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, December 7, 2004 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with Mr. Ables, Mr. Johns & Mr. Lyles 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, Dave Williams – Anderson Independent, Ashton Hester – Keowee Courier & Dick Mangrum – WGOG Radio.
Other Organizations Notified:
Also notified were the Oconee County Tax Payers Association, Citizens for Recreation Center 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 11, 2004 were adopted as printed by consensus of Council.
Miss Golden Corner:
Ms. Erica Powell, Miss Golden Corner, addressed Council, informing them her platform is “Prevention of Teen Pregnancy”; Ms. Amber Patterson, Miss Golden Corner, Jr. addressed Council, informing them her platform is “Adopt a Grandparent”. Council congratulated both these young ladies, wishing them well.
Resolution 2004-09:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 3 – 0 that Resolution 2004-09, “A RESOLUTION OF TRIBUTE TO THE LATE STAFF SERGEANT TONY BRUCE OLAES, ARMY SPECIAL FORCES MEDIC” be adopted on first and final reading. Mr. Jerry Dyar, Veterans Affairs Officer, presented this resolution to Sergeant Olaes’ mother.
Blue Ridge Mountain Cloggers:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 that a “RESOLUTION OF CONGRATULATIONS TO BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN CLOGGERS” be adopted on first and final reading. Chairman Ables presented this resolution to the cloggers.
Public Hearing:
Council held a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding 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”.
There were no written statements presented.
To Ms. Becky Ballenger’s inquiry, Mr. James Alexander, Economic Development Director, informed those present that this will be a $43,000,000 investment and produce some forty-four jobs over the next five years.
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 3 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-24, (titled above) be adopted on third and final reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting December 7, 2004
Coneross Waterfowl & Wildlife Planning Committee:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 3 – 0 that the attached “Memorandum of Agreement Between the Oconee County Council and the Coneross Waterfowl & Wildlife Planning Committee” be adopted on first and final reading.
SC DOT Agreement:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 that the attached agreement between Oconee County, Oconee County Sewer Commission and the South Carolina Department of Transportation whereby the SCDOT agrees to reimburse Oconee County $3,095,000 to assist in the design of the sewer project, acquisition of property and the construction of a wastewater treatment plant and collector lines be adopted.
Ordinance 2004-29:
Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-29, “LITTER CONTROL ORDINANCE OF OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA” be adopted on second reading.
Ordinance 2004-30:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 3 – 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 second reading.
Ordinance 2004-31:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 3 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-31, “AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE OCONEE COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION” be adopted on second reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting December 7, 2004
Budget & Finance Committee Report:
Mr. Ables reported that the Budget & Finance Committee had met prior to the Council Meeting to discuss a request of Rosa Clark for $40,000 prior to January 1, 2005. It was the consensus of the committee that Mr. Rabun, Administrator and Mrs. Lombard, Finance Director meet with the Rosa Clark Director to determine if the recommended procedures were being followed. If these recommendations are being followed, the funding be released and a report be made back to Council at the next meeting.
December 21st Council Meeting:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 3 – 0 that the December 21, 2004 Council Meeting be cancelled and the next regularly scheduled meeting of Council be January 4, 2005.
Public Comment Session:
Ms. Becky Ballenger requested figures on the number of jobs created with the Valenite expansion.
Mr. Phil Soper addressed Council regarding the support of KOBA for the litter ordinance.
Mr. Larry Linson addressed Council regarding fee in lieu for companies locating in the County.
Adjourn:
Adjourn 7:45 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council