MINUTES OF BAMBERG COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING - January 5, 2009

In compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, agendas for the following meeting were mailed to all members of Council, County Attorney Richard Ness, Lower Savannah COG, The Advertizer-Herald, The Times and Democrat, and a copy posted on the bulletin board in the main hallway of the County Courthouse.

Bamberg County Council met 6:00 p.m., January 5, 2009, in the Bamberg County Council Building. Present: Chairman Chris Wilson, Councilmen Isaiah Odom, Clint Carter, Clair P. Guess, III, William Nimmons, and Council women Dorothy C. Tatum and Alzena Robinson. Others Present: Administrator Rose N. Dobson-Elliott, Thomas M. Thomas, Richard Ness, Sarah Noel, June Gee, Martha Guess, Ms. Pam, Rufus Jamison, Brenna Hancock, Edward Golden, Carl Menist, Lou Ann Carter, Jerry Holman, Dionne Gleaton, Kell Anderson, Roy Vinson.

Bamberg County Council meeting was called to order by Chairman Wilson at 6:00 p.m., in the Bamberg County Council Building. The pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Councilwoman Alzena Robinson, followed with invocation by Councilman Clint Carter.

On motion by Councilwoman Tatum, seconded by Councilman Nimmons, council approved the minutes from the December 1, December 8, and December 29, 2008 meetings with the stipulation of corrections should there be any. Councilman Wilson requested that the date be changed on the December 1, 2008 minutes, in paragraph 2 (change May 5, 2008 to December 1, 2008.

On motion by Councilwoman Tatum, seconded by Councilman Odom, the agenda was approved after adding a calendar of events item.

Swearing in of the re-elected County Councilmen was done by Ms. Sarah Noel, a Bamberg County resident and Notary Public. The sworn in councilmen that will be serving another four year term are: Councilman Clint Carter, Councilman Clair P. Guess, III, Councilman Isaiah Odom and Councilman Chris Wilson.

On motion by Councilwoman Tatum, seconded by Councilman Odom, council approved a resolution to elect a chairman for the year beginning January 1, 2009 and ending December 31, 2009. At this time, Councilman Clair P. Guess, III, was elected as the new chairman for 2009.

By secret ballot, the council voted to elect Councilwoman Alzena Robinson as vice-chairman for 2009.

Outgoing Chairman Chris Wilson passed the gavel to the incoming chairman for 2009, Chairman Clair P. Guess, III. Councilman Wilson made comments regarding his tenure while serving as chairman. Council praised Councilman Wilson for his guidance and the way he conducted meetings and the county's business. Councilman Odom requested that the council get back on track with their elections and follow proper procedures for carrying out the process.

A service award plaque was presented to Councilman Wilson for his dedication and willingness to untiringly serve the council and citizens of Bamberg County as chairman.

Mr. Carl Menist, Chief Finance Officer for Bamberg County Hospital and Nursing Center, introduced the new Chief Executive Officer for BCHNC, Mr. Roy Vinson. Mr. Vinson stated, "I look forward to serving the Bamberg Community and working with each of you individually and collectively."

Mr. Menist reported that the hospital and nursing center had a combined profit of $178,000 at the end of November with $130,000 coming from the hospital and $48,000 from the nursing center. The revenue was up $245,000 over November. The facility collected $2.1 million for the month, which was $533,000 over the previous month. A paper report was not presented to the council, but Councilwoman Tatum requested that they be provided with a copy of the report given by CFO Menist. This report was accepted as information.

Mr. Ted Robertson, chairman of the Bamberg County Litter Control Board, gave an update on the latest projects and happenings with the board. A power point presentation was shown, and it displayed some of the projects that had been performed by the board and some of the community volunteers. They recently completed the collection and judging of the posters for the annual Poster Contest. Students from all the Bamberg County schools (public and private), were invited to participate in the contest. Councilman Wilson asked if there was anyway that Bamberg County could get more highway miles adopted in the county. It was stated that this matter is handled through the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and the county can research the proper procedure to follow-up the adoption process. Council expressed their appreciation to Mr. Robertson for his dedication and commitment to helping keep Bamberg County clean through his service, and the service of the Bamberg County Litter Control Board. Council will address and look at the budget at their 2009 Retreat, for the possible hiring of a Litter Control Officer. He/She will report to the County Administrator. Council accepted this presentation as information.

