012626 Special Called Council Mtg Mins Adopted
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MINUTES OF JANUARY 26, 2026
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
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
The Special Called meeting of the City Council of the City of North Augusta of January 26, 2026 having
been duly publicized was called to order by Mayor Williams 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 YouTube
page: “City of North Augusta Public Information”. 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 Williams, Councilmembers Buck, Briatico, Felak, Freitas, and Toole.
Member absent was Councilmember Carpenter.
Also in attendance were James S. Clifford, City Administrator; J.D. McCauley, Assistant Administrator;
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; Kayla Ferguson, Manager of Human Resources; Jamie Paul, City Clerk; and Ricky Jones, Manager
of Information Technology.
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NEW BUSINESS
4. ELECTION: Ordinance No. 2026-02 To Amend Section 10-2 of the Current Code of Laws for the
City of North Augusta Specifically, the Amendment will Add Nomination and Election Schedule –
First Reading
No public comment.
Administrator Clifford stated that the Ordinances for Items #4, #5, and #6 relate to the City of North
Augusta General Election and reviewed each item. He reminded Council that, for Item #4, they
passed an ordinance in November 2025 to amend the City’s election cycle, moving Election Day to
align with the federal election cycle in even-numbered years. He highlighted on the timeline and
deadline changes for the election scheduled for November 2026 within the ordinance.
He noted that Item #5 changes the start date for newly elected Mayor and Councilmembers from
the first meeting after the election to the first meeting in January of the odd-numbered year
following the November election.
He stated that Item #6 relates to the contract with the Aiken County Board of Registration and
Elections and explained that no cost amounts are listed because the City is still negotiating the costs
and the mechanics of how the November election will be conducted. He noted that the first two
items must be approved in order to allow election filings to begin in March.
It was moved by Councilmember Toole, seconded by Councilmember Freitas, to approve Ordinance
No. 2026-02 To Amend Section 10-2 of the Current Code of Laws for the City of North Augusta
Specifically, the Amendment will Add Nomination and Election Schedule – First Reading.
Unanimously Approved. (See Attachment #4)
5. ELECTION: Ordinance No. 2026-03 To Amend Section 2-21(b) of the Current Code of Laws for the
City of North Augusta Specifically, the Amendment will Change the Day the Newly Elected Officers
Take Office – First Reading
No public comment.
It was moved by Councilmember Briatico, seconded by Councilmember Toole, to approve
Ordinance No. 2026-03 To Amend Section 2-21(b) of the Current Code of Laws for the City of North
Augusta Specifically, the Amendment will Change the Day the Newly Elected Officers Take Office –
First Reading. Unanimously Approved. (See Attachment #5)
6. ELECTION: Ordinance No. 2026-04 To Partner with the Aiken County Board of Registration and
Elections to Conduct a Portion of the 2026 City of North Augusta Municipal General Election –
First Reading
No public comment.
It was moved by Councilmember Buck, seconded by Councilmember Briatico, to approve Ordinance
No. 2026-04 To Partner with the Aiken County Board of Registration and Elections to Conduct a
Portion of the 2026 City of North Augusta Municipal General Election – First Reading. Unanimously
Approved. (See Attachment #6)
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-02
TO AMEND SECTION 10-2 OF THE CURRENT
CODE OF LAWS FOR THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA
SPECIFICALLY, THE AMENDMENT WILL ADD
NOMINATION AND ELECTION SCHEDULE
WHEREAS, Section 10-2 of the current City Code for the City of North Augusta provides
for the general election for the City to be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in
November in even numbered years, or at such times as further set by Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, under the South Carolina Code of Laws Section 5-15-70, the governing body
of a municipality has the ability to enact ordinances relating to time requirements for nominations,
primaries and the like; and
WHEREAS, Council has determined that it would be in the best interest of the citizens of
North Augusta that this change be made.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of
North Augusta, South Carolina, in a meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof, that:
1. The existing Section 10-2 entitled Election Dates as contained in the Code of
Ordinances for the City of North Augusta is hereby amended and shall read as
follows:
Sec. 10-2. – Election dates; nomination and election schedule.
(a) All general elections for the election of Mayor and members of the City
Council shall be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in
November in even numbered years, or at such times as further set by
Ordinance. Special elections shall be conducted in accordance with State
Law. Any runoff elections necessary in regard to General or Special
Elections shall be held two (2) weeks following the date of the original
election. Subsequent runoff elections will be held at two (2) week intervals.
(b) Nomination and election schedule. The beginning and ending dates for
nomination and election events held in each municipal general election year
shall be in accord with the following schedule:
(1) Beginning date for filing statements of intention of candidacy with the
Aiken County Voter Registration & Elections Office for nominations
by convention or primary: 12:00 noon, March 16.
ATTACHMENT #4 Page 1 of 3
(2) Closing date for filing statements of intention of candidacy with the
Aiken County Registration & Elections Office for nominations by
convention or primary: 12:00 noon, March 30.
(3) Party conventions, if party nomination by convention: Any day in the
second full week of June.
(4) Party nomination by primary: Second Tuesday in June.
(5) Primary runoffs, if necessary: Each two weeks successively thereafter.
(6) Published notice by city of general election: 60 days before election
day.
(7) Closing date for petition candidates to file petitions with the Municipal
Clerk: 12:00 noon, July 15.
(8) Last date for the municipal election commission to validate petitions of
petition candidates: 12:00 noon, August 15.
(9) Closing date for parties to file certification of party nominees with
municipal election commission: 12:00 noon, 60 days before election
day.
(10) Election day: First Tuesday after first Monday in November.
