On the agenda: Travelers Rest August 20, 2026 City Council Meeting Agenda Packet — Flock Camera (Aug 20)

City of Travelers Rest
City Council Meeting Agenda
Thursday, August 20, 2026
6:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
Please join us at City Hall in Council Chambers or on our YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/@cityoftravelersrest6747
Civility Pledge: I pledge to build a stronger and more prosperous community by advocating for
civil engagement, respecting others and their viewpoints, and finding solutions for the
betterment of my city.
1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Amidon will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
2. Invocation
Councilmember Guarniero
3. Approval of the Minutes of Previous Meeting
a. Regular Council Meeting on July 14, 2026
4. Citizen Participation (Speakers limited to 5 minutes)
a. Ann Huyler
South Carolina Forestry Grants, Tree City USA Application, Assistance with City Trees
b. Roger Sneed
Flock Cameras in Travelers Rest
5. Ordinances & Resolutions for Second Reading
a. None
6. Committee Reports
a. Public Works Committee report from August 10, 2026- Chair Lane

b. Public Safety Committee report from August 10, 2026- Chair Byers
c. Planning & Development Committee report from August 10, 2026- Chair James
d. Review Ways & Means financial report for July 2026- Chair Bumgarner
7. Ordinances and Resolutions for First Reading
a. None
8. Old Business
a. None
9. New Business
a. None
10. Miscellaneous Matters
a. Administrative Update
11. Adjournment

CITY OF TRAVELERS REST
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, July 14, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
Council Present:

Mayor Brandy Amidon, Council Members Grant Bumgarner, Lisa Lane,
Shaniece Criss, Catherine James, Sherry Marrah, Kelly Byers, Jon
Campbell, and Sheryl Guarniero

Staff Present:

Shannon Herman, City Administrator; Ben Ford, Police Chief; Carson
Ruffrage, City Clerk; Phillip Tate, Director of Public Works; Lee Carter,
Assistant Fire Chief; Tim Kelly, Police Captain; David Garland,
Assistant Director of Public Works

Absent:

Jay Martin; Planning Director

Notices of this Committee Meeting of City Council were provided to social media outlets,
the City’s website, and any individual requesting a copy of the agenda informing them of
the date, location, and time of the meeting.

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
a. Mayor Amidon called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
b. Council and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance
2. Invocation
a. The Invocation was given by Councilmember Campbell
3. Approval of the Minutes of Previous Meeting
a. Mayor Amidon called for a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular
Council Meeting held on June 18, 2026. Councilmember James motioned to
approve. Councilmember Marrah seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously.
4. Citizen Participation
a. Raymond Rochester

i. Raymond Rochester addressed Council to express concerns about
the Flock Safety camera system, stating that many residents were
unaware of the project before the cameras were installed. He
emphasized that his concerns were not about current City staff or
law enforcement, but about ensuring long-term transparency,
accountability, and safeguards as leadership changes over time. Mr.
Rochester shared that he had submitted a FOIA request seeking
records related to the camera system and asked Council to consider
holding a public forum so residents could learn more, ask questions,
and discuss the program openly. He also referenced a recent
incident involving alleged misuse of Flock cameras by officers in
another jurisdiction as an example of why public oversight is
important.
b. Richard Batka
i. Richard Batka registered to speak regarding the Flock and ALPR
camera system but did not address Council during the meeting.
5. Ordinances & Resolutions for Second Reading
a. Councilmember James made a motion to approve the Second Reading of
Ordinance O-09-26, approving the Zoning Map Amendment of Williams
Road from unzoned Greenville County into the City of Travelers Rest as R-15.
This ordinance annexes and rezones approximately 8.15 acres on Williams
Road into the City of Travelers Rest with an R-15 Residential zoning
designation. The property is currently unzoned and has limited development
potential due to a lack of access to gravity sewer service. Sewer availability
will be confirmed by Metropolitan Sewer Sub-District as part of the review
process. Councilmember Byers seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously.
b. Councilmember James made a motion to approve the Second Reading of
Ordinance O-10-26, Zoning Map Amendment for 501 North Main Street from
C-2 to R-10. The property is currently zoned C-2 and has been used for office
and service-oriented businesses in recent years. Staff believe the request is
consistent with the Future Land Use Map. The required public hearing was
advertised, and signage was posted on the property in accordance with City
requirements. Councilmember Lane seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously.
6. Committee Reports
a. Chair Criss provided a summary of the Personnel Committee report from
July 6, 2026.
b. Chair Lane provided a summary of the Public Works Committee report from
July 6, 2026.

