION NO. 2020-26 AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO PROVIDE A REVISED LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT'S TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM APPLICATION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR EXPANSION OF THE KNOBCONE AVENUE SIDEWALK WHEREAS,the City of North Augusta has previously adopted Resolution 2019-17 expressing support for and authorizing the City Administrator to provide a letter of support for the project; and WHEREAS,the Transportation Alternative Program(TAP)program identified additional funds that have been requested to be used towards this project; and WHEREAS, during an approval review,the South Carolina Department of Transportation(SCOOT)requested a revision in the cost estimate for the project; and WHEREAS, after a request by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT),the City Engineer has provided a revised cost estimate of$350,000 for the improvements; and WHEREAS,the Federal government will continue to reimburse the City for up to eighty percent of eligible project costs and City of North Augusta would be responsible for a local match of twenty percent or more; and WHEREAS, the SCDOT has requested the City of North Augusta revise letters expressing support for the application and commitment to provision of matching funds. O NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council for the City of North Augusta, in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof,that the City 4 O Administrator is hereby authorized to take such steps as necessary to write a revised letter of support to the SCDOT expressing the continued commitment of the City of North Augusta to the Knobcone Avenue sidewalk project. DONE, RATIFIED, AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS DAY OF JUNE, 2020. ITEM 9. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT: Resolution No. 2020-27—Authorizing the City Administrator to Provide a Letter of Support for the Planning and Development Department's Transportation Alternative Application to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for Extension of the Greeneway to Mayfield Drive On the motion of Mayor Brooks, second of Councilmember Presnell, Council agreed to remove from the table a resolution to authorize the City Administrator to provide a letter of support for the Planning and Development's Transportation Alternative Application to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for extension of the Greeneway to Mayfield Drive. The item was removed for the table with a 7-0 unanimous vote. On the motion of Councilmember Presnell, second of Councilmember Toole, Council agreed to consider a resolution to authorize the City Administrator to provide a letter of support for the Transportation Alternative Application for the extension of the Greeneway to Mayfield Drive. Councilmembers Dickert and Brooks asked clarification questions. There were no comments from Ocitizens. The resolution was approved with a unanimous vote of 7-0. Please see the text of the proposed resolution below: RESOLUTION NO. 2020-27 AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO PROVIDE A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT'S TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM APPLICATION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR EXTENSION OF THE GREENEWAY TO MAYFIELD DRIVE WHEREAS,the City of North Augusta has applied to the South Carolina Department of Transportation to fund the extension of the Greeneway from its terminus at Woodstone Subdivision to Mayfield Drive; and WHEREAS, a portion of this project is identified on the City of North Augusta Greeneway, Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan; and WHEREAS,the City Engineer has provided a cost estimate of$97,315.20 for the improvements; and WHEREAS,the Federal government will reimburse the City for upto eighty percent of eligible project costs and City of North Augusta would be responsible for a local match of twenty percent or more; and WHEREAS,the SCDOT has requested the City of North Augusta provide letters Cexpressing support for the application and commitment to provision of matching funds. 5 O NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council for the City of North Augusta, in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof,that the City Administrator is hereby authorized to take such steps m necessary to write a letter of support and commitment for funding match as required for this project. DONE, RATIFIED, AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA,ON THIS DAY OF JUNE, 2020. ITEM 10. PERSONNEL: Resolution No.2020-29—A Resolution Authorizing Additional Paid Time Off for City of North Augusta Employees Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Mayor Pettit made a motion to table the resolution authorizing additional paid time off for the City of North Augusta employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Presnell. Council voted unanimously to table the resolution with no debate. The copy of the text of the tabled resolution is below: RESOLUTION NO. 2020-29 � A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL PAID TIME OFF FOR CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA EMPLOYEES DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC I WHEREAS, City of North Augusta employees have successfully maintained O continuity of operations and continued to provide the majority of City services to residents (unless prohibited by the governor)throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, employees have been required to substantially change how they operate, including reporting times, schedule changes, location changes and usage of new forms of technology and personal protective equipment; and WHEREAS, exempt employees have worked additional hours above and beyond their traditional schedules,oftentimes during the evening and weekends,to plan,prepare and/or execute their normal duties; and WHEREAS, employees are prepared to be flexible in operations and service provision to residents through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic,likely through the end of 2020; and WHEREAS,the City is not in the financial position to offer additional pay for working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,despite the majority of City employees being classified as "essential" and required to provide unwavering service to North Augusta residents and visitors via public safety, infrastructure and utility services. NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Augusta, South Carolina,in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof, that O 6 O 1. In lieu of additional financial compensation for work performance during the COVID- 19 pandemic, City of North Augusta employees shall receive additional benefits via paid time off in the form of Personal Days, based on the classification of the position (as related to the job functions), listed below: Class Description #of #of additional positions Personal affected Days 1 Essential service personnel that must report 6 115 in-person as regularly scheduled(regular operational- full work week;remote work not an option) 2 Essential service personnel that must report 6 87 in-person but may stagger/modify their schedules (regular operational- full work week 3 Essential service personnel that are able to 4 29 perform work remotely (regular operational - full work week) 4 Non-essential service personnel that are not 1 10 required to report in-person and cannot perform duties remotely(on-call or partial operational—potentially less than full work week) 2. All additional Personal Days accrued by employees under this resolution may be carred into the year 2021 for use if not used during calendar year 2020, expiring on December 31, 2021. Unused Personal Days are not paid out upon separation of employment. 3. To be eligible for the additional Personal Days, employees must be active full-time employees as of May 4, 2020. 4. Usage of Personal Days by employees shall follow all standard time off request procedures currently established by Department Directors. DONE, RATIFIED, AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS DAY OF JULY, 2020. ITEM 11. FINANCE: Resolution No. 2020-30—A Resolution Authorizing Funding Allocation Recommendations of the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee for the Disbursement of Revenues from the Accommodation Tax Year 2018-2019 On the motion of Councilmember Brooks, second of Councilmember Carpenter, Council agreed to consider a resolution to authorize funding allocation recommendations of the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee for the disbursement of revenues from the Oaccommodation tax year 2018-2019. At Councilmember Dickert's request, Mayor Pettit read C aloud the committee's funding recommendation. Councilmember Brooks confirmed the funds recommended for Peach Jam are for the 2021 tournament. With no comments from citizens,the resolution was unanimously approved with a 7-0 vote of Council. j The text of the proposed resolution is below: i RESOLUTION NO. 2020-30 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FUNDING ALLOCATION RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ACCOMMODATIONS TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF REVENUES FROM THE ACCOMMODATIONS TAX YEAR 2018-2019 i WHEREAS,the City of North Augusta receives state accommodations tax funding from the state of South Carolina; and WHEREAS, the City receives more than fifty thousand dollars in state accommodations taxes and pursuant to Section 6-4-25 Code of Laws of South Carolina, formed a local advisory committee consisting of seven members via Resolution 2019-32; and WHEREAS, Section 64-10(4) provides, in part, that the funds received by a municipality collecting more than fifty thousand dollars from the state accommodations tax must allocate the remaining balance, 65% plus earned interest, to the special fund to use for tourism related expenditures; and O WHEREAS, the local accommodations tax advisory committee received nine applications for funding for accommodations tax year 2018-2019; and WHEREAS, the funding for accommodations tax year 2018-2019 to be allocated to applicants totals$70,147.37; and WHEREAS, the local accommodations tax advisory committee met and reviewed the applications,spoke with applicants and voted to recommend the following funding allocations for Council's consideration: C 8 O Project Name Organization Amount Allocated Requested Amount Vaughn Taylor Patrick Cansfield/American $25,000 $51000 Championship Junior Golf Association Frog Restroom NA Forward/Avery Spears $17,900 - Palmetto Peach NA Forward/Avery Spears $10,500 $10,000 State Run River Amphitheater FWB Fund Inc/Lisa Taylor $75,000 - Concert North Augusta Map/ NA Chamber/Terra Carroll $6,000 - Lifestyle Jack O Lantern NAPRT/Rick Meyer $35,000 - Jubilee Mobile Stage NAPRT/ Rick Meyer $65,000 $45,147.37 Peach Jam Van Johnson/Game Plan $10,000 $10,000 Sports Connection with 2nd Arts & Heritage/Mary Ann $30,000 - Floor Gallery Bigger TOTAL: $70,147.37 O NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council for the City of North Augusta, in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof that funding be allocated as recommended by the local accommodations tax advisory committee and that the funding source be the Accommodations Tax Fund for but year 2018-2019. DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS DAY OF JULY,2020. ITEM 12. