 Good afternoon. Mr. Brennan. Present. Mr. Rickerman. Here. Mr. McDowell. Present. Mr. Duvall. Present. Here. Here. Mr. Davis. Mayor Benjamin. Present. Thank you, ma'am. Reverend McDowell. You bless us with a word, please. Yes. Lord, for all that you've done for us, each one of us, you've allowed us to assemble today, to get up this morning, to go about various tasks of responsibility. And because of that, we give you thanks. We give you thanks for this city of ours that continues to shroud itself in expanding the vision and mission of the city. We also understand that as COVID testing continues to rise, we pray your blessings upon each family that has been affected because of this virus. And in the midst of our celebrating, let us not forget that Jesus is the reason for the season and that in his provincial care, he's able to shelter us from all hurt, harm, or danger. We ask it in your name, amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you so much, Ralph. Thank you. Yes. Madam City Manager, are there any changes to the agenda proposed? No, sir. Yes, there is. Oh, I'm sorry. Apologies. Thank you. Duvall. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion. We add. Item number 28 for executive session discussion of matters relating to proposed location or expansion of services to encourage location or expansion of industries or other businesses pursuant to SC code 30 dash 4078 to absolute total care. Oh, yes. I'm sorry. With that one amendment. Any other? Seeing none is motion we approve the agenda. The agenda. Seconding discussion. Move the previous question. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Rickerman. Hi. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Hi. Mr. Vines. Hi. Mr. Davis. Hi. Thank you. Very much. All right. There's a motion for, is there a motion for approval minutes of the November 10th and November 17th, 2020. City Council meetings. So moved. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Please. 8139. You are welcome served. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Rickerman. Hi. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mrs. Pul�. Aye. Mr. Vines. Hi. Mr. Davis. Aye. Mayor Benjamin. Hi. Thank you did you want to point a personal privilege now, We always historically recognize Arbor Day, and this year was no different. It was just that due to COVID-19, we had to take a different approach of course. And so the forestry and beautification division continued its strong tradition of celebrating Arbor Day this year on December the 4th of 2020. Normally, the division runs an Arbor Day program at a local elementary school. Nevertheless, that was not an option this year as we stated due to COVID-19. Instead, the division took to social media and put out an Arbor Day video special thanks to our public relations department. And the video focused on the importance of trees to the city of Columbia and how to properly plant a tree yourself. This year, we also partnered with Columbia Green on planting a tree in honor of one of their past presidents and Councilman DeVall attended this planting ceremony. So this year, the division continued to strive for excellence for our managing of our tree canopy by pruning nearly 950 trees, removal of 370 diseased or dying trees, and planting 500 new trees this year in the right of way. The division will be applying as we always do again for its 42nd year as a tree city USA, which is the longest running streak in South Carolina. And so we're Benjamin and Council. We wanted to acknowledge Arbor Day. You know, thank you so much and saw some of our fantastic folks have had public work yesterday and we had a chance to recognize Mr. Davis. I really want to thank Council again and our federal staff for just recognizing the amazing men and women who make the city run every single day. Arbor Day in every day for 50 years, people like Mr. Davis. And so, so thank all of you for that moment. Thank you for doing that, Mayor Benjamin and Council. I heard Mr. Davis was just about brought to tears, so that meant very much to him. With that, we will continue the city council discussion and action with our normal situational report and update, Mayor Benjamin. If you have any comments that would be great. I'm not going to report with Mr. Tinsley. It's really, really thankful for the the efforts we're seeing both in both the private and public and philanthropic sectors with the vaccines, seeing emergency approval and literally being delivered and administered as we speak. We have an amazing opportunity for us to actually achieve her community if we can encourage our citizens to get over 70 percent of us immunized over time. It's going to take an extraordinary effort, unlike anything we've seen in modern history. So we want to pledge I have a meeting with with Dr. Valar, the epidemiologist is chairing the vaccine task force this week asking for anything, everything that we can do as local policy makers. We've led from the front over these many months to continue to do so. But to accelerate those efforts, we're going to step up even more. And in the meantime, as we're doing today, we need to encourage people to wear their masks at physical distance to do the very best to COVID fatigue and sanitize. And it's it's wonderful being able to see that there's truly an end in sight, but it's going to take an extraordinary effort and collective responsibility, mutual responsibility for us to get there. If we do it and we do it right, we can indeed save lives. So this is our plaintive plea to all of those within the Santa Barbara voice and those in the state of Columbia. Let's let's let's get this done. I'm encouraged we can. And Theresa, I want to thank you and your entire team not only for what you've done, but how you've done it over these last several months organizationally. We've been we've been run very efficiently and and we've been run with a heart compassion approach to the way in which we get our citizens and to the men and women who serve them every single day. So I'll yield the floor to to Director Tinsley. Thank you, Mayor. Hi, can you hear me? Yes, we can. Thank you. Hey, good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, members of council, Madam City Manager. Again, thank you for your time. There's additional information in your inbox on today's numbers that will report out actually that just they just posted through through DX website. So you asked there were 16.5 million confirmed cases. Unfortunately, we're over 300,000 deaths now to COVID-19 here in South Carolina, our case count stands at two hundred and thirty nine thousand one hundred and nineteen as of yesterday's reporting. There have been to date, which has been pretty aggressive. There have been over three point one million tests to date in our state. Yesterday's case count reports an additional two thousand three hundred and three. That's a nineteen point nine percent positivity rate. Unfortunately, there were four new confirmed deaths reported yesterday, bringing our confirmed death total to four thousand four hundred and two. As far as in Richland County, our case count stands at as of today, twenty one thousand one hundred and seventy eight. We had an additional