Weekly Update 3-31-06

TO: Woodruff City Council

FROM: Scott Slatton

SUBJECT: Weekly update

DATE: 31 March 2006

Administration Department
1. The new McKinney Park playground equipment was installed this week and will be ready for use tomorrow.
2. Letters were sent to the three restaurants whose February Hospitality Tax remittances are delinquent.
3. Scott attended the SCCCMA quarterly meeting in Columbia.
4. Soul Food Restaurant will hold its grand opening next Friday, April 7 at 10:30AM. Please plan to attend.

Fire Department
1. The department’s new rescue truck was delivered over the weekend and crews have worked to place it into service.
2. The department submitted an Assistance to Firefighters Grant application for a new tanker apparatus this week. This is a federal grant offered by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.

Police Department
1. Officers conducted multiple check points over the weekend netting several drug and driving under the influence arrests.
2. A Relay for Life softball tournament will be held tomorrow at McKinney Park and at Ox Taylor Field.

Street Department
1. Work on drainage ditches along Cedar Street was completed this week.

Sewer Department
1. Planting of trees along the property line at the wastewater treatment plant began this week in accordance with the agreement with Bill Westmoreland.
2. City staff, Caliber Engineering and PM&C held the Jimmies Creek pre-construction meeting this week. Work may begin on or before April 17 and must be completed by Sept. 17.
3. Seven of the ten Jimmies Creek right-of-way easements were agreed upon this week.

Calling All Kids!

Back to business and something fun and positive. The new playground equipment for McKinney Park is under construction this week. In fact, the contractor said it will be ready for use this weekend. As you can see from the photos, most of the unit has been installed, save for a couple slides and some safety accessories.

Tomorrow, the contractor will complete the installation and the mulch contractor will arrive to blow in a fine mulch around the entire unit. I’m extremely proud of this play system. It’s been a long time since Woodruff’s kids had something like this available to them outside of their schools. With the addition of this equipment, McKinney Park is now what I would consider a full-service park. With its softball field, basketball court, tennis courts, picnic shelters and now children’s playground equipment, there’s a gamut of activities.

Special thanks are in order for the Spartanburg County State Legislative Delegation, as it is the group of state representatives that approved the purchase of the equipment through the South Carolina Parks and Recreation Development Fund.

So, the next time you’re in Woodruff, come by and see the new equipment. It’s big enough for kids of all ages and sizes, including me. I know the boy and the girl will want me to get on the unit with them the first time they visit. And I don’t mind a bit, because it looks like a lot of fun!

The Gloves Came Off Last Night

Well, the council meeting last night lived up to its hype. The gloves came off and the opponents came out swinging. As a result, I’ve spent a good part of my day helping people break it down. Simply put, personality conflicts among the city council members and their appointed committees/commissions have manifested themselves in back-door politicking and public shouting matches.

Normally, I make every attempt to put a positive spin on city goings-on. But last night’s public display of animosity between city “leaders” robs me of the ability to do that today. Honest, open debate among rational people is a good, healthy thing. It’s what all deliberative bodies should aspire to. Shouting, personal attacks and open disdain for opponents has no place among government bodies. Unfortunately though, and too often, elected officials at all levels of government allow their debate to degenerate into petty bickering and in-fighting. In the meantime, the people’s business doesn’t get done. Such was the case at Woodruff City Hall last night.

I’ve spoken to a couple of council members today that were embarrassed and ashamed of what took place at their meeting last night. Despite that though, no council member sought to end the fight last night. Rather, I was forced to put an end to the shouting . . . . a position in which I am uncomfortable, but not unaccustomed. Perhaps someone will bring me a new sign for my door that reads “Head of Officiating” rather than “City Manager.”

Woodruff has much to offer. Its potential is great. Its only limitation is its leaders’ inability to cooperate and spell out a consensus vision for their city. I’m not sure what the impetus for that cooperation will be. More citizen participation? The November election? Council members’ respect for one another and their opinions? No matter what sets the city’s leaders back on track, I hope it comes soon.

