 Mr. Vernon, Mr. Rickerman, here, Mr. McGowell, yes, Mr. Gowell, Mr. Vines, Mr. Davis, Mayor Benjamin, from the parking lot of my daughter's dentist, I'm here. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Reverend McGowell, would you bless us with a word, brother? Yes, let us pray. For this day and for all you've done for us, for the possibilities you allowed us to endeavor, we ask that you bless us individually and collectively. Bless this city of ours as we get through and kind of flesh through this thing we call the coronavirus. Bless us and keep us. Bless all who are in the sound of our voice. We ask it in your name, amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Any changes to the agenda? I think we're going to move item two to the bottom of the agenda. Take that up a little later on, but no any other formal amendments, Mr. Gowell? Yes, sir. Other than moving item two to the bottom of the agenda, we'd like to add, before item two's new position, an executive session under 30-4-78-2 for attorney client privileges prior to discussion of the ordinance number 2020-21-008. In item 13, we would like to amend the name. Mr. Pro Tem, take up a second. I'm going to talk to Congressman Clyburn, please, one second. Yes, go ahead. Go ahead, Mr. Gowell. We'd like to amend item 13 to delete the name that is in there and add TC partnership LLC, and in item 16, we would like to add as an additional discussion item, racial equity index. All right. And I so move. All right, is there a second? Second. All right, they're moving second. Madam Clerk, would you call Roe, please? Yes, sir. Mr. Berman. Yes. Mr. Rickerman. Hi. Mr. McGowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Hi. Mr. Vye. Hi. Mr. Davis. Hi. Mr. Benjamin. All right. That gets us, we moved, now we moved that, is that right, how we moved that? We moved item two to the bottom of the agenda, and so we're on item three. Item number three, yes. I'm sorry. Go ahead, ma'am. Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, if we could approve the minutes of January 19, 2021. All right, that's before you. Are there, are there, I move Roeville at the minutes of January 19. All right, is there a second? Second. All right, we're moving second. Are there questions? If you would approve that, Madam Clerk, would you call Roe? Mr. Vernon. Yes. Mr. Rickerman. Hi. Mr. McGowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Hi. Mr. Vye. Hi. Mr. Davis. Hi. Mayor Benjamin. All right. We have COVID-19, Harry. Are you on, you here with us? Can you hear me? Harry. Can you hear me? Harry, give me one second. If possible, Reverend McDowell, I was trying to double-check to see if we had a doctoral student on the line who's doing. Oh, okay. I just wanted to take a minute of personal privilege if that's okay. Mayor Pro Tem. Yes, yes, ma'am. Personal privilege is allowed. Yes, ma'am. Thank you so much. And I'm not sure she was able to join us today. Ms. Sharonda Jamerson, she's a doctoral student in nursing at the University of South Carolina. And one of her requirements is to shadow and get about 40 hours, actually, with a policymaker or a staff person who works with policymakers like you all. And it's a health policy course, health politics and policy, a political internship. So we're really excited to have Sharonda. Pam and I are going to work with her a little bit over this next few weeks and help her to get her hours in. But she's very, very bright and sharp. And I know she wouldn't want to meet you all if she was not in her class. So I don't see her. So I'm thinking she wasn't able to pull away from the class that she helps to teach. Is that right, Pam? Yes, ma'am. That's right. She wasn't able to attend with us, but we're excited about her coming. Okay. So hopefully we will get her on at another time. So thank you, Mayor Pro Tem, Matt Dowell. And with that, we can move forward with discussion of our COVID-19. Oh, there she is, Sharonda. Can you hear us? Hi. I think they can hear you. And I just gave an introduction of what you're doing. Did you want to say anything regarding your class and what you're hoping to achieve with us for a few weeks? Well, a few weeks. And I was just wanting to learn all first, I want to thank you all for keeping your city safe. Y'all are doing a fabulous job. And I'm going to be following you all just so I can see the things that y'all are doing and learn a little bit more about the process of your policies and how y'all just try to analyze some of the things y'all are doing and the decision making and all of that. I just want to be a part of all of it. Well, we're excited to have you. And it is a unique time with COVID and our COVID update that we're about to do for a doctoral nursing student. We can learn from you too and get some perspective from you. So thanks for joining us, Sharonda. Ms. Jamison, thank you so much for being with us today. I think you said it was a unique opportunity for yourself and of course being around some of us will probably be a unique opportunity for you also. So thank you for joining us in this uniqueness. What do you mean by unique? Thank you. He's speaking for himself. And Ms. Jamison, the young man just spoke, that's unique there. That's his middle name, unique. Thank you, President. Thank you so much. Yes, ma'am. Hello, it's going to be Dr. Jamison. Hello, how are you? Welcome, welcome, welcome. Thank you. We will make sure we get Sharonda busy. We have lots to do that she can help us with over the next few weeks. So thank you, Sharonda. And with that, Mayor Benjamin, we are ready to move into the COVID-19 situational report. Did you have any comments, Mayor Benjamin? No, no. I'm looking forward to taking up the emergency ordinance later and any prospective potential amendments to that. Let's go to Director Tinsen's report. Thank you. Okay. Harry? Hi, can you hear me? Yes. Yes. Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, Members of Council, Madam City Manager. Again, thank you for your time. Just a real quick situational report. A lot of this information, being in your inbox and your audience, probably privy to a lot of it as everybody's following you closely. Worldwide now, we're over 103 million global cases of COVID-19 with over 2.4 million deaths globally. That's according to the John Hopkins University data. According to the CDC, as of February 1, US has now over 26 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with over 439,000 deaths. Here in our state in South Carolina, the latest report out case counts for confirmed cases is just under 400,000. A new number should post here this afternoon in with 398,892 is the last reporting. There have been just under 5 million tests to date conducted. The new cases as of the last reporting were 2,130. That's a 21.6 percent positivity rate. Unfortunately, there were 210 new confirmed deaths at the last reporting. This brings the state total to 6,564. Those date ranges of the 210 were back from October 18, 2020 to January 30, 2021. As far as in Richland County, we stand at our case count now at 32539 with 145 new cases in the last reporting. Over the last 14-day reporting period, Richland County had 3,665 new cases. That was a daily average of around 261 cases each day. Unfortunately, we have 399 confirmed deaths in our county. As far as the last 14-day report period, there were seven zip codes in the county that had over 200 case counts for that reporting period. 2,9229 continues to be the highest with over 413 cases for that report out. Also, as of the January 27th report period, the state's county recent disease activity shows all counties continue to be in a high category. Richland County's rate is 875.5 per 100,000. That gives us a positivity test rate of 23.9 percent. Also, as of January 30th reporting sample, the state recovery rate is estimated at 88.4 percent. That's down slightly. The state case fatality rate is estimated at 1.56 percent. That's down slightly. Then the state has been averaging daily case counts. Our case counts peaked in mid-June, where now on the decline, we're averaging over 3,000 new cases each day in our state. This decline is anticipated to continue to decrease over the next few weeks. You can tell as the last report out, there were 2,130 cases. Statewide hospitalizations remain. They fluctuate high. There's sufficient bed space. The utilization rate is at 78 percent. Right now, the ICU bed utilization rate is at 75 percent. There are over 388,000 total doses administered for that reporting period. That concludes my response to your questions. Thank you. Any questions? Harry, Harry, you had me at 103 million cases worldwide. It's just humbling and makes me thankful. Again, the actions of this council and the leadership of Theresa, you and the whole team, it also highlights the fact we got a long way to go, a long way to go. We encourage everyone. Obviously, you guys may get tired of hearing it, but as soon as the vaccine is available to you, please take it. Keep doing the very basics wash your hands, social distance, wear your mask. Let's figure out how we're going to do our part to get through these incredibly dangerous times. Thank you, Director Tinsley. Any questions for Harry? Harry, let me ask one more question. I think you said that there were seven zip coded areas where there was cases, and I think you said 29229. Is that correct? Yes, sir. 29229 was over 400 to that reporting period. Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. Thank y'all. Thank you. Thank you, Harry. Theresa? If we will move on to the consideration items four through 12. Fair motion. In discussion, I think everyone's excited. We've got some new playground equipment going to TS Martin Park and a whole bunch of other really cool things on this agenda. Encourage people to take a look at that. We'll move the previous question for Colorado. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McGowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Hi. Mr. Vines? Mr. Davis? Hi. Hi. Thank you. Item 13 is an ordinance for first reading, ordinance number 2021-002, authorizing the city manager to execute a lease agreement between the city of Columbia and PC partnership, LLC, as amended, for a portion of the northern right of way area of Washington Street at Sumter Street for installation and maintenance of a grease trap. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Move the previous question for Colorado. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. Rickerman? Aye. Mr. McGowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Mr. Vines? Aye. Mr. Davis? Aye. Mayor Benson? Aye. I know that the Environment and Infrastructure Committee met this morning. There may be some other committee referrals and or reports, sir. All right. Any reports or referrals, guys? All right. If y'all will bear with me, I actually have three different reports. I didn't realize we've been so busy recently. But just quickly, one, I wanted to say the Affordable Housing Task Force met and we will be bringing back some interim recommendations very soon. But it did want to report that we had, we used the matrix that a lot of communities are doing to identify the deficit of affordable housing in a community. And based on that data, Dr. Brian Grady from South Carolina State Housing helped us with that. The Richland County alone, which includes the City of Columbia, Richland County, City of Columbia has about 4,500 lack of affordable housing. And then the county added what the county Richland County told is about 16,000 units. That was actually pre-COVID. And so the committee will be making a recommendation to council very soon and asking that counties join with us and making a pledge to look at increasing a certain number of units annually. And so that's bringing forward. But I did want to make sure that everybody knew that because that that number has been reported by some of the media. So I wanted you guys to know where that 16,000 unit number came from that that is actually coming out of our committee based on some some metrics. Sam, did you have anything to add on that? Oh, no, I agree. And I think the one good thing about it is that it is a unified effort now. It's not just the city and it shouldn't be perceived as a city. One of the things I've been telling folks, which comes from the committee also, those numbers are real in terms of the need for housing in the city as well as the county. So we're on the right track. Y'all check that report with us. Can you share it with us? Yeah. Oh, I will. Yeah, I'll email that to you guys this afternoon. It's actually really good. I'll email that. Okay. Second quick. Howard and I, you guys kind of appointed us an ad committee to look at our municipal equality index. And so I just wanted to report that he and I have met with a group of citizens to look at where we are. And actually came forward with some recommendations. We also, Howard and I met with Mayor Steve Williams from Huntington earlier today. He says to Mayor Benjamin and Chief Holbrook, hello. And that Steve, you still owe him two players because you took his picture. You better go talk to Theresa Wilson. But the reason we reached out to Mayor Williams just very interestingly enough, they have for the last two years scored over 100 in the municipal equality index starting from around 60, which is what our 2020 point was. And so some of the things that he gave us to look to, Howard and I will be bringing forward some written recommendations to you guys within the next couple of weeks. But I think that there are certainly things that we can do to improve that index. And so I wanted you guys to know that that was moving forward. And then lastly, and Howard, I mean, Daniel and Will may have something to add. The Environment Infrastructure Committee met this morning from our presentation from CPAC. They are recommending a few updates to the bylaws. And TK, we just need clarification. I think that those updates have to be approved by council. But if we could bring those forward, they they have changed the makeup of the CPAC right now. And it is by district appointed by specific council members, they want to be able to cast a wider net and make sure that they have subject matter expertise. So they're asking that we update the increase the number of seats on CPAC and update them to more at large seats so that we can get the subject matter expertise needed. They also are proposing a change to the to the mission of CPAC. And so those two things I believe need to come forward to council. And so if that is indeed the case, then I've asked Ms. Hammond to make sure that's on our next agenda. We also had a presentation from Dominion regarding the converting street lights from HID to LED. It would be at no cost to us. They have full presentation, which we can give you the PowerPoint for that. But staff is actually looking at the contract right now and will be bringing forward a recommendation. But that is for council to consider the update upgrade of all of our not all but a lot of our lights to LED lights. And those would be in the corridors. Will and Daniel, y'all want to add anything? I would just add that the committee put forth a very wonderful presentation that really hit a lot of notes. And it's a lot of things that we've talked about, you know, gotten us involved by moving forward towards 100% renewable. And they came up with some really, they've done an energy audit, they've really done a CO2 audit and several other things that I think are beneficial and really have are bringing in a lot of guidance and things that we can adapt. I was very impressed with what they presented as a committee today and where they want to move. And I think they're going to be a great resource for the city and really, you know, helping us get to where we all want to be. So I was very impressed and pleased with what they had to work that they had done. I'd like to add there's going to have to be some heavy lifting with the Public Service Commission that the voice of the city of Columbia can really drive home to help us get to that beautiful blueprint of sustainability that they are presenting. So I look forward to talking to staff about how to put our voice as a Columbia as a city of Columbia forward in the Public Service Commission's decision-making process that is as a short timeline from what I understand, Mr. Vaughn. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Tameka. Any other reports or referrals? All right. Erica, who do we have online from Public Input? Or do we have any online from Public Input? Well, at this time, we do not have any callers on the line. Okay. Then I want to note, again, we amended the agenda so that we're going to take up item two after executive session. Two items in Theresa Knox. Let me know if I'm out of school here or speaking out of school. We do have the vacancy up on the comment board. I think Ron Anderson's term has expired. And then we talked previously about this. I think it's our collective intention, in its mind, to appoint Councilman Brennan in that slot. Unless there's some objection, there's no need to get in post-deposition. If in fact, that is our intention. I'd like to get ahead and move the appointment of Will Brennan to the comment board to fill out Ron Anderson's term. All right. Move second. Discussion? Seeing none, with a previous question, Kurt Calderon. I may I was pausing because I think we have to have a motion to amend the agenda to include that item and then move to approve the item. Move. Thank you. All right. The primary motion is Mr. Davis's motion. I'll second that motion, amend agenda to include the appointment to the comment board. The motion to amend agendas before us. With a previous question, Kurt Calderon. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Rickerman. Aye. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. Mr. Vines. Aye. Mr. Davis. Aye. Mayor Benjamin. Aye. We state the motion to appoint Will Brennan as a representative to the comment board on replace Ron Anderson, whose term has expired. Is there a second? Second. All right. Any discussion? Move the previous question, Kurt Calderon. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Rickerman. Aye. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. Mr. Vines. Aye. Mr. Davis. Aye. Mayor Benjamin. Aye. Thank you, Will. I thank you. Thank you, Eric. Appreciate it. Keep it straight. I think we're going to take a motion to go in the executive session before we do that because I know a lot of folks won't be around. Maybe we come back to take up item two. I would be remiss if I didn't harken back to lunch at Liz's Dickey in 1997, sitting down with my friend Sam Davis and a few others. As he made it clear to me and some others that he's been serving the city in so many different ways, just as a citizen activist, protest, a heckraiser, public servant, all the above. And he is still all the above. And we will have time for proper goodbyes at the end of this calendar year. But with your official announcement, Sam, just want to say thank you, brother. We love you. We're thankful for you. We're thankful for you and your leadership and your commitment and your sacrifice. And just wanted to say that on the record before most of the views go offline. We'll have some time to talk about your legacy. But it is indeed you are a senior member of council and we think the world to you. Just wanted to take a moment to say that, brother. With your permission, thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I just want everybody to know that one it's time and they say it's always good to leave before they send you. But it's been good. Everybody knows how I feel about the city. And I think we've made progress over the years as cohesive groups. And I think the city is better for everybody's service. And I'm not going to go away, but I'm going to, I think, be available whenever I can for folks. But the bottom line is Columbia is good. And I know when I leave, it'll still be in good hands. And I think the people that we are accountable to, I think they appreciate our efforts. And I think everybody's going to continue to give their best on behalf of the city we love. Well, it's an informal thank you have a chance to do a formal thing to you and in the boys, but we appreciate your brother. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Duvall. Mr. Mayor, I might make a motion. We go into executive session for receipt of legal advice related to matters covered by attorney client privilege pursuant to 30-4-78-2 COVID-19, Thindley Park, Owensfield, Stormwater fees, receipt of legal advice relating to a pending threatened or potential claim of South Carolina code 30-40-4-78-2, Sherry San Duvall versus COC and SCDOT, state of South Carolina, Hector Allen Wilson, Attorney General versus city of Columbia discussion of negotiations, isn't it to propose contractual arrangements pursuant to 30-4-78-2 2221 Divine Street economic development partners and racial equity discussion of employment of an employee pursuant to 30-4-78-1 city manager and city attorney. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. And again, I just want to remind all the folks who are normally with us that we will be coming back however online to take up item two. I don't want there to be any confusion. We will be renewing the ordinance. That is unless there's some earth shattering event. We're going to be moving forward with our continued restrictions and rules around COVID-19. I think there's some questions whether or not we amend them even further. So that we'll be coming back in public meeting after executive session. We'll move the previous question, Kurt Colorado. Mr. Vernon? Yes. Mr. Richmond? Hi. Mr. McAllen? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Hi. Mr. Varn? Mr. Davis? Hi. All right, thank you. For those of you who did wait the entire time for us to come back and we had a robust and significant number of issues to discuss in the executive session getting the people's work done. When I go back to emergency ordinances, is there a motion to approve ordinance 2021-008? It's been moved and properly seconded. It's important to note so one of the matters we needed advice from legal counsel on was how we could strengthen the ordinance to address the issue of repeat offenders. Those that frequently and repeatedly violate the letter in spirit of the masking ordinance. This is not meant to be punitive, but meant to be a recognition of the fact that we are still working our way through prayerfully collectively that we've seen it over 100 years. It's caused thousands of South Canadian lives. So we will be endeavoring working with our staff over the next week to come with additional language that we'll see to hold businesses that are repeat offenders and individuals that repeat offenders to much higher levels of sanctions. The letter of the language will be proposed by staff and will be shared publicly for the public but also considered by this council a post-haste. We expect to have this discussion sometime within the next week or so. So be tuned. Understand that it's so important right now that if you have the vaccine available to you, get the vaccine. In the meantime, mask up, follow the law, socially distance as much as possible, sanitize as much as possible, and let's all stay safe so that we can all play our role, do our part, and make our way through this pandemic. We're going to move to the previous question. Court call roll. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. Rickerman? Aye. Mr. Mcdowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Mr. Vine? Aye. Mr. Davis? Aye. Mayor Benjamin? Aye. Well, thank you everyone for the patience. Is there a non-debatable motion to adjourn? We'll move. We'll move. We'll move in the second discussion with the previous question. Court call roll. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. Rickerman? Aye. Mr. Mcdowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Mr. Vine? Aye. Mr. Davis? Aye. Mayor Benjamin? Aye. You all have a good evening. Take care. Thank you. Thank you. Good night. Good night, everybody.