 So I think we'll continue on with the the people's business today Madam clerk, do you mind reading the role, please? certainly good afternoon Mr. Taylor Miss Herbert Dr. Bussles here mr. Brennan present mr. McDowell mr. Duvall I am here can we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, please? and Mayor pro-tem would you mind giving us a little word of prayer here before we begin doing the people's business passing over hallelujah in The midst of this inclement day. We simply say thank you for life health The beauty of our city we ask Lord that you might bless us collectively and individually Allow us to sense and to feel your presence in our lives and in the fabric of this city We ask it we claim it in your name amen Move to adopt the agenda with Four changes mr. Duvall would you mind mr. Mayor will Ask to adopt the agenda with the following correct auditions or Changes defer item two, which is the public safety telecommunication week proclamation defer item three Which is a national community development week Columbia fair housing month and national financial literacy month proclamations a men item one Approval of minutes to include additional remarks regarding the priority zero-based budgeting discussions Referred to item 28 in the March 15 2022 meeting minutes a man item 31 To change event date from October 8th until up to October 1 And Mary come in if I might ask could you Rather than amending item one could we simply hold the minutes for this time, please start Hold the meeting minutes Wanted to defer that into the next meeting if you don't mind can we defer I don't want just hold it Yes, sir, just defer it to the next time. Thank you Approval of minutes will be held. Is there a second? Second any discussion concerns questions Not seeing any or hearing any madam Clark. Could you read the role, please mr. Taylor? Mr. Herbert dr. Bussells. Hi mr. Burnett. Yes, mr. McDowell. Yes, Mr. Duvall. I recommend I Thank You mayor and counsel that takes us to city council discussion and action item number four The home investment partnership American rescue plan home our ARP allocation plan Final draft Miss glorious IE community development director if you recall we We had public input on any agenda item. It's oh, thank you mayor. Absolutely We would love to ask if there are any Citizens present or anyone who may have Probably input on the agenda items as outlined Is there anybody here that wants to speak for against or make comment on any item that is on our agenda There will also be a place at the end of the agenda for any general public input comments Observations questions suggestions donations Miss Wiley Item 12 you're welcome to come forward and speak on that ma'am. I'm sorry I just don't get gender if you want to talk about item 12 go ahead. Why but before if you Yeah, it's only a concern agenda Come up here and say thank you for Considering our neighborhood. I want to say thank you to you And especially you mayor I Really want to thank you you mr. McDowell. I want to thank you And all the new ones Thank you for doing well You know, I'm not first. I have on the down really good All I want y'all to do is come to my neighborhood for y'all meeting one time Please they're open on on Beltland. They open this month. So give me a date So you can talk to the neighborhood, but I thank you very much So I'm ready to come back to Columbia. Come on You know, I'm gonna see you every day not just every other. I'm upset in Bisherville, too I got a meeting with them on the 19th. I have to take my own garbage out. I go seven miles to the grocery store You know, it's ridiculous. I feel like I'm in a twilight zone It wasn't like that when I was a child, but I want I want to thank you I'm very passionate about my neighborhood. Mr. McDowell know that I caused him every day. Yes, ma'am You should call him twice a day and I'm gonna call the City at large. I need to be on the committee to keep me out of trouble. I Really do You know, I really do. That's what keeps me going But I want to thank you. That's all I want to say. Thank you miss Wilde and I had to ask Had to ask them what number 12 was because I wasn't really sure I didn't know whether I had to argue I'll just be nice You know, but you know, but y'all don't know it hurts my heart when you know, you done been out of place So long I went by that a day to water just going up under the house going up on the house You know distance makes a heart-growth finder. They say yeah, but I want to thank you and anything you want me to do Let me know. Yes. All I had to say thank you miss Wally. I Don't I cannot do Rebuilding house it's got to be rebuilt not remodeled because if you go out there right now The water going in my porch going into the front yard, you know the front door. That's how bad it is. Yes, ma'am Do we have anybody else who wanted to? Speak on an agenda item Thank you, sir. We have three brief voice messages related to the gun ripple order. Yes, ma'am to the repeal of gun ordinance in Columbia, and I stand with holding off on Removing them until you have something Redressing the law that can be stand in legal challenges Please help in that's not to me So that gun violence Eliminate you here and bring you Your support in your face Thank you And have a good day This is for me so Motree Here in Columbia in the green view community I'm calling in reference to ordinance number two oh one nine dash four four six in reference to repealing the gun ordinance I Am in favor of the ordinance remaining in place on the books Until City Council can come up with a better a stronger solution that is workable in Favor of our school children and in favor of the citizens of our community So please allow the ordinance two oh one nine dash oh four six to remain in place as you all are working on a Better ordinance for the protection of our school children. Thank you very much for your consideration Yes, greetings, my name is Jimmy