Today's Agenda

Several items of note for today. First, city staff, engineers and the general contractor for the CDBG sewer project meet this afternoon for the pre-construction conference. This is the official start of the construction phase of the project I’ve discussed so many times before. The purpose of today’s meeting is to set the groundwork and rules for construction. The agenda for today’s meeting is long and mandated by state and federal rules. But, it’s a necessary evil and is one of many more hoops we’ll have to jump through over the next 7 or 8 months.

Second, the Woodruff City Council holds its regular meeting tonight and there is one agenda item in particular that will be contentious. The agenda includes first reading of an ordinance to repeal the ordinance that established the city planning commission. Mayor Bell requested this item be placed on the agenda out of concern for a rule in the city zoning ordinance he and other council members believe is detrimental to the city.

The rule states that the city council must have a three-fourths majority vote of opposition if the planning commission does not recommend an amendment to the zoning ordinance. This rule, unique to Woodruff, forces 5 city council members to vote together if they favor a zoning change the planning commission does not. Needless to say, abolishment of the planning commission in order to change this rule is not popular with commission members. In order to keep the peace, my recommendation is for the city council to follow the zoning ordinance’s prescribed procedure and ask the planning commission to recommend a change to the rule. After all, the zoning ordinance states the planning commission is charged with initial review of zoning ordinance amendments. However, if the city council does not opt for this, it retains its prerogative to create, amend or abolish ordinances as it sees fit.

So, the meeting tonight should include some fireworks. Hard as we try, it is difficult to avoid controversy. Sometimes it’s indeed unavoidable. Other times though, it can be averted. There’s no need to manufacture a controversy before all of your options have been utilized. Perhaps cooler heads will prevail tonight. More than likely not. I’ll provide a full rundown tomorrow.

Weekly Update 3-24-06

TO: Woodruff City Council

FROM: Scott Slatton

SUBJECT: Weekly update

DATE: 24 March 2006

Administration Department
1. Mayor Bell and Council member Smith attended the grand opening of Expressions.
2. Mayor Bell and Council member Bettis attended the legislative luncheon hosted by Sen. Jim DeMint.
3. The agenda for Monday’s meeting is attached.
4. The Planning Commission met to conduct a public hearing for the rezone request of the Abney Mill property.

Fire Department
1. Crews returned from Michigan this week with the city’s new ladder truck. Another crew will meet the truck dealer in Kentucky tomorrow to take delivery of the new rescue truck.
2. The department’s snorkel truck, which was replaced by the new ladder truck, was purchased by the Monarch Fire Department in Union County for $7,500. This gives Union County a second aerial truck that was needed for it to improve its ISO rating.

Police Department
1. Officers seized a homemade automatic weapon from Bennett Circle this week and charged the owner with weapons offenses.
2. The city’s Relay For Life team has a new website to keep track of its fund-raising progress.

Street Department
1. The department was without the use of SCDOC inmates for two days this week due to a rules infraction. Staff have taken corrective action and will resume use of the inmates next week.

Sewer Department
1. Sludge removal continued. Removal will continue through the weekend and next week.
2. Final February collection statistics.
Amt. Billed: $70,733 Amt. Collected: $66,959
% Collected: 95

Landfill Fight: Round 2

In a surprise move last week, the Spartanburg County Council’s landfill coalition voted unanimously to permanently end negotiations with Waste Management over its proposed regional landfill to be located in Woodruff’s southern neighbor, Enoree. The vote heralded a great victory for opponents of the proposed landfill and sent the entire county council back to the drawing board to plan for Spartanburg County’s future waste disposal needs.

In the wake of the coalition’s decision, one future option for waste disposal is to strike a contract with Republic Services who operates the Union County landfill. That landfill is located about 15 miles from Woodruff just across the county line. In fact, the city disposes of its non-household waste at the Republic site. Once Waste Management’s Palmetto Landfill closes in a few years, a lot of others will begin to use Republic as well. What does that mean for Woodruff? I’ll say it again: more truck traffic.

I made this point in my earlier blog post a few weeks ago. During the February Woodruff City Council meeting, a council member questioned whether or not I, through that post, supported Waste Management’s proposal. She admitted she had not even read the post, but was told by someone else about it. Whoever told her about that post failed to tell her that I specifically stated it was the city council’s prerogative to take a position on the merits of the proposal. In fact, at that same meeting, the city council unanimously passed a resolution against the landfill. But while public positions on issues are indeed the council's prerogative, I believed then and still do, that a deal with Republic, while sparing Enoree, will cause damage to Woodruff without compensation.

