Roll call

Nathanial K. Brown and Charles Austin, city manager Columbia City Council convened around 9 am Wednesday, July 16, on the third floor of City Hall. All council members were present: Kirkman Finlay III, Tameika Isaac Devine, E.W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Sam Davis, Daniel Rickenmann, and Belinda Gergel. City favorite Nathaniel K. Brown, communications training officer, was introduced by his su perior, Michael A. King, telecommunications director, as the City Employee of the Month. Nominate d b y Sherwood L. Toatley, Team A shift supervisor, Brown was described as "a model city employee." Business leader Michelle Wang's restaurant, Miyo's on Main Street just south of the Capitol, was recognized as the July 2008 Business Spotlight Program Honoree. Wang also owns and operates M'Cafe on Sumter Street, Miyo's on Forest Drive, Miyo's in Harbison, and M Vista on Lady Street, which Wang opened this past June. Wang can be counted on to annually support the Columbia City Ballet, USC Symphony, USC School of Music, and the State Museum. Software

Michelle Wang and Mayor Bob Coble Photos provided by City of Columbia The Palmetto Open Source Software Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, 9 am to 4:30 pm, acco rding to Todd Lewis of the technical services division at TM Floyd and Company. Anyone with corporate or government IT responsibilities should attend. Admission is free, and lunch will be served. Attendees must RSVP by Friday, July 25. Go to www.POSSCON.org or call 765.1310, ex. 1840. City manager's report Charles Austin, city manager, reported he was partially moving his office to Washington Square to operate part of the time in close proximity to the financial accounting catch- up and reorganization efforts. Beginning this Friday, there will be weekly meetings covering such matters. To get through the urgent requirements of bringing the city's accounting up to date, Austin postponed his planned trip to Virginia. Finlay asked what was necessary to get the finances and the budget in order as soon as possible. He was told to look forward to the Aug. 20- 21 retreat. The Columbia Plan Jeff Crick, city planner, reported the second series of public input gatherings for planning ahead in Columbia have allowed for further refinement of the policies and priorities for a majority of the residents of the city. Transportation issues were the primary concern among respondents, to include the availability and support of public transportation. Randolph Cemetery City historic preservationist Amy Moore described the significance of Elmwood's Randolph Cemetery, resting place for 10 African- American legislators from Reconstruction. The cemetery was rezoned in order to designate it as a historic landmark. Histor ic status

Jeff Crick As a neighborhood applies for historic designation, an interim two- year protective zoning can kick in to freeze conditions until the designation is final. Council voted in favor of the community character protection overlay to apply to Cottontown, Shandon, Hollywood/Rose Hill, Sherwood Forest, Forest Hills, and Whaley Street. Brian Robinson worried over the Big Government aspects and he asked what, exactly, were the common characteristics along Heyward Street, the parts worth portraying as historically significant. What standards and what rules apply? Alice Applebee asked to get carved off the Cottontown overlay so her home/office could remain commercial, which was the case RwRuhsetny Ssohxe bought it 16 years ago. , on the other hand, spoke in full support of the protective overl ay in Cottontown. Carla Moore

Amy Moore LsLaairdr ys hGea atensd Shandon were all for it. said the same for Whaley Street. Finance Mayor Coble distributed his list of preferred appointees for his Chief Financial Officer Selection Advisory Committee. Mostly accomplished CEOs, CPAs and leading bankers, the list also includes the incoming chair of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Cathy Novinger, formerly with Scana.

Safety

Council debated Columbia's crime condition and argued over what to do about it. Finlay presented a chart of recent crime statistics, essentially concluding a flat and stagnant condition over the past 10 years. However, the city's underreporting of crimes was accused for the same time period. Poorly secured apartment complexes are a reliable source of crimes, especially violent crimes. A local ordinance was debated, something to force the landlords to provide security for their tenants. Finlay suggested urging police officers to move into the city. Only 11% of the officers live inside the city limits. Finlay also wondered why Columbia's nuisance law was so infrequently enforced. Coble proposed continued legal research for an August 7 meeting, the appointment of a task force within the next week, and a thorough study of Columbia Police Chief Tandy Carter's plan, where he targets a 50% drop in crime, due in the near future. Finlay complained the police department had 345 sworn officers in 2002 and 346 five years later. He said the department has had the same annual budget for the past three years. Hospitality Rickenmann termed it prudent to hold 25% of hospitality (restaurant) taxes before distribution to see how the collections come in during an economic downturn. The promises of future distribution might not have the resources for follow- through unless 25% is withheld now. Next meeting

Alice Applebee Council meets Wednesday, August 6, at 9 in the morning on the third floor of City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main.

Carla Moore