Roll call

Employee of the Month, Jack Nelson with City Manager Charles Austin. Columbia City Council convened around 9 Wednesday morning, September 19, at City Hall. All council members were present: Daniel Rickenmann, Sam Davis, E.W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, Tameika Isaaac Devine, and Kirkman Finlay III.

City's favorite

Sara Hollar, the city's superintendent for Forestry and Beautification, introduced the city's Employee of the Month, Jack Nelson. Nelson, a groundskeeper, has worked for the city since 2002. He maintains just about every right- of- way on Columbia's major roads.

Last year, Nelson was the only employee in Forestry and Beautification who did not use any sick time. Nelson fills in as crew leader when someone is out or when an additional crew is required.

Extended Day Programs

Traci Young Cooper, Ed.D, introduced herself as the director for the Office of Extended Day Programs, Richland County School District One. She asked for city support of 2007 Lights on Afterschool, October 18, the local part of the National Afterschool Alliance's annual, nationwide celebration of afterschool programs. Cooper asked the city to co- sponsor a commemorative breakfast with Richland One on the morning of October 18. Council agreed.

Darrin Thomas CMFA

John Whitehead, executive director of the Columbia Music Festival Association, reported on the progress at CMFA. Whitehead, the executive director since 1982, reviewed the positive impact of the arts on Columbia, particularly the hard economics of arts- related activities and visitor counts.

Black Expo

Darrin Thomas, vice president of Black Pages USA, reviewed his history of 2007 Columbia Black Expo, May 17- 19, for which the city was promoted as the title sponsor. There were 27,430 attendees and 1,010 hotel room nights, and there were 248 exhibitors at the Expo.

Engenuity

Neil McLean, representing both Engenuity and the USC Fuel Cell Collaborative, reminded council of Engenuity's success over its first four years in culturing scientific research to develop products and services, which pass through commercial success in start- up companies. McLean noted the two- day sellout for seats in USC's Citizens' School for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.

Neil McLean Once every two months, Engenuity is the host for its Science Café, an after- six gathering at a local restaurant to hear about local technology pursuits.

For a 2009 conference hosted by the city on hydrogen power, Engenuity is helping EdVenture put together an exhibition. Near the city's waterworks next to the Columbia Canal, a hydrogen fuel station is coming along, where MARTA's hydrogen fuel cell powered bus will be able to refuel. McLean itemized other advances and future plans, but he concluded by reminding council every laboratory research scientist typically needs ten technicians in support.

Cromartie asked how many African- American scientists were on board as executives of the Engenuity- connected company start- ups. McLean didn't know of any. Green

Melissa Gentry, the city's director for Public Works, reminded council of the city- sponsored Green is Good for Business Summit, Monday, September 24.

Tony Lawton Spotlight

Tony Lawton, director of the Office of Business Opportunities, brought council up to date on his Business Spotlight Program.

The program will consist of selecting two companies a month for a showcase. The selection panel will consist of a representative from the Department of Commerce, the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council. Also, Lawton outlined his Mentor- Protégé PILOT program guidelines, where city water and sewer construction could be tapped for training small woman- and minority- owned businesses.

1325 Dunston Street and adjacent properties

Attorney Frank Robinson, representing Southern Wines, asked for a rezoning to light industrial from singlefamily residential. Also, he asked that 7600 Richard Street be rezoned from M- 2 to M- 1 in keeping with the adjacent conversion of other parcels to M- 1.

For the first time, long after the positive response from the Planning Commission, neighborhood members objected to Southern Wines' noise, and the neighbors wanted compensation of some kind for putting up with the noise and for seeing more noise on the way. Council held on any decision until Southern Wines and the neighborhood could come to terms.

Johnny Mason 823 Gervais Street and adjacent properties

Miller- Valentine, developers, gained approval to lease 50 city- owned parking spaces within 1,000 feet of their Gervais St. address instead of providing the spaces on site. Later, should the Lady Street side of their site be developed, they could lease another 50 parking spaces, also within 1,000 feet.

Interim measures

Cottontown and Wales Garden are lined up for designation and protection as historic neighborhoods, and similar status is seen in the near future for Shandon, Heathwood, and Hollywood/ Rose Hill. Sinclair said council needed to feel confident the full neighborhood in each case had voted for such a designation.

Finlay reminded council a city- wide policy on such matters was lacking, as was a city- wide plan. Rickenmann warned council another goal was to promote growth and development, and sometimes historic preservation protection and growth can run counter.

Mobile radios

Under state contract, the city is buying 20 mobile radios, as requested by the Police Department. Johnny Mason of Integrated Systems Technologies and Telecommunications asked council why they were approving dated technology, mobile radios that might not work as well as the Police Department deserves. The radios the city is buying do not meet compatible specs with broadband, while Mason's radios do, as evidenced by his sales in Atlanta.

Next meeting

Council meets again on Monday, October 1.