Wright Calling from here in Columbia South Carolina and this is in reference to may I recommend as well as miss Tina Herbert I'm calling to let you know that I support ordinance two zero one nine dash zero four six This ordinance protects the health and safety of our community most especially the green view community With the health and safety of our school children. I request that ordinance number two zero one nine dash Zero four six not be repealed But to remain on the books until replaced by a favorable workable solution to the gun problem Thank you very much This concludes the voicemail. Thank you Move forward There's anybody else. I don't see anybody or here anymore. You have no more messages. So with that We can move on to the presentation Yes, our next item is item for home investment partnership American rescue plan allocation plan final draft Good afternoon Good afternoon mayor Rickamon members of council Today what I'm bringing before you is the final draft allocation plan for the city's home ARP Funds that we received as you all know on March 8th 2022 during the work session we presented to you the amount of funds that have been awarded to the city and Received feedback from council in terms of where you all would like to see these Dollars programmed and so I do have a short PowerPoint presentation for you And you sort of have also received a draft Allocation plan that we will submit to HUD upon your approval today So just to give a little background information, of course, there's a specific process That the city is required to follow in regards to preparing the home ARP allocation plan and To date we have completed the following items We've consulted with agencies and service providers whose clientele include home ARP qualifying populations We've helped stakeholders meetings. We've held a home ARP virtual public hearing on March 23rd And then we also put out for public comment period for 15 days The required notice which began on March 13th and ended on March 28th So here are our next steps our next steps are to finalize the draft home ARP allocation plan and to receive counsel approval Today and then submit to HUD for review and approval no later than April 5th 2022 So just as a reminder here are a few things that we Have a budget it based on input from you Of course, we're directing funds towards supportive services in the amount of $625,041 We're directing funds to NCS or non congregate shelters in the amount of one million five hundred six hundred and fifty six dollars We've also allocated five percent toward nonprofit capacity building and 10% toward administration and Planning and so based on those percentages it totals the home ARP Allocation to the city of two million five hundred thousand eight hundred twenty dollars Looks like we're missing a couple of frames there I'll just talk through those Some additional information that I did want to share With you is about the the non congregate shelters what those eligible activities include includes Acquisition of structures it can include new construction with or without land acquisition also rehabilitation of existing structures such as motels and nursing homes and of course we don't know what that is going to be today. We're simply Programming those dollars to ward NCS Activity and so those things will be determined at a later date once the allocation plan is approved In addition to that the funding of six hundred twenty five thousand forty one dollars is being allocated towards supportive services Now that can include a number of eligible activities some of which I would read to you today Of course, we would look for feedback from council and city leadership in terms of what specifically Council wants to focus focus those dollars on So some of those supportive activities Can include child care education services employment assistance and job training food housing search and counseling services legal services life skills training mental health services outpatient health care services outreach services substance abuse treatment services transportation case management mediation credit repair landlord tenant liaison services for special populations and financial assistance cost So again Not asking today where you want to direct those items, but you certainly can you know think about those? So once this action plan allocation plan is approved We'll know what direction you all are asking us to move into in order to to come up with a Program and guidelines in terms of what services the city would like to cover So at this particular point, I'm going to ask if you all have any questions Before your approval for us to submit this to HUD for approval Questions, yes So you're the non congregate congregate shelter. It's hard to say in this particular instance is Defined as one or more buildings That can provide private units or rooms for temporary shelter It can serve individuals and families that meet one or more of the qualifying populations And it does not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement Sir any other questions I've got a couple okay, I just have a couple of comments So first and foremost, I appreciate you providing us an update and it's great to hear that our community members and Providers are on the same page and recognize that both non congregate housing and those supportive services Particularly around mental health and substance use are important And I just wanted to add that for those that may not be familiar non congregate housing is an evidence-based practice It's something that's become vitally important in a time that the pandemic has shown that our folks experiencing homelessness Particularly families that are living in congregate settings meaning they're sharing a room with other people puts them at high risk And so for the city to potentially be able to invest in Non congregate housing is huge in terms of being able to address some of the challenges that