 I'm sorry that we're running a little bit late today folks. We have been working on the budget downstairs and we did need a little mental break. I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment before we call the meeting to order to recognize Ms. Wilson, our city manager who has a birthday today. She has turned 29 and she's very excited that she hopes next year's 30th birthday will be one for the memory books. Mayor, do not put that on the record. I want to thank you. I'm going to claim all of my 48 years and I feel blessed, so thank you, Mayor. With that, I would ask the clerk if she would call the roll, please. Certainly. Mr. Taylor. Here. Ms. Herbert. Here. Dr. Bussells. Mr. Brennan. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Present. Mayor Rickerman. Here. Thank you. If we'll stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, please. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. As we normally do, we'll lean to our Mayor Pro Tem, the very Reverend Ed McDowell, to give us a little word of prayer before we start this meeting. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. That is my ahead. Gracious and eternal Creator, for your love and kindness, for your tender mercies that shower us each day. Lord, we continuously pray for those who are here today. We pray for our city that as it expands, your grace might continue to enrapture and capture us. Be with us as these days become peaceful, for we know that there's a lot of things that are happening in the world today. And we would simply ask for your peace that passes all understanding. We ask it in your name. Amen. Amen. So we have a motion to adopt the agenda. There are three items. One, we'd like to request that we defer item one, which is the minutes from the May 3rd meeting. Number two, defer item 27, which is the food policy. And then the third is amend item 19. It's a zoning map amendment for 1101, 1105, 1107, Balsam Road and 1405 Canal Road to change council districts from district one to district two. So that's clear. Can I have a motion to adopt the agenda with these changes? Second. I have a first motion and a second. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Taylor? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Aye. Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Mayor, recommend. Aye. At this time, if there's anyone in the audience or online that would like to speak about an agenda item, that's an item that is listed on our agenda. You're welcome to speak now. We also have a place at the end of the agenda if you'd like to speak on any subject. But this time is strictly for what any items that is on our agenda. If you'd like to come speak, you may, you can at this point. Yes, ma'am. Please come to the microphone and just state your name and where you live and what item. Mayor, recommend. Item 20 is on the zoning public hearing. So we have to wait until you open the public hearing for those items. Thank you for the correction. Thank you, Madam Clerk. So not all items on the agenda are available for public comment. So items 12 through 20 are for the zoning public hearing. All right. Thank you for that correction. You're welcome. That was my error. Madam Clerk. With that, we'll jump into presentations and I have to tell you I wanted to take a moment if we could not only to take a moment of silence for officers who have lost their lives, but also for all the folks who lost their lives to violate crime over the last year, I think it would be you really have to have them hand in hand. And so I would ask that we just take a moment of silence if we could for both those officers who have lost their lives, but all the folks who've lost their lives to violence, especially gun violence. Thank you. Thank you. Amen. It's my great honor to have a proclamation today. It's National Police Week. And established by joint resolution of Congress in 1962, the United States has designated May 11th through 17th of 2022 as National Police Week, a time dedicated to the brave and courageous acts of law enforcement across our country. The late president John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. We celebrate those who protect and serve us every day and we honor the courageous officers within the Columbia Police Department who devoted themselves so fully to others that in the process, they risk their lives and the protection of all of us. With gratitude, Columbia Police Officers continue to serve dedicated as dedicated peacekeepers at the National Accredited 21st Century Policing Law Enforcement Agency, one that is a leading role in evidence-based gun crime reduction strategies. CPD serves the only crime gun intelligent unit site in the state and has made tremendous strides in leveraging technology, including ShotSpotter, a gun detection technology system to reduce, deter, and prevent violent crime. Having received the 2021 Dominion Energy Award for Policing Accident Excellence, Columbia Police Department has proven its commitment to professionalism, transparency, accountability, and compassion for the heart of service. So therefore, I, Daniel J. Rickerman, the mayor of City of Columbia, along with my fellow council members, do hereby proclaim this city honors and recognizes that May 11th through the 17th as National Police Week. Who is here from the police? The chief, there he is. He'll do. He'll do. Yeah, we can. Daniel, listen, we'd all like to have our picture made with the chief. Once again, I have another great honor. It's a little crossover. I think they tried to stay in the peas when they started doing proclamations for weeks. This week, we get to present National Public Works Week, which, you know, I miss the rodeos. I miss seeing that. I hope that comes back, Robert. There's nothing like having a little competition among employees to have a little fun and maybe throwing an elected official. Before I read the proclamation, I'd like to yield to Florida, Robert Anderson, the head of our public works. Thank you, mayor, council, city manager. The rest of our guests, we're going to always try to have a little fun. We're going to settle that down a little bit this year. And talk a little bit about what APWA is about. We're going to talk a lot about our employees. We were going to actually shut public works down today and bring all of our employees, but then we didn't figure anything else would get done. So we only brought a few. So, but public works always has a theme. And this year's theme was ready and resilient. And this presentation is kind of like a three-year presentation for us, because we feel like we've missed two years, even though we worked through the two years that this happened without missing a beat, as you'll find out. So the one thing we've done at APWA is the city has always been a great supporter of American public works. We have past presidents, some are better than others as presidents. I will be honest with you. I will not let you pick and choose who those are. But I was a past president, Mrs. Jethry's here somewhere. She was a past president, Mary Pat was a president. Frances Bryan, who is new to the city, is out on maternity leave with her name baby Helen right now, is a past president. Dana is a past president. Samantha Yeager will be our incoming president in June. We currently have a board member on our state chapter, which is Sarah. And several other serve on the national committees is Mary Pat, serve for Senate sustainability. I serve for the O&M task force. And Samantha serves on the Solid Waste Task Force Committee. And I believe she had a call yesterday out of Arizona. So we're well represented in APWA. We also wondered why APWA? So why APWA? I'm going to talk a lot about ready. I'm going to talk a lot about resilience in the past. When the, through the networking and the trainings and the CEU and the PDHs, and we have an info now community that we can actually Google at any time to find out what's going on. One of our biggest things is collaboration with, with during this, the pandemic. The South Carolina chapter was quick to buy a membership of Zoom. The one thing Dana instituted as president was that she wanted to get everybody together and start collaborating around the state. Like what are you doing? What are you doing differently? Are you having employee problems or whatever? Councilman Brennan, one of your ideas came out of this that you wouldn't even have known and it was your idea, but it was instituted somewhere else. And that was the roll off truck that we've been talking about for quite some time. I believe you sent an article around about doing it for college moveouts. The ironic deal is, and we started talking about collaboration. West Columbia had a roll off truck. They had seven containers. They also got behind on their yard trash. They immediately popped in through their neighborhoods and let people bring that. So that was something that came out of the pandemic and the collaboration we have with our group around South Carolina. The other thing we did is we started a national trend through APWA. Through the 30,000 members, the members started doing collaborations across. We did one with Colorado and I know California did some together. So something we started locally went nationally in our chapter. We're still working on our accreditation program and we'll hopefully get it done one of these days. And the other thing is recently we had a national president of our 30,000 members which is most of you may remember Bill Spearman who used to be a principal in Woolpert who's recently retired, had his own business. But he was our national president a couple years ago. So the other things are our public works department. What does our public works department really do? Well, we were ready and resilient through the pandemic. I believe that Ms. Gentry over here and maybe some others said, hey, let's go build a parking lot. So we decided to go down and tackle the Exxon parking lot which is a collaboration of a lot of departments that took street division of tearing it up, took traffic and it took forestry to put it back together. The bottom right hand picture is a real interesting picture. That's a propane tank that's set 15 feet underground that we popped up out of the Exxon station. All of a sudden it appeared. We found out there was two foundations in the Exxon lot, not just one. So somebody built a gas station on top of something else. But that's part of what we did. We did the Candy Lane project. Two of our staff members in the upper right hand picture here, which is Mary Pat and Sarah, immediately stepped up during the pandemic and said, hey, we're going to start taking temperatures and we will be here every morning at seven o'clock when our staff arrives. I really think it was 6 30, by the way. So they started taking temperatures before anybody got in. So they took approximately 200 temperatures a day and stood outside the rain and the cold. And I'm sure they enjoyed that a little bit. So but that's some of the things we do in public works as being that we've got a couple of grants that we're working on now through the sustainability, which is the leap and lead grants that will be coming on board. We've got a intern coming to help that our forestry division continue to cut trees down and I'll never say enough about solid ways that went out and picked up trash every day with increased tonnages. People staying home, not only did they increase the tonnages with yard or household trash, but they increased the tonnages with yard trash because all of them decided to go out and work in their yards for the past two years. So the one thing we have had and everybody knows we've had is struggles with staffing. So we've had some pretty big vacancy rates in forestry, solid ways, street, animal and traffic. At one time we had over 35 people vacant in solid waste. But as a city, I would hold my staff that I would stand here and say thank you to the city manager, the city council, the mayor, our HR staff, our public information staff is we decided the city decided to do a lot of different things, the open interview processes. We're finding something out in our interview processes that we've never found out before. I think it was Samantha. Two weeks ago scheduled six interviews, one person showed up for an interview. That's what we're finding out. But through the onboarding process and the open interviews, we fixed the solid waste division in about 30 days. So people walking in the door is the people that we want to capture every day. The people we're calling for some reason are not showing up interviews. We have to learn how to overcome those things. The express onboarding, I know that I said a lot of thank yous. That is working out so well to bring a person in, chip them over to the express place. We've hired people as quick as 24 hours. Generally it takes two or three days and it puts people into our organization to train. By the time we get them put on our payroll, they're driving our trucks and they're operating our machineries, our pieces of machinery. So a couple stories that came out of that was forestry is probably the best one. Last year, we didn't have anybody to mow grass. Just nobody. We had run out of people on our horticulture side. The interesting thing is that's now flipped around. We have all the grass mowers we want. We don't have anybody to cut trees. So we've seen 100% flip that we're still trying to fix. And we do think that the career fair that was done is one of the most successful things the city's done as far as I'm concerned in a long time. Helped