Council approves sites for new Olanta, Timmonsville libraries
The Olanta and Timmonsville libraries have new places they can soon call home.
Florence County Council voted Thursday to survey, appraise and accept documents for land that will serve as the sites for the towns’ new branch libraries.
The future Timmonsville library property, donated by Kaye Floyd and her family, is on U.S. 76, a highway with improvements on the horizon.
“If we widen 76, all the gates will be open for the town to grow,” said councilman Mitchell Kirby, whose district includes Timmonsville.
The future Olanta library property sits on East Hampton Street in the town. It will cost $75,000 for one parcel and $12,000 for a second parcel, which will be funded through fiscal year 2007 general obligation bond as well as grants, said councilman Johnnie Rodgers, who represents the district.
The Olanta, Timmonsville and Johnsonville public libraries suffer from a lack of space and public computer shortages. Employees are making the best of their circumstances — Olanta’s library, for example, is in a former county health building.
The Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation has given a $2 million grant to build new branch libraries in Olanta and Timmonsville.
The future Olanta library also has received $250,000 from the state Legislature, Florence County Library System Director Ray McBride said.
The county has approved about $1 million each for the Olanta and Timmonsville libraries, Florence County Administrator Richard Starks said.
The new libraries are estimated to cost between $2 million and $2.2 million, McBride said.
Council also voted Thursday to seek proposals for the rehabiliation, preservation and possible sale of the former Florence County Library, at South Irby and Pine streets. If the county were to sell the library, the buyer would have to submit a proposal that meets the county’s requirements, including a plan to maintain the building’s historical aspects, Starks said.
Council also appointed its vice chairman, Waymon Mumford, to serve on a committee that would evaluate the proposals.
The former library is home to the county’s Election Central, where ballots are counted and voting machines are stored, but it has suffered structural damage from a leaky membrane roof.
Council also voted to lease land for an addition to Ebenezer Park. The lease could span 10 to 20 years for the 1½ acres, owned by Bubby Floyd, at the corner of Ebenezer and Old Ebenezer roads, Starks said.
Council also unanimously approved second reading of an ordinance that would require businesses to pay an annual fee for using and storing hazardous materials as well as the costs incurred when responding to the spill or release of dangerous substances.
It’s important to fund the equipment needs of emergency workers who respond to crises at local industries, said James McCracken, IFH safety specialist John Jeffries and Roche Carolina safety and industrial hygiene manager. McCracken is the chairman of the county’s Local Emergency Planning Committee, which helped develop the ordinance.
Council also voted to give the Emergency Management Department $19,600 in personal protective equipment from Fisher Safety of Greenville, who submitted the lowest bid for the equipment.
In other business, council:
n Voted unanimously to award the lowest bid of $47,500, by All-American Roofing and Construction of Selma, N.C., to replace the roof of the Lake City Public Services Building.
n Voted unanimously to buy nearly $350,000 of vehicles and equipment for Public Works.
n Unanimously approved $11,580 for stone and crushed asphalt for Nicole Lane.
n Unanimously approved $4,800 of infrastructure funds and in-kind public works contributions for an event marking the 50th anniversary of the accidental dropping of an atomic bomb at Mars Bluff. The funding will come from councilman Russell Culberson’s district.
The Morning News
Charles Tomlinson
February 21, 2008
