Roll call

Marc Mylott and Amy Moore Columbia City Council convened in Mayor Coble’s absence Wednesday morning, Dec. 16, in City Hall, third floor. All other members of council were present: Kirkman Finlay III, Tameika Isaac Devine, E. W. Cromartie, Sam Davis, Daniel Rickenmann, and Belinda Gergel. Finlay conducted the meeting.

City favorite

Jody Har ley was introduced as the city’s December 2009 Employee of the Month. Harley is an assistant superintendent at Wastewater Maintenance. Emily Douglas Park

Lynn Stokes Murray, co–chair of the Hand Middle School Education Foundation, invited council to attend the Emily Douglas Park Grand Opening, Thursday, Dec. 17 at 10 am.

Dr. King’s Way

Durham Carter of the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation announced the Jan. 18 dedication of a short stretch of Hardin Street in the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A plaque will be placed at the intersection of Greene and Harden Streets. With Carter stood Dr. Preston Winkler. Like pulling teeth

Jody Harley, Employee of the Month, and his wife Rickenmann explained to his council peers the advantages of dealing with Delta Dental as the city’s dental plan. City employees have to pay a little, but the payments are projected as less than current dental plan, while the new setup with Delta Dental is neutral for the city and offers more dentists. Retirees have the option to join. Stormwater management

Dana Higgins, assistant city engineer for construction, and city stormwater engineer Tracy Mi tchell explained the stormwater ordinance amendment on which council was about to vote. Hotel parking

Rick Patel, one of the owners of the Sheraton on Washington Street, asked council to consider a more amenable parking condition for his hotel. To allow for quick valet access, spaces on the lowest level of the Marriott Garage are preferred, and 30 spaces, for now, are what the Sheraton wants to rent at a reasonable rate.

Dana Higgins and Tracy Mitchell Convention center

Drew Theodore stood before council with Ric Luber of the convention and visitors bureau to ask council to authorize a feasibility study for possible expansion of the convention center on Lincoln Street, which has been opened for five years. Historic designation

Amy Moore, the city’s historic preservation planner, and city planning director Marc Mylott, reviewed with council the process for neighborhoods to choose an historic designation.

Drew Wellness Center

Allison Baker, interim senior assistant city manager, reported the Drew Wellness Center on Harden Street will have to close for repairs, Dec. 24 - Jan. 3.

Next meeting

Council meets on Jan. 6 at 6 pm for a District III (Gergel) meeting inside the cafeteria of A. C. Moore Elementary School.