 Thank you madam Kirk would you please call the roll absolutely good afternoon. Mr. Brennan Mr. Rickerman here Mr. McDowell Yes, mr. Govall here Mr. Vines here Mr. Davis yeah Mayor Benjamin President thank you ma'am Right now. Would you give us a word, bro? Yes Gracious and eternal God for all that you've done for us today this Bright and sunny day in the midst of all of the rain We simply say thank you As we usher in as Wednesday We pray that your guiding presence these next 40 days Might be among each of us Allow us to sense your presence and Of course allow us to understand what it means To be in a season of self-denial Lord we ask it in your name Thank you so much Zero Any amendments agenda message of all mr. Mayor I'd like to make a motion that we amend the agenda by withdrawing items one and items two and That we amend items 17 which is receipt of legal advice Related to matters covered by a 20 client privilege pursuant to Seco 30-4 a 78 to add the additional item use of public spaces and parks Second Second discussion with a previous question part carl Mr. Vernon There was a man. Hi Mr. MacBowell. Yes, Mr. Duvall. Hi Mr. I Mr. Davis. Hi You're Benjamin. Hi. Thank you You're Benjamin and counsel before we proceed with the approval of the minutes. I wanted to Make sure that you all were aware and members of our community that we unexpectedly lost a very faithful member of our team on this Mary Grace Thurman Within the last week She has been a parts at parts and recreation Coordinator at Hyatt Park for an entire time working for the city for the almost over seven years And so a wonderful spirit a beautiful lady my friend I'm friend to many in the North Columbia community Ms. Mary Grace Thurman just I Don't I don't have words to talk about how wonderful she's been to so many children and People in that community, but particularly always that smiling face and helpful spirit at Hyatt So Ms. Thurman was recognized by Mr. Davis and Mr. Vine with a Proclamation for Mary Grace Thurman day and her family so appreciates it and I just wanted to just take this moment to For all of us to remember her and appreciate all she's done for our city family And that's Miss Mary Grace Thurman right there. I miss her very much bless her and her her family It's always tough lose a friend and member of our team and thank you seven to me For taking the time to to reflect the sentiments of the entire city and the team mr. Thank you, Tracy. Thank you mayor With that we are moving forward We're at the approval of the minutes correct mayor for 2021 Moving second discussion with a previous question for Hi Do you have any comments leading into our normal COVID-19 situation report by director tinsley we can take this at this time Sure, I want to dive into that rev Harry. We're all seeing some encouraged data Across the country need across the globe or deceleration number of cases I've still seen some troubling data as it relates to fatalities But we're also seeing a troubling rise to the variants of the virus and even some data that suggests that Just in a few months that that some of the very various variants and couldn't be 119 might indeed be the dominant a form of Coronavirus in this country by spring. I say all that to say that While the data we're watching is encouraging Let's let's treat this as if we're in the eye of the storm There are still some difficult days ahead and it's important that we remain steadfast and focus on the on the very deliberate intentional approach that we've We've had Thank you, Teresa and the whole team for leadership. Thank you to my colleagues for our policy making leadership and I'll defer to director tinsley There's always solid report Good afternoon. Can you hear me? Yeah, sure. Okay. Yeah Okay, thank you, mr. Mayor members of council and madam city manager. I'm just some updated numbers here will be brief As we spoke last time now worldwide case of COVID-19 globally is Approaching over 109 million With over to 2.4 million deaths globally due to COVID-19 The latest CDC numbers for the US show us over 27 million Confirmed cases with unfortunately 480 plus a thousand deaths as of the 14th of February report out Here in South Carolina our case count stands at 427,763 the last report new numbers who will post here shortly There have been over five five point five million tests to date The latest new case count is down as we are trending down as the mayor said The latest report out was one thousand one hundred nine new cases daily as of yesterday's report The positivity test rate is six point five percent There were 31 new confirmed deaths. So it springs to total to seven thousand 180 For our state here in richland county our case count stands at 34,499 We had an additional 99 new cases as of the last reporting period of note Over the last 14 day report period. We had 2,390 cases In richland county that's through january 31st through the 13th of february So our average daily case count for richland county is is at 170 That's down from over 200 270 I think at our last our last meeting and the depth count For richland county it stands at 431 confirm a death due to covid But that 14 day reporting period the highest zip code continues to be 29229 It's down from 413 cases the last report out. It's now 258 So we are seeing a continued downward trend, which is encouraging Richland county's 14 day recent disease activity internet rate Has now been downgraded from high to medium As several other of our Counties in our state have as well. If you'll know that our last report out all 46 counties. We're at a high rate So we are now in medium for richland county. That's uh stands at 520 0.5 cases per 100,000 with a 6.5 positivity rate and at our last Session that was at 807 5.5 with a 23.9 percent positivity rate As of the 13th of february the estimated state recovery rate is 89.4 percent The case fatality rate is estimated at 1.65 percent And that continues to to be at that trend a daily case counts as mayor said continue to Trend down in our state that that decline is anticipated, but you know with with the variants that are out there and What is expected? We're hoping we'll stay on this downward trend For the next few weeks at least As far as hospitalizations They do still remain high, but there is sufficient bed space The utilization rate is down over the last couple of days. It's now at 76.19 percent And the icu bed utilization rate is at 73.63 percent And as of the last reporting there were 1,222 patients currently hospitalized And 301 of those are in icu and 173 are on ventilators Uh, VHAC here in our state continues to receive vaccine distributions. The last report out as of the 13th of february or 677 thousand 674 total doses with 512,814 people having been vaccinated in south carillon In richland county 69,117 people have been vaccinated and opinion questions that concludes my report. Thank you Mr. Duvall Harry a week or 10 days ago VHAC changed their method of calculating the positivity rate Could you explain the math on that? They were trying to match what cdc used i believe Yes, sir. I think some of that is uh cdc I it's um They're they're the way they calculated that the percent positive was what they call test over test and The test over into this was excuse me and then the change was to test over test and dhack has changed according to To my understanding there. They've changed their Testing to to reflect the cdc. So the data that is looked at For the entire us is more in line with the cdc And I'm assuming that may be because of the administrative change and administration Um, but now it is a test is counted as a test before it was if you were You know, some people are tested multiple times and tested positive for multiple times. It was based on individual It is a little confusing. I'm still trying to get my head around it, but uh Right now it is Test over test. So each individual test is counted Okay, thank you Is recommended I just wanted to follow up on howards question So the numbers that I've been getting They adjusted it the new system because when I tried to look at it to try to figure it out It didn't look like we they had changed the previous numbers. And so I didn't know if the calculation Because that's important for us to know especially when it comes to the positivity rate As a group so I just was curious about that because I I'm following the math especially trying to read The why they changed it Yes, sir That is my understanding the uh previous calculation As stated that they were going to go back and adjust the the data I'm not a hundred percent that they've actually done that yet. I haven't seen it either But according to the last uh the report out when that this was made to change There was a note in the documentation that said dx website would be updated to show historically what The percent positive based on the new calculation. So we'll continue to have to look at that Thanks, Harry Yes, sir You have the questions there All right, thank you for everything. All right there of course constantly enforcing the mass ordinance as it's currently Has been approved and I just wanted to make clear because I know that there are ongoing discussions about the mass ordinance But none of those Um discussions will take place today. So just in case anyone had tuned in Looking for that. Um, that won't occur today. Thank you and and you had some questions from the press as well Uh, we already authorized reauthorized the mass ordinance, but it has been extended So uh, I'm wondering what thinking that that the ordinance as currently drafted enforce Um, will lapse. Uh, it's still uh in effect and will be enforced In the city Yes, sir So we will move right along to our consumer agenda items five through 11 mere Benjamin. All