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, July 19, 2005 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members except Mr. Ables 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.
Introduction of Guests:
Vice Chairman Lyles introduced Mrs. Bell from Seneca, Mayor Tom Green of Westminster & Mayor Lamar Bailes of Walhalla.
Introduction of New Employees:
County Administrator Ron Rabun introduced Kevin Short, Airport Director & Leslie Smith, Assessor to Council and those in attendance.
Call to Order:
Invocation:
Mr. Rinehart gave the invocation.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting July 19, 2005
Minutes:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that the minutes of the regular meeting held June 21, 2005, the minutes of the special meeting held June 14, 2005, the minutes of the special meeting held June 28, 2005 and the minutes of the special meeting held June 29, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy:
Upon presentation of Mr. Steve Pelissier, SC Appalachian Council of Governments, Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that the attached Oconee County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy be adopted. The plan contains the following goals:
· To assure adequate water facilities for present and future economic development in Oconee County
· To improve the existing provisions of wastewater collection, transportation and treatment services to key industrial areas within Oconee County
· To assure adequate transportation infrastructure for present and future economic development in Oconee County
· To support the overall mission of the Oconee County infrastructure master plan, providing for solid waste processing and disposal services throughout the County, in an efficient and effective manner at the same time protecting the environment and beauty of the County
· To provide for an efficient, equitable, and mutually compatible distribution of land uses within the County that will support economic development, protect the area’s natural resources and promote an appropriate transition in type and intensity of land use activities
· To assure adequate facilities for present and future economic development and establish an environment that promotes prosperity in downtown areas of municipalities in Oconee County
· To maximize the effectiveness of Oconee County’s economic development, including recruitment and retention efforts
Industrial Park Covenants:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the attached declaration of restrictive covenants for the Oconee County Commerce Center be adopted.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting July 19, 2005
Department of Juvenile Justice Agreement:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that the attached Memorandum of Agreement between Oconee County and the Department of Juvenile Justice for the detention of juveniles be adopted.
ATAX Grants:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that the attached ATAX Grant in the amount of $7,000 to Greater Seneca Chamber of Commerce for the Poker Run & Shrine Day Parade be adopted.
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that the attached ATAX Grant in the amount of $8,400 to the Oconee Community Theater for painting be adopted.
Auditing of County Records:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that the bid for auditing of County records for fiscal year ending June 30, 2006 be awarded to Elliott Davis, Inc. at a cost of $37,750 with an option to renew for fiscal year ending 2007 at a cost of $38,950, fiscal year ending 2008 at a cost of $40,150 and fiscal year ending 2009 at a cost of $41,300. Additional work requested by the County will cost from $25 to $90 per hour to perform.
Tires for County Vehicles/Equipment:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that the bid for tires for County vehicles/equipment be awarded to Miller Brothers Giant Tire Service, who was the only responsive bidder, at a cost of $179,375.70 for estimated quantities.
Road & Transportation Recommendation:
Upon recommendation of the Road & Transportation Committee, Council voted unanimously to accept Mandalay Way into the County system as it was constructed to County specifications and the County did receive a bond on the roadway.
Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare:
Mr. Crumpton reported the Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee met just prior to the Council meeting, however, there were no recommendations to make to Council.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting July 19, 2005
Real Estate, Facilities & Land Management:
Mr. Lyles stated the Real Estate, Facilities & Land Management Committee had nothing to report to Council at this time.
County Attorney:
Mr. Moore informed those present that he was not in favor of hiring an attorney as a County employee and in looking at the organizational ordinance; it will require an amendment to do so. He further stated we are presently paying $90 per hour for legal services and it will cost $158 per hour for an in house attorney.
Mr. Moore also asked that Chair of each Council Committee appoint a Vice Chair at the next Council Meeting.
Further, Mr. Moore asked that Council consider amending the 2005-06 operational budget to cut expenditures across the board at 2% to 3%.
Public Hearing RE: Transfer of Hospital Property:
Mr. Rinehart made the following statement regarding the public hearing for the transfer of the hospital property: If you will recall, at the very close of the meeting, the chairman made a statement concerning the motives Dr. McMillan had in his proposal to us which I think were unfortunate.
I want to say publicly; on record that Dr. McMillan was encouraged by all of us to present information, to gather information when it came to the possibility of soliciting RFP’s. Every one of us encouraged him to do that, he was not acting independently, we gave him that support and we wanted to know because we wanted to get all the information possible. It was very late in the process, after we had spoken about these possibilities that the idea of brokering something was brought up, so money wasn’t the initial motive there and I don’t believe it existed ever the motive. I think it was unfortunate the way the meeting closed, he didn’t have a chance to respond to that accusation, he is an outstanding man of sterling character and was well motivated I feel like. Again, I want to say all of us entertained and felt the responsibility to the public to entertain the options that existed for us with regards to the hospital. I wanted to be clear and direct and on the record about that, that he had our support and encouragement, although we chose not to go that direction.
Meeting, Oconee County Council July 19, 2005
Cancellation of August 2nd Meeting:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 4 – 0 that due to the SCAC Conference being the first week in August and some Council Members having Wednesday Morning (8/3/05) classes, the August 2nd Council Meeting be cancelled. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be August 16, 2005.
Public Comment Session:
Mr. Berry Nichols addressed Council regarding the Administrator, the $15.00 fee, C funds and the auditing firm selected for the 2005-06 fiscal year.
Mr. Bob Kendricks addressed Council regarding funding for public safety in the 2005-06 fiscal year budget.
Ms. Delanie JoDickie addressed Council regarding the funding in the Emergency Management Department in the 2005-06 fiscal year budget.
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding the $15.00 fee and the restroom in the Administrator’s Office.
Executive Session:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of receiving legal advice subject to attorney/client privilege.
Open Session:
There was no action when open session resumed.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 4:55 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council