TOWN OF HONEA PATH

COUNCIL MEETING

WATKINS BUILDING

FEBRUARY 13, 2012

REGULAR MEETING

7:00 P.M.

Mayor Meyers called the meeting to order, and asked that we remember the family of  the Town of Clemson Mayor, Mr. Abernathy, who passed away on Friday as we pray.  Lark opened the meeting with prayer. All stood for the pledge to the flag. Members present:  Mayor Meyers, Beverly Crawford, Clerk/Treasurer, Council members:  Davis, Gilmer, Haynes, Taylor, Evans and Lark.

Haynes made a motion to dispense the January 9, 2012 minutes as written.  Davis seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, and the minutes were accepted as written.

Mayor Meyers stated he had contacted the Appalachian Council of Governments to do a study for a new Personnel Policy for the Town.  He stated this study will take approximately sixty days to complete, and at that time, he would contact each Department Head, and would have Council members review.  Mayor Meyers expressed this study would cost approximately $800.00.  Gilmer made a motion to have the Personnel Policy reviewed.  Haynes seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, and the motion was passed.

Mayor Meyers gave a report on S. C. Labor (OSHA).  He stated he and Matt McCullough had a meeting with two individuals with the S. C. Dept. of Labor, and were informed of two citations after the death of Mr. Dean Darby.  The Town was charged because Mr. Darby was not wearing a safety vest at the time of the accident.  Matt McCullough expressed that each employee will now be wearing a vest every time they leave the Town Shop.  We also were cited because his death was not reported to OSHA right after the accident.  The Coroner on the scene stated he would contact OSHA, but it was the employer's responsibility.

Mayor Meyers expressed it is time to begin work on the FY2012-2013 budget.  He gave Council members a copy of a budget report for review, and stated he would try to give Council one each month.  Mayor Meyers expressed he would like to have a work session as soon as possible as there will need to be two readings before the May 31st.  Gilmer questioned where the $800.00 for the Personnel Policy would be taken from.  The Mayor stated it could be taken out of the Capital Items in the Administrative Department since nothing has been spent from this account.  The Mayor stated the first budget work session will be held March 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Mayor Meyers gave each Council member a copy of the FY2010-2011 reconciliation bill from the Town of Ware Shoals. The amount of the bill is $19,716.49.  He stated we asked if this bill could be paid in installments, and it was agreed.  Gilmer questioned if we are positive that this bill is accurate.  The Mayor stated that Swartz Engineers did the study for the reconciliation.  Davis made a motion to pay the reconciliation in installments as agreed by the Town of Ware Shoals.  Gilmer seconded.  All voted in favor, except Lark, who opposed the motion.  The motion was passed.

Mayor Meyers gave a report on an Ordinance he thought would be ready for FEMA.  He has not received the sample Ordinance which has been approved through Anderson County.  Our Town will be working on a Mutual Aid Agreement with Belton, Anderson County, and surrounding areas.  Mayor Meyers expressed this would eliminate the problem of getting what we need from other entities, and would certainly be something positive for the Town.  Lark stated should there be a tornado or any other type of destruction, one town would not be able to handle it alone, which makes mutual aid very important.

Mayor Meyers stated the Merchant's Association, or any other groups wishing to request monies from the Hospitality Fund, have these requests ready for the next Council meeting.  Lark stated monies should come out of the Hospitality Fund when EMS, Police, or Street Department have to be used for putting up Christmas lights, blocking the streets, etc. for the Christmas Parade, the Fall Festival, or any other festivities the Town may have. Mayor Meyers expressed we would work on the numbers for this.  Davis stated we be sure the Hospitality Funds are used correctly.

Gilmer's brother-in-law, Wally is now back from Afghanistan, and will be resuming his regular job.  His family is very proud of him, and Mayor Meyers expressed the Town wishes him well now that he is back home.

Fire Chief Jimmy Smith presented the 2011 Annual Report for the Fire/EMS.  (See attached report).  This report details call types, property loss, property saved, civilian and firefighter injuries, and response times.  Chief Smith stated the EMS owns a house located on Gaines Road which we are making monthly payments on.  He asked Mayor and Council if they would be interested in having this house and two acres of land appraised to possibly sell.  Mayor Meyers stated he and Council would pursue, and discuss at a later date.

Mr. Rusty Burns stated he had a quote on pruning 182 trees on the former railroad track on North Shirley Avenue and the downtown area.  He expressed the quote for pruning the trees is $875.00.  The Street Department would have to remove the limbs, and monies could be taken out of the Hospitality Fund.  Lark made a motion that we have the trees pruned and monies taken from the Hospitality Fund.  Taylor seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, and the motion was passed.  Burns stated a resolution has been made to cut aid for subdivisions, and expressed the need for the Town to contact our Representative about a request to fully fund the Local Government Fund.  He stated funds are available and the Town will have to make it known that we want to be a part of this.  He stated that Council needs to contact Senator Billy O'Dell and Representative Mike Gambrell.    Davis made a motion to write a letter to both Senator O'Dell and Representative Gambrell.  Lark seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, and the motion passed. 

Lark made a motion to go into Executive Session for Economic Development.  Davis seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, and the meeting was moved into Executive Session.

Lark made a motion to come out of Executive Session.  Taylor seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, and the meeting was moved out of Executive Session.

Davis made a motion to adjourn.  Haynes seconded.  All voted in favor, and the meeting was adjourned.

Earl L. Meyers                                                Beverly K. Crawford

Mayor                                                                Clerk/Treasurer