 Mr. Brennan present Mr. Rickman here Mr. McDowell yes Mr. Vines, yes, Mr. Davis. Yeah Alright, uh, let me tell you what's the word. Yes Eternal and gracious God for this day and for all you've done for us Life health and strength For the promise of your presence in our lives, we thank you for all of the rich and manifold blessings You've given to us We ask for your grace and your mercy to be with those who are hospitalized And we pray for Shanique and Eric and their family As they struggle with and of course provide healing for this family All of the many workers in our city For those names that we don't know but we know of their Conditions we ask your grace to shower them Shower them with grace and with love and yet with mercy Allow this city of ours as we meet today To feel and sense your presence As we go through this agenda Lord, we ask it and claim it in your name Is there a motion? I'm sorry any amendments to the agenda Mr. Mayor, I'd like to move we adopt the agenda with the amendment of item adding item 20 Receipt of legal advice related to pending and threatened potential claim pursuant to 30-4 that's 78 to constant car wash There's a Second to the amended agenda second Any discussion with a previous question cart call roll? Mr. Brennan, yes Mr. Rickerman Hi Yes, Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Vine Hi Mr. Davis Hi Mayor Benjamin Hi, thank you, ma'am Motion to approve the minutes of February 16 To a move Second second Discussion With a previous question cart call roll Mr. Brennan Hi Mr. Rickerman Hi Mr. McDowell Yes Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Vine Hi Mr. Davis Hi Mayor Benjamin Hi, thank you. Thank you so much for that part Mayor Benjamin, we can proceed at this point with city council discussion and action items With a few presentations to include our COVID-19 update as we regularly do And if you have any comments, Mayor Benjamin Proceeding the situation or report by Mr. Tinsley our emergency management director we can hear those at this time Sure, I might also make a comment before Before the public for our presentation as well Yes, sir This is um, no, we're I think we're all very encouraged with with some of the data we're seeing and as relates to deceleration The number of infections that we're seeing and we we certainly want to make sure we're doing all weekend The whole line To continue to communicate well with all of our partners In the governmental and the sectorally to Encourage vaccination and pro-vac vaccination messages We're heading the right direction. We've got to make sure we continue to do just that Obviously, so the governor amended the negative order Removing the last call language Just yesterday and hoping and praying that that that can be handle responsibility about by our responsibility about all parties Involved and and it still allows us to see the deceleration we've seen So again, thank you, Teresa and the team and council and the director Tinsley for the work We've been doing here, but we still got we still got a long way to go But we can do it So thank you. Yes, sir director tinsley Hi, can you hear me? Yes, sir Hi, good afternoon Thank you. Mr. Mayor members of council madam city manager additional information is in your inbox as well as the latest report out on the current situation to cover 19 Worldwide we are over 114 million global cases of covid-19 with over 2.5 million deaths, unfortunately According to cbc as of march 1st report out 28 over 28 million confirmed cases in the u.s with 511,839 deaths In south carolina's confirmed case count stands as of today's report at 445,523 cases There we're just about to go over the six million mark of test to date That should occur at the next report out New cases as of today's report is 496 to our state That gives us a 4.6 percent positivity rate There were 13 newly confirmed deaths as this report which brings our state total to 7606 As far as here in richland county our case count stands at 35,830 We had 39 new cases as the last report out Over the last 14 day report richland county had 1,530 new cases And as down slightly continue to trend down as do other counties in the state The last time we at our last meeting we were at 2,390 So we're now averaging just over 100 cases each day. That's a rolling average over 14 day period deaths due to covid in richland county stand at 452 For this report out that 14 day cycle the highest zip code Was 292 10 with 182 cases As far as the richland county's 14 day recent disease activity incident rate It remains at medium although it is continuing to trend down At the latest report. We were at 322.1 per one cases per 100,000 With a 5.2 percent positivity rate That's down from our last meeting where we were over 500 As far as the state the state recovery rate is up slightly. It's estimated at 90.4 percent The state case fatality rate is estimated at 1.70. That's up slightly also And as the mayor said Daily case counts continue to trend downward. This trend is anticipated to continue Hospitalizations continue to trend downward as well The bed utilization rate as of today's report out is just over 75 percent And the icu bed utilization rate is just over 70 percent So there are currently 706 patients hospitalized due to covid 19 That's down from over 1200 at our last meeting Deatt continues to receive vaccines and distribute those They've received total doses received to date is over 1 million 169,300 And those uh in our state having already received the vaccine either first or second dose is 952,860 In richland county, uh 85,537 people have been vaccinated Uh also of note, uh, the mayor just noted the press conference that's from the governor Deatt will begin phase one b beginning monday march 8 Those are folks anyone over age 55 and up People age 16 to 64 with more high-risk medical conditions and frontline essential workers They anticipate phase one c will begin on approximately april 12 With phase two beginning on approximately may 3rd. So we are moving in a Very good direction. So opinion any questions that concludes my report. Thank you I would add um and thank director tensley for his ongoing efforts particularly as the vaccine has continued to roll out in our state and his um ability to work directly with de hack and others to ensure also That our frontline staff um is In the line. So we are working on that. Um As recent as a few hours ago when he and I were talking So that we're prepared as the next phase begins. So just wanted you all to know that We're we're making sure our frontline team is in line Miss wilson mr. Mayor Yes, I had a quick question for um for harry harry. Um We've talked in the past about mobile units. Um Uh giving out shots that have you heard any more about that from the county and the prisma about the possibility of that happening in the future Yes, sir, we are continuing to to work that that process councilman. Um, we had a A phone call this week. Um, or students last week To discuss the the with de hack and or student with prisma We're going to have a follow-up call here shortly to work out some of the logistics on the planning For that and then the allocations of the vaccines and the supplies for those But we had an encouraging conversation And I'm anticipating that we'll get that that finalized here in short order Thank you. I appreciate your leadership and coordination on that Harry if I could just jump in on that. Um, so councilman brunnan I know that prisma has the mobile unit. Um, it actually will be at ciu this weekend My understanding and talking to mr. Ford. Um They've been asked to to do some of the more rural areas before they kind of come center city But as harry mentioned and I asked mr. Ford actually just yesterday If we could coordinate make sure that um, I think we all have probably Better pipelines into Getting directly to the citizens who need it So I asked if they could help coordinate with harry so that when we know about places That we can coordinate and get the work out to the community. So I know um harry if they don't Specifically bring that up to you if you can bring that up in that meeting and I've mentioned it several times Mr. Ford, but I know the mobile unit is there I think it's just also the availability of the vaccines which from my understanding now that johnson and johnson is going to be coming There might be a change in as far as the availability Yes, yes, ma'am. You're you're correct. Uh, the availability was of a concern um, I think some of the recent weather events and throughout the us and supply chains were Were slow, but uh, that should be uh, be rectified and and I did talk to the support as well on that uh subject and um, the nursing Leader or That helps with the basic flu vaccines to those areas every year. So There is a there is a mechanism in place to do that. We just wanted to make sure we could Get the plan finalized to do that I'm sorry. I was on mute. Uh, please We've also partnered with the providence hospital And the ceo there We've surveyed and uh assessed three communities within The 29203 and 29204 Uh, we are We are hipping and lending folk giving folk a lending hand and Securing their backs their vaccinations from providence Uh, we've already canvassed the lion street community We also canvassed the ml king community last saturday We will canvas the other community that we have not identified yet. Those persons have been Those persons have been identified registered and of course, uh, providence is Given the vaccination So that project has worked out real well and continues to work well We know that there has as to me could say I talked events about three weeks ago in the mobile Unit aspect But we also recognize that there are a number of senior citizens Uh, who doesn't have transportation. We have transportation Provided for them, uh, if they need if they need that Uh, providence gives us every week a number of spots Uh for persons to come in and and be vaccinated So that continues to work well in addition to what bent has proposed and what prisma is doing that is That's a positive sign Other comments, i think Hopefully in forever we'll see a great deal of concern and angst Believe not just with the johnson johnson vaccine. Um, but hopefully we'll see supply chain Um issues with both maderna and visor also beginning To improve. Uh, we're going to see obviously a significant part of rush. Hopefully beginning of next week with one Phase one b begins as well And those are all those are all good things I do know that, uh, particularly will as relates to the mobile units that prisma and others are By being very data driven really trying to focus on zip codes. Uh, where there's been a lack of of individuals getting Access to the vaccine and overlaying that with with the reach from folks like us local elected officials who identify and so kind of Attacking you from an IQ and the ecu level and I think I think it seems like it's come together In vince and others have been doing really great work there. Let's let's continue pushing In that regard and just as we all have the last, um, a year or so Keep encouraging people to still remain vigilant And doing all that we're supposed to do to make sure these numbers continue to decline the way that they should and that even Even if they don't that that those who might become infected are more resilient in their body's response to it by having them vaccinated so, um, we still got some work to do, uh, but, um Let's let's remain wholly optimistic and and yeah, I couldn't agree more Uh, I'm harry teres and everyone else. Just thank y'all. Let's keep pressing. Yes, sir. Thank you Mr. Mayor, we have two presentations. Um, the public presentation I don't know. I will probably get to it right on time But we have it second because dr. Donaldson doesn't have been involved in some exciting Things today and we need to give him a little time to get with us as he's part of Item four So with that we'll start with item three, which is the columbia water resiliency update And our assistant city manager for columbia water clint shealy will present Um, mr. Deval had been talking with us recently about, you know Things that have been occurring across the nation and how prepared are we after witnessing Everything that texas has endured and prior to that. I think also in texas. There was some security breach issues with water treatment plants and so We are well aware of those events. We follow them closely clinton. I've been talking about them as they were happening And I think mr. Deval was right to suggest that we share with you all and the citizens Of just how prepared we try to be so with that clint. Do you want to take it from there? Yes, ma'am be glad to good afternoon. Can you hear me? Okay? Yes, sir All right, great. Thank y'all for just a few minutes of your time this afternoon to talk about our our Water utility and our resilience. Um, and I'm going to attempt to share my screen So so bear with me just one moment Got a few slides we put together And um, but we'll try not to power point you to death this afternoon, but I thought it would be Um, interesting to to share information with you all and the general public that may have questions about You know, how how prepared we are as a utility Um, so hopefully you're able to see my slides. Um Then clint, I think the council has the slides in their inbox too. If they Oh prefer to look that way Yes, ma'am they do In your packet to um to take a look at first of all, I want to thank um Our columbia water team and sylvia and her it staff for helping put together this information It's comprehensive and we'll be a good read for you. We won't um, we won't dwell too much on each slide But I did want to just take a moment to share the highlights with you. Um as miss wilson said Infrastructure has been in the news whether it's power resiliency or water supply resiliency Or cyber security and protection from from Attacks that's really been in the news in the last month or so and um, and I think what it's what's also Overarching above and beyond that just the pandemic that we're in and makes us think of our most Our most critical and key asset, which is our people and and how we have gone about protecting them I think you're aware of the measures that we've been taking to keep our staff that have been working on the frontline Safe and to to protect them from from any community spread from the virus at the workplace And i'm really proud of what they've done to continue providing essential services and to to protect each other And to just care for each other throughout the pandemic, right? You know, obviously of the recent extreme cold weather that arctic blast that get down into texas in mississippi Really had a major impact on um on what's happening there and and we hear about it in the news I was listening to NPR on the way home last night and they were talking about jackson, mississippi Two weeks later still without drinking water in several areas and so Something that um, we want to make sure that we are Prepared for anything like that that might happen and also talk about the cyber security brief Breaks that happened in florida and i wanted to start there On february 5th at a smaller water plant in in florida A hacker was actually able to access a chemical feed system Through what we call the skata system supervisory control and data acquisition system Was able to hack that and adjust one of the treating compounds and adjust the ph and overdose And so that water would have been harmful had it gotten out of the treatment plant and distributed to customers. So Certainly got everybody's attention both in from an it perspective, but a drinking water perspective made national headlines what we learned about that is um The utility was using and I don't mean to throw rocks at them, but you want to just contrast how we're a little bit different Very much outdated windows operating system And that had not been updated their computers were connected directly to the internet with no firewall Um staff were using the same password to remote access from when they wanted the plant um a lot of fundamental data no-nose there that that um We simply don't do them come yet. So we keep our operating systems updated so that we can get the security updates And they're fully supported software um RIT department is a great job Supporting both us and our SCADA system integrators and making sure that we've got appropriate firewalls in place um Something's called a DMZ surrounding our treatment plants that would would prevent that type of hack um, and then uh, you know, obviously the password protections and logins and not having our SCADA computers that control our our dosing and and operations directly connect to the external internet um, is really really important. So that's that's been a position that we have taken For a long time ever since we've been using computers with the advent of the internet of things It is something that we're very aware of and um Sylvia and and her team are preparing to to brief us in A lot more details beyond my depth of understanding um In executive session if we want to go into the Great specificity about how our systems are protected, but this is what we were able to share publicly and I didn't want to mention that um Even with if lord could bid we were to have A similar attack Um, we've got procedures in place that use that most critical asset of our human capital Our operators are there and they are doing manual checks routinely of our water quality Before it ever leaves the gate of the treatment plant. And so um, we've got online meters But even those, you know, if they happen to be corrupted Our laboratory instruments and our staff doing those laboratory tests Would catch any type of anomaly that was happening before That got compromised water left the left the facility. So We've got the the IT security in place that that we need to but we've also got The operators that are there 24 7 365 Monitoring our customers water to make sure that we're both in compliance and that nothing harmful Leaves the gate of the treatment facility. So that's just a little bit about the cyber security And I'll I'll pause there for a moment to see if there are any questions Everyone's hands if you have a question for Clint, please go ahead and ask All right Yes, sir. We're hearing none. Let's um, we'll we'll move on to what happened in the Midwest with that arctic blast and sustained cold weather One of the things that I think is important to to note is that weather impact affected both Generation capability and transmission capability And in those states and particularly, Texas is the one we hear about at most Because of lack of power some of the treatment facilities Did not have standby generation and they were relying upon line power to operate treat and pump water Also, I think the icing on the roads impacted the ability to deliver treating compounds to the facilities There were multiple water main breaks Home plumbing leaks because of that deep prolonged freeze and then simply customers leaving their faucets dripping Can create a can exert a demand on a system that um that is It can be higher than normal. I remember in my consulting life Working with a coastal utility that always shared with us that their highest demand day their peak demand and history occurred During a severe winter cold not during a summer drought and so It really can tax your water delivery treatment and delivery system when you do have a lot of main breaks as we well know Our two water plants obviously were powered by dominion energy Dominion is part of the eastern interconnection grid There's a western interconnection power grid and then there's Texas is a little bit different And how that grid is is interconnected or not interconnected and how power is regulated there Because of our interconnectivity in being in the eastern grid dominion has the opportunity to If they had issues with their generation facilities to pull Power into the grid from into our locale From other parts of the grid in an emergency situation. So just from a grid Reliability standpoint, we are in better shape than the the folks in texas were we also have Multiple feeds coming to our treatment facilities and that gives us a lot more reliable power and redundancy there I want to point out that As part of the 2018 America's water infrastructure act Each water utility in the united states was required to conduct a risk and resiliency assessment And so we recently completed this work just last year And it analyzed our threats and we looked at what our vulnerabilities are This work Had not been formally required since what was called a vulnerability assessment that was post 9 11 2001. So very due Now we we look at our emergency plan and updated every year But this was a more formalized process and a submittal to epa that identified Short-term mid-term and long-term improvements our particular assessment Recommended that we continue to improve our our physical security At our treatment facilities that both of our water treatment plants that they're gated. They're fenced We have guards. We have cameras, but there are additional physical security measures that we'll recommend it as we proceed into the future strengthening cyber security in our state of system security always at the forefront And so it our it group is a big part of this assessment as well And of course based on what we went through in 2015 Resilience of our source water and our water supply Very much at the forefront of what of what we need to be doing and are considering doing I'll also point out as we went through that process A lot of the weaknesses that we had in our water distribution system were found in october 2015 Whether it's an aerial creek crossing something of that nature And as we have recovered and repaired We've been boring under the creek Going under the river under those water bodies so that our infrastructure is not washed away during the flooding event So we're more protected and that was one of the things that the consultant recognized that that we had made significant improvements in Um, as as you well know, we brief you um There's hurricane preparedness or inclement weather And and our staff has gotten really good at that it being prepared for For these things. Thankfully, we had a fairly quiet hurricane season in our locality last year But we do have backup generators that are in our drinking water plants We can run at full capacity in our treatment plants We've got over four megawatts of generating power both at lake murray and at the columbia canal plant And those are recent improvements that we've made so that investment pays off during During power outages again, we've got very reliable power and redundant fees But we also have backup generation diesel generators that are tested routinely We keep an adequate supply of diesel fuel on hand Contained on hands in the event that we may need to use those generators from extended period of time And we top those fuel supplies off that there's any pin in you know, pending storm That is forecast On in our distribution system. We also have generators that are major pumping stations At our smaller pumping units pumping stations We have mobile generators that we can take around As needed, but the really the the heavy lifters the one that move The stations that move water throughout the significant parts of our distribution system They have standby generation at the facility full time And we also top off our our treating chemical our treating compounds and test our generators and communication equipment anytime There's inclement weather forecast so that we don't run into an issue where the roads are icy and we can't get the treating compounds that we need We keep our regulatory agency requires us to have space for a 30 day supply on hand So we keep a good supply of treating compounds on hand for any prolonged You know duration event and and certainly things like hugo and other weather events Historically they've proven that to be wise investment Now we've got to be remiss of it and talk briefly about our canal water supply recovery efforts Obviously we've reached agreement with FEMA. We're working through our assessment And that is progressing and progressing nicely The head gates are also a part of our overall recovery that is being funded through cdbg mitigation Grant and that design is in progress. So those efforts are moving forward. That's a long game effort But we're every day. We've got our our wheel to this To the cloud trying to make that happen our shoulder to the cloud trying to make that happen We are also working on a resilient water supply project We briefed you just a few meetings ago about our building resilience and infrastructure Grant the brick grant that went in We're waiting to hear whether we're successful with our grant application And we'll find out in just a few months whether or not we all will be awarded that grant to 45 million dollar project Pull water directly out of the the broad river and would decrease our reliance upon our columbia canal moving forward Also wanted to talk just a little bit about our flood protection For our metro wastewater treatment plant We've got a female flood