Walterboro City Council Public Hearing and ... - City of Walterboro

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Walterboro City CouncilRegular MeetingMarch 6, 2007MINUTES/Page VIIn summary, Mr. Angell stated that he did not have any estimates on updating theZoning Map and Comprehensive Plan, but we know there will be a cost. Years ago, therewas a separate committee formed to work on the first Comprehensive Plan and it wasopened to public hearing. He said, I am not sure that the Planning Commission is willing totake on that task. We would like help with all these tasks. Before, Lowcountry Council ofGovernments (LCOG) helped with the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Map. Onething we really need to do is get the GIS data from the county which they have available.We need that information as the basis to update the Zoning Map.On a question by Council Member Young, Mr. Angell explained that the GIS isbasically aerial and property data and other tax map data, all digitally available. There is ahuge advantage in updating the Zoning Map, for instance, being able to show the propertylines underneath. Also, you can click on a certain parcel and get the tax map number andother data that goes with it.Mr. Angel informed Council that this is a pretty big effort, but it would pay off. Insummary, he asked for Council’s support and that funds be set aside in the City’s budget tofund these efforts by the Planning Commission.Mayor Sweat then thanked Mr. Angell for bringing this information to Council.Under New Business, Mr. Mike Benton, Executive Director of the Nails In HandBoard, on behalf of the World Changers Organization briefed Council on the purpose andefforts of the organization and provided Council with a packet of informative materials. Hetold Council that a group of volunteers are available to come to Walterboro-Colleton Countyto help our most needy residents with basic home repairs. These volunteers help upgradehousing conditions where the basic quality of life may be in the form of safety and health.They come in, pay their own way, and we select some projects, like handicap ramps,repairing roofs, porches, etc. to upgrade their home. There are a number of persons in thecommunity who are veterans of the World Changers Organization. He told Council that in2008, his organization could bring in about 250 or 300 volunteers to work for one week onhomes in the Walterboro-Colleton County area. What is needed is funds to pay for thematerials needed for this project. He told Council that his organization has a budget set of$40,000, which will cover about 20 projects. He noted that they are asking both the Countyand the City to contribute. He then asked the City of Walterboro to support the project byproviding $5,000 in funds for the purchase of materials to be used specifically for homerepairs undertaken in the 2008 World Changer project. He explained that numeroussupport had already been received from other organizations and individuals in thecommunity, including a number of churches to provide meals. The sponsoringorganization, Nails in Hand, has a special account set up at the bank, where the fundsreceived for this project “World Changers 2008", would be kept just for expenditures for theprojects.Councilman Thompson asked what is the criteria for a home to qualify for theprogram. Mr. Benton answered that the home sites are preselected. There is a methodused by Nails in Hand to qualify a request, which comes through people like DSS, Councilon Aging, United Way, LCOG, churches or word of mouth. We do qualify the resident andthe need. There is also a template that World Changers uses for the larger projects. Henoted that Mr. Wayne Lake, City employee and seasoned veteran of Nails in Hand, hasbeen a construction/project coordinator locally. He goes out reviews the site to see if wecan handle it and if it is something we can finish in the time involved.Council Member Young asked if the volunteers would be here prior to June 30 orafter July 1. Mr. Benton responded that a firm date had not been set at this point. Council
Walterboro City CouncilRegular MeetingMarch 6, 2007MINUTES/Page VIIMember Young explained that his concern was whether the city had one year or two fiscalyears to cover the request.Councilman Smalls asked if a repair request could come from an individual for aproject. Mr. Benton responded affirmatively and stated that it would be handled the sameway with a site visit.Council Member Cannady then thanked Mr. Benton for bringing the information toCouncil. She stated she probably jumped the gun on this project because she thought theCity could use CDBG funds, but now we can’t, so we have to put it in the budget for 2008.She stated, we will let you know what happens after the budget is completed. No actionwas taken on the request and was accepted by Council as INFORMATION.Next, the Mayor announced the following vacancies on the City’s boards andcommissions:1 vacancy on the Building Board.1 vacancy on the City Appearance Board.2 vacancies on the Economic Development Commission.1 vacancy on the Great Swamp Sanctuary Commission, and1 vacancy on the Tree Protection Commission.At this point, the Mayor stated that he wanted to ask Council to create a newcommittee, which is to be named “The Friends of the Great Swamp Sanctuary”. Heproposed that the committee would be composed of 10-15 members. He explained that weare getting to the time in the GSS project, that we need the grass root efforts to help with alot of things this committee could do, such as help solicit sponsorships and donations, helpsolicit individuals to work with volunteer programs to help the Education Director when thisperson is on-board.A motion was then made by Council Member Cannady to create a new committee tobe named the “Friends of the Great Swamp Sanctuary” Committee as requested. CouncilMember Thompson seconded the motion which passed unanimously.Mayor Sweat then suggested that Council appoint to this new Committee thefollowing persons: Kathy Benton, Celeste Stone and Barbara Kim Miller who had requestedto be placed on the Great Swamp Sanctuary Commission. The Mayor also requested thatthe new committee be advertised to solicit additional members in our local newspaper andbe placed on the City’s website.Council Member Young then requested that Council defer appointment to the TreeCommittee. He stated there are other considerations we must look at. Council also agreedby consensus to defer the appointments to the Great Swamp Sanctuary Commission at thistime.A motion was then made by Council Member Cannady to approve the threeappointments as suggested by the Mayor - Kathy Benton, Celeste Stone and Barbara KimMiller to the new committee named the Friends of the Great Swamp Sanctuary Committee.Council Member Lucas seconded the motion that passed with all members voting in favor.A motion ratifying the acceptance of a Grant Award Agreement between the City ofWalterboro and the SC Department of Commerce for $125,000 for the Exxon Pump StationProject (Grant # WTS06150207) was unanimously approved on the motion of CouncilMember Lucas and seconded by Council Member Young.
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Walterboro City Council Public Hearing and ... - City of Walterboro

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