[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6652013,"mediaKeyId","2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f","parentId",2497193,"title","Council approves deed of water lines to Columbia, authorizes facade work and approves condemnation referrals tied to Columbia Place Mall","audioSeconds",8528,"startMs",802000,"endMs",9330000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f&start=802&end=9330","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f/thumbnail_802000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6652013/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-deed-of-water-lines-to-Columbia-authorizes-facade-work-and-approves-condemnation-referrals-tied-to-Columbia-Place-Mall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652013-0ec3a204000109b621565402af5546a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179710&Signature=Fqp1z-5fbwgnK26urcPmgc-J4FfkOTktDpuqJiAfeGC-pGMW87~cTYRc2uu6znnZIBiqh3vzkM6iFdgM71jAQy1iAMrriBweU0yY-qLgvWwuvC-MZgqyLpNBAxxvM9FeXh7YtT2AqFLHGhq55oEGfxBmbNbMRLIs2a16L7qNXU7KDALM7jop605krl2eL~PQtSqYUDFobNWiTZ-JWRDhQTlhNUfdZyMGuMd~wQL4au4zeJ7g1YP0-kTLFdPTGTEQNyVqVKbrsaspP6D5vtoEuAuPHDi5o~06ETb77xHjhb7UIdeU1rCp-Iawoh8VqggLHF31Vxg4HJOqGd8JWlKpWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland County","date","2025-03-05T02:17:30.7Z","article","Richland County Council on March 4 approved a set of actions tied to Columbia Mall and related transportation projects after holding executive session discussions with outside counsel.

On second reading the council approved an ordinance authorizing deed of certain water lines at Columbia Mall to the City of Columbia (TMS 17001-04-02). The measure passed on a recorded roll-call vote.

Separately, items recorded on the agenda as condemnation referrals (19 c and 19 d) and related economic-development matters were discussed with outside counsel in executive session, then voted for approval in open session as the committee recommended. Council also approved a county-administrator authorization to proceed with a façade project (described in the meeting as \"the facade, 1 b\") following the executive-session discussion; the motion to authorize the administrator to proceed passed on a roll call.

Attorney Wright had earlier identified 19 c and 19 d on the agenda as condemnation referrals and confirmed those items involved outside counsel. Council members voted on the committee recommendations in open session after the executive session; the clerk recorded affirmative votes for each council member present.

Councilors did not disclose details of closed-session discussions but stated on the record that the executive session considered property, capital projects and condemnation referrals and that no action was taken during executive session itself. The actions the council approved were adopted in public session after the closed deliberations.

The council did not provide additional immediate details about acquisition timelines, specific parcels or compensation in the public record at the meeting; staff or outside counsel were expected to provide follow-up information as appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richland County Council Meeting, March 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Richland County Council on March 4 approved an ordinance authorizing deed of water lines at Columbia Mall to the City of Columbia, authorized county staff to proceed with a façade project and approved condemnation referrals that had been discussed with outside counsel in executive session.","taxTitle","Richland County, South Carolina","taxId",3705,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652018,"Richland County completes discovery phase of comprehensive-plan update; land-use scenarios and summer council workshop planned",0,3345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f&start=3345&end=3345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f/thumbnail_3345000.jpg","/articles/6652018/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Richland-County-completes-discovery-phase-of-comprehensive-plan-update-land-use-scenarios-and-summer-council-workshop-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652018-321d54cc2cc56cc2f403c9aabfa552e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179711&Signature=lVtUZPx8fK~PdaeVGCRNs1sKyCbZMuVx~dwFOUBWNMtephVyatMZnKPIdllv-BM2i6U3klphpcMYaKyj5DGHQrx6ZtNkkFYYs5TgPM5Ccmep~vaurWEK6ZuVUr4g6P2D0XWmie-Qw3-2zPzC3Uj0igHXWnH8Mh0jczEAdvLo2G1~JGocyW3ouwWMrccB-~8qIJr-ypoXi4tI52dmWR4hgV2UqGPuekQE3q2z1~~Pj89wkTWP2GZoBQqIK-Vkv2O2nN0ipXeYVNe~s0xHM3RdAnoT15rsvH0AJxUtXp1x6Hx5Gtz1wLw2poTHG8KcPn-8TXkIEkQu5-sgjZdNlGVAAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richland County’s Community Planning & Development Department reported March 4 that it has completed phase one — the discovery phase — of the county’s comprehensive-plan update and will move into development of future land-use scenarios this spring.

