Chief Dean Crisp and some of his department with the MASCaward Roll Call

City council convened for its regular meeting and a zoning public hearing at 10 am, Wednesday, August 17, on the third floor of City Hall. All members of city council were present: Tameika Isaac Devine, Hamilton Osborne, E. W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, Sam Davis, and Daniel Rickenmann.

City’s favorite this month

The Employee of the Month award went to Elizabeth Duncan , city human resources technician. Jacques Gilliam , the city’s director of human resources, introduced Duncan and her husband. Describing Duncan, Gilliam said, “Commitment is the stuff character is made of, the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.”

Mr. Duncan, Elizabeth Duncan, Mayor Bob Duncan, Jacques Gilliam

Get SET

Marshell Johnson , director, and Ida Duncan , assistant director, announced two graduates of the GED track from the city’s Get SET education program co–sponsored with Richland One. Frederick Riley , city truck driver, and Elroy Parson , mechanic with city utilities, were presented with framed certificates by Mayor Bob Coble.

Frederick Riley and Mayor Bob Coble

Sky Show 2005

Jacqueline Freeman , sales manager for WLXC – KISS 98.5 FM, asked council for $4,000, the same amount contributed last year. Council concurred. The purpose is to broadcast the Tom Joyner Show on the weekend of the Palmetto Classic football game. Joyner is well known for his support of historically black colleges. This is the city’s third sponsorship.

Jim Daniel

City police recognized

At the Municipal Association of SC annual convention in Hilton Head recently, the Columbia Police Department was recognized for its public safety achievements. Chief Dean Crisp and Captain Rick Hines led a presentation of a Compstat Video, explaining how their department meets weekly to analyze the week’s incidents. A 13% reduction in incidents is the result. A shiny large loving cup awarded by the MASC was shown to council and the crowd.

Map and text amendments (historic district and landmarks) – first reading

• 1537 Main Street; rezone from C–5, –DD to C–5, –DD, –DP; continue public hearing to 11/9/05

Confirm zoning of previously annexed properties – first reading

• 1111 First Avenue, confirm M–1; continue public hearing to 11/9/05

• Beaver Park, Phases I and II (Parcel D–3) Woodcreek Farms; confirm PUD–R zoning for 52 single–family homes; approved

• Portion of 46.68 acres, N/S Percival Road, S/S I–20 (Sage Pointe; confirm RG–2 zoning for multi–family residential buildings; approved)

Annexations with map amendments/ rezonings – first reading

• 920 and 930 Gracern Road; annex and rezone from RS–1 to C–3 to construct office building; approved

• 109 South Parker Street; annex and rezone from RG–2 to RS–3 to receive sewer service; approved

Text amendments – first reading

• Ordinance #2005–092, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 17, Article III, Zoning, Division 8, District Descriptions; Use and Dimensional Regulations, Sec. 17–258, table of permitted uses, Table 1, SIC 483, Radio and television broadcasting; amend text of Zoning Ordinance to make radio and television broadcasting uses permitted within the C–3, C–3A, C–5, C–6, M–1, and M–2 zoning districts, subject to compliances with the cell tower ordinance (Sect. 17–283); approved.

Map amendments/rezoning

– first reading

• 1115 and 1117 Woodrow Street; rezone from PUD–R to Amended PUD–R, DP to vary the site plan, notably the lot configuration and required side yard setbacks; approved

• 3127 & 3135 Forest Drive; rezone from RS–2 to PUD–C to construct 4,800 to 5,600 sq. ft. retail center; approved.

• Property bordered by Pendleton, Wayne, Gadsden, and Devine Streets and 3.79 acre parcel at Devine, Gadsden, and Blossom Streets (USC Baseball Stadium); rezone from M–2, –DD and PUD–C, –DD to PUD–C, –DD. The plan was explained and defended by Brad Edwards of USC’s athletic department. USC wants the railroad to allow a pedestrian bridge over the tracks to the west of the site. Jim Daniel , speaking on behalf of the area land owners and businesses, asked for a road bridge over the tracks, claiming only about 10,000 people could be accommodated for parking under the current proposed plan. The Colonial Center, the Koger Center, and the USC Baseball Stadium combine for a perfect storm of parking demand for maybe 30,000 people. Council asked for further traffic and transit studies. The USC team asked to return as soon as the studies were complete and ready for full disclosure.

