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, November 9, 2004 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members and Mr. Norton, 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 & WIRX Radio.
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. Rinehart gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mr. Norton led the pledge of allegiance to the US Flag.
Minutes:
The minutes of the regular meeting held October 19, 2004 and the minutes of the special meeting held October 21, 2004 were adopted as printed by consensus of Council.
Resolution of Congratulations:
Approval and presentation of a Resolution of Congratulations to the Blue Ridge Mountain Cloggers was postponed until the first meeting in December.
Public Hearing RE: Comprehensive Plan:
Council held a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding Ordinance 2004-25, “OCONEE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN”.
Mr. Paul Johanson, Chairman, Oconee County Library Board, stated the libraries should be made a higher priority in the plan. (See attached statement)
Mrs. Martha Baily, Library Director, read the attached letter from Teresa Price Lanford, Library employee urging more emphasis be placed on the County libraries.
Mr. B. J. Littleton stated he enjoyed the Walhalla Library.
Ms. Lynn Bishof stated she was present in support of an Oconee County recreation complex.
Ms. Donna Linson read the attached statement stating the plan was a preemptive to zoning.
Mr. Larry Linson spoke against the plan regarding expansion of water and sewer within the County.
Ms. Susie Cornelius spoke in opposition of the plan. (See attached statement)
Mr. Ben Turetsky, President, FOLKS spoke in favor of adopting the plan for the protection of Lake Keowee and its watershed. (See attached statement)
Mrs. Jean Stappler addressed Council regarding the County taking over the operation of the Animal Shelter.
Mrs. Molly Wempe addressed Council in favor of a County recreation center.
Mr. Glenn Bishof addressed Council requesting zoning.
Public Hearing Continued:
Mr. Bradley A. Norton, County Attorney read the attached written statement submitted by the City of Walhalla requesting a delay in the implementation of the Infrastructure Master Plan, the City of Walhalla select someone to assist with coordinating County and City planning, the Water Commission be activated and Walhalla be permitted to select a representative on the Water Commission.
The public hearing closed at this time.
Department of Transportation Agreement:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that the attached agreement by and between Oconee County and the South Carolina Department of Transportation be adopted, the agreement states in part:
(1) The South Carolina Department of Transportation (hereinafter SCDOT) currently operates a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for sewage generated at the South Carolina Welcome Center located at the intersection of I-85 and Highway 11, Said wastewater treatment plant discharges into Lake Hartwell. Oconee County, through the Oconee County Sewer Commission (OCSC), 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.
(2) The SCDOT agrees to pay Oconee County the sum of $2.639 million dollars to assist in the design of the project, acquisition of property for the sewer project and the construction of the wastewater treatment plant and collector lines. The estimated schedule of disbursements is $0.5 Million in the year 2004/2005 fiscal year and $2.139 Million in the 2005/2006 fiscal year. Disbursements by the SCDOT will be in response to actual documented expenditures incurred by the County and as estimated on the attached Cost Breakdown and Schedule of Expenditures dated October 4, 2004. Disbursement requests will not exceed one per month. No monies will be dispersed for land, construction or equipment costs until after the SCDHEC Permit to Construct has been issued for the WWTP. Disbursement requests may be made for engineering and other expenses related to the permitting process prior to the issuance of the permit.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting November 9, 2004
Department of Transportation Agreement Continued:
(3) Upon completion of the wastewater treatment plant and the collector lines by the County, the SCDOT agrees to discharge all of the above referenced Welcome Center into the new County sewer lines.
HAZMAT (Contingency):
Upon recommendation of Mr. Rabun, County Administrator, Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that Council approve the emergency purchase of six HAZMAT uniforms and gear authorized by Mr. Rabun with $1,200 of the cost coming from the HAZMAT line item and $3,500 coming from contingency.
Ordinance 2004-24:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-24, “AN ORDINANCE BY OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA, AUTHORIZING AN INFRASTRUCTURE TAX CREDIT (VALENITE, LLC PROJECT); THE ENTERING INTO OF CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS AND THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE AFORESAID INFRASTRUCTURE TAX CREDIT, INCLUDING CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO” be adopted on second reading.
Ordinance 2004-25:
Third and final reading of Ordinance 2004-25, OCONEE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN” was postponed and Council requested a joint meeting with the Planning Commission.
(Mr. Johns had to leave at 8:10 PM)
Ordinance 2004-26:
Ordinance 2004-28:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-28, “AN ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES/POLICIES FOR OCONEE COUNTY” be adopted on third and final reading.
Earthquake Awareness Proclamation:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that the attached proclamation declaring the week of November 7 – 13 “Earthquake Awareness Week” in Oconee County be adopted.
Insurance & Inspection Fund Board:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that Mr. Dewitt Mize be recommended to serve on the Insurance & Inspection Fund Board.
Personnel & Intergovernmental Recommendations:
Upon recommendation of the Personnel & Intergovernmental Committee, Council voted to adopt the following:
(1) Update the Deputy Finance Director to a Finance Manager which will cost the County an additional $2,703, however, it will save the County some $10,000 in auditing costs
(2) Hire a clerk in Delinquent Tax Division of Finance to concentrate solely on personal properties which will bring in additional funds to the County
Litter Ordinance:
To Mr. Rinehart’s inquiry regarding the litter ordinance he had requested, Mr. Norton informed him it would be ready for the Law Enforcement, Safety, Health, Welfare & Services Committee to consider at their November 12, 2004 meeting.
Meetings:
The regular meeting of Council, which had been rescheduled November 23, 2004, was rescheduled for November 30, 2004 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers. Also, the Planning & Economic Development Committee scheduled a meeting Tuesday, November 30, 2004 at 2:30 PM.
Public Comment Session:
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding the SCDOT Contract, the Libraries and the recreation complex.
Mr. Larry Linson addressed Council regarding the commerce center.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding the Animal Shelter, Humane Society, one-cent sales tax, fire trucks, the airport, DSS building and library books.
Adjourn:
Adjourn 8:35 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council