MEMBERS, OCONEE COUNTY COUNCIL
Mr. Steven R. Moore, District I Mr. Thomas S. Crumpton, Jr., District II
Rev. William S. “Bill” Rinehart, District III Mr. Marion E. Lyles, District IV
Mr. H. Frank Ables, Jr., District V
The Oconee County Council met Tuesday, December 20, 2005 at 3:00 pm in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members, County Administrator Ron Rabun, Clerk to Council & Mr. Norton, County Attorney present.
Press:
Members of the press notified (via facsimile): Keowee Courier, Westminster News, Daily Journal, Anderson Independent, WGOG Radio, WYFF TV, WLOS TV WSNW Radio & WIRX Radio.
Members of the press present: Dick Mangrum – WGOG Radio, Dave Williams – Anderson Independent, Hester – Keowee Courier & Brett McLaughlin – 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.
Executive Session:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 5 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of receiving an update on a legal matter, discussing a contractual/employee matter and a potential contractual matter.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting December 20, 2005
Open Session:
There was no action taken regarding the executive session.
Minutes:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that the minutes of the December 7, 2005 meeting be adopted as printed.
Resolution 2005-21:
Upon presentation by Mr. Robert Winchester, Chair, Infrastructure Advisory Commission, Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Resolution 2005-21, “A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS FOR FUNDING CAPITAL PROJECTS IN OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-10-300 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, AS AMENDED, TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT, COMPOSITION, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUCH COMMISSION; AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO” be adopted on first and final reading.
Sheriff’s Department:
Upon recommendation of the Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee, Council voted unanimously to allow the Sheriff’s Department to apply for a Justice Assistance Grant which will require a local match of $52,250 over a three year period of time. This grant will provide funds to hire a narcotic officer and provide equipment. (See attached)
(Mr. Rinehart had to leave at this time)
Rural Fire:
Mr. Crumpton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that the Fair Play Fire Department be allowed to apply for a US Smokeless Tobacco Company grant for a Polaris Ranger 6X6 Utility Vehicle in the approximate amount of $10,000. This grant, if approved, does not require any matching funds.
Council Committee Report:
Mr. Lyles, Chair, Real Estate, Facilities & Land Management Committee informed Council they had met just prior to the Council Meeting to begin looking at County owned assets, however, there was no recommendation for action at this time.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting December 20, 2005
Administrator Report:
Mr. Rabun, County Administrator, informed Council there had been a briefing that morning regarding the ice storm to determine what went right and what went wrong and ascertain the action needed to prevent some of the problems encountered.
Board/Commission Appointments:
Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 4 – 0 that Mrs. Mildred Spearman be reappointed to represent District IV on the Tourism Commission.
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that Mr. John Carter be reappointed to represent District V on the Tourism Commission.
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that Mr. Buddy Herring be appointed to represent District V on the Economic Development Commission.
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Mr. Bill Geddings be appointed to represent Stations 3, 7, & 12 on the Rural Fire Commission.
Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 4 – 0 that the Fire Chief’s Chairman serve on the Rural Fire Commission.
Forestry Damage:
Mr. Moore informed Council that John Little, Forester, had assessed damage to County owned forestry caused by the ice storm and would be presenting recommendations to correct this damage in the near future.
Mr. Moore also informed Council that Mr. Little would have the books regarding timber ages and tracts ready shortly.
Public Comment Session:
Mr. Berry Nichols addressed Council regarding the budget, the County owned property to be sold and the use of County owned vehicles.
Mr. Steve Sokol addressed Council regarding the Veterans Museum, the POW/MIA Flag and made some positive comments about the County Administrator.
Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting December 20, 2005
Public Comment Session Continued:
Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding the capital projects in the County, the Council agenda and the public comment session.
Change of Meeting Time:
Council, by consensus, agreed to change the time of the first meeting in January 2006 from 7:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Adjourn:
Adjourn: 4:45 pm.
Respectfully Submitted:
____________________
Opal O. Green
Clerk to Council