West Columbia City Council meets October 2, 2007
By Kristin Lavender kblavender@gmail.com
Roll Call

West Columbia City Council convened Tuesday evening, October 2, 2007, in the Council Chambers. Mayor Bob Horton; Mayor Pro- Tem Jack Harmon; council members Eric Fowler, Dale Harley, Boyd Jones, Marsha Moore, Tommy Parler, and B.J. Unthank were all present.

Presentations

Representatives Setzler and Bingham, both of Lexington County, attended the council meeting to present a check to the City of West Columbia. The city has applied for a beautification grant to aid Jarvis Klapman Boulevard in the City of West Columbia. The check was $50,000.

The Yard of the Month for October as presented by Par ler to Mr. and Mrs. William B. Youngblood of 1179 Gunter Circle. They were given a sign to identify their yard and encourage other residents of West Columbia to work towards the same goals of a beautiful community.

Harley addressed the council to challenge the council and others to start meeting the public, by getting in the community. He said, "We need our face involved and some of us are not pulling our load."

The election of the mayor pro- tem was next on the council's agenda. There had been discussion to change the length of the term of service to two years rather than one year. The council acknowledged this change and opened the floor for nominations. Former Mayor Pro- Tem Harmon nominated Parler and then asked that no other nominations be made. After Moore seconded the nomination, Parler was then elected by unanimous consent by the council.

Old business

The first order of business was the second consideration of the Planning Commissions' recommendation to approve a map amendment to the West Columbia Zoning Ordinance to establish the zoning classification for a recently annexed portion of Eric Fowler Park to a low density residential. The motion was adopted with no discussion.

The second reading was to establish a zoning classification of recently annexed property on Holland Street to medium residential. The motion was adopted.

A third recommendation for recently annexed property on McSwain Drive to be general commercial. The motion was adopted.

New business

The consideration of a proposed agreement for professional engineering services for 2007 water and sewer system improvements made by HSMM Engineering was read on first reading. The motion passed with no additional discussion.

In an effort to upgrade the Riverside Water Plant on Sunset Boulevard, council heard from American Engineering. Council continued with no discussion.

Next was a proposed ordinance that would send a franchise fee rate for Cable Service Providers who terminated an existing franchise for cable service. Council approved it into second reading.

Kenneth Ebener was appointed the first ever full time city judge.

City Clerk Mar ta Valentino McKinnon, CPC, was reappointed for a two year term. Also reappointed for a term of two years were City Treasurer Richard Hodge, CPA, and City Attorney Nikki Setzler.

The council adjourned into executive session to discuss a personnel manner at 6:20 p.m.