Columbia City Council Regular Meeting – October 6, 2026

The Columbia City Council met on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 4:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations recognizing customer service, fire prevention, community planning, and a park design award; approval of a consent agenda covering contract renewals, purchases, zoning amendments, and property sales; passage of first‑reading ordinances and resolutions; and public comments addressing homelessness services, crosswalk safety, and nuisance ordinances. Key actions included authorizing a memorandum of understanding for a Major League Soccer‑affiliated soccer stadium, adopting a flag display policy (with the mayor dissenting), and acquiring properties for affordable housing and infrastructure.

Consent Calendar

• Items 6–27 were approved unanimously as a block. These included:
  • Contract renewals for Fort Jackson military personnel services ($53,500), Everbridge emergency notification system ($120,187.63), GIS software license ($120,300), auditing services ($137,500), parking gate equipment support ($150,165.36), and others.
  • Purchase of 44 thermal imaging cameras for the fire department ($133,768.80), 2,496 green 96‑gallon refuse roll carts ($165,056.90), and heavy equipment for solid waste ($1,673,450.41).
  • Water/sewer project approvals: agreement with SCDOT for dam replacement, encroachment agreement with Norfolk Southern ($78,706), water main upsizing for Arbordale Phase 1 ($92,615), wet well cleaning final invoice ($90,947.85), SC811 notification services ($113,826.60), professional services for wastewater plant assessments ($253,000 and $260,600), sole source contract for replacement parts ($298,126.40), and flow monitoring services amendment ($344,295).
  • Zoning map/text amendments: 2359 Washington Street designated as a City Landmark (Ord. 2026‑085); 617 Richland Street rezoned from RAC to RM‑2 (Ord. 2026‑086); multiple parcels on North Main Street rezoned for Clear Dot Charter School (Ord. 2026‑087).
  • Sale of city property: 1507 Harden Street to Sellers Real Estate Holdings, LLC (Ord. 2026‑081) and 2725 Main Street to RJL2 LLC (Ord. 2026‑082) as part of the homeownership program.
• Councilmember Herbert asked why exactly 2,496 roll carts were purchased; staff explained it matched truck capacity.
• Discussion also covered proper disposal of lithium batteries; the city’s e‑waste facility accepts them.

Public Comments & Testimony

Four individuals addressed the council on non‑agenda items:

• Matthew Cox (Food Not Bombs Midlands) stated that on September 26, 2026, police ordered his group to leave the library sidewalk and issued him a citation. He argued that providing meals to unhoused people is protected First Amendment activity and that the city’s actions violate human dignity. The city manager responded that the city has established a central meal‑sharing initiative at the Recovery Community Center, offering restrooms, shelter, wraparound services, and cleanup. Mayor Rickenmann emphasized a desire to partner with groups like Food Not Bombs, citing successful models in Milwaukee and Houston. Cox countered that litter concerns are “disingenuous” because the library removed trash cans and that his group cleans up after itself.
• Carmen Pendergrass, speaking as someone overcoming homelessness, expressed frustration that she had not received a proper intake at the Recovery Community Center in nearly four months despite repeated attempts. She urged better follow‑through and integrity in service delivery. The mayor acknowledged her concerns but noted the city is in early stages of centralizing services and encouraged her to also engage other community partners.
• Mama G (Mama G Mourner Bay, domestic violence survivor and advocate) presented Mayor Rickenmann with a “black belt warrior” award for his work in violence prevention, recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The mayor thanked her for decades of service.
• Wade Fulmer raised crosswalk safety concerns in Five Points, stating that after a previous pedestrian was hit, another person was struck two weeks later. He criticized median plantings that obstruct visibility. He also continued concerns about nuisance noise ordinances. The mayor responded that the city is working with SCDOT on crosswalk improvements and plans a public education campaign. Regarding nuisance noise, the mayor noted that Mr. Fulmer’s references relate to a case already adjudicated.

Discussion Items

• Presentations (Items 2–5):
  • Customer Service Week (October 5–9, 2026) was proclaimed; staff reported 175,000 calls received, 25,000 new applications processed, and average wait times reduced to 405 seconds.
  • Fire Prevention Month was proclaimed; Fire Chief Jenkins noted the department’s seventh year as a Fire Safe Community, 7,800+ fire inspections in 2025, and distribution of 1,000+ smoke alarms and 100 fire extinguishers. The 2026 theme is “Charge into Safety,” focusing on lithium‑ion battery fire prevention. A fire prevention parade and block party were announced for October 7.
  • National Community Planning Month was proclaimed; Deputy Director Jonathan Chambers emphasized that planning enables the city to respond proactively to growth.
  • Finlay Park received the 2026 NRPA Innovation in Park Design Award. Assistant City Manager Simons and Parks Director Bryant thanked staff and the community, calling the award a “tipping point” for future achievements.
• Ordinances – First Reading (Items 28–30): All approved unanimously. Item 28 grants an encroachment for decorative string lighting on Devine Street; Items 29 and 30 authorize sales of lots on Spalding Avenue and Randall Avenue to individual buyers, continuing the city’s homeownership program.
• Resolutions (Items 31–36):
  • R‑2026‑073 (Flag Display Policy) – Approved 6‑1 (Mayor Rickenmann voted no; no explanation was recorded).
  • R‑2026‑064 (Condemnation for Harden Street sewer pipe rehab) – Approved.
  • R‑2026‑071 (Condemnation for Broad River sewer force main easements) – Approved.
  • R‑2026‑070 (Release of water easement for Lake Carolina Walmart) – Approved.
  • R‑2026‑076 (MOU with Hometown Soccer Holdings for a MLS‑affiliated stadium) – Approved. Mayor Rickenmann expressed enthusiasm, stating it is a “great thing for our community.”
  • R‑2026‑79 (Property transfer from TN Development Corporation for infill housing) – Approved. Councilmember Johnson requested context; the city manager explained the lots will support the city’s homeownership program.
• Event Resolution Items (37–40): All approved unanimously, authorizing alcohol consumption at the SC Pride Parade (Oct 16–17), Artista Vista’s Live on Lincoln (Apr 18, 2027), Yalloween Flea Market (Oct 18), and Oktoberfest Columbia (Oct 9–11).
• Item 42 – Referral: A proposal for taxi cab rate increases was referred to the Administrative Policy Committee. Councilmember Bailey asked if it applies to rideshares; staff confirmed it does not. The referral was approved.
• Appointments (Item 41): Deferred; Councilmember Johnson requested that the application period remain open.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (Items 6–27) approved unanimously (7‑0).
• First‑reading ordinances (28–30) approved unanimously.
• Resolutions 31–36 approved; Resolution 31 (Flag Display Policy) passed 6‑1 (Mayor Rickenmann dissenting).
• Event resolutions (37–40) approved unanimously.
• Taxi rate increase referral approved.
• Appointments to Housing Board of Commissioners deferred.
• Staff reiterated the availability of the Recovery Community Center for coordinated meal sharing and wraparound services, and noted ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian safety through coordination with SCDOT and public education.