MEMBERS, OCONEE COUNTY COUNCIL
Mr. Steven R. Moore, District I Mr. Thomas S. Crumpton, 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, February 15, 2005 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members except Mr. Rinehart present. County Administrator Ron Rabun, Clerk to Council & Mr. Norton, County Attorney were also present.
Press:
Members of the press notified (via mail): Keowee Courier, Westminster News, Daily Journal, Anderson Independent, WGOG Radio, WYFF TV, WLOS TV WSNW Radio & WIRX Radio.
Members of the press present: Ray Chandler – Daily Journal, Dave Williams – Anderson Independent, Dick Mangrum – WGOG Radio & Ashton Hester – Keowee Courier.
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. Crumpton gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mr. Norton led the pledge of allegiance to the US Flag.
Minutes:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that the minutes of the regular meeting held February 1, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the minutes of the special meeting held February 9, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting February 15, 2005
Appalachian Council of Governments Report:
Mr. Robert Strother, Director, SC Appalachian Council of Governments informed Council of the following activities in Oconee County:
Oconee County received $12,046,671 in 2004 from the $27,951 the County invested in the Council of Governments.
The Council of Governments assisted the County in the following activities:
Search for County Administrator
Local Option Sales Tax campaign
Completed preliminary work on natural hazard disaster mitigation plan
Provided on-line mapping capability for Economic Development
Reviewed sewer discharge permits from Oconee County
Conducted terrorism awareness classes for first responders and health care personnel
Conducted management training for forty-two Oconee County based local government personnel
Responded to requests for economic and demographic information about Oconee County
Completed the 2004-05 Oconee County Economic Profile
2005 COG programs include the following:
Application for the Town of Salem water system improvement project
Training for the Planning Commission & Board of Appeals Members to meet the requirements of 2003 Land Use Dispute Resolution Act
Expansion of terrorism awareness and radiological emergency training programs
Milliken Agreement:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that the attached option allowing Milliken to purchase the project as delineated in the September 15, 1998 fee-in-lieu of taxes agreement be executed. (See attached agreement)
SWAG Agreement:
After a brief discussion regarding the SWAG Agreement, it was the consensus of Council that adoption be postponed until the March 1, 2005 Council meeting.
Lakeshore Patrol Agreement:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that the attached Cooperative Agreement between Oconee County and the Corps of Engineers for increased patrols on a cost reimbursable basis between March 2, 2005 and October 31, 2005 be adopted.
Surplus Stage Curtain & Track System:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the stage curtain and track system formerly used in the back of Council Chambers be offered to County offices and the School District, if there is no need for it, the curtain be given to the Oconee Community Theater.
Recreational Funds:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that recreational funds in the amount of $7,915 be disbursed to Fair Oak Youth Center from line item 010 202 30905.
Memorandum of Understanding:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that the attached Memorandum of Agreement between Oconee County and Clemson University to receive equipment and supplies for the County Agricultural Response Team from Clemson Extension Service be adopted.
Tri County Tech Meeting:
Council scheduled Wednesday, April 27, 2005 to meet with Tri County Technical College Board Members to receive their 2005-06 fiscal year budget request.
Ordinance 2005-04:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-05, “AN ORDINANCE TO RESCIND ORDINANCE 97-14 AND ALL SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS THERETO” be adopted on third and final reading.
Ordinance 2005-05:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2005-05, “THE 2004-05 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE” be adopted on first reading in title only.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting February 15, 2005
Resolution 2005-05:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that Resolution 2005-05, “A RESOLUTION IN OBSERVANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH DURING FEBRUARY 2005, THE MEMBERS OF THE OCONEE COUNTY COUNCIL RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTY, STATE AND NATION” be adopted on first and final reading.
Resolution 2005-06:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Resolution 2005-06, “A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR KEEP OCONEE BEAUTIFUL ASSOCIATION” be adopted on first and final reading.
Proclamation:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that the attached proclamation declaring February 20 – 26 as “Severe Weather Awareness Week” be adopted on first and final reading.
Recreational Program:
Mr. Ables informed Council that baseball players in the Fair Oak Youth Center are not allowed to participate in the County due to a lawsuit that they are infringing on the territory of Townville Recreational Department, Anderson County. Mr. Ables then asked the Council Members to speak with the other recreational directors regarding their inclusion in the County.
Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare Recommendation:
Mr. Crumpton, Chair, Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee, informed Council it was their recommendation that $6,000 for each fire department be considered in the supplemental appropriations ordinance.
Road & Transportation Recommendation:
Upon recommendation of the Roads & Transportation Committee, Council voted unanimously to move forward with place the overlay out for bid with Mr. Rabun overseeing the changes in the paving methods.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting February 15, 2005
Road & Transportation Meet:
The Road & Transportation Committee scheduled a meeting Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers for the purpose of discussing several roadway issues.
Public Comment Session:
Mr. Steve Sokol complimented the County Administrator and addressed Council regarding fee-in-lieu.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding the law enforcement center and other issues.
Executive Session:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of discussing a contractual matter regarding a real estate matter and a contractual matter regarding the hospital.
Open Session:
There was no action when open session resumed.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 5:15 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council