 Good afternoon everyone. Sorry. We're a little late got busy busy day here today, but excited for our Lots of good presentations today very excited about where we are today But first we're gonna call the meeting to order madam clerk. Could you read the roll, please? Good afternoon, mr. Bailey Here mr. Brown here miss Herbert here dr. Bussles here mr. Brennan present mr. McDowell Mayor recommend here Let's if you could stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, please Before we do the invocation I want to take a point of personal privilege to introduce a group of students Who I had the privilege of meeting with USC City Advocacy Commission and I'll ask them to stand and come to the podium This is a nonpartisan advocacy group was within the student government they serve as liaisons between city officials and students They conduct research and survey students about issues that matter most and then they construct a report with their finding findings I met this group not only are they impressive, but they have some great ideas And I'm excited to attend their town and gown event this spring where they'll present their 23 24 report And I hope my city council Colleagues will be able to join us. I want to introduce their director London Battelle London Jonathan Daniel McKinley Rachel Lacey Caitlyn Riley Anastasia and Olivia y'all all here. I think it's just us three just the three Well, I want to to one have them an opportunity just to say a few words But just want to tell you this is this is our future This is a makeup of young people from freshmen until Seniors that are engaged in the city and they came to us to talk about things. They were concerned about cost of housing Lighting safety How to engage how do they under deal with parking? Students are worried about parking neighborhoods always talk about parking, but the students are too But really making a difference And so I wanted them to have an opportunity a to come forward and just say a few words But also for people to understand we're engaging constantly this group is out of USC but we also have a group of the collegiate council of engagement and these are young folks from every college and university in our Community that meet with me and its staff on a monthly basis to talk about issues how to integrate in our Community how to be part of Columbia, but also learn what Columbia has to offer because we are The greatest city in South Carolina Period. Yeah, y'all can clap. It's okay. Come on But with that the floor is yours. Thank you mayor Rick and men. Um, again, my name is London Battelle I'm currently the director for the City Advocacy Commission here at the University of South Carolina This is a branch within government relations and government relations has three branches a city branch a state branch and a federal branch We are here on behalf to present to you from the city branch and our five main topics include community engagement Community safety on and off-campus housing parking and transportation and health and sustainability So again, thank you all for taking the time out of your day to hear from the University of South Carolina So we can serve as liaisons between the student body in the city of Columbia I'll pass it on to Bode and Olivia to introduce themselves as well Hi, thank you for meeting with us. I'm Olivia Smeltzer. I'm from Chicago, Illinois and my major is criminal justice And this is my second year in the City Advocacy Committee Hello everybody. I'm Jonathan Daniel. I'm from Buford, South Carolina I'm a political science major Frashman at UFSE and I'm the leader of the community engagement committee in the absence of our faithful leader Reverend Ed McDowell, we're gonna pass the torch to mr. Peter Brown to do the invocation Thank You mayor Please bow your heads Dear Lord, we hear your words. We feel your presence. We feel your power and wisdom Let us be one with your vision and hope for the City of Columbia Bless this council to be united and purposeful and to act for the benefit of all of your people in Columbia As we venture into the year of 2024 Let us forge a pathway toward the success of our great city Our future is bright and we are poised to make a difference and change the outlook of Columbia Please bless our staff as they support this council and our citizens who are the true meaning behind all of Our work here in the capital city in your name. We pray amen Mr. Mayor, I'd like to take a moment personal privilege of Conspirant Doge Currently right now today. There's a federal hate crime trial going on at the federal courthouse of a 24-year-old Black woman transgender woman named dime dough as everybody shouldn't know South Carolina is only one of two states without a Federal hate crime bill. I begin a lot of calls from constituents concerning a hate crime And I thought it was pertinent to remind the public that the city of Columbia does have a hate and intimidation Bill that was passed in September of 2019 Mayor Rickman was on that council along with Reverend McDowell and I believe Councilman Brenda was on that as well and Local governments are really leading the charge with hate crime legislation in addition to Columbia You have Bluffton Charleston Greenville and Mount Pleasant have all adopted hate crime ordinances Florence just recently Issued a resolution Resolution encouraging the state to pass a statewide hate bill and they also did a first reading of their ordinance And so this I just want people to know that the city of Columbia cares about Any crimes that are being conducted by people who have racist bigotry in their Heart and will and we want to encourage personally I want to encourage the state house to do what other local governments have been doing across the state and that has passed a statewide hate crime bill Thank you, sir That Madam City Manager, we're gonna move for a motion to adopt agenda as presented. Yes, sir There any questions changes comments? Hearing none seeing none madam clerk, could you read the roll, please? Guess what we need a second on that motion. Yes, thank you. Thank you Mr. Bailey. Hi, mr. Brown. Ms. Herbert. Hi, dr. Bussles. Hi, mr. Brennan. Yes, mayor recommend. Thank you At this time mayor recommend and counsel the public Who may have any input related to the items on the agenda as you have adopted may Speak at this time and these individuals would be allowed up to three minutes to address city council About items on the agenda other than those items that require a public hearing when there's a public hearing Started those items under that public hearing can be addressed at that time Madam clerk, no one has signed up to speak at this time Well good, then that means we're gonna move on to approval of minutes Is there a motion to approve the minutes of February 6 2024 work session and council meeting? Motion to approve your second. I got a motion in a second any changes questions concerns Hearing none seeing none madam clerk. Could you read the roll? Mr. Bailey and I apologize. I'd like to amend that to remove the Work session it should just be the council meeting Okay You accept that amendment. Yes, ma'am. All right, mr. Bailey. Hi, mr. Brown. Hi, mr. Herbert I'm dr. Bussles. Hi, mr. Brennan. Yes, mayor recommend. Hi. Thank you. Yes, ma'am And once again, we are adorned today with the Greenview Park senior club old-school choir Ladies the floor is yours And gentlemen folks who don't come to our meetings on a regular basis you see what you miss Next month we're having earth wind and fire. They just They just called and said that they're afraid to follow that act Ladies thank y'all gentlemen. Thank you so much for being here and enlightening us with that What a great way to start a meeting. Thank you so much Yes, ma'am Well, mr. Mayor that was a wonderful segway y'all may want to stay for this for the approval of some honorary street naming resolutions one The