051021 Study Session Mins Adopted .� North
Augusta
South Carolina's Riuerfront
MINUTES OF MAY 10, 2021
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
J. Robert Brooks, Councilmember
Pat C. Carpenter, Councilmember
Jenafer F. McCauley, Councilmember
David W. McGhee, Councilmember
Eric H. Presnell, Councilmember
Kevin W. Toole, Councilmember
ORDER OF BUSINESS
STUDY SESSION
The Study Session of May 10, 2021 for the City Council of the City of North Augusta, having
been duly publicized,was called to order by Mayor Williams at 6:00 p.m. and also 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." The Study Session adjourned
7:38 p.m.
Per Section 30-4-80(e) notice of the meetings was sent out by email to the current maintained
"Agenda Mailout" list consisting of news media outlets and individuals or companies requesting
notification. Notice of the meetings was also posted on the outside doors of the Municipal Center,
the main bulletin board of the Municipal Center located on the first floor, and the City of North
Augusta website.
Members present were Mayor Williams, Councilmembers Brooks, Carpenter, McCauley,
McGhee, Presnell, and Toole.
Also in attendance were James S. Clifford, City Administrator; Rachelle Moody, Assistant City
Administrator; Kelly F. Zier, City Attorney; Cammie T. Hayes, Chief Financial Officer; Thomas
C. Zeaser, Director of Engineering and Public Works; Richard L. Meyer, Director of Parks,
Recreation, and Tourism; James E. Sutton, Director of Public Services;John C. Thomas, Director
of Public Safety; Lillian E. (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.
Minutes of Study Session of May 10,2021
ITEM 1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Items for the Mav 17, 2021 Council
Meeting- Council Discussion
City Administrator, Jim Clifford, led Council's discussion of items for the May 17, 2021 regular
meeting. With the consensus of Council, a proclamation for Public Works Week will be added to
the meeting.
Please see ATTACHMENT#1 for a copy of the proposed DRAFT agenda.
ITEM 2. DEPARTMENT DETAILS:
City department directors and managers provided departmental updates.
Please see ATTACHMENT#2 for a copy of the"Department Details for May 10, 202 L"
ITEM 3. MAYOR'S MATTERS:
(A) Mayor Williams shared some items related to his "Mayor's 100 Day Plan" for the City of
North Augusta. Beginning May 170',regular City Council meetings will continue as scheduled on
the first and third Monday of each month;however,meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. Study Session
will be scheduled on alternate Monday's and will begin at 6:00 p.m. The first"POWER HOUR"
will be scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 7 and will be held on the first Monday of each
month. Procedures for the"POWER HOUR"will be announced next week. Mayor Williams will
• begin posting a VLOG this week. The first "Meet the Mayor" event will be Thursday, May 20.
Councilmembers in teams of two will visit downtown merchants during Third Thursday from 5:00
p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The second "Meet the Mayor" event will be held in June the date and time is
yet to be determined,but should take place on the east side of the City. Mayor Williams reminded
citizens that May 9-14 was National Law Enforcement Week.
(B) Mayor Williams introduced the Focus Item: Briefing and Preliminary Discussion of H.R.
1319 the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Jim Clifford,City Administrator,briefed Council on the
information available through Friday, May 7, 2021 and led Council in a preliminary discussion of
its impact on the City. He noted the Federal government had released another one hundred fifty
page document related to ARP this afternoon, May 10, 2021. He will come back to Council with
more detailed information after he and staff review the document.
Please see ATTACHMENT #313 for a copy of the American Rescue Plan presentation.
The study session adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
APPROVED THIS DAY OF Respectfully submitted,
2021.
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Sharon Lamar
Briton illiams City Clerk
Mayo
ATTACHMENT #1
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DRAFT AGENDA: CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
May 17,2021—Municipal Center—100 Georgia Avenue,3rd Floor-Council Chambers
The regular City Council meeting will be streamed for public viewing online at:
• "City of North Augusta—Public Information'on www.Facebook.com
• "City of North Augusta Public Information'on www.YouTube.com
CITIZEN COMMENTS: Citizens may speak to Mayor and City Council on each item listed on this agenda. The Mayor will
call for comments prior to Council's discussion. Speakers shall give their name and address in an audible tone of voice for the
records. Speaker Forms are provided on the credenza at the entrance to the Council Chambers. Speakers desiring that the
minutes indicate that they addressed Council on a specific topic should complete the form. The form will be included as part
of the minutes ofthe meeting. Citizen comments are limited to five minutes.