The simple fact of the matter is Woodruff sits at the confluence of several major highways that lead directly to the Republic landfill. Trucks traveling from points north and west of Woodruff travel through our town on their way to Interstates 26 and 385. Just as Waste Management promised, I’m certain Republic would argue that their trucks won’t go through Woodruff on their way to Union County. Rather, we are to believe they will travel 20 miles out of their way along the interstates to get to the Republic landfill. And if you believe that will happen, I’ve got some beachfront property along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway I want to sell to you.

So, what’s my point? Woodruff’s council members, its citizens and anyone else who’s interested, must engage the county council as it embarks on its new negotiations for landfill options. Woodruff must have a seat at the table to ensure the quality of its community is maintained, just like the folks in Enoree did. If the county is to receive some monetary benefit from a new landfill deal with Republic, then Woodruff should have a share of that benefit. If no direct monetary benefit emerges, then Woodruff should receive some compensation to mitigate the effects of damaged roads and increased truck traffic along city streets.

The fight over future landfill space is not over. Sure, for a lot of people it is. But for Woodruff, it has only begun. The sooner we as a community recognize this, the better chance we’ll have to prevent long-term damage to our city.

New Ladder Truck

Well, we made it back from Michigan yesterday safe and sound. The trip up took 11 hours. The trip back took 14 hours. The new ladder truck (it’s new to us) would only do 63 mph. Coming down the Saluda grade on Interstate 40, it bumped up to about 68. The slow speed makes for a long drive.

Nevertheless, the firefighters tried the ladder out last night during their monthly training and all seemed impressed. Several of them scaled the 65-foot ladder after it was fully extended, including myself. We then laddered the fire department building and conducted some basic training on the truck’s operations and safety. Above is a photo of the truck at American Fire Apparatus’s facility in Union City, Michigan.

Another crew will meet the other new truck in Lexington, Kentucky, on Saturday. It wasn’t quite ready to go when we arrived Monday, so the dealer agreed to meet us halfway.

Though we’re pleased to have the new ladder truck in the fleet, I sincerely hope we never have to use it. However, when needed, it will be ready.

Gone to Michigan

Fire Chief Ron Godfrey, a crew and I left for Michigan this morning to execute another fire truck trade. Chief Godfrey has steadily upgraded the department's equipment and apparatus through a set of even swap of fire trucks over the years and this week's deal is his latest.

The department currently has a snorkel truck (a boom with a basket on the end) that is a 1964 International for which he traded a few years ago. It was the first aerial device the department had ever had, and it has served us well. However, the amount of manpower required to operate it was a big liability. The truck requires four firefighters to operate it and it requires the dedication of an engine to pump for it, since it has no pumping capabilities of its own. So, tomorrow we're picking up a refurbished 1982 Sutphen Quint. The truck has a 65 foot ladder with a remotely operated nozzle at the end. The truck has its own pump and carries 300 gallons of water. Only one firefighter is required to operate it. We traded even a 1997 International Pierce engine that had given the department some problems that no one seemed to be able to correct. It was delivered a few weeks ago to the Middlesex, NC fire department.

The other truck we'll pick up next week is a 1985 E-One Rescue truck that will provide the deparment with command capabilities and better equipment hauling ability. Additionally, the company with which we're trading is throwing in a set of Hurst extrication tools that will give the fire department a total of three. Unfortunately, we've had occassions where two sets of tools are needed on the same scene.

A lot of fire departments will only purchase new equipment. Woodruff's philosophy is much different. Why spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on equipment when you can purchase or trade for older equipment that fits the same bill? Hilton Head Island is the biggest department in South Carolina that I can think of that shares this philosophy. It's just common sense to go the refurbished route, especially when you can deliver the same service as a new apparatus at a fraction of the cost.

So, there won't be a post here tomorrow or Tuesday. I'll post on Wednesday with some photos of our new trucks. (Or as my son says, they're new to us.)

