Economic and Community Development Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2022-05-17
Time: 13:00

COLUMBIA ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
 MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022


CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PRESENTATIONS AND COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

1. Proactive Business Steps to Institute a Business First Environment

2. Office of Business Opportunities Presentation - Ms. Melissa Lindler, Office of Business
 Opportunities Director

3. Marion Street Highrise - Ms. Missy Gentry, Assistant City Manager for Development

4. Opportunities to Expand Partnership with GrowCo and Build the Fort - Mr. Ryan
 Coleman, Economic Development Director

ADJOURNMENT




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COLUMBIA ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
 MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022

The Columbia Economic and Community Development Committee will conduct a meeting on
Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room at City Hall, 1737 Main
Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may view the meeting online at
www.columbiasc.gov. For additional information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-3045
or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov.

 The Honorable Joe E. Taylor, Jr., Chair
 The Honorable William Brennan  The Honorable Tina Herbert

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

ROLL CALL

PRESENTATIONS AND COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

1. Proactive Business Steps to Institute a Business First Environment

2. Office of Business Opportunities Presentation - Ms. Melissa Lindler, Office of Business
 Opportunities Director

3. Marion Street Highrise - Ms. Missy Gentry, Assistant City Manager for Development

4. Opportunities to Expand Partnership with GrowCo and Build the Fort - Mr. Ryan
 Coleman, Economic Development Director

ADJOURNMENT




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 2.a




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 CITY OF COLUMBIA, SC
 Office of Business Opportunities


City of Columbia
Economic and Community Development
Committee Meeting

Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Presenter: Melissa L. Lindler, Director



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 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 Office of Business Opportunities
 City of Columbia
The Office of Business Opportunities (OBO) is committed to supporting
initiatives that benefit small, minority, and women owned businesses located in,
or that want to do business with, the City of Columbia. This is accomplished by
providing creative financing, technical assistance, and the City’s utilization of
local, minority, and women-owned businesses to ensure that our efforts
contribute to the economic growth of all communities.

 AREAS OF FOCUS • Commercial Lending
 • Contractor and Supplier Diversity
 • Technical Assistance, Education, and
 Advocacy



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Office of Business Opportunities (Staff of 9)
 City of Columbia




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)




 Organizational Chart

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 Office of Business Opportunities


 Results Achieved in FY21

 City of Columbia


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Packet Pg. 5

 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
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 Commercial Revolving Loan Fund (CRLF)




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 Programs Administered by OBO:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); Est. 2011: A total of 20
loans have been issued from inception to date, of which three are currently active.

Economic Development Administration (EDA) Legacy Loan Fund;
Est. 1988: A total of 113 loans have been issued from inception to date, of which 17
are currently active.
 • We are currently waiting for the final de-federalization approval of these
 funds.
EDA Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act;
Est. 2020: A total of 33 loans were issued during the RLF disbursement period,
November 2020 – September 2021. A total of 32 loans are currently active.
Columbia Economic Renaissance Fund (CERF); Est. 2003: This fund
was capitalized with general fund dollars. A total of 30 loans have been issued
from inception to date, of which nine are currently active.



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 HUD/CDBG, Legacy EDA, CARES Act, and CERF




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 Revolving Loan Programs (as of 2/28/22):
As of 2/28/2022, OBO had sixty-one active loans in our portfolio
totaling $4,865,922.85 as follows:
  61 performing totaling $4,865,922.85 (100%)
  0 in default CRLF as of 02/28/2022

  21 minority owned businesses
 18%
  20 minority women owned businesses Non-Min 34%
 Owned Minority
  9 non-minority women owned 15%
 Owned

 Non-Min.
  11 non-minority owned Women
 Owned
  Minority participation is currently at 67% 33%
 Min.
  Zero write-offs to date Women
 Owned




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  Historical Return on Investment (ROI) -




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
Owner-Private-Public Dollars Leveraged & Jobs
 Created:




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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia



Commercial Retention & Redevelopment (CRR)
 Includes the Façade Program




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 Reporting for Period: 1997 to Present




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
Total Public Investment: $2,240,196.01; Total # of Projects: 137

City's CRR Total Investment
 by Funding Source



 Facade 505:
 CDBG 30%
 Entitlement: $669,178.72
 42% Façade
 $934,425.41
 General Funds


 General CEZ

 Empowerment Funds:
 Zone: 15% CDBG
 13% $349,149.45
 $287,442.43




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 Total # of Projects: 137




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 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
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 Current CRR Target Areas:




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
Harden/Gervais/Millwood/Taylor
 FY 20/21 - $200,000 (CDBG)
 § Loose Lucy’s, 709 Saluda Ave.*
 § Hair Designs, 714 Santee Ave.
 § Bang Back Pinball Lounge, 741 Saluda
 Ave.*
 § The Gourmet Shop, 724 Saluda Ave.
 § Tomorrow’s, 2030 Devine St.*
 § Village Idiot, 2009 Devine St.
 § A Little Happy Shop, 707 Saluda Ave.*

 FY 21/22 - $146,143 (CDBG)
 § 49 Magnolia Blossom
 § 5 Points Chicken & Grill
 § Gong Cha Kremo*
 § Good For the Sole
 § Blue Pizza*

 *Vacancy Incentive


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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
Small Business Stabilization Forgivable (SBSF) Loan
 Program
One time funding allocated by City Council on March 20, 2020 and administered by
 OBO to address immediate needs of small businesses due to the impact of COVID.

