122120 Virtual Council Mtg Mins Adopted North
Augusta
south Carolina's l�iuci front
MINUTES OF DECEM13ER 21, 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
VIRTUAL REGULAR MEETING
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of North Augusta of December 21,2020 having
been duly publicized was called to order by Mayor Pettit at 7:04 p.m. 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" then adjourned at 7:34 p.m. Per
Section 30-4-80,(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 read the Christmas Story from Luke 2:1-20 and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members present were Mayor Pettit, Councilmembers Brooks, Carpenter, Dickert, McGhee,
Presnell, and Toole.
Also in attendance were James S. Clifford, City Administrator; Rachelle Moody, Assistant City
• Administrator; Kelly F. Zier, City Attorney; Cammie Hayes, Director of Finance and General
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• Services;John Thomas,Director of Public Safety;Tom Zeaser,Director of Engineering and Public
Works; Libby Hodges, Director of Planning and Development; J.D. McCauley, Manager of
Human Resources; Ricky Jones, Manager of Information Technology and Sharon Lamar, City
Clerk.
The minutes of the Virtual Study Session and Regular Council meeting of December 7,2020 were
approved by general consent.
ITEM 5. PERSONNEL: Employee of the Quarter— October, November, and December
2020—George Blakely
Mayor Pettit recognized the Employee of the Quarter for October-December 2020, George
Blakely,Codes Compliance Officer with the Department of Finance and General Services.
George began working with the City of North Augusta in July,2017 as a Grounds Worker II
with Property Maintenance. In November 2019, George transferred to the Finance Department as
the department's first Codes Compliance Officer with his primary duties focused on business
license compliance.
George has done an excellent job taking the vision for the newly created position and executing
it in a very professional manner while generating additional revenue to the City's general fund.
George has worked diligently to create best practices and procedures for the position through
• collaboration with other code compliance officials at the City and surrounding areas. George has
done outstanding work in beginning to establish relationships with our local business owners and
others conducting business inside City limits. George has been very successful in licensing
previously unlicensed businesses through focusing on licensing compliance versus enforcement
tactics.
George possesses many ideal qualities for his role as Codes Compliance Officer including being
very detail oriented and meticulous with his work. He is always willing to lend a hand no matter
the task: whether it be sanitizing the department and public lobby with the fogging machine and
other cleaning supplies; assisting the Planning Department with codes compliance matters; or
assisting with emergencies in the municipal building while waiting for first responders to arrive.
George conducts himself in an exemplary manner and receives positive outcomes when faced
with difficult situations that arise.He is a valuable asset to the Finance Department and City of
North Augusta. Mr. Blakely was awarded a plaque and monetary prize of$50 on December 18,
2020
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL: Employee of the Year for 2020—Andi Hogg
Mayor Pettit recognized the City's Employee of the Year for 2020 who began her employment
with the City of North Augusta on May 2, 2018 as a dispatcher. She excelled as a dispatcher
displaying her skills as a great communicator and decision maker.
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• Andi made the decision to become a Public Safety officer in 2019 because she wanted to be able
to provide hands on help and see things from start to finish instead of just being the calm voice on
the phone. Andi has exemplified herself as a Public Safety officer by producing quality cases,
being a dependable shift member, and treating the public with dignity and respect. She also offers
a different perspective to the public by being a woman in law enforcement in a male dominated
profession. She is described as top notch, very calm, cool, and collective.
Andi has also distinguished herself as a firefighter by completing multiple rigorous firefighter
certifications and she serves as a volunteer on the Long Branch Fire Department on her days off.
Andi's goal is to continue helping people as a Public Safety Officer,developing her skills through
advanced training, and eventually be assigned to the Investigations Division.
Andi Hogg is a tremendous asset to the Department of Public Safety and the City of North Augusta
workforce. She was awarded a plaque and monetary prize of$100 on December 28, 2020.