Weekly Update 3-17-06

TO: Woodruff City Council

FROM: Scott Slatton

SUBJECT: Weekly update

DATE: 17 March 2006

Administration Department
1. Expressions, the new woman’s store on Main Street, will hold its grand opening Monday, March 20, at noon. Please plan to attend.
2. Mayor Bell and Scott attended the ICSC’s Carolinas Idea Exchange in Charlotte. They made contact with numerous retailers and developers in an attempt to bring more businesses to the city.
3. Keith Costley and Scott met with downtown property owners to discuss the parking lot project and get their feedback on it. A dozen people attended.
4. Scott attended a property tax reform forum at the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

Fire Department
1. The department was kept busy with multiple brush fires this week, including a mutual aid response with the Poplar Springs Fire Department. The state is currently under a Red Flag Warning, which means outdoor burning is not recommended.

Police Department
1. The department completed its annual firearms training and certification.

Street Department
1. Crews inspected clogged ditches along Cedar Street and have contacted the utility locater service in anticipation of cleaning the ditches next week.

Sewer Department
1. The department received a letter of notice that the city violated its permitted BOD discharge levels in January. This is an expected outcome of the sludge removal process and will be answered by a letter from Buddy this week. The plant will violate its permit levels in February also, but since the middle of February, BOD levels have been far below permitted levels. This is a result of Pond 2 being brought back online after sludge was removed. With the completion of removal next week, the city will not exceed permit levels for the foreseeable future. Please contact Scott with questions.
2. Water cutoffs for delinquent sewer fees took place. 93 customers’ water was shut off.
3. Sludge removal neared completion this week. Bio-Nomic estimates completion early next week.
4. A new pressure-relief valve was installed on the Timberwood force main line this week after failure of the old one two weeks ago.

Catching Up

Sorry no posts the last couple of days. Was out of town Tuesday and got called out on a large brush fire yesterday afternoon before I had a chance to post. Here’s what’s happening:

Mayor Bell and I attended the ICSC’s Carolinas Idea Exchange on Tuesday to gain insight into how retailers make decisions about locating in a certain area. We met several retail representatives and developers. Handing out business cards and making face to face contact with the real estate folks at the conference is the best way to put Woodruff in their minds. In fact, while we were there, I received a call from a developer’s representative I had met at an ICSC meeting in Greenville last month. He and his client are very interested in Woodruff. In fact, they’ve made two visits in the last month or so to scout sites for potential businesses.

When I meet developer types, they sometimes ask if the city has an economic development office. I answer by saying, “You’re looking at it!” It’s everyone’s job on the city council and my job to promote Woodruff to potential business. Joining the ICSC has given that effort a boost. So far, the city’s $100 membership fee is paying off.

On another economic development front, the city held a meeting with its downtown merchants today to discuss the rehabilitation of the parking lots behind their buildings. This project will repave, curb, gutter and landscape the lots. Currently, the lots are unmarked, full of pot holes and parking is pretty much every man for himself. The city’s project will hopefully bring order and beautification to the chaos.

The project will be funded through the city’s Tax Increment Financing Distirct (TIF). The TIF district encompasses the downtown area and beyond. The TIF is a financing mechanism that pays for public infrastructure improvements within the district itself. Formed six years ago, the TIF paid for the downtown revitalization project at a cost of approximately $1.1 million. Fortunately, the TIF has generated more revenue than is immediately needed to pay the debt service for the original construction work. State law says excess revenues may be used for other infrastructure projects within the TIF, which is how the parking lot project will be funded.

Most of the merchants welcome the project and are looking forward to their customers being able to use the additional parking. As I’ve blogged before, finding a parking space on Main Street can sometimes be difficult. That’s a good and bad thing. It’s good so many folks are downtown patronizing local businesses. But it’s bad when people bypass those businesses for a lack of parking.

It’s hopeful the rehabilitation of the parking lots will inspire some of the merchants to dress up the backs of their buildings. Some of them haven’t been improved over the years because it hasn’t been necessary. Folks use the front entrances, so what does it matter how the back looks. But if customers use the back parking lots, they’ll want a convenient and attractive entrance from those lots. Logistically speaking, it won’t be possible for all of the businesses to create back entrances. But for those that can, perhaps the city’s investment will prompt them to think about investing in their businesses further.

