Spartanburg County Council met on Monday, February 17, 2003, in the County Council Chambers, 366 N. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC, at 5:30 p.m. The following attended: Honorable Jeff Horton, Chairman; Honorables Johnnye Code Stewart, Steve Parker, David Britt, Rock Adams, Ken Huckaby, and Frank Nutt, Council Members; along with James K. Hartmann, County Administrator; Bill Dennis, Deputy County Administrator; Chris Story, Assistant County Administrator; Glenn Breed, Assistant County Administrator; Roy McBee Smith, County Attorney; William McBee Smith, Assistant County Attorney; and Edwin Haskell, Assistant County Attorney.

In compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, notice of this meeting was provided in advance to the local news media and other interested parties.

II.

No presentations were scheduled.

III.

1. Chairman Horton declared open a public hearing to consider an Ordinance providing for the adjustment of minimum investment threshold, and for extension of investment period, under fee in lieu of tax agreement between Spartanburg County and Inman Mills dated as of September 1, 1998. No one appeared and the matter was closed.

V.

Economic Recruitment and Development Committee – (Honorable David Britt, Chairman)

Public Works, Buildings and Grounds Committee (Honorable Frank Nutt, Chairman

1. Mr. Hans Balmer appeared before the Public Works, Buildings and Ground Committee and requested a $10,000 contribution toward the building and maintenance of a Spot of Pride at Hearon Circle. This item was tabled until next month.
2. Information received regarding activities of the Public Works Department.

Public Safety and Judiciary Committee – (Honorable Rock Adams, Chairman)

1. Motion made by Mr. Adams to approve the annual contract between Spartanburg County and the Rescue Squads. At the request of the EMS Advisory Committee, this agreement has been modified to include a clause that ties attendance at meetings of the Advisory Committee to the receipt of funding. Other than this modification, this is the same document that has been used for a number of years to facilitate funds disbursement to the rescue squads. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried.
2. This past December, County Council directed that a contract be negotiated with BellSouth/InterAct for a Records Management System (RMS) for the Sheriff's Office, a Jail Management System (JMS) for the Detention Center, and an optional public safety mobile data system. Accordingly, the contract and all related documents have been negotiated and are prepared for Council action. Motion made by Mr. Adams to approve this contract. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried.
3. Motion made to render first reading to the Fire Advisory Committee Ordinance. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried. This ordinance makes changes that reflect future direction of the Committee, re-establishes eligibility criteria and confirms the basis of funding the committee. This is a recommendation from the Fire Protection Advisory Committee.
4. Information received regarding activities of the Building Codes Department.

Public Health and Human Services Committee (Honorable Johnnye Code Stewart, Chairman)

No items scheduled.

Personnel and Finance Committee (Honorable Ken Huckaby)

1. Mr. Gil Bulman presented a Reappraisal Update. The first mailing of the Reappraisal Notices will be March 15, 2003. The other mailing will be April 15, 2003. This was received as information.
2. Updated financial data was received.

Recreation Committee – (Honorable Jeff Horton, Chairman)

1. Mr. Jeff Caton presented information in reference to the status of Cleveland Park and Va-du-Mar McMillan Park in Boiling Springs. We were very fortunate to have citizens donate land to us. At Cleveland Park, we are working closely with the Bonding Company to get this project finished up. At Va-du-Mar McMillan in Boiling Springs, we are looking at getting the infrastructure finished and looking at installing some Frisbee Golf units.

Land Use Committee (Honorable David Britt, Chairman)

1. Motion made by Mr. Britt to approve the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Plan with our limitations being that our plan is based on EPA guidelines and not the State DHEC. Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried. Motion made by Mr. Britt for Council to sit down first with our Delegation Chairman, Bob Walker. Then Council needs to go to Columbia and let the Governor know how these unfunded mandates impact Spartanburg County. Then Council needs to go to Washington and meet with Congressmen DeMint and Senator Graham. Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried. Chairman Horton stated County Council will do everything they can to deal with this unfunded mandate.

VI.

1. Motion made by Mr. Britt to render second reading to an Ordinance providing for the adjustment of minimum investment threshold, and for extension of investment period, under fee in lieu of tax agreement between Spartanburg County and Inman Mills dated as of September 1, 1998. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried.

VII.

Motion made by Mr. Britt to render first reading by title to the motion to place Suspension of Sunday Retail Sales on referendum for a vote on the ballot in November with first and second reading taking place before the election in November. If this passes, public hearing and third reading will be held after the November election. Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried unanimously.

VIII.

All resolutions, ordinances, agreements, petitions and related documents which were read and approved by Council at this meeting for the financing of certain industrial or similar revenue bonds or notes, are incorporated in these minutes by reference as if fully set forth herein. The reference is to all such documents showing execution by the county on the date of this meeting included in the office of the Clerk of Court for Spartanburg County.

IX.

Mr. Parker stated that the State is trying to increase the time the County holds inmates from three months to one year. It is a direct cost. Mr. Parker has contacted Rep. Ralph Davenport on the Ways and Means Committee. Each Council member needs to contact members of the Delegation and tell them not to send us any more laws without funds to provide for them. Chairman Horton agrees. Mr. Hartmann stated Administration is going to prepare a strong letter to voice our opposition to trying to limit the time the state holds the prisoners. It is a huge burden to the County.

X.

Motion made by Mr. Huckaby to approve minutes of December 9, 2002. Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried. Mr. Parker abstained, because he was not present at the December meeting.

XI.

Meeting adjourned.

SPARTANBURG COUNTY COUNCIL

By:______________________________

Jeffrey A. Horton, Chairman

Attest:

__________________________

Deborah C. Ziegler

Clerk to Council