CITIZENASSISTANCE:Individuals needing special assistance or sign interpreter to participate in the meeting,please notes
the Administration Department 48 hours prior to the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
3. ROLL CALL:
• 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Study Session and Council Meeting Minutes of May 3,2021 and Study Session
Minutes of May 10,2021
NEW BUSINESS
5. FINANCE: Audit Review—Fiscal Year Ending December 31,2020—Presentation to Council
6. CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Pro Tempore—Selection by Council
7. ZONING: Ordinance No.2021-05—To Amend the Zoning Map of the City of North Augusta,South
Carolina by Rezoning f5L20 Acres of Land Owned by Aiken County Board of Education,Aiken County Tax
Parcel#023-05-01-003,from PD,Planned Development, to P, Public Use;Ordinance—First Reading
8. PARKS,RECREATION AND TOURISM: Resolution No. 2021-18—Accepting Gift of Gazebo
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
10. PRESENTATIONS/COMMUNICATIONS/RECOGNITION OF VISITORS:
A. Citizen Comments-At this time, citizens may speak to Mayor and City Council regarding matters not listed on
the agenda. Speakers shall give their name and address in an audible tone of voice for the records. Speaker
Forms are provided on the credenza at the entrance to the Council Chambers.Speakers desiring that the minutes
indicate that they addressed Council on a specific topic should complete the form. The form will be included as
part of the minutes of the meeting. Citizen comments are limited to five minutes.
B. Council Comments—
11. ADJOURNMENT
ATTACHMENT #2
DEPARTMENT DETAILS North
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FINANCE:
• Utility Customer Service Related-Cycle 1 Disconnect on 5/18-5/19; Cycle 2 Due Date 5/20
• Follow-Up has begun on delinquent tax receipts for tax year 2020.
• Follow-Up has begun on delinquent business license renewals.
PUBLIC SERVICES:
• The replacement of 1,294-feet of defective 16-inch pipe approved by City Council on
April 5, 2021 was completed on May 7, within budget.
• May 17-21- Utility technicians are scheduled to replace a defective 12-inch water valve
near 400 E. Buena Vista Avenue and realign an offset 12-inch water line located along
Riverside Boulevard. The westbound lane along East Buena Vista Avenue between Riverside
• Boulevard and Brookside Drive may be temporarily reduced to one lane on May 18 and May 21,
2021, during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT:
• A Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for May 20`h. The agenda for that meeting will go
out Thursday.They will hold their first discussion about the Comprehensive Plan update project
at the study session starting at 6pm in Council Chambers. All meetings will be in person.
• We have several upcoming cases for the BZA. That agenda will be issued May 27`h.
• RFP for the mowing/remediation services should be awarded this week;this should help
streamline addressing properties that are out of compliance once the notification period has
expired.
• The Georgia Avenue Traffic Calming Study has made some progress with SCDOT.Thank you to
Tom Zeaser and his group for forging the way with his projects. We hope that will be out to bid
in the coming weeks. Several future studies will be subject to this same SCDOT review process.
PUBLIC SAFETY:
• • Sgt. Andy Cook update: He is still hospitalized but for the most part, he is headed in the right
direction. The Cooks and the Department of Public Safety appreciate the generous support of
the community during this difficult time.
• This is National Police Officers Week. Community Events this week:
- First Baptist Church of North Augusta to host"A View From The Blue." May 16th at the
10:30am service. Followed by lunch provided by Feeding The Fearless at 12:OOpm
-Thursday May 13`h "Coffee with an Officer" at Stone Roastery from 7am-5pm.
• CALEA re-accreditation will begin in June; staff continue to work to prepare for the on-site visit.
• Station 1 update-Underwater storage approval been obtained. Meetings are every Thursday at
the station site with Cpt. Williams and Mark Chostner covering updates with construction.
PARKS. RECREATION AND TOURISM:
• Work began this morning on the Riverview Park Adaptive Playground surface. Kompan
Playground Inc. is installing playground turf over the existing poured in place rubber surface.
Work is scheduled to be completed by May 29.
• Repair work on the playground equipment and picnic tables at Creighton Park has been
completed with the exception of the large piece of playground equipment. PRT is waiting on the
manufacturer of the piece to determine if it can be repaired or needs to be removed.
• Riverview Park will be the site this Saturday afternoon to first round action in the South Carolina
High School League playoffs as North Augusta High School Baseball team hosts Beaufort High
School and the North Augusta High School Girls Softball team hosts May River High School. Both
games are scheduled to start at ipm. Riverview Park will also be hosting Top Gun travel
baseball tournament Saturday&Sunday.
• Hometown Hero Banners will be going up in downtown North Augusta just as soon as the 6 new
banners arrive.That arrival is expected this week.
