 These gentlemen are trying to sabotage my my goal of beating the record of the shortest council meeting, so All right Okay Madam clerk good evening Mr. Rickamond Mr. McDowell mr. Duvall mr. Vine here mr. Davis mere Benjamin Thank you Madam city manager We Good to see all of you. We're good to see you. Good to see you. Welcome back Thank you so much at this time. We can um do have a pledge of allegiance. Okay Whatever McDowell of you would uh, could you please honor us by giving the invocation? Discuss the issues of our city We simply ask that you might touch us individually and collectively Allow us to sense your power and your nearness Sense it ties us to what we hear tonight Undergird us with strength and with power To do justice we ask it in your name. Amen. Amen At this time mr. Divine, I would ask that we adopt the agenda with the addition of Okay, while we're okay. Yeah While we're doing that one second, um We um want to welcome you back. Ms. Wilson and and we have missed you. Um, mr. Palin has done an amazing job Mr. Palin's done an amazing job in your absence, but we did miss you and we welcome you back and we just wanted to Uh, give you a small token of of our love and happiness that you were back My favorite two of them Oh We're so happy to have you back. Well, I um I I will tell you that You know, this is a big part of my life this job So having to attend to your personal help for about two months Um put a lot in perspective for me But i'm really glad to be back and I too have to say thank you to jeff and Pam all the acms all the team they I didn't worry one bit. So thank you and I'm back and I know y'all behaved I was told and everything Going as according to plan. So I think you haven't yes, sir Uh, I told Theresa in an executive session that that I thought that she needed to take about a two month leave every year And rotated among the assistant city managers Because jeff has learned so much in the two months that he's been on the top with the uh city manager's job That I think he has a new appreciation for what a city manager has to face on a daily And it would help every one of those over there to just Rotate this around. I haven't shared that with them. Mr. Devald that um since you did I don't want it to be for health reasons. So we'll we'll think about that Any one of them is capable. I could tell you that much and I really appreciate them very much Well, we appreciate them. They did an awesome job with you being out and we know we have a fabulous team So we appreciate all of you very much. So the house is still standing and there's no smoke. Absolutely All right, come on. Y'all try. Okay. We got to get back to my record. So, okay Let's come to the adoption of the agenda. Ms. Devon, did you have an item to add this evening? Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. I did want to add a resolution Um, uh for Midlands give stay we can add that um under Presentations. Yeah under the presentations. Yes, ma'am. We'll do that And with that if you all could adopt the agenda So move second It's been moved improperly a second The clerk would read the roll Mr. DeWall Hi, mr. McDowell. Yes, mr. Vine. Hi, mr. Davis. Thank you If there is no public input related to the agenda items as outlined We can seek an approval of the minutes from the march 20th 2018 city council meeting. Is there a motion? I move approval in the minutes of march the 20th It's been probably moved in second any discussion Seeing none if the clerk would call the roll Mr. McDowell. Yes, mr. DeWall. Hi, mr. Vine. Hi, mr. Davis. Thank you Council is asked to approve the consent agenda items 3 through 13 Is there a motion on the consent agenda? I move we approve the consent agenda items 3 through 13 It's been probably moved in second any discussion or questions Seeing none if the clerk would call the roll Mr. McDowell. Yes, mr. DeWall. Hi, mr. Vine. Hi, mr. Davis. Hi Moving into a period of presentations mr. Vine If you would like to go ahead and take care of the Midlands gives proclamation first As we know we don't have anyone here to accept it because everyone is Really really busy down at the state museum But for those of you who might not be aware today is Midlands gives It is the day of philanthropy throughout our community. We've got over 300 non-profits that are participating in Midlands gives this year and Around five o'clock the last I saw about 1.1 million dollars had been raised already for Midlands. Yes for organizations People have until midnight to continue to give and they can give at Midlands gives.org And standing in for the mayor today. I actually participated in the nephron mayors challenge where we had to Putt and if we were able to get the I'm not a golfer so I'll know the things that the the ball in the cup then we were then A charity of our choice were received a donation from nephron and of course my amazing Putt putt golf skills that I get from taking my kids to Frankie Frankie's fun park I made a hole in one Was able to get money donated to Camp I can't think of it. No, not uh, it's the