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  County Council splits votes on major issues web posted October 7, 2009 EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield County Council met Tuesday night with a full house in attendance and a full six page agenda. Ordinances up for passage on major issues saw debate and split votes and one defeated for a lack of a majority. Although the new second set of numbers for the estimations for the Calliham building and a newly constructed building were handed out to the press, the matter was never brought up for discussion. The first two ordinances met with opposition were the rezoning of the Hagler property in Merriwether, County Councilwoman Genia Blackwell’s district. She stated at the last meeting her constituents have voiced their opposition to the zoning changes and voted against the change. During the discussion of the first ordinance Councilwoman Blackwell said she was confused since the county council was voting to approve the Comprehensive plan later in the meeting and it clearly stated that Industrial property and the light commercial were not compatible in residential areas. Vice chairman Willie Bright stated that the property being changed to industrial has a business located there already. “Yes,” Councilwoman Blackwell said, “and it’s classified as general development, not industrial.” As such, it would allow the business to continue to operate and expand with no zoning change. In earlier meetings it was made clear by Mr. Hagler that he has no plans for the second piece of adjoining property that he wants changed to light commercial. During the discussion Councilman Ashcraft stated he agreed with Blackwell and so fell the vote giving both zoning changes passage by 3-2 votes. A third reading will be held in November. An ordinance to amend the recreation ordinance was to “Clarify the Maintenance of Concession Revenues” seemed to do everything but clarify the matter. After a motion and a second Councilman Ashcraft called for a discussion and asked if there was a vote in 2006 by the county council to change the ordinance to allow the revenues to be returned to the county recreation leagues. Ashcraft said he felt there needed to be someone in place to account for the revenues being taken in at the concession stand and if it went back to the recreation leagues their budgets needed to be adjusted to reflect the funds. “Who is responsible for funds and accountability to the money,” Councilman Dorn asked. “I think that’s what they’re trying to find out,” Chairman Kneece answered, “and nobody is responsible for the money.” Councilwoman Blackwell questioned why the ordinance was backdated to 2006. A pertinent question since there is an active investigation into the very revenues the ordinance seeks to be backdated to offer a possible cover for its unaccountability over the last three years. “Can this go back to the Recreation Committee for clarity,” Councilwoman Blackwell asked. Chairman Kneece stated it could. However, Chairman Kneece stated there was a motion on the floor and called for a vote which passed again on a split vote of 3-2 with Blackwell and Ashcraft voting no. Chairman Kneece stated he would get clarification before the second reading. Another contested issue arose from a proposed resolution to adopt a policy written by County Attorney Michael Medlock on how and who would handle freedom of information requests. Mr. Medlock explained that he looked at other counties that had a policy and crafted his proposal based on theirs. He suggested Clerk to Council Barbara Stark as the FOIA Officer to handle all requests for information. Councilwoman Blackwell questioned Mr. Medlock on a particular part of the policy that stated a fee could be charged even if the documentation is not provided. Medlock said that part could be redacted from the policy before being passed and that the fee was optional, “That’s why it says may, it doesn’t say we will.” Mrs. Blackwell stated, “I don’t see what’s wrong with state law personally,” to handle requests. She also presented an opinion from the Association of Counties which stated the disputed item was said, “Flies in the face of the Freedom of Information Act.” Blackwell stated at very least she recommended the item be removed from the proposed policy. Chairman Kneece made the motion to pass the policy with the redacted portion and called for a vote which was met with silence. “Anybody gonna vote?” Kneece asked. Kneece voted and got no response. “You’re not going to vote for your own amendment?” Kneece asked Blackwell. “I don’t like the whole thing,” she replied, “I think state law is just fine.” “I vote to approve as amended,” Kneece stated again, “anybody else approve?” Councilman Dorn stated, “Not me”. Councilman Bright quietly voiced a vote in favor. Chairman Kneece stated there were two in favor and since there were not any “no” votes “so I guess it passes”. Chairman Kneece never called for dissenting votes and after the statement Blackwell stated she opposed and voted no with Councilman Ashcraft offering a no vote. Chairman Kneece stated the matter died for a lack of majority with a 2-2 vote in spite of Councilman Dorn’s statement against the measure. Five other matters passed on unanimous votes including an ordinance to provide for funds of the recreation department to be shifted to allow up to $10,000 for a part time worker, adopting county building permit fees (which were not change but were inadvertently left out of the ordinance that would cover the fees), a resolution adopting the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan prepared by Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority, approval of the Comprehensive Plan for Edgefield County, and the appointment of C. Raymond Johnson and Henry Williams to the Water Authority Board. The Water Board members will have to be approved by the local delegation and then move for approval by the Governor. The council also approved a $500 donation to the Veterans Celebration and to have designated parking for county and court officials in the back parking lot of the Court House. A request for a donation by the Edgefield Lions Club was taken in as information and will be addressed at the next meeting. After convening in an executive session the county council returned to public and Councilman Ashcraft made the motion to allow $1,540 to be allotted to the County Archivist for use to pay for part time help in her absence. The measure passed unanimously. No other action was taken and the meeting was adjourned. © Copyright 2009
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