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 mold). Administration said funds will come from the town's hospitality tax reserve fund and that council will determine longer-term reuse of the building at a later date.

On storm debris, council accepted the low bid from Optera (Optara) Solutions to grind and mulch storm-generated limb and leaf material at the Limb and Leaf landfill for $2,500, with costs to be charged to the public works landfill maintenance line item. Staff told council that the landfill maintenance line currently shows a small balance and that administration expects to seek reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under public assistance for hurricane-related cleanup expenses; FEMA reimbursement was described during council discussion as expected but not guaranteed until federal review and approval occur.

Council voted to accept a scope-of-work and cost proposal from Central Midlands Council of Governments to begin work on the town's comprehensive plan. Staff said the town's existing plan (adopted in February 2008) is outside the 10-year window referenced in state planning law and recommended hiring Central Midlands as the subject-matter expert for the update. The council approved that the year-one cost will be split 50/50 between the general fund and the enterprise fund, with $5,000 drawn from each fund's reserve in year one.

In executive session the council heard two items: a personnel matter concerning the town manager and a legal briefing on a proposed property transfer and lease with Eau Claire Cooperative Health. After returning to open session the council said it would take no action at this time on the Eau Claire Cooperative Health item. Separately, the council approved a motion to offer the town manager position to Jay and authorized the town attorney to begin negotiations with him per terms discussed in executive session.

A motion by Council Member Mitchell to restore council pay to $400 a month did not receive a second and therefore failed. The meeting also included routine approvals (adoption of meeting minutes and committee reports) and public information presentations.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance (second reading): Redistrict the Town of Batesburg-Leesville — Outcome: Approved; roll-call recorded; 1 no vote, mayor yes. (Vote tally: Yes 8, No 1.) - Ordinance (first reading): Rezoning, 1.15 acres on Cullum/Collins Street (TMS 007033-01-004) from Industrial-1 to C-2 (office and institutional commercial) — Outcome: Approved on first reading; planning commission recommended approval; intended use: church. (Vote tally: Yes 9, No 0.) - Ordinance (first reading): Annexation of 0.72 acres at 111 West Church Street (TMS 005900-06-030) to C-1 general commercial — Outcome: Approved on first reading. (Vote tally: Yes 9, No 0.) - Contract award: Interior demolition and roof repair, 534 West Church Street (former Sears) — Outcome: Approved up to $45,069 (includes 10% contingency); funds: hospitality tax reserve fund. Motion by Council Member Prowse; second by Council Member Wise. (Vote tally: Yes 9, No 0.) - Contract award: Mulching and grinding of storm debris at Limb and Leaf Landfill to Optera/Optara Solutions — Outcome: Approved for $2,500; funding from landfill maintenance line; administration expects to seek FEMA public-assistance reimbursement. (Vote tally: Yes 9, No 0.) - Contract/scope: Comprehensive plan update, Central Midlands COG — Outcome: Approved; year-one funding split 50/50 (general/enterprise fund), $5,000 each from reserves in year one. (Vote tally: Yes 9, No 0.) - Personnel: Offer town manager position to Jay and authorize attorney to negotiate per executive-session conditions — Outcome: Approved. (Motion moved and seconded; motion carried.) - Compensation: Motion to restore council pay to $400/month (Mitchell) — Outcome: Motion failed for lack of a second.

Why it matters The redistricting ordinance finalized ward lines that affect representation on advisory boards; council discussion flagged the need to ensure planning and zoning board seats remain represented by district appointees after redistricting takes effect. Approvals for repair of the former Sears building and for storm-debris mulching aim to prevent further property deterioration and to clear hurricane-related debris quickly, while the comprehensive-plan contract begins a multi-year policy update tied to state planning requirements. The personnel decision moves the town toward filling the manager post following executive-session negotiations.

What council said - Jay Hendricks, town manager, delivered the manager's report and told council the Sears building work is intended to make the structure weather-tight and prevent further damage while the council considers future reuse; he also discussed FEMA submittals and reimbursements for hurricane-related clean-up costs. - Planning staff noted the Cullum/Collins Street parcel was purchased with an intention to build a church and said churches are a permitted use in C-2 districts.

Ending Council scheduled no further action on the Eau Claire Cooperative Health matter at this meeting and listed several routine calendar items and project updates before adjourning. Several items approved at first reading will return to council for final readings or further action in future meetings.