Citizen complains of representation without taxation

Chair Paul Livingston, Vice Chair Damon Jeter, Joyce Dicker son, Val Hutchinson, Norman Jackson, Gwendolyn Kennedy, Bill Malinowski, Jim Manning, Greg Pearce, Kit Smith, and Kelvin Washington were present.

Citizens' Input

Dr. Lonnie Randolph from the NAACP, told the council there had been no fruitful dialogue in the discussions between the Richland County council and the local legislative body about the move to resolve issues within the Board of Voter Registration office and the Treasurer's office.

The county has been trying to resolve a salary discrepancy in those offices along with other issues but the state legislative body has jurisdiction over the departments. Randolph asked the council to consider delaying the effort until more meetings could take place.

Administrator's Report

Tamara King invited the members of the council to come to Dutch Square Mall July 23, from 9 am to 1 pm for the Richland 101 For Kids. The free event will use fun and creative ways to educate children about the workings of the county government, and 900 kids have already signed up.

Chairman's Report

Tamika Isaacs and Sam Davis from the Columbia City Council gave the council an Innovista TIF update. An area of downtown Columbia has been selected for the program designed to target and improve an impoverished area. Both groups hope this will be an example of the two governments working together. The selected area has 2600 businesses and 15,000 homes, the majority of those rentals. The population density, unemployment rate, and age of residents are out of kilter with the county average. Appraised land values have already risen from 6 million to 16 million. The program is designed to use all the tools in the toolbox to improve the area and create an empowerment zone.

Regular Agenda

The temporary sign proposal passed with little argument, other than Val Hutchinson saying it is confusing for the Realtors and hard to enforce. Four projects made possible by the Federal Stimulus money were approved. The first awards $568,000 to four different approved agencies for Homeless Prevention. The second is a discretionary grant called TIGER to pave a small portion of Clemson Road near I- 20. The two other projects involve Broadband service.

The salary, policy, and procedures request for the Columbia Magistrate was left as is and the Treasurer and Board of Voter Registration office items were deferred until Spetember.

Committee Appointments

John Hudgens was appointed to the East Richland Public Service Commission and David Tuttle was voted on to the Planning Commission, beating out 13 other candidates.

Citizens' Input II

Richard Foster informed the council he believes the appointment of the Recreation Board by the legislature violates the constitution because it allows representation without taxation. His contention, which was well researched and well documented, says that 22% of the votes cast in the last election were by people in bordering counties and those elected legislators shouldn't be allowed to appoint Recreation Board members having been elected in that manner since the Recreation Board is exclusive to Richland County.

John Blackmon led the parade of several concerned citizens who spoke, and many more in attendance, who want to keep the Farmer's Market in Richland County. A piece of property on Atlas road was identified as better suited for the market and the owners of that property were there to offer their help and support.

Dan Unumb, a local attorney, told the council he felt people who were in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure were entitled to legal support and the Federal Stimulus money was the perfect way to provide that support.

The meeting was adjourned after executive session.