WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER:

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1 Regular Pickens Cunty Cuncil Meeting March 2, :30 PM Cunty Cuncil met in regular sessin, in the Auditrium, Cunty Administratin Facility, with Chairman Jennifer Willis presiding. Agendas, bearing date, time, and lcatin f meeting were mailed t Cuncil members and lcal news media n February 22, 2015 Cuncil Members in attendance: Jennifer H. Willis, Chairman Trey Whitehurst, Vice Chairman Tm Pnder, Vice Chairman Pr-Tem Randy Crenshaw Ensley Feemster Absent: G. Neil Smith Dnna Owen, Clerk t Cuncil Staff: Ralph Guarin, Interim Administratr Ken Rper, Cunty Attrney WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Willis called the meeting f March 2, 2015 t rder and welcmed thse in attendance. Cuncilman Ensley Feemster led the Invcatin and Pledge f Allegiance. PUBLIC FORUM: Chairman Willis requested the Clerk t annunce the names f participants. Pree Hamiltn-Ms. Hamiltn, President f the Humane Sciety stated she was lking frward t cntinued fund raising, which includes a 5K in Liberty S.C. and a glf turnament. Ms. Hamiltn als stated she has submitted a request in this year s budget fr additinal assistance frm the Cunty. Ms. Hamiltn thanked Cuncil fr their cntinued supprt. In cnclusin Ms. Hamiltn shwed the Cuncil phts f the imprved kennels. Junius Smith- Mr. Smith discussed the current petitin that is being signed by citizens in Pickens Cunty t reject any tax increases. Mr. Smith stated the taxes as well as fees are extremely difficult fr the elderly in Pickens Cunty. Mr. Smith stated he thught the Cunty has dne well with keeping taxes dwn and building surplus; hwever, Mr. Smith said the verage f funds is a prblem. Mr. Smith further cncluded by stating he wuld advise Cuncil t meet with himself and Weldn Clark t discuss these verages. Weldn Clark- Mr. Clark updated Cuncil abut the Shting Range issue he was asked t study. Mr. Clark stated this was nt a cuntywide prblem. T his knwledge there is nly (1) persn wh has cmplaints and is nt shting in a safe manner. Therefre, the cuncil shuld nt try t regulate where there are n issues. Mr. Clark gave Cuncil a brief synpsis f regulatin and fines fr unsafe shting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 02, 2015 February 10, 2015 February 17,

2 February 21, 2015 (retreat) Mtin was made by Cuncilman Tm Pnder, secnded by Cuncilman Randy Crenshaw and unanimusly passed t apprve the minutes f (4) Cuncil meetings as presented. ADMINISTRATOR S REPORT: Interim Administratr Ralph Guarin infrmed the public and Cuncil f the fllwing. 1) Grant-Easley Cmbined Utilities Mr. Guarin explained this grant was denied last year, and the utilities wuld like t reapply. This is a $210,000 grant and has n impact n the cunty fr matching funds. All expenses cme thrugh Cmbined Utility. Mr. Guarin stated the public hearings and the administratin f the grant is verseen by Appalachian Cuncil f Gvernments. >Cuncil had n issue with this prject. 2) Update f Surplus sale-the sale has brught in apprximately $89,000 with ver 30 items being sld. Mr. Guarin stated unless he heard any bjectin f Cuncil, he wuld like t autmatically place items n gvdeals as they are deemed surplus. Mr. Guarin stated all items are accessible t the public. >Cuncil had n bjectin. 3) Inventry f Land and Buildings-Mr. Guarin stated that Cuncil had requested that staff develp an inventry f all Cunty wned buildings and land. Mr. Guarin stated this task is cmplete, and it is in the Cmmittee f the Whle. COMMITTEE REPORTS: fllwing reprt: Justice and Public Safety-Cmmittee Chairman Crenshaw gave the Randy Crenshaw, Chairman Jennifer Willis Ensley Feemster The Cmmittee f Justice and Public Safety met n Tuesday February 10 at 9:00 a.m. All cmmittee members were in attendance and Cmmittee Chairman Crenshaw presided. Cuncilman Tm Pnder was als in attendance. Staff: Matthew Delk, Administratr Dnna Owen, Clerk Billy Gibsn, Fire Chief Item Descriptin Referred 4 Cuncil rules update and ethics Retained 2013 Retained /22/2013 N actin-staff will cntact Appalachian Cuncil f gvernments and als get cpies f ther area ethics plicies fr bards as well as emplyees. 5 Review f the animal cntrl Ordinance 08/19/2013 N actin Retained 2013 Retained

