City Council - Regular Meeting

All right. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey.

Hey, hey, hey.

Madame clerk, could you read the role, please? Absolutely. Good afternoon. Mr. Johnson, here. Mr. Bailey, present. Mr. Brown, here. Miss Herbert, Mr. Brennan, present. Mr. McDow, Mayor Rickman, here. Thank you. Uh, Reverend McDow, would you mind saying a word before we start?

All that you've done for us for this day and for this city of ours that continues to bloom and blossom in various ways. We ask that you might be with us. We ask that you might touch us individually and yet collectively. Allow us to sense and feel your presence. Allow this city to continue to grow. We ask it. We claim it in your name. Amen. Amen. Stand for the pledge of allegiance.

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.

You're ready, Mr. Mayor? Yes, ma'am. All right. Well, good afternoon. At this time, we will ask for city council to adopt today's agenda. Mr. Mayor and council, we have one item, the deferral of item 18, ordinance number 202623, establishing the Vista Business Improvement District. And we'll look to add that to our next agenda. Yes, sir. We got a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion and a second. Any further discussions, questions, concerns? Hearing none. Seeing none, Madame Clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Johnson, hi. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, I. Miss Herbert, I. Mr. Brennan, yes. Mr. McDow,

yes. Mayor Rickman, 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. No one has signed up to speak during this period. All right, let's keep moving. The approval of minutes item number one, council has asked to approve the April 21st, 2026 budget workshop and regular meeting minutes. So move second. Got a motion in a second. Any concerns, changes, comments? Hearing none, seeing none, madam clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Johnson, I. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, I. Miss Herbert, hi. Mr. Brennan,

yes. Mr. McDow, yes. Mayor Rickman, I thank you. Moving into a period of several wonderful presentations, so you all bear along with us. They are all so worthy. The first being the recognition of Mr. David Sharp's retirement. And we love Mr. David Sharp. Um, he was coming up on the elevator with me. I didn't even recognize him. Retirement looks so good on him. We have Mr. Clint E. Sheileely, our assistant city manager for Columbia Water.

Thank you, Miss Wilson. Good afternoon, mayor and council. I'm going to ask Mr. David A. Sharp and uh some of the Columbia Water leadership team if they would please please come up and join me. And I got a few things to say about David. David joined the the city of Colombia's workforce in March of 1974, a little over 52 years ago. He brought with him and brings every day a spirit of determination and passion for his work that has only grown stronger with time. Um, his meticulous attention to detail, problem solving skills, willingness to mentor new maintenance staff have set a high standard throughout the city. He possesses a unique ability to turn obstacles into opportunities, ensuring that our water treatment plants and our distribution system runs smoothly and efficiently. He's not only been a vital part of our organization's success, but also a friend and a role model to countless individuals, many that have retired since he trained him. Um, on a personal note, I've known David for at least 25 years, long before my time officially with the city. He's been a wealth of knowledge, kindness, and dedication. Um, I recall David's service during the flood of 2015. His commitment and dedication and the lesson that he taught me during that time as son, this is too important to fail. We can't stop. We've got to keep going. Um just I believe it was just last summer David we found ourselves um you know David works on the water treatment side but we had an electrical issue at our metro wastewater plant and uh we found ourselves along with Jeremy and a few others I don't know working till 10:00 or beyond hooking up generators emergency

generators at the wastewater treatment plant. He's the guy you call when the ox is in the ditch and he's been that way for 52 years for us. David, congratulations on your retirement. I don't know what we're going to do without you, but I'm so happy for you and uh congratulations and job well done. Okay,

thank you. I have something for Mr. Sharp. I'm looking I thought it was supposed to be up here, Mr. Mayor, but hopefully he won't go too far. We'll get it to him. We'll move on to item three minutes if you don't mind. Alphasai Lambda chapter of Alphafi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated the 91st Charter Day Proclamation. The Honorable Daniel J. Recommend. Mayor,

first of all, please y'all please come up to the podium if you wouldn't mind. Um, I'm going to read your proclamation, but I I first want to take the opportunity to thank y'all for your investment and your constant working in our community. Um, as we commemorate Dr. Luth, Dr. Martin Luther King Day and what y'all have invested and what y'all continue to do to carry his legacy, I want to say on behalf of the city, thank you very much, gentlemen. Thank you very much. Alphafi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercolgate Greek letter fraternity established for African-American men. And I know we've got some cues in the room, but we let the alphas have their day. Let the alphas have their day. was founded on December 4th, 1906 at the Cornell University and has stood as a beacon of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and uplifting of humanity. The Alphi Alpha uh Lambda chapter was chartered on May 7th, 1935 in Columbia, South Carolina, marking a proud and enduring legacy of service, leadership, and brotherhood within its community. Throughout its distinguished history, the brothers of Alphafi Lambda have upheld the aims of Alphi Alpha by promoting academic excellence, advocating for social justice, mentoring our youth, and engaging in programs that benefit the community at large. The chapter has produced generations of leaders who have made significant tributes in civic, professional, fraternal areas, embodying the principle of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind. The celebration of Charter Day provides an opportunity to reflect upon the chapter's rich history, honor its founders, its past members, and recommmit the ideals that has

sustained for over nine decades. Therefore, I, Daniel J. Rickman, the mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, along with all of these fellow members of city council do be hereby proclaim May 7th, 2026 is Alphafi Lambda chapter of Alphafi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 91st Charter Day in the great city of Columbia, South Carolina, and urge my fellow citizens not only to rec recognize but participate in this. Uh, gentlemen, the floor is yours.

