Roll call

Mayor Bobby E. Horton called the meeting of the West Columbia City Council to order on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 at 6 pm. All members were present: Mayor Bobby E. Horton, Mayor Pro-Tem Tommy Parler, Eric L. Fowler, L. Dale Harley, Jack L. Harmon, Boyd Jones, Marsha Moore, and Cathy Shannon.

Announcements by Mayor

Mayor Horton reminded council and the public about various Christmas events going on throughout the city. He praised the continued efforts of the West Columbia Beautification Foundation.

Requests for appearance

Harley, chairman of the Joint Water and Sewer Commission, and several associates of the commission, spoke on the work the commission has done for both West Columbia and Lexington County. Old business

Second reading unanimous approval was given to a recommendation by the Planning Commission to approve a map amendment to change the zoning classification at 305 Lexington Street from C- 2 (General Commercial) to R- 1 (High Density Residential).

Second reading unanimous approval was also given to a recommendation by the Planning Commission to establish a zoning classification for recently annexed properties at 725 and 731 N. Brown Street as R- 2 (Medium Density Residential).

New business

First reading unanimous approval was given to a recommendation by the Planning Commission to establish classification for recently annexed property at 657 N. Brown Street as R- 2 (Medium Density Residential).

Unanimous approval was granted for an amendment for professional engineering services through Hays, Seay, Mattern & Mattern for water and sewer improvements to provide for construction administration and observation.

Unanimous approval was also given to allow the city of West Columbia to continue a consulting agreement with Kinghorn Hilbert & Associates.

Unanimous approval was given for Flint Equipment Company to provide the city with a John Deere Backhoe Loader at a cost of $66,710.

Unanimous approval was given to purchase playground equipment from Playgrounds of the Carolinas for the children who use Fowler Community Park. Playgrounds of the Carolinas provided several equipment options, and Public Works Director Charles Garren asked council to choose an option that was not the absolute lowest price. Mayor Horton repeatedly asked why, and Garren explained the option he had suggested was the best within the city's price range. This option(the choice approved by city council) was $36,410.58 and the lowest bid the city reviewed from Playgrounds of the Carolinas was $36,009.07, a difference of about $400.

Unanimous approval was given to budget amendments for FY 2007- 2008. City Treasurer Rick Hodge went over the details of the amendments and noted that most involved the transfer of funds. Hodge also confirmed the city ran a surplus for the fiscal year.

Mayor Horton briefly celebrated the good work happening within the city, particularly the beautification of Triangle City.

Councilman Harley moved that West Columbia allow non- essential city staff to take off the Friday after New Year's. The motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment

Having no further business, council adjourned at 6:55 pm.