Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Columbia City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at City Hall Council Chambers, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC. The meeting was scheduled for 4:00 p.m., called to order at 4:09 p.m., and adjourned at 5:32 p.m. Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann presided; Councilors McDowell, Brennan, Herbert, Brown, Bailey, and Johnson were present, along with City Manager Teresa Wilson and City Clerk Erika D. Moore Hammond. Council adopted the agenda unanimously after agreeing to defer Item 22 (Habitat for Humanity property sale resolution). Councilor Herbert left at 5:00 p.m.; later votes were among the six remaining members.

Presentations

• Monarch Butterfly Proclamation: Council proclaimed April 2026 as Monarch Butterfly Month. The proclamation cited declines of less than 1% of the Western monarch population and as much as 90% for the Eastern population. Sustainability Facilitator Mary Pat Baldaugh thanked Council and said the effort aligns with Columbia's Bee City USA designation.
• Finlay Park Purple Heart Park Designation: Commander Jermal Washington (Chapter #402, Military Order of the Purple Heart) announced Finlay Park as the first Purple Heart Park recognized in South Carolina. Harold Palmer, District Commander, presented the proclamation to Parks and Recreation Director Kenya Bryant and Finlay Park Program Manager John Katz. Councilor McDowell thanked veterans and Purple Heart recipients.
• C.A. Johnson High School Boys Basketball Team Day: Council proclaimed April 21, 2026, as C.A. Johnson High School Boys Basketball Team Day, recognizing the Class A state championship won 72-64 over Bethune-Bowman on March 7, 2026 - the team's third title and first in more than a decade.
• Order note: The agenda listed these presentations as items 2-4 in the order C.A. Johnson, Monarch, Finlay Park; the minutes and transcript reflect Monarch, Finlay Park, and then C.A. Johnson.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the April 14, 2026 Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes unanimously (7-0).
• Approved Consent Agenda Items 5-13 unanimously (7-0), including:
  • Contract Amendment #1 with G & I Security Company, LLC for security services at homeless services facilities, not to exceed $105,000, extending the contract to June 30, 2026 (revised budget $207,960).
  • New opioid epidemic treatment, prevention, and training services contract with Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services, not to exceed $310,750, through March 31, 2027.
  • Finlay Park Revitalization Contract Amendment #7 with Mashburn Construction Company, Inc., not to exceed $374,651.84 (revised budget $25,313,714.96).
  • Train 2 Aeration Dewatering System Upgrade additional funding for Alfa Laval, Inc., not to exceed $63,858.24 (revised budget $1,061,858.24).
  • Contract Amendment #4 with Ferguson Enterprise, LLC for water distribution repair materials, not to exceed $86,686.09 (revised budget $312,806.41).
  • New construction contract with Pickens Contracting, Inc. for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance Building Roof Replacement, not to exceed $327,575.
  • Gills Creek Relief Sewer Phase I Contract Amendment #5 with Michael Baker International, not to exceed $558,340 (revised budget $1,242,573).
  • Ordinance No. 2026-024 accepting a 44 sq. ft. quit-claim deed for assemblage with the Bluff Road Pressure Reducing Valve site.
  • Ordinance No. 2026-027 granting Fifth Third Bank an encroachment for sidewalks in the 100 block of Earth Road.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered during the initial agenda-related public input period.
• Item 16 annexation/rezoning public hearing:
  • Joe Burns (6612 Frances Street) opposed the proposed development, saying it would add about 156 new vehicles on 20-foot-wide residential streets, create safety risks, alter neighborhood character, and potentially lower property values. He asked Council to deny the proposal or require a comprehensive traffic and infrastructure study.
  • Andy Love (1620 Lady Street) opposed the rezoning, noting a prior denial about 30 years ago due to traffic concerns, cited added traffic from nearby growth, supported a lower-density plan of roughly 40 units, and raised drainage concerns.
  • City Clerk read a written comment from Kate Cubbler opposing the rezoning and asking that access roads not be routed through Wingard and Frances Street neighborhoods, citing loss of green space, wildlife displacement, and construction disruption.
  • Joelene Marks raised concerns about density calculations, road capacity, lot sizes, and lack of traffic signals; she urged further infrastructure review.
• Final public input: Christina Wildy of Innovative Solutions thanked the City for its opioid abatement partnership, described outreach using Fire Department data, and announced the launch of Columbia's first free Narcan distribution kiosk at the main transit terminal, with another location planned. Asked about cost, she said the Narcan vending machines are completely free and collect only minimal tracking information.

