She said she just wanted to ask you a question.

Okay, she's here.

She's not here now if she called today and wanted to know if you call her whenever you have a chance.

She can call off this.

Okay, alright.

Can we bring Let us bring the uh City of Spartanburg City Council meeting to order?

We're gonna stand for a moment of silence.

Then we're gonna be led Pledge of Allegiance.

Amen.

Mayor Pro Tim, you might lead us in the page.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Mayor and for which it stands one nation under God individual with liberty and justice.

Thank you.

So now we have a very exciting part on item three.

The swearing in of our new city council person member, the honorable Leslie Rogers, City Council District number two will stand to uh have our oath read by administered by Benjamin uh Rogers.

And who's holding the Bible?

I awesome, awesome.

I Leslie Rogers.

I Leslie Rogers do solemnly swear.

Do solemnly swear that I am duly qualified.

That I am duly qualified.

According to the Constitution.

According to the Constitution of the state of South Carolina.

Of the state of South Carolina.

To exercise the duties of the office.

To which I have been appointed.

To which I have been appointed.

And that I will.

And that I will.

To the best of my ability.

To the best of my ability.

Discharge the duties thereof.

Discharge the duties thereof.

And preserve, protect, and defend.

And preserve, protect, and defend.

The Constitution of this state and the United States of America.

The Constitution of this state and the United States of America.

And I do further solemnly swear.

And I do further solemnly swear.

That as council member.

That is council member.

For the municipality of Spartanburg.

For the municipality of Spartanburg.

I will equally fairly and impartially.

I will equally fairly and impartially.

To the best of my ability and skill.

To the best of my ability and skill.

Exercise the trust reposed in me.

Exercise the trust reposed in me.

And I will use my best endeavors.

And I will use my best endeavors to preserve the peace.

To preserve the peace.

Support and defend the interests of the citizens of this city.

Support and defend the interests of the citizens of the city.

And carry into effect according to the law.

And carry into effect according to the law.

The purposes for which I have been appointed.

The purposes from which I have been appointed.

Do I need a mic or is this okay?

Um, maybe I'll just do this.

Wow.

Um, I you know your signature changes a little bit when you're signing such an official paper.

Thank you all for being here.

Thank you.

Um I am deeply honored to stand here tonight, humbled by the trust that is placed in me to represent District 2 and to serve the city of Spartanburg over the past several months and truly for many years.

I've had the opportunity to listen, learn, and connect with members of this community.

Those conversations will guide the work that I do on this council moving forward.

As I begin this role, I am committed to working collaboratively with Mayor Rice and my fellow city council members and the dedicated city staff.

I recognize that real progress happens when we move forward as a team, openly, respectfully, and with shared commitment for the people of Spartanburg.

My focus will be on a few core priorities, supporting thoughtful growth that protects the character of our neighborhoods, addressing infrastructure challenges on the east side with long-term planning, strengthening public safety by supporting our police, fire, and emergency services, and being responsible steward of taxpayer dollars through transparent and efficient governance, protecting Spartanburg's affordability and quality of life for current residents and future generations.

I'd also like to take a moment to thank the volunteers, neighbors, friends, and community members that have shared their time, their voices, and their talents to help me get here.

Your belief in this community and your commitment to civic engagement with what makes Spartanburg special.

I come to this role not only as a business professional, but as a neighbor and a mom who loves the city.

Thank you.

Congratulations and welcome.

Welcome, welcome.

Your nameplate has been ordered.

So it is on its way.

No, awesome.

Welcome and congratulations to you and your family.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Where are we?

Item four.

Approval of the minutes of the November 10th, 2025 City Council meeting.

So moved.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any doubt oppose?

Eyes have it.

Item five, approval of the agenda for the November 24th, 2025 City Council meeting.

So moved.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

And not opposed.

Eyes have it.

We have public comments.

Item six.

As it is all uh has been stated, make sure you come up, give us your name, your address, even though I may say your name ahead of time.

And once you give your name and your address, um you have two minutes to state your concern.

Al Snyder, come on up.

That's fine, yes, sir.

You can turn it.

Yep.

All right.

First of all, I'd like to say I'm an honorably discharged U.S.

Army veteran.

I pulled duty on the DMZ and South Korea and North Korea.

Mr.

Cursor.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Al Schneider 127 Falcon Ridge Drive.

Thank you, sir.

Boiling Springs.

All right.

Again, I'm an honorably discharged veteran, U.S.

Army.

Pull duty on the DMC on South Korea, North Korea border, where President Trump visited their Kimel Song or whatever.

Anyway, for those of you who approved and participated, especially you, Mr.

Mayor Jerome Rice, in the senseless demise and destruction of the downtown clock are nothing but despicable, greedy low life.

I say Mr.

Snyder.

I cannot take the whole undue stress and anxiety you have caused this community.

Mr.

Snyder, we're not gonna continue these names, dragging our names through the mud, man.

This is not gonna happen.

This is not free speech.

It is, but you and I can take that up at a different time.

Alright, I'm done with that.

I don't I done my share.

Okay, just to finish up here.

Okay.

Next year is the 250th anniversary of the celebration of America's Declaration of Independence.

Okay.

Every community across America will be exhaustively preparing for this historic event.

You, however, have seen to it that to rob Spartanburg.

Mr.

Snyder, thank you, man.

Thank you for your time.

We can discuss that later and hear what I have to say.

We we can discuss that later.

All right.

Thank you, Mr.

Snyder, to be here.

Have a great day.

Exit and all right.

Item um Autumn Williams.

We don't have to worry about that gavel with you, Autumn.

Come on down.

Okay.

Um, good evening.

Give us your name, your address.

Autumn Williams, 1788 Southwold Lane, Boiling Springs.

Hey.

Um I want to take a moment to speak about something that affects the safety and quality of life for many families in my area, and that's the lack of sidewalks for both inside and around several neighborhoods in Boiling Springs.

Raise your mic just a little bit.

Several several areas um in Boiling Springs.

Right now, there aren't any safe walking paths.

If someone wants to walk to 7-Eleven or near to a bus or nearby to a bus stop, they would have to walk alongside the shoulder of the road directly beside passing cars.

This is especially dangerous for children waiting for school buses early in the morning or late in the afternoon where the traffic is heavy and the visibility is low.

As Spartan Brig continues to grow and welcome more residents, our infrastructure should grow with it, and adding sidewalks and pedestrian walkways throughout Bowling Springs will make a meaningful difference.

Um, not just for safety, but for connection and accessibility.

If uh it would allow residents to move confidently and safely through their neighborhoods, whether they're walking, jogging, heading to work, or school.

Sidewalks may seem simple, but they represent something bigger.

Safety, care, and thoughtful city planning.

They show that Spartanberg values the people who live there and wants to make sure everyone can move around safely.

I respectfully ask the council to consider adding sidewalks and pedestrian routes in the Standing Rock area and throughout nearby neighborhoods and bowling springs as part of future infrastructure planning.

Thank you for your time and for your continued commitment to making Spartanburg a safer and more connected community.

Thank you, Autumn.

Jack Mabry is the uh county council person, I think, and I will make sure Jack get this information.

Okay.

Thank you.

Miss Sanchez.

Hello, my name is Yesara Sanchez.

Um, I'm here to address a concern that affects mainly families in Spainberg, the safety of immigrant residents in the urgent need for clear communication between the city and our multilingual communities.

Our city has a significant immigrant population, especially within the Hispanic and Latina community.

Many families work here, contribute here, and are rising the next generation here in Spartanburg.

Improved communication improves trust, in which many immigrants feel has the need about interacting with local agencies because they fear misunderstanding or not being able to communicate clearly.

When the city offers translated materials such as safety reminders of service forms, it shows that Spartan values every resident and wants them to feel safe informed and included.

Small changes such as Spanish language emergency notices or bilingual updates on the city website would make a difference for many families.

Spawnberg is growing and becoming more diverse every year.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your consideration of this important issue.

Thank you.

And your address again, just so I have it.

My address is 8514, Rob Saving.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for those updates.

Item seven, we have a proclamation declaring November the 22nd, 2025 as top ladies of distinction charter day in the city of Spartanburg.

I did have the pleasure on this past Saturday of meeting these ladies at a luncheon along with Councilwoman Little John, where they were officially uh chartered here for Spartanburg, and we already have plans that they'll be working on with the mayor coming soon.

So, Madam President, if you don't mind standing with me.

I'll present this and give you an opportunity for a few words.

Uh, again, uh for the ladies of distinction.

