Columbia City Council Regular Meeting - May 19, 2026

The Columbia City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at City Hall in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 4:49 p.m. (the agenda had listed 4:00 p.m.) by Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann and adjourned at 6:22 p.m. All council members were present.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Law Enforcement Recognition: Police Chief William "Skip" Holbrook announced that Lance Corporal Joseph Murphy was a finalist for the Governor's Award for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Lieutenant Colin Bailey completed the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Command College, and Captain Jeffrey Brink and Lieutenant Bailey presented at the 10th Annual American Society of Evidence-Based Policing Conference in Washington, D.C.
• Sarah Kay Wrenn, Miss South Carolina 2025 Day (Item 2): Councilor Sam Johnson recognized Ms. Wrenn, who works for the American Heart Association. She reported leading a school engagement campaign that raised over $300,000, and that the most recent Heart Ball raised an additional $300,000. Council proclaimed May 19, 2026 as Miss SC 2025 Day.
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Events (Items 3 & 4): Mayor Rickenmann and Councilor Johnson presented proclamations for Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Business Day (May 27, 2026) and AAPI Heritage Month (May 2026). Speakers included Edwin Ng (Owner, Sweetwater Cafe), Angela Yong (Owner, Fit Columbia), and Punam Patel (SC Community Affairs Manager, Scout Motors). They expressed support for the recognition and encouraged the city to continue considering the AAPI community in its decision-making.
• Entrepreneurial Month (Item 5): Erin Outz, State Ambassador for Right to Start, thanked the city for being one of the first communities in South Carolina to support the initiative. Council proclaimed May 2026 as Entrepreneurial Month.
• Public Works Week (Item 6): Public Works Director Robert Anderson introduced staff from multiple divisions, highlighted the theme "Rooted in Service, Powered by Community," and announced recognitions for Deputy Director Sara Hollar (President of the SC APWA Board) and Solid Waste Superintendent Samantha Yager (appointed by the Governor to the Recycling Market Development Advisory Council). Council proclaimed May 17–23, 2026 as Public Works Week.

Consent Calendar

The Council unanimously approved Consent Agenda Items 7 through 20, which included routine approvals for funding solid waste refuse truck repairs ($77,808.90); purchasing two Chevrolet Silverado trucks for the Police Department and Metro Wastewater Plant ($132,681.34); annual renewal of UKG Pro timekeeping software ($161,100.00); purchasing Samsara asset tracking units ($169,319.38); a professional services contract with LS3P for the Public Safety Complex Phase II design ($299,145.00); a contract amendment for CDBG-MIT Program management with ICF ($386,955.00); design services for the Beltline Boulevard Community Enhancement Project Phase II with CPL ($544,349.00); several Columbia Water contract amendments and change orders for sewer relocation, AMI meters, Hardscrabble Road waterline relocations, sludge hauling, Rosewood water system improvements, and cured-in-place-pipe sewer rehabilitation ($51,250.00 to $2,500,000.00); and an encroachment agreement for the University of South Carolina for a raised pedestrian crosswalk on Main Street.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 26 (Blue Ridge Terrace Annexation): Ellen Anderson, President of the Forest Heights Community Association, expressed support for the city's zoning efforts while advocating for more activities, recreational opportunities, and resources for children and seniors. Marquita Thompson, a resident of Pine Forest on Blue Ridge Terrace, expressed concern about the potential impact of increased residential development on crime in the neighborhood and asked for clarification on what would be built.
• Item 28 (Rosewood Drive Rezoning): An email from Guy Jones, President of the Hollywood-Rose Hill Neighborhood Association, was entered into the record stating the neighborhood opposed the zoning map amendment due to a lack of adequate information from the applicant about his plans for development.
• Non-Agenda Item: Lee Lumpkin of the Columbia Classical Ballet announced the company held its first board meeting in its new home at 610 Harden Street. She thanked City Council for its support as the organization rebuilds its studio and school operations and works to restore its artistic caliber.

