John Gibson, Rick Schedler, Mayor Bob Coble Roll call

City council met for its regular session last week on Wednesday, April 5, at 6 pm in Pontiac Elementary School. Council members Anne Sinclair and Sam Davis were absent on business. All other council members were present: Tameika Isaac Devine, E. W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, and Daniel Rickenmann. Councilman-elect Kirkman Finlay was also present.

Fair housing

National Fair Housing Month was amplified by Rick Semon , director of community development.

Three Rivers Music Festival

Virginia Bedford , executive director of the festival, brought council up to date on the plans for the April 21-23 riverbanks bash. She distributed brochures and declared this year's outdoor festival the best of the seven total, assuming favorable weather.

Bill Smith and Marty Holmes

Tour of homes

Rick Schedler of the Elmwood Park neighborhood invited everyone to Elmwood Park's Silver Jubilee of Homes and Gardens. With Schedler was Elmwood Park's John Gibson.

U.S. Youth Games

Oliver Washington , national coordinator for the board of directors, counted 1,300 participants coming to Columbia for the US Youth Games this summer. He added another 500 parents to the 1,300, and he cited about $2 million in economic impact.

Map amendments/

rezoning - second reading

Marty Homes and Bill Smith presented their development plans for the Kline Iron & Steel property at the corner of Huger and Gervais. Council member Cromartie shared his disappointment with the lack of definite diversity and affordable housing. The developers expressed good-faith intent to consider all segments of the housing market within reach of their price points, but they couldn't be expected to develop a loss leader.

Development of the Kline Iron & Steel property