January 2018 Council Highlights

 

• Council gave final approval to close and convey ownership of two alleyways on the northern side of Dingle Street, between South Sumter Street and South Main Streets. These two alleyways are no longer needed for public use and do not negatively affect the community or surrounding properties and will now become part of the Job’s Mortuary property.

 

• Council held two public hearings for rezoning requests, a .24 acre lot located at 1947 McCrays Mill Road to general commercial and .28 acre lot located at 301 S. Main Street to rezone to the Central Business District, which is the district or department we refer to as Downtown Sumter.

 

• Council revisited their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding expenditures for the year and have been notified that the Wateree Aids Task Force agency has dissolved. Council therefore approved to transfer all expected funds allotted to the task force through the 2017-2018 funding cycle, which was $1,800, to be added to our housing repair funds to assist low to moderate income families in the City of Sumter.

 

• Council amended our sewer user ordinance to update our rates to include a fee schedule to allow the city to recoup damage done to meters, specifically when that damage is negligence or intentional by the property owner. Customers are asked to report any damage to their water and sewer meters as soon as possible to our public services office at 803-436-2558.

 

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

• On Saturday, January 20, 2018 from 7 to 9 AM, at Dillon Park, FREE MULCH made from Christmas trees will be distributed to residents on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you would like to have some mulch, bring containers or bags, tools to pick it up and a way to haul it. Even those who do not donate a tree can receive mulch.

 

• Sumter Police Department is currently working with the Sumter School District on their annual Black History Month Art and Essay Contest held in February. Grades K-5 are invited to participate and the winners will be treated at Chuckie Cheese.

 

• During extreme cold temperatures, a good rule of thumb, if you are concerned about your water pipes freezing is to allow a constant drip in your sink or bathtub of hot water. Why hot water? Hot water circulates both cold and hot lines in your home.

 

• Several road closures and detours will be in place beginning Sunday, January 14 related to railroad crossing improvements being made by CSX. Signs have been posted to notify drivers.
  • Lafayette Drive – closed Sunday; reopen Wednesday. Southbound traffic on Lafayette will detour right or left onto Liberty Street either taking Boulevard Road or Main Street.
    Northbound traffic on Lafayette will detour by making a left onto Fulton Street to Manning Avenue.
  • Harvin Street just south of Oakland Avenue – closed Monday; reopen Thursday. If needing to go south, take Bee Street to Manning Avenue. If north, take Oakland to Manning Avenue.
  • Fulton Street at Industrial just east of Lafayette Drive- closed Monday; reopen Thursday.
  • Red Bay – closed Monday; reopen Thursday. Drivers needing to go east of the tracks should take Boulevard Road to Red Bay. If needing to go west, take Lafayette Drive to Red Bay.
  • Cedar - closed Monday; reopen Thursday.

 

• “The time is always right to do the right thing," Martin Luther King Jr. -- As we reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King, we encourage everyone to remember to practice conflict resolution and encourage others to do the same:
  • Stay calm;
  • Try to understand the problem;
  • Listen to the other person;
  • Negotiate or compromise; and
  • Walk away to avoid escalating the situation.