120720 Council Mtg Mins Adopted North
Augusta
SOLIth Carolina's Riucrfront
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 7,2020
Robert A. Pettit, Mayor
J. Robert Brooks, Councilmember
Pat C. Carpenter, Councilmember
Fletcher L. Dickert, Councilmember
David W McGhee, Councilmember
Eric H. Presnell, Councilmember
Kevin W. Toole, Councilmember
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ORDER OF BUSINESS
REGULAR MEETING
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of North Augusta of December 7,2020 having
been duly publicized was called to order by Mayor Pettit at 7:01 p.m. and then adjourned at 7:15
p.m. Per Section 304-80, (e)notice of the meeting by email was sent out 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, Dickert, McGhee, Presnell and
Toole. Councilmember Carpenter was absent.
Also in attendance were James S. Clifford, City Administrator; Rachelle Moody, Assistant City
Administrator; Kelly F. Zier, City Attorney; Cammie T. Hayes, Director of Finance and General
Services;Richard L.Meyer,Director of Parks,Recreation,and Tourism;John C.Thomas,Director
• of Public Safety;Thomas C. Zeaser,Director of Engineering and Public Works; James E. Sutton,
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• Director of Public Services; Libby E. Hodges, Director of Planning and Development; J.D.
McCauley,Manager of Human Resources;Ricky Jones,Manager of Information Technology; and
Sharon Lamar, City Clerk. Members of the public and media were also present.
The minutes of the Study Session and Regular Council meeting of November 16, 2020 were
approved by general consent.
ITEM 5. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance No. 2020-34 — Amending
Article 3, Zoning Districts, of the North Augusta Development Code,Chapter 18 of the City
of North Augusta, South Carolina Code of Ordinances; Ordinance—Final Reading
On the motion of Councilmember Dickert, second of Councilmember Presnell, Council agreed to
consider on final reading an ordinance to amend Article 3,Zoning Districts, of the North Augusta
Development Code, Chapter 18 of the City of North Augusta, South Carolina Code of Ordinances.
There were no comments from citizens or Council. The final reading of the ordinance was
approved with a unanimous 6-0 vote.
Please see a copy of the proposed ordinance below:
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-34
AMENDING ARTICLE 3, ZONING DISTRICTS. 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 October 15,
2020, public hearing, reviewed and considered a request by the Planning and Development
Department to amend Article 3, Section 3.8.6 entitled "NP, Neighborhood Preservation Corridor
Overlay District," of the North Augusta Development Code to allow Special Exceptions within
the overlay.The Planning Commission report has been provided to City Council for consideration.
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 Development Code
is appropriate.
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• 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 3,NP,Neighborhood Preservation Corridor Overlay District, Section 3.8.6.2,
Permitted Uses, is amended to read:
3.8.6.2.1 Permitted nonresidential uses may be located on the first floor only.
Upper stories may be used for residential and accessory storage uses only unless
allowed by Special Exception. Parking is not permitted as a principal use.
And
3.8.6.2.3 Uses which require a special exception may be granted by the Board
• of Zoning Appeals with conditions.
B. Any other needed formatting will be edited to reflect new page numbers,titles or item
numbering associated with the text changes outlined herein.
II. 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 second
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 6. ELECTIONS: Ordinance No. 2020-35—Complying with Sections 10-1 and
10-2 of the Code of Laws of North Augusta, South Carolina by Setting the Dates for
Municipal Party Primaries, Conventions, and Partisan General Elections,Times for Filing
of Nominating Petitions, Certification of Candidates by Parties and Certification of
Candidates by Municipal Election Commission; Ordinance—Final Reading
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• On the motion of Councilmember Brooks, second of Councilmember Toole, Council agreed to
consider on final reading an ordinance complying with Sections 10-1 and 10-2 of the Code of
Laws of North Augusta, South Carolina by Setting the Dates for Municipal Party Primaries,
Conventions, and Partisan General Elections,Times for Filing of Nominating Petitions,
Certification of Candidates by Parties and Certification of Candidates by Municipal Election
Commission. There were no comments from citizens and Council. The ordinance was approved
on final reading with a unanimous vote of 6-0.
Please see a copy of the proposed ordinance below:
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-35
COMPLYING WITH SECTIONS 10-1 AND 10-2 OF THE
CODE OF LAWS OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA,
BY SETTING THE DATES FOR MUNICIPAL PARTY PRIMARIES, CONVENTIONS,
AND PARTISAN GENERAL ELECTION. TIMES FOR FILING OF NOMINATING
PETITIONS, CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES BY PARTIES, AND
CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES BY MUNICIPAL ELECTION COMMISSION
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 2021 Municipal General Election for Purposes of electing the mayor and three
members of City Council for the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, on
Tuesday,April 27, 2021, with a run-off, if necessary, on May 11, 2021.
II. The filing and certification dates are hereby set for the 2021 Municipal Party
Primaries and General Election as follows:
A. The time for entry of candidates into party primaries or conventions shall
commence at 9:00 A. M., December 14, 2020, and shall end at 12:00 Noon,
December21,2020. Entries shall be made to the chairperson of the respective
parties.
B. Primary elections, if selected by a parry, shall be held on February 9, 2021,
with a run-off, if necessary, on February 23,2021.
C. Conventions, if selected by a party, shall be held no later than February 9,
2021.
D. The deadline for filing nominating petitions to the Municipal Election
Commission shall be 12:00 Noon, February 10, 2021. Candidates may file
• by petition with no less than 5%of qualified electors.
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• E. The deadline for parties to certify candidates selected by primary or
convention to the Municipal Election Commission shall be 12:00 Noon,
February 26,2021.
