The Lancaster City Council convened its regular meeting Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with Mayor T. Alston DeVenny presiding and a full quorum of council members present. The meeting fell on the same day as the Town of Clover special election, which Council Member Ronnie Sowell acknowledged in his opening invocation. The session covered citizen concerns, monthly department reports, the cash management and finance reports for February and March 2026, board nominations, and two resolutions, one finalizing the city’s fiscal year 2026 to 2027 budget goals and the other authorizing beer and wine consumption at this year’s Red Rose Festival.
Citizen Comments
City Administrator Flip Hutfles opened the citizen comment period by reading correspondence received by the city. The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce CEO sent appreciation for the city’s contribution to the recent Leadership Lancaster class. The mayor and council also received a letter from community member Jacquus Knox describing his ongoing initiative to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys to neighbors in his community each year, which he asked be entered into the record. Hutfles also noted communications received from Dr. Kirsten Willis and Beverly Thigpen.
Boris Brown returned to council with a follow up question about an unresolved concern over property boundaries and what he described as an encroachment onto his family’s property by construction or contracted work. Mayor DeVenny encouraged Brown to speak with Mr. Alexander from the city’s Building and Zoning office, who was present in the audience and could assist him in resolving the matter through the proper inspections process.
Two representatives from Republic Services, the operator of the Lee County disposal site that handles waste from the city’s transfer station, introduced themselves to council. Jess and Jeff Cox, the general manager for the business unit that includes the Lee County site, told council they wanted to extend a long established relationship with the county to a more direct partnership with the city as council works through transfer station operations and budget questions for the upcoming fiscal year. Mayor DeVenny noted that the historical contract structure has the county directing where waste from the transfer station goes, and that the city is currently working through equipment, cost, and operational questions with the county. Sanitation and Maintenance Operations Director Matt Berry was identified as the staff lead working with Republic Services on those discussions.
Approval of Minutes
Council unanimously approved the minutes of the April 14 work session. Mayor DeVenny took a moment to thank City Clerk Kelli Stevens for her careful work on minute production, noting humorously that the AI generated transcripts he reviews on his own can produce some entertaining mistranslations of council discussions. Council Member Hood moved to approve and Council Member Harris seconded.
Monthly Reports Discussion: Food Trucks, Trash Sites, Parking, and Public Works Maintenance
The monthly department reports for March 2026 prompted a wide ranging discussion of constituent concerns and city operations.
Council Member Marsh asked Building, Planning, Zoning and Licensing Director Louis Streater about the city’s current approach to food trucks. Streater confirmed that the existing zoning code does not specifically regulate food trucks beyond requiring them to be in a B3 or commercial district with property owner permission and a city business license. Liability for grease spills, trash, or property damage falls on the property owner. Streater told council the city is in the process of updating its land use regulations with a consultant, and that food truck regulation is one of the items being reviewed. He estimated draft regulations would be ready for Planning Commission and council review in approximately six months. Possible new rules could include requirements for paved surfaces, dedicated power sources rather than generator operation, and access to bathroom and wash facilities.
Council Member Marsh also raised questions about water draining issues residents have noticed. Public Works Director Rendell Mingo explained that an increase in observed leaks and pipe drainage may be related to the current drought, which has placed additional stress on aging infrastructure.
The same council member raised a constituent concern about persistent illegal dumping near Frasier Street and St. Paul Street, where trash has reappeared shortly after city crews remove it. Hutfles confirmed that staff suspects landlord turnover and unauthorized disposal by contractors at a rental property are responsible, and that city staff has been in communication with the property owner. Council Member Marsh also asked whether sidewalks and overgrown vegetation in the Will Lake area, particularly near Frasier Street, could be added to the maintenance list. Mingo and Berry both indicated they would investigate.
Marsh raised a safety concern about parked vehicles narrowing the travel lane on Clinton Avenue, particularly on weekends. She noted that the street had once been posted no parking but the signs are no longer present. Hutfles agreed to consult with Police Chief Don Roper about restoring no parking signage along Clinton Avenue, with a possible council resolution to follow if needed. Council Member Sowell added historical context, noting that the no parking restriction had previously been in place and that funeral home traffic at the church on the corner had been accommodated through coordination with the police department.
