 Madam City Manager and Madam clerk. Good afternoon Mayor Benjamin. Afternoon, evening, all the above. Yes, good evening. Good evening, Mr. Rickerman, Mr. McDowell, Mr. Duvall, Mr. Vine, Mr. Davis, Mayor Benjamin. Here. I'm going to call on Boy Scout Troop 397, Cub Scout Pack 397, Cub Scout Pack 963, Boy Scout Troop 74, and Cub Scout Pack 74. Is it everyone? You guys come up here and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Come on up front. Don't they look great? Come on, come on guys. Thank you all. Thank you so much. All right. Mayor McDowell, would you lead us in the invocation, please? Lord, we've gathered in this chamber today to discern what it is you ask of us to do. Lord, we would simply ask that thou would continue to show favor upon this our city. Ignite within each of us an opportunity to serve and to hear clearly your call to serve. Ignite us, sensitize us, and allow us to hear your voice speak to us in this chamber. We ask it in your name. Amen. All right. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? I think we're going to be removing, which item was that, ladies? Item 47, Mayor Benjamin, removing that item. And if you would mind, Mayor Benjamin, I have two additional changes. Yes, ma'am. The referral of consideration of item 25, which is a resolution R-2018-43, authorizing consumption of beer and wine only at the South Carolina Carnival in the 1800 block of Main Street between Laurel Street and Richland Street on Saturday, June the 9th, 2018, and adding to the consent agenda resolution number R-2018-09 amending resolution number R-2016-025, authorizing tastings only of locally produced wine and beer only provided by market vendors in operation of Soda City to include the northern half block area of the 1200 block of Main Street, excluding the sidewalk areas and intersection of Lady Street and Main Street only on Saturday, May 26th, 2018. That was adding that to the consent agenda. And what was it with item 25, removing that from the consent agenda? What was that? Deferring consideration, yes, sir. Okay, so with those amendments, I'll move. Is there a second? Any discussion? Moving to the previous question. Clerk Calderon. Mr. Rickerman. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Mr. Devine. Aye. Mr. Davis. Mayor Benjamin. Aye. At this time, we would ask for any public input related to the agenda items as outlined. Seeing none, Mayor Benjamin. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of April 17th, 2018, and May 1st, 2018? Is there a second? Any discussion? Moving to the previous question. Clerk Calderon. Mr. Rickerman. Aye. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. Mr. Devine. Aye. Mr. Davis. Aye. Mayor Benjamin. Aye. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda items as amended? So moved. Is there a second? Any discussion? Yes. Mr. Rickerman. Yes, I got questions on 16 and 17. Yes, sir. Mr. Rickerman, what are your questions on 16? This is the Council's asked to approve the installation of backup power generators at various pump station sites as requested by Columbia Water. I was trying to understand the contract. I was adding up these numbers and $376,000 of this is going to Hammerhead, CAT, and Utility. And I'm trying to figure out what Stutz and Williams is doing for another $100,000 since the equipment. And everything seems to be coming from everybody below the line. Yes, sir. The contracts for $478,700 plus, you know, the budget. It's under budget. But I'm trying to understand just the numbers didn't seem to add up. I was trying to figure out what Stutz and Williams was doing for the balance, the $102,000. It gets you specifically what they were doing. But, I mean, this is a project where the majority of it is mineral protege and the majority of it is being handled by scientists. And I'm assuming that between those two, that's for the backup engines and for the generators and the electrical work and so forth. So it brings me back to the top of the heap. Right. I can't say specifically what they will do on this particular project. I mean, it's a mineral protege project, so we try to utilize as many as possible. And I get that part. I guess it's the overall business that I'm trying to figure out what they're 102s for. I mean, if they're getting paid for oversight, then I think we need to hold this. Yeah, I'd like to hold this until we get some clarification because it just doesn't make sense. And the question I had came down as we went down to the next one as well is how is this breakdown? We got the Brown and Caldwell. So the way I look at this is Brown and Caldwell getting $675,000 for engineering services on a $1.2 million project. The project itself is the engineering services. I guess I'm, you know, trying to understand the breakdown is just not clear and I'm sorry to put you in the spot at this hour without giving you heads up. The protege here says we'll provide analysis, design, permitting, geotechnical and public relations. I mean, it sounds like they're doing the bulk of the work. Well, you're talking about 4D, the protege? Yeah, I'm looking at 4D and then I look at Chow, who's providing surveying and easement exhibits. And then I'm looking at environmental permitting consultants who are doing the delineation and the permitting. So kind of law. This is a major sewer line. So the plans themselves will be produced by Brown and Caldwell. Yeah, I guess the question would be handling the permitting process and Chow would be handling survey services. You got environmental permitting because there is wetlands and so forth on this particular project. I think in the future it would be very helpful. And I get more and more questions from the public on these items because we have so much of them coming through on the 2020 program that when you go to the top line and you look at what it's awarded to who, we get a pretty good detail of what it is for the subs, but we don't get any detail of what's going up here and understanding how their contract is at large and a good portion of it going to them with no explanation. So I think in the future it would be very helpful. It's a mentor protege project, so the intent is for the mentor, they're actually contracts with the mentor, they're providing the product, but the intent is for the protege to do as much of it as possible. Which I totally understand that part. It's the $670,000 that's going to Brown and Caldwell. There's no explanation of what it really is and how that relates. It just seems, you know, if we're doing a major pipe, that seems a lot of money when the rest of the mentor, the protege's are doing the work. So if we could get some clarification on these, especially in the future, it would be very helpful for the public. Okay. So are we holding $16,000, but not $17,000? $16,000, yes. I want to get an explanation on that one for sure. I apologize, I don't have it specifically broken down on what they were doing. Yeah, and then while we're here, I'm going to go ask this one too. It's on $19,000, it seems like there was a very large change. We went from a budget amount, which we're, I give staff very good credit. We've always been very close on budgeting, but this one's off and there was no explanation that I could find, so. We didn't provide an explanation of what the difference is, but we did. I mean, we actually went out with this twice in both times. First time, I think we only had one bidder. Second time, we came in and they were all closed, but it is at 1.7. Okay. It was just under shot. That would be helpful. Thank you. All right, thank you. So you go with everything on a consent agenda? Other than 16. All right, take 16. Okay, we're going to hold 16. Are you good with that? Or are you just going to take it off? Well, we'll hold deferring it until the next meeting. It must not be a sense of urgency or the staff would have mentioned that. 16, okay, holding it until the next meeting or what's it? Is there a sense of urgency around? We just want to take it off the consent agenda and take it separately. It is part of the T-SOMP where we have to get Generator back up at our individual pump stations, but I understand that. Joey, can you make sure? Where's the mic? Joey, if it's a critical item, I'm willing to move forward on it, but I'd like to have the explanation. I can provide you an explanation. The T-SOMP, which is our Transmission System Operations Maintenance Program, we do have as a requirement of that to get back up at the individual pump stations, which is what this provides us as part of the T-SOMP program. And most of the Councilmen, if we can hold it if we need to. If it's a critical item, I don't want to hold it up because I know what that can do in a bad situation, but I would like to have a breakdown on it. Wish your gut. Tell us what's up. If we can move forward, that would be the preference, and I can provide the information. And share that with all the Council, please. All right? Yes, sir. We'll do it. Call the roll. Mr. Rickerman. Aye. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. DeVall. Aye. Mr. Vine. Aye. Mr. Davis. Aye. Mr. Benjamin. Aye. Ms. Wilson. Yes, sir. Item 26 is the first of our presentations this evening for Public Service Recognition, which I have, and we are wanting to share with you all a really special video that was produced in Honor Public Service Week. We have wonderful public service, including yourselves, here at the City of Columbia, so we have a brief video to share. I serve because I'm a firm believer in to who much is given, much is expected and required. I've got a love and a passion for what I do. I'm lucky enough to actually be in a job and position where I enjoy getting up every single day. It gives me a chance to give back to others in their greatest time with me. Because I believe that planning for our future is important. I enjoy people. I enjoy being out in the public. Everybody needs that helping hand at times. Well, I think serving your fellow man is really important, and if we care about one another, we serve one another, and that's what all of us should be about. I think that people would feel somewhat lost unless you have people in place to show you around and show you what is available and make people feel welcome. It's about giving back to the community, and also it's about helping those who can't help themselves at times. One of the most important qualities a public servant should have is being a believer. Very open-minded. Trustworthy. Compassionate. We have to be patient. We have to be kind. We have to be humble. Seeing individuals as individuals and being empathetic to what they're going through. A believer that events, organizations, programs can get better and enhance the people's quality of life. Ironically, I think the most rewarding experience and enriching experience I've had was during the flood of 2015. I saw our staff step up with servant hearts and give them themselves like I had never seen before in the private sector. That attitude of we can't fail and to pull together and deliver like they did was very rewarding. Most public servants are not doing this for any financial reward or gratitude, but they genuinely love what they do to be in the work that they're in. I want a citizen or somebody worse-day when they thought they have lost it all. And they say thank you just for saving someone's life. Saving a picture or a photo or even saving an heirloom is gratification enough for us. I daily get an opportunity to connect with the citizenry that we serve and it is greatly rewarding to me and how I perceive my job myself. All the relationships and connections I've made throughout the years. Seeing those people when you're not working, when you're off the clock enhances your quality of life so much and I love every day I do it. As public servants, if we don't engage with community members, we're doing a disservice to our community as a whole because it's so important to be inclusive and to really understand where everyone is coming from in order to build a brighter future. We choose to be here. We choose to work with the City of Columbia to serve our citizens and it's a choice that we all make and we need to embrace that, enjoy that but understand that we appreciate that very, very much. We're one team, one fight. Everybody's trying to achieve the common goal which is to make Columbia a greater place. Folks get up every day ready to try to make life more pleasant for the community and everybody works hard. I can't say thank you enough to all those people because even though I'm also a public servant, I'm also being served by all those other people as well and so I'm very grateful for everything that all of us do here at the City. It's a great place to work and live. Dear Benjamin and members of the City Council, we want to thank you all for your public service to our community. Oh, thank you. Thank you all so much and I really want to give a special thanks to our public and media relations department for facilitating such a great video. That was wonderful. Well done. Good job, Justin. I know he's videotaping. Good job. Well done. Our next item in line with public service recognition is our May 2018 employee of the month, Ms. Angela Adams, Customer Care Administrator, will present Ms. Heather Greer, Accounting Technician for the Customer Care