Hartsville council elects mayor pro tem, tables House of Hope loan and approves airport grant applications

Hartsville City Council on Dec. 9 elected Bob Bradock as mayor pro tempore, tabled a public hearing and final reading of Ordinance 451 concerning a forgivable loan to the House of Hope, and authorized applications for federal and state aeronautics grants for airport improvements.

During unfinished business, City Manager Daniel Moore explained that Ordinance 451 — described in the agenda as an ordinance authorizing the city to provide a forgivable loan to the House of Hope and to execute related loan documents — is still under negotiation and requires attorney edits before the city can proceed. Moore asked the council to table the public hearing and final reading; the council moved, seconded and voted in favor of tabling the item until January.

On new business, the council considered Resolution 122501 to elect a mayor pro tempore for a two‑year term. A councilmember nominated Bob Bradock, another seconded the nomination, and the council voted in favor. (The transcript records the nomination once as "Bob Brat" and later as "Bob Bradock." The council recorded the vote in the meeting as an affirmative voice vote.)

The council also authorized staff to apply for a Federal Aviation Administration grant (Resolution 122502) and a South Carolina aeronautics grant (Resolution 122503) to support runway and apron lighting and other airport improvements. Daniel Moore said the project is estimated at about $200,000 and that the city’s local match is roughly 2.5 percent (he described that match as approximately $5,000). Council voted to approve both resolutions.

Finally, the council carried a motion to enter executive session to discuss appointments to various city boards, committees and the housing authority board; the public was asked to exit and the closed session proceeded.

Votes at a glance: - Waive reading and approve Nov. 10, 2025 minutes — approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded). - Table Ordinance 451 (forgivable loan to House of Hope) — motion carried; item tabled to January for attorney review. - Elect Bob Bradock as mayor pro tempore (Resolution 122501) — motion carried; unanimous voice vote recorded. - Authorize application for FAA grant (Resolution 122502) — motion carried; council authorized application and acceptance if awarded. - Authorize application for SC aeronautics grant (Resolution 122503) — motion carried; council authorized application and acceptance if awarded.

The council moved into executive session at the end of the meeting; no appointments were announced in open session.