[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6458605,"mediaKeyId","5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3","parentId",5811927,"title","Combi Center seeks permission for awareness ribbons, lists October events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month","audioSeconds",498,"startMs",670000,"endMs",1168000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3&start=670&end=1168","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3/thumbnail_670000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458605/Aiken-City/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Combi-Center-seeks-permission-for-awareness-ribbons-lists-October-events-for-Domestic-Violence-Awareness-Month","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458605-cbb70d7dd81fbb2ac7f6b4dd09ae381f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182584&Signature=ZKT7yGoJf60hYcLWlLTUepw0PC5dlDD0apAww5oEZwMobgjxU~b52~y~-taK4vyQ-IE17xbVTGDtrpQUVKNRwZm1NQ6pWT2vqPMeotJ~g-XEBmlqBRa0gpUrzSVnDHiHC-TYdQeytJI79N6e0fXaskOTkpdgFO5YYVT7XksAMVGOjCWPbnx4XVA1xjixTp9HEmUibP8dj8lilXNlUWKuBrkGFnl709c6hPaL6aa-fl6tzrNjfgrdmTpR~fpMcrbDtoqnpYY6bcdV70Ki--u3T-Gqg5Xsr0rU~ySvLib60HT-lzs4uY-udeu7XQLoUpOBxWCigFxz3h2qXlP7VGnTxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aiken","date","2025-09-22T21:52:41Z","article","April Jordan of the Combi Center, a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in six South Carolina counties, briefed Aiken City Council on Monday about Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities and requested permission to place awareness ribbons and information cards along downtown posts.

Combi Center services and requests
Jordan said Combi Center provides a 24/7 safe house, a 24/7 crisis hotline, case management including housing and employment assistance, counseling and outreach; services are free. She asked the city’s permission to hang ribbons and information cards along Lawrence Street and other downtown posts in October, as the center has done in past years.

Jordan also announced an Oct. 2 public conference and an Oct. 18 chili cook-off at Odell Weeks to raise awareness and connect residents to services. She said the Aiken Public Safety department, the Aiken Sheriff’s Office and the Highway Patrol planned to participate in the chili event and that information flyers and tear-off cards can be provided to city clinics and centers.

Council response
Council members asked about sharing materials with local health centers and the Clyburn Center; Jordan said the Combi Center would provide flyers and tear-off cards for distribution. Council did not take a formal vote on a written request during the meeting but staff indicated prior permissions for similar past display requests.

What’s next
Jordan said Combi Center staff will coordinate distribution of materials and follow up with city staff and council members who requested copies for local health centers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Aiken City Council Meeting September 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","April Jordan of the Combi Center presented to council requesting permission to hang awareness ribbons and distribute information in October; she also promoted an Oct. 2 conference and Oct. 18 chili cook-off to raise awareness and connect residents to services.","taxTitle","Aiken City, Aiken County, South Carolina","taxId",52307,"location","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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458610,"Resident says water meter or line issue led to 25,000-gallon bills; requests city investigation",568,1146000,1714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3&start=1146&end=1714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3/thumbnail_1146000.jpg","/articles/6458610/Aiken-City/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Resident-says-water-meter-or-line-issue-led-to-25000-gallon-bills-requests-city-investigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458610-f1a886cabe0d3830d517d76cdd0c6688/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182584&Signature=M2SIe4JYZr6CWHM~lFGsSjM8G~mFAD5FSe9tdezsjY6TYjJWgk9vOPJVQcWFKeIoeY9-X-zAfprY4ASiV49PaOop5g24YsHC0se5bi9aKqtBk~J806nEvz9Up7OVR~HWrxAZffF3J3kn9GcdtZygsBW2~fW1R4mp9m8okCE-VzW-w6Cd8yvPm5BuRgyPbtaN4D9AV7KZuwiTl2do0Gmy1yzRosHoEmfB3maY2YY~8w0HGYBIhaKxewKOC~CNYQsbIi9iMt889XUDy4LO41k8OZLgwPuu48Y~v3I-SxUieVj61btN-R~iubAvNLG-GukKQa5f1XFbrQ1InGP9DsMMtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident scheduled to be annexed into the city told Aiken City Council on Monday that she has received unusually large water-volume readings—reports as high as 28,000 gallons in a month—and asked the city to investigate potential meter or line cross-connections.