Division. Be with us this evening so I am going to accept on her behalf but I would like to say some positive words about her. It was my pleasure to nominate Heather Greer for Employee of the Month. I have known and worked with Heather for 10 years and find her to be dependable, efficient and a great communicator for information. Heather has the willingness to take on difficult tasks and situations with a mindset of seeking a positive resolution. She readily avails herself to customers and staff with a warm, cheerful and positive attitude. She is a positive representative of the City of Columbia. Heather deals with countless difficult customer situations but handles each with enthusiasm and interest in providing great customer service. And I am happy and she is happy to have been nominated for Employee of the Month. Thank you. Well Angie, we know if Heather has been under your tutelage at all that she is a wonderful employee and always looking for the ability to do even better. So please share this token with her on our agenda. Thank you. Absolutely. Thank you. Item 28, Mayor Benjamin, the National Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week Proclamation. If you'd indulge me, I'd like to read this proclamation. Whereas Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week is an observance in the United States that pays tribute to the local, state and the federal peace officers who have died in the line of duty and whereas tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world come together in Washington D.C. to participate in events that honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and whereas doing Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, we celebrate those who protect and serve us every minute of every day and we honor the courageous officers who devoted themselves so fully to others that in the process they lay down their lives and whereas thanks to law enforcement officers we have safer streets, stronger communities and a more secure nation and whereas the City of Columbia is delighted to honor and recognize all the law enforcement officers who have committed to serving, protecting our city to make it a better place. Now therefore, I, Stephen K. Benjamin, may the City of Columbia along with my fellow members of City Council do hereby proclaim May 15th, 2018 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the great City of Columbia urge our fellow citizens to recognize and participate in its observance and Chief, I'm not sure you have a word with us, this is obviously consistent with everything that staff and Ms. Wilson has done so far. It's so important to recognize the work that all of our public employees do every single day to make sure that we live in the communities that we live in and certainly the work that our law enforcement officers do and there's a balance or a danger, a gunfire. We're all running in the other direction. You guys are running towards it and we're thankful for your service and certainly thankful for those men and women who lost their lives in the process. Chief. Mayor, Ms. Wilson Council, thank you for recognizing this week, certainly today, being Police Officer Memorial Day is a day for us to pause and remember those that have given the ultimate sacrifice and service and protection of their communities that they serve. As a week that we celebrate law enforcement, we have a lot to celebrate here and I had the honor of hitting my four-year anniversary recently it's been four incredibly rewarding years for me, leading a great police department. We have a lot to celebrate over this past year. Attaining national accreditation was certainly a moment that is very important to us, but completing our Advancing 21st Century Policing Project. But I think for what our citizens need to hear and be most proud of is answering 170,000 calls for service, making 6,500 arrests and having complaints at less than 100 uses of force in the 40s. It shows remarkable communication, professionalism, restraint, constitutional policing, professional policing and it's what we expect from our police department and it's an honor to serve with every single person that's a badge on and wears a gun to protect the city. Thank you all for recognizing us. Thank you, chief. There are a few seats up here, so I don't want you to feel like you have to stay in the back. So I was going to say ladies, but I figured that might not be the appropriate thing. Gentlemen too, there's some seats up here, so feel free to come on up front. Mayor Benjamin, we have much to celebrate this week as all public servants, but police and of course our public work staff who also serve in the trenches, so to speak, every day, literally sometimes and we just love these opportunities where we get to just say thank you. So for National Public Works Week we would ask you to present a proclamation and I guess Robert normally does some kind of fun video and you never know what it is. I don't ever know. We talked about it in depth and I'm glad we didn't do a video. We had a great video of public service and it's very fitting that Public Works Week is next week. I first of all want to recognize some of our past public works people here and there's a reason I want to do this, but Missy Gentry is the past president of our Public Works Association 90-2000 and something, I'm sure. Mary Pat is the past president and Samantha is currently our secretary. Sarah is the treasurer for the branch. Dana Higgins, which she stepped out I really wish she was here, she's going to be the 2019 president and that has a lot to deal with us is for the first time ever we're going to bring our state chapter to Columbia and have our conference here at 10th Street. So if this goes off well the poem I'm about to read and I'm not a poet so the poem I'm about to read if it goes off well Samantha and I wrote this poem if this poem is average Samantha wrote this poem so Public Works they are the men and women of Public Works that get in your way as they do the task to keep our city looking this way it may be animal control on the intake we're going no kill for their sake Forestry provides beautification while traffic delivers the signalization you might see street division building the sidewalks you seek or maybe solid ways visiting each resident three times a week while fleet services and support services have great esteem we have completed the department's perfect dream and sustainability who earned a three star as you will see all of our divisions are best by far the power of Public Works goes beyond these walls engineering Columbia water and even the cities on calls as our crews work all around town and the clock come say hi if they're working on your block we get weary and we work through the day and night but your safe travels is what we have in sight we have our families that sometimes we do not see but they know we love to make Columbia the best city it can be yeah that was really really cool and sweet I'm glad you have a day job however and uh no and we've been reminded both in good times and bad how important the work you guys do across the city I think we all probably bug Robert or his team at least every other day and you guys are always incredibly responsive and we're thankful to you so whereas the Public Works services providing our community are integral part of our citizens everyday lives and whereas the support of an understanding and informed citizenry is vital to the efficient operation of Public Works systems and programs such as environmental management sidewalks streets highways solid waste collection animal control traffic engineering and operations forestry and beautification support services and fleet services whereas the health safety and comfort of this community greatly dependent on these facilities and services and whereas the quality and effectiveness of these facilities as well as their planning design construction and implementation are vitally dependent upon the efforts and skill of Public Works officials and whereas the efficiency of the qualified and dedicated Public Works personnel and people's attitude and understanding of the importance of the work they perform therefore I, Stephen K. Benjamin Mayor of the City of Columbia and all my fellow members of city council do hereby proclaim the week of May 20th to 26th 2018 Public Works week in the great city of Columbia and urge our fellow citizens to recognize in its observance Teresa, next year I need this to rhyme okay so let's make that happen thank you I also want to mention we have an annual touch a truck event this Saturday 9 to 12, it's a great event I'm sure staff will be out there serving snow cones and popcorn and lemonade Mayor Benjamin Item 30, recognition of Dr. Bobby Donaldson as the recipient of the 2017 Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award Good evening everybody Good evening I'm just glad that I've finally worked into Robert's brain and he's including art and all kinds of things so I'm here on behalf of the Board of 1 Columbia to recognize Dr. Donaldson as the recipient of the 2017 Morrison Visionary Award this is an annual recognition of a Columbia and who reflects many of the values and qualities of those generously given by 1 Columbia's former leader in support of the growth and vitality of the City of Columbia Morrison passed away in 2013 and he co-chaired 1 Columbia's art and history board of directors for 3 years Dr. Donaldson who is this year's 2017 recipient began his career at the University of South Carolina in 1999 and now leads the Center for Civil Rights History and Research housed at the Hollings Special Collection Library and he also serves as the lead scholar for Columbia SC 63 Our Story Matters a documentary history initiative that chronicles the struggle for civil rights and social justice in Columbia and additionally he has served as consultant for museum exhibitions, archival collections oral history initiatives, documentary films and historic preservation projects including the renovation of the Book of T. Washington High School in downtown Columbia and in 2008 the Historic Columbia Foundation awarded Dr. Donaldson and his students the Helen Cone Henning Prize for their documentary project on the Ward 1 community in downtown Columbia we annually give this award to honor the vast combination of vision and leadership applied to arts and history and the entire cultural foundation of the city and the value they bring to Columbia and Dr. Donaldson definitely embodies all of that there's a short video I think there we lost even 2013 very unexpectedly and at the time he was co-chair of the board of 1 Columbia and served on the board since its inception the board wanted to do something in his honor they wanted to honor his vision his passion a man who was made yesterday relevant today as he strives to make tomorrow better ladies and gentlemen please welcome a true vision Dr. Bobby Donaldson likewise civil rights union very often when we think of civil rights we think of places like Mississippi and Alabama but not Columbia and part of our goal has been to amplify and to visualize stories of struggle and determination and to identify and to document the champions for social justice in our city Dr. Bobby Donaldson since I have an engagement with my wife on our anniversary tonight I will be very brief Lee in 1 Columbia and Samir thank you very much for this recognition many years ago when I arrived in the city of Columbia I had no idea that this would be one of my assignments I want to thank the mayor for this opportunity for supporting the great work we've done the great scholar from South Carolina Mary McLeod Bethune once said that the search for history and the search for truth is not for timid souls due to the course of my career in this city I've had the great opportunity to work with a number of brave extraordinary talented people who've helped us tell an important and remarkable story about the city of Columbia what we've done in the last five years with Columbia 63 is in many ways just the beginning and I'm excited about what's on the horizon and excited about the great work that we're doing and collaboration with so many individuals and organizations and again I thank you for your support I thank you for this recognition and I accept it on behalf of legions of individuals who have worked to tell why our story matters thank you and I won't expect Dr. Donaldson to stay he needs to go make sure your key still works tonight so take your wife to dinner but Dr. Donaldson Bobby's a dear friend is a true renaissance man in the work that he's done not just to tell our story but I think to completely elevate this city in the eyes of so many people who who didn't know the narratives the lives led the value that Columbia South has played into this national and global narrative it's just been amazing he's a 40-something year old man but I'm convinced to trap in there is a 100 year old man who has this incredible grasp of all the different building blocks that have made this city a very special place to live for so many of us so Bobby we're just thankful for you man, thankful for you and we all thought a great deal of Steve Morrison and I can't think of another person much more deserving than to receive this award and I'm sure it would be one of many many more