Soni Sonefield Roll call

City council convened its work session at 9 am, Wednesday, June 22. Council member Anne Sinclaire was absent, but all other members were present: Tameika Isaac Devine, Hamilton Osborne, E. W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Sam Davis, and Daniel Rickenmann.

Graduates

The United Way’s Blueprint for Leadership graduates were presented by Charles Austin, city manager. The eight–week program gave insights into the community’s nonprofits. This year’s graduates include:

Ike McLeese B. Alexander Ingram of Palmetto GBA

Benita Meredith of BlueCross BlueShield

Beverly Harris of the SC Education Lottery

Cheryl Free of Kraft Foods

Chrissy Stauffer of the United Way

Dan Kadar of BB&T

Deirdre Mardon of The Babcock Center

Diane Howard of Palmetto Health Foundation

Donna Jumper of the City of Columbia

Elizabeth Thomson of Nationwide Insurance

Jennifer Moore and Rick Semon Ernest Pringle of USC

Gregory Sprouse of Central Midlands

Judy Spell of the City of Columbia

Lauren Tucker of The State

Laurie Grafton of BB&T

Marie McGehee of Colonial Insurance

Pamela Hawkins of the City of Columbia

Sharon Roberts of Palmetto GBA

Terri Hooper of the City of Columbia

Willis Ware of Heathwood Hall

Animal Mission

Kirkman Finlay Soni Sonefield brought council up to date on

his Animal Mission of the Midlands, a major financial supporter of Columbia Animal Services. One strong point Sonefield made to council was to teach proper care for animals, especially to young people.

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)

Ike McLeese, CEO at the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, disclosed the latest in Columbia’s success story in avoiding base closings. McLeese said the Columbia area gained an additional $600 million in annual community economics due to expansion/ alteration at Fort Jackson, McEntire Air Base, and Shaw Air Force Base. At Shaw, for instance, another 800 Army officers at ranks of major and above will be moving in as part of the new command and control center for the Third Army. Fort Jackson kept its chaplain’s school, but it also gained the designation as the military’s (all branches) religious center. The drill sergeant’s school expanded by engulfing the Army’s other two and relocating everybody at Fort Jackson. McLeese asked council to consider another $50,000 in support for the local BRAC committee to follow through on all the good news and to ensure all the good comes around. Council agreed.

Mayor Bob Coble presents commemorative certificates to The United Way’s Blueprint for Leadership graduates.

Street closings

• Belvedere Drive where it intersects with Windover Street, and Windover Street between Belvedere Drive and Two Notch Road, Saturday, June 25, from 7 am until 6 pm.

• Fairview Drive at Kirby Street, Millwood Avenue, and Picket Street, Monday, July 4, from 2:30 pm until 5 pm.

• Pinewood Drive between South Pickens Street and South Gregg Street, Saturday, July 9, from 11 am until 11 pm.

• 2500 block of Center Street between Truax Lane and Covenant Road, Thursday, July 14, from 9 am until 2 pm.

Considerations of bids, agreements, and change orders

• $799,851 for a professional services contract for the purpose of providing resources to develop long–term comprehensive housing strategies for eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families, as requested by the Community Development Department.

• $63,707 as an amendment to the Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) professional services contract with Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services (PALSS). The application of the funds was explained by Jennifer Moore, HOPWA program coordinator, and Rick Semon, director for Community Development.

• $10,282 for the purchase of a Graco Line stripping system for pavement marking.

• $10,990 for the purchase of four portable service line jetting machines.

• $18,135 for the purchase of 13 computers for the Leap Program.

• $102,270 for the purchase of annual wastewater maintenance repair material for fiscal year 2005/2006.

• $144,000 for the Washington Square asbestos abatement project.

• $103,695 for a contract extension for an external auditor for the two years ending June 30, 2005 and 2006.

• Easement agreement between the City of Columbia and Heron Lakes I LLC for the Villages at Lakeshore.

Ordinances – second reading

#2005–056, to raise revenue and adopt the budget for the City of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. Council voted to pass this ordinance, but Rickenmann voted against it due to the water and sewer fee increase.

#2005–057, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 23, Utilities and Engineering, Article V, Water and Sewer Rates and Sec. 23–143 Water service rates and Sec. 23–149 Sewer service rates. Again, this passed and Rickenmann voted against it for the same reasons.

Ordinances – first reading

#2005–058, amending approval for quit claim deeds to convey portions of the unopened right–of–way for Rhett Avenue.

Resolutions

#R–2005–030, authorizing street closing for Carolina Car Show.

Construction hurting merchants

Kirkman Finlay noted the loss in business practically everywhere the city was managing street improvements. Some merchants have moved, and practically all along Main Street and in Five Points have been hurt. Some have even shut down due to interference from city–directed construction. Finlay recommended city apologies and coordination to lessen the impact. Some real pro–business strategy was in order at the outset of construction by the city, and now maybe is too late, but Finlay suggested complete reconsiderations by the city.

Eau Claire

Bill Manley of Eau Claire thanked council for their help – almost $700 from the city plus real participation by Davis and Devine – in last Saturday’s “Teens expressing themselves.” Manley reported 150–185 people (ages 12–17) participated.

Next meeting

There will be no meeting on Wednesday, June 29, and on Wednesday, July 6. The next council meeting is 9 am Wednesday, July 13, on the third floor of City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main.