September 2019 City Manager Spotlight
September 3, 2019
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. The City Manager’s Spotlight on September 2019 reflects important initiatives that will highlight major projects in the City of Columbia as well as events and upcoming meetings. Here is a snapshot of the September Spotlight.
September 2019
City of Columbia Hires New Assistant City Manager for Operations
The City of Columbia has announced a new member to its executive management team.
Henry M. Simons has been named the new Assistant City Manager for Operations effective August 12, 2019. In his role, Simons will oversee operations for four major City departments including the Parks and Recreation Department, Support Services, Fleet Services and the Columbia-Richland Communications Center (CRC 911 Center).
“We are excited that Henry Simons has joined our executive management staff and we look forward to working with him to make the city’s operations team even stronger,” City Manager Teresa Wilson said. “We are always focused on ways to improve efficiency and increase effectiveness, and Henry’s vast experience will certainly move us closer to the level of excellence that we are working to achieve.”
City Manager Wilson publicly introduced Simons during the August 6 Columbia City Council meeting. After a brief introduction to Council, Simons then met with the department heads that are categorized under Operations within the City of Columbia’s organizational structure.
“I am very thankful for an opportunity to work for the City of Columbia,” Simmons said. “I look forward to working with our city leaders and our community to make a difference in the lives of our citizens.”
9 September 2019
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.
Central Midlands Council of Governments
Seeking 1 (one) applicant for Appointment.
The purpose of this council is to prepare studies and make recommendations on such matters as it deems appropriate; coordinate and promote cooperative programs and action with and among its members and other governmental and nongovernmental entities, including those of other states; study and make recommendations on matters affecting the public health, control, utilities, planning, development and such other matters as the common interest of the participating governments may dictate; and to provide continuing technical assistance and information to the member local governments and other agencies and individuals.- Term- 3 years
Columbia Museum of Art
Seeking 1 (one) applicant for Appointment.
The Columbia Museum of Art Commission manages the investments and the maintenance, preservation and exhibition of its art collection. Applicants must reside within the corporate limits of the City of Columbia. Term- 5 years
Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission
Seeking two (2) Applicants for Appointment; one applicant must have experience as a Developer/ Realtor.
The Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission has the following powers and duties: To review and recommend policies and ordinances affecting the planting, removal and preservation of trees on public and private property; provide advice on the allocation of resources and policies for the planting, care and removal of trees in the City of Columbia; serve as an advisory body to the City Forestry and Beautification Superintendent in the administration of this article; review and make recommendations related to the City Forestry and Beautification Division’s annual work plan and any comprehensive urban forestry or reforestation plans; provide public education and advocacy on tree value, preservation and care; make recommendations to City Council on disbursements of the Columbia Landscape and Tree Fund; oversee the development and implementation of a master plan for the beautification of the City of Columbia; and advise the City and its boards and commissions regarding landscaping, tree planting, protection and removal. CTAC helps sponsor the annual Arbor Day celebration, Treasured Tree program and Columbia Choice Awards. Term- 3 years
Design/ Development Review Commission
Seeking one (1) Applicant for Appointment.
Applicant must have experience as a City Planner. The purpose of the Design/Development Review Commission (DDRC) is to review and approve work proposed within the City’s historic districts, urban design areas, and upon designated landmarks. Term – 3 years.
Election Commission
Seeking 1 (one) Applicant for Appointment.
The purpose of the Municipal Election Commission determines the eligibility of candidates seeking office; counts and verifies absentee ballots to ensure the integrity of the election process in accordance with state statute; conducts Protest Hearings and certifies the results of all municipal elections. Applicants must reside within the City Limits. Term- 6 years
Property Maintenance Board of Appeals
Seeking 5 (five) Applicants for Appointment.
The Property Maintenance Board of Appeals (PMBoA) is a volunteer group established for the purpose of hearing appeals to decisions by the Housing Official or to a notice of violation of the International Property Maintenance Code. Appointees must reside within the corporate limits of the City of Columbia. Term- 3 years.
Deadline –Applications are due no later than September 9, 2019 at 5pm.
For applications and more information contact Ashley Jenkins at (803) 545-3026 or send a request to [email protected]. You can also visit our website at http://www.columbiasc.net/boards-commissions to download an application.
10-21 September 2019
City of Columbia Bicyclist & Pedestrian Counts: Volunteer to help make the City of Columbia a safer place to walk and ride!
The City of Columbia is seeking volunteers in September to help conduct our 6th annual Bicyclist & Pedestrian Counts throughout Columbia. By counting pedestrians and bicyclists, volunteers help to ensure that all of the City’s residents count: transit riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists are often not accounted for in traffic studies – the same traffic studies used to make important decisions about our City’s landscape. In counting, volunteers are also taking part in a national effort: The National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project.
The City targets key intersections and crossings for pedestrian and bicyclist counts; these are locations which are heavily used, and at many of these locations pedestrians and/or bicyclists have been injured or killed. By collecting data annually, on weekdays and weekends, we are able to provide valuable and robust feedback to the many agencies that plan for our roadways. The survey will help us better understand who uses the City’s roadways – streets and sidewalks included – and how they use them. A greater understanding of people’s behavior, as well as new data, will help to influence people-oriented planning and policy that inspires walkable, bikable, and livable transportation design.
Volunteer to count as many times as you please! Eight time slots are available, and each of the 32 locations must be counted once on a weekday and once on a Saturday. Surveyors will count pedestrians and cyclists at one location for two hours.
WHAT:
City of Columbia Bicyclist & Pedestrian Counts
WHEN:
Volunteer to count as many times as you please! Eight time slots are available, and each location must be counted once on a weekday and once on a Saturday:
- Tuesday, September 10, 7:30-9:30 AM
- Wednesday, September 11, 7:30-9:30 AM
- Thursday, September 12, 7:30-9:30 AM
- Saturday, September 14, 10:00AM-12:00PM (noon)
- Tuesday, September 17, 7:30-9:30 AM
- Wednesday, September 18, 7:30-9:30 AM
- Thursday, September 19, 7:30-9:30 AM
- Saturday, September 21, 10:00AM-12:00PM (noon)
WHERE:
Sign up at https://form.jotform.com/91706220000135;
counts occur at 33 locations throughout Columbia
WHO:
Open to the public
To sign up, visit https://form.jotform.com/91706220000135. If you have questions regarding the Annual Bicyclist & Pedestrian Count effort, contact Planning and Development Services Department at 803-545-3213. For information on the City’s Planning efforts, including the Walk Bike Columbia Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan, and the Walkable 29203 Pedestrian Master Plan, visit https://www.columbiasc.gov/depts/planning-preservation/docs/area_plans/29203_finalpedplan.pdf.
For information on the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project, visit http://bikepeddocumentation.org/.
16-18 September 2019
Columbia Municipal Court Closings
Columbia Municipal Court will be closed on September 16, 17 and 18, 2019 for yearly judges’ training.
The courthouse will be open for regular business hours but no court sessions will occur.
20 September 2019
The City of Columbia invites YOU to participate in Columbia’s 5th 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 South Carolina Chapter of 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 20th. 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.
Park(ing) Day is about designing open space that not only attracts but also engages the community through the physical design of the space itself. Your park 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.
26-28 September 2019
Upcoming Meetings
Board of Zoning Appeals Meetings
The Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will take place on September 10, 2019, at 10 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
Design and Development Review Commission
The Design and Development Review Commission meeting will take place on September 12, 2019, at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission meeting will take place on September 9, 2019, at 5:15 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
City Council Meeting
The City Council will hold a work session September 17, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. and also a meeting on, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
