Administrative Policy Committee
Regular MeetingColumbia, SC · June 18, 2024
Minutes
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The Administrative Policy Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at the
Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby Street, Columbia, SC 29203. The Honorable
Edward McDowell, Jr. called the meeting to order at 11:24 a.m.
Attendee Name Title Status
Edward H. McDowell Chair Present
Aditi Bussells Member Present
Peter M. Brown Member Present
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. May 21, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes – Approved
Upon a motion made by Dr. Bussells and seconded by Mr. Brown, the committee voted
unanimously to approve the May 21, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
2. Vape and CBD Signage Ordinance Update - Ms. Jessica Kinard, Esq., Senior Assistant
City Attorney – Endorse for City Council Consideration
Ms. Jessica Kinard, Esq., Senior Assistant City Attorney shared the mayor’s concerns about
signage that could be misleading by resembling medical establishments. The update to the
ordinance aims to prohibit any depiction of cannabis on exterior signage and to ensure clarity
and compliance with existing ordinances.
There was discussion about existing policies and regulations, particularly on LED string lighting
and decorative lighting; uniform compliance within a reasonable timeframe; challenges from
affected businesses; concerns specific to businesses near churches; and potential operational
restrictions on Sundays.
There was consensus of the committee to endorse the ordinance for City Council’s consideration
subject to including a 90-day compliance period and a provision for extensions.
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ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024
3. Proposed Policy Related to the Issuance of Proclamations and Keys to the City - Ms.
Pamela Benjamin, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services – Endorse for City
Council Consideration
Ms. Pamela Benjamin, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services said we were able to
complete the suggested edits from the discussion at our last meeting. This is closer to the final
version of the policy.
There was consensus of the committee to endorse the draft policy and procedures related to the
issuance of proclamations and keys to the city for City Council’s consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:44 a.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk
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Agenda
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024
The Administrative Policy Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at
11:00 a.m. at the Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby Street, Columbia, SC 29203.
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 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
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. May 21, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
2. Vape and CBD Signage Ordinance Update - Ms. Jessica Kinard, Esq., Senior Assistant
City Attorney
3. Proposed Policy Related to the Issuance of Proclamations and Keys to the City - Ms.
Pamela Benjamin, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services
ADJOURNMENT
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Packet
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024
The Administrative Policy Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at
11:00 a.m. at the Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby Street, Columbia, SC 29203.
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 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
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. May 21, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
2. Vape and CBD Signage Ordinance Update - Ms. Jessica Kinard, Esq., Senior Assistant
City Attorney
3. Proposed Policy Related to the Issuance of Proclamations and Keys to the City - Ms.
Pamela Benjamin, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services
ADJOURNMENT
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MEETING DATE: June 18, 2024
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk
SUBJECT: May 21, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee
Meeting Minutes
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:
ATTACHMENTS:
APC_MN_05212024 (DOCX)
Updated: 6/7/2024 11:19 AM Page 1
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ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Attachment: APC_MN_05212024 (9412 : May 21, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes)
CALL TO ORDER
The Administrative Policy Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The
Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., Chair called the meeting to order at 11:26 a.m.
Attendee Name Title Status
Edward H. McDowell Chair Present
Aditi Bussells Member Present
Peter M. Brown Member Present
INVOCATION
The Honorable Peter M. Brown led the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. February 27, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes – Approved
Upon a motion made by Dr. Bussells and seconded by Mr. Brown, the Committee voted
unanimously to approve the February 27, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting
Minutes.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
2. Honorary Namings - The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr. – Endorsed for City Council
Consideration
Councilor McDowell said we want to tie up any loose ends on the matters of the Leroy Moss
Multipurpose Center, the Sara Nance Cultural Resource Center, and the Virginia Lee Bedford
Center today before we bring this to Council.
Ms. Pamela Benjamin, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services said we have had
several discussions about street namings, facilities, and buildings and the process in which we do
so. To bring some order to this process, we revisited some of our policies. We’ve reviewed the
application and tweaked it to better line up with the process. In the Honorary Naming Policy, we
added that the application will be completed by an applicant or a sponsoring Council Member. In
the past, we have named rooms after individuals with distinction, so we added “room” to the policy
where appropriate. We have also added language to say if the facility is being named, then the
signage would be on the inside and outside.
There was a consensus of the committee to standardize signage while ensuring consistency
between interior and exterior signage including dates of dedication, names of dignitaries, and
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ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Attachment: APC_MN_05212024 (9412 : May 21, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes)
facility names. Rooms would have signage outside to indicate names, similar to City Hall's
conference room. To maintain consistency, it was agreed to use plaques instead of letters for
outside signage. Next steps include finalizing policy revisions, submitting the revised policy for
approval, and reaching out to potential applicants. Additionally, a future discussion is planned
regarding whether the naming policy should specify deceased or living individuals.
3. Proposed Memorial Garden at T.S. Martin Park - Mr. Randy Davis, Director of Parks and
Recreation – Received as information
Mr. Randy Davis, Director of Parks and Recreation presented a proposal for a community garden
at T.S Martin Park, which stemmed from Joe Azar's desireto establish such a garden in the 29203
community, as expressed in his living will. The idea was presented by William Ackel, Joe's cousin,
who had discussions with Ed Brogdon and Willa Martin Bailey dating back to 2014. Bailey, the
daughter of T.S Martin, had envisioned a garden as part of her father's park. The proposal gained
momentum after Joe Azar was impressed by a similar garden built by Brogdon in 2017. The
proposed site for the garden is behind the baseball field in the park, featuring various elements
such as raised beds, flower gardens, and educational programs for students from W.A. Perry
Middle School. Funding for the project primarily relies on donors. The city is expected to
contribute approximately $30,000 for perimeter fencing and signage bearing the name "Joseph S.
Azar Community Garden” at TS Martin Neighborhood Park.
There was discussion about the need for the proposal to undergo further review, including
alignment with the city's new branding standards, particularly concerning sign design.
There was consensus of the committee that the proposal would progress through the application
process to establish a memorandum of agreement once approved.
4. Proposed Policy Related to the Issuance of Keys to the City and Proclamations - Ms.
Pamela Benjamin, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services
Councilor McDowell said there needs to be a formal policy that indicates how a proclamation and
keys to the city ought to be delivered.
Ms. Pamela Benjamin, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services shared the draft of the
policy. The policy outlines the process for requesting proclamations and keys, including the
completion of a form similar to an application.
There was discussion regarding distinctions between staff initiated proclamations related to city
work and citizens; keys being the highest honor; symbolic gestures by the Mayor;; and naming a
portion of Gregg Street “Brian Newman Way”, with emphasis on the updated process. Next steps
include bringing back policy with tracking method and communications process.
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ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Attachment: APC_MN_05212024 (9412 : May 21, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes)
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk
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MEETING DATE: June 18, 2024
DEPARTMENT: Office of the Mayor
FROM: Daniel Rickenmann, Mayor
SUBJECT: Vape and CBD Signage Ordinance Update - Ms.
Jessica Kinard, Esq., Senior Assistant City
Attorney
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:
FOCUS AREAS: Safe Communities
To update ordinances to remove cannabis imagery from establishments that is visible from the
exterior and ensure proper marketing that eliminates confusion as it relates to the practice of
medicine and dispensing of controlled pharmaceuticals.
Updated: 5/17/2024 12:23 PM Page 1
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MEETING DATE: June 18, 2024
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Proposed Policy Related to the Issuance of
Proclamations and Keys to the City - Ms.
Pamela Benjamin, Assistant City Manager for
Administrative Services
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:
Updated: 6/7/2024 11:01 AM Page 1
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