Roll call

Joe McEachern, Joyce Dickerson, Val Hutchinson, Norman Jackson, Damon Jeter, Paul Livingston, Bill Malinowski, Mike Montgomery, Greg Pearce, and Bernice Scott were present. Kit Smith was absent.

Staff reports

Jennifer Dowden gave an update on the county drug prescription card and Kids 101. Since the introduction of the drug card for county residents 11 months ago, more than six thousand prescriptions have been filled using the card.

An average of $10 per prescription is being saved by the nearly 200 people per month using the card. Richland residents saved more than $65,000 by using this program, which is free to the county and its residents. Details can be found on the Richland website.

Richland 101 for Kids is scheduled for July 19 at Dutch Square Mall. The event will introduce children from seven to 12 to the wonders of democracy and how government works. Aerobics will get everyone started and several hands- on teaching items will be available including a working voting machine. USC cheerleaders and Blaze from the Inferno hockey team will also be there.

Agenda items

A simple zoning change got the night started for everyone. This one involves Killian Road and I- 77 and an owner not willing to share his plans for the property. The Planning Commission and the county staff both approved the zoning change, but they aren't running for office.

Bill Malinowski wondered why the county wants to change the zoning to a less restrictive code. Val Hutchinson is still concerned about the traffic on Killian Road and worries what affect any new business will have there.

Greg Pearce asked whether the zoning change allows multi- family building in the proposed new zoning code. It does. Paul L iv - ingston said the council needed more information to determine what the property owner plans to build.

Chairman Joe McEachern said the council needs some type of plan from the property owner. Mike Montgomery reminded the other council members this change was recommended by the Planning Commission and the staff and was more restrictive than the current classification except for allowing multi- family housing. He also said the idea of cherry picking certain projects for scrutiny wasn't wise. The council should re- write the ordinance if every zoning change is to be scrutinized. The zoning change failed on a tie vote.

An ordinance amending the Richland Code of Ordinances was passed to third reading after Montgomery explained to everyone's satisfaction how proposed changes will affect the new rules. (Montgomery is so smart he has to shut down half his brain to talk to regular people.)

A routine sounding resolution supporting the manufacturing sector was passed in a close vote but not before Malinowski wondered whether the language was a bit harsh for the council to support. The county attorney agreed to check into it.

Sandra Hicks spoke during citizens input and asked the county to come together to support victims and create laws to keep criminals off the street. Hicks told a sobering personal story of her violation by a person who is now free. She said her faith is the only thing that keeps her going.