063025 Study Session Mins AdoptedPage 1 of 3
MINUTES OF JUNE 30, 2025
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
Kevin W. Toole, Councilmember – Mayor Pro Tem
Dennis C. Briatico, Councilmember
David B. Buck, Councilmember
Pat C. Carpenter, Councilmember
John M. Felak, Councilmember
Robert L. Freitas, Councilmember
ORDER OF BUSINESS
STUDY SESSION
The Study Session of June 30, 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, Briatico, Felak, and Toole.
Members absent were Councilmembers Carpenter and Freitas.
Also in attendance were James S. Clifford, City Administrator; J.D. McCauley, Assistant Administrator; Kelly F.
Zier, City Attorney; Thomas C. Zeaser, Director of Engineering and Public Works; Chief Junior Johnson, Public
Safety; Tommy Paradise, Director of Planning & Development; James Sutton, Director of Public Services; Rick
Meyer, Director of Parks & Recreation, Karl Waldhauer, Manager of Tourism; Lynda Williamson, Director of
Finance; Sabrina King, Human Resources Generalist; Jamie Paul, City Clerk; and Ricky Jones, Manager of
Information Technology.
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ITEM 1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING:
Administrator Clifford led Council’s discussion of items for the July 7, 2025 regular meeting. (See Attachment
#1)
ITEM 2. DEPARTMENT DETAILS:
City department directors and managers provided departmental updates. (See Attachment #2)
ITEM 3. MAYOR’S MATTERS:
(A) FOCUS ITEM(S):
i. Riverside Village Parking & Pedestrian Safety Update – Administration
Assistant Administrator McCauly presented on the Riverside Village Parking & Pedestrian Safety Update.
(See Attachment #3Ai)
iii. Update on Utility Billing System Transition
Administrator Clifford provided an update on the Utility Billing System Transition. (See Attachment #3Aii)
(B) Mayor Williams will share reflections and announcements related to current City events and
opportunities
No announcements.
ITEM 4. LEGAL: Executive Session – Request of the City Administrator
At 6:57pm on the motion of Councilmember Toole, second by Councilmember Buck, Council agreed to
enter into an executive session in compliance with Section 30-4-70 (a)(2) the City Administrator requests
an executive session for the purpose of:
(2) Discussion of negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements and proposed sale or
purchase of property, the receipt of legal advice where the legal advice relates to a pending, threatened,
or potential claim or other matters covered by the attorney-client privilege, settlement of legal claims,
or the position of the public agency in other adversary situations involving the assertion against the
agency of a claim
Discussion is specifically related to Riverside Village.
Also, in attendance were Jim Clifford, City Administrator; J.D. McCauley, City Assistant Administrator; Kelly
Zier, City Attorney; Tommy Paradise, Director of Planning & Development; Lynda Williamson, Director of
Finance; and Jamie Paul, City Clerk.
At 7:28pm on the motion of Councilmember Toole, second by Councilmember Buck, Council adjourned the
executive session of Section 30-4-70 (a)(2).
Council did not take action on matters discussed in Executive Session.
ITEM 5. LEGAL: Executive Session – Request of the City Administrator
At 6:57pm on the motion of Councilmember Toole, second by Councilmember Buck, Council agreed
to enter into an executive session in compliance with Section 30-4-70 (a)(5) the City Administrator
requests an executive session for the purpose of:
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PUBLIC POWER HOUR
July 7, 2025 – 5:30 p.m. - Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor - Council Chambers
DRAFT AGENDA: CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
July 7, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. – Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor - Council Chambers
The Public Power Hour 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 June 16, 2025
• Study Session minutes of June 30, 2025
NEW BUSINESS
5. ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS: Resolution No. 2025-22 Authorizing Vehicular and Pedestrian Safety
Improvements in Riverside Village
6. ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS: Resolution No. 2025-23 Authorizing the City of North Augusta to
Enter into a Contract with Eight Acres Recycling LLP to Perform Sediment Removal in the Waterworks
Drainage Basin
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT(S):
a. Update on Utility Billing System Transition
b. Update on Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
ATTACHMENT #1 Page 1 of 2
Page 2 of 2
8. 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
9. ADJOURNMENT
ATTACHMENT #1 Page 2 of 2
FINANCE:
• Report will be covered on Focus Item #3Aii
HUMAN RESOURCES:
• See the following page for the Employment Opportunities list
ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS:
• Detention Facility and Lift Station Fence Repairs
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT:
• BZA meeting tomorrow night
• Code Enforcement has started advertising lot clean-ups on the city website
PUBLIC SERVICES:
• June Street Water Main Upgrade
• Large Water Meter Accuracy Test
PUBLIC SAFETY:
• Public Safety's Greeneway response vehicle has been received and has been upfitted with
medical and rescue equipment.
PARKS AND RECREATION:
• Greeneway team installing new water fountain in front of Riverview Park Activities Center.
• Fire Panel update by Johnson Controls for the original Riverview Park Activities Center building,
Gyms 3-6, begins on Monday, July 7. Fire Panel update is needed before final elevator
inspection.
• Nike Peach Jam preparations: Roof repair, goals & bleacher inspections & repairs, window
washing. Nike event is July 9-20.