 • Bakery/Coffee Shop • Event Rental • Restaurant
 • Catering • Gym/Fitness • Retail
 • Cleaning Services • Healthcare • Sales
 • Construction • Information Technology • Salon/Barber Shop
 • Consulting • Landscaping • Tourism Industry
 • Daycare • Photography • Other
 • Entertainment • Professional Services



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Number of SBSF Awards by Council District




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
(Term: 2 yr. Forgivable)
  Total Awards Made: 322 Percentage of Awards Made by District
  Dollars Awarded: $1,398,000
 50.0%

 Number/Percentage 40.0%

  District of Awards Made 30.0%
  District 1 15.5% 50
 20.0%
  District 2 48.5% 156
 10.0%
  District 3 27.6% 89
  District 4 8.4% 27 0.0%
  Total 322 District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4


 Small Business Forgivable Loans Number Percentage of Total
 Forgiven 250 78%
 To Be forgiven 72 22%

 To date, we are only aware of three businesses
 that have closed permanently.
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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
Fats, Oils, & Grease (FOG) Forgivable Loan Program
Administered by OBO in partnership with Columbia Water.

Fats, Oils, & Grease (FOG) Forgivable Loan Program: As an
extension of the CRR program, local existing Food Service Establishments
(FSEs), restaurants or FSEs converting existing commercial spaces into
restaurants may apply for the maximum forgivable loan amount of $5,000
for grease trap and interceptor installation or upgrade assistance. A total of
six forgivable loans have been issued from inception to date.




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 Fats, Oils, & Grease (FOG)




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 2-Year Forgivable Loans
 Fund Balance
 Date of Amount of Owner
 Name of Business Location Disbursement Terms Loan Investment Total Cost
 Hampton Street 2 Yr.
1 Vineyard 1207 Hampton Street 10/30/2020 Forgivable $2,752.16 $2,752.16 $5,504.32
 Azalea Coffee 2 Yr.
2 Bar 2700 Devine Street 5/21/2021 Forgivable $2,153.50 $1,253.50 $3,407.00
 Rambo's Fat Cat 2 Yr.
3 Biscuits 2430 Main Street 5/21/2021 Forgivable $5,000.00 $11,289.00 $16,289.00
 British Bulldog 2 Yr.
4 Pub 1220 Bower Parkway 4/26/2022 Forgivable $5,000.00 $11,000.00 $16,000.00

 Jack Brown's 2 Yr.
5 Burger Joint 711 Harden Street 4/26/2022 Forgivable $5,000.00 $20,000.00 $25,000.00
 Furu Sato Bento
 LLC/Japanese 2 Yr.
6 Takeout 748 Harden Street 4/26/2022 Forgivable $1,706.42 $1,706.42 $3,412.84
 Total: $21,612.08 $48,001.08 $69,613.16

 Ratio of Loaned to Invested: 1:3.22




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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
 Contractor & Supplier Diversity
 2006 Disparity Study Recommendations Implementation
1. The City had a Disparity Study completed in 2006 that found minority and women-
 owned business enterprises (MWBEs) were substantially underutilized in prime
 contracting in a majority of procurements in the following areas: (1) construction,
 (2) architecture and engineering consultants, (3) professional services, (4) goods
 and supplies, and (5) other services. The 2006 Disparity Study also found that
 MWBEs were substantially underutilized in subcontracting in a majority of
 procurements in those same five areas.
2. In response to the findings and recommendations, the City implemented the
 Mentor Protégé Program (MPP) in 2008, the Local Business Enterprise (LBE)
 Preference Policy in 2010, and the Columbia Disadvantage Business Enterprise
 (CDBE) Program in 2016 as a race and gender-neutral method to increase the
 utilization of MWBE prime contractors.



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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
 Mentor Protégé Program (MPP)
The Mentor Protégé Program (MPP) was created in 2008. The purpose of
the MPP is to build the capacity and strengthen the number of local firms
competing for water/sewer projects. Under this program, protégés team up
with mentors for City projects to increase their existing knowledge and
capacity in water/sewer construction, engineering and professional services.
 Current MPP # of Teams
 Teams:
 Construction FY19/20: 12
 Services FY20/21: 13
 FY21/22: 14 (to date)
 Professional FY19/20: 52
 Services FY20/21: 51
 FY21/22: 58 (to date)




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Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
 Mentor Protégé Program (MPP)
 FY19/20 FY20/21
  Total MPP Projects 24 35
  Total Dollars Awarded $17,590,884.31 $24,388,047.50
  Total Dollars Awarded
  to Protégés $3,595,782.25 $5,525,539.14
  % of Total Contract
  Dollars to Protégés 20.44% 22.66%
  Total Dollars to Non-
  Minority Women $1,662,288.65 $2,744,558.80
  % of Total Contract
  Dollars to Non-
  Minority Women 9.45% 11.25%
  Total Dollars to
  Minority Protégé Firms $103,280.00 $789,734.00
  % of Total Contract
  Dollars to Minority
  Protégé Firms .60% 3.24%

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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
 Local Business Enterprise Preference Policy

The Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Preference policy was created in 2010. This
preference encourages participation of local businesses by providing them
open access to competitive bid opportunities. Currently there are 162 LBEs.