Good afternoon, Mayor Rickman and city council. I am K. Allen Campbell, the president of the Alpha Salama chapter. We accept this honor um as humbly as we know on behalf of the over 300,000 members worldwide of Alpha Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and in memory of the 12 founding fathers of this chapter that was formed as he said 91 years ago on this Thursday. We already have as the mayor said a lasting and a great relationship with the city of Colombia. This only augments that opportunity to continue to serve the community with Colombia, city of Columbia by our side. Again, we thank you for this time. We thank you for this recognition and as Mayor Rickman said, we stand for manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, may I say a word?

No. Mr. Mayor. Mayor Rickman, may I say a word? No. Well, I'm going to say a word anyway. Look, I want to say to the brothers of Alpha, thank you for being a part of the divine nine. While we pledge differently, we are all brothers together. Amen.

We are brothers together. Thank you for your service. Thank you for allowing each one of us in this community to understand the tributes uh of Martin Luther King. Thank you so much. And somewhere I've read it says I am alpha and omega. Now, according to my tradition, I would say Omega and Alpha. But because you are my brothers and because we love you and because of all of what you do, Alpha and Omega, thank you very much.

Amen. I haven't seen anything on paper. Thank you, brother. Tyler is a neop fight. He just got in the front.

Our next presentation is the National Small Business Week proclamation. The Honorable Daniel J. Rickman, mayor. Miss Driggers, bring that team up there. takes teamwork

and our honorary team member. Come on.

Did you want to say a few words first or would you like me to wait?

I do have a few words. No. Okay. Go ahead. Okay. All right. Well, thank you so much for um allowing us to come before you. We appreciate your continued support of our office. As you know, the first week of May is deemed National Small Business Week. So, we do a week full of activities. Yesterday, we had our kickoff at Gather Cola, which was a wonderful opportunity for us to bring the community together. Gather Cola is typically not open on Mondays, but they open specifically for us to um celebrate the small businesses and a lot of the vendors opened as well. So, we invited the public to come out there for that. Um we're doing the proclamation today and then tomorrow we will have our 13th annual Small Business Week event at the Pastitis Alumni Center, which you are all welcome to join us um for that. Um, we've had so much interest in that that we actually had to close registration a week early. Um, and I was recently asked about why do we think there's so much interest? And I think it's because of the collaboration we've seen throughout the community with organizations such as SBA and then with Dion's group that does bizarts. It's really given us an opportunity just to reach out to every sector of our community and let them know what we're doing in the city. So, we will continue to do those collaborative initiatives so that we can reach as many small businesses as possible. We've also had the honor to work with a lot of the various um organizations throughout the city that have sponsored the event. Grace Outdoors, hopefully you've seen some of our billboards. We have about uh eight billboards throughout the Midlands area um recognizing Small Business Week and inviting the community to that. And so we are just excited to see what comes next. We are excited about the support of all of you to all of our events. Um

I'm so grateful for the team that stands they're behind me now, but they really stand alongside me. Yes. And we do have our district director for the Small Business Administration if she has a couple of words to share.

We don't we've never seen her before. That was like deja vu when I pulled into the parking lot. Good afternoon, mayor, council members, community partners. Thank you so much for having me here today. On behalf of the US Small Business Administration, it is truly an honor to be before you to recognize National Small Business Week, especially here in Colombia. Colombia's home for me. Colombia is also the city of Columbia is also where I expanded my interest and my commitment to public service. But it's also where I learn learned about the incredible partnership between local communities and the small businesses, our municipalities. That partnership matters, and it helps drive economic development in our local communities. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create jobs, drive innovation, and shape the character and resilience of our communities. here in Colombia that impact is very very visible. Mayor Rickman, I remember right before you were elected, you talked about having different um the crate crates. What do you call them? The you wanted to see development. Yes. And I I want to tell you when I look out my window every day, I see a lot of them. So congratulations to you, sir. Um, here in Colombia, as I said, the visible impact of our small businesses is very, very visible. The vibrant Main Street to the neighborhoods and corridors that continue to grow and thrive. The recognition is especially meaningful to me. As I said earlier, the experience that I had here at the city of Columbia helped shape my commitment to public service and economic development. and it's where I first saw how critical that partnership is between local government and small businesses in building strong, sustainable

communities. I want to sincerely thank the mayor and council members for this proclamation. Your leadership and support send a powerful message that small businesses are valued and that their success is a priority for this city. At SBA, we are committed to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of development through access to capital, counseling, and contracting opportunities. We are especially focused on ensuring that rural and underserved communities have access to the resources that they need to thrive and succeed. To the small businesses owners here that are here today, thank you. Your resilience, your vision, and your contributions are what keep our communities moving forward. Congratulations to all of you and thank you again for recognizing Small Business Week. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

