Presentation by Roger Dyar on Traffic Engineer Services and Level of Service (LOS) Report: We have asked Roger Dyar, our on-call Traffic Engineer, to be present at tonight's meeting. He will review some of the services that he has provided for the City of Aiken over the nine years he has served as our on-call traffic engineer. For Council's information, he has prepared his 2010 Level of Service Report (LOS). Our City Traffic Management Ordinance requires that the LOS for "critical roadways" be done every two years. He was instrumental in the 2006, 2008, and the most recent May 2010 traffic count updates.
Ed Evans, Planning Director, has provided additional information about additional projects where our traffic engineer has given valuable assistance.
Mr. Dyar will make a presentation and be available to answer any questions that Council may have about his role, our Traffic Management Ordinance, and his most recent work on behalf of the City of Aiken.
NOTE: I plan to once again request that the City hire a permanent Traffic Engineer who would concentrate full Time on city traffic issues. Thus far, my request has not secured the four votes needed for approval.
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Council has seven pending appointments to boards and commissions of the city and three appointments are presented for Council's consideration.
Councilman Ebner has recommended that Tina McCarthy be reappointed to the Accommodations Tax Committee. If reappointed Ms. McCarthy's term would expire March 25, 2013.
Councilman Homoki has recommended that Alton Johnson be reappointed to the Community Development Committee with the new term to expire September 2, 2012. He has also recommended that Mark Tatusko be reappointed to the Recreation Commission. If reappointed Mr. Tatusko's term would expire September 1, 2012.
REVISED CITY BUSINESS LICENSE RENEWAL FORM: After our March 21, 2011, work session regarding our gross business receipts verification process, staff has prepared the attached, revised business license renewal forms. As Council has directed, our Business License Official will no longer require gross receipts verification as part of the renewal process.
In addition, Council should note that we have alerted business owners in the attached renewal form that any business license fee paid in another jurisdiction will be treated as a deduction from the business license fees owed to the City of Aiken.
Addressing one other concern from last Monday's meeting, since July 31 falls on a Sunday this year, business license payments will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 1, 2011.
This revised form represents staff's modified approach to renewing city business licenses. It also represents a shift back to businesses stating their gross receipts on an honor-system basis.
APPROVAL OF LANDSCAPE PLAN FOR THE SPCA BUILDING ON WILLOW RUN TOAD: The Aiken Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has submitted their Tree Survey and Landscape Plan for their new building project on Willow Run Road. On October 13, 2008, Council approved the annexation of a 10-acre parcel on Willow Run Road for the construction of a new SPCA building. One of the conditions of this annexation was that a building permit would not be issued for the new building unless they first submitted a landscape plan for Council review and pre-approval.
Planning Director Ed Evans has provided his memo and a copy of SPCA's letter providing the details of their plans.
The Planning Department has reviewed these plans. Director Evans has determined these plans appear to meet City requirements, but the plan should be considered conceptual and approval by City Council should be conditioned upon Planning staff being authorized to approve any minor changes that may be necessary after any grading and utility plans are submitted.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PROPERTY AT 127 CEDARWOOD PARK: Dent and Jane Moore, owners of a 0.7 acre lot at 127 Cedarwood Park, are requesting annexation of a single family dwelling under the RS-15 zone. The owners are interested in the lower in-city rates and other city services. The proposed RS-15 zone is compatible with the size of the property and the zoning in the area meets or exceeds the minimum standards.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the annexation of this property at their March 16, 2011, meeting.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY CODE REGARDING ISSUING PERMITS TO PEDDLE OR SOLICIT IN THE CITY OF AIKEN: Staff is recommending that Section 28-1 of the Aiken City Code be amended. This section requires persons not having an established place of business in the City of Aiken to register with the Director of Public Safety before they may go upon private property in the city for the purpose of peddling or selling goods, services or soliciting donations for any purpose. The current ordinance does not give the Public Safety Director the authority to deny the issuance of a peddler/soliciting permit regardless of the criminal history of the person seeking a permit.
The attached ordinance would allow the Department of Public Safety to check criminal histories of applicants prior to issuing any peddling or soliciting permits. Our Director of Public Safety would have the right to deny a peddler/soliciting permit to applicants who have been convicted of a felony or violation of any law or ordinance involving dishonesty. The proposed revisions are geared toward the safety of our neighborhoods and to keep known felons from going on private property in our city to sell merchandise, services, or soliciting donations for any purpose.
REQUEST BY GINNY MURPHY OF DUNBARTON OAKS TO ADD MINI GARDEN AREA TO ENTRANCE PARKWAY TO DUNBARTON OAKS SUBDIVISION: In 2006, City Council approved the installation of an irrigation system in the Dunbarton Oaks parkway.
