Town of Little Mountain
Meeting Minutes – March 12, 2024
The Little Mountain Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 12, 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 Mayor Jana Jayroe.
The council reviewed the meeting minutes of February 2024. A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Council Member Frick and seconded by White. The motion carried 3-0.
The council reviewed the financial report ending February 2024. Frick motioned to accept the report as information. White seconded the motion and the motion carried 3-0.
The council welcomed Brian Pena to the meeting. Pena is the owner of The Karate Dojo and Law Enforcement Museum in West Columbia, SC. Pena had a career in law enforcement before teaching martial arts. Pena is focused on law enforcement history in Richland, Lexington, and Newberry counties. He has a large display of guns, badges, and vehicles. Council Member Frick commented that he had the opportunity to visit the museum and encouraged others to visit. The town has possession of a display that includes a Little Mountain Police badge, gun, and handcuffs. Pena would be interested in the display along with any pictures, documents, or other information for the museum. No action was taken by the council. Mayor Jayroe would like to research the process for loaning town property prior to further discussion.
The council approved the first reading of a new business license ordinance in accordance with a tiered rate system and the NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) classifications at the February meeting. This ordinance will be in effect beginning January 1, 2025. A motion was made by Frick and seconded by White to approve the second reading of the ordinance. The motion passed 3-0.
The council continues to review a draft for a new election ordinance. The new ordinance would give the Newberry County Election Commission the ability to conduct municipal elections for the town. The town clerk has a meeting with the interim director of the Newberry County Voter and Registration Office on Wednesday, March 13 to discuss the ordinance. Mayor Jayroe is also looking into the petition process. The council will continue to review the ordinance to ensure compliance with election laws prior to scheduling the first reading.
The table and chairs for the town hall have been delivered. The set up will continue this week. The council approved the purchase of a custom metal address sign.
Everyone was reminded of the first planning meeting for the Reunion on March 21, 2024.
The council discussed the business alliance. An initial meeting will be held on May 15, 2024, at 6:30 pm at the Derrick Center. The town clerk will send out invitation letters to businesses.
Mayor Jayroe commented that although the repair to the railroad crossing was chaotic for traffic, the new repairs are greatly appreciated.
In new business:
Mayor Jayroe reported on numerous meetings that she recently attended. There are plans to extend the Palmetto Trail. The towns of Chapin, Little Mountain and Prosperity will be a part of this using highway and railroad right of way to complete. This will keep the trail from running through private property. There are grants available through the Soil and Water Conservation as a part of the SC two-hundred-and-fifty-year anniversary. These grants may be beneficial as the town prepares for the Reunion Park construction. The Midlands Council of Governments will be conducting a Highway 76 study in the next 5 to 6 months. This study will include suggestions for bike paths, pedestrian walkways, and other traffic needs. The study will include Little Mountain to Lindler Field Road.
The town clerk reported that the library had forty -six (46) visitors in February.
The council approved a reimbursement for library story time supplies.
Ruth Ann Cartwright, The Cotton Press, expressed continued concerns regarding the fire siren. The council has discussed this at previous meetings. The current understanding is that the siren will be used as only a tornado warning. There is no timeline currently.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm
Respectfully submitted by:
Cindy Farr, TOLM Town Clerk