City Council - Regular Meeting

All right. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Hey. Hey. Hey.

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Hey, hey, hey. [music] Hey, hey, hey. Call the meeting to order. Madame clerk, could you read the role?

Absolutely. Good afternoon. Mr. Bailey, present. Mr. Brown, present. Miss Herbert here. Dr. Bussles here. Mr. Brennan, present. Mr. McDow, yes. Mayor Rickman,

here. Will you stand for the pledge of allegiance, please? I pledge algiance 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. Reverend McDow, let's bow our heads. [clears throat] Eternal creator, you brought us to this place and we acknowledge your presence here today. We ask that you might touch us collectively and individually. remind us of your the duty of your calling so we might be sensitized to all those things that are needed in our community. Lord, we thank you for Colombia. We thank you for what it's done. We thank you for all of the things that continue to expand its membership and growth. We ask it. We claim it in your name. Amen. Amen.

Amen. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor and Council. At this time, we will ask for the adoption of the agenda as outlined. So, move second. Motion in a second. Any further discussions, changes? Seeing none, hearing none, Madam Clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, yes. Miss Harbert. Dr. Buses. Hi. Mr. Brennan, yes. Mr. McDow, yes. Mayor recommend I thank you.

Public input. Individuals are allotted up to three minutes to address city council about items on the agenda. Items requiring a public hearing cannot be addressed at this time. Mayor, we have one speaker signed up. Miss Denise Wellman is here for item 12. 12. Yes, sir. [snorts] Miss Wilman.

Good afternoon. My name is Denise Wellman and I'm the president of Cotton Town and I'm Thank you for the opportunity to be in front of you today. [snorts] Cottontown is here to confirm that we support the Bull Street District. While we we believe it is good for Colombia and the surrounding area, there are some concerns that we have as you and we ask that you consider these as you finalize your decision about agenda item number 12. First, if you approve item number 12 on today's agenda, it seems to imply that you might projects that want to go up to 10 stories. We ask that you continue to thoroughly review each and every development in the Bull Street District and consider the impact have on the communities and corridors which surround it. Secondly, traffic along Bull and Elmwood out of control. Much of the day were unable to even get out of our neighborhood, most especially due to people blocking intersections. I can only imagine how difficult it is for first responders, of which latter seven with the developments at 2222 Main Street involving 330 units, Scott and Sumpter 102, Bull and Elmwood 288 units, the almost champion Fireflies, the new med school, the housing in the Bull Street District, let alone the fact that this decision vision today that's in front of you could pave the way for 10 stories to be in the Colonial Bull Street corridor. The traffic problems will only be exacerbated. [clears throat] Councilman Brennan, I applaud you for last week asking the question of whether or not current traffic studies are meeting our needs. Cotton Town agrees that this needs to be

looked at. We are not ready to give up our cars despite what some think and the city needs to look at the larger impact of development on traffic in the downtown area and use current data in making future decisions about development projects. Secondly, thank you Councilman Bailey for getting me together with the Hughes Group this morning. In talking with them this morning, I asked about the planned development in the remaining treeline street treeline area along Colonial. That is part of the decision in front of you today. They stated that there is no planned development in the area as of yet. The word as of yet concerns us. Knowing that we have limited tree canopy in the city and the recent heat map provided strong evidence for concern, we would urge caution about destroying any healthy trees simply for density. In all projects in the Bull Street District, we need developers that are willing to honestly collaborate with neighborhoods and decisions that provide a balanced approach which considers quality of life along with density. Thank you. you.

No one else has signed up. Thank you. Approval of minutes. Item one, council has asked to approve the October 21st, 2025 work session and regular meeting minutes. Second. A motion and a second. Any further discussion, changes? Hearing none, seeing none, madam clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Bailey, I Mr. Brown, I. Miss Herbert, I. Dr. Brussels. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow, Mayor Rickman. I thank you. The consent agenda items are 2 through 11. Mr. Mayor and Council is Do we have a motion to take all these items together?

So move. Is there a second? Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussions? Seeing none. Hearing none. Madame clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Bailey. I Mr. Brown. Hi, Mr. Herbert. Hi, Dr. Busussell. Hi, Mr. Brennan. Yes, Mr. McDow. Yes, Mayor Rickman. I

zoning planning matters for second reading item 12, a major amendment to plan development, the Bull Street neighborhood plan development properties generally bound by Bull Street, Colonial Drive, Harden Street, and Calhoun Street as outlined. This um item to amend the Bull Street Neighborhood Plan Development District uh is a request for a major amendment to a plan development in council district 2. There was a first reading given on October 21st, 2025. And I think there have been some subsequent discussions with the neighborhood as just mentioned actually.

