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, October 21, 2003 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members except Mr. Johns 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: Dick Mangrum – WGOG Radio, Ray Chandler –
Daily Journal, Ashton Hester – Keowee Courier & Dave Williams – Anderson
Independent.
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. Lyles made a motion; seconded by Mr. Moore,
approved 3 – 0 (Mr. Ables abstaining due to his not being present at the
10/7/03 meeting) that the minutes of the regular meeting held October 7, 2003
be adopted as printed.
Public Hearing RE: Ordinance 2003-17:
The first item on the agenda was a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding Ordinance 2003-17 “AN ORDINANCE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF TRUST INDENTURE AND AMENDMENT OF LOAN AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE $77,000,000 OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA POLLUTION CONTROL BONDS, SERIES 1993 (DUKE POWER COMPANY PROJECT) (THE “BONDS”) TO PROVIDE FOR CHANGE IN INTEREST RATE FROM FIXED TO VARIABLE RATE, TO PROVIDE FOR APPOINTMENT OF BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC., AND REMARKETING AGENT, REMARKETING OF THE BONDS AND EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS RELATING THERETO, AND TO PROVIDE FOR CHANGE IN COLLATERAL SUPPORT FOR THE BONDS BY DELIVERY OF LETTER OF CREDIT ISSUED BY BANK ONE”.
There was no one present with written and/or oral comments regarding this ordinance. Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2003-17 (titled above) be adopted on third and final reading.
Public Hearing RE: Timber Sale:
The next item on the agenda was a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding the sale of timber on County owned property located on the east side of “Poor Farm Lake” on Nectarine Circle & Bunky Kelly Road.
There was no one present with written and/or oral comments regarding the sale of this timber.
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the sale of some seventy acres of timber be awarded to Thrift Brothers Lumber Co., Inc. who was high bid at $93,750 and $15,000 of the proceeds received be set aside for re-seeding and herbicidal spraying of the property.
Capital Improvement Plan:
Mr. Tom Hendricks, Planning Director, presented the 2003-04 “Capital Improvement Plan”, as approved by the Planning Commission to Council.
Some of the recommendations of the plan are as follows:
(1) County Council amend the 2003-04 budget moving the $1,750,000 from road paving and new construction to an account for capital improvement.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting October 21, 2003
Capital Improvement Plan Continued:
(2) County Council move $3,788,791 from the financial assurance account for closure/post closure to undesignated reserves and designate the remaining $1,165,866 as capital improvements for Solid Waste.
(3) County Council amend the 2003-04 budget to include vehicles and equipment as designated in the plan with funding coming from the capital improvements account, formerly known as paving and new construction
(4) County Council implement necessary actions to move the Road Department from Five Forks to the Davco Building adjacent to Vehicle Maintenance
(5) Rural Fire be relocated to the Five Forks Facility near the new “burn building”
(6) County Council initiate the actions necessary to move the offices at Pine Street as recommended in the plan and renovate space for the Probate Judge
Some Council Members expressed concerns regarding removing road paving from the budget as well as the need to discuss some of the proposals with department heads.
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that $3,788,791.35 be taken from the closure/post closure funding and placed in undesignated reserve.
Rural Fire:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Ronald Butts, Rural Fire Chief, Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the insurance on a 1977 Dodge truck be transferred to a 1994 F350 Ford truck to be used as a brush truck.
Ordinance 2003-18:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2003-18, “AN ORDINANCE TO APPOINT BOARD MEMBER TO LAKEVIEW ASSISTED LIVING, INC.” be adopted on third and final reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting October 21, 2003
Ordinance 2003-19:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2003-19, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 97-14, THE OCONEE COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL” be adopted on second reading.
Ordinance 2003-20:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2003-20, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION I-9, OCONEE COUNTY POLICIES & PROCEDURES TO INCLUDE A PROVISION FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE OCONEE COUNTY EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN, RESCINDING ORDINANCE 2001-16” be adopted on first reading.
Commission Appointment:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that Mr. Gregg Dietterick be reappointed to the Sewer Commission.
Budget Calendar:
Mr. Hamilton presented the attached calendar of proposed dates for discussion and adoption of the Supplemental Budget & Operational Budget for the County.
Roads & Transportation Committee
Recommendations:
Upon recommendation of the Roads & Transportation Committee, Council unanimously adopted the following:
(1) Cliffabee Lees and Coneross Subdivisions be permitted to use signs presented to the Roads & Transportation Committee
(2) The Road Department be permitted to use milling on Baldwin Roadway at a cost not to exceed $7,470 for the milling itself.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting October 21, 2003
Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building &
Grounds Committee Recommendations:
Upon recommendation of the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee, Council voted unanimously to adopt the following recommendations:
(1) The old scale house at the Rock Quarry be disposed as per County regulations with all the equipment possible being used for future County operations
(2) The two mobile homes at the Rock Quarry be disposed of
(3) The County Attorney, Airport Director & Procurement Director prepare a lease agreement for a house owned by the county located at 202 Mt. Nebo Road, Seneca, SC
(4) The Heritage Center be permitted to renovate the vacant lot adjacent to the center with the County assisting with removal of old asphalt pilings, rocks and debris
(5) First Reading of Ordinance 2003-21, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2002-08, AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE SALE OF SURPLUS STONE, GRAVEL, AND LIKE PRODUCTS BY OCONEE COUNTY AND TO PRESCRIBE THE MANNER OF SUCH SALES AND THE PAYMENT AND ACCOUNTING THEREFORE, AND TO REPEAL ORDINANCE 91-10” be adopted on first reading in title only
County Seal (Contingency):
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that $7,500 be taken from contingency for the Procurement Director to secure art work for a possible seal for the Council Chambers and decals for County vehicles. The seal will be unveiled at a later date.
Work Session:
Council scheduled as work session Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers for the purpose of discussing the proposed capital improvement plan.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting October 21, 2003
Encroachment Permit:
Mr. Sam Henry, R-O-W Technician, addressed Council regarding an encroachment permit that has been forwarded to Clemson, which crosses Oconee County Airport property granting access to Clemson University access to a tract of their property that is landlocked, and some rights-of-ways Oconee County needs from Clemson University. However, Council expressed a need to see the documents before voting on the matter.
Public Comment Session:
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed regarding Council Members’ salary, taxes, bond rates, County budget, etc.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding the Coroner’s position, parks, budget cuts, Booker Building, etc.
Executive Session:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter.
Open Session:
There was no action taken when open session resumed.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 5:30 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
___________________________
Opal O. Green, Clerk to Council