Columbia City Council meets July 18, 2007
Roll call

City Manager Charles Austin congratulates the June Employee of the month, MPO Robert J. Uhall.

Columbia City Council convened about 9 am, July 18, for its regular session. A zoning public hearing followed at 10. All council members were present: Daniel Rickenmann, Sam Davis, E.W. Cromartie, Mayor Bob Coble, Anne Sinclair, Tameika Isaac Devine, and Kirkman Finlay III.

City's favorite for June

MPO Robert J.Uhall was introduced by Police Chief Dean Crisp as the city's June Employee of the Month. As Uhall's nominator Sgt. Cora put it: "In my time with the Columbia Police Department, I have seldom encountered an officer that is as much a genuine pleasure

to work with as Robert Uhall. His positive attitude is infectious, and he leads others

without effort." City's favorite for July

Kimberly Gathers of 911 Communications/3005 was introduced by Michael King, the city's director of telecommunications, as the city's July Employee of the Month. Mechelle Benjamin, Gathers' assistant shift supervisor, wrote that "Kim has a heart of gold that shows daily in everything she does. Just by Kim's compassionate, positive, upbeat attitude, employees know her door is always open."

The July Employee of the month, Kimberly Gathers

Climate Protection

Melissa Smith Gentry, the city's public works director, reported on the upcoming Green is Good for Business Climate Protection Action Conference to be held at the convention center September 24. The all- day event is planned to teach its participants how to: (1) save money by conserving resources;(2) create and enhance competitive advantage and reputation; (3) open up new or niche markets; (4) present positive opportunities for marketing, improve public relations, and demonstrate a commitment to corporate responsibility; and (5) join the Green Business Initiative.

Dense housing discussion

Council member Sinclair suggested council consider

changes in zoning to accommodate a special category for private student dormitories, such as what is being developed along Shop Road. Austin, Tex., saw the development of private dormitories begin along The Drag in the early 1970s, so Sinclair said proven examples are easily found elsewhere. Finlay shared fears of confusing the building type. What makes it a private dormitory instead of an apartment complex or a condominium overrun with students? Council concurred with a motion to direct city staff to look into the issue and text a zoning ordinance. Comprehensive plan

Melissa Smith Gentry

Every 10 years by state law, the city must put together a comprehensive plan for the future. Chip Land, the city's director of planning, reviewed his projections to get the new plan adopted by November 8, 2008. Finlay recommended Land include commercial realtors and the churches among the community groups participating.

Floods

The Rocky Branch Creek (Five Points' drain) study for $217,732 was awarded last October to Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade and Douglas of Columbia. Council voted in a change order for another $11,500 in the study. Diversity

Cromartie and Davis led the discussion for further mentoring to educate minority and women subcontractors to qualify for city contracts. With a $25,000,000 water line about to begin construction in a month or two, council discussed how to gain more work for the less qualified.

Chip Land

Director of Homeland Security

Harold Reaves was appointed the city's director of homeland security.

Next meeting

Council meets August 1, at 6 pm inside the Eau Clair Print Building.

Harold Reaves, director of homeland security