Whereas the city of Spartanburg proudly recognize the establishment of the Greater Spartanburg chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, a nationally esteemed organization committed to service, leadership, and uplifting of you, family, and community.

Whereas 42 outstanding women from across the upstate region have united in purpose and passion to become the newest members of the TLOD Incorporated, bringing them a legacy of excellence and compassion and uh civic engagement.

So it goes on to say a few more things here, but I wanted you all to hear what their uh the service leadership and uplifting of you, families, and community, and also this legacy of excellence and compassion and civic engagement that they will be working on.

So, as I go to the bottom, therefore I, Jerome Rice, by the virtue of the authority vested in me as the mayor of the city of Spainburg, and on behalf of my fellow city council members, do hereby proclaim the 22nd day of November 2025 as top ladies of distinction character, a charter day.

So again, thank you, Madam President, and uh we do look forward to working with the ladies.

If you all do not mind standing, if you don't mind standing, thank you, thank you.

So we all can see you.

Okay, we have our crown with our gems in it, and so we're the gems.

These 42 extraordinary extraordinary ladies were inducted on Saturday, the 22nd here in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and we were elated.

So tonight is a moment of both celebration and commitment.

By recognizing these 42 accomplished ladies, we celebrate the expansion of a powerful legacy here in the city of Spartanburg, South Carolina.

These ladies now carry forward the mission of top ladies of distinction, a 5013 charitable organization, founded in 1964 in Tyler, Texas, by Lady Bird Johnson.

The purpose was to uplift women and guide and encourage youth.

TLOD's work is anchored in our nationally recognized five thrust as Mary recognized and mentioned some of them.

I'll just review all five so we will know what they are.

The status of women, promoting the advancement, leadership, and well-being of women in all aspects of life.

Providing support, dignity, and meaningful engagement to our elders.

Number three, community beautification, enhancing their parents, pride, and environmental health of our communities.

Number four, community partnerships, collaborating with civic, governmental, educational, and nonprofit organizations to strengthen collective impact.

And lastly, top teens of America.

Mentoring our youth through leadership, development, scholarship, service, and character building programs.

And these youth we take on in middle school and follow them through high school.

And so our next task, Mayor, is to form the chapter of Top Teens of America.

And we will be taking them along with us to Nashville to the conference in March.

So we are here to support community partnerships and work that you need done here in the city to help make an impact.

So these wonderful leaders in all X aspects of life are here to assist.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hey man.

We have board and commission appointment design uh design review board, Miss Christy Lindsay.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Um, before you this evening with an appointment for our design review board, I had emailed you all the information on Mr.

Brian Sanders earlier today.

He is qualified and he um would like to serve on this board, so I'll look to you for recommendation.

We have any questions.

No.

Well, do I recognize uh do I hear a motion?

I moved that we accept Mr.

Beard.

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any that opposed?

Ayes have it.

Thank you very much.

Consent agenda.

May I make a motion we approve the consent agenda?

Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Anyone oppose?

All right, have it.

This pen is not working.

Right.

Update from Powell.

Uh play advocate, live well on trail system.

Presenter Ms.

Laura Ringo, executive director.

Information only.

Yeah.

Yes.

Maybe good evening, Mayor Rice, member of council.

Thank you for the opportunity to be here.

Congratulations, Councilmember Rogers.

I'm thrilled to be here and give you an update on PAL and what we've been doing for the last year.

Um, our partnership with the city is so important to the work that we do.

We are so grateful for your team and for this council and the partnership that we have.

Um, our why as to uh our mission is really about uh creating a healthy community.

So when we look at the chronic diseases that face both our community and really our nation as a whole, um cardiovascular disease, diabetes, heart disease, chronic diseases are a major cause of impact to lifestyle and also cause of death.

And so we're trying to make it easy for Spartanburg residents to live a healthier lifestyle.

Three of those chronic diseases or those lifestyle habits that are so important are good physical uh regular physical activity, um, nutritious food, and um not uh partaking in tobacco, and so we are focused on two of those the physical activity piece and the um healthy food piece.

And we do that through a number of ways.

One is to have a lot of fun activities that incentivize our community to come out and be active.

So in honor of Thanksgiving this week, I say happy Thanksgiving to you.

We host the Turkey Day 8K in downtown Spartanburg.

This will be the 21st annual United Community Bank event.

And we expect to have about 2,000 people downtown.

It's a very happy morning.

I also want to just let you know how grateful we are to public safety.

There are a lot of them there supporting this event.

I'm sure they'd rather be in their bed on a holiday, but they're there supporting their community, and we are so so grateful for that partnership.

Both PAL and the what was the parent organization HubCity Roots were founded out of the same Healthy Spartanburg study about 25 years ago.

We've worked very collaboratively over a lot of years.

And as we expand our focus on not only physical activity but also local nutritious food food, it made sense to join join efforts and really try to build a one-stop shop where it's easy to choose health and wellness.

Here's a couple of reasons why we think local food is so important.

We know that food is healthiest when it's consumed closest to where it's grown and not shipped across the country or sometimes across the uh halfway across the world.

So as much as we can eat local, um, it's uh typically the most nutritious.

It also is important to support our local farmers.

They are really important part of our community.

Um it strengthens the local food system.

Um it's helps uh us take better care of our planet by um shipping less.

Um and finally, we do a lot of work in processing, we process about 10,000 a month in SNAP and matching of SNAP dollars at Hub City Farmers Market.

We also um last year, thanks to a federal grant, um, donated almost a hundred thousand dollars in local produce to um 14 different nonprofit community partners who distributed that.

Umfortunately, that grant ended, but we are still doing um a good bit of food donation, trying to get our local healthy food out to people who need it.

Um, but really gonna spend most of the time talking about trail development.

We have worked hand in hand with both the city of Spartanburg as well as Spartanburg County over the last 12 years building out a trail network.

Um, Spartanburg County Parks did a survey of the most popular or the most um needed and requested um parks and recreation facilities in the um in the county, and both of the last two surveys, which are done five years apart, came back with trails as the number one requested amenity.

And while that's the county, we think it's also reflected in the city by the use of the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail and the River Birch Trail, the Mary Ride Greenway.

Um I'll talk just a little bit more about use in just a minute, but our community is using them, and um we think that shows demand for more.

Um, so great picture of Miles with the mayor and councilwoman Little John on the Mary Ride Greenway.

I spoke to RY on the improving health, but there are so many other reasons why trails are really important.

They improve quality of life, um, they're great outdoor recreation.

Um they they help grow our local economy.

We kind of joke in our office that we know every time Catherine O'Neill calls, it means we're gonna have to figure out another three to five mile trail connection to some great uh multifamily facility that she is uh bringing to town.

Um it also highlights our history, the South Side Monument is a great example of that, provides transportation options for those residents who either choose to not drive as often or um don't have a car.

Um it also is a great way to connect to our schools and major destinations in our community.

We also want it to be safe and more facilities makes it safer.

Um so this is we track trail uses, not users.

So we have infrared trail counters out on all of our different trail segments.

So this is looking at um every two years of trail counts until you get to the end, and then it's a one-year increment.

Our goal is by 2028 to have a million annual trail uses, but it grows from 100.

I'm trying to look at this backwards, 128,000 in 2017 to 766,000 uses last year.

So we feel like that says demand and that this community loves our trails, they use them.

I mean, I'm telling you, a light bulbs out, a something happens, and I've got like 12 text messages.

So our our commit community is really committed to our trail system.

I wanted to share some pictures of some successes over the last um year.

The top picture is um the River Birch Trail, which is uh over in District 2, and it is we worked with Spartanburg Water to decorate some of their sewer lines with art from local artists.

We've got some additional art that is coming this spring, which we're excited about.

Um we asked the artists to focus on um Spartanburg to focus on community and to focus on health, and so they brought their interpretation of that.

Um, the second picture on the top right corner is um the recent opening of the Duncan Park Ecology Education Center.

Um, the that was another great partnership with Spartanburg Water, um, the city, of course, Kim and her parks team, um, as well as a leadership Spartanberg Group.

And that came out of the um the community engagement process at Duncan Park, where people said they wanted more education opportunities and to learn about all the flora and fauna in Duncan Park.

And so we followed up on that and are really proud and excited about that um facility.

And then the bottom two pictures are um the wildflower way trail segment um extension.

So if you are um at McCracken Middle School and Pat and Park and walk down the hill, if you go to the right, um that is uh the River Birch Trail.

If you go to the left, that takes you into spaces, Edward Griffin, that's a lot of names.

