Roll call

John Hall of SCANA, Mayor Coble, and Gerry Lynn Hall of Community Development observe Bike- to- Work Day. Columbia City Council convened Wednesday morning, May 6, on the third floor of City Hall. Council member Sam Davis was absent, while all the other members of council were present: Kirkman Finlay III, Tameika Isaac Devine, E.W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Daniel Rickenmann, and Belinda Gergel.

Employee benefits

The city will have to begin to collect $33.18 per month from each of its employees and retirees for individual health coverage — more for dependents and families. Leona Plaugh, former city manager, objected in that the city led her to believe there would never be any charges for health care. Her understanding of the free health care benefit was that it was a promise made by the city. Still, Rickenmann said, times have changed. And besides, the $33.18 compares pretty favorably with what the postman pays, about $90 per month.

Favorite employee

The city's Employee of the Month was Christopher Kinard, Maintenance Tech III. Rickenmann related he knew about a 14- inch water main break the weekend before, and he praised employee's like Kinard who were able to repair the damage on an awkward weekend schedule. Community promotions

Judge Mildred McDuffie asked council to approve a $2,500 contribution to Lewis Greenview Elementary for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. Council concurred.

Bicycles

Gerry Lynn Hall of Community Development and John Hall of SCANA promoted Bike- to- Work Day. The city issued a proclamation.

National Public Garden Day

The city issued a proclamation for National Public Garden Day. On hand were members of the Palmetto Garden Club and Robin Waites, executive director of the Historic Columbia Foundation.

Community Development

Tony Lawton, director of Community Development, held the 2009- 2010 Action Plan Public Hearing. The plan detailed the needs for Columbia communities and the overall city in the areas of housing, homeless, special needs, public and social services jobs, and other non- housing needs.

Front end

Council heard the argument that it should get out of the commercial solid waste hauling business. Most cities never got into it, and the city could save at least $322,000 a year if it dropped the service, but a savings total of almost $782,000 if it also dropped the personnel. Planning

Marc Mylott, director of planning and development services, walked council through his recommendations for future annexation, beginning with urban service areas where future annexation is expected:

Donut Holes are unincorporated areas that are completely surrounded by the city and/or another municipality. Donut Holes are the most likely to be the next annexation.

Also contiguous to the city are Primary Areas, which is where services are available and the infrastructure is generally good. Annexation of Primary Areas is recommended.

Secondary Areas are where the city determines it logical to provide services. Annexation may occur after a more detailed analysis determines the impact on revenue.

Long Range Areas include parcels for future growth and urban service expansion, but they currently lack basic service availability.

Mylott's conclusion: Adoption of an urban service area will allow for a more coordinated annexation process. If adopted, city staff will propose a prioritization of Donut Holes and Primary Areas for proactive annexation.

Next meeting

The next regular meeting of city council is May 20 at 9 am. A public hearing is that same morning at 10.