ITEM 1. BOARDS & COMMISSIONS: APPOINTMENTS – RECOMMENDATION BY MAYOR – APPROVED BY COUNCIL.

On motion by Councilmember Baggott, second by Councilmember Mottel, Council unanimously approved the recommendation of Mayor Jones for the appointment of the following persons to their respective boards and commissions.

ITEM 2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT - STREETSCAPE, PHASE 1 – AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED – RESOLUTION.

On motion by Councilmember McDowell, second by Councilmember Mottel, Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing Cranston, Robertson & Whitehurst to finalize construction documents and authorizing construction for the Streetscape, Phase 1, for the Downtown Redevelopment District. Council emphasized their desire that disruption of business in the downtown area be minimized as much as possible during the construction period.

Councilmember Sullivan had previously asked Mayor Jones to state for the minutes that he was in favor of proceeding with the project.

The resolution text follows:

WHEREAS, with passage of resolution #96-06, adopted February 19, 1996, Mayor and City Council adopted the Master Plan for the North Augusta Riverfront Redevelopment District as prepared by the Joint Venture of Lane, Frenchman, and Associates, Inc., and City Design Collaborative, Inc., along with the North Augusta Citizens Advisory Panel. In accordance with said resolution, the Master Plan is to be used as a guide for the progressive and orderly development of the North Augusta Riverfront and Downtown Redevelopment Districts; and

WHEREAS, with passage of resolution #97-31, adopted October 20, 1997, Mayor and City Council authorized Cranston, Robertson & Whitehurst, P.C., to develop the Downtown District streetscape conceptual design for the North Augusta Downtown Redevelopment District; and

WHEREAS, upon receipt of the completed conceptual design titled "North Augusta Downtown, Georgia, and West Avenues Streetscape Design Concept Summary" on February 2, 1998, City Council prioritized the projects contained within the Downtown and Riverfront Districts. Downtown Streetscape, Phase I, was determined to be the first project.

WHEREAS, with passage of resolution #98-13 on July 6, 1998, Mayor and City Council authorized Cranston, Robertson & Whitehurst, P.C., to prepare plans for the Streetscape, Phase 1, within the Downtown Redevelopment District. Phase 1 includes Georgia Avenue from the bridge to Jackson Avenue; and

WHEREAS, Cranston, Robertson & Whitehurst, P.C., has prepared for Council’s review a Preliminary Design Summary for Phase 1 of the Georgia Avenue Streetscape, and said plan has been reviewed by City Council; and

WHEREAS, Cranston, Robertson & Whitehurst, P.C., along with the City’s staff and Councilmembers, have met with various property owners, and a public meeting was held for the purpose of the plans being reviewed by all downtown property and business owners as well as all citizens of North Augusta for the purpose of receiving comments thereon; and

WHEREAS, Council has instructed Cranston, Robertson & Whitehurst, P.C., to include where possible, modifications of the plan to maximize parking within the district and to continue to work with businesses especially affected to assure the final project meets the goals and objectives of maximizing business opportunities for merchants/businesses presently located within the Downtown District and to foster an environment that will encourage additional economic development within the Downtown District.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council for the City of North Augusta in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof that Cranston, Robertson & Whitehurst, P. C., is hereby authorized to finalize construction documents for the Georgia Avenue Downtown Streetscape, Phase 1, in accordance with the preliminary plans as submitted, including modifications thereto.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon completion of the construction documents, the project shall move immediately into the construction phase.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the budget for the Georgia Avenue Downtown Streetscape, Phase 1, project shall be $1,800,000 with said funds coming from the Downtown/Riverfront Redevelopment Fund.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator is duly authorized to execute construction documents, to make payments, and to sign all other documents related thereto.

ITEM 3. PARKS, RECREATION & LEISURE SERVICES: LIONS FIELD RENOVATIONS – AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED – RESOLUTION.

On motion by Councilmember Smith, second by Councilmember Mottel, Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing the reconstruction of Lions Memorial Field.

The resolution text follows:

WHEREAS, in 1945, the City of North Augusta acquired eight acres of land located along East Buena Vista Avenue and Alta Vista Avenue for $1,500 from M. E. Peebles, Maria Tunstall Lingo, and John L. Tunstall. The purpose of the purchase was, "to be used as a park and designated as a living memorial in remembrance of the boys who have lost their lives in the armed forces of the Nation"; and

WHEREAS, the North Augusta Lions Club leased from the City for 99 years said eight acres of property for $1.00 on October 5, 1950, to improve, beautify, and use for recreational purposes; and

WHEREAS, having improved the land and operated the facilities thereon for 29 years, the North Augusta Lions Club abandoned said lease on October 4, 1979, subject to the City’s continued use of the property for recreational purposes; and

WHEREAS, the City of North Augusta has continued to use Lions Memorial Field for recreational purposes for 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Lions Memorial Field has become a vital recreational facility for the City of North Augusta providing the primary field for the City’s recreational football programs as well as being used for soccer; and

WHEREAS, Lions Memorial Field does not meet current standards for ADA and athletic program requirements; and

WHEREAS, Mayor and City Council have determined it to be in the best interest of the citizens of North Augusta and the athletic programs of the North Augusta Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services Department to rehabilitate Lions Memorial Field to meet current standards.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council for the City of North Augusta in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof that Lions Memorial Field shall be refurbished to meet current ADA and athletic program requirements by rebuilding the existing playing field, constructing new restrooms, concession stands, bleachers, playground, paved walkways, perimeter walls, and paved parking.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon completion of construction documents by the City’s Engineering Department, construction shall commence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the budget for Lions Memorial Field reconstruction shall be $963,888 as delineated within the 1999 Capital Projects Fund budget.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator is duly authorized to execute construction documents, to make payments, and to sign all other documents related thereto.

ITEM 4. VIDEO POKER: PISGAH ROAD AT FIVE NOTCH ROAD – PROTEST OF CITY – RESOLUTION.

On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Baggott, Council unanimously adopted a resolution directing and authorizing the City Attorney to take such steps as he determines appropriate and necessary to protect the Greeneway Park from the operation of video poker within proximity thereto in violation of State law.

The resolution text follows:

WHEREAS, the State Legislature has enacted law prohibiting the operation of coin operated machines which provide pay outs within various distances from, among other things, a public playground or park; and

WHEREAS, it has been brought to the City’s attention that the possibility exists that an attempt might be made to operate video poker/coin operated machines which provide pay outs at a location that would be within the statutorily prohibited distance from the City’s Greeneway Park; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council desire to ensure that such park is protected in accordance with law.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council for the City of North Augusta in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof that:

1. The City Attorney is directed to provide notice to all governmental agencies involved in any manner with the issuance of licenses or the enforcement of law pertaining to the operation of such machines of the City’s position that the location at 2031 Pisgah Road, North Augusta, South Carolina, is not an appropriate location for the operation of said machines and that machines at said location are not allowed pursuant to Code Section 12-21-2793 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.
2. That the City Attorney is to notify the lessee of such premises as to the City’s position and opposition to the placement of coin operated/video poker machines at such location.
3. That the City Attorney is authorized to commence such litigation as he deems appropriate for the purpose of preventing the operation of coin operated/video poker machines at such location.