hundred and ten new cases as of yesterday. Over the last 14 day reporting cycle from November 30th through December 13th, Richland County has had two thousand two hundred and seventy seven new cases. We're averaging now about one hundred and sixty new cases each day. That's up from the seventy to ninety. We were experiencing and unfortunately we're reporting out two hundred and ninety six confirmed deaths in our county. As far as the highest zip code case counts over the fourteen day reporting period, we are still seeing between two hundred and two hundred and fifty cases reporting for those zip codes on average two nine two three two nine two three two nine two nine two nine two nine two ten two nine two two three and two nine two two nine. So as of the December ninth report out, forty five of the forty six counties in our state have a high recent disease activity incidence rate. And over that period, Richland County remains at high with four hundred forty seven point nine per one hundred thousand. We are at a twelve point nine percent positivity rate. If you look at all the other counties, that is significantly lower than some of the other counties that are reporting higher case counts based on population. As of December 12th, also the reporting sample shows to recovery rate estimated at about eighty seven point seven percent that's down slightly from the ninety one point three at our last reporting. Our state case fatality rate is estimated at one point nine two percent. That's down slightly from two point zero eight. So statewide, there have been over fifteen thousand new cases of COVID-19 in the past week. So we are averaging about two thousand two hundred new cases each day with the state average positivity rate overall fourteen point nine percent. So our hospitalizations remain high. There is still remain sufficient bed space available. The bed utilization rate as of today is seventy seven percent. The ICU bed rate is seventy six percent. Currently, there are one thousand three hundred and sixty seven patients currently hospitalized COVID-19. Three hundred and thirty one of those are in ICU and one hundred and twenty nine are on ventilators. So as of yesterday's reporting and everybody saw the vaccine is being rolled out from the Pfizer vaccine, the one of the first ones to get emergency use authorization. They're they're starting to process and receiving first allocations of that vaccine from Pfizer with nearly forty three thousand doses are anticipated by tomorrow. And the vaccines will be as we communicated administered in a phased approach as recommended by the CDC and states COVID-19 advisory vaccine advisory committee. And it'll initially start with phase one a which will be those persons are considered mission critical workers performing direct medical care to suspected and our confirmed COVID-19 patients. And there's a list of bulleted workers or mission critical workers that will fall into that category as additional supplies come into play. So as we see that roll out in the coming weeks and months, it'll be your very promising. That concludes my report. Thank you for your time, Harry. Can you tell us what the recovery rate is that all the documents that we're getting does not talk about that. Can you give us what the right now on recovery? Yeah, as of the December 12th reporting sample and that's a rolling sample that DeHack takes. It's at eighty seven point seven percent. OK, and then the other thing that is for us was when you also got the information that talks about the total ice few beds, but COVID patients to you only about 20% of the bed utilization, not breaking up Daniel, you're breaking up. I was just going to be good to know we show bed utilization. But the related bed utilization is only about 20%, not 76%. So I just want to make sure that we're providing number to everybody that they realize what it is that we do any of the beds if needed. I'm sorry. Go ahead. The over the mission volume is up all across Prisma and Lexington Medical Systems. Just this past week, there are more than double from the week before that. We're not as bad as July, but it's important to know that the volume jump that we're seeing is because of COVID, not because of other things that's important to continue to sound the alarms that this pandemic is the greatest one we've seen in the generation, not a century. So I mean, yeah, we want to make sure we pay attention to certain things, but COVID is driving the challenges that our hospitals are seeing. I got that directly from each hospital, CEOs. I'm just looking at the numbers. People are always asking me, are we monitoring the ICU beds? And, you know, look at this. If you don't really dig through it, it makes it seem like COVID making you bed. It makes people realize we're monitoring. The the the mission's volume is up if it can't be because of COVID. And it's important to note that and continue to fight that. People, we cannot take our foot off the gas. We cannot pretend this thing is decelerating and accelerating rapidly. And we need to keep on telling people that or else we'll never get alms around this. Ms. Devine. Yes, sir. I have two questions. The first one might be more for Director Tinsley. And the second one is for you, Mr. Mayor. The first one, Harry, if you could tell us, I know follow up to Daniel's question about the ICU bed or I guess bed utilization back in the day. And back in the day, there were numbers that we never hit. But I still keep those in mind, like we never got below the 10 percent. But I used to hear that once we got to about 80 percent of hospital bed utilization, there was going to be an issue. And so right now being around the 70 something, I'm just wondering, is that still a number? 80 percent is still a number of where there needs to be concern of whether or not there's there's a plan for that. I'm sorry, then there's three questions. The second one is mentioning about the the the recovery rate. You said it's 70 something percent or 87 used to be 90. So I'm just wondering what I always hear is that there's treatments are better now. But that seems to be going down. So I was just wondering if there was an issue there. And then my last question, Mr. Mayor, for you is I think that now that the vaccine is here, knowing it's going to be all hands on deck to get it out, primarily in communities of color and the level of distrust that people have in taking the vaccine. Just wondering as far as our our participation in that, how do you see our participation in that? And and will we have, you know, some you taking the vaccine publicly or how are we going to specifically get in the communities of color to make sure that they are getting that we are getting vaccinated? Because I definitely think that we have led from the front, but this is probably going to be a monumental task that we've got to think through and make sure that it gets out there. So those are my three questions. Sure, so, Harry, I can take the one on the percent bed utilization to keep in mind that the bed utilization has been. If you look at the reporting that we've been watching is, is, you know, mid lower seventies to mid seventies to upper seventies. As it gets to 