The City Manager’s Spotlight: June 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. The City Manager’s Spotlight for July 2017 reflects important initiatives that will highlight major projects in the City of Columbia. Here is a snapshot of the July Spotlight.

 

Columbia Water Leads the Way in Lower Saluda Water Quality Program

Columbia Water is excited to partner with the Lower Saluda River Coalition to monitor water quality in the Lower Saluda River this summer. The wastewater division will be working with local partners to monitor water quality in the river weekly to ensure a safe environment for area river users.

Columbia Water is providing funding to aid in the costs of sampling and testing water from eight monitoring locations. Testing began on Wednesday, June 21 and will run weekly through September this year. In future years, testing will run May to September. Water quality information gathered will be kept current online at www.HowsMySCRiver.org. The site will be updated weekly after sampling is completed. This is the first program of its type for inland waters.

Clint Shealy, Columbia Water’s Director of Utilities, is looking forward to the City’s involvement in the program.

“Columbia Water is pleased to be a part of this river water quality monitoring initiative,” said Shealy. “We hope this information is helpful to our community as we use these precious river resources for recreational purposes.”

The Lower Saluda River Coalition is made up of river-related businesses, environmental groups, local and state government, property owners, industry and other users of the river. Its main purpose is to ensure the safety of individuals recreating on the rivers and to educate the public on issues related to natural waters.

Columbia Water is the drinking water, wastewater and stormwater utility owned and operated by the City of Columbia. For more information, visit www.columbiasc.net/utilities-engineering.

 

City Offices to Close in Observance of Independence Day

City of Columbia offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 in observance of Independence Day. Emergency police, fire and rescue services may be reached by calling 9-1-1. Recycling, garbage and yard waste will remain on regular schedule for the holiday.

 

U.S. EPA to facilitate Rocky Branch Greenway Design Charrette

The City of Columbia is one of six cities selected for technical assistance with sustainable design strategies under the U.S. EPA’s Greening America’s Communities (GAC) Program. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Greening America’s Communities program provides opportunities to identify growth and reinvestment in the neighborhood while protecting human health and the environment. The consultant team of McLeod Landscape Architects and MKSK will seek to aid the City with visualizing and developing implementable strategies to transform the neglected waterway into an asset that connects the Capital City Mill District and the Columbia community. The three-day charrette will assemble a multi-talented group that will provide varying viewpoints regarding the City’s needs in urban planning, economic development, environmental awareness, multi-modal mobility and community advocates. During the charrette, the team will lead discussions and propose design opportunities for the designated area of Rocky Branch with context placed on the Rocky Branch Greenway. Opportunities will include input and strategies to address storm water management, neighborhood connectivity, site benefits, site rehabilitation and neighborhood unity.

During the charrette process, the consultants will solicit comment from focus groups and the public, inclusive of a public presentation and engagement on Tuesday, July 11 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. and a public open house on Thursday, July 13 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.  All activities during the three-day charrette will be held at 701 Whaley St., in the Olympia Room (on the second floor).

The charrette will focus on five areas for detailed study, centered around the Dreyfus Road property owned by the City. Maps of existing conditions and views of the following will be provided to inform and encourage discussion: a wetland overlook, a stream crossing, restoration of the Rocky Branch, a gathering space and neighborhood connections.

WHAT:  U.S. EPA Greening America’s Communities Design Charrette for Rocky Branch Greenway
WHEN:  Public Presentation and Engagement, Tuesday, July 11 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.; Public Open House, Thursday, July 13 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

WHERE:  701 Whaley St., Olympia Room (second floor)

WHO:  Open to the public

For more information about the charrette, contact Leigh DeForth, Project Manager, at 803-545-4864 or [email protected].  For more information about the Greening America’s Communities program, visit https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/greening-americas-communities.

 

Owens Field Park Miracle League Field and Playground Grand Opening Ceremony

The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department will host a grand opening ceremony for Owens Field Park Miracle League Field and Playground.

WHAT: Owens Field Park Miracle League Field and Playground Grand Opening Ceremony

WHEN: Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.

WHO: Mayor Steve Benjamin, City Council members, Richland County Councilman Seth Rose, City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Staff, Rosewood Community President Mike Miller, USC Athletic Director Ray Tanner and Vice President of National Programs Miracle League Stephanie Davis

WHERE: Owens Field Park, 1351 Jim Hamilton Blvd., Columbia, SC 29205

For additional information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 803-545-3100.

 

Columbia Animal Services Hosts Two-Day Adoption Special

The City of Columbia Animal Services will be dropping adoption rates during its two-day special on July 21 and 22. Normal adoption fees are $35 per animal, but dogs and cats will be available for adoption for just $10 during the special. All adoptions will include spay/neuter, micro-chip, feline leukemia/heartworm test, initial vaccines and deworming. The special will be held at Columbia Animal Services, 127 Humane Lane.

To view animals available for adoption, visit Petfinder.com. For more information, visit https://www.columbiasc.net/animal-services or call 803-776-PETS (7387). 

 

Meetings

Tuesday, July 18 – City Council Work Session at 2 p.m./ City Council Meeting and Public Hearing at 6 p.m. on third floor Council Chambers of 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.