to come we got a lot more work to do you know that alright thank you item 31 the recognition of the 2018 Miss Columbia the Honorable Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin honoring Miss Alexandra Fadgett also understanding is Iota Kai as well hello everyone to the council to Mayor Benjamin first I'd like to thank you all so much for allowing me the opportunity to speak to you all tonight I really just wanted to come and introduce myself and let you all know that I am here and I am the reigning Miss Columbia to give you a little bit of information about myself I just graduated this past Thursday and Friday thank you I graduated from the honors college at the University of South Carolina double majoring in insurance and risk management and finance with my minor in actuarial mathematics from there right now until Miss South Carolina but I did want to come to let you all know about my role as Miss Columbia in the preparation for Miss South Carolina which will be in June as Miss Columbia I received this title in January it's a part of the Miss America program allowing us scholarship opportunities and opportunities to be able to go out into the community and serve through my service I implement two very important platforms one of them being Children's Miracle Network Hospitals platform the second one being NINE NO is not enough which is my personal platform looking into sexual assault on college campuses and across the state of South Carolina so my honors thesis this past semester did an in-depth research of the Title IX policies at the University of South Carolina and I plan to take some of those initiatives and extend them throughout the state throughout my reign again I really just wanted to come introduce myself to each of you and say that I am so eager to serve this community I've been able to call Columbia home for four years and I am excited to see what's in store and hopefully I'll be able to call Columbia home for years from now but if anyone in here sees any opportunities for me to come speak any appearances I just love to be involved so I wanted to come and let you all know that I am here I have some cards with information on them so if you all want this before I go so you can get in contact with me as well so thank you all congratulations and I want to know I don't want to launch anyone the honors college at the South Carolina University of South Carolina is the number one honors college at any public university in the entire country and you graduated what was your major again? insurance and mismanagement and finance that's the last part I want to hear and obviously I think I said the manager is also a graduate of the South Carolina College so lots brilliance of bounds in here we wish you the best as you carry our name into the pageant and hope and pray you do really well thank you so much and thank you all again for all of your time Alexander do you want a picture with city council? do you need one? let's do it you miss Columbia Mr. Thomas Black Expo Economic Empowerment Summit Mr. Darren Thomas President of Thomas Media Group thank you good afternoon Mr. Mayor, council big week for us and on behalf of Thomas Media Group entire staff and management of Black Expo we want to thank the city for its continued support as we kick off the 21st annual Columbia Black Expo our scheduled events include tomorrow night our Power of Praise partnership with Ward of God Ministries and Bishop Eric Davis on Thursday morning our kick off breakfast at Brooklyn Conference Center and of course excited to have councilman McDowell there to introduce our speaker Friday morning the 14th annual Black Expo Charity Golf Tournament as we continue to raise funds for the Judge Matthew Perry Scholarship Fund as well as the Governor Friday night the 8th annual Taste of Black Columbia South Carolina State Museum which is a huge event with 30 chefs very excited about that event and of course the big day on Saturday the 21st annual Columbia Black Expo my purpose here tonight is just to share with you the exciting lineup we have but more importantly to help council understand the shift in the DC plus years 20 years the Black Expo our team our board we sat down and started looking at our model decided to make a shift in our focus the Black Expo has now become the Black Expo Empowerment Summit our theme building a legacy for your family focusing on the five pillars of economic empowerment those pillars being jobs will have a very extensive job fair education a very extensive education fair with colleges we're actually conducting FAFSA assistance on-site for families we had great success with that in Charleston back in March our wealth generation in partnership with the Center for Errors Property Preservation as well as Merrill Lynch helping families understand what it means to really create generation of wealth we have an extensive health partnership as a part of the expo because we believe your health is your wealth and of course entrepreneurship thanks to the OBO office SBA Professor Warren Sutton from the Kentucky State University who will be here to teach his young entrepreneurs program entitled Learn to Fish and of course Miss Angela Rye from CNN line speaker Dr. Dennis Kimbrough author of Thinking Grow Rich also the author of the wealth choice success secret of African American millionaires we've got a very very viable and integral part of the expo that will continue to make an impression in this community we believe Black Expo will continue to be relevant as long as it continues to meet the needs of all of its stakeholders our consumers our small businesses our partners and of course our municipal partners we believe the timeliness of this event could not have been better particularly as you look at city council's vision vision statement and the seven focus areas number one, goal number one growth opportunities for entrepreneurship fits very well with what Black Expo's mission is goal number two connecting the city's neighborhoods clearly home ownership protecting homes property very much part of this year's focus and of course goal number three the quality of life we believe health as well as wealth that neatly with the goals and the vision statement of city council so we believe that the timeliness of Black Expo's focus and shift makes sense with being synonymous with what city council has outlined for the vision of our city now from a hospitality standpoint we have our blueprint for attracting our out-of-town guests our taste event on Friday night huge event partnership with South Carolina Department of Agriculture as we continue to promote certified grown South Carolina excited about that a golf tournament very pleased to have coach Will Muschamp as a part of that tournament all of those attributes continue to feed into the success of the Expo quite frankly after 20 years we looked at our model determined it was time to continue to meet the needs of the community in a much more aggressive and multi-beneficial way and we say that to the council thank you thank you for the citizens of Columbia if you continue to support we hope to see you all as a part of this event I look forward to bring you our after-action report in July to share the findings of this year's event some of our data collected and also to be remiss if I did not mention University of South Carolina this is the first year we've had an extensive partnership partnership with the University of South Carolina first time they've ever participated the Expo at this level bringing the University to Black Expo to make certain that those from throughout the state of South Carolina beyond understand the impact the University has on our community here in the Midlands again thank you so much look forward to seeing you all a part of this week's event thank you Darren, congrats on 21 years it's fantastic fantastic are we able to start the public hearing in advance of 7pm we are not right? no sir start at 7, okay so everyone is waiting for the public hearing we can't start until 7pm that's when it's been publicly noticed so we've got about 10 minutes certainly your next items would start with resolutions there I'm not sure if you want to take those up at this time or start in a different area of the agenda so 43 goes in tandem with 46? yes sir is that right? yes sir and I think I've talked to council about this one I'm going to move approval of this but obviously the resolution but I'll ask for first reading on the ordinance with understanding there's a whole lot of discussion that has to happen between now and we take 46 back up so I move approval of 43, is there a second? second discussion previous question clerk colorrell Mr. Rickerman, Mr. Mcdowell Mr. Duvall, no Mr. Vine, hi Mr. Davis, Mayor Benjamin I'm 44 resolution number R-2018 042 authorized in the city manager to execute a fourth amendment to lease agreement between the city of Columbia and Hamilton capital center L-H-C is there a second? second discussion by gobscouts and scouts my first time seeing the girls and boys in the Boy Scouts it's pretty awesome any discussion with the previous question, clerk colorrell Mr. Rickerman Mr. Mcdowell Mr. Duvall Mr. Vine I'm 45 resolution number R-2018 046 authorized in the city manager to execute a 9-1-1 communication center agreement extension between the city of Columbia and Hamilton second discussion Mr. Rickerman is this a one-year extension it's a one-year extension we've been involved in some serious discussions and hopefully we'll have some resolution on well in advance of that way forward move the previous question, clerk colorrell Mr. Rickerman Mr. Mcdowell Mr. Duvall Mr. Vine Mr. Davis Mr. Benjamin ordinance is first reading item 46 ordinance number 2018-022 beginning to the inclusion of property in a multi-county industrial business again, motion approval with the understanding the county is on a similar track but there's some major issues the council wants to resolve before second reading but I move approval of first reading second discussion with the previous question, clerk colorrell Mr. Rickerman Mr. Mcdowell Mr. Duvall Mr. Davis Mr. Benjamin ordinance is second reading item 48 ordinance number 2018-011 amending the 1998 code of ordinances of the city of colombia we want to hold on that one because we're going to have a number of amendments so I'm not sure it won't take long go for it please Madam city manager continue chapter 14 in the selenius provisions article 4 offenses against the public peace and order section 14106 hours of sale restricted for commercial establishments which allow for on-premises consumption of beer, ale quarter and wine is there a second is there a discussion Mr. Duvall Mr. Mayor I have proposed three amendments to the ordinance that Mr. Rickerman in the committee has prepared I think that the ordinance as presented is a step forward I don't think it's enough I think the neighborhoods in the community have asked for our support and this is not enough to show the support by reducing the hours that these bars are open I will probably vote for this ordinance but I have discussed three amendments with my colleagues this afternoon in the work session one of the three got accepted so I'm very pleased we got we got one of the ordinance one of the amendments so I'd like to propose amendment number two of my three amendments which adds that a certification by an inspector approved by the city that the location is in compliance with applicable building and fire codes be added to the ordinance as drafted by our attorney you all agreed on earlier right alright Howard is that that second amendment was that with the change yes with the change I accept the amendment alright so with that we'll move the previous question Mr. Rickerman Mr. McDowell Mr. DeVall Mr. DeVine Mr. Benjamin alright there are no items discussed during the work session that need to come back this evening Mayor Benjamin I think there are two committee referrals one being Mr. Rickerman's referral which I think our direction was to schedule a committee of the whole kind of an extension of the economic and community development committee sometime in July and you I'll let you articulate the subject matter I called it construction strategies and growth for the city of Columbia I think that sums it up very well Mr. Wilson thank you and this is going to be a committee of the whole yes sir like a work session it's another council meeting another council meeting work session alright so we're going to have we scheduled that sometime in July we'll look at the dates that have worked for everybody we are also amending the schedule at a May 29th meeting of council as well right that's a budget work session yes sir at two o'clock and then you have an additional item Mr. Rickerman does it require a vote though unless you guys I mean the construction jobs okay referral as well as item 49 the council's asked to refer to proposed demolition delay ordinance to the arts and historic preservation committee for further review so second alright any discussion with the previous question I'm sorry well no I was going to say just a question have we decided have we appointed somebody to convene that meeting so who's the committee Mr. Badera Mr. McDowell and I are on the committee I will tell you with the the outcry and the grave concern around the