Columbia, Borough of

The meeting commenced with an invocation and pledge of allegiance, followed by the swearing-in of the elected tax collector. An announcement detailed executive sessions held on January 5th regarding personnel issues, agenda reorganization, and updates on submitted items, including the removal of an agenda item because the minutes were not available and another regarding the Raven Ridge submission which required redoing their paperwork. The agenda was reorganized and approved. During citizen comments, one resident followed up on a parking ordinance revision for River Park, specifically concerning trailer parking between Memorial Day and Labor Day, noting the issue was with the legislative committee. Another resident raised zoning questions regarding a recent 14.12-acre transaction involving a former trash company, confirming the area is zoned as light industrial, precluding residential use. A third resident raised concerns regarding tenant protections, specifically excessive, non-refundable application fees that must be paid before viewing an apartment, which may disadvantage renters who cannot afford initial deposits, prompting a discussion about state landlord-tenant law limitations on municipal regulation of fee structures, though officials agreed to look into instances where fees are charged after an apartment is already rented.

The meeting commenced with a roll call followed by the pledge of allegiance. A motion was passed to approve the minutes from July 30th, 2025. The solicitor outlined the procedure for conducting the two zoning hearings scheduled, detailing the roles of parties (applicant, bureau, planning commission) and the process for presenting evidence and preserving appeal rights. The first hearing involved an applicant seeking an exception to open a private tattoo studio at 475 Locust Street, which is located in a mixed-use property where the zoning ordinance now restricts such establishments downtown. The bureau presented testimony regarding the recent zoning ordinance changes, implemented due to requests from downtown merchants to limit tattoo parlors and smoke shops to the highway commercial district. Further discussion involved clarifying the applicant's business hours, parking plans (on-street only), and potential alternative uses for the storefront space, such as retail, a boutique, or a comic book store.

The meeting commenced with roll call and a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was reorganized to add an action item concerning staff authorization to begin the process for obtaining a tax construction anticipation loan or a Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN). Public comments addressed the need for an ordinance regarding towing services, prompting a discussion on the police department's development of a new towing policy. The council also moved to approve bill payments. A significant portion of the meeting involved discussions regarding the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the sale of the McInness property, including review of evaluation criteria, submission details, and the process for pre-bid meetings, site visits, and question/answer periods related to the RFP schedule, which included a bid release date of March 30, 2026, and a due date of May 15, 2026. Zoning considerations for potential projects were also discussed.

The meeting addressed several applications requiring review. The board discussed the application for 459 Cherry Street, which involved installing vinyl decals/graphics on windows, including the 'Nibbles Corner' logo and signage for groceries and snacks. The board recommended approval for this application, noting the materials are removable and non-permanent. Subsequently, the board reviewed the proposal for 546 North Third Street concerning repairs after a vehicle impact, specifically focusing on replacing a damaged porch and roof, and deciding on the material for the porch railing, ultimately opting for Trex composite railings, 6x6 posts wrapped in composite, and screening in the porch, similar to a previously approved project at 301 London Street. The board also reviewed the extension of a fence at 409 Cherry Street to prevent dog traffic from using the church lawn as a playground area; despite debate regarding whether this required review (as it was below the height requiring a building permit), the board ultimately approved the proposal, citing that the fence is reversible and does not detract from historic buildings. Administrative approvals for interior structural wall support at North F Street and satellite equipment updates at 401 Locust Street were noted.

The meeting commenced with a roll call and a moment of silence, followed by the swearing-in of two new officers, Officer Blaine Matthew Chapner and Officer Kobe. During citizen comments, discussions centered on several municipal issues. One resident raised concerns regarding the ordinance for snow removal and the use of independent private contractors on borough streets, requesting potential consideration for changes. Another resident inquired about Columbia Police Department's prior proposal to cover services for Riceville Borough, which involved exchanging budget information but did not lead to a formal bid or contract discussion. A second resident questioned the Borough Council's agreement status with ICE and potential changes to their stance following national events, leading to a discussion about a two-year-old resolution related to sanctuary city policies. Furthermore, there was an inquiry into the status of a slumlord ordinance, which was reported to be in the draft process, and questions regarding the Borough Council's limited regulatory power concerning landlord-tenant preemption and Dillon's Rule, particularly concerning application fees and credit checks before a lease is signed. The Council noted that they do not typically engage in writing or supporting community grants directly.