Meeting recap · January 28, 2020
Council authorizes legal notice to Sandhill Shooting Sports over public safety concerns
Following an executive session, Council voted to issue a formal cease and desist letter to the range after reports indicated that bullets from the facility were striking an adjacent business. The measure serves as an initial step to compel the business to implement safety protocols and avoid future litigation.
7 votes7 passed
The vote behind the headline
Approval of cease and desist letter to Sandhill Shooting Sports:
Council issued a formal cease and desist notice to a shooting range due to public safety risks.
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
Unanimous · 7-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom GardnerWhat this was about
Following an executive session, Council authorized a cease and desist letter to Sandhill Shooting Sports located at 25 Mesa Lane. The action was prompted by reports from the Sheriff's Office that bullets from the range were striking an adjacent building at 22 Corporate Drive. Deputies recovered multiple bullets and fragments from the business's roof and confirmed the trajectory path originated from the range. The letter serves as a formal notice for the business to implement safety protocols. If the business fails to comply within 10 days, the Council is prepared to initiate formal injunctive relief in the Court of Common Pleas to abate the nuisance. Council members emphasized this was a public safety measure rather than an attempt to put the business out of operation.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Votes at a glance ▸ showhide
Amendment to add nuisance business injunction to agenda:
Council added a motion to the agenda to pursue an injunction against a local nuisance business.
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
Unanimous · 7-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom GardnerWhat this was about
Council member Sammie Tucker Jr. moved to add an item to the meeting agenda concerning legal action against a nuisance business. The motion was made under South Carolina Code Section 4-9-30(16.2), which allows the county to seek injunctive relief in the Court of Common Pleas against businesses that disturb the peace or create safety hazards. The item was not originally on the agenda because officials believed the situation might be resolved through mediation. However, recent developments necessitated immediate Council attention to address public safety concerns. Council members discussed the urgency of the matter, noting that while the Sheriff had been involved for several weeks, the governing body needed to formalize its position. The motion to amend the agenda passed unanimously, setting the stage for an executive session and a subsequent vote to issue a cease and desist notice to the business in question.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Amendment to remove Land Jam discussion from agenda:
Council deferred discussion regarding a proposed music festival to allow for more data collection.
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
Unanimous · 7-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom GardnerWhat this was about
Chairman Ben Connell requested to remove a discussion item regarding the proposed 'Land Jam' music festival from the evening's agenda. The festival, proposed by the same promoter behind the Drift Jam event at Lake Murray, was slated for a property near Lake Wateree. Council members decided that further data and logistical information were required before a formal discussion could occur. The item was deferred to the next scheduled Council meeting in two weeks to provide staff and organizers time to gather the necessary details. The amendment to remove the topic passed with a unanimous vote.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Resolution in memory of Gene Falkenberry:
Council honored the late Gene Falkenberry for his 21 years of dedicated service to Kershaw County.
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
Unanimous · 7-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom GardnerWhat this was about
The Council unanimously approved a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Samuel Eugene Falkenberry, a long-serving emergency services leader. Falkenberry served for 21 years in roles including fire marshal and director of the Department of Safety and Emergency Services. He was credited with modernizing fire station infrastructure and spearheading the county's 'hub and spoke' fire service reorganization. The resolution authorizes the placement of a memorial plaque at the new Cassatt Fire Station to celebrate his contributions to public safety.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Resolution to approve removal and relocation of abandoned cemetery (Gaskin Cemetery):
Council approved the relocation of the abandoned Gaskin Cemetery to accommodate a quarry expansion.
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
Unanimous · 7-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom GardnerWhat this was about
Council passed a resolution permitting the Luckstone Corporation to relocate the abandoned Gaskin Cemetery. The cemetery is located on property currently owned by the Gaskin family that is being purchased by the corporation for an expansion of its existing quarry. The resolution follows state law requirements, including published notice, for which no heirs or objections were identified. All costs for the relocation, which must be completed within two years, will be borne by the corporation under the supervision of a licensed funeral director and archaeological experts. The remains will be moved to a permanent, appropriate relocation site, and a monument will be erected to identify those interred.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Zoning Act Amendment (3rd Reading):
Council gave final approval to an amendment regarding the county's official zoning act regulations.
