2026-09-14 - City Council Work Session
Summary
Built from the official minutes. No video is posted for this meeting, so there is no transcript or timing. The formal meeting the same day has an agenda only; its minutes are not yet posted.
- Work session 3:00 to 5:25 PM at City Hall; all seven members present. Notice posted September 11.
- Executive session (moved by Councilmember Dowe, seconded by Councilmember Gibson; unanimous) and return (moved by Councilmember Gibson, seconded by Councilmember Brasington; unanimous); no action taken. City Attorney Paoletti cited S.C. Code 30-4-70 subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3) and (a)(5).
- Executive session topics listed: Downtown Greenville Conference Center update; Greenville Housing Fund; S. Main Street property; billboard appeal litigation update; Greenville Cultural Exchange Center; a public private partnership on Avondale Drive; covenant enforcement; the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum; security personnel or devices; and Council communications on rezoning applications.
- Short term rentals: staff proposed permitting them in all zoning districts, which would need a Code of Ordinances amendment; Planning Commission would enforce.
- Parks, Recreation and Tourism Master Plan: update returns November 9, action requested December 14.
- Police update: crime down 16.6 percent from last year (second year in a row of double-digit declines), and a community survey averaged a positive 90 percent.
Downtown Greenville Conference Center
- Contract status and economic development update taken in executive session; no action.
Short Term Rentals Code
- Presented by City Manager Lavrin and Michael Frixen; Council shared support and concerns and asked about added staff.
Parks Recreation Tourism Master Plan
- Presented by Will Young and Victoria Iriel.
Police Department update
- Chief Thompson presented the Quarter 2, 2026 crime update and My90 Community Engagement survey results: crime down 16.6 percent from last year and officer-interaction responses averaging 90 percent positive.
- Councilmember Brasington asked how many years in a row the department has had double-digit reductions; the chief said two, with minimal reductions before that. Councilmember Dowe asked how Cherrydale has changed since annexation; the chief said units were sent to the area and crime dropped immediately. City Manager Lavrin noted the results are on the Police Department's website.