NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL

WORK SESSION

MARCH 15, 2006

 

 

The Newberry County Council met on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 for a work session in Council Chambers at the Courthouse Annex.

 

Present were:                Mike Hawkins, Chairman

                                    William D. Waldrop, Vice-Chairman

                                    Henry B. Summer, Councilman (arrived 1:19 p.m.)

                                    John David Dawkins, Councilman

                                    Andy Morris, Councilman

                                    Edgar Baker, Councilman

                                    J.E. Klugh, Acting County Administrator

                                    Gary T. Pope, County Attorney

                                    Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council

 

Absent:             John E. Caldwell, Councilman

 

Media:                          Heather Hawkins, WKDK

                                    Cindy Pitts, Newberry Observer

 

Also present:                States Clawson, SC Department of Commerce

                                    Mike Briggs, Mark Simmons and Ed Parler, Central SC Alliance

                                    Teresa Powers, Planning/Economic Development Director

 

Notice of the meeting was duly advertised as required by law.

 

Mr. Hawkins called the meeting to order and determined a quorum to be present.

 

Mr. Morris moved to go into Executive Session to discuss the 773 Industrial Park; second by Mr. Baker. 

 

States Clawson with the Department of Commerce advised that Council needed to start the design process for the industrial park and have the industrial site certified.  The certification consists of four steps:  1) preliminary verification; 2) verification of infrastructure; 3) preliminary assessment of archeological and 4) aerial photos, deeds, wetlands delineation.

 

After discussion as to whether Council could go into Executive Session to discuss this matter, the County Attorney’s opinion was that Council could go into Executive Session.  Accordingly, Mr. Hawkins called for the question.  Voting for the motion:  Councilmen Hawkins, Dawkins, Morris and Baker.  Councilman Waldrop voted against going into Executive Session, but stated he would attend Executive Session.  Councilmen Summer and Caldwell were absent.  Motion passed by majority vote.   

 

Mr. Summer arrived immediately after the vote to go into Executive Session.

 

[EXECUTIVE SESSION 1:19 P.M. – 2:19 P.M.]

 

Mr. Baker moved to return to regular session; second by Mr. Morris.  Voting for the Motion:  Councilmen Hawkins, Summer, Dawkins, Morris and Baker.  Councilman Waldrop voted opposed.  Motion passed by majority vote. 

 

Mr. Pope reported that the Central South Carolina Alliance would report back to County Council in thirty days with a time phased conceptual plan.  In the meantime Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Klugh will investigate as to whether the trees can be thinned to help pay for the infrastructure.

 

After discussion of the mobile home regulations, it was the consensus of Council that the owner of a pre-1976 mobile home should be allowed to move a mobile home on his/her property and that the definition of abandoned be clarified by changing the word “and” to “or” and remove the reference to houses.    

 

Council has received complaints from churches about the billboard ordinance.  This ordinance would permit lighted church signs in rural areas, which are not currently permitted.  The ordinance also only deals with off premise signs.  Mr. Pope advised that billboards on major highways were regulated by Title 57. 

 

Discussions were held regarding the proposed Subdivision Regulations.  Council was concerned over lot size; however, lot size is designated by the Zoning Ordinance and not the Subdivision Ordinance.  There was also concern as to the road standards for subdivisions. 

 

The sales tax projects are all having problems staying within budget.  The Sales Tax Ordinance provides where the money will go.  The interest will first have to be applied to the MRI project at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital, since that was an alternate project.  Any remaining interest will be applied to projects over budget in order of priority. 

 

Mr. Waldrop also requested that the Water and Sewer Authority give Council an update on their future plans.

 

Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Klugh met with representatives from the Newberry County Soil and Water Conservation District.  The Soil and Water Conservation District is prepared to come up with a specific logging plan for thinning of the 73 acres provided County Council is serious about going forward with the thinning of the timber.  Mr. Hawkins will contact the Soil and Water Conservation District and advise them that Council may possibly have four votes to proceed with the thinning of the timber. 

 

The County Administrator is to look at the fairgrounds property and the property at I-26 and Highway 34 to see if there is timber that could be cut. 

 

The Soil and Water Conservation District indicated that Lynch’s Woods is being used more now than in the past.  Since they don’t have the staff to handle it, they are considering turning the management of Lynch’s Woods back over to the county. 

 

Mr. Hawkins requested that the Administrator obtain information as to the cost of a building at Lynch’s Woods and the estimated rent for the next Council meeting. 

 

Council discussed implementation of reassessment this year and after discussing same with Susie Berry, Assessor, and Nancy Owen, Auditor, it was decided to add this matter to the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

 

Mr. Pope explained the proposed amendment to the Purchasing Ordinance and how it would affect bids by elected officials as well as county employees. 

 

There being no further discussion, Mr. Baker moved to adjourn; second by Mr. Dawkins.  Vote was unanimous.

 

Meeting adjourned at 5:24 p.m.

 

                                                                        NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL

 

 

                                                                        ____________________________________

                                                                        Mike Hawkins, Chairman

 

 

                                                                        ___________________________________

                                                                        Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council