Irmo council approves annexation first reading, safety policy, multiple contracts and Okra Strut budget

The Town of Irmo council on Jan. 20 approved a series of municipal measures ranging from land annexation and a routine safety policy to contracts for town projects and the 2025 Okra Strut festival.

Key approvals included a first reading of Ordinance 25.1 to annex 0.52 acres at 6375 St. Andrews (Lexington County TMS 2799-06-001) and to rezone the parcel from Lexington County C-1 (neighborhood commercial) to Town of Irmo CG (general commercial). The council recorded the motion and a roll call vote in favor.

The council also adopted Resolution 25-01, the town's annual safety policy, which establishes a safety committee and affirms the town's approach to routine workplace and seasonal safety practices. Town staff noted the resolution is updated annually and supports insurance requirements.

Council members approved an amendment to the town's agreement with LCK to move the new town hall project into phase 2, which covers construction administration, contract compliance and reporting. Staff reported that phase 1 work is nearly complete, that $50,000 of the previously agreed fees has been paid, and that phase 2 will proceed under the amended contract with installment payments discussed at the meeting.

The council authorized a $17,250 contract with Arnette Muldrow to produce a townwide wayfinding and signage design plan, including recommendations for banners, neighborhood signs and phased implementation.

The council approved an extension of the contract with CC&I to provide permitting and inspection services for an additional year with two automatic one-year extensions; staff noted the addendum includes a 90-day termination clause.

On event and community programming, the council approved a $144,000 budget for the 2025 Okra Strut festival and authorized three contracts tied to the festival's entertainment and production: Root Doctors ($6,500), Cowboy Mouth ($19,000, not including back-line/instrument provisioning), and Custom Audio & Lighting ($16,000) to provide production services and back-line support. The Okra Strut commission described adjustments to the festival format intended to reduce costs: moving the Saturday evening programming to a daytime family-focused schedule and ending Saturday activities earlier to reduce first-responder and overtime costs.

All measures were approved by the council during the meeting by recorded roll calls.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 25.1 (first reading) to annex 0.52 acres at 6375 St. Andrews and rezone to CG: approved (roll call recorded). - Resolution 25-01 (town safety policy): approved (annual update; roll call recorded). - Amendment to LCK contract for new Town Hall (phase 2 authorization): approved (staff reported phase 1 near completion; roll call recorded). - Contract with Arnette Muldrow for wayfinding/signage study, $17,250: approved. - Extension of CC&I permitting and inspection services contract (one year plus two automatic one-year extensions; 90-day termination clause): approved. - Okra Strut 2025 budget, $144,000: approved. - Contract with Root Doctors, $6,500: approved. - Contract with Cowboy Mouth (performance fee $19,000; back-line/instruments provided by production company): approved. - Contract with Custom Audio & Lighting for production, $16,000: approved.

Details and context

Ordinance 25.1: Staff described the annexation as initiated by the property owner (Bergen Roofing) and noted the rezoning to town CG was judged a better fit for the site at the corner of St. Andrews and Carriage Lane. Councilmembers voiced support for the change and the motion passed on first reading; additional readings or steps required for final annexation and zoning were not completed at this meeting.

LCK contract amendment: Staff said the original contract provided project management services for the new Town Hall and that this amendment completes phase 1 and opens phase 2 to begin preparing bid documents and construction administration. Staff identified prior fees paid ($50,000) and explained phase 2 payment installments were discussed; no final total beyond previously stated phase 1 payments was presented at the meeting.

Wayfinding and signage: The approved study will inventory town signage, propose a phased approach for wayfinding, banners and neighborhood signs, and produce implementation packages for future capital planning.

Permitting and inspection services: The CC&I extension was presented as a continuation of the current arrangement, with staff noting the firm approved the addendum and that the contract includes a 90-day termination provision.

Okra Strut: The Okra Strut commission chair presented a leaner 2025 plan intended to reduce entertainment and first-responder costs by ending Saturday evening activities earlier (around 5 p.m.) and placing greater emphasis on a family-friendly daytime schedule following the parade. The commission outlined expected revenue sources that include vendor sales, presales, parking and reimbursement-type grants (the packet noted roughly $22,500 in tax reimbursements from county and town tourism-related funds). The commission also reported that many 2024 vendor fees were refunded after last year's event disruptions and that 2024 revenues currently sit just under $34,000, as presented to council.

The council provided final approval for the festival budget and the three entertainment/production contracts during the session.

What the meeting did not do

The council did not award construction contracts for the new town hall, did not set a construction start date for the Rawls Creek playground (that item was addressed by a separate resolution), and did not provide line-item procurement authorizations beyond the contracts approved on Jan. 20.

Next steps

Staff will proceed with the amended project-management responsibilities under the LCK agreement, prepare materials for annexation final readings if required, implement the wayfinding study, continue permitting services under the extended CC&I contract, and work with the Okra Strut commission to finalize festival logistics and vendor communications.