Town of Lake View Council Meeting
January 16, 2020
Council Champers
Presiding: Matthew Elvington, Mayor
Present: Councilmembers Mertis Barnett, David Johnson and David Kitchens
Absent: Councilmember Tony Hayes
Also Present: Karen Cook-Henderson
1- Mayor Matthew Elvington opened the meeting with prayer and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2- The minutes of the December 19, 2019 minutes and Councilmember David Kitchens seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed.
3- Councilmember David Johnson made the motion to approve a $500.00 donation to the Dillon County Free Medical Clinic. Councilmember Mertis Barnett seconded the motion and all were in favor.
4- Mayor Elvington advised council the quote for the lighting at the Walking Track was revised to include Council;s suggestions from the November meeting but the project is waiting for the engineered drawings and specs before it will be presented to Council for approval. In order to keep costs down, as much as possible, the work will be done by the maintenance staff.
5- Councilmember David Kitchens presented the results of the sub-committee’s review of Town of Lake View Ordinance Chapter 13, Section 131.02 Charitable Solicitation and Peddling. Since, panhandling is protected speech under the First Amendment the ordinance is insufficient. Councilmember David Kitchens made a motion to recommend the current ordinance be amended to define panhandling as protected speech and reduce the requirements for permitting. All were in favor of the recommendation.
6- Mayor Matthew Elvington advised Council the floor at the Community Center is in need of maintenance. Council asked that the floor be buffed in addition to scrubbed and waxed. Mayor Elvington will call for price estimates.
7- Mayor Matthew Elvington completed the Second Reading-Amendment of Town of Lake View Ordinances-Title XV; Chapter 154; Section 154.08 Definitions, 154.20 RS-1 Single-Family Residential District and 154.21 RS-2 Single-Family residential District. Councilmember David Kitchens made a motion to approve the Amendment as written and Councilmember Mertis Barnette offered the second. All were in favor and the motion passed.
8- Mayor Matthew Elvington made a motion to table the Second Reading-Amendment of Town of Lake View Ordinances-Title V; Chapter 51: Refuse Collection. Councilmember David Kitchens seconded the motion and after discussing the numerous concerns and complaints with the current provider, AWS, all were in favor.
9- Mayor’s Report
a. A refund is expected from American Waste Service, Inc. for the missed residential polycart pick up in December. The $3.07 refund will be applied to residential GSWSA bills in the next billing cycle.
b. The Lake View Volunteer Fire Department was served notice on 12/31/2019 they were dissolved. Dillon County Fire Department will make Lake View a substation of Station #3 and will have staff routinely check equipment and vehicles to keep them in good working order. Workers Compensation insurance and training will be coordinated for Lake View volunteers through the Dillon County Fire Department. The substation should impact the ISO rating positively in the surrounding area.
c. Nuisance Properties- Karen Cook-Henderson was instructed to obtain guidance from the town attorney regarding non-compliant nuisance properties and the Town’s ability to remedy situations deemed necessary by Council.
d. The mulch for the playground at the Walking Track was delivered.
e. Karen Cook-Henderson will attend the MASC-Municipal Clerk and Treasurers Institute in February.
f. The Community Center ice machine was serviced and is awaiting parts to be fully operational.
g. The financial audit by Kenneth Cobb and Associates is in its final stage of review.
h. Dillon County Administrator, Tony Clyburn, agreed to have Dillon County assign 9-1-1 addresses for a fee for the Town of Lake View.
i. The banners ordered by the Beautification Committee for Richard Temple Boulevard are in. Council recommends the committee consider banners for Main Street and 3rd Avenue next.
j. The next phase of renovations at the Recreation ballfields will be started next week and includes installation of sod and landscaping. Other concerns to be addressed are the fence and play area. Council suggested something be added for smaller children to climb on.
k. Lt. Jason Turner is looking in the S.C. Department of Administration 1033 program to solve the Police Departments equipment needs.
l. Town Hall continues to have leaks in the roof. The contractor is making repairs at not cost.
m. The 2020 Census is actively looking for workers. Flyers were provided to each Councilmember.
