The City of Columbia City Council met for a Work Session on Wednesday, February 12, 2003, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina.  Mayor Robert D. Coble called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.  Council members present were The Honorable Jim D. N. Papadea, The Honorable Anne M. Sinclair, The Honorable Hamilton Osborne, Jr., and The Honorable Tameika C. Isaac.  Absent were The Honorable E.W. Cromartie, II and The Honorable Sam Davis.  Also present were Ms. Leona K. Plaugh, City Manager and Ms. Erika D. Moore, Deputy City Clerk.

CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION / ACTION
 
A. Second Reading:  Ordinance No.:  2003-012 - Prohibiting the issuance of Demolition Permits in Certain Portions of the City.  - Approved on first reading February 05, 2003

Mr. Fred Easley, Melrose Neighborhood Association, said that Richland County School District I has misled the residents and Richland County tax payers.  He told Council that he would not have voted for the bond referendum if he knew the existing footprint of Dreher High School would be changed.  He stated that the school district continues to purchase property and move ahead with their plans.  Mr. Easley informed Council that the community has formed a liaison group and will request that SLED investigate the actions taken by the school district.

Mr. Harry Davis, Princeton Street resident, suggested that the school district acquire property on Millwood Avenue to accommodate their parking needs.  He said that if twenty (20) homes were purchased by the school district this would eliminate over $50,000 in property taxes the city would receive.  Mr. Davis told Council that the school district is paying almost twice the value for homes in the area.

Mr. Neil Atkinson, said that he was contacted about selling his commercial property on Millwood Avenue.  He was told that other commercial property owners in the area were going to sell their property, but he later found out that was not true.  Mr. Atkinson asked what could property owners expect to happen?

Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Mr. Papadea, Council voted unanimously to approve on second reading Ordinance No.: 2003-012 – Prohibiting the issuance of Demolition Permits in Certain Portions of the City.

· Mr. Osborne left the meeting at 9:40 a.m.

B. First Reading:  Ordinance No.:  2003-015 - Authorizing execution of an Agreement to Sell and Buy between the City of Columbia and CEN, L.L.C. for Lot 3, Columbia Industrial Park

Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Ms. Isaac, Council voted unanimously to approve on first reading Ordinance No.: 2003-015 – Authorizing execution of an Agreement to Sell and Buy between the City of Columbia and CEN, LLC for Lot 3, Columbia Industrial Park.  Mr. Osborne was not present for the vote.

C. Second Reading: Ordinance No.:  2003-009 - Granting encroachment to First Presbyterian Church for construction, installation and maintenance of a 215’ storm drain pipe for a roof drain collection system with the Lady Street right of way. - Approved on first reading February 05, 2003
 
Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Ms. Isaac, Council voted unanimously to approve on second reading Ordinance No.: 2003-009 – Granting encroachment to First Presbyterian Church for construction, installation and maintenance of a 215’ storm drain pipe for a roof drain collection system with the Lady Street right of way.  Mr. Osborne was not present for the vote.

D.  Leasing Agent for the Tapp’s Building – Mr. Jim Gambrell, Economic Development
  - Exclusive Authorization of Sublease Agreement - CB Richard Ellis

Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Mr. Papadea, Council voted unanimously to approve an Exclusive Authorization of Sublease Agreement granting to CB Richard Ellis the exclusive right to negotiate a Sublease within the designated sublease space located in the basement floor and the first floor of the Tapp’s Building located at 1644 Main Street for a period commencing February 12, 2003 and ending at midnight June 30, 2003.  Mr. Osborne was not present for the vote.

E. Amend Agreement of the Central Midlands Regional Planning Council to Rename to The Central Midlands Council of Governments and Discussion of the Composition of CMCOG Board

· Mr. Osborne returned at 10:05 a.m.

Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Mr. Papadea, Council voted unanimously to approve an Amendment to the Central Midlands Council of Government Agreement, Article III, Section a. All counties within the Council’s jurisdiction having a population of 2,500 or more are eligible for membership in the Council.  Discussion of the composition of Central Midlands Council of Governments Board was held over.

  F. Community Promotions / Contingency Advisory Committee - Ms. Libby Gober
 
  There was a consensus of Council to advertise the Community Promotions Advisory Committee and appoint members for a term to end June 30, 2004.  Applicants must state position or involvement with other boards, commissions, and organizations.

G. Hospitality Tax – Ms. Catherine Alexander, Finance Director and
- Ms. Dana Turner, Administrative Advisor

Ms. Cathy Alexander, Finance Director, stated that Ms. Janet LaSchuma, Business License Administrator, has researched other cities and found that many cities have successfully administered the 2% hospitality tax.  She said that Anderson collected  $1 million in less than one (1) year; within ten (10) months Mt. Pleasant has collected $2.1 million; and Greenville has collected $3.5 million within one (1) year from three hundred (300) establishments.  Ms. Alexander told Council that the projection for the City of Columbia for 2% is $5.6 million.  She informed Council that if Richland County administers 1%, then the City of Columbia could only administer a 1% hospitality tax.

