2026-10-20 - City Council

00:00.77] >> Mr. Johnson? >> Here. >> Really? >> Present. >> Brown? >> Here. >> Mr. Brennan? >> Present. >> Mr. McDowell? >> Yes. >> I recommend. >> Here. >> Sorry.

00:14.26] >> Reverend McDowell, could you say a word? >> Yes, I will. That is why it is, please.

00:24.24] >> Creator Garden, for all that you've done for us for this day and all the possibility you've allowed us to share in.

00:35.47] Touch us individually and yet collectively. Let us feel your touch, the sensitivity of some of our issues.

00:47.03] Let us be mindful of the fact that we are sensitive creatures and that you have so ordained each one of us to do the right thing.

00:58.33] Bless us all. We ask it. We claim it in your name. Amen. >> May I stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, please?

01:12.83] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

01:27.10] >> We can adopt the agenda. I am going to remove two of the items off the consent agenda, Mr. Mayor.

01:53.99] >> Yes, ma'am. >> Because we want to recognize our wonderful new homeowners to be, and I think those are items.

02:02.21] >> And 10 and 11. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'm sorry. We will remove 11 and 12 off of the consent agenda, Mr. Mayor.

02:15.43] >> 11 and 12. >> 11 and 12. >> Oh, just 11 and 12. >> Yes, sir. Thank you both. Thank you.

02:21.75] >> Is there a motion to accept the adoption of the agenda with items 11 and 12 going on to the regular agenda out of the consent?

02:30.47] >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> We got a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll?

02:38.48] >> Mr. Johnson? >> Aye. >> Mr. Bailey? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown? >> Aye. >> Mr. Brennan? >> Yes.

02:44.51] >> Mr. McDowell? >> Yes. >> May I recommend? >> Aye. >> Thank you.

02:49.53] >> Public input. Individuals are allotted up to three minutes to address Columbia City Council about items on the agenda.

02:56.98] Items requiring a public hearing cannot be addressed at this time.

03:01.63] >> No one has signed up to speak at this time. >> Aye. >> We're going to keep on moving the train then.

03:07.67] >> Approval of minutes, item number one. Council has asked to approve the October 6,

03:12.23] 2026 work session and regular meeting minutes. >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second?

03:19.53] We got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, hearing none, Madam Clerk, could you read the roll?

03:24.80] >> Mr. Johnson? >> Aye. >> Mr. Bailey? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown? >> Aye. >> Mr. Brennan? >> Yes. >> Mr. McDowell? >> Yes. >> May I recommend?

03:32.66] >> Aye. >> Moving into a period of presentations, item number two, the Domestic Violence Awareness

03:38.17] Month Proclamation, the Honorable Daniel J. Merkamond, Mayor. >> I'd like to invite the folks from Sister Care

03:44.97] and South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Assault, Sexual Assault, up to the

03:50.21] podium as I read the, as you know, every year we have really created an awareness campaign is what

04:02.70] we're really doing, right? And that awareness campaign is because, unfortunately, domestic

04:07.18] violence in the state of South Carolina, and especially in our community, is still in the

04:11.59] top 10. And it's something that we need to really talk about more than just in the month of October.

04:19.49] But I do appreciate all the efforts that both of y'all do and your organizations do

04:26.25] for our community and in the state, the thousands of women that you have helped.

04:32.27] But domestic violence is something that we've really got to curb. We're the fastest growing

04:37.64] state in the union. We have so many great attributes and so much happening here,

04:43.64] an opportunity for folks, but we still have a plague of domestic violence. And unfortunately,

04:49.89] this year, we lost an officer who responded to a domestic violence call. So for us,

04:57.08] it's still fresh on our minds, but it should be on our minds all the time. And I'm hoping

05:02.94] that we continue with the awareness program, the support that the community shows both of

05:07.74] the organizations that we can curb it. But we need to band together. There's some state laws

05:14.33] and other things that have left open a lot of gaps, especially for some of the women in our

05:19.69] community that are our families and the struggles they have with their children and others. And

05:24.81] it's some of the stories you hear when you walk side by side with folks or you get an opportunity

05:31.82] to talk with them. But domestic violence hits colleagues, friends, family members, co-workers.

05:40.25] Sometimes it's here. And I think what we got to do is if it doesn't seem right, we need to step

05:45.13] in. And I'm hoping that we can continue to do all the efforts to change things, to make things

05:50.89] better. And it'd be nice one year that we don't have to have domestic violence awareness month,

05:58.08] that we're actually just celebrating love, right? And with that, I'd like to take a moment to read

06:03.79] this proclamation. And I would like to yield the floor to the both of you. We recognize domestic

06:09.72] violence is a problem and plagues our communities and our neighbors. South Carolina is ranked in

06:14.56] the top 10 states in the nation for rate of women killed by men for 23 out of the last 25 years.

