2026-08-10 - City Council Formal Meeting

Summary

Built from the official minutes. No video is posted for this meeting, so there is no transcript or timing.

Formal meeting in Council Chambers, 5:30 to 6:51 PM; all seven members present, Mayor White presiding. Minutes of July 13 approved as submitted.
Council sent a one percent municipal sales tax to the November 3 ballot, passing the revised ordinance on second and final reading unanimously (521 projects, about $410,145,000).
Seven speakers pressed for neighborhood involvement and the stalled Welcome Center at Unity Park; one speaker objected to automatic license plate readers; one raised train blockages at Hampton Station.
Public hearing on abandoning part of Spartanburg Street drew no speakers.
Three ordinances passed on the consent agenda (second and final reading): $1,015,558 for the state-funded School Resource Officer Program, $535,049 from South Carolina Opioid Recovery Funds ($515,049 plus $20,000 interest), and $228,331 for the FY 2026 SW Hurricane Helene grant.
First reading, unanimous: $110,863 Zoo conservation funding, Waterworks System Revenue Bonds up to $275,000,000, and the Accommodations Fee agreement amendment for the Arena.
Presentations: Juneteenth essay competition winner and a student zoo conservation presentation; a Riley Institute summer intern reported on her experience with the City.

Item 14a, second and final reading, moved by Councilmember Gibson, seconded by Councilmember Brasington; passed unanimously. Ballot question for the November 3 General Election.
Dennison LaRue spoke in support, including the Dunbar Street improvements.

Speakers: Dr. Feliccia Smith, Pam Adams, Stacey Ashmore, Tinasha Sherer, Jackie Jones, Yvonne Reeder and Rev. Stacey Mills. Mayor White responded and mentioned the Mayberry Park baseball field.

Barry Heffron asked for publicized alternate routes; Councilmember DeWorken suggested looking at Columbia's efforts.

Public hearing (AB-3-2026), applicant AP Hold Investments; Clint Link reported no objections. No one spoke.

First reading, moved by Councilmember Dowe, seconded by Councilmember Gibson; unanimous.

First reading, moved by Councilmember Dowe, seconded by Councilmember DeWorken; unanimous. Mayor White: lets the City be a full partner in the Arena renovation.

Staff report: survey open through August 21, plan done by year end, draft to Council early 2027.

Consent agenda moved by Councilmember Brasington, seconded by Councilmember Gibson, unanimous (items 11a to 11c, above).
First reading of the $110,863 Zoo conservation appropriation (moved by Councilmember Brasington, seconded by Councilmember Dowe; unanimous), in accordance with the Zoo Conservation Plan.