Executive Committee Meeting, March 24, 2025

Synopsis of WGNA Annual Meeting, March 20, 2025

Synopsis

Annual Meeting

Wales Garden Neighborhood Association

20 March 2025

   President Kit Smith opened the meeting by welcoming 35-40 members in attendance, then introduced our State Representative, Seth Rose, who spoke for a few minutes to recap his efforts in getting funding for projects benefiting Wales Garden, Five Points and Devine St.. Kit then turned the meeting over to Frank Adams, Immediate Past President. Frank spoke about the need to get the university and the various Wales Gardens landlords involved in what transpires in Wales Garden. Frank suggested that contacting WG landlords of violations of City Codes and Ordinances committed by their tenants and letting THEM deal with their tenants might be better than the landlords being notified and possibly fined by the City for these infractions.

   Frank then introduced three speakers from the City of Columbia:

Captain Jeffrey Brink, commander of the Columbia Police Department’s Southeast Region.

His cell is 803-509-1787. Office number is 803-737-5880.

Lance CPL Richard Johnson is the new resource officer assigned to Wales Garden.

His cell is 803-603-6773, and his email is richard.johnson@columbiasc.gov

Ronnie Hingleton returns as our Code Enforcement Officer. His cell is 803-223-4044.

    Each spoke about their respective duties and urged Wales Garden residents to contact them immediately should they need assistance or to report any infraction.

   Frank then turned the meeting back over to Kit, who spoke of the continued loss of single family homes and the need to monitor the student residence situation. She stressed it’s not the students that we don’t like; it’s the loss of affordable single-family housing in our neighborhood.

   Kit then introduced the WGNA Executive Committee members: Incoming President Kathy Taylor, Interim-Secretary Andrew Harley, Kathy Ferguson, our nominee for President-Elect, and Treasurer John Baynes.

   John then presented the updated 2025 Treasurer’s Report and the proposed budget for 2025-2026. He stated that, although the WGNA is financially stable, only about half of the members had paid their dues this year. John said he would send out another notice to get members to submit their dues, but that all persons who had submitted a membership form in 2024 and 2025 would be included in the directory.

   Cathy Love spoke briefly about the plans for the Saluda Avenue Median, including recognition of the clean-up  and maintenance by Elegant Earth and an anticipated long-term budget of $3,000-4,000 per year for maintenance and replantings. She mentioned that the City of Columbia is fully committed to the Median project, having upgraded the sprinkling system and replaced over 100 azaleas during the past year. She thanked contributors to the Median Account, encouraged everyone to thank the City crew whenever possible, and discussed plans for fundraising at the WGNA Art in the Garden event on Sunday, April 27, from 2-6:15 PM.

   Kit then called for the election of the various Executive Committee members, listed above, and they were elected or re-elected by acclamation.

   The meeting was adjourned at 6:41pm and was followed by a social gathering until about 8:00.

submitted by Andrew Harley

WGNA Secretary

Minutes, WGNA Exec Committee Meeting, 3/16/25

Wales Garden Neighborhood Association

Executive Committee Meeting

16 March 2025

Attending: President Kit Smith, Incoming President Kathy Taylor, Treasurer John Baynes, Past President Frank Adams, and Secretary Andrew Harley. We were joined by Kathy Ferguson, our nominee for President-Elect.

After opening the meeting at 2 pm, Kit began by discussing a range of topics:

1. The upcoming Columbia Design, Development Review Commission hearing on the application for an addition to 1720 Enoree Avenue. This meeting conflicts with WGNA Annual meeting and Kathy suggested that as many people as possible should attend that meeting before attending our annual meeting to show WGNA support in denying the requested addition. It was asked if WGNA should write a letter to both Hollywood-Rose Hill and Wheeler Hill Neighborhood Associations asking them to support our opposition to the proposed additions. Additionally, it was mentioned that the hearing on proposed additions to 1803 Enoree Avenue was postponed because the submitted plans were insufficient. Kit stated that she would draft a letter voicing our opposition to the proposed additions and our support of Columbia DDRC staff guidelines. Subsequently, both issues were deferred, so no representation at the DDRC meeting was required.

