PRESENTATIONS:
H. O. WEEKS TENNIS CENTER SUPER SENIOR LADIES 6.0 –
Glenn Parker has sent
along information about a special group of seniors who have taken their passion
for tennis to a whole new level. Captain Cate Cruse, joined by Linda Summer, Ruby
Long, Sue Rondeau, Jean McDonnell, Jackie Walker, Phillis Hoy,
Robbie Wilson, and Dianne Logan have worked hard and achieved admirable success
in the Super Senior Ladies 3.0 Tennis Circuit. They dominated at
the state championships--winning 5-0 as a team and 14-1 individually. They next
travelled to Columbus, Georgia, and were 4-0 to win that title as well. Three
weeks ago, they traveled to Surprise, Arizona, for the USTA League 6.0 Super
Senior National Championships. They placed eighth nationally after a good hard
fought tournament with an overall 1-2 team record, but a 5-4 individual record.
For their persistence and performance under pressure, Mayor
Cavanaugh is presenting them with a Character Award, and they will
be with us at your meeting to receive the recognition they
deserve.
OLD BUSINESS:
APPOINTMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS TO CITY BOARDS,
COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES. Councilmember Diggs nominated Ben Lott for appointment
to the Design Review Board.
NEW BUSINESS:
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO SET THE MILLAGE RATE
FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2013-2014 – Every year, Aiken City Council adopts a budget for
the following fiscal year. By a separateordinance, Council sets a
millage rate to ensure proper revenue to meet anticipated budget
expenditures.
Our review of projected revenues and expenses shows the
proper millage rate for this balanced budget to be 62 mills. Adopting this
millage rate will represent 25 consecutive years without a millage rate
increase. You last reduced the millage rate in 2011 [from 66 mills to 62 mills]
due to reassessment.
We are happy to have been able to control raising taxes,
and we contribute the success to the careful stewardship of these funds by Council and
staff alike.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE FY 2013-14
BUDGET –
Council will find in this agenda packet the proposed FY
2013-14 budget. This revised version includes items of interest and
comment in our May 1, 2013 work session.
As we have done in past years, our budget consists of
three major sections:
General
Fund
Enterprise Fund
(Water and Sewer Utilities)
Other
Funds:
Aiken
Theatre
Stormwater
Fund
Local Accommodations
Tax
Sunday Alcohol Sales
Fund
Victim Services
Fund
Aiken Municipal
Airport
Community Development Block
Grant
Ventures Industrial
Park
Northside
Redevelopment
Crosland
Park
Our total budget expenditures for these funds are
$51,707,542. Total expenditures in the FY 2012-13 budget were
$52,884,884.
The main increase in this year's expenditures will be
$3,860,000 to complete our new water plant on Silver Bluff Road. This project
has been on our long-term capital construction list.
We have sufficient holding accounts to borrow funds to
cover this expense and then repay these borrowed funds through annual utility
system depreciation funds.
The rest of the story; however, is money we will need to
spend on mandated items. For example, our remediation efforts at Shiloh Springs
will cost about $1,300,000. We will also need to continue our replacement of
electronic sender units for our water meters. This project will cost an
additional $600,000 to replace more of these units.
Also, as part of the FY 2013-14 goals set by Council at
your Horizons Retreat, we will also pursue the timeline for Capital Sales Tax
Projects, Second Round [CPST II] which include:
City Recycle Center
Redevelopment - $2,700,000
Open Space Preservation -
$1,000,000
Stormwater Runoff Abatement
- 4421,000*
Eustis Park
Senior-Youth Center Site Selection/Preparation - $1,000,000
Total =
$5,121,000
* Our
Stormwater Utility will pay $281,806 toward these costs, and the balance can be
paid out of CPST II funds on hand, and will include work in Edgewood
Subdivision.
In addition to these
projects, some of our major purchases include:
Nine (9) ADPS vehicles -
$253,000
Firefighter self-contained breathing apparatus -
$50,000
Leaf Vacuum Trailers - $100,000
Roll-Off Truck - $160,000
Landscaping Equipment -
$116,750
Tourism Trolley - $100,000
Virginia Acres Park Walking Track -
$175,000
Smith-Hazel Center Roof Replacement -
$250,000
Total -
$1,204,750
This budget has a 1/2% salary adjustment for all
employees and for employees who earn $24,000 or less, per year, an additional
raise in salary of $500. Depending on the results of our second quarter review
of revenues and expenditures, we will also seek merit bonuses for
high-performing staff. Council had asked about our Tuition Reimbursement
Program. Documents related to it are included here for your reference. My work
session memo and the budget summary from our proposed 2013-14 budget are also
included here for easy reference.
ELECTION SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 2013 GENERAL ELECTION -
Sara Ridout, City Clerk, has reviewed the ordinance for
the election schedule, and has provided the schedule for
conducting the upcoming election as follows:
1. Opening of filing for
nomination petitions and
entry of candidates
for primaries - August 5, 2013
2. Closing of entry
of candidates for primaries - August 12, 2013
3. Municipal Party
Primaries or Conventions - September 10, 2013
4. Closing of entries
for nomination by petition - September 20, 2013
5. Municipal Party
Primary Run Offs, if necessary - September 24, 2013
6. Last day for
certifying candidates to Election Commission - October
4, 2013
7. Election
Day is November 5, 2013
This schedule is presented to Council to give you notice
of the election. This year the
election will be for Districts 2,
4, 5, and 6. Council members Price, Ebner, Homoki,
and Merry will be eligible for
reelection.
BID APPROVAL
FOR SHILOH SPRINGS FILTRATION SYSTEM – Council will recall that we are in the process of
remediating the radium in our water supply at Shiloh Springs. As part of this
work, we have bid this project. Gene Ray Fulmer is the apparent
low bidder to install this equipment for $1.3 MM. We are in the process of
receiving approval for a forgivable loan in the amount of $1.0 MM to defray the
cost of this installation of this filtration equipment. In order to qualify for
this forgivable loan, approval of the bid by the governing body must be
obtained. We have funds in our budget for this project.
ROADWAY
RIGHT-OF-WAY DEDICATION FROM ACADIA HENDON HITCHCOCK PLAZA
–
As part of completing the Pawnee-Neilson connector road
from Pine Log Road to Dougherty Road, the principals who own additional
right-of-way and land adjacent to this project agreed to convey property to the
City to ensure this right of way is properly configured. With
construction of Academy Sports and Outdoors, we are now best positioned to
accept the owners' deed to this real estate.
PETITIONS AND REQUESTS –
REQUEST BY COUNCILMEMBER EBNER TO CALL THE AIKEN
CORPORATION NOTE DUE AND PAYABLE – This
item refers to the $328,000 Aiken Corporation loan.
In June of 2005, the City loaned the Aiken Corporation $67,500 for
the renewal and building of new homes in the Chesterfield area.
The balance of this non-interest loan remains at
$67,500. During the year ended June 30. 2006, the
City loaned Aiken Corporation $11,300 for painting of a building at Willow Run
Industrial Park and payable upon sale of the building.
In addition, during the year ended June 30, 2006, the City loaned
Aiken Corporation $270,000 for the renewal and building of new homes n the Toole
Hill area. The receivable balance for the Toole Hill
project is $170,000. During the year ended June 30,
2009, the City loaned Aiken Corporation $80,000 to further the Northside
residential renovations project in place. The loan
balance remains at $80,000.
REQUEST FOR
PUBLIC FIREWORKS DISPLAY - Coleen Reed will be with us at our May 13 City
Council meeting on behalf of Gaston Livery Stable. As part of a July 4, 2013
holiday celebration at the Gaston Livery Stable, a public fireworks display is
desired to be featured. The fireworks will be launched on a parcel immediately
adjacent to the Gaston Livery Stable. Wacky Waynes is scheduled to
conduct this display. Public Safety will be hired under an
extra-duty contract to provide fire protection for this event. We also
understand that all necessary permits and insurance coverages will be obtained
to cover this display.
CITIZENS PARK
CAPITAL PROJECT – RESTROOMS/SPLASH PAD INFRASTRUCTURE –
As part of our Capital
Sales Tax Projects II list, additional parking, a splash pad, and restrooms at
Citizens Park were listed. Total funds for all of these related projects is
$500,000. Council has previously approved the splash park equipment. With that
approval, we have placed it on order. Delivery of this equipment is expected
within eight weeks or so. When it is delivered, we will have to plug it into
something. Therefore, we have provided here the concept plan for the splash pad
and restrooms facility. New Engineering & Utilities Director George Grinton
will be using the professional services of Joe Walker of Joseph M. Walker
Construction Managers to bid out labor and materials for this installation as
well as to oversee this work. With Council review of these
materials, we can then proceed to commencing work on what should be
a welcome amenity to our award-winning Citizens Park Recreational
Complex.