Discussion Items

• Smith Branch Pump Station (Item 21): Council approved a $3,190,055.00 contract amendment with Black and Veatch Corporation for Project SS7640. Councilor Brennan was not present for this vote.
• Multi-County Business Parks — Second Reading (Items 22-24): Council approved ordinances for the DeBartolo Development Business Park (unanimous), the Congaree Riverfront District Business Park, and the Convention Center District Business Park. The latter two were approved with amendments restructuring how park revenues are allocated, directing a 7% share of new revenue to the County's Economic Development Fund and amending the project expense reserve cap definition.
• Blue Ridge Terrace Annexation — First Reading (Item 26): Council held a public hearing on the annexation and zoning of approximately 350 acres for a master-planned community. Developer Kevin Steelman (LandTech Communities) detailed plans for roughly 800 single-family homes with commercial frontage along Blue Ridge Terrace and Monticello Road, with a full build-out estimated at 10 to 13 years. Councilor Brennan stressed the need to update the city's 2020 urban service area plan and to evaluate the impact on fire services. Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins stated the development could add 300 to 400 calls per year, would likely require a new fire station with at least one engine and roughly 15 personnel, and that the property would not automatically convert to a Class 1 ISO rating without this new infrastructure. Council approved first reading unanimously.
• Rosewood Drive / Fulton Street Rezoning — First Reading (Item 28): Council held a public hearing on rezoning a parcel from Neighborhood Activity Center/Corridor District to Residential Mixed District (RM-2), which would allow a maximum of five dwelling units on the parcel. Zoning Administrator Andrew Livengood noted the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission and airport did not oppose residential use so long as the property remained within the Airport Safety Overlay District with required navigation easements. Council approved first reading. Discrepancy Note: The meeting minutes state the vote was unanimous, but the roll call recorded in those same minutes, as well as the meeting transcript, show Councilor Brennan voted "No" on this motion.
• Zoning / Planning Matters — Second Reading (Item 29): Council gave second reading approval to the annexation of 6701 Windwan Drive, assigning Urban Edge Residential Large Lot zoning.
• Parental Accountability and Family Support Partnership (Item 31): Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-2026-043, establishing a formal partnership between the City, Police Department, and Solicitor's Office to connect families with community resources through diversion and intervention programs. Councilor Tyler Bailey thanked colleagues and partners, including Solicitor Byron Gibson and Dr. Trevon Fordham.
• Committee Reports & Referrals (Item 37): Councilor Tina Herbert reported the Community Development Committee approved the 2026–2027 Annual Action Plan (to be submitted to HUD by June 8) and reviewed the redevelopment plan for 64 city-owned vacant lots, with 10 currently under contract. Council voted to refer a proposal by Councilor Sam Johnson and Councilor Peter Brown to explore potential revenue generation from tax-exempt properties and entities to the Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee. Councilor Herbert added the CFO estimated roughly $10,000 in annual tax revenue per redeveloped home. Councilor Brennan summarized the Public Safety Committee meeting, which covered Vision Zero (aiming to reduce serious traffic injuries and fatalities by five percent annually), regulation of group living facilities, and targeted enforcement of vehicular noise in hospitality districts.
• Appointments (Item 36): Council reappointed Kadenia Davis and Vanessa Mota and appointed Michael Eargle, Mary Priester-Clarke, and Carol Smoak to the Small Business Advisory Council.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 7-20): Approved unanimously.
• Contracts (Item 21): Approved ($3,190,055.00). Mr. Brennan absent.
• Annexations / Zoning — First Reading (Items 25, 26, 27): Approved unanimously.
• Rezoning — First Reading (Item 28): Approved. The record contains a discrepancy between the meeting narrative (unanimous) and the roll call (Brennan voting No). The applicant was requested to meet with the neighborhood before second reading.
• Business Park Ordinances — Second Reading (Items 22, 23, 24): Approved, with Items 23 and 24 carrying specific amendments on revenue distribution.
• Annexation — Second Reading (Item 29): Approved unanimously.
• Encroachment (Item 30): Approved unanimously.
• Resolutions (Items 31-35): All approved unanimously.
• Referral: The exploration of revenue generation opportunities related to tax-exempt properties was referred to the Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee.