• Sumter County Council's Nov. 13, 2018, meeting

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    Sumter County Council Tuesday evening recognized a group of high school students taking part in the new Emerging Leaders program and passed third and final reading of a rezoning request for property on Thomas Sumter Highway among other matters.

    Sumter County Administrator Gary Mixon introduced the Emerging Leaders during council’s regular meeting Tuesday evening and told council members he and City Manager Deron McCormick spoke to the class Tuesday morning.

    “I will say that before you are some intelligent young folks,” Mixon said. “High expectations for future leaders in Sumter.”

    Mixon said he and McCormick spent about an hour and a half Tuesday morning talking about the roles of city and county government and how each entity works together. Mixon then introduced Erika Williams of Sumter Economic Development and The LINK, as she is helping guide the program.

    Williams, who manages communications and strategic initiatives for the economic development efforts in Sumter and Lee counties, told council members the Emerging Leaders program is a collaborative effort between Sumter Economic Development, USC-Sumter, Sumter County Government, the City of Sumter, the S.C. Department of Commerce’s workforce division and also the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce.

    The goal of the program is to prepare the 16 participants – all high school juniors -- to take leadership roles. Upon graduating in May, the participants will serve as ex officio members on boards and committees to provide a youthful perspective, she said.

    The first session involved philanthropy and non-profit service, she said, while the second session focused on legislation and government.

    “We thought it very appropriate to have the county administrator and city manager to lead these students,” she said, before thanking Lakewood High School Guidance Counselor Brenda Richardson for her help.

    The eight students who attended Tuesday’s council meeting were: Aaleyah Powell, Elijah Foe, Travis Johnson, Diamond Sanders, Naveah Hardy, Christian Campbell, Justin Gallimore and Caroline Pruden.

    Council Chairman James T. McCain Jr. thanked them for participating in the program and noted how they will soon be able to vote.

    “And that will be your first chance to start participating in the governance of Sumter County, so what you learn in the next two years will go toward that,” he said.

    REZONING

    City-County Planning Director George McGregor spoke about third reading of a request to rezone 3.91 acres at 4690 Thomas Sumter Highway from General Commercial (GC) and Agricultural Conservation (AC) to Light Industrial-Warehouse (LI-W). There have been no changes since first or second reading, he said.

    Councilman Artie Baker asked if the applicants were present, and McGregor said they were not. Baker asked if the building will be brick in the front with doors in the rear and McGregor said he didn’t know because “we haven’t gotten that far,” and noted that the property is in the Highway Corridor Review District.

    Baker said noise was his only concern and McGregor said that will be considered during the site plan review phase, along with buffering if needed. Third reading passed unanimously.

    SANTEE-LYNCHES REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

    Chris McKinney, Chief Executive Officer of the COG, told council members he wants to continue to better educate them about what role the COG plays on a regional level.

    Kyle Kelly, economic and community sustainability director for the COG, talked about what his department can offer to Sumter County and updated council members on the progress of the regional long-range transportation plan.

    His department works in economic development as the COG works with the federal government to bring grants to support projects. His department works with the City-County Planning Department on transportation issues as well, he said.

    Water quality management is another area where the COG, in conjunction with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, works with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ensure there’s a local voice in decisions regarding wastewater treatment, he said.

    A U.S. Housing and Urban Development program that provides funds for the region helps increase the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing in the area, he said.

    “Ultimately, we’re your planning district at the regional level,” he said, which covers Clarendon, Lee, Sumter and Kershaw counties.

    Recent projects include a green infrastructure plan, a comprehensive economic development strategy and a long-range transportation plan, which is being updated for the next two decades, he said.

    After talking about regional transportation planning and projects, Baker asked about U.S. 521 North and a discussion ensued about widening that highway and area issues.

    COMMITTEE REPORTS

    Councilman Chris Sumpter said the Public Safety Committee met earlier and spoke with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office officials about tethering animals.

    “We discussed many of the pros and cons of it and also looked at what neighboring counties have put in place to solve the tethering issue,” he said, which would ensure a good quality of life for tethered animals.

    An executive session was held to discuss an issue, he said.

    Council Vice Chairman Jimmy Byrd said the Technology and Personnel Committee met earlier and a request was received from Sumter County’s acting Master-In-Equity and no action was taken.

    The Internal Affairs Committee also met, Byrd said, who then put forth several names for residents appointed to boards, who were then voted on and approved by council.

    Edens said the Land Use Committee met and discussed the current political sign ordinance and no action was taken.

    “I don’t think the committee had any desire to make any changes in our political sign ordinance at this time, he said.

    Councilman Eugene Baten thanked his fellow council members for attending Monday’s Veterans Day parade and for continued support of local veterans.

    ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

    Mixon told council members that the Emerging Leaders met at the new Patriot Park Pavilion and he thanked Mrs. Williams from Lakewood for her work in helping the program.

    “I found it as equally beneficial for myself and I hope to them,” he said, and wished them all success as they become mentors for future classes.

    There were no public comments at the end of the meeting and it adjourned at 6:46 p.m.