When any date prescribed in this subsection falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
legal holiday, the determination of whether an alternate date is required or
permitted shall be made in accord with the general law of the state; but the
selection of an alternate date shall not change the time of day requirements
otherwise provided. Filings submitted to the municipal election
commission shall be made with the city clerk.
(c) Publication of notice. No later than March 1 of each municipal general
election year, the city clerk shall cause to be published in a newspaper of
general circulation in the city a schedule identifying the specific date for
that year for the events contained in subsection (b) of this section. Such
notice shall also include the following language:
NOTICE TO CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS:
State statutes regulating campaign practices apply to municipal elections.
Failure to file statements of economic interest at the time of filing for
nomination will result in a civil penalty pursuant to S.C. Code Sec. 8-13-
1510 as required by Sec. 8-13-1356.
(d) Special elections. This section shall not apply to a special election which
may be required to fill the unexpired term of the mayor or any member of
the council because of resignation, death, disqualification or any other
cause requiring a special election to fill a vacant office of the mayor or any
ATTACHMENT #4 Page 2 of 3
member of the city council. Such elections shall be conducted in
accordance with state law.
2. All other Ordinances or parts of other Ordinances in conflict herewith are to
the extent of such conflict, hereby repealed.
3. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption on second
and final reading.
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS _____ DAY OF FEBRUARY,
2026.
First Reading___________________
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
Second Reading__________________
ATTEST:
Jamie Paul, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT #4 Page 3 of 3
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-03
TO AMEND SECTION 2-21(b) OF THE CURRENT CODE OF LAWS FOR
THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA
SPECIFICALLY, THE AMENDMENT WILL CHANGE THE DAY THE
NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS TAKE OFFICE
WHEREAS, Title 2-21(b) of the current City Code for the City of North Augusta provides
the newly elected officers shall take office at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the council,
with the administering of the oath of office and the official commencement of such terms of office
to take place at the conclusion of such meeting following the completion of all old and new business;
and
WHEREAS, The belief of Council is that moving the date of the newly elected officers to
the first meeting in January in odd years, following the City election held on the first Tuesday
following the first Monday in November in even numbered years follows will be similar to when the
County and State Officers take office; and
WHEREAS, Council has determined that it would be in the best interest of the citizens of
North Augusta that this change be made.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of
North Augusta, South Carolina, in a meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof, that:
1. That Section 2-21(b) shall be amended by deleting the Section as currently
written and amending same to read as follows:
(b) The newly elected officers shall take office at the next regularly scheduled
meeting of the council, with the administering of the oath of office and the
official commencement of such terms of office to take place at the conclusion
of such meeting following the completion of all old and new business. The
newly elected officers shall take office at the first meeting in January in odd
years, following the City election held on the first Tuesday following the first
Monday in November in even numbered years, with the administering of the
oath of office and the official commencement of such terms of office to take
place at the conclusion of such meeting following the completion of all old and
new business.
2. All other Ordinances or parts of other Ordinances in conflict herewith are to
the extent of such conflict, hereby repealed.
ATTACHMENT #5 Page 1 of 2
3. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption on second
and final reading.
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS _____ DAY OF FEBRUARY,
2026.
First Reading___________________
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
Second Reading__________________
ATTEST:
Jamie Paul, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT #5 Page 2 of 2
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-04
TO PARTNER WITH THE AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF REGISTRATION
AND ELECTIONS TO CONDUCT A PORTION OF THE
2026 CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Laws of South Carolina, and Ordinance No. 2026-XX adopted
February XX, 2026, the City of North Augusta will hold an election on November 3, 2026 to elect three
Councilmembers; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to partner with the Aiken County Board of Registration and Elections
to conduct a portion of the election; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, IN MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED AND BY
THE AUTHORITY THEREOF, THAT:
I. The City Administrator is authorized to enter into an agreement with the Aiken
County Board of Registration and Elections. Under the terms of the agreement,
the Aiken County Board of Registration and Elections will provide:
a. Staffing of polling locations on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026
b. Delivery, set-up, maintenance, and removal of voting machines
c. Absentee and provisional ballots; seals, forms, and supplies
d. Poll workers and support staff
II. The Aiken County Board of Registration and Elections has estimated the election
costs and expenses to be $XX,XXX.XX, see Exhibit A.
III. The Council approves payment of this amount from the City Council Professional
Services account.
IV. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption on
second reading.
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS ________ DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026.
First Reading
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
Second Reading
ATTEST:
Jamie Paul, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT #6 Page 1 of 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-04
AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH
GREENHOUSE ELECTRICAL PROFESSIONALS LLC TO PERFORM THE MUNICIPAL
CENTER LED CONVERSION
WHEREAS, The City applied for and was awarded a SC Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Block Grant (EECBG) by the SC Energy Office; and
WHEREAS, the grant budget amount of $74,000.00 includes up to $24,000.00 for materials and
$50,000.00 for contractor services to replace existing fluorescent lamps and fixtures to LED; and
WHEREAS, on January 7, 2026, the Engineering & Public Works Department published an
Invitation to Bid for “Municipal Center LED Conversion” on the City of North Augusta’s bids and requests
for proposals website page and in SCBO; and
WHEREAS, On January 22, 2026, sealed bids were received, publicly opened, and read aloud for
the project; and
WHEREAS, the low bid by Greenhouse Electrical Professionals LLC of Ladson, SC, is in the
amount of $36,900.72; 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 Greenhouse Electrical
Professionals LLC shall be awarded a contract for the Municipal Center LED Conversion at a total cost not
to exceed $50,000, which includes a contingency amount.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for payments pursuant to this contract will be from
the General Fund – EECBG LED Conversion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that reimbursement received from the SC Energy Office 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.
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS _____DAY OF JANUARY, 2026.
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jamie Paul, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT #7 Page 1 of 1