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Columbia City Council meeting • Dec. 13, 2006 • City Hall
City council convened at about 9 am Wednesday morning, December 13, for its regular meeting. Mayor Bob Coble was away on business. All other members of city council were present: Daniel Rickenmann, E.W. Cromartie, Sam Davis, Ann Sinclaire, Tameika Isaac Devine, and Kirkman Finlay.
Employee of the Month John Dooley, director of utilities for the city, introduced Willie (Blue) Abney as the city’s Employee of the Month. Abney is an assistant superintendent for the wastewater maintenance division. He has been with the city since September ‘78. He is married to Mariah, and they have a son, Greg.
Skate and donate Ryan Cockrell, serious skate boarder, reviewed plans for Owens Field Skate Park. He and the Owens Field Skate Park Association asked for overall improvements instead of mere replacements for the relocated Owens Field Skate Park. Cockrell asked for another $100,000 to be put into the new skateboard facility, while reparations for the lost trees could cost $200,000. All told, Cockrell said the city should kick in $300,000. Sinclaire asked Cockrell to work with the city staff on his request, including the preparation of design and construction documents. The proposal and its progress can be followed on www.owensfieldskatepark.org. Cockerell introduced championship skateboarders in attendance, Larry Reaves and David Toole.
Village at Rivers Edge Chip Land, city annexation coordinator, reviewed the city’s cost in assisting in infrastructure for the 28–acre housing development along Columbia Canal about where Old Roosevelt Village was located. The city’s tax increment financing (TIF) would come into the project for a total of $1.6 million. Completion of final homes is due by fall 2011.
Business improvement district A public hearing opened for objections to the renewal of the downtown business improvement district (BID). Roselen Rivkin complained of the additional taxation hitting small businesses such as her Marks Men’s Wear at 1625 Main Street. Catherine Kerry of Cat’s Barber Shop, 1209 Blanding Street, voiced similar concerns, including parking problems. Rickenmann and Finlay agreed the city had too many tax-free properties, something like 52% of the city total. Charles Dorton, president of Russell-Massey & Company, an insurance office, said his business was founded in Columbia in 1955, but for the past 20 years his office on Elmwood Avenue has suffered an empty building as a next–door neighbor. Homeless people have taken over the place and have harassed his employees and tenants at 1320 Elmwood Avenue. Favorable observations of the BID’s renewal came from Ike McLeese, CEO of the Columbia Chamber, and from Mac Ogburn, CD Richard Ellis Real Estate. Sam Davis reminded the audience the public hearing was exclusively for the objections, not the praise.
Five Points Gourmet Shop’s Dennis Hiltner and architect Doug Quackenbush availed themselves to council to field questions on the Five Points Future Five Plan as it was presented November 15.
Accounting Finlay introduced a resolution to see a quarterly report of the city’s financial commitments and spending, something like Assistant City Manger Steve Gantt’s report to council a few weeks ago, as covered in The Columbia Star. Gantt’s report totaled over $350 million in capital improvement projects and their design and construction documents for the past two years, beginning with the opening of the convention center. Finlay asked for a 90-day update instead of waiting two years to see how the city was doing. After discussion with council and staff, Finlay agreed to expect such a report by January 31 and every quarter following as a matter of policy - no resolution needed.
Next meeting Council meets on January 3 at 6 pm. Location to be announced.
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