Community Development Committee

Regular Meeting

Columbia, SC · October 3, 2023

Minutes

COLUMBIA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023 CALL TO ORDER The Columbia Community Development Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), Columbia, South Carolina. The Honorable Tina N. Herbert called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Tina N. Herbert Chair Present Howard E. Duvall Member Present Will Brennan Member Present COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. Let’s Build Together Workshop - The Honorable Tina N. Herbert Councilor Herbert announced the Let's Build Together Workshop which will invite non-profits and churches to become more involved in understanding housing development. It’s an opportunity to hear what the city has to offer and connect them to developers who can assist them. It is one of the recommendations from the Affordable Housing Task Force. We're going to start promoting it today. Let us know if you have any churches that would be interested. There was a discussion about the workshop's promotion, the connection to the Affordable Housing Task Force, identifying inventory of vacant lots, and properly preparing individuals to be in the housing arena. 2. Update on Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) 2024 Conference - Mr. Tige Watts, President of the Richland County Neighborhood Council Mr. Tige Watts, President of the Richland County Neighborhood Council announced that on August 31, 2023, the NUSA Board voted unanimously to award the host site to the city of Columbia and Richland County during May 22 - May 25, 2024. This is the first time the conference will be held in the Carolinas. The average conference participant spends up to $5,000. This is an educational workshop with opportunities to highlight local neighborhoods. The theme is "Revive, Restore, & Rejuvenate" and we are developing a conference logo, workshops, and an opening Palmetto Reception featuring the governor, Richland County and the city of Columbia. We will need funding from the city and the county to host the conference and for marketing. We are developing a sponsorship package. We were awarded up to $25,000 that will be repaid from registrations. Page 1 of 3 COLUMBIA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023 There was a discussion about the anticipated number of participants, using a formal event planner and the need for a project manager before 2024. There was consensus of the committee to receive monthly updates. Ms. Felicia Kilgore, Director of Community Development said we have a meeting scheduled to discuss the Community Development Department's involvement in planning the conference. 3. Business License Incentive for Grocery Stores - Ms. Ayesha Driggers, Director of the Office of Business Opportunities Ms. Ayesha Driggers, Director of the Office of Business Opportunities said we incorporated the feedback received at the last meeting. We clarified the designated business area and added North Main Street and the Bull Street District. We wanted to make it clear that we received recommendations from the Food Policy Committee. They were a part of the decision on what we included in this incentive. Ms. Kelly L. Smith, Business License Administrator said instead of one year, we updated it to five years of rebates per location. It would be 100% of the annual business license fees. Ms. Ayesha Driggers, Director of the Office of Business Opportunities said for established businesses, we did 75%. We talked to the Food Policy Committee and based off their feedback, we did 75% for existing grocery stores. Mr. Bob Petrulis, Hyatt Park Neighborhood resident said Hyatt Park is a food desert. A business license fee based on gross sales has a huge impact on grocery stores. This can be a good incentive to get folks to consider the North Main area. We discussed this in a neighborhood association meeting and we wanted to make our support known. There was discussion about the potential sunset date and clarification of relocation language. There was consensus of the Committee to provide a five year incentive from the date of the application and to address the ordinance sunset date of five years separately. No one can apply after May 1, 2028. Page 2 of 3 COLUMBIA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023 4. Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program Two- Year Extension - Ms. Felicia Kilgore, Director of Community Development Ms. Felicia Kilgore, Director of Community Development recalled reporting that as we move forward to close out the Disaster Recovery Program, we received guidance from our HUD representative to request the max extension which is two years. As we reconcile the general ledger, we want to use those funds to assist individuals who haven't previously received assistance. This is still being considered by HUD and they are still waiting for additional reconciliation. There was a discussion about excess funds reallocated towards other projects and the under usage of funds. 5. Affordable Housing Campaign - The Honorable Tina N. Herbert - Withdrawn ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 3 of 3