Yeah. All right, Mr. Mayor. Oh, I'm sorry. I'll follow McDow. Go ahead. No, I was speaking [clears throat] in reference to what I'm sorry. Speaking in reference to what Denise just alluded to a few minutes ago. Um, the traffic study I think is one of the things that is much needed in the area. Um that's that's a concern for me and um want to make sure that want to make sure that uh we could at least get that done or if we need to defer this to we can act on it later.

Um Mr. Bailey, I know you had some comments.

Yes. I also want to mention I think we had a productive meeting with Hughes development, Miss Wellman and also Miss Markx. And uh one thing I think that we all agree is that looking future at the area on the city standpoint, seeing how we could ease some some growing pains with the growth. Um but my thoughts on that were wondering if that could be done independently by the city so we can do our own traffic study through consulting. um because there's more growth in the area and that not slowing down um this portion of what's on today's agenda. I think it should be probably more so incumbent on city to look at our goals and figure out how we can ease the traffic versus having um this current develop developer possibly produce their own traffic study that could be an issue. So I I I would say that I do believe, you know, this could move forward today, but if we want to look in the future about how we could make sure uh traffic and uh through the neighborhoods along with pedestrians is fine, uh we should probably look at that, make our own recommendation moving forward and still move forward with this today for a vote whether it's voted up or down.

Um Mr. Mayor. So, what's interesting about, you know, obviously I

I come from 277 from North Columbia from Fair Road for all these meetings. It's it's so much transient traffic coming in and out of the city through 277 onto Bull Street and then also then disseminating through town. So it's like it's like there's most of the time when I come into the city it's nothing but smooth sailing on onto 277 to Bull Street straight to here. Now when I if I leave here and go back to Colite this afternoon is it'll be impossible. Um and the same thing first thing in the morning. So if we do a traffic study I think it's really needs to center around the the transient nature of traffic going in and out of the city at 8 o'clock in the morning 5:00 at night. I'm not sure that the developments [clears throat] in the area are obviously they add cars, but I'm not sure they're going to add to the the the concept of a traffic situation that's designed by [clears throat] the fact that people come into town and then leave. So anyway, we we need that there needs to be some thought into a traffic study about about the nature of what time of day and and the people living here versus the people coming in and out of Columbia. Thanks. I I think I would add to this may be a great opportunity for us to collaborate only city the development team but also the university that has significant investment on both sides of Harden Street because we're talking about Harden Calhoun Colonial and Bull we're not you know and then the surrounding growth area this may be a good opportunity for all of us to work together all right what's the future growth look like how are we going to do that I feel much more comfortable moving forward with the second reading of this just knowing the fact that that the square footage is I mean it's capped. I mean there's only so much you're going to be able to go vertical. So that's not square footage is not going to change the traffic pattern, but the future

growth will because especially with the state selling property across the street and around the corner and the other parcels. So this may be a good time for us to collaborate on an effort moving forward.

Yes, sir. I mean, I I think we we ought to commit to pull the groups together uh and sit down and really look at, all right, let's let's work this together because we need to make sure that whatever the study shows that is reflective of what we know growth is going to happen and it reaches the areas because I mean, if we're dependent on a developer and Chandler, don't take this the wrong way or Robert if they're here. you're going to give us the study that fits your narrative and we need to have a study that really fits the overall growth that we're looking for and this is a great time for us to do this. I think we should move forward with this today but with the commitment that we're going to work on this collaborative effort to do a traffic study.

Mayor, to your point though, I think I think I think the answer is we're we're in a position now in Colombia where we really do need to look at the next 5 to 10 years, not the next five to, you know, 10 months. So So I think you're right. I think and you know I think think about Harden Street now. You know, we've we've gone out of our way to try to make Harden Street not a cut through from 277 to I77, but we're going to be dumping a whole bunch more people uh uh around here. So, I I just think it's it's a really needs to be a comprehensive 5 to 10 year outlook that that that takes into the growth that we know we're going to experience [clears throat] for the adoption of item 12. Microphone.

I'm sorry. I move for the adoption of item 12. Second. Got a motion in a second. Any further discussion? Yeah, I I don't Sorry, Miss Herbert. Well, no, I think it's it's more of a statement, too, because I'm assuming that as we do more residential development downtown, it will actually decrease the need for the transient. That's right. Um folks and so to really see how all of those pieces come together. That's correct. Um cuz I I I will just tell you I was over here trying to justify why the city would take on that burden. But now as I think it through I think it's important to look at as all of these other developments particularly with the residential.

Well I think the collaboration piece I mean because there are other partners so you're not putting the burden but we're getting a global look at where our growth pattern is and I don't know that the last time we've done that and there's significant opportunities in this section of town for sure. Thank you. That's all. Is that a referral that you all are going to make later with more clarity? I think we can make a referral later on to to you, Miss Wilson, city manager, to figure out next steps on bringing people together. I think it's just a commitment from us that that we want to try to pull this together. So, we'll put some detail and make a a formal referral.

