Chester City Council Meeting

August 10, 2015, 6:30 pm

Minutes

PRESENT: Mayor George Caldwell; Council Members Linda Tinker, Susan Kovas, Carlos Williams, Annie

M. Reid, Betty Bagley, Ike McBrayer, Angela Douglas and William Killian; City Administrator Sandi

Worthy and Human Resources Director Carla Roof; City Attorney Megan Gaston

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Caldwell called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

PRAYER: Councilwoman Douglas led in prayer.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor and Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

CITIZENS FORUM: Raymond Carter informed Council that he previously spoke to Council concerning

former Chief Williams, stating Chief Williams and Major Gilmore left because they were forced to leave.

Mr. Carter stated, “You can run but you can’t hide.” I do not care if you don’t like what I say, I am going

to say it. Chief Williams followed me several times, this is my life, and no one is going to take me down.

Mayor Caldwell informed Mr. Carter his time limit to speak was up. Mr. Carter left the meeting.

Jim Fuller, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director talked to Council concerning the truck traffic in the

downtown area. I understand there is an ordinance on the books and I ask that you enforce the

ordinance and give the downtown merchants some relief. Councilman Williams stated that he recently

went to court and several people had tickets for doing the California Roll. Mr. Williams stated if we can

have numerous tickets for the California Roll, then why we could not stop the 18-wheelers from coming

in the downtown area. Mrs. Worthy stated that she would discuss this issue with Chief Levister.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilwoman Tinker made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 13,

2015, July 15, 2015 and July 27, 2015, as presented. Councilman McBrayer seconded the motion. The

motion carried unanimously.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Mrs. Worthy provided Council with an update on the Amphitheater and

Sports Complex. I have been working with Mr. Douglas concerning the Public Works Department with

updating equipment. The program has 17 houses in the city that are already on the list to be demolished

and are owned by the FLC. The county will deed these properties to the city and we can use the funds

for the upkeep of the property. This money will go in an escrow account. The city will be responsible for

the upkeep for three years, and 17 of these houses are already on the list. The cost will be for just

keeping the grass cut. The resolution has been approved. No property will enter into the program

unless the owner agrees.

Mrs. Worthy informed Council that former Chief Williams has presented an opportunity to offer the

officers and opportunity to work off duty work at the schools. I will work with Ms. Gaston on getting an

agreement prepared.

Chickens in the City – Mrs. Worthy stated this was a request from a city resident. Allowing chickens in

the city would tie into our Strategic Planning. Mrs. Worthy asks that Council consider this.

Councilwoman Tinker made a motion to approve the Administrative Report as presented.

Councilwoman Reid seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Caldwell would like to allow Mr. Pierre Wilson – Carolina Family Alliance an opportunity to

present to Council. Mr. Wilson addressed Council that he would like to work with the kids in Chester.

Mr. Wilson informed Council they would like to provide assistance with gang violence, there is no cost

for the services. We file to Medicare and BlueCross Blue Shield. Mr. Wilson indicated they have

counselors, psychologist, LCSW, Nurse Practitioners and we can diagnose. Councilwoman Reid wanted

to know what kind of space they would need. We are looking for space and transportation to transport

to and from school. We would appreciate any help provided. Our groups are 8 to 10 kids with multiple

groups. If these children are on Medicare and Medicaid, they qualify. Each and every kid that comes to

our program, we do an analysis, not every kid will qualify for our services. Our current PSR program

does literacy; prepares small meals, provides educational activities. Mayor Caldwell appointed an Ad-

Hoc Committee to review the Carolina Family Alliance and bring back information to Council. The

Committee appointed was Mayor Caldwell and Council Members Kovas and Douglas.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS – Councilwoman Tinker made a motion to appoint Dianne Simpson to

serve on the City of Chester Planning Commission to replace the unexpired term of David Claytor.

Mayor Pro Tempore Bagley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Pro Tempore Bagley made a motion to reappoint Sharon Peterson to the Chester Metropolitan

District for a 4 year term; reappoint Charlie Hopkins to the Housing Authority for a four year term and

Angela Beckford-Days to the Planning Commission for a four year term. Councilman McBrayer seconded

the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Pro Tempore Bagley made a motion to approve the Second Reading Ordinance 2015-13,

Temporary Moratorium Extension as presented. Councilwoman Kovas seconded the motion. The

motion carried unanimously.