The Edward Griffin Preserve, and it is a paved path in there called Wildflower Way.

So if you stay right next to the creek, you are still on the natural surface cottonwood trail.

But we also added a paved uh facility to uh reach people that may have mobility issues, that don't want to get their titta shoes dirty, that have strollers, um, whatever the issue.

Um and we partnered with Hub City Animal Project to do this rainbow pet bridge.

Um, it is symbolic of when you lose a pet, they cross the rainbow bridge, eventually you are reunited, but um community members can go and clip their dog or cat collars to it.

So it was a really beautiful special um place.

We were like pets, the woods, trails, it's all the great things all wrapped into one.

I should also note that on all of these projects, we did not use any city dollars.

Our partnership and implementing with the city was really critical.

Um, but city dollars did not help pay for this.

So we're always looking for money to make our community better and try to try to limit our ask to you all.

Um certainly couldn't talk about successes over the last year without talking about the Mary Wright Greenway.

Um the picture on the left is the beautiful and spectacular cultural wall.

We love that it is on the Mary Wright Greenway and is at pedestrian scale for people to interact and enjoy.

Um we'd love to see that replicated maybe on a smaller scale, um, but it's really um such a beautiful addition.

So congrats to the city team on that.

And then the picture on the right was taken this morning at the Mary Wright Greenway.

There's nothing like some asphalt to get us excited in our office.

So we were thrilled to see that um that project moving and thank council for your allocation of funds to make that happen.

I'm gonna briefly mention we also partnered um with two other nonprofits to purchase the Saludigrade Rail Line.

I know that is not in the city of Spartanburg.

It starts in Inman and goes up just north of Saluda, North Carolina, but wanted to mention that our long-term dream and vision is to connect this down to the Daniel Morgan Trail System.

You've got about a 10-mile gap between Endman and USC Upstate, though, um which is kind of our northern terminus on the Daniel Morgan Trail system.

And then if we can connect down to Cross State Park and the 50 miles there, if we can connect north to the Acusta and Swamp Rabbit is not too far, all of a sudden you're talking about a regional network that is uh really rivals some of the big ones across the country.

So there's lots of potential.

Um I'm gonna spend a little bit of time talking about this map.

There's a lot going on on here.

So this is the Daniel Morgan trail system.

The solid green lines are trail segments that already exist.

There are 24 miles of those.

Um and so far it's been about a 22 million dollar investment to make all of those happen.

That money has certainly not all come through PAL.

The city is paid for some, the county has paid for some, other partners have built them, but collectively, it's been about a 22 million dollar investment.

The dashed green lines are trails that are in some form of progress.

There are 24 miles of those.

Um, and our goal is to get 20 of those on the ground by 2028.

Um the one that says Fair Forest Creek eight miles.

Um that is a uh being paid for through a federal grant grant, the raise grant.

The county is the fiscal agent for that.

That is almost a 24 million dollar grant.

So that alone will double our investment in trails in this community.

Um if we implement the rest of all of that, that will that is uh that's highlighted in the dashed screen that will total an investment of 54 million dollars.

So this is something that our community has invested in significantly.

And then finally, the blue lines are um trails that are something we aspire to build.

We're not quite sure about routing yet, but got a little more work to do to get there.

And I should say in total, this would be about a 55-mile network.

Wanted to touch very quickly on active spaces.

So there are three different park projects where we've worked closely with Kim and the city team, Duncan Park, which I know you all are very familiar with, the rail yard community park with a Subaru bike park, and then finally Irwin Park.

Our interest in these parks specifically has been their connection and tie into the trail system.

Creating destinations along the trail system is so important, especially public spaces for people to gather and enjoy um the system.

Uh Irwin Park, we've had the first um steering committee meeting.

We're really excited that the gentleman who led the Duncan Park um process with the national park system.

Um, he retired, and so he has come back as a consultant to lead that process for us um on Irwin Park.

So we're excited and very committed to a public process for um creating a vision and master plan for Irwin Park, and look forward to sharing that with you.

A couple other quick things.

We are constantly also trying to support um the grounds team, Josh Baker, all that is um happening to and Scott Page, all that they are doing to support um the trails that are on the ground.

We have groups, a group of retirees that meets every Tuesday to um clean up invasive plant species.

We also have regular events on Saturdays.

Um just last month we had about 50 uh high school kids out at Duncan Park working, so constantly trying to engage the community in um making our trails uh safer and uh thriving and less invaded by foreign plants.

Um we also know, of course, that um trails are tied very much to economic development.

We know that for every million dollars we spend at leads leads to at least a one and a half million dollar economic benefit to the community.

We also know that destinations are a major part of building out a trail system.

So you see a number of different um great local restaurants that have located along the system, as well as multifamily uh developments that have come to town and have tied into the trail system.

Um and finally, we're always looking for ways to connect our community to PAL and the work that we're doing in whatever capacity that that means.

So always looking for for folks to get involved.

So if you know of anybody that's interested, please send them our way.

And with that, I'm glad to take any questions.

Any questions from Ms.

Ringo?

I'm sorry, go ahead.

Thank you.

I just want to say to Ms.

Ringo, thank you for the presentation for the work you were doing, and for all this aspirations and dreams you are putting out there for everyone.

And I think it's it's awesome.

Thank you.

Yeah, Laura.

I too want to thank you for all of the work that you are doing, and I do have some questions, but I think that mine will go to Chris instead of you.

Great.

Sure, and and Laura just echoing the sentiments of what uh Powell has has meant to Spadenberg and in the trails.

And a lot of times when we talk to uh Catherine O'Neill, it is about you know the trails and in these amenities that we are trying to make Spadenberg a more walkable, playable uh uh uh city.

Um but but one thing you said uh earlier about um the turkey run on uh Thanksgiving morning is not so much fun for us that running and not quite in shape so fair it's fun to watch it how about that no we have a great time and thank you and thank you for all that you do for the city of Spine City and County as well.

Thank you and the upstate thank you I'm sorry go go I'm sorry you seem to be a great person to ask my first question.

Oh please um so tell me with the trails it's it's all amazing and and I think you know how much our family truly loves the trail system in in terms of the different segments is there a segment that is more frequently uh utilized and then a segment that is not so as as council members is there a segment that we could encourage participation and and and walk and and footsteps yeah no thank you for asking that and that would I'm glad to dig into more numbers if you are interested.

So certainly the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail is the most popular and has continued to be.

And it was kind of the model when we started looking at this a little over 10 years ago of like this is an amazing example.

How do we do more of this?

Um so it's definitely the the one that is kind of the most popular.

Um second behind that is the River Birch Trail.

So um so far through October, the rail trail has about a hundred and fifty thousand uses so far this year.

Um the River Birch Trail is uh just over a hundred or right at a hundred thousand uses so it's quickly catching up as another favorite um we're hopeful that that Fair Forest Creek corridor is going to be just as beautiful as the uh as the River Birch section.

Um Duncan Park is still not utilized much which was also part of our interest in helping uh support the parks team as we um enhance the park and the the experience it's getting more but I think there's still opportunity to to get more users out there and we hope to really make that connection between the real trail and Duncan Park more obvious um SCDOT is resurfacing or I don't know if they're doing it the county somebody is resurfacing Union Street and as part of that SCDOT did approve um some additional enhancements to crossings to try to make that connection more obviously good thank you Laura thank you I do appreciate thatem 11 the resolution authorizing the city manager to implement the uh um raise a grant funded um enhancement to the Daniel Morgan Trail network and the city of Spineberg partnership with the with Spartanberg County and Powell play act uh advocate live well resolution Chris story presenter mr mayor members of council uh Laura's presentation uh helped to see the the context for for this um as she mentioned the raise grant is the single largest one you know at one time investment in our trail network 24 million dollar grant um that uh pal and the county um sought together and the county's the fiscal agent on and they've been good great partners through uh uh with us um over the years as it relates to this and I believe it's eight miles of it uh traverse the city those eight miles will um connect uh neighborhoods that need these amenities uh w easily west main street uh park hills the highland neighborhood urwin park cece woodson connecting all back to the marriage right greenway and then existing infrastructure so that's a massive quality of life uh enhancement for a number of our neighborhoods that we're very excited about the resolution before you uh does several things one uh it affirms our support for this activity as a uh as a primary quality of life enhancement to to take place and be implemented in 2026 uh secondly it it affirms because the question continues to to come forward that the that our expectation is that we'll maintain the sections that are that are in the city limits just as we maintain River Birch and Mary Black Foundation uh um rail trail and and the other amenities that are currently in use and finally it directs me to to um engage more deeply in the property acquisition um uh that's necessary mostly in the form of easements we have found and it's been our experience in in the projects that have been developed to date that um trails are um like a lot of infrastructure enhancements and that they're a win win type of uh investment that they that they have uh positive um use benefits to uh properties nearby but they also have positive economic um impact um on properties nearby so it's often very simple straightforward

