The Severy City Council meets on the first Monday of the month. The following report was generated from the unofficial minutes of the Sept. 4 meeting.
The Severy City Council held two meetings on Sept. 4, starting with a Special Meeting that was called to order at 6:45 p.m. to open bids for various properties that were listed for sale. A total of four bids were received for the four properties.
After reviewing the bids, the council approved to accept the following bids: Tract 2 to Erline Bogle White for $100; Tract 3 to Trevor Brooks for $500 and Tract 4 to Avery Postelwait for $500. No bids were received for Tract 1.
Those with the winning bids will pay the bid plus fees that were listed in the legal notice that was placed in The Eureka Herald.
The special meeting was adjourned at 7 p.m.
Regular Meeting
The regular meeting of the Severy City Council was opened at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call.
The council approved the the Aug. 4 Regular Meeting and Special Meeting minutes, August bills and August Treasurer’s Report.
During the Water Superintendent report, Superintendent Paul Schmidt informed the council that potholes are getting fixed around town and mowing is continuing. Schmidt also noted the north sewer lift station had been down. Schmidt stated that Don Scott had pumped 23 loads of sewage. It was noted that the City of Severy was on a boil water advisory due to a plug at the bottom of the water tower that rusted and broke causing the tower to lose water pressure. The ban is now lifted.
In Old Business, it was stated that the city had sold 3 of the 4 vacant lots during the special meeting. It was suggested to run the legal notice for Tract 1 again.
City Clerk Tessa Riggs reported that she had not heard back from Junction Insurance on the water plant quote.
In New Business, resident Rodney Craig was present to ask council permission to dig the cremation hole for his deceased mother. After discussion, the council approved for Craig to dig the hole as long as the opening/ closing costs. Superintendent Schmidt will mark the plot.
Clerk T. Riggs reported that a certified letter was submitted from a citizen requesting his monthly sewer charge be paused for sewer repairs. After discussion, the council declined to pause the charge at this time.
Discussion was held regarding delinquent accounts and solid waste invoices. Clerk T. Riggs noted that, due to sending out approximately 30 delinquent letters every month, the solid waste fee is barely covering the monthly solid waste invoices. It was noted that the city does charge a 10% late fee to all unpaid accounts. After discussion, the council approve to remove the 10% fee and add a $40 flat fee to utility bills not paid by the 15th of each month.
The road maintenance agreement, with Greenwood County gifting half of 700 feet of West Water Street to the City of Severy, was signed and notarized.
Waste Connections reported a few issues with weekly trash pick-up. Trash is not being sacked and oil and gas containers were located in the trash. Clerk T. Riggs will send out a letter to all residents reminding them that all trash must be bagged and no hazardous waste is allowed.
After discussion was held regarding a 3-phase generator, the council approved to purchase a 50,000 watt, 3-phase generator with a Kohler transfer switch for $4,000 pending councilmen Lyle Riggs and Kevin Klepper viewing the generator.
The council held a 20-minute Executive Session for non-elected personnel regarding employee performance to include City Attorney William McClendon and Clerk T. Riggs. After returning to open meeting, no decisions were made.
Jennelle Summerow with WaterWise addressed the council to discuss her business with her husband. Summerow stated that WaterWise sells chemicals for water treatment plants and they also have a contracted service for water and wastewater operators who are already certified. Clerk T. Riggs noted that the city has been actively looking for someone to obtain a water/ wastewater license. Summerow mentioned that if the city would happen to hire WaterWise, the operator that would be assigned already has a Class 2 Water and a Class 1 Wastewater license, which is what Schmidt is required to hold for the City of Severy. No decision was made. Summerow will attend a future meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The next meeting of the Severy City Council will be held on Monday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