80, as I understand it, there are discussions, hospital, state hospital association, hospitals, DHEC, they have discussions on, you know, staffing and making sure that they have the capacity. I will say that there is discussion that that is a threshold to enter into the discussion. But there the bed utilization rate is is also other surgeries and hospitalizations that are, you know, the ones, some of the ones that were canceled back in in the summer to make sure we had space. So it is my understanding that they have not gotten to that level yet. But there is concern, as you see, the number of hospitalizations due to COVID and that number is hovered around 10. It's it's gone up significantly. If you look at the total where we're having today's reporting, we're at over almost 14, a little 14 percent of those. That's maybe maybe almost 15 percent. So. Harry, just to add to your point and further clarify that, our understanding, too, just on what we discussed before and your contacts is that a trigger that we would probably know publicly is the discontinuation of elective surgeries. That would give us some indication that we're heading to that being an issue of the 80 percent. So they would probably do that. Mr. Close to 80 percent before they would, you know, I think that would give us an indication that there are some issues. That that was my my concern and understanding that there is an impact. But it's not it's not that significant. So not a big deal yet. Yeah, please, Mr. McDonald. Yes, Director Tinsley, I don't want to I'm sorry. I certainly don't want to be done in any way. There has been a lot of conversation about, of course, if masks are working, if they are doable enough to help with the virus, say a word to us, Harry, about I just I think it's very important that we do the importance of wearing a mask. I think it's I think we continue to follow the CDC guidance and the DHEC guidance, which is encouraging face coverings and the social distancing. I think a lot of those things have helped us. You'll notice some of the numbers in Ritching County are not as bad as some of the other parts in our state. So I think that is a mitigation or preventive strategy that we're going to be in until we until we really get deeper into what I would say. Phase three of the vaccine, where it's more widespread, and that would come later in 2020, probably 2021. But we'll have to see what their recommendations are. Yeah, here. Thank you for that. I think the importance of wearing a mask, of course, and the vaccination that in itself does not that does not eliminate mask wearing. Is that correct? That is my understanding. Yes, sir. That's correct. All right. Thank you. It's important that we that we continue to strongly encourage mask wearing and we plan to do this meeting. That question is divine. I've had some informal discussions and as I mentioned, we'll have a more formal one with with with Dr. Bell about the role that we all can play in modeling the importance that we the importance of taking the vaccine. Just as we've done with the flu in the past, the last month, we're happy to set up the appropriate time. Obviously, we want to make sure that those who are level one to tier one in tier one A, people who need the vaccine get it first. But I think we line up with policymakers everywhere and being willing to in a very public way, I receive the vaccine. I might encourage others to do so. Just kind of a note back from the CEO of Lex and the medical as well, who says they are also nearing their July high of inpatients. To the covid as well. And I hate the sound stress that because obviously I'm optimistic about where we could potentially be. But a number of the of the statistics, even the tree reference council, I'm divine, you know, we're statistics that in in standards that we were relying on, if in fact, we followed the science in as a country and prepared ourselves for the for the pandemic. And we would be able to see hopefully deceleration and infection rates. The country did not do that. We would not have a leadership at the national level pushing for the right policy decisions. We didn't have the state level we did on the local level in a number of different ways. And as a result, we've seen some of our expectations skewed rather significantly. We saw arguments made that that this was no different than the seasonal flu. The seasonal flu last year killed 22,000 people. We are now over 300,000 deaths in less than a year because of covid 19. This is real. And I think it's so important that we we continue to press until we indeed make it to the other side of the mountain and and push back on any efforts to to discourage otherwise. So we I will do and I know many of you will do what is asked as it relates to the vaccine. But hopefully we will have a very formal role at the request of the governor and this administration or maybe the next presidential administration when asked to do our part in encouraging the vaccine to be taken by citizens. As I think there's a great article, maybe someone in the post-encouragement today on what we might be asked to do similar to what we did early on regarding our masking efforts and other efforts of maybe a bit of a PR campaign. So we're all in. Any other questions for Harry? Thank you, but we got we got the the ordinance authorization next recent. Yes, our mayor and this emergency ordinance would extend the suspension of normal operations and the mask wearing through February 13th of 2021. The mayor to a motion or move. Second. Second. Thank you again, Director Tinsley and the whole team. And again, Ms. Wilson, if there's no discussion, move the previous question or call the roll. Mr. Brennan. Yes. The gentleman. Hi. Yeah. Mr. Govall. Hi. Mr. Vine. Hi. Mr. Davis. Hi. Mayor Benjamin. Hi. Thank you, ma'am. At this time, we would ask council consideration of the consent agenda items four through 14. Right. Is there a motion? So moved. There a second. Second. Any discussion? Thank none. We'll move the previous question or call the roll. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Wurzeman. Hi. Mr. Macdowell. Yes. Mr. Govall. Hi. Mr. Vine. Mr. David. Hi. Mayor Benjamin. Hi. The zoning planning matter for second reading is the Zoning Text Amendment number 15 to amend section 17, 253 Design Development City Center Design Development Guidelines to delete section 3.54 site plan review. Mr. Rickman. Is there a motion? So moved. There a second. No second. I'm with the previous question. I'm sorry, discussion. I'm with the previous question. Call the roll. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Rickman. Hi. Mr. Macdowell. Yes. Mr. Govall. Hi. Mr. Vine. Hi. Mr. David. Hi. Mayor Benjamin. Hi. Ordinance, the second reading item 16, Ordinance number 2021-07, consenting to the inclusion of property in a multi-county industrial business part, the Gable Oaks Affordable Housing Project at 5530 Randall Avenue in 901 Colleton Street in Richland County. And Mayor Benjamin and Council, as you would give this a second reading, we are still awaiting County Council's review for a third reading. And of course it's contingent upon their third reading. Absolutely. Thank you. Let's get a motion first before we get into discussion. Is there a motion? Move. Move to approve. Second. Second. Second. Come up in a second. Second. Our discussion. Mr. Mayor, last time, when we discussed this thing, there was a pending amendment at the county level. That needed to be included. If we give it the second reading, we will, we have that amendment in it. I think it is already included. Mr. Govall they're, had already included those items addressing safety and a couple of other issues. But from my understanding from the staff, this version is the county's version. Okay. Do you understand it, Mr. Davis? That's my understanding, yes. Move to preach question. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll? Yes, sir, Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Rickerman? Aye. Mr. Mcdowell? Yes. Mr. Gauval? Aye. Mr. Vines? Aye. Mr. Davis? Aye. Mayor Benjamin? Aye. Thank you, ma'am. Item 17, ordinance's first reading, ordinance number 2021-08, consenting to the inclusion of property in a multi-county industrial business park for Project Cross in Richland County. Is there a motion? Move approval. Is there a second? I'll second the motion. Second. Is there a discussion? Say no and move the previous question to the card. Call the roll. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. Rickerman? Aye. Mr. Mcdowell? Yes, ma'am. Yes. Mr. Gauval? Aye. Mr. Vines? Aye. Mr. Davis? Aye. Mayor Benjamin? Aye. Thank you. Moving into a period of resolutions, item 18 is resolution number R-2020-07-08, authorizing the city manager to execute an amended and reinstated agreement concerning electrical service rights between Fairfell Electric Cooperative, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, and Midler-Viner Electric. The move. Is there a second? Second. The discussion. Move the previous question and card. Call the roll. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. Rickerman? Aye. Mr. Mcdowell? Yes. Mr. Gauval? Aye. Mr. Vines? Aye. Mr. Davis? Aye. Mayor Benjamin? Aye. Item 19, resolution number R-2020-05, authorizing the city manager to execute a management services agreement between the city of Columbia and executive management in Leasing, Inc. for the property located at 1401 Main Street. Move approval. Second. Move the discussion. Move the previous question and card. Call the roll. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. Rickerman? Aye. Mr. Mcdowell? Yes. Mr. Gauval? Aye. Mr. Vines? Aye. Mr. Davis? Aye. Mayor Benjamin? Aye. At this time, Mayor Benjamin, we would ask for you to open a public hearing for item 20, which is the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for July 1, 2019, ending June 30, 2020, and to approve submission of the CAPER Report, along with all citizens' comments received during the 10-day comment period to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to December 29, 2020, as requested by the Community Development Department. Thank you. We'll declare this public hearing open. Madam Clerk, do we have anyone here to speak on the CAPER? Not that I'm aware of. We do have callers on the line. If you are on the line and would like to comment on the CAPER, please do so by pressing star three to be added to the speaker queue. Only if you have comments on the CAPER, there will be opportunities for citizens to put on other items later in the agenda. I certainly wanted to ask if I had any comments or anything to present to Council. I figured she did. Very brief PowerPoint, I'm thinking, Mr. Mayor. Yes. Madam City Manager Wilson, thank you for the opportunity to present to Council today. I do have a brief presentation. Are you all able to see the PowerPoint at this point? We do. All right. Oh, it's moved now. It's back. OK, great. All right, this one's here. So we have quite a busy year in spite of some of the things that we've had to deal with as a result to COVID. But in accordance with the federal regulations 24 CFR, Part 91, the City of Columbia is preparing a draft consolidated annual performance and evaluation report, which is called the CAPER for fiscal year 2019 and through June 30, 2020. The consolidated annual performance and evaluation report is an end of the year requirement for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. And the purpose of the CAPER is to provide an overall evaluation of federally funded activities and accomplishments to HUD and the community. The performance report is prepared with public review and comment for fiscal year 2019-2020 CAPER and is submitted electronically to HUD via the integrated disbursement and information system, which we also refer to as IDIS. And it has to be submitted prior to December 31, 2020. A waiver of the regulatory requirement at 24 CFR 91.5208 that within 90 days of the end of the jurisdiction program year, a grantee shall submit to HUD a performance report known as the CAPER. The CAPER is associated with several CPD grant programs for the program year 2019 CAPER, the requirement that grantees submit a performance report within 19 days after the close of a jurisdiction's program year is waived. It's typically due at the end of September, but we did receive a 90-day waiver this year. So in addition, the waiver clarifies that the grantee may amend the citizen's participation plan to establish expedited procedures to draft proposed or amend consolidated plans. Expedited procedures must include notice and reasonable opportunity to comment of no less than five days. In-person public hearings are not required. Grantees may meet public hearing requirements with virtual public hearings. One, the National Local Health Authorities recommend that social distancing and limiting public gatherings for public health reasons. And two, virtual hearings provide reasonable notification and access for citizens in accordance with grantee certifications, timely responses from local officials to all citizens' questions and issues and public access to all questions and responses. During our citizen participation process, citizens have the opportunity to comment on performance of three entitlement programs. Community Development Block Grant, known as CDBG, Home Investment Partnership, known as HOME, known as HOME, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS, known as HAPWA. The citizen's participation process, which includes at least a five-day comment period, began on November 4, 2020, and will conclude on December 15, 2020 at midnight in compliance with the city's participation plan of virtual public hearing will be held to solicit public comments. So we do have our paper report in draft. It is on our website for citizens to review. And we do encourage them to look at that report before it's submitted and provide any comments. I do have a brief presentation for you. I want to go over that with you now. And you all do see the first page. You don't see the sidebars or anything like that, correct? Right. OK. No. We see the sidebar. You mean the next slide? No. OK. Now you see a full page. See a full page? The one that we see the page titled Caper Purpose and Process. And we also see it by and acute up sources of funding. Very good. Thank you. So again, the caper purpose and process is to provide an overall