TOURISM:
• Podcast Update
• Explore North Augusta Summer Series (All events at Sharon Jones Amphitheater)
o Saturday, July 26: Sonic 3 Family Movie Night
o Sunday, August 3: 803 Night with the Swinging Medallions
o Saturday, August 30: Minecraft Family Movie Night
DEPARTMENT DETAILS
for June 30, 2025
ATTACHMENT #2 Page 1 of 2
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 – Parks & Recreation
Grade: 7
Salary/Pay Rate: $17.25 – $20.70/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Grounds Worker III – Property Maintenance
Grade: 7
Salary/Pay Rate: $17.25 – $20.70/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Public Safety Officer – Public Safety
Grade: 16
Salary/Pay Rate: $24.54 - $29.45/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Sanitation Worker I – Sanitation
Grade: 4
Salary/Pay Rate: $14.25 - $17.11/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 Service Technician – Public Utilities
Grade: 13
Salary/Pay Rate: $23.24 - $27.88/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 2
Riverside Village Parking & Pedestrian Safety Update
June 30, 2025
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 1 of 20
Purpose of Presentation
•Address Parking and Pedestrian Safety Concerns
•Propose Riverside Village Safety Resolution 2025-22
•Review Potential Improvements
•Seek Council Guidance
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 2 of 20
Current Situation
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 3 of 20
Identified Issues
•Parking frustration from visitors, business owners, and residents
•Unsafe pedestrian areas
•Confusing signage, broken meters, unmarked spaces & curbs
•Underutilized decks and overused curbside/on-street parking
•Spillover into Hammond’s Ferry neighborhood
•No scalable response for “surge parking” for concurrent events
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 4 of 20
Proposed Solutions
Three Phases
•Phase I (Immediate) –Low-cost, high-impact fixes
•Phase II (Interim) –Vendor deployment, policy standardization
•Phase III (Long-term) –Infrastructure upgrades, surge response,
and agreement/ordinanceupdates
Goals:
•Improve safety and accessibility (pedestrians & vehicles)
•Optimize parking use and on-street parking turnover
•Prevent neighborhood impacts
•Surge event parking optimization
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 5 of 20
Phase I –Safety & Access Enhancements
Start Vehicular and Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project
•Bollards
•Crosswalk Enhancements
•Paint curbs for existing no-parking zones
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 6 of 20
Safety Bollards
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 7 of 20
Safety Bollard Placement
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 8 of 20
Hotel Parking Deck Crosswalks
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Ironwood Apartments
Parking Deck
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 9 of 20
Center Street Parking Deck Crosswalks
Augusta Oncology
Parking Deck
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 10 of 20
Mark Existing No Parking Zones
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 11 of 20
Phase I - Continued
•Issue RFQ for parking management vendor(s)
•Software/hardware
•On-street and deck enforcement
•Valet services
•Parking deck maintenance
•Towing service
•Parking Consultant
•Limited trolley service between Downtown & Riverside Village
•Additional golf cart parking (based on Council guidance)
•Begin measures to prevent Hammond’s Ferry spillover:
•Evaluate signage and time restrictions
•Explore resident-only options with HOA
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 12 of 20
Experimental Trolley Route
•Launching soon for 90-day trial
•Connect Downtown and Riverside Village
•Fridays & Saturdays
•Gameday vs. Non-Game Day Route
•App tracker/quick turn goal
•Opens additional parking zones
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 13 of 20
Golf Cart Parking & Valet Stand
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 14 of 20
Phase II - Vendor Deployment & Policy Standardization
•Enact RFQ-selected vendor services
•Parking Payment
•Enforcement (tickets/towing)
•Deck Operations & Maintenance
•Valet Services
•Parking Consultant
•Establish clear public vs. private zones in parking decks
•Daytime: Public access to undesignated spaces
•Overnight: Limited to hotel guests, residents, and authorized staff
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 15 of 20
Phase II - Continued
•Wayfinding & Signage Improvements
•High-visibility signs directing to public parking
•Clearly marked reserved parking deck stalls for:
•Hotel guests
•Apartment & clubhouse residents
•Business employees
•GreenJackets staff
•Valet parking
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 16 of 20
Potential Signage Options
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 17 of 20
Phase III – Long-Term
•Revise Master Parking Agreement
•Update City Ordinances
Contingent on Available Funding:
•Upgrade E. Buena Vista Lot
•Adjust ingress/egress of Parking Decks
•Implement a Surge Event Parking Strategy
•Install EV charging stations in Deck(s)
•Parking Consultant
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 18 of 20
Summary of What’s Next
Next Steps:
•Resolution 2025-22 Authorizing Funding for Vehicular and Pedestrian
Safety Improvement Project in Riverside Village
•Publish RFQ for parking services vendor(s)
•Launch communication plan for businesses, citizens, and visitors
•Future follow-up study session
•Status update
•Pending third-party parking enforcement South Carolina case law
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 19 of 20
Questions & Discussion
Council Guidance Requested:
•Priorities, Goals, Scope, & Timeline
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 20 of 20
City of North Augusta
Utility Billing System Transition Update
30 June 2025
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 1 of 5
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 ActionsATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 2 of 5
•Online portal has been taken off-line based on feedback from customers on Saturday
•Working with FISERV & CLOVER to reconcile
Clover online paymentsATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 3 of 5
•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 delayed 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
•5/10 bills were mailed 7/23/2025 with due date of 7/11/2025
•5/25 bills mailed today with due date of 7/21/2025
Bottom Line for CitizensATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 4 of 5
Questions?
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 5 of 5