The last two days’ activities have illustrated the two sides of Woodruff’s retail. While city leaders pursue new businesses in an attempt to expand the tax base, they recognize the how important it is to retain existing businesses. For a lot of government officials, economic development means new business recruitment. Certainly that’s important. But it’s much easier to retain what you already have than start from scratch. That’s not to say that Woodruff is satisfied with what is has. But, doesn’t an existing business owner’s commitment to the community warrant support?

Woodruff balances the two approaches. There’s plenty of room for growth in retail and the city is committed to the merchants already here. By endorsing both, everyone in the city will benefit.

Thanks to Rep. Phil Sinclair

South Carolina State Representative Phil Sinclair announced last week that he will not seek re-election this fall. Phil is the Woodruff area’s representative in the state House and he has been a great friend to Woodruff during his six years in the legislature.

Phil called folks last week, including us here at city hall, prior to his public announcement, to thank them for their work with him over the years. Phil had it in the opposite order though, we all should have called to thank him for his service to our area.

Though I’ve only know Phil for the last three years, I have found him to be an honest and straightforward man whose interests lie in serving his constituents. A consummate professional, rather than a politician, he has fought on behalf of Woodruff on many occasions both in public and behind the scenes. Additionally, he has been a staunch opponent of the proposed regional landfill to be built in neighboring Enoree. And though he will not run again for his seat, he will continue to work for Woodruff through the end of his current term and beyond.

Phil’s departure comes at a critical point for Woodruff. Though SC House District 35 covers a large swath of Spartanburg County, from the City of Spartanburg south and west to Greer, it is essentially, Woodruff territory. It has traditionally been a Woodruff-centric district in that many previous representatives of the district hailed from or near Woodruff. It’s important that Woodruff remain a player in District 35’s representation because the city faces many future issues that will demand a lot of attention from its representative. From transportation, to growth, to economic development, District 35 will undergo many changes in the next 5 to 10 years for which its leader in the House must be prepared. And most of those changes will occur right here in the city.

A Woodruff native and current resident has announced he will file to run for the seat. One other candidate has announced, and at least one other may file. But no matter who wins the seat, he or she must be willing to include Woodruff as a part of their daily routine in Columbia. The new representative must be sensitive to the issues Woodruff currently faces, and more importantly, the changes the city will soon face. Phil Sinclair always did this. Woodruff has always been important to him. We hope his replacement will continue that approach.

Weekly Update 3-10-06

TO: Woodruff City Council

FROM: Scott Slatton

SUBJECT: Weekly update

DATE: 10 March 2006

Administration Department
1. The S.C. State Board of Review unanimously approved the city’s request to have city hall placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Word of approval from the National Parks Service should come in about 90 days.
2. A meeting of downtown merchants has been scheduled for 10AM Thursday, March 16 at city hall to discuss the downtown parking lot rehabilitation project.
3. The floor in the administrative offices at city hall was re-tiled over the weekend.
4. Myra Padillo, the city’s Spanish interpreter, modified numerous Spanish language forms the city uses for its growing Hispanic population. Previous versions of the forms were computer translated and confusing.
5. Mayor Bell attended the grand opening for Pit Stop Tire.

Fire Department
1. The rest of the department staff completed the annual infectious control course.

Police Department
1. Department officers completed pepper spray training this week.
2. All of the officers completed the annual infectious control course.

Street Department
1. Crews delivered the new signal mast arm to the Jeffrey Company for modifications, which were completed. SCDOT has been notified that the arm is ready for installation.
2. Mike Jurew has gathered all of the materials necessary to rehabilitate the irrigation system downtown, which he will begin next week.

Sewer Department
1. Sludge removal resumed this week with Bio-Nomic Services’ use of a belt press to dewater the solids. (Photo of operation at left)
2. Kay attended the S.C. Utility Billing Association’s annual meeting this week.
3. Scott met with engineers from HSMM to discuss a study to look at the feasibility of extension of sewer lines outside the city limits.

Let's Make the Distinction

I met with a city resident today to discuss a funding opportunity through a private organization that might help the city address some of the poor housing conditions that exist. The funding could come from a private, philanthropic organization that seeks to improve the communities it serves. I also met today with a representative of the Palmetto Boy Scout Council to discuss how I can assist with local Scouting efforts. Being an Eagle Scout myself, and having worked with the Scout Troop in my previous town, I am interested in how I can be of help here in Woodruff. Both meetings focused on community service, which reminded me of a radio talk show host’s rant against compulsory community service I heard yesterday.

