Council authorizes bill payments, month-to-month meter contract and multiple special-event permits; approves demolition at 1310 Lancaster Ave

The Columbia Borough Council on Jan. 28, 2025 approved a package of routine and project-specific actions including bill payments, a month-to-month contract for a meter technician, multiple special-event permits with fees waived, authorization to contract a part‑time zoning officer through a vendor, establishment of a public security amount for a hotel project and a demolition permit for 1310 Lancaster Avenue.

The council first voted to authorize routine bill payments after questions from a council member about legal billing line items and election‑related invoices. Councilperson Murphy moved to authorize the payments; Councilperson Casey seconded the motion, which passed with the ayes called by the chair.

The body then approved authorizing staff to contract Gary Kaufman as the borough’s meter technician on a month‑to‑month basis. The motion was moved and seconded earlier in the discussion and, after a request that the contract be explicitly month‑to‑month and assurances such as limiting longer commitments, the council voted to authorize the contract on a month‑to‑month basis.

Council members also established the public security amount for the Chip Factory Hotel project at $429,688.93. Councilperson Kaufman moved the motion and Councilperson Giese seconded it; the motion passed with the ayes called by the chair.

Several special‑event applications were approved, each contingent on receipt of the required certificate of insurance and with fees waived: - Columbia Plot Lions Club — annual Mardi Gras/Halloween parade, Oct. 23, 2025, 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.; motion approved with fees waived. - Columbia Plot Lions Club — "Thunder on the River" car show, June 21, 2025, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; motion approved with fees waived and contingencies related to coordination with other local organizers. - Raven Ridge Wildlife Center — "Baby Wildlife Shower" (education, food trucks, vendors) at Columbia River Park, April 5, 2025, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; motion approved. - South Carolina National Heritage Day / Bridal Burners Challenge — June 28, 2025, at Columbia River Park; motion approved contingent on certificate naming Columbia Borough as additional insured.

The council also authorized staff to contract with Commonwealth Code Inspection Services to provide a part‑time zoning officer (two days per week, Mondays and Wednesdays). The vendor‑provided officer named in the discussion was referenced as John (last name not provided in the meeting packet), and council approved the short‑term contracting arrangement.

Finally, the council approved a demolition permit for the property at 1310 Lancaster Avenue to remove a single‑family dwelling and garage to extend an adjacent car lot dealership. The council record shows discussion of driveway access on Route 462, planning commission review and a written recommendation, inspection and remediation requirements (including asbestos remediation as part of the demolition permit process), and local concern about the loss of a single‑family home in a commercial zoning district.

Votes in the meeting were taken by voice (ayes called); where the roll‑call tally was not read into the record the minutes show the motions passed with no recorded votes in opposition.

Ending: The council adjourned at 8:15 p.m. and moved to an executive session on personnel matters.