Roll Call

Members present were Anthony Mizzell, Doris Corley, Joyce Dickerson, Valerie Hutchinson, Damon Jeter, Paul Livingston, Joseph McEachern, Michael Montgomery, Greg Pearce, Bernice Scott, and Kit Smith.

Getting Started

Chairman Anthony Mizzell called the meeting to order shortly after 6 pm. Kit Smith gave the Invocation, then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was approved with no changes. Past minutes were approved with no changes.

County attorney Larry Smith informed the council there were two items requiring executive session. Both concerned the everpresent personnel issue. The executive session was placed at the end of the meeting, just before the motion period.

Neither the county administrator nor the chairman had anything to report. Council clerk Michielle Cannon–Finch told the council about the 2005 Urban League Equal Opportunity Dinner November 3 at Seawell’s.

Six public hearing items were opened and closed without incident or comment.

Citizen’s Input

Kara Irick spoke during citizen’s input about the discrepancy on the charges for the new water system the county became involved in recently. The citizens were sent a letter explaining how the council had established rates for the Lower Richland communities involved and the actual rates being charged are seven dollars higher. Ashley Jacobs was at her side ready to help before she finished her two minutes at the podium.

Regular Business

All consent items were approved first. Two third reading items actually discussed were deferred. One concerned a quit claim deed on Eisenhower Drive, and the other was an infrastructure financing agreement with AEB Business Properties.

A second reading item, the redevelopment plan for the Olympia area Tax Increment Financing District ordinance, was also deferred. An item amending an agreement between Richland and Fairfield counties about the I–77 Corridor Regional Industrial Park was approved. The council moved with purpose and efficiency. I guess they all wanted to get home in time to see House. There were no first reading items.

The Committee Reports

The D&S committee had an item concerning condemnation action for property on Burdell Fuller road. The committee had no recommendation and the staff told the council what the three possible choices are.

One is to pay Ms. Fuller for the right of way the planned road will need. Choice two involves re–routing the road so it skirts the edge of the property. No fees will need to be paid to the property owner, but it will cost to change the route. The third recommendation is to abandon the project. Staff recommends this and the council agreed.

A second item with no recommendation involves the warranty requirements for new roads. Pearce spoke first and said the current ordinance is “fouled up.” His primary concern was whether this item needed to be started over completely since the public hearing had already happened and the ordinance would eventually be completely re–written.

Attorney Smith opined the item could be deferred, corrected, and a new public hearing could take place, all without causing problems. Paul Livingston made a motion to defer the item until a new public hearing can be scheduled and publicized. His motion passed.

A motion authorizing Small Business Participation in the Solid Waste Collection Program was next. This item also came from committee without recommendation. Chairman Damon Jeter said he wanted this to be discussed with the members who collect the waste and wasn’t sure this had happened.

Staff member Tony McDonald informed the council the reception to the idea was lukewarm at best, but no member had serious objections to the proposal, just concerns. Joe McEachern proposed a nine–month trial period to see if anything arises to cause problems. Kit Smith asked for an amendment to complete the trial before 2006 budget discussions. McEachern agreed.

After Bernice Scott expressed concern about the collectors’ contracts, and her worries about the cart being before the horse, the item, as amended, passed.

All A&F committee items were passed as consent items. The rules and appointments committee had an ordinance amendment concerning the employee grievance committee not ready to bring to the full council.

Prospective rules changes for citizen’s input and committee agenda deadlines were left as is.

Paul Livingston brought an item from his Economic Development committee concerning return of the JEDA bonds. It passed. Livingston served double duty and brought an item from the Township Ad Hoc committee concerning the joint plan for city and county involvement in renovations and land purchases for the Township.

Livingston told the rest of the council of the current situation concerning the historic auditorium. The proposed 26 million renovation and land purchase plan has been reduced to 11 million. He recommended approval and said the city is also planning a concurring action.

Jeter asked for clarification on the land purchase, and whether there was an architect involved in the renovations. Bernice Scott wanted to be sure the city was committed to this plan, and whether there is a back–up plan if Columbia doesn’t go along.

Mike Montgomery raised concerns about using Hospitality Tax funds for something within the city limits. He wanted to know if the city planned to support the project and if the Township will ever be self–sufficient.

Mizzell interrupted the flow to remind Montgomery, and the rest of the council, that a commitment was made to the Township as part of the Hospitality Tax proposal and the auditorium had been on hold for some time while other projects were funded.

McEachern wanted the council to prioritize things. He suggested renovations first, then land acquisition. He also said operating costs as part of the plan gave him pause.

A passionate Greg Pearce reminded everyone that Richland County owns the Township and that four or five council districts are within city limits and get little or no funding from Hospitality Tax funds.

Pearce reminded those in attendance the Township project began with a comprehensive study of what was needed to renovate the building. A survey was commissioned to find out whether the citizens of Richland County wanted the Township saved, and what improvements needed to be made in order to get citizens to attend events there.

Eighty–five percent of the respondents wished the Township to be saved. The items mentioned as necessary to revitalize attendance were the things focused on in the renovations: parking, more lighted areas, handicap accessible areas, etc…

Pearce pointed out the entire plan was conducted in a business–like manner and if the Township were to close, there is nothing to take its place.

Smith said the council used to pay expenses at the auditorium with property taxes. She said benefits from earmarking Hospitality Tax funds allowed many other projects to be completed. Smith also said any public entertainment facility, whether an arena, ballpark, or auditorium, is subsidized by the local government.

Smith also explained the county vote for the plan was in concept only and the city will do the same next week. If both entities pass the item, the two groups will get together to negotiate the real plan. If Columbia fails to pass this, Richland County has no commitment to tonight’s action.

Jeter expressed concern about rising construction costs, and said he wanted some detail on projected renovations. Montgomery said he didn’t want to take anything away from his colleagues, but must point out this is an economic policy decision and needed to be handled as such. Scott ended the discussion by saying the Township is the only place where there is entertainment for everybody. The motion passed, 10–1. Montgomery voted no.

Citizen’s Input Two

Pastor Reginald Flynn addressed the council about the paving of Sara Matthews Road. He said his group had been there before and had waited 30 years for their road to be paved. He said the committee discussed it, then deferred the project, and no one got back to their group about the current state of things.

Another gentleman who didn’t give his name tried to read some letters from area citizens. He was dismissed by Mizzell when he insisted on criticizing the council rather than speak to the issue.

Executive Session

The council retired into executive session for an unusually brief 35 minutes. When they reconvened, they discussed their actions.

After much recent speculation and rumor, county administrator Cary McSwain resigned, effective immediately, to accept a position as a consultant for the county. Milton Pope was named the interim county administrator. Pearce made the motion to accept the resignation and hire McSwain. Livingston moved to have Pope installed.

Mizzell addressed the situation in more detail, explaining how there were complex issues on the council plate right now, and McSwain is needed to help resolve some of those. At the same time, someone must continue with regular county business. With Pope installed, the county can do a national search for the right person for the job.

Mizzell praised McSwain as an exceptional county administrator who hired phenomenal employees. He said the council is extremely confident of the direction of the staff. Mizzell thanked McSwain for everything and wished him luck in future endeavors.

McSwain said he was speechless, which everyone thought was nearly impossible. He said he had learned and been challenged in his 12 years with Richland County. McSwain felt this place was on the edge of greatness when he first got here, and it had been a privilege and an honor to work in Richland County. He said he especially appreciated the remarks about the quality of the staff and was extremely proud of all of them and the job they do.

After a standing ovation and the motion period, the meeting was adjourned.