West Columbia City Council meets October 7, 2008

Call to Order

The meeting of the West Columbia City Council was called to order on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at 6 pm. Members present included Mayor Bobby E. Horton, Eric L. Fowler, L. Dale Harley, Jack L. Harmon, Boyd J. Jones, Marsha J. Moore, Cathy Shannon, and B.J. Unthank. Mayor Pro- Tem Tommy G. Parler was on vacation.

Request for Appearance

Pastor Bill Harmon of the West Columbia First Church of the Nazarene requested a reduction in the church's tap water fee, due to "unexpected expenses." Mayor Horton said council and city staff would look into the best way to assist Pastor Harmon.

Announcements by Mayor

In addition to announcing a local fundraiser, Mayor Horton mentioned three grants the city had received: a roughly $350,000 grant from the federal government to add dashboard monitors in West Columbia police patrol cars, a roughly $124,000 grant from state government to assist the city in traffic enforcement, a $19,013 grant from the U.S. Attorney's Office to assist in anti- gang measures, and a roughly $150,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the city's sewer system. The mayor also reminded the public about the council work session on October 20 and the mayor's roundtable on October 27.

Old business

Second reading unanimous approval was given to the following: an ordinance setting fines for parking violations; an ordinance granting consent for a franchise for cable or video service to operate in the city and setting the franchise fee; an ordinance annexing property at 725 N. Brown Street; an ordinance annexing property at 731 N. Brown Street; consideration of the planning commission's recommendation to approve a map amendment to establish the zoning classification for several annexed properties on Lesley Drive and Meadow Lane as R-3 (Low Density Residential).

Council also gave second reading approval to a map amendment changing a property between Chris Drive and Kleckley Drive, Parcels A and B from Split-Zoned C- 2 (General Commercial) and R- 4 (Low Density Residential) to C- 2 (General Commercial) by a vote of 7- 1. Councilman Harmon was the lone vote against the amendment.

New Business

First reading consideration of the proposed smoking ordinance was tabled until the November meeting to give the absent Mayor Pro- Tem Tommy G. Parler an opportunity to express his views and give council time to observe other municipalities in the area who have recently passed smoking ordinances.

First reading unanimous approval was given to the following: an ordinance amending a section of the City of West Columbia Code of Ordinances pertaining to titled motor vehicles and traffic; an ordinance annexing 1.52 acres of property at 657 N. Brown Street; a recommendation by the planning commission to approve a map amendment establishing the zoning classification of 512 Denham Avenue as R- 2 (Medium Density Residential); a recommendation by the planning commission to approve a text amendment changing the city's definition of animation; a proclamation to designate the week of October 6- 10, 2008 as Customer Service Week in West Columbia.

Adjournment

After adjourning at 6:28 pm to discuss a personnel matter, the regular meeting was formally adjourned.