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Resolution No. 2020-31 —Resolution in Support of Legislation Regarding the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam On the motion of Mayor Pettit, second of Councilmember Presnell, Council agreed to consider a resolution in support of legislation regarding the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. Citizen Comments were provided via email from Perry Holcomb and read aloud to Council by City Clerk, Sharon Lamar (ATTACHMENT#12A1 and Mayor Pettit (ATTACHMENT #12B). Mayor Pettit read aloud the resolution. Council approved the resolution with a unanimous 7-0 I O vote. 1 9 CThe text of the proposed resolution is below: RESOLUTION NO. 2020-31 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION REGARDING THE NEW SAVANNAH BLUFF LOCK AND DAM WHEREAS,the New Savannah Bluff Lock&Dam and its associated park,amenities,and impoundment of the Savannah River have served as an important resource and feature for the City of North Augusta, South Carolina and Augusta, Georgia since its completion in 1937, providing water supply, recreation, economic value, and enhanced quality of life in and surrounding North Augusta; and WHEREAS,the City of North Augusta desires that the New Savannah Bluff Lock&Dam and its associated park, impoundment and amenities be available for future generations of its citizens, and in particular the pool elevation of the reservoir created by the New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam be maintained as it has been historically, at or near elevation 114.5 feet NAVD88; and WHEREAS,North Augusta's desire to ensure that the New Savannah Bluff Lock& Dam and it associated park, impoundment and amenities are available for future generations is shared by the governments and citizens of The State of South Carolina; Aiken County, South Carolina; and Augusta, Georgia. The City iterates its support expressed in Resolution No. 2019-1,"A ^ Resolution in Support of Option 1-1 for the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam as Presented by the Army Corps of Engineers as a Mitigation Project for the Savannah Port Deepening" for maintaining the pool elevation as it has been historically at or near elevation of 114.5 NAVD88 and directing that"Any and all measures should be undertaken by the Mayor and City Administrator to ensure that the present pool be maintained", and WHEREAS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ("Corps"), current owner of the New Savannah Bluff Lock&Dam,determined in October 2019 that it would remove the New Savannah Bluff Lock&Dam and construct an in-river structure resulting in significant lowering of the river pool elevation; threatening the water supply of cities and industries, recreation, economic value, and enhanced of quality of life for citizens; and affecting the park managed by Augusta. The February 2019 field demonstration test conducted by the Corps showed that water levels in the Savannah River resulting from removal of the New Savannah Bluff Lock&Dam would negatively impact North Augusta residential neighborhoods and threaten water supplies, and WHEREAS, Congressional representatives have introduced or are considering introduction of legislation that would provide for the New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam and its associated park to remain in place; and WHEREAS,the proposed legislation provides for conveyance of the New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam jointly to The City, Aiken County, and Augusta, Georgia and include in the fiscal year September 30, 2020 or September 30, 2021 an appropriation of$53 million as a Federal cost Oshare to The City, Aiken County, and Augusta, Georgia for the purpose of any construction, 10 O operation, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation necessary for the New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam; and WHEREAS, under the proposed legislation the transfer of the New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam would occur no later than September 30, 2021 or within six months of the date of appropriation of funds required for the Federal cost-share,thus providing that time for assessment by The City of the benefits and costs of acceptance of the New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam and federal cost share; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council for the City of North Augusta,South Carolina,in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof,that North Augusta supports the proposed legislation described herein and authorizes the Mayor and City Administrator to take such actions as is necessary to support the legislation through technical,legal and other support. The City Clerk is requested to provide this resolution to the appropriate Congressional delegation for consideration and inclusion in the record for Federal legislative process. DONE,RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS DAY OF , 2020. O ITEM 13. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance No. 2020-18— Amending Article 13, Signs,of the North Augusta Development Code, Chanter 18 of the City of North Augusta,South Carolina Code of Ordinances: Ordinance—First Reading On the motion of Councilmember Carpenter, second of Councilmember Presnell, Council agreed to consider on first reading an ordinance to amend Article 13, Signs, of the North Augusta Development Code, Chapter 18 of the City of North Augusta, South Carolina Code of Ordinances. Citizens Comments were provided via email from Joe L.Newsome, pastor of Be Ye Holy Ministries,and were read aloud to Council by City Clerk, Sharon Lamar. Please see ATTACHMENT#13A for a copy of the comments. i Citizens Comments were provided via email from Victory Baptist Church members. Since more than one hundred comments were received that expressed similar support, several were chosen and were read aloud to Council by City Clerk, Sharon Lamar. Please see ATTACHMENT#13B for a copy of all submitted comments. After several minutes of discussion, Councilmember Presnell made a motion to table the item. Councilmember Brooks seconded the motion. The resolution was placed on the table with a 5-2 vote. Councilmembers Brooks, Carpenter, McGhee, Presnell, and Mayor Pettit voted to table. Councilmembers Dickert and Toole voted against placing the item on the table. OThe text of the tabled ordinance is below: ll C ORDINANCE NO. 2020-18 AMENDING ARTICLE 13 SIGNS OF THE NORTH AUGUSTA DEVELOPMENT CODE CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF ORDINANCES WHEREAS, on December 17, 2007, by Ordinance 2007-22, the North Augusta City Council adopted the North Augusta Development Code which is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and which incorporates all City zoning and land development regulations; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.3.3.2 Text Amendments in Article 5, Approval Procedures, of the North Augusta Development Code, any person, property owner, board, commission,department or the City Council may apply for a change in zoning ordinance text;and WHEREAS,the North Augusta Planning Commission, following a June 18,2020, public hearing, reviewed and considered a request by the Planning and Development Department to amend Article 13,entitled`Signs,"of the North Augusta Development Code to allow electronic readerboard signs for certain permitted non-residential uses in residential districts. The Planning Commission report has been provided to City Council for consideration. WHEREAS,the Mayor and City Council have reviewed the request as well as the report from the Planning Commission and has determined that the change to the text of the ODevelopment Code is appropriate. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA,SOUTH CAROLINA,IN MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED AND BY THE AUTHORITY THEREOF,THAT: I. The North Augusta Development Code, Chapter 18 of The City of North Augusta, South Carolina Code of Ordinances, Providing for New Zoning and Land Development Regulations for the City of North Augusta, South Carolina,is hereby amended and shall read as described in the following section. The section of the Code affected by the proposed amendment is identified by the section number. A.Article 13, Signs, is amended to read: a. 13.8.3 Signage Allowed for Non-Residential Districts and Uses I. Electronic Readerboards i. Shall be used only in the Office Commercial (OC), General Commercial (GC), Thoroughfare Commercial (TC), and Industrial(IND) districts and for any non-residential use allowed in a residential district. ii. Most have a dark or black background. O iii. Shall not display any animation, scrolling, flashing, or the appearance of animation or other prohibited sequence of lighting. 12 iv. Electronic Readerboards are prohibited in the Neighborhood Preservation OOverlay. b. Table 13-2 Non-Residential Sign Area: All Signs Wall Signs Freestanding Signs Maximum TOTAL Maximum SF Maximum 5F of all signs is is the lesser Maximum 5F is the lesser of SF,if not the lesser of of G or H otherwise B,or C,or D E or F specified A B C D E F G H I J K cw 9 N M0 J N' M E N n m 6 E N u E .N.. Use or Zoning District E ° E ' 3 E " .. �, n E ,� a E q 'x 'x ¢ H 1O 13. Electronic Readerboards No maximum c. Any other needed formatting will be edited to reflect new page numbers,titles or item numbering associated with the text changes outlined herein. cII. All other Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are, to the extent of such conflict,hereby repealed. III. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption on third reading. DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS DAY OF ,2020. ITEM 14. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: There were no Administrative Reports. ITEM 15. CITIZENS COMMENTS/RECOGNITION OF VISITORS: Please see the attached emails submitted to the City Clerk and read aloud for the July 20, 2020 Council Meeting. c 13 i A. Citizen Comments were provided via email by: OUnify: North Augusta(see ATTACHMENT#15) (Mayor Pettit commented that the last paragraph of the Unify:North Augusta letter was not Council's own words as quoted, but instead from page 10 of his November 2018 "Report to the City Council of North Augusta: Recommendations Regarding the Meriwether Monument in J.C. Calhoun Park.") B. Council Comments: Mayor Pettit thanked the City of North Augusta Public Safety leaders and staff for their daily efforts to protect the safety of our citizens and their property. He acknowledged their outstanding work through difficult times. Mayor Pettit shared he converses regularly with Dr. Rev. Alex Pope, pastor of First Providence Baptist Church. Dr. Pope has suggested a Call to Prayer for City Leaders, Community, National Leaders, Public Safety, and protection of all children. A formal announcement will be forthcoming. There being no further business, Council adjourned at 8:16 p.m. OgPRQ�D THIS l DAY OF Respectfully submitted, �f' Ur r 2020. Sharon Lamar Ro ert A. Pettit City Clerk Mayor O 14 ATTACHMENT #12A Lamar, Sharon From: Perry Holcomb <hpholcomb@yahoo.com> Sent: Saturday,July 18, 2020 11:32 PM To: Lamar, Sharon Cc: Dione Carroll Subject: Agenda for City Council Meeting on July 20, 2020 Madam Clerk, Near the top of p. 1 in red type, it states, "Citizen comments about specific agenda items or matters not listed on the agenda may be submitted by email to the City Clerk, Sharon Lamar, at slamar@northaugusta.net." I have a question about Item 12, 'Resolution No. 2020-31 —Resolution in Support of Legislation Regarding the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam." What is the wording of Resolution No. 2020-31? 1 ask that question for the City to fulfill the "findings and purpose," SC Code 30-4-15, which the General Assembly found for the SC FOIA: SECTION 30-4-15. Findings and purpose. The General Assembly finds that it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity and in the formulation of public policy. Toward this end, provisions of this chapter must be construed so as to make it possible for citizens, or their representatives, to learn and report fully the activities of their public officials at a minimum cost or delay to the persons seeking access to public documents or meetings. Please note the first sentence states o.. so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in pubic activity and in the formulation of public policya ..shall be advised.Qis not only future tense, but it is also imperative mood, where, legally, "shall' means "must," as defined by the North Augusta Code of Ordinances and the SC Code of Laws. Common examples:Tease be advised that your call may be monitored (told in advance of the fact) 7'Patients should be advised that minor effects may last approximately 1 da,Y/T(ibid.) Also please note the second sentence where it states: Q..provisions of this chapter must be construed so as to make it possible for citizens, or their representatives, to learn and report fully the activities of their public officials at a minimum cost or delay to the persons seeking access to public documents or meetings(,'.