Call to order

Mayor Bobby Horton called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm June 16. All members were present: Mayor Bobby Horton, Mayor Pro- Tem Tommy G. Parler, Eric L. Fowler, L. Dale Harley, Jack L. Harmon, Boyd J. Jones, Marsha J. Moore, Cathy Shannon, and B.J. Unthank. The special meeting was called because several items needed to be given second reading prior to the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

Announcements by mayor

Mayor Bobby Horton reminded the audience of the Mayor's Roundtable on June 23. Mayor Horton noted he would not be in attendance because he would be at the National Mayors' Conference in Miami, Florida. Mayor Pro- Tem Tommy Parler will chair the meeting on his behalf.

Old business

Second reading approval was given to West Columbia's budget. The vote was unanimous. Following this vote, Mayor Bobby Horton asked for discussion on ordinance raising water and sewer rates. Councilwoman Marsha Moore expressed serious concerns about the nine percent increase in the city water bill. She explained the city needs to be making more budget cuts in this challenging economy. Mayor Horton responded that the increase only raises citizens' water bills by 52 cents a month. Councilwoman Moore noted that she was not against the sewer rate increase but felt that a 52 cent increase on city water usage was still a significant sum for her constituents. Mayor Horton called for a vote and despite her concerns, Councilwoman Moore voted for the measure, which passed second reading unanimously.

Councilwoman Moore's vote is notable because she did not speak when Mayor Horton called for a voice vote. Speaking after the meeting, City Clerk Marta V.McKinnon explained that under state law, remaining silent during a vote counts as a vote in the affirmation. McKinnon added that this is in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order as well. Council gave second reading approval to establishing collection fees for solid waste in the city of West Columbia and the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve a map amendment to establish a classification for property at 2516 Augusta Road as C- 2(General Commercial). Both measures passed unanimously. New business

First reading approval was given to an ordinance annexing 9.12 acres of property off Drafts Wood Road to the city of West Columbia. The vote was unanimous. Council approved a resolution to apply to the Drinking Water Revolving Fund to help pay for improvements to the Riverside Water Treatment Plant and the city water system.

Council also approved a resolution to apply to the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund to finance improvements to the city sewer system. Each resolution authorizes City Administrator Jennifer T. Cunningham to ask for loans from the respective funds. Both votes on the resolutions were unanimous.

Adjournment

Having no further business, council adjourned at 6:10 pm.