06:21.40] Let me say that again, the last 23 out of 25 years, two in five or 40% of the people will experience

06:31.55] physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Women ages from 18 to 34 generally

06:37.93] experience the highest rate of an intimate partner violence. But anyone may experience abuse from

06:43.81] intimate partner men who has children's witness their parents domestic violence are more likely

06:49.45] to abuse their own partners than sons of non-violent parents. One in 10 high school students

06:55.22] experienced physical violence from a dating partner in the last year and 43% of dating women

07:00.42] report experience violent abusive dating behaviors, including physical, sexual, digital, verbal, and

07:07.70] other controlling abuses. As the city of Columbia recognizes the commitment of sister care and the

07:13.54] South Carolina coalition against domestic violence and sexual assault to provide safe life saving

07:20.50] resources to domestic violence victims and their family. So I as the mayor of Columbia along with

07:26.53] all these fellow members of council do hereby proclaim October 26 as domestic violence awareness

07:33.40] and urge all of our citizens not only to participate in this conference, but also help us make sure

07:38.68] that it's not just October that we talk about it and that we do everything we can to support

07:43.64] our nation and the women that they support. Thank you again for what you do for this community and

07:50.54] the floor is yours, Leah. Thank you. Thank you, mayor recommend city council, city of Columbia,

08:02.93] you know, I'm very proud to live in the city of Columbia knowing that we have such great support

08:07.94] from all of you when it comes to domestic violence and domestic violence awareness. You know, this

08:13.88] year we're celebrating 45 years of sister care and we've served over 180,000 survivors of domestic

08:25.67] violence and their children. And knowing this gives us the courage and the hope to move forward

08:32.66] and to keep moving forward because we vehemently believe no one deserves to be abused and no child

08:38.30] deserves to have to watch it in their home. And so while we celebrate a great milestone with you,

08:43.38] I know it's the 20th anniversary for the mayor's walk, lots of big milestones is also a good time

08:48.58] to remember all we've been through, but also what we have to come in the future. And so, you know,

08:54.02] we are so thankful for your support and all you do because we can't do it alone. So thank you.

08:59.66] Thank you. We at Sked Vasa, we like to say instead of the South Carolina coalition against

09:08.02] domestic violence and sexual assault, we'd like to thank you all for your support and as leaders

09:12.86] in the community and how important it is to bring awareness. We, like Leah said, we cannot do this

09:18.30] alone and we need leaders to speak up and bring awareness, but also to show that we are not going

09:24.22] to tolerate this type of behavior. And we at Sked Vasa are also celebrating 45 years. So we all

09:29.82] are working hard and we are dedicated and we appreciate you all. Thank you. And if you haven't

10:05.58] signed up to attend our awareness walk or 5K run, it's not too late. Item number three,

10:15.65] a presentation of a professional certificate in building resilience through trauma-informed

10:21.73] leadership to the homeless services department, Dr. Elaine Chavez Swain, DSW LMSW program chair

10:30.05] of social work at Columbia College. I can say first, good afternoon, everybody. I appreciate

10:43.43] the opportunity. This is like a graduation for homeless services. As a licensed master social

10:49.97] worker, I'm responsible for my team and to make sure that they have skills that they need to

10:55.57] execute the mission. And so this is what that was. And because I have an array of professionals

11:03.38] that work with me, I don't have a team of professionals. This was important to be done.

11:07.86] We talk about a lot about collaboration and partnership. And this is a great example of

11:12.90] collaboration and partnership with the city of Columbia and express personnel because that's

11:17.94] where most of our employees come from. And so I just want to say thank you and I'm excited, Dr. Elaine.

11:24.20] I am excited too. So for the past year, the city of Columbia Homeless Services

11:29.48] and Columbia College met every month learning and collaborating through intentional and courageous

11:34.92] conversations. They became better equipped to serve and respond to the needs of our most

11:40.92] vulnerable populations. You guys just identified our domestic violence victims, our unhoused

11:46.76] populations. They learned that being trauma-informed means starting with yourself and accepting the

11:53.96] hard work. So as the director for the Center of Organization Resilience at Columbia College,

12:00.66] I'd like to present this plaque to the city of Columbia Homeless Services. It says that they

12:06.02] have successfully completed the trainings and hereby is recognized as being certified in trauma

12:12.85] informed empowered resilience leadership. So congratulations. This is just a small portion

12:32.54] of our team. Our whole team participated in this training and completed. Where would you like us

12:38.59] Bri? Thank you. Thank you, Kamisha and the entire team. We're really proud of you all.

13:45.81] We have another item, Mr. Mayor, from our Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement,

13:51.73] another one of our programmatic thrusts at the city doing great work. And I wanted to ask

13:58.13] Mr. Chris, Ms. Crystal Holmes Gay. I think she's here to talk about an upcoming event. I think it's

14:06.66] more of a month of activities perhaps. I'll let Crystal come forward. Our team, y'all don't have

14:15.56] to hang around, right? Y'all work all day long and do a lot of things. So you're welcome to leave.

