Mayor Bobby E. Horton called the West Columbia City Council meeting to order at 6 pm December 01, 2009. All members were present: Mayor Bobby E. Horton, Eric L. Fowler, L. Dale Harley, Jack L. Harmon, Boyd J. Jones, Tommy G. Parler, Marsha J. Moore, Cathy Shannon and B.J. Unthank.

Announcements by mayor and mayor pro–tem

Mayor Hor ton reminded council and the public about the Arbor Day Celebration at Reeves Community Park and the lighting of the city Christmas Tree Lighting, both on December 4, 2009. Councilman Jack L. Harmon was elected for a two–year term as mayor pro–tem, succeeding Tommy G. Parler, who could not seek reelection.

Old business

Second reading unanimous approval was given to establish the zoning classifications of Quail Hollow Subdivision and property at 1916 Crapps Avenue as R–3(Low Density Residential) properties.

New business

Unanimous approval was given to the following: the amendment of an agreement with the Joint Water and Sewer Commission; a resolution approving the execution of a claim deed to Loftis Properties for 0.063 acres of highway right–of–way on Leaphart Street; an amended intergovernmental agreement between the city of West Columbia and Lexington County involving the Stormwater Management Program and budget amendments for fiscal year 2007–2008.

Council considered a resolution to oppose H3272, also known as the “Point of Sale Bill,” which will come before the South Carolina State Senate in January. Mayor Horton said the South Carolina Municipal Association strongly opposes the legislation, which would end a provision in Act 388(legislation from 2006) that allows city governments to put property on tax rolls at its full market value. Horton believes that the Taxation Realignment Commission should be allowed to complete its study of South Carolina’s tax system before such legislation is considered. Interested readers can take a look at the bill at www.scstatehouse.gov/s ess118_2009- 2010/bi l ls/3272.htm. Council passed the resolution unanimously.

Appointments

The reappointments of City Clerk Marta Valentino McKinnon, CMC, City Treasurer Richard K. Hodge, CPA, Municipal Judge Kenneth W. Ebener, and City Attorney Nikki Setzler for two–year terms were also approved unanimously.

Fireworks regulation

After about an hour–long executive session where no action was taken, council reconvened its regular session at 7:20 pm.

Mayor Horton said the planned second reading of the proposed ordinance that would ban the discharge of fireworks in West Columbia would be postponed.

Horton explained that council had received legal advice that municipalities like West Columbia could not regulate the discharge of fireworks and that the municipalities in South Carolina that are already doing so are in defiance of state law. Horton explained that city council would get an opinion from South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster before taking further action.