Council Member Harris asked Berry about the city’s boom truck operations and the recurring problem of illegal dumping at sites where the city has posted no dumping signs. Berry confirmed that crews continue to find new dumping at those same locations even after collection. Harris also raised a safety concern about a public works crew she observed cutting back vegetation and trees on Woodland Drive that morning without traffic warning signs in place. She emphasized that the area carries school traffic and that drivers do not always pay attention to vehicle lights alone.
The conversation turned briefly to the police department’s recent social media post about lemon pound cake, which Council Member Hood noted had received 66,000 hits over a single Sunday afternoon, drawing some good natured laughter from the chamber.
February and March Cash Management and Finance Reports
Finance Director James Absher delivered the cash management and finance reports for February and March 2026, focusing his presentation on the more recent March data, which represents the city at 75 percent through the budget year.
In the general fund through March 31, the city had collected 95.5 percent of budgeted property tax revenue, with year to date taxes received at $9,565,134 of the $10,016,000 budgeted amount. Year to date general fund revenues stood at $13,170,944, with expenditures of $12,511,392, leaving the fund $659,552 ahead at month end. Absher cautioned that property tax collections will continue to come in throughout the year through vehicle taxes and other small line items.
In the hospitality tax fund, revenues for March totaled $109,515, with year to date collections at 77.68 percent of budget, slightly ahead of the 75 percent benchmark. Absher noted that significant Red Rose Festival expenses are expected to come in over the next few months. Year to date hospitality tax revenues sat at $1,097,024 with expenditures including encumbrances at 55.19 percent of budget.
The gross revenue fund had what Absher called an unprecedented month. Combined revenues were $1,924,784, but capital expenses of approximately $5.78 million pushed total monthly expenses to $6,796,199. The major capital outlays included approximately $3 million to finish the wastewater treatment plant optimization project and approximately $3 million for water meters tied to the meter replacement project, which is scheduled to begin rollout the second week of May. Absher noted that the new meters are non mechanical and replace meters purchased roughly 25 years ago, and should both reduce water loss and provide more accurate consumption data. Year to date, the gross revenue fund showed $14,743,044 in revenue against $20,935,350 in expenses and transfers, with $5,706,265 of that figure representing encumbrances for capital improvement projects and annual contracts. Mayor DeVenny pressed Absher to clarify that the apparent shortfall reflects budgeted use of carryover fund balance for one time capital expenses rather than actual deficit spending. Absher confirmed the city is not borrowing money and the budget will be balanced at year end.
The solid waste fund for March showed $324,334 in revenues against $196,223 in expenses. Year to date expenses ran at 77.92 percent of the annual budget including encumbrances, with the fund showing a year to date shortfall of $308,052 covered by budgeted use of fund balance for one time capital purchases.
Council Member Sowell asked about the status of the city’s audit. Absher acknowledged the audit has dragged longer than expected, with discussions now down to questions about $200 line items. He told council he plans to push for closure in his next conversation with the auditors and apologized for the delay.
Council Member Sowell also asked about ARPA fund spending. Absher confirmed nearly all ARPA money has been used, with the remaining balance tied to the MJC project and pending some accounting transfers.
Mayor DeVenny took the opportunity to remind council that capital expenditures, while large in any given month, represent investments that residents will benefit from for many years to come. He noted the city has been notably debt averse and that future growth will likely require some borrowing to fund the infrastructure needed to support it. “It’s almost the opposite of being in the hole,” DeVenny said. “Frugal” is the term Absher and the mayor preferred to describe the city’s approach.
Red Rose City Development Corporation Board Nominations
Marketing and Development Manager Holly Thomas presented a request for council to nominate up to three candidates to the Red Rose City Development Corporation board of directors. Under the Corporation’s bylaws, five entities are entitled to nominate up to three candidates each, with the board itself holding the discretion to elect any nominated candidate or select other individuals it deems appropriate. President James Hawthorne’s term expires in May 2026, and the board is scheduled to vote on the seat at its May 18 meeting.