Joint Tax Collections – Councilwoman Reid –Councilwoman Reid stated that she is under the

understanding that the ordinance allowed the administrator to select a tax collector.

NEW BUSINESS:

Walkability Study - Robin Currence, Clemson Extension and April Spruill, Hazel Pitman Center provided

Council with an update on the study. Overall, the City of Chester is a walkable city. The citizens did the

reports. We can offer sign placement, we can assess other areas if needed. After much discussion,

Councilwoman Douglas wanted to know if there was an executive summary. Mrs. Currence stated that

she could provide a more detailed list. Councilwoman Reid commended the group on a job well done.

Economic Incentives – Mrs. Worthy placed this on the agenda to see if Council had questions. Mrs.

Worthy provided a detailed update for Council and wanted to know where the funds would be

identified. The funds are not currently identified in the current budget and we have to take some type

of risk to bring growth in to our city. Councilman Killian stated that we need to make the property

owners responsible for up keeping their buildings. Councilwoman Kovas stated that we need to move on

the incentives. There will be an application process that will come to Council and there will be guidelines

to follow. Councilwoman Tinker had concerns where will we find the money. There is a line item in the

administrative budget of $50,000.00. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to implement the downtown

incentive. Councilman McBrayer seconded the motion. All in favor were Linda Tinker, Susan Kovas,

Carlos Williams, Annie M. Reid, Betty Bagley, and Ike McBrayer. All opposed were Angela Douglas,

William Killian and Mayor Caldwell. The motion carried.

HR Policy and Procedure Manual - Mrs. Worthy informed Council the Manual was provided for Council

to review and with some minor typographical errors that will be corrected, the manual was ready for

approval. Councilwoman Tinker made a motion to accept as presented with the necessary changes.

Mayor Pro Tempore Bagley seconded the motion. Much discussion took place concerning the policy.

This is a living and changing document, and can be amended at any time and it protects us from liability.

Labor Attorney Joanie Winters informed Council there is always changes that will need to updated. We

just received a change on case law. Councilwoman Reid stated that Council needs to change the process

and make sure the administrators duties line up with the ordinances. Much discussion took place

concerning the role of the administrator and Council. Mayor Caldwell stated that the administrator is

not an investigator; she needs to be involved in the front office and with funding. After much

discussion, the motion carried with Linda Tinker, Susan Kovas, Carlos Williams, Annie M. Reid, Betty

Bagley, and Ike McBrayer in favor of the motion. Mayor Caldwell, Council Members Douglas and Killian

opposed the motion.

Reid minutes on August 10, that council needs to change the process and make sure the administrators

duties line up with the ordinances. The motion carried unanimously.

Community Loan Fund –Mrs. Worthy requested that the city provide the $220,000.00 to secure the

money to close the gap on funding. We are working with corporate sponsors to help fund the back lot

and the amphitheater. A total of $45,000.00 was allotted for the amphitheater. Mrs. Worthy

requested that we enter into agreement with community loan fund to begin the process. We can say to

our community that we are moving forward on this project. The project timeline will be 2 ½ years.

Councilman McBrayer made a motion to move forward with the SC Community Loan Fund in the

amount of $220,000.00. Mayor Pro Tempore Bagley seconded the motion. The motion carried with

Caldwell opposing.

East Chester Village Renaissance Bid – Mrs. Worthy informed Council that no one was interested in the

bidding and we will post for another 30 days.

Executive Session – Legal Matter – Police Department – Mayor Pro Tempore Bagley made a motion to

go into Executive Session for discussion of a Legal Matter in the Police Department. Councilman

McBrayer seconded the motion. The motion carried with Mayor Caldwell opposing.

Mayor Pro Tempore Bagley made a motion to reconvene from Executive Session. Councilwoman Tinker

seconded the motion. While in Executive Session, Council discussed a Legal Matter in the Police

Department. No action was taken.

With no further business, Councilwoman Tinker made a motion to adjourn. Councilman McBrayer

seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Carla Roof