You going to do the video? Oh, it's just them couple of pictures. Those are our sponsors that we're very proud of supportive of Small Business Week. We had a couple of pictures from last year where the mayor and Councilwoman Herbert were in attendance. And um yeah, there go our pictures along with General Hood who was our keynote speaker. So, and then of course our wonderful OPO team at the top. So, we're really looking forward to tomorrow. Um everybody's going to get a good night's sleep and we're going to hit the ground running first thing in the morning. That's a our billboard that's throughout the uh Midlands area. So, um I think that nice probably the last Yeah. And then just a flyer for the event. So, thank you so much.

For more than 70 years, the US Small Business Administration has celebrated Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contribution of entrepreneurs and small businesses. Small businesses are the engine of the American economy and the foundation of free and prosperous nation, accounting for more than 99% of all the private sector employees, creating nearly two out of every three jobs nationwide. From our farms and our factory floors to the frontiers of technology, small business drives innovation, strengthens local economies, and provides the products and services that keep America competitive, secure, and strong. Small businesses represent a tradition of hardworking, dedicated individuals living the American dream to provide for their families, create job opportunities for their neighbors, and to make invaluable contributions for their community. The entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of small business owners contributes significantly to the city of Columbia's economic growth and of course its quality of life. So therefore, I, Daniel J. Rickman, the mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, along with my fellow members of city council, do hereby proclaim May 3rd through 9th, 2026 is small business week in the great city of Columbia, which means all of you need to leave tonight and go to a small business owner, restaurant, retail, and spend some money. Uh, we would appreciate it. With that, I'll present you with the plaque, Miss Dreers. Um, madame clerk, while they're taking that picture,

change the presentation back to the first one. You just left, the first slide with the pictures of the the mayor and myself from last year. One. Okay. So, I just want to note to council in the picture from last year, I have the exact same outfit on today. And I'm so glad to see that because I could have worn this tomorrow. No, no, you don't. Cuz you have a different necklace on. Yeah. So, it's a different necklace. Different necklace.

Well, no. The good thing is I won't wear it and look the same in all the pictures. But I just thought it was ironic that Well, the funny thing is I could have worn this tomorrow. I ain't talking no official business. No, I was just saying in the picture.

What was that? Which one we We're on We're on national bike. Oh, did we read? Oh, they're ready. Let me read. Did it wasn't already read. Oh, okay. Listen, leave it to leave it to our planning and development team. They are stay ready. Right. So, this is for National Bike Month and Bicycle Safety Month proclamation. The honorable Daniel J. Rickman, mayor. Um, we also have two additional coming up. or we'll do them one at a time.

All right. So, I'm going to take a moment to read this and then I'll I'll yield the floor to you all. The bicycle is a viable envir v environmentally sound form of transportation and an excellent form of recreation. Many Colombians will experience the joys of bicycling during the month of May through participation in educational program races, communi commuting events, trail work days, helmet promotion activities, charity events, or just getting out and going for a ride. The Palmeta Trail uh attracts users each year from all around the state, provide providing economic, health, and scenic benefits to the citizens of South Carolina, Columbia, and the Southeast. These bicycle bicycling activities and attractions have great potential to have a positive impact on Colombia's economic e economy and tourism industry and to stimulate economic development by making the city attractive to businesses and citizens who enjoy spending time outdoors and leading healthy lifestyles. Creating bicycle friendly communities has shown to prove in citizens health, well-being, and quality of life to boost community spirit, to improve traffic safety, and to reduce pollution and congestion. May has been declared National Bike Month. And so again in 2026, the bike and pedestrian advisory committee, BPAC, as we know, effectually know, bicycle clubs, schools, parks and recreation departments, police departments, hospitals, and companies and civic groups throughout the city and the region will be promoting bicycling as a leisure activity as well as an envi environmentally friendly alternative to the automobile. During the month of May, the city of Columbia has adopted the city's first bike and pedestrian plan on

June 2nd, 2015 known as the White Walk Bike Plan. And this plan has a goal of creating great spaces for bicycling with a focus on evaluation and planning, education, encouragement, encouragement, planning and engineering, and enforcement. And we got to talk about the enforcement part here. The education of bicyclists and motorists as to proper safe and operation of bicycles is so important to the safety of all. Therefore, I Daniel J. Rickman, the mayor of Colombia, and along with my fellow members of city council, do hereby proclaim the month of May 26 is National Bike Month and Bicycle Safety Month. And May 3rd, 2026 is National Ride a Bike Day. And the week of May 11th through the 17th as bike to work week. And we're not done yet. And May 15, 2026 is bike to work day in the great city of Columbia. Urging my fellow citizens to recognize and participate in this. Um, thank you all for being here. Um, the floor is yours.