we're seeing One question that I had was could you just describe a little bit of some of the capacity building activities that you all will be doing To ensure that these dollars are spent well and that we see outcomes Particularly given the timeliness and the urgency of addressing homelessness in the in the city sure So like with most of our grants we provide technical assistance So in this particular instance where it relates to supportive services Depending on who our sub recipient is that's most qualified Or has the expertise who has have run these type programs before We would be available to provide them with any technical assistance as it relates specifically to the federal guidelines Make sure that they understand what those reporting requirements are We really work hand-in-hand with them to make sure that They're also meeting the The timelines that's established in the policies and procedures and in the programs So we do work very closely with them, and that's what we call our technical assistance or our capacity building Yeah, ma'am Can you hear me now? Yes, okay So just from my clarification the nonprofit capacity building that portion still is funds That's funds that the city will spend Yes allocated to another agency That is correct. So And it's specifically broken down in the budget that that's the amount that we would Could spend to provide that particular service Okay, and then with respect to Developers who do this type of work and have done it possibly successfully. Do you think we have? Enough that would be Interested in doing the work because I was wondering if TN would be interested in Taking on this project or do we have enough contractors who are out there that apply for it? That's a very good question. As you know TN development corporation. They are familiar with this type of Facility as it relates to SRO, which really is a motel that was converted into a Permit is permanent housing So for this particular instance, we don't know if they would be interested or not But I think what's important for us to do as we work toward putting together This type of project that we do we do outreach and that we hold information sessions and get information from various developers or Organizations even nonprofits who are familiar with this type work to see if it's something that they would be interested in So that when we put out the NOFA that will get enough interested parties to be successful Missa, let me ask you a question of clarity Under the supportive services you gave us a list of all of the services that would be Related to that six hundred twenty five thousand dollars. Is that correct? Yes, sir now those new services are Existing services or a combination of both Would they be? So that's just a list of eligible services, okay So we would determine based on that amount of money where you want to focus those dollars Well, even if those areas are listed are there or is there an opportunity to create Perhaps some new vistas in areas Some new visitors. Yeah What'd you say? You said new visitors this is vistas What would be would there be an opportunity to create in addition to what you listed? Would there be would there be an opportunity for us to create new opportunities? So in other words one that's not listed here. That's correct What I don't I don't know if this is an all-inclusive list, so there could okay, so it's okay I want I wanted to also share You know one of the things we have talked about is potentially using these Dollars to continue to expand some of our pathways work because mental illness and substance use is an eligible Service so that's an example of maybe something we could be applying this to That's No, I'm through I'm through Miss Said federal funding Brings with it federal oversight that we're using the dollars in an efficient way Do we have a third-party? Auditing consultants lined up for when we do make these decisions on how the expenses Will be spent And the proper reporting that comes with that We do not we're still very early on in the process But honestly, I would think for this program and the amount of money that there is our on-staff Compliance division would be able to provide the monitoring oversight and compliance And just as we talked about in our work session last week setting goals our mission For the funding to make sure we hit those metrics Are we gonna go through that exercise to make sure that we are spending the money and meeting the goals of What the money was to be used for Absolutely, we can make sure that those items are put in place and that they're reported on perfect. Thank you Miss Said a couple questions One is once once this has been approved and submitted to HUD how long is the return for them to give us an approval of that You would ask that question I believe it's 30 days that we have for them to Review and respond. I do know that they want to to approve it before our Regular annual action plan is submitted for approval The second part of that is is what's the flexibility or what would be the process? if we determine that we really needed to focus more money from Shelters and to supportive services or reverse or into something else What would be the process for that or is there the flexibility once we vote on this? To make those changes Yes, sir, excellent question. So that process would involve either Non-substantial amendment or substantial amendment So with these type programs if you are to make a change with how the funds have been Budgeted then if it's over a million dollars that will require a substantial amendment if it's under One million it will be a non substantial but to answer your question It is a possibility. We are able to change in the event that you see you want to put more money in one area than another And then I just my last question is is at some point I Remember our discussion there was more money in supportive services and less in administration and planning There seems