MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE WALHALLA CITY COUNCIL

February 19, 2019

5:30 pm.

 

 

Present:  Mayor Danny Edwards, Councilman Danny Woodward, Councilman Josh Roberts, Councilman David Underwood, Councilman Robbie Burrell, Councilman Dennis Owens, Councilman Tjay Bagwell, and City Administrator Brent Taylor.

 

Guest:  Brandon Burton and Daniel Fletcher.

 

Mayor Edwards called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. Councilman Underwood lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Approval of MinutesOn a motion by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Woodward and unanimously carried, the minutes for the regular meeting on January 15, 2019, were approved.

 

Reading of Resolutions and Ordinances:

 

Mr. Roberts made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-02, A RESOLUTION TO ADJUST ADMISSION FEES AT STUMPHOUSE MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Owens.

 

Discussion:  Mayor Edwards commented that he felt the shelter rental prices were too high.  He asked if the rates were the same as the city previously had and how often the shelter was rented.  Mr. Taylor responded that the rates were different and the shelter was not rented a lot.  He stated that the current rental was $50 for half a day and $75 for a full day.  Mr. Owens felt like the entrance fee being paid by the people renting/using the shelter would contribute to the rental fee and should be considered.  Mr. Edwards stated he did not want the rental so high that no one would use it.  There was discussion about offering parking passes with the rental fee. However, Mr. Burrell pointed out that there would be no way to monitor this and there would also be a cost to print the passes.  Mayor Edwards repeated that he still felt like $180 was too much.  He felt that $50 for half day and $100 for full day was better.  Mr. Underwood mentioned that power was available to the shelter and someone would have to go to the shelter to turn it on for each rental.  This could justify the increase.  Mr. Burrell suggested that the rental fee then be $100, to include the use of power, and $50 for half day and $75 for full day.  Mayor Edwards said that the issue needs more work and since the trail wasn’t open yet, they have the time.

 

Resolution 2019-02 was tabled at this time.

 

Mr. Owens made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-03, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ANDERSON COUNTY AND OCONEE COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN DEVELOPED TO ASSIST THE COUNTIES IN THE UPSTATE IN REDUCING THE HUMAN AND ECONOMIC COSTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS AND SERVES ANDERSON AND OCONEE COUNTIES HAS BEEN UPDATED.  THIS PLAN WAS UPDATED FOR EACH COUNTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) SECTION 322 OF THE DISASTER MITIGATION ACT OF 2000; AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO. The motion was seconded and unanimously carried.

 

Mr. Owens made a motion to approve for first reading, in title only, Ordinance 2019-01, AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS FOR MOBILE FOOD TRUCKS. The motion was seconded by Mr. Burrell.

 

Discussion:  Mr. Fletcher stated that the use of existing city parking (angle parking) from Tugloo Street to Ann Street is not permitted without the written authorization from city officials.  Mr. Burrell asked for clarification about the 250 feet requirement.  Mr. Fletcher stated that the food trucks would not be allowed to set up within 250 feet of a brick and mortar established restaurant without written permission from the restaurant owner.  Mr. Edwards said that he couldn’t imagine anywhere on Main St. that would allow for the 250 foot requirement.  Mr.  Burrell felt like this would eliminate any future food trucks from doing business inside the city.  He stated he didn’t want to make it difficult for anyone to bring their food truck in to the city for business.

 

Mr. Fletcher stated the permit fee for a food truck is $250/year and $50 for a temporary permit, which would allow 5 days.  These 5 days could be used anytime during the year.  He also stated that the food truck would be required to apply for a business license, as well as pay they city’s hospitality tax.  Mr. Edwards suggested they compare what a restaurant owner pays to what the food truck will pay.  He stated that he wasn’t sure $250 was enough for the permit fee but did feel it was a good starting point.

 

Hearing no further discussion, Ordinance 2019-01, in title only, unanimously carried.

 

Mr. Bagwell made a motion to approve for first reading, in title only, Ordinance 2019-02, AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A POLICY FOR THE DIVESTITURE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY.  The motion was seconded and unanimously carried.

 

Mr. Bagwell made a motion to approve for first reading, in title only, Ordinance 2019-03, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF WALHALLA A QUITCLAIM DEED TO SUNPAC HOLDINGS LLC FOR A PORTION OF THE E. S. BROAD STREET RIGHT OF WAY.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Owens and unanimously carried.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Fire/Codes:

Mr. Owens reported the department ran 107 calls for the month of February.  The Fire Marshall performed thirty two business inspections and seven residential inspections.  The department participated in the Anderson/Oconee County Hazard Mitigation Plan.  Chief Burton has applied for a grant with the SC Municipal Association for a 50/50 grant for turnout gear.  Mr. Fletcher, Codes Enforcement Officer, made nine new contacts, approved five new permits and made five zoning verifications.

 

 

 

General Gov’t/Finance: 

Mr. Bagwell commended the city and the employees for organizing a successful ground breaking ceremony for the new water plant.  Mrs. Libby Imbody has purposed a mural for the front wall at the City Pool.  Copies of the proposals have been e-mailed out to each council member.  The city’s website is now online although improvements are still being made to the site.

 

Public Works:

Mr. Burrell reported that the department picked up 205 tons of residential garbage for the month and 670 tons of commercial garbage.  They also picked up twenty eight tons of recyclable brush, six and a half tons of C&D waste, and six tons of mattresses.  The department picked up twenty one roll carts and delivered seventeen.  The Mack truck was down for a couple of weeks which caused a delay in brush pick up.  A pipe at The Depot pond collapsed and caused the pond to release all the water into the lower pond.  The pipe has been repaired.  The department is getting quotes for a new pond liner.

 

Recreation:

Mr. Roberts reported that the department had thrity two basketball teams and expects seven All-Star teams.  The SCAP Western District Tournament will be March 1 & 2 and March 7 & 8.  Baseball registration was Feb 4-15.  The Walhalla High School Alumni game was Saturday, February 16.  There was a meeting January 31 about revitalizing the park and playground at the City Pool.  There was a great turnout at the meeting.

 

Police:

Mr. Woodward reported the department had 419 calls for service during the month.  Officer Tyler Underwood was promoted to Lieutenant and Officer Charlie Smith to Sergeant. He commended the department on solving several burglary crimes and returning the stolen property back to its owners.  The department is still participating in the “Caught Being Good” program with the Walhalla Middle School.  The department participated in a Code Red drill with the middle school.

 

Utilities:

Mr. Underwood reported that training on QS1 is underway.  Because of new account numbers with the new system, online bill pay is unavailable right now. The fifteen day billing could take two to three months to fully implement.  The department has the construction permit for the water plant from DHEC.

 

Mayor’s Comments: None.

 

Mr. Bagwell made a motion to enter into an executive session for contractual matters.  It was seconded by Mr. Owens and unanimously carried.

 

 

 

___________________________________

Brent Taylor, City Administrator

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