Lark W. Jones, Mayor

 The regular meeting of April 17, 2000, having been duly publicized, was called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Mayor Jones.

 Dr. Thurman W. Anderson, Jr. of Grace United Methodist Church rendered the invocation and Mayor Jones led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

 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; Thomas C. Zeaser, Director of Engineering/Public Works; and Donna B. Young, City Clerk.

 The minutes of the regular meeting of April 3, 2000 and study session meeting of April 3, 2000 were approved as submitted by general consent.

 ITEM 1. COMMUNITY PROMOTION: North Augusta High School – Welsh Student Exchange

Mayor Jones recognized the following group of Welsh students who have been visiting North Augusta since April 10. They will conclude their visit on April 28, 2000. Their stay has included attending classes at North Augusta High School the week of April 10, an official tour of North Augusta on April 17, attending a hockey game, and attending the April 17, 2000 City Council Meeting. At the City Council meeting students were presented with charms or pins featuring the North Augusta logo. The Welsh students attend Llandrindal High School in Llandrindal, Wales. The following are the students participating in this exchange:

 The resolution text is as follows:

 RESOLUTION 2000-10

 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, IN MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED:

  WHEREAS, City of North Augusta, South Carolina (the "Issuer"), intends to undertake the following capital improvements to its water and sewer system (the "System"):

  (a) two six-inch water main looped connections across Georgia Avenue in the Belvedere Area which is estimated to cost $67,100;

1. the construction of the Mims Branch/Little Horse Creek sewer trunk line at a cost of $1,200,000

  WHEREAS, the Issuer intends to incur debt through the issuance of its Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue Bonds (the "Obligations") for the purpose of providing funds to pay a portion of the costs of the listed improvements (the "Improvements") and costs incurred in connection with the authorization, issuance and sale of the Obligations;

  WHEREAS, the Issuer expects the remaining costs of the Improvements will exceed $7,888,000 and that the Issuer will finance much of such costs from its general system revenues and that the principal amount of the Obligations will be approximately $4,000,000;

  WHEREAS, no funds from any sources other than the Obligations are, or are reasonably expected to be, reserved, allocated on a long-term basis or otherwise set aside by the Issuer pursuant to the budget or financial policies of the Issuer for the financing of such portion of the costs of acquisition, construction and equipping of the Improvements or any part thereof;

 WHEREAS, the Issuer reasonably expects that all or a portion of the expenditures incurred for the acquisition, construction and equipping of the Improvements and the issuance of the Obligations will be paid prior to the issuance of the Obligations;

 WHEREAS, the Issuer intends and reasonably expects to reimburse itself for such portion of such expenditures paid by it with respect to the Improvements prior to the issuance of the Obligations from the proceeds of the Obligations and such intention is consistent with the budgetary and financial circumstances of the Issuer;

 WHEREAS, all of the costs to be paid or reimbursed from the proceeds of the Obligations will be for costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the Obligations or will, at the time of payment thereof, be properly chargeable to the capital account of the Improvements (or would be so chargeable with a proper election) under general federal income tax principles.

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA IN MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED:

  Section 1. It is hereby declared that the facts set forth in the preambles to this Resolution are in all respects true and correct.

  Section 2. It is hereby declared that the Issuer intends and reasonably expects to reimburse itself with the proceeds of tax exempt debt to be incurred by the Issuer through the issuance of the Obligations for the portion of the expenditures for the acquisition, construction and equipping of the Improvements and the issuance of the Obligations paid prior to the issuance of the Obligations referenced above.

  Section 3. This Resolution shall constitute a declaration of official intent under United States Department of the Treasury Regulation Section 1.150-2.

  Section 4. The anticipated maximum principal amount of debt expected to be issued for the purpose of paying the costs of acquisition, construction and equipping of the Improvements and the issuance of the Obligations is $4,000,000. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

 DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS ________ DAY OF __________________, 2000.

 ITEM 4. PERSONNEL: EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER – January, February, March, 2000 - LIEUTENANT TIM PEARSON

 The City of North Augusta Employee Recognition Committee would like to recognize the Employee of the Quarter for January, February, March 2000, Lieutenant Tim Pearson of the Public Safety Department.

 Tim was nominated by Chief Lee Wetherington.

 Lieutenant Tim Pearson has been an employee of the City for 19 years. Tim has been a vital link representing the Public Safety Department and the City with media relations and in so has developed a positive working relationship with the press. Tim was instrumental in coordinating the traffic flow problem with the North Augusta Christmas Parade and with the "Return to Bethlehem" Program at Grace United Methodist Church. While his initial involvement was to design traffic flow, he ended up spending many hours of his own time working to direct traffic and assist volunteers at the church.

 Tim is typical of a model employee - his job responsibilities and concerns do not stop when he is off the clock.

 Congratulations to Tim Pearson, our Employee of the first Quarter of 2000! He received a plaque, a $25 gift certificate to SMS Sportsworld, and a $25 dinner gift certificate to B. C. Davenports.

Mayor Jones requested by letter of January 3, 2000 to the South Carolina Department of Transportation a reduction in the speed limits on the section of I-20 from US 25 to the Georgia State Line. In a letter dated April 5, 2000 the South Carolina Department of Transportation responded as follows:

 On I-20 Westbound the speed limit will be reduced from 70 MPH to 65 MPH approximately .8 miles east of SC 230 (Exit 1.) The speed limit will then drop to 55 MPH just prior to the Georgia State Line. "Reduce Speed Ahead" signs will precede each change by 1000 feet. The new speed limit signs and "Reduce Speed Ahead" signs will be placed in pairs (both shoulders) of the westbound lanes.

 On I-20 Eastbound the current speed limit of 70 MPH upon crossing the SC State Line will be reduced to 65. It will then increase to 70 MPH approximately 0.8 miles east of SC 230.

 ITEM 6. STREETS AND DRAINS: Knox Avenue Reconstruction

Elesters Cook of 1701 Old Edgefield Road asked about the Knox Avenue Reconstruction being and the effect it would have on his property. Mr. Cook met with Tom Zeaser, Director of Public Engineering and Public Works, following the Council meeting to review the construction plans.

 ITEM 7. STREETS AND DRAINS: RAILWAY AVENUE – Deed of Bargain and Sale – Ordinance, Third and Final Reading

On motion by Councilmember Carpenter, second by Councilmember McDowell, Council unanimously passed on third and final reading an ordinance authorizing the City to deed to North Augusta Golf Venture a small unopened section of Railroad Avenue which is being used as a portion of the landscaped entrance to the River Club Subdivision. The City has no need to retain any ownership rights to this small tract of land. The City is retaining the rights-of-way dedicated for use by water and sewer lines which run through the tract.

 Please see the minutes of April 3, 2000 for the ordinance text.

 There being no further business, Council adjourned.