women's club that we've all been dealing with this week I think it's I'm willing if we do this committee to hold it to take it up in its entirety I think we all should probably dig into that too so I'm not sure if we I might say another meeting but maybe the same meeting it's something we should all take up together yes as opposed to just arts and historic preservation let's all talk about it the related items today somewhat to this in a way so we could just include that at the July night I mean the July meeting I mean obviously this this discussion so Davis gets going about the Elmore store discussion from several years ago it's something we need to go ahead and act on so let's just take it all together all right so just add that to the agenda I withdraw the motion to send that to the committee and I think we're at 7 p.m. y'all all right so let's go ahead and start the 7 p.m. zoning planning public hearing let's those items that require significant dialogue let's do those last okay we will take this Hamptons lead on that we generally have those lined up for you okay thank you good evening this evening we start with annexations and land use so the first is at 2916 a request to annex assign a land use classification of UCAC2 and a zoning of general commercial all right is anyone here to speak in favor of or against this item saying is there a motion is there a second discussion with a previous question Mr. Rickerman Mr. Mcdowell Mr. DeVall Mr. Davis and annexation at 638 a portion of left road this is a request to annex assign a land use classification of UCAC1 and assign a zoning classification of general commercial is anyone here to speak in favor of or against this saying none is there a motion I moved second discussion we'll move the previous question the probe could call the roll Mr. Rickerman Mr. Mcdowell Mr. DeVall Mr. Davis an annexation at 1321 Piney Grove Road a request to annex assign a land use classification of UEMR and assign a zoning classification of general residential is anyone here to speak in favor of or against this Mr. Davis a motion to approve is there a second discussion we'll move the previous question the probe could call the roll Mr. Rickerman Mr. Mcdowell Mr. DeVall Mr. Davis we have a major amendment to a planned residential district this is at 2.16 acres on the south side of Kauffman Road this major amendment is to facilitate the change of use this was designated as medical and healthcare in the PUD the request is to change it to allow for the use of the church so I'll move there's a second probably need to ask if anybody's I'm sorry is anyone here to speak in favor of or against this motion by Mr. Rickerman is there a second any discussion we'll move the previous question the probe could call the roll Mr. Rickerman Mr. Mcdowell Mr. DeVall Mr. Davis Mr. Benjamin a rezoning request at 1908 Blossom Street this is a request to rezone the parcels from light industrial in the five points overlay district also in the five points overlay district this is the McCarrows is anyone here to speak in favor of this please I'm Josh Buker with Lambert Architects just wanted to make this brief hopefully but we're requesting to rezone two of those parcels at 1908 Blossom Street from M1 light industrial to MX1 mixed use development this request is being made to be consistent with the surrounding parcels and is in line with the City of Columbia's future land use plan and future five development guidelines for this location we've met with the neighborhoods we've met with five points association in the city several times and we would just like to reinforce this discussion is really about strictly about zoning and how that rezoning can create a better climate for any kind of development on those parcels I also have the owner Mr. Mocker here as well if there's any additional questions addressed to him can I make a statement or no all right all right I think several citizens who may speak up who may speak against this okay yes ma'am good evening my name is David Anderson I am a member of the of the Wales Guard Neighborhood Association and we have several people lined up to speak about the development basically the first point I'd like to make is we believe that this development does violate the master the five points master plan as adopted by City Council several years ago and it really complicates it will complicate the traffic situation down on Blossom Street last November we did have a neighborhood meeting to discuss the request and in fact the governor attended that meeting and spoke to our neighborhood association after his presentation the consensus among the neighbors the residents was even more opposed to the development than they were before the meeting it is overwhelmingly opposed by our residents as well as the residents surrounding neighborhoods the Planning Commission as you know heard this request back in February the rezoning request and we ask that you honor their recommendation thank you thank you I just hear a voice I can't even tell who is speaking okay ma'am if you want to speak feel free to come up to the microphone when we recognize please do as quietly as possible please my name is Judy Holliday we have lived on Wacomaw Avenue since we bought our home in 1986 so for 32 years we've lived in the neighborhood of Wales Garden over the past decade we've seen a friendly spirit in our diverse community of Wales Garden but we've seen it threatened by the changing culture in five points the once charming retail village has rightly gained a reputation for all night partying that has attracted criminals who prey on vulnerable young people recent statistics have shown a rise in violent crime and alcohol related arrests in the meantime Wales Garden has become a parade ground for noisy drunk pedestrians stumbling home in the morning hours screwing plastic cups beer cans and whiskey bottles on our sidewalks and in our yards my neighbors and I have noticed missing lawn and porch furnishings smashed car windows and scratched automobiles today the owner of McAdoo's restaurant has applied to rezone land on the corner of Blossom Street and Saluda Avenue this parcel of land is located at the northern entrance of the Wales Garden abutting the established homes of our neighborhood in addition to sandwiches and soup McAdoo's menu offers 30 hurricane drinks 19 shooters 11 bomb shots 9 specialty martinis and assorted beers and wines the franchise owner stated publicly last year at our meeting more than 69% of the restaurant's profit from alcohol sales if this rezoning were granted McAdoo's would be the first alcohol outlet to be established on Blossom Street from UG all the way down to Beltline Boulevard it would sit right next door to Wales Garden Residences unleashing more late night noise litter and vandalism for our sleeping community do we as a city really want to set a president that opens the door for other bars to spread from five points into other residential neighborhoods including Shandon Martin Luther King University Hill we are depending on you as members of the city council to support the planning commission's recommendation to deny the zoning request zoning is supposed to protect the public not enable harm we hope you will act in the public interest by endorsing the planning commission's recommendation to deny the rezoning thank you thank you very much and I know we have several people who signed up to speak I don't sense there's a will on this council to support this rezoning I'm prepared to make a motion to deny the rezoning but certainly anyone who wants to come and speak in favor of or against it it's your prerogative to do so but I know we have a number of other major issues but if you're against it would you raise your hand against rezoning and if you're in favor of rezoning but you have a it's your right to come up and speak but the way we've done many of these in the past certainly Jim we recognize obviously that while 5 points is 5 points we may have very different opinions about what happens in 5 points that once you cross Blossom Street it's a very different world you are physically actually then in Wells Garden it's a very different consideration and we want to I think that's a well-held view of council Mr. Daniel please I've been a resident of either Hollywood Rose Hill Wheeler Hill or Wells Garden since 1975 I'm probably the only person here that's actually been to one of these restaurants my wife and I went to Shawlett after Christmas and actually went to one which is out in the UNC Shawlett I equate it to an Applebee's they have a bar when you first walk into the right that comprises about 25% of the building the other 75% of the building is a typical restaurant organization the neighborhood is trying to characterize this from the beginning as a bar it's not it's a restaurant that serves alcohol so I would like to at least make this I've been to one, I've seen how it's operated it was not busy because it was Christmas time today is only a zoning change it's not dealing with any special exceptions but I think they meet the criteria and I think they're mischaracterizing this particular facility thank you move to Nile second move to the previous question Mr Rickerman Mr McDowell Mr Duvall Mr Vine Mr Davis Mayor Benjamin thank y'all is there a little bit out of order and we would not be offended if all of you left if you want to go ahead and go we used the mass exodus so it's alright I'm going to announce the case that Amy Moore is here as well to give you a little bit of background I think would be instructive this is for the Seminary Ridge Historic District to amend the text of the city code of ordinances to change the designation from an architectural conservation district to a protection area and Amy can give you some background Amy Moore Amy the case before you today as Christa said is to modify the architectural conservation district to a protection area you might pull the microphone down or something because we can't hear you too well I know you're soft spoken but we can't hear you at all you can't hear me at all not very well it was a long way from Christa to me so this is Amy Moore how about if I hold it so this is a request to modify the Seminary Ridge architectural conservation district to a protection area which is another form of a historic district architectural conservation district has been in existence since 2013 and the neighborhood has recently expressed interest in lessening their review therefore the request is to keep a historic district but in the form of a protection area as a recap protection areas and architectural conservation districts are both considered as I said to be historic districts but have different levels of review conservation districts focus on preserving original materials and architectural features such as windows, doors, siding etc and original detailing while protection areas typically have regulations which preserve basic forms fenestration patterns and so on but focus less on keeping original materials and details so we went through a process with the neighborhood to discuss this and get their feedback work on a new set of guidelines which I believe were included in y'all's packets tonight so Amy I always, I never remember the titles but I always think it's one, two and three because we have three so which one would this be this is three three so right we have the landmark like Orlewood that's correct alright thank you Amy I have a number of people who sound to speak on a number of different matters only one specifically references Seminary Ridge so if I don't recognize you specifically please feel free to come up to the microphone to state your name Lance Folsom we've lived out there since 2008 and our neighborhood association was functioning but we didn't have very many people coming to our meetings usually six or ten and when this was presented to us it sounded like a good idea a stark district property values go up and everything looks better but we really didn't know what we were getting into and once it was approved by the city we soon began to experience some difficulty especially if it wasn't well it would have bothered me too and I don't consider myself low income but the income range varies a lot in our neighborhood and quite a few of our neighbors and not necessarily low incomeers were having trouble replacing the worn out windows that you couldn't open for various reasons they didn't insulate and they wanted to put vinyl windows in that insulated and make other energy efficient improvements and I know a number of people through the neighborhood expressed really dismay that they couldn't do this and there's at least one landlord that wanted to improve his own believe it or not but you know it was too expensive so we kicked the idea around about doing something and the city came out and met with us we had excellent attendance this generated an awful lot of entries because people had heard about the problems and so instead of six or ten people we had twenty, thirty people last two meetings of our association we had about thirty and at the last one after Amy Moore heard of a whole bunch of cats through this process we voted I think twenty seven to three to pursue a protection area as a better fit for our area a lot of the houses had already had vinyl windows and things but