DONATION OFFER
BY TOGNUM/MTU – Joerg
Klisch, the Vice President of Operations, North America, for Tognum America
Inc., has made a generous offer to us. Citizens visiting our new Administration
and Finance Building have remarked that they would appreciate a table in our
lobby for writing out checks or otherwise organizing their paperwork. Tognum has
offered us one of their smallest diesel engines, their 8V2000 diesel engine. In
addition, BeSpoke, a local interior design business has generously donated a
nine-foot long glass tabletop that can be placed on top of this engine to create
the public counter space they have requested. Having the glass top
will also allow visitors to learn more about one of our local manufacturing
plants and the technology they are using to build massive engines used in all
kinds of vehicles, ships, and heavy equipment. Our preliminary
research shows the heavy duty concrete floors will supply the necessary support
for this heavy installation. It certainly provides a unique opportunity to
showcase local industry-- a stated goal in our 2010 Strategic Plan Update:
Aiken's Tomorrow.
REVIEW OF
SETTLEMENT PROPOSAL – Local Attorney Rob Braithwaite is representing the
City of Aiken in a lawsuit in Federal District Court. This case arises from the
installation of the Pawnee-Neilson Connector Road. Slopes in the detention area
adjacent to the road developed cracks and eroded. Attorney
Braithwaite has negotiated a settlement of all claims raised in this case. Under
the settlement terms:
1. The Defendants will pay
$200,000 to the City of Aiken.
2. The City of Aiken will
allow Defendants to participate in the bidding process for City
projects.
3. As with all settlements
in Court cases, the payment to the City is a settlement of all claims without
any admission of liability.
Under our City Code,
Council must approve settlement of claims in this
amount.
For Council approval,
therefore, is settlement of all claims in the Pawnee-Neilson suit on these
stated conditions.
ISSUES AND UPDATES:
PREMIUMS REPORT
ISSUED FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION AND LIABILITY
INSURANCE: Our
workers’ compensation and liability insurance premiums for calendar year 2013
have been determined. The final billed premium for workers’ compensation is
expected to be $53,730.00. Our liability insurance premium is expected to be
$470,679.00. Both premium amounts are reduced because we receive participation
credits through our insurance group pool.
NATIONAL TAKE
BACK INITIATIVE OF UNUSED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
SUCCESSFUL: Our
Public Safety Department recently partnered with Ingate Professional Pharmacy in
the National Take Back Initiative. This DEA program combats prescription drug
abuse and offers a proper method of disposal. A collection station for unused
or expired prescription medications was offered at Ingate Pharmacy. Our
citizens brought in over 109 pounds of medication to be destroyed. In South
Carolina this initiative resulted in the collection of two and a quarter tons of
prescription medications.
AIKEN SAFE
COMMUNITIES CONTINUES: During last month’s Spring Break, our Public
Safety Community Services Division offered several programs for our young
people. Guys, Gals, and Golf, a partnership with The First Tee of Aiken,
offered students character education session followed by golf instruction. At
Eustis Park, Spring Break Café and Poetry in the Park was attended by 40 people
who came and listened to jazz music and heard original poetry from students.
The week culminated with a large 3-on-3-basketball tournament at Smith-Hazel
Recreation Center attended by over 80 students. After the basketball games,
participants, with their families, enjoyed a cookout and participated in an
Aiken Safe Communities forum facilitated by our Public Safety Department.
Also, a Community Café about education was recently hosted by our
Public Safety Department. Former Aiken County School
Board member Donna Moore Wesby facilitated a discussion of ways to improve
education in Aiken County. Thoughts and ideas were
provided by attendees. Categories included Community;
Students; Parents; Education System; and Local
Government.
SEVERAL
PROGRAMS TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH UTILITY BILL
PAYMENTS: The
National League of Cities recently launched a pilot program in several cities
around the country called Local Interventions for Financial Empowerment through
Utility Payments (LIFT-UP). Participating cities will allow families with large
outstanding utility bill balances the opportunity to restructure their payments.
