City of Anderson



City of Anderson

Retreat Issues and Major Projects

Quarterly Report – April-June 2018

Retreat Issues

• Economic Development

o Entrepreneurial Programs

▪ Continued 1 Million Cups

• 135 attendees (total 458+ attendees since program began in October 2017)

• 11 presenters (33 total to date)

▪ Youth Entrepreneurs of Anderson- partnership with Alternative School- 13 students

▪ Concluded 2nd in 2 part series: Business Plan Writing 101

• 18 attendees

▪ Hosted sessions 2 and 3 of the 3 part series with speaker Geno Church, word of mouth marketing guru @ Brains on Fire out of Greenville, SC

• 105 attendees total all

o Business Recruitment/Development

▪ Maki Sushi Bar

▪ City Seed at the Station

▪ Fig’s Café & Farmacy

▪ Plum Suede Boutique

▪ Carolina Alliance Bank

▪ New businesses in the City- 12

▪ New businesses in Central business district- 3 (Maki Sushi Bar, The Junkyard, Whitner and Co. Co-work Space)

▪ Prospects:

• Business/Medical

• Office

• Retail

• Development Firm - 2

• Restaurant - 2

• Retail/Residential - 2

o Development Projects

▪ Under Construction:

• Project Federal – (Federal Street)

• Anderson Hotel (mixed-use development) 400 Block of South Main Street

• 109 N. Main - Belle Beauty Lounge

• 210 S. Main - The Growth Company

• 143 E. Orr Street - Canela’s Smoothies

• 200 N. Main Street- Figs Cafe’ and Farmacy (Expansion)

• 300 North Main Street- Carolina Alliance Bank

• 520 Murray Street City Seed @ the Station- Boutique Gardening/ Artisan Center

▪ Completed:

• Whitner & Company Co-work space on McDuffie Street

• 300 Block N. Main-The Electric City News

• 143 E. Orr Street- The Junkyard (Fitness, Gym)

• 143 N. Main- Dream Café & Lounge Restaurant

o Downtown Projects

▪ Underway:

• Under the Bridge Beautification Project/TBA/Rotary Club

• “Shock This Block” Downtown Development Master Plan – selected Arnett Muldrow to conduct the study

• Limited Scope Parking study for Downtown – quotes/qualifications

▪ Public Art Installations- 2018 SculpTour Installed six new sculptures and two student sculptures at the Arts Center Warehouse. Updated SculpTour Brochure ready to go to print.

▪ Collaborated with the Anderson County Board of Election Office to provide traffic, security and parking plan for Election Central to be located Downtown. Also, provided maps with downtown dollar incentives for poll workers.

o Business Retention

▪ Continued partnership with Clemson Area SBDC to offer free and confidential consulting to businesses citywide

o Hospitality Program

▪ Continued to distribute promotional materials to area hotels

▪ Provided visitor information for South Carolina Theater Association board retreat

▪ Provided 400 Downtown dollars for Main Street car show

o Events

▪ Continued to facilitate special events in Carolina Wren Park & Downtown

▪ May Sounds in the Park GAMAC Electric City Big Band- 100 attendees

▪ Art on the Town – 400-500 participants

▪ June Sounds in the Park Luke Pell - 121 attendees

▪ First “Quality” Friday Presents: Summerfest (rained out)

▪ Shakespeare in the Park: 1200 attendees

▪ 11 private events held in Carolina Wren Park

▪ Movie night in the Park

• Community Development

o Continued gathering, assessing and reviewing data to enhance a comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization (to supplement the adopted 2009 Neighborhood Revitalization Implementation Plan) 

• Recreation

o Master Plan Update

▪ Completed and adopted by Council

Major Projects

• Courts

o Continued enhancement of trial/case management; Jury Trial docket currently at 238 due to increased Pre-trial Conference scheduling

o Completed transition of Bond Court to main courtroom

o Continued training of court room personnel to include National Crime Information Computer system and classroom training with the South Carolina Court Administration on new Bond Court procedures

