Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer | jeremy@thewoodrufftimes.com
The Woodruff City Council heard a proposal from a resident to add more community-wide collaboration on future city parks and events, approved an update to the city’s comprehensive plan, accepted loan assistance money from the state for sewer upgrades, and more.
Resident Liz Marcellino Morgan overcame her nerves to stand before the Woodruff City Council at their December meeting to propose bringing back the Parks & Recreation Tourism Committee, providing a voice to residents in the future development of recreational facilities and activities in the city.
“This city has always been a beacon of civic spirit,” Morgan said in advocating for the return of the committee. “This is not to criticize but to collaborate.”
She continued to discuss the attributes of the previous committee, which consisted of volunteers from the community committed to improving the city. She said the committee’s return would ensure that residents were informed of new recreation and tourism plans in advance through multi-platform communication efforts.
Morgan added that the committee should represent various groups and neighborhoods to ensure that future events appeal to all residents.
“It has been successful in the past and can be again,” she said in closing.
Morgan’s presentation was a resident request to speak before the council, so no discussion or decisions were made on the presentation.
In other business, the council approved the second reading of an ordinance to adopt revisions to the Woodruff Comprehensive Plan. State law requires a review of the plan within five years of its adoption. The revisions were primarily based on changes in state law and the updated 2020 census.
City Manager Lee Bailey presented an ordinance, which the council approved, to accept $1.5 million in loan assistance funds from the South Carolina Water Quality Revolving Fund Authority to help fund the construction of a new sewer pump station. The principal forgiveness funds covered most of the $1.8 million project.
The council also approved the second reading of a request to rezone 58 acres at 6228 Highway 101 from Planned Development to Industrial. It approved a resolution to adopt revisions to the policy and procedures for the police department regarding the use of force, firearms, and weapons, as well as personnel selection that was required by the state.
development to industrial [photo from qpublic.net]
In his final city manager update of the year, Bailey provided a recap of 2024 and its successes and challenges.
“2024 has been a very fast year and we got a lot accomplished in that time,” Bailey said.
He discussed projects completed and investments made in the city, including completion of the sewer expansion project for the new high school, expansion of the wastewater plant, and several new businesses coming to the city.
“More than $188 million in investment was made in Woodruff this year, and more than 500 building permits were pulled,” he said. “Not a lot of places in South Carolina can boast those numbers.”
He also discussed the coming year and the continued growth in Woodruff “2024 was a busy year. 2025 is set to become a historic year,” Bailey said, discussing new projects expected downtown, the opening of the BMW electric battery plant, the opening of the new high school, and more industrial projects and jobs coming to the city.
“We have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to be proud of,” he said in closing.
The Woodruff City Council meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The meetings are open to the public, and the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 28.
Author: Tracy Sanders
