Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - February 17, 2026

The Columbia City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at City Hall, Council Chambers, beginning with an Executive Session at 3:00 PM for legal advice and economic development discussions, followed by the Regular Meeting convened at 4:18 PM. Major actions included first reading approvals for annexations and zoning changes on Jacobs Mill Pond Road, an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance for owner-occupied short-term rentals, and repeal of a moratorium on short-term rental permits. Council also approved consent agenda items, appointments to city commissions, hospitality tax grants, and heard extensive public comment opposing a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in the city. The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Items 6-15 were approved unanimously, including:
  • Reimbursement of 2025 municipal election expenses ($177,311.08) to Richland County Voter Registration and Elections.
  • Purchase of computer hardware upgrades for Windows 11 transition ($155,844.00) from Dell Marketing LP.
  • Purchase of UKG time clock replacements (up to $462,014.28) from UKG Kronos Systems, LLC.
  • Purchase of vehicles for Solid Waste and Water divisions ($178,046.00 total) from Dick Smith Ford and Hendrick Chevrolet.
  • Repairs on waste return pump #2 at the Columbia Canal Water Treatment Plant ($57,334.32) from Charles R. Underwood, Inc.
  • Contract Amendment #4 for Leesburg Road Widening ($107,595.00) with CDM Smith, Inc. (mentor) and DESA, Inc. (protégé).
  • Construction contract for Washington Street Parking Deck improvements (up to $399,492.50) with Restocon, LLC.
  • Consent to inclusion of property in multi-county industrial/business park (Project Rocky).
  • Encroachment agreements for Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union and 604 Huger LLC.

Presentations

• University of South Carolina Student Government Local Advocacy Bureau: Ms. Teia Perez, Director, presented the Bureau’s annual report on student concerns including infrastructure, safety, transportation, food insecurity, housing, and environmental equity. Mayor Rickenmann thanked the students, noting progress on past issues such as parking, lighting, and campus safety, and acknowledged ongoing work on game day transportation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Agenda Items (prior to adoption):
  • Ms. Joan Proffitt, President of St. Marks Wood Neighborhood Association, expressed opposition to the repeal of the moratorium on new short-term rental permits (Item 19), requesting more time to address safety, parking, noise, property values, and covenant compliance. Discrepancy note: The minutes record her as speaking in support of Item 19, but the transcript indicates she was against lifting the moratorium. Mayor Rickenmann clarified that a new ordinance already prohibits new short-term rentals in neighborhoods except along major corridors, and tax classification is a county matter.
• During Public Hearing on Item 18:
  • Ms. Jacqueline Bobo asked whether the owner-occupied exemption for short-term rentals applies to duplexes. Mayor Rickenmann confirmed it applies to owner-occupied dwelling units and noted state law permits rentals up to 70 days before property tax reclassification.
• On Non-Agenda Items (second public input period):
  • Multiple speakers opposed the presence of a new ICE office in Columbia, citing fear, trauma, constitutional violations, and negative impacts on immigrant families, students, and community trust. Speakers included Ms. Diane Wiley (Belvedere Neighborhood Association), Ms. Oveta Glover (Funds Inc. and Columbia NAACP), Ms. Jessica Thomas (proactive safeguard proposals), Mr. PJ Whitehurst (Reformation Lutheran Church), Mr. Anson Foster, Ms. Deborah Billings, Ms. Whitney Denton (also raised Code Enforcement property line issues), Ms. Tiffany Townsend (licensed midwife), Mr. Frank Stolbe (Navy veteran, Fourth Amendment concerns), Mr. Marcurius Byrd, Mr. Chris Hildreth, Mr. Xavier Khalil (paraeducator, Richland One), Ms. Courtney Leach (former teacher, risks to educators). Mayor Rickenmann acknowledged the community’s concerns and the city’s limited legal authority.

