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Town Council - Jan 7, 2008 |
Minutes McClellanville Town Council January 7, 2008 - 7:00 PM McClellanville Town Council met on the above-noted date for a regularly-scheduled meeting. Notice of the meeting had been published in the Charleston Post and Courier and the Town Newsletter. Mayor Rutledge Leland presided at the meeting, and all Council Members were present: Aaron Baldwin, Bob Gannon, Gussie Humes, and Jim Scott. Clerk Mary Duke was also present, as were the following guests: Bud Hill, Bernadette Humphrey, Gail Guzzo, Marylou High, Kathy Livingston, David Stoney, and Kathy Leland. Mayor Leland welcomed McClellanville Municipal Judge Gail Guzzo, who was present to swear in the Mayor and Council for the new term of service. Judge Guzzo administered the oath, and the Mayor and Council Members were duly sworn. Council next considered the appointment of members for the standing committees of Council. Councilmen Aaron Baldwin and Gussie Humes agreed to continue to serve as the Public Works Committee, responsible for oversight of streets and roads and building and grounds concerns. Councilmen Jim Scott and Bob Gannon also agreed to continue service on the Personnel Committee. Council noted that the Finance Committee is composed of the Mayor and all Council Members. Bob Gannon was appointed Mayor Pro Tempore for the new term. Gussie Humes then made a motion to re-appoint the following town officials: Clerk/Treasurer: Mary Duke; Municipal Judge: Gail Guzzo, Town Attorney: Frances Cantwell; Town Marshal: Larry McClellan. Bob Gannon seconded the motion, which was carried by unanimous vote of Council. Mayor Leland then asked the Council Members to review the minutes of the December 3, 2007 meeting. Councilman Humes made a motion to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Councilman Gannon, and carried by unanimous vote of Council. Proceeding to the next agenda item, Mayor Leland said that Council would hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance to amend the McClellanville Zoning and Land Development Ordinance to change the name of the Commercial Light Industrial District (CLI) to the Marine Commercial District (MC). Bud Hill asked Council why the name change for the district was being sought. Mayor Leland responded that he had found that the term "industrial" seemed to confuse members of the public as to what uses were allowed in the district. He said that he had suggested to the Planning Commission that a new name might be chosen which would be more reflective of the permitted uses for the district. As the stated purpose of the district is "to promote the development of marine and fishery uses and other environmentally compatible employment uses similar in scale and character that may capitalize on the Town's proximity to the ocean as a service area to the marine and fisheries industry...", "Marine Commercial District" had been proposed as a more appropriate name. Council emphasized that only the name of the district would change as a result of this proposed amendment; the permitted uses and all other requirements would remain the same. Mayor Leland again said that he felt the new name would clarify the purpose of this district. Councilman Humes then made a motion to adopt the proposed amendment to rename the Commercial Light Industrial District as the Marine Commercial District. Councilman Scott seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by unanimous vote of Council. Council next considered a request from the McClellanville Arts Council for assistance with the repair or replacement of the heating system at the old firehouse, and possible installation of an air conditioning system. Councilman Gannon asked whether the Arts Council would be able to pay half of the cost for the heating and air conditioning system, if the Town also paid half. Bernadette Humphrey, Arts Council Director, said that she felt the Arts Council could be responsible for half of the expense. Councilman Gannon said that he felt the Town's investment would be worthwhile, as the Arts Council made important contributions to community life. He said that helping to keep a somewhat stable and moderate temperature at the building would also help preserve the building and protect the Town's property. Since this expense was not part of the budget for the current fiscal year, Mayor Leland suggested that half of the Town's contribution, approximately $900, be presented to the Arts Council in the current fiscal year, and the remaining $900 be allocated for them in the upcoming FY 08/09 budget. Bernadette said that she felt that plan would be workable for the Arts Council. Councilman Baldwin told Bernadette that an art auction might be a good way to raise additional funds, and he offered to contribute one of his works for an auction. Bernadette said that the Arts Council was planning an auction, and hoped to have contributions from Councilman Baldwin and several other local artists. Councilman Humes then made a motion to donate $900 to the Arts Council this fiscal year and $900 in the coming fiscal year to assist in their purchase of a new heating and air conditioning system for the old firehouse building. Councilman Gannon seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by unanimous vote of Council. The next agenda item was re-appointment of Board of Zoning Appeals member Nic Church for a new term of service. Mary told Council that Mr. Church had indicated that he was willing to continue his service, if appointed. With no objection, Nic Church was appointed for a new term on the Board of Zoning Appeals by unanimous consent of Council. Council then considered a letter from the director of the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments regarding appointment of a representative for McClellanville and Awendaw for the COG's Full Membership Board. Council questioned the reason that McClellanville and Awendaw should continue to share a seat on the Board. Councilman Gannon, who has served as the representative on the COG board for the past several years, said that he was not aware of any other towns that had shared seats rather than individual representation. Council instructed Mary to write the COG director to request separate representation for McClellanville and Awendaw. Councilman Gannon said that he would be willing to continue to serve as the local representative, and Council agreed that he would be McClellanville's nominee for appointment to COG Board membership for the upcoming term. Council then considered Clerk Mary Duke's question about the newly adopted Personnel Policy for the Town. The question concerned the time period to be allowed for physical disability and personal leave. Council asked Mary to research what other employers have allowed in this regard and report back to them. Mayor Leland then recognized Gail Guzzo, who asked to speak to Council in order to inform them of two awards recently presented to the South Santee Senior and Community Center. Gail said that the South Santee Center had been recognized by the Lt. Governor's Office as the outstanding senior center for the state this year, and their volunteer, James Simmons, had been named outstanding volunteer. Mayor Leland and Council agreed that the South Santee Center should be congratulated for this honor, and asked that information on the awards be included in the upcoming edition of the Town Newsletter. David Stoney then asked to speak to Council, and told them that the Town's Deer Head Oak has been selected as the S.C. Heritage Tree for 2007. He told Council that the award was presented to identify, celebrate and recognize trees with special historical or cultural significance, or simply a tree that is of special significance to the community. David said that the SC Urban and Community Forestry Council would present a commemorative brass plaque at the Deer Head Oak site in the upcoming months, probably in March or April. He said that the Tree Committee was beginning to plan a celebration to be held in conjunction with this award ceremony, which he hoped would include speakers, music and refreshments and attract participation by local residents. He said that the Tree Committee would be sending letters to residents and friends asking for contributions to make the celebration possible, and that the Committee also hoped that the Town would make a contribution. Council agreed that they would support the planned celebration, and asked David to work with Clerk Mary Duke and keep Council informed in coming months regarding progress on the plans. There being no further business, a motion was then made, seconded, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 PM. Mary S. Duke Town Clerk |