evaluation of federally funded activities. We want to report to HUD and the community. We're required to do so based on 24 CFR part 91 and also provide citizen participation opportunities. We want them to be sure to review and comment on the progress that we're making in spending the federal dollars that the city receives on an annual basis. So here's a brief overview of our sources of funding, revenues, and expenditures. As you can see during fiscal year 2019 in CDBG dollars, the revenue was $1,812,493. And we were able to expend 958,118 by June 30 of 2020. For our home dollars, the revenue was $813,486. And we were able to expend $750,325. And for our HOPPA program, the revenue was $1,475,403. And we were able to expend $1,277,166. Our leveraging impact is we were able to expend a total of $2,985,609 and leverage $7,900,449. Our community development 2019 accomplishments include the following. We assisted nine neighborhoods, $7,086 was awarded directly to neighborhoods through the city's Action Grant program. We served 106 water and sewer customers in financial need through the Debraquist Christie Customer Service Assistant program that we also call the DCCA, formerly the Change Program, $25,382. We also assisted 17 participants who completed the IDA account or our Individual Savings Account program with over $75,000 in grant matching awards. We were able to assist 15 participants through post-secondary education and two through entrepreneurial endeavors. We also were able to assist the public through our various programs such as Bank Gone and Fresh Start program. We had 65 participants through our Columbia Kids Save. We enrolled five new students, and we have a total of 19 students enrolled as of June 30, 2020. And also, we closed 18 home ownership loans, leveraging the city's $943,988 with over $1.6 million in loans from our partner banks. Here is a snapshot of the loans that we funded. We provided four home loans through our Affordable Housing Program, six city lender, one uplift loans funded through home and CDBG through city lender with our general fund dollars. We funded seven loans. We did one employee loan through our general fund dollars and totaling $18 for the year. And as you can see, again, the city's contribution, $943,998 was funded, and we did leverage $1.6 million with a total of $2.6 million for the year that was financed. Also, we are showing the events that the city of community development participated in during the past fiscal year. We provided four home buyer seminars, one promotional event, and five financial literacy series. Unfortunately, due to COVID, which hit around March where we were mandated to work in place, we were not able to get all of the programs out that we typically do. The springtime of the year is usually our busiest time of the year. During April, when it's CD week, financial literacy month, fair housing month, and then in June, when it's home ownership month, we were not able to get a lot of our programs done. So we hope that will change next year so we can continue to meet those people who enjoy our services and have various needs for us to meet. In terms of our CDBG public service activities, we funded Mercy. They were able to assist 15 youth who were at risk of homelessness with our CDBG funding. Also, FAST4 was able to assist 66 participants in preparing them for job search opportunities. And also, they always exceed the number of people that they expected to serve. With the homeless no more shelter, they were able to assist 186 citizens. And they provided emergency shelter with the dollars that we provide to them. And also, through the United Ways Adult Dental and Eye Care Clinic, they were able to serve over 900 adults through the public services funding that they received from the city. In regards to our CDBG public facilities activities, the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department were awarded $476,063 for upgrades to the Fairwalt Park, Lord Park, and E.B. Sessions Park. Those parks received playground equipment and site amenities, as well as recycling receptacles at those locations. In regards to our HOPWA accomplishments, there were 149 households who received short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance. 850 people were served through their supportive services. There were 58 people who received rental subsidies through the tenant-based rental program. And also, the HOPWA program leveraged $5,399,851 in community support. So that is a snapshot of what funding awards were made to organizations over the past year. Again, that report is posted on the City of Columbia's Community Development website for those to continue to review and provide any comments. And also, once we finalize the report, we will make sure that the city manager, the mayor, and all city council members receive a copy of the finalized report. And so the only action we will need today after public comment is authorization from council to submit this report to HUD by the deadline. That is my report. Thank you. Thank you so much, Ms. Said. Thank you, your staff and our wonderful citizens who have helped advise you as you get the work done for the people in Columbia. A post-report, are there any citizens online who may have comment or concerns or questions? I'm Clark. One moment. Not at this time. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Mr. Brennan. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Quick question for Ms. Said. The CDBG public service activities page that you had a wonderful report on those groups. How do those groups report the use of those funds that we partner with them? So they report their account on the NOFA. Once they apply for the dollars, we have workshops with them and provide them with the paperwork so that they can provide them monthly information and accomplishments on a monthly basis to help us all keep up with it and track that data. How do you track the sustainability of their efforts? Because I know a lot of that has to do with our homeless population. Is there any way to track that? Well, in terms of the sustainability, ask your question again. I apologize. But we have success in helping our residents that are needing, whether it's homeless services, whether it's addiction services or mental health, to get them off the street through these programs. Is there any metric that we can actually track to make sure that the funds that we're spending and the leverage that we're using is truly successful in that outreach? Yes, sir. I mean, the way that we're able to do it each year, when we award a organization, they tell us how many people that they are looking to assist in that particular given year. And usually, they meet those thresholds. OK. That's how we basically track it on an annual basis, according to the number of people that they want to serve. And at the end of the year, we're able to determine whether they were successful in doing that. They're reporting. OK. And one last quick question. If a resident's interested in some of this wonderful housing financial programs that we have, what website can we send them to, Ms. Said? OK. So they can go to the City of Columbia's website and go to Community Development. And