City Council meeting + October 11, 2006 + 10 am + City Hall
By John Temple Ligon

Mike Dawson is at the map of Three Rivers Greenway. Behind him is Bobby Horton, Satch Krantz, and Jim Smith (partially hidden).

Roll call

City council convened for its regular session Wednesday, October 11, at 10 am. Council members Anne Sinclair and Kirkman Finlay were absent. Council members present were Daniel Rickenmann, Sam Davis, E.W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, and Tameika Isaac Devine.

Credit

Like the State of South Carolina, the City of Columbia is trying to improve its credit rating. A higher rating means lower interest paid on money the city borrows. City Manager Charles Austin reported an improved rating was in the works.

Development Center

Marc Mylott , the city's director of development services, invited Krista Hampton to bring council up to date on the Development Center, a one-stop shop for building permits. The Development Center opened in March. Between March 13 and September 28, the Development Center took in 87 residential new construction projects, and the average review time was nine working days. The three projects taken in as major commercial development spent an average of 39 working days in review. On the whole, efficiencies were on the rise and delays were on the wane.

Larry Judice

Three Rivers

Mike Dawson , executive director of Three Rivers Greenway, brought with him Mayor Bobby Horton of West Columbia, Zoo director Satch Krantz, and Jim Smith, board chair at Three Rivers. Dawson explained the Saluda Riverwalk, part of Three Rivers Greenway's planned 12 miles of riverside paths. Construction bids were recently accepted for the Saluda Riverwalk.

Buses

Dana Turner , assistant city manager, asked council to approve an extension of six months in the agreement over SCE&G's bus barn on Huger Street. The new bus barn on Lucius Road won't be ready October 15, when the agreement runs out.

Krista Hampton

Expensive truck

Cromartie asked Fire Chief Bradley Anderson to explain to council how his department's new fire truck for the Woodcreek Farm Fire Station managed to cost almost $700,000. For the features specified, Anderson assured council, the price was right.

Homeless shelter problems

Bridal photographer Larry Judice protested the city's temporary homeless shelter inside the old fire station at the corner of Senate and Park was too close to his Gervais Street shop. He was disappointed in the lack of neighborhood coordination during the site selection.

Next meeting

Council meets for a public hearing Wednesday, October 18, 10 am in City Hall, corner of Laurel and Main.