Agenda

Packet

COLUMBIA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023 The Columbia Community Development Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, 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 Tina N. Herbert, Chair The Honorable Howard E. Duvall, Jr., At-Large  The Honorable William Brennan, District III Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes. CALL TO ORDER COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. Let’s Build Together Workshop - The Honorable Tina N. Herbert 2. Update on Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) 2024 Conference - Mr. Tige Watts, President of the Richland County Neighborhood Council 3. Affordable Housing Campaign - The Honorable Tina N. Herbert 4. Business License Incentive for Grocery Stores - Ms. Ayesha Driggers, Director of the Office of Business Opportunities 5. Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program Two- Year Extension - Ms. Felicia Kilgore, Director of Community Development ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1 1 MEETING DATE: October 3, 2023 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Let’s Build Together Workshop - The Honorable Tina N. Herbert FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 9/29/2023 8:59 AM Page 1 Packet Pg. 2 2 MEETING DATE: October 3, 2023 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Update on Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) 2024 Conference - Mr. Tige Watts, President of the Richland County Neighborhood Council FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 9/29/2023 1:48 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 3 3 MEETING DATE: October 3, 2023 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Affordable Housing Campaign - The Honorable Tina N. Herbert FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 9/29/2023 9:08 AM Page 1 Packet Pg. 4 4 MEETING DATE: October 3, 2023 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Business License Incentive for Grocery Stores - Ms. Ayesha Driggers, Director of the Office of Business Opportunities FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS:  #a: ARTICLE_II._OBO_GROCERY_INCENTIVE (KH Edit)9_25_23 (PDF) Updated: 9/29/2023 9:48 AM Page 1 Packet Pg. 5 4.a - CODE OF ORDINANCES Chapter XX – GROCERY BUSINESS INCENTIVE ARTICLE II. Office of Business Opportunities ARTICLE II. OFFICE OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES INCENTIVES Sec. XX. Creation of the Office of Business Opportunities stimulus program. The Office of Business Opportunities stimulus program (the "program") is hereby established by the City of Columbia. The Office of Business Opportunities (OBO) shall administer the program. Sec. XX. Purpose. The purpose of the program is to provide an Office of Business rebate in an amount equivalent to a portion of business license taxes paid by a qualifying business that maintains or establishes a qualifying business within the corporate limits of the city. Sec. XX. Definitions. (a) Grocery store means any retail grocery store NAICS Code 445110 and defined as a store that is primarily engaged in selling food at retail for home preparation and consumption, such as grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, and retail bakeries and other specialty food products stores. A grocery store or food market may sell non‐food commodities, such as beverages, dairy, dry goods, fresh produce, and other perishable items, frozen foods, household products, and paper goods; may sell beer, wine, and/or liquor sales for consumption off the premises with the appropriate beverage license (b) Designated business area means a grocery store established on or within 200’ of in these specific corridors and/or districts: Main Street, North Main Street, Two Notch Road, Farrow Road, Elmwood Avenue, Fairfield Road, W. Beltline Boulevard, Colonial Drive, Bull Street, River Drive, Sunset Drive, Monticello Road, Covenant Road, Atlas Road, Bluff Road, Bull Street District (bounded by Harden, Colonial, Bull, and Calhoun Streets). And must be located within a zoning designation that permits a Grocery Store Use as approved by Planning and Development’s Zoning division.department (c) Qualifying business means would meet the following: located in a designated business area that has approved use from Zoning, matches the grocery store or retail description herein, (d) Retail business means a business that is primarily engaged in selling food at retail for home preparation and consumption, such as grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, and retail bakeries and other specialty food products stores. A grocery store or food market may sell non‐food commodities, such as beverages, dairy, dry goods, fresh produce, and other perishable items, frozen foods, household products, and paper goods; may sell beer, wine, and/or liquor sales for consumption off the premises with the appropriate beverage license. Sales of tobacco & vape shall be limited and classified as ancillary as defined by Zoning. (e) Special emphasis neighborhoods means areas identified as corridors in (f)as established by the Office of Business Opportunities, and Planning & Development, and recommendations from the Food Policy Committee. (f) Impact Fees City of Columbia, South Carolina, Code of Ordinances Created: 2023-8-29 Page 1 of 3 Packet Pg. 6 4.a (g) Sec. XX. Office of Business Opportunities stimulus for qualifying businesses. (a) As a form of the Office of Business Opportunities stimulus, the qualifying business shall be eligible, upon application and approval, for a rebate in an amount based upon the calculations and schedule set forth. Upon approval of the application, the city will make this rebate via reimbursement to the business within 45 business days of the city's receipt of payment of the city's yearly business license taxes due from the business. Rebate via reimbursement and the calculation of the amount of rebate via reimbursement shall not include any late payment of taxes or any amount paid as penalties. (b) For any newly established qualifying business, the rebate amount set out in this section shall consist of: One- time Available for up to 5 years of rebates, per location, 100 percent of the annual business licenses taxes levied on said business and actually received by the city. taxes levied on said business and actually received by the city between the effective date of this article and May 1st. 2028. (c) For any existing qualified business, the economic development grant amount set out in this section shall consist of: Available for up to 5 years of rebates, per location, 10075 percent [DAG1]of the annual business license taxes levied on said business and actually received by the city between the effective date of this article and May 1st. 2028. Sec. XX. Compliance with program requirements. (a) Any business which receives a rebate from the program and subsequently relocates outside of the corporate limits or established corridors of the city shall repay the rebate as follows: (1) If the business relocates within the first three years after receiving the rebate, it shall reimburse the city the entire amount of rebate funds received within 90 days; (2) If the business relocates three or more years but less than five years after receipt of the rebate payment, it shall reimburse the city any rebate funds received for two prior years; or (3) If the business relocates five or more years after receipt of the rebate payment, then no rebate via reimbursement is due. (4) Relocation within designated business areas is permissible,permissible; business is responsible for completing change of address paperwork with Business Licensing. (b) Newly-established businesses have up to six months from the date of filing of its initial business license application to apply for the program. The application date shall not serve to expand the amount or the term of the rebate in any event. (c) Must remain current on Business License renewals and (if applicable) hospitality accounts Sec. XX. Exclusive use and termination of rebate via reimbursement. Eligibility under the program is specific and personal solely to the business or licensee, is not assignable to any other entity or person, and terminates immediately upon the cessation of business within the city or the relocation outside of the corporate limits of the city, provided however, termination is not triggered in the event of reorganizations, mergers, the creation of new companies, or acquisitions by a company so long as the successor or new company otherwise meets the rebate requirements. The city reserves the right to modify, amend or discontinue the program, in whole or in part, at any time. Receipt of rebate funds from the program is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any Office of Business Opportunities efforts that may be supported in whole or in part by the city. One rebate per location. Created: 2023-03-01 15:20:28 [EST] (Supp. No. 16) Page 2 of 3 Packet Pg. 7 4.a Created: 2023-03-01 15:20:28 [EST] (Supp. No. 16) Page 3 of 3 Packet Pg. 8 5 MEETING DATE: October 3, 2023 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program Two-Year Extension - Ms. Felicia Kilgore, Director of Community Development FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 9/29/2023 2:17 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 9