^ From that: (..provisions of the chapter must be construed..C' That is imperative mood again meaning "must." 1 QAo learn and report-Pare both present tense verbs meaning to do "now" or"in the present." @...persons seeking access to public documents or meetings.Qwhere "seeking" is the present participle of the verb "seek." I appreciate your attention to my request. Thanks, Perry 2 ATTACHMENT #12B Lamar, Sharon From: Perry Holcomb <hpholcomb@yahoo.com> Sent: Monday,July 20, 2020 3:26 PM To: Lamar, Sharon Cc: Pettit, Robert; Kevin Toole; Fletcher Dickert; Bob Brooks; Pat Carpenter; David McGhee; Eric Presnell; Moody, Rachelle; Kelly Zier 2 kzier@zierlawfirm.com Subject: CORRECTION TO REP.RICK ALLEN'S STATEMENT TO CHRONICLE,07/19/2020 Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Madam Clerk, I request this email be read at and made part of the minutes of City Council meeting this evening, 07/20/2020. I shall not be present because I have no idea of how the City goes about disinfecting Council Chambers and the stairwell rails and door handles which I would use. I would also suggest making a copy for the addresses' refeml. This is the subject's quote of part of Rep. Allen's statements of the subject.. "... the weirs would not maintain the pool at its current level of 114.5 feet above sea level,"which he said previous legislation required and "would drop it by four to five feet below pool level,which is unacceptable." First of all, Rep. Allen has not made available the scientific sources for his information. It is likely hearsay and mostly political in nature. I wish to show three plots of the pool level conditions during certain but important times. These come from the USGS gage on the Jefferson Davis Highway bridge and show as copied from the USGS website THE POOL LEVEL ON 12/16/2016,THE DAY PRES. OBAMA SIGNED THE WHN ACT INTO LAW Sec. 1319 of the WIIN Act states,in part,that any replacement of the current L&D is: (1) to maintain the pool for navigation, water supply, and recreational activities, as in existence on the date of enactment of this Act; G 1 USGS 02196670 SAVANNAH RIVER JEFFERSON DAVIS BR,AT AUGUSTA, GA 14.25 14.20 y y 14.15 4 i 14.18 / .Y r 14.05 m � 14.08 j 13.95 J f 13.96 00:00 04:06 08:08 12:00 16:00 20:00 00:00 Dec 16 Dec 16 Dec 16 Dec 16 Dec 16 Dec 16 Dec 17 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 ---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision ---- Above is a plot of the height of the Savannah River pool between North Augusta, SC and Augusta, GA on the date the bill was signed into law. The pool never reached 14.25', let alone 14.5 feet! Where did the pool level value of"14.5 feet" originate? SAVANNAH RIVER POOL HEIGHT DURING USACE'S DRAWDOWN DURING 02/2019 The Corps admits that drawdown was done during the worst of conditions with greater-than-normal discharges from Thurmond Dam and without the use of the flash boards on the Stevens Creek dam to assist in flow control Here is a plot of the pool level during pool minima of the drawdown: C 2 OEM USGS 02196670 SAVANNAH RIVER JEFFERSON DAVIS BR, AT AUGUSTA, GA 13.5 13.6 12.5 N y 12.0 w 11.5 L N 'm 11.6 L m 10.5 N L 16.6 9.5 9.0 00;00 12;00 00:88 12:00 08;00 12;00 98:08 12:00 00:00 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 13 Feb 13 Feb 14 Feb 14 Feb 15 Feb 15 Feb 16 2019 2019 2019 2919 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 ---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision ---- - Gage height 3+ Measured gage height The Corps was shooting for a minimum of 11 feet. That's the lowest level predicted by their model of Alt. 2- 6d. The drowdown's minimum did reach 10.5 feet, or slightly less, twice. It was at 11.0 feet on nine occassions during the minima. No photos I've seen of the drawdown carry any time/date stamp. POOL HEIGHT DURING 04/06-12/2020 3 USGS 02196670 SAVANNAH RIVER JEFFERSON DAVIS BR, AT AUGUSTA, GA 15.8 14.9 u MeJV y L 4 12.9 L Y u 11.8 h 18.8 9.0 Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr B6 B7 08 09 16 11 12 2:20 2820 2820 2820 2828 2820 2828 ---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision ---- This plot of the pool gage proves that the Corps does not need Alt. 2-6d to reach a level between 10.5 and 11.0 feet. The current lock and dam, as is, does that job quite nicely under lower discharges from Thurmond Dam. I quote from the Corp's current Savannah River Drought Plan: "The current plan establishes a minimum daily average release from Thurmond of 3,800 cfs. This is the minimum discharge as required under agreement with the states to meet water quality and water supply objectives." It is not downstream where the pool level betweern North Augusta and Augusta is controlled. It's controlled by the discharge from Thurmond Dam. Has Rep. Allen ever made any statement as to that fact? Perry Holcomb North Augusta, SC 29841 July 20, 2020 4 ATTACHMENT #13A w BE YE HOLYMINLS'TRIES,INC. ILI 41111111111 1117 SEYMOUR DRIVE NORTH AUGUSTA.S.C.29841 Jae4Newsure DeaconPaLd Hurt Past r/Famrkr Piedchrrt Tna xBard MrustaMduelEdwmds RebeldtNeKsmie BiadrssA4nuti0" L7aarhSteaday July 20,2020 Be Ye Holy Written Comments For 20 July 2020 Commissioner Meeting Be Ye Holy Ministries appreciates as well as respect the Zoning Board's concerns; however,we do not agree on their reasoning for denial. Be Ye Holy do not feel we should be held liable or penalized for what other Churches or Businesses could potentially do if you vote in favor to allow us to erect a LED Sign at our church location. We request that you reconsider and favor our petition. This will be very beneficial to our church and surrounding community. CBelow are a few examples of similar situations where Churches in the state of South Carolina who were allowed to erect an LED sign resulted in a continued positive impact on the community. Example(1)In a total of 3.0 Miles, you have a total of 5 Churches in which 2 of the churches do not have a LED Sign. Rehoboth Baptist Church, 4646 Hardscrabble Rd,Columbia,SC 29229 LED Sign It 1.3 Mile Living Springs Lutheran Church,4224 Hardscrabble Rd,Columbia,SC 29223 LED Sign 0.2 Mile Only Gods Word Church,4145 Hardscrabble Rd, Columbia,SC 29223 No LED Sign 0.6 Mile Northeast United Methodist Church,4000 Hardscrabble Rd, Columbia,SC 29223 LED Sign 0.8 Mile Sandhills Community Church,3513 Hardscrabble Rd,Columbia, SC 29223 No LED Sign Page 1 of 5 BE YE HOLY MINISTRIES,INC. 1117 SEYMOUR DRIVE NORTH AUGUSTA,S.C.29841 Total 3 Miles Example(2) In a total of 0.8 Mile,you have a total of 3 Churches in which 2 of the churches do not have a LED Sign. New Destiny Church International,438 Rabon Rd, Columbia, SC 29223 LED Sign It 0.7 Miles Grace Community, Church 308 Rabon Rd,Columbia,SC 29223 No LED Sign It 500 Ft Korean Agape Presbyterian Church, 251 Rabon Rd, Columbia,SC 29223 No LED Sign Total 0.8 Mile Page 2 of 5 BE YE HOLY MINISTRIES.INC. 1117 SEYMOUR ;DRIVE NORTH AUGUSTA,S.C. 29841 Be Ye Holy Ministries, Inc. is on a stretch of ,N«�waurN cwmn h r "^ C �>� Re4e'S'Im'In �RSn,u L N4C le 5 ' �BI qll G Be� tryyCe� 'R,W1n�R tl"5 , aAp � [��1N®'i •F� Nr Odle lb Ph L RRNM( [u.R,cnl me '> vaeen umnaam Y, tour not coWMIT�' S�, '. l aaN,Fv � Goo Ie road with a total of 4 churches in a 2 miles radius with no 1 Second Providence Baptist Church, 1202 Old Edgefield Rd,North Augusta, SC 29841 0.7 Mile Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 139 Way of Peace,North Augusta, SC 29841 0.7 Mile Be Ye Holy Church of God in Christ, 1117 Seymour Dr,North Augusta, SC 29841 Mile 1 t . t t I . Immanuel Baptist Church, 615 . . BE VE HOLY MINISTRIES,INC. A 1117 SEYMOUR DRIVE NORTH AUGUSTA,S.C. 29641 ., :e tr/ t 1 11 .w6min IL t run `torn In closing to imply or to predict what other churches or businesses may or may not due as a premise to deny Be Ye Holy permission to install a LED Sign is illogical. Furthermore,to suggest that we look elsewhere to install the Be Ye Holy Church Sign on another property away from the church defeats the purpose. If the concern is the number of signs within a specific area,please add language to limit the number of lighted signs within a specified radius of your choice, i.e.,2 miles. By prohibiting Be Ye Holy Ministries from acquiring and erecting a LED Sign in front of the Church equates to preventing our ability to brand and reach out to the public 24 hours a day. Which can be utilized to provide a comforting message,welcome guests,or inform people when the next service is taking place. While sharing all this information is essential,visibility is the key. Please consider Section 2(b)(1)of the "Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act' (RLUIPA),which states that religious assemblies and institutions must be treated at least as well as nonreligious assemblies and institutions.This is known as the "equal terms" provision of RLUIPA. C Page 4 of 5 BE YR HOLYMINISTRIRS,INC. Y 1117 SEYMOUR DRIVE NORTH AUGUSTA.S.C.29641 Section 2(a)of RLUIPA bars land use/zoning restrictions that impose a"substantial burden" on the religious exercise of a person or institution. We thank you in advance for your consideration and look forward to a continued partnership to enhance our local community. Respectfully Submitted, OE L.NEW OME Pastor Be Ye NEW Ministries,Inc. Phone: 706-339-5590 Email:beyeholy(acomcast.net Page 5 of 5 ATTACHMENT #13B Citizen Comments — Victory Baptist Church Electronic Sign Please allow for Victory Baptist Church to have a lighted sign on Martintown Road. Our church has been good to North Augusta community and doing everything possible to help the people in North Augusta to be good citizens. Thank you in advance for your support! Judy Box To whom it may concern: Please consider changing the policies at hand so that we are able to install a new LED sign.The current sign is small and in a low spot.There are several people that pass by our church that don't even recognize we are here.This will give us the opportunity to further reach our community.Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Kimberly Usry I would very much like to see a sign put up to promote victory baptist church and help attract more members and spread the word of god and help let members and new people what's happening in the church. Bryson Mathis FCHS Student Hi, I am a member of victory Baptist church and a voter in North Augusta. I as a citizen of north Augusta would love to kindly ask for the consideration of the requested sign by victory Baptist Church Josh Finch Hello, I am a member of Victory Baptist Church and would love to have the sign put up it would be greatly appreciated and really good for our church. Logan Kurtz I am an active Member of victory Baptist Church. Our church is very active in the community and helping others. And I think it would be wonderful for us to be able to put a large church sign up by our road! thank you for your consideration! Josh Tesch The Church has requested to have a LED sign erected on Martintown rd. As a member we would like the city council to issue a permit for the sign. Donald Rhoads 416 Deepwood PI. North Augusta, SC 29841 i, Bill Workman have been a resident of North Augusta, at 169 Millwood Lane, North Augusta 29860 since November of 2006 and a member of Victory Baptist Church since moving to North Augusta.. Our Victory Baptist Church, which is one of the largest Churches in our City with a seating capacity of nearly 2500 members and guests would like for the City Council to consider changing the zoning of the area of Victory Baptist Church on Martintown Road from residential to business or commercial and allow our church to install a larger LED Digital Sign which can be seen better by folks while driving down Martintown Road toward 1-20.. 