Meeting recap · March 9, 2021
Council passed an emergency ordinance to allow for virtual meeting attendance and remote public comment while transitioning away from pandemic-era restrictions
This temporary measure bridges the gap until the Council can formalize new permanent rules for electronic participation in April.
3 votes3 passed1 split
The vote behind the headline
Emergency ordinance for safety measures and virtual meeting attendance:
Council passed an emergency ordinance allowing for virtual meetings and remote public comments for 30 days.
Yes 6 · No 1
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detailsless
Yes 6 · No 1
How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ David Snodgrass✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✗ Jimmy JonesWhat this was about
This emergency ordinance establishes temporary protocols for virtual council participation and remote public commenting as the county transitions out of pandemic-era restrictions. The measure was passed by a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Jimmy Jones casting the dissenting vote. It serves as a short-term bridge - lasting approximately 30 days - until Council can formally adopt permanent rules for electronic participation and business procedures. The ordinance specifically enables council members to attend meetings virtually while ensuring the public can submit comments via email and participate through social media streams. While the measure retains the emergency label, council members noted that several restrictive operational parameters found in previous versions were removed to enhance transparency and public access. The goal is to sustain these remote options until a more permanent, non-emergency set of rules can be codified at the April meeting, keeping the county's governmental functions accessible during the ongoing recovery.
PASSED For 6 · Against 1
Who said what
» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: explained that the ordinance was amended to remove controversial provisions regarding censorship ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: argued the emergency ordinance was redundant and unnecessary, though he acknowledged the improvements made to it ▶︎» Ben Connell Chairman: supported the measure as a positive, temporary modernization step for county meetings ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: emphasized that the ordinance provides a necessary bridge for public access to government meetings ▶︎Votes at a glance ▸ showhide
Rezoning 99 acres on Old Stagecoach Road (2nd Reading):
Council unanimously approved the second reading to rezone approximately 99 acres from MRD1 to R15.
DevelopmentRoads
Unanimous · 7-0
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Unanimous · 7-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ David Snodgrass✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom GardnerWhat this was about
This measure reclassifies 99 acres of land situated along Old Stagecoach Road from the Medium Density Residential District (MRD1) to the Low Density Residential District (R15). The rezoning request moved forward with a unanimous vote following a successful first reading at a previous meeting. By changing the zoning to R15, the county adjusts the density allowances for the property, which is located in Councilman David Snodgrass's district. This second reading acts as a standard step in the land-use process, ensuring the proposal aligns with the county's developmental goals before the final reading. No significant public controversy was raised regarding this specific parcel during the meeting. The item will now proceed to a third and final reading at a future council session to complete the legal process.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Emergency ordinance for safety measures and virtual meeting attendance:
Council passed an emergency ordinance allowing for virtual meetings and remote public comments for 30 days.
Yes 6 · No 1
▸
detailsless
Yes 6 · No 1
How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ David Snodgrass✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✗ Jimmy JonesWhat this was about
This emergency ordinance establishes temporary protocols for virtual council participation and remote public commenting as the county transitions out of pandemic-era restrictions. The measure was passed by a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Jimmy Jones casting the dissenting vote. It serves as a short-term bridge - lasting approximately 30 days - until Council can formally adopt permanent rules for electronic participation and business procedures. The ordinance specifically enables council members to attend meetings virtually while ensuring the public can submit comments via email and participate through social media streams. While the measure retains the emergency label, council members noted that several restrictive operational parameters found in previous versions were removed to enhance transparency and public access. The goal is to sustain these remote options until a more permanent, non-emergency set of rules can be codified at the April meeting, keeping the county's governmental functions accessible during the ongoing recovery.
PASSED For 6 · Against 1
Who said what
» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: explained that the ordinance was amended to remove controversial provisions regarding censorship ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: argued the emergency ordinance was redundant and unnecessary, though he acknowledged the improvements made to it ▶︎» Ben Connell Chairman: supported the measure as a positive, temporary modernization step for county meetings ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: emphasized that the ordinance provides a necessary bridge for public access to government meetings ▶︎
First reading in title only of an amended and restated ordinance regarding rules and order of business:
Council passed the first reading of an ordinance to permanently adopt electronic meeting and public comment rules.
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
Unanimous · 7-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ David Snodgrass✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom GardnerWhat this was about
This first reading in title only initiates the process of adopting a permanent ordinance to govern council rules, business procedures, and electronic participation. Unlike the preceding emergency ordinance, this measure is intended to be a long-term, codified replacement that will officially institutionalize virtual meetings, electronic public hearings, and remote public commentary. By opting for a three-reading process rather than an emergency measure, Council intends to allow for thorough research and public scrutiny before final adoption. This move fulfills a commitment to modernize the council's standard operating procedures to better reflect the digital age. The ordinance will undergo further readings in subsequent meetings, likely concluding in April, which will align with the expiration of the current emergency order. This approach demonstrates a shift toward more permanent, transparent governance structures for the council.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Discussed, no vote ▸ showhide
- South Carolina Equine Park presentation: The new executive committee presented an update on the park's economic impact, current facility improvements, and future plans, including a proposed RV park and lighting upgrades.
- Health Services District statute update: Council and the District board discussed modernizing the state statute governing the Health Services District to reflect its current duties and to transition toward a district-based board appointment process.
- Zoning Board of Appeals appointment: Council approved the appointment of Amy Uti to the board.
- Selective Service Board: Council discussed the recruitment of volunteers for the local Selective Service board to comply with federal requests, noting the position is currently inactive.
- 2021-2022 Goals and Objectives: Council approved a set of goals for the upcoming budget cycle, which includes high-priority items such as infrastructure studies and staff development.
Public comment ▸ showhide
Two residents spoke during the public comment period. Tom Webb (Senior) expressed concerns regarding the perceived hypocrisy of elected officials regarding mask mandates.
Tom Webb (III) discussed his personal views on pandemic protocols, shared his perspective on the World Economic Forum and property rights, and voiced concerns about the impact of government mandates on personal liberty.
Coming up ▸ showhide
- Resolution for Health Services District: Scheduled for the March 23, 2021 meeting.
- Second and third readings: Subsequent readings for the permanent rules of order of business will occur at future meetings.
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.