ITEM 1. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed Consolidated Budget for Fiscal Year 2001

Having been duly advertised, a public hearing was held on Monday, October 16, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of receiving comments from the citizens of North Augusta pertaining to the proposed Consolidated Budget for Fiscal Year 2001.

Members present were Mayor Jones and Councilmembers Baggott, Carpenter, McDowell, Mottel, 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; Mark S. Tate, Director of Public Utilities; T. Lee Wetherington, Director of Public Safety; Thomas C. Zeaser, Director of Engineering/Public Works; and Donna B. Young, City Clerk.

Citizen comment was made by Arthur H. Shealy in regard to reducing taxes and increasing funding for the Living History Park; there being no further comments, pro or con, the public hearing was adjourned.

 The regular meeting of October 16, 2000, having been duly publicized, was called to order by Mayor Jones.

Reverend Henry Payne of Bel-Ridge Baptist Church rendered the invocation and Mayor Lark Jones led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members present were Mayor Jones and Councilmembers Baggott, Carpenter, McDowell, Mottel, 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; Mark S. Tate, Director of Public Utilities; 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 and study session of October 2, 2000, and the study session minutes of October 3, 2000, were approved as presented by general consent.

ITEM 1. COMMUNITY PROMOTION: North Augusta History Book, Volume II

Mrs. Jeanne McDaniel informed Council of the kickoff promotion of the History Book, Volume II, on October 29, 2000 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. being held at North Augusta Chamber of Commerce.

ITEM 2. FINANCE: Bank Selection Review Committee - Appointment

On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember McDowell, Council unanimously approved the appointment of Councilmembers Phil Mottel and Kent Sullivan to serve with John Potter, and Pam Utley to the Bank Selection Review Committee for the purpose of reviewing the four proposals presented by Bank of America, People’s Community Bank, Regions Bank, and Wachovia Bank and to recommend for Council’s consideration the City’s bank for the next five-year period.

The committee’s work and recommendation should be complete in time for City Council’s formal consideration on or before November 16, 2000 meeting

ITEM 3. FINANCE: Local Hospitality Sales Tax – Reduction From Two-Cents to One-Cent – Ordinance, Third and Final Reading

On motion by Councilmember Baggott, second by Councilmember Mottel, Council unanimously passed on third and final reading an ordinance to reduce the Local North Augusta Hospitality Tax from two-cents to one-cent upon the effective date of the proposed one-cent Capital Projects Sales Tax and for the duration of said Capital Projects Sales Tax.

Please see the minutes of September 18, 2000 for the ordinance text.

ITEM 4. FINANCE: Proposed Consolidated Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2001, First Readin

On motion by Mayor Sullivan, second by Councilmember Carpenter, Council unanimously passed on first reading an ordinance adopting the proposed Fiscal Year 2001 Consolidated Budget for the City of North Augusta after an amendment to the motion was made by Councilmember Baggott, second by Councilmember Mottel. The amendment to the motion was that the contribution (Account number 10-4030-201) to the "A Day To Remember" 2000 event sponsored by Old Towne Preservation Association be increased from $1000 to $2000 to be funded by a decrease in the Miscellaneous contributions from $1200 to $200. Voting for the amendment were Councilmembers Baggott, Carpenter, Mottel, and Sullivan. Voting against the amendment were Mayor Jones and Councilmember McDowell.

The ordinance text is as follows:

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Laws of South Carolina, and the Ordinance of the City of North Augusta, the City Administrator must prepare and submit to the City Council a Balanced Budget for the next budget year to begin on January 1, 2001, and end on December 31, 2001; and

WHEREAS, a public hearing has been held on said budget, as required by law.

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:

Section I. The City Council hereby adopts the 2001 Fiscal Year Budget, incorporated by reference as though it were set out herein in its entirety, for the conduct of the business of the municipal government of North Augusta for the budget year, January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2001. A summary of the revenues and expenditures is attached.

Section II. The transfer of budgeted amounts between functional areas of expenditures or expenses shall be approved by City Council; however, transfers of budgeted line items within the functional areas of expenditures or expenses not to exceed $5,000, may be approved by the City Administrator as long as total expenditures or expenses do not exceed appropriations in the functional area. Functional areas are: General Government; Public Safety; Public Works; Recreation and Parks; Sanitation Services; and Public Utilities.

Section III. The Mayor or City Administrator may authorize the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $500 at any one time from the Council Contingencies Account without prior approval of the City Council provided that any such expenditure is reported in the minutes of the next Council meeting.

Section IV. The City Council must approve expenditures from the Capital Projects Fund, the Street Improvements Fund, the Community Development Fund, the Riverfront/Central Core Development Fund, the Public Utilities Construction Fund, the Public Utilities Contingent Fund, and the Public Utilities Depreciation Fund, unless otherwise previously budgeted.

Section V. The City Administrator may execute all necessary documents relating to the lease purchase financing of equipment specifically authorized and identified in the 2001 Budget. The financial institution selected for 2001 lease purchase financing shall be selected based upon competitive bidding in conformance with the City’s purchasing procedures.

