Roll call

City council convened Wednesday, March 8, at 9 am for its work session. The first order of business was to adjourn to executive session. Council surfaced around 9:45. Council member Hamilton Osborne resigned weeks ago due to conflict. All members of council were present: Tameika Isaac Devine, E. W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, Sam Davis, and Daniel Rickenmann.

Anne Sinclair

The meeting began with a reading of prepared notes by council member Anne Sinclair. Sinclair referred to last week's reading of prepared notes by citizen Katheryn Bellfield, and Sinclair thereby afforded some symmetry in the matter. Sinclair deemed Bellfield's delivery as missing in complete accuracy, while Bellfield declared Sinclair lacking in ladylike attributes, particularly the use of the term "BS" when Sinclair heard a questionable proposal for a consulting contract. The consulting contract was pulled by its proponents who were also partners with Bellfield. There was no further discussion.

Work session

Council reverted to its work session to attend to unfinished business from earlier in the morning.

Development Center

briefing

Marc Mylott , director of development services, described the new Development Center to open Monday on the ground floor of Washington Square. He introduced Krista Hampton , administrator for the Development Center. Hampton walked council through the improvements scheduled for the Development Center: efficient and clear transmission of the rules, centralized information resource, and project tracking. She anticipated expedited review for a slightly higher fee. Also, there should be online permitting and evaluation.

City boards and

commissions

Council member Rickenmann asked council to reconsider the guidelines for appointing citizens to city boards and commissions, suggesting consistency. Council concurred and authorized further study by staff.

Update on recruitment at the police department

Columbia Police Chief Dean Crisp discussed his department's progress in recruitment and promotion. Last week there were four new lieutenants, 13 new sergeants, 14 new corporals, 13 new investigators, and 15 new master police officers, all promoted in the very recent past. Currently there are 31 vacancies soon to be filled, and there are 37 applicants at various levels of screening and acceptance/refusal. The turnover rate for the department over the past 11 years averages 8.57%, while the police departments in the State of NC averaged a turnover rate for the same period of 14%.

Disparity study

Lawyer Franklin Lee introduced Stephen Humphrey and Joan Gardenhire , consultants for the city's efforts to level the playing field in gaining contracts from the city. Humphrey said the final report should arrive in a few weeks.

Accommodations tax

advisory committee

Council approved the reappointment of four members and the appointment of two new members.

Columbia Housing

Authority

Council approved the appointment of Raymond Taylor to the board of commissioners.

April Heyward

Consultant April Heyward offered her recommendations to council for improved relations between the city and its business citizens, to include a more business friendly web site. Council asked Heyward to submit her itemized suggestions for staff review.

Next meeting

Council's scheduled meeting for March 15 is canceled. The next work session is set for Wednesday, March 22, at 9 am in City Hall, third floor, corner of Laurel and Main.