Spartanburg City Council Meeting - August 24, 2026
Spartanburg City Council Meeting - August 24, 2026
The meeting opened with a moment of silence for a tragic incident in Gaffney, then recognized the Fire Department’s successful defense of its fifth accreditation. Council unanimously approved minutes, the agenda, and a consent agenda item authorizing property transfers in the Highland neighborhood. A presentation from Habitat for Humanity highlighted their impact and future plans. Council appointed a new member to the Design Review Board, discussed maintenance concerns on city thoroughfares, and received updates on city events and public safety.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes approval: Approved unanimously for the August 10, 2026 City Council meeting.
- Agenda approval: Approved unanimously for the August 24, 2026 meeting.
- Consent Agenda: Approved. Included an ordinance to authorize the city manager to execute an agreement for the transfer of scattered site properties in the Highland neighborhood. One council member (Councilwoman Wilma) appeared to oppose, but the motion carried.
Public Comments
- None were offered.
Discussion Items
Fire Department Reaccreditation
- City Manager Chris Story introduced Fire Chief Rudin/Bruden, who reported that the department had successfully defended its reaccreditation in Chicago, earning its fifth accreditation. The Chief thanked firefighters, council, and administration. Council also recognized Captain Van Elk for winning first, second, and third place at a firefighter championship in Florida.
Habitat for Humanity Presentation
- Raymond Davis, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg, presented on the organization’s history, design evolution, and community impact. Key data: 163 units built since 1987, 68 closed homes; 35 homes in the north side, 19 on donated Regional lots; appraisal values average $220,000 (context from later figures), mortgage amounts around $55,500, immediate equity at closing of $61,000, and a typical monthly principal payment of $442 versus previous rent of $921. Davis noted that 85% of families reported feeling safer and 75% reported improved children’s grades. He also mentioned a high demand: 3,200 applicants in the first digital intake, 3,400 in January, narrowed to 2,100 in-county respondents, and currently working with 500. Council members asked about waiting lists, concentration in the city, and future plans for duplexes or townhomes. Davis expressed intent to build more outside the city and to offer varied housing types. Council commended the organization’s work and design improvements.
Appointment to Design Review Board
- City Clerk recommended Gwen Solenberger for appointment. The motion passed unanimously.
Staff Updates & Committee Reports
- City Manager Story had no formal updates. Council member (likely Councilwoman Wilma) raised concerns about unkempt weeds and grass on John B. White Boulevard and other major roads, stating it creates a negative impression for visitors. Mayor responded that code enforcement would inspect the corridor. Council discussed fireworks at the baseball stadium; Councilwoman Smith asked about restrictions for private events. Story confirmed there is currently no limit in the lease, but discussions with the Spartanburgers are ongoing to possibly reduce frequency and set time limits (most events end before 11 p.m.). No restriction on weekday fireworks exists currently.
Council Updates
- Council members reported attending the Citizens Academy, Robert Small’s community event, the naming of the new hotel (The Morgan), retirement of Beth Richardson (20+ years with the city), a pickleball tournament fundraiser ($14,000 raised), restaurant week, and the opening of a new music feature at the Children’s Museum (Friday, August 28 at 10 a.m.). Councilwoman Smith noted a public safety video from soon-to-be Chief Littlejohn stating that 3 out of 4 stolen guns come from unlocked vehicles. Councilwoman Brown mourned the passing of a known unhoused community member and thanked staff for their compassionate care.
Key Outcomes
- Approved meeting minutes, agenda, and consent agenda.
- Appointed Gwen Solenberger to the Design Review Board (unanimous).
- Mayor directed code enforcement to address overgrown vegetation on John B. White Boulevard.
- City will continue discussions with the Spartanburgers to consider limiting the number and timing of private fireworks events.
- No formal votes were taken on the Habitat for Humanity presentation; it was informational.
Meeting Transcript
Let us bring the uh City of Spinberg City Council meeting to order. We're gonna stand for a moment of silence, then we'll be led by the Pledge of Allegiance. I don't think we've had a council meeting since the tragic uh incident with the young man in Gaffney. I know the mayor lineman um quite well, and uh so still keep our young people in our prayers and our thoughts, and also that family of that young guy that lost his uh life on his way to school. Amen. Mayor Pro Town lead us in the pledge. I plead allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God and the visible with liberty and justice for all. Since um we just witnessed some of the other uh firemen uh have to run out on a call. We want to ask uh Chris Story to come up city manager and to um introduce uh Chief Bruton and what he and his guys are here for, guys and girls. We just wanted to quickly, Mr. Mayor, uh share of uh a bit of good news, uh a piece of good news that'll come as no surprise that to anybody that's paid attention to our fire department. Uh but uh an indicative of the quality of the work and service that they provide. So uh I'll ask uh Chief Rudin to share a little more about it and about his uh recent trip there. Thank you, Mr. Story. Uh I actually thought Kevin was coming up here to take care of this, but uh mayor, council, uh fire team, citizens. Uh we just recently returned from Chicago on a successful defense of reaccreditation. So not to take too much time. I just want to say thank you. I'm gonna start with the firefighters because again, they're the ones that's the boots on the ground. They're the ones that's putting the work in and with documentation with all the those necessary evils. Uh they were that we were able to capture uh fifth accreditation. I want to say thank you to council for seeing this vision. Uh mayor, thank you. And then of course, our administration. Um, we can't do it without that that leadership and that guidance, and sometimes, you know, it's uh it's a hard pill to swallow to move forward and grow. But this is necessary in order for our citizens for us to provide the best quality uh protection and response to our citizens. So thank you. So Chief Bruden to you and your um uh staff there, guys. We just say thank you all, not to us, but thank you. And the fifth accreditation pitch a picture. Come on up, guys. Come on up. Mr. Mayor, while you're making your way down, I I also wanted to add a recently read about Captain Van Elk and his uh awards. I believe it was first, second, and third uh firefighter championship down in Florida. Wow and um just way to represent the city of Spartanburg and our firefighters, and we're super proud of you. So thank you. Uh come online now. All right, one, two, three. All right, stay um in this one. Can you get everybody in there? No, I can't know. Squeeze on our head in there, right? I'm gonna count. Thank you. Thank you. Thank y'all. Congratulations. Thank you.
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