2026-10-06 - City Council

[music] Hey, >> [music] [music] [music] [music] >> How beautiful. Hello. you call start. >> Yes, sir. Good afternoon. Mr. Johnson, >> here. >> Mr. Bailey, >> present. >> Mr. Brown, >> here. >> Miss

Herbert. >> Mr. Brennan, >> present. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes. Mayor Rickman >> here. >> Thank you. >> Reverend McDow, would you mind saying a word for >> Let's bow for a word of prayer, please. >>

Gracious and eternal creator, for all that you've done for us, for the beauty of this day, for pleasant environment, and for the ability to move about this gorgeous city of ours. Touch us, ignite us

with change. Let us feel the energy of your power. We ask it in your name. Amen. I aliance 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. Mr. [clears throat] Mayor, you ready? >> Okay. We will entertain the adoption of the agenda. Mr. Mayor and Council move. >> Have got a motion to adopt.

>> Second. >> Changes, questions, or concerns. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Madam clerk, would you read the role, please? >> Mr. Johnson, >> hi. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >>

Mr. Brown, >> I >> Miss Herbert, hi. >> Mr. Brennan, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes. Mayor Rickman, >> public. Um, I do want for the record to uh we have some USC students here. Um, I'm glad y'all are

here with us for the next two and a half hours. It should be, uh, an enlightening period for you all. I'm just kidding. Uh hopefully the meeting will not be too late tonight, but you never know. But

welcome. And if y'all have any questions at the end or anything, please ask any of us uh as we go forward. Um >> Mr. Mayor, >> yes. >> Couldn't be more entertaining to hear than William Bryce on

Saturday right now. >> Jokes. Okay. [laughter] Um >> you know those are voters out there. Public input. Individuals are allotted up to three minutes to address Columbia City Council about items on the

agenda. Items requiring a public hearing cannot be addressed at this time. >> All right. At this time, no one has signed up to speak. >> We'll move on, Madame Clerk. Uh Madame City Manager. >> Yes,

sir. The approval of minutes. Item number one. Council has asked to approve the September 15, 2026 work session and regular meeting minutes. [snorts] >> Motion to approve the minutes from September

15th work session and regular meeting meetings. >> So move >> got a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> A second for Miss Herbert. Any changes, questions, or concerns? Hearing none, seeing none,

Madam Clerk, could you read the role? >> Mr. Johnson, hi. >> Mr. Bailey, >> hi. >> Mr. Brown. >> I, >> Mr. Harbert. >> I, >> Mr. Brennan, >> yes. >> And Mr. McDow, >> yes. >> Mayor Rickman, >> I. >>

Moving into a period of presentations, item number two, customer service week proclamation. The Honorable Daniel J. Rickman, mayor. >> And we have all our customer service reps. Come on down. Yeah,

you can start. >> As you can see, we brought a crowd. Uh, [laughter] this represents only a fourth of our department. Um, and so for customer service week, we get a chance to celebrate the 92 people

in the customer services department. Give yourselves a round of applause. [applause] So, we first want to thank you, America, man. We want to thank our city manager Clint uh our ACM Clint Sheiley. Um

and our director Tiffany uh Latimer who's watching us online. [laughter] Um we have a video to show you, but I do want to celebrate just the lower weight times that our team has. We It's our goal to

make it easy for citizens to do business with us. And so we do that by processing order applications and meter test and things like that. So we created a really cute video to show you all. But we

wanted our team to be here for this moment. >> Excuse me. Customer service week is fast growing ice. >> There goes the video somewhere. But that's it. >> Yeah. >> All right. Who's on AV? And it's not

me. I promise. >> Me, too. [music] I cannot wait to recognize the awesome things that our staff does. When our customers [music] and citizens reach out to the city of Columbia, they aren't just

calling for service. They're looking for support, answers, and peace of mind. Customer service week isn't just a proclamation in the world. It's an opportunity for us to recognize every call we take,

every service order we complete, and our dedications to the city of Columbia. Service is on every day [music] through the heat, the cold, and the rain. Make sure the structure stay solid. And our

online specialists bring the modern support managing water accounts, quick [music] responses, and continued in real time. Behind the scenes, we and our specialists manage thousands of complex accounts

each day to make sure everything stays accurate and transparent. on the streets in the eyes that face [music] to face trust is where public service begin. From tracking every gallon [music] with our

meter readers to protecting our clean water through cross connections, our crews work day in and day [music] out behind the scenes because taking care of our water infrastructure is really about

taking care of our community. [music] >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] HEAT. [music] [music] HEAT. [music] I do want to give a shout out really quick to Naomi Moore. She's actually a customer service

representative in our department who created that video by herself. So Naomi >> Oh, look right here. >> Where is she? >> She's right here. >> That that that was awesome. Um first of all, thank y'all

for all the hard work. Um, I remember four years ago we we spent some time over longer than that now. Spent some time over listening to you all about what we could do to help y'all do a better job.

And you took all we took your information in, but you turned around and you all have done some incredible things lowering those numbers and and I know those calls are not easy. I mean, we get them. We

understand not you can't make everybody happy, but we're in the customer service business and y'all are the front line of that. So, on behalf of this entire council, thank you for what you do every

day. We don't get a chance to tell y'all that all the time, but we truly appreciate the hard work that y'all do. Um because it is hard there. I I just was looking at those numbers. 25,000 new

applications, right? Uh 175,000 calls. Uh wait times have dropped way below 5 minutes down to 405. That's incredible, right? uh because people forget that there are other people on the phone with you

all and their problems are as long as theirs, right? It takes time to give that customer service. So, thank you. Um, so if if y'all are okay, um, I have a proclamation for y'all for, um, customer

service week, but it's really the proclamation recognizes the importance of service, excellence in local government and honor city employees who demonstrate professionalism, integrity, empathy,

initiate, and commit to serving residents and business representative. It also emphasized that providing exceptional c customer service is shared responsibility across all levels of the organization

and encourages continued teamwork and dedication to creating positive experiences for those who act um with this interact with the city. So I Daniel Rickman is the mayor of Colombia along with all

these uh fellow members of council who do hereby proclaim October 5th through 9th in 2026 is customer service week. Thank you. [applause] >> Only way to capture all this. [clears throat] >> No, no,

no. We got too many people to move. >> Not shoot this way. Yeah, >> yeah, the stool for to be up here so I can get like a better angle. >> It would be okay, but >> how long can you stand like

[laughter] this? trying to get the best shot for you. >> There you go. >> All right. >> One, two, three. >> All right, I got you. >> Thank you. If I understood correctly, was Naomi singing the Did she

create and and singing it? >> No, she >> Oh, okay. Okay. [laughter] Okay. I was about to have Naomi make sure she shows up at the employee lunchon to sing with us. That was excellent. Thank you, mayor

and council. Another wonderful opportunity to recognize a wonderful department, the fire prevention month proclamation. The honorable Daniel J. Rickman. Mayor, >> where's our where chief and our fire

marshal, Mr. Adams? >> As they're coming up, I also meant to say hey Tiffany because I'm sure she's watching us the stream. Our wonderful director of customer service. got a video to beat that one,