ENGINEERING:
• Knobcone Sidewalk TAP Grant
• Greeneway Extension TAP Grant
• Downtown Greeneway Connector Update
• 0 Municipal Center Flagpole Maintenance RFP
I
HUMAN RESOUCES:
• City of North Augusta Vacancy Notifications-
Finance Manager—Finance Grounds Worker II—Property Maintenance
Grade: 27 Grade: 6
Salary/Pay Rate:$66,800/year Salary/Pay Rate: $14.03/hour
Closing:05/14/2021 Closing Date: Until Filled
Position Spotlight Video
Firefighter—Public Safety
Grade: UN Utility Worker I—Water Operations
Salary/Pay Rate: $9.43/hour Grade:4
Closing Date: Until Filled Salary/Pay Rate:$12.30/hour
Position SpotliahtVideo Closing Date: Until Filled
Position Spotlight Video
ADMINISTRATION:
• Blood Drive for the American Red Cross on Wednesday, 12 May at the NA Community Center
• Coffee with Officers on Thursday, 13 May from 7:30 a.m.to 3 p.m.at Stone Roastery @ 502
Belvedere-Clearwater Road
• NA Chamber State of the Community presentation at the Crowne Plaza on Thursday, 13 May at
11:30 a.m.
• Next City Council meeting will be scheduled at 6:00 p.m.on Monday, 17 May(if consensus by
Council at tonight's study session).
•
ATTACHMENT #3B
Nod
Augusta
South Carolina's Riuerft-Onr
City Council Study Session :
American Rescue Plan (ARP)
MAY 10, 2021
Background
•American Rescue Plan (ARP)Act of 2021 became law on March 11, 2021
• There are numerous provisions in ARP, but information presented tonight will be focused
on local government funding
• ARP provides $350 billion dollars in emergency funding for state, local, and other
governments
o$130 billion allocated for local governments
• City of North Augusta is estimated to receive $8,910,000
o Final amount not yet released from U.S.Treasury
o Funds will be delivered in two trenches,50%per tranche,one year apart
• Flow of funding: Federal government > State of SC > City of North Augusta
• Guidance provided publicly to date is Preliminary and subject to change
•
1
s/7/2021
Funding Restrictions
• Funds cannot be used to directly or indirectly offset tax reductions, to delay a tax, or
delay a tax increase
• Funds cannot be deposited into any pension fund
• Funds must be spent by December 31, 2024
SRORt NO WAUGUSTA CM COUNCIL STUDY SESSION:ARP 9
Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC)
Funds should be used to...
• Provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID-
19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year
prior to the emergency.
• Make necessary investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure.
• Respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health
emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers that are performing such essential
work, or by providing grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who perform
essential work.
• Respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts,
including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted
industries such as tourism travel and hospitality.
httos�llwwwmasc selPaueslle0islaWelAmerican-Rescue-Plan asox
L101t1 NORTH AVGUS CITY CITY COUNCR$Tl'OY
2
5/7/2021
•
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
• Replenishing reserves used to offset revenue declines during the pandemic should be
given high priority to rebuild financial flexibility/stability and restore fiscal resiliency.
• Use of ARP funds to cover operating deficits caused by COVID-19 should be considered
temporary and additional budget restraint may be necessary to achieve/maintain structural
balance in future budgets.
• Investment in critical infrastructure is a good use of funds because it is a non-recurring
expenditure that can be targeted to long-term assets that provide benefits over many years.
• Care should be taken to avoid creating new programs or add-ons to existing programs that
require an ongoing financial commitment.
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5110121 -. `:NORTH AUGUSTA CRY COU
City Staff Assumptions
• Estimated amounts of disbursement will be close to actual disbursement
• First 50%of ARP funding should be received by September 1
• Some Aiken and Edgefield County ARP funds may be used in support of and/or
aligned with North Augusta projects, but should not be part of City's base spending plan
• U.S. Treasury final guidelines for expenditure of funds forthcoming in May (guidance
issued to date is only preliminary)
•
3
5/7/2021
City Staff Initial Recommendations
• Build preliminary expenditure plan based on ARP guidance issued to date:
o #1 priority of revenue replacement and fund replenishment
o Identify infrastructure needs and projects that can be quickly executed
• First funding tranche recommended expenditures:
o Revenue replacement &fund replenishment
o Infrastructure projects that can be quickly executed
o One-time expenditures
• Second funding tranche recommended expenditures:
o Additional infrastructure projects as needed
o Other one-time expenditures after a full year of Council deliberation and priority setting
•Actual expenditures should based on final guidance issued by U.S.Treasury
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North
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South Carolina's 1-tju(•r(rr,nr
Discussion
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