This Local Business Enterprise (“LBE”) Preference Program shall apply to any
procurement valued at $5,000 not to exceed $25,000 (Informal Procurements)
and/or any City contract procured through a competitively sealed bid process,
also known as Invitation for Bids (IFB’s), Request for Proposal (RFP) or certain
Request of Qualifications (RFQs) wherein the contract value is estimated by the
City to be in excess of $25,000 (Formal Procurements) and is not procured
pursuant to State or Federal guidelines that prohibit or restrict local preferences
of this kind. (Excerpt from the LBE Policy)



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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
Columbia Disadvantage Business Enterprise (CDBE) Program

The Columbia Disadvantage Business Enterprise (CDBE) program was
created in 2016. The purpose of the CDBE program is to ensure that CDBEs
have an equitable opportunity to compete for City subcontracts. The policy
provides that DBEs shall be afforded the opportunity to participate fully in
the City’s overall procurement process.

The CDBE goal is calculated by OBO office based on the relative availability
of DBE subcontractors who are able to perform identified tasks of a specific
project. The goal is recommended to the City Manager for final approval on
qualifying projects.



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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
 Columbia Disadvantage Business Enterprise (CDBE)
 Program

# of approved CDBE’s:
  FY19/20 – 94 FY20/21 – 93 FY21/22- 87 (to date)

 FY19/20 FY20/21 FY21/22
Total CDBE Projects 5 8 1
Total Dollars Awarded $9,488,995.94 $47,688,397.76 $9,579,966.00
 1,700,810.00
Total Dollars Awarded to CDBE’s $2,313,464.04 $4,341,867.15


% of total contract dollars to CDBE’s 24.38% 9.10% 17.75%




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 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 Office of Business Opportunities
 City of Columbia
 Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Utilization


 15.04 14.48
 12.09
 10.17 13.77

  5.9


FY 16/17 FY 17/18 FY 18/19 FY 19/20 FY 20/21 FY 21/22




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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia

 Technical Assistance, Education, and Advocacy
• 2020 and 2021 Survey of Small Businesses
• 2022 Survey of Small Businesses scheduled for May 2022
OBO provides business education, training, and one-on-one
technical assistance to start-ups and existing businesses. Topics
covered include topics such as accessing capital, marketing, use
of social media, business plan development, business finances,
legal issues, and much more.



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 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 Office of Business Opportunities
 City of Columbia
 Technical Assistance, Education, and Advocacy
• OBO has held numerous workshops to educate businesses on the Paycheck Protection
  Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Restaurant Revitalization Fund
  (RRF), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG).

• OBO has held workshops with our community partners to provide access to various
  resources (SBA, SCDOT, SMBCC, BCWBC, SBDC, SCORE, Richland Library, Richland
  County, etc.) .

• 50 virtual events were held and over 2,000 participants attended in 2021. These events
  were also recorded and viewed over 2,200 times on Facebook and YouTube.

• Almost 2,500 contacts receive the OBO weekly newsletter.



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 Office of Business Opportunities



 Areas of Opportunities
 City of Columbia




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Packet Pg. 26 2.a
 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 2.a




 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
  Opportunities In Collaboration with Columbia Water
• (new) MPP Protégé in Transition Program: Will allow protégés that have
  been in an approved team for at least 5 years and performed successfully to
  bid on Protégé Only Projects without being a part of an approved team. The
  program will provide more opportunities for protégés to perform
  independently and graduate to mentor status.

• (new) MPP Utility Training Program: Allows protégés that have an interest
  in building their capacity to perform work on various size pipes and on the
  main tap with prime contractors that are currently on the City’s approved
  water and sewer list. The purpose of the program is to provide more hands-
  on training opportunities to allow more diversity of contractors on the City’s
  approved utility list.




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 Office of Business Opportunities
 City of Columbia




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 Opportunities
• Continue outreach efforts to local businesses regarding City programs and
  services for the small business community.
• Increase coordination and planning across departments on issues
  pertaining to the small business community.
• Expand CRR to Garners Ferry Road (District 4) in an effort to serve
  businesses that have never had an opportunity to participate in the
  program.
• With an increase in small Indefinite Service Contracts, increase probability
  of more smaller/local firms ability to bid and participate on projects.
• Work closer with Procurement & Contracts to identify firms that bid on
  projects that possibly meet LBE requirements.


