Town of Little Mountain
Meeting Minutes – January 9, 2024
The Little Mountain Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the Derrick Center. Present for the meeting were Mayor Jana Jayroe, Council Members, Marty Frick, and Steve White. Mayor Jayroe called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm and the invocation was given by Council Member White.
The council reviewed the meeting minutes of December 12, 2023. A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Council Member Frick and seconded by White. The motion carried 3-0. The special minutes of December 14 and 28 to review and approve the purchasing and procurement ordinance were reviewed. Council Member Frick motioned to approve. White seconded the motion and the motion passed.
The council reviewed the financial report ending December 2023. White motioned to accept the report as information. Frick seconded the motion and the motion carried 3-0.
Mayor Jayroe welcomed Rick Senkowsky to the meeting. Mr. Senkowsky is the incoming President of the Dutch Fork Amateur Radio Group (DFARG). Senkowsky reported to the council that membership in the group had dropped since 2019 with the COVID pandemic. Plans for the group moving forward include putting up a new antenna, being open on the weekends and having family days to learn more about amateur radio. Mr. Senkowsky commented that the group would like to help during the Little Mountain Reunion. Mr. Senkowsky asked about the possibility of internet services at the building. Mayor Jayroe indicated that there were no plans to have internet services at the old town hall. She offered to advertise the family days via the town’s website. The Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Senkowsky for the information. The council requested that the agreement with DFARG be reviewed at the next meeting.
In old business:
The council reviewed bids for improvements to the town hall. The total for the quoted work is $24,629.72. After a brief discussion, Council Member White motioned to accept the bids and proceed with work. Frick seconded the motion and the motion passed. Funds from the American Rescue Plan will be used on this project.
The Town Clerk reported that the website continues to be tweeted for reserving a facility but otherwise postings are going well. Mayor Jayroe reported that the issues with Facebook continue to be a challenge, but she is working through them.
Work is progressing on the new entrance to Little Mountain Elementary School. Charles Shealy recommended to the council that the intersection of the new drive and N. Boundary Street be a four-way stop for safety.
In new business:
There will be a special election to fill Seats 1 and 2 after the resignations of Council Members Bowers and McLeod. Candidates will file between January 19 and 26th with the election date set for March 26, 2024.
Laura and Malcolm McLeod have requested that their property at 1010 Main Street be rezoned to neighborhood/commercial. After some discussion, a motion was made by Frick and seconded by White to move forward with the request. A public hearing and first reading will be scheduled for February 13, 2024. The town clerk will notify adjacent property owners and post the property.
The council discussed planning for the 2024 Reunion. The tentative dates for the Reunion will be August 2 and 3. Mayor Jayroe will reach out to the county regarding the park renovations and the town clerk will reach out to Principal Kim Mack about the beginning date for public school.
Council briefly discussed the proposed new business license ordinance. The town clerk will prepare the ordinance for first reading at the February meeting. The council would also like to discuss creating a Little Mountain business alliance at the February meeting.
The town clerk notified council that a representative from Clinton Newberry Gas Authority had visited the Section House regarding the smell of gas. There was a leak detected at the meter, but no other leaks were detected. Mayor Jayroe asked that Wilson’s Heating and Air be conducted to also check.
The council discussed the use of the fire department siren. Many residents and businesses have issues with the siren and county officials have indicated that it is possible that the siren will only be used as a tornado warning in the future.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be February 13, 2024.
Respectfully submitted by:
Cindy Farr, TOLM Town Clerk