City To Be Featured On “Towns In Tune,” More From City Council
The City of Newberry is planned to be featured in an episode of “Towns in Tune,” along with the town of Bay Bulls, Newfoundland.
Michelle Long, director of the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce shared details of the weekend during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. It is planned for September.
The art and culture of the two communities will be highlighted along with the ways these factors contribute to economic development. Long explained that part of the weekend included turning a workspace that’s not typically used for a concert venue into a concert venue. Newberry’s location was chosen to be located at Willingham & Sons in Newberry.
Events surrounding the filming of the Towns in Tune episode (filmed by SCETV) include an artists reception on September 26, an art walk/live music/local bites on September 27, the Towns in Tune Concert at Willingham’s on September 28 and an additional artists event on September 29.
More details will be presented as they’re finalized.
Mayor Foster Senn shared good news from around Newberry Tuesday to include Jay Brogdon, the most recent employee spotlight for the City of Newberry, a Polaris Ranger recently acquired by the police department to enhance community safety, the Newberry Fire Department’s recent FireSafeSC community designation, new playground equipment in Willowbrook Park, several city recreation summer programs/camps and several grand openings to include Home2Suites, the UPS Store and Beall’s grand re-opening.
Updates/Announcements
Two proclamations were passed Tuesday, the first for Park and Recreation Month. Senn highlighted the proclamation and shared some of the projects and programs of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) department.
“We’re really proud of y’all,” Senn said of PRT staff. “You all provide so much fun and life for our community.”
A proclamation was also signed for National Night Out which will be held on Tuesday, August 6 at 6 p.m. this year at Mollohon Park, 211 Player Street in Newberry.
Sergeant Khadijah Gaskins is leading up this year’s event and shared that they would have pizza, popcorn, a bouncy house and more for the community to enjoy.
More good news from the Newberry Police Department included their re-accreditation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Association (pictured).
JJ Jones with the South Carolina Police Chief’s Association and Terrence Green Chief of Police for the Town of Lexington presented the plaque to the department on Tuesday on behalf of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation Council. Green noted that out of the over 200 agencies in the state, that the Newberry Police Department was one of 40 agencies that holds this title.
“That’s such a great accomplishment, Senn said. “I know so much work and pride goes into this and we want to salute the police department.”
The police department was also the recipient of the Law Enforcement Zero Challenge Gold Level Award. The award recognizes the department for public education and focused enforcement on high-risk behaviors on the roadway, with the goal to reduce traffic fatalities.
The award was presented to the police department by Gill Knox and Harold Moore from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Police Chief Kevin Goodman said that while these were great awards, he couldn’t do any of it without the buy-in from his staff and their work and commitment.
Old Business
Under old business, second and final reading was passed of an ordinance to amend Article V and VI of the zoning ordinance to better address the placement of automotive repair and maintenance.
The ordinance authorizes automotive and repair maintenance businesses via a conditional use in the general commercial zoning district, in addition to its authorization as a conditional use in the limited industrial district and a permitted use in the basic industrial district.
The general commercial district is intended to accommodate a variety of general commercial and non-residential uses engaged primarily in the sale of durable goods, equipment and services. Other similar uses are presently authorized in the general commercial district, namely: commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair and maintenance, automobile parts and accessories and tire stores.
The ordinance was reviewed and approved by the Newberry Planning Commission at their meeting on June 17.
Motion to approve second reading was made by Councilperson Lemont Glasgow and seconded by Councilperson David Force. Prior to second reading, a public hearing of the proposed ordinance was held with no one speaking in favor or opposition.
Second and final reading was also approved of an ordinance to amend Article VII of Chapter 9 to establish energy credits.
Article VII of Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Newberry addresses issues arising from a customer of the city’s electrical service who also owns and operates a customer-owned electric-generating system located upon the customer’s premises. This ordinance better establishes a framework within which such systems operate and to establish rates for energy credits.
Motion to approve second reading was made by Councilperson Jackie Holmes and seconded by Councilperson Edwin Wicker.
Motion was made by Councilperson David DuBose and seconded by Councilperson Carlton Kinard to table first reading of an ordinance to amend the zoning map for parcels 401-13, 401-64, and 401-65 located on Dixie Drive as more discussions between the developer and the city were still needed.