14:21.24] Please don't feel obligated to say. Well, I want to start by saying thank you to the council,

14:32.29] the mayor, and obviously my favorite city manager, Ms. Wilson. So as she said, October is

14:40.99] Youth Justice Action Month. And we have celebrated already. I wanted to shout out

14:47.58] Councilman Johnson, he actually gave a proclamation during one of our events. And

14:52.78] it was so wonderful. The kids were so engaged. And not only did he give the proclamation,

14:57.79] he also sat on the panel. So very, very good. We appreciated you.

15:06.27] He's growing up well.

15:07.59] I mean, the kids, he really engaged with the youth. And that was one thing that we all

15:13.11] appreciated at that time. We were painting. He had his good suit on and he was still painting

15:17.99] with the youth at that time. It was really an experience. So I also wanted to mention

15:22.54] that we will be celebrating YGEM this Saturday at the colonies right there on Beltline. It's

15:29.02] going to be a YGEM block party. And our focus right now currently is in the colonies, honestly.

15:35.95] And that is for obvious reasons. That's kind of our high risk areas. And so we're trying to bring

15:40.11] more positive energy into the colonies. And so we will be there Saturday on the 24th from three

15:46.78] to four after the walk because we will be there. So we will look forward to all of you guys coming

15:52.78] and showing up and showing our community. They want us out there, I promise.

15:57.94] You meant three to six.

15:59.14] Three to six. What did I say? I apologize.

16:01.38] Three to four.

16:02.02] Three to six p.m. I do apologize. Yes. So YGEM is Youth Justice Action Month.

16:09.73] And it stemmed from our at-risk youth that are usually in trouble situations, maybe like

16:15.09] in and out of DJJ. But they get into programs to help them learn conflict resolution and

16:20.69] things that will help them be a better citizen. And they have programs like I.M. Keyes,

16:24.77] which we are partnering with, that he presented the proclamation to. So we're doing a lot of

16:30.03] programming to ensure that we have our youth programmed and all ready for success when they

16:35.15] get out of these trouble situations. So that's essentially what it is.

16:40.34] Can I ask you, do you have additional flyers? I do. Would you please give us one?

16:46.30] Absolutely. Would you like me to give it to? Can you email it?

16:54.65] Absolutely. I can give it to you. Please do.

16:56.88] Absolutely. You will make sure we get the word out.

17:01.15] Thank you. Thank you for the amazing work, Crystal.

17:07.62] Thank you, Crystal. Moving into our consent agenda items four through ten.

17:18.85] Is there a motion? So moved. A motion is there a second? Got a motion, a second. Any further

17:24.83] discussion? Seeing none, hearing them out, Madam Clerk, could you read the roll?

17:28.99] Mr. Johnson? Aye.

17:30.74] Mr. Bailey? Yes.

17:32.26] Mr. Brown? Yes.

17:33.46] Mr. Brennan? Yes.

17:35.06] Mr. McDowell? Yes.

17:36.34] Mayor Rickerman? Aye.

17:37.70] Thank you. Mr. Mayor and Council,

17:40.01] I will read into the record and allow you to vote on each of items 11 and 12. And thereafter,

17:46.09] we'll have a special presentation. Item number 11, ordinance number 2026 089,

17:52.74] authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract of sale between Leticia Miles Hall

17:57.78] and City of Columbia, South Carolina for the sale of 5236 Spalding Avenue in Columbia.

18:04.16] The first reading approval was given on October 6, 2026.

18:08.51] There a motion? So moved. Second. There a second. Where's Ms. Hall? Miles Hall. Come on down. We

18:20.73] got to parade you now. It's not every day that somebody has the opportunity to be a homeowner,

18:26.45] and we just want to make sure that we get an opportunity to say we're excited for you.

18:31.33] Can I say something? You can say anything you want.

18:34.80] I want to thank you guys so much. This is truly a blessing. I grew up in Columbia my whole life,

18:42.80] a product of a crack home. I never thought that this would happen, and I'm just so grateful

18:50.50] for Tony Lawton, Ms. Ashley Jenkins, City of Columbia. You guys have made my dream come true,

18:55.78] and I'm so grateful. As the City continues to utilize its excess properties and work with our

19:22.27] partners to provide homeownership, obviously, as we know, less than 46% of the houses in Columbia

19:29.26] are owned. They're a rental. We want to really increase that number with the programs that we're

19:35.18] doing, and this is just another great program we've worked a lot really hard on to make happen,

19:41.53] and we're excited about it, and we're excited for you and your new adventure as a homeowner

19:46.89] and the opportunity to kind of create your own path from there, right? All right. With that,

19:55.40] Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Yes, sir. Mr. Johnson? Aye. Mr. Bailey? Yes. Mr. Brown? Aye.

20:03.85] Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDowell? Yes. Mayor Rickerman? Gladly. Thank you. So, Ms. Latisha,

20:10.01] sit tight. We've got one more for today and more to come. Item 12, Ordinance Number 2026090,

20:18.01] authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract of sale between Deanna Mack and the

20:23.05] City of Columbia, South Carolina for the sale of 5240 Randall Avenue in Columbia.

20:29.13] First reading approval was given on October 6, 2026. Ms. Mack, come on down. Some move.

