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, March 1, 2005 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members except Mr. Moore 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. Rinehart 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 15, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting March 1, 2005
Pendleton District Workforce Modification:
Upon recommendation of Ms. Teri Gilstrap, Pendleton District Workforce Board, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that the attached modification to the Pendleton District Workforce Five Year Plan be adopted.
Humane Society:
Mrs. Lindsay Addis & Mr. Peter Hens, Oconee County Humane Society, submitted the attached proposal to take over the animal shelter beginning July 1, 2005. Council received this proposal under advisement at this time.
ATAX Grants:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the attached ATAX Grant in the amount of $8,000 to the Oconee Cultural Festival be adopted.
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that the attached ATAX Grant in the amount of $9,683.75 to the Oconee Heritage Center be adopted.
Tri County Tech:
Council scheduled a meeting with the Tri County Technical College Board members, Thursday, April 14, 2005 at noon at Cross Creek to receive their budget proposal.
Rural Fire:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that the bid for fire fighting equipment be awarded as delineated on the attached bid sheet:
Anderson Fire & Safety Equipment: $11,687.55
Asheville Fire & Safety Company: $ 4,830.00
Nafeco: $18,305.29
Slagles Fire Equipment: $15,821.66
Johnson Fire & Safety Systems, Inc.: $ 541.41
Charlotte Equipment Sales, Inc.: $ 2,484.00
GRAND TOTAL: $53.669.91
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting March 1, 2005
Law Enforcement Center:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 3 – 1 (Mr. Ables voting against) that the attached change order in the amount of $47,086 to modify the lower floor (Emergency Management Area) and certain changes to the second
floor (Sheriff’s Patrol area) of the Law Enforcement Center be adopted.
Seneca Recreational Funds:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that $5,000 to the Seneca Recreational Department from line item 010 202 30902 be adopted.
Voting Equipment:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that 234 voting machines and 33 ballot boxes be declared surplus materials.
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that these twenty of these machines and twelve ballot boxes be donated to the Oconee County School District.
Ordinance 2005-04:
Third & final reading of Ordinance 2005-04, “AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE FILING & PAYMENT OF TAXES FOR PERSONS SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES OR NATIONAL GUARD IN HAZARDOUS DUTY ZONES” was tabled pending further study.
Resolution 2005-07:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Resolution 2005-07, “A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL TASK FORCE TO STUDY ISSUES RELATED TO THE SAVANNAH RIVER BASIN: AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO” be adopted on first and final reading.
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that Mr. Rabun represent Oconee County on this task force.
SHARE Board Member:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that Mr. Harry Hamilton be appointed to the SHARE Board.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting March 1, 2005
One Percent Committee:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that Mr. Larry Hardin be appointed to represent District II on the One Percent Committee.
Animal Control:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that a metal building presently located at the Tobacco Barn be moved to Animal Control to house the freezers in and a portion of the $600 previously approved by Council for a building be used to pour a concrete pad to place the building on.
ATAX Committee:
The Clerk to Council informed Council Of Mr. Bentley Jones’ resignation as a member of the ATAX Committee.
Susie Cornelius Lawsuit:
Mr. Brad Norton, County Attorney, informed Council the Susie Cornelius lawsuit had been held that day, the judge would most likely render a decision within thirty (30) days, there was no factual dispute, just legal arguments which puts the suit in a good position to go to the appellate which would be to the County’s benefit to issue bonds.
Administrator’s Report:
Mr. Rabun, County Administrator, informed Council of the following:
A meeting with representatives of Crimson Fire Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 10:00 am.
Open house at the Law Enforcement Center Friday, March 4, 2005 at 2:00 pm.
A meeting with Hospital Administration Monday, March 7, 2005 at 1:00 pm.
Public Comment Session:
Mr. Steve Sokol addressed Council regarding Animal Control and not giving the shelter back to the Humane Society.
Ms. Star Hillman addressed Council regarding Animal Control and not giving the shelter back to the Humane Society.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting March 1, 2005
Public Comment Session Continued:
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding Animal Control and not giving the shelter back to the Humane Society.
Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee:
Mr. Crumpton scheduled a meeting of the Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 8:40 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council