Director Sunithia Williams told council the department collected more than 500 survey responses and held public forums, small-group presentations and one-on-one resident outreach. \"Seventy-one percent of those respondents are full time residents of the county and over half have lived in the county for over 20 plus years,\" Williams said.

Williams summarized recurring themes from public engagement: desire for more parks and retail, encouragement of mixed-use and workforce housing, concerns about traffic and environmental protection, and requests for greater county communication about plans. She said the county will offer one-on-one briefings for councilmembers and that the advisory committee’s next meeting is March 24 to review the existing-conditions assessment.

The department plans a public forum to present future land-use scenarios on May 1, followed by a series of public meetings around the county through May. Williams said the scenarios will let residents visualize potential development patterns so they can give more specific feedback.

Administrator Brown and Williams urged continued public participation through the online survey and the idea board. Council members asked that staff meet individually with council before the summer workshop so members are not surprised by the scenarios.","Community Planning & Development director said Phase 1 public engagement yielded more than 500 survey responses and common themes including demand for parks, mixed-use growth and affordable housing; the county will present future land-use scenarios to the public May 1 and schedule weekly county meetings that month.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652022,"Council amends accommodations-tax budget to fund affordable-housing assistance for public servants",220,6386000,6606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f&start=6386&end=6606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f/thumbnail_6386000.jpg","/articles/6652022/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Council-amends-accommodations-tax-budget-to-fund-affordable-housing-assistance-for-public-servants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652022-2a5cd07f064f0eb9a6fe21134a8cd99a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179711&Signature=Q4QffKKcriCUTBVKB2iY8-YH0FTB4jSeaU7YQ7JYYAnaSa6Dw5edx2-JRONYLVfNx~eph~RVFgKkhSep6cQHHjRuejqVcxi3z4~~tECEJ9sMshZvBYz1VxxojZpK5qiW4JCPdR8KdCFCTBFuTcAN83WtcgBsMmXNDFMSAxpWWI~e2zebg-UAZgfLMP7Xro~ejF2x~bR6j-Vo9Qmf1eJjqeft8c6ZbegPaYS0wcHanednzVkorOzcEFCHiLzUKCVKfToKHBQvmJ~tJh7cedr3e4yJxZZreQ5ktRYjxnrHMSWGuVys1kPIlF1ET6LW0mDcZIh9VQlTyyIVZQjsbxR7Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richland County Council voted March 4 to amend the county’s fiscal year 2025 budget to allocate a portion of tourism development and accommodations tax revenue for affordable-housing assistance targeted to county employees, first responders and employees of local school districts.

Council members said the change implements an option the South Carolina General Assembly made available last year allowing local governments to use a portion of accommodations tax revenue for affordable housing. Councilman Jason Branham, who spoke in support, said the allocation would put money that was otherwise unspent to use.

\"This is an amendment of the current fiscal budget,\" Branham said. \"In lieu of just having that money sitting there, this is a motion to have the money expended in a way that is authorized by the state law.\" He said the allocation under consideration was roughly $300,000 and that additional program details would be developed and approved later.

Administrator Brown explained the statutory context to the council, noting the General Assembly last year permitted up to 15% of accommodations tax collections to be used for affordable-housing measures. \"Affordable housing is an issue within South Carolina and Richland County,\" Brown said, and the county should consider options to support staff and public safety workers.

The motion to amend the FY2025 accommodations-tax budget passed on a roll call vote. The council did not adopt final program rules at the same time; members said specifics on eligibility and disbursement would be developed and brought back for further council action.

The budget amendment will be recorded as part of the FY2025 ordinance change to the tourism development and accommodations tax funds.","Richland County Council voted to amend the FY2025 tourism development and accommodations tax budget to direct a portion of unallocated funds toward affordable-housing assistance for county employees, first responders and school employees, a measure supporters said uses an option recently approved by the South Carolina General Assembly.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652001,"Speakers highlight Columbia International University programs and student housing insecurity at council public comment",387,4658000,5045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f&start=4658&end=5045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f/thumbnail_4658000.jpg","/articles/6652001/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Speakers-highlight-Columbia-International-University-programs-and-student-housing-insecurity-at-council-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652001-40853adec0d86301b4ef22ac6e89dbe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179711&Signature=E04Ilu4fegC8E93R-Apf19AoPkbRKsOxR7z6RA4QdZ2jy4QUguTSxFH~MhR94aZE9UyHr~S84C0UPGisD5mKYsUQjgBpx9Yw9Ie6UcYJNWHZVoiqMLDvFDC1GUavEhdI3iM-GMQFHoBaHkw6ikbnEpYVjkIsD-OPgPmWWGIs~mxbKPL9fYYbiMHXuOoHgmwuS~4q9BcncjIQ7dezkEbNdBEwksVMRSDHEnuWRNt2W0pzGl6L84BUmpOwHlHaJ~hCn0w0NxWoRemL7kIa~5Sch2nwAQszhATkJJrCh~OXJG3y8pkcqN-a0Iy7nQWunwTEcAbx9dKj4e5O7FgyZuGW-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the March 4 Richland County Council meeting featured two speakers who highlighted local higher-education activity and student housing insecurity.

