EdVenture’s chairman Steve Mungo Roll call

City council met behind closed doors Wednesday morning at 8:30 for its executive session. Council member Sam Davis was absent, and all other members were present: Tameika Isaac Devine, Hamilton Osborne, E. W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, and Daniel Rickenmann. Council surfaced around 10 for its regular session.

GET SET

City employee James Goodwin Jr. was recognized for his achievement in gaining his GED in 1.5 years. His future plans include attending Midlands Tech and becoming a supervisor for the city.

EdVenture

Catherine Horne , EdVenture’s executive director, thanked council for their continuing support of the children’s museum and especially for helping with the “Good Grief” interactive exhibit. Chairman Steve Mungo reiterated Horne’s good wishes and appreciation. Also in attendance were board members Dr. Linda Bell of DHEC and Cathy Monetti , president and creative director of Riggs.

Snoopy hands gift to E. W. Cromartie

Economic development

Dana Turner , assistant city manager for commerce and development, reviewed her adjustments to balance the account of the fiscal year 2005–2006 Economic Development Contingency Acc-ount. Most discussed was the partial restoration of funds to the Midlands Education and Business Alliance. The funds found for MEBA came from the water and sewer system reserve fund, which was the same source for the convention center headquarters Hilton Hotel $4.5 million subsidy. Council urged the city manager and his staff to revisit all the commitments and contracts in the Economic Development Contingency Account for further adjustments, especially the three–year agreement with the venture capital firm Trelys. Osborne reminded council the Trelys payments could be canceled for its third year in the agreement if council acted by December 1.

James Goodwin with his family and Mayor Bob Coble

Homeless

Jennifer Moore , project coordinator, reminded council that on Thursday, December 8, the US Interagency Council on Homelessness will recognize the Project Homeless Connect program in San Francisco because of its innovative approach to combating homelessness and bringing services to those in need. Moore recommended www. projecthomelessconnect.com for additional information on the San Francisco program.

Street closings

• Santee Street between Blossom Street and Harden Street, Friday, November 11, from 6 pm until 1 am.

Considerations of bids and agreements

• $19,500 for engineering services for US Army Corps of Engineers Enforcement Resolution and Clean Water Act Permitting Support.

Cathy Monetti of Riggs • $22,072 for the purchase of office furniture for the Drew Wellness Center.

• $25,000 for structural engineering services.

• $30,000 for temporary workers for the leaf season.

• $65,500 for engineering services to perform a hydraulic evaluation of the southeast portion of the city’s water distribution system.

Consideration of bids,

agreements, and

change orders

• $77,800 for engineering services to evaluate hydraulic conditions in the area of the city’s Pontiac, Polo Road, and Hobart pump stations, and the proposed Village at Sandhill elevated storage tank.

• $82,000 for professional services between the city and the State Capitol Group LLC / McLeod Butler & Company LLC.

(l–r) Jim Reynolds, Ron Anderson, and Kaye Shaw of MEBA

Resolutions

• #R–2005–066, authorizing annual Holiday Open House for merchants in the 2100– 3200 blocks of Devine Street.

• #R–2005–068, approving the expenditure/use of certain funds of the city in order to enhance the development of a hotel to serve the Midlands Regional Convention Center.

Executive session

Council adjourned to duck behind closed doors to vote on the above resolution, #R– 2005–068. See Hotel on page 14.