to be a shift in in that is there a reason that we see something that that's unforeseen I just was curious because when I first reviewed this The supportive services was roughly about 750 So it looks like to me there was a shift From from supportive services to administrative and planning So I just I didn't know if there was something that I wasn't aware of I just have noticed there's a different from the two documents that I have in front of me I can actually answer that for you. What was in the prior document for supportive services was actually a half a million dollars That's what was Provided to us on the March 8th meeting and what we did is we made an adjustment where you have Administrative administration and planning that was at 15% and so we did make a small adjustment there Of 5% and we placed those dollars into supportive services So that's actually been an increase from a half a million to 625,000 with that adjustment Okay, so there must be three sets because mine says 750 and 125 So that's what I've been working off. So I was a little confused of Where things are and why there was an adjustment. That's Probably a older one That's probably a older one So maybe the update did not get placed into minute track for you Which then goes back to my question earlier once we approve if we do feel like we can shift Funding around depending on what our needs and that's including shifting money from Planning and administrative costs into services where we believe really makes a difference We would have that ability to do that as long as we provide HUD the documentation Yes, sir, you can do that through amendment action plan amendments. Thank you very much. Thank you There any more questions Yeah, I think miss Said would request an action from the council for approval for her submission Is there Is there a second Any more discussion questions Hearing non-seeing none madam clerk. Will you read the role, please? Mr. Taylor. Ah, Miss Herbert Dr. Bussles Mr.. Brennan. Yes, mr. McDowell Mr.. Dewan, I may recommend I thank you. Thank you. Thank you Mr.. Mayor Make a point of personal privilege for just a second. You have to do it earlier. Mr. Taylor Brother for foster will you stand up rather first part of is my in my number of the mayor's intern group He's sitting in with us today He's an outstanding student at the University of South Carolina his parents are Peter and Dean's faucet who are very active in our community Thanks for being here with us today, but welcome rut short rut for sure madam city manager Welcome rut was it mr. Mayor. Yep Hey, when you're one of six they shorten the names You're one of two you get a nickname All right, we have our consent agenda items five through 21 mr. Mayor and counsel for your consideration There any questions or concerns? On the consent agenda any council members. I have a motion. Is there a second second? Madam clerk, can you read the role my miss Wiley? I just want you for the note for the record number 12 is getting voted on right now, mr. Taylor Mr. Herbert Hi, dr. Bussells. Hi, mr. Brennan. Yes, mr. McDowell. Mr. Duvall. All right, mayor recommend Mr. Mayor and counsel I'd likewise wanted to Thank the staff for all the work on the Belvedere item and then there was a couple other items. I think worthy of Highlighting items on your agenda for your approval as you just did the rocky branch and maxi gregg part stormwater projects I think are so beneficial the way our staff is using new strategies to address the beautification of our streams and Restoration of our stormwater ditches So I'm really thankful that you all gave approval to those items also the eight mile branch project on Your agenda that you just approved have similar elements. Thank y'all so much for For giving us the opportunity to to get those things done and affect change with drainage in our communities Thank you so much. Thank you, mr. Mayor matter I would like to add to that. I think the stream issue is a really outstanding program And there are other areas in the city That we really ought to take a look at that because not only is it good for the environment it really improves the appearance of our city I had mentioned to Mr. Shealy over at the Water and Public Works that that area down But from Jackson Boulevard to to Divine Street or Garmastry Road will be an outstanding place for us to Continue that I think this one's Timely and very well done. Thank you Clint and I have to add to that that you know Hopefully the penny tax that's supposed to have money to do that work It's supposed to finish that work will complete what they committed to but we'll we'll we'll keep pressing them 22 which is our ordinance second reading ordinance number 2022 020 repealing ordinance number 2019 046 that a minute the 1998 code of ordinances of the city of Columbia, South Carolina chapter 8 environmental health Insanitation article 2 approval of ordinance 2022 0-20 There's a second any discussion Just briefly. I wanted to make sure I acknowledged the callers. I think what I heard was definitely at least Not sure about the first caller But again, I would just reiterate what I said at the last meeting and due to the increased number of Gun violence even just since the first vote that we've had and I try and tell people I don't need to quote statistics because I hear the gunshots So those kind of numbers don't really impress me, but I do believe it's incumbent for a council to immediately look at Revisiting these statutes or these ordinances and or again investing in the community in preventative measures So that we don't even Have to deal with all the gun activity we invest in our kids I think that we'll see a automatic decrease in those numbers Any other discussion? Hearing non-seeing I'm madam Clark. Please read the roll Mr. Taylor I miss Herbert. No, Dr. Vossels. Hi, Mr. Brennan. No, Mr. McDowell Mr. Duvall, I May recommend I Moving into a period of zoning and planning