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Record of Proceedings

Spartanburg City Council Meeting - September 14, 2026

City Council Meetings — Monday, September 14, 2026
BodySpartanburg, South Carolina
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateMonday, September 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:02:46

Original source
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1:47

Because like again, so basically the uh City of Sparnberg City Council meeting to order.

2:50

As I was just silencing my digital device, would you all mind uh looking at yours to make sure it is silent?

3:00

And um we're gonna stand for a moment of silence and we'll be led by the pledge of allegiance by Troop Two.

3:12

We were not here, of course, home last week, but all of us at some point remember what went on at nine eleven.

3:21

So just in your thoughts in this moment of silence, just continue to keep everyone affected.

3:27

Just keep America in their thoughts and your prayers.

3:48

Come on up.

4:01

True two before you lead us in the pledge, if I could to my left star, just give us your name and your grade, please.

4:32

I'm Jackson Solomon, I'm tenth grade.

4:34

I am I started and I'm six.

4:39

I know you're sure I'm six grade.

5:02

I plead.

5:04

I'm pledging it.

5:13

I'm God.

5:18

Thank you, guys.

5:19

Thanks.

5:27

Who's the true leader?

5:28

You know, the true leader.

5:37

We do appreciate you all coming, but to the troop leaders there, it's a pretty lengthy agenda.

5:46

And if you guys want to be excused, this feel at any point.

5:51

I know they have their homework tonight.

5:59

When they leave, we'll go get one get these good.

6:03

Oh, so where are we?

6:04

Item three.

6:05

Approval of the minutes for the August 24th, 2026 City Council meeting.

6:09

So move.

6:10

Second.

6:10

All in favor?

6:11

Aye.

6:11

Any that opposed, eyes have it.

6:14

Item four, approval of the agenda for the September 14th, 2026 City Council meeting.

6:20

So move.

6:20

Second.

6:21

All in favor?

6:22

Aye.

6:23

Any that oppose, eyes have it.

6:25

We have public comments.

6:27

And the way this will work is that I'm gonna call you up and you just repeat your name.

6:35

You don't have to give us your address.

6:37

We have that information here handy.

6:40

And after you give us your name, you will have two minutes to state whatever you come to uh talk to us about this evening.

6:49

All right, and we have John uh Ott Whale Otwale.

7:02

Okay.

7:04

Thank you.

7:07

John LeBlanche.

7:12

John Labanch Donovan Lyons.

7:22

Good.

7:24

Thank you, Mayor.

7:25

I appreciate you uh for having me and allow me to speak.

7:27

I know I've got two minutes here, so I'll try to make this short brief.

7:31

First of all, I wanted to thank your city manager city manager or city clerk Christie for being responsive.

7:36

I worked in city government for 32 years.

7:39

I know it's we're not always the best at getting back to folks.

7:41

Absolutely love the fact that she called me back and is very responsive.

7:45

Also, your fire marshal back there, uh Mr.

7:48

Smart William Smart, who's been outstanding.

7:51

So coming from city government, I appreciate the responsiveness to I didn't tell them who I was or anything, the responsiveness to just someone calling their office.

7:59

So outstanding.

8:00

I appreciate it very much.

8:02

It means a lot.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████████████████28%
Procedural█████████████13%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Transportation Safety██████████10%
Technology and Innovation█████████9%
Economic Development████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Spartanburg City Council Meeting - September 14, 2026

The Spartanburg City Council met on September 14, 2026, to address a full agenda including public comments on housing conditions, a Constitution Week proclamation, recognition of retiring staff, several development agreements, an airport microgrid project, a microtransit pilot extension, and a joint government facility ordinance. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of the minutes for the August 24, 2026 City Council meeting.
  • Approval of the agenda for the September 14, 2026 City Council meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • John Otwale (speaker): Expressed concern about unsanitary conditions at Riverwood apartment homes, owned by Morgan Properties, which forced his daughter (a Converse University student-athlete) out of her unit. He urged the city to provide public oversight of out-of-state property companies, stating, "You guys are my voice." He praised city staff for responsiveness.
  • Beverly Benson: Delivered a poem calling for respect, compromise, and unity in public discourse, emphasizing that "different is an acceptable space to be."

Proclamations & Recognitions

  • Constitution Week Proclamation: The mayor proclaimed September 17–23, 2026 as Constitution Week, marking the 239th anniversary of the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
  • Retirement Recognition – Mark Cleveland: Recognized for 22 years of service (2004–2026) as project manager, parking operations leader, and customer service manager. He was presented with a "Mark Cleveland Kindness Jar" filled with candy, symbolizing his legacy of kindness.

