NEWBERRY — Newberry County Council has approved a proclamation recognizing Thomas Perry, who served as a vocal and active advocate for youth in Newberry County for decades.

The proclamation states that Perry brought together the Newberry Coalition on Underage Drinking from its infancy to its current structure which includes involvement by approximately 50 local community members.

Perry pursued and secured $125,000 in renewable grant funding to sustain the Coalition’s efforts to reduce substance use among the young people in Newberry County. He and the Coalition have organized and facilitate services to Newberry County residents.

“Mr. Perry conceived of and coordinated the Carolinas Youth Leadership Initiative, which trained 100 youth leaders from North and South Carolina in alcohol and other drug prevention techniques and is serving as a model for future such events,” said County Administrator Wayne Adams. “Newberry County Council wishes to recognize Tom Perry for his dedication to our county and calls upon the people of Newberry to extend their appreciation for his service as well.”

Councilman Henry Livingston presented a framed copy of the proclamation to Perry during the meeting. During the presentation, Perry received a standing ovation from members of the community who came out to support him.

In other business, council approved first reading of an ordinance amending the budget ordinance for fiscal year 2016-17. The amendment is for additional funding for economic development and other purposes.

“The purpose of the proposed budget amendment is to reconcile these expenditures prior to completion of the fiscal year. The 10 items involved in the proposed budget amendment total $909,419. Of this amount, 92.7 percent pertains to economic development, particularly to site development and temporary work space for use by new industry,” Adams said. “Another 4.3 percent is associated with repair of equipment and replacement of materials. The remaining 3 percent is owing to state regulatory compliance requirements.”

This amendment will rely entirely on fund balance, which means that the property tax levy would not be affected.

“What is affected is fund balance, usually expressed in terms of dollars or months’ operating expenditures in reserve. The June 30, 2016 audited financial statements indicated unobligated fund balance at $13,375,360, or 6.84 months’ operating,” Adams said. “Reducing unobligated fund balance by $909,419, leaves that number at $12,465,941, or 6.38 months’ operating.”

The 10 items for additional funding were as follows:

Testing of above ground storage tanks

Required testing of above ground storage tanks by DHEC at a $20,000 cost. Due to information collected in monitoring wells on public works department property, DHEC is requiring that Newberry County’s above ground storage tanks be tested for leaks, and the soil in the area of the tanks be tested for contaminants.

The $20,000 cost covers only the investigation into the contamination, which is ongoing. It does not include any remediation that might subsequently be required. The tanks have been tested and were found not to be leaking.

Drilling of new extraction well at old landfill (Cockrell Road)

Two years ago, the county installed a vacuum/extraction system designed to keep methane gas generated by landfill materials from migrating onto adjacent properties. Recently, one of the wells began taking on water and had to be re-drilled in a different location. This is one of 27 extraction wells connected to the system. According to Adams, thus far the system has been effective in achieving its purpose. The cost is $7,563.

Backhoe Repair by Vector Fleet Management

Fleet maintenance replaced a transmission in one of the county’s three backhoes, which is 12 years old. The cost of a new backhoe of the same model is approximately $70,000. The cost to replace the transmission was $14,136.

Replacement of lift at a fleet maintenance facility

The fleet maintenance provider recently replaced an overhead hydraulic lift used in servicing and repairing the county’s vehicles. The facility is owned by the county, which is occupied by a fleet maintenance contractor. The the county is contractually responsible for maintaining the physical plant. The cost was $18,000.

Replenishing of county gravel stock

The Public Works Department amended the cul de sac and spec building parking lot at the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park with substantial amounts of gravel as part of preparing the property to be shown to industrial development prospects. This amendment would replenish gravel stockpiles. The cost is $6,600.

Site work grant for MM Technics – Mid-Carolina Commerce Park

As one of several inducements to the company for locating in Newberry County, the county approved a site development grant of $400,000, which the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s Coordinating council matched.

Engineering for site work/pad development at the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park

With MM Technics moving to the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park, the only property there currently marketable to industry is the existing spec building.

Presently, two companies are considering the spec building; however, both would potentially increase its size by a factor of six – to 300,000 square feet. This will require the development of approximately 30 acres.

Of that property, the 17 acres immediately surrounding the spec building would be impacted first. Both companies would begin with a 150,000-square-foot facility.

Engineering work for this phase includes a topographical survey, preliminary geotechnical exploration, construction plans and specifications, permitting, construction cost opinion, bidding and award, construction administration/oversight, and materials testing.

The cost of this phase of the work is $106,500. The second phase of the engineering involves the remaining 13 acres, but does not include bidding and award, construction administration/oversight, and materials testing, the emphases being on having a bid package ready to go when necessary and knowing the expected cost. The cost for this phase is an additional $72,000. The total cost is $178,500.

Sloping and grassing of Mid-Carolina Commerce Park entrance road

Only the immediate entrance-way into the Mid Carolina Commerce Park has been landscaped and grassed. The slopes adjacent to the remainder of this roadway, approximately one-quarter mile, suffer from erosion and have no grass to protect them.

According to Adams, the hot summers in recent years would justify irrigation to maintain whatever investment is made in this are, and with tenants now coming to the park, there will be a higher level of expectation regarding appearance and grounds maintenance. The cost is $60,000.

Additional office space for economic development recruitment (Newberry Square)

MM Technics requires the use of 900 square feet for general office purposes during the start-up/construction phase of its project. This same space will be available to future industrial prospects. The cost includes all finishes and furnishings related to the space. This space is connected to the county’s new economic development offices. The cost is $58,620.

“Flex” space for industrial recruitment

MM Technics requires additional work space for the temporary location of measurement equipment related to their new manufacturing facility. Future uses of the space will vary, and Adams said that the temporary need for facilities of this kind by new industry is not unique to MM Technics.

Staff is recommending the finishing of 2,447 square feet of space adjacent to the economic development offices at Newberry Square. Plans include a unisex restroom and small kitchenette, with the vast majority of the space consisting of open, conditioned space with sealed concrete flooring.

Also provided are data drops, electrical service updates, and a 10 foot x 12 foot automated roll-up door to allow for moving large equipment in and out. The basic cost for finishing the space is $117,000. Another $29,000 is needed for data and hardware enhancements ($14,000) and contingency purposes ($15,000). The total cost is $146,000.

Other business

• Council passed a resolution honoring Carl “C.J.” Edwards Jr.

• Council passed a resolution appointing and commissioning Susan McCullough as an animal control code enforcement officer.

• Council approved third reading of an ordinance to provided for the determination of salaries for countywide elected officials.

• Council approved second reading of an ordinance that provides for the issuance and sale of a not exceeding $1,9000,000 General Obligation Bond Anticipation Note. This will provide funding for the initial expenses pertaining to projects approved by votes for the 2016 CPST.

• Council awarded JLA the design work for the following CPST projects, Town of Whitmire – Town Hall/Police Department remodel/upgrade, Town of Pomaria – Old Pomaria School Building Renovation, Town of Little Mountain – Computer Center and Library Upgrades.

Tom Perry, center, was honored with a proclamation during Wednesday’s meeting of Newberry County Council.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_DSC_0311.jpgTom Perry, center, was honored with a proclamation during Wednesday’s meeting of Newberry County Council. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.