Spartanburg County Council met on Monday, March 15, 2004, 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; Glenn Breed, Assistant County Administrator; Chris Story, Assistant County Administrator; and William McBee Smith, 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.

1. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to adopt a Resolution designating the month of March as Disabilities Awareness Month. Motion seconded by Mr. Britt and carried. Ms. Paula White, Chair of Spartanburg County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs, received the Resolution.

III.

1. Chairman Horton declared open a public hearing to consider the proposed sale of the old Animal Shelter Property located at the corner of Williams Street and S. Center Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina, totaling 2.92 acres. This does not include the "Pet Cemetery" totaling .30 acres, which has been conveyed separately and deeded to the Humane Society. Mr. Glenn Breed stated that this is the final leg in selling this property, which is owned by The City and The County. The high bid that was received at the auction was $5,500, and unless otherwise this will be the selling price of the property. Feline Urgent Rescue was the high bid. No one appeared, and the matter was closed.
2. Chairman Horton declared open a public hearing to consider the proposed issue of not exceeding $500,000 General Obligation Bonds of Spartanburg Metropolitan Sub-District B. No one appeared, and the matter was closed.
3. Chairman Horton declared open a public hearing to consider an application for Permit for special Public Event Exclusion from Noise Ordinance for April 16, 2004 from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 a.m. April 17, 2004, for a Laos New Years Party at 470 Fox Drive, Spartanburg. No one appeared, and the matter was closed.

IV.

No appearances were scheduled.

V.

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

1. The CDBG Consolidated Planning Processes item was carried over until April.

Personnel and Finance Committee (Honorable Ken Huckaby)

1. Updated financial data and personnel vacancy reports were received.

Recreation Committee – (Honorable Jeff Horton, Chairman)

1. Mr. Jeff Caton presented a Parks Update. Va-du-mar Infrastructure is going in first preparing for the paving. Cleveland Park is looking for sponsorship for a second train.

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

No items scheduled.

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

1. Information was received in reference to implementation details of the Solicitor's Bad Check Program. There are over 9,000 bad check warrants issued each year in Spartanburg County. It takes up a considerable amount of time and workforce for the Sheriff's Department to carry this procedure through. Our Solicitor's Office working with the Solicitor's Office in Lexington County has come up with a bad check program. We are going to give it a try and see how it works out. If it does not work out, it will be cancelled. It will cost about $50,000 to get it implemented. Spartanburg County will be getting $41 back to the General Fund for each bad check. The prediction is for the first year to be breakeven. Motion made by Mr. Adams to approve the Solicitor's Bad Check Program. Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried. Chairman Horton stated that this is a temporary program, and he would like for Mr. Hartmann to examine it after a year to make sure it is still viable.
2. Information received regarding activities of the Building Codes Department.

Land Use Committee (Honorable David Britt, Chairman)

1. Motion made by Mr. Britt to adopt the Upstate Air Quality Early Action Compact. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried.
2. Updated Planning Department Reports on Development Activity were received.

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

1. Information received regarding activities of the Public Works Department.

VI.

1. Motion made by Mr. Britt to render third reading of an Ordinance to repeal Section 10-92 of County Code (Contractor Billing Application - Ordinance 597). Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried.
2. Motion made by Mr. Britt to render second reading to an Ordinance finding that Spartanburg Metropolitan Sub-District B may issue not exceeding $500,000 General Obligation Bonds; to authorize the committee for Spartanburg Metropolitan Sub-District B to cause the issuance of such bonds and to provide for the publication of notice of the said finding and authorization. Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried.

VII.

No Items Scheduled.

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.

No Items Scheduled.

X.

Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve minutes of February 11, 2004 (Council Retreat) and February 16, 2004 (Regular Meeting). Motion seconded by Mr. Adams and carried.

XI.

Meeting adjourned.

SPARTANBURG COUNTY COUNCIL

By:______________________________

Jeffrey A. Horton, Chairman

Attest:

__________________________

Deborah C. Ziegler

Clerk to Council