Okay. Question, Mr. Mayor. Madame Clerk, Mr. Bailey, I Mr. Brown, I Miss Herbert, I, Dr. Busell. Hi, Mr. Brennan. Yes, Mr. McDow. Yes. Mayor Rickman, I. Thank you.

Ordinances. First reading item 13, ordinance number 2025089 granting an encroachment to 2222 LLC for the use of the right ofway areas of the 2200 and 2300 blocks of Main Street, the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Sumpter Street, the 1200 block of Franklin Street, and the 1200 block of Scott Street for the installation and maintenance of sidewalks, landscaping and irrigation adjacent to 2222 Main Street. Is there a motion? So move. Is there a second? Second. A motion and a second. Any further discussion, questions? Hearing none. Seeing none, madam clerk. Mr. Bailey. I. Mr. Brown.

I. Miss. Herbert. I. Dr. Bussles. I. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow. Yes. Mayor Rickman. I. Item 14, ordinance number 2025091 consenting to the inclusion of property in a multi-county industrial business park project Senate. So move. Got a motion. Is there a second? Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, hearing none. Madame clerk, can you read the role? Mr. Bailey. I. Mr. Brown. Hi. M. Herbert. I. Dr. Bustel. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow. Yes. Mayor Rickman. Hi. Thank you.

Other matters. Item 15. Council has asked to consider a funding request in the amount of $50,000 from Bull Market for eligible expenditures associated with the bull market fest 2026. Is there a motion? So move. Second. Motion second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, hearing none. Madame clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Bailey. Hi. Mr. Brown. Hi. Miss Herbert. Hi. Dr. Brussels. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow. Yes. Mayor Rickman. I. Thank you. [clears throat] Item 16. Council is asked to consider a funding request in the amount of $20,000 from the Koger Center for the Arts for eligible expenditures associated with the Blind Boys of Alabama performance.

So move. Got a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, hearing none. Madame clerk, can you read the role? Mr. Bailey? Yes. Mr. Brown? Yes, Miss Herbert. Hi, Dr. Bussles. Mr. Brennan, yes, Mr. McDow. Yes, Mayor Rickman. I Thank you. Moving into a period of committee reports, referrals, and new business. Yes, sir. Go ahead, Mr. McDow.

Yes. The administrative policy committee met today to review the honorary street naming applications, three in excess uh three sites uh naming applications and two staff reports. The committee uh endorsed the following um ter items. Number one, honorary street name in the honor of Brian de Quincy Newman at Greg Street from Greg Street from Colonial Drive to Mle Street within the Bull Street District. Brian was the first youngest elected council member and the deciding vote for the Bull Street uh street project. Do we need to do this all at once or you want to one at a time, Mr. Mayor?

I I would take all three of them. Okay.

All right. Number two is the honorary placement of a bench at Maze Park honor in honor of Mr. William H. Finer Fitzer um loved and supported Maze Park and the community and a community supporter. Number three, honorary replacement of a plaque uh the base the base of a tree at Saluda River in honor of Joyce and Don Jackson. Both were supporters of the arts and loved to support various endeavors in the Colombia city vicinity. Number four, honorary placement of a bench and a plaque at the POW. Let me say this right. Paul

Paul. The Paul. Let's say it together. Paul. at the Paul Path within u within the uh Rosewood Park in honor of Annette H. Benetti uh supported uh CPD's K9 units and was starting a protection with protective vest for our animals. Those are three. And I have two more staff recommendations. Want to do those two? Let's stick with those first. So that that's a motion.

Yes. Second. Second. A motion and a second for those three namings. Four four names, actually. Four names. Excuse me. Four names. [clears throat] Madame Clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Bailey. I. Mr. Brown. I. Miss Herbert. I. Dr. Russell. Hi. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow. Yes.

Mayor Rickman. I have two more endorse staff recommendations. Uh staff uh endorsed staff recommendations to split DDRC into two boards. Uh historic preservation design review commission and the urban design review commission. Uh this recommendation went to the planning commission in October and we will come and will come before city council uh on November 18th. These boards will begin meeting in January of 2026. The other staff um recommendation, we endorse staff recommendations to remove the $25 permit fee for neighborhood gatherings, block parties, and walks. Um [clears throat] the application uh deadline will remain 30 days prior to the event. Large events will incur additional fees in accordance with the special events permit processing fee schedule. This will require an amendment of the current ordinance. Mr. Mayor, I offer these and I offer these in terms of a motion.