ITEM 7. CITY COUNCIL: City of North Augusta City Council Meeting Schedule and
Notice January 2021 through December 2021
Pursuant to the South Carolina Code of Laws §30-4-80(a),notice was given to the members of the
North Augusta City Council and to the general public that the North Augusta City Council will
hold meetings open to the public on the dates and times January 2021 through December 2021 set
• forth in the Meeting Schedule and Notice. This schedule will be published in the North Augusta
Star newspaper, posted on the City's website, and pinned to the main bulletin board on the first
floor of the Municipal Center. Council approved the calendar by general consent.
Please see a copy of the calendar below:
City of North Augusta City Council.
Meeting Schedule and Notice
January 2021 through December 2021
Pursuant to the South Carolina Code of Laws§30-4-80(a), notice is hereby given to the members ofthe North
Augusta City Council and to the general public that the North Augusta City Council will hold meetings open to the
public on the following dates and times. A copy of the agenda for each meeting will be available at least 24 hours in
advance in the City Clerk's Ogice, at 100 Georgia Avenue,North Augusta, South Carolina. A notice of each
meeting will sent by email to the current maintained"Agenda Mail Out"list consisting of news media outlets and
individuals or companies requesting notification. Notice of the meetings will also be posted by the outside doors of
the Municipal Center, on the main bulletin board located on the first floor of the Municipal Center, and on the
website at A%%N% northaugusta.net'covemment council-meetings-agendas For questions orfurther information,
please contact the City Clerk at(803)441-4202 or email to slanrar a northangustanet.
Unless otherwise noted, the meetings listed below are to be held the first and third Mondays of each month on the
third floor of the Municipal Center at 100 Georgia Avenue,North Augusta, South Carolina.
January 2021
• 04 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
18 (No meetings will be held in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday)
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• February 2021
01 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
15 (No meetings will be held in observance of the President's Day Holiday)
March 2021
01 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
15 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
25-26 ENVISION Leadership Retreat
April 2021
05 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
19 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
May 2021
03 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
17 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
June 2021
07 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
21 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
• July 2021
OS (No meetings will be held inobservance of the Independence Day Holiday)
19 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
August 2021
02 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
16 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
September 2021
06 (No meetings will be held in observance of the Labor Day Holiday)
20 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
October 2021
04 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
18 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
November 2021
01 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
15 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
December 2021
06 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
20 Study Session at 6 pm and Regular Council Meeting at 7 pm
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• Please note:Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Special Called Meeting notices will be given in the
same manner as regular meetings. To verb meeting dates and times, contact the City Clerk's Office at(803)441-
4202 or visit www.northau--uita.net'�,overnmenNcouncil-mectinns-aecndas
ITEM 8. ANNEXATION: Ordinance No. 2020-36—To Change the Corporate Limits
of the City of North Augusta by Accepting the Petition Requesting Annexation by the City
of North Augusta and Annexing f0.23 Acres of Parcel 005-10-05-016,Fronting on Mayfield
Drive and Owned by the City of North Augusta; Ordinance—First Reading
On the motion of Councilmember Carpenter, second of Councilmember Brooks, Council
considered an ordinance on first reading to change the corporate limits of the City of North
Augusta by accepting the petition requesting annexation by the City and annexing t0.23 acres of
parcel 005-10-05-016 fronting on Mayfield Drive and owned by the City. There were no
comments from citizens. Councilmember Dickert thanked North Augusta Forward and City staff
for the collaborative effort to help this come to pass. The resolution was adopted with a 7-0 vote.
