042825 Study Session Mins AdoptedPage 1 of 2
MINUTES OF APRIL 28, 2025
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
Jenafer F. McCauley, Councilmember – Mayor Pro Tem
David B. Buck, Councilmember
Pat C. Carpenter, Councilmember
David W. McGhee, Councilmember
Kevin W. Toole, Councilmember
ORDER OF BUSINESS
STUDY SESSION
The Study Session of April 28, 2025 for the City Council of the City of North Augusta, having been duly publicized,
was called to order by Mayor Williams at 6:00pm 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.”
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 Buck, Carpenter, McCauley, McGhee, and Toole.
Also in attendance were James S. Clifford, City Administrator; J.D. McCauley, Assistant Administrator; Kelly F.
Zier, City Attorney; Brian Maleck, Civil Engineer II; Chief Junior Johnson, Public Safety Director; Tommy Paradise,
Director of Planning & Development; Roy Kibler, Superintendent of Property Maintenance; Rick Meyer, Director
of Parks & Recreation, Karl Waldhauer, Manager of Tourism; Lynda Williamson, Director of Finance; Kayla
Ferguson, Manager of Human Resources; Jamie Paul, City Clerk; and Ricky Jones, Manager of Information
Technology.
Page 1 of 2
PUBLIC POWER HOUR
May 5, 2025 – 5:30 p.m. - Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor - Council Chambers
PUBLIC INPUT SESSION: Georgia Avenue Traffic Session
May 5, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. – Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor - Council Chambers
DRAFT AGENDA: CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(Immediately following the Public Input Session)
May 5, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. – Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor - Council Chambers
The Public Power Hour, Public Input Session, and 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. Speaker
Forms are provided on the credenza at the entrance for speakers desiring that the minutes indicate that they addressed Council
on a specific topic. The form will be included as part of the minutes of the meeting. Citizen comments are limited to five
minutes.
CITIZEN ASSISTANCE: Individuals needing special assistance or sign interpreter to participate in the meeting, please notify 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:
• Regular City Council Meeting minutes of April 21, 2025
• Study Session minutes of April 28, 2025
5. PROCLAMATION(S):
a. Law Enforcement Week – May 11-17, 2025
b. Public Works Week – May 18-24, 2025
OLD BUSINESS
6. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance No. 2025-10 To Amend the Zoning Map of the City of North
Augusta, South Carolina by Rezoning ± 0.49 Acres of Land Owned by Christopher L. Allen Tax Parcel No.
006-12-12-024, 006-12-12-047, and 006-12-12-046 from GC, General Commercial to R-7, Small Lot, Single-
Family Residential – Second Reading
ATTACHMENT #1 Page 1 of 2
Page 2 of 2
NEW BUSINESS
7. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Resolution No. 2025-11 Accepting a Deed of Dedication for the Water and
Sanitary Sewer, Along with a Maintenance Guarantee and Cash Deposit, for Parker’s Kitchen
8. ELECTION: 2025 Municipal General Election – Certification of Official Results from the Municipal Election
Commission
9. CITY COUNCIL: Recognition of Councilmember David W. McGhee
10. CITY COUNCIL: Oath of Office of Newly Elected Mayor and Councilmembers Administered by Judge
Thomas Murphy
11. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT(S):
a. Update on Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
b. Update on Utility Billing System Transition
12. 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 for the records. Speaker Forms are
provided on the credenza for speakers desiring that the minutes indicate that they addressed Council
on a specific topic. The form will be included as part of the minutes of the meeting. Citizen comments
are limited to five minutes.
B. Council Comments
13. ADJOURNMENT
ATTACHMENT #1 Page 2 of 2
FINANCE:
•Business License Renewals are due Wednesday, April 30
•City Property Taxes are due Thursday, May 1
•Finance has set up a help desk in the Municipal Center Lobby to help citizens with all transactions
this week
HUMAN RESOURCES:
•Employee Appreciation Event – May 6 at SRP Park – 11:00am – Details Attached
•See the following page for the Employment Opportunities list
ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS:
•Riverview Park Drain Repair
•Greeneway Asphalt Repairs
•SRP Park Leak Repairs
•Detention Pond Tree Clearing Update
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT:
•BZA meeting Tuesday May 6
•Lower Savannah River Basin Meeting on Thursday May 1
•ARTS SC Policy Subcommittee Thursday May 1
PUBLIC SERVICES:
•Property Maintenance Spring Flowers
•Utilities Water Service Line Replacement 324 West Martintown Road One Lane Road Closure
PUBLIC SAFETY:
•Public Safety assisted with DEA Drug Take Back Day Saturday April 26 at Parks Pharmacy and
Kroger. 149 pounds of medication were collected.
•Public Safety has Touch a Truck event scheduled for Saturday May 3 from 9-1 at TrueNorth
Church.
