Spartanburg City Council Meeting - October 13, 2025
Spartanburg City Council Meeting - October 13, 2025
The meeting began with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an agenda amendment moving the Citizens Academy recognition before public comment. Council recognized the 2025 Citizens Academy graduates, then proceeded to public comments where numerous residents spoke primarily in support of a hate crimes ordinance and about other community concerns. The council then approved a proclamation for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, passed the second reading of the hate crimes ordinance after removing a contentious clause, approved first reading of a development agreement for 11 East Main Street, authorized a settlement agreement regarding the clock tower lawsuit, and awarded contracts for HVAC and firefighter physicals. Staff provided updates on winning tax credits for downtown affordable housing, a new valet/shuttle service, and the upcoming planetarium opening. Council members shared reflections on community violence and the importance of social cohesion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Andy Drott (525 Parent Drive), a Citizens Academy graduate, thanked the city for the program and shared his family's decision to move to Spartanburg from Greenville.
- Tiffany Bailey and Ashley Renner (both from Highland Crossing Apartments) described ongoing tenant harassment, unresponsive landlord, and insufficient police response, requesting council intervention.
- Courtney McLean (346C East Crop Circle) spoke in support of the hate crimes ordinance, noting South Carolina is one of two states without such a law and citing active hate groups in Spartanburg.
- Sarita Edgerton (PO Box 17072) spoke against the ordinance, arguing an education component exists and questioning who would determine the curriculum; she objected to being called "less than truthful" at the prior meeting.
- Elizabeth York (185 Bucks with Lane) shared her personal history as a lesbian and supported the ordinance, connecting it to Mayor Juni White's legacy.
- Alice Sutton (426 East Park Drive) spoke on behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Church in support of the ordinance.
- Antonio Tanum (225 Milligan Street) corrected misinformation about the ordinance, emphasizing it covers national origin, creed, religion, ancestry, and disability, and noted the city's 90% diversity rate.
- Kobe King expressed support for the ordinance as a straight white man who experienced homophobic slurs, wanting his daughters to feel safe in Spartanburg.
- Amaria Dawkins (385 Hodge Drive) argued the ordinance does not violate First Amendment rights and is constitutional, stating it only criminalizes bias-motivated conduct.
- Unnamed speaker (who stated "I grew up in a world where being different could get you laughed at") shared personal experiences and urged passage.
- Mod Kumar (206 Cart Drive) supported the hate crimes ordinance and requested better accessibility for public comment for people with disabilities.
- Mark Monahan (150 East Victoria Road) shared a personal story about his uncle's murder and argued the law is needed to protect against hate, referencing the Charleston church shooting.
- Jason Spencer (206 Sharon Drive), chair of Siren, thanked the city for considering the ordinance and invited council to a future event.
- Dr. Midas Hampton (227 Hillcrest Commons Way) spoke as chair of Spartan Burgess Foundation and urged passage, citing science on fear's impact on community.
- Liv Hawkins III (501 Howard Street) supported the ordinance as a queer professional and again requested accessible public comment design.
- James A. Jones (582 West Main Street) urged passage of the hate crimes ordinance, asked council to listen to clock tower proponents, and raised concerns about maternal health.
- Carl Presbatino complained about a city contractor's lawn mowing on medians on Mills Street, causing debris and killing grass.
- Emily Gomez (126 Could Drive) raised concerns about public transportation reliability and aging public buildings.
- Mike Fowler (275 South Church Street), an original Citizens Academy graduate, announced the upcoming South Church Street Bodega, a food market with fresh produce and other offerings, expected to open early next year.
Discussion Items
- Agenda Amendment: Council moved the Citizens Academy recognition to item five and public comment to item six. Approved.
- Citizens Academy Recognition: Community Relations Manager Kathy Heel presented the 2025 graduates; 14 graduates now serve on city boards and commissions.
- Proclamation: October 15, 2025 declared Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day; residents encouraged to light a candle at 7:00 p.m. on that date.
- Hate Crimes Ordinance (Second Reading): City Attorney Bob Coler recommended striking the final sentence allowing suspension of sentence upon completion of education, counseling, or community service after discussions with the city judge, who noted she already has that authority. The amendment was accepted; the ordinance now carries a penalty of up to 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. Councilman Fulmer noted the change makes it more enforceable. The ordinance passed unanimously.
- Development Agreement (First Reading): Manager Chris Story presented an $18 million project at 109-111 East Main Street: 13,000 sq ft of commercial space and 26 apartments, combining historic restoration and new construction. The agreement includes a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes schedule starting at $36,500 and ramping to $193,400 over 20 years. Councilman Fulmer noted the 26-unit project could not accommodate a 10% affordable housing requirement and proposed allocating a half-percent of the fees to the city's affordable housing trust. Story said that could be done as a separate council action. The first reading was approved unanimously.
- Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act Resolution: Certified the site as an abandoned building to enable state tax credits. Approved unanimously.
- Clock Tower Settlement Resolution: City Attorney explained that after a day and a half of mediation, a settlement was reached that does not predetermine the clock tower's final location; that decision remains with council after further study. Councilwoman Smith urged moving quickly. The resolution authorizing the city manager to execute the settlement was approved unanimously.
- HVAC Replacement at C.C. Woodson Recreation Center: Assistant City Manager Tony McCabe presented two bids; the low bidder was LPB of South Carolina. The contract was awarded unanimously.
- Firefighter Physicals Contract: Assistant Fire Chief Starks requested approval of a three-year contract with Life Scan Wellness Centers, the effective low bidder and current provider, for annual on-site physicals. Awarded unanimously.
- Staff Updates: Chris Story reported that the city won low-income housing tax credits for a 50-unit affordable housing project at Kennedy and Converse Streets; valet and shuttle services have launched to mitigate parking impacts from downtown construction; the new planetarium at the library opens Friday, October 17.
- Council Updates: Councilwoman Smith reflected on social fabric and the need to work toward common aims despite disagreement. Councilwoman Jennings expressed concern about a child killed in its bed and urged responsible gun ownership, noting 41% of stolen guns came from unlocked vehicles. Councilman Fulmer noted the ribbon cutting for Downtown Pizza on Magnolia Street and encouraged visitation. Mayor pro tem congratulated Councilwoman Smith on her state fellowship. Mayor acknowledged the Stop the Violence coalition and reminded of early voting starting October 20 and the Miles with the Mayor walk on Saturday at 9 a.m.
Key Outcomes
- Agenda amendment approved.
- Citizens Academy graduates recognized.
- Proclamation for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day approved.
- Hate crimes ordinance passed on second reading as amended (unanimous). The amendment struck the sentence permitting sentence suspension for education/counseling.
- Development agreement (11 East Main Street) approved on first reading (unanimous).
- Abandoned buildings resolution approved (unanimous).
- Clock tower settlement authorized (unanimous).
- HVAC replacement contract awarded to LPB of South Carolina (unanimous).
- Firefighter physicals contract awarded to Life Scan Wellness Centers (unanimous).
Meeting Transcript
We have any Boy Scouts. I didn't get a notice. We try to get them to lead us in a pledge. Well, but before we do that, we're gonna stand for a moment of silence, a moment of silence. Then we'll be led by the Pledge of Allegiance. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the body of the United States of America and to the revolver for which he says nation under God. Thank you for that. City Council meeting. All in favor? Any that opposed? Eyes have it. Before we have item four, we're gonna make an amendment to the agenda for October the thirteenth. And we're gonna move the citizens academy recognition to item five and public comment to item six. Any that opposed habit? So we move right into item five will be recognition of uh the twenty twenty-five Citizens Academy graduates. Miss Kathy Heel Community Relations Manager. We also have a growing number of graduates who have expanded their interest in the city by attending more events, volunteering, becoming more active with their neighborhoods, and joining our boards and commissions. And I just want to put up a few pictures of um this is also showing like who we usually have people that participate in the program. Um there's a lot right there variety of people that do a participating in each year. And then also, as I said, about the graduates. And then right now we actually have 14 graduates who are serving as members of the city boards and commission. And these are some of the pictures of some of the sessions they had this year. We do bus tours around the city. And we visit the public works office department. And then we met with city council members and also the police department, planning department, and many more. Just want to say thank you to city staff that presented and their willingness to participate each year, providing the relevant information about the services provided. And if I could now just had a class to come up. All right, um Kern, he is not here. Wendy Bennett, you would come up right, please. Sheila Dawkins, Andy Drott, Shantae Glenn. Candy Glover, Takora Harris, Caitlin Hazel, Naomi Israel, Renee Johnson, Kathae Jones, Kendra Little John, Kristen Lyon, Jasmine Zong, Jill O'Connell, Vanessa Petty, Carrie Hines Rice, Shirley Smith, Kadata Tate, E. Jean Williams McIver, Whitney Wright, and Ruth Young. This is your 2025 Citizen Academy graduates. Very good. Thank you. During council updates, we usually give words of encouragement and thank you, but I want to go ahead and tell the uh graduates tonight. Just congratulations and thank you for your time and your effort with participating in the program. And I know it's definitely when people talk about giving, you giving up your time really means a lot. It really means you want to put forth some effort and get some things done. So we really do appreciate the time that you all spent in the academy. So thank you. So I'm back up to public comment. So that would be item six, correct. Item six public comment. So now we have a graduate. Come on down. Give us your uh a name again, Andy, your address, and uh you'll have two minutes after you uh give us that address. All right, my name is Andy Drott. I live at 525 Parent Drive.
openpublica.com