[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6486942,"mediaKeyId","5523441-c5bea2d70582e3e76202543147ae240b","parentId",5523441,"title","Council approves first reading of history‑museum lease, a guaranteed‑maximum price for town hall renovations and a downtown façade grant","audioSeconds",547,"startMs",4079000,"endMs",4626000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523441-c5bea2d70582e3e76202543147ae240b&start=4079&end=4626","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523441-c5bea2d70582e3e76202543147ae240b/thumbnail_4079000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486942/South-Carolina/Council-approves-first-reading-of-historymuseum-lease-a-guaranteedmaximum-price-for-town-hall-renovations-and-a-downtown-façade-grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486942-35cdc5a3ddd9645f7cf2b594b6eec5cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1773533701&Signature=F9ujip3ZAnXx6ezxgyrTl3RcCJhfy8k5aiUxAv3uoFA1SCb1o-BaLLv2rOtlf-TDDkiyXBOjXXIEDNCwNUSVCUug6T1An19WavhXBYrWdsLzInFqXvxjU22Q5-W-I8Xy~ujmNzvwHg1c677mgzluXH~2NQp54~PWntUUHhx1cQHBsEudMUUnGu9~MrZwK2bHm27dYmgJ11EIcgicdtSXiOYC0xipWHb7qshMu7LTbaGQYINCBKEurhoAYBsXvFf7yYGS74wL8XeeGJF3tIkQm2YsMHISq44gWM5qr2RikEYdO3AJVKKujE47hSdIjOt2j6V0QTiekw1oE-MD2PfzmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-30T21:58:48Z","article","The Fort Mill Town Council approved multiple items on first reading and by motion at the meeting, including a first reading lease authorization, a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract amendment for town hall renovations, a downtown façade improvement grant and a planning commission appointment.

Lease (first reading): Council approved first reading of an ordinance authorizing staff to enter into a lease agreement with the Fort Mill History Museum for office space at 111 South White Street. Staff told council the town had leased the vacant office last year for one year and the current authorization would allow the museum to occupy 111 South White Street; the ordinance text and final lease term were not specified in the discussion. The motion passed on first reading.

Town hall renovations (CMAR GMP amendment): Town Manager Carrie Vargo presented a guaranteed maximum price amendment to the construction manager/at‑risk contract for renovation at 205 North White Street. Vargo stated the GMP amendment includes the police department build‑out, customer service area and council chambers and reported a presented GMP figure and related contingencies for flooring, bonding and allowances. Council approved the GMP amendment; staff said construction would begin within about one week and the customer service area and police department work are expected to be completed for occupant move‑in in January 2026, with council chambers relocation complete by July 2026. The record presented cost figures and contingencies but did not provide a roll‑call vote tally in the meeting transcript.

Facade improvement grant: Council approved a facade improvement grant for 219 Main Street, Suite 101. The town’s program reimburses 50% of eligible exterior improvement costs (up to $5,000) for downtown commercial buildings. Staff said the applicant requested $1,940.49 based on an estimated project cost of $3,880.98 for a projecting sign and window/door graphics; Historic Review Board had issued a certificate of appropriateness. Council approved the grant.

Planning commission appointment: The ad hoc appointments committee recommended Jonathan Hutchison to fill a vacant planning commission seat; council voted to accept the recommendation and appointed Hutchison.

Votes: The meeting transcript records that motions were made, seconded and carried with the council saying “aye.” The transcript did not include a roll‑call tally or individual member votes for these items; no recorded dissents were shown in the audio transcript provided.

Next steps: For the lease, staff will finalize the lease terms and return with subsequent readings as required. For the town hall GMP, staff committed to regular project updates to council. For the façade grant, staff indicated they will publicize the program to encourage additional downtown applicants.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fort Mill Town Council Meeting - July 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved first reading of a lease with the Fort Mill History Museum for 111 S. White St., authorized a GMP amendment for the new town hall renovation at 205 N. White St., approved a downtown façade grant at 219 Main St. and appointed Jonathan Hutchison to the planning commission.","taxTitle","Fort Mill Township, Lancaster County, South Carolina","taxId",56442,"location","South Carolina","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6486946,"Fort Mill summer stormwater internship gives high school students field experience in water systems",169,532000,701000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523441-c5bea2d70582e3e76202543147ae240b&start=532&end=701","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523441-c5bea2d70582e3e76202543147ae240b/thumbnail_532000.jpg","/articles/6486946/South-Carolina/Fort-Mill-summer-stormwater-internship-gives-high-school-students-field-experience-in-water-systems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486946-164dea929e2b86ee46f1492f337ff1d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773533701&Signature=Kxlue4spqurUI~cslabxxAUpF29PNXhi8VHDRDAVnJifLGztP~4stYAKfKERo4XFiV9ffzKDWT6jnAqiHipFsLgBtnJJiirjOXStUKZiXYaFMimsTGh~qhxzmB~BCwHaKfQ-5ypSM1YDpDIvetQq1cXEKc7hxHsdo5uM0FPx7MuSed3682Xy17ZYZRB1hctZs6UCzwi9R8np3USdJJvy4QdEUeuzVs5VayCPF13okzQePwiqcjhWXBJ72cnn90Bw3ncJiwJNtJ-4~1Q-anP7mZmSgs0Q-4AZVJIOJM1MnX7G91BTgaDz2wnoUvAH69GpKEvyM8FiEJCjh8S5z6ckfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff and student interns presented the outcomes of Fort Mill’s summer stormwater internship, describing field trips, public outreach events and hands‑on watershed work.