Good afternoon, mayor and members of council. Thank you all so much for your support of this proclamation and for joining us as we recognize our progress in expanding in safe connected networks for some of our most vulnerable roadway users. As Colombia continues to grow, so does the need for reliable travel. We remi we remain committed to advancing safe and active transportation for our residents. So a few highlights from this year. First approved in 2012, the Richland County Transportation Penny H is forecasted to reach its maximum revenue of 1.07 billion later this year. Working in tandem with engineering and public works to identify priority and connectivity needs, the 2024 penny has allocated $90 million towards upcoming bikeway, pedestrian, and greenway improvements. To continue to maxim maximize roadway safety, the United States Department of Transportation Safe Streets for All program helps municipalities work towards zero roadway fatalities through a safe systems approach, which is safer people, vehicles, speeds, roads, and post-crash care. The city of Columbia, ranked 12th the most dangerous metro by the National Complete Streets Coalition, is rising to meet this challenge. Our high injury network map is now guiding the selection of intersections and segments that pose the greatest safety concerns to our roadway users. We invite the public to bring their local knowledge to help shape these conceptual projects which will position the city and our partners for future funding. So, please join us on Tuesday, May 12th at the Virginia Bedford

Community Center in Earlwood Park to review and shape these recommendations. For more information, please visit our website at the city of Columbia Planning and Development Safe Streets web page. In partnership with Coltown Bike Collective and through the Whole Spire grants, the city has expanded its downtown bicycle wayfinding network. Um, drawing on the walk by Columbia recommendations, this 30 sign pilot project along the Lincoln Street corridor, which stretches from the Vista Greenway in Finley Park through the Vista past USC and down Green Street towards Five Points. This wayfinding network will enable cyclists of any level to navigate to key landmarks on safe and accessible bike facilities through close coordination with the planning and development services and public works on design placement and installation. It is my pleasure to report that installation is now complete. So, with that, I'd like to direct your attention to this year's bike month poster put together by Lee and myself. And I'd like to encourage everyone to take part in some of this year's activities. Whether it's a workshop, a race, a scavenger hunt, or just simply a ride while making new friends, together we can cycle Colombia. Thank you very much,

Mayor Mayor, mayor, mayor. Two. Correct. Mayor, I have one question. Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. I was just saying if y'all haven't met her, I'm I don't think you said your name. This is Nicole Broner, and she's our multimotal transportation coordinator who joined us last fall. So, we're super happy to have her here. Welcome.

Um, so this is not my question. This is Councilman Bailey's question. Um because he intended to do the preservation bike tour because I did it last year so he wanted to do it this year and we have both missed it. Um I was just wondering will there be the opportunity for another staffguided um ride your bike to work on May 15th?

No. No. That may not be the best. Um, but anyway, if there is an opportunity for another staff one, I don't think you trust us in the streets by ourselves. Um, but I really did enjoy the one from last year. I will tell y'all it helped me do both things. I did the historic check. Not that I'm checking off boxes, but and the bike month, but so anyway. Oh, you did it with me. Okay. All right. Thank you. To have uh Councilman Bailey and Councilwoman Herbert do a race on a two wheel.

That won't be a race. That won't be a race. Well, first of all, it depends on which bike I have. My electric bike that I borrow or my old bike for the collective. It don't matter what bike you choose. Don't do that. Don't do that. We're going to take bets later on just for fun. No, no cash. Changing hands. Uh, if it's okay, Miss Wilson, we go ahead and do historic preservation month as well.

Our plan and development staff is coming with great items today. the National Historic Preservation Month Proclamation as well as the 2025 Mabel Payne Historic Preservation Award. I thought we were doing the staffs together. We probably should present them with theirs. Okay, Mr. Mayor, while you're presenting that, um, I'd like to recognize Mr. Reagan Freeman in the back. And I appreciate your advocacy on uh bicycle connectiveness, pedestrian connectiviveness, making sure Columbia's more connected uh and your work at the state house to make sure that we're addressing these issues as well.

You want to join for the p photo and you and his work on Corolla Avenue to make sure I made it to one of these. You got to get you in the photo. How about that word? Tragic. It is you enter next

next. such a crossover of staff. You get you think you could do it all at one time and you realize everybody's in their Thank you all for being Did you want to start or would you like me to to um You can read the proclamation first and then we'll go into our comments.

Okay. May is declared national There's a lot of things happening in May if everybody hasn't figured that out. May is declared the national preservation month and has been since 1973. And so again, in 2026, the city of Columbia adopted its first preservation ordinance in 1963 and created its first historic districts in 1964. Historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both urban and rural, and for Americans of all ages, all walks of life, and all ethnic backgrounds. Historic preservation has been established in cities across the nation as an effective tool for economic and sustainable development, tourism promotion, community revitalization, fostering local pride, maintaining comm community character while enhancing livability. It is important to celebrate the role of history in our lives and the contributions made by dedicated individuals in helping preserve the tangible assets of the heritage that have shaped us as a people. Historic preservation is the key to protecting unique character and the vitality of the city of Colombia. So I, Daniel J. Rickman, the mayor of Colombia, along with my fellow members of council do hereby proclaim May 26 is National Preservation Month. And as we going in to celebrate, you know, 250 years of history, um, have been out of the country last week and standing next to a building that's 1726. I realized we got a long way to go. But the preservation of those buildings next to something modern and how they make everything blend in to the quality of life is is really amazing. So, first of all, thank you for all y'all do for our city. Thank you very much. And um the floor is yours.

Good afternoon. My name is Rachel Walling. I'm the senior preservation planner with Planning and Development Services. As you know, as Mayor Rickman just said, the city of Colombia along with cities across the country celebrate National Historic Preservation Month every May. Nationwide, people use the month to celebrate the many ways in which historic preservation impacts their cities, strengthens neighborhoods, conserves resources, bolsters economic development and tourism, and preserves a sense of place and history. Here in Colombia, we have a variety of events planned to celebrate history, architecture, and preservation throughout the month of May, which I will ask Betsy Kleinfelder, fellow preservation planner, to highlight for us.

Yes. So, I believe that you all have a calendar with you, but we have another one here. So, it is a busy month, as we've said. Uh, for one, we are partnering with the Coalition of Columbia's Historic Districts to have a social media scavenger hunt, and that's going on throughout the month where there'll be detailed photos of different historic buildings in town. Uh, and the challenge is to see if you can guess which buildings they are, and there are some really good prizes from local businesses in our historic districts. Uh, then, yes, we did have the preservation bike ride on Sunday, and hate that we missed you guys. We can always figure out another way to do it again. I'll have to see if I can borrow my 12-year-old's ebike once more, see if it will work. But we can we can definitely do that. Uh tomorrow or this Thursday, we are partnering with Richland Library and in the local history room, there will be a workshop on how to research your own house. If you're ever wondering who lived there before, what else is in your past? Uh we'll have that. Um Monday evening, the 11th, we have a tour of the state house grounds to talk about the history of that site. And then we get into a little bit more of the hands-on work. Uh, brick repointing, masonry, masonry, brick repointing, and window repair, which are always some of the things that we hear the most about from historic homeowners wanting to know how they can make those changes and repairs to their houses. Later on in the month, we'll be over at All Good Books and there will be a preservation happy hour where we're bringing together several preservation contractors, architects, historic homeowners who've done work to their houses and get them together to share their experiences and expertise and also just to mingle and get to know other historic preservation uh supporters here in town. Then keep an eye out for June 1st because we will be opening the nominations for the pause for Preservation calendar, which is the fundraiser for the Coalition of Historic Districts. And we encourage people to submit photos of their pets in historic places, and then we'll see who gets uh entered into the calendar there. So, a lot going on. Make sure to check this

out and just contact us if you need anything. Thanks.

Thank you. It should be fun month. We had a lot of fun on the bike ride. Sorry y'all weren't there. Um, each year we also give out the Mabel Payne Award, award named after one of the city's first planners whose dedication to and advocacy of our historic structures laid the foundation for the preservation of so much of what we enjoy today. The award typically goes to those in our community whom have demonstrated outstanding efforts in education, leadership, conservation, or stewardship which support our built environment and ultimately the entire city. Today we are excited to present the Mabel Payne Award to the Cottontown Belleview Historic District Neighborhood Association for Excellence in Leadership and Stewardship. I'm going to invite them come up here with us. Cottontown's commitment to retaining the historic integrity of their neighborhood is evident in so much that they do. Recently, Cottontown expanded their National Register District, which made more of their neighborhood residents eligible for historic tax incentives. Cottontown has also been vital in their support of the preservation initiatives such as supporting the coalition of Columbia's historic districts in their promotion of the annual pause for preservation fundraising calendar which Betsy just mentioned which funds for allows many of our preservation month workshops to be free and open to the public. Each spring Cottontown celebrates their historic neighborhood through the Cottontown art crawl, keeping Cottontown a vibrant and desirable place to be. Their strong sense of community is also evident in their efforts to reach out, communicate, advise, and assist neighbors. All of this and more demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the preservation of the architecture and character which makes Cottontown unique to the city. Our historic neighborhoods and our architecturally diverse downtown

provide a distinctive sense of character and backbone upon which to build the rest of the city. Thank you, Cottontown, for being such strong partners in preservation. Mayor Recommend, City Council. Thank you so much. We are indeed honored to be recognized in this way. More importantly, I think we're really proud to be one of Colombia's historic districts, especially knowing the significant positive impact that historic districts have on our city. So, we're immensely proud of that. Um, it's been a busy year in Cotton Town. Um, we've had a lot of fun. We've learned a lot and I think we've accomplished a lot. But our success certainly would not be possible without the support of council person Herbert and McDow. You share Cotton Town. So, we thank you for your support. And I also think it's really important that we thank Amy and Rachel, Betsy, and the entire planning and preservation staff. We could not do what we do in Cotton Town, and we're really honored to be here. So, thank you very much.

Yes. Yes, ma'am.