Development
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
Unanimous · 7-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom GardnerWhat this was about
This vote marks the third and final reading of an ordinance to amend the Kershaw County zoning act. As this was the final step in the legislative process, the measure required a formal vote by Council to finalize the changes to the county’s land-use regulations. The item was presented as a routine procedural step following earlier readings that established the groundwork for these amendments. There was no public opposition or debate during the meeting regarding this specific ordinance, and it passed with unanimous support from all Council members present. By approving this third reading, the Council officially codifies the updated zoning provisions into county law. This ensures that the county's zoning framework remains current and consistent with the needs of local development. No further legislative action is required for this specific amendment as it now moves to the implementation phase for county administration.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Ordinance determining rules and order of business (3rd Reading):
Council finalized an ordinance updating the formal rules of order and business procedures for council meetings.
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
Unanimous · 7-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom GardnerWhat this was about
This ordinance concludes the third reading process to formally update the rules and order of business that govern Kershaw County Council meetings. The measure was sponsored by Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr., who has focused on maintaining the integrity of these parliamentary procedures. During the meeting, Councilman Tucker confirmed that there were no substantive changes made to the text between the second and third readings. Council members expressed appreciation for Tucker's role in managing these policies, noting that his attention to detail helps ensure the council operates effectively and transparently. The passage of this ordinance provides a clear and updated framework for how the Council conducts its public business and deliberations. With the unanimous vote, these rules are now formally adopted as the standard procedure for future council sessions. This finalization ensures that the governing body maintains consistent and orderly practices for its neighbors and constituents.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Approval of cease and desist letter to Sandhill Shooting Sports:
Council issued a formal cease and desist notice to a shooting range due to public safety risks.
Unanimous · 7-0
▸
detailsless
Unanimous · 7-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom GardnerWhat this was about
Following an executive session, Council authorized a cease and desist letter to Sandhill Shooting Sports located at 25 Mesa Lane. The action was prompted by reports from the Sheriff's Office that bullets from the range were striking an adjacent building at 22 Corporate Drive. Deputies recovered multiple bullets and fragments from the business's roof and confirmed the trajectory path originated from the range. The letter serves as a formal notice for the business to implement safety protocols. If the business fails to comply within 10 days, the Council is prepared to initiate formal injunctive relief in the Court of Common Pleas to abate the nuisance. Council members emphasized this was a public safety measure rather than an attempt to put the business out of operation.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Discussed, no vote ▸ showhide
- Economic Development: Stuart Kidd presented updates on existing industry programs, including the "Next-Gen" sector partnerships, workforce readiness initiatives, and plans for the upcoming eighth-grade Manufacturing and Trade Expo.
- Sheriff’s Report: Sheriff Lee Bone and the Coroner provided a 2019 year-in-review, highlighting a reduction in violent crime and traffic fatalities, alongside concerns regarding drug overdose deaths and a recent spike in firearm thefts from unsecured vehicles.
- January 14, 2020 Meeting Minutes: Council approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
Public comment ▸ showhide
- Kershaw County Mental Health: Kimberly Gaines and Larry Graham introduced new mental health initiatives for 2020, including a new office in Camden, the "Roads of Independence" program for young adults, and increased collaboration with local law enforcement to divert individuals in crisis from the detention center.
Coming up ▸ showhide
- Council Planning Retreat: A goal-setting planning weekend is scheduled for Friday evening and Saturday, beginning at 7:30 AM in the emergency preparedness conference room.
- Land Jam: Discussion regarding the proposed music festival was deferred to the next council meeting in two weeks to allow for additional data collection.
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the meeting's live-stream transcript. The county's official minutes (the verified vote record) will be cross-checked automatically once the county publishes them, often a couple of months later. This is an automated summary written by software (a neural-network summarizer working from the documents above). Rely on the official county record for anything important.