[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6568276,"mediaKeyId","3204959-3cca90eda8116836d7d73f4322e4a236","parentId",3204959,"title","West Columbia council: votes at a glance — rezoning, bonds, appointments, proclamations and more","audioSeconds",948,"startMs",1237000,"endMs",2185000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204959-3cca90eda8116836d7d73f4322e4a236&start=1237&end=2185","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204959-3cca90eda8116836d7d73f4322e4a236/thumbnail_1237000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568276/South-Carolina/West-Columbia-council-votes-at-a-glance-rezoning-bonds-appointments-proclamations-and-more","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568276-cfce46361b51dccab0a5e8858647714e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946029&Signature=V~kOXtKunT6E94kcyxon6QVQcW-yGPA0WNRc9TJGfa9Rj05kkHwJVMIOgKZaqu3QQ9Olh~C42yq3uedMYcu8u47llWG-88g0AzYK0DU~Y8fR7Os1QHz8m4-LWw5k6wgMT58YQ9j--mA-ciLC~OiibTp2crbHemDYGMTXMJXaV3OcNPWgody0P-Mqhgz1aJd~XImsSFFHIBFkyrGJnogaM~jnh-AERv1Ui22NEBD9KdXWnG0Q2iCUAsMeSZKlWzzN4PL3wzJyDtldbQccZvGpuBxzosQzZxaPWGs8kAcJsYeAie8sl5inXUuECb4ykh3AbDzVJ~pcNuP51k6oHbH6gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Columbia, SC","date","2025-05-07T10:44:39Z","article","The City of West Columbia City Council on May 6 approved a slate of routine and substantive agenda items, including ordinances on water and sewer rates, issuance of revenue bonds, multiple rezoning and annexation matters, proclamations, board appointments, professional services selections and other administrative actions. The motions recorded in the meeting were approved unanimously.

Why it matters: The approved bond and rate actions underpin the city’s water and sewer capital program; rezoning and annexations alter local land-use designations; appointments and professional-services selections affect city operations and program delivery.

Votes at a glance:

- Water and sewer rates ordinance — second reading approved (item 8.1). Council approved second reading consideration of an ordinance authorizing and confirming implementation of water and sewer rates and charges; vote recorded as unanimous.

- Water and sewer system improvement revenue bonds — second reading approved (item 8.2). Council approved issuance and sale of water and sewer system improvement revenue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $35,000,000; second reading approved unanimously.

- Rezoning approvals — second reading approved (items 8.3 and 8.4). Council approved planning commission recommendations to rezone parcels at 720 Buff Street (0.21 acres) and 900 North Lucas Street (1.98 acres) to Light Manufacturing (LM); both motions carried unanimously.

- Annexation — second reading approved (item 8.5). Council approved annexation of 0.48 acres at 1083 Harbor Drive; motion approved unanimously.

- Strategic plan resolution — approved (item 9.1). Council adopted goals and priorities as the city’s strategic plan for the fiscal year; unanimous approval.

- Appointment of municipal code compliance inspector — approved (item 9.2). Jared Epperson was appointed as a municipal code compliance inspector with authority to enforce municipal ordinances pursuant to South Carolina Code Annotated section 5-7-32; motion approved unanimously.

- Appointment to West Columbia Beautification Foundation — approved (item 9.3). Chuck Underhill was appointed; unanimous.

- Riverwalk repair contract authorization — approved (item 9.4). Council approved Crescent Industries LLC as the lowest responsive responsible bidder in the amount of $201,095 and authorized the city administrator to enter contract negotiations (see separate article for details). Motion approved unanimously.

- Eval Group selection — approved (item 9.5). Council approved Eval Group as the top-ranked firm for strategic planning services related to the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund and authorized contract negotiations; unanimous.

- AECOM selection — approved (item 9.6). Council approved AECOM as the top-ranked firm for engineering and planning services to develop the City of West Columbia Safe Streets and Roads for All action plan and authorized contract negotiations; unanimous.

- Transportation facilities ordinance — first reading approved (item 9.7). Council approved first reading consideration of an ordinance to amend Title 7, Chapter 8 relating to transportation facilities (see separate article for details). Motion approved unanimously.