10- Council Concerns
a. Councilmember David Kitchens asked that the Town consider a fire ant treatment to treat town property. Mayor Matthew Elvington stated that Kenny King will treat when it warms up and the ants come to the surface regularly. Councilmember Kitchens also offered his appreciation for the good work being done by Kenny King.
b. Councilmember David Johnson asked for an update on the request for Dillon County to clear ditches in Lake View. Mayor Matthew Elvington conveyed the request to Dillon County and it is under consideration by the Roads and Bridges department but they are committed to other projects. At Councilmember Johnson’s suggestion, Mayor Elvington will ask Representative Hayes if there are other groups that can clear ditches.
c. Councilmember Mertis Barnett asked for an update on the plans for the Elementary School traffic. Mayor Elvington advised that at the last report, the work will start in April or May and will be extensive including moving utility lines.
With no further business, Councilmember David Johnson made the motion to adjourn with Councilmember David Kitchens seconding. There was no discussion and all were in favor and the meeting was adjourned.
Town of Lake View Council Meeting
Special Meeting
February 13, 2020
Council Chambers
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Lake View Council Chamber
Presiding: Matthew Elvington, Mayor
Present: Councilmembers Mertis Barnett and David Johnson
Absent: Councilmembers Tony Hayes and David Kitchens
Also Present: Karen Cook-Henderson
1. Mayor Matthew Elvington opened the meeting with prayer and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Councilmember David Johnson made a motion to approve the agenda for the February 13, 2020 meeting. Councilmember Mertis Barnett seconded and all were in favor.
3. Councilmember Mertis Barnett made a motion to go into Executive Session for discussion of negotiations incident to matters relating to a proposed economic development. Councilmember David Johnson seconded and all were in favor.
Councilmember David Johnson made a motion to exit Executive Session and Councilmember Mertis Barnett seconded. All were in favor.
Results of Executive Session- Councilmember Mertis Barnett made a motion that the Lake View town Council continue discussion related to creating a conditional grant agreement regarding the Heritage Building and Project Rug. Councilmember David Johnson seconded the motion and all were in favor.
With no further business, Councilmember David Johnson made the motion to adjourn with Councilmember Mertis Barnett seconding. There was no discussion and all were in favor and the meeting was adjourned.
TOWN OF LAKE VIEW COUNCIL MEETING
February 20, 2020
Council Chambers
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2020
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Place: Lake View Council Chamber
Presiding: Matthew Elvington, Mayor
Present: Councilmembers Mertis Barnett, Tony Hayes, David Johnson and David Kitchens
Also Present: Karen Cook-Henderson
1-Mayor Matthew Elvington opened the meeting with prayer and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2-The minutes of the January 16, 2020 and February 13, 2020 meeting were reviewed by council. Councilmember David Johnson made the motion to accept the January 16, 2020 minutes with revisions and Councilmember Tony Hayes seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed. Councilmember David Kitchens made the motion to accept the February 13, 2020 minutes and Councilmember Mertis Barnett seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed.
3-Karen Cook-Henderson presented a brief report from the Beautification Committee. Councilmember David Kitchens will be leading the Veteran’s Memorial Park initiative. The brochure that details how citizens can purchase memorial bricks is being designed with the help of Sterling Lee. Banners and other ideas are being considered by the committee for Main Street and 3rd Avenue to include new areas of town in the committee’s focus.
4-A proposal and quote was presented to add landscaping to the four Welcome signs, the fountain median and along Heritage Drive. Councilmember Tony Hayes made the motion to approve the quote with Councilmember David Johnson seconding. All were in favor and the motioned passed. Mayor Elvington will coordinate the approved installations.
5-Finance Report – Business Licenses are due June 2020 for all businesses operating in Lake View. With more than half of the fiscal year completed, the budget expenditures exceed the current revenues but there are reimbursements outstanding from Dillon County for infrastructure improvements at the Recreation Park and SC EMD for purchases related to Hurricane Dorian. The overage is expected as there were unplanned expenses for walking track maintenance, purchasing the Smith Street property, vehicle expenses and lighting improvements. It is projected that we will be close to being on budget.
6- Mayor Elvington reported that the LED streetlight conversion is about 80% – 90% done. The completed lights are an improvement in clarity and coverage. The estimate for project to add lights to the walking track is about $30,000.00 and is based on using our labor to do much of the work. Duke Energy will be asked to submit a proposal for the project.
