The City of Friendly Folks

April 15, 2024

The eighth annual South Carolina Clay Conference held in February was a record-breaking year, Director of Programming Marquerite Palmer shared with City Council on Tuesday.

Palmer described this year’s event as the most successful conference so far with 91 registered to attend the conference with a waiting list. Registered attendees included people from Alabama, California, Iowa, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and all over South Carolina.

The pottery sale accompanying the conference saw 636 visitors and 512 items sold. Shoppers purchased $17,000 worth of items at the sale, exceeding the previous record by over $5,000, Palmer said.

The 25 percent commission retained from the sale will be used toward scholarships and other needs for the 2025 clay conference, Palmer said.

Updates/Announcements

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Collin Shealy presented council with a conceptual layout of the expansion plans for the Newberry Recreation Complex as part of the Capital Project Sales Tax Referendum.

Shealy went through eight items with council including the skate park with parking, splash pad expansion with a new restroom/office building, the miracle league baseball field, the bleacher shade structure, nature walk, maintenance building with parking, an 8’ sidewalk and new drop off and accessible parking.

Council inquired with Shealy as to the timeline of the start of the expansion to which he replied things were already underway with engineering and the hope was that things would hopefully be moving forward by the third quarter of this calendar year.

Mayor Foster Senn shared good news from around the city including recent employee spotlight, Jason Stuhr, the city’s utilities department receiving a plaque for mutual aid, highlights from the Great American Cleanup on March 30 and Newberry being named as one of the Top 10 Best Towns by Southern Living Magazine.

Senn shared three proclamations Tuesday, the first being designating the month of May as Building Safety Month. The second proclamation designated May 5-11, 2024 as Drinking Water Week, and the third designated April 18 as Lineman Appreciation Day.

New Business

Under new business, council approved an outside water request for a property located at 30 Welch Road. The property owner has agreed to execute an annexation covenant indicating a willingness to annex if the property becomes contiguous to the city limits and council determines it is in the best interest of the city to annex the property. There is a $1,400 tap fee in addition to a $1,500 road bore. There will be no extension.

Motion to approve the request was made by Councilperson Lemont Glasgow and seconded by Councilperson Carlton Kinard.

Council approved a petition Tuesday for special assessment for historical property rehabilitation for a parcel located at 1100 Main Street.

The owners of 1100 Main Street filed a petition for a Special Assessment for Historical Property Rehabilitation in accordance with Chapter 4, Article IX of the City of Newberry’s Code of Ordinances. This special assessment would allow the property owner to avoid local property tax payments, for a period not to exceed 20 years, on the increased value resulting from eligible renovations.

To be eligible for the special tax assessment, historic properties must receive preliminary certification by City Council and final certification from City of Newberry Department of Planning and Development. The property owner must meet minimum expenditures when rehabilitating the building, with expenditures for rehabilitation exceeding 75% of the fair market value of an owner-occupied building or 50% of the fair market value of an income producing building prior to such rehabilitation.

Councilperson David Dubose made a motion, seconded by Councilperson David Force to approve the petition.

Also under new business, council approved a funding request for an updated historical and architectural survey.

City staff have been asked to research the steps necessary to becoming a Certified Local Government (CLG), Senn said which is administered by the State Historic Preservation Office in partnership with the National Park Service.  The main benefit of becoming a CLG is opening up historic preservation grants where CLG designation is required of preferred.

One of the steps necessary to apply for CLG status is a Historical and Architectural Survey. The last Historical and Architectural Survey in the area was conducted in 2003, Senn said. In speaking with the State Historic Preservation Office, it was recommended that an updated survey be completed for the CLG application.  A 50/50 grant is available through the State Historic Preservation office to conduct a new survey of historic properties in the City of Newberry.

The City of Newberry’s minimum financial obligation in having the survey updated is $3,000, but could be as high as $10,000, depending on the responses to the request for proposals. 

Dubose made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Edwin Wicker to move forward with the CLG survey application process. 

As an update to council, Lorie Graham, business consultant at South Carolina Business Development Centers introduced herself and provided information on an overview of the services available at the SCBDC in Newberry.

Motion was then made was then made by Kinard and seconded by Force to approve an appropriation of funds in the amount of $2,000 for the West End Spring Fling event. The event, being held on Saturday, April 27 will include a bouncy house, face painting, food and more. Councilperson Jackie Holmes said their neighborhood group had been busy planning the event and were looking forward to the community coming together.

2026 marks the 250-year anniversary of the establishment of the United States of America.  The local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution would like to honor and celebrate those who gave their life in the Revolutionary War with a monument in Memorial Park.

Senn made a motion to approve and move forwarded with the request, pending final approval of the monument’s design, height and wording. Glasgow seconded the motion. Councilpersons Kinard and Holmes voted in opposition.

Interim City Manager’s Report

In his report to council, Interim City Manager Ed Driggers said staff was working through their annual budget process and that his first presentation of the budget to council would be on Tuesday, April 23.

Driggers shared that he and staff were continuing to review personnel policies and procedures and asked that council let him know if they’d like to review those in a workshop setting or in an upcoming regularly scheduled meeting.

