071425 Study Session Mins AdoptedPage 1 of 3
MINUTES OF JULY 14, 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 July 14, 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, Carpenter, Felak, and Freitas.
Member absent was Councilmember Toole.
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; Jeremy
Jiunnies, Supervisor for Parks & Recreation Facilities & Programs, Karl Waldhauer, Manager of Tourism; Lynda
Williamson, Director of Finance; Kayla Ferguson, Manager of Human Resources; and Ricky Jones, Manager of
Information Technology.
Items on the agenda were discussed out of order, but for the purpose of clarity will remain as listed on the
agenda.
Page 2 of 3
ITEM 1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING:
Administrator Clifford led Council’s discussion of items for the July 21, 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. South Carolina Office of Resilience Presentation on Recovery Resources Following a Disaster
Eric Fosmire, Chief of Staff & General Counsel for the South Carolina Offices of Resilience presented on 2024
Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Program. (See Attachment #3Ai)
ii. Update on Utility Billing System Transition
Administrator Clifford provided an update on the Utility Billing System Transition. (See Attachment #3Aii)
Mr. Clifford updated Council on the Boeckh Park Pavilion that has been taped of since Hurricane Helene and
stated that the insurance adjusters and a professional engineering firm have looked at the pavilion. He
noted that it has been confirmed that the facility is not at risk of falling down or causing injury to citizens.
He stated that the tape and restrictions will be removed later this week.
(B) Mayor Williams will share reflections and announcements related to current City events and
opportunities
Mayor Williams recognized City Administrator Clifford for being in the top 100 of honorees as top influencers
in local government as he was nominated in the Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL). The recognition
honors people who make a difference in their communities and the larger local gov network, and who
demonstrate ELGL values of joy, creativity, connection, dependability, and equity through their work and
public activities. He highlighted on Mr. Clifford’s nomination which spoke on his efforts and leadership for
the City during Hurricane Helene.
Mayor Williams presented Mr. Clifford with a plaque.
Mayor Williams commented on the following staff members:
• Luke Josey and Daniel Snogans started as Public Safety Officers on July 2
• PSO Boozer completed Technical Rescue class through the South Carolina Fire Academy in
Greenwood this week
• PSO Morehouse assisted Merriwether Fire Department in locating a brush fire with the drone on
Wednesday
Mayor Williams highlighted on the following:
• Yard waste collection routes still have large debris piles in various areas. Thursday’s collection route
on the northside of I-20 was completed without delays in service. Staff will continue to work
weekends until all routes are on schedule
• The 2025 budgeted yard waste collection truck was delivered this past week
Page 1 of 2
DRAFT AGENDA: CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
July 21, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. – Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor - Council Chambers
The 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 July 7, 2025
• Study Session minutes of July 14, 2025
5. PERSONNEL:
a. Employee of the Quarter – April, May, and June 2025 – TBD
b. Sgt. David Griffin, Public Safety, Retirement – Recognition of Service to the City of North Augusta
NEW BUSINESS
6. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance No. 2025-12 Adopting Procedures for the Imposition,
Calculation, Collection, Expenditure and Administration of Impact Fees to be Imposed on New
Development; Providing a Purpose and Intent; Providing Definitions; Providing General Provisions and
Applicability; Providing for the Establishment of Impact Fee Accounts; Providing for the Appropriation of
Impact Fee Funds; Providing for Refunds; Providing for Appeals; Providing for Conflict; Providing for
Severability; and Providing an Effective Date – First Reading
7. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance No. 2025-13 Establishment of Impact Fee Charges – First
Reading
8. ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS: Resolution No. 2025-24 Authorizing a Professional Engineering Services
Contract for the Georgia Avenue Traffic Calming Improvements, Phase 1
ATTACHMENT #1 Page 1 of 2
Page 2 of 2
9. ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS: Resolution No. 2025-25 Authorizing a Professional Engineering Services
Contract for the Crestview-Woodlawn Drainage Improvements
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
a. Update on Utility Billing System Transition
11. 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
12. 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 Pond Fence Repairs
•SRP Park Roof Leak
•Brick Pond
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT:
•Planning Commission on Wednesday evening
PUBLIC SERVICES:
•Hurricane Helene Stump Removal
•Mosquito Control
PUBLIC SAFETY:
•Public Safety will be holding a splash down at Nancy Carson Library on Wednesday July
16 at 10:30.
