Richland
County Council
Tuesday,
April 25, 2000, 5:00 PM
Approval of Minutes - March 28: Regular Session Meeting - (Pages 2-5) Adoption of Agenda Items for Action
Items for Information / Discussion
Items Pending Analysis
Adjournment Staffed by Ash Miller
Present: Bernice Scott, Chair; Buddy Meetze; Susan Brill; Greg Pearce, Thelma Tillis Others Present: Steve Morris, Paul Livingston, James Tuten, Joseph McEachern, Tony Mizzell, Tonya Dunham, Michielle Cannon-Finch, T. Cary McSwain, Mullen Taylor, Marsheika Martin, Milton Pope, Tony McDonald, Chief Harrell, Rodolfo Caldwell, Ralph Pearson, Michael Byrd, Larry Smith, Sherry Wright, Andy Metts, Judy Carter Call to Order The meeting was called to order at approximately 5:10 p.m. Approval of Minutes - February 22: Regular Session Meeting Mr. Pearce moved, seconded by Mr. Meetze, to approve the minutes. The vote in favor was unanimous. Adoption of Agenda Mr. Meetze requested to add the impact of City of Columbia closing the C&D Landfill for discussion. Ms. Scott stated this item would be added as item-E under Information/Discussion. Mr. Ash Miller requested to add to the agenda a report on from Central Midlands of Government on transportation issues. Ms. Scott stated this would be placed as item-F under Information/Discussion. Mr. Pearce moved, seconded by Mr. Meetze, to adopt the agenda as amended. The vote in favor was unanimous. Items for Action Amendment to the Richland County Zoning Ordinance Mr. Randy
Jorgenson, Planning Department, stated the amendment to the ordinance
is to clear up the language of the existing ordinance by deleting certain
sections. Mr. McSwain stated staff would provide Council with information on the effects the changes would have. Acceptance of Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Mr. Pearce moved, seconded by Mr. Meetze, to approve acceptance of Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant of $2,248.00 distributed through the S.C. Emergency Preparedness Division. The vote in favor was unanimous. Richland
County Council Purchase of five "brush trucks" for fire service Mr. McSwain stated these are replacement trucks. Mr. Meetze moved, seconded by Mr. Pearce, to approve the purchase of five pick-up trucks from Benson Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge in the amount of $125,440.00. The vote in favor was unanimous. Purchase of 800 MHz Motorola radio equipment for Emergency Services, EMS, and fire service Mr. McSwain stated these are replacement radios. Chief Harrell and Michael Byrd will inform Council of the type of frequencies each department is using, whether they are 821s or 806s, and how many of each. Mr. Pearce moved, seconded by Ms. Tillis, to approve the purchase of Motorola radio equipment in the amount of $184,085.80. The vote in favor was unanimous. Purchase of recorders for Emergency Services' communications centers Mr. McSwain stated this is replacement equipment, purchased through the County to be placed on the system operated by the City. Ms. Brill moved, seconded by Mr. Pearce, to approve the purchase of recorders which would be placed in the 911 communication centers. The vote in favor was unanimous. Conveyance of water lines on Maingate Drive to the City of Columbia Mr. McSwain stated this is a relocation of a water line that the County would deed over to the City once the contract is complete. Ms. Brill moved, seconded by Mr. Pearce, to consider a deed conveying water lines on Maingate Drive to the City of Columbia. The vote in favor was unanimous. Award of County Resurfacing Contract to Rea Construction Company Mr. McSwain stated this is an annual County resurfacing project. He stated the project includes approximately 61 street segments totaling 12.2 miles. Ms. Tillis moved, seconded by Ms. Brill to approve this item. The vote in favor was unanimous. Ms. Scott questioned easement acquisitions for Thompson Road. Mr. Tony McDonald, Assistant County Administrator, stated easement acquisitions were complete. Richland
County Council Items for Information/Discussion Report on Genesis Cable Company Mr. Milton Pope, Assistant County Administrator, stated that he met with representatives from Genesis Cable Company in reference to problems in the Northeast area of Richland County. He stated a homeowner's meeting is scheduled for April 17 at Summit Parkway Library at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Ray Lark, a legal representative, will be reviewing the franchise agreement. A certified letter will be sent to Mr. Bob Campbell. Ms. Scott instructed staff to make sure Council receives notification. Improved standards for previously occupied manufactured homes relocating into Richland County Mr. Pope stated this