Richland County Council meets April 1, 2008
By Mike Cox MWC423@bellsouth.net
Roll call

Chairman Joe McEachern, Vice Chair Val Hutchinson, Joyce Dickerson, Norman Jackson, Damon Jeter, Paul Livingston, Bill Malinowski, Mike Montgomery, Greg Pearce, Bernice Scott, and Kit Smith were present.

Citizens input

Hardy King, from the Irmo town council, asked the Richland County council to put off a decision on the paving project for Sease Road until more negotiations are done with CSX railroad.

Several concerned citizens spoke against granting approval to Columbia Recovery House, a proposed residential care facility located at 1101 Olympia Avenue.

Beth Levy said citizens weren't informed this issue was on the night's council agenda. She also said the property owner isn't forthcoming about the intentions of the facility.

Scott Henley said everything on the application is designed to deceive the county. Vai Henley seemed to be a legal expert about what the responsibilities and limitations of the various agencies are and how the property owner can circumvent the rules.

Larry Gamble said he has been an active member of Southside Baptist Church for many years, and the church is located 200 yards from the proposed facility. If the facility houses drug addicts, it will cause problems for the church and community.

Bob Guild said the owner's application demonstrates "mere subterfuge" and the county's approval of the application will allow him to flaunt the rules. Jim Jaco, president of the Olympia Community Association, said the property owner in question wasn't a true member of the community and didn't involve himself as other people in the area did.

Edith Cunningham, president of Hickory Ridge Community Association, asked the council to approve safety upgrades to Padgett Road.

Administrator's report

Milton Pope informed the council an amendment was currently in the Ways and Means Committee of the S.C. legislature that will clear up the questions surrounding the land that the farmer's market was supposed to sit on. There are still negotiations taking place, but the intent is for Richland County to retain ownership of the property.

The transportation committee meetings are winding down and the group will have recommended proposals May 20. Paving roads and lending money

A proposal to lend money to South Carolina for specific projects caused much discussion, posturing, and politicking. The idea is pretty simple; Richland County will take money from the fund balance and lend it to SCDOT, which is under a temporary freeze and can't spend any money making citizens safe on the highways.

There are ramifications. Since only a couple of approved projects are to be funded, what becomes of the others? And what self respecting politician is going to allow other districts this privilege while there are roads more worthy in that person's district.

Kit Smith pointed out what a dangerous precedent this is. Greg Pearce wanted reassurances the state is required to return the money. A motion was finally sent to the floor that approved the proposal but required the state to enter into an agreement to repay the loan. In the end, the motion was defeated. Six voted for it, but seven votes are required to approve a budget amendment.

Committee appointments

Ken Ivey was appointed to the Accommodations Tax Committee. Isabel Berry was added to the Building Codes Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Teri Salane and Patrice Viton were added to the Business Service Center Appeals Board. Vivian McCray was added to the Employee Grievance Committee. Marlon Walters is the latest member of the Internal Audit Committee. Elizabeth Ward was elected to the Planning Commission.

The application for Columbia Recovery House was denied.

After executive session, the meeting was adjourned.