Secondly, it it affirms because the question continues to to come forward that the that our expectation is that we'll maintain the sections that are that are in the city limits just as we maintain River Birch and Mary Black Foundation uh rail trail and and the other amenities that are currently in use and finally it directs me to to um engage more deeply in the property acquisition um uh that's necessary mostly in the form of easements we have found and it's been our experience to in in the projects that have been developed to date that um trails are um like a lot of infrastructure enhancements and that they're a win-win type of uh investment that they that they have uh positive um use benefits to uh properties nearby but they also have positive economic um impact um on properties nearby so it's often very simple straightforward to um uh to acquire the easements uh but in this case with a ticking clock on a federal grant um uh we're gonna move more quickly if we if we have your support uh uh on this resolution um and and attempt to wrap up the the property acquisition uh easements and and rights of way that are necessary to fully implement the project um so certainly welcome any questions you have we just this this resolution moves us a step further towards realizing and completing out that vision questions of Mr.

Storr yeah Chris uh as I understand it the the county has adopted a similar resolution they have yeah they have um and then also as I understand it the many of the the required easements have already been secured uh and we've just narrowed down to a very few in scope um and of those um the the the remain the outstanding uh you know easements that are needed um don't for you know in any way adversely affect the property the property owner the property owner's rights to to use that property in any way they deem uh appropriate and is and is largely non-evasive that's that's correct there's no there's no structures um impacted um there are there's no uh properties the the nature and use of would change we're we're talking oftentimes a matter of uh feat here or there um and uh it's it's important I don't want to create the impression that there's that there's significant diff difficulty towards making this happen because there's not but it's oftentimes difficult to get folks attention to it and so that's one of the things that this resolution would help us do.

And this resolution and scope is limited to the property acquisition uh or the easement acquisition of those identified through this raise grant yes sir yes and not beyond that's correct Mr.

Mayor sure Chris if we needed to take further action those would come before us this just gives you the tools to get the attention this gives me a public mandate essentially is one way to say we needed to take further action on a particular easement that would be an individual action before us.

That's yes ma'am we approach it that way Chris I went out today go with Leo and I just wanted to see first hand you know where the trail would go and the amount of property that would be taken and uh should it come to that and uh I think about the most that would be taken from any one property though it would be like 20 feet but I think the thing that some people are concerned about and you have to think about this because of urban renewal question a lot of people you know that's the first thing that came to their mind urban renewal you know you came in you took the property and people go were not compensated and um I am hoping that we do not have to use intimate domain to get the property although it's just a few feet but you know it's a few feet is somebody else's property is just a few feet but if it's mine is my property and that's the way that we have to look at it and I am hoping that we will approach this gently yes ma'am and not go in and just force people to do something by using intimate domain because I do believe that the majority of the people that own the properties I don't think that they would give you a hard time but this is just me talking about my property but um I do hope that uh if you have to give them a few dollars they give them a few dollars you know if you can get them give up that little land that are you and needing yes ma'am we have uh uh independent third party uh appraisals um and uh those those we'll make those offers uh assuming you authorize me to go forward I'll we'll make those offers uh at the fair market value appraisal and we think um that is a a direct uh calculation based on the the small uh pieces of land

You know, if you can get them to give up that little land that uh you and needy, yes, ma'am.

We have uh uh independent third party uh appraisals um and uh those those we'll make those offers uh assuming you authorize me to go forward, I'll we'll make those offers uh at the fair market value appraisal.

And we think um that is a uh direct uh calculation based on the small uh pieces of land uh involved.

What it doesn't capture or reflect is that when we have these infrastructure improvements and these amenities, it tends to attract businesses.

Uh I think we're all familiar with um the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail has he has seen a number of complementary or positive businesses that have chosen that location for proximity, right?

Um and there's an economic component to that uh uh that uh you know we we really approach this as uh sort of a triple bottom line win of uh a win for the property owners, uh a win for the uh community, and a win for future business activity.

Uh you know, Chris, uh I would say this from what I got from Leah, from what I got from Leo today.

Uh I think that this is going to be a plus, but it's not my property, as I'm saying, you know, use a gentle way of going about it because you're not force people into doing something.

And Chris, to that point though, as I understand it, I I think um Laura, Leah, and and Ned working in conjunction with the city staff have been working diligently to to uh acquire the parcels that they've already gotten easements for, and that's all been a collaborative process.

There have been workarounds that have been created uh to accommodate some of those concerns, and they're really taking very careful, uh very careful approach to ensuring absolutely minimizing any adverse effect that there would be on any property owners.

That is that your understanding?

That's absolutely our intent.

Our goal is win-win-win.

On all ends.

All right.

Any other questions?

Do I hear a motion?

Mr.

Mayor, I make a motion that we adopt resolution.

What is that one?

11A.

11A.

Seconds.

All in favor?

Do not oppose.

We're at B.

Um resolution approving the purchase of property at uh at homes and Heart Street bearing the tax max uh map parcel number 7-16-06-289.00 and 7-16-06-315.00 resolution.

Mr.

Livingston, community development director.

Yes, sir.

Good evening, Mr.

Mayor, our members of council staff has requested approval of a resolution to uh purchase two properties near home and heart street.

Uh these properties we hope will be used for for housing, but they're also gonna be used for the infrastructure for the PAL trail.

Uh the properties were per will be purchased from Cornerstone Baptist Church.

This was a voluntary transaction.

Uh that's any questions you may have each martin.

As I understand in the packet, we own the property on either side already.

We own the property in the middle.

We're purchasing the properties on the other.

Okay, so this now will make one larger parcel.

Yes.

So Martin, that little triangle.

Do you you you see the triangle as I'm looking at it to the to the right?

Yes.

Whose property is that we own that triangle?

Okay, that's what I thought.

So we'll have all of that.

Good.

We're on the middle.

We're trying to acquire.

We're no, we own the middle.

We're trying to acquire both sides.

Okay.

So that it can diagonally across the property.

That's correct.

Okay.

And the funds used to purchase this or CBD G funds.

That's correct.

CDBG funds.

We can use it to acquire it, acquire properties for infrastructure and for housing.

And so the trail would connect um from home street over to Heart Street.

Home Street to Home Street Extension, where the triangle is located.

Okay.

But I'm sure Powell will bring will share that information in a future date.

And Martin, does the um is that Terrence Hall's Enterprises?

Okay.

He um next one.

Yeah.

Oh, did I?

Is he working with this group too?

Not on this lot.

Okay.

We don't have any plans necessarily for the currently having not yet.

We're working with the planning department to develop some plans.

But but this would not preclude that or the existence of the trail.

That's correct.

Well, it'll allow for the trail to be developed on the lower portions of the lots, and then um we believe that we can develop some housing later on.

Okay.

Awesome.

All right.

Do I hear recommendation?

I make a motion that we accept.

Move second.

All in favor?

Any that opposed?

High is have it.

Thank you, Mr.

Livingston.

Thank you.

Item 12 ordinance.

Reading, Mr.

Livingston back up.

Uh Mr.

Mayor, members of council, staff is requesting approval to allow for an ordinance and for the city manager to execute a development agreement with Hawes Enterprises LLC to develop on seven lots that will produce nine houses in the city.

Back here earlier this year, staff implemented a request for proposals on city lots to build a housing.

And we received several proposals from developers working with Lisc upstate.

Hawes Enterprises was chosen as one of those developers, and so we're bringing before you a development agreement to allow him to proceed with a development on these seven lots to produce nine single-family homeownership units.

And I'll answer any questions you may have.

Questions.

Martin, he there are no chosen owners at this point, though.

This is just to transfer those over for him to develop.

That's correct.

It's all speculative at this point.

Families that would be interested in this will work with local partners on affordable uh down payment assistance and that sort of thing as well.

So that's correct.

Some of the funding that will be involved in this this development will include some American rescue plan funding to make the units available and affordable to families.

All these locations are eligible locations.

So if the developer has a time zone to do this project, so the development agreement extends to uh December of 2027, but must be completed.

A majority of the construction must have begun by December of next year because upper funds may be involved in some of these lots.

