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, March 2, 2004 at 7:00 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.
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:
By consensus, Council adopted the minutes of the
regular meeting held February 17, 2004 as printed.
ATAX Grants:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Gerald Foster, ATAX Committee, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that the attached ATAX Grants - $7,003.88 to Oconee County Cultural Festival; $649 to Oconee County Parks & Recreation and $7,380 to Walhalla Civic Auditorium be adopted.
Minutes,
Oconee County Council Meeting March 2, 2004
Water System at Port Bass & Timberlake:
Mr. Douglas Glenn addressed Council regarding problems with the water system provided by George Water & Well to the property owners in Port Bass Subdivision and Timberlake Subdivision. Mr. Glenn advised Council to get a copy of the transcript of the hearing held at the Public Service Commission Thursday, February 19, 2004.
Council also asked that Georgia
Water & Well be forwarded a copy of their letter to the County stating they
would move the water lines in Timberlake Subdivision for the County to pave the
roadways.
Vehicle Maintenance:
Mr. Lee Davis, Vehicle Maintenance Director, addressed Council requesting $77,000 for gasoline and fuel for the remainder of this fiscal year. However, after a brief discussion, it was the consensus of Council that this request be tabled until the first meeting in April.
Rural Fire:
Upon request of Mr. Ronald Butts, Rural Fire Chief, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that the County insure a 1976 Dodge truck, furnish the tires and batteries (to be used as a brush truck) for the Keowee-Ebenezer Fire Department.
Recreational Funds:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Greg
Brock, Athletic Director, Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart,
approved 5 – 0 that a total of $2,000 ($1,200 basketball officials expense /
$800 basketball uniforms) for the Tamassee-Salem Recreation Corporation be
approved. (See attached request)
Solid Waste:
Removal and Recycling of Scrap Tires
for Solid Waste was removed from the agenda.
Ordinance 2004-04:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded
by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-04, “AN ORDINANCE SUSPENDING
THE COUNTY POLICY REQUIRING OCONEE COUNTY RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS, THE OCONEE
COUNTY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM, OCONEE RESCUE SQUADS, THE OCONEE COUNTY SPECIAL
RESCUE SQUAD AND THE OCONEE COUNTY DIVE TEAM TO SPEND ALL BUDGETED AMOUNTS
WITHIN EACH FISCAL YEAR” be adopted on third and final reading.
Ordinance 2004-06:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by
Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-06, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND
ORDINANCE 97-14, THE OCONEE COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL,
SPECIFICALLY POLICY 1-11, USE OF COUNTY VEHICLES” be adopted on third and final
reading.
Ordinance 2004-07& Ordinance 2004-08:
Upon recommendation of the Personnel & Intergovernmental Committee, Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2004-07, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 97-14, THE OCONEE COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, SPECIFICALLY POLICY 4-6, INCLEMENT WEATHER and Ordinance 2004-08, “AN ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH THE COUNTY COMPUTER/INTERNET/E-MAIL POLICY” on first reading in title only.
Tourism Commission Appointee:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Mr. John Carter be appointed to represent District V on the Tourism Commission.
Solid Waste:
Mr. Lyles requested the County Supervisor to look into the possibility of decals for Oconee County property owners who live outside the County to use when depositing waste at the manned convenience centers.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting March 2, 2004
Memorandum of Understanding:
Mr. Norton, County Attorney, explained to Council that the Memorandum of Understanding as adopted by Council referenced Ordinance 78-2 which contains a provision that the County Supervisor approve personnel hired by the Sewer Commission and also that contracts entered into by the Sewer Commission have to be approved by Council. Council is practicing neither of these provisions, although Council is approving the annual Sewer Commission Budget. After a brief discussion, Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 1 (Mr. Moore voting against) that the Memorandum of Understanding be adopted deleting reference to Ordinance 78-2.
Public Comment Session:
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding decals as mentioned above, funding uniforms for Tamassee-Salem, all meetings being open and advertised, etc.
Ms. Sallie Price addressed Council regarding an inventory of all County owned properties.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding the fence being taken down at the DSS Building site, etc.
Parks:
To Mr. Lyles’ inquiry, Mr. Norton assured Council they would be getting a proposal regarding golf carts at the parks.
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 contractual matters.
Open Session:
There was no action taken when open session resumed.
Adjourn:
Adjourn 8:10 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
___________________________
Opal O. Green, Clerk to Council