On Monday, May 11, at 6 p.m., the Greenville Town Council came together for their monthly meeting at City Hall. The meeting was kicked off with a public hearing in order to discuss a request for variance from Concept Development, Inc. The company plans to partner with an interested retail establishment and plant it in Greenville. The prospective lot is located at the corner of Hwy 221 and Hwy 90. However, Greenville's code requires a retail establishment provide fifty parking spots. Due to space constrictions, they requested Greenville provide variance and allow 35 spaces as opposed to 50, so the company could begin to attract prospective retailers. Citizen participation included the discussion of whether the retail establishment would be similar to a Dollar General or if it would be a liquor store because, the type of establishment would play a large role in the public's acceptance of a new business. Acting Town Manager, Jim Parrish, assured the council and citizens that the council would still have final say on whether the prospective retail establishment came to Greenville. The council approved the request of Concept Development, Inc. to provide variance, with the understanding that, once the retail establishment was narrowed down, more information would be presented to the council for final approval. There was a unanimous agreement between the council and citizens that, any establishment that would contribute to the betterment of Greenville was enthusiastically welcomed. The next business item included a request from Tri County Family Medical for a letter of support from the Town of Greenville to be included in a grant application in order to receive funding to renovate the medical facility in Greenville, which was recently closed due to structural issues. The council unanimously approved the letter of support. Next, Madison County High School Beta Club sponsor, Suzanne Griffin, along with student Beta Club President, Bianca Serrano, presented a “little free library” to the town, requesting they place it in a public area for citizens to enjoy. Little free library is a structure, oftentimes shaped like a house, which acts as a public bookshelf where citizens can leave books for others, or take a book to read. The goal is to improve community environments and provide easy access to literature which, in turn, will educate and inspire. The board unanimously accepted the little free library and are making plans to place it beside City Hall. Next, Acting Town Manager, Jim Parrish, presented an interlocal agreement with Madison County for the proposed CDBG (grant) application. The interlocal agreement would allow the Town of Greenville, if CDBG funds were received, to build a prospective sewage plant outside of city limits, accepting full liability and responsibility. The agreement is a mandatory requirement for the CDBG application. The council unanimously approved the interlocal agreement and Parrish's next step was to present it to the Board of County Commissioners. (The Commission would approve the interlocal agreement the following Wednesday.) Afterward, the council approved the commitment of funds in local leverage (reserve) from the sewer fund for the CDBG Application. This means that Greenville will commit $25,000 of their reserve funds to go towards the new sewage plant if the grant is accepted. The commitment gives Greenville more points on their application and a better chance at receiving government funding. Then, the council approved the annual resolution to continue maintaining traffic signals (DOT Traffic Signal maintenance and Compensation Agreement.) The next agenda item included the discussion on the policy for fundraiser car washes at Haffye Hays Park. At the last meeting, it had come to the attention of the board that there wasn't an established policy on allowing car washes at the park. Problems arose when members of Greenville Elementary School held a carwash at the park in order to raise funds for a field trip. Council members and Public Works Supervisor, JC Fead, were concerned because there was no meter at the park and no way of monitoring water usage in order to estimate a plan for compensation. The council tabled the item for the May 13 meeting. When the issue was re-examined, the council came to the decision that public car washes would not be allowed due to lack of a way to monitor water usage. Next, Town Clerk, Kim Reams, presented a request from Greenville Elementary for a donation from the Town of Greenville to assist them in raising money for a field trip to SeaWorld. The council unanimously voted to contribute the amount of $100 to the school's endeavor. The last business item included the request for VFW Post 251, a patriotic not-for-profit organization, to sell dinners in the park as part of a fundraiser. The council approved the request, 4-1. Lastly, came department reports. Public Works Supervisor, JC Fead, approached the podium and began to address the council on vandalism and criminal activity taking place at the park. Wearing gloves, he displayed illegal drug paraphernalia which, according to Fead, is found frequently on the park's grounds. The issue at large was how to limit the unwanted activity. The Sheriff's Office informed the council that specific regulations for the park would need to be included in the town's ordinance for officers to properly and lawfully reprimand violators, asserting that simply providing a sign with designated park hours caused too much of a gray area. The council voted to schedule a workshop to discuss enforcing stricter regulations at Haffye Hays Park, in order to provide more specificity for law enforcement to act within. Meanwhile, the Madison County Sheriff's Department has instructed that officers station their vehicles at the park instead of the corner of Hwy 90 and 221 South.