Regular Council Meeting
Of the Latta Town Council Meeting
January 14th, 2016
7:00 p.m.
The Latta Town Council held a regular meeting at 7:00 on Thursday, January 14th, 2016. The following were present: Council members Jarett Taylor, Andy Herring, Brian Mason, Edward Bethea, James Reaves, and Mayor Earl Bullard. Mayor Pro-tem called the meeting to order, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and offered the prayer.
Parks and Recreation
Mr. Ashley Miller read his report. Mr. Ashley reported that this basketball season he had had 12 basketball teams that consisted of 113 kids. He also reported that plumbing, flooring, and roofing were all fixed at the gym. Mr. Ashley looked into buying a field drag. He found one online that cost about $250 but purchased one for cheaper at $195.
Minutes from Regular Council
Meeting, December 10th, 2015
Motion was made by Councilman Mason and seconded by Councilman Taylor to accept the minutes as presented.
Appointing of Mayor Pro-tem
Councilman Taylor made to motion to reappoint Brian Mason as Mayor Pro-tem. Council agreed, and Brian Mason was reappointed Mayor Pro-tem.
It was unanimously approved by roll call of the council.
Appointing of Town Lawyer
Councilman Taylor made the motion to reappoint Janet Byrd as town lawyer. Councilman Reaves seconded the motion. Mrs. Byrd receives $500 a month for 3 hours and $150 for any additional hours. Her total compensation last month was $500 a month. The town never rolled over. Janet Byrd was reappointed as town lawyer.
It was unanimously approved by roll call of the council.
Purchasing Policy
Councilman Taylor expressed his thoughts that department supervisors were under the impression that they could spend up $1500 when they needed to. The policy says department supervisor can only spend $1500 in emergency cases only. Councilman Taylor asked that council change the ordinance. To change the ordinance, two readings have to be held by council. Councilman Mason would like for supervisors to get any purchases around $200-250 approved by Town Administrator or council. This ordinance reading will be held during next meeting.
Clerk/Webster Rogers
Councilman Taylor stated his appreciation and gratitude for the hard work of town clerk Rebecca Page. Councilman Brian Mason motion to have Rebecca Page reappointed as town clerk and to continue to work with Webster Rogers.
It was unanimously approved by roll call of the council.
Job Descriptions
Councilman Taylor discussed with council the desire to have a detailed job description for every employee.
Vacation Policy
Councilman Taylor discussed and read to council the vacation policy. He also made a motion that each employee be required to notify their department head two weeks in advance of planned vacation. Councilman Taylor requested that council change the policy. Councilman Brian Mason thinks vacation request sheets should be submitted at least a month in advance to give department heads adequate time to schedule other employees accordingly. He also requested that council discuss the most time that an employee is allowed vacation at once. Each department head needs accountability for each of their employees. Councilman Mason makes a motion to also change the vacation policy, requesting that each employee is required to ask at least two weeks in advance for a week or more of vacation time off. The most an employee can take is two weeks off at one time. A master calendar will be kept in town hall for each employee to write down their time off. Motion is seconded by Mayor Bullard.
It was unanimously approved by roll call of the council.
Ordinance Workshop Meeting
Councilman Taylor made a motion that council get together and read over the ordinance. Meeting will be held January 28th, 2016.
Old School
School and school board is closer to giving us a proposal, and Dr. Kirby would like to meet with council on February 1st or 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Police Department
Thirteen summons, eight warnings, 59 incident reports, and eight warrants served. Two officers were out for death in families: Cox and Daniels. They are currently investigating a couple of car break-ins. The police car that was wrecked is currently getting fixed. Assistant Chief Derrick Cartwright and Water Supervisor Willie Hooks traveled to New Jersey to pick up a pickup truck that was free from the army, a 2500 4×4 Single Cab Chevrolet Pickup. There will be three policy cruisers, the Ford Explorer and the Chevrolet pickup will be the complete fleet. Councilman Taylor made a motion that the town move forward with purchasing the new police vehicle, seconded by Mayor Bullard. There is a $31,000 limit with this purchase. The vehicle will be purchased with funds from the Drug Seized account which holds an estimated $18,000. The left over balance for the town to pay is about $5,000.
Municipal Court Report
Judge Janette Dupree presented her report for December 2015. No traffic court was held in the month of December. In December, she held a jury trial. Twenty seven were excused, seven did not show up, 31 were drawn to hear one or more cases. Only an estimated $400 was spent in jury expenses for jury trials held in December. Of the 16 trials, Judge Dupree pulled for; 12 were settled prior to or on the day of court, three were continued due to the absence of Officer Palmer, and one case was allowed to go in PTI. Currently, we have seven on the pending docket to start off 2016.
Street Department
Mr. Miller reported that DHEC came out on January 14th and inspected the landfill again. They insisted that he had 90 days to post a sign on the gate. The sign must display a contact number, name of the town, no unauthorized vehicles allowed, and an emergency contact number. There were a total of ten loads carried to the dump for the month of December. They began cutting and cleaning ditches as well. The trash truck is currently in the shop. The next couple months will be spent trimming trees. Council asked if there was backup plan if the trash truck was not able to be fixed by Tuesday. Mr. Miller said that it is possible to borrow Dillon’s trash truck if the aren’t using it.
Water/Sewer Department
Mr. Willie Hooks reported to council that in the month of December the water department worked: 9 water leaks, 21 sewer calls, 52 work orders, replaced six service lines and put in two taps. Barrings for BI Tower at Wastewater pond will cost $21,446 to replace. He also represented to council the plan to increase tap and water fees. Old fees are as listed: Deposit $100, Set up fee $45, and Return check fee $30. Total amount for a new water account currently is $145. New fees are as listed: Deposit $125, Set up fee $45 and Return check fee $30. Sanitation is to be discussed. Councilman Taylor made the motion for council to approve, and Councilman Herring seconded it.
It was unanimously approved by roll call of the council.
Councilman Taylor
Councilman Taylor passed out a packet of a $6 million dollar wish list and discussed details with council. Mr. Taylor also discussed plans of replacing the two water tanks. He also stated that the Safety Committee will consist of all department heads. The grievance committee will consist of five employees: Ashley Miller (Parks and Recreation), Rebecca Page (Water Department), Bobby Powers (Police Department), Curt Miller (Street Department), and Wanda Hyatt (Water Department) and one alternate (Byron).
Councilman Herring
No Report
Councilman Reaves
Councilman Reaves announced that he is happy to have new council members.
Councilman Bethea
No Report
Mayor Bullard
No Report
Councilman Mason
Councilman Mason reported that there is oly $51,000 to be paid to the IRS.
Who so ever will
No comments were made.
Meeting Adjourned.
