Town of Little Mountain
Town Council Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, February 8, 2022
The Little Mountain Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at the Derrick Community Center. Present for the meeting were Mayor Jana Jayroe, Council Members Steve White, David Bowers, Marty Frick, and Laura McLeod. Mayor Jayroe called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm and welcomed all in attendance.
Council reviewed the meeting minutes of the January 2022 meeting. A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Frick and seconded by Bowers. The motion carried 5-0.
Council reviewed the financial report for January 2022. Frick motioned to accept the report as information. McLeod seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Frick and seconded by White to enter a public hearing. The public hearing was called to order at 6:36 pm. The purpose of the public hearing was to discuss the zoning for property 697-1-1-1. Mayor Jayroe explained that the existing zoning of R-45 did not match the current use of the property. The recommendation to the planning committee is to change the zoning to neighbor commercial. No public comments were received. Frick made a motion to send the recommendation to the planning commission and move forward. The motion was seconded by Bowers and the public hearing ended at 6:38 pm. If the recommendation is approved by the planning commission the council can adopt with two readings of the ordinance.
The Mayor and Council welcomed Marcy Loucks, auditor, to the meeting. Loucks reviewed the audit draft of the 2019-2020 financial records. Loucks indicated that audit process went smoothly, and the town was following financial procedures.
In old business:
– Additional pedestrian signs have been ordered but have not been delivered yet.
– Council reviewed the list of maintenance repairs for the town. Corder will be inspecting the Brady Park gazebo on Friday. Council reviewed quotes from MPI to clean, repair, and paint the Brady Park gazebo ($4880) Additional bids were received to make clean and repair the lower shelter and stage in Reunion Park ($3240). The bid for the large shelter at Reunion Park was $2900 plus an additional $480 per fan to replace the fans under the shelter.
– Mayor Jayroe noted that the Reunion Committee would meet on Thursday, February 10 to begin planning for the 2022 Reunion.
– Mayor Jayroe gave an update on her meeting with Milton Pope and Tony McDonald (Parker Poe Consulting LLC). Mayor Jayroe, Pope and McDonald toured the town and discussed numerous items that the town should consider for future planning to include a comprehensive two-, five- and ten-year plan, a contract with the sheriff’s department and grant proposals. It is possible that McDonald could contract with the town to provide grant writing.
In new business:
– The Council has been approached by a cyber security company to provide services. Council does not wish to pursue these services.
– Mayor Jayroe discussed hiring additional clerical staff to have business hours at the Derrick Center. She will begin working on a job description so the position can be advertised.
– Council discussed a schedule for the newsletter. The next issue will go out on or about April 1st and quarterly thereafter. Council encourages interested persons to sign up for the electronic news from the town’s website that comes to your email each Monday. Council Member McLeod will work on a format for an electronic newsletter.
– Council discussed the current lawn maintenance contract. After the discussion, council agreed to move forward with a new Request for Proposals for the lawn contract. The town clerk will update the RFP and advertise in South Carolina Business Opportunities, The Newberry Observer, and the town website.
– Council tabled the discussion of uses for town hall to the March 2022 meeting.
– Council discussed the quote for new banners and brackets. The quote for $1874.25 includes 12 banners and 24 brackets. Council was unsure of the number of brackets needs and tabled action to the March meeting.
– Council discussed with Nanette White having Spring themed banners placed in town. Nanette will work on the banners and be reimbursed. An Easter Egg Hunt will be held in Reunion Park, a date to be determined.
A motion was made by Frick and seconded by Bowers to approve an Executive Session to discuss a contractual matter. The motion carried and the executive session began at 8:10 pm.
A motion by Frick and seconded by McLeod to enter regular session at 8:27 pm.
During the executive session, council discussed a contract proposal from MPI to contract maintenance services for the town. As a part of the contract, MPI would be responsible for electrical, plumbing, minor structural, receiving bids and identifying and facilitating repairs throughout the town’s facilities. The cost of the contract would be $800 per month. To provide sixteen (16) hours per month. Any additional time would be charged at ninety-five ($95) dollars per hour. A motion was made by Frick and seconded by McLeod to accept the contract as presented. The town clerk will prepare a formal contract for the MPI representative and the Mayor to sign. The motion passed 5-0.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Cindy Farr
Town Clerk
