MINUTES OF BAMBERG COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING - February 2, 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 6:30 p.m., February 2, 2009, in the Bamberg County Council Building. Present: Chairman Clair P. Guess, III, Councilmen Isaiah Odom, Clint Carter, Chris Wilson, William Nimmons, and Councilwoman Dorothy C. Tatum. Absent: Council woman Alzena Robinson. Others Present: Administrator Rose N. Dobson-Elliott, Thomas M. Thomas, Richard Ness, Sarah Noel, Roy Vinson, Calvin Wright, Dionne Gleaton, Jerry Holman, Lou Ann Carter, Henry Maynard, James Padgett, Kell Anderson, Martha Guess, Jim Tobul and Jennifer Dole.

Bamberg County Council meeting was called to order by Chairman Guess at 6:30 p.m., in the Bamberg County Council Building. The pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Councilwoman Dorothy Tatum, followed with invocation by Councilman Isaiah Odom.

On motion by Councilwoman Tatum, seconded by Councilman Odom, council approved the minutes from the January 5, 2009 meeting.

On motion by Councilwoman Tatum, seconded by Councilman Nimmons, the agenda was approved after adding the following: 1) F-5 - Southern Carolina Alliance Advisory Board Appointment, 2) G-3 - Report from Councilman Nimmons Regarding Bamberg County Council On Aging Transportation, 3) Appointment of a By-Laws Committee, 4) 1-4 - Consideration of NACo Conference Attendance, and the removal of 1-3 - Discussion of Rosebud Lane located in Denmark (Tabled).

Mr. Roy Vinson, chief executive officer of the Bamberg County Hospital and Nursing Center, said the hospital is revamping its 24-7 hospitality program following the resignation of one of its physicians. Previously, two physicians were working every other week, one physician has resigned. The hospital is seeking to find one other physician in order to have an every-four-week rotation. Mr. Vinson also reported the Schumacher Group, which oversees the emergency department, recently appointed a medical director. That person will work directly representing all of the emergency physicians. Mr. Carl Menist, chief financial officer of Bamberg County Hospital, said the hospital and nursing center showed a profit of $43,157 for December, with $19,000 coming from the hospital and $24,000 coming from the nursing center. Year-to-date, they are at a profit of $221,000, with $168,000 coming from the hospital and $53,000 coming from the nursing center. Councilman Carter asked Mr. Vinson for information regarding the salary of the Low Country person that is being compensated at the hospital. Mr. Vinson was not familiar with the request and Councilman Carter asked him to have that information included in the Council's March agenda packet.

Chief Executive Director Calvin Wright was present to inform the Council of what is offered by OCAB for the citizens of Bamberg County. They offer a Head Start Program (134 children and a staff of 21) and a neighborhood center and a staff of 1. OCAB served 118 families last year. They provide energy assistance toward heating for their homes. Many other positive activities are provided for the citizens. Mr. Wright told the Council during budget time, they normally request $10,000.00, but they are only granted $2,000.00 to do what they do. They had to close the Bamberg location because it was unsafe and not conducive toward providing adequate accommodations for the public. Council will look for office space for OCAB (also they agreed to seek office space for the Department of Juvenile Justice). Presently, the Center is operating in Denmark. Mr. Wright introduced his OCAB board member Henry Maynard and asked him for comments. Mr. Maynard spoke highly of the projects and programs offered by OCAB and the great benefits that are reaped by Bamberg County. He further spoke of the Ujima Housing Project that was sponsored by OCAB and the summer program offered for the children. Council thanked Mr. Wright and Mr. Maynard for what they do for Bamberg County.

