Richland County commissioners hold executive session on Columbia Gas easement; no immediate action

The Richland County Board of Commissioners moved into executive session Tuesday to review a proposed Columbia Gas easement and returned with no action, saying officials need more legal review before deciding.

A representative of the prosecutor's office told the board Columbia Gas first contacted the county about updating an easement in March, followed up in May and worked through June to get a map exhibit to a form the company considered approved. The representative said Columbia Gas "has informed me that there is a railroad permit in play. They would like to start construction on this in July," and described the proposed document as "a pretty standard, formula" easement.

The prosecutor's office representative said the matter could involve attorney–client privilege and recommended the board move into executive session if commissioners wanted legal advice. "If you would like any legal advice on this, I'd recommend we go into executive session for the sale of, an interest in real property," the representative said.

Commissioner Cliff Meares asked whether the county should approve the easement; after discussion the board approved a motion to enter executive session to seek legal guidance. When the board reconvened, Meares announced, "There is no action to be taken at this time regarding the easement. We have more work to to do to look into this." The board did not set a timetable for further action.

The county did not vote on the easement during the meeting; commissioners said staff and counsel will continue to review the easement language and exhibits before bringing it back for action.