Greta Clinton, executive director of communications and advancement at Columbia International University, told council the university’s nursing program graduated its first class and reported strong NCLEX pass rates. \"We started a nursing program 4 years ago, and we had our first class of nurses graduate,\" Clinton said. She said the university had also secured an NIH grant for cancer research and invited council members to an upcoming leadership summit.

Judith Myers, a local pastor and social worker who said she works at Columbia College, urged the council to address student housing insecurity. \"College students, particularly those from low income backgrounds or our first generation students ... are facing unprecedented challenges in securing stable and affordable housing,\" Myers said. She said housing instability contributed to stress, lower grades and higher dropout rates for students receiving Pell grants.

Both speakers thanked the council for listening but did not ask for specific county actions at the meeting. Myers asked the council to consider the broader community impact of student housing instability on academic success and local economic vitality.","A Columbia International University representative briefed council on nursing and science program growth and an NIH grant; a Columbia College social worker urged action on student housing insecurity and noted a higher dropout risk for students facing unstable housing.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":78,"_43":113,"_45":113,"_47":114,"_49":115,"_51":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":118,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":119,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652008,"Council confirms multiple board appointments, opens recruitment for dozens of vacancies",6862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f&start=6862&end=6862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497193-bbbdebb32dc630fc2922a59e8e32319f/thumbnail_6862000.jpg","/articles/6652008/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Council-confirms-multiple-board-appointments-opens-recruitment-for-dozens-of-vacancies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652008-07e2b2d01c89a6fb07b8f70e7ea0e808/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179711&Signature=iG4lingciwtxNwhKfLP5tnZGRqEGvlFQ2VF50YZ5R2ray8OKf1m~EH7T-wziaC~xgpjbcIPVxEhD4Wu2bOdsok8s1A9N4e5HIe60ot7FWeC7VioOzY03Nq1A4vXuuxmyU~QgEHtdQuEVFKZbxaNIY2QES8ZYiAvpkT6d3unorpNlv6~~7D5QF9wls5VrHdp5pPm0kxTWd-lvu43tQT~xkTB1xWPfXsD-slJl4Lu8R~LpNbxDh6q4SkpHMVxpAyetUtbuTUSKJvZs8aQcXsiJEml3jBPLhABQ~26r4kpnpTD37cymgG5nCVXyxyv0oXCqzH-pWTvq1ysMznngv9bvVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richland County Council on March 4 approved the Rules and Appointments Committee’s recommendations to fill several boards and commissions and authorized notification for dozens of additional vacancies.

Councilwoman Gretchen Baron presented the committee’s slate. The council approved appointments including Roy Harrell to the Airport Commission; Cynthia Blair to the Board of Assessment Appeals; Britney Watts to the Building Codes Board of Appeals (with re-advertising for remaining vacancies); Kim Crafton and incumbent Amber Martin to the Midlands Regional Convention Center Authority; and Angel Lee to the River Alliance.

Baron told council the county continues to receive strong applicant pools and encouraged interested residents to apply; the clerk’s office will keep applications on file for a year and re-advertise open slots. The committee also recommended notification of vacancies and advertising for multiple boards including accommodations-tax, building-code appeals, hospitality tax, the Midlands Workforce Development Board and others; council approved the notifications.

The appointments were approved on the council floor without a separate second; roll-call votes recorded each council member voting in favor.","Richland County Council approved recommendations from the Rules and Appointments Committee to fill several boards and commissions, and authorized notification and advertising for many additional vacancies across county advisory bodies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves deed of water lines to Columbia, authorizes facade work and approves condemnation referrals tied to Columbia Place Mall

Richland County completes discovery phase of comprehensive-plan update; land-use scenarios and summer council workshop planned

Council amends accommodations-tax budget to fund affordable-housing assistance for public servants

Speakers highlight Columbia International University programs and student housing insecurity at council public comment

Council confirms multiple board appointments, opens recruitment for dozens of vacancies