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

Section VII. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption on third and final reading.
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS ______ DAY OF _____________________, 2000.

ITEM 5. FINANCE: Taxes – Fiscal Year 2001 – Ordinance, First Reading

On motion by Councilmember Baggott, second by Councilmember Mottel, Council unanimously passed on first reading an ordinance establishing the tax rate on all taxable property within the City of North Augusta for Fiscal Year 2001. The 2001 Fiscal Year taxes remain unchanged from 2000 and, except for adjustments for reassessment, remain at the 1992 level (10 years). Millage rates are 72.72 for the General Fund and 9.02 for the Capital Projects Fund for a total of 81.74 mills.

The ordinance text is as follows:

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:

Section I. The annual tax for the fiscal year (budget year) 2001, beginning January 1, 2001, and ending December 31, 2001, is hereby imposed and levied for general corporate purposes upon all the taxable property of the City of North Augusta.

Section II. The period for which the tax levy is due on all taxable property, except for motorized vehicles, shall be from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.

Section III. The period for which the tax levy is due for all motorized vehicles which are required to be licensed by Section 53-3-110, Code of Laws of South Carolina, shall be from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2001.

Section IV. The tax levy imposed upon all taxable property shall be 81.74 mills. Revenues from 72.72 mills shall go to the General Fund. Revenues from 9.02 mills shall go to the Capital Projects Fund.

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

Section VI. This Ordinance shall become effective January 1, 2001.

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

ITEM 6. PERSONNEL: Employee of the Quarter – July, August, and September, 2000

Mayor Lark Jones presented the Employee of the Quarter award to Barbara Watson of the Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services Department. Barbara was selected Employee of the Quarter for July, August, and September, 2000, by the Employee Recognition Committee.

The recommendation letter from Bob Brooks, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services is as follows:

Barbara came to work with the City on February 5, 1997. Barbara works at the Riverview Parks Activities Center. She is the lady who keeps the Activities Center sparkling clean. It was very apparent from the first day she started work that the Activities Center had never looked better. Members of the Activities Center were quick to point out her quality work. Barbara also works with the concession stand operation at Riverview Park and Lions Memorial Field, and assists in special events such as the concert series at Living History Park. She is an individual who always has a kind work and smile ready for those she meets. Barbara is willing to step forward and do what is necessary to get the job done as quickly as possible, while maintaining a high level of expectancy. She loves her job and enjoys coming to work in the Activities Center.

In recognition Barbara was given a plaque, a $25 gift certificate to SMS Sportsworld, and a $25 dinner gift certificate to B.C. Davenports.

ITEM 7. UTILITIES: Mims Branch/Little Horse Creek Sewer Trunk Line – Memorandum of Understanding - Resolution

On motion by Councilmember Mottel, second by Councilmember Sullivan, Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Administrator to execute the Mims Branch/Little Horse Creek Sewer Trunk Line Memorandum of Understanding.

The resolution text follows:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council for the City of North Augusta in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof, that the City Administrator is hereby authorized to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the City of North Augusta.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for the Mims Branch/Little Horse Creek Sewer trunk line for which the City is responsible shall come from the Utility Construction Fund; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator is authorized to execute all documentation required for this project including contracts, change orders, permits, rights-of-way acquisition and payment requests.

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

ITEM 8. YOUTH APPRECIATION: Recognition of Participants

WHEREAS, Article I, entitled, "Administration," Section O, entitled, "Amendment Authorization and Procedure," of the Zoning and Development Standards Ordinance adopted November 18, 1996, provides a procedure for amending the official Zoning Map of the City of North Augusta; and

 WHEREAS, said procedure has been followed, and the North Augusta Planning Commission recommends to the City Council of North Augusta the following amendment to the official Zoning Map.

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:

The property, identified as 1741 Georgia Avenue and containing 4.28 ± acres, owned by Robert E. Lee, and shown on a plat prepared by the City of North Augusta dated August 4, 2000, is hereby rezoned from C-3, General Commercial, to R-4, Multi-Family Residential, in accordance with the attached plat. The subject property is identified by the following tax map block and parcel number:

10-047.0-03-002

II. Said property being officially rezoned to the classification R-4, Multi-Family Residential, the official Zoning Map of the City of North Augusta is to be so amended.

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

IV. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption on third reading.

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

ITEM 14. ZONING: 1741 Georgia Avenue - C-3, General Commercial, to R-4, Multi-Family Residential – Ordinance, Second Reading

On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Baggott Council unanimously passed on second reading an ordinance to amend the zoning map of the City of North Augusta by rezoning Tax Map Parcel Number 10-047.0-03-002, 4.28 ± acres, located at 1741 Georgia Avenue, from C-3, General Commercial to R-4, Multi-Family residential.

Please see Item #13 above for ordinance text.

There being no further business, Council adjourned.

APPROVED: 11/06/00