City Council Update from Dick Dewar

EQUINE COMMITTEE: has its follow up meeting on manure disposal issues Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. in Room 204 of City Hall.

THE PARKWAY BIORETENTION AND PROJECT RAIN GARDEN dedication is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 18, 2010 in the Conference Center. Dr. Gene Eidson, along with representatives from Clemson, EPA, DHEC and others will be on hand to hear about our parkway bioretention, bioswale, and rain garden project.

US CENSUS ROADSHOW will be Sunday, February 21, 2010 from noon to 2:00 p.m. In addition to their mobile display with interactive exhibits, it is strongly rumored that we might just be able to see the Hamburgular and Grimace McDonald’s characters who will hand out coupons, children rides on the No Baloney Pony, and other entertainment.

HISTORIC BUILDING TOUR (CELEBRATE AIKEN!) Our next major event to celebrate our 175th is the downtown historic building tour from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, February 27, 2010. Please make plans to attend.

COMMENDATION: Public Safety Director Pete Frommer reports that Officer Matt Comer saved a citizen’s life recently at Applebee’s restaurant. When one of the customers fainted, Matt rendered aid and E911 was called. He was then assisted by Public Safety officers Moore and Spann as well as Driver Operator Willing administering CPR to this citizen. With these efforts this person regained a pulse and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for observation. Our officers continue to render critical emergency aid to our citizens in all types of situations-- Just one of the very valuable community services they gladly provide.


RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF DEED OF DEDICATION FOR WOODS END WAY: Woods End Way is a small development off the By-pass and just north of Fox Chase. The land was originally annexed into the city by the Aiken Preparatory School with the understanding that they would eventually build a new school at this location. As plans changed they decided not to relocate. Instead they sold this property, leaving a portion dedicated as open space adjoining Hitchcock Woods and the rest for development. The developer has completed the roads and other infrastructure and would like to deed this to the City of Aiken. We have reviewed the infrastructure in this development and are recommending its acceptance.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF DEED OF DEDICATION FOR PAWNEE STREET EXTENSION AT HITCHCOCK PLAZA: As City Council is aware the City of Aiken is building a new roadway from Pawnee to Neilson. This will connect Pine Log Road to Dougherty Road as a cut through to several of the shopping areas in between. The owners of two of the properties have given us a portion of their property for this new roadway. This deed of dedication is the acceptance of this property for us to establish the roadway thereon.

APPROVAL OF NAMING RIGHTS FOR WASHINGTON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: In 2002 the City of Aiken completed the performing arts theater on Newberry. Due to a large donation from the Washington Company we allowed them to name the outside of the theater as the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Since that time Washington has sold their interest to URS, and they in turn are asking that the building be renamed the URS Center for the Performing Arts. We have reviewed our agreements concerning the theater and see no reason why it cannot be named the URS Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets for this season's productions for both the Playhouse and Aiken Performing Arts Group have listings under the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Therefore, if Council approves this name change, we ask that this be subject to working with these two groups through the end of their performance season.

APPROVAL OF USE OF TIF FUNDS: In 1995 City Council approved a TIF District which allowed for improvements to the downtown and surrounding areas. These improvements consist of new streetscape, economic development, Public Safety presence, lighting, land acquisition, and other items to improve the core area of our city. Earlier this year we paid off the remaining portion of that loan and will have approximately $800,000 remaining by the end of this year. We would like City Council to consider approval of a portion of this funding for the final land payment for the expansion of the Municipal Building at the corner of Newberry and The Alley and the transfer of $239,000 back to the Open Space account used to purchase the park at the northeast corner of York and Richland. The remaining $300,000 can be used for a variety of projects which we will bring back to City Council at a later date.

APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL GOALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011: At the recent Horizons Retreat on January 29 and 30, 2010, City Council selected various goals for the next fiscal year July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. These goals are presented on the attached sheet and are separated into Short Terms Goals and Continuing Goals and will be included as part of our next budget.

CITY COUNCIL SHORT-TERM AND CONTINUING GOALS FOR 2010-2011

SHORT-TERM GOALS

1. Update the City strategic plan and develop new ideas to enhance our Historic, Family,
Business, and Green Cities.

2. Begin construction of the Dougherty Road connector to Publix Center.

3. Select capital improvement projects that are appropriate for the next Local Option
Sales Tax [LOST] City list. Finalize a date for them to be put on a ballot for public
vote.

4. Continue the City Succession Management program. Identify in-house talented staff
members who wish to advance their management career paths. Encourage program
participation by minority staffers.

5. Continue to provide public access to City information and documents.

6. Pursue establishing a youth activity center and establish a focus group to monitor its
progress.

7. Identify appropriate procedures and projects to strengthen the integrity of our utility
infrastructure. Develop a timeline for inspections, repair, maintenance, replacement,
and installation of new and improved utility infrastructure.

8. Develop workable strategies for preserving our equestrian areas, including larger
parcels held in trust.

CONTINUING GOALS

1. As part of developing an overall strategy for abating Sand River storm drainage
problems in Hitchcock Woods, pursue installations of bioretention, bioswale, rain
garden, and other stormwater-run-off containment measures. Also continue to study
other projects that will work in tandem with these installations.

2. In Edgewood Subdivision, begin construction of new homes. Seek opportunities for
purchasing property in Toole Hill, Pinecrest, and other Northside Revitalization target
areas.

3. Support current and future missions of the Savannah River Site through annual visits
to Washington and by receiving periodic updates on Site missions and plans.

4. Support and strengthen the continuing Character First program by encouraging employees to attend the monthly City Character meetings. Encourage local businesses to adopt and implement this program at their work places for their supervisors, employees, administrators, and other staff.

5. Continue strategies to redevelop and stabilize Crosland Park.

6. Expand the City Wellness Initiative with appropriate public initiatives. Encourage
our citizens toward better health.

SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PROPERTY AT 119 SMALLRIDGE STREET: The owner of the property at 119 Smallridge Street consisting of a .25 acre lot and a single family home would like to annex to the city under the RS-10 zoning. The property is contiguous to the City of Aiken on two sides and is near our Fire Station No. 2. Several properties in this area have annexed in the past decade. The owners of this property are seeking city services in the future. The Planning Commission at their January 12, 2010, meeting unanimously approved this annexation.

SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY AND TO APPROVE A CONCEPT PLAN FOR THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH ON DUPONT DRIVE: The Second Baptist Church owns a 40 acre tract of which 16.71 acres behind Aiken High School is zoned RS-8 Residential Single Family. Last month City Council approved a plan to construct a Senior Citizen Apartment building along with an Adult Care Facility in this area. In order to accommodate these units the property needs to be rezoned from RS-8 to Planned Residential. Under the Planned Residential zone City Council can require whatever details they would like and in turn allows the developer to have a higher number of dwelling units. The apartment building will have a maximum of 50 units for seniors and a 3,600 square foot adult day care facility. The two developments are consistent with our Planned Residential zone, and the City will be constructing a regional detention pond in this area not only for this property but for the property to the north and east of this area. A traffic study is not needed because of the current level of service on Dupont Drive and the amount of traffic to be generated by this development.

AGENDA FOR FEB 8, 2010 CITY COUNCIL MEETING: http://www.cityofaikensc.gov/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=117204.