• Fire

o Partnered with Clemson Extension Services to provide child car seat inspections and installation

o Receiving smoke alarms from State Fire and the Red Cross at no cost to be installed by the fire department

o Completing grant paperwork for 100% grant award through Homeland Security for the Incident Management Team, total amount $50,000.00

o Placed into service a new Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck (Council approved Sept. 2017). This truck replaced a 1997 Dodge.

o Received 25 sets of turnout gear; implementation in progress

• Planning and Development

o Re- evaluated state and non-state street conditions in order to develop paving priority lists

▪ Staff utilized a ranking criteria to determine roads in most need of resurfacing

▪ Resolution approved by Council on September 14, 2015

▪ Submitted to the Anderson County Transportation Committee (ACTC) for their review on September 15, 2015

▪ ACTC funding for resurfacing several state secondary roads approved on October 26, 2015 

▪ Resurfacing began in June 2016 and followed a 2 year contract to pave 20+ streets; paving is complete

▪ 2018 Paving Resolution was approved by City Council in June 2018

o Comprehensive Plan Update

▪ Staff finalizing draft language for the standard elements of the plan

▪ Appalachian Council of Governments will facilitate public input sessions and delivery of a final plan for consideration by Council

▪ Public input sessions beginning in 2018 and final product to be completed in late 2018

• Community Development

o Continued activities for the demolition of eight CDBG Demolition Phase I properties that include: 312 W. River Street, 1403 Newell Street, 214 B. Street, 205 C Street, 309 E. Street, 304 Benjamin Street, 418 Johnson Street, and 805 Beechwood Avenue. Additional sampling and revisions to the lead and asbestos surveys are needed. Asbestos abatement has been delayed until surveys are revised.

o Contracted with Michael Baker International to conduct lead and asbestos surveys for the demolition of eighteen (18) units under CDBG Demolition Phase II that include: 615 W. Reed Street, 211 L Street, 1114 White Street, 406 Dickens Avenue, 427 Gray Street, 604 A & B S. Fant Street, 1603 S. Fant Street, 1410 W. Whitner Street, 850 Dora Drive, 112 Norris Street, 1314 South Towers Street, 302 Morris Lane, 116 Bailey Street (2 structures), 602 E. Market Street, 1403 Watson Street, and 806 S. Fant Street (2 structures).

o Continued environmental review requirements for greenway project

o Completed Neighborhood Initiative Program (NIP) - a grant of $ $424,504 that resulted in the acquisition and demolition of twenty (20) vacant substandard houses (Nehemiah Community Revitalization Corporation (CRC) four units and Anderson Community Development Corporation (ACDC) sixteen units)

▪ Submitted final Request for Payment to SC State Housing and received reimbursement for the following demolished properties: 710 A & B Beechwood Avenue, 1002 E. Whitner Street, 316 W. River Street, 1508 Mitchell Street, 1206 White Street, 1406 W. Whitner Street, 225 Caughlin Avenue and 220 Wardlaw Street

▪ Received SC State Housing’s approval of the Memorandum of Understanding for City of Anderson to maintain NIP properties owned by ACDC

• Public Works

o Hurricane Irma Response/Recovery – September 11, 2017

▪ Staff met with FEMA representatives in early 2018 to begin completing the Request for Public Assistance for reimbursement

▪ Reimbursement for Category B – Emergency Protective Measures was completed in March 2018 and is under review by FEMA

▪ Reimbursement for Category A – Vegetative Debris Removal was completed in March 2018 and is pending review by FEMA

o Stormwater Projects

▪ SMS4 Compliance and TMDL Implementation Plan

• Approved by City Council on September 25, 2017

• Project involves the continued collection and analysis of grab samples collected from the Rocky River and Big Generostee Creek watersheds, and the develop of TMDL Implementation Plans

• Project was awarded to Woolpert for $29,000 on September 27, 2017

• TMDL Implementation Plans for the two watersheds were submitted to DHEC in December 2017. Water quality monitoring continues in both watersheds.