first is in regards to the Zion Baptist Church Square and the other is Columbia's historic black business district So mr. Mayor item number three his resolution number are 2024 007 approving the honorary naming of the interception of Gaston Street and Washington Street Zion Baptist Church Square I know Councilwoman Herbert had a big part in Absolutely on the council if everybody before we I'd like to get a motion to approve and a second We got a motion a second. I'd like to read the resolution and then Councilwoman Herbert will present The official sign to the church So whereas Zion Baptist Church has been the apex of black wall street in the downtown business district of Columbia, South Carolina over a hundred and fifty seven years and has made a difference in the community and Whereas Zion Baptist Church has played and continues to play an intricate role in the civil rights movement And it's the launching point of the annual King Day at the dome rally, which is held on Martin Luther King Day This event began on the front steps of Zion Baptist Church in January of 2000 and culminated into a rally Where people have gathered to exercise their voice and have a collaborative effort for the purpose of peace and justice in Our community and now and therefore may it be resolved Today the 20th of February 2024 that the mayor and city of council of the city of Columbia Hereby I prove the honorary naming of the intersection of Gadsden Street and Washington Street to be known forevermore is the Zion Baptist Square pastor elders deacons sisters First of all, I wanted to thank the church and thank all the folks that came out You all are so important to the history of Columbia You were holding our feet to the fight feet to the fire for years and you are yet still holding our feet to the fire This was very important to me. We had a meeting Several months ago at the church and y'all were holding our feet to the fire But for me it was particularly special and I don't know if y'all remember but I had two teachers in the audience and one was Maxine Pearson don't tell her I said Maxine, but Maxine Pearson was my teacher and my dearest Kathy Hope and Kathy Hope taught both me and my daughter Asada. There are very few people who survived both of us At Sanders and Keenan, but Kathy Hope I'm survived and she recently passed during this process. So This is bittersweet, but I'm doing it for her and y'all are doing it That's my perception on my side. It's definitely for the history of it But that's also why it meant so much to me because I'm still trying to be a good student Like I was I was a good student at Keenan and Sanders. I'm still trying to be a good student Believe that now do you? Well, I made good grades. I made good grades But I would like for if pastor doesn't have anything to say Come on I promise you I'll be brief. I do want to say thank you to Mayor Rickman to Councilwoman Herbert and to the entire council for approving this How fitting that you're going to honor Zion Baptist Church during Black History Month and during HBCU day Thank you mother cabinet Williams and all of the historical committee for making this responsible and we're so grateful Until we get the heaven. We can drive by Zion Baptist Church Square. So thank you so much. I Would like to invite you to our celebration. We're going to celebrate this This great honor on the first Sunday of March the first Sunday of March, which is March the third And from 1 p.m. To 3 p.m. In the Zion Baptist Church One to 130 I apologize Ribbon cutting and food and fellowship in the Zion Baptist Church fellowship all again. Thank you mayor Thank you council for approving this. Thank y'all for being before we before we take a picture We're gonna actually vote on it make it official if you're okay with that Madam clerk, could you read the roll mr. Bailey mr. Brown mr. Herbert doctor bustles mr. Brennan. Yes, mayor Rickman. Thank you Madam city manager. Yes, sir and the next Related resolution mayor recommending council's resolution number are 2024 009 approving the honorary naming of the 800 to 1100 blocks of Washington Street Columbia's historic black business district Got a motion is there a second Got a motion in a second. I'm gonna read this resolution But probably the person who knows the history better than anybody in this room by dr. Donaldson Thank you for continuing to preserve the history and making sure we're getting recorded. Thank you all that you're doing for our community We appreciate it This one's gonna take a little bit now. So y'all be patient with me Whereas the 800 block of Washington Street houses one of the Columbia's oldest African-American churches Zion Baptist Church with a congregation dating back to 1865 and a historic structure listed on the National Registry of historic places has played a key role in numerous historic events and movements in Columbia Matilda Evans Held multiple clinics at the church victory savings bank hosted shareholders meetings there students gathered at the church to engage in Demonstrations including the one the South Carolina State House, which led to the Supreme Court case Edwards versus South Carolina Whereas in 1955 under the leadership of dr. Henry Devons Devons, excuse me Monteith the victory savings bank constructed a new bank building on 19 919 Washington Street where it's remained until 1985 the 900 block of Washington Street also included a brick building that one house The Robert Simmons blacksmith will write an auto mechanic shop This building prominently featured in the images of the acclaimed photographer Richard Samuels Roberts Whereas the 1,000 and 1,100 blocks of Washington served as a district's main quarter Many businesses were located in this area to include the North Carolina mutual building Fannie Land's hairdresser pink knees funeral home Blue Ribbon Taxi Club counts drugstore victory savings Phoenix care Nathaniel J. Fedricks law office Regal theater Richard Samuel Roberts photography studio dr. Henry Cooper's dinner practice the Prince home say Lodge as well as many other businesses Whereas the result of urban renewal many African-Americans were pushed out of the downtown, Columbia There are a few structures remaining today. They include Zion Baptist Church the North Carolina Mutual building Pearson funeral home and victories savings building Whereas organizations have worked to preserve and interpret the history of the district Zion Baptist Church The North Carolina Mutual Building Pearson's funeral home and the Nathaniel J. Fredrick Home have been listed on the National Registry of historic places these historic districts have been included in on our tours and websites In August of 2023 the intersection of Main Street exhibited was on display at the Columbia Museum Art so here be it resolved today the 20th of February 2024 that the mayor and city council of the city of Columbia hereby Approved the honorary naming of the 800 to 1100 blocks of Washington Street as Columbia's historic black district the design and the color of the honorary sign shall be subject to the proof of The director of public works, but guess what we already picked them out. So that's parts done With that this is a great out This is a great opportunity for us as a city to recognize a Stretch and make sure that we don't forget our history and that we learn from our history But we also forge in the future and taking what we've learned and what we've seen and making sure that we Continue to preserve the history, you know for somebody who whose family didn't come to the US until the late 60s I'll learn more and more about Columbia every day And what amazes me about Columbia is it played a role in history in every part of American history But it played a significant role in the civil rights movement And when you look at what we're doing today with the work Dr. Donaldson is doing with SC 63 and what's gonna be coming