During their November meeting, West Pelzer Town Council heard comments from several citizens and addressed issues that arose during the October meeting.
During public comments, Ann Odom asked Council to consider updating the Town’s Christmas lights and questioned if a police officer could be scheduled to work on Sundays.
Rick Sanders thanked Councilman Tim Williams for taking time to talk with local business owners and said that he had waited 30 days for a response from the Mayor regarding questions he brought up at the October meeting of Council. He also asked Mayor Riddle to set aside a time to explain the 10 year plan to citizens.
Joyce Vanhook asked if the monthly police report could be listed in The Journal.
Roy Budgall questioned the invalid motions made during the October meeting of Council. Town Attorney Carey Murphy explained that the state statute requires items to be listed on a posted agenda unless it constitutes an emergency.
Council unanimously approved a resolution naming Fredrick Dillion as the founding member of the Town’s Board of Zoning Appeals. The purpose of the Board is to serve as an administrative mechanism to enforce zoning ordinances. Powers include making decisions on appeals that arise from the administrative decisions of the Town’s zoning administrator; granting or denying applications for variances or special exceptions, remanding matters to the zoning administrator if the board has not received adequate information for review. The Board’s decisions are subject to appeal only in a circuit court.
The annual tree lighting in Chapman Park will be held Dec. 6. The annual Christmas Parade will be held Dec. 7
There was considerable discussion during Council comments.
Councilman Williams stated that he requested the invalid motions made at the October meeting be added to the November agenda, but two members objected to the items being on the November agenda. He also questioned who made the decision to deactivate the elected official’s key fobs for the Municipal Center. Williams stated that he felt like councilmembers were being discriminated against and that he was told it was a federal law violation. Town Attorney Murphy stated that he would be happy to offer legal advice on the issue in executive session.
Williams also asked about the status of the Town’s Christmas lights. Town Clerk Paula Payton responded that the contractors who were scheduled to install the lights during the week of Thanksgiving had canceled because they did not have time. Payton also said the contractor stated that several utility poles had been severely damaged during the Hurricane and would have to be replaced before installing lights. Payton said she was reaching out to other contractors to have the lights installed.
Councilman Williams stated that he had reached out to Sen. Mike Gambrell regarding the crosswalk at Main St. and Stewart Street and that SCDOT had agreed to do a traffic study at the intersection. Williams said he and Sen. Gambrell also discussed the possibility of a roundabout or traffic light at the instersection of Main St. and Palmetto Road.
Councilman Jeff Lee stated that he wanted all Council members to have access to the town hall building during office hours and added that he would not want to be in the office unless staff was present. He also added that deactivating the key fobs was not in violation of any federal law and was not discrimination. He said it is not a legal issue.
Following the comments, Mayor Jim Riddle read a written statement regarding the October council meeting.
In his statement, Riddle addressed why he did not respond to specific comments regarding his lack of response, in their opinion, to the recent storm Helene.
“First and foremost, council meetings are formal business meetings in which, in a representative democracy, elected members meet to conduct the business of the people among themselves in a manner outlined by state law. The mayor will direct the meeting and follow a printed agenda available to the public.”
“Council meetings are not a time for public debate between the council and the public who may be in attendance. Unfortunately, this seems to be the opinion of some due to the way many council meetings were conducted in the past, and it has led to misunderstanding and confusion among some members of the public and some council members. Much of this problem was corrected by Mayor Sanders when he took office by focusing on our council meetings on the meeting’s agenda, civility and order. However it seems there are still some who want to go back to the way things used to be. As mayor, I am determined that that should not happen.”
“I have responded personally to some regarding these matters and am available to others who still may have questions. I am available; West Pelzer is a small town. I am out among the people, I walk much of the town daily, I dine in our restaurants, and I can be reached through a call to the Municipal Center. I am ready and willing to discuss constituents’ question and concerns, preferably through a face-to-face meeting, arranged with a call, text or simply by asking. There is a time and place for all things.”
Riddle ended his comments, “West Pelzer has roughly 1200 citizens, each with personal concerns, needs and opinions, as do I, but as your mayor, your concerns and your needs are mine. I covet your opinions and prayers.”
At the October meeting, several citizens expressed concerns with the mayor’s response.
At the end of the meeting, Councilman Tim Williams recommended that prayer be reinstated at the start of council meetings and that the town hold the Pumkinpalooza event.
After clarification by Town Attorney Murphy, Williams made a motion on both of the recommendations. A vote to reinstate prayer did not pass, with only Williams in favor. A vote on Pumpkinpalooza was approved 3-1 with Mayor Riddle opposed.
Murphy later informed Council that he was incorrect in his advice regarding Williams’ motions. He said the vote was invalid because the issues were not on the original agenda and there was no opportunity for public input.