▪ Carolina Clear Contract

• Approved by City Council in February 2014

• Anderson City, County and Clemson University staff were recently awarded an EPA grant for a water quality monitoring station. The station is installed in the Big Generostee Creek watershed, and collects data for water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity.

• Stormwater staff installed the monitoring station in April 2018

• Monitoring data is collected every 15 minutes and the baseline data will be used to observe changes to the water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity during rain events

▪ Poplar Lane and Little Creek Pipe Replacement Project

• Project involves the replacement of the corrugated metal and reinforced concrete piped drainage system along Poplar Lane, from Harden Rd to the outfall at Little Creek

• Topographic survey was recently completed by the Engineering Department

• Site plans, details and bid documents are being prepared by Engineering Department

• Project is scheduled to be bid out and brought to Council in the fall of 2018

▪ Greeley Park Drainage System Repair

• Project involves the emergency replacement of a 30’ failed corrugated metal pipe

• Replaced pipe with a 42” HDPE pipe in June 2018, along with the repair of two junction boxes by city crews

• Site to be graded and stabilized, and asphalt walking path repaired in July 2018

o Engineering Projects

▪ Continued Recreation Center Stormwater Pipe Rehab Project to repair/replace existing rusted out corrugated metal pipe at the rear entrance to the Rec. Center. Replacing 400 L.F. of 36” CMP.

• Completed to date: Topographic and utility surveys, preliminary design drawings, reviewed options for repair of pipe (slip line, typical replacement), and developed cost estimates for various repair options

• Begin construction estimated for fall 2018

▪ Continued process for Ella Street Rehabilitation Project to re-construct Ella Street Extension off Mauldin Street. The scope of work includes replacement of the existing water and sewer mains, installation of storm drain pipe and catch basins, construction of trash enclosures, road repaving and restriping and signage.

• Completed to date: Topographic Survey, updated conceptual plans with actual field survey, met with property owners and business owners to review project details, prepared final design drawings, developed cost estimates for various repair options

• Next steps: Finalize drawings and bid documents, bid the project, begin construction in fall of 2018

▪ Completed Boundary Survey and Plat Preparation for portion of City property at S. Main Street/E. Market Street (Church St. Parking Lot) for sale/development of property

▪ Continued Under the Bridge Project in coordination with Economic Development Division. Project includes design on the existing traffic island, etc.

• Completed to date: Topographic survey of traffic island, newly discovered utilities, etc., developed a site/landscaping plan for improvements to the island, held meetings with SCDOT, reviewed plans from Alliance Engineering

• Next steps: Finalize plans/details for traffic island modification, prepare bid documents, begin construction in fall of 2018

▪ Review/development of potential partnership for parking lot access improvement from West Calhoun Street to West Tribble Street

• Completed to date: Site inspection of existing conditions, completed field measurements

• Next steps: Meet with several paving contractors for pricing estimates, prepare summary for review and consideration

▪ Completed St. Francis Playground ADA Parking Lot Addition

▪ Continued work on the concrete Basketball Court reconstruction at DB Walker Park and Greeley Park. This project involves the removal and replacement of one existing basketball court at both parks. The new basketball courts will be concrete.

• Completed to date: survey of existing courts, regulatory notifications, environmental review, coordinated soil testing and structural design of concrete court with Geotechnical Engineer

• Next steps: Advertise and bid the project, complete the environmental review, construction to begin late summer 2018

o Transit Department

▪ CNG Maintenance Facility IFB has been completed and is awaiting approval to bid. This facility will allow for minor and major CNG maintenance to be performed.

• Recreation

o Recreation Projects

▪ St. Francis playground upgrade is 95% complete. Playground equipment, fencing, ADA parking installed. Grass seed and straw for fenced area ready to complete.

▪ Installed a solar powered security camera at St. Francis playground area.

▪ The LandPlan Group is completing construction drawings for the restroom/concession building at the Rec Complex.

