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By David Stephens
HOMETOWN NEWS
Chesnee Mayor Max Cash convened City Council in regular monthly session on the evening of June 8 with all council members and City Administrator Becki Hood present. Minutes from the May 2009 meeting were approved as submitted.
In her report, City Administrator Hood introduced guest Teresa Chadwick, City Administrator of Cowpens. Hood stated that revenues were down because less tax money had come in and that approximately $30,000.00 more tax revenue was due. Hood informed council that the FY2010 budget was ready for public hearing, second reading, and approval at that time.
Hood also stated that the city is applying for a grant to promote citizen participation in the 2010 census and that there would be a booth at the upcoming Summerfest promoting it as well. Hood stated that citizens should be aware that a majority of state and federal funding that comes to the city depends on the census counts and urged everyone to participate. Hood then read a proclamation prepared by Mayor Max Cash in support of census participation that was approved by the city council.
Next, Verdie Crawford presented the monthly report from the planning commission. Crawford stated that the code enforcement officer had issued 23 notices to various locations about cleanup of the property. Crawford stated that volunteers were needed for the July Summerfest and that there was going to be a gospel singing events featuring several groups in the city park on June 27, 2009. Crawford then requested that city council revisit a past issue of constructing a bathroom facility and water fountain at the city park since it was being utilized more and more for events that draw visitors into the city. Crawford was given approval to research that project and report back to council. Crawford requested on behalf of the planning commission $600.00 to purchase Fourth of July decorations to display downtown for the holiday and through the month of July and Summerfest and the Bike Rally. Council approved this request. The need for a performance stage was also discussed by Crawford with city council who took the issue under advisement. Council also approved increasing the number of porta-johns at the city park that will be available for the gospel singing event.
Mayor Max Cash then opened the floor for discussion of the FY2010 general and sewer fund budget. With no one taking the floor, the budget was submitted for second reading and approved by unanimous vote of the council. (See related article.)
In other new business Councilman Doug Pye made a motion that an ordinance be enacted to prohibit smoking in city businesses, restaurants, and bars. That motion received no second and was tabled.
In the next item concerning the selling of two homes by a private citizen that had been renovated with grant money, Mayor Cash recused himself from the discussion and voting because of some private conversations that he had participated in previously. Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Mahaffey led the discussion which ended with a motion to approve the sale, but received no second so the motion was tabled.
The council then gave second reading and approval to a new city ordinance that prohibits the displaying of business signs within Chesnee city limits unless the business owner has a city business license. (See related article.)
In the police report Chief Scott Smith said that in the month of May the city had 402 events and 116 calls for service plus 30 walk - in complainants. Chief Smith reported that mainly through the efforts of Sgt Kip Teal working 8 cold cases in which no arrests had been made, 12 warrants had now been obtained for various individuals believed to have been involved in the crimes. Smith said that two more officers had completed DUI prosecution and DUI detection training and that the entire department was now certified. Chief Smith said that through the efforts of a private citizen obtaining donations the department had purchased a new taser gun for officers’ use after proper training had been completed.
Chief Smith next reported that arrangements were now in place for the new 800mhz communications system and the only cost to the city would be the normal user fees. He said that there would be 5 car radios and other portable walkie-talkies that would be interchanged between on - duty police officers.
Chief Smith then requested permission to change the police officers’ uniform shirts to a polo style to be worn over their protective vests during the hot months of summer. Smith said the shirts would be paid for out of funds obtained by ads sold by the police department that appear in the new city map pamphlet. Council approved this request.
Councilman Robert Johnson then made a motion that the police department go ahead and have the transmission repaired in one squad car at a cost of $1100.00 to $1300.00. Motion was seconded and approved.
In the last item of the meeting Victim Advocate Ben Dodd reported that with the heat it seemed that crime was also going up and reported higher numbers than usual in his report. Dodd said that in May he had contacted 12 victims of crime which was double the number of the previous month. Dodd also stated that he had assisted 4 victims with their court appearances.
Dodd next said he had, at the request of the planning commission, made contact with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Safe Homes concerning those organizations having an information booth at Summerfest. In conclusion, Dodd stated that he believed that through cooperation and vigilance of the police department some possibly tragic crimes had been prevented and that compliments had been received from the family involved for the police and victim advocate’s actions to ensure their safety.
With no further business on the agenda council adjourned at 7:10 p.m. The next council meeting is scheduled for July 13, 1009, with workshop at 5:30 p.m. and the general meeting at 6:00 p.m. Both sessions are open to the public. Contact Becki Hood at 864-461-2225 for more information.
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