Larry Marchant and Joe Grant Roll call

City council convened about 10:10 Wednesday morning for its work session. Daniel Rickenmann left word he would be out of town. Tameika Isaac Devine called to say she’d be late. All other members of council were present: Hamilton Osborne, E. W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, and Sam Davis.

Legislative update

Larry Marchant and Joe Grant shared their legislative efforts with council. At the top of their list was the Criminal Street Gang legislation. Senator Jake Knotts has authored a bill to combat gang violence. Key to the effectiveness is a state–wide definition of what is a gang. With well over 200 jurisdictions in SC, we have well over 200 definitions of what is a gang. Also, a billboard bill is working its way through the legislature. Likely to pass in committee, the bill’s discussion drew attention from Sinclair who offered suggestions to Marchant and Grant.

James Fitzgerald Anderson and Mayor Coble

City Center

Kimberly McMichael and Mayor Coble Matt Kennell , executive director of the City Center Partnership, a downtown business improvement district, asked council to continue the funding this year to the tune of $60,000, which was the same as last year and the same as Richland County Council. For the next fiscal year, however, Kennell asked council to fund $69,616 which is the city properties’ bill assessed like everyone else’s. Council agreed to run it through the budget process.

Honored guest

Dr. Naby Camara of Guinea appeared with Columbia Star Publisher Warner Montgomery to accept a plaque and proclamation for Dr. Naby Camara Day in the City of Columbia.

Craig Boykin and Mayor Coble

Brennen Traffic

Dave Brewer , traffic engineer, asked council to approve a school speed zone for Brennen Elementary School. The request originated with Dr. Marian Crum–Mack, principal.

Troy Robinson and Mayor Coble

Accommodations and

hospitality taxes

, city ombudsman, reminded council to reappoint all the members of the Accommodations Tax Committee. Hospitality Tax Committee concerns were put on hold.

CanalSide

Jim Gambrell , executive director of economic development for the city, reported to council on progress with the CanalSide property. He suggested the current discussion be continued in executive session due to contractual matters of a delicate and private nature.

David Brewer

Columbia Development

Corporation

Cynthia Pryor–Hardy was appointed to the CDC board for a term of two years.

Small business

April Heyward of the Heyward Management Group was appointed to the Small Business Regulatory Committee.

Executive session

Council adjourned to downstairs and closed doors for an executive session. Council returned and resumed at 10:05.

Hot dogs on Main Street

Sean Conzo was present as council approved his request to serve food from a cart in front of the SouthTrust Building between Gervais and Lady.

Rev. Claude Belton with neighbors and parishioner GET SET recipients

Charles Austin , city manager, gave a review of the city GET SET program. The city reimburses tuition to city employees to attend school. Coble introduced four GED recipients and awarded plaques for their accomplishments. Austin gave each a payment of 1% of their gross annual pay. By the end of the current fiscal year 848 employees would have taken advantage of the education program.

Matt Kennell Bus center

Rev. Claude Belton of the New Hope Baptist Church, 3525 Lucius Road, asked council to consider his neighborhood as they develop the new bus facility and route the buses. Coble suggested he speak immediately with Steve Gantt , assistant city manager.

Street closings

• Henderson Street between Taylor Street and Blanding Street; Blanding Street between Pickens Street and Henderson Street; Thursday, February 24, 7 am until 1 pm; Tuesday, March 15, 7 am until 1 pm.

April Heyward • Hampton Street between Main Street and Assembly Street, Friday, April 8, and Friday, May 13, from 6 pm until midnight.

• Hampton Street between Main Street and Assembly Street, Saturdays; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; September 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8 15, 22; December 3; 8 am until 3 pm.

• Caledonia Lane, 700 block between Glengarry Drive and Stonehaven Drive, Saturday, April 16, 2 pm until 7 pm.

• Marion Street between Gervais Street and Senate Street; Senate Street between Marion Street and Sumter Street; Saturday, November 5, 8 am until 4 pm.

Sean Conzo

Consideration of bids

and agreements

• $44,216 for the purchase of a trailer mounted combination vacuum excavator and jet.

• $49,310 for the purchase of a 100MF rotating assembly #1 raw standby pump.

Ordinances – second reading

#2005–012, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 22, Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Public Places, Article V, Utility Installation in Streets to add Sec. 22–137, Underground utilities.

Consideration of bids,

agreements and change orders

• $96,044 for a contract for physicals and screening.

• $98,849 for project #WM3823 Blanding Street 24” valve installation water main construction.

• $127,202 for the purchase of 23 cabinets without controllers.

• $153,148 for the purchase of parking meter mechanisms and housings.

• $350,000 for change order #1 to an agreement for engineering services for the design and construction of effluent diffuser and pump station at the city’s wastewater treatment plant, CIP Project SS6790.

Ordinances – first reading

#2005–005, annexing 1715 Broad River Road.

#2005–008, granting encroachment to Central Parking for installation and maintenance of three signs along Park Street.

#2005–013, providing for the issuance and sale of City of Columbia Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series 2005, not exceeding $60,000,000.

#2005–014, authorizing conveyance of property known as 513 South Pickens Street (former Naval Reserve Building).

Resolutions

#R–2005–007, relating to the declaration of intent by the City of Columbia to reimburse certain expenditures prior to the issuance by the city of it Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue Bonds.

Next meeting

Council meets for its work session, February 23, Wednesday morning at 9, third floor, City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main.