[laughter] >> huh? >> You got a video to match or be that one? >> Give us a minute. >> Video, >> chief. Go ahead. >> All right. Uh, thank you, uh, Mr. Mayor, Council, City Manager. Thank you all for

this recognition. You know, this is always a a a great month for us because it gives us the opportunity to not only just put fires out, but also to to educate educate people on fire. And you know, as

our community continues to grow, but our department, our firefighters continue to rise up to the occasion. Uh not only are they protecting our system, but also educating them on fire safety. And so

that that's a good thing. I I also did want to recognize this. So this is like the seventh year in a row since the inception of the fire safe community that we have uh received this this uh

designation as a fire safety community. So your fire department is doing something right. Okay. Um so this year's theme is uh for the National Fire Prevention Week is charge entry fire safety. Take

steps to charge your device properly. And basically what we're educating people on is make sure that when you charging your phones or any electronics, you're doing it properly. I tell people this, we

now have a new fire starter. And people don't realize these lithium batteries, I call those the new fire starters because they can overheat. They can set they they can um start a fire. And one thing

about them, they are extremely hard to put out with water. We can douse the flames, but we can't douse the heat that come off those batteries. So, that is one thing that that we're real conscious of.

So, um but anyway, also um just want to put put on your radar. We are going to be having our fire prevention parade tomorrow. Uh we're going to start over there at Perry uh school. We're going to pass

by four schools, the high school, the middle school, and two elementary schools, a nursery, a couple of churches, as well as in the neighborhood. So, we'll be taking that route. So, I encourage

anybody who can to come out and walk. I know mayor, a couple years ago, that was a long walk from Midland um shop you and Mr. Brandon, that was a long walk, but I know y'all still got it in you. Okay.

So, so if if if you can come out, please come out. supported um because we definitely get the message out. Also, after that, we'll be having a block party at Drew Wellness. Um so, if you can't make

the parade, at least come out to the block party. Parade starts at 11:00 and we'll have the black part the block party immediately afterward. We also were fortunate to get over a thousand smoke alarms

that we're going to be distributing to the to the community. And also we was able to get uh these are donated also a little over 100 uh fire extinguishers. We're going to be working with the Belair

community to teach them how to use these devices and all those that take the training. We're going to give them a free uh extinguisher. So again, thank you for this for this honor. U really appreciate

it. I I I wanted to add to that, Chief, because I I think sometimes when we to read the stats out, people kind of understand the importance of fire prevention, right? Um fire departments in the US

responded to over 470,000 structure fires in 2024, right? Uh Columbia Richland uh fire department responded to 520 structure fires over the course of last year, 2025. But here's the numbers that I

think are great. Our fire prevention division performed 78 over 7,800 fire inspections in 2025. They reviewed over 78 site plans, 195 fire alarm plans, um, and 136 fire sprinkler plans. So when you

look at that over the course of of how that has an effect on prevention and intervention, right, which I think is is important, but this opportunity, this prevention week also get provides opportunity

to for residents to learn more about fire risk, [clears throat] practice safety habits, honor the dedication of our firefighters, and thank our first responders. Um, our fire department's education

office has reached approximately 36,000 people and installed 403 alarms as citizens over the course of the last 12 months. Think about that. So, you you're making the effort and you're doing the

change every day. So, we want to thank you for that. Um, and then obviously, as you said, this year's theme is charge into safety. Safety charging is a superpower. It is true, you know. on working to

reduce the risk of lithium ion battery fires by promoting safe charging practice in public which I think we take for granted in a dayto-day but also have been the cause of a lot of fires that have

endangered a lot of lives. So, I appreciate y'all taking that theme up, but I really appreciate the interaction that you have, not only with our businesses, our residents, but our school children,

right? Taking the time to help them understand the importance of fire safety and why it's important, how quickly, and you start to look at those numbers. You don't realize that 502 structure fires in

the city, right, or you've responded to in Richland County, that's that's more than one a day, right? So we forget, we don't see it on the news all the time. We don't hear about of them. Some of them

are small, some of them are large, some of them have created loss of life, some of them have caused injury. Um, but y'all are always there 247. So, thank you. And with that, I'd like to proclaim um

October 2026 is fire prevention month in 2026 and present y'all with this proclamation. >> Thank you, Mayor. [applause] >> [snorts] [snorts] [applause] >> Mayor, I had one question to ask. Um, Chief

Jenkins, you don't look like that. No. Um, some people in the audience um may need a reminder of how they can dispose of their lithium batteries. >> So, that is a good loaded question. And let me tell

you about lithium batteries. Basically, we probably going to have some problems getting rid of those batteries [snorts] because they generate heat and probably they got to be we got to figure out how

to really dispose of them. >> Um, >> so that's a common issue of Okay. >> Yes. Yes. We're not the only jurisdiction that going to be bothered with that, but there are other jurisdictions as well. So,

um, some tow companies may not, if your car got lithium battery, they may not even tow it to their to their yard because those things can heat up and they can really, we can put them out. We can

suppress the flames, but it's hard to get rid of the heat that comes off of it. So, that's something that we got to really be careful how we tell them to dispose of it. Maybe George know, I don't

know. >> Question. um disposing of lithium batteries. Um some people have had found had difficulty between the time that they stopped using the lithium battery and finding an appropriate place to take

it so it ends up in the trash can. >> Yes. So any lithium batteries um whether it's phones or smoke alarms or other devices should be properly um disposed of. any um recycling um center, any recycling

center um they will take those um lithium objects and they will properly dispose of them. Um and and we do have a list of recycling facilities that will take those uh batteries and not only lithium

batteries but the 9volt batteries as well. You know, we we we um tend to put those batteries in the trash um which is which is a no no. You'd be surprised how many people just take the batteries and

throw it in the trash, but those batteries generate a lot of heat and it can cause a fire. So, we make the recommendation that you take those batteries to a recycling facility. >> And y'all make sure

that that list is um shared with um at least all members of council um so I can make sure. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Madam City Manager. Number four, the National Community Planning Month

proclamation. The honorable Daniel J. Rickman mayor and I know our planning and development services director is under the weather, Justin Steinman. So, we welcome Jonathan Chambers, the deputy

director and the team. [clears throat] >> Yep. Mayor Rickman, members of council, Miss [clears throat] Wilson, ACM Palin, and members of the public. Good evening. I'm Jonathan Chambers, the deputy

director of planning and development services. And on behalf of our director, Justin Steinman, and our entire department, many of whom are here with me today. Thank you for this proclamation and once

again recognizing October as National Community Planning Month here in Colombia. The proclamation begins with the simple truth. Change is constant. Every city changes. What planning gives us is the

ability to choose how we respond instead of simply reacting. Planning isn't just maps, codes, and reports. It's how we build a city that is safe, vibrant, and responsive to people who will live here

today and to the people who will call Colombia home in years ahead. That work happens every day in planning and development services across five divisions. Planning, land development, zoning, the

development center, and inspections. Together, our staff engage residents, help set a vision for how the city grows, provide a fair, consistent review of every project that comes through our doors,

and make sure that what gets built is built safely. A community's vision only becomes real through its plans, its policies, and the day-to-day decisions and investments of its government. So, we

encourage every residents to get involved, whether visiting columbiampass.org, attending an upcoming community meeting or applying to ser serve on one of our boards or commissions. Mayor and council,

thank you for letting for being a kind public officials proclamation calls leaders who understand, support, and demand excellence in planning. Thank you. Now, first of all, you covered everything. So,

