Town Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
The Little Mountain Town Council Meeting for January 14, 2025, was held at the Derrick Community Center. Present for the meeting were Mayor Jana Jayroe, Council Members Marty Frick, Patrick Bowers, Mary Buntin and Jillian Long. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Jayroe and Council Member Bowers gave the invocation.
Council reviewed the meeting minutes of December 2024. A typographical error was noted. A motion to approve the meeting minutes with the correction was made by Frick and seconded by Long, the motion carried.
Council reviewed the financial statement ending December 31, 2024. It was noted that no revenues were reported in December. The town clerk commented that approximately $100 in revenues were received at reconciliation. A motion to accept the financial report as information was made by Bowers and seconded by Frick, the motion carried 5-0.
In old business:
- The Town Clerk reported that the tree removal on the BBQ shed at Reunion Park has been completed. Council requested that estimates on the repair/replacement of the roof been obtained. A bid for the replacement of the entrance sign was reviewed. The sign will be covered by insurance. Council approved to move forward with the replacement. The Town Clerk is also seeking lighting options for the entrance signs. The speed monitors have been added to the insurance. The Council reviewed bids for replacement of the damaged monitor. Council approved the purchased of a new monitor. The town clerk will get prices on replacement batteries for the existing monitors.
- Council discussed the use of the Section House as a municipal office. The Town Clerk and Council Member Bowers will work together to create a list of to do and items needed to set up the space. One room of the Section House will be used as storage. The large Christmas tree under the Brady Park gazebo will be stored there.
- The Town Clerk has met with Tyler Bowers and Nate Foster regarding the winter maintenance of the tree line from Depot Street to the Cotton Press Crossing. The estimate to trim and chip the debris from Foster Tree Care is $1500. Foster will also chip the debris from the crepe myrtles which will save the cost of a trailer rental. The Town Clerk will coordinate the project with Foster and Bowers Lawn Maintenance. Tyler Bowers is scheduled to attend the February Council Meeting to discuss the current scope of work on the maintenance contract.
- Mayor Jayroe is still waiting for a date for renovations in Reunion Park. Currently the budget and purposed drawings do not match. Jayroe stated there is no decision on the status of the 2025 Reunion at this time.
- The Ave of Champions street sign has been delivered. Council Member Bowers will work on getting it mounted. The Town Clerk will follow up with 911 emergency addressing to see what else needs to be done moving forward.
- The webmaster has the revisions for the changes to the 2025 business license application. He is working to update the website. He is looking at the possibly of having a fee calculator on the site as well.
In new business:
- Mayor Jayroe asked council members to think of some items they would like to work on in the coming year. Council Member Buntin stated that she would like for the town to have a brochure regarding the history of the town and the historic homes and building. Council Member Long expressed interest in a turkey trot and a mural in town. Other ideas included service projects such as picking up litter. Mayor Jayroe encouraged members to move forward with their ideas and bring any details back to the council.
- Mayor Jayroe reported that the South Carolina Wildlife Federation had followed up with the Upper Savannah Land Trust regarding the Rocky Branch Trail Head and found that there are many obstacles. While the property is maintained by the town, it is owned by the land trust. The council discussed the process of cutting trees from the trail following the hurricane in September 2024. The Town Clerk has briefly discussed this with Nate Foster who understands the need of keeping the area natural. Foster will be asked to present a long-term plan to cut the trees. Council members also discussed the possibly of recruiting an organization of volunteers to do the work. Jayroe stated that any organization would need to be insured. Council Member Bowers stated that he would investigate the possibly with some local groups to see if there was any interest.
- The Council reviewed a request from a citizen to have goats, sheep and bee hives on their property. The lot where the animals would be housed is approximately one acre which includes the house. After some discussion, the council felt that the size of the lot was too small to maintain livestock. The Town Clerk will notify the citizen.
- The Council reviewed an estimate for new banners and designs. It was decided that two of more designs would be used and staggered on the poles. The Town Clerk will request that a banner design with a train and the historic town logo be drafted. Brackets are not needed and can be removed from the estimate.
- A draft of the 2023-24 audit was reviewed. Mayor Jayroe highlighted areas of the audit. The audit, completed by McKinley, Cooper &Co., LLC found no violations.
- The Town Clerk has contacted Newberry Glass and Mirror to repair the windows in Old Town Hall prior to Christmas decorations being stored.
- A new business is opening at 1587 A Main Street. The business will be a barber shop. The town clerk offered a ribbon cutting for the grand opening.
- The Town Clerk reported that the library manager is working on a toddler story time to add in 2025. In December, the library had 14 adults and 10 children to visit. The library was closed several days during the month for holidays.
- Except for the large tree at Brady Park, Christmas decorations are ready for storage. Items have been ordered such as wheeled tree stands and tree bags to assist with storage. The town clerk noted that lights in the trees, which have been there are several years, will need to be cut out.
With no further business, a motion to adjourn at 7:20 pm was made by Long and seconded by Frick. The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by:
Cindy Farr
Town Clerk