Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - May 5, 2026

The Columbia City Council met on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 4:06 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann presided, and all council members were present. The agenda was adopted with the deferral of Item 18 (Vista Business Improvement District). The meeting adjourned at 5:15 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the April 21, 2026 Budget Workshop and Regular Meeting minutes.
• Approved purchase of Axon camera kits for the Police Department ($61,036.71).
• Approved funding for paving of the firing range parking lot ($62,550.00).
• Approved annual contract renewal for Target Solutions Software for the Fire Department ($84,500.28).
• Approved a new Professional Services Contract for design of a Warehouse and Offices for the Support Services Division at 1213 Flora Street ($293,200.00 to GMK Associates, Inc.).
• Approved a new Construction Contract for the Saluda River Comfort and Public Restroom Facility ($463,210.67 to First Class Construction, LLC).
• Approved purchase of vehicles for the Solid Waste Division (one automated side loader garbage truck and one truck chassis, total $793,728.00).
• Approved Contract Amendment #6 for Project SS7568, a Construction Manager At-Risk project for the Saluda River Force Main Extension ($135,000.00).
• Approved Contract Amendment #6 for Professional Services for the Saluda River Force Main Extension ($254,008.00).
• Approved Change Order #6 for Combined Sewer Repair Projects at Vine Street, Ansel Street, and Woodlake Drive ($577,641.45).
• Approved purchase of additional Magnesium Hydroxide for the Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant ($594,000.00).
• Approved Contract Amendment #4 for Carolina Crossroads Phases 3, 4, and 5 Engineering Services ($1,985,278.00).
• Approved Ordinance No. 2026-025 authorizing the exchange of properties at 742 Wilkes Road and 5111 Spalding Avenue.
• Approved Zoning Map Amendment (Ordinance No. 2026-029) for 84-108 Bluff Road, rezoning from Residential Two-Family - Mill Village District (RD-MV) to Residential Mixed District (RM-1).
• Approved Amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2026-030) regarding Urban Design Review Commission membership.

Presentations and Proclamations

• Retirement Recognition: Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager/Columbia Water, recognized David Sharpe for over 52 years of service with the City of Columbia, highlighting his attention to detail, problem-solving skills, mentorship, and leadership during the 2015 flood and other emergencies.
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Charter Day: Mayor Rickenmann proclaimed May 7, 2026 as Alpha Psi Lambda Chapter 91st Charter Day. Brother K. Allen Campbell, Chapter President, accepted the honor, reaffirming the fraternity's commitment to service. Councilor McDowell thanked the brothers for their unity and service.
• National Small Business Week: Mayor proclaimed May 3-9, 2026 as Small Business Week. Ayesha Driggers, Office of Business Opportunities Director, reported a successful kickoff at Gather Cola and strong interest in the 13th Annual Small Business Week Conference. Melissa Lindler, SBA South Carolina District Director, highlighted small businesses as the backbone of the economy.
• National Bike Month and Bicycle Safety Month: Mayor proclaimed May 2026 as National Bike Month and Bicycle Safety Month. Nicole Broner, Multimodal Transportation Coordinator, provided updates: the Richland County Transportation Penny is forecast to reach a maximum revenue of $1.07 billion, with $90 million allocated for bikeway, pedestrian, and greenway improvements; the City is using a high-injury network map to guide safety improvements; and a 30-sign downtown bicycle wayfinding pilot project has been installed. Councilor Johnson recognized Reagan Freeman for his bicycle and pedestrian advocacy.
• National Historic Preservation Month and Mabel Payne Award: Mayor proclaimed May 2026 as National Historic Preservation Month. Rachel Walling and Betsy Kleinfelder, Planning and Development Services, outlined events including a preservation scavenger hunt, a workshop on researching historic homes, a State House grounds tour, and hands-on sessions on brick repointing and window repair. The 2025 Mabel Payne Historic Preservation Award was presented to the Cottontown/Bellevue Historic District Neighborhood Association, accepted by President Denise Wellman, for their leadership in preservation and expansion of their National Register district.
• Employee Recognition: City Manager Teresa Wilson recognized Chanique Belton, Legislative Liaison, for 15 years of service to the City of Columbia, presenting her with a pin and certificate.