•Guns & Hoses Softball Tournament is Sunday May 4 at SRP Park. 1st game at 9:30 with
Championship game beginning at 6:30. Public Safety as well as other Fire and Police agencies in
the CSRA will be participating.
PARKS AND RECREATION:
•Greeneway trail asphalt repair work will begin on Wednesday.
•Creighton Park Playground installation, Riverview Park Tennis Courts resurfacing, and Activities
Center Elevator Modernization projects are all in progress.
•North Augusta Health Fair scheduled for May 10 will take place at the Riverview Park Activities
Center from 10am-1pm - Free Admission.
TOURISM:
•Upcoming Events:
o Saturday, May 3: Kristal Mindingall Concert at 7:00pm (Sharon Jones Amphitheater)
o Thursday, May 8: North Augusta Chamber of Commerce “Good Morning North Augusta”
breakfast at 7:30am (Palmetto Terrace)
o Thursday, May 8: Start of North Augusta Cultural Arts Council “Music in the Park” series
with Swing Shift at 7:00pm (North Augusta Community Center)
o Saturday, May 17: Goin’ South Concert at 7:00pm (Sharon Jones Amphitheater)
DEPARTMENT DETAILS
for April 28, 2025
ATTACHMENT #2 Page 1 of 3
To apply and to see full job descriptions please visit www.northaugustasc.gov/jobs. You may also contact Human Resources
for more information at 803-442-5710 or kferguson@northaugustasc.gov.
The City of North Augusta is an Equal Opportunity Employer
EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Communications Technician I – Public Safety
Grade: 10
Salary/Pay Rate: $20.24 - $24.29/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Firefighter – Public Safety
Grade: 4
Salary/Pay Rate: $14.25 - $17.11/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Grounds Worker III – Property Maintenance
Grade: 7
Salary/Pay Rate: $17.25 – $20.70/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Meter Reader/Service Technician – Public Utilities
Grade: 9
Salary/Pay Rate: $19.24 - $23.09/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Part-time Center Coordinator – Parks & Recreation
Grade: UN
Salary/Pay Rate: $15.06/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Public Safety Officer – Public Safety
Grade: 16
Salary/Pay Rate: $24.54 - $29.45/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Tree Care Technician – Property Maintenance
Grade: 13
Salary/Pay Rate: $23.24 - $27.88/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Utility Technician – Public Utilities
Grade: 9
Salary/Pay Rate: $19.24 - $23.09/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Vehicle Operator I – Sanitation
Grade: 6
Salary/Pay Rate: $16.25 - $19.50/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
ATTACHMENT #2 Page 2 of 3
ATTACHMENT #2 Page 3 of 3
PRESENTATION
Georgia
Avenue Traffic
Calming and
Pedestrian
Access Study
Recommendations
April 28, 2025
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 1 of 29
Project
Purpose
Develop a long-term vision and strategy
for Georgia Avenue to function as North
Augusta’s vibrant, pedestrian-oriented
“main street”
-City of North Augusta 2021 Comprehensive Plan
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 2 of 29
Project
Goals
Identify and recommend specific
improvements along Georgia Avenue
related to pedestrian, bicycle, and other
alternative transportation methods
Ranking of projects based on cost,
effort, impact, and feasibility
Identification of alternate funding
sources
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 3 of 29
Georgia
Avenue (US 25)
Existing Traffic
Control
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 4 of 29
Avg = 30 MPH
85th % = 36 MPH
Georgia
Avenue (US 25)
Speed Data
(8/23-8/24
2022)
Avg = 26 MPH
85th % = 33 MPH
Avg = 26 MPH
85th % = 32 MPH
Avg = 28 MPH
85th % = 33 MPH
Avg = 30 MPH
85th % = 37 MPH
Avg = 38 MPH
85th % = 43 MPH
Posted Speed
Limit = 30 MPH
from S of Center St to N of
W Forest Ave
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 5 of 29
25,000
22,250
20,250
18,000
17,750
18,250
Georgia
Avenue
Weekday
Average Daily
Traffic
(August 2022)
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 6 of 29
41,000
36,500
33,250
29,500
29,000
30,000
Georgia
Avenue
Estimated
Future Traffic
Year 2047
Based on 2%
Annual Growth
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 7 of 29
Crash and
Safety
Analysis
(2016 –2021)
•Average of 50 crashes per
year
•Severity:
•75% of crashes were
property damage only
•25% involved an injury
•No fatal crashes
•Bicycle/Pedestrian Crashes
•1 Bicycle (Injury) crash
in 2018 at intersection
of Carolina Ave
•1 Pedestrian (Injury)
crash in 2019 at
intersection of Buena
Vista Ave
•1 Pedestrian (Injury)
crash in 2021 at
intersection of
Martintown Road
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 8 of 29
Crash and
Safety
Analysis
(2016 –2021)
•Crash Hot Spots:
•W Buena Vista Ave
•Block of Pine Grove Ave
to Spring Grove Ave
•Carolina Ave/Jackson Ave
•Martintown Rd
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 9 of 29
