West Columbia City Council meets April 1, 2008
By Benjamin Higginsb2@ya Hhoigo.gcionms
Call to order

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

Request for appearance

John Elias, owner of a local jewelry and pawn shop and a recent victim of vandalism, announced the alleged vandal had been apprehended by local police. West Columbia Police Chief Dennis Tyndall said the suspect had been using a slingshot filled with BBs to damage property throughout West Columbia. Chief Tyndall added that the suspect had implicated others in the crimes and the investigation is ongoing.

John Banks, director of tourism at the West Metro Visitors Center, spoke about his ideas to promote West Columbia as a major destination for visitors to the Midlands.

Plans include:

• Ads in Escape Southeast, a publication of AAA.

• Increased promotion of West Columbia events in area hotels.

• A new brochure for the city of West Columbia.

• Working with restaurants and hotels to create weekend getaway packages.

• Creating a new Website to promote the city.

• In conjunction with the Lexington County Recreation Commission, hosting the opening ceremonies of their tennis tournament at the West Columbia Riverwalk.

Approval of minutes

Minutes for the March council meeting and council work session were approved unanimously.

Old business

Second reading consideration was given to measures that included annexing property at 112 Corporate Boulevard, a text amendment on a sign ordinance, a map amendment on properties at 111 and 113 Senn Street, and a map amendment on properties located at the south side of Sunset Boulevard and bordered by Leaphart Street and Buff Street. All measures passed unanimously with minimal discussion.

New business

First reading consideration was given to measures that included revising the building code, amending the law involving garbage and refuse collection, annexation of property at 2516 Augusta Road, a map amendment involving property at 2416 Leaphart Road, and a text amendment to a law regulating shipping containers, cargo containers, tractor- trailers, and portable storage containers. All measures passed unanimously with minimal discussion.

Population information

Donna Smith, director of economic development for the City of West Columbia, spoke with council about work she and her staff had done to assist the U.S. Census Bureau. Smith explained that she and her staff had to check addresses for everyone in West Columbia, so that the U.S. Census Bureau could have the most accurate information possible before the next census in 2010. This information was used by her staff to estimate that West Columbia's total population is currently 15,615 people. Smith also noted that her staff had also discovered many citizens of West Columbia do not have their addresses visible anywhere on their property. Smith and her staff will work in conjunction with other city agencies to correct this issue.

Adjournment

Following Smith's remarks, council adjourned.