Discussion Items

  • Airport Microgrid Resilience Project (Information Only): Terry Connington reported that the airport will install a solar panel and sodium-ion battery system to provide emergency power for critical functions (terminal, runway lights, fuel farm, hangar doors, and MedTrans helicopter fuel). The project is the first in the U.S. by the manufacturer for this purpose. Funding: $75,000 from airport enterprise fund, remainder from state/federal grants and MedTrans. Questions confirmed the system will provide 100% power for current and future airport needs.
  • Microtransit Pilot Extension: Kevin Limehouse and Dennis Locke requested a six-month extension to collect more data for eventual citywide expansion. Current average wait time is 14 minutes; the pilot uses three vehicles (two active, one spare). First four rides are free, then $2. Council discussed potential for extended hours and using city events to test evening service. The motion passed.
  • Duncan Park Perimeter Trail Construction: Kim Brown presented the bid award for a trail with an elevated boardwalk, following community engagement (166 survey respondents). The project aims to improve safety, traffic calming, and connectivity. The motion passed.
  • Abandoned Building Revitalization Act Certification (2199 Southport Road): City Manager Chris Story explained the vacant former Bi-Lo grocery store qualifies for state tax credits to facilitate conversion into office space for a growing local company. The motion passed.
  • Textile Communities Revitalization Act Resolution: Certified two downtown parcels for state incentives, fulfilling a prior development agreement commitment. The motion passed.
  • Spartanburg Housing Revenue Note (Stokely Terrace): Approved the reissuance of a multifamily housing revenue note for an affordable housing development in Anderson, SC. The action generates administrative revenue for Spartanburg Housing with no financial exposure to the city. The motion passed.
  • Kennedy Street Affordable Housing Development Agreement: Approved a 20-year agreement for 48 affordable apartment units (100% below 80% AMI) on city-owned land adjacent to the Kennedy Street parking garage. The city conveys the land; annual payments start at ~$50,000 and rise to ~$93,000–$100,000. Council discussed data confidentiality, monitoring compliance, and the rigorous LIHTC application process. The motion passed.
  • Forest Park Single-Family Homes Development Agreement: Authorized an agreement with Regenesis CDC for 23 market-rate homes on remaining city-owned lots, after 17 affordable homes were built over 18 years. Discussion centered on mixed-income intent, historical context of the broader neighborhood, and the lack of affordable units in this phase. The motion passed.
  • Joint Government Facility Ordinance (First Reading): Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Spartanburg County for the shared government center. Discussion covered naming rights (requires 2/3 majority of both councils), cost allocation by square footage, technology security (separate data systems), and restrictions on using the building's likeness for media interviews (intended to avoid branding favoritism). The ordinance passed first reading.

Staff Updates

  • Disaster assistance from Hurricane Helene is ending after helping 82 families with tree removal and roof repairs.
  • A new $1.5 million grant for lead hazard reduction and healthy homes has been awarded.
  • Hampton Heights Porch Fest will be held on September 27, 2026, from 12:30–5:30 PM on West Hampton Avenue.

Council Updates

  • Councilwoman Rogers: Thanked the public for engaging in the lengthy meeting.
  • Councilwoman Smith: Reported only five working EV charging stations downtown; urged better infrastructure planning.
  • Councilman Brown: Requested traffic calming on North Liberty Street due to new development; mentioned attending a PGA tournament.
  • Councilwoman Sarah: Reminded about early voting starting in October; encouraged voter turnout.
  • Councilman Fulmer: Promoted Miles with the Mayor event at Duncan Park on September 18 and the Porch Fest.
  • Mayor Pro Tem: Announced front porch roll calls in Liberty Heights and Forest Park; expressed condolences for Michael Knuckles (homeless man) and Fred Burgess; urged checking on seniors and caution about bringing partners into homes with children.
  • Additional announcement: Ballet Under the Stars by Ballet Spartanburg at Fifth Third Park on September 20, 2026 at 5 PM (free).

Key Outcomes

  • All motions and resolutions passed unanimously.
  • Microtransit pilot extension approved for six months.
  • Duncan Park trail bid awarded.
  • Abandoned building certification and textile community resolution approved.
  • Spartanburg Housing revenue note approved.
  • Kennedy Street affordable housing development agreement approved.
  • Forest Park development agreement approved.
  • Joint government facility ordinance approved on first reading.
  • Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Because like again, so basically the uh City of Sparnberg City Council meeting to order. As I was just silencing my digital device, would you all mind uh looking at yours to make sure it is silent? And um we're gonna stand for a moment of silence and we'll be led by the pledge of allegiance by Troop Two. We were not here, of course, home last week, but all of us at some point remember what went on at nine eleven. So just in your thoughts in this moment of silence, just continue to keep everyone affected. Just keep America in their thoughts and your prayers. Come on up. True two before you lead us in the pledge, if I could to my left star, just give us your name and your grade, please. I'm Jackson Solomon, I'm tenth grade. I am I started and I'm six. I know you're sure I'm six grade. I plead. I'm pledging it. I'm God. Thank you, guys. Thanks. Who's the true leader? You know, the true leader. We do appreciate you all coming, but to the troop leaders there, it's a pretty lengthy agenda. And if you guys want to be excused, this feel at any point. I know they have their homework tonight. When they leave, we'll go get one get these good. Oh, so where are we? Item three. Approval of the minutes for the August 24th, 2026 City Council meeting. So move. Second. All in favor? Aye. Any that opposed, eyes have it. Item four, approval of the agenda for the September 14th, 2026 City Council meeting. So move. Second. All in favor? Aye. Any that oppose, eyes have it. We have public comments. And the way this will work is that I'm gonna call you up and you just repeat your name. You don't have to give us your address. We have that information here handy. And after you give us your name, you will have two minutes to state whatever you come to uh talk to us about this evening. All right, and we have John uh Ott Whale Otwale. Okay. Thank you. John LeBlanche. John Labanch Donovan Lyons. Good. Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate you uh for having me and allow me to speak. I know I've got two minutes here, so I'll try to make this short brief.

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