Chairman Guess said the stimulus' bill from DOT came out, and there was not one thing in Bamberg County. Two years ago, this project was approved by Lower Savannah as the priority project. We've got no representation at DOT. We can't sit another 10 years and do nothing. Upon receiving information from Ms. Jennifer Dole-Tinsley, Lower Savannah COG's planning director, regarding the widening of U.S. 78; she said the county only has $2 million in hand for the $35 million project. The LSCOG technical advisory committee is also concerned about spending the existing funds on an environmental study that would likely have to be redone in two years. LSCOG has sent a letter to DOT asking that the U.S. 78 project be pushed up. Ms. Tinsley stated that she will see if the updated 2003 environmental study can be used for the project, and then she will try to get that on the fast track. Once that is complete, LSCOG is hoping to start purchasing right-of-way on segments of the (U.S. 78) route. Councilman Wilson said the DOT looks at projects that are fully funded first, and we're not a fully funded project. It was agreed on that the county administrator prepare a resolution for adoption by the Council and it be submitted by way of trying to get the U.S. 78 widening project moved up the priority list.

The County Council heard a report from Mr. Kell Anderson of the Southern Carolina Alliance. Mr. Anderson informed the Council that there is a vacancy on the advisory board and they need to make an appointment. This report was accepted as information.

Finance Director Thomas M. Thomas reported on overages in the year-to-date expenditure report. According to Detention Center Director Gary Brown, due to the rising inmate population (from 35 to more than 50), this has caused the Detention Center to have an overage in the budget. The question was asked whether or not nonviolent offenders be used to pick up trash. Administrator Dobson-Elliott said every officer is working overtime already and there's no one available to oversee inmates on work detail. Councilman Wilson said the county has been spinning its wheels long enough on hiring someone for that job. The council agreed to consider at its March 2 meeting a recommendation on hiring someone to supervise inmates on work details.

Administrator Dobson-Elliott reported that she had attended an Economic Development Meeting in Charleston and met with Jim Tobul and Mr. Paul Werts of the S.C. Aeronautics Commission. Mr. Jim Tobul informed the council of activities that need to take place at the airport. They are looking at resurfacing the runway and parking area. Bamberg County receives $150,000 yearly for the airport. The County now has $600,000 that they accumulated over the last few years, it is now use it or lose it.

The Council heard a report from Councilman Nimmons that the county Office on Aging and the county Disabilities and Special Needs Board are not being reimbursed by the state Department of Transportation for use of their vehicles to transport individuals as part of the county's "Handy Ride" public transportation system. Councilman Nimmons said that they are working on trying to get the funds released. Councilman Wilson said that changes in designated carriers were made by the state. County Administrator Rose Dobson-Elliott said those agencies should be receiving reimbursements, adding that she will check into the situation.

On motion by Councilwoman Tatum, seconded by Councilman Nimmons, the council approved 2009 standing committee appointments: Executive and Finance - Clair Guess, chairman; Chris Wilson and Alzena Robinson. Personnel - Clint Carter, chairman; William Nimmons and Alzena Robinson. Planning - Rev. Isaiah Odom, chairman; Clint Carter and Chris Wilson. Public Safety - Chris Wilson, chairman; Alzena Robinson and Clint Carter. Solid Waste - Dorothy Tatum, chairperson; William Nimmons and Rev. Isaiah Odom.

It was requested that when they meet, the planning committee take a look at the Organizational Rules and Procedures of Bamberg County Council.

On motion by Councilwoman Tatum, seconded by Councilman Wilson, council approved the reappointment of Chairman Guess as a representative on the Southern Carolina Alliance Board of Directors for the next three years.

Chairman Guess asked that the discussion and consideration of Rosebud Lane, located in Denmark, be tabled until further notice.

Councilman Odom informed council of the importance of having representation at the NACo Conference that's being held this year in Washington, D.C. No definite plans were made, but it was noted that Chairman Guess and possibly Rev. Odom will attend. It will be further addressed during the FY "09-" 10 Council Retreat.

On motion by Councilman Wilson, seconded by Councilwoman Tatum, council approved the calendar of events.

Chairman Guess called for Council, public and media comments. Comments were received from visitors Sarah Noel and James Padgett.

There being no further business to be discussed in public session, on motion by Councilwoman Tatum, seconded by Councilman Odom, Council adjourned at 8:40 p.m., to enter in executive session to discuss a Contractual Matter (Hospital PHNS); Legal Matter (Hospital); Personnel Matter (Administration Office).