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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
 Opportunities
• The new Disparity Study, currently underway and expected to be completed
  in the fall of this year, will structure and direct our approach on programming
  and services needed by our small business community, especially women and
  minorities.
• Our CRLF program affords the small business community the option of loan
  rates set at prime minus .75 percent. Most traditional lenders are priced at
  prime plus at least one (1) percent.
• With rising interest rates, many small businesses will be unable to obtain
  capital, thereby increasing their inability to function and meet cash flow
  needs.
• Listen….

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 Office of Business Opportunities




 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 City of Columbia
 Realistic Targets (Adjustments May be Needed)

• Increase the number of MPP and CDBE participants by 10% in FY23.
• Increase the number of LBE participants by 20% in FY23.
• Maintain the current CRLF default rate at 0% - 1% in FY23.
• OBO schedule monthly meetings with Columbia Water, Procurement and
  Contracts, Economic Development and other relative departments on
  identified training needs of the small business community.
• Continue to utilize a hybrid approach for small business training
  opportunities and technical assistance.
• Continue to work in collaboration with community partners to provide
  training opportunities for the small business community.
• Continue to incorporate efforts underway within the City into OBO trainings
  and events,


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 Attachment: OBO Presentation 050322 (7560 : Office of Business Opportunities Presentation)
 Office of Business Opportunities
 City of Columbia


 Plan of Action for FY22/23
Align the programs and services of OBO with the priorities
of the new administration.




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COLUMBIA ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022

The Columbia Economic and Community Development Committee met on Tuesday, May 17,
2022 at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC. The Honorable
Joe E. Taylor, Chair called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.

Attendee Name Title Status
Joe E. Taylor Chair Present
Will Brennan District III Present
Tina N. Herbert District I Present

PRESENTATIONS AND COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

Councilor Taylor said good questions have come up. As we talked about the business friendly
initiatives, I have used examples of neighborhoods in this city. Several years ago, many of the
initiatives derived from trying to figure out what to do in Five Points. Today, we are talking
about doing this Business First initiative citywide, not just in Five Points and downtown. I want
to make it clear that this is a citywide deal. We will have more impact in places where real estate
might cost less than in places where real estate is more expensive.

Councilor Herbert said I appreciate that. After the meeting, I received questions about other
areas. It is important to emphasize a community-wide approach. At times, we will need to make
special emphasis.

Councilor Taylor said in the last meeting we talked about a recruiter. That would be citywide.
We talk about food deserts, but Dr. Walters noted that there are doctor's office deserts and dentist
office deserts. We want to attract eateries and grocery stores, but we want to make the soil
conditions right for every kind of business that neighborhoods want to have. With the exception
of grease traps, this initiative is non-discriminatory to any trade or business. It benefits the city as
a whole.

1. Proactive Business Steps to Institute a Business First Environment

Ms. Melissa Gentry, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Development said the first item on the
agenda is the proactive business steps to institute a business first environment. We have several
initiatives underway.




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 COLUMBIA ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022


Sanitary Sewer Capacity Fee

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water said our sewer expansion fee
is charged to make sure our treatment and collections system has adequate capacity to convey
waste. Every home that is built is assessed a fee based on an equivalent residential unit (ERU) of
$2,640. A new commercial establishment’s sewer expansion fee is based on the anticipated flow
of sewer from that business divided by the ERU. This can become large for businesses,
particularly those that are being redeveloped. We wanted to look at modifications. We reduced
the fee for large users in 2021. Because of this adjustment, we were able to get Mark Anthony
Brewing as a customer. We looked at other utilities and best practices. If your water meter is less
than 4”, we will not charge an additional fee for redevelopment. We usually collect around $2.5
million annually. We are looking at 5% in sewer expansion fees for redevelopments. It is a small
economic impact for the enterprise fund, but it can be a substantial economic impact for the
individual business. If they increase the meter size, the expansion fee will be reduced under a
redevelopment scenario. We revised the ordinance and our legal team reviewed it. They asked
for a definition of redevelopment and we provided that.

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager said we are starting with items that may require action by the
Council. We will separate the administrative changes. The committee can decide how to move
forward.

Councilor Herbert asked if the 5% equals $125,000. What does it look like for an individual
business?

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water said yes, out of a $2.5
million sewer expansion fee budget. It will depend on the number of businesses. We may be
looking at a delta of $5,000 to $10,000 instead of $10,000 to $25,000 if there is an upsize in
meters. Most commercial establishments will not see an increase in meter size and the net effect
may be zero for them.

Councilor Taylor said that is the worst-case scenario. We lose a lot of deals on lower income
properties. People walk away when they have to pay a $35,000 use fee. We hope that by giving
up 5% of the tap fee, we gain a monthly customer like Mark Anthony Brewing. The cost benefit
was very positive.



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 COLUMBIA ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water said the 5% impact is
assuming that we do not pick up any additional business.

Councilor Taylor inquired about the meter size for a big apartment complex.

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water said 6” or 8”. If a facility
was a warehouse and then becomes a water heavy industry, that is good for us but it can also
have significant impact on sewer discharge and the capacity of our pipes. We have the large user
rate that can help in those instances.

Councilor Brennan asked if a 2,500 sq. ft. retail space is being renovated into a restaurant what
would that tap fee be in comparison to a newly constructed restaurant.