1 do hope you will consider and make this change because the Church Sign we now have can hardly be seen at all from Martintown Road and our large Congregation Members are a large part of the City of North Augusta. Thanks for your help in making this change for our Church and it's members. Bill Workman 169 Millwood Lane North Augusta, SC.29860 706-830-1466 mobile I would appreciate you voting positively in the matter of an LED sign for Victory Baptist Church. It is hard to see the existing sign. Sincerely, Paul Akridge My wife and I are members of VBC and support the church in changing the sign at our church. Jim Ellis I am a member at Victory Baptist Church and I thank you in advance for your consideration in giving the correct zoning for our church to be able to move forward with a way to reach our community for Christ. Connie Jones We love are church and we would love to get an led sign. A lot of people in the area have no clue that we have a school,we help with the food bank,we have a recovery program,ECT.. Because our sign is practically in a ditch. Please help us get rezoned and let us have an LED sign. Thank you in advance for your help. Sincerely, Becky Townsend Becky Townsend C.T. Townsend Evangelistic Ministries 864-332-4979 1 beckvno cttownsend.com 403 Warner Road I Anderson, SC 29625 www.cttowtisend.com Good Afternoon, My name is Haley Highland and I am a member of Victory Baptist Church and I would love to see the City of North Augusta to approve the request for the church to build a LED sign for our church,we have so many different programs going on throughout the week which mean many different announcements to be made for each program and activities schedule it would be a great advertisement and investment for our church.Thank you for considering, have a blessed day!!! Haley Highland Hello, > I hope you are doing well. I am a member of Victory Baptist Church. I am writing you to ask you to consider the rezoning that our church is requesting. It would be a huge outreach ministry of our church.The current sign is very small and we are asking you to considering helping us.Thank you for your time. Cynthia Smith This is a personal request that the city council of N. Augusta to allow our church to update our sign located on Mattintown Rd. I have attended this church for almost 20yrs and we want the community to be aware of our church. The current sign cannot be seen until you pass it. Thank you for allowing this action to happen. God Bless your decision. Dianne. Hightower We have been members of VBC 620 Martintown Rd for 27 years. We need a road sign for all the community and the 2500 members of the church.This is imperative for review at the next City Council. Thank you so much for assisting us to help the community stay safe and keeping crime down by assisting people to turn to Christ. Sincerely, �- Kevin and Cindy Tesch 706-294-4222 cell We need to keep our sign where it is so visitors and family from out of town can find us. it is a nice sign ,not too big or way up in the air. .We need to keep the sign. Victory is doing so much good for the area and beyond by bringing the word of God to so many. So many souls have been saved at victory and online. Thank you greatful member for 24 years Brenda Farthing Cooter. To whom it may concern, Please consider a sign to recognize the entrance to Victory Baptist Church. This will help avoid members and visitors having to hit the brakes harder than necessary and slowing down traffic.Also will avoid unnecessary turn around. Which will help keep from interrupting traffic flow. By installing a sign it will enhance traffic safety. Thank You in advance Victory Member Donnie Kidder Good afternoon, Thank you for taking the time to consider the church putting in a new sign. I feel that this is very beneficial to not only the church, but to the surrounding community as the church also has an accredited school that is very unknown to the community. I believe having a new sign would help the community see yet another option that the community provides. Thank you again for the consideration, Crystal Martin Assistant Vice President Financial Sales Manager First Citizens Bank 1289 Knox Ave North Augusta SC 29841 I, Diane Workman a 14 year resident at 169 Millwood Lane, North Augusta, SC. 29860 and a Member of Victory Baptist Church which is one of North Augusta's largest Churches, located on Martintown Road, North Augusta, SC. would like The City Council to consider changing the zoning from residential to commercial or business to the property of Victory Baptist Church located on Martintown Road so the Church can install a new LED DIGITAL VICTORY BAPTIST CHURCH SIGN to where it can be seen while driving by on Martintown Road Diane Workman 169 Millwood Lane North Augusta, SC.29860 Hello. I would like to ask that my church,Victory Baptist church be approved for an LED sign at the entrance of our church to share with the community the location and invitation to my church.Thank you so much for considering this. Holly Lewis I just wanted to express my support for the sign on Martintown Rd. I believe it will give our church and school an opportunity to reach all of our communities. I know it has and continues to impact mine As a member of the church and college as well as this community I ask you that you please allow the sign be placed on Martintown Rd.And know that my prayers are for you as a governing body as you make this decision. Steven Jones Pm sending this email in regards to Victory Baptist having a digital sign. I've been a member for many years and the best experience my children and grandchildren have ever had. The sign being where it is now has caused me to miss the drive-in many times. I am totally in agreement with the digital. Gayle Neal To whom it may concern, I am a member of Victory Baptist church in North Augusta SC.Victory is where I was bona&raised under the sound of the gospel. We absolutely love our church& everything that it stands for. We kindly ask that you would consider changing the ordinance from residential to commercial so that we could have a sign that lets others know about our wonderful church! The sign we currently have is small& not easily seen. We appreciate your consideration of this matter! Thank you! -The Spence family(Tyler and Whitney) Good afternoon. I am writing in reference to the new LED sign that Victory Baptist Church has applied for. I'm requesting that the city approve this application.Victory has been a powerful force for good in the area and more visibility can only strengthen their ability to help the area. 1 have been a member of Victory for more than 20 years and have lived In North Augusta for 27 years. In that time I have watched the church help thousands of people.They have helped improve my life and made a positive impact on my family.Please consider helping the church continue to reach people for God.Thank you. Sincerely, Patrick Toohey 212 W Summit Ave North Augusta,SC 29841 1 know each city or town has ordinances.And good for the community.Although Victory has a sign, it's low and in the Ditch. It would be in the best interest of Victory and for the city to show such a fine Sign tall and Proud and it would say something about the community and Victory Baptist Church.....thank you Council for considering our Need......God Bless !! each one of you.... Larry Bonner North Augusta and the surrounding CSRA communities have been blessed by the goodness of the Victory Baptist Church ministries. With a new LED sign, VBC would be able to reach out to more people by informing them of the ministries and events happening at VBC. Please partner with us to move forward for the CSRA. Wayne and Tonya Bryant I am contacting you to let you know as a member of Victory Baptist Church&resident of North Augusta we are in need of approval for a new sign.Thank you for consideration &approval of our request.Sincerely Beryl Barrett Sent from my!Phone I'm a member(Louise Cason(at Victory Baptist Church and I would like to have a digital sign so we can be seen. Hello City Council, My family joined Victory Baptist Church when I was just 9 years old, over 35 years ago. I was so blessed to be raised in a church that truly cues about the people in the community, and was able to raise my own son there as well. It is a place where people are helped and encouraged and I truly feel many more people would benefit from the love, support and Hope through Jesus Christ Victory has to offer if they were aware of the church and all the activities it has to offer. I believe an LED SIGN would help accomplish this and get the word out to our community! We ask that you please consider and approve the request for the placement of an LED sign for Victory Baptist Church at 620 W. Martintown Rd in North Augusta. Thank you! _ _ I would also like to invite you to join us for a service on Sunday live(social distancing in place)or on Facebook at 1 lam. Come and see why we are all so excited and motivated to get the word out about all the Lord is doing at Victory! Julie Feistel I'm a member(Serena Sketoe)at Victory Baptist Church and would like for us to have a digital sign so we could be seen. Thank You To Whom It May Concem, It is my deepest request that North Augusta grant the petition from Victory Baptist Church for a new digital sign. I lived in North Augusta a number of years before realizing that there was a church on the hill due to the poor signage. Especially when driving down the hill from Georgia Avenue going toward I-20,you can't even really see the sign. Victory provides such amazing benefits to not only North Augusta, but the CSRA as well. From spiritual guidance,day school, bible college, food bank, and so much more. Surely the city council of North Augusta will allow Victory Baptist Church the same courtesy on signage that such businesses as SRP Federal Credit Union on the same street enjoy. Thank you very much for your consideration of this petition. Your long-time citizen, Kevin A. Hunt 516 Old Walnut Branch North Augusta, SC 29860 Keyin.Hunt@comcast.nel Hit 1 come to you has a member of Victory Baptist church in North Augusta for over twenty years.Our church greatly needs a new front sign to get details out in the community of events and to make known where the church is.The current sign is located down in a ditch and is very hard to see.We hope you consider taking this request for a new sign under consideration and we and the community would greatly appreciate it. Thank you, Erica May My name is Cathy Usry. I am a lifelong resident of Aiken County and I graduated from NAHS in 1974. 1 have been attending Victory Baptist Church at 620 Martintown Rd. For 14 years now.& nbsp; Please allow us to put a taller more visual sign so others will be more enticed to attend our wonderful services. I myself drive from Beech Island to church and really would drive twice as far to it if I had to.So much is going on in a very positive way at our church! We really need to be able for passers by to see our options for a positive experience during these troubled times.  I invite all of you to join us and join in on the excitement of God's promises and love!! Pastor CT Townsend and the staff and members of VBC are all about outreach to the community.Thank you for reading this and considering a yes to our new beautiful addition to the already beautiful MARTINTOWN ROAD! Hello, I have been a member at Victory Baptist Church for 33 years.A church I have raised my family in,taught in their Christian School and have been active in.The church needs a church sign;can you please help them to be able to do this? Thanks, Linda Fielding To Whom it May Concern: This is a request to the North Augusta City Council to erect an LED Sign at the Martintown Road Entrance to the Victory Baptist Church. Since high traffic flow coupled with limited visibility is a formula for a liming disaster if this dangerous situation is not corrected. Please don't wait until a tragedy prompts traffic control safety measures.The congregation is made up of over 1,300 members. Their contributions to the tax base of North Augusta as well as heavy participation in all aspects of citizenship responsibility to maintain a desirable city to live,work,and raise a family.With this in mind, I feel the request is a reasonable request just on the safety issues alone.Thank you for the opportunity to communicate to you our thoughts and position.Please seriously consider our request. Eddy Reece C It is my deepest request that North Augusta grant the petition from Victory Baptist Church for a new digital sign. As a resident North Augusta or Over 40 years I still run into people thot know where Vitoria r of use it with the chart the bottom of the hill. A new proper sign will go a long way to rectify that. Victory has made such a phenomenal impact in the lives of my family including being the place that both of my daughters, my sister,and my niece found JESUS.So many others in our community should also learn of the great impact of Victory. We have a new pastor who has a heart for North Augusta -especially it's youth,that the city's should want everyone to know we are here. In fact our church is sponsoring a virtual youth conference this week with nearly 6000 young people already signed up.Thank you for your consideration of our new sign. Patsy McCollum Hunt 516 Old Walnut Branch North Augusta,SC On behalf of myself and my church family I would appreciate your support for the signage as requested by Victory Baptist Church. As a member for over 17 years, I have seen the importance of this ministry for young people, adults and all those that have came. I feel it is important for the community to be informed as to what is taking place at this church that the signage will provide. I have witnessed the goodness of God, the love of a congregation of Christians, and the leadership of a wonderful, caring pastor. Please allow the new proposed sign. Thank you for your support. Regards, Priscilla