Administrative Policy Committee

Regular Meeting

Columbia, SC · June 17, 2025

Minutes

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The Administrative Policy Committee conducted a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., Chair called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. and the following members were present: Attendee Name Title Status Edward H. McDowell Chair Present Aditi Bussells Member Absent Peter M. Brown Member Present APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. October 15, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes – Approved Upon a motion made by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mr. McDowell, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the October 15, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes. COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 2. Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals - Ms. Pamela Benjamin, CPM, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services and Ms. Ashley Jenkins, MPA, Special Projects Coordinator – Endorse for City Council Consideration. Mr. Todd Beirs, Commercial Plans Examiner/ Planning and Development Services explained that the purpose of the Building Board of Appeals and the Building Board of Property Maintenance Appeals is to review cases related to interpretations of building codes. Both contractors and homeowners may bring matters before these boards. He clarified that the Building Board of Appeals cannot override or disregard the building code. The Building Board of Appeals focuses on construction, life safety, fire, and structural concerns. The Property Maintenance Board of Appeals hears appeals on decisions made by the Housing Official or notices of violations of the International Property Maintenance Code, primarily focusing on how buildings are maintained. He recommended keeping the boards separate, noting that overlapping cases are rare and the individuals that lead these boards have expertise in vastly separate fields. Page 1 of 2 ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025 There was discussion about the process of reviewing cases submitted to the boards; previous Council discussion about board combination; and the requirements for the boards’ existence. There was consensus of the committee to reestablish the Building Board of Appeals; endorse recommendations for the appointment of current applicants; and advertise for vacancies through the current process. 3. Renaming the Minority Business Advisory Council - Ms. Ayesha Driggers, Director of the Office of Business Opportunities – Endorsed for City Council Consideration. Ms. Ayesha Driggers, Director of the Office of Business Opportunities provided an overview of two advisory councils: the Minority Business Advisory Council (MBAC), established in 2013 to collaborate with OBO on procurement, training, and small business issues and the Mentor Protégé Advisory Council (MPAC), established in 2012 to review goals and make recommendations for the Mentor Protégé Program. OBO additionally recommended merging MPAC with the newly named council and to fill two MBAC vacancies with members of a current Mentor Protégé team. There was consensus of the committee to endorse the renaming of the Minority Business Advisory Council to the Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Council and to merge Mentor Protégé Advisory Council with the Small Business Advisory Council. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:19 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 2 of 2