2. Kit then handed out copies of the upcoming WGNA Annual Meeting agenda. She suggested that local politicians should attend and also be invited to the planned WGNA “Sunday Seminars”. Additionally, Code Enforcement and a police representative would be there to explain their respective jobs.

3. Kathy T. mentioned the number of rental properties and how much it affects housing prices with Waccamaw and Enoree Avenues at risk for loss of single family homes. Kit, citing the CNN Database, stated that WG currently has a population of 1233. Frank mentioned that there are several bright spots with some new property sales being made to owner/occupants as well as some sales to younger families with children. He also mentioned that due to the aging of our neighborhood a significant number of homes could turn over in the next 5 years. Also, of concern, is the growing enrollment of USC, the number of “private” dormitories, and the need to clarify them being in “one area” and what constitutes a “private dormitory”.

4. John then presented the updated 2025 Treasurer’s Report and the proposed budget for 2025-2026. John said he would make copies of the 2025 Treasurer’s Report for distribution at the Annual Meeting. Although the WGNA is financially stable John reported that only about one half of the members had paid their dues. He asked if those who had not paid be included in the WGNA Print Directory, which he hoped to publish in mid-June. The Committee agreed that we should send out another notice to get members to submit their dues, but that all persons who had submitted a membership form in 2024 and 2025 would be included in the directory. Kit suggested that at the Annual Meeting, John should release the Budget first and we should follow it with voting for WGNA officers.

5. Frank stated that the upcoming Art in the Garden event would be a great opportunity to increase the WGNA membership. It was suggested that a table could be set up and flyers handed out.

 6. Kathy F. and Kit suggested having a neighborhood Garage/Yard sale, to be discussed at a later date.

7. Kit asked Kathy T. about the Get Involved in ‘25 initiative to get members more involved and engaged in Wales Garden and the issues that affect our neighborhood. Kit stressed the importance of getting them as involved as soon as possible. John suggested that the President-Elect be the Chair of the Committee of Street Reps. There was general Agreement that this was a good idea, and Kathy F. stated she is willing to accept this responsibility.

8. John suggested name tags be given to everyone attending and confirmed there are enough napkins, utensils and other supplies for the Annual meeting, and that we are responsible for trash collection/removal from the event. Frank said he would confirm the particulars of 701 Whaley Street including parking, etc.

9. Kit handed out the Newsletter called “Median” and suggested the Gingko and Wales Garden logos as possible header banners.

10. Kit asked if we could possibly get a USC representative to discuss their Master Plan at the next WGNA Executive Committee meeting.

11. Discussion turned toward the ever present student residents, and Kit stressed it’s not the students that we don’t like, it’s the loss of affordable family housing in our neighborhood.

12. New ordinances were discussed including a proposal for a maximum percentage of students.  Frank noted the rising number of AirBnBs in Wales Garden and Kit mentioned that Charleston does not allow short term AirBnB type rentals in the historic district. Frank said he had asked Councilman Brennan for information on Wales Garden rental properties and contact information on the Landlords/Owners.

13. Frank and Kathy T talked about how the now City owned property at 547-549 Saluda, and the 2 adjacent vacant properties, are soon to become an issue depending on what the city plans for them.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30pm.

Submitted by Andrew Harley

Secretary WGNA

Minutes, Wales Garden Neighborhood Association Executive Committee Meeting

15 February 2025

Attending: President Kit Smith, Incoming President Kathy Taylor, Treasurer John Baynes, Past President Frank Adams, and Secretary Andrew Harley. We were joined by Kathy Ferguson, our nominee for President-Elect.