down the pipe and if you haven't been there's a beautiful display going on at the Columbia Museum of Art that you should go see The the future project. I don't know. I might not even be able to talk about this. Am I allowed to talk about the Dr. Donaldson Booker T. Washington and what's gonna happen with the new center being built there and the Preservation of that and a new center next to it It's gonna be a tourist that will be able to tell our story in this community about the impact it had You know, I don't want to take away from Montgomery, Alabama But I'm gonna tell you what Columbia South Carolina played a role a lot of times first and we didn't get the credit But we're not gonna forget about those folks and we're not gonna forget about our history And we're gonna continue to grow and that's what's gonna make us the number one city in South Carolina with that Councilwoman and I just wanted to add I wanted to thank Historic Columbia For their assistance and their support and making sure that we're able to do all the things that we've been able to do With the museum and Dr. Donaldson's work And then I wanted to ask if there were I'm not gonna call names, but if there are any ancestors of any of the business owners Um from the 1920s to 1949 in the building I would like for you to stand. I know I see at least one two And we just I think is you know with the issues that we're dealing with our youth and our children It is so critical for them to know their history. And so to me, this is just a start mayor Um, this is the first thing we're doing. There's several things that are in the works That will be coming up. Um, and I don't I too don't want to get in trouble, but This is just the beginning. That's what I want you all to know Um, because we need to make sure that all of our kids know about the history Um, you know, we have a vision that they can come and do Field trips to come and see the markers that you know, we want to have in the future But this is the very beginning and I think it's a big start Um, there are a lot of people who want us to do a whole lot more and we're working on it We're working on it, but I am really truly happy about this moment. Um And I think that's it. I think we're gonna miss Williams. Do you want to say anything? Dr. Donaldson miss Williams. She said she said come to the podium She she said come to the podium As they come to the podium Can we go ahead and call the roll? Yeah, thank you. Mr. Bailey. Hi, Mr. Brown. Hi, Ms. Herbert. I Dr. Bussells Mr. Brennan. Yes, mayor recommend. I thank you And I do want to know for the record too that rip is extremely supportive of this and glad that we're doing this today He just isn't at this meeting Reverend made out. Mr. Mayor, I want to shock the room. I have nothing else to say You've read it beautifully What what I know about Washington street is actually echoed by all the people in this room What I know about Washington street has been shared by so many in the room For those who want to know more, please visit the the columbia museum of art There is an exhibit there called intersection and a very prominent feature of that exhibit includes a photograph of a man named Joe Irving Her father it includes material from Zion Baptist church It includes the photograph of a young man marching in downtown columbia 1961 His name is isaac washington who's there today. So that history is all around us I'm going to say something and that is that um, the Zion square It's not should not go all the way up to 1100 block that's all the way up to main street And there were black businesses the black business district actually started Two blocks from Zion even though there was a hotel one of the few in the city of columbia Where blacks could come to columbia and rent A room right across from Zion and Zion actually owns it now but um the 11 the 10 The 9 10 and 1100 blocks of washington street and the um, a couple of blocks over from park street over down to Whatever but um those were businesses and the church square Would be a block or two around the church So I noticed that you have 1100 my father's business was on washington street from 1949 Until 1999 as wise jack devolved So many others and We don't want to Make the mistake of overlooking the black business district um Even though you know, I support Zion and everything that it does. Yeah, it's separate. Excuse me. Let's do separate ones. Yes Okay, very good. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. You did good. We got you. It's gorgeous. We got you So it's the business district 800 to 1100 is the black business district. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am Ready mr. Yes, ma'am. All right, so we are mr. Mayor, uh Maybe a week or so late, but it's okay Recognizing a very special employee at the city of colombia the recognition of fire chief obry d jinkins for 45 years of service So I know if I gave him the mic he would take it. So just give me a minute, please. Okay. Hold hold it Hold back for a second. So we um chief jinkins Are a little bit delayed getting these to you as we've been um Just trying to make sure it was extra special. So you've got this this wonderful command staff here with you and We want to present you With a few very special items for your years of leadership We wanted to give you something truly special and your command staff has really led the effort on this I don't know if the new leather a white Leather chief's helmet is here yet. It's on the way on the way It's on the way, but the helmet and its color Represent your status in the fire department and there it is on the screen on that helmet will go this new Shield this part. Yes gentlemen. Yes. Okay, and this shield is um, it has the department's logo And it's complete with the city emblem Your name is also at the top As well as the city of columbia for 45 years of service. So this is beautiful. We deserve that Um as well to go along with that there is a piece of metal wall art That's been plasma cut with a rustic look to it to illustrate the challenges you've faced and overcome in your years as fire chief And they knew that you would really like that it has the department logo And again, it reads fire chief obry jinkins 45 years of service So we really hope that you cherish these items I know you will because you cherish a lot of items in your office Whether it's at your house or your office We hope that you'll forever be reminded Of all you've given to this city and to us And how much we appreciate you for your service to our citizens for all these years chief and we we so appreciate you You know, I gave you a little something special You know go to halls and and share with the family chief Y'all gonna have to help me lift this up because it's really heavy Mayor councils city manager um so I've never thought that A little boy like me Who grew up in Saxon homes? Whatever get to this point Um, there were challenges then there were challenges here But I thank god that he has brought me this far and have not left me Nor has he forsaken me But he kept me on the right path And 45 years ago A young man came to the city Looking for a job Actually, I started out. I was whole broke. So I started in law enforcement And I went to school for criminal justice But 45 years ago I started and they took me out back And they said They gave me a helmet They gave me a coat They gave me some boots And they gave me some quick catch pants They even gave me some suspenders to hold it up And they took me back inside First day They said when you see that truck move You be on it I didn't know fire address Had no idea A week later Going to calls I went to a scene And it was a terrible scene A little five-year-old girl Burned up in the fire Granted you I never seen anything like that They called me over and said Jinkies come here What he called me for Showed me that five-year-old girl What that did for me