The October meeting of the Cayce City Council called to order at 6 pm, Tuesday, October 6, 2009, by Mayor Elise Partin. In attendance were Partin, James Jenkins, Kenneth Jumper, Rick Myers, Steve Isom, City Manager John Sharpe, and Assistant City Manager Tammy Barkley.

Following the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, Myers made a motion, seconded by Isom, to accept the minutes of the September 1 regular meeting and September 1, 22, and 24 special meetings, as they were submitted. There being no objection, the Council proceeded.

Presentations and Public Comment

Presentation of the Employee of the Quarter Award was presented by Partin to Calvin Harris. Harris has been an employee of the City of Cayce for two years, was nominated by two different individuals, and was described as one of “thorough work, kind demeanor, and great attitude.” Harris was presented with a certificate and check for this award.

Miles Lowman of the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia addressed Council regarding a Local Building Code Modification. Following his presentation, Partin spoke, thanking all who helped with and attended the City of Cayce Bluegrass Festival, noting the success of the event.

During Public Comment Angela Hall spoke first, addressing Council, inquiring who makes decisions on allowable travel expenses and expenses that are reimbursed amongst the City of Cayce Council. Hall then noted concern over expenses taking place and the need for unity as a body, specifically citing the September Council Meeting in lacking unity.

David Hilburn spoke encouraging Council to approve a new map of Local Building Code Modification from the Home Builder Association of Greater Columbia.

Christina Huslander addressed Council regarding city transit. Huslander noted the erratic bus schedule and the tendency of her neighbors to bring chairs to the bus stop to be able to sit while waiting. Huslander encouraged Council members to, when budgeting, keep in mind the need to adequately fund bus stop benches for comfortable waiting.

Tara Allman spoke in regards to the discussion on the agenda regarding possible ordinances concerning Council member expenses and Council member authority to speak on behalf of the City. Allman stated this agenda item is “another attempt by Councilman Isom to undermine the interests of the Mayor.”

John Ivy appeared before Council to donate a handful of seed baskets to the City. Lastly, Freddie Mitchell spoke, asking Council members with help with trash in his neighborhood. Mitchell told Council that he goes through with a wheelbarrow and picks up trash and is interested in any suggestions about what he can do to help keep the area clean.

Proclamations, Resolutions, and Ordinances

Myers made a motion to approve a proclamation designating Conflict Resolution Day 2009. Isom seconded and the motion passed. Next, Council discussed a resolution for Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA). Currently, the City of Cayce is a members of CMRTA and Juniper serve as the City’s representative. CMRTA contacted the City of Cayce offering two options to address the fact that the City is not currently providing any funding to CMRTA. City Attorney Danny Crowe then addressed Council providing an additional choice, to take no action to the resolution for CMRTA. Currently, the City of Columbia and Richland County have entered into negotiations to change the RTA to only include the City of Columbia and Richland County and its municipalities, excluding Cayce. By taking action, Council would be agreeing to stay a member of CMRTA as a non–voting member with the possibility of, at the same time, not being included as a part of the CMRTA. After no action was taken by Council, Partin told of a Lexington County Transit Summit being held on October 16. For more information, individuals may call 803.465.4609.

The first reading of an ordinance to approve the sale of city property on Highway 302 at Airport Road was discussed. The City of Cayce has been at a stalemate with the Department of Transportation due to funding. However, property located at 1972 Old Dunbar Road was recently found to be within budget and available for the City to relocate to. This ordinance would allow for sale of the property to DOT for Hardee Expressway, providing $10,000 for relocation of Animal Control plus additional monies for other expenses associated with the relocation. Jenkins made a motion to approve on first reading. The motion was seconded by Myers and the motion passed unanimously.

Jenkins made a motion to postpone the review and approval of a Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia’s request to ask for Local Building Code Modification. Sharpe rescheduled this agenda item for the November meeting. Myers requested additional research from the county and a poll of what other municipalities are doing under it.

Council voted in a motion made by Isom and seconded by Jumper to accept a Violence Against Women Act Grant. The grant would provide $38,561 towards a $51,416 project to provide for cameras, digital recorders, memory cards, and miscellaneous equipment for officers in the City of Cayce. Chief McNair, of the City of Cayce Police, told Council this would provide one camera for every officer rather than just one per shift, particularly upgrading to equipment with a special light to look at bruises and take a picture. In accepting this grant, the City is agreeing to provide the additional funding of $12,855.

Isom requested an item be added to the agenda to address concern over Council member expenses and Council member authority to speak on behalf of the City. In addition, Isom asked City Attorney Crowe to prepare the aforementioned ordinances. Members of Council were given those ordinances at the start of the meeting rather than in advance. Partin asked that Isom exercise transparency then inquired as to how many Council members he had spoken to about this issue prior to the meeting. Myers spoke up noting that all members of Council were familiar with the issue in advance because it was discussed at the previous Special Meeting September 24, adding that each Council member has the authority to put items on the agenda. Partin clarified that while she was aware of the issue she had requested clarification from Isom and had never received any. Partin then asked counsel to step forward and review Robert’s Rules of Order for Council. Crowe told the members that Partin can ask a question but Council members are not required to answer. Moving on with the ordinances in question, Crowe drafted two ordinances which Isom introduced as being “discussion points.” Of particular concern to Isom are issues such as cable service being provided at public expense. Jenkins spoke that at the September 24 Special Meeting Council discussed they are not to present anything to Council without doing so in advance. Furthermore, Council gives the City Manager a sum of money (if available in the budget) each year that does not have to come from Council. If the City Manager has authorized something, it is considered authorized and if anything falls out of line, Council needs to address it but to do so in the current manner is blocking the city from moving forward. Myers remarked that while Sharpe does have the authority, he is often doing the actions as requested rather than taking action individually. After further discussion on the subject but without any action being taken, Partin moved on to the next agenda item.

Other Business

Committee Minutes from the June 15 Planning Commission, September 9 Cayce Historical Museum Commission, September 10 Cayce Events Commission, and September 22 Beautification Board were approved in a motion made by Jenkins and seconded by Myers. Next the Committee addressed Committee Appointments to the Beautification Board, Cayce Historical Museum Commission, and Planning Commission.

Sharpe gave the City Manager’s Report. The Frankenstein event at the Cayce Riverwalk will be open to the public on October 28. Regarding the possibility of a smoking ordinance, Partin asked for a proposal and Isom asked the issue be tabled and put on the agenda for a public hearing. Sharpe and Crowe will draft an ordinance for distribution in November but the ordinance will not go on the agenda until January.

Jumper attended a meeting last Monday, accepting the Cooperative Partnership Award on behalf of the City of Cayce. Cayce received this award for their dedication to improving the quality of life and creating safe, drug–free districts for its residents. The award was given by Brooklyn– Cayce High School. West Columbia police put on a program at the meeting pertaining to the abuse of drugs and how many people it would help if parents would eat supper with their children in the evenings.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Partin asked that, in the interest of transparency, she and Isom set up a meeting time to discuss further concerns. A motion to adjourn the October Council meeting was made by Jenkins and seconded by Jumper.