And what happens to those properties?

Let's say he does two.

Does that satisfy the the agreement or if he stalls after two, does that uh then return the outlying lots to the city?

So all the lots will have a lien, uh a mortgage attached to them.

So if he only does two, the rest of the lots will be returned to the city.

And that's by the 2027 date.

Uh December 2027.

Okay.

And so this is a you know, two million dollar investment um with how much invested from our ARPA dollars?

450,000, we think.

450.

So 450,000 leverage gives us another six million, which adds to our number of three point five million deployed so far with uh an investment of 55 million.

That's correct.

That's seven million.

That's already added in.

This number is already added into those totals.

So we're looking for pad numbers for you, Mark.

Keep it going, Jay, because numbers are right here.

But I do think it you know, always take the opportunity to make the point that this is what we came about with those RP dollars.

And seeing those dollars go uh farther is is in the benefit in the in the best interest of of our community, and it's a story we need to tell more uh often and and maybe amplify that.

And I'm sure the city manager would provide more information as we move along with those projects.

Some of those projects are coming out of the ground as we speak.

Uh, and so you'll hear more about that, those projects over the next couple of months.

Um Hawes has provided uh a few of these drawings showing the designs of the homes.

Um he's building single family one-story and two-story homes uh throughout those lots.

We have one development that will require some infrastructure, sewer and sidewalks.

Uh working with the planning department, we've come up with this design in the South Congress neighborhood.

Um these are the all the lots and their locations throughout the city.

And then again, this chart shows you the income ranges that we're serving.

We're trying to serve families at 120% or less of area media income.

The opera funds allows us to do that.

Uh, but the goal really is to get families at 180% of median income uh within that income range.

And so Hawes has been successful in doing that over the years, trying to get families at 80% of median income.

Uh this program and all of our housing programs meet these goals for um meet several city goals and action plans, including several from the comprehensive plan, uh the consolidated plan, and as soon as we adopt this city strategic plan, we'll meet some of the city's strategic plan goals as well.

Martin, you mentioned that there were several developers that that uh responded to your RFP.

Um does that is that a higher number than we've historically seen, and do you think that indicates continued interest in Spartanburg and and health in the the overall process?

It was significantly higher than what we've seen in the past.

Uh we have about 13 or 14 submitters uh four submitters uh received uh recommendations for funding.

We did move one developer habitat over to home funds to allow them to proceed with their project and funded the others, uh funded recommended funding for the others, but it was a significant number, and um two or three were out of town, out of the area region.

Uh one runs from Greenville, another from Columbia.

Great.

Martin, you said two of these sites were in the north side area.

Uh yes, two.

Which is Preston help me with the segment.

I know Preston uh short hill, sorry, Preston and Short Hill.

Short Hill.

And uh what made me think of it was um David Somers' presentation just uh last week and and talking about how they're yeah, and and but how they're financing houses and we need to get on board and making sure we're talking to NDG and David in particular.

You know, I say we as in some of our potential uh homeowners here.

I made him aware of it.

Yeah, good.

I'm sure you did.

It was it was just reiterating his piece.

You go, where are they going to be built on the south side?

Yeah, the streets are Marion and Maxwell, that intersection.

Go where about O'Marion.

Oh, the ones looking at the oh that's right.

Debate the bot that you have on Marion.

Okay, Martin Everett and Sonny, Everett and Sunny as well.

Yeah.

Okay.

Um, I believe we've asked this question before about similar projects, and maybe this isn't the correct term, but is the the land deed restricted to affordability for a certain period of time?

Yes.

For how long?

So we have a deed restriction, so it's uh for every year it's a thousand dollars for every year.

So where we provide down payment assistance, 20,000, it's 20 years.

And so we're looking at uh for the $50,000, we're looking at keeping that at 50 years.

Okay, that's great.

So it's uh deed restriction, restrictive covenant.

And and I would say that the wonderful thing about some of these programs that we have with you know NDG and other opportunities for down payment home assistance.

It's really giving folks an opportunity to own a home that wouldn't otherwise have an opportunity to own a home.

So I think the goal is to is to you know pass these homes down from generation to generation to create generational wealth.

Um, which is what we're you know, we we see in the north side in the south side.

Um, and you know, one of the things we talked about last week with with this study presentation we went to was you know, how do we create more opportunities for new folks, but also to keep folks in their neighborhoods that currently you know have properties as well.

So this is this is good stuff.

Awesome.

Any other questions?

Storyan ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute documents related to the sale of properties located at Northwest corner of church street in St.

John's mayor and tax map number 712 uh dash 17016.00 Mr.

Story City Manager first reading uh this is a um transaction aimed at uh uh facilitating the highest and best use of a small uh bit of property that the city now owns so that it might become uh part of a larger uh redevelopment site um this is the northwest corner of North Church Street and St.

John Street it is a small uh uh lot that is used uh for public parking at the moment it is um we recently acquired it through a complex transaction that uh played out over several years uh from the federal government the general services administration federal government um and uh the action before you would allow us to convey it as part of an agreement to um pursue mixed use development on that corner which we think is important this is the location immediately across um church street from the Montgomery building we think it is um uh a prominent corner um that for many many years as long as I can recall um uh been uh underutilized undeveloped uh small parking lot and the opportunity for it to be um for that corner to be anchored by uh multi-story mixed use development is uh something of strategic interest to the downtown um the transaction before you is a fair market value transaction fully covering the cost of our recent acquisition of the site um um and it has a couple of provisions that are atypical uh for a conventional land sale one is um the the purchaser um has agreed to begin the development process um um and they the that'll play out over several years um uh but to to begin planning a development of that site and if they are unsuccessful in that we can reacquire the property uh the second unique consideration is that at no charge to to us or to the public it would be uh available for public parking done that time so nothing would physically change um um in uh in the interim as our planning and economic development staff worked with the new owner to identify the highest and best use redevelopment possibilities and to bring those to reality so I recommend your uh approval of this we think it's consistent with our economic development strategies and our and our and our plans for the um most uh vibrant uh and economically thriving downtown we can achieve yes um Chris refresh my memory I know this came before council a couple of years ago when we were committing the funds uh as part of the the three party uh triangular uh relationship uh with GSA yes uh to make I think improvements to the the federal courthouse here uh as I recall and and it was it was initiated in part as uh at the request of the of the acquirer correct um and and so like for we entered into that with the assumption that this is how this was going to play out provided all the different um you know um promises were made and met and um it it would explain why this wouldn't be a piece of property that we would just take the market and see a competitive you know bid process or anything like that.

We yes sir with uh that's a hundred percent correct and we um we believe that the highest and best use for this corner involves um planning an approach that because it is such a small footprint planning an approach that involves some adjacent property and so the same ownership group um um has adjacent properties and that allows for larger uh footprint and something that is more appropriate for that corner and they would not have been able nobody else would have been able to acquire this from the federal government except for for for the city because typically GSA or the federal government doesn't cede land easily right call yeah absolutely in fact my uh uh my first reaction uh to the concept to uh to the initial idea of incorporating this this property into the adjacent property and planning a mixed use development was sounds great go forward oh the but

highest and best use for this corner involves um planning an approach that because it is such a small footprint planning an approach that involves some adjacent property and so the same ownership group um um has adjacent properties and that allows for larger uh footprint and something that is more appropriate for that corner and they would not have been able nobody else would have been able to acquire this from the federal government except for for for the city because typically GSA or the federal government doesn't cede land easily right call yeah absolutely in fact my uh of my first reaction uh to the concept to uh to the initial idea of incorporating this this property into the adjacent property and planning a a mixed use development was sounds great go forward oh the but we actually need a local government to to be an intermediary and uh to uh to achieve the the outcome so that's how we got to this point good any up no I was gonna make a motion waiting on you all right I make a motion that we approve the ordinance second I hear a second I'm behind um all in favor any dot opposed aye is happy Mr.

Story stand up the staff updates yes Mr.