20:36.67] We got a motion. Is there a second? Second. A motion and a second. Ms. Mack? Aye. We're

20:44.94] so excited for you to move into that house. I'm so excited. I do want to say that I appreciate

20:50.94] the City Manager, you, Mayor, and City Council for this opportunity. I don't take it lightly.

20:57.50] I understand the impact that this will have on my life, on my daughter's life, and I'm truly

21:03.10] grateful. Tell us about how to come up with that. Yeah, bring your daughter up here. Let's see

21:08.06] that pretty young lady. Sweet. Not only did they get the house, but they moved in the neighborhood

21:24.00] with a new park and everything, right? Excited to have them downtown. Madam Clerk, we had a

21:32.67] motion and a second. Can you call the roll? Mr. Johnson? Aye. Mr. Bailey? Yes. Mr. Brown?

21:39.82] Yes. Mr. Brennan? Yes. Mr. McDow? Yes. Mayor Rickman? Aye. I have to say, you know,

21:46.06] these projects that we're doing and we're working on as a city came out of ideas and

21:51.53] opportunities also has now allowed us, if you saw the announcement from Bloomberg Philanthropies,

21:57.21] to also inject a nice amount of money so that we can continue this program and really grow

22:05.73] affordability, home ownership, and other opportunities so we make sure that our city

22:11.01] has something for everybody in every corner. Really excited about that. Mr. Mayor, thank you

22:16.44] for all of your hard work on this and all of Council. I'm really excited because it's also

22:21.96] growing leadership within the city. I'm going to ask for Ms. Ashley Jenkins to come forward,

22:26.20] who's the Executive Program Manager for Housing, and I know we have a special guest of Commissioner

22:33.00] Jamie Devine. I think he's still Commissioner and Richland School District one a little while

22:38.03] longer because I believe some of our recipients today are school teachers and we want to let

22:45.74] Ashley and Commissioner Devine have a few words. Good afternoon, Mayor, members of City Council.

22:54.12] Thank you so much. As you've said, Keys to the Dream Housing Initiative is leveraging the city's

23:02.38] strategic infill development and public-private partnerships that you all secured with Founders

23:06.54] Federal Credit Union, CBER Group, and U.S. BRIC to expand affordable housing and attainable

23:12.62] home ownership for our City of Columbia employees. And as you know, at the last meeting, you all

23:17.15] transferred T and DC properties over with a significant milestone for the initiative,

23:22.75] but we just wanted to take the opportunity to recognize the three employees, Deanna Mack,

23:27.65] Tiffany Cherry, and Leticia Miles Hall. All three are purchasing homes through

23:32.30] the city's housing initiative. Deanna and Tiffany are City of Columbia employees,

23:37.24] and Tiffany and Leticia also serve as educators for Richland District one.

23:41.80] So I just wanted to take a moment to welcome Commissioner Devine from Richland District one

23:47.72] for a presentation. Thank you. Good afternoon, Councilman. Councilman, Commissioner, we don't

23:54.22] know what to call you these days. Thirteen days, sir. Thirteen days. I like your sticker though.

23:59.10] I like your sticker though. Thank you, sir. I did vote today. I encourage everyone else

24:02.54] to go out and vote. I hope you voted for yourself. Yes, sir. That was number one. That

24:07.38] was number one. But again, I am here in my Commissioner capacity to say thank you to

24:13.30] City of Columbia. Thank you to the SIPA group. Thank you to Lowe's. Thank you to all the partners

24:19.15] who came together because we know housing and education intersect. We know that if housing is

24:24.03] stable, education is opportunity. And so with that said, I'm appreciative of the work that

24:28.91] you all have done, what the contract has done to our city manager. We say thank you as well.

24:34.35] And we know that once these families get into these homes, we know that their stability will

24:39.79] be good and that their futures will be even brighter, particularly with our young lady here

24:44.99] that's with her mother. So we're appreciative again of what you all have done with the vision,

24:49.87] with the leadership because this is about tomorrow. And what I always tell people is while

24:54.35] young people are 30% of our current population, they're 100% of all of our futures. So we want

25:00.46] to make sure we have a bright future. So let's keep them here. Let's keep them engaged. And so

25:04.86] on behalf of myself, Commissioner DeBine, I would like to present to Ms. Latisha a donation,

25:16.06] actually to Lowe's in the amount of $1,000. So she can wash her and dry her out here.

25:36.02] And Ms. Cherry, Ms. Tiffany Cherry is here as well. You've all had already transferred her

25:41.84] property. And so Ms. Cherry here, I'm sorry, Ms. Latisha is from Forest Heights, no, Brennan,

25:49.02] Brennan Elementary, and Ms. Cherry is from Forest Heights Elementary. And so again, on behalf of

25:55.94] just one check, okay, so it's the same check. So we're trying to save paper.

26:02.87] Big checks cost more money. Exactly. So we want to present to her,

26:07.77] again, $1,000 for a wash and dryer for your units. Okay. All right. Thank you.

