The City of Columbia City Council met for a Work Session on Wednesday, April 02, 2003, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina.  Mayor Robert D. Coble called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.  Council members present were The Honorable E. W. Cromartie, II, The Honorable Jim D. N. Papadea, The Honorable Anne M. Sinclair, The Honorable Hamilton Osborne, Jr. and The Honorable Tameika C. Isaac.  Absent was The Honorable Sam Davis due to a family illness.  Also present were Mr. Charles Austin, Sr., Interim City Manager and Ms. Pamela J. Ferst, City Clerk.

**Main Street Streetscape Project – Mr. Jim Gambrell, Director of Economic Development

Upon motion by Mr. Papadea, seconded by Mr. Cromartie, Council voted unanimously to allow the median to remain down Main Street and directed staff to designate a time frame during the morning hours when parking is permitted in the median.

CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION / ACTION

A. Canal Embankment Three Rivers Greenway – Mr. Mike Dawson

Mr. Bob Staton, thanked Ms. Isaac and Ms. Sinclair for enhancing the work relations and communications with the City of Columbia.  He told Council that they are currently working on a guide that would extend the Three Rivers Greenway from three (3) miles to six (6) miles.  He said that it is important to continue to pursue property for the Congaree Riverwalk and to develop an Operating Agreement.

Mr. Mike Dawson, River Alliance, appeared before Council to present an update on the Canal Embankment portion of the Three Rivers Greenway.

B. Lake Katherine Dredging Project – Mr. David Johnson, Director of Engineering

Mr. David Johnson, Director of Engineering, told the members of Council that Little Lake Katherine is filled with sediment within approximately 1’ of the water surface.  He said that the sediment comes from Penn Branch and Gills Creek.  Mr. Johnson stated that this project is on the list for fiscal year 2003/04 funding, but it will compete with other projects.

Mr. Yancey McLeod, Yancey Environmental Solutions, LLC, stated that the Gills Creek Watershed is approximately 76 square miles and is the largest watershed in Richland County.  He told the members of Council that Little Lake Katherine at the confluence of Penn Branch and Gills Creek is just about full of silt and has no capacity for storm water storage or filtration.  Mr. McLeod suggested that Mr. David Johnson, Mr. John Dooley and the Association work together to examine the possibility of going in the manmade water way and perform a series of low profile structures to compartmentalize the water way and trap the sediment.  He suggested that this would make it easier to remove the sediment.
 
Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Mr. Osborne, Council voted unanimously to direct staff to proceed with the appropriate engineering studies; dredging or another method of correcting the silt problem; a study of the long term prevention of the reoccurrence of sedimentation; and to provide the dimensions of a specific project that would alleviate the sedimentation problems.

Mr. Yancey McLeod, Yancey Environmental Solutions, LLC, informed the members of Council that a lake in a subdivision near I-26 and Highway 21 has a tremendous problem with trash being swept off the road, into closed storm water systems and then discharged into the lake.  He explained that he invented a giant colander to catch the trash and if it works it could serve many neighborhoods.

C. Development Services Bi-Annual Operation Sign Off April 12th
- Mr. Marc Mylott, Development Services Administrator

Mr. Marc Mylott, Zoning Administration, announced that the 2nd Operation Sign Off event would take place on April 12, 2003.

Ms. Mary Pat Balduf, Keep America Beautiful of the Midlands, announced that the Great American Clean-up takes place from mid March until mid May, five (5) clean-up events would take place on April 12, 2003 and the week of April 21-26, 2003 is Clean Columbia Neighborhood Week.

D. Intersection Improvements – Kathwood Drive and Woodlake Road
    -  Mr. David Brewer
   A three-way stop at Kathwood / Woodlake intersection
   A 25 mph speed limit on Woodlake between Kathwood and Shady Lane and on Kathwood
   Speed bumps on Woodlake Drive

Upon motion by Mr. Osborne, seconded by Mr. Papadea, Council voted unanimously to direct staff to proceed with reducing the corner radius to make the intersection of Kathwood Drive and Woodlake Road more of a TEE-type, which would force traffic to travel more slowly and make compliance of all traffic controls more likely.  The estimated cost for materials is $6,400.00.  Modifications to the intersection should be constructed and conditions re-evaluated prior to requesting approval of a multi-way stop control from SCDOT.

E. Community Promotions / Contingency Advisory Committee Appointments

There was a consensus of Council to direct staff to obtain nominations for appointments from Council and present a slate of members at the meeting of April 09, 2003.

EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION

Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Mr. Papadea, Council voted unanimously to go into Executive Session at 10:27 a.m. to discuss Items F. through G. as amended.

F. Discussion of negotiations incidental to proposed contractual arrangements
- LDR and HNTB
- Lobbyists contracts
These items were discussed in executive session, no was action taken.

G. **Receipt of legal advice, which relates to a matter covered by attorney-client privilege
- Public Hearing on April 11, 2003 - Mr. Richard Gergel, Labor Attorney
- Zoning matter relating to Dreher High School

Mayor Coble adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted by:
Pamela J. Ferst, CPS
City Clerk