Please see the copy of the proposed ordinance below:
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-36
TO CHANGE THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF
NORTH AUGUSTA BY ACCEPTING THE PETITION REQUESTING
ANNEXATION BY THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA AND
• ANNEXING f 0.23 ACRES OF PARCEL 005-10-05-016,
FRONTING ON MAYFIELD DRIVE AND OWNED BY
THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA
WHEREAS, Section 5-3-150(3)of the Code of Laws of the State of South Carolina
provides that: "Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1)and(2) of this section, any area
or property which is contiguous to a municipality may be annexed to the municipality by filing
with the municipal governing body a petition signed by all persons owning real estate in the area
requesting annexation. Upon the agreement of the governing body to accept the petition and annex
the area, and the enactment of an ordinance declaring the area annexed to the municipality, the
annexation is complete"; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Augusta, have
approved a resolution authorizing the City Administrator to execute any documents necessary to
request annexation of the property and determined that such Petition should be accepted and the
property annexed into the City; and
WHEREAS,the zoning classification recommended for the properties proposed for
annexation has been reviewed for consistency with the Future Land Use Classification of the
properties as specified in the Land Use Element of the North Augusta 2017 Comprehensive Plan;
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:
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• I. The Petition is accepted and the following described property shall be annexed into
the City of North Augusta:
All those certain pieces, parcels or tracts of land with the improvements thereon,
situate, lying and being in the County of Aiken, State of South Carolina, being a
portion of the Old Central of Georgia/Norfolk Southern Railroad right-of-way,
being shown and designated as LOTS FORTY-TWO (42) AND FORTY-THREE
(43) on a plat of said right-of-way prepared by William H. McKie, 1111, RLS,
dated June 16, 1989, recorded in the Office of the RMC for Aiken
County, South Carolina in Plat Book 22 at pages 106-108. Said property is further
shown on an individual plat prepared by William 11. McKie, III, RLS, dated
September 30, 1993,recorded in Misc. Book 727 at page 187. Reference is hereby
made to said plats for a more complete and accurate description as to the metes,
bounds and exact location of the within conveyed property, including all adjacent
right-of-way.
Tax Map &Parcel No.: 005-10-05-016
The property to be annexed is also shown on a map identified as "Exhibit A"titled
"Map of Property Sought to be Annexed to the City of North Augusta" dated
October 28,2020 and prepared by the City of North Augusta.
• II. The zoning classification shall be P, Public Use, as shown on a map identified as
"Exhibit B"titled"Zoning of Property Sought to be Annexed to the City of North
Augusta" dated October 28, 2020, and prepared by the City of North Augusta.
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
and final reading.
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS
DAY OF 2021.
ITEM 9. PERSONNEL: Resolution No. 2020-57 — To Approve the Proposed City
Personnel Policy Manual
On the motion of Mayor Pettit, second of Councilmember Presnell, Council considered a
resolution to approve the proposed City Personnel Policy Manual. There were no comments from
citizens. Councilmember Dickert stated he would not support the resolution since it added two
• additional holidays for City staff. Councilmember Presnell added he was"on the fence",but would
vote in support of the resolution. The resolution was adopted with the vote of 6-1. Mayor Pettit
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• and Councilmembers Brooks, Carpenter, McGhee, Presnell and Toole for the resolution.
Councilmember Dickert voted against the resolution.
Please see the copy of the resolution below:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-57
TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CITY PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL
WHEREAS, The City Council, from time to time,reviews and adopts policies and
procedures to assist in the efficient utilization of scarce City resources and uniform application of
requirements and benefits to City employees; and
WHEREAS,The City Council wishes to keep policies and procedures current and
in doing so must periodically amend said policies and procedures for the purpose of reflecting
current laws and/or circumstances; and
WHEREAS,The City Council has reviewed the Proposed Personnel Policy Manual
(Exhibit A) and believes it's approval to be in the best interest of the City of North Augusta and
its employees.
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 Current
• Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual be revoked effective December 31, 2020 and replaced
with the Proposed Personnel Policy Manual effective January 1,2021.
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS THE _ DAY OF
,2020.
ITEM 10. FINANCE: Resolution No.2020-58—A Resolution Approving a Reprioritized
Funding List for Capital Project Sales Tax III (CPST III)
On the motion of Councilmember Presnell, second of Councilmember Carpenter, Council agreed
to consider a resolution to approve a reprioritized funding list for Capital Project Sales Tax III
(CPST III). There were no comments from citizens or Council. The resolution was adopted with
a 7-0 unanimous vote.
