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 15, 2005 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members, County Administrator Ron Rabun, Clerk to Council & 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 WSNW Radio & 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, 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 (Mr. Moore abstaining due to his being absent) that the minutes of the regular meeting held March 1, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting March 15, 2004
Public Hearing Regarding Ordinance 2005-05:
The Oconee County Council then held a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding proposed Ordinance 2005-05, “THE OCONEE COUNTY 2004-05 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE”.
There were no written comments received.
Ms. Susie Cornelius expressed appreciation for being able to obtain facts and figures pertaining to the supplemental ordinance prior to second reading.
Register of Deeds:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Rabun, County Administrator, Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 5 – 0 that the attached three-year renewal agreements with Cott Systems Equipment, License and Software for Register of Deeds be adopted. These upgrades will: increase the speed of the system, save approximately $38,251 over the previous contract, insure friendlier web service to the public, mesh with the County’s future GIS system and allow existing, problematic and obsolete equipment to be replaced.
PARD Grant:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that the attached PARD Grant in the amount of $3,000 for playground equipment for South Cove Park be adopted.
Ordinance 2005-05:
Upon recommendation of the Budget, Finance & Procurement Committee, Council voted 4 – 0 (Mr. Rinehart out of room) to adopt Ordinance 2005-05, “THE OCONEE COUNTY 2004-05 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE” on second reading.
Ordinance 2005-02:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2005-02, “AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE FILING & PAYMENT OF TAXES FOR PERSONS SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES OR NATIONAL GUARD IN HAZARDOUS DUTY ZONES” be adopted on third and final reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting March 15, 2005
Purchasing Proclamation:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that the attached proclamation declaring March as “Purchasing Month” in Oconee County be adopted.
County Recreation Center:
Mr. Rinehart made the following presentation regarding the construction of a recreational center in the County:
(1) $30,000 be placed in the supplemental ordinance for the development of a conceptual drawing/plan for a recreational center in three phases for presentation to Council at the June 21, 2005 meeting or 90 days from March 15, 2005
(2) Phase I focus on an indoor aquatic facility to include an Olympic size lap pool, a warm water therapy pool, exercise facility with weights, circuit equipment and aerobic/dance/gymnastic space
(3) Phase II focus on outdoor recreational fields, on site, or part of a network coordinated with existing municipal facilities with a long range goal of attracting major athletic tournaments on a year round basis
(4) Phase III, if deemed necessary; focus on meeting, conference and catering space for large events such as graduations, wedding receptions, etc.
(5) That private/corporate funding be sought to cover a portion of the cost of land acquisition, planning, engineering and furnishing
(6) Council consider a one mill increase designated exclusively for the recreational complex
(7) Council consider and identify a source of funding for the expansion of the Seneca Library at its current location, taking advantage of the City of Seneca’s offer of adjoining land
Ms. Donna Thompson, Tribble Center, expressed support for the recreational complex.
Mr. Victor Galfano, Oconee Memorial Hospital, expressed support for the recreational complex.
Mr. Greg Brock, Athletic Director, urged Council to agree with Mr. Rinehart’s comments and suggested a special tax district for recreation as a possible means of financing the project.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting March 15, 2005
County Recreational Center Continued:
Ms. Pat Bonneau expressed appreciation to all those who support the recreational complex and presented Council with petitions with signatures of citizens requesting Council build the complex.
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that $30,000 be placed in the proposed supplemental ordinance for planning of Phase I of the recreational complex with the drawings to be presented to Council in ninety days.
County Industry:
Mr. Ables again reiterated the fact that no chicken processing plant is being sought for Oconee County and the rumor that one is coming in the lower part of the county is just that, a rumor.
Administrator Report:
Mr. Rabun, County Administrator, informed Council of the following:
A meeting of the Law Enforcement Overcrowding Committee Thursday, March 17, 2005 at 10:00 AM & the dedication of the Gignilliat Complex Saturday, March 19, 2005 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
HAZMAT (Contingency):
Upon recommendation of the Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee, Council voted unanimously that $1,000 be taken from contingency for replenishment of supplies for the HAZMAT Team. (See attached request)
Animal Control:
Also, upon recommendation of the Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee, Council voted unanimously to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Upstate Animal Rescue for the fostering and adoption of animals at the Oconee County Animal Shelter.
Public Comment Session:
Mr. Jim Rhudy addressed Council regarding the proposed recreational complex and also offered to serve on the committee to make recommendations to Council.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting March 15, 2005
Public Comment Session Continued:
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding the proposed recreational complex, the Library system, jail space and reassessment.
Mr. Jerry Wempe applauded Council on their action regarding the proposed recreational complex and also addressed Council regarding the Library system.
Mr. Corky Moss addressed Council regarding the proposed recreational complex asking that it be centrally located, that it be planned and constructed to serve the citizens for the next fifty years, that it serve all ages and also requested Council remember those who have an equestrian interest.
Ms. Margaret Sitterlet addressed Council regarding the proposed recreational complex.
Ms. Robbie Hughes addressed Council regarding the proposed recreational complex.
Mrs. Louise Bell addressed Council regarding the proposed recreational complex and the Seneca Library.
Mr. Jay Brown addressed Council regarding the recreational complex and the financing phase I being a part of the regular budget process and placing a request for requests for proposals.
Mr. Steve Sokol addressed Council regarding the proposed recreational complex.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding less government, less taxes, less waste and support of the proposed recreational complex.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 4:30 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council