Tega Cay City Council Approves First Reading of Golf Cart Operation at Night, Adjusts Recreation Fees

The Tega Cay City Council held a special meeting on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Philip T. Glennon Center. The meeting included discussions and actions on wastewater treatment plant upgrades, golf cart regulations, and amendments to the Parks & Recreation fee schedule.

The meeting began with a call to order, Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence, followed by an executive session for legal advice on litigation matters, with no votes taken during the closed session. The council then moved to new business, addressing a significant contract for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, the first reading of an ordinance to amend golf cart regulations, and the first reading of an ordinance to amend the Parks & Recreation fee schedule.

Details of Each Agenda Item and Council Action:

1. Executive Session: Legal Advice as it relates to Litigation Matters

• Discussion: The council entered an executive session to obtain legal advice concerning litigation matters.
• Council Action: A motion was made and approved to enter into executive session for this purpose. No votes were taken other than returning to open session.

2. New Business

• Item 2A: Consideration of Entering into a Contract with Harper for Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades Funded with ARPA Funds and a Grant from the Rural Infrastructure Authority

  • Discussion: City staff provided an overview of the proposed contract with Harper Construction, who was selected as the Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) in June 2024. The agreement is for nearly $4 million in improvements to Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) No. 2 and No. 3, including rehabilitation of Tank No. 2, flow meters, blowers, electrical work, and piping. A temporary equalization (EQ) tank is also part of the project.
  • The total project cost is $3,938,529.15. The funding is expected to come entirely from ARPA funds and a grant from the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA), meaning no direct impact on the city’s budget.
  • The project involves comprehensive engineering and detailed planning, including bids from major subcontractors like Atlas Copco and Davco. The actual construction is anticipated to take 211 days, with a planned start date in mid-January 2026 to avoid cold weather for painting and other aspects. Liquidated damages for delays are set at $1,000 per day, up to 15% of the CMAR fee (approximately $26,000). A contingency of about $170,000 is built into the contract price for unforeseen costs.
  • Council Action: A motion was made to approve the contracts with Harper Construction, contingent upon RIA’s approval, and to authorize the city manager and city attorney to execute all necessary documents and make minor revisions that do not materially impact cost or scope. The motion passed unanimously.

• Item 2B: Consideration of the Introduction and 1st Reading of an Ordinance Amending Section 50-37 of the City’s Code as it relates to the Regulation of Golf Carts

  • Discussion: Governor McMaster recently signed Bill 3292, which grants municipal governments the authority to regulate golf cart operation at night, provided the carts have functional headlights and taillights and are used on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less. The proposed ordinance aims to align the city’s code with this new state law and establish local guidelines for night operation.
  • Former Mayor O’Neal provided historical context on the decade-long effort to pass this legislation at the state level. It was clarified that the state law allows, but does not require, municipalities to create specific traffic lanes for golf carts. The ordinance, as presented in the motion, would allow golf carts to operate at night with no time restrictions.
  • Concerns were raised about children under 12 being in seat belts or restraining devices, as required by the new state law, and operators needing to be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license. It was also clarified that golf carts are still not allowed on golf courses or golf cart paths within the golf course, only on multi-use trails and public roads.
  • Council Action: A motion was made to approve the introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending Section 50-37 of the city’s code to regulate golf carts on public highways with no restriction for time of operation. The motion passed unanimously.

• Item 2C: Consideration of the Introduction and 1st Reading of an Ordinance Amending the City’s FY 2024-2025 Budget as it Relates to the Parks & Recreation Fee Schedule

  • Discussion: The proposed ordinance seeks to amend non-resident fees for recreation programs due to changes in York County’s funding model. The county eliminated the recreation special tax district and a proposed 1.5 mill countywide tax, instead opting for a $100 stipend per youth registration. This new model will result in less funding for Tega Cay’s recreation programs compared to previous years.
  • Staff presented different scenarios for offsetting the reduced county funding, including doubling non-resident fees or implementing a flat $70 additional non-city fee. The $70 fee would bring the city closest to its historical average funding, even with potential fluctuations in registration numbers. It was noted that if Tega Cay takes the county stipend, they cannot have different fees for in-city and out-of-city residents.
  • A significant concern was the potential loss of non-resident participants and coaches if fees are increased, especially if neighboring municipalities do not adjust their fees similarly. The uncertainty of the county’s long-term commitment to the stipend and the lack of clarity on capital funding were also highlighted.
  • Council Action: A motion was made to approve the introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2024-2025 budgets as it relates to the Parks & Recreation fee schedule, specifically implementing a $70 fee for non-residents instead of doubling the fee. The motion passed.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.