Steve Camp Roll call

City council convened close to 9 am last Wednesday morning, April 13, for its work session. Council members present were Tameika Isaac Devine, Hamilton Osborne, E. W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, Sam Davis, and Daniel Rickenmann.

3 Rivers

Elizabeth Bedford and Fred Monk brought council up to date on the 3 Rivers Music Festival, starting Friday, April 22, and running through Sunday, April 24. The four mission/goals were explained to council: (1) diversity, (2) market Columbia, (3) increase tourism, and (4) economic benefit. Their ticket dealer ETIX has sold tickets to people from Guam and 23 states other than SC: AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SD, TX, VA, and VT.

Dee Albritton

Marketing the city

Steve Camp , president of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, reported on two conventions booked for Columbia, one with 2,000 room nights and another with 1,500 room nights. The 3–day weekend with Turner South was successful, and Turner South is returning for another take. Osborne recommended maybe 20 pages be put into a brochure/book titled “Introduction to Columbia,” something short and readable that encapsulates an introductory profile of Columbia for the uninitiated.

Marc Mylott

Fast Forward

Dee Albritton bragged about getting 40% of her summer technology camp taken in the first week of accepting reservations. She had 100 registrations in one day. For instance, the camp at Emily Douglas Park is full. Director Albritton’s Fast Forward was covered recently in Technology Review Magazine.

Chip Land

Billboards

As an interim measure on the billboard issue, city planning officer Marc Mylott reviewed two city ordinances pertaining to billboards. Coble said he was against amortization, and he suggested a ban could fall short, while he appreciated a banking system that took signs down. Cromartie shared concern for the small business owner who collected sign rents and also the business owner who directly benefitted from effective billboard advertising. Davis chimed in as a supporter for the current cap and replace system. Rickenmann was not for amortization, either, and he suggested there was a whole lot more to discuss. Coble suggested there not be a vote but further study. Council concurred.

Rick Semon

City landscape ordinance

Frank Knapp and April Heyward of the Small Business Regulatory Review Committee presented views of their committee’s landscape and tree ordinance recommendations. Cromartie worried, again, over the small businessman, having spent tons of money on his rent properties. Cromartie’s landscape style and rental property maintenance program were covered in the Columbia Star ’s front page, March 4. Sinclair called the recommendations the result of two years’ work, and she appreciated the feedback. Rickenmann wanted clear and concise guidelines. City planner Chip Land explained the city’s educational tools to make sure the property owner could come up to speed on the city’s requirements. Land, it was then announced, was identified as the city’s new annexation officer.

John Spade

April Heyward and Frank Knapp Development grants

Rick Semon , director of Community Development, reviewed the Columbia Assisting Neighborhood Development Opportunities Grants. Out of 27 applications submitted, Semon recommended full funding with the exception of Burton Heights/Standish Acres and North Columbia Civic Club, both of which failed to meet the match requirement. Semon’s committee’s recommendations totaled $245,645.

Five Points meters

John Spade of General Services reported the Five Points parking meters were generating the turnovers required by retail businesses. As requested by the local merchants, all meters are nullified at 7 pm. Rickenmann worried over the struggling businesses while the construction was under way. Sinclair said she felt the optimism among the merchants for when the construction is finally over.

Milton Smalls

Street closings

• Galway Lane between Olde Knight Parkway and Macon Road, Friday, April 15, from 5 pm until 8 pm.

Shirley Fields Martin Ordinances – second reading

#2005–033, closing and transfer of Simkins Lane, Saxon Plaza, and a portion of Elmira Street to the Columbia Housing Authority.

#2005–036, authorizing execution of an agreement to sell and buy between the City of Columbia and Security Technology Services for the transfer of 2.06 acres in Columbia Industrial Park.

Resolutions

#2005–015, release and abandonment of the city’s existing 10’ water main easement along Park Ridge at Polo, Phase III.

Empowerment Zone

Devine asked that Mildred McDuffie take her place on the Empowerment Zone board. Sinclair asked for the same arrangement with Russell McCoy . Milton Smalls , CEO of the Sumter–Empowerment Zone fielded questions from council.

Greening the Arts Festival 2005

Shirley Fields Martin of the Children’s Fine Arts Academy appealed to council to help with the printing of her festival’s

brochure. The Greening of the Arts Festival runs from Sunday, May 22, through Sunday, May 29. Council gestured help with the printing. Austin, city manager, reminded council Martin was yet to gain funding through the full application and approval process.

Next meeting

Council meets for a work session Wednesday, April 20, at 9 am. At 10 am council holds a regular meeting. Both gatherings are on the third floor, City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main.