they will see different folders there where they could get access to our programs. Or they can go directly to columbiasc.gov slash community-development. And they will see the information through that access as well. Great. Thank you for preparing that report for us. Very informative. Yes, sir. Thank you. Mr. Brennan, I was going to add to your question, which is very pertinent regarding, and I know you're probably getting at some of the outreach with our homeless services. Certainly, the grant and the grant that go in those track or provide and then track, they're probably tracking very well. We probably should look at the general fund dollars that the city is providing with the other service providers and a more stringent tracking process there. Because I do think that while these services complement and the other work that we're doing and all of our providers are doing, the city is certainly, as we discussed, and I hope we can get to this point in the new year to have some more purposeful discussion about deliverables with those other providers. And maybe we need to look at this monthly tracking component or some other type of ability to track and really analyze the data, as you're saying, with the other providers that you all are funding. I agree with you, Ms. Wilson. Thank you. Mr. Davis? I just had a comment along the line of those questions. I, over the years, have kind of measured the outcomes. For example, if we take a look at the All-Britons program fast forward, they do training on site and they also participate in job placements. And I think their numbers are pretty good. And the program provides a mixture of benefits from our perspective to the community. Also, in there you see where individuals have the opportunity to participate in home ownership. And that says a lot. And it just adds to, it sort of fills some of the blanks where, one, we don't have the dollars to contribute for the city's role is somewhat limited. So I think it fills the gap. And as we move forward as a city, I think we should always remain on a full court press to get as many of those dollars as we can. Although, over the years, it's been sort of making the calls on that. But I think every opportunity we can use to increase those fundings coming back to the city, we ought to take advantage of it. All right. Thank you very much. If we have no other comments, can we give a motion, authorize the city and community development movement board? Am I made? Second. Seconded. Present this to HUD prior to the deadline. Any discussion? Seeing none, with a previous question, part of the roll. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. Rickerman? Aye. Mr. McBowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Mr. Vall? Aye. Mr. Davis? Aye. Mayor Benjamin? Aye, thanks. I'm sure Ms. Jenkins is on the line, Mayor Benjamin, for your period of appointments. There she is. Hello, Ms. Ashley. You have two committees today, the Food Policy Committee and the River Banks Park Commission. All right. So thank you, Ashley. So we have two vacancies on food policy. Is that right? Yes. Thank you. All right. Did you have a motion, Mr. Duvall? I'd like to nominate Heather Bowell for one of the positions. Ashley? Yes, sir. Who are the applicants? We have seven applicants. We have John Love Day, Don Pallight, Kimberly Humphrey, Rowan Goodrich, Billy Quinlan, Shayna Hill, Cato, and Heather Bauer. I do know that the Food Policy Committee did make some recommendations for support Kimberly Humphrey. They also supported Cina Cato and Rowan Goodrich. Goodrich, in that order, a very close vote, supports those applicants. We are, as Mr. Duvall's nomination suggests that we actually, this is a pretty good pool of candidates to pull from, have a bower. I'd also like to support John Love Day as well. Apparently Ms. Humphrey, the group feels very strongly about Ms. Humphrey's candidacy in particular because of the importance of strengthening the city and county relationship as well. So we have one nomination for Mr. Duvall. Anything else missing, Ms. Jenkins? No, sir. Those are the applicants and those are the recommendations from the board. Yes, sir. Remind me, a number of members. I mean, this is one of those places, unlike a land use commission in which the parameters are set by statute, this is a place, if you got really good people, this is not the place where you shut down the doors. You want as many good souls on here as possible, particularly if they bring some sub-commitment expertise and a willingness to use that on behalf of the community in general. So I would be curious as to what parameters we have to expand the Food Policy Committee as well and not give ourselves some fictional parameters. Mr. McDowell. Yes, Ashley, that was a question I think, Mr. Mayor, you're alluding to. I think you've got a good group of folks there. What's the set number of folks that's presently on the Food Policy Committee? So at the moment, the limitation was set to 15. And with filling these two vacancies, we would be back at 15. But my understanding of the policy was initially created, was kind of going to what the mayor was saying, we set a number. So it's one that can be changed because it's not bound by any state guidelines or laws or any specific positions by state guidelines or laws that have to be written. We decide to expand it. Council decides to expand it. We can. The number of persons that's presently looking at this position, how many are they? It's seven at the moment. Those are the people that applied within the deadline. So I'm sure with Food Policy, if we decided to re-advertise for an extended period of time, we would have even more. Well, I think you got a good group of folks there. A lot of those folks I know. And it would certainly, if you've got 15 now as that standard and number, and those persons who applied, you got seven additional persons, right? Yes, there are seven additional people that have applied for the two vacancies. And that does not give us, there's nothing in the state codes that would prevent us from upping that number. Is that right? I mean, gee whiz, there are food deserts everywhere. Folk want to be on something that's going to provide some food instruments to our residents. I would certainly support taking those seven persons. Have we vetted them pretty good or what? There's not a bad option in the bunch as far as I know. Good. Mr. Davis, I'm sorry, if I may before Mr. McDowell completes his statement. Do we know geographically where the existing, where the seeded people are now? Yes, sir. So right now the district representation, we have representation in all districts. So district one, we have one person. District two, we have one. District three, we have five. District four, we have two. And then there's two additional people that are outside of the city limits or at large in the sense that. All right, the reason I asked is because we know the impact right now when it comes to people in need. Just want to make sure that everybody's covered. Every area is covered. And a number of the food organizations are just sort of kind of popping up, taking the lead from some of the neighborhood organizations. And so I don't think it's