At the Richland County Council meeting on July 20, Jim McCauley was honored for his long service as the president and an active member of the Hickory Ridge Homeowners’ Association. Norman Jackson read the resolution that recognized the dedication of McCauley for helping to increase membership in the association, solicit corporate sponsorship to assist in rebuilding the area, and helping to reduce crime and drug use in the community. Jimmy Bales was also on hand to present a similar resolution from the state legislature. McCauley has been associated with his neighborhood since 1977.

The council also presented resolutions earlier in the day at a reception to the USC baseball team for winning the national championship and breaking the Chicken Curse, to retiring Mayor Bob Coble for being the mayor for so long, and Steve Benjamin, for being Columbia's first black mayor.

An informational item updating the council on three possible solutions concerning the Lower Richland sewer system degenerated into political posturing and silliness. Richland County has been trying to resolve the issue in the Lower Richland area for four years.

A few months back, the council asked its staff to gather information on three possible solutions. The first involved a joint agreement with Columbia for the two entities to own and manage the system together. Like the EMS issue and several others regarding city county cooperation, nothing much has been accomplished.

The second proposal involved a public private partnership with Palmetto Utilities, a local company with 23 years experience in Richland County and existing PSC approval. A lack of detailed response regarding necessary information to the staff has slowed this proposal.

In the last council meeting where this issue was discussed, the council directed the staff to concentrate on a loan and grant combination to allow the county to handle the system without other parties being involved. At tonight's meeting, Andy Metts provided an update to the counci where the three proposals stood.

Bill Malanowski and Norman Jackson expressed concern the process has taken so long and felt that the partnership with Palmetto was in fact the best approach. Malinowski suggested the staff “quit dragging their feet” and Jackson said that four years delay is ridiculous.

Kelvin Washington said he was concerned with the high cost of tap fees to existing customers and wanted some of the grant money to be provided to low income home owners who can’t afford the fee. Chairman Paul Livingston tried to get the discussion back on track by pointing out the staff was only gathering information requested by the council.

Jackson reminded everyone that the initial idea was to provide a way for developers to provide sewer service for new homes being built in the area and to keep the city of Columbia from annexing the area. The question of whether there were existing homes with failing septic but not resolved.

After a couple other opinions were voiced, Kit Smith pointed out this was only an informational discussion, and the council should move on until the staff received the additional information from Palmetto Utilities. Livingston regained control and did just that.

A policy to clarify how Richland County deals with Freedom of Information guidelines was also discussed and was finally approved after an amended version offered by Washington with specific wording allowing council members to only pay costs incurred when the information they seek is not an official inquiry.

In other news, Jennifer Dowden, one of the public affairs officers for Richland County, is leaving to take a similar post for the city of Lexington. Dowden received a standing ovation from the council and citizens in attendance and told the council she was thankful to have worked with Richland County for four and a half years and had wonderful people to show her the ropes.

Chair Paul Livingston, Vice Chair Damon Jeter, Val Hutchinson, Norman Jackson, Gwen Kennedy, Bill Malinowski, Greg Pearce, and Kit Smith were present. Joyce Dickerson and Jim Manning were absent.

More detailed information as well as complete agendas and minutes from past meetings can be found at the Richland County website: richlandonline. com