070725 Council Mtg Mins Adopted
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MINUTES OF JULY 7, 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
The Public Power Hour was streamed for public viewing online at: “City of North Augusta – Public
Information” on www.Facebook.com and “City of North Augusta Public Information” on
www.YouTube.com.
PUBLIC POWER HOUR
The July 7, 2025 Public Power Hour began at 5:30pm. Members present were Mayor Pro Tem Toole,
Councilmembers Briatico, Buck, Carpenter, and Freitas.
Members absent was Mayor Williams and Councilman Felak.
Also, in attendance were Ricky Jones, Manager of Information Technology and Jamie Paul, City Clerk.
1. Linda Smith, resident, spoke on getting the volunteers back into the North Augusta Animal
Shelter. She expressed her concern that the animals in the shelter are in danger of being put
down due to the volunteers not being allowed into the shelter. She highlighted on the volunteers
and Officer McBride on how they work tirelessly on getting the animals adopted. She added that
with the upcoming developments would bring in more animals.
Councilman Buck and Briatico confirmed that Volunteers are still helping at the shelter, however,
at this time they are not able to remove the animals for vet appointments or take home.
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2. Brandy Gunsolas, owner of The Splatter Place, spoke on the Building Standards Department and
their struggles of receiving a permit due to numerous requirements and setbacks they have meet.
They want to expand and have hired an architect. She commented on the costs they have put into
this project and difficulties they are having with the department.
3. Sharon Hill, resident, spoke on having people visit senior living facilities to speak to the elderly on
the history of the City.
The Public Power Hour concluded at 5:54pm.
REGULAR MEETING
The Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of North Augusta of July 7, 2025 having been duly
publicized was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Toole at 6:00pm and also streamed online for public
viewing at “City of North Augusta – Public Information” on www.Facebook.com and on the “City of North
Augusta Public Information” on www.YouTube.com. 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.
Members present were Mayor Pro Tem Toole, Councilmembers Briatico, Buck, Carpenter, and Freitas.
Members absent was Mayor Williams and Councilman Felak.
Also in attendance were James S. Clifford, City Administrator; J.D. McCauley, Assistant Administrator; Kelly
F. Zier, City Attorney; Chief Junior Johnson, Public Safety Director; Jamie Paul, City Clerk; and Ricky Jones,
Manager of Information Technology.
ITEM 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 16, 2025, and Study Session of June 30, 2025, were
approved as submitted by general consent.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 5. ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS: Resolution No. 2025-22 Authorizing Vehicular and Pedestrian
Safety Improvements in Riverside Village
No public comment.
It was moved by Councilmember Carpenter, seconded by Councilmember Buck, to Approve Resolution
No. 2025-22 Authorizing Vehicular and Pedestrian Safety Improvements in Riverside Village. Unanimously
Approved. (See Attachment #5)
ITEM 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
No public comment.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-22
AUTHORIZING VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IN
RIVERSIDE VILLAGE
WHEREAS, the City of North Augusta desires to implement projects to improve vehicular
and pedestrian safety within the Riverside Village Municipal Improvement District; and,
WHEREAS, these improvements include items such bollards, sidewalk ramps, enhanced
crosswalks, and signage; and,
WHEREAS, revenue from parking fees is available to fund these improvements.
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
Engineering & Public Works Department is authorized to proceed with the pedestrian safety
improvements, utilizing City forces and/or contractual services, as needed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for these improvements shall be from the
North Augusta Public Facilities Corporation Fund, in an amount not to exceed $163,111.90.
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS ____ DAY OF JULY, 2025.
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jamie Paul, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT #5 Page 1 of 1
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
WHEREAS, Resolution 2024-55 authorized the City Administrator the execute an
Agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for a grant to perform repairs to
waterways damaged by Hurricane Helene; and
WHEREAS, the grant budget includes $843,125.00, 100% reimbursable, for
construction expenses related to debris removal and creek stabilization of various sites; and
WHEREAS, the grant scope includes debris removal from the creek through Waterworks
Park (identified as Site 5A in the Grant Application) and specifically the accumulation of sediment
in a pond at The River Club Golf Course; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2025, the Engineering & Public Works Department published an
Invitation to Bid for “River Club Pond Mucking” on the City of North Augusta’s bids and requests
for proposals website page and in SCBO; and
WHEREAS, On June 26, 2025, sealed bids were received, publicly opened, and read aloud
for the project; and
WHEREAS, the low bid by Eight Acres Recycling, LLP of Prosperity, SC is in the amount
of $56,286.00; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Augusta find that the
awarding of such bid for the project is in the best interest of the City.
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 Eight
Acres Recycling, LLP shall be awarded a contract for the River Club Pond Mucking at a total cost
not to exceed $62,000, which includes a contingency amount.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for payments pursuant to this contract will be
from the General Fund – Disaster Relief Efforts.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that reimbursement received from NRCS shall be
deposited into the General Fund.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE City Administrator is authorized to execute
any documents required for the entering into of this contract.
ATTACHMENT #6 Page 1 of 2
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS _____DAY OF JULY, 2025.
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jamie Paul, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT #6 Page 2 of 2
City of North Augusta
Utility Billing System Transition Update
7 July 2025
ATTACHMENT #7a 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 #7a Page 2 of 5
•Online portal has been restored as of today
Clover online paymentsATTACHMENT #7a 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
•6/10 bills will be mailed 7/8/2025 with due date of 7/28/2025, and bank draft date of 7/14/2025
•6/25 bills should be mailed by next City Council study session (7/14/2025)
Bottom Line for CitizensATTACHMENT #7a Page 4 of 5
Questions?
ATTACHMENT #7a Page 5 of 5
City of North Augusta
Hurricane Helene
Recovery Update
7 July 2025
ATTACHMENT #7b Page 1 of 6
Actions since last update
•Fence Contractor repairing city fencing
•Contractor has largely completed stormwater detention pond maintenance
•City personnel have cleared a number of utility easements
•Rep Hixon coordinated with SCDOT to remove several remaining stumps
•FEMA site inspections
•E. Buena Vista debris site closed –all debris removed from that site
•Debris removal extension granted by SCEMD
•SDR contract extended through 1 August 2025 to grind and backhaul
Country Club Property
ATTACHMENT #7b Page 2 of 6
Actions planned
•Monitor SDR operations at Country Club property
•Continue coordination with telecommunications companies for wire removal
•Monitor SCDOT stump removal actions
•Demolition of tennis building at Country Club Property
•Boeckh Park structure way-ahead
ATTACHMENT #7b Page 3 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 #7b Page 4 of 6
•Enable power restoration to 100% of our citizens
•Road hazards fully identified and removed
•Road debris cleared, all roads to pre-Hurricane status
•Recreational Facilities & City Parks opened to the extent possible
•Plan to repair city facilities presented to Council
•City of North Augusta has the highest level of local government insurance claims in the SC
•Greeneway passable from end to end
Operation End State:ATTACHMENT #7b Page 5 of 6
Questions?
ATTACHMENT #7b Page 6 of 6