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, September 7, 2004 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members except Mr. Rinehart present. Mr. Norton, 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 & WIRX Radio.
Members of the press present: Ray Chandler – Daily Journal, Heide 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. Johns gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mr. Norton led the pledge of allegiance to the US Flag.
Minutes:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 3 – 0 that the minutes of the regular meeting held August 24, 2004 be adopted with the amendment that the vote to annex the “Blood Connection” into the Seneca City Limits was 3 – 1 with Mr. Moore voting against. Council adopted the minutes of the special meetings held August 27, 2004 and August 30, 2004 as printed.
Ordinance 2004-22:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-22, “THE OCONEE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE” be adopted on first reading in title only.
1% Sales Tax Referendum:
Upon request of Mr. Robert Manka, Chairman, Referendum Information Committee, Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that up to $35,000 be taken from the professional line item for expenses in relating the pro’s and con’s regarding the one percent local option sales tax to the County citizens.
Parks:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the attached application for a PARD Grant in the amount of $25,000 be adopted for playground equipment to be placed at South Cove Park.
On-Line Information:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the Information Technology Department proceed with making payment of taxes and data research available on line. (See attachment)
Pendleton District Workforce Investment Board:
Council requested that Mr. Hamilton discuss the proposed nominees for the Pendleton District Workforce Investment Board with the director to ensure that all municipalities are being represented.
Zoning Board of Appeals:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the following persons be reappointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals:
Duane Wilson
Eric Molin
Dean Putnam
Scott Foster
Gene Gaillard
Myrtle Coward
Clark Wilmont
Tri County Regional Landfill Property Suit:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the attached settlement regarding the Tri County Landfill suit be adopted:
Both the property and the money currently held by the SC Appalachian Council of Governments is to be split evenly. Currently, Oconee County’s interest in the money and perhaps the property is 19.39%, Pickens County is 31.66% and Anderson County is 48.95%. This means Oconee County is increasing its ownership interest by 13.94%, Pickens County is increasing their ownership by 1.67% and Anderson County is decreasing their interest by 15.62%. There was also an agreement that the property be appraised, marketed and sold.
Oscar Raines Lawsuit:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the attached settlement regarding the Oscar Raines suit be adopted:
Oconee County purchase the property at a cost of $185,000 and Mr. Raines retain a life estate in the property; as long as he resides on the property he will be entitled to the rental value of two mobile homes on the property.
Auction Listing:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the attached listing of county property be sold at auction contingent upon Mr. Hamilton reviewing and approving the listing.
Lions Proclamation:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that the attached proclamation declaring September 30 – October 15 as “LIONS CLUB APPRECIATION DAYS IN OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA” be adopted on first and final reading.
Ordinance 2004-18:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-18, “AN ORDINANCE TO ABOLISH THE OFFICE OF TAX COLLECTOR FOR OCONEE COUNTY AND TO DEVOLVE THE POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FORMERLY EXERCISED BY THE OFFICE OF TAX COLLECTOR FOR OCONEE COUNTY UPON THE DELINQUENT TAX DIVISION, A DIVISION OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT FOR OCONEE COUNTY AMENDING ORDINANCE 2003-25” be adopted on third and final reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting September 7, 2004
Ordinance 2004-19:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-19, “THE OCONEE COUNTY EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN ORDINANCE” be adopted on second reading.
Ordinance 2004-20 & 2004-21:
Second reading of Ordinance 2004-20, “AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE OCONEE COUNTY RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT” and Ordinance 2004-21, “AN ORDINANCE CREATING A BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FIREMEN’S INSURANCE AND INSPECTION FUND” were postponed as they were assigned to the Law Enforcement, Safety, Health, Welfare & Services Committee.
Ordinance 2004-23:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-23, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2004-06, THE OCONEE PERSONNEL POLICIES & PROCEDURES MANUAL, SPECIFICALLY POLICY 1-11, USE OF COUNTY VEHICLES” be adopted on first reading.
Department of Transportation Agreement:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that the attached agreement by and between Oconee County and the SC Department of Transportation whereby the Oconee County Sewer Commission agrees to use its best efforts to construct a wastewater treatment plant and the associated sewage transportation system, including piping and lift stations that will be able to handle the sewage discharged from the SCDOT Welcome Center.
Budget & Finance Chair:
Chairman Ables informed Council that Mr. Moore and Mrs. Lombard had resolved their differences, Mr. Ables then made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 (Mr. Moore abstaining) that Mr. Moore be reinstated as Chair of the Budget & Finance Committee.
Roads & Transportation Chair:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 (Mr. Johns abstaining) that Mr. Johns be made Chair Roads & Transportation Committee.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting September 7, 2004
Property Listing:
To Mr. Moore’s inquiry, Council was informed the listing of all County property is not complete.
Budget & Finance Recommendations:
Upon recommendation of the Budget & Finance Committee, Council voted unanimously to increase the fee of execution costs for collection of delinquent taxes from $2.00 to $10.00 on real estate and mobile home properties. Also, the increase in execution costs, postage, posting, processing, advertising and auctioneer fees be added to business and personal properties, effective March 2005. These funds will offset expenses. (See attached)
Also, upon recommendation of the Budget & Finance Committee, Council voted unanimously that the County maps be sold for $2.00 each and $1.50 for bulk sales of 50 or more.
Roads & Transportation Recommendations:
Upon recommendation of the Roads & Transportation Committee Council voted unanimously to grant John Hamrick’s request for a variance on the grade of his roadway contingent upon the County receiving a new engineering drawing of the specific section of roadway to be affected.
Also, Council requested that Mr. Hamilton review the proposed paving to the completed at High Falls & South Cove Parks.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 9:05 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
_____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council