041326 Study Session Mins AdoptedPage 1 of 3
MINUTES OF APRIL 13, 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
STUDY SESSION
The Study Session of April 13, 2026 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; Captain Kevin Hayes, 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 Barton, City Clerk; and Ricky Jones, Manager of
Information Technology.
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ITEM 1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING:
Council will discuss and provide guidance on the proposed items for the April 20, 2026 City Council meeting.
(See Attachment #1)
Administrator Clifford clarified that item #’s 8, 9, and 10 on the agenda are linked. He noted that if item #8
would not pass then items 9 and 10 would not be addressed.
Administrator Clifford stated that item #8 the ordinance is for a change of use from commercially owned
property for residential and a small amount of retail to commercial.
Administrator Clifford highlighted on item #9 specific to the purchase of parcels B and D which would be
paid for with the Department of Energy (DOE) Settlement Funds. He clarified the purchase would not be
through the General Fund or Capital Projects Fund. He added that parcels B and D are linked and would
provide dedicated off-parcel parking for parcel D at parcel B. He commented that parcel B would become
publicly owned by the City versus privately owned which it is currently.
Administrator Clifford spoke on how the DOE fund projects were discussed and proposed and stated that
the projects had to be passed through legislature, which included projects such as the transfer station, lock
and dam, and cyber infrastructure.
Discussion ensued relative to the use of the DOE funds for cyber infrastructure and if not used for cyber
infrastructure; which would mean funding would be lost and/or paid back if not used.
Administrator Clifford noted that there will an additional resolution added to the April 20, 2026 agenda
regarding a contract for the CPST IV Bolin Road resurfacing project.
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. None
(B) Mayor Williams will share reflections and announcements related to current City events and
opportunities
Mayor Williams clarified the order of the April 20, 2026 Council Meeting as follows:
- 5:30pm – Public Power Hour
- 5:45pm – Public Hearing on the Proposed Fifth Amendment to Master Development Agreement
- 6:00pm – Immediately following the 4-20-26 Public Hearing at 5:45pm the City Council Meeting
Mayor Williams spoke on educating the public on items the City is working on. (See Attachment #3B)
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PUBLIC POWER HOUR
April 20, 2026 – 5:30 p.m. - Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor - Council Chambers
PUBLIC HEARING
Proposed Fifth Amendment to Master Development Agreement
April 20, 2026 – 5:45pm – Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor – Council Chambers
DRAFT AGENDA: CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(Immediately Following the April 20, 2026 Public Hearing at 5:45pm)
April 20, 2026 – 6:00 p.m. – Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor - Council Chambers
The Public Power Hour, Public Hearing, 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 March 16, 2026
• Study Session minutes of April 13, 2026
5. PROCLAMATION(S):
a. National Tennis Month – May
b. National Travel and Tourism Week – May 3 – May 9, 2026
c. Professional Municipal Clerks Week – May 3 – May 9, 2026
d. 75th Anniversary of the North Augusta Chamber
6. PERSONNEL:
a. Employee of the Quarter – January, February, and March 2026 – TBD
7. YOUTH APPRECIATION: Recognition of North Augusta High School Participants – Sponsored by the
Optimist Club of North Augusta
ATTACHMENT #1 Page 1 of 2
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OLD BUSINESS
8. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance No. 2026-06 To Approve the Revised General Development Plan
of the 195.39± Acre Hammond’s Ferry Planned Development Located on the West Side of Georgia Avenue
