The minutes of the meeting of the Ways and Means Committee of the Town of James Island held on December 16, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1246 Camp Road.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Clark with Councilmen Qualey, Wilder, Williams and Woolsey present as well as Attorney Mike Socha and Clerk-Treasurer Marie Copeland.

A motion was made by Councilman Qualey to accept the minutes of the December 2, 2003 meeting as submitted with no corrections, additions or changes; Councilman Williams seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.

Old Business:

Franchise Agreement with Charleston County:  Mr. Socha suggested that the Town adopt the County’s Ordinances regulating Cable Franchise.  He felt this would eliminate any confusion with the County collecting those fees on the Town’s behalf. The timeframe will be retroactive to January 1, 2003 and will continue into the future or the length of the County’s Franchise Agreement. Mr. Socha will prepare an ordinance for the January 6 meeting authorizing the Mayor to enter into the agreement.  A public hearing will need to be held 30 days prior to the second reading because it is an intergovernmental agreement.

New Business:

Resolution #2003-26 Request Funds for James Island Little League ($5,000) Councilman Wilder reported that the request for funds for the James Island Little League is a needed community effort. Al Greene, Chairman of the Little League, has 100 children living on James Island from indigent families who cannot afford to participate in recreational activities because of income. Funding is needed for programs to continue for these children. Councilman Wilder made a motion to fund $5,000 to the James Island Little League; the motion was seconded by Councilman Williams. Councilman Qualey asked if the money was needed now or when the season begins.  Councilman Wilder responded that the money is needed now in order for the League to purchase uniforms and equipment. Councilman Qualey then asked about accountability of the funds; are we going to issue a check for $5,000 or will Mr. Greene give us a report on what the money is spent on? Though in favor of supporting the League, Mr. Qualey thought $5,000 was a lot of money to spend on uniforms and equipment for 100 children. Councilman Williams also stated that he was in favor of having report on the use of the money.  Councilman Woolsey stated that it was more important to have an accounting of how the money was actually spent with receipts provided. Councilman Woolsey stated that his view is that, if we are going to support recreation on James Island, it would be better to give money to allow children to enroll in sports on the island, not just to the James Island Little League. Councilman Wilder said once the litigation with the City is resolved, the Town hopes to enter into an agreement with the City’s Recreation Center to defray the cost of the fees children in the Town are expected to pay or that it be the same as children in the City pays. City children pay $15.00 for registration fees; while children in the Town pay $45.00; a difference of $30.00 per child. Councilman Woolsey said that $3600 would be a more appropriate amount to fund to the League; we should provide funds for the children participating, not what the Little League needs. Mayor Clark stated that she has attended recreation meetings and has seen the dedication of the sponsors; it is not about each child or the recreation center.  These are children who could not play otherwise; children who cannot get to the recreation center; children that are being rescued from the streets. She felt that these are children that we will meet some day if somebody does not do something to help them now.  Mr. Greene has sought sponsorships from various businesses without any success.  The children have played with no uniforms. This is an honorable mission for the Town of James Island.  Mayor Clark shared that she had planned to attend the City Council meeting tonight to address the issue of not having lights on some of the fields.  Westchester will not allow lights; the other field at Honey Hill is owned by the City but is in the Town also has no lights. Five Thousand dollars is not too much when it enables 120 children to be allowed to participate in recreational activities. Councilman Wilder reiterated that it would be honorable to support this program.  After some discussion, Councilman Woolsey made a motion to amend the proposal to provide $30.00 per registered child.  No second was given to Councilman Woolsey’s motion and therefore it failed. Councilman Wilder’s motion was approved with the following Vote:  Councilman Qualey-aye; Councilman Wilder-aye; Councilman Williams-aye; Councilman Woolsey-no; Mayor Clark-aye.  Mike Socha suggested that the Town obtain a copy of the Little League’s 501(c)3 status, of which Councilman Wilder had a copy.

Councilman Qualey asked to amend the agenda for $750.00 to be allocated to the Planning and Zoning Committee.  This expenditure would be for a publication or payment of postage to inform citizens about what has been accomplished by the Town of James Island; the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Element, also what the City has done on rezoning issues on Central Park Road and Folly Road.  He made a motion that $750.00 be allocated to the Planning and Zoning Committee in order to accomplish this project. He stated that he would write a letter under his signature as Chairman of the Committee or it could be written with Leonard Blank as Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission. There were no objections to this item being added to the agenda; the motion was seconded by Councilman Wilder. Clarification was given that the letter would be written under Councilman Qualey’s signature on the Town’s letterhead; he thought a letter should be sent to the Town’s people as well as those annexed into City. He stated that funds should be available to all Councilmen for mailings when they feel it to be necessary. Mayor Clark asked if this could be done after January 1^st to give a broader synopsis about what has been accomplished during the year; Councilman Qualey felt it should not.  Vote:  Councilman Qualey-aye; Councilman Wilder-aye; Councilman Williams-aye; Councilman Woolsey-no; Mayor Clark-no. Councilman Qualey will present a resolution for this expenditure of funds at the January 6^th meeting.  Councilman Wilder asked and received clarification that council members do not need the approval of the Mayor to write letters on the Town’s letterhead nor does she need to approve those letters.

There being no further business to come before the Ways and Means Committee, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.