we have a lot of historic character so we really appreciate the process now we know it's a good designation and that's off to the planning department those people are outstanding and really they're competent and they're patient so we're really lucky to have those kind of people so hope you'll help us improve our neighborhood by approving this so zoning change thank you anyone else here speaking in favor of or against this please if you don't mind stating your name for the record thank you I've also lived in the neighborhood for a while my wife and I have lived there for over forty years and I was recently elected the president of the Seminary Ridge neighborhood association we thank you for hearing our request today a little background the Seminary Ridge neighborhood association adopted the architectural conservation district zoning over late in February of 2013 years later after discovering the difficulty of being allowed to make certain improvements to our homes and just a few residents expressed concern that the regulations were too restrictive not allowing changes such as replacing windows with energy efficient windows and conversations after conversations with Sam Davis and city planners we discovered that that any change would need to come from the neighborhood and that would need to start with the neighborhood association so several residents walked the neighborhood and looked at every home their windows door siding approximately 35% of the residential properties already have energy efficient windows we talked to a lot of people in our neighborhood and almost everyone agreed that changes were needed that it wasn't fair that one house could already have new energy efficient windows and the next one the one next door couldn't discussions were started with the neighborhood association in the fall of 2017 at the November meeting a vote was taken to remove the architectural conservation designation and study the possibility of adopting a less restrictive overlay such as the protection area plan city planners were notified and a plan began to work out the steps residents and property owners turned out to attend the planner led meetings in early in 2018 and the planners gave us the information that we needed on all the options that were available the neighborhood association again met during that time to discuss our options and affirm our previous motion to replace our current zoning overlay with a less restrictive but still historic protection area overlay residents and property owners had been notified by flyers mail email facebook and signs were posted throughout the neighborhood for the various meetings conducted by both the city planners and the neighborhood association as well as even this meeting with city council every resident and property owner had an opportunity to offer their opinions about the changes either in person or in writing and many of them did with the vast majority being in favor I might add to that we had one neighbor that was against this and at our last neighborhood meeting he said he was with us he withdrew his complaint residents and property owners have turned out at every meeting we've been here at the ddrc meeting at the planning commission meeting we've had greater neighborhood involvement than we had in past years we've done our homework dotted our eyes and crossed our t's as sam davis said at one of our meetings we have seen democracy in action we really believe the protection area overlay offers us the best of both worlds we retain our historic district designation we'll still have the protection that new homes will have to be reviewed by city planners and the ddrc as would demolition of any existing homes and they'll retain the original look by not undergoing drastic changes roof lines and pitches and strange looking additions residents will be still be able to take advantage of the bailey built we have one neighbor that is doing that now and and we have all of us will be able to take advantage of energy efficient windows or even cement fiber siding so I want to thank Amy more sam davis and all of you for listening to us today we ask we come before you asking you that you would approve these changes thank you mr president that was perfectly timed too perfectly is like right on the line there anyone else speaking in favor of or against is there a motion may I move to approve a request second discussion miss divine I just want to say thank y'all for this process and you know this has come up in a couple neighborhoods and I think y'all telling us kind of what happened in 2013 and then be willing to go through this process really shows the same said democracy and action I think a lot of people were confused as to certain things and that's why we have three different designations what works in one neighborhood might not be appropriate for another but certainly being able to have the conservation district or the present protection district or the landmark district whatever fits your neighborhood is good and so I like that we've been able to go through this process hear your concerns and address it in that way the only thing I'll add Christa and Amy is Howard and I spoke with some residents who heard this was happening and they were concerned of the tidal wave of it happening in lots of neighborhoods and one of the things that we really thought is communication is key making sure that the neighborhoods understand what the districts are what they can and cannot do and I think there's a lot of misinformation about what people can and cannot do in different districts so if we could just keep the rest of that and make sure we push out information so that people understand that they know they can contact Amy at any time with any questions I think the fear of the unknown is what has started a lot of people concerned that this might go one way or another but I think recognizing that every neighborhood is unique and different and the neighborhood itself is in the best position to decide what's best for them. Thank you. We'll move to the previous question Clark on the roll. Do you recommend? Aye. Mr. McAwen? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Mr. Vang? Aye. Mr. Davis? Aye. Mayor Benton? Aye. Thank you. Thank you all. You have two separate items with items 39 and 40 however 40 is precipitated by 39 and I will explain 39 is at 700 Gervais street this is a request to rezone the parcel from light industrial with a design development overlay and an innovative design overlay and a design preservation overlay to our mixed use urban district with just the ID and the DP. The parcels in question here the owner of the 700 Gervais is looking to acquire the rear parcel the MX2 parcel so we would have one ownership of both of these parcels as you know you cannot develop across zoning district lines so to facilitate development on this parcel we need one zoning classification M2 is a heavy industrial zoning obviously that would not be the appropriate zoning classification to recommend so we recommended going with the MX2 which is our innovative zoning classification however that brings with it unlimited height which is fine and appropriate for that district however if the MX2 were to now come up to Gervais street that is a historic district so the second item on your agenda number 40 would be to modify the innovative design guidelines to include a stepped height overlay that was recommended in the West Gervais street plan that you recently reviewed that was vetted with the neighbors in the area so it would go from a 55 to an 80 to 150 to the unlimited height in that district so you've got number 39 which is to consolidate the zoning make it one and then the second item is to provide that height protection for the historic district do we need to take those separately or together it we'll do them separately you probably want to have separate votes on those however in staff's mind if you do rezone the front portion the second one it's kind of important is there anyone here to speak against this alright I was asking the question I wasn't calling you up yet I wasn't sorry I wasn't sure I certainly want to give the proponent an opportunity to speak first councilor are you speaking or Ben who's going to speak and then I'll have you up Mr. Mayor my name is Bob Fuller I am here this evening representing Ben Arnold who is actually the applicant on the proposition we do not have as we know any neighborhood opposition to the proposal that has been made is an opportunity to consolidate the zoning in a single pattern on the title ownership of a joined piece of property to avoid conflicts that might arise if trying to develop across zoning lines on a single piece of property we think that everybody that has been talked to in the neighborhoods both the commercial and residential people that Ben has talked to and the recommendation of the planning commission which was unanimous is what we are seeking to have happen this afternoon so we think people are in concert and agreement with it and urge your support of it thank you Ben sir please thank you for your patience yes sir Mr. Mayor my name is Robert Lewis and I'm here speaking against item number 40 we have used that for years as parking for stage hands for the Colonial Life Arena and we would have no place to park which means we would have we would have no place to park as we load in and out events at Colonial Life Arena and the Columbia Convention Center we have no objection to any plans Ben Arnold has certainly they've been an asset to this community so we don't have any objections as far as height or anything with just we would lose parking and we need that for work so you run the private park we park along the 1,100 block of Wayne Street and without that parking I don't know where we would park for work thank you sir anyone else here speaking in favor of or against it yes I'm Richard Rowe president of the Vista Neighborhood Association and the applicant called us and asked if he could come and go over his application and his ideas to develop this property our development committee reviewed that they were in favor of it and I just want to make that note that that's full of favor of the Vista Neighborhood Association thank you I don't have anyone else on here sorry to speak on this item I move approval we can get the session carried out to that the property is actually cuts off before the street if I read the map right correct before Pendleton it's just that square it doesn't cross over right correct yeah there's still a right of way it just squares out the big piece that's what I thought now screens are not up by the way Teresa screens are not up that's better okay thank you motion Mr. McDowell I'll second the motion any further discussion I'll move the previous question Mr. Rickerman Mr. McDowell Mr. Duvall Mr. DeVine Mr. Davis Mr. Benjamin was that 39 or 40 that was 39 that was 39 now with 40 is there a motion so moved any discussion Mr. Rickerman Mr. McDowell Mr. Duvall Mr. Davis Mr. Benjamin I'm 41 number 41 is a request to rezone 42.31 acres on the north side of Padgett Road this will be rezoning it from a planned development to RS3 the motion I'm sorry is there anyone here speaking in favor of or against this is there a motion so moved second any discussion can you explain please Chris looking at next door I'll take it UER1 is county so actually that is our land use plan that you're looking at there so here is our zoning so it's consistent and it will it is the same it's honey tree development that will be extending so the UER is our land use plan and then this is the zoning classification so that's the RS just wanted to make sure thank you all right move the previous question to Clark Colorado Mr. Rickerman hello Mr. Mayor Benjamin your final case this evening on your zoning public hearing is a rezoning request at 1400 UG street this is a request to rezone the parcel from office and institutional district with the DD overlay to light industrial district also with the DD overlay is anyone here speaking in favor of this the applicant please Mayor Benjamin councilman councilwoman thanks for having me I appreciate all the time the city of Columbia and the local community has given me working on this project I know I only have three minutes so I'll try and make it short and sweet as a lot of you know I'm trying to accomplish the rezoning of 1400 UG from C1 to M1 to allow me to build a higher density and partially market rate component project right now we have 1328 UG which has M1 zoning which we need for 150 beds breaker and 1400 UG has C1 which only allows another 86 beds so currently by right we can build a 486 bed apartment project but we would prefer to get the rezoning to increase that size to a 650 bedroom project which will give us the financial flexibility to include a big list of compromises and combatability requirements that we've been working on with the Vista Guild and the Vista neighborhood association that planning staff they recommended that this not be rezoned to M1 due to potential industrial uses we presented to planning commission in our case that industrial uses were not financially feasible in this project and that we were planning to build apartments and I think they realized that and planning commission voted 7 to 2 to recommend approval at city council but up to the rezoning