recovery project to add some generation capacity there. We've also got Redundancy and transmission and distribution fee from dominion But we're looking at adding some generators and natural gas generators out of the metro treatment facility that would Would help us in the event of a natural disaster or a power outage We're also looking at strengthening levies around the treatment plant to help with flood protection And and just like our water treatment plants protected from IT standpoint and they do their normal storm preparations and To prepare for unlikely who the power outages or lack of chemical delivery. So folks do a really good job there In our wastewater collection system We've been very intentional about getting backup power generation at all of our major pumping stations And the majority of our minor pumping stations in the collection system have permanently mounted generators We're transitioning the natural gas where that is available But ones the very few that don't have emergency generation in place There are plans to add generation in the near future. So that's part of our overall attempts to address Infinimize sanitary sewer overflows and improve the strength of our sanitary sewer collection system So with that, I'll stop talking and see if y'all have any particular questions about our preparedness in general Questions for clint Howard Clint I just want to thank you for that very good briefing I've had several people ask me about the condition resilience to the for the columbia water sewer system after hearing the news and seeing the news in texas And I think it's reassuring to me and I know it is reassuring to the public To the extent that we have put in resilience to the columbia water systems Thank you Other other questions or comments for plant Mr. Vine Mr. Mayor just a suggestion because um, I think this was a wonderful briefing um And a lot of great information if clint and his stack and work with our pr staff I think having this different like an interview of clint on channel two and maybe also making it available for social media can help I'm sorry. Let me find us or driving by my office Um, um, but I think it'd be a great way to just get this information out to the math The folks who don't watch our meetings, but this is a lot of great information I think would answer a lot of questions that people have had as as councilman devol said over the last few weeks I know I've gotten questions, but even the questions we're not getting This is just really it addresses a lot of things that I think people will be interested to know what we're working on That'd be great I think I think so really carefully curious questions that help us get to the fact matter I I know and I know you all remember Very vividly Teresa and clint and joey and missy and everyone else. I mean some of the investments we made just before 2015 We we immediately saw the importance of Preparing for whatever may come In some extra investments and extra cost saved taxpayers and ratepayers significant We learned a great deal about having redundancy Um, certainly at the canal and in the uh, the amazing leadership of our staff and and even um, Even our firefighters as we were just really Uh, just to say lives military stepping up with Rope who's at that practice and I mean we learned we learned And what I learned what I love about our our our staff of the folks that funded water and Teresa and others is that um We don't just learn for the sake of learning. We actually do something with it And and we keep on improving we keep on improving and I think what you just saw and I think that's a great idea to me could Uh, um more and more of our citizens need to know that we're making the responsible investments in the system and that they've been done for posterity For a long-term investments and uh, as much as we can do to get that that information out It'd be uh, be very helpful Absolutely Well, thank you Clint much appreciated Yes, ma'am Okay, and with that uh, henry assistant city manager henry sarmans Will yes, sir Mr. Rourke Yeah, may I share a word? Yes, of course then Let me just say thank you for this report been in addition to what you reported today As you know with the cold and freezing weather a couple weeks ago, we had several pipes to burst in streets and that sort of thing And uh, some of those things reported to you and of course Thank you for your due diligence and getting those things fixed I think the residents I think you gave them Real personal conversation when you had the ability to talk with them uh They were in dire straits that several communities were Were being flooded and uh, you responded very quickly and the team responded So just just a word of thanks. Thank you, sir Thank you appreciate that very much Thank you ever midtown. Mr. Davis uh, I just wanted to um Echo It's Ed's comments, uh, you know, we kind of move around a lot and um, I think he's He's aware of the number of Calls I've passed on to him Especially um, you know when we I do run across a number of uh leaks in the in the roads on the streets and um The fact that that we did make those investments is uh, I think better our Capacity and and ability as as a city to be responsive To to go get in and address the needs as they see see fit and so, um, I I think we can always Make a case and and um Justify the past investments and we also I think are getting a pretty good insight on On where we need to go next and and that's one thing that's Uh, really going to help staff and and the city with planning knowing Some of the unexpected that do occur Uh beyond our control beyond staff's control But the fact that you know, we continue to to nurture and update the infrastructure system That I think keeps us On better footing to be responsive Thank you, mr. Davis All right, any other questions or comments? for a plant We know this is we know this is a process It's a lot of innovation going on a mi a lot of iteration. We don't get everything right, but It takes it takes the leadership and a lot of commitment. So thanks. Thanks to everybody involved. Let's keep pushing Thank you. Thank you. Thank you council clint. Thank you again Um at this time we will move into our public art presentation and mr. Simons Assistant city manager, Henry Simons will let us know if our other presenters are ready to include dr. Donaldson, Henry Yes, ma'am. They're they're on and we're ready to go Perfect. I would be remiss if I didn't hijack things for a second Dr. Donaldson's uh thunder, but this was a uh, this is an important day. I'll let dr. Donaldson speak to it 60 years worth of history Henry and and randy davis and Of course, the chief of police was there very different than than things were 60 years ago For a similar moment Dedication on on main and dervay today. I'll let dr. Donaldson speak to it But it's an important day in the history of civil rights Not just for columbia not just for south carolina, but from the entire united states of america and then as goes america so goes the world But a fantastic day And i'll yield i'll yield a four back to the assistant city manager simons and dr. Thank you so much. Uh, miss wilson and for your opening comments. Thank you Mayor benjamin and our city council for providing us with an opportunity to present Our presentation, uh for the public art project We started this process about six months ago, of course that you all's direction And our focus and theme for this project was to create artistic murals That depict african-american history heritage and culture And the desire was to identify specific locations within each council person's district For this work to be accomplished Several locations, of course were identified And we narrowed those locations down to four city-owned facilities With these locations, of course our goal was to tell a story About specific african-americans that were connected connected historically to those communities Our goal our goal actually was to launch this project during black history month In an effort to celebrate african-american lives and history And we missed that mark by a few days, of course, but this is just an extension That of that celebration. So this project is being Facilitated and funded through the Parks and Recreation Foundation And I just want to thank them for their continuous support of our efforts And we also partnered with dr. Bobby Donaldson Of course is the director of the civil rights center for civil rights history and research For the university of South Carolina And his work as a professor there for over 20 years He also serves as the lee's scholar For columbia sc 63 our story matters, which is a history initiative that chronicles The struggle for civil rights and social justice in columbia So we have aligned this project with some amazing work That's already been done through columbia columbia sc 63 We've also partnered with lee stelgrove who is the executive director of one columbia For arts and culture and lee is also a member of the parks and recreation foundation which is helping us facilitate this project So he's working in that capacity One columbia is currently the gatekeeper of course to help this project And he also facilitates Arts and culture throughout the city of columbia Over 75 percent of this work Is being done by local artists And lee stelgrove will provide those details here in just a minute First, dr bobby donelson will take us through The themes by location And speak to specific historical impacts that these This has on our communities And lee stelgrove will follow that to speak to the process the artists and the specific renderings That will be installed. We're very excited about this work And i'll turn it over to dr donelson to start us off with his portion of the presentation Donelson, would you touch on today's something to please dr. Donelson? And henry don't worry. Black history month is every month of the year. We didn't miss anything Oh, thank you very much. Mr. Simons and mayor benjamin I had an opportunity on this past sunday to speak for black history month at Mayor benjamin's home church st. John baptis In the book of washington heist community And my message mr. Simons was that we were just beginning even though it was the end of the month We were just beginning and so this project is actually in good time As a founding member of columbia sc 63 which has been supported And strongly championed by this council and previous councils and also as a founding member of one columbia of arts and history This is a Extraordinary day for us as we think about ongoing ways to celebrate And to chronicle some vibrant history in the city of columbia and how we can use Structures Within city properties that can be used as a classroom And a visual textbook about the history of largely unknown moments and unknown individuals in our community and columbia 63 started in 2012 and so when i first heard about the initiative for the public art Work in the city. I was very excited about being involved as many of you know There are a series of wayside signs A down main street that chronicled this history In in the city of columbia and lee if you go to the next slide So this photograph here is from september of 1963 These are a group of young people who are championing the end of desegregation in downtown columbia But if you look closely, it's more than just a group. There are multiple groups There are some Who are asking for freedom now, but there are others in the background Who are championing a maintenance of the status quo who argue that segregation is for Is indeed in the best interest of columbia and indeed in the best interest of the nation So columbia is a turning point where you see a real clash Of visions about where do we go from here and part of what we hope will be achieved Is to underscore critical moments and individuals Who are part of the transition or what i call The reconstruction of our city and our communities if you go to the next slide So columbia 63 in addition to the wayside signs in the public Engagement and public activities very much believes that another way To reach our citizens and to reach audiences around The country is through art art as a lens Into history and so over the years throughout the work we've done since 2012 We have commissioned artists to do a series of installations or interpretations What you'll see on the screen here is an artistic rendering of He moments in civil rights demonstrations in downtown columbia That was on display on display at the taps art center on main street in the next slide So today we announced a couple of new initiatives that we're very excited about Today we announced a historical marker that stands on the corner of javay and main streets That marks the 60th anniversary of a key rights event in this nation that occurred 60 years ago today Went over 200 students gathered in downtown columbia To protest segregation on the grounds of the state house They were arrested for a breach of peace Their arrest moves its way from the local courts in columbia To the united states supreme court and in in in february of 1963 The u.s. Supreme courts overturned the conviction of young people in a case called edwards versus south trillon well today in front of the state house we had Several of those individuals who were part of that transformative legal victory In 1963 including james edwards who is now 81 years old They're unveiling a marker with his family We also had president a woman named leola robinson simpson Who is a member of the general assembly of south carolina? 