City Council - Regular Meeting

for public appearance and that request both of those requests have been withdrawn so there is nothing that will be discussed tonight in relations to short-term rental and if anybody here was solely for that you are welcome to leave before we get started If nobody wants to leave, we'll go ahead and get going on it. We do have a quorum present. We've got Council Member Mattern. He's appearing by phone. Council Member Dickey is not appearing in any way. But everybody else is here, so we have a quorum present. At this time, please join me for the invocation. Dear Lord, we thank you for bringing us all together again tonight safely. We thank you for our town and for all of the blessings you've given us. We ask that you please keep your hand upon us and lead us as we do the public's business. Amen. Please join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance 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. we've got a school supply drive that's going to be going on our fire department and police department are going to be doing that if you would like to participate you can drop off any school supplies you can drop them off here at city hall or the fire department and you can do that from now until july the 17th which is about 10 days from now so it's a great way to help support the community and the youth in the community so if you want to participate please do so Moving down under Presentations of Recognition, we'll take up item 6.1, which is a resolution recognizing Casey West Columbia Diamond Youth Baseball Dixie Boys 15U for winning the 2026 State Championship. Ms. Huffman.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. Whereas the KC West Columbia Diamond Youth Baseball Dixie Boys 15U is comprised of 13 all-star players, 15 and under, chosen from the regular season team. And whereas the KC West Columbia Diamond Youth Baseball Dixie Boys 15U players are Christian Braxton, MJ Brazel, Parker Burge, Logan Burns, Bryce Crowe, Dylan Gettings, Meyer McCutcheon, Zay McClendon, Logan Hildebrand, Tanner Owen, Tanner Ray, Parker Wilbert, and Leighton Woodring. And whereas the KC West Columbia Diamond Youth Baseball Dixie Boys 15U is managed by Terry Hildebrand and coached by Mickey Brazel. And whereas the KC West Columbia Diamond Youth Baseball Dixie Boys 15U participated in the state tournament June 27th and 28th, 2026 at Collins Park in North Charleston, South Carolina. And whereas the KC West Columbia Diamond Youth Baseball Dixie Boys 15U went undefeated in the state tournament, winning Game 1 versus North Charleston 4-1, winning Game 2 versus Lexington 10-0, winning Game 3 versus North Charleston 14-0, and outscoring their opponents with a team batting average of .414. And whereas the KC West Columbia Diamond Youth Baseball Dixie Boys 15U will play in the 15U World Series at the Sterlington Sports Complex in Sterlington, Louisiana from July 15th through the 17th, 2026. And whereas the tournament is organized under Diamond Boys Baseball, which features specific 15U pre-majors and major brackets in the region. And now therefore be it resolved that the Mayor and City Council of the City of West Columbia hereby recognize KC West Columbia Diamond Youth Baseball Dixie Boys 15U players and coaches for their determination, hard work, and outstanding season. And be it further resolved that the Mayor and City Council congratulate the KC West Columbia Diamond Youth Baseball Dixie Boys 15U team for winning the 2026 State Championship and extend its best wishes and support as they head to represent the community in the 2026 World Series.

Thank you, Ms. Huffman.

Great job. Is there a motion? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Anna, did you say they didn't give up a run? Man, that was incredible. Way to go, guys. I don't know what to say.

So I got to see them. Well, awesome. Given the season they had, there's no doubt that they hustle pretty well on the field. But I got to see them hustling down at Ace the other day. They were out making the pitch for sponsorship to help them in their upcoming travels. And they did a great job. I got to see it and hear it. So we are so incredibly proud of them. Look forward to all the great things they're going to do. Anyone else have any questions, comments, concerns, anything to offer? I know George is beaming down there. Congratulations, guys. If you're in favor, please raise your hand. Council Member Mattern? It is unanimously resolved. George, if you would join me down here. Why don't you all come on up? I got here a little late. Did I need to sign anything or whatever they did?

That must be George's grandson.

Harris, Graham Harris, everybody else, thank you all for all the hard work.

Great job.

Y'all feel free to head on out. Ain't no needin' hangin' around. It's gonna be long and boring.

I'm like, man, I'm just lettin' the water.

Moving down to item 6.2, we'll take up introduction of Carol Williamson as the Director of Planning and Zoning. We'll hear from Ms. Kaiser. Carol, I'm glad you're here.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

I am too. Good evening, Mayor and Council. I'm very pleased to introduce Carol Williamson as our new Planning and Zoning Director for the city. Carol brings a strong foundation and leadership from his time serving in the United States Marine Corps, as well as extensive experience in planning and zoning in both public and private sectors in the Midlands and the state. He's also a certified floodplain manager and certified arborist, so it's going to be a great expertise to add to our development team to continue to be good stewards of good development. in the city we're very excited to have his technical knowledge his leadership skills and the collaborative approach he brings to our team and yes mr mayor i'm very grateful he's here alexis has been carrying the bulk of the load with zoning it's all been open so uh carrie you want to say anything sure

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Council. Just want to say what a great opportunity it is to join such a great city and reputation in West Columbia and the leadership of staff and council is known throughout the state. So I'm very grateful for the opportunity and look forward to working with you.

Thank you, sir. If we can do anything for you, please let us know. Anybody have anything to offer?

I just want to thank, first of all, I want to thank Brian and Michelle and Justin and our management team. They took their time with this hire. They really looked at what our challenges are that make us a little bit different and what our opportunities are. And hiring Alexis and then Carol, they took their time until they found somebody that was a really good fit. for what we need to do to execute our plans and move forward. And I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

That means a lot. Councilman Moy, I appreciate that. As you know, West Columbia has a team that is second to none. We're glad that Carol's a part of it. We're glad that Alexis is a part of it. Everything that we've accomplished in the last decade and longer has been a result of the hardworking efforts of the entire team. Nobody acts alone, and these are good folks to be part of it. Thank you for those kind comments.

Thank you. Mr. Tan, would you like to come up? Come on up. I know we didn't announce anything, but Mr. Tan's gonna be the head of our chamber. He just went on, what was that, two, three weeks ago?

I did, and then y'all gave me a week off after working three days.

Yeah. Just take a minute, if you don't mind. I know we've been putting you on the spot, but just introduce yourself. And thank you for coming. We appreciate you being here.

Well, thank you. My name is Tony Tam. So I think I've been in this role now a total of less than three weeks. But I have lived in Columbia since 2001. The last 30 years of my life have been in the hotel business. That's what originally brought me to Columbia. And transition has been well. Tim, as you all know, we all know Tim, right? And I talk to him on a very regular basis. He's still around and showing me a lot of great stuff, how we do things here in KC and West Columbia, or West Columbia in this case. And no, I'm looking forward to everything. Thank you. Thank you. Everybody's been great. If you need us, you call us. You know I will. You know I will. So thank you.

Anybody have any questions, comments, concerns?

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Appreciate you being here.

Thank you.

Moving down under Section 8. We'll take up approval of minutes from previous meetings. I would welcome a joint motion for items 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3, which are minutes from public hearing dated June 2nd, 2026, and the regular council meeting dated June 2nd, 2026, and the special council meeting dated June 15th, 2026. Is there a motion? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Any questions, comments, concerns? Hearing none at this time, if you're in favor, please raise your hand. Council Member Matter? They are unanimously approved. Moving down under new business, we'll take up item 9.1, which is first reading consideration of an ordinance for a non-exclusive franchise agreement with MCI Metro Access Transmission Services, LLC. We'll hear from Mr. Black if that's needed. Is there a motion? So moved. Is there a second? Any questions, comments, concerns?

Really, really briefly, what's the extent of the work?

Sure. From time to time, we're approached by telecommunications companies to install new facilities within the city's right-of-way. You've got a proposed plan in front of you. There is a Small piece around the Vega Drive on Sunset Boulevard where they have some installation there and then further down Sunset Boulevard towards the river. I think it's from North Line down to right past Moffett Street. There's a stretch there on Sunset Boulevard.

And this is just installing fiber optic line? Right. Great, thank you. Sure.

Thank you. Any other questions, comments, concerns? Hearing none at this time, if you're in favor, please raise your hand. Council Member Mattern? It is given first reading consideration. Moving now to item 9.2, we'll take up first reading consideration of an ordinance amending West Columbia Code of Ordinances Section 8-2-10, prohibition of commercial industrial trucks using certain streets as thoroughfares. Is there a motion? So moved. Is there a second? Any discussions, questions, comments, concerns?

I have a couple of streets that I get some that I want us to look at, possibly. Hook Avenue is one it's hard to turn out of, and they get some kind of similar complaints. Some similar things with Holland Street and then Greenwood Road is kind of similar because it connects two places. I know that there's a section of that that has some industrial uses. My understanding is this would not prohibit those from going there when they got business, but this would just make the people that are moving throughout the city, that would just make them not access it.

like to consider if that's a feasible option I'm not saying that it's right I've just had people on those roads mention it before and it seems like something to look at yeah so this will actually I think will lead to more commercial traffic on hook the vehicles that are currently utilizing this are using it as a cut-through to avoid going to a section of Hook. Am I remembering that correctly?

My understanding is that they would go on Holland, so then that would cause them to use either Jarvis-Clapman or just be on 378. It would put more on Leapheart, I think, is what it would do.

Mayor, the complaint that was brought to us was that concrete trucks were using Victoria Street as a cut-through to get to the traffic light there on 378, which is, there are several other routes that they could take that would not take them through that very short and 100% residential area, and so the request came through our council members on asking that just Victoria Street be added to the no-through track.

Yeah, I have no problem with blocking Victoria Street at all.

But the concrete trucks would still use Hook Avenue there, correct? In that plant somewhere down there?

They would be able to use other streets that are not otherwise prohibited.

But they're cutting off Hook, right? Am I correct on that? And going to the other street to go to the light?

They go down Morningside.

Yeah, so this way they would go down. Yeah, this would get them to go down Morningside and onto Lee Park. Right. And if it's actually for the thing, they would go down Greenwood too because this is just through trucks. And I think when this is done, I believe there's a truck nav that excludes those streets from the nav routes and stuff.