Agenda

Packet

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025 The Administrative Policy Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may view the meeting online at www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions regarding the meeting. The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., Chair The Honorable Aditi Bussells, At-Large ▪ The Honorable Peter M. Brown, District IV Prior to entering the meeting, please silence all electronic communication devices. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes. CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. October 15, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 2. Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals - Ms. Pamela Benjamin, CPM, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services and Ms. Ashley Jenkins, MPA, Special Projects Coordinator 3. Renaming the Minority Business Advisory Council - Ms. Ayesha Driggers, Director of the Office of Business Opportunities ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1 1 MEETING DATE: June 17, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: October 15, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS: • APC_MN_10152024 (PDF) Updated: 6/13/2025 12:56 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 2 1.a ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024 Attachment: APC_MN_10152024 (9840 : October 15, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes) CALL TO ORDER The Administrative Policy Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), second floor, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., Chair called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. Attendee Name Title Status Edward H. McDowell Chair Present Aditi Bussells Member Present Peter M. Brown Member Present APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the June 18, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes Upon a motion made by Dr. Bussells and seconded by Mr. Brown, committee members voted unanimously to approve the June 18, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes. COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 2. Boards and Commissions - Ms. Pamela Benjamin, CPM, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services and Ms. Ashley Jenkins, MPA, Special Projects Coordinator Ms. Pamela Benjamin, CPM, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services provided an update on the current status of boards and commissions. She noted challenges with a lack of applicants. She suggested a work session to review the handbook and emphasized the need for internal staff discussions to increase awareness and broaden outreach to citizens. Dr. Bussells asked that additional reminders be sent to Council for appointments to boards and commissions. There was discussion about the transition to online applications; committee nomination process; vetting procedures; and the internal approval queue. Page 1 of 3 Packet Pg. 3 1.a ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024 Attachment: APC_MN_10152024 (9840 : October 15, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes) 3. Plurality Voting System - Ms. Erika Hammond, CMC, City Clerk Ms. Erika Hammond, CMC, City Clerk reviewed the current voting system and the benefits and challenges of potentially changing it. The City of Columbia currently uses the majority voting system which requires candidates to secure over 50% of the vote, leading to runoff elections when no candidate achieves a majority vote. This system has resulted in additional costs and can cause voter fatigue. South Carolina law also allows for a plurality voting system where the candidate with the most votes win, thereby eliminating the need for runoff elections. There was discussion about the price differential for runoff elections; voter participation; citizen benefits; voter commitment and engagement; and a citizen survey. There was consensus of the committee to consider a survey for citizen feedback on changing the city’s voting system in the future. 4. Vehicles for Hire - Mr. William "Skip" Holbrook, Columbia Police Chief Mr. William "Skip" Holbrook, Columbia Police Chief briefly addressed concerns from a longtime taxi driver about the differences between taxicabs and ride-sharing programs. The current taxicab regulations and requirements are outdated and some fees are deemed unnecessary. He emphasized the need to maintain a registry for individuals authorized to operate a taxicab within the city. Sergeant Robert Uhall, Traffic Unit/Columbia Police Department shared the current rideshare rules. In South Carolina, rideshares are considered Transportation Network Companies and the regulations are similar to the city's existing rules. To drive for a rideshare company in Columbia, drivers need to get a chauffeur's license from the Columbia Police Department. Requirements include a South Carolina driver's license, 10-year driving record, criminal background check, notarized application, physical exam, negative Tuberculosis test and drug test, and a hospitality class certificate. All chauffeur’s permits must be renewed every three years and vehicles must be inspected annually. He recommended extending the renewal period from three years to 10 years. There was discussion about the regulations for rideshare drivers; next steps for incorporating changes in the ordinance; and a timeline for implementing changes. Page 2 of 3 Packet Pg. 4 1.a ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024 Attachment: APC_MN_10152024 (9840 : October 15, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes) ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 3 of 3 Packet Pg. 5 2 MEETING DATE: June 17, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals - Ms. Pamela Benjamin, CPM, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services and Ms. Ashley Jenkins, MPA, Special Projects Coordinator FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 6/12/2025 9:25 AM Page 1 Packet Pg. 6 3 MEETING DATE: June 17, 2025 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Renaming the Minority Business Advisory Council - Ms. Ayesha Driggers, Director of the Office of Business Opportunities FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS: • OBO MSBAC Memo (DOCX) • OBO_Minority _Business_Advisory_Council_Presentation_061725 (PPTX) Updated: 6/13/2025 10:56 AM Page 1 Packet Pg. 7 3.a Office of Business Opportunities 1401 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201 • Phone: 803-545-3955 Date: June 12, 2025 To: City Council Administrative Policy Committee Attachment: OBO MSBAC Memo (10070 : Minority Business Advisory Council Update) From: Ayesha Driggers, OBO Director Re: Renaming of the Minority Business Advisory Council to the Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Council The Minority Business Advisory Council (MBAC) was created in 2013. The purpose of the Council is to collaborate with the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities (OBO) to carry out responsibilities in the areas of economic development, employment, procurement, training, and other matters affecting the economic vitality of the small business community. In light of recent changes with the current federal government administration, the Minority Business Advisory Council wants to ensure the council continues its mission of serving small businesses in Columbia. On April 9, 2025, the council took a vote to rename the Minority Business Advisory Council to the Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Council (SBAC). The vote was approved unanimously by the council. Additionally, we would like to combine the Minority Business Advisory Council with the Mentor Protégé Program (MPP) Advisory Committee. We have members of MBAC who currently serve as members of the MPP Advisory Committee and both committees serve the purpose of making recommendations to OBO for small businesses. This change will assist SBAC in making recommendations regarding the Mentor Protégé Program with insight from those who currently participate as a mentor or protégé. We thank you for the consideration of this recommendation and if you need any additional information, please let us know. Sincerely, Ayesha Driggers, Director Office of Business Opportunities Karen R. Jenkins, Chairperson Minority Business Advisory Council www.columbiasc.gov Packet Pg. 8 3.b Attachment: OBO_Minority _Business_Advisory_Council_Presentation_061725 (10070 : Minority Minority Business Advisory Council Administrative Policy Committee May 6, 2025 Packet Pg. 9 3.b Attachment: OBO_Minority _Business_Advisory_Council_Presentation_061725 (10070 : Minority Minority Business Advisory Council The Minority Business Advisory Council (MBAC) was created in 2013. The purpose of the Council is to collaborate with the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities (OBO) to carry out responsibilities in the areas of economic development, employment, procurement, training, and other matters affecting the economic vitality of the small business community. Packet Pg. 10 3.b Attachment: OBO_Minority _Business_Advisory_Council_Presentation_061725 (10070 : Minority Current Members • Allen Brown • Jimmy Chao • Karen Jenkins • Anthony Lawrence • Vanessa Mota • Cheryl Salley • Ronald Taylor • Kadenia Williams Javis Packet Pg. 11 3.b Attachment: OBO_Minority _Business_Advisory_Council_Presentation_061725 (10070 : Minority Recommendation • On April 9, 2025, the council took a vote to rename the Minority Business Advisory Council to the Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Council. • The vote was unanimously approved. Packet Pg. 12