City Council discusses CPST projects

NEWBERRY — Newberry City Council discussed potential plans for Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST), potential city employee bonuses for those who worked through the pandemic and a litany of new business at the November 9 meeting.

Following council visits to the City of Union and the Newberry Recreation Complex, it was decided by council that improvements to the Newberry Recreation Complex should be one of the projects submitted to the county board for consideration of allocation of CPST funds.

Possible improvements to the rec complex could include

• Enhancements and expansion of the Gully Washer Splash Pad.

• Installation of a Miracle Field.

• Improvements to the building/cabin by the lake.

• Fishing dock on Hidden Lake.

• Installation of a ziplining course.

• Paved walking paths.

• Landscaping improvements possibly including an arboretum.

• Addition of a skate park.

• Construction of picnic shelters.

• Installation of an aerator for Hidden Lake.

• Addition of a disk golf course.

• Expansion of playground areas.

As a second proposal to the CPST Board, the City of Newberry is looking to reconstruct a bridge on Drayton Street, located near Willowbrook Park.

City council will submit preliminary plans to the board by the end of November. Either project, the improvements to the Recreation Complex or the Drayton Street bridge have to be approved by the CPST Board as an appropriate use of the penny sales tax funds. Projects supported by the funding will decided in spring/summer of 2022.

In the finance report by City Manager Matt Dewitt, it was mentioned that federal COVID relief money would be used to give bonuses to city employees. The amounts suggested by Dewitt ranged from $100 for part-time employees to $250, $500 and $1,000, depending on employee job title. Mayor Foster Senn suggested that those amounts may be low compared to other cities, and that council would like to evaluate the plan. This will be part of a special called meeting at a future date, with the goal to pay out the bonuses before the Thanksgiving holiday.

In other business:

• Council passed a proclamation for Arbor Day to be celebrated on December 3, with a tree planning at Gallman Elementary. Senn mentioned that Newberry has been named a Tree City USA two years running, and would like that to be three years.

• The City of Newberry was also awarded the South Carolina Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund Risk Management Award for 2021. Senn and HR Director Jana Boice presented the award in front of council.

• An update was provided by Tourism and Events Program Manager, Bridget Carey, on Main Street Lights for the Christmas season.

“This year the tree is coming on Tuesday, (November) 16, from Avery Farms in North Carolina. Then we have an addition this year, there are going to be ornaments for the tree,” Carey reported.

The ornaments will be royal blue and gold accentuating the lights this year. The tree lighting ceremony will be from 6-9 p.m. on Nov. 19.

• Chairpersons of Main Street Lights, James and Christina Henricks thanked the community for the support and donations to the Christmas festivities downtown.

In new business:

• Council unanimously approved an encumbrance for Wise Street Park required by South Carolina State Parks and Recreation. The covenant is required to qualify for the grant funding that has been approved for park improvements.

• The budget calendar for FY 2022-23 was approved unanimously. Budget work sessions will be May 4 and 5 with a potential third session following the regular city council meeting on May 10th, 2022.

• Council approved the jury list for 2022 unanimously. The list is drawn from registered voters in the City of Newberry.

• The first of two readings to approve Ordinance #2021-1017 to amend the zoning ordinance prohibiting illumination of digital signs from 11 p.m. to sunrise passed unanimously. At this time, the ordinance applies only to the electronic billboard, any similar signs must be at least 500 ft. from a residence and within a certain distance to I-26. The specifics will be reviewed at the second reading at the December meeting.

• Two first-readings applying to TMS 397-1-2-37 (1407 Chapman Drive) were passed unanimously. Ordinance 2021-1018 is a request to annex said property to the City of Newberry, and Ordinance 2021-1019 is a request to amend the zoning to R10 Residential as recommended by the Planning Commission. Both ordinances will have a public hearing and second reading scheduled for the December council meeting.

• Ordinance 1021-1020 allowing the lease-purchase of an automated side-loader garbage truck passed first reading. Truist Financial Corp. (formerly BB&T Bank) will provide the financing for the agreement. Dewitt said that the lifespan of a garbage truck for Newberry is about four to five years and the city is in need of a replacement. The city currently has one main truck and a backup unit. Councilperson Lemont Glasgow asked about disposal of the backup unit upon purchase of a new truck. Dewitt stated that it would be sold on GovDeals.com. This ordinance will be further discussed on second reading at the December meeting.

• An outside sewer and water request was unanimously approved for 907 Kendall Road, pending the payment of a $1,200 attach fee and a $1,400 outside water tap fee.

• Council also considered a resolution to add a color to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) color palette for the building at 1109 Caldwell Street (formerly Munson Music). Sherwin Williams color 2847 Roycroft Bottle Green was requested as a trim color at the Oct. 21 ARB meeting. The ARB approved the color at their meeting; however, city council is required to approve any changes to the color palette. After discussion of requirements for trim and accent colors, the motion passed unanimously.