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water said you might see a
$35,000 sewer expansion fee for a new development. If the meter size does not change, you
would not a have fee increase for a redevelopment.

Councilor Brennan said this change encourages redevelopment.

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water said absolutely. The
ordinance is titled sewer plant expansion fee. It is more appropriate for it to be a sewer capacity
fee because it takes into account the collection system and the treatment facility. We requested
that change as well.

There was consensus of the committee to move the revised sanitary sewer capacity fee ordinance
forward and recommend that Council pass it.

Parking Requirements

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said Councilman Taylor
challenged me to think about parking and how it affects businesses. We were initially looking at
eliminating parking requirements for certain size buildings citywide. We started with 5,000 sq.
ft. similar to what we had done in Five Points and around the country. In the new code, we
expanded the area that has total exemptions from parking further into the core of the business
district as well as into the Innovista District. The proposal reflects 7,500 sq. ft. or less citywide
for any new or redevelopment. It takes into consideration further reductions for certain uses
citywide. As seen in these articles about Fayetteville, Arkansas and Raleigh, North Carolina, the

 Page 3 of 15
 COLUMBIA ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022

proposal is to take that exemption of no parking requirements further and apply it to all of our
mixed-use districts. This would extend this benefit to most of our major corridors in all of our
districts. The impacts are business related. This does not mean that you cannot provide parking.
It means that we will not be the ones to tell you how much parking to build. It impacts
affordability and the environment. This is for non-residential. This would be coupled with a
further reduction in requirements for some uses. It is not wholesale. It is not to anyone’s
detriment.

Councilor Herbert said I was in Raleigh last weekend. I do not like not being able to find parking
in the commercial corridors. It may work better if you live there. I am going to do my research.
Trying to find parking is a factor for me. The easier it is for me to park, the more likely I am to
go. How does this change impact a person such as myself who is directionally challenged?

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said we are doing a parking
study. Having appropriately priced parking is important to make sure you have an adequate
supply of on-street parking. Parking Services has done a great job with wayfinding. We have to
encourage the habit of parking in decks and walking.

Councilor Taylor said this would not impact the ability to find parking. We have become a
downtown of vacant parking lots. These are current articles from university towns. I am
discovering that Columbia has 3,000 people living in the city center. Greenville and Charleston
have 9,000 people living in the city center. We need to replace some of these parking lots with
buildings and tax base. We need to grow. Most people who develop buildings have to provide
parking. Ben Arnold built The Palms without parking but it will help us cash flow and create
nighttime demand at the garage across the street. We are eliminating the onsite-parking
requirement for 7,500 sq. ft. buildings. Requiring businesses to provide parking only raises the
cost of doing business in areas like North Main, Two Notch, Broad River and downtown. This is
one way to encourage more locally owned and neighborhood driven businesses.

Councilor Brennan asked if this goes with the business or the entire development.

Councilor Taylor said it would go with the parcel of real estate.

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said for Five Points, we
interpreted it as each individual structure.

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager inquired about Columbiana Drive in Harbison.

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Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said because this is new, we
can craft it as Council desires. In that case, I would interpret it as each business in a structure.

Councilor Taylor said six stores totaling 12,000 sq. ft. are not exempt. You cannot exempt one
part or the other. It is not the City making the capital investment. The individual has to be the
one compelled to create customers. We want to encourage more investment. Get the density of
people that we need to attract businesses to that area. I support moving this forward to Council.

Councilor Brennan said I concur subject to further study of Councilwoman Herbert’s concerns.

Councilor Herbert asked about the area.

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said it would be all of the
major corridors. I can send you a map and literature about the benefit of reducing parking
minimums.

Councilor Taylor asked about the [approval] process.

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said the Planning
Commission for an advisory recommendation and then the City Council zoning public hearing.

Councilor Herbert said I would want to try it out somewhere to see how it works.

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said we haven’t had parking
requirements on Main, Sumter and Assembly since the late 1970s. We expanded it in our new
code to at least half of the remaining parts of downtown.
Councilor Brennan asked Krista to speak on the broader transportation picture of the intended
consequences.

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said by subsidizing free
parking, you disincentivize the other behaviors we want to see to encourage a vital downtown.
There are numerous benefits through rideshare, parking once and walking, reduced surface water
and heat islands, and affordability.

Councilor Taylor said private developers would build their own parking decks because it is
easier to cash flow them.

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Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said it is lucrative. People are
wondering about future decks and the ability to retrofit them.

Councilor Taylor said this might address the ability to go to more enterprise parking throughout
the streets; the meters will go away. I did not see a single parking meter in New York. They had
kiosks. When we do that, it will encourage greater turnover. We check meters from 9:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. We could do enterprise parking past 6:00 p.m. and compel people to park in garages.
Are you in favor of moving forward?

Councilor Herbert said I am in favor of moving forward. I am going to do my research on it.

The consensus of the committee is to move forward with eliminating parking requirements
across the city for developments less than 7,500 sq. ft. and to reduce or eliminate parking
requirements for certain uses in mixed-use districts.

