Roll Call

Members present were Anthony Mizzell, Doris Corley, Joyce Dickerson, Valerie Hutchinson, Damon Jeter, Paul Livingston, Joseph McEachern, Michael Montgomery, Bernice Scott, and Kit Smith. Greg Pearce was absent

Getting Started

Chairman Anthony Mizzell called the meeting to order at 6 pm. Bernice Scott gave the Invocation, then led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Presentations

Dr. Stuart Hamilton gave a presentation on the Eau Claire Community Health Center. Dr. Hamilton told the council his organization had a $3 million payroll and was dealing with an industry where every statistic relating to health care had doubled in the last few years.

Dr. Hamilton said the uninsured patient numbers had tripled in the last five years, but federal support had remained constant. He pointed out the national average for local support of such facilities was 12%, but there was no local support for his facility.

He explained how his organization had saved Richland County over $6 million by treating uninsured patients who otherwise would have gone to the county sponsored facilities. Dr. Hamilton requested a grant of the equivalent of 4.5% of their annual budget.

Richland County First Steps also made a presentation. Chairman Donald Tudor told how his group, which takes children from infant to three years of age, and prepares them for school, had worked through budget cuts by reducing services and concentrating on programs with more inherent value. Executive Director Rick Noble explained how First Steps saves money by preparing children for school, which means a higher success rate, which translates into more savings. He also told the council of a study which targeted the high cost of retention of students and how economical it is to do the job the first time and avoid having students repeat a grade.

Regular Business

The agenda was adopted with no changes, then Paul Livingston asked for some personal privilege time to introduce Alina Lup , a native of Transylvania, Romania. Livingston’s wife met Lup on an exchange trip to Romania and invited her to visit. Lup is staying in Columbia for a few months teaching groups about her native customs.

Citizen’s Input

A flood of speakers came forward during citizen’s input. All of the speakers were interested in discussing the Solid Waste Management item deferred from the February 1 council meeting. Many of the speakers were repeats.

Jessie Moore began by explaining how the Northeast landfill was clean, and the garbage didn’t stink. He said he was against the landfill until he visited the place and saw how well everything was maintained. Elaine Bennett agreed with Moore. She said she was impressed by the facility and had breakfast there. Bennett explained she would have been unable to eat had there been a smell in the air. Michael Tucker also spoke in favor of the Northeast landfill site.

William Goff was opposed to the landfill. Goff said ten years ago the council debated this issue and promised citizens there would be no landfill in Richland County in ten years. Goff said he knew the garbage had to go somewhere but wanted it somewhere else.

John Lumpkin spoke in favor of the proposed amended plan. David Hargett , who said he was an environmental professional, said landfills were necessary but careful planning must take place since landfills have a permanent effect on the environment.

Norman Chandler , Lee Postle , James Zieche , and Brian Card , all high ranking employees for Allied, spoke of how important their company is to the community and Richland County.

Keith Williams , Robin McCloud , John Emerson , and Yancey McCloud , all spoke against Allied and in favor of the proposed amended solid waste plan.

Regular Business

The minutes from past meetings were approved and attorney Larry Smith told the council of several items requiring an executive session. One of those items, an employee grievance, was all Cary McSwain brought up in the county administrator’s report. There were no items on the clerk of council report. No public hearing items were on the agenda and all consent items were approved without change.

Executive Session #1

Art Braswell , from DHEC, was on hand to answer any questions the council might have concerning the amended solid waste plan. He explained he had tickets to the Carolina Kentucky basketball game and would have to leave at 8. The council went into executive session to hear legal opinions concerning the amendment. When they reconvened, the solid waste item was deferred and sent back to the D&S committee. Braswell was free to go to the game.

Regular Business #2

A zoning change request for Murray Clepper on Gates Road in Ballentine was approved without discussion. A zoning change request for Beasley Creek Estates wasn’t discussed, but the vote was 5–5, so the item failed.

An Economic Development item concerning the Farmer’s Market was deferred until after the second executive session.

A proposal to give the Greenways for Richland County $25,000 brought some discussion. Bernice Scott questioned why it was being brought up now rather than at budget time. Kit Smith said the project had $35,000 in private funds and was a three phase program with audits during each step.

Scott said she remembered approving the item deferred from December in concept but thought everyone agreed to wait until budget planning to allocate any money. Damon Jeter said he wasn’t ready to vote to give the project $35,000. Joe McEachern said he supported the project 100% and felt it needed more money than was being appropriated but was concerned the council was bypassing process and slighting other projects who were denied money until the budget process began.

Smith reminded the rest of the council the original motion was to fund the project with unallocated hospitality tax funds. The item passed 7–3.

Rules and Appointments

Committee

McEachern said his committee wasn’t ready to bring the appearance committee questions before the full council and asked all those items be deferred. There seems to be a deep division about whether to hire a gardener or a horticulturist. McEachern recommended the council follow the staff’s suggestions concerning electronic delivery of the agenda. The council agreed. An item concerning who was to attend executive sessions was also deferred because it was still being discussed in the committee.

Citizens Input #2

A Mr. Langley spoke during citizens input concerning the recent news about a dirt road being moved up the paving list at a council member’s request. Langley said that council member should resign. Chairman Anthony Mizzell admonished Mr. Langley and told him to stick to the issue. Langley was unable to do that and was dismissed from the podium.

Leanne Johnson spoke against the proposed increase in sewer capacity in the northwest area of the county. She asked why the capacity needed to be doubled and why the figures being reported seemed to be inconsistent. She asked the council to reconsider any proposal to increase capacity, since it would encourage further development. She asked that the council not flush away the future.

Executive Session #2

The council reconvened into executive session, and was inside for a near record one hour five minutes. When the council meeting started again, Scott asked for a resolution to accept the Farmer’s Market memorandum of understanding. McEachern wanted to know if all amendments were included and was told yes.

Mike Montgomery said he had concerns about spending that much money and whether there was a viable return for the investment. Scott told him the citizens of the county had asked for the Farmer’s Market to remain in Richland County and said the county would get a lot out of it. Val Hutchinson said she also had some reservations about the whole idea and was worried about what would happen if the state pulled out.

Smith mentioned the two personnel matters and made motions to do something about them without anyone other than the council knowing what she meant. Her proposal, along with the new voting machine items, was approved. The meeting was adjourned.