Columbia City Council Meeting + August 23, 2006 + 10 am
By John Temple Ligon Temple@TheColumbiaStar.com

Bill Dukes

Roll call

Council convened for its regular meeting Wednesday at 10 am in City Hall. All council members were present: Daniel Rickenmann, Sam Davis, E.W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, Tameika Isaac Devine, and Kirkman Finlay.

Black Expo

Darrin Thomas , Black Pages USA, reported on the recent Columbia Black Expo, May 18-20. There were 22,800 attendees, a 6% increase over last year's 21,300. Planning has already begun for the 2007 Columbia Black Expo.

Conventions

Bill Dukes , chairman of the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports and Tourism, addressed council to explain marketing efforts. He was particularly pleased with the landing of the National Hydrogen Association Convention for 2009. Those 1,200 delegates should buy between 2,000 and 3,000 hotel room-nights. The recent legislative enactment of attractive tax advantages for making films in South Carolina is making a big difference in the local hotel occupancies. The new slogan, Dukes was proud to cite, was adopted: "It's time to think Columbia. Our ducks are in a row." (Well, sure beats "It's happening now.")

John David Spade

Jerry's kids

Over 80 members of the Columbia Fire Department are out with their boots at 16 intersections collecting donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, as reported by Chief Bradley Anderson and Capt. Eddie Baughman.

Esplanade

Council approved the design and construction documentation budgets for the Esplanade at CanalSide. The Columbia office of architects LS3P was awarded $145,750 to design and document the $2.1 million Esplanade.

Continued contract

Council continued a contract with Carolina Tap and Bore for a second year and for another $2,493,890, the same contract amount for the first year to improve water quality and quantity in water main rehabilitation, cleaning, and lining.

Dennis Hiltner

Appointments

Council discussed city residency requirements for positions on city boards and commissions, not actually concluding with definite policy.

Five Points

John David Spade , the city's parking services director, explained how and why Five Points needed reinforcement of its meters on Saturday, while the rest of the city did not.

Saluda fountain

Dennis Hiltner , head of Five Points Merchants, said the proposed fountain at Saluda Avenue and Blossom Street should cost no more than $300,000, but the city's side in the capital cost is a flat $45,000. However, the city inherits the maintenance responsibilities, which is already the case at the Greene Street fountain. Last year, the Greene Street fountain cost $26,000 to maintain, but the year before the maintenance was $18,000. The new fountain on Saluda Avenue is expected to hit maintenance costs of no more than $24,000 annually.

Chief Bradley Anderson and Capt. Eddie Baughman

Next meeting

Council meets on Wednesday, August 30, at 9 am for a planning session.