Hartsville City Council will get updates Tuesday

Hartsville City Council will take up a variety of issues when it meets Tuesday, including retirement benefits for city employees, an annexation ordinance and updates from several boards and commissions.

During a work session Tuesday, council heard an appeal from Mel Pennington, vice chairman of the Hartsville Planning Commission who is also running for mayor of Hartsville, to act quickly on a proposal to bring a fiber optic communications network to the city that he said can create a new revenue stream for the city and change the way the city does business.

He said federal stimulus funding is available for such a project to bring broadband capability to rural communities but said quick action is needed if the city is to get a portion of the $7 billion available.

A feasibility study for such a project will have to be done, Pennington said. He said the study will cost about $50,000 but he added that potential private funding sources have been identified if the city commits to such a project and makes it a priority.

Council also received an update on plans for the Veterans Memorial to be erected at Byerly Park. City Manager Dr. Jim Pennington said components for the sculpture are scheduled to begin arriving in Hartsville but that an additional $80,000 to $100,000 will be needed to install a new foundation for the sculpture. He said currently there is no clear source of funding available but officials continue to look for the money.

Council also received updates on the progress of a stormwater management plan the city is implementing under a mandate from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, on progress on the redevelopment of Forrest Ridge Apartments, formerly Home Security Apartments, and on the Butler/Clemson project.

Tuesday’s regular meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at city hall.