us out a lot. The salary increases. We've had people already coming back to the city. Robert Swett's got one today. Somebody else had one recently, forestry's got one coming back to the city. He's a tree trimmer. So he is actually coming back to the city from the federal level. So we're happy to see our vacancy rates come down. We want to see our service rates go up. And that's what we're here to do is provide services to our citizens. So we're hiring. So we're hiring and we're still looking for a traffic engineer. This is our stand to say this is where we're at. We're looking for equipment operators, CDL drivers, tree trimmers, animal appeal workers. Unfortunately, we're looking for a forestry and beautification superintendent. Caleb King decided recently to pick his family up and move closer to his family in St. Louis. So he left last Friday. It was his last day. We're looking for maintenance workers, electricians, water people, wastewater people. I know we're looking for police fire and about anything we can hire. The city's been a great place to work. I'm going to try to demonstrate that a little bit with three of the people I brought today. So I told you I'd bring some people. We'd have some interesting conversations. So the first one is, and I'm not even going to attempt her first name. It's Cricket. So Cricket, if Cricket will waive or stand up, Cricket recently worked several years ago for forestry and beautification where she got her CDL driver's license. She elected to leave probably six months ago. She elected to come back for the city. She's got her CDL driver's license in hand. It's worth its weight and gold, as far as I'm concerned. So we trained her to be a street sweeper operator in a solid waste division. Well, Cricket wasn't real thrilled, OK? So Cricket said, well, I just don't want to drive a street sweeper. I want to drive one of them automated garbage trucks. So Cricket is an automated garbage truck. She's the one who goes out every day and runs the one-armed band of automated garbage trucks every day. Which is not easy because I've done it. I'm going to admit that. So the next one I've got is Marcus Benson. Marcus has a, and I'd like to let Denise tell you a unique story. So Denise called me and said, Marcus was looking for a job. Said he was the greatest person ever. He's really not. I'm kidding you, Denise. So Marcus has everything Denise said he was. But the reason I brought Marcus today is Marcus has been here almost a year. But two Fridays ago, at 4.45 in the afternoon, we had a contractor bore through a water line, a 16-inch water line, I believe, at AT&T contractor power. So at Maine and Columbia College Rock, Marcus got the call from me when it took out the whole signal system and some of the street lights in the area. And I could hear it in his voice. He's like, OK. So he goes. But the commitment we have in being ready and resilient is people like Marcus who stayed over 4.30 in the morning to make sure the signal worked the next day. So I know he had to tell him some dishes now. The last one I have, and a lot of you have probably heard of him before, but it's amazing, 106,946 hours. That's how long, how many hours he's put in, without the overtime of our leaf seasons and everything else in the salt waste division. Think about that, 106,946 hours. That's 51 years in five months, by the way. So it's what I'll call it today. It's not what I used to call it. So it has been here since 1970. December 1st, is that right, Oscar? It's 1970. That says a lot about ready and resilient working for a city and what a city's done for somebody. So when Oscar started, I thought these two were so relevant today when I looked them up. Gas was 36 cents a gallon. $4.18, but 36 cents a gallon. And this one takes a little humor from our inside of our city, but the minimum wage was $1.45 an hour. If you think what the city manager just did with council's help, the only thing we did is move one decimal to the right, okay? And we made it $14.50 an hour, so we added a zero to it after 52 years. It was actually very simple to do. So we can't thank our staff enough. These are just part of our staff that work every day. New staff, old staff, young staff. My staff makes my job easier every day. I can't say enough about that. Some of them are here today. I know most of you know Samantha's in solid ways. Sarah's our deputy public works director. Robert Slitz, our mean street superintendent. I'm just kidding. I've had Robert's sustainability office. Robert Slitz was referred to today by somebody to express, as I don't know what that guy's name is, but he looks like Santa Claus's brother. So that's the way he was referred to today. So the last thing I've got before we end and accept the proclamation is our touch a truck, which is this Saturday. Our touch a truck is kind of a unique event only to the city of Columbia family. We want children to come down. We want adults to come down. And with our partners of public works with our water, waste water, along with police and fire, parks and rec, we set a lot of equipment up on display. We promise a good time. We promise operators and people there to show you what our trucks do and not operate them, but we will let your children climb on them or the grownups climb on them and get a feel for what these drivers do every day. The other thing we'll have, you have someone your desk is we'll have fresh popcorn. We will have lemonade. And the other thing we have is make sure your kids wear their best clothes because we will have snow cones so they can spill it right down the front of them and make all their shirts about as dirty as they can. Mayor, that's what I have. Thank you. Robert, first of all, first of all, I want to thank everybody who works at public works. And I don't think people fully understand everything that goes on at public works. There isn't something that happens in this city that somehow public works is not involved with. I don't care if it's soda city fleet maintenance. You forget that we have guys working down there till midnight making sure that all our police cars and our fire trucks and all of our infrastructure, all our vans and everything are operating. We've got folks that are working on traffic signals. Forestry, as he mentioned, beautification. I mean, let alone garbage and cricket, it is a trick and it's an art. And you obviously have mastered it. I did not, but I didn't destroy anything so I think that was a good thing. But it really is the heartbeat. And this year marks 62 years of public works week, which I think is incredible. And I know that everyone in our city don't sometimes realize the hidden soldiers and heroes that are over at public works. So this is our opportunity to put the light on you all and thank y'all at the same time for all you do because there isn't anything that happens here that your hands are not involved. And we thank you for what y'all do and thank your efforts that you're doing to reach out and embrace change and improve, always trying to improve your department and the customer service because you are our closest link to our citizens every day you're touching their lives. So with that, I'd like to ask council if they'll join me as we present and all of staff, all public work staff, please join us for a group photo for this National Public Works Week proclamation. Madam city manager, we could hold for until Ms. Jamison is here and if we could go ahead to item five. We will ask Mr. Darren Thomas to come forward with the South Carolina Black Pages, the president. And I know we're all excited to hear and welcome back after the pandemic, the update on the 2022 Columbia Black Expo. Good evening. Good evening. Mr. Mayor, council, thank you so much for the opportunity to come before you. City manager, thank you so much for that kind introduction. I'm Darren Thomas, president of Thomas Media Group South Carolina Black Pages Black Expo and excited to share with you the return of the 2022 Columbia Black Expo in our 25th year. Councilman, our newer members of council have not had the opportunity to experience the Black Expo. I do wanna share that the purpose of this event and what it's meant to citizens in this community for the past 25 years, the purpose is to give exposure and visibility, small minority owned companies in hopes that those businesses will grow, have a profound impact on our tax base and the growth, economic development in our city. And it also has a twofold impact. Not only does it impact the businesses and our citizens, but also it attracts a substantial number of visitors to the city of Columbia. Councilman, our agenda for this year, Thursday night is our kickoff reception. Well, we honor Mr. Mayor, all of our sponsors and key stakeholders in the community. Friday night is a fun event. The 12th annual Taste of Black Columbia, which features some of the best local chefs, caterers and restaurants. That event has been a huge impact on the restaurants and small businesses. Taking on a lot of collaborative partnerships such as those with the South Carolina Beef Council, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, just to name a few, but that's a fun event where we use that event to help those businesses, particularly our restaurateurs, chefs, caterers and restaurants. And then the big event on Saturday, the 25th annual Columbia Black Expo downtown at the Columbia Metropolitan and Convention Center. And I'd like to add that all of our events historically have been housed within the city of Columbia and that's been done by design. We recognize and particularly in light of the fact that Columbia is one of three events that we host in the Southeast, Charleston, Columbia and Jacksonville, Florida. One of the things that we found with the return of the event in Charleston this year, first of all, people were excited, ready to get out, but to the degree that we made certain that we helped particularly those out-of-town visitors understand how we were going to keep them safe coming on the heels of the pandemic, that had profound impact on our attendance. And I say that to share with you Councilman, we're expecting larger numbers this coming weekend. One of the things that we've done profoundly in preparation because we get a lot of folks from out of town calling and asking what are protocols, we've established a system, it's our lanyard system, where we ask all attendees as they enter into the Black Expo events, they will select one of three lanyards to where a green lanyard says they want full contact, yellow lanyard means fist bump, elbow, red lanyard means no contact whatsoever. Again, we use the same system in Charleston, it worked well, we've had several of our major stakeholders, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, some of our others say, you know what, Darren, because you guys have gone to that extent, we feel comfortable making certain that our employees are coming to this environment where you're expecting those thousands of people, along with the national guest speakers, the entertainment, what we believe and understand that if we're gonna continue to have the economic impact on this community, we've gotta do so in a fashion to make certain that it bodes well for the citizens of Columbia and beyond. One last thing I'd like to add, Mr. Mayor and Councilman, historically our data suggests that outside of the state of South Carolina, the three regions where we attract most of the people, specifically for this event, Charlotte, North Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, Raleigh, Durham. We track that data because we hire a firm to come in and collect that, which we use during our hospitality, but it's always helpful to share that data so that we know where we can make the biggest investment to get more of the citizens, more people visiting the event. And I'd also like to add that we're very, very proud of our partnership with the OBO office. That office has been instrumental in making certain that we stayed on the needle with our board, making certain that as we look to move the needle with small businesses in the community, that we're in sync with what Council and the Office of Business Opportunity has set for the agenda. We, again, for those Councilmen who've not had the opportunity, I welcome you. I ask you, please come experience this. It's an incredible event. We're very proud of what we've been able to accomplish through the help of the city, and we look forward to serving the citizens of Columbia. Thank you. Thank you, Darren. Did anybody want to share your thoughts? Absolutely. Darren, you have been a mighty force in our community. The 30-odd year is the sense of empowerment within this city has been just totally astronomical. Even during COVID, when we went virtual, that was a tremendous response from the Black Expo. I think it is, actually it's been almost 30 years, I believe, 25 years with the Expo. 25, 30 with Black pages, yes, sir. You don't get any better than that, my friend. Thank you so much for your leadership. Thank you so much for those who have undergirded you so that you do what you do, and you do it well. Tens of thousands of folk are part of the legacy that Black Expo will continue to play in Columbia, South Carolina, and adjoining cities. So thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else have any comments? I would just add, Darren, that if you'll do me a favor, for all those visitors from out of town, please give them a packet about moving here, that we'd love to have them here. We've got plenty of great housing, great jobs, great opportunity. We'd love for them to be part of our community on a permanent basis. Absolutely. I look forward to seeing you at some point over the weekend and seeing this year's celebration, because I know it'll be packed because so many people are ready to get out and connect again. So thank you. Thank you very much for what you're doing. Thank you, Kevin. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Darren. At this time, I want to turn to your easements. Jameson has arrived. Oh, awesome, great. So we will move that, Mayor. We're gonna back up, folks, to see you back to item four. We wanted to take this moment, really, to honor an individual's accomplishments. But, you know, we're in a beautiful state of South Carolina, which a lot of people don't realize is the home, is in the top five of the country of women-owned businesses. And what we've seen is tremendous growth. And, you know, we don't celebrate that as much as we should in the city of Columbia, but this gives us a great opportunity to celebrate another organization that does great work in our community and a milestone in their history. So I want to take a minute. Ms. Jameson, would you mind coming up to the podium? So for those of you who don't know Ms. Jameson, she, of course, she's the proud wife and mother. She's the founder and CEO of Purpose Promotions, LLC, co-owner of The Lick and The Great Escape. She serves on the board of directors of a number of local nonprofits, including Central SC Habitat for Humanity, where she serves as the president. Richland Library Friends and Foundation is well the advisory board of Leadership Columbia and the Talented Tenth. But what we are here to celebrate is Ms. Jameson for her historic achievement in becoming the first African-American president of the Junior League of Columbia, South Carolina. What's interesting is is that the Junior League in Columbia was founded in 1924 by Ms. Catherine Heath Manning Perry, admitted and was brought forth in 1925. And so I do think it's historic today. And your achievements, both personally, business-wise and this are to be celebrated. And with that, and I hope all of council will join me, we wanted to give you a proclamation that not only it celebrates your achievements, but marks it in our history book. So if you would join all of us for a quick photo, we'd like to present this to you, Ms. Jameson. So I promise to keep it brief, but I would just like to say that I am so honored to represent a powerhouse group of women. You all know that when women make things happen, we make things happen. We believe in collaboration, and we are so excited about the opportunity to continue to collaborate with the city of Columbia. This is a huge honor. I'm very humbled. I got tears in my eyes tonight, because I'm always behind the scenes and I help make these things happen for other people. And so the opportunity for everyone to pause and do this for me really means the world to me. I give because I believe that our community is worth it. And so everything that I do, I work to give and to give as much as I can. So for you all to take a moment to give to me just really restores me and really excites me. It's been 98 years since the Junior League has been around. We've done some amazing things here in Columbia. We could just look at the partnership that took place with Roy Lynch Park that exists today with the Junior League name and stamp on it. And I am excited about the next 100 years that we will have and the things we'll be able to do over the next 12 months. So I'll be calling on each and every one of you. I've got some walking plans for us to get out into your community and we're gonna walk to the top. And I've got some other exciting things for us to do to continue to uplift our women, our children, and our families. So thank you for this honor tonight and I'll be in touch. Don't worry. Thank you. Is my mic okay? Mayor, if I could just say one thing to Ms. Jamison as a female who loves to be in the background for many, many, many years. I will say that those years in the background is perfect training and preparation for the platform that you have. And so I wish you all the luck and all the success. And can I have one point of privilege? Absolutely. I would be remissed if I did not celebrate one of the people that paved the way for me to be in this position and it is our city manager. Teresa is an amazing member of the league and we are proud of her. And I just, I would be wrong to walk out and hear about it. You know it's her birthday, right? It's her birthday today. Oh my gosh, I'd miss that. She turned 29. Oh yes, I love it. Thank you so much. Doesn't be more proud and she's got that all the way. The league is a wonderful organization, like she said. Her energy is hard to harvest. No doubt about it, no doubt about it. Well, Mayor, we are moving into the consent agenda items six through 11 for your consideration. So moved, Mr. Mayor. I have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Is there any discussions, concerns, questions? I do want to note on here that we are item eight. If you've had a chance to look that we are investing close to $19 million in rehab work on sanitary sewer rehabilitation and study, it's a big, big step in the Broad River area. So I just want to make sure that that's noted with that. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Taylor? Ms. Herbert? Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDowell? Yes. Mr. DeVall? Aye. Mayor Rickoman? Aye. Thank you. Madam Clerk, are we safe to move into the public hearing? OK, just wanted to check and double check. This is where I can redeem myself for a mile. Me too, Mayor. We have Ms. Hanton, who has come forward to assist. This is the public hearing and first reading for zoning and planning matters, starting with item 12, an annexation comprehensive plan map amendment and zoning map amendment for 2905 to Notch Road. And I'll let Chris take it from there. Thank you, Ms. Wilson. Also, in addition to those in the room, we are allowing public participation through our public input system. You may call via telephone 855-925-2801. When prompted, you hit 6272. And if you press star 1, you can listen and stay on the line until the case is called. In the case is called, you can hit star 3 to speak live into the queue. If you do not wish to wait and prefer to leave a voicemail, you can press star 2. We ask that if you do have a computer on in the background, please mute that to avoid feedback. The first item that Ms. Wilson mentioned is an annexation at 2905 To Notch Road. It's a request to annex the property, assign a land use classification of Irving Corps Community Activity Center, and a zoning of mixed use to district at the time of annexation. Is there anyone here to speak for or against this item? Ms. Wiley? Doing well, Ms. Wiley. OK, this is going to be a community zoning, you say? Yes, ma'am. Yep, this is zoning, correct. So it's going to be a community zoning, you say it, right? That's the zoning that it's in. OK, I wanted to let you know we didn't see a sign on that, and I write this read every day. And I think y'all need to wait on that right now. So Ms. Wiley, would you, both the staff has recommended and the planning commission, would you be OK if we did first reading and then Come make the second. Yeah. And then we'll make sure that the community has had an opportunity to meet with the folks in between. We need a community center. How are you going to jump? You know, this is what I'm saying. We're not that far from there. And we didn't have a sign up there. I didn't see a sign. You know, how do y'all have the signs posted in that area? It's right next door to McDonald's. There should have been a sign on the property. There wasn't one there. I didn't see one. But you can read it, but there wasn't one there. This is not a community center. No, it's not a community center. It's not a zoning, but there wasn't a sign up there at all. It wasn't a sign. That's why I came here today. Yeah, we did. You may be explained to the public what the intent is for the property. So it is a donut hole. The intent is to annex the property and zone it consistent with the adjacent properties. But it's not changing uses, correct? I believe it's currently vacant. So we would need to. There is a redevelopment plan. We can certainly get the developer in touch with Ms. Wiley in between first and second reading. Ms. Wiley, that's a donut hole over there, just so you're clear. And the intent currently is vacant. It's going to bring it into the city. But at this point, there's not a planned use change. But we'll give it first reading, and then we'll talk in between. Yeah, there is an intent to reuse the building so we can make sure that that connection is made. Is there a motion? Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Madam Clark, could you read the roll? Mr. Taylor? Ms. Herbert? Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Mayor, recommend? Aye. Next matter also, an annexation future land use map amendment and zoning map amendment for 0.21 acres on the west side of Canal Drive. It's a request to annex the property, assign a land use classification of urban edge residential large lot, and a zoning of mixed use district one. Mary, we have Ms. Einar Lightner whenever you're ready to receive public comment. Go ahead, please. Ms. Lightner, she should be in the audience. She's coming right behind us. Thank you. I'm not Ms. Lightner. I'm Kathleen McDaniel. I'm the attorney for Ms. Lightner. And she is here on this item in the number 19 as well. I just wanted to let you know that we're here. I don't know if you all have any questions. Hopefully, it will be received favorably. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, I see that the complaint commission unanimous. I move for approval. So I've got a motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Hearing none, seeing none, Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Taylor? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Aye. Dr. Bustles? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Mayor Reckman? Aye. Annexation, future land use map amendment and zoning map amendment at 2311 and 2301 Percival Road. Request to annex the property and assign a land use classification of urban edge multifamily and a zoning of residential mixed use RM2 at the time of annexation. Were you able to change the screen because I'm seeing the same thing I saw earlier. Oh, I think. So is there anybody here to speak for or against the annexation of this property on Percival Road at 2311 or 2301? Seeing none and hearing none, I will entertain a motion. Make a motion to approve. I have a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, can you read the roll? Mr. Taylor? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Dr. Bustles? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. May I recommend? Aye. Next is an annexation future land use map amendment and zoning map amendment for 17 and 25 and 33 Montreat Court. Request to annex the property assigned a land use classification of urban edge residential large lot and a zoning of residential single family large lot upon annexation. I will point out this is a rare instance where the staff has actually recommended denial of the annexation. Obviously, that's your policy decision, but I wanted to let you know the reasons for that. The map doesn't show, but preponderance of the properties are actually in the floodway, not just in the flood plain. In addition, while it is adjacent there to the left to the city limits, it actually is a mile on the road for the services to actually get to those parcels. So those were the concerns. However, again, it's within counsel's purview. Is there anybody to speak in favor or against this before we get to council discussion? There we have Ms. Betty Templeton. No, no worries. Has anyone checked that property? For? They have it. They say it's city zone. And they want to build that there. OK, to get to that property, they have to go through two empty lots that have grown all the way over into the middle of the street. So there's only one lane of traffic. You pass that and you go zigzag to risk the big holes. So why would anyone want to buy a house back there or anything back there? It looks like somebody wants to develop it, but right now it's not in the city. They're asking to get annexed, and then I'm assuming they're going to want a change of zoning. No, it's consistent. This will be a single-family house. The house is correct, and we would assume that they would have to improve the road to meet. So the road would have to be fixed. It would have to be a certain width in order for them to convey the real estate. So frankly, if anything, it's a means to put that road back in good shape, I would think. Is that a current road? It's a county road. Now, Christa, let me. It's a county road. Yes, sir. Christa, so first reading, the commission denied it. No, the staff denied it. The planning commission approved it. All right, I see it. Yeah. Got it. OK. Go ahead. Christa, could you go through why the staff recommended denial? A majority of the property is in the floodway, not just the flood plane. Oh, OK. Additionally, it's a mile to get to the property via vehicle, a trash truck, a solid waste truck, a police vehicle. Although it looks adjacent there to the left, to get there as on the road system, you actually, from the city limits, it's about a mile. Where's the water underneath? If you look at the left hand, you'll see it in the back of the green. And there's