That told me that this was serious business And at that point I set out To learn everything that I could About the fire service Going to school Whatever it took Still in all the time And you can see the results So I would tell you I could not have done this And I think I don't forget my wife I could not have done this I tell you one thing And I'm gonna be so quick I'm gonna shock all y'all It don't matter what I know It don't matter what I do If I don't have a good staff around me Everything that I know And everything that I do is in vain Because I can't do it by myself And what you see behind me Not only behind me Stand up staff What you see is collaboration What you see is working together And what you see is problem solving No, as a leader you don't know everything But this staff Is God sent And we work together I could not have done it without this council Mayor of your leadership This council But I tell you the other good thing about it Is to have a boss That gives you opportunities Who works with you And who can put together a good No, not a good Negative team Ms. Wilson She really works with us And I'm gonna put it this way She puts up with us Because now y'all know We can be over top sometimes And not only Ms. Wilson But her whole executive team We all work so good together And I'm just blessed to be on that team My family's here My brother's here The pastor My Bishop Bishop Jenkins My two sisters My niece there here Yeah, please Santa family And my son is here also I really appreciate him But I tell you right now I could not do any of this You know, when a person Get a call At one Two And it's expected To stop everything you're doing Which is sleeping and run a call When a person continuously Phone calls all day long When a person continues To help people reach out to you Because they got issues And they got problems And they expect for some resolution You gotta move Let me tell you something And I mean this wholeheartily If you don't have a supported Life like I got All this is in vain I move a lot And you know what? And she put up with it You know what she do? She pray for me She pray for me That is the root of my success Because she prays for me And I appreciate her I love her to death A lot of things I can't do Because I'm always busy But she puts up with me So I'll just say Thank you all I wouldn't trade those 45 years for anything It is a blessing To work for the city of Columbia I grew up in this city And I tell you right now I plan on retiring in this city So when all of them good things Come about Meredith that we're doing I'm gonna be there to enjoy the fruits Of your labor Because I'm gonna be sitting back And just watching So much for this honor It is truly an honor And somebody asked me How much longer you gonna do it I'm gonna tell you like this I'm gonna put it this way To be contingent Okay, thank you all I'm getting ready to go to the Bible class Pray, pray, pray for your brother Oh, yeah Item number six Mayor's campaign Against breast cancer Check presentation To Prisma Health Midlands Foundation The honorable Daniel J. Rickman Mayor Well, first of all, I want to take an opportunity To thank the mayor's campaign Against breast cancer committee Erica Sally, our chair Our clerk, our leader Ladies, please stand up All those on the committee Please stand up and be recognized This has been going on Since Mayor Kobel was here And I tell you I always enjoyed because It's one of the best parts about Being part of a city and a city family Because you watch all our employees Our public works Every department chip in And help cook, serve, decorate Set up, it's just It's so Important For all of us, but also The success of these events And we're continuing to push the limits And try new things and try to grow We raised $18,000 this year At that breakfast While I'm excited about the 18 The reality is I wanted it to be more Because I wanted to be dressed In a pink suit with pink hair On Main Street waving at everybody That's what we're gonna make that happen Next year for sure We're gonna do it, we're gonna continue to raise More and put more money in it Because this is such an important cause Prisma Health Midlands Foundation We want to present a check to y'all If we can do that, we're excited to do that If y'all will come forward The committee please come forward as well As we do the check presentation Thank you Mayor And now item 7 Update from the Historic Columbia Foundation Ms. Robin Waits Executive Director I hate to tell you You don't look like Robin Waits I was just about to say that Mayor, I hate to disappoint everyone You're perfectly fine Good afternoon Mayor, I recommend And city council members The venerable Robin Waits has Yielded her time to me today My name is Roger Chiver as mentioned And I have the distinct honor Of serving as the new president Of the Board of Trustees for Historic Columbia Congratulations This is a Distinct honor That has been bestowed upon me One which I do not take lightly As is it a significant honor I am privileged to have Thank you for granting me this opportunity To provide a brief update On the state of Historic Columbia At this time, I would like to acknowledge The Board of Trustees members And supporters of Historic Columbia That are here in attendance today Please stand up The mission of Historic Columbia is simple We share The complex history Of Columbia and Richland County Through historic preservation advocacy Innovative educational programs And strategic Partnerships With the remaining time allotted I will attempt to condense Usually 30-minute presentation Into four or five minutes During that time I would like to share with you The past, the present And the future of Historic Columbia The past The Historic Columbia Foundation Was founded in 1961 By a group of passionate Community members Such as those from the Zion Baptist Church That were here With the initial goal of saving The Ansley Hall House Which is now the Robert Mills House From demolition. Why? Because they felt the House Had a story to tell A story to tell about our local history A story to tell about our beloved city Over the years The city of Columbia has entrusted Historic Columbia With maintaining and managing The historical Properties in which it owns Which includes the Robert Mills House The Majestika Simpson House And the man signed the site In August of 2004 When Robin Wates became the Executive Director Of Historic Columbia The organization had a staff of six members With an annual budget Of getting this $300,000 To manage 14 acres of grounds And six buildings How did they get it done? I have no clue Now let's fast forward to the present day Historic Columbia closed The physical year of 2022-2023 Having achieved Historic financial performance An annual budget of once $300,000 Is now $2.3 million I can tell you For certain that inflation Did not play a significant role in that growth The key drivers to that growth Has been the hard work And dedication of the now 22 full-time And 20 part-time staff members That have led the charge On a daily basis In the most recent fiscal year Historic Columbia hosted 56 events and programs Such as walking tours The Jubilee Festival House tours And many, many more activities Furthermore, HC's efforts Aren't confined to the historic facilities Or the immaculate grounds it manages The organization takes this knowledge And resources Through schools, through a program Referred to as traveling trunks In February 2023 Historic Columbia engaged The services of place economics A real estate and economic development Firm considered the world Leader in its field To assess the economic impact That historic preservation Has had on the city Of Columbia The firm is led by the world renowned historic Preservationist Donovan Rickama There's one important fact I would like to present to you today This is the first time An economic impact study Has