• 8.5 acres, Westwood Avenue & Abingdon Road (Willowbrook Gardens); rezone from RS–1 to PUD–R to subdivide property and construct 34 single–family homes. Council asked the contractor Max Conrad , development partner, to return with specifics on materials and finishes and also a better plan presentation. The density remained, much to the objection of the neighborhood members present, including Laura Dugan , Bill Manley, Pete McGiver, and Lyman Munson.

Street closings

• Amberly Road between Lauderdale Road and Romford Road, Thursday, August 25, from 6 pm until 8 pm.

• Marion Street between Elmwood Avenue and Calhoun Street, Tuesday, August 30, from 8 am until 2 pm.

• Germany Street between Barhamville Road and Waites Road four hours prior to the Benedict College home football games.

• Pendleton Street between Pulaski Street and Huger Street, Saturday, September 24, from 8 am until 8 pm.

• 1300 block of Senate Street between Sumter Street and Marion Street, Sunday, October 9, from 12:45 pm until 4 pm.

• 1800 block of Blanding Street between Gregg Street and Barnwell Street, Tuesday, October 11, from 8 am until 4 pm.

• Lincoln Street between Greene Street and Blossom Street, from 8:30 am until 1 pm: Friday, October 14; Tuesday, November 1; Thursday, November 10; Friday, December 2; Tuesday, December 6; Wednesday, December 7; Thursday, December 8; Friday, December 9; Thursday, December 15; Friday, December 16.

Consideration of bids and agreements

• $15,908 for the purchase of a natural gas powered generator.

• $29,177 for the purchase of a 15,000–lb. cab and chassis.

• $49,588 for the purchase of safety supplies.

Consideration of bids, agreements and change orders

• $59,100 for professional services to increase the understanding of the city’s current economic structure, to identify economic opportunities that are realistic and compatible with the city’s collaborative plan, and to identify and discuss the potential growth of existing and emerging industries in the city.

• $156,670 for water main tapping and meter installation.

Ordinances – second reading

• #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.

Ordinances – first reading

• #2005–047, granting encroachment to Lisa A. Maseng for installation and maintenance of wooden fencing, gates and landscaping at 418 South Ravenel Street.

• #2005–069, granting a franchise to LaPapa Caliente to operate a stationary sidewalk/vending cart at the northeast corner of Main Street and Lady Street.

Resolutions

• R–2005–037, authorizing consumption of alcoholic beverages at the Crawfish Festival

• R–2005–040, amending the sidewalk vending locations and authorized merchandise

• R–2005–041, authorizing acceptance of a deed from Windwood and Development, LLC, for property known as Richland County TMS #13809–03–20 and 13809–03–24

License

Council approved a business license for a private investigation firm doing business as McNair–Graham Inc. of 1720 Main Street, Suite 106.

United Way

Council agreed to contribute $1,500 to the United Way’s Local Housing Trust Fund Workshop.

Restructuring

Council approved funding for the Commission on Columbia City Government Reform and Restructuring.

Capital City Stadium

Osborne asked his fellow council members to get out of the baseball stadium business. Sell the thing to the university, Osborne begged and left the room. The remaining members of council listened to Mr. Shanahan and his proposal to rent the stadium for $12,000 a year for three years with the right to renew. Council member Sinclair repeated Osborne’s pleas. Apparently the USC angle is to cut out any competition in baseball in town, following the principles of monopoly sports entertainment espoused by recently departed USC AD Mike McGee . With the exception of Sinclair and absentee Osborne, council voted for the deal, as 160 other American cities own and subsidize baseball stadiums, mostly in the minors. The Columbia team, a $300,000 franchise purchase by Shanahan’s group, will be part of the Coastal Plain League. Sinclair warned the others on council the city parks’ budget had no overtime funds left after just two months into the fiscal year.

Taxi

The city’s cab companies asked council for emergency regulation to raise the mileage rate another $0.15 to carry some of the cost increases in gasoline. Council member Devine reminded council that Osborne hopes to take the city out of the cab business, also. Council voted for the fare increase.

Next meeting

Council meets Wednesday morning, August 24, at 9 am for a work session and at 10 am for a regular session and public hearing. Meetings are held on the third floor of City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main Streets.