Lancaster City Council Honors Retiring Police Captain and Award-Winning Fire Chief; Greenlights Downtown Rehab Grants and Key Infrastructure Land Purchase

The City of Lancaster, SC City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 7:00 P.M.

The meeting was highlighted by special presentations honoring Fire Chief McLellan and Police Captain Dwayne Davis for their service and achievements, including a resolution to gift Captain Davis his service sidearm upon retirement. The Council also received a presentation on the Red Rose City Development Corporation’s Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Program. Key actions included the approval of minutes and monthly financial reports, the authorization of land purchase for a new pump station, and the second readings of two ordinances: one amending the business license class schedule and another annexing a parcel of land. The meeting concluded after a closed executive session to discuss an economic development matter.

Special Presentations

Recognition of Fire Chief McLellan for Receiving the Fritz Turner Award (Fire Marshal Lever): Fire Marshal Lever presented the recognition, noting the Fritz Turner Award is the most prestigious award given by the South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs and is presented to the state’s top fire chief. Chief McLellan was recognized for his integrity, innovation, and servant leadership, including accomplishments like replacing aged fire apparatus, securing a needed ladder truck, expanding infrastructure for an additional fire station, and securing a grant for a three-story live burn training facility. The Chief also holds significant statewide and regional leadership roles. The Council offered its congratulations, recognizing the honor he brings to the city and his colleagues.
Presenting a Mayoral Proclamation Recognizing and Commending Police Captain Davis’s Exemplary Service and Dedication to the Community (Mayor DeVenny): Mayor DeVenny read a proclamation recognizing Captain Dwayne Davis for his over 28 years of distinguished law enforcement service, culminating in his retirement on November 1, 2025. His tenure included advancing through the ranks to Patrol Captain, supervising the SWAT team for over a decade, working in narcotics, and serving as a ground defense instructor. He was commended for his leadership, professionalism, and dedication, having mentored the next generation of officers.
R25-19 A Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Police Captain Dwayne Davis and Authorizing a Gift to Him by the City of Lancaster of His Service Sidearm on the Occasion Of his Retirement (Police Chief Roper): Police Chief Roper presented the official gift of Captain Davis’s service sidearm, a long-standing tradition for retiring officers, with an inscription honoring his service dates. The Resolution (R25-19) was approved by roll call vote, legally authorizing the gift of the service sidearm to Captain Davis upon his retirement.
- Motion: Council Member Sal
- Second: Council Member Hood
- Vote: Approved (6-0)
Presenting the Red Rose City Development Corporation’s Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Program (James Hawthrone, Red Rose City Development Corporation President): The President of the Red Rose City Development Corporation, James Hawthorne, presented the Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Program.
- Purpose: To support downtown businesses and building owners in upgrading properties to combat “slums” and “flight”.
- Funding: The grant covers up to 70% of eligible expenses and the funds are reimbursable after project completion with proper documentation. The city has provided $200,000 for this fiscal year and $200,000 last fiscal year from the general fund.
- Eligibility: Business owners and tenants within the designated downtown area are eligible. Property owners must sign for tenant applications.
- Eligible Improvements: Renovation (windows, doors, cleaning brickwork), restoration (architectural details, paint, murals, signage), commercial rehab (structure, roof, plumbing, interior, electrical, fire prevention), ADA improvements, and energy-efficient improvements (HVAC, insulation).
- Timeline: Applications open November 1st to December 31st.

Citizen Comments

No citizens had signed up to speak.

Employee Comments

Director Robertson introduced John Cristiano, the newest employee in the Finance Department as a Senior Accountant.

Monthly Reports for September 2025

Police Department: Discussion focused on the upward trend in incidents (especially gang involvement) and the police department’s strategies. Chief Roper detailed the use of the Proactive Check List based on calls for service, the new Community Violence Intervention Program (CVIP) to address pre-crime situations, and the Flock cameras as a highly effective investigation tool. The Chief also gave an update on the final stages of seeking national accreditation (CALEA), noting the favorable review of policies and an upcoming on-site assessment by a Denver police veteran from December 1st through 3rd. A concern was raised regarding youthful offenders and adult exploitation, which the CVIP program aims to help break the cycle of.
Public Works/Utilities: Discussion included plans for remediation of a blighted, burned house on the corner of White and Barr (estimated to be resolved by year-end) and the start of the leaf collection season around the first or second week of November. The city is still awaiting the start of the brand new electronic water meter installation.

Cash Management and Finance Report for September 2025

Finance Director Abshire presented the financial report:

General Fund: Revenues are near projections, with Building Fund revenue at 60% of budget and Vehicle Taxes at 39% due to typical collection timing. Expenses are less than the previous year due to fewer capital-intensive projects. The fund is projected to run a deficit for the first six months, relying on reserves until property and business license tax revenues arrive later in the fiscal year.
Hospitality Tax Fund: Revenues are on target despite a small deficit from a $66,000 payment for performing arts.
Water and Sewer Revenues: Revenues are at or above projected amounts, with a temporary utility billing clerk hired to help manage the increased workload from the new meter project.
Solid Waste Fund: Positive news was reported, with transfer station revenues paying its expenses and the residential, commercial, and roll-off collection paying for their expenses, meaning the fund is now sustaining its operational costs.
Audit Update: The new audit firm is deep in the 2023 audit, projected to be completed by Thanksgiving, with the 2024 audit by Christmas, and the 2025 audit by the end of February/early March to get the city back on a normal schedule. The auditors will be performing an on-site visit in the coming weeks.

Resolution

R25-20 A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of 2,934 Square Feet of Land Located At 1588 South Carolina Highway 9 Bypass West (Mingo): Public Works Director Mingo presented the resolution to acquire land for a new, larger lift station at the existing site. The old pump station is aging and frequently used. The engineering design necessitated a 50-foot expansion of the footprint into an adjacent property, requiring the purchase of 2,934 square feet for $50,000. The total project budget is $3,031,000, which includes a $1 million grant from the Rural Infrastructure Authority. The closing on the land is hoped for by mid-November, with construction expected to begin in February and be completed by October of the following year. Resolution (R25-20) was approved by roll call vote.
- Motion: Council Member Hood
- Second: Council Member Harris
- Vote: Approved (6-0)

Ordinance

O25-17 (Second Reading) An Ordinance Amending the Business License Ordinance of the City of Lancaster to Update the Class Schedule as Required By Act 176 of 2020 (Coffey): The Finance Director’s representative, Miss Coffey, presented the ordinance required by South Carolina Act 176 of 2020 to update the business license class schedule. The ordinance helps with the state-wide system where businesses can acquire multiple city licenses online. Ordinance (O25-17) was approved on second reading by roll call vote.
- Motion: Council Member Sal
- Second: Council Member Miller
- Vote: Approved (6-0)
O25-18 (Second Reading) An Ordinance Annexing into the City of Lancaster, South Carolina One Parcel of Land Totaling 1.996 Acres Located in the General Vicinity of 2210 University Drive and Owned by Tommy Robinson (Streater): The ordinance to annex a 1.996-acre parcel of land in the vicinity of 2210 University Drive, owned by Tommy Robinson, was presented. The property is currently unincorporated but is within the city’s urbanized and service territory. Ordinance (O25-18) was approved on second reading by roll call vote.
- Motion: Council Member Harris
- Second: Council Member Marsh
- Vote: Approved (6-0)

Executive Session

The Council voted to enter into executive session to discuss an Economic Development matter specifically regarding Project Philadelphia. Upon returning to open session, no action was taken on the matter discussed.