July 2020 Council Highlights

  • Council held five public hearings this month to receive comments on: 
    • Use of additional funding through Community Development Block Grant, with specifics on use through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Security Act (Care Act). 
    • Revision of an existing planned development, located at 1740 U.S. Highway 15 South, Pocalla Springs, to add Religious Organizations to the approved uses list within the land use area. 
    • Revisions of an existing planned development on two properties, located at 2510 Patriot Parkway, to add General Merchandise Stores as an approved use. 
    • Rezone a 192.99-acre parcel of land located at U.S. 521 and Beckwood Road from planned development to general commercial. 
    • Rezone a 33.88-acre parcel, located at 1449 Camden Highway from residential-15 to residential-6. 
  • Council approved the extension of two emergency ordinances: 
    • Temporary prohibition of peddler activity and temporary issuance of peddler badges (limits activity of door-to-door sales in business and residential areas 
    • Extension of the mandatory facial mask requirement within the city limits until August 21, unless further amended or repealed. Exceptions to the mask ordinance are: 
      • When outdoors (except in attached outdoor or unenclosed areas of retail and food service establishments when physical/social distancing of at least six feet is not possible or is not observed) 
      • Children under age eight years 
      • In private offices 
      • If masks aggravate a health condition 
      • If receiving medical or dental services involving the mouth or nose 
      • Customers while eating and drinking at food service establishments 
      • If masks contradict religious beliefs 
      • When complying with law enforcement officers 

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

  • We want to congratulate and say thank you to the Sumter Fire Department. They have recently received the designation as a Fire Safe South Carolina Community. Only about 10 percent of communities receive this designation and it’s a testament to the dedication and commendable service of all the men and women in Sumter Fire Department. The community designation recognizes local departments that have worked to complete goals to reduce fire-related injuries, promote consistent messaging, improve data quality and provide valuable resources to the community. We are committed to our citizens and strive to be as proactive as possible on fire safety education. 
  • The City has partnered with the Sumter School District to host a virtual STEAM career camp this summer. The camp started in July 15 and will continue through August 1 at four city elementary schools: Croswell Drive, Lemira, Wilder and Willow Drive. Representatives from the City of Sumter will also work in concert with teachers to reinforce soft skills such as adaptability, flexibility, leadership, and problem solving, using real-life STEM scenarios. The program is run directly through each school but allows the City to provide additional opportunities to our future generation of leaders. 240 students are currently participating. 
  • Serving on a City of Sumter commission, board, or committee is one of the most effective ways for citizens to influence City policies and activities. Those interested in serving on a City board, commission or committee may visit www.sumtersc.gov/council/commissions and fill out the Citizens Form for Service, which is linked on the page. 
  • Citizens are reminded that parks are open, but in an effort to protect the health and safety of citizens and employees -- offices, playgrounds and restrooms remain closed to the public. 
  • For the safety of our staff, the City of Sumter sanitation crews are not sorting recycling by hand at the curb during pickup. Please bag your recycling items and place them in the same container as your regular trash, until further notice. If you would like to continue recycling or have large items, there are nine recycling centers located around Sumter County.  
  • Recycling Centers are located at: 
    • 3995 Pinewood Road, Sumter  
    • 2860 Queens Chapel Road, Sumter  
    • 800 Pleasant Grove Road, Lynchburg  
    • 4620 Cane Savannah Road, Sumter  
    • 113 Rainier Boulevard, Sumter  
    • 2680 Stamey Livestock Road, Sumter  
    • 815 Bethel Church Road, Sumter  
    • 60 Alligator Branch Road, Sumter  
    • 3665 Spencer Road, Rembert  
      • Hours of the Recycling Centers are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 7am-7pm and Sunday 1:30-7pm. Closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 
  • Please remember that online, mail and phone participation for the 2020 Census are still open. We ask that you please complete the census to determine funding and support for various services, such as highway planning and construction, grants that support teachers and housing assistance for older adults. You may find more information by visiting 2020census.gov.  
  • City Council meetings are held on the first Tuesday at 1 PM and on the third Tuesday at 5:30 PM. While on a normal schedule, our meetings can be attended in person in the Council Chambers on the 4th floor of the Opera House, except for July. Currently, almost all of our meetings are being held virtually. Residents may watch our meetings online by visiting www.youtube.com/cityofsumter. Public comments may be submitted online through our website at www.sumtersc.gov/council/meetings, any time prior to a meeting. 
    • Next month our regularly scheduled meetings are on August 7th at 1pm and August 21st at 5:30 PM.