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Just a friendly note the meeting mentioned in my original message stated February below and should have be January. Thank you so much for your understanding. I truly appreciate the grace and kindness you always extend. It makes serving this community such a joy. Much gratitude, Mayor Sarah
Dear Pendletonians,
January's Town Council meeting was a busy one, with a full agenda and lots of positive momentum across Pendleton!
We approved four sets of meeting minutes and received public comments from three residents. Our Police Chief shared that officers responded to more than 713 calls for service since December 1. I’m especially proud of our department’s collaboration with the DEA, Clemson Police, the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and Anderson County to apprehend individuals with outstanding federal narcotics warrants. Their partnership and dedication help keep Pendleton safe and drug-free.
One of the highlights of the evening was hearing about Shop with a Cop, which assisted 42 children this past Christmas. Even more special, the children also helped assemble Meals on Wheels bags for seniors, giving them the chance to give back to our community. A heartfelt thank-you to Councilwoman Lyn Merchant for organizing the senior meal bags once again.
Town Administrator Steve Miller provided updates for both his office and the Planning & Zoning Department. In January, the Planning Department issued 11 new home permits and addressed three code enforcement complaints, reflecting continued growth and responsiveness.
Councilwoman Lyn Merchant also shared updates as Strategic Direction Plan Coordinator:
- Team 1 is moving our community branding initiative forward.
- Team 2 is focused on employee performance reviews and surveying staff on benefits, satisfaction, and retention.
- Team 3 is gathering retail data, creating a business and available space inventory, and working with the Main Street program.
Looking ahead, Council agreed to hold a Public Hearing on February 3 to gather citizen input on the Town’s recycling services. Due to contamination issues where much of the material ultimately ends up in the landfill, Council is considering changes that may include eliminating certain services and offering limited curbside cardboard pickup.
Our Action Items included approving three upcoming special events:
- National Day of Service – January 19
- Spring Jubilee – April 4–5
- Pendleton Recreation Association 5K – April 18
We also reallocated funds previously approved for fireworks to use to enhance downtown fall and Christmas decorations and established a committee to guide those efforts. Council adopted the FY 26/27 Budget Calendar, and we’re looking forward to working through the budget together for the first time as a council.
Additional actions included:
- Accepting roads, rights-of-way, and sidewalks in The Preserve at Pendleton.
- Approving the second stipend request for our Volunteer Firefighters.
- Advancing the Draft UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) for final review and directing staff to prioritize key zoning updates, including stream buffers, a historic overlay district, tree protections, design standards, and lighting regulations.
- Appointing Councilwoman Lyn Merchant and Councilman Jeff Van Drie to the CMAR (Construction Manager at Risk) project rating committee for Veterans Park and Town Hall.
- Holding the first reading of an ordinance to release Fire Department funds and directing staff to draft an agreement clarifying building ownership.
We wrapped up the evening by making appointments to the International Property Maintenance Board, welcoming Jamie Minto as a full-time member and Steven Moloney as an alternate, while directing staff to advertise remaining vacancies.
Thank you to Council, staff, and residents for another productive meeting and for your continued engagement in shaping Pendleton’s future!
Pendleton, always
Sarah Stokowski
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