MINUTES
TURBEVILLE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
April 12, 2022
6:30 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Kathryn Turbeville, Councilmembers Herbert Mims,
Albert Mobley, Doyl Gray, and Judy Coker
Others Present: Town Clerk Kaitlin Alexander, Town Administrator Bill Taylor, Public Works Director Ellis Evans, Clarendon County Councilman Benton Blakely, Pat Goodwin, and Jennifer Powell
- Mayor Turbeville called the town council meeting to order at 6:30 pm and declared that a quorum was present. Councilmember Mobley offered the invocation.
- Mayor Turbeville introduced for council’s consideration the agenda for the April 12, 2022, regular council meeting. Councilmember Mims made a motion to approve the meeting agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Gray and passed by unanimous vote.
- Mayor Turbeville asked if anyone was present who wished to address the town council. County Councilman Benton Blakely said there has been a significant amount of activity in the county in recent months. He stated that twelve industries have located in Clarendon County within the past 20 months creating 360 jobs. Pat Goodwin asked Councilman Blakely if there is going to be a library built in Turbeville and, if so, where it will be built. Blakely responded that the library will be built on the town square after the Smith family donated the property to the county for the purpose of erecting a local library.
- Pat Goodwin asked if the town was not planning to have a festival anymore since there will be a library on town square. He indicated that every section of the town square was occupied during the recent Puddin’ Swamp Festival. Mayor Turbeville said the festival organizers will be looking at alternative locations for the festival events. Goodwin also stated that the gazebo on town square is in bad shape and needs to be repaired. He said he knew it was on Smith property but asked if the town is going to do anything to get it fixed. Administrator Taylor stated we would have to look into the matter.
- Jennifer Powell stated the Ruritan Club has been around in Turbeville for 70 years. They are asking to have a Concert on the Green event to raise money to put back into the community. She stated it would be a community event with concession stands and they would just ask for donations. The Ruritan Club asked to have the concert on May 7, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Powell acknowledged that the organization was required to have evidence of liability insurance. Councilmember Coker made a motion to approve the concert. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Mims and passed by unanimous vote.
- Mayor Turbeville introduced for council’s consideration the minutes from the March 8, 2022, regular council meeting. Councilmember Mims made a motion to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Coker and passed by unanimous vote.
- Mayor Turbeville introduced for council’s consideration the minutes from the special called meeting on March 12, 2022. Councilmember Mims made a motion to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Coker and passed by unanimous vote.
- Mayor Turbeville introduced the second reading of Ordinance No. 2022 – 02. An Ordinance to Adopt a Revised Business License Ordinance in Accordance with the Business License Standardization Act (2020 Act No. 176). Mayor Turbeville reminded the council that the first reading was approved at the March 12th council meeting where the council capped the reported gross receipts requirement in the business license at $20 million. Councilmember Mims made a motion to approve the new fees. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Coker and passed by unanimous vote.
- Mayor Turbeville introduced the first reading of Ordinance No. 2022 – 03. An Ordinance Establishing Policies to Regulate Mobile Food Trucks, Food Trailers, and Related Vendors Operating Inside the Town of Turbeville. Town Administrator Taylor stated the town would like to encourage food trucks but also wanted to protect the local brick and mortar restaurants. He said the key thing that the town wants to do is to make sure the food trucks are protected and inspected, make sure they are in certain spots with certain times, as well as make sure they know they are in charge of clean up and their specific location. Administrator Taylor said that the town does not want to discourage food trucks from coming to Turbeville but just wants to make sure that they are properly regulated. Councilmember Coker asked who would be in charge of inspecting the food trucks and Administrator Taylor stated that the code enforcement officer would have that responsibility. Councilmember Mims made a motion to approve the first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Mobley and passed by unanimous vote.
- Mayor Turbeville introduced for council’s consideration the Technical Assistance Proposal from Santee Lynches COG. Administrator Taylor stated that the town’s planning and zoning regulations have not been updated since 1995 and that a comprehensive plan is required of all entities enforcing zoning restrictions within the state. A comprehensive plan is required to be adopted by the town , reviewed every five (5) years , and updated every ten (10) years. He said the $27,300.00 for this project to be performed by the Santee Lynches Council of Governments could be paid over a period of time. Councilmember Mims asked what the town would do if something came up financially and Mayor Turbeville stated that this is a state law requirement to have this plan. Councilmember Mims stated he was not in favor of spending the money for this and Councilmember Gray said the town needed to find the one that the town had previously. Taylor stated that he has been unable to locate any comprehensive plan that may have been approved by the town council in the past. After some additional discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Gray to table this matter at this time and allow the administrative staff to see if it can locate a previous plan document. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Mims and passed by unanimous vote.
- Councilmember Coker asked about the bid going out for the Cypress Street well replacement project and stated she thought one had already gone out. She asked why it was taking so long. Public Works Director Ellis Evans said he would love to know why it was taking so long but there were delays and that bids have now gone out and will be opened on May 10, 2022.
- Councilmember Gray brought up the history center property on Main Street and whether or not there was any formal agreement with the beauty shop owner. Pat Goodwin said his understanding was that when Jean Boykin retires, it was the intent of the town to remove the building as it is not in great shape. Councilmember Gray stated he would like to see this issue on the agenda for next month.
- There being no further business, Councilmember Mims made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Mobley and passed by a unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kaitlin Alexander
Town Clerk
