Columbia City Council will give first reading to the proposed FY 2013/2014 budget on Tuesday June 4, 2013 during the regular scheduled meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m.
In addition to first reading of the budget, City Council will give first reading to the proposed rate and fee increases for Parks & Recreation facility rentals and other recreation programs and first reading of the Hazardous Materials Cost Recovery and Registration ordinances.
|
Click Here To View City Press Releases
Click Here To View CPD Press Releases
Click Here To View City's Photo Album
|
 | 
Through a variety of recreational activities such as basketball, roller skating and board games, the department is able to offer a safe and entertaining environment for youth. Primetime in the Park has been expanded this year to two nights each week, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 to 11 p.m. through August 16.
Primetime in the Park will be hosted at two different parks each week. The schedule of dates and locations is as follows:
June 19 and 21 - Greenview Park, 6700 David Street and M.L.K. Park, 2300 Greene Street
June 26 and 28 - Lorick Park, 1600 Lorick Avenue and Woodlands Park, 6500 Olde Knight Parkway
July 10 and 12 - Pinehurst Park, 2300 Pinehurst Road and Hyatt Park, 941 Jackson Avenue
July 17 and 19 – Greenview Park and M.L.K. Park
July 24 and 26 – Lorick Park and Woodland Park
July 31 and August 2 – Pinehurst Park and Hyatt Park
August 7 and 9 – Greenview Park and King Park
For more information, call Parks and Recreation at (803) 545-3100.
 Get Your Housing Questions Answered at OMG 2013
The OMG of Homeownership Workshop is positioned to answer all housing questions. It will provide first time homebuyers the right tools for a successful purchase and will provide current homeowners with new ideas on how to give their home, yard or garden a refreshing look.
Join City of Columbia and Richland County Community Developments on Saturday, June 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Midlands Tech, NE Campus, located at 151 Powell Rd. for this FREE workshop.
There will be a $500 grand prize for a mini home makeover or to help with a current home project.
This year’s classes include:
• Home Maintenance, with a Touch of Green
• Curb Appeal 101
• Home Insurance, Let’s Talk Trees and Dogs
• DIY (Do It Yourself) Ideas
• Plus many more!
This free event is positioned to help all current homeowners and people looking to learn about buying their first home. Seating is limited. There will be food and door prizes.
Register here.
For more information or questions, please contact Jeff Rainwater at 803-545-3383.
|  What's Happening at the Parks this Weekend!
MOVIES IN THE PARK
City of Columbia Parks and Recreation is kicking off the annual Movies in the Park series at a new location this summer, Riverfront Park, 312 Laurel Street. The public is invited to come and take in a great, family flick at the amphitheater while enjoying the natural surroundings near the river. The series will continue this week through July 26.
June 21 - The Three Stooges
June 28 - Ice Age: Continental Drift
July 5 - The Croods
July 12 - Life of Pi
July 19 - Parental Guidance
July 26 - Spongebob Squarepants Movie
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Come engulf yourself in the sounds of summer! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and dancing shoes to Finlay Park, 930 Laurel St., every Saturday and get set for some “cool” summer fun! The AXIS Band will be performing on June 22 at 7:00 p.m.
For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 803-545-3100. |  Mayor Benjamin launches 100 Days of Nonviolence
On May 21, Mayor Steve Benjamin was joined by Interim Columbia Police Chief Ruben Santiago, Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Caton and Columbia Urban League President J. T. McLawhorn at a press conference to launch an exciting new initiative aimed at reducing youth violence and crime: 100 Days of Nonviolence.
“We’re making great progress in Columbia. Crime is down double digits in nearly every single category and violent crime is down a staggering 22% through April,” said Mayor Benjamin. “If we’re going to keep that momentum going and make this city the safest most talented, educated and entrepreneurial city in America, then we have to do it together.”
100 Days of Nonviolence is a collaborative project bringing together local government, neighborhoods, faith leaders and the business community in order to reduce youth violence and crime through a focused engagement, intervention and diversion effort throughout the summer months when these crimes are typically more common.
“The Columbia Police Department has a number of programs already in place to help youth from following the criminal path including our new Operation RISK initiative,” said Chief Santiago. “We want to make a positive impact on children so they can avoid jail or a life on the streets. Parents, teachers, caregivers, anyone can call CPD and we will help.”
“Whether you are providing a summer job or internship opportunity, sponsoring a child at a summer camp, or volunteering your time to serve as a mentor; we want everyone to take part,” said Mayor Benjamin. This is an opportunity to do some real good and make a true and lasting difference in our children’s lives.”
Visit www.columbiasc.net/100days or call 803.545.4220 to learn more about the 100 Days of Nonviolence challenge and find out how you can get involved in this exciting new initiative.
|  Pet of the Week! Jazz!
Meet Jazz! This young lady is super-friendly with lots of energy. If you are looking for a fun companion for walks or jogs, this is your girl. She is currently going through basic obedience training at the Animal Shelter and doing great. Jazz is 1.5 years old, spayed, micro-chipped, vaccinated and tested negative for heartworms. She loves meeting new people because she's hoping one of them will take her home. Won't you consider giving this happy girl the chance to have a real home?
You can visit Jazz and her friends at the Columbia Animal Shelter, located at 127 Humane Ln. off Shop Road. For more information, call 803-776-7387.
Please remember that all of our pets need loving homes. To view other animals available for adoption, visit Petfinder.com.
Please remember that all of our pets need loving homes. To view other animals available for adoption, visit Petfinder.com. |  Last Workshop for Customers on City Restructured Water and Sewer Rates
To help customers understand these rate changes, the City's Customer Care Center will host the last informational workshop on Saturday, June 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
City of Columbia City Council passed a water and sewer rate restructure that went into effect on May 1, 2013. Four changes to the City's water and sewer rates were approved.
• Water base rates will go down for customers with 1" or larger meters.
• Water customers with dual meters will be charged the base water rate of the large meter in lieu of both meters.
• Sewer customers with dual meters will be charged the base sewer rate of the smaller meter in lieu of the larger meter.
• Volumetric rates will increase for all water and sewer customers by 7.96%.
Customers can learn more at www.COCWaterSewer.com.
The City of Columbia continues to provide water and sewer service to residents at rates that are below the average for the region. Many residential customers in the City would not see their bill increase by much. For example, if a single family household living in the City* used on average 200 gallons per day (6,000 gallons per month), they might only see their bill increase by $2.64 per month. That is less than the cost of a gallon of gas.
* Based on an in-City customer on a 5/8" tap line. The combined in-City residential water and sewer bill for this usage would increase from $45.20 to $47.84.
Water Sewer Rate Ordinance 2013-013
|
| 
Mayor Steve Benjamin
Welcome to the official website of the City of Columbia! I hope that it is helpful to you, as we offer many services and attractions here in our beautiful capital city! If there is any way that we can enhance your online experience, your visit to Columbia, or the services that you receive as a resident, please feel free to contact us.
visit the mayors page>> |
Access the City Council Meeting Times and download the Meeting Agendas
Click Here
|
 |
