City Council Meeting Minutes, February 8, 2010

City Council Meeting Minutes, February 8, 2010

The Easley City Council met on February 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Center. All members were present. Lisa Garrett served as the secretary taking the minutes.

The news media is notified in case of a called meeting. All regular meetings are on the second Monday of Each month at 7:00 p.m. and all of the media has been so notified.
Members of the media present were The Pickens County Courier, The Greenville News
and the Easley Progress.

Mayor Bagwell called the meeting to order at 7:00 with the Rev. Rodney Graham of Brushy Creek Baptist Church giving the Invocation.

Mayor Bagwell asked for everyone to stand and pledge allegiance to the flag.

There were no corrections or additions to the minutes and they stand approved.

Mayor Bagwell called for reports from Council Members.
Ward 1 – Councilman Garrison – No report
Ward 2 – Councilwoman Dodson – No report.
Ward 3 – Councilman Mann – No Report
Ward 4 – Councilwoman Valentin – The Farmers Market meeting was well attended. There were approximately 35 vendors present. We have applied for a grant with the SCDA and will soon apply for one with the USDA. Lisa and I attended a grant writing seminar on Jan. 28th which was very informative. We have been approved to accept SNAP this year at the market. Opening day for the market will be April 10th.
Ward 5 – Councilman Wright – Invited everyone to attend the Black History Parade and Family Fun Fest on Saturday February 13th.
Ward 6 – Councilman Watson – No report.

Mayor Bagwell called on Mr. Fox Simons, City Administrator, for his report. Reminded everyone that the Mayor would be giving his state of the city address at Dunburks on February 8th at 12:00. Call the Chamber for information.

The Mayor called on citizens to address council. He called on Rev. Scott Willis.
He is the member of the Piedmont Baptist Association and Pastor of Enon Baptist Church. He is the director of Public Morals with the PBA. Concerned about Outdoor Café ordinance. He wants a better understanding of this ordinance. He is all for drawing new businesses downtown. He is concerned about alcohol being on the street. He feels if a business sells alcohol inside the establishment he has a choice whether to go in or not. If it is on the outside he feels like that choice is taken away. He had a petition signed by 417 citizens. He feels like it has good intentions but has some things that are not appropriate. He asks that you really consider this before you vote.

The Mayor called on Keith McManus. He is also with the PBA. He is also speaking on the Outdoor Café ordinance. He stated how involved the PBA was in the community. He is concerned that this opens a door that can not be closed once opened. How is this going to affect festivals in the downtown area? He can’t imagine that consumption of alcohol on the street is going to make or break a business. He strongly urged council to reconsider this move.

The Mayor called on Rev. Broadus Moody, Director of the PBA. He stated he appreciated all the council and the mayor does as well as all the churches in the area do to help make our city the great city that it is. I am a native of Easley and I know all the heritage that this place holds. I have seen this city change over the years and most of it for the good. It is a wonderful place to live. Once alcohol is moved outside then what will stop it from moving to another step, to another argument to another. We are changing the environment to where people will not want to be a part of this community. If dollars is what draws this I think in the long run you will see revenue fall off instead of increase. If we let this city go the way other cities have. I ask that you please reconsider this ordinance.

The Mayor called on Alta Planning for a presentation on the City of Easley Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Councilman Mann asked to introduce the Bike Committee. He stated all the hard work and time the committee has put into this. We have a plan but we don’t have the money in place to carry this out. It will be done in baby steps. Christine deVlaming, Dr. John Adams was unable to attend, Patrick Gramblin, Councilman Watson and myself. Chris introduced John Cock to go over the presentation. The committee came up with a list of goals to make the community bicycle friendly.

The community gave a lot of feed back. They requested more sidewalks, bicycle lanes, more shared roadways and bike routes and places to park bicycles. The total package comes in at about 10 million dollars but it is about a 20 yr plan. Some of this study has been paid for by GPATS. Councilman Mann added that as part of the Spring Fling there will be a fun run and bike ride.

Unfinished Business: Ordinance Second Reading
Ordinance No. 2009-08 Franchise Fee on Revenue of Water Utilities Serving customers in Areas annexed into the City Limits. Councilman Mann made a motion to discuss with a second from Councilman Watson. Mr. Simons explained this is with Powdersville Water and that we have a franchise fee on all utility companies. The Ordinance passed unanimously.

New Business: (Ordinance First Reading)
Ordinance No. 2010-01: To adopt an Outdoor Café Ordinance and Permit. Councilman Mann made a motion to discuss with a second coming from Councilwoman Valentin.

Councilman Mann said he had gotten a lot of calls and emails and 95% of the feedback was in opposition. They requested that the alcohol portion be taken out and leave the outdoor dining. The public input has been over whelming. Councilwoman Valentin said we are basically we are already doing it at Michael’s and it is unfair that the others are not allowed. Councilwoman Dodson stated that Easley has always been family oriented and she doesn’t feel we should have alcohol on the streets. Councilman Wright said the feed back he has received has been against the alcohol. Parents have told him they don’t want to walk their kids’ downtown with alcohol on the street. He said Easley needs to stay family friendly. He agrees with Councilwoman Dodson to remain alcohol free.

Mayor Bagwell stated that the most opposition to this has come tonight. We have had two public meetings and tonight is the most input against this. We have people who have invested a lot of money in downtown that have come to council and me and said we feel like to get a better return on our investment we need this particular thing. We have been charged by the Downtown Merchants. It is already going on. We, TIF, taxpayers have spent a lot to get downtown going. I feel like we have to listen to the DBA and what they want. Some people have said they knew nothing about this issue. We have advertised this as we normally do. When we get down to the last minute I think this puts undue pressure on certain people. Councilwoman Valentin made a motion to amend the ordinance to take the fees out and to take administrator out and put City of Easley.

Councilman Watson seconded the motion, the motion passed. Councilman Watson did not vote on the amendment. Councilman Garrison stated he had struggled on this ordinance, he stated he was in agreement with Councilwoman Valentin in that it is already going on but he is strongly against it at any festivals or parks.

Councilman Mann stated he had an issue with outside drinking as far as a safety issue.
With someone being drunk and walking around outside a person could fall or walk out into the street. Councilman Watson called for question. Mayor had everyone vote by raising their hands. It passed 4-3 in the first reading. Councilman Mann, Wright and Councilwoman Dodson all voted no, Councilman Watson, Garrison and Councilwoman Valentin, and the Mayor voted yes.

The Mayor read Ordinance No. 2010-2: To Amend Section IV of the city of Easley’s Zoning Ordinance and adopt the attached Sign Regulations. Councilman Mann asked if electronic signs will be allowed in the TIF District? Yes if they follow the guidelines and get approval by the Architectural review board. Councilman Watson made a motion to approve with a second from Councilman Wright. The motion passed unanimously.

The Mayor read Resolution No. 2010-02: To endorse the City of Easley Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Councilman Mann made a motion to approve with a second coming from Councilwoman Valentin.

The Mayor read Resolution No. 2010-03: To enter into a one-year contract with Dunburks Premier Events to plan and manage special events for the City of Easley.

Councilwoman Valentin made a motion to defer to a later date with a second from Councilman Mann. It is being deferred because it needs to go out to bid due to the dollar amount.

The Mayor read the Appointment of Committees, Councilman Mann made a motion to approve with a second coming from Councilwoman Dodson. The motion passed unanimously.

Councilman Watson made a motion to adjourn. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.