Here are notes taken during the February 2010 Liberty City Council meeting:
As my wife and I drove up, we noticed council members looking at the new fire truck recently delivered to the City Of Liberty Fire Department.
January 2010 Council meeting and February 2010 Work Session minutes were approved.
I discussed an issue briefly:
• I mentioned that I'm dedicating this week to recycling on my website. I mentioned that I felt that this issue wasn't being addressed by the city as seriously as it should be and that it's a matter that's close to me because I feel like I do way more than my part. I mentioned that Liberty's February percentage was at 14% of waste recycled - well below the County's target of 25%. I also mentioned that other municipalities have considered legal action against the county. I asked if I could be of any assistance and Mayor Deese said he had appointed himself as Liberty's representative on the issue. <-- ATLIBERTYTOSAY COMMENT: This also means he will bear the burden of the backlash if the city is fined. (More comments from Deese below)
City Auditor Drake Curry gave the 2009 Auditor Report ... he handed out prepared booklets.
• He mentioned that in these times of economic uncertainty that local governments are looking for industrious and creative ways to generate revenue - he turned and looked at me ... making a nod to the County's decision to fine municipalities for not meeting arbitrary recycling targets.
• I apologize in advance for not being able to keep up with the auditor's update about the City Of Liberty's financials and I wasn't privy to the handout. Next time - I will record and post the audio from such a speaker.
• The City had total revenue of $2,262,000 ( and some change)
• The City Auditor recommended that the city consider paying down debt that sits at 5% or 6% rather than earning %1 in interest.
• He mentioned that Liberty City Police Department fine revenue was up.
• Our city auditor is a very pleasant person and he should be congratulated for all his work. He said he has seen big improvements in Liberty's financials over the ten years he's been doing the books.
ATLIBERTYTOSAY COMMENT: I don't know what it is, but something seems slightly funny about the city's record keeping and I don't mean any problem from the auditor, it just seems the City doesn't know where money is going - it all seems like a slush fund and no check register, particularly in regards to the water department and to the hospitality tax funds.
Ordinance 10-0101 regarding "Unsafe Buildings" was discussed. This is an ordinance regarding the condemnation and demolition of unsafe buildings and then placing a lien on the property for the demolition costs and legal fees associated.
It was mentioned that the city is looking to establish guidelines on condemnation.
City Clerk Sue Woods mentioned that Easley and Clemson had been contacted and have no guidelines in place.
Mayor Deese mentioned that this doesn't mean Liberty won't establish guidelines.
Councilman Sheriff mentioned that the ordinance as stands complies with state codes.
The enforcement lies with Zoning & Code Enforcer (Barry Chappell)
Deese mentioned that so far they haven't heard anything negative on the new ordinance from city attorneys.
Councilman McJunkin asked the Fire Chief to go and inspect the buildings for fire hazards (Answered in Fire Department report below)
Councilman Peterson expressed concern over a firmly established procedure and that everything follows a concise order.
Councilman Clark said, "There's doing it right, and showing you do it right."
The motion to approve the 2nd reading of the ordinance was tabled for a March Work Session so the guidelines, procedure, forms, legal matters, and discussion about enforcement can be made more concrete.
Mayor Deese spoke about recycling.• Deese read a lengthy letter from Chappell Hurst, County Administator, congratulating Liberty for their cooperation on matters of recycling.
• He mentioned that he has been in talks with Chappell Hurst the Pickens County Administrator
• He said that he's trying to keep a good relationship between the county and the city over the issue of recycling.
• He said Liberty was taking a very proactive approach to the issue and "taking a path of cooperation instead of legal action".
• Deese mentioned that they are working on a $50,000 grant and are working to get a large 3 bin covered recycling drop off area placed at the Public Works area.
• A comment was made that the city recycles metal and that the funds received are put into a safety fund for employees.
• Another comment made: "We recycle wood for various structures in the city."
• Deese mentioned that he is trying to get these "recycling efforts" included in the city's totals and that if that happens the city's totals should be boosted. He said that the county is still deciding on what they are going to count and what they aren't.
Police Department report:
Police Chief Miller delivered the Liberty Police Department report ...
For the month of January 2010:
105 Warnings
125 Citations
17 Juveniles detained
11 Arrests
(Two of the arrests were for possession of marijuana.)
