Mayor Coble, Tara Lyons, and Tameika Isaac Devine Roll call

City council met Wednesday morning at 9 for its work session and at 10 for its regular session. Daniel Rickenmann was absent, but all other council members were present: Tameika Isaac Devine, Hamilton Osborne, E. W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, and Sam Davis.

Youth violence

Allison Baker , assistant city manager, presented before council an expanding program called Reducing Youth Violence in Our Communities Through Recreation Services. With the help of Dr. Germon Miller the presentation explained how violence could be both avoided and countered with an abundance of all kinds of after–school and weekend activities. Miller was working with the Koban neighborhood network as a system of local branches to connect with the kids. Three main areas of activity were identified: (1) prevention, (2) intervention, and (3) parental involvement.

Alvin Cannady, Mrs. Cannady, and Mayor Coble

Violence intervention task force

Rev. Mack McClam introduced himself as a preacher of the Gospel while he was appearing as head of the Task Force on Strategic Violence Intervention. He called for a 48–hour prayer vigil, to be followed by a leadership summit. “We must come together as a community to save our children,” he said.

Melissa Smith–Gentry

Mentoring program

Captain Estelle Young described the Harmony Youth Mentoring Program as run by the Police Department with Master Police Officer Mike Myers. The kids are typically between the ages of six and 18. Meetings are on Monday at 5:30 pm in the Cecil Tillis Building near Read Street.

Dr. Germon Miller

Carroll Heyward at the museum

Osborne nominated and council voted to place Columbia businessman Carroll Heyward on the Columbia Museum of Art Commission for five years beginning this January 1.

Traffic issues

Council voted to prohibit through truck traffic on Pelham Drive and Gills Creek Parkway between Rosewood Drive and Garners Ferry Road.

Chip Davis and Tony Tam

Council approved a request for No Parking signs in the 1800 block of Standish Avenue, as recommended by city traffic engineer Dave Brewer.

Regular session

At 10:05, council adjourned the work session and shifted directly to its regular session.

Proclamation

Assistant US Attorney Tara Lyons (Criminal Division) described her activities connected to the National Day of Concern for Young People and Gun Violence. In appreciation for her leadership and accomplishments, she was presented with a proclamation.

Officer and Mrs. Mike Grogan with Mayor Coble

September Employee

Alvin R. Cannady was introduced by Robert Anderson , Solid Waste Superintendent, as the city’s Employee of the Month for September. Also, the city’s director for public works Melissa Smith–Gentry praised Cannady for his innovation and dedication.

October Employee

Police Chief Dean Crisp began the introductions of October’s Employee of the Month, Master Police Officer Michael A. Grogan . Grogan patrols with his horse Harvey. Several years ago he arrested USC quarterback Tannyhill. Grogan did the right thing and Chief Austin backed him up.

Recognition of Melissa Smith–Gentry

City Manager Austin told council that Melissa Smith–Gentry , director of the city’s public works, was honored as an Outstanding Young Alumnus by the USC College of Engineering and Information Technology.

Street closings

• Greene Street from Gadsden Street to the railroad tracks, Gadsden Street and Lincoln Street between Blossom Street and the railroad tracks, Saturday, October 23, from 6 am until 6 pm, and Saturday, October 30, from 10 am until 6 pm.

• Phelps Street at St. James Street, Sunday, October 31, from 5 pm until 7:30 pm.

• 800 block of Park Street between Greene Street and College Street, Friday, November 5, from 9 am until 1 pm.

• Thursday, November 11:

– from 7 am until noon: 1100, 1200, 1300 Calhoun Street; 1100, 1200, 1300 Richland Street; 1800, 1900, 2000 Sumter Street.

– from 7 am until 1:30 pm: 1300, 1400 Sumter Street; 1200, 1300 Washington Street.

– from 9 am until 1:30 pm: 800, 900 Sumter Street; 1000. 1100 Sumter Street; 1300, 1400 Senate Street; 1000, 1100 Marion Street; 1200 College Street.

– from 9 am until 1:30 pm: 800, 900 sumter Street; 1200 College Street.

• 4500 block of Landgrave Road between Kathwood Drive and Brennan Road, Sunday, October 31, from 4:30 pm until 8 pm.

• Oak Street between Taylor Street and haskell Avenue, Thursday, October 28, from 4 pm until midnight.

• 1400 block of Hampton Street, westbound lane, Thursday, October 28, from 7:30 am until 4 pm.

Consideration of bids and agreements

• $12,046 for maintenance and upgrade to the design software.

• $14,508 for the purchase of repair materials, as requested by Water Distribution Division.

• $26,530 for design and construction documents for improvements to Finlay Park.

• $64,575 for 2,050 gift cards for the employee Christmas party.

Ordinances – second reading

#2004–070, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 4, Animals, Article III, Animal Control, Division 1, Generally, Section 4–67, Redemption of impounded pet animals.

#2004–089, authorizing the City of Columbia to enter into an installment sale agreement with the Columbia Public Facilities Corporation for construction and renovation of tourism–related projects, consenting to the issuance of certificates of participation in the aggregate amount not to exceed $22,000,000.

#2004–092, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 14, Offense and Misc. Provisions, Article 1, in General, Section 14–5, Prohibited acts in city–owned parking facilities.

#2004–093, authorizing transfer of Burton School property to Eau Claire Development Corporation.

Consideration of bids, agreements & change orders

• $332,247 for an 8” water main along Pickens Street from Blossom Street to Pendleton Street.

• $412,020 for the purchase of uniforms for fiscal years 2004–2005 and 2005–2006, as requested by the Police Department. The low bidder meeting specifications was Wright–Johnston of Columbia. Clay Johnston was available in the audience.

• $905,890 for Belvedere sanitary sewer replacement.

• $2,434,000 for a five–year contract with Landfill Services, as requested by Solid Waste Division.

• Council approved the sale of the convention center headquarters hotel property to Windsor/Aughtry Company for $250,000. The property is on the southwest corner of Park Street and Senate Street. Chip Davis and Tony Tam , members of the Windsor/Aughtry management team, were available in the audience.

Ordinances – first reading

#2004–096, annexing 0.7649 acre (Parcel A–2), Cushman Drive at Two Notch Road.

Resolutions

#R–2004–060, authorizing acceptance and dedication of Cami Forest Lane, Ellen’s Glen Subdivision to the City of Columbia.

#R–2004–061, release and abandonment of portions of the city’s existing 10’ and 15’ water main easements around LeJac Office Complex Addition, Lexington County.

#R–2004–062, release and abandonment of a portion of the city’s existing 15’ sanitary sewer easement around Columbia College Sports Facility, Richland County.

#R–2004–063, release and abandonment of a portion of the city’s existing 10’ water main easement around Woodleigh Park at Lake Carolina, Richland County.

#R–2004–064, approval for site acquisition for the Sandhills water tank site, Richland County.

#R–2004–065, authorizing runway and consumption of beer and wine beverages at the Ensor–Keenan House on Friday, October 31.

Next meeting

City council meets at 9 am, Wednesday, October 27, on the third floor of City Hall, corner of Main and Sumter.