Tant Please allow the newly proposed signage for Victory Baptist Church in North Augusta. I have been a member for over 18 years and enjoy the ministry to myself as well as see the ministry that is extended to young children and adults. This sign would provide the community with upcoming events and the programs offered by a great church in this community. Regards, Gene Tant This is concerning the installation of the LED sign for VBC. Would be excellent for getting information out to the public traveling down Martintown Rd. Thanks for consideration of this matter. Bill& Gail Moore North Augusta SC 803 645 0404 or 706 825 7379 Please consider allowing our church to put up an LED sign at our Martintown Rd entrance. The current sign can hardly be seen when you are traveling on the same side. From the opposite side,you do not notice it. Our church has been an inspiration to many, especially my family since we moved here 30 years ago. We would love for others to know where we are. Thank you, Amy Kurtz Hi, my name is Sharon Deal. We have been a member of Victory Baptist Church on Martintown Road since we moved here over 20 years ago. I have always wondered why we had such a small sign for such a large church? It has been brought to our attention,we could not do anything bigger due to zoning laws. We are asking as a church body to please reconsider this issue. Please allow us to put an up to date and noticable sign so we can announce coming events and all of the great things that happen at our church. For example our Service times, Victory Christian School and College times and events. Major social events like revivals, festivals etc. Thank you very much for your time, and service to our great city. C To Whom it May Concern: Please allow Victory Baptist Church to have a new road sign. It is necessary for visibility to let the area know our location. Please allow the sign.We direct the area citizens to the one true hope for this current world situation as well as all needs which individuals may have,Jesus Christ. Very truly yours, Valerie Green 803-202-1704 1 would be so grateful and appreciative if you would vote for this sign.We really need people to know we are on the hill and what we offer for the CSRA. Doris Price As a resident of the Rapids neighborhood, I have no problem with a Digital sign on Martintown Road. Would expect the size of sign to be monitored by city for appropriateness. The church reaches a great number of people in North Augusta and many areas of the CSRA. The signage would be helpful to identify location as well as keep public advised of events. Thank you for your consideration. Nick! Arant City Council, I want to take just a moment of your time to address the issue of a new LED sign in front of Victory Baptist Church.As a lighthouse to this community for the cause of Christ and encourager of high moral character and godly values, I would like to ask you to consider the placement of an LED sign in front of the church. This would help encourage attendance for special events and allow people to remember our location and the many services we offer. We want to promote HOPE in North Augusta. Please consider this request in prayer, seeing the future good that could come by being informed of the help and love we offer to this community. Thanks for your time. Dona McBride To Whom it may concern, 1 am sending this email in reference to putting up LED at Victory Baptist Church. It is very hard to see sign which is very low and trees covering it.Several times I have almost gone past it not being able to see the sign. So glad Pastor Townsend mentioned this in church because I was saying to myself this morning, I need to talk to him about this.As a member of Victory Baptist Church I am sending this email to ask that you would please consider in granting the church with the sign. Respectfully submitted, Beatrice Smith We truly want to reach the public. If you would grant Victory Baptist Church a led digital sign at the road it really would help us . Also to rezone the property in that area Thank You, A member at vbc. Tommy Barton Thank you for taking a few minutes regarding our desire @ Victory to change our sign on Martintown Road. I have been a member since 1980 and truly love our church, along w/all it represents and stands for. It has been such a blessing in my life over the many years. A sign seems so insignificant when you are aware of the area but for the many who aren't familiar..we @ Victory have a burden&desire to be seen so as to continue the spread God's Word&love.We ask for a change in our Victory sign that will be easily visible, welcoming& inviting to all while meeting the guidelines &requirements for the City of North Augusta. Thank you again&know we @ Victory keep our city officials in our prayers. Sincerely, �' Elaine Bums Good afternoon, I am writing to ask that an escepthnr to the norm be allowed. Victory Baptist Church has been my home since. 1999. 1 am fortunate to hate family and friends come to vist my Church on Sunday morning. The problem is thein finding it. While we are the biggest church in terms of members in that area,we are not the easiest to find. 'llre Osign that has been there for years is small and in that arca where traffic moves up and down the road pretty quick. It is difficult to spot the Church unless you are able to drive slowly...when you haven't been there.before, and slowly is not recommended on Martintown. A new sign would be a blessing in so many ways. So...let's do it. Please encourage the exception. I thank you for your consideration. God Bless, Andrea Sktwark To whom it may concern: Our names are Randy& Rachael Grant, members of Victory Baptist Church in North Augusta, SC since 1991. We are truly thankful for a church that has a heart forthe CSRA and such a large outreach ministry in the North Augusta area. We ask you would humbly consider the rezoning of Victory from residential to commercial to accommodate a sign which will identify our location and provide a better presence in the community.Thank you so much for your consideration regarding this matter. God Bless! Randy & Rachael Grant Randy & Rachael Grant 706 284 7378- Business Mobile We respectfully request your consideration for the city council to approve new signage for Victory Baptist Church at Martintown Road.When the current sign was erected,we believe it met City requirements at that time for height.But many people looking for the church miss it because of its inconspicuous location. We have been members at Victory for 40 years,residing many of those years in North Augusta City Limits.We would very much appreciate your approval of a new LED sign that can be seen from a greater distance while traveling on Martintown Road.We believe the mission of the church is to preach the gospel to as many people as will come,showing Christ's love,and making the world a better place,including North Augusta. Thank you in advance for your approval.God bless! Jerry&Dyanna Nelsen I am a tax paying registered voter. I request the approval of the petition for a road sign for my church, Victory Baptist, be approved. My church is alive and our goal is to take as many people to Heaven with us as we can. Thank you so very muchl! Edward Langston Please allow Victory Baptist to install a sign that can be seen as planned. I invite several people each year they drive by but don't know where we are located due to sogn being so low.Your assistance will not be forgotten. Jessie Rumley I respectfully request the petition to erect a digital road sign for my church be granted. My church is all about spreading the word of God and getting people into a relationship with the Lord. Thank you and God bless!! pslnanny I request your support for the Digital sign for Victory Baptist Church on Martintown Road. Thank you. nanibl62 To Whom it May Concern, We are dedicated members of Victory Baptist Church on Martintown Rd. in North Augusta and have been for many years. It has been brought to our attention that we are seeking once again the permission to place a larger LED sign in front of our church.We are proud of the different ministries our church brings to the community and have had many people come to our church,trust Jesus Christ as their Savior and join our congregation. A new sign that can be seen better, higher and dearer is a needed item. We have a huge outreach and we believe we are making a difference in North Augusta and surrounding areas. We are joining others in asking and requesting that this be granted. Thank you for listening and God bless you. Sincerely, Gene and Bonny Baxley 106 Bartlett Lane NA, SC 29860 Please allow Victory Baptist Church to have a sign so the people will know we are there. I have been a member there for 33 years.We love our church and want to be a help in our community. Tina Wisniewski This is in reference to our sign in front of our church We need a bigger sign so people know we serve their community We have our chmch,school,college,and daycare.Our church is on one of the busiest roads in North Augusta and residents need to know we are their for their needs in education and spiritual needs. Thank you. Mike and Wanda Hollis Greetings—My family are members of Victory Baptist Church, Martintowne Road,North Augusta. We would ask you to please consider voting on allowing us to place digital signage in a better location than what we have now so we will be able to share with the community the activities coming up at VBC and also allowing people to see what we have available at VBC,i.e., school,bible college, etc. as well as upcoming events. Our sign as it is now is not in an area that is readily seen. Our church is such a blessing to so many from our area and outlying communities and we would really appreciate being able to erect a nice signage with a lot better Cvisibility. Also,we would be honored to have anyone visit with us at VBC if you do not have a church home or if your church is waiting until later to start up. We adhere to all CDC outlines and sterilization at each of our two current services—9:00 and 11:00 Sunday mornings. I will guarantee you will get a blessing if you decide to come and we would be honored to have you.Thank you again for your consideration in this matter and God Bless each one of you. Sincerely, Dwight and Jeanie Williford I am a member of Victory Baptist Church. I have invited several people to our church and they can't see our sign to tum in. Our current sign is so low to the ground. I would like you for to please consider letting us get a sign that can been seen before you get to our driveway to tum in. People need hope, support,encouragement, love, a sense of belonging and most importantly,people need The Lord Jesus Christ. If they visit our church they will get all of that.We have so much to offer people. They can get plugged in and serve our Lord and savior. But in order for this to happen they must be able to find us, and I think a sign directing them would be of great help.I pray you will consider this opportunity to reach more people to accept the Lord before it's too late. Thank you, Donna Gibbs Ladies and Gentlemen of the great city council of North Augusta, I urge your support to place a new sign at the entrance to our church Victory Baptist, 621 Martintown North Augusta, SC We have a long and great storied history with the City of North Augusta and now going on 40 / years we have been an integral part of this great city. However, we find in inviting people to our church even `- in our own city many people do not know where our church is located, even though they have driven up and down Martintown Road many times. We are confident this will greatly benefit our church as we continue to serve North Augusta and the CSRA for Jesus Christ.Thank you for the opportunity to address you. Richard Mills Member Victory Baptist Church As my wife and I are members of Victory Baptist Church we would really appreciate it if you would allow the church to install a new sign and message board on the church property. We have been attending Victory Baptist Church for the last 12 years and we are so thankful for the ministry of this church.Victory is an asset to the North Augusta community. With all the programs of the church and also having the school and Bible college they are reaching out to the community as a whole. Thank you so much for your consideration in this matter. May God bless each of you. Sincerely, Tim&Kathy Finley Hello,my name is Brigitta Cockrell and I am writing to request a'YES'Vote allowing my church,Victory Baptist,to display a large marquee to let folks know what we