hearing which we had scheduled in March we recognized some opposition with the Vista neighborhood association which many are here to speak against tonight and the Vista Guild we've been working back and we've been working collaboratively with both the V&A and the Vista Guild for our best efforts to make this project compatible with the Vista and the city of Columbia so we gave a letter of good faith to the Vista Guild and the neighborhood saying if we get this rezoning we will include a big list of compromises and concessions that will actually make a bigger project better for the community in this case but we believe in this case it is we weren't able to land on an agreement with the neighborhood or the city because there isn't a mechanism with the city to hold us to this list but we're putting our name and reputation that if we're able to get this rezoning we are going to include a big list to make this project compatible with the neighborhood with sidewalk and streetscape improvements to the area, facade improvements above and beyond overnight full-time security every single night of the year we'll connect UG up to Lady Street sidewalks which currently there's no pathway for that due to how it's built out right now we'll have unit mix diversification including studios ones and twos to make this a compatible project so we appreciate the time and everybody working with us Flock awesome, thank you thank you very much um you can have a few folks who signed up specifically referencing Huge Street but there may be some who are concerned but did not specifically reference Huge Street so if I miss you please feel free to come up David Hillburn David, David didn't know what was going to be first up here it's good for being early man yeah it's a place of downtown specifically this location of probably less than a quarter of a mile since 2001 and it's just not the right place for student housing and it's not about number of beds for me I've watched Huge Street become more and more and more busy and I think you need to realize one thing's going to happen and we're going to see a lot of students on Huge Street safety there's no way to protect the students on Huge Street absolutely no way there's got to be a better plan and a healthier way to use this piece of property than just for student housing I've lived right around the corner for it and I can tell you what happens if they try to shoot across to Huge Street and get to Canal Park you can't do it and now you really can't do it I know a lot of people are going to speak on other things the second thing I would say about the location is we get really busy when the students are here but on May 15th it's going to be a dead zone between May 15th and August 15th what's that going to do with Vista we've worked really hard we've made Vista kind of a destination to go to and we're going to spike it and it's going to seem like you're ups and downs that doesn't seem very appropriate the Renaissance when it was built was a permanent residence permanent lifestyles there people who want to spend money stay in the community and walk to the community businesses won't survive on a spike level they just won't do it, not there so I hope that the city will deny the Sony and that we'll look for a better alternative for the location it's a great piece of property that's not the place for it thank you thank you David Jim I'm going to try 1324 Pulaski Street I'm sorry Jim I can't read your handwriting brother that's quite alright, my name is Jim Fenner thank you for letting me speak this evening pleasure I will be brief no matter how long it takes right? yes sir I am a parent of five children four children who have proudly attended University of South Carolina we all know students sometimes take the path of least resistance they may not go out onto UG Street to get to the campus they may try to go down Pulaski Street a very narrow winding street that winds around publics department or supermarket and if you want some entertainment without cable sit in the public parking lot and watch the traffic go by then they're going to have to try to shoot across Gervais Street and down Pulaski to get to the campus and as we all know college students may not get up early enough to make that 8 o'clock class they're going to try and drive that way it's too far for a lot of college students that I know of to walk or would be willing to walk and I think there would be better use than student housing there thank you Deborah good evening and thank you for the opportunity to give me a chance to express my opposition to the rezoning of the property at 1400 UG Street as residents in Raleigh prior to retiring in Columbia my husband and I witnessed the renaissance of the downtown residential environment we knew then that that was the lifestyle that we wanted for ourselves but we wanted it in our hometown of Columbia we found that in the Vista since relocating here we have worked to be part of the community making financial and personal investments in our neighborhood as neighbors we have enhanced the beauty through spearheading and providing a major financial investment in the wraps on the electrical boxes we have organized our neighbors into a neighborhood association and joined in with Arsenal Hill to host events and to work on common issues many of our neighbors have joined the Congaree Vista Gill to provide input and assistance to them as needed we realized when we moved there that development would be around us as the Vista grew and we have celebrated the success of these developments we participated in the western of a historical plan we have assisted in city sponsored activities such as pedestrian counting police roll call national night out marking drain culverts etc make no mistake we are an active involved neighborhood association growth for growth's sake is dangerous because you run the risk of destroying the integrity of the neighborhood and the district this project is not smart growth it threatens the property values of our complex and potential development on the Klein and SCNG property high concentration of students in a complex that is basically a private dorm is not conducive to the lifestyle of the Vista we do not oppose students in fact we have students living in the units in our complex and we live in harmony however in our complex we enjoy an appropriate age mix experience with large concentration of students show an increase in littering excessive noise late night escapades and an increase in crime rate the current zoning will allow a minimum of 484 beds with 363 parking spaces the rezoning would up that to 650 students with 488 parking spaces the prospects of having 650 students in a location that does not have adequate infrastructure to support that high concentration is frightening Pulaski street is a narrow two lane road with no street parking beyond 1318 Pulaski putting 5 or 600 more cars on Pulaski will create safety issues there is already pedestrian traffic from Hampton street to Lady street with no sidewalks we have accommodated this foot traffic because of lower vehicular traffic but putting that many more vehicles on a narrow two lane road is asking for an accident there is no additional room for street parking and this project alone will require more parking for the tenants than is promised by the developer oh sorry this will not allow parking for their guest or ours she is so much more graceful than you are Rick by the way businesses on Lady street from the railroad overpass to UG and all of Pulaski from Jerveta Hampton will be left with no parking for their customers vehicular traffic will increase significantly on Lady street we see our business we want to see our business succeed but many of these students will not be utilizing the facilities due to the higher cost of dining facilities and in the Vista as neighbors we support these establishments individually and collectively as a neighborhood association with more students we suspect that future development of the Vista will result in more fast food facilities and bars to accommodate the students we all want more residential development but it needs to be more diverse we don't need the Vista to become student mecca as his five points this is a pivotal project that will determine the future of the Vista please don't sacrifice the allure of the Vista for short term gain protect the integrity of the Vista through the continued support of the city plan and reject this rezoning request thank you for giving me the additional thank you Mrs. Rowe now I'm going to cut the applause off okay Rick you're up and then Burt will you follow Rick or Burt and Rick or good evening my name is Burt Walrath and I'm a resident of the Vista I'd like to start out by saying Arsenal Hill and Vista neighborhoods do not want 1400 UG rezoned light industrial we'd like to see that denied tonight but we'd also like to see that get off the table so that we can work with 908 on their option that does not require rezoning I also have another concern and that I think the student housing bubble is ready to burst in Columbia demand is decreasing USC and nationwide enrollment is leveling off increasing numbers of students are opting for online education and two year degrees versus four year degrees Charleston Post and Courier had an article about a year ago talking about the decline in the student housing boom in Columbia while that's happening capacity has increased over 2800 beds downtown in the last three years since the hub with 770 more in the pipeline to be under construction to be added shortly and USC has approved 3700 to be built on the south campus all that is leading to dropping occupancy occupancy rates currently are 36 to 100 percent and proximity to campus is the primary driver the station at five points which is three blocks closer to USC than the proposed dormitory is now less than 75 percent occupied for the coming year and that the coming school year and all those occupants are not students approved projects have been delayed or canceled and what if it's rezoned to light industrial and then the project is not built as was mentioned I think by Brad then chemical dealers, petroleum product warehouses and dry cleaning plants would be able to build in the light industrial zoning and if it's built and goes belly up four, five and six bedroom units are the most difficult if not impossible to repurpose please deny zoning change to light industrial and do it right the first time thank you my name is Rick Rowe and I'm president of the Vista neighborhood association and also a part of the Vista Guild my wife and I moved to the Vista in 2006 and full time 2007 we enjoy the neighborhood and the art atmosphere and the ability to walk the items that we used to sustain our lives when we bought our property we lived on the outskirts of the neighborhood I cleaned up bottles cans, trash and all kinds of material on Plasque Street one of my daily routines was to pick up trash on Lady Street because little was done on the west end of Lady and Gerbet that has changed in 2018 and I have been involved in seeing the change take place by working with neighbors, businesses and organizations to see that we make improvements one of my first experiences as the president of the COA at Renaissance Plaza was dealing with several college aged students living in our complex it was like living in a town in a Wild West movie there was no control it took a stern hand and residents that were concerned about the community they lived in now 12 years later we have a great board we have a great COA and we have a Vista neighborhood association that continues to improve the area in which we live the density of the people in the Vista is a great concern to me we need variety and we need people that are willing to make our city a better place not just a place to accumulate but maybe get an education in the meantime I sound as though I'm negative on students I have been one myself and my wife and I have raised three I reside in the Vista because it is the lifestyle I choose like an always sought to be able to enjoy in retirement I like to see improvements and I like to see growth because that is what progress means the neighborhood association wants to see growth but it needs to be density adjusted to the space we do not need to overcome by any large number of individuals being away from home for the first time we need market rate and if teenagers and young adults choose to live there then so be it dealing with noise and trash and associated problems is not what I want to deal with the reports from our CPD at VNA meetings the statistics on auto break-ins and stolen properties always goes up when the students come to town increase the numbers and the issues for safety and crime will go up I just want to make a note here that the Vista neighborhood association voted unanimously to oppose the zoning change for this piece of property and we're here tonight to make sure that we see that that happens thank you very much Jim Caldwell resident of the Vista work and live there and I also a member of the Vista neighborhood association and Vista Guild congratulations to you guys Delta Sky magazine, Columbia's come back and you've got here Columbia's moment is now as residents we can't agree with that more absolutely is now it's a turning point