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Newberry council adopts new loitering rules, adopts fire code and OKs vacuum-truck financing; zoning petition postponed
Summary
At its Aug. 13 meeting, Newberry City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance restricting camping and loitering in public places, approved an ordinance adopting the International Fire Code and authorized lease-purchase financing for a vacuum truck (principal not to exceed $550,000); a zoning petition was postponed to Oct. 8.
Newberry City Council on Aug. 13 adopted two ordinances and authorized financing for city equipment in unanimous votes that council leaders said were aimed at public safety and operational readiness.
The council approved Ordinance #2024-1016 on second and final reading, repealing earlier loitering provisions and adding section 11-34 to prohibit camping, sleeping and storing property in public parks, streets and locations that interfere with ingress or egress from buildings. Councilmember Jackie Holmes moved the ordinance and Councilmember R. Lemont Glasgow seconded; Mayor Foster Senn declared the motion carried following a unanimous vote of the members present. The ordinance text was revised to avoid language deemed vague or overbroad in light of recent U.S. Supreme Court guidance about restrictions on speech and assembly, as noted during the reading.
The council also approved Ordinance #2024-1017 on second and final reading to amend city code on open burning, establish procedures for fire zones during active fires and adopt the International Fire Code as the city's standard for regulating conditions hazardous to life and property from fire and explosion. Councilmember David T. Force moved the ordinance; Councilmember Carlton L. Kinard seconded. The ordinance keeps the City Fire Marshal as the code enforcer.
On financing, Council authorized staff to enter a lease-purchase agreement to acquire a vacuum truck with a principal amount not to exceed $550,000. Finance Director Shannon Smith solicited proposals and reported First Community Bank offered the most advantageous financing at an interest rate of 4.59% for a term not exceeding four years; the agreement is subject to annual appropriation and terminates if funds are not appropriated.
Council also considered Ordinance #2024-1014, a petition to reclassify three parcels on Dixie Drive from R6-Residential to PDD Planned Development District. The Planning Commission had recommended RD-Residential; Councilmember David E. DuBose moved to postpone first reading until Oct. 8, 2024, a motion that passed unanimously.
Votes and motion makers recorded in the minutes show that motions were moved and seconded as noted; council members present for the votes were Mayor Foster Senn and Councilmembers R. Lemont Glasgow, Edwin E. Wicker, Carlton L. Kinard, David T. Force, Jackie Holmes and David E. DuBose. No roll-call vote counts beyond unanimous approval are recorded in the minutes.
