The City Manager’s Spotlight – January 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 on January 2017 reflects important initiatives that will highlight major projects in the City of Columbia. Here is a snapshot of the January Spotlight.

 

The Future of Columbia

City Council Vision Statement Launches on January 31

Throughout 2016, Columbia City Council members worked diligently to come up with a strategic plan to improve the overall quality of life in the city. That strategic plan, known as City Council’s Vision Statement, describes what their ideal state for citizens, businesses, students and tourists will be in the future. Think of it as a detailed roadmap that has distinct directions from one destination to the next. It is a complete layout of new ideas and goals for Columbia to reach its full potential.

So, what does YOUR Columbia look like in the future? Find out on January, 31 2017 when the Mayor unveils the vision statement at his State of the City Address. In the meantime, Columbia City Council wants YOU to help them with deciding the official hashtag for their vision statement kick-off in 2017.

Will the official hashtag for City Council’s Vision Statement be #VisionColumbia or #EnvisionColumbia? The choice is yours. Voting begins on Saturday, December 31st and ends on Sunday, January 15th. To vote, please visit our website at Columbiasc.net, our twitter page (@CityofColumbia) or our facebook page (facebook.com/CityofColumbia).

For more information on how to vote, please contact the Public and Media Relations Department at (803) 545-3020.

 

City of Columbia Accepting Nominations for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Keeper Scholarship Awards

The City of Columbia is accepting nominations for the 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Keeper Scholarship Awards.

The Dream Keeper Award recognizes exemplary displays of committed service to the tenets of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The ideals of social responsibility, political empowerment, diversity, racial harmony, nonviolence, and unselfish service must be demonstrated voluntarily by the nominee in support of his or her community and fellow citizens.

The nominee must be age 18 or younger and enrolled in school with a minimum 2.0 grade point average.

Winners will be announced at the City of Columbia’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, January 16, 2017, at 4 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Community Center, 2300 Greene Street. Nominees must attend the celebration.

Applications are available online for download or at the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, 1111 Parkside Drive, Columbia, SC 29203.

Applications must be returned by the following methods:

• In person at the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, 1111 Parkside Drive, Columbia, SC 29203.
• By mail to the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, 1111 Parkside Drive, Columbia, SC 29203. Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, January 4, 2017.
• Submit completed application as a PDF file to [email protected].

For more information, contact Shireese M. Bell at 803-545-3100 or [email protected], or visit www.columbiasc.net.

 

29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

The City of Columbia’s 29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will be held on Monday, January 16, 2017, at 4 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Community Center, 2300 Greene Street.

The City of Columbia and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation announced that Claflin University President Dr. Henry Tisdale will be the keynote speaker. Tisdale has served as the university’s president since 1994.

The celebration will also include performances from Lower Richland High School and Claflin University’s Concert Choir.

A Wreath Laying Ceremony commemorating the historic marker honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held at 3:06 p.m. at the corner of Harden and Greene streets on Monday, January 16. Members of the Alpha Psi Lambda and Omicron Iota Lambda chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will lead the ceremony.

On Saturday, January 14, 2017, the Omicron Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Bridging the Gap With Alpha, Inc. will hold the 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. 5K Run/Walk and Family Fun Run at 8 a.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park located at 2300 Greene Street.

Registration fees for the 5K Run/Walk will vary. The cost for the race or walk is $20 – $35. Medals will be awarded to the first three male and female finishers in 15 age divisions.

Proceeds from the race will benefit The Alpha Academy, which provides mentorship and guidance to prepare high school juniors and seniors for college and adulthood.

Applications are available by calling (803) 799-4786, emailing [email protected] or registering online at www.strictlyrunning.com.

For more information about the race, contact Willie L. Odom at 803-254-8070 or [email protected].

For more information about the 29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, contact Shireese M. Bell at 803-545-3100 or [email protected], or visit www.columbiasc.net.

