MINUTES OF MARCH 6, 2000
Lark W. Jones, Mayor

Carolyn C. Baggott, Councilmember

Pat C. Carpenter, Councilmember

Kenneth J. McDowell, Councilmember

Phillip T. Mottel, Councilmember

Donald C. Smith, Councilmember

I. Kent Sullivan, Councilmember
ORDER OF BUSINESS

The regular meeting of March 6, 2000, having been duly publicized, was called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Mayor Jones.

Pastor Jim Glander of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church rendered the invocation and Mayor Jones led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members present were Mayor Jones and Councilmembers Baggott, Carpenter, McDowell, Mottel, Sullivan, and Smith.

Also in attendance were Charles B. Martin, City Administrator; Kelly Zier, City Attorney; Bob Brooks, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services; George M. Grkovic, Director of Economic and Community Development; John P. Potter, Jr., Director of Finance; T. Lee Wetherington, Director of Public Safety; Thomas C. Zeaser, Director of Engineering/Public Works; and Donna B. Young, City Clerk.

The minutes of the regular meeting of February 21, 2000 and special called meeting of February 23, 2000 were approved as submitted by general consent.

ITEM 1. ANNEXATION: FIVE NOTCH ROAD – 3.5 ± ACRES – Property of Hammond Grove Baptist Church – Resolution – Accept Petition

On motion by Councilmember McDowell, second by Councilmember Carpenter, Council unanimously adopted a resolution accepting a petition of Hammond Grove Baptist Church requesting annexation of 3.5 ± acres located on Five Notch Road.

The resolution text is as follows:

RESOLUTION NO. 2000-01

TO ACCEPT PETITION FOR ANNEXATION OF

PROPERTY LOCATED ON FIVE NOTCH ROAD

OWNED BY HAMMOND GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

WHEREAS, Section 5-3-150 of the Code of Laws of the State of South Carolina provides that: "Any area or property which is contiguous to a city or town may be annexed to the city or town by filing with the municipal governing body a petition signed by seventy-five percent or more of the freeholders owning seventy-five percent or more of the assessed valuation of the real property in the area requesting annexation. Upon the agreement of the governing body to accept the petition and annex the area, and the enactment of an ordinance declaring the area annexed to the city or town, the annexation shall be complete;" and

WHEREAS, the governing body of the City of North Augusta determines it to be in the best interest of the City to accept a petition for annexation dated March 3, 2000, of the property described below:

3.5 ± acres consisting of 1.8 acres of Parcel "A" and 1.70 acres of Parcel "B" as shown on a plat of the Medie Fisher Estate prepared by Tony L. Carr, Sr. & Associates for Gerolyn F. Rowe dated November 1, 1989 from which a more complete and accurate description of the metes, bounds, and location of the premises can be determined. Said plat is attached hereto and marked "Exhibit A."

The property to be annexed is also shown on a plat prepared by the City of North Augusta dated February 24, 2000, identified as Exhibit "B" titled "Plat of Property (Hammond Grove Baptist Church) Sought to be Annexed to the City of North Augusta."

Said property is identified by the following tax map parcel number:

Tax Map Parcel No.

Parcel No. 00-008.0-01-905

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Augusta in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof that the Petition to Annex the property described herein is hereby accepted.

ITEM 2. ANNEXATION: FIVE NOTCH ROAD – 3.5 ± ACRES – Property of Hammond Grove Baptist Church – Ordinance – First Reading

On motion by Councilmember Mottel, second by Councilmember Baggot, Council unanimously passed on first reading an ordinance to effect the annexation of 3.5 ± acres located on Five Notch Road by Hammond Grove Baptist Church. The property to be annexed will be zoned R-3, Single-Family Residential.

The ordinance text is as follows:

ORDINANCE NO. 2000-06

TO CHANGE THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA

BY ANNEXING A PORTION OF

PROPERTY ON FIVE NOTCH ROAD

OWNED BY HAMMOND GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Augusta, by adoption of Resolution No. 2000-01 March 6, 2000 wish to annex the below described property.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof that:

I. The corporate limits of the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, shall be expanded by annexing the following property:

3.5 ± acres consisting of 1.8 acres of Parcel "A" and 1.70 acres of Parcel "B" as shown on a plat of the Medie Fisher Estate prepared for Gerolyn F. Rowe dated November 1, 1989 by Tony L. Carr, Sr. & Associates from which a more complete and accurate description of the metes, bounds, and location of the premises can be determined. Said plat is attached hereto and marked "Exhibit A."

Said property is identified by the following tax map parcel number:

Tax Map Parcel No.

Parcel No. 00-008.0-01-905

II. In conformance with the City's Land Use and Development Plan, the property shall be zoned R-3, Single Family Residential, as shown on a plat attached hereto titled "Exhibit C, Zoning of Property Sought to be Annexed to the City of North Augusta, South Carolina."