Any other questions, comments, concerns?

Would Councilman Moy yield for a question? Sure. What was the first street that you said beside Greenwood Road?

I just wanted to consider Hook Avenue. Hook Avenue. Greenwood. I don't know if it's feasible. I don't know if it's right or wrong. I just want to consider it.

I just didn't hear you. I'm sorry. Thank you.

Any other questions, comments, concerns?

Yes, I have a concern of, I think it's K&M Steel. It's on Bachelor Street, but they come in from 12th through the 1100 block of Monticello. And they're tearing up the road there instead of going up to Brown Street and coming in on that end. And it's closer to them, but they're tearing up the road and they're flying through. So I'd like for that to be taken under consideration as well.

Are you talking about HK Steel?

I think that's the name, yes. Dump truck? Uh-huh.

That one. Now this doesn't exclude Brown Street, right?

No, they could come up now.

Because Brown Street got really good access. Brown Street seems like a logical.

This is just Victoria Street between Morningside Drive and Clapman.

Okay. Anyway Anyway, as long as they can get it on Brown Street, that's cookie. I'm sorry. So what street was that then that you were to look at bachelor?

Monticello and the lower end of Bachelor in front of Lakeview right there there they're coming through they're flying I'm sitting on the porch watching them fly through and then they're tearing up the street as opposed to going up Clapman to Brown Street and going into The steel company.

Okay, the 1100 block of Monticello and Batchelor Street.

Lower end of Batchelor.

Lower end, thank you.

I don't think there's a street in the city that probably doesn't get, we can look at Columbia Farms as a prime example of probably stress on our roads yeah constantly circling at wheelers constantly circling meeting street constantly circling um so i just don't want to open pandora's box and just say well i want this street i want this street but i do i do understand what you're saying i think a lot of it can be handled with conversation i think and not having to just

yeah yeah i i hear you the the main vein here would be like if there's we've we've got some streets that are on like an open grid and they're like residential but there's an alternative that could be a main street and this just kind of gives a framework where the trucks can do that and yeah i understand the pandora's box angle and i think we could be mindful of that anyone else

Hearing none, if you're in favor, please raise your hand. Council Member Matter? It is given first reading consideration, thank you. Moving down to item 9.3, we'll take up consideration to approve the financial agreement with SCDOT for the addition of sidewalk on Double Branch Road. Is there a motion? Is there a second? Second. Any questions, comments, concerns? Hearing none at this time, if you're in favor, please raise your hand. Council Member Mattern. it is unanimously given consideration and approved. Moving down to item 9.4, we'll take up consideration to approve AOS specialty contractors as the lowest responsive responsible bidder in the amount of $4,488,212.50 for the Meeting Street Improvement Project. Is there a motion? So moved. Is there a second?

Second. Any questions, comments, concerns? The question that everybody's wondering, when are they going to get started?

Is there anybody from there, from AOS here?

I don't believe there's anybody from AOS present.

It's going to work for us. I'm just curious if they ever come to us. They've awarded.

They've done a ton of great work for us.

They really have. I know Tara was really tight with them.

They were present at the bid open, but they're not here tonight.

What other stuff did they do?

They've done a lot of stuff for us. The parking down on Meeting for the East parking lot. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. All that stuff. I mean, they're very, very.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That was clean, yeah.

they did the stretch on Center Street just got finished up they've done they've done several things and he would you like to come up and give us a full list oh we don't need all that any other questions comments concerns

No, but maybe they can come by sometime.

I think everything's been submitted to the OT everything has been submitted to the OT we're currently awaiting our final on a current permit approval with the OT we did get some preliminary feedback on some of the portions of the plan so we're working through those comments and hopefully have an encroachment permit soon to begin work.

So once we have an encroachment permit. Once that permit's issued, then we're clear to work in the right of way and start everything. Okay. Our ducks will be in a row. That is the trigger point.

Okay. Anyone else? Hearing no further comments, if you're in favor, please raise your hand. It is considered, well, Council Member Mattern? It is considered and unanimously approved. Moving down to item 9.5, we'll take up consideration to approve solid structures as the lowest responsible bidder for the Utility Services Maintenance Building in the amount of $2,216,646. Mr. Skyser, thank you and good to see you. Yes, sir. Is there a motion?

So moved.

Is there a second?

Second.

Any discussion, questions, comments, concerns? Hearing none at this time, if you're in favor, please raise your hand. Council Member Mattern? It is unanimously considered and approved. Thank you, wonderful job, Mr. Sanger. This time we'll move down to section 10. I will welcome a motion to adjourn to executive session for purposes of discussions of contractual and economic development matters relating to the Meeting Street corridor pursuant to South Carolina Code Annotated 30-4-70A2. Is there a motion? I move. Is there a second? I. Any questions, comments, concerns? Hearing none at this time, if you're in favor, please raise your hand. Council Member Mattern. We are unanimously adjourned to executive session. Y'all are welcome to stay. You're welcome to go.