Darlington receives city audit after delay
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Darlington City Council members finally received a copy of the delayed 2014-2015 audit report from the office of Rob Jordan, allowing them to move forward on the General Obligation Bond they had been waiting on.
The audit was delayed from the Hill & Jordan LLC, of which Mr. Jordan is the CPA, since July, essentially tying the hands of the city from moving forward in repairs of several buildings including the historic Administration Building that incurred major damage after the flooding in October of 2015, followed by the onslaught of Hurricane Matthew in October of this year.
Council noted dismay in not having more time to review the audit, most notably by Mayor Pro-Tem Coleman Cannon.
“We cannot get this the night of the meeting and expect to have it read and understood,” said Cannon.
Council discussed the need for at least two weeks to review with a possible work session to insure they are comfortable with moving forward.
Jordan shared last month that the delay was incurred due several people leaving his firm.
The motion to approve Second Reading Ordinance 2016-10- General Obligation Bond Amendment was approved unanimously.
B.A. Gary Tennis Courts: Councilwoman Elaine Reed had asked that the neglected tennis courts off Magnolia Street be looked at to determine cost to refurbish hem for use by residents of the area; Darlington County Recreation Director Lee Andrews said that estimates had not been determined due to the hurricane, but that costs could be as much as $50,000 if the courts needed to be pulled up and re-asphalted – but if not, $1200 to resurface They would also need new lighting which would be $9500, poles and nets. An estimate will be brought to the December meeting.
Lawson Road Recreation Site: The owner of the location, who had been trying to save it for the city to use for a recreational facility, sold the property, according to Mayor Gloria Hines and confirmed by Andrews. “From what I understand, the buyer will put a house and a couple of warehouses and a shop on there,” said Andrews.
City manager Howard Garland reminded council that the land was not in city limits.
Councilman Bryant Gardner, a long time proponent of the project, countered that they were “one property owner away” from getting the property.
“What an incredible lost opportunity this was, council,” said Gardner. “We were all unanimous when we came on board with it, and brought it to the public. I just hope that in future ventures with this stuff that we get together and get behind something as council – and we move forward. How we handled this last opportunity is very disheartening to me. Some people have said this was the best thing council has done in the last ten years. I agree with it, and I hope we grow in the future. That’s all I have to say.”
Councilwoman Elaine Reed spoke up.
“Everything that Mr. Gardner is saying is probably accurate but I am looking at what we do have,” said Reed. “And I think we have facilities here that would match that if they were maintained. If we would, now not be looking at a $50,000 to upgrade something that is already there.” She continued to say: “Maintain what we have got, and go with what we got and go ahead in the future. I’ll go on record as saying I am on board with a recreational complex, I have not changed that but I truly want us to upgrade and maintain what we have so we don’t process of doing that our children will not be deprived.”
New Business
Approval 2017 Meeting Schedule: council approved new calendar keeping with the second tesay of the month with the exception of July (to celebrate 4th of July holiday) and November to observe Election Day.
Appraisal 7 Acres of Property Phillips Street c. Debbie Hanna- Phillips Street Ball Fields: Item tabled due to environmental report not complete
Introduction New Darlington Area Recreation Director: newly hired director already resigned to seek position in Horry County.
Hurricane Matthew- Mayor Hines: Mayor thanked city residents for their “tremendous job” assisting with damage incurred after the storm.
Hurricane Matthew FEMA Report: Jannie Lathan reported that 69 residential homes were affected with damage from Hurricane Matthew; she and Fire Chief Pat Cavanaugh and city manager Howard Garland will meet with FEMA on Friday, October 18 to determine the final loss for the city in terms of damage to homes, businesses, damage to city buildings, overtime for city employees, etc.
Housing Demolition List: Representatives from Travis Mullins in Darlington addressed council; the business would like to honor an earlier bid that was defaulted on to remove the dilapidated homes. Since the list was created, a few have been removed and others have been added. After they make a determination of the estimate, they will return to council with their findings.
Elaine Reed asked that the grievance committee be reinstated for the employees of the city, per the employee handbook.
After much discussion, council learned that the committee had been in effect when Mr. Langley had been the city manager. Current manager Howard Garland said he disbanded it approximately 8 -9 years ago after several council members were exerting undue influence on the committee members. He said the committee is made up from other employees, and allowed an employee the chance to have their issues heard by others but ultimately the decision was his to make.
Council voted 4 – 3 to look into making the committee functional again, with Carolyn Bruce, Coleman Cannon, Elaine Reed and Mayor Gloria Hines voting for, and John Milling, Bryant Gardner and John Segars voting against.
Both Milling and Gardner voiced concerns that they didn’t have prior knowledge of the committee in order to make an informed vote.
Carolyn Bruce said under the new agenda, new business can be added, and that it should be available to employees. “I didn’t know that prior to tonight that we did not have a functional grievance committee,” said Bruce. “I don’t’ want to get involved, I get enough of that on my job I don’t need any more. I get enough of that at Sam’s Club…trust me I don’t want to have any part of that. But I do think that looking at it from a corporate standpoint, being in corporate America, I know at Sam’s my employees have a right to be heard. We call it an open door policy. And it may not overturn the decision, but it gives them an opportunity to be heard.”
John Milling asked that council come back on determine how it will be administered at the next meeting.
Reminders:
Thursday-Friday November 24, 25, 2016- Thanksgiving Holidays- All City Offices Closed
Tuesday December 6th, 2016-7 p.m.-Regular Monthly Meeting City Council