2026-08-18 - City Council
Summary
Built from official minutes. No video is posted.
- Regular meeting 4:07 PM; six members present (Councilman McDowell, Councilman Brennan, Councilwoman Herbert, Councilman Bailey, Councilman Johnson), Councilman Brown absent; Mayor Rickenmann presiding.
- Mayor recognized Representative Christopher Hart (District 79) and Tyra Little (Richland County Council); Councilor McDowell recognized former City Council member Sam Davis.
- American Heart Association check presentation: $10,000 donated; Columbia Police Department equipped 300 vehicles with Automated External Defibrillators (AED); GO RED campaign and "Jump Start Your Heart" event at Finlay Park with survivor stories and fitness activities.
- Black Expo 2026 update: May 14-16 event attracted 15,000+ attendees, $3.8 million economic impact, 250+ minority-owned businesses participated, out-of-town visitors averaged 2-night stay.
- Consent agenda items 4-9 approved unanimously: IT software renewals, elevator maintenance, police professional services, vehicle and equipment purchases, water treatment fees, road resurfacing.
- Public comment: Lynne Shirley inquired about NAC vs. RM-2 zoning differences for Rosewood Drive/Fulton Street property rezoning.
- Ordinances second reading: property sales contracts (Ord. 2026-066, 2026-067, 2026-089, 2026-090) for residential homeownership; CEO of Founders Credit Union presented partnership for affordable housing initiative with 1,300 sq ft all-brick homes with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms at affordable mortgage rates.
- First reading ordinances: Dominion Energy easement for Olympia Fire Station (Ord. 2026-075); office lease for Huitzi The Bus Coffee Shop (Ord. 2026-076); Clemson Road property removal from City limits (Ord. 2026-078); equipment lease purchase ($15M, Ord. 2026-079); Comporium telecommunications franchise (Ord. 2026-080); Lady Street Associates sidewalk/irrigation encroachment (Ord. 2026-065); 836 Catawba LLC sidewalk encroachment (Ord. 2026-068).
- Zoning map amendment for Rosewood Drive/Fulton Street (Ord. 2026-084) first reading; multiple annexations deferred or approved.
Housing Homeownership Initiative
Property sales approved for affordable housing: first-time homebuyers partnering with Founders Credit Union; all-brick homes (1,300 sq ft, 3 bed/2 bath) with affordable mortgages held by Credit Union.
Clemson Road De-annexation
Ordinance 2026-078 first reading: authorize removal of County-owned property at 120 Clemson Road from City corporate limits.