competitive, but I think they probably could maybe learn something from the committee once it's up and showing its strength. Yes, sir. I can share that. Before I call on Mr. DuVall, I did just have a very brief conversation with the chair of the food policy committee who indicated they actually could use more hands on debt. It would be a good idea to potentially expand the committee. Mr. DuVall. Mr. Mayor, I think we all are expanding the committee by putting the Love Day and Heather Bauer and the three recommended by the committee for a total of five new additions and letting them get on the committee and then evaluate whether we need more people on the committee. The motion is to expand the food policy committee. And to add the three recommended by the committee and Mr. Love Day and Ms. Bauer, moved by Mr. DuVall, seconded by Mr. McDowell, moved the previous question for a call to roll. Thank you, Mr. Vernon. Sorry, did Vernon have something? I apologize. Yeah, for seven people to apply and us to go with five. Yeah, we just need to go with the seven. We had Mr. Polite and who was the other? Mr. Polite. Hold on a second and Quinlan. Can I ask, is Don still on the police one? I mean, he serves on something for us. And so I don't know. Don Polite, he was serving. I don't know if he still is. I guess that would be the question because we do still have the regulation that you can't serve on. Yeah, Don served on Skip's Advisory Council, I believe as well. So let's make sure. The way we've done things in the past, is if you're appointed to a new position, you bottom out to vacate your previous one. So I think the world must have liked too. I don't know much if I know Mr. Quinlan off the top of my head. Mr. McDowell. Yes, I would amend Howard's motion to include the other two additional persons. Ask if I would. Yeah, but with the caveat again, that if Mr. Polite's already serving the other, we have service commission at a time that before he's removed, that we consult with him. I accept that amendment. Move the previous question on the seven-hour court call roll. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Rickerman. Aye. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. DeVall. Aye. Mr. Vines. Aye. Mr. Davis. Aye. Mayor Vincenzo. Aye. And if there's any formal, we need to take Ms. Madam Clerk and maybe Theresa Knox, who's come back to us in less than a minute, in terms of formally expanding the rebanks part, that should be a lot simpler. I think we're in the reappointment of Alana Odom-Williams. So second term, I nominate her real quick. Second. Second. Discussion. Move the previous question for a call roll. Mr. Brennan. Aye. Mr. Rickerman. Aye. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. DeVall. Aye. Mr. Vines. Aye. Mr. Davis. Aye. Mayor Vincenzo. Aye. The clerk has shared with us and distributed widely the proposed meeting schedule for year 2021. We've had a chance to review it for the last couple of weeks. Is there a motion that we approve the meeting schedule? So move. The second. Any discussion? Seeing none, we'll move the previous question for a call roll. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Rickerman. Aye. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. DeVall. Aye. Mr. Vines. Aye. Mr. Davis. Aye. Mayor Benjamin. Aye. Thank you very much. Any committee reports or referrals? Mr. DeVall. Mr. Mayor, this is not a referral. I would just like to tell the council that I hope maybe all of you received in the mail a couple of weeks ago from the Human Rights Commission a report on the city of Columbia's municipal equality index scorecard. It's a two pager that has different areas of the score on equality. I have talked this over with a couple of my friends in the LGBTQ community. And they both, I think, and they agree that we didn't get credit for several of the things that we have accomplished with the city of Columbia. And I'd like permission from the council to have an ad hoc committee on equality. Look at this and kind of review that to see if we can either meet these standards or at least talk about the standard set by this scorecard and get credit for what we have done. Thank you so much, Ms. Devine. I usually dialogue pretty robustly on the MEI index as well as the city manager. Ms. Devine, you want to say something first? Yeah, no. I would say I wholeheartedly agree, Mr. DeVall, actually. And we can kind of get together. I've already reached out to a few folks who are willing that have some legal background, some employment background that are willing to sit in an advisory role to help us with that. So if you would be willing, I can sit down with you and we can maybe come up with some ideas of some folks and work on that. But I agree with you. I think there are certain things that are not within, that we didn't get credit for, that we probably should. And then there's also some things that we can do that would give us some extra bonus points. Very good. I'll be in touch with you. Sure, Mr. Davis. Yeah, I'd like to be included because memory does call that we made substantial moves in the past. And you're right, Howard, if we're not, I glanced at it and it didn't seem the right thing either. I think Mayor Benjamin and Council too. And we can't blame everything on COVID. But certainly, there's been some lapses with communications with other agencies and getting back. And I do know, and I've already sent a message to Ms. Benjamin. So I would ask that she be able to work with you all and our designees on staff that we have to show that we're looking at these things from the time. But every year, there's a period of time where they send you the scorecard, we review it, and then you can submit. I just don't recall getting that opportunity. By the time I send it back to you via snail mail after issues with the post office, Theresa, it'll be a little bit much that we have it very quickly. There was a period a few years ago where we had the highest score in the Carolinas and second in the tri-state era only to Atlanta. Something we take a point of personal pride in. And I agree, Mr. Duvall, we don't get credit for the things that we have done, but I will tell you, just over the last four or five years, the standards and how you're rated has gotten so much more detailed and diverse just recognizing the shifting sands is that how we truly recognize equity and equality and the strength of this community. So I couldn't agree more. Our score does not reflect the richness of this community. So it was a motion to have an ad hoc committee that might be populated by those that Ms. Devine's already working with, Mr. Davis, and then Mr. Duvall, maybe the three of you serving as a council representative, populated with the rest to bring back to some definitive action. So I'm not even sure if we have a designated liaison. I mean, we had Jared, we had Justin, and they've both since left the city. So I'm not sure if we have a liaison, a designated right. We do, we do. And so I wanted to make sure, Dan, that we include them and just to make sure. I mean, I think you all are right. There are things that we need to make sure we're getting credit for. I think there were things that were just missed