Other components include payment incentives and financial counseling.
Participating cities include Houston, Texas; Savannah, Georgia; and Newark, New
Jersey. Locally, SCE&G works with various Community Action
Agencies on the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help qualified
individuals with electric bill payments. SCE&G
also offers Project Share through our area Community Action Agencies to aid
customers having difficulty in paying their monthly electric
bill.
PUBLIC COMMENT
OPEN FOR DRAFT PERMIT APPLICATION: SCDHEC has completed their review of a SRS’s
renewal permit application for hazardous waste activities. The draft permit’s
written comment period is open until June 4th. The application
contains proposed conditions for the care of three closed hazardous waste
management facilities at M-Area, F-Area, and H-Area. The web address to view
the public notice and fact sheet is www.scdhec.gov/environment/lwm/publicNotice.htm.
PIPELINE SAFETY
REMINDER: Before we
dig on our property, we need to call 811 to arrange for a utility representative
to come and mark any utility lines that may exist on our property. This free
service will prevent property owners from accidentally cutting utility lines
that may be buried on their property.
AIKEN
SPOTLIGHTED AGAIN:
Web magazine Southwind Journeys recently featured Aiken. Journalist Doc
Lawrence previously wrote about his visit to Aiken while participating in our
A-List Author Tour held during the annual Juillard in Aiken event. He has
written another glowing account of his time in our City. A number of our
restaurants and historic buildings are mentioned in this most recent article.
In his article, he concludes, “…tourism’s trajectory is soaring in Aiken.”
SUCCESSION
MANAGEMENT PROJECT UPDATE: Our 2012-13 Succession Management class has continued
to work on the garden at the Golden Harvest Food Bank. Our class has planted
onions, tomatoes, squash, green beans, and several types of herbs off of Banks
Mill Road at this non-profit facility. Within the next several weeks, harvested
produce should find its way to Golden Harvest client tables.
Commercial Projects
Update:
Applications for the
following commercial projects have been received and are currently under review
by our Inspections Division:
Mattress Firm
Demolition Permit at 2424 Whiskey Road.
The following
commercial permit applications have been reviewed and approved by our
Inspections Division:
St. Mary Help of
Christians Church, Phase 1, Church Foundation and Structure, at 138 Fairfield
Street SE
Family Dollar project
at 1103 Richland Avenue East
EconoLodge Roof
Remodeling project at 3560 Richland Avenue West
Aiken Collision
Addition project at 727 Richland Avenue East
The following
projects are under construction after receiving approval from our Inspections
Division:
Cumberland
Village recreation hall project, on Wise Creek Lane
Sam’s Club
training office upfit, at 156 University Parkway
Quality Inn
lobby remodeling project at 3608 Richland Avenue West
Sports Plus Physical
Therapy at the Woodside Professional Center at 1397 Silver Bluff
Road
BID OPENINGS:
NONE
CITY
EVENTS:
TUESDAY, MAY
14TH AT 6:00 P.M.: Our Planning Commission will meet in Council
Chambers, on the Second Floor of City Hall for its regular monthly meeting. A
work session is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in Room 204.
SATURDAY, MAY
25TH AT 1:00 P.M. is the 17th Annual Memorial Day parade.
The parade route will start at Park Avenue and Union Street, head west on Park
Avenue to Laurens Street then head north and end at the intersection of Laurens
Street and Edgefield Avenue. For additional information, visit the Marine Corps
League web site at www.aikenmcl.org.
MONDAY, MAY 27TH: City offices will be closed in observance of the
Memorial Day holiday. There will be no
City Council meeting that evening. Offices will reopen at 8:10 a.m., Tuesday, May
28th.
TUESDAY, MAY
28TH AT 5:30 P.M.: Our Board of Zoning Appeals will meet in Council
Chambers, on the Second Floor of City Hall for its regular monthly meeting.
TUESDAY, JUNE
4TH AT 6:30 P.M.: Our Design Review Board will meet in Council
Chambers, on the Second Floor of City Hall for its regular monthly meeting. A
work session is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Room
204.
MONDAY, JUNE
10TH AT 7:00 P.M.: Our next regularly scheduled
City Council meeting will be held in Council Chambers, Second Floor of City
Hall, 214 Park Ave. SW.
