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Commission Minutes
GREENWOOD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
MINUTES OF THE
August 27, 2008
Public Hearing
The public hearing of the
Greenwood Metropolitan District Commission was held
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 5:00 p.m., in the Training
Room of Greenwood Metropolitan District Technical Service
Facility, 110 Metro Drive, Greenwood, SC 29646.
In attendance:
Commissioner Bob Haynie,
Chairman Richard Coleman Charlie Herndon
Commissioner Byron Smith,
Vice Chairman George Martin Paige Holley
Commissioner Gene Hancock,
Secretary Barbara Boatwright Lesley Lane
Commissioner Michael G.
Monaghan
Marvin Boatwright Chuck McDevitt
Commissioner Henry
Watts Billy Burnette
Daryll Parker
Commissioner Tim
Burke John
Cooper Pierce Stockman
Kay Davis Jim Streevy
Gayle Grogan Chris Trainer
Ruby Groomes Allen Tucker
Kenneth Harvely Maxine Tucker
Roy Hemphill
I.
Chairman Haynie called the meeting to order.
II.
Chairman Haynie read the Statement of Compliance with
the notification provision of
the Freedom of
Information Act.
III. Chairman
Haynie read that the purpose of the public hearing is to
receive public
comments concerning
the Capacity Fee.
IV.
Chairman Haynie sated the proposed rate if approved
will go into effect
January 1, 2008
V.
Chairman Haynie opened the public hearing to receive
comments concerning
the proposed Capacity Fee
increase as printed in the local newspaper.
VI.
Mr. Daryll Parker, GMD’s rate consultant gave a
summary report on how Metro determined the Capacity Fee and
how this fee is charged to residential and commercial
users. Mr. Parker was available to answer any questions
that arose from the public. Mr. Charlie Herndon said he is
concerned how this increase will affect the potential for
small business development in Greenwood. Mr. Herndon
suggested that Metro have a companywide employee audit
performed. Mr. Pierce Stockman suggested having all
vehicles run on natural gas. Mr. Chuck McDevitt said he was
attending representing his potential constituents in County
Council District 4; a lot of those constituents (Sheffield
and Westover area) wanted to know if there are opportunities
to expand the sewer system to them, possibly using some CDBG
Grants. Chairman Haynie said Metro has closed one CDBG and
received approval for another in the Seaboard Area. Metro
has to apply for CDBG through the County or City. Manager
Coleman said Metro cannot have more than two grants opened
at the same time. Commissioner Monaghan said Metro can
install collection systems based on a front foot assessment
charge that would appear on the annual tax bill. Mr.
Groomes thanked the Commission for taking over the sewer
system in Stoney Point. He wanted to know where the
matching funds come from for the CDBG. Chairman Haynie said
the matching funds come from Metro. Mr. Groomes said
therefore the rate payers are paying for them. Mr. Groomes
inquired if the residents in the CDBG area will be paying
the same sewer rates. Chairman Haynie said everyone will
have to pay the same rates. He said all of Metro’s charges
have to be uniformed. Commissioner Monaghan explained the
problems Metro is having with the sewer system especially in
the older subdivisions. He said most of the grants are
going to low to moderate income level communities. Mr.
Groomes inquired about the reserve funds Metro currently has
invested. Manager Coleman responded Metro has roughly $20
million invested. Mr. Groomes wanted to know what the
developer would pay for connecting a new subdivision to the
Metro sewer system. Chairman Haynie replied the developer
pays the cost of the collection system and the Capacity Fee
is paid up-front. Mr. Herndon asked if Metro feels the
Capacity Fees are detrimental to expansion in Greenwood.
Commissioner Hancock said that is the reason the Capacity
Fee is not the full cost of one REU. Mr. Herndon said it is
very expensive for a developer to develop a subdivision.
Commissioner Monaghan said Metro has made a provision on
Capacity Fees that they are paid up-front; the actual cost
to Metro is $3500. He said instead of raising the capacity
to cover the actual cost; Metro has a Transmission Fee ($450
current cost) that is paid when the house is connected to
the sewer system. This fee is normally paid by the
homeowner not the developer. Chairman Haynie said Metro is
making a conscience effort to keep the cost down. He
reminded the public they are welcome to come to the
Commission Meeting to listen to everything the Commission
votes on and see what financial situations they have.
Commissioner Monaghan said the cost for Metro to perform
rehab is very high. Mr. Martin said Metro estimates it will
cost $150 million for rehab in the City to bring the system
up to current EPA Region IV and SCDHEC guidelines.
Commissioner Monaghan gave an example of a sewer rehab
project Metro did on East Cambridge by National Healthcare.
He said Metro is spending more money to upgrade the
treatment plants to help with the new standards from SCDHEC.
VII.
Chairman Haynie noted the public hearing notice for
the Capacity Fee increase was
advertised on
Friday, August 15th, Wednesday, August 20th
and Sunday, August 24th.
VIII.
Chairman Haynie closed the public hearing.
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