60 years ago. It was a 16 year old leader of the state nwacp youth division So it was extraordinary irony to see someone who was Arrested on the grounds of the state house now governing within that building Also present today was the family Of a man named revan david car revan carter was the organizer of this demonstration He was a student at benedict college And during the course of the demonstration revan carter said let your conscience Be your guide I'm not sure how the mayor thinks about it was very moving to me to have the grand children of revan carter ages two to six Unveiling a new monument That stands on the grounds On the corner of main and dravet that is entitled we shall not be moved In addition We have With work with leesnell grove and in one columbia a new public art installation That we have unveiled officially today. That's on outside the doors of the nicolodian theater 1607 Main street 60 years ago 1607 main street was a segregated movie theater Today it is a destination for all citizens So there you'll see a bronze sculpture by geron meadows one of the leading artists in the country Entitled speaking truth to power In that installation you will see Quotes from some very well known civil rights figures in columbia such as majesca monteef simpkins And some lesser known figures such as the raven revan david carter So part of what guides and inspires this collaboration is that it builds upon Some ongoing work in the city and will be a springboard. I believe for some other important initiatives Next slide please So this is the wayside that companies that marker that installation on main in the next slide So when we were presented series of sites for consideration by the city I was particularly excited about this particular site 1401 main In the heart of councilman mcdowell's district We know it as a modern Office tower that is now within the city portfolio But many people of a certain age know this corner of main in washington As the beginnings of the african-american business district. So the next slide So the footprint of part of 1401 main is here It is the the beginnings of what was called for some black wall street Or the black downtown district and so for a proposal we strongly considered that the wall Of the 1401 main street building now within the city's portfolio may serve as a a canvas By which citizens may now know a deeper and richer history of what was once In that area including african-american businesses african-american theaters African-american physicians lawyers doctors cleaners restaurants nightclubs all part of a thriving district That is no longer standing with exception of maybe one or two buildings. So again It will be an opportunity to learn more about a history that has been largely Um Removed from a physical presence in that area. So the next slide Here is a simple brick wall in hyatt park In councilman davis's district As I thought more about this wall and that community We were led to some thoughts about other individuals who may have a story to tell that is not widely known So in this next slide, you will see Uh some of those individuals We thought that the hyatt park site might be a place to discuss the pursuit of citizenship In columbia and in south carolina Among the individuals who will be highlighted in this new public art installation Include a woman named septima poinsett clark who for nearly 20 years taught in the public schools of columbia She taught at the old saxon school with a strong thermal wellness center is now She taught her the howard school, which is now where the old bell south building is And she once taught at booker t washington high school on the campus of the university of south carolina After septima septima clark was dismissed from her job as a teacher She assumed greater civil rights work and developed what was called citizenship schools Where she trained people about how to prepare to exercise their right to vote She is joined in that effort By a gentleman who deserves much more attention whose name was deacon benjamin j mack Who was a resident of the ridgewood community in the hyatt park area? Who was also a very active leader in the sclc under dr. Martin Luther king jr And finally another individual for consideration is a man named lister belt middleton A pioneering journalist and etv But who also had a series of public public television programs called for the people Where early on he championed the connection between citizenship and understanding a history largely removed From textbooks. So that is the proposal for the hyatt park area next site simple wall woodland park off of garner's fairy road in Councilman's whose district is that? henry That's councilman rickham is district councilman rickman, of course because we've talked about it So councilman rickman is in your district simple wall When I thought more about where woodlands park is located that it is a path between lower richland and columbia I thought it might be an appropriate venue an appropriate canvas to bring more attention to the next slide This woman a young woman named sarah may flaming brown Who only weeks after the famous brown v board of education case? A rule about the supreme court on june 22nd this 20 walk 20-year-old woman from east over Took a seat on the first available seat on a city bus in columbia She knew she knew that that seat was served for white passengers. She knew she was violating The segregation laws of our city But she sat down anyway and in sitting sitting down sarah may flaming was attacked By a bus driver and ultimately filed a lawsuit against the owners of the bus company sc ng In the case of flaming versus sc ng becomes a path breaking case That sets the stage for the legal rulings related to rosa parks in montgomery, alabama 17 months later Recently, we even covered an interview of judge matthew j perry Who was sarah may flimmings? Lawyer and he said he deeply regretted that this woman on the screen never got the attention she was due Um, given how important her her legal victory was sarah may flaming a native of east over once worked in a household in the woodland park garner's fairy district In in handhelds actually where she worked So we thought it might be an appropriate venue in that crossroads between columbia and east over To pay tribute to this pioneering civil rights hero sarah may flaming brown next slide Dr. Donaldson I thought it'd be great if you could just add to that because I think the picture itself was discovered from a collection from birmingham and had been on the cover of a national magazine and and really She was the pioneer for for rosa parks case and Huge historical value for our community, but the background of how we discovered I think is is also a great part of the story So columbia 63 Was initially conceived as a partnership with several southern cities including Birmingham, Montgomery and southern alabama Jackson, mississippi, minnesota, tennessee and washington dc I'd agreed that we would do a traveling exhibit that would go from each of these cities In 2013 and 14 And as a part of that agreement We got Agreement from time and life magazine. They would provide images From their collections to be used for the exhibit and when Sam johnson who was working with us on that project went to birmingham. He came back and told me that we were not included In the in that part of the exhibit. I said, well, why not? The the curator said councilman recommend there were no images from columbia In time of life magazine and not knowing what what the issue was. I said, surely that cannot be that can't be true And so we literally thumbed through Life magazine and came across this image that I did not know existed Of saramea flaming standing in front of you can't see it the trinam road bus in 1954 And so I quickly said we found an image We want to be added to the exhibit and we were and since that point Saramea flaming's family had no idea this this photograph existed They had never discussed it before and so this has been a great great contribution. I believe Of columbia 63 and seemingly quite fitting A councilman recommend that this image become the inspiration For an artistic rendering. So thank you for reminding me of that that important contribution Okay, next slide. So here we have a wall in in valencia park in In rosewood and councilman brennan's district It is a plain wall We thought more about the history of the rosewood community and it came to me about another Iconic photograph that many from columbia may not know of its existence. So the next slide This photograph appeared in the new york times in september of 1964 it marked the Legal integration of public schools in columbia and there were several schools who were part of that first wave of integration Including rosewood elementary. Those gates are still standing and quite visible on rosewood drive And so we thought that an appropriate Theme for the valencia park site would be the pursuit of education Drawing attention to the young men and women who are who were the brave foot soldiers In integrating the schools of columbia In 1964 I think that's all the slides or is there one more? There one more So part of what we are hopeful and why we're excited about this initiative Is that of course these are venues in the districts of councilman and council women We but we also know that our youngest citizens May not be getting this history in the textbooks or in their classrooms And therefore the public art initiative provides a unique opportunity to turn nearly every corner of our city Into a classroom And so we're hopeful that when someone goes valencia park or woodland park or someone goes to hyatt park Or they take the walking tour down columbia 63 on main they can look up And see just one more example of the extraordinary history of our community All right, thank you So i'll turn to my colleague leith snogrove Who will explain how you take all these ideas of historian and make them into art so leith Thank you council for and mr. Mayor for having me today I am a member of the board of the Parks foundation and in that role Was asked to help with this project certainly Due to the experience I have with when columbia and our public art projects there So we we have worked with dr. Donaldson mr. Simons throughout this project to Conduct the process for artist selection and to identify Um strong proposals of concepts for each location That that really speak to all the Story that you just heard from dr. Donaldson So we did this We obviously had the locations to go off of and the the background of each location and the theme we were hoping to identify Through the help of one columbia We identified Artists that we would shortlist in a similar way to what we do as required by the city For public art projects that happen on city property So we identified a short list from our ever-growing list of qualified artists we then Selected some that you know pinpointed ones that would be right for each project that had certain expertise or had certain skill sets or Or we felt would be able to accomplish projects in each of these areas We then Reached out to them had them submit a proposal to us With their concept. They provided those and were Given a proposal stipend To compensate them for their time in creating the proposals and then those proposals were looked at by council and and the stakeholders involved and Four were selected so i'm here to show you what we have in store for you Each of these locations. So Just as a reminder, this is the wall. I've worked, you know, when main street that we plan to install the mural on This is the photograph that was the central inspiration given to the artists that