He then added that work was continuing on the city’s new website.

City Council will meet again for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.

March 19, 2024

City utility staff received a visit Tuesday, March 19 from Gregg Griffin, general manager of the Bamberg Board of Public Works. Griffin presented several staff members with a plaque in appreciation of mutual aid assistance following a recent tornado that affected their community.

The plaque reads, “In appreciation for responding to our restoration needs in the City of Bamberg SC on January 9, 2024, in the wake of a F2 Tornado, the Bamberg Board of Public Works recognizes City of Newberry Utilities for an extraordinary effort in assisting our crews to restore power to our citizens in a timely fashion! No injuries or loss of life was experienced, and the community would like to express their thanks to everyone who made this possible!” 

The plaque was signed by Griffin, their board chairman and commissioners.

Mutual aid was coordinated through the South Carolina Association of Municipal Power Systems (SCAMPS) and the City of Newberry was fully reimbursed by Bamberg BPW for all expenses incurred. 

“Our utility has had to call on mutual aid assistance in the past to respond to emergency events and I am glad that we were able to assist a fellow utility during their time of need,” said City of Newberry Utility Director, Tim Baker.

Pictured from left, Gregg Griffin- GM Bamberg BPW, Newberry Linemen that assisted- Garrett Jenkins, Chris Odom, Casey Proctor, and Tim Baker- City of Newberry Utility Director.

April 12, 2024

Pork in the Park is back this year and will take place on Friday, April 19 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Saturday, April 20 from 11 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The event will take place in Memorial Park and the surrounding downtown area.

Back this year is the Friday night portion of the event, allowing vendors to sell their product for an additional day. Live music will be downtown during this time from 5:30 – 8 p.m. with The Brendan Roberts Band.

The Newberry County Chamber of Commerce along with the Newberry Opera House will have a beer wagon along Boyce Street throughout the event on both Friday and Saturday. Bridget Carey, tourism and events manager for the city said there would be an ID station and patrons should plan to have their ID with them if they planned to purchase alcohol.

A total of 20 teams are expected and will be downtown for Saturday’s competition and they range from locals to those travelling from as far away as Waxhaw, NC.   

The three categories during this year’s event include Boston butt, chicken, and ribs. Sanctioned by the Southern Barbecue Network, the judges for the event are primarily looking for tenderness, texture, flavor and presentation, Carey said.

The judges have been certified through a training process and attend many events similar to Pork in the Park.

Judging will take place at the Firehouse Conference Center. Awards will be given out following the end of the competition at 3 p.m. with first, second and third place for each category as well as the grand champion and reserved grand champion. Winners will be announced from the music stage in Memorial Park.

In a continued effort to showcase vendors in the competition, Carey said the sample cups will be discontinued again for this year’s event. However, food will be available for purchase from the eight teams that are vending as well as competing. The other teams will be competition only, Carey said and will be in a separate area from those vending.

Cash is recommended for patrons purchasing food as not all vendors will accept cards, Carey said.

The event area encompasses Main Street from Nance to Caldwell Street, Boyce Street from Nance to Caldwell Street, McKibben Street from Boyce to Main Street and Caldwell Street from Boyce to Main Street. Street closures will begin Friday afternoon and those shopping and dining downtown on Friday are encouraged to use parking lots close by.

Free inflatables for children during Pork in the Park can be found on Main Street, Carey said. An interactive map with all activities can be found by visiting the event’s website, www.newberryporkinthepark.com.

In addition to the smell of barbecue filling the streets of Newberry, there will also be live music in Memorial Park Saturday to Bluegrass Remedy from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and Josh Boatwright from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. when competition winners are announced. While there will be tables and chairs set up in Memorial Park, visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs to set up and listen to music.

The Blood Connection will be on site Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. To make an appointment, guests can visit thebloodconnection.org or use the link: https://tinyurl.com/4ss4294a.

The Newberry Arts Center will also be set up at the corner of Main and Caldwell Streets (by the arts center) from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. for their Empty Bowls project. Patrons can purchase a handmade, empty bowl for themselves or as a gift, with all proceeds going to local food banks. The bowl serves as an invisible reminder that people go to bed hungry each night.

More information on Pork in the Park can be located online at www.newberryporkinthepark.com or by contacting the city’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism office at (803) 321-1015.

March 18, 2024

Executive Director Jessica Holcomb of the Newberry Housing Authority provided Newberry City Council with an update Tuesday night.

Holcomb shared that the housing authority was established by city council on October 17, 1968 and is run by a board of directors that is appointed by council. Currently, they serve over 606 families in Newberry County.

The mission statement of the Newberry Housing Authority is to ensure safe, decent and affordable housing; create opportunities for residents’ self-sufficiency and economic independence; and assure fiscal integrity by all program participants.

Holcolmb shared changes to the housing authority such as their recent rebranding with a new logo, a new website, and new standardized hours.

Old Business

Under old business, council passed second and final reading of an ordinance to establish an economic development incentive program. Interim City Manager Ed Driggers asked council’s consideration for an amendment on second reading suggesting that in section 4-104.05 to add language that says “a fee equal to current planning and development application fees shall be required for final certification for each application.”