New Business
Under new business, council approved first reading of an ordinance Tuesday to better address loitering by amending Section 11-13 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Newberry by deleting Section 11-13 in its entirety and replacing it with a new section 11-13.
Assistant City Manager Jeff Wicker said because of the Supreme Court’s ruling that an ordinance prohibiting loitering must employe language that is not vague or overbroad so that constitutional rights of speech and assembly of citizens are protected, it was necessary to amend the present loitering ordinance.
Motion to approve first reading was made by Wicker and seconded by Glasgow.
Holmes inquired as to more information on the ordinance to which Senn asked if information could be gathered from the city’s police department as to further clarification prior to second reading.
First reading was also passed to amend Article I and Article III of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Newberry to better address fire prevention. Chief Gene Shealy said the ordinance is more clearly defined and gives the department better authority to put a stop to hazards should they occur.
The ordinance states that it shall be unlawful within the city limits to perform any outdoor burning with the following exceptions:
- Fires may be used for cooking food, provided no smoke violation or other nuisance is created.
- Recreational fire in commercially manufactured fire pit with a screen enclosure and screen or solid top, provided no nuisance is enacted.
- Fires built in compliance herewith shall be kept under competent and continuous supervision.
- Fires set by City of Newberry firefighting personnel and conducted at a permanent firefighting training facility for the purpose of training public firefighting personnel.
“We always try to be on the forefront of educating the public,” Shealy said. “I think it clearly defines everything we’ve already been doing in the city.”
Motion to approve first reading was made by Holmes and seconded by Force.
City Manager’s Report
Under his report, City Manager Jason Taylor shared with council that there was a piece of property, parcel number 343-7-19-20 located on Crosson Street that had been deeded to the city and unless objections arose from council that the city planned to accept the property. Taylor said the property connects to a piece of property already owned by the city.
Taylor also announced the city’s utilities department was the recipient of a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Utility Director Tim Baker said the funding was planned to be used for upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The necessary improvements needed total approximately $5 million. However, Baker said they planned to look into additional grant assistance such as from the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA).
City Council will meet again on Tuesday, August 13 at 7 p.m.
The City of Newberry is planned to be featured in an episode of “Towns in Tune,” along with the town of Bay Bulls, Newfoundland.
Michelle Long, director of the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce shared details of the weekend during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. It is planned for September.
The art and culture of the two communities will be highlighted along with the ways these factors contribute to economic development. Long explained that part of the weekend included turning a workspace that’s not typically used for a concert venue into a concert venue. Newberry’s location was chosen to be located at Willingham & Sons in Newberry.
Events surrounding the filming of the Towns in Tune episode (filmed by SCETV) include an artists reception on September 26, an art walk/live music/local bites on September 27, the Towns in Tune Concert at Willingham’s on September 28 and an additional artists event on September 29.
More details will be presented as they’re finalized.
Mayor Foster Senn shared good news from around Newberry Tuesday to include Jay Brogdon, the most recent employee spotlight for the City of Newberry, a Polaris Ranger recently acquired by the police department to enhance community safety, the Newberry Fire Department’s recent FireSafeSC community designation, new playground equipment in Willowbrook Park, several city recreation summer programs/camps and several grand openings to include Home2Suites, the UPS Store and Beall’s grand re-opening.
Updates/Announcements
Two proclamations were passed Tuesday, the first for Park and Recreation Month. Senn highlighted the proclamation and shared some of the projects and programs of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) department.
“We’re really proud of y’all,” Senn said of PRT staff. “You all provide so much fun and life for our community.”
A proclamation was also signed for National Night Out which will be held on Tuesday, August 6 at 6 p.m. this year at Mollohon Park, 211 Player Street in Newberry.
Sergeant Khadijah Gaskins is leading up this year’s event and shared that they would have pizza, popcorn, a bouncy house and more for the community to enjoy.
More good news from the Newberry Police Department included their re-accreditation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Association (pictured).
JJ Jones with the South Carolina Police Chief’s Association and Terrence Green Chief of Police for the Town of Lexington presented the plaque to the department on Tuesday on behalf of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation Council. Green noted that out of the over 200 agencies in the state, that the Newberry Police Department was one of 40 agencies that holds this title.