2022 Existing
Peak Hour
Traffic
Operations
AM = LOS A
PM = LOS A
AM = LOS A
PM = LOS D
AM = LOS C
PM = LOS C
AM = LOS A
PM = LOS B
AM = LOS A
PM = LOS A
AM = LOS B
PM = LOS B
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 10 of 29
Property/Business
Owners Workshop
October 2022
•Concerns regarding on-street
parking
•Angled parking difficult to
back out into oncoming traffic
•Potential reduction of parking
based on project
recommendations
•Delivery trucks occupying on-
street parking
•Desire for improved pedestrian
crossings and streetscapes
•Perceived speeding issues
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 11 of 29
Public
Engagement
Workshop
November
2022
•Concerns regarding traffic and congestion
•Perceived speeding issues
•Improved walkability and more distinct crosswalks
•Explore opportunity to shift traffic to West Avenue
•Streetscape and beautification improvements
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 12 of 29
Road Diet
Feasibility
•In preliminary discussions with City staff and the public, there was
interest in exploring the feasibility of a Road Diet along Georgia
Avenue
•FHWA guidance indicates that a road diet is typically implemented on
a roadway with a current and future average daily traffic of 25,000 or
less
•Based on estimated future daily traffic increasing over 25,000 in the
next few years, a road diet was not considered to be a viable long-
term option for Georgia Avenue
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 13 of 29
Gateway Signage
Traffic
Calming
Strategies
Source: North Augusta Wayfinding Plan –KMA
Design
Source: North Augusta Wayfinding Plan –KMA
Design
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 14 of 29
Landscaped Medians
Traffic
Calming
Strategies
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 15 of 29
Intersection Improvements
Pedestrian
Safety
Strategies
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 16 of 29
Improved Mid-Block Crossings
Pedestrian
Safety
Strategies
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 17 of 29
Recommendations
Pine Grove Ave
to Spring Grove Ave
$1,190,000
Narrow Travel Lanes to 11’
Convert to Parallel Parking
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 18 of 29
Recommendations
Buena Vista Ave
to Pine Grove Ave
$260,000
Install TWLTL to Pine
Grove Ave
Narrow Travel Lanes to 11’
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 19 of 29
Recommendations
RRFB Crossing
with In-Road Lights
In-Road Warning
Lights
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 20 of 29
Recommendations
Spring Grove Ave to
Jackson Ave
$470,000
Install TWLTL to Spring Grove
Ave
Narrow Travel Lanes to 11’
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 21 of 29
Recommendations
Center Street to
Buena Vista Ave
$420,000
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 22 of 29
Recommendations
Minor
Improvements
Option -Georgia
Ave at Carolina
Ave/Jackson Ave
$280,000
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 23 of 29
Recommendations
Major
Improvements
Option -Georgia
Ave at Carolina
Ave/Jackson Ave
$3,746,000
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 24 of 29
On-Street
Parking
Impacts
Buffered
Parallel
Spaces
Buffered space example (Photo from Assembly Street in Columbia, SC)
•Standard 22 ft x 8 ft parallel parking spaces were used in the concept
•Striped buffers could be used to provide extra space for vehicles, if
desired
•A common strategy would be to provide pairs of spaces with a buffer
on either end of the pair as pictured above
•The use of buffers will result in a reduction in parking spaces
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 25 of 29
On-Street
Parking
Impacts
Georgia Avenue On-Street Parking Comparison
Segment
Existing Proposed With 4' Buffers
(Estimated)
East
Side
West
Side Total East
Side
West
Side Total East
Side
West
Side Total
Pine Grove to Spring
Grove 15 17 32 14 9 23 13 9 22
Spring Grove to
Jackson 19 7 26 12 4 16 11 3 14
Totals 34 24 58 26 13 39 24 12 36
•Total Existing Parking on Georgia Avenue = 58 angled spaces
•Total Proposed Parking on Georgia Avenue = 39 parallel spaces
•If 4-foot buffers are used, an additional 3 spaces would likely be
reduced (36 total spaces)
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 26 of 29
Median
Width vs.
Sidewalks?
•To expand the sidewalks along Georgia Ave, width would have to be
taken from the medians.
•If the raised medians are reduced, the turn lane median width would
also need to be reduced to maintain consistency throughout the
corridor and potentially become too narrow to serve as a turn lane
•Estimated cost to reduce raised median width and widen sidewalks
would be an additional $750K to $1M
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 27 of 29
Next
Steps
•Continued coordination with
City staff and leadership
•Coordination with SCDOT
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 28 of 29
Thank you!