stretches into the streams that run through there. So, Christa, you've got to change from county to city just to build houses on it. Why would it have to change? Yeah, I want to make sure you've got a county road and you've got a piece of property that is marshy. Is that correct? A large part of it. There is some buildable land on on part of there. There is some buildable land, but a majority of the parcels in the floodway and mayor, if I could ask, Christa, just for the general public, can you explain what it means when you say it's a floodway? What would impact that floodway is running water and do you have severe restrictions on building in a floodway to the degree there? And you may have to rely on some of my engineering colleagues, but that it's not permissible in the floodway. Floodplain, you can usually build at least if you elevate the building two feet above base flood elevation. But floodway, you have to leave it unimpeded for the water to be able to flow. Mr. Mayor, I mean, at the council, I would recommend for this district. I would recommend we give it first reading approval since it did get unanimous consent from the planning thing. Because I think when we have the opportunity to annex the city, we really need to take advantage of this because it gets us continues to more and more and more places. So I get, I would respect your motion. I guess where I'm just a little off is I'm trying to figure out the connectivity of it. And I couldn't, I couldn't really tell it from the beginning. I'd love for the citizen that's here to speak on the issue to finish speaking and then we can continue maybe our discussion. They're already cutting down. There was no lot of 31. That's, they're cutting that lot out now. The trees are cut being cut down out of there. But there wasn't any 31 that they have marked on the map that we meant to see. They have a zoning map up there. And we went down there and I called the number on there and they told me they didn't know what they were gonna do with it. So she said, well, you can go to a meeting. So that's why we decided to come here. Well, I have an old map of our area. And in that area, I have 31 and 29. 29 is where they just, they're just now cutting the trees down in 29. Then across from this, I have 26, 27, and 28. And that must be what they're calling 17, 25, and 33. Because there is no such thing on this map. Well, they're asking for, isn't this about the most restrictive zoning you can put on something? I mean, like I say, it's the most restrictive thing we could really do. Man, which is your house? Just curious. I'm right next to one of the empty lots. 24-01 plus, but. I'm sorry, I didn't hear that. That has grown over into my yard, into the street. They're all, you don't know where that yard ends and the street is because both lots have grown together and there's one little passageway through the middle. Christopher, what's the history of the person that the application was? What's the history? I don't have that information. I'm sorry? I don't have the history of the applicant. I've called the Ambus office. I don't know how many times to have them come out for the code enforcement officer to come out and check the lots. No one has ever come. Have you put a motion on the table? I suspect this is gonna be the best way to get all that cleaned up out there. So I mean, like I say, I'd like to go ahead and move it forward and then we can do a little bit of additional homework between the first and the second reading. So if we have a motion on the floor, we approve it in the first reading, then we have an opportunity to move forward and sit down and talk to the development team, find out more information, how that will affect and clean. Doesn't mean that we have to give it second reading at that point. I just had a question after our citizen was done. I was just wondering if Christa had any information to about why the board approved it unanimously in spite of staff recommendation. If you have any history of information about that. I need to repeat it. Do you have any information on why the board did not go with the staff recommendation? What was their thought process? There wasn't a great deal of articulation on that. So I don't have an answer for you. There wasn't a great deal of discussion. My sense is this. You got a piece of property. We don't have history on those persons who submitted the application. The lot is soggy, has a stream running through it. I mean, it's almost, it's still soggy. And they more than likely could build no more than two houses given the flood regulations. I mean, are we, I mean, even if you bill, are you going to run the risk of foundational damage under either one of those houses? I just don't, I just don't see it. I mean, first reading is fine, but I just don't, I think we are, I think we're doing something that we, that's somebody's gonna regret at the very end if they were to build houses. Mr. Taylor, today it's in the county. If we annex it into the city, we can, we have code enforcement control then. We have building permit control there. So, ma'am, we can give you more protection than you sounds like you're getting today if we annex this. And I just believe that when we have the opportunity to annex, and again, because I do think our code enforcement people are very responsive and stuff, I think we can do more for you if you're a part of us than if you're part of, if you're not part of us. We had the flood, the little creek, or there's a creek that goes through there. It flooded so much that it took one of the houses total and that empty lot next to me became a river. They took a boat down through there to get to the other side. And nothing's still been done with those lots. So this would potentially possibly improve it. Maybe what we should do, it's kind of a split decision here because staff, for the reasons they give us forward and the Planning Commission has approved it. I think what we probably should do at this point is move forward on the first reading. Let's get with the applicant. Let's figure out what's gonna be there. Let's also understand, Krista, let's have staff look at what actually could be built, how that would improve that lot and that area. And at that point, then we can make a decision if we wanna move forward at that stage. But I think in long-term, and I think Mr. Taylor brings up a good point, you got more protection if we're involved in that situation there than it just being no control at this point. We don't have to give it second reading. I think we have an opportunity to reach out to the applicant and get you more information, understand what's going on before we move it. And I think that would probably be the best thing for us to do at this stage. I would support the motion at that for reading with the understanding that we're not gonna give a second reading until we've had the opportunity to look into it. And I would just say I could support that, but I guess I'm looking at from a staff perspective. I mean, if the flood happens, that's their decision, they've decided to build, but from the service, our ability to service, that would be what I would wanna hear. Well, long-term, I hope that part of this, if you look at Fontana Road and the other, that's the Leesburg word where we are. I mean, eventually wanna close that loop because if you go past that and you go past Pleasant Ridge, down Sunview and further down, we own some of that as well. We have to loop around. It's not exactly on our way, but long-term, connecting those dots makes a lot of sense from a service standpoint for all parties, including the county. So I would support the motion to give the first reading and then, Krista, let's work together to make sure we get this information before we entertain the second reading. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Taylor. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. No. Mr. Duvall. No. May I recommend? Aye. Annexation and Future Land Use Map Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment at 3740 Pearl Street, a request to annex the property, assign a land use classification of urban core mixed residential and a zoning of employment campus at the time of annexation. We did have some citizens at the Planning Commission meeting. I don't know if they are here for this one. They were expressing some concerns about the activities which we've mentioned in the write-up, but we still recommend annexation with that employment campus zoning. I see both staff and the Planning Commission approved it. Is there anyone online or in the audience who's has any concerns, questions, or is for or against this annexation? Ms. Herbert, it's District One. Do you have any concerns or questions? I've addressed them with staff. We just want to make sure that it is used for the, it will be used in the proper manner that it has changed you. Second. Second. So we have a motion and a second. No one is here for or against Madam Clerk. Could you read the roll please? Yes, sir. Mr. Taylor. Aye. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. Mayor Rickman. Aye. Annexation of Future Land Use Map Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment at 1482 Caroline Road, request to annex the property, assign a land use classification of Urban Edge Mixed Residential and a zoning of office and institutional. You'll note this is going to be combined with the other development that you all had heard some comments from the neighbors that they were then supportive. This is actually gonna make this a much better project. This is the duplex development that you all had seen previously. Is there anyone here to speak for or against this project that may online? No, sir. Any discussion from Council will in District 3? Motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. I have a motion and a second. Madam Clark, could you read the roll please? Mr. Taylor. Aye. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. Mayor Rickman. Aye. Thank you. 9-0-1 Fairfield Road, a request to rezone the property from general commercial to light industrial. And this, if I'm serves me right to the left and behind it's already industrial, correct? Yes, sir. Is there anybody here to speak or for or against this property rezoning? Is there any discussion? No. Is there a motion? We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. We have a motion and a second. Madam Clark, could you read the roll? Mr. Taylor. Aye. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. Mayor Rickman. Aye. Thank you. Zoning map amendment at several parcels on Balsam Road and Canal Drive. It's a request to rezone the property from single family residential medium lot and small lot to mixed juice. That's M-U-1. This has Ms. McDaniel had said previously, just acted on the annexation that's next to that purple lot there on Canal. Yep. Ms. McDaniel was here representing in the background. The purple? Pardon? It's the purple we're talking about. It's actually all of the, that has the blue striping, but the personally. It's those three lots. It's the one we annexed early. Staff approval and unanimous approval from the planning commission. Ms. McDaniel, did you want to speak on this? Yes, you did. Is there any questions from? I was going to say actually it's in this district too. Okay. Ed, it's in district now. It's actually district too. You remember this was the change? That was, all right. I got you. I have no, so moved, Mr. Later, Mr. Mayor. Do we have a motion and a second? Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Taylor. Aye. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bustles. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Mayor, recommend? Aye. Item 20, I know there's somebody here to speak on item 20. Yes, it says zoning map amendment for 446 Clemson Road and 446 Clemson Road extension. A request to rezone the property from mixed use to to general commercial. Is everybody here to speak on item 20? Yes, sir. We have three individuals. Okay. Lois Harmon, Tom Harmon, and Chris Kenline. Okay. We have lived at this address for 10 years now, moving here from Texas, and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. Not to be too critical, but a little critical. Why in the world would you ever want to change the zoning on this piece of property? It is absolutely beautiful, stunning. There is one person on the council here that came to visit us during your campaign. So I'm sure that person, similar feelings. But you know, Clemson Road, you know how far it goes. You know, there is so much property that is still available there for commercial use. I don't see why you need these three little parcels, especially that one there, that's about the size of a piece of glass. We would like to maintain this, this community, the way it is, and we have 100 units there and we get along great and we want to continue that, and we want to build for you. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. As Tom mentioned, we have 100 people, 100 happy people living there between Clemson and facing Earth Road. Tom and I particularly enjoy the tall trees in this smallest segment along Spears Creek and Earth Road, there's a small segment there. We sit on our patio and love those trees and we know what those trees do, and so do you. They clean the air, they cut down on sound, and you can think of a lot of other reasons to keep trees. We don't want a gas station behind us. We could maybe do with something else that they put in the mixed use, but we sure don't want a gas station behind us. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Did you want to speak, ma'am? Yeah. No, absolutely, please. It's a public hearing. I'm Carson Coher and I live in this community since we built it and I'm with my grandmother who's 98 and in this community, it's just wonderful. We could walk, we can do everything, and we just, with people all around us, there's a populated, it's the traffic. It's just horrible, it's just in the trees. My grand, she loves the trees and... Thank you. Anybody else? Mr. Whites. Good afternoon. I'm Craig Whites with Carrier's Real Estate Company here in Columbia. Thank you, mayor. Thank you, council. I am here representing Joel Gottlieb. Joel is the principal of the entities that own each one of those properties, and our request is simply to gain back what we had in the previous zoning. So if you don't mind, if you would pass these out. And while she's doing that, I'll just, to orient you on that map, you see Clemson Road there on the left-hand side, you see Spears Creek Church on the right-hand side. Those parcels were actually rather large. Thank you. They mentioned the small parcel there. That's about six acres there on the corner of Spears Creek and Earth. The one across the street, it's about 50 acres. It's 45 acres or so on Clemson Road. And if you go down Clemson Road further, that's the industrial part there, if you're all familiar with that. So real quick, what I would like to do is go through a little bit of the history of where we were from the zoning standpoint. The first page you have there is December 2020. And this was the zoning that was in place at that point. It was, you had C3 along Clemson Road, you had RG2, C1, C2 along Spears Creek Church Road. Then an application was made to change the RG2 and the C1 to C3 at the corner of Spears Creek and Earth Road. That application was made in April of 2021. It was approved by Planning Commission 80, City Council approved at 7.0. If we go then, and I'd like to emphasize the next slide, which is May 2021, that is, those are the parcels. It was all of them were C3 except for the corner of Spears Creek and Earth Road and that was C2. So that was what after the rezoning took place and was approved, that's what the zoning was. And as you all recall, the C3 was the general, is basically the same thing as general commercial is now in the new zoning ordinance. The C2 is a neighborhood commercial zoning. Then when the new math amendment came out, everything was zoned in MUTU, mixed use two. And what I'd like to point out is that the uses between general commercial and MUTU aren't that different. It's that the MUTU zoning was really intended to be a more of an urban type zoning where you had truly mixed use. You had some residential mixed in with some commercial uses. The commercial uses are primarily the same in both zonings, but there's a lot of different design guidelines. For instance, the MUTU has a maximum amount of parking, this minimal to what is available in uses in GC. So if you do have a grocery store, then you're not gonna have enough parking to service the grocery store and then you're gonna have traffic problems. The other thing too is that the mixed use concept in the suburban areas of Columbia hasn't done very well. If you look at the Village of Sandhills, their mixed use component still hasn't been built out. I mean, it still has vacant spaces, never been built out. And then the mixed use component of Lake Carolina has struggled really since its inception. So it's a great urban zoning for redevelopment in downtown, but we don't feel like it's appropriate for the suburban area. And we are simply asking to go back to GC, or C3 or GC on the main properties. And we are asking for a GC on the corner of Spears Creek and Earth. The reason that we're asking for that is that the county re-scoped their penny project for Spears Creek Church Road in November. It was originally scoped for five lanes, then when they re-scoped it the first time, they re-scoped it down the three lanes. And in the November meeting, they have re-scoped it back to five lanes, it's funded it in its schedule construction in 2023. That being five lanes, and the fact that it's already got 25,000 cars per day on it, probably lends itself to be more of a general commercial zoning. So again, we're really just asking for what we had from the beginning before the MAP amendments all took place and the zoning ordinance was enacted. This has been general, I mean, it's been a C3 since forever? Is that correct? Historically, Krista? Yeah, because we annexed it as well, it was in the county, so we annexed it, but yes. So what happened, you all remember, that we had to take a pause on the maps. Right. So we had the map was already set prior to them coming through with their C3. Hoping that, and then when the MU-1 was there, we're hoping that the development would meet, but we agree that this is the better zoning for what they're doing. Mr. Mayor. Can you come to the podium? Thank you. He's sitting there talking about all these different zonings and I apologize, I have no idea what all those different zonings mean. Can we somehow simplify it so the average layman can understand what he's talking about? I'll let our expert write, they'll do that for you. I'm sorry, my name's Kelly Overmire. Thank you. 164 Pete's Grove Circle. Thank you. So the zoning that it was was considered GC or general commercial or C3, depending on whether you're in the city or the county. And what that is is, as it states, it's just kind of a general commercial zoning district. What they're requesting is to zone from the existing district, which is a mixed use district into that general commercial zoning district. It was general commercial when it was in the county and when we annexed it. And then we have some new zoning maps and that's where this mixed use district came in, but they're looking to go back to the general commercial. So again, general commercial meaning just your kind of run of the mill commercial districts. And to clarify, I want to make sure everybody understands that it has been commercial the whole time. Yeah, that just happened. That's what we're saying. We had new zoning maps that came out during a city-wide rezoning. The developer, the property owners, then came within that period of time, asked for a GC, but then the maps became effective with this district. But the uses in this district are very similar to that in the GC. So the development would not change all that much with regard to a use standpoint. Come to the mic. I understand. If you could just speak to the mics so everybody can hear you, thank you. I understand that the city's always gonna be doing stuff like this. My biggest comment is the one that's across the street from Earth Road, there's no houses around that. So that's to me not, I mean, it's across the street, yes, but it's not next to any houses. The two parts that are next to Peach Grove Villas on both sides, you're gonna have houses backed up right up into these commercial properties. And again, like the lady was talking about gas stations, restaurants, whatever, things that are open till midnight or whatever, and people live in these neighborhoods. This isn't downtown. We didn't move downtown to live next to these things. We moved into here to be more in a suburban type area. And by building businesses that are either open 24 hours or whatever, that's gonna really hurt the neighborhood. Okay, tip for clarification, just so everybody understands, would you mind going through the businesses? I mean, MU2 is similar to GC, so doesn't change the businesses that can go into these areas. They still can build a gas station if it's MU2 or if it's GC. There's some parking and some other things, correct? There are a few use differences. I mean, they're not identical by any means, but largely you've got general commercial uses are allowed in both. You do have some uses, some auto related uses that may not be permitted in the MU2, but you're still going to, and it's a 75 foot height allowance as well in the MU2. So it is a fairly intense commercial district. But it's still a commercial district. It is a commercial district. It just permits residential in addition to the commercial, which is why it's in mixed use. Yeah, which was commercial before it got turned into residential, the Peachtree neighborhood was commercial and Peachtree, excuse me. Is there any limitations on like barriers between the housing and commercial that is required when they start building? We do have landscape buffer requirements between residential uses and commercial uses. Yeah, how large are that? Can't quote them off the top of my head. I mean, I think anywhere from 15 to 30 feet, depending on the, whether you have a barrier or what type of landscaping. Just to ask a question. Yeah, absolutely. So when the subdivision was built, it was on general commercial, the land around it that we're talking about. It was in the county. But it was on commercial. And it was, that part was in the city. So it would have been commercial. Yes, sir. And then like I said, then when we did the rezoning, it changed to MU. So we're really not, there's no change to what was there when anybody bought a house or anything like that. I mean, and so kind of the change just kind of happened to us in the timing issue with our new zoning, correct? Largely, yes, sir. And the staff and the planning commission have both approved us to planning commission unanimously. Yes, sir. Any other speech or more motion or what? Yes, sir. I have one more question about the city services. I don't know what all the rules are when properties annexed and all that kind of stuff. Does the city provide full like water and sewer services to these areas or what's the limitation on that? We have water and sewer, they do all the garbage, all commercial is all garbage and everything is done privately. But the sewer out here is actually not city. I believe it's Palmetto utilities. That's why I was asking the question. And the water rate when you come in the city drops pretty well too. So it's less expensive water to be in the city than it is to not be in the city. Isn't that correct? The sewer was more expensive by what we have than what the city has. The other question that I had was about streets. The city does not do road maintenance in our development because they consider it some type of, they try to equate it to a apartment complex even though it's a condo neighborhood that has full, I mean, normal streets with sewers and all that kind of stuff in, but they don't maintain them. Yeah, so normally in a development, the developer either deeds it over once they're built to city specs and so forth. And then we maintain it from there. If the developer hasn't done it, then they're private roads and you control all usage who comes in and out. And so that is a decision that's done by the development or the homeowners association. That's not automatic. We can't even turn it over to the city. They won't even take it. I've talked to them. And that might be because they may not be built to the city specs. I would find that hard to believe because if you look at our roads, our roads are in better shape and look better and have the sewers and everything than what the city has. So I'd like to just clarify based on the discussion. This is very helpful. This is simply a change to the zoning. This property or set of parcels are already in the city, correct? Yes. This is not an annexation. Correct, correct. Okay. For no one else to speak, Mr. Mayor, I'd make the motion that we approve. I have a motion on the floor. Is there a second? So we have a motion, a second. And Madam Clerk, can you read the roll? Mr. Taylor. Aye. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. Mayor Rickman. Aye. Thank you. And I'm sorry, I just wanted, I was asking, trying to get some clarification of the type of building that could go there regardless. I think a grocery store would be one. So regardless of the change, it could still be a commercial use like a grocery store, regardless of the change that we're making. If that helps folks understand very much like a grocery store. Yes. That concludes your zoning public hearing. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Hampton. Thank you, Christam. Moving into a period of ordinance's first reading, item 21, ordinance number 20202047, authorizing the city manager to execute the second amendment of license agreement and memorandum of lease between core campus, one LLC and the city of Columbia. Is there a motion? Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Madam Clerk, can you read the roll? Mr. Taylor. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. Mayor Rickman. Aye. Item 22 is resolution number 20202042, authorizing the city manager to execute a warranty agreement between Mungo Homes Properties LLC and the city of Columbia. Move, Mr. Mayor. Can I just have a little brief explanation of exactly what this is? I can't hear you, Mr. Taylor. I'm sorry. I don't hear it. Can you hear me now? Are you asking for an explanation, sir? This is short. Just where are we? I got Ms. Knox to give me one earlier. I'm sorry. On this item? I don't know if TK or Clint are coming forward. If not, I'll take a stab at him. I just, like I said, I apologize. I missed it when I was doing my review. We don't have the attachment in front of me. What's the warranty for? The warranty, from my understanding, is all the sections of the development's not finished. They need to bind out. This is Gonzalez, isn't it? But we don't want to do it because we still, their construction work may destroy some of the things. And so they're warranting that they will fix that. The mongoose is warranting to us, they will fix it. Yes, yes. Yes. I second them. So I got a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, seeing none. Madam Clerk, can you read the roll? Mr. Taylor. Mr. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. May I recommend? Aye. Item 23 is resolution number R-2020-039, authorizing consumption of beer and wine only within Boyd Plaza, adjacent to the Columbia Museum of Art. Motion to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, hearing none. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll please? Mr. Taylor. Aye. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. May I recommend? Aye. Item 24, resolution number R-2020-044, authorizing consumption of beer and wine only within Boyd Plaza, adjacent to the Columbia Museum of Art. Motion to approve. Got a motion to approve. Is there a second? I have a second. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll please? Mr. Taylor. Aye. Ms. Herbert. Aye. Dr. Bussells. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mr. Duvall. Aye. May I recommend? Aye. Thank you. Appointments, you have four items here. The Bull Street Commission Design Development Review Commission, Hospitality and Tax Advisory Committee, and the Richland-Luttsington Airport Commission. I think Matt, I don't remember the district. Who we have? No, he's from District 3. Who's on District 1 on the Bull Street Commission now? I'm asking this just so I can make sure that I'm what I'm putting forth is a slate for the Bull Street Commission of Ashley Elze, Matt Varner, and Christian Jerome. There is District 1 representation already on the board existing. Ashley, I'm just trying to get clarification. Bull Street Commission, there is District 1. Ellen Cooper did represent District 1. Rebecca Haines is a District 1. Rebecca Haines? OK, that's fine. Sabrina is District 1. All right, is there a motion? I didn't hear what you said. The Bull Street Commission I'm putting forth is Ashley Elze, Matt Varner, and Christian Jerome. Motion to approve. Can I have a second? Second. Madam Clerk, can you read the roll? Mr. Taylor? Ms. Herbert? Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Madam Mayor, recommend? Aye. We have DDRC next. I'd like to propose that Bruce Greenberg take the attorney, Phillip McGuire take the community representative. Council as a whole is asked to hold the architectural historian until our next meeting. So with that, I move forth. Motion to approve. I have a motion. Is there a second? Yes, sir. That's with the vacancies and one, I'm sorry, one vacancy. That we're leaving that one. Yes, sir. Is there a second? Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, can you read the roll? Mr. Taylor? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Mayor, recommend? Aye. Food Policy Committee is next. We have one opening. I think we deferred that one. We deferred that one. Y'all deferred that one too? I missed that. Sorry, my apologies. Now, I think the opening came in very late, so we'll do that. There are some positions coming at the end of the year too, as well, for the record. Hospitality Tax Advisory Committee, we need to make sure that we approve. We had put James Williams on there last time, but we didn't do it correctly. So I want to make sure that we're adding James Williams and then Putnam Patel as the at-large member. Poonam, they tell him. Poonam. Is Poonam? Oh, it says Putnam on my sheet. I typed it in Southern, I'm sorry. Does that see a few of us on vacant? No, it says Poonam here on my sheet. It says Putnam. Is there a motion? I'd like to make a motion to approve. Is there a second? Let me ask you a question. Yes, sir. Is there another vacancy on hospitality? So currently, there is one vacancy for at-large and one for restaurateur, restaurateur. So we're talking about two vacancies? Yes, sir. For hospitality? For hospitality. That's remaining. Was you all appointed last week? And we approve deferring the positions until next week. Yeah, they got to meet. Yeah, they got to meet. But we're just doing it after they start. Now, this would do it for this segment. All right. I know that there's two other persons in the batters. Yeah, there's a total of eight applicants that can meet. I'm sorry. There's a total of eight applicants left from the original pool, where you all appointed last meeting that are eligible for the two vacancies, one at-large and one restaurateur. And so I do have a question. We have to point, Mr. Williams, because we had already done that last time. We just had to do it officially. So that would leave one slot open. It gives it a majority. And let me just say, and looking at the examination, where we went for, frankly, a minority female for that second position, which was Ms. Patel, who is with MUSC and I think very highly recommended. Yeah. I couldn't hear. I couldn't hear what you said. I'm sorry. Ms. Patel was a minority female that was put onto the committee. She's from MUSC, so they're very invested in that she fits the criteria for the at-large. I will say, just my personal perspective, I would like for us to hold that second one only in the light of the correspondence that we received. And I personally just haven't had a chance to look at it. Are you all on hospitality time? Because I know Ms. Patel applied for Bull Street. She applied for Bull Street. And we got a request to move it to H-Dex. Oh, OK. Same thing. It's just a little fast for me. So let's move forward. Mr. Williams will hold the other. We have a majority they can meet. We'll move forward. I mean, if you're not prepared to bring some of my else forth, then let's just bring it to that. I just got a motion on the floor with a second. I mean, honestly, you can go ahead out. Just so y'all would understand. Yeah, I understand. I just think we have, like I said, with Mr. Williams, that was kind of a procedural thing that was missed. And I think Ms. Patel is just the kind of candidates you hope to get, to be perfectly honest with you. But just based on, Mr. Mayor, I know we have a period of discussion, but just based on the email that was sent out by the chair of that committee, we need to be sensitive to. And I'm sure I understand Ms. Patel. But we do need to be sensitive to diversity. So I know Ms. Patel personally. And she had requested to move because she got confused with the application process. And she is a person of color. I think that she would do a wonderful job. She is a strategic engagement manager for MUSC and has great relationships across the city. And I urge you all to consider allowing her to be our at-large person on H-Tex. No, I'm not questioning her credentials at all, Dr. Brossom. I'm not. There needs to be a genuine conversation about diversity on boards and commissions. Simply said. I support what you're saying. But there needs to be a conversation that engenders itself around diversity. Mr. Mcdowell, let me apologize then. Because what I did as part of one of the reviews is like somebody mentioned early on, we got lots of great applications for the Bull Street Commission. And we had others where we didn't quite have the diversity we needed. And frankly, we approached some folks where we had an abundance of great candidates and said, would you consider applying to this so we could create more diversity on like the H-Tex committee? I want you to, it was a very deliberate type move to accomplish exactly what you're talking about. Yeah, I agree with you wholehearted. But I still think there is that conversation. And again, I'm not questioning. I'm not questioning Ms. Patel. I just think there needs to be a real genuine, authentic conversation. And I know it's application, I know that. But we need to have a conversation about this issue. And I think it's needed. So I'm not refuting anything. I agree with that. I just think we need to move on. But we need to be sensitive. Yes, sir. Since you bring that point up, let me add something. One of the other things that we deal with, it is an application. And then that creates some restrictions on us to be able to accomplish a lot of times the diversity. We have this another issue. And I would charge our city attorney maybe to look at this deal to see if its ordinance driven from the state or statute driven from the state or something. Many of these commissions are slotted, like H-Tags. You've got to have so many from the restaurant booth, so many from the lodging booths, and then some at large. The question is, sometimes we struggle to find a person that can fill the slot. And to me, I think, and I don't want the city manager, which they were putting together, the big binder. The big binder. This is the little binder. One of the things I think we should have in that discussion is a look in the review of all these committees and see how many are still relevant to that. That's my point. And if those that are relevant and important, can we remove a lot of the slotting that it takes? So we open it up for more people to start. We did that exercise a few months back before the elections. And so the staff may have that information. We talked about the designated spots. I know it varies per board or commission. A lot of the slots that are determined are based on the bylaws for the individual board or commission. But those changes, I guess, can be made based on what council prefers. I know the primary change that the previous council discussed was opening it for work or reside within the city limits. That might create some opportunity, too. Well, I just wanted to add, since this particular position, this wasn't where I was going to mention it, but because this particular board brought on the diversity discussion, last night in a neighborhood meeting, one of the complaints I got was the meeting time. So I think that there are a lot of things that we can look at to increase accessibility for the boards and commissions. But one of the things that a lot of folks, some of them have to take leave to come to a meeting at 10 o'clock or 4 o'clock. And so there are people who don't apply. So I think that when we're looking at it, let's take a moment and look at all of those reasons. My understanding was that it was because staff is not allowed to have evening meetings because of staff time. And I was like, I don't think that's necessarily true, because I know CAC does in the evenings. But as we have that discussion, that is one of the things I think we should look at at the time of the meetings. I agree with you. Can we refer that to the administrative committee and call for the vote on the motion that answers? Absolutely. At the appropriate time, we can do that. Yes. Right now, we've got a motion on the floor that has a second. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll, please? And can we repeat what we're voting on? Or we've got to vote on two? We're voting on two. James Williams and Putnam Patel. And when our positions are there, one is the restaurateur is one in the large. As you know, that committee has a pretty strict structure. I think what Mr. McDowell was really talking about earlier is taking a true dive at all of our committees and actually looking at how they're built and the requirements. And are they still relevant today so that it opens up more opportunities for more? But I will say, in all fairness to thing, is that we've probably done more than we've ever, ever done to advertise for these positions. So if people say they didn't have an opportunity, I've got to tell them that I'm not sure that I agree that they didn't because we have done a monumental turn in making sure that we get the message out about these committees. But we will continue to improve. We will continue to discuss things. I know that our viewership online has increased tremendously. And we'll do things if things need to be changed because more people feel left out than we will discuss. So does that mean? There's a motion on the floor. Does that mean five PM city council meetings next year? Maybe? Do what? I said, does that mean maybe five PM meetings next year? You got to get a different job. You signed up for the city of Columbia. It's first and foremost on your list. You're on the floor. Who would approve this question? I'd like to review my motion to approve these two candidates to the H-tax committee. OK. Mr. Taylor, Ms. Harbert, Dr. Bustle, Mr. Burnett, Mr. McDowell, Mr. Duvall, may I recommend? I. Thank you. OK. Now I'd like to ask that we refer officially to the administrative committee. We're not there yet. We have one more commission. I know y'all are excited. You got full of energy. You got your second win, because we've been here since one, or some of y'all been here since 10. The next one is Richland County Airport Commission. We would like to reappoint Ms. Walker to that position. Is there a motion? So moved. Is there a second? Second. We have a motion on the floor. It's been in a second. Madam Clerk, can you read the role, please? Mr. Taylor. Ms. Harbert. Dr. Bustle. Mr. Burnett. Mr. McDowell. Mr. Duvall. May I recommend? I. Thank you. Thank you. Now I'd like to make a motion that we refer the diversity discussion, the slotting commission, the evaluation of committee structure, and the elimination of ex-officio non-appointed members to the certain committees that we have. To the administrative committee, chaired by Mr. McDowell. Ms. Hammond, you have that. Can you repeat the part about the elimination? Just the elimination of non-appointed ex-officio members, just the overall evaluation of the complete committee listings, the works. I mean, just a review. Yes, sir. And come back to the council with recommendations of, and I think we need the city attorney probably to be involved with that, because I have a feeling that some of these statutes, like on hospital, I mean, some of these deals like hospitality tax, the boards may be governed by some type of state statute. I heard Councilwoman Herbert say meeting times as well. Meeting times. I would say that anybody that has anything that needs to be discussed, committees, to email Reverend McDowell accordingly and get it on the list, including city staff that thinks there's things that we need to look at as well. Do we include reviewing if they're needed still, some if they're even needed at all? You got that, Madam Clerk? I do. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Needed or consolidated in some cases? Is there a second? You need a vote on that. Second. Second. Referring to the meeting. Yeah. Yes. Second. Thank you. Mr. Taylor? Aye. Ms. Herbert? Aye. Dr. Bussells? Aye. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDowell? Yes. Mr. Duvall? Aye. Mary Rickerman? Aye. Thank you. We have come to the point for public input. If any of there's anyone who'd like to speak on any subject. Are there committee reports? Are we doing a committee report? Y'all have reports? Everybody got quiet. Well, I would like to give you a brief report on our economic development and community development. Please go ahead. An hour and 45 minutes. I mean, it was a very robust, very positive discussion on the things that council and staff are working together on to eliminate things that make us less competitive with the area and sponsor small business growth and new investment across the entire city. I mean, I think one of the things that's most exciting for me is things that we discussed a couple of years ago for relatively simply one economic area have now been expanded citywide. I think we'll have recommendations for council coming up soon on certain things that have to be passed by ordinances, the elimination of certain fees that have been deal killers and things that I think you'll be extraordinarily excited about. Mr. Brennan and Ms. Harvard, I anticipated lively this morning. Y'all have any comments you'd like to add to that? No, you did an excellent job, Councilman Taylor. I believe she said that. Chairman Taylor, thank you for leading that discussion. Very excited about the recruitment and retainment of talent conversation we had and how we can help our small businesses grow that way. So I look forward to bringing that forward to Council. That's right. And we also heard from the OBO office on their successes. And we're going to come back after budget season when we have a little bit more time and really spend some time on how we can develop and build minority women and disadvantaged enterprises in Columbia. Because we're getting ready. As the mayor says, we open now. We're getting ready to grow. We want to make sure that opportunity that occurs in the city occurs for every single person. And I would like to echo to the discussion that you led on building a toolkit for specific needs throughout the city. And in specific areas, I think it's going to be very helpful. And the last thing I would add is our property tax modernization committee will meet on Thursday. We will Dr. Walters is coming back into town. We will hopefully have a final draft. We have kind of made a change here. And instead of trying to finalize out everything, Councilman DeVall, I think I'll be very happy with this, has come back with a draft and then spend the course of the summer meeting with individual groups and entities and other stakeholders before we reconvene for a final meeting in September and come back with a final recommendation of implementation for the mayor to convene hopefully an implementation committee across business leaders, elected leaders, and community leaders in Richland County. Good plan. That's the end of our report. Do we have any other committee reports? Yes, ma'am. I do have a report, a very brief report, from the Affordable Housing Task Force. We had our first meeting of the year. Primary purpose of the meeting was to just kind of look at what this committee will look like or what this tax force will look like going forward. We took committee reports from the various committees, made a few decisions, which I think will be good to number one, to add a for-profit developer to the committee. So if any of you all have any suggestions, please let me know. And what I intend to do is send out a survey to the members of some of the issues that were brought up, including the prior reports that have been done to see what we endorse, what we don't endorse going forward, and then choose three to five things that we think that we can do or be impactful in. I did Reginald Barner, Councilman Taylor, was very interested in the Tax Modernization Committee. So I did refer him to you. And then I do need another. I forgot there were two councilpeople. It was Councilwoman Devine and Mr. Davis. I don't know if they were, was it a co-counsel kind of thing? So if anyone is interested, let me know. But I do have it under control. But we look forward to bringing you all something that will kind of show either how we close it out or if an assessment of effectiveness going forward. If you'll take me, since a lot of our homeless issues are related very much to housing, I would love to be a part of that and support Councilman Herbert. That is fine, then I won't have to answer those questions. That's perfect, perfect. And then there's a, yeah, please go ahead. And are they other committee reports? Cause I did just have one. Mine was just real quick that tomorrow, as we've mentioned in the last couple of meetings, we've been doing a lot of background homework and meeting with providers and stakeholders in the community. We'll be holding our first task force on homelessness. This is open to the public. So anybody that's interested, please come. It'll be at the Busby Center at 4 p.m. And we have several presentations from staff to get an idea of homelessness in the community as well as time for discussion led by our business and neighborhood leaders. So I'll report back in two weeks. Two very quick things, because I've been here since 10 o'clock too. I wanted to thank, I don't know if PR is here, but we did, in response to trying to do some preventative measures, yes ma'am, preventative measures, we have put out a video asking for people to tell us, what are y'all doing? Because we're trying to connect those services. And so I just want to thank PR because, like they sent me this and it's beautiful, the directory and it's continuing to be. So I want to thank you all for that because we know that crime goes up during the summertime. So we don't always have to spend money to impact the community, but we can do something as simple as this and be a resource. Last thing is Aubrey, Chief Jenkins, on Saturday I want to commend them. They did the installing, and I got it, installing smoke alarms along the Monticello corridor on Saturday, and that was pretty cool. I want to thank you all. We had volunteers that came all the way from Buford, which was really impressive to me because 2902.03 has another great statistic that we're working on with lots of calls and fire calls and lots of deaths. So thank you so much for your sacrifice and the program you all had. Commands, referrals, new business. Seeing none, we'll move into a period of public input. If there's anybody who'd like to speak, you have an opportunity now, any subject. State your name and your address for the record, please. My name is Patricia Simons, and I live at 3301 Truman Street in Columbia. I want to first of all thank you all for letting me speak this afternoon. Yes ma'am. I'm here. I did speak with Ms. Bussells and Mr. Duvall. I want to thank you all very much for the meeting that we had about a month ago. And I think Ms. Bussells was forgetting the job done to some empty vacant lot next to my home. On the day that the grass or whatever was cut, the cold inspector came by, Ms. Frazier, came into the neighborhood. And she was saying that she had contacted the owner and that he had been served, that he was supposed to cover up all the ditches in that area. He was trying to build a home. He hasn't had a permanent in over a year. And there's still trenches and there's still, there was a tree that was actually the light, the storm that we had, it broke it down. The city also took care of that when they cut the lawn. Now, Mr. McDowell has been to my home several times. He knows the situation about that empty lot. He knows the trenches are there. And with the weather changing now, we have a lot of rain sometimes. When I go out to my trash can, there are mosquitoes, there's everything out there. And Mr. McDowell knows about it because he's been there more than one time. And not only is, what's the area overgrown, but the trees are so big in that area. And I understand that the city of Columbia, you cannot make anyone cut their trees. That I would have to be responsible as a homeowner to cut whatever is on my property. But when the roots of their trees are breaking up my driveway, who is supposed to do that? Because it's mine, I'm supposed to take care of it. Ma'am, you actually need to contact the owner and put them on notice because it becomes their responsibility. And if anything happens down the road, they'll be liable in a court of law. Cut the roots. He knows that. He already knows. The court enforcement people, they have already notified him of that. He has not done anything. On the 3rd of May, as I was getting ready to go out of town, I saw the city there and I called Ms. Bustle. She had already told me. She said, now, when they come and cut that lot, you call me and let me know. And I did. But I'm just saying that he's been notified. He hasn't done anything. And it just seems like the court enforcement area is kind of slowing up their tracks. I know they're just like everything else in the city. Everything is kind of slowed up. You don't have people to do whatever you need to do. But they could have someone to correspond with me and let me know. I also have another empty lot on the other side where the owner has cut the trees down, but they left all the stumps and the grasses going up high on that side. So I am between two masses. And I just want to let the city know that you all know that something actually needs to be done. I know there's a lot of work going on in Belvedere. I know that. I've lived out there over 40 years. I've been fighting that same owner before my husband passed in February of 20. We were doing it, but because my husband had cancer, his fight was not there anymore to try to do whatever we did. And I've tried to speak with the owner before, but he's not a very nice person to speak with. So I'm just asking that maybe you all could, and don't take my word for it, pass by my house and see what I'm dealing with. Yes ma'am, all we can do at this point is continue to work through code enforcement and go through the legal system. My question would be is there an opportunity for us to talk to the owner about selling it? Cause maybe somebody would like to build a house in that neighborhood and get something done. Well, the thing is, Mr. McDowell has already seen the property. It used to have a house there years and years ago. The owner, she passed. So it became the property of the city. After I've been talking, code enforcement has been talking with him, all of a sudden now, this man has put a for sale sign up there that's been up for months. And nothing else has happened. He doesn't even wanna maintain the property. When you put a sign up on something, I'm sure you wanna keep it together and clean for someone to even consider it. But he has not done any of that. So I don't know what his problem is, but I'm just asking the city and maybe to just look into it, find out what's going on. We'll commit to continue to push what we can do and reach out. We'll make sure code enforcement and other folks continue to keep an eye on it. And we'll try to do the best thing we can with what we can do. Yes. And I have had someone, I'm having someone to come tomorrow to look at my driveway because the way the routes are, it has lifted up and broken the cement. And so just driving my car over there over it. I mean, that can actually cut my tires or anything. And the more it rains, the worse it gets. So I'm gonna have to spend the money to try to get that taken care of because it's gonna go worse if we'll get better. Thank you. Thank you, wow. Thank you. Yes, sir. My name is Hayden Blakeney. I live at 327 Prentice Avenue, right behind Roosevelt Elementary. I would say good afternoon, but my watch tells me it's becoming evening. So I'll say good evening and hopefully keep this a little brief. Those of you that follow local journalism may have seen a piece within the state newspaper that was published in March 23rd. That piece is in regard to the high rate of diabetic amputations within the 29203 area code. I highly recommend to everyone, not only the council, but everyone, the audience read it. It is a great piece of journalism as someone that went to journalism school. As well as cool interactive ones, you scroll and that information pops up as you go. It's very accessible. And what's disturbing in that article is it lays out all of the reasons why these diabetic amputations happen at such a high rate, literally right on our front door. And I'd be curious to know what actions the council is taking or any committee is taking to address this problem. I had a chance to look through some of the agendas for not only this meeting, but future meetings and past meetings. And to my knowledge, I cannot find any point of addressing this problem in any considerable measure. To me, I think that is your job because this is happening, like I said, on our front door. And I'd like to know what the city is doing to handle this issue. Because again, this is a problem where people are not only rendered handicapped such that their lives are not given the quality they should. These are people that can no longer work. These amputations are often time death sentences. 50 to 80% of people who get these amputations, lower limb amputations for diabetic reasons, die within five years of getting their procedure. That is, according to the article at least, a higher rate than the average death rate. If you were told you had cancer, you have a higher survival rate than if you're told you have to get a diabetic amputation. And we know what the solution is. We know how to fix this problem. It's right there in the article in black and white. We have to make sure that there are ways people can get healthy food and access to medical care. It doesn't seem like it's happening. So I'd like to know what is being done to address that issue. Second of all, before we move on, I know what was brought up was the issue of homelessness. It's an issue that I'm very familiar with. I work with a homeless almost every weekend. I'm not involved in a huge organization. It's just me, some of my friends, they're just concerned citizens. Every Saturday we give up two hours of our time to make food, to package food that's donated to us from local businesses. And every Sunday we pack up food, usually in my car or someone else's, and drive it to Finley Park and bring it to the unhoused people. And as much as I'd like to say that the city has been an ally in that endeavor, unfortunately have turned into an adversary. We have that public bathrooms at Finley Park that have been locked, which lead to sanitary concerns among the population that resides there. We have a fence that surrounds a pavilion in the park that should be open to the public, that should be open to this population in inclement weather, or when it's really hot and sunny out like it is today, because they don't get to come inside of a nice air conditioned building like we are all in and take shelter from that sun. I'd really like to see these things happen. I'd like to see these things push forward because it's an issue like I said, I run into every single weekend. And while I do look forward to the meeting tomorrow afternoon at four with admittedly bated breath, I'd like to bring that issue up to everyone while everyone is still here because these people are not merely a problem that should go away like some people think they should. They're not merely people to send to another city with a bus ticket. They are members of our community. They're my friends and they're your constituents. So I'd like to know what's being done to help them out. And I'm sorry, tell me, is it okay? Yes, ma'am, please. And tell me your name again. My name's Hayden. Hayden, are you the, I've talked to somebody who wrote the article. Are you that person or not? I'm not, I didn't write there. I wish I did. I think it's a great article. Does he sense move? No, so there are a couple of things that are in the works. But I will sell you from a person from private sector, the city works in city time. I don't mean to say that in a bad way, but we do work at a different level of time, but we do have a full policy committee. And I guess Mayor Rickerman can talk a little bit about that, but they are working on a couple of things. But just today in our economic and community development meeting, Mr. Taylor had a really good recommendation that I think we're gonna flesh out with our Office of Business Opportunities about providing incentives for grocers or different businesses that are providing healthy foods. But in addition to that, and then I hesitate to say some of them because they're in the works, okay? We don't know how they flesh out, but I don't want the public to think that we're not doing anything or not thinking about it. Just a few minutes ago, I was exchanging emails about sidewalks because I'm born and bred in 29203, okay, all my life. And we don't have a lot of sidewalks. And I think that's a direct correlation with our health and our ability to prevent having diabetes. So I was literally getting cost estimates for sidewalks today. We're doing a biking initiative in Greenview on Saturday with the Parks and Rec. Can't reason make me do it, and the police, yeah. So there are a lot of different things that are going on. And I know that we may not move in the speed that the public wants us to, but there are several discussions and ideas that are going on. And because I'm born and bred in 29203, I take it very personally. And I know that being an example is one of those things that I can do. So we'll be doing walking on Wednesdays. So give us a little bit of time. It's a new council and we're getting adjusted, but do not think that that is not a concern that we don't think about on a daily basis. And I would just like to echo Councilman Herbert on that. I'm an epidemiologist by trade, so I'm happy to connect you to many organizations, including the Alliance for Healthier South Carolina, of which I'm a member that is working on looking at how we improve the health and wellbeing of South Carolinians holistically, including some efforts in the Midlands. But I think what Councilman Herbert said is exactly on the money in that we are thinking about this every day. We recognize that your health and your optimal wellbeing is not just influenced by access to food. It's influenced by economic opportunities, safe roads, safe neighborhoods, less violence, youth having potential, seeing their potential because they know that there's lots of opportunities out there for them. It has to do with transportation. These are all things that we think about every day. And so to be able to package it in this perfect little present is hard to do at the moment, but know that we are all looking at it with the ultimate goal of how do we reduce disparities so that our kids in 29203 have the same life opportunities as across the city. And I'm very pleased for someone who is coming in with a different perspective to have colleagues that are willing to think in that sense in terms of how we really move the needle, especially after the pandemic, seeing how so many existing disparities, like with diabetes and a lot of other chronic conditions, the pandemic has simply exacerbated them. They already existed and now we're seeing the gap even more. So I want you to know that there is a lot of different things that we are working on and it's something that I would say a lot of us are very passionate about and we hope to, through our systemic approach, make a difference and prevent poor health outcomes from happening. And I do appreciate those responses. I think, again, issuing incentives to get healthy grocery stores wholeheartedly endorse that and I absolutely respect that a lot of these things do take some time but at the same time, with all due respect, I feel like it would take even more time if people didn't complain about it like I'm doing right now. So that's the only reason I'm here is to kind of poke that issue a bit. Like I said, I will be going to the homelessness task force rather tomorrow. I'd be really interested in seeing what the options are. Absolutely. Thank you, sir. I have good news. My name is Diane Lawley, 4036 Wealth Court, 29204. Thank you all for being here. I have good news. We got a new service station in our neighborhood and Mr. McDowell was out there with me yesterday but he wanted to do a ribbon cutting. He called me back. They lowered the gas. You remember the gas was $4.20 yesterday. Went down to 299. If y'all want to go get some gas, go on 3,000, two nights road. That's right. Old dental clinic. But I'm inviting y'all to... It looks much better. It'll look real good. But I want y'all to come and do the ribbon cutting. He wants you to call him, Mr. McDowell. To me? Yes. Call you? Oh. The gentleman you met yesterday. Yeah, yes. And we want y'all to come out to do the ribbon cutting. And I want you to know that I approve of that because he wasn't gonna do anything. I said, you're not gonna come into my neighborhood and don't give us a discount. 4.20 is like the rest of it. But it's 399 and the cars are just running through the day. I sit there for about two hours. But he wants you to call Mr. McDowell to sit up with city council. Make sure it... Thank you, Ms. Wilder. Mr. Maricom. Okay. I don't always be bad, but you know... Right, we... Look, I was taught by our grandmother to say what's on your mind and get it over with. And you have succeeded, by the way. I'm not mad at you. Happy birthday to you. Thank you, Ms. Wiley. Is there anyone else who'd like to speak this evening? Good evening. My name is Doreen Skelton. And I live at 3818 New History. And as you know, I'm an advocate to help the homeless. There you go, thank you. I have so many ideas coming to me all the time. I spoke with some homeless people on the streets after I left the meeting here last Tuesday, that Tuesday that we had the last meeting. And I saw two people that were... One of them have a part-time job. And one of them is looking for a job. So what I'm asking the city to do is see if we can create some type of facilities where these people that are looking for jobs, where they can go take showers, get a decent meal, and be able to have some place where they can get contact information about a job that is trying to hire them. That's my first goal now, because I realized them having jobs would help them get a home, okay? So please consider that and let me know what we can do. Like I said, I took a part-time job at Lowe's, and I love it, I really love it. I said I should have done this before, but... Anyway, I was a school teacher at Rich in Two, not assistant. And I retired, like I said, but I'm really enjoying my job so much that I'm like, I did not do this before, you know? I really love building and dealing with plants and things like that. So, but anyway, please let me know, Miss Dr. Russell, what we can do. I hope that you will be joining us tomorrow to share some of your ideas with us. And, Mayor, I believe we do have, you know, one more position open for somebody to join our committee, and I'd like to consider at our next meeting to, I know you've been very involved, formally make Ms. Kelton a part of our task force to help us think through some of these things. Thank you. Thank you. I just want to comment, Ms. Kelton. I was at Lowe's yesterday, and now I recognize you. You are the nicest checkout greeter that I remember. I said, well, she said hello to me. That's the first time in a long time, so keep it up. Well, I used to go to Lowe's a lot of times. On the Garner's Ferry. Myself, yes, absolutely. And the people did not assist me at all, so I'm like, I'm gonna assist everybody that comes in here. They should give what they need. Have a good day. Thank you. Is there anybody else that would like to speak? My name's Joshua Taylor. I'm a current resident at Transitions. I've been out here for about three years, and I became homeless about six months ago. There you go. That way, right? Sorry, I became homeless about six months ago. Lived out here for about three years. Suffered from a drug addiction since I was about 12 years old, and it's a mess out there right now. We need help. I really didn't come too much prepared because I really just didn't know what to say other than, we do and we need help. Doreen, I love your idea. I catch a man of fish and feed him, eats for an hour, teach a man to fish, and do it forever. We need that. Some of us haven't been taught, right? Some of us don't know how to do right yet. But we can, with the willingness from the council, we will do better. I know that it comes from change, and it comes and it starts with us first. We can do that. There's some great people out there. We need help too. Thank you, guys. Thank you. Anyone? Yes? One of our bastards this year, and man, if you want to go down the river in an inner tube, or you want to go to the Congaree National Forest in the winter when the snakes don't drop out of trees, Mike is the man. I'm telling you, he does a greater job of selling our city in the area than just about anybody I know. So, Mike, good to have you up here with us today. If there are no other comments, Mr. DeVall? Ready? Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion. We're going to executive session for receipt of legal advice relating to appending, threatening, or potential claim pursuant to SE code 30-4-S78-2. Satishia Brunson and James Hurd versus City of Columbia and Columbia Police Department, Beata DeWitt versus City of Columbia. Discussion of negotiations, incident proposed contractual arrangements pursuant to SE code 30-4-S78-2. Dominion energy, discussion of the employment of an employee pursuant to SE code 30-4-S78-1. Municipal court judges and organizational review. We have a motion. Is there a second? Let's move. We have a second. Madam Clerk, can you read the roll? Mr. Taylor? Ms. Herbert? Dr. Bussells? Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDowell? Yes. Mr. DeVall? Mayor, recommend. Aye. Yes.