Barbara Warren, City Employee of the Month, and Charles Austin, city manager. Roll call

City council convened for its work session at 9 am Wednesday, May 18, on the third floor of City Hall. Council members Sinclair and Cromartie called to say they’d be late. All other council members were present: Tameika Isaac Devine, Hamilton Osborne, Mayor Bob Coble, Sam Davis, and Daniel Rickenmann.

Capital Senior Center

Larry Jordan , executive director, asked council to help with roof repairs at his building above Maxcy Gregg Park. In 1998, city council approved an expenditure of $177,320, which was seen as a loan while the Capital Senior Center tried to collect from its contractor and architect. Failing that collection, Jordan asked council to forgive the loan and to enact some accounting practices to match the center’s books so both sides’ numbers agree. Jordan reminded council SC stands fifth in the US for retiree in–migration. Also, Jordan wanted council to understand the center’s direction, which is moving from a public/private funding ratio of 80/20 to one of 50/50. Council agreed to forgive the loan and to adjust the accounting.

Eau Claire

Dana Turner , assistant city manager, appealed to council to approve supplemental income for the Eau Claire Development Corporation, to include $16,000 to pay AMI Architects, a Greenville firm. Council concurred.

Police funding

Chief Crisp asked council to approve funding for his department’s LEAP software licenses. Council agreed to the funding to keep the LEAP project on schedule.

Convention and Visitors Bureau

Steve Camp , president, reminded council of his challenge to sell the entire Columbia area as a destination for meetings, conferences, conventions, events, business and leisure travel, and to produce a positive economic result. To pull it all off, Camp said, the CVB’s $1 million hospitality tax funding last year’s needs to be repeated this year, another $1 million. Council sympathized and also appreciated their risk. They built the convention center, and they have to fill it. The attitude of council allowed for a budget conference which would include the CVB request. As Osborne put it, ad hoc budget decisions end up as bad decisions, but a decision in the full context of the full hospitality tax budget could be easier and more responsible. The funding should probably come through, but not until the budget conference.

Presentation to council

Charles Austin , city manager, praised the city council members for their patience and productivity, particularly in light of all their other responsibilities in the professions and in business and in public service. Austin distributed glass plaques in the shape of SC to all the council members as a token of the city employee’s appreciation for all they do.

Executive session

Council adjourned to hold its executive session behind closed doors. Council returned just before 10 am for its regular session.

City employee distinction

Barbara Warren , the May 2005 Employee of the Month, was recognized for her performance as a Clerk III in the Water Division. On a daily basis she provides accurate and detail calculations of material used and man–hour expended along with the monetary expenditures for the completion of projects. Warren was presented with a framed certificate and a check for $150.

National Public Works Week

Proclamation

Melissa Gentry , director, reminded council of the national observance and the local participation in Public Works Week. A city proclamation was cited by Mayor Coble, and some of Gentry’s employees stood with her and Coble as the proclamation changed hands.

Police Officers’ Memorial Week

Proclamation

Chief Crisp came forward with some of his Columbia Police Team to announce this week as Police Officers’ Memorial Week. He highlighted Corporal Chris White as Columbia’s Officer of the Year, who recently was delegated to Washington for a National Police Memorial observance.

Consideration of bids and agreements

• $340 per person for 35 employees in emergency response training.

• $13,172 for the replacement of rotted horizontal galvanized water lines in the Public Works Building at 2910 Colonial Drive.

• $17,208 for the purchase of an intermediate car in the Fire Department.

• $18,520 for the replacement of one Wallace & Tierman chlorine evaporator.

• $24,000 for the purchase of chemical soap for the vehicle washer at Public Works.

• $28,980 for the purchase of MSA carbon fiber air cylinders for the MSA breathing units.

Ordinances – second reading

#2005–013, a fourth supplemental ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of City Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series 2005, in the principal amount not exceeding $60,000,000. Osborne had to recuse himself because he feared his law firm had some conflict.

Confirm zoning of previously annexed properties – second reading

• 225, 229, and 233 Wynn Way (lots 15, 16, 17 Pine Knoll Subdivision; confirm RG–2 zoning. Approved.