She is so very special to all of us. But we want Miss Chenique Belton to come to the podium on your phone. Mr. Mayor, we need um we need Mayor Rickman and Tom and Erica as we present her 15year pin of service for the city. I

thank you. Congratulations. Thank you, mayor. Where's the time go for your death? Do you have any words? I know all of the council want to get on this picture with you, but this is um of course your certificate and we we know be 15 more. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

We appreciate we She's part of the glue. So, you know, you got to get your photo all of us. Oh my god. This is good. Okay, Mr. Mayor, we are through these presentations. Ready to roll? Okay, thank you. Moving into the consent agenda items 7 through Well, we're taking off which one? 7 through 21. 7 through 17, I'm sorry, and 19 and through 21.

Is there a motion? So move. Is there a second? Second. A motion and a second. Any further discussions? Hearing none. Seeing none, Madam Clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Johnson, I. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, I. Miss Herbert, I. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow. Yes. Mayor Rickman. Hi.

Thank you. Thank you. Ordinances. Second reading. Ordinance number 202631 authorizing the city manager to execute a deed and any closing documents necessary for the sale of 1601 Assembly Street in Richland County pursuant to the United States Postal Service exercise of its purchase option under the current lease. Got a motion. Is there a second? Second. A motion and a second. Any further comment hearing? None. Seeing none, Madame Clerk. Unfortunately, we

Yes, sir. Mr. Johnson. Yes. I Were you saying something, Mayor? No, ma'am. Okay. Sorry. Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr. Brown. Hi, Miss Herbert. I Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow. Mayor Rickman. Still can't do it. No.

Thank you. And just for the clarity of the public, this is an exercise of the postal services right to purchase. So this isn't, you know, we we've had some questions about it. It isn't that the city was actively selling the property by no means, but these properties across the country have a different type of um arrangement. And at any point in time really the postal service can exercise that right and so that's what's happening right now. Thank you. Item 23. Ordinance is first reading. Ordinance number 2026 014 granting an encroachment to the University of South Carolina for the use of the right-of-way area of 300 block of Main Street for the installation and maintenance of a raised pedestrian crosswalk adjacent to 300 and 315 Main Street.

So move. Got a motion. Is there a second? Second. A motion second. Any further discussion hearing? None. Seeing none, Madame Clerk, read the role. Mr. Johnson, I. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown. Hi, Miss Ferbert. Hi, Mr. Brennan. Mr. McDow, hi. Mayor Ricksh.

I. Item 24, ordinance number 2026 032, consenting to the inclusion of property and a multi-county industrial business park, the debartal development 1214 through 1236 Greg Street, 1912 through 1924 Lady Street, 1221 Greg Street, and 1306 Barnwell Street as endorsed by the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee on April 14, 2026. Six. So move. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Seeing none, Madame Clerk, read the role. Mr. Johnson, I. Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr. Brown. I. Miss. Herbert.

I. Mr. Brennan. Mr. McDow. Yes. Mayor Rickman. I. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to say that for those who might not be familiar with this project, this is another great project in an area of Colombia that could use a great project. So, this is another big win for Colombia um and and a big big win for an area um that that could use a that could use a little win. So, congrats to everybody.

Excellent. Thank you, Mr. Brown. As we move into items 25 and 26, I'll ask our assistant city manager and CFO Jeff Palin to come forward to give um some remarks after I read it into the record. And I I know Mr. Brennan wanted to us to wait for him. Item 25, I'll begin to read it in. Ordinance number 2026033 consenting to the inclusion of property at a multi-county industrial business park. This one is the first of two and this is the Congy Riverfront District Business Park as endorsed by the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee on April 14, 2026. I think you're gonna Yeah, sure.

So, these two items, item 25 and 26 are both um the city it'll read city consenting to inclusion of property and a multi-county industrial business park. Attached to those are also an intergovernmental agreement. These parks are being set up. It's agreement between the city of Columbia and Richland County. This first one that you'll vote on will create a district that will use all future revenues generated via property tax to help pay for the long-term operating and maintenance costs for the future Congrefront Park. I do want to emphasize that this is not a new or additional tax, just a redistribution of what would normally be paid. While the mechanics of the district are somewhat complicated, the end result will be that all new commercial development within the boundaries of the park will split. 50% of the new revenues will be dedicated to the park's operations and the remaining 50% will go back out to the taxing entities. That'd be us, the county, and the school districts as they'd normally be distributed. Um I do want to point out this is a important collaboration between the city and the county to support the riverfront park for many decades. The second item is the convention center district business park and it's going to operate with the same mechanics as the riverfront park. However, the goal the new revenues generated in this district will be utilized for the long term utilized in the long term for the future expansion of the convention center along with any of the necessary infrastructure. So last thing I want to point out is both of these agreements demonstrate in an important collaboration between the city and the county to include the mayor, our members of city council, the chairwoman and county council, our city manager, city ad county administrators along with staff from both the city and the county. And finally, I do want to emphasize the work that Missy Gentry has

spent on this collaboration. She started on the project over two years ago as an assistant city manager, retired over a year ago, but has still stayed on to see this project through completion. And with that, I'll answer any questions y'all may have before considering these. I'd like to make a motion first approval for both items 25 and 26. Second. Got a motion and a second. Mr. Brennan, did you want to say a few words?