Ordinances

Second Reading

• Sale of 1601 Assembly Street (Ordinance 2026-031): Council voted 6-1 to authorize the City Manager to execute a deed and closing documents for the sale to the United States Postal Service, which exercised its purchase option under the current lease. Mayor Rickenmann voted nay. The city noted this was not an active sale but an exercise of the Postal Service's right.

First Reading

• USC Encroachment (Ordinance 2026-014): Council voted unanimously to grant an encroachment to the University of South Carolina for a raised pedestrian crosswalk on the 300 block of Main Street.
• DeBartolo Development Business Park (Ordinance 2026-032): Council voted unanimously to consent to the inclusion of property in a multi-county industrial/business park. Councilor Brennan abstained due to a conflict of interest. Councilor Brown described it as a great project for an area that needs it.
• Congaree Riverfront District and Convention Center District Business Parks (Ordinances 2026-033 and 2026-038): Both approved unanimously. Assistant City Manager/CFO Jeff Palen explained that intergovernmental agreements between the City and Richland County will dedicate future property tax revenues from new commercial development to fund long-term operations and maintenance of the future riverfront park and expansion of the Convention Center. He emphasized that this is not a new tax. Councilor Brennan praised the collaboration and stated the agreements will help change the trajectory of the city, county, and Midlands by using private investment to support public infrastructure and parks.

Resolutions

• MOU with We Love Five Points, LLC (R-2026-011): Council unanimously authorized the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding.
• Abandoned Building Certification (R-2026-037): Council unanimously certified the property at 1637 Enoree Avenue as an abandoned building under the South Carolina Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act.
• OUTfest Alcohol Authorization (R-2026-031): Council unanimously authorized the consumption of beer, wine, and liquor at the SC Pride OUTfest on June 6, 2026 (rain date June 13) on the 1100 block of Park Street.

Appointments

• Central Midlands Council of Governments: Council unanimously appointed Councilor Sam Johnson to the COG. Councilor Brennan thanked Councilor Peter Brown for his prior service on the COG, noting significant progress achieved.

Committee Reports and Referrals

• Councilor Tyler Bailey moved to refer a presentation from Gemini Arts to the Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee; passed unanimously.
• Councilor Sam Johnson reported on the Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee:
  • Discussion of a proposed expansion of riparian buffer zones in partnership with the Congaree Riverkeeper, with a creative credit system for property owners, potentially doubling or tripling buffers from 50 to 100 or 150 feet.
  • Update from the Tree and Appearance Commission on the tree canopy study.
  • Update on Transportation Penny projects.
  • Upcoming updates to the Animal Services ordinance.
  • Collaboration with Prisma Health on technology-driven health solutions.
  • Neighborhood beautification initiatives in partnership with the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods.

Public Comments

• Wade Fulmer raised concerns about conditions at community care and assisted living facilities in Columbia, citing examples of neglect and unsafe living conditions he observed during his years as a public health analyst. He urged City Council to take a more active role in addressing nuisances, abuse, and neglect. Mayor Rickenmann asked for specific addresses; Fulmer stated the issues were within the city and that agencies such as DSS, Mental Health, and DHEC often did not respond until law enforcement intervened.
• Tracy (from Greenview) thanked City Council for the new pickleball courts and posted rules at Finlay Park and expressed excitement about planned pickleball courts at two other parks. She concluded with, "Together, We Are Columbia." Councilor Brown noted this was the eighth thank you the City has received this year.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (7-17, 19-21) approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 2026-031 (sale of 1601 Assembly Street) approved 6-1 (Mayor Rickenmann dissenting).
• Ordinances 2026-014, 2026-032 (with one abstention), 2026-033, and 2026-038 approved unanimously on first reading.
• Resolutions R-2026-011, R-2026-037, and R-2026-031 approved unanimously.
• Councilor Sam Johnson appointed to the Central Midlands Council of Governments.
• Gemini Arts presentation referred to the Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee.
• Committee report indicates ongoing staff work on riparian buffer expansion, tree canopy study, Transportation Penny projects, Animal Services ordinance updates, health technology partnerships, and neighborhood beautification.