Between the North Augusta Greeneway and the Savannah River (Revisions Relating Solely to Phase B of
such Revised General Development Plan) – Second Reading
9. ADMINISTRATION: Resolution No. 2026-05 Authorizing the City to Purchase Real Estate Located within
Riverside Village, Specifically Parcels B and D – Remove from Table
NEW BUSINESS
10. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance No. 2026-08 Authorizing and Approving the Execution and
Delivery of a Fifth Amendment to Master Development Agreement and a Development Inducement
Agreement; and Other Matters Relating Thereto – First Reading
11. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance No. 2026-09 To Approve the General Development Plan for the
201.8+ Acre the Hive Planned Development on the East Side of West Martintown Road Between
Knobcone Avenue and Interstate 20 – First Reading
12. ADMINISTRATION: Resolution No. 2026-21 Authorizing Additional Golf Cart Parking and Pedestrian
Safety Improvements in Riverside Village
13. PARKS & RECREATION: Resolution No. 2026-22 Authorizing CPST IV Activities Center Improvements
14. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Resolution No. 2026-23 To Approve Mural Installation at Creighton Park
15. ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS: Resolution No. 2026-24 Authorizing the City of North Augusta
Amending the Previously Authorized Budget for the Watershed Tree Cutting, Removal & Disposal Project
16. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
17. 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
18. ADJOURNMENT
ATTACHMENT #1 Page 2 of 2
FINANCE:
• Cycle 2 Customers
o Disconnection Date for February balances begins Tuesday, April 14
o Due Date for March 25 bills is April 20
• Cycle 1 Customers
o Disconnection Date is March balances begins Tuesday, April 21
o Due Date for April 10 bills is May 4
• Business License Renewals
o Due Date is April 30
o Penalties will begin May 1 and is 5% per month late
• Taxes
o Due Date is May 1
o Penalties will be added May 2 to all unpaid tax bills
• 2024 Financial Audit
o The GFOA announced on March 26 that the City's 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial
Report was awarded the GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting.
HUMAN RESOURCES:
• Employee Appreciation Event – April 28 at SRP Park – 11:00am – Details Attached
• See the last page for the Employment Opportunities list
ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS:
• Woodlawn-Crestview Drainage Improvement Project
• NRCS EWP Grant Debris Removal
• Detention Pond Maintenance
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT:
• Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Tuesday April 14
• Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday April 15
PUBLIC SERVICES:
• Landscape Beautification Spring Flowers
• Carolina Springs Wastewater Lift Station Upgrade
PUBLIC SAFETY:
• Chief Johnson and Fire Division leadership are in Florida picking up our new Tanker Truck.
o A push in ceremony is tentatively planned for Friday, April 17 at Station 3 at 2:00 p.m.
• Public Safety officers were able to provide over 450 hours of special duty coverage related to the
Masters over the past two weeks.
PARKS AND RECREATION:
• Spring Sports
• Senior Program Update: Program Coordinator Tori Roberts
• Spring Volleyball Program
TOURISM:
• Chamber of Commerce Power Lunch at the Community Center on Tuesday, April 14 at 11:30am
• GreenJackets Opening Day Tuesday 4/14 @7:05pm
• Brick Pond Park Committee is hosting “Spring Into Brick Pond Park” on Saturday, April 18,
10:00am-1:00pm
• Upcoming Explore North Augusta concerts at Sharon Jones Amphitheater
• Visit Explore North Augusta’s Website or download the ENA App for more details and upcoming
events:
o https://explorenorthaugusta.com
DEPARTMENT DETAILS
for April 13, 2026
ATTACHMENT # 2 Page 1 of 3
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To apply and to see full job descriptions please visit www.northaugustasc.gov/jobs. You may also contact Human Resources
for more information at 803-442-5712 or sking@northaugustasc.gov.
