Cayce City Council declined to move forward with a hazard mitigation grant application on Aug. 20 that would go towards stormwater infrastructure in the Avenues of Cayce. Council’s decision was deferred from its previous meeting on Aug. 5.

The grant would provide $21.75 million, but comes with a required $7.25 million match from the City of Cayce.

“I don't know necessarily where the funding would even be able to begin to come from,” Councilman Hunter Sox said.

Councilman Tim James said he saw firsthand the subpar conditions of Cayce’s stormwater infrastructure, adding that he is unsure he could support funding the match if the city is already unable to maintain it.

“I don't have the heart to put a $7 million bill on the citizens of Cayce if we've not cleaned a ditch out,” he said.

Councilmen Byron Thomas and Phil Carter said that it would be fiscally irresponsible to fund the match.

Council instead proposed an alternative. James recommended a “proactive” program to maintain Cayce’s existing stormwater infrastructure. City Manager Michael Conley said that Cayce will continue to seek funding opportunities for stormwater infrastructure improvements.

Council then passed a motion authorizing Conley to draft a funding proposal for the program.

In other news

Council also approved a bid award for the Airport Gateway Landscape project. The project aims to beautify roadways leading to and from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. The award went to Chason Landscaping, a local company.

The $609,470 for the award will come from the Central Midlands Council of Governments, according to Conley.

Also in other news, Ja’Juan Belgrave, owner of The Party and Event Store on Knox Abbott Drive, gave a presentation to council. Belgrave said that he was prohibited from displaying inflatables outside his business due to Knox Abbott Drive’s district overlay rules.

Belgrave’s business involves renting out inflatables for children’s events. He said other businesses display products outside their stores, but are “grandfathered in,” allowing them to do so without penalty.

Belgrave’s business has been open for three months and is not grandfathered in, he said. He asked council to consider allowing him to display his inflatables, as it would benefit his business.

“I want to be allowed to display my inflatables on Knox Abbott,” he said. “I want to be able to bring enjoyment to the passer-byers, to people that want to just sign that waiver and jump.”

Council thanked Belgrave for his presentation but took no action on his request.