The Aiken City Council on Nov. 24 approved multiple routine and project items by unanimous vote.

Key votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (easement and deed acceptance): Council approved an ordinance granting an easement to Dominion Energy, Inc., and a resolution accepting a deed of dedication for The Reserve at Hollow Creek Woodside Phase 4 Section 10‑C. The consent items were moved, seconded and approved without public comment.

- Appointments to boards and commissions: The council approved reappointments of John McMichael (Design Review Board), John Carmen (Energy & Environmental Committee) and Douglas Cusick (General Aviation Commission), and appointed Elijah Alford to the Recreation Commission.

- Budget amendment: Council approved second reading of an ordinance amending the FY2025‑26 road-maintenance fund to allocate $292,740 in "C funds" (state Department of Transportation allocations processed through the county transportation committee) to pave streets including Governors Lane, Ascot Drive, Spencer Road, Reed Drive, Jahasse Drive, Northland Boulevard and Whitehall Place. Staff said the item had appeared at first reading Nov. 10 and that the funds are carried forward and allocated for these local road projects.

- Rezoning: Council rezoned two parcels bounded by Richland Ave. E., Marlboro St. NE, Orangeburg St. NE and Barnwell Ave. NE from Light Industrial (LI) to Downtown Business (DB). Planning staff said the parcels lie inside the Old Lake overlay and that DB zoning allows retail and office uses while restricting vehicular industrial activities; the planning commission had unanimously recommended approval. The property owners/developers (Caridasa LLC) spoke in support.

- Citizens Park irrigation contract: Council approved awarding a publicly advertised sealed bid to Greenview Landscaping Inc. for $176,729 to replace the irrigation system at Citizens Park Complex No. 1. The project had $95,000 budgeted in an earlier carryforward; staff recommended covering the $81,729 difference from capital project sales tax funds after receiving a single qualified bid. The parks director explained the original estimate was prepared two years ago and that market prices have increased.

Procedure and votes: Where recorded, motions were moved and seconded on the record and all listed votes were recorded as unanimous. The meeting record indicates no dissent on the items summarized above.

What this means: Projects funded by the budget amendment and the irrigation contract can proceed subject to contractor scheduling and procurement formalities; the rezoned parcels are now eligible under the DB rules the city described at the hearing.