you've got 2035 in mind you need to have the next generation in mind I'm up here after talking with a number of residents a few of us have met with the 908 group but not the entire neighborhood association I wanted you to know that we like you have complicated lives not everyone can make it up here some don't want to speak so we're up here that's who you're seeing we see ourselves as invested in the community stable we're H-tax drivers we don't six to seven times a week not always in the Vista but in and around Columbia unfortunately the county has given us an opportunity lost here and I just want to let some numbers speak here for a minute the H-tax as you guys know in the Vista is two million dollars in 2017 that's not to pick on the other neighborhoods but that's three times center city and two times five points why is that we have bigger bills you have restaurants like Blue Marlin and so on where people are going and they can and they can spend their money and spend a big bill so it ends up with more tax dollars for you students can't afford this it's said sometimes that we're against development we're not against development in fact since my wife and I moved here in 2013 we've seen a half a billion dollars in more in investment in the Vista and you guys know us we've worked with planning on a couple of the Western Bay historic plan and the comprehensive plan but we have we oppose very little this one's just not not right and we're asking you to deny the rezoning and get it right in the first time when we did meet with 908 there was a representative that said that Columbia's middle market that hurt we don't agree with that we're better than this we don't if you build a large student dorm you're going to end up with middle market if we head down market rate apartments or condominiums we can lift ourselves up and we should do that we don't think any of these options that we've got today 908's given us basically a kind of a false dilemma on the one hand we have a rezoning request to get up to 725 beds which is what the application reads and you've already heard about traffic problems on either side you've got one side that's completely congested and the other side that's basically a county road so that's not a very good choice and then the other choice we've got no compromises as we stand today on it at all properties adjacent to the Wester Bay Historic Protection Area as you can see and it's a slippery slope if you head down this path as Bart said there's no convertibility down the road think about 2035 think about the next generation and we want you to go with the staff on this one and deny the rezoned request thank you Mr. Caldwell this is Mary Langston she had to leave okay Ms. Walruth is Murray Hibber Mr. Mayor and Council I appreciate the opportunity to speak tonight I'm going to keep it quick I've got some bullet points that I just want to run through a lot of what I've got to say has already been said but in brief high density student dorm style housing is not the right project for this location it's going to negatively impact property values it's going to negatively impact the quality of my life the infrastructure required to accommodate the increased population is woefully inadequate the project is inconsistent with the VISTA's identity as Columbia's Arts and Entertainment District consider that in addition to this project student housing is located at assembly in Pendleton and Pulaski and Green the heart of the VISTA is becoming swallowed up by student housing the empire which is at Pendleton and assembly will have 688 beds Green Street crossing the other side of Pulaski has 600 this project's application is for 725 beds that's an increase of over 2,000 students in the area you change the composition of the population in the VISTA that much and you're going to change the character of the district in my view this property is situated at a highly visible corridor with traffic flowing between the city and I-126 it's a gateway to the river on the west and the Congaree VISTA neighborhood on the east I firmly believe that it's a prime piece of real estate I have a grander vision for this corner of Columbia this is not smart growth I respectfully request you deny their application to reason thank you thank you did you just give your wife a standing ovation smart smart man Steve Henson appreciate y'all listening yesterday my wife and I are residents of the VISTA we moved there 5 or 6 years ago 7 almost and we love it we love going to the VISTA we got to eat 7 days a week and many of us do and the council and the staff have done a wonderful job developing the VISTA and it's really wonderful we're in the West Urbay historic district and we're also looking to the city center of Columbia comprehensive plan and everything is going great but there's kind of a disturbance in the neighborhood and the disturbance is that they want to come next to us and build 650 student housing beds maybe up to 725 and I want all of y'all to think what you'd feel like in Blythewood or Shannon or Heathwood or Waverly or Cotton Town and somebody came next door and built 725 beds probably wouldn't like it too much because this is our home and the developers are asking us to ignore the current zoning and change the zoning to an M1 which is kind of an arcade zoning anyway so the neighborhood is against it and the staff's against it because it goes against the plan that they've worked so hard for all these years it's not just the residents Columbia metropolitan area I believe is about 900,000 people so this is the entertainment and dining district for that area not just residents and also for visitors I wasn't going to say it was the adult entertainment district but I thought maybe maybe I'd use some different wording and also when parents come to town regardless of where the kids live they take them to the Blue Marlin they take them to motor supply they take them to the VISTA to eat they don't take them to 5 points to eat so that's where we're coming from and I've talked to a lot of y'all about this and we think it's a slippery slope and some folks don't think it's going to go that way but I think we might be heading toward dollar beer and all night bars and that's not good if you look at 5 points you go like where'd Garibaldi's go it's gone we used to go there for anniversary where's Harper's it's gone I ate lunch at the gourmet shop today but they close at 6 o'clock they don't hang around at night so and we know we've had documented today what's going on in 5 points which is a real problem but we'll take their neighborhood from that and like I said it's also a tip in the area right across the river out of Richland County and out of our city limits is growing also so we've got to be careful not to let people take that short trip across the Gervais street bridge and lose some of our tax revenue that way anyway we've talked to all y'all and developers have talked to all y'all and a lot of people won't compromise we've talked about compromise but the developers idea of compromise is if you do redo the zoning we'll give you a little more brick and we'll give you a sidewalk that's not a compromise our answer to that is no what we see as a compromise is this we don't want any student housing we don't want any student housing but a compromise is to leave the zoning exactly like it is go with the plan to city a setup and we'll get still get a student housing in place with 484 beds instead of we'll be happy with it's not as big the mayor and our friends will get some extra taxes our business will get some extra business why do I get the taxes everybody wants taxes I want taxes but we'll get a little extra taxes and we'll get a little extra business and we'll keep the neighbors a lot happier you guys have a lot of issues you get issues all the time everybody's after you're going to meet from 2 o'clock right now there's only one issue and this is it and we don't want to complicate it the question issue we're rezoning from C1 to M1 doesn't have anything to do with bricks doesn't have anything to do with sidewalks and we ask you to please stick with the residents and with the staff and vote no on this thank you very much thank you Steve and Jonathan I'm going to give it a try but is it commonsense? I can't really read it I've come from Arsenal Hill from a neighboring neighborhood I'm the president and I look around the night I see a crowd full of folks who are home owners are stakeholders and actively involved in the community I see a small group of developers over there but I do not see any students here begging the council to approve this zoning change because they need more housing and I believe Mr. Walrath at the nail on the head we already have enough the market is speaking right now occupancy rates are low and they're falling we didn't make these numbers up we got them straight from USC we know what the occupancy rates are we know that the further a housing unit is from campus the lower the occupancy rates will be here's what we also know this isn't student apartments these are dormitories let's call them what they are they're appropriate for only one use and that is housing students you have six bedrooms, six bathrooms in one common area you cannot rent that as what folks call a market rate apartment I'd like the council to strongly consider what will happen when the bubble finished bursting it's deflating right now we know that for a fact we have the numbers what is going to happen to this development in the middle of the Vista this development is on the plot of land that joins my neighborhood to the Vista what am I going to walk past when I'm taking my child to the museum I promise you and I guarantee you it's not going to be a thriving community of students it will not be that when they finish and it will not be that five years from now and they'll be long gone when we will all still be here and they will all be long gone Mr. Mayor, ladies and gentlemen of the council we are here because we are homeowners we are property owners we are taxpayers we are invested in this community for the long haul we know that 1400 UG Street is an eyesore I know I practiced in that courthouse for years I can't wait to see the day that it gets torn down we are pro development we have talked about this we know that some folks are interested in purchasing that land for a boutique hotel I believe Jim was the one that said throw me a shovel if that comes to pass we'll start digging we are simply asking that we take the long view on this I was supposed to come up here and sum up the arguments but I think they spoke quite well for themselves I want the council to just keep in your minds all the people you have here that are united I have some neighbors here I have one who pulled out her iPad at our last neighborhood meeting and spontaneously started collecting signatures which I emailed to every single one of you this past weekend every one of the homeowners in all of the neighborhoods surrounding this development every single one opposes this zoning change and with good reason you bear that in mind when you are considering this motion thank you very much thank you Jim Daniel is anyone signed up to speak in favor of or against this item council my name is Alan Amsler and I am president of Macquarie construction company in full disclosure we have been working with the 908 group for the last six months when we are out looking for a prospective project we are looking for people or groups to work with that have similar values and levels of integrity and we have found that in the 908 group they are not going to build a project that we all will be proud of on this particular site now let me change gears for one minute because I am also the managing member of 522 Lady Street which is an office building that we redeveloped three years ago so we are a resident of the community I am the only business person up here speaking tonight at least so far heard a lot of residents speak and I understand their position but I can't think of too many business owners that would oppose this opportunity there is one thing I do want to address we did the project at the corner of Blossom and Hugie for Park 7 called Park Place and it is just south of 600 beds they are at 100% occupancy the project in 5 points the station is 99% occupied with a 75% reservation rate for August as of February so I am sure that is even higher right now there is the selfish part of this I am from a quarry standpoint I think you all have seen the numbers on construction employment and the fact that this area this community needs construction jobs and we are a local company who brings in local subcontractors as well I can't speak on behalf of the 908 group but they can certainly put this project up it is currently zoned on a part of that property I think they are going above and beyond and I can't say that I see too many developers doing that they are making improvements to the community to the sidewalks and making sure that they do this right and I hope that you can support their request to change them thank you alright is anyone else here to speak in favor of or against this item please good evening my name is Joe Lockhart I am a resident of Renaissance Plaza I lived in the Vista for 8 years I am here to add my voice in opposition there is one thing I hope you