Columbia City Council Meeting + August 9, 2006 + 10 am
By John Temple Ligon
Temple@TheColumbiaStar.com

Steve Gantt

Roll call

Council met at 10 am, Wednesday, August 9, for its regular meeting in City Hall. Council member Cromartie was out of town on city business. Present were council members Daniel Rickenmann, Tameika Isaac Devine, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, Sam Davis, and Kirkman Finlay.

Lincoln Street parking

Among other actions, council voted to approve the design contract for the parking garage on the northwest corner of Lincoln and Lady. The design contract was with LPA Group Inc. for $591,500. The anticipated cost of the garage was $8,450,000, which was $13,000 per parking space for 650 spaces.

Al fresco

Delaney's Music Pub & Eatery gained approval for construction and maintenance of an awning over the new placement of seven tables and 28 chairs for outdoor dining at 741 Saluda.

Cable

Council voted to renew its 5% franchise fee with Time-Warner.

Susan Hogue

Transfer of two parcels

Assistant City Manager Steve Gantt explained the advantages of moving two parcels of land out of city hands and into the private sector by way of the city development corporations. One parcel was on Shop Road, and the other was behind Wardlaw Apartments on Elmwood.

Code enforcement

Mayor Coble pushed the proposal of a code enforcement task force, the mission of which was to recommend to city council new or amended city codes and/or proposed statutes to ensure adverse impacts to the quality of life were addressed while also ensuring appropriate due process. Council approved Mayor Coble's motion.

Truly public television

Susan Hogue reminded council of the potential with a public access television channel, something in addition to ETV and Channel 2. Jason Craig reiterated what was put forth by Hogue, citing uses of the channel by arts and media training groups.

Jason Craig

Next meeting

City council has its next regular meeting Wednesday, August 23, at 10 am in City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main.