3 6 Autmatic Aid t Pickens Fire Department 01/20/2015 Cmmittee recmmends a written autmatic aid agreement t cme t cuncil. >During discussin Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst had several issues. Pickens Rural Fire Chief, Billy Gibsn stated it was his understanding that Pickens Rural was ffering Autmatic aid and he and the Chief at Pickens City are wrking n that agreement. Mr. Whitehurst asked if this was fr ISO. Mr. Gibsn stated in this situatin it is simply peratinal. Mr. Whitehurst stated this type f agreement sunded mre like mutual aid than autmatic aid. Mr. Gibsn explained thse are cmpletely different agreements. Mr. Whitehurst stated he des nt want t agree t anything withut having a master plan in place. Chairman Willis stated there is nt an agreement n the table, the mtin frm cmmittee is t prvide ne t Cuncil. >Cuncil apprved with a unanimus vte. COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE: 1) Chairman Willis stated she will be speaking t the Pickens Cunty Leadership class tmrrw n March 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. anyne is welcme t attend as it is their gvernment sectin. 2) Mr. Pnder stated Pickens Cunty is the sixth lwest Cunty in the State f Suth Carlina fr taxes. The nly cunties lwer are the castal cunties and they ffset with large amunts f accmmdatins and hspitality tax mney. Mr. Pnder stated the castal area als received mney frm federal agencies as well. Mr. Pnder stated he was prud f what Pickens Cunty is able t d withut the additinal funding. Mr. Pnder cncluded by stating he hped that the tax payer grups and mre citizens recgnize hw prficient Pickens Cunty is with their funding. 3) Chairman Willis stated the S.C. Huse f Representatives will be cnsidering the restratin f the Lcal Gvernment Fund. Ms. Willis stated this is imprtant fr lcal gvernments t have this fund restred, and further asked the citizens t please reach ut t their representative in supprt f Amendment 2 4) Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst stated he wanted t make a cmment abut smething that greatly disturbed him, and he was nt speaking fr the Cuncil as a whle. Mr. Whitehurst said he read in the newspaper where the Mayr f Easley stated he was embarrassed that Pickens Cunty wuld sue the City fr $40,000. Mr. Whitehurst stated this upset him persnally because the Cunty is simply asking the municipality f Easley t fllw the law, and the laws are clear. Als, the City f Easley is being asked t be cnsistent with the same ruling as the City f Clemsn. MOTION PERIOD AND NEW BUSINESS: 1) Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst mved t pull frm the Educatin, Recreatin, Health, Welfare, and Cunty Planning cmmittee the issue f shting ranges and have a first reading in title nly f an rdinance t address the safety f shting ranges. Mtin was secnded by Cuncilman Ensley Feemster and unanimusly passed. MORATORIUM ON SHOOTING RANGE APPLICATIONS: 3

4 Mtin was made by Cuncilman Tm Pnder, secnded by Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst and unanimusly passed t place a mratrium n any new applicatins f shting ranges until cuncil can study and adpt an rdinance relating t safety. AN ORDINANCE TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY OF SHOOTING RANGES: Mtin was made by Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst, secnded by Cuncilman Tm Pnder and unanimusly passed that this cnstitutes a first reading f stated rdinance. Mtin als included this rdinance ging back t the cmmittee. REQUEST FROM CROSSWELL FIRE DISTRICT TO APPLY FOR SAFER GRANT: Chairman Willis called upn Fire Chief Sctt Smith t explain this request. Chief Smith stated he wuld like t apply fr this grant nw as it clses n March 6, This grant prvides the entire cst f additinal persnnel fr (2) years. Mr. Smith stated the Crsswell Bard vted t seek apprval f (3) new psitins. >During discussin Cuncilman Ensley Feemster asked abut the cntinuance after the grant cycle. Mr. Smith stated that after the (2) year perid, it wuld be up t the district t absrb the cst. Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst asked why staff was being added. Mr. Smith stated it des help the ISO when there are (3) members t a shift and the district will be in a better psitin when it builds a substatin in the Crsswell area. Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst stated he had several issues with these grants. Mr. Whitehurst stated that fire districts are a number ne pririty fr Cuncil, and the Cuncil needs t examine the big picture. Mr. Whitehurst stated each fire district is ding what they think is best fr that district, and Cuncil needs t lk at fire prtectin as a whle. Chairman Willis stated the item in questin is being able t d the grant by the deadline, the Crsswell bard has already vted t pursue the persnnel with r withut the grant being successful. Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst pinted ut that Cuncil still has t vte n the millage. Cuncilman Tm Pnder stated that departments like Crsswell were ding what they shuld. Crsswell is planning and is rganized; he trust they knw what the needs are fr their district. Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst said he thught this was piecemealed, and the verall plan needs study. The Finance Directr/Interim Administratr was asked if he had cncerns. Mr. Guarin respnded his nly cncern was cmmitting t raise fire fees in 2017 after the grant expires. Mtin was made by Cuncilman Tm Pnder t apprve applicatin f the SAFER Grant. Mtin was secnded by Cuncilman Ensley Feemster. Cuncilman Tm Pnder, Cuncilman Ensley Feemster, Cuncilman Randy Crenshaw and Chairman Willis vted in favr. Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst ppsed. Mtin carried. PROCLAMATION, PROCLAIMING PICKENS COUNTY AS A PURPLE HEART COUNTY: Mtin was made by Cuncilman Tm Pnder, secnded by Chairman Willis and unanimusly passed t apprve the Purple Heart Prclamatin. ACCEPTANCE OF MCBULO DRIVE INTO THE MINIMUM MAINTENANCE SYSTEM: Mtin was made by Cuncilman Tm Pnder, secnded by Cuncilman Randy Crenshaw and unanimusly passed t apprve McBul Drive int the minimum maintenance system. PUBLIC HEARING AND THIRD READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 487 AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING (1) DEVELOPMENT OF A JOINT COUNTY INDUSTRIAL AND BUSINESS PARK PURSUANT TO SECTION OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA 1976, AS AMENDED, IN CONJUNCTION 4