Maggie Chapman said she bought the house in September and has repeatedly recorded very high monthly usage despite having no leaks, no pool and no irrigation that would account for the totals. Chapman said one month’s reading showed about 28,000 gallons and another month showed 25,000; she said staff replaced her meter in July but the high readings continued.

Why it matters: The city said it serves roughly 22,000 water accounts; unexplained high usage can impose substantial costs on households and indicate infrastructure problems that affect customers broadly.

What the resident and staff said
Chapman said she has compared usage with neighbors and found they do not have the same spikes. She said she has attempted to get the builder and developer—named in the transcript as Maybaum and Designer Homes of Georgia—to investigate, but they have not responded and denied a warranty claim. She described app-based usage alerts that showed flow through her meter when no fixtures were in use.

Public-safety staff and water-utility staff told the meeting they had replaced the meter in July and would continue to investigate. Council members and staff encouraged Chapman that they would continue pursuing the matter with the builder and developer and noted that the city has a limited number of accounts with similar unique problems.

What’s next
Staff said they will continue to work with Chapman, pursue investigation with the developer and builder, and evaluate whether other customers in the subdivision show similar anomalies. Chapman said she is seeking resolution because bills have reached amounts near $250 for water alone, excluding trash charges.","A homeowner scheduled for annexation reported repeated, unexplained high water-volume readings—up to 28,000 gallons in one month—and asked the council and staff to investigate meter accuracy and possible shared connections with nearby construction.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458615,"Residents urge return of Dominion strip and protection of Aiken’s East Side agricultural and equestrian areas",2076,982000,3058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3&start=982&end=3058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3/thumbnail_982000.jpg","/articles/6458615/Aiken-City/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Residents-urge-return-of-Dominion-strip-and-protection-of-Aikens-East-Side-agricultural-and-equestrian-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458615-c316e7b809918b4d7d7363ddae85ec1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182584&Signature=iX-6tQ5Q4zmIyv2~jbwU6JpOxpM98fO3vPlKEMmdNUtvuQMwnEBw201B-iNIg1XUlqWmmL0D92IhN9HgpBzKkKGkA01lSYflYpqenzocW2aTMZygfMVghuHL02Apgivq73tHXiNY0rdKUE69ICDAEa-yoi~Hhi~rfDBIznQFySGSrnSo6NzBKI1s7mmiXGZFvT1Nu19V-d7XGz7xLCLoKtm1k1HXrBYcR3YH3l5xx3JjtpGiMSCrwk3ws2-QkSGJlzw3XsqQt2oYpmQF8FtUc9Sg8HxAvcUQKTLuQygMWiVrb8yQiON5YqgnSmeuB8gUW2LwOIHH866CO4IZGJIAhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents addressed Aiken City Council on Monday to press the city to return (divest) or de-annex a narrow strip of land purchased in 2020 from Dominion and to oppose further annexation or development that, they said, would threaten agricultural and equestrian land on Aiken’s east side.

Why it matters: Speakers described the east side as one of the last areas within the region that supports equestrian uses and farmland and argued that preserving that land maintains Aiken’s character and tourism economy.

What speakers said
Linda Murphy, an attorney who lives near Montmorency, asked council to “divest and de-annex the ten-foot strip of unbuildable land that was purchased in 2020” and argued the east side is a key agricultural and equestrian area: “the equestrian industry is what makes Aiken unique,” she said.

Samantha Melamed, who said she participates in county planning meetings, said neighbors had mobilized around the Aiken County comprehensive plan and urged coordinated county and city action to preserve rural and equestrian areas as utilities expand.

Other residents including Maggie Rutland, Lynn Givens and David Basher spoke in support of keeping the area agricultural and asked the council to sell the parcel back to Dominion or otherwise prevent annexation that would lead to suburban development.

Council response
Mayor Pro Tem Edgiredo addressed the assembled residents later in the meeting, saying he had not discussed annexing that east-side area in his eight years on council and that annexation “is not gonna happen in my lifetime,” and that the city is not actively pursuing a broader eastward annexation plan in the near term.