III. This Ordinance shall become effective on third and final reading.

All ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are, to the extent of such conflict, hereby repealed.

ITEM 3. ANNEXATION: FIVE NOTCH ROAD – 3.5 ± ACRES – Property of Hammond Grove Baptist Church – Ordinance – Second Reading

On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Smith, Council unanimously passed on second reading an ordinance to effect the annexation of 3.5 ± acres located on Five Notch Road by Hammond Grove Baptist Church. The property to be annexed will be zoned R-3, Single-Family Residential.

Please see Item # 2 above for the ordinance text.

ITEM 4. COMMUNITY PROMOTION: Disabilities Awareness Month - Proclamation

Mayor Jones proclaimed the month of March, 2000 as Disabilities Awareness Month in the City of North Augusta. Maury Rice accepted the proclamation.

City of North Augusta,

South Carolina

PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Tri-Development Center and the Aiken County Board of Disabilities serve people with autism, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, mental retardation and related disabilities; and

WHEREAS, people with severe, lifelong disabilities live, work, play, and worship in communities and are productive citizens, neighbors, and family members; and

WHEREAS, people with severe, lifelong disabilities and their families nurture great expectations for achieving the goals of education, employment, and independence; and

WHEREAS, the Tri-Development Center and the Aiken County Board of Disabilities work with severe, lifelong disabilities and their families to provide support services which promote economic self-sufficiency and independence; and

WHEREAS, the Tri-Development Center and the Aiken County Board of Disabilities desire both to assist employers of the City of North Augusta in their economic growth and to assist people with disabilities obtain independence through meaningful employment; and

WHEREAS, the Tri-Development Center and the Aiken County Board of Disabilities have adopted the theme:
People with disABILITIES/Helping South Carolina Grow
NOW THEREFORE, I, Lark W. Jones, Mayor of the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, do hereby proclaim the month of March, 2000, as
disABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH

in the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, and urge all our citizens to reflect during that month on the theme "People with disABILITIES/Helping South Carolina Grow."

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, to be affixed this _____ day of March, 2000.

Lark W. Jones, Mayor

City of North Augusta
ITEM 5. COMMUNITY PROMOTION: First Things First - Proclamation

Mayor Jones proclaimed the dates of March 19 and 20 as "First Things First Days" in the City of North Augusta. Lynn Hilley and Mary Richarson accepted the proclamation.

City of North Augusta,

South Carolina

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, an adolescent girl in Aiken County becomes pregnant every 26 hours; and

WHEREAS less than one third of girls that begin their family as a teenager ever complete high school; and

WHEREAS the children of teen moms are two times more likely to be victims of abuse than are children born to older moms, and the sons of teen moms are 2.7 times more likely to end up in prison; and

WHEREAS South Carolina has one of the highest rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s), including HIV/AIDS, in the nation; and

WHEREAS the North Augusta Task Force of the Aiken County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Council (ACTPPC) is working to plan and implement a comprehensive strategy to reduce the number of North Augusta adolescents who become pregnant or who impregnate each year, and to combat the numerous related problems listed above; and

WHEREAS the North Augusta Task Force, in partnership with many local organizations and individuals, is sponsoring a series of educational and inspirational events entitled "First Things First" on Sunday, March 19, 2000 and Monday, March 20, 2000; and

WHEREAS the North Augusta community is ready to demonstrate its’ love and ongoing commitment to protecting and nurturing its’ children;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Lark W. Jones, Mayor of the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, do hereby proclaim, March 19 and 20, 2000, as
"First Things First"

days in the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, and urge all our citizens to participate in the free events during those days and to commit to helping reduce teen pregnancies and solve related problems in North Augusta.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, to be affixed this _____ day of March, 2000.

Lark W. Jones, Mayor

City of North Augusta

ITEM 6. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: River Club Subdivision - Comments by Brenda Bancroft

Brenda Bancroft, expressed her concern over the trees being cut down along the riverfront within the River Club Subdivision. Skip Grkovic, Director of Economic and Community Development, who has been working toward a solution, briefed council on his actions to date.

ITEM 7. FINANCE: South Carolina Electric and Gas Company – Electric Services – Ordinance – Amendment to Agreement

On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Mottel, Council unanimously passed a Motion to Amend the text wording in Section 1a "Basic Provisions" of the franchise agreement being adopted by Ordinance No. 2000-02 granting to South Carolina Electric and Gas Company non-exclusive franchise rights to use publicly owned rights-of-way for the purpose of providing electric services within the City of North Augusta.

ITEM 8. FINANCE: South Carolina Electric and Gas Company – Electric Services – Ordinance – Third and Final Reading

Following the amendment to the agreement and motion by Councilmember Carpenter, second by Councilmember McDowell, Council unanimously adopted on third and final reading the ordinance granting to South Carolina Electric and Gas Company non-exclusive franchise rights to use publicly owned rights-of-way for the purpose of providing electric services within the City of North Augusta.

