OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Spartanburg City Council Meeting - June 8, 2026

City Council Meetings — Monday, June 8, 2026
BodySpartanburg, South Carolina
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateMonday, June 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:08:06

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

No, we didn't want to make that open.

0:08

So I talked to each council member in advance.

0:12

I don't want that struggle to have to play to the meeting.

0:21

Okay.

1:34

Never talking about trying to say.

2:38

Then be led by the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:40

I'm looking out for a boy scout.

2:42

Don't see one, but let us stand for a moment of silence, please.

3:01

Amen.

3:02

Mayor Pro Tim, lead us in the pledge, please.

3:05

I agree to the flag of the United States of America.

3:10

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God and the principle with liberty and justice.

3:19

Thank you for that.

3:20

If you don't mind, please silence your phones.

3:30

Beeping in the back.

3:32

Council Mayor Mayor Pro Tim, check your device.

3:37

I made one mistake.

3:38

One time I live.

3:52

All in favor?

3:53

Aye.

3:54

Before we go to item four, we want to amend the boards and commission.

4:01

It's item eleven.

4:07

Yes, item eleven city of uh City of Sparnberg Boards and Commission appointment.

4:12

We will amend that, take it off the agenda, bring back at a later date.

4:17

Do I hear a motion to amend?

4:19

Make a motion that we amend the agenda as described.

4:22

Second.

4:23

All in favor?

4:24

Any of that opposed?

4:25

Ayes have it.

4:27

So now can I get the approval of the agenda as amended for June eighth, twenty twenty-six?

4:34

Second.

4:34

All in favor?

4:35

Aye.

4:36

Eyes have it.

4:37

We have public comment at this time.

4:39

We have a couple here.

4:43

The way the public comments work is that all you have to give us is your first and last name.

4:49

We have your other information here on the uh printout that you uh sent in.

5:00

And uh just get up, tell us your first and last name, and you have two minutes to state your opinion uh or thoughts or what have you.

5:07

So, first we have Miss Vanessa Leach.

5:13

Lynch.

5:15

Vanessa Lap.

5:19

Yes, ma'am.

5:19

Come on up.

5:20

Okay.

5:21

When did I come up too soon?

5:22

No, you're good.

5:23

All right, my name is Vanessa Lex.

5:25

Spartanburg City's trap neuter release policy for feral cats is a failure.

5:30

And the situation on Collins Avenue is worsening.

5:33

I've witnessed large numbers of cats throughout the area.

5:37

I have already sent evidence to the full city council through city staff from PETA, people for the ethical treatment of animals, and wildlife conservation experts documenting the issues with trap neuter release policies.

5:52

Feral cats are known carriers of numerous diseases, including but not limited to toxoplasmosis.

5:59

Some of these diseases have already caused environmental damage in places where feral cat populations were allowed to continue spiraling out of control.

6:09

These policies encourage pet abandonment.

6:12

The people abandoning these people abandoning these animals should be held criminally and financially accountable whenever legally possible.

6:22

Taxpayers are still subsidizing these policies, even when NGOs are heavily involved because animal control officers are taxpayer funded.

6:32

Residents of my household suffer from severe cat allergies that do interfere with breathing and require urgent medical treatment.

6:41

After repeated calls to animal control, nothing has improved because trap neuter release has replaced real animal control.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement███████████████████████████27%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Procedural████████████12%
Youth Programs████████████12%
Economic Development█████████9%
Affordable Housing████████8%
Animal Welfare███████7%
Arts And Culture██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Spartanburg City Council Meeting - June 8, 2026

The Spartanburg City Council met on June 8, 2026, to address a range of topics including public comments on the city's trap-neuter-release (TNR) policy for feral cats, a proclamation for Forging Strong Fathers and Family Month, updates on summer events, adoption of the FY2026-2027 operating budget, and approval of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Vanessa Leach: Opposed the city's TNR policy, calling it a failure and citing health and environmental concerns. She submitted evidence from PETA and wildlife conservation experts and urged an end to TNR.
  • Henry Leck: Expressed concerns about lack of measurable results from TNR, noting that cats remain on properties and that the program does not remove existing cats. He requested a review of the program's costs and effectiveness.
  • Joshua Quick (Christian Families Against Destructive Decisions - CFAD): Thanked the council for proclaiming June as Forging Strong Fathers and Family Month. He highlighted the link between fatherless homes and crime, and requested a partnership to strengthen families.
  • Summer Benton (CFAD): Supported the proclamation and announced a Fatherhood Standard event on June 21, 2026, at the Beacon Restaurant. She emphasized CFAD's readiness to partner with the city.
  • Haley Drought: Expressed appreciation for the city and suggested expanding arts programming into Barnett Park to enhance community engagement.