new camp And hey word is not here. It was a selection by the mayor But it was an amazing opportunity, but With that said we do have a proclamation Whereas the Midlands region of South Carolina is blessed by numerous nonprofit organizations Which provide invaluable services that make our community a better place to live work and play And whereas Midlands gives was established by central carolina community foundation as a regional day of giving one line at www.midlandsgives.org And whereas Midlands gives is a day to celebrate philanthropy and a day upon which citizens rally together to support their favorite causes Build a stronger community and give whatever they are able to give to participating nonprofits And whereas through central carolina community foundation and its community partners Midlands gives shall inspire the public to support our nonprofit organizations on this day may first And whereas Midlands gives is an opportunity to encourage citizens to share their giving experience and passion For charities via all available social media channels encouraging others to give throughout this giving day Now therefore on behalf of our mayor steven k. Benjamin all along with all the members of columbia city council We do hereby proclaim may 1st 2018 as midlands gives giving day in columbia south carolina And we urge all of our citizens to participate and celebrate the great work of all of our area nonprofits And to support their efforts in a way that is both financially meaningful and personally rewarding Okay, so we will make sure that this gets over to central carolina community foundation Thank you, mr. Vine Our next item madam mayor pro tem is the national drinking water week 2018 proclamation So I have a proclamation Whereas fresh water is the earth's most valuable natural resource And whereas the city of columbia is surrounded by irreplicable recreational Irreplaceable, excuse me recreational water resources that also provide our drinking water And whereas the city of columbia is dedicated to providing clean and reliable water service to all of our customers And whereas the city of columbia has committed to upgrading and modernizing the water infrastructure upon which future generations will depend And whereas each citizen of our community is responsible for protecting our local streams rivers and lakes From runoff pollution to practice water conservation and to get involved in local water issues Now therefore on behalf of our mayor steven kate benjamin and all the members of columbia city council We do hereby proclaim may 6 through 12 2018 to be national drinking water week In the city of columbia and we urge all of our citizens to recognize and participate in this observance So does this come to you clint? Not some of our staff. Give me just a moment. Uh, gordon alexander Who's the superintendent of the canal water plant gordon if you'll please join us? And trey varn who's the superintendent of our lake murray water plant y'all come on up and eat a photo Thank you gentlemen for all that you do to make sure we have clean and safe drinking water And also asked at jennifer saturday who is our utilities communication coordinator She helps us convey the good message of clean safe drinking water to our customers. So Are you Well and before we go up clinton, I think all of us would echo this I think a lot of people take for granted The ability to have a clean drinking water But you know the flood really showed us what it means to have such an amazing valuable resource within our community And so we thank you guys so much for what y'all do um, and as someone who has who travels a lot and drinks a lot of Water out the tap we have amazing So all right come on guys Hey miss wilson our next Um proclamation is for national bike month and bicycle safety month bike month Okay So whereas the bicycle is a viable and environmentally sound form of transportation An excellent form of recreation Whereas many columbians will experience the joys of bicycling during the month of may Your participation in educational programs races community events trail workdays Helmet promotion activities charity events or just getting out and going for a ride And whereas the palmetto trail attracts trail users each year from all around the state and providing economic health and scenic benefits The citizens of south kehlana columbia south kehlana columbia and the southeast Whereas these bicycling activities and attractions have great potential to have a put positive impact on columbia's economy And tourism industry and to stimulate economic development by making the city attractive to businesses And citizens who enjoy spending time outdoors and leading healthy lifestyles Whereas creating bicycle friendly communities has been shown to improve citizens health Well-being and quality of life to boost community spirit to improve traffic safety and to reduce pollution and congestion And whereas may has been declared national bike month and set and so again in 2018 Whereas the bicycle pedestrian of action committee BPAC bicycle clubs schools parks and recreation departments police departments hospitals companies and civic groups Throughout the city and the region will be promoting bicycling as a leisure activity as well as an environment Environmentally friendly alternative to automobile use during the month of may And whereas the city of columbia adopted the city's first bicycle and pedestrian plan on june 2nd 2015 As a transportation element of the comprehensive plan known as walk bike columbia And this plan has a goal of creating great places for bicycling with a focus on evaluation and planning education encouragement Evaluation and planning engineering and enforcement And whereas the education of bicyclists and motorists as the as to the proper and safe operation of bicycles is important to ensure the safety And comfort of all users now therefore be it resolved that the members of columbia city council Hereby recognize the month of may 2018 as national bike month and bicycle safety month and the week of may 14th through 18th to 2018 As bike to work week and bike to work day on may 18th 2018 And be it further resolved that the city of columbia urges all of our citizens to support bicycling And to participate in the events plan and urge all road users to share the road safely with bicyclists And that is our resolution. We have somebody from b-pack Miss Wilson before we go on I know I met with the leadership of b-pack And I think this year bike month is being Planned as usual, but I think next year there might be some transition in The help that we've gotten in planning it. And so we need to make sure that the city is has somebody whether it's Special projects within the city or another partner to make sure that we have bike month activities continuing Throughout you know throughout the wealth throughout the year, but definitely for next starting in 2019 We won't have a partner who will plan those activities Yes, ma'am Our next proclamation that a mayor pro tem is for national preservation month All righty This is going to go to Amy or okay A proclamation Whereas the city of columbia continues to benefit from historic preservation As an effective tool for economic and sustainable development tourism promotion community revitalization Fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing livability And whereas historic preservation is relevant for the city of columbia as well as for communities across the nation Both urban and rural and for americans of all ages all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds And whereas it is important to celebrate the role of history in our lives And the contributions made by dedicated individuals in helping to preserve The tangible aspects of the heritage that have shaped us as a nation and as a community Now therefore on behalf of our mayor steven k. Benjamin and all the members of columbia city council We do hereby proclaim may 2018 as national preservation month in the great city of columbia And we urge all of our citizens to recognize and participate in its observance Can I can I offer just a word? I promise to keep you on schedule. Good. We'll get some time I just wanted to say thank you for The resolution And please everybody come out and celebrate may in columbia as historic preservation month We have a fabulous city with terrific history And this we have a lot of events going on this month in the city to celebrate that so we have An architectural scavenger hunt along main street month long month of may We have another architectural scavenger hunt going on in historic melrose. It's a family friendly event That one will be may 20th of sunday This wednesday we have enjoy sc making history at the state house from 1130 to 130 and again on sunday From one to three when we're going to have historic images or historic columbia will have historic images of main streets across the state With current pictures of those main streets and it's just a way for the public to engage there We've got a cemetery workshop for those people who are interested in taking care of their Headstones and cemeteries and all of our small churches across the city this one I mean this saturday starting at 9 30 till 12 and uh, we also have a preservation bike ride going on On saturday may 19th, and I challenge all of our city council people to come out to that I like putting those two things together Mr. Ravey devolve I have been noticing on Cola daily that the little thing that pops up on your computer every morning. They have had several very good um photograph Of columbia and difference. They had fourth ward. They've had Oh, um ward one. They did something sunday ward one they've had um Waverly and and several others main street They're a terrific resource for getting that information out there in a really accessible way Pictures I had never seen too They've really dug into the vaults to come up with these pictures. It's very interesting to see it I'm glad you're enjoying that. There's a lot out there. Yeah, and I would add I know, um councilman mcdallin I had the opportunity to get a sneak freak