Columbia Council approves spending, contracts and zoning measures in single meeting; several items deferred

Columbia City Council voted on a broad set of spending, contract and land‑use items and approved most measures on the agenda, while deferring a small number of items for later consideration and moving into executive session at the end of the meeting.

What the council approved at a glance - Special one‑time funding and hospitality allocations: Council approved the fiscal year 2025–26 special revenue allocations and hospitality fund recommendations, including one‑time grants to nonprofits and funding for park and tourism projects. (Motion passed; roll call unanimous.)

- Contracts and construction: Council approved Contract Amendment No. 4 with Mashburn Construction Company, Inc. for Findlay Park revitalization construction services in an amount not to exceed $687,198. (Contract award approved; roll call unanimous.)

- Public‑works traffic calming: Council approved installation of a speed hump on Medical Drive and a separate speed hump on Etowen Avenue after review by Columbia Fire and Police Departments. (Both motions passed; roll calls unanimous.)

- Consent agenda and departmental contracts: Items 8 through 38 (consent agenda) were approved by a single roll‑call vote covering a range of renewals and service contracts for city operations and equipment. (Approved; roll call unanimous.)

- Zoning, annexation and landmarks: The council approved a Type‑3 landmark designation for 2608 Cardinal Street and approved annexation, future land‑use and zoning map amendments for properties including parcels on Notch and Head Street. It also approved a rezoning request to allow an outdoor advertising sign at a portion of 151 Clemson Road after the applicant removed two older signs. (Approved; roll calls recorded unanimous votes.)

- Ordinances and other approvals: Council approved ordinances and resolutions including a business license code update, an equipment lease purchase authorization (not to exceed $4 million), conveyance of a tract to SCDOT for a fire and police station parcel, and authorization to lease a FEMA hazard mitigation property at 1651 Roslyn Drive. (All motions passed on roll call.)

- Public art and events: Council approved installation of a public art Peace Pole at Saluda Riverwalk (item 55) and ratified several event alcohol‑consumption permits. (Approved; roll call unanimous.)

- Appointments: The council made multiple committee and commission appointments, including slots on the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission, the Food Policy Committee and the Parks & Recreation Foundation. (Appointments confirmed; roll call unanimous where recorded.)

- Executive session: Council approved a motion to enter executive session to discuss negotiations and legal advice on property and pending claims. (Motion to enter executive session approved by roll call.)

How votes were recorded Most measures passed unanimously by roll call. The meeting transcript records a standard roll call with all seven members — Mister Bailey, Mister Brown, Miss Herbert, Doctor Bustles, Mister Brennan, Mister McDowell and Mayor Rickerman — voting affirmative on the items listed above. Where items were deferred, the record shows council motions to postpone and the deferments were approved by roll call.

Notable details and next steps - Funding for Findlay Park construction aligns with earlier hospitality and capital allocations; staff indicated the November public opening and that earlier appropriations on the consent/hospitality list are intended to cover elements such as pickleball fencing and site amenities. - Council repeatedly noted that the Planning Commission remains the recommending body for zoning and landmark designations and that final decisions return to council. - A handful of items were deferred for additional staff work or due to conflicts; the record includes a stated recusal by one council member for future STR votes due to a potential property interest.

Full list of formal council actions (selected entries) The following entries summarize the principal agenda actions recorded in the meeting transcript. Each entry includes the motion outcome and the recorded roll‑call result as reported in the record.