It was a busy meeting Tuesday as the Irmo Town Council pondered new plans for a new town hall, adopted a capital budget, and held a lengthy debate on allowing council members to participate in meetings electronically.
The council approved a measure to solicit bids for professional services to build a new town hall, but acknowledged that a lot more preparation is needed for a project that could take three years to complete.
While council members bragged about receiving a $500,000 state grant to help fund the project, and possibly another $1.6 million federal grant, they agreed more community input is needed for a final plan. The total cost is expected to be around $ 3.5 million.
During the citizen input session Tuesday, one resident complained that preliminary renderings of the town hall looked like “a two-story storage building.”
But Councilman Kelly Busch said the current information on the project “is very preliminary” and that a final plan is still in the works.
Councilman Erik Sickinger said there is still much more that needs to be done on the project, including more community input.
Council members agreed that “a lot of details” need to be worked out.
The new town hall would be located on property adjacent to the Irmo Fire Station, a short distance away from the current location.
After a long debate, the council gave first-reading approval to an ordinance allowing council members to participate electronically in council or committee meetings, a practice that is common throughout the nation for municipalities. It allows an elected official who is unable to attend a meeting because of an unexpected situation or emergency, to attend and vote remotely.
But it’s uncertain if the measure will pass on the second reading.
Mayor Barry Walker questioned the need for electronic meetings since council members are allowed to request a delay in consideration of a measure if they are unable to attend a meeting. The council considered tabling the measure until further review could be made.
During the citizen input session, former Irmo Councilman Harvey Hoots said council members should show up for council meetings in accordance with their elective duties.
“If you are too busy to come to a meeting, you should resign,” he said.
The council gave final reading approval to a $9.1 million budget, which includes pay raises for police officers. The previous year’s budget was placed at $8.3 million.
Mayor Walker noted the budget has no millage increase, and the town has no debts.
The council also gave second-reading approval to grant Lumos Fiber of South Carolina a franchise agreement to install fiber internet in the town of Irmo. Council members agreed it would provide increased competition among providers that would help consumers in the long run.
The council also gave second-reading approval to an ordinance rezoning property at the corner of Muskrat Run and Emerald Cove from General Residential to Fringe Agricultural. The property is located next to other properties zoning Fringe Agricultural.
The council gave first reading approval to two measures that designate allocations for funds received through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The designations are required by federal regulations. The council has previously approved the allocations in workshops.
The council gave first reading approval to a measure that will shift mini warehouse and self-storage units to a zoning designation of Light Manufacturing. The change will provide additional requirements on locations to assure good curb appeal. The council also approved a measure that will require new car wash facilities to comply with development requirements outlined by the zoning board.
The council approved a measure to solicit bids for the town’s 10-year Comprehensive Plan, an effort that is undertaken every 10 years, and reviewed every five years. Walker questioned the timing of the plan when new council elections are coming up.
In other action, the council approved accepting a grant award to replace aging body armor in the amount of $11,986 for the police department
The council approved a contract with Something Borrowed LLC in the amount of $7,770 to provide rental equipment for the Okra Strut Festival. A contract was also approved with Custom Audio & Lighting for $12,100 to provide production services during the festival.
The council approved a contract with Will & Kris Amusements in the amount of $15,700 to provide amusement rides during the Okra Strut Festival.
The council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Keep the Midlands Beautiful that will extend an agreement for another year to provide creek cleanups and other litter control programs.
The council approved establishing a committee to explore the development of a First Responder’s Memorial site in Irmo that would recognize the dedication of police, firemen and
EMS responders. The site is likely to be built in or near the Community Park.
The council also approved permits that would provide for Traffic Box Wraps that would have identification art reflecting the town of Irmo at different locations throughout the town.
Bellacino’s Pizza and Grinders was recognized as the June 2023 Small Business of the Month.
The following new, in-town businesses were recognized: The Purveyor of General Goods, 7001 St. Andrews Road; Bob Chrisman, 207 Brickling Road; Cola Bear Express Ice Cream, LLC, 413 Charing Cross Road; Infra Outdoor Sales, LLC., 10019 Broad River Road; JKR Logistics, LLC., 7582 Irmo Drive; Lloyd’s Soccer, 7163 St. Andrews Road; Roxanne’s Market, 2900 Dreher Shoals Road Suite A; National Entertainment Network, LLC., 11890 Dutch Fork Road; Palmetto Trinity Holdings, LLC., 7163 St. Andrews Road; Stand and Shade Hair Studio, 7715 St. Andrews Road; Sweetlife, 908 Friarsgate Boulevard; The Stitchin Kitten, LLC., 7325 St. Andrews Road.
