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
The Oconee County Council met Tuesday, February 25, 2003 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members and the County Attorney present.
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: 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:
Invocation:
Mr. Rinehart gave the invocation.
Minutes:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by
Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that the minutes of the regular meeting held February
4, 2003, the minutes of the special meeting held February 10, 2003 and the
minutes of the special meeting held February 13, 2003 be adopted as printed.
Public Hearing:
The first item on the agenda was a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding the sell and removal of a County owned building located at 308 South Church Street, Walhalla, SC.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting February 25, 2003
Public Hearing Continued:
There was no one present with written and/or oral comments regarding the sell and removal of this building.
Resolution 2003-04:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that Resolution 2003-04, “A RESOLUTION HONORING JUDGE DILLARD E. MEDFORD” be adopted on first and final reading. Mrs. Hughes presented this resolution to Judge Medford.
SC Appalachian Council of Governments Report:
Mr. Robert Strother, Director, SC Appalachian Council of Governments, presented Council with the attached update on their activities in the County. Mr. Strother stated that during 2002 the County’s investment in COG was $27,951 and the return on that investment was $7,147,457. This is a return investment of $255 to $1. Listed below are COG activities in Oconee County:
$ 75,000 from loans made by COG’s Appalachian Development Corporation
$ 1,242,490 from private capital investment resulting from loans
$ 4,846,000 from COG/SCDOT highway improvement bond pool
$ 833,915 from COG aging/workforce development subcontracts
$ 150,052 from federal/state direct grants programs
Solid Waste:
Upon request of Ms. Melissa Grant, Solid Waste Director, Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that that attached budget revision form for Solid Waste in the amount of $6,500 for recycling bin dividers be adopted.
Parks:
Upon request of Ms. Vickie Satterfield, Parks Director, Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that the attached recommendations of the Parks & Recreation Commission be adopted:
$5,000 – City of Seneca for installation of an irrigation system for the athletic fields at Shaver Recreation Complex
$5,000 – City of Walhalla for rewiring and rest room improvements at City gym
$5,000 – City of Westminster for purchase of portable fencing
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting February 25, 2003
Rural Fire:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Dewitt Mize, Rural Fire Marshal & Ms. Marianne Dillard, Procurement Director, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that the bid for fire fighting equipment be awarded on low bid per item that met specifications as listed below:
Anderson Fire & Safety $ 7,492.80
Charlotte Equipment Sales, Inc. $ 1,058.40
Slagles Fire Equipment $22,462.64
Wally’s Fire & Safety Equipment $ 5,7,57.15
Safety 911 LLC $ 2,549.44
Powell & Associates $ 1,595.37
This is a total of $40,915.80. (See attached bid sheet)
PA System for New Courthouse:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Robert Banks, County Engineer & Ms. Marianne Dillard, Procurement Director, Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that the bid procedure be waived and a PA system for the new courthouse be purchased from Jimmy Rogers House of Music at a cost of $29,273.39 with the funding being taken from the courthouse contingency.
Vehicle Maintenance (Contingency):
Upon recommendation of Mr. Robert Banks, Public Works Director, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that funds be taken from contingency and placed in the following line items:
Sheriff’s Department – Gasoline - $25,000
Emergency Management – Gasoline - $150
Environmental Services – Gasoline - $300
Vehicle Maintenance – Diesel - $500
Salem Rescue Vehicle:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Henry Gordon, Emergency Management Director, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that a 1968 International Truck titled in the name of Oconee County be returned to the Salem Rescue Squad. (See attachment)
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting February 25, 2003
Purchasing Proclamation:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that a Proclamation Declaring March 2003 as “Purchasing Month” in Oconee County be adopted on first and final reading.
Resolution 2003-05:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that Resolution 2003-05, “A RESOLUTION OF OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA AUTHORIZING A LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, SERIES 2003, IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT EXCEEDING $525,000 RELATING TO THE FINANCING OF EQUIPMENT/VEHICLES FOR FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF VARIOUS DOCUMENTS INCLUDING THE LEASE AGREEMENT; AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO” be adopted on first and final reading.
Heritage Corridor Letter:
Mrs. Hughes presented Council with a letter from Mr. Estes of the SC Heritage Corridor and said she would be glad to discuss it with them if they would like.
Supplemental Public Hearing:
Mrs. Lombard, Finance Director, informed those present the public hearing for the proposed supplemental ordinance will be March 18, 2003 at 3:00 PM.
Storage Space:
Mrs. Hughes informed Council that several county offices are in need of storage space.
SWAG Report:
Mr. Norton, County Attorney, informed Council he would be meeting with representatives from the Cities of Seneca and Walhalla on Friday to discuss solid waste issues.
Roads & Transportation Committee Recommendation:
Upon recommendation of the Roads & Transportation Committee, Council voted unanimously to accept the roadways in Moonlight Bay Subdivision & Tokeena Shores Subdivision as these roadways were built and paved to county specifications.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting February 25, 2003
Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building &
Grounds Committee Recommendation:
Upon recommendation of the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee, Council voted unanimously to enter into the attached agreement with Foxwood Property Owners Association, contingent upon them having an insurance policy covering Oconee County.
Public Comment Session:
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding the fairness of reassessments and also presented the attached proposed organizational chart to Council.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding county issues.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 4:40 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
___________________________
Opal O. Green, Clerk to Council