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, August 16, 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.
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. Rinehart, approved 3 – 0 that the minutes of the regular meeting held July 19, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting August 16, 2005
Detention Center:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that the bid for a Livescan Device for finger and palm prints for the Law Enforcement Center be awarded to Dataworks Plus, LLC who was low bid at $50,830. (See attached bid sheet)
Solid Waste:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the bid for County owned timber to be cut at the C & D Landfill be awarded to Tugaloo Wood Company for approximately fourteen acres on Strawberry Farm Road with the understanding the company will honor those same prices for an eleven acre tract that needs to be cut for a net revenue of $6,000 to the County. (See attached bid sheet)
Recreational Funds:
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that $8,500 in recreational funds carried forward from the previous fiscal year be divided evenly between the Tamassee-Salem Recreation Corporation and the Town of Salem. The Tamassee-Salem Recreation Corporation failed to request these funds in a timely manner, therefore the Town of Salem requested the funds, however, Mr. Thurman Coward, Mayor, Town of Salem agreed with the dividing of the funds evenly.
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Moore, approved 4 – 0 that recreation funds in the amount of $7,150 be granted to the Fair-Oak Youth Center, Inc. from line item 010 202 30905.
Emergency Management:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Mr. Mack Moore be appointed as the at-large member of the Emergency Management Commission.
Ordinance 2005-06:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2005-06, “AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION” be adopted on third and final reading.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting August 16, 2005
Ordinance 2005-14:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2005-14, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2004-31, AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE OCONEE COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION” be adopted on first reading.
Resolution 2005-14:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that Resolution 2005-14, “A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2005 AS COUNTY PREPAREDNESS MONTH” be adopted on first and final reading.
Oakway Middle School Request:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that the County furnish thirty-two tons of pea gravel to be used in the walkway and greenhouse of Oakway Middle School with the School District scraping the area for the walkway and hauling the gravel.
Hospital
Mr. Norton, County Attorney, informed Council he had received the Articles of Corporation and the Bylaws for the Hospital. The Articles look good; however, the right for Council to approve the bylaws was omitted and will have to be corrected.
Arts & Historical Appointee:
Upon recommendation of Mr. Moore, Council voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Rick Bethea as the District I representative on the Arts & Historical Commission.
Reidhead Property:
Mr. Rinehart requested that a copy of the adopted budget be placed in the Libraries by August 31, 2005 and also that he receive a detailed report regarding the funding of the Reidhead property to include the Blue Ridge Electric Funds and the Economic Development Funds.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting August 16, 2005
Emergency Services:
Mr. Ables informed Council that he would like for County Officials, City Planners, rescue personnel and fire personnel to begin discussions regarding an emergency services special district in the County.
Vice Chairs for Council Committees:
Mr. Moore appointed Mr. Lyles as Vice Chair of the Road & Transportation Committee.
Mr. Lyles appointed Mr. Moore as Vice Chair of the Real Estate, Facilities & Land Management Committee
Fuel Conservation:
Mr. Lyles requested Mr. Rabun to recommend a fuel conservation program for the County.
Administrator Report:
Mr. Rabun informed Council that the new IT Director, Mr. Richard Reeves would begin working on Monday, August 22, 2005.
Mr. Rabun also informed Council that the agreement for the Coroner to have an office at the hospital was working well.
Public Comment Session:
Mr. Roger Norwood addressed Council regarding budgeting and urged Council to read to the elementary school students.
Mr. Berry Nichols addressed Council regarding the $15.00 vehicle fee approved in the 2005-06 fiscal year budget.
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding the lawsuit under appeal.
Mr. Ables read a letter from Mr. Robert Whitney encouraging Council to amend the litter ordinance.
Mr. B. J. Littleton spoke regarding the “good all boy” system of politics in the County.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting August 16, 2005
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 4:30 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council