are all about.Some of things we offer include sound Bible preaching,a Christian school,a Bible college,youth outreach,children's ministries,food outreach, homeless ministry,various on- campus,and off-campus events and studies involving all ages and families.Our pastor,CT Townsend,along with our members simply want a visible way to share opportunities we offer. Please help.Finally, let me say that I have lived in No Augusta 55 years,and attended Victory Baptist Church 40 years. I love my town and my church. My husband and I implore you to consider relaxing the signage ordinance to allow Victory Baptist Church have a taller LED Sign. Victory Baptist Church has been in this community for over 45 years. They have helped thousands of people in and out of North Augusta. They started one of the most successful rescue missions in the CSRA. The Garden City Rescue Mission. Many of out members work, live, and shop in North Augusta. Victory Baptist Church has partnered with other business such as the Sm Cap with their Cruise Ins to help people. I am a Banker at Security Federal Bank. I have personally seen how Victory Baptist Church has helped many people in this community. The new signage will help others know we are here ready to help. Thank you! Hattie Ourts Please Allow us to install a LED sign. Thank You Travis Hancock I am a member of Victory Baptist church and would like to ask,along with others,to consider allowing an LED sign to be constructed at our church entrance,(Martintown rd).Currently our sign is really not that visible from the road and needs to be illuminated.I hope you consider allowing this to be constructed.Thank you do much. Mark Boone My name is McArthur Grizzard and my wife's name is Sue. We are members of Victory Baptist Church for nearly 20 years now and we have family as well that are members and we are active in the church in every way. The sign that we have at the church entrance has never satisfied us as a proper sign for our church. We are praying that this will be changed soon, we love the church and only want the best for it and the community. We hope you see this change as a good thing and will allow us to install this soon. Thanks for your help. On behalf of Victory,we have been attending for several years now. This church is such a blessing and goes above and beyond to reach people including students interested in our school. Many people do not even know where we are located and a school exists because the sign is hidden. We would appreciate any effort in helping us with the sign for our church. Thank you Lori Greene Please authorize us to install a new sign for our Church and school at Victory Baptist on Martintowne Rd. Thank you. Jim Graves Dear North Augusta City Council, I am writing in support of new signage at the entrance of Victory Baptist Church at 620 W. Martintown Rd. I have attended Victory since the mid 1980's. My children and grandchildren have attended also. Victory's motto is"Reaching up to God and out to people"which is very appropriate as we hope to be a help to people in need within the CSRA. With new digital signage,the community will have access to events, ministries, and general information that may help and be a blessing to someone. Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter. Sincerely, Janice Denney 3262 Martintown Rd. Edgefield, SC 29824 803-646-3360 Hi My name is Diane Johnson and I am a member of Victory Baptist Church located at 620 Martintown Road. I'm so excited to have this opportunity to share my concerns about getting an LED road sign for our church. This is long overdue and would be of great help for so many looking for a church to call home. Please find it in your heart to allow this sign to be put in place. Thank you and God Bless Diane Johnson Please know that I am in favor of city council making provision for Victory Baptist Church to update its sign at 620 Martintown Rd. Please.....I Kenny Townsend 2047 Brittle Wood Ct North Augusta,SC 29860 864-275-1772 I would like to encourage the City of North Augusta to grant the proper changes to the ordinances of North Augusta to Install a Sign with LED Capability at the location on Martin Town Rd at the entrance of Victory Baptist Church Thanks in advance Bobby Neal Neal's Accounting& Business 3320 Washington Road Suite D Augusta, GA 30907 Tele#706-868-9588 - Fax# 706-432-8069 Please allow the sign for Victory Baptist Church Debbie Townsend Good Morning Ms. Lamar: As a sign company who keeps a business license in the City of North Augusta and works there often,we are constantly encountering the problem of churches needing electronic message centers to convey their messages to the citizens of the city, but are not allowed because they are zoned residential. This is common in many -ities that churches are located in residential zones,while being located on busy streets with much traffic travelling by. The new technology of electronic message centers is such a safer way to convey messages than the old way of little plastic individual letters on track on a ladder out by the road. In this case,though, in the City of North Augusta,neither electronic or manual changeable copy boards are allowed in residential zones. That a church wants to spend the cost of an electronic message center tells you how important they feel this is to the community and to thew congregation. Please consider this text change to the ordinance because a church is not residential and they truly feel the importance of sending messages out into the community offering their services during these times especially. Bobbie Stephens aoM6 e 01'#t e7 912-507-11419 cell AAA SIGN CO.INC. www.aaasionco.com AUGUSTA GA.SAVANNAH GA.CHARLESTON SC.COLUMBIA SC The Pastor,staff, and thousands of church members shall appreciate the City Council's approval of a LED sign for the church on Martintown Road.The church's 45 year history in this community has impacted the lives of so many people. Unfortunately,the current sign is hardly visible due to its position on the property. Many visitor's have commented on the difficulty finding the entry to the church because of the current sign.The church's many opportunities for services to the North Augusta community could be best conveyed to its residents with such a sign.The Christian school, Bible college, food bank, Recovery ministry, special revival -- meetings, gospel music concerts,and of course Sunday School, and worship service times, would be the information conveyed to all in need of such services. With Victory's impact on the CSRA thus far, imagine the advantages of such a sign, and the future benefits for the residents of the CSRA if there was a way to convey those services to all those who pass by that sign.Thank you for your consideration of this matter, Edward Martin Good moming. I am writing to request the North Augusta Council allows our church to have a digital sign at the entrance of our church. We are praying this request will pass. Thanks in advance Respectfully, Mr. & Mrs. Scott N Hyer This email is to ask the City Council to consider rezoning the properly for Victory Baptist Church entrance. Oar church wishes to place a new church sign at the entrance of the church. This would allow my church to be able to let the neighbor and county know about our church,school and college up going events. The sign that our church has now is so small and in the gulley that it very hard to be seen. Please consider this rezone it would be greatly appreciated by our church family. Thank you, Lynda Edwins Deputy Clerk Clerk of Superior,State&Juvenile Court Augusta-Richmond County Judicial Center and John.H.Ruffin,Jr.Courthouse 735 James Brown Blvd Suite 1500 Augusta,Ga 30901 706-826-1387 Fax#706-826-1385 �.. Ledwins&r Aueustaea.eov' Please consider approving the placement of an LED sign for Victory Baptist Church on Martintown Road. It is important tp the community to be able to properly identify the church. Thank you kindly. Brenda Alaidge I am a member at Victory Baptist Church and would request that you to allow a LED Sign be installed due to the old sign not being very visible. The church does a lot of good things for the community and would like for the City Council to please consider this request.Thanks for your consideration, Joseph Wisniewski Victory Baptist Church has meant so much to me and my family for the past 23 years. I cannot imagine our lives without the love and support of this group of believers. With our church building being located behind another church and our sign currently located in a low area in front, it is possible for people to pass by and not know we are there We so want to be a blessing to the community and feel that a new sign would help us do that. Please consider our request for a new LED sign and allow us to better communicate with the community. Thank you so much. Mary M. Kennedy I would like to share our desire for Victory to be able to place a tasteful and viewable electronic sign at the entrance to our property. The sign that is currently at the bottom of the hill is very hard to see. We also have so many things to offer(nursery, school,college, food pantry etc),it would be wonderful to be able to share that information with the community. It is my understanding that you can help to make this happen. Thank you for your consideration. Diana Blount Member Good morning. I suppose you will be overwhelmed with emails this morning regarding the digital sign many members of Victory Baptist Church wish to be installed at the entrance on Martintown Road. For that, I am so sorry, especially on a Monday...during a pandemic...I just do not want one person to miss heaven because they may have missed the entrance to the church house! My husband found Jesus there in 1995 and has been grounded in Christ ever since. Pastor CT Townsend is on fire for Jesus and of the many souls Jesus has saved through him, there are many more out there!What if a sign made all the difference?What if you had a part in this sign being installed and you get to heaven and many, many more crowns were awaiting you becasue of the difference you made?! On behalf of our church family, and our Pastor, CT Townsend, please approve this sign being installed!? I pray you have a super, fantastic Monday!! Stay safe and stay cool! Sincerely, Jodie G. Key Thomson, GA P. S.YES!A church alive, is worth the drive! Dear City Council member, I am writing to you to please consider the placement of a new road sign for Victory Baptist Church. I have been been going to Victory for a little over forty five years.The first time was at the old community center across from the police station,then we moved to Hammond Hill school,then we moved into our first building.We have grow, we have a school that teaches people from k3-4 to college.We care about North August, and only want the best for our town.Victory is a very caring church,We care about People.We want to help as much as we can.We want to reach people of the CSRA,and with a new sign that people can see and know that we are there for them.So I am asking you to please consider being a part of reaching people for Christ.So please vote Yes for the placement of a new sign for VICTORY BAPTIST CH URCH1 Thank you,and God Bless you. Bertie Willis I live in North Augusta and I work in North Augusta. I am writing to express my support for the new"state-of- the-art" sign that Victory Baptist Church is requesting approval for. If anyone should have our blessing to reach out to our communities during these times is should be the church- in order to spread the love and gospel of Jesus Christ. Bill Burr-- CT. Townsend Evangelistic Ministries 864-332-4979 1 info(rpcttownsend.com 628 W. Martintown Road I North Augusta, SC 29841 www.cttownsend.com "...and establish thou the work of our hands upon us..."Ps. 90:17 Good Morning! It would truly be a blessing to our church if we were allowed to update our church sign. Thank for your attention in this matter. Blessed Ruth S. Willis Church / Membership Secretary Victory Baptist Church As a long-time member of Victory Baptist Church located on Martintown Road,please consider this email as a request for an LED sign for our church. The current sign for our church is located in a gulley and is hard to see from the Martintown Road which is a busy thoroughfare for North Augusta.The heart of Victory Baptist Church is to reach our city and counties for the Lord and minister to their needs. Besides worship services,below are some of the other ministries at the church grounds: Food Pantry Christian Day School(since 1978) Impact(ministry for single adults) Victory