• Utilities

o Continued EPA CMOM Program – Consent Agreement with goal of eliminating Sanitary Sewer Overflows (ongoing since July 2014)

▪ Submitted 15th Quarter progress report to EPA in April 2018

▪ Submitted and received EPA approval of all 10 CMOM programs

• Mapping, Overflow Response, Emergency Response, Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG), Gravity Line, Pump Station, Training, Sewer Assessment Capacity Assurance, and the Infrastructure Rehabilitation Plan

▪ Continued implementation of all programs

▪ Pump Station O&M Program Details

• Completed 378 daily, 72 weekly, and 18 monthly, 0 semi-annual inspections at 6 pump stations

▪ Fats, Oils, and Grease Program Details

• Completed 80 FSE compliance visits

▪ Infrastructure Rehabilitation Program

• Set capital improvement plan for FY19

• Recommend projects for council consideration in July 2018

o Continued Sewer Assessment Program (CSAP)

▪ Assessment of approximately 27 miles of gravity sewer and 600 manholes per year to meet the 10% assessment goal

▪ Prioritized 2nd year assessment of lines and manholes

▪ Recommend project for council consideration in July 2018

▪ Bid project in August 2018

o Continued Sewer Capacity Assurance Program (SCAP)

▪ Flow monitoring to determine the current flow patterns during normal and wet weather operations

▪ Awarded a 3 year contract to ADS Environmental in May 2017 for $169,669.00

▪ Installed 8 flow meters and 3 weather stations in July 2017

▪ Continue to review data and assess areas for future repair and rehabilitation to eliminate inflow and infiltration

▪ Relocate meters as needed to gain additional flow data

o Continued Pump Station Replacement Project

▪ Replacement of the city’s two major pump stations and consolidation of the King’s Road Pump Station serving 4000 people

▪ Awarded to McClam & Associates in the construction amount of $4,610,647.71 and funded under SRF loan not to exceed $6,300,000

▪ Began start-up activities for pumps, generator, and SCADA at the Wedgewood Pump Station

▪ Continued installation of roadway and creek bores

▪ Continued construction of the Civic Center Pump Station wet well

▪ Continue construction and obtain substantial completion in July 2018

• Police

o Continued various partnerships

▪ Law Enforcement & Community Task Force

▪ Anderson University and the Command College – Anderson University Master Criminal Justice Program

▪ Forest College Criminal Justice Program 

▪ Tri-County Technical College Criminal Justice Program

▪ Anderson School District 5 students involved in the law enforcement program at the Career Campus

▪ Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Regents

 

o Included the planned purchase of (4) vehicles as part of FY19 Capital Replacement Plan – approved with budget adoption

o Continued the implementation of the January 1, 2018 state mandate for compliance in e-ticketing

o Processing application for $4,000.00 utilizing MASC/SCMIRF grants for contract with taser.  The department has received $2,000 in reimbursement for cost of body armor.   

o Initiated posting of Crime Analyst position included in the 2018-19 budget adoption

o Completed the job description for posting Assistant Police Chief position approved with 2018-19 budget adoption

o Prepared draft of Anderson Police Department strategic plan

o Refurbished ten bikes and re-energized Bike Patrol within downtown, parks, and neighborhoods.  Also for utilization in the Block Party, downtown special events, etc.

o Implementation and research into equipment for four new officers downtown plus area as part of the 2018-19 approved budget

o Submitted grant application for Victim’s Advocate with South Carolina Department of Public Safety Victim of Crimes Grant – 20% match to be taken from current Victim Advocate fee collection

• IT

o Continued implementing long range hardware replacement plan for all pc’s, servers, and network equipment (This is an ongoing project)

▪ Continued installation of our latest lease shipment of 65 new pc’s

▪ Completed the process of choosing a replacement for our existing telephone system.  AT&T will be installing a hosted voice system in the next few months.

▪ Began the process of designing a fiber communications network.