Discussion Items

• Item 16 - Annexation, Future Land Use Map Amendment, and Zoning Map Amendment for 6701 Windwan Drive and NE/S Hwy 77 (Ordinance No. 2026-028): The request was to annex about 17.75 acres, assign future land use classification Urban Edge Residential Large Lot (UER-2), and zone the property RSF-1 (Residential Single-Family - Large Lot). Zoning Administrator Andrew Livengood explained the property is currently zoned General Commercial by Richland County and that RSF-1 is the City's lowest-density single-family designation, with roughly 15,000 sq. ft. lots and density similar to the County's R2. Applicant Philip Laughridge (The Wilson Company) said the request is a downzoning and would yield about 79 single-family homes with tree preservation and green space. Residents raised traffic, safety, density, drainage, and neighborhood-character concerns. Councilor Brennan said Leesburg Road needs DOT attention, including traffic lights and updated studies. Councilor Brown said it would be better for the property to be in the city at low density than in the county where commercial or higher-density development could occur. Livengood said Council cannot condition zoning approval on a traffic study. The public hearing for this item opened at 4:37 p.m. Council gave first reading approval on a 6-0 vote; the item was not placed on the next consent agenda, and the City/developer were expected to meet with the neighborhood before second reading.
• Item 17 - Zoning Map Amendment for 84, 92, 94, 100 and 108 Bluff Road (Ordinance No. 2026-029): Applicant Jason Holliday requested rezoning from Residential Two-Family - Mill Village District (RD-MV) to Residential Mixed District (RM-1). Livengood said density would drop from about 13.2 units per acre to about 8.7 units per acre. Holliday said the proposal involves duplex-style multifamily housing with three bedrooms and three bathrooms per unit. First reading was approved unanimously (6-0).
• Item 18 - UDO Amendment for Urban Design Review Commission Membership (Ordinance No. 2026-030): The text amendment would adjust the number of appointed members on the Design Development Review Commission. The Planning Commission recommended adding at least five but not more than seven members, and staff had no issue. First reading was approved unanimously (6-0). Note: The agenda heading says Urban Design Review Commission membership; the ordinance text and minutes refer to the Design Development Review Commission. The public hearing closed at 5:16 p.m. after the zoning/planning items.

Bids, Contracts & Change Orders

• Item 14 - Columbia Canal Embankment Repair Services, Spillway Gate Analysis & Pumping Station, and Canal Hydroelectric Facility, Contract Amendment #14 with Michael Baker International, $2,104,453: Approved unanimously (7-0). Funding came from Flood Recovery ($1,928,933) and Water/Sewer Capital Projects ($175,520); total revised budget $14,550,035.
• Item 15 - Canal Headgates Structure Construction Contract (Project WM437401) with Ruby-Collins, Inc., $17,797,500 including contingency: Council authorized the City Manager to execute the contract, with a 790-day performance period. Approved unanimously (7-0). Mayor Rickenmann noted the City had waited ten years for the repairs and called the headgates key to the canal, the community's main water source.

Ordinances - First Reading

• Item 19 - Ordinance No. 2026-023 (Vista Business Improvement District): Approved unanimously (6-0). The public hearing had been held April 14, 2026.
• Item 20 - Ordinance No. 2026-025 (Property exchange at 742 Wilkes Road and 5111 Spalding Avenue): Approved unanimously (6-0). Staff said the exchange supports the City's Tiny House program and improves circumstances for a homeowner.
• Item 21 - Ordinance No. 2026-031 (Sale of 1601 Assembly Street to USPS): Approved 5-1, with Mayor Rickenmann voting no. The U.S. Postal Service exercised a purchase option under its lease. City Manager Wilson said she hoped the City could still use the parking lot at times; Mayor Rickenmann said the property owner recognized increased value and that the City had made all calls it could.

Resolutions & Event Resolutions

• Item 22 - Resolution R-2026-035 (Habitat for Humanity property sales): Deferred by Council.
• Item 23 - Resolution R-2026-033 (ColaJazz + Roots Fest at Finlay Park, May 15-16, 2026, beer and wine only): Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Item 24 - Resolution R-2026-036 (Bluetile Block Party Skateboarding and Sneaker Release, 600 block of Harden Street, May 2, 2026, beer, wine, and liquor): Approved unanimously (6-0).

Appointments

• Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee: Approved reappointments of Hal Stevenson, Jessee Bullard, and Joelle Ryan-Cook; and appointments of Andrew Salleby and Marissa DiMaria, each for a two-year term.
• Hospitality Tax Advisory Committee: Approved reappointment of Kelly Glynn and appointments of Steven Cook, Cedric McEachin, Kelly Barbery, and Laura Truell, each for a two-year term.

Other Matters

• Approved installation of one speed hump in the 1900 block of Wayne Street (Arsenal Hill Neighborhood Association), after Fire and Police Department review, unanimously (6-0).
• Approved installation of three speed humps on Maple Street (Old Shandon Neighborhood Association), after Fire and Police Department review, unanimously (6-0).

Committee Reports, Referrals & New Business

• Council unanimously referred the Parental Accountability Memorandum of Understanding with Richland County, to be presented by resolution, to the Public Safety Committee, as requested by Councilor Bailey.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda adopted with Item 22 deferred; April 14, 2026 minutes approved.
• Consent Agenda Items 5-13 approved in one unanimous vote (7-0).
• Contract amendments/authorizations in Items 14 and 15 approved unanimously (7-0).
• First readings approved: Ordinances 2026-028 (6-0), 2026-029 (6-0), 2026-030 (6-0), 2026-023 (6-0), 2026-025 (6-0), and 2026-031 (5-1).
• Resolution R-2026-035 deferred; event resolutions R-2026-033 and R-2026-036 approved.
• Committee appointments and speed hump installations approved.
• Parental Accountability MOU referral to Public Safety Committee approved.
• Councilor Herbert was absent for votes after 5:00 p.m.; unless noted, those votes were unanimous among the six members present.