• 2137 Apple Valley Road; confirm RG–1 zoning. Approved.

• 7236 Broad River Road; confirm C–3 zoning. Approved.

• 2310 Newell Road; confirm RS–2 zoning. Approved.

• 2314 Newell Road; confirm RS–2 zoning. Approved.

Annexations with map amendment/rezoning – second reading

• 1.16 acres, Lykes Lane; annex property and rezone to C–3 to construct commercial/retail building. Approved.

• 506 and 510 Alcott Road (May Heavy Equipment); annex property and rezone to M–1 to construct 10,400 sq. ft. office/warehouse for May Equipment Rental Sales. Approved.

Map amendments/rezoning –

second reading

• 11.9 acres on Roberts Street (Eau Claire Place); rezone to PUD–R to reduce front–yard setback requirements for residential subdivision. Approved.

• 400 block of Park Street (USC Thurmond Wellness Center fields); rezone to C–3 to construct athletic fields and restroom facility. Approved.

• 2700 block Millwood Avenue; rezone to PUD–R and PUD–R–DP to construct 26 townhouses and 7 live/work units. Approved. Developer Ben Arnold was available for council’s questions and praise.

• 709 Woodrow Street; rezone to PUD–C to permit limited retail sales. Approve.

• 1807 Greene Street (Averyt Place); rezone to PUD–R to construct two duplexes (four townhouse units total). Approved.

Text amendments – second reading

• Ordinance #2005–037, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 17, Planning, Land Development and Zoning, Article I, In General, to add Sec. 17–1, Definitions, Sec. 17–2, Establishment and conditions of vested rights, and Sec. 17–3, Conflicting provisions.

And...

... Ordinance #2005–038, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 17, Planning, Land Development and Zoning, Article IV, Subdivisions, Division 2, Plat Approval, Sec. 17–492, Procedures and plan requirements, (2) Sketch plan requirements (c).

Intent: Establish vested rights in accordance with the “Vested Rights Act,” 6–29–1510 et seq. of the SC Code of Laws. Approved.

• Ordinance #2005–039, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 17, Planning, Land Development and Zoning, Article IV, Subdivisions, Division 3, Minimum Design Standards, Sec. 17–511, Variances.

Intent: Amend and expand relationship of city agencies to Planning Commission regarding variances to subdivision regulations. Approved.

• Ordinance #2005–040, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 17, Planning, Land Development and Zoning, Article IV, Subdivisions, Division 1, Generally, Sec. 17–466, Violations, penalty.

Intent: Permit developers to pre–sell lots and/or condominiums; bring section into conformance with State statute. Approved.

Consideration of bids, agreements & change orders

• $66,349 for Change Order #8 to the Canal Embankment Running/Walking Path.

• $70,056 for Change Order #9 to the Canal Embankment Running/Walking Path.

• $90,172 to renew the Microsoft Agreement that covers the city’s Microsoft System, as requested by the city’s Information Technology Department.

• $163,431 for the purchase of a front loader garbage truck.

• $188,407 for the purchase of bunker coats and pants.

Ordinances – first reading

• Ordinance #2005–042, annexing 20.8 acres, N/S I–20 at Clemson Road. Approved.

• Ordinance #2005–051, granting encroachment to R. Wayne Smith for installation and maintenance of a stone retaining wall along 3335 Keenan Drive. Approved.

Resolutions

• Resolution #R–2005–017, permitting Fire Department to collect money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Approved.

• Resolution #R–2005–022, amending Resolution #R–2005–001, authorizing condemnation for right of way acquisition for the North Main Street streetscape project.

Greening the Arts Festival

Shirley Fields Martin thanked council for help with her seven days of cultural literacy programs. She hoped council could attend and participate and further support next year.

Waverly neighborhood

Catherine Bruce thanked council for their support of low–income housing on behalf of her Waverly neighborhood.

Next meeting

Council meets for a work session Wednesday morning at 9, May 25, but there is no regular session that day. The work session is to be held on the third floor, City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main.