7- The Lake View Volunteer Rescue Squad submitted a request for funding for the current fiscal year. After discussion, Council determined they did not have all the needed information and will reconsider the request at a later date. Councilmember Mertis Barnett made a motion that although we are unable to fund their request in this budget, Council will support their request for funds to the Dillon County Council and will consider this request in the next year with a disclosure of financial documents as well as outstanding bills and repair quotes. Councilmember Tony Hayes seconded and all were in favor and the motion passed. Karen Cook-Henderson was instructed to prepare a letter for Council to approve.
8-Mayor Elvington advised Council the renovations at the Recreation Park are completed including having the sod laid and batting cages installed.
9-Councilmember David Kitchens made a motion to approve Mayor Elvington to enter in a discussion with Dillon County Fire Department as to the use and conditions for use of the Lake View substation. Councilmember Tony Hayes seconded and all were in favor and the motion passed.
10- Mayor Elvington presented a quote for a 300 ft. fence screen for the walkway at the Recreation Field. Advertising banners will be sold to offset the purchase cost as a fundraiser for the Recreation Department. Councilmember David Johnson made a motion to approve the purchase with the condition that the advertising sold be free from political messages. Councilmember David Kitchens offered the second and all were in favor so the motion passed.
11-Mayor Elvington presented the request to apply for the Law Enforcement Liability Reduction Grant which is offered through the MASC SCMIRF Insurance program. The grant has a 50% match with a $4,000.00 limit. Chief Watson would like to apply for the grant to purchase dash cameras and body camera supplies. Councilmember David Kitchens motioned that the request be reviewed at the end of the meeting and Councilmember David Johnson seconded All were in favor.
12-Mayor Elvington advised Council that American Waste Systems was sent a notice of Breach of Contract for failing to provide service as agreed in the contract. AWS has until March 10, 2020 to remedy the conditions.
13-Mayor Elvington updated Council with the proposal and information gathered about grant opportunities to renovate the Lake View Town Hall. There is a program through the USDA that could fund a portion of the project for $50,000.00. It requires the building be ADA compliant throughout. The goal is to create more customer friendly space inside, solve the issues with the roof and to improve the look of the building from the street. Councilmember Tony Hayes made the motion to review the quotes at the end of the meeting and Councilmember David Kitchens seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed.
14-Mayor Matthew Elvington made a motion that the Lake View Town Council March 2020 as American Red Cross Month. Councilmember David Johnson seconded and all were in favor.
15-Mayor’s Report
a. Project Rug – The contractor and the interested party inspected the building and found new concerns. A conditional grant agreement will be written when we have more details.
b. Dillon County Intergovernmental Agreement – the first disbursement is expected this week.
c. Fire Ants – the walking track and recreation park were treated.
d. Attorney Projects – Our attorney is working on Project Rug and completing the agreement with East Nile to settle with their contractors. His bill for work completed in 2018 and 2019 was received.
e.Staff Changes – Officer Shakeria Rollins submitted her resignation and Officer Briar Sawyer will start 2/20/2020.
f. Police Car – the Taurus’ motor is in need of significant repair and a new suspension. Chief Watson is recommending the purchase of a used car from SC State Surplus to replace this one rather than expend the funds to repair.
Chief Watson will coordinate the sale of unused cars being stored at the yard according to policy.
g. AWS Trash Service – the anticipated expenses for the Town of Lake View to start its own trash service were reviewed. The goal is to improve customer service while keeping the cost to residents comparable with the current charges.
16- Councilmember David Kitchens made a motion to allow Mayor Elvington to proceed with the negotiations and discussions to renovate Town Hall with Councilmember David Johnson offering the second. All were in favor and the motion passed.
17-Councilmember Tony Hayes made the motion to allow the purchase of the requested police vehicle. Councilmember David Kitchens seconded and all were in favor so the motion passed.
18- Council Concerns – all members of council are reminded to complete the SC State Ethics Commission Public Disclosure and Accountability Report by March 30, 2020.
With no further business, Councilmember Mertis Barnett made the motion to adjourn with Councilmember Tony Hayes seconding. There was no discussion and all were in favor and the meeting was adjourned.