The City of North Augusta is an Equal Opportunity Employer
EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Communications Technician I – Public Safety
Grade: 10
Salary/Pay Rate: $20.84 - $25.01/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Firefighter – Public Safety
Grade: 4
Salary/Pay Rate: $14.68 - $17.61/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Grounds Worker III – Property Maintenance
Grade: 7
Salary/Pay Rate: $17.76 - $21.31/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Grounds Worker III – Parks & Recreation
Grade: 7
Salary/Pay Rate: $17.76 - $21.31/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Manager – Finance
Grade: 27
Salary/Pay Rate: $79,717 - $95,660.40/annually
Closing Date: Until Filled
Public Safety Officer – Public Safety
Grade: 16
Salary/Pay Rate: $25.27 - $30.33/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Trolley Driver – Sanitation
Grade: 6
Salary/Pay Rate: $16.73 – 20.08/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Utility Service Technician – Wastewater O&M
Grade: 13
Salary/Pay Rate: $23.93 – 28.72/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Vehicle Operator I – Sanitation
Grade: 6
Salary/Pay Rate: $16.73 – 20.08/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
ATTACHMENT # 2 Page 3 of 3
I am beginning to hear about several topics on social media. I have done a poor
job the last 2 years educating our citizens about what we are doing in the
community. We have let several people drive the narrative about our city and I
want to begin to give you facts to help you in your decision making. With the
elections coming this year I wanted to mention 2 areas that citizens and even our
candidates need to know about.
I am seeing stuff trying to compare our downtown vs neighborhoods as far as
where we are spending money. It is not apples to apples. It is apples to oranges.
The downtown is not the same thing as a neighborhood. A downtown is the
center of the community where you want all 26,000 citizens to be able to go to
and hang out. It is the heartbeat of the community. It’s for all citizens.
A neighborhood is for the people who actually live in that neighborhood. No one
on Walnut lane wants 50 citizens from Hammond Hills to come hang out in their
neighborhood.
If you want to compare one neighborhood to another neighborhood than that is
apples to apples but I don’t think that is a valid argument to have.
So, let’s back it up with some data (see North Augusta Named Infrastructure
Projects - attached).
In addition:
Transportation Exit 1 we added traffic light Knobcone and Bergan Place within
that last 4 years.
Under Sewer and Wastewater, we did 23,000 feet of slip line in Crestlyn and
Lynnhurst Subdivision.
Under Water System- $2mill for Clay Street Pump Station.
ATTACHMENT #3B Page 1 of 5
Roughly we have spent or spending $26,000,000 versus the following in
downtown:
Trolley $275,000
Park Benches and bike racks and trash cans $50,000 my first year in office
Ga Ave traffic calming will be around $3million and we put $7mill in to CPST 5
which all adds up to $10mill.
So $26mill for neighborhoods/infrastructure and $10mill for downtown. The
narrative is false that we are putting all this money into downtown vs
infrastucture
Another thing is transparency. We hear a lot about it and I want people to know
that almost 70-90% of cities in SC only offer a public comment period at the end
or beginning of the meeting normally 30 minutes (see Public Comment Practices
in South Carolina Cities - attached).
ATTACHMENT #3B Page 2 of 5
North Augusta Named Infrastructure Projects
Detailed listing of identifiable infrastructure projects with associated funding amounts.
1.Sewer & Wastewater
Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project (SCIIP Grant Program)
•Total Cost: ~$9,007,987
•Grant: ~$7.65M
•City Match: ~$1.35M
•Scope: Sewer rehabilitation and system reliability improvements
2.Drainage / Stormwater
Pole Branch Watershed Drainage Improvements
•Funding: ~$2.25M
•Scope: Flood mitigation and drainage stabilization
3.Transportation
Martintown Road Improvement Project
•Budget: ~$3M
•Scope: Traffic flow and intersection improvements
Citywide Road Resurfacing Program (~$3M)
Road Reconstruction Program (~$3M)
4.Public Safety
Fire Apparatus Replacement Program
•Total: ~$5.97M
Public Safety / Municipal Complex
•Budgeted: ~$11.5M
5. Parks & Recreation
Riverview Park Improvements (part of ~$4.25M)
Greeneway Expansion & Improvements (~$650K + ~$900K)
ATTACHMENT #3B
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Automated Meter Reading (AMR) System
•Cost: ~$2.99M
7.Civic / Community
Nancy Carson Library Improvements (~$500K)
Bridge & Gateway Beautification (~$500K)
6. Water System
ATTACHMENT #3B
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