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 regular meeting of the Oconee County Council was held Tuesday, September 21, 2004 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 facsimile): Keowee Courier, Westminster News, Daily Journal, Anderson Independent, WGOG, & WSPA TV.
Members of the press present: Ray Chandler – Daily Journal, Dick Mangrum – WGOG Radio, Dave Williams – Anderson Independent & Ashton Hester – Keowee Courier.
Call to Order:
Chairman Ables called the meeting to order.
Invocation:
Mr. Rinehart gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mr. Norton led the Pledge of Allegiance to the US Flag.
Welcome:
Chairman Ables welcomed Mr. Rabun, County Administrator to Oconee County.
Pendleton District Workforce Investment Board:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that the following persons be appointed to the Pendleton District Workforce Investment Board: Mr. Russell Karpick, Mr. Melvin Martin, Ms. Debra Desilette & Ms. Alena Dotson.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting September 21, 2004
Industry Appreciation Week:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that the attached Proclamation declaring the week of September 20 – 24, 2004 as “INDUSTRY APPRECIATION WEEK” in Oconee County be adopted on first and final reading.
Rock Quarry:
Upon recommendation of Tommy Crumpton, Rock Quarry Director and employees Ray Brooks & Tony Moss, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that the bid for a wheel loader for the Rock Quarry be awarded to Interstate Equipment at a cost of $266,565. (See attached bid sheet)
Heritage Center:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that a 1962 Chevrolet C65 fire truck, serial number 2C6530125778 be donated to the Heritage Museum for display.
Local Option Sales Tax:
After a brief discussion regarding the percentage of relief County residents should receive, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 3 – 2 (Mr. Moore & Mr. Johns voting against) that 100% of the local option sales tax collected go toward a tax credit for the citizens with the understanding this could change once the projects are prioritized.
Council Districts:
Mr. Don Gilstrap & Mr. Don Drake addressed Council regarding the possibility of changing the number of Council Districts from five (5) to seven (7). Council Members expressed a desire that the Council Districts be non-partisan, however, they would like to be sure that if there is a change that it is done correctly. This will be discussed further at future Council Meetings.
Ordinance 2004-19:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-19, “THE OCONEE COUNTY EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN ORDINANCE” be adopted on third and final reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting September 21, 2004
Ordinance 2004-20:
Second reading of Ordinance 2004-20, “AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE OCONEE COUNTY RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT” was tabled as this ordinance has been forwarded to Rural Fire for review.
Ordinance 2004-21:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-21, “AN ORDINANCE CREATING A BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FIREMEN’S INSURANCE AND INSPECTION FUND” be adopted on second reading.
Ordinance 2004-23:
Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2004-23, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2004-06, THE OCONEE PERSONNEL POLICIES & PROCEDURES MANUAL, SPECIFICALLY POLICY 1-11, USE OF COUNTY VEHICLES” on second reading.
Budget & Finance Meet:
Mr. Moore announced there would be a Budget & Finance Committee Meeting Monday, September 27, 2004 at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers for the purpose of discussing several budgetary and financial matters.
Planning:
Mr. Rinehart requested that the Planning Department address and make a recommendation to Council regarding the gallons per minute at hydrants in new construction.
Rural Fire (Contingency):
Upon recommendation of the Law Enforcement, Safety, Health, Welfare & Services Committee, Council voted unanimously to approve $3,000 being taken from contingency for the purchase of foam for Rural Fire.
Also, upon recommendation of the Law Enforcement, Safety, Health, Welfare & Services Committee, Council voted unanimously to approve the matching portion of a grant to the Oakway Fire Department in the amount of $6,600 and the Mt. Rest Fire Department in the amount of $7,000.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting September 21, 2004
Rural Fire Continued:
Council requested Mr. Rabun, County Administrator and Mrs. Lombard, Finance Director to recommend a funding source for the $50,000 non-capital equipment requested by Rural Fire.
Roads & Transportation Recommendation:
Upon recommendation of the Roads & Transportation Committee, Council voted 4 – 1 (Mr. Lyles voting against) to pave Alice Lane as staked by the Road Department.
Solid Waste:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that the fee be waived for disposal of some 30,000 chickens lost to a local poultry farmer when lightening hit the generator for his chicken house during a tornado Thursday, September 16, 2004.
Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee Recommendations:
Upon recommendation of the Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee, Council voted unanimously to deny the request of the previous owner to purchase the property adjacent to the Seneca Landfill as the County acquired this property due to problems this citizen cited against the County.
Also, upon recommendation of the committee, Council voted unanimously to store the barge at the old Roads Office at this time.
Airport:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Lyles, Council voted unanimously to waive the County receiving the two percent (2%) gross in the contract with VanSurdam, who does maintenance at the airport and re-evaluate this practice in two years.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting September 21, 2004
Solid Waste:
Mr. Norton presented the attached agreement with Engelhard Corporation for nine methane wells at the Seneca Landfill and that Goldie & Associates be brought in to study the methane coming from the landfill which will require drilling of additional wells. Engelhard will pay half the cost up to $30,000 and will have the first right of refusal for the methane for up to 180 days. If Engelhard exercises that option they will have the exclusive right to mine the gas for a five-year period or until they reach an amount of gas equal to 130,000 BTH’s. Oconee County currently expends some $20,000 per year to extract the methane and Engelhard would pay the cost of extraction.
Ordinance 2004-24:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-24, “A FEE IN LIEU ORDINANCE” be adopted on first reading in title only.
Public Comment Session:
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding changing the number of Council Districts from five to seven.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding the methane gas at the landfill.
Respectfully Submitted:
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Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council