responded to us in this location And this is the image that we were Provided by an artist named isha charles who's who's gotten quite some notoriety lately For much of her other work in the area and some commissioned work. She's done on on canvases So, uh, you'll see here. She's she's taken that storefront One thing of note each of these renderings are you know renderings created to respond to a proposal Some adjustments will obviously be made when artists work on the wall Those will be minimal some perspective changes not generally much content changes. Um, but Here, um, mr. Charles has uh taken that storefront photo highlighted some of the Individual business names that were in that photo and and really given a sense of life and vibrancy To what would have been a facade along the Black business picture. So, um She's shown lots of figures walking the the energy of the street along with that Initial storefront and she does anticipate taking the entire wall space that's available there On that building which will make it very prominent and very iconic and and certainly Really draw lots of attention to that area of the downtown corridor And miss charles just of note is a resident of columbia Currently and I think believe has done work throughout the southeast but primarily resides here Um, so for the high apart location, this is the wall that uh, dada also showed you and he showed you these images of these three important figures to that area and the pursuit of citizenship And we uh have received this proposal from charming midi field Who is a resident of atlanta and it's currently on a residency in gambia She has a team of artists that she works with. Um, so she provided us this proposal One of those members of her team aerial flowers is actually a resident of columbia Um, midi field has done work previously for us. In fact in high apart. She completed a mural as part of the indigrets uh Event around the theme of two cities when they focused on the divide between north columbia and downtown She completed a mural there already and has worked closely with that neighborhood through that process So she was very aware of high apart Um, and even this building um long before we even asked her uh to submit a proposal So she's given us this showcasing uh, sort of african cloth patterns. Um in the background and then uh, we'll Paint while these are photo renderings over top of that painting She'll actually have a portrait artist complete portraits in a very in a in a black and white color palette on over that very colorful background um to recognize these figures of the high apart community and in columbia and um Next is woodland park. Um, and the wall is on the the building there in the park and just a reminder of the photo of mr. R. May Fleming and um, we received this proposal uh from a couple who is a artist team that travel around the southeast and um They completed work. Um, I met them when they completed work in lake city. Um for art fields annual celebration of arts there They are called hand in hand creative and they they've provided this uh rendering a sort of impressionistic look at that same photo showing the swimming in front of the bus The proposed text on the right in this case is an example. Um, that is just a sample Of of some text of what they might look like but they they plan to um Work with dr. Donaldson to identify an appropriate Direct quote from mr. Fleming about her experience that that might go in that space um if if that is available to them to do so And then our our last location valencia park um in the rosewood area and um The photograph that is the inspiration um for this location And then uh, here is the rendering uh concept By an artist named mcclellan douglas who is a rosewood resident um and works throughout the country Installing murals and is quite an accomplished public artist. Um, he has given us this sort of um Expression of that photograph sticking very closely to what is there But also lending itself, you know, I think to Showcase the hope that kind of came out of the challenges of that day. Um for those students. Um, and so That is the that are the four concepts we've um identified and received from the artists and and and that One point I wanted to make is that you know with many of our public art projects All the artists will be using high quality materials For these installations, um high quality paints. They are aware they're all experienced public artists And are very aware of the conditions that their their Pieces will be in so they will Ensure that these pieces are in strong quality manner and will need minimal maintenance. Um, Also, they they will provide us some details about what their expected maintenance requirements will be just a general wash is generally the case and They'll even provide us some Information on whether if we ever have to make a touch up or do any repairs To the murals, then we'll have available information to match colors or or connect with them If if the artists are needed to make these repairs But we can expect at least a a 10 year lifespan on all of these projects I believe based on our experience with their murals similar That we've done it on columbia at least 10 years likelihood very longer um But that is that is what we can expect so overall. I think these projects will uh be quite successful long-lasting and and really um do justice to each of these uh photographs and all the stories that you've heard from Dr. Donaldson's back And and lee lee and dr. Donaldson. Let me just add this comment. Um one of the main reasons why we decided to um conduct or show these images outside on the exterior of the building because oftentimes You've got citizens that would never enter some of these facilities And if you put something on the inside or the outside that takes away Our ability to maximize who will see the actual images So our goal was to put these images on the exterior to maximize our visibility And as dr. Donaldson so eloquently spoke About an education piece As well. So I wanted to add that uh to your to your comments, lee So we're saying that we'll take any questions or comments from council And yeah, Henry will there be in addition to the mural will there be a plaque associated with the mural Yes, sir. I'll let dr. Donaldson speak to to that to that question All right, thank you. Yes council big doll. That's correct. So each each site will be accompanied by what we describe as wayside signs And those wayside signs will give some historical context to What a viewer is seeing In addition when available it can also point to some other resources such as Websites oral interviews some video footage. We may have of downtown Columbia and so there will be some additional information that will explain what you're seeing But also providing you some other pathways to learning more about what's on those sites That's sort of similar to what we already got downtown the plaques that are there So they'll they'll they'll be designed and it will look very similar to what you see in the main street walking tour All right. Thank you, sir Thank you other questions for uh, Henry Lee Bobby These are these are gorgeous. I might add y'all. I mean they just the um, obviously I know that um in full life and and to scale there'll be that much more amazing and just reiterating red mcdowell's question that the uh the educational component obviously is Is probably the most important important piece of the puzzle and I think elevating the fact That um in each of these panels, uh, you see people who are seemingly Ordinary and and all accomplished extraordinary things which I believe helps speak to Children on our street or just just folks who are going about their daily lives just trying to Get get to work as as miss Fleming mrs. Fleming brown was one day and I can Literally shape the course of history by decisions that they make uh when Approach with challenging situations that This is what people need to see and uh, this is uh, we when we decided as a council that this was their approach we wanted to take Uh For for such a time as this we we determined that we would take approach that was edifying that was unifying That would bring people together that would that would that would elevate our arts community But really speak to the the rich history Of not only the african city and american sun, but to the spirit of the city that We all believe as we strive to be more perfect The city was birthed In the spirit of inclusion certified in our flag now and all that we try and say and do and and I am I'm excited about this. I'm really excited and thankful to your collective leadership and really thankful that to council for For supporting not only this step in the in the journey, but when we Conceived of our participation in columbia sc 63 as as dr. Donson Articulated that then we were kind of throwing elbows just throwing elbows for columbia just just trying to get a seat at the table because so often We were not recognized and now I don't think that many folks anywhere I can speak Where we are and in this time and not speak of the contributions of columbia and I dare say I'd go even a couple years before We stepped up in in 2012 and go back to the organization and the founding of one columbia and the investment um that That's led to this wonderful organization That that you lead liana. Obviously you're you here in your capacity as the parks rec foundation board, but the um We got a lot of good things going on and you you taking you wrap it up with some amazing public administrators like like like like henry and others We this this is this is um This is this is what the doctor ordered Teresa. All right, so let's let's uh, let's keep pressing and I really want to again Make distinct counsel Uh for your leadership. Um, we are stronger when we are together mr. Davis Um, I'm sorry mr. Mayor. I just wanted to follow your eloquent Description of It's brought us to this point, but um, I I I really uh You know have some uh sentiments about all of this because You know, I'm really looking forward to the rendering on the washington street Side because you know, I'd mentioned before that uh, that picture there that window where you see the law office That was where I met um First met um Finney judge finney and uh that day I was making my rounds with lawyer john hopper who was the lead Attorney for the nwacp when we were fighting the uh for the change in the form of government in columbia, which now Reflects the 421 plan and um It's it's all about Really understanding and taking advantage of the people you meet Because you never know what their background is. You never know what their contributions May have been a will be to our our daily lives And uh, so I I applaud the city for For doing that and um your my experience. I think is varied Uh because of all those people I've met and and we did some marching and all that myself But um, I I think it says a lot about the city of columbia Uh, and hopefully we can always say it says a lot about the leadership that, uh Just thought about doing the right thing and but the main thing about it is You never forget impacts on your personal life And sometimes the things we remember Are the things that help us Commit to adding to the quality of life of um of everybody else So I I think this is a good project and um Hopefully, uh, we'll cherish it, but at the same time we'll maintain it as we move along Thank you. No, we must no. Thank you. Thank you so much sam and And body again, um, I won't we won't wax probably too much longer, but I know just as so many of these folks Um, I I know people there the specific impact on on mr. Davis and others, but it still amazes me as I get around Uh, the country speaks pretty well educated folks who don't know septima once at car who don't know her impact on shaping Uh, the movement, you know, my personal the personal impact That that list of elton had on me and so many other students at the university of South Carolina When I told this son bakari About this effort, um, um, I think he was he was he was he was Significantly moved. Uh, I'll I'll I'll I'll I'll leave it There, uh, my very first job as I thought about becoming a lawyer The year before I started law school. I worked in the law office of john ray hopper Worked with him and and verning Burton on on reapportion and redistricting Didn't know what I was doing, but I but I was but I was set to learn and these these These these these giants, um, um really take the foundation for for all of us in so many different ways and And taking a moment to to elevate those those those names that folks may