Dana Turner and Jim Gambrell Roll call

City council convened at 9 am Wednesday, September 14, for its work session in City Hall, third floor. Council member Tameika Isaac Devine was absent, and council member Cromartie was running late. Council members present were Hamilton Osborne, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, Sam Davis, and Daniel Rickenmann.

Economic development

Dana Turner , assistant city manager for commerce and development, and Jim Gambrell , director for economic development, explained to council their economic development contingency account’s $698,700, the city’s annual funding. Four scenario spreadsheets were distributed to council, and three disclosed deficits averaging above $100,000; one was a break–even year with zero deficit. Council decided not to choose until a final word on how much money overall was available. No one knew.

Brent Robertson

Homelessness

Turner stayed at the lectern to discuss council’s funding for the Homelessness Summit due to convene the next day. Council had already committed to $120,000. Mayor Coble asked council to vote on approving a three–point plan: (1) endorse a site selection committee to locate facilities for the homeless; (2) adopt a 10–year plan as required by the federal funding guidelines; (3) give the Homelessness Commission some teeth and some effectiveness and some funding. Council agreed.

Charlie Thompson

Animal services

Sinclair reported on her meetings with Richland County Council and their conclusions on working together for a better animal shelter accommodation, a joint facility to lower costs for both entities and to also raise standards.

Finlay Park update

Allison Baker , assistant city manager for parks and recreation, brought council up to speed on the leeches in the Finlay Park pool. Baker assured the room leeches weren’t a health hazard, but he shared disgust with the crowd. Council authorized deleeching the pool.

Drew Wellness Center

Allison Bakerreappeared to ask council to approve the Drew Wellness Center’s user fees. Cromartie suggested any surplus go into a scholarship fund, as if the building didn’t cost a whole lot. On the other hand, council doesn’t intend to charge to service the construction debt, just to help carry operations.

Owens Field

Council approved their sponsorship of the community conference room at Owens Field, a one–time hit of $26,819.24.

Municipal Court

Council approved the appointments of Alicia Pantonial and Warren Davis as ministerial recorders.

USC parking

Council approved a request from USC for the formation of nine loading zones while losing one residential parking space and 10 metered spaces from 7 am until 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Investment strategies

Brent Robertson , the city’s financial advisor from Merchant Capital in Atlanta, reviewed investment strategies, mostly short–term.

Confirm zoning of previously annexed properties

• 8415 Garners Ferry Road (4.63 acres); confirm C–3 zoning for existing fast–food restaurant; approved.

Major change to a planned unit development (PUD)

• 1807 Greene Street (Ayrsley Place); amend PUD–R–DP to construct two duplexes (4 townhouse units total); approved.

Map amendments/rezoning

• 501 A & B South Beltline Boulevard; rezone property from RG–2 to PUD–R to subdivide lot; approved.

• 1043 Huger Street; rezone property from M–2, –DD to C–2, –DD to establish a religious organization; delayed due to requests from Charlie Thompson and USC. While USC and the Guignard family work out their joint development plans next door, any zoning changes could risk a negative impact. Council agreed and held off the request for another month or so.

• 5003 Holmes Avenue; rezone property from RS–3 to PUD–R to permit subdivision of lot and construction of single–family residence; approved.

Annexation with map amendment/rezoning

• 5 acre portion of 17.94 acres, N/S 1400 block of St. Andrews Road; annex and rezone property from Richland County C–3 to RG–2 to construct 24 multi–family residential units; approved.

Street closings

• Earlewood Drive between Parkside Street and Northwood Street, Sunday, September 25, from 9:30 am until 2 pm.

• Sanford Drive between Kathwood Drive and Mabar Street, Sunday, October 2, from 4 pm until 9 pm.

• Burney Drive between South Maple Street and Sloan Street, Sunday, October 16, from 2 pm until 6 pm.

• Adger Road between Devine Street and Cassina Street, Sunday, October 30, from 8 am until 12 pm.

• Calhoun Street between Main Street and Assembly Street, Friday, November 4, from 7 am until 4 pm.

Consideration of bids and agreements

• $15,415 for the purchase of a 2006 Ford F–250 pickup truck.

• $12,739 for the purchase of ductile iron pipes, valves, and hydrants.

• $21,262 for the purchase of two 2006 Ford Ranger pickup trucks.

• $33,019 for a one–year contract to furnish and install traffic signal loops.

• $46,800 for the purchase of land development/code enforcement software.

• $54,000 for the replacement of underwater lights at Finlay Park.

Consideration of bids, agreements, and change orders

• $30,737 for Change Order #2 for the University Neighborhood Ass’n. lighting project.

• $83,539 for a sanitary sewer from Banbury Road to #153 Cheshire Drive.

• $184,610 for the purchase of activated carbon and phosphate for the water treatment plants.

Ordinances – first reading

• #2005–093, annexing 17.94 acres, St. Andrews Road.

• #2005–095, approval to grant an easement to SCE&G for the installation of utilities along a portion of city property for the Southeast Community Park and Tennis Center project.

• #2005–096, authorizing execution of a lease agreement between the City of Columbia and Shanahan & Company for Capital City Stadium.

Resolutions

• R–2005–042, authorizing Main Street Marketplace.

• R–2005–043, approval for release and abandonment of a portion of the city’s existing 20’ to 25’ water main easement along 314 Lee Road.

• R–2005–044, approval for release and abandonment of a portion of the city’s existing 25’ water main easement along 320 Lee Road.

• R–2005–045, authorization for acceptance and dedication of streets known as a portion of Roberts Street, Blanchelle Court, N. Silasbrook Court and S. Silasbrook Court, Eau Claire Place.

• R–2005–047, authorizing Art on the Weekends in Five Points.

• R–2005–049, release and abandonment of portions of the city’s existing 15’ sanitary sewer easements along lots 318 & 319, Laurel Hill.

• R–2005–050, authorizing acceptance of a deed from Benedict College for Read Street Extension.

• R–2005–051, authorizing consumption of alcoholic beverages at Five Points Association’s 5 After 5 fall concert series.

Next meeting

Council meets on Wednesday, 9 am, September 21, on the third floor of City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main.