|
By David Stephens
HOMETOWN NEWS
Mayor Max Cash convened Chesnee City Council in regular session on July 13 with all council members present.
In his opening comments Mayor Cash announced on behalf of the entire council, that as of three weeks ago the city had paid its last bank note and was currently debt free. Mayor Cash commended all of the city workers for their efforts to cut back and use budget money efficiently.
In further comments, the Mayor congratulated everyone involved with the recent gospel singing event in the park and thanked all the volunteers that made it come together.
Cash also stated that the city had been notified by DHEC that there would be no fine imposed for an earlier incident of inadvertent limb and brush burning in the city.
Mayor Cash then stated that the city needed a truck for the purpose of hauling some of the tree and brush debris away and asked Councilman Doug Pye to head up that project which Pye accepted. The Mayor also stated that council meeting agendas and minutes were available for viewing on the internet at www.chesnet.net.
Carol Powell from Arrowood Baptist Church then informed the council that the children attending their recent Vacation Bible School had raised money and wanted to donate it to Chesnee to put a children’s swing set in CADA Park. Police Chief Scott Smith said that there was a state requirement for some safety matting on a project like that and stated he would investigate and obtain a cost estimate.
Next, Gene Moorhead, President and CEO of the newly formed Piedmont Chamber of Commerce, informed council that the chamber had been formed to serve the Gaffney, Cowpens, Blacksburg, and Chesnee areas with a focus on city revitalization and commercial development to attract big business to that area. Moorhead stated that one major project was to get an airport put into Cherokee County to facilitate the effort to attract business. City Council took his information under advisement.
In the public comment portion of the meeting, Alfred Dawkins said that during the planning of the gospel singing event the fee for the mistress of ceremonies had been overlooked and asked for additional funding for that. The council approved a $100.00 payment out of hospitality tax funds. Council then went into executive session from 6:15 p.m. until 6:35 p.m. to receive legal advice concerning zoning and contractual matters.
Back in open session the Mayor advised realtors Lori and Jay Thompson that the city will begin action on a zoning request made by them and would complete the process as quickly as possible.
In the city administrator’s report, Becki Hood reiterated the mayor’s comments concerning being debt free and thanked everyone for their hard work. Hood stated, “We are a long way to the positive from where we were just a couple of years ago.”
Melissa Lawter, chairman of the SummerFest committee, provided festival t-shirts for council members and stated that everything for the event was on schedule and on track. Lawter stated that the opening ceremony would be at CADA Park at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25.
Representing the Planning Commission, Verdie Crawford then presented a drawing and a proposal for the construction of a bathroom building in CADA Park. Mayor Cash and the council took the proposal under advisement and will pursue cost estimates.
Councilman Doug Pye then made a motion that Police Chief Scott Smith be compensated for overtime work he will perform during the two city events on July 25 and 26. He stated that all other officers receive it and made a motion that the Chief be compensated as well. Motion was seconded and approved unanimously by council. Pay for working tourism events is drawn from the city hospitality tax fund.
In the police report, Chief Scott Smith said the police had taken 373 calls for service in June and had investigated “a lot of serial killer tips.” Chief Smith thanked the public for those calls and said it showed that the citizens were concerned and involved.
Smith then announced that Officer Lauren Sandberg was resigning on July 26, 2009, and that applications were being taken for that vacant position and that interviews would begin Friday, July 17, 2009. Chief Smith also asked for approval to bring on five additional law enforcement officers to work the upcoming special events which was approved.
Smith was also given approval to purchase a TV/VCR portable rolling stand for training purposes as well as some additional furniture for the training room.
Victim Advocate Ben Dodd then stated that there had been some slowdown in crime in June. Dodd stated that he had contacted two crime victims to advise them of services available and had assisted seven victims during the court cases. Dodd also stated that he had made one home visit to a victim. Lastly, Dodd said that had been to an informal meeting with two other victim advocates from the county and from the state and exchanged opinions and information about the victim advocate program.
With no further business the council adjourned at 7:30 p.m. The next monthly meeting of city council will be on August 10, 2009, Contact Becki Hood for information.
 Email This Post
|