I'm going to I'm going to give you the the proclamation and proclaim it community planning month. But I really want to thank each and every one of you for all the hard work you do. We get more

compliments today about our planning process and the divisions that you mentioned right all throughout. I've had more people doing business here compliment on the the time that you take with each

individual, right? And that you work through issues and you find pathways and that you make them feel comfortable and wanted in our community. And I think that's a compliment to all of you. So, thank

you first of all. Uh that is a message I hear more and more from uh different development teams. I hear from individuals and community members. Now, look, we all don't always agree on everything.

That's the beauty part of it. But I will tell you, the respect that y'all have earned in the community and through the Southeast about how y'all operate deserves a hand. [applause] So, I'm going to

get to the good part where I proclaim uh October 2026 is National Community Planning Month in Columbia, South Carolina, and present this to the whole team. [applause] >> [snorts] >> Mr. Mayor, I think

you've met Sunny, but the newest addition, I think, to the team is comes from from to us from the Bloomberg Foundation. We welcome her. >> Mhm. Yeah. On loan from Bloomberg. Alone, but she's

technically a city. [clears throat] >> Great job. We truly truly count on our planning and development services team every day. Item five, National Recreation and Park Association Innovation and Park

Design Award for Finley Park. Mr. Henry Simons, Assistant City Manager for Operations, and Mr. Kenya Bryant, Director of Parks and Recreation. Thank you so much, Miss Wilson, to our mayor, our

council. Uh, thank you all very much. We had an opportunity to attend the National Recreation and Parks Association conference on last week in Philadelphia, and I just want to to say to you, um, thank

you so much for your support, um, regarding Finley Park. Thank you, Miss Wilson, for your leadership. um thank uh Kenya Bryan, our director of parks and recreation. Uh this this award um that we

received uh was the uh 2026 innovation and park design award. And Todd Martin, who was our city landscape architect, could not be with us on today. He's in a conflicting meeting talking about the

riverfront and design work. But um when you see something like this um come to life and you see people come back uh to this park from all walks of life and you see major events and you see people

smile and you see all the activities uh that's something that I am significantly proud of uh and I think that we could not do what we have done uh without you all's direction without you all's

leadership and this is an example of the type of work um that we've been able to accomplish with the people we have here within the city of Colombia. And this design uh the brainchild of this of

course uh came from Todd Martin. He is a special jewel uh to this organization and we're forever grateful for his work uh in getting us to this point. So, I'm I'm going to let Kenya talk a little bit

about uh what it took for us to to to be recognized in this way. But again, thank you all uh so much for your uh support of us as we continue to do this work here within the city of Columbia. >> Uh

thank you, Ham Simon. Thank you for your support. Um really what it took was a vision. This took a lot of hard work by a lot of people. And what I really want to say about this award is that this is

just a tipping point of what we're going to be doing here at the city of Columbia. This is just a tipping point because we got a lot of great things coming. It's a lot of great things that's happening

right now. And this is just an example of who we are as a city. And we should all be proud of this award. Not just folks in this room, but everybody in this city because it took a lot of people to

make this happen. And um the reason why we decided to uh uh nominate ourselves because just from what it says here, it says agencies that have that have designed a great park tailored to their

community's needs and dreams. That's that was the catalyst for this. And so I said, "We need to apply for this." And that was one of the best phone calls I've ever got when he called me. Uh Mr.

Michael Bidenstein called me and said, "Hey, uh Mr. Bryant, uh this is Michael from NRPA. Uh I want to see you guys in Philadelphia." And I said, "We'll be there." And uh but I really want to thank

all for all all the support, our staff, but everybody in this community that have even the naysayers honestly because it it helped us be more creative. It helped us realize, you know, what we needed

to do to ensure that Finley Park was the great example of Columbia that it is. And so I just want to say thank you. And um again, this is just a tipping point of who we are. Oh, wait. >> Oh, >> yeah.

Come on. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> everybody. >> I got all mine in in Philadelphia. I'm good. I hate we didn't throw up some of the pictures. I should have told um Justin to have those teed up, but the award

as Henry and Kenya described is really an accomplishment and le the renovation for revitalized Finley is not a year old yet and it is already nationally recognized and to be in Philadelphia to see the

staff on a national stage, it felt really good. But it was so deserving. They're so deserving um for what has been accomplished for our community. And just to put it in perspective, I can't remember

the number, but it was more applications this year, we were told, than in recent past. And Finley Park still rose to the top. So, we're really proud of that. Well, a as you know, as we know, and I

know several council members want to say something, you know, this this was a passion project for this city, right? Um the one person that we haven't thanked um and that we really need to thank is

Todd's wife because if she had not taken that job in Colombia, we wouldn't have him here. Um so, next time we have an opportunity, we need to make sure we recognize her and thank her. But to to have

that kind of talent um to pull the contractors together to figure out the the precise right team to put there and to do a project of that monument in two years and deliver it to where people really

truly enjoy it. Yes, it deserves national recognition. Um and we're excited because Colombia is on the national stage in so many ways and we continue to do that. But we do it because we have an

incredible team across all our departments. And I think we should be very proud of where we live and serve. So with that, I know Mr. Johnson wanted to say something. I believe Miss um um Herbert

wanted to say something as well. >> Are you deferring to me? Oh, all right. Oh, so I wanted to talk about um we always talk about quality of life um and our young adults and I want to thank the parks

and rec staff for working with my daughter. Um, she had an adult recess for her generation. My daughter's 32. So, she had 30 or so. They're adults, I guess, at 32. But the whole point is is her age

range. And they came out and [cough and clears throat] did recess one or two Saturdays ago. They loved it in the activities. So, one of the things that has always been my goal is that Colombia is a

place that my child would want to stay because and it is it is it is already there, but she's really appreciating it and that means that we can keep our young knowledge economy and they don't have to

go to DC or Atlanta or Charlotte. So, I'm I'm just very appreciative. >> Thank you for those words. Mayor, um I know last weekend I was at Limit Limitless CDC's uh uh carnival uh with the Hispanic

community, Hispanic and Latino community. I know uh this upcoming weekend I'll be uh with many of you at the Italian Festival. So, uh I know there are so many different groups that are hosting

activities, uh so many popups and uh just so many folks, not only just in Colombia, but so many folks regionally who are enjoying it. I did want to point a personal privilege to recognize two

Colombians that we've lost. Mr. Mayor, uh one, Mr. Dean Ellison uh from Gentleman's Closet. Uh I remember as a young person uh who uh started working at the state house uh Mr. Mayor I didn't have too

many suits or ties. Um Dean and T-Mac uh who both have now passed uh were very kind and would make sure that uh a lot of the young folks who might be going to some of our higher ed institutions were

able to afford uh ties and clothes. uh Dean was uh I want to say 92 uh I believe uh and passed away uh uh last week. And then also, Mr. Mayor, I want to recognize and I believe I know that the city is

going to recognize her more formally, uh Harriet Hancock, who passed away several weeks ago, uh who was just a pioneer in our community, uh making sure that LGBTQ and human rights uh were at the

forefront of our city and our state. And I I believe that uh we're working on uh recognition for uh Harriet um as well for her contributions to the Colombia uh at at the appropriate time along with

some folks from the community. So we're working on that. But yes, two great losses uh as we know we've lost some giants over the last couple years that had some monumental footprints in Colombia. Um

madame city manager. Yes, sir. We will move to the consent agenda items 6 through 27. >> I got a motion in a second. Are there any changes? There's a lot of uh contract renewals in here. Uh I did have

one question for Mr. Anderson. Why 2,496 and not just 2500 roll cards? [laughter] Yeah. >> Which one is that? >> For those who are waiting on roll carts, they're coming. >> I'm glad you're making him

use his good knee to come up here and have to build two good knees now. Yes. >> So, I would love to tell you that that's all we could afford. It's really how many will fit on a truck. >> That's what

>> I knew there was a reason why it wasn't just how they divide out. That's all it is. >> That caught my eye the other day. I was like, "Welcome back, Robert. world would we not just make it 2500 flat

>> and [snorts] and why why I have a moment I will tell you since the councilman you ask we do take lithium batteries in our e-waste at public works >> thank you Robert knows everything we were

talking about that I said why why we should we should try to publicize that maybe even have like a like a Saturday or something and just just let people roll down here and drop them off or whatever

just >> do we still do the magnets remember we used to have like the magnets that would tell what we accept and what we don't. >> We do for regular recycling. We generally don't have a magnet just for

e-waste, but our we e-waste at public works is heavily used. >> Yeah. Good. >> Heavily. But I'll get with Justin. We'll do something. Okay. >> Okay. Thanks. >> All right, Madame Clerk. We've got a

motion in a second. No further discussion. >> Mr. Johnson, >> I. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> I ferret. >> I. >> Mr. Brennan. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow. >> Mayor Rickman. >> Hi. >> Thank you. >>

Ordinances for first reading. Item 28. Ordinance number 2026088 granting an encroachment to 50year Storm LLC for the use of the right-of-way area of the 2400 block of Divine Street for the

installation and maintenance of metal support light poles with suspended string lighting adjacent to 2414 Divine Street in Richland County. >> Is there a motion? So second >> and a second. Any further

discussion? Seeing none hearing none, madam clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Johnson, >> hi. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> yes. >> Herbert, >> Mr. Brennan, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes.

>> Mayor Rickman, >> I. Item 29, ordinance number 2026089, authorizing the city manager to execute a contract of sale between Leticia Miles Hall and the city of Columbia, South Carolina for the sale

of 5236 Balding Avenue in Richland County, Columbia. >> So move. >> Second. This is exciting. >> Yes. >> Thank Is there a motion? >> So move. >> Second. Got a motion in a second. Um excited for the

new homeowners uh and their opportunity. With that, Madame Clerk, could you read the role? >> Mr. Johnson, >> I. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> I. >> Miss Herbert, >> I. >> Brennan, >> yes.

>> Mr. McDow, >> Mayor Rickman, >> I. Item 30, ordinance number 2026090, authorizing the city manager to execute a contract of sale between Deanna Mack and the city of Columbia, South Carolina for the

sale of 5240 Randall Avenue in Columbia, Richland County. >> So move. >> Second. >> Second. >> Another home going to another great person in our community. So excited with that. Madame Clerk, could

you read the role because there is no discussion? >> Mr. Johnson. I >> Mr. Bailey. >> Yes, >> Mr. Brown. >> Yes, >> Mr. Herbert. >> I >> Mr. Brennan. >> Yes, >> Mr. McDow. >> Yes. May >> recommend. >>

I >> hopefully more. Well, we know we're claiming it. More to come of these homes being sold. We're excited for these employees. Resolutions. Item 31, resolution number R2026073, establishment of a

city of Columbia flag display policy as endorsed by the administrative policy committee on September 22nd, 2026. >> So move second. >> A motion and a second. >> Go with it. >> Madame clerk, could you

read the role? >> Mr. Johnson, >> I. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> hi. Miss Herbert, >> Mr. Brennan, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes. >> Mayor Rickman, >> no. >> Item 32, resolution number R

20226064, authorizing condemnation for property acquisition for CIP project number SS7539 for major sewer pipe rehabilitation project, the Harden Street Rehabilitation Plan at 2015 Green Street. >> So

move, Mr. Mayor. >> Second. Motion from the district representative. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Got a motion in a second. Uh any further discussion? Seeing none hearing none. Madame clerk.

[clears throat] >> Mr. Johnson. >> I. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Hi. >> Mr. Brown. >> Yes. >> Miss Herbert. >> Mr. Brennan. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow. >> Yes. >> Mayor Rickman. >> Hi. Item 33, resolution number

R20206071, authorizing condemnation for easement acquisition for CIP project number SS758902 for the Broad River sanitary sewer force main replacement and gravity sewer cap sewer capacity improvements

from I20 to the Broad River pump station in Richland County. >> Is there a motion to move? Got a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Got a motion and a second. Any further discussions, questions?

Hearing none. Seeing none, Madam Clerk, could you read the role? >> Mr. Johnson, >> I. >> Mr. Bailey, >> I. >> Mr. Brown, >> yes. >> Miss Herbert, >> I. >> Mr. Brennan, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes.

>> Mayor Rickman. >> I. Item 34, resolution number R2026070, authorizing release and abandonment of a portion of the city's existing 15t water easement along Richland County TMS number 20400126 for

the Lake Carolina Walmart store. >> Second. >> Got a motion in a second. Um, any further discussion or questions? Seeing none, hearing none. Madam clerk, >> Mr. Johnson, >> I. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Hi. >>

Mr. Brown. >> Yes. >> Herbert. >> Mr. Brennan. >> Yes. >> McDow. >> Yes. >> Mayor Rickman. >> Hi. >> Item 35, resolution number R2026076, authorizing the city manager to execute a memorandum of

understanding between the city of Columbia and Hometown Soccer Holdings LLC for the development of a major league soccer affiliated soccer stadium. >> So move second. Mr. Mayor >> got a motion and a

second. Um I duly note that this is aou with MLS and um groups that are within that. Um we also have interest from other folks. Um but folks want to put a soccer stadium here. So I think that's a

great thing for our community. So uh let's see where it goes. That madam clerk, could you read the role? >> Mr. Johnson, >> I. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Hi. >> Mr. Brown. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hi, >> Mr. Brennan. >>

Yes. >> McDow. >> Yes. >> Mayor Rickman. >> I. >> Item 36, resolution number R202679, authorizing acceptance and transfer of property from TN Development Corporation and authorizing the city manager

to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the transfer of these properties. >> So move. >> Second. >> Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Mr. Mayor, could you? >> Yes, sir. Mr.