Uh Jeff, I I do I do want to thank um staff. I think this is a day that we're going to look back on that's going to change the over overall trajectory of of where this city and this county and this Midlands truly goes. We always had to put together a maintenance fund before a big beautiful park could come. And we really couldn't have done that without this council working together, our staff working together, but also mirroring what the county and their county um staff have done. We got to get creative with so much growth that's come this way. How we pay for it. I think this is very exciting. It's a way for uh private investment to help public uh infrastructure and public good and public parks and recreations offering. So, we're going to go vertical with a with a Vista hotel, a convention hotel, a convention center uh addition eventually and then what we're going to see along the river. I can't wait. So, thanks again, Jeff, Missy staff, my colleagues here on city council and county council. I know this is the first of many, many, many steps, but we got here. Only took three or four years. So, thanks y'all. At least

took us a little longer than that to get to this point. Well, it took over 200 years, but uh to get that beautiful park. Uh did anybody else have any comment? If if not, I'd like to go ahead and make that get that count. Madame Clerk. Yes, sir. Mr. Johnson, hi. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, hi. Miss Herbert. I. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Mr. McDow. Yes. Mayor Rickman. I. Thank you. Very very well done. Good job. Um, are we Did you take them both or we need to take the vote on 26? Both of them together. 25 and 26. Yes, ma'am. All right. Very nice.

Moving into a period of resolutions. Item 27, resolution number R2026011, authorizing the city manager to execute a memorandum of understanding between the city of Colombia and We Love Five Points LLC as endorsed by the economic development and infrastructure committee on April 14th, 2026. Ma'am, we got a motion. Is there a second? Second. A motion and a second. Uh, any further discussion? Seeing none, hearing none. Madame Clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Johnson, I. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, I. Mr. Herbert, I. Mr. Brennan, yes. Mr. McDow, yes. Mayor Rickman,

I. Thank you. Item 28, resolution number R 20226037, certifying a building site as abandoned buildings pursuant to the South Carolina abandoned buildings revitalization act, title 12, chapter 67, section 1267100 of the South Carolina code of laws as amended regarding the property located at 1637 Enery Avenue. Move, Mr. Mayor. You got a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, hearing none. Madame clerk, you read the role. Mr. Johnson, I. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, I. Mr. Herbert, I. Mr. Brennan, yes. Mr. McDow, yes.

Mayor Rickman, I. Thank you. Event resolution items number 29, resolution number R2026031, authorizing consumption of beer, wine, and liquor at the South Carolina Pride Outfest at the 1100 block of Park Street between Jer Street and Senate Street on Saturday, June 6, 2026 with a rain date contingency of Saturday, June 13, 2026. So move, Mr. Mayor. Second. There's a motion and then a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, hearing none. Madame clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Johnson, I. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, I. Miss Herbert, I. Mr. Brennan, yes. Mr. McDow,

Mayor Rickman, I. Appointment of city council members to external boards. Number 30 is the Central Midlands Council of Governments. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to nominate Councilman Sam Johnson to the elected position of Central Midland's Council of Governments for the City of Columbia. Is there a second? Second. Got a motion in a second. U Madame Clerk, read the role because there's no discussion. Yes, sir. Mr. Johnson, I. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, I. Mr. Herbert, I. Mr. Brennan, yes. Mr. McDow, yes. Mayor Rickman. Thank you. Hi.

Thank you. Uh Mr. Mayor, just one quick note, M. Wilson, I want to thank Councilman Brown for your years on the COG. Uh we we got a lot done uh for the Midlands, Richland County, and specifically for the city. So, he served on the transportation subcommittee, the executive um committee, and also the full board. So, really appreciate you. Thank you, Will. Thanks. Appreciate your leadership on the planet. Thank you, Mr. Brown, for your service. Mr. Johnson, we look forward to your service. And the there are um I'm sorry, Mr. Bailey. Oh, did you have a committee referral?

Yes, I have a referral. Uh Mr. Mayor, I'd like to refer to the arts committee, a presentation by Gemini Arts. They reached out wanting to just give council some more information about the work they're doing for artists. So during our next meeting, I would like to have a point person from Gemini Arts come give a presentation. Second. Second. Got a motion in a second. Madam clerk, could you read the role? Mr. Johnson, hi. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, I. Miss Herbert, I. Mr. Brennan, yes. Mr. McDow, yes. Mayor Rickman, I. Thank you. Any other committee reports? Mr. Johnson?