Please see the minutes of February 21, 2000 for the ordinance text.

ITEM 9. FINANCE: Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. – Electric Services – Ordinance – Amendment to Agreement

On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Sullivan, Council unanimously passed a Motion to Amend the text wording in Section 1a "Basic Provisions" of the franchise agreement being adopted by Ordinance No. 2000-03 granting to Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. non-exclusive franchise rights to use publicly owned rights-of-way for the purpose of providing electric services within the City of North Augusta.

ITEM 10. FINANCE: Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. – Electric Services – Ordinance – Third and Final Reading

Following the amendment to the agreement and motion by Councilmember Mottel, second by Councilmember Bagott, Council unanimously adopted on third and final reading the ordinance granting to Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. non-exclusive franchise rights to use publicly owned rights-of-way for the purpose of providing electric services within the City of North Augusta.

Please see the minutes of February 21, 2000 for the ordinance text.

ITEM 11. FINANCE: South Carolina Electric and Gas Company – Gas Services – Ordinance – Third and Final Reading

On motion by Councilmember Baggott, second by Councilmember Mottel, Council unanimously adopted on third and final reading an ordinance granting to South Carolina Electric & Gas non-exclusive franchise rights to use publicly owned rights-of-way for the purpose of providing gas services within the City of North Augusta.

Please see the minutes of February 21, 2000 for the ordinance text.

ITEM 12. FINANCE: TAX INCREMENT FINANCING – Consolidated School District vs. City of North Augusta – Settlement - Ordinance – Third and Final Reading

On motion by Councilmember Sullivan, second by Councilmember Mottel, Council unanimously adopted on third and final reading an ordinance providing for the approval of and consent to the negotiated settlement of litigation between the City of North Augusta and The Consolidated School District of Aiken County relating to the City’s Riverfront and Downtown Tax Increment Financing District.

Please see the minutes of February 23, 2000 for the ordinance text.

ITEM 13. PERSONNEL: EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS – Presentation by Mayor

Service awards were presented to the following employees who have served the City for 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of continuous service. Mayor Jones commended these employees for their many years of loyal service to the City of North Augusta.

20 Year Service Award

Sandy Barrs May, 1979 Finance

Jimmy Butler January, 1980 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services

15 Year Service Award

David Harris June, 1984 Public Safety

Maurice Lester September, 1984 Public Safety

Tom Murphy January, 1985 Justice and Law

Verne Sadler March, 1984 Public Safety

10 Year Service Award

Wayne Duke March, 1989 Public Safety

George Eakins October, 1989 Public Safety

Lynn Hadden May, 1989 Public Safety

Jack Jordan April, 1989 Building Standards

Cindy Luckey February, 1990 Public Safety

Ruth Taylor November, 1989 Public Safety

Chuck Usry May, 1989 Finance

Ray Van Meter February, 1990 Public Safety

5 Year Service Award

Deloris Bodie February, 1995 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services

Jimmie Crawford April, 1994 Public Safety

Mark Delmore April, 1994 Public Safety

Ginger Johnson February, 1995 Public Utilities

Barry Keis February, 1995 Public Safety

Diana Miller February, 1995 Administration

Bobby Spears June, 1994 Sanitation

Mike Strauss February, 1995 Sanitation

Brian Wahl September, 1994 Public Utilities

Nate Weigle November, 1994 Public Safety

ITEM 14. PUBLIC UTILITIES: Appreciation by Mayor

Mayor Jones expressed his appreciation, as well as Council’s appreciation to the Department of Public Utilities Water Production and Operations Divisions for the many hours of hard work put in as a result of the water main break on Friday, March 3, 2000. He also expressed his appreciation to the Department of Public Safety and all other employees who unselfishly supported the Department of Public Utilities during this time. Mayor Jones apologized to the citizens of North Augusta for the inconvenience caused them and assured the citizens that every effort is being made to review and improve the City’s efforts to prevent similar occurrences.

ITEM 15. PUBLIC SAFETY: Comments by Bill Griffin

Bill Griffin, expressed his appreciation to the Department of Public Safety for their efficient manner of handling a crisis situation that occurred recently at North Augusta Elementary School.

ITEM 16. PUBLIC UTILITIES: Comments by Al LaFavor

Al LaFavor asked whether the City had a backflow prevention program within the city. He was advised that the City did for new construction only.

ITEM 17. PUBLIC UTILITIES: Comments by Jimmy Darley

Jimmy Darley, expressed his concern regarding the odor at the wastewater metering station on Austin Graybill Road. Mayor Jones informed Mr. Darley that the City of North Augusta was already aware of the problem and were making efforts to correct it.

There being no further business, Council adjourned.

APPROVED THIS ______ DAY OF Respectfully submitted,

______________________, 2000.

Donna B. Young

City Clerk

_______________________________

Mayor Lark W. Jones

Approved: March 20, 2000