matters for second reading Unbelievable as Hampton is here. If you have any questions, I know there's some follow-up on a few items item 23 is an Anxation the comprehensive plan map amendment and zoning map amendment for 1458 Carolina road Also known as 1458 Trinity tree road Is there anybody here who's in support or against The second reading any questions or discussion from council Mr. Mayor, I think Outcome from the last meeting was more neighborhood conversations just to confirm that that did happen Krista Yes, sir. It did they met on the 24th and reported a favorable outcome. Wonderful. Thank you Move for approval. Can I have a second second? Madam clerk. Did you read the roll, please? Yes, sir, mr. Taylor Herbert hi dr. Bussells Mr. Brennan, yes, mr. McDowell mr. Duvall. All right, Mayor Rickameth. I 24 zoning text amendment to amend chapter 17 appendix D or historic sub district boundaries and Earlwood protection area area a To add 1010 Edgeville Street Miss Hampton, can you give us an update? I think we were looking for There were some transitions owners new owners people hadn't bought could you yes, sir? They had actually closed on the property at the time and in your information was a letter from the property owners Acknowledging the historic district and they are actually under construction Is it any discussion from council? Anybody here just thank you very much doing that letter Have a motion second There are no discussion madam court mr. Taylor Miss Herbert hi dr. Bussells. Hi mr. Brennan. Yes, mr. McDowell Mr. Duvall. Hi mayor Rickameth. Hi. Thank you Ordinance is first reading item 25 is ordinance number 2022 021 approval for a conveyance of falling spring court Identified as Richland County TMS number is outlined to deliverance and revival Center Church Is there anybody here? This is our first reading of an ordinance is there anybody here to support or is against any discussion by council mr. Mayor I'd move for approval. I have a motion for approval. Can I get a second? Second madam Clark could read the roll. Yes, sir. Mr. Taylor. Ah, Miss Herbert. Hi dr. Bussell. Hi mr. Brennan Yes, mr. McDowell Mr. Duvall. Hi mayor Rickameth. Hi. Thank you Zoning and planning matters first reading item 26 an annexation interim comprehensive plan map amendment and interim zoning map amendment for 1.229 acre portion of 181 Newland Road Is there anybody here in support or against this annexation? Is there any discussion from council? No questions comments or concerns may I have a motion motion to approve sir second second madam Clark Could you read the roll, please? Mr. Taylor. Hi miss Herbert. Hi dr. Bussell. Hi mr. Brennan Mr. McDowell mr. Duvall. Hi mayor Rickameth. Hi You item Bear with me or not in the right order 27 annexation interim comprehensive plan map amendment and interim zoning map amendment for 28.24 acres Riding Grove Road and 0.07 acres riding Grove Road Is there anybody here to in spake speak in favor or against this in annexation? Any questions or discussions or concerns from council Mr. Mayor, I make the motion to approve. I have a motion on the floor. Is there a second? We have a second madam clerk. Could you read the roll? Mr. Taylor. Hi miss Herbert. Hi dr. Bussell. Hi mr. Brennan. Yes mr. McDowell Mr. Duvall. Hi. Mayor Rickameth. Hi A resolution item 28 resolution number R 2022 026 approval for release and abandonment of city of colombia sewer easements for cip project number ss 7261 in lake catherine the sewer line capacity enhancement project. Is there a motion? Make the motion to approve. I have a motion and a second any discussion concerns questions mr. Duvall. I'm assuming we're on item 28 with the easements that we are. Does that mean that we have finished the lake cathering thing as can we get a report on that by by releasing these easements that I assume that it means that we've finished the big project around lake cathering. It's definitely moving forward. I'll let Clint respond further if necessary. I don't want to commit to totally finish mr. Duvall. But yes sir we have finished and if if we had not completed that work on a day like today we wouldn't be containing sanitary sewer in the pipe so very very positive accomplishment. Is it finished all the way across divine street into downtown gills creek. The laying of the pipe is finished. There's a little bit of miscellaneous restoration work that's still occurring but punch list type items but we're essentially done. Good. Thank you. Any other questions for mr. Shealy wise here? Seeing none hearing none. We have a motion and a second madam clerk would you read the Mr. Taylor. Mr. Herbert. Dr. Bussell. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Mr. Duvall. May I recommend. Thank you. Event resolutions item 29 resolution number R202025 authorizing consumption of beer and wine only with invoite plaza adjacent to the Columbia Museum of Art for the Art Blossom fundraiser on Wednesday May 4th 2022 Friday May 6th Saturday May 7th and Sunday Is there a second? Second. Any discussion questions concerns not hearing unseeing none madam clerk please read the roll. Mr. Taylor. Ms. Herbert. Dr. Bussell. Mr. Brennan. Mr. McDowell. Mr. Duvall. Mayor Rickerman. Item 30 is resolution number R202027 authorizing consumption of beer and wine only in Founders Park for 31 William Street at pregame block parties on Saturday April 9th and 16th of 2020. Move for approval. Is there a second? Second. Any questions concerns discussion seeing none hearing none madam clerk please read the roll. Mr. Taylor. Ms. Herbert. Hi. Dr. Bussell. Hi. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Mr. Duvall. Hi. Mayor Rickerman. Hi. Thank you. Item 31 is resolution number R202029 authorizing consumption of beer and wine only within the 1400 block of Main Street the eastern half block of the 1100 block of Hampton Street adjacent to Boy Plaza and Boy Plaza at adjacent to Boy Plaza at the Jam Room Music Festival and I think the amended change in the date is to October 1st 2022. Motion to approve. Second. Any discussions questions or concerns seeing none hearing none madam clerk please read the roll. Mr. Taylor. Hi. Ms. Herbert. Hi. Dr. Bussell. Hi. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Hi. Mayor Rickerman. Hi. Thank you. Appointments. Mayor Rickerman and council is being asked to approve the appointment of Mr. Billy Canty to the tax modernization committee as requested by the honorable Daniel J. Rickerman mayor. So moved. Second. Second. Any questions concerns not hearing none seeing none madam clerk please read the roll. I just had one question. Yes. I just wanted to confirm because this is a mayor appoint. It is. That's what I want to come from. It was limited to seven. Seven. Seven. Seven. So he's number seven. No more vacancies on this committee. Ready for the roll. Mr. Taylor. Hi. Ms. Herbert. Hi. Dr. Bussell. Hi. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Mr. Duvall. Hi. Mayor Rickerman. Hi. Thank you. Other matters items 33 council is asked to approve the installation of a four way stop control at the intersection of Red Bay Road and Cooper's nursery road as requested by the Wood Creek Farms Homeowners Association. Second. Madam clerk. Yes sir. Mr. Taylor. Hi. Ms. Herbert. Hi. Dr. Bussell. Hi. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Hi. Mayor Rickerman. Hi. Thank you. Mayor and council I do not have a formal city managers report today but I did want to bring to your attention some great news regarding our police department. They have maintained their national accreditation by Calia. This past week Chief Holbrook and his team traveled to endure a pretty thorough hearing I'm told and came out on top. The Columbia police department was awarded national accreditation or re-accreditation by on April 2nd 2022 by the commission on accreditation for law enforcement agencies in Calia in the law enforcement accreditation program and of course CPD was first accredited in 2017 since Chief Holbrook came to join us and the department certainly demonstrates compliance across a number of areas that is what accreditation ensures. There's approximately 460 national standards that they must adhere to and the benefits to our community of accreditation include greater accountability within the agency. It increases community advocacy, improved employee morale, staunch support from government officials like yourselves, controlled liability insurance costs, and stronger defense against lawsuits and citizen complaints. And so I'm very very thankful that they went through the process again and that they were re-accredited and I just wanted to bring that to your attention and to the attention of our community. Chief, you want to say a few words? He's got his dress whites on today. Good afternoon, Mayor, Councilman Ms. Wolf, thank you for bringing that to our council's attention. We are very very proud to maintain this status, this recognition. It is not easily done. We have a staff that's committed to this every year now. We're going through reviews so when we hit that fourth year it's a little bit of an easier lift but it causes us to have to go through these reviews every single year and again you know over 400 standards it raises the bar for us. It does hold us accountable and I was sharing with the commission this last weekend there's no question in my mind as we as we move through some of the most challenging times in the history of our city and our department and law enforcement in general. I think how we have embraced the six pillars of 21st century policing and renewed our commitment to these national standards I think helped us show our commitment to our community, our accountability piece to the community and that we do hold ourselves accountable and we maintain that professional excellence that they expect from us. Thank you Chief, congratulations. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, that brings you and the council to a period of many referrals reports and new business. If y'all are on mind I'll go ahead and start I just wanted to hit a couple things on the new business side. First of all we're excited the work is beginning on our task force to prevent and homelessness chaired by Dr. Bussells as well as the expansion and continuing of our tax modernization committee chaired by Councilman Taylor. Both of these committees need help with research and assistance by individuals who are engaged in their expertise and respective areas. So the following professional service agreements have been requested on our well below the dollar amount for the city's authorization but feeling this very important for us as a council to to give the manager a vote to move forward with that but also for the public to understand what we're doing and the first one is for the task force for to prevent and homelessness is to approve a $10,000 engagement to produce a relevant homeless social service data recommendations and collaboration model to support efficiencies to reduce the homeless population in columbia and richland county. This will be done by tracy dobbins of inspire real change. The second is for the for the tax modernization committee. Dr. Stephen Walters our economist is requesting $2,705 for his economic advising service present options recommended plan that lowers the 6% assessed property tax without increasing other taxes and fees and details for the community stands relative to midlands county state in the southeast. Second parts of that is Dr. Rebecca Gooden-Logson who has a $6,000 economic advising to work along with Dr. Walters here at the local level to do that. And the last part is Charles Terini of Terini law firm for the legal advising services retained agreement through the city attorney's office in the amount of $4,500. So roughly we're about we originally thought this would be somewhere around $20,000 and we're a little under $13,000 for those combined contracts. There any questions concerns? I couldn't help but pick up on the attorney. Is that just the retainer or is that the full? It's a retainer agreement through that so that covers their costs projected for this project. Any other questions? Concerns? I would ask that we take a vote in support of this to allow the city manager to move forward on those. That's my motion is to approve these four contracts. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion or concerns? Hearing none. Seeing none. Madam Clark, would you read the roll? Mr. Taylor. Ms. Herbert. Hi. Dr. Bustles. Hi. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDonnell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Hi. Mayor Rickamon. Hi. Yes, sir. The dollar amounts that are out there we've had a discussion a very vivid discussion about spending money and of course where it's going and how it's going and of course I think in so raising the issue with our homeless situation and with our tax modernization task force that is really giving us a real opportunity to make sure that our dollars are spent in a very wise and concretized way. So thank you guys for doing that. We got a six months deal with our homeless and of course our taxes with taxes and death will always be with us and we would hope that our tax task force will help us. We've got some good players on that task force. Some good players to eliminate and downsize our taxes. Thank you, sir. Thank you, ma'am. With that we'll move to any committee referrals or reports. I have a committee meeting for the administrative policy committee designated for April 19th. 19th. To look at two particular issues one being brought to the forefront from last year and of course the equity report and a review of that report. Did you have something? And I'm sorry which committee? Administrative policy. Because we made a referral last to that same committee. Administrative policy. Yes, sir. What was that, Erica? To review requests that are requests for research or requests to pull together information from city council members to staff just looking at whether or not a policy is needed around that matter. Do you remember that? So you have three things that's all. And I believe you may have a total of four. I think you may have to schedule a subsequent meeting because with it being an hour he may not have enough time to address all of it but we'll make sure that all of the items are scheduled. Mr. McDowell said that he has signed up for public service and he'll be there as long as it takes to get things done. So don't you worry about that, madam clerk. Thank you. And my mayor also signed up for public service so thank you so much. And he's there every day. Thank you. It is, he and I thank you very much, Mr. Herbert. We identified two, but there are three. There's actually four. Are there any more issues? Let's all get them out right now while we're here. I'll put them to the top of your emails. Thank you very much. Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Taylor, did you want to give us a report on the COD? No, it was in your package. I would add since the Tax Modernization Committee is scheduled for Thursday the 14th and the Economic and Community Development Meeting is also scheduled for the afternoon. Yes, sir. Any other reports or referrals? Hearing none, seeing none. We're at that stage where there's public input. Do we have anybody that signed up? Yes, sir. We have three individuals signed up. The first one being Ramey Allawar. Excuse me if I butchered your name. Good evening. Good evening. I am here to talk about the fence and the water fountain at Finlay Park. So basically as a student at USC and as a resident of Columbia, Finlay Park has been a place where myself and many other USC students would have went to play frisbee, do various activities, go out there and hang out, take girls on dates, do many different things. The canopy has been fenced off for about a year now. That's a place that many of us would go whenever it was hot at the summertime. And you don't want to get cooked out there for half an hour, so you need to go somewhere for shade. And the water fountains don't work, so we can't even refill a water bottle when you get thirsty. So it doesn't make sense that you can't use a park during the spring or summertime. So basically what I'm proposing is that we get rid of the fence and get some running water and the water fountains because I mean even prisons have water, so. Yeah, I've talked to many people at USC, many students such as myself, people in the neighborhood, and they also share this concern. The thing is many of them couldn't be here today because these meetings are held at 4 p.m. on a work day. So I mean that's another concern on its own, I guess we could address. But yeah, the main concern is we want access to the entire park that we pay for with our tax dollars. We want access to drinking water at a public park. We want access to shade as basically all. I think I did some research actually. Some of the reasons I heard about the water fountain at least was that it was COVID related. I don't know if I'm wrong or not, but we've changed some COVID related policies. Obviously in the city, you know, none of us here are wearing masks for the most part. So I'd say that we should stay consistent with the COVID policy and allow ourselves to have the water fountains and also the canopy. Sir, thank you. As you know, we're in the middle of redesigning Park for a total overhaul. And but we will look into I don't know about the water fountain. I can't answer that question, but we'll make sure that staff address it. I know that the reason why the stage, which is what you're referring to is fenced off. Part of that is is because part of it's dilapidated and others that there were a lot of illegal activities occurring down there on a constant basis under that. So what we can do is look