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, May 3, 2005 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members except Mr. Lyles 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, 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:
New Staff Members:
Mr. Rabun, County Administrator introduced Mr. Rick Martin, Rock Quarry Director & Mr. Mack Kelley, Public Works Director.
Invocation:
Mr. Rinehart gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mr. Norton led the pledge of allegiance to the US Flag.
Minutes:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that the minutes of the regular meeting held April 19, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Public Hearing RE: Ordinance 2005-07:
Council conducted a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding Ordinance 2005-07, “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING: (1) THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A FEE IN LIEU OF TAX AND INCENTIVE AGREEMENT (THE “FEE AGREEMENT”) BETWEEN OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA (“OCONEE COUNTY”) AND CG ROXANE LLC (THE “COMPANY”), PURSUANT TO WHICH FEE AGREEMENT OCONEE COUNTY SHALL COVENANT TO ACCEPT CERTAIN FEES IN LIEU OF AD VALOREM TAXES; (2) SPECIAL SOURCE CREDITS TO REIMBURSE THE COMPANY FOR A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF CERTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE OR REAL PROPERTY COSTS INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH A MANUFACTURING OR COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE SERVING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OCONEE COUNTY; (3) THE BENEFITS OF A MULTI-COUNTY PARK TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO COMPANY; AND (4) OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO”.
There was no one present with written and/or oral comments regarding Ordinance 2005-07.
Rock Quarry:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that the attached transfer in the amount of $30,000 from capital expenditures/land into vehicle maintenance be adopted.
Ordinance 2004-29:
By consensus Council referred Ordinance 2004-29, “OCONEE COUNTY LITTER ORDINANCE” to the Planning Commission for a recommendation regarding possible expansion to deal with debris and attractive nuisances.
Aeronautics:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that the attached pre-application in the amount of $4,649,872 to the Federal Aviation Administration, $122,365 in state matching funds and $122,365 in local matching funds for runway extension and relocation of Shiloh Road & Mt. Nebo Road be adopted.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting May 3, 2005
Resolution 2005-11:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that Resolution 2005-11, “A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE ISSUANCE BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA JOBS-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF ITS NOT EXCEEDING $35,000,000 HOSPITAL REFUNDING REVENUE BONDS (OCONEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PROJECT), IN ONE OR MORE SERIES, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 41, CHAPTER 43, OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA 1976, AS AMENDED” be adopted on first and final reading.
Ordinance 2005-07:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2005-07, “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING: (1) THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A FEE IN LIEU OF TAX AND INCENTIVE AGREEMENT (THE “FEE AGREEMENT”) BETWEEN OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA (“OCONEE COUNTY”) AND CG ROXANE LLC (THE “COMPANY”), PURSUANT TO WHICH FEE AGREEMENT OCONEE COUNTY SHALL COVENANT TO ACCEPT CERTAIN FEES IN LIEU OF AD VALOREM TAXES; (2) SPECIAL SOURCE CREDITS TO REIMBURSE THE COMPANY FOR A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF CERTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE OR MANUFACTURING OR COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE SERVING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OCONEE COUNTY (3) THE BENEFITS OF A MULTI-COUNTY PARK TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO COMPANY; AND (4) OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO” be adopted on third and final reading.
Ordinance 2005-08:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2005-08, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE JOINTLY OWNED AND OPERATED INDUSTRIAL/BUSINESS PARK IN CONJUNCTION WITH PICKENS COUNTY, DATED MAY 4, 1998 AND AMENDED ON DECEMBER 21, 1998, ON DECEMBER 21, 1999, APRIL 4, 2000 & AUGUST 3, 2003; SUCH INDUSTRIAL/BUSINESS PARK BEING GEOGRAPHICALLY LOCATED IN PICKENS COUNTY AND OCONEE COUNTY AND ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS OF 1976 §4-1-170, ET SEQUITUR, AS AMENDED; TO PROVIDE FOR A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH PICKENS COUNTY PROVIDING FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE PARK, THE PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE APPLICATION, AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF FEES IN LIEU OF AD VALOREM TAX TO THE COUNTIES AND RELEVANT TAXING ENTITIES; AND, TO PROVIDE THAT JOBS TAX CREDITS ALLOWED BY LAW BE PROVIDED FOR INDUSTRIES LOCATING IN SAID PARK, AND TO PERMIT A USER FEE IN LIEU OF AD VALOREM TAXATION” be adopted on second reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting May 3, 2005
Proclamation:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that the attached proclamation declaring May as “Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month” be adopted on first and final reading.
Budget Memo:
Mr. Rabun, County Administrator, presented Council with the attached memorandum outlining the following:
May 9: Submission of Budget to Council
May 16: Budget Workshop
May 17: Budget Workshop
May 20: Budget Workshop
May 24: Budget Workshop
June 7: First Reading of Budget
June 14: Second Reading of Budget
June 21: Third & Final Reading of Budget
ATAX Committee Member:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that Ms. Ginger Pope be appointed to the ATAX Committee, replacing Mr. Bentley Jones who has moved from Oconee County.
Public Comment Session:
Dr. Marion McMillan addressed Council-expressing concerns with the language of the resolution and proposed interlocal agreement between Oconee County and Oconee Memorial Hospital. He urged Council to retain oversight of the hospital.
Dr. Stan Rampey addressed Council-expressing support for the proposed patient tower at the hospital and the leadership of the hospital.
Dr. Robert McAlpine addressed Council-expressing support of the hospital and the proposed expansion.
Dr. Raza Hassan addressed Council-expressing support of the proposed expansion of the hospital.
Mr. Todd Crowe addressed Council-expressing support of the proposed expansion of the hospital.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting May 3, 2005
Public Comment Session Continued:
Ms. Jeanne Ward, CEO, Oconee Memorial Hospital, addressed Council expressing appreciation for the adoption of Resolution 2005-11 and assured Council of their desire to continue to give quality service at the hospital.
Mr. Ben Turetzky addressed Council-expressing support of the proposed expansion of the hospital.
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council expressing a desire that oversight of the hospital remain with the County.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding the Litter Control Ordinance.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 8:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council