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 Monday, July 15, 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: Ray Chandler – Daily Journal, Dave Williams
– Anderson Independent & Dick Mangrum – WGOG Radio.
Other Organizations Notified:
Also notified were the Oconee County Tax Payers Association and the Oconee County Democratic Party.
Call to Order:
Kenneth F. Williams Tribute:
In memory of the late Mr. Kenneth F. Williams, Mrs. Linda Nix, Deputy Auditor, made the attached remarks.
Invocation:
Mr. Rinehart gave the invocation.
Minutes:
The minutes of the special meeting held June 30, 2003
were adopted as printed by consensus of Council.
National Guard Presentation:
In appreciation of the support
Council has given them, Sergeant John Foster, Seneca National Guard, presented
“Ours is a Sacred Watch” painting to Council.
Award:
Mr. Dirk Reis, SC Appalachian Council of Governments presented the “South Carolina Community Development Association Award of Excellence” to Council for the Newry Infrastructure Project.
Public Hearing Regarding Ordinance 2003-08:
Council held a public hearing to receive written and or oral comments regarding Ordinance 2003-08, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE JOINTLY OWNED AND OPERATED INDUSTRIAL/BUSINESS PARK IN CONJUNCTION WITH PICKENS COUNTY DATED MAY 4, 1998 AND AMENDED ON DECEMBER 7, 1998, ON DECEMBER 21, 1999 AND APRIL 4, 2000 SUCH INDUSTRIAL/BUSINESS PARK BEING GEOGRAPHICALLY LOCATED IN PICKENS COUNTY AND OCONEE COUNTY AND ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS OF 1976 §4-1-170, ET SEQUITUR, AS AMENDED; TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE PARK, THE PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE APPLICATION, AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF FEES IN LIEU OF AD VALOREM TAX TO THE COUNTIES AND RELEVANT TAXING ENTITIES; AND, TO PROVIDE THAT JOBS TAX CREDITS ALLOWED BY LAW BE PROVIDED FOR INDUSTRIES LOCATING IN SAID PARK, AND TO PERMIT A USER FEE IN LIEU OF AD VALOREM TAXATION”.
There was no one present with written and/or oral comments regarding this ordinance.
Mr. Norton, County Attorney, requested that third and final reading of the proposed ordinance be postponed until the description of the properties for Valenite Industries included in the park is confirmed.
Ordinance 2003-13:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2003-13, “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A FEE IN LIEU OF TAX AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA AND VALENITE MANUFACTURING INC.; AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO, WITHOUT LIMITATION, PAYMENT OF A FEE IN LIEU OF TAXES” be adopted on first reading.
Public Hearing on “Rock Building”:
The next item on the agenda was a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding the County leasing the “Rock Building” to Patriot’s Hall Association, Inc.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting July 15, 2003
Public Hearing on “Rock Building” Continued:
Mr. B. J. Littleton expressed concerns that the leasing of the building might not be enough for the veterans, he also stated he would like to see a lounge area with a TV and VCR.
Mr. Joe Rawl express his appreciation to Council for their past support and appreciation to the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee for their recommendation to lease the building to Patriot’s Hall.
Mr. Charlie Burkett encouraged Council to adopt the lease between the County and Patriot’s Hall.
Ms. Rose Cashin encouraged Council to adopt the lease in memory of the veterans who lost their lives that we might enjoy the freedoms we have today. Ms. Cashin encouraged Council to lease the Rock Building to Patriot’s Hall in memory of the veterans.
Mr. Robert Bartell expressed concern that a lease for twenty-five years was not long enough and felt it might be a way to sandbag the project.
Mrs. Rosemary Bailes expressed appreciation to the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee for their recommendation to Council that the lease be adopted.
Mr. Jack Lombard stated he was a World War II Veteran and they had fought to preserve things at home, he expressed feelings the Rock Building should be preserved and using it as a museum would honor our veterans.
Mr. Virgil Hamilton stated he supported the twenty-five year lease on the Rock Building for Patriot’s Hall.
Lease for Rock Building:
Upon recommendation of the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee, Council voted unanimously to adopt the lease between Oconee County and Patriot’s Hall Association, Inc. for twenty-five years as delineated in their earlier meeting.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting July 15, 2003
Fair Play Fire Department (Contingency):
Upon recommendation of Mr. Larry Wilkerson, Chief, Fair Play Fire Department, Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that $9,974 be taken from contingency as the local matching portion of an Emergency Preparedness & Response Directorate Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $89,771. (See attached information)
DHEC Agreement:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Henry Gordon, Emergency Management Director & Mr. Donald Peace, DHEC, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that the attached Memorandum of Agreement Between South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control & Oconee County be adopted.
Road Paving Bids:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Hoyt Orr, Roads & Bridges Superintendent & Ms. Marianne Dillard, Procurement Director, Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that the bid for overlay of additional county roadways to awarded to Hubbard Paving and Grading who was low bid at $435,229.07. (See attached bid sheet)
Food for LEC Bids:
Upon recommendation of Chief Deputy Wilson & Ms. Dillard, Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that the bid for foods as delineated on the attached bid sheet for the Law Enforcement Center be awarded to US Food Service who was low bid overall at $58,651.31.
DJJ Contract:
Also, upon recommendation of Mr. Wilson, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that the attached Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Juvenile Justice be adopted.
Ordinance 2003-10:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 (Mr. Rinehart out of room) that Ordinance 2003-10, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PERSONNEL POLICIES ORDINANCE 97-14, PERSONNEL POLICIES & PROCEDURES” be adopted on second reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting July 15, 2003
Ordinance 2003-11:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 (Mr. Rinehart out of room) that Ordinance 2003-11, “AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF OCONEE COUNTY TO SUBMIT THE ANNUAL BUDGET TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF OCONEE COUNTY OF THE OCONEE COUNTY COUNCIL BY APRIL 1ST OF EACH CALENDAR YEAR” be adopted on first reading.
Ordinance 2003-12:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2003-12, “AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE KEOWEE KEY SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT” be adopted on first reading.
Commission Appointments:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that Mr. Bob Westbrook be appointed to represent District I on the ATAX Committee and Mrs. Janice Matheson be appointed to represent District I on the Emergency Management Commission.
County Seal:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that the seal on the new courthouse be adopted as the official county seal with the colors being navy and bronze and “Water of the Hills” being eliminated. Further, that the Procurement Director seek bids to use this seal on all County vehicles and stationary.
Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building &
Grounds Committee Recommendation:
Upon recommendation of the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee, Council voted unanimously to adopt the attached hangar lease and operations manual for the Airport.
Capital Expenditure Moratorium:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that a ninety (90) day moratorium be placed on all capital expenditures in excess of $5,000 to include vehicles, the funding source be identified, the matter be brought to the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee, and upon approval of that committee, the matter be brought to the Budget & Finance Committee for approval.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting July 15, 2003
Public Comment Session:
Mr. Steve Sokol addressed Council regarding the correct name for the “Rock Building”.
Ms. Rosellen Alequire requested that Mr. Ables excuse himself from voting on any matters regarding Port Bass as he has an interest in a restaurant there.
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding the proposed burn building, the county seal and the proposed deadline for submittal of the county budget to the Budget & Finance Committee.
Ms. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding Short Street and the vehicle fee to go into effect January 2004.
Executive Session:
Upon request of Mr. Norton, Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of discussing a contractual matter, personnel matter, Delinquent Tax Office and potential litigation.
Open Session:
When open session resumed, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that schooling be approved for the new Rural Fire Chief and the Animal Control Supervisor.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 6:10 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
___________________________
Opal O. Green, Clerk to Council