The current board includes Hawthorne, who serves as Lancaster County Water and Sewer District Engineer, along with Tim Hallman, David Blackwell, Tyson Wright, Harlean Carter, Brian Trimnal, and Regan Thompson. Mayor DeVenny noted that Hawthorne has served well as president and that his expertise in his professional role brings valuable knowledge to the board.
Council Member Harris moved to nominate James Hawthorne as the city council’s nominee, with Council Member Marsh seconding. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor DeVenny noted that of the seven current board members, only two are city residents, and asked council to keep that mix in mind for future nominations.
Thomas also briefed council on the rehabilitation grants previously awarded by the Development Corporation. The board received 13 applicants and elected to fund four properties on South Main Street as a first round, including the old Elliott Shoe building, 309 South Main beside Silverstone Boutique, 204 South Main, and another adjacent property under the same ownership. Each project is held to a deadline for completion. Mayor DeVenny and Council Member Sowell both asked that Thomas and a board representative return to council in the future to report on grant outcomes, which would help the city evaluate whether to expand or modify funding levels in subsequent budget cycles.
FY 2026 to 2027 Budget Goals Adopted
After being tabled at the April 14 work session for revisions to the welcome wagon program goal, Resolution R26 to 09 came back before council with the requested changes. Council Member Sowell, who had originally raised concerns that the welcome wagon proposal had grown beyond his intended scope, expressed appreciation for the revised version. “That looks a lot more like what I envisioned,” he said. “Thank you so much for working on that for me.”
Council Member Marsh, while agreeing with the revised version, observed that the welcome wagon goal still contains an extensive list of bullet points and suggested that future iterations could be more concise. The conversation also drew a brief reference to the lemon pound cake post that had circulated earlier in the meeting, with Sowell joking that a city welcome basket might benefit from one.
Council Member Harris moved to bring the resolution back from the table for consideration, with Sowell seconding. Sowell then moved to adopt the resolution, with Hood seconding. The resolution passed unanimously, formally adopting the city’s fiscal year 2026 to 2027 budget goals organized under the must do, should do, and could do framework that the city has used in prior years.
Beer and Wine Sales Authorized for 2026 Red Rose Festival
Events and Promotions Manager Lisa Roddey presented Resolution R26 to 10, authorizing the consumption of beer and wine within a designated special event area during the 2026 Red Rose Festival on May 15 and 16. The festival will feature seven bands with a 1990s music theme, food trucks, vendors, a kids zone, dog show, and car and bike show. The South Carolina Department of Transportation has approved street closures including Main Street from Meeting Street to Chesterfield, the East and West blocks of Gay Street, Dunlap Street, and Arch Street beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 15 and continuing through 10 p.m. Saturday, May 16. The 2025 festival drew more than 26,000 visitors.
Under the resolution, attendees aged 21 and over may purchase beer or wine from licensed downtown establishments and consume those beverages within the marked event area between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday and from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday. All participants must wear an event wristband and drink from clear cups marked with the city logo. Participating businesses must hold valid liquor liability insurance on file with the city, maintain a current city business license, and be current on their hospitality tax obligations.
Council Member Marsh raised a point of order before the vote to ask Police Chief Don Roper to comment on security planning. Chief Roper confirmed that the department is finalizing a security plan with the same baseline structure used in prior years, with adjustments for changes specific to the 2026 event. Mayor DeVenny noted that past success does not guarantee future safety and that careful preparation is essential. Council Member Harris also asked about LA Tap Room, which had previously experienced state regulatory issues. Roddey confirmed that LA was a participating provider for the recent Shimmer event and is expected to continue participating, with permits secured under the established temporary process.
Council Member Hood moved to approve, with Council Member Miller seconding. The resolution passed unanimously.
Adjournment
With no further business and no executive session required, Council Member Hood moved to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Miller. Council adjourned by unanimous roll call.
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