The City Manager’s Spotlight – August 2017
August 2, 2017
The City Manager’s Spotlight provides details about what is happening in the City of Columbia in an effort to keep citizens informed about City operations. This month we are highlighting National Night Out, a homebuyer workshop. The City Manager’s Spotlight for August 2017 reflects important initiatives that will highlight major projects in the City of Columbia.
National night out will be celebrated in neighborhoods across the city on Tuesday, August 1. Please visit columbiasc.net for more information.
Clear the Shelter
WHAT: Columbia Animal Services, along with Lexington County Animal Services, will be hosting a Clear the Shelter adoption special. Adoptions for all animals will be free at both Animal Services locations.
WHO: Columbia Animal Services and Lexington County Animal Services
WHEN: Saturday, August 19, 2017
WHERE: 127 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC 29209 and 321 Ballpark Rd. Lexington, SC 29072
For more information, contact Columbia Animal Services at 803-776-7387 or Lexington County Animal Services at 803-785-8149.
City Community Development to Host Two-Part Homebuyer Workshop
The City of Columbia’s Community Development Department will host a two-part Homebuyer Workshop on Tuesday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at the Richland County Library North Main branch, located at 5306 North Main St., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Both workshops are 2 hour sessions and the topics for discuss will be the home buying process, money management, understanding credit and getting a mortgage loan.
During the second session a certificate will be given to each participant for completing both sessions and a drawing will be held for a participant to win an Amazon Fire Tablet. Light refreshments will be served.
The workshops are free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register please visit http://gate.columbiasc.gov/hbw2017/ or contact Community Development at 803-545-3373.
Imagine Mill District Public Presentation
The City of Columbia Planning & Development Services Department invites the public to attend a presentation of the DRAFT Capital City Mill District Area and Corridor Plan. Imagine Mill District is a planning effort to develop a community vision for the future of the Whaley, Olympia, and Granby neighborhoods – the Capital City Mill District. The planning process is concluding, and the draft plan will be available online in early August at www.imaginemilldistrict.com. Comments will be accepted until August 24, 2017 via [email protected].
WHAT: Imagine Mill District Public Presentation
WHEN: Thursday, August 17, 6:00-8:00 p.m.; presentation will begin promptly at 6:15 p.m.
WHERE: 701 Whaley in the Grand Hall
WHO: Open to the public
For more information, visit www.imaginemilldistrict.com or contact the Planning and Development Services Department at 803-545-3222
The City of Columbia invites YOU to participate in Columbia’s 3rd Annual Park(ing) Day!
PARK(ing) Day is an annual open-source global event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public places. The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!
We are excited to announce that the City of Columbia, in partnership with the American Society for Landscape Architects and One Columbia for Arts and History, is again helping to facilitate Park(ing) Day, a national event that takes place on Friday, September 15th. This event is about reclaiming on-street parking spaces as public space for people, for one day out of the year (10AM- 4PM). Participants design and install temporary elements that can include seating, art, games, plants, etc. to encourage people to interact in the public right-of-way.
And we want you to join in.
Your park can be anything that a park can. It can be a nice place to sit and read. It can be a place for a sculpture. It can be an outdoor art gallery. It can be a botanical garden. It can foster community dialogue. It can be a picnic area. It just takes a bit of imagination and an application.
How to Par(k)ticipate:
- Get the Application
- Plan your Park
- Get the necessary insurance, or if you are an artist or with an arts organization, contact One Columbia ([email protected] or 803-254-5008) for support
- Complete the Application
- Submit the Application by 5 pm Friday, August 11, 2017
- Apply to bag your meter by noon, Friday, September 8, 2017
To sign up, visit http://www.columbiasc.gov/depts/development-inspections/docs/park_ing__day_application_2017_form.pdf . If you have questions regarding the Park(ing) Day, contact Planning and Development Services Department at 803-545-0229. For information on the international Park(ing) Day movement, see http://parkingday.org/ .
City Disaster Recovery Program July Sessions
Recovery Assistance for Impacted Neighborhoods (RAIN) during October 2015 flood
On Wednesday, August 2, the City of Columbia Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery staff will host their final Disaster Recovery Program Session. The Disaster Recovery Program Sessions are for Recovery Assistance for Impacted Neighborhoods (RAIN) from the October 2015 flood.
The first kick-off session was held on Monday, July 10, 2017 at Charles R. Drew Wellness Center from noon – 1:30 p.m. Approximately 30 participants attended the session and were able to learn about RAIN and what documents will be needed to verify households, composition, income, property ownership and principle residency. Two case managers were present and citizens were given the opportunity to schedule one-on-one appointments with the case managers to discuss individual flooding issues.
“Even though this meeting was the preliminary, it was good and very informational,” said Eartha Jenkins. “It’s a huge step towards the more critical step to find out if I qualify and what can happen. This gives us hope in expecting help for our unmet needs.”