right. Is there a motion? I'll move So second second Any discussion? Question per color all Mr. Vernon Yes Mr. Rickerman Hi Mr. McBowell Yes Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Vine Hi Mr. Davis Hi Sarah Benjamin Hi Thank you Ordinance first reading item 12 ordinance number 2000 21 009 granting an encroachment to guest in place LLC for use of the right of way areas of the 1200 block So move The second second In discussion With a previous question per color all Mr. Vernon Yes Mr. Rickerman Hi Mr. Vowell Yes Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Vine Hi Mr. Davis Hi Mayor Benjamin Hi Resolutions item 13 resolution number 2000 0 0 6 Authorizing construction and improvements by the south carolina department of transportation of interstate 20 and associated ramps For the carolina crossroads faced to bright river road at i20 interchange design bill project Emotion Move Move Seconded In discussion I just have a question. Um, do we have a time frame of the project? I had a couple constituents reach out and ask about what the time frame was and I could not locate it in documents Maybe I missed it Is any staff person know what the time frame is on this project? Ever Yeah, I was going to say something similar but I didn't I was going to get it man Not forever Uh, um, let's let's let's we've gone to copious, uh, the documents, uh carolina crossroads is going to be a Um, a lot 10 years Missy if someone has that let's let's see but probably 10 years Well dana and clen are on I think they may know but this is the phase two to just If you can't phase one come on your agenda now there. This is all the preliminary. So we're not even at Russian Well, we Well, we can we just maybe just request that once we get A time frame from dot that we posted on our website so the constituents can get it easily Certainly. Yes, sir. Well, thank you I Don't Resolution number 2000 Authorizing the city manager to execute a fifth amendment to lease agreement between the city of colombia and hamilton capital center llc lease of approximately 2,524 square feet in the capital center known as suite 250 at 1201 main street our Is there a motion I move approval second discussion I would only suggest that we make sure that we understand what our outs are On it so that if the city manager wants to move economic development to the 1401 main that she has that ability Yes, sir. We are certainly moving in that direction as we get additional spaces opening up in 1401 main And uh, previously discussed Anticipated so yeah, thank you Um with a previous question for carl Mr. Vernon Yes, mr. Recommend. Hi Mr. Mcdowell. Yes Mr. Duvall. Hi Mr. Vines. Hi Mr. Davis. Hi Mayor Benjamin. Hi item 15 resolution number 20201010 authorizing the acquisition of lexton county tms number 00275101048 Approximately 6.47 acres identified as two buffer parcels located south of bower parkway for the upper kenley creek sanitary sewer improvements motions Move to approve Yes, second second Any discussion move question for carl Mr. Vernon. Yes, mr. Recommend. Hi Mr. Mcdowell. Yes Mr. Duvall. Hi Mr. Vines. Hi Mr. Davis. Hi Mayor Benjamin. Hi, ma'am. Thank you Mayor Benjamin at this point we would ask For you to open up a public input for the closing and transfer Of an unopened 0.39 acre portion of lyon street adjacent to richland county All right We uh, ma'am first we have any uh, wanting to sign up Speak on this matter No fair Okay We will not be acting on on this. There's no action necessary On the matter if uh, if we have no one to sign up for public input, uh, then we'll go ahead and Uh, move on the agenda I'm to the manager. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mayor Benjamin. And at this point A period of committee referrals and reports All right, any reports or referrals to committee to mayor Yes, sir. Mr. McDowell The administrative policy committee will meet on the 20th For the renaming of the park The 25th at two o'clock Thank you. Thank you. Mr. McDowell All right Ma'am clerk, do we have anyone who signed up for public input? Mr. Duvall 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 30-4-78-2 COVID-19 ordinance number 2021-012 An emergency ordinance extending an amended certain emergency ordinances public art closing and transfer of an open 0.39-acre portion of lion street climate protection and action committee city center partnership and parks and public spaces and parks Uh, discussion of negotiations in a proposed contractual arrange pursuant to 30-4-78-2 Adventure columbia housing authority receipt of legal advice relating to a pending threat in a political a potential claim Person who 30 days 4-78-2 Richmond county versus city of columbia Is that second Discussion with approved discussion card color all Mr. Brennan Yes Mr. Recommends Mr. McDowell Yes Mr. Duvall Hi Mr. Vine Hi Mr. Davis Hi Mayor Benjamin Hi, ma'am. Thank you