• Sumter County Council Oct. 22, 2019, meeting

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    Oct 23 2019 Sumter County Council proclaims Red Ribbon Week 2

    Sumter County Council Tuesday evening during its regular meeting passed second reading of an ordinance amendment request allowing stand-alone truck parking in the Agricultural Conservation (AC) District and deferred second reading to approve the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

    As Chairman James T. McCain Jr. was out of town attending a conference, Vice Chairman Jimmy Byrd acted as Chairman for the meeting. At the outset of the meeting, Byrd also informed the public that Councilman Chris Sumpter had a death in the family and was unable to attend.

    Sumter City-County Planning Director George McGregor spoke about a request from Hampton Gardner to allow stand-alone truck parking in the AC District. The Planning Commission recommended the approval as a Conditional Use, McGregor said, and Planning Department staff developed a list of criteria. Discussion followed about how it could allow for truck drivers to park in their own neighborhood and during a Public Hearing, no one spoke.

    Second reading passed unanimously.

    McGregor then spoke about the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and how it exists as the County’s long-term land use plan. It’s required by state law, he noted, and the last 18 months have seen numerous public hearings and opportunities for public input.

    During a Public Hearing no one spoke. Byrd asked if there were changes to the Commercial Corridor and McGregor said there were no changes. Councilman Artie Baker asked to defer second reading to have a workshop.

    The motion to defer passed unanimously.

    Sumter County Attorney Johnathan Bryan spoke next about an ordinance authorizing the sale of land on Wedgefield Road to Wedgefield Baptist Church for $30,000.

    During a Public Hearing no one spoke and second reading passed unanimously.

    Clerk to Council Mary Blanding then briefly read a Red Ribbon Week Proclamation as Byrd, Cpl. Isaiah Bilby of the Young Marines and Maj. Allen Dailey of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office posed for a ceremonial photo as Council approved the Proclamation.

    Council members Vivian Fleming-McGhaney and Eugene Baten thanked Bilby and urged the young man to join the military. He said was joining the U.S. Marine Corps after he graduates from high school.

    Council members then approved a 2020 holiday calendar for Sumter County employees as well as a 2020 meeting calendar for County Council.

    As members of council gave reports, Baten spoke about a letter regarding pay for Detention Center deputies and advocated for an increase. Councilman Charles Edens said it can’t be considered in the middle of the Fiscal Year and was a budgetary issue that needs to be examined in the spring during the budget process. Discussion followed about the Detention Center and salary analysis.

    During the Public Comments, Benny Webb advocated for a salary increase for Detention Center deputies.

    Larry Huff said the Veterans Park is coming along nicely and advocated for a slight change involving parking and the old entrance.

    Barbara Richburg of the Greater Turkey Creek Neighborhood Association said more Codes Enforcement Officers are needed.

    The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.