Aiken City Council approves contracts, appointments and 2025'130 CIP in unanimous votes

At its Feb. 24 meeting the Aiken City Council approved a slate of routine resolutions and appointments, voting unanimously on each item.

The council approved a resolution to enter into an independent-contractor agreement with Goodwin Mills Caywood LLC for materials testing and inspection for Powder House Phase 1, for an amount not to exceed $162,585. Councilman Gerardo moved the resolution and Councilwoman Burrell seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Council approved a resolution to hire Cheatham Fletcher Scott Architects and Designers to provide architectural and engineering design services for restroom renovations at the H.O.L. Weeks (Odell Weeks) Recreation Center. The project was described by staff as a redesign to restore restrooms closed for safety reasons, provide ADA-accessible fixtures, reconfigure a catering kitchen and create new storage; staff recommended the firm as a single source based on its familiarity with the facility. Councilwoman Gregory moved the resolution; Councilwoman Price seconded and the vote was unanimous. (Staff did not state a contract amount in the meeting record.)

Council reapproved the Aiken Municipal Court jury box for 2025 after city staff corrected the earlier list to remove individuals who were not city residents; the state election commission notified the city of the error. The council recorded no impact on cases; motion to reapprove was moved and seconded and passed unanimously.

The council accepted a deed of dedication for water and sanitary sewer lines and related equipment in the Sanctuary Subdivision Phase 2. Staff noted the property owner is preparing paperwork to request annexation now that the parcel is contiguous to the city. Councilwoman Gregory moved the resolution; Councilwoman Giordo seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The council authorized the expenditure of up to $65,000 from capital-project sales tax funds to purchase replacement radios for the Aiken Department of Public Safety. The motion passed unanimously after a second.

Council adopted the New Horizons goals from the council retreat and unanimously adopted the city's 2025'130 major capital improvement program. Staff emphasized both are flexible year-to-year and projects may be adjusted based on funding and need.

Personnel actions: the council reappointed John Brecht to the Board of Zoning Appeals and reappointed Clayton Clarkston to the Planning Commission; Tara Bostwick and Deborah Taussig were reappointed to the Equine Committee. Motions to approve these appointments passed unanimously.

All items on the consent and action calendar that evening were approved without recorded dissent. No item was tabled or rejected.