What’s next
Residents asked the council to pursue a return of the strip and for the city to coordinate with Aiken County on comprehensive planning. Council members acknowledged public concern and said the issue has been under discussion in prior years; staff and council gave no immediate commitment to a divestiture at the meeting.","Multiple residents spoke at the council meeting asking the city to divest or de-annex a 10-foot strip of land they said was acquired as part of an annexation plan and to preserve low-density, agricultural equestrian lands on Aiken’s east side.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458620,"Aiken council renews city manager Stewart Biennbaum’s employment agreement unanimously",1418,6890000,8308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3&start=6890&end=8308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3/thumbnail_6890000.jpg","/articles/6458620/Aiken-City/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Aiken-council-renews-city-manager-Stewart-Biennbaums-employment-agreement-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458620-ef94f70b63620b553a82779352fce39b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182584&Signature=Yv-SyOm0NwGBdPW5TA7BnNl3zBL-jW-X5AmTFUmJ4w4sskmNvp3R48szO-Iblpcd6rxGfM552nkeGmbxe5ufdNWxDIwRR2N2Ucik8lc5XepFH60AvZKvQI1cCnT4EYwuXujKfM6W--uOawUXPXnKR1JrD8I5ELKDsbGRx1ivsqCnr-qVNrPBHrfnaegxeT2nq8Xh55LpNubhaTB2lXZg9wYxzayUoGzZOIQQRXnPDw2uyaPpzD9hb-EvKUk~7lyS54AhVY~ar6TTigZ3Y~4vbprEm5CG3YLeqsmG9tNb4GAyXrjBrFiVwtl8VQIG~iUT2erI52XYjhIb4ZKErDRgbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aiken City Council on Monday unanimously approved an employment agreement extension with City Manager Stewart Biennbaum.

The vote followed extended public comment. Several residents urged delaying the decision until newly elected council members are seated so incoming representatives could weigh in. Others—local business owners, neighborhood leaders and long-time residents—offered public endorsements of Biennbaum’s performance and urged the council to approve the extension.

Why it matters: The city manager is the chief executive of the city bureaucracy; renewing the agreement secures leadership continuity as the council moves into ongoing downtown redevelopment and infrastructure efforts.

Public comment and council debate
During public comment, Wendy Collins Gutfarb asked council to delay the renewal until the new council takes office. John Davis and several others replied with public endorsements of Biennbaum’s performance during hurricane response, water infrastructure work and other city operations.

Multiple council members spoke in support of Biennbaum, noting his long service, responsiveness to residents and the municipal professional community’s regard for him. Council members said Biennbaum routinely meets with residents and staff, has overseen hurricane recovery and municipal projects, and that staff and city services rely on his continuity.

Council action
After public remarks and discussion among council members, council voted unanimously to approve the employment agreement extension for Stewart Biennbaum.

What’s next
Staff said the extension takes effect immediately; Biennbaum will continue to advise council on pending projects, including downtown redevelopment and infrastructure work. Council did not specify changes to the contract publicly during the meeting.","Council approved an employment agreement extension for City Manager Stewart Biennbaum after public comment both urging delay to allow newly elected members input and many residents and council members voicing support.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458624,"Aiken Council OKs ordinance to sell Hotel Aiken property; developer talks, public concern follow",1057,3542000,4599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3&start=3542&end=4599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811927-4486aa5359fd9164b5465bc07a1572c3/thumbnail_3542000.jpg","/articles/6458624/Aiken-City/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/Aiken-Council-OKs-ordinance-to-sell-Hotel-Aiken-property-developer-talks-public-concern-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458624-4c6463f4d2b38ae6938ae1c4e96a6148/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182584&Signature=YMqQFUwimlZggZAB6Bj6gDgMFZOV9ilrQmd9Y1b9D3BExp8eR79xIglzm2PtGnIpp0qieIrWQZ23OkxLlmHsJ52jgCkrQ-S09s8pdnIxXF9MohkIA~HWPGgRyXtmXO3xME9F5gJ0SYKgnBH8qu9ARQdT16oLSyY4qf8lAFc7~MHPN5iTJttmzzIdn24Xlfhwx4aCTXjFF2iCX2pxsGl5rkzPrLgUIeXxTJHHXBlGYnfyZXgm6tgBsw3A-v48EQCQBZqtzLNAuvfB9hcmcqw8uYDSBVzLL9-ipLZOkIASKGwR4AJOUlm~QK8zoZE-t-bJhJg0bgQERcngxkhXMT~Ydw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aiken City Council on Monday voted unanimously to accept an ordinance authorizing the sale of several downtown parcels connected to the long-vacant Hotel Aiken, moving the city into negotiated sale and due diligence with a private developer.