Please see the copy of the proposed resolution below:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-58
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A REPRIORTTIZED FUNDING LIST FOR CAPITAL
PROJECT SALES TAX III (CPST III)
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• WHEREAS,a referendum on the third reimposition of the Capital Project Sales Tax in Aiken
County was held on November 2, 2010 and resulted in the voters' approval of the ballot on
reimposition of the tax and the Aiken County Council declared the results of the Referendum in
Resolution Number 10-08-15 approved by Council on August 10, 2010;
WHEREAS,the City of North Augusta included 12 projects totaling$23,575,000 in funding
in the referendum which were approved by voters; and
WHEREAS, the City of North Augusta has elected to prioritize certain projects in order of
performance and reallocate funding among certain projects; and
WHEREAS,the City of North Augusta City Council is required to approve all
reprioritization of projects and funding.
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 the
City of North Augusta projects and funding allocations are hereby prioritized as listed on the
attached Exhibit A.
DONE, RATIFIED,AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS DAY OF
DECEMBER, 2020.
• ITEM 11. PUBLIC SAFETY: Resolution No. 2020-59—A Resolution Authorizing the
Acceptance of the Low Bid of SD Clifton Construction,Inc.for the Construction of North
Augusta Department of Public Safety Station I.
On the motion of Mayor Pettit, second of Councilmember Dickert, Council agreed to consider a
resolution to authorize the acceptance of the low bid of SD Clifton Construction, Inc. for the
construction of North Augusta Department of Public Safety State I. There were no comments
from citizens. Councilmember Dickert commended staff for including about twenty
modifications to the state design that were requested by citizens. Other Councilmember shared
their eagerness to see the project started. The resolution was adopted with a 7-0 unanimous vote.
Please see the copy of the proposed resolution below:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-59
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE LOW BID OF SD
CLIFTON CONSTRUCTION. INC. FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NORTH AUGUSTA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY STATION I.
WHEREAS,the City has determined,that it is in the City's best interest to construct
a facility known as North Augusta Department of Public Safety Station I, such facility to be
constructed on Martintown Road; and
WHEREAS,the City in accordance with its procurement code,sought bids for such
• project; and
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• WHEREAS,the lowest complying bid received for the work identified was by SD
Clifton Construction,Inc. with a total base bid of$3,361,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council has determined that it is in the best
interest of the City that the City move forward with such project by accepting the base bid of SD
Clifton Construction, Inc.
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 the City enter into a contractual arrangement with SD Clifton Construction, Inc. to construct
the facility as above described, with such specific contractual documents to be reviewed by the
City Attorney,with the contractual price being$3,361,000.00; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator is hereby authorized to
take such steps as necessary to complete this contractual arrangement to include the execution of
the contract and any other related documents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the total remaining project funds needed
through completion of Station I (design work; material testing; construction; project support;
furniture, fixtures and equipment; and contingency) is $3,800,000 and the funds for such project
will come from the Sales Tax III Fund(3,525,975) and the Capital Projects Fund (274,025).
• DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS DAY OF
DECEMBER, 2020.
ITEM 12. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
City Administrator, Jim Clifford,praised the City's Public Services Department, specifically the
Utilities staff,for their response to this week's water main at Five Notch Road and Pisgah Road.
When he visited the site and observed the crews standing in water and steadily working in 40
degree weather, Mr. Clifford noted the great morale and work ethic of all those at work.
Assistant City Administrator,Rachelle Moody, reminded Council and citizens the Service
Awards Presentation on Friday, December 181h was live-streamed on social media. The City
recognized the Employee of the Quarter,the Employee of the Year, and many others with
milestone years of service. She encouraged everyone to look for that video honoring our great
City employees.
ITEM 13. PRESENTATIONS(COMMUNICATIONS/RECOGNITION OF VISITORS:
A. Citizen Comments:
There were no comments from citizens.
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• B. Council Comments:
Councilmembers wished everyone a"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year."
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
ROVED HIS �DAY OF Respectfully submitted,
2021. 1 , J
Sharon Lamar
Robert A. Pettit City Clerk
Mayor
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