Council directed staff to schedule public meetings with the Restaurant Association and the Richland County Council.  No other action was taken.

H. Sanitary Sewer Facilities Transfer to Palmetto Utilities Update
    - Mr. John Dooley, Director of Utilities
 
  Mr. John Dooley, Director of Utilities, stated that in the late 1980’s Palmetto Utilities formerly known as Wildwood Utilities petitioned the Council of Governments to be granted responsibility for the sewer service in the Rice Creek Drainage Basin, which is tributary to the Wateree.  He said that this includes new development at Woodcreek, portions of the Summit, Longcreek Plantation and other subdivisions the City of Columbia currently serves.  Mr. Dooley told Council that when Palmetto Utilities was granted responsibility for the area, they didn’t have the physical facilities in the ground to begin serving the subdivisions.  He stated that now they are interested in closing the deal, which would mean transferring approximately 900 customers.  Mr. Dooley informed Council that Palmetto Utilities doesn’t have the money to pay for the system so they are recommending that they be allowed to complete the construction necessary to eliminate the stations and tie customers to their treatment plant and we would keep the billing until the contract is satisfied.

Upon motion by Mr. Osborne, seconded by Mr. Papadea, Council voted unanimously to approve the transfer of sewer services for the Rice Creek Drainage Basin to Palmetto Utilities in concept and asked staff to prepare a contract for approval.

I. Relocation of Parkridge Drive off of Hwy 60 – Mr. David Brewer, Traffic Engineer
  - Request by Palmetto Health Alliance Widening the segment of SC Route 60 to five lanes along the frontage of the subject property to the new intersection of Parkridge Drive A turning lane for right turn traffic along Kinley Road be added to the project
 
Mr. Dave Brewer, Traffic Engineer, told Council that he concurs with the proposed relocation of the Parkridge Drive intersection at Kinley Road.  He said that the intersection would move 800 feet to the east towards Broad River Road and the current intersection will become the entrance to the office complex.  Mr. Brewer stated that he concurs with the requirements of SCDOT.

  Mr. Chip Land, Deputy Planning Director, stated that an individual that owns eighteen (18) acres of commercial zoned property across from the Palmetto Health Alliance property wanted to know how the relocation of Parkridge Dirve would affect him.  Mr. Land suggested that Highway 60 be looked at since it will remain as a two-lane segment starting at Broad River Road running into this project.

 J. Enhancement Projects Prioritization Update – Mr. Nathaniel Land, Planning

 Mr. Chip Land, Deputy Planning Director, told Council that every two (2) years there’s a cycle through Central Midlands where the City of Columbia is eligible to apply for enhancement funding.  He said that the maximum amount of Federal funding for one (1) application is $145,000.00 and there has to be a $90,000.00 or 40% match to those funds either by cash or in-kind services.  Mr. Land presented twenty-two (22) potential projects both new and old, but match funds haven’t been identified for some projects.  He recommended that another application be submitted for Two Notch Road.
 
 Upon motion by Ms. Sinclair, seconded by Mr. Papadea, Council voted unanimously to authorize staff to explore grant-funding options through the Empowerment Zone for infrastructure projects.

EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION

 Council voted to add the River Alliance Contract and a legal briefing regarding Earelwood Neighborhood zoning matter to Executive Session and to go into Executive Session at 10:50 a.m. to discuss Items K., L. and M.

K. Receipt of legal advice, which relates to matters covered by attorney-client privilege
- Development and Implementation of the Commercial and Non-Discrimination
 Ordinance and Sub-Contracting Outreach Program Update – Mr. Tony Grant
    (Ordinance No.: 2002-030  - Approved on first reading September 04, 2002.)
 This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.

- **Earlewood Neighborhood zoning matter
   This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.

L. Discussion of negotiations incidental to proposed contractual arrangements
- Convention Center Hotel  - Mr. Steve Gantt, ACM
This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.

- Municipal Parking Garage – Mr. Steve Gantt, ACM
This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.

- Ice Hockey Contract – Mr. Steve Gantt, ACM
This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.  Mr. Osborne abstained from discussions due to a conflict of interest.

- **River Alliance Contract
     This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.
 
M. Discussion of negotiations incidental to property acquisition
- Wastewater Treatment Plant
This item was held over, no action was taken.

- City / County Co-Location Office property
This item was held over, no action was taken.

- Richland One School District property
This item was held over, no action was taken.

- Columbia Tennis Center
This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.

· Mr. Osborne left the meeting at 1:05 p.m.
 
CITY COUNCIL UPDATE

N. Millwood Avenue – Mr. Nathaniel Land, Planning
 This item was rescheduled for February 26, 2003.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Coble adjourned the meeting at 1:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:

Erika D. Moore
Deputy City Clerk