Town of Little Mountain
December 2022 – Meeting Minutes
The Little Mountain Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Present for the meeting was Mayor Jana Jayroe, Council Members Steve White, and Marty Frick.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Jayroe. Mayor Jayroe welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave the invocation. A special welcome was extended to newly elected Newberry County Council Member Karl Sease.
Council reviewed the meeting minutes of the November 2022. A motion was made by White and seconded by Frick to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried 3-0. The financial report for November 2022 was reviewed. Frick motioned to accept the report as information. The motion was seconded by White, and the motion carried.
In other business and updates, the following was discussed:
- County Transportation Committee – Mayor Jayroe has turned a listing of potential road and sidewalk projects into the CTC Chairperson, Tim Carroll. A member of the CTC will follow up with the Mayor for discussion of the projects. Mayor Jayroe commented that she is working to have Highway 202 named Pomaria Street to the I-26 interchange.
- Trash Collection Survey- The deadline for submitting surveys is December 31, 2022.
- Christmas Tree Lighting- Nanette White reported that the tree lighting event was well attended. Having the Santa and a sound person worked out well and they have both asked to participate next year. White thanked the Little Mountain Masonic Lodge for their support with providing and serving refreshments. For next year, a set time for the lighting will be determined and the event will be shortened to an hour and a half. Council thanked Ms. White and all the volunteers for their work.
- Mayor Jayroe congratulated Council Member Frick and Council Member White on their reelections. The oath of office for Frick and White will be given at the January 2023 meeting. Council discussed at a previous meeting potential salary increases beginning with the upcoming 2023-2024 fiscal year. The three-year plan increases the mayor’s salary in year one to $3600, year 2, $3900 and year 3, $4200. Salaries for council members would increase $1800, $2000 and $2200 over three years. A motion was made by White and seconded by Frick to approve the three-year salary increases. Council Member Laura McLeod was available by phone to vote. The motion carried 4-0. Council had also previously discussed the addition of filing fees for upcoming elections. Council Member Frick motioned to establish a filing fee of seventy-five ($75) for the mayoral seat and fifty dollars ($50) for council member seats. The motion was seconded by White and carried 3-0.
- Sewer Connection- Lake Murray Electric has completed the electrical work at the community center for the sewer connection. Metts Construction has indicated that they are about three (3) weeks out depending on weather delays. There will be potential closings for the center when the work is completed because there will be no water. The project could take two to three days to complete. Mayor Jayroe commented that the transfer of parcels to the Newberry County School District would be finalized following the completion of the sewer connection due to the location of the current septic tank.
- Council Member McLeod continues to work on the website project. A meeting with potential designers will be held on December 20.
- Documentation for the FY 2020/2021 audit has been submitted to the auditor.
- The town clerk has reported rough crossings in town to CSX Railroad. There was no timeframe given. The town clerk will follow up as needed.
- Council Member White reported that the ball field committee will be meeting soon. White will update council at the January meeting.
- The new guidelines for using town facilities and user fees goes into effect on January 1, 2023. The council reviewed the last recommendations for user fees. After some discussion, a motion was made by Frick and seconded by McLeod to change the deposit for Reunion Park to one hundred dollars. Council will review any further changes when necessary.
- Council continued to discuss the new rental guidelines for town facilities prior to the effective January 1, 2023, date. With the clean out of old town hall, council agreed to place the town hall on the list of available facilities to accommodate indoor birthday parties, showers, etc. The use of town hall would also include access to Brady Park. After some discussion, a motion was made by White to make the town hall available for a one-hundred-dollar ($100) deposit and forty dollars ($40) per hour or an eight-hour rental for one hundred fifty dollars ($150). It was noted that tables and chairs will be needed for the space and there will be additional cleaning considerations. The motion was seconded by Frick and carried 3-0.
In new business:
- Three bids for cleaning services were received however, one bid was cancelled. Council reviewed the bids and discussed possible options. Council Member White suggested to make the cleaning position a regular town employee rather than a contract service. The town clerk will contact Well’s Sanitation to request a bid. No further action was taken.
- Council reviewed request for reimbursements from Marty Frick and Nanette White. After review of documentation, the reimbursements were approved for payment.
With no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 pm was made by Frick and seconded by White. The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by:
Cindy Farr
Town Clerk