have heard here tonight it is not really the voice of opposition it is the voice of support of residents who you have heard extensively from tonight who believe in the Vista you have been listening tonight to people who are speaking in favor of 20 years of successful remarkable development of the Vista creating a hallmark a landmark for really developing the southeast I believe that this city can be proud of you are listening to people who have a commitment a passion that is what I have heard tonight I hope that each and every one of you have heard that deep passion that commitment to Colombia to the Vista the people who are not, who have spoken are not merely residents they are participants in this ongoing endeavor to build something bigger and ongoing for this city really when we have the development we have seen with the ballpark with Bull Street with Main Street we are not for the Vista we are for not the people who have the commitment to believe in the Vista to have that vision and remain and retain that commitment each and every day that they live there the people who have spoken tonight I know many of them because we talk about what we see the excitement of what the Vista can be we know the students are a huge and central component to making Colombia successful the University of Carolina any other fine universities and colleges in this town but it is that point of balance right it is that mixed use not only development mixed use business but mixed use residents okay there sound thought there are many efforts made by those responsible for planning in this city who zone the density for specific and thoughtful reasons and what I would implore each of you to tonight is to consider the thoughtful work behind those planning decisions those density considerations made a while back that led to the zoning that we currently have pair that with the passion and commitment you heard tonight the devotion of people who work each and every day to make the Vista and therefore Colombia a much better place to live who do so not only for now but for the future because the people here tonight are speaking not in opposition they're speaking in favor of what the Vista is what Colombia is what Colombia can be and I thank you for your time thank you you get the best body language award tonight that's not that's not usually New Jersey body language I might add but that was a joke y'all please first I wanted to address the fact that we obviously still have more work to do and I wanted to let council and the Vista neighborhood association and you know, Rick, Bart, Steve who I've met with that we still want to work with and we're trying and on a couple of things I wanted to address and set the record straight on a few things which I think Alan Amsler did one, 650 beds is the maximum project size we can do with this rezoning not 725 650 is what we're looking for two, student housing demand like Alan Amsler said um station at five points is currently 99% occupied 75% prelease for this coming year which is better occupancy and demand than any other market I'm doing business in the empire park place, green crossing, 650 Lincoln all the purpose built student housing facilities within close proximity to the University of South Carolina are all 95% or higher prelease for this coming year as of February best market I'm looking in we will have more than enough parking we're required to build 75% parking per bed on this site which is more than any of our other projects we have so I believe we'll have some empty parking on site so those are a few things I wanted to mention and just to the Vista neighborhood association as well I know we've talked about this before and the city council just the reality of the situation with the smaller project we still want to work with you but we're going to have less financial flexibility to do so so it's going to make our lives harder to add this list of compromises with the smaller project but we still want to meet and discuss how we can you know add some compromises that we haven't thought of yet maybe and they chatted with Mr. McDowell and earlier about that as well and also got I might have embarked Rick I forget to tell me let's do it now if there's opportunity for further discussion we want it to happen that's Mr. McDowell's preference as well and probably the discussion if we discuss it council's desire as well may have heard densely concerns obviously have heard concerns about what else might go there if the project wasn't successful I keep hearing people say the bubble might burst and then I also heard it was deflating I'm not sure it's one or the other but the data helps whatever the data happens to be I don't think continuing the talk hurts anyone and I know Mr. McDowell will make himself available and I'll make myself available too to see if there's any way to bridge the gap it may be impossible but in fact it's still worth having discussions with both the V&A and Arsenal Hill as well as the Vista Guild I'm happy to make myself available and absolutely and I appreciate that suggestion mayor and obviously like we said we still have work to do and this public hearing is useful for us as developers we're hearing a lot of the issues that are presented here tonight and we like to ask if we defer the first reading until the next opportunity and we can try and schedule follow-up meetings with some of the Vista neighborhood association we have some Vista Guild representatives here which we seem to be making good progress with I don't think we're there yet with anyone but I think we're making solid progress on collaborating with the community so if it's okay with you all we'd like to request that we defer the first reading until the next opportunity excuse me you know that doesn't work right? okay well thank you David anyway yes but we will defer I'm not sure if that requires formal action of council or not thank you yeah I'm sorry please please Mr. McDowell I hope that we delay defer action given it two weeks and coming back with three weeks three weeks is that when we're back? okay second any further discussion? I'm not going to actually come back up Jonathan but what was it you passed out to us? I'll show you a reference just to say from right there okay gotcha gotcha brother thank you I just want to show what that was yes sir this is the public hearing unless something dramatically changes I think that your comments have left an indelible imprint on council's psyche I mean so I think we know exactly where you are unless something changes making good shape if something changes you could be in the room the goal is to get you all together again over the next three weeks and see if we can hammer something out that might make some sense to all parties okay nothing will happen here unless everyone's actually around the table talking about it alright Kenzel, Mr. Summie excuse me I had not really planned to say much but I think one point I'd like to make I sit on my terrace and I've heard too many fender benders at the corner of Lady and Hughes Street I have felt like I was risking my life when I tried to cross the street riding my little bicycle time to time I've had relative's visit and stay at the hotel that is on the just as the curve when you come around off the interstate almost have an accident I think that if we add 400 some odd more cars in that area students texting while driving doing whatever they may do, they may not I think the accidents will increase and I think major designs in streets and maybe part of the solution to this but with the existing roads and the existing speed limits and the existing lack of lights and whatnot I think that will indeed cause more of a problem and lives I think will be lost I think fender benders will be at least of our problem so I do offer my opposition this plan as is has been stated thank you move the previous question Mr. Rickerman Mr. Mcdowell Mr. Duvall Mr. Davis Mr. Benjamin that concludes your zoning public hearing alright is anyone else here citizen input gentlemen on the back wanted to speak is there anyone to sign up to speak did you want to speak did you want to speak did you want to speak no this is on another issue come on up you want to talk to your people didn't get off the elevator how are you man good to see you the thing I wanted to bring up as far as I wanted to address the city council tonight is basically as far as through the media everybody is concerned about the recent I guess uprising crime and things of that nature and it seems like nobody wants to attack the root of the problem everybody wants just to basically pretty much execute when it hits the fan and my thing is tonight like I've said before when I came a few years ago is pretty much centered toward the band of box the lack of resources in certain areas and stuff like that I've seen a lot of people come up here tonight and address the situations about USC and the vistas and things of that nature but as far as where the money is going and stuff like that but my challenge to some of you guys to basically stay on top of things like the human resources department which has the thing with the band of box a lot of people I've been here in 2015 and I've seen more jobs have come to the city but I'm also seeing people and my peer group people I see every day are still getting casted out to work for us for mistakes they made years ago and like I said before I always constantly say anytime resources are limited it's always going to be conflict it's always going to be mayhem and things of that nature and a lot of times when you have people outed out that workforce like I said expect the unexpected and so pretty much I'm challenging you guys if you can go in your personal districts and also a lot behind this more actively more aggressively and also I want to know basically is the fidelity bond and the potential with the situation that I'm bringing up as far as unemployment because like I said a certain group are still being out outcast in the workforce center due to mistakes they made years ago or whatever and I understand that a lot of you guys have a link to the human resource department down here I also understand that because almost as of March is a little over 17,000 people in Columbia are unemployed but a lot of those people are in that margin I just kind of outline on you guys people that look like me people in my peer group predominantly a lot of males in the city these are issues that I've experienced firsthand but it's not as bad for me as it is for other people it's not about just me but it's about everybody if we're going to talk about bringing down crime in our city we're going to have to attack the root of the problem which is a lot of the resources are limited Thank you for coming back again and for your stick to itiveness as we discussed the last time the reason why we banned the box at the city of Columbia so that folks would have second chance opportunities working not just with us but hopefully opening doors up to other opportunity we agree 100% that you give folks the opportunity to earn a good living it affects everything else around you it affects crime obviously if someone is able to put a roof over their head and take care of their families get folks back on track so we couldn't agree more and we support that mission inside the city and obviously with the people we deal with on a regular basis so we support what you're trying to do and if you think of other ways as I offered before ways in which we can deal with opportunities of other public sector entities to also go in the same direction that we've gone as a city we'd love your support Well basically what I'm asking is I know some of you guys have your own districts that you're assigned to that you can push it more actively in your district as far as educating the people in your district on it why is it important and also how to fix the economics around that community Absolutely and we're going to be spending some time particularly specifically about construction jobs and ways in which we can kind of get more opportunities for everybody here in the community you want to say something to Davis and then we're going to have a motion to adjourn I understand what you're saying and I was going to tell you I feel you but I understand what you're saying and we do plan to have some conversations about this city that you're talking about and the growth where it's going and who participates I would suggest that you stay in touch with us all of us or choose your pick as we move forward and start to talk about plans for this city bottom line on all of that is decent livable wages that's what I hear you're talking about and jobs that meet your skills or opportunities that you might be able to step into that will help you you know gain more skills and training so the bottom line is when we talk I think you ought to find a way or we ought to find a way to have some communication with you and the peers that you're talking about Is there a motion to adjourn? Let's stay in touch in between meetings spend some time I didn't get your name, what's your name again sir? Jordan Cooper Jordan Myers All right Moved in probably a second and you have a discussion with the previous question, Kurt Colorado Mr. Rickerman Mr. McDowell Mr. DeWall Mr. Rine Mr. Davis Mr. Benjamin Have a good evening