Hartsville advances water park plans
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Hartsville City Council convened its regular monthly meeting on July 11, and voted on two resolutions to push ahead with plans for a new water park.
Resolution 07-17-01 formally initiates the city’s proposed water park transaction and authorizes the hiring and contracting of professionals involved with the project. Resolution 07-17-02 formally expresses the intention of City Council to use the “proceeds of obligations” to reimburse the City of Hartsville for costs of design, construction, and equipping the water park.
Details of both resolutions were discussed in a confidential executive session held prior to the public meeting. Council voted unanimously to approve both resolutions.
Council also unanimously approved Resolution 07-17-03, authorizing a Mutual Aid Agreement between Dillon County and the Hartsville Police Department. This agreement will allow both departments to provide assistance at the emergency request of either agency for disasters, special events and special details. The resolutions states that “both agencies would benefit with the availability of additional resources in case of extreme emergencies, disaster relief, or special details requiring the assistance of other agencies.”
Resolution 07-17-04 to approve the $68,000 contract for professional services of Alliance Consulting Engineers for the Due Diligence Summary and Evaluation report on the Hartsville Industrial Park. The resolution states that “the recommended engineers with Alliance consulting Engineers worked on a previous Hartsville Industrial Park report and is familiar with the project and necessary documentation needed for Due Diligence Summary and Evaluation.”
Alliance has completed/is completing 122 site certifications in 35 South Carolina counties. Their proposal includes, among other things, a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, a Protected Species Assessment, a Wetlands Survey, and a Geotechnical Exploration.
The approximately 225-acre industrial park is located along Hwy 15 about 1.5 miles east of Hartsville.
Council also passed first reading of Ordinance 4298, intended to regulate, license, and encourage the presence of food truck vendors in the City of Hartsville. For a $300 fee, Mobile Food Vendors who pass a 10-year driving record and background check will receive a license and decal allowing them to operate in business and mixed use zoning areas within the city. Licenses expire on December 31 and fees will be prorated for licenses purchased after January 31.
These licensing procedures and restrictions do not apply to ice cream trucks or concession-style food trailers.
Mobile Food Vendors are not allowed within 150 feet of the principal interest of an eating establishment, without written permission from the restaurant owner. That permission is renewable on an annual basis. Food trucks will only be allowed to operate between the hours of 6:00 a.m.- Midnight, unless they secure special authorization from the city.