The ordinance covers property in the 200 block of Richland Avenue West, the 100 block of Lawrence Street Southwest, and the 100 block of Newberry Street Southwest. City staff said the properties were marketed nationally by Colliers and that the city is now in contract negotiations with the Oliver Group, a Nashville-based developer.

Why it matters: The Hotel Aiken site sits in the center of downtown and has been the subject of years of debate, legal actions and stalled redevelopment efforts. City leaders said the sale is an effort to return the block to active use, preserve key historic structures and attract lodging and other downtown amenities that could support local research and university partnerships.

City presentation and marketing history
City Manager Stewart Biennbaum and staff described a multi-month national marketing campaign led by Colliers. The presentation traced the process: Colliers issued a marketing teaser in July 2024, launched a Hotel Aiken website and distributed due-diligence materials, solicited proposals with a Dec. 23, 2024 deadline, interviewed six proposers and shortlisted two for follow-up. The city held an executive session in June to authorize contract negotiations with the Oliver Group.

Mister Tapp, the staff lead on the marketing effort, told council Colliers attended national hospitality investment forums in New York and personally contacted several hundred hospitality and multifamily recipients. He said the city received six proposals—five hotel concepts and one residential concept—and ultimately advanced the Oliver Group into negotiations.

Public reaction: appraisal, price and preservation concerns
Dozens of residents and business owners spoke during public comment, reflecting a mix of support for redevelopment and anger over prior decisions. Several speakers asked for clearer accounting of costs the city has incurred since purchasing the properties and questioned how the $9.5 million purchase price in 2021 relates to subsequent appraisals and the current marketing value.

Don Moniak, who said he has followed the matter closely, referenced the city’s documents and the appraisal language stating some buildings were eligible for the National Register while other parcels may be put to their highest-and-best-use as redevelopment. He noted the appraisal listed one prior offer of $5 million for the portfolio.

Robert Branson asked for clarification on the original purchase price and total public expenditures; city staff responded that legal costs are approximately $230,000 as of the most recent calculation and that the city’s prior decisions reflected a long-range development objective.

Historic buildings and demolition limits
City staff told council the city’s RFQ required adaptive reuse of historically significant structures where possible. During discussion staff and several council members said the McGee Building and other named structures were considered for protection and adaptive reuse; they said the motor court / Holly House building is the parcel most likely to be removed if necessary to accommodate a parking solution. The city emphasized that any demolition or major change would still require design-review board approval.

Parking and project scope
The sale and redevelopment discussions also included a conversation about parking. Staff and the developer team flagged parking as one of the top questions from developers; they said options include an on-site parking structure on a parcel that could be used for that purpose or converting portions of the Newberry Street aisle into spaces, though converting a public right-of-way was not favored. The city said $200,000 in the proposed agreement is an illustrative design/deposit item to move the project through early design and that ownership/operation of any parking structure would be clarified in later contract stages.

Developer outreach and next steps
Council was told Oliver Group remains in due diligence; staff emphasized this is not a concluded sale and that the developer can withdraw if due diligence uncovers problems. The developer will host two public information sessions at Newberry Hall: Sept. 29 from 5–7 p.m. and Sept. 30 from noon–2 p.m., staff said.

Council action
Council moved to accept the ordinance to sell the listed properties and voted unanimously to advance the item, sending the sale into contract negotiation and continuing due diligence.

What’s next
If negotiations conclude, the developer must complete design-review and other approvals before demolition or construction. Staff said the city will provide further opportunities for public review as design materials become available.

","City council voted unanimously to approve first-reading ordinance to sell multiple downtown parcels tied to the Hotel Aiken redevelopment. Council and city staff described a national marketing process and active negotiations with the Oliver Group; residents raised questions about appraisals, historic protections and parking.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Combi Center seeks permission for awareness ribbons, lists October events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Resident says water meter or line issue led to 25,000-gallon bills; requests city investigation

Residents urge return of Dominion strip and protection of Aiken’s East Side agricultural and equestrian areas

Aiken council renews city manager Stewart Biennbaum’s employment agreement unanimously

Aiken Council OKs ordinance to sell Hotel Aiken property; developer talks, public concern follow