The meeting of the West Columbia City Council was Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 6 pm. All members were present: Mayor Bobby E. Horton, Mayor Pro–Tem Tommy G. Parler, Eric L. Fowler, L. Dale Harley, Jack L. Harmon, Boyd J. Jones, Marsha J. Moore, Cathy Shannon and B.J. Unthank.

Swearing–In Ceremony

Council members Mayor Pro–Tem Tommy G. Parler, L. Dale Harley, Jack L. Harmon and Boyd J. Jones were sworn in for another four–year term on council.

Request for appearance

Terry Meeks of 1402 D Avenue, West Columbia spoke with council about a structure at an adjoining property that she and her husband believe violates city code. Meeks explained that her home’s value had been assessed and that the structure had caused her property to decrease in value. Mayor Horton told her that council would speak with the city’s code administrator and that they would follow up with her on the matter.

Announcements by mayor

Among other announcements, the mayor noted that Leslie Rodgers of 1141 Gunter Circle had won Yard of the Month from the West Columbia Beautification Foundation.

Old business

Ordinances pertaining to Chapter One of the International Building and related codes, rental housing, trespassing and the annexation and zoning classifications of several properties were all approved unanimously on second reading.

New business

An ordinance banning the discharge of fireworks within the city limits of West Columbia was approved on first reading by a vote of 8–1. Councilman B.J. Unthank was the lone dissenting vote. The ordinance would exempt “sparklers, toy cap pistols, and toy paper caps which contain not more than one–fifth (1/5) of grain of explosive mixture. The ordinance also allows public firework displays when approved by council. Fines for violating the ordinance range from $25 to $100.

Prior to the vote, Councilman Unthank said he wanted to go on record with his disagreement about the measure. Mayor Horton explained that he understood why some members might not like the new ordinance, but noted that it could always be amended. The mayor recounted how upset fireworks had made his dog this past July 4, how littered the streets were, and that he had found a shell that had not gone off on his porch. The mayor added that he had checked with West Columbia’s Fire Department and found out that four fires in West Columbia on July 4th could be directly linked to fireworks.

Two recommendations by the Planning Commission to establish the zoning classification of two properties were approved unanimously on first reading.

Proclamations designating November 2009 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Home Health and Hospice Month and the 30th Anniversary of Palmetto Health HomeCare and Hospice, and November 14, 2009 as World Diabetes Day were approved unanimously.

Council also unanimously approved an agreement between the city of West Columbia and Lexington County outlining the procedure for their Stormwater Management Program (SWMP).

Adjournment

Citing no further business, council adjourned at 7:40pm.