Roll Call

Members present were Anthony Mizzell, Valerie Hutchinson, Paul Livingston, Joseph McEachern, Michael Montgomery, Greg Pearce, Bernice Scott, and Kit Smith. Doris Corley, Joyce Dickerson, and Damon Jeter were either at a luau or taking surfing lessons.

Getting Started

Chairman Anthony Mizzell called the meeting to order at 6 pm. Paul Livingston gave the Invocation, then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was adopted after adding two executive session items.

Decker Corridor

Mike Montgomery read a proclamation honoring Jim Friend for his many years of community service. Friend has spent countless hours improving the Decker Corridor and working in the Northeast community. He is almost exclusively responsible for the success of the Decker International Bazaar.

Friend thanked the council for the honor but pointed out how much help it took for those things to be accomplished. He said by no means did he do anything alone.

Citizen’s Input

Evelyn Bush spoke against the rapid approval by the Conservation Commission of the easement for the Connor tract. Bush said it wasn’t wise to have committee approval on one day and council approval the next. Greg Pearce asked why this was being discussed since it wasn’t on the agenda; a requirement for citizen’s input. Bush pointed out the page number where the issue was located. Pearce was satisfied.

The minutes from the last meeting were approved without change. The county attorney gave notice of two items requiring executive session; one was the recent inmate death in the jail and the other was the solid waste plan. Since the coroner’s presence was required in the executive session and he had other commitments, the executive session was scheduled after the administrator’s report.

The administrator’s report mentioned available funding for BRAC and some secret stuff about the solid waste plan. The executive session lasted 23 minutes and no comments or motions were made as a result of the session.

The Agenda

One item was removed from consent status; the other four were approved. The removed item concerned a zoning change for Hawkins Creek development. Joe McEachern asked for it to be removed, then made a motion to defer. The motion was approved 8–0. Val Hutchinson asked for an item on Clemson Road for a commercial business park to also be deferred. The vote was also 8–0 in favor.

The latest Land Development Code text amendment, this one concerning private road subdivisions, was approved without opposition, as was an amendment establishing rules for public works and utilities.

The Committees

The administration and finance committee proposed denial of a citizen’s request for assessment ration refunds. The committee also said there was an amendment coming from staff to address procedure for refunds. The item passed.

The economic development committee deferred action on a lease agreement between the county and Blue Cross. An application for locating a nursing home in the county was tabled because it was incomplete.

The rules and appointments committee asked for Sarah Watson to be appointed to the Central Midlands Council of Governments, and Melondy Miranda Gold to be appointed to the Employee Grievance committee. Both requests were approved.

An item concerning council services travel is still in committee and Mike Montgomery explained how the Appearance Commission, having trouble filling committee seats because of a requirement the applicant be a horticulturist, decided to lower standards and accept master gardeners. Most people can’t tell the difference.

Finishing Up

No one signed to speak during citizen’s input and the only motion wasn’t really a motion. Pearce notified the council Palmetto Health is planning on building a hospital in the Northwest area of the county. I hope it’s complete before I need it. The meeting was adjourned at 7:02.