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, September 20, 2005 at 3:00 pm in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members 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: Dave Williams – Anderson Independent, Dick Mangrum – WGOG Radio, 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. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that the minutes of the regular meeting held September 6, 2005 and the minutes, of the special meeting held September 6, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting September 20, 2005
Minutes Continued:
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 (Mr. Moore abstaining due to his being absent at the meeting) that the minutes of the special meeting held September 9, 2005 be adopted as printed.
Proclamation:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 5 – 0 that the attached proclamation declaring October 15, 2005 at “MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY” in Oconee County be adopted on first and final reading. Mr. Ables presented this proclamation to Ms. Kathleen Grant, Executive Director, Oconee Volunteer & Referral Service.
FEMA Grants:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that the attached FEMA Grant to the Friendship Fire Department in the amount of $86,292 with a local match of $4,542 and the attached FEMA Grant to the Pickett Post Fire Station in the amount of $140,710 with a local match of $7,406 be adopted. These grants are for firefighting equipment. The matching funds for these grants were set aside in the 2004-05 Supplemental Ordinance.
EMS Grant:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that the attached Emergency Medical Services Community Assistance Grant in the amount of $23,435 with a local match of $1,749 to be paid by Oconee Memorial Hospital for the purchase of a Reeves Sleeve be adopted.
Recreation Commission Resignation & Appointment:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that Mr. Phil Shirley’s resignation as the District III representative on the Recreation Commission be accepted as he has been hired as the Oconee County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director.
Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that Mr. Greg Brock be appointed to fill the unexpired term as the District III representative on the Recreation Commission. This term expires December 31, 2007.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting September 20, 2005
District Recreational Funds:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that the attached “District Funds Proposal” to divert $2,500 from each of the five $15,000 district funds to give each of the districts $12,500 on a rotating basis for capital projects be adopted.
Physician for LEC:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that the attached contract between Oconee County and Golden Corner Family Practice, LLC of West Union to provide physician services for inmates at the Law Enforcement Center be adopted.
Flood Damage Prevention:
After a brief discussion regarding the Council adopting a flood damage prevention ordinance in compliance with FEMA regulations, it was the consensus of Council that Mr. Rabun forward correspondence to our representatives in Washington regarding the stringent regulations placed on local governments regarding properties located in flood plain areas with respect to the federal government spending millions of dollars to rebuild cities located below sea level.
Road Maintenance Fee:
After a brief discussion in which some Council Members said they could not support the $15.00 road maintenance fee and some Council Members questioned exactly which vehicles would be affected if the fee was implemented, Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 5 – 0 that implementation of the fee be postponed until the Budget, Finance & Procurement Committee meets.
Energy Conservation:
Mr. Rabun presented Council with the attached information regarding energy and fuel conservation for the County including a four day work week. After considerable discussion regarding the costs of energy and some of the Council Members stating their opposition to the four day work week, it was the consensus of Council that the four day work be tried on a six month trial basis.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting September 20, 2005
Ordinance 2005-14:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2005-14, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2004-31, AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE OCONEE COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION” be adopted on third and final reading.
Ordinance 2005-15:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2005-15, “AN ORDINANCE REPLACING ORDINANCE 79-19 AND ORDINANCE 95-3, AN ORDINANCE REORGANIZING THE OCONEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND PROVIDING FOR THE FUNCTION, POWERS, AND DUTIES THEREOF” be adopted on first reading.
Resolution 2005-16:
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crumpton, approved 5 – 0 that Resolution 2005-16, “A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES BEING AUTHORIZED AND DESIGNATED AS THE CLAIMANT AGENT FOR THE COUNTY PURSUANT TO THE SETOFF DEBT COLLECTION ACT OF 2003, AS AMENDED” be adopted on first and final reading.
Road & Transportation Recommendation:
Upon recommendation of the Road & Transportation Committee, Council voted unanimously to have core samples done on the roadway in Blue Mountain Estates at the direction of Mr. Mack Kelly, Public Works Director. If the samples do not meet County specifications the landowner will pay the costs, if they do meet County specifications the County will pay the costs. Also, when the roadway meets County specifications, a plat of the roadway is recorded and the County receives the signed rights-of-way and a one year bond on the roadway it will be accepted into the County system.
Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare:
Mr. Crumpton informed Council the Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee met just prior to the Council Meeting; however it was for receipt of information only from the Emergency Management Director.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting September 20, 2005
Law Enforcement Center:
Upon inquiry from Mr. Moore, Council was informed the completion of the Law Enforcement Center was expected within the next couple of weeks with the State inspecting the facility September 27, 2005.
Administrator’s Report:
Mr. Rabun informed Council the dates for a retreat would be between October 24 and October 27 at the Duke Power World of Energy Building.
Mr. Rabun also informed Council he would be on vacation the remainder of the week.
Public Comment Session:
Mr. Berry Nichols advised Council to keep the vehicles at fifty-five miles per hour except in an emergency. He also addressed and the $15.00 road maintenance fee.
Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed the four day work week, having more services placed on line and energy conservation.
Mr. Steve Sokol addressed Council regarding the County emblem, the County flag, the “spec” building and industry in Oconee County, the budget, in house counsel. (See attached)
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding water usage, the agenda, the $15.00 road maintenance fee, tempered steel and the costs to use an incinerator.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 5:40 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council