been commissioned To assess the impact Of historic preservation And its impact on the city Of Columbia As a result of months of compiling data Performing research And interviewing key stakeholders The economic impact study revealed That historic preservation Has had a significant Impact on the city of Columbia And if you have not had a chance Or have not seen this report I employ you to read the 60 page Document Right now I'll point out some key factors Or points in the 60 page Robust document One, the Bailey bill has contributed Two, two hundred and seventeen Million dollars To historic renovation projects Two In two thousand twenty-two Alone 2.2 million Heritage tour visitors Stayed overnight in the city Of Columbia Third and finally The direct economic impact Of historic preservation On the city of Columbia Has exceeded a whopping Thirty seven million dollars As a result of state And local taxes Let me repeat that again Historic preservation Has had a direct impact On the city of Columbia To the tune of a whopping Thirty seven million dollars Mayor Rickman, a former business owner You can appreciate that ROI Return on investment Now what does the future hold? Undoubtedly the future is bright For the city of Columbia Because of the amazing leadership We have today The future is even brighter For the city of Columbia With the strategic partnership Impressed towards the future Here's a high level overview Of some but not all of the strategic Goals we as a board Have laid out for the organization Continue to educate the community And visitors through a variety Of approaches that facilitates Understanding of the diverse history Of the city of Columbia Richland County Secondly, be a vocal advocate For historic preservation Third and finally Through multiple revenue streams Those are some of the strategic goals For the organization However, none of it Would be possible If it was not for the unwavering Monetary and non-monetary sport The city of Columbia Continues to provide And we hope in the future Will continue to provide To historic Columbia In conclusion The historic board of trustees And staff would like to express A sincere gratitude and support That the city of Columbia has shown And to continue belief in historic Columbia And thank you, Mayor Rickerman And the city of Columbia council members For granting me this time To share some of the amazing work That the members at historic Columbia Is doing to impact our beautiful city In a positive manner And I agree with you, Mayor Rickerman Columbia is the best city In the state of South Carolina Thank you for this time And a wonderful evening Robin, we're not going to let you leave Without saying something So the podium is still yours Thank you all for what you're doing Thank you for the beautiful growth That we're seeing And what the future holds I'm still holding out for Silent Disco At the Hampton Preston We're going to do that yet As a fundraiser But we really appreciate the dedication And when you look at the history Of historic Columbia Where it's gone And look, we all are going to be honest with each other We don't always agree on some issues But that's okay What we do is try to work together On all the other issues And I think that's what's so important But watching it grow From where it started And where it is today Is a testimony to our community It's a testimony to the leadership there It's a testimony to our community As a whole And I think we can't go without recognizing that So I thank you all for your role And thank our citizens for their role Because it takes volunteers It takes people to donate And believe in the mission For things to happen in our community And we're celebrating history today And the more you learn about I feel like every day I'm learning something about Columbia And I've been here for 35 years I learn something every day about Columbia I learn about people I learn about history And some that has been forgotten That some people are now making sure That we're capturing And I hope in the future That we continue to capture all our history In one way or another Sometimes it's bricks and mortars But sometimes it's just the written word Or the oral word And I hope that we'll continue that But thank you all for what you do We appreciate it Mr. Assistant City Manager Yes, sir Next up Council is asked to consider The consent agenda items 8 through 11 So moved Got a motion Is there a second? Second Any further discussions, questions or concerns? Hearing none, seeing none Madam Clerk Could you read the roll please? Mr. Bailey Aye Mr. Brown Aye Mr. Herbert Aye Dr. Bussells Aye Mr. Brennan Yes Mayor Rickamin Aye Thank you For your time On hearing and first reading for zoning planning matters Again, individuals are allotted up to 3 minutes To address city council during the public hearing items And of course, Ms. Hampton is here to assist these Thank you Ms. Wilson Good evening Your first item on the agenda tonight Is an annexation future land use map amendment And a zoning map amendment for 2076 County Line Trail And a seven acre portion of County Line Trail This is a request to annex the property to annex the property, assign a land use classification of urban edge residential, small lot, and a zoning of plan development district with portions being in the flood overlay and the floodway overlay. It is not on our screen, so I don't know if somebody's back there that they can make sure all of council has it on their screen. I have it here in my notebook, but I think they're tired of looking at my face in front of them. I'm not tired of looking at it, Mayor. Thank you. I just want to make sure everybody can see, yeah, not there yet. We good? Everybody's at season? Yeah. I know you had a chance to look, but I just want to remind you at this time, is there anybody who has any, is here to speak for or against this project? Madam Clerk, did you have anybody sign up? For this item. At this time, I would entertain a motion to approve, and a motion. Is there a second? Second. Second. Any further discussion or questions? Madam Clerk, could you read the roll for the first reading of this? Mr. Bailey. Aye. Mr. Brown. Aye. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mayor Rickamon. Aye. Thank you. It is 480 South Pickham Street. It is a request to rezone the property from Employment Campus District in the Airport Safety Overlay to Residential Mixed District also in the Airport Safety Overlay. Is there anybody here to speak for or against this item? Mayor, we have Mr. Toby Ward. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor and members of council. Thank you for the opportunity to speak very briefly about this project today. As you know from reviewing the agenda, this project enjoys staff approval. It also enjoys unanimous Planning Commission approval. I think it's fair to say that this project represents a down zone of the property, bringing it into a residential as opposed to a commercial zoning. We hope that you will support this project. I also have with me Jeff Kuhn, who is a principal of the developer Serious Living. He'll tell you a little bit more about the project. Also with me today is Jim Bowie, who is an adjacent property owner who also wishes to speak in favor of the project. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, City Council, thanks for having us this evening. My name is Jeff Kuhn. We're here to request a reason for our small 1.6 acre parcel between South Pickens and South Greg Street. With deep roots in the area, we've been working in Columbia for years and on this particular parcel since 2016, we filled the size and ideal candidate for a small number of highly needed infill homes. This will both increase the availability and quality of the housing stock and also help to slow down suburban sprawl and keep the tax base in the city of Columbia. It will clean up a site that's long been attractive for nuisance dumping. Unfortunately for such a small project, we've been seemingly thrown to curb every turn. We were hoping to break ground actually a few months ago and learned that the code had actually changed. The zoning district requires a base residential zoning for our use. Considering this, we're looking to rezone the portion of our site to RM2, which matches the zoning found for the bulk of the parcels in the area, including all parcels to the north and the west. Our site is split-zoned currently with both RM2 and EC zoning present. The reason we clean up the zoning and split-zoned sites are rarely ideal, especially in such a small project. We're not looking for any modifications to the airport overlay, which will remain in place. We're also not looking for any government incentives on this project. I understand Hamilton Owens Airport is interested in any development in the area and we're more than happy to comply with any additional covenants needed as a part of the airport overlay district. Existing EC zoning actually allows for building up to 75 feet in height. This down zone would take it down to 50 feet and no matter what the zoning allows, we're not planning to do anything more than two stories here to mimic the local development patterns in the immediate area. The down zone would also reduce lot coverage and preserve more green space compared to what's allowed in the current zoning. The site was formerly surplus land for the Columbia Housing Authority, both the Housing Authority and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department signed off on this project to allow it to sale and release and agreeing that an increase in the housing stock in the area would be a good thing. Similar new boutique developments along Superior Street, Osceola Street, Salute Avenue and the city sponsored project on Wiley Street have all been well received and have proved to fit in well with the local neighborhood. We hope this is not a big ask as we're eager to move forward on the project. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to support the reason request. Thank you again for your time and we hope to have your support on the request as well. We're here for any questions you may have. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody have any questions for the applicant? Okay. Mr. Mayor, Council, thank you. My name is Jim Bowie. I'm the adjacent property owner to Mr. Coon's project to the Southwest. There's a triangular shape. South Greg turns into South Salute and Superior Street. The one property line adjacent to his that is not residential, it's commercial. I just came today to support his project and let you folks know that I have absolutely no contention to him doing this development. I do think it will improve the area. Mr. Cooner, I did not talk about what we were going to say when we took the mic and I was going to mention that at the bottom of South Salute, it's sort of wooded on both sides of the street. It has become a dumping ground. Folks come back there and because they are protected and no one can see them in the dark of night, they dump appliances, tires, anything else, which I'm sure the city is tired of cleaning up. This project will eliminate that. I have trash blowing from that section down to my section of property that I end up having to clean up. Not only because I believe in development, I believe this will be an amazing project but for that reason as well. Just wanted to say that. While I've got the microphone, I'm not one to give it up, I've got two minutes and four seconds. I want to let you all know that I've worked on some other projects with the city and you've got an employee within the planning and zoning commission by the name of Erica Hyann. She's amazing. She's doing an awesome job and I just wanted to put it on the record that I was going to send you an email, Mr. Mayor, and let you know that but she is very responsive, always comes back with not only a response but or can get you an answer but with documentation to support that answer and she's really been amazing and I believe she works there with Mr. Chambers who's also a great asset to the city. So thank you for your time today. Thank you for sharing that. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Boo, while we have you, let me ask you, when are you going to sell that fire engine that my son keeps asking me? Chief Jenkins to see if we can work something out. I'm glad I was here for that too because I had a fire at an apartment I owned on, as a young investor in real estate, I had an apartment on Hardin Street that caught on fire shortly after I purchased it from my brother and he showed up personally and I was of course very distraught but he sat down and taught me, calmed me down and he's certainly an asset to the city and I was very happy to be here today to see his presentation so thank you. I completely agree with you on the extreme illegal dumping in this area specifically at this property so thank you for bringing that up. Thank you. Madam Clerk. Yes, we have Mr. Jesse Burke. I'm Jesse Burke. I own the property known as 533 South Saluda Avenue which is directly across South Gregg Street from this piece of property. I'm here to speak in opposition to rezoning. I'd send in a copy of the Topo map, y'all should have it. This little parcel is a bowl. There's a 20-foot drop in elevation from the edge of South Gregg Street three quarters of a way across the lot and then it empties into a big culvert going under the street. If you look, the contours form a horseshoe around it and all the adjacent property on three sides, all the stormwater runs into this lot and it's basically a detention pond or a small swamp to the water drains off. It also has a number of large trees. When I purchased my lot at the end of South Saluda, one thing the city asked of me was not to touch the large trees. I sure don't have no intention of touching the large trees. Well, this lot has a number of large trees and if you tried to fill it, it would chill the trees and if they want to build residential in it, they didn't cut the trees down anyway. A little in my background, I've got three engineering degrees including a degree in civil engineering. My practice is as a structural engineer and putting foundations on 20-foot of fill, not a good idea. So I would urge you all to oppose rezoning this because it's not really suitable for building. Any questions? I have any questions. Thank you for being here. No, Mr. Mayor, I did ask Clint Shealy. Thank you for sending that info today, Mr. Burke, Head of Columbia Water, Stormwater. The sensitivity of our infrastructure and the Rosewood at a stoke or community. Can you respond to kind of his comments and information he sent today? Yes, sir. Thank you, Councilman. And thank you, Mr. Burke, for your I did review your comments from the earlier this morning and just as an assurance, the developer, any time someone's developing a piece of property in the city, they are required to meet all of our engineering regulations. That includes stormwater. So pre-runoff and post-runoff quality and quantity have to equalize as part of our engineering review. And so that'll be part of that. This area is also located in a special protection zone of Gills Creek. So there won't be any variance or anything like that available to the developer. So the pre and post-runoff quality and quantity will have to equalize. So our team will take a very close look at that once we get the developments of metal. Great. Thank you for those comments. Is there anyone else who'd like to speak on this issue? No one else has signed up. Move for approval. Got a motion. Second. There's a motion and a second. Any further comments? Hearing none, seen none. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Bailey? Aye. Mr. Brown? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Aye. Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mayor, recommend? Aye. Your final item on the agenda is an amendment to the unified development ordinance to update the use regulations to permit minor utility facilities in the transitional and conservation district. I want to thank Hope Hasty, our zoning administrator. She identified this as a need. Minor utilities are permitted in every district, but this one. And we have utilities in all of our city. So we need to amend this to permit those minor utilities. Is there anybody here to speak for or against this updated use and regulations? No one signed up. No one signed up. I'll entertain a motion. So moved. A motion. Is there a second? Second. A motion is second. Any further discussion? Hearing none, seeing none, Madam Clerk, could you read the roll, please? Mr. Bailey? Mr. Brown? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Aye. Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mayor, recommend? Aye. Thank you. That concludes your zoning public hearing. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Hampton. Thank you, Christa. Thank you, Christa. Mr. Mayor, counsel, we will move into a period of resolutions. Item 15, resolution number R-2024008, authorized in the city manager to execute a memorandum of understanding between Richland County, South Carolina, the city of Columbia, South Carolina, and South Carolina water utilities, PUI Inc. Motion to approve. Got a motion. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion, questions, comments? The memo provided us pretty much provides all the information we need. That, Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Yes, sir. Mr. Bailey? Aye. Mr. Brown? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Aye. Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mayor, recommend? Aye. Event resolutions, item 16, is resolution number R-2024002, authorized in consumption of beer, wine, and liquor at the Main Street Latin Festival in the 1,300 and 1,400 blocks of Main Street and the eastern half block of the 1,100 block of Washington Street between Assembly Street and Main Street on Saturday, August 24, 2024, but the rain contingency date of Saturday, August 31, 2024. So moved. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any questions or concerns? Hearing none, seeing none, Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Bailey? Aye. Mr. Brown? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Aye. Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mayor, recommend? Aye. Item 17, resolution number R-2024003, authorized in consumption of beer, wine, and liquor at the St. Pat's and Five Points Festival and authorized in the City Manager and the Parks and Recreation Director to sign park rules for the St. Pat's and Five Points Festival on Saturday, March the 16, 2024. Is there a motion? So moved. Got a motion, a second? Second. Got a motion, a second? Madam Clerk, could you read the roll, please? Mr. Bailey? Aye. Mr. Brown? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Aye. Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mayor, recommend? Aye. Other matters, number 18, Council is asked to approve the fiscal year 2023-2024 contract renewal for services related to the retention of military personnel, services, and operations located at Fort Jackson as requested by the Economic Development Department the award to the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $53,500, which does not include an increase. This firm is located in Columbia, South Carolina. So moved. Is there a second? Second. A motion and a second? Any questions? Hearing none, seeing none, Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Bailey? Aye. Mr. Brown? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Aye. Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mayor, recommend? Aye. Item 19, at this time I would ask Ms. Missy Kaufman, our Budget Program Management and Grants Director, to come forward in case there are any questions regarding the special revenue allocations. Does anybody have any questions? I'm assuming everybody read the memo. With that, Madam Clerk, we're looking at four items here. Robert Mills Renovations for Historic Columbia, Southern Songwriters, SC TV Foundation, Black Expo, and there's some gentlemen in the crowd. What do y'all call that organization again? Omega Psi Phi. Omega Psi Regional Meeting. Is there any questions on the allotments and the requests? Seeing none here, none. I'll take an entertain a motion. Motion to approve. And a motion and a second. Second. Madam Clerk, read the roll. Mr. Bailey? Aye. Mr. Brown? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Aye. Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mayor, recommend? Aye. And thank you, Mayor and Council, to acknowledge Mr. Tony Grant and the representatives from Omega Psi Phi are here, if they'd like to stand. I have a feeling y'all are going to paint the town a little purple and gold. Purple. Purple. Purple and gold. I would also like to acknowledge, while I'm here, that March 1st opens up the next round of Hospitality Tax Grant applications for the fiscal year 24-25 period. We will be having training for potential applicants next week, February 29th. Tina Saxon will be hosting training for applicants. And then the accommodation tax period will open on April 1st. Can you make sure you send all that so that we can make sure we put it out in social? A lot of people have been calling. And I think people have gotten wrong dates. I want to make sure that, especially there's some new folks that are applying that they understand the process. You can get the right forms and stuff in ahead of time. Absolutely. And Public Relations, Marketing, and Media is also publishing a presser on that, as well as other notifications. We'll make sure those things are included. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, I'm not sure if this is proper procedure. But some of the brothers from Omega Psi Phi, they've been here for a while. I was wondering if anybody wants to say anything about. I heard them. They said, thank you. Well, thank you so very much. We're very humble and honored. Dr. Bussells and Mayor, Mr. Brennan, Ms. Bailey, Mr. Bailey, Ms. Herbert, and my good friend, Peter. Of course, Mr. Mayor, we've been friends a long time. I'd also like to take a point of personal privilege and thank City Manager Wilson and also my good friend. I've been talking to him. I talked to him last night. And he said, be prepared to talk in case they call you. But also, City Manager Wilson, Assistant City Manager Kaufman. We're praying for Ed. He's been intricately involved. As I said, I spoke to him last night. We have with us George's, Al George's. We also have our media pass Baselist, Dahl Colbert. Come up here, man, please. Dr. Davis is our district marshal. He's the marshal for the meeting. And also, we also have our CPA with us, Mr. Ann Barber. He's just here to make you look good. I know how that works. Y'all know I can't count. And I also have one of the most important persons in my life, my oldest son, Mr. Hamilton Grant, and who tells me what to do in addition to his mother and his siblings. Thank you also very much. Thank you. We're honored to bring the 79th annual meeting here. And we are prayerful that it will spend a lot of money. We're excited, Tony. I think it's our privilege to host this conference, because if I remember historically, this might only be the second time that it's ever been in Colombia at all. Is that correct? That is correct. So very excited that it'll be here. I know that anything we can do to make sure that people have the best time ever so that they want to come back to Colombia. And you've done it already. There was an issue on the front end where it was an effort to try to take it elsewhere. City manager got involved, along with the president of a convention