The minutes of the regular meeting of the Town Council for the Town of James Island held Tuesday, September 16, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 1246 Camp Road.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Mary Clark; Councilmen attending the meeting were Joe Qualey, Bill Wilder, Parris Williams and Bill Woolsey.  Also present for the meeting were attorney Mike Socha and secretary Marie Copeland.  Councilman Parris Williams gave the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  The Mayor announced that the meeting was being held according to Robert’s Rule of Order and in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. 

The minutes of the September 2, 2003 meeting were presented for approval.  Councilman Woolsey moved that the minutes be accepted as presented with no changes, additions or corrections.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Williams, and the motion was unanimously passed.

The Mayor chose to make her comments at a later time.

CITIZENS’ COMMENTS:

Mary Frances Richardson, who lives on Rainbow Road, asked Council’s assistance with a rottweiler that has been terrorizing her neighborhood.

James Alston noted that there were 5 other residents of the same neighborhood present to support Ms. Richardson.

Committee Reports:

Arts:  no report

Environment:  Sandy Just reported that all of the litter complaints that she has received have been taken care of.  She did ask, after making a complaint, that residents be patient because it takes either the County or the PSD a little time to get to all of the areas.

Grants:  written report attached.  Bob Kline will try to meet with Chris Inglese about grant writing for the James Island Little League.  Mike Socha noted that the Drug Free Workplace Ordinance was expected to pass this evening which would then be sent to Charleston County Grants Administrator as part of the application to HUD that would enable the Town to participate in the Community Block Grants.

Planning Commission:  no report.  A reminder that there is to be a public hearing on the Land Use Ordinance on Tuesday, October 7 at 5 p.m.

Planning & Zoning:  Councilman Qualey reported that he had called the City of Charleston Planning Department regarding the empty buildings on the island; he learned that Bi-Lo will be expanding their store on Folly to encompass the empty space there; an anchor tenant is looking at the K-Mart site, possibly Home Depot, at Folly and Fort Johnson and the old Harris-Teeter in the Crossroads Shopping Center is now available for lease as their lease has expired.  Councilman Qualey again stated that there is a high probability that Planning and Zoning will become a department of the Town.

Public Safety:  written report attached.  In addition, Councilman Woolsey informed the Council that, according to a letter from James Armstrong of Charleston County Public Works, the County has 1 contract for the debris removal after a hurricane and the Town will sign on to participate.   He noted that he has also learned that DHEC makes arrangements for special needs persons in the face of a natural disaster.

Recreation: no report.  Next meeting scheduled Monday, October 6, 5:30 p.m.

Roads & Drainage:  Councilman Williams related that the Council had decided to postpone the request to the County for road paving until certain facts have been clarified.  He noted that the progress on the widening of Grimball Road is continuing although slowly.  Marie Copeland stated that she had spoken with Bryan Webb of the SCDOT who was seeking a verbal OK from the Mayor so that, when the CCTC funds are released, the work on the lights at Camp & Folly, Wal-Mart and Folly & Fort Johnson can begin immediately.  At the Planning Commission hearing the previous week, the Commission was told that there were to be drainage pipes run under Folly Road, at least, in the vicinity of Calvary Baptist Church.

Ways & Means:  Mike Socha reported that approval had been given to transfer $1000 from the Reserve Fund to the Grants Committee for operating expenses.  Agreement was reached to postpone any action on contracting with the County to pave 4 roads.  Councilman Woolsey gave a critique of the Charleston County Finance Committee meeting of Thursday, September 4.  A written summary is attached.

Old Business:

Councilman Woolsey moved

THAT the Town Council amends the 2003-2004 budget by transferring $1,000.00 dollars from the Reserve fund to the Grants Committee as its operating expenses.

The motion was seconded by Councilman Wilder.  Councilman Williams questioned the type of map that the Grants Committee would need; Bob Kline explained that the maps will come from the county GIS department or from COG and would be demographic maps.  He further explained that, in applying for grants, very specific statistics must be provided and these maps will assist in that process.  The vote was unanimous to amend the Town’s budget for an operating budget for the Grants Committee.

The proposed joint venture with the College of Charleston was postponed.

Mike Soucha presented Ordinance 2003-16 – DRUG FREE WORKPLACE ORDINANCE for second reading.  The Public Safety Committee studied this ordinance and recommended it for approval.  Councilman Woolsey moved for adoption of this ordinance; the motion was seconded by Councilman Qualey.  There was no discussion and the vote was unanimous to adopt Ordinance 2003-16.

