Daniel Prince
Apr 19, 2023
Another ordinance codifies American Rescue Plan Act purchases
In a brief meeting Tuesday, Union City Council unanimously passed second and final readings on two ordinances. The first was an ordinance for new local revenue services programs. The city will enter an intergovernmental agreement with the Municipal Association of South Carolina for the programs. The partnership already exists, but the Municipal Association is rebranding the programs, so a new ordinance was needed to make those changes. The association collects certain business license taxes and distributes them to local municipalities through the program.
Council also unanimously passed second and final reading of an ordinance amending the City Code relating to truck routes in the city. The amendments establish a no through truck route along which trucks may not go unless they are making pickups or deliveries on that road. The changes are an attempt to rein in through truck traffic that has caused damage to power poles, sidewalks, and even to the trucks when they go through areas not set up for such traffic. GPS often routes trucks along those streets, and signs will be in place to let the trucks know they can’t go through those areas.
Council passed first reading of an ordinance dealing with American Rescue Plan Act funds. Finance Director Laura Hembree called it a housekeeping issue. Council has approved the expenditures previously, but a budget appropriation is needed, which requires an ordinance. She said by waiting until later in the fiscal year, they were able to get all the appropriations into the ordinance. Money used in the current fiscal year includes $15,084 for stormwater repair, $119,430 in essential employee bonuses, $113,994 for three patrol vehicles, and $33,223 for a meter reader pickup. More ARP money has been appropriated for other vehicles and equipment, but the city will not get them until the next fiscal year, so they were not included in this ordinance.
Council unanimously approved the annual Needs Assessment List as required by the Catawba Regional Council of Governments. The city cannot receive Community Development Block Grant funds without having the list in place. The top priority is to continue infrastructure improvements throughout the region including assisting other Union County localities in accessing funds for regional infrastructure solutions and improvements, which includes areas such as the Union Mill Village and Excelsior Mill Village in the city, and the Monarch and Buffalo Mill areas in cooperation with the county. The second priority is to continue revitalization efforts in downtown Union including additional streetscape, side street sidewalk improvements, building renovation and facades, farmer’s market, and beautification projects. The third priority is to make upgrades to water, sewer, and stormwater services and make street and sidewalk repairs including resurfacing, pothole repairs, and ADA compliance upgrades in the city. Mayor Harold Thompson said the city may want to expedite the dog park project, which is listed as part of the #9 priority, saying a grant opportunity from T-Mobile may help to move that along.
Six city employees celebrate work anniversaries in March. Chief Robbie McGee celebrates 19 years with Union Public Safety. Timothy Hopper has spent 19 years with the electric department. City Administrator Joe Nichols celebrates 18 years with the city. Jeffery Roberts has been with the electric department for 16 years. Larry Foster was honored for 10 years with the Public Service Department, and Olin Brock has put in 7 years with the water department.