Joe Robertson, P.E., PTOE, RSP2IKimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Joseph.Robertson@kimley-horn.com
803-403-8557
ATTACHMENT #3Ai - Updated Page 29 of 29
City of North Augusta
Hurricane Helene
Recovery Update
28 April 2025
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 1 of 6
Actions since last update
•City Crews continued work in neighborhoods along the W. Martintown Road
corridor
•Partial removal of debris from the soccer complex (90% complete)
•Limited backhaul operations to final destination sites –ongoing
•Wastewater line easements clearing by city crews
•Contractor started work on stormwater detention pond clearing
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 2 of 6
Actions planned
•Cleanup of mixed SCDOT/City road neighborhoods
•Consolidation of city debris sites to contractor sites
•Ongoing
•Grinding operations and backhaul from Country Club property and E. Buena
Vista sites
•Contract for fencing repair around stormwater ponds and lift stations
•Request for proposals to be published soon
•Demolition of Maude Edenfield Park structure
•Demolition slated to start o/a 10 May 2025
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 3 of 6
Limited Yard Waste Operations
•Effective immediately, yard waste operations will resume for Yard Waste carts
and up to 4 bags of yard waste per week –no loose yard waste
•Full yard waste service not likely until after Masters Tournament
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 4 of 6
Full Yard Waste Operations
•Effective 2 June, 2025 City of North Augusta will be moving back to standard
yard debris pickup
•Bags encouraged, but not required
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 5 of 6
Questions?
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 6 of 6
City of North Augusta
Utility Billing System Transition Update
28 April 2025
ATTACHMENT #3Aiii Page 1 of 9
•Utility billing late fees have been suspended as have cut-offs until we have 100% accuracy on billing
•Large numbers of utility bills for 2/25 and 3/10 had errors
•Utility bills will be late for the 3/25, 4/10, and 4/25 cycles, but will be accurate
•Finance department has a new centralized customer service line: 803-442-5717
•Published 3 business day response, currently responding within 1 business day
Utility Billing Update ATTACHMENT #3Aiii Page 2 of 9
System Launch & Billing Timeline
•January 1, 2025 –System officially launched
•January 10, 2025 –Bills sent on time and correct (Billed & Printed via CSI)
•January 25, 2025 –Bills sent on time and correct (Billed & Printed via CSI)
•February 10, 2025 –Bills sent on time and correct (Billed & Printed via CSI)
•February 25, 2025 –Bills mailed March 19; correct charges, but incorrect balance fields
(Billed via CSI, Printed via GovSense)
•March 10, 2025 –Bills mailed March 26; correct charges, but incorrect balance fields
(Billed via CSI, Printed via GovSense)
2025 Actions ATTACHMENT #3Aiii Page 3 of 9
City Administrator bumped Hurricane Response as #1 priority to utility billing as new #1
City administrator guidance: late bills are preferable to inaccurate bills. No billing until internal audits verify billing
information
Late Fees and Water Cut-Offs Suspended
•Last Shut-Off: December 17, 2024
•Last Late Fee: February 6, 2025
Every Utility Account Under Review
•1,100 accounts actively corrected
Steps Taken:
•All known incorrect/missing payments reconciled
•Credit rollovers from 2024 now reflected in current balances
•Auto-draft status now clearly printed on bills
•Final transition away from dual systems underway
•Meter readings verified and imported directly into the new system
City Response & Corrective Actions ATTACHMENT #3Aiii Page 4 of 9
Billing Schedule:
•Cycle 1 (3/25/25) and Cycle 2 (4/10/25) bills will be delayed but accurate
•Goal is for 3/25 bills to be mailed early next week
•No late fees or shut-offs will be applied until further notice
Customer Communication:
•Enhanced transparency and updates via website, social media, and bill inserts
•Dedicated staff assigned to resolve individual billing issues promptly
System Stability & Training:
•Continued vendor support and internal training to ensure long-term success
•Evaluation of contract and vendor performance underway
What’s Next ATTACHMENT #3Aiii Page 5 of 9
What’s Next
High lobby volume expected
ATTACHMENT #3Aiii Page 6 of 9
•Customer bills paid online from April 9 –April 14 were received by Clover but not transmitted
to North Augusta
•City working to get those payments moved to our system
•Payments made online on those dates will not be reflected in customers water bill yet
•Customers will not be penalized with late fees or water cutoffs
Clover online payments ATTACHMENT #3Aiii Page 7 of 9
•Utility billing late fees have been suspended as have cut-offs until we have 100% accuracy on billing
•Large numbers of utility bills for 2/25 and 3/10 had errors
•Utility bills will be late for the 3/25, 4/10, and 4/25 cycles, but will be accurate
•Finance department has a new centralized customer service line: 803-442-5717
Bottom Line for Citizens ATTACHMENT #3Aiii Page 8 of 9
Questions?
ATTACHMENT #3Aiii Page 9 of 9