“That’s such a great accomplishment, Senn said. “I know so much work and pride goes into this and we want to salute the police department.”
The police department was also the recipient of the Law Enforcement Zero Challenge Gold Level Award. The award recognizes the department for public education and focused enforcement on high-risk behaviors on the roadway, with the goal to reduce traffic fatalities.
The award was presented to the police department by Gill Knox and Harold Moore from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Police Chief Kevin Goodman said that while these were great awards, he couldn’t do any of it without the buy-in from his staff and their work and commitment.
Old Business
Under old business, second and final reading was passed of an ordinance to amend Article V and VI of the zoning ordinance to better address the placement of automotive repair and maintenance.
The ordinance authorizes automotive and repair maintenance businesses via a conditional use in the general commercial zoning district, in addition to its authorization as a conditional use in the limited industrial district and a permitted use in the basic industrial district.
The general commercial district is intended to accommodate a variety of general commercial and non-residential uses engaged primarily in the sale of durable goods, equipment and services. Other similar uses are presently authorized in the general commercial district, namely: commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair and maintenance, automobile parts and accessories and tire stores.
The ordinance was reviewed and approved by the Newberry Planning Commission at their meeting on June 17.
Motion to approve second reading was made by Councilperson Lemont Glasgow and seconded by Councilperson David Force. Prior to second reading, a public hearing of the proposed ordinance was held with no one speaking in favor or opposition.
Second and final reading was also approved of an ordinance to amend Article VII of Chapter 9 to establish energy credits.
Article VII of Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Newberry addresses issues arising from a customer of the city’s electrical service who also owns and operates a customer-owned electric-generating system located upon the customer’s premises. This ordinance better establishes a framework within which such systems operate and to establish rates for energy credits.
Motion to approve second reading was made by Councilperson Jackie Holmes and seconded by Councilperson Edwin Wicker.
Motion was made by Councilperson David DuBose and seconded by Councilperson Carlton Kinard to table first reading of an ordinance to amend the zoning map for parcels 401-13, 401-64, and 401-65 located on Dixie Drive as more discussions between the developer and the city were still needed.
New Business
Under new business, council approved first reading of an ordinance Tuesday to better address loitering by amending Section 11-13 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Newberry by deleting Section 11-13 in its entirety and replacing it with a new section 11-13.
Assistant City Manager Jeff Wicker said because of the Supreme Court’s ruling that an ordinance prohibiting loitering must employe language that is not vague or overbroad so that constitutional rights of speech and assembly of citizens are protected, it was necessary to amend the present loitering ordinance.
Motion to approve first reading was made by Wicker and seconded by Glasgow.
Holmes inquired as to more information on the ordinance to which Senn asked if information could be gathered from the city’s police department as to further clarification prior to second reading.
First reading was also passed to amend Article I and Article III of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Newberry to better address fire prevention. Chief Gene Shealy said the ordinance is more clearly defined and gives the department better authority to put a stop to hazards should they occur.
The ordinance states that it shall be unlawful within the city limits to perform any outdoor burning with the following exceptions:
- Fires may be used for cooking food, provided no smoke violation or other nuisance is created.
- Recreational fire in commercially manufactured fire pit with a screen enclosure and screen or solid top, provided no nuisance is enacted.
- Fires built in compliance herewith shall be kept under competent and continuous supervision.
- Fires set by City of Newberry firefighting personnel and conducted at a permanent firefighting training facility for the purpose of training public firefighting personnel.
“We always try to be on the forefront of educating the public,” Shealy said. “I think it clearly defines everything we’ve already been doing in the city.”
Motion to approve first reading was made by Holmes and seconded by Force.
City Manager’s Report
Under his report, City Manager Jason Taylor shared with council that there was a piece of property, parcel number 343-7-19-20 located on Crosson Street that had been deeded to the city and unless objections arose from council that the city planned to accept the property. Taylor said the property connects to a piece of property already owned by the city.
Taylor also announced the city’s utilities department was the recipient of a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Utility Director Tim Baker said the funding was planned to be used for upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The necessary improvements needed total approximately $5 million. However, Baker said they planned to look into additional grant assistance such as from the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA).
City Council will meet again on Tuesday, August 13 at 7 p.m.
