City of West Columbia

The City Council agenda includes proclamations for Fair Housing Month and development plan presentations. The City Manager's report covers updates on City Hall, Public Works, Hurricane Beryl recovery, FEMA, the Police Department, and various infrastructure and inspection services. New business items involve the consideration of a delinquent tax collection report and a contingent fee contract for collecting delinquent government receivables. The council will discuss property matters, a utility line variance, and a professional services proposal for a TIRZ consultant. Additionally, the agenda includes discussions on adopting updated versions of international building, plumbing, residential, and mechanical codes, as well as designating a downtown historic district. Further actions involve resolutions for the disposal of surplus public works vehicles and the suspension of a proposed rate increase by Centerpoint Energy.

The council meeting addressed a variety of municipal matters, including drainage concerns, a City Manager's report covering infrastructure and operational updates, and the approval of a voluntary annexation petition. Discussions were held regarding water and sewer service requests, the authorization of grant applications for police equipment, and the second reading of an economic development resolution for 1st Capital Meats, LLC. Additionally, the council reviewed a preliminary subdivision plat, approved an ordinance for adjusted waste collection rates, authorized a quote for drainage improvements, approved a welcome sign design, and passed a resolution calling for the upcoming general election. An executive session was conducted to discuss legal and personnel matters with no subsequent action taken.

The agenda for the regular meeting includes several key areas of discussion. The City Manager's report will cover updates on City Hall, Public Works, Hurricane Beryl/FEMA status, Christmas Decorations, Police Department matters, Grants, New Development, Code Enforcement/Inspector roles, the EDC Director's activities, Citizen's Comments, Elections, and upcoming events. The Consent Agenda covers minutes approval, reports from the Treasurer, Municipal Court, Police Department (including the Racial Profiling Report), Fire Marshal, Public Works, City Engineer, and Tourism Director, as well as consideration for a pay request related to the MIT Resilient Community Program and recommendations from the Economic Development Board of Directors and the Hotel Occupancy Tax Board of Advisors. Public hearings are scheduled concerning the voluntary annexation of a 24.6967 Acre Tract of Land at the Northeast Corner of State Highway 35 and Business State Highway 35. New business items include taking possible action on the annexation, considering water and sewer requests, authorizing grant applications for the Body-Worn Camera Grant Program FY2027 and the Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program, considering the second reading of the West Columbia Economic Development Resolution for 1st Capital Meats, LLC, the first review of the Gulf Coast Christian Center Subdivision Preliminary Plat, an ordinance amending waste collection rates for commercial and residential customers due to a CPI-U adjustment, a proposal for engineering services for the Sinclair Lift Station Rehabilitation, a drainage improvement quote, and a quote for a Welcome Sign, as well as authorizing a resolution calling the 2026 City of West Columbia General Election. The Council may convene an Executive Session to discuss consultation with the Attorney or personnel matters.

The agenda for the meeting included an invocation and pledges, followed by roll call and greetings. Key presentations involved a proclamation for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and a presentation by the Lynn Group regarding a 40 Acre Development. The City Manager's Report covered updates on City Hall, Public Works, Hurricane Beryl/FEMA, Christmas decorations, Police Department activities, grants, new development, Code Enforcement, and upcoming elections/events. Consent agenda items included reports from the Treasurer, Municipal Court, Police Department, Fire Marshal, Public Works, City Engineer, and Tourism Director. Old Business focused on discussing and considering the location for the new Animal Shelter. New Business items included considering a pay request for the MIT Resilient Community Program, contracting for AWIA's Water Risk Assessment, considering bids for Well No. 1 rehabilitation, considering an Annexation Ordinance, considering Standard Operating Policies and Amendments, considering assessments and rehabilitation for Stucker, Sinclair, and Jenn Lift Stations, and considering the first reading of the West Columbia Economic Development Agreement Resolution concerning Capital Meats, LLC.

The council considered and approved an ordinance adopting the City of West Columbia General Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/26, including discussions on tax rate options, police department openings, unexpected costs tied to the sidewalks grant, potential unexpected expenses, and capital improvement projects. Additionally, they approved an ordinance adopting the city's tax rate for 2025, increasing the property tax rate by the adoption of a tax rate of $0.656503/$100.