The talk show host, who broadcasts from another city, slammed a local high school in his area that requires 9th graders to complete 20 odd hours of community service before they can advance to 10th grade. He stated that the best community service people can perform is operating within the free-market system for their own benefit. He proposed that by providing for their own livelihood through provision of a service or product that the community at-large needs, the individual is in fact performing a community service. He considered community service that is compelled by the high school as service to the government. And service to the government, (whomever that may be. He never really made that clear) is in fact a transfer of wealth from the rich to the poor. Which brings me back to today’s meetings.

I agree with the talk show host to some extent. Community service as I see it, is a voluntary activity you engage in for your benefit. Community service is a selfish act. You do it because it makes you feel good about yourself. You do it because of your desire to help others. I agree with him also that compulsory service is not beneficial. When was the last time you put all your effort into something you were forced to do? The last time you were called for jury duty, did you really care about the outcome of the trial? Or were you more interested in getting out of the courtroom and back to your life? I agree that compulsory service does little to benefit either the provider or recipient of that service.

What bothered me about the host’s tone yesterday was the ease with which he lumped voluntary service in with compulsory service. I want to help the Boy Scouts in this area any way I can. In doing so, I’m not serving the government (I still don’t know who that is). I’m serving kids who want to participate in Scouting. As a volunteer firefighter here in Woodruff, I actually do serve the city government. But I serve it at my pleasure, not the city’s. I volunteer because I enjoy the work, the comraderie, the excitement, all the selfish reasons.

I hope folks understand the difference. I’m sure the talk show host would separate voluntary service from his criticism, but while I listened, he never made the distinction. More people should make time for voluntary service within their community. They should volunteer for an activity they enjoy. They should do it for themselves, not necessarily others. After all, if by working for themselves, just like the free-market theory above, they’re benefiting others. I choose to perform community service. But I don’t begrudge folks that don’t.

Ready or Not, Here It Comes

I’m meeting with an engineering firm this afternoon to discuss a feasibility study that will help guide the city’s plans for expansion of its sewer system in the near future. Expansion of the city sewer system will be necessary to direct and accommodate the growth many of us believe will beset Woodruff within the next five years or so. There’s several reasons others and I believe the city must be poised to capture that growth.

First, the expansion of S.C. Highway 101 from two lanes to five, is nearing completion. The latest information the city has is that the road will be completed in November of this year. Once completed, Woodruff will have five-lane access from its downtown to Interstate 85. Already a popular short-cut to Interstate 26 from I-85, Woodruff will certainly see an increase in vehicular traffic from the 15,000 car per day volume it has now. Above is a map showing Phase 2B, which runs from S.C. Highway 417 into Woodruff. A few miles north of Hwy. 417 lies I-85.

Second, the housing growth taking place in nearby southeastern Greenville County is expected to spill across the Enoree River and move toward Woodruff. The primary link from Woodruff to Greenville, Highway 146 (Woodruff Road), has seen phenomenal housing growth over the last five years that shows no signs of slowing as it marches eastward. Many of us expect the growth to jump the river and head south down the expanded Highway 101 and eventually into Woodruff.

Given these two factors, it’s essential that the city be prepared to handle the growth once it gets here. There are already indications that the growth may even skip from Greenville County all the way to Woodruff, a mere 6 miles. The city has fielded several inquiries from developers about sewer availability and capacity within short distances of the city limits. While the city would welcome the growth, it currently can’t accept it because there are no sewer lines beyond the city limits. That must change, which is why the city must explore a sewer expansion study.

There’s no doubt that the availability of sewer enhances the city’s chances for growth. Sewer means more diverse and dense development can take place than without it. Availability of sewer can give the city leverage with developers to ensure quality development takes place and it can ensure annexation of that development into the city. Sewer is a great tool for cities to use for their futures. However, in Woodruff’s case, there are no plans and city officials can’t speak intelligently about our future unless we put our thoughts on paper. Thus, the need to put someone on the ground to honestly assess the city’s expansion possibilities.