Driggers said this was in line with what we currently charge with our other application fees, with the amount being $65. While this fee may change from time to time, Driggers proposed to council that it remain in line with the standard planning and development application fees.

Motion to approve second reading with the amendment was made by Councilperson Lemont Glasgow and seconded by Councilperson Carlton Kinard. The ordinance would take effect immediately.

At last month’s meeting, the following information on the program was presented.

This ordinance enacts an economic development tool available to cities – a special property tax assessment commonly referred to as the Bailey Bill. Enacted in 1992, the Bailey Bill allows local governments to offer a property tax abatement to encourage the rehabilitation of historic properties.

For a period of no more than 20 years, the local government can lock in a special property tax assessment based on the property’s fair market value prior to rehabilitation. This allows the property owner to avoid local property tax payments on the increased value resulting from eligible renovations. The abated value is the difference between the fair market value of the building at the start of renovation and the fair market value of the building after renovation.

In order to be eligible for the special tax assessment, historic properties must receive preliminary certification by city council and final certification from the city’s Planning and Development department and city council.

Historic designation is made based on one or more of the following:

• The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
• The property is designated as an historic property by the City Council and is at least 50 years old, or
• The property is at least 50 years old and is located in a historic district designated by the city within the geographical area of the city.

The property’s owner must meet minimum expenditures when rehabilitating the building, with expenditures for rehabilitation exceeding 75% of the fair market value of an owner-occupied building or 50% of the fair market value of an income producing building prior to such rehabilitation. “Fair Market Value” means the appraised value certified to the city by a real estate appraiser licensed by the state of South Carolina or the most recent appraised value published by the Newberry County Tax Assessor.

New Business

Under new business, one appointment was made to the Newberry Housing Authority Board. Motion was made by Councilperson Edwin Wicker and seconded by Glasgow to appoint Alan Davis to the board.

Wicker then made a motion to appoint David Coffman and Beverly Leslie to three-year terms and to reappoint Wanda Crotwell and Christie Gardner to two-year terms to the Miss Newberry Scholarship Board.  The motion was seconded by Kinard.

“They do a super job and we’re happy to appoint those folks,” Mayor Foster Senn said.

Council then passed a resolution designating the month of April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Newberry. Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilperson Jackie Holmes and seconded by Councilperson David Force.

Senn read the resolution for those in attendance.

Assistant City Manager Jeff Wicker provided an update to council on the US EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant.

Through December 31, 2023, Wicker said their task force had completed 10 Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) through this grant.

“Through that we have identified four properties that warranted further discovery,” he said.

In February, an ESA Phase 2 assessment was conducted at 1327 Caldwell Street and Wicker said the report should be available soon and posted on the city’s website.

Wicker said they currently had site specific quality assurance project plans for 1302 College Street and 1107/1119 Harrington Street.

The next public task force meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 28 at 6 p.m. Wicker said he was currently working on establishing a location that would be distributed through the city’s website and other channels as well.

Council then voted on several residency requirements for city employees. Senn shared that at council’s recent retreat in January, the topic of updating residency requirements for employees was brought up as different positions currently required those employees to live within a range of their work location and/or within the city limits.

“I think some of these things were put in with the mindset that we didn’t have the communications and mobility that we have now,” Senn said.”

Motion was made by Senn and seconded by Kinard to amend section 18.4 of the employee guidelines removing the requirements of specific positions/departmental employees to live within a 20-minute radius of their primary work location.

The next motion related to departmental leadership positions within the city. Senn said he didn’t feel the city should tie their hands if they had good employees that wanted to live on a farm, out in the country or on family land.

“It’s hard to make that decision for them,” he said.

Senn made a motion to amend section 18.4 of the employee guidelines removing the requirements for those positions to live within the city limits. The motion was seconded by Holmes. Councilpersons Kinard, Glasgow and David DuBose opposed the motion.

Finally, the discussion was held as to potentially allowing the city manager to reside within Newberry County, rather than restricting the position to the city limits. Senn said that he felt a leader could live within the county and still be a leader to the city as well as being involved in the city. Driggers also said he felt this was something that may come up with applicants for the position.

Senn made a motion to allow the city manager position to reside within Newberry County, with a second by Wicker. Councilpersons Glasgow, Kinard, DuBose and Holmes opposed the motion. The motion failed.

Interim City Manager’s Report

In his report to council, Driggers highlighted several topics discussed at an earlier meeting with city staff including making sure the city’s police department was prepared with the recent legislation in South Carolina on the open carrying of a firearm.

In regard to the city manager’s search, Driggers said advertising for the position had been closed on Sunday, March 10. However, the position is still open until filled.

Driggers said they had received very qualified applicants, with 28 being in the applicant pool.

“Of those [applicants], they come from 10 states so it’s a true national search for us,” he said. “The majority are from South Carolina.”

Each of the applicants possesses a bachelor’s degree, with 24 of the 28 applicants possessing a master’s degree or higher.

City Council will gather on March 25 in executive session to discuss applications and finalists will be identified and interviewed. The goal, Driggers said would be to welcome a new person on or before July 1 of this year.

Newberry City Council will hold their next regular meeting on Tuesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.