1. PUBLIC SAFETY: 2000 BJA Local Law Enforcement Block Grant

Having been duly advertised, a public hearing was held on Monday, December 18, 2000, at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of receiving public comment on a proposed Block Grant from the Bureau of Justice.

Members present were Mayor Jones and Councilmembers Carpenter, McDowell, Shealy, and Sullivan. Councilmember Mottel had a death in the family and Councilmember Baggott was unable to attend.

Also in attendance were Charles B. Martin, City Administrator; Kelly Zier, City Attorney; J. Robert 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 Diana H. Miller, Manager of Human Resources.

The Department of Public Safety has been approved for a 2000 Bureau of Administration Local Law Enforcement Block Grant in the amount of $14,491. The Grant requires a local match of $1,610, providing a total project amount of $16,601. Both the Grant and the match are included in the 2001 budget and will be used for the purchase of equipment, from portable radios to Narcotics Team equipment, within the department. As required, a Citizens’ Review Committee has met, reviewed, and approved the requested equipment as identified in the 2001 budget.

There being no citizen comments pro or con, the public hearing was adjourned.

Mayor Jones read the Christmas story and led in the pledge of allegiance.

Members present were Mayor Jones and Councilmembers Carpenter, McDowell, Shealy, and Sullivan. Councilmember Mottel had a death in the family and Councilmember Baggott was unable to attend.

Also in attendance were Charles B. Martin, City Administrator; Kelly Zier, City Attorney; J. Robert 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 Diana H. Miller, Manager of Human Resources.

The minutes of the regular meeting and study session of December 4, 2000, were approved as presented by general consent.

ITEM 1. CITY PROPERTY: Land Exchange With Grace United Methodist Church – Ordinance, First Reading
On motion by Councilmember Carpenter, second by Councilmember Sullivan, Council unanimously passed on first reading an ordinance authorizing the exchange of one City owned parcel containing 0.187 ± acres for two church owned parcels, one containing 0.203 ± acres and one containing 0.058 ± acres. The exchange allows the church to extend its recreational area and provide lands to the City that may one day be used for utility extensions or a Greenway extension.

The ordinance text is as follows:

WHEREAS, the Trustees of Grace United Methodist Church have requested the City of North Augusta to exchange one City owned parcel of land containing 0.187 ± acres for two parcels of church owned land containing 0.203 ± acres and 0.058 ± acres (total of 0.261 ± acres) for the purpose of the Church’s being able to extend their recreation area and to straighten somewhat their east property line; and

WHEREAS, the City has determined that it would benefit by obtaining the two parcels of land from the church. The parcels would be available for future utility extensions and/or Greeneway extensions.

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 City shall deed one 0.187 ± acres parcel of land to Grace United Methodist Church in exchange for the church deeding one 0.203 ± acres parcel of land and one 0.058 ± acres parcel of land to the City of North Augusta. These parcels are as shown on a study drawing prepared for Grace United Methodist Church by Zimmerman, Evans, and Leopold, Inc., dated March 1996.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the City Administrator, acting on behalf of the City of North Augusta, shall be authorized to execute this property exchange and to sign all documents related thereto.

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

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 2. CITY PROPERTY: Land Exchange With Grace United Methodist Church – Ordinance, Second Reading
On motion by Councilmember McDowell, second by Councilmember Carpenter, Council unanimously passed on second reading an ordinance authorizing the exchange of one City owned parcel containing 0.187 ± acres for two church owned parcels, one containing 0.203 ± acres and one containing 0.058 ± acres.

Please see ITEM # 1 above for the ordinance text.

ITEM 3. CITY PROPERTY: Operations Center and Material Recovery Facility – Acquisition of Property – Resolution
On motion by Councilmember McDowell, second by Councilmember Carpenter, Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing the acquisition of 19.74 ± acres of land in the vicinity of Womrath and Clay Pit Roads and adjacent to City-owned property used for the Material Recovery Facility and the City Operations Center. The purchase price of $59,220 will come from the Sanitation Services fund.

The resolution text is as follows:

WHEREAS, the City of North Augusta owns 41.82 ± acres of land in the vicinity of Womrath and Clay Pit Roads upon which the City’s Material Recovery Facility and the City’s Public Works/Utilities Operations Center are located; and

WHEREAS, in anticipation of future expansion needs of these two facilities and/or other public purposes the City wishes to acquire an additional 19.74 ± acres located immediately adjacent to the City’s property; and

WHEREAS, the price of the property in question is $59,220.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED 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 city shall purchase 19.74 ± acres of land located adjacent to the City owned property upon which the City’s Material Recovery Facility and Public Works/Utilities Operations Center are presently located for the purchase price of $59,220.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator shall be authorized to purchase the property on behalf of the city and shall execute all documents related thereto.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the funds required for the purchase shall come from the Sanitation Services Fund.

DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS 18TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2000.

ITEM 4. COUNCIL: Special Meeting of January 8, 2001 – Motion By Council
On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Sullivan, Council unanimously passed a motion for a Special Meeting to be held at 7:00 P.M. on January 8, 2001, for the purpose of conducting any and all business specifically listed on the agenda. Both regular meeting dates for January 2001 fall on holidays, the first Monday is New Years Day and the third Monday is Martin Luther King’s Birthday. A Special Meeting is necessary in order to have a formal meeting in the month of January.

ITEM 5. ELECTIONS: 2001 Municipal Election – Ordinance – Third and Final Reading
On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Sullivan, Council unanimously adopted on third and final reading an ordinance establishing the date for the municipal election of the Mayor and three positions on City Council, presently held by Mayor Lark W. Jones, Councilmembers Pat C. Carpenter, Phillip T. Mottel, and Arthur H. Shealy, and further establishing the appropriate deadlines in connection with the municipal election.

Councilmember Shealy made a motion to amend the ordinance to move the municipal election date to November and was ruled out of order by Mayor Jones upon the grounds that the proposed amendment on third reading was not technical in nature but went directly to the purpose of the ordinance.

Please see the minutes of December 4, 2000, for the ordinance text.

ITEM 6. FINANCE: Business License, Contractors – Ordinance, Third and Final Reading
On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Carpenter, Council unanimously adopted on third and final reading an ordinance amending the City’s Business License rate schedule. The ordinance was changed slightly from the ordinance adopted on first and second reading on December 4, 2000. The ordinance adopted on first and second reading tied the business license fee, which would be paid each time the contractor purchased a permit, to the permit value for all contractor types thereby not penalizing resident contractors for work performed outside the City. The amended ordinance allows building contractors, SIC 15 and 16, a deduction from gross income for work performed wholly outside the City. Contractors will continue to pay the business license fee in January of each year based on their previous year’s gross income, excluding the gross income from work performed outside the City.

The amended ordinance text 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:

I. Article I, entitled "In General", Section 15-22, entitled "Classification Rate Schedules" - Class 8 - Individual Rates - SIC 15, 16, and 17, is hereby amended and when amended shall read as follows:

SIC
 

			Income	Minimum Base Fee	Per $1,000 or Fraction
15, 16, and 17	Contractors, Construction, All Types
	1. Having place of business within the City	First Over	$2,000 2,000	$20.00	$0.90
	2. Not having place of business within the City (Itinerant)	First Over	$2,000 2,000	$40.00	$1.35
	Contractors located inside the City and classified as Building Construction, SIC Major Group 15 or Heavy Construction, SIC Major Group 16, shall be allowed a deduction from gross income for work performed wholly outside the City.   A trailer at the construction site, a home office, or structure in which the contractor resides is not a permanent place of business under this ordinance. The total fee for the full amount of the contract shall be paid prior to commencement of work and shall entitle contractor to complete the job without regard to the normal license expiration date. No contractor shall be issued a business license until all State and City qualification examination and trade license requirements have been met. A separate license shall be required for each business, contractor, or trade regulated by examination of any inspection program that might be associated therewith. Each contractor shall post a sign in plain view on each job identifying the contractor with the job. Sub-contractors shall be licensed on the same basis as general or prime contractors for the same job, and no deductions shall be made by a general or prime contractor for value of work performed by a sub-contractor. No contractor shall be issued a business license until all performance and indemnity bonds required by the City Building Code have been filed and approved. Zoning permits must be obtained when required by the City Zoning Ordinance. Each prime contractor shall file with the License Inspector a list of sub-contractors furnishing labor or materials for each project.

ITEM 7. PERSONNEL: Revised Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual – Resolution
On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Carpenter, Council unanimously adopted a resolution revising the Personnel Policies and Procedures manual for the City. The manual revisions reflect current recommendations from the City’s labor attorney firm, Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, and allow the City to continue to provide fair and consistent personnel policies; ensure continued development of human resources, and limit the City’s potential liability from employment practices litigation.