After opening the meeting a range of issues were discussed including:

1. The upcoming Art in the Gardens event, to be organized and hosted by Cathy Love and scheduled for Sunday, 27 April from 2-6pm. It was agreed that WGNA would support the event and request issuance from the City of a Special Event Permit for the event as well as the closure of intersections Wateree/Enoree,Wateree/Congaree and Saluda/Seneca between 12pm-6pm. It was further agreed that WGNA would request the needed barricades and seek resident volunteers to staff them between 12pm-1pm to facilitate art display setup and, if needed, to erect and dismantle the barricades. Additionally, it was stated that the City would determine if a police presence was required and what cost that would be. Also discussed was having an Ice Cream Vendor, whether it would be gratis or pay-as-you-go, as well as a Bake Sale as a fundraiser for the Saluda Street Median Fund and how it would be staffed. It was agreed that the WGNA does not currently have the capacity to be responsible for a median Bake Sale fundraiser, but supports the idea and that the WGNA would send a sponsorship letter to Ms. Love to supply funding in the amount of up to $200 for event materials, against submitted receipts. Further, it was decided that until final mandatory costs are determined by the City, the WGNA cannot commit to a further financial contribution of an Ice Cream Vendor, but supports the idea of having one.

2. It was mentioned that there is City and County Grant money available for Wales Garden to apply for, if needed.

3. The annual meeting, upcoming in March, was discussed and it was asked if the venue was wheelchair accessible. Kathy stated she believes there is a ramp at the venue. Also, discussed was that politicians would be invited, but would not be allowed to speak. Agenda items were discussed including, after opening remarks by the WGNA President, the 2025 WGNA budget would be presented by the Treasurer. This would be followed by a discussion of Social Events,u pcoming and suggested ,including Art in the Gardens and a proposed membership drive and potluck dinner in October in the Smith’s driveway.

Another agenda item is to ask WGNA Street Reps to update info in their areas regarding Renters v. Owners, and possibly a pamphlet that includes where to properly call in code violations to the various city departments. Kit suggested we ask Councilman Brennan for an updated demographics map and how we can be more proactive on reducing (and stopping) the number of properties being converted to rentals to include converting single family homes into duplexes or multi-person rentals. Kathy suggested that what happened at 15 Myrtle Court should be prohibited and pressure be put on landlords to limit these types of rentals. Frank stressed the importance of getting updated rental info and that the City needs to understand the real cost of rentals in the neighborhoods they’re located: Trash and trash collection, parking problems, strain on sewer systems, etc.

Kit stated we need to get the City to enforce more aggressively the rental codes already in place. Kathy(Ferguson) asked how we can better motivate our neighbors to call the City about more aggressive code enforcement. John asked about using the Historic Overlay more aggressively to limit rentals and Kit suggested getting Councilman Brennan more involved in this and on our side as well as holding meetings in each part of Wales Garden to discuss support for these issues. Frank suggested that USC be invited to speak about their Master Plan. John talked about the University “taking over” Olympia and Rosehill areas and having the Historic Overlay amended to limit Student Housing and AirBnBs in WG. Frank suggested identifying WG properties that are owned by the elderly and therefore susceptible to being sold.

4. It was agreed to schedule upcoming WGNA Executive Committee meetings before any Board of Zoning Appeals(BOZA) meetings with upcoming dates being 31 March and 24 April.

5. Frank suggested bringing the unattached part of Harden Street into WGNA or Shandon Neighborhood Association.

6. Frank then discussed the ongoing struggle with noise at Jake’s as well as a Group Therapy liquor sales halt, with only beer/wine sales after a certain hour.

7. Kit suggested the WGNA Newsletter not list any passing of WG residents until we are notified by their respective families.

8. John suggested getting WGNA Street Reps more involved as a grassroots effort to make our neighborhood more like a community and asked that we develop a cohesive strategy with respect to the Wales Garden Historic Overlay.

9. Kit adjourned the meeting with the next Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 31 March.

Submitted by Andrew Harley, Secretary, WGNA