a sneak peek of the hampton presto mansion that I think may 19th Is that reopening as well? May 12th It's I know it's a it's a saturday coming up Right saturday may 12 may 12. Yeah, um, and so I would definitely encourage everyone to see that. I mean the um It's it is a testament to historic columbia and and their staff. They are reinterpreted The house and they're actually actively recognizing the role that enslaved americans played in um In the the the hampton preston family and the mansion and and so I think it's it'll be eye opening for people to see So it continues to be a testament, uh, which is very important Thank you All right, so come give it And council item 17 is a resolution number r 2018 035 to declare may 6 through the 12th 2018 as municipal clerks week in south carolina to recognize and honor the valuable contributions that municipal clerks Make to cities and towns in south carolina and to recognize the 40th anniversary of the municipal finance officers clerks and treasurers association An affiliate of the municipal association of south carolina So mr. Vine. I must say That we know we have the best work I was about to say And it's very hard to get one over on her So the municipal association it sent something out to managers saying Figure out how to do this basically because you know, they can't do it for themselves And so we've been trying all week to get this done But it's not framed erica and her name is noted in the document because she had to sign it We couldn't frame it. We couldn't even frame it until she got to sign it But we do want you all to present this to erica because we know that we cannot get much done without her and she is um And the only thing I will add as you all go to meet with her for the photo is that erica has gained her certified municipal clerk Status designation and as well on her way to be a master clerk So we have one of the very best clerks that I could wish for thank you We will get it framed We also want to recognize miss daniels for all the work that she does in the clerk's office as well Yes, and I we all echo how amazing Erica is and that we love her dearly and that We take for granted all the work that goes into keeping our stuff straight And keeping everything in tow and I'll say when this constituent is looking for something and I say You know, I know we passed that somewhere I couldn't tell you the date, but let me find out and I'll email erica and I'm always amazed within An hour If that long she's sending, you know link to the minutes and where it is and so she she does an amazing job May I pretend yes Speaking on behalf of municipal clerks the clerks position is the only position required to be hired by the cities and towns in south carolina the elected officials Or part of the staff But the clerk is the only one that's required by each one of the three forms of government to be hired And we have 270 cities and towns in south carolina A thousand a half of those are less than a thousand in population So when these small cities hire a clerk, they're not only hiring a clerk They're hiring a finance director. They're hiring a city manager They're hiring everything else too because a lot of times the clerk is the only thing the only person That's actually owned staff in the small cities Erica's got a a A great Education from the certified course and i'm looking forward to her getting that message. She is a wonderful municipal clerk Move into the zoning planning matters public hearing and first reading item There's one item here number 18 I know miss hampton can come forward if you all need her to but if not, it's the annexation As listed on 27 16 shop road. It's a public hearing. So is there anybody here to speak for or against this matter? Seeing none is there a motion to move Is there a second second Any discussion Seeing none if the clerk will call the roll Mr. McDowell. Yes, mr. Duvall Mr. Vine. Hi, mr. Davis Ordinance first reading ordinance number 2018 016 to amend section 21 127 the basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard I don't know if you have any questions miss higgins our city engineers here if you do Regarding just our flood maps and those updates Does anybody have any questions for dana? Move approval. I read it second. Okay, we're probably moved in second any discussion Seeing none of the clerk will call the roll Mr. McDowell. Yes, mr. Duvall. Hi, mr. Vine. Hi, mr. Davis Other matters item 20 council is asked to approve the installation of three speed humps in the oakwood court neighborhood as requested by the public works department Move to approve second We're probably moved in second any discussion Seeing none if the clerk will call the roll mr. McDowell. Yes, mr. Duvall. Hi, mr. Vine. Hi, mr. Davis Item 21 council is asked to approve the installation of three additional street lights on part street as requested by the traffic engineering division Move approval Second Is it being properly moved in second? discussion If the clerk would call the roll mr. McDowell. Yes, mr. Duvall. Hi, mr. Vine. Hi, mr. Davis