in translation because they were on there before, but they're not showing there now. So I think we'll get it all figured out. And I would love to help from the council members, Mayor. Okay, Mayor, you want to restate what you said because I think it's pretty good. You're going to turn it over to me and Tamika and Sam. The three of you, we'll come back with the report. Sure. And that hot committee to address the Municipal Equality Index, I think, is the, yeah, yeah. And finding ways in which we can perform well on that score in a way that reflects the strength and vitality of the city. We can pull in as many members of the community as this council needs necessary, please send your recommendations to the city manager, including the citizens advisory working. All right, we're going to get back with us. I know we got some trigger dates in 2021. So I think if we can get back together with some recommendations and action items by the first quarter, we should be in good shape. Very good. All right, that's a motion. Look, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. All right, move for me and the second minister, Davis, Mr. McDowell. No, I was going to announce, just making announcements. That's all. You want to follow this first? And then? Yes. Okay. With the previous question, I'll call the roll. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Dr. Richmond. Aye. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. Duvall. Aye. Mr. Davis. Aye. Mayor Benjamin. Aye. Mr. McDowell. Yes, just a word, Mr. Mayor. On the 17th, and I think that's Thursday, the administrative committee will meet. That's inclusive of Howard and Sam's. Okay. All right. I think it's at two o'clock. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. And economic development. Well, right. We'll meet at three. One meets at 10. We made it two, and you made it 10. Yeah. Right. Good deal. Any other reports or referrals? All right. Good deal. Any public input or anyone signed up, Madam Clerk, to share some thoughts? We have three callers on the line. If you would like to address the account for at this time, please press star three to join the speaker queue. We have one caller in the process of joining the speaker queue there. All right. Thank you. Please state your name and you have a few minutes to address council. And there we see that we have a caller attempting to connect. You just bear with us for a few seconds. Okay. I will add the caller to the meeting now. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you all for your time and the opportunity to speak as one of the over 800 concerned foster parents, volunteers and supporters of the animal services. My name is Eleanor Davis and many of you know me from my work with the lion's street communities and South Carolina women's initiatives. Also as a Richland County poll worker and a PhD candidate at the University of South Carolina. You know that I am a dedicated, passionate advocate for Columbia and work tirelessly to support the city. For the last nine months, I have volunteered as a foster parent for the shelter, nursing sick kids back to health and celebrating their eventual adoption. This foster program has seen thousands of lives since its inception and along with the Trapeuter return program, we're both moving Columbia towards its 2013 goal of becoming a no kill shelter following the lead of our sister cities, Charleston and Greenville. This progress will not continue without the hiring of two crucial positions. First, it has been almost two years since the shelter had a full-time bed. Without a full-time veterinarian, the no kill goal is simply impossible. The relief stats at the shelter are only available once a week and this has led to a backlog of pets waiting to be spayed or neutered and adopted. It has also led to a dependence on other rescues for Trapeuter return support. While there is a shortage of vets across the state, we have an advantage. We are a growing, vibrant city of young professionals, a group that owns the most pets out of any generation. I strongly believe that with creative collaboration between Columbia Animal Services, Public Works, the City Council and the Animal Mission and hundreds of passionate supporters, the city can attract a full-time vet. The second position that needs to be filled is another foster coordinator. The coordinator position is incredibly demanding with volunteers and animals requiring 24 seven support. Most local shelters and rescues have multiple coordinators to support more foster placement and avoid high employee turnover. The new foster coordinator will start at the end of December, but a second coordinator is definitely needed before peak kitten and puppy season. In 2013, Mayor Benjamin, you expressed your strong support for the shelter becoming a no-kill community. You wanted to know what was needed from City Council to continue this progress. This is what is needed. We need your prompt action to convene relevant stakeholders and find a solution to fund and hire a full-time veterinarian and second foster coordinator. I know it has been a hard year. Please continue, please continue. Okay, I know it has been a hard year. We have all lost so much and the hardships will likely continue. But I ask you to listen to the 800 plus supporters of this decision. It's time to take action, work together and save lives. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much for your dedication, not just to the animal shelter, but to all the different formal and informal pillars that support this great community. And I think I also received your community care. I know that you've been dialoguing with staff and City Manager, it's been on top of this as well. So look forward to that continued dialog and some action. Madam Clerk, if anyone else signed up. No other callers have joined the queue at this time, Mayor. Super. Thank you so much, Mayor. All right, Mr. Duvall. Mr. Mayor, I move we go into executive session for receipt of legal advice related to matters covered by a 20 client privilege pursuant to 30-4-78-2 COVID-19 AMI Water Meter Installation, receipt of legal advice relating to a pending threat and a potential claim pursuant to 30-4-78 Michael Hughes, I might be Michelle Hughes as personal representative for the state of Michelle Stahl, Naker versus city of Columbia at all. Discussion of negotiations, instance proposed contractual arrangements pursuant to 30-4-78-2, bright up Salute River Greenway, federal funding discussion of employment pursuant to 30-4-78-1 hospitality and discussion of matters related to proposed locational expansion of services to encourage locational expansion of industries or other businesses pursuant to 30-4-78-2, absolute total care. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? The previous question of Kurt Calderon. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Rickerman. Aye. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. Mr. Vines. Aye. Mr. Davis. Aye. Mayor Benjamin. Aye. Thank you. Madam Clerk and all the team, thank you the citizens who tuned in. We're gonna continue getting the work done on some of the items that require executive satisfaction from the council. I bless you.