Martha Scott Smith Roll call

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

Palmetto FIRST Robotics Competition

Martha Smith explained the city’s partnership with Palmetto FIRST Robotics. She asked council to consider a $50,000 sponsorship for the 2006 competition. For the last two years, the competition was held in Columbia, where there was an economic impact of over $300,000 during the two–day affair. Last month the US Conference of Mayors unanimously endorsed the goals, concepts, and competition associated with FIRST. Smith also asked for some city employees to volunteer to help with the school teams. Council concurred.

Krista Hampton

Development Center

Krista Hampton , Development Center Administrator, reviewed plans for a one–stop shop of a city development center to help handle all requests for building permits. A customer–friendly public service, the Development Center opens in the first week of December in the Washington/Main City Hall annex.

Ken Simmons and Meredith Drakeford

City Council retreat

Council agreed its retreat should come on February 3 and 4, but they couldn’t agree on the venue, probably out of town. Another planning session, a one–day gathering in Columbia, would be executed by city staff. The weekend retreat would be handled by staff from the Municipal Association of SC.

Southeast Park

Skip Pearson Allison Baker , assistant city manager for parks, brought council up to date on the Southeast Park construction schedule. Landscape architect Ken Simmons and Sumter architect Meredith Drakeford presented their architectural scale model of the education and park administration buildings, all designed to meet cutting edge environmental requirements to rate as a LEED-certified compound. The tennis courts should be ready for play in May, but the buildings and the park’s final stages should take a little longer.

Drew Wellness Center

Allison Baker proposed a schedule of membership fees for the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center. The city’s Jeff Rainwater further explained the survey, research, and recommendations for the membership fees.

Security cameras

Mayor Coble described the security camera system he recommended for Columbia. Council agreed to look further into the matter, to include considering cameras less expensive than the $28,000 models the mayor saw in service in Chicago.

Baseball

Mayor Coble touted the lease deal for $12,000 a year offered by Shanahan & Company. Sinclair and Osborne voiced opposition to the deal by simply saying they wanted out when it came to keeping the city in the professional baseball business. Council planned to look further into the matter.

Traffic

Dave Brewer , city traffic engineer, recommended the installation of speed humps on Hamptonwood Way, Council agreed.

Street closings

• Greene Street where it intersects with Pavilion Avenue, Pine Street, and Heidt Street, Saturday, August 13, from 9 am until 6 pm.

Bids, agreements and change orders

• $53,280 for the hiring of 17 temporary employees for six weeks to assist with the routine upkeep and maintenance in city parks.

• $270,000 for a letter of engagement to assist fostering economic development in the city.

• $449,000 for renovations to the basement and the first floor areas of Washington Square.

Ordinances – second reading

• #2005–050, granting encroachment to M. Burgess Mills & Associates for installation and maintenance of entry signs for Middleburg Park at Forest Drive.

• #2005–078, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 5, Buildings and Building Regulations, Article II, Building and Technical Code, Division 8, is amended to repeal Amusement Device Code and to add Energy Conservation Code and to add Energy Conservation Code.

• #2005–079, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 9, Fire Prevention and Protection, Article IV, Fire Protection Code, Sec. 9–68, Amendments, and renumber subsequent sections.

• #2005–080, amending Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 5, Buildings and Building Regulations, Article II, Building and Technical Codes, Division 7, Property Maintenance Code, Sec. 5–151.

• #2005–081, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 5, Article II, Building and Technical Codes, Division 2, Building Code, Sec. 5–51.

• #2005–082, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 5, Article II, Building and Technical Codes, Division 3, Gas Code, Sec. 5_71.

• #2005–083, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 5, Article II, Building and Technical Codes, Division 4, Plumbing Code, Sec. 5–91.

• #2005–084, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 5, Article II, Building and Technical Codes, Division 6, Mechanical Code, Sec. 5–131.

• #2005–085, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 5, Article II, Building and Technical Codes, to add Division 9, International Residential Code for One– and Two–Family Dwellings, Sec. 5–191.

Resolutions

• #R–2005–038, authorizing city manager to execute an Agreement of Sale and Purchase.

Greening of the Arts

Famous jazz saxophonist Skip Pearson , who was an artist–in–residence last year in a Lugoff elementary school, and festival director Shirley Fields–Martin encouraged council to support this year’s edition of Greening of the Arts.

Next meeting

Council meets next Wednesday, August 17, for a work session at 9 am and for a zoning public hearing at 10 am. Both meetings are on the third floor, City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main.