Mayor I'll be brief I just want to highlight a couple of uh things um uh you know it's been a longstanding goal of of ours to have all authorized and available positions and our police and fire departments filled um it's a constant you know uh effort um uh to do so and if you've done any reading about those professions um across the country it's been a very common uh uh challenge for communities to attract and retain particularly younger generations into those important professions um and so I wanted to to take a minute to to give a shout out to our police chief and fire chiefs for their recent unique efforts uh to fill their application pipelines um big victories in both of those uh places uh we started out in fire with um uh with uh the the largest candidate pool at one time we've had um at least in a decade and um uh at last had nine working their way through the process uh which is a it's a really good number um uh for us in the scale of that department and 41 um individuals um uh in response to some outreach efforts from the from the police department have taken the first steps in what is a multi-step process to potentially become a police officer so I'm just really uh appreciative of those efforts and uh proud of uh of those two teams the best recruiters uh we uh we find for folks to join police and fire are policemen and firefighters uh they do the best job of explaining it and they open their doors to the to the community to do those things and have been successful um the second piece of progress I'd like to uh to highlight um is um relates to our pilot that is ongoing for our microtransit system known as Sparta Go as we've discussed here we've we've been working through um the process to sort of uh design that and let that let that pilot um evolve as it needed to and then and out of response to the volumes we were seeing and the requests we were seeing come in through the app um and um in conversation about points uh and destinations we've been able to expand that footprint to uh reach out um to the what I think of as the sort of east side uh retail areas now included in the service and that also includes Spartanburg High School um and uh some of the medical facilities um in the in that part of the community um so it's significant footprint expansion for Spartago continued success in that pilot um and uh we're pleased with the direction that that is heading and appreciate the team's flexibility on on making that work so with that Mr.

Mayor I'll certainly welcome any questions you have but I did want to share those two updates.

All right any questions Chris um councilman Fulner and I were just talking earlier today about our police and recruitment efforts so I'm interested on your update when you say they have filled their application pipelines so let's say we have I'm so glad you asked because I I realized that that could have we are still taking applications in both of those departments.

Okay.

So because I was gonna ask if we have spots or budget budgeted for 130 positions we we always likes to say then we need to overshoot and you know get applications for 180 because it's gonna right you know the process is going to weed itself down.

But what what I would be curious to know is we have such wealth in our uh of age and in so many of our officers, and we have recently lost a few of our older, more experienced officers to the county, and I'm curious if the majority of these applicants are brand new, super young.

Great, we want everyone that we can take, but we really need to retain our officers that have years and years of experience because if a lot of them, you know, we we've had this conversation because I hope that we can keep our eyes on two prizes of recruiting, but then also retaining our folks that have the experience because it's one thing to lose someone with 20 years, right?

It's not uh apples to apples if you're hiring someone who this is their first year on the force, right?

So I mean, in both fire and police, we need to keep both of those things at the at the forefront.

And if that means I I don't believe we have it now, if that means that we start some sort of recruitment incentives, um, like you see other departments doing, whether that's for a second language, for military experience, for bachelor's degrees, associates' degrees, I do not believe that we do that right now as a department.

So if if we need to, you know, continue to up our ante.

I think we have been a very supportive council, and we want to know what we can do to keep and recruit the best out there because our our folks deserve that.

Sure.

Um, so you know, please from from the chief, let us know what what they need in order to keep that pipeline full and hired.

Yes, ma'am, and I I feel like we're in a in a good place uh at the moment, and uh, but certainly noted and and I expect I don't I don't think we've lost a lot of our officers.

We have lost some when when we set a lot of right, so in the administration's and and uh we they're doing a uh a good job with recruitment and incentivizing, but we can do better.

I definitely hear you loud and clear.

There's something that we are missing out there, but we we you know it's just a hard place to be.

Yeah, we have no more important responsibility to the people that have elected us and the people that we serve than to provide excellent uh top nice protection, both police and fire as well as quality city services, and so I don't think we can spend enough time on those issues, and I think it's always important to make sure that with the resources that we're entrusted with that we're allocating those to get the job done, yes sir.

Chris, um sort of relates to this pub public meeting.

Um we've had in the past couple folks who've come and give public comment.

Um I see one young lady in the back here.

Um, and then I've recently received, I don't believe it's from the same individual, but an email um request um for folks who um might have mobility issues and making certain accommodations for those who it might be a little bit more difficult for them to come to the front um to give their public comment.

I know that we are a very welcoming um city, and I've sent you guys a couple updates.

It should not be something that would be that difficult, and I don't want it to be a situation where it's based on in that moment we make an accommodation.

Um so my question is I I know that the young lady had made comments about that.

What do we offer to folks who may have mobility issues who may want to still come and participate in the public process of these meetings?

Um it's extremely frustrating to me when I email a constituent back and say, you know, this should be something easy that we should be able to get back to you on, and then I send several emails and I don't get a response.

You know, I know that that's you have on this topic last week.

I I don't have that email.

Okay.

I don't have that email.

If you can find it and forward it to me, I'd you know that'd be great.

I'll be happy to.

Uh but if you can update us so that we know we don't hold public meetings in spaces that aren't fully ADA compliant.

Um public comment provisions uh at this meeting are uh fully fully ADA compliant um spaces uh here with plenty of uh room and so uh we we believe that uh this this space and certainly any other space that we might meet in meets meets those standards if council would like to undertake um consideration of remote meeting participation in meetings different than live streaming, I would I would encourage that to be of a much more careful study, but as far as making public comments, uh I believe we can reach at least a third of the room uh with the equipment we have.

uh at this meeting are uh fully fully ADA compliant um spaces uh here with plenty of uh room and so uh we we believe that uh this this space and certainly any other space that we might meet in meets meets those standards if council would like to undertake um consideration of remote meeting participation in meetings different than live streaming I would I would encourage that to be a much more careful study but as far as making public comments uh I believe we can reach at least a third of the room uh with the equipment we have um can I just piggyback on what councilwoman uh brown has stated about the disability you do have people who that are deaf that would like to express themselves as well so while you're looking into her situation um about the contact within the room making sure that we have other accommodations for them sure and I think that in that case um uh of course you're you're all if if the matter is um simply real if the objective is simply to communicate information um folks don't need to wait for council meetings to do that they can do that in written form um in email form any time but if the objective is also to have that part of the public discourse um our practice is to allow uh someone else to to read into that record and utilize the public comment time um so that it's heard uh by others so that that would be an acceptable means if if someone wanted did wasn't able to come up here they could have someone read something on their behalf yeah I think we that has occurred before and that's certainly councils subject to council policy staff uh um doesn't have your restrictions on that is that something that's being contemplated in the design of the new municipal complex um all of those spaces will be will be 88 ADA compliant that but but in terms of accommodating uh you know public input in the in the chamber rooms um you know I think they ought to at least make sure that they're they're thinking through those accommodations that may be necessary to participate.

It would be better equipped and more modern than this space for sure.

Can I ask one last question Chris um the last time we had a cold snap uh we saw once again issues rise up at Robert Smalls regarding some of the heating uh units have those issues been completely resolved and are are we prepared at Robert Smalls for an uh approaching cold snap we uh the well as always I think it's important to clarify the city doesn't have a uh sure direct role in the management and uh of Robert Small's apartments they are privately owned and managed they are subject to the same codes that uh affect all dwelling units um in the city and that requires heat being available um and the code what's that are they up to code every unit that we are aware of a unit number uh has been provided heaters now I have heard in the in social media and other things references uh but of course for us to do a code enforcement action we need a unit number and we need a you know we need to uh ability but we have been present on the site multiple days with multiple teams um and um uh to our knowledge each tenant had that doesn't have functioning central heat has been offered uh safe space heating Chris I will uh ask just an update uh with the uh clock tower and uh where we and uh as well as the bricks that could possibly be used again for the tower well as as far as the the staff is looking at the the feasibility of several locations for uh replacement of the clock tower um the contractors that we have uh had discussions with to date believe that the both structurally and aesthetically we'd be better off to to predominantly use new material um on that that the historic elements and um and some of the material from the current clock as as uh I mean from the current vertical part of the tower structure um can um uh be part of that but predominantly it's gonna have to be new material in the vertical part of the of the tower structure uh the bell and clockworks are being refurbished as we speak um and uh I think we'll be in a position in early 2026 to have a discussion about best long term location for that because I think as we've learned now twice uh the locate the long term of the uh of the location is important um to to to find one that will be suitable for

Uh the bell and clockworks are being refurbished as we speak.

Um and uh I think we'll be in a position in early 2026 to have a discussion about the best long-term location for that because I think as we've learned now twice, uh the locate the long term of the uh of the location is important um to to find one that will be suitable for uh you know the foreseeable future and beyond, and that's uh that's important.

So we we want to get that right.

Can we just say permanent the next location?

Permanently we can never say permanent.

We don't know what's gonna be generations in awesome.

And we have a clock that will work, right?

Yes, yes, ma'am.

Thank you, Mr.

Story.

That was a low answer.

Thank you.

Um I don't want to start you.

You ready, Leslie?

You can give another update.