•Public Safety is participating in Operation Southern Slowdown this week.
PARKS AND RECREATION:
•Greeneway team working on downed trees from Pop up storm
•Plumbers finishing up fountains in dog park
•American Legion baseball playing Riverview tonight
•6 days of Basketball left
TOURISM:
•Explore North Augusta Summer Series (All events at Sharon Jones Amphitheater)
o Saturday, July 26th: Sonic 3 Family Movie Night
o Sunday, August 3rd: 803 Night with the Swinging Medallions
o Saturday, August 30th: Minecraft Family Movie Night
DEPARTMENT DETAILS
for July 14, 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 – 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
2024 Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Program
Eric Fosmire
Chief of Staff and General Counsel
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 1 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE 2
❑MISSION: SCOR lessens the impact of disasters on the communities and citizens of South
Carolina by planning and coordinating statewide resilience, long-term recovery and
hazard mitigation.
❑Created in 2015 following Hurricane Joaquin and the 1,000-year flooding
❑Completed three HUD Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)
grants; repairing, replacing, or rebuilding 3,459 homes
South Carolina Office of Resilience ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 2 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE2024 HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RECOVERY
2024 Hurricane Helene Disaster Impact
3
❑More impact than the three previous
disasters combined
❑28 counties and the Catawba Indian
Nation were declared for FEMA
Individual Assistance (IA)
❑443,840+ citizens have applied to
FEMA for Individual Assistance
❑Approximately $2.1B in Unmet
Needs
▪Housing-$1.7B (81%)
▪Infrastructure-$192M (9%)
▪Economic -$224M (10%)
❑More renters applied to FEMA for
assistance; 173,862 of 443,840 (39%)
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 3 of 23
HUD Funded Disaster Recovery Housing Program
4
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 4 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
Community Development Block Grant-Disaster
Recovery (CDBG-DR) Allocation Overview
$150,354,000
CDBG-DR
Allocation
$7,517,700
Admin
$123,225,300
Disaster
Recovery
Estimating SCOR will
serve 700 households
$19,611,000
Mitigation
5% max
To meet $1.7B in Housing Unmet Need (8.6%)
*Open to Units of
Government
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 5 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
CDBG-DR Area of Operation
6
❑$150M HUD-funded program
❑The area of operation will cover 15 Most
Impacted and Distressed (MID) counties –
▪6 identified by HUD (blue)
▪9 identified by SCOR (red)
HUD MID
Grantee MID
2024 HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RECOVERY
❑HUD requires 80% of the funds to be used in the 6
HUD-identified MIDs (blue)
❑HUD requires 70% of the funds be used to benefit Low
to Moderate Income (LMI) citizens
❑HUD allocates 6 years for the completion of the grant
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 6 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
What Disaster Recovery Programs Will SCOR Provide to
Individuals?
