NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL

MINUTES

JANUARY 18, 2006

The Newberry County Council met on Wednesday, January 18, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. for a regular meeting.

Present: Mike Hawkins, Chairman

William D. Waldrop, Vice-Chairman

John E. Caldwell, Councilman

Henry B. Summer, Councilman

John David Dawkins, Councilman

Andy Morris, Councilman

Edgar Baker, Councilman

Leonard B. Sossamon, Jr., County Administrator

Gary T. Pope, County Attorney

Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council

Media: Heather Hawkins – WKDK

Cindy Pitts, Newberry Observer

Cassie Fowler, Whitmire News

Chairman Mike Hawkins called the meeting to order.

Leonard B. Sossamon, Jr., County Administrator, had the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Adoption of Consent Agenda:

Mr. Morris moved to adopt the consent agenda; second by Mr. Baker. Vote was unanimous.

Additions, Deletions and Adoption of Agenda:

Agenda Item #5 was postponed.

There being no further additions or deletions, Mr. Morris moved to adopt the agenda as amended; second by Mr. Baker. Vote was unanimous.

1. Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement for Community Development Block Grant Project.

Robin Cooley with Central Midlands Council of Governments advised that the State Department Commerce was working the Council of Governments to update a statewide GIS water and sewer data base. Since they are asking each of the Council of Governments to do the planning applications to receive the funds, they will be regional applications, and they are requiring intergovernmental agreements with all of the counties in the region. The intergovernmental agreement basically states that all of the counties agree there will be one applicant for the funds and agree upon who will be the applicant. Newberry County will be the applicant in this case.

Mr. Summer moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement for Community Development Block Grant project; second by Mr. Morris. Vote was unanimous.

2. J.F. Hawkins/Springfield Place Marketing Video.

Ed Kyzer, Marketing Director of Springfield Place, advised they were getting ready to go live with the website nationally. New brochures have been created as well as new logos for Springfield Place. As of the current time, only two patio homes are vacant. All apartments on the ground level of independent living are full. As soon as one empties, it fills right back up. The bottom line is looking better every day. The only vacancies at this time are at the upstairs level of independent living. We have a few vacancies in assisted care. The skilled nursing care stays full. Springfield Place is the most economical skilled care and independent care facility in the State.

Mr. Kyzer showed the marketing video to Council.

3. Adoption of Local Government Resolution for J.F. Hawkins.

Martha Bursinger, Administrator of J.F. Hawkins/Springfield Place, stated that through the Federal Transit Administration funds are apportioned for capital assistance for the elderly and persons with disabilities. J.F. Hawkins/Springfield Place is considered a private non for profit organization and is eligible to participate in applying for this grant which is coordinated with the South Carolina Department of Transportation. There is a match of 20% local funds, which will be paid by J.F. Hawkins/Springfield Place. We are applying for two separate vehicles. One is a bus and the other is a van accessible for wheelchairs. In order to apply for the grant, we need a Resolution from County Council.

Mr. Waldrop moved to adopt the Local Government Resolution; second by Mr. Morris. Vote was unanimous.

4. Adoption of Resolution authorizing Newberry County Council on Aging to file application with the SCDOT for a grant to assist in providing general public transportation services.

Lynn Stockman, Executive Director of Newberry County Council on Aging, requested County Council’s adoption of a Resolution to provide public transportation for residents of the county.

Mr. Dawkins moved to adopt the Resolution; second by Mr. Morris. Vote was unanimous.

5. Consideration of approval of Contract for Staffing Waste and Recycling Centers.

Postponed.

6. An Ordinance making an amendment to Ordinance No. 01-02-04, known as the Purchasing Ordinance, to restrict the provision of goods and services to the County by elected officials and employees of the county, or by businesses in which they have a financial interest.

Mr. Dawkins moved for first reading; second by Mr. Morris. Voting for the motion: Councilmen Hawkins, Waldrop, Caldwell, Summer, Dawkins and Morris. Voting against the motion: Councilman Baker. Motion passed by majority vote.

Public Comments:

Buck Cockrell, 172 Sunrise Lane, received a bill from Newberry County in the amount of $110.56 for the County’s response to an FOIA request, which he did not feel he owed. Mr. Cockrell asked for a specific letter from Mr. J.E. Klugh with the date of July 20, 2003, which date was referenced in correspondence from Gerald Shealy. It was eventually determined that the date of Mr. Klugh’s letter referenced by Gerald Shealy should have been July 29, 2003. Because of that error, Mr. Cockrell felt he should not have to pay the bill.

Mr. Pope advised that what seems simple now about the typographical error required a considerable amount of effort in going through every single document related to this incident because Mr. Cockrell was asking for a specific letter that had been created on a certain date. It took a tremendous amount of time from the administrative staff to come up with the conclusion that the date was wrong and that is why he got the bill he got. The policy established by County Council is that people making these requests have to pay for it.

Mr. Baker moved that since Mr. Cockrell had the wrong date from somebody else that the bill be forgiven; second by Mr. Waldrop. Vote was unanimous.

Mr. Cockrell then questioned the statement in one letter that if he didn’t pay the bill, no other FOIA requests from him would be honored and requested that that statement be reversed. Mr. Hawkins advised that the letter said you wouldn’t get another one unless you paid the bill, and Council has forgiven the bill.

7. Committee Reports

No reports.

8. Appointments.

Mr. Summer advised that under District 5, Rescue Squad, Newberry, that should be under District 7.

Mr. Waldrop requested that the gentleman who sent a resume in about serving on the Airport be considered for appointment since he is a well qualified person to serve. He doesn’t live in the county but owns property in the county. Mr. Waldrop would recommend if legal. The consensus of Council was that the ordinance would have to be checked as to residency requirements.

Future Meetings:

Next Council meeting is February 1.

The Planning Retreat is February 11.

Comments:

No comments from the County Administrator.

Mr. Hawkins announced that Council heard the report from the consultant studying the building occupied by the Sheriff during the work session earlier today. The decision was made to move the employees out of the building and set up commercial portable units close to that same location so we don’t have to move all the 911 equipment. The estimate to just move the equipment was $250,000 so that will go a long way in providing a place for them. We will then move forward with looking at the building itself and the long range solution.

There being no further business, Mr. Waldrop moved to adjourn; second by Mr. Morris. Vote was unanimous.

Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL

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Mike Hawkins, Chairman

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Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council