Uh you want me to start on the other end.

You can have that.

Start on the other end.

All right.

Or down here with Councilwoman South.

Okay.

Well, thank you all for being here and welcome, Leslie.

Glad to have you with us.

Uh let's just say I have to put the glasses on the smooth writing.

Um last week, I believe we celebrated uh the Coca-Cola plant, which is Mr.

Joel Davis.

Uh was so nice to uh built for us with his construction crew.

It is a lovely building.

It's been used uh used by the money's funds from the historical grant helped refurbish the building, and I think whenever the vendors get in, it's gonna be awesome.

Uh it is a nice villain, it's very presentable for the West Side Town.

That councilwoman uh Smith and I share.

And also I want to say that I spent most of last week getting ready for my husband's presentation.

He was on it with his Hall of Famer for Clough London University.

I'm very proud of him.

And um, he doesn't know his name being thrown away.

His his uh recognition is being thrown around tonight.

But my husband is rolling style for those who do know him.

I also want to say thank happy Thanksgiving to each one of you next week.

Oh no, I'm sorry, Thursday is the Thanksgiving.

Yeah.

Um but tomorrow night is community day for giving, which is gonna be held at Macedonia uh church, uh starting at 6 o'clock.

So come out and support South Carolina um Spot Race County Foundation with that, and then on Thursday morning, 7:30 is Turkey Day with POW.

So get out there and do your running.

Um last but not least.

I'm going to see if says Chris didn't say it to see if the mayor's gonna say it because we got another busy week before we get to our next council meeting.

Yeah.

We'll see.

Someone else may say it before then.

I was definitely gonna mention Roland uh and and his induction into the Hall of Fame of Crapplin.

So I'll I'll let him know eventually I see him out.

Um beat him in some space and congratulate.

All right, thank you.

Councilman Forum, sure.

Uh congratulations, Roland.

That's an exciting uh exciting announcement.

Um congratulations and welcome, Leslie.

We're glad to have you uh on council and was impressed with your boys as they helped to administer the oath and more impressed with the fact that they've stayed through this long meeting.

Former boys have never stayed this long in California.

Um so I'm uh I'm impressed by that.

Um also want to congratulate uh the Wolford uh volleyball team on its third consecutive Southern Conference Championship.

Coach La Coach Lindsay Roos and her team do a phenomenal job.

I think they were bitten by the injury bug throughout this year, but they were still able to pull off an impressive feat up in Asheville this weekend.

Um Janie mentioned Jay Davis and the work they did uh refurbishing the Coca-Cola building on behalf of some investors out of Greenville.

Um, but most importantly, we went and celebrated their investment in Spartanburg by opening an office here.

And and I hoped everybody could have heard or I wish everybody could have heard the positive comments that they made about their investment in Spartanburg and how bullish they are about coming to this community and how welcome they they feel.

And so uh I think that's another feather in our cap to have investment like that.

And then a few of us today spent part of our morning at the site of the new Jesse Boyd on Weber Road where they broke ground on uh the new elementary school, and and I think that represents an exciting new future for for children in District 7 and as part of a larger plan to improve the facilities and create uh an education system that is housed in and state of the art facilities for the future, and so that's an exciting thing.

And of course, everybody, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you in December.

April 10.

Mr.

Mayor, uh, congratulations, councilwoman Rogers.

We're really excited to have you.

We are now a complete family again, so are looking forward to your vision and your ideas and and partnerships that we will continue to make this city a great place to be.

Um yeah, I saw the the Wolford Women's.

That's pretty great.

You know, when I was there, we weren't really great in many sports at all.

So it's nice to see the the athletic teams really getting the talent that they're bringing to Spartanburg.

Um the pickleball courts in Duncan Park are open.

I received several messages over the weekend with pictures.

Kim, thank you for all your hard work.

So exciting.

I mean, the people were lined up waiting to get on these courts.

Had a little bit of feedback, which I'll send send you in an email.

Um, but everyone was so excited, and they were just so thankful that you know, this is an area that we um find important for you know, playing in our communities and uh promoting wellness, and um very excited to get out there myself.

Um last week I had the opportunity.

I believe a number of us were there to attend the gentrification discussion at the in over in the north side.

Uh the the She Institute for Sustainable Communities and Dr.

Kim Kolb uh spent the last year doing a study data-driven, it was highly data-driven.

My brain has been like I you have to take a minute to step back because there's just so much data.

Um, but really what we're trying to do is to ensure you know, we've seen a lot what happens in other communities, we've seen what's happened in Asheville, we've seen what's happened in Greenville with it with foot with non-intentional, it's not intentional growth.

And so, because of that, we've seen a number of communities and folks get pushed out of their communities.

Um, some of the big takeaways that I took from that discussion was you know, we have 84.4% of residential units in the north side are rentals.

Um, so that does create a serious risk for folks who could potentially be displaced.

Um, but they also talked about community resilience and how um how that is bolster bolstered by home ownership.

So through different partnerships um with NDG and with the city and funding to help folks with down payment assistance and really putting their work into individuals who are um interested in home ownership.

Um, that is how we keep our communities whole and let allow people to stay where they are.

The other piece that was really important, um, you know, we're all kind of I don't know about the rest of y'all, but just like one paycheck away from you know, not having a roof over our head and and struggling sometimes to make ends meet, um, despite what's out there on the internet.

I don't know where these bags of money are for me, but um, and so um you know, emergency repair assistance.

You have a lot of folks in the north side who are older homeowners who rely on social security, um, and you know, a hole in a roof can completely displace, you know, whether or not they can maintain ownership of their home.

So I do appreciate you know, my colleagues, your vision on you know what kind of partnerships and leveraging funds that we can um come up with to you know create these programs to to really invest in people, and that's what we're really about.

Um the last thing I'll say, and it's just a point of frustration, Mr.

Mayor.

I think I've shared this with you before, you know.

Um, Chris, as you mentioned, you know, it's about Robert Smalls, and everyone is uh is is has to uphold our city ordinances.

Um the same thing, you know, to me applies with code enforcement.

Um you know, we have um some properties in the city which are well beyond disrepair.

I mean, they are at this point a public safety hazard.

Um you can't miss it over on Oakland Avenue.

This has been a property that I have been begging and pleading and pushing and working on, and I know Kevin is so tired of hearing from me, and I apologize.

Sorry, not sorry, um, over on Oakland Avenue.

Um, and um, you know, this this piece of property is it is a it is a public safety hazard, and we have been working on this, but it seems often that we don't apply our ordinances in a way that for everyone should be equal for everyone.

If we're expecting residents to maintain their yards and pick up after this, the same should apply to property owners whose properties have gone into.

I mean, this isn't just a window.

I mean, that there is an actual visible gaping hole in the top of this property, and if anyone walks through it or sneaks in there or whatever, we're gonna have really big problems.

And so I hope in this next year, as we are um looking at, you know, really um shoring up our ordinances and our zoning and everything else, that we can start being a little bit more consistent with how we apply our ordinances, not just to property owners, commercial property owners, but also you know, the residents.

I we we do hear this often from residents, sometimes they don't feel like they are treated the same.

Um, you have some folks on this side of the city that don't think that they are treated the same way as someone who might live on the east side of the city um in terms of ordinances, and I think that we just need to be consistent, we need to follow the rules, and it is what it is.

It's if we can't just you know bend them here and bend them there, and okay, we'll give you more time and all of these things, and then not do the same things for others because I think it just sets a terrible message that we um will continue to be taking advantage of.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Councilwoman uh Ludajan.

Oh, you you're saying that you're going last.

Well, I want to congratulate Leslie and all of you, except me and Megan.

That's right.

Go on there.

Well, congratulation and welcome to and everybody else that were re-elected.

Congratulations.

Um, I want to congratulate the um uh hold on just one second, make sure I get it right.

The top ladies of distinction and the um president Dr.

Boozer for all of the work that you did bringing this together, and I was there on Saturday, and all these beautiful ladies.

I was so happy to see how this turned out.

Thank you for all of the work that you've done to bring this together.

Okay, um, and then uh the um Epsilon beta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Five Beta, I mean the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity served meals got to the JC Bulgar residence on the 18th, and these were delicious.

I mean, this food was good.

This was some delicious food because so I'm sure that the residents there enjoyed the meals that were delivered to them, the ones that were not able to come out, it was delivered.

Um also I want to congratulate Miss Evelyn Parks who celebrated her retirement over the weekend on the 21st.

She'd been there 50 years and four months.

Can you imagine?

