The City of Columbia City Council met for a Work Session on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina.  Mayor Robert D. Coble called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.  Council members present were The Honorable E. W. Cromartie, II, The Honorable Jim D. N. Papadea, The Honorable Anne M. Sinclair, The Honorable Hamilton Osborne, Jr., The Honorable Sam Davis and The Honorable Tameika Isaac Devine.  Also present were Mr. Charles P. Austin, Sr., City Manager and Ms. Erika D. Moore, City Clerk.

REVIEW COUNCIL AGENDA

**There was a consensus of Council to amend the Council Agenda by adding a request from the Five Points Association to close Saluda Avenue between Greene Street and Harden Street for a press conference.  (see Item 10a.)

**Councilwoman Anne Sinclair requested that Item 22. be deferred.

CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION / ACTION

A.  Community Mediation Center – Ms. Sandra Francis, President

Ms. Sandra Francis introduced herself to the members of Council as the new President of the Community Mediation Center.  She thanked City Council for their continued financial support of the center and she assured the members of Council that she is fiscally conservative.  Ms. Francis stated that the center provides free to low cost mediation for individuals.  She said that mediation is also provided to students who have excessive absences and or tardiness along with their parents and a school representative.

Councilwoman Sinclair encouraged city staff to utilize the Community Mediation Center when ever possible in an effort to resolve issues prior to appearing before City Council.  She also suggested that the Community Mediation Center meet with the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods.

B. Historic Columbia Foundation – Ms. Belinda Gergel, President, Board of Directors

Ms. Belinda Gergel, President of Board of Directors, introduced Ms. Robin Waites as the Acting Director for the Historic Columbia Foundation.  She outlined many exciting programs and activities that are being organized by the Historic Columbia Foundation this year.

Ms. Robin Waites, Acting Director, told the members of Council that she began with the Historic Columbia Foundation as the Director of Marketing and Development.  She stated that they advertised the upcoming events in national magazines in order to increase the number of tourist.
 
C. Community Promotions Funding Recommendations – Ms. Libby Gober, Ombudsman
 
 Upon motion by Ms. Sinclair, seconded by Mr. Cromartie, Council voted unanimously to approve the Community Promotions funding recommendations in the amount of $20,000.00 to be disbursed to organizations as outlined below.

Organization  Requested Recommendation
Celebrity Entertainment Operations $20,000.00 0
Columbia Choral Society 2 Concerts $22,000.00 $10,000.00
Columbia City Ballet Lion King Ballet Operations $15,000.00 0
Columbia City Jazz Dance Co. 2 new sound systems $8,000.00 $6,000.00
Gallery 701 Artist fees $6,000.00 0
Sandlapper Singers Marketing $4,000.00 $4,000.00

 D. Southeast Park and Tennis Facility Preliminary Plans Update – Mr. Allison Baker, Director of Parks & Recreation
 
Mr. Kenneth Simmons provided an update on the design and construction phases of the Southeast Park and Tennis Facility.  He said that the project site is approximately 5-6 acres in size and is currently utilized by numerous recreational groups.   Mr. Simmons stated that a structural analysis would be performed on the dam to ensure its integrity.  He focused on the need to provide the proper forum for public input.  He stated that if they were authorized to proceed now then the park would be open by the summer of 2005.

Councilman Papadea suggested that we formulate a contest for the public to name this facility.

There was a consensus of Council to direct Mr. Allison Baker, Director of Parks and Recreation to form a steering committee composed of members of the surrounding community, members of the Sierra Club, neighborhood leaders, tennis players, campers, scouts, fishermen and sailors.  This committee will evaluate the usefulness of this property.  The members of Council will approve and or supplement members of this committee.
 
E. Columbia Museum of Art – Ms. Karen Brosius, Executive Director

Ms. Karen Brosius, Executive Director, told the members of Council that the most recent exhibit at the Columbia Museum of Art was a success due to marketing and advertising.  She told the members of Council that over 11,000 people visited the Edward Hopper and Urban Realism Exhibit and over 42% said that they came to Columbia just to see this exhibition.  Ms. Brosius requested an additional $150,000.00 to fund the positions for a Chief Curator to create and organize exhibits and a Director of Development to lead all fundraising efforts.

Upon motion by Ms. Sinclair, seconded by Mr. Papadea, Council voted unanimously to approve a request from the Columbia Museum of Art for additional funding in the amount of $150,000.00 to cover salaries and benefits for a Development Director and Chief Curator.  The funding source was not identified.
 
TRAFFIC ISSUES

F. Prohibition of Parking on 200 and 300 Sumter Street – Mr. John Spade – General Services

Upon motion by Ms. Sinclair, seconded by Mr. Cromartie, Council voted unanimously to approve the prohibition of parking on 200 and 300 Sumter Street.  The University of South Carolina has agreed to plant and maintain grass on the west side of Sumter Street.

· Mayor Coble adjourned the Work Session at 9:55 a.m. to break.

· Mayor Coble convened the regular meeting at 10:00 a.m.

· Mayor Coble reconvened the Work Session at 11:05 a.m.

Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Mr. Osborne, Council voted unanimously to go into Executive Session at 11:05 a.m. for the discussion of Items G. through J.

EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION

G. Receipt of legal advice, which relates to a pending, threatened or potential claim – Mr. Al Nickles, Esquire
 This item was discussed in Executive Session no action was taken.

H.  Receipt of legal advice, which relates to a matter covered by attorney – client privilege
- Deadly Force Resolution
- Communication (Cell) Towers and the Federal Telecommunications Act
- Memorial Park Investments
- Board of Zoning Appeals
   These items were discussed in Executive Session no action was taken.

I.  Discussion of negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements
- Budget and Control Board / Department of Mental Health
- Purchase of Portion of Municipal Court Parking Lot by Zion Baptist Church
These items were discussed in Executive Session no action was taken.

- CANDO Amendments
This item was held over no action was taken.

- **Convention Center
   This item was discussed in Executive Session no action was taken.  Mr. Papadea    and Mr. Osborne abstained from discussions due to a conflict of interest.

J.  Discussion of employment of employee
 Items were discussed in Executive Session no action was taken.

· Mayor Coble adjourned the Executive Session at 2:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:
Erika D. Moore
City Clerk