Here’s a recap of Greenville County Council’s meeting on May 18.
Postponed: Vote on funding for Hispanic Alliance over “Wings of the City”
The main topic of debate during a contentious meeting that lasted more than two hours was ultimately shelved for a later meeting as council voted to postpone action that would strip The Hispanic Alliance of a $7,500 grant.
The nonprofit has received public complaints of indecency for its association with the public arts display “Wings of the City.” The traveling exhibit of nine bronze statues from Mexican artist Jorge Marin was installed in downtown Greenville in April.
Featuring partially nude men with angelic wings in the style of 17th century baroque artists, the display became a touchpoint at a meeting of the County Council’s Finance Committee on May 10, which voted 4-1 to shift county funds away from the Hispanic Alliance, which was promoting the display.
Op-ed: Where will our wings take us?
Because the art display is located within city limits, the county has no authority to remove or relocate it.
But multiple county residents used Tuesday’s meeting to condemn the art and to ask council members not to promote it with county funds.
“I’m Hispanic, first generation. Spanish was my first language. They don’t represent me,” said Jessica Saravia, speaking of The Hispanic Alliance. “The word ‘alliance’ means unity, I’m assuming, and obviously this has not brought unity to Greenville County. I’m asking you not to use our tax dollars to fund this atrocity.”
Councilwoman Liz Seman urged council to restore funding to The Hispanic Alliance and Councilman Butch Kirven, who originally voted against the funding at the May 10 finance meeting, changed his mind and also expressed support for the grant and for The Hispanic Alliance.
“We each have our personal preferences about many things,” Kirven said. “County Council should not be in the business of deciding a policy of which expressions of creativity are good and which are bad, within a reasonably broad range.”
Kirven also pushed back against comments from citizens who urged council not to spend tax dollars promoting art.
“There is a misconception about the source of the grant funds,” Kirven said. “We hear folks saying, ‘Don’t spend our tax dollars on this,’ and I’m not quite sure they understand these funds come from a tax on hotel room rentals. None come from the county’s general fund.”
The hotel room tax, which was passed by the South Carolina General Assembly more than 10 years ago with the support of the hotel and hospitality industry, generated $308,242 last year for Greenville County. The bulk of those funds go toward Artisphere and the Greenville Scottish Games.
Councilman Ennis Fant called for the delay on action, noting that “the issue has caused council members to become somewhat contentious with each other and that’s not good.”
Public hearing: rural land development
Photo by Evan Peter SmithCouncil heard from multiple community members over a proposal to amend Greenville County’s land development regulations.
The ordinance from Council Chairman Willis Meadows would repeal a rule in the county’s land development regulations known as Article 3.1, which sets out a list of requirements for potential developments.
But the exact language of the rule, totaling just 60 words, has been the subject of lawsuits from developers who claim the rule is unconstitutionally vague.
The majority of speakers during the public hearing urged council to not repeal the rule until a proper replacement has been established.
“A 100-acre farm with one house and three barns is not the same as a 100-acre farm with 100 houses,” said Heather Collins. “We beg, once again, please do not repeal 3.1”
Council held off on taking any action until its next meeting.