Yes, sir. Uh, as I was instructed to give my report by staff. Uh, and I want to thank staff uh for the work on several of these items. I also want to thank uh Bill Stangler uh Korekeeper for coming to the city uh with the idea to increase our uh buffer our I'm going try to pronounce it repairarian buffer uh so work together with staff to come up with a proposal that doubles in some places, triples uh in others uh our buffer from 50 to 100 150 ft. uh but also comes up uh comes together with a very creative credit uh system that allows for uh f folks who are property owners to get a uh utility break uh from us as well. So definitely want to thank uh Bill Stangler uh and Congy Riverkeeper, our staff for working together to come up with a very creative uh solution there. Um I must also note that it allows for us to beat both Richland County and Lexon County uh at 150 ft. And so certainly, Mr. Mayor, you know, I'm competitive, so I love that aspect as well.

Um, I want to um say that we also heard from our tree and appearance commission, which uh gave us a report on their tree canopy study. Uh we heard from the uh our our staff on an update on the transportation penny uh its collection and uh the projected projects that we look to do there. uh the animal services uh department. Uh we will have a updated ordinance uh before us next on our next council agenda and certainly we talked about some of the uh budgetary uh items that we have to discuss there during our budget discussions. Uh we heard from Prisma last at our last uh committee meeting and uh definitely excited about some of the creative solutions that they are bringing to the table and partnering with them to uh explore uh how we can utilize technology to deal with some of the health issues impacting our communities. And lastly, as we discussed in our um uh budget discussions earlier today, uh working together with staff and some of our outside organizations, the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods uh on our beautifification program so we can make sure that we are dealing with some of the litter and debris in our neighborhoods. Uh Mr. Mayor, that's my report.

Thank you very much, Mr. Johnson. Any other reports or referrals today? With that, Madame Clerk? We have two individuals signed up to speak during public input. If you all are ready, we have Mr. Wade Fulmer. As he comes forward, I will remind all speakers that they have a threeminut time limit. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor. Good afternoon,

council. Um, mayor, council, divisions. I'm WDE Fulmer, War Vet, PTSD, homeowner, state retiree. Um, regarding city system, health and order, failure, nuisance, jurction, privilege is defined as one when one thinks something is not a problem because he or she is not affected personally. There are many residents in community care and assisted living homes in Colombia. The good person and businesswoman, Mrs. Charlene Rouse, had two Colombia homes for her residents. She provided wonderful and compliant care. Just down the road, another home's owner installed a urinal. It was placed outside the house on a no privacy back wall until required to be removed. Another home housed resident housed veterans. Some bedrooms were in the basement where there was duck work, but there was no connected source of heat. Another housed a few dear ladies who had incontinence problems. At bedtime, they were moved to another building where deputies found a hole in the ceiling, air mattresses they slept on, and feces on the wall. point to ask are you only about your home in your neighborhood? Whether you know the conditions of ills of people in their homes or not, health and order duty matters for a community. All it is is the city's moral and legal duty to stop nuisance abuse and neglect. Silence and avoidance. Their election, excuses, lack of transparency

are not acceptable. Last Friday, May the 1st, was National Law Day. Reminder of recommmitment to the lawyer's oath to keep the oath and rule of law. I remind the city of its duty that all colleagues of city divisions as well as outside colleagues shall do their duty. That lawyer's oath requires attorneys to uphold the US and state constitution, respect courts, pledge civility, integrity, fairness, and respect to opposing parties. Its emphasis is professionalism and to uphold the law. I ask the city to look at those areas to encourage their divisions and colleagues to do so. Uh city do the duty. Thank you.

Mr. Fulmer, you mentioned some houses and you use the word deputy. So, is that in the county or the city? Because I was a little confused. Uh, and do you have the address?

This is the city. Um, this it was not here when I was a public health analyst and I did that for many years. But uh even though the families of those dear sweet old ladies had told many people, the agencies including DSS and mental health at that time and DHECK, they did not respond until the police went out there and called them and said, "We are here. You're going to move these people." So that was a different county. But those are the things that happen in our neighborhoods and we have lots of old people who are being cared for or who are trying to care for themselves in their own homes.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you. We have Miss Tracy from Green View.

Well, well, well. Good afternoon, mayor and city council. I used to be so nervous to do this. I'm not nervous anymore. Um, as you know, I am a pickle ball enthusiast and um, you most recently and I thank you very much for adding pickle ball courts to Finley Park, but now I am exciting about the addition of two more city parks with pickle ball. I'm not going to name them right now, but you've got my email. I just want to put on record that I'm looking forward to playing pickle ball, not only at Finley Park with posted rules because pickle ball players follow pickle ball rules. So with that for your time and I look forward to the vision and the collaboration of four pickle ball courts in the city of Columbia and I can't walk away without saying together we are Colombia.

Thank you. That's right, Mr. Mayor. We love pickle ball. I think Tracy might be more than an enthusiast. Cler, do you think that was a Do you think that was a thank you? It sounded like it was. It is. Can we get a Can we get a clarification on that? Was that a thank you? Is that number eight? That was a thank you. Is that number eight leavening? I think that's number eight. The meter's ticking. Uh, with that, anyone else signed up? No, sir. No one else has signed up. With that, Madame Clerk, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. So, move second.

Got a motion in a second. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bailey, yes. Mr. Brown, Miss Herbert, Mr. Brennan, yes. Mr. McDow, yes. Hi. Thank you. Have a good evening.