CHESNEE CITY
COUNCIL MINUTES

July 14, 2008

REGULAR MEETING

WORKSHOP: 5:30 PM

Mayor Cash brought several items to the table for discussion:

Paying advertising for Antique Bike Rally from Hospitality funds.
Invocation changed to moment of silence.
Burning in the City limits.
Application for sewer.
Ride along policy for police.
Take car home policy for police.


REGULAR MEETING: 6 PM

In attendance: Mayor and all Council; several visitors; Andrew with Cable; David with Tribune.

Mayor Cash called the meeting to order.

Councilman Mahaffey gave the invocation.

Mayor Cash welcomed the group, stating that he would have an open door policy with no secrets. He welcomed people to speak, and to get in touch with him at any time at City Hall or by phone.

Councilwoman Dawkins made the motion to approve last month’s minutes. Councilman Mahaffey second. Motion carried.

The Administrator’s report reflected a surplus at the end of the fiscal year, with revenues coming in more than expected, and with employees pulling together to keep expenses down as much as possible.

Vertie Crawford with the Planning Commission gave her report, stating that anyone who had kids’ clothing to give away to consider donating it to Kops Kids. She asked if Council had thought about anyone doing the Christmas parade this year.

Mayor Cash asked for a motion to elect a Mayor Pro tempore. Present Mayor Pro tem Johnson made the motion to elect Councilman Mahaffey. Councilwoman Dawkins made the motion to elect Councilman Pye. The Mayor called for a second. Councilman Pye made the second for himself. Councilman Mahaffey made the second for himself. Mayor Cash broke the tie by voting for Councilman Mahaffey.

Councilman Pye made the motion to dissolve the Ride Along Policy with the Police Department. Councilwoman Dawkins second. Councilman Mahaffey voted nay. Present Mayor Pro tem Johnson voted nay. Mayor Cash voted aye. Motion carried.

Councilman Pye made the motion that Police cars were not to go outside the City limits except for the Chief’s. Councilwoman Dawkins second. Mayor Cash voted aye. Present Mayor Pro tem Johnson voted nay. Councilman Mahaffey voted nay. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Dawkins expressed concern that a meeting was held on June 25 about the Clerk/Treasurer’s working hours, and although she elected not to attend this meeting, that several things were voted on at the meeting that she had not been made aware of. The Administrator asked to respond, and stated that the only thing to be discussed was the Clerk/Treasurer’s hours, and during the meeting, several items came up that were discussed and voted on, since a quorum was present.

Rosemary Nichols asked to speak, and stated that she would like all special meeting minutes to be read in public. Mayor Cash asked the Administrator to read the last special meeting minutes, which she did.

Councilman Pye made the motion to approve a $1500. donation from Hospitality Tax for advertising for the Antique Bike Rally to be held this month. Councilwoman Dawkins second. Councilman Mahaffey voted aye. Mayor Cash voted aye. Present Mayor Pro tem Johnson voted nay because he had asked for more to be donated. Motion carried.

Mayor Cash expressed concern that burning inside the City limits was affecting people with breathing problems. After much discussion, Councilman Mahaffey made the motion, Present Mayor Pro tem Johnson second to pass a No Burning Ordinance inside the City limits and make it punishable by a fine of $237.50. Councilman Pye voted aye. Mayor Cash voted aye. Councilwoman Dawkins voted nay. Motion carried.

Rosemary Nichols asked what could be done about Cherokee County residents across the street from her burning leaves. Alfred Dawkins stated that he burned leaves and would have a hard time getting them all up. Councilwoman Dawkins asked that some type of alternative be offered, such as contracting with someone to pick up leaves with a truck, or possible purchase of a truck. The City at this time offers free leaf bags to put leaves in. Andrew with Cable offered to do a public service announcement about the burning, and Chief Smith stated that warnings would be given for a first offense. Second reading to the ordinance will be at the next meeting.

Councilman Pye made the motion, Councilwoman Dawkins second to not charge another application fee for sewer hookup if the person moves from one place to another inside the City limits. Vote unanimous. Motion carried.

Chief Smith gave the police report stating that new signs had been erected about left turns into the business district, and no braking signs by truckers. He stated that Code Enforcement Officer Nichols had sent out seven letters to property owners this month, and was continuing enforcement of the ones already notified. He gave a detailed report to Council concerning activity of the Police Department this past month.

Dean Dawkins asked to address the Council and the Chief. Mayor Cash allowed it, and he asked if any black officers were going to be hired. Chief Smith stated that he had no applications from black officers, and had hired one, but that he had failed the Academy.

Ben Dodd, Victims Advocate stated that he had assisted several victims, but that crime against victims had been down inside the City lately. He had been called to Spartanburg to assist someone who needed Chesnee services.

Councilman Mahaffey made the motion to approve $125. per quarter to buy flowers and pots for the Planning Commission to place in the downtown area. Councilwoman Dawkins second. Vote unanimous. Motion carried.

Present Mayor Pro tem Johnson stated that he had received a brochure from the Governor’s Office stating that scamming seniors had become a big problem. He wanted to alert seniors to contact the Chief if anyone suspicious approaches them.

Councilman Pye stated that he wanted the City to consider hiring black officers.

Councilman Mahaffey made the motion to adjourn. Councilman Pye second. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned.

Minutes ____________ this ______day of August, 2008.

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Mayor E. Max Cash

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Administrator