Allen University leaders and Riverbanks Zoo officials brief council during public comment

Multiple community leaders used the citizens-input period to introduce projects, invite collaboration and thank Richland County officials.

Stanley J. Pritchett, newly introduced as president of Allen University, said he started 45 days ago, thanked the council for prior assistance on land acquisition for a proposed stadium and invited the council to visit campus. Ty Barnes, vice president for institutional advancement at Allen University, described fundraising priorities and promoted an upcoming UNCF gala on March 2 intended to raise scholarship funds for students; Barnes noted the university's student population includes a high share of Pell-eligible students.

Riverbanks Zoo marketing director Shauna Brumfield Washington promoted free Fridays (noting 16,000 attendees last year), a SNAP/EBT daytime admission perk, and a community-pass pilot with Richland Library. Tommy Stringfellow, Riverbanks' president and CEO, updated council on construction and expansion plans — including new exhibits and a conservation and learning center — and said the zoo has reinvested $6,800,000 into local contractors and minority-owned businesses as part of recent projects.

Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins thanked the council for supporting a "firefighter feeding the families" event, which he said helped over 600 families. Speakers framed their remarks as invitations to collaborate and highlighted upcoming public events and opportunities for county-council engagement.

The council received the comments and expressed appreciation; no formal council action was taken on these public-comment items during the meeting.