Town of Little Mountain
Meeting Minutes – February 12, 2019
The Little Mountain Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 12 at the Derrick Community Center. Present were numerous members of the community as well as Mayor Jana Jayroe, Council Members Steve White, Charles Shealy, Melvin Bowers and Marty Frick. Mayor Jayroe called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm and Council Member White gave the invocation.
Council members reviewed the meeting minutes from the January 8, 2019 meeting. One correction was noted by Council Member Frick. Frick motioned to accept the minutes with the correction, Shealy seconded the motion, the motion carried 5-0. Council also reviewed the meeting minutes of January 22. A motion was made by Frick to accept the minutes and Shealy seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
The financial report was presented to Council. After a brief review, Shealy motion to accept the report as information. Frick seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
A representative from Comet Transportation was on the agenda but no one was present. Mayor Jayroe explained that the Comet bus service would be running from Columbia to Newberry with stops in Chapin, Little Mountain and Prosperity. This service provided by Richland County Mass Transit would provide an opportunity for local citizens to ride and not drive into Columbia. Mayor Jayroe encouraged support for the Comet.
Mayor Jayroe and Council welcomed Tim Cornelision to the meeting. Mr. Cornelision is the town’s auditor. Mr. Cornelision had completed the fiscal year 2017-2018 annual audit report. Council members reviewed copies of the report as Mr. Cornelision reviewed the town’s financial status. Mr. Cornelision concluded by saying that he issued a clean opinion of the audit findings and asked for questions. No questions were received, and the Council thanked Mr. Cornelision for his services.
Mayor Jayroe and Council welcomed Mr. Rick McMackin and his associate to the meeting. McMackin is working to develop a master plan for the Reunion Park. A slide show of possible improvements/suggested uses was shared with Council and citizens present. In the proposed plan, the park would be divided into five (5) areas. Mr. McMackin included improvements to include:
- A one-half mile loop walking track around the outer perimeter of the park.
- Adding a new more visible sign and making the main entrance to the park at the current red roof gazebo.
- Several pet waste stations would be located throughout the park
- A vendor area would be added to include resurfacing the existing pathway and adding poles for festival string lighting
- A green lawn area would be maintained, and the current picnic shelter would be refurbished.
- The new stage area would be renovated to restrooms and storage
- In the area where new lots were recently purchased, a new stage would be constructed with amphitheater seating
- The ballfield would need to be overhauled (due to existing ruts etc) with a concession stand and bleachers or it was suggested that the ballfield could become parking.
- The current restroom area and bbq pit would be modernized and have designated parking.
Council and citizens remarked about the drainage issues in some areas of the park. Everyone commented on their favorite features of the proposal. The next step in the process will be to get cost estimates on the different areas of the plan.
In other business:
- Council Member Shealy opened with a discussion about a sewer line for businesses along Main Street. Mayor Jayroe recused herself from the discussion because of a conflict of interest and left the room. (Recusal Statement was read) Shealy remarked that the businesses along Main Street were using holding tanks for sewage. He added that he felt it was in the best interest of the town and the businesses to extend the sewer line from Wilson’s and behind the businesses (Depot to Pomaria Street). Council members reviewed an estimate of cost from the Newberry County Water and Sewer Authority. The cost estimated was $15, 455. Bowers motioned to extend the line at the estimated cost. Shealy seconded the motion and the motion carried 4-0.
- The signs for the gates at Rocky Branch have been received. Bowers will check on a time table, weather permitting, for the surface material to be spread.
- Shealy has talked to Gerdi Lake at the Recreation Commission regarding the ballfield. The commission will be scheduling the field on weekdays only. The Commission will also look at the repairs needed to the field as well as cutting the grass and drawing the lines.
- Shealy gave an update on the BBQ Cook-off. They are currently ten (10) teams signed up for competition. Jayroe will contact Delta Janitorial about sending a crew. Council agreed to have the electrical and water lines checked prior to the event. After some discussion it was agreed that the town would waive the user fee for the park and provide water and electrical services, advertising on the town message board, the town website, supply paper products and cleaning supplies for the bathrooms and the cleaning crew in exchange for ten (10) % of the proceeds from the event.
- Council Member White asked about signs around town. There are a few advertising and other signs along the roads. Council members remarked that when signs are removed, they are placed at the town hall. Sign owners may pick up the signs there. White commented that he would be interested in developing a form letter that could be sent to the sign owners explaining the ordinance.
- Council Members were reminded that State Ethics Forms must be completed on- line by March 30.
- There will be a reunion planning meeting on Feb. 21 at 7 pm. Everyone is welcomed to attend.
- Mayor Jayroe reviewed three bids for computers for the computer lab. The bids for nine (9) computers were as follows: Dell $1006 per computer; Cimbas $989 per computer and Best Buy $1039. After a brief discussion, Frick motioned to accept the Cimbas bid. The motion was seconded by Shealy and the motion carried 5-0.
- Mayor Jayroe reviewed the bid for the telephone system for the community center. The Cimbas bid was $3980.88. After a discussion, Frick motioned to accept the bid. The motion was seconded by Shealy and the motion carried 5-0.
- Council Member Frick has been looking at possible table and chair options for the community center. After a discussion, Shealy motioned to have Frick purchase some of the preferred tables and chairs and see how they fit in the room, then additional furniture could be ordered. White also commented that we needed to check with the Fire Marshall to see how many people could be safely seated in the room. White seconded the motion and the motion carried 4-0. (Bowers had left the meeting at the time of the vote)
- Council discussed the renewal of the current lawn maintenance contract. Council has the option to renew the contract for up to three years without a new request for proposals. Shealy discussed that leaves in the ditches, in the park, were adding to the drainage problems and he would like to see the removal or mulching of the leaves added to the contact. Bowers Lawn Service will be contact about the addition of services and ask to submit cost prior to June 2010. The new contract year will begin in July.
- Council discussed hosting a Movies in the Park on May 11. The town clerk will contract Southern Outdoor Movies to see if the date is available and what movies can be shown.
Council Member Shealy made a motion for Council to enter executive session to discuss contractual issues and a personnel matter. A second to the motion was made by Frick and the council entered executive session at 8:40 pm.
A motion to enter regular session was made by Frick and seconded by White. Council entered regular session at 9:09 pm. Mayor Jayroe stated that no action was taken on the contractual issues during executive session. A motion was made by Frick and seconded by White to present the town clerk with a $500 bonus. The motion carried 5-0.
Due to the many projects before council at this time, Mayor Jayroe asked Council about the possibility of meeting twice per month for a while. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Frick and seconded by White to meet again on Feb. 26, 2019. The motion carried 4-0.
With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Frick and seconded by White at 9:19 pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Cindy Farr
Town Clerk