TOWN OF LAKE VIEW COUNCIL MEETING
December 17, 2020
Council Chambers
Date: Thursday, December 17, 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-19 Pandemic, 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, Martha Isabell, Tabitha James, Dennis Townsend, and Yolanda Watts
1. Mayor Matthew Elvington opened the meeting with prayer and welcomed everyone.
2. Councilmember David Johnson made a motion to accept the minutes from the November 19, 2020 meeting and Councilmember Tony Hayes offered a second. All were in favor and the motion passed.
3. 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.
4. Mayor Matthew Elvington advised that the purchase of the Page’s Mill Pond property closed and now the Town is tasked to return the property to a usable condition. The priority is to secure the dam using the remaining funds from the SC Department of Natural Resources grant.
5. Councilmember David Kitchens shared that the suggestion to move the Veteran Memorial site is being considered and the estimates to do the work will be updated.
6. Councilmember Mertis Barnett shared the ranked desired amenities list from the ad-hoc Hilltop Park Review Committee that met on 12/2/2020 and made a motion for Council to appoint Matthew Elvington and Rodney Miller to create two site plans to be considered for implementation by the Lake View Town Council with a site plan and budget that is centered around refurbishing the basketball courts, adding restroom facilities with water fountain, playground equipment, lighting and beautification of the Lake View park located in the Hilltop section. Councilmember David Kitchens seconded and the motion passed. Mayor Matthew Elvington volunteered to complete the site plan using the measurements made by Councilmember David Johnson and Clerk Karen Cook-Henderson that show an expanded basketball court compared the current court size as Councilmember David Johnson raised the concern that a regulation sized court would take up too much of the area to allow for other amenities.
7. Mayor Matthew Elvington informed Council the bid for the Police Department generator was awarded to Power Systems, Inc. and will be installed in 2021.
8. Mayor Matthew Elvington advised that the Town of Nichols trash service is still with AWS and no plans have been made to bid on the service.
9. Mayor Matthew Elvington advised that a property owner would like to turn over the titles to their two properties to the Town of Lake View. If the properties are received by the Town, there will be an expense to remedy the nuisance conditions. The proposal is under review with the Town Attorney. Also, the property on E. 5th Street is under review as the nuisance concern is the ditch which may fall to the state or town to clear. The other properties will be reviewed after the date specified in the letter mailed to the property owners with the decision of Council from the November hearing and, in accordance with Town Ordinance §92.05, if the owner does not correct the condition as required, the Council may direct the Code Enforcement Officer to enter upon the premises, and through the use of town employees or the employment of outside personnel, to remove, relieve or abate such conditions at the expense of the owner. The expense or cost to the town of removing, relieving or abating such conditions as provided for in §92.05 shall become a lien upon the real estate upon which such conditions existed and shall be collected in the same manner as municipal taxes.
10. Mayor Matthew Elvington presented the SCMIT and SCMIRF insurance renewal information. There were no significant changes in cost or coverage.
11. Mayor Matthew Elvington presented the 2021 Town Council Meetings and the 2021 Holiday Schedule for approval. Councilmember David Kitchens made the motion to approve and Councilmember Mertis Barnett seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed.
12.Councilmember Mertis Barnett made the motion to extend the Emergency Declaration of Ordinance 2020-05 for an additional 60 days. Councilmember David Johnson seconded and the motion passed.
13. Councilmember Mertis Barnett made the motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of a personnel matter and Councilmember David Johnson offered the second. All were in favor. Councilmember Mertis Barnett made the motion to exit Executive Session and Councilmember Tony Hayes made the second. All were in favor. No action was taken in Executive Session. Mayor Matthew Elvington made a motion to hire a third employee utilizing the remaining funds in the PT Street position and DNR Grant. Councilmember David Kitchens seconded and the motion passed.
14. Mayor’s Report
a. 2020, even with all the wider concerns, was a good year for the Town of Lake View with several projects completed or moved forward. Mayor Elvington offered his thanks and appreciation for the hard work that brought us to these successes.
15. Council Concerns
a. Councilmember David Johnson asked that the Code Enforcement officer to inspect the property at the corner of S. Ford Street and E. 4th Ave for a hazard and remedy the threat.
b. Councilmember David Johnson advised Council that he was engaged by Ms. Suzanne White to intervene on her behalf in a property dispute with Mr. James McDaniels. Other members of Council have also been approached by Ms. White. Since the Town of Lake View does not get involved in civil disputes, Ms. White will be served with letter advising her it is her responsibility to bring the matter before the appropriate court.
c. Councilmember Mertis Barnett shared she was approached by some residents needing debris removal. Mayor Elvington advised the equipment is being repaired and should be back in service this week. Councilmember Barnett passed along the suggestion that we start holding town meetings to invite the public to via Zoom in addition council meetings. Council agreed that it is the preference to remain available to individuals and our current meeting schedule. Lastly, Councilmember Barnett reminded Council the Dillon County Long Term Recovery Group will have a distribution on 12/22/2020.
With no further business, Councilmember David Kitchens made the motion to adjourn with Councilmember Mertis Barnett seconding. There was no discussion and all were in favor and the meeting was adjourned.
