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 30, 2004 at 3:00 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, Ashton Hester – Keowee Courier & 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:
The minutes of the regular meeting held November 9, 2004 were adopted as printed by consensus of Council.
Approval of Resolution 2004-09, “A RESOLUTION OF TRIBUTE TO THE LATE STAFF SERGEANT TONY BRUCE OLAES, ARMY SPECIAL FORCES MEDIC” was postponed in the hopes some of his family could be present when this is adopted.
ATAX Grants:
Upon recommendation of Ms. Barbara Laughter, ATAX Committee, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that the attached ATAX Grant in the amount of $4,498 to the Westminster American Legion Auxiliary Post Unit #107 be adopted.
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that the attached ATAX Grant in the amount of $19,000 to the Walhalla Civic Auditorium be adopted.
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that the attached ATAX Grant in the amount of $5,340 to the Oconee Community Theater be adopted.
Reidhead Property:
Mr. Rabun, County Administrator, recommended to Council that Oconee County exercise the option to purchase 410 acres in the lower part of the County with the seller being paid a total of $2,400,000 with a payment of $1,200,000 in the 2004-05 fiscal year and $1,200,000 in the 2005-06 fiscal year. The option on the property expires December 1, 2004; therefore, the decision must be made in this Council Meeting. There are reserves to be used for the purchase of this property. The South Carolina Department of Transportation will provide sewer and Mr. Alan Blackmon of Blue Ridge Electric informed Council that Blue Ridge has pledged $1,000,000 toward this project over the next five years.
To Mr. Moore’s inquiry, Council was informed that the studies show this property to be appropriate for a sewer plant and an industrial park. There is access to water for discharge and there is also room to do land application, if necessary. The County will try to secure a permit for a 1,000,000-gallon per day wastewater treatment plant. In the first phase there will be a 500,000-gallon per day wastewater treatment plant.
To his inquiry regarding 7-Q-10 regulations, Mr. Paul Lewis of Goldie &
Associates informed Council there is no limit on the tertiary waste that can be placed in the creek located on the property.
Reidhead Property Continued:
The financing of project will be in the form of reimbursement of funds spent.
To Mr. Rinehart’s inquiry, Council was assured there will be no duplication of services. Mr. Rinehart also assured those present their concerns regarding a recreation center and Library will not be pushed aside.
Mr. Johns stated he felt this was the right property, the right location at the right price.
Mr. Ables stated he felt this had been needed in Oconee County for a long time and he also assured those present their needs would not be forgotten.
Mr. Lyles commended those who had worked on this project and stated he supported it 100%.
Mr. Lyles then made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 1 (Mr. Moore voting against) that the County exercise its option to purchase and develop the 410 acres known as the Reidhead property.
Parks:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Rabun, Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that the bid of Mr. Larry Hinkle at $5,201 be accepted for timber that had been cut at High Falls Park in preparation of paving those roadways.
Also, upon recommendation of Mr. Rabun, Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that the bids for bathhouse at South Cove Park be rejected as they are over budget and $32,000 of those funds be used to complete the paving at Chau Ram and High Falls Parks.
Ordinance 2004-25:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-25, “OCONEE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN” be adopted on third and final reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting November 30, 2004
Ordinance 2004-29:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-29, “LITTER CONTROL ORDINANCE OF OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA” be adopted on first reading.
Ordinance 2004-30:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-30, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2004-05, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE REGULATION OF FALSE FIRE ALARMS TO WHICH OCONEE COUNTY RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPOND” be adopted on first reading.
Ordinance 2004-31:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-31, “AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE OCONEE COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION” be adopted on first reading.
Resolution 2008-08:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 1 (Mr. Moore voting against) that Resolution 2004-08, “A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE INTENTION OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA TO REIMBURSE OCONEE COUNTY FOR CERTAIN COSTS FOR SEWER IMPROVEMENTS” be adopted on first and final reading.
Insurance & Inspection Fund Board Members:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Rinehart, Council voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Richard Timms to the Insurance & Inspection Fund Board.
Upon recommendation of Mr. Lyles, Council voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Chris Smith to the Insurance & Inspection Fund Board.
ATAX Committee:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Mr. Kevin Grady Evans be appointed to the ATAX Committee.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting November 30, 2004
Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee Report:
Mr. Lyles, Chair, Purchasing, Contracting, Real Estate, Building & Grounds Committee informed Council of a briefing received from Alan Gardner, Public Buildings Director, regarding the condition of the roofs and HVAC systems of County buildings. They were also informed that County purchases are in line with the approved budget.
Regional Tri County Property:
To Mr. Moore’s inquiry, Mr. Norton, County Attorney, informed Council the documents have been signed dismissing the suit on the property owned by Oconee, Pickens & Anderson Counties, the South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments will hold funds to have the property appraised and it will then be placed on the market.
Solid Waste Commission:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that Mr. Clark Wilmont be appointed to represent District IV on the Solid Waste Commission.
Reidhead Property:
Mr. Rabun, County Administrator, informed those present the purchase of the 410-acre tract of land was not only for sewer purposes, but also for the preservation of the lakes, etc.
Rural Fire (Contingency):
Upon recommendation of the Law Enforcement, Safety, Health, Welfare & Services Committee, Council voted unanimously to take $14,000 from contingency for the purchase of a fire safety house; $600 from contingency for the cleaning of air bottles and $400 from contingency for recertification of the cascade system.
Public Comment Session:
Ms. Jane Thomas addressed Council regarding Oconee County citizens shopping in adjoining counties on Sunday and a recreation facility for older females.
Mrs. Sallie Long addressed Council regarding needs in the Seneca Library.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding fire fighting equipment and Animal Control.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting November 30, 2004
Executive Session:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of discussing privileged information regarding a real estate matter.
Open Session:
There was no action taken when open session resumed.
Adjourn:
Adjourn 4:55 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council