Mina McDonnell organized the program and introduced student presenters who described trips to the Rock Hill Stormwater Operations Center, creek cleanups at Dye Branch (where students removed “over 10 pounds” of trash), a visit to the Rock Hill water filtration plant, the Fort Mill wastewater treatment plant, the landfill and recycling center, and Nation Ford Chemical. Students also worked on community outreach events about pollution prevention; presenters said the program drew 205 attendees to outreach events so far.

Student speakers described learning monitoring techniques (macroinvertebrate sampling), seeing treatment processes (membranes, aeration basins, UV light at the wastewater plant) and developing a collaborative art/scarecrow project to promote stormwater messages. Presenters thanked Fort Mill staff and the Fort Mill School District for supporting the internship and identified the program’s exposure to career options as an important outcome.

Council and the mayor praised the program and encouraged continued public engagement and small‑scale volunteer opportunities to help waterways. No formal action or funding request was recorded during the presentation.","The town’s stormwater summer internship invited high‑school students on field trips to Rock Hill operations, the Fort Mill wastewater and water treatment plants, landfill/recycling, Nation Ford Chemical, and creek cleanups; interns reported 205 attendees at educational events and removed over 10 pounds of trash during a creek cleanup.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6486951,"Town staff outlines Die Branch restoration plan; engineers estimate roughly $4 million for two‑mile stretch",402,2693000,3095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523441-c5bea2d70582e3e76202543147ae240b&start=2693&end=3095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523441-c5bea2d70582e3e76202543147ae240b/thumbnail_2693000.jpg","/articles/6486951/South-Carolina/Town-staff-outlines-Die-Branch-restoration-plan-engineers-estimate-roughly-4-million-for-twomile-stretch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486951-6f65e42f4394fc6311f1db2833d2cbb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773533701&Signature=Azzg73iDtS82daZ7QSY6CT9ClsJLvceJ0evy9e-3M4TCKOskTMvjQJrA0WnG9QI~iLTKy~nZGftrUcLr~Wr2RIRpzhFxShZA5BIHYJr402inCQekyVqUGxVidCAlFJ7Y1PFgrMRYubT07uyZYw9AgYUuWYiESwZ~dUpaxaNcguqxxPzlzfxvP3wjdaEttbJdW5dkSG4s6Vkj46k13pFVsMsAqn1o-rLyZQBYJ4XtcpltWUKjdXzqe1JeAGMNNutUQxJwMdDRvlXkX-Hokzl7cO5JzDZVWPrhHe-5526~yVTC7~HGR796xfA2SU91zM3Ql-ye~KoPokTYO0a8OeqULw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff presented findings from a feasibility study and design concept for stream bank stabilization along a two‑mile stretch of Die Branch that runs from Walter Elijah to behind Harris Street Park and the nearby elementary school.

Leanne Clark, a town staff presenter, summarized the Kimley‑Horn study: engineers identified six high‑priority sections totaling about 1,560 linear feet where erosion threatens infrastructure and private property, five medium‑priority sections of about 2,160 linear feet, and four low‑priority sections totaling about 4,250 linear feet. The engineering estimate presented for design, surveying, permitting and construction for the full scope was “just over $4 million,” Clark said.

Clark and Eric (town staff) described multiple constraints: existing utilities and sewer crossings exposed by erosion, privately owned parcels requiring easements, staging and access challenges from steep topography and the presence of FEMA‑mapped floodway. Clark noted the town owns most of the corridor selected for study and that the school district owns other large parcels inside the study area.

The proposed options include phased construction or bundling several sections into larger contracts for economies of scale, incorporation of greenway and trail design alongside stabilization work, and use of plantings and bank regrading to reduce future erosion. Staff recommended pursuing grants, using available cash reserves for critical work and coordinating stream restoration with trail development to avoid design conflicts.