I mean, I was only 10 years old when she went.

I mean, 50 years and four months.

That's a long time to be on a job because she she enjoyed it, and we're gonna miss her there.

Evelyn Parks worked at the library.

Yeah, I just wanted you to say it.

Yes.

Yeah, the spot of downtown library.

Yeah, because they did a reception for her um a Friday, a Friday afternoon.

And then the CC Woodson, I want to thank um uh Kim and Kathy and their whole team that were down at CC Woodson this morning delivering meals to people.

I mean, and these were big turkeys they were giving away.

My goodness, big turkeys.

Because so these were nice meals that they were giving out, you know, but to people who had come to pick up meals.

So if you had gone, I'm sure that we would have handed you one too.

So 320.

320.

I know, yeah, lots of meals there.

Thank you.

Um everybody that were involved in that.

Um I am excited about the trail extension that is going through, and I do hope that we can work something out there.

Uh I want to come in at Jay Square's.

I am just gonna pat you on the back.

And um Jay and um uh oh chuckma.

Martin, Jay and Martin are on the ball, gosh, and they are just working so hard that because sometimes that I wish that there was a way that I could give y'all a raise and Mitch and Kevin.

I mean, the whole sponsor team, the whole Spartanberg team go, we have a great team, y'all.

A great team here in Spartanburg, and I am excited.

Chris got take this smile, I mean that frown off your face.

When I said I I wish I could give them a raise, I saw Chris frown.

Okay, well, to congratulate uh Roland and Joetta for their accomplishments, the Hall of Fame.

Thank you.

All right, uh, Councilman Smith.

Thank you all for being here to support Leslie.

Congratulations.

I think one of the things that makes us a strong council is each of us brings a unique perspective and background, both from our lived experience but also professionally, and Leslie, I think you from both areas fill a hole that we don't have, so I think we're stronger with you up here, and we have a lot to learn from you, and maybe you'll learn something from us.

So I did just want to address Mr.

Schneider, though.

Um because we haven't yet, and I I've got well you can too, but I'm going to as well, because it's one thing to be extremely passionate and to and to have emotions and to care really strongly about something, and it's another thing to um spew vitriol and call people names.

And frankly, I'm really tired of it as a council person, and we somehow have this thought that just because we sit up here, we are allowed to endure whatever the public thinks of us, and that might be the case, but I don't think that that should be true.

We live in a time where people have become so desensitized in the way that we talk to each other, and that should not be true.

That should not be true of who we are as a city, and I continue to believe that we can be better and that we can hold a higher standard for each other.

When one of the leaders of the group that Mr.

Snyder's a part of said that she received uh calls um saying, you know, bullying calls, we said that that was unacceptable and that no one should be treated that way.

And I would hope that the folks of that movement could say the same things about us.

When we come came home from a football game on Saturday, I asked my son to get the mail.

We were right there, and there was something weird on the mail box.

It was probably bird poop, I don't know what it was, but my son, my son says, someone threw poop on our mailbox because of what you did to the clock tower.

That's my son's reaction.

I see you shaking your head back there, but that is the lived reality that we have had, and the Vitry Hall that has been said and spewed about us up here online is unacceptable.

We can have differences, we can have different opinions about the direction of the city, but no children should believe that someone has come and desecrated their house because of a vote their mother took.

I don't want to live in that city, I don't want to raise my child in that city.

I don't want your child to live in this that city either.

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am thankful that we can have disagreements in the spirit of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

We can have strong disagreements where we argue with each other about what is the best way to move our country and our city forward.

That is exactly what the founding fathers did.

But we don't have to believe the worst about each other.

We don't have to call each other names.

We don't have to think that we're scum of the earth or traitors.

I don't believe that about people who think differently than I do.

And I don't think that someone should think that way about us either, just because we choose to sit up here and to serve our city.

So happy Thanksgiving, everybody.

We'll see you in December.

Hope to see you at Dickens of a Christmas.

It's gonna be a lovely, jolly time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Leslie, one thing you uh uh figure out, you might want to go first.

You kind of forget, you know, what you were about to say.

You could look at my sheet here, and I'm just looking jotting things down, but no.

Welcome.

And the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you.

Um I wholeheartedly appreciate all of your all of your words of support and and um congratulations, and I think to just balance your words.

Um I learned that I have this honor of sitting in the seat Tuesday uh last week, um, late in the evening, and it was absolutely a testament to the community that we talk about living in and wanting to build.

Um people coming together.

I see I see members in the audience here that are just here to support and participate.

So I very much witnessed the Spartanburg that I hold dear in my heart and that I know that we are continuing to build to to give balance.

Um but I I think in this past week I want to thank um Chris Dory and Christy Lindsay for just quickly getting me up to speed, being available, council members, Mr.

Mayor, same.

Um, and I look forward to um participating and seeing everyone at the Turkey Trot.

I will be walking.

Please join me.

Um, but it is it is an honor to be here, and I look forward to bringing my my skills and talents and support to the company.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

Um, and and to that, we we've uh talked a lot about uh some of the same events that have gone on.

Uh Spartago is is tremendous if you do not know about it.

It's the new um transit system we have, and and having the opportunity to see it, uh bringing some kids to school that may have missed the bus really took me over the top when I'm like, man, this thing is really unique.

So if you haven't used it, you get four free rides.

That's everybody out there listening.

The first four rides are free.

Okay, and then we figured out after that.

I think it's two dollars after that.

Um Spartago is a is a tremendous um um asset to the city, uh Roland CC, CC Woodson.

Uh we fed the community last week uh there for their Thanksgiving meal.

Also uh today, as uh Councilwoman Littlejohn mentioned, there were 350, 320 turkeys with fixing given uh given away, and that was from a Spartanburg native.

Uh I'm not gonna say, but I know she graduated from Dorman and I know her full name, but I'm gonna give her that.

And uh Triumph uh collective CEO joined with several community sponsors to donate the 320 turkeys.

So thank you.

And again, that's just our community coming together for a common goal and doing something good for our uh people here.

We know Miracle Heel will feed, we have the soup kitchen always feeding, but there are several organizations and several nonprofits that are uh feeding uh our community and being thankful for our community.

Uh Laura, thank you and Powell for all that you guys do uh as well.

Uh ladies of distinction, I did have the privilege uh Saturday as well as to today.

Thank you, Dr.

Boozer, Madam President, um, Coke being open.

Uh Bill Brasshaw for you guys that are Spartanburg folk, Bill Brash.

Y'all had uh a lot to do with that comment here, and we talked uh a lot about the old days of uh Spartanburg.

Uh parade.

Parade is uh Tuesday the the ninth.

Uh the ninth.

We will not have a council meeting before, so come out and join us uh at the parade on uh Tuesday, December the 9th.

You mentioned Dickens of a Christmas is the second.

The second.

Um anything else I'm missing as far as community anything coming up.

Nope, nope, nope.

Uh, and also to Mr.

Snyder, uh echo um uh Megan and Councilwoman Smith.

Guys, the the the way we do business, this is a team.

You mentioned team a couple times.

We had our strategic planning meeting last week with uh staff and uh uh directors and managers, and if I heard team once, I heard it a uh a hundred times.

And teammates don't always disagree, I mean, don't always agree on everything, but we're still part of a team.

Megan mentioned that she didn't want to raise her children here in Spartanburg if this is what we're gonna do.

I'm telling you, my kids will be raised here in Spartanburg.

So we have to get better.

We're not gonna tolerate that stuff.

We can disagree and we will disagree.

But Mr.

Snyder was out of hand.

Okay?

To me, to council, stuff on social media is what you do.

That's up to you, but we shouldn't.

And I hate that your kid thinks that.

I know your son.

They mean something to me.

I hate that they would see something like that.

And to go through this stuff, it's not acceptable.

It's not acceptable.

And we're not gonna have it as the mayor and council here.

You're not gonna come and just talk about us and point fingers.

We can hear what you have to say, but we're not gonna hear you just bashing and lying on things that are going on.

Um Mayor Pro Tim mentioned the money bags.

Shit.

Where's the money bag?

I'm missing something, excuse me.

Excuse me.

Um I'm missing something.

But again, that is not how we do business here in Spartanburg.

It's not.

And it's not gonna uh continue.

And that might be my wife calling something, guys.

Thank you all for being here today.

Congratulations again.

Look forward to working with you for the next uh four two years here.

And um happy Thanksgiving to you all.

We have a quick executive session so they can quit breathing hard.

I'll make a motion we move into executive session.

Second, I can thank you all.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.