Votes at a glance: council adopts fire‑hydrant ordinance, approves water conveyance and authorizes property acquisition

KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — Kershaw County Council on May 13 approved several formal measures: a third‑reading ordinance setting requirements for fire hydrant installation, an ordinance conveying specified water facilities and public rights of way, and a motion authorizing the county administrator to proceed with acquisition of real property at 124 Battleship Road following executive‑session review.

Ordinance on fire hydrants (Third Reading, Item 9a) Council approved on third reading an ordinance that requires developers to install fire hydrants where water flow and other technical conditions are met. The ordinance was the subject of prior debate at earlier readings; at third reading Councilman Shoemake said he supported the measure for the public‑safety reasons discussed in prior meetings. The roll call as read in the meeting named Councilmembers Shoemake, Tucker, Connell, Cato and Thompson voting in favor and Councilman Bridal voting opposed. The council recorded the ordinance as passed on third reading.

Conveyance of water facilities and rights of way (Third Reading, Item 9b) Council voted unanimously by those present to approve conveyance of certain water facilities and public rights of way as described on the agenda. No public speakers were present on the related public hearing and council recorded the third‑reading vote as unanimous among those present.

Acquisition of 124 Battleship Road (Executive Session, Item 15a) Following executive session, a council member moved that the administrator be authorized to proceed with acquisition of real property at 124 Battleship Road “subject to final completion of due diligence items to the satisfaction of the administrator,” and to ratify and approve the purchase and sale agreement. The meeting record shows a second and a unanimous vote by those present to authorize the administrator to proceed. The motion language on the record was: “I move that we authorize the administrator to proceed with the acquisition of real property at 124 Battleship Road, subject to final completion of due diligence items to the satisfaction of the administrator, and that we ratify and approve the purchase and sale agreement for the property.”

Other votes and procedural actions Council also amended and approved the meeting agenda (removing item 15b given the absence of the sponsoring member), approved minutes for prior meetings and heard a formal resolution recognizing local three‑room schools (Item 10a) — the resolution was adopted by the council and is described in a separate article. The meeting included two public hearings (on fire flow and conveyance of a right of way) with no speakers.

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Council recorded the votes on the ordinances and the property authorization during the May 13 meeting. The fire‑hydrant ordinance establishes developer installation requirements contingent on water flow; the conveyance and property acquisition actions move forward as recorded, with the property purchase subject to standard due diligence.