Landscape Requirements

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said somewhat related is the
redevelopment of structures and the requirements with landscape buffers and street protective
yards. We are looking to amend those requirements for redevelopment if those requirements
result in the loss of parking. We are exempting those redevelopments to facilitate the
redevelopment of buildings. We would allow the existing condition to remain.

Councilor Brennan asked if you purchase a building with a parking lot built in the 1970s without
curb cuts and landscaping, would it carry forward in the same condition.

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said yes.

Councilor Taylor said this derives from a project on Gervais Street. They had an existing parking
lot and had to cut out multiple parking spaces to plant trees. This resulted in them having fewer
parking spaces than required which then required them to rent offsite parking spaces.

Councilor Brennan asked if this would apply retroactively or prospectively.

Councilor Taylor said they could probably go back and take the landscaping out if they wanted
to because of the exemptions on onsite parking requirements.

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Ms. Melissa Gentry, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Development said they wouldn’t be
required to lease parking offsite if they fall under the 7,500 sq. ft. parameter.

Councilor Brennan asked if a building 7,500 sq. ft. or less with a large parking lot could be
developed into something else without requirements. There are huge development opportunities
if the parking lot is less than 7,500 sq. ft. There are a lot of buildings in our hospitality districts
that could stand to have extra development on large lots.

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said the amount of
aggregated surface parking lots would astonish you.

There was a consensus of the committee to move forward with changes to the landscape
requirements by eliminating buffer and street protective requirements for parking lots associated
with the redevelopment of existing buildings.

Signage Requirements

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said we are reviewing our
sign requirements.

Councilor Taylor said we are in the process of meeting with sign manufacturers to see what we
can do to make our sign ordinance match up to other places and to provide faster and easier
permitting. That will be discussed at one of our next meetings.

Overlay Districts

Councilor Taylor said we are deferring the discussion of overlay districts today.

Business Friendly Environment

Councilor Taylor reviewed the proposed actions that are underway that do not require code or
ordinance changes. I want to make sure that we are not pro-business or pro-neighborhood; we are
pro-city. We are making decisions that are best for the City of Columbia. That is something that
City Manager Wilson is working through with staff. I went to Greenville to look at their streets.
It is amazing. I found a parking space at a place (Sully’s Steamers) that is getting ready to open
five locations in Columbia. There are locally owned businesses everywhere. The permitting

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process doesn’t affect the code. How do we look for ways to give our prospective investors a
window of time for when they can expect to receive a permit? We can create a reasonable time
expectation for small, business, and large permits to be processed. The next one is to update the
existing brochure that addresses grease traps.

Councilor Brennan asked if these items are coming back to the committee.

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager said they do not have to. We are already taking these staff
level steps. We just have to keep working at it and promote it.

Councilor Taylor said these are management initiatives.

Business Liaison

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager said promoting and marketing the business liaison as the point
of contact for assistance with project development, permitting and business needs for
troubleshooting and identifying bottlenecks goes to the same thing.

Grease Trap Program

Councilor Taylor said our grease trap requirements should apply to everyone. It should apply to
any hospitality business. The city gets a larger water bill, property tax, hospitality tax, some local
options sales tax and water and sewer. We could do it as a rebate through the hospitality tax.

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water said the genesis of the
program was geared towards small local businesses and not a large commercial franchise located
near the interstate. We seeded it with an initial $100,000. We can look at broadening that.

Councilor Herbert said giving capacity to franchisees who already have additional capacity is
one of those considerations in determining who can benefit from the incentive.

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water said we didn’t have as many
issues with national franchises. They are used to dealing with regulatory issues. We initially saw
the need with local folks.




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Councilor Taylor said let’s move forward and open it up for all restaurants. It is a $5,000 cap.
The Starbucks on Rosewood Drive was $40,000. It is not a meaningful discount. We need new
capital. He encouraged staff to do a cost benefit analysis.

Councilor Herbert said I am fine with moving it forward. It is fine to have the full discussion
with the entire Council.

Mr. Clint Shealy, P.E., Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water said we had an initial seed of
$100,000 from the water and sewer fund and we can look at what we might need to reseed it.

Councilor Taylor said West Columbia does a rebate of $10,000 from the hospitality tax collected
by the establishment. Look at that from a legal perspective. There is no upfront money.

Business License Improvements

Mr. Jeff Palen, Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer said in the past we had a
verification process for income and gross revenues that included bringing in all of your tax
documents. We had a process to verify that your business and personal property tax bill was
paid. You still have to tell us that you did this and give us the numbers, but we are not requiring
all of the documents. This has had a huge impact on efficiency. Our new business license
administrator had many complimentary discussions with customers. There were no lines out the
door during our renewal period. It poses the question about having an audit process in place to
verify numbers. If someone chooses to provide false information, state law has a penalty in
place. I would encourage people to be accurate with their numbers.

Councilor Taylor asked when people would be able to get their initial business license
application online.

Mr. Jeff Palen, Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer said our business license
application is online as a fillable form that can be emailed to staff. We will be tracking that, too.