c. Chair Byers provided a summary of the Public Safety Committee report from
July 6, 2026.
d. Chair James provided a summary of the Planning & Development
Committee report from July 6, 2026.
e. Chair Bumgarner provided a summary of the Ways and Means Committee
report for June 2026.
7. Ordinances and Resolutions for First Reading
a. Councilmember Bumgarner made a motion to approve Ordinance O-11-26
for the Travelers Rest Homeowners Tax Relief and Critical Projects Sales Tax
Referendum.
a. Councilmember Bumgarner explained that Council's vote is to place
a referendum on the November ballot allowing City voters to decide
whether to implement a 1% local sales tax. He noted that, if
approved by voters, the tax would provide property tax relief for
owner-occupied homes and fund critical infrastructure projects, with
a significant portion of the revenue expected to come from visitors to
Travelers Rest. He also stated that the tax would be in effect from
May 1, 2027, through April 30, 2035, and that a public workshop and
hearing would be held on August 6.
b. Councilmember Criss asked about the process for making edits to
the ordinance or referendum title, including whether changes should
be submitted during the meeting or by email. Administrator Herman
explained that proposed changes to the ordinance, including the
project list, could be discussed at the public workshop and would
require a formal amendment either at the current meeting or second
reading.
i. Councilmember Criss suggested changing the referendum
title from “Travelers Rest Homeowners’ Tax Relief and Critical
Project Sales Tax” to “Travelers Rest Homeowner Tax Relief
and Critical Project Sales Tax” for clarity. She also questioned
whether “tax rebate” or “tax relief” would be more effective
wording.
ii. Councilmember Criss asked whether the presentation and
current project list would be made available to the public. She
also suggested adding brief location and descriptive details to
the project list to make the proposed projects clearer to
voters. Administrator Herman answered yes to her question
and suggestion.

iii. Councilmember Guarniero asked whether the referendum
question in Section Four, as currently worded in the
ordinance, is the exact language that voters will see on the
November ballot. Administrator Herman answered yes.
Councilmember Guarniero noted that the proposed
referendum question references property tax relief but does
not specifically mention the 20% allocation or other details of
the tax. She questioned why those specifics were not
included in the ballot language and whether the wording
should provide more detail. Attorney Childs explained that the
state legislation specifically prescribes the referendum
question language, and the City does not have the authority to
add or modify additional details in the question.
1. Councilmember Guarniero clarified once 70% of the
Tier 1 funding has been allocated, the City could begin
working on projects in Tier 2.
iv. Councilmember Lane asked for clarification on which
properties qualify for the property tax relief. Administrator
Herman confirmed that the relief applies only to owneroccupied homes taxed at the 4% residential rate; second
homes do not qualify.
v. Administrator Herman noted that residents can provide
feedback before the workshop and public hearing by
contacting Carson Ruffrage, City staff, or council members
directly.
vi. Councilmember Lane seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously.
8. Old Business
a. None.
9. New Business
a. Jessica Pressley, one of the City’s summer interns, presented an overview of
her economic and community development work, including her efforts to
strengthen the partnership between the City and the Greater Travelers Rest
Chamber of Commerce. She discussed benchmarking other communities,
analyzing economic data, and identifying opportunities to support local
businesses through collaboration, improved communication, and shared
resources. Jessica highlighted Travelers Rest’s strengths, including the
Swamp Rabbit Trail, downtown businesses, heritage tourism, Trailblazer

Park, and the City’s small-town character. She shared feedback from local
merchants regarding the need for stronger communication, increased
connectivity, and continued support for initiatives like the Trailside Trolley.
She also presented economic data showing the City’s growth, strong
income and education levels, and the economic impact of tourism assets.
Jessica proposed developing an economic development webpage hub to
provide businesses and potential investors with information about
opportunities in Travelers Rest. She concluded by emphasizing the
importance of leveraging existing assets, improving connectivity, pursuing
strategic opportunities, and continuing collaboration among the City,
Chamber, residents, and community partners.
b. Mayor Amidon made a motion to approve a Glass Recycling Grant.
Councilmember Guarniero seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously.
c. Sabrina Gast, Statewide Forensic Nurse Director with the South Carolina
Victim Assistance Network (SCVAN), recognized the Travelers Rest Police
Department for earning a voluntary certification after 96% of its officers
completed specialized training in responding to victims of sexual assault,
domestic violence, child abuse, strangulation, and human trafficking. She
commended the department for exceeding the program's 75% participation
requirement and for its commitment to providing trauma-informed care to
crime victims.
10. Miscellaneous Matters
a. City Administrator Shannon Herman gave an update on the following items:
i. The City website experienced a brief disruption but is believed to
have been resolved. Staff will review diagnostics once available.
ii. The City’s app currently has approximately 5,500 subscribers,
representing strong community engagement.
iii. Solar pedestrian streetlights have been installed along Poinsett
Highway.
iv. Remaining work includes installing custom breakaway pole collars
required by DOT standards, designed to complement the
surrounding landscaping and streetscape.
12. Adjournment
a. Councilmember Bumgarner made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember
Lane seconded the motion. The motion to adjourn passed unanimously at
7:20 p.m.

_________________________________________________________ Brandy Amidon, Mayor

__________________________________________________Shannon Herman, City Administrator

Completed by_____________________________________________ Carson Ruffrage, City Clerk