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, August 5, 2003 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members except Mr. Rinehart present. The County Attorney was also 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:
Invocation:
Mr. Moore gave the invocation.
Minutes:
Mr. Lyles made a motion;
seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that the minutes of the regular meeting
held July 15, 2003 were adopted as presented by the Clerk to Council.
Resolution 2003-29:
Mrs. Phyllis Lombard, Finance Director, presented Resolution 2003-29, “A RESOLUTION HONORING MR. BUDDY G. HERRING” retired Superintendent of Education to Mr. Herring.
Minutes,
Oconee County Council Meeting August
5, 2003
Economic Development:
Mr. Jim Alexander, Economic Development Director, addressed Council regarding the construction of a “spec” building of approximately 40,000 square feet that can be expanded up to 80,000 square feet for the Oconee County Commerce Center. Upon recommendation of the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds, Committee, Council voted unanimously that the Finance Director, the Procurement Director, County Engineer and Council Attorney explore the best financial plan for the project and construction plan for such a building.
Schools/Seminars/Training:
Mrs. Becky Gerrard, Chief Magistrate & Ms. Sandra Orr, Probate Judge addressed Council regarding changing the description of their schools/seminars/training line item. It was the consensus of Council to let the Supervisor take care of these requests.
Bid for Scrap Metal:
Upon recommendation of Ms. Marianne Dillard, Procurement Director, Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the bid for disposing of scrap metal be awarded to Cobb Salvage who was high bid at $225.00 (See attached bid sheet)
Ordinance 2003-08:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that 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” be adopted on third and final reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting August 5,
2003
Ordinance 2003-13:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 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 second reading.
Ordinance 2003-10:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2003-10, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PERSONNEL POLICIES ORDINANCE 97-14, PERSONNEL POLICIES & PROCEDURES” be adopted on third and final reading.
Ordinance 2003-11:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 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 second reading.
Ordinance 2003-12:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2003-12, “AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE KEOWEE KEY SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT” be adopted on second reading.
Commission Appointment:
Upon recommendation of Interim Supervisor Hamilton, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4- 0 that Mr. Stan Dubose be appointed as an at-large member of the Oconee County Arts & Historical Commission.
ATAX Committee:
Interim Supervisor Hamilton informed Council that Ms. Geri McSwain, Local ATAX Chair had met with the State ATAX Committee and the grant to the Beauty Pageant is an allowable expenditure.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting August 5,
2003
Roads & Transportation Committee
Recommendations:
Upon recommendation of the Roads & Transportation Committee, Council voted unanimously to accept an extension of Lynx Lane into the county maintenance system pending receipt of rights-of-ways, a cul-de-sac being completed and no utilities being in the right-of-way.
Also, upon recommendation of the Roads & Transportation Committee, Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of King Asphalt to use milling in place asphalt on Jumping Branch Roadway at a cost not to exceed $15,000 to come from the road paving funds. (See attachment)
County Timber:
Mr. Moore informed Council he had met with Mr. John Little, Forester. Mr. Little estimates that Oconee County has lost some $40,000 worth of timber due to beetle infestation, therefore, they are recommending an inventory be taken of all county owned property with timber, the diseased timber be removed and replanted with cost-sharing funds and the other timber be thinned. It was the consensus of Council to move forward with this program.
Public Comment Session:
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding budget matters and the county receiving federal reimbursement on expenditures for the Veterans Affairs Office.
Ms. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding Council Districts, the public safety facility, rock quarry and the school libraries being opened during the summer months.
Executive Session:
Upon request of Mr. Norton, Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of discussing a contractual matters and personnel matters.
Open Session:
When open session resumed, Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that the County Treasurer and County Auditor be classified as 35J.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting August 5,
2003
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 8:30 PM
Respectfully
Submitted:
___________________________
Opal
O. Green, Clerk to Council