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 17, 2005 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Mr. Crumpton, Mr. Ables, Mr. Lyles and 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, 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. Rabun 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. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 that the minutes of the special meeting held April 20, 2005 and the minutes of the regular meeting held May 3, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting May 17, 2005
Presentation of School District Budget:
Dr. Valerie Truesdale, Superintendent of Education; Mr. Burke Royster, Assistant Superintendent for Operational Services & Ms. Anita Duke, Executive Director for Financial Services, presented the attached School District budget request for fiscal year 2005-06 to Council. Dr. Truesdale informed Council the request is for an additional $822,539 over the maintenance of effort required by SC State Law. The request for local funding is broken down as follows:
Local Taxes: $40,609,900
Maintenance of Effort: $ 1,175,578
Additional Funding: $ 822,539
State Tax Rebates: $ 6,409,200
Total Tax Levy: $49,017,217 (See attached)
To Mr. Crumpton’s inquiry, Mr. Royster informed Council the number of students has remained approximately 10,000 for the past several years.
Council accepted this request as information only.
Friends of Lake Keowee:
Mr. Ben Teretzky, FOLKS, addressed Council regarding a DHEC Grant they have applied for in the amount of $300,000 for remediation of the Cane Creek Basin, of which one element is to identify and cost share the renovation of failing septic systems.
Mr. Teretzky informed Council FOLKS looked forward to working with Council in the development of ordinances as indicated in the Comprehensive Plan, open/green space areas, filter strips and storm water management. (See attached presentation)
Aeronautics:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 3 – 0 that the attached work authorization with Talbert & Bright for professional services for the relocation of Shiloh Road and a South Carolina Division of Aeronautics Grant in the amount of $22,250 with a local match of $22,250 for this project be adopted. (See attached)
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting May 17, 2005
SCDOT Contract:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 3 – 0 that the attached contract by and between Oconee County, the Oconee County Sewer Commission and SCDOT for sewer services at the Welcome Center rescinding all previous agreements be adopted.
Board of Disabilities & Special Needs (Contingency):
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 that $4,410 be taken from contingency for gravel for the roadway and picnic area at the Oconee County Board of Disabilities & Special Needs. (See attached request)
Road Department:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 that the County Road Department be allowed to resume patching of roadways as per Construction Leaflet 19 by the Asphalt Institute under the direction of Mack Kelly, Public Works Director. (See attached)
Chau Ram Park:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 3 – 0 that the bid for repair of the pedestrian bridge at Chau Ram be awarded to Alpha Construction Company at a cost of $92,767 contingent upon review and recommendation by Mack Kelly, Public Works Director. (See attached bid sheet)
Local Accommodations Tax Grant:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 that the attached LAT grant in the amount of $2,500 be given to Discover Upcountry Carolina Association for the purchase/printing of the Waterfalls of the South Carolina Upcountry brochure. (See attached)
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting May 17, 2005
Ordinance 2005-08:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 3 – 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 & JULY 15, 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”, as amended, be adopted on third and final reading.
Real Estate, Facilities & Land Management Meet:
Mr. Lyles scheduled a Real Estate, Facilities & Land Management Committee meeting Monday, May 23, 2005 at 5:00 pm in Council Chambers.
Law Enforcement, Safety, Public Health & Welfare Committee Recommendation:
Council unanimously adopted the recommendation of the Law Enforcement, Safety, Public Health & Welfare Committee to transfer the $26,500 from Grants to Capital Expenditures Vehicles in the Rural Fire Department for the purchase of an F350 truck to include a utility bed from State Purchasing at a cost of $26,189. The training officer can also use this truck.
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.
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding the SCDOT Contract.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding pollution in Lake Keowee.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting May 17, 2005
Executive Session:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 3 – 0 that Council go into executive session to discuss contractual matters.
Open Session:
There was no action when open session resumed.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 6:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council