John Fulmer, Mia Butler, and Jack West
Roll call
Council convened Wednesday, August 24, at 9 am for its work session. At 10, there was a regular meeting and a public hearing. Both gatherings were in City Hall, third floor. Council member Tameika Isaac Devine was absent. All other members were present: Hamilton Osborne, E. W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, Sam Davis, and Daniel Rickenmann.
Lobbyists
Council heard from three lobbying groups who were competing to be chosen to represent Columbia in the legislature. Council member Cromartie objected to the first group because they brought no African–Americans, and he asked why there were no women in the second team, but the third team was just right. They had an African–American woman included among the three.
Beatrice Abel Cossey
City development corporations
Dana Turner , assistant city manager for commerce and development, presented city development corporations reform recommendations to council. The federal office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a Columbia address in the Strom Thurmond Building on Assembly Street, and council is trying to respond to HUD’s objection to council representation on city development corporations boards. Council member Rickenmann also raised that objection over a year ago when he asked why he couldn’t appoint citizens to take his place on two development boards. Cromartie, on the other hand, sat on two boards and planned to stay there. Mayor Coble read a letter from HUD that objected to the management and board structure of city development corporations, all which tap into federal funds. Another audit by HUD is expected this fall, and maybe another negative letter. Council voted to block any council member from more than two boards.
William J. Irwin
Drew Wellness Center
Allison Baker , assistant city manager, and council opened the public hearing on user fees at the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center, which was expected to open at an annual operating budget of about $600,000. Beatrice Abel Cossey complained about the lack of accommodation for seniors and the financial burden of the user fees. Swimming coach William J. Irwin wanted to be sure there was a place for his kids in competitive swimming. Eleanor Dalton reminded council the surrounding neighborhood had a heavy seniors component.
MattKennell
Vista business improvement district
Architect Dale Marshall , committee chair for the Vista business improvement district, asked council to consider his appearance as a first reading of the enabling ordinance, an occasion to take an up or down vote. Council concurred and asked for input from city leaders. Matt Kennell , director of the City Center Partnership, said the Vista group coordinated with him and he saw no unnecessary overlap. Ike McLeese , head of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, said his organization was happy to see the Vista BID come of age. Ned Pendarvis , chairman of the Columbia Development Corporation, congratulated Marshall on his continuing success putting the BID together. Marshall further explained how the Vista Guild melded into the BID. Council voted for the ordinance and scheduled a second reading.
Ike McLeese
Funding recommendations
Libby Gober , city ombudsman, shared her spreadsheet for final distribution of this year’s accommodations taxes, community promotions, and hospitality taxes. Rickenmann warned he wanted to take a closer look in the coming year. Council voted to confirm Gober’s recommendations.
Street closings
Chester Street between Park Street and Lincoln Street, Saturday, August 27, from 4:30 pm until 9 pm.
Consideration of bids and agreements
• $12,841 for the purchase of 48 command boards.
Ned Pendarvis
• $18,500 for engineering services for 24” valve installation at the Columbia Canal Water Treatment Plant.
• $25,143 for the purchase of 40 body armor vests.
Ordinances – second reading
• #2005–047, granting encroachment to Lisa Maseng for installation and maintenance of wooden fencing, gates, and landscaping at 418 South Ravenel Street.
• #2005–069, granting a franchise to LaPapa Caliente to operate a stationary sidewalk vending cart at the northeast corner of Main Street and Lady Street.
• #2005–094, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 24, Vehicles for Hire, Article II, Taxicabs, Shuttles, and Limousines, Division 5, Rates for Taxi Service; Taximeters, Sec. 24–141, Rates established.
Dale Marshall
Confirm zoning of previously annexed properties – second reading
• Beaver Park, Phases I and II (Parcel D–3) Woodcreek Farms; confirm PUD–R zoning for 52 single–family homes.
• Portion of 46.68 acres, N/S Percival Road, S/S I–20 (Sage Pointe); confirm RG–2 zoning for multi–family residential buildings.
Annexation with map amendments/
rezonings – second reading
• 920 and 930 Gracern Road; annexation with rezoning from Richland County RS–1 to C–3 to construct office building.
• 109 South Parker Street; annexation with rezoning from Richland County RG–2 to RS–3 to receive sewer service.
Guy Jones
Text amendments – second reading
• Ordinance #2005–092, amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, Chapter 17, Article III, Zoning, Division 8, District Descriptions; Use and Dimensional Regulations, Sec. 17–258, table of permitted uses, Table 1, SIC 483, Radio and television broadcasting. Amend text of Zoning Ordinance to make radio and television broadcasting uses permitted within the C–3, C–3A, C–4, C–5, C–6, M–1, and M–2 zoning districts, subject to compliance with the cell tower ordinance (Sect. 17–283).
Map amendments/rezoning – second reading
• 1115 and 1117 Woodrow Street, rezone from PUD–R, –DP to amended PUD–R, –DP to vary the site plan, notably the lot configuration and required side yard setbacks.
Eleanor Dalton
Consideration of bids, agreements, and change orders
• $37,800 for landscape architectural services for the Columbia Tennis Center and parking lot.
• $167,900 for Change Order #2, agreement for engineering services for modifications and improvements to the city’s Lake Murray water treatment plant.
• Resolution #R–2005–046, authorizing sidewalk sales for Granger Owings at 1333 Main Street.
Fire Station
Guy Jones described the possibilities for adaptive reuse of the city’s fire station at the corner of Senate and Park Streets, across Senate from the new convention center headquarters Hilton Hotel.
Dana Turner
Greening the Arts
Jazz saxophonist Skip Pearson appealed to council to support next year’s Greening the Arts festival on the grounds of the State House. Pearson will be next year’s festival director of jazz music.
Next meeting
Council meets again for a work session Wednesday, September 7, at 4 pm. The public hearing follows at 6 pm. The venue for both meetings will be announced. There is no council meeting next Wednesday, August 31.
Skip Pearson
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