Administrative Policy Committee

Regular Meeting

Columbia, SC · October 15, 2024

Minutes

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024 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 ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024 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 ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 3 of 3

Agenda

Packet

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024 The Administrative Policy Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. The meeting can be viewed 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 should speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes. CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of 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 3. Plurality Voting System - Ms. Erika Hammond, CMC, City Clerk 4. Vehicles for Hire - Mr. William "Skip" Holbrook, Columbia Police Chief Page 1 of 1 1 MEETING DATE: October 15, 2024 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Approval of the June 18, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS:  APC_MN_06182024 (PDF) Updated: 9/26/2024 1:49 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 2 1.a ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 Attachment: APC_MN_06182024 (9668 : June 18, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes) 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. Page 1 of 2 Packet Pg. 3 1.a ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 Attachment: APC_MN_06182024 (9668 : June 18, 2024 Administrative Policy Committee Meeting Minutes) 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 Page 2 of 2 Packet Pg. 4 2 MEETING DATE: October 15, 2024 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Boards and Commissions - Ms. Pamela Benjamin, CPM, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services and Ms. Ashley Jenkins, MPA, Special Projects Coordinator FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 10/2/2024 12:42 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 5 3 MEETING DATE: October 15, 2024 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Plurality Voting System - Ms. Erika Hammond, CMC, City Clerk FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS:  Voting_Systems_Presentation_101524 (PDF) Updated: 10/2/2024 1:22 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 6 3.a Attachment: Voting_Systems_Presentation_101524 (9692 : Plurality Voting System) A Comparative Approach for More Efficient Elections Administrative Policy Committee October 15, 2024 Packet Pg. 7 3.a Attachment: Voting_Systems_Presentation_101524 (9692 : Plurality Voting System) Current Voting System Sec. 6-4. Elections to be nonpartisan; notice of candidacy; runoff elections. (c) A second election shall be conducted two weeks after the first election, between one more than the number of candidates necessary to fill offices for which no candidates received a majority of the votes cast. The second election shall be between the candidates receiving the largest number of votes in the first election. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast in the second election in number equal to the number of offices to be filled shall be declared elected. 2 Packet Pg. 8 3.a Attachment: Voting_Systems_Presentation_101524 (9692 : Plurality Voting System) Overview of Voting System Options What is majority voting? A system where a candidate must secure more than 50% of the votes to win. What is plurality voting? A system where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they receive less than 50%. 3 Packet Pg. 9 3.a Attachment: Voting_Systems_Presentation_101524 (9692 : Plurality Voting System) Comparison of Voting Systems Majority Plurality  Candidate receiving over 50% of  Candidate receiving the most votes the votes wins. wins.  If no candidate receives a majority,  No need for run off election. a runoff election is necessary. Advantages: Challenges:  Quicker resolution  Only municipality in Richland  Lower election costs County using majority voting  Encourages broader participation and a  Cost simplified process  Prolonged electoral process  Voter fatigue 4 Packet Pg. 10 3.a Attachment: Voting_Systems_Presentation_101524 (9692 : Plurality Voting System) Recommended Voting System - Plurality  Single round elections eliminate the need for a runoff election thereby saving time and resources  Streamlines the election process  Reduces voter fatigue 5 Packet Pg. 11 3.a Attachment: Voting_Systems_Presentation_101524 (9692 : Plurality Voting System) Next Steps  The Administrative Policy Committee is asked to review a draft ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6 Elections, §6-4 at its next meeting.  Once endorsed for City Council’s consideration, the ordinance will require two readings by Columbia City Council.  No further action is required. 6 Packet Pg. 12 3.a Attachment: Voting_Systems_Presentation_101524 (9692 : Plurality Voting System) Questions? Erika Hammond, City Clerk (803)545.3045 CityClerk@Columbiasc.gov Thank you! 7 Packet Pg. 13 4 MEETING DATE: October 15, 2024 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Vehicles for Hire - Mr. William "Skip" Holbrook, Columbia Police Chief FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 10/2/2024 1:24 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 14