Teen Ministry Recovery Ministry Help minister to the Garden City Rescue Mission An LED sign would serve as a means to let our community(and others) know of events and services that Victory Baptist Church has to offer. Sincerely, Diane R. Shelton Email: dianershelton(a)¢mail.com Mobile: 706.394.0999 Thank you for your time. My name is Kathy Brazell and I would appreciate if you would consider and approve the request for a digital sign for Victory Baptist Church. In His service, Kathy Brazell Please allow victory baptist church to put a better more visible sign on their property. Thankyou harold park - As a 44-year member and Deacon of Victory Baptist Church, I am requesting permission be granted for a new LED sign for our church. Since Victory is located on a main thoroughfare in North Augusta and our current sign is not visible from the road unfit you almost drive past it, an LED sign would serve many purposes. An LED sign would make others aware of Victory Baptist Church,but also display notifications of events and supporting ministries on our church grounds. Victory is so much more than the church at the top of the hill,it's a campus. Just to name a few ministries: Victory Baptist College, Victory Christian Day School (accredited), Recover Ministry(helping with the needs of people habits,hang-ups, and grief), Impact Ministry(single adults),Victory Mdz,and a Food Pantry. Thank you for allowing me to express my support regarding an LED sign for Victory Baptist Church! Sincerely, Harold L. (Harry) Shelton, Treasurer Victory Baptist Church Email: h1shelton4gamail.com Mobile: (706) 394-1011 Dear sir I respectfully request that you vote to allow victory to put up a new digital sign.This church has been a lighthouse and a beacon on that hill for many years and has touched many families in this area. Including mine.We run a food bank, a recovery ministry,a day scoop,a bible college and So much more.Please consider the outstanding reputation that we have.Our church is debt free.And does a lot for this community. Including giving away backpacks to kids who need them on 08/02/2020. My wife and my 4 sons and their wives are grateful for this wonderful church.And would like to see many more lives change!Thank you for listening Sincerely Nick&Virginia Vertucci Dew Mr. Lamar and Members of the Council: CThank you for the opportunity to address the members of the Council. Thank you for your leadership and service to the amazing citizens in our community. It is a privilege for our church to be located in an area with community leaders that care about the people, businesses, and churches in our community. We share a common bond and that is service and love for people and for community. As the pastor of Victory Baptist Church, every day I am amazed that God gives me the privilege to pastor in this great town. Our church has been praying for you and all the leaders in the CSRA. We, like you,have faced circumstances that have caused us all to prayerfully seek guidance and wisdom. Victory Baptist Church is a place where ALL people we welcome! This ministry far reaches into the community to offer help spiritually and physically. With our 45-year history serving the people of the CSRA, we want to continue directing everyone to come be a part of what God is doing at Victory Baptist Church! Therefore,the need for proper signage is very important to us. We would like to request the opportunity to have a Victory Baptist Church digital sign to replace our current sign that is not adequately visible. This sign would encourage more people to attend services and events here at the church in the city of North Augusta. This would encourage participation in our church events as people visit North Augusta and more support of local businesses as well. As the Pastor of the great congregation of Victory Baptist Church,please consider this request for approval of the digital sign and allow our church the opportunity to support not only the church but the community as a whole. This sign is a vital part of of our plans for continued growth. If I can do anything for you or our church can be a blessing in any area,we would be honored to do so. If you have any questions or need further information,please contact meat 803-278-2138 or e-mail me at ctncttownsend.com. In His Service, Pastor CT Townsend Victory Baptist Church 620 W. Matintown Road North Augusta, SC. 29841 "...and establish thou the work of our hands upon us... Ps. 90:17 Dear members of the North Augusta City Council, I would strongly encourage you to permit Victory Baptist Church to place an LED in front of their place of worship,despite the technical fact that it is zoning as residential. The reality of Martintown Road where the church is located is that it is functionally commercial in nature with multiple businesses and churches in the immediate vicinity of Victory Baptist Church. It is important that Victory Baptist Church be able to safely communicate its location and activities,without having people distracted trying to look for a small difficult to read sign,potentially placing the church and the city of North Augusta at liability if an accident were to occur in this preventable situation where an appropriate sized church sign can be approved utilizing a zoning exception. Therefore I request that you immediately grant Victory Baptist Church the necessary zoning exception and recognize the functionally commercial nature of this section of Martintown Road,in the interests of good traffic order and safety. Yours respectfully, Paul Karmin MD, AGTF Coordinator at Victory Baptist Church I am writing to request that our current sign on Martintown Road be upgraded to an LED type structure. Victory has been an important and vital part of my life for the past 26 years, and with this upgrade we will continue to reach others for cause of Christ for many years to come. Thank you for your time. Beverly Purvis Just to say that we need this sign is not enough. We me not a church that just focuses on the people that attend our services and come into our building. We have goals and dreams of reaching and serving the CSRA area. We have so many services to offer our whole community. The sign would ensure and help us get the word out that we are here for everyone not just the people attending in the walls of our church building. Please help us get our sign as we continue to strive to be a light and a beacon for our whole community. Cordially, CStephanie Brown and Family Hello, I'm writing on behalf of my church about the LED sign we are hoping to put at the bottom of our drive. I sign like this could keep announcements going for our church to the community and bring others into our church to become a part of the amazing family we have there. The current sign sits where it cannot be seen and we hope to bring amazing things to the people of North Augusta and want to grow and love on them and help them. I'm a huge part of our teen ministry and we would love to bring in more teens and love on them and make a difference in their life. Please consider allowing us to have this particular sign in this area since the residential restrictions are an issue. Thank you ! Ashley Strickland Good afternoon! My name is Isaac Burr. I work at Victory Baptist Church and Victory Christian School as well. The reason I believe that it is so important for there to be a new larger sign on Martintown Road is because we are not just a church. We have a Day School for K5-12th grade, a Bible College, a food pantry, and a new Daycare hopefully starting in the next year! I have personally talked to many business people who have come to the church for business reasons who have had trouble finding where to pull in because they could not see our sign. Our church is such a lighthouse to this community and I would to see us be able to reach more people with the good news of Jesus Christ! Thank you for considering this option for a new sign for our church! Have a blessed day! C I completely agree that we need a street sign at the bottom of our entrance at Martintown rd. Being such a large property, I've always felt we needed more signs to guide and make people feel welcomed and confident about where exactly they're going.This isjust the beginning,we greatly appreciate our town of North Augusta,our leadership, and our church. Crhank you for your consideration. Keener Family Would love be able to reach the the community by having a sign put out at the end of the driveway for victory baptist church. We need it more now than ever!! Thanks member of victory Jason Hyer Greetings,Mayor Robert A. Pettit, Mayor Pro Term David W. McGhee, and City Council Members, Please consider and grant the placement of a road sign at Victory Baptist Church. Over the years, my Family has been Intertwined in the ministry of serving people; beginning with our community and then abroad. Victory Baptist Church in North Augusta and Pastor CT Townsend believes that every Family in North Augusta and the CSRA deserve a Church that loves them, prays for them, and stands with them, especially during times like this. Before our little granddaughter Eliana Grace was born in May this year, my daughter Destiny Jacobs, who serves with the Medical Dosimetry Team in North Augusta was hospitalized for 50 plus days. Since birth, Eliana Grace has been fighting for her life and remains at the Children's Hospital in North Augusta. By God's Grace, and the prayers of the ministry Team at Victory Baptist Church, our Family would not have any Hope. Please, with entire agreement of minds,; unanimously support the placement of a road sign at Victory Baptist Church. This action will surely serve as a beacon of Hope and Benevolent 'Ill the people and surrounding community. Thank you, sincerely, Written from the heart, by Albert Dennis Newton President ASP Solution, Inc. 206 Fox Lake Drive Clinton, NC 28328 Mobile: (910) 379.9055 Email: newtorC&asosolutioninc.com Website httos://aspsolutioninc.com/ EIN: 46-5331686 DUNS: 034210769 CAGE: 78254 SDVOSB To Whom It May Concern: Please allow VBC to erect digital sign on MartinTown Rd to indicate the church location and up- Ccoming church events. Thanks in advance, Donald Powell Hello, 1 am a longtime member of Victory Baptist Church. This church and the community involvement of this church have been such an important part of my life,as well as my entire family.Having a visible sign that rings positive attention to Victory Baptist for all to-sec will serve as a benefit to the community; advertising all of the outreach events; support groups;and ultimately God's love for others that thi's.church has to offer. Please consider approving ah.LED sight to be installed to display our focus of"Reaching up to God and'obt to others." Thank you for.your consideration. . Roxanne Hyer We have belonged to Victory Baptist Church for16 years & God is still growing us! Geography makes the entrance on Martintown Road not easily identifiable. Please help us make our church entrance more visible by allowing us a new road sign for Victory Baptist. Thank you and God Bless & Protect you all! Patricia (Hooley) Norwood Hello, I am writing the email to express my personal concern for the community of North Augusta. This place, Victory Baptist Church, is a light house in the community. Serving the area in so many ways. I would not have found out about this church if it wasn't for word of mouth. I believe the board should highly consider allowing a LED sign for this amazing place. Thank you, Tyler McCracken I've been a member for 16 years and we are still growing. We need signage to help people visiting to find church. We need larger, higher sing so it can be seen on Martintown Rd, coming from 1-20. Thanks for your consideration, Jerry Norwood � ood morning. I respectfully ask that the North Augusta City Council approve the request by Victory Baptist hurch for permission to replace its current sign with a larger LED sign. As a long-time member of Victory, I have seen the positive impact Victory has made on many lives,both local and distant. As one of the largest churches in the CSRA, Victory's influence in this area is immense. We have been told that the area around Victory is zoned residential. If so, why have other businesses and agencies received permission to build at the corner of Martintown Road and Bunting Drive?The proposed sign would not be an eye sore for this area. It would be in good taste and would be much easier to be seen. Also, many members, including myself, live nearby and support the various businesses in North Augusta, a point that should be considered. Again, I