▪ Completed the process of choosing a vendor and awarded contract June 25, 2018 for a work order management software package.  Sharp Business Systems will be expanding their existing installation soon.

o Continued working with provider for service of video cameras located in parks, downtown and recreation areas

▪ Continued working with AT&T and other vendors, developing plans, processes, etc. to ultimately bring all camera maintenance in house

▪ Continued to standardize our equipment with AT&T wireless, Cradlepoint SIM routers, and Vicon cameras

▪ Installed new cameras at St. Francis Park, DB Walker Park, and Recreation Maintenance.

▪ This will be a long term project whose completion will coordinate with available funding and new installations.

o Continued security awareness training for all City employees.  Three sections have been completed that consisted of interactive online videos and simulated phishing attacks.  Topics covered include strong passwords, phishing, and mobile security.

• Finance

o Annual budget for July 1 – June 30, 2019

▪ Capital planning module tool utilized with this year’s budget to ensure the City is planning and budgeting with five-year projections and capital needs of the City

▪ Completed the City’s annual budget – total all funds $68.0 Million

▪ Final reading/ordinance approval June 25, 2018

▪ Tax millage remains the same as prior year at 116 – rolled back from 118

▪ Utility rate changes – water fund 6% and sewer fund 3%. Rates increased to provide investment in continuing infrastructure needs and customers’ demands as well as increased costs for purchased water. The 5-year capital plans include $10.0 million water improvements and $21 million sewer improvements.

▪ Budget Changes also included:

• Health insurance increase for the employer side – 7.4%

• 1% mandated increase in PORS (Police & Fire) retirement

• 2% COLA increase for employees (CPI increased 2.13%)

• New Positions – Assistant Police Chief, Crime Analyst, and 4 officers for downtown/adjacent areas

• Capital Spending of $4.7 Million

o Electric City Utilities Administration

▪ Completed the Revenue and Expense Analysis – utility rate changes required of 6% water and 3% sewer

▪ Water rates are dollar for dollar inside/outside customers, based on previous direction of City Council (December 2011). Rates increased to provide investment in continuing infrastructure needs and customers’ demands as well as increased costs for purchased water. The 5-year capital plans include $10.0 million water improvements and $21 million sewer improvements. While the City had rate changes, the rates are still very competitive for the area.

o Audit

▪ Completed the annual OPEB Actuarial for compliance with GASC Statement #75

▪ Completed the annual Pension Actuarial for compliance with the audit

▪ Interim testing by Greene & Finney for two weeks in June. Interim testing included selecting the federal programs for Single Audit testing, testing of City’s internal controls, and planning for the year end audit, which will take place in September

▪ Completed the FTA (Transit) Audit in June

• General – Communications Program

o Law Enforcement and Community Task Force

▪ Planned and facilitated monthly meeting series with 15-20 regular members including pastors, APD and City officials

▪ Patrol officers visits

▪ Westside High School Student discussion panel

▪ Training simulator visit

▪ Fire Chief summer safety presentation

o Church Street Heritage Plaza

▪ Final written report submitted to the NEA

▪ Final financial reports submitted to NEA for reimbursements

o Economic Development

▪ Plans for implementation of MASC Hometown Economic Development Grant/”Shock This Block”

▪ Selection of design firm

▪ Details of deliverables from design firm

▪ First Friday branding input on strategies

o Downtown Business meeting

▪ Continue to convene service providers for fact finding to address homelessness/vagrancy issues

including Clean Start, Salvation Army, AIM, United Way, Mercy Center, Mental Health

▪ Research best practices and seminal white paper

o Michelin Cities

▪ Facilitate City’s involvement in this initiative

o Division Support

▪ Outreach, press releases and interview preparation

▪ Promotion and advertising support

▪ Strategic planning

▪ Series of articles published in Electric City News

▪ Council Retreat follow up planning

▪ Budget

o Social Media Team

▪ Convened work group of social media key players including IT and Economic Development

▪ Initial basic policies in place

▪ Building “social media playbook” based on best practices

▪ Enhance cross-team communications

o Videos

▪ Art on the Town

▪ APD training

▪ Summer in the City

o Community Outreach

▪ Sister Cities Board

▪ Little Wren Lost book presentation

▪ Church Street Heritage Plaza Tours

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