|
Meeting Details
AGENDA RECAP
1. Call to Order Regular Meeting - Chairman Brian Carnes
- [00:21] Chairman Carnes called the meeting to order and noted a quorum was present.
2. Welcome and Recognition - Chairman Brian Carnes
- [00:47] Chairman Carnes welcomed everyone and requested cell phones be silenced.
3. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation - Council Member Stuart Graham
- [01:09] Council Member Graham led the Pledge of Allegiance and provided the invocation.
4. Approval of the Agenda
- [02:12] Motion to approve by Luis, second by Harper.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
5. Citizens Comments
-
[02:28] The following citizens addressed the Council:
- Kathy Hurley: Present for a later agenda item (Rezoning).
- Libby Sweat Lambert: Raised concerns about not receiving county mail due to GIS address issues and requested a written explanation for the moratorium boundary decision.
- Joey Bird: Available for questions regarding the Haile Gold Mine cemetery relocation.
- Janine Clifton: Expressed frustration over the lack of response regarding the Mellon Lane/Barberville Road development and alleged UDO violations.
- Jane Alford: Invited the council and public to the Arts Council’s upcoming holiday events, including The Nutcracker Ballet.
6. Special Presentations
-
a. Accreditation of the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office
- [11:30] Presented by Chief Chris Watts, SC Law Enforcement Accreditation Council.
- Discussion: Chief Watts announced that the Sheriff's Office successfully completed its sixth state accreditation, noting that only 18 of 46 sheriff's offices in the state hold this status. He recognized Sergeant Andrew Gillespie for his diligent work on the assessment. Sheriff Faile thanked the Council for their support, emphasizing that accreditation ensures the agency follows best practices.
-
b. Recognition of EMS Competition Teams
- [17:24] Presented by Clay Catoe, EMS Director.
- Discussion: Director Catoe recognized three EMS teams for their recent competition successes, including a team of former high school program students who placed 4th at the state level. He also celebrated Billy Gillon for winning 1st place at the Carolina Competition and the team of Jeremy Munn and Isaiah Camp for taking 1st place at the Pee Dee Regional Competition.
-
c. Employee of the Quarter (3rd Quarter 2025)
- [24:19] Presented by County Administrator Dennis Marstall.
- Discussion: Administrator Marstall recognized nominees from General Government and Public Safety sectors for their service and dedication. Jennifer Ritz (Payroll) was named General Government Employee of the Quarter for her professionalism and teaching ability, while Brittany Morgan (EMS) was named Public Safety Employee of the Quarter for her compassionate patient care.
7. Consent Agenda
- [30:24] Approval of Minutes from the November 10, 2025 meeting.
- Motion: Mosteller moved to approve, second by Neal.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
8. Non-Consent Agenda
-
a. Resolution 1312-R2025 (Removal and Relocation of Abandoned Cemetery)
- [30:56] Resolution approving the relocation of the Hilton Cemetery by Haile Gold Mine.
- Discussion: Administrator Marstall explained that Haile Gold Mine requested to relocate the abandoned cemetery, which lies within their expansion project area, to a new site east of Ernest Scott Road. No objections were raised by the public or council during the meeting.
- Action: Motion to approve by Neal, second by Harper.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
-
b. 3rd Reading of Ordinance 2025-1993 (Budget Amendment - Cardiac Monitors)
- [32:32] Amendment to appropriate funds for the purchase of 11 cardiac monitors for EMS.
- Discussion: Staff confirmed the contract for the monitors was reviewed by the County Attorney and retains standard county language with minor vendor edits regarding warranties. Council Member Luis stated he would approve it with reservation regarding the warranty waivers, noting the pricing is locked in through the end of the year.
- Action: Motion to approve by Luis, second by Mosteller.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
-
c. Public Hearing and 3rd Reading of Ordinance 2025-1995 (Blackmon Farm Rezoning)
- [35:42] Rezoning of ~59.14 acres from Rural Neighborhood (RN) to Agricultural Residential (AR).
- Discussion: No speakers signed up for the public hearing. Planning Director Williams noted there were no changes since the previous reading.
- Action: Motion to approve by Graham, second by Harper.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
-
d. 3rd Reading of Ordinance 2025-1996 (Parks and Recreation Rules)
- [37:24] Amendment to County Code regarding rules for parks and recreation facilities.