is follow-up information from the Council retreat. He stated that the Manufactured Housing Institute was contacted and they are neutral on the issue of prohibiting pre-1976 manufactured homes because those units do not have the HUD code standards. Mr. Meetze stated this item needed to go before the Planning Commission. Review of sewer needs in the Riverside Forest and Broad River Heights neighborhoods Mr. Livingston urged Council to take the sewer problem seriously. He stated that he and Mr. Tuten have been looking at these two neighborhoods in reference to sewer problems and nothing has been done as of yet. He requested administration to come up with recommendations for septic problems, drainage problems, raw sewage, etc. Mr. McSwain updated Council on where the County stands with this item. He stated that cost for the River Heights sewer problem would be approximately 1.4 million dollars. Mr. Rickman, resident of Riverside Forest, spoke regarding this issue. He stated residents would have to pay up to $5,000.00 to repair sewer problems. He reported that the residents have been polled and the majority is in favor of carrying the financial burden. Mr. Tuten requested Mr. McSwain to bring back a report on what the City will do. Mr. McSwain stated he would set a date for a work session sometime in the near future. Funding strategy for improvements to the Township This item was forwarded to the next Development and Services meeting in April. Richland
County Council Impact of C&D Landfill Mr. Meetze requested staff to find out if the City of Columbia intends on using the County's landfill this summer, if they are using it now, if they are paying for it and what type of agreement the County have with them. Mr. Larry Smith, County Attorney stated an agreement was signed in 1973 to provide space for the City of Columbia with an addendum to provide for a termination clause where either party can terminate the agreement with a six months notice. His office is reviewing the agreement and the addendum and providing legal options to the County. Mr. Meetze requested legal guidance and for staff to look into the possibility of charging the City for the past 30 years. Mr. Pearce recommended staff to explore options before going to the City. Report of COGs Transportation Mr. McSwain stated that he contacted COG and needs to know when Council would like to have an overview. The Committee recommended for COG to make a presentation sometime in April. Items Pending Analysis There are currently no items pending analysis Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Bernice
G. Scott The minutes were transcribed by Marsheika G. Martin Richland County Council Request of Action Subject: Atlas Road Sewer Project A. Purpose B. Background
/ Discussion The City is participating in this project by waiving tap fees for eligible households and the amount needed for the local cash match is $48,900. C. Financial
Impact D. Alternatives
Recommended by: Sherry Wright Department: Administration Date: 4/7/00 F. Approvals Legal Finance Procurement Grants Administration Richland
County Council Request of Action Subject: Tipping Fee at the County Landfill A. Purpose B. Background/Discussion Lexington
County $22.00 per ton C. Financial
Impact
(Pending Analysis) Subject: Broad River Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade A. Purpose B. Background
In addition to the above, the Broad River has a finite capacity for accepting discharge waters from wastewater treatment facilities. Therefore, each request for upgrades by existing facilities that discharge into the river adversely affects the discharge limits of all the other treatment facilities along the river. Currently, the Town of Chapin, the East Richland County Public Service District and our proposed upgrade have been evaluated by DHEC and new discharge limits have been issued for all existing discharges along Broad River. The process currently used by the BRR WWTP cannot consistently meet these new limits and therefore will require an upgrade. Discussion C. Financial
Impact Construction funds are available through the State Revolving Fund (SRF). The current interest rate is 3.5% through June 30, 2000. If the project is financed for a twenty (20) year period, there will be an additional debt service payment of approximately $689,540 annually. Provided development remains consistent as it has for the past five years, the total upgrade cost can be covered by existing revenues from the system and future customers who connect to the system with NO INCREASE in tap fees or user fees. The Broad River Regional sewer system is established as an Enterprise Fund and is self-supporting. NO TAX DOLLARS are used to support this system. |