5 WITH OCONEE COUNTY (THE PARK ), SUCH PARK TO BE, AT THE TIME OF ITS INITIAL DEVELOPMENT, GEOGRAPHICALLY LOCATED IN OCONEE COUNTY AND TO INCLUDE CERTAIN PROPERTY NOW OR TO BE OWNED AND/OR OPERATED BY MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC.; (2) THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A WRITTEN PARK AGREEMENT WITH OCONEE COUNTY AS TO THE REQUIREMENT OF PAYMENTS OF FEE IN LIEU OF AD VALOREM TAXES WITH RESPECT TO PARK PROPERTY AND THE SHARING OF THE REVENUES AND EXPENSES OF THE PARK; (3) THE DISTRIBUTION OF REVENUES FROM THE PARK WITHIN PICKENS COUNTY; AND (4) OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO: Chairman Willis pened the flr fr the public hearing f Ordinance N There were (3) citizens that spke. 1) Junius Smith- Mr. Smith cautined Cuncil abut the Fee in Lieu f taxes, and stated the citizens always paid the price. Therefre, he is n lnger in favr f the Fee in Lieu agreements. 2) Phillip Smith- Mr. Smith stated he agreed with the frmer speaker. Als, Mr. Smith pinted ut that the CEO f Sea Level Systems is in favr f raising taxes; hwever, his business wuld nt pay because he is in such a Fee agreement. 3) Weldn Clark- Mr. Clark stated several f the manufacturers are advcating tax increases, and he agreed with Mr. Smith by stating the Fee in Lieu prtects them frm paying. Hearing n further cmments, Chairman Willis clsed the Public Hearing and called fr a mtin. Mtin was made by Cuncilman Tm Pnder, secnded by Cuncilman Randy Crenshaw and unanimusly passed that this cnstitutes a third and final reading f Ordinance N CONSENT AGENDA: Mtin was made by Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst t apprve the Cnsent Agenda. Mtin was secnded by Cuncilman Tm Pnder. Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst asked t amend the title f Jail Cmmittee t Legal System Overview and send it t the Cmmittee f the Whle. Cuncilman Ensley Feemster gave a secnd fr the amendment. >>During discussin, Mr. Whitehurst elabrated the study encmpasses much mre than the jail, and further needs the whle cuncil t be invlved. Cuncilman Tm Pnder stated this was meant t discuss issues f the detentin center, and wuld be specific. Mr. Pnder stated he thught it wuld be better served as a cmmittee with cuncil representatin as well as ther members f the detentin system. Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst disagreed and stated this invlves the entire legal system. Chairman Willis called fr a vte n the amendment. Chairman Willis, Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst, and Cuncilman Ensley Feemster vted in favr. Cuncilman Randy Crenshaw and Cuncilman Tm Pnder ppsed. Mtin carried. Apprval f the Cnsent Agenda as amended was apprved with all members vting in favr with the exceptin f Cuncilman Tm Pnder wh ppsed. Mtin carried. Reclassificatin f Building Inspectr-Administratin and Finance Representatin fr Kewee Springs Cmmittee f the Whle Building Keystne Plaques- Cmmittee f the Whle 5

6 Jail Fees- Administratin and Finance (amended t Legal System Overview Cmmittee, and sent t the Cmmittee f the Whle) Direct Depsit- Administratin and Finance Jail Cmmittee- Justice and Public Safety Vehicle Request- Administratin and Finance EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mtin was made by Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst and secnded by Cuncilman Ensley Feemster t cnvene int executive sessin fr the stated purpses. Legal Issues-(2 items) Cntractual Issues-(6 items) Persnnel- (1 item) PUBLIC SESSION RECONVENED: Chairman Willis called the public Sessin back t rder and stated the fllwing items f (2) legal issues, (6) cntractual issues, and (1) persnnel issue were discussed with n actin frthcming. ADJOURN: Hearing n further Cuncil business, Chairman Willis called fr a mtin t adjurn. Mtin was made by Vice Chairman Trey Whitehurst, secnded by Cuncilman Tm Pnder and unanimusly passed. Pickens Cunty Cuncil std adjurned at 8:30 p.m. Respectively Submitted: Apprved: Dnna F. Owen, Clerk t Cuncil Jennifer H. Willis, Chairman 6