“I want to thank all residents who made the effort to attend one of our outreach meetings today. Many of them are elderly, have limited resources, and are more likely to have difficulty navigating the disaster recovery process. These residents patiently have been dealing with flood damaged housing for almost two years, and we want to help them repair their homes as quickly as possible,” said Maya Gorman. “I congratulate them for having the courage to take the next step in this often frustrating process toward rebuilding their lives.”
Disaster recovery information sessions have been held throughout the month of July in each Council District to allow citizens an opportunity to attend meetings convenient to where they reside.
Upcoming disaster recovery sessions will be held in the following locations:
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
1113 Parkside Drive (Earlewood Park)
For more information, please contact Community Development at 803-545-3373.
Advertisement of Vacancies on Various Boards and Commissions
The City of Columbia is accepting applications to fill several vacancies on the following boards and commissions.
Columbia Housing Authority Commission
Seeking two (2) Applicants for Re-Appointment/Appointment. Applicant must reside within the city limits. The mission of the Columbia Housing Authority is “to meet the emerging affordable housing needs of low to moderate-income individuals and families in Columbia and Richland County while promoting self-reliance and improving their quality of life.” Term – 5 years.
Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission
Seeking one (1) Applicant for Appointment.
The purpose of this commission is to protect, enhance and promote the City of Columbia’s natural resources and visual beauty. They oversee the development of a master plan for the beautification of the City of Columbia and its implementation. Term – 2 years.
Parks and Recreation Foundation
Seeking one (1) Applicant.
Columbia Parks and Recreation Foundation enhances the leisure service opportunities in the City of Columbia by improving the scope and quality of educational and human development programs. It encourages, recruits, receives, and administers gifts, devises, and donations by deed, will or otherwise, for the advancement of the City of Columbia Parks & Recreation Department. Term – 3 years.
Richland County Board of Assessment Appeals
Seeking one (1) Applicant for Appointment.
The Board of Assessment Appeals purpose is to equalize the value of the real and personal property of Richland County and to hear all grievances and appeals from the valuation and assessments by the Assessor. Term – 3 years.
Deadline –Applications are due no later than August 4, 2017, at 5 p.m.
For applications and more information contact Chanique Belton at (803) 545-3546 or send a request to [email protected]. You can also visit our website at http://www.columbiasc.net/boards-commissions to download an application.
City Launched 30-day Public and Safety Education Campaign for Columbia Total Solar Eclipse
The City of Columbia began a 30-day public and safety education campaign as the community counts down to the total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017. “Our internal planning process and initial discussions regarding the eclipse operations began in September 2016, so we have been focused on this event for some time and actively engaged in assessing public safety and other operations,” said Columbia City Manager, Teresa Wilson.
The City’s social media platforms and website currently have public and safety tips for citizens to view and receive information about city operations such as: parking, police assistance, traffic control, street closures and more.
“We are primarily focused on ensuring that our citizens and visitors to our city have access to information that will allow them to not only enjoy this historic experience, but also enjoy it in a safe and beneficial way. The City of Columbia is engaged in community-wide operations and city staff are working diligently to be prepared for this large scale event,” City Manager Teresa Wilson.
“The Public and Media Relations Department is committed to providing our citizens with accurate and up-to-date information regarding the City’s operations both before and during the Total Eclipse Weekend,” said Leshia Utsey, the Public and Media Relations Director. “We will be using all of the communications outlets at our disposal in order to disseminate information throughout the City and we look forward to working with our media partners, community leaders and the public during this endeavor.”
The City of Columbia has begun to send out (CRA) Columbia-Richland Alerts to notify citizens about the total solar eclipse. Columbia officials are encouraging all citizens to follow the City’s social media platforms and visit their website at www.columbiasc.net to stay informed. The City of Columbia has begun to send out weekly public and safety updates where citizens can receive information through the city e-blasts and newsletters. To receive City updates, please email a request to [email protected].
For additional information, please contact the Public and Media Relations Department at 803-545-3020.
Meetings
August 1 – City Council Meeting, 2-5 p.m., City Hall, 1737 Main St.
August 7 – Planning Commission, 5:15 p.m., City Hall, 1737 Main St.
August 10 – Design/Development Review Commission (DDRC) Meeting, 4 p.m., City Hall, 1737 Main St.
August 14 – Bike Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), 4:30 p.m., Richland County Library Main Branch, 1431 Assembly St.
August 15 – City Council Work Session, 2 p.m., City Hall, 1737 Main St.,
August 15 – City Council Meeting, 6 p.m., City Hall, 1737 Main St.
About Teresa Wilson
Teresa Wilson is the City Manager for the City of Columbia, South Carolina. For more details on the City Manager, visit ColumbiaSC.net/city-manager. City Manager Wilson can be reached at [email protected] or 803-545-3026. For more information about the City of Columbia, visit ColumbiaSC.net.
