Mullins may be looking for city employees

“We were short of staff before we were short of staff, but we’re really short right now,” Assistant City Administrator Kenny Johnson said of the Mullins’ street department during this past Thursday’s meeting at City Hall.

The department has been struggling to keep up with the workload of grounds keeping throughout the city, he said.

“Over the years, we’ve cut back that street department severely,” Johnson said, adding that even with just two employees cutting grass, citizens aren’t providing much help maintaining their own property.

Mayor Pam Lee asked could the city go back to staffing the department. Johnson said he doesn’t think the money is there to provide the services that were provided in the past.

Council member Pat Phillips said possibly public service announcements would motivate citizens to maintain their property. In regards to the street department, Johnson said there are two open positions, but preferred applicants that have a commercial driver’s license.

“We got to try to get CDL people so that we can cross train them to drive the trucks. Three of them that apply didn’t even have even have a driver’s license,” Johnson said, adding that the city is also seeking applicants through Marion County OneStop and unemployment office. 

Mullins Police Chief Kenneth Davis wrapped up his first full week on the job and reported to council that he has adjusted the station’s opening hours to 8 a.m. “What we’re trying to do right now is build some in-roads into the community,” he said, adding that officers will be on foot patrol visiting businesses on Main Street. Officers are investigating what Davis called a shoplifting ring in the City and an unrelated forgery case.

“There is a huge check forgery ring in South Carolina,” he said, adding that municipalities and insurance agencies have been victims. Davis said the department will enforce the curfew ordinance and that he is informing parents about the importance of monitoring their children.

In other business, Council approved final reading of a series of ordinances providing for the issuance and sale of exceeding $300,000 combined public utility system improvement junior lien revenue bond anticipation note.

Council also approved final reading of an ordinance to lease real property located at 109 and 119 South Main Street.

Mayor Lee announced the signing of two proclamations for Foster Care Month and The Week of the Young Child.

Council discussed a zoning change request for Park and Laurel Street.

Council introduced an ordinance to amend zoning for a portion of map 407 Block eight Lots one and two.

Council also approved a motion to begin a process of moving a veteran’s memorial from the grounds of the Mullins Library to a new location near the Depot.

Gordon Harper, with Marion County’s Habit for Humanity, discussed with council members his plans for a dedication for eight homes recently completed on O’Neal Street.

“Right now we’re building lot 30, on the last lot that we have,” Harper said, adding that he’s interested in finding additional lots on which to build more homes.

Use of the city’s gym became a topic, as director Kenny Johnson said too many people have a key. “It got vandalized several times,” he said, adding that the locks were changed and the questions about the use of the gym started. Johnson said his concern is charging one group and not others. Council member Jo Sanders asked if the City is still charging for use of the facility and Johnson replied that a group still pays a fee to use the gym once a week.

“I don’t think everybody needs to have a key to it. If you’re going to rent, somebody needs to be there to know what’s going on … As part of the recreation department we need to put a plan together where it can be used and be controlled at the same time,” Council member Terry Strickland said.

“There should be a way to work it out,” Council member Phillips said, adding that the kids need a program heading into the summer. “These are children from our community and children that are potential ball players in our school system,” she said. 

Administrator Pete Rogers recommended that council review and develope policies concerning the department. As chairperson of the recreation committee, Sanders called for a meeting to discuss the matter.  That meeting was on May 20.