Town of Little Mountain
October 2022 – Meeting Minutes
The Little Mountain Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Present for the meeting was Mayor Jana Jayroe, Council Members Steve White, Marty Frick, Laura McLeod, and David Bowers. Also present were several members of the public.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Jayroe. Mayor Jayroe welcomed all to the meeting. The invocation was given by Council Member Bowers.
Council reviewed the meeting minutes of the September 13, 2022, meeting. A motion was made by Frick and seconded by White to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried 5-0. The highlights of the meeting of September 14, 2022, from the Economic Strategic Planning Meeting were reviewed. A motion to accept was made by McLeod and seconded by Frick. The motion carried 5-0. Finally, the meeting minutes of September 15, 2022, from the post Reunion meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Frick and seconded by Bowers to approve as presented. The motion carried 5-0.
The financial report for September 2022 was reviewed. Frick motioned to accept the report as information. The motion was seconded by Bowers, and the motion carried.
Council welcomed Jon Paul and Tony Cates to the meeting. Paul and Cates represent travel ball teams in the community and presented a proposal to council for the purchase of equipment to be used at the ball field. The equipment list includes a field rake, nail drag, drag mat, bases, home plate, extra base anchors, and base plugs. The cost of the equipment would be approximately $1000. After some lengthy discussion, Charles Shealy suggested that a committee comprised of Paul, Cates and council members be created to discuss further plans for the field and how to effectively use the field for the children of the community. Council Members White and Bowers volunteered to participate in the committee. Jayroe asked that the committee focus on where equipment would be stored and who would oversee the maintenance. The committee will meet and report back to council.
Council welcomed Alex Attaway to the meeting. Attaway presented a brief business plan for his future greenhouse business. According to Attaway, he plans to have the business open mid-March through mid- May for spring plants and mid-September to mid-October for fall plants. He will have vegetable plants as well as hanging baskets and flats. Attaway hopes to start the business by August or September 2023. Signage for the business would include signs on stakes that can be easily moved. Attaway stated that should the business fail, he would sell the greenhouse or move it for his personal use. After some discussion, Frick made a motion to grant a variance to allow for urban agricultural use for a greenhouse business to be located on Highway 202 within the town limits. The variance would require no change to current zoning. The motion was seconded by White and the motion carried 5-0.
In other business and updates, the following was discussed:
- County Transportation Committee – Council Member White has not heard back from the SCDOT regarding the signage for the town. Council will continue to compile a listing of sidewalk construction and repair. The list of roads for resurfacing include – Pomaria to North Mill Street, West Church to the end of North Mill, North Mill to Screaming Eagles Property line, N. Ponderosa from Mill to past 144 Ponderosa, Mt. Zion Circle to Mountain Street, Depot from N. Boundary to Hwy 76, drive and parking lot at Old Town Hall and West Church Street from Depot to Hwy 76.
- Council would like to gather more information from citizens regarding trash collection. Mayor Jayroe will contact the county regarding billing through the county tax system. McLeod will work on a social media survey and mailer to residents to gauge interest.
- Nanette White presented plans for the Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4, 2022, from 4:30 – 6:30 pm at the Brady Park. White has been working with the seniors at the Derrick Center to make wreaths. Other focal points of the event include refreshments and, the chorus from Little Mountain Elementary performing Christmas songs. New Christmas banners are planned and an upgrade of the electrical at Brady Park is needed. The lawn maintenance crew will be trimming some of the crepe myrtles. Nanette White provided a tentative schedule and encouraged volunteers to come out and assist with decorating.
- Mayor Jayroe discussed the use of the American Rescue Plan funds. A lot of the plans will hinge on the passing of the capital sales referendum on November 8. A priority for the funds includes adding a restroom area to Reunion Park and upgrading sewer in the town.
- Council discussed the bids for cleaning services. The town clerk has been working to compile a task list for the facilities that need cleaning. Council agreed to advertise in the Newberry Observer and on the social media page.
- There have been some interested parties inquiring about the grinder pump station for the Derrick Center. Council will review bids at the November meeting.
In new business:
- Council Member Steve White presented a plan for the renovation of the old town hall. The plan is separated into a phase 1 and phase 2. Phase 1 includes landscaping, debris and old sign removal, storage, and building repair. To move forward, the quilters will need to remove materials. The town clerk will contact the quilters and ask that all their property be removed by October 31. White will contact landscaping companies for an estimate to compete landscaping prior to the Christmas tree lighting. He has received an estimate of $100 for the debris removal. Our maintenance contractor will be asked to remove old and broken blinds.
- McLeod is researching and contacting potential website design companies. Council is asked visit other small-town websites to see what they like and provide feedback.
- This is the first year of the new standardization for business licenses. Several businesses have not renewed their 2022 licenses. The town clerk will send a letter to remind business to renew and use the online portal.
- A request for reimbursement was submitted by Nanette White for Christmas supplies and McLeod submitted an invoice for car magnets that were used for the Reunion parade. White’s invoice was for $585.06. McLeod’s invoice was for $160.50. Documentation was reviewed by Council. A motion was made by Bowers to approve the reimbursements as submitted. A second was made by Frick and the motion carried 3-0. White and McLeod abstained from the vote.
- Due to the mid-term election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, council rescheduled the November meeting to Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 6:30 pm.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by:
Cindy Farr
Town Clerk