- Text amendment (nursing and residential care facilities in C-3) — first reading approved (item 9.8). Council took up first reading to accept a planning commission recommendation for a text amendment regarding nursing and residential care facilities in the C-3 district; motion approved unanimously.

- Annexation (3214 Leapart Road) — first reading approved (item 9.9). Council approved first reading to annex 1.0 acre at 3214 Leapart Road; unanimous.

- Minutes approvals — approved (items 7.1, 7.2, 7.3). Council approved minutes for a Feb. 10 work session, April 1 public hearing and April 1 regular meeting; unanimous.

- Proclamations — approved (items 6.1–6.4). Council unanimously proclaimed May 27, 2025 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Business Day; May 11–17, 2025 as Police Week (with flags at half-staff on May 15 for Peace Officers Memorial Day); May 18–24, 2025 as National Public Works Week; and May 2025 as Building Safety Month.

- Executive session motion — approved. Council approved a motion to move into executive session to discuss personnel matters related to board of appeals appointments pursuant to South Carolina Code Annotated section 30-4-70(a)(1); unanimous.

Many motions were moved and seconded from the floor and recorded as approved. The meeting recorded unanimous approvals on the items above; staff noted several items (notably the transportation ordinance and the Riverwalk contract) will require follow-up work including legal review, boundary verification and federal (FEMA) review of contract terms. ","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","COWC May 2025 Regular Council Meeting - Part 1","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 6 meeting the City of West Columbia City Council approved multiple items including water and sewer rate ordinances, revenue bonds, rezoning and annexations, several proclamations, appointments, and contracts. All listed motions were approved unanimously as recorded in the meeting.","taxTitle","City of West Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina","taxId",57700,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6568281,"West Columbia awards Riverwalk repair contract to Crescent Industries; FEMA review and mitigation options pending",71,1622000,1693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204959-3cca90eda8116836d7d73f4322e4a236&start=1622&end=1693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204959-3cca90eda8116836d7d73f4322e4a236/thumbnail_1622000.jpg","/articles/6568281/South-Carolina/West-Columbia-awards-Riverwalk-repair-contract-to-Crescent-Industries-FEMA-review-and-mitigation-options-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568281-709eca303d8680e25c0d7e0fdf335a8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946029&Signature=embCw2PECEXWDeCy9uX7vdceguKybzaLn1ceh51gTkNH48pdMhpE1IY2iNDjKJlSWFNGXfrEy7-B9n7XMshedPHBQAZI4-ajvxMbMJg24sP1wOQJfsC74mWO2DDIBQK76ihGQpJoIJ7amtaUNaR~fRxQ0X0ybj4HsZI~sQRLWVFdKns5aceylwW6bZcCES-l~GHI4sR2uwKMEcn4h2Leb2TZICqRP22d7iQXy0i926-5UF40nvDKyeFjJcGQ8v7xHWYIQ0fKriESl1wex8QK~yjAxUjDE6SDsW-yvs8dr~oXFOg2s0lTkAmyJbD41WQxOYBBX0WLUx-~rPKQHAa8tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of West Columbia authorized the city administrator to enter contract negotiations with Crescent Industries LLC, the lowest responsive bidder for Riverwalk damage repairs, in the amount of $201,095.

City administrator/staff member Tara Greenwood told council the firm was selected at the $201,095 bid and that the contractor has up to 120 days after the notice to proceed to finish repairs under the city's request for proposals. Greenwood said, “per the, RFP that we put out, we gave them up to a hundred and 20 days after the notice to proceed. However, I've already spoken with a contractor, and they are well aware of the importance of the Riverwalk, and they are fully prepared to start on an aggressive timeline.”

Greenwood explained federal review steps tied to FEMA funding: “So all contract requirements have to be, ran through FEMA. So there are certain provisions that are their requirements that we have to incorporate into this contract, and they've also asked to review that contract before it's signed. So once we get all those provisions put in, place and everyone is cleared off between the city and FEMA, it's signed. They get the notice to proceed, and then they can absolutely get going on this project.”