Doubtless a feasibility study will take some time. And it won’t be cheap. But it’s vital to the city’s future. Whether we like it or not, the growth will come. And it’s up to today’s city leaders to meet the challenge of tomorrow.

National Register Next?

Sorry no blog yesterday, but I was a little under the weather. I’m fully recovered now and back in the thick of it. Last Friday, Mayor Bell, Council member Bettis, her daughter Teresa Foster (at left addressing the board during the comment period of the city’s application hearing), and I attended the S.C. State Board of Review meeting to listen to that body’s debate over the city’s National Register of Historic Places application. The state board vets applications from around the state, then votes whether or not to refer them to the National Park Service for listing on the Register. The board unanimously approved Woodruff’s city hall application.

I wrote about this exciting opportunity a few months ago. The chance to get the former Woodruff High School on the National Register represented a big step forward for the city. For years, the building stood in limbo until this city council agreed to preserve it and keep city services in it. With the state board’s approval, National Register designation is almost certain.

David Arning presented the application on behalf of the city and he did a great job. Woodruff’s was one of 9 applications under consideration Friday, and they were all worthy projects. Some were almost completely restored, others like our neighboring city Pacolet’s Marysville School, need a lot of work. Register designation however, will almost certainly open up funding doors for restoration work that are currently closed.

Being a fan of history, (and having Woodruff’s application 8th on the list of nominations) offered me the chance to learn more about some local South Carolina history. The types of properties ran the gamut from public to private. Nominated Friday were the Allendale County Courthouse, Charleston Navy Yard, the Nuckolls House (a private residence), downtown Darlington, Dove Dale (a private residence), Willow Consolidated High School, the aforementioned Marysville School, and the McCollum-Murray House (a private residence). All had interesting histories and were inextricably tied to their respective communities, just like Woodruff High School, now city hall.

On the way home, Mayor Bell and I stopped by the Newberry Opera House to poke our heads into the hall there and imagine what could be in Woodruff. Though much smaller than the auditorium here at Woodruff City Hall, the Opera House’s auditorium is the standard by which all theatres in this area should measure themselves. And like the Opera House, it’s expected that National Register designation is but the first step in a long journey toward restoration of Woodruff City Hall. But it’s certainly a journey worth embarking upon.

Weekly Update 3-3-06

TO: Woodruff City Council

FROM: Scott Slatton

SUBJECT: Weekly update

DATE: 3 March 2006

Administration Department
1. Attached is a copy of the blog entry Council member Smith referred to at the council meeting Monday night. Please take time to read this entry and the blog itself at http://www.cityofwoodruff.blogspot.com/ and contact me in the event you have questions about it.
2. Beverley and Scott met with Spartanburg County Election Commission Director Barbara Blanchard to discuss election-day logistics, including scouting for two new polling places that will be displaced by November.
3. Scott met with Palmetto Preservation Works’ David Arning to complete preparations for the city hall state review board.
4. Several council members and other interested parties attended the city hall state historic review board meeting.
5. The Pit Stop Tire grand opening was postponed until Friday, March 10 at 10AM. Please make plans to attend.

Fire Department
1. Part of the department staff completed the annual infectious control course.

Police Department
1. Officers conducted a check point at the intersection of Perrin Avenue, Woodruff Street and Buncombe Street where they made multiple arrests on charges from drug possession to expired licenses to open containers.
2. Chief Wood appeared on Fox Carolina Channel 21 News for an interview about the speed camera proposal from RedFlex.
3. Officers completed the annual infectious control course.

Street Department
1. The Jeffrey Company agreed to modify the mast arm the city received in error last week. Work will begin next week.
2. Staff completed the annual infectious control course.

Sewer Department
1. Bids for the Jimmies Creek outfall and wastewater effluent pump station control panel were opened. Payne, McGinn & Cummins, the original low bidder for the overall project was the low bidder and awarded the contract in the amount of $395,606.
2. The chlorine contact chamber was cleaned of 15K gallons of bio-solids. Removal of the sludge will further lower the wastewater plant’s discharge BOD levels.
3. Staff worked with Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District to determine if SSSD can perform a “hydro tap” at the Cavins Road pump station in an attempt to repair a broken valve.
4. Staff completed the annual infectious control course.