ask that that the City Council approve Victory's request for their new sign. Sincerely, Ann Keller - Victory Baptist Church Member Hello-lust wanted to send a brief note letting you know what an incredible impact Victory Baptist has made in our lives. We have only been in North Augusta for 1 Y years and cherish the friendships we have developed there. A new sign would help us reach even more people,and quite frankly would keep me from driving right by the church! It would be tasteful and not take away from the beauty of the area.We appreciate you kind and thoughtful consideration. Sincerely, Keith and Raquel Perret 128 Oak Brook Drive - North Augusta,SC 29860 C Margaret Mills mhallmills(d),gmail.com to the City Council of North Augusta, S.C. I would like to add my voice to the others who may have contacted you in support of the new signage for Victory Baptist Church, 620 W Martintown Road,North Augusta, S.C. The current sign has outlived its usefulness and needs to be replaced with a sign that is more in keeping with the times and technology that we Onjoy today. When we moved back to the CSRA after retirement and were looking for a church home, we had passed this location dozens of times and had never"seen" this church. As it happened,the car in front of us stopped to make a tum into the church after a line of traffic had*passed. That was when we saw the small sign "in the hole" that announced Victory Baptist Church. We both looked at each other and wondered how we had passed this way so many times and had not seen this church. Needless to say,we attended the next day,joined three Sundays later, and have been serving the Lord through Victory for 4 years now. We love our church and want others to "see" our church, its activities, and its schedule for worship. Please vote to approve our new sign. Thank you very much. Margaret H. Mills Victory Baptist Church member Dear Council, Ijust wanted you to know that my family and I love the activities and fellowship at Victory Church. I love the people that I meet from North Augusta and all over the CSRA that hear about and come visit at Victory Baptist Church. It is a great dynamic place with live, inspiring music, a full choir,the move of God's presence,and warn and friendly people. We attract people from all over our area from West Columbia, to Waynesboro. When they drive to visit, it is a great honor to host them in our City and present God's grace to them. Such a great place deserves an equally great sign that welcomes them here!Unfortunately, we have a very low elevation of our present sign, below the curb,that makes us almost invisible to those who are visiting for the first time. Also traffic at the speed they move makes it difficult to see. I want Victory to continue to be a light to our community in these trying times, and a hope for families and parents choosing a great private school option. I meet people all over town that have lived here for years and do not know where Victory is. I often describe it by using the Greeneway or Meybohm and, as there are several driveways on this comer,have to be "Specific to help visitors find our property. We could fix that and help more people. We have many family vactivities as well,with a k-12 Christian School and Community Food Pantry, and Connect Group activities and our 180 Recovery ministry throughout the week. There are many people who could benefit or receive help from Victories Ministries. This comer of Martintown Rd. is a busy place with at least three(3)businesses and a school within a 1/4 mile. This seems like a great place for a sign that is well designed to direct and create the order. Please sincerely consider the value of a place like Victory to our wonderful City and how a well- designed sign! Thank you for serving us! Serving Others in Jesus'Name, Mark Nelsen Pastoral Care and Outreach Victory Baptist Church 620 W Martintown Rd. North Augusta,29841 victorvbc.com 803-257-6780 Please seriously consider VBC request concerning signage at 620 Martintown Rd. The church has been a spiritual refuge for myself personally for more than 20 years. The love and concern for those who do not know Jesus Christ is a paramont concern for us to those in our area. I believe, given a chance for others to know the location of VBC as they pass our way, will ultimately be important to the salvation of many. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Lucy Powell C To the North Augusta City Council Members, I have been a resident in North Augusta for twenty four years now,the reason that I moved to North Augusta was to attend Victory Baptist College.Over the course of these twenty four years we have been involved with the ministries at ictory Baptist Church extensively.We have seen many lives changed due to this ministry and we have been a part of this ministries growth.Victory Baptist Church has been a vital part of this community for forty five years now and serves as a lighthouse for this community.When we did our last stage of growth by building the largest auditorium in North Augusta, one of the things that kinda got short changed was our sign.The size of the sign is so small you don't notice it until you're upon it instead of seeing it from a distance as you come down Martintown road from either direction.What we want to do is to install a bigger digital sign but due to zoning restrictions we aren't allowed to do so.This section of Martintown road is zoned as residential which doesn't permit digital signs,where if it were zoned as commercial it would.What I want to request is that the city council would vote to allow an exception to the rule be made without actually changing the zoning law but allowing Victory Baptist Church to be allowed to install a digital sign in place of the one we currently have. I understand that the members of the city Council have the power to do this and am requesting this exception.As a registered voter who votes in all elections, I sincerely hope and would appreciate your help and consideration in this matter. Thank You Denise Spickard To the North Augusta City Council Members, I have been a resident in North Augusta for twenty four years now,the reason that I moved to North Augusta was to attend Victory Baptist College. Over the course of these twenty four years we have been involved with the ministries at Victory Baptist Church extensively.We have seen many lives changed due to this ministry and we have been a part of this ministries growth. Victory Baptist Church has been a vital part of this community for forty five years now and serves as a lighthouse for this community.When we did our last stage of growth by building the largest auditorium in North Augusta, one of the things that kinds got short changed was our sign. The size of the sign is so small you don't notice it until you're upon it instead of seeing it from a distance as you come down Martintown road from either direction.What we want to do is to install a bigger digital sign but due to zoning restrictions we aren't allowed to do so.This section of Martintown road is zoned as residential which doesn't permit digital signs,where if it were zoned as commercial it would.What I want to request is that the city council would vote to Callow an exception to the rule be made without actually changing the zoning law but allowing Victory Baptist Church to be allowed to install a digital sign in place of the one we currently have. I understand that the members of the city Council have the power to do this and am requesting this exception.As a registered voter who votes in all elections, I sincerely hope and would appreciate your help and consideration in this matter. Thank You Byron Spickard We really need a bigger sign in front of our road.so we can reach the people in the CSRA. We welcome all people of all nationalities as God has told us to. I understand that we need our area Needs to be rezoned. Thank you for listening, Connie Millett To whom it may concem:I am a member of Victory Baptist Church. We,as a church body, are requesting that the council make an exception in regards to our church sign. Victory Baptist church has been such a blessing to me and our community. A new sign would be appreciated to allow others to reap the benefits of this amazing church! We feel the benefit the community would gain from our church will far out way any negative effects the sign might create. Please consider making this exception for our sign and allowing our church to be more visible on the Martintown Road corridor. Thank you, Cheryl Hampton and Family Good afternoon, Would like for you to prayerfully consider approving an LED sign for Victory Baptist Church in N. Augusta on Martintown Rd. I am a member of over 30 years, and appreciate the support we have received in the past. The sign would be a great improvement for our church and would benefit the community for information about events and updates at Victory. Thank you and God bless you and families. Sincerely, Eileen Wolfgram ATTACHMENT #15 C UNIFY: North Augusta 96 Leigh Place Dr. i North Augusta, SC 29841 803.522.9228 North Augusta City Council 100 Georgia Ave. North Augusta,SC 29841 Attn:Mayor Bob Pettit Unify:North Augusta-Our Oficial Demand of the Meriwether Monument Removal North Augusta Is a city like no other.Weare truly a gem resting along the great Savannah River.Our town boasts of miendly folks,great schools,small town southern charm,and wonderful amenities.Unify:North Augusta Is proud to can this city home,but we must shine a light on a despicable stain that haunts our beloved town. The Meriwether Monument,located at Calhoun Park,is a divisive,racist symbol that has no place in our town center. Since 1916,this monument has stood as a trophy to Ne Hamburg Massacre Nat took the lives of seven black an.For 104 years,the Hamburg Seven have been unjusdy mocked along with the other men and women who were overrun and tortured by the murderous mob. The Hamburg Massacre is a dark period in our history and this monument was erected to specifically glorify the loss of life and to reaffirm Mite superiority. Take the words of D Henderson,who gave the unveiling speech on February 16,1916 "Out yonder on the slope of the hill in the beautiful town of North Augusta,in Aiken cmunry,which was the onflamme of Me white man's revolution,we are m unveil today a monument,erected by the General Assembly of the State and admiring Mends to Ne memory of one C who shed the first blood Nat started Mat Revolution of 1876,which redeemed the Palmetto Stale from Me yoke of the African and Ne stranger,and which established beyond question Mat this is a white man's country,ro be ruled by white men forever.' To add further shame,the SC General Asseri contributed funds along with private donations to erect this monument to white supremacy.One of those men being Ben Tillman,a participant in the massacre,whose memory is being purged from the great campus of Clemson University for his contributions to the Red Shirts,a white supremacist terrorist organization that murdered comiless African Americans in South Carolina. While we acknowledge the city's efforts to find a solution that'tells a story'we feel the effort will not erase the message and the spirit of white supremacy this monument conveys. We implore the city to lake the money they propose to spend on markers and a new sculpture next to Me monument and use it instead to build up the African American historical district near First Providence Church.That is where the African American community of HamburglCarrsville made a life for themselves during Reconstruction. I want to leave you with your own words: "A recommendation to remove Ne obelisk was seriously considered in light of Me message conveyed by the tent. There are several reasons for removing it,all somewhat related There is a real belief that young African-American children should not have to face the reality of reading that their value and worth would have once been considered inferior There are also among feelings that the present day values and beliers of North AugusMns are so far removed from Mose expressed on the obelisk Mat it is contradictory to have them prominently displayed in the been of the city. The monument,its inscription,and Me direct correlation to the events at Hamburg,have been the focus of a number of negative internt blogsramcles and social media discussions." Listen to your citizens. Set an example for our children. Pave the way for a new North Augusta. Think about what Mis says about our lawn. Let's work toward an inclusive beloved community. TAKE IT DOWN. C Sincerely, Unify:North Augusta