F. The certification of the candidates by petition, primary, or convention by the
Municipal Election Commission shall be no later than 12:00 Noon,March 1,
2021.
III. All ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are,to the extent of such
conflict,hereby repealed.
IV. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption on second
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 7. FINANCE: Resolution No.2020-56—A Resolution Authorizing Distribution
• of a One-Time Bonus Payment to Employees in Lieu of a Merit Based Increase in 2020 and
Authorizing Distribution of a 2% Merit Based Employee Pay Increase in 2021
On the motion of Councilmember McGhee, second of Councilmember Presnell, Council agreed
to consider a resolution authorizing distribution of a one-time bonus payment to employees in lieu
of a merit based increase in 2020 and authorizing distribution of a 2% merit based employee pay
increase in 2021. Councilmember Brooks stated he was not in favor of the resolution because it
the one-time bonus payment in 2020 did not allow for a pension benefit for employees. Council
approved the resolution with a 5-1 vote. The Mayor and Councilmembers Dickert, McGhee,
Presnell and Toole voted to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Brooks voted against the
resolution.
Please see a copy of the proposed resolution below:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-56
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING DISTRIBUTION OF A ONE-TIME BONUS PAYMENT
TO EMPLOYEES IN LIEU OF A MERIT BASED INCREASE IN 2020 AND AUTHORIZING
DISTRIBUTION OF A 2% MERIT BASED EMPLOYEE PAY INCREASE IN 2021
WHEREAS,on December 2,2019, City Council adopted a balanced budget for the
fiscal year beginning on January 1,2020, and ending on December 31,2020 which included a 2%
• merit based employee pay increase effective July 1, 2020; and
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• WHEREAS, the City determined that amendments to the General Fund and
Riverfront Central Core Funds were necessary due to the outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
Disease ("COVID-19"); and
WHEREAS, on July 20, 2020, City Council adopted a balanced budget adjustment
retaining the 2%merit based employee pay increase with the implementation date subject to review
of the City's financial performance amidst the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS,upon review of the City's current financial performance as of October
31, 2020, the City estimates a transfer of surplus to the Capital Projects Fund in excess of the
amount transferred in the prior year; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to proceed with a one-time 1% bonus payment to
eligible employees in lieu of the budgeted 2%mid-year retroactive merit based increase for 2020;
and
WHEREAS,on November 2,2020 City Council adopted a balanced budget for the
fiscal year beginning on January 1,2021, and ending on December 31, 2021 that includes the 2%
merit based increase originally anticipated to be distributed in 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the
City of North Augusta, in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof,that:
1. Funding for the one-tine 1% bonus payment to eligible employees is to
come from the City's operating funds not to exceed $90,000 from the
• General Fund, $5,000 from the Stormwater Fund, $16,000 from the
Sanitation Fund, $19,000 from the Utilities Fund and $600 from the
Riverfront/Central Core Fund.
2. Implementation of a 2% merit based employee increase will be effective
with the first full payroll in January 2021 and will be distributed based on
annual performance evaluations for 2020.
3. Funds for the one-time 1% bonus payment in 2020 and 2% merit based
increase in 2021 shall be distributed in accordance with the criteria
presented in Exhibit A.
DONE,RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA,ON THIS THE DAY OF ,2020.
EXHIBIT A
Eligibility Criteria for a One-Time Bonus Payment
1. Employee must bean active employee at the time of distribution and have a hire date
prior to October 1 of the bonus year.
2. Employee must have met standards on their most current performance evaluation.
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• 3. Full-time employees with hire dates prior to July 1 of the bonus year will receive 100%
of the bonus payment. Part-time employees with hire dates prior to July 1 of the bonus
year will receive 50% of the bonus payment.
4. Full-time employees with hire dates of July 1 to September 30 of the bonus year will
receive 50%of the bonus payment. Part-time employees with hire dates of July 1 to
September 30 of the bonus year will receive 25% of the bonus payment
5. Any deviation from these criteria are to be reviewed by the Human Resources Manager
and approved by the City Administrator.
Eligibility Criteria for a Merit Based Pay Increase
1. Employee must be a full-time active employee at the time of distribution.
2. Employee must have had an annual performance evaluation and met standards for the
year prior to the distribution.
3. Merit is not to be in addition to other merit increases such as salary adjustment on grade,
promotion, or raise budgeted to begin in the distribution year.
4. Any deviation from these criteria are to be reviewed by the Human Resources Manager
and approved by the City Administrator.
ITEM 8. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT: Planning Commission Recommendation
Memorandum #20-033 and Project Staff Report: ANZ20-036 Mayfield Drive, Greeneway
• Extension; Receipt of Information
At the November 19, 2020,Planning Commission meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed
the zoning for application ANX20-036,Mayfield Drive parcel 005-10-05-016. The Commission
unanimously recommended a P,Public Use zoning for the parcel. Council agreed by general
consensus to receive the report for information.
ITEM 9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
Jim Clifford, City Administrator, announced due to an increase in COVID-19 outbreaks and in
line with Governor McMaster's extension of the State of Emergency for the entire state,
Council's next meeting on December 21, 2020 will be held virtually.
ITEM 19. CITIZENS COMMENTSIRECOGNITION OF VISITORS:
A. Citizen Comments:
Stetson Corbitt(Please see attached Speaker Form.)
B. Council Comments:
Councilmember McGhee announced it was the Lions Club's decision to cancel this year's
• Christmas Parade due to COVID-19 concerns and the limited number of registered
participants.
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• Councilmember Eric Presnell wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
There being no further business,Council adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
APPROVED THIS A I S+DAY OF Respectfully submitted,
�cevnbtr 2020.
Sharon Lamar
Rob City Clerk
Mayor
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