not know And and again to connect the dots for each and every one of us to realize That god has great things in store for us and if if in fact we uh, we we step up and and we Meet the moment. Uh, this is this is a very small way of us meeting our moment. Um, so again, thank you all for your amazing leadership here Madam city manager this does this require action? No sir, we are prepared to keep moving it forward and it and honored and excited to do so Listen, I know we've talked about this before but just for the public watching Can you give everybody an expectation on the time frame for this? Sure, I will let Henry do that if that's okay. Absolutely. Absolutely. And I'll um also mention this as well Mr. Vine. Mr. Vine made a suggestion that we can we should capture Um the process by way of video. So I've engaged Our public relations department and they're going to help us to capture the process as we go through So so mr. Vine that that will occur Um, and I want to thank Lisa. You'd see for inner team for committing to do so We're looking at between the renderings Six to eight week process Some of them may take less time than that, but we want to give ourselves some flexibility So at max it'll be a 60 week process from start from start to finish Thank you Thank you Exciting times ahead. Thank you so much guys. Thank you sir. Thank you Thank you Donaldson. Thank you Lee and thank you Henry very much Good job We are ready for the consent agenda items five through 13 air Benjamin. Is there a motion approval? Just a second In discussion Anyone has a chance to review the agenda see continued investment Order sew and storm warning construction that will be encouraging. Mr. Mayor quick question sir, please will Clint and um, mr. Jacob wanted to talk to you real quick about the uh The um, what is that sewer upgrades gills creek? What is what is I guess the summary of that is that relief for the woodlands? uh, old woodlands hamptons come neighborhoods and then the south belt line What is the time frame for design and then follow through construction on that? councilman Councilman, this is Clint. I'll um, I'll get you a detailed answer but Uh, the design is probably about a 12 month Duration and then um construction is 12 to 18 months. I'd say beyond that We'll try to expedite that as much as possible. I'll get you the detail project schedule there and send it to you by email And would you would you say it's pretty significant relief to those those areas of of uh the city? Yes, sir. It is it is and there'll be continued improvements to come but yes, sir Wonderful appreciate it. Thank you Yes, sir All right. Thank you. Uh, mr. Brennan will move the previous question. Clark colorola Mr. Brennan Yes Mr. Rickerman Hi Mr. Mcgowell Yes Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Vines Hi Mr. David Hi The Vincenance Hi, thank you Welcome So you mentioned Yes, sir. Ordinance is first reading ordinance number 2021 013 authorizing the city manager to execute a license agreement with the new singular wireless PCS SLLC for use of property at the hour lord richland tank site Their motion So move This second Second In discussion Move the previous question of Clark colorola Mr. Brennan Yes Mr. Rickerman Hi Mr. Mcgowell Yes Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Vines Hi Mr. David Mr. Vincenance Hi, thank you ma'am Resolutions item 15 resolution number 2021 011 adopting the bylaws of the climate protection action committee They were last revised on February the 16th of 2021 and I think council was aware of these revisions as came out of committee and discussed at our last meeting So In discussion Seeing none for the previous question Clark colorola Mr. Brennan Yes Mr. Rickerman Hi Mr. Mcgowell Yes Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Vines Hi Mr. David Hi Mayor Benjamin Hi, thank you Mr. Wilson, before we go on now that we've approved that I do have Someone I would like now that we're expanding the board as well I'd like I have someone I'd like to appoint so if we can get Ms. Jenkins to connect with me I'll put her in touch with that citizen and if we can move forward with getting some other Appointments to the CPAC so that they can go forward aggressively on the work they have planned for 2021 that'd be great Yes ma'am we'll do And if any of you have any additional suggestions if you could share those with Ashley Jenkins, thank you so much Thank you Item 16 is resolution number r 2021 014 Authorizing the city manager to execute a sub lease agreement between the city of colombia and kw associates llc The kw beverage site for 928 and b hemlock road and this will be A new facility that our colombia police department Will utilize for space So am I the second second and discussion with a previous question for coral Mr. Brennan, yes So recommend I Mr. McDowell Yes Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Vine Hi Mr. Davis You have a mute sound Hi, sorry Mayor Benjamin Hi Thank you. Thank you One additional matter item 17 is uh council is asked to approve the f y 2020 edward burn memorial justice assistance Grant the jag application for equipment enhancements in the special services bureau of the colombia police department In the amount of 72,000 dollars 72,941 dollars So In discussion we'll move the previous question the car coral Mr. Brennan Yes Mr. Rickman Hi Mr. McDowell Yes Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Vine Mr. Davis Hi Mayor Benjamin Hi, thank you, ma'am You're welcome Do we have any um any uh referrals or reports from uh committees? Mr. Rickman Yeah, I would like to go ahead and establish if we could the committee on the tax study we had committed to pull partners Uh together both from the school district The county ourselves and maybe somebody from the chamber is working together to Really dig into the data and work together on how we can formulate a plan to benefit the community and uh Reducing our tax structure for competitiveness So I'd like us to go ahead and establish that committee and and start working with Our sister agencies here in colombia On the fact finding side and coming up with recommendations to present back to the different bodies Is there is there a second I'll second Sorry We are we um Mr. Davis you had some comment. Well, I'm just interested in the uh appointment and the the process for that Is there any any uh Rolling thoughts on that Daniel I mean the the first thought would be is that you you'd get Two folks from each of the entities the school district The city and the county and then maybe a representative from the chamber Who'd represent? Folks and then maybe we could look at Some other groups. I don't know if we we've tapped the president neighborhood Council neighborhood associations You don't want to get it too big because it needs to be a working group. So I you know, I think we we should talk about Do all the part of that but I think we need to make it manageable so that we meet Uh on a regular basis and and continue to move forward Mr. Middow, I'm sorry I'm just saying I I I don't I don't have a problem with that. I agree with that but I think um You know the the end product Would uh the expectation would be is that it's something that John Q public can understand and so maybe uh at a minimum one citizen that Could kind of articulate You know the expectation the reason we're doing it to the uh Also helped to convey that to the public at large the tax taxation as we trying to understand it and get some relief from Does impact basically everybody in the city um Now I'm not saying it has to be you know, five ten citizens, but uh, maybe one or two That would be my suggestion, but I'll leave that up to the group Thank you. Ms. Davis. Mr. Middow and Mr. Duvall Well, I want to just piggyback on what Daniel said too. I think it would be important and very essential That we roll out if we're going to roll out this committee To have some criteria I don't want to say criteria But at least have some vetting done so that it becomes an inclusive committee That's going to uh reach every tenant of uh our city Whether it's You don't want to be too large nor do you want to be too small It has to be a committee that's going to reach out And hear and understand what this whole Effort and emphasis is about So I appreciate that. So I think we need to do that, right? Mr. Duvall and Ms. Devine Um, may I you you you will I'm sure remember the two years that you and I spent on a committee that was essentially the same Uh makeup that Daniel just referred to Uh the issues that were pointed out in the tax study Are very complicated issues Many of of those issues cannot be settled by The group sitting around a county With the county and the school district and the city in richland county is going to have to be settled at the legislative level And I fear that starting up this study At the same time we're starting up Uh an election season that's going to elect four new members of this council Is the wrong time to to get into this type of study If we want to do something positively, I think we could get a small working group of the people that are experts in municipal government county government school government and Do what what the uh chamber of commerce did several years back And and uh kind of lay out where the problems are before you get a public facing committee Delving into these sensitive subjects During a political campaign Like thank you. Mr. Duvall, um is divine and then come back to mr. Davis So I actually was going to say something similar to mr. Duvall. So thank you Howard for that I was just going to say two things number one So I do think this is something that needs to be discussed I've actually personally met with the superintendents of both one and two and their finance teams And I've met with our county auditor mr. Brawley and independently all three groups pointed out several things that they felt um needed deeper Study And so I think a working group probably would be best As someone who you know is in campaign mode and you know, mr. recommend and I have talked and we are Working together on lots of things together in our current capacity as a council member So I'm not alluding to here. I would politicize any of this But I do think the reality of we've all been on council during campaign seasons where things can turn Not for solutions but more By outside folks made more political So I would suggest if we could do a working group and maybe among ourselves kind of come up with some of the ideas and issues That we think need uh further study And through our staff, maybe they can pull together some more information. I like Howard's idea of Administrative type folks in all three bodies Because what I will say is the superintendents has some really great information But their finance teams were really the ones who were able to pull Out some um some areas that they felt were concerned and to be honest a lot of the concern from them and from What auditor brawley said is is more on the state level Especially as it relates to our millage and the value of our millage versus other areas of this state So I I think if we jump out too far some of those things are going to be missed And so I would suggest that maybe we could do a working group That would give some information and then we can come up with some questions And then from that we can kind of determine who else needs to be at the table Thank you. Mr. Davis. She had another comment Uh, yeah Going back to my roots I don't think uh, I think this issue and and this problem has been before us for a long time and um No matter how how we plan our strategy My position is that we've got to have somebody Around that table in that initial group in terms of setting the guidelines and and mapping out the strategy That's not politically connected and that would be a a citizen That doesn't have to be high profile Doesn't have to be a sleeping dog, but that person Needs to be able at that to be at that table so that the potential policymakers are gonna have some indication of some perspective of where The real taxpayer is going to come from I just I just think we ought to do that We've been kicking this can for a long time and uh It won't hurt to put somebody else in there. Sam or you I'm sorry I just I just think it that's the way to go. It's good government from my standpoint. That's the bad So your point your point sam is is that instead of What you're saying is going forward with it Yeah, I think we could I'm hoping we we could uh, you know figure out a way to To to get this thing off the ground with which would indicate our true intentions of