Mauldin council: rezoning approved, first reading on solid‑waste changes, police vehicle and grant allocations approved

Mauldin City Council on Jan. 20 took multiple formal actions across zoning, municipal services and capital spending.

Key votes at a glance

- Rezoning (second reading): Council voted 6‑1 to rezone a two‑acre portion of property on Fowler Circle from C‑1 to RM. Councilmember Steenbach moved the motion; the motion carried with one opposed vote recorded by Councilmember Craig.

- Solid Waste Ordinance (first reading): Council approved on first reading proposed changes to the Mauldin Solid Waste Ordinance, including clarified language on collection from multifamily properties and a provision that grass clippings be bagged or placed in a receptacle at the right‑of‑way. Councilmember Craylen moved the ordinance changes; councilmember Reynolds seconded. Council discussion clarified that the city currently mixes unbagged clippings with municipal waste destined for the landfill and that the approved language funds process wording cleanup for second reading.

- Police capital expenditure (state appropriations): Council authorized an expenditure from FY 24/25 state appropriations to purchase a mobile command vehicle and special response team (SRT) equipment and selected MSV (Mobile Specialty Vehicles) as the lowest responsive bidder. Councilmember King moved the motion; Councilmember Craig seconded. Staff reported a multi‑month review of 11 bidders and an expected delivery turnaround of about nine to ten months for the selected vendor. The motion carried unanimously.

- PAR grant acceptance: Council authorized the mayor or his designee to sign documents accepting a PAR grant from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Councilmember Matney moved the authorization; the motion carried without objection.

- Accommodations tax allocations: Acting on the recommendations of the Mauldin Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, council approved $3,487.80 for marketing for the Mauldin Blues & Jazz Festival and $100,000 for a new stage cover at the Mauldin Cultural Center Amphitheater. The motion was moved by Councilmember Matney and seconded by Councilmember Kreiling; council approved the allocations.

- Executive session: Council entered executive session to consider an economic development matter for City Center and a proposed sale or purchase of property under cited statutes; the body returned to open session and reported no votes or decisions were taken during executive session.

Details and context

Rezoning: The Fowler Circle rezoning was on second reading. After a motion by Steenbach and a second, the council voted 6‑1 in favor. No amendments were recorded during second reading.

Solid waste: Councilmember Allgood sought clarification about Section 34‑9(c) addressing grass clippings and leaves; staff explained the city lacks a composting/recycling program for clippings and that bagged clippings may be placed at the right‑of‑way or placed in a receptacle for collection. Councilmember Reynolds said he would propose minor wordsmithing amendments before second reading to clean up definitions but did not expect substantive policy changes.

Police vehicle: Staff emphasized the competitive procurement, the number of bidders reviewed and plans to inspect the vehicle at the manufacturer prior to delivery. Councilmembers said the vehicle is a long‑term investment expected to have a service life of more than a decade.

Grants and tax funds: Council voted to accept the PAR grant and to disburse accommodation tax funds per the advisory committee’s recommendations to support the festival and amphitheater stage cover.

After returning from executive session, the council reported no decisions and adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:26 p.m.