Anderson City Council approves water financing, greenway change order, contracts and appointments

The Anderson City Council unanimously approved a package of ordinances, contracts and appointments at its meeting, including a second-reading supplemental bond ordinance to finance water-system improvements, a change order to add a greenway connection at Lindley Park, the first reading of an annexation and zoning for a shopping-center parcel, a new agreement to let Broadway Water bill city sewer customers, reappointments and new appointments to citizen advisory boards, a three-year GIS software renewal, and a downtown holiday-lighting purchase.

The actions affect utilities, parks and planning, and include both construction and recurring-service contracts. Council members emphasized using state low-interest financing where available, connecting trail segments while construction crews are mobilized, and improving billing collections in areas served by an outside water utility.

Council approved second reading of the “tenth supplemental bond ordinance 25-11” authorizing city borrowing through the state revolving fund for waterline projects serving Wellington Mills and the East Market Street area. Staff told council the loan will be repaid over 20 years, with an estimated annual debt service of $209,000, payments beginning in October 2026 and an interest rate of about 2.3% under the State Revolving Fund program. Council discussion noted the loan’s favorable rate and that water rates will fund the debt service. The ordinance passed unanimously on second and final reading.

Council also approved a change order to the Lindley Park project to add a 0.44-mile greenway connection from the southern portion of the Lindley Park project to the recreation complex. Staff presented the change order amount of $239,149.55; they said the total cost of that additional work is about $580,000 but that existing savings in the larger Lindley Park project of roughly $342,000 are being applied so the added contract amount presented to council is $239,149.55. Staff estimated the contractor would mobilize within weeks and most work would take about two months, though opening the full trail depends on a steel bridge expected several months later.

On land use, council approved on first reading an ordinance to annex and zone 7.53 acres at 3801 Clemson Boulevard to General Commercial (GC). The planning commission had recommended approval. Council members who represent the area said bringing the contiguous parcel into the city will simplify municipal service delivery across the shopping center parking area. The item passed unanimously on first reading.

Council approved several board and commission appointments and reappointments: a reappointment of Diane Sims to an arts-and-cultural position on the accommodations-tax (ATAX) advisory committee, and appointments of Trey McDuffie (restaurant/hospitality position) and Kirk Watkins (regional director/restaurant/hospitality) to vacant ATAX slots. Council also approved reappointments to the planning commission (Marshall Pickens, Ron Sconyers, Bryce Nivens, Steve Lefever, Carrie Ulrich), the Board of Architectural Review (Bill Johnson, Billy Zion, Jill Helgeson, Jia Townsley) and the Board of Zoning Appeals (Glenn Roberts, Olin Bell). Council members noted the volunteer hours required and the local experience of nominees.

The council approved a staff recommendation to renew a three-year enterprise agreement with Esri (GIS software) for a total contract value of $112,200. Staff said the city must move from the 0–25,000 population tier into the 25,000–50,000 tier; the three-year renewal includes a stepped-up price schedule and extra cloud/publishing credits. Staff described daily operational uses across utilities, permitting, emergency management and public works.

Council approved a $125,800 purchase and installation for downtown holiday lighting for the coming season. Staff said the city owns most of the lights and the contract covers installation and some replacement inventory; councilmembers discussed the current color schemes, potential future additions to parks and neighborhood decorations, and timing (staff aims to have lights burning by Thanksgiving and leave them through the holiday period).

On interagency billing, council approved an agreement with Broadway Water for that utility to bill and, if needed, disconnect water for nonpayment of city sewer charges in Broadway Water’s service area. Staff said the arrangement will allow stronger enforcement of sewer collections; currently 32 city sewer customers in Broadway Water’s territory generate about $23,000 in outstanding sewer charges dating back to the previous year. Staff noted the East River subdivision under construction includes about 265 homes; once built the area will increase the number of meters served (staff said the total would grow from 32 to roughly 297 customers in that service footprint). Broadway Water’s board already approved the contract; the city and Broadway Water will finalize the per-meter compensation language in the final agreement.

Actions on all items were unanimous in the meeting record. Several council members and staff noted that some projects (greenway bridge, lighting expansions, future water/sewer projects) will require additional permitting, design or future budget approvals before work or further phases proceed.

Votes at a glance: ordinance (tenth supplemental bond ordinance 25-11) — approved on second reading; annexation and zoning for 3801 Clemson Boulevard (7.53 acres) — approved on first reading; Lindley Park change order (greenway addition) — approved; ATAX appointments and planning/board reappointments — approved; Esri three-year renewal ($112,200) — approved; downtown holiday lights ($125,800) — approved; agreement with Broadway Water to bill city sewer customers in Broadway Water territory — approved.

Council adjourned after completing the agenda and passed the minutes of the prior meeting earlier in the session.