- Discussion: Administrator Marstall summarized the changes, which clarify rules on watercraft operation, fishing, and overnight parking, particularly for the Springs Boat Landing site. The Sheriff’s Office reviewed and supported the additional regulations.
- Action: Motion to approve by Luis, second by Mosteller.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
-
e. 3rd Reading of Ordinance 2025-1997 (Animal Enforcement Provisions)
- [39:01] Amendment to County Code moving animal control under the Animal Shelter and updating shelter definitions.
- Discussion: Council Member Luis moved to amend the ordinance by striking sections 68 and 69, which appeared to remove spay/neuter requirements, arguing those sections needed more work. The amendment to strike those sections passed unanimously before the main motion was approved.
- Action: Motion to approve as amended by Harper, second by Luis.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
-
f. Public Hearing and 3rd Reading of Ordinance 2025-1998 (Van Wyck Fire District Fees)
- [41:34] Amendment allowing fire district fees to be used for operating expenses in addition to capital.
- Discussion: No speakers for the public hearing. Administrator Marstall clarified the ordinance allows funds to be used for personnel and operations and changes the Fire Chief's role on the board to a non-voting member.
- Action: Motion to approve by Graham, second by Neal.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
-
g. 2nd Reading of Ordinance 2025-2000 (Red Hill Road Rezoning)
- [43:21] Rezoning of ~24.1 acres from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Rural Residential (RR).
- Discussion: Planning Director Williams apologized for a drafting error in the previous reading's title and confirmed the applicant intends to use the land for farming, not a mobile home park. Council Member Mosteller opposed the motion, citing concerns about placing Rural Residential zoning in the middle of a Low Density Residential area.
- Action: Motion to approve by Harper, second by Luis.
- Vote: Passed 5-1 (Mosteller opposed, McGriff absent).
-
h. 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-2005 (Rescinding Remote Work Policy)
- [47:17] Ordinance to rescind policies related to telecommuting and remote work.
- Discussion: Administrator Marstall explained the current policy was used for recruitment and retention on a limited basis (approx. 13 positions). He noted that if rescinded, the county would need to address office space for fully remote employees and transitional arrangements for others.
- Action: Motion to approve by Neal, second by Harper.
- Vote: Unanimous approval (6-0).
9. Discussion and Action Items
-
a. Commissioning of Code Enforcement Officers
- [51:15] Administrator Marstall recommended seven employees for commissioning as enforcement officers for zoning and animal control.
- Discussion: This action aligns with the recent ordinance to move animal control duties and allows specific staff to enforce county codes. Council voted unanimously to approve the list.
-
b. Adding Financial Documents to County Website
- [52:53] Presentation by CFO Sabrena Harris on a transparency initiative.
- Discussion: CFO Harris proposed a phased model to publish financial reports, check registers, and P-Card transactions on a dedicated transparency webpage. Council Member Harper suggested listing P-Card expenses by department rather than individual employee names to protect staff privacy, which Harris agreed to explore.
- Action: Consensus to proceed with the proposed transparency plan, incorporating council feedback.
-
c. Adoption of 2026 Calendars
- [01:12:58] Adoption of the 2026 meeting schedules and holiday calendar.
- Action: Motion by Luis, second by Harper.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
-
d. Boards and Commissions Appointments
- [01:13:43]Airport Commission: Gerald Denko appointed (District 7).
- [01:14:35]Van Wyck Fire Protection District: Tony Carnes appointed. Chairman Carnes recused himself from this vote as the appointee is his brother.
- Action: Both appointments approved unanimously (with Carnes recused for the second vote).
10. Executive Session
- [01:16:01] Motion to enter Executive Session to discuss economic development (Project Alpine 2), EMS Headquarters Bay contract, DSS funding contract, and the County Administrator's contract/evaluation.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
11. Action Following Executive Session
- [02:40:05] Council returned from Executive Session.
- Motion: Council Member Luis moved to terminate the existing contract with the County Administrator and authorize the Chair to negotiate a new contract.
- Vote: Unanimous approval.
12. Adjournment
- [02:41:29] Motion to adjourn approved unanimously.
|
|
|