7
PROJECT TYPE CAP AMOUNT (per home)
Stick-Built Reconstruction $225,000
Stick-Built Rehab $75,000
Single-wide MHU Replacement $125,000
Double-wide MHU Replacement $140,000
MHU Rehab $15,000
Affordable Rental Rehab $75,000
Voluntary Buyout $350,000
$123,225,300 Disaster Recovery
$110,725,300 Single Family Rehab, Replacement, and Reconstruction
$7,500,000 Affordable Rental Housing Rehabilitation
$5,000,000 Voluntary Buyouts
Cap Amounts are all in; includes demolition and site prep
2024 HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RECOVERY
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 7 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
Who SCOR Will Serve and Program Prioritization
8
WHO
❑Low to Moderate Income
Homeowners whose homes were
impacted by Hurricane Helene and
located in the 15x designated
counties
▪Owned home at time of Hurricane
▪Primary Resident at time of
Hurricane
▪Heirs Property status may be
addressed and is not an automatic
disqualification
❑Rental property owners whose
homes were impacted by Hurricane
Helene and located in the 15
designated counties
PRIORITY
❑Focus on Low to Moderate Income (LMI)
Citizens (goal of 100%)
❑Households with an age-dependent
member will be prioritized higher
▪Aged 17 or younger
▪Aged 65 or older
❑Households with a disabled member
will be prioritized higher
❑Households earning 30% or lower of
Area Median Income (for their county)
will be prioritized higher
#1 Indicator of your ability to recover is income
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 8 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
How SCOR Will Prioritize Service to Citizens
9
HOUSEHOLD’S AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI) CATEGORY
30% AMI or Below 31% to 50% AMI 51% to 80% AMI 81% to 120% AMI
Applicant’s Household
Includes Either Age Dependent or Disabled Priority 1 Priority 3 Priority 5 Priority 7
Applicant’s Household
Includes Neither Age
Dependent or Disabled
Priority 2 Priority 4 Priority 6 Priority 8
Area Median Income by county and by size of household:
Aiken County
1 Person 2 Persons 3 Persons 4 Persons 5 Persons 6 Persons 7 Persons 8 Persons
<30% AMI $18,550 $21,200 $23,850 $26,500 $28,650 $30,750 $32,900 $35,000
31%-50% AMI $30,950 $35,350 $39,750 $44,150 $47,700 $51,250 $54,750 $58,300
51%-80% AMI $49,500 $56,550 $63,600 $70,650 $76,350 $82,000 $87,650 $93,300
2024 HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RECOVERY
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 9 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
How SCOR Will Prioritize Service to Citizens -Example
102024 HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RECOVERY
•Married couple in their 50s
•Retired with Adult Children (Not at Home)
•$450,000 Home (Paid Off)
•Resided in home at time of Hurricane
•Did Not Maintain Home Insurance After
Paid Off House
•$180,000/year total in taxable pension
o 2 person 80% AMI (Aiken)= $56,550
Jackie & Frank Reid
Not Eligible
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 10 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
How SCOR Will Prioritize Service to Citizens -Example
112024 HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RECOVERY
•80-year old grandmother raising 6-
year old granddaughter in home
•Own home
•Resided in home at time of Hurricane
•Social Security Income ONLY
Margaret and Olivia Hayes
Eligible –Priority 1
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 11 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
What We Will Do and Not Do
12
SCOR Will Not:
❑Provide funds directly to citizens
❑Reimburse funds already spent
❑Provide luxury components
(granite countertops, sub-zero
freezers, etc.)