Madam mirror pro tim. I am not sure if any of your colleagues or you have any committee reports or referrals at this point or referrals Okay, seeing none. We're to appearance of public Did you sign? Ms. Polaris and if anybody else signed in i'll recognize them soon I'm sorry. I am Ursula Polaris. I have lived in rosewood for over 20 years I really don't want to be here Well, I forgot to say hello city council and everyone here A little bit nervous. So just bear with me I really don't want to be here, but i'm compelled Because of the dire consequences I am facing because of code enforcement gone awry Hopefully there will not be retaliation for what i'm going to share I'm taking a risk and it may not be prudent, but it can't be wrong to speak from my heart There is limited time. So I really won't be able to get into it I just want to be treated fairly Without discrimination and harassment No one wants compliance of the pressing issues more than I do I want that I have been working at it But time stops for no one and I'm older and with all good intentions things take longer to accomplish Weather limitations taking care of parents and having health problems myself These aren't excuses, but it's partial explanation Life happens to all of us Communication is important. Had there been communication things would be different. I have no doubt I asked for communication an explanation from day one Only be only to be dismissed and shut down In addition There is a sexual harassment by the code enforcer i'm dealing with It happened in july 2016 I was in shock by his behavior I reported it to his supervisor Mike O'Neill Without going into great detail. I told him that this person was aggressive and inappropriate I no longer feel safe and I don't ever want him to come to my home alone Four months later november 2016 He gives me a citation first offense nuisance without explanation and he says see you in court I reported the sexual harassment in april 2017 The city waited over two months To inform me that it was misfiled and that it should be reported to internal affairs I may understand a couple of days or a couple of weeks, but over two months That leaves room to wonder and bring up more questions than answers one of many red flags Not only am I subjected to continue to interact with him He is still in the position to make decisions about me and my property My home This is extremely stressful Stressful and unbearable feel that I am on the edge of a breakdown even though I don't really know what that's like But I've tolerated It's been the target of many things But I am resilient because I have strong faith and that keeps me going forward and I'm blessed with friends as well I have filed for you to have no information, but to be stated That I couldn't use it to circumvent some circumstance. I just wanted to be informed. I wanted more explanation of what was going on Code enforcement is open to interpretation and somewhat subjective How can this code person be standing literally next door In a violation and that not be addressed or cited. I don't want that for anyone else I've never done that But there's a different measuring stick for me. I am single and latina Discrimination and harassment are blatantly evident and of major concern or should be of major concern to everyone I often come to these meetings and we start with prayer We ask for guidance and peaceful resolution in an open heart. I would like a little of that directed in my direction, please What I would like is to have open communication and continue to work and to clear my property How? With the help and support of rosewood rangers. I don't know if you're familiar with that group I'll be glad to tell you more about that, but their neighbors Literally helping each other and other friends They've come twice and will continue to come On the weekends to help organize and clear out things I've been reluctant to ask for help because I'm usually helping others. It's hard to ask for help but now With that help and I actually in january asked to speak to the city to realize that I need some assistance I can't do it by myself, but the rosewood rangers and some other neighbors have continued to Help Want to help and so I feel like I can have all of that done this summer by september 1st I'd also like my record cleared in expunge because this should have never happened I would like a peaceful resolution and this is the solution that I bring before you Thank you for your time. If you have any questions the rosewood rangers or anything else. I'll be glad to answer that I don't think we do. Thank you or miss. Polaris that we appreciate you coming forward. Okay Thank you Nikki was there a son in sheet? Was there anybody else that's on? Okay, uh, is there anybody else that would like to address council? Yeah, he's saying none. Is there a motion for? Second, some moves Second is it the clerk will call a roll Mr. McDowell Yes, mr. Govall. All right, mr. Vines. Hi, mr. Davis Okay, what time is it? I beat the record. Thank you guys for being here. We appreciate it