MEMBERS, OCONEE COUNTY COUNCIL

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

Rev. William “Bill” Rinehart, 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, May 4, 2004 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC with all Council Members except Mr. Moore present. Mr. Norton, County Attorney was also 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: Ray Chandler – Daily Journal, Dick Mangrum – WGOG Radio & Heidi Williams – Anderson Independent.

Other Organizations Notified:

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

Call to Order:

Chairman Ables called the meeting to order.

Invocation:

Mr. Rinehart gave the invocation.

Pledge of Allegiance:

Mr. Norton led the pledge of allegiance to the US Flag.

Minutes:

By consensus, Council adopted the minutes of the regular meeting held April 20, 2004, the minutes of the special meeting held April 19, 2004 and the minutes of the special meeting held April 27, 2004 as printed.

Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting May 4, 2004

Coneross Wildlife & Waterfowl Refuge:

Mr. Corky Moss & Ms. Heather Stevens addressed Council regarding the Coneross Wildlife & Waterfowl Refuge. Ms. Stevens informed Council that two waterfowl nesting areas had been installed, however, there are some problems with the fishing pier. She also informed Council there is a walking trail out there, a boat ramp and wildlife food plot areas. The Soil & Water Conservation District is responsible for maintenance.

Mr. Howard Hiller informed Council he had applied for and received a grant in the amount of $1,200 for five hundred seedlings (which have been planted) and some seeds that have yet to be planted.

After a brief discussion, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that the attached Memorandum of Agreement between the Oconee County Council and the Coneross Waterfowl & Wildlife Planning Committee for the Organization, Planning and Development of the Coneross Waterfowl and Wildlife Refuge be adopted in concept only with the County Attorney making such changes as are necessary.

ATAX Grant:

Upon recommendation of Ms. Ansley Fraser, ATAX Committee, Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that the attached ATAX Grant in the amount of $1,600 to Discover Upcountry Carolina Association be adopted.

County Fuel Needs (Contingency):

Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 3 – 0 (Mr. Rinehart out of room) that $23,000 be taken from contingency for county fuel needs and beginning immediately all employees driving county vehicles, except those on call are to leave the county vehicles at their offices.

Rural Fire:

Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that the attached Rural Fire transfer in the amount of $7,000 be adopted for the purchase of radio equipment.

Humane Society (Contingency):

Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that $15,763 be taken from contingency and given to the Humane Society for bills incurred during this fiscal year. This is half of the $31,526 requested by the Humane Society.

Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting May 4, 2004

Ordinance 2004-12:

Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-12, “THE 2004-05 OCONEE COUNTY BUDGET ORDINANCE” be adopted on first reading in title only.

Ordinance 2004-11:

Mr. Rinehart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-11, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND OCONEE COUNTY ORDINANCE 2002-15, AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE USE OF ALL OCONEE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS” be adopted on third and final reading.

Courthouse:

Upon recommendation of Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rinehart, approved 4 – 0 that $3,300 be taken from the courthouse funds for the Heery Group to analyze the sound system at the new courthouse.

Public Safety Facility:

Mr. Hamilton also informed Council the construction of the Public Safety Facility is progressing faster than expected.

Commission Appointee:

Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Mr. Jerry DuBois be appointed to the Anderson-Oconee Behavioral Health Commission.

August 3^rd Council Meeting:

Due to the South Carolina Association Classes beginning at 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 4, 2004 it was the consensus of Council that the August 3, 2004 Council Meeting be postponed until August 10, 2004.

Ordinance 2004-13:

Mr. Johns made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lyles, approved 4 – 0 that Ordinance 2004-13, “AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE THE OCONEE COUNTY FINANCE DIRECTOR, THE DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR & STAFF CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS” be adopted on first reading in title only.

Minutes, Oconee County Council Meeting May 4, 2004

Public Comment Session:

Mr. Larry Linson addressed Council regarding educating the public on the upcoming sewer and water referendum.

Ms. Susie Cornelius addressed Council regarding the Coneross Wildlife & Waterfowl Refuge, Ordinance 2004-13 and the upcoming sewer and water referendum.

Mr. B. J. Littleton addressed Council regarding industries being sought by the County.

Executive Session:

Mr. Lyles made a motion, seconded by Mr. Johns, approved 4 – 0 that Council go into executive session for the purpose of discussing litigation matters.

Open Session:

There was no action taken when open session resumed.

Adjourn:

Adjourn 9:30 PM

Respectfully Submitted:

___________________________

Opal O. Green, Clerk to Council