Cayce City Council meets February 5, 2008
By Kristin Lavender kblavender@gmail.com
Roll call

Mayor Avery Wilkerson, Mayor Pro- Tem Rick Myers, Councilman James Jenkins, Councilman Kenneth Jumper, Councilman Robert Malpass, and City Manager John Sharpe were all in attendance.

Wilkerson called the meeting to order 6:05 pm. Jumper led in the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes from the January 8 regular meeting and January 29 special meeting were approved in a motion made by Malpass and seconded by Jumper.

The Council then addressed a proclamation for Citizens Mean Business Month. In a motion made by Jenkins and seconded by Jumper, the proclamation was approved.

Ordinances

A resolution ratifying and confirming city policy as to calculation of plumbing permit fees for commercial buildings was approved. This applies to commercial buildings and it merely ratifies what is already on the books. An ordinance with the rates already in it has been approved by the council, initially applying to an area of both residential and commercial use. An additional commercial piece was added and in need of this resolution to fall under the same guidelines.

The approval of an ordinance amending Cayce City Code Section 28- 114 to provide for certain exceptions to the prohibition on discharging firearms in the city was brought to the council on first reading. This would affect those operating hunt clubs. They can, however, register with public safety and get permits to continue this use. Malpass made a motion, seconded by Jumper. The motion carried with a note to check into concerns brought to attention by Myers.

An ordinance ratifying and approving the continuation of a special utility rate classification for wastewater systems acquired from Midlands Utility, Inc. was brought to the Council's attention. This will keep rates adopted a year ago in effect. Myers made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Malpass and favored by the Council.

On second reading, the Council discussed an ordinance amendment imposing certain restrictions on residency and loitering for persons required to register as sex offenders. First reading of this ordinance was held in October. Lexington has adopted a similar ordinance. It grandfathers those registered sex offenders already living in the city limits and allows those who come in for lawful purposes such as shopping or attending church. This in no way makes the city bear more responsibility for registering sex offenders. That is done at the sheriff's office. There are 12 currently residing within the city limits. This would mean they cannot move from one residence to another unless outside of 2,000 feet. Cayce City Attorney Danny Crowe addressed Council saying "staff has changed [this] from 2,500 to 2,000 feet." Myers made a motion to accept this change, which was seconded by Malpass and approved. Myers made a motion to approve the amended changes on second reading. Jenkins seconded and the motion was unanimously carried by the Council.

Committee Matters

Two appointments were on the agenda for the Council. The first, a motion to reappoint to the Accommodations Tax Committee. The second to appoint an individual to the Housing/Construction Board of Adjustments. Each was approved, as was the approval of the 2008 Committee Officers.

Minutes from the Beautification Board Meeting January 2, Cayce Museum Commission January 9, and Cayce Events Committee January 10 were approved in a motion made by Malpass and seconded by Jenkins.

City Manager's Report

There being no public comment, City Manager Sharpe proceeded with his report.

February 18 will be a holiday due to President's Day. City Hall will be closed by sanitation services. February 28 is the Municipal Association Dinner. Brookland- Cayce High School Foundation Dinner will be held at Seawell's March 6, and the cost is $300 for a corporate table.

Sharpe provided an update on the front end loader purchased for the Sanitation Department at the end of October. Shortly thereafte,r the company the city purchased from went bankrupt. The order is scheduled to be shipped to Greenville by April where it will be inspected one final time before delivery to the Cayce site.

Fire engine No. 10 had two batteries short out and an alternator out. The estimated cost to repair the damage is around $500.

In response to an inquiry made by Jumper at the January Council Meeting, the property across from City Hall on 12th Street is available for purchase at $635,000 though most of it is flood way. The Council expressed little interested in pursuing this.

New roll carts should be in on February 15. Post cards will be mailed out prior to delivery to let those receiving new carts know what is going on. Seven hundred and sixty- two have already been designated. As for the remaining carts, a census count will be conducted on other areas of the city to determine need.

At 6:43 a motion was made for the council to go into Executive Session to receive legal advice on several matters.