Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - January 20, 2026

On January 20, 2026, the Columbia City Council held a regular meeting at City Hall, Council Chambers, starting at 4:15 PM. Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann called the meeting to order, and all council members were present. The council approved consent items, conducted public hearings on annexation and zoning proposals, appointed a new Mayor Pro-Tempore and committee members, and addressed public concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Item 2: Approved a contract with Carahsoft Technology Corporation for a Daily Fire Operations Management System ($82,494.78) for the term January 21, 2026 to December 21, 2026.
• Item 3: Approved Contract Amendment #1 with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for fleet in-car camera systems, Tasers, virtual reality training, and subscription services ($308,430.39) through January 31, 2026.
• Item 4: Approved a construction contract with Hammer Construction, LLC for the Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant Dewatering Roll-Off Receiving Station ($1,623,292.00) with a 210-day completion period.
• Item 5: Approved on second reading Ordinance No. 2026-001 granting an encroachment to Columbia-Garners Ferry DB, LLC for sidewalks along Garners Ferry Road.
• Item 6: Approved on second reading Ordinance No. 2026-002 authorizing a Consent Decree Modification to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations.
• Item 7: Approved on second reading Ordinance No. 2026-003 authorizing an Estoppel Certificate and Agreement with Core Columbia Hampton, LLC. All items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public input was offered on items not requiring a public hearing.
• During the public hearing for Item 9 (Old Leesburg Road annexation):
  • Mary Lynn Bare (4307 Old Leesburg Road) expressed concerns about an undocumented cemetery and a live-fed pond on the property, urging further environmental and historical review before development. She stated she did not want graves moved 'just for the sake of a housing development.'
  • Gerald Waller (4308 Old Leesburg Road) opposed the Canary Woods development, requesting a tree-preserve buffer on the south and east sides of his property, similar to a buffer provided on a prior phase.
  • Hank Mabry, representing the developer, clarified that only one cemetery is on the parcel, noted that marked and unmarked graves would be protected, and agreed to provide a buffer.
• At the close of the meeting, Christy Fossum (2917 Blossom Street) expressed concern about the lack of long-distance bus service from Columbia since February, calling it a hardship for low-income residents. Mayor Rickenmann acknowledged the issue and said the city is continuing discussions with providers.

Discussion Items

• Item 8: Annexation of SW/S Holloway Road – Approved on first reading. No public comment. Councilor Brown noted the area's activity and considered it positive for the area.
• Item 9: Annexation of 4316 and 4340 Old Leesburg Road – Approved on first reading. Council conditioned final approval on the developer meeting with residents to establish a buffer and a plan for the cemetery before second reading.
• Item 10: Rezoning at 3329 River Drive from RM-2 to MU-1 (within Historic Preservation Overlay District) – Approved on first reading with no public comment.
• Item 11: Rezoning and Type 3 Landmark designation for 4120 N Main Street – Approved on first reading with no public comment.
• Item 12: Ordinance No. 2026-007 granting an encroachment to Larry Rowe for brick pavers, landscaping, and irrigation on Amherst Avenue – Approved on first reading.
• Item 13: Resolution No. R-2026-012 authorizing a lease agreement between the City and Oliver Gospel Mission for public restroom facilities – Approved. Council members expressed support, noting a long-time need and plans for a monitored facility and marketing campaign.
• Items 14-16: Appointments and committee assignments:
  • The Honorable Tina N. Herbert was appointed Mayor Pro-Tempore.
  • Six standing committees were appointed: Administrative Policy (Chair McDowell), Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy (Chair Bailey), Community Development (Chair Herbert), Economic Development & Infrastructure (Chair Brown), Health, Social and Environmental Affairs (Chair Johnson), and Public Safety (Chair Brennan).
  • Special committees and task forces were approved, including the dissolution of the Columbia-Fort Jackson Joint Committee on Cooperation due to duplication of services.
• Councilor Johnson referred a proposal to the Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee to address litter and beautification through youth employment and by incorporating litter cleanup into existing contractual scopes of work.

Key Outcomes

• All votes during the meeting were unanimous.
• Consent agenda (Items 2-7) approved.
• Annexation and zoning items (8-11) approved on first reading.
• For Item 9, council directed the developer to meet with affected residents to finalize a buffer and cemetery preservation plan before second reading.
• Ordinance 2026-007 (encroachment) approved on first reading.
• Resolution R-2026-012 (Oliver Gospel lease) approved.
• Tina N. Herbert appointed Mayor Pro-Tempore.
• Council committee assignments finalized; Columbia-Fort Jackson Joint Committee on Cooperation dissolved.
• A referral on litter and beautification was sent to the Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee.
• Mayor Rickenmann committed to follow up on the long-distance bus service issue raised by a resident.