Discussion Items

  • Agenda Amendment: The council voted to remove Item 11 (Boards and Commission appointments) from the agenda for later consideration.
  • Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) Policy: Following public comments, Council members inquired about the TNR program. City Manager Chris Story provided a brief overview and committed to gathering more information for a future report.
  • Proclamation – Forging Strong Fathers and Family Month: Mayor Jerome Rice presented the proclamation declaring June 2026 as Forging Strong Fathers and Family Month. Multiple council members expressed support.
  • Summer of Celebration Update: Director of Parks and Recreation Kim Brown and Communications Director Jessica provided updates on upcoming events: Juneteenth week celebration (June 8-13), Red White and Boom (July 4), Duncan Park Stadium 100th anniversary (July 8), extended Music on Main, and the International Festival. They highlighted collaborations with Wofford College, Spartanburgers, and community partners.
  • FY2026-2027 Operating Budget Adoption (Second Reading): City Manager Chris Story presented the budget, noting late insertions of hospitality and accommodations tax grant allocations. The budget was adopted without changes to totals.
  • CDBG and HOME Funds Resolution: Community Development Director Martin Livingston presented the FY2026 Annual Action Plan for CDBG ($626,000) and HOME ($213,000) funds. The resolution was approved after discussion on leveraging funds for affordable housing and community development.
  • Council Comments: Council members recognized graduates, encouraged voting, praised summer events and police presence at Music on Main, and emphasized asset-based language when referring to youth. Councilwoman Smith shared a personal perspective on family structures, while Councilman Brown highlighted the Tiger Sharks swim team and stop-the-violence initiatives.

Key Outcomes

  • Agenda amended to remove Item 11 (Boards and Commissions appointments).
  • Proclamation: June 2026 declared Forging Strong Fathers and Family Month.
  • Budget adopted (second reading) for fiscal year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
  • Resolution approved for CDBG and HOME funds FY2026 Annual Action Plan.
  • City Manager to provide a report on the TNR program at a future meeting.
  • Summer events to proceed as planned; council encouraged public participation.

Meeting Transcript

No, we didn't want to make that open. So I talked to each council member in advance. I don't want that struggle to have to play to the meeting. Okay. Never talking about trying to say. Then be led by the Pledge of Allegiance. I'm looking out for a boy scout. Don't see one, but let us stand for a moment of silence, please. Amen. Mayor Pro Tim, lead us in the pledge, please. I agree to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God and the principle with liberty and justice. Thank you for that. If you don't mind, please silence your phones. Beeping in the back. Council Mayor Mayor Pro Tim, check your device. I made one mistake. One time I live. All in favor? Aye. Before we go to item four, we want to amend the boards and commission. It's item eleven. Yes, item eleven city of uh City of Sparnberg Boards and Commission appointment. We will amend that, take it off the agenda, bring back at a later date. Do I hear a motion to amend? Make a motion that we amend the agenda as described. Second. All in favor? Any of that opposed? Ayes have it. So now can I get the approval of the agenda as amended for June eighth, twenty twenty-six? Second. All in favor? Aye. Eyes have it. We have public comment at this time. We have a couple here. The way the public comments work is that all you have to give us is your first and last name. We have your other information here on the uh printout that you uh sent in. And uh just get up, tell us your first and last name, and you have two minutes to state your opinion uh or thoughts or what have you. So, first we have Miss Vanessa Leach. Lynch. Vanessa Lap. Yes, ma'am. Come on up. Okay. When did I come up too soon? No, you're good. All right, my name is Vanessa Lex. Spartanburg City's trap neuter release policy for feral cats is a failure.

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