Columbia City Council Regular Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Columbia City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, beginning at 4:46 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting, which adjourned at 5:50 p.m., included approval of the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 budget, numerous contract renewals, zoning and annexation decisions, and allocation of special revenue funds. The council also honored community members with proclamations and addressed a housing proposal from a resident.

Consent Calendar

• Council voted unanimously to approve the June 9, 2026 regular meeting minutes.
• The consent agenda (Items 7 through 29) was approved unanimously in a single vote. This included:
  • New contracts for Homeless Services: Outreach and Programs at Transitions Homeless Center ($124,031.26 to Midlands Housing Alliance); Operations and Security at Transitions Homeless Center ($325,000 to Midlands Housing Alliance); Housing First Initiative ($308,000 to University of South Carolina Supportive Housing Services); Daily Meal Services at Rapid Shelter Columbia ($504,949.07 to The Salvation Army).
  • Police uniforms purchase ($270,000 from state contract to Galls, LLC).
  • Sole source contracts totaling $2,457,604.29, including water meters for AMI ($1,701,739.29 to Badger Meter), automated housing condition analysis ($66,960 to City Detect), aeration basin parts ($122,985 to Evoqua Water Technologies), and ShotSpotter gunshot detection renewal ($565,920 to SoundThinking).
  • Marion Street Flood Study professional services contract ($252,480 to Kimley-Horn and Associates, with subcontractor Carper Civil Consulting at 10.22%).
  • Annual repair materials for water and wastewater divisions ($1,427,961.89 to multiple vendors).
  • Contract Amendment #10 for Columbia Canal Head Gates Repair Engineering ($64,500 to Kleinschmidt Associates).
  • New construction contract for 6-inch water main at Devine and Blossom Streets ($141,234 to Carolina Tap and Bore, Inc., a Mentor-Protégé project with 20% to LG Utility Contractors).
  • Contract Amendment #1 for Filter Rehabilitation and Electrical Upgrades at water treatment plants ($266,460 to Black & Veatch, with 24.39% to Howard Engineering).
  • Contract Amendment #5 for Queen Street Storm Drainage Improvements Phase II ($451,337 to Black & Veatch, with 28.78% to CHA Consulting).
  • Ratification of three emergency procurements totaling $878,831.17 (waterline replacement, fire apparatus parts, truck engine repair).
  • Memorandum of Agreement with SCDOT for Columbia Avenue corridor improvements ($4,420,893.20).
  • Third renewal of telecommunications franchise for MCImetro (Ordinance 2026-042).
  • Fiscal Year 2026/2027 contract renewals for public safety ($5,210,131.97), sole source renewals ($5,435,107.61), Columbia Water renewals ($22,369,407.00), miscellaneous renewals ($4,421,345.74), indefinite delivery contracts for asphalt/concrete repair ($2,000,000) and waterline/hydrant leak restoration ($5,000,000), chemical purchases ($9,851,136.00), and janitorial services ($782,872.32).

Presentations

• Forging Strong Fathers and Families Month: Councilmember Bailey presented a proclamation recognizing June 2026 as Forging Strong Fathers and Families Month. Marc Himes, Director of Community Engagement for the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, accepted and highlighted the organization's statewide work supporting fathers with child support, visitation, and court issues through 15 hubs covering all 46 counties.
• Scleroderma Awareness Month: Mayor Rickenmann proclaimed June 2026 as Scleroderma Awareness Month. Monika Hilton of The Mo Experience Foundation shared her personal experience with the autoimmune disease and emphasized the need for early detection and awareness.
• National Homeownership Month: Community Development Director Felicia Kilgore accepted the proclamation and noted the city's commitment to affordable housing. New homeowner Tiffaney Mattison, a City of Columbia employee, was recognized. Mayor Rickenmann highlighted partnerships with TN Development, CEBA, and Founders Credit Union to create first-time homeownership opportunities.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On the agenda: No public speakers signed up for agenda-related input.
• On non-agenda matters: Kay Moore presented a proposed housing ordinance named "Danny's Way" (in honor of Mayor Rickenmann). The proposal would require annual safety and habitability inspections of apartment complexes, make inspection results publicly accessible, and create an independent Tenant Justice Office. Mayor Rickenmann requested the proposal be formally submitted for legal review and committee consideration. Ms. Moore stated she had collected 30 signatures on a petition and expressed concern that rising rents contribute to homelessness.