Johnson, >> I just love to get a little bit of context on this one in particular, Madam City Manager. >> Yes, sir. Um, >> yes, sir. In line with the home ownership program and uh the new home being

built um with council's direction, we are getting more as many as we can to build on. And so in collaboration with the TN Development Corporation, their board approved the transfer of some lots that

are no longer being utilized or that they don't have plans for and we'll be continuing the program of infield and increasing home ownership hopefully to have 15 houses built by the end of the year. So

>> Mr. Mayor, >> I just wanted to um get that context in addition to the earlier votes that we uh took. Uh certainly the uh was it two council meetings ago we were able to put two uh of our city

employees into homes. I just want to make it very very clear that at every opportunity the city is uh looking to develop looking to make sure that there's pathways to home ownership and that we are

dealing and tackling the challenge of home density that we've got to uh that we've got to get towards. So just wanted to make sure it was uh there was clarity for the public on that. Mayor, >> thank

you Mr. Johnson. >> Thank you >> Madam Clerk. Sir, Mr. Johnson. >> Hi, >> Mr. Bailey. >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> hi. >> Mr. Herbert, >> I Brennan, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> Mayor Rickman, >> I. Event

resolution items number 37, resolution number R2026053, authorizing consumption of beer, wine, and liquor at the South Carolina Pride Parade and Festival on the 12, 1200, 1300,400, and 1500 blocks of

Main Street on Friday, October 16th, 2026 and Saturday, October 17th, 2026. >> So move second. >> Motion. >> Second, Mr. Mayor. >> Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none,

hearing none. Madam clerk, >> Mr. Johnson, >> hi. >> Mr. Bailey, >> hi. >> Mr. Brown, >> yes. >> Herbert, >> I. >> Brennan, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes. >> Mayor Rickman, >> I. >> Item 38, resolution

number R2026066 authorizing consumption of beer and wine only at Artista Vistas live on Lincoln in the 12,200 block of Lincoln Street between Der Street and Lady Street on Sunday, April 18th, 2027. >>

So moved. Second. >> Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none hearing none. Madame clerk. >> Mr. Johnson. >> I. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Hi. >> Mr. Brown. >> Yes. >> Herbert. >> I. >>

Brennan. >> Yes. >> McDow. >> Mayor Rickman. [clears throat] >> I. Item 39, resolution number R2026067 authorizing consumption of beer, wine, and liquor at Yalawen Yart open air flea market at the

12,200 block of Park Street on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. >> There a motion. >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Mr. Mayor, >> got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing

none, seeing none, Madame Clerk. >> Mr. Johnson, >> I. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> yes. >> Herbert, >> I >> Brennan, >> yes. >> McDow. Mayor Rickman, >> I. >> Item 40, resolution number R

20226074, authorizing consumption of beer and wine only at October Fest Colombia at 3005 Divine Street on Friday, October 9th, 2026, Saturday, October 10th, and Sunday, October 11th, 2026. >> So move

second, Mr. Mayor. There's a motion in a second. And for those of you who want to really see something special, come by Friday at five o'clock as I tap the keg to start uh this this October Fest that

uh we're having in Colombia at the Lutheran Church. It does an incredible job, but the food and the cookies and everything are so good. Uh come on down and enjoy. It's a great way to spend some time

over the weekend. [snorts] With that, Madame Clerk, could you read the role? Mr. >> Johnson, >> I s Bailey. I >> Mr. Brown. >> I >> Mr. Harbert. >> I >> Mr. Brennan. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow. >> Yes. >>

Mayor Rickman. >> I. >> Deferring item 41, the appointments for Columbia Housing Board of Commissions. Moving on to city council committee reports, referrals, and new business. The first being item

42. Council has asked to refer a proposal for taxi cap rate increases to the administrative policy committee as requested by city administration. >> Is there a motion to move? >> Is there a second? >>

Second. >> Yes, sir. Mr. Johnson. >> Um just on number 41. I'd love Mr. Mayor if we could to uh look at keeping the applications open. Uh I know we're going to look at that sometime the next uh next

council meeting or next month. Uh but we got >> we we were going to bring this up at our next meeting this month. >> Okay. Hold on, Mr. Mayor. >> But we also we're gonna have another appointment at

the end of the year just just for your reference. Um >> 20th is >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um and then um we need a motion to Did we do get a motion in a second to to refer? >>

Yes, [clears throat] sir. >> Could we go ahead and u do the roll call on that, Madam Clerk? >> Mr. Johnson, >> I Bailey. >> Yes. >> Brown. Hi, >> Mr. Harbert. >> I >> Mr. Brennan. >> Yes, >> Mayor

Rickman. >> Hi. >> Thank you. >> Does anybody have a referral or new business they'd like to add? Mr. Bailey? >> Well, I I have a question concerning um the taxi cab rate increase. Does that affect

ride shares as well? Uber? >> No, sir. >> The taxis? >> Yes, sir. And I I do need to um I I have a few questions for staff as well, but the referral is fine. I I have some questions as well cuz this

came up previously, I'm pretty sure. And I need to look back at how we left that discussion. >> I'm sure that probably get ironed out in committee. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Taxis had it hard these days. The

Ubers like >> they got the red carpet. >> Yeah. It's it's related to taxi cabs. >> Madam city manager, is there a reason it's going to the administrative policy committee versus economic development?

>> Probably because it's in the code and that's why it has to come. I mean, it could go there, but I think typically the items that are um in our city code or is like a um review by legal and this

related staff. We've put it in administrative policy, but that's not to say it can't go in economic development. >> Let's start let's start there then. >> You're you're you're pretty full in ED and I

too. >> That's true. Yeah, that's true. So, all right. That's fine. >> Okay. Yes, sir. That clear direction? >> Yes. Thank you. >> That brings us to public input. >> Oh, no. Other referrals or due

business? Yes, sir. Public input. Individuals are allotted up to three minutes to address Columbia City Council about matters not on the agenda. Items requiring a public hearing cannot be addressed at

this time. We have four individuals signed up to speak. We will start with Matthew Cox. >> Cox, the podium's yours. [clears throat and cough] >> Do I push the button? >> Yes, sir. Oh, you don't have

to press anything. They'll do all that. >> Good afternoon. My name is Matthew Cox. I live at 131 Northman Drive. I work as a handyman, largely providing elderly people with assistance. In my free

time, I take care of my children and my disabled wife. And at least once a week, I work with Food Not Bombs Midlands to provide home-cooked balanced meals to the unhoused people of Colombia,