If At First You Don't Succeed

The city held its second bid opening for the CDBG sewer project today, which will allow the city to finally begin construction. A second bid opening was necessary due to an oversight that occurred last December. Here’s what happened.

Last December, the city solicited sealed bids from contractors to perform the construction phase of its CDBG sewer project. The project consists of seven pieces that includes replacement of sewer trunk lines and replacement of pump station control panels. The construction was budgeted for $433K. However, when the six original bids were opened, the lowest bid was for more than $697K. Therefore, we knew we had a problem.

City staff and engineers prioritized the seven project pieces and determined that only two could be completed with the budgeted funds. As I blogged about last January, the city lobbied successfully at the SC Department of Commerce (DOC) to allow only the two pieces to go forward. At this point, the city began the paperwork process to let contracts and begin work. However, when the DOC started crunching numbers as part of its approval process, it discovered that the low bidder for the overall project was the second lowest bidder for just the two pieces to be completed. Neither I, nor anyone else at the local level, ever went back to refigure the bids based on just the two pieces. Our presumption was the low bidder was the low bidder. Needless to say, the bidder we thought was the winner was not happy about this and the company’s attorney requested a meeting with the city. At this point, the city could have gone forward and awarded the bid to the low bidder on just the two pieces. But after consultation with the city attorney, city staff, ACOG staff and the city’s engineer, it was decided that the only fair thing to do would be to throw out all of the bids and start over.

Fortunately, DOC allowed the city to cut in half the normal bid period, which has saved us a valuable two weeks. Today, the contract was awarded to the original low bidder, Payne, McGinn & Cummins from Travelers Rest, SC. The winning bid fell from $697K to $395,606 for the Jimmies Creek Outfall replacement and replacement of the wastewater treatment plant's effluent pump station control pane. Staff will meet with the company within the next week so construction may begin as soon as possible. Barring any major problems, the project should be completed by the end of summer. However, the hiccups we’ve had during this project have raised my awareness of checking every detail, no matter how small.

I’m happy this problem was solved fairly. Though the process was an unexpected delay, a do-over was the best way to handle this situation. Honest mistakes occur. We admitted the mistake and we addressed it head on. I’ve certainly learned a valuable lesson and I don’t intend to repeat this mistake.

Parking Progress

As a part of the FY 05-06 budget, the Woodruff City Council approved the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to over haul the parking lots behind Woodruff’s downtown businesses. The yellow and bright green lines over the photo above outline the lots to be rehabilitated. The city contracted with Williams Engineering in Rock Hill, SC (my adopted hometown), to engineer the work and oversee the construction. This is an exciting project for the city. Well, as exciting as parking lots can get.

The plan is to resurface, curb, gutter and landscape the parking lots behind the downtown buildings. None of the lots have been maintained over the years and they’re not only an eyesore, their appearance discourages their usage. Broken asphalt, overgrown sections, giant pot holes you can get lost in, are all features of the lots as they exist today. And though the city completely revamped the downtown section of Main Street four years ago, increasing parking capacity, there’s still a need for more.

I met with some of the downtown merchants last year to introduce the idea to them, and they all seemed receptive. It’s been a while since that meeting because the city had to wait its turn for Williams to begin our work. But we’re moving full steam ahead now that drawings have been rendered. This project will demand a lot of cooperation from several different entities. First, the city will of course lead and pay for the project. It will need permission from the individual property owners to perform the work. A large, former storage building will be razed. And lastly, the city will need permission from CSX Railroad to perform work on its right-of-way. At this point, much of the preliminary groundwork has been laid. Execution of the project is next.

Since we haven’t finalized the engineering quite yet, we’re unsure of cost estimates for this project. But the city’s TIF fund generates about $200K per year, which we hope will be adequate to pay for the work without borrowing. This is a great use for TIF funds as they will be invested in the very businesses that generate the TIF revenue.

I’m looking forward to meeting with the merchants in a few weeks to get their input on the drawings. Once they are satisfied with them, I’ll present their thoughts to city council and the cost estimation will begin. Bidding will hopefully begin in early spring and construction can begin soon after. Woodruff’s downtown is growing up. New parking lots will continue that maturation process.