During their meeting on Aug. 8, Pelzer Town Council discussed gym rental fees
Town Clerk Cheryl Bates reported three work orders completed in July, with one water connection and two miscellaneous. In the police report, Bates said there were 51 traffic stops, 81 contacts, 12 calls for service and 3 arrests. Several open investigations are underway.
Signups for two seats on council will be held until Aug. 23.
Due to the changeover to the Greenville Water System, the Town is in the process of refunding deposits on accounts. Greenville Water billing is going out this week and payments will be due Sept. 4.
Kyle Campbell, of Preservation South, was scheduled to appear to update Council on the Community Building restoration project but was unable to attend. Mayor Will Ragland said that Preservation South has provided a proposal for service for the design phase for restoration.
Mayor Ragland reported that new streetlights had recently been installed and that he is meeting with Duke Energy representatives to look at the remaining streets. He said there is also discussion with Anderson County about additional LED lighting at Timmerman Launch on the Saluda River.
Ragland said they are looking at a drainage challenge at the lower mill.
Approximately 50 people attended the meeting in response to postings on social media regarding fees paid for use of the Pelzer gym which turned into a controversy. Several people spoke to council about how Councilmember Donna Ide handled the situation and asked for Ide to resign.
The issue has been the source of contention between Councilmembers Mike Matthews, Eddie Waits, Ide, and Mayor Ragland for several months.
During the meeting, Ide read a long statement regarding the gym rental controversy.
Ide responded that “everything blew up, totally out of proportion, almost immediately” on Facebook and that the people complaining had taken the word of Ragland and Alisha Tuttle.
She explained that the gym rental fee paid by the exercise class was discussed during budget workshops beginning in May and that various rates were tossed around. She said all members of council and the mayor agreed on a $50 cap per session.
Ide stated that at the end of the July 11 council meeting, she inquired as to whether Mayor Ragland had notified Mrs. Major of the increase in rent and that Mayor Ragland’s response was “No. I don’t have time. You handle it.”
Ide stated that she contacted Kim Major by email advising her of Council’s decision and was asked if there would be a fee if the class was offered for free. Ide “advised that she would have to go before Council about doing the class for free.” She added, “I have never had any agenda intent on stopping her, or anyone else for that matter, from using the gym.”
Ide also mentioned council meeting minutes being posted online before being approved.
Mayor Ragland responded explaining that the $50 cap was discussed during a council workshop and that council cannot take an official vote in a workshop. “It was not a crisis or priority,” he said. Ragland said council members were harassing him to take care of the issue and that he said it would be a good project for Ide. He said he was “sorry it happened and that it was a stain on Pelzer.”
Ragland went on to say that he and council members are available for people to talk to. “If there is a problem, come to the source. You don’t have to get on Facebook. I apologize that this got to this level. I am moving on. There are projects we want to finish. I love this job and I love Pelzer.”
Note: Councilmember Alisha Tuttle recently resigned her seat on council and did not participate as a councilmember in the meeting.
Clarification – Regarding gym rental fees, the Town of Pelzer charges $25/hour or $150.00/day for use of the gym. The dance class is paying $10 per night.
