CHESNEE CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 11, 2008

WORKSHOP: 5:30 PM

Present: Mayor and all Council; several visitors
Council discussed agenda items and other matters including:
Chief Smith discussed bad checks being handled by our Police Department, rather than the county.
Concern was voiced about Homespun receiving payment for bands each month, instead of advertising. Suggested a meeting with Keisler. Raising the amount the Mayor can purchase without going before Council from $500. to $1000. Discussed “No Burning Ordinance.”

REGULAR MEETING: 6 PM

Mayor Cash called the meeting to order.

Councilman Johnson gave the invocation.

Mayor Cash welcomed the group, and stated that he was going to go back to the ordinance dealing with people talking in the meeting; that no one would be allowed to speak that was not on the agenda, but he would take questions after the meeting.

Becky Brannon asked the Mayor to read a handout that she had presented. Mayor Cash did not read the handout aloud.

Mayor Pro tem Mahaffey made the motion to approve last month’s minutes; Councilwoman Dawkins second. Unanimous.

The Administrator’s report consisted of:

· Fund balance of 196,000 in Hospitality Tax
· Revenues down last month
· Expenses down last month
· Fines considerably higher last month

Mayor Cash asked Councilman Johnson to make a presentation. Councilman Johnson asked former Councilwoman Becky Brannon to come forward, and presented her with a plaque for the many years of service she had given to the City.

Vertie Crawford with the Planning Commission gave their report:

· Commented that the Bike Rally in July was a success, bringing many people to the City.
· Asked that the City consider purchasing signs for the entrances to the City that would advertise events coming up; holidays, festivals, etc.
· Asked for a committee to head up events that are City-sponsored.
· Asked for help for the Kops Kids Program for Christmas.
· Wants a Planning Commission member on the Hospitality Committee as a representative.

Councilman Johnson made the motion to amend the policy to allow the Mayor to have the authority to spend up to $1000 instead of the $500 that was set in 1983; Councilwoman Dawkins second. Councilman Pye voted aye; Mayor Cash voted aye; Mayor Pro tem Mahaffey voted nay.

Captain Matthew Scruggs with Chesnee Community Fire Department talked about the services of the department:

Dual-dispatch
7 EMTs on the department
Have purchased a new truck
Have purchased a rescue truck to house medical equipment
Received 340 calls as of 07/31/08
Received $136,000 FEMA Grant
Have a staff of 28 volunteer personnel
Serve 5,050 people
Cover 20 square miles

He asked that all side streets be blocked during the Halloween candy giveaway for safety reasons. Councilman Johnson told him that he needed to go through Chief Smith with requests to block the streets, and let the Chief be the point of contact.

Councilman Pye made the motion to table the “No Burning” Ordinance until an alternate method could be offered for burning leaves; Mayor Pro tem Mahaffey second. Unanimous.

Mayor Pro tem Mahaffey made the motion to proceed with purchase of a leaf vacuum; Councilwoman Dawkins second. Unanimous.

Chief Smith gave the police report stating that new weapons had been ordered for the department, using drug fund monies. He stated that Officer Fuller had made a drug arrest, confiscating various drugs and $1900. in money. He told about the success of the Bike Rally with no problems, and getting a confession from a man who stole a large sum of money from the Hot Spot in the City. Councilwoman Dawkins asked the Chief if he had gotten any complaints about the Bike Rally from anyone, and he replied that there had been none. Mayor Cash and Councilman Johnson stated that they had gone to the Rally, and had experienced no problems.

Ben Dodd, Victims Advocate gave his report, stating that he had assisted victims during court, that he was interacting with the county and state agencies, and was to have lunch with the City of Spartanburg and surrounding cities concerning children of crime victims. He wanted them to know that someone was available in Chesnee to assist them.

Councilman Johnson asked that people not let grass fall into the street when mowing; not to throw trash on the streets, and help keep the City clean. He also warned seniors and the hard of hearing that scam artists are preying on them, and to alert Police if approached.

Mayor Pro tem Mahaffey made the motion to adjourn; Councilwoman Dawkins second. Unanimous.


Minutes ____________this _________of September, 2008.
_____________________
Mayor E. Max Cash

_____________________ Administrator