COUNCIL MEETING

 MEGGETT TOWN HALL

JANUARY  22, 2007

7:30PM

Mayor Grange Coffin called the meeting of the Meggett Town Council to order. Present were Mayor Pro-tem Reeves Bair, Council members Tommy Butler, Josh Garvin, Keith McCarty and Attorney Dennis Rhoad. Attorney Rhoad led the group in prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Coffin.

Minutes from the January meeting were read. Council member Keith McCarty made a motion to accept the minutes as read, which was second by Council member Josh Garvin. All others were in favor. The minutes were approved as read.

Mayor Coffin stated he had received a letter requesting that the Town of Meggett adopt a proclamation proclaiming February as National Parenting Leadership Month.  Mayor Coffin read the proclamation. Council member Garvin made a motion to accept the proclamation as read, which was second by Council member McCarty. All others approved and proclamation was accepted. 

Meggett 1925

Tom Boozer announced that with the exception of replacing three of the glass globes that go around the bulbs on the street lights, Phase 1 of the Streetscaping project was complete with the appropriated funds from the 2005-2006 Grant that had been received.  The replacement globes were ordered and completion of the lights will be in about 2 weeks.  Tom also reported that Vanessa Williams with CBDCOG was working to help the Town get another grant to help build the restroom facilities.  Drawings and cost estimates have been put together and the cost came to about $42,000.  Tom stated that Vanessa will bump up the cost some because they generally don’t give you the amount you ask for. Tom also stated that the town has  $8000 in reserve for the Park Fund but we still need to come up with matching funds in order to use the funds that were awarded by the 2006-2007 Enhancement Grant. Once the matching funds are raised, Phase II of the Streetscaping project will begin. Mayor Coffin asked if there were any other questions for Tom.  Gail Seabrook mentioned that you could hear the water under the elevator shaft and it appeared that no water was coming out of the pipe for the outflow.  Tom indicated he would check the pump and make sure it was working properly. Mayor Coffin suggested that we call Schindler Elevator Co. and have them come out and check the elevator because the Garden Club had complained about it not working properly. Tom explained that we do have periodic problems with the elevator because there is a glitch with the electrical switch. If the switch is turned on and off it will eventually reboot. He further that he would rather wait until the annual inspection which is coming up soon to have them check that because it is costly for them to come out.

Application for Green Belt Project

Council member Tommy Butler inquired if Meggett is eligible to receive any of the half cent sales tax funding for parks and green space that is issued through the Green Belt Project. He also asked if anyone from the town would be attending the meeting on February 7^th. Tom Boozer  stated  that he had heard through the grape vine that Hollywood and Meggett would be eligible to receive a certain portion.  Administrator Ellie Prentiss stated that she would be attending the meeting on the 7^th.  Mayor Coffin also stated that he would be attending as well.

Annexations

Goldberg Property/TMS  061-00-00-063

At the first reading Council voted in favor of the annexation of this property.  However since that time rumor is that the reason for coming into Meggett is for development purposes.  In the Town of Meggett property can be zoned one dwelling per one acre whereas in Charleston County this property is zoned  AG which is one dwelling per ten acres.  Mayor Coffin expressed that he saw no benefit to the town for this annexation and could possibly run the risk of potential problems down the road.  Council member Keith McCarty also expressed that he was not in favor of anyone using annexation to increase or decrease the density of property.  Mayor Coffin asked if there was a motion to approve the second reading of ordinance of property listed as TMS 061-00-00-063 located on Little Britton Road for annexation into the Town of Meggett.  There was none, the motion failed to pass for the second reading.

Annexation of Property listed as TMS# 091-00-00-010 and 091-0-00-028

Council member Josh Garvin explained that most of the property was annexed into Meggett a few years ago but for some reason a few parcels were not included into the original annexation.  The annexation of the remaining property would be just like filling the hole of a donut Council member Garvin went on to explain.  It was asked if parcel listed as 028 was actually the road area and would the town be held responsible for the upkeep of the road area if annexed into the Town. The Mayor stated that the maintenance of  the road would not fall under the responsibility of the Town. Council member Butler made a motion to accept the annexation of the existing property. Mayor Pro-tem Reeves Bair second the motion.  With no further discussion, the motion was passed and annexation was approved. 

Old Business

            Buffer

Council member Tommy Butler asked what is being done about the replacement of the buffer that was removed when the property was cleared along 165.  Administrator Ellie Prentiss stated that a letter is being sent from Charleston County giving Patty Ravenel  two weeks to respond with a plan and after that time if no response has been received a fine will be placed against her.

Road Signs and 4-wheeler’s

Mayor Coffin mentioned that a lot of the road signs in the area have been taken.  Mayor Pro-tem Reeves Bair also said he would like to see some enforcement from the police department to problems with the 4-wheelers that keep messing up the side of the roads and also up by the flag pole.  He also asked what are the regulations for the 4 wheelers being on public roads.  Are the same rules that apply to golf-carts also apply to 4-wheeler’s.  Attorney Rhoad stated that golf-carts could only be used on public roads within a certain radius of  the person’s home and must be equipped with lights and the person must have insurance and a valid drivers license and can not be used at night.  Gail Seabrook said a crime watch meeting is scheduled for February 8 and she would try to get some information regarding laws pertaining to the use of 4-wheelers at that time.

            Horses

Gail Seabrook researched on the internet and through major universities for information on the proper area for maintaining a horse.  Through her research with Clemson University, University of Georgia, University of Colorado, Equestrian Communities and veterinarians the following information was determined.