Council members asked for clarification on phasing, grant opportunities and whether Army Corps or FEMA permits would be required; staff replied that federal permits may be necessary depending on final designs and that the engineering firm would handle permitting. A council member asked staff to identify smaller volunteer projects (for Eagle Scout or community groups) that could be implemented while larger design and permitting proceed. No formal appropriation or contract award occurred at the meeting.","Staff presented a Kimley‑Horn feasibility study identifying severe erosion on Die Branch, with six high‑priority sections and a combined design and construction estimate of just over $4 million; council asked staff to identify grant options and small volunteer projects while discussing phased work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6486956,"Fort Mill business group proposes Freebee microtransit pilot, asks town for up to $200,000 in support",1348,1221000,2569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523441-c5bea2d70582e3e76202543147ae240b&start=1221&end=2569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523441-c5bea2d70582e3e76202543147ae240b/thumbnail_1221000.jpg","/articles/6486956/South-Carolina/Fort-Mill-business-group-proposes-Freebee-microtransit-pilot-asks-town-for-up-to-200000-in-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486956-40390e5df69aecde39258128c67503cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773533701&Signature=L1V2pfZGI4FPzHE7buZApX2USaRQmz-BQy5ezhz1FhqSGgbEGT5FxJw2q-pUq3GZO4yOn7QOgfPt2uEZHMijltbG~Wt8jLoAIiKBGrnFZnN24bD7CKUHCL3qmCpIFORM~olS4GA1si2aKHZ1rsqozMXvix6H~kCTuf~A17KfQjSw3WHZxZjzVfv6rJspr28JSUYjExopLFoJtoUZbA84aYAryt6txHp0OAX4A7gl7mCc~JBlOPTXyLNFi1UzeRuLkijabmuE8gT62iAU05KC6jW2TNZIw-xAq-Us7dKeIK-Q7mNLWAybmOrPlc7sE2p3i9ckr~UCW9EM00j5AgMmlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fort Mill Economic Partners asked the Fort Mill Town Council to support a one-year microtransit pilot that would use Freebee-branded, electric, on‑demand vehicles to provide door‑to‑door trips among Baxter Village, Kingsley and downtown Fort Mill.

The pilot proposed by Mariah Price, Fort Mill Economic Partners executive, and David Buse, a board director and project liaison, would run primarily Thursday through Sunday and use three vehicles. Price said the pilot’s budget is $407,000 for the year and that the group expects roughly a $200,000 contribution from the town, plus additional commitments from businesses and the county. Riders would pay a nominal fare — Price said about $2 per trip — and the vendor would supply branded vehicles, driver hiring and operational management.

The presentation emphasized data collection and economic development. “We want to collect and analyze ridership data to evaluate demand, optimize service, and assess the impact of microtransit,” Mariah Price said, adding that Freebee provides a live data dashboard showing ridership, trip origins/destinations and vehicle occupancy. David Buse said the vendor partners with local businesses through the app and that the technology supports advertising and event promotion to drive customer traffic.

Presenters said the pilot would be limited to a mapped service area in order to control initial costs; that map includes the three core lifestyle districts and nearby hotels and the hospital. It would operate as a curb-to-curb service within the map and aims for a typical wait of about 10 minutes. The vendor will own the vehicles, presenters said, and Fort Mill would need to provide charging infrastructure: presenters estimated three to four destination‑level chargers and described each unit as a modest cost to install.

Council members asked technical and operational questions: whether service would run during special events, how pickup boundaries are defined and driver hiring standards. Price and Buse cited examples from South Park (the “South Park Skipper”) and Ballantyne as local deployments Freebee has supported and noted those programs saw rapid rider growth in the first months.

Next steps in the presentation were a request for the town to take a position of support prior to a county meeting in August and an ask that the council consider contributing to the pilot budget. A council member asked staff to place the microtransit pilot on the next council agenda so the community could comment before a formal vote. No formal vote on funding or an agreement occurred at the meeting.","Fort Mill Economic Partners presented a one-year microtransit pilot using vendor Freebee to connect Baxter Village, Kingsley and downtown Fort Mill; presenters asked the council for town support ahead of a county decision and a council member asked staff to place the item on the next agenda for a possible vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves first reading of history‑museum lease, a guaranteed‑maximum price for town hall renovations and a downtown façade grant

Fort Mill summer stormwater internship gives high school students field experience in water systems

Town staff outlines Die Branch restoration plan; engineers estimate roughly $4 million for two‑mile stretch

Fort Mill business group proposes Freebee microtransit pilot, asks town for up to $200,000 in support