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, June 21, 2005 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members except Mr. Crumpton 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: Ashton Hester – Keowee Courier, 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. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that the minutes of the regular meeting held June 7, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Minutes, Oconee County Council June 21, 2005
Oconee Leadership Forum:
Members of the Oconee Leadership Forum introduced themselves to Council Members:
Susan Stricker, Oconee Mental Health
Travis Tilson representing Terry Wilson, Sheriff’s Department
David McCutcheon, United Way
Jerry Mize, Board of Disabilities & Special Needs (Tribble Center)
David Coffman, St. Johns Lutheran Church
Pat Smith, Oconee Memorial Hospital
Lucy Murr, Probation, Parole & Pardon Services
Donna Kahn, Oconee Mental Health
Lillian Rochester, Vocational Rehabilitation
Elaine Bailey, Department of Social Services
Jo Houston, Behavioral Health Services
Ms. Stricker gave their Vision Statement: “All residents of Oconee County can benefit from the collective resources made available by the public and private sector for their physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.”
She also gave their Mission Statement: “It is the mission of the Oconee Leadership Forum to establish and promote a central collaborative of the leadership of core helping agencies that can integrate resources for the optimal benefit of Oconee County and its residents.”
Sewer Commission Budget:
Upon recommendation of Robert Winchester, Sewer Commission Superintendent, Mr. Dewitt Martin & Mr. Rhett Smith, Sewer Commission Members, Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the attached 2005-06 Oconee County Sewer Commission Budget be adopted. This budget includes 1.5% COLA and $609,947 for the SWAG upgrades and expansions, these three capital projects are Martin Creek, Richland Creek and septage which will be a total cost of approximately $8,200,000. The total of the 2005-06 Sewer Commission budget is $5,766,754.
Keowee Fire Budget:
Upon recommendation of Dr. Don Chamberlain, Chair, Keowee Fire District, Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the attached budget for the Keowee Fire District in the total amount of $466,200 be adopted.
Minutes, Oconee County Council June 21, 2005
Rock Quarry:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that the bid for drilling and blasting at the Rock Quarry be awarded to Southern Blasting Services, Inc. at a total cost of $300,740. (See attached bid sheet)
Animal Control/Sheriff’s Department:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that the bid for an incinerator to be used by the Animal Control department to dispose of euthanized animals and the Sheriff’s Department to dispose of contraband be awarded to Crawford Industrial Group, LLC at a cost of $48,772.50. (See attached bid sheet)
Ordinance 2005-09:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2005-09, “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY TO OCONEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, INC.” be adopted on second reading.
Ordinance 2005-11:
Dr. Valerie Truesdale, Oconee County School District Superintendent & Mr. Burke Royster, Assistant Superintendent for Operational Services addressed Council requesting an additional $822,539 above the maintenance of effort in the amount of $1,157,578 required by SC State Law for the School District.
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2005-11, THE FISCAL YEAR 2005-06 BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OCONEE COUNTY” be adopted on second reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council June 21, 2005
Ordinance 2005-12:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 3 – 1 (Mr. Moore voting against) that Ordinance 2005-12, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FEE IN LIEU OF TAX RECEIVED BY OCONEE COUNTY PURSUANT TO THE JOINTLY OWNED AND OPERATED INDUSTRIAL/BUSINESS PARKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH PICKENS COUNTY DATED APRIL 21, 1998 AND AMENDED ON DECEMBER 1, 1998, ON DECEMBER 21, 1999, APRIL 4, 2000, JULY 15, 2003 AND MAY 17, 2005 AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY DATED JULY 7, 1994 AND AMENDED ON DECEMBER 6, 1994; SUCH INDUSTRIAL/BUSINESS PARKS BEING GEOGRAPHICALLY LOCATED IN PICKENS COUNTY AND OCONEE COUNTY AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY AND OCONEE COUNTY, BOTH ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS OF 1976 §4-1-170, ET SEQUITUR, AS AMENDED; SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF FEES IN LIEU OF AD VALOREM TAX WITHIN OCONEE COUNTY, INCLUDING TO THE RELEVANT TAXING ENTITIES” be adopted on first reading in title only.
Road & Transportation:
Mr. Moore announced a meeting of the Road & Transportation Committee Friday, July 8, 2005 at 9:00 am in Council Chambers for the purpose of discussing several roadway issues.
Budget, Finance & Procurement:
Mr. Rinehart announced the budget is still in process and there will be a meeting Wednesday, July 29, 2005 at 1:00 pm in Council Chambers for the purpose of continuing discussion regarding the budget.
Real Estate, Facilities & Land Management:
Upon recommendation of the Real Estate, Facilities & Land Management Committee, Council voted unanimously to lease a lot adjacent to the Heritage Center for a five year period for $200.00 per year contingent upon a termination clause in the event the County should need the property and also the Lessor furnishing liability insurance with Oconee County named as benefactor.
Minutes, Oconee County Council June 21, 2005
Corinth-Shiloh Referendum:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that the referendum scheduled for June 21, 2005 to determine if the Corinth-Shiloh Fire District should be set up as a special tax district be postponed for sixty (60) days from the June 20, 2005 Council Meeting to allow Corinth-Shiloh the opportunity to:
(1) Reduce the millage request
(2) Increase the number of Commissioners from three (3) to five (5)
Some of the Council Members expressed feelings they would not delay the vote again.
Public Comment Session:
Mr. Barry Nichols addressed Council regarding County taxes, fees, etc.
Mr. Francis Lewinsky addressed Council regarding the loss of Park Technicians and the proposed tipping fees in the 2005-06 budget ordinance.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding the Administrator, the County hiring practices and the School District having fiscal autonomy.
Ms. Jennifer Dodd addressed Council regarding the School District’s budget request.
Executive Session:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of discussing legal and contractual matters.
Open Session:
There was no action by Council when open session resumed
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 5:20 PM
Minutes, Oconee County Council June 21, 2005
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council