Discussion Items

• Budget Ordinances – Second Reading: Ordinances 2026-044 (FY 2026/2027 budget) and 2026-041 (water and sewer rate amendments) both received unanimous second reading approval after motions by Councilmembers Bailey and McDowell/Bailey. The city manager thanked staff for months of work.
• Zoning/Planning Matters:
  • Item 30: Annexation, Future Land Use Map Amendment, and Zoning Map Amendment for 3956 Fernandina Road (Tidal Wave Auto Spa site across from Costco). Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. Councilmember Brennan asked about the county line; the parcel is fully in Richland County. Unanimous first reading approval given.
  • Item 31: Annexation for 730 and 800 Kennerly Road was withdrawn by the applicant; they intend to resubmit with a different zoning designation.
  • Item 32: Annexation for properties on Dreyfus Road and Bluff Road (78% in floodplain overlay, 22% in floodway). Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. Unanimous first reading approval given.
• Ordinances – First Reading:
  • Ordinance 2026-043 (encroachment for shade tree and irrigation at 1200 block Hampton Street) approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2026-049 (encroachment for landscaping at 2300 Duncan Street and 300 Princess Street) approved unanimously.
• Appointments: Darrin Thomas was unanimously appointed to the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports, and Tourism for a three-year term.
• Special Revenue Allocations: Council approved the FY 2026/2027 special revenue fund allocations as recommended by the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee and Hospitality Tax Advisory Committee, including council additions:
  • $20,000 to OneColumbia for Arts and Culture from FY 2025/2026 Hospitality Tax.
  • $25,000 to Dapper and Distinguished Gentleman for completion of the Black Wall Street Documentary from FY 2025/2026 Hospitality Tax.
  • $100,000 to Main Street District (external request).
  • A separate motion allocated $45,000 to the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council from the 5% General Purpose Accommodations Tax Fund, passing 5-1 (Councilmember McDowell nay, Councilmember Bailey abstained due to conflict of interest).
• Committee Reports:
  • Councilmember Herbert reported that the Municipal Court Advisory Committee received an update from Court Administrator Shawn Grant on court operations, reorganization, detainee housing at Lexington County Detention Center, and data supporting hiring an additional part-time judge. The Community Development Committee received updates on multifamily projects (90 units at Midtown at BullStreet and 90 units at Stoneridge Senior Village) and discussed strengthening Low-Income Housing Tax Credit applications.
• New Business – AI Procurement Policy: Councilmember Bailey requested the City Manager’s Office and Executive Leadership Team develop an interim artificial intelligence (AI) procurement and disclosure policy to ensure transparency until a comprehensive citywide AI policy is established. The motion was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget (Ordinance 2026-044): Approved unanimously on second reading.
• Water/Sewer Rate Amendments (Ordinance 2026-041): Approved unanimously on second reading.
• Consent Agenda (Items 7-29): All 23 items approved unanimously.
• Annexation/Zoning Approvals (First Readings):
  • 3956 Fernandina Road (Ordinance 2026-046): Unanimous approval.
  • 1010-1026 Dreyfus Road and 34 Bluff Road (Ordinance 2026-048): Unanimous approval.
• Encroachment Ordinances (First Readings): Both Ordinance 2026-043 and 2026-049 approved unanimously.
• Appointment: Darrin Thomas to Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports, and Tourism (unanimous).
• Special Revenue Allocations: Main motion approved unanimously; separate $45,000 allocation to Greater Columbia Community Relations Council passed 5-1-1.
• Referrals:
  • Development of interim AI procurement and disclosure policy referred to City Administration.
  • "Danny's Way" housing proposal referred to legal review and committee (requested by Mayor).
• Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.