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Columbia City Council meets Feb. 21
Columbia City Council convened Wednesday morning, Feb. 21, at 9 am. Council member E. W. Cromartie was absent at the outset but he arrived in another hour. Other council members present: Daniel Rickenmann, Sam Davis, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, Tameika Isaac Devine, and Kirkman Finlay III.
City's favorite The February Employee of the Month for the City of Columbia is Michael Clem , an electrician with traffic engineering. He was introduced by Melissa Gentry , director of public works. Clem was presented with a framed commemorative certificate and a check for $150 by City Manager Charles Austin and Mayor Bob Coble.
Film festival John Whitehead , executive director of the Columbia Music Festival Association, described the upcoming Donen Film Festival. On May 4- 5, there will be a Main Street Film Crawl as part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts. On Thursday, May 31, Alex English Jr. will screen his Lumera at the CMA. On Friday and Saturday, June 1- 2, the IndieGrits winners are screened at Nickelodeon Theatre. The award winners, the best of the festival, are screened Sunday, June 3, at the Nickelodeon.
Affordable housing Mark Cox , member of the affordable housing task force, issued his report. Council agreed to discuss this further and to vote on it at the March 7 meeting. Davis shared his fears of gentrification, which was identified as the pejorative side of progress. "Affordable housing" was described as spending no more than 30% of household income for total housing costs, including taxes and maintenance. Finlay wondered if taxes in Columbia were so high, they became a housing burden, a deal killer. Rickenmann asked if the tax- free properties could pay fees in lieu of taxes, some fair contribution to the city's general fund. Finlay invited residential developer Brian Boyer to come forward to share some observations of developing affordable housing, which he is doing near the Governor's Mansion.
Council meetings Sinclair moved to meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 9 am for work sessions and regular meetings. Council would continue to meet in the afternoon once a quarter in a council district. Council voted, the majority with Sinclair, and Cromartie and Coble voted against.
Last- minute additions to the agenda Sinclair raised objections to last- minute additions to a meeting's agenda. She didn't say, but her most recent occasion was the $1 million each to be given to Allen University and to Columbia College. The $2 million gifting to private colleges came up without notice, and there was nothing in writing. The motion to give the $2 million passed.
Closing of Brayton Alley Margaret Thomas objected to the closing of Brayton Alley, which runs between Harden and Pine next to the new medical clinic. His objections were based on neighborhood needs for access to emergency vehicles.
Meetings Bill Manley suggested council open up its meetings more for citizen input. To make his point, Manley quoted Thomas Jefferson, "Whenever people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.
Next meeting Council meets again on March 7 at 4 pm for a work session. The regular session that day begins at 6 pm.
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