26:18.35] And then lastly, we also have one more check. Thank you, Commissioner DeBine for Deanna Mack

26:26.06] from Cola Growth Collective, a nonprofit, and they're also providing you with $1,000 towards

26:32.38] your home. Thank you, Mayor and Council, if we could take a moment to take a photo as well.

26:45.51] Thank you. Give me the key. Key, they're going to be fabricating, making more of these.

27:45.85] Oh, that just makes you feel so good. That was pretty sensational. I would just say on days like

27:51.79] today, you need that. Exactly. Okay. Our public hearing and first reading for Zoning Planning

27:59.98] Matters, Mr. Andrew Livingood. The first is item 13, an annexation future land use map amendment

28:07.03] and zoning map amendment for 501, 511 and the Southside of Clemson Road, TMS numbers as outlined.

28:16.25] Yes. And this is, again, a request to annex the properties and assign the land use classification

28:26.80] of civic institutional and to assign the zoning of employment campus district, also known as EC

28:35.42] for appending annexation. The property is currently classified as mixed use activity

28:41.38] center and zoned light industrial or M1 by Richland County. Is public hearing, is there anybody here

28:53.78] speak or against this item? Nobody signed up, all right. Peter, Mr. Brown, is there a motion?

29:07.99] Motion for approval. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

29:13.27] Seeing none, hearing none, Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Johnson. Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr.

29:19.61] Brown. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow. Yes. Mayor Rickman. Aye. Thank you. This next item is an

29:32.03] amendment to the unified development ordinance to clarify the applicability of the standards for

29:38.07] limits to demolition within the OVCCP, the community character protection overlay district.

29:46.32] And briefly, I'll just explain this. This is not changing any of the standards for demolition. It's

29:53.98] simply clarifying language staff found when we were dealing with a recent proposed demolition,

30:01.75] which staff approved, that the translation of our standards from our old ordinance into the new

30:10.44] ordinance rearranged things, which was a great thing, somebody could argue, and I would say

30:18.42] that not successfully, but they could argue that it exempts all demolitions from existing lots.

30:26.21] And that is clearly not the intent of the ordinance. And there's a lot there that supports

30:32.84] the interpretation that we do need to review demolition on all lots within the district.

30:40.07] But again, this is not changing any of those standards, just clarifying the language to

30:44.31] help clarify this and make life easier for future zoning administrators. So move.

30:53.60] There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Is there anybody here to speak against this

31:03.15] or for this item? No, sir. I know that this was a staff driven for clarity, make it clear for

31:11.28] everyone and also the public. I mean, the Planning Commission voted 8-0 to adopt it.

31:16.86] With that, Madam Clerk, can we read the roll? Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr. Brown. Aye.

31:24.72] Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes.

31:27.28] Mayor McMillan. Okay. And that's the last item on the zoning public hearing. Thank you, sir.

31:39.03] Public hearing and first reading for a sidewalk vending ordinance number 15,

31:46.52] ordinance number 2026097, granting a franchise to D'Andrea Waddell, otherwise known as Reds,

31:54.50] Dogs, and Catering LLC, and for operation of a stationary sidewalk vending card at 1701 Main

32:01.54] Street. Is there anybody here to speak for or against this item? No, sir. No, nobody signed up.

32:13.98] Is Ms. Waddell here? You gonna have chili and onions? I'm just making sure. I can't let you

32:23.81] have a hot dog stand without all the condiments, right, and all the opportunities. Particularly

32:28.29] with it being so close by. I know. Nothing better than a great street dog, right? Genetorial

32:35.07] services already lined up, too. What was that? Comedian. Comedian. Is there a motion to approve?

32:44.51] Second. Got a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Johnson. Mr. Bailey.

32:51.69] Yes. Mr. Brown. Yes. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mayor McMillan.

32:57.34] Aye. Ms. Waddell, we look forward to trying out your dogs. Aye. Congratulations. I think

33:07.83] she's ready to go. Exactly. Resolutions. Congratulations, Ms. Waddell. Resolutions

33:14.66] item 16, resolution number R2026075, adopting the all natural hazards risk assessment and

33:22.26] mitigation plan for the central Midlands region of South Carolina update. Is there a motion?

33:31.28] Is there a second? Got a second. Any further discussions, questions? Seeing none, hearing

33:38.13] none, Madam Clerk, could you read the roll? Mr. Johnson. Aye. Mr. Bailey. Aye. Mr. Brown.

33:44.57] Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mayor McMillan. Aye. Item 17, resolution number R2026082,

33:54.23] transfer of funds to CEZ Inc. for support of the station at Congaree Point. A move. Second. We've

34:00.44] got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? And these are funds that come through the state,

34:07.44] through the city, and then transfer to our development corp who is handling the development

34:13.90] of that project out by Atlas Road and Bluff. So it continues on that, Madam Clerk, could you read

34:20.21] the roll? Mr. Johnson. Aye. Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr. Brown. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mayor

34:28.02] McMillan. Aye. Item 18, resolution number R2026083, authorizing the city manager to execute

34:35.91] an interim agreement and extension to the 911 communication center consolidation agreement

34:41.27] between the City of Columbia and Richland County. A move. Second. We've got a motion and a second.