❑Tolerate waste, fraud, or abuse of
program funds
SCOR Will:
❑Provide a resilient, safe, sanitary, and
secure housing to eligible participants
❑Serve as many people as possible
❑Follow a set of standards called Housing
Quality Standards (HQS)
❑Utilize More resilient building standards
❑Not charge the citizen anything (no cost)
❑Put a 3-year forgivable lien on any home
we serve
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 12 of 23
CDBG-DRMitigation Program
13
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 13 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
Mitigation Program Distribution
14
PROJECT AMOUNT CAP AMOUNT (per project)
Infrastructure $10,000,000
Voluntary Buyout $350,000
Match $100,000
Plans & Studies $500,000
$19,611,000Mitigation Set-aside
$10,000,000 Infrastructure $1,000,000 Plans & Studies$8,111,000 Voluntary Buyouts $500,000 Match
❑90-day open application
period
❑Applicants are state agencies,
towns, cities, counties, and
Councils of Government
❑Projects must be in or benefit
one or more of the 6 HUD
identified Most Impacted and
Distressed counties
❑Scored on published criteria
2024 HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RECOVERY
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 14 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
CDBG-DR Recovery Timeline
15
16 MAYPost Action Plan for 30-day
Public
Comment
Period
16 MAY to 15 JUNConduct 6 Town Halls
•Aiken 27 MAY
•Greenville 3 JUNE
•Spartanburg 3 JUNE
•Anderson 10 JUNE
•Orangeburg 10 JUNE
•Greenwood 12 JUNE
15 JUNEnd of 30-day
Public Comment
Period
17 JUNAction Plan Submitted to HUD
45-day HUD Review Period
NLT 1 AUGHUD Approves
Action Plan
Procurement For An
Implementing Contractor
15 AUGImplementing
Contractor
Selected and on
the ground
NLT 22 SEP
Begin Intake
21 DEC
End Intake
5 JAN 2026
Begin Construction
State Funded Rapid Rebuild Program
2024 HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RECOVERY
1 DEC
Mitigation
Application Period Closes
1 SEPMitigation Application
Period Opens
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 15 of 23
State Funded Rapid Rebuild Housing Program
16
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 16 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE 17
Rapid Rebuild Program
❑SCOR will rebuild destroyed homes ONLY in
the highlighted counties through a State
funded program
❑Program includes 13x counties and the
Catawba Indian Nation that were not covered
by the federally funded program and other
impacted counties
❑Simpler and faster than the federal program
❑Serves only Low to Moderate Income citizens
❑Damaged homes will be referred to Volunteer
agencies, Non-profits, and other state agencies
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 17 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE 18
Distribution of State and Federally Funded SCOR
Housing Programs
CDBG-DR
Rapid Rebuild
CDBG-DR & Rapid Rebuild
SCOR will touch all 28 counties
and the Catawba Indian Nation
with Community Development
Block Grant-Disaster Recovery
and/or State Reserve Fund
dollars (Rapid Rebuild)
2024 HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RECOVERY
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 18 of 23
FEMA Funded Disaster Case Management Program
19
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 19 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
Disaster Case Management Program
20
❑FEMA funded
❑Purpose: to help disaster survivors of Hurricane Helene navigate the recovery process
and assist them in resolving all their disaster related unmet needs; connecting disaster
survivors to recovery resources
❑Serves all 28x FEMA Individual Assistance declared counties
❑4x static offices and mobile intakes
❑Refer citizens with housing needs to SCOR’s federally funded Disaster Recovery
program, the state-funded Rapid Rebuild program, and VOAD repairs programs
2024 HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RECOVERY
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 20 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
Disaster Case Management Regions and Offices
21
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 6
Region 1 Office
Central, SC
Region 6 Office
Aiken, SC
Region 3 Office
Columbia, SC
Region 2 Office
Spartanburg, SC
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 21 of 23
SC OFFICE OF RESILIENCE | PAGE
Key Points of Contact
22
❑Website: scor.sc.gov
❑SCOR Main Phone Line: (803) 896-4215
❑Disaster Case Management Phone Number: (803) 898-2511
❑SCOR Email: contact@scor.sc.gov
❑Mailing address:632 Rosewood Drive
Columbia, SC 29201
Report Alleged Fraud, Waste or Abuse:Call SCOR's Audit Hotline at 1-844-506-5436.
Call the State Inspector General at 1-855-723-7283 (1-855-SC-Fraud), or visit the State Inspector General’s website to file a complaint.
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 22 of 23
Questions?
23
ATTACHMENT #3Ai Page 23 of 23
City of North Augusta
Utility Billing System Transition Update
14 July 2025
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 1 of 4
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 #3Aii Page 2 of 4
•Finance department has a new centralized customer service line: 803-442-5717
•6/25 bills were mailed 7/11/2025 with due date of 8/1/2025
•7/10 bills should be mailed by 7/18/2025
•Billing cycles should be back to normal in August
Bottom Line for Citizens
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 3 of 4
Questions?
ATTACHMENT #3Aii Page 4 of 4