Roll call

Chairman Joe McEachern, Vice Chair Val Hutchinson, Joyce Dickerson, Norman Jackson, Damon Jeter, Paul Livingston, Bill Malinowski, Greg Pearce, Bernice Scott, and Kit Smith were present for the Richland County Council meeting. Mike Montgomery was with his son at the Olympic trials.

Presentation

Donna Johnson gave the council and public a presentation on Camp Discovery, which provides guidance, training, and education for at risk students in the Columbia area. Camp Discovery operates on a debt free basis and provides outreach programs and structure for kids of all nationalities, races, economic backgrounds, and ages. Sales tax referendum

A proposal to place a one percent sales tax increase on a referendum was discussed at length. The actual wording of the proposal was extremely confusing and vague. The real purpose is to earmark a one percent sales tax increase for the recently proposed transportation initiative.

Bill Malinowski suggested the council wait on acting on the second reading so they could have additional work sessions and iron out some of the problems with the options offered by the Richland County staff. He said the council needed to step back and look at the project before voting. He offered a substitute motion to schedule more work sessions before approving the item.

Bernice Scott said she thought the council was trying to get something for the voters to decide on. Scott said the people in her district are "crying about roads and bus service." By allowing them to vote on the overall project, they can decide what they want done. Paul Livingston agreed more changes were needed, but said this wasn't a "new process." The council and transportation committee have been working on this proposal for 18 months.

Malinowski said he understood the voters would ultimately decide the issue, but changes needed to be made before the proposal was approved. Scott said it was important to keep on track. She offered to meet with Malinowski at any time to resolve particular items, but insisted the proposal needed to move forward, adding "I've been fighting dirt roads for 20 years and ain't giving up now."

Joyce Dickerson agreed with Scott, saying she was tired of telling constituents, "We don't have any money." Norman Jackson said there were problems with the proposal and changes must be made. He felt like developers should be required to pay an impact fee.

Val Hutchinson asked the council to defer this item until the next meeting, when the public hearing is scheduled. Her motion was approved. After the public has its say on July 15, the council will be able to make any changes suggested and stay on track for a November referendum.

A request to close a road and easement near Covenant Road was questioned by Malinowski. He felt the county should sell the small strip of land rather than give it away. If someone else was interested in the land, Malinowski deduced, then it should be sold rather than given away. The motion was approved as it stood.

After executive session and motion period, the meeting was adjourned.