MEMBERS, OCONEE COUNTY COUNCIL

Mr. Steven R. Moore, District I Mr. Kenneth E. Johns, Jr., District II

Rev. William “Bill” Rinehart, District III Mr. Marion E. Lyles, District IV

Mr. H. Frank Ables, Jr., District V

MINUTES, OCONEE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING

The Oconee County Council met Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members and the County Attorney present (Mr. Johns came in at 3:20 PM).

Press:

Members of the press notified (via mail): Keowee Courier, Westminster News, Daily Journal, Anderson Independent, WGOG Radio, WYFF TV & WLOS TV.

Members of the press present: Dick Mangrum – WGOG Radio, Dave Williams – Anderson Independent & Ray Chandler – Daily Journal.

Other Organizations Notified:

Also notified were the Oconee County Tax Payers Association and the Oconee County Democratic Party.

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order by Supervisor-Chair Hughes

Invocation:

Mr. Rinehart gave the invocation.

Minutes:

Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that the minutes of the regular meeting held January 7, 2002 be adopted as printed.

Council Hospital Representative:

Mrs. Hughes, County Supervisor appointed Mr. Steven R. Moore as the Council Representative on the Hospital Board.

Council Vice Chair:

Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 (Mr. Ables abstaining) that Mr. Ables be elected as the Council Vice Chair for 2003 – 2004.

Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting January 21, 2003

Public Hearing:

The Council conducted a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding the leasing of county owned property located at 665 Rock Crusher Road, Walhalla, SC.

There was no one present with either written or oral comments regarding the leasing of this property.

Rock Building:

Mrs. Barbara Sokol, Mr. Steve Sokol, Mrs. Rosemary Bailes & Mr. Bud Lorsch presented the attached plan for turning the Rock Building into Patriot’s Hall, a museum/memorial to the Oconee Veterans.

The plan is to establish a museum that will house a collection of artifacts and personal items from local veterans and a history of each artifact or item.

Mrs. Sokol further stated the Patriot’s Hall Association hoped to raise $60,000 in three months and open the museum in December 2004 using no county funds.

After a brief discussion, Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 3 – 2 (Mr. Ables & Mr. Johns voting against) that due to their being several benchmarks outlined in appendix IV of the proposal, such as regarding progress in terms of soliciting help, conducting surveys, etc. the Patriot’s Hall Association be given until the first meeting in August (8/5/03) to evaluate those benchmarks and if these benchmarks have not been substantially realized the building be demolished.

Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee Recommendations:

Upon recommendation of the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee, Council voted 3 – 1 (Mr. Johns voting against, Mr. Rinehart abstaining) that the county charge a tipping fee for all commercial waste, regardless of where the waste is generated at $38.30 per ton.

Also, upon recommendation of the committee, Council voted unanimously that the practice of disposing of furniture at the manned convenience centers be stopped and all furniture be disposed of at the C&D landfill. (See attached recommendations from the Intergovernmental Task Force)

These recommendations are to go into effect July 1, 2003.

Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting January 21, 2003

Courthouse Benches:

Upon recommendation of Ms. Marianne Dillard, Procurement Director and Mr. Robert Banks, County Engineer, Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that the bid for benches for the new courthouse be awarded to Kivett’s Inc. at a cost of $65,913.75. (See attached bid sheet)

Roads & Transportation Committee Recommendation:

Upon recommendation of the Roads & Transportation Committee, Council voted unanimously that the scope of work for Old Chapman Bridge Road be changed and the county accept reimbursement in the amount of $17,821.32 for relocation of the power poles on that roadway.

Budget & Finance Committee Meet:

The Budget & Finance Committee scheduled a meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2003 at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers for the purpose of discussing the Lila Doyle Bonds and the proposed supplemental ordinance.

Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee Recommendation:

Upon recommendation of the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee, Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Procurement Department regarding cell phones and pagers, which will save the county some $3,000 per year.

Personnel & Intergovernmental Committee Meeting:

The Personnel & Intergovernmental Committee scheduled a meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2003 at 5:00 PM for the purpose of discussing the staffing study and other personnel issues.

Public Comment Session:

Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding their posting the cost benefit analysis for actions taken by Council, the inequity in tax assessments and letting the citizens vote on an ordinance to increase the number of Council Members.

Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding the Rock Building, Solid Waste issues and other actions taken by Council

Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting January 21, 2003

Executive Session:

Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of discussing possible litigation regarding Seneca Landfill.

Open Session:

There was no action when open session resumed.

Adjourn:

Adjourn: 5:00 PM

Respectfully Submitted:

___________________________

Opal O. Green

Council Clerk