at what alternatives we can provide for those who'd like to use the park and try to see if we can come up with a nice balance for you. May I say one? You sure? Yes, so I heard about the renovations. That was about a year ago. So we were there, you know, waiting about three months and we were like, we don't know how long these things take. All right, it's been three months. We'll wait some more. We waited six months. I mean, they were thinking, all right, they better do something soon, because I feel like it doesn't take six months to start renovating. It takes almost a year to design. The thing is, could we have access to the park until that starts, right? I mean, it's been a year. I mean, I don't know why it was fenced off for a whole year, right? And until renovations actually start, I think we should have access to the whole park that we pay for. And on top of that, as far as illegal activities, well, I mean, illegal activities happen all over the street corners and everywhere, but you don't fence those off. So I mean, I'm just what I'm saying is that we deserve full access to the park that we pay for regardless, because illegal activities happen all over Colombia, and we're not fencing off like any any bus stops or anything like that. So well, that was only one part of what I said. So I said there's also damage in there and it's not a public it's not inhabitable at this point. So we'll have to look at see what we can do to provide better access and shade for that. We will look into the water, sir. And just for the record, could you state your address as well? Yeah, I wrote it down in the piece of paper. Okay, thanks. We just usually we put it online so that we all have it on the verbal record. But we will look into those issues for you, sir. The address listed is 3027 Lindsey Street. Next we have Ms. Jacqueline Sldowicz. How are you? I'm good. I'm Mayor and Council. I'm also rising to speak about Finlay Park. I have lived in Lexington for my whole life, during which time me and my family have been to probably every park in the city. We always would go and have picnics, have family days, do activities with the extended family. It's we have such beautiful land around here. We've at all stopped with COVID. We took shelter, we all played our part and now that we're getting back to normal, we decided to go back to Finlay Park and try to have a picnic there. We were dismayed that we couldn't sit under the, what is it you call it, the stage or the... This is stage. Yes. So we, we, we ended up, it was okay. We brought a blanket. We sat on the grass. It was nice. We also have many friends with children. They were running around. And when they went to get water, like he mentioned that the water fountains, they don't work. I was just dismayed to see our public parks in such poor repair. My hope is that if, if the reason that this area is fenced off and the water fountains don't currently work is because of renovations that are being done, my hope is that they do begin soon. So we can start to enjoy the public park that we all pay for. Well, we'll look into the, like I said, we'll look into the water fountain. Did I know that they're off? We are in schematic design right now. We hope to have that finished by the end of the year so that we can start a really good picture of what it's going to look like in the amenities online. It's worth taking a look at because I think you'll be really happy with the end result when we get there. But we see what we can do to make it a little more enjoyable in between. Thank you for taking the time to be here. Absolutely. Thank you so much. Yes, ma'am. Finally, Mayor, we have Mr. John Black. Mr. Black speaks just very quickly. I'd like to take a point and just acknowledge two young people that came at 4 p.m. to testify. I know that it's hard and I know it's a working day. And for the record, we, we definitely moved it from two to four and maybe next year we can move it a little bit later. I hear you and I appreciate you being a part of the process as young people whose lives are affected by the decisions that we make. So thank you for being here. It's your time. Hello. So I want to point out that, again, that the Columbia Council of Neighbourhoods is having our annual awards banquet next Wednesday. I wanted to announce one thing too is two city employees are being inducted into our Hall of Fame, including one here today, Ms. Veronica Walker, from Public Relations, in addition to Ms. Charmaine Clark with Community Development, who is not here today. So we, I wanted to just kind of name out the neighborhood volunteer of the year nominees. We have Regina Williams from Booker Washington Heights, Michelle Huggins from South Kilbourne, Kelly Hines Morris of Shandon, Jerry Parker of Galaxy, Ian Hamilton of Historic Melrose, Trey Turner of Galaxy, Norman and Donna Goldberg of Belvedere, and Willie Fuller of Northwood Hills. Those are our our neighborhood volunteers of the year nominees. And for the neighborhood of the year, we have the Shandon Neighborhood Council, the South Kilbourne Neighborhood Association, and the South Meadowfield Neighborhood Association. I want to say that ticket sales are ongoing now. Tables of six are 225 individual ticket are $40. Thank you to Councilwoman Herbert for her contribution to make sure that this is a successful event to celebrate our citizens of Columbia. And that's all. Thank you. We're good. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion. We go into executive session for discussion of negotiations as opposed to contractual arrangement pursuant to SC code 30-4 as 78 to executive management and leasing Convention Center and Evergreen. Motion. A motion and a second. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Taylor. No. Keep going, Erica. Keep going. Ms. Herbert. Yes. Dr. Brussels. Hi. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Mr. Duvall. All right. May I recommend? Thank you.