Ordinance 2003-17 - AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE CHARLESTON COUNTY ORDINANCES REGULATING ANIMAL CONTROL was also presented for second reading.  Having been studied in the Public Safety Committee, it has been returned to Council with the recommendation for approval; it was also pointed out that this same ordinance is in effect as an emergency ordinance.  Councilman Woolsey moved that the Council adopt Ordinance 2003-17; Councilman Wilder seconded.  Councilman Woolsey spoke to the citizens present with the dog problem in their neighborhood that the passage of this ordinance will not automatically get it enforced despite the fact that there are definitely serious violations taking place.  He noted that Animal Control is a division of the Sheriff’s office and that the Town’s government could make a call to the Sheriff’s office on their behalf.  He also voiced his concern that the type of abuses they described are being allowed on the island.  The vote that followed was unanimous to adopt Ordinance 2003-17.

The subject of funds for paving projects was discussed in the Ways and Means Committee meeting and postponed until Mike Socha could get clarification from Charleston County Public Works.

Mike Socha was then asked to give an update on the appeal that has been filed in the decision made by County, on the Town’s behalf, for 3 minor subdivisions in Camp Road Estates.  He stated that the appeal had been filed and that a hearing before the James Island Planning Commission was planned for Wednesday, October 8 at 5 p.m.  Since Mike Socha definitely has a conflict of interests, so Councilman Qualey will represent the Planning Commission.

The Town was served with a suit on Friday, September 12, 2003 over a decision by the Planning Commission in the hearing of August 13, 2003; the applicant felt that an unfair decision was handed down in his subdivision request.

Councilman Woolsey moved that the agenda be amended to add a resolution on debris removal.  This motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Councilman Woolsey asked the Council for its approval for Resolution 2003-17 whereby the Town will join the contract for debris removal that the County has negotiated, the Town will have a representative on the Emergency Debris Removal Committee and the Town will agree to pay its share of costs for the debris removal.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Qualey.  A copy of the letter from James Armstrong, Charleston County Public Works, is attached to these minutes.  If this contract should be enacted, FEMA will pay ¾ of the total cost, the state will pay ½ of remaining quarter (1/8), leaving the County and the municipalities in the County to divide the remaining 1/8.  The vote was unanimous to participate in the County debris removal contract. 

Councilman Woolsey then offered Resolution 2003-16 setting the date of the next municipal election for June 22, 2004 and assigning the Town attorney and the clerk-treasurer the duty of responsibility of determining the legal requirements and estimated costs of such an election for a report by November 4, 2003.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Qualey.  The election a year ago was on Tuesday, June 18, and either Tuesday, June 15 or June 22 is the closest to that date in 2004.   Barbara Gray of the Election Committee has asked Mike Socha to look into moving the election to November; he reported that the City of Mt. Pleasant had tried to do so, but finally gave up.  The Councilmen there were trying to lengthen their terms; it is Mike Socha’s opinion that the only way to make it work is to shorten terms, so it will fall to those councilmen elected in 2004 to handle the issue.  The vote was unanimous to hold the next municipal election on June 22, 2004.

Councilman Wilder commented on the fact that some discussion had taken place at an earlier meeting on increasing the size of the Town Council to 6 members.  Councilman Woolsey noted that that subject had been broached in Citizen Comments, but that no Council discussion had taken place.  It was decided to table the issue until the next meeting.

Citizens’ Comments:

Leonard Blank made comments about the at-large versus single member districts manner of election, but the Mayor corrected him that the election had been non-partisan.

Carolyn Alston stated that her vote had not counted for the PSD; in fact, nothing for James Island registered when she voted.

Sandy Just spoke primarily to Bob Kline and the Grants Committee about the demographic maps; she felt it would be most inappropriate to acquire, much less display, any type of economic maps of James Island.  She went on to state that she felt such an act would be an invasion of the privacy of the residents.

Bob Kline noted that she fully understood her concerns; he also explained that the information contained in these maps was absolutely essential in providing the appropriate statistics needed in grant proposals.

Councilman Qualey related his feelings and reactions after attending the September 11 Commemoration at the Victory Baptist Church.  He referred to the fact that the outreach to firefighters and to police has dramatically slowed and needs to be rejuvenated; he also stated that the emotions of appreciation need to be reawakened.

As there was no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Qualey moved for adjournment.  Councilman Wilder seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous to adjourn.