Batesburg-Leesville council approves redistricting, property actions, repairs and planning contract; offers town manager job

Batesburg-Leesville Town Council voted on a series of ordinances, contracts and personnel actions at its January meeting, approving a second reading of a redistricting ordinance, first readings for a rezoning and an annexation, funding for interior demolition and roof repair at the former Sears building, a contract to mulch storm debris at the Limb and Leaf landfill, and a scope of work with Central Midlands to update the town's comprehensive plan. The council also approved offering the town manager position to a candidate identified as Jay; a separate motion to restore council pay to $400 per month failed for lack of a second.

The redistricting ordinance, at second reading, passed on a recorded roll-call with one council member voting no and the mayor voting yes. Council approved first readings for a rezoning of a 1.15-acre parcel on Cullum (Collins) Street from an Industrial-1 district to C-2 (office and institutional commercial) and for annexation of 0.72 acres at 111 West Church Street to C-1 general commercial. Planning staff told council the rezoning applicant, Terry Jeffrey, intends to use the Cullum Street parcel for a church; the annexation petition was submitted by property owner Dr. R. B. Antley and the parcel is expected to be redeveloped as commercial property connected to a joint driveway with an adjacent lot that the developer identified as a potential Verizon/Dunkin's site.

Council approved a staff recommendation to award the interior demolition and roof-replacement contract for the former Sears building at 534 West Church Street to the lowest qualified bidder, with a staff-recommended contract amount not to exceed $45,069 (that figure includes a 10-percent contingency to cover unforeseen interior issues such as…