The City of Columbia City Council met for a Work Session on Wednesday, April 09, 2003, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina.  Mayor Robert D. Coble called the meeting to order at 9:07 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.
 
· Mr. Davis joined the meeting via conference call but did not vote.
 
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION / ACTION

A. Dreher High School Academic Decathlon Team, South Carolina State Champions

The Dreher High School Academic Decathlon Team Students and Advisors were acknowledged by City Council as the South Carolina State Champions.  Council wished them much success as they prepare to participate in the National Competition in Erie, Pennsylvania.
 
A1. **Convention Center Briefing – Mr. John Hardy, SCDOT

Mr. John Hardy, SCDOT, explained that the Joint Bond Review Committee and the Budget & Control Board has approved the requested property swap.  He stated that official notification takes two (2) weeks and then deeds will be prepared so that the property swap can take place.

B. Collaborative Economics and Regional Stewardship  - Mr. Mike Briggs, CCEDA

Mr. Mike Briggs, CCEDA, requested funding in the amount of $17, 500 for a Cluster Analysis as part of the sponsorship by the city of Columbia and the counties of Richland and Lexington.  An amount of $17,500 was requested for fiscal year 2002/2003 and an additional $17,500 for fiscal year 2003/2004.  Council has asked that this appear on next week’s agenda and that staff look for a funding solution.

C. Community Promotions / Contingency Advisory Committee Appointments

Member nominations were taken from each Council member with the Mayor to nominate five (5) additional members to the Community Promotions / Contingency Advisory Committee

D. **Historic Columbia Foundation Request for Funding

City Council did not discuss this item as the Interim City Manager informed Council members that the matter had been resolved.

E. Resolution No.:  R-2003-023 – Authorizing Sidewalk Sales for Logan Raye at 801 Gervais Street

Upon motion by Mr. Cromartie, seconded by Ms. Sinclair, Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution No.: R-2003-023 – Authorizing Sidewalk Sales for Logan Raye at 801 Gervais Street.

E1. **St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Five Points Request for Funding – Mr. Dennis Hiltner, President

Upon motion by Ms. Sinclair, seconded by Mr. Cromartie, Council voted five (5) to one (1) to direct Mr. Austin, ICM to expend $38,000.00 of unencumbered funds to cover the Five Points Association’s deficit that occurred when the event was rained out on March 15, 2003.  Voting aye were Mr. Cromartie, Mr. Papadea, Ms. Sinclair, Ms. Isaac and Mayor Coble.  Voting nay was Mr. Osborne.

Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Mr. Osborne, Council voted unanimously to go into Executive Session at 10:08 a.m. to discuss Items F. through H. as amended.

EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION

F. Discussion of negotiations incidental to proposed contractual arrangements
- Hotel Development Team MOU – Mr. Joel Gottlieb and Mr. Steve Gantt
 This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.

· Mayor Coble reconvened the Work Session at 10:50 a.m.

- Hotel Feasibility Study – Mr. Steve Gantt and Mr. Brent Robertson

Upon motion by Mayor Coble, seconded by Mr. Cromartie, Council voted unanimously to authorize staff to enter into an agreement with PKF Consulting of Atlanta, Georgia to perform an independent feasibility study for the Convention Center Hotel with an estimated cost between $23,000.00 and $28,000.00 plus out of pocket expenses.  Mr. Papadea and Mr. Osborne abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest.

· Mayor Coble reconvened the Executive Session at 11:03 a.m.
 
 - **LDR and HNTB
      This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.

- **Potential real estate contract with the University of South Carolina
     This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.

 G. **Receipt of legal advice which relates to a pending, threatened or potential claim - Stormwater Utility Ordinance Revision – Mr. Steve Gantt, ACM
  This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.

 H. **Discussion of termination of a city employee
    This item was discussed in Executive Session, no action was taken.
 
 Mayor Coble adjourned the meeting at 12:17 p.m.
 

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