AIKEN CORPORATION WORK SESSION – My last two emails mentioned a work session between the Council and the Aiken Corporation. Minutes of that session are now available and can be viewed at the City’s web site. http://www.cityofaikensc.gov/weblink7/docview.aspx?id=101878.
WORK SESSION TO DISCUSS 2009-2010 BUDGET AND FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY – Our work session, which begins at 5:00 P.M., will focus on next year’s budget which begins on July 1, 2009. It should come at no surprise that city revenues have decreased significantly. While some programs will be reduced or delayed, we think we can structure a budget with no tax increase for the year. There might, however, be an increase in water rates, but that decision will be made later during the fiscal year.
I had previously asked to City Manager to investigate the possibility of putting more financial data on the City’s web site. This would include revenues we collect and money we spend. It appears we can post our Accounts Payable Check Register and the Electronic Funds Transfer Register for public scrutiny. At the work session, the City Manager will advise Council on the status of these plans and ask for Council approval.
FINANCIAL REPORTING AWARD – The Government Finance Officers Association has again awarded our Finance Department its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. It is the highest recognition of sound governmental accounting practices. Our Finance Department is receiving this award for the 17th year in a row. There are many cities and towns in South Carolina which have never received this award.
SUMMER WATER USEAGE - Engineering and Public Works Director Larry Morris sent a letter to the Woodside Property Owners Association Manager Melanie Brock. In order to best meet water demands, Larry has suggested that residents voluntarily water their lawns on an odd/even basis. Even-numbered property addresses water on even-numbered days while odd-numbered property addresses water on odd-numbered days under this system. This approach allows the City to best meet demands for city water.
CITY EMS PROGRAM SUSPENSION – Public Safety Department Director Pete Frommer has recommended suspension of our city EMT operations. At one time, Aiken County experienced a shortage in staffing its EMS stations. That situation has improved and Director Frommer recommends this suspension as a result. In addition, the City never received medical authorization for its EMT personnel, not access to County medical supplies. We will, however, continue to monitor response times for EMS calls to make sure past problems do not happen again and will continue with our First Responder Program.
AIKEN PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY/HORSE CREEK FEES – The business manager for the Horse Creek Sewer Treatment Facility has indicated that the usage fees the City must pay will be increased in Fiscal Year 2009-2010. Effective July 1, 2009 the City will have to pay $1.30 per 1,000 gallons, up from the present rate of $1.20 per 1,000 gallons. This will be an additional $150,000 cost to the City of Aiken.
SILVER BLUFF ROAD REZONING – We will have Second Reading of the proposal to rezone property from Residential Multi-Family Low Density to General Business. In exchange for rezoning one lot fronting on Silver Bluff Road, the developer would donate the green space behind the homes on Oriole and the commercial properties fronting on Silver Bluff Road. He would retain his property on Oriole along with a small portion of the other area to square off the back property line. Affected property owners have spent a great deal of time in recent months and years at Council meetings and Planning Commission meetings to fight what they consider a danger to their property values. At recent meetings, many residents seem to approve of this current plan. There is still some concern on the part of other residents who prefer to leave things as they are. This is the Second Reading of this issue.
APPROVAL OF ELECTION SCHEDULE – Last week several members of the Council met with a representative of the Aiken County School System to discuss their concerns about safety at schools on City election voting day. They agreed that for this year, Chukker Creek School would be used as the voting location for Precinct 53. We are very grateful for the efforts Mr. David Caver, Assistant Superintendent for the School District for his efforts to resolve this issue. By the time the next city election is held in 2011, the census will be completed and new voting locations will be identified to resolve school safety concerns. As currently proposed the opening date for filing is Aug 3 and closing date is Aug 10. The Primary election would be held on September 8 with September 22 selected as a run-off date. Election Day would be on November 3.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REVISE CONCEPT PLAN TO ALLOW TRAILERS AT 1310 EAST PINE LOG ROAD – The Boot, Bridles, and Britches store would like to revise their Concept Plan drawing to allow storage of up to three trailers behind their building. The trailers would be used to store hay and wood chips and would be parked no closer than 20 feet from the building.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CONCEPT PLAN FOR UNIVERSITY HEALTH SERVICES, INC. – University Health Services is asking for approval to build one 17,000 one-story building on their property on Silver Bluff Road. The building would be located close to Silver Bluff road. Since they are asking to build only one building, most of the traffic concerns discussed during their prior application have been significantly reduced.
APPROVAL OF WATER FOR AIKEN ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION – The City has an established policy to provide a water tap and meter and pay for water at an entrance into recognized subdivisions. Mr. Phil Lockhard, President of the Greater Aiken Estates Neighborhood Association has asked the City to provide a meter and tap and pay for the water to irrigate two additional entrances to Aiken Estates.
AIKEN JOURNAL WEB SITE – A reminder to check the Aiken Journal web site, if you are interested in keeping abreast of current local, state, and national political issues. With the current serious economic and social issues facing our state and national government and the changes being proposed in Columbia and Washington, it is more important than ever for citizens to know how these changes will affect them.
MISCELLANEOUS – If you know someone who would like to receive this email, please ask them to send their email address to me at fastwalk1@gforcecable.com.
CITY WEB SITE LINK FOR MONDAY’S CITY COUNCIL AGENDA CAN BE FOUND AT http://www.cityofaikensc.gov/weblink7/docview.aspx?id=103858.
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