specifically downtown. While Food Not Bombs has had a presence in Colombia, at least since I was in college in 2001, the current chapter has existed for about 5 years. For the past couple of years, we

have been setting up on the Hampton Street side of the Richland County Public Library on Assembly Street. We set up tables, lay out a main dish and two sides, provide hygienic products and clothing as

we can get them, providing snacks for that folks can take with them for later and a coffee station where we serve hot instant coffee along with their meal. We're known for our roasted potatoes and the

regularity with which we have hot coffee for everyone. While we have had interactions with the police on and off for as long as we've been active, on Saturday, September 26, Columbia Police Department

ordered us to leave and issued a citation to me specifically since I had already been spoken to on August 1st. This citation is not only a violation of the human dignity of the people we serve, but

the First Amendment. Our mission is not only to serve our community, but to demonstrate against the priorities set by our society. Be it endless spending on instruments of death by our national

government or the acquisition and maintenance of an armored assault vehicle mounted with a large gun by our sheriff's department, which has been quoted as saying, "We make it," meaning homelessness,

comfortable. As it is peaceful assembly, our actions are guaranteed by the First Amendment. As a protest against the perverse values of our system, our actions are doubly guaranteed, as has been

upheld numerous times in cases brought by other food not bombs organizations. To my knowledge, public food serving has never been found to be an undue burden that would justify infringing on the

rights of public residents to serve the public on public grounds. We did not choose the library as the best place to bring hungry people. We are there because that's where hungry people are. Forcing

us away is denying their humanity as well as denying us our right to protest and peacefully assemble. We demand our rights and the needs and rights of our the people we serve be respected. Forcing us

to beg and plead for these rights makes them not inalienable rights provided by our creator, but permissions to be granted or rescended at the whim of human authorities. We demand that our government

adhere to their responsibilities and allow us to operate in traditional public public forums defined as streets, sidewalks, and parks, all of which have been barred to us. This does not indicate a

good faith desire to cooperate, but a desire to exile the unhoused and those who serve them from public view. sweeping us away will not make the problem go away and we can no longer wash our hands of

our most vulnerable neighbors. Thank you. >> Um Mr. Mayor, I wanted to address Mr. Cox because we certainly um recognize his concern and just wanted to provide a few points of clarification if I

might. Since August 2023, the city through our homeless services department has partnered to create a more coordinated approach to community meal sharing for individuals experiencing homelessness. And

I know that we have attempted on numerous occasions to offer a central location to um Mr. Cox's group so that they could participate with us. The reason behind because we always want to have factual

information and since this continues to come up, we want to have a dignified approach to meal sharing and to do it in an environment where those individuals who are unsheltered have the ability to use

the restroom, to sit down and have a meal, um to be outside of the inside from the elements to actually get resources while they are there. having a meal, wraparound services. And so the mission of

the meal sharing initiative at our recovery community center, which is free and open to anyone who wants to serve, is in partnership with our homeless services department and a commitment to fostering

connection, nourishment for our unsheltered neighbors. It is also an attempt for all of our citizens in Colombia to be able to use as Mr. said the public spaces um without being inhibited um with in

the right of way, the sidewalks, etc. to not be faced with litter and trash that our very um hardworking public works officials and staff have to clean up. We are pro creating an environment where all

of this is seamless. Um there's no cost to do it. Everyone has the ability to have um dignity as we're showing in these pictures to get wraparound services. Again, the litter, there is no litter. It

is cleaned up. We work with the individuals who want to serve and absolutely there are people who are coming to the location to to be fed. Um it is an untruth that is the only place that our

unsheltered community goes to to eat is outside of the library. that is not factually accurate. Um, and you can see this is evidenced by what we're trying to do and the many other groups who are

coming to the recovery community center. Um, because we didn't want to not have a solution to a problem. Um, we want to invite people to be a part of the solution that also allows young students and

their families at St. Peter's Catholic Church to be able to cross the street and go to the library without impeding being impeded upon. Not that the mission isn't worthwhile what these groups are

doing, but there must be a way to do it where we're all coming together to do it in the right environment. And I think the momentum that we have heard from the recent documentary, this is exactly the

approach that other communities have taken when they have been successful. that it's not just about one organization doing it a certain way. It's about everyone realizing that we may not be able to do

everything the exact way we want to do it. We can come together for if it's truly about the mission. And so we just wanted to share a few photos that absolutely there's another opportunity free and

open to the public. our homeless services director is here and willing and able to give um instruction on how anyone who wants to serve, who wants to um help share a meal with those in need can

absolutely do so in the right in the right environment. >> Well, I think you know we have multiple options now of places for people to provide that will have bathrooms, have a place that is sheltered

indoors and outdoors. And I think that's where we focus. We've had conversations with some of the other folks who are providing meals for folks, but also understanding the challenges. Um, I believe

that you have the right, the first amendment right, but that right doesn't include that the city of Colombia, the residents or the businesses have to clean up after math of the trash and no bathrooms

and all of that. That is that's not a first amendment right. Uh, first amendment right is that you have a right to be in public place. you have the right to protest. Most of the time I see people

feeding. I don't see a whole lot of protesting going on. I think our our real point here is that Mr. Cox, your group, and whatever. We absolutely would love for you to join in where we have a place

where there's seats, there's air conditioning, there's toilets, there's opportunity for trash to be disposed, but they're also services because our goal is to get people out of their situation and

into wraparound services and housing. And we had an incredible turnout. Over 300 people turned out to the Beyond Homelessness uh movie, Beyond the Bridges. And it really showed what Milwaukee has

done, what Houston is, things, the things that we've been talking about, Reno and Tempe, Arizona to name a few cities who have helped centralize that. So, I'm hoping that that groups like Food Not

Bombs and others will join us um in really making that difference in a place that that provides a lot of dignity um because folks are coming there for breakfast and other services. So, they're used to

coming to these different locations. So hopefully in the future uh folks will take advantage of that. This is just step one, but this is the beginning of of a lot. So hopefully we all can work

together to make sure we provide that service. You're welcome to come to the podium. >> Mr. Mayor, while he comes to the podium, when we say services, I want to make it very clear. One of the

partnerships that we have, for example, is with Prisma, uh making sure that some of the health care needs that need to be serviced are there. So I just want to make sure that we're defining what those

services are. With all due respect, the concern about litter is a disingenuous one, seeing as the library has removed all of the trash cans from around there. We do litter pickup after every serving

that we do. We clean up everything that is out there, not just what we brought, but everything that was there before. We leave it better than we brought than we came there and it was. We need more of

these stations because people do not live in one location around here. We need different places where different people are. We need places in Harbison. We can't provide those, but if somebody could

step it up, that would be nice. We do four feedings a week. There are no other groups that I'm aware of that do that many. The fact of the matter is we need more of these things. And if you make us

come down to where y'all are, then that is just going to tighten the grip of it. People are already at the library. They're at the library at lunchtime and we come there because they are already

there. And even if even if the services being provided were adequate or continuing to become more adequate, then that would still not supersede our right to protest against the priorities of our

system on the public forums, the sidewalks, the streets, and the parks. The parks where we used to feed people, but we were barred from them. So, we're already being denied our First Amendment rights.

