TOWN OF LAKE VIEW COUNCIL MEETING
October 15, 2020
Council Chambers
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Place: Lake View Council Chamber and Zoom*
*Out of concern for the health and wellbeing of the Lake View Community during the COVID-19Pandemic, the Council Meeting was available through video and telephone conferencing using Zoom.
Presiding at Chambers: Matthew Elvington, Mayor
Present at Chambers: Councilmember David Kitchens
Present via Zoom: Councilmembers Mertis Barnett, Tony Hayes, and David Johnson
Also Present at Chambers: Karen Cook-Henderson
Also Present via Zoom: Josephine Gilchrist and Teresa Johnson
• Mayor Matthew Elvington opened the meeting with prayer and welcomed everyone.
• Councilmember David Johnson made a motion to accept the minutes from the September 17, 2020 meeting and Councilmember Mertis Barnett offered a second. All were in favor and the motion passed.
• Teresa Johnson made a presentation of ideas for the future state of the Hilltop Park. The suggested design is replication of the play area installed at the Dillon Wellness Center as well as an update to the basketball court to make it more vibrant. The wish list Ms. Johnson put forward included a restroom, a chilled water fountain, a grill, cameras and lights. Mayor and Council asked questions and shared their suggestions including a repair of the swing set and expansion to a full-sized basketball court. Ms. Johnson will communicate her ideas with the Hilltop Park Review Committee (ad-hoc) for consideration and submit estimates and plans for renovation of the basketball court to Council.
• Karen Cook-Henderson presented on behalf of the Pee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month. The goal is to raise awareness about domestic violence and the effect it has on families and the community. Currently, SC ranks sixth in the nation for domestic murders. As this is an issue that concerns the whole community, the Coalition’s work to end domestic violence is necessary and the support from local leaders is appreciated.
• Karen Cook-Henderson shared information about the Best Chance Network supplied by Ms. Shirbey Johnson. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Best Chance Network is an excellent tool in the fight to eliminate this disease by providing breast and cervical cancer screenings at no cost for SC women who qualify. Early detection of breast and cervical cancer is key to survival. Anyone interested in applying is asked to call the Best Chance Network at 1-800-450-4611.
• Mayor Matthew Elvington advised Council the Town Hall and the Lake View Police Department remain closed to foot traffic with services being completed by phone or email whenever possible in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Lake View Town Council unanimously agreed to cancel the Christmas on the Boulevard activities out of an abundance of concern for the health and safety of the Lake View community. Council is open to similar activities at another time of the year.
• Mayor Matthew Elvington advised Council the sales contract for the Page’s Mill Pond will be signed this week with a 60-day close.
• Councilmember David Kitchens had no new information to share regarding the Veterans Park and asked the topic be included on the agenda in November.
• Council discussed adding an amendment to Ordinance 2020-02 to allow for an exemption to the sanitation fee for residences that are vacant. The amendment will be referred to the Town Attorney for drafting and will be brought to Council in November for approval.
• Mayor Matthew Elvington presented a request for donation from the CareFirst Carolina Foundation on behalf of the Dillon County Area Transportation (DCAT) and the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority (PDRTA).
The request is a commitment for $500.00 annually for three years. Although there is not a fixed route in Lake View, residents can access the Demand Response Service.
Council members agreed to discuss the request with residents to determine support for the donation and will respond to the request at the November meeting.
Councilmember David Kitchens made the motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of a personnel matter and Councilmember Mertis Barnett offered the second. All were in favor. Councilmember Tony Hayes made the motion to exit Executive Session and Councilmember Mertis Barnett made the second. All were in favor. No action was taken in Executive Session.
Mayor’s Report
• H4431, the business license bill that was amended to include standardization language which is fair to both cities and businesses, was passed by both the House and Senate. The bill’s effective date is January 1, 2022. This will require an amendment to our ordinances to be in compliance as well as a revamping of all of our forms. The Municipal Association is developing guidance and will provide assistance.
• Nuisance Properties – Hearings are set for Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 6:30 PM at the Lake View Community Center. The Town Attorney, Mr. Peterson, will be available by phone for consultation.
• Debt Setoff Program – letters were sent to debtors with two outstanding debts paid. The remaining debts owed to the Town of Lake View will be sent to the Municipal Association at the end of the month and then forwarded to the Department of Revenue. Councilmember David Kitchens is the appointed Hearing Officer for any appeal of which there only one to date.
• Hometown Economic Grant application was submitted and a response is expected by the end of the month. There are 52 applications with 12 grants to be awarded.
• Chief Jason Turner is working with GovDeals to auction surplus or unusable equipment. So far, 17 items were sold with 2 sales pending.
• Dillon County is asking for a contract for Fire Services in addition to our current agreement. The proposed contract is under review with the Town Attorney. The deuce and half truck on loan to the Lake View Fire Department was returned to the SC Forestry Commission since it was not being used.
• In December, Committee Appointments will need to be made for the Planning Committee, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Election Commission. Please give consideration of residents for appointments for the coming year.
• Permission forms for the Outfall Ditching project with the SCDOT were sent to the property owners on the east side of Main Street that have a section of the main ditch on their property. We continue to wait for DOT to notify us they are ready to start on the west side.
• The Lake View Municipal Court is now Wednesday at 11:00 AM.
• Dillon County is considering an application for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Town of Lake View asked to be included. The project would be to demolish dilapidated residential houses. The needs in Lake View are too few to make our own application.
• Community Center rentals have resumed. The ice machine will be removed as it is cost prohibitive to repair and is unsanitary when not used routinely. The floors will be scrubbed and waxed in preparation for the upcoming rentals.
Council Concerns
• Councilmember David Johnson asked that the Town of Lake View consider installing signs advising caution for golf carts. Karen Cook-Henderson was instructed to ask for guidance from the SCDOT since roadside signage is their jurisdiction.
• Councilmember Mertis Barnett celebrated the success of the spontaneous veggie and fruit give away in September. The event came together with about 90 minutes of notice but with the help of the Lake View schools and Facebook, all the boxes were distributed. She offered thanks to the Lake View Police Department for their willingness to drop everything and help with traffic outside the library. A request for a mask and hand sanitizer distribution was submitted to the Dillon County Long-Term Recovery Group.
• Councilmember David Kitchens asked that a review of the type and location of speed limit signs be requested from the SCDOT. Karen Cook-Henderson will make the request.
• Mayor Matthew Elvington shared the success of the sole Palmetto Pride – Adopt A Highway program in Lake View. Mr. Jerry Andrews adopted the Lake View Walking Track many years ago in celebration of his son, Josh Andrews, and earned recognition several times in past years for his commitment to reducing litter.
This program is available through Palmetto Pride for anyone who wants to volunteer.
With no further business, Councilmember David Johnson made the motion to adjourn with Councilmember Tony Hayes seconding.
There was no discussion and all were in favor and the meeting was adjourned.