Councilor Taylor said we are looking at standardizing our charges in line with the county.

Mr. Jeff Palen, Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer said for manufacturing and retail,
the county deducts revenue generated outside of the county from their gross revenue. We
recognize all revenue and we are looking at allowing that same deduction. We will have to bring
that back as an ordinance change.

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Councilor Taylor asked the committee to support these positive changes to the business license
program to include determining if the city and county are both charging only for the city/state
and county/state sales taxes subject to a fiscal impact analysis. We are trying to standardize our
fees and processes in an effort to eliminate any reason somebody has not to be in the city.

Councilor Herbert said it makes us more competitive.

Grease Trap Grant Program (continued)

Councilor Brennan said I want us to look at a structure like West Columbia’s for a funding
alternative. I am curious about how the rebate program could work in our municipality.

Councilor Taylor said our consensus is to make it a rebate program to recapture your grease
interceptor expense at 50% of the cost or up to $10,000, whichever is less.

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager said we like that approach and would like to revisit it with our
City Attorney.

There was consensus of the committee to open up the Grease Trap Grant Program to allow all
businesses to recapture their grease interceptor expenses at 50% of the cost or up to $10,000,
whichever is less. This will be a rebate program funded by the hospitality tax. The remaining set
aside goes back into the water and sewer fund.

2. Office of Business Opportunities Presentation - Ms. Melissa Lindler, Office of Business
 Opportunities Director

Ms. Melissa Lindler, Office of Business Opportunities Director said we are committed to
supporting those initiatives that benefit our small, minority, and women-owned businesses
through commercial lending, contractor/supplier diversity, and technical assistance, education
and advocacy. What we do in our office compliments the things that are taking place across the
City. We have a staff of nine. We have four commercial revolving loan funds. We have made 20
loans through the Community Development Block Grant Program since its inception in 2011 and
three are currently active. The Economic Development Administration legacy loan fund was
established in 1988: 113 loans have been issued and 17 are currently active. We are awaiting de-
federalization approval from EDA for these funds that will be used to continue our commercial
revolving loan fund. The EDA Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act Fund was
established in 2020: 33 loans were issued and one has been paid in full.

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Councilor Taylor asked where the repaid money goes.

Ms. Melissa Lindler, Office of Business Opportunities Director said it goes back into the specific
fund it was made from. We accrue program income and we are able to make other loans from
that same pot of money. The Columbia Economic Renaissance Fund was established in 2003
with general fund dollars: 30 loans have been issued and nine are currently active. As of
February 2022, OBO had 61 performing loans totaling $4.9 million and our default rate was at
zero. Every dollar has generated $3 in other sources of funding. The 196 loans created 1,304.5
jobs and retained 426 jobs. The Commercial Retention and Redevelopment Program target areas
include Harden, Gervais, Millwood, and Taylor. We had 137 projects through the Commercial
Retention and Redevelopment and Façade Programs with a public investment of $2.24 million.
We added a vacancy incentive two years ago.

Councilor Taylor asked if OBO could use CDBG and a combination of these funds to come up
with a food service specialty loan program for the areas we have been discussing. It can be
combined with the other initiatives. Think about the types of businesses needed in your areas and
how we can target those businesses for recruitment. We can talk to the hospital about putting a
combination doctor’s office and pharmacy in a doctor’s office desert.

Councilor Herbert said it sounds like a toolkit.

Ms. Melissa Lindler, Office of Business Opportunities Director said I love the idea especially in
the 29203 zip code where we do not have medical service providers.

Councilor Taylor said we have to figure out how to attract the services we need using these
programs. Do we look for nurse practitioners and make the loan to buy a portable mobile clinic
that we can take into the community? Be as entrepreneurial as you can.

Councilor Herbert said we are familiar with that model. CDBG funds have been used for this
before.

Ms. Melissa Lindler, Office of Business Opportunities Director said we used the Cares Act Fund
to make a loan to a doctor in partnership with a private bank. We had a set of nurse practitioners
who launched their business in 29203 and now they have a contract with Fort Jackson.

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager said this sounds like a citywide effort that is more industry
specific.

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Councilor Taylor said it is very positive to target the needs of specific areas.

Councilor Herbert said the desert determines the geographic area. We have everything on Devine
but not on North Main. We should create something to meet the need of what we are trying to
address.

Councilor Taylor asked if we could make a loan from CDBG and bring the repaid funds back
into a general loan fund that is not subject to CDBG requirements.

Ms. Melissa Lindler, Office of Business Opportunities Director said our CDBG loan fund is
administered in accordance with our overall commercial revolving loan fund plan. It is based on
the statutory requirements of the federal programs that are the source for the funds. I can
research the options. The Small Business Stabilization Forgivable Loan Program provided one-
time funding to small businesses impacted by COVID. We made 322 forgivable loans totaling
$1,398,000. We have forgiven 78% of the loans and the rest will be forgiven this month. The
Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Forgivable Loan Program is administered by OBO in partnership
with Columbia Water. There is about $69,000 remaining in that fund.

