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Mayor Pro Tem Ed McDowell | |
Councilwoman Aditi Bussells | |
Councilwoman Tina Herbert | |
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Councilman Peter Brown
(Elected March 2023)
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City Manager Teresa Wilson | |
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January 17, 2023
During the City Council Meeting, City Council approved a SCDOT municipal agreement allowing two SCDOT Safety Improvement Projects: The US 21 project and the S-10 project. The US 21 project extends along US 21 from the intersection of Williams Street and Blossom Street to the intersection of Devine Street and Chatham Avenue. It includes resurfacing and ADA improvements at intersections in the corridor. The S-10 project includes new, two-foot high brick planters within the medians from Blossom Street to Greene Street. A road diet narrowing the road cross section from a four lane section to a two lane section with bike lanes along Harden from Blossom Street to Devine Street is proposed. The overall goal of the projects is to provide ADA accessibility and improve pedestrian safety in Five Points. Funding will be provided by SCDOT.
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Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann also shared a brief video recap of some of the items discussed at the City Council meeting. View the recap here: | |
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February 7, 2023
During the City Council Meeting, City Council approved interim improvements to the North Columbia Pump Station as part of the 10-year capital improvements plan. The construction of a new, larger pump station is scheduled to be completed by 2030. In order to maintain these operations, the interim improvements are required. The improvements include bypass pumping system improvements, existing pump control strategy revisions, installation of a new standby generator, miscellaneous site improvements, and the replacement of two wastewater pumps. The goal is for the pump to continue to be reliable. The project is being funded through the City’s Wastewater CIP at an estimated construction cost of 3.2 million.
| Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann also shared a brief video recap of some of the items discussed at the City Council meeting. View the recap here: |  | |
February 21, 2023
During the City Council Meeting, City Council passed an ordinance to authorize the funding of various capital projects including the Finlay Park Revitalization and Construction Project. Finlay Park opened in its current form in 1991, and the new redesign respects the original plan by architect Robert Marvin. The revitalized Finlay Park will provide updated access to each amenity, which will improve circulation and engage users, while increasing accessibility, safety, and visibility with a goal of increasing daily interest for outdoor activities. Revitalization efforts include retaining the spiral fountain, cascading falls, and waterfall to connect to a newly renovated central pond, which will flow into an amenity stream. The new water features will also be naturalized with gentle sloping littoral shelves to promote visitor safety and will incorporate sustainable techniques to capture and treat stormwater. Other new amenities include an events stage and lawn, strolling gardens, restrooms, shade shelters, spray play, destination playground, bouldering walls, enhanced lighting solutions, public art, hospitality/park ranger offices, multiple walkways, accessibility upgrades, parking modifications, and a plaza overlook that captures the downtown Columbia skyline.
Funding:
Total funding including redesign: $21,500,000.00
State Allocation: 1,000,000
Previous H Tax: 1,500,000
General Fund: 2,000,000
Current H Tax: 3,500,000
Congaree Fund: 3,000,000
Bond Issue: 10,500,000
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Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann also shared a brief video recap of some of the items discussed at the City Council meeting. View the recap here: | |
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March 7, 2023
Funding for Columbia Water
During the City Council Meeting, City Council passed two items on the consent agenda that will continue to fund investments in the maintenance of our water and wastewater systems. Item #7 authorizes professional services to oversee annual contract rehabilitation services for Columbia Water’s wastewater pipelines, which helps to ensure the integrity of our infrastructure and to protect the environment. Item #9 authorizes additional funding to Indefinite Delivery Contracts for three contractors to continue assisting Columbia Water with water distribution leak repairs. During the hard freeze over the Christmas holiday period, numerous leaks occurred and contractor services were instrumental to providing timely response to these leaks. Extending these services will assist staff with repairing on-going leaks in a timely manner.
Check Presentation to Rapid Shelter Columbia
To start off the presentation portion of the meeting, Capital City Club presented Rapid Shelter Columbia with a check for $2,000. The proceeds raised came from their yearly Black History Month Program. City Manager Teresa Wilson, Director of Homeless Services Kameisha Heppard, and Homeless Services Program Specialist Nyasia Franklin accepted the check on behalf of Rapid Shelter Columbia.
Columbia-Richland Firefighters Recognized
Additionally, several Columbia-Richland firefighters were recognized for their lifesaving efforts that took place on Thursday, January 12 at Columbia’s Blue Marlin restaurant. After getting reports that a kitchen worker at Blue Marlin had been found unconscious, CRFD rushed to the scene and successfully administered CPR and an AED. The patient has made a full recovery. Fire Captain William Cunningham, Senior Firefighter William Harrelson, Senior Firefighter Patrick Hayes, and Firefighter Robert Ford, Jr., received the City’s Safety Medallion for their heroic acts.
View this link for more details: https://conta.cc/3KbixXn
Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann also shared a brief video recap of some of the items discussed at the City Council meeting. View the recap here:
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March 21, 2023
During the City Council Meeting, City Council passed Item #3 on the consent agenda, an amendment to the Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant Liquid Train Master Plan. This addition to the current Master Planning effort will provide for sampling and data analysis to support increased industrial discharges from planned investments, such as the newly announced Scout Motors in the Richland County Blythewood Industrial Park. This planning will ensure that our waste treatment facility is properly positioned for proposed and future industrial development within our service area.
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Special Election
A special election for district four was held on March 28, 2023. Councilman Peter M. Brown won the election. The election results were ratified on March 30, 2023. Councilman Peter M. Brown was sworn in officially on April 3, 2023.
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For more information about upcoming City Council meetings or general information about the City of Columbia, please visit www.ColumbiaSC.gov. | | | | |