34:47.37] Madam Clerk. Mr. Johnson. Aye. Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr. Brown. Yes. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes.

35:02.56] Mayor McMillan. Aye. Item 19, resolution number R2026084, ratifying approval of the support of

35:11.70] municipal judge agreement for bond and other judicial duties between the City of Columbia

35:16.26] and county of Lexington and authorizing the city manager of the City of Columbia

35:20.50] to execute all such agreements. A motion. Do I have a second? Second. Got a motion, a second.

35:28.54] Any further discussion? Hearing none, seeing none, Madam Clerk. Mr. Johnson. Aye. Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr.

35:36.37] Brown. Yes. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mayor McMillan. Aye. Event resolution items number 20,

35:45.07] resolution number r2026078 authorizing consumption of beer and wine beverages

35:50.83] only at Jerry Fest at the Five Points Fountain on Sunday November 8th 2026.

35:55.91] Move Mr. Mayor. Got a motion is there a second? No motion and a second. Madam

36:02.42] Clerk could you read the roll since there's no further discussion? Mr. Johnson.

36:06.31] Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr. Brown. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mayor recommend. Aye. Other matters item 21 council is asked to authorize the

36:17.08] city manager to allocate the required 50% matching funds for the United States

36:21.26] Tennis Association Tennis Venue Services Grant as requested by the Parks and

36:26.30] Recreation Department on October 9th 2026. Award to the City of Columbia

36:31.14] Parks and Recreation Foundation in the amount of $50,000. The grant funds will

36:36.26] be utilized to resurface nine hard surface tennis courts located at the

36:40.54] Columbia Tennis Center. Some move Mr. Mayor. That one's an easy one right? With

36:49.59] that Madam Clerk could you read the roll? Mr. Johnson. Aye. Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr. Brown. Yes. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mayor recommend. Aye. Mr. Mayor for item 22 we can allow Ms. Missy

37:04.85] Kaufman assistant city manager for strategic programs and innovation to go

37:09.33] through the special revenue allocations as discussed. For the record we can put

37:15.53] those on for your consideration. Hello. Good afternoon. Would you like for me to read

37:26.86] back through the allocations for the record? Yeah. Yes. We don't have

37:30.58] pronounce. Okay. So the first item is community relations council for the

37:41.10] Paul Livingston Youth Academy funded from general fund or 5% of state

37:46.39] accommodations. It's 5,000. Experience Columbia and Columbia visitors. Excuse

37:52.54] me Ms. Kaufman. Madam Clerk do you want us to take since they're coming from

37:56.46] different pots do you want us to take them each individually or do it all as

38:00.46] one? It can be done all as one motion. I just want to make sure thank you. Thank

38:04.39] you. All right. The next is experience Columbia and the Convention and

38:10.48] Visitors Bureau surplus allocation from state accommodations tax 101,404. Lake

38:16.90] Murray country in the Visitors Bureau surplus allocation from state

38:20.70] accommodations 126,718 parks and recreation foundation for Finley Park

38:29.49] programming for 500,000 from hospitality tax. That's for Finley WOG community

38:36.30] development corporation hosted sports tournament will be holding to increase

38:40.57] it from today 500,000 right. I'm sorry sir. We saw it was 500,000 right. Yes sir.

38:48.68] Finley Park. Yes. The hosted sports tournament holding $250,000

38:55.05] pending additional information. Links incorporated biennial Christmas brunch

38:59.94] from hospitality tax for 10,000. Post and courier free times concert series for

39:07.55] arts and culture. I mean for hospitality tax 35,000. I think it's important that

39:12.97] this this is for local local local bands local music only in our hospitality

39:20.91] districts and the posting couriers matching our money with with promotions

39:28.67] and other things to make sure that we have a great success promoting our young

39:32.15] young artists in our community. Absolutely. Thank you. A local local

39:36.57] music focus. Limitless communicate community development for carnival

39:43.14] DiBario up to $10,000 from hospitality tax. Varna International for 50,000 for

39:50.88] their additional programming and then the Koger Center heritage jazz

39:57.80] heritage concert series for 50,000 and then also an additional $250,000 for

40:07.50] beautification and 250,000 for litter which we will continue to evaluate in

40:12.38] terms of funding options for those sources as well. Is there a motion to

40:17.25] accept some proposals? Second. A motion and a second. I know that we work through

40:24.58] work session to take those that these requests that have come in but also

40:29.70] putting money towards the beautification and litter clean up of

40:34.12] our gateways to this love great city this capital city of ours. With that

40:38.84] we've got a motion and a second madam clerk. Mr. Johnson. Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr.

40:45.40] Brown. Aye. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mayor Rickman. Aye. Thank you mayor and

40:51.68] council for continuing to support these events that bring the vibrant vibrancy

40:55.22] to our community. Thank you. Thank you. Ms. Cawthon. City Council committee reports

41:02.32] referrals and new business. You have a referral Mr. Johnson. Yes sir. I've got

41:10.25] two referrals Mr. Mayor. One I like to make a referral organization community

41:16.67] development organization called for the struggle. I'd love to refer them to the

41:20.91] community development department for us to get a presentation on the work that

41:24.45] they do. Could you repeat the name Mr. Johnson. It's called for the struggle.

41:29.16] Fully. For the struggle. For the struggle. Okay. So I'd like to refer them to the

41:35.04] community development committee and then based on our earlier conversation I'd

41:39.56] love to refer the weeding out the guidelines around hospitality tax

41:45.60] allocations in the committee's recommendations to also to the health

41:50.16] environment and social committee. And if I could add one additional which would

41:55.34] it be the residential intensification review and recommendations. I think that

42:05.92] one could go there as well. The health. So move. It's up to council but. That's fine

42:12.88] with me Mr. Johnson's willing to hear it. Okay. Thank you. Absolutely. It's the

42:17.91] best committee that we've got Mr. Mayor. Second. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further

42:25.47] discussion? The best. Hearing none. Seeing none. Madam Clerk. Mr. Johnson. Enthusiastically

42:32.01] aye. Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr. Brown. Yes. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mayor recommend. Aye. Thank you. Any other

42:41.27] referrals? Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Space on some recent conversations we've had in

42:45.63] the last couple weeks. I think we'd probably just schedule another Bull Street

42:48.99] Commission meeting. Just a referral to staff to look for a date in probably

42:53.75] November and probably to work with our partners like the University and some

42:58.15] others for an update on their intended plans in the area will be good. Second.

43:02.01] You're looking for prior to Thanksgiving, correct? Ideally. Yes. Just wanted to set

43:10.51] some parameters. Thank you. Thank you. Mayor, just in the form of an

43:15.51] announcement that comes from our committee some months ago. We've got to do a motion and an exception. All right. Go ahead. I'm sorry. Is it a motion for Mr. Bailey? Is there

43:26.02] a second? Second. Second for Mr. Johnson, Madam Clerk. Mr. Johnson. Aye. Mr. Bailey. Aye. Mr. Brown. Yes. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDowell. Yes. Mayor recommend. Yes.

43:39.30] Reverend McDowell. Yeah, this comes from the Administrative Policy Committee and

43:44.34] several months ago we honored in the Bull Street District we honored Brian D.

43:51.25] Quincy Newman and have so ordered and honor his name on Friday the 23rd at 12

44:02.37] o'clock on the Bull Street District. All right. Thank you, sir. Any other referrals or

44:11.16] new business? Madam Clerk, it's time for public input. Yes, sir. So for public

44:18.37] input we have two individuals signed up to speak. We start with Miss Renita

44:25.03] Thezer. For these items or individuals are allotted up to three minutes to

44:31.84] address Columbia City Council about matters not on the agenda. Items

44:35.60] requiring a public hearing cannot be addressed at this time. Hello. I would

44:40.97] take a morning but it's evening. I don't know if you guys remember me. I'm from

44:44.57] Rhett Street, the Raymond Tire Shop. Yes, ma'am. It's been a while. Yes, and it was a

44:52.65] while and so in the midst of me waiting for it I've used my building for the

44:57.75] community. I just recently had beginning of October a domestic violence seminar

45:03.39] there and it was domestic violence women domestic violence men. I'm not sure if

45:08.56] you're where I own several child care centers and I was in I was gonna

45:12.41] collaborate with pre pre-k and turn one of my child care centers into pre-k

45:18.22] however after having the domestic violence and learning so much I want to

45:24.72] propose a women's children's stabilization resource hub at one of my

45:29.28] centers which is on North Main Street. It's a one-stop community-based facility

45:34.23] offering wraparound support that addresses housing instability and the

45:38.90] connection with women families also practical supports resources

45:45.15] opportunities needed to achieve long-term independence this will be more

45:49.45] than a shelter because it will provide temporary place to stay stabilized and

45:53.92] family strength strengthen the economic mobility support and children and to

45:59.07] create pathways for permanent housing the center will be welcoming center to

46:04.64] the area focusing on family stability child care workforce readiness

46:08.92] financial empowerment and permanent housing pathways housing alone does not

46:15.20] resolve the barriers that keep the family in a crisis child care income

46:20.68] transportation financial literacy and access to services all affect the

46:26.25] family's ability to maintain permanent housing seeking to make this center a

46:31.22] reality through a private and public partnership to address housing

46:35.68] stability and sufficiency in a family in our community so my main goal or my

46:42.55] main purpose is to coordinate with the city because I did lose children in

46:48.40] child care and one of the reasons I lost is because they were homeless there

46:53.53] were no homeless shelters and no shelters or anything on this side of

46:56.69] town that I'm aware of to assist them so instead of I have a 52 score 5200

47:03.28] square-foot building which has 12 to 15 rooms in it it's already licensed and

47:09.26] it's already it already has a lot of accommodations that would already be

47:13.31] needed to house families and children but I would keep the front of it as a

47:18.58] child care center so you would not know that family domestic violence people

47:23.64] live there you would think from the front it was still a child care center

47:26.95] but inside there's rooms as a place for vocational education there's enough

47:33.51] rooms in there for family one room can have a family of a mother and five

47:38.43] children that's how big some of the rooms are but I would like to be in

47:42.05] collaboration with the city to get some of these women back in the workforce I

47:46.53] have several but I have two 15 passenger vans and two buses to provide the

47:52.36] transportation to the workplace and things like that I know you have you

47:56.07] connected with homeless no more and then obviously you saw Leah I was

48:02.59] thinking that those two women probably can help you pull all the pieces

48:09.24] together and homeless no more specializes in fan homelessness with

48:13.52] families right and children and and I think they'd be very interested in

48:17.16] talking to you about a potential partnership so I would definitely get

48:22.60] and we and if you have trouble connecting with those folks we're glad

48:25.40] to help you with that but thank you for even thinking about that because there's

48:29.10] always a need right yes this could be a really good opportunity here so thank

48:34.36] you no problem no and as the mayor was mentioned a huge need I also chief

48:41.04] Hobro if we could put put you in touch with captain Hicks just on a public

48:47.35] safety perspective I mean given the situation given you know everything going

48:53.74] on make Captain Hicks I'm familiar because I go to Belmont community I go

48:58.30] to their monthly meetings okay so I do see Captain Hicks there so definitely

49:03.39] love to make sure that he's aware of exactly what you're doing and where

49:06.25] you're doing okay thank you thank you I appreciate your time madam clerk and

49:14.32] miss Carmen Pendergrass and miss Carmen how you doing this evening you got your

49:22.98] hair changed a whole different look

49:32.02] I hope you all can see but if you can't please bear with me what is it if you're

49:38.04] mine I can't see it I'm sorry I couldn't make it a staple I see this is a

49:42.96] gentleman that I took the transitions last week I know I got three minutes

49:49.41] sir oh yes I'm gonna share about him I'm so sorry I hope you can see his

49:56.12] picture for anyone who doesn't know my name is Miss Carmen Pendergrass I am

50:04.34] originally from Florence, South Carolina and I'm a full-time college student who

50:08.22] is overcoming the experience of being homeless while journeying through the

50:13.35] experience I have met many others who are disabled who have been who have

50:17.68] also been disenfranchised and who are just trying to find their way in life

50:21.28] one of those individuals is mr. Gregory Scott Harrington mr. Harrington if he

50:27.13] were here today he would like you to know that he is a 1988 graduate from USC

50:31.85] loved to cook when he was able to and is also a grateful dead fan he has

50:36.82] experienced what it means to have enjoyed life and has taken part in

50:40.38] aiding the city of Columbia in his younger years in media development mr.

50:45.02] Harrington has lived during recent years mr. Harrington experienced memory issues

50:50.35] and has even had to rely on the services of rapid shelter as a vulnerable

50:54.71] individual he has experienced living on the street and has had very little to no

50:59.83] assistance with the passing of his mother and step-father stepfather due

51:04.83] to diminished cognitive issues mr. Harrington sometimes wanders and has

51:09.20] left at periods of time when he would be extremely close to being housed a

51:12.72] barrier that he is experiencing that he is experiencing is being able to have

51:17.46] access to an environment that could provide someone to help him with needs

51:22.06] such as laundry perhaps showering and every other day necessities safety is a

51:27.65] main concern as his health depends on someone being there to assist him after

51:33.02] getting something to eat mr. Harrington was transported to transitions on

51:36.62] Wednesday October the 14th and while he was not admitted that day he was able to

51:41.38] be located at an agreed upon location and time and transitions reinvented him

51:46.66] I've checked on him almost daily to ensure he is still in a location where I

51:51.12] can find him while working to try and locate other options of support for him

51:55.40] outside of mr. Harrington there is at least a 30% population who is similar to

52:01.56] him who also live at transitions many others exist outside of the shelter and

52:07.07] so many are left unsheltered highlighting the needs of people like

52:11.34] mr. Harrington is crucial due to the need for improvement when it comes to

52:16.42] visibility and empathetic approach in our social services and trying to help

52:21.63] mr. Harrington gain access back to rapid shelter it was found that he would not

52:25.51] be allowed access due to previous health concerns with the rapid shelter no

52:29.96] longer an option mr. here in mr. Harrington has had to rely on others who

52:33.86] may be overwhelmed while caring for the needs of others that transitions I stand

52:38.64] here before you today to ask for the council to focus on bettering services

52:41.96] for accessibility for our senior adults and those who are disabled there is

52:46.48] always a need for improvement but many times urgent concerns go overlooked when

52:50.84] it comes to the unsheltered and voices are often not heard honest and

52:55.63] accountable approaches involving community engagement is how we will be

52:58.95] able to help those in hardship and it may be the only way that we make it

53:02.54] through life when it is our turn to experience it yes ma'am thank you thank

53:10.87] you for sharing no one else is signed up motion to adjourn move mr. Johnson

53:26.99] enthusiastically ah mr. Bailey yes mr. Brown hi mr. Brennan yes mr. McDowell

53:34.59] mayor recommend I thank you