Council members asked whether the city would pursue mitigation in addition to repairs. Greenwood said the city and staff are exploring mitigation grant programs, but that this contract is for damage repair “to make us whole from the flood.” She noted that FEMA documentation requirements are detailed and can be laborious, including tracking geographic sources for materials used: “If you use field dirt, you got to document the geographic source for the field dirt. If you use riprap, you got to tell them where the rocks came from.”

Council voted unanimously to approve Crescent Industries as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and to authorize the city administrator to negotiate contract terms subject to FEMA review. Staff said they will draft the contract and notice to proceed and incorporate FEMA-required provisions before execution.","City council authorized contract negotiations with Crescent Industries LLC for $201,095 to repair Riverwalk damage. Staff said FEMA must review contract provisions and the city is exploring mitigation grant options in addition to damage repair.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6568286,"West Columbia council clears first reading of transportation-facilities ordinance; staff to clarify grandfathering",990,997000,1987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204959-3cca90eda8116836d7d73f4322e4a236&start=997&end=1987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204959-3cca90eda8116836d7d73f4322e4a236/thumbnail_997000.jpg","/articles/6568286/South-Carolina/West-Columbia-council-clears-first-reading-of-transportation-facilities-ordinance-staff-to-clarify-grandfathering","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568286-84bc35564fc9956ce54c811f4dd6e315/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946029&Signature=ot8pGpG8BbbhuNYEG01nAtFS2-XFvdDfDMZZjgBYbRagYiMR-3Ahi97XIFun1Zk~JJUfaGgDZG57ulscuDYOqEzoJYKPbcYi~iUt2aoRlq6DlmjhUqf9ASRuXsPgD7beZeQYxd6dtaf3k8~NN2zKMk-HvIMK~S1J3FTWxbqwSHyvrF04A6fY9JtxbmIJXxqDg~5Gg8W7dYwuU7Q6BdkCfisyrGa1KMIk3Qsn4gQSkMu4zI2vCMezhQG4xKAl7RMBlLy3mR0hgk4ETdqRGth6Q2Pkrfzm4bMbF3vZSrJc4UXDNX9Fm6pm9BeM1QzXllF5bu7S3L1e4oftNQrHXULvrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of West Columbia City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance to regulate transportation facilities, including passenger bus terminals, after a staff presentation and council questions.

City staff member Miss Dickerson told the council the ordinance “would provide regulations for bus terminals. It would require a site plan to be included with the business license application for a bus terminal, would require a traffic study, that would be approved by DOT. It sets forth parking requirements for buses as well as vehicles on the site. It also provides regulations for site design aspects of the bus terminal, such as lighting, trash receptacles, benches, and noise from outdoor speakers. And in addition, it would require private security at the location at all times during its operation.”

Council members pressed staff about whether the ordinance would distinguish between passenger terminals and businesses that store or maintain charter buses. Councilman Moy asked, “Now does this, ordinance, would it delineate between a charter bus, service that might store buses and a bus terminal for commuter type people where people come up and buy a ticket, or is it all covered under the same ordinance?” Miss Dickerson and other staff said the city expected to treat passenger terminals as the primary focus and said existing, nonpassenger operations would likely be handled differently and examined case by case.

City staff indicated they will research how the ordinance would apply to existing businesses and properties and provide a detailed response before second reading. One staff member said: “...for an especially for an existing business, we'd be grandfathered. But, an existing business that is doing a different type of activity may not necessarily have to comply with all of these rules. But we will, research that between first and second reading and, make sure we have a detailed answer for you and counsel.”

The council voted to approve first reading on the ordinance; staff said they will return with clarifications about the scope and potential grandfathering for existing uses, and confirm whether certain nearby operations fall inside the city limits.

Council members and staff flagged the Leapart Road/Mineral Springs Road area as one location to verify for current boundaries and to avoid creating unintended future difficulties in enforcement or application of the code. Staff committed to review the matter and report back before second reading.","City council approved first reading of a proposed ordinance regulating passenger bus terminals, requiring site plans, traffic studies and private security; staff will review whether existing charter or storage operations would be grandfathered.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

West Columbia council: votes at a glance — rezoning, bonds, appointments, proclamations and more

West Columbia awards Riverwalk repair contract to Crescent Industries; FEMA review and mitigation options pending

West Columbia council clears first reading of transportation-facilities ordinance; staff to clarify grandfathering