And the fact of the matter is these a lot of these people, they tell us that if we don't come out, they don't eat. So, help is being made to some people. Cracks still exist. Gaps still exist for

people to fall through. And the fact of the matter is nothing official is going to catch all of them. A lot of the people that come to us are scared to come to places where there are official

presences. They still deserve to eat. That does not make them less than human. >> Nobody said that and I think you're distorting that a little bit there m Mr. Cox. Secondly, right now everybody almost

everybody who wants a meal in Colombia is getting a meal, right? I mean that is happening and there's more and yes people do fall through the cracks but our job is not just to provide a meal. It's to

make sure that they get the services they need to get out of homelessness. Right. Many of those services are available at the library which is one of the reason that they're there. >> The s the

library does not have health care. The library does not have a lot of the services that that are offered everywhere else. They have a social worker there. >> And yet people are still there, >> right?

Because they're too but they're also at Washington Street Church. They're also going to they're also going to other places. There are people coming. That's why we'll have more at the other location

where they >> think at the end of the day all over the city. We're asking you to consider working with us and not against us. >> Then work with us and put the trash cans back. Remove the pylons that

make the sidewalk able to be blocked by two or more people when that sidewalk is wide enough for six people to walk a breast. And nothing would be obstructed if it wasn't for those giant concrete

structures blocking people. Make your actions line up with your words, please. Thank you very much. >> I'm I'm not putting back trash cans. I promise. Not Not until we we have a better working

relationship. >> Well, I think it's important, Mr. mayor that we were able to share with clarity and we'll continue to do this initiative and continue to get the word out because in even in the last

several weeks there have been a number of organizations who have decided to centralize and use the recovery community center for the for the opportunities that it's creating. So, we'll just continue

to get the word out and continue to do what we're doing. >> Well, I think the reality is is that they're proven facts. Um, you know, Milwaukee is proven. um Houston has reduced homelessness by 67%

right centralizing services bringing the groups together having a greater good so there's there's city after city that have come together and taken part in that and you know so we know there's an

opportunity there housing is the biggest housing first we heard it straight from the folks at Milwaukee who have put the folks in getting people off the street into housing first not with restrictions

But getting him in and getting them an opportunity to get settled in the wraparound service. Is everything perfect? Absolutely not. You know, and th this our central role. But when you continue to not

want to try to work with an organization, then I think there's a problem. And I'm hoping that we can continue to to make efforts to bring folks together and and address the issue because our goal this

year is to change the way things operate. because we have more we have more unsheltered right now than we have and we're going to put our efforts into housing and to health care and to making sure

that people are getting the services they need and and either you can join us or you can be on the outside looking in. >> Yes, sir. >> Um Madam Cler, >> Mr. here. Carmen Pendergrass. Hello. Good

evening. I want to read um a few things really quickly, but one is from the event on September 17th uh Beyond the Bridge. I attended that. >> Thank you for being there. >> Yes. No agency informed me

about it. I'm just happy I came across it and it was very enlightening. It was very familiar because many of the things I heard you say uh Mayor Rickman um on the panel is similar to what I've said

when I've come up here before and it's similar to what other people in Colombia have said before. Um, one of the things said by you was my challenge to you is to embrace change. Let's see. I'm sorry

this tore, but it said uh let's come together. You said let's come together. Let's bring all of our resources together to make the biggest impact. There is a verse in the Bible in Philippians um

Philippians chapter 4 starts at verse 5. It says, "Let your reasonleness be known to everyone." And that stuck out to me because there have been times I've come up here energized. There have been

times I've come up here upset [clears throat] because while there is a lot that is good that is going on, there's also a lot that bothers me as someone who's overcoming homelessness myself. And even

though I am overcoming it and even though I don't look like what I'm going through, it's not that easy for someone else. And what I've noticed is that for many people who may have never uh experienced

hardship, even if you mean well, if you don't have a firm understanding that is laced with empathy and humanity, while you can pull resources together, you may still miss the mark. No one is asking

anyone to be perfect. But there is a level where we have to listen to understand. And even if we feel like we did a great job, it's always important to go back and say, "Did I cover everything? Did I

follow through?" My situation is I went to go see the resources you told me to go see about at the recovery center. It's been almost 4 months and I haven't had a proper intake because a proper follow-

through has not been done. And that is not Miss Kamisha's fault. I've emailed her more than once. I know my time is up. I've I've she's tried to assist, but there are cracks that have to be improved

in order for those resources that you were saying you want to see come to Colombia. There has to be integrity and there has to be more of a follow through so that way we can get to where we have to

get to. One last thing, cuz I know my time is almost up, but there was something you said at the last meeting, Mayor Rickman. I don't think you meant it in a bad way at all, but it did reduce my

experience. And it was where I was saying how the recovery center needed assistance. They needed more help. They may need more people. They may need more more resources. >> Oh yeah. It's only in the

beginning stages. >> And so my thing is though, something that that you said is probably something that so many other people may think and it's uh something you said akin. It was basically, oh well,

it's just like waiting in uh at the doctor's office. And my thing was I showed up for almost um I I stayed at my appointment time for about an hour and a half, almost 2 hours, and no one saw about me.

No one came to see to help me with my knee. And so that's why I came up here to speak because I'm trying to call attention that, hey, we need to take a closer look at what needs to be improved. I

understand that you all have services that the young lady was mentioning that are out there. I'm not always out on the street feeding people. I do that from time to time out of my own pocket, but I

what I saw online I haven't seen. Not saying it's not taking place cuz of course you got pictures, but people go to the library because it's close to the comment station. Um there is probably more of

an opportunity to freshen up in the restrooms. I have to be and and I know that's not where you all want. >> You're making my case for me. >> I know I'm making your case, but I'm I'm just saying

that's why people go because let me tell you some of the areas like transitions and I think it's called Queen of Hearts or what have you, they're not always able to accommodate everyone. And I just

want to say coming from as a woman, our our cleanliness is connected, how well we are clean is connected to our mental health. Not saying it's not like that for the men as well. and we took all the

pictures and everything that you shared with us and we we pass those on to make sure that those things get addressed so that people that are using some of those facilities have a better experience

than you. It it's we're we're in the beginning of bringing folks together and but we we got to quit saying the city the city this is a community issue and and we're the only ones that people come up

to here. I've yet to see anybody protest, go down and talk to any of the agencies who won't come to the table and participate. Right? I don't hear that. And for us to attack an issue as a community,

that means all partners have to give and take. But it's funny that only certain groups ha have to abide. Everybody else can do what they want to do. And that's not how it works, right? So your

advocacy I appreciate and I respect because of what you you comment you share with us. I hope you do the same thing with some of these other folks who keep standing on the sidelines going well that

doesn't apply to me or that doesn't go to me or that doesn't think I should be allowed to do this. The the idea that all the trash is being picked up is not true. It is not true that nobody's there to

clean up the feces and everything else that residents and businesses that is a cost. That is not a first amendment right. That is not a right. So I encourage you as you get out there and you take that

energy that you've shown us, please share it with other people. >> Mayor, respectfully, Miss Pendergrass has extended her time and we need to move on to the next speaker. >> Yes, ma'am. No,

transitions is not a city function. >> No, ma'am. >> No, it's a private. It is a a standalone nonprofit. [snorts] Well, Miss Pendergrass, again, it your time is up and we'll at offline. I'll be happy

to talk to you personally. I mean, the United Way, the continuum of care, they are over all of the agencies and where the funding decisions are made really. So that would be one place to naturally

start and we can help you make those connections as well as the leadership at transitions. >> Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next, we have Mama G. >> Mama G.

[laughter] >> I can't show it yet. She she Mama G always tells us retired, but she's never retired. She has been such an incredible influence in our community. Um, >> most appreciation to everyone on

the panel. Um, it has been exactly 35 days since I passed the baton. 35 days. And that means I want to thank Mr. Simons also. I'm still behaving myself [laughter] because I love parks and wreck. Um, I

would like to say to you, Mayor Rickerman, just thank you for always giving me respect and honor in every neighborhood I have gone to, in every opportunity to work with our city. I am 50 years an

attempted murder survivor, 25 years here in Columbia, South Carolina. And it means to me that people don't look at you crosseyed and they hear that word survivor. There's that horrible saying that

people say um what happens in this house, this place stays here. You have worked diligently to make sure that the violence in this community because of human beings gets cleared up. So therefore, sir,

I read to you to a grand champion, Mayor Daniel J. Rickerman, a black belt warrior dedicated to eliminating violence in our communities. Awarded by Grand Matriarch Jaman Mama G. Morair Bay, PhD

domestic violence awareness month. And I want to thank you. And here is your >> Oh, wow. You are [applause] 50 codified. That was I felt an antibi. >> Oh wow. This is probably >> Can we get white

belts at least? So, you know, something to start off with. >> Well, Tyler, I've already got one. I already got black belt. Uh, Daniel, I'm happy to show you how to throw a few kicks. >> I'm not trying

to [laughter] all the staff community. Trust me. Um, I'm 73 and if anybody needs a bodyguard, I'm pretty good. I'm free now. All >> [laughter] [snorts] >> right. Thank you. >> For those of y'all that

are here that don't know Mama G, she's done just an unbelievable job in our community. >> Street hosts a women's selfation class twice a month. Wow. Thank you. That means so much coming from you, Mama

G, because I remember 20 some 20 years ago when we first got introduced and and the work that you've done and you've never you've never given up. You've been an inspiration to hundreds, if not

thousands of young people in this community, and I I just think you deserve another round of applause. [applause] >> Wow. Madam clerk, for the record, that's a big thank you. >> That's a big one. Yes,

sir. All right. Wade Fulmer. >> Mr. Fulmer. Good afternoon to you, sir. Uh, I have more than three minutes. I will sit down. Let me know. Uh, I'm going to start oversight for neighborhoods for home

and health, not for privilege interest. The issues. Now, last time I was here a month ago, uh I had mentioned uh five points where somebody had gotten last year hit by car and it was kind of dismissed

although I heard that it was going to be looked into. Well, two weeks later we had another person hit. >> Just to correct you, we reached out to DOT who's in charge of that road. >> Yeah. Well, I hope

so because they haven't done anything in a month. uh and and instead of uh doing something about that, they have all these decorations in the in the in the medians. Very nice. But it further

complicates those people being seen who are coming across crosswalks. Last Saturday, I was down in five points for the ball game. I was on my way home at 7:00. I got right up to that median before I

could see that eight or nine kids step into the road because of the trees and the bushes. It's going to happen again. Somebody needs to do something to put the pressure on them. So, mid mid midwalks

mid crosswalks beautifification. Roulette is what it is for the students that are down there. Fantasy overlays. And I'll talk to Will and Sam a little bit about this afterwards just for a moment. Um,

fantasy overlays versus neighborhoods character betrayed. This has happened in Shannon. I can't give you uh the details. I'll give them the details. It'll take all my time. nuisance animal noise.

We're talking about domestic violence or we're talking about mental health, abuse, heart health. If we really care about the people, we've got to do something about the nuisance noise. We can't change

the regulations to suit anyone, whether it was uh the surprise witness at a at a jury trial or whether it's somebody who knows somebody and gets special treatment that way. If we care about mental

health, it's uh mental health week. It's suicide month. Uh let's do something for the people. At the council meeting July the 21st, I testified in disagreement to some of the amendments. After asking

the mayor, what can we do? I agreed to provide to the legal department the same spoken and email concerns. Routing was to the mayor and attention of legal. Uh I included the emails, examples,

questions presented uh previously. The legal department did not reply. Instead, Mr. Sheileely in middle in the middle and over Columbia water emailed replied of general and nuisance changes. I

appreciate that, Mr. Sheiley. He correctly agreed that the health committee meeting uh at the health committee meeting the proposed nuisance changes were not brought up or discussed. The great concern

is that nuisance to health and order is serious and harmful. It is. get any professional and they'll tell you that the uh committee chose to not discuss the health of people yet all of chapter 4 in

mass was sent and recommended to the silent council. Um let's see and my first council meeting three years ago three years this month uh Mr. McDow well instructed staff Mr. Fulmer, your time's up. But

I I want to thank you for your services always uh that you serve this country, but also, you know, I want to remind you that the references you keep going back on the nuisance ordinance has to do with

a case that you were heard in the court of law and it didn't go your way. I'm not sure what else we can do with that because you keep referencing something that has already been heard and done. Uh, I

appreciate your concern for you bringing up the the crosswalks. We're addressing that or we're talking to DOT about other options of what can be done to make sure that people are safe. Um also

starting a campaign about people reminding people that when you cross the street there there's a signal in a lot of places because in the last week I've counted 27 people who walked out in front of

our car when it clearly says there's usually a a a white figure up there that says go and a hand that says no, right? And they were walking through with a hand. So a little public education we got to

do as well. and that's that's on us working with our our transportation folks. Um, as it comes to the home health, I'm not sure what what happened in that committee or whatever, but uh, you know,

that's something we Sam maybe you you can address in the future, but you know, we're glad to listen, but we can't talk about your court case that's already come and gone, right, sir? You had your

opportunity in court and and it didn't work out. So don't it seems like that you're telling us that we're hiding something or doing something and that's just simply not the case. I think that's a

personal opinion, not a system problem. >> This concludes public input. >> This concludes public input. >> That's it. >> Motion to adjurnn. All right, Mr. Johnson. >> I >> Mr. Bailey. >> No, >> Mr.

Brown. >> Hi, >> Miss Herbert. >> Hi, >> Mr. Brennan. >> Yes, >> Mr. McDow. >> Mayor Rickman. Thank you. >> Good night. >> Good night.