 

City Offers Ranger-Led Programs in January to Enhance Understanding of the Local Nature Scene

January Ranger Program Schedule:

Columbia Canal History Tour | Tuesday, January 10 from 6-7 p.m.

The Columbia Canal has been part of our city’s growth and innovation for almost 200 years. Learn about the original 1820s canal, the present 1890s canal, and the historic buildings that surround us.

Meet at the Red Schoolhouse at Riverfront Park South area parking lot, 312 Laurel St.

Southeast Park Wildlife Walk | Thursday, January 12 from 2-3:30 p.m.

Join us for a Ranger-led nature walk at Southeast Park. This 64 acre wooded park features a pond, hiking trails and abundant wildlife, including resident red foxes, deer and aquatic animals that thrive in the pond. It’s always a good idea to bring along binoculars and field guides as well as any essentials like water, warm clothing and sturdy walking footwear.

Meet at the Park Ranger station at Southeast Park, 951 Hazelwood Road

Rainbarrel Workshop | Saturday, January 14 at 10am, 11 am and Noon

Get smart; harvest rainwater! The City of Columbia wants to help you save money on your water bills by using rainwater instead of treated water to irrigate your garden. City of Columbia residents can also qualify for one FREE rain barrel per household; all we require is attending a FREE rain barrel workshop. Visit www.bluethumbrainbarrel.com and see if you qualify for a free rain barrel. Midlands area residents outside the City of Columbia are welcome to purchase discounted rain barrels and attend the workshop at no additional cost. Park Rangers will demonstrate how to put together and install your rain barrel. Afterward, you get to take your very own rain barrel home!

Meet at the Red Schoolhouse at Riverfront Park South area parking lot, 312 Laurel St.

Winter is for the Birds! | Tuesday, January 17 from 6pm -7pm

Learn about the birds at our park and in your back yards at this time of year. We’ll look around to find birds, so bring binoculars and field guides if you have them.

Afterward, we will assemble some pine cone and seed feeders that you can take home to encourage avian visitors to visit your own back yard.

Meet atop the Canal Head gates at Riverfront Park North parking lot, 4122 River Drive

Columbia Canal History | Saturday, January 21 from 2 pm-3:30pm

Join us for a Ranger-guided tour along the historic Columbia Canal and learn how it has been a part of Columbia’s growth and innovation for almost 200 years.

We’ll discuss the original canal, Columbia’s Waterworks, the earliest hydropower plants, and the SC State Penitentiary (CCI).

Meet at the Red Schoolhouse at Riverfront Park South area parking lot, 312 Laurel St.

Night Walk | Tuesday, January 24 from 6pm -7pm

Twilight in the park is the perfect time to observe nature, be it a spectacular sunset or the last flurry of activity for the day as birds settle for the long night ahead.

On clear nights, the stars emerge to illuminate our curiosity.

Meet atop the Canal Head gates at Riverfront Park North parking lot, 4122 River Drive

One Columbia, Two Canals, Three Rivers | Saturday, January 28 from 2 pm-3:30pm

Columbia developed because it is on the fall line. Walk with us to learn how Columbia used our waterways in the past; hear about the process now underway to evaluate the Columbia Canal following last year’s flood and discover pending additions to the Three Rivers Greenway along the beautiful Lower Saluda River.

Meet at the Red Schoolhouse at Riverfront Park South area parking lot, 312 Laurel St.

 

Meetings:

January 9 – Planning Commission (PC) Meeting 5:15 p.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street

http://www.columbiasc.net/calendar/1641

January 10 – Board of Zoning Appeals, 10:00 a.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street

http://www.columbiasc.net/calendar/1579

January 10 – City Council Work Session, 2: 00 p.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street

http://www.columbiasc.net/calendar/2231

January 10 – City Council Meeting, 6: 00 p.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street

http://www.columbiasc.net/calendar/2231

January 12 – Design/Development Review Commission (DDRC) Meeting, 4:00 p.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street

http://www.columbiasc.net/calendar/1650