• Mentioned that a student threatened another student with a knife at Liberty Middle School.
• Mentioned that a new dispatch officer was hired.
$8,205 in fine revenue
Chief Miller relayed a funny story: A person suspect of drug use was reported. The detective went to investigate. He didn't find anyone at the suspect's home, but knew of a friend's house where the suspect might be. He knocked on the home door that was unlocked and a voice from inside welcomed him in (not knowing it was the police). The detective walked in to see several individuals dividing up crystal meth on the coffee table in the living room.
There were 194 calls for service
3 traffic accidents
Mayor Deese mentioned to Chief Miller that Liberty Middle School is at risk of not having the budget for a resource officer and that the Police Department should be prepared for the revenue shortfall that this might cause.
Cheif Miller mentioned that patrolling of the areas where the new schools are being built would be stepped up once construction equipment was on site and shells started to rise.
Fire Department Report:
• Fire Chief remarked to Councilman McJunkin's comment on inspecting residences for fire hazards saying that the Fire Department only inspects businesses.
ATLIBERTYTOSAY COMMENT: Although I know it wasn't meant this way - the Fire Chief seemed very snide when replying to McJunkin. It would be nice if the Fire department would cooperate with the city for this issue.
There were 37 Calls in January 2009 / 21 in January 2010
ATLIBERTYTOSAY COMMENT: Since I've been covering the council meetings there have been less and less calls - was that new fire truck REALLY needed in these lean times?
The new Fire Truck is 1 foot too long and will not fit in the bay.
ATLIBERTYTOSAY COMMENT: Ummm ... if the planning on this was right how could this possibly be? This issue was mumbled very quickly and seemed to be glossed over very quickly.
Water & Sewer Department Report by Olin Hamlin:
64 Calls for service
22 replaced lines
• Severe storm water problems mostly due to aging infrastructure.
• May need a storm water maintenance fee (no more fees please)
• Currently storm water is running through wastewater system.
• Mentioned the city may be facing severe fines because of the EPA & DHEC mandates.
ATLIBERTYTOSAY COMMENT: Another reason these agencies need to be reigned in.
• Mentioned need for storm water fee (yeah, another fee)
ATLIBERTYTOSAY COMMENT: Liberty water rates are downright abusive as they are now. Councilmen should oppose all rate increases and either find grants or refuse unfunded mandates.
• Councilman Peterson asked if Hamlin had any ideas about the planning or funding needed.
Deese read Rec Department report:
• Morris Field fence line will be worked on
• New part time position needs to be created to help Tony Boiter (Rec Dept Head)
• Expanding Rec Deptmant was bragged on ... then funding was mentioned. It was asked where they would get the funding to expand Rec Dept.
ATLIBERTYTOSAY COMMENT: If you don't have the money, you cut ... the registration fees for our Rec Department are pretty oppressive and kept me from signing up my son this year.
Final comments:
• A March 6, 2010 Council Retreat mentioned.
• Deese said, "Go Saints!" (Deese lived in New Orleans) "Finally after 42 years!" (Comments regarding Superbowl.)
• Deese also mentioned his grandson finishing in the top 2% of Marine Academy and he was very proud of him.
* I would like to thank my wife for helping me to take notes.
* If you notice there is a slightly different format to these notes than in the past. I think it's important that Liberty realize what some of these council meeting decisions mean.
2 COMMENTS / Make your own:
When recording notes from public meetings, you may consider looking at the Zoom H2. You can pick one up for about $145 from Amazon. It's a 4 capsule W-XY digital recorder and would come in handy for recording meetings. Multiple bitrates, channel options, etc. Even supports external mics (doubt you'd find it necessary). Would make it easier to go back and document the minutes from meetings. :)
Philip Smith February 9 at 7:09am
Actually I had started at the end of the meeting using the built in voice notation app on my iPhone and it worked perefctly. The iPhone can accept mics as well - which I have professional studio Mics - but thanks for the suggestion.
I'm able to keep up by typing on my iPhone and my wife writing down on a notepad - Drake spent 22 minutes spouting off so many figures so fast that it probably would have been impossible to get the details even on a third or fourth pass listen to the recording.
Post a Comment