MEMBERS, OCONEE COUNTY COUNCIL

Mr. Steven R. Moore, District I   Mr. Kenneth E. Johns, Jr., District II

Mr. Harry R. Hamilton, District III   Mr. Marion E. Lyles, District IV

Mr. H. Frank Ables, Jr., District V

 

MINUTES, OCONEE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING

 

                        The Oconee County Council met Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members and the County Attorney present.

 

Press:

 

                        Members of the press notified (via mail): Keowee Courier, Westminster News, Daily Journal, Anderson Independent, WGOG Radio, WYFF TV & WLOS TV.

 

                        Members of the press present: Dick Mangrum – WGOG Radio, Dave Williams – Anderson Independent & Greg Oliver – Daily Journal.

 

Other Organizations Notified:

 

                        Also notified were the Oconee County Tax Payers Association and the Oconee County Democratic Party.

 

Call to Order:

 

                        The meeting was called to order by Supervisor-Chair Hughes

 

Invocation:

 

                        Mr. Hamilton gave the invocation.

 

Minutes:

 

                        Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that the minutes of September 18, 2002 be adopted with an amendment to the Public Comment Session regarding Evergreen Subdivision that the county attorney suggested the property owners and/or Mr. Rogers file court action regarding the court decision to determine if the county does have a right-of-way on that roadway and the minutes of the October 1, 2002 be adopted as printed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting                                              October 15, 2002

 

Public Hearing Regarding Resolution 2002-22:

 

                        The Council held a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding proposed Resolution 2002-22, “A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE ISSUANCE BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA JOBS-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF ITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS (NATIONAL COUNTY OF EXAMINERS FOR ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING PROJECT) SERIES 2002, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 41, CHAPTER 43, OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA 1976, AS AMENDED, IN THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT EXCEEDING $4,000,000”.

 

                        There was no one present with written comments.

 

                        To Mr. Dick Mangrum’s inquiry, Mr. Tyler Smith of Haynesworth Law Firm informed those present the bond is for the rehabilitation of the existing facility and building expansion.

 

                        Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Resolution 2002-22 (titled above) be adopted on first and final reading.

 

Bell South Presentation:

 

                        Ms. Jane Sosebee of Bell South presented the county with a check from her company in the amount of $20,000 to go toward economic development in the county.

 

Public Hearing Regarding Ordinance 2002-13:

 

                        The County Council held a public hearing to receive written and/or oral comments regarding proposed Ordinance 2002-13, “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES”.

 

                        There was no one present with written comments.

 

                        Mr. Brian Seal congratulated and thanked Council for this ordinance; however, he felt it could be strengthened in several areas.

 

                        Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2002-13 (titled above) be adopted on third and final reading.

 

 

 

Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting                                              October 15, 2002

 

Highway Safety Grant:

 

                        Upon request of Chief Deputy Steve Pruitt, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that the attached Highway Safety Grant in the amount of $161,871 be adopted.

 

Ordinance 2002-14:

 

                        Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that Ordinance 2002-14, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2001-05, AN ORDINANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING A LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS TAX TO APPLY TO ALL ACCOMMODATIONS LOCATED IN OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE” be adopted on second reading.

 

County Flag:

 

                        Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 1 (Mr. Hamilton voting against) that the flag presented by the Arts Commission not be adopted as the official county flag.

 

Change of Meeting:

 

                        Council deemed it appropriate that the regularly scheduled Council Meeting of November 5, 2002 (election day) be moved to November 4, 2002.

 

Council Retreat:

 

                        Mr. Lyles presented the attached agenda for the Council Retreat to be held Thursday, October 30, 2002 at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers.

 

Rosa Clark Clinic (Contingency):

 

                        Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that $1,500 be taken from contingency for electrical work completed at the Rosa Clark Clinic.

 

  Aeronautics (Contingency):

 

                        Mr. Ables made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 5 – 0 that $4,800 be taken from contingency for a temporary employee at the airport due to the illness of one the employees.

 

County Long Distance Service:

 

                        Upon recommendation of Ms. Marianne Dillard, Procurement Director, Mr. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 5 – 0 that the attached agreement with BellSouth for county long distance service be adopted.

 

Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting                                              October 15, 2002

 

Personnel Committee Meeting:

 

                        The Personnel & Intergovernmental Committee scheduled a meeting Monday, November 4, 2002 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers.

 

Commission Appointment:

 

                        Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ables, approved 5 – 0 that Mr. Bill Nelson be reappointed to the Planning Commission.

 

LEC Meeting:

 

                        The Law Enforcement, Safety, Health, Welfare & Services Committee scheduled a meeting Monday, November 4, 2002 at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers for the purpose of discussing possible amendments to the Parks Ordinance.

 

Budget & Finance Meeting:

 

                        The Oconee County Budget & Finance Committee scheduled a meeting Monday, November 4, 2002 at 4:00 PM for the purpose of receiving a briefing from Freeman & White regarding the Public Safety Facility.

 

Public Comment Session:

 

                        Mr. Steve Sokol addressed Council regarding their professionalism, bickering and handling of the county flag issue.

 

                        Mr. B. J. Littleton expressed his appreciation for the vote of Council regarding the county flag.

 

Executive Session:

 

                        Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, approved 5 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of discussing a contractual matter.

 

Open Session:

 

                        There was no action taken when open session resumed.                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting                                              October 15, 2002

 

Adjourn:

 

 

 

 

 

 

                        Adjourn: 4:35 PM

 

 

 

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted:

 

 

           

                                                                                    ___________________________

                                                                                    Opal O. Green

                                                                                    Council Clerk