West Columbia City Council meets February 5, 2008
By Ben Higgins higginsb2@yahoo.com
Call to Order

Mayor Bobby E. Horton called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm. Council members Eric L. Fowler, L. Dale Harley, Jack L. Harmon, Boyd Jones, Marsha Moore, B.J. Unthank and Mayor Pro- Tem Tommy Parler were present. Councilwoman Cathy Shannon was absent.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Council Member Jones led the council and the audience in the invocation and pledge of allegiance.

Proposal to Designate Meeting Street from the Gervais Street Bridge to 9th Street as an Antiques District

Ric Luber, president & CEO of the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism, made the proposal to council. Luber argued that the designation would bring much more business to West Columbia. Mayor Horton thanked Luber and said the matter would be discussed further at an upcoming planning session. No vote was taken.

Mayoral Announcements

Mayor Horton recognized several visitors and read a letter from a citizen praising the police department. He then presented the Firefighter of the Year Award to Wesley Elmore for his strong representation of the department. Roll cart presentation

West Columbia Public Works Director Charles Garren presented the new roll carts (trash receptacles) to council. Garren engaged council in a jovial exchange on the matter. Garren even demonstrated how to put the cart together. He also noted the carts were city property and would, he hopes, be distributed to the entire city by the end of April.

Approval of minutes

The minutes of the January 3, 2008, council meeting were approved unanimously.

New business

First reading consideration was given to two annexation ordinances on property located at 114 McSwain Drive. Both ordinances passed unanimously.

First reading consideration was also given to a map amendment at the same property. The approval was granted by unanimous vote.

Map Amendments

First reading consideration was given to a map amendment at 2221 Augusta Road to classify the property as C- 2 (general commercial). The approval was granted by unanimous vote.

First reading consideration was also given to a map amendment to change the zoning classification at 127, 129, 131, 133 and 135 Lakeview Drive to classify the properties as C- 2 (general commercial). The approval was granted by unanimous vote. The 2008 jury list for 2008 was approved by unanimous vote.

Objectionable tree removal

Councilwoman Moore asked the council why the tree of one of her constituents was removed when, the constituent said, the tree was not dead. The citizen, Thomas Robert Thorne III, expressed his frustration concerning the removal. Council informally decided to replace the tree. After additional discussion, Mayor Horton added the issue of tree removal oversight to the agenda at the upcoming council work session.

Mayor Horton adjourned the meeting at 6:45pm.