There's a motion. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Question, Mr. Mayor. Yes. Um, is now the appropriate time or closer to is coming in December for the justification, the summary of splitting DDRC and and and what that means. You know, what direction is one group taken? What direction is the other streamlining as a as a council member? Um, I would like to learn more, but also I think the public is very interested in if it Yes. Uh, kind of the the Yeah. Um, so I again my question is is that to be done now or in the coming weeks as we lead up uh to that?

Can we do it in the coming weeks, Mr. Mayor? Yeah, perfect. I mean, I think the plans coming in the future and this, if you remember, this was the suggestion that came from our neighborhoods. This is this is why we're doing this because they brought the crossover between commercial and residential, especially in historic, was getting very clouded. And so now there'll be folks focused on each of those entities which I think will will cause less headaches in the future. Perfect. Thank [clears throat] you. Matter of fact, I think that came from Josh Shelton district three. That's correct. That madam clerk, I would like to state that we are being asked to advertise the vacancies for those two boards so that you all can consider applications in December. Yes, sir. Yes. Is that right? Yes, sir. Okay.

All right. Should be the path forward. Yes, sir. And you have a description for those committees already? Yes, ma'am. And we're going to share the staff memo with all of you today. Thank you. You're welcome. [clears throat] Mr. Bailey, I. Mr. Brown, I. Dr. Bussles. Hi, Miss Herbert. [laughter] I, Mr. McDow, yes. Mayor Rickman, I. Did I skip you, Mr. Brennan? I don't know how I got thrown on. Oh, yes. I think you did.

Thank you. [laughter] any other committee reports or referrals? Um, I do want to point out I think we have some USC students here today who are getting their credit. See, coming out in the rain on a special call meeting major day because it's going to be a very short meeting and you're going to get in and out of here and get all the credit. [laughter] You win at the same time, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. I'd like to make a motion that they attend at least two other meetings since this [laughter] was so short. I I think they're looking for a no there.

Mr. Mayor, I do believe there was an additional um is it a street naming renaming honorary street naming request to go through the process. Um, so I know M. Reverend McDow got he caught up several today that had already gone through the process, but there is another one that needs to be referred into committee to begin the process. Okay. And that one I don't have that name, but Miss the applicant is Miss Elkins, Monica Elkins, in honor of her brother. And the renaming would occur on Katie Street. That's correct. Okay. That's correct. And that's going to committee in November. in November. Yes, sir.

Give us a vote on that. Yes. To refer it into committee, please. So, um we make a referral for Curtis Elkins. Is that correct? Yes. Correct. Thank you. Curtis Elkins um for Honorary Street naming uh to go to administrative policy committee. Is there a second? Second. A motion in a second. Madam clerk reads the role. Thank you, Mr. Bailey. I. Mr. Brown. Hi. Miss Herbert. I. Dr. Bussell. Hi. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow. Mayor Rickman. Hi. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes.

I just provide a brief update from our health, social, and environmental affairs committee meeting. Today, we got our quarterly update on animal services. Um, the facilities are in dire need of an update and we we went over the 2023 study that talked about the ways in which the center needs to be improved. We also looked at the new website which makes it very user friendly to understand the different services that animal services provides as well as uh some data around the uh successes of getting animals adopted and out. Um we also received an update on our gateway signage. We will be unveiling our gateway signage on October 30th at 10:00 a.m. Um and that is open to the public. That is just one of several signs that will be installed in our major gateways. um in November. [clears throat] Oh, and the location, thank you. Um is going to be in front near the Pepsi uh plant um on North Main. And then finally, wanted to just shout out the entire staff because I think this is a big staff undertaking. We celebrated the one-year anniversary of the My Cola SC app by getting an update on uh how things are going with that app. And it sounds like we've had over 10,000 people download it and interact with it. and uh you know staff have been able to really get their um feet wet with it and be able to respond directly to constituents and so we're always looking for ways to encourage more people to uh sign up and use the app to report any issues that they may have.

Thank you very much Dr. Brussels. Any other referrals or reports? Um I I'm going to have some referrals but they will be at the next meeting around u vacant property. um learned some information this past weekend that we should consider and see if we can help boost some of that growth. Um [clears throat] with that, Madame Clerk, do we have anybody else signed up? No, sir. All right. At this point, we will entertain a [clears throat] motion from Mr. Brennan.

Yes, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to make the motion to enter into executive session receipt of legal advice relating to matters covered by attorney client privilege pursuant to SC code 34782 front yard parking and short-term rentals. Um second got a motion and a second. Will we need to uh go downstairs because of technology needs for either one of these Pardon? Not that you're aware of. Okay. I didn't know if we have Yes, sir. Madam Clerk. All right. Mr. Bailey,

yes. Mr. Brown, yes. Mr. Herbert, I. Dr. Bussles. Hi, Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow, yes. Mayor Rickman, I

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