Despite the threat of a lawsuit from Spartanburg attorney Eric Nodine, Council voted to move forward with its plans to annex 40 properties in the Hillbrook Forest and Arbours Commons subdivisions on Spartanburg’s east side.
Nodine told council during the public hearing that by his calculations the city does not have the necessary 75% of property owners needed to annex. Under South Carolina law, a municipality is allowed to annex areas if 75% of the property owners representing at least 75% of the assessed value of an area have agreements with the municipality. The other 25% of property owners in the area can be brought in without such agreements.
Tina Bain, a Hillbrook Forest resident represented by Nodine, told council that the cost of running a sewer line to her house would be prohibitively expensive, and asked that council consider that when making their decision.
Arbours Commons resident Chuck Stocks spoke out in favor of the annexation.
Ultimately, council voted to approve the annexation in a 6-1 vote with Councilman Joe Spigner casting the dissenting vote.
Council also unanimously approved the final reading for an ordinance restricting panhandling in the city. Under the ordinance panhandling would be banned within 6 feet of any public building, and it completely in Morgan Square. The ordinance also bans panhandling within 15 feet of an ATM, public toilet, bus station, bus stop, taxi stand, parking lot pay box, or pay phone. Panhandling would also be banned at night, in city-owned parking garages, and from a driver or passenger in a vehicle. The ordinance also bans “aggressive panhandling.” Anyone convicted under the new ordinance could face a fine up to $500 or 30 days in jail.
Council awarded several construction contracts at Monday’s meeting including a $633,800 contract to Clayton Construction of Spartanburg to for improvements to Barnet Park which include a permanent ticket booth, more restroom facilities, and a vendor plaza. Community Services Director Mitch Kennedy said that construction should be complete by June of next year.
Whiteside Construction of Duncan was awarded a contract for $57,621 for the construction of an outdoor classroom, walking trail, and pedestrian bridge connecting the Collins Park neighborhood to the new C.C. Woodson Community Center. The trail which is estimated to be approximately 1000 feet long will be built using “rock dust,” a fine granite, and was partially financed with a $50,000 grant from BMW.
Council also took what City Manager Ed Memmott was the “first step” in reducing operating costs for the city’s transit service by awarding First Transit of Cincinnati, Ohio a management contract totally $99,690.
Councilman Kenneth Smith asked Finance Director Dennis Locke whether it was typical for a city the size of Spartanburg to outsource the management of its transit system. Locke replied that the move was originally made when the city first took over the transit system because, at that time, some transit bus drivers were unionized and the city is prohibited from negotiating with unions.
Council heard an update on the city’s wayfinding signage project. The project includes placing signs pointing to 46 destinations at major intersections and roads leading into the city to help direct visitors. The project also includes six double-sided signs for the Spartanburg Music Trail.
The music trail signs will have pictures of Spartanburg musicians along with a short biography of those musicians and their accomplishments. The initial honorees will include such Spartanburg music legends as Pink Anderson, “Singing” Billy Walker, Clara Smith, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Hank Garland.
Minority/Women Business Enterprise Program Coordinator Jackie Dudley also gave council an update at Monday’s meeting. Dudley said that out of the $4,246,489 that the city spent on outside contracts last year, $820,000 of those contracts went to M/WBE’s. The city used a total of 80 M/WBE’s last year with 42 of those being owned by women and 38 being owned by minorities. Future goals include raising the percentage of city construction contracts awarded to M/WBE’s to 18% and goods and services contracts to 15%.
Christopher George
“The ordinance also bans “aggressive panhandling.” Anyone convicted under the new ordinance could face a fine up to $500 or 30 days in jail.”
Well, I’m going to have to guess that they’ll be serving those thirty days because, it’s not like these people have money. They’re panhandling for a reason. And what kind of bull shit law is this anyway? Panhandling is annoying but billboards are equally as aggressive and almost more annoying.