Richland County committee approves advertisement and adopts six‑year rotating, non‑reappointable Riverbanks seat

The Richland County Rules and Appointments Committee on March 3 approved advertising for one joint at‑large vacancy on the Riverbanks Park District commission and voted to amend county appointment language to state that the jointly appointed seventh commissioner serves a single six‑year term and is not eligible for reappointment.

The action followed an explanation from Tommy Stringfellow of the Riverbanks Park District, who said the enabling legislation created a six‑member governing board (two appointees each from Richland County, Lexington County and the City of Columbia) and left the seventh joint seat vaguely described. "A bit confusing," Stringfellow said, recounting how the commission adopted a practical rotation—Richland, Columbia, Lexington—to fill the seventh seat but never incorporated that schedule into bylaws.

The committee reviewed language drawn from the county packet and the enabling statute. Miss Carrillo read the description from the packet and cited the governing provisions; staff told members the county ordinance/description must be amended to match the statutory interpretation so applicants clearly understand term length and reappointment rules.

Why it matters: the change clarifies who may apply, prevents inadvertent expectations of reappointment for that joint seat, and sets a consistent public record and website description before the county posts an application notice.

Committee members approved the notification that staff will present to full council and post on Friday; staff said advertisements typically run four weeks, applications close in April, and interviews and appointments are planned for May. The chair said staff will coordinate with Riverbanks Park District as it updates its bylaws and that the county may revisit language if additional changes are required.

Votes at a glance: the committee recorded unanimous voice votes to: approve the Feb. 10 minutes; adopt the meeting agenda; approve the vacancy advertisement for the Riverbanks joint at‑large seat; and adopt the amendment clarifying a single six‑year rotating, non‑reappointable term for the joint seat. The committee also voted to re‑advertise two hospitality tax committee vacancies and approved the appointment of Joseph Cerniglia to the listed vacancy. Recorded tallies in the transcript indicate the motions carried by the members present (affirmative votes recorded by roll call for each motion).

Other business: the committee entered executive session to conduct interviews. One hospitality tax applicant did not attend and the committee voted to re‑advertise both hospitality tax vacancies. The committee said it interviewed Lorraine Eck for the Lexington‑Richland Alcohol and Drug Council vacancy and later moved to appoint Joseph Cerniglia to a separate vacancy. The meeting ended after staff reviewed the vacancy schedule and deadlines.

The committee cited South Carolina statutory language concerning the joint appointment (cited in the packet as South Carolina Code §51‑13‑20 and county minutes from 1947) as the basis for the clarified description. Members asked staff to ensure the posted notice and website language reflect the amended description before the advertisement goes live.

The Rules and Appointments Committee adjourned after approving the items and directing staff to proceed with advertisement and appointment steps.