August 16, 1999

A regular meeting of Spartanburg County Council was held on Monday, August 16, 1999, at 5:30 p.m. in County Council Chambers, County Administrative Office Building. The following were present: Honorables Karen Floyd, Chairman; Johnnye Code Stewart, David Britt, Jeff Horton, Rock Adams, Ken Huckaby and Frank Nutt, Council Members. Also in attendance were J. E. Klugh, Interim County Administrator; Paula Wayne, Deputy County Administrator; Glenn Breed, Assistant County Administrator; and Edwin C. Haskell, Assistant County Attorney.

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

1.

Chairman Floyd called the meeting to order and introduced the new County Administrator, Jim Hartmann, who will join Spartanburg County on August 23, 1999.

2.

Invocation was rendered by Rev. Hailstock of Majority Baptist Church. Rev. David Whitener led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3.

    1. Motion by Mr. Britt to adopt Resolutions recognizing past members of the Spartanburg Regional Health District Board. Motion seconded by Ms. Stewart and carried.
    2. Motion by Mr. Horton to adopt a Resolution declaring August 27 through August 28 as "Zero Tolerance for Litter" in Spartanburg County. Motion seconded by Mr. Britt and carried. Mr. Horton presented Don Arnold and David Taylor, litter officers, with a copy of the Resolution.

4.

    1. Chairman Floyd declared a public hearing open in regard to an Ordinance amending Video Poker Ordinance Number 517 and 661. No one appeared. The hearing was declared closed.
    2. Chairman Floyd declared a public hearing open in regard to an Ordinance relating to the fiscal affairs of Lakewood Hills Special Tax District. No one appeared. The hearing was declared closed.
    3. Chairman Floyd declared a public hearing open in regard to an Ordinance relating to the fiscal affairs of the Fire Service Areas. Mr. Joel Pack, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, appeared on behalf of the Inman Community Fire Department. He stated that this department is located in an area of the County that is experiencing rapid growth. He reviewed actual expenses for the past year, stating that budgeted amounts for the coming fiscal year are actually less than actual expenses for the past fiscal year. The requested budget has been revised and reduced to $135,318. Mr. Pack and the Fire Chief urged Council to consider this figure, stating that the department could not survive on a lesser amount.

Mr. Ron Nordenbrock, Chief of the Poplar Springs Fire Department, appeared and stated that he has revised his budget request and the reduced amount is $489,737. Mr. Nordenbrock provided Council with a packet of information regarding activities of the Fire Department. He stated that the tax increase for citizens would be minimal in comparison to the services his Department would be able to offer. He plans to implement a Medical First Responder Program. Mr. Boyter from the Poplar Springs Community appeared in support. Mr. James Goodman from Twin Lakes appeared and stated that he supports the fire department, but he will not support a tax increase. Neal Pierce appeared and stated that a monetary value could not be placed on the services provided by the Fire Department. He supports the increased budget. Jean Smith appeared in support. Vic Taylor appeared in support.

Steve Kimling appeared on behalf of the Una Fire Service Area. He provided Council with budget figures and stated that his department could not survive on the recommended budget. The requested amount has been reduced to $172,000. Mr. Royce Justice of the United Neighborhood Association appeared in support of the Fire Department, as did Mark Johnson of Helena Business.

The public hearing was declared closed.

5.

Mr. Chuck Ewart, President of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, appeared to discuss the 1999 Inter-Community Visit to Columbus, Georgia. He urged members of Council and staff to participate. The trip is scheduled for September 26th through September 28th.

6.

Public Health and Human Resources – Honorable Johnnye Code Stewart, Chairman

  1. Motion by Ms. Stewart to authorize the County Attorney to prepare a six month lease agreement between the County and Dr. Larry Korn for the vacant Duncan Health Department site at a cost of $1,760. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried.
  2. Motion by Ms. Stewart to authorize payment of invoices in the amount of $12,552.19 for the transportation of Veterans during the months of February, March and April of 1999, with the funds being taken from Council’s Contingency. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried.

Personnel and Finance Committee – Honorable Ken Huckaby, Chairman

  1. Motion by Mr. Huckaby to accept a settlement agreement from Intermedia for the payment of cable franchise fees due. Motion seconded by Mr. Britt and carried.
  2. Information received regarding updated financial data. No action taken.

Recreation Committee – Honorable Jeff Horton, Chairman

  1. This item carried over. (Receive information regarding contract negotiations for acquisition of property on west side.)

Economic Recruitment and Development Committee – Honorable David Britt, Chairman

No items scheduled.

Public Safety and Judiciary Committee – Honorable Rock Adams, Chairman

  1. No action taken regarding a request for funding for Courtroom Projection Equipment.
  2. Motion by Mr. Adams to approve a request for a solicitation permit from the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Spartanburg Firefighters, with the stipulation that the Highway 221 @ Airport Road location be modified. Motion seconded by Mr. Britt and carried.

    3.  

  3. Motion by Mr. Huckaby to authorize acceptance of a COPS Technology Grant in the amount of $1,000,000, with the understanding that the Sheriff's Department will work with Staff as to the details of this grant and funding for any additional expenses, and wil report back to Council for approval before proceeding. Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried.
  4. No action taken regarding a proposed Ordinance prohibiting cruising in Spartanburg County at certain times in certain designated locations. The County Attorney will work with Staff, the Sheriff and the Manager of Westgate Mall to find a solution.
  5. Motion by Mr. Horton to establish a Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, with Karen Floyd to Chair the Committee. Motion seconded by Mr. Britt. Mr. Huckaby abstained. The Motion carried.
  6. Motion by Mr. Horton to approve the reclassification of 14 deputies in the Sheriff's Department, creating 11 sergeant and 3 lieutenant positions and eliminating the 14 deputy positions, at an estimated cost of $34,000 to be funded for the first year from federal forfeited assets. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried. Motion by Mr. Horton to create a Bomb Technician position from a Deputy IV slot at an estimated cost of $3,000. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried. Motion by Mr. Horton to continue the drug lab grant match in the amount of $22,963, to be paid from the forfeiture account in the Sheriff's Budget. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried.
  7. Information was received regarding activities of the Building Codes Department. No action taken.

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

  1. This item carried over. (Receive information and take desired action in reference to Environmental Services Director Position.)
  2. Motion by Mr. Nutt to adopt the proposed Storm Water Drainage Policy, as revised. Motion seconded by Mr. Britt and carried.
  3. Motion by Mr. Horton to issue a letter of consistency for a land clearing debris and yard trash landfill (Hawkins Grading Landfill). Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried.
  4. Motion by Mr. Nutt to issue a letter of consistency for a land clearing debris and yard trash landfill (Jimmy Wilson Construction). Motion seconded by Mr. Horton and carried.
  5. Motion by Mr. Nutt to issue a letter of consistency for increasing the annual tonnage limits of the Wellford C & D Landfill. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried.
  6. Information was received regarding the activities of the Public Works Departments. No action taken.

7.

  1. Motion by Mr. Britt to render third reading to an Ordinance relating to the fiscal affairs of Lakewood Hills Special Tax District, making appropriations therefore, and levying taxes for the year beginning July 1, 1999, and ending June 30, 2000; to provide for budget control of said appropriations by the Spartanburg County Council, providing an effective date. Motion seconded by Mr. Nutt and carried.
  2. Motion by Mr. Huckaby to carry this item over until a special meeting on August 30, 1999. (Third reading to an Ordinance relating to the fiscal affairs of the fire service areas). Motion seconded by Mr. Horton and carried. Staff will provide Council with further information regarding millage rate offsets.
  3. Motion by Mr. Britt to render third reading to an Ordinance amending Video Poker Ordinance Number 517 and 661. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried.
  4. Motion by Mr. Huckaby to render second reading to an ordinance amending Ordinances No. 429 (Spartanburg County Subdivision Regulations) Ordinance No. 477 (Spartanburg County Mobile Home Ordinance); and Ordinance No. 452 (Spartanburg County Development Standards Ordinance). Motion seconded by Mr. Horton and carried.
  5. Motion by Mr. Huckaby to render second reading to an Ordinance approving the assignment and transfer of two cable television franchises from Intermedia Partners Southeast to Charter Communications, LLC, with the stipulation that third reading will not be rendered until a settlement agreement is executed regarding franchise fees due. Motion seconded by Mr. Horton and carried.

8.

  1. Motion by Mr. Britt to adopt a resolution calling for a public hearing to consider enlargement of the Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District. Motion seconded by Mr. Horton and carried.
  2. Motion by Mr. Huckaby to issue a permit for special public event exclusions from the Noise Ordinance as submitted by the Greer Dragway for August 28, 1999, and September 17, 1999. Motion seconded by Mr. Horton and carried.

9.

No further information regarding vacancies.

10.

For nominations and appointments, see minutes of meeting held at 2:00 p.m. on August 16, 1999.

11.

No further appointments.

12.

 

13.

No miscellaneous administrative or Council matters noted.

14.

Motion by Mr. Britt to approve the minutes of July 19, 1999 (regular meeting) and July 26, 1999 (special meeting). Motion seconded by Mr. Horton and carried.

Meeting adjourned.

Spartanburg County Council

 

By: ______________________________

Karen Floyd, Chairman

Attested:

 

__________________________

Lori A. Hinds

Clerk to Council