that got involved. And of course, all these brothers here, we were able to turn it and bring it back here. So thank you so very much. Well, you're being really kind, because you know you're my mentor, but my daddy said make sure his brothers are taken care of. This needs to be in Colombia. So what else was I going to do? Your brother told me what to do, and you? Yes, that part. Thank you also very much. We don't want to take up your time, but we're extremely grateful and very, very appreciative to all of you. And I hope you know that. So thank you so very much. God bless you. I said hello. Thank you. I think it's a period of reports, referrals, and new business, Mr. Mayor. Yes, I have one referral. I'd like to refer the St. John Career Development Center Workforce Development Program Proposal, better known as the Pathway to Employment to the Economic Development Committee for discussion, if they'll accept it. Absolutely. Anybody else have a referral to committee? Yes, Mr. Mayor, I have a referral for my committee that I'm on, which is the Health, Social, Environmental Committee concerning rental housing regulations and amending the ordinance to prevent situations where tenants are often being displaced and older properties. The amendment would add a designation to what a emergency event is. It would also designate high-risk properties as buildings built 1980 or before with 16 units or four stories high. And this came about the recent Columbia Rising fire, where there were 34 individuals displaced, 12 units were destroyed. This is also on the heels of the situation with the colony. In many of these situations, there have been numerous amounts of code violations that are considered extreme violations under the International Property Management Code and the International Fire Code. And if a housing official or fire marshal deemed an emergency event, then some measures will kick in. I just want to let the public know briefly about some of those measures. This will require high-risk properties to have an emergency operations plan, which would outline access to be taken by the owner or management company. There will be a means of notifying tenants of the nature of an emergency or emergency event, steps that the owner or management company regarding information being transmitted to the tenants, also steps the owner will provide to make sure the tenants have a place to stay when they're temporarily displaced. And our city attorney's office has been working very hard on holding management companies accountable when they have really been doing an injustice to tenants, and they don't have all the tools. This ordinance, I believe, to our rental housing ordinance would make us have a lot of tools to really help people accountable. So hopefully, after this goes to committee, we can get the support of full counsel, we can make a change. And Ms. Weber, who's in the crowd, she came up to me a couple of weeks ago about her being displaced. And the city attorney's office worked really quick on it. And Chief Aubrey Jenkins gave me some other incidents with Willow Run Apartments, 36 individuals were displaced back in 2021. We had Tropical Ridge Apartments, 21 individuals displaced after a three-alarm fire, a firefighter, fatality. In that case with James Muller, and then you also had Whispering Pine Apartments where 12 individuals were displaced, a six-year-old girl died, and eight units were uninhabitable. So this will allow us to step up the situations and hopefully counsel can get on board after we work out the kinks. Is there any other referrals? No, but Madam City Clerk, if we could put that on the April agenda, I think our March agenda is very full. We can delve into it. With that, a motion to accept the pathways to employment and the rental adjustments. What's your, what's the name of your ordinance? An amendment to the rental housing. An amendment to the rental. We've got a motion, is there a second? Second. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Bailey. Aye. Mr. Brown. Aye. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mayor, recommend. Aye. Do you have any reports that need to be shared this time? I'd like to have a report on the economic development infrastructure committee meeting, but since most of the meeting was done in executive session, is there some nuance of reporting in generalities? Okay. I'll just leave it to this. There's a lot of amazing stuff going on in Columbia, South Carolina from an economic development standpoint. There's a pipeline that I think is likely never been in Columbia and probably most other cities are size. I think you have action in front of the city. That's going to be super, not just positive, but I think transformational for the city. So I just want to tell everyone to stay tuned. There's a lot of great things going on and the support of council, the staff and everybody in Columbia is certainly well-warranted and appreciated. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else have anything else to add? Okay. With that, Madam City Manager. Yes, sir. I think that is it. I'm sure you all may be hearing about a walk tomorrow to encourage heart awareness with American Heart Association as one of their ambassadors. We're going to be doing that at 1030, starting at Washington Square, walking to the state house. So anyone wants to join us, feel free. And I think that is all we have, Mr. Mayor. Any public input at this time, individuals again are allotted up to three minutes to address city council about matters not on the agenda. Madam Cart, do you have anyone signed up? Yes, sir. All right. Ms. Michelle Huggins. She just left. I just watched her walk out. Mr. Wade Fulmer. Mr. He was here. I think he left. All right. And last but not least, Mrs. Francis Weber. Ms. Weber? Oh yeah. Good evening. If you'll just pull down the mic, because we're going to make sure we get capture all your words. Yes. Thank you. My name is Francis Weber, and I was involved in a house fire on January 23, 24. And we lost everything in the apartment complex. Take your time. Take your time, Ms. Weber. And we went to data. We went to data walk through the apartment complex and they took a lot of items out of our apartment. They took all of our televisions, all the tronics and games out of the kids' room. Took all my church hats, all of them, helpful. Back on my church clothes, all my church clothes. They called me first ladies on Sunday because that's how I dressed to go to church. And they went in the bedroom and they took stuff all out of the drawers. They took my insulin out of the fridge of the house. And if it wasn't for my daughter, I would be homeless. I wouldn't have any place to go to go. I went, hey, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Bailey for helping me doing all of this, ideally. It has been a hardship on me. And I get in my car and I go around the street and cry because I don't want my family to see me cry because I'm hurting. I just want to thank you for your time and patience. Mr. Mayor, one thing about the rental housing referral, it also has a requirement that management companies board up or at least prevent people from ram sacking apartments when they've been forced to leave their when they're uninhabitable. And people know that and they're taking advantage of those situations, stealing TVs, clothes and things like Ms. Weber has gone through. So that's one thing I think is the easy fix that will prevent stuff like this happening to people like Ms. Weber. Thank you for moving it forward. Ms. Weber will be praying for you. Madam Clerk, did you have anyone else? Is there anyone else who wanted to speak at this time? If not, I'm going to entertain a motion to adjourn. Got any motion? Is there a second? Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Bailey, Mr. Brown, Ms. Herbert, Dr. Bussai, Mr. Brennan, Mayor Rickamon, have a good evening.