How pastures are maintained and the type of grazing grasses that are grown, the amount of exercise the horse gets, and if subsidize feeding is used, have more impact than the size of pasture. However a good rule of thumb is that for a mature horse, one acre of pasture is sufficient with ½ acre per additional horse. The Aiken Equestrian Community Zoning offered some of the best information pertaining to the South Carolina Area for pasturing horses.  She also stated that according to the person she spoke with at Clemson University, the state is working on setting zoning regulations that should come into effect in the next couple of years. Attorney Rhoad advised Council that if the existing zoning ordinances for Meggett needed to be changed a public hearing would need to be set and the new zoning requirements presented.  He asked that a copy of the Aiken Equestrian Community Zoning Ordinances be given to each Council member for review.

New Business

Council member Tommy Butler inquired about the proposed docks on the Toogoodoo River.  He was concerned about the size of the docks as well as other concerned residents in the area.  It was expressed that a public hearing was scheduled by DHEC on Thursday, February 5^th in the SCPA Building at 6:00PM. Gail Seabrook said she had pulled up the requirements of docks from DHEC and the square footage of a dock is based on the width of the creek generally measuring from marsh grass area to marsh grass area.  It appeared that these docks were larger than what was allowed by DHEC and that may be call for concern. Mayor Coffin indicated that after he had spoken with one of the property owners, the permits had actually been requested by former owners and had  been submitted by the present owner as they had appeared. The owner stated they had no problem with cutting the size of the dock down.

Council member Butler inquired about the letter that challenged the proposed marina permits.  Attorney Rhoad advised Council that the Notification of action upon the receipt of Notice to Intervene could be approached by an individual or a town to either be for or against the action.  The hearing would be held in Columbia and technically no date has been set at this point for the hearing.

Miscellaneous Report

Ellie Prentiss stated that the 2007 Election for Mayor and two council seats will be on May 1^st here at Town Hall. Filing opened on Jan 31^st and closes on March 2^nd at noon. She also stated that we need volunteers for the Election Commission. Commissioner Mary McGrady had asked to step down. A resident asked what the requirements were for the Commissioners. Ms Prentiss stated that they reside over the elections, would have to sign various documents that she handled, verify the candidates as residents and registered voters, and one would have to be present at all times on election day.  However the up side is that it is only every two years.

Ms Prentiss also stated that we have an open seat on the BZA due to Debbie Commins stepping down. The Mayor stated that everyone on this board would have to complete the Orientation training which consists of 6 hours. Mayor Coffin asked council if they had any suggestions. They all stated they would think about it and get back to him.

Ellie told Council that the cost for another line to Town Hall’s phone system would be around $65. a month adding $780. to the current budget and an installation cost of $125. Council felt that there was a need for an additional phone line in Town Hall and requested that Ellie look into this. Mayor Coffin stated that we also  need a line to serve the SCPA Building. Gail Seabrook said there was no line that connected the Town Hall and the SCPA Bldg. Tom Boozer stated instead of pulling a line from the Town Hall to the SCPA Bldg we could have a number in the SCPA Bldg and just call forward the Town Hall phone. He further stated there is a phone jack in the floor and  that there are 25 pair of cable coming into the back of the SCPA Bldg and only 12 pair are being used. We would incur a $125. installation charge and the monthly charge of $65. Mayor Coffin asked how well cell phones work in the building. It was stated not very well, however the Town Hall phone will work in the Community room of the SCPA Bldg.  Mayor Coffin said it would be nice to have a phone in the building during the meetings for emergency reasons.  Tom Boozer stated that if we wanted an exact extension of 3622 in the building, Mark Coffin had said previously that he could do something with a wireless. Mayor Coffin will talk to Mark in reference to this.

Ellie Prentiss reported that we had received a letter from BCDCOG requesting the re-appointment of Mayor Baldwin for the board.  We need to get this approved and back by January 31. Mayor Pro-tem Reeves Bair stated that each of the towns is suppose to have a rotation for a representative to be on the board. Mayor Coffin said he had no problem with Mayor Baldwin being re-appointed.  He indicated that the larger towns dominate the board and he can not see much advantage to have representation from our Town.  A motion was made by Mayor Pro-tem Bair to have Mayor Baldwin re-appointed to the board.  The motion was second and passed with all of Council in favor.

Charleston Co. Sheriff department has asked for a donation for their golf tournament that benefits the School Resource Office Program and DARE Program. Ms Prentiss stated that information was in council’s folders.

Upcoming Meeting

Jan. 30 BZA & Planning Comm. Workshop

Feb. 1 St. Paul’s Fire Comm. Meeting

Feb. 5 Crime Watch Meeting

Feb 5 Deadline for Newsletter articles

Feb. 8 BZA & Planning Comm. Workshop

Feb 19 Town Hall closed for President’s Day

Feb. 26 Town Council Meeting 7:30pm

March 2 12pm Deadline for election filing.

Council member Tommy Butler brought to council’s attention that Bob Harrell was retiring.  Because of all he has done for the area we should do something to show the town’s appreciation.  Mayor Coffin said that the town would have a special recognition for Mr. Harrell.

Mayor Coffin said he had been asked by his wife if the town could hold a litter campaign workday to pick up trash along 165 from Toogoodoo Road to Metal Trades.  He suggested that maybe we could include an article in the news letter asking for volunteers for the clean-up.

Public Comment.

Ann Truesdale thanked Mayor Coffin for his help with getting letters for the public hearing against the size of the docks that were to be placed on the Toogoodoo River. The main concern was not the placement but the size of the docks. Because of the impact docks have on the marsh area, it should be held to a reasonable size. Width of the creek is about 150’ and according to DHEC standards, these docks surpass the square footage.

With no further comments, the motion was made to go into executive session.  This was second and passed.

Submitted by Town Clerk: Gail Seabrook