The resolution text is as follows:

WHEREAS, the City in administering policies and procedures relating to its work force has previously adopted a Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and in doing so has stated three primary objectives as follows:

1. To provide for fair and consistent personnel policies.
2. To ensure continued development of human resources.
3. To limit the City's potential liability arising from litigation involving its employment practices; and

WHEREAS, the City wishes to keep the manual current and in doing so must from time to time amend said manual for the purpose of reflecting current laws and/or circumstances.

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 revised Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual which is attached hereto is hereby adopted.

DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS 18TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2000.

ITEM 8. STREETS AND DRAINS: Bobby Jones Expressway Extension - Resolution of Support
A motion by Councilmember Sullivan, second by Mayor Jones, to amend Resolution 2000-31 to include "as well as the county as a whole" with the references to the North Augusta, Belvedere, and Clearwater areas of Aiken County, was passed unanimously by Council.

Following unanimous approval of the amendment, on motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Shealy, Council unanimously adopted the amended resolution of support endorsing Aiken County’s application for financial assistance to the State Infrastructure Bank for construction of the Bobby Jones Expressway Extension.

The resolution text is as follows:

WHEREAS, Aiken County Council has submitted a financial assistance application to the State Infrastructure Bank for the Bobby Jones Expressway Extension; and

WHEREAS, the Bobby Jones Expressway Extension has been an identified Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) project since 1970; and

WHEREAS, the socio-economic portion of the original Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact Study indicates that construction of the Bobby Jones Expressway Extension is essential to economic development in the North Augusta, Belvedere, and Clearwater areas of Aiken County, as well as the county as a whole; and

WHEREAS, the North Augusta City Council supports the Aiken County Council application for financial assistance to build the Bobby Jones Expressway Extension as submitted to the State Infrastructure Bank; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of North Augusta and of Aiken County, through their vote on November 7, 2000, in support of a one-cent Capital Projects Sales Tax to fund in part the Bobby Jones Expressway, affirmed their support for the extension and completion of said expressway.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof that construction of the Bobby Jones Expressway Extension is essential to economic development in the North Augusta, Belvedere, and Clearwater areas of Aiken County, as well as the county as a whole.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the North Augusta City Council supports the Aiken County Council application for financial assistance to build the Bobby Jones Expressway Extension as submitted to the State Infrastructure Bank.

DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS 18TH DAY OF DECEMBER,2000.

ITEM 9. ZONING: Blanchard Tract, R-3, Small Lot Single Family Residential, to PD, Planned Development – Planning Commission Recommendation – Receipt
On motion by Councilmember Carpenter, second by Councilmember Sullivan, Council voted unanimously to receive as information the recommendation by the Planning Commission that the City rezone the Blanchard Tract, property of Triple Crown Properties, LLC., Tax Map Parcel Number 00-015.0-01-014, from R-3, Small Lot Single Family Residential, to PD, Planned Development. The Blanchard Tract contains 1,485 ± acres and is located south of Ascauga Lake Road and east of U.S. 25.

ITEM 10. ZONING: Blanchard Tract, R-3, Small Lot Single Family Residential, to PD, Planned Development – Ordinance, First Reading
On motion by Councilmember McDowell, second by Councilmember Shealy, Council unanimously passed on first reading an ordinance to amend the zoning map of the City of North Augusta by rezoning the Blanchard Tract, property of Triple Crown Properties, LLC., Tax Map Parcel Number 00-015.0-01-014, from R-3, Small Lot Single Family Residential, to PD, Planned Development.

The ordinance text is as follows:

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:

I.  The property, identified as the "Blanchard Tract" and containing 1,485 ± acres, owned by Triple Crown Properties, LLC, and shown on a plat prepared by the City of North Augusta dated October 31, 2000, is hereby rezoned from R-3, Small Lot Single Family Residential, to PD, Planned Development, in accordance with the attached plat. The subject property is identified by the following tax map block and parcel number:

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 __________________, 2001.

ITEM 11. ZONING: Blanchard Tract, R-3, Small Lot Single Family Residential, to PD, Planned Development – Ordinance, Second Reading
On motion by Mayor Jones, second by Councilmember Carpenter, Council unanimously passed on second reading an ordinance to amend the zoning map of the City of North Augusta by rezoning the Blanchard Tract, property of Triple Crown Properties, LLC., Tax Map Parcel Number 00-015.0-01-014, from R-3, Small Lot Single Family Residential, to PD, Planned Development.

Please see ITEM #10 for the ordinance text.

There being no further business, Council adjourned.

APPROVED: 1/8/01