MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE WALHALLA CITY COUNCIL
April 16, 2019
5:30 pm.
Present: Mayor Danny Edwards, Councilman David Underwood, Councilman Robbie Burrell, Councilman Dennis Owens, Councilman Tjay Bagwell, and City Administrator Brent Taylor.
Absent: Councilman Danny Woodward, Councilman Josh Roberts.
Guest: 10 & Under All Star Girls Basketball Team, John Galbreath, Scott Parris.
Mayor Edwards called the meeting to order at 5:32 pm. Councilman Underwood lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Mr. Bagwell, seconded by Mr. Owens and unanimously carried, the minutes for the regular meeting on March 19, 2019, were approved.
Reading of Resolutions and Ordinances:
Mr. Burrell made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-04, A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF WALHALLA PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT’S 10 & UNDER ALL-STAR BASKETBALL TEAM’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bagwell and unanimously carried.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-5, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO DISPOSE OF CITY ASSETS. The motion was seconded by Mr. Owens.
Discussion: Mr. Bagwell inquired how the city would get this information out to the public. Mr. Taylor said the information would be on www.govdeals.com, the city website, and released to the news media. Mayor Edwards asked when this would be done. Mr. Taylor responded that it would be by the end of the month.
Hearing no further discussion, Resolution 2019-5 was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to approve for first reading, in title only, Ordinance 2019-04, AN ORDINANCE TO RAISE REVENUE AND ADOPT FOR THE CITY OF WALHALLA, SOUTH CAROLINA, A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING JULY 1, 2019, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Underwood and unanimously carried.
Mr. Underwood made a motion to approve for first reading, in title only, Ordinance 2019-05, AN ORDINANCE TO REGULATE, RESTRICT AND LIMIT, IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, THE USE AND OPERATION OF THE WATER WORKS SYSTEM, MAINTAINED AND OWNED BY OR WHICH MAY BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF WALHALLA AND PROVIDING FOR VIOLATION THEREOF. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bagwell and unanimously carried.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to approve for first reading, in title only, Ordinance 2019-06, AN ORDINANCE TO RAISE REVENUE AND ADOPT A BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF WALHALLA, SOUTH CAROLINA, WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING JULY 1, 2019, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Underwood and unanimously carried.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to approve for first reading, in title only, Ordinance 2019-07, AN ORDINANCE TO RAISE REVENUE AND ADOPT FOR THE CITY OF WALHALLA, SOUTH CAROLINA, A LOCAL 2% HOSPITALITY TAX BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING JULY 1, 2019, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Underwood and unanimously carried.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to approve for first reading, in title only, Ordinance 2019-08, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN EQUIPMENT LEASE-PURCHASE AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING RELATING TO PURCHASE OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT BY THE CITY OF WALHALLA, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND PAPERS AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO. The motion was seconded by Mr. Underwood.
Discussion: Mr. Bagwell asked for an explanation of this ordinance. Mr. Taylor explained this was approved earlier for the purchase of a garbage truck, a command truck for the Fire Department, a pick-up truck for the Street Department and two cars for the Police Department. He stated this is the lease purchase that will get these purchases underway. Mr. Edwards inquired if this was the money that was designated last year for the purchase of these items. Mr. Taylor stated it was for the current fiscal year. Mr. Edwards asked again it is for the July budget. Mr. Taylor agreed. Mr. Edwards asked if money had been set aside for these purchases. Mr. Taylor agreed, again.
Hearing no further discussion, the motion unanimously carried.
Other Business:
Approval for a Change Order
Mayor Edwards said an approval of a change order for the water plant construction was needed. He asked Mr. Parris to explain.
Mr. Parris stated a line needed to be relocated from Jenkins Road to the adjacent property. Mr. Owens asked how far away from Jenkins Road the pipeline would be. Mr. Parris said the line would be approximately 400-500 foot closer to West Union. Additional tie-ins will be made and about 500 foot of old asbestos lines will be removed. The additional line distance will cost about $3500.00. He stated the property owner had requested a privacy fence be installed along the property line where trees will be removed, which will also be an additional cost. Mr. Underwood stated that in the long run, this line relocation will actually be better for the city. Mr. Edwards asked if the property owner was okay with everything. Mr. Parris stated he was meeting with her next week to finalize everything.
Hearing no further discussion, council approved the change order.
Approval for Short Street Allocation
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to use hospitality tax funds for the Short Street events. Mr. Taylor corrected Mr. Bagwell because the funds for these events will be taken from the Administration Budget.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to use funds as indicated by the administrator to fund the events on Short Street in the amount of $10,000.00. The motion was seconded by Mr. Underwood and unanimously carried.
Appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals
The following have been recommended for the Board of Zoning Appeals:
Josh Holliday
Susan Aundrus
Teara Barnwell
Regina Orr
Only two appointments are required.
Discussion: Mr. Edwards suggested this be turned over to Mr. Taylor to contact each person to explain the duties. The first two people willing to do it is who we will go with and the other two we will thank for their offer and tell them we may need them in the future. The two that accept will be presented at the next meeting
Committee Reports:
Fire/Codes:
Mr. Owens reported the department ran 108 calls for the month of March. Seventy-one were fire calls and thirty-seven were medical calls. Forty-five were inside the city and sixty-three were outside the city. The Fire Marshall performed twenty-three business inspections. The department assisted the Walhalla ROTC during their “March or Die” event. The department participated in the Anderson/Oconee County Hazard Mitigation Plan. A $2,000.00 grant was received from the SC Municipal Association for turnout gear. The annual report will be out later this month. The department participated in James M. Brown Elementary School’s Safety Day.
General Gov’t/Finance:
Mr. Bagwell stated everything had already been discussed.
Public Works:
Mr. Burrell reported that the department picked up 233 tons of residential garbage for the month, twenty-five tons of commercial garbage, ninety-four tons of recyclable brush, and sixteen tons of C&D waste. The department picked up twelve roll carts and delivered thirty-eight roll carts. The department is working on landscaping in the city. They have also been assisting with the bridge renovation at Sertoma Field and work at Chicopee Ball Field.
Recreation:
Mr. Burrell reported the 10 & Under Girls basketball team won the SCAP tournament on March 9, in Columbia. There are 31 baseball teams this year, with 414 participants. Opening day is April 22. Super Saturday is May 18. The county tournament is May 24.
Police:
Mr. Bagwell reported the department trained with the Sheriff’s Department in emergency vehicle operations and became certified to deploy stop sticks. The chief participated in a Police Chief’s Workshop. The department participated in active shooter training exercises. The department responded to nineteen vehicle accidents and issued 164 citations for the month. They still have two officers that need to attend the academy.
Utilities:
Mr. Underwood reported grading had begun at the new water plant. The county approached Mr. Parris about relocating a water line on Duck Pond Road. This is a good idea because the line continues to break due the deterioration of the road and traffic. Mr. Parris will get more information before recommending this to council. The department is assisting with the Chicopee Ball Field.
Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Edwards thanked all the departments for their help with the Chicopee Ball Field renovations. He also thanked the media present for reporting the history of the field and the plans for the future. He said he was happy to see all the people involved and felt it was a worthwhile project.
Mr. Underwood made a motion to enter into an executive session for personnel matters. It was seconded by Mr. Bagwell and unanimously carried.
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Brent Taylor, City Administrator