Since that time, long-time resident Ginny Murphy requested, and received, approval and SCDOT permission for the placement of two concrete benches in the Dunbarton Oaks entrance parkway [Boardman Road.
Ms. Murphy has again contacted us to see if 36 square blocks and 24 round blocks could be placed in the parkway immediately adjacent to the two approved benches. Photos are attached to assist you. In addition, the temporary installation is in place to show the concept idea for this area that Ms. Murphy has prepared after consulting with our Horticulturist, Tom Rapp.
As was done for the benches, should Council approve this installation, Ms. Murphy would also need SCDOT approval for this installation. City staff is prepared to provide this assistance to her should Council approve this request.
MISCELLENAEOUS ADDITIONS:
UNIVERSITY PARKWAY PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS: Council will recall we hosted the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commissioners last year. We shared with them our needs and financial commitments to help offset the costs of improvements we believe are needed at Richland Avenue at University Parkway as well as along the corridor from this intersection to Robert M. Bell Parkway. Unfortunately, the SCDOT does not believe any improvements are warranted at this time. We are disappointed and are taking steps to document the need for SCDOT to reconsider their determination.
WHISKEY ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPDATE. Over this past weekend, the supplier of computer processors for the Whiskey Road traffic signal project – Rhythm Engineering – sent in technicians to determine why we have seen processor failures on this system. They have done a full analysis, and it appears that the computer motherboards that had been installed have all experienced a malfunction. This week, they are reworking this entire system, installing new motherboards, and addressing the root causes that led to the prior processor failures. They are confident this overhaul will lead to better service and traffic flow on Whiskey Road.
BEE LANE PROJECT. SCE&G has completed their undergrounding of power lines on Bee Lane. They have also reconnected all electrical services. We are in the process of getting concrete parking pads poured and the brick pavers installed to complete this project.
This is a significant enhancement to the downtown business area.
SANITARY SEWER EVALUATION SURVEY [SSES]. Public Works Director Larry Morris and his staff are proceeding with interviews with three firms to determine which is best suited to facilitate our SSES project.
RADIO NARROWBANDING. We are conducting a review of our radio inventory across the City to determine the effects of FCC radio mandatory narrow banding regulations – currently slated to take effect in 2013 – to establish a schedule for updating our radios. More information will be forthcoming in our budget message regarding our plan to meet these requirements.
CROSLAND PARK SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOLS. We are acquiring land to construct sidewalks, curbing, and gutters in Crosland Park with our Safe Route to Schools grant. You will recall this project is part of our revitalization of the Crosland Park neighborhood, and will be designed to connect the neighborhood to the adjacent elementary and middle school campuses.
AIKEN AIRPORT LOCALIZER. The City is in the final stages of initiating the localizer equipment installed at the Airport. Work continues with our consulting engineer and the FAA for the glide slope instrument landing system. Our goal for activation of the glide slope remains April 2012.
AIKEN JUNIOR WOMEN’S CLUB DONATION. Our local Aiken Junior Women’s Club has donated $10,000 toward the accessible playground project at the Aiken County Library at the corner of Chesterfield and South Boundary.
COMMENDATIONS. Members of the Sand River Women’s Club Cash Bash committee have taken time to share their compliments of Bob Kraft for his help with their recent event in the City Hall Conference Center.
Clemson University Professor Francis McGuire and his Graduate Assistant Brian K. Malcarne have written to compliment Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Director Glenn Parker and his group for sponsoring a successful visit by aspiring parks and recreation major Clemson students.
Phil and Ann Johnston have complimented Planning Director Ed Evans, his staff, and the Design Review Board for help they received with a recent application.
Susan Elder has complimented Mr. Benny Glover and our water, streets, and drains personnel for help with drainage lines on Ray Lane.
SAVE THESE DATES AND PLAN TO ATTEND:
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2011 AT 7:00 P.M. we will present a comprehensive review of our City Employee benefits program.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2011 AT NOON at Newberry Hall, the Mayor will host our annual volunteer recognition luncheon. Please let me know if you will be able to attend.
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011 AT 6:30 P.M. in Council Chambers, we will hold our annual joint meeting with the Planning Commission to review pending and completed Action Agenda Items, which include projects the Planning Commission has, or will, review.
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2011 AT 7:00 P.M. we will present a comprehensive review of our city water supply fluoridation practices.
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011 FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M. we will hold our annual Earth Day event in Hopelands Garden. Mayor Cavanaugh will be speaking on the Windham Stage at 11:00 a.m. that day. A paper shredding service will be set up at the Green Boundary Club. Each year, we enjoy good community support and a vast array of interesting exhibits at this event. Over 700 area school 3rd graders are expected to attend. Palmetto Pride is sponsoring a puppet show.
For other events and other happenings around Aiken be sure to visit www.AikenIS.com.