Discussion Items

• First Readings on Zoning/Planning (Items 16-18):
  • Items 16 and 17: Annexations and zoning changes for parcels on Jacobs Mill Pond Road (700 Jacobs Mill Pond Road and multiple adjacent parcels). Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. No public speakers. Council voted unanimously to approve first readings.
  • Item 18: Amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance to exempt owner-occupied dwelling units from short-term rental location restrictions. Mr. Andrew Livengood, Zoning Administrator, explained that owner-occupied homes in any residential area could operate short-term rentals; if ownership status changes, the use must cease. Other regulations remain unchanged. Council approved first reading unanimously (Councilor Brennan abstained due to conflict of interest).
• Ordinance First Reading (Item 19):
  • Ordinance No. 2026-009 repealed the moratorium on new short-term rental permits in residential areas, as it is superseded by the new ordinance restricting locations. Approved unanimously (Brennan abstained).
• Hospitality Tax Grant Program (Item 26):
  • Ms. Missy Caughman presented second-round requests. After discussion, Council voted 6-1 to allocate $80,000 to Black Expo, $25,000 to the SC High School League, and $15,000 to Ivy Heritage Foundation of Irmo. Mr. McDowell voted no. The total allocated matched the available $120,000.
• Appointments:
  • Planning Commission: Madison Pickrel and Lauren Rogers appointed for three-year terms.
  • Historic Preservation/Design Review Commission: Six members appointed (Hunter Mackenzie, Josh Shelton, John Sherrer, LaTrell Harts, Denise Wellman, Charlie Leedecker); the position for a contractor/craftsperson with experience in historic structures will be re-advertised.
  • Urban/Design Review Commission: Five members appointed (John Gregory, Emily Gallo, Mary Beth Branham, Cristobal Bentoncourt, Lasenta Lewis-Ellis). Later, Council voted to increase the board size from five to seven members and will seek additional members including a planner.
• Committee Reports and Referrals:
  • Councilor Brennan reported on the Public Safety Committee meeting: CPD presentation on place-based crime reduction in the Millwood Avenue corridor (including 90-day focused blitz) and update from Dr. Trevon Fordham on neighborhood engagement. Council referred the scope of boarding/transitional housing and a survey of vehicular noise in hospitality districts to the Public Safety Committee. (Unanimous)
  • Councilor Johnson referred: Food Share SC Veggie RX Program to the Community Development Committee (per Councilor Herbert’s suggestion); increase of river buffers from 50 to 100 feet and an update from the Tree and Appearance Commission to the Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee. (Unanimous)
  • Mayor Rickenmann proposed and Council approved the creation of a standing Executive Management Committee to strengthen alignment between policy and operations, provide oversight on catalyst projects, and lead performance review of the City Manager and City Attorney. Councilmembers Bailey, Herbert, and Brown appointed, with Mayor as ex-officio non-voting member; Brown appointed chair. (Unanimous)
  • Councilor Herbert reported on the Community Development Committee meeting: updates on Mobile Market/Tom’s Creek business model and the NeedNoMore food pantry app. Council referred potential collaboration with NeedNoMore to staff for review. (Unanimous)

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items 6-15) approved unanimously.
• First reading approvals for annexations and zoning for 700 Jacobs Mill Pond Road (Ordinance 2026-011) and multiple parcels (Ordinance 2026-012).
• First reading approval of UDO amendment for owner-occupied short-term rentals (Ordinance 2026-013) with Brennan abstaining.
• First reading approval to repeal moratorium on short-term rental permits (Ordinance 2026-009) with Brennan abstaining.
• Resolutions approved: Lincoln Street Tunnel Gateway Project (R-2026-017), Main Street Latin Festival alcohol permit (R-2026-010), St. Pat’s in Five Points Festival alcohol permit (R-2026-013).
• Hospitality Tax grants awarded: Black Expo ($80,000), SC High School League ($25,000), Ivy Heritage Foundation ($15,000) in a 6-1 vote.
• Appointments made to Planning Commission (2), Historic Preservation/Design Review Commission (6 with one vacancy re-advertised), and Urban/Design Review Commission (5, with board expanded to 7 and additional members sought).
• Referrals to committees: boarding/transitional housing and vehicular noise to Public Safety; Food Share Veggie RX to Community Development; river buffers and Tree and Appearance Commission update to Health/Social/Environmental Affairs.
• Executive Management Committee established with members Bailey, Herbert, Brown, and Mayor (ex-officio), chaired by Brown.
• Collaboration with NeedNoMore app referred to staff for review.
• Council acknowledged extensive public opposition to ICE office; Mayor and council members committed to fact-finding, protecting constitutional rights, and working within legal limits.
• Executive Session resumed at 6:00 PM; meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM.