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Columbia City Council meets March 21
City's favorite The city's March 2007 Employee of the Month is Doris M. Harris , city administrator. Harris began with the City of Columbia 26 years ago as a clerk- typist in the Safety and Training Division.
Wetlands Rev. J. P. Neal began the discussion of using the low- level property formerly known as Green Diamond. The new use was introduced last year by developer Bob Hughes , who advocated building berms and planting cattails in a system of cells to naturally extract nitrogen and phosphorous from partially treated wastewater. The wastewater treatment plant near Heathwood Hall School does not adequately purge the water of phosphorous, something the federal government is expected to require in the near future. Neal introduced Mark Sees , manager of the Orlando man- made wetlands project.
The Orlando wetlands system handles 20,000,000 gallons of wastewater a day, but it can manage 45,000,000 gallons a day. After several years or more, the bottoms of the 18 different treatment areas accumulate too much organic material, which has to be taken out for use as a high- quality topsoil. So far, about 300,000 cubic yards of bottom dirt has been taken up.
Water and sewer charges Earl McLeod , executive director of the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia, asked council to approve sewer and water fees that are dedicated for water and sewer needs, only, and not for other purposes. Developer Clif Kinder appealed to council for the same purposes. Coble and Cromartie appeared defensive of the practice of collecting water and sewer fees for application elsewhere, while Rickenmann and Finlay objected to the diversion of water and sewer fees from water and sewer. Cromartie told everyone, as if no one knew, Austin, Tex., has a municipal electric power system which makes money for the city. So, Cromartie concluded, what's wrong with using water and sewer service connection fees to make money for the city? Kinder said what was wrong: It drives up the cost of new home purchases, raising the barrier to home ownership.
Visitors Center Council voted to locate back offices for the Visitors Center in a parking garage on Pendleton Street and leave the reception area in the convention center. Rickenmann asked if the Visitors Center, especially the reception function, could not be on Main Street. He thought it was a mistake to put it in the convention center.
Three Cities Skyway Catherine Bruce presented her plan for a greatly improved approach to the city from the airport. The idea is to make the best first impression possible, coordinating among the towns and between the two counties along the route to downtown by way of the Highway 12 bridge (Jarvis Klapman/Hampton Street).
Express Review Krista Hampton , administrator for the city's Development Center, was proud to report 90% of construction permit applications actually attained permits within 30 days. Her expanded Express Review system was discussed as an efficient and quick means to rush through an application after hours, so as not to penalize the people in line during regular hours. The applicant utilizing Hampton's new Express Review would have to carry the direct costs of an after- hours gathering of city officials, up to $1,000 for the first hour, whether a full hour is needed or not.
Gangs Sheldon ("Chip") Rice of Newport Drive shared his concerns with council about growing gang activity.
Next meeting Council meets for a work session on Wednesday, April 4, at 4:00 pm. A regular meeting follows at 6:00. Both meetings are in Woodland Park, 6500 Old Knight Parkway.
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