Councilor Taylor asked Ms. Wilson to decide who will administer the FOG Program. If they are
doing a good job, there is no need to change the method.

Councilor Herbert asked if we needed to make a budgetary decision on that.

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager said no, particularly if we are changing course.

Ms. Melissa Lindler, Office of Business Opportunities Director reported that the 2006 Disparity
Study showed that minority and women-owned businesses were underutilized in certain areas.
We created other programs to help increase participation. The Mentor Protégé Program was
created in 2008 and there are currently 14 construction teams and 58 professional services teams.
There were 35 projects in fiscal year 2020/2021.

Councilor Herbert said that without the 20% minimum, they might only get 2% or 5%.

Ms. Melissa Lindler, Office of Business Opportunities Director said since 2018/2019, we ensure
that the 20% requirement is maintained with change orders and amendments. We have 162 local
business enterprises. There is discussion around changing how we define local.


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Councilor Taylor said after budget season, I want to have a discussion with the Office of
Business Opportunities about how we can develop more minority business participation. There is
more we can do to create local small businesses and task Columbia Water with being a catalyst
for the creation of small businesses. Can we create a city apprentice program to train young
people on water connections straight out of high school?

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager said we tend to focus on water, sewer and construction.
Councilman Taylor mentioned the percentages with professional services, too.

3. Marion Street High-rise - Ms. Missy Gentry, Assistant City Manager for Development

Councilor Taylor said the Housing Authority has put the Marion Street High rise up for bid.
They have moved everybody into new structures somewhere else. It should have been a positive
living experience. Having a boarded up high rise is not good for business. Do a memorandum
today to all council members letting them know that the building is available and who to contact
if they are interested in bidding.

Councilor Brennan asked about the new zoning and height restrictions.

Ms. Krista Hampton, Planning and Development Services Director said it is fifty feet.

4. Opportunities to Expand Partnership with GrowCo and Build the Fort - Mr. Ryan
 Coleman, Economic Development Director

Mr. Ryan Coleman, Economic Development Director said at our last meeting, Councilman
Taylor asked if we have remaining funds for special allocations. We have $100,000 remaining in
the current year. I have been talking with Chris Heivly and Joe Queenan about what the Build
The Fort and GrowCo partnership looks like going forward. Where would they be interested in
seeing us support them? They provided a couple of alternatives. The main thing they asked for is
a new accelerator program called Builders and Backers. They would run as many small
businesses through the cohort at $5,000 per business.

Councilor Taylor said they are getting a $25 million computer through a General Assembly
appropriation. We want to make sure that the people of Columbia have access to that computer. I
heard that the Boyd Foundation is looking at a significant deal and they are looking for gap
funds. I recommend that we grant them $20,000 per month for June, July and August then re-
evaluate where they are. Is their work as worthwhile as it seems to be?

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Mr. Ryan Coleman, Economic Development Director said yes, sir. When they came in and we
started looking at the ecosystem in Columbia, it was not driven by technology. This is meant to
tap in and mine that talent in all of our local universities and put those kids in a position where
they can start a technology-oriented business right out of college. We need the high growth, high
wage paying, and cutting edge jobs here.

Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager said this is in line with moving our mission forward based on
the level of discussions we had in trying to move forward with clarity on how to utilize the
additional funds while getting away from any and every grant request. This is moving towards
something transformational. I would love for this to be the first example if that is what the
Council is going to support versus a pool of funds not tied to things that truly move us forward.

Councilor Brennan said we should fund things that create our innovation economy here and
connect that bridge of talent to small businesses. I am excited to hear that this is floating out
there for us to own along with Richland County. That is our contribution to connecting the talent
from our technical schools and colleges to these small businesses, which grow into bigger
businesses that will affect all hospitality districts eventually. That is the path forward.

Councilor Herbert said I am all for disruptive technology and keeping our young folks here.

Councilor Taylor asked if we are willing to pay $20,000 per month starting on June 1, 2022.

Councilor Brennan asked what is it that we want to see from this.

Councilor Taylor said we are still in the infancy stage and I do not know what the metrics are.

Councilor Herbert suggested asking them what the investment will help them do.

There was consensus of the committee to recommend that City Council approve a $60,000 grant
at $20,000 per month starting on June 1, 2022 to fund GrowCo and Build The Fort from the
Economic Development fiscal year 2021/2022 special allocations, not fiscal year 2022/2023.

Councilor Taylor said at the next meeting, possibly in June, I want to discuss the Office of
Business Opportunities and review what we pay into various economic development alliances.
Let us control our own destiny with the funds we have spent before.



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Ms. Teresa Wilson, City Manager said many of the Business First initiatives are ready. Are you
going to announce any of that today?

Councilor Taylor said let us announce all of the things that we are ready to implement today. In
the next two weeks, I would love to do a breakfast with commercial realtors, developers, Mr.
Brennan, Ms. Herbert, Mayor Rickenmann and key city staff at the Warmouth on North Main to
make a public announcement. We can do this in June. We are ready to grow downtown and all
corridors.

Councilor Herbert said I am agreeable.

Councilor Brennan said I am agreeable.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




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