Bamberg County Fire Coordinator Brenna Hancock reported that 8 percent of firefighters did not pass their physicals, which means they can't wear respirators on a fire ground until cleared by a physician or cardiologist. She further reported that Hunters Chapel and Little Swamps' ISO ratings were (9). Fire trucks were purchased for Little Swamp and Hunters Chapel. Clear Pond received a truck from FEMA through a grant, and Denmark Fire Department recently learned that they will receive a FEMA grant for a new tanker. Also, the upgrading of the dry hydrants in the county will be completed shortly. Chairman Guess requested that fire coordinator Hancock attend the 2009 Retreat in February.

Bamberg County finance director Thomas reported that the county has spent $3.8 million of the budgeted $7.48 million after the first six months of the fiscal year. He further stated that because of a 6.5 percent budget cut, one line item originally budgeted for $1 million was cut a total of $65,000. Administrator Dobson-Elliott said we had some items that came in under budget and that will help cover that item. Council asked that an itemized breakdown of all county expenses be kept for the hospital project. Chairman Guess asked CFO Carl Menist to get finance director Thomas a copy of all that Bamberg County is reimbursing for hospital repairs, etc. We need to be certain that there are invoices to support the reimbursements.

Administrator Dobson-Elliott reported that the county entered a Mutual Use Agreement (June 2006) to use a L.A.D.S. site with Colleton County, which is within a mile of the Little Swamp Community, at no cost to the county. She pointed out that the county also has an agreement with Allendale County for use of a site near Rivers Bridge. Further stated was the county's website has been updated and it has been up and running the last six months. The site has received 1,620 visits since its existence. Currently, the front page of the website is being changed to project a different view. Also, the wastewater information is posted on the site. At this time, we do not have pictures of all of the council members in the council building, a person has been contacted to come take pictures prior to our next council meeting (February 5, 2009). More information will be provided as a reminder.

Council accepted a proposed resolution establishing written public notice of the Bamberg County Council meeting schedule after changing the September meeting date from the September 8, to September 14, 2009.

No action was taken on a request from Lower Savannah Workforce Development Board for a Bamberg County private sector representative to replace Mr. Lyle Retherford. Administrator Dobson-Elliott will get with Kell Anderson at SCRDA regarding this matter.

On motion by Councilman Wilson, seconded by Councilwoman Tatum, council agreed to have the 2009 County Council Retreat on Saturday, February 21, 2009 beginning at 9:00 a.m. The location will be announced at a later date.

On motion by Councilwoman Robinson, seconded by Councilman Carter, council approved the moving of the time from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the council meetings. This will take effect in February.

Chairman Guess called for council, the public and new media comments. Comments were received from Rufus Jamison of Denmark about what he perceived were "problems at the jail." Rev. Jamison stated that his brother an inmate, whom he described as "unruly" was beaten up by another inmate. He said only three people were allowed in the waiting room at the jail at one time. He further stated that his brother who has gout did not receive his medication on time. His nephew also an inmate was not allowed to see his family member when she tried to visit him. Rev. Jamison complained that the Bamberg County Hospital did not have a canopy near the emergency room to keep patients from getting wet when it rains. Councilman Wilson asked county administrator Rose Dobson-Elliott to get with county detention center director Gary Brown and look into the issues raised by Rev. Jamison and report back to council. Chairman Guess told Rev. Jamison that his concerns were high on the agenda, and it will be checked into to see what is going on. On motion by Councilman Wilson, seconded by Councilwoman Robinson, council agreed to refer this matter to the Public Safety Committee.

Ms. Sarah Noel asked if there would be a time when the public would be able to have a tour of the new renovations at the hospital and nursing center. Chairman Guess stated that the question would be how to have a tour and not disturb the patients?

Mr. Richard Ness, Bamberg County resident and property owner, stated that he owns property on Highway 601(S) (Slow Pitch Road), and people are dumping white goods and trash on the property. He said it seems as when the L.A.D.S. sites are not open, the public will do the next thing such as dumping on others property. Administrator Dobson-Elliott will look into this matter. Also, Administrator Dobson-Elliott will poll the council to set up a meeting for council to tour the hospital's recent renovations.

Mr. Kell Anderson from SCRDA reported that the Alliance is closing out 2008 and now opening 2009. He graciously offered the SCA facility for hosting the Bamberg County 2009 Retreat. There has been about sixty jobs (60) jobs created through GTI, Denmark Steel, and the Lumber Company. Council accepted this update as information.

There being no further matters for discussion, Chairman Guess called for a motion to enter in executive session to discuss a legal matter (Bamberg County Hospital). On motion by Councilman Wilson, seconded by Councilwoman Tatum, council adjourned at 8:10 p.m. from the public session, and entered in executive session to discuss a legal matter regarding the Bamberg County Hospital, and a personnel matter with the administration office.

Council returned from executive session and reported that there were no actions taken. On motion by Councilwoman Tatum, seconded by Councilman Nimmons, council adjourned.