of um um Coming up with the right answers or the right strategy to uh to solve the problem attacks the Yeah, I guess I'm like I guess I feel probably the same way the question that other concern that runs through my mind. I mean Whatever the issues are. I mean two years ago. We talked about this issue It just happens to be uh an election year I think it would seem to me that to move forward with this whether in a small way To move forward with it to at least start that conversation Two years ago. We talked about the same thing. Remember two years ago uh, of course the church became an issue the church became an issue and um It just fell off to the wayside now. We're in a political year And we want to raise that I think In some kind of way we need to raise that issue At least in a small minute way And at least start following following through with this. There are several issues We sort of dropped the ball alone and that's one of those issues we dropped the ball And we need to move forward with this thing Let me um Is everyone had had to say I think everyone's had to say. I apologize. I'm Showing with the contact lens here. Mr. Rick Please Daniel I was just I was just gonna say look I think all the suggestions people made are great and you know a lot of us spent a lot of time This isn't the same discussion we had two years ago because we have a real report Um, this brought forth to us that is factual and real data and I think it's an narrative that formulates some type of committee You know, it's third party administrators if it's different consultants to sit down and do it But I think we first need to engage Our county and and and state and Obviously, you know the school district in the conversation as well Um, and so I do think it's important that we've moved this forward This this has been something before election season and we all knew it So let's don't use election season to slow anything down because the reality is is this is about columbia Well, you know, I'm sorry This isn't gonna this isn't gonna happen overnight. It's gonna take us a while to do all this So I'm open to whatever. I just don't want it to sit on the shelf. We got And then since the most help me exactly understand what it is I think we got to be very clear about what the objective is here because What's the objective here the objective is to come up with another list of recommendations in addition to rebecca's recommendations Uh, is it is it is it is it to encourage the school districts to combine to reduce their millage? Is it to to ask our delegation? What we've been asking them for for the last several, uh years In order in order for us to be we got to be bold about articulating exactly what our objectives are Uh, we we're gonna have to inspire action from others because we've acted this council over the last several years Just cutting millage by 12 mills. We've sacrificed in the interest of the whole, uh, I mean So I guess we we have to be very clear about what it is. We're asking for otherwise We're just we're just going to spend more time money and Is admiring the problem. What is what exactly is the is the goal here? Well, I think I think first of all We haven't had a conversation with everybody to really lay out Hey, this is the findings of the study that we did because it shows that every entity has a piece and a roll in it Good bad and different you can look at it from 16 different ways The reality is the data shows that we all have a responsibility to do it and to be competitive and To be To build up to give the soil conditions to allow investment and everything bit So I think that's step one step two. It is going to be bold But what is that? What is the best path for that? We have to include our partners in that so I couldn't tell you that the best path is consolidation because I don't know that I'm watching. You know, I guess I'm just trying to figure out. We got to figure out where we're going I also want to waste a whole lot more time And just allow a whole lot of folks who just like to beat up on the city Um, quite frankly through, uh, many of many Who just like to beat up on the city I will tell you this city on the leadership of this council All of us in previous council on the leadership of theresa wilson and steve gant before and jeff palin and others and jan and missy kaufman and our incredible city manager the assistant city managers and staff um We've run an incredibly fiscally responsible shop We've not increased millage. We decreased millage we finished Most of the last several years, uh, 8 11 with the with the with the budget surplus You guys remember 11 years ago. We were furloughing police officers. We were we were we were we were talking about shutting down fire departments uh, we have not only Reverse that trend, but we've invested heavily and and solid policing increase our our law enforcement budget and 21st century policing budget By upwards of 70 80 percent The we've done what we're supposed to do now. I do believe And and i've been very clear about our role in terms of regionalism and intergovernmental leadership We should help lead the region and push others, but we have been constantly pushing Those buttons we run into, you know, little things called the law here and there uh, and and it's limited us, uh, and uh In some of the different ideas that many of you have come up with over the years as to how we Lever the growth of of nonprofits or or limit the growth of nonprofits. We've used some tools um, like the multi county industrial park and special source revenue credit uh term would would have been Larger growth by the university and to tax producing property to the tune of the hundreds of millions of dollars You have those who say that the midlands or columbia is not competitive columbia richland county had the largest economic development project In the state last year number one not number two not number three number one by far Uh with mark anthony project. We have projects going up on assembly street one with another one not far behind it Projects going up on north main street bull street moving forward aggressively Contrary, uh to what um, uh, although it's my I thought this was about we No, no, let me let me finish what i'm saying. We've got to make sure That we're actually putting together a committee and i'm fine with it I i'll support the motion that the former committee But it's got to be a committee that actually commits to doing something Not just not not just not just doing something And advocating because rebecca's reporting, you know, and you guys I was I was very clear and transparent uh, rebecca, um, excuse me dr. Galoxon makes up make some specific recommendations most of them actually the biggest ones Require a massive change in state law massive changes in state law repeal of act 3d8 that would that would increase property taxes for every single citizen In columbia, uh, are we are we willing are we willing to say that that's our position and and and move forward? That wasn't the only one that's just i'm not done. I'm not done. Daniel. I'm done I'm not done. Daniel, uh, but it will but but that but that's a fact at 3a will do so Whether or not we think it's a good idea. Is that something we're willing to advocate? Uh for We recognize the systemic challenges that depress, uh, the mill, uh, dr. Galoxon laid out some of those issues Uh, uh, uh quite clearly and i'm laying this out because we're gonna we're gonna we're gonna move forward with establishing this commission But it needs to be important That we lay out to people who want to work on on on a committee that we must be truly solutions oriented and solutions oriented for the people Working people of this city small businesses of this city. That's got that's got That's Second your motion I'm gonna second your motion, but but but we've got to make sure That that that that that that we've got we've got a clear targeted measurable time bound Results that help us actually get to where we got we want to get to I will not I will I'll just be frank with you I'm not going to stand by for the next eight nine ten months and just watch people beat up on the city And in some of them Who who will choose to be completely and intellectually dishonest at the arguments they make this city We've busted our butts to make sure that we create a competitive environment here We're seeing the fruits of those labors and we're going to make sure that everyone who wants to step up And speak their peace that they're working towards a constructive Ambitious goal at the end of the day to make sure that everyone moves forward together and that we don't tear each other down We've been there before and we're not going to go back there I'm not saying you Daniel with but we're not going to go back there. I second your I'm a little confused. Why? I mean first of all, I'm suggesting to putting a committee to get That involved us Howard made a suggestion that maybe that politically that doesn't Do well, but it was supposed to be us working and taking the data and coming up And and so I guess I'm a little confused because everybody that I've heard from Is is is back to us for taking That yeah, folks. I got I got text messages from the chamber and others day two. We've got to make sure That we have we have city folks That we have that we have citizens Who support public education? That we that we that we have citizens who who are just regular and someone I think someone said Forget the regular working folks need small businesses represented here That's what they say state legislators Available and willing to serve who are actually going to take these ideas back to the state house and put them into action Otherwise, we're going to be wasting our time wasting our time running around in circles And providing talking points for everybody who wants to take shots at the city My job my number one job is to protect the integrity and reputation of this city And I'm with a fight for that to the day I leave on december 31st It's so important that as we construct this as we construct this that's constructed with the spirit And a true working group that helps us get there Teresa and her team have been busting their butts Jeff Jeff I'm not sure if Jeff has any money left in his wallet. So I mean, so I'm just I'm just saying let's just let's just make sure Um, that that I don't know if that's gonna be a community as a whole I'm not sure if it's gonna be you and Tamika and maybe one of the members of council representing us But I just want to make sure when you guys go out there We find like hell for the city in the city reputation We find like hell for for the competitiveness in the midlands region I mean, that's gotta be the goal at the at the end of the day. So, uh I've been saying it since day one that I pushed us for a reason is because we need we need this to be competitive We need All businesses who are paying That's to this or we just stop this I don't understand. I'm a little confused by the message But the reality is is I haven't spent all this time and all this for no reason The reason I want to fix this is because we've been talking about it for a decade maybe longer I'll hear about it. He took fix it talking about what you don't fix If you haven't been talking we've been voting we've been voting to reduce taxes every single year We've been voting to put about three quarters of billion dollars in infrastructure Daniel. We haven't been talking. We haven't acted this Being the same way. I mean we have a role of responsibility and we've been doing it, but it's both We've I just want to make sure we set the tone y'all we will not go into this process With anyone beaten up on the city of columbia We've done what we're supposed to do and we'll continue to lead But that's that's so important to me and I'm going to hold the line there as we go forward. I'm just being clear I'm just being clear as we go forward We've done our we've done our share and we're going to make sure that we push others to do theirs as well But I will work to protect the integrity of the city Tamika and then mr. Mr. Mr. Davis Well, I was just going to suggest that maybe councilman recommend councilman deval and I can talk about a process because I think that's what To your point mr. Mayor I think it's important who this working group is to make sure they are solution oriented and that they don't have Any agendas bring into the table other than to solve the problem collectively I will not I will not abide it. I will not abide it So maybe the three of us can just come forward We're bringing forth a process for this council to consider and then we can move forward as far as saying yes This is this is how we're going to ask the city members One of the three of you come back to us with exactly how you think we should proceed But I'm fine. I second Daniel's motion. Uh, let's go ahead and establish this you guys come back with with the looks like Uh, what the committee looks like make sure it's focused on actually helping us address Uh, the the challenge is outline and dr. Lynn lockson's uh report If we can't get it to a point where we're actually pushing towards some some solutions And most of these solutions I might add including the report say they were macro I mean, let me it but it's so interesting guys. I I've done presentations I know Daniel has as well and I think some of you others have too, uh, since the report came out Um, you know, they're they're broad comments about let's get rid of targeted tax breaks I'm not sure that there any tax breaks in the city that aren't targeted or in the state for that matter A targeted tax break both in the north charleston and targeted tax break bought bmw to greenville Targeted tax breaks helped redevelop the entire vista and in main street. Let's just make sure we come back with some very specific Resolutions that we can act on that the school district and county and more important most importantly the state can act on So won't three of you come on back with uh with with something that makes some sense Uh for for everyone, but but but as we go forward you all, uh, let's just make sure we get some um Some real some some real actionable thoughtful items that that help us increase and improve the Pativeness of the midlands because I do not agree with the fact that we're not competitive I just I fundamentally disagree with that act. Uh, and um and and an objective report that that an objective report that some that at some points has I'll stop right there remove the previous question. Kirk colorola What's the question? I had a final Establish establishing establishing establishing the committee with the three of you and then come on back Uh with uh with uh, what exactly the the way forward looks like All right Ma'am clerk Mr. Vernon Yes Mr. Rickamon I Mr. McDowell You want me to add? Yes Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Ron Hi Mr. David Hi Mayor Benjamin Hi Let's drive some real bottom up and top down solutions y'all solutions. We cannot admire The issue so thank y'all Did I mention this is political season? Yeah, it is it is Howard definitely Mr. Baird I I gotta say something Howard Yeah, Mr. David I you know I can care less About the politics of this because we can't get around it My concern is at the end of the day When we tend to move when we talk about Competitiveness or tax relief that we're going to be working towards so forth and so on it's it is John Q public the little people in this city that I'm concerned about they are not For the most part in a position to to uh, sometimes absorb What we're saying what And understand the strategy the impact Short-term long-term And we've got and I'm keeping in mind where this city is going What it looks like now and where it's probably going to look like down the road It's still the little folks that that aren't able to sit down at the table and take Policy makers on that is a big problem I just You know when I again My fear is that this city does not go the way that Charleston Charleston has gone and the little folks tend to disappear And don't want them taxed out And that sort of thing and and participatory government Is the thing that prevents that kind of stuff from happening You can't sweep that under the rug at this point in time in the history Of this city or mr. Rickman I I just I've had more conversations lately with a lot of young small business people and and you know they An opportunity to protect this would be fantastic and this is what it is You know, some people want to throw bombs. They're going to throw bombs But my feeling is is and it has been since we started this this is Is a is a way for the future and it and it helps a lot of small business people that are the back community plain and simple and and I think we can find the right working Committee and the right criteria and it may not be what dr. Goodlodson has put forth. It may be a combination of something It may be some things we haven't thought of But if we don't address it then I think we hurt ourselves period and we must we must be focused on solutions That help actually help small businesses in columbia. No no no no doubt about that Not sure. I'm not sure if those issues are addressed or have an address in tax study, but A separate effort maybe through mr. Davis is through your committee around small businesses Is probably where our Well, a lot of it should be directed. I I look forward to the discussion over the next several months and and look forward to providing Uh informed input as well. Any other referrals to committee or or um or a courtroom committee Um reverend mcdowell. Did you want to raise? Any updates regarding the administrative law committee efforts? I know you and I need to have a Probably a follow-up discussion. Um, so maybe next time would be better Mr. Wilson, I was going to suggest that we do that. Okay The the report would be I think this next report will be uh More comprehensive and uh Read it out. Yes. Yes, sir. Uh, thank you. Um Would you recent again, uh, Teresa and Erica for everyone's uh consideration The top lines and executive summary of dr. Galoxon's report To everyone so we'll have that hand you or jeff pale and don't have you so we'll have it um top of mind again and um I know we have at least two calls in the queue Before we go to the executive session. So miss divine. Did you have something else? So, yeah I was just gonna say along those same lines. Mr. Mayor I'm a few business leaders mentioned to me that the state chamber maybe about two years ago Uh, actually had three economists Do uh like a reconciliation of of a report. I've not had a chance to get my hand on that I don't know if you have If you could do that, but that might be also helpful and instructive a lot of things I understand came out of that Was the need for the state to address taxes I didn't want they did one. Um On the ted pitts leadership and they did one, uh, I think several years ago I was maybe less than a decade ago. So our um, I forget what it was on the same issue But all the the most pressing issues just being um, um state policy issues Yes, uh I'm pretty sure I have a copy of the electronic version of it. If not, we can track one down from the chamber It's divine All right, uh, if there's no more, um Uh, community issues. Let's uh, let's see what citizens have to say Uh, you got some calls in the queue. Madam. Madam clerk Yes, sir. We'll add the first call to the meeting Hello, can you guys hear me? We can Okay. Yes, I'm michael bailey. I have a question Why did you guys use an executive session to discuss extending the mass ordinance earlier in the month? Well last month It's a issue for legal counsel mr. Bailey and it's our prerogative Only our prerogative Bailey, this is not Um, I mean do also please don't have to consider the world public on this thing finish your three minutes mr. Bailey Yes, why won't you guys discuss this publicly you keep doing everything in secret? You know, the public doesn't want this like you said Re-election's coming up and guys might want to remember that People do not want this Thank you. Also, I have a quick question for rick. Wait, wait. I saw three minutes. Well, there's to it Uh, I don't know why working men changed his opinion on uh mask and covered restrictions being unconstitutional You you can keep on talking. Please be sure prerogative I just asked my question just now I think I think I think I I've heard yes, mr. Burke coming to question about four times and I think he's probably gotten to 15 more from you On the emails we've seen I think he's answered it or maybe is not but i'm sure you guys can figure that out Answered okay, any other any other um statements or comments? Yes, uh, why are you guys wanting to distribute a covered business aid by race? Excuse me Guys we're talking about uh distributing covered business aid by race the other a few weeks ago No, we have you guys wanting that. Oh, no, we did not mr. Bailey. That's that's that's patently false Any other comments or questions? I guess I can tell you the session where you talk about it If you saw an accurate accounting of Of small businesses women owned businesses minority owned businesses veteran owned businesses that receive A stimulus funding from the city then that's probably what you're referring to but um But you know you might be entitled to your opinion, but not your own facts any other statements or questions He hung up mayor. All right. Bye-bye mr Who else I'll add the next caller and Daniel. That's the last time I'm defending you I've answered his question so many 200. I've heard you answered 200 times, so I'm not sure what else you can do Uh, mr, uh, what else? Okay, we've added Okay, can you hear me? Yes Okay, um, I'm oral you'd see and I live in the Meadowfield south meadowfield Hampton hill area And we have been discussing the african-american mural project And in fact, we've gotten some input from the communities And there have been several concerns that have been raised about this number one Is the concern that a mural specifically at the woodland community center Would be viewed as urban art in a residential neighborhood And there's some concerned about that concept number two that the mural And its message is largely lost on this community I know that there is the purpose of educating the community but I will tell you this that the opinion From some is that you put this mural up without any adequate explanation Then people are just going to largely ignore it and that'll probably true of the other three neighborhoods Number three that the murals would be more appropriate inside the community centers Or Be a part of a touring art show throughout the city Then be put on the side of the wall The concerns about this Are that one weathering two Vandalism three graffiti Which leads into another concern is the upkeep of each mural over time Will the mural be regularly kept up? Who will pay for the upkeep? And who's going to prevent the vandalism and the graffiti? If it's put inside the community centers, then there will be adequate supervision And explanation Another concern is that the city council Has largely railroaded this project through Without adequate input from the community There's collective wisdom When city council taps into community input Better ideas come forth More judicious decision-making more efficient and money-saving ideas Can be brought forth Mr. Ucisa here It's largely railroaded this project through Without adequate input from the That must be the report When city council On my arm All right, okay Yeah, well, I do know I'm not sure we'll be able to address all of mr. Utesy's concerns Or if you had a chance to view the entirety of the presentation earlier I know some of the questions were were um were answered in the presentation Mr. Mayor, mr. Utesy Not only had the opportunity to meet with us personally where we went through answers to Most all of his questions prior to Yeah, mr. Recommend mentioned That's they that they've been significant dialogue, but for folks who don't know that I think it's I've the educational Component was as well as deferred maintenance as well So Were they the same questions when you met with them Ms. Wilson same questions same Yes, sir for the most part. I mean, I think we've subsequently there emails where ACM Simons has responded to those questions as well Were they adequately answered? From my perspective. Yes, sir. All right. Thank you All right. Do we have any other citizens who side to speak? No, sir. All right More public input Mr. Duvall We're ready. Yes, sir. We are Mr. Mayor, I move we're going to executive session for receipt of legal advice related to matters covered by attorney client privilege pursuant to 30-4 that's 78 to covid 19 2021 legislative vote of overview discussion of negotiations instance proposed contractual arrangements pursuant to code 30-4 that's 78 to 1 columbia and of legal advice related to pending threatened or potential claim pursuant to 30-4 that's 78 to constant car wash All right. Thank you. Thank